Oven-Cleaning and Fry-Frying

This morning came way too early. When we woke up, Sarah, before even saying good morning, said, “I call the first nap.” We made baked oatmeal for breakfast, which was amazing, but there were things I didn’t know how to do, as I’d never really made food for only 40. There’s a gap in the number I’ve cooked for between like 20 and 300. Oh well. It turned out fine. (I changed the recipe a little, don’t tell!)

We went straight into bag check. This means all the kids get to pick out new clothes if they need them, out of bins of clothes. Man were they excited! And they were wearing some funny things! The boys discovered sweater-vests. Ha! During this, I started cleaning the kitchen. (We have to clean the entire house today to get ready to leave so we don’t have to do it when we get back.) The oven was gross, and since I didn’t have an assigned task, I took on that one. And it almost looks like something you’d use to cook now! Then Sarah asked me to watch the kids as the cleaned the kitchen- sure, I think I can handle getting a bunch of kids who’d rather be playing to clean a kitchen… sounds like something I’ve done before.

The kids went to a movie, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and some of the adults saw Cloverfield, but I stayed here and took a glorious nap! Oh my goodness, I slept so hard! I had some dreams- one of which I was home doing lights.

I played with the kids on the trampoline. We had a small nerf baseball and they’d jump and I threw it over the net thing for them to catch as they were jumping. Quite fun. Good to be outside too.

I made dinner today too. Well, Craig and I. He did most of the meat, and I fried the French fries. I’ve never fried anything like that before. We did them in big pots on the stove, so I had to stand on a chair to functionally see into them. It was kind of fun, but I’m glad we don’t do it for camp or anything- it takes forever! We ate barbequed hamburgers and hot dogs outside on the lawn; really relaxed and causal. The kids put on some fun music from Uganda and we were all dancing. They reminded me once again that I can’t keep rhythm or dance. I asked Frank if I dance like the Choir. No. Well, am I not good enough to dance with you? “No, Auntie. You are too good.” The little stinker!

Today was gorgeous. Definitely a God-send. Tomorrow, there are big plans for us with lots of people, apparently. I decided that my least favorite place to be is Eastern time. I’m now 3 hours away from everyone, and Kyle, who lives across the ocean is only 4. I’m exhausted and in bed, and everyone I know is still at work. And today I realized that almost everyone I’ve talked to in the last few months, especially those in our circle (but including people we run into in places) has an accent! Very few people speak proper English as I learned it. Sarah, Beth, Anne, Ryan, Craig. Sharye and Elissa have Canadian accents, Kyle has one that’s Irish/Scottish/English, depending on the moment, and all the Africans. My goodness! Throw all that into Arkansas!

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