Our trip to Stobi

As a follow up from several inquiries about Natania's experience with the battery; first, it is (with a little poetic license) a totally true account. Secondly, we are sad to say that Mr. Button Battery no longer has the energy in him to perform his duties. (He did try to resume life as normal in the calculator, but alas, the spark has left him!)

The Problem of Having Chosen the Common Macedonian Name “Darko” for Daryl

(Telephone Rings)

Daryl: “Ahllo”

Caller: “Ahllo, Darko?”

Daryl: “Yes”

Caller: “Darko?”

Daryl: “Yes!”

Caller: “Darko??”

Daryl: “Da!” (“Yes!” in Macedonian)

Caller: (Click – hangs up)

Today's Feature

Journal entry from Mr. Button Battery

It is not every day that one gets to leave their boring life encased in a calculator, sheltered from the world, and ignorant of life beyond… Tuesday, January 9^th, 2007 was just such a day for me! Ever since I was born in Shanghai and placed in that calculator, I have often wished I could have a more exciting life… to see the Pyramids, the Great Wall, Niagra Falls… instead I have lived in this dark tomb, shielded from the world and it’s wonders.

I should have seen it coming; there have been a few times that those chubby fingers have felt my smooth shiny surface, but on that day, her curiosity would only be satisfied to experience me with another one of her senses. While her mother’s back was turned fixing lunch, she slipped me into her mouth, rolled me around with her tongue and then all the lights went out and I felt myself plummet down, down, until...SPLISH! Chunks of kiwi, grilled cheese, walnuts, soon joined me in the pool.

I heard a muffled voice outside, “Natania, where did the battery go?” … silence… “Natania, do you see this calculator? Where is the battery? Is it in your shoe? Yes Did you eat it? Yes” The woman’s voice was calm, as she spoke again, “I don’t think she ate it… she’s never done anything like that!” A man’s voice responded, “This could be very serious, maybe we should take her to get X-rays!” After some deliberation they decided my fate. I was on slow track out of there. This wasn’t really what I had in mind for an adventure of exploring the wonders of the world. I began to miss the refuge of my dry, snug slot in the back of the calculator…

I'm leaving out the gory details of the remainder of my journey over these past 72 hours. Needless to say, after two fruitless searches for the mom, the dad got the honors on the third diaper change. He found me after what must have been a stomach churning experience! Third times a charm! Freedom at last! I’m grateful to be in one piece, out of that stuffy place where I’ve seen things I never wanted to or hope to see again!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…

The snow if falling fast—we’ve lingered at the window, watching it come down and sticking our hands out into the cold to try and catch a flake! Natania likes seeing it fall. Hopefully it will stick and Natania can enjoy going outside to play in the snow; a first for her!

We may get a white Christmas this year after all, since according to the Orthodox calendar, Christmas is this Sunday, Jan. 7^th. Macedonia still hasn’t celebrated it yet. To stay in the spirit with our neighbors, we’ve still got our tree up and Christmas music playing through the house!

I just walked away from the window for a few minutes, and now it has stopped snowing! Well I guess that shows how little I know about snow and the weather. Maybe I was a little too quick with all my good ideas of building snowmen in our back yard… now if we were in Colorado right now…

Well, I can still enjoying sitting by my window with or without the snowflakes falling from the overcast skies. I’ve got a couple of freshly baked banana, walnut, chocolate chip cookies and a steaming cup of PJ tips black tea. Not to mention both girls are down for their naps—at the same time! Ah, a few minutes of peace. I don’t know what I would do without nap time (the girls nap time that is). Having a little time to myself every day is what keeps me sane! Thank you Lord!

The purpose

After much contemplation, I have finally decided to try my hand at this whole on-line journal thing. I'm wary of setting myself up for failure, but I’m going to at least try and consistently post entries with occasional pictures as well. I have resisted the idea of keeping a blog because of my worry over not being creative and witty and that readers will be disappointed with my entries. In fact it would probably be good for me from the beginning to give up any notion or expectation that this will be anything more than the usual "family updates" etc. type blog. With so many options out there today in this cyber world, if you choose to read this it won't be for the deep thoughts or clever remarks but because you care about our family and want to know what is going on in our lives. So, I guess that is the purpose of this blog, it's good for me to write that out! I hope you enjoy!