Buddy's Vet Visit

This weekend we took Buddy to the vet for an overall check-up and to talk about any vaccinations he may need before going back to the U.S.  We did some quick research and discovered that as long as he receives a clean bill of health and is up to date on his rabies vaccine he can enter the states.  (So much easier than getting him here!)

Now Buddy is really the first pet I've ever had.  Despite growing up on a farm, we never had animals in the house.  I love having him around but it has been a lesson in taking care of him on some aspects.  Anyways, we packed him up and took him across town.  At first he didn't seem to mind the carrier but I quickly learned he HATES the car.  As soon as we started to move he started crying and it only got more and more desperate   It just broke my heart.

Getting the evil eye 

Luckily at the vet we were able to let him out and explore a bit.  We learned that our research was right and it seems that getting Buddy back to the states will be a fairly easy process (I say this now but as with all things here only time will tell).  Buddy got three vaccines including rabies to get him fully up to date.  He also had to have a de-wormer which was the real excitement of the visit.  After spitting out the vet's initial try to get him to swallow the pill, he had to be put in what can only be referred to as a cat straight jacket and force fed the pill.  (I really wish I got a picture of this)  Poor guy!  On Buddy's defense the pill was huge and I don't know how they expect a cat smaller than him to get it down.

With updated records,we headed back home.  Again Buddy cried the whole way.  We were just thankful we had decided not to run any errands we originally thought we'd do.  We just wanted to get him home and out of the crate.  Buddy spent the rest of the day sleeping.  The trip outside must have really wore him out!

Passed out

Kit Mikayi

This weekend I was feeling a bit restless, to say the least, so we decided it would be nice to get out of the house and explore a little of the area around Kisumu.  Yesterday Josh and I got up early and headed out to a local attraction about 30 minutes outside of Kisumu called Kit Mikayi.

Sign pretty much says it all

Kit-Mikayi  is a rock formation, around 40 m high.  Kit-mikayi means "the stone of the first woman", or "stone of the first wife", in Dholuo, the local language.  The stone is sacred to the people of the area and I've heard a few stories of how it got its name.  The legend behind Kit Mikayi is that: Long time ago, there was an old man by the name Ngeso who was in great love with the stone. Every day when he woke up in the morning, he could walk into the cave inside the stone and stay there the whole day, and this could force his wife to bring him breakfast and lunch everyday. The old man became passionately in love with this stone to the extent that when people asked his wife his whereabouts, she would answer that he has gone to his first wife (Mikayi) hence the stone of the first wife.

I have also heard that a woman was so upset at her husband for taking a second wife that she went to this stone to sit and started to cry.  The stone has a mysterious water source from the top that is said to be her still weeping today.

Another more practical explanation may lie in the shape of the stones themselves. The structure represents the Luo cultural polygamous family which had the first wife’s house (Mikayi) built further in between, on the right hand side was the second wife’s house (Nyachira) while the third wife’s house (Reru) was built on the left hand side of the homestead. This rock is also seen to have a nuclear family whereby the father (Ngeso) being the middle stone followed by the bulky Mikayi (first wife), then Nyachira (second wife), followed by Reru (third wife) and further in front they have the child which is representing Simba (which is the house for the first born boy in the homestead).

At the top 

Whichever you choose to believe, the place has a unique history and we were excited to check it out.  We spent the morning climbing through crevices and under rock.  Josh headed into a bat cave which I happily opted out of.  We weren't able to make it to the top of the stone as that requires some serious bouldering but we did get high enough to get a beautiful view of the country side.

The "resting place"

After a quick snack and a few pictures we headed down to a smaller rock formation on the same property.  There was a large tree coming out of the top and Josh wanted to try his hand at some climbing.  With little to no trail I decided to stay on the ground and document the climb instead.  I'm sure glad I did as Josh said there were a few hair raising parts.  He didn't get up in the tree but he got really close!

Josh at the top of the second formation

Overall it was a great day.  I'm so thankful Josh suggested getting out of the house and exploring a bit.  It helped me relax a bit and not be so focused on completing my never ending to do list.  I don't know what's gotten into me lately but I'm craving a project.  Luckily for me I'm headed back to the states soon (8 days) and can probably cook something up there!

The Little things In the U.S.

A trip to the U.S. brings a whole lot of excitement and usually a long list of things to get done and people to see.  This upcoming trip will be no exception as we have the wedding :) and all things related.  Although the wedding is the "main event" so to speak, there are a few other things that I'm looking forward to on this trip as well.

In no particular order....

1. Stephenitch girls Night (otherwise known as Taco Tuesdays):  This event has been one of the highlights of my time in the U.S. ever since I've lived abroad.  All the ladies on my mom's side get together over a pitcher of margaritas and yummy tacos and discuss life.  This usually results in a lot of laughter and a whole lot of fun.

2. Manis and Pedis with my mom: I guess on some regards this is related to the wedding but I'm still excited to spend some time at the spa with my mom.  She's going to get a manicure while I'm getting both my feet and hands done.  Walking around Kenya in flip flops everyday does a number on your feet!

3. Seeing family and friends: This trip we will get to see both of our families and the best part of it all is they will be in the same place.  I love getting to see everyone when I come back but honestly sometimes its really hard to make time to do so.  Traveling to them requires driving (or even flying) across the country and there just isn't time.  I always end up feeling guilty for leaving my family too.  BUT this time everyone will be in one place!  Super exciting!

4. Organizing: Ok so I know this one sounds weird, but I love me some organization.  Right now it just kills me that all my possessions are scattered around my parents house.  So in all that free time I'll have leading up to the wedding (lol) I'm planning on going through as much of my stuff as possible.  I'd like to try to pack up a few things and sort through some others.  I figure anything I can get done now is one less thing for us to do when we come back to the States next year.

Happy 50th Aunt Julie!

Now I'm thinking she may kill me for announcing her age on here but I couldn't resist.  And frankly I don't know any other 50 year old with as much spunk and laughter than her so here's to embracing the number!

1 Month

I can't believe the wedding is in one month!  Where did the time go?  I know I keep saying this but it feels as if it was yesterday that we got engaged in Zanzibar and were calling up our families to let them know.

Nothing has really changed since the 6 week mark.  We are still anxiously waiting for RSVPs.  I am really hoping there's going to be this huge influx of cards before I get back to the U.S.  I can't tell you how much I am dreading calling 70+ people and asking if they are coming.  I mean lets go folks.  The envelope is pre-addressed and stamped already!  Do this girl a favor!

I'm starting the countdown to head back as well.  I'm going to go a few weeks early and spend some time with my family.  I also have my first dress fittings and a few final meetings with vendors.  Josh had some changes to his schedule as of late and will join me in IL about a week out.  Together we have to do a few small things such as you know get that marriage license and all.  Nothing major :)

I am also really excited for Thanksgiving in the states this year.  It is by far one of my favorite holidays mainly because of all the amazing food that's prepared.  My mom never does anything over the top but its really nice to get together with them and indulge in the turkey day staples.  This year will be extra special as Josh's parents will be able to sit down with us as well!

One more month.    One more month till we get to say our vows in front of family, friends and the Lord.  One more month until I marry my best friend.  One more month till forever.

From Garden to Table Part 4

My pumpkin making adventures continued this weekend with Josh's birthday and the party we threw in his honor.  First I had to make pumpkin pie as it is his favorite and he's not a huge fan of the traditional cake.  Thankfully my mom has a great recipe for it that's been passed down through the generations.  Its just amazing and I think the fresh pumpkin made it even better!  I am still on the search for the perfect crust.  This time mine bubbled up in the middle and left bits of crust in the batter.  Overall it didn't really affect the recipe but would be something I'd like to fix in the future.

Mmmm pumpkin pie

My favorite pumpkin creation thus far has to be the pumpkin snicker-doodle cookies I made.  I'm a huge fan of snicker-doodles anyways and adding the pumpkin just made them all the better.  I think it actually helped them stay softer longer as a snicker-doodle tends to dry up fast.  I made a huge amount of these (about 4 dozen) and managed to get rid of all but 10.  Not bad I think!

Josh insisted that his new beer cozy also be in the picture. Pyramid of pumpkin snicker-doodles!

The crazy thing about all this pumpkin is we still have a ton in the fridge!  I'm pretty sure we are down to about 6 cups which is probably the amount I've used thus far.  I can't even fathom what we would have done with all four pumpkins out of the garden.  We would have been eating pie for months...

Buddy Loves the New Carpet

We just got new carpet upstairs mainly to prevent Buddy from using the nice rug as a scratching post.  So far he's been pretty good about not doing the same with this new one but he does love it, maybe a little too much.

All stretched out