Sorry there are so many of these. I could not stop snapping photos of this. Everyone felt more beautiful than the next, almost too many colors. I recently moved to a hostel on the outside of town.These photos were taken about 50 feet from my door. It has internet, use a kitchen and a tiny little room. But even more lovely is the first photo here. This is my “office.” It’s a gorgeous open lounge area with couches and an ocean view. I know you are all jealous.

I made it!

In case you haven’t heard, i’m back in Ecuador. I decided to go back to my previously quiet and peaceful beach town, only to discover on arrival that the ENTIRE COUNTRY of Ecuador had come to greet me.

When I first heard that my arrival coincided with Carnival, a festival here celebrating something—i don’t know what but they don’t really seem to care about the reasons for celebrating here—I was super excited. I had heard stories about town-wide waterballon fights and how the town would celebrate for days.

Well. They did not tell me about the madness and the insanity that comes when a town built for a 1000 holds 5000. The story on the beach…can only be described as a refugee camp with families with babies and kids sleeping and camping everywhere. And the partying? Oh yes, did they party. Every morning when I got up to go to work (hum, yes, because I’m a good girl, you know) I would see people passed out in the streets sleeping off whatever went down the last night. And that was the lucky ones that had the sense to get out of the street before passing out!

Anyway, I survived my first Carnival and while I did enjoy the experience, i am also enjoying have my town back. I found a room that has internet, use of a kitchen and a gorgeous lounge area that faces the water. It is cool midday and comfortable.

I am in ECUADOR! It is hot and a bit rainy right now but it feel wonderful to be in flip lops and a sun dress.

I fed her meatballs and ziti for lunch and her whole face, hands and arms were completely red. Luckily, I had the foresight to feed her BEFORE her bath.

Uncle TJ put her in the trash can. I don’t know why, ask Uncle TJ.

Night One of Week O’ Baby, the week where I pretend to be a mom while Becky is on her honeymoon. Fuzzy pink garments, bows and teddy bears have been flying in every which direction as I try to fit the preparation of a second individual into my schedule. This photo is the 5 minutes of calm before bed due solely to the hypnotizing quality of Veggie Tales and a long day of playing hide and seek.

Don’t know what compelled me to look this up today but I found a picture of my very first snowboard.

1989 Burton Cruise

Two thieves snatched a woman’s purse only to be taken out by a hurled bicycle.

Taxes! Don’t tell the government but I am a little late in filing my taxes. But now that I am back in this country it is my goal to get it done. Becky is helping me by duct-taping me to a chair until I finish and then interuppting me every 10 minutes to ask if I am done yet and available to entertain her and baby.