Monday, December 28, 2009

Greetings

Sorry no pictures. Dickson and I traveled to Ghana on Dec 24th. I really like it here we are in Nungua which is right outside the Capital Accra. I hope to make it to the beach on Wednesday and take a bunch of pictures this coming week. Christmas for us was very quite. We did observe Church outside with about 5,000 people who attended for 4 days straight. They went home some nights. They definitely know the Christmas is about Christ here!

Monday, December 21, 2009

All Done with the New Do!!


The finished product!!

New Hair Style!! What do you think?


This is Amy she is Yoruba decent. She did my hair tonight. Right out in front of the aparments. I thought a few people were going to crash there car. They were shocked to see a white person. They were not paying attention to their driving. It only look about 1 hour to do my hair. She said it should last for 2 weeks. I will be lucky to keep it for 1 week.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

New Meaning to doing the Laundry


I have a great Husband!! I know in the States we complain that our husbands don't do enough, but Dickson can take a break. This is him doing our laundry. You 1st put it in a bucket of soapy water (it has laundry soap in it) then you let the clothes soak. Then you scrub them like your getting a stain out but you do all the clothes. Then you put them in another bucket to rinse them. Sometime you have to fill the rinse bucket a few times. Then you rink them out by hand and put them into another bucket to go take out to the Solar Dryer!!

Toliet


Bathrooms here are called the Toliet. The shower room is seperate. When there is no water you have to pour a bucket of water in the toliet to make it flush. Remember I am living in a house of 4 guys.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Issues

I tried to post more pictures today, but the internet connections is just to slow. Since we are running of the generator. Nothing works right! 5 day now no power!! I hope we have it again soon. We do use the generator at night so we can at least sleep.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Weather as of 8pm Tuesday night

Current conditions as of 7:00 PM WAT


Clear
Feels Like:91 °F
Barometer:29.83 in and steady
Humidity:84 %
Visibility:6.21 mi
Dewpoint:77 °F
Wind:S 6 mph
Sunrise:6:49 AM
Sunset:6:34 PM
82°High: 93° Low: 74°

Ralph's Kitchen Photo 2


This is the left hand side of the kitchen see the big blue plactic containers. They hold water. Water doesn't run 24/7 here so you have to fill up these containers every day, so you can do the dishes and take your bucket shower (more about those next time). Also we are lucky and have a microwave. Not that it is used much. There is one shelf that they keep dry goods on. Kithens are the bare minimum here. Usually you only have one main meal a day. At night. In the morning they usually have tea and a slice of bread. Oh My Husband made me so happy last night.He found peanut butter (I was never a huge fan). I bought honey today so I can have peanut butter and honey sandwiches. I had them as a kids. You always need comfort food when your away from home.

Ralph's Kitchen


Kitchens here are small and made out of all concrete. We have a two burner gas hot plate I guess you would call it. There is also a microwave. Notice there is no fridge. Due to electricity not being reliable most people dont have them. They usually get a freezer instead. There is a small chest freezer in the hall. People shop everyday for their food. Or make stews and freeze them.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Rough few Days

It has been very hot and the power has been off a lot. So no fans or anything. Two night I actually cried because I was so soaking wet from sweating. Dickson and I actually went outside last night at 2am for 1.5 hours to cool off. We are really considering living in Ghana they don't have the power problems and most of Dickson business is coming from there. We hope to travel there during Christmas week.I went today to apply for a Ghana visa I will pick it up on Thursday. Dickson has to travel tomorrow for a funeral. I will be stuck here for 3 days without him. But I am find things around here. They have Pringles potatoe chips, and candy bars from the US. I like the chips not the candy. LOL I normally only eat one main meal a day then a snack of fruit. I have lost 10lbs. Which is good. I haven't been taking pictures because it take so long to upload them. But maybe while Dickson is gone I will take picture of the apartment we are staying in so you can get an idea. Everything is built out of cement here. Till next time.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Thought for Today

NO new pictures I really need to take some but just haven't been out and about much.
Several people have asked me about Television here. IT is kind of like watching a B rated movie. They do have several shows similar to the ones in the US, Big Brother Africa, Who wants to be a Millionair, and several other reality shows. They also show a few american shows. I saw Scrubs. It is pretty random when things are on. Soccer (AKA Football) is most watched. We watch them draw for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

IT is still hard to get use to the fact I am the only white person that I have seen since leaving the airport. Which also makes me a safety risk. Usually one of the guys have to go with me if I leave the house, for my safety. Dickson worries that I will get Robbed. Lagos is know for crimes. But it seems like people are getting use to seeing me around.

I am still having a hard time with the humidty. But I am sure in another month I will be use to it. IT is just so horrible when the electricity goes out during the day and there is no fans. You just end up being all wet and sticky! GROSS!!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

more Food




We had beans and Plantines (?spelling) which were very good. I am use to beans and Yams.
The next picture Indomie which I had for lunch yesterday and hopfully today it is kind of like Top Ramon noodles just no soup. They also chop up fresh red onions and put in it.
The 3rd picture is them BBQ Suya, my favorite food. I had it for dinner last night alone with French fries that they call potatoes chips.

I will try and go out today and take pictures of the area I am in. Hope this makes you hungry.

OOPS

The African salad is on the bottom and the Yam and red stew are the top picture.

FOOD




Top picture is African Salad, Yuck!! IT tasted like bitter pine needles. The guys said it was going to be sweet. But there defination of sweet is anything that isn't spicy.
The second Picture is Ralph and Dickson eating Traditional Garry. It has very bitter vegtables in it and I am not a big fan.
The Thrid picture is red stew and boiled yams. The yams are kind of like potatoes but dryer and not butter.

Bananas


The bananas in this region are green when they are ripe. I usually have 2 or 3 for breakfast or fresh Pineapple. They taste so much better than the store bananas.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Pictures below

The top one is from the Penacostal Church we attend on Sunday Ralph (Dickson Cousin, but they were rasied like brother) is on the far left and his younger brother Mark far right had all be baptised the day before and the pator was blessing them.

The next picture down is Ralph and Dickson on Lagos Island close to Ralphs work at King Street. We were walking down to on Old Catholic church it was the 1st one built by the British. I hope to get the picture of that up.

Please let me know what you want to know about my adventure on the comment sections if nothing is left I dont know what you want to know about.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Nigeria food


Some Nigeria Foods

Suya is my Favorite it is the one served on newspaper. It is thinly sliced beef BBQ with hot chili spices (still a little to hot for me). It also always has fresh red onions chopped up and put with it.

The second picture is the Dinner we had at Church for their Thanksgiving, We had Jollof Rice, Cabbage Salad, Beef Piece from a cow they killed today.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

I have Arrived!!

Sorry I had hoped to post a few pictures but I forgot my camera cord at the hotel. The travel was good and today was very relaxing. I am very happy to be here. I had my favorite food last night Dickson made sure I had Suya! Lagos is much cleaner than the last time I was here. Even less polution. So I am very happy. Dickson has been great and his family member Ralph has been very hospitable and kind. Hopefully tomorrow I will post some pictures! Hope you all had a Good Thanksgiving with your families!!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Ready for the Adventure to Begin!!

I didn't really sleep last night. I was busy trying to get 40lbs out of my 4 bags. I found out my bags could only weight 50lbs each instead of 70lbs. So that was fun!! NOT!! But I think the mission is accomplished!! Next time you hear from me I will be in Nigeria. Hope you all have a Blessed Thanksgiving!!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Family Dinner


Saturday night we had a family dinner at Michael T's in Utica. They had good Italian food. We did a Christmas, Thanksgiving Good Bye dinner. They kids were great. I am going to miss them so much.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

VISA has Arrived!!

All my travel documents are now in order! I am so ready to go!!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

I AM GOING TO BE A GRANDMA!!

I found out a couple weeks ago but my daughter wanted me to be quite until she told all the important people!! But for my 40th birthday I will get a Grandbaby. She is due June 18th. Which is a week before my birthday. I am very excited.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

I have my Plane Ticket!!

I am leaving for Nigeria on Thanksgiving. I am getting so excited. Until yesterday when I spent 5 hours working on Visa paperwork. But it is all sent off. Now I just have to stress about getting it back in time. I leave at 3:30pm out of Newark, NJ. Fly to Amsterdam (get there around 6am) Leave there around noon and finally arrive Friday evening around 7pm in Lagos Nigeria where I am sure it will take 2 hours to get through customs. BUT WORTH IT ALL. As soon as I have my PO box Addres I will be sure to get it out to everyone.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Another baby quilt



Someone near and dear to me is Pregnant. But they haven't offically announced it. I made them this baby quilt and receiving blankets. Since they dont know what they are having since it is so early. I did one for each.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Nigeria Facts

I put up a new map of Nigeria showing all 36 states. Abuja is in the Captial which is called the FCT Abuja. It is not counted as a state. Is in kind of in the center colored Red. Near Niger State. I have been to Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Anambra, Delta, Enugu on my last trip to Nigeria. I will fly into Lagos. Then travel to Abuja.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Another Yankee Blanket


I did another Yankee baby size blanket for my daughter and a couple small pillows. They are coming up for dinner Wednesday I think they will like them a lot.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Quilt for my daughter


She wanted me to make her a New York Yankees blanket with this fleece fabric. It is small.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

T-Shirt Quilt


I worked on this Tshirt quilt. I gathered Tshirt from different States or Countries I have visited and put them together in this quilt. I still need to do an outside boarder.

Food Questions

I have been getting lots of questions about the food in Nigeria here is the best web site i have found with food info on it. http://www.motherlandnigeria.com/food.html This site has tons of information about Nigeria on it. Suya is one of my favorite things to eat there.

A Photo of Abuja


Abuja is the capital of Nigeria and where I will most likely be living. I wanted to share this photo with you all.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Got a picture of Dickson Today



Dickson sent this picture today. I was so happy. He is wearing traditional clothes. Also the other pictures is him in the middle with Ralph and Mark, guys he has been staying with.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

The Basic Info!!

The Basics


Time: Local time is GMT +1.

Electricity: Electrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz. Round and square three-pin plugs are used.


Language: English is the official language and widely used, though many other languages are also spoken.

Travel Health: When travelling to Nigeria, an international vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required. A Cholera vaccination certificate is also required if coming from an infected area. As a precaution against cholera, visitors should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Anti-malaria prophylaxis and TB inoculation are recommended. At present there is a high risk of polio infection in northern Nigeria and inoculations are advised. Visitors should seek the latest medical advice on inoculations at least three weeks prior to departure. Private clinics are found even in the smallest towns. In major cities, private hospitals offer good facilities. As in many countries, costs for medical services or hospital care must be shouldered by the traveller. There are government hospitals throughout the country, but apart from emergencies, the hospitals are more geared to serving the local population. Individuals needing specialised treatment for acute illness or severe injury are usually evacuated to Europe or South Africa. Good, comprehensive insurance is strongly advised, and should include evacuation. Pharmacies abound in Nigeria, even in supermarkets and are open during normal trading hours. Some open even on Sundays in supermarkets.

Tipping: In restaurants a 10% tip is adequate if a service charge hasn't already been added. Negotiate taxi fares before embarking on a journey; remember that fares are usually increased for tourists so tipping isn't necessary. Porters should be tipped accordingly.

Nigeria Climate

The climate of Nigeria is tropical, so it is hot all year round with two seasons: wet and dry. The wet season extends from April to October, the wettest month being June and the wettest area being the east coast. Between November and March the weather is dry and very hot. The hot Harmattan wind from the Sahara sweeps across the northeastern areas.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Fun Facts about Nigeria

Interesting & Fun Facts About Nigeria
Nigeria is officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The country was named "Nigeria" after the River Niger.
Niger River is Africa's third largest river.
English is the main language of Nigeria. Apart from that, over three hundred languages are spoken in the country.
Nigerian Naira is the official currency of Nigeria.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a member of the Commonwealth.
The highest point in the Federal Republic of Niger is Chappal Waddi (2,419 m).
The main religions in Nigeria are Islam, Christianity, Yoruba Orisha or Orisa veneration and Ifá.
Apart from being a regional power, Nigeria is also listed amongst the "Next Eleven" economies.
Nigeria has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, with the International Monetary Fund projecting a growth of 9% in 2008 and 8.3% in 2009.
Archaeological evidence shows that human existence in Nigeria has a history which starts from 9000 BC. The Nok civilization (around 500 BC-200 AD) is the earliest known civilization here.
Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach Nigeria (1472).
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the eighth most populous country in the world.
Oil was discovered in Nigeria in 1956, at Oloibiri (Bayelsa State).
Port Harcourt, on the Niger Delta, is the center of Nigeria's oil industry.
Nigeria is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), with petroleum accounting for 95 percent of its export income.
Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world and the 8th largest petroleum exporter.
Nigeria has the 10th largest proven reserves of petroleum, in the world.
Nigeria has been ruled by military for most of the 47 years of its independence from Britain.
The main rivers of Nigeria are the Niger and the Benue, which meet and empty into the Niger Delta, one of the largest river deltas in the world.
Football is Nigeria's national sport.
Nigeria is an important centre for biodiversity.
It is widely believed that the areas surrounding Calabar, Cross River State, contain the world's largest diversity of butterflies.
The drill monkey is only found in the wild in Southeast Nigeria and neighboring Cameroon.
Nigeria has the second largest newspaper market in Africa (after Egypt), with an estimated circulation of several million copies daily (2003).
Nigeria has the highest rate of twin births in the world, compared to any other country.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Africa

I have been getting a lot of questions about Nigeria and where I will be living so I put this map on my blog. Most likely if we live in Nigeria I will live in Abuja (Nigeria Capital), look toward the center of the country. I have been to like 10 states on my last visit. Most of Dickson family live near Enugu. I flew into Lagos last time. Hope this helps. I will continue to put fun information on my blog about Nigeria and Ghana in the near future.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Flannel Quilt


Since Kelly wanted the Owl Quilt I did this flannel quilt for my Uncle over the last few days. So at least the top is done.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Owl Quilt top done!



Well Kelly's quilt top is done!! Hopefully I can finsh the rest in the next two weeks.

Monday, September 21, 2009

The beginnings of the Owl Quilt!!!


I am starting work on the Owl Quilt. Thank Kelly!! I have it all together as far as teh aplique goes now I just have to start sewing. I was so excited to get it together so I wanted to share.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Monday, September 14, 2009

Movie Quilt


This quilt makes me think of Old Hollywood. I did it for a friend. I just have the top done. It fit on my Dad's King bed. It is only the second King size quilt I have done. Now I just have to buy a backing fabric and take it to the quilter. This picture isn't that great. I will have to take another one when it is all done!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

New Tattoo!!


I have been wanting an African Tattoo. I found this African Tribal tattoo and just had to have it. So I got it today on my left Hip!!

Friday, August 28, 2009

Another Baby Quilt


This one is suppose to look like a present. I did it for my daughters Best Friend who is due in December. I just have the binding to finish. But have to go play Taxi for my son!!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Quilting Today



Finished the top and back for my son quilt. Good thing since I have an appointment with the quilter in the morning. I also did this scrappy baby quilt. I was going to send this scrap fabric to Jan but kept it out at the last minute.

McCauley Mountain Hike



Yesterday I went up the Chair lift at McCauley Mountain then hiked down. Here are a few pictures

Thursday, August 20, 2009

My Favorite and a Finished Project!!



I love this one! Jan can tell you I have been working on it for a long time. I think I showed her one of the cupcakes and the fabric weaving back in February. This one, one of my kids will get when they have a baby girl. Which neither of them wants. They both want boys. But Kara said she might consider just so she can have the quilt!LOL

OOPS forgot the Picture

Next Stage of Quilting

This is a baby quilt, not sure who it is for. Just trying to use up fabric I bought a way long time ago. This quilt, has the top done has all 3 layers together and I have machine quilted it. It only needs the binding!!

Back to Quilting

OK here is the quilt top only from all my Nigeria Fabric. The top is finally done. I will take it to a quilter to be finished!! Way to big for me!


Sunday, August 9, 2009

Deer Feeding





Last night when Dickson and I went for a walk we took apples with us and he feed the deer.