Mr. Scott...Grandfather...

I want to say goodbye to my former father-in-law, and my daughter's grandfather. He celebrated his 97th birthday on August 5th. He was an amazing man, he had a mind for business, I guess that is why he was an accountant for Exxon. Of course there were times of conflict...and he could frustrate beyond words. He loved his grand daughters very much...that I know for sure. In the past 5 years, Mr. Scott and I had resolved many issues and had become friends. Even though I was no longer a part of the family, officially, he always considered me part of his family.

Mr. Scott is with the Lord...I know this for fact. He made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. So it is really not good bye...

Wedding season...

Summer is the main season for weddings in Kosova, especially
during the month of August when Europe takes a holiday. It is a time of constant parades of cars, with typical Albanian music, often being played from the back of a "pick up" type vehicle. Of course, there are often 20-30 vehicles also playing music and honking their horns.

I have not attended a wedding yet, but here is what I understand that happens. There is a celebration at the bride's home, men in one area and the women in another. Lots of music, food, and dancing. There is a similar celebration at the groom's home, again the men and women in separate areas. The groom's family decides when to make the procession to the bride's home to pick her up. Once the bride arrives at the groom's home, there may still be more dancing, but basically the wedding is over. The bride now lives with the groom's family.

There is not a time of "official" marriage vows, etc.
A certificate of marriage is obtained from the municipality, and the wedding is held when the groom's family decides.
Weddings are a time of celebration and dancing. Lots of dancing...

I have a new Son-in-Law...

Sam and Elissa were married on July 7, and my heart rejoices for them. They had been dating for a year now, and now have begun a new chapter in both of their lives. During my trips back to the US, I had time to visit with Sam and his family. I also had time to see Sam and Elissa together, and I am sure that the love they have for each other is precious and genuine.

Please join me in praying for Sam and Elissa, that their love for each other and the Lord will grow stronger every day. Congratulations! Urime!

It's hot...

3 weeks ago, we were having quite cool weather in Malishevë with highs in the mid 60's and lows into the 50's at night. Then...summer arrived! Now we are having mid to upper 90's during the day...cooling to mid to upper 60's at night, with 30-50% humidity. This morning it was 88 degrees in my apartment at 7:30 in the morning. I needed a creative way to keep my apartment cooler.

Power has been pretty reliable and I have 2 oscillating room fans that move the air around and it helps some. My friend, Lycia, suggested covering my windows with the shiny silver stuff you put in the windshield of your car to keep it cooler. I have not ever seen anything like that in Kosova. I went to the store this morning where car tires, motor oil, and etc are sold. The owner looked in a back room and found 3 shiny sun shades...they cost me $10. 3 shades cover 4 windows, with some creative use of tape and shoestrings.

From the outside of my apartment I am sure that the locals are wondering what I am doing now...? You know those TV shows with really weird people that cover their windows with aluminum foil to keep the aliens and the government from doing "mind probes"...? Well, now at least in 2 rooms I am safe from aliens, mind probes, and hopefully some of the heat. (sorry there are no photos...that would be too incriminating ;-))

Life here is always an adventure...

Driving in Kosova...

Now that I have a vehicle I am in the "driving school" of Kosova. I was told that learning to drive here is about understanding the rhythm. Part of the rhythm is in dealing with all the various vehicles on the road, at the same time! Semi tractor, horse drawn cart loaded with hay, bicycle...and the rest of the cars trying to pass. For the most part, drivers are courteous and let you in when a car approaches going the other direction. Speed limits are slow compared to the US..this road was 60kph, which is about 35mph. The fastest speed limit is 80kph, about 50mph. Of course, there are those who drive much faster than the speed limits, and as in the US, there are police along the side of the road with speed guns and tickets to slow them down.

Before and After....

My apartment building got a face lift. Actually it was more than a face lift...it was insulated. Most buildings are made of red brick and there is no insulation inside. The walls are finished with a rough texture and paint. But there is no insulation...only brick and concrete walls. When a building is insulated, thick styrofoam-like sheets are applied to the outside of the building over the red brick, and then a stucco-like coating is applied. So...this winter I will be warmer in my apartment. I also think
I have been cooler
this summer during the day. What a
blessing! I am also glad that my landlord didn't use the "bright orange" color scheme I have seen on other buildings around Kosova.

PS...that is my new car in front of my apartment building...

The Box...

The missing mystery box has found it's way back to Albuquerque! It left New Mexico on January 31, 2011 the destination was Malishevë, Kosovo. It was delivered back to Jane's house in Albuquerque on May 18, 2011. All of the items were inside and the box was not opened during this adventure. This morning at a women's brunch we opened the box. Inside were the 2 text books, that I can not return even though they are new and undamaged. There was also hot cereal, almonds, Reese's cups, Splenda sweetener, green chile, tea, a Christmas card, and some stickers.

On the outside of the box there was a stamp from the Serbian postal office: " Due to unexpected situation in the region of Kosovo, mail traffic is interrupted and return to original sender".

It was clear that Jane marked "via Albania" on every side of the box...it seems that someone in the US postal service does not read, or does not know the difference between Serbia and Albania. Someone paid an additional $46.15 to have the box returned to NM.

If only this box could speak and share it's traveling adventure of the last 3 1/2 months...