Johnny Brooks in Kenya

Day 11

For the eleventh day of Kate's absence, I thought it would be good to remind you of the wishlist. We do not visit the U.S. that often so bringing back a few items is high on the priority list. Also feel free to be creative and contribute things not on the list, but consider that Kate has to be able to pack it and bring it back with her. Also, let me know when you purchase something so it can be crossed off the list.

Here we go:

• Nintendo Joy-Con (L/R) Would like 2 sets (We were gifted with a Nintendo Switch a few months back and extra controllers would be nice. Games as well. We only have Super Mario Odyssey.) 
• OXO Good Grips Silicone/Stainless Steel Tub Stopper (This one is for Kate. She built a bathtub and now wants a nice stopper for it. If you have one other than this particular one that is fine. She actually wanted something decorative or fancy.)
• Maple flavor (You know something that can be used to flavor homemade syrup.)
• Nyquil (I hate colds.)
• children's fever/pain/allergy meds (Always nice to have for the kiddos and other folks kids as well.)
• Flintstones Children's Complete Chewable Multivitamin (Our kids are obsessed with vitamins.)
• Zahler Flax Seed Oil (Good for the brain.)
• Grownup Vitamins (Good for the body.)
• Strathmore Series 400 Sketch Pads 9 in. x 12 in. - pad of 100 (as many as possible) (These are for Makena, and she is particular about this particular pad.)
• Bad Byron's Butt Rub (This is the best rub I have ever put on pork. Seriously.)
• Ultimate Ears UE Boom 2 Brainfreeze Wireless Bluetooth Speaker (This is for the horse therapy sessions. The speaker we have is just not adequate. From what I can tell this is a nice reviewed speaker.)
• Pool noodles (Also for horse therapy)
• Frisbees (Again for horse therapy.)
• Dodgeballs (Not for horse therapy, but family therapy.)
• New Super Mario Bros. Wii (To replace a damaged disk)
• CO-Z Bee Smoker (Cause we finally got bees to move into one of our hives.)
• A4 Portable LED Light Box (For Makena's artistic endeavors.)
• Hair clips (Cause duh, girls.)
• Watches (Everyone needs to be able to see what time it is.)
• Christmas ornaments (Fa la la la)
• Steve Jackson Games Munchkin Deluxe (This game looks awesome.)
• Reese's peanut butter cups (Just my absolute favorite candy of all time.)
• Microsoft Surface Pro (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB) – Newest Version (Another item for Makena. This will serve her well as she goes to school next year.)
• Microsoft Certified Surface Pen, Stylus Pens with 4096 Pressure Sensitivity (This goes with the above computer.)
• Huawei MateBook X Pro (This one is for me. I really could use and want a new computer.)

Day 10

The tenth day finds me (Johnny) tired. Not because of the workload, cause actually that is lessened with the absence of three people. No, it is the constant responsibility. Never being able to relax, especially in the evening, and do nothing. You see normally Kate and I trade off the cooking job. Somedays we cook together, and sometimes one of us does the whole meal. That means the other can just chill. I am not even sure why having to prepare food for these people is tiresome, but it is. Why can't we live somewhere with delivery?

Speaking of food I am in the mood for deviled eggs. Wonder if that can be a complete meal tonight?

Day 9

On this the eighth ninth (OMG I am already losing track of the days) day of Kate's great U.K./American tour she went to visit a horse therapy program somewhere near Beaumont, Texas. I actually have not yet spoken to her so I do not have details, but I am sure it went well. Visiting therapy centers while in the U.S. is one of Kate's goals. She is looking for ideas, methods, tack, and connections to bring back here to The Shire and the children we work with.

Meanwhile, our heroes back home continue life on The Shire. Emma and `Eowyn spent the night in Soysambu with friends and Butterfly and I enjoyed the peace and quiet. In fact we took the time to watch Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan after dinner. Possibly my favorite Trek movie. Butterfly was completely surprised by the ending.

"I have been and always shall be your friend."

 

Day 8

Kate had a visit to the dentist on her trip's eighth day. She is enjoying spending time with Andrew, who moved back to the U.S. several months ago. Starlette is also enjoying hanging out with her big brother:

Kate is enjoying the "little" things like hair dryers:

Tomorrow, or today as I write this, ahh this whole time difference things is really confusing me. I got in trouble for calling Kate yesterday at 6 a.m. Texas time. All I wanted to do was show Starlette all the stuff I got at the supermarket. Anyway, I woke her up and got a mini-lecture about doing the math. Tomorrow Kate will be visiting a horse therapy program near Beaumont, Texas.

On the home front line continues on as always.

Day 7

I think for the seventh day I will just let the pictures speak for themselves:

Day 5

Saturday. Another run of the mill day here at The Shire. It is normally the day we would do the therapy sessions with the children and horses, but it is paused while Kate is away. To grow beyond where we are with this program there needs to be more qualified people to help, and more volunteers as well. This is one of the goals for 2019. In the meantime, Butterfly is helping take care of the horses and is exercising them.

Kate, Makena, and Starlette began their journey from England to Texas, albeit a few hours late due to a delayed flight. 

Here they are chilling out waiting for the gate to be opened:

Gate is open and now they board:

The Great American Adventure begins on Day 6. In the meantime don't forget about the wishlist:

 

Nintendo Joy-Con (L/R) Would like 2 sets

OXO Good Grips Silicone/Stainless Steel Tub Stopper

maple flavor

nyquil

children's fever/pain/allergy meds

Flintstones Children's Complete Chewable Multivitamin

Zahler Flax Seed Oil

grownup vitamins

Gillette Venus Women's Original

Strathmore Series 400 Sketch Pads 9 in. x 12 in. - pad of 100 (as many as possible)

Bad Byron's Butt Rub

Ultimate Ears UE Boom 2 Brainfreeze Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

pool noodles

frisbees

Dodge balls

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

CO-Z Bee Smoker

A4 Portable LED Light Box

hair clips

watches

Christmas ornaments!

Steve Jackson Games Munchkin Deluxe

Reese's peanut butter cups

jodphurs size 27 waist

Microsoft Surface Pro (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB) – Newest Version

Microsoft Certified Surface Pen, Stylus Pens with 4096 Pressure Sensitivity

Huawei MateBook X Pro

penny Whistles

lady p or shewee

sheet music for flute and piano

unlocked cell phones (current)

ipad

boots size 8.5

hair feathers and hair beads

polymer clay

 

Here is a link to a Google Doc containing the list and many links to Amazon:

Wishlist

Don't forget to let me know if you buy something off the list so I can remove it from the list.

 

Day 4

The fourth day that Kate, Makena, and Starlette have been gone went off without a hitch. Pigs were fed, cows fed, rabbits fed, dogs fed, cats fed, chickens fed, horses fed, and the children were fed. Everyone ate. In fact, because we are short three people we stretched burrito night out over three meals, and I still gave the pigs some beans. There are only so many times one can eat beans in a row. 

Kate had a gathering in England and hung out with some folks there. 

Day 5 will see them flying to Texas. I pray the trip goes well, especially for Starlette who has no experience with these long flights. 

Day 3

The third day of Kate's absence was more eventful, or at least busy than day 2. Kate and Makena went to visit Northbrook Metropolitan College where Makena is considering starting her higher education career. She had an informal interview and was told that based on her portfolio she would be accepted. Congratulations to Makena. There are still hurdles to overcome for this to work out, but the first step is done.

Back on the home front, I hung out with a friend who's wife just passed away from cancer. She was our friend as well and we are missing her. I was asked to officiate the funeral and have been working on that with the family. Sad, but I am glad we can be here for each other. 

Here is a newly updated wish list. Don't forget to let me know what you have bought or are buying so I can remove it from the list:

Nintendo Joy-Con (L/R) Would like 2 sets

OXO Good Grips Silicone/Stainless Steel Tub Stopper

maple flavor

nyquil

children's fever/pain/allergy meds

Flintstones Children's Complete Chewable Multivitamin

Zahler Flax Seed Oil

grownup vitamins

Gillette Venus Women's Original

Strathmore Series 400 Sketch Pads 9 in. x 12 in. - pad of 100 (as many as possible)

Bad Byron's Butt Rub

Ultimate Ears UE Boom 2 Brainfreeze Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

pool noodles

frisbees

Dodge balls

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

CO-Z Bee Smoker

A4 Portable LED Light Box

hair clips

watches

Christmas ornaments!

Steve Jackson Games Munchkin Deluxe

Reese's peanut butter cups

jodphurs size 27 waist

Microsoft Surface Pro (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB) – Newest Version

Microsoft Certified Surface Pen, Stylus Pens with 4096 Pressure Sensitivity

Huawei MateBook X Pro

penny Whistles

lady p or shewee

sheet music for flute and piano

unlocked cell phones (current)

ipad

boots size 8.5

hair feathers and hair beads

polymer clay

Link to Google Document which includes Amazon links for many items:

Wishlist

Day 2

The second day without Kate was rather uneventful. Don't get me wrong I do appreciate quiet, mundane days, but they are just not exciting to write about. 

Life continues on on The Shire, and Kate, Makena, and Starlette had fun visiting with friends in England. I heard they went to the beach. I cooked for the children, and they continued with their schooling.  

I warned you it was boring, nice and quiet. 

 

Here is Starlette enjoying a book with Matthew Barrow

 Here is something Kate posted on Facebook:

Put yourself in my shoes...

People going out of their way to see you, make you feel comfortable, feed you, and give to you...

It is really difficult to receive these acts of kindness...

I am struggling. I really am.

People are good, kind, and amazing...

Believing in one's self that we have value is SO HARD. Who knew this would be as difficult as it is?

 

Don't forget about the wishlist. If you are going to buy something from the list please let me know. They can only carry so much stuff back without spending tons of money on excess luggage. When someone buys the item I will remove it and update the list. Thanks. Without further ado here is the list:

Nintendo Joy-Con (L/R) Would like 2 sets

OXO Good Grips Silicone/Stainless Steel Tub Stopper

maple flavor

nyquil

children's fever/pain/allergy meds

Flintstones Children's Complete Chewable Multivitamin

Zahler Flax Seed Oil

grownup vitamins

Gillette Venus Women's Original

saddle pads

good saddles

bareback pad

brush boots for horses

grooming kits

Strathmore Series 400 Sketch Pads 9 in. x 12 in. - pad of 100 (as many as possible)

Bad Byron's Butt Rub

Ultimate Ears UE Boom 2 Brainfreeze Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

pool noodles

bridles

frisbees

Dodge balls

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

CO-Z Bee Smoker

A4 Portable LED Light Box

western saddle

hair clips

watches

Christmas ornaments!

lead ropes

Steve Jackson Games Munchkin Deluxe

bow and arrows

rope halters

Reese's peanut butter cups

jodphurs size 27 waist

Microsoft Surface Pro (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB) – Newest Version

Microsoft Certified Surface Pen, Stylus Pens with 4096 Pressure Sensitivity

Huawei MateBook X Pro

penny Whistles

lady p or shewee

recurve bow

sheet music for flute and piano

unlocked cell phones (current)

ipad

blender jar

boots size 8.5

hair feathers and hair beads

polymer clay

side reins

small saddle for star

Western saddle plus blankets

16.5 inch English saddle

stirrup leathers

safety stirrups in various sizes

reins

And here is a link to the Google document which includes links to Amazon for many of these items:

Wishlist

 

Day 1

Yesterday was our first day without Kate, Makena, and Starlette. They are now safely in England visiting friends and Makena will be visiting an art school while there. They will fly off to the U.S.A. in a few days. In the meantime life continues here on The Shire in Kenya.

First of all, I received a call from Edith's principal at her school. He told me Edith had problems with her shoes and I needed to come to pick her up and get new shoes. So I set off to Nakuru town with Butterfly, Emma, and Eowyn in tow. Butterfly had not seen Edith in a few months due to being off in Nanyuki and so was looking forward to seeing Edith.

We picked her up from Shinners Girl's School and headed to the mall. Twenty dollars later she had new shoes and was ready to return to school. However, we were not ready for her to go back just yet.

We did a bit of shopping and had pizza and french fries for lunch. We then stopped at The Cheese Palace (yep that is its name) for cheese and ice cream. (We didn't eat them together the cheese is for burrito night on Thursday.) We dropped Edith back at school and came home.

So far so good. Butterfly is helping with the horses, which she normally does, but she is doing a bit more to make up for Kate's absence. Emma and Eowyn are pretty much continuing their lives normally. (Though Eowyn did sleep in Kate's spot in the bed.)

We talked to Kate via Facebook Messenger video last night. Our connection was not great but she and the other two seem to be well and having a good time. They already have visited a few friends who have moved from Kenya to the U.K.

Wonder what day 2 has in store for them and for us back here on The Shire?