A whole new outlook

Hi everyone,

(Gail here)Craig and I are getting to the bored stage. We haven't ventured out much except for the few blocks to the orphanage.It's time for a night out and maybe we can stumble onto a good toy store. At the orphanage Briley is also getting a bit restless with the same toys and the same 4 walls to stare at. Yesterday she was looking through our photo book and a picture of Tory fell out.She picked up the picture and ran over to me so I could fix it. Her words were"Momma, Tory-Tory," she caught me off guard a little. Today she's been saying Momma, Poppa,Daddy, and Tory. She tries to say Collin but so far only the K sound comes out. Collin-Mom will try working on it-I know she's just going to love the two of you!

On the way home from our walk today, I told Craig I missed my toaster (besides our family) he laughed. Well then the game started, he misses his (besides our family) daily newspaper and his diet Sunkist and being able to have a good glass of milk out of a jug. The microwave and his being able to jump into a vehicle and on ,and on and on!!! So things we take for granted...........................,

1. Fresh water out of the faucet: Yesterday a line of people were standing behind a water truck waiting to get their empty bottles filled.
2. A clothes dryer: I'm not sure why they don't use them. I've already thought of how they can run a dryer pipe out of our apartment. Too much time on my hands!
3. A car: I won't complain about my Ford anymore, I'm just glad I have one.
4. A garage: I don't even have to see the snow if I don't want too, I just drive in and drive out at home.
5. A house: A home with two floors and our very own bedrooms. Many Ukrainian homes have the bedroom and living room together.
6. Roads without pot holes: not common here.
7. Country side without scattered trash: not common here.
8. Bubbly smiling people: I think because of the conditions and the way they're brought up they are inclined to being serious most of the time.
9. Manicured and landscaped yards: From the looks of the grass it doesn't get mowed. I love my anal "lawn man" (Craig) more every day.
10. Menard's, Lowe's, and Home Depot: They all could make a killing over here. Their local home store is put to shame.
11. A fresh variety of colors: All of the paint colors are still back in the 60's. Orange-blue-green are the basics.
12. Our select comfort air bed: All we have had is a futon mattress, with side boards.
13. A top sheet: They use the flat sheet to lay on and a covered feather blanket to cover up with.
14. Microwave popcorn: We haven't been able to find popcorn of any kind here.
15. Canned soup: None here, period! That we can recognize anyway.
16. A fresh meat counter: One that doesn't stare back at you!!!
17. Carpeting: Haven't see any since we left the States!
18. Clean sidewalks: Between the doggy landmines, the gravel ruts and scattered garbage you have to watch where you walk.
19. Charmin: It's made out of cardboard here.
20. We also miss "the system" in the United States. It might be far from perfect, but it has the bureaucracy here beat all to heck.
21. And last but not least "English", We miss talking with people....!

Craig here now with our daily photo journal:
This is the entrance to our apartment building. If the front door is left open all the neighborhood cats like to .... shall we say "mark their territory" on this landing. UFFDA!!

This is our backyard/playground.

This is our "garbage disposal" on the second floor in the locked position.

This is the open position in which you deposit your trash and then close it and "Presto" your garbage is gone. I don`t have any idea where it goes and probably don`t want to know.Thompson Sanitation doesn`t have to worry about these locals running them out of business. A lot of the trucks here look to be running on LP by the looks of the tanks behind the cab.Mobile repair truck- the guy was working on the apartments and wasn`t too happy to have his "ride" photographed. Notice "The Look"This was an "Uh Oh" moment. She already has a taste for jewelry. Just what we need- another one!!!Having a good giggle with Dad.And the giggling continues. We have not found anything with Briley that would give us any cause for concern. She seems to be a very healthy and happy 2 yr. old and we feel very fortunate and blessed!!!