Lunch at Nempanzu, Soyo

Today several of the foreign wives got together at the Nempanzu Hotel, Soyo, for lunch.  It rained for the first time in several months today and was overcast and cool....almost too cool to sit out by the pool.  Thankfully it didn't rain during the lunch time.  Our group of women include Chinese from Hong Kong, Danish, Australian, British and American.  The Venezuelan woman couldn't attend as she needed to be at home regarding internet repairs.

The Angolan's are happy that the rains have started early.  I don't know if this will mean that it will rain every day or just occasionally right now.  Hopefully the daily rains will hold off for a few more months since daily rain makes the market very difficult to visit....and food supplies scarce.  Also, our guest bedroom roof leaks and although we have had the months of dry season, no repairs have been made.  Hope the ceiling will hold.....through this rainy season.

The Tee shirt quilt that I'm working on is coming together very nicely.  I have African batik fabric in blues, orange and yellows and with the Tee shirts from Whataburger, Houston, Texas which are bright orange, they blend together nicely.  I'm putting this together differently this time.  Previously I would put the top together and sandwich with the back and batting all together.....then tie each square with embroidery floss....the problem????  Sometimes this would pull through and leave a hole in the Tee shirt that the person wanted to display in the quilt.  This time I'm sandwiching each square....Tee shirt on front, batting and then backing.  Then I'm machine quilting this together to protect the Tee shirt.  After all squares are prepared this way, I will put them together with a lattice of the batik fabric.  I think this will work really well.....we will see.

Ms Kitty is taking to the toilet training better this time.  I had a friend bring out a special insert for the toilet that you open a hole in the middle to larger and larger size and the cat uses it.....thus far no accidents but I've only opened the second out of 5-6 gradually enlarging the hole.  Don't want to go too fast and freak her out......

My house girl is helping me with language study.  She continues to talk to me and I pantomime back but each day I am increasing my vocabulary and this is satisfying for me and her too, I believe.  She is more relaxed each visit and I love the fact she is doing the ironing......

It is enjoyable to get together with friends that also enjoy living here.  Encourages each of us.....