This and that

• I saw a man on huge stilts the other night.  He was walking down the middle of the road, dancing and doing funny things.  I have never seen anything so funny on my way home!  I ran in the door and called Magalitha, and we went running back down the road to see him.  We finally caught up to him, and she asked me, "Where does he sleep?  How can he lie down?"  Aw, baby girl didn't know his legs were made of wood...I might have laughed.  The security guard tried to explain it to her (after she dismissed my explanation as heresy), but I'm pretty sure she still thinks those were his real legs.
   
• Conversation today about giving Christmas gifts at our Christmas party.  I asked if I should do something small for the two families coming.  I wanted to make a cute bag of delicious Haitian coffee and some Haitian honey.  I have friends here who sell both, and it seemed like the perfect way to do Christmas gifts.  M thought it was hysterical that I wanted to give coffee and honey as Christmas gifts.  She told me that might be fine in the United States, but Haitian people love 'beautiful gifts'.  She said the people would take it, but they wouldn't like it.  I kept asking what they would like, but all she'd say was, 'Not honey and coffee!'  Help a momma out here!  I finally got an answer from someone here washing clothes.  Sheets, towels, a beautiful vase, beautiful dishes, etc.  Ok then.  Not what I had in mind.  I think we'll just stick to having a really nice meal for them.
• Magalitha's teacher liked our gift!  And my finger is healed, hallelujah!
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• I've been craving French toast.  I made it yesterday morning, and then again today.  We don't have powdered sugar, but I do have real French butter.  That's even better.
• JM learned how to eat a pancake roll-up.  You know it sounds fancy.  He thinks it's the greatest thing ever.  And we always 'dunk dunk dunk' in the syrup.  Three times.  No more, no less.
• JM's current favorite words: Owsh (when something hurts), mwen pa vle sa (I don't want that), Miss Angie (he hears the other kiddos call me that, and thinks it's funny.  It was the first 5 times.)

YOJ to all!

Magalitha and Miliene decorated our house for Christmas.  We don't have JOY around here, we have YOJ!  Hope everyone is enjoying whatever weather you've been blessed with!