There is a first time for everything

It is said that there is a first time for everything. Well, this week has been a week full of firsts.

For the first time in my life i got a bead stuck in my foot this week. I can laugh about it now (and i did a bit at the time) but it was actually really painful! I was sat on the workshop floor sorting ribbons and buttons (one of my favourite things to do!) and when i went to get up and brush myself off i noticed something on my foot. Went into the kitchen to see Nat and realised my foot was quite sore. Looked closer and then got Nat to look. After panicking me when she said i had something under my skin Mama Dibo one of my craft ladies who wasn’t working but just happened to be there motioned me over so i promptly put my foot in her lap and she held it still whilst Nat got a pen knife and sliced my foot open and out came a tiny broken bead! I still no idea how a bead came to be under my skin!

Another first this week was seeing puppies immediately after they had been born. Nat and I were in a business meeting (very grown up!) with Amy next door to eagle lodge and we heard the shouts that Isla had finally had puppies. Amy kindly let us run round to see them! Sadly one died but now there are 6 healthy pups and another girl (Kipwriggler) will be joining Nat and I in our house! I am not a massive dog lover and had no idea about holding puppies but i have had lots of practice now. For years, at the top of my Christmas list, was a dog. I never got one (probably because i was terrified of dogs) so i am happy to finally be getting a dog!

Playing darts for the first time was one of the most intense things i have done in a while! After a lovely dinner with the Amy and her family we then played darts. No one really leapt at the chance of being on my team and we did lose both times but i feel i didn’t embarrass myself too much. It was great fun. Playing with very competitive people who are amazing at darts can be quite scary, especially when you can actually feel the change in the atmosphere.

It was awesome this week to go up on Eagle rock for sunset with Andrew playing the bagpipes. The sunset is just beautiful and to be able to just sit up there and watch the colours change is the perfect way to end the day. It seems strange but just going about my daily life i sometimes forget that i am living in Africa and don’t stop to fully appreciate it. Sitting up on eagle rock though and looking around, it is impossible to not stop and appreciate the beauty i am surrounded by.

Another super exciting first was shopping in town today for manicure and pedicure products. Rehema has been praying for someone to come out who is skilled in manicures and pedicures who could train up some women to do them at Rehema. Casually mentioned it to the GO MAD team the other day and was told that there is a trained beautician on the team. Nat and i went crazy and when we told Amy she was equally excited. Thankfully our beautician said she would love to train up some women and so today we went shopping! I wasn’t very optimistic that we would find what we needed but went to Musoma’s version of ‘Boots’ and did surprisingly well, even finding a cuticle clipper thing! We were all very happy with our purchases! Today was also the first time i have eaten mango off a plate without using my hands and the first time i have run around a dark room looking for bananas! One of the GO MAD team had a birthday and i was very kindly invited round for the party with these crazy games which were so much fun!

This coming Saturday i will be helping a woman to find a dress for her big day. Rehema has a collection of wedding dresses, tiaras, shoes and veils that a shop donated and that people can rent out. I have never given advice to someone about their wedding dress before so this will be an interesting experience!