tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55870162011-10-10T23:22:52.037-07:00We're back from Cuzco, we provided improved cookstove technology and hopefully, better lives to Mandorani. We know more pieces exist than just a Cocina Mejorada to have a Vida Mejorada! Improved hygiene, animal management, boiled water and washing hands are all part of our work. We learn as we go, treading lightly, respecting tradition and aiming for Vidas Mejoradas, better lives.Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.comBlogger3211100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-54532667606923047512011-03-25T12:56:00.001-07:002011-03-25T12:58:07.700-07:00

If you are checking here for our updates please see our new website at www.vidasmejoradas.org. Thank you! Laurie and Steve, cofounders of Las Vidas Mejoradas.

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-51262987527138235102010-07-23T09:08:00.001-07:002010-07-23T09:19:18.306-07:00

Buen dia! Thank you for all the support! We are very happy to report we have established a partnership with a Peruvian non-profit called Casa Hogar del Sol. This organzation was founded by Carlos Gibaja Tapia, a longtime colleague and friend in the Sacred Valley. They are located in Ollantaytambo, Peru, very close to the sites of our projects. What this means for LVM is that we will have support

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-46421159810828248312010-05-14T09:59:00.000-07:002010-05-14T10:01:08.904-07:00

Late but here it is, Ethos Proceedings, January 2010 .

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-52775103833980336892010-05-14T08:43:00.000-07:002010-05-14T10:05:14.560-07:00

Here it is May. Where have we been? Distracted, working, deep into life here and not in Peru, trying to move forward with our newly formed non-profit...there are times I seriously question my ability to keep all this going. :-( I want to be there and cannot.The intermittent news I have received from Peru has been spotty at best. Our friends, Carlos, his non-profit Hogar de los Hijos del Sol

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-80306704750741445692010-01-28T09:52:00.000-08:002010-01-28T10:05:16.053-08:00

We have been receiving news of the flooding in the Cuzco area. Below are updates from colleagues in Ollanta, and a way for you to make donations should you be inclined. If you read this and know anything of the Mandorani/C'orao area please let me know. I will also post news here I am able to locate.1/26/2010PLEASE PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE SACRED VALLEY The heavy rain and the river in the

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-22068193103793884792009-12-03T12:32:00.000-08:002009-12-12T12:16:57.024-08:00

2009 Review/ Updatelas Vidas MejoradasI want to take this opportunity to write and update all who have followed our efforts in Peru.Our first few months of 2009 were spent again in the region of Cusco, Peru. As you may recall, we first returned to Sipascancha to see how our previous project had done in our absence and to see how the stoves were working for the villagers. We were very disappointed

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-84226212040624325822009-10-08T18:38:00.000-07:002009-10-08T18:39:56.871-07:00

Below is an invite to our party~I am trying to figure out how to send this out via Facebook! But if you can see it here, please consider yourself invited.

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-51019105349791160792009-10-08T18:36:00.000-07:002009-10-08T18:37:49.921-07:00

Halloween Party 375 River Road Saturday. Oct 31st 2009 Laurie & Sleeve's 4-year Anniversary Party! Beer Tasting: Bring 1-6 bottles of unusual beer Potluck Dinner at 7 PM DJ set at 10 PM, live late night music from Onomatopoeia Costumes Encouraged Door Prizes

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-1780192387905587262009-09-19T12:16:00.000-07:002009-09-19T12:25:49.081-07:00

We had a wonderful trip to Virginia. It's pretty where Steve's family lives. Out in the country, rolling hills, lovely gardens, a creek and one of the coolest things is to hear all the birds that sing such sweet songs far different than ours here. We saw our family and got the chance to meet more people who have followed and supported our work in Peru. We visited North Branch School and did

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-91634842559918756482009-09-17T07:06:00.000-07:002009-09-17T07:10:47.971-07:00

May this message be like a packet of smiles for you… specially delivered from the heart of someone who wants to send so much happiness and encouragement your way…May this help to deliver a little prayer to you… a precious thought that everywhere you go, people will always lovingly know how much there is to appreciate about you......May the year you are about to enter grant you the promise of

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-60134209977563350622009-09-01T08:01:00.000-07:002009-09-01T08:42:50.294-07:00

Here's something for September 1."What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?"--William Henry Davies"....souls like animals and plants , need air. Do our lives have enough space in them to nourish our spirit? Living in cities, plugged into networks of jobs, friends, and projects, we sometimes neglect our standing-and-staring needs.They're quite specific: we need to be

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-17370123820806108542009-08-21T11:41:00.000-07:002009-09-01T08:01:03.517-07:00

It's nice to have a few days off without a whole bunch of stuff on my schedule. I was supposed to be camping but due to my girlfriend Shelley's first grandchild's birth, we postponed our trip. (Welcome to Earth Ares Alexander!) And congratulations to Steve! He's being considered over the next month as the new pastry chef at Belly's! We celebrated over dinner at you guessed it---Belly's! So, yeah,

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-38780549462584565032009-07-28T08:36:00.000-07:002009-07-28T08:37:01.825-07:00

Hello friends!It's been a while! We have a couple of updates for you.We are continuing on our path to get 501(c)3 status with the help of Eugene lawyer David Atkin handling the process. We are looking for people who would be interested in being on our board (quarterly meetings required, one year terms), on our advisory board (maybe one meeting a year) or voting members who in rare cases can hire

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-1730578913871565782009-06-19T12:26:00.000-07:002009-06-21T13:15:07.098-07:00

A while back, earlier in the month I had heard from my special Peruvian friend Carlos Gibaja Tapia. It was a quote of a caption from a Peruvian cartoon but without the cartoon. i looked it up (finally) yesterday and here it is. you can also go here: http://americaninlima.com/2009/06/02/needless-deaths-in-the-andes/ to read more in English. This is from a blog called An American in Lima, and is

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-92068827621550400642009-06-13T18:55:00.000-07:002009-06-13T19:03:55.312-07:00

Our foxglove! More pictures (as Ron requested) are on the flickr site here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/stovesforperu

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-19780058895544022932009-06-10T10:42:00.000-07:002009-06-10T11:57:26.258-07:00

Well, in a spurt of energy, I am finally blogging and posting pictures. We've been busy since getting back with trips to visit friends, time with my sons, a house concert, getting married, painting, hauling and planting, a new job, a trip to the coast and time with friends. I am trying and am now quite frustrated with uploading photos to the blog, so i will direct you to the flickr site here http

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-70978544064418179542009-05-04T10:34:00.001-07:002009-05-04T11:15:03.227-07:00

Wedding photos! Thanks Jim and Taunia!

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-31911695010217284412009-05-01T11:47:00.001-07:002009-05-01T12:01:25.601-07:00

We're married!!

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-52190800141779725662009-04-30T21:28:00.000-07:002009-04-30T21:30:37.256-07:00

We will be taking a break from all of our work painting the kitchen, refinishing the cabinets, weeding, planting, and weed eating so to GET MARRIED tomorrow 1 May at 10;30 AM!!!!

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-12276287052725603852009-04-23T19:07:00.000-07:002009-04-27T08:49:25.630-07:00

well, i got the job! many, many thanks to the person who believed in me! three days a week with plenty of time to work in the yard and house on all the projects we have planned. and we got our marriage license! today kale, broccoli, lettuce, and garlic went in. we mulched the raspberries and potatoes. it needs to rain to weed out the beds near the firepit. but as long as one just uses selective

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-19800830193834429612009-04-22T14:53:00.000-07:002009-04-22T16:51:46.200-07:00

the search for work goes on. while i am reasonably sure i qualify very well for this certain job, the remainder of the tasks in investigating my application by Human Resources are not completed. and so, another previous manager has raised concern over my ability to get along with others... yikes. i am grateful that one person in this process believes in me. none the less this process has felt

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-34717645255802251522009-04-18T10:46:00.001-07:002009-04-18T17:47:46.889-07:00

It's time to check into the blogging world again. especially after that rather grim last entry. i have been coming and going and remain amongst the unemployed. I visited my two sons and girlfriends in northern california, of course all my old friends in astoria and then after a night in portland with steve went to visit my family in new york state for two weeks. whew. two weeks. all in all it was

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-3510242485191582042009-03-31T09:08:00.000-07:002009-03-31T17:19:13.919-07:00

i am sitting in a little place called the Coffee Girl on the end of Pier 39 in Astoria overlooking the grey and rocky Columbia River and a big ship anchored out there. The counter of the coffee shop is the original counter that the original coffee girl served coffee to all the cannery workers back in the day. outside it's blustery and the rain is going in all directions. Sleep did not come easy

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-5755834939155849412009-03-30T13:38:00.000-07:002009-03-31T17:22:02.764-07:00

Astoria is overcast today. i took a walk anyway. of all things my back is acting up, so i am exercising in some way everyday. i don't know exactly what i did; i'm thinking the stress of job-hunting, plus driving again, etc is part of it. i've been here for a few days visiting my girlfriends. the highlight was to hear Michael Hurley play at a little art gallery along with Alexa Wiley, a guy named

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-64893987471985190742009-03-12T07:53:00.000-07:002009-03-12T22:45:07.495-07:00

gosh, i am ready for it to be warmer! brrr! its colder than it was in cuzco, but here in my room there's heat! such a blessing. i really thought we would be coming home to milder weather. it seems we have been thinking the weather should be different than it is for months now! ha! fooled again! yesterday the sun came out and that made it better especially since i was on my bike for a bit while my

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-52442803214213772682009-03-07T14:57:00.000-08:002009-03-11T07:44:17.689-07:00

We are home after an easy trip minus the fact it was near 24 hours counting airport wait times. i have to say i love Lan Peru, our airline from Lima to LA--good food, professional attention and the best--individual little TV screens for every seat. we watched a great coen flick, which of course i have completely forgotten the name of. typical of laurie's brain!on return our first stop was to Sam

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-54584122234120966482009-03-01T14:52:00.000-08:002009-03-01T15:02:13.127-08:00

well good god, we are packed.  a horrendous nightmare thanks to my buying at the last minute weavings from three of the families of my god children.  i located a scale that we could weigh the most likely culprit suitcase of being overweight, ie., mine.  so we flew through the house packing stuff we intend on storing with a friend here after getting everything else rammed into suitcases and

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-33906950358406849202009-02-28T15:50:00.000-08:002009-02-28T16:11:51.754-08:00

Update from Sleeve with a few comments by Laurie:Here I am at the internet café, Laurie is pre-packing staff. (From Laurie: YIKES, I cannot believe how much shit i have!!) It’s Saturday. Last Monday I tried to go visit the Cusquena brewery. As I walked around it trying to find the visitor’s entrance I realized it was HUGE. First I found the truck/loading entrance but the guards wouldn’t let

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-84273619054203419382009-02-25T17:04:00.000-08:002009-02-25T17:32:22.526-08:00

quite a day today! we got up early to see tomas in mandorani to talk to him about building another stove for us. we awoke to a huge strike that ended up involving the bus we would normally take. apparently the district of Calca was staging a demonstration opposing the new boundary between it and the district of La Convencion. for quite some time it wasn't clearly delineated and now 29 schools

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-58641538681463946292009-02-23T13:04:00.000-08:002009-02-23T13:55:41.735-08:00

i've been wanting to make mention of the handful of Mr Random's space money that i brought with me from home.  (for those readers who do not know what space money is, it sort of like "bills", ie.,  smaller than real dollars but bigger than say monopoly money.  Each is individually handpainted (and beautifully, i might add) with an energy put into to it creating prosperity."prosperity" meaning

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-70268049394823652642009-02-23T07:24:00.000-08:002009-02-23T13:58:12.860-08:00

I am just finishing up a sheet we have decided to give to all our families about troubleshooting potential problems with the stove.  after visiting bernadina's place last week and seeing their nature is to not always mention a problem, it seemed like a good idea. it covers: 1)  too slow of a draft (open the door) 2.) too fast of a draft (close the door and semi-close the chimney)  3.) if there is

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-8811306786825556312009-02-21T14:09:00.000-08:002009-02-21T14:46:51.337-08:00

well, there was no party!  we arrived to mandorani with our exam equipment and two extra baskets and a 30 pound watermelon.  and as is most days, we found out most everyone was out working in their fields.  but we made good use of the time by tracking down 6 or 7 kids needing testing, seeing andres and mafre, dropping off the paperwork to victoria, delivering another message to sipascancha via a

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-75774915053709328352009-02-20T13:11:00.000-08:002009-02-20T13:49:43.978-08:00

things are surely winding down here.  yesterday i spent a wonderful day in ollantaytambo where tomas and i went to install a stove for a friend i have there, an older guy who is the local curandero/shaman.  we had been in contact about this for some time and unfortunately i had thought he was ready with all materials but in truth he was not.  so tomas got to visit with him and quite a few

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-85591807284182606492009-02-17T16:35:00.001-08:002009-02-20T13:10:13.609-08:00

i failed to mention that we did get to talk again to andres in mandorani our last time there. i had left him a note about wanting to help somehow with Mafre, his 14 year old daughter´s eye surgery. he explained its a type of corneal surgery and that it needs to be done soon, and then repeated in two years. she can't read now even with her glasses. her eyes hurt. he told me with the consults

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-82580404341999314172009-02-17T12:05:00.001-08:002009-02-17T12:08:18.300-08:00

well, i have spent far too much time editing my link list!  I decided it was time to delete a few and add a few, especially organizations we've mentioned, and recent articles that have actually been written about us.  i've also included some stove info links for those interested.  So if you're browsing, take a look and please let me know if they aren't appearing as they should.  thanks!

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-89270026831156310352009-02-14T13:23:00.000-08:002009-02-14T13:38:32.118-08:00

In regards to a few more details here, today we ran into Nino at the used market steve writes about below. we'll be visiting him and adela to see what we can do to somehow continue the school exchange that both students in North Branch in Virginia (the school where steve´s nephews go and where his mom is on the board) and in Sipascancha have so much enjoyed.  we will see.  i am hoping  for the

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-73450594933816614532009-02-14T13:08:00.000-08:002009-02-17T12:04:58.030-08:00

hi again folks.  attached is steve's latest post...some of it a bit of a repeat and some not....Friday we returned and went to Lucila’s house. As Laurie noted, there was a lot of trash in the yard. When she asked Lucila about it Lucila said that it was her neighbors! Please note that these neighbors are the same problem family that I talked about before who had the kids without shoes and the

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-65039229905042737662009-02-13T15:24:00.000-08:002009-02-14T13:40:25.584-08:00

We continue on our mission of teaching families the use of their new stove and retention cooker. things are going well!  we have such a system down, you would be proud!   our latest families have been Betty and Erasmo,  Juan Quispe, Geromima and Alejandro, and Lucila.   Betty and Erasmo had quite a nice home, very organized and clean given they have dirt floors like all here. The stove lit

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-13426900238691693432009-02-08T11:52:00.000-08:002009-02-08T17:31:30.424-08:00

i am just now back from another day trip to mandorani. steve left early after not sleeping well last night and what was a challenging first family. rather than challenging "first family", i should say, challenging stove. this particular stove, while no different than the others (perhaps other than it´s position) lit fine but the draft was so rapid, it prevented the flames from really licking

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-17227481373076064622009-02-06T14:08:00.000-08:002009-02-06T15:03:10.922-08:00

another day here in peru.  i am uploading new pics from our latest visit, today, in mandorani where we reviewed and taught about the stove use, retention cooker use and did interviews and exams with three families. things are moving along and we have a system, so to speak.  ie., what to bring, what order to present things in, time with tomas and plans for our next visits. bing. bing.  bing.   one

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-59483893935563865272009-02-03T09:09:00.001-08:002009-02-03T09:57:59.791-08:00

one other thing. we found out something SHOCKING yesterday. while having coffee at a little local cafe, Ayllu next door to the main cathedral, we discovered that STARBUCKS (of all f*****g things) is aiming to take over this space! apparently it is owned/managed by no less than the ARCHBISHOP. He is refusing to reauthorize their lease. (see reason below!) they have been here 37 years! this

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-68498094836957553552009-02-03T08:13:00.000-08:002009-02-03T08:59:02.520-08:00

i am continuing to feel better! yeah! we went to the Dr Pinedo yesterday and he thinks i am improving and has adjusted the medicines. basically it is a type of asthmatic bronchitis. why and how he can´t really say, but he does not think leaving is necessary. so now i´m on gradually decreasing doses of prednisone, an inhaler and medicine for acid reflux, and cough medicine only if i need it. he is

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-40014883549295723042009-01-31T12:06:00.000-08:002009-01-31T12:08:13.118-08:00

re: the design and collection tool below, you can click on them and enlarge them. You will see tomas´design lacks a bit in detail, but hopefully by clicking on our flickr link where recent photos are posted on the sidebar, you will have a better idea. all best, Laurie and Steve

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-7272546733232014432009-01-31T09:33:00.000-08:002009-01-31T09:49:21.916-08:00

the design drawn by Tomas.The tool we are using to collect data.

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-33103191001093286802009-01-31T08:15:00.000-08:002009-01-31T12:05:37.582-08:00

here we both sit, al lado, typing away, entering something on each blog. and me i will likely cheat and post some of what steve writes as he is faster than i at this typing thing! also, i am posting photos from the purchase of the baskets, some of our little apartment and our last couple trips to mandorani. and if that isn´t enough, i will try to scan the design and our data collection tool and

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-6924045508746584192009-01-26T14:01:00.000-08:002009-01-26T17:56:41.227-08:00

my latest enfermedad--bronchitis---is better. i went to the doctor today and she was pleased with my progress. so just a couple more days more of antibiotics and expectorant cough syrup! she did warn me the cough will persist especially in the afternoons and nights for maybe 2 weeks but as long as i feel OK and have no funny colored stuff exiting my lungs, that it's ok. and of course to "

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-89940521927226948852009-01-20T17:33:00.000-08:002009-01-20T17:35:14.462-08:00

it worked!! the soup cooked completely in two hours! all the vegies, even the lentils and potatoes! i will admit a stray (and unsoaked) garbanzo bean was not quite done! so yeah for retention cookers!!! and yeah for OBAMA!

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-85339840624750689532009-01-20T13:26:00.000-08:002009-01-20T13:41:08.207-08:00

so we went to mandorani today.  (oh, i found out the difference between mandorani and corao! corao, coming from cusco is on the right side of the road and mandorani is on the left!)  the remaining interested people all met outside of tomas´house (luckily it wasn´t raining).  he explained all that had come to pass since the christmas meeting.  marta unfortunately withdrew her participation only

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-38304404060406352302009-01-19T10:59:00.000-08:002009-01-19T18:11:19.658-08:00

el documento!20 de enero 2009.Las firmas abajo indican que estas personas de la comunidad de Mandorani están de acuerdo en participar con la organización “Vidas Mejoradas” y en su proyecto de Cocinas Mejoradas. Aquí los compromisos:1.) Todas pagarán S/30.00 para participar antes de ellos puedan recibir su cocina.2.) Todos están de acuerdo en que Tomas Huellca y Andres Quispe son los trabajadores

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-13356187256624746442009-01-19T10:34:00.000-08:002009-01-19T13:47:52.320-08:00

and we continue to learn more! geez...it never stops!! yesterday in the morning as i laid in bed recovering from the gripe, i received a call from tomas indicating some sort of problem.(Background: we did return to mandorani and tell them in no uncertain terms all would receive the same stove, that it the only fair way, and if they chose to have the more expensive model that their neighbor (but

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-83063970934926906252009-01-14T12:03:00.000-08:002009-01-14T12:07:26.228-08:00

from steve´s blog!We have learned more lessons this week. The day after I left off last time (i.e. Saturday the 9th), we got a call from Victor and Juana, the president and secretary of the Mandorani association in C’orao. They said they wanted to come into Cuzco and talk to us on Sunday. Well, sure, we said, although in our hearts we were thinking “what now?” When they arrived we were expecting

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-77031291694255153122009-01-10T11:55:00.000-08:002009-01-10T12:23:44.668-08:00

yesterday we returned to the san pedro market to buy more of our baskets we are converting into retention cookers. we go to a booth run by a woman named paulina. our last visit there we were only able to buy three baskets and i have already reported the near robbery of my belongings in my purse as a result of carrying one of these baskets on my head. so we didn´t know what to expect, if she

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-62842423222700255072009-01-08T13:59:00.000-08:002009-01-08T14:00:52.125-08:00

for sleeve´s slant on all please check out http://www.freewebs.com/sleeveblog

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-42280407288063521292009-01-08T09:14:00.000-08:002009-01-08T13:53:34.878-08:00

a quick update here! today we went to mandorani and have begun our project! this weekend tomas and andres will buy the supplies (sheet metal for the chimneys, and rebar for the burners and grates), and transport them to a welder in Córao. we discussed the possibility that all may not have adobe and tomas said not to worry as the members of the association will all share and there will be

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-76872084073512339542009-01-05T10:01:00.000-08:002009-01-05T14:23:18.079-08:00

a beautiful monday here; the sun is shining. steve is enroute to pisaq to a place where we discovered a better book exchange than exists in cuzco. and they even have cheesecake and he is bringing me a piece back. yummm. ( a note here: one day hitchiking from Mandorani /C´orao , a woman picked us up named Ulrike and she has a little restaurant on the plaza in Pisaq and she is the inventor of this

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-41508575962852637422009-01-01T13:04:00.000-08:002009-01-01T13:25:23.289-08:00

happy new year to all! we just got back from having dinner with friends and their family. she even cooked a turkey!! it was all very nice. my favorite part was after dinner when we all began to toast and drink the wine. (yes, they drink it after eating!) first, nino toasted in spanish, in that formal yet warm way peruvians´do. then his wife´s father toasted us all in quechua, it was quite

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-88704862648977270262008-12-25T12:23:00.001-08:002008-12-27T14:50:18.680-08:00

merry christmas everyone! it´s quiet here, all the hub-bub of the last couple days in cusco has settled down. quite amazing really to walk down to the plaza and see everything and everyone gone! it was a crazy crowd yesterday. in fact so crazy we ended up getting our camera stolen. most pictures are on our flicker site, but unfortunately our photos of christmas at the shelter, of the adorable

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-56132002583141098702008-12-24T12:36:00.000-08:002008-12-24T12:39:55.765-08:00

Wishing you peace, inside and out at Christmas and all year long!

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-61238466950807416712008-12-23T10:28:00.000-08:002008-12-23T12:40:11.861-08:00

rather than duplicate steve´s entry, i will include it here with a few comments of my own at the end.so, per steve, OK, here we go again.A week and a half ago we went to C’orao to do followup interviews and updates, as I mentioned before. I also mentioned that we had checked out the stove of a guy named Tomas, and that he had done some interesting things like include a third burner to heat water

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-80887141725957280752008-12-18T06:44:00.000-08:002008-12-18T07:05:31.119-08:00

we are taking some time off and reevaluating what we have discovered over the last month. we will be going to quiquihana this weekend to meet with our cohorts here and on sunday, provided all goes well, with the folks from usi. i am hoping all realize we have to make some changes if we indeed want cocinas mejoradas to contribute to vidas mejoradas. below steve explains more.i am getting over yet

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-39222854787359172232008-12-13T08:18:00.001-08:002008-12-13T12:04:45.616-08:00

i am moving on. both personally and in regards to our projects. i can´t explain the exhaustion one feels when they try to give. and in my case sometimes too much. and when one is trying to fill something up in themselves that simply can´t be filled by helping others, especially when things go bad and blame gets slung. so, i am making decisions that are about caring for myself first and will hope

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-28453429945487912482008-12-07T07:13:00.000-08:002008-12-08T13:17:39.150-08:00

i sure wish i were feeling better. i haven´t hardly slept through one night since being here. last night i fussed with a dry cough, a pulled back (as a result of a cough where my mid back falls into a dip in the middle of my bed), occasional bouts of diarrhea and guilt for the post below. i just reread it...it´s honest, no doubt, but what i want to acknowledge is what we can do better the next

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-31215358839417834412008-12-05T12:16:00.000-08:002008-12-08T13:03:15.099-08:00

well, here i sit drinking a coca-cola as the locals say it´s the best thing for giardia. i am also taking some wonder-medicine that requires only two doses after visiting my very nice Dr Pinedo yesterday. i had thought my colitis was acting up but it turned out to be the nasty giardia thing and some bacterial infection. i feel fortunate to have him nearly at my beck-on-call. now i know all fruits

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-16009793211788074742008-11-27T08:54:00.000-08:002008-11-27T09:24:35.814-08:00

well as i laid in bed last night i realized how much more more i could share with our friends and supporters from home. i won´t email everytime i make a post so i hope when you have a minute you can just check here for more details of our work and experience.so first i´d like to add more about the problem of folks not paying for their stoves as promised. the agreement everyone had signed was to

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-48591001971273272232008-11-26T15:10:00.001-08:002008-11-27T08:54:16.976-08:00

well did we have a great day or what. ron, ellen, steve and i went to sipascancha today to begin plans for the follow-up interviews. timing was perfect on our part as far as transportation went. we arrived about 8:30 AM to find the market in near full swing. adelita made us our mates (tea) and we were called out to a new patio in front of the youngest children´s school. each child welcomed us,

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-64330844480412341872008-11-26T15:09:00.001-08:002008-11-26T15:09:44.233-08:00

I am writing to present a situation that perhaps someone can help us with. I have mentioned Adela and Nino many times in our work here. They are both teachers who work in the villages where Steve and I have been working with health and stove projects. Their help, support and caring has been invaluable. Apparently Nino´s sister, Marisol Saji Saire, 24 yrs old, has been accepted into a

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-79393767821647749422008-11-23T17:53:00.001-08:002008-11-23T17:53:51.270-08:00

it´s sunday and things are looking up here in cuzco. i am much better after i discovered a pill for soroche! ellen and ron arrived (steve´s parents) and will be in the cuzco area for the next three weeks. ron had gotten sick while they were enroute to see us coming across Peru via Arequipa and Puno. thankfully he is better today. it´s wonderful to see them here and to share our work, friends

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-64325272933129335412008-11-20T11:06:00.000-08:002008-11-20T11:07:59.781-08:00

The art of giving to othersBy Theresa Curry for The News VirginianPublished: November 18, 2008A chain of family connections and generous hearts links school children in a mountaintop school in Nelson County to school children in an isolated village in the Andes. The same connections link two rural Virginia artisans with a couple of West-Coast health advocates determined to work with the Peruvian

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-89477531161748009752008-11-20T10:59:00.000-08:002008-11-20T11:05:23.118-08:00

per Steve:Well, here we are! All flights were smooth, no delays although the LAX airport can go die with their ridiculous sprawl setup. We barely made it to our plane with a 90 minute layover. Once we arrived in Lima everything was very smooth, we got into Cusco around 1 PM. Pave met us at the airport and we went to our hostal. The patio (that´s what our apartment is called) wasn´t ready, they

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-48459816347968959142008-11-20T07:10:00.000-08:002008-11-20T07:11:21.860-08:00

hi everyone,we made it again! i am typing away across from the Plaza de Armas in Cuzco. today is our second day here. unfortunately my first was spent in a hospital with apparent food poisoning. no messing around for me, i guess! i had spent the previous night vomiting assuming i was going through another episode of soroche (altitude sickness) but the friendly docs at the clinic said no as

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-48928915421797189712008-11-10T16:16:00.000-08:002008-11-10T17:07:09.236-08:00

Here is a quick post, likely my last before we leave in a week for our next stove project. And really all I want to do is acknowledge all who helped in anyway towards our recent fundraising efforts.Muchisimas gracias a Sam Bonds Garage, especially the wonderful wait staff, bartenders and to the great bands who played the greatest music, Samba Ja, Whiskey Spots, and Hot Drama. Last but not least,

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-25644877135067953732008-11-02T14:28:00.000-08:002008-11-02T14:46:28.808-08:00

It's 'amping up and in just a couple weeks we'll be on our way back to Peru. Margaret Girle, my Australian friend's paintings went up at Sean's place, the Museum of Unfine Art on Willamette Street. They look incredible, especially finally hanging! She donated them to our cause and Sean so kindly gave us two weeks to show them. Soon i'll post some pictures. Tonite is our benefit at Sam Bond's with

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-3257082160547193852008-10-21T15:25:00.000-07:002008-10-21T15:29:18.614-07:00

Hello friends,Steve and I leave for Peru in less than a month! We are still wrapping up loose ends, but now is the time to let everyone know about three benefits we’re having in early November.Sunday November 2nd at Sam Bond’s Garage (407 Blair Blvd in Eugene) we are having a night of music with Samba Ja (a thunderous, funky percussion ensemble), The Whiskey Spots (old time and novelty songs),

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-90718327868136543822008-10-08T13:32:00.000-07:002008-10-21T15:25:10.864-07:00

Attached is the latest translated letter from Pavela , our cohort in stoves in Cusco:Beloved friend you are right I was very busy in trying to pass my tests and under a weight very negative. Also recently i am thinking of my dad and it is very difficult to carry the reality and the feelings. Please excuse me, this year has been and is very hard for me. At times I find myself so tired that I go to

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-68060294582618151012008-09-03T17:03:00.000-07:002008-09-08T09:13:40.891-07:00

Wow, this month has flown by. Planning for our trip continues. It's been up and down. Sometimes I feel like I'm spinning my wheels. I'm getting nervous! In part it's why I haven't written. So, forgive me and what follows is an update.I think I've mentioned we'll have four people working with us, actually three adults (Steve, Amy, and I) and one near 12 year old (Anahkin). Our plan is, together

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-17540892840931411102008-07-21T09:50:00.001-07:002008-07-21T11:44:58.824-07:00

Now that we've gotten past our various issues (ie., my move to the motor home, our vacation, Steve's house issues, the Oregon Country Fair...) we are able to focus our energies on Vidas Mejoradas and our upcoming stove project in November 2008-March 2009. YES!We are in process of sending the letter below and an informational sheet about Vidas Mejoradas(posted on the sidebar) to all our friends

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-42717876695659573492008-07-21T09:00:00.000-07:002008-07-21T09:41:55.920-07:00

Vidas MejoradasJuly 20, 2008.Dear Friends, We’re writing to all of you whom in some way have helped Steve and I continue to work alongside the indigenous people of the Peruvian Andes in a variety of healthcare projects since 2003. If you have received this and do not know of our work, please, if you will, read on.We want to tell you about the work of Vidas Mejoradas, the people we are very

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-16979977100506280942008-06-16T08:10:00.000-07:002008-06-16T08:27:29.965-07:00

Good morning Sunshine! Still coolish at night, but oh, what a sweet thing to wake up to! My motor home is proving to be quite comfortable, having spent my third night here. i could get into this...Today is the first day of my weeklong vacation! Later on, Steve and i head to PDX and then onto Louisville and Bloomington. It'll be all about music and old friends, that is, for Steve, and for me,

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-74138040158212768392008-06-10T11:07:00.000-07:002008-06-10T11:25:14.967-07:00

Foggy, drizzly weather persists here. i am so ready for some clarity and sun! the move is moving along. today steve is coming by to take a load and thursday i have a truck and helpers coming. the place should be clean on friday and then i'll be in my new digs, working one last weekend before my vacation! we're going to Louisville and Bloomington to hear music (Terrastock) and and to see a

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-76253568162793264112008-06-06T09:26:00.000-07:002008-12-09T18:37:06.672-08:00

Winter solstice lighting up a field, like a window at night in Ollantaytambo, Peru i am in a fog here, nothing is appearing very clear. relationships, home, purpose, ie., what is the point here folks? is it supposed to all matter? fit all together nicely? or is it just the steps along the way, whatever way they come and whatever one makes of it? my next steps are still seeming just a natural

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-75406285389844515762008-05-27T14:30:00.000-07:002008-05-27T15:09:08.154-07:00

Going through the motions of moving here. the motor home is almost ready, just need to get propane, figure out how the water works and get it parked next to the patio. i have started moving what will be like my office into the house. still needed is to rent a small storage space as i anticipate not quite everything will be with me. i am hoping to find a place near River Road so that once i'm

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-10888805742011229212008-05-21T22:32:00.001-07:002008-05-21T23:10:21.743-07:00

Well, going through stuff here in preparation for yet another move. i've sorted out the garage, made a pile that'll be for a yard sale, made another pile for what will go in storage and yet another for what will go with me to the motor home and spare room. i went through all my clothes and will return what i likely bought at the thrift store in the first place, and some things it seems that i've

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-82099563959092639292008-05-18T13:13:00.000-07:002008-05-22T07:32:53.741-07:00

I'll continue our Peru updates here, as yes, i still don't have the new blog in place for "las Vidas Mejoradas" just yet. Alot is going on. Pavela got to Bolivia and was thrilled with her visit to Cedesol. She'll put together our budget soon and send it our way. I'll post our letters in a bit and briefly translate. Yesterday we spent the day with Ken and Larry and a fine group of folks from the

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-86939779521662523372008-04-30T13:03:00.000-07:002008-05-22T07:37:52.815-07:00

i have been hesitant in writing as Steve and I are planning to make a separate blog for our volunteer work. well it's not there yet but there's lots to report. steve and i, and a friend, Ember are having weekly get-togethers speaking only in spanish. actually it was just steve and i the first week and hopefully she can join us soon! and i think i 'll post some emails i've gotten recently and

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-58480804197993673372008-04-17T10:24:00.001-07:002008-04-17T13:14:25.101-07:00

this last stretch of days has been better, hence i am still working. ha, like i could just stop. i know there is a certain aspect to my work where the shit will all hit the frying pan whenever it does, without regard to anything and one should roll with the punches. all i can say is sometimes, yes, i can, and sometimes, no, i can't. and its those times i get frustrated and feel the pressure and

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-30105744918541558372008-04-11T01:04:00.000-07:002008-04-11T13:48:29.556-07:00

at 1 AM last night i rode home from work, crying on my bike, my cheeks freezing cold and stinging. the last couple nights have seemed brutal to me. the first i floated to another unit, knew where nothing was, the patients were split up, each ill, needing something, and one more so. and with adding on the new computer charting system, it totaled up to a shift without lunch and a headache. i was

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-19769740022934349432008-03-19T17:07:00.000-07:002008-03-19T17:16:47.275-07:00

all good here. as long as i think about my posture, and how i lift things, slow down, get help and at all costs avoid 250 pounders, work is going just fine. thankfully the rain las let up enough to check on my starts. there is no real significant snail or slug problem and most look like they've "taken" just fine. the raspberries are totally leafing out! still don't know what the mystery

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-45664750604404446772008-03-14T15:13:00.000-07:002008-03-17T15:03:14.053-07:00

it's shaping up to be a productive week or so in spine-garden-stove land. i received a good report from the doctor saying i can now lift 25 pounds, of course, using proper body mechanics. we talked about the tendency for low back pain to come up at some point almost daily, and she feels this will improve. she said i can try most things but i need to recognise when i've done too much and back off.

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-55785681183491217532008-02-28T07:46:00.000-08:002008-03-17T14:40:05.943-07:00

this weather brings forth a burst of energy! got permission from my therapist to lift some free weights ie., 3 and 5 pound and to do some upper body stuff. Leslie and i moved in my exercise bike from the garage and am using that until i can ride my regular bike. it's exciting for me to be actively doing something that i hope can prevent a repeat injury.work has been odd to say the least. first

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-11829835950258591892008-02-20T08:17:00.000-08:002008-02-20T08:18:06.589-08:00

well the job did not work out. as i told sleeve i feel weirdly bummed about it all. it wasn't really my fault to not know how to do charges and coding, or what prices were for treatments or services, but i usually push through things. this however was not a job i would have ever sought, or even been hired for had i conventionally applied. apparently the person who had done the job had quit and

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-831762015608474912008-02-17T19:12:00.000-08:002008-02-17T22:10:48.380-08:00

Great weekend!1.) joined the wonderful folks of River Ruin for a yummy-licious gourmet mac and cheese cooked by Shelley2.) weeded (very carefully) 1 3/4 of the stone beds at Steve's house.3.) finally saw Into the Wild, no less at the $1.50 show at Gateway4.) cooked an incredible seafood soup with tomatoes, garlic, fennel root, and fresh shrimp, mussels and rock cod5.) enjoyed an incredible

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-60016484065372073682008-02-15T11:15:00.000-08:002008-02-15T13:24:08.486-08:00

i guess we could entitle this entry as "Stoves, Spines and Records". some day i will need to separate various entries into appropriately entitled blogs. for example i would hate someone to find my blog and be expecting entries about our volunteer work in peru, only to find an entry about the my going to my first record convention, how my recovery is going from spinal surgery or what i might be

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-43220658290450766622008-02-08T10:01:00.000-08:002008-02-08T10:07:49.552-08:00

A link to "Safeguarding the 'Crown Jewels' of International Agriculture" www.cgiar.org/monthlystory/february2008.html Glad to know someone's thinking ahead.

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-91042585563861760642008-01-31T18:02:00.000-08:002008-02-01T14:36:30.490-08:00

Stoves and SpinesWhere to start?! The ETHOS meeting was just fantastic. Our talk went well; Sleeve and I did it together and went through our slides, added important points, received helpful comments and questions, and all in our allowed half hour! We met Larry Winiarski, the man credited with the invention of the rocket stove. He came up to us and told us he was "just so proud" of us for doing

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-84086827732707961492008-01-09T13:11:00.000-08:002008-01-09T13:52:17.376-08:00

En estos nuevos dias, que viene con nuevos aires, lleguen y toquen tu ventana y traigan para ti mas energia, mas suen~as, mas alegria, mas amigos, mas emociones y mas vida en tu vida.En estos nuevos dias angeles lo ayudan a conseguir todo lo que deseas y todo eso le hara' muy feliz.En estos nuevos dias, que tu cuerpo se ponga mas fuerte y tu mente olvide los malos momentos.let me translate and

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-28806973822996742562008-01-09T09:05:00.000-08:002008-01-09T13:41:36.185-08:00

it's a challenge to fill up my day. i'm not supposed to sit, stand, walk, rest, or lift too much! (which means i can't even write this entry in one sitting!) geez, it's true i really don't know what to do with myself! i am bouncing off the walls of this little house. company helps, but here i am over in springfield. i'm told by the physical therapists too much sitting is hard on the disk because

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-56169140082741389532008-01-04T14:09:00.000-08:002008-01-04T14:28:15.333-08:00

just back from a wonderful walk in the rain at the springfield end of alton baker park alongside the millrace there. it didn't rain too hard and the air was clean smelling and the ground squishy. perfect.what with not working and now 4 weeks out of surgery, i am seeing a routine finally emerge. i wake up early and have my coffee and breakfast and listen to or read the news. then its time for

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-35775758119125047072007-12-28T07:36:00.000-08:002007-12-28T10:48:33.294-08:00

another tragedy. what is One to think. i read of Benazir Bhutto's life and really am struck by her glamour and demeanor amidst such ugly violence. her voice was so soft. apparently there were questions of corruption when she served as a prime minister. i can't say i know. and then, poof, gone. none the less, what a family legacy; to have had four members die in violence. and in the larger picture

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-58966047573539847282007-12-20T16:43:00.000-08:002007-12-20T17:19:19.089-08:00

i'm in physical therapy now. today was my first day. eee-yow, that stretch over each hip, and in opposite directions, i believe it's called traction, manual traction. like telling your body you will be this long...and then the hands move apart stretching the skin in opposite directions. i was tight but geeez. and then i'm on my stomach and while michael stretches my spine upward, eee-yow, from

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587016.post-16369066702865365442007-12-17T15:03:00.000-08:002007-12-17T15:07:02.089-08:00

I've uploaded NEW stove reports as my Dad pointed out a couple of numeric errors. Can't have that!! I also added the spanish version. There are some other typos that Ellen found for me, but will get to those later. So you'll see those options on the sidebar. love, Laurie

Lauriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16506791249151743910noreply@blogger.com0