Yesterday we went to the Sanitorium and Dolphinarium.  I love the way they translate those words in English.  Lena wasn't feeling too well, hence the happy face.  She has a cold so I'm sure it is just a matter of time before we all have it.  We share everything, at least only Julee and Mary got lice from the orphanage.  Sorry, Mary I couldn't resist.  That is one thing the rest of us have not shared.  

The town we are staying is so small and the roads are narrow.  Everyone walks everywhere and there aren't many cars.  Melba does all the shopping for food, water and toilet paper so she has made friends with all the lady's in the booths.   They get excited when they see her coming.  

This is Lena outside our apartment helping the neighbor boys fix their bike.  The kids have made friends  and they are always outside playing soccer, riding bikes and running wild.  Everyday they new cuts, scraps and dirt everywhere.   They are so tough and hardly ever cry about a wound.   Lena has 5 really good ones on her body and when I say, Ouch? She adamantly says, "NO!"  She tries to be so tough.   It is really cute.  

The girls love my cell phone and always want to play games on it.  Because they are always using it I have had a hard time keeping track of it and we left one on the train headed to Moscow.  Oops.  For the second cell phone I bought a bright orange cord so we wouldn't lose it.  The girls thought that was awesome and with their 10 grivnas they get everyday they take turns buying fuzzy little creatures for the phone.  Oh dear, I'm so glad this kind of thing does not exist at home.  To date we have a cat, and three fuzzy dogs.  Talk about drive me crazy.  Nothing like talking on the phone with a fuzzy dog snuggled up next to your ear.     If Lena acts out all I have to do is threaten to take the phone.  

 This is a palace in Yalta, where Stalin, Churchhill and Roosevelt met to decide if America would join WWII.

 

We found out yesterday that our passports are finished.  Yeah!  We have two days at the Embassay in Kiev on Monday and Tuesday and then we are headed home Wednesday morning.  It seems unreal.

 I actually have enough clean underwear to make it till I come home. I won't have to do anymore laundry in the Ukraine.  I can't wait for a dryer.  I am so tired of line dried crispy clothes and hanging my underwear out for all the neighbors to see.  

We are taking the train back to Kiev tomorrow so I don't know when I'll be posting again.   I can't believe I can count the days on one hand till I come home.  I have a long list of foods I am dying to eat.  Chips and Salsa are at the top.  Chili's anyone?  Oh I can't even talk about it. I have had enough bland potatoes to last a life time.   For a spice lover like me this country has put me in famine mode.   Anyone who brings chocolate chip cookies to the airport will be my best friend forever.  Mmmmm!!