Spit and Rinse

I learned some new words today.

Crache et rince.

Maybe you can tell that the second one is “rinse.” But, the first one most certainly does not mean crash, if you were guessing.

I went to the dentist today.

Such an odd experience, seeking medical treatment in a culture not your own.

I waited in a rather nice waiting room (granted, I would not have said that three years ago) and read on my Kindle while the TV blasted a mix of Arabic music, local TV shows in Wolof, and Indian soap operas. And then there was the lady next to me with a giant white boubou (local clothes), flicking through her prayer beads and then rubbing them in her face (that was a first).

And then they called my name. Well, they tried. Then they just grunted and pointed until I understood it was my turn. Can’t blame them. After all, how many Flintoffs live in this country? I’d venture to say we’re pretty special.

Then, I met the dentist and tried to explain my problem and how I ended up sitting in his office (I won’t bore you. It involves a crown and some dull, achy pain).

Language side-note. If I don’t know a word in French, I just say the English word “in a French way.” So, if it’s a verb, I add er, pronounced ay to the English word. Like, maybe I’d guess to run is runer (say, run-ay). I would be wrong, of course, but not a bad system when you’re stuck.

I learned spit and rinse from my context today. Mouth full of blood, crache. Clean it with some water, rince.

I’m still not 100% as to what’s going on, but I’m fairly certain I’m being treated for some sort of gingivitis. Much better prognosis than I expected. I thought I was going in for a root canal.


Let’s hope this dentist is right.

Busy, Busy, Busy

I finally feel like I’ve stopped treading water, though I still feel like I’m swimming pretty hard.

In the past few weeks, there have maybe been two or three days where we’ve not had someone in our house, been running around town doing this-or-that, preparing for teaching (Eric), or working on some home project (those are never simple wherever you are, but certainly not here in Senegal!).

Looking over my to-do lists for the past few weeks, here are a few of the things I’ve been working on:

Unpacking all the stuff we had stored in the chicken coop, cleaning moldy or stinky-smelling stuff. Unpacking all the stuff we unpacked at the temporary house and then repacked to move here. (I’m tired just writing that.)

Making tomato sauce with about 30 pounds of tomatoes and then doing 1/3 as Chili, 1/3 as Spaghetti Sauce, and 1/3 plain (planning to do another 10 this week with Salsa and Pizza Sauce). I’m freezing because tomato season will be over before long, folks. Haven’t jumped on the canning wagon just yet.

Reconnecting with church friends and other missionaries. Meeting new friends from both communities.

Homeschooling every morning during the week. With a toddler hanging on my leg. 'Nuf said.

Four days on my own with the kids while Eric was in the village (And we did school EVERY day. I'm so proud.).

Meeting new friends and neighbors and getting familiar with our neighborhood.

Organizing the freezer. I have to stock up our favorite fish (monkfish) because we can’t get it year-round and chicken when they’re available (they’re usually “ready” around holidays). And we have to “process” both (thankfully, by now my housekeeper’s a pro). Filet the fish and cut the whole chickens up into like pieces- breasts, legs, wings, etc. (It takes about 10 chickens to have a meal of wings!)

Finding spaces for all our junk (that we’re very thankful for!). No closets creates opportunities for creative organization. And reorganizing. And so on, until everything finds a home.

Finding and taking advantage of opportunities for the kids to play with other MKs (I’m so thankful for this one and that it includes MKs from so many countries and backgrounds).

Tripling and Quadrupling recipes like Minestrone Soup, Mexican Supper, Waffles (borrowed a friend’s waffle iron and did that one 7 times!) and Chicken Taco Soup to freeze for easy meals later Ssince food prep is so time-consuming here. And making dinner with a toddler is some days EX-cruciating).

Shopping for our home- not an easy task. Going to a nearby beach town to buy a few luxuries (nice curtains from France, fabric to cover the couches, metal curtain rods, and a few food items like hamburger buns).

Organizing group food orders for missionary families here- ordering from the company, collecting cash, distributing the goodies. It’s cheaper (and more convenient) to buy cheese in bulk (we can get gouda, mozzarella, and edam here) and pork products this way.

Finding and working with a carpenter to get our furniture repaired and the cushions recovered and to make curtain rods for my windows.

Life with a toddler.

Life with a toddler.

Life with a toddler. I feel like I’m repeating myself.

Getting curtains made by my tailor.

Finding and keeping up with opportunities for Hannah & Malachi to hear and work on their French (Bible Club & an awesome tutor) and encouraging them that it’s worth the investment.

Okay, I think I’ve caught you up. This is only my list. Eric has been even busier than I have and in some more stressful ways (plumbers, electricians, welders, the landlord). And that doesn't include his honey-do list. I’m very thankful for him.