Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Happy Independence Day!

This is "Dominick's store". It is behinid our apartment building and we can see it from our bedroom window. We jokingly call it the "Copa Cabana". He has his little shopping routine down now, goes to visit his little Russian bakery friend from whom he buys biscuts with chocolate bottoms and bread. He got a kick out her guessing he was Italian. Dominick has been far more himself on this trip, Mr. I-Don't-Know-A-Stranger even when he doesn't know the language.

Here is the way we get heat...the entire city is heated with steam from these steam pipes. I have to admit, I like this heat better than our forced air furnace at home. Our apartment is cozy all the time, but we have no control over the heat.

Matthew, Joshua and their new buddy from Canada, Yannik. Kenny was inside looking for gloves he lost.


The next time you think you have a really, really bad job, think of this poor woman. What could be worse than being a street vendor in what is essentially Siberia in the dead of winter?? She looks quite bundled up, doesn't she?



Freeze Dried Laundry




Enjoying the playground while we can...it warmed up a tiny bit today and has snowed a TON~!





The playground for our complex, this is far better than most as it is newer equipment since it was built a couple years ago. Have only seen one or two of this any of our trips to Kazakhstan.


One of my "weird" photos that Dominick always rolls his eyes at. These are the stairs leading to our apartment. Something about the lighting and purple trim was something I wanted to capture. Go ahead, roll your eyes too...
I am taking the day off from blogging other than these photos, as I need an emotional break. We have a lot to process right now and important decisions to face. Keep checking back though, I'll probably post tomorrow and might have the boys write somkething blogable as well.



14 comments:

Karen said...

Thank you for showing us a little bit of your wintry world! (And yes, the street vendor lends important perspective. Thanks for that reminder.)

Kelly and Sne said...

I know that life there is not always the most comfortable but can be lots of fun given the right attitude. Looks like you are making the best of it. You are making me nostalgic for our time in Kazakhstan (although we had much different weather in Summer!).

Hilary Marquis said...

Looks like the boys are having fun in the snow with their new pal :) It should warm up a bit here today as well, so I'm sure my kids will want to play in the snow as well. I like your purple staircase picture! You have a good eye ;)

Lenore said...

I LOVE all of your pictures, Cindy, and am NOT rolling my eyes at your purple stairs!!!! You see the world as a photographer....nothing wrong with that!! I'm absolutely "drinking" up all the photos you're posting as it's giving us such a vivid picture of your life in "Siberia"!! TFS!!! Much love...

Zoya said...

ah, the steam pipes - great for warming cold fingers if you are a child, who wants to spend all day playing outside even if it is very cold.

I can't roll my eyes at your stair photo, as most of my photos are like that.

Hope the break will help you to find some peace.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the beautiful photos. It must be a nice break for brave family....like getting off the roller coaster for awhile. Your attitude is commendable and I can't wait to see what happens when the page turns. I wish you the best and am hoping that you continue to be strong in mind and spirit. Take care!

Bill and Cathe: said...

Interesting that Dominick calls the store "Copa Cabana" as it's name is Korona! 8-D

Been watching the weather as well as sunrise/sunset times on MSN weather. Only 7 hours and 12 minutes of daylight today. And, "Butt-freezin Cold!" too!

Kim Adams said...

I love the purple stairs! :)

Unknown said...

Great pics...when I first moved to Petro I lived just across the street from where you are staying, just down from the church. C Dneom Nezivisimisti (happy independence day)!!!

Anonymous said...

Such "cold" pictures look so warm when taken by Cindy LaJoy! Enjoy a day off! Love, Miss Joan

Betsy said...

Thinking about all of you and praying for your hearts and your time in Kaz.

Maria said...

Normal is good. Thanks for sharing the mundane. Sometimes that's the beauty we find in the midst of the storm.

The boys look ROCKING HANDSOME in their coats!!

And, BTW, I would have taken a picture of something like that too!! Life is in the details.

Anonymous said...

LaJoy's -
You are in our prayers and on our minds. Our best wishes to your family.
Andrea, Linda and Ed Ingo

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