My 3rd World Diet

LOGAN'S FIRST LOOK - BLUE STEEL

THEY TAKE THE TERM "WHOLE CHICKEN" SERIOUSLY HERE. I WASN'T EXPECTING TO PULL BLOATED CHICKEN FEET OUT OF THE BIRD'S CAVITY, AND I'LL ADMIT A YELP OF SURPRISE ESCAPED ME

MY NEW $200 WASHER. STEP 1: FILL WITH WATER FROM THE FAUCET. 2: ADD SOAP AND START FOR 2 MINUTES TO ALLOW SOAP TO DISSOLVE IN COLD WATER. 3: WASH 4: SWITCH DIAL TO DRAIN THE TANK (WATER DRAINS ONTO OUR BACK PATIO) 5: SWITCH TO CENTRIFUGE COMPARTMENT AND SPIN FOR 2 MINUTES. 5: SWITCH BACK TO WASHING COMPARTMENT AND MANUALLY FILL WITH WATER. 6: WASH FOR 3 MINUTES TO GET SOAP OUT 7: MANUALLY SWITCH DIAL TO DRAIN AGAIN 8: SWITCH BACK TO CENTRIFUGE COMPARTMENT AND SPIN FOR 5 MINUTES. 9: TAKE CLOTHES OUT AND HANG TO DRY. SIMPLE, RIGHT?

FILLING MY NEW WASHER. OUTLET NOT GROUNDED, SO IMPROVISED TO REDUCE SPLASHING FROM FAUCET. SEE, I AM ASSIMILATING INTO THE CULTURE. I CAN ADAPT! AND I LOVE MY NEW WASHER. BEATS THE ALTERNATIVE HANDS-DOWN!

LOGAN AND ME IN FRONT OF OUR APARTMENT BUILDING

THE GIRLS AFTER THEIR SCHOOL PARTY FOR "CHILDREN'S DAY"

JOSS AND CHLOE AFTER THEIR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

JOSS' BIRTHDAY PARTY

JOSS PUTTING MAKE-UP ON HER FRIENDS

LANDON AND OUR FABULOUS AND LOVELY NEIGHBOR MILLE. THIS PICTURE ENCOMPASSES A FEW THINGS ABOUT COSTA RICA: BANANAS - LOTS AND LOTS OF BANANAS, BEAUTIFUL LATIN WOMEN, AND DAMPNESS (NOTE LANDON'S SHIRT. IN THIS CASE HE GOT RAINED ON, BUT IT COULD JUST AS EASILY HAVE BEEN TROPICAL SWEAT.)

Well, we've been here for three weeks and I think I'm finally acclimated to life here in Costa Rica: I remembered to put my toilet paper in the trash can for the last 24 hours without a mistake. It's funny to see wads of wet toilet paper in our waste basket, the evidence of the kids fishing out their mistakes before flushing.

Jocelynne loved her birthday party. Fortunately, I was able to find an over-priced, imported Betty Crocker cake mix and the stuff to make frosting with (the cream cheese isn't something they use here, I think, because the label says "Tipo Americano"). The neighbor ladies were fascinated with the cupcakes and cream cheese frosting and want to learn how to do it. Guess they don't know Betty Crocker like I do. :)

I think I could make a killing in the diet books market with my latest idea: The Ultimate Third-World Weight-Loss Wonder. It's simple, really, and I'll share my weight loss secrets free here for all of my family and friends. (of course, all of you look great and don't need this, but just for kicks:)

1. Sell your car. From now on you will walk or ride a bike
2. When you are walking, push a poorly-constructed double stroller filled with three children to help work out the upper-body and torso (you may need to adopt or borrow for this). Be sure to kick the right wheel periodically (I do this because the wheel sometimes slips off the bar). And don't cheat and use nicely paved roads. They must have plenty of pot holes and gravel, as this will help you burn more calories.
3. Deny yourself of chocolate. You may have to move somewhere where chocolate isn't available. Come visit me if you have to.
4. Sell your washer, dryer, dishwasher, mixer, blender, and vacuum. Doing things by hand burns calories.
5. For fun family outings, go for walks. Walk, walk, and walk some more.
6. Have beans and rice for every meal. Spice things up with fresh fruits and vegetables from the local street market.

There, that's it in a nutshell. I can finally fit into some of my pre-pregnancy clothes, and I think in another month or two I'll be into the rest of them. I can't promise you the regimen will be easy. Heck, I can't even promise it'll be worth it. I think I'd prefer the chocolate.