Just so you know we are in our right minds, the window a/c is for when the electricity goes out and the house a/c won't work.  We hope that never will be, but we want to plan just in case.  This week Dad tried out the generator and it works spiffily.  A little noisy, but we will have long extension cords so it's not right outside the window.

Now he's digging out a channel behind the garage to keep the water from seeping in during the rains.  He will put in a pipe and take it out to the front of the driveway.  The neighbor came over to check out what he's doing and loaned him his reciprocating saw to cut the pipe more easily.  He's really a great neighbor.  Dad said I've got to get one of these!  And he said, no, just knock on my door.  Dad did get a special plastic cutting blade, though, for it.  Dad mentioned that he is getting eaten alive by the mosquitoes while he's working out there and Herb said to use a fan.  I set one up for him and it worked great!  He doesn't itch or get bumps, but the buzzing bothers him.  I get itches and bumps and I swear they are under our bed in swarms.  And in the cars.  But I have learned to mostly just ignore the itching.  I itch all the time anyway so I have started taking vitamin B complex and MSM so maybe that will help with the itching, but if not, it will at least help my skin, I hope.

This week we have ordered and gotten some really cool little battery lanterns that put out a lot of light and we have ordered and gotten some good metal gas cans to store generator gas in.  He ordered a larger propane tank too that will come this week.

We got our plane tickets for the family reunion this week.  We will be flying this time.  The man is willing to pay a little more to save 4 or 5 days on the road.  And we will most likely fly for the wedding in December too.  Don't want to be driving in the icy weather in those passes.  That's the reason we moved, after all.  :o)

Wednesday afternoon I attended the last ESL class that the current teachers will be teaching.  I will take over next week.  I am nervous about it because I want to be sure to give the students what they need and want.  There are about 8 or 9 adult students that are from Israel, India, Puerto Rico, Mexico and China.  They are great people and I think I will love them right away, but I want to do a good job for them.  There is a class book and there are also tons of helps and guides and worksheets, etc, on line so there is plenty of material to use.  Dad said he would help me too after he takes the little class that the county requires.  They want to be sure everyone knows the rules like don't get personally involved with the students.  It would be easy to do, but not wise, I guess.

When we got home from Utah last week I noticed a strange odor in my closet and it has gotten worse and worse.  Today I went through everything and looked and looked for a dead mouse or something, but nothing.  I have to keep my closet door open so that the odor dissipates during the day. I don't want all my clothes to start smelling like that.  I checked all the pockets in my clothes and all around in the boxes and shelves.  Dad says it'll go away eventually and I guess that's what I have to wait for.

I have been going to a yoga class at the Y where I joined Saturday.  For several years I have had pains with arthritis in my feet and right hip and sometimes it's really hard to get started walking, but since I have been going to yoga, only 3 times now, that hasn't bothered me at all.   :o)  Can you believe it??  I even forgot that they used to hurt.  I hardly can believe it and I'm living it.  I go to yoga 3 times a week and do weights the other two days.  The man believes he's getting enough exercise around here doing what he does and I won't argue with him, and he says he will also start using the stationary bike and lifting some little weights that we bought while we were in Utah.  That will be a good support to his strength too.

Oh, I wanted to tell you too that the doctor said he needs to start taking thyroid medication to help him with his energy and metabolism.  He has started taking the meds and he does have more energy.  When we got here he had to stop after mowing part of the lawn and sit for a while and then mow and sit for a while.  Now he can do the whole lawn at one time.  He's a little disappointed that he hasn't started losing more weight but that may come later.  He's being good with his diet.

While I was at a swim meet with Lara one of the ladies that was in her group mentioned a service they are doing in the Girl Scouts for children with cancer.  So I said I would be happy to do it too.  We are making pretty, bright pillow cases for them to use in the hospital and take home when they are released.  It's very easy and fun to handle bright fun fabrics for a good cause.  The information is on Conkerr Cancer.org if you are interested.