Uncomfortable position

Wednesday

I got up at 7:30, having slept better than usual. I got ready for coffee morning and watered the plants. I exercised and drybrushed. I made coffee and read for half an hour. I meditated and tapped.

With the energy from the coffee, I cleaned the bathrooms and then the kitchen. I washed the dishes. I mopped the floor and vacuumed carpets. I went to my laptop to order vacuum belts. Then I vacuumed the hall and took a shower.

I got dressed and grabbed my yoga bag and headed to the post office. Yoga class is right across the hall. The chaplain and his wife were there. We sat on our mats and chatted for 20 minutes before class started. Then Jessa led us through a series of uncomfortable positions. (I'll pay for it tomorrow). Afterward, we all chatted a little longer and then I went home.

I sat at my laptop to finish up the tapping presentations from yesterday. Michelle texted me about walking, so I went to the gym to meet her. We walked around the block. Her husband drove by and gave her the dog, so then the dog walked with us. When we got back to the gym, we sat and talked. Finally we headed home.

I finished all the tapping videos around 5:30. Chris didn't come home and I forgot about Mass. Silvia texted because she was getting strange e-mails from me. I confirmed that they were not from me.

I read e-mail, then started the next day of tapping. Chris came home just before 7. He changed clothes and made himself some supper. I finished one tapping video and started the second one. I worked on my blog post.

I heated tea and we watched two episodes of SGA. Later he set out his clothes for the morning, and went to bed with a book. By the time I got there, he had turned out the lights. I brushed my teeth and got ready for bed, then snuggled in.

Last minute trip to Tooele

Tuesday

I got up around 8. I did the usual, then listened to the last two presentations from the TWS. Then I found a bunch of other interviews and such to listen to.

I checked e-mail, and used the Kaatsu device on my arms. I took a break to go to the inspection of the apartment. It passed. I went home and did more rounds with the Kaatsu while listening to a podcast.

CJ dropped off two dozen eggs. Then I made and ate breakfast. Chris came home for lunch and went back to work. At 2, I went to Saronna's house to play. We did, but there was more talking than playing. But as always, we had a good time.

I went to the swap shop to move the cardboard boxes from the little closet with the water heater to another small room in the furniture place. This was to prepare for the fire departments inspection on Thursday. Anka came to get her mail and her kids wanted to come in the swap shop. I had to tell them it wasn't open.

I went home and read e-mail. I saw Michelle posted to the Facebook page looking for someone to pick up her meds in town, but no one did. So when Chris came home, we went over there She said she had to go along and to take her car.

So we drove her to WallMart, but the pharmacy had already closed. She didn't want to tell Chris, so we got snacks and returned to the car. Chris drove us back to base, chatting with her. When we got to her house, her husband had just gotten home. We got out of her car, chatted with them for a bit, then got in Chris' car and went home.

Chris finished steaming the beets while I made tea and rinsed the sprouts. I ate some cheese squares. Then we watched one episode of SGA. The beets were done and Chris offered me some, but I didn't want to eat right before bed. He went to bed while I worked on my blog.

Finishing off the apartment

Monday

I got up after 7:30. I did the usual to get ready for the day. I checked messages. I went cleaning at 9. I worked for an hour, then went home for a jug of vinegar.

From there I went to bible study at 10:15 at the club. The chaplain's wife had large print Bibles and handouts. Anka had her own Bible. We read from the book of Esther. She gave us some background information. At 11, we wrapped it up.

I went back to cleaning for an hour, then went home for breakfast, and watched lots of news videos. When I finished eating, I went back to the apartment for another hour, finishing the kitchen. Jamie had done everything else. So I went to Housing to set up inspection for tomorrow.

I proceeded home and watered the tower garden. I checked messages. Jerry came by with his replacement for loaner stuff. Afterward, I went back to messages.

Chris came home. We had supper at 6. I made a salad and ate some steak. I listened to the first part of the Tapping World Summit.

I paused it to go to the chapel for band practice. The piano player was sick so Saronna and I played hymns from the hymnal, accompanied by Sophia on djimbe. After 45 minutes, we packed up and went home.

I worked on my blog and heated tea. I mixed a scoop of magnesium in the tea because I am having RLS regularly at night. We watched two episodes of SGA. Later Chris laid out his suit for tomorrow, and went to bed. I stayed up to finish presentations from the Tapping World Summit. Then I went to bed and did not have RLS.

Practicing our Spanish

Sunday

I got up around 8:30. I went to the kitchen to rinse the sprouts, and take supplements, etc. I read e-mail and Telegram messages. I made a batch of seed crackers. While they were baking, I made more seed cracker mixes. Then I did something else that escapes me now.

At noon, I started on breakfast. After eating, I got dressed for church. My jacket had a hole in it so I quickly sewed it up. I warmed up on trombone. I put the seed crackers in a container and took them to the chapel.

The chaplain and another lady were practicing one of the praise songs when I got there. I put my trombone together and added some water to the slide. I played a few notes to get going. By then they were done. So I chatted with them as others came in.

Ginger gave me a small package that she picked up in San Antonio. It was an ornament with the shape of Texas in a horseshoe. It was very thoughtful. Then Gary started the service with three praise songs. I didn't know any of them. Then Pastor Chris preached on the last few chapters of Revelation. He went over time but I don't think anyone minded.

Saronna and I closed the service with two hymns. Then there was much chatting and snacking. And we didn't leave until 3. Chris was wrapping up his game as I got home.

I sat outside, barefoot, reading. Then we called Jessica and chatted with her and with Gabriel. It was good practice in English and Spanish. It went better once I got on the translation app. I didn't pronounce the Spanish words correctly, but they figured out what I was trying to say. We agreed to talk again next week.

Chris cooked steaks. He got online with the other Damours. Then we played the family game: searching an abandoned village and running into children that had been turned into wraiths. After the game, I made tea and rinsed both sets of sprouts. Then we watched two episodes of SGA season 4. Later, Chris went to bed. I stayed up to post to my blog. I also posted to Facebook for band practice tomorrow. It took way too long because the Facebook window is running so slowly.

Barefoot in February

Saturday

I got up before 9. I did some watering, and took supplements. I read e-mail for a bit. I parsed out a week's worth of supplements. Then Chris gave me a massage and we chatted about the Pareto principle. He took his shower while I started making breakfast. Then I took my shower.

I got dressed and ate breakfast while looking at Telegram messages and watching part of a Myst IV walkthrough that explained what I encountered in the game last night and gave me a hint of what to do next.

Chris started the laundry. We took the apt rugs and sheets from the dryer and folded them. I wondered if they were good enough for the swap shop. I jotted notes for my blog.

I met Jamie at a house on Mustang to talk to the occupant about regular cleaning. We decided that Jamie will start next Saturday. Then I went to the company house to dress the bed and clean the bathroom and kitchens. I went home to get the mop head, then went back to mop the floors.

It was a sunny day so I went home, and sat outside with my bare feet in the grass, reading a book. When I tired of that, I went to the swap shop and dropped off the rugs and a bag of clothes that Michelle gave me last night.

When I got back, it was still nice out, so I mixed up some concrete that Brittany had given me on Thursday night. I used a lettuce container for a mold. I pressed broken pieces of tile into the top, then left it outside to dry.

I was tired of my jacket sleeves getting into everything (like the concrete), so I took the jacket into my sewing room and found some elastic. I threaded it through a channel with a large safety pin. I had to do some sewing to secure it, but the fit was much better. I finished listening to a presentation on near infrared light and photobiomodulation.

I put the last of the steak in the toaster oven with some mushroom and squash. I put away the laundry that Chris had folded. After eating, I listened to something on Youtube. I worked on my blog. I made tea and we watched SGA. Later he went to bed. I watched the fake news awards by James Corbett. Then I went to bed.

Tandem dental visits

Friday

I got up after 8. I got ready for the day, and watered a few things. I rinsed the sprouts. I checked messages online, then went to the chapel for Math Morning. I got there just as Saronna was driving up.

I unlocked the doors and we set our stuff on the tables in the fellowship hall. I sat, waiting for the kids to ask questions. Casey came in and sat down. Sophia asked for help. Then, because it was 9:30, I asked Casey to help her and lock up at 10.

I went home. Chris had the cooler and list ready. We got in his car and headed to Tooele and the dentist. We got there early and neither of us had a book. I was going to walk to the grocery store, but the receptionist said they might take us early.

And they did. Chris got in after a few minutes and me a few minutes later. In fact, they were done with me by 11 and my appt was 11:30. They said I could stay in the chair watching TV until Chris was done. Then we both went to check-out.

After that, we went to Luckey's. While Chris checked out, I walked to Melanie's and shopped for a few things. Then we went to Macey's, then back to base. We stopped at the commissary, and then the post office. I took a moment to lock the swap shop, wondering if Summer had her usual Friday morning hours.

We went home and put the food away. Chris wanted hotdog buns because he bought cheese-filled hotdogs. So I started dough in the bread machine. Then I made breakfast and a week of breakfast mix. I ate while reading e-mail and watching sessions of Better Brain Blueprint. I took the dough out and made it into hotdog size rolls and put it in the oven to rise. Later I baked them.

Then I went to the company house to get the laundry going. The dryer was full of towels and pillow cases and I wondered if I had done that, but I don't think so. I went home and had supper: mushrooms and onions and squash. Again, I read articles. I looked up solutions to the fitted sheets entangling with pillowcases and wash cloths. All of them had problems. I wondered if I were to sew a short lingerie loop to each corner, then thread them on a safety pin, if that would stop the tangling.

I worked on my blog post. I finished a few articles. I put some goat cheese in a jar for Michelle. I added some Myst IV hints to my phone. I stopped by the company house to throw the laundry in the dryer. Then I showed up at Michelle's house. Casey put the game on the TV. I gave her the cheese and she added some spices and ate it. We chatted for awhile, then I loaded the game and started to play. From time to time I read hints, but there wasn't really anything to solve. I guess I was just collecting clues for later?

About 10:30 I found myself in the same spot I started, so I saved the game for next week. However, we continued to chat for an hour, so it was 11:30 till I got home. I turned stuff off, then got ready for bed and turned in.

Community Game Night

Thursday

I got up before 8. I got ready for the day. I put the 4 quarts of goat milk in the big black pot and started it heating on the stove. I stirred periodically. I filled out a cleaning contract. I figured out how much I owed Jamie and added $20. Then I went to apt 105 to sign for it.

We all met in the hallway. Then Connie knocked on the door. The man let us in. He was still moving stuff out. I looked around, waiting for Jamie. Then I decided on $225. He only had $20's but I had change. We all signed papers. I offered to move the next inspection time from 11 to 10. I paid Jamie for her work on apt 215, then we left.

I went home to stir the milk and read e-mail. I broke down some boxes and took them out to recycling. Jamie was out front, getting some yard stuff that she left over month ago. We talked, then I went to the inspection at 215.

The inspection went well. No issues discovered. Connie said she would put in an order for dimmer switches for my LED lights since I noted that they are too bright at night. They tell your brain that it is daytime. She said I could use ARMA for replacing the toilet at the swap shop. So when I got home, I signed into ARMA and submitted the work order.

I spent the rest of the morning making goat cheese and straining out the curds. Then I made breakfast and listened to The Highwire. Jamie texted, wanting to get into apt 105. So I went over there to unlock it and we discussed what to do with what the occupant left behind. She took some stuff and I took the kitchen rugs home to wash. I went back for the sheets.

I put the rugs and sheets in the washing machine. Then I got texts from people wanting to get into the swap shop. So I ran down there to open it. Mariah was right there and I had to ask her to turn around while I removed the key from its hidden spot so I could open the door. Sigh. She dropped off some rugs and got an adjustable chair. Then Anka came in with her 4 kids. I called Jenni twice to find out why she wasn't there. No answer. I went to apt 105 to get the food out because there wasn't much. I put the best stuff in a bag for Saronna and went to her house, but she wasn't home.

I went home. The washer was finished, but the rugs were still dirty. So I put them back in to soak in Borax. I saw Jenni had posted that the swap shop IS open from 4 to 7. So I figured I must have just missed her, but then she texted me asking me to open the swap shop because she was at the dentist (an hour away) and needed to get a prescription filled. I just don't understand her thinking! At least it was already open.

I read e-mail until Chris texted, asking when I wanted to go to Game Night at the club. I said 6:30. I ate some steak and took the supper supplements. I worked on my blog. I took the food to Saronna and stopped at the swap shop on the way back to drop off the coffee and creamer which she wouldn't use.

When I got home, Chris was having supper. I started having a niacin flush. We went to the club for Game Night. The Clark's were finishing up with their walkway stones. Bethany gave me the leftover cement mix so I could make one, too, later. The CSM came in with a stack of games. I went over to look, but didn't see any I knew how to play. However, there were two decks of cards, so I asked him what card games he knows. I didn't know any of them so he offered to teach me 3-5-9.

As he was explaining, the colonel and his family arrived. The colonel came over to play, which was good because 3-5-9 is a three player game. As I listened to the rules, it reminded me of Fizzbin. I mentioned that, but neither of them knew the reference. We played about 4 rounds. Then Chris and I went home.

I made tea and we watched two episodes of SGA. I was sorry to see the doctor get killed off. But it was interesting to see his friend talk to him at the end of the show, telling him he would have liked the funeral. Chris went to bed but I stayed up later. I thought about reading a book to make myself sleepy, but all of our lighting is too bright. So I read articles online, then went to bed.

Quotes and contracts

Wednesday

I got up at 7:30 to start coffee morning. Because my back was a little iffy, I had to do the exercises carefully. After meditating and tapping, I cleaned the kitchen and bathrooms and washed dishes. I mopped the floors and vacuumed to get rid of Chris' skin flakes.

Chris came home for lunch. We talked about ladies trading child care. I texted Jessa that I wouldn't make it to yoga because of my back. Then I took a bag of bags to the swap shop, and headed to the apartment to make sure it was ready for inspection tomorrow. It looked good.

I went home and started mending Chris' pants. Jamie texted me to meet her for a quote on Second street. I met her there and we knocked on the door together. He let us look around and it was dusty. Also it needed cleaning behind the stove and fridge. I explained that he should schedule a sign-over and let us know when it would be. We quoted between 2 and $300.

When I got home, I looked through previous contracts on similar houses to come up with an estimate of time it would take. I texted that to Jamie. Then I went to the gym to meet Michelle. She talked to me while I lifted weights. She said she had to go home and cook dinner before dodgeball.

After working out, I went home. I opened and drank two coconuts. Then I read e-mail and listened to some health interviews. Chris went to Mass, then came home and had supper. I posted to my blog.

At 8, I went to Michelle's house, after the dodgeball game and got 4 quarts of goat milk. We chatted a bit, and I could not find my wallet to pay her. Then I went home while she got the kids to bed. I made tea and Chris put on SGA. We watched two episodes. Soon after, he picked his clothes for tomorrow and went to bed. I stayed up to type up my day and read the latest e-mail.

I am back in business

Tuesday

I got up at 8. I rinsed the sprouts, took supplements. I put on a podcast and listened while I cleaned the Berkey and reassembled it. I cut circles of window cling and put it over an LED light in the ceiling, but it did not cut down on the glare.

I posted to the Facebook page about opening the swap shop. I put 6 panels in a bag with some pins. Then I went to the swap shop and opened it. Someone was there waiting to get in. I opened the furniture room too. I dragged in a garbage bag full of clothes. I pulled them out and separated them into the sorting bins. At the end, I felt a catch in my lower back. Grr!

The lady looked around as we chatted. She looked in the furniture room too. After she left, I got out the panels and started pinning them together in preparation for stack-n-whack. Others came and went. Anka came in with her 4 kids. She took most of the clothes that I had pulled out of the garbage bag. She remarked that she wished she could have a few hours by herself to clean her house without the kids getting into stuff outside her view.

Chris came by to say hello as he looked for the mail. Anka left and I locked up the shop and the furniture room. I went home for breakfast. I ate and read.

At 2, I went to Saronna's house to play music. However, we talked more than we played. At the end, she went to the school to pick up her kids and I went to Housing to schedule a final inspection for the apartment.

When I got home, I got a text from Diane. Then she called and we talked about her upcoming visit. I looked up the chocolate bar from Costa Rica: only Amazon sells that brand. I called Michelle, and we talked about everything else. Then I texted her about the chocolate bar. But she wrote back later that Amazon doesn't sell that particular flavor. I guess they can't export it.

Chris came home from work and made steaks and rice. He said his team was going to get me a background check, but in the meantime I can hold classes as usual as long as the parents attend. Yay! I am back in business.

I listened to an interview on the 4th state of water. I made tea and we watched two episodes of SGA. Later Chris went to bed. I stayed up to read e-mails, then I turned in as well.

If only I had waited one more day...

Monday

I got up around 7:30. I took supplements and rinsed the sprouts. I removed dead material clinging to them. I watered the plants. I read e-mail. I added the project pic to the Saturday blog post. I looked into diy weighted blankets. I talked to the dental office and they were adamant that I should drive an hour each way to get the temp crown put back in.

Chris was working on the taxes. I added up what I made in cleaning houses and gave it to him. I went to the apartment to clean. I called Jamie about Caroline's house. The occupant called to say he wanted to come get the mattress. I hadn't realized it wasn't the standard issue one. Michelle texted to say she would drive me to Tooele.

I cleaned for 90 minutes. Then I checked out the storage shed and found it was empty. I went home for breakfast. Chris checked my car for insurance, etc. I made breakfast and ate it. He asked me for charitable giving figures, so I worked on that. Then I went back to reading articles and checking Facebook for new messages on the community page.

Chris said he would take me to the dentist office and he wanted to pick up some papers there. So I called Michelle and canceled with her. Then I mended a shirt and a pair of pants he had in my sewing room.

At 2:50 we headed to Tooele, listening to the book on CD. I leaned back and might have fallen asleep for part of the way. He parked at the dental office and we went in. I had my temp crown in a baggie. But when I got back with the assistant, she said it was damaged and she needed to make a new one. I sat back to watch TV, but could not find Royal Pains, so I watched Young Sheldon. When she finished, she gave me some dental cement to use if it came out again. The crown felt so normal I was afraid I would forget to chew carefully. She also checked and found out that the permanent crown will arrive tomorrow.

Chris drove us back to base. Jamie called and wanted to finish the apartment cleaning, so I went over to the apartment to get all my cleaning supplies and make sure the kitchen was finished.

I jotted notes for my blog and texted Christina that I could sub for her at the swap shop tomorrow. I agreed to meet with Caroline about cleaning her house. I listed to Dr. Ruby as I read Telegram messages.

Then I made tea and we watched two episodes of SGA. Later he went to bed with a book. I stayed up reading on my laptop, then went to bed about 11.

No gaming today

Sunday

I got up after 8. I whipped up a batch of cheese squares. I read e-mail. I looked up hints for the next step in Myst IV. I made breakfast. After eating, I got dressed for church. I put some squares in a container and took it and my trombone to church.

The colonel and his wife came to attend the service. They were greeting people so I walked over to greet them. But they did not speak to me. So I waited. Then I was able to speak to her. The subject of regulations came up and Michelle ran up, excited to share what she had just read about regulations. But it did not go well. She and the colonel got into a tiff – not that I heard exactly what they said because I was talking to Mrs. Colonel. And Michelle walked away. He seemed upset too.

I sat down up front with my trombone. The incident upset me and I had a hard time concentrating on the three praise songs that the chaplain had picked. Afterward, he talked about the history leading up to Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem and telling the elite to quit usury. It wasn't attention-grabbing content.

Afterward, Saronna and I played two hymns. Then the chaplain prayed and the service was over. We chatted and hopefully some people got snack. When I finally was able to get away and go home, I discovered Michelle was there, talking to Chris. I wondered if he quit his game early to talk to her. She was very upset and we could not talk her out of it.

After she left, I sat at my laptop to engage Jessica in a conversation to help us communicate in Spanish and English. But the rate of response was very low. I ate nuts and grapefruit, all on the right side.

The game got cencelled because the Damours from NY did not sign in. I hope they are ok. I posted to my blog and then made tea. We watched two episodes of SGA. Later Chris went to bed. I stayed up a little later listening to an episode of Heavy, which is about toxins. Then I went to bed.

Peelings, nothing more than peelings

Saturday

I got up after 8. Chris had been up since 4:30 to game with the guys at the ACS building. I went to the bathroom and just as I flushed, I spotted what might have been my temporary crown. But it was too late to save. I took my morning supplements. I checked e-mail. I printed out templates for a strawberry coaster. But I decided to do the hanging basket instead. I started a sample in my sewing room. I cut and gathered as much fusible fleece and iron-on stabilizer as I thought would be needed.

I asked Chris for a coconut oil massage. He pointed out that he was shedding flaky skin all over the place. Ew! But he gave me the massage anyway. Afterward, I took a shower, then made and ate breakfast. Chris started the laundry. He found pillowcases from the company house in the dryer. I took them to the chapel to iron.

As long as I was there, I set up sewing machines and the ironing board. Saronna stopped by with her kids. They were interested in what I was making so I showed them how to make the hanging basket. Isodora stopped by, wanting to work on her dress. I didn't have enough time to help much. I had forgotten my phone so I could not take pics of finished projects.

It was after 4 when they left. I went to the company house to put on the pillowcases and to clean. It took about 45 minutes. Then I went home and tried to nap. But text broke my drowsiness. I answered the text, then deleted e-mail.

I listened to Ben Greenfield. I ate a grapefruit and my crown came out. Did I lose half of it before, or just thought I did. It didn't fit at first, but eventually I got it back in right. I wondered if it would stay...

I grabbed a quilt top and some fusible fleece. I went to the chapel for Project Night. But no one came. That meant I was able to finish my sample bag, and consider how I might fuse fleece to the back of the quilt top with a small ironing board. Would it be better to iron on a table, but would it hurt the table?

At 8, I packed everything up and went home. I was having a niacin flush. In addition to the usual symptoms, I was also weak and lightheaded. So I sat for a while. I offered to help Chris dress the bed and he said no, just put the clothes away. So I did.

Then I got the water jug and some tea and went to Game Night at the Cleggs. The kids were in bed. He put the game up on the TV. The three of us talked about this and that. I offered them CBD chocolate. He declined, but she and I had some. It had degraded significantly since I opened the first pouch last week. Incredible! But it was still good. And at one point, crunchy. Crowns are crunchy. Michelle gave me a baggie to put it in.

I played the game, with hints and somehow solved the puzzle and linked back to Tamahna. I linked to the new world of Haven. I should have created a save point up front, but I didn't. It wasn't a problem until some creature grabbed me and flew me to a distant location in the forest. THEN I created a save point and closed the game.

We chatted some more, then I went home. I brought the water container inside and set it on the counter. Then I went through my bedtime routine and went to bed.

Best dental visit ever

Friday

I got up before 7:30, having slept through the night. I parsed supplements for the week. Summer called to say the shop was locked. I went to the swap shop to get coffee machine, talk about the key, and get a package at post office. I talked to the clerk, and we got interrupted by a phone call. Someone wants me to clean their house regularly. ThenI went to company house to start the laundry, and return the sheets and towels from last week.

I went home and made an early breakfast. We went to Tooele. Chris dropped me off at the dentist and went shopping. I was taken to a special room. She gave me a remote control for the TV in the ceiling and I called up season 8 of Royal Pains. That was awesome because I had not seen it. While I watched the show, the lady scanned my top teeth. The dentist drilled out the remaining crown. Anesthesia was not needed. Then she scanned my bottom teeth. She made a 3-D image that could be rotated to any angle. Fascinating! They explained the process of making the new crown and he inserted a temporary one, with cautions.

I went to the check-out desk to pay. Chris joined me there. She gave me an appt card for 3 weeks from now and said they would call if the crown came in early. We got in the car and headed back to base, listening to the book on CD.

We stopped at the gas station, and then the commissary. We got a few more things, then went home. He unpacked the food while I went to the company house to change the laundry and dress one bed. Then I went home. I ate a banana. My tongue told me that the temp crown was gone. So I looked in the mirror but didn't really know what I was looking at.

I read e-mail till time to go back. I put the towels in the dryer and dressed the two remaining beds. I went home and Chris was baking mushrooms. I put some ground beef in the toaster oven. It and the mushrooms finished about the same time. So that was supper. That and some seed crackers with avocado dip.

I listened to a series on Dementia, and one on current events. I worked on my blog. I made tea. We watched two episodes of SGA. Chris went to bed and I stayed up as usual.

Ah, the swap shop

Thursday

I woke up having a hot flash and tinnitus, just then realizing that I hadn't had either for some time. They must have gone away during our stay in Costa Rica. Huh. Climate? Altitude? Dip in the ocean? Diet? ??

I added to my blog for yesterday. I made more breakfast mix.

I went to an apartment and cleaned for 2.5 hours. I came home and put on The Highwire, and fixed breakfast and ate it. Aaron Siri, a lawyer, provided evidence that the six vaccines required for school attendance do not prevent transmission. Most of them suppress symptoms, allowing sick kids to attend school anyway, thus increasing transmission.

Afterward, I read e-mail. I posted to the Facebook page that the swap shop would be open from 3 to 7. I added pics to the post to show some items. Chris came home briefly, then headed out to SLC for some reception.

Then I gathered some fabric and a pattern and went to the swap shop. I opened the shop and the furniture room. I found a place to hide the key. I vacuumed and swept. I rested. I looked at the pattern and read through it. I was planning to cut out pieces to make a new purse, but decided that many parts of my current purse were just fine. If I had a seam ripper, I would have liberated the good parts.

People came in. People left. I got the mop from my car. I mopped the furniture room and the swap shop floor. People were looking around. Jenni came in with apple slices. We talked for some time. Then I got my stuff and left.

I went home and ate the rest of supper from yesterday. I listened to a presentation on toxins. I worked on my blog. I made tea and we watched two episodes of SGA. It put me to sleep. Chris left me on the couch and turned out the lights. At some point I got up and went to bed.

Valentine's Dinner

Wednesday

Chris came to bed in the middle of the night. I went back to sleep and did not awaken until sunlight was coming in the window. It was almost 7:30 and Chris was gone to work. I got up and prepared for meditation morning. I added more coconut milk to the ferment and discovered green stuff growing around the rim. I wiped it off and wondered if I had poisoned myself by drinking it on Monday.

I rinsed my sinuses. I used the bathroom and gave thanks that here in America you can flush the toilet paper. I did my exercises and read for half an hour. Then I meditated, and tapped. Afterward I cleaned the bathrooms, and then the kitchen. I was just considering the floor when Chris came home for lunch. We talked, I vacuumed. Then I took a shower and he left.

I texted the yoga teacher about yoga this afternoon and she said no because it's Valentine's Day. I didn't know what that had to do with it, but ok. Then Jenni texted asking me to take her hours at the swap shop tomorrow. I very reluctantly said yes. Grrr...

I met Michelle at the gym. We chatted with the staff, then worked out with weights. She and I chatted all the while. Then finally we left. On the way home, I stopped at the swap shop to take pics for the posting tomorrow. I went home and went through my fabric and patterns, looking for the ones that match my purse. I am going to have to make another one.

Then Chris came home and said we only had a few minutes to get to the chapel for the imposition of ashes. So I changed into purple and black. We went to the chapel and it was empty. I let us in and we waited for the chaplain, who was at the club with his wife for Valentine's dinner.

He arrived and we talked. A lady we didn't know came in. Then the chaplain read some verses and talked about each one. He invited us up for the ashes. Then he said a prayer and it was over. She left while I had questions about needing this earthly body if it was returning to dust. Chris chatted with the lady and she left.

Just then, there was a big boom. I thought a branch had fallen on the roof. But they said it was an explosion and went outside to look. It was mostly dark and nothing to be seen. But Chris called someone to see if anything had been reported. Nope. We chatted some more. The chaplain said he really missed yoga today so I led us in a short exercise. Chris played along.

Finally it was time for us to go to the community club for our Valentine's dinner. They had the ballroom all fixed up for the occasion. We waited in the bar while they reset the table for us. The bartender asked Chris about the boom, but he hadn't heard anything new.

Then we were seated. We could see the colonel and the MWR director who were finishing up from the 6pm seating. We were brought water and asked if we wanted anything else to drink. The service was lovely. Music was playing. The movie screen showed an active fireplace. She asked about salad dressing and I requested something without sugar, but they didn't even have oil and vinegar. So she brought me salt and pepper with the salad.

Later, she collected the plates. Stirling brought us our dinners. Mine was steak with mashed potatoes and veggies. Chris got the same, but chicken cordon bleu. Both were excellent. Chris got a text from the chaplain saying his wife felt the boom shake her house. Then we both ate. Chris finished first so they brought him dessert. I had the rest of my steak boxed. Chris surrendered his credit card, and she brought us a decorated box to take home – dipped strawberries, coated pretzels, etc. I asked Stirling to take some pics.

Chris drove us home. We wiped the ashes from our foreheads and changed clothes. I made tea and we watched two episodes of SGA. Then we got ready for bed. He went to sleep but I stayed up to read e-mail and such before I turned in.

Getting back into the swing of things

Tuesday

I got up before 7:30. I did not feel well. My stomach was feeling better but I didn't trust it. I dehydrated the carrot tops from yesterday. I checked e-mail. I sat in the lounger to read a book. I meant to quit at 10 and go cleaning, but I ended up taking a nap.

It was almost noon. Michelle texted me about going for a walk. So I put on shoes and met her at the gym. She was talking to the staff there. Then we went upstairs to walk. She asked me how the trip to Costa Rica went and talked about her work and her attempt to find out the regulation that says I need to have a CNAC to do volunteer activities that include children who attend with their parents.

When I got home, I read e-mail. I ate a bite of rice to see if eating was ok. Seems it was. I published my blog post for Sunday. At 2, I went to Saronna's house to play. We did more talking than playing, but we did pick two hymns for Sunday. She didn't understand either why I would need a special background check to do volunteer activities if the kids had their parents with them.

On the way home, I stopped by the library to get the chapel key from Keli, but she didn't have it with her. I went home and ate a banana. When that seems to be ok, I ate some pistachios. I read e-mail and watched Telegram videos. Keli came by and dropped off the chapel key.

Chris came home from work, and heated some supper for me. I ate it with only a little problem. Jamie came by for some cash. I watched news videos, then I worked on my blog post. I started a new batch of sprouts. I heated tea from yesterday. But when I tried to sit down in front of the TV, Chris was laying there asleep. I woke him up but he said he would rather sleep than watch TV. So I went back to my laptop to drink the tea. Later, I turned the lights out and went to bed.

It was just the usual breakfast...

Monday

I got up around 8:30. I moved around trying to get back into the swing of things. I took supplements and got dressed. I got some sheet sets and went to the company house to change them. Mostly there were already clean sheets in the closet. I made the three beds, only using one fitted sheet from the sets I brought. Then I collected up all the dirty sheets and towels and went home to wash them.

Chris had colored laundry going in the wash, so I waited till that was done, and threw in the sheets, saving the pillowcases and towels for later. I looked up sewing projects online. I looked up the words to "Do You Know the Way to San Jose". I read e-mail and Telegram messages. My head was congested but I had plenty of energy. Was it from a good night of sleep?

I cut the carrot forest, washed out the bowls and gave them clean water. I texted and e-mailed. Chris came home for lunch. We talked about stuff. I made a list and we went to the commissary for groceries. I saw Saronna there and we chatted. Then at the checkout, I talked to Jenni. There seems to be some issue about me having classes at the chapel for kids and me not having the proper background check. I guess we'll have the activities by coincidence.

I made and ate my usual breakfast. But then my stomach began to revolt. I read e-mail, trying to distract myself from the pain and discomfort. I finished my book, then went to the library to return my book and a DVD series. The librarian and I talked about stuff for awhile. I went home with the next book. Chris had supper ready – rice and ground beef. It smelled so good, but my stomach was not having any. It kept cramping. I worked on my blog post, then watched one episode of SGA with Chris. Still feeling really badly. I figured I should throw up and get it over with, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I walked around with a bin to catch it in. I looked up the best way to vomit, but still no luck. Finally I went to bed with the bin right next to the bed.

Getting back to Dugway

Sunday

Chris got up at 6 and got ready for Mass. I stayed in bed till he left, then got up and started packing. I also took a shower and got dressed in my travel outfit. I kept packing. He came back to get me. We went to breakfast at a local place with Jessica and Gabriel. Then we came back to the hotel to get our luggage and check out.

G and J drove us to the airport. We hugged them and said our goodbyes. We walked into the terminal with Herberth. Then we waited for the Delta counter to open. When it did, a nice lady helped us print out our tickets, then we stood in line to check baggage. My water bottle fell and broke, leaving water and glass all over. We picked up what glass we could, but they called someone to clean it up. We met a couple who lives in Park City Utah and we talked. After checking luggage, we passed Herberth in a different line and hugged him goodbye.

We proceeded to our gate, passing shopping opportunities. I thought I passed chocolate, so I went back to the one and looked for the kind I got at the gas station. But they didn't have it. I looked at other things, then chose a 70% bar and went to checkout. I asked the clerk for 99.9% cacao and he said you can't get that in Costa Rica. I told him I already had but he looked like he didn't believe me.

I went back to Chris and opened my laptop. I sent Jessica an e-mail, and read incoming e-mail. Then I got up to find the restroom. On the way back, I saw a place to plug in my laptop, so I relocated there. Sadly my laptop wasn't as plugged in as I thought and it continued to lose power.

Then Chris called me back for boarding. I waited with him till first class was called and we boarded the plane. We found our seats and got settled in. I did Sudoku waiting for take-off. Later I looked for a movie to watch and selected Oppenheimer. It was interesting. Somehow watching a movie kept me from minding my ears and they were ok.

It was after 7 when we landed in Atlanta. We went through immigration and picked up our luggage only to check it back in. Then we found our next gate. I went to the restroom to wash out my washcloth. You know, it is kind of nice to travel with a wet washcloth.

I plugged in my laptop and worked on my blog in the airport. We had a meal on the previous flight and I wondered if there would be another one on the next flight. But we didn't sit very long before boarding was called. Then we lined up to get on the plane.

The first class section of this plane was really first class! Each person had their own little 'nest'. I wish it had come with an instruction manual. I wanted to lay the seat back, but the pilot said not to until we cleared the bed weather. I guess by then I was watching a movie.

I don't remember the name. When it ended, I started watching Avatar, but then we landed in SLC. Thankfully we got off the plane pretty quickly because I made a bee-line for the nearest bathroom. Then we went to collect our luggage, which took a long time coming. Then we braved the winter air to walk to his car. We loaded up and paid at the gate. Then he drove us back to base. It was around 1am. We just hit the hay.

Do we know the way to San Jose?

Saturday

I woke up really early and could not go back to sleep. Finally I got up and dressed. There was no water to flush the toilet or to rinse out my wash cloth that I have been using to wipe my nose.

I went to the pool area early to wait for Jessica and Gabriel. Chris did not want to come. When they arrived, they told the pool man about the lack of water. Then we took the walking trail to turtle beach. I picked up a stick to help with walking. Gabriel led the way, checking for snakes. Jessica walked behind me. Then Gabriel got a stick for himself and Jessica. We took some pics along the way.

First we went down some steep steps. Then we crossed an old road and walked through what looked like jungle. We crossed a bridge. I felt like Indiana Jones finding clues in the jungle. Finally we came to the beach. But it looked like it needed a lot more water. The water was very shallow and the sand was soft and sinking. We saw tiny white crabs waiting to find food.

Finally we turned around and walked back. The hardest part was climbing the steps. Uggh! But we made it back to the pool area around 8. They went to meet Herberth at breakfast and I checked on Chris. He was still in bed. He got dressed and we walked to breakfast.

We had omelets for breakfast. Yesterday it was served with two pieces of toast and I took one bite and gave them to Chris. But today there were 4 pieces on the plate and I couldn't get enough. I did not mean to eat them all.

We went back to pack and the water was on. I rinsed the cloth out and took it along to pat on my sunburn. We packed and went to Gabriel's car to wait. When the others showed up, we put the luggage in and climbed in the back seat. Then we were off to San Jose. And yes, Kurt, we do know the way to San Jose.

We stopped twice along the way: once to get drinks, and once to stretch. When we got to San Jose, we went to a restaurant for early dinner. I don't think anyone finished their meal. I got an octopus salad. The building used to be a plantation house and they had old implements hanging on the walls. It was a nice place with good food.

Then we got back in the car and went this way and that, trying to get around traffic to the hotel. We checked in, then I went shopping with Jessica and Gabriel. We went to Fresh Market for aloe gel, and another place for hydrogen peroxide. Herberth texted a few things he wanted and we got those too. I wanted more of the 99.9% chocolate, but the chocolate store is closed on weekends.

When we got back, they said they'd see me in the morning. Since they live near there, they went home. Chris and I had a room next to Herberth. We talked about church in the morning, and breakfast afterward. They left and I went in the room. I got on my laptop and listened to the interview between Tucker Carlson and Putin. Chris went to bed. I made tea and worked on my blog. And then I went to bed.

Hey, hey, they're the monkeys!

Friday

I woke up before the mp3 ended and couldn't go back to sleep. Well maybe eventually. We woke up before 6 and stayed in bed until after 7. Then we took showers and got ready for the day. I wanted to rinse my sinuses since they kept filling with mucus, but I couldn't find it in the suitcase or carry-on. Nor my comb. But my stomach felt better.

At 8 we went to breakfast at the main area. Several got the omelet and others the typical breakfast. After eating, we got ready for the beach. Chris and I waited by the main building for Jessica and Gabriel. Then the 5 of us got in the car and Gabriel drove us to the beach.

It was called Ventana Beach. I did not see any turtles. First Chris and I walked the beach and swam. Then we sat in the shade for awhile. I went back in the ocean, dodging the waves. Gabriel came to get me. He showed me where there is a channel in the rock and water flows through to the beach. We all took pics. There was a second channel, too.

I went looking for coconuts. I didn't find any good ones, so Chris found a vendor selling them. He bought some for Jessica and Gabriel too. It didn't taste like the ones in the states so …? Then I tried to dig out the meat with Chris' Leatherman. Gabriel got out a machete and hacked it in half. Jessice gave me a plastic spoon, but I was not successful with it. I went back to the tool, but Gabriel made a 'spoon' out of a piece of the shell. It was very thoughtful, but the tool was more effective. Chris said we could bring the coconut back to the hotel, but it was rapidly going soft-ish.

Before we left, there were colorful swimming wraps hanging up and I bought one. On the way back, we stopped at the gas station that has giant dinosaurs. We shopped in the convenience store. They got beer and snacks but I got a 99.9 % chocolate bar.

When we got back to our hotel, we went back to our rooms. I sat down with a Sudoku book. Chris went to the pool. I noticed a big rustling in the trees, and a face looked down at me. It was a Capuchin monkey. All of a sudden, there were lots of them, moving from left to right. Migrating? I got some pics.

Later Chris came to get me, saying everyone was at the pool. So I took my Sudoku book to the pool. I worked on my puzzle while they talked and drank beer and ate chicken wings. Then they found my chocolate bar in with the beer. So I opened it and handed some out. It was pretty good for a 99.9% chocolate bar. Gabriel asked to see the box. It said it had some CBD in it. Apparently that was a big deal. Chris said he is going to self-report it. It wasn't that much and probably only if you eat the entire thing.

Anyway, Herberth left. We chatted some more. Jessica said Chris could go back to Dugway, but I should stay in Costa Rica. She wants me to teach her English over the internet. I got her to type her phone number and e-mail address into my phone. I wanted to walk the path to the beach, so Chris put on shoes and we started down. But it was getting dark so I decided to come back and go tomorrow morning so we have light to take pics. And I needed better shoes.

We met at 6 at the restaurant. On the way, I saw a woman in the small part of the pool with her significant other. She was reading on her phone. Really? I told Chris I wish I had a pic of that. Go to an idyllic place and spend it reading texts. I don't think anyone was really hungry. We got drinks and ordered. Chris and Herberth shared a meal, but didn't finish it. I didn't finish mine. I think they were full of beer and I was full of fruit juices. We watched geckos on the wall surround and capture a moth.

The others went off to bed while Chris paid and we went back to our room. Chris went to bed, but I stayed up to read e-mail and work on my blog. I kept sneezing and blowing my nose, glad I brought the washcloth, but wondering what was causing all the mucus. When I finally went to bed, it was still earlier than I usually turn in.

The farm and a warning

Thursday

I woke up in the dark to use the restroom and never went back to sleep. I did not feel well and the toilet reflected that. But no nausea. I stayed in bed until I could hear that the others were up. I got dressed and left the room.

I read e-mail until they said we were going to breakfast. I put the laptop to sleep and we piled in Gabriel's car and drove to the restaurant on site. Breakfast was provided for free, provided that we ordered one of the first three items on the menu. So Chris and I ordered the typical Costa Rican breakfast. Herberth got the fruit pancakes but offered them up to the rest of us and just drank coffee. They were good, but loaded with whipped cream and jam.

As we sat to eat, a white cat came up and looked at us imploringly. I figured the owners did not want the cat fed people food, so I didn't. I gave Chris my cheese. He fed a part to the cat. Then the cat started pawing him to get more pieces. I did not finish my breakfast, in fact no one finished. Turns out the others felt badly too.

We stopped at the barns on the way back to see sheep, goats, peacocks, turkeys, ducks, emus, rabbits, chickens, and guinea fowl. Chris said guinea fowl were used for protection because they are loud and mean. When they started making the sounds of a velociraptor, I walked quickly away.

We went back to the room to pack. Then we piled in the car. Chris was vomiting over at the edge of the parking lot. I didn't realize it was that bad. Then they pulled up Waze on their phone and we were off to Tinamaste. We stopped for lunch halfway through. Herberth recommended chicken soup for everyone. So I got it. Chris didn't get anything, but he did finish the soup for me.

We continued to Tinamaste. Rather embarrassed, I had to admit that I did not have an address for the property I wanted to see. Nor a phone number. I gave Jessica the info I could remember and she looked up a phone number. She called it and seemed to be talking to someone in Spanish, but apparently did not get the info she needed. We stopped in Tinamaste to ask directions but nobody knew the property or the owners. Chris saw advertising in English and concluded that it would be too expensive to buy a house here.

Herberth was eager to get back on the road so we did. We drove to the coast and turned South. We ran into traffic backed up, then to a beach house. But there was no way to get in, so we kept going until we found a motel.

Chris checked in and we each got a key to a little house (just a bedroom and bathroom). It was quite a long walk to ours, but it was by the pool, so really nice. We set up our luggage and Chris got me online. Then we got on our laptops until 7. Chris went to meet the others for dinner but I didn't feel like eating.

I watched The Highwire and tried to read the comments. Then my laptop told me I wasn't plugged in. So I checked all the connections and finished watching. I also looked at Telegram and Facebook messages. All the while, I drank plenty of water. Chris came back before 9. He said there is a path to the beach, but was advised not to take it because of crocodiles. Huh. THAT wasn't on the brochure. I posted to my blog and jotted notes for today. Later we got ready for bed and went to sleep. I wore the mp3 headphones and Chris said I was snoring in minutes.

Hot Springs

Wednesday

I tried going to sleep last night by counting backwards from 1200 by 12's. But when I reached zero, I realized it didn't work. Eventually I fell asleep. I woke up early with the daylight, but stayed in bed.

We got up around 7. We got dressed. I took supplements, and read a little online. We all met in the main area at 8 for breakfast: fruit, egg and toast. The lady came around and added rice and beans for those who wanted some. I had orange juice to go with it.

Around 9, we checked out of the hotel. We headed through Turrialba towards the coast. I got some cash from Chris to pay Jessica back. Then we got stuck in traffic because of an accident. When we found out how long it might take, we turned around and went another way.

Driving through a small town, I spied a fabric shop near the plaza. So he parked and we got out to walk around the plaza. We shopped at the store, but they didn't have much cotton. Then we walked to a bakery and used the restroom. Walking back to the car, we looked inside the church. On the way out of town, we stopped at a fruit market. I got a coconut and a water apple. It tasted like a soft pear.

Then we drove to Hacienda Orozi. It is a coffee plantation and farm. We signed in, then had lunch by the lower hot springs. Afterward, we went to the cabin in Coffee Picker Village. Four of us put on bathing suits and went to the private hot spring for the 'village'. We talked, and swam. I picked leaves out of the water. A lady came, talked for a bit, soaked, then left. Balls of mud were provided and we mudded each other.

Jessica went back to the cabin to take a shower. Later I went back, barefoot because I did not want to get my new shoes wet. But my feet paid the price on the pebbles. I took a shower and got dressed. Chris came back. I got online, and activated my credit card. I posted to my blog for yesterday, then read e-mail.

At 7, we gathered in Gabriel's car. The security guard gave Jessica a radio to call in case we got back after 10. Then we drove out the front gate and into town. We stopped at a market for beer, then went to an outdoor restaurant. It was a place with character, if you knew the famous singers whose caricatures were on the wall. Everything took a long time; menus, drinks, and food. I ordered truckas, which were local fish. I was served two whole fish; head, tail and bones. I chewed long and carefully, picking bones out of my teeth. But it tasted good. The others chatted, sometimes in English and sometimes in Spanish. My stomach wasn't feeling great and I blamed the coconut from the fruit market.

We got back just before 10. The gates opened for us and we drove through, then to the coffee pickers village where our cabin was. I got back online to jot notes. Gabriel brought in the beer. They went to bed, and Chris and I stayed up to read.

What a trip!

Tuesday

The alarm went off at 6. I had finally fallen asleep. I had counted backwards from 900 by 9's, then from 1000 by 10's and from 1100 by 11's. Then I gave up counting. Sleep came later.

We stayed in bed until 6:30, then I took a shower and Chris took his. I checked messages on Facebook and Yahoo. At 7 we walked to the main area for breakfast. Gabriel brought a cacao fruit and opened it. He showed me how to eat some pith. I also tried the bean, but it wasn't good.

Around 8, we left for Suiza to meet Andrea and her father. They took us to see a property, then to her mother's natural foods store. I bought some honey and a Bach flower remedy. Back in the car, she admired my shungite necklace so I gave it to her. She asked me to type it into her phone so she could look up shungite.

Then she took us to see a second property. After that, we went into Turrialba to a coffee shop near the train station. I got a fruit smoothie. Some shared a cinnamon roll. Then we looked around at the old household items decorating the walls.

We said goodbye to Andrea and walked around the downtown part and stopped in a few markets and shoe shops. I bought a pair of black shoes. Then we continued walking. And all of a sudden I found myself on the ground. I never saw the hole in the sidewalk, but was told that is what tripped me up. Anyway, I had an oopsie, which concerned me far more than the light scrape on my knee. They pulled me to my feet and we walked to a fire station. I think we were going there anyway, but Herberth asked for something to put on my knee. I asked Jessica for her phone translator and use it to say I needed dry underwear. She understood, so we left the men there and she drove us to a clothing store. She helped me find a pair of under pants and some shorts to try on. The clerk said I could not try on the underwear, so I asked if I could buy it first before trying on the shorts. She took the tag off and I was allowed to wear it. I came out of the dressing room with my chosen pair of shorts on. She took the tag off of that, too. Then Jessica and I stood in line to pay. For some reason, my brand new credit card did not work, so she paid with hers. Then we drove back to the fire station.

The guys were ready to leave, so we did. Chris did not notice that I was wearing different shorts even though the wet ones were black and the new ones are white. We went to a place called CATIE, sort of an agricultural college and research place. We met Angela there. She took us to meet the director-general, which Chris had requested. Chris offered to volunteer there after he retires. And the man replied that they needed someone to train the security guards after noticing the army logo on Chris' business card.

We headed back toward the hotel. Herberth made us stop on the way so he could jump out. We didn't realize that he had spotted our hotel bartender at a bus stop. So he put her in the front seat and he climbed in the back of the SUV. Then we continued to the hotel. We split up to get ready for dinner. I washed out my shorts and jotted notes for my blog.

When we met for dinner, Herberth wasn't there. So we used our bit of Spanish to communicate while Jessica and Gabriel used their better English. We ordered and started eating. Then Herberth arrived and the drinking started. Here and there I had a tiny taste. But mostly we talked. Or I listened and tried to figure out what was being said. Chris had one piece of pizza left and I tried to figure out how to cut it in half by slicing parallel to one side rather than bisecting it. I came up with half the square root of 2 times the radius for the radius of the remaining slice. But how to get the distance between the radii?

Then I got tired and went back to the room but Chris stayed. I took some supplements and worked on my blog. I read e-mail and Telegram messages. Chris came back and then we got ready for bed.

a property with goats and chickens

Monday

Chris' alarm went off at 6. I did not get up till 6:30. Chris took a shower and I washed up at the bowl. Then we got dressed and I took some supplements. We met the others at the table for breakfast. I showed a picture of Tinamaste on the map. Gabriel said it was about 2 hours away. We were served plates of fruit, which I ate. Then a plate of scrambled eggs and toast and plantain. I did not eat the toast. We chatted in English and Spanish. Then we broke up for a few minutes to get ready for the trip.

We saw four properties including a farm (with no liveable house and a barn full of mud and feces.). Andrea and her mother went their own way. Then we had lunch but not at Jhonny's, something like MoonB? Then we followed Angela to her place which she is selling. Then we came back to the hotel to our separate rooms. We laid down and fell asleep. I woke up sunburnt. We got ready to meet back up. I packed cheese and seed crackers in my purse to go with the leftovers from lunch.

We met up at 7. But they did not bring the lunch leftovers. We all swore we were not hungry, but each ordered a little something. I got hot water for the tea bag I brought with me. We sat and talked for hours. Then at 9:15 went back to the room. The hotel ladies were there looking for the big brown grasshopper that I requested a broom for. But it was nowhere to be found. After they left, we read e-mail and such. I worked on my blog. Chris went to bed and I downloaded the pics from today and discovered that we saw 5 houses before lunch. I finished parsing them into folders, then got ready for sleep.

Viewing two properties with houses

Sunday

I tried to fall asleep by counting backward from 300 by 3's. It was easier to do this time so was not as effective. I tried 2's and 5's. Eventually I must have fallen asleep, because Chris' alarm clock went off at 6 local time, waking us up.

He took his shower and then I took mine. It was hard to do because all the conditions were different from what I am used to. Then I got dressed in the t-shirt that Herberth gave each of us, and a pair of black polka-dot pants – the closest thing I had to match it. He had insisted that we wear the matching shirts today. I found the end of the black thread, and cut a piece. I threaded the needle and sewed the left strap of my fanny pack. Suddenly, I noticed it was after 7.

We went to the main area for breakfast. We didn't order. First she brought us a fruit tray. Then I went back to the room for a bite of cheese squares for protein. But when I got back, we each had a plate of eggs, rice with beans, and one other thing. So we ate, and talked. As usual, there was much trying to interpret from English to Spanish or the reverse.

At 8 we went back to our rooms for a minute, then reassembled at the SUV. We piled in and drove to a nearby church. It was Catholic of course. Church hadn't started, but those inside were reciting the rosary. I only knew that because Chris told me. I was fascinated with the huge poinsettia planted outside.

We went inside and sat down. When the rosary was over, more people came and the service started. Naturally I did not understand what was being said, or chanted or sung. But I played along. After the service, some people greeted us. And Herberth lined us up for pictures. I took a pic of the poinsettia.

We got in the car and went back to the hotel for a quick break, and then we were off toward town. We pulled over and another car came by. We followed them up a hill, then pulled off again and traded some passengers. They followed us up and up and up.

We ended up on a hill where we could see for miles. The property had a plantation-type house and a smaller hired-help type house. About 5 acres with a small pool, and lots of vegetation, like fruit trees and sugar cane and a cacao tree. And, sadly, fire ants. We looked through the house. The owner had a second home in North Carolina and was ready to sell this one. So it came furnished. It was so beautiful. We walked around the property and sampled the fruit. The pool was not heated.

Eventually we left and drove to a second property. It was only 2.5 acres, not as high and not nearly as big a house. In fact, it had only 2 small bedrooms, big enough for single beds. And a phone tower in the back yard. And a pool. But no landscaping like the first one. About a third of the cost.

So we split from the real estate agent and her dad. We went to lunch at a very nice, airy place. I ordered pork with passion fruit sauce, and Chris got chicken. My blackberry water turned out to be a frozen smoothie with other stuff as well. We had a nice conversation. Actually Herberth talks constantly. Even if he has to repeat himself.

After lunch, we stopped at a supermarket for beer, then went back to the hotel. We went to our various rooms and napped. After my nap, I read e-mail on my laptop. Then we all met back at 5 in the main area. We had an appetizer in a different area of the massive porch. They asked about my sewing and I brought out my fanny pack. I showed them the patched side and realized the other side needed sewing as well. So I did that in the waning light.

Then we went back to the main area for pizza. We got a 3-cheese and a mushroom pizza. A long conversation ensued and surprisingly, Herberth was the first to leave. That left us with no one fluent in both languages so we often turned to the internet for translations. We discussed snakes. And spiders.

It felt late when we broke up, but was not even 9pm. I looked up Tinamaste for landmarks to share with Gabriel. I worked on my blog and posted for yesterday, only then realizing how much I had written. I downloaded all the new photos from my phone and grouped the property pictures. Then we got dressed for bed and turned in for the night. I tried going to sleep by counting down from 700 by 7's.