Heat Wave

We didn't set the alarm today because we had nothing on our agenda. The last two Saturdays we had things going and had to get up early, so it felt good to kick back a little. Rich made skinny pancakes (Kroff favorites) so we would have enough left over to freeze for later use on weekday mornings. Yum, they tasted good.

I walked over to get the laundry while Rich talked to Paul on Skype. After hanging up with him, we decided to walk up Constitution to a Kodak place to get some prints made of some pictures we needed for other people. Our main concern was to get a picture printed of the man that we saw a couple of weeks ago who goes around picking up cardboard with his horse drawn carriage. We guess that is how he earns his money. He turned out to be a member of our branch in Tigre and came to church last Sunday looking for his picture. If he comes again this week, Rich didn't want to be empty handed.

We don't know what is going on with our weather, but today our temperature hit 79 degrees. For a couple of weeks we have had cool weather one day and warm the next. This week the temperature has been rising daily, and today it was unreal. Here it is suppose to be winter and it feels like summer is coming. No coats were needed and the humidity could be felt. The elders tell us "Just wait, you won't believe what it is like in December. It is unbearable." Because they are out walking everyday, they say they are just drenched with perspiration all the time. Yuk! We aren't looking forward to that. However, the forecast for tomorrow says 55. We have been on a roller coaster lately when it comes to this weather.

When we set out walking today we were going slow because Rich used his crutches to steady himself and take some of the pressure off his leg. We still became clammy and hot just exerting ourselves a little bit. So this is a hint of what is to be expected later on, I guess. But, we made it to the store and accomplished our purpose. As we left the store, we ran into our three elders walking to the bank to draw some money out of the ATM. Good idea! We still have lots to draw out to pay the mission back for the expense of the surgery. So we followed suit and did the same thing.

The bank and the Kodak store are within a block of each other, and both are by the plaza which is a busy place on the weekends. People come to sell their wares here, and many people lounge around playing with children and watching jugglers and clowns. Rich decided he was too tired to walk all the way back home. His leg felt pretty good, but the crutches are hard on his arms. So, we called a remise to come and get us. We didn't dress in our missionary clothes for our outing in public today. When the elders saw us, they gave us a questioning look, but said they won't hold that against us.

A couple of days ago, Rich got a call at the office from a sister in the San Fernando ward inviting me to a birthday celebration at the church today at 4:00. The Relief Society has a birthday party for all the sisters who had birthdays between January and July. Mine is among that group, being in April.

This is the group that attended. They are a close knit bunch and most come out to every baptism and ward activity. They seemed happy I was there, and it was fun to be with them again. While in this ward, we became friends with a lot of members and hated to leave when we were assigned to the Tigre branch. However, we enjoy Tigre and are gaining new friendships there.

The party started off with each sister telling something about Relief Society and what it has done for her -- I think. Then the room was divided into two teams and competed answering questions. Then a charades game was next. I observed and took pictures. Surely wish I could talk to these ladies in depth. I can utter greetings, and did explain that Rich had surgery on his knee last Monday. They were impressed.

This is the Relief Society President and her counselor acting out a charade.

A birthday cake with tall candles excited the children, and it was delicious. Other postres (desserts) were served and enjoyed. Everyone was given a small gift which was a little coin bag. It was a fun time and I expressed appreciation for having invited me. Even though we don't go to this ward anymore, we are still considered part of them. That's nice.

I came home to a lonely husband who was getting bored. I finished cleaning the house and we watched a movie on TV -- a bang, bang, shoot em up kind. It was okay. It had Tom Cruise in it. I, of course, worked on two blog entries. Hoorah!!!! I am finally caught up.