Help Me, I'm Melting!

I'll try not whinge too much about the heat here, especially since many of you are suffering through a terribly cold and snowy winter. However, it was 108 degrees F this week! When we decided to come here, we were seduced with Internet reports of average highs of 85 with lows of 65 in the summer. Either there's a lot of truth to climate change or somebody's making up tall tales!

I take a shower, sweat while I'm drying my hair, cool off, sweat again... Luckily, Veronica and Audrey saved me from this vicious cycle by inviting me to South Beach with them the other day. We had a wonderful visit and time went quickly despite the heat. I'm really going to miss Veronica again when she returns to England for another three weeks on Wednesday.

Veronica captured me on film wading in the ocean with my pants rolled up since I still don't have a bathing suit. We are supposed to get our shipment on Thursday (crossed fingers) and will definitely go back to South Beach often as it's only blocks from our place. We'll have to buy an umbrella first as there's not a wisp of shade on this beach.

While they swam, I hid under the umbrella and read a recent
People Magazine Veronica's son brought when he came to visit.

Audrey looked so great in her bikini that some young men whistled at her. However, she didn't agree and forbade any shots showing her in her suit. We rewarded ourselves with cool drinks and fish and chips at the little cafe on the beach afterward.

They both look cool as cucumbers while I was bedraggled.

How Does He Love Me?

I am so lucky to love my husband after 30+ years of marriage. He may forget the exact date of our wedding or not notice when I get my hair fixed but he does have a way of telling me the feeling is reciprocal.

Most women dream of being showered with luxurious gifts - diamonds or at least fine jewelry. If not, flowers are always a good choice for romance. Any of these choices would be perfectly fine with me. However, how do I know he still cares? Full-priced branded peanut butter at $8.00 a jar! You have to know George to know what a sacrifice it was for him to part with his hard-earned money at that price. I'm sure the grocery cashier had to pry the money from his fingers. : ) Just kidding, George! I will savor every time I spread my toast with love.

Don't forget to enjoy all life's little blessings and to share them, even if it's just peanut butter. However, there was the time he bought me a tongue scraper for Valentine's Day - I promise I won't share that!

George Pays for My Sins

I don't know if refrigerator envy makes the list of the seven deadly sins. Maybe it's just a dangerous sin in our case, but ever since we moved here, I lusted in my heart whenever we'd be visiting friends with spacious refrigerators.

Ours was a mere postage stamp of a refrigerator, good for George's milk, a bit of meat and cheese, and a few vegetables but not much more. And the freezer was tiny, especially after making room for our second Christmas turkey.

So, we looked into rentals and couldn't find anyone willing to rent for less than a year. Then one day I was talking to Rose while she was cleaning the Gold Suite and commented that their fridge was nice and big. Rose said we could swap and the idea became reality but not without a little drama, or as they say it here, dra-mer.

Rose was amazed all all the stuff we did fit into the mini-fridge.

In order to make room for the larger unit, we had to move the portable dishwasher into the space where the small refrigerator used to be. As George and Joan were moving it, he popped something in his arm, causing him great pain. Of course, we wanted him to have it looked at but, being his stubborn self, he refused to go until the next day.

The object of my desire next to George's bane.

He spent much of the day in the ED (ER in Yank-talk) only to find - yes, you guessed it if you've been following this blog - the x-ray technicians had gone home for the day and he had to return the next morning for his ultrasound. Luckily, the ultrasound revealed he had torn some muscles and had fluid on his elbow but that he hadn't torn a tendon and doesn't need surgery. The good news is he got a week off and is enjoying his sick time walking, searching for travel deals, watching movies and hanging with me. It's nice but I do feel badly that he was hurt.

Joan insisted on cleaning the refrigerator too!

I didn't get a photo of getting the refrigerator up our spiral staircase since I was trying to lend a hand. George could only use one arm so Joan and I helped. It was challenge but with teamwork we all managed. I was afraid Arthur was going to be crushed underneath the beast. The good news is the refrigerator is in place and working like a champ. We have ice and everything!

Needless to say, we're all glad the movers are supposed to schlep
all our belongings up the stairs when they finally come.

Lunch is Back in Business

After a couple of boring weeks, I went out with the girls on Thursday for lunch and a movie. It was fun to get caught up on everyone's holidays and to hear about Sue's trip back to Colorado. I was jealous but managed to control myself and didn't scratch her eyes out or anything! : )

I never thought I would enjoy an American chain restaurant so much but the ribs and fries at Tony Roma's were scrumptious. We haven't been able to find baby back ribs at any of the butcher shops and I'm surprised how much I miss them. Sue and Diana were excited about the homemade iced tea with no sugar but were dismayed to find a no refill policy at $4 per glass. We all thrilled to have free bread. None of the restaurants here give free bread, chips or rice so this was a treat. The small things in life that one never appreciates until they are not available!

We went to a matinee to cool off as it's been in the high 90s and low 100s for a couple of weeks. Even though the reviews I've read subsequently have not been good, all of us immensely enjoyed 7 Pounds with Will Smith. It was an incredibly thought-provoking movie on many levels. Do see it if you have a chance so we can discuss it.

I had a spinach-in-the-teeth moment when I managed to get on the train only to look down and see the underwire of my bra had escaped and was sticking out for all the world to see. Liz assured me it wasn't showing at the restaurant. Maybe we'll get our shipment one of these days so I'll have others. It will be like Christmas when our shipment finally arrives. I am really sick of the clothes I brought in my suitcase and I'm sure everyone else is too! We figured the 6 to 9 week estimate might be slightly optimistic but it will be 6 to 9 months at the rate we're going.