July 2008

July 29 (Tues) Here is a picture of 3 generations of Kowal men in Israel (June 2008).

Alex & his sister, the princess.

July 29 (Tues) I was on my way to the dermatologist this morning when my tire blew out. I pulled over, called AAA, then called my dr to reschedule. The tow truck took 1 hr to come. I was sitting in the car reading, using my time wisely. When he finished changing the tire, I took the car to the tire store to get a new spare. But I needed all new tires. So I waited another hr & a half for that. The tire guy noticed the air system didn't come on. That's the shock system that makes the car ride so smoothly. He said the guy who changed the tire didn't turn the button off before jacking the car up & that it ruined the air bags so my car looked like a low rider & drove like a truck. I called the towing company, then we called the Lincoln dealership. I have an appointment to take the car in next wk so they can "examine" the bags of the air system. Not a good day, so far.

I kept calling my office giving them updates. Finally had to tell them I wouldn't make it in at all that day.

Rosalie is finally back from vacation. I've missed her. No one to give my daily cantaloupe report to. We're going to meet at Salty Seniorita's next wk for a margarita & to catch up.

Then I will start my next project. I will put together the Israel album. I'll have to print out the pictures from 3 disks & 1 memory card & put all of the souvenir stuff Lewis brought back in there too. I just love my little projects.

I just finished a project - - Put together a nice photo album of Sevilan's life for her 80th birthday (which was a few months ago). Did it through the Snapfish site. I know it's late, but I really wanted to be able to put that "3 generations of Kowals in Israel" picture in it. I kept telling Lewis to be sure to take a picture like that when they were gone. I think it's a pretty good one.

Have to return a pair of shoes. The last pair came & they are TOO SMALL. How could that be? The other ones that came were too big & now these - same size, brand & store - are too small. This is making me nuts.

My sister Cathy & her family are doing some neighborhood walking this wk-end to gather more support for her campaign as she is running for re-election. Also, someone is lying to the Peoria paper about Cathy. It's upset her, but she'll make it through this. The next time they do their neighborhood walks, Lewis, Alex & I will help them.

I have my songs on my new iPod now & I'm very happy about that. But I can't seem to find my good earbuds. I bought these really nice, soft, comfortable ones from Sharper Image for my last iPod & I loved them. But since I can't find them, I've been using the ones that came with it & they hurt. Maybe I'll get used to them. Or maybe I'll break down & go back to Sharper Image. Of course that's when I'll find the old ones.

Last wk-end we took 2 of our cars back to Discount Tire to have the tires rotated again. My car was not one of them. While we were waiting we went to McDonald's again & I had an iced coffee & a sausage mcmuffin without the sausage. Lewis was reading the paper & I was reading my book. He came across an advertisement for a new wine/beer warehouse store near us. They were having wine tastings all Sat & Sun. So he went there when we left. Came back quoting me these great prices. Even my bourbon - Wild Turkey Rare Breed was much cheaper there. They have over 100 kinds of beer. Lewis seemed excited about that. He wanted to check them out.

I have a little time now so I think I'll sit down & read. I can finish the book by tonight & then return it to Julia (my sister-in-law). They will be in town until next Sun. Jason & Matthew are coming over here tomorrow night to hang out with Alex.

July 25 (Fri) My friend, Lori has untangled my necklaces. There were 2 of them entwined together – 8 strands. I don’t know how she did it, but I had to promise never to let them get near each other again. Alex spent the night at my mom’s on Weds. They went out for Chinese food & made magic bars (which he loves). He told me they did some digging & planting or something like that. He always has a good time when he’s over there.

Alex & Lewis saw the new Batman movie. They both loved it. Alex says it's the best movie he's ever seen. Lewis says it's the best of all the Batman movies & it was great.

Aug 1 (Fri) Jan, Julie, Jason & Matthew are here for a wk to visit with Jan's parents. Yesterday Sevilan's walker collapsed & she fell. Cut her head, got a concusion, went to the Mayo Hospital. They did tests yesterday but wanted to keep her overnight. I don't know when she'll be going home.

Jason spent the night at our house last night. He & Alex seem to have a lot in common since they are both a little older now. And Jason brought Alex's phone back to him -- the phone he left in Virginia 2 wks ago. And as usual, Julia & I continue to exchange books when we see each other. After I read them I give them to our friend, Jane & Jane gives me hers. We have our own little roving library.

Lewis is working at home today. The roof guy is coming to give him an estimate. While he was in Israel some of the tiles fell off of the back corner of the house. Figures. Yesterday he tried to change the burnt out light bulb in the entryway to the front door (outside). He got the bulb out, & he got the new bulb in (with that long stick thing), but the new bulb doesn't work either, so he thinks he needs to call an electrician.

Aug 2 (Sat) Alex spent the night at the hotel again with Jan's family. They've been out swimming & floating along in that lazy river. This morning we visited Sevilan in the hospital. She can get out tomorrow but has to go to a therapy facility for a few more days. She's still real dizzy.

Everyone is here now. Jan, Julia, Jason Matthew, Allan, Madison, Sam, Lewis, Alex & me. And Sparky. They are playing games in the living room & it is freezing in there. Jan & Julia love it cold so we have the air conditioning on really low when they're here. I'm ready to put mittens & a coat on. I think I can see my breath when I talk.

Lewis made a really good chicken salad with walnut pieces, grapes, & dried cranberries. It was delicious. I hope there's some left so I can take it with me to work on Mon. for lunch.

I think we're going to Friday's tonight for dinner.

Hugs,

Candace