We've been IKEA'd!

We took Diana down to Austin for her PhD program, knowing that we were going to have to purchase some furniture for her once we arrived. As we were driving in, it was impossible to miss the extremely large IKEA sign on I-35, about 14 miles from her new home. So Saturday, after her bed was delivered, we headed to IKEA.

I had never been to an IKEA store. When we arrived, the spacious parking lot was nearly full . . . which was not a good omen. We walked in, not knowing exactly what we were in for. We found that we had entered a maze filled with furniture. After about two hours, we packed the car and headed for home. Yikes!

And this carload did not even include one chest of drawers. They were out of that one, and Di is going to have to go back next weekend for it.

When we got home, we began to put the furniture together. Yikes, again! It wasn't really very hard, but the two items with drawers were definitely more complicated. Diana and I had to take her nightstand back apart, as we had inadvertently turned the sides upside down - oops! But within six or so hours, we had put together a file drawer, a night stand, three bookcases, and a desk. Whew!

I easily understand why many people love IKEA. It is affordable, and the furniture does go together well. The holes are where they are supposed to be, the fasteners are accurately counted, and only basic tools are needed to put it together. I doubt Diana will need any more furniture, but if she does, I know where she will go!

Highland High We're Loyal to You

Last weekend I went to Albuquerque for my 40th Class Reunion. I used to think people who went to 40th class reunions were really old. Funny how young people are who go to 40th class reunions!

I have to say it was really fun! Amazingly, I remembered many of the people there, and visiting with everyone about what they are doing now was great. Many of us are now retired, others are into their second careers . . . Everyone has gracefully aged, but several look like they are still in their 20s or 30s. Oh that I should be so lucky.

The best part was getting together with four of my best friends (the fifth couldn't make it.) Now that all of our children are grown, we have begun to see each other more often - at least once a year. This may be our yearly get-together, though three of us are going to meet this fall at Chicken Annie's in Pittsburg - about a 2.5 hour drive for each of us! We are a lucky bunch to have each other!

Hello Dear . . . or Deer!

After it was 111 degrees for the fourth or fifth time, I decided to leave early for my high school reunion and stop at the cabin. They had opened the forest on July 30 since enough rain had fallen, so by the time I got there on Wednesday, the grass was beginning to green up again. There were noticeably few wildflowers since it was so dry for so long, but at least the grass was green.

On Thursday, I came home to find two dears waiting for me. Sepster can't just wait at the door. He has to crawl upon the wood box so he can look out the screen. I think it is so cute.

Then Thursday afternoon, I looked outside to see two other deer very near our back door. So close I didn't even have to "zoom in" on the camera. Don suspects that the grass is greener right outside the door, which is why they were so close to the back door. I am pretty certain the smaller one is a young fawn because I could see some remnants of spots on the back.

1980 Revisited

The summer of 1980 was a monster. Forty-five days over 100 degrees. I thought I was going to die, and I never wanted to experience another year like that.

Fast forward to 2011. Deja vu. I can't believe we are having another year like it. Although we haven't eclipsed the 45 days, nor the 50 days from 1950, we are coming close. And there is no end in sight.

Today's 112 degrees nearly sent me over the edge. Even watering the yard nearly every day, our yard has many brown spots. And the tomato bushes are suffering mightily . . . it is awful.

So pray for a hurricane in the gulf. I think even Texans would welcome a hurricane and its rain.

I also think the heat has expired any creative juices I had left. So until it cools off, I doubt that there will be any new posts from here. :(

Breakdowns!

Well, several weeks ago, when the temperature hit 109, our air conditioner pressure switch got too hot and shut the unit down. After having the repair people out, things were working fine. Great. One disaster avoided.

Then last Saturday, Diana came upstairs. "Dad, is there supposed to be water running out of the hot water heater?" Usually Don takes a few minutes to reply if he is in the middle of reading the newspaper, which he was. Not this time. Downstairs, fast! Luckily, it wasn't rushing out - just dripping - but we knew it was just a matter of time. So I headed down to the neighbor, who happens to be a water heater specialist. Lucky for us, he was not only available, he was glad to do the work, as his week had been a little slow. So within 1 1/2 hours we had a new water heater. All it took was writing the check.

So today, it's 111 outside. Thinking we are golden because the repairman for the a/c has already been here, I don't worry. But I noticed that it was getting hot upstairs. And hotter. Yep. The a/c shut down again. Of course, the best HVAC (that means heating, ventilation and air conditioning) engineer in these parts is in a meeting and can't answer his phone. So I am spending time downstairs until we figure out what to do. I think the pressure switch has just shut the unit off, but that tells me our next big expenditure is an air conditioner. The best HVAC engineer says not, but whatever it is, all it takes is money, I guess.

Delivered!!!

On Monday, I took the manuscript for my next book to the publisher. What a relief to finally have that part finished.

It never fails, however, that once I came home, I thought of two or three things that I forgot to put in various chapters. So I re-wrote those, emailed them and a picture or two back . . . and now I think I am done!

The waiting begins. The designer has to design, then it has to be proofread and indexed . . . then printed. Mid-September is probably realistic for release of the book.

And then there are the nerves. Now I am nervous about the whole thing. I hope people like it. I hope it is informative.

Anyway, it is done. Done. Finished. El fin.

She's Home!

For three weeks, our girl has come back home! I know she loved Madrid, and I know it was hard for her to leave. But we surely are glad she's back here, at least for a little while. Texas is a lot closer than Spain, so maybe she will get to come home a little more often.

Having Kenneth, Melinda, and Di here for a little while is much fun. If only the weather would cooperate a little and cool down!