Please, summer, be finished

By the end of August, we are all SO ready for the heat to be over.  Especially August 2021 where Saint Louis was actually hotter than Phoenix!  (considering heat index).  It was a miserable week to be sure.  Currently, Steve and I are in Greenwood visiting Julina and we left Friday morning at 5:00 to make our drive more comfortable (remember, we have no AC in the Element).  That strategy worked beautifully and we were actually able to drive 3/4 of the way with windows up and just outside air coming in through the vent.  That was nice because not only is driving on an interstate with windows down quite windy, it is also VERY noisy.

  

So, here we are at Julina's place.  We had no main objectives in coming - just wanted to see the newly remodeled kitchen and laundry room (which is lovely) and to keep Julina and Alex company for a few days.  Steve and I have taken on the roll that my mom and dad used to have when they came to visit us - we do projects while we visit.  I sewed some flannel coverings for Alex's nasal cannula and tubing to make them more comfortable against his skin.  I mended clothes.  Both Steve and I cleaned areas and items that the regular cleaning folks do not do.  We also had lunch with Shiloh on Saturday.  Today, Steve will stay home with Alex and watch church virtually while Julina and I will go to our meetings in person.  (look closely at the second photo and you will see Linus and Sally in the dog yard.  They actually barked at me as I was taking pictures.  Makes me wonder how well Linus can see these days)

Our week started with me taking a drive down to House Springs to pick up more dog food and heartworm medicine.  On Tuesday, Sally got to visit the groomers (Linus will be next month).  I spent a very warm morning helping Micah and Kyle with their yard as they prepare to put it on the market.  Back when we were getting the Parker house ready to sell, I dug up peonies and shared them with Kyle and Micah.  So, my primary objective on Tuesday was to dig up the plants and put them into our new back yard.  Eventually, when Kyle and Micah get a new home, I will split them and share back. 

Here are two photos of Sally's new look

 

Tuesday evening was St. Louis Civic Orchestra auditions at a church in Creve Coeur.  I had to be there to move the fourteen auditionees in and out and I also had to audition myself.  The audition music was tough but I just kept telling myself  "what are they going to do?  Not let me in and then they would have to find a new administrator"  So, even though I practiced, I didn't worry too much about the outcome.  The auditions were held in a deliciously air conditioned multi-purpose room.  I, on the other hand, had to sit in a very warm foyer for two hours.  Ugh.  

Wednesday we braved the heat and bought groceries in two shifts, breaking up the chore by having lunch with Beckie.  We braved the heat a third time in the evening by driving to the stake center for our temple recommend interviews.  

Thursday morning, we took the car down the street to Bates St. Auto for an oil change.  Melanie had to drive a friend to the Saint Louis train station quite early that morning so she spend the rest of the day with us.  She had never been to IKEA so she and I went there later in the morning.  I needed a plant pot and she ended up buying a couple of plants for her house.  That afternoon, while Melanie rested downstairs, Steve and I packed for Indiana and we three had an early dinner of grilled chicken before attending the 6:00 temple session.  

Aside from Jeopardy re-runs, Steve and I didn't watch anything together this week.  I, on the other hand, watched three movies:  "Far From The Madding Crowd" (2015 version), "Yours, Mine, and Ours" (2005 version), and "Quartet".  The first was Wednesday evening while Steve was at youth activities and the other two have been while here in Greenwood while doing sewing or when I couldn't sleep.

And you know the rest of the story....