Bugs

Stacey encountered her first acid secreting bug which bite her on her chest last night while she was sleeping. She realized it when she got up to go on her walk and reached up to scratch her chest and felt a stinging oozing spot on her chest. She put some antibiotic on it and said that she feels okay but that it looks awful. I can well imagine. I told her to watch it and if it gets any worse looking to get hold of the peace corps staff. Otherwise she sounded good and taking it all in stride. What a trooper!!

IT RAINED!!!!

We finally got some rain yesterday. Probably a good 1/2 inch and when I walked Sushi this morning it had started sprinkling a little. Maybe some more! We have beautiful grass but our water bill was $140. this month! Almost as much as our electric bill. Thank you Lord for the rain!!

I survived my marketing trip across Texas last week. What a whirlwind trip! 1406 miles in 3 1/2 days, 10 agency visits and dinner with RC on Wednesday and arrived home at 10:15 pm Wed. night and was up at 5:00 am Thursday to go to the office. I wish I could have stopped at David's for a short visit (I stopped at the Whataburger across from the HEB in Burnet to use the facilities) and hated that I was so close to David's and not have time to stop. I apologize Big Brother! The countryside across Texas was parched. Everywhere I drove there were burn bans in effect. The highest temp to register on my car was 111 which was south of Ft. Worth going towards Waco. It was over 100 everyday.

Please say prayers for Stacey. Living with this new host family is not easy. No privacy at all and she is having a good bout of homesickness. Maybe drop a card to her. It's hard not to be able to call her but send her emails or mail will help her cope.

SWINE FLU

Well, it finally happened. We have our first confirmed case of swine flu in our office. Not just in our building but yes, folks - in my office. And there are two others that are suspected of having it. We now walk through the office smelling Lysol disenfectant everywhere and hand sanitizer in every place imaginable. Building management was notified and they sent in a cleaning crew Wednesday night to wipe down desks, doorknobs, etc. Luckily I will be gone on a business trip starting Monday and won't be back until Thursday the 16th. Hope we don't have more cases. I am scheduled to bowl in the IIAH (Independent Insurance Agents of Houston) bowling tournament on Saturday for charity. I will be leaving Sunday afternoon to get a head start on my trip. My first meeting is in Texarkana so I will probably drive to Nacogdoches Sunday which I believe is about 1/2 way. Say a prayer that I have a safe trip. I will be logging right at 1500 miles in 3 days. I will have my computer in case anyone needs to get hold of me as well as having my cell phone.

Happy 4th of July

Another hot day in Texas! But what else can you expect for the 4th of July? Cookouts, parades and more. Hope everyone enjoys the day!

Spoke with Stacey yesterday and she has arrived at her site in Santa Catalina. I have updated my blog with her new address to mail packages or send letters and cards. If you send something, you might send her an email as to when it was mailed so we can figure out how long it takes to get to her. She sounded tired after her long bus ride but filled with all the projects to begin, people to meet and starting anew. My advice is not to dwell on everything at once as it will seem overwhelming but from reading your friends blogs, everyone feels the same way that you do right at this moment. Take heart and know that you will adapt to this new change and I'm confident that you will do good things for the Panamanian people beginning in small ways and working up to bigger projects. I found the book you asked about and will get it in the mail this week.

Love you bunches!!