Just a short note to say I'm still around (back in Germany incase you lost track) just waaay too busy to do anything including email.

I don't know where all the time goes but it certainly isn't slowing down for me.

Will try and pop on within the next few days and do some catch-up reading.

Things I've done recently (in no particular order).

• Got front tires changed on car
• Replaced front brakes on car
• took a framing class
• have now framed 3 pieces of artwork
• bought 10 books from the thrift store (like I need to move with more books)
• Started going back to the gym MWF mornings
• changed all 4 tires on my neighbour's car
• looked up institutions for higher learning in both TX (not so good) and GA (makes one very excited).
  

Tidbit I learned today.  When you buy front brakes for your car, they send you brakes for the driver AND passenger side.  I didn't know this and ordered two sets.  The theory is better to have extra than not enough, so now I have another set of front brakes for my car, whee.

I have contended over the years that it would not be in my best interests to re-take my drivers test on the island.  Not only have things changed so much, but road rage would not be the best thing to display while taking one's test.

With that in mind I went to the licensing department to renew my drivers license today (it doesn't expire until my birthday in December).  I had remarked to my mother a few weeks ago that the last time I renewed my license they had changed not only the layout of the license but also my drivers license number.  She found that rather curious as her number has remained the same.

Today as I presented the clerk with my license and renewal application he couldn't pull my information up with the license number displayed on the card.  I mentioned to him that the previous license had a different number and told him what the old license number was.  Yup, he was able to pull it up with the old license number and everything seemed fine.

When I finally got my license printed I had to bring it up to their attention again as the wrong license number (at least it's the same number that was on the last one) is printed.  The clerk just photocopied my license and my receipt (which shows my correct license number) wrote a note about the discrepancy and said that it would be fixed at some point in time but it wouldn't be today.

Tis a good thing I don't speed enough to catch the attention of the police here.  Not a conversation I'd like to have.

So this morning I phoned the neighbour who offered before I left Germany to pick me up.  I had emailed her a few days ago about my return flight and hadn't heard anything back (she's decided to take a break from her computer).  Just as well I had phoned her as she didn't know she was supposed to pick me up (this is after she offered and I accepted).  *sighs*  Anyway, I gave her the arrival date and time, lets hope she picks me up.  Otherwise I'll be getting the train into town and then a taxi to post and hope to heck I can pick up my car.  If things work out, then she'll pick me up, I can pick up my car and buy some groceries.  Wish me luck!

Let me see if I can make this short n sweet.

Wednesday - Got to the airport early and thankfully this time I didn't forget my wallet (drivers license).  Flight to Miami was uneventful, the guys who took dad off the plane and into his wheelchair left instead of wheeling him through immigration and customs.  That ended up being a bit of a juggling act for us, but all turned out okay.  While I was off sorting out the rental car mom ended up speaking to several people about the service or rather lack of service.  Mom didn't complain, but the gentleman we asked to help her get the wheelchair over several bumps reported the incident so statements had to be taken.  So there I was at the car rental trying to negotiate for a vehicle that could fit his wheelchair quite comfortably.  This particular agency it didn't seem to matter what you requested as they were giving everyone upgrades.  They tried to get me to take a minivan or a SUV but that was a no-go.  The car I currently drive is a Honda Civic and the biggest vehicles I've ever driven have been a Honda Legend (the first year they came out) or a Chevy S-10 pickup.  Thankfully someone returned their Chrysler 300 as I grabbed that up.  Now that was very odd to drive, I felt as though I was a little kid sitting high up on a stool.  Mom did comment that it did seem as though my seat was higher up than hers. 

Even though I picked my parents up at the airport at 4:15 it took us about 45 minute to drive the 15 or so miles (I guess rush hour starts around 4pm) for dad's 5pm appointment  The time it took us to locate the correct suite (it was on the paperwork but mom just assumed it was the same place as the address was the same as before) almost cost dad his appointment slot as mom caught the technician as she was climbing into her car.  Thankfully the test didn't take a long time as we were all tired.  We checked into the hotel, drove around looking for dinner and then were able to crash out rather early.

Thursday - Made it to dad's appointment early and surprisingly the doctor wasn't running too late.  We were in Miami a month ago because his MRI showed bleeding in the brain in the area affected by the stroke.  Dad had been taken off one blood thinner (pill form) and put on another (injection form) until the bleeding had cleared up.  I think there was a huge sigh of relief when the doctor told us that there wasn't any sign of bleeding and he can resume taking the pills.  We still had plenty of time left so we checked out of the hotel headed to the mall for lunch.  I also wanted to head to Victoria's Secret (as hubby reminded me that I need to visit there, although I think his comment was more tongue in cheek) and Williams Sonoma.  We headed back to the airport and thankfully I was able to return the rental without incident (the last time I couldn't find the rental agency, this time I took diligent notes as the shuttle took me from the airport to the agency).

Friday - The previous two nights I hadn't slept well (someone's snoring woke me up) so I was going through the motions all day.  By the time 5pm came I was so tired it wasn't funny and less funny when I realised there was a message left for me on the answering machine.  Dianne had invited me out again on a Friday night.  The last time I had begged off, this time I figured I should make more of an effort as I am flying back out on Wednesday and this maybe the last time I'll get to see her.  I'm glad that I did go.  Not only did I get to see Dianne and Jahaira (I knew she was around) but also two other ladies (Daphine and Suzette) that I went to high school with that I didn't expect to see.  For such a small island with an even smaller community the only place that people tend to see each other in passing is at the supermarket.  Even when I lived here unless I made a special effort there were loads of people that I didn't see which is a shame really.  The last thing that Dianne and I did that night was to make plans to get together on Saturday to go to the beach.

Saturday - After much driving around (and going to see Dianne's mom and younger sister Milena) we managed to make it to the beach.  Other than when R and B have been with me I haven't been to the beach here in years.  It is a shame really as I used to go to the beach every Sunday without fail (unless there was a hurricane warning in effect).  I had forgotten just how relaxing it can be to let the waves carry you back and forth a little bit.  I did see another friend from high school (Darren, Daphine's cousin) that I didn't expect to see and we chatted for a little bit.  He had the loveliest 7 month old rottie that I wanted to dognap, I wish I had taken the camera with me.  It's funny, there are some people you couldn't hope to run into if your life depended on it and yet this the second person I've just seen in passing (Cecelia was another one a few weeks ago).  So now I have a nice little tan that you can barely see as no one seemed to have any sun block handy.  Oh well, a little sun won't turn me leathery (I hope).