Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Week 34

August 21
Ubi got another bath...he needs a lot of baths because of the bacteria problem. This time it was raining so he had to stand in the rain while the shampoo worked. He doesn't like bath time or standing in the rain.
August 22
Bacon loves boxes. She loves bags too, but today she played with the boxes all afternoon. And when she was done playing, she "guarded" them. Such a silly cat!
August 23
These are all the tools I use when I try to keep my braces clean. It's a lot of work and some days I don't bother. I'm not really sure this whole braces thing is going to be worth all the trouble!
August 24
Here is my candy bowl at work. It is very popular and people come from other offices just to get chocolate. I'm so popular!
August 25
My contacts were really bothered me so I got out my glasses. It had been a long time since I've worn my glasses and I think the prescription is old. I guess that's another thing I need to work on.
August 26
We went to another movie: Cowboys & Aliens. I had been eagerly awaiting its release here in Panama because I love Harrison Ford. We were the only ones in the theater until after the movie started...then 5 more people showed up (and this was opening day). I guess it's not going to be a big hit here. We liked it...but we like Sci-Fy and weird movies so we're easy to please.
August 27
We have a new comforter. I think Bill was allergic to the last one so we've been using the comforter from the guestroom until I could find one I liked and was willing to pay for. I finally found it...and it's reversible. Although, with a black cat, I don't think we'll use the white side much.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Week 33

August 14
On our way back from grocery shopping - there are a LOT of wires and cables here. And there seems to be very little organization. This picture is a common sight and almost every major corner looks like this.
August 15
Last year Bill's cat knocked the head off the shepherd from my nativity scene (see the dark line across his throat? - that's super glue). So, we took some pictures (mugshots?) hoping my parents could find a replacement while they were in Peru. They didn't find an exact match, so I guess I'll just wait until the cat inevitably "kills" more of the characters and then I'll buy a whole new set.
August 16
Our new Bible Study started. I had really been looking forward to it starting again. There are a lot of new people so this year will be interesting.
August 17
Ubi and I went to pick Bill up from the Embassy because he worked late. Ubi got so excited every time someone would walk by. He was so happy to see Bill when he finally came out.
August 18
Right around the corner from our house is a nice quicky-mart. It is really convenient when we need milk. It's called "Embassy Market" but it has nothing to do with the embassy...other than being about 1 mile from the embassy. Thanks for getting the milk, Bill!
August 19
We've been eating lots of salads. They are pretty tasty. We like to add roasted chicken and shredded cheese. Bill will sometimes add crumbled feta and black olives to make a Greek salad. We're trying to be healthy...but sometimes the quantity that we eat isn't good!
August 20
Do you ever get the feeling that someone is looking over your shoulder? Bacon likes to make sure Bill is doing his homework properly.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Week 32

August 7
We've been desperate to see a movie but there hasn't been anything good playing. We finally went to a movie anyway...we saw Captain America. It was OK.
August 8
Driving home from grocery shopping - the sky was really pretty. The pictures doesn't quite capture it completely, but you get the idea.
August 9
My friend Maggie is leaving in a couple months - boo! I know she's happy and looking forward to it, so I made her a countdown paper chain. Each day she tears off one link (I wrote cute things on each link). It was fun to make - but I'll miss her. Do you think it's too early to make my own countdown paper chain?
August 10
Another picture of me. I really don't look good in this picture! I guess I better start exercising more and eating better!
August 11
We had pulled pork for dinner. It's so easy to make in the crock pot. I love coming home to a house that smells like delicious dinner! I forgot to take a picture of it while we were eating it...and I forgot to take one of it in the crock pot. So, here is all that's left after dinner.
August 12
We like Grand Deli Gourmet. They just opened a new location (closer to our house) so we went there for lunch. We like to call this one the Grand Grand.
August 13
Time for some home-made ice cream! I tried Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream this time. It wasn't very "dark chocolate" to me. But, chocolate peanut butter is just as delicious. It was very rich and yummy! I love my ice cream machine!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Week 31

July 31
I finished off the M&Ms from February. They were a delicious treat for dessert...especially because I didn't feel like making anything. We keep them in the fridge because they melt so fast here!
August 1
I started the 30 Day Shred exercise DVD. I'm supposed to do it for 30 days...we'll see how long I last. I am really out of shape and I don't particularly like exercising!
August 2
In our attempt to be more healthy, Bill made a salad wrap. It was actually really good. I guess that means we should eat more salads.
August 3
Our tub is cracked so we're not using it (we have to use the guest bathroom). But, Bacon thinks its a great place to play. She really loves the tub/shower, as long as there's no water!
August 4
I had dinner with Abby - fun! We went to Grand Deli Gourmet and I took my camera intending to take a fun picture. But, we all know I forget to take pictures often and I did it again. At least I have a picture of my receipt to prove I ate my pasta salad there!
August 5
They came to replace our tub. It was a very messy job ripping out the old tub and tile and putting in a new one. Our room was SO dusty. They couldn't finish the job in one day, so they had to come back.
August 6
We slept in the guest room since ours was still dusty and smelly from the tub replacement project. (The glue/caulk they used for the tiles has a very strong smell.) Poor Ubi didn't have much room, but he slept curled up in the corner.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Week 30

July 24
We went to the mall, which is pretty normal for us on the weekend (the mall has good food and entertainment when you don't feel like spending much money). One thing that always bothers us in Panama is the parking. Most stores have little or no planned parking and drivers don't seem to care where they park. It is a huge problem and can be very annoying. Here is just one example...the lines are painted, but people just keep parking on the end of a row until there is practically no room to get around. One time, there was literally no room to get around and we had to backup and go another way!
July 25
I made tuna noodle casserole for dinner - it's one of my favorites. It was tasty and we ate WAY too much of it. We kept eating it the next two days too - delicious!
July 26
Homemade chocolate chip ice cream with brownies! So amazingly good!!
July 27
Our animals can be very needy. They just follow us around and stare at us sometimes. But, they're cute and we love them!
July 28
Peru's independence day - we celebrated by going out to a Peruvian restaurant. We enjoyed Aji de Gallina and Lomo Saltado and, of course, Inca Kola!
July 29
After a quick shopping trip, we stopped at the deli for lunch. Pasta salads, pesto sandwiches, and ceviche were a perfect lunch. We like Grand Deli Gourmet.
July 30
To celebrate Peru's independence (again), I made Peruvian food and invited a couple friends over. I forgot to take pictures of the food or of my friends! We had a good evening of tasty food and fun Peru memories/stories. I talked a lot and I'm grateful that Abby and Maggie pretended to be interested! At least I have a picture of my Peru coffee table books.