Two days at home

The taxi picked us up at 1:30 a.m. Saturday  morning to take us to the bus station in Managua for our 3:00 a.m. departure to San Salvador.  The trip was almost twelve hours.  We were pretty tired by the time we got home; even so, I made a quick trip to the grocery store so we could eat at home.  After eating at the food court or in the hotel restaurant for eight days, we were ready to eat at home.

We thought that Sunday would be a quiet day, but realized that we needed to remove the four appliances from our old place before we left the country.  So, Gilma and William met us at Finca de Asturias at 8:00 a.m.  William, Francisco and Stephen loaded the frig and the stove in the pickup.  William's son, Willy, and his wife, Patty, were having a garage sale, so they dropped the appliances off at their house and then returned to pick up the washer and dryer.  Willy and Patty are going to try to sell them for us.  

In the afternoon we met with the owner of the house and he paid us for the improvements we made and the things we left in the house (3 ceiling fans, wooden blinds, lights, etc.)  We thought he would give us cash, but he wrote us a check instead.  So, tomorrow morning before we leave for the airport, we have to go to the bank to see if we can cash the check.  Hopefully, it won't take too much time--the bank opens at 9:00 and we have to leave for the airport at 10:30.  I know that sounds like plenty of time, but the lines at the banks are often very long.  

We're anxious to see family and friends in Kansas City for ten days and then travel to California to see our kids and grandkids.

Family Time

My first hug from Jon since September was Tuesday night about 9:30 p.m.  Thankful for his on-time flight which allowed us to eat at Minsky's Pizza before it closed.  We made it back to Lee's Summit about 11:15, and called it a night.

Last night we ate here at the house, but tonight we went to my sister's for dinner.  Both of our nieces are home from college (Jensen from Nebraska and Elizabeth from MU.)  Everyone but my sister-in-law, Jane, was there.  She was working late and missed the salad/pasta/break sticks dinner.  I made two pumpkin pies; Jon said he didn't think one pie would be enough for 8 people.  

Holidays are always special, but spending time with family (especially because we don't have very many opportunities) is an important way to celebrate!