July 18, 2013

  • Chewlee Becomes The Neighborhood Welcoming Committee Of One

    TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

    Today was rather uneventful, mainly because it was hot, hot, hot.  It was 88 degrees out when I last checked shortly after 1pm and the heat index was 94 or so.  I really didn't care.  I just knew that, if you were sitting outside, it was hard to breathe and there was no real breeze.  Even Chewlee didn't stay outside on her bike for long.  Not until later in the day when it was starting to cool down somewhat and we had a breeze.

    That was when she gave us a scare because she went outside and she wasn't at Ian's house when I went over there to check.  She had been given permission to go over to Sam's house earlier so I had the Beast call there.  When she wasn't there, we got scared because there HAVE been workmen around working on Dennis and Di's house....well, preparing for it to be built.  They have already had the temporary electric in and approved.  The septic tank and field are in and ready.  Now they are working on the driveway.   These are all strangers and one of the reasons we have a rule about either the Beast or me being outside to keep an eye on her.

    So the Beast hopped on his scooter and went to drive around the circle to see if he could spot her bike.  You could have knocked him over with a feather when he found her at the home of the new people in the neighborhood (and they have several kids there...ha ha ha!).  She was there, trying out some of the Spanish she's learned from watching Dora on Nick Jr.  Since that is kind of limited for her, it was kind of funny to the new people who are from Guatamala. But she did manage *hola* and *amiga* and a few other words.  The people were kind of tickled by her they told the Beast.  A few of the family members DO speak English and the older kids are in school.  I just know that Chewlee was very happy that there are kids nearer to her age that live close to us.

    When the Beast asked her why she left the house, she said simply, *I wanted to say hello to the new neighbors!  No one has gone over there and they seem really nice.  They always wave to me when they drive by and I am on my bike.*  Simple reasoning to her but we told her we needed to always know where she wanted to go and she had to have our permission.

    Our beef and tamales came today and we invited Dennis and Di over to have an Italian beef sandwich after Dennis gets home from the doctor's office, which will probably be around noon since the appointment is at 10am.  He's trying to get established with a local doctor now.  It's been a long time since he had a regular doctor (over 3 years).  So we will be enjoying some of the Italian beef and there was plenty of room for both the tamales (which are incredible!) and the Italian beef plus the rolls that come with it and the green peppers.  I am salivating just thinking about it.

    This is going to be short and sweet tonight.  I spent the day folding clothes for us all, including Chewlee.  I packed up the excess clothing into Chewlee's suitcase that the Princess was taking home tonight so that is one more task over and done with.  It's going to be hot again tomorrow but I hear the sound of thunder so perhaps we will get a bit of rain tonight to cool things down.  Love you all.  Have a great day!