My makeshift dryer

My dryer is on the fritz. Bells and whistles work and even spins, but no heat! Got a repairman to take a look at it and estimated a repair cost of $360. Of course, the parts need to be ordered and will take 2-4 days to arrive. That's not going to fly for the couple of loads already waiting to be dried and stinkin' quite terribly! So, I asked Dave to make me a clothes line while I re-wash the clothes.

Viola! 1st load
Can you imagine what my Caucasian neighbors would say if they saw this? "Oh, those Mexicans! What are they up to now?"
I'd say, just making good use of these hot sunny days! That's the silver lining. :)

P.S. If you squint, you'll see Steven way in the back sitting on the grass under the shade.

P.S.S. My neighbors are old, retired, white, pasty professionals who I adore dearly! I'm just making light that we're the only ones in our neighborhood who have a tan and so can be considered the eccentric ones.

First Day at Our New Ward

Today was our first day at our new ward. It was overall a nice experience. I was immediately greeted by a lady that one of my old ward friends called to watch out for me. We sat with her and she introduced me to others as we came across them. Of course I don't remember them all. I did get to meet the bishop. I look forward to talking with him some more because I would like a calling.

Sophia was quite a handful during the sacrament hour so it was a relief to get to the second hour. At that point, we dropped off David to Primary and Sophia and I went to her nursery class. I stayed with her to see how she would do there and wow! She saw the toys and started to play, forgetting I might not be there until she noticed the door opening ... she thought it was me leaving. So she would notice if I left. But on the third hour I did leave to go to my Relief Society class. She cried as I was leaving but one of the teachers assured me that she will be fine. A bit hesitant but I went to class. There an old acquaintance motioned for me to sit by her. I did and also bumped into a sister of one of my friends at the old ward. Hurray! New friends already. Anyway, I enjoyed the lesson. I actually learned something new to me ... regarding the meaning of Elias. At the end of class a couple of Filipinas introduced themselves to me and hurray more friends! From there I picked up Sophia and the teacher said that she did fine. David did well at his classes. He said, "I wasn't nervous Mom.". What a big boy! I think we'll fit into the ward just fine.

Took the camera with me to church but forgot to take pictures there but here's Sophia at home having a snack prior to going to church.

Moving Day, What A Feat!!

I had mentioned awhile back that we had bought a one story house in the same city but south up the hill. Dave's good friend had been house sitting it for us. The initial plan was to remodel it to make it bigger (currently 1600+sq ft, 2 bedrooms) by adding another bedroom, a couple of offices, bigger kitchen, and so forth. The drafting of the remdeling took much longer than anticipated and with our up-coming baby the plans changed again. So now 1 1/2 yrs later Dave felt it best to move now before our son is born and while I'm far enough along to be able to, plus be settled in before David starts kindergarten. We will eventually remodel but will have to wait. Anyways, yesterday was the big moving day. I totally filled up the 2900+sq ft house so it was quite a feat to pack and move all our stuff. A few of my church friends helped me pack last Wednesday but most of the packing ended up on the shoulders of my dear sister-in-laws, Tish and Monica (my mother-in-law and I did what we could to help them; and my parents took care of the kids for me). Tish and Monica were efficient and organized. I could not have done it without them! I am sincerely grateful to them!

Dave had some help from few of his friends and few of my churh friends (thanks guys). There were at least three of them at a given time. The 12 hr move proved to be very tiring for them and still there were more stuff left. My dear husband didn't stop working that whole time and today continues to put the furnitures together and settle us in our "new" home. He finds the energy even when there's nothing left! Seriously, he's the most masipag (closiest English translation I can come up with is super unlazy) person I've ever met. So glad to be married to him.

I was surprised to love our new home so quickly. I had forgotten how beautiful the view is from here. I liked the one story layout and the short distance to get from one room to another. A smaller home suits me and I think will prove to be a humbling experience for me. I certainly have to down size my stuff and only put in the essentials and somehow get rid of the rest. It will be a task but I'm determined to do it.

I left my camera at my sister's so I don't have any pictures of the move. I'll try to post pictures of the new house later.