HOT July

As all of you have heard (or experienced) we have had some pretty hot temperatures during this last week. Since arriving home from camping in Prineville, we have had temperatures in the high 80s and 90s. But on July 27, the temperature went to 103 with high humidity. Our evening lows stayed around 75 and muggy. Ugh, we felt like we were in a sauna! The next two days, the triple digits hung at 107 and 106. We escaped yesterday to Newport on the Oregon coast where the temperature was a marvelous 61 (106 in Salem). As usual, Newport was foggy with a light mist, but what a relief to feel cool.

These pictures are taken at Yaquina Bay where the Yaquina Bay Bridge was shrouded in gray which made it very eerie.

Today, Salem topped out at 92, The humidity is still high, so things are still kinda uncomfortable. That is all supposed to change as a cooling trend (high 80s, low 90s) is happening for the rest of the week. We can only hope!!

As I said earlier, we spent the 4th of July camping south of Prineville along the Crooked River. We had a great time and uploaded many pictures on my Picasa Web Album. Hope you take the time to check them out. I have many albums posted on Picasa, so take your time and check them all out.

After we left Prineville, we took the coach to Davis Cabinets in Junction City and had new inside solar and privacy screens installed. The privacy and solar screens now take the place of the front wrap around curtains which were getting old and ragged. The new screens make a huge difference while driving. Before, we had split visor shades and the sun always found a way to get into our eyes. Now, we can lower the one piece shade (no splits) for complete sun control.

One big job we have had since being back in Salem is cleaning out an an extra large storage unit. There was a lot of furniture and boxes in the storage unit that needed sorting and distributing. We ended up donating the majority of it to St. Vincent DePaul. We were able to send a bunch of old electronics, to recycling, but there was a lot that had to go to the landfill. We have that out from under us, but we still have to clean up an old house and get the lot taken care of (no not our home, this is another one we have to take care of).

As for our house, the main bathroom was desperately in need of repainting and some cabinet work. We have repainted the walls and changed some of the hardware, but still have all the cabinet work to do.

On July 21, I had my first Colonoscopy. Oh my, that was an experience. Yes, they did find one very tiny polyp and quickly removed it. The pathology came back clear! Now, instead of having that test every 10 years, I have to have it done every 5 years(ugh). Actually, the preparation for the screening was much worse than the actual procedure. At least I have 5 years before I have to go through that again (grin).

On July 24, we took the Grand Cherokee in for its checkup and oil change. Seems the brake buddy we use while towing the Jeep has been causing the brakes to drag a bit and caused the calipers to heat up. Now, it looks like we will have to replace those in the very near future. We really didn’t need to hear about having to do that.

On top of having to replace the calipers on the Jeep, we may have to replace the seal on the toilet in the coach. We were having a lot of problems with the “electric” flush control while we were in AZ, but now we are having problems keeping water in the bowl (more work to be done).

Have I mentioned in past posts that I have a sister? Well, I do! She isn’t going to like my talking about her, but she doesn’t have anything to do with a computer or any of that “Techy” stuff, so she will never see this (unless one of her daughters shows it to her). She is 14 years older than me and just had her 81st birthday. Bless her heart, she is doing great and still maintains her large home all by herself. With my being gone so much, we haven’t had a lot of times to visit, but my daughter and I are going to visit with her early next week and get caught up on all the “family stuff.” I just hope when I get to be 81 (God willing) I will be doing as well as she is!!

Speaking of family stuff, I mentioned in the last post that we have a new great granddaughter. This is the birth picture of Ciara Rose Rojas-Rodriguez (long name for such a tiny thing).Isn't she a cutie!! Lauren and Abraham are doing well and the baby is doing great!

Ken is still making some gorgeous jewelry. Even with all the work we have been doing, he is finding himself beading during the evening hours (keeps him out of trouble anyhow).

These are some of his latest creations.We are going to Eugene on Friday the 31st to the Bead & Gem show where he hopes to find some more beads to work with.

I will have a lot more to talk about in August because my grandson Justin is marrying the love of his life, Holly, on the 12th. So until then, I hope all of you stay healthy and keep safe.