Crabs, lizards and other things....

These little crabs are everywhere right now.  They could give you nightmares.   They are on the walls of the apartment, sidewalks and street.  We have to watch where we are walking.  Of course, the lizards, aka geckos,  are still greeting us every time we leave the apartment.  They will stop and look at me as long as I don't move.  If I flinch they are off and running.

Last week we had rain for about 4 days straight. Most of the time it would rain very, very hard.  It would come down in sheets instead of drops.  An umbrella kept my hair dry but my skirts would get wet.   We could barely see out the car window.  One afternoon on the way home from piano lessons we drove down a street on the bay side that had at least 12 or more inches of water down the middle of the street.  In that area during the rainy season people have rain that goes half way up their driveways if they are on a rise.  Those that are flat probably have it right up to their doors.  Probably not a good idea to drive through the water because we can't see the depth of the water.  Drainage here appears to be a problem.  We've been preparing our 72 hour kit just in case we have to get out of here in a hurry.  If there is an emergency we are responsible to make sure that all the missionaries are safe and where they are supposed to be.  The sisters are supposed to go to the mission home.  The elders are to go to the Clearwater church.  Apparently that is high ground.

The sister that we have been teaching with the Elders moved to Clearwater this week to live with 4 other women until she finds a house she can move into.  I feel bad that she is leaving.  She was beginning to progress a little more.  It's her cigarettes that are holding her back.  It is a terrible habit to break.  So hard.  But we continually encourage her and give her ideas to help her resist.  We're not sure what is going to happen now that she has moved.  We're hoping that she will find a house near the church so that we can resume our teaching.  We've grown to love her.  She has had such a hard life but wants to make some good changes.  We pray for her daily to be successful.  Reading the Book of Mormon is hard for her but she keeps trying.  We pray that she doesn't stop now.  Hopefully the Elders in that area will stay close to her.  We don't want to loose her.

Sister Mullins    Elder Bensen    Elder Prigmore

People are so transient here.  Paul spends a lot of his Saturdays (and other days) helping people either move in or out of the ward.  Two weeks ago we helped a man (non-member) move his cousin's (member) belongings into a storage unit.  He had a truck and a small trailer filled to the brim.  We spent a couple of hours filling the unit until the rain came.  We were just about ready to move the piano.  But we had to put what was left back on the truck and go back on Saturday to finish the job.  We even have some of his stuff on our back patio.  Everyone took something home so he didn't have to rent another unit.  Now we get to move it out and into a house next Saturday.  The thing about this move is that she is looking for a job with Disney and if she gets it she will be moving again soon.  We will become very familiar with her stuff.  Hopefully she stays for a while.  We've been told that she is a very accomplished pianist.  Yea!

Always SMILING no matter how hard the work

Filled to the Brim

We had a wonderful visit with our handsome son, Dan.  He was here setting up the computer side of a new business his company just purchased in Tampa.  He was staying here on the St. Pete side in Treasure Island.   We had a delightful meal at Sloppy Joe's on Treasure Island.  The food was delicious.  The company was the best.  

We've had a couple of ward member get gatherings this past week-with lots of delicious food.  One was for a family that will be moving to Arizona and the other was at the Bishop's home just for a get to know you time.  We are having so many families moving in.  This way we can meet people one on one and have time to get to know them better.  

Bishop Bangerter     Chris Arick  Executive Sec.

Jan Hunt (RS Pres)   Brother Harrell  Sis. Bangerter   Sister Weatherly (new)

The kids had a great time in the pool

I get to do a lot of baking.  We've found that a hot loaf of bread gets us in the door.  I found a French bread recipe that is really good and have been making that.  I also make a lot of banana bread because bananas don't last long here even though we keep the apartment cool.  So the Elders and Sisters always get a treat when we are together.  They are always saying you can bake for us anytime.  One sister left a bag of pancake mix after Paul's birthday gathering and when I called to tell her I'd bring it to district meeting she said, Oh, just make us some pancakes and we'll eat them at the meeting.  Time permitting I would have but our morning was full.  No pancakes.  We have been earning points on a credit card the past few months.  Paul usually gets me a gift card at Olive Garden.  But I saw a cuisinart food processor in the catalog.  So many times I've thought, if I only had my processor I could make this or that.  So we have been saving our points and finally (after having them raise the points on us once) we were able to order one.  I love it.  It makes my cooking a little easier for some things.  

I'm making banana bread today

I can't close without thanking my sweet husband for the love and support that he gives to me.  We have had a wonderful life together and it just keeps getting better.  He is very a very patient, easy going person that helps to keep us centered.  He is a great father to our children whom he loves very much.  I'm so grateful that he honors his priesthood and desires to serve our Heavenly Father.   

HAPPY FATHERS DAY,   I LOVE YOU,  PAUL