Our air conditioner is on the fritz, miraculously a repairman is due any minute from our oil company. Everyone else said the end of next week. This is something Ray would have fixed himself a few years ago, just climb up into the attic and do it; but now, he diagnosed the ferns covering our outside units and made me cut them away. He always hated that I let them grow so thick. Yuck I found snake skins and lots of other gross stuff, but I did it. As I predicted, it didn't seem to help, and the water running from the ceiling is worse than ever. Meanwhile, I didn't turn off the AC completely as advised, but did turn it up to almost 80. I hate having to have people come in the house, but can't see any other choice!

My A/C has been running day and night while the installers were here going in/out the garage all day with the inside door standing open most of the time. I told them I couldn't afford to pay them while I cool off the entire of Killeen. That comment didn't help one bit. The weather man just said the temps will increase to 100 by next Friday week so more heat on the way.

We have a frig in the garage full of bottle water, sodas, and beer that we invited their attention to get one when needed to keep them hydrated for work. Laying that wood flooring, removing old carpet and pads carrying it out to the dump trailer then installing the new carpet upstairs in the three bedrooms can get to be a very hot job. They had half full bottles sitting everywhere and just before they departed each day they would have a beer or two on us.

Maybe that is why they gave us a big break on the original price of the whole job. They had to walk down the stairs with each piece of carpet to throw away because my window screens are screwed shut. They are due back to fix one screen they tried to get off to throw the old carpet down to the trailer.

Meanwhile the A/C is set on 78 now and it feels really cool all the house to me with ceiling fans going too.

Now it appears we got no room available at the casino, Oh well, more money in my pocket longer!

Fred: so glad you posted this tonight. I am sorry the casino is booked. Was discussing August with Erma this afternoon and she needs two days off mid-week. She offered to have her sister-in-law come (who I also know and worked with) but I said let me think about this. Because Bruce will be completely done with OT by then.

Nancy and Colleen have been encouraging us to do an overnight at Foxwoods and that just may be the time.

Your work in the house sounds wonderful. You are going to love it. Your wife is a lot like me, I think. We did the roof in 2007 and the siding in 2008, same contractor. And Pete knows me - ordered the largest dumpster he could and Fred we filled both - one I had to pay $50.00 extra because we went overweight - LOL. All women should get a dumpster for their birthdays! LOL

But the good news is when my packrat stroked in 2009, all the big mess was gone. Anything left now in this house I can handle with maybe some lifting help. But the old paneling, windows, furniture he saved, hoping he could reuse is now gone.

Hopefully you can consider another two days off in the near future. Do not envy any of us our heat, that is for sure. We to get a break next week - unlike you. Enjoy! Debbie

Fred,

Go, enjoy yourself. If you tell them you're a veteran, some Casinos have special things they like to do to show their appreciation. Won't hurt to ask. Hope you have a great time.

-Will

Fred, I remember in Germany, when it was time to move, giving the German movers beer and coldcuts insured they did an especially great job on packing our boxes for shipment to CONUS. HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL.

-WILL