On Monday, Ed and I had to drive back up to scout camp. Steffen had run out of some toiletries. I told him to just buy them at the Trading Post and he informed me they didn't sell deodorant. For reals? I would think toothpaste and deodorant and travel size bottles of shampoo would be stocked in a scout shop, especially one so far away from town. We finally heard from Michael. He had been in a communication blackout for ten days while he left the MTC and headed to his first assignment in Salt Lake City. There was a bit of a mix-up, as he thought he would get to call home, but I guess it was only for missionaries boarding airplanes. He's doing okay, although he says he's in a neighborhood where "pretty immoral" things go on. (His words). I guess the apartment the missionaries live in is next to a "No Tell Motel." However, he says he likes his companion, who is from Sweden and is very funny. Michael also said most of the time he feels very spoiled by all the things the members do for the missionaries. He also said "it's very hot" in Utah.
On Tuesday, Joey started swimming lessons. I feel swimming is a very important skill, especially here in the Pacific Northwest and because we live on a lake. He's never been a strong swimmer, so we started him in one of the lower level classes. If he appears ready to move on, we will move him up level, but right now, I feel he is where he needs to be. I'm glad the local military base offers swimming lessons, since the high schools in the area all seem to do their yearly maintenance in August. Another bonus, lessons are cheaper on base. Yay, for living in a military town!
Last night, we had a plumber come out to the house to find a water leak. We have been struggling locating this leak for over a year. And probably paid out close to $1000 to find said leak, with no success. Leak Finders West appears to have finally found the leak, running along our driveway. Now, we need to find someone to dig a hole and replace the broken line. Our water bill has steadily over the months jumped from $60-75 dollars, to upwards of $200 a month. We have the highest water bill on the whole lake. As a matter of fact, one of the water meter readers, jokingly said, "Is it your year to fill up the lake?" Hopefully, this is the only problem in the line and resolves our dreadful water bill.
In addition, we got the lab results back on my dad. He has gallstones and bad enough stones they are extending his gallbladder. This is his last week of scout camp, and hoping next week, he seriously starts looking for a surgeon to remove his gallbladder, before he is in awful pain or damages other organs.
Good news, I finally got my laptop back, and it was a fairly cheap fix. Both the battery and power cord had to be replaced. My laptop appears to be working fine now. Thank you, Eric. Even better news is the furloughs have been reduced from 11 days to 6 days. Ed has to take a four-day weekend this week, but then it's over. Praise the Lord! However, still frustrated the other Washington cannot get their act together and there are rumors of furloughs again next year, layoffs, or the real possibility of bases closing.