I woke up at 4 yesterday, jeez! I was trying to get everything done at work because I will be on vacation next week. I did payroll, even though it usually is done on Monday. I just realized this morning that we will get paid on Tuesday instead of Wednesday. I guess no one will complain about that! I called the woman at Lowe's, who agreed to donate some brackets and a pole for the curtains in room 2. But, I had to bring a letter that day. So I headed out there, got those things and a bunch of cleaning products (laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, etc.). Then I went to RiteAid to buy a box of size 4 diapers. And I went through Wendy's drive-through window.

At 1, we had a staff meeting to talk about our message and how we can best present it, looking at examples of awesome campaigns. I would have been ready to leave after that, except for the insurance war. We had gotten much cheaper (and better) insurance through the non-profit alliance, due to take effect that day. Our old agent had talked to Meredith and said she had a cheaper company that we should look at. She sent the quote that afternoon. Meredith was trying to leave town (as was I) and the situation had to be resolved. The new quote was even lower! I was trying to compare the coverages, but it was really difficult to tell if we were looking at the same thing. What was covered, what were the deductibles, etc. I called Tim (the "new" agent) and he had me send him the proposal. There were several things we were getting from his company that were not in the other quote (from the "old" agent). I also felt that she had years to come up with a cheaper alternative and it seemed very shady that it only happened the day we were set to go with a different company. So, Meredith and I decided to go with the new company, although it is never a good idea to make people mad that have money. I am afraid there will be consequences. Who knew insurance was so competitive? I guess it is a lot of commission money that she is losing.

That was very stressful and we had a lot to do, but I really felt like I needed a dip in the pool. At $4 a pop, a somewhat expensive choice, but one of the best investments I ever made! Meanwhile, I had heard from the people who are keeping Cameron for us (the ones we got him from) that they were going out between 5:30 and 6, so we needed to get there. And we needed to take the crate, which was pretty dirty. So, we rushed home, Ray washed the crate and drove Cameron to Bishop while I packed and dealt with democratic committee stuff, and cut up some cukes and tomatoes to take to Janna's. And had a mojito that my mother made. In our house, my mother is the bartender, and sometimes it is very nice to have. When Ray got back, we jumped in the car with veggies (plus a cantaloupe). We had a lovely dinner with Janna and Ron, Becky and Kent: pasta with veggies, our little salad, and blueberry pound cake that Becky made. Then we showed slides. I went first--I had picked the best ones from our trip and Janna seemed to really like the idea of a trip on the canal boat (if someone else did the driving). Then she showed her slides--on the TV! She had a cable from the camera. She had a lot of wonderful slides, but went through some of them really quickly because there were too many. The fjords! I started falling asleep before 9:30, and never got to see Becky's slides at all! I suspect Ron was too.

working, lunch with Becky, went to the Food Bank--they had car seats! (one per agency). rushed to meet with Jenny at the new Democratic HQ on Baxter Street. Ray met us there, as did Bert & Kay. It is in the same building with Elephant Trunk and will do very nicely. It's always interesting to try to picture what a space will be like with furniture. Rushed to meet the lady who owns the house on Amelia Island where we will be staying. She was painting a house in Normaltown that her daughter owns. She gave us the keys and directions. Very nice and interesting woman.

Cooked up some veggie remains, the two funny little eggplants that are the only ones we grew this year, some squash from the farmers market a couple weeks ago, and some tomatoes. We really need rain; almost everything in the garden is giving up.

Still hot yesterday. Still went to work, and then to the pool. Drove to Lowe's to buy some things. A volunteer came to repair the curtains in one of the rooms, but there weren't enough of the brackets to put the curtains up. I looked at them at Lowe's, but they were too expensive. They told me I could call and talk to someone about getting them donated, so I will do that tomorrow. Met with Kerri and Meredith.

Came home, and the chicken coop is about finished! I need to arrange for chickens. Ray cut up some of the melons from the garden, some peaches and kiwis, and we took that to potluck. There were about 8 of us. Then he and I went to trivia at Your Pie again. It was pretty fun and we did about as well as the last time.

It was 102 in Athens again yesterday, about 5 degrees hotter than the weather forecast had said. It's like it got in the habit of being hot and can't get out of it. Even the water in the pool was hot and I got out because I felt like my face was getting sunburned. The air conditioning runs all the time and can't quite get it down to 78 at supper time. Rain was forecast, but we didn't have any yesterday; maybe today. Even the tomatoes and cucumbers are not producing.

The Captain is making good progress on his chicken coop, putting the door on yesterday. I said, "lucky chickens" when I saw it. He is working on it in the garage, so at least he is not in the sun, but it is pretty warm in there. He comes in and drinks lots of fluids. Yesterday, he mixed up something called switchel that I never heard of: water with vinegar and sweetener--when you are sweating a lot and water doesn't quite quench your thirst. He says the women used to bring it to the farmers when they were haying in New England.

We had AC men in yesterday at the Shelter--the third time in a week. They are trying to adjust one of the units because it is dripping on the floor. They changed two of the filters for me, too. Also had to have the plumbers come unplug a toilet again. Worked a little more on my inquiry letter and wrote a lot of checks. Talked to M. about the board meeting the night before; they have come up with a plan; now for the follow through. We have a new family with three adorable small children.

Lunch with Janna, who is back from almost three weeks in the Netherlands and Scandinavia. She loved it and wants to live in Europe, except for her children and friends and life here.

Working on the volunteer roster for the Democratic HQ to open next week.

Made a lovely shrimp and pasta dinner from Rachel Ray very quickly, including fresh basil and cherry tomatoes from the garden.

Meredith emailed me yesterday morning. She wasn't coming in until afternoon, getting ready for a meeting. Did a lot of Monday morning stuff, but eventually worked on grant research and starting to write an inquiry letter. I was getting ready to head out when she arrived. We talked a bit before I headed out, feeling good about my work. Picked Ray up and we headed home to get my Mom. The Captain is almost done with the chicken coop. Now it's up to me to figure out what chickens to get. But not until we get back from the beach!

We dropped Ray off at the Red Cross to donate platelets and went to the mall--Macy's and Belk. Tried on lots of shoes and bought a bathing suit on sale. There were several that I liked better, but on sale they were 80 and 90 dollars. That's not going to happen! This one was 40. I feel like I should save it, but don't know for what.

Gerald called from New Mexico. He and Brooke were both talking and laughing about setting up the tent and cooking in White Sands the night before. Now they are in Flagstaff at a hostel, heading to the Grand Canyon today. They'll be here on August 8th and leave again on the 9th.

Got home about 6:30 and sprang into action. Had supper on the table by 7 and it was good. Something gave me diarrhea, though. I am afraid it might be the blueberry pie, because I don't think it was the fish or the rice.

I fell asleep about 8:30 on the couch, even dozing during Jeopardy. Maybe it was the glass of white wine. There was thunder and lightning off and on al night, but only a little rain this morning. It's not surprising to wake up at 3:30 if you fall asleep that early, but not a very good system.

Ray and I went to the Forum at the Fellowship yesterday. Rabbi Gerson was talking about the possibility of peace in the Middle East. It was very interesting. I have met the rabbi and heard him speak before. I would have said I respected him. But he definitely has blinders on regarding Israel. He said several times that the information he was presenting was factual, but he clearly has strong opinions on the issue (not surprisingly). He said any nation has the right to defend its borders...and that the Israeli government is willing to negotiate (and give up settlements), as soon as the other side stops attacking them and recognizes their right to exist. It was interesting and a little intense.

During the service, I sang Simple Gifts with four other women, one playing a guitar. I wanted to sing something familiar, so we wouldn't have to stress about it, or practice very much. The congregation applauded when we finished! I did not expect that. All I was going for was no obvious mistakes...

Thomas, our pianist, played for the last time during this service. He is moving to NY, where his partner will be going to graduate school. He is a great knitter as well as a wonderful musician, with a cute smile. He played, "think of me, think of me fondly, when you're far away," (or whatever that is) during the offertory and I got teary. I will miss him. I am sure a new one has been hired and maybe I will like him or her even better. I hope Thomas loves NY and is successful there.

After making salad nicoise for lunch (with a little help), I suddenly felt somewhat sick and went upstairs to lie down. Instead, I ended up working on lining up the volunteer schedule for the Democratic HQ, starting August 2. Quite a few people had expressed interest, but when they were all assigned to two-person two-hour shifts, there were a lot of blanks on my schedule. Hopefully, I will hear from more people this week.

Ray and I made couscous and took it to the Kenney Ridge potluck at Karen's house. She lives in the old farmhouse and it is so nice to see it fixed up and lived in. Her son-in-law is a contractor and lives next door in Molly and Gwenny's old house and he did a great job. It was pleasant to share food with some of our neighbors, although I would have hoped more would come. They didn't have enough for a quorum at the quarterly business meeting. Manita made a delicious blueberry dessert, but Ray said it wasn't as good as my mother's blueberry pie.

When we got home, we spent a little time making a list of things to take when we go to the beach. It was good to get a start on thinking about that.

We watched Calendar Girls with my Mom. It was very fun; more like a documentary, but really interesting and well done.

Well, how did that happen? I seem to be a delegate to the Democratic state convention in Athens in 3 weeks. Hmm. Ray volunteered to help with the caucus, where the good democrats of Athens gather to choose delegates. I went along for the ride and enjoyed chatting with Shelby and others. Came time for the actual event and they said, we don't have any women running. (the democrats require a gender-balanced group of delegates). Someone (Madelyn) pointed at me and I said, I'll do it. I quickly filled out a sheet of paper--and then I was told, "it costs $50." Well, too late now, it's for a good cause and it will be interesting, I hope. I wonder why none of the "old-timers" wanted to do it...Another woman also agreed and the election proceeded. I and two men (including David J.) are the delegates. The other woman and one more man are alternates.

After that, we went along to pilates, where we had a substitute teacher, who we have had before. She is quite good and we like her pretty well, but she is not Amanda! After that, home for lunch. Captain and Vanessa had been to the farmers' market, so we had fresh corn on the cob, tomatoes from the garden, bread from the farmers' market. Mmmm, yum. the taste of summer. Then, since it was way too hot out to do anything more constructive, we played cards. We also ran out to get some roofing material for the chicken coop from David S., our neighbor, and some watermelons from Karen F.