David had close to eight weeks off. It is the longest amount of time that he has had off since he was 18 years old. I must be honest with the fact that it was a huge adjustment having him home. Bless his heart, he was mentally and physically exhausted when he came home. He was geared up in his “work mode” of going 100 mph. I was in my usually “Shar’s World, right around the corner from Mr. Roger’s neighborhood” mode of going a negative 5 miles an hour. So, the first couple of weeks were an adjustment. Eventually, we found a happy medium and enjoyed summer in Maine.

In June, David went to Lima, Peru for a week of meetings. He really enjoyed his time down there and each time we talked on the phone, he kept saying, “You are going to love it down here!”…..I know I am going to love it and I can hardly wait to get down there.

In the meantime, we have been busy and a tad stressed with all that we have going on at the house. We did get our variance granted at the May 22 meeting of the zoning board. The started immediately, but was delayed due to rainy weather in the beginning. Eventually, the foundation/slab got poured and the construction began. Our contractor, Ken Morin and his brothers, are doing an amazing job getting the garage built before I leave. The picture shows what one week of building can do!!!

We just love the garage. I, especially, love the mud room that is included. How wonderful it will be to have people come in the winter and have a place to put boots, coats, mittens instead of dropping everything in the kitchen, where there is absolutely no room!!

We also are having a new vinyl fence put in. It is gorgeous as well and we are very pleased with it. Our contractor, Howard Davis of Horizon Fence, will finish installing it this Thursday and Friday.

Wes, our house sitter, started moving in yesterday. So, things are really starting to happen.

I leave this Saturday for Santiago, Chile. My flight leaves Portland, Me at 5:40 PM. I fly to Atlanta, GA for a short layover and then head to Santiago. I will arrive Sunday morning at 7:30 AM! A long night of flying.

David thinks that we will be in Santiago for about 6 weeks. It is possible that we will be moving to Lima, Peru about the time I will be heading back to the states. I guess I haven’t mentioned that I am going to Vietnam!!! My cousin Mark is going to adopt a baby boy and has asked me to travel with him to help. What an amazing opportunity(thanks Mark!)! The baby boy, Adam, was born in February and Mark is just waiting for the word to head over to get him. He has received pictures and is such a cute, happy baby. I can hardly wait to meet him and hold him!

I guess that is all for now. Now, to get this blog out to everyone so, if you are interested, you can keep up with our amazing adventure. I am so ready to be heading to the airport. It has been a challenge trying to get everything organized to be out of the country for the next 2 years. If you hear a huge sigh around 3:00 PM on Saturday afternoon, July 7th….it is me!