Don’t panic, adjust! Don’t panic, adjust! That is my mantra. Oh my gosh, I can’t wait to get on the plane and have this packing, organizing, building behind me!! Yes, I am stressing!!!!!

So, as I was talking with David last night he realized that all of his reservations – hotel and taxi pick-up – for Santiago was for the 7th of July and not, today, the 4th. I had to call the hotel in Santiago to see if they could change the reservation. They could upgrade him to a bigger room…I didn’t know if we needed approval from the company. Plus, there was the issue of someone meeting him at the airport. Now, mind you, it is 9:00 at night. David’s flight out of Lima was at 7:00 this morning. So, I sent a frantic e-mail to the secretary that had made the arrangements last night and called her this morning. She assured me that everything was taken care of….thank goodness! So, someone will be at the airport today when he lands at 11:30 AM.

One thing I did this morning, which is one of my favorite things to do in Cape Elizabeth in the summer and a huge help with stress, I rode my bicycle to Higgins Beach. The route I take is about 13 miles round trip. At the turn-off to Higgins Beach, there is a small store. So, I buy a small coffee and ride the short distance to the beach. I sit there with my coffee and look at the ocean, watch the dogs on the beach and just enjoy it all. I am really going to miss bike riding when I get to South America. The cities where we will be living are huge….8 million people. I have no desire to ride my bike in that kind of traffic. Plus, David says that the traffic is sooooo scary. Thank goodness we don’t have to drive in it. We have assigned drivers. I told David that I may not come back to the states….assigned drivers, maids…..I can’t wait!!!

As you can see, our garage is coming along nicely. Hopefully, the doors will go on tomorrow. We just love it. Most of all, I love, love, love, my mud room!! David said that he should have just built a mud room for me…it would have saved him lots of money!

Well, Happy 4th to everyone. I am off to pack. We may not agree with our government, but one thing I have learned in my travels is that there is no place that I would rather live than the good ol‘ US of A!!!! I love to experience other cultures, but I am so proud to be an American. Cheers!!!