Taken a shower this morning

Because the guys who are working here in the apt sure didn't- if I had my own bad smell going on, it might be easier to take. It's pretty fierce- that would be why I'm burning a candle and have all the windows open wide. And dreaming of this:OK- I'll admit it- I've had more time than usual on my hands this week and last- what with getting sick, Trude getting sick, T having to cross the border, then K & me crossing and T's still not quite up to par. Next week we should be back on the go and I likely won't be writing about smelly handymen.


Which is what they are. See, a LONG time ago (3 months anyway) we had a phone line put in- supposed to be digital so we could hook up to the phone company's broadband. Of course, they got that wrong. So, T- being half Ukr'n herself by now and having an ingenious mind, talked to the downstairs neighbor- How about you up your internet package, we'll split the costs with you and splice into your connection? He was delighted- he gets a faster connection out of the deal and we have internet. Great. It worked wonderfully well.


The 1st floor lady had the same idea 2 weeks ago- can we plug into your switch (and the kid on some other floor)? We'll split the costs 4 ways. (Once again Mr Downstairs will go and order a faster connection- but we'll all pay less per month than we do now!) So, today Mr No-Shower and his son, same last name, are here hooking up the other moochers... I mean cooperators. That's what we are. And we're all happy (except my happiness would increase slightly if they'd showered... or put on clean clothes this am or something). That's standard protocol here- share and share alike... just ask Duane about kids and tests and that policy.


Really, American teachers present lessons that are supposed to foster teamwork...but these folks have it figured out: just make it impossible to pass a test or afford it or acquire it or whatever WITHOUT teamwork. Works like a charm. (I kid you not- in Izmail, there are 20 apts in the entrance where ours was- of those 20 something like 17 of them were all hooked up to the same cable TV connection- stairwell was a mass of spliced cables running everywhere.) One more thing! Who's seen Ellery's latest post?! Ok, that would be her Dad's latest! Big smiles and hugs to all 4 but to Holly!