a little stranded

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First thing this morning I got in touch with insurance to use the roadside assistance plan for towing the car. Then I called the Toyota dealership. It all went pretty smoothly, despite delay from the poor tow truck driver going to the wrong address at first. Last night the alarm wouldn’t turn on; this morning it wouldn’t turn off. The car screamed all the way to the Toyota place, just like a kid who doesn’t want Mom to remove the splinter that is causing the pain. The dealership gave us a ride back to the Centre, and we settled into feeling stranded.

The cellphone has terrible reception here. There is one place in the parking lot where I can usually maintain calls, and today it is raining. The internet has been down more often than up, although Bob was able to get off messages to his boys and some other folks. There is no phone available to us on a consistent basis at the Centre offices, nor internet. We can’t really get around well enough to go look at places to rent. We can walk to the corner shops, but that’s it. Which is what we finally did in the afternoon to pick up some meds and other things, and it was a welcome outing. We rented a movie to watch on the computer later. Bob also worked in the courtyard garden today, trimming the tree; he felt good to move around some. Maybe he will sleep better tonight. We were back in the room before dark, and he was able to take a nice hot bath.

Bob found a great job possibility in the paper as exhibitions curator for the Johannesburg Arts Museum, but he hasn’t been able to apply online yet because the internet went down again. I met with a consultant about work permits on Tuesday, and the next step is to get some paperwork to Pretoria, which I was going to drive up. Next I have to find a way to get a courier.

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Photos

Cellphone Spot
This is the spot in the parking lot where I can usually get cellphone reception, as long as I stand up and don't go very far.I tend to pace when on the phone, but I have learned to restrain myself in this situation.

Comments

[JoAnn Verburg]

MISS you guys!!! Thanks for the update!

[alice]

keep writing sherri
I love reading your journal. Would like some more pictures. Bob, I have a sure cure for kidney stones. Do you still have some left inside? What happened? Alice

[Robert Mazibuko]

Fine Work
Keep going. You are doing much work by just being where you are. We heard Lowell is in hospital with a broken leg. Have you seen him?

[Our Year of Two Summers]

Lowell
He has moved from hospital to a place where he can get further therapy, has had his ups and downs and now seems to be on the mend. We have seen him a few times, and friends are visiting frequently. Thank you for your encouragement!