Day 2 LA

After finally falling asleep late last night, I was abruptly woken by Churro who had jumped up on the bed and was trying to fight her way through my hair to lick my face - all at 6:45 am new time. As distinct from 11 pm Aus time.

The good news about that violent awakening was that I saw Troy off on his first day of Junior High. How can that be? I remember when he was born... surely not that long ago? But Teagan starts year 4 next week!
Almost awake, I ate breakfast with Teagan, while Susan got ready for work. Then we settled down to a quiet morning. Teagan was on her computer and I was on mine or hand sewing. We were going to take Churro for a walk, but couldn't find a front door key.
Susan came home after lunch to continue working and I walked up to the shops to get some fresh (hot) air and try to stretch out some muscles. And who did I meet on the way... Troy coming back from school on his first day with some other children. To his credit he did cross to my side of the road and to my credit I did not kiss him in front of the others! After a brief greeting we each continued on our way.

Hmmm... the Chase Bank had removed all the usual stickers from the front of their ATM's. Slight issue for the international tourist (especially seeing the ANZ had removed its branch from the Melbourne Airport and the ATM's for money exchanges!!!!!!!
Not willing to have my card swallowed up, I went inside and asked a teller, who had no idea and asked another teller who had even less. Ok. Walked back outside to listen to my inner voice "Take a risk and try because I have always successfully used this ATM before" and yes it worked perfectly? What happened to all the stickers and why? No point in asking inside.
Next a very short walk to the supermarket to see if I could buy some GF bread. Obviously in my brief absence, they had decided that the place where it had always been kept needed to be filled with GF cakes. They looked very showy, but not what I wanted. Walked all the way through the shop trying to find a sign. No obvious sign > try to find a shelf stacker/ helper. None to be found> checkout. She didn't know but asked someone else. Finally an answer. Either aisle 15 OR aisle 5. Hmmm. Lets take a chance and try 15 first as that was closest... No. But there was a vast range of GF products which I didn't need. Back to 5. Lots of bagels, raisin toast and one loaf of bread, which looked like it might have been there since my last visit, judging by the icicles in the packet. Success! Next to the opposite end of the shop for some fruit. Of course when I had gone to the checkout previously, not a soul in the place, now on my return, they were all queued up. The man behind tried several times to cripple me with his trolley, banging into the backs of my legs. He was most apologetic and I was thinking once sure, but twice? Day two >crippled> just what I didn't need. Fortunately the wife came back and took control of the trolley!

Back in the hot sun with my purchases to return to the house. Chat with Troy about his first day while eating afternoon tea. Then I got to watch the wedding video- gorgeous memories. I had already checked out several hundred photos during the day.

When Susan left to join Oscar for a concert we had dinner outside and packed our bags for our trip tomorrow. Jay arrived unexpectedly to take the kids to the ice-cream shop and hear about Troy's day. The kids were home early, showered, in bed and soon asleep.

Time to sit and reflect on the day. Big drive tomorrow to the Joshua Tree NP. Susan, Teagan and I are leaving early in the morning. Oscar will pick up Troy after school/work. That way I get to see LOTS.
However No Internet/ WIFI down there, so I will be busy with my camera, doing my journal, but not posting until our return on Sunday night.
Should be interesting for the kids. We are taking board games.... remember them?