One Last Friday

One last Friday here in Dulzura and that's it!

We spent a good share of the day taking Franzie (the new project director) and Dorothy around to all of the houses we've done and the ones we're working on. It was an interesting day -- lots of hugs and good-byes. We met Robin (Regional Recovery Coordinator) and Mel (California MDS rep) at Janet's Cafe for lunch, then went to the bank with Mel to get Franzie's name on the signature card for the bank.

Tonight the homeowners of House #4 invited us to join them for dinner at the Barrett Corner Cafe. We had never been in the back part of the restaurant before -- it's got rows of long tables and many interesting pictures. I had some really good pulled pork while Forry enjoyed a bbq burger. I wish I would remember to take my camera when we go out to eat -- it would be fun to share.

Waiting ...

It's past my bedtime, but I am waiting up for this week's volunteers. They are coming from Canada and they won't arrive in San Diego until 11 PM. So it will be at least midnight when they get to camp! I'd just leave them a note with an arrow pointing in the direction of the dorm, but that wouldn't be very welcoming, now would it?

This morning we went to church in San Diego, then met the rest of the long-termers at Janet's Cafe in Rancho San Diego. It's getting to be kind of a Sunday after church habit, but we all like the variety of food, it's reasonably priced and we seem to do better at brunch then we do going out to dinner in the evening on Friday or Saturday.

After brunch, Forry and I went up to House #2 to measure the driveway so that we knew how much decomposed granite to order tomorrow for the driveway. Then went to House #3 to get a picture of Robert and his new house for the dedication program. On the way back to camp, we did a little birding. We saw both a Says Phoebe and a Black Phoebe.

This picture is of a hill along the road -- it doesn't do justice to the steepness nor to the size of the boulders!

Palm Sunday

Today was Palm Sunday and the service at the Church of the Brethren/San Diego Mennonite Church was very meaningful. It had been a rather hectic and stressful week and I needed the "re-inspiriting" of worship today. The church choir is small, but they are very good.

After church we met the other two long-termers (who had gone to the Jamul Community Church) at Janet's Cafe in Rio San Diego (about 16 miles from camp). The owner of the local automotive place where we take our vehicles for service had recommended it to us yesterday. It's sort of hidden in the back of the shopping center area and we had a bit of trouble finding it. It's a good thing that Joel and Jon had arrived before us so they could guide us in. But it was worth the hunt! This place is only open for breakfast and lunch (6 AM to 2 PM) and it was a real find. We all ate outside on the patio and enjoyed the sunshine. Forry had an avocado and cheese omelet and I had some wonderful french toast. Others had spinach omelets, strawberry waffles, enchiladas, and chicken salad croissants. Jon had an avocado bacon burger that was so tall he could barely get his mouth open far enough.

Forry and Ken went back up to House #3 to check out the doors while I took a nap -- twice in two days! I had decided to join Facebook in order to keep up with one of my friends and after I woke up I spent a couple of hours responding to messages from "friends."

This week's group of volunteers arrived in a timely manner this evening so we actually were finished with orientation by 7:30. We will have 15 teenagers and 5 adults from Fresno for the week.