criplomats

The highlight of the week was John receiving an award at work this week – good job! Speaking of work, our future boss in Monrovia happened to be in town and came over for coffee with the two of us. It was good to meet her in person, since we’ve just either talked on the phone or emailed – she is very nice and understanding of the situation.

John went to see a fun comedian/magician last night – wish I could have gone. He had a blast.

John at the magic show

Julie came to visit this week (she used to be in La Paz), as well as Yomaris (formerly in Belize) – always great to have company.

We watched “Vice” this week (very cleverly done), as well as “The Men Who Watch Goats” and an old Meryl Streep, “The Still of the Night.”

The Boat Company sent us some photos taken during vacation, and it included this great one of John and his fish!

Alaska

I made a little progress at therapy this week, getting my knee to bend to ninety degrees. Slowly but surely!

Side view of my plates – latest X-ray 

One good thing about having this bum leg is staying inside all day during this heat wave, except for my short forays to physical therapy. Work was particularly busy this week, too (who knew teleworking could be so engaging?).

I had more good friends stop by! Berenice was here last Sunday morning for coffee, en route to Islamabad; Karen from Asunción came over Monday after work on her way to Guyana; my friend and manager Angela came Friday after work; and yesterday morning Scott and Kelly brought homemade muffins and joined us for coffee – they’re in town to deliver their baby in a few weeks. It’s great to see everyone.

My cousin David had a successful surgery down in Houston this week – I’m so happy it went well and he’s recovering. He’ll be in the hospital another week or so.

John and I watched the documentary about Apollo 11 last night in honor of the 50th anniversary of man walking on the moon. This morning we watched “Apollo 13,” another incredible story. I wish we could go see the Apollo tribute at the Washington monument. We also watched an interesting documentary about Scottish wild cats (who knew?), and a movie about the failed presidential run of Gary Hart back in the day. I finished a booked called “The Secretary” that John picked up for me at the library.

My sweet friend Wendy sent me these delicious covered Oreos that we’ve been enjoying this week! They actually went to the hospital in Seattle first, and were forwarded here – and they’re still good!

Party glasses from Amy

My week was punctuated with visits from good friends. Thursday after work, Tammy, Amy, and Pam came over loaded with fun gifts and flowers. It was a tonic to sit and laugh with them and listen to them tell stories.

Our good friend Scott from Pakistan days came on Friday afternoon, and again yesterday for a long visit. We had a great time – yakking, gossiping, and laughing. John was happy to get in a board game with him, too! It didn’t feel at all like six years had gone by!

With the fabulous Scott B.

John went to the Kennedy Center yesterday afternoon to see “The Band’s Visit,” the wonderful musical we saw in NYC before Christmas last year. He came home singing, and we turned up the volume on the soundtrack for a while. What a great show!

John’s in class at FSI this week and next, so one of the housekeepers from the building is wheeling me to therapy and back in the afternoons. I actually made some progress bending my knee on Thursday!

I’ve been watching Season 2 of “Big Little Lies,” and John and I finished “The Black Zone,” a well-made, kind of creepy French series. We watched “The Upside” last night (with Bryan Cranston) – a good story. I’m reading “The Secretary,” a book from library John picked up for me.

Gorgeous pink roses from Pam

Tulips from Scott

From Nick and Wendy

The days are pretty much the same, but I had several visitors this week to add some welcome breaks – what a treat! Caroline came by last Sunday morning for coffee and brought a delicious clafoutis; Nomi spent the afternoon with me Friday; and Rick and Claire came for lunch yesterday. So nice to see folks. And they brought pretty flowers, too! Wendy and Nick also sent a gorgeous bouquet – I love having them to look at. The woman who does my nails also made a house call for me – I feel like a new woman!

Thursday was a holiday, and it was nice to have John home all day. The fireworks were right outside our window – so pretty.

I finished “The Bookmaker’s Daughter,” a beautifully written book about growing up in Hot Springs during its gambling hay days. I also read “Becoming,” Michelle Obama’s biography a week or two ago (it made me like her – I didn’t know much about her before).

Flavia is happy I’m home in bed with her all day!

I started physical therapy this week, and will do it two times per week for the foreseeable future. Since I can’t put weight on the leg, it’s mostly about bending my knee, strength training, and reducing scar tissue. I love my therapist, and she’s only two blocks away.

I had several visitors! Angela, one of my fabulous managers, stopped by after work on Tuesday, and my long-time friend Pam came over Thursday evening. How nice to visit and laugh and get caught up on office shenanigans. Another woman came over for a consultation before going to La Paz, so I actually had a work meeting from my sofa.

I teleworked full-time this week – boy, does that make the days fly by. Even though I can’t travel, I have plenty to work on.  And John went back to work. Since I can get myself up/down now, I stayed home alone. He left water by the bed, brought my laptop/files, and left a sandwich made in the fridge, so I was all set. If I get out of bed, I make sure to have my cell phone in case of emergency. It worked just fine.

Teleworking has reduced my reading time considerably, but I did finish another book about Liberia that my friend Jim recommended, “Chasing the Devil” – a fascinating look at rural Liberia post-civil war. I also started Season 2 of “Big Little Lies” – Laura Dern is simply amazing.