The week flew by, what with Hurricane Sandy and all. We were lucky - other than being here instead of in the Northeast - a gutter pipe in the driveway and a bit of loose siding. The three of our kids in Sandy's path came through without damage.

It's lovely weather in Los Angeles, maybe a little foggy in the early mornings but in the eighties in the afternoons. I walk with Deirdre, in the sun in my t-shirt and capris, a few blocks to pick up the kids from school. They're all in the same building now, kindergarten, 2nd and 3rd grade. Wednesday, Halloween, there was a parade on the schoolgrounds with everybody all dressed up. A few teachers picked their favorites from every grade, and from that little group again, and lo and behold, our Hailey got one of the three (plastic) (purple and orange) (3.5" tall) trophies. She was really proud of her pumpkinhead costume. Unfortunately I can't get Deirdre's photo off Facebook...

Hailey's 7th birthday party was fun, and nearly all the little guests brought a mom or dad, so there was lots of good behavior ;). Typical, first they were all in the yard - grownups  followed - kids moved to the family room - a few grownups got up and followed - then to the dining room - grownups groaned and followed - etc etc. Eventually there were two grownups just about everywhere in the house.
Meanwhile I have reorganized the contents of the various cabinets in the RV. Not so much to find things easier but to make it harder for certain little rodents to find something to eat. This is the second time we leave the RV alone for a while and immediately a mouse moves in. At least we did catch it right away this time (experience pays off!). But I'm looking to identify all entry points, so I can stuff them with steelwool. I got the little steelwool soap pads, that should work OK. And all food items plus candles get stored in glass or metal, or in the cabinets that have no entry. I have to get used to it all over again of course - where did I put the peanutbutter again? And the crackers?
Poor Henk had a dentist appointment right away this past week. He bit into a tasty bagel last Saturday, which shouldn't hurt, but it did, and it still hurt on Monday morning. So an appointment was made for Tuesday. We thought, a quick check-up and a bit of treatment, but nooooo. It is (was) one of the canines, nothing to see on the outside but hollow and full of infection on the inside. So out with it, and Henk didn't show back up for two and a half hours. Swollen cheek, three days of liquid diet, antibiotics, stiff painkillers, and he worked from the RV for two days because of the meds. But Thursday night he was done with the special treatment, and probably pretty hungry too, so he ate normally. Switched to regular advil too. The cheek is almost back to normal now. Well, he shaved off his beard, so the cheeks are not normal at all, but the swelling is almost gone. So much excitement after eating a bagel!

From here on life carries on as usual, L.A.-style. We went to the farmers market in Torrance this morning with Deirdre and the gang, and we now have a bag of persimmons in the fridge, a fresh pomegranate, and fresh young goat cheese. We tried jujubes too. A little dry but tasty.

On the 27th (Tuesday after Thanksgiving) we fly back to NH and return here January 14th; this seems like a long time, but we already miss Lisa's two darlings and of course the two new babies are growing like crazy while we're not there to see it! Then we stay here until around March 24, and the blog will reopen for our return road trip. Somewhere in between I hope to make a blitz visit to Holland to see the family there - you know, the usual quiet life for the Oolders.

Keep well until we write/read again!