Pawn Shops

 The email came in at 5:48 this morning.  The online store (located in the US!) has the oil pump in stock.  By 6:30 we confirmed and purchased.  Typical delivery 2-5 days.  An immediate text to the mechanic letting him know.  (So hopefully he will reserve the weekend for us!)

Now we needed a plan to fill the days.  We have been here exactly 5 weeks.  Five!  Weeks!  

We took a short bike ride to the post office.  I needed an "envelope" for Brianna's birthday gift.  Although her birthday is in March, I intend to mail prior to our leaving the US.  (We will leave the US yet!)  

And then we biked to the two nearest pawn shops.  A new adventure for us since we have never shopped in one before.  The bike Paul has been riding is less than ideal.  Too short, gears that skip and a seat that needs to be left behind.  With nothing remotely close to what we were looking for, we drove to further pawn shops.   

 We found one!  Only problem - the gear shift wire was broken.  A quick trip to the bike store, $1.50 later and a couple hours - it still doesn't shift.  But  it rides really nice and there are no hills in Florida so we consider it a keeper.

Now we can ride for longer and Paul will be comfortable and I won't feel guilty I have the better bike.

While Paul was working on the bike I started a new painting project.  I figured using the sore muscles in my shoulders and arms and wrists would prevent them from stiffening further.  (I only dropped the brush once.)  (Okay I didn't so much as drop it but it flew across the room.)  I quit after finishing that door frame and cleaned up the evidence of my "accident".  Tomorrow is another day.  

And look what I found!

Pennies was Grandma Scott's "thing".  Our birthday cards had the exact number of pennies as our age.  Every time they show up unexpectedly I feel her love and presence.  Thank you family and friends who have been encouraging and tolerant as we stumble towards a departure.  It truly helps that others have faith in our journey.  💖