Hola!

We're pretty busy getting ready to leave for awhile, so I haven't processed photos to post here, but wanted you to know what's going on.

We haven't gotten a final assignment from Peace Corps, so in the meantime, we're going to Guatemala for 3 months.  If the PC assignment is March or later, then we may try to stay longer in Guatemala.  We leave this coming Thursday at 8 pm from Reno for a red-eye to Guatemala City.  A Guatemalan friend, Angie, will pick up in the morning and we will travel to Xela (Quetzaltenango), with a short stop in Antigua.

We'll spend the weekend with Angie and discuss plans.  Monday we will go with her to La Union, a small village where we have gone a number of times, to deliver 50 water filters, the last of the 150 provided. The are a new type that should last "forever".  Thanks to Miracles in Action for letting me use handicraft sale credits for these filters, and to Carson City First United Methodist Church and my Auntie Helen for delivery transportation and de-worming meds.  I will definitely take photos.
Since around June 1, when Warren became free for the summer, we spent a lot of time sorting through STUFF and downsizing, and then visiting family and other friends.  For those of you poor souls who helped me move to Nevada and know how much STUFF I had accumulated, you will be amazed to know that we have basically gotten our stuff down to 2 shelves in our garage, and a closet.  Freeing, but no easy task, especially since I broke a toe in the process (charging barefoot around the house & running into the stand-up vacuum), and spent a few days scooting around the house on my rear end.

We were constantly reflecting on how MUCH we have.  What we gave away is MUCH more than the folks that we visit in Guatemala have as their total possessions, and even now, what we have left is much more than that.  Much more than we need, but we will be working on that.....

We are still getting ready for our departure, including doctor and dentist visits, etc., and I don't know that we'll get any photos up before we leave.

Thanks to ALL of you for checking in on our blog, and please subscribe since that will let you know (you'll get an email) when there are updates.  Comments and/or emails very much appreciated.

OK, got some pictures on this....

Anita

Before leaving Carson City:

Amanda & Warren signing the papers

Our back yard

Our backyard pond tadpoles

 In the Portland, Oregon area:

On the Willamette River - Vancouver, WA

Astoria, Oregon

TUNA fish & chips

We didn't eat any of ribbon fries- these were made with an auger

Got any for me?

Cool garbage can

GREEN!!!!

wild blackberries

Tower at Astoria

We launched balsa airplanes from the tower...others' previous landings

Yummy Tillamook ice cream

One the ferry from Bainbridge Island to Seattle after visiting Port Townsend

In Seattle, near UW:

Ferry to get to Port Orchard

Car breakdown on the way to the Oregon Coast; R.I.P.

Karl, our car angel

Bidding goodbye to the Honda

Camping near the beach near Newport, Oregon:

Byozoan

Yummy camp cooking, thanks to Cousin Marcia:

A birthday marshmallow with sparkler

Going back to Carson City, camping on a gravel pit