Last night was the first night of live racing for the season at Prairie Meadows so we went out.  Although it was busy, it wasn't as packed in the race area as I anticipated it would be but let me tell you, the casino was packed!  People were wandering around looking for a machine to take their money!    Both of us commented on how the economy can't be that bad with thousands of people at the casino wanting to give their money away.  (Yes, I'm one of those that doesn't think gambling at a machine is a way to get rich.)

I know that there are many people that get a real charge out of playing slots, and some actually make money.  I don't happen to be one of them.  I might as well give the doorman my money and go home when I walk into the casino.  It isn't something that thrills me, entertains me or anything other than bores me to death.

Now the pony's I get a real kick out of.  I don't always remember to bet, that doesn't matter to me either.  I just really enjoy watching them, they are so beautiful as they literally glide around the track.  In full stride they are truly flying, none of their hooves are touching the ground, it's beautiful.  Now, I did place two bets for $2 each, lost both of them miserably. Horse may be pretty but it doesn't mean it can run!

Greg bet $4 too, so it wasn’t an extremely expensive night but for as long as we were there it was neat.  We left after the 6th race.  Greg was having difficulty breathing, his congestion is really bad and his dry cough isn't going away.  I'm certain that a great deal of it is exhaustion.  He's really pushing himself with work and teaching.  Not that he isn't enjoying it, he is.  But he still isn't getting much rest.  This morning he is sleeping in and I'm so glad!  It would be wonderful if he would sleep for another 5 or 6 hours, he needs it and he need to heal.

Mercy is the continual watch cat.  The housekeepers are going down the hall and she stands and glares at the door until the noise leaves.  Not sure what she would do if they came to the door other than run in with her dad, but at least she's trying.

I'm going to go to the store in a little while, thought I would wait and see if Greg wakes up so he doesn't wonder where the heck I am, but may just leave a note.  I want to get some scented oil, got some sea salt yesterday  that I had ordered last week so want to get some mixed up.  I'll see if I can find some lavender, we both like that and it smells so fresh.

I called Carol Rosin yesterday.  She's the owner of the resort in Ecuador that Greg and I like and that we made friends with while we were there.  I called the resort and asked for Christan.  He isn't working there anymore, but Carol was there so I visited with her, which was neat.   She said that Christan stole a bunch of money from them so he is no longer there.  What a shame, he was a neat guy but, I must admit, I questioned his honesty when I tried to get him to send my camera back and he told me it was too expensive.  I had told him to charge it to my card so the cost shouldn't have been an issue, but he didn't send it.  He kept it and used it.  That really upset me but hey, what was I going to do, I'm in Iowa and he is in Ecuador.

Carol said that if she had to do it over again she would move to a country for a year and rent before she ever moved there, anyplace.  She was really down on all that has been transpiring in Ecuador, the development and the new people moving in and changing the demographics and environment.  She is a true environmentalist and the developments aren't necessarily adhering to good green policy.  It's a shame, I think having the developments come in is good for the economy but I can totally understand her anger at the changes.

She said that Jon is doing well.  He hasn't had anymore blood clots.  She does credit being in Ecuador with saving his life, she said the medical care he got at Loja was excellent and he could not have gotten the same care in the US.  Not sure why not, but he did get excellent care.  He told us that when we were there.

 Carol said that if she had it to do over she would buy in a country that was already totally developed.  She said it is just too hard to fight the lack of dedication to accomplishing something when the infastructure isn't in place and the communication is a problem.  She said she understands a lot of the language but she doesn't speak it and that causes problems.  I'm sure it does, that's one of the considerations we have taken into looking a overseas postings.

I wish we were in a position that we could fly down for Shay's play so Papa could see her, but not this time.  Bobbi said that Cyn is coming up for it though and that thrilled her!  Kara is done with track for the year and Jake is done with basketball for the year but both plan to go out again next year.  At least then we will be able to go see them play, we will be closer!