We had a very successful stalking day at the pool yesterday...Andrew made one friend, a British kid who ticked him off in the first 20 minutes by calling him a 'pansy.' He left the pool in a snit, but since he appears to be the only kid over the age of 5 in this place when the phone rang 10 minutes later they headed out again. I met a lady from Australia...her husband works with John and I sent her an email about how we are here, hanging out, and added a transparent 'so, what does one do in Singapore' line in there with the desperate hope that she would invite us over. She did! Yay! Then I realized I had NO IDEA how the hell to get over to Bakit Whatever so I invited her here. She brought me a big-ass bottle of Vodka - since they are retired military they can go to the PX and not pay the import tax - and said all this great stuff like 'lollies' and 'knickers' and 'a bit of a pip.' Near as I could figure she was talking about candy, undershorts and being really, really pissed off. Yippee! A new BFF! Mostly because of the booze. Also she broght her son - Harry - an 11 year old kid who hung fine with the Pansy Kid but did pass out once. He does that, apparently. A little water and a couple of lollies and he was just fine.

The boys remain in the house. I have no phone so they are supposed to email regularly - mostly to thank me for all I've done for them over the years, tell me they miss me and reassure me that they are not dead in a ditch somewhere. I have not actually heard from either of them, although I have sent regular emails loaded with little momisms...how are you? Everything ok? Did you get to that dental appointment I set up? Don't forget to jiggle the upstairs toilet. I love you. Anybody been arrested? How are you? EVERYTHING OK???

Their tasks include feeding the dog, throwing a little water on the lawn, mowing, and not burning the place down. For all of you who have sent me lovely notes from home about how sad it is when you pass by my house...is that because it is a pile of ash, or because I'm not in it?