Busy weekend!

Whew, I had a busy weekend, for sure!  Saturday, I waited for my stepdad and stepbro (and mom and nephew) to go out to my sister's to get the stove that has been sitting in her garage for most of the summer... Sis and her husband got new appliance for their kitchen in their new house, and since I've been wanting a flat-top stove, they kept the old one for me.  I did check with the landlord to make sure it was ok to do a switch (hey, they're getting the stove that was in my apartment back to have on hand for another unit that is in need of a functioning stove, and a bonus free stove in my unit!).  All good and dandy.  Finally was able to do the swap on Saturday. 


After everyone left, I started packing up some stuff while still debating on whether or not I should bring my dog out to Alcova Lake.  In the end, I left Bryan at home in his crate.  I grabbed the package of unopened Keebler's cookies, an unopened box of crackers, my video camera, a towel, sunscreen, the AquaMic for my Neptune, etc... and set out.  I actually just got onto Wyoming Blvd. when I realized I left my phone, so of course I went back and got my phone, then for sure set out to the lake.  About an hour's drive, but not bad.  Made my way to Okie Beach, and drove around slowly until I found the group of deaf folks that were already there.  A family were camping and wanted to do a pot-luck with anyone who wanted to come out.  We ate, chatted, hung out.  Some left early.  A few of us went out on the boat.  Before walking over to where the boat was docked, I switched from the T-comm/standard headpiece to the AquaMic, and stuck my iPhone in a plastic waterproof casing/bag that I bought, and off I went.  The boat ride was fun.  Got splashed on a bit, no big deal.  Got some pictures and a few short videos with the iPhone.  Enjoyed listening to the sounds of the boat, and the waves hitting the boat.  Those were some new sounds for me.  After boating for a while, we returned to dock, and everyone pretty much started packing up, ready to leave.  Wish I could have made it out to the lake a bit earlier but oh well.  It was still a good time!

Made the drive back into town, and decided to swing by downtown and check out the balloon fest that was going on.  Part of a street downtown were blocked off, and there were several hot air balloon baskets lining the street.  People were able to go to the baskets (or even get in) for photo ops, chatting with the balloon person, and pulling the trigger for the fire.  Every time a fire blast went off, I jumped.  It was loud!  Oh man!  But it was interesting to roam around for a bit and hanging out. Even ran into my mom, stepdad, and others in the family, so that was fun!

Yesterday, I finally hit up one of the pools at the apartment I live at.  The one closest to my apartment still isn't open/ready, not sure why.  But the other pool was open, so I walked over to it.  I enjoyed the swim with the Neptune on, just floating, listening to the water, the breeze/wind, etc.  One girl, who was swimming with her family, asked if I was listening to music.  I told her my device was to help me hear.  She was cool with it and went back to swimming with her family.  Was a really nice day for a swim!

 Of course, at random times, I would hear this clicking sound, coming from the Aquamic.  I remember other AB users mentioning this online, and that shaking the water out of the AquaMic helped for a bit.  So I shook water out of the Aquamic and it would be fine again, until the next time I went under water, then it'd do it again.  When I went back inside my apartent, I dismantled the Neptune, removed the battery, and put the naked Neptune and the Aquamic into the Dry n Store for drying.



Also, one of my appointments set for August ended up being rescheduled.  Turns out the surgeon is out of office the whole week of August 21.  Nice.  Made it work out so we'll stay in Denver an extra night, and I'll see the surgeon in the morning of August 25th.  Just really awkward timing, as first day of college classes is Aug. 25.  Not a big deal, I can work around it.  Two classes are strictly online, math is mostly online but with on campus class sessions (I will email the math instructor to give him a head's up), and the ASL class doesn't start until Tuesday, Aug. 26.  So I should be ok.  I'll have my laptop with me while we're in Denver so I can check in online and such.

Pizza Ranch Community Night: Success!

Wyoming Families for Hands & Voices did the Community Night at the local Pizza Ranch last night, and it was a success!  Nine of us came out to help with busing tables, greeting customers, and that sort of thing.  Ended up being a busy night, but it was fun! 


When we all were there, we were given a quick tour and run down of what to do for the night, and then we were released to eat from the buffet (Pizza Ranch's "payment" for our volunteering to help), and to get to work.  Most of us ate a bit, while others started working.  Eventually all of us were all over the joint, talking to customers who were asking what the organization is about and what we do (providing support and awareness for families of deaf/hoh children), busing the tables, delivering pizzas for the Buffet Your Way, gathering tips/donations, selling raffle tickets for six different raffle items (baskets/package type of prizes), and that sort of thing.  We were busy from 5-9 p.m., and even helped with clean up in the dining areas at closing time.


Just from tips, raffle tickets, and donations in general, we brought in over $1000 for Wyoming Families for Hands & Voices, which is awesome!  We still haven't heard how much we got from the 20% of dine-in/delivery sales yet.  Either way, it was a very successful fundraiser, and our team is welcome to come back again in the fall or winter to do another Community Night!  We have more fundraising events coming up in August before the Hear in the Dark 5k event, and I'm looking forward to helping/participating at those events as well, and any other events Wyoming Families for Hands & Voices put together!