Painting the fence proved much more difficult and time intensive than we had anticipated but, with the help of our neighbor's oldest son and his wife, it all got done. It's quite pretty now, all white, and I am glad to know that the rusty spots have been sanded and painted well and that the spots that had deteriorated have been filled in and fixed. Now that the fence is done, we have been able to start getting the Plexiglass panels up which involves drilling sixteen holes in each panel in specific places, then securing the to the fence with zipties. Next step is to finish constructing the wood frame that will hold the succah mats. Hopefully we will get it done before it's almost candle-lighting :) The one panel we have up looks really nice! It allows us to see the view from the porch which is really beautiful while still being protected from the wind. Kudos to Judah for thinking of this plan and seeing it through, I was really not sure about the plan when we were buying big sheets of Plexiglass to put on our container! It's dark now but I will take and post pictures tomorrow so you can see what I mean.
The supermarket was a madhouse yesterday and they were completely sold out of chicken. I had meant to get back today and didn't so I hope they have something left tomorrow... I like our supermarket. Aside from having a good selection of everything and the best prices around, it's a place where everyone who lives nearby comes and does their job or their shopping and is communicative and collaborative with each other. Most of the workers and close to half the shoppers are Arab and they smile at Hillel and at me (cause he's so cute) and when he took off down the aisles yesterday, two hijabbed women cood over him and picked him up, asked me his name (didn't get "Hillel," got "Ballal..." okay). I am really wanting to learn Arabic, at least enough to say that I wish I spoke more and that it bothers me that I can't communicate, because it really does. And I hope that it comes through with the two meanings that I would intend. The cheese counter man knows me and is always extra helpful and friendly and the cashiers and I wish each other a Chag Sameach (even though it's not their chag, but I will try and be mindful of theirs when they come around too).
Kids are now off from school until the Sunday after Simchat Torah and I have been emailing Paperless Post invitations for Tiferet's Bat Mitzvah (even though we have print versions that should be ready Friday or Sunday) and getting a bit caught up with friends here I haven't been in touch with for a while. My dad is here in Israel now and spending the night in Jerusalem, I will drive in tomorrow to pick him up. The house is still pretty disorganized but we are making slow and halting progress. I will not post pictures of the mess but when it's all set up and the walls are painted and the crown molding is up and the kitchen construction work is finished and the pictures are up, bookcases constructed and boxes unpacked and light fixtures installed, then I will take and post pictures :)
In other mundane but important news, we both passed our driver's tests this week so we are finally able to get our Israeli licenses. Our teacher, Eyal, described the differences between driving here vs the US: In Israel, unless it's posted that you can't do it, you can. U-turn? Sure. Passing? Use your best judgment. There are three speed limits, 50, 80 and 100 kmh. A few signs are different but it's largely the same, except that they make much more use of traffic circles here than traffic lights. He joked that people say that if America is the Land of Unlimited Possiblity, Israel is the Land of Impossible Limits.
OK -- off to get kids to bed. Chag Sameach!
Sunrise near the entrance to the Yishuv last week. The rays of the sun were clearly visible about 120 degrees around the bottom.
One of two beds I put together last week and felt very accomplished.
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