JDub headed down to H*ars*tine bright and early this morning, and I stayed home with the weenies. It was another warm and dry day, and JDub worked on the pump house roof, plus installed electrical boxes and conduit, which involved drilling through the concrete blocks. ("Not fun", he said.) He also said it was lonesome there without wifey and weenies.
He's been focused on getting this all done in anticipation of the power company bringing in the transformer within the next couple of weeks. It amazes me how simple it sounds to "bring in power and water", especially when the well already exists. But what an ordeal! So much needs to happen before you can flip a switch or turn on the faucet. JDub's saved us a LOT of money by doing all this work himself, but it still adds up. I'd hate to know what it would have cost to hire somebody to do all the trenching, pump house construction, conduit, wiring, and install all the equipment. Jeeze.
So what did I do today? Laundry, mostly. I also slept in late this morning! It felt wonderful!
It's the time of year when both JDub and I start reminiscing about those hydroplanes. Sigh. I know I brought this up 
What I remember with fondness, is my young Nate standing down on the dock with his special security Pit Tag around his neck, with a huge iced Gatorade in hand, waiting for JDub to arrive back after a heat. God, he was only 11. Where does the time go? And I also remember JDub motioning us to climb on top of the boat when they were just about to fire up the engines. MY GOD. Standing on the deck, feeling that kind of power rumbling beneath my feet, (much like a jet screaming and ready to take off) was beyond my scope of imagination. It was truly awesome. I do miss the thrill. I can't even imagine the depth of what JDub must miss. I only had a brief taste; for him, it was his life.
They made it! Whew! I can stop worrying now. Well... about the trip. (On to new things to worry about). I still wouldn't say that Nate sounded particularly perky, but perkier than he did the other night. 
All I know for sure is that as of 10:00 this morning, the boys were back on I-5 heading south, because Nate left me a text message on my cell phone. I’ve decided not to call and bug ‘em today. Let some time pass. He was a grumpy gus when I talked to him last night, for good reason (the breakdown, the disappointment of not reaching Half Moon Bay, and extreme tiredness). But… I would like him to be the one to call me next time and to sound perky. I’m very weary of grumpy.
After about the 15th try throughout the day, I finally reached him on his cell phone.
I am officially an empty-nester. Nate just left to attend a BBQ with some classmates at the home of his favorite teacher who pointed him and his buddy in the direction of this Phoenix Voc/Tech school, and since he'll be leaving directly afterward, we've said our good-byes. It's actually been a Very Good Day, because I came home from work early and he and I went to Dairy Queen and had Blizzards and sat and talked for quite a while. It was great. We "reconnected". It was the "old Nate". I do believe that a lot of his ugly behavior lately has been as a result of fear -- fear of the unknown, having to say goodbye to the "known", and growing-up-angst. He's still afraid, and I think admitting it has set him free. I heard him talking on the phone to my parents earlier today, and telling his grandpa that he was scared. I was glad to hear it. I believe he's going to do just fine.
Weekend Update
I wanted to also show off JDub's work -- in the stifling heat -- on the well pump house. It's one of those new-fangled thangs. The well pump has a "pitless adapter", and the system only requires this little tank because it's constantly flowing. Obviously, I don't understand all the technology, but it's supposed to be quite the rage. Hmm. So, sometime in August, we will have both power and flowing water! Yay! This little pump house will be roofed and "finished", complete with a door, etc. Not bad for doing masonry for the very first time, huh? 
Saturday July 24th
In spite of this heat wave and in spite of it approaching the end of July, it looks like fall around here. There are a lot of Madrona on our property (all over the island) and I didn't know this but they drop their leaves in the summer. They do in the fall, too. The leaves turn yellow and drop and so the ground is literally carpeted in yellow leaves. They're kind of annoying because on this slopey terrain, they're rather slick. Should have brought along a rake. They're also very messy -- all over the tent and the platform/deck and steps, and they drop into your coffee cup. The trees also shed their bark, so we're dealing with that everywhere, as well. At least we don't have mosquitoes -- a fair amount of moths, gnats, ladybugs, ants, and bumblebees, but I haven't had to bring out a citronella candle (yet).
Well, I did it! Went swimming and inner-tubing yesterday and it was not only pleasant and fun, it was necessary. It was beastly hot! The dogs had no problem wading out with me, and I'd even lift them up over the water and gently stick them in facing the shore and they'd paddle back. Their stubby little legs would be in paddle-motion well before being placed in the water. I knew they needed it -- both were panting and slow-moving and very uncomfortable in the unfamiliar heat. They'd reach shore, shake off, wag their tails, and turn back toward me for more! Peanut even rode around with me in the inner tube, then jumped off close to shore. It was so much fun! JDub spent a good part of his day working above on the pump house, and finally came down totally drained and wilted from the heat. (Duh). I talked him into putting on his water shoes and at least wading out in the water, which he did. He didn't venture into the inner tube, though.
Woke up this morning to (crows) a marine cloud-layer, but I gotta say, it feels pretty good! (Us Washingtonians are wimps). The doggies are much perkier, too. Bailey's back to chasing birds and chipmunks. (Wish she could get her jaws around these crows!)