Another Freezee Happy Ending

I bought a refractometer from Charlie Downs in the U.S. Three weeks later it still hadn't arrived. He was listed on EBay as a great supplier. He was an expert in this specialized gadget and knew what he was talking about.
So I called him and he said that he "has my back" and he would actually resend one without my having to pay for it. However, I need it now! So we agreed that I would check at our local post office first. (It was sent regular U.S. mail to Israel).
Our post person said it wasn't there but similar packages take 2-3 weeks based on the ones still sitting on the shelves. I came back one evening and was given the phone number to Ramle post office but they can't track anything without a tracking number (duh).
Today I went in and low and behold she said she found it! EXCEPT that there is a problem. The little post office here was broken into. Some things were just found slightly damaged or maybe worse! The minute of explanation seemed like an hour until she pulled out the package. It was opened but not fully and not damaged and YEAH - we have a refractometer. Next post I might even explain what it does to make the Freezee perfect!

Texas was interesting. The factory that makes the Freezee machines is really very clean and well laid out. They have 100,000 square feet of office and assembly space in their building. All with great high ceilings and well marked assembly lines. I took over an hour and a half of video to help create a training video for our repair crew. I was very busy in Texas so I didn't even get to visit the Alamo. However, I drove past it and it is much smaller than I imagined. Read up about it here: www.thealamo.org

Going to visit the syrup factory tomorrow. Still having fun dealing with the Kashrut but I will see for myself what is going on in the factory. It has approval of the Star-K and we really should have an easy time of it but...

While in the U.S. I am picking up various kinds of specialized equipment like Refractometers and Multi-Meters for our service personnel. The machine also requires special kinds of clamps and hoses to deal with the pressure of the CO2. However, those I can get in Israel.

My father asked me to join him at the NY Sports Club where I tried to keep up with him on a half dozen different exercise machines. It was a great experience and I wish I could go there every day to work out. Maybe then I could keep up with my 86 year old father!