Life's Uncertain. Eat Dessert First.

31-cent scoops at Baskin-Robbins today. We rushed over before dinner was ready and stood in a looong line. It's a fundraiser for firemen, and we were served by firemen. That's much more glamorous than being served by high school students. You have 16 minutes left to get yours. I recommend the Heath Bar flavor.

I'm Famous...I was on the Radio!

One evening, Mommy and I were in the car listening to the radio. The talk show host was taking calls about people's favorite country fair/festival in their area. Just before commercial break, he gave out his phone number again, as Mom hurriedly scratched it down. I tried calling in, but the line was busy every time. I was dropped off at my friend's house, and Mommy drove home. Finally, I got through! I explained to the phone screener what I was calling for, and he put me on hold. Quickly, I jotted down some notes so I wouldn't forget anything in my nervousness. My friend called Mommy to let her know I was actually going to be on the radio (then Mommy called Daddy...).

I talked about the Stone Mountain Highland Games: when it was, the fact that it has over 400 bagpipers, the dancing, the athletics, the men in kilts, and the food, including haggis. The host said, "Now tell us what haggis is, for those out there that don't know."

"Its a sheep's stomach filled with the rest of the sheep's organs chopped up, and cooked with spices and oatmeal."

And at the very end, I threw in a plug for the Atlanta Pipe Band.

The Kilt

David's birthday/graduation gift finally arrived today. All the way from Scotland! He looks quite handsome in his new Ramsey tartan kilt. He will wear this kilt for gigs and other non-band events. Accessories that coordinate with this tartan are quite versatile; a white shirt and white hose, a black tie on white shirt, red, black, or green flashes are all other options.

Studio Visit

Today, instead of welding, my professor had us come visit him at his studio so that we could see what a real welding shop looks like. Professor Odeleye is not just a welder however, he also works in wood. And after seeing the beautiful things he has turned on a lathe, and learning that KSU also has one, I reeeeeeeally want to learn to use a lathe. As in, I'd be willing to go buy one and tinker with it. But, considering that Mom would not like wood shavings in my room (and the termites would) and that to fit a lathe in my room would mean either sleeping under it or on top of it, such a possibility is not happening soon. Thus, I will resort to bugging Professor O until he teaches me.

Not Fun

Nope. Not fun right now. The Professor has been looking for a little fuel efficient economy car to replace his 1993 mini van because said mini van is suffering from extreme old age. It just went over 200,000 miles this month, and it has all sorts of odd thunks, creaks, and rattles. The a/c doesn't work (summer's cranking up here in the south!), it leaks oil like crazy, the windshield is cracked clear across, and lots more. Now, 8:00 PM and he's stuck at work awaiting a AAA truck. It won't start. A little whine and that's it. We fear this is really the end. So we're back to one car until we can snag a replacement.

A little fuel efficient economy car should be easy to find, right? Well, 6 weeks of looking, 6 weeks of test driving, 6 weeks of paying mechanics to check out car after car, and still we don't have one. Some cars our mechanics nixed, some were very over-priced, and some got sold out from under us. The Professor had an appointment this afternoon to test drive another car, at the owner's first available moment, and someone else slipped in ahead of him and bought it. It is getting very frustrating.

Later the same evening ~
Once home again, the Professor went under the car to tinker! This is a first as far as I know. It turns out, according to the tow truck driver, that the starter solenoid is bad. All that needs to be done is whack it with a hammer. If one knows exactly what the part looks like, that is. If not, go ahead and whack anything you want under there.

Jared and Luke

I went up to Chattanooga on Monday to babysit Luke while Heather took Jared to the doctor. Jared was glad to have his arm cast removed and a brace put on. He also had the stitches removed from both his wrist and his knee. He still has the leg brace, but he is allowed to take it off completely when he wants. He is allowed to put weight on his knee, as much as is comfortable.

Jared was disappointed to hear from his employer that he cannot go back to work until he has a note from his doctor saying he is allowed to drive. And the doctor said no driving until his knee is at 60 degrees, with an evaluation again at the May appt. So Heather continues to keep very busy doing all the housekeeping, child care, employment, errands, etc.

While his mommy and daddy were gone, I taught Luke how to play Peek-A-Boo. It's funny what gets grandparents excited, huh? Luke learned to put the blanket over his face and pull it off over and over. He thought it was so funny. I love to hear him laugh.

He is a bundle of energy in constant motion. I took lots of pictures and most of them are blurry because one body part or another was flying around. Here is one of the few I caught between flings:

This is what he really looked like:

Rolling

This is how I left Luke last night.

When I went in to wake him up for church this morning, this is what I saw.

He learned how to roll on Thursday, and nothing will stop him now.

(Fixed by Mom)

The Greening of Spring

At long last ~ a new lawn mower to replace our 15 year old geezer that seized and died last fall. We stole borrowed bought it from the Leonards. Check out the length of that grass...and those hairy legs!

Curls 'n Pearls

Off to a 40's-50's dance this evening, Greta shows her new 'do. Take note of the pearl necklace accessorizing the apron.

Jared's Update

We went up to see Heather and Jared on Sunday. Jared was cheerful, a little more mobile, and Heather was busy getting things ready to sell. Heather's report on Jared's progress:

Jared is getting a little more mobile and independent every day. Luke and I have gone to work almost every day this week, and Jared feels comfortable at home on the sofa by himself for up to three hours. However, he is stuck in the apartment unless a tall, strong friend comes over to help him down the stairs. Even then, I can't take him anywhere because Luke takes up half of the back seat, and Jared can't fit in the front seat of the car!

He is allowed to unlock his leg brace and bend his knee only when doing exercises or using the physical therapy machine. At all other times, he has to drag his leg around with a walker, sit in a wheelchair, or lounge on the sofa.

He has an appointment on April 14 to determine if his knee has healed enough to bear more weight. If so, he will be allowed to start bending it, and he will be able to start building his strength back up. If we can fit him in the car, he might even feel ready to go back to work.