a BEAUTIFUL day

today, jaden stayed home from school with a hacking cough.

(it's so hard to know when to keep your kids home!)
beckam had to be to the Dr. by 8:30.
he hasn't been in over a year so I wondered how it would go.
he weighed in at at 31 lbs. the dr. said his cooperative nature was quite unusual for a 2 year old exam!
the very sad part was after his perfect exam, he had to have 3 shots. his feelings were so hurt and as he's crying he's saying, "that hurt me." heartbreaking.
he didn't even want to do a donut run afterwards!
so we went to the cow barn instead. beckam always calls cows horses so I wanted to set him straight. the calves were so cute and the cows were kind enough to give some good "moos."
the kids loved it.
in order to give little B a good comparison, we headed over to the horse stables. the colts were in the pasture putting on a great show and the mares were all getting new shoes. I'd say the highlight was the obnoxious "hee-hawing" donkey...right in our face. the boys thought it was hilarious.
then, jaden and I did 6 loads of laundry during beckam's nap, played bocce and birdie golf until jaden's buddy came over and invited him to go on a bike-ride through the arboretum to visit the horses...again, to feed them carrots.
remember we live on-campus. the arboretum runs through the campus with a beautiful scenic bike trail along it. the horse stables are along the way.
beckam and I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning up the front and back patios. we did such a good job even micah noticed when he got home.
for dinner: yellow curry! trader joe's has the most delicious yellow curry sauce. steam some potatos and carrots, sautee chicken, add sauce and serve on a bed of jasmine rice--so tasty, easy and fast!
we had a successful pretzel dipping/decorating mutual activity attended by TWO of our inactive YW and upon returning home, my AWESOME husband was tackling the laundry!
now, it's nearly all folded as I'm completing this post.
a very BEAUTIFUL day, indeed!
does it get any sweeter than this?

here's what they think of me...revised, again

you've seen these right? this email forward that you usually delete when you get tagged. but I couldn't resist responding to Laura and thought it would be fun to see what others had to say. so forward I did hit and this is what some of them (those selected from my contact list) had to say:

Where did we meet:
BYUH School of Education; in Davis at church; hawaii: in your office, you were my academic advisor for a little while; Jenny's 10th birthday party; a party

Take a stab at my middle name:
Lynn; Petunia; Marie; Anne
actually Janelle

How long have you known me:
since 2001; 2 years; 3 years; 5 years; 18 years; 9 years

Do I smoke:
no way; sometimes (j/k); no; weed?
actually no. tried it once, maybe twice. I wasn't raised lds, remember?

What was your first impression of me upon meeting:
I thought you were older than you really were. I thought you were very nice; fun and outgoing; she's a fashion icon; you were so young to have such a big job; this girl is not very nice (ok. remember this was 18 years ago); very friendly and easy to talk to
I'm glad I at least give a good first impression. fashion icon? nope, just have a really cool sister and humility to accept her hand-me-"overs."

Color of my eyes:
blue; brown; hazel; green
actually blue

Do I have any siblings & how many:
2 sisters & 1 brother; a lot-maybe 5; yes-no idea; yes, but your family always confuses me. I know you have two sisters...
yep. 2 sisters, 1 brother and 3 step-sisters and 3 step-brothers

What's one of my favorite things to do:
be with your family & going to the beach; visit family in Bakersfield; blog; play with your kids; talk--in a great way. also service. whenever I see you, you're helping your sister or grandma or other sister or someone
right on! I especially like being with my family outdoors: riding bikes, going on walks, hikes, adventures. I also really like to organize and try my best to stay in touch with friends.

Do you remember one of the first things I said to you:
nope; you're from Bakersfield? so am I; hi; probably something [rude]; probably, "you're mormon? do you know micah nilsson?"

What's my favorite type of music:
I think you like all kinds; Jack Johnson; 80's?; alternative
yeah, that about covers it

What is the best feature about me:
you are very nice & a wonderful friend; body, pretty face and smile; you are so___but really nice and friendly; super nice; your heart; eyes, infectious smile
well, I try really hard to be a good friend, to eat right and stay active (know I could use more exercise) so Thank You for your kindness! But now I'm still wondering about the: "you are so___but really nice and friendly" part? The blank line really wasn't included but there was no word there. hum?

Am I shy or outgoing:
outgoing; definitely outgoing (I love that about you)
I'm not very shy am I

Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules:
mostly follow the rules; when I'm around you follow the rules; borderline rebel; follow the important rule, bend the rest
actually I think I'm a rebellious rule follower. I'm all about the spirit of the law! I really dislike (trying to avoid using the word "hate") following the rules for the rules sake. I like finding the true and greater purpose in obedience.

What's your favorite memory of me:
I loved in TVA when we would just hang out at night after work. Life was so easy then!!; helping me out when I was sick. You were a true Angel. You came over to my house and decorated it and really made it beautiful. I will never forget this; reading your yucky histories on your blog; seeing you in El Cajon at Panda Express-sooo random; cockroaches, crazy chicken lady, joey spray, green rocks, saddam hussein & moldy underwear, poor deaf guys @ subway, frogs in the pool, toilet papering joe cliffords house [and the cops], ordering rusty's at midnight through your bedroom window, sub station on a friday evening after school, falling down your backyard fence, falling down the stairs babysitting, getting stuck in a tree 5 feet off the ground, dogsitting for the crazy lady, so many 4th of july's; staying with you in San Diego and laughing because brian said my dad wasn't fat, having you introduce me as the girl who kissed micah at your baby shower in hawaii (not favorite but memorable), you bringing jaden to the hospital to meet davin--I just loved it because we had talked soo much about them
these are all great memories--I still laugh when I read them! But again, I have my sister to thank for the opportunity of being an interior decorator for a day! all those at the end would make for some very humiliating yet entertaining stories!

Any special talents:
You know how to make people feel special; yes many: straight forward, real, not fake, a great mom and a true friend, funny, energetic, very compassionate, very well-rounded; good taste in decorations, very compassionate; smart; hanging loogies over friends faces and sucking them in and out of your mouth, super strength crushing thighs, amazing pinching toes (again, this is a best friend of 18 years!); making people feel very at ease, an ability not to stress, fun mom, wonderful wife
It's so fun/nice/interesting/embarrassing to see how others perceive you. Being real is important to me and I really try to be a good mom and true friend. Can't take credit for decorations--Shell, you're getting a lot of attention here. I think my friends would really like you!
Also, I think my mom is onto something: if you're tall people think you're smart (isn't that funny). I sure have you guys fooled. and, oh, I do stress. when this tiny little space I live in gets too out of whack--I stress. tripping over stuff, chaos=stress.

How many children do I have:
2: Jaden McKay Maika'i & Beckam Scott
exactly

If there was one good nickname for me, what would it be:
Lolly; sexy mama; lolly princess; Lol-bug; cali girl;
actually hilarious!

If you and I were stranded on a desert island, what one thing would I bring?
Book of Mormon; health food; your make-up (he he); your family; a tape-recorder; your glasses that you fished out of a port-a-potty
I love this one! I do have to say though that if it was a desert, it would be sunny and hot, right? Since my complexion does much better with sunshine, I could leave the make-up. I would LOVE my sunglasses...obviously, right? I'd also really like some pictures. I LOVE pictures!

Pretty much sums me up. There's a lot of things I'm not but I'm learning to be grateful for who I am and to just appreciate others for who they are instead of wishing I were more...or thinking I'm the worst because.... and of course, I'm always working on improving in areas of need and thankful we can do that.

the family of perpetual motion 2006

Creative Geniuses

so many of my girlfriends have started on-line businesses!
you can check them out under the
"my friends and their cool stuff you can buy" heading.
the large majority of the christmas gifts I gave came from them
and were such a hit.
I admire their creativity and dedication.
this is my plug.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Beckam Scott Nilsson

he arrived with his chord tangled around his body, around his neck and in a knot.
he was underwater for a long time while the midwives unraveled him.
AMAZINGLY, he was just fine.

then he had to go back to the hospital twice in his first month for 5 days
but he's been PERFECT ever since!!

we think he's VERY special.
he came out ready for the world!
Today, he's
2


Best Buds!
Beckam's world revolves around his brother!

recipes, as requested:

BBQ Chicken (phoebe)
4-6 chicken breasts
1/3 cups chopped onions
3 tablespoons butter
¾ cups ketschup
1/3 cup vinegar
3 tablespoons brown sugar
½ c water
2 teaspoons yellow mustard
1 tablespoon worchestershire sauce
¼ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Sautee onions and butter. Add all other ingredients and simmer 15 min. while browning chicken in oil. Place chicken in baking dish and add all other ingredients. Bake at 350 for 1 hr., uncovered.
*This can also be prepared in the crock-pot.

Mexi-bowls
Place desired amount of chicken breasts or boneless pork chops in crock-pot (frozen or thawed)
Add 1 jar salsa verde
¼ jar red salsa
1 can chicken broth
1 can Ortega chilies
Rinse jars with a small amount of water and add water to crock-pot
Season with:
garlic salt, lemon pepper, salt, pepper, pinch of sugar and a bit of lemon juice
Cook on high 4-6 hrs
Shred meat in crock-pot and add chopped zucchini, let simmer until tender. Place in bowl with Spanish rice, top with sour cream/cheese and serve with tortillas or corn chips.
*This can also be prepared on the stove-top

Spanish Rice (Heather)
1 ½ cups long grain white rice
3-4 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves pressed garlic
2 ½ cups water
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon paprika
1 can stewed tomato (pureed)

Sautee rice, oil, onion and garlic until rice is golden brown. Add all other ingredients and bring to boil. Cover and simmer 30-45 min. until water is absorbed and rice is tender.

Deep Pit (Ray)
1/3 cup red wine
¼ cup white vinegar
Garlic salt
5 cloves garlic
Tri-tip/chuck roast

Season meat with garlic salt and place in crock-pot. Add all other ingredients and cook 10 hrs. + on low. Shred meat in crock-pot and let simmer until ready to serve. Serve on French rolls with salsa.

Totally Divine Butternut Squash Soup (cchrissyy)
6 Tablespoons chopped onion
3 Tablespoons butter
6 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed (heaping cups, error on more, ie. 8 cups)
½ teaspoon dried parsley
¼ teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
8oz. Cream cheese
3 cans chicken broth
Salt to taste before serving

Sautee onion in butter until tender. Add everything except cream cheese. Boil 2o min. (until squash tender). Puree squash and cream cheese until smooth (immersion blender, $10 Walmart, works GREAT). Do not boil. Serve with sourdough baguette.

*This soup is also great with these sandwiches:

Mozzarella/Basil/Tomato Sandwich (Alyson via Rachel Ray)
Fresh mozzarella balls, sliced
Fresh basil
Tomato slices
Rosemary focaccia bread (or any good bread)
Balsamic vinegar
Olive oil
*other veggies can be added: grilled red pepper, portabella mushrooms, zucchini, etc.

Grill bread in olive oil. Melt mozzarella with basil and tomato slices. Drizzle balsamic vinegar on bread before serving.

Post Season Highlights Cont....

Santa comes to Solano Park
atop a Fire Truck

anyone recognize this guy?

Beckam did.
After Santa left, Micah returned and asked Beckam if he saw Santa.
His reply--"Daddy Santa?"
___________________________________________________________________________

BAKERSFIELD highlights
this is what keeps us going back:

best buds. even better race car buds.
beckam can always find the "hemi-cudda" out of the entire collection.
he thinks his Papa is his infinite chocolate milk, juice and hot dog supplier
And looks forward to going to "papa's house to take a nap." wouldn't you?
and look what fun grandma's house is.
a remote control chair, a little red wagon chuck full of candy,
a jar of starbursts just within a little boys reach, tons of little nik-naks
that are so magical to little eyes and especially
a nice cozy lap for sleeping when you wake up too early.

COUSINS
staten, bradon and jaden
raia, cairo, beckam, jaden, evan, bradon, windsyr

Zorro
(with two SILVER cowboy guns, which are now illegal in CA and NY)
please don't miss this expression
___________________________________________
my adorable husband
I love hanging out with him. School breaks are oh so nice. How I wish this is what life was like once you grow up and that we didn't have to say goodbye to 3 week breaks once he graduates.
Retirement will be nice.
Early retirement would be even nicer.
On New Years Eve, we celebrated 7 years of LOVE and Marriage!!
We've LOVED and ADORED each other for 16 years now.
I'm so thankful to be married to my BEST friend.
What I LOVE best about him is that his family always comes first.
The balance he's maintained throughout law school is unbelievable.
He is so supportive, helpful and willing
(I mean he was Santa Claus for a night. he held screaming kids. he was sweating bullets. he'll treasure that experience forever. he didn't just do it. he loved it).
We are a great TEAM!
I'd follow him anywhere.

I'd still say all these things even if this hadn't been sitting in the driveway
on Christmas morning. with the red bow and more bows.
even though I didn't get to keep the diamond necklace or ride the Amtrak back to Davis. those things were just to throw me off. but the key that was in the jewlery box with the necklace, unlocked the padlock that was on the front door.
the keys in the box sitting on the front porch
unlocked our new (to us) 2002 Acura MDX.
Did I mention how INCREDIBLY romantic he is. He's so good as surprises.
really good at surprises.
have you heard our engagement story?
why did I get so lucky?!

I ADORE you Micah Nilsson. You're my Hero.

Post Season Highlights

We love this tree. It reminds us of Grandma Kip.

She bought it last Christmas for us.
This year, we've added four African ornaments from Cape Town crafted by "The Wild Bunch."

enchanting village from auntie shelli
(other favorites not pictured: playmobil nativity set and the singing/piano playing Frosty)

This is what kept one little boy very busy
(digging for treasures: marbles, animals, coins)

(can you view it?)
while I did THIS:

16 dozen peanut butter kiss cookies

PERFECT for delivering!

to be continued...

P.S. The videos on the previous post are now working

By the time these things hit the market, I was too BIG for them.


I would have LOVED this as a kid.
We have Auntie Shelli to THANK!
She is the one responsible for this madness.

Last year, Jaden REALLY wanted the Jeep.
This year, at first it was a Quad until he saw the
John Deere Gator
and Beckam could have the Jeep.

There was no way in my practical brain,
I could let him get ANOTHER one.
So I explained to him that these vehicles cost
a lot of money and that he's SO lucky to even have his Jeep.
His solution:
"We can sell the Jeep and use the money we get to buy The Gator."
I had to give him some credit for that one.

He talked about it non-stop and when his
Fairy Godmother asked him what he wanted,
he told her!
I told her it wasn't reasonable.
She told me she wanted to get him what he wanted
and since that's what it was, she was going to get it.

We do live in the ideal location right now for these machines.
The boys really do LOVE them!

Yes, I absolutely considered selling the Jeep but truly for what we could get for it, I'd rather just let Beckam enjoy it for the remainder of our time here.
The Jeep has been well-loved and it shows!
Jaden once tried to pull an enormous Oak tree out with it.
He attached the chain that was around the tree to the PLASTIC KC lights--The TREE Won! The roll bar snapped.

The last thing Beckam said before his nap,
"I want to drive the Gator."
The first thing Beckam said when he woke up,
"I want to drive the Gator."
The last thing Beckam said before he went to bed,
"I want to drive the Gator."
You get the picture.

This kid really has AMAZING driving skills. He's not even 2 yet!

And he likes to go, "FAST!"
I try putting it in slow gear and he asks,
"Go FAST?" as he reaches down for the shifter.
Why not, he can do it.

Jaden is such a GOOD sport about letting Beckam drive, too!

Dear Santa,
Zorro
cazone
cowboy gun. (1st revision)

This is the extent of Jaden's
Christmas Wish List.
Seems pretty manageable, right Santa?
"Zorro" was previously referred to as "a Phantom Cowboy costume," apparently from a Scooby-Doo book he has. But "the Phantom's" ensemble looks much like Zorro's so after a brief discussion, he changed it to Zorro, as in the costume.
(He's not requesting that the actual character come join our family, though he'd probably really like that).
Cazone is well just a made-up word.
So Santa, it looks like you've pretty much got it made!!
Although, after inquiring if Santa just brings one gift that you really, really want, he led me to the bike section at WalMart and had a mighty fine racing bike picked out so this list may be revised in the near future. We'll keep you posted.

I find it so interesting that
Jaden just isn't much into toys.
He LOVES his playmobil pirate treasure chest, his legos, his bike, the Gator (stay tuned for that post), swords and all manner of weaponry--Nerf guns, bow and arrow, dagger... (though he's NOT violent with them, he just likes to carry them IN his pants in the unlikely event that he might need to take on some bad guys).

(I suppose, too that the recent birthday might be a good explanation for such a short list)
What are on your kids Wish Lists this year?

Hey Florida (Dan, Sarah and Savannah), Here We Come!!

Micah made it to Nationals
in the American Bar Association
Negotiation Competition!
He competed in November
in San Diego, placing 2nd
against 24 teams and was notified today
that he's going to Nationals in February to compete again!
Way to Go Micah!!!
It will be held in Miami, which is so lucky because we've been trying to think of a good excuse to go visit Dan, Sarah and Savannah!

*Babysitting job goes to the highest bidder--
you may start the bidding now.

Clever Cute Boys

Beckam Scott

1. So I was in our home "library" (as my dad likes to refer to the bathroom) with the door locked enjoying my privacy (which I do OCCASIONALY-when Micah is home) as I was getting ready for the day. It's like an automatic response--as soon as that door shuts, no matter what he's doing or where he is, Beckam must open it and if it's locked, he must yell, "Open it. I want to come in!" and pound on it incessantly. This was one such day and the next thing I know, the door unlocks and opens with Beckam standing in the doorway and the car keys dangling from the knob.
2. I hand Beckam a granola bar, his response--"I don't want that monkey bar!" (monkey bar, granola bar, whatever)
3. When he says anyone in our family's name, it's followed by, "boy." So we have: Daddy Boy or Micah Boy, Jaden Boy, he calls himself Beckam Boy and yes, I'm Mommy Boy.
   
4. "Beckam, did you have fun with Papa John?" "Pop Pop cute," in a small little voice with eyes squinted. When you ask him about people he likes, he always says they're cute with the voice and the eyes.
   

Jaden McKay Maika'i
I go into the boys room Friday morning and tell them good morning. Jaden says, "Mom, can I tell you something?" "Yes, what do you want to tell me?" "Last night, Hannah gave me the rest of the macaronni and cheese and I said, 'I love you.'"
Hannah is our standing Thursday night babysitter that we LOVE!
She's 12
she's adorable,
she's sweet,
she cooks,
she has 3 brothers so she knows about boys,
she has an AWESOME family
and obviously the boys LOVE her, too!
Micah's trying to negotiate a deal with her parents for her to move to Monterey with us.
She will be coming with us when we move to help and hang out for awhile.

We had TWO very delicious Thanksgiving feasts in ONE day!
What could be better than that?
Leftovers the next day!

...until this happened:

This is my sister armed and ready for the FIRST dirty job she faces this night

It was all fun and games until it happened to me, too!
5 people in ONE house hit at BOTH ends with something NASTY.

The bright side:

NO EXTRA LBS. FOR ME THIS THANKSGIVING!

(Too often, I get the flu at Thanksgiving. But each year, I remain optimistic.
I begged family not to curse me this year by reminding me of it--no such luck.)

In other news:
From this
to THIS
(the Stainless set from Costco)
THANK YOU
Dad and Sandy,
we're enjoying them already!
We'll bring a lid to wrap and put under the tree.

Birthday Highlights

Birthday Eve:
Micah's decorating job

side note:
Beckam sleeps in his own big-boy bed...
unless he falls off onto Jaden's bed down below
(surprisingly the transition has been perfect--even naps!)

In the morning, we heard the boys awake just as Jaden was making his way into our room with his NEW playmobil submarine from Papa John and Ma-Maw that he and his little accomplice had already opened. Then it was to the bathtub...
It dives under the water and has a motor so it can cruise along the bottom

We got Jaden a volcano eruption kit,
though it appears it doubles as a hat, also.
Beckam came up with this all on his own and drove around in his little car wearing it for at least half an hour.

I know I was busy with birthday preparations, too
but here is the baker busy at work:
Oh, how I'll miss his student schedule!!
Any guesses on what it is?
The finished product!
a non-hydrogenated nuclear submarine
with fish and other sea creatures swimming around below.
How I love THIS man, who baked his son's birthday cake
ALL from scratch.

THE FESTIVITIES
A bowling party at the MU complete with pizza, cake, ice cream
and chocolate milk or root beer.
There was even a special guest appearance from Papa John, which made Jaden's day!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY little Honey Bear
(he told me he likes it when I call him that)
I LOVE YOU because you're:

• a GREAT Big brother
• clever and smart
• tough as nails
• my little monkey--coordinated and energetic
  
• so thoughtful and kind
• a good problem-solver and communicator
• protective
  
• a GREAT friend
  

"Hi, Mimi!"

I wanted to see if this outfit would fit Beckam. After he was dressed he said, "mirror."
He only took his eyes off himself to look at the camera when I told him to say, "Hi Mimi."


I can see a resemblance of me as a toddler here.

Macaroni and Tomato

MOM and AUNTIE, you'll be proud:

This was the meal requested by MICAH yesterday--there's no doubt, he's part of our family!
This meal was a staple in my family growing up:
elbow macaroni and tomato juice with cottage cheese on top
It's Jaden's favorite.
While he usually sits down for dinner and begins listing off everything he doesn't want to eat (though he's getting better after being excused from the table for it) , tonight I think he thanked me for dinner at least three times and before he even finished half his bowl was asking if he could have more, which he did and more after that.

It IS good stuff!

To Stick or Not to Stick

That is the question.

I'm in desperate need of new pots and pans. A friend of mine is so good about keeping us abreast of great deals on Amazon and she posted this one again. I haven't made the purchase because I can't decide if I should go for the non-stick or stainless steel (yes, of course they're more expensive--story of my life, which is why I haven't just ordered them by now). I know the non-stick are so convenient but I have a bit of a concern about the health issues related to the Teflon. Any of you have any input or opinions on the matter? PLEASE. I've done some research and it seems that if you replace the non-stick before it starts to wear off, you're okay but I'm not so good about doing that. I HAVE to decide and get rid of my current hodge podge of worn non-stick cookware that's probably poisoning our family daily.

Beckam picking up a small red flame-shaped leaf:
"Fire, hot, leaf burn me."

Vehicular Saga

When it happened a month ago, I didn't think it was really blog worthy but now it IS!! Read on and on and on....

Over a month ago actually, we went over to the Dyer's for Sunday dinner. They live about 20 min. away. After a very lovely dinner (which I made myself tonight--Thanks Carrie), we headed for home.

We drove out of their neighborhood and down the road about a mile, putting us on a road between a new uninhabited housing development and a wall surrounding their neighborhood. Just as we approached the stop sign, the Daewoo died. Our kids were tired. It was dark. I wanted to get home. So I picked up the cell phone and called our trusty Roadside Assistance (which is the best investment we've ever made. I keep thinking they're going to tell us we've used it all up but they just keep coming to our rescue for a meesley $5/month or something ridiculous. USAA is the best auto insurance on the planet I'm sure. They write us a check at the end of every year to reimburse us if the company made more than they expected and our rates are cheaper than any I've ever seen!). We also called Jeromy to come pick up me and the kids to take us home while Micah waited for the tow truck. True to form, things got more complicated for us from there.

I'd left Micah with our house key so we had to go through the process of having an RA retrieve our key from the office and let us in. I got the boys ready for bed and thought it was so sweet of Jaden to remember to pray that the tow truck driver got our car and that daddy would come home safely. Later, I found out how timely that prayer was and how helpful it might have been.

Shortly after the kids and I left, Micah got out of the car to go for a little walk to check out the new developments. He was about 30 yards behind the car, up a little dirt hill along the road, when a black SUV passed him, pulled up directly behind the Daewoo and turned it's lights off. He started back towards the car, when he got a sinking feeling in his stomach as he noticed that the car had no license plates and nobody was getting out. Instead he stopped and waited. He waited for what ended up being 45 min. There was no where for him to run safely and why he didn't just call the police, I don't know but he did call and talk to his family who were visiting his brother Dan in Florida. When the tow truck finally arrived, the SUV flipped on its lights and sped away!?! What was it doing?!!!!

The Daewoo still remains in the shop. The timing belt broke and bent the pistons or something so the engine had to be taken out and fixed (or something MAJOR like that) but we figured having it repaired was cheaper than buying a new car or at least we could sell it and get "something" out of it.

So, last weekend we made a trip to Bakersfield for Darron's 3oth Suprise Birthday Party. The quad he received from his awesome wife had nothing to do with us going either. But we had to rent a car get there. I'm thinking now that we should have known renting a car from a place called "Dollar" wasn't the best idea. Five miles down the road, we realize the tank is empty when they marked "Full" on the contract. They agreed to reimburse us for that. However, when we called them again on Sun. to tell them our tire was flat, they told us we didn't purchase that coverage so we'd have to take care of it (we'd put air in it already on Fri). This ended up being an all day affair. We finally resorted to fix-a-flat, borrowing Scott's air compressor for the drive home "just in case," taking the 99 "just in case," and not exceeding 65 mph. We made it home...at 3 O'Clock in the morning!! No complications just lots of little stops to check on it. (It really doesn't seem like "Dollar" inspects or maintains their cars very well. My bro-in-law rented one from them the previous week in which the tires had not been well-maintained either).

The rental had to be returned by 8pm on Mon. We pick up Jaden from school with hopes of returning by 5:30 in time for Micah's class and head to the Dyer's house where we'd parked our working car (a 1990 Toyota Corolla) after we picked up the rental. I'm driving the rental and Micah's following in the Corolla. We drive out of the Dyer's neighborhood and drive down that same road I mentioned previously, approaching that same stop sign I also mentioned previously. I stop and then notice Micah waving at me from behind. At this point you could just cut and paste the previous story from "as we were approaching the stop sign..." including the part where "the car speeds off."

Yes folks, at the same intersection, at the same stop sign, the Corolla, too...died. Luckily, this time we had another car with us because we did not have the cell phone. We return to the Dyer's and call...dun dun dundun...Roadside Assistance!! Micah goes back to wait for the tow truck. No sooner had he pulled up behind the Corolla, than a red truck this time, pulls up directly behind him and sits. No one gets out. Micah was the speeding car in this story. He came back to the Dyer's and returned just as the tow truck was pulling up. The truck was gone!

OK--WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?!!

We kept the rental to get us home. The Corolla was fixed today. We are now rental car free!!

I threatened not to leave the Dyer's house until Micah bought us a new car but alas ONE is fixed once again and according to him is "driving better than it's driven in years." After this, I honestly don't know what it will take for us to get something newer (not NEW, that will probably never happen).