Bicycle Expert Visits

Lucas is almost six now and still has no interest in bike riding and since Josh Kubin is such an outstanding bicyclist I mentioned that he should come and teach Lucas to ride. He was so interested in the proposition that he found his own flight and made his itinerary from Portland to Spokane. The first day we took the bike and Lucas to a nearby playground where Josh ran madly behind Lucas while balancing his bike at breakneck speed.

Lucas thought it was great until the following day when first one training wheel and then another was removed. It became a little more difficult to get Lucas to want to ride the bike but he gamely followed Josh’s instructions while Josh continuously balanced the bike from behind.

Between biking practices Josh also liked to watch and videotape trains so we did that one day, followed by mowing both my yard and Brett’s yard, and finally compacting trash was a favorite activity. Fortunately, the lawn mower, my bike and the compacter are still in good working order. Josh left a day early as he said he was homesick but I say it was because he heard Jake was attending a BMX expo in Portland. Anyway when Josh and Jake turn 18 I think we should preface each parent’s name with the title of Saint. Lucas is still being coaxed into riding his bike and I will be offering bribes soon.

Today I’m waiting for the twins to arrive from Seattle for summer’s last hurrah. This is the first fall I’ve not had a trip in the planning so that is different. I’m sort of following the election news now since Sarah is in the picture. Are you ready for South Africa?

Posting from the Library

Using the library computer seems fine so far as it is quiet here. Since I have no computer this week has been different for me. I have read a book, cleaned my house and worked a lot in my yard. I still have problems with looking up words in the large, print dictionary, balancing my checkbook on paper, and looking at photographs on my camera. Maybe one day soon a service person will contact me and tell me whether or not my computer can be repaired or if I will need to buy a new one.

Last week I saw Diana for a few minutes as Missy, AnnaMarie, and John were running in a 192+mile relay race from Spokane to Sandpoint. They each ran 15-20 miles during the two-day fiasco, the highlight of which was a rollercoaster ride at 4 a.m. at Silverwood Amusement Park. Meanwhile Brett and I were entertaining and listening to two young boys and Diana and Jim were also involved with Colton and Taylor. I guess we all had lots of fun.

I hope the airshow was under control last weekend so Fume wasn't stressed by the noise. I see that United has cancelled all its direct flights from Spokane to Chicago. You'll be happy about that.

Something has a peculiar odor around this computer and the gal next to me keeps mumbling something to me so I think it is time to sign off. So much for praising the library computers.

Double Trouble

I think by that title I mean the babysitters not the children. We won but only because we left before the twins could actually figure out what we planned to do next. The boys were very, very good and never asked for mom or dad. I guess they were intriqued by the change in their daily routine.

We went to the Tacoma Zoo, NW Trek, for about 4 hours and we were so busy. We saw wolves, bears, moose and cougars, mostly with lots of deer everywhere we looked, sort of like the gazelles in Africa.

Nancy got into her decorating mode on the second day and she rearranged the furniture, framed photos, hung pictures, and added accessories everywhere. Walker notified her that his mom didn't like her things moved but we assured him that his mom did in fact want her house revamped. When she and Dave arrived home they walked into a "While You Were Out" decorating video almost.

Walker and Peyton I'm sure will say that eating in restaurants, riding in grandma's car, and Krispy Kremes were their favorite parts of our visit. Yes, they cried when we left and we laughed and laughed some more. It was lots of exciting fun.

Sorry you did not have fun with the tornado in your neighborhood. Ron asked me if you ever write back so I'm happy you left a comment. Is your neighborhood back to normal?

I'm borrowing a computer tonight because mine apparently is fried. The iphone would do the trick well if only I could learn to type on the tiny keys. It drives me crazy. The next post will be from a library somewhere where I'll be waiting of my fifteen minutes of computer time.

August Update

1. No more complaining about our poor educational background now that Warden High School is serving as an example of the best of its kind in education. You’ll want to see Flunked a new documentary about poor schools which promotes Warden as the school district with all the solutions for excellent education. I think we defied the odds somehow under seemingly impossible situations.

2. Nancy and I are again beginning a babysitting stint and this time with the twins for 3 days. I mean the recipients of our free services should be thanking their lucky stars to be chosen for our professional services. Our services are available by invitation only and then only on a limited basis as we only babysit together once a year. Besides being free we offer extra services with our child care such as professional advice for remediating problem behavior, language improvement, use of proper manners, and more.

I have to mention this as someone dared to suggest we might not be conscientious, reliable sitters. I’m certain the twins will be begging us to stay longer when their parents return home. We on the other hand will be packed and ready to head out the door where we’ll begin screaming for joy.

3. There is an Elvis-struck salesclerk at our Nordstrom store who waited on me one day last week. Because she had met Elvis 40 years ago she was invited to participate in an Elvis Expo during Elvis week August 9-17 at Graceland. Apparently many people who actually knew Elvis will be participating. Wonder what we’ll be missing.

4. My IP address tracker picked up a European hit a few days ago so I suppose the Harle’s are now enjoying Spain.

5. The Kubins are vacationing at Chiwawa this week and I’m stopping there Wednesday so we can float down the Wenatchee river. Are you staying cool enough in Chicago?