We do not usually tackle the job of cutting Colin's hair--it is something that he just does not enjoy.....I think it throws all his senses off! We have tried to give him a light scalp massage before the haircut starts and sometimes it seems to work, sometimes it doesn't! He does not like to wear the "hair cape" and, I guess, he just doesn't like the whole process. Because the process is such a "pain" for us and him...we decided a long time ago that we just take the clippers to his hair and buzz it all the same length.
The gal that usually cuts his hair was out of town so we decided to tackle the job ourselves.....I am not sure why he looks so happy in this picture because the way he was acting it sure did not seem like it was a happy experience.....ohhh its probably because we were finally done!
His haircut came out cute but I think I will leave it to the professionals next time!
Football season is right around the corner and if anybody knows the guys in my family you know they are counting down.
Last year we upgraded our Directv satellite subscription. At the time they were running a promotion for the football package at no additional charge. The football package gives you access to watch all the NFL games. It is also pretty expensive, about $280 for (only) 17 weeks of football. Of course Dennis says "sign us up, its free!". The guys were mighty spoiled last football season. They were able to watch every game they wanted to in the comfort of our family room.
Well this year, Directv was "kind enough" (sarcastic) to sign us up automatically for the football package and not for free....only $280....I opened my bill, saw the amount due and almost choked on my coffee!
Keep reading......I do have a point to this story... :)
I called Directv and informed them that I needed to cancel the football package that was placed on my account without permission. Well, of course, the guy went into hard core sales, talked about how bad the economy was and he could offer me a special deal if I wanted to keep the football package for only $150.00 instead of the usual $280.00. WOW--just like that they were willing to cut the price that much. It was tempting, but we did not take the deal!
We were talking to Dennis' cousin, Terry, about the deal Directv offered us. He has bought the football package for several years now. Terry decided to call Directv and try to cancel his subscription to see if they offered him the deal! Guess what?...he called...they offered.....he took them up on it!
I think it is pretty amazing that there are probably millions of subscribers of this football package paying full price but Directv is willing to offer, very easily, to cut the package price so significantly if you threaten to cancel. They would probably get more customers if they just offer it for the lower price in the first place.
So the point of this story...follow our lead...if you have Directv and the football package...give Directv a call.......deal or no deal??
We bought Colin some finger paints and he had a blast!
Colin is tactically defensive because of sensory issues so I thought finger painting would be a great way to challenge his senses.
We moved the easel out to the patio and I decided to put it in the pool to contain any messes that might be made. He was a little freaked out at first but it did not take him long and he was tolerating it real well. He used every color and made some fantastic art work!
What about the "smock" he is wearing...... .......doesn't he look the cutest?Do we have a little artist on our hands??
Logen has been saving up his money to buy himself something that he really, really wanted. He had saved his Christmas money and his birthday money and finally he had enough to get this:
$238 dollars later.......he is now the proud owner of an 8gb, 2nd generation, Apple IPOD.
Technology is amazing! I first experienced what an IPOD was all about while visiting Tyler last year and had the opportunity to try his out. Songs, pictures and internet access are just a small fraction of what this thing does. Of course there are a ton of accessories that he can now save his money for. :)
I think it was a great thing for Logen to save up for. He will definitely get years of use out of it.
We are very proud of him that at the age of 14 he was able to save and save until he had enough to buy something that will last him a long time and something he truly wanted.
Here are some more great pictures from a recent Nothing with Numbers show. This show was at the Aruba Hotel, which is located right off the strip, in Las Vegas, of course! Did anyone notice Tyler has bought himself a new bass guitar. It is a Fender; he bought it used, its in new condition and he got a wonderful deal on it. Very proud! Tyler had another show last night at the Bunkhouse Saloon....the band is getting around Vegas and getting a following of fans. They are going to play the "PUNKFEST" in Las Vegas in August. Another great opportunity. As you can tell from the pictures Tyler enjoys himself on stage----that is what it is all about!
Work is still going wonderful for Tyler. He loves his job and working for the studio. They have got a couple great projects coming up that Tyler is really excited about. I can tell that he is a great employee and member of the Las Vegas team. He really gives 100%+ to his job.....and as you can tell I am still very proud of him!
Tyler has spent the last couple weeks having some dental work done: root canal, temporary crown, fitting for the new crown......waiting, waiting, waiting.....soon to be the final new crown. It did not sound like a fun experience. What a trooper!
The weather has been hot in Vegas but Tyler must be getting use to it. When I talked to him the other day I asked him if it was hot, he said "not too bad". I asked him what the temperature read on his car thermometer, his response "102"......thats pretty hot to ME...not TOO bad to Tyler!
Tyler is not going to make it home to Idaho in August. We need to get seriously busy to plan a trip to Vegas to see him....because I sure miss him.
Here is a picture of the great Idaho Rivals: Sibling Style.
Dennis' sister Kristy (and her husband Jason) not only attended and graduated from the University of Idaho, but they both also work at the University. They are extreme Vandal fans through and through....and so are their kids!
Our family, on the other hand, bleeds blue and orange for our Boise State Broncos. Logen can name players, quote stats and name plays like a coach could do. He has attended BSU Bronco Football camp for five years straight. And if the guys in my family have their way Colin will be a committed fan also!
When we went to Idaho Falls for the 4th of July holiday, it got chilly in the evening and everyone pulled out there sweatshirts and jackets.....and look what we had...... a little rivalry between the Vandal sister and the Bronco brother.
The Vandal vs Bronco football games are a great big deal around here....these teams have been rivals for a long time. I asked Dennis how long it has been since the Vandals have even won a football game against OUR Broncos', his response: "since the dark ages". :)
After the BSU Broncos' won the 2007 Fiesta Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners, the Broncos became very well known because of the fantastic game they played. A lot of people called it the greatest college football game ever! We went to Vegas to help Tyler move a couple weeks after the Fiesta Bowl. As we walked around the strip and casinos, with the guys wearing their Bronco t-shirts, it was almost like THEY were famous. They were being recognized as fans of the Broncos and several people had to make comments to them about what a great game the Fiesta Bowl was. We were and are proud to be from Idaho and BSU Bronco Fans!
So the rivalry between Kristy and Dennis, I mean the Vandals and the Broncos, will continue on November 14, 2009 on the blue turf here in Boise........you will have to watch to see what happens!
This is the forecast for this week here in Boise! I will not, cannot and refuse to complain about the heat. I absolutely love the summer time.
I am sure before long I will be complaining about the cold weather anyway, after all Christmas is only five months and five days away.
I checked the weather for Vegas today and Tyler will be basking in a high temperature of 107 degrees with no relief from 100 degree heat for several days! Thank goodness he has a job in an air conditioned building.
Today was a day for Colin to play in the pool. I brought the laptop out to the patio and spent my time watching and entertaining him and trying to get a few things done for the office. Which brings me to a question: Why is it that kids seem to be on their best behavior until the phone rings???? Never fails; Colin does not say anything or need anything until the phone rings! Typical isn't it? :)
Last night was my 25th high school reunion. It has been been 25 years since me and 500+ of my classmates received our high school diplomas from Borah High School, home of the Lions!
For our 20th reunion, five years ago, the class had a whole weekend of activities planned. It was a blast! But for the 25th it was just an informal get together at a bar/restaurant.
My friend Lisa, talked me into being her "date" again for this reunion. We have kept in touch all through these years. Even though life has gotten busy and we do not see each other very often, will still fall back into the same comfortable friendship we always had when we see each other again. I wish I could post a picture of Lisa from high school because my friend has not changed a bit in the last 25 years!
Someone had the great idea to bring these wigs and glasses to the reunion. I am sure this style was more in the 70's but everyone still enjoyed being silly!
I saw another friend, Ann, that I had not seen since high school. Now Ann has changed a lot since high school, except her personality, she is still nice as ever.
This is the boy that everyone was friends with in high school.......25 years later. Keith is still the great storyteller, he had us laughing A LOT last night. He is still as sweet as he was in high school.
Who would ever think that a 2 1/2 hour drive home from camping would be something to write about on the blog......well it was...keep reading. ;o)
On Sunday, July 12th, we packed up and headed down the road for the trek back to Meridian. We were being followed by Terry and his family because we are all from this area. We decided ahead of time to stop at a small locally owned fast food restaurant because they had heard someone bragging about it while on the tour of the ice caves. And I have to admit a milk shake sounded mighty delicious!
I am so glad that we all enjoyed our milkshakes because it was going to be a longer drive home that we anticipated.
About 85 miles from home one of the tires on our travel trailer blew. Sounds simple enough right?
Logen the "inspector"!
When this tire blew, it blew right through the trailer. We could tell right away when we looked into the wheel well that the tire exploded into the trailer. We could see the hole instantly from the outside. Can you see it?? This picture is from the outside looking up into the trailer.
The area where this tire blew is right underneath the bench seats of our dining table. The bench seats have storage under them so we figured it just blew through there in the open area. Dennis and Terry got the tire changed and we were able to go inside and inspect.
This is what we saw:
Notice you can see the ground through the hole (top of picture). The damage to our trailer is incredible! I was in tears instantly. But then took a moment and remembered and said praise that we were all safe. Dennis never lost control of the truck or trailer. We were not hurt just the trailer was. But of course realization came flooding back that this is our trailer, paid for trailer, our summer enjoyment......but it is insured...thats a good thing......right? maybe!
We filed a claim and had the trailer into the shop on Thursday. Yesterday we went over to the shop and went over the estimate with the shop manager. Nice guy, he just did not have any good news for us. To fix our trailer to workable/livable conditions the estimate is $3100 +. To restore the trailer in new condition the estimate is $6000+. Yes, you are reading the numbers correctly!
Well it is out of our hands. The estimate has been sent to the claim department and they should have an answer to us by Wednesday morning. Of course, over the last three years the trailer has depreciated in value (in money terms) but it hasn't depreciated in value for us...we love our trailer!
We do not usually tackle the job of cutting Colin's hair--it is something that he just does not enjoy.....I think it throws all his senses off! We have tried to give him a light scalp massage before the haircut starts and sometimes it seems to work, sometimes it doesn't! He does not like to wear the "hair cape" and, I guess, he just doesn't like the whole process. Because the process is such a "pain" for us and him...we decided a long time ago that we just take the clippers to his hair and buzz it all the same length.
