Driving Time!

How can she possibly be old enough 

to get a learner's permit???

Besides getting her impacted wisdom teeth out in June (ouchie!!!)

Maddy studied for and received her learner's permit for driving!

Oh my word!

It just does not seem possible that this little sweetie 

is ready to start driving real cars!

Driving in 2009!

She took driver's ed in July and she's been practicing driving with me!
Fun Fact:  In a former life, I became accredited to teach driver's ed.

She's doing great. 

I bought these handy-dandy magnets for the car from Amazon* and

I'm sure they have helped calm down those drivers

who are in such a hurry to get places!

Let's all try to be patient with other drivers, shall we!

Once she gets more practice in, she'll take the final driving test.

Since her 16th birthday isn't until December 20, we have 

a bit of time!

Happy Motoring!!

Scooters + Summer = Smiles

Doesn't summer just say scooter to you?

I never thought it would to me -- as I have a very cautious personality. Although I hate to admit it, sometimes I'm a bit like Eeyore -- something bad is going to happen, I just know it! And I've always felt that way about motorcycles and motorscooters too. Well, until Mr. Tennis got one, that is. I was still a bit nervous about them, but he took a 15-hour motorcycle safety course and passed with flying colors. He is very cautious and wears a NEON orange vest whenever he rides.

Recently, his motorscooter needed a new battery or something, so his friend (the dealer -- that sounds kind of bad, doesn't it) gave him a loaner. Oh my word -- it is the cutest scooter ever! If I could, I would ride it all over the place! Maddy was not too keen on it -- after all, does Taylor Swift ride a motor scooter?? I think not. But somebody else loved it! Look at Cboo - he's putting it at the top of his list of things he's saving for and it definitely put passing the motorcycle test at the top of his "things to accomplish." Probably a good thing this one was a loaner and the standard issue one will be back soon as I have a feeling the "green machine" would not be sticking around our place once somebody got his license!

Come On Spring!!!

Although the groundhog saw his shadow recently meaning six more weeks of winter, we had a bit of a preview of spring last weekend. The temps were above 60. OH MY GOSH!! It was so beautiful! Felt like the grass should be turning green and little flowers and shoots popping up, but that is still aways off. And, snow is forecast for next weekend.

Maddy and I did enjoy a scooter ride (she was on the scooter with me running behind!) to the park to play and it was so nice to sit in the sun and enjoy the warm temps. She also rode her bike a bit and got out this old car that son #2 (Cboo) used many years ago. Cboo got this car when he was 2-1/2 -- he's now over 21! Do you think I have a problem getting rid of stuff?? Some things are just too fun to give away or sell and this car was one of those!

We had one casualty from the sub-zero temps of December and January. We have an old refrigerator in the garage and usually keep water and pop (soda to you Easterners) in it. Well, when we had some really cold weather (way below zero) for a number of days in a row in December and January, I realized the pop was freezing. It wasn't just freezing . . . it was exploding!! But I avoided even looking in the refrigerator -- so fearful I was of what had happened. So, part of the warm day was spent cleaning out the incredibly sticky refrigerator. OY - it was such a mess! The good news is that I got it all done in about an hour and at least it has been too cold for the sticky mess to attract a million ants! I learned my lesson -- pop stays in the house during the winter and we'll use the refrig in the summer only!