A Homecoming and More

It is not a typical summer and I am not complaining. Usually it gets hot and humid around here and stays that way. And we have had our miserable days for sure. But they have been mixed with several very nice days along the way. Today for example the temperature never got above 80° F. I'll take as many of those as will come my way.

A HOMECOMING. We took a one night trip to Camden this weekend. It was the first time Pauline had been back since moving here in March, 2003. We left early Sunday morning and got there in time for the Phifer reunion. After that we spent a lot of time visiting with relatives before heading home yesterday afternoon. Pauline also ate lunch with some high school friends and stopped in to visit with former Wal-Mart associates. It really seemed strange going to Camden and staying in a hotel.

Nate was really cute at the reunion. They drew names for door prizes and Nate was the official name puller. Vicki snapped a cute picture of him with his hand in the bag.

THE GIFT OF DISCOURAGEMENT. Something happened the other day that reminded me of a story I forgot to write a few weeks ago. Some time last month I needed to replace the washers on our dripping bathroom faucet. I invited Ben to come help me and he was with me every step of the way. (I'm not sure how much he understood but it was fun to have him with me.)

After cutting the water off I got my channel lock pliers out to unscrew the top of the faucet. In nine years of use calcium had built up inside the faucet making it hard to unscrew. I was trying to be very careful as I did not want the jaws of the pliers to scratch up the surface of the fixture. After several attempts to get a good grip on the thing Ben finally looked up and me and said, "You're not too strong are you, Dad?"

FOLLOWING ORDERS. Nate is really picking up on English. He can't speak it but he sure understands a lot. There are many things he can do now when told, such as: get your shoes, put away your shoes, close your door, turn off your light, give me a kiss, get in the van, put your clothes away, water the plant (that's a cool one for him).

He is also getting a mean streak. He knows we don't like it when we give him his sippy cup and he throws it to the floor. Occasionally he'll trick us into giving it to him right after drinking some milk, throw the cup to the floor, and then look at us with an impish grin--the little booger.

TWO PRAYER REQUESTS. Pauline goes in for her second cataract surgery in the morning. If it is like the last one it will be a piece of cake!

We are beginning the process of shopping for another van. The last time we shopped for a vehicle I was literally sick at my stomach the whole time (which was several weeks). Anyone who enjoys haggling with car sales people is completely off their rocker in my book. At least I'll lose some weight.

Joe