So what has been happening around here?
Two weeks ago we went to the Shrine Circus. A friend, her sons, and some others from her family went with us. It was pretty much like all of the other times that we’ve been to the circus.
The same friend had her birthday party at a mexican restaurant the night before. We let Blake try corn tortillas and birthday cake. He liked both. That boy loves to eat – just like his daddy!
One of the other guests at the party put a small handheld radio on the table. A few minutes later I heard a fast sequence of electronic pips squeal out of its little speaker. I jumped and stared down the table. “Was that morse code?!?”
He sheepishly turned down the radio. “Yeah…”
I used the opportunity to ask for suggestions about how to get started with amateur radio. My main interests on the subject are emergency communications and how radio works in general. Electrical engineering school just sort of danced around radio without actually teaching it. Apparently I missed that elective.
Thus I started studying for my Technician license. A local group does the required testing once every month. I have a few weeks to figure it out. 35 questions, multiple choice, no morse code… I want to learn morse code, but it’ll take a bit longer.
The weekend of the circus, one of the guinea pigs at Scott’s preschool passed away. The boys and I went to the funeral. It went something like this:
Teacher: “Wiggles died, so we have to bury her in the ground. See how she isn’t moving? I’ll put her in the hole… Now let’s say goodbye to Wiggles!”
Kids and parents: “GOODBYE WIGGLES!”
Older boy: “Why do her eyes look so crazy?”
Teacher: “Do you want to help me cover her with dirt?”
I might be a little off on the exact words. But you get the idea. Scott was in good spirits, and was very helpful with the dirt. I think he didn’t understand.
Wiggles will be missed by many.
A few days later baby Blake had his first birthday. For the occasion we had a simple party at home, with only a few visitors. We fed him spaghetti and a sugar cookie birthday cake. What a mess! Blake had a wonderful time playing with his food.
Earlier that day Blake and I went to a park while Scott was at school. Just baby and daddy… I got some cute photos and video. I’ll try to post the results after the new version of iMovie arrives.
Scott’s birthday is a month after Blake’s. We’re planning a more elaborate party for both of them together.
Yesterday Dana, the boys, a friend from OKC, and I all went to the big car show at the fairgrounds. It was fun. The goal was to evaluate several models of economy car as possible replacements for our Saturn. (Paying cash of course, and possibly buying used.) Honda’s Fit was the winner, though the Civic and Toyota’s Yaris might be good alternatives.
My friend wanted to look at Ford trucks. Blake wanted to drool all over a Ford. So we sat in some trucks. I’m not really much of a truck guy, but I was inexplicably delighted by Ford’s Transit Connect commercial van.
Tomorrow we get to tell the church members about the upcoming Financial Peace University course. With any luck we’ll soon be able to pin down a firm start date and actually get into Dave’s class database. This will allow us to buy the course materials and start seriously promoting it to both members and outsiders.
But first we have to gauge interest for each of the possible class times and develop an approximate scheduling consensus that others will agree to. That’s quite a feat among Presbyterians. I’m almost tempted to just set a date by personal fiat. It’s called “leadership” in other groups.
Tonight Dana and I have to figure out what we’re going to say in the morning, and who is going to say what parts. I already have some ideas. The course is worth the effort. I hope we can do some good through it.
