The Van, the Van! by Lori

The van has been towed and in need of an engine transplant. Turns out our insurance will cover it (minus our deductible) and the surgery will be performed a week from Thursday. Pete has visited it daily to take things out that he needs and for a little quality time. He is careful not to show the rental van (which is a pretty blue)and Pete says is very nice. We are relieved we do not have to purchase another vehicle. It was a wake-up call for me to put some extra money away so we can get the vehicle we want instead of being forced to buy what is available at the present time. We were planning on purchasing in the fall of '06 but may do it sooner.

The other thing is I am spoiled because our air conditioning went out last summer, to replace it would cost a grand and it only has a one year warranty (Hello? We live in Wisconsin where its really hot three months out of the year!!! So in reality, it is only a three month warranty). I keep thinking we can make it through the summer without it, but wouldn't you know it has been stifling hot lately UNTIL the van died, now it is cool again. I am just happy the car is getting fixed and now we can take a little time to look for a new one.

We had a nice surprise visit from John and Betty last night. (Except Luke, unbeknownst to me, had disrobed after using the restroom and answered the door in his birtday suit!).They came to Green Bay to do a little shopping for their garden railroad which they have been working hard on all spring. We are looking forward to seeing it in person either this weekend or next weekend. The only sad part was when Luke bodyslammed Grandpa not once, but twice! We maybe should get Grandpa a protective body suit when he comes to visit so he can leave here as good as when he came.

They stopped over for a few minutes this morning to see the kids once more before they left to go back home. It was nice to see them away from Crystal Falls and hope it continues.

Heard from the brother-in-law who is "catching the fishes" and not "swimming with the fishes" so that is a relief.

Today, now that I am not longer concerned about the car, I have to pay bills, send in camp registrations, call on a couple other programs Breanna wants to sign up for(a Laura Ingalls Day at Heritage Hill and a voice camp for a week at UWGB). She also informed me she wants some roller blades so I think we will stop at 'Play it Again Sports' a place that sells used sports equipment. She wants to use them while we go on our walks this summer.

Since we all went to the doctor last week, Luke has been Dr. Luke and has been giving me hourly check-ups. Today, however, he was using markers and one was not washable(I was talking on the phone to my mother and not watching which marker he was using). So, we went from Dr. Luke's office to Mom's Car Wash and got a good scrubbing.

Thanks to all who listened while we vented on the car. Hopefully this will be the last we speak of it!

Have a good one.

Lori