PIRATES!!!

On Sunday, April 19th, the Grand Cities Children's' Choir held their Spring Concert. Nathan sings in one of the choirs. I am amazed at how well the GCCC takes these little kids and turns them into a singing unit. I remember my father telling me how many really bad concerts he went to when I was in just starting out in band (he waited until I was older and in bands that sounded good before telling me this...otherwise I may have become too discouraged to continue...). The kids of the GCCC sing really, really well.

On Satuday the 18th Nathan had a dress rehearsal. I told Hannah and Tyler that after I dropped Nathan off at the rehearsal I would come back and pick them up so we could go to the library. They love books and movies and the GF library has a great selection of each in the children's' department. The children's department has one other feature: a sailing ship. Back in 1999, one of the librarians kids was in Boy Scouts. For his Eagle Award service project he built this sailing ship against the wall: The HMS Eagle. The wall has been painted with a water scene and pictures of mermaid, Nemo, etc. The kids love playing on this ship.

The pictures above show what the two little ones looked like when I got back from the rehearsal to pick up them up.

Yes, I went to the library...a public place...with pirates!

Terri, one of the wonderful librarians, asked me if I minded if she took a couple pictures of the kids. I sighed and said “go ahead.”

A while later, when we went downstairs to check out our books, I ran into Terri again. She leaned over and asked if I minded if they used the pictures of the kids in the monthly newsletter...

“O.K.,” I sighed. “Just save me a copy...”

Easter

Sorry it's been a while since I've updated the blog. Here's the highlights from Easter:

1. Nathan decided he wanted a new bike this year. The bike he chose was $100. We hadn't intended on spending that kind of money on an Easter gift. We offered to split the cost with Nathan and he decided that was too good of an offer to pass up. The picture above is him on his new bike (sorry, the bike didn't make it into the picture too well).

2. Hannah wanted her hair done up fancy for Easter. We're learning that her hair doesn't dry too well in rollers.

3. Tyler likes his new hat that was in the Easter basket.

We headed out to the farm NE of Devils Lake for Easter. I had to come back early so I could work the next day. Sandy and the kids got a ride back from Grandma and Grandpa Steffan (we were down to one vehicle...see the post before this one).

Hey Buddy, can I borrow your car?

Last Tuesday, 3/31/09, I had to drive up to Grafton (approx 45 minutes NW of Grand Forks) to see some clients. There was a bit of bad weather in the area, but Grand Forks was pretty much outside of the bulk of the wet and white stuff. Fargo was expected to get 12 or more inches. Grand Forks was due for only 2 or 3 inches. Since I was leaving after lunch in broad daylight I figured I would risk it.

My first stop went very, very well. Sold a Long Term Care policy to a lovely farm couple. I left their farmstead pretty happy, having picked up a check for the policies, and in plenty of time to get to my next appointment. Unfortunately I ran into a bad patch of road just as I turned out of their farm, swerved around losing control, and ended up with the nose of my pickup in the water filled ditch! By the time the farmer pulled me out with his 4WD John Deere tractor and a really big chain, I had a couple inches of water on the floorboards of the passenger side of my truck. Some minor damage, mostly cosmetic, to the front end. My truck was still drivable and I made it home without incedent (still made it to my other two appointments that evening, just a little late).

Took my truck into the body shop today to get the $969.60 in damage repaired. I had a nice walk from the body shop to work, only a 10 or 15 minute walk while listening to music on my new smartphone.

I had a good appointment at work this morning. Towards the end of the appointment I was interrupted by one of the other agents in our office saying "your wife is on the phone." I asked him to see if it was an emergency...it's kind of an unspoken rule in the office that you don't interrupt an appointment with a client. He said that it was an emergency. I excused myself to answer the phone. It was Sandy. She was on her way to take Tyler to a gymnastics "open gym" time so he can play on the trampolines and gymnastics equipment. They were driving down the street when the elderly lady at the intersection decided not to stop at the stop sign. Total damage: $6400! No injuries, everyone is fine...only vehicular damage.

We have a rental minivan now...

It's embarrassing having to visit the bodyshop twice in one day: once to drop off a damaged vehicle, and three hours later to get an estimate on the other vehicle.