Happy April Fool's Day!

Hello, my family. Thought I'd make an effort to stay in touch....

Only 17 days until Julie, Brandon and Gavin arrive! You'd think I would be busy cleaning house and so forth, but it's not happening. Today I watered my plants, got my haircut (a tiny bit) and went over to Gram's to catch up on her bills and banking stuff. Her caregiver, Linda, gets paid in cash every Tuesday, and the bank is only open 9-12 Monday through Friday, so I have to pay attention and get there when I'm not working at Jewel. Linda told me today that she would like to have an internet connection, and she is willing to pay for it, so I arranged for AT&T to send out a modem. Linda will pay for that, as well as the $20 per month charge. I can't blame her - she has a laptop and she'll be able to keep in touch with her family in Mongolia, as well as her boyfriend who's a long distance truck driver. She doesn't ask for many days off, but she wants to take one this week. She will leave at 5 PM on Friday and return by 5PM on Saturday. I plan to stay at Gram's for those 24 hours. My cousin Linda Bond, who lives in Kansas, will be in Oak Park this weekend visiting her Mom (Aunt Dade). I was going to visit them on Saturday, but I will do it on Sunday afternoon instead, after I work 8-12 at Jewel.

Some of you may already know that our 14 1/2 year old water heater is leaking. We went to Sears on Sunday evening, after Medieval Times, and purchased a new water heater and also a new dehumidifier for the basement. In order to save $$ we brought them home ourselves in the RAV4. Pop planned to install the water heater himself, but finally agreed to hire his friend Larry, who's a plumber, to help him. I believe that they will be doing this tomorrow evening (Weds.)

We have a pair of ducks visiting the pond from time to time. Don't know if it's the same pair as last year, or if they will decide that this is their first choice of real estate. Time will tell....

We had a good time Sunday afternoon with D.J., Michele, Chris and Sami at Medieval Times. We met there more than an hour before the show began. When the whole thing was over we got separated in the crowd that was exiting, so we never got to say good-bye. Pop and I hung out by the photographers who were displaying the pictures they took of us as we entered, but we couldn't find our specific picture and finally just gave up and left.

Friday morning will be the second session of our defensive driving course from 8-12. After that we plan to go to the Arboretum to meet Lynn and Phil Ritchey for lunch and hopefully for a nice walk, weather permitting. We originally planned to go out to dinner with them on Friday evening, but my new caregiving duties conflicted with that.

Dave, how was the bowling event on Saturday? Gram asked me how you did. She and I have both sent our checks for sponsoring you. Hope you made a lot of money for Junior Achievement.

Melissa, how are you feeling lately? Dave said you had a doctor appt. on Saturday.

Keep in touch, folks - particularly my sons, who I don't think even bother to read this. We really are interested in the goings on of everyone's lives!

Take care of yourselves, and I send my love as always

Mom