Sunday, April 30, 2006
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Cory Rocks The House
We drove to Tennessee this weekend to see Cory's debut performance as a solo act. When he told us that he was booking a gig at The Java Garden, a popular coffee house in Morristown, we told him we wouldn't miss his big night.
His set list included everything from classic Dylan covers to progressive Nickel Creek tunes; interesting arrangements of old favorites, a smattering of original tunes, and even a country song or two to irritate his buds who came out to support him.
And come out, they did!
By the time he got up for his second set -- joined by Daniel on bass (and his mom on one number), the house was packed. And they just kept coming in up until the final encore. Shawn has always encouraged the boys to pursue their musical ambitions, and is especially proud when any of them cross a milestone. He was beaming the entire night, but especially when Cory gave him a shout-out -- "Hey everyone, my Dad is here from Maryland!"
That alone was worth seven hours in the big red truck!
Dianne
His set list included everything from classic Dylan covers to progressive Nickel Creek tunes; interesting arrangements of old favorites, a smattering of original tunes, and even a country song or two to irritate his buds who came out to support him.And come out, they did!
By the time he got up for his second set -- joined by Daniel on bass (and his mom on one number), the house was packed. And they just kept coming in up until the final encore. Shawn has always encouraged the boys to pursue their musical ambitions, and is especially proud when any of them cross a milestone. He was beaming the entire night, but especially when Cory gave him a shout-out -- "Hey everyone, my Dad is here from Maryland!" That alone was worth seven hours in the big red truck!
Dianne
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Monday, April 24, 2006
Gas prices
Gas costs, on average in the DC metro area, $3.00 a gallon. Which means it costs at least $30 to fill up the little car. Which, by the way, I have to do every four days. Yeah, I miss being able to walk to work!
Dianne
Dianne
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Wednesday Night Races
Wednesday night sailing races have been a tradition in Annapolis for more than 50 years. Though I'd heard about them for years, I'd never seen them until last night... from our dock!Dianne
The check really was in the mail
I was pleasantly surprised to find the tour bus company's insurance check in the mailbox last night -- 34 days after the accident. Not sure if that's speedy or pokey, but at least it's resolved. Now all I have to do is to schedule an appointment at the garage and get the work done before I spend the money on something else!
Dianne
Dianne
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Day Trip to New York
Times Square
and
Rockefeller Center,
as seen
from the window
of a yellow cab...
Monday, April 17, 2006
It's Always Something
Nice weekend on the Bay... on Saturday, the temperatures made it into the 80s. Everyone headed out with the same thought in mind -- yard work! Between trips to Lowe's, Homestead Gardens, a couple roadside flower stands, and a creekbed or two in the Virginia countryside, we gathered enough materials to get started on Shawn's latest project -- a waterfall and pond, surrounded by native grasses, flowers, and a flagstone walk. My job is mainly to pull weeds, pick out plants, and give moral support when necessary. I'll post pictures of this work in progress when it's done!
Sunday was supposed to be boat day. After what seemed like an endless search, we found a great deal on a 1994 Sea Ray 250 Express Cruiser on Craigslist. We met the seller (Paul), we looked at his boat, we got financing from the credit union. So far, so good.
We agreed to meet on Sunday afternoon to take the boat out for a sea trial -- Paul wanted to demonstrate how the systems on the boat worked, answer our questions, let us drive it around, and (I think) show off his baby. Other than a couple minor problems with the oil pressure gauge and a trim indicator, our boating excursion went smoothly. 
As we pulled back into the dock and were making plans to seal the deal, Shawn cut the engine. Paul jumped back on the dock and was going to get his trailer; he asked Shawn to fire her back up again.
Click.
Click.
Nothing.
No matter what they did, how many wires they pulled, switches they flicked, or adjustments they made, the engine wouldn't turn over. Needless to say, Paul was mortified. He told us he'd take the boat to his mechanic and get the problems fixed before we paid him or took possession. I think it killed Shawn to drive home without a boat, but it's probably best that these things are taken care of before the sale goes through.
In the meantime, we've got a lot of landscaping to keep us busy!
Dianne
Sunday was supposed to be boat day. After what seemed like an endless search, we found a great deal on a 1994 Sea Ray 250 Express Cruiser on Craigslist. We met the seller (Paul), we looked at his boat, we got financing from the credit union. So far, so good.
We agreed to meet on Sunday afternoon to take the boat out for a sea trial -- Paul wanted to demonstrate how the systems on the boat worked, answer our questions, let us drive it around, and (I think) show off his baby. Other than a couple minor problems with the oil pressure gauge and a trim indicator, our boating excursion went smoothly. 
As we pulled back into the dock and were making plans to seal the deal, Shawn cut the engine. Paul jumped back on the dock and was going to get his trailer; he asked Shawn to fire her back up again.
Click.
Click.
Nothing.
No matter what they did, how many wires they pulled, switches they flicked, or adjustments they made, the engine wouldn't turn over. Needless to say, Paul was mortified. He told us he'd take the boat to his mechanic and get the problems fixed before we paid him or took possession. I think it killed Shawn to drive home without a boat, but it's probably best that these things are taken care of before the sale goes through.
In the meantime, we've got a lot of landscaping to keep us busy!
Dianne
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Friday, April 14, 2006
Could It Be?
One last conversation with the insurance company....
To supply one last piece of information....
To fill in one last blank....
To sign and fax one last form....
Is the check really in the mail????
Dianne
To supply one last piece of information....
To fill in one last blank....
To sign and fax one last form....
Is the check really in the mail????
Dianne
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Rescue Me
I was on my way home last night, when my phone let me know I had a text message. Abandoning any sense of motor safety, I clicked the button to read my message.
This is what I saw:
"HUSBAND NEEDS TO BE RESCUED
Pedaled too far and can't get back......"
It's amazing what you can fit in the trunk of a Miata when you're desperate!
Dianne
This is what I saw:
"HUSBAND NEEDS TO BE RESCUED
Pedaled too far and can't get back......"
It's amazing what you can fit in the trunk of a Miata when you're desperate!
Dianne
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
My Poor Little Car
So I get into work and the phone rings. "This is Broadspire, calling for Dianne."
"This is Dianne."
"We received your estimate from the body shop. When we verified it, we found some minor discrepancies with labor rates and came up with our own estimate of $630. When we called the shop to work out the differences, they told us that the work had already been done."
"No. I promise, I haven't had any work done. I was waiting for your check."
"Oh... we talked to (someone) at the garage, and he told us that the repairs had been done."
"Someone is mistaken. Can you call the garage and work this out and call me back?"
"Okay, I'll do that. Have a nice day!"
Maybe my little car will get fixed someday. And maybe the bus company's insurance company will pay for it. And maybe Philip's brother-in-law will negotiate his full price from them....
In the meantime, I promised more pictures of Ella.
We had a nice time in Knoxville this weekend, getting to know our granddaughter -- she's so tiny! -- hanging out with the boys, and catching up with friends.
The only hitch came when Ella had to go to the hospital. Like many babies, she had a touch of jaundice, and her pediatrician thought it best that she spend some time under the Bili lights. She stayed for two nights, but was released in time to hear her Dad play with Brendan Wright on the radio at noon on Monday.
I caught their show at my desk -- they sounded great! When Blue Plate Special host Red Hickey (that's really her radio name!) asked Daniel what instrument Ella would play, he said he hoped she'd be a professional bass fisherman.
Bass, bass -- it all looks the same on paper!
We're planning to go back at the end of the month. In addition to more quality time with Ella, we're looking forward to being at Cory's debut singer/songwriter solo acoustic performance at the Java Garden in Morristown. He told us it's no big deal -- that if we missed it, he'd probably do it again -- but we're not buying it. To Shawn, who really hates missing any of the boys' performances, this is a big deal!
Dianne
"This is Dianne."
"We received your estimate from the body shop. When we verified it, we found some minor discrepancies with labor rates and came up with our own estimate of $630. When we called the shop to work out the differences, they told us that the work had already been done."
"No. I promise, I haven't had any work done. I was waiting for your check."
"Oh... we talked to (someone) at the garage, and he told us that the repairs had been done."
"Someone is mistaken. Can you call the garage and work this out and call me back?"
"Okay, I'll do that. Have a nice day!"
Maybe my little car will get fixed someday. And maybe the bus company's insurance company will pay for it. And maybe Philip's brother-in-law will negotiate his full price from them....
In the meantime, I promised more pictures of Ella.
We had a nice time in Knoxville this weekend, getting to know our granddaughter -- she's so tiny! -- hanging out with the boys, and catching up with friends.
The only hitch came when Ella had to go to the hospital. Like many babies, she had a touch of jaundice, and her pediatrician thought it best that she spend some time under the Bili lights. She stayed for two nights, but was released in time to hear her Dad play with Brendan Wright on the radio at noon on Monday.
I caught their show at my desk -- they sounded great! When Blue Plate Special host Red Hickey (that's really her radio name!) asked Daniel what instrument Ella would play, he said he hoped she'd be a professional bass fisherman.
Bass, bass -- it all looks the same on paper!
We're planning to go back at the end of the month. In addition to more quality time with Ella, we're looking forward to being at Cory's debut singer/songwriter solo acoustic performance at the Java Garden in Morristown. He told us it's no big deal -- that if we missed it, he'd probably do it again -- but we're not buying it. To Shawn, who really hates missing any of the boys' performances, this is a big deal! Dianne
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Ella May Kimbro
The notion of being a grandmother is a little odd to me, since I've never been a mother. But one of the great joys of marrying a man with older children is getting to live my life vicariously through them.
On that note, our granddaughter, Ella May, was born last night in Knoxville to proud parents Daniel & Tiffany Kimbro. We're going down this weekend to meet her in person, so watch this space for more photos. The one I've uploaded was taken by Uncle Cory on his cell phone just minutes after she was born.
Pretty neat, eh?
Dianne
Monday, April 03, 2006
Insurance Claims
After repeated attempts, I think I finally have everything squared away with the insurance company to get my car fixed. Last week, they asked me to send them a damage estimate -- Phillip, my trusty mechanic, told me it will cost about $750 to repair the fender and repaint the damaged area -- so they can begin processing my claim. They will decide whether my estimate is reasonable before they cut me a check, which should also cover the cost of a rental car for the time the car is in the shop. In any case, I'm not holding my breath til they show me the money!
I've also spent the better part of a week going back and forth with the credit union about a boat loan.
Shawn's finally found a boat the he likes that will meet all of our needs. He's itching to get out on the water, and doesn't understand why the loan officer keeps asking for more information before he'll close the loan. I'm hopeful that we'll have this wrapped up by the end of the week.
Though even if the paperwork is finalized, we won't be able to put the boat in the water this weekend, because we're going to Tennessee to meet our granddaughter! As I write this, Tiffany is in the hospital in labor. Last update, a couple hours ago, everything was going well, but Ella still hadn't made her grand entrance. Shawn can't wait to play the proud and indulgent granddad, and start spoiling her. We'll upload pictures, either here or over on Chesapeake Life, as soon as they are available.
Dianne
I've also spent the better part of a week going back and forth with the credit union about a boat loan.
Shawn's finally found a boat the he likes that will meet all of our needs. He's itching to get out on the water, and doesn't understand why the loan officer keeps asking for more information before he'll close the loan. I'm hopeful that we'll have this wrapped up by the end of the week.Though even if the paperwork is finalized, we won't be able to put the boat in the water this weekend, because we're going to Tennessee to meet our granddaughter! As I write this, Tiffany is in the hospital in labor. Last update, a couple hours ago, everything was going well, but Ella still hadn't made her grand entrance. Shawn can't wait to play the proud and indulgent granddad, and start spoiling her. We'll upload pictures, either here or over on Chesapeake Life, as soon as they are available.
Dianne
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
