Fun Day!

Automotive Collision Technologies, Inc. That's the name of a business I noticed as we drove to dinner tonight, and I commented on it to Jim. That's an auto body shop where they patch up wrecked cars. Isn't that name a little high-brow? It sounds as if the owners stayed up late throwing out the most prestigious names they could think of to call their garage. Either that or the owner retired from a federal job writing government-speak. Well, I hope the effort proved worthy of the name, and business is booming. Good luck to them.

Sharon and I went yard sailing and to our favorite consignment shop today, and had a long awaited shopping fix. I found several great items that I never knew I wanted or needed, but were just perfect in our house. The only negative in an otherwise great day was that our friend Cathy wasn't with us. She and her family are in Florida enjoying themselves in a 3-bedroom unit with a huge living and kitchen area, a lovely screened in porch overlooking some lakes and streams, with a giant jacuzzi in their bedroom. Wow! How cool is that? After our shopping spree we had lunch at our old favorite restaurant - Bob Evans - and sat and talked for a long time.

Tonight Jim and I went to the Olive Garden for dinner, using a generous $75 gift card. It was an excellent meal, with wine and a sinful alcoholic dessert drink for me, featuring several liquors, chocolate sauce, ice cream, and whipped cream. The gift card came compliments of the Wellness Program of our insurance company for completing an on-line health evaluation survey. We still have some money left on it and I'm sure it won't go to waste.

I hope the weather cooperates tomorrow. I want to get back outside to do some yard work. Jim is working on putting in some stairs going up the hill behind our house. Right now it's just a worn dirt path up to the bird and deer feeders, and if it's snowy or muddy it gets slippery, and on at least one occasion his feet have gone out from under him and he landed on his rear. Not good! He's putting in some pressure-treated beams that will be anchored with ree-bar posts for the steps. A much safer and better looking solution than the dirt path.

PHOTO: When Ping, Pong and Paddle were 3 and 4 months old, they would sit and watch television. Here they are watching a tennis match, pawing the screen to catch the ball. Paddle is the smallest one at 3 months old.