How Far is Long Distance?

We are in Virginia Beach, VA! Mensa Boy is working here this week and so Taylor and I came up to see what he does and to just hang out. Nate is at his buddy Ryan's house for the weekend.

I'm pretty lucky. Most moms get to hear about puke and snot and motocross and stuff when they travel with their young sons. I get to hear detailed descriptions of SpongeBob episodes and am asked questions that make me wonder at the creativity of this young person that is my spawn.

Yesterday's first question was, "how far is long distance?"

From there we discussed cruise control, RPM, cooling lights and those little prongy things that stick out under the 0 mph and the 120 mgh. If they got snapped off somehow, could you go faster?

We took a wrong turn when entering the city last night and ended up in a rather scary section of town with just about no gas. And no map. So we stopped in at a gas station and bought a map and discovered we were quite close to a major intersection. Taylor was obviously concerned at first, but seemed to appreciate my navigating skills.

We found out hotel, which turned out to be somewhat of a resort and spa. We were escorted to our room by a bellman who also works at EB Games. Lucky Taylor! But after we were all checked in, he said "I think I'd rather stay at cheaper hotels. I'm more comfortable when I'm treated like dirt!"

Today he gets to choose what we do for sightseeing. I mentioned the naval shipyards and he jumped at that.

Then I mentioned Jamestown.

And he immediately touched my heart by choosing that. Maybe there's a history major in there somewhere?

Family Communications

gone
Originally uploaded by Food Fanatic.

I always tell someone where I'm going and when I anticipate being back.

It's just polite.

But often not effective.

My friends tell me that, when they call for me and I'm not here, the answer is usually "I don't know where she is. I don't know when she'll be back." or "She's at the farm."

It doesn't matter what day or time of the day, they often will tell callers I'm at the farm. I have no idea why.

I left this note for Nate one day when the three of us scattered in all directions and no one knew when they'd be back.

He didn't seem to appreciate it.

Pleasant Surprises

Several weeks ago older son Nate was selected by the school to be sent to The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Seminar at Erskine College this summer. The seminar lasts a week. The Indian Land Rotary is sponsoring him, paying his tuition and they have offered to drive him there. I'll probably take care of that.

I have not known anything at all about the rotary before. Our Indian Land rotary is a brand new group, chartering just a few months ago. Several of my friends are members. They are business and community leaders. Just by virtue of the fact that these wonderful people belong, I've considered that this must be a great organization.

I knew that each person who attends RYLA will receive a $1000 scholarship to Erskine.

I did not know that Nate would be presented this gift at the high school awards ceremony on Monday. In fact, I didn't know about the awards ceremony itself until that morning.

I walked into the ceremony and one of Nate's teachers said, "Oh hey! You just missed it?"

"Missed what?" I asked.

"They gave Nate his award." she replied.

"What award?" I asked. And she told me.

I asked Nate why he didn't tell me he would be presented that morning.

"I didn't know about it," he said. "I was sitting there, and [the counselor] started talking about the next award. He was describing it, and I thought, 'hmmm...that sounds like what I'm doing.' And then he called my name!"

Then last night the Indian Land guy called to ask if I'd received the packet of info about the conference. We talked for a few minutes and he said, "You know, there is a lot of scholarship money out there for these kids that go to RYLA. Full ride scholarships. And lots of them go to Erskine."

He also said the local rotary would like Nate to speak their breakfast when he comes back, and they would like him to help them start a youth chapter at the school next year.

This is so exciting! I can barely stand it!

The Graduate

Ted&Leah
Originally uploaded by Food Fanatic.

My baby brother finished his college degree this spring. It was a long haul for him. He went into the Air Force out of high school and, after a 4-year hitch, he got out and worked for a while.

After a couple of years of that, and accumulating a wonderful wife, a cute house, and two Australian Shepherds, he went to college part time.

And in true Ted style, none of us found out he'd completed the degree until a bit after it all happened. Unlike my sister and I, Ted did not call up everyone and crow about his accomplishment. I wasn't there when my parents found out, but I imagine it probably just slipped into casual conversation one day.

Congratulations Ted-reeko!