Flowers, frogs, and orchids. Ingrown toenails and Trashcan Sinatras. These are just a few of the items you’ll read about in this week’s WEEKEND UPDATE!
Jenn and I celebrated our thirteenth year of marriage last Tuesday. We visited the Atlanta Botanical Gardens for the first time in ten or eleven years. The only things I remembered from our previous visit were the blue frogs, a snake sticking his head out a pond, and being bored. I could have made the four hours eight this time and enjoyed every moment. Penelope alternated between walking and riding in the stroller. It took a few hours but I realized something. Penelope was enjoying the time as much as we were. She loved looking around at the plants, looking at frogs on lily pads, and sliding in the kid’s section. We enjoyed a contraband lunch of PB&J and took a series of photographs as a family. Few of them turned out but we had the best time taking the pictures. I would set the timer while Jenn and Penelope sat on the bench. As I ran for the bench Penelope would start laughing. I would grab her, place her on my lap, and try to smile as naturally as possible into the awaiting lens.
Thursday evening Jenn found out she had an ingrown toe nail. Our Friday plans were unpleasantly altered. Jenn went to the podiatrist and had her entire big toe nail removed. So much for long walks in the park.
Speaking of walking, did I mention the Corolla had to go back in the shop days after we got it back? I was driving to the Morrell’s house Monday evening to do some computer work when the check engine light awoke from its brief slumber. I wanted to throw my hands up, beat on the steering wheel, and scream. I got the screaming part out. There was a cop behind me so I refrained from the first two actions. We brought it back to the shop and got the diagnosis we were expecting; bad catalytic converter. We’ve had five catalytic converters in seven years. I can only hope the new one gets us through at least a few years. Our mechanic surprised us by calling Friday afternoon to let us know it was ready and by presenting us with the most reasonable price we ever paid for the repair.
Friday evening we met the Mike, Jasmin, and Jubilee at World Peace Cafe, a vegetarian restaurant operated by Buddhists. The food was excellent, the conversation intriguing. Is the Buddhist community’s goal to recruit vegetarians by appealing to their appetites? If so they could succeed. I had the World Peace burger and a chocolate almond cake for dessert. Both were to live for.
Jenn got me the perfect gift; the Trashcan Sinatras long out of print double album of demos, Zebra of the Family.
Penelope continued being amazing. When we arrived Penelope and I walked up and down the steps outside the restaurant. Jenn waited below and snapped a few pictures. Penelope tried to break away a few times but I held her hand tight. It would have been a long, bumpy ride down. While we were out having dinner she ate her meal, played with Jubilee, and bounced on Mike’s knee.
Jenn and I are discussing activities for Penelope to get involved in. We are also discussing school choices. Want to start discussing it early. Any suggestions on both counts are welcome.
The ONLY photo we got of Penelope with the sock puppet monkey on her head.
Daddy with the Sock Puppet Monkey on his head. “Only at KOHLS!”
