What a great weekend! Only two things could have made it better--if Andrew would have gotten to go and if Richard wouldn't have had to work part of it.

Robert and I got to Lincoln around 7 Friday evening, just in time to see Friday nights glow. Saturday morning, Sis and I went to the airport for the fly-in. The balloonists drop a bag on a target on the airfield. It was just perfect weather this year.

Meanwhile, Robert went with his Uncle Richard to sell produce at the Farmer's Market uptown. Richard raises unbelievable tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Found out last night that a lady that had been in Lincoln a couple years ago had them ship her tomatoes in California!

We also took in the Art fair Saturday at one of the parks, then went back out to the Airport Saturday evening. The wind conditions weren't perfect so there weren't many balloons actually take off but there was another glow. After the glow, because of our VIP passes, we had a catered dinner. It was wonderful! We ate dinner with the mayor and some of the coordinators of the festival, thought that was neat too. Yesterday, we took in the flea market and craft fair, and the car show before starting home. What a perfect weekend, we rested when we wanted to, and ran when we wanted to. For some really great pictures of the festival, check out www.lincolndailynews.com This is the paper Sis works for and a LOT of the pictures and articles on there are hers.

Happy 18th!!!!!

It's hard to believe that 18 years ago today, our little man was born:

Of course, when life revolves around three things : Band, Chorus and Cars, you have to adjust. Since Band is tonight, we celebrated his birthday last night.

I think the greatest thing is I got to make him treats for school ONE LAST TIME. He has early bird shop class so he is taking cupcakes and milk for everyone for breakfast this morning.

After the celebration, Dad "Tom Sawyered" him into sealing the seams in the new shower. I think he had fun the entire time.

Hope your day is fantastic. I don't think you will ever realize how much joy you have brought to our lives. Thanks for being such a great kid, we are really proud of the young man you have grown to be and look forward to seeing what you accomplish with the rest of your life.

Love you forever. Like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be,

Mom.

First of the Last

August 20th, 2010
Last "First Day of School"



And Media Night:
Robert, front row, to the far right.

Robert is standing on the 50, playing what will eventually be the baritone solo. He and Emmitt Bartons are both playing it here, the decisions still haven't been made as to who will be playing it or if they will take turns at competitions. Logan Andrews, one of Robert's long-time friends, is playing the trumpet solo, on Robert's right.

The New Truck

When "gardening" season came this last spring, my 70-year-old mother and 84-year-old uncle put out a garden, 5 acres of it to be exact. I was a little afraid they were in over their heads this year so when musical was over and Robert wanted to look for a job, I told him I would pay him NOT to get a job so when Mom and Uncle Junie needed him, he would be available. Well, he has helped out some with the garden, but they neither one would let him help like I thought they would. Don't get me wrong, in the last 3 weeks he has carried 2100 lbs of potatoes into my uncles root cellar, 40 lb buckets at a time, and that was after helping pick them all up. When he helps, it's hard work and they depend on him to do it. I was expecting him to be up there 3 or 4 times a week and he has probably been there 2 or 3 times in 2 weeks.


My thing is, there have been a couple of weeks this summer that I think he resented me for not letting him get a job because he believed Mom and Uncle Junior would have worked around his schedule (which they did last week when the El Camino was broke down again).


ANYWAY, Mom called me Saturday morning and said Uncle Junie wanted to GIVE Robert his old farm truck. I was like, "does it run?" which honestly wouldn't matter to a kid who lives, breathes, eat and sleeps working on vehicles. But the answer, was yes, it ran well, Uncle Junie had seen a chance to get a newer truck a few months ago and took it. He didn't get rid of this truck because it was in too good of shape and has a brand new transmission in it.


So, yesterday afternoon we went to talk to Uncle Junie about the truck, I thought it was a bit much and Uncle Junie informed me that he had done what he wanted to most of his life and he wasn't about to stop now and what he wanted to do was to give Robert that truck for helping them and helping him when he needs hogs loaded or pigs cut (which Robert is becoming pretty good at and will need to do again in the next couple of weeks).


So.......I think a truck is a pretty good wage for a summer job. Robert is so excited, there are some things that need a little work but they are minor and it runs! and runs well! And minor work just equals a lot of good times to Robert. He has already ordered a catalog that specializes in parts for this truck--which is a 88 Chevy 1500 Silverado.


We will make everything legal tomorrow, how lucky can one person get? Not even 18 years old and OWNS not one but two trucks, straight out. I think he leads a charmed life!