Sam: Licensed

My baby boy Sammy turned 16 years old on November 4th. It does not seem possible... the years have flown by. This is a birthday both Sam and I have been waiting for – the big date, getting his Driver’s License! Sam loves to drive, and I love not having to drive him everywhere he wants to go.

On his birthday, Sam and I went into town to the Secretary of State’s office where we did all the paperwork for his driver’s license. His license only took about a week to arrive in the mail because we went ahead and got him the “Enhanced Driver’s License." (And his license photo... awesome!) We also picked up his temporary Handicap Parking Permit. His knee is doing well, but he is still on crutches and still wearing the brace, so parking up front at school every day is necessary. (I’m going to do most of my Christmas shopping with Sam!)

We celebrated his birthday by taking him out to dinner, his choice – Olive Garden.



And a very good choice, too. Good food and very nice beverages. Since Mike had to work, it was just the 4 of us...
Kev, Joyce and the Birthday Boy...



And here’s me with my Sammy...



We also delivered a dinner to Mike at his workplace, which was fun. Mike was happy.

It was a very pleasant birthday dinner. Then when we got home, Sam opened his presents from us and Joyce & Mike. Waiting on the front porch for him was a “candy cake” from his friend, Julia...



I love the “Princess” balloon! Julia knew Sam was out for the evening, and she somehow talked one of her parents into driving her all the way out to our house to leave Sam this surprise. She’s a sweetie.

We had a family birthday party a couple of days later, and it was also a very pleasant evening. With cake!



Since his birthday, Sam has been experiencing the wonderful freedom of driving himself. He has my old LeSabre, and the boy has been putting a lot of miles on her. Seems like everyday after school there is something needed to be done in town, and he and Julia have been out and about quite a bit. It still seems weird to me to not have to drop him off at school in the mornings. Weird... but oh so nice. I’m enjoying my freedom, too.

So this is where you will usually find Sam now...

Gorgeousness

In mid-October one of Mike's cousins got married, so Joyce and Mike got all dressed up and pretty for the wedding reception...

Haberdashery

The title has no relationship to this post; I just like that word.

I drove into work this morning under a gigantic, black storm cloud. Today will be an ominous day. Or not.

Yesterday was warm, and we had a storm with rain, thunder and lightning. When I got out of my car in the parking lot this morning, however, the wind was wild and very COLD. But I still don't smell snow. *sniff* Gimme snow.

What I've learned recently: Do not give your cell phone number to a used car salesman.

We are getting a free range turkey for Thanksgiving. Joyce called the farm and placed an order, i.e., she put a hit out on a Tom.

Due to circumstances beyond my control (that's my story & I'm stickin to it), I still have to get groceries for Thanksgiving dinner. File that under stupid.

My home computer crapped out on me, and I've spent a fair amount of time trying to fix it. I've been trying to avoid the work of a restage, but it's in my future. It's not the restage, of course, it's all the software installing that follows. Ugh.

I have a ton of photos to sort through now... over 800. I haven't uploaded from my camera to my computer because of aforementioned crappage. Lots of stuff to post about, with photos, including Sammy's 16th birthday. *sigh*