November 20

I just got back from parking court.  On May 5, I was given a parking ticket for spending over 3 hours in a 2 hour zone.  The reality was: I parked my vehicle at 4:49 pm and returned to my vehicle an hour later to find out I had been ticketed at 4:50 pm.  Fortunately, I had a printed receipt to prove when I parked.  I thought, "No problem.  I'll iron this out at City Hall."  The clerk at City Hall said she would report my case to the parking office.  I get a letter from the parking office saying, "Too bad. So sad. You were parked for over 3 hours in the same spot."  Then I was sent a summons in July.  I had to appear in court on a September date.  I showed up in court in September.  After standing in line for a while and going through a metal detector and sitting in the courtroom for half an hour I found out the sole purpose of the court date was to enter a plea.  I plead not guilty.  I was given a hearing date of November 20.  So...after making another trip downtown for the court appearance with metal detector and the whole nine yards, I get a chance to plead my case.  The attorney asks my name.  I tell her.  She replies, "Oh, we dismissed your case.  You don't have to pay the fine."  All this for a $30 parking ticket.  Thank God, I'm retired.

In other news, Mary and The Love Bug are off to Houston tomorrow.  Haley and Dustin leave for Nashville in a week.  I leave for Costa Rica in 10 sleeps. 

Today, I am leading a sing song at Prairie View School in Dalmeny and this evening I have been invited to lead an adult ukulele group.  It's a musical day.

Oh yeah, and because I know my readers are curious, I have a major two game goal scoring streak going.

November 8

As you know, Judy's tradition was to watch her first Christmas movie on Halloween night.  Mary has faithfully maintained that tradition this year.  Mary dressed the Luv Bug up as a bug and brought her over to my house for trick or treating.  The next event leading up to Christmas was Christmas baking on the November long weekend.  The girls have maintained that tradition too.  They are getting together at Haley's place tomorrow evening to bake Christmas cookies.  My nephew, Dustin, will be visiting my home this weekend...another event I am anticipating with a glad heart.  Luvisa is learning new things every day.  Her latest accomplishments have been to sit up on her own and crawl.  She is also eating apple slices, cheese, cucumber, carrots, etc.  When I say eat, I mean she gums the living daylights out of things then spits the spoils on the table.  Yummy!  She is also a master at making the raspberry sound.  Mary has her in swimming on Mondays, Mom's Time Out on Tuesdays, and Story Time on Thursdays.  She also goes to the gym with Mary at least twice a week.  Morgan is enjoying being a dad and working his tail off as Power Engineering student at SIAST.  Haley and Dustin are very busy.  Haley has been coaching volleyball this fall.  She received some lovely gifts and recognition from her players.  Dustin's business is going very well, but he puts in long hours to stay on top of things.  Haley and Dustin are going to Nashville at the end of November to take in some country music and an NFL game.  Mary is going to Houston with Luvisa in November to visit her friend, Samantha, for a few days.  I am only 3 weeks from my Costa Rica vacation.  I am really looking forward to the adventure and have already begun to pack.  Life is good.