Lessons learned

 Well, I have been a-visiting and I have returned. A lot has happened. 

I got a very late start because Thursday morning my phone started ringing. It was the insurance company with the settlement. We are quite relieved. Tim has a keen eye for bargains. This car sold for well under Bluebook. It had a problem that they tried to cover with a bit of JB Weld. Tim saw the oil leak and insisted on a repair. It was a $4000 repair. If the dealership had done the right thing to begin with, they would have made that repair and sold it at full value. Their duplicity cost them in our case.

The insurance company paid full bluebook. They have been way more than fair with us, paying for things we did not expect. They even waived the deductible. Why? We can only assume that it is because we immediately went up there, paid the tow, got it out of a $100 a day impound, and drove it home ourselves. This alone saved them two or three thousand. 

So, what this means is that this has worked out quite well for us. So well that last night, watching television, a streaming company that plays one gambling ad after another (easy to win! Your winnings go directly into your bank account! Download today! Begin playing now!), I looked over at Tim and said our odds of making big money were better driving a Lexus into Canada.

So that is resolved. All they had to do was come and get the poor old car. They texted while I was driving. They continue to text every hour with texts that began 'You still have not responded,' etc. When I stopped midway in the drive I called and told them they needed to contact Tim. The texts must be automated because they kept coming in to my phone anyway. It made a long drive very stressful. 

My visit was so nice. The girls are growing so fast. I cannot believe they are going to turn 8 and 4 this year.  The oldest made me a clever banner of cats dressed in detailed clothing and jewels.

They are always excited to see me, and I hope that never changes. In fact there was so much excitement that a remote ended up kicked into a cup of water that was in the sofa cup holder. That put the kibosh on TV for the weekend. Not a bad thing.

We went to the library. The oldest girl loves the Ramona books. She had just finished the last one. I suggested Ellen Tebbits. She is a dancer too and has been giggling her way through the opening chapter in which Ellen's underwear are slipping down during ballet practice. 

There was a birthday party which was held at a local bounce place. Two hours of trampolines, climbing walls, ninja courses. Those two girls are both very athletic and ran full bore for 2 1/2 hours. Lesson learned: one does NOT attempt to do splits on a trampoline.

A supper out at a wonderful Mexican restaurant. I had Chiles Relleños. So very, very good. Lesson learned there, too. Margaritas are a big drink, and grandma has become a lightweight in regards to alcohol consumption. 

A failed bouncey ball making experience. Lesson learned: we look at why it failed. In this case it was an incomplete recipe. We found a National Geographic one with a video and two missing steps.

There were giant bubbles, chalk drawings, poppits, walks, swings, playground, church, ice cream, even a parade. What was learned? One does not wander around with a little flag stuck in her mouth.

Adult slushies were in order. Grandma once again learned that she is a lightweight in so far as alcohol consumption is concerned.

On the morning of art class, I saw them off and then headed for home once again. This time, the long drive was made even longer by multiple long stretches of one lane traffic due to road construction. The sudden flashing of an idiot light on the dash scared the wits out of me. Tim said 'Keep driving'. Lesson learned here as well. The Suburu is over dramatic. It was half a quart low on oil. 

Second lesson learned: I thought the wavy lines indicated water. No. This is oil. 

I am home once again. Unpacked. Laundry done. Dishwasher run. The house seems very quiet compared to that faraway house filled to the brim with excited giggles.

Driving home, I saw a huge billboard. CHAOS, CRUELTY, CORRUPTION: ARE WE GREAT YET?

Right next to it on a barn: TRUMP 2028. 

I will never understand how people are so gullible to swallow his bullshit hook, line and sinker. But there are people who believe his 250 rally crowds are tremendous. They believe the reflecting pool was damaged by vandals. That he has put the Iranians in their place. That the ICE Seizure of a nun is totally justified. That the cost of groceries and gas is some how linked to Biden's failures.The list goes on and on.

Then Christian nationalist Jesus said unto the sick, "you better have insurance."

Then Christian nationalist Jesus said unto the stranger, "go back to your own country"

Then Christian nationalist Jesus said unto the hungry, "my taxes better not be paying for these loaves and fishes."

Then Christian nationalist Jesus said unto the poor, "this is your own fault."

Then Christian nationalist Jesus said unto the little children, "let them come unto me, but only if they are part of my religion, my ethnic group, my nation, and are here legally."

Then Christian nationalist Jesus said unto John the Baptist in prison, "you should have just obeyed the law."

Then Christian nationalist Jesus said unto the Samaritan, "stop shoving your beliefs in my face. You are promoting sin. I am king!”

Then Christian nationalist Jesus said unto Mary outside his tomb, "did a man give you permission to be here? Go tell Peter I have a message for him to preach then head back and tend to your home where you belong."

Then Christian nationalist Jesus said unto Satan when he offered him power over the kingdoms of this world, "what an incredible offer, I accept."

Then Christian nationalist Jesus said unto Caesar, "we are going to rule this world together."

"You have a clever way of ignoring the commands of God so you can follow your own teachings." -Actual Jesus (Mark 7:9)