BABY YOU CAN DRIVE MY CAR!

We almost had a crisis of epic proportions.


Tiny Baby had his DRIVING test appointment yesterday at 9:45.
He was a little irritated that it just happened to be scheduled during his "off" hour.
I mean really, it should have been scheduled during Calculus or Chemistry.  Duh!
What's the point of leaving school when you are supposed to be leaving school?


We were prepared though -
Driving log - check
Birth certificate - check
Car Registration - check
Proof of insurance - check
Certificate of Completion of Drivers' Ed - check
Permit - check


We got to our appointment 20 minutes early because we are compulsive weird that way.
We went to Station 1.
She asked for Parker's permit.
He opened his wallet to slide it out of the little, clear, plastic pocket.
I wish you could have seen his face.
It looked just like this -

No permit.

We had plenty of time, so we decided to run home and look for it although we had no clue why it wasn't in the plastic sleeve nor where it could be.

The Station 1 greeter lady chased out into the parking lot and said, "Wait.  Come back in.  Since you have his birth certificate, we can get you a replacement permit and then you don't have to go all the way home."

Cool!  I never knew DMV people could be so helpful!

She checks over the rest of the paperwork.

"Wait!  Where is the Certificate of Completion of Drivers' Ed?"

Don't ask why we need that.

Our laws have changed about 10 billion times since my first received his license 5 years ago and basically it is nigh to impossible to get your license when you are 16.

I point out the little 2X4 card that says "Proof of Completion of Drivers' Ed."

"Oh no!  This isn't it.  The certificate is 'official.'  It's 8 1/2 X 11 and has to have the original signature."

"Well this is the only thing we got from Drivers' Ed."

"Ah....I see this card has a staple in it.  It must have been stapled to the 'official' certificate."

"No, I stapled it the drivers' ed book because it was small and I didn't want to lose it.  Here are all the books and papers he received in Drivers' Ed."

Bottom line.  We were missing the certificate.  We would have to leave and go find it....but we still had plenty of time.

We looked in the two places it would be, if we had received it, but we knew we had never seen it before in our lives.

Parker was crestfallen.

Meanwhile, he found his permit................in his wallet.

It was behind his school ID.

But it didn't matter.

No certificate.  No license.

Because we kept every scrap of paper from Drivers' Ed, I had his teacher's cell number.

I called Mike and explained what happened and asked if we could get a replacement certificate.  I figured I could pick it up later in the day and we could start the process over tomorrow.

"Well, I'm on my way to a nursing home about 15 minutes away from you and I happen to have my Drivers' Ed stuff with me.  If you want to meet me, I can give you a certficate."

Needless to say, I did not let Parker drive.

We met Mike.  He apologized if he did not give us the cetificate.  We apologized if we had lost it.  He mentioned that rescheduling the driving test with the DMV would take 4-6 weeks.

Seeing Parker's devastated face, he said, "Actually, I'm giving a driving test his afternoon at 2:30.  It should take about 30 minutes.  If you want to meet me at 3:00, I can give you the driving test then.  Oh, but it's the driving school rules that it has to be in my car."

Let me think about it - no 4-6 week wait, Parker could still get his license today, no grumpy DMV employee, driving Mike's Honda or Toyota instead of our giant Yukon XL, driving on the same streets Parker drove for drivers' ed.  Hmmm........."Yes!  Yes! We'll meet you."

PARKER PASSED!

Suprise!  What kind of Drivers' Ed teacher would fail his own student?  Wouldn't he look bad?  Wouldn't parents question where their good money had gone?

Parker did fine. He only missed one point!  Yippee!

And then Mike's next words were music to my ears.

"You don't have to go back to the DMV."

Because the driving test was done by a state certified instructor, we could take his test results and all of our paperwork to a different county office.
WooHoo!  I LOVE YOU MIKE!

We were the ONLY ones in the county office.

We were in and out of there with Parker's license in 7 minutes!

Congratulations to Parker!

Special thanks to Mike!

WRONG! Everyone is just WRONG!

My whole life is RaNDoM.
So how come I sit down to write and I draw a blank?

It's not really a blank - it's just that I have so much to say!
Help! I'm talking and I can't shut up!
Go over to The Un Mom and see Keely for something less nonsensical (or maybe not).


* Tiny Baby enjoyed a quiet and sedate Sweet 16 Birthday.
Something is wrong with my children.
They refuse any hoopla.
They never want to have a party.
What is wrong with them that they DON'T want to be the center of attention?

 * We opened presents after school and went to the restaurant of his choice.
He has been waiting several months to receive this -

I know, weird, a fountain pen.
What is wrong with my kids?










* Don't worry, his Christmas list is more normal (kinda).
He wants the new Call of Duty video game - also known as COD.
A new controller for the PS3
And, here's where the wheel go off the track -"A COD designated Snuggie."
His words. Not mine.

I asked, "What's wrong with a blanket?"
Parker: "Then your arms get cold.  You definitely have to have sleeves.  Oh and I don't want the leopard print or the camo.  I just want a plain one."
Phew!


* This is the first high school parent/teacher conference in seven years that I am NOT making dinner for 300.
I'm dropping off my roaster, a crock pot and a couple of giant bowls, but that's my only investment.
I "get" to go to a viewing and a funeral.
Hmmm.......maybe I should have volunteered to do the meal.


* You know something is wrong with me when I am counting down the days until Lil Wayne gets out of jail.
But in my defense, it's only because I cannot take another song featuring Nicki Minaj.  She's dirty , and not in the good way.  She's trashy.  And it's soooo unladylike to rap.  Please make her hold hands with Katy Perry and skip into the sunset or get put in jail for weapons charges.  Either one.


* Something is wrong with Garrett.
Garrett hates blogging, specifically, my blogging, more specifically, my blogging about him.
He hates cooking.
Well maybe he doesn't hate cooking, but he doesn't do it.
So should I have him drug tested?
He called yesterday and said, "Mom!  You should totally check out this blog.  It's by my friend's mom and it's just like yours.  It looks just like yours.  She shares really cool recipes.  They look so good!  I'm looking at a recipe for pumpkin/chocolate chip muffins.  They look really good and I might make them because we're going to a potluck and we might take these.  So yeah, I will probably make these.  You should check out the blog."
Yeah..........something is wrong with him.


* I saw these at Target yesterday -

in the street walker Girl's Department.  If you buy these for your 7 year old, I'm unfriending you.  What is wrong with people?

Well, I'm sure nothing is wrong with you!

So get on over and visit some of the other RaNDoM posters!

Have a great Tuesday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINY BABY!

Sweet 16!
It's Parker's special day!

Parker has always been full of energy, passion and enthusiasm.
He was due in November and tried to make his grand entry into the world in August.
With hospitalization, medication, bed rest and my mom moving in for three months,
we were able to contain him until October 18th!

He never walked, he ran.

He has always been adventurous and up for something new and different.

He puts up with unbelievable amounts of teasing and holds his own.
He has always been able to keep up - whether on his feet, a bike, roller blades, a scooter or on a snowboard.
He is fearless.

Our family wouldn't be the same without Tiny Baby, TB, PK, Parky, Bubsy, Sir Bubsalot, Rat-Dog, Ratly, and 100 other pet names!

We love you Parker!

Happy Birthday!

INTERNET FRIENDS ARE REAL!

A special thanks to Valerie!
She's a long time (like 10+ years) internet friend.
We "met" on an old AOL board and we've also become blog BFF's.

I really want to thank her for her comment on yesterday's blog post.
She wrote: Sounds like things are going great-well, except for that "tropical disease" and the plague. Hope everyone is feeling better soon!


Now, we all know it was a little tongue in cheek.
But I chose to take it literally.
And she right.
Things ARE going great!

It's been a little bit difficult at my house this week in that there is a lot of outside drama going on.
It doesn't involve me, my husband or even any of my own kids.
But it has taken A LOT of my time and emotional energy.
I have probably spent 20 hours this week on negative projects.

So Val's comments (I'm calling her Val because we are such close friends! ;) ) rang home and reminded me that as far as what is important - my family - things ARE great!

I AM blessed.
Right now, everyone is in a good spot.
Everyone is happy and basically heathy (no one is dying yet).
Everyone is where they are supposed to be and doing what they are supposed to be doing.
I DO have a great life!
Thank for the reminder!

GOOD NEWS & BAD NEWS!

* This week is full of GOOD NEWS & BAD NEWS!
The good news is that it is now Friday!
The good news is that Mrs. 4444 is hosting

So we can all get on over to Half Past Kissin' Time and play along!

* BEST NEWS - Wasn't that mine rescue incredible?  It was awesome to watch and I loved hearing each of the miner's stories.

* GOOD NEWS - Trammell (the one who just got back from his 2 year mission in Cambodia and is in Utah attending BYU) got a J.O.B!

He will be teaching English to foreign missionaries who are coming to the U.S. or Canada to serve missions.

I don't know how that works.  But evidently, he does.

* BAD NEWS - Trammell has lost 20 pounds in one month.

* GOOD NEWS - If he shares his weight loss secret with the world, he will be rich.

* BAD NEWS - I believe his weight loss secret involves a tropical disease <- that's nicer than saying parasite or worms.  So you may not want his weight loss secret.

* GOOD NEWS - After suffering from "morning sickness" as he calls it and throwing up every other day for seemingly no reason, his doctor referred him to a G I guy.

* BAD NEWS - The G I can't see him until November 29th.

* GOOD NEWS - He INSISTED they see him now and muscled his way into an appointment today!

* BAD NEWS - Tiny Baby is 15 and 362/365ths.  

* GOOD NEWS - He wants NO part of a party.  He will take presents and a driver's license though!

* GOOD NEWS - He is over the plague.  Just in time to spend the evening flagboying with the cheerleaders at the football game - after the ater school cookie making and team dinner of course.

* BAD NEWS - No going out for ice cream after the game with all the cheerleaders because the PSAT's are tomorrow morning at 7 am.

* GOOD NEWS - But after the PSAT's is a lacrosse game, building a haunted house with friends and a barn dance.  Parker has such a BORING life!

* GOOD NEWS - Garrett has straight A's in college.

* BAD NEWS - Except in one class.  The first test was yesterday and it didn't go so well.  He got a 76%

* GOOD NEWS - The class "brain" got a 60% and the high score was an 80%.  Everyone is hoping for a curve.

* BAD NEWS - Parker gave me the plague.  I'm coughing up a lung.

* GOOD NEWS - It's Friday and I don't care that I have the plague!!!  WooHOO!

Have a great weekend!

GRILLED PIZZA

Here's a quick and easy dinner for you!

RUSTIC GRILLED PIZZA

We had a lot of fun with it!

You take pizza dough - what do you mean you don't just have some dough?  I bet you want a recipe?
Don't tell anyone but I buy my dough in a frozen dough ball in the bakery section of Sunflower Market.
But homemade pizza dough is easy to make. 
Really.
Fine.  I'll give you the recipe later.
Anyway-
take the pizza dough and divide it into individual portions.
With your hands, form the dough into a round or square or unidentified crust shape -as seen above.
Do NOT manhandle or roll the dough.
The less touching the better.
But stretch it as thin as you can.

I hope your grill is preheated.
I forgot to tell you that part.

Spread some olive oil on one side of your pizza crust - about 1 Tablespoon
Go ahead.  Spread it with your fingers.

Place the dough -oiled side down on a GREASED grill.
Cook until crispy on the bottom - a few minutes.
While it's cooking, spread another tablespoon of oil on the top.

Flip the crust over and grill the other side for a few minutes.

Remove the crust from the grill and top with your favorite toppings.
We used
sauce
grated cheese
sauteed onions
sauteed mushrooms
pepperoni
sliced banana peppers
artichoke hearts
fresh basil

To each, his own!
Place the pizzas back on the grill and cook until the cheese melts.

Everyone gets their own pizza and there is no whining!
Fun for an afterschool snack, fun for a teenage party, just plain fun!
Buon Appetito!


What are you doing still hanging out around here?
Go make your pizza!

Ohhhh.......you want a dough recipe.
Oh alright!

1 t sugar
1 pckg. dry yeast
2 t olive oil for bowl and brushing
coarse salt & ground pepper
2 1/2 C bread flour plus more for work surface

Pour 1 C warm water in a medium bowl.
Add sugar.
Sprinkle with yeast.
Let sit 5 minutes.
Whisk oil and 1 t salt into yeast mixture.
Add flour and stir with a wooden spoon until water is incorporated.
The dough will seem dry.
Turn ot onto floured work surface.
Knead until the dough comes together in an elastic ball - about 2 minutes.
Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl.
Brush with oil.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap.
Put in a warm draft free spot and let rise until double - about 45 minutes.
Punch down, cover and let rise another 30 minutes.
Divide into 4 pieces - makes 4-10 inch pizzas.
You can refirigerate dough for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month.

Get creative - you can add herbs, garlic or a bit of Italian herbs to the crust before kneading.

Vote for ME for CORONER!

Fall is finally here.
And I am pretty excited about it!
It's 45 and rainy!  Yippee!
Sorry - I was getting sick of the 80's and my summer clothes.

You know what else is here?
RaNDoM! 

It's RaNDoM THouGHT TueSDaY with Keely!
Go over to The Un Mom's and give her some love!

* I'm making this today -

It's a cute little banner to hang in the house.  I'm sure my college kids (who will never see it) and soon to be 16 year old Parker will think it's awesome!

You can make one too!

Go on over to LeeLou Blogs and print one!

*Evidently, it's time to re-elect our coroner.

Talk about my dream job!

Vote for ME for Coroner.

I have a sick and twisted attraction to dead things - not like horror movie dead things but like CSI.

So vote for me!

Oh, I have no training.

Also - does anyone know why it matters if your coroner is Democrat or Republican?

Does one fight for corpse's rights more than the other?

Just wondering.

* Recent coversations with someone who doesn't care to live until his next birthday - which is ONE week away!

Me: "Seriously - no more tennis with firey tennis balls!"
Him: "Huh?  What?"
Me: "Do you think I'm stupid?"
Him: "Tennis with balls of fire?"
Me: "Did you seriously think I wouldn't notice the char marks on the garage and the singed tennis ball?
No more."
Him: " But fire is good. Being a pyro is good. All the inventors liked fire and I'm going to invent something.  I am.  I'm inventing time travel.  I just need a few more minutes to work it out.  Really - put me in a Calc8 class and I'll be able to do it."


* Talking to the same genius
Me: "Don't forget, tonight is your academic letter ceremony."
Him: Groaning; "No.....no it's not.  We're not going."
Me: Of course we're going. You have to go."
Him: "No, smart kids letter. Kids who are really intelligent stay home and pick up the letter in the office the next day."

Plus they have cookies from the Cookie Company for dessert - that's the REAL reason to go!

Don't tell anyone, but I wrapped up two in a napkin for today's breakfast!

And it's breakfast time!

Have a great Tuesday!