Anticipating More Adventures

We've been missing the latest Bowling adventures and reflecting with gratitude on some of the October adventures of the past. We're looking forward to the next one.This is my first attempt using our new scanner. We've had to buy a new printer/scanner since our last one died on us. Our computer (that Grandpa Bowling gave us because he hated it--thank you Grandpa, it has served us well for many years) and microwave (which Steve just remarked the other day was one of his very favorite gifts, thank you Mom & Dad. He's convinced that we would still have our gigantic, fake wood-paneled JCPenney microwave if it hadn't been for your thoughtful gift--and he's right. I still miss its gigantic capacity)are also on the fritz and I just found out that our modem is defective and needs to be replaced. This is just cracking me up because we still haven't replaced our stolen electronics. (And just so nothing gets lost in the written word without the real life expression--I really do find the whole thing very amusing. The other day the microwave just stopped. I looked over and there were 14 seconds left. Nathan was zapping lentils and we have had a difference of opinion over how long to zap. I walked over and pushed the start button again--which has always worked just fine in the past when the wave inexplicably stops. Well, the microwave started again but--for the first time--it didn't count down. It stayed at 14 seconds, even though it was continuing to cook. Well, I already thought he'd put it in too long and more than 14 seconds went by. I wasn't willing to let the lentils explode all over the wave to figure out how long it would've gone with out turning off. When he heard the door of the microwave open without hearing the "it's finished" beeping sound, he came running in to the kitchen--"Did you stop the microwave early, Mom?! You know I wanted it to go for 90 seconds!" Smart little detective boy--I had to explain that the microwave really wasn't working right and that his controlling mother was not trying to undermine his desire to overcook his food.) I'm almost afraid to replace our other electronics--everything else seems to be on the blink. The only things (knock on wood) that are currently working correctly are our ClearPlay DVD player and the tv--the two things I would be delighted if they were not working (the tv anyway). I'm a firm believer in the WWII motto "Use It All; Wear It Out; Make It Do; or Go Without." I've enjoyed seeing how long I could go without a functioning printer, but it's become a problem with R & N's school assignments, so alas, I broke down and bought a new printer, but I am SO excited to buy a Kodak printer which costs more upfront but then will save you a TON of money in ink cartridges down the road. (Thank you for that tip Clark Howard!).
Anyway, Happy Fall and thanks everyone for all of the great fall memories going all the way back to driving the 6 siblings trick-or-treating in the station wagon at age 12 when Mom and Dad were vacationing in Hawaii. Shelly was such a great babysitter when you're 12. Now having a 12 year old, I would have a heart attack if a babysitter let Rachel drive especially when I was out of state and especially with my other little ones in the car!