Emma's Recital

Emma had her piano recital Friday evening. She did a great job!! All the students did well, but of course we're partial to Emma's performance. I convinced Justin that we needed a new camcorder so that I could email videos and upload them to my blog. This is my first try--I hope it works!

I know it's hard to hear her (but she was so much louder during the performance than she was at the rehearsal); her songs are Theme From Symphony No. 5 by Peter Tschaikowsky and Music Box Rock by Willard A. Palmer. My mom and Justin's dad were both able to attend. Yay! Emma's other guest was "Nanny" Kay from the library. She's the reason Emma spoke as "loudly" as she did. I'd told her how darn quiet Emma was and she threatened to shout "What did you say Little Girl?!?!" if Emma wasn't loud enough. Scared Emma enough that she made sure she was audible.

Justin and I (yes, even I) worked on the Mustang this weekend. Justin pulled out the engine while I was at a candle party. My "work" consisted of pulling off the bumper, trying (and failing) to remove a few bolts, and handing Justin tools. But I got dirty!! Not as dirty as Justin of course. Most of the exterior hardware is off in preparation for painting. The interior looks different! We removed the seats and carpet. Wow. This is all going to look great when it's done.

Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. ~Confucius

Boat (still) for sale

I’m not pretty. I realize this. I may not be pretty, but I am strong. I am dependable. I am safe. And I will be good to you.

I’m not some flashy boat that you own just to brag to your friends that you have a boat. I’m not a trophy boat. I’m more than that. You expect more of me, and I expect more of you.

You have a four wheel drive truck. And you use it.

You work hard. And you use your free-time to the fullest.

Being on the water is a pleasure. For you and for me. Your happiness makes me happy. I enjoy being with you on the water. I love the splash of beer on my deck as you thrust a cold, brown bottle into your buddy’s hand so you can grasp your pole and reel in the fish fighting against you. I’m happy listening to your conversations; about family, work, and fun and smelling the cigar smoke wafting in the air. And then I hear those magical words: “time to bring in the crab pots”. The rhythm of pulling. The excitement. The wonder. And then I feel it…the crab claws tickling me. And I hear the pleasure in your voice. Oh how I love those days!

It may sound as though I’m only here for men. But it’s not true. My current owner bought me so that his wife and young children would feel safe on the water. I’ve done that, and I’ve done it well.

So you might be wondering what brings me here to Craigslist. If I’m the perfect boat, why does my current owner feel he needs to get rid of me? Let me tell you his story. He fell in love with me before I was ready for the water. He agreed to take me home with him once I was ready. He was so excited! Living in Anacortes was heaven. All he could think about was taking me to Washington Park on the weekends and launching me into that cold, welcoming water. But by the time I was ready to go home with him, he’d bought a new house. Not as close to the boat launch. And this house needed more care on the weekends. The entire family was happy to stay home and enjoy this new neighborhood. It became more difficult to take me out. But of course things could change! The landscaping would be established. All those “new house” issues would be taken care of. He’d be back for me! And then things changed….

Work changed. No longer was he able to work close to home and enjoy the weekends. Now he was working four hours from home and only coming home on the weekends. That meant that his precious time at home was spent on upkeep at the house and on spending what little time he had with his children—and that often did not include me.

So now I am all alone. My owner and his family have had to move. And I’m just not the right boat for their new home. Of course I’m sad. But I’m happy that my owner and his family are together again. He is too. But I know he’d also like to see me happy. I haven’t been out on the water in so long. I hope that you can help me. That you can take me home and play with me. All you need to do is contact my owner. I want to meet you. I know he wants what’s best for me, and maybe that is you! So please contact him; even if the price seems a little bit out of your range. You never know what might happen…..

1980 24.5’ Wellcraft Sportsman
Cuddy Cabin (all cushions intact)

The following were new/newly rebuilt in 2003-2004 and have been subject to fewer than 35 hours:

1989 200 HP Mercury motor and 1988 25HP Mercury
Canvas
Gauges
Fish finder
VHS
2004 Galvanized King trailer

Pretty Boys of 1988

21 Jump Street "Best Years of Your Life Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt!!! OK, Brad Pitt just looks silly. But my Johnny looks wonderful, especially when he's deep and introspective like in this episode.

Wow. Between 21 Jump Street every weeknight at 9pm and New Kids On the Block making a comeback I am a happy wom, er, girl! Now I need an asymmetrical haircut, a neon sweatshirt, huge plastic earrings and the tightest stirrup pants I can find!

Doug Penhall: This guy's the worst burglar I've ever seen.
Tom Hanson: Hammered.
Doug Penhall: Pickled.
Tom Hanson: To the gills.
21 Jump Street "Best Years of Your Life"

Allow me to introduce.....

.....my new toy! er, project.

As you can see, she's going to need a little TLC.

OK, a lot.

And then a little more when that's done.

Check out that sunshine glinting off the bumper!!

Definitely in need of a new paint job. I'm picturing something shiny and metallic. Still blue of course. Although Auds and Ems keep talking about bright pink. I'm pretty sure Justin and I (and everyone else) will win this one!

I don't know if I've ever wanted to wash a car. Need to, yes. But actually want?? Hmmmm... Maybe I should see a doctor.

There is a road from the eye to the heart that does not go through the intellect. ~Gilbert Keith Chesterton

If it did, I wouldn't have this car!

Mustang Joy

Yep, you read me right. Mustang Joy, not Mustang Sally. And why is that??? Because Joy now owns a 1965 Mustang!!! Can you believe it? I can't either. But it's true. Of course it's going to take a lot of work before you can see me cruising in it. But you know it will be worth it!

I've always wanted a Mustang. My dad had a 1967 (blue with blue vinyl hard-top) and my aunt had an orange 1965. Now I have a blue (Caspian Blue at that) 1965. I don't know why it's always been my classic car of choice, but it has. I can't wait to have it all done. I'm pretty sure Justin is looking forward to having a car project like this too.

Hmmm...since I'm already blogging I may as well continue. But not for too long. I do need to sleep eventually. At least Justin's dad arrived tonight and he'll take the girls to school in the morning. That gives me an extra 45 minutes!

So what else is new?

Not much really. School is out next week. You know how much I like to sleep in, so of course I'm looking forward to doing away with a morning schedule. There may be a few activities here and there, but nothing daily. Whew. I like to sleep. (so why am I not in bed now, at 11:09pm)

Ahh, but now it's time to sleep. Good night.

Take most people, they're crazy about cars. They worry if they get a little scratch on them, and they're always talking about how many miles they get to a gallon, and if they get a brand-new car already they start thinking about trading it in for one that's even newer. I don't even like old cars. I mean they don't even interest me. I'd rather have a goddam horse. A horse is at least human, for God's sake. ~J.D. Salinger, Catcher in the Rye