Last week of July

We got some playing in this week at Forest Park in Everett

In praise of my handy man
Dode was able to get a few projects complete this week.  Most importantly, he was able to get the lawn mower running again.  Isaac had accidentally caught it on fire a few weeks ago.  Looking at it, I thought it would be a total loss.  We were standing there after putting the fire out and the gas tank just slumped right down into a heap of melted plastic.  All the wiring needed replaced as well as the gas tank.  Dode was able to order parts and for less than $100, we're back to mowing the lawn.  One of the things he needed was a new dipstick and the plastic tube that surrounds it.  When he went to the lawnmower shop to ask how much a used one would be, the owner told him, "You've spent enough on that burnt up mower, have it for free."  We've had so much rain lately that it really needs it.  And, it's something Isaac can do with one arm.

Dode also fixed the boat.  He winterized it but wasn't able to get all the water out from everywhere.  The engine has some brass disks that serve as safety valves in case of freezing.  One of those popped in a very difficult to get to place.  He actually has to pull the engine, using the big metal beams of our carport for support, to get to the disk.  It's the 2nd time he's had to replace that one.  There are other safety valves on the engine that are much easier to get to but of course those ones aren't the ones that pop off.  Saturday was sunny so he spent the day washing the dust and debris from the winter storage off the boat.

Dentist visits
Five of the kids had dental cleanings this week and only one has to go back for a filling, Isaac.  I consider that a successful visit.  It's our tradition that after the cleaning appointments, we go to Chuck E Cheese for lunch.  We had my nephew Gabe along with us.  Within five minutes, he'd gone through every one of his 30 tokens.  It took Miriam over an hour to go through the same amount.  She prefers to use her tokens for active things, like riding the horse or pedaling the helicopter into the sky.  Gabe preferred to use his at "wheel of fortune" machines where he tries to push the button at the right time to get lots of tickets. 

After filling up on the "newly improved" pizza at Chuck E Cheese, we stopped at Krispy Kreme for dessert.  When did they change their pricing to having "premium" donuts? 

Jacob also had an appointment this week, to get a cavity fixed.  Only, once they drilled into his tooth, the dentist decided there hadn't been a cavity after all.  But since they'd made a hole in his tooth he still got a filling.  He was not happy when he walked home and told me what happened.

Dangerous Ice Cream
Do you ever try a new flavor of ice cream and kind of hope you won't like it, just so you won't be tempted to eat too much of it?  My favorite Ben & Jerry's is Cherry Garcia.  I even like it in the frozen yogurt version which is lower in calories and fat (something that can not be said for frozen yogurt Chocolate Fudge Brownie).  When I was perusing the B&J's during a recent sale, I spied Clusterfluff "Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Caramel Cluster Pieces, Marhsmallow Swirls and Peanut Butter Swirls".  I debated between in at the trusty Fro Yo Cherry Garcia.  I took the chance on the Clusterfluff and have to say, it's a "10" in my book!  When I went to the B&J's site, I see they've changed the name to "What a Cluster".  Clusterfluff did sound a bit naughty to me!