It's All About Who You Know

I know this to be true. Today, we saw it in action.

Back in July EJ received his first (and only???) speeding ticket. The irony of the whole ticket thing is that he managed to drive to and from Ohio and Florida with his teenage buddies without any tickets, warnings or accidents. He no sooner gets back into Forsyth County, GA, from his last summer excursion and he gets pulled over. Grrr!

When he handed me the ticket, I was NOT happy and that is putting it mildly. EJ was angry and felt it was a trap. No surprise there :-). He decided he wasn't going to call the number and just pay the fine. He was going to court and fight it. Today was his court date.

While EJ was waiting in the hall for his turn to go before the judge he met up with Leslie Abernathy, Solicitor General, Forsyth County. Mrs. Abernathy is Jessica's mother. Jessica and her family attend First Baptist Cumming and Jessica participates in the youth group with EJ. Mrs. Abernathy greeted him and asked him why he was there. She asked to see his ticket and then proceeded to reduce the speed noted on the ticket and pulled him to the front of the line at the counter so he could pay his fine. The change she made on the ticket means NO points on his license and NO INCREASE in insurance!!!! She also told him to SLOW DOWN and said she didn't want to see him there again. THANK YOU Leslie Abernathy. You can bet I will be looking for her at church so I can thank her in person.



Getting EJ to the court house by 8:30 AM in Cumming from Dahlonega was not convenient and meant that I missed some work this morning. But no longer having to worry about how that ticket will affect my insurance rates makes the early morning, 4 hours in the car, extra gas and time missed at work definitely worth all the inconvenience. I feel strongly that things played out the way they were supposed to.

It is my sincere wish that the inconvenience, cost and scolding were enough to slow EJ down. A mother can dream!

Feast or Famine

This seems to be the theme of my life. Right now it applies to the weather in Atlanta.

Last summer we were bombarded with drought information; how many days of water left in Lake Lanier, how to conserve water, how many people had been fined for watering their yards, etc. Today the news is filled with stories of people that have lost their homes and all their worldly possessions and some their lives as a result of washed out roads and flooding. It has rained every day for over a week.

We, here in Cumming, GA, are happy to report no water damage, flooding or roof leaks! We are very blessed.

Last night after dinner, Chloe and Katie decided they needed an ice cream treat and they wanted it badly enough to face the elements. This meant gearing up for an excursion out into pouring rain. As you can see, they made quite the fashion statment!!!

But they had dry feet when they came home with their ice cream. Sometimes it is the simple things that can make you so happy!

Getting Our Money's Worth

Katie sent me an email yesterday afternoon. It is too good not to share. Those of you on Facebook may have already seen this.

This is Ej's status on facebook. I thought you would find it amusing.

Eric Sloth loves the unlimited meal plan. 8 slices of pizza, two cheeseburgers, a patty melt, french fries, a rotisserie chicken, and two ice cream cones... for lunch. Can't wait for dinner. (Katie)

I felt very strongly about the unlimited meal plan for EJ. I think I was right.

17 Again

Chloe turned 17 today, for the first and only time! But this is my 3rd teenager to hit this mark.

We had breakfast at IHOP at 6:30 AM. I think Chloe would have asked for a birthday breakfast anyway, but as it turns out she has a very busy day planned. Breakfast, school, work for 3 hours, dinner and then off to the football game - first time as a paid, non-marching guest! I may see her again around 11 PM!

Chloe mentioned at breakfast that the seniors were told this week graduation will be June 3, 2010 at 3 PM at the Gwinnett Civic Center. The countdown has begun.