Week 3 (what a day) - lol

Yep, tomorrow is officially three weeks since Hailie got her learner's permit. She's been driving down the driveway when we have to go anywhere but that had been the extent of driving, other than last weekend when she spent the night with her friend who got her permit the Friday before she did. She called me up and asked if it was okay if she drove in the parking lot with her friend and her friend's mother. So as long as there is a licensed driver over 21, she is good to go. They drove in the parking lot at the high school since it is huge and there are no vehicles there on the weekends. Great place to learn turns and parking and work on parallel parking.

So today when I picked her up from church, she wanted to drive home. I know she needs to practice driving on the street but I still have a hard time letting go right now. I just don't think she is ready. I let her drive home and she did okay except at the stop signs, she still tends to be heavy on the brakes - can't seem to grasp that easing on them. We had a little bit of traffic on our road and I know she was scared but she did pretty good. I didn't yell at her except reminded her to pay attention to her mirrors and what's going on around her and to be aware. I know with more practice she will get there but I'm not sure I can survive the practice times too much - lol - Anyway - if you are in the area, be on the lookout for new drivers in town - at least two right now - Hailie and her friend - until next time, see you all in the postings - E :)

Still time to vote for the First Book, Hooked on Reading

I haven't voted every day like I wanted to or should have but when I voted today, South Carolina has moved up from 37th to 29th. So come on all you South Carolina readers out there, vote and let's see if we can move the state up in the standings. Oklahoma is still in the #1 spot, followed by Kentucky. It would be nice to move up the rankings. Let's vote - just fill in what book got you hooked on reading and why and what state you would like the 50,000 books donated to and your name and email and you are good to go - E :)

First Book - hooked on reading

Well, I just voted for the first time and I must say, South Carolina is ranked 37th. Come on all you readers out there. Vote. Help move your state up. You can vote every day if you want. All you have to do is tell what book hooked you on reading and what state you would like the 50,000 books to go to so you can move your state up in the rankings. Wyoming is way down there, 51st (because they include DC in the lista) and Oklahoma is ranked #1 - so let's move South Carolina up the board. Vote and vote often. Get on board and share your love of reading with the kids. - E :)

Week 3, Day 1

What you may ask is the reason for the code title? This is week 3 of band camp (the short week really because band camp hours are 6 pm to 9 pm Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and 3:45 to 6 pm Friday with parent exhibition at 6:30 pm and pizza party following that). It is Day 1 of Hailie passing her beginner's permit test and attempting to drive (driveway only - gives her practice backing up and staying in a grooved area) without giving me a heart attack.

So I let her back out of my spot to the hill area where we go to pull out forward in the driveway. She wasn't looking in her mirrors or looking back to see where she was going and put it in reverse and just zoomed back a few feet (probably like 20 or os but I don't measure things like that) before I finally got her to put on the brakes (yes, unfortunately I had to yell at her but it was scary and I'm sure any parent would have done the same thing). I made her pull into my parking spot and try again. She backed up too much but she is learning - thus the permit is called "beginner's" or "learner's" permit.

She did get backed up (surprisingly without being in the trash bin or in a tree or in the fencing or on any of the downed trees lining the driveway area where I back up). She pulled down to head out and almost hit Reeses because he won't move for anything from the spot in the driveway that he likes to be in. I have to practically get right up on him before he moves. She pulled to the end of driveway and did hit the brakes a bit harder than normal but again, she is learning and the more practice she has, the better she will be.

Okay - I survived day 1 - lol - The first part was scary but I chalk that up to nerves and just something totally out of her element. Stay tuned for more on Hailie's driving experience with me - lol - see you all in the postings. E :)