Irony

 We've had quite the adventures the past two days, and I'll get there in a moment.  But, first, I wanted to share some "spring" photos, since it seems to have taken a bit of a hiatus here.  :o(  It's cold and rainy, y'all.  Did I mention cold?

 Did I mention the snow and ice we got Sunday?  I'm thinking this poor hosta isn't going to make it.  Nor are the other six I planted the other day.  Crud.

 This is NOT a happy leafy green.  :o(

 However, these guys that are now working on year three are quite happy.

 The azaleas have been sick, so I'm pleased to see the new green growth and all the buds.  The shrubs are going to be littered with blooms. :o)

 They're coming...

 The columbines are really getting ready to shine.

 Hannah's lilies are looking good.

 So is her rose.  We tried so desperately to get rid of this guy.  Let's see if it'll put out its profusion of fragrant red blossoms. 

 And, my peas.  I think they'll make it.  They were covered from the frost and sleet/snow one night, and were only exposed the following night.

 And, it looks like the pok choys are going to make it.

 I'm worried about the broccoli, though.  :oS

 The dogwood is lovely.  B has contemplated extending that new bed around the gazebo just a bit more to include the dogwood.  I don't think that's a bad idea at all. :o)

 Oh, dogwoods, how I love thee.  :o)  They make me homesick for the 'burg.

 The lilac will be opening and perfuming the air before I know it! Oh how I LOVE lilac!

The warmth and sun will return soon, right?  I mean, I'm not one to complain about snow in the winter, but now that it's spring, I'm ready for SPRING. 

Okay, on to tonight's story of irony.  Last night, on the way home from church, Brien called to tell me his car had died.  First the battery light came on.  Then, at a stoplight, smoke or steam (he couldn't tell which) began pouring out from under the hood and the check engine light came on.  He pulled over in the local shopping center's parking lot and discovered it was steam and he had coolant spewing everywhere. 

Having no earthly idea what was wrong, but suspecting the radiator was hosed, or the water pump or some such, he called a tow truck to pull him to our favorite mechanic (once more I'm eternally grateful we have AAA) while I removed the girlies from their cozy beds and loaded them into the chilly car.  Needless to say, Ellie was more than a bit peeved with me. 

As we discussed possible problems and decided B could simply drive my van to work the following day, we realized my inspection was expired, and there was NO way they would allow him on base with an expired inspection. 

So, we decided this morning would be a fine day for B to bring my car for an inspection. ;o)  We knew I needed new tires and were ready to go with that.  He got to the store, they got my old tires off and discovered my rack and pinion were hosed.  Folks, it was deader than a doornail.  Talk about unsafe...oh my. 

Ulp.  That was an unplanned for expense and made me wince, but we got it taken care of (my van has over 100,000 miles on it, B's car over 130,000 and we have no desire to get new vehicles and take on a car payment), as well as an oil change and an inspection--which I passed. ;o)  And, we awaited news of B's car.

We received a phone call around 5:00 this afternoon (is 5 afternoon or evening?) and I prayed it was not too bad.  We were told it was merely a dead belt.  That was it.  Huh??  So, we got B to his car, and all he had to pay for was his oil change since the mechanic had replaced the belts about six months ago and they were still under warranty.  SWEET!! :o) 

So, here we thought B's car was going to be bad and mine just iffy (tires ain't cheap), and instead, my van was the one that gave us heartburn.  I told B I thought it was someone looking out for us since we are planning on hitting IKEA Friday and that would be one heck of a long trip up and down the Interstate with a banged up rack and pinion.  By his car breaking, we were "forced" to have my car taken care of.  Thank goodness we found it!

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Today's Sparklies:

1.  Well, this might not be a sparkly, but it certainly made me laugh:

The Beanie grabbed our "Today is" sign from the school room and nommed it.  Oh my.
2.  Mom and Dad are back!  We sure did miss them!
3.  Dinner out with Mom and Dad.  Well be missing out on Friday so took advantage tonight.
4.  For those of you who wear Chico's clothes, or who are familiar with their sizing, I put on a pair of size 2 jeans today!  I haven't been in these for YEARS, and they aren't even snug or tight!  WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO! They've just been hanging there in the closet, and I needed a pair of jeans today and decided to take a chance.  I'm SO happy I did! :o)
5.  Ellie put on quite the walking show for Nana and Pop this afternoon.  She's going to be running in two weeks.  You watch. 

No milestones.