Driving with Trevor

The boys were invited to go to the movies. Well really, I think Trevor invited himself along and then Riley thought it was fun sounding also and decided to tag along. It was Trevor's best friend and his little brother, our favorite two some. Four is always better than three. Especially with Trevor and his best friend as they tend to ignore everyone else. Adding Riley to the mix and the little brother, who is only a couple of years younger than the rest, helps keep stability within the ranks.

I told the boys they had to earn their money. Movies are almost $10 these days especially if they go to see a 3D. I told the boys they had to do two hours of chores with me. Trevor and I worked in the basement. We were able to smash or fold up half a dozen boxes. Trevor carried the flattened boxes to the garage where I will eventually load them into my car for a trip down to my Mom's house. She likes to save the old boxes. Some one is always moving every couple of years and they are handy to have. Either that or just sorting and tossing in er own home, having a stash of boxes is handy.

My phone rang a couple of times while the boys and I worked. They took advantage of my distraction to disappeared. I would call them back. Riley quit after an hour to disappear for good. Trevor had a timer set. He took a break after the first hour, then came back for another hour, watching the clock run down to the last minute.

When it was time to go, I thought the boys were getting picked up, but no, they needed to be delivered. That is when it began to dawn on me they were inviting themselves along. I told them I didn't want to drive down there, I was still working in the basement. Riley piped up and said he would drive.

I was surprised at the offer. Riley had said just a couple of days earlier that he didn't want to drive his brother anywhere yet. To see that initiative and encourage it, I agreed. Trevor wasn't thrilled as I told him to sit in the back seat of the car. Trevor wailed that he didn't want to put his life in his brother's hands. I told him to behave and get in the back seat. I also said no commentary from the back. He needs to be quiet. Those were wasted words. As we approach the train track crossing on the way to Trevor's friends, Trevor, from the back seat, does a "ding ding ding" sound of the train crossing bells. We hadn't been in the care for more than a minute. I turn round and bark at him to knock it off.

I can see the jealousy seething in Trevor's eyes that it is Riley behind the wheel and Trevor is a year away from this opportunity. I was pleased that Riley had offered to drive, as Riley knew exactly what he would be up against with the heckling and distraction. Luckily we don't have far to go and Riley does well, even with Trevor in the back seat, looking over his shoulder, reading allowed the speedometer readings. I was about ready to kick Trevor to the curb, but Riley was handling it with aplomb. My rule is the driver is in charge, if Riley didn't mind, and I think Riley was enjoying the one upmanship, then who was I to get overly angry. Had Riley handled it differently, I would have had him pull over and dump his brother out. Riley just quietly smiled and gloated. Not often does he get the upper hand over on his brother.

I had no interest in the movie so I checked with the boy's mom about the plans and left everyone in her hands.

I had two whole hours to kill before they would be home again. Tom and I watched the Pebble Beach Pro Am on TV. I remember the days when that wouldn't be what we did in an empty house with the children gone. We are content in the quiet peace.

The boys had to borrow another couple dollars from their friends in order to get snacks. I will put them to work to pay off that debt. Soon the basement will be in control. I am beginning to see the end in sight.

I want to put up a couple of walls and create storage closets. What monster house does not have storage closets somewhere. This house has none.

This weekend,Trevor is supposed to go snow shoeing with scouts. He has none of the proper gear. I really don't want to spend the money on boots he will wear once. I have picked up some water proof pants for Trevor as he doesn't fit anything in the house. I figure he can layer his clothes. I have gators which are ankle wraps that go over your pants and shoes. I think maybe he can wear his leather athletic shoes with the gators. We'll see. It is a couple days off, I could cave in and buy him real gear. He needs to show me what his scout book says he should have. His big feet are a problem since he needs shoes and boots that fit an elephant width, 4E. Those don't come cheaply.

Trevor has another infected hang nail on his big toe again. He soaks it every day after school. I wish it would get better and go away permanently.

Yesterday, his spotter in weight training wasn't paying attention. Trevor thought he had put the weights on the rack but he had missed one holder. The weights slipped and hit him in the head. He had a big bump. He said the coach told him he has a mild concussion and should be careful for the next week. This same spotter wasn't paying attention a couple of weeks ago and cause Trevor to pinch his fingers. I told Trevor to get a better spotter. The kid obviously was not taking the job seriously. Trevor does heavy weights. He needs someone paying attention. Trevor said this kid isn't even in their weight group. Get some one who can handle the weights, please, before you get seriously injured. Trevor and I trade stories of crushed wind pipes and head injuries of famous athletes who's careers were over due to a stupid preventable accident in the weight room.