We have a new roof. The color is Burnt Sienna (dark brown), which is more interesting than gray or black. We ordered the best, thickest, most layered versions of everything. It cost $6,425. We also have a newly rebuilt chimney box. It had become water damaged because of improper flashing. It cost $1,625. I figure it was like having a small, 3-story shed built.

We felt like we got a good price, and we got very good service from the general contractor, Mike Rolling. We saw Mike at least 5 times before the job started, throughout the job, and at the end. He came highly recommended to us, and we highly recommend him for any general contract work. You can contact Mike at 770-935-0027. His company is Property Restoration Services, Inc.

Kathy made the Hispanic crew brownies for all of their hard work. Mike said that was better than a cash bonus.

Oh… we also have new turtle back vents, a ridge vent, and lead boot pipes. Mike said the boots will last a hundred years. Good boots.

We celebrated Kelly turning 11, Nicole coming in from Athens, and D.C. Sr. standing in for D.C. 3, who was attending drivers ed class. Kathy baked Kelly her favorite Strawberry Pecan Cake (featured on the Fiveforks.com Foodstack). I think this is Uncle Ted’s favorite cake, too. Aunt Carol posted a happy birthday note to Kelly on her blog. Something of a first. Kelly got a funky, purple digital watch with a timer, the most important feature she wanted. Nicole gave her the most entertaining gift of the evening, an automated braiding machine. All the girls had braids in their hair by the end of the night.

Grandaddy told a story about the Jehovah Witness classmate in Boy’s Catholic High who all the Catholic boys thought was a spy. He seemed to always be making notes which they were all convinced were being shared with some Jehovah High Council. A group of these good Catholic boys decided to go into the spy’s desk and review his notes where they found all kinds of heretical writings. After some debate, they decided to tear up all the notes and throw them away. This upset the Jehovah Spy greatly, and all the boys were called on the carpet where they were told by the principal (a brother) that they should respect others’ property (wink wink) and that they should not have destroyed (nod nod) the spy’s notes. The young boy did not return to Boys Catholic High the next year.

Poor Clyde had to go into surgery on Kelly’s birthday and get a cyst removed from the top of his head. He looked something like Franken-Clyde with the purple-stiched gash, shaved head, and a “drip tube” sticking out the front like a deformed unicorn. If you are squeemish, don’t click here.

Mary Claire found these beetles after a late night swim meet on the tennis courts. Carol figured out what family of beetles they belong to. Ted found out what kind of beetles they are in this article: Grant’s Rhinoceros Beetle. The Eastern Rhino is a slightly smaller cousin to the Arizona Grant’s Rhino. Looks like the big bug we found earlier in the year was a female Rhino.

The mystery of the big-horned bugs is closed.

1. Coach Doug Jones, Weight Lifting, Pitchers Special Program

2. Coach David Nelson, AP Physics, Egg Drop, Famous Scientist

3. Dr. Varieta Benjamin, Honors Junior Langage Arts, The Crucible and The Scarlet Letter

4. Mr. Keith Toda, Latin III / IV, Aeneid

5. Mrs. Teresa Taylor, Precalculus

6. Dr. Beverly Roberts, Gifted U.S. History. Colonization through Civil War/Reconstruction.

Dear Dr. Yeomans,

On July 26 I brought my dog, Clyde, in for boarding. I was surprised when your office had no record of our reservation, which I made prior to the 26th. During Clyde’s drop off, after the receptionist said she could fit him in, she asked the assistant if there was room for my dog. I was uneasy about leaving him at that point, but had no choice as we were leaving at that hour for our vacation.

With the assistant standing at her side, the receptionist recorded all the items we brought for Clyde: his bed, his leash and collar, his food already in individual serving bags, and a box containing some comfort toys and bones to be given daily. I asked if it would be a problem to give the dog his toys and a bone each day. The receptionist told me that it would not be a problem. Clyde is not yet a year old and had never before stayed in a kennel. I wanted to make sure he had his puppy things (toys & daily chew bones) to make his stay easier on him as well as to make me feel better about leaving him.

My daughter picked the dog up before we returned from vacation. He was sent home only with his bed and the blue leash from your office. Upon returning from vacation, I came to your office to pick up all of Clyde’s other things. The assistant at the front desk opened up his box, which had the wrong name on it, and there were his toys and the unopened package of bones I brought for him. He was not cared for in the manner I had hoped and I question whether he ever got the food I brought for him.

What I experienced this past week is not typical of my other experiences with your practice over the years. I would like to continue using your facility as you have handled Clyde’s past healthcare and you are convenient to my home. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Cashel