Barb Turns 14

Barb had a group of friends over for a bowling party and then a cookout (her dad cooked out while they all stayed warm inside out of the snow)/hangout time at our house. When it came to cake time, they decided to revert to 1 year olds and asked if they could eat the cake with their hands. For a moment I wanted to say, "Heck no. You have utensils. Use them!" But then I thought, "Who will this hurt? Why not just let them go at it?" So I agreed and they dug in. It was fun and funny to watch. Barb got the grubbiest and really enjoyed being silly.

Turning 14 is a big deal in Alaska because it means being old enough to get a driver's permit. We found this out back in May when we knew we suspected we were moving here. I was trying to find SOMETHING about Alaska that Barb could look forward to. When we came up on our househunting trip in June I picked up the drivers manual for her and gave it to her to start studying. She told everyone that the day after her birthday (which was on a Sunday) she was going to go take the drivers' written test and get her driver's permit. I told her that she better start studying. So she did...the Saturday before her birthday!!! She read the whole manual as we drove to and from skiing. Sunday she had us ask her questions. Monday she wanted to go take the test. We got all the paperwork together, went directly to the Division of Motor Vehicles, and found out it was closed. UGH. So we did the same thing on Tuesday when the place was open. The test is 20 questions on the computer and a score of 80% has to be achieved. As soon as a person hits 80% the test stops. Alaska's test is quite difficult, so I had been warned before I took my test. And it took me all 20 questions to get my 80%. One of the questions was what is the minimum car insurance required in Alaska...I'm sorry...I have been married for almost 18 years and my husband deals with that and hands me my insurance card and tells me we are covered. Yippee! BUT, I made sure that Barb knew because I had no clue. Anyway, it only took her 17 questions to get her 80%. She came out with a big grin from behind the testing booths saying ever-so-calmly "I passed. " I stood up and said "What! You passed! You weren't suppose to pass. I'm not ready for you to pass. You're only 14!" (Of course, all with a big grin and a hug.) and the people in the waiting room just chuckled and some said "I know what you mean!" becuase they had either already been in my position or were about to be. So, on Tuesday, Nov. 29th, 2006, Barb got her permit as shown with her signing her paperwork above. I drove with her once around a cul-de-sac in our neighborhood, and Shaun has driven with her almost every day. She already has more experience on snow and ice than I had when I went away to college. Awww....the adventure continues.