A summer time tradition - First trip to the Zoo

 This year like no other year I have sprung for a Fort Wayne Childrens Zoo membership.  This years prices was $92 for a year.  They have completely redesigned the entry way and have a whole brand new system for allowing for entry.  I even got a permanent card to use.  When they swipe your card it tells you how much time it is until you have to renew your membership.  Now the regular price to get into the zoo is $13 for an adult and $8.50 for children.  So, using the membership yesterday resulted in getting $30 back on the $92 I paid.  I figure the 4th use will be free. The kids seem to enjoy going and seeing the animals and it gives me a way to keep them entertained for now.  In this blog I am including some pictures I took from yesterdays visit.  These photos can also be seen at www.flickr.com/railfandad 

Memorial Day the Start of Summer

First off I would like to remember all those men and women who have given their lives to protect and keep our country free.  

 For me this is the offical start of summer.  The end of summer to me is labor day.  My kids wanted to go to what they call "Cannon Ball Park" on Friday when I picked them up.  What it is is a park maintained in Decatur called the "American Legion" park.  I assume the American Legion either donates to the park or runs and maintains it.  The kids indicated there was some new play ground equipment there they wanted to try out. Normally when we go to this park there are usually no other kids around to play.  This time the play ground was packed.  

Happy Mothers day!

Wanted to wish my mom and all the mothers a happy mothers day!

DIY Project - Mounting a coat rack

This afternoon I finally got my new coat rack installed near my front door.   It will give me a place to hang my coats that I use the most and a place for my kids to hang theirs.  The first thing I did was mark the location of the studs in the wall using a stud finder.  I had noticed that the screw holes for the coat rack didn't match up so I went down to Lowes and bought a piece of 1/4 inch oak board to mount to the wall so that I could attach the coat rack to it.  I could have used an anchoring system, but I thought this would be more secure.  I traced around the coat rack then used a jig saw to cut out the pattern on the piece of oak.   Next I mounted the oak piece to the wall then mounted the coat rack to the piece of oak.  Finally I installed the screw covers and the project was complete.  I hung my coat for tomorrow on it. One do-it-yourself project complete.

Has Spring Finally Arrived?

Has spring finally arrived? Took this picture of a tree in bloom in front of the Subway on Lima Rd.