Journal entry by Barbara Bradley — Apr 16, 2015

The Bradley family is proud to announce our new baby. Her name is Kit and she is a blue Honda Odyssey. She is three years old and is such a good baby. Kit has a few scars and bruises just like her momma but she is a beauty.

We said we never wanted a minivan and now we have two. Confused? Well, our 2002 accord that we loved was on the verge of issues. We had to decide the night before our dealership search which one to trade in. Sad but true. Which vehicle is worse off. Since we just put money into the old van we decided that may be a better option. We hope she lasts a few more years and then we will get another sedan for Billy to drive to work.

Technology has changed in the past 10 years. I should mention Billy and I do not have the latest and greatest in the world of technology. Kit has lots of options our old van doesn’t. She has a backup camera. Now I can actually see what I’m running over! My dad, rest his soul, would have loved that. He would have complained about how he didn’t need it but he would have really appreciated one on the back of his boat trailer when he went fishing.

Our new baby is so talented for a three year old. She is already talking! (That’s how she got her name. Kit from Nightrider!) It was out of nowhere. I went to use Siri on my iPhone to send Billy a text. (Using my phone to voice a text is about as technical as I get). As I began speaking, I heard a voice.

“God, is that you?”

“I’m not sure I understand. Would you like me to search the web?”

“Sweet Mary, I have a talking car, I think I might actually be batman!”

Kit repeats my message and then says, “Would you like me to send your text to Billy?”

Kit isn’t perfect. I don’t know about her life with her previous owner. She may have some emotional issues. She may need some therapy. Awwww, she is taking after her mother. This morning it was raining on the way to take the kids to school so I picked up one of Nathan’s school friends. After dropping the kids off I decided to have Kit send my text to offer to pick up after school because of the weather. Safety first.

Conversation with Kit:

“Tom, would you like me to pick up Davis from school this afternoon?”

“WAR.”….”Would you like me to send your message.”

“What? No! I didn’t say ‘war’. Cancel! CANCEL!”

“Would you like me to search ‘war’ on the web?”

“No, Kit! DO NOT!”

“Okie dokie, artichoke! I will cancel your message.” (Literally that is what she said.)

That crazy Kit. Such a sense of humor. I think Kit may have some anger issues and could possibly be a spy but she is such a dream. We will get her some therapy.

Speaking of therapy, there was a “psychiatric emergency” that delayed my therapy appointment this week. They kept apologizing at the desk when I checked out. My response was that I was just happy it wasn’t me. Boy, nothing but the sound of crickets. I guess that isn’t funny in their world. Kinda like joking about a bomb at the airport. Everyone relax.

Now for the latest on Katie, which is really why all of you are here. She has had a little tougher time the past couple days. She has done well at school and was ready to return after the break. That works out well for me because I was ready for her to return too.

The past couple days she has had more episodes and has vomited the past two nights before bed and had screaming out seizures the past two mornings upon waking. I went ahead and got a date on the calendar for the shunt surgery at Duke when we return from Maryland. I feel like this is most likely what everyone will decide. I feel better having this date on the calendar. Just hoping we get through the next couple weeks.

In closing, I haven’t left the vehicle in almost a week. There is really no point. She has everything I need and she keeps me company. She requires little from me. This time if you see me on the side of the road, don’t be concerned. I’m just hanging with Kit.