Tanner's 18th Birthday

Tanner has been dropping hints like crazy that he would love to have a pistol for his 18th birthday.  And since that would be more than the usual birthday budget it could be his graduation gift too.  Layne and I both laughed it off and told him he was crazy.  But something crazy must have come over us because one day Layne told Tanner to come for a ride with him. They ended up at CAL Ranch looking at guns, which isn't that unusual.  They were looking at this beautiful Colt 45 Stoeger pistol.   Tanner was shocked when Layne said, "Well, you better get some bullets to go with it."  So yes, we are suckers....sue us.

At the beginning of the year Tanner decided that he wanted to go to ITEC and take the diesel mechanic program.  So at the time we found a great sale on tools and this big tool box.  We thought it would be a good graduation present.  So between that and the gun for his birthday it was a pretty good April for Tanner.  Now he is just going to have to fill up the bottom cabinet.  But the cost of tuition includes the tools he will need.  So I am sure he will fill it and probably need another one before he is done.  

It is a pretty popular program.  Right now there are 36 people on the list ahead of him.  Each class only has thirteen people in it.  So it will depend if anyone drops out as to when he will be able to start.  The best case scenario would be January 2014, worst case scenario fall of 2014.  So it will give him some time to work and save some money for school.

Tanner has a natural affinity to mechanics.  He will do really well with this program.  He also knows a guy who manages a big diesel shop in North Dakota for the oil fields.  He has told Tanner that when he is done with his training that he guarantees him a job that will pay big money.  So that is exciting!