Rejoice in the Everyday

Quinn came running out of the bathroom naked, soaking wet, shower still running, to proudly proclaim, "I caught a fly with my hands!!"

And my friend thought her teenage boy was going a little loopy.

Vocabulary Enhancement

There are a lot of words my son apparently has not really learned. Today, when the school nurse joked about being able to cut out his appendix, if necessary, Quinn gave a shocked look and quickly grabbed his privates. I guess he only heard the "dix" part. (And why does he know that word?!)

Later, he asked me why the doctor was touching the back of his throat in order to touch his tonsils. "Why did she have to gag me with that stick?! Aren't tonsils on my teeth?"

And this summer when asked to wear denim as a part of his VBS attire, he just ignored the instruction because he figured it was "some sort of girl thing."

74/?

Seventy-four over nothing.

That's what my blood pressure was this morning before working out. The trainer dude just stared at me. I said, "That's a new record," and walked away.

Maybe I'll eat a good breakfast.

As If

As if a bum shoulder wasn't enough to help her opponents get a ball past her . . . Rachel now has a jammed thumb. We may have to buy an injury-proof bubble for her to wear while playing soccer.

I Really Like Him

Former Senator Rick Santorum. I know it's a long shot, but he does have an impressive list of accomplishments as PA Representative and then Senator. This is an 11-minute interview, but worth it.

I read this book of his a few years ago and predicted that he might be a Presidential candidate someday. This is the day and I wish him good luck!

Teenagers are Idiots!

(But they have a lot of fun.)

If you see Rachel, ask how her shoulder is feeling after the golf cart rollover accident.

First Day Report

Quinn told us the first day of school was "stupid."

Rachel shared with us the "Get to Know You" questionnaire that she had filled out for her honors English class. She wrote that her weaknesses include "staying organized and remembering important information." She wrote that her strengths include "having an opinion about everything."

That's my girl.

Stolen! Briefly.

Rachel called to tell me that she and her friend had their bicycles stolen while they were at the university campus. My first thought was that she might have simply misplaced them (She is an absent-minded professor.). But, "NO!" she said, "We actually saw the people riding away with them!"

A few minutes later, campus police had tracked down the perpetrators. It was almost too easy since the women were also pulling a little tykes wagon full of children.

True story.

I wonder if the ladies had said, "C'mon, kiddos! Let's go get us some bikes to ride!"

I wonder if the wagon was theirs.

I wonder if the kids were theirs.

El Fin

The last day of summer vacation for me here. I knew it was coming. I've received three letters from school administrators, emails, even a pre-recorded phone message. Yet still I wonder when I'll have time in my life for a job.

Perhaps I'll take a bit less time reading the morning paper. I will have to start folding clothes and watching the news at the same time. Time to dust off the crock pot & change my "Summer To Do List" to "Christmas Vacation To Do List."

But I have a Christmas Vacation (nevermind what the public school calls it now) and that makes all the difference!

Salty

I'm doing something salty this afternoon instead of just treading water with my life. Rachel joined me at the TEA Party booth at a local fair. The second person to approach the booth started cussing and accusing us of starving babies. Oh my!

Chandelier Dress

So ugly, it's charming, right? Rachel does not agree. So if my sister doesn't like it, I guess I'll dress up as a chandelier for Halloween. Any predictions?

Thoughts on the Debate

Romney: Slick. Charming, but I don't think he's showing us all his cards. Romneycare.

Pawlenty: Whiny.

Cain: Good ideas but limited knowledge of politics. Somewhat unfairly targeted with religious-based questions.

Gingrich: Strong knowledge of history & politics, but too abrasive.

Bachmann: Forced to defend herself. Tactfully answered outrageous question about submission to her husband.

Paul: Get the US outta world affairs!

Santorum: Like him, like him, like him as strong social conservative, proven ability to achieve welfare reform, take action against nations who threaten us. But, his absolute honesty actually hurts him with others who do not agree because he doesn't even pretend to pretend to agree (re: abortion, gay marriage, etc).

Your thoughts?

New Skirt

I was wearing my cute new skirt yesterday while back-to-school shopping with Rachel and my mom. Suddenly, things seemed more breezy than before. That's when I noticed the side zipper on the skirt was split from top to bottom and beyond repair. My solution to the wardrobe malfunction? I borrowed a stapler from a clerk at the store we were in and "closed the gap." It only took three staples. Who needs a needle and thread?

Evelyn

Some recent pictures of our niece who is five months old. Anyone got a good caption for the one with the dog? "Gracie is such a stinker!" "Learning Experience" Any others?