Winner! (and loser)

Mike and Quinn entered a Wii Mario Cart competition at our local video store yesterday. For the meager entry fee of one non-perishable food item, they were allowed one time trial each. At the end of the day, the boys learned that Quinn had the best time of all the participants and was awarded a $20 gift card from the store. He had bested his father, who was the second-place finisher. A $10 gift card was his prize.

We couldn't help but remind Mike of the line from Talladega Nights, when Will Ferrell's father teaches him, "Boy, if ya ain't first - yer last!"

Almost

Quinn is almost 14. He is almost as tall as me. He weighs almost as much as me. And I was thinking how grown-up he looked when he held the door open for me at the bank and walked to the teller to inquire about getting cash for a bunch of change.

Then he took his PIGGY bank out from under his hoodie to empty into the change counter, followed by his MICKEY MOUSE wallet where he stashed the cash.

Good Idea!

Good News!

Based on our current investment returns, we have enough money to live for eight months after retirement.

Creative Passive-Aggression

Last month, my daughter's science teacher wrongly accused her of cheating and gave her a zero on the assignment. Yesterday, my daughter volunteered to answer almost every question in the class, using great detail - and a British accent.

Wash Day

Before I Knew

MLK are my given initials, and when I was younger, I thought this day was especially for me. But that's before I learned of Martin Luther King, Jr. I wonder what he'd think about the Occupy movement today?

Can Someone Make This For Me?!

Interesting Read

If you have a couple hours, you might like to curl up with this book. There are so many books about heaven, but this one is a unique perspective.

And Many More!

To my husband:

Happy birthday! Keep shakin' your groove thang!

Miraculous Stats!

I read this on a FB post while doing some light internet stalking.

Tim Tebow is no longer allowed to wear "John 3:16" on his eye black in the NFL. However, in the game Sunday against Pittsburgh, there were a lot of coincidental statistics! He threw for 316 yards, averaged 31.6 yards per completion, the TV ratings peaked at 31.6 when he threw the final TD pass, and the Steelers only interception was on a 3rd and 16.

How do you Measure a Life?

Cal Thomas had a beautiful op ed today in the newspaper. You can check it out here.

Dad's Advice

I called my dad today to inquire about his 2000 Camry LE and whether it might be for sale. Rachel will be 16 next month and I'm simply exploring possibilities. Dad told me it might be for sale, but he's not selling it to us. "Wanna know why?" he asked. "Because you don't need another car!"

I felt like I was 16 all over again. I didn't get a car then either. And I don't think my dad would make a very good salesman with that sort of attitude.

Addiction

Quinn's health class is studying addictive behaviors and has required each student to think of something to which he might be addicted. Quinn brought home a certificate that we both had to sign, pledging that for four weeks, he would not make unnecessary purchases. I suggested that he is more addicted to playing video games than spending money. He replied, "Duh! But then I'd have to stop playing video games!"

Addiction. The first step is admitting you need help. We aren't there yet.

Don't Mess

What weighs 148 pounds and stands five feet, five and 3/4 inches tall?
Quinn in a gorilla shirt.

Happy New Year!

I'm having difficulty distinguishing the fine line between boredom and hunger. I guess it's time to get back to work!

Haircut Term

Quinn went to the barber for a haircut and told us, "The guy gave me a hangover this time!" I needed more information to understand, so he clarified by saying, "You know - a muffin top!" Still wondering, I assessed his new do and realized he was describing his new style that was a little bit longer on top than on the sides.

Classic Quinnism.

New Word

My friend's little girl told me her new shirt was a "handy-down" from her big sister.