Alpine Slide

It really was a great view and a fun little side trip near Galena, Illinois.

Summer Vacation

What did we do on our summer vacation? This is a picture that perfectly captures my feeling about taking a 2,000+ foot-long slide down a hill toward the Mississippi River on a plastic scooter before being stung by a couple bees, jumping off the ski lift and taking off my shirt in a portapotty.

Quinn Burped

Quinn burped loudly then said, "Yum! Tacos!"

I said, "Gross! When is the last time you ate tacos?!"

Quinn said, "I don't know. Who cares?!"

Happy Birthday, America!

My friend celebrated the Fourth by purchasing a new microwave. Her mother came to visit and baked a cake in the oven, but accidentally ran the microwave for 30 minutes instead of setting the microwave timer.

I wonder if there were any fireworks?

Paid Up - Sorta

Well, my sister, Jamie, did participate in a civil conversation for at least ten minutes with the relative of my choice. I even began the topic of conversation with a comment about the proposed volunteer army to guard our southern border. Unfortunately, I had not factored in the new boyfriend, who acted as buffer and novel eye candy; the talky-talky aunt, who steered the conversation back to herself; or the interesting cousin, who squeezed in a story about a white tiger she once saw in the basement of a tattoo parlor after being almost crushed by a Mack truck.

Thinking back on it - I'm saddened that we only have this reunion once a year. There's soooo much I don't know about people in my family tree. But, perhaps that's for the best.

Hearing Things

I realize I'm hypersensitive to noises when Mike is out of town and I do lock all the doors and windows before I go to bed. Tonight I was certain I heard the TV still on. I thought that was strange, so walked to the living room to switch it off.

It was off.

Still hearing a woman's voice, I walked to the back computer room to switch off the TV in that room.

It was off.

I then realized I was hearing the country music concert going on at the park.

So that proves I'm not crazy;)

Wager

My sister Jamie and I made a little bet this morning. The loser must sit near the relative of the winner's choice at the family reunion tomorrow and listen politely for ten minutes without interrupting or disagreeing.

I WON!

This is going to be sweeeeeeeet! Now I must determine a way to begin a topic of conversation that could be most controversial . . . Religion? We have Catholic, Protestant, Atheist and Budhist represented . . . Politics? We have liberal loons and crazy conservatives . . . Tattoos? Sex? The climate?

Basketball

My parents and I were waiting for Rachel's basketball game to begin. I turned to talk with my mom when she asked, "Are we supposed to be on the field? Your father's on the field. He just walked across the field to give Rachel a hug!"

My confusion turned to shock as I turned to watch my dad walk back across the court to sit next to me in the bleachers. Pretty sure he's always done stuff like that. I must just be more aware of social mores.

Mo Betta

Quinn is definitely on the mend. Today he ate half a cheeseburger and a medium-sized brownie batter blizzard and ran a borrowed DVD back to a neighbor. On the way home, I heard him calling, "Mom! Mom!"

I walked to the window, tore open the sash and asked what all the commotion was about. Quinn told me, "You won't believe it! Mrs. Other Neighbor's Butt is just as big as yours!"

I love my son and his extraordinarily perceptive visual skills.

102

That was Quinn's temperature this morning, but could also be the temperature outside today. Man is it hot! I called the pediatrician's office to request a different antibiotic (This one obviously was not working.), but had to take Quinn in to see him again. What's another $41 in copays and 2 hours of my time when it's summertime?

Poor Rachel is playing three games in a basketball tournament this afternoon in gyms that are less-than air-conditioned. I predict a long evening of watching TV.

Stay cool, everyone!

100.8

Quinn complained of being hot and tired this morning. He took his temperature with the digital thermometer and it read 100.8. I thought it would probably read that hot on anyone today because it's so hot outside. I had just come in from a long walk and decided to check the calibration myself, so popped the thermometer in my mouth. It read 98.4 despite the fact that I was glistening with perspiration (Ladies don't sweat.).

Bad news. He has strep. The pediatrician loves it when I bring in my son and say, "He's been running a fever for about 2 hours now and is complaining of general malaise. I think he has strep. I know you wouldn't guess that based on the fact that he is spinning on your doctor stool and singing, but you'll have to trust me. This really is a significant decrease in energy."

A Great Gift

Quinn was so excited when I picked him up from the pool this afternoon. He told me how he was able to purchase $4.75 worth of snacks from the vending machines, including helping out a friend and some "kid who needed a quarter."

"Where did you get all that money?" I asked.

"Remember all those quarters Grandma gave me for Christmas a couple years ago? That's where."

I think he means all the state quarters that my mom had been collecting all year and had placed on a map of the USA. Oh, man.

Fast Food

Rachel called me while eating beer-battered onion rings from Hardee's. (She and Mike are on their way home from his father's Memorial Pig Show.) While chewing, Rachel asked me if she would get drunk from eating these onion rings. I told her no, of course not. She said, "Oh! So only Dad will get in trouble if the cops pull him over."

She was thinking he could receive a citation for illegal transportation!

Finally

I'd finally decided that I was going to be calm and enjoy the time while Rachel was at her grandparents' and Quinn was at camp. I'd finally decided to enjoy the quiet. Then Mike and I pulled up to the camp yesterday evening and Quinn came running toward the car in tears. My first thought was that he had been injured, so it took me a minute to understand these words through his sobs as his face pressed against my chest, "Mom! Dad! I missed you so much! I love you! I don't want to be away this long ever again!"

Oh! He really missed us.

Well . . . he's back to normal today.

Distractions

Sunday evening I fought with Rachel all the way home from camp. Monday I had at least three auditory hallucinations that Quinn was calling my name. I cried instead of eating dinner. Tuesday I drank two beers - two! Today's shaping up to be one of intense teenage negotiations about the purchase of a pair of Nike Shocks. I think I understand how chemical dependency begins.

Camp

Rachel and I dropped off Quinn at church camp this afternoon. He was humiliated that I had packed him a purple towel. I was more concerned that he had chosen the bunk over the dorm building's drain. I wonder if he will be bothered by rats? I didn't speak of it lest he have dreams about his recently departed gerbil.

As I dawdled over my departure, Rachel texted me to say that bugs were getting in the car where she had belted herself in ten minutes ago. Before I could give another reminder about sunscreen, bug spray, asthma inhaler or warning about limiting his caffeine intake, Quinn said, "Well, bye, Mom! I love you! See you on Friday!" then headed to the pool.

Giant Chinese Silver Grass

Did I mention that we put in some new landscaping? And that it will grow to 10-14 feet high? It should serve as an effective hedge in a couple years.

Rodent News

We've been rabbit-sitting for our friends.
Bad news - we had to bury a rodent this morning.
Bad news - it was Quinn's gerbil Nester.
In Nester's eulogy, Quinn mentioned that Nester had been a good gerbil and he was sorry for the times he might have forgotten to feed him, but that he would always remember the good times and he hoped that he would see him again someday in heaven.
RIP Nester. Quinn says he feels lonely already.

Hacksaw Hijinx

One pesky low branch interferes with our walk around the neighborhood sidewalk. One poorly-coordinated attempt to remove said branch involved an old, dull hacksaw and one distracted look-out. Unfortunately, the branch is still attached, though it now hangs slightly lower. To my knowledge, there was no police involvement.

Just Finished Reading

Quick read. Typical happy ending. Must try something else to distract myself from thoughts of fake vampires
(Still. I know.)