A Start of Summer Wrap Up

So far we haven't done anything spectacular this summer. I felt like I needed a recording of what we HAVE done though so that when The Boys later said that we didn't do anything at all this summer I could simply point them in the direction of this post.

So we have completed 2 weeks of "little people camp". The part-time MDO gig meets two days a week for a few hours just to break up the monotony of summer. My boys are supposed to be positive and help me in exchange for some spending cash of their own. Let's just say we're working on it.

We had the scout cub kart races and The Critter placed in his rank. The Negotiator did well too, but there was much more competition at his level. We also had our scout pool party. We ate and played and played and ate. I swear all of the cubs were growing gills by the time we fished them out of the pool.

Last Friday we participated in our annual Splash Bash with the good people at my work. At first it rained, but then the clouds parted and it was lovely. Darned if we didn't have the whole place to ourselves. My boys got to ride the slide unlimited times and we finally left after 4 hours of interactive pool fun.

Monday we got together with the PTA Officers and planned for the year. It was amazingly productive given that we had 9 children, mostly boys, corralled up in a playroom while we tried to get our work done. Still miles to go before we sleep, miles to go before we sleep.

Yesterday we hung out at Tinkerbell's pool and her hubby grilled for us. Again we were pool side for at least 3 hours. I think I see a theme emerging here...

We tried to mosey down to Six Flags Fiesta Texas today, but were met with torrential rain pour. Even the boys were willing to turn around and come back to try for a later time. Now we're just sitting around being vegetables. You know, lay like lettuce, be like broccoli.

I'm reading this book by Ann Rule. I like it because it's set up as short stories. I can read in between laundry and refereeing the kids. Speaking of books, the boys and I are going to the library once a week. They get to check out what they like and I get to assign a reading time. We're also been pretty good about completing at least one worksheet a day. I find they're more into it if they get to pick, but if they are assigned something they're not as likely to work without complaint.

-E

E-View: H-E-B "Doritios"

Or as I call them Fauxritos.

They're the store brand and they are just grand! Mind you, I don't like all store brands, so I'm not just all about these because of the price. They taste just like that other nacho cheese brand. Try 'em.

After all if you're not really a classy chip kind of person then you've got nothing to lose.

-E

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Have you ever broken up with a friend? I've had my share of friend break-ups, but not in awhile. I'm a little rusty. Still a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Part of me says I should just go quietly into the night. Part of me says I owe her a explanation of my departure.

This is not a quick decision. It's been years in the making. Now seems like a good enough break.

-E

The Fence

This is the fence I have right now...
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This is the fence I would like to have...
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Setting aside the fact in the second picture there actually IS a fence, I like the horizontal slats of the second fence.

We've been without a fence going on about 3 months now. It blew down in a storm and we just haven't put it back up yet. We've had estimates, but Papa and the neighbor with whom we share the lot line haven't moved on a start date. The dogs are loving their new expanded yard and the neighbor has taken to greeting them and I think even feeding them. It seems we now have co-op dogs. Fine by me.

-E

Broccoli

I used to say that I hate broccoli. And I still do. You know raw or steamed. Basically stand alone broccoli oogs me.

Lately though I've found that I like broccoli IN something. My mom makes this fantastic broccoli salad that sent me over to the other side. Before the salad my sister in law made an amazing broccoli, rice and cheese casserole. Good stuff.

So I'm no longer a broccoli hater, but I only enjoy it in the company of others.

-E