Karma

Tonight my beautiful Zoe made her theatrical debut in a Christmas show. As Nathan and I were approaching the venue, a tall man gave me a weird stare down. It was odd, but we laughed and kept walking. Then we bought tickets and stood in line behind a mannish woman wearing WAY TOO MUCH Obsession cologne.

As luck would have it, we ended up spending a delightful 2 hours seated in between glare man and man-woman. Why do these things always happen to me?

For the record, Zoe did great. And glare-man read his tickets wrong and had to be re-seated.

A Sad Commentary on the State of My Existence

This morning, I spent more than an hour glued to the computer pushing refresh in hopes that I could register Zak for a scouting pow-wow. I don't even know what a scouting pow-wow is, I just know that if I don't hurry up, some other kid will get the chance to go and mine will not. There were four other parents conferencing in together so that our boys will be in the same classes.

"What is your screen saying?"

"can you get in yet"

An hour of this.

Never mind the fact that Zak told me a few days ago that football was more important to him than scouting and that he doesn't want to participate anymore. He has only officially been a "boy scout" for 6 weeks. Quite an impression they're making on him.

Zak did tell me this (which I will proudly announce for him); that he will continue to "do his duty to God and his country".

I successfully registered him and I know that at least one of the other boys will be with him.

I feel that over-eager button pushing should result in something great for me....hard to acquire concert tickets, extremely inexpensive luxury items....someday I will accept the fact that my life is not about me.

Long Time Coming

About a year ago, I ran into one of the other Mom's on Zak's football team while we were doing our grocery shopping. She glanced into my cart and noticed my butternut squash. She then made a comment in passing about how none of her friends in Indiana knew what butternut squash was and that it was unfortunate and that she had a delicious, warm, butternut squash dip that she makes and loves.

I was thrilled to be gourmet enough to be familiar with this exotic type of squash. If only I would have been farther down my list she would have seen my quinoa. Dang.

I have been wanting to try a butternut squash dip for the last year. So, today, I went outside to my garden. I picked a fresh butternut squash and then made a delicious, warm dip. It really was good. I tend to get overly excited about new foods which can lead to unmet expectations, but this was delicious. You roast onions and garlic with the squash, blend it all together and season it. Eat with pita chips. Mmm.

I wish I could run into the football mom again and compare dip notes. But, alas, Indiana is 2 whole states ago for me.

Ugh

I just made banana bread with some brown bananas. I had the fleeing thought to make muffins, because sweet breads never seem to cook all the way through. I was right. I just turned a "seemingly" cooked loaf onto its side and it oozed out batter all over the counter.

Today, when we woke up, we were without power. This is annoying on a Sunday morning. I hadn't ironed church clothes and also never showered or did my hair on Saturday. This did not position me well for getting ready in the dark with no hair dryer. Luckily, my neighbors across the street did have power. I was able to dry my hair and iron the clothes.

Months ago, I signed up to run a half marathon. It was yesterday. I never managed to find time to train. (I have many excuses; I moved across the country, I have been really sick for most of July, my kids stay up later now and it has cut my free time down to nothing......I could go on and on) I was still planning on participating, but just walk or jog. My uber-fit brother in law offered to buy my spot. I graciously let him. He finished 6th in my division (since they think he is me). I am pretty impressed with my strong finish and I am not even sore. :) Next year I will do it....I will start training tomorrow.

On turning 11

I can't believe how fast time passes. It doesn't seem too long ago that I was counting down the days I would have to keep going to work at the job I hated before he was born.

Zak has always been a happy person. I love that about him. Even now as he enters his "pre-teen" weirdness, he tries to be pleasant.

He is learning to work hard this summer. He has mowed grass, painted, weeded, and is even venturing into babysitting. This has improved my quality of life immensely.

Zak is thoughtful and kind. I love him. I feel it is a privilege to be his mother.

Ramblings

So far, our summer has been busy. We have left the Sunshine State, sent my parents off to Taiwan for 3 years, tried to un-pack and put away all of our stuff, re-union with Nathan's family, have several marginal rounds of family pictures, taught Dylan how to come backwards down stairs, taught Brock how to swim, and taught Zak how to mow lawns and pull weeds of all varieties...so many things. Still have lots of things we haven't done yet, and probably won't get around to. School starts in 3 weeks. Nuts.

More than you Wanted to Know....not for the weak-stomached.

I have thrown up in, what I consider to be, some pretty unusual places. For example:
***I will use TU as code for "throw-up" or "threw up" for the remainder of this post***

When I was in the fifth grade I had to make a pyramid out of sugar cubes for history. I went to the grocery store with my Dad. I wasn't feeling great. We were in the produce section at Alberton's, which at that time was located right near the deli meats and cheeses. I was walking along feeling queasy and I looked up, and saw a package of head cheese. I grabbed a clear, plastic produce sack and was sick. Then I had to walk through the store, carrying a clear, plastic produce sack full of TU through the store. I don't recall ever seeing another package of head cheese in my life, but I promise it was there that day.

A few years later, I had been sneaking holiday M and Ms from my mother's Christmas candy stash. I had eaten quite a few. Then I drove to the airport with my Mom to pick-up my aunt and cousin. (I have a tendency to get car-sick. especially in the winter, with the heat on, and the stale gross air blowing on you). Just as we pulled up to the baggage claim area, I was sick. All over the car. I had been eating M and Ms. Brown TU everywhere. My intelligent mother allowed me the priviledge of cleaning up the mess, and I don't think she has ever been asked to pick up that particular family from the airport again.


A few more years later, my family was having a family fun day at Lagoon amusement park. I wasn't feeling well. My Mom thought I just didn't want to participate in family fun day and insisted on my presence. I TU once in the car on the way to Lagoon, 14 times sitting on a park bench and once in the car on the way home. I did't go on one ride. I sat on the long bench that runs through the park and I would just TU and then slide down. At one point, a cute boy came and sat by me and started making conversation. Then I TU. He left.

I am not sure if pregnancy vomit should count, but this story is my favorite of all. I went skiing when I was 4 months pregnant. I had eaten a "breakfast of gestating champions", namely purple grape juice and hash browns. I have never loved the feeling of turtle-necks and scarves around my neck, they make me feel constricted and gaggy but I have to wear these types of items when I ski. So, I was riding the ski-lift up and we still near the bottom of the mountain where there are skiiers below. I starting feeling constricted around my neck needed to TU. I leaned over the side of the lift, and TU. I have pretty lucky aim, because it landed on an unsuspecting skiier below. It was the most hilarious thing. He was disgusted, and who wouldn't be--- if you were minding your own business, skiing along when purple, hashbrown chunked vomit landed on you. I can still hear his disgusted exclamation of, "hey....gross" as I rode off up the mountain, laughing hysterically, still throwing up, and trying my best not to fall off the lift.

Yesterday, I flew across the country with four of my five children. I started off the day with no sleep; Dramamine makes me really sleepy and I knew I would need all my energy to make it through the day, so I decided to be drug-free. Our first flight was pretty bumpy. I felt awful. We managed to make it off the plane to the bathroom. There were four people, five carry on bags, and one stroller with a baby crammed into one handicapped stall. And guess what? I was sick. Dylan thought it was a private show I was producing for her enjoyment. She got quite a kick out of it. My other children were giving loud and vocal descriptions of what was happening....."look, Mom's thowing up," followed by "ooooh, it's red", and some oh-so-helpful, "you really should have taken a pill" advice.

Like I warned you, this really is more than you ever wanted to know, and certainly not for the weak stomached.

Perhaps I will follow up in a few years with some new additions to my embarrassing TU moments.....bet you can't wait.

My girl loves the beach. Loves. She likes to boogie board, walk along the sand, and run into the surf. We love that she loves it. Everyone else loves it too, but we are older and less novel.

We are liquidating our assets. I am learning what things are hot on Craig's List and what items no one wants. I really under-priced my freezer. Kind of a bummer.

I spent the day training my kids to call 911 and run to the neighbors in the event that a Craig's list purchaser began to attack me. If you are with me and I shout "Zebra," take my kids next door and call the police.

The person I was nervous about never came. After I emptied the dresser and nightstand. I find this highly irritating.

We finally sold our house in Indiana. I should be thrilled, but mostly I am tired and full of dismay regarding the entire situation. I have strong opinions about what realtor NOT to use in Indiana.

Reagan Elementary yearbooks are out and former classmates have remembered that they miss my kids. We have been fielding phone calls from several Indianapolis-area slumber parties.

I heard a few minutes of a hurricane preparedness seminar today. I am hoping the hurricanes wait until we leave, because we are fresh out of top ramen and I just sold our grill and our freezer.

This picture has nothing to do with my post

I have been going through old pictures for a project I an working on. I like it, even though it is very 1992. Not many people go for family photos in their PJs anymore. What a shame.

I have 10 great post ideas but I am going to mesh them into a few brief bullet points.

1- Zak has just experienced "Human Growth and Development week. I will spare you the details of some of our dinner time conversations, but the word "disturbing" has been used a record number of times. Ugh. Puberty is not my fave.

2- Nathan and I went on our annual date. We went to Miami. I would give the day portion of our date 7 out of 10 stars.

3- Then we went out for dinner. Nathan went to the restroom. I waited. And waited. And waited. Then he came out. The restaurant was nicer than we realized and there were restroom attendants. Nathan was the only one in the restroom. He had an upset stomach. The restroom attendant sat 2 feet outside of the stall door, awkwardly clearing his throat and spraying air freshener every few seconds. I am pretty sure Nathan didn't tip him. I love this story because a) it didn't happen to me and b) it makes me laugh. A lot. Food: 7 out of 10 stars. Restroom Assistance: undecided

4- Nathan's parents came to visit. It was great to have them here. I wish it hadn't been so hot.

5- They were here for Dylan's first birthday. I can't believe she is one.

6- I went to Utah for a super quick trip. It was a whirlwind, but I am so glad I went.

7- Dylan wouldn't come to me when I returned. I missed 3 of her 371 days and she turned on me. Traitor.

8- Real estate transactions are ruining my life. People are big fat liars and nice guys finish last.

9- We are moving to Utah in a month.

10- I have quite a bit to do.

Random Thoughts about Shoes

1- I like shoes.

2- I wore the same shoe size from about 6th grade until I had Zak. Then my feet grew. Or spread out. I lost quite a few shoes, but honestly, many of them needed to be discarded anyway.

3--Today I bought Brock a pair of size 11 sneakers. Brock is almost 4.

4--Lucy (6 1/2) also wears a size 11 shoe.

5-- I am befuddled by this.

6-- I bought Zak a pair of gym shoes within the last 3 months. They are already completely worn through. Holes in the bottoms. I should probably buy him better quality shoes, except that he is growing so fast and he doesn't care and then I would just be out more money.

7-- I am attempting to estimate the number of shoes owned by the McConkie 7. I am not sure I can count that high.

8-- It is high time for a shoe purge.

9-- Then we can get more.

10-- The shoes I bought Brock light up AND feature cartoon characters.

11- I hate them and promised myself years ago never to let my kids wear shoes like that

12- Brock loves them.

13- I bought Dylan shoes today. She is going to be walking around this summer and bare feet don't cut it. (Shh..they are for her birthday)

14--Baby shoes are such a pain because they are so easy to lose. Dylan starts most Sundays with shoes on and then they end up in my bag. I think my Sunday bag has about 3 pairs of Dylan's shoes.

15- I just tried to take a picture of my shoes with the camera in this computer. Turns out it is tricky to get a picture of your feet when the camera is aimed at where your head is supposed to be.

Save the Date

******
Nathan and Melissa McConkie are pleased to announce the forthcoming marriage of their son, Brock, to Kirsten Boggess. The tentative date is June 15, 2030.
******


Kirsten has endeared herself to him by forgiving Brock for pooping in her grandparents' 10 million dollar Boca mansion hot tub.


Although the incident caused 7 children to run screaming from the pool, Kirsten overlooked the awkwardness and within mere moments she and Brock were playing happily, while I was cleaning out the hot tub and pool deck. True love.


The next day, Brock and Kirsten were caught kissing in a secluded corner at church. When I encouraged Brock to save his kisses, he replied, "Why, Mom, I'm in love with her."

When Kirsten's mom advised her to stop kissing Brock, she replied, "Why Mom, we're getting married."

So, it's official. I will give them the next 20 years to grow up, obtain some education, and become fully toilet trained.

My husband, The Rockstar

Nathan did a commercial shoot a few weeks ago starring Bill and Guiliana Rancic. Guiliana is the host of my go-to news program. CNN it is not, but since I don't go to the dentist often enough to read People magazine regularly, I must resort to E news to get my celebrity gossip fix.

G&B also have their own reality show. It is one of my faves.

I can't tell you how much I love this picture. Seriously. Love.

My Peeps

We attempted an Easter photo shoot. I was the photographer, which means that the pictures aren't the best. I hope I get credit for trying.

Weird Week

This week has been odd. People I love have: been robbed at gunpoint, given birth to a new baby, been very sick, miscarried, and celebrated important milestones. None of these people even live in the same state as I, but I have been affected by each situation.

I have had my own hands full with spring break in full swing. We have gone to the beach, build-a-bear, Easter-egg hunts at the park, the pool, the library, played with friends, made personal pan pizzas....there are other things too, but I can't think of them.

I wanted to make salt water taffy and found a recipe that called for "salt water" from the beach. On one of our beach trips I took a water bottle to retrieve some genuine salt water. During the course of the day, several of my family members acknowledged relieving themselves in the ocean. Since the recipe called for "sea" water, not "pee" water, we did not make taffy. Our dentist can thank me later.

I am ready to get back into the swing of normal life. Whatever that is.

Flying a Kite

My parents came to visit. We love visitors and had big plans while they were here. We had to be flexible due to the weather, delayed flights, etc...but here is the rundown....

--we went to Key Largo. The drive was supposed to be beautiful, but we couldn't tell because it was dark

--we went on a glass bottom boat. I envisioned a near-snorkeling experience. We were warned when purchasing tickets that the waters were choppy. I acknowledged our family's tendencies for motion sickness and made certain that we had all dramamined-up. We had a pleasant 45 minute ride to the reef. Then the boat stopped moving forward and started moving up and down. I was the first down. I had to sit down, get a drink, and ultimately I was escorted to the upper deck by an employee (they were super-attentive....if anyone puked, they had to clean it up) and was given several peppermints.

Nausea is a great equalizer. Even when I was certain I would vomit on the reef, I laughed and laughed as I saw sick person after sick person exit the viewing gallery to get some fresh air. It still makes me giggle. I ,for one did not see one exotic fish or barracuda. Nothing. I saw lots of people coming upstairs and being coached by the staff to "find a fixed point on the horizon line" and "take lots of deep breaths of fresh air".

Zak had an amazing time on the boat. He declared it the "time of his life." We thank his grandpa for sponsoring the occasion.

---after the glass bottom boat, I had visions of eating delicious, fresh seafood at a local dive. We found a local dive. Nothing there was delicious.

---we had been told of a farmer's market called "Robert is Here". They have exotic fruits and delicious shakes. I didn't see any fruit that I haven't seen before and there was a huge line for shakes. I bought a Key Lime pie instead. Then I remembered that I hate Key Lime pie.

--Monday we went to the beach. I love the beach. My kids love the beach. And my parents love the beach. I thought it would be fun to get a cool kite to fly. I forgot the cardinal rule of kite flying, which is that the probability of successful flying is inversely related to the cost of the kite. Dollar store kites will fly. The $14.00 Costco kite that I bought, will not. There is an incredible picture of me and my Dad trying to fly the kite. My dad is looking at me like I am an idiot. I want a copy of that picture on my fridge (not the picture posted above...I can't make it move, the pictures are encoded. I hate computers). The kite didn't really fly. In our defense, it wasn't a particularly windy day. The beach was still great.

Tuesday, my parents left. I got up early to take them to the airport. This caused me to oversleep on St. Patricks Day (it bothers me that sleeping until 7:11 is sleeping in) and I didn't have time to make my traditional green pancakes. No worry, we had
lots of green things for dinner.

This and That

Today is not the tomorrow that Brock wants it to be. I say that his Grandparents are coming tomorrow. He says today is tomorrow. Technically, today is tomorrow, it is just not the tomorrow that he is hoping for. Confusing, no?

The other day we were riding in the car. "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon was playing on the radio and I was singing along at the top of my lungs, much to the consternation of my children.

Zoe asked me to define the word "vain." I did my best to explain it to her. She thought for a minute and then said, "at my school, we call it 'all that'".

Oh, what a generation can do to ruin the English Language.

A few things...

1--We went to Orlando. The trip was a success. We opted not to go to Sea World. Although we enjoy watching killer whales eat their trainers, we felt our time would best be spent elsewhere.

2--I cannot convince my family to subject themselves to even the idea of culture as entertainment. No one had any interest in EPCOT. At all. Maybe next time.

3--Zak and I rode on a Buzz Lightyear ride that keeps score while you attempt to shoot targets. My score was a respectable 1800. Zak's was 785,900. I was holding Dylan, but yikes, that is lousy.

4--Zak also ran into a former 1st grade classmate of his. It was a random encounter and the mother was far to excited about it. She was taking a million pictures, asking for E-mail addresses, and wanted the two of them to go on rides together. I had no problem with saying a quick hello, but we didn't need to pretend that we were best friends. Then or now.

5--I enjoyed the Big Thunder Railroad, but had to pretend I wasn't feeling sick on Space Mountain. This really disappointed me and made me feel super old.

6--Dylan narrowly escaped after a run-in with a highly aggressive seagull who was after the Kix cereal in her stroller tray. Luckily, her mom has mad bird fighting skills and totally saved her, and her cereal. An unfortunate soul with a freshly purchased churro was not so lucky.

7--Sometimes the GPS will be wrong and the wife will be right. Just sayin'.

8--Someone called me today and asked me what I had done. Short answer. Nothing. Long answer......I made cornmeal mush for breakfast, it was a mistake and will not be repeated in the near future; took the kids to school; changed 5 diapers,.... etc. The caller was persistent and it became increasingly difficult to describe the ever-busy nothingness that fills my days. She works at a UPS store. Much easier to define than the career of motherhood.

9--Words cannot express my gratitude to our cub scout troop leaders for taking on the entire process of pinewood derby car making. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I will not blame you when we lose.


10---Zak just emerged from the bathroom and is trying out a new hairstyle. Interesting.

Brace yourself

I have successfully obtained pictures.....

Dylan--loves to pull up to everything and thinks she is hot stuff. We think she is too.

There is a random picture of our back patio. It is screened in, and if I were good at growing things, I would have lovely plants there. Instead it is a parking lot for bikes and scooters, but I took this picture to document my children sitting happily conversing with each other. I felt I needed permanent proof that this occasionally happens.

The first picture was taken Monday while we were on a brief family outing. We were at a nature center near the ocean and enjoying all of the fun sea creatures when Nathan was rudely called away to work. Again, I am glad I have proof that we attempted to do something fun.

Rewarding?

Last week, the kids came home from school with flyers for a special "PTA gives Back" night. It was billed as a reward for the kids. There was a local "tween" band that would be playing a concert and ice cream. You had to return a slip to reserve your space because "seating was limited."

Zoe and Lucy were excited; the promise of fun music and ice cream sounded great to them. Friday night rolled around. I desperately needed to go grocery shopping, but I had promised the girls we could go, so we managed another day of weird canned goods and off we went.

The cafeteria was hot.

There were four girls sitting on folding chairs next to their guitar teacher on the stage with one measely plug-in amplifier. The girls had made a half-hearted attempt at looking like pop stars, what with their skinny jeans and weird hat-headbands. The guitar teacher did not attempt to look like a rock star. That was wise, she couldn't have pulled it off.

The children in attendance were expected to sit quietly at their tables and strain to hear the "band" play. What was billed as a concert was more like a beginning guitar recital. And they invited an entire elementary school, so that the perfomers' dads would have someone to shush and call disrespectful.

Every few minutes, a PTA representative would stand and screech at those of us in attendance to be respectful. I don't think anyone was being disrespectful except maybe the band, who clearly didn't respect OUR EARS.


I can't figure out how anyone thought this was a good idea, and how they justified marketing this as a reward. This was not rewarding. At. All.

The bright spot of my evening (aside from returning home) was that I saw a man with the longest comb-over ever. It started just above his left ear and he managed to cover the entire top of his head and had long hair covering his right ear. It almost made me wish for a fancy phone so I could document his efforts.

a list

A few Things I miss:

My house
My friends
My washing machine
Reagan Elementary
the bus stop in my driveway
the view from my kitchen sink
my kitchen

A few things I am loving:
Blue skies
sunshine
My husband
a pediatrician that is close
the beach
the pool

I didn't make this up

Last night, Nathan and I were rudely awakened at 3:52am by our bed crashing to to floor. Sort of. The box springs on Nathan's side slid out of their slot. I am elated that it was not my side of the bed that broke. My ego couldnt' handle that. Also, my guitar lives under my side of the bed and I would be really mad if it had been squashed.

Lest you erroneously assume that Nathan has recently gained weight, I will say that our bedframe was damaged during our recent move. We were aware that we were living on borrowed bedframe time. Time is up.

We pulled the mattress off the boxsprings and tried to go back to sleep. It took me awhile to stop laughing. Our bed broke in the middle of the night while we were sleeping. Seriously, who does this happen to? Oh, right, me. Then I had to adjust to the fact that box springs really do make your bed more comfortable. A lot more comfortable.

When we lived in a tiny little farmhouse, the bedroom where we slept was at the top of a really steep set of stairs. It was too narrow for our box springs to fit up. We slept with our mattress on the floor for 2 years. I don't recall it being a huge problem, but I am 8 years older now and considerably more fickle when it comes to my ideal sleep situation.

I thought forever about how terrible the mattress felt, and was just drifting back to sleep at 4:52am when Dylan decided she missed me and needed a snack.

Then Zak came in and it was 7:10 and he wondered if I was planning on getting up today. I would have loved to decline the "wake up" option, but instead I reluctantly rolled off my mattress on the floor and had to hustle to get everyone out the door.

A Model of Inefficiency

If you are looking for a way to kill time and watch your tax dollars be spent in a woefully wasteful way, you should quickly get yourself to the nearest Florida DMV.

You can enter and stand in long, slow moving lines.

It will not matter if you have an appointment.

There will be 2 people working (if you call it working) at the 10 available stations.

There will be 2 other people that are sitting at non-working compupters. They will not be making any effort to remedy the situation. Sitting, stairing aimlessly at computers while 65 people wait on hard, uncomfortable chairs, hoping that their number will be called sometime before they die. There were a lot of old people there, so death before DMV success is a feasible possibility.

There will be 7 other employess in the building who are seemingly doing NOTHING. You must pretend not to be frustrated by this.

There will be dozens of angry people who will use foul language as they are turned away for not bringing 2 pieces of mail and a certified copy of their birth certificate.

I think that the DMV employess should receive a prorated wage based on the number of people they are able to help...not the number of minutes they waste in between smoke breaks.

Nathan and I arrived for our 8am appointments at 7:55am. There was a long line of people. It did not matter that we had appointments, we still had to wait. My guess is that 45% of people in line end up leaving after they are told what documents they MUST have to obtain a license. Because this was my third time, I had everything I needed :).

Then you get your little number and wait. And wait. And wait. They call about one number every 20 minutes.

Nathan was called at 9:10. I begged to be called at 9:40 after my 2 children were done being happy and my husband was on a conference call with work. It was toture, but it is over. My picture is ok and Nathan's is terrible. I love that they didn't ask for my weight. I would have lied anyway.

This is what I am willing to endure to get discounted rates at Disney World. I hope it is worth it.



On an unrelated note, we had a perfect beach day yesterday.
Brock had a great time tandem-peeing with his friend today.
I am really good at Wii-fit Hula Hooping.
I wish I had the patience/resources to adopt a Haitian orphan. My heart breaks for those children.

I hate reptiles

This week we went to a nearby nature center to attend an alligator feeding. I feel that I have been depriving my kids of a true Florida experience because we haven't seen any alligators.

So, we went to the nature center. I was expecting Crocodile Dundee or a Steve Irwin incarnate to speak with an Austrailian accent and wrestle a large, dangerous animal.

Instead, there was a skinny Floridian girl who opened up a large tank and dropped one dead rat into the mouth of a small baby alligator. He ate it in one bite. It was pretty gross, but, again, not what I was expecting.

Then we walked around and looked for other wild life. We saw lots of dead fish in a dry area that used to be marshy. Zak thought it was awesome.

Although, I want to appreciate Florida wildlife in it's designated nature preserves, I hate the free-roaming wild life.

Take, for example, the gecko. Hate the geckos. I hate to open the door to the garage because I am convinced that they will run into the house every time I open the door. That has never happened of course, but still, it could. There was one gecko that actually came in, and I had to trap it and release it because they are too big to squish. It was sick.

I also hate the dead frog by our garage and the large dead iguana that all the little elemenatary boys love to pick up and throw around on their way home from school. I am sure it is diseased and that some of its germs are going to be flung on me. And I'm not normally a germophobe, but reptiles really sick me out.

There are also large chicken-ducks (that is what I call them). They are agressive and ugly and one of the first days I was here one of them flew into my car as I was driving. It didn't die and neither did I, but it was disturbing nonetheless and I have yet to make peace with the breed as a whole.

Not to dwell on the negative, there are many beautiful, non-annoying birds. I am not sure these counteract the sick reptiles, but they are pretty.

We might go to the everglades this weekend and I will be sure to give you a full report on the animal encounters we have there.

Don't hate me...

but today we went to the park in short-sleeved shirts. It was sunny and warm with beautiful blue skies.

But I missed my friends. They were freezing to death in IN. Come visit me!

Resolve

I was going to stop watching the Bachelor and go off of sugar. I have just eaten a cookie and am about to watch the "most dramatic rose ceremony" of my life.

Maybe next year.