Sounds like Texas to me....

Today I had a phone meeting with one of the vendors I have been working with for a few months. He has a southern drawl and conversation always comes before business.

He was so excited that his office was dressing up for Halloween - and he could wear his normal clothes. Today he left the house in his black boots, baby blue cowboy shirt, and back hat - even had his holster and gun.

When his coworker asked if the gun was real he replied, "Well, it don't make much sense to carry one that's not."

Ye-haw. 

They do everything big!

My stepson and his girlfriend are on vacation in New York City. Of course they are. If our family didn't have bad luck, we'd have no luck at all.

Last night I called the airline to see what their options were, and got put into a callback que - with a 4 hour wait. Hearing this, they called right away to get in the cue too. Good thing, because when I answered the callback I got disconnected without even talking to anyone. They did reach a representative, who told them that all flights out were full.

The hotel was very helpful and extended their stay. They were still able to find flashlights, water, and snacks. They spent the rest of the day sightseeing until the wind forced them inside.

Now they are settled in awaiting the the storm in their hotel - which has become an evacuation zone for people in the financial district. What was a nice, normal vacation has become an epic story, thanks to Hurricane Sandy.

Still, they are relatively safe. I hope the same for all of our friends on the east coast.

NASA image courtesy LANCE MODIS 
Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC.

Frankenstein, a Mummy, and Spiders!

Just in time to mail!

We are the 30%

Back in February of 2010, our $3000 free puppy had surgery to repair his torn ACL. Did you know that 30% of dogs who tear one wind up tearing the other? Yep. This week, our dog was became the $4500 puppy.

His first day home he slept almost the entire time, thanks to a hefty round of pain medication. A week later he is moving around and beginning to put weight on it. Now the hard part begins. Rehab is incredibly important, and dogs are ready to run, jump, and climb long before the repair is healed. At least we aren't dealing with snow too.

Some people think $4500 is too much to spend on a pet, and I know others would spend their life savings if it would make a difference. For me, it will be worth every cent to see him blasting across the dog park again!

now I run

Last summer, after years of telling myself and others that I don't run, I started running so that I could be part of my middle daughter's sport. I have come so far from where I started a year ago.

This weekend I ran the 5K while my oldest completed her first half marathon. Not only did she finish, she was within her goal for time and placed in her age group.

 I am so lucky to have kids who inspire and encourage me to be better!

all the things you missed as a kid

Last night the oldest and I were hanging out.

I was watching tv when I heard from over her laptop, "Bath tub crayons? No way!"
"Are you on Pinterest?"
"Um, no?"

Yeah, right.

like singing the alphabet

The youngest and I were watching the WNBA game together, and she noticed the song in the background during one of the time outs.

Her: Aw remember that song? That's um...
Me: Usher?
Her: Yeah. Oh, what's the name of that song?
(waiting while she sings along to the song)
Me: Did you get to the title of the song yet?
(more singing)
Her: Oh, ha, yeah. 

time flies

This morning I woke up really tired - because I started watching youtube videos in bed to fall asleep and 10:30pm became 1:30am.

When I told the youngest, she said, "Yep. I know what you mean. One minute you're watching Jimmy Kimmel and the next you're searching for soccer tricks."

Yeah, kinda. 

Can I have a minute to debate that?

Against our better judgement we watched the pre-election debates tonight. It was everything I thought it would be, and I felt I wasted the whole evening. On the way up to bed the middle daughter says, "Well at least SNL will be good this week!"

Ok, maybe not a total waste.

we know everyone

My husband and I have lived and worked in the same area for so many years, that whenever we go anywhere we always seem to know people. It happens so often that the kids are surprised when we go the mall or dinner and don't run into a co-worker, neighbor, or former student. A few months ago the oldest told me that as a kid she stayed out of trouble because she believed that we knew people everywhere.

Given this, I know I should not find it odd that we have bought things off Craig's list twice... and both times, we knew the seller.

Water anyone?

What? We have athletes.

Today I opened the cabinet and one bottle fell over, then, like the single bowling pin that teeters in slow-mo while everyone stands waiting, sent 15 years of water bottles crashing onto the kitchen floor. I guess this is a sign.

Suit Up!

Since the kids were little, they have wanted a swimming pool. This year the timing, budget, and the stars in the sky aligned... and we bought a pool. I worried that it was too small to actually be much fun, but we spent ALL summer in the pool. And I'm sure it didn't hurt that it was the hottest summer on record.

How small is it?

This weekend we went to visit my dad who lives in a small town in the middle of Iowa. How small is it, you ask?

On a local radio commercial, the announcer said, "We're located a mile past the stop light." A mile. Past the stop light. The light - THE ONLY ONE.

During dinner I asked the server if we could make it to the local race track in ten minutes. She replied, "Ten minutes? Oh, Lord honey, how big do you think town is?"

And you know the blue signs on the highway that tell you what attractions and amenities are coming up at the next exit? I know, you can't tell in the picture, but trust me... it's BLANK.

Small town

This weekend we are visiting my dad, spending some much needed time relaxing. The small town pace is so different and welcome.

When the kids were little they loved that we let them go all over town alone. They had no idea that in a town of 400 people, everybody knows when the grand kids are visiting, and we got updates all day long.

My favorite part of visiting has always been how the kids adapt and find things to do. I love that that hasn't changed as they've grown up.

Lost in a good book

One of the cats

Climbing trees

When I was a kid...

When I was a kid, summer got so hot you could cook an egg on the driveway. Oh wait, that's now.

Hot? Pfft.

This is July 4. This is 104 degrees. This is the electric company trying to restore our power. Good thing our city's celebration has a festival with a beer tent.

Best Parade Plan. Ever.

Our community has a big Independence Day parade, and our family is usually connected with at least one group that's marching. I took this picture from the route with my phone:

a soundtrack for life

The youngest and I were in the car talking, and she said, "Wouldn't it be cool if there could be a soundtrack for epic moments. Like as the player starts driving to the hoop with the ball, the theme song comes on."

I gotta admit - that would be awesome.

Time for a little trim

and your little dog too

Tonight I came home from the grocery store to find middle and youngest daughter watching The Wizard of Oz on tv, dubbed the "Wizzer da Boz" by the youngest when she was little. The kids used to watch that movie all the time. The middle one said, "This movie is messed up. I don't remember it being this dark. I just remember her shoes. I loved those shoes."

So I had to share this picture of the three of them from one Halloween....