Last Post For A While

That's right!  You'll be sans me for about a week because I'll be lake bound this time tomorrow!  YAY!!!  By the way - in the photo - our house is two doors down from the house at the bottom with the red roof.  Cool, huh!?

This week has gone SO SLOW in anticipation for my vacation by the way...so annoying.  I should have just gone up Monday or something - I mean, no one is even at The Bay!  WFH!?  I would be up there EVERY time it was empty! Oh well...I wasn't really ready.

So today.  I've walked Sami, run myself, did the final shop for fruits and things I forgot yesterday, gassed up.  I tried to get cash from the ATM but of course it was out of commission.  So annoying.  Jim will have to get it when he goes to pick up pizza tonight.  Here in a minute, I'll clean the house, then I'll get the dry goods and non-refrigerated stuff packed and loaded in the car.  I hope we have enough room.  UGH!

Tomorrow, I'm going to try to get up around 5AM so I can walk Sami, make breakfast, do last minute things (like change sheets etc.).  I hope to be out of the house by 7AM.  Zeke, by the way is VERY excited.  I keep whispering in his ear (so Sami and Bubba don't hear and get mad/jealous) that he's going to be very happy in about 2 days, 1 day etc.  He just licks my chin and wags his tail.

By the way - the weather at PIB this coming week - AWESOME!  (Lows in the 60s and possible storms at night but other than that - a 10% chance of rain on like, 2 days!)


Saturday

Hi: 74°
Sunday

Hi: 76°
Monday

Hi: 72°
Tuesday
Hi: 71°
Wednesday

Hi: 73°
Thursday

Hi: 74°

K - I'm out...gotta get my shit done.  Later!

Errands

It is a beautiful but HOT day.  Upper 90s today with disgusting humidity.  I have to say  - I can't WAIT for PIB!  That lovely lake breeze, cooling off on the wave runner...I wish I were there now (although they are suffering the heat too).

So today I'll be running errands.  I'm going to hit the showers here in a few and head to Costco and the grocery.  At 2PM I'm getting my oil changed.  I've done much of my packing so far and need to get Jim on the ball there as well. Finally I'll do some cleaning today to spruce the place up for Diane's stay.  YAY!

Got my home insurance policy in the mail today - it more than doubled.  They say it's due to changes in the Midwest as a result of all the claims being filed for wind/hail etc. damage but more than twice my last bill!?  That's overtly ridiculous!  They can't legally raise rates on me because they replaced my roof but it's all a conspiracy anyway!  I'll be calling and talking to a rep about this and investigating other insurance companies and their rates.  UGH!  I hate this.  Oh well.

And that's all I've got for now.  I need to get ready and out so I can avoid walking out there in the heat of the day.  Later!

Faves

So here are some things that I've been loving lately:

1) Daily's Margarita Mix.  I had purchased a mix before this (Mr. and Mrs. T) but it just wasn't as deeeelicious as the Daily's.  Funny I had never tried this mix before especially when I used to work at a liquor store that used this mix as it's main mixer.  Oh, and of course what is a margarita mix without a nice bottle of tequila!?  Jim prefers rum and the great thing about this mix (and any mix really) is that you can blend up a margarita or daiquiri!

2) Along with my margarita mix, I've also been loving my giant straws, which I stole from the Mexican restaurant up the street.  When we were there last and they served us our drinks, they had these giant straws in our cups.  It make sipping frozen drinks so much easier and you know I'm always looking for ways to make drinking smoother!  I actually saw these straws for sale at BB&B but why buy them when I can just steal them from El Picante!?

3) I know this is weird but I'm loving my new deodorant!  I don't know about all of you (all 5 of you) but I get bored with my deodorant smell.  The time before last that I bought bulk deodorant at Costco, they had the Dove cucumbery smelling one.  Then the last time it was the pomegranate.  I liked them both but now that I'm on my last stick of the pom, I'm ready for something new and exciting.  Well, at Walmart yesterday - I was perusing the deodorant aisle and saw Dove had a fragrance called grapefruit and lemongrass. I of course uncapped and took a whiff.  Yowza!  Let me just tell you that it is SO refreshing and smells amazing.  As I told Maggie, when you see me next (well, when you smell me next) you are so going to want to stick your nose in my armpit!  You are going to want to camp out there, I'm telling you!  No one is going to be able stay away from me (from my armpit)!

4) Lately, from the library, I've been checking out the 3rd season of True Blood.  I'm bummed that I'm on the last DVD and episode and will soon have nothing to watch.  I'll have to see if they even have season 4 yet but I'm sure there's quite a waiting list.  If you haven't watched, you should.  It tends to be a bit raunchy and bloody and wack-a-doo but absolutely addicting!  It makes me want to read the books that the series is based on...I'll have to check that out at Half Price tomorrow. By the way - I'm on the waiting list for the 1st DVD for the first season of Downton Abbey but have heard nothing yet...I'm betting it's going to be a while, which is fine since I'll be gone for a week starting Saturday anyway.

5) Every time I look out the sliding glass door from the kitchen, I see our hibiscus trees and they are so pretty!  What's even better about them is they've attracted our humming bird back.  The flowers are so big and beautiful and bright (this isn't my tree but it looks exactly like the two we have on the deck). I was worried at first because they call for "partial sun" and where I put them, they get about 5 full hours of a day.  I thought they might not work there but I water them every day and trim them well and they've done great.

6) I wish I had a better picture to show you of the sweet yellow outfit I got Eva that Maggie FINALLY decided to let her wear but alas, my sister is a fool and can't figure out how to get a picture of her little girl standing up!  She's such a fool! Anyway - she's a cutey, isn't she and she sure looks good in yellow!  Can't wait to spend the week with her next week!

K - I better get a move on...more prep to do for PIB!  T-minus 3 days!!!  Later!

Funk

I didn't do much of what I said I was going to do yesterday because I was in a bit of a funk.  I don't know why.  It's rare that I get in funks but I think it had to do with A) the weekend being over (although that makes no sense since it's the weekend for me for the next 2 1/2 months) B) not getting a lot of sleep, which caused me to C) wake up on the wrong side of the bed which caused D) Jimmy to annoy me before leaving for work and wanting to E) just be in PIB already! I have a ton to do before getting to be up there and relaxed and I just don't want to do it.  Which doesn't really make sense!  My errands and what not should be revving me up!  I should turn those "jobs" into the excitement and buildup before the fun!  I think I will.  I bitch at Jim all the time for being a Debbie Downer so why am I suddenly acting that way?  Well, from here on out...I'm turning my frown upside down!

So today:  I've already walked Sami and I made breakfast before Jim left for work so that's done.  I need to get the suitcase up from the basement and start laying out clothes.  I'm going to try and pack conservatively since we're only taking one car.  Jim's the bigger pain in the ass when it comes to clothes packing.  He always tries to pack about 15 pairs of shoes.  I'll be putting a stop to that.  I'm only taking 3 by the way. We are taking Zeke again and so I'm trying to take only one suitcase.  However, I'm going to take as much food etc. as possible so that we won't have to buy much up at the Bay (the prices for groceries - and just about anything else - is out of control up there) and that means I'm going to take two coolers.  We won't have as much coming home obviously but we will have an added passenger: Madison (who is coming up with Anne on Saturday) is riding back with us.  I'm a good packer so hopefully it will all work out.  I almost wish I had a car-top carrier to save some space.  Oh well.

Other than that today - I'll probably do some sun worshiping...that usually boosts my spirits too. I think that may have been another issues yesterday:  it was so beautiful out and I was indoors all day.  YUCK.

Ooh, one bonus about yesterday - they opened an Orange Leaf at Harper's Point!  That's only about 10 minutes from home!  I had to go, of course, to see.  I was a bit put off, I have to say because they didn't have strawberries (WTF!?) or pecans.  Most of the stores don't usually have pecans but I'm going to bitch every time I go so that they'll get them.  Who wants to hear me bitch all the time, right?

Injury report:  Get this and brace yourselves.  So yesterday, I was working on my quilt.  I'm sewing, watching TV, just doing my thing...keepin' it real...like I always do (hee hee).  Oh, and let me backtrack:  Like any true sewer (yeah, that's me) I wear a thimble on my right middle finger.  It helps me push that needle through as I hand quilt.  Anyway - there I am sewing, quilting, la la la, when suddenly I poke my finger with my needle.  But wait a minute - it's not my left finger I poked.  My right hand is sending signals that it is the injured party.  But that doesn't make sense.  How can I have poked my right finger when I hold the needle with my right hand?  And then I realize:  The top of the needle, as I was pushing it through with my middle thimbled finger, poked through the metal of my thimble and embedded itself under the nail of said middle finger!  I had a needle sticking out from UNDER my nail...about halfway down to the cuticle.  Needless to say (SHIVER) it hurt like a mother F*^KER!  It bled like a motha too!  I guess I need to go buy a new thimble too.  Maybe one made of some indestructible material too like titanium cause I don't want that to happen again!

Oh, I updated my book blog so if you're looking for a good book to read - it was 5 star so there you go.

Okay - so now that you are all thoroughly grossed out - I guess I'd better get a move on.  Later!

Lots To Do

This week will be packed with lots of running around and preparation for PIB!!!  YAY!!!  I can't wait!

Today, I need to call about getting my oil changed as well as my tires rotated.  I also need to make my meal plans for the Bay which will then generate my lists for the grocery and Costco I'll go to Costco today and get that out of the way.  I need to make Cincinnati Chicken Chili to freeze to take up.  I need to walk Sami and run.  Clean house, do laundry.  And I'm sure much more.

So yesterday was lots of fun and the weather only pushed us inside for about a half hour. A quick storm blew through but afterwards, we were back out and in the pool. Lots of hanging with family and loving on J.J. and Eva. Dad and Becky put a nice meal together and Jim and I were home before 7PM to chill and hang with the pups. We watched the finale of The Killing (oooh, it was good!) and I then fell asleep. I woke up at about 4AM and couldn't get back to sleep for a while but I laid there and made lists in my head until I finally got up around 6:30. I'm sure I'll need a nap later.

K - well, that's all I've got. Sorry so boring. Lots to do. Later

Happy Father's Day

Happy father's day to all the daddies out there:  Trip and Charlie included!  Happy father's day to my dad as well as my step-father, Richard. Hope it's a great day!

Not much to talk about.  I need to make this quick because I need to get Sami walked, me showered, and Jim motivated so we can get out the door by 9:30.  We're headed to Raeburn early so that we can partake in a little brunch and mimosas!  YUMMY!  Unfortunately, the weather has turned a bit and we're expecting scattered storms throughout the day but I won't let that put a damper on a nice family gathering (we're celebrating Father's Day and Cullen's graduation).  Currently, there's a bit of a storm cell moving through Loveland and I'm hoping it gets the heck out of here quickly so I can get Sami out and walked.  She'll be so pissed if she doesn't get her 2 miles.  I won't be happy either!

Last night was deeeelicious.  Dad and Becky treated the family (minus Trip and Susan who couldn't make it) to dinner at Grand Finale. One of my faves for sure.  Good company and good meal.  Eva was a bit tired but even with that she was a little sweeties.  She crabbed a couple times but didn't cry and was mollified by walking and enjoying the interesting decor in the upstairs rooms of the restaurant.

So that's all I've got for now.  Need to get my scoots on and scoot out the door.  Later!

I Love Jimmy...

...BUT!!!  My God that boy doesn't listen!  And I can hear all of you saying, "Aw, poor Jimmy!" but let me give you some examples of what I'm talking about.

So yesterday, I didn't have anything I had to do so I told Jim to take the bank card and get a haircut (he's been bitching for 3 weeks).  I told him to remember a coupon as well, which of course he did remember.  Well, as I was doing my many "jobs" for the day (cleaning the house including Jim's toilet, mowing the lawn, watering plants, loving on my babies walking ALL the dogs) I realized I had forgotten to get CLA at the store (a vitamin thingy).  So I call Jim and say HEY!  Since you're in Clifton, stop at the health food store just up the street and get some.  He says okay.  (I'll get back to this in a minute.)

Later, as I was finishing up my cleaning, I noticed in vacuuming out some of the A/C vents that the duct in the dining room wasn't even attached.  This reminded me of something that Jim had mentioned about a month ago...calling the A/C people to investigate our problem of air not being forced upstairs properly. So I call Jim and say, "Hey, will you call the A/C people..." and I explain what I've found.  Jim says okay.

Fast forward to about 3PM - Jim calls and says he's on Loveland-Madeira and going to get a haircut.  I say, "Did you pick up the CLA?"  Jim: "No, I forgot."  GOD D&%MIT JIM!  Jim's typical response: "Sorry." Douche bag!  Fast forward again...Jim's sitting in the FR watching TV.  I'm in the kitchen getting dinner ready.  I say, "Hey, did you call the A/C people?"  Jim (meekly): "No, I forgot."  GOD D&%MIT JIM!  OH BUT YOU SURE DIDN'T FORGET TO GET YOUR HAIRCUT, DID YOU!?

So this morning, I'm getting breakfast ready.  Jim is sitting in the FR watching TV.  I say, "Hey, we need to talk." (This was my cue for Jim to mute the TV and listen to what I was going to say, which he did.)  I tell Jim that we have things to take care of (dog walking, feeding, etc.) before heading over to Raeburn and that while I was running on the treadmill, I wanted him to go to the store for ice, CLA and chips.  Jim said, "Is that all?"  Me, "Yes."  Jim: "That's all I have to do?"  Me: "Yes".  Jim: "Okay."

Fast forward to me on the treadmill.  Jim comes in from walking the boys and says (now mind you - he asked and I told him we planned on leaving for Raeburn at 11ish.  It was at that point after 9AM): "I think I'm going to take a bike ride."  Me: "What the F*%K are you talking about?  I asked you to go to the store."  Jim: "Oh, you want me to go to the store?"  Me:  "Is this a f&$king joke?"  I replayed the conversation from earlier where he said, "is that all I have to do," and yet he still acts as though he has no idea.  Me: "Remember, I had you mute the TV so you'd listen?"  Jim: "Stop yelling at me!"  Me:  "What else works, a thump on the skull!?" ARG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I think he's trying to slowly kill me via torture!  He should be aware, however, that the life insurance doesn't kick in until July.

Okay, so as I've said, we're headed to Raeburn and I need to shower and kick Jim in the ass real quick.  Later!

Um, Eva? You've Got A Little Summpin' Summpin'...

I think someone needs to learn how to use a napkin!  I mean, damn gurrrrl...you got yogurt all ups your nose!  Is she cute, or what?!

Okay so today is the beginning of a typical Cincinnati summer.  The temp will climb to the upper 80s with a rise in humidity.  UGH!  I'd say I'm not looking forward to it but since I'll be at the pool all weekend, what do I have to complain about?

In daily plan news, well, I've walked Sami and the boys (I did Jim that favor today) and I've eaten breakfast.  I need to clean house a bit, mow the backyard and then the day is mine.  I'm also in the midst of watching the 3rd season of True Blood and I have one episode left on the DVD I've rented from the library.  Hopefully I'll be able to get the next DVD when I turn it in...we'll see.  I've also put a request for the first DVD of the first season of Downton Abbey but who knows how long that will take to come in.  My life is so exciting!

And that's about all I've got today.  Ooh, one last thing.  So there I am, walking the boys.  They are slow as shit to walk and drive me nutty (which is why I make Jim do it since he's a turtle too).  Anyway - there we were, about 20 minutes in (and only about 2/10ths of a mile from home) when Bubba takes poop #2.  (Sometimes, he'll poop 3 times on a walk...that boy is like a camel...except that he stores turds and camels store water...but you get the idea).  Regardless - I go to pick it up (with a bag, not my hand!) and about a half inch from the pile is a freakin' crawdad thingy, creeping out of the ground (just like the f%*ker on the left).  IT WAS SO FREAKY!!!  If you've ever seen those little dirt mounds in your yard or in the neighborhood (above), that's what it is - a crawdad tunnel.  I don't know what's going on, but in the last 2 weeks, I've seen 2 dead ones on the sidewalk on my walk with Sami and then the live one today.  Never in my nearly 9 years here in Loveland have I ever seen one before!  Gives me the heeby jeebies!  I'd be okay if I never saw another!

K - I'm out...later!

Heading Home - BOO HOO!

WAH!!!!  I don't want to leave my sweet Eva!  BUT!  I will see her on Sunday (at the latest) and then I'll get to spend about 5 days with her after that when she and Maggie come up to PIB.  She's just so dern sweet!  By the way - the video - hilarious moment at 1:40 when she runs into the glass door.  Don't worry - she wasn't hurt or anything and didn't even seem to care that she'd done it.  BTWx2 - I bought her that sweet dress!  Is she not cute?!

So my plans today?  First let me say that it is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous out.  I look forward to getting home to walk Sami and then I'll just chill with my babies.  Maybe sit outside and enjoy this weather.  I'm betting the lawn may need a mow after all the rain Monday so maybe I'll break out my new mower and go to town. 

And that's all I've got for now.  I need to get to BB&B at some point soon and stock up on K-cups (no I didn't do that the other day when I was mower shopping)...I also have a Target gift card to spend.  I also need to start making my list for PIB...meals etc.  K - well, I hope it's as beautiful where you are as it is here.  Oh, and I'll be updating my book blog soon...I just finished a 5 star book...later!

Columbus Vacation

It may not sound like a "perfect getaway" being in the Midwest, in middle Ohio but any few days I can get with a little girl named Eva sounds perfect to me. 

So I got here yesterday, safe and sound, after a super rainy drive up 71.  We really needed the rain, however, so I'm not complaining.  Eva was up and ready to hang when I walked in the door.  We went to the grocery, came home, had lunch, Eva napped (not long enough, that little debil) and then we headed out for a couple errands.  Eva was a bit cranky (from her not-long-enough nap) but only fussed while stuck in her car seat on the way home.  I'm tempted to think it was actually her mommy's driving that was causing her to cry her eyes out.  I was kind of wishing I was strapped in my own rear-facing car seat too so I wouldn't have to witness Maggie's aggressive Columbus, Ohio driving.  She crazy!  (When Maggie reads this she's going to punch me).

Today's plans are...I'm going to try to take a run.  It may not go so well but I'm going to try.  There's a park with paths to run on about 3 houses down from Maggie's and I'm going to make the attempt but who knows how far I'll get with these flat feet and shin splints.  If it's not too wet, I'll try to run in the grass to cushion my steps.  I checked the map for the park and the perimeter is 1.5 miles so maybe I can make it once around running and once walking.  We'll see.  Other than that, I think Maggie wants to go to Macy's (she has a gift card) and that's about it.  We'll hang at home for dinner and I'll get as much Eva-time in as I can.  I'll get some pics as well to post later. 

K - not too exciting, I know.  I'll try for more mmph next time.  Later!

After Bath Time

I don't know about you but I'd be a bit worried that someone might take a tinkle on the carpet without any pants on (I know I would). I guess Maggie and Charlie are willing to take that risk. Now, I don't know if being sent this picture meant I was free to post it on my blog but I would have to assume...you take that chance!  How cute is that girl with her big ol' belly, by the way!?  And her face looks like, "Hey!  I've been caught with my pants down...well off."  Babies love running around nakey sakey and Maggie says she's no different.  Loves her.

And because I didn't post yesterday I will also include a couple shots of Cullen's graduation (sorry Cullen, that you had to follow a picture of a baby's butt..not that he reads this).  Of course I was too far from the front to get a close up of Cullen and my Blackberry doesn't have a zoom lens but you get the idea.  That's Cullen, in the middle, right in front of the microphone in the forefront - the second microphone.  Cullen has on khaki pants.

So today's plans:  I've had breakfast and walked Sami.  After I post here, I'll post a few books that I'm behind with on my book blog and then I'll run...on the treadmill, that is.  It's a beautiful day so I'll probably enjoy some time outside in the sun before showering and heading down to Clifton to pick up Jim.  We're meeting Trip, Susan and JBird at the game tonight but Jim and I will eat beforehand so that we don't spend too much money at the stadium.  I think beers alone are about $7.50 so rather than spending a fortune on food and beer, we'll just spend it on beer.  I know where my priorities lie!

So that's about all I've got for now.  Oh, and I'm planning a quick trip to C-bus next week.  Maggie's been bugging me and bugging me to come be a momma to her baby.  Poor Eva!  She needs a break from her crazy mommy, that's for sure!

K - I'm out...later!

Time To Get My Jog On!

I just finished walking Sami and I've found that on a running day, it's best if I rest for about 10 minutes before I get on the treadmill.  Otherwise my body and breathing isn't quite right.  I've also found that my body really needs a day's rest after a jog.  I'm still jogging at 2 miles and I haven't upped that because I can't always get through a full two miles.  Monday I only jogged 1.5 miles but I had jogged a mile on Sunday too as well as 2 on Saturday.  I think I overdid it and I'm just not ready to up my workout yet.  I don't want to hurt myself so better safe than sorry.

My plans today are as follows:  Walk Sami (check); run, shower, head to the Maxx to see if I can find any shorts that look and feel good (more about that in a minute), come home to lunch, maybe enjoy some sunshine if it isn't too cloudy and then I have to get ready to head down to Hyde Park.  I'm meeting Jim at 5:30 at Bonefish where we'll enjoy a couple appetizers before meeting Dad, Becky, Susan and Trip at the Cintas Center (XU's arena) for Cullen's graduation.  Can't believe the boy is graduating from high school!  WOW!

So the short business.  See, in the summer, I prefer wearing dresses and skirts.  I have a couple pair of shorts but they always seem so confining and HOT in the summer.  But, I want a broader choice in my wardrobe and I would like to get a couple more pairs just to have options out there.  We'll see what they have at the Maxx...lately when I've been there, it's been a clustery mess of clothing that I'm not always willing to root through.  We'll see.

And that's all I've got for now.  Oh, I bought a lawn mower yesterday...just a cheapy...but it works like a dream and isn't a pain in the ass to walk behind.  Our previous mower was a supposed "self-propelled" and it was like pushing a two-ton boulder across the lawn.  It was a good workout but always left me winded and with blisters on my thumbs.  My new mower is light and turns and moves with ease.  AND it isn't a self-propelled so pfft!

K - gots to run...literally.  Later!

Day 1 - Summer Vacation

My first complete day of summer vacation!  How happy am I?  And last night?  Slept like a baby rock!  I stayed up until 10:00 but started to drift and thought - what the hell - might as well go to sleep.

What are my summer plans you ask?  Well, aside from a couple trips to PIB, hanging at the pool and visiting Eva (I mean Maggie, Charlie and Eva) in Columbus...I got nothing.

My plans for today?  Well, I've walked my baby girl already.  I think she may have eaten a bit of goose turd on the way.  I'm not sure since I didn't want to root in the dirt to check but she was chomping on something and it tends to be a spot the gooses hang.  (Yes, I know it's "geese" but Sami calls them gooses.  She's never really had any real learnin'...give her a break.)  Anyway - here in a minute I'm going to head out to buy a lawn mower.  Not sure what or where I'll purchase but I'll shop around a bit.  I also need to stop by Half Price (running low on books...not really but I'll see if there's anything good out there) and Bed Bath and Beyond...need to stock up on K-cups.

Dinner tonight:  I'm going to do a quiche, some wild rice and zucchini with caramelized onions.  YUMMY!  Jim didn't sound too thrilled about it but he'll eat it and like it, dammit! (Hee hee).

Speaking of drama queens...Jim's stress test got cancelled.  Apparently insurance didn't approve it.  Jim was all up in arms and couldn't get why the hell that could have happened.  I said, "Well, your EKG came back normal, your chest x-ray was okay and I'm guessing the insurance people need some convincing by the docs."  I'm sure by boy will reschedule...we'll see what happens.

So I know we all love our neighborhoods (I hope everyone loves where they live) but can I just say that I really, really LOVE mine (knock on wood)?  Why?  Well, if you've seen my house or been there, you know I live on a cul-de-sac.  Different from many cul-de-sacs mine isn't just all pavement but rather has a huge grassy area in the middle that the road follows around (that's a pic from my bedroom window).  The grassy area is owned by about 5 of the property owners surrounding the house and we all just use it as community fun/play/hang out area.  So this Spring, Jim started mowing extra short lines for a baseball field and then he chalked in foul lines.  A couple weeks ago we purchased about 2 dozen whiffle balls and a few bats.  Jim got some bases and nailed a huge paint bucket to store all the supplies to a tree.  Since then, nearly every night, kids from our circle and beyond come and have an old fashioned game of pick-up (the pic is a game from last night). And the great thing is that the kids range in all ages.  There are high school kids and middle school and they always include the little ones too.  It sort of warms my heart and makes me happy that these kids are enjoying what I and so many middle-agers (and older) got to experience before all the technology started taking over.  Jim's so funny too.  I have to constantly tell Jim to leave the kids alone and let them play.  He's always wanting to go out and give them pointers and brow beat them (not really) into playing by the proper rules.  Let them be Jim!  Let them play their way...they're having fun without you butting your 43-year-old nose in it.

Okay well, that's all I've got...I best mosey.   Later!

Oven Roasted Cauliflower

Here you go Maggie - it's really yummy!

Oven Roasted Cauliflower
Servings: 6 • Serving Size: 1 cup • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 3 pts

Calories: 126 • Fat: 10.5 g • Carbs: 5.9 g • Fiber: 2.5 g • Sugar: 0 • Protein: 2.8 g

Ingredients:

• 6 cups uncooked cauliflower florets (about 1 large) cut small
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• kosher salt and fresh pepper
• juice of 1/4 lemon
• 1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, freshly grated

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450°F.

Combine cauliflower, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper well so all the florets are coated and seasoned. Place in a large shallow roasting pan and place in the center of the oven.

Roast for about 25-35 minutes, turning florets occasionally so they are evenly cooked. Remove from oven and top with Parmigiano Reggiano and additional salt and pepper if needed

Sunny Sunday

It's a beautiful day here and in about 15 minutes, I'm headed outside to lay in the sun.  I've walked my baby girl and even ran a mile.  I wasn't meant to run today but I've been having issues with my treadmill and I needed to check to see if my "fix" fixed it.  Lucky for me, it did.  It kept slipping but I tightened the belt and voila!  Done!

Jim and I finished watching the History Channel's mini-series "Hatfield & McCoys" last night.  Really, really good.  Very disturbing to think of all the shit those families put each other through.  If you get a chance to watch on the reruns, I highly recommend it.  6 hours of crazy, hill jack mayhem!  Kevin Costner did a really good job. Who knew he had it in him to be such a redneck asshole (in a lovable sort of way...sort of).

Dinner tonight:  pork chops in a delicious sauce served over egg noodles and I think I'll do a bit of roasted cauliflower.

Tomorrow begins - after about noon - my summer vacation.  So excited.  Not much to do at school tomorrow except some final paperwork, final room cleaning and checking out.  I'll probably be pretty bored for the few hours I'm there but I can manage to get through knowing what's ahead.

K - well, the suns rays are calling me so I think I'll go lay in my chair and read the book I just started (I'll preview my latest here soon) which I'm already really into (Alice Hoffman, The Red Garden).  Later!

Last Day With Kids!

It will be time to celebrate after today!  I'm so ready for this year to be over.  It's sooooo boring at school right now.  I'm sitting there with nothing to do - for the most part - and nodding off.  I could so use my time better, I'm sure.  Today I'll clean out all the kids binders and get last minute paperwork complete.  I have a meeting at 7:30 with one of the junior high teachers to discuss a couple kids that will be on my caseload.  They're both autistic and I can't WAIT (insert sarcasm) to hear all about their quirks.  Thank God they are both out for nearly every thing.

In other news, I had to yell at a neighbor yesterday.  So there I am, walking my walk with Sami.  Enjoying the day, saying "hi" to neighbor dogs as we go along.  La la la...walk walk walk..."hello Paco, the dog.  Oh, well, would you look at that, Sami's pooping."  So, like the good dog owner and neighbor that I am, I get one of the two poo bags that I always carry out of my pants and prepare to scoop.  Knowing that I'll be happening back by on my walk, I toss the knotted up bag across the street, ever so gently, onto the lawn directly across.  There just happens to be a man hanging out in his front yard next door to where I threw and he gets all pissy and yells to me, "REALLY!?  You're just going to leave that there?!"  Me: "Uh, no!  I'm coming back around.  You see the bags sticking out of my pants, I don't just go around and pick poop up and then leave trash in my wake!"  He said "Well, I was going to say!"  Me: "Uh you did say!  Why don't you settle down!"  Then as I'm walking on, a guy replacing siding at a nearby house says, "Do you know that guy?"  Me: "No, but (and I turn my head toward the dickhead and raise my voice) he seems like an ASSHOLE!"  Now this dude who ranted at me sees me EVERY DAY!  EVERY DAY I walk by his house.  AND on those days, he almost always see me carrying used bags with poop in them.  He can't be mistaken in what's in them.  I was so ready to see him upon my return and say something but alas, dude went inside and locked up house.  He is ALWAYS out there.  I hope he was embarrassed.  Dick!

K - well, I'm done ranting.  It's raining and I should probably get a move on.  Later!