What Is Your Role?

I just came across the photo from June, taken at the Science Museum in Dallas. It's really a study about how we all have our roles in life. It's important to find our niche so society as a whole can function properly. This tribal specimen clearly delineates their roles so that not everyone is ever happy all at once and not everyone is pitching a fit all at once. Their roles shift from time to time because, after all, eventually, everyone must be the "nose picker."

I WON! Now Show Me the Money!

Did you know that the Baltimore airport is infested with mice? At midnight they seem to patrol the gateways with a feverish delight. I know because last week I had the privilege of going to that fine city to contest a parking ticket; actually two. Steve got two tickets one weekend in 2003. Yes, I said 2003. We paid the $46 and went on with our lives. Then 4 years later, Baltimore sent a collection agency after us saying that we didn't pay and now owed them over $1500!!!!!

If you have spoken to me in the past year, you have heard about this thorn in my side. I have spent way too many hours on hold waiting for idiots who pretend they can help me. After a year of fighting with these morons, I finally got a trial.

I approached the judge with a thick folder of receipts, cancelled checks, and names. The judge didn't even ask me anything. He looked at his papers and said, "This is ridiculous. Not-guilty."

But I couldn't let Baltimore off that easily after the psychotic roller coaster they locked me on. I said,"Don't you want to hear just how 'ridiculous' this has actually been? You will gasp."

The judge said that because I flew from Dallas for a parking ticket defense, I could take all the time I wanted. I felt like I was tatteling on a bully and it gave me a bit of satisfaction.

The lessons learned here are for everyone:
1. Get a receipt of payment with any ticket you receive.
2. Check that against your bank statement to see that they cashed the check.
3. Always request that the officer be present at the trial.
4. Never sleep on the floor of any airport anywhere.
5. Night cleaning crews at airports like to sleep across the seats and watch TV. No wonder there are mice...
6. Never visit Baltimore- ever.

Quotables

After church last Sunday, I had a meeting. When I came home, the kids were swirling around my legs begging for food. I asked Steve what they had for lunch. "A protein bar and a banana." 'Nuff said.

If you look at my profile, I have a new picture. Abby brought that Polly Pocket and said, "Mama Pocket. That you Mama." Oh... if only I had Polly's clothes, too.

Lauren was throwing a little tantrum the other day because she didn't want to go to preschool. She kicked and cried and fussed, "I don't want to go because Hayden (her cute little girl friend) will be wearing pants and I do not want to look at pants ALL day!"

The Start of Something Big!

Here we go again. Another Fall, another year ahead in school. I'm sure I'm not old enough to have first graders. Brad and Zach are extremely enthusiastic about school. Lauren was a bit timid about it but got over it quickly. Abby was just thrilled that she was NOT going to school and got to hang out with mommy all day. When Lauren was Abby's age, she started preschool. She always wanted to go into the boys' classrooms and was confident to strike up a conversation with the teacher and other kiddos. When I took Lauren to school this year, Abby clung to me for dear life. I know she thought I might be dropping her off and she was going to fight me. It's nice to have some quiet time with my little baby.

Is "Washable" really washable?

The answer is ... sort of. There definately is residual marking that last for a few bathtub scrubs. After I took this picture and took them up to the bath, Lauren revealed that they had also colored their belly buttons and nipples. Madonna would be proud.

A Bit of Potty Talk

I'm not quite sure I should share this but I will. Why not? I have two six-year-old boys who refuse to wipe themselves. They will sit on the pot forever, waiting for me to come bail them out. This week they were at Camille's house. Camille heard Brad calling from the bathroom. "Camille, I need you to wipe me."
"No. You are six and can do it yourself."
"But my mom does it for me." "What do you do at school?"
"I NEVER go at school!"
After refusing to wipe his way-to-old hiney, Camille left him alone on the pot. A bit later he came out.
"So, did ya get it taken care of?"
"Yes and it was DISGUSTING! I DON'T want to talk about it!"

Maybe I shouldn't talk about it either... but I've earn the right.

Michael Phelps' Smelps... Whatever!

Here are the true Olympians! Brad and Zach really got into the swimming during the Olympics. Brad kept telling me that he was in fact an "expert swimmer" like those guys on TV. The boys decided that we needed to hold our own Olympics "with medals and races and diving." We were all ready-- cupcakes made, invitations crafted, rules written out -- and then it rained and rained. But my OCDish little guys would not let me forget about the event. So, the first night the sky was clear, the Lund Olympics hit the pool. Let the games begin!

Michigan Isn't That Far, is it?

Mark and Mary Williams blessed sweet Kate in Utah so I got to sneak at peak at their new little girl. Mary you are sooo missed!

I wanna be 4 again...

Aloha!

My mom does a fun luau each year. Due to my Grandma's declining health, she decided to have it at my grandparent's home. She invited the nurses and aides who have been so kind to my grandma and grandpa. Grandma was in and out of consciousness in her bedroom but when I spoke with her, she recognized me. "Grandma, we are having the luau. Your sister Willy is here." "Well, how do I look?" "You look great. Mom did your hair and you have on your red floral housecoat-- very Hawaiian!" She asked for Grandpa. He came in and told her about the party. I think her memory had taken her back a few years because she suddenly said, "I told you not to have that damn party." It was pretty funny because Helen Farr doesn't talk like that!

Everyone must notice Lauren's hair because it is rare that she lets me do it. Take note--it probably won't happen again.