"A Wink and a Smile"

I think I need a chill pill or a big ol' glass of something to settle my nerves. I just got back from day 1 of our 3 day STATE (long course) CHAMPIONSHIPS.  It was short tonight because {k} only did one event ... the 200M IM.  She did great ... cut nearly 4 seconds off her personal best (which she just did 2 weeks ago). Lately I feel like we have moved beyond the gentle clapping hands of " go {k}, go" and "do your best"   to ... "MOVE IT {k} ... kick those legs ... pick it up!" with a big time voice (scream) and  body language (waving and jumping) . I tell ya, it's enough to give me heart palpitations and anxiety.  I'm still shaking even after the event ended nearly 2 hours ago. and  This beer that I am drinking isn't doing anything.  I think my symptoms are incurable. THANKFULLY, in a short while, the husband and 3 other children come home after a full week away in a state far, far away.  I have missed them A LOT.  It was strange to just...

COOL! I just realized that I have been blogging for a little more than 2 years now. I started here, moved to VOX for a little bit, but then found my way back here. Some of my stuff got transfered back over to here, but I guess I did not add everything. This post was nothing extraordinary, but it reveals me more than a lot of my other posts. I sometimes wonder how I am perceived by those who read. Part of me likes to expose myself, but then I like a little anonymity. I think I am split in so many ways ... a little hip, but sort of nerdy quiet, but then I can talk your ear off introvert most of the time, but then I have extrovert moments too passive, but then outgoing/courageous Maybe it is good to keep the audience guessing ...

I was just starting to think that this summer wasn't really too hot ... yet.  Forget that thought. TODAY ... Took {k} to swim practice Spent 3 hours at the pool with {c} and {k} Grocery shopped at WalMart and SAMS I have a headache. Surely it is from the sun and heat. I didn't want the television on (I just can't listen to extra background noise), so I asked {k} to grab her book and read.   T his is reading with STYLE ... 'cause everything with her has to be just so . Meanwhile little sister is having fun with "U"Tube ... Comet is just hoping that some of that sprinkler will come by to get him ... Yes, these surely are the DOG DAYS OF SUMMER! (note the browning grass)

I had to remove the big head that was in the previous entry ... MUCH BETTER!!!!!!!   I guess there was no way to crop and photoshop back in the 70's and 80's!

When I look back at some of the photos that are in my possession, I can't help but to laugh a little. There are the clothing choices.  This I do understand is something that can't be helped.  There will always be trends that we will laugh at later on. My older Sister and Dad don't look too bad, but check out my green / orange plaid suit ... yikes! Then there is this ... Dad LOVED this shirt.  When I think of what my Dad wore in the 70's this ranks up there as being something I saw him wear a lot.  It had a strange sort of design and was satin .... oooooh la la!   Can't tell you why no one seemed to notice how VERY CROOKED that photo is above my Mom's bun.  Oh yes, "the bun".  For a solid 10 years I think my Mom wore her hair the same exact way. Now we can move to the 80's ... "Okay everyone ... let's take a picture.  Gerry pick up the dog! Eileen grab that lovely vase! Thomas primp that feathered hair!  Elaine and Heleen smile and don...

1. Globalized jobs return home 2. Sprawl Stalls (people living closer to cities where they work) 3. Four day work weeks 4. Less pollution (vehicle emisions drop) 5. More frugality (the need to go with the cheaper sunscreen ...LOL) 6. Fewer traffic deaths (people are slowing down on the roads) 7. Cheaper insurance (driving less can lower your car ins.) 8. Less traffic 9. More cops on the beat (more police on foot and bike) 10. Less Obesity (people walk more, bike more, and eat out less) This list was taken from the July 14th issue of TIME magazine . *My husband was recently talking about how his company (and it is a big one) was discussing 4 day work weeks. We have already seen how they have cut back his travel big time ... I guess a lot of companies are doing that. A 4 day work week would be cool for our family! *I have also noticed how some chain restaurants are trying to keep their customers coming back by making smaller portioned lunches for less money. Everyone seems to be trying ...

Isn't the cost of gas to blame for everything????? Like how we all need to TRY and drive less because of the cost to fill our tanks. Or how we have to be wiser when grocery shopping because food costs are up. OR how we even have to attempt to be more frugal in other areas of our spending. To do my little part I am giving up using this ... For the past 2 years now I have LOVED, LOVED using this sunscreen because it is so easy and quick to apply to 5 children plus myself. There is no rubbing and no mess. Putting on sunscreen before this invention was equivalent to helping 5 children put on their snow gear in the winter. I HATED IT! I do have to make some changes with our budget. My children spend a good 5 months outside (May-Oct.) ... swimming nearly every day. That is a WHOLE LOTTA SUNSCREEN! Thankfully my girls do not burn, but I know the importance of taking care of their skin and I really do try to apply sunscreen to them in a reasonable time. They certainly need sunscreen, but...

That would be a prayer for a dog to find her way back home to her family. This is not my dog, but The Pioneer Woman's sweet Border Collie . It always breaks my heart to hear a sad dog story . Knowing how much our Border Collie is loved ... I just can't imagine.

LOL!  I must be in the WRONG PLACE!!!!!!!! You Are 90% Yankee, 10% Dixie You're so Yankee, it's possible you've never even been to the South! Are You a Yankee or Dixie? HT to Sardonic Catholic Dad

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