Food Fight

This has been the longest week in the history of the world.  And it's only Wednesday, which rather proves my point.  The week before a long weekend is awful.

Mitch came home yesterday, after a few days in Indianapolis with the Guard.  He'll be home for a few days and then leaves on Friday for Michigan.  He'll be working in Battle Creek for a week or so and then going to Ohio to take the kids to his dad's and pick up a boat.  July is proving to be a traveling month for us - well, everyone but me of course.  I'll be here with Gracie.

Mitch has been playing a game called "Guess where I'm going to eat when I'm gone?" The answers include: Martini's, Qdoba, Taco Bob's, Jolly Roger, and Steak & Shake. All restaurants we don't have here in Utah. I hate this game because 1) he doesn't even LIKE most of those places and probably won't eat there and he's just telling me this to torture me; and 2) it's a mean mean game.


Summer has finally arrived here in Utah and brought that heat we've been complaining about not having.  That'll teach us.  It's been in the 90s here and looks to stay that way for a while.  It's somewhat overcast today and the wind is picking up, so we'll see if we get some rain like they predicted. 

Mitch and I had Five Guys Burgers and Fries last night for dinner, and I don't know if it's usually that good, or if it was just that I've been dieting for 2 days that made it that delicious.  Either way, yum. 

Clearly, I don't have much to say without the kids around.  I haven't heard from them at all yet, so I'm going to take it that things are going well.  Their next stop is Jenni's.

A Blog Post to Promote Another Blog

I know!  I should just be happy you guys are reading MY blog, let alone telling you to read another one. 

But this is my friend Nancy, who's volunteering in the Joplin, Missouri tornado relief efforts.  (I don't know that that's what it's really called, but that's what I'm calling it.  My blog, my rules, people.)  She just got there over the weekend and today posted about her first day and put up some heart-wrenching photos. 

I think it's one thing to see the tv coverage and the newspaper photos and all that, but another thing all-together to see photos taken by someone you know who is actually there.

Ten on Tuesday

Ten States I Have Lived In/Been To

1. Illinois
2. Iowa
3. Virginia
4. Michigan
5. Utah
6. Ohio
7. Pennsylvania
8. New York
9. South Dakota
10. California

There are others, but the point is to list 10.

And actually, that's more than I would have thought.

The Final Countdown

It's T minus whatever until the kids leave.  They leave on Friday morning and fly to O'Hare and begin their month-long vacation with grandparents and friends.  They are super excited, though I worry about them flying by themselves, since they don't remember flying before.  But I paid for a chaperone and it's a direct flight, so barring bad weather, they will be fine. 

What will Mitch and I do for a month alone?  That's the part you should be scared about. Actually, it looks like he'll be spending a week in Michigan for work and then a few days at his dad's, picking up a boat.  So he'll probably be gone for the better part of 2 weeks during that time.  And it makes the pick-up and delivery of the kids to various places a little bit easier. 

I have to get the kids packed and ready to go.  I was going to send them with duffel bags and ship other stuff ahead, but now we're leaning toward packing them in the big suitcase we have and not messing with shipping and paying for extra bags.  (Mom, are you reading this?  This is the new plan.)  The suitcase should be more than enough and Jacob can get it off the luggage carousel with no problem.  And if he can't, then he has a lot of work to do before football starts at the end of July.  Two birds, one stone kind of thing there.

Sara had 7 teeth pulled Friday and came through great.  She had to have the Novocaine shots redone, because the first four didn't numb her.  But once the numbness wore off, she was back to her usual self.  No side effects thank goodness.  It's always a little nerve-wracking when she has any type of anesthesia or sedation at this point, given the issues she's had since September.

We also got a call that our debit card "may have been compromised" in light of the most recent Michael's Crafts debit card hacking or whatever that was.  So Friday I had to go to the credit union so we could be issued new cards.  Unfortunately, now I have to figure out what was coming out of our account automatically with the debit card and get that changed.  That's a hassle, but better than having my account wiped out, I suppose.  Not that that would take much, but still. 

We're still looking for a house.  Mitch has his mind set on building, but I'm still against it.  If we didn't have to live in a specific area for Sara's school, it would make things a bit easier, but that's where we have to be for at least the next 2 years.  So we'll figure it out.  Somehow.

Today starts Wimbledon.  Will Rafael Nadal be able to defend his title?  We will know in a fortnight!

Take My Breath Away

I hate when I don't post often, and then when I come here, I find that the last thing I did post was 10 on Tuesday.  So even though it is once again Tuesday, I'll skip it for now.  (But might do one later today.)

If we are Facebook friends, which I'm sure we are because I think those are the only people who read this blog - and if we're not, WHY NOT? I need more Facebook friends! - you know that Jacob was at Scout camp last week.  It's a leadership training camp and while they didn't work on any merit badges, they do learn problem solving and teamwork skills.  We went on Saturday morning to pick him up and were planning to shoot out of there as soon as they were all done.  The kids and I were halfway to the truck when I realized Mitch wasn't with us.  I looked back and saw him talking to the Scoutmaster from Jacob's troop, who was also the guy in charge of this camp session.  So I went back to hurry Mitch along, since some of these guys (including Mitch) can talk and talk and talk and talk and....well, you get the idea.

Scoutmaster:  I was just telling your husband here that Jacob choked on a piece of sausage at breakfast yesterday and I had to perform the Heimlich on him to get it out.

Me:  Are you serious?

Scoutmaster:  Yes.  But I got to him in like 2 seconds.  He was pretty shook up, but by lunchtime, he seemed to be himself.  So if he doesn't say anything to you about it, you might want to ask him.

Me:  Yes, okay then, um...

So, do you want to guess who had to bring it up?  Right, me.  Because Jacob wouldn't mention if his hair was on fire, unless he was able to blame it on Sara.  He's okay, obviously.  Just another health experience for us here in Utah. 

And if you're keeping track, that leaves only me who hasn't had a medical issue here.

Yet.

Ten on Tuesday

I'm stealing this from Maryann, but here are 10 things in my purse

1. Perfect Pucker Valencia Lip Remedy
2. Perfect Pucker Honey Almond Hand Lotion
3. Ear buds
4. A coupon for 50 cents off 4 Gerber Baby Foods (I don't know why - I should probably just throw that out.)
5. A paper clip
6. Wrigley's 5 gum - Solstice flavor
7. Two nail files
8. A Langeland pen - don't tell Marty!
9. My "books to read" notebook
10. My wallet - what's in there is another Ten on Tuesday post all together.

Happy Tuesday!

(Not a) Graduation Day

Jacob had his "6th Grade Advancement" ceremony today.  The principal made it a point to announce at the beginning that it was not a "graduation" as that happens only once in public schools and that is after the completion of 12th grade.  And there is something after 8th grade, but I didn't pay attention to that.  I was still so astounded that it was necessary to make the "this is not a graduation" announcement.  I guess principalling, like parenting, is full of things you never thought you'd have to explain to people. 

Back to this morning:  We started off in his classroom, where his teacher, the lovely and wonderful Miss H, presented character awards.  Athletes, leadership, that sort of thing.  Jacob again astounded his parents by picking up a "Sense of Humor" award.  It always surprises Mitch and I when people say how funny Jacob is, because we always think Sara has the better sense of humor.  The lovely and wonderful Miss H then moved on to academic awards.  There were 2 awards:  one for those students who maintained a B+ average all year and those who maintained an A average all year.  Jacob got an A average award.  Overall, his class is an amazing group - there were 20 kids between the 2 categories, with 13 getting the A average award!  Then there were photos, chocolate covered strawberries, and thank you notes written by the kids for their parents. 

The parents headed down to the cafegymatorium, if you will, for the official 6th grade advancement ceremony.  All 3 classes were there.  Each class had a speaker and there was a leadership award from the Kiwanis Club.  (One of Jacob's best friends here picked that up.  Good job!)  Then they all turned toward the parents in the audience and sang Celine Dion's "Because You Loved Me".  And wow.  They did a great job, especially when you consider these are 12-year-olds and half of them are boys.  It got a little quiet on the high notes, but it was impressive.  Then the traditional calling of names and presenting of certificates.  It took a little while to get through about 90 kids, but it went faster than I had expected.  Each child shook hands or hugged the principal, got their certificate and a hug from their teacher and then hugged or shook hands with the other 2 6th grade teachers.  After that, they stood again and faced the audience and the principal orchestrated the flipping of the tassels.  Then it was over.  He's still got 2 days of school left, but he's officially a 7th grader.

And yes, he wore his dress pants and a shirt and tie.  And surprise, surprise!  Guess what?  So did all his friends!  Hmmm, maybe Mom was right about that. 

Tomorrow is the 6th grade luncheon - just for students - and a field/water day.  And on Friday they only go for 2 hours and then they are done for the summer.  This year just flew by.  Next year, it's new schools and new adventures for both kids!