The Bare Necessities

Truth be told it has been a challenging past few weeks. My ankle debacle followed by a full week of stomach virus traveling through our house. I have definitely resorted to the TV a few too many times and now we are stuck again, dammit. I HATE the TV.

Actually, I love the TV and am prone to being sucked in to the worst reality shows (Jersey Shore, I am ashamed to admit, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, 19 Kids and Counting-who am I kidding, I am ashamed to admit to the whole lot), cooking shows (Chopped and anything with my secret crush Bobby Flay), bad 80's movies (Overboard-my all time favorite bad 80's movie). Anyway, you get the picture I am like a hoarder except my vice is BAD TV. Luckily I am too busy to submit to my addiction very often and I can keep myself in check, somewhat.

Sadly, my children have inherited this trait tenfold. So after being allowed to watch more TV than usual they have become addicted....again. It's like their drug and every day it takes a few extra minutes to keep them content and happy. These past few weeks a Jungle Book mania has taken them both hostage. I am completely serious and not exaggerating when I say we have watched that movie about 37 times in the past 3 weeks. Thus, I am singing the songs in my sleep and everything at the zoo last Saturday was referred to in reference to The Jungle Book. "When will the bear dance, mommy?" "Will the elephants bugle like The Coloniel?" "Can I curl up with the snakes?"

Which leads me to my point of this entry. A video of Holden singing and dancing to The Bare Necessities.




We need to go cold turkey, I know it. But, I have about 60 ponds of assorted farmer's market booty I am trying to can and we are getting read for vacation and I have a lot to do. These little munchkins need to stay out of my hair. So....

#1 do it now and listen to the screams while I go about my daily chores or

#2 wait till vacation when mother nature will be the only entertainment we need?

I choose option #2. And Ev is just waking from his nap so I better cue Mowgli!

Quote of the Day

"Television. Teacher, mother, secret lover."

-Homer Simpson

62 Feet Per Second

The speed of a hummingbirds wings?

The speed of the newest race car?

The speed a hawk races to it's newly discovered prey?


No, no, no...its the speed vomit travels as it leaves Holden body. Which, if it takes her off guard, can propel her backwards with considerable force and cause her to lose her footing. Which can lead her to stumble into my legs one foot behind her (and the toilet) and cause her to look up in all the commotion. Which in turn can lead to vomit on the floor, walls, Holden's entire body, my feet, and my skirt. Which can then lead to the fifth "puke decontamination shower" of the week.

Just saying........

Catching Up

We have had an exciting and eventful past week! My Aunt Karen and Uncle John flew in from PA for an anniversary trip. They spent a few days with us and a few days in Estes Park enjoying the weather, the mountains, and the elk who are gearing up for rutting season. However, our big plans of the zoo and fun Denver sightseeing were thwarted by my mysterious injury.

I woke up last Friday morning with a sprained ankle. I have no clue how I did it. My money is on a midnight alien abduction, because there is no other explanation. I hobbled around Friday and Saturday and by Sunday I could not walk at all and was crawling around the house. So, off to urgent care for x-rays, no break, a gel cast, and crutches. It was the best thing and finally helped. I was in serious pain till Friday when I could walk again. What a pain in so many ways. It was complete misery trying to keep up with the kids and I am glad I am feeling better.



I also had a wonderful birthday and Holden helped decorate my cake, which I made. So sad, huh?



Ian blew me away with my present. We are not big present people and are taking a Utah vacation in two weeks, so I wasn't expecting much. I was surprised at how excited and anxious he was for me to open my present, but when he handed me a piece of paper and realized a Kindle was on its way to me I understood. YAY YAY YAY. I LOVE to read. I am mildly obsessed lately and I cannot wait to get my hands on this gizmo I have been talking about ever since those cute commercials hit the tv a couple of years ago. My friend Nichole and I have been debating if it will take the place of our beloved books. I think it will be a great addition, I will stilll want to read books, but the ease and convenience of downloading books in minutes will be awesome. Instead of packing 10 pounds of books in my suitcase when I travel, I can just toss my handy dandy Kindle in my bag and save my back.

My birthday weekend was spent sleeping in, relaxing, bbq-ing with friends, hitting the farmers market and splash fountains in old town (where Ian captured the best camera phone pic in history! Holden had her face in the hole looking for the water when a forceful spray shot her in the face! It was hysterical!)



and a big dinner play date with friends on Sunday evening. I did not change one diaper on Sunday!!! How insane is that! Look at my score from the farmers market...




All local and pesticide and chemical free
2 lbs green beans
2 lbs baby red potatoes
2 lbs pickling cucumbers
1 lb tomatoes
1 green pepper
1 onion
1 acorn squash
1 lb broccoli
1 lb of fire roasted chilli peppers

10 dollars! Apparently I need to hit the farmers market at noon-fifteen minutes before they close. The largest stand gives you a bag to fill with anything for 10 dollars. Whata have I been doing all summer-duh.

So my big excitement was a farmers market score and a Kindle. I guess I am really 37, even though it doesn't feel like it!

Aaaaah, Allentown.....

I was looking for some cute, vintagey looking something to represent my old hood, remind me of home, and fit into my living room somewhere. I found some great photos and prints which made me smile with nostalgia (although not so much that I want to live there again, mom).

My beautiful high school. Well, the shot of the grand auditorium, sure makes it look beautiful!







The good old Lehigh River. Every time I discover an ancient steel bridge I am always reminded of home.



And another one of the river and mountains in autumn, which always reminds me of collecting leaves with my brother, Keith, to take back to Texas and share with my first graders.




I love this postcard of the Eighth Street Bridge and need to figure out how to acquire it.



I would love some old flyers or books from the Fair or Musikfest.



The internet is a wonderful and funny thing. My search led me to a picture from my most favoritest favorite place for nachos in the entire world. But, probably not something I want hanging in my living room.





Then it got worse and good old A-town came through to show it's true colors.
And even better, I need to snag these for the next election!


I called it a day. As usual Allentown exasperated me and wore me out. But, I love it anyway.

Quote of the Day
Nowhere in this country, from sea to sea, does nature comfort us with such assurance of plenty, such rich and tranquil beauty as in those unsung, unpainted hills of Pennsylvania.
- Rebecca Harding Davis

Happy Birthday, Ian

My husband had a VERY grown up b-day weekend. So different from just a few years ago. Add 2 kids, a wife, and a lot less alcohol and you get the picture.

We had Beckam Johnson's First Birthday Party on Saturday in Salida. When we mentioned this to our friend Eric, he immediately called his parents and set us up at their cabin in Buena Vista for the whole weekend (same place where H fell into a cactus a few months ago). Their cabin is beautiful and cozy. When we arrived on Friday, after a LOVELY 2 1/2 hour car ride-seriously-happy b-day daddy, we went to town decorating Ian's cake. That decorating job is what happens when a three year old keeps moving the pan when you are trying to write.


Ev got his first peanut butter cup



...and he wanted, "MORE, MORE, MORE!!!!"



and Holden was photographer




Saturday before breakfast everyone went "swimming" in the hot tub, which was definitely the big excitement of the weekend.



We had a blast at the party. Beckam's dad, Brian lives and works at the fish hatchery. So all of the kids got big buckets of fish food and had fun pounding the rainbow trout with fists full of the stuff. Holden had fun attacking the b-day boy with hugs and kisses.



We did lots of relaxing, lots of swimming, and lots of eating. I even got to lay out on the deck and read a book while the kids napped and Ian hiked. Ev passed out reading his favorite Nemo book. We have never seen him do that before and it was pretty cute.

Quote of the Day

"A vcation trip is one-third pleasure, fondly remembered,
and two-thirds aggrivation, entirely forgotten."

-Robert Brault