Rachel: Wow, these houses are HUGE.
Me: I know. This is a famous part of Atlanta called West Paces Ferry. The people that live here are very, very wealthy.
Rachel: So…..not us.
Month: August 2009
Lake Genetics
I was really, really happy that the Moonpie enjoyed her lake visit. I wasn’t sure how she’d feel about jumping into the vast, green lake where she couldn’t see the bottom or if she’d like being pulled behind the boat.
Turns out that I needn’t have worried. Any kid that tries to barefoot on day 1 is going to do okay.
Randomness
Veggies
If I lived in Zollicoffer, I’d get my vegetables the easy way – stealing them from my parent’s garden. Here I actually have to BUY good food. I recently found a site called Farmers Market Baskets, which will bring a fruit/veggie basket to your neighborhood.
I got all of this for 18 bucks. The website says it would cost 30 – 35.00 at the local grocery. Not as good as stealing, but still a fair price. Since I broke the big 10 by lying earlier this year, I thought I’d go the proper route. I’ll wait and steal from their pantry this winter after they’ve done all the canning.
Speaking of lying –
Remember the lady that I lied to that turned out to be a 2nd grade teacher at Rachel’s school? Fun times.
We had our “meet and greet” at her new school.
And this is NOT that teacher. Whew. We had a 50/50 chance and I guess we lucked out. Now I just have to avoid her at all school functions for the next nine months. I’m not above wearing a disguise.
Date Night
My mother called to ask if JD and I were having issues. Why else would we go on DATE night? Seriously. These are the kind of phone calls I get. I guess it’s because my parents never had a date night once the kids were born. Now that the we’re all grown, they do have, “Do you want to ride to Lowes, I need help loading a tub” night, so I guess that’s something. We are not having issues. We just live in 2009.
Date Night, Baby!
Here’s a little trick I used today. While on the phone with my sister-in-law, I said, “Hey, the girls just told me they want to have a sleep-over.” When she said okay, I quickly added “AT YOUR HOUSE”.
Before sending them home, I made sure they had plenty of cookies and ice-cream. Kids are notorious for wanting to come home at bedtime. This way, there won’t BE any bedtime.
Next is dinner. Nothing says “romance” like a strip mall.
Hey look, Japanese tea. I might as well try it.
Sushi, YUMOLA. We ordered off the dollar menu. Our bill was $34.00 dollars.
Cute movie! It was different, quirky, and kept me guessing. It used a couple of spicy words, but it IS PG-13. I’ll find a 13 year old later to explain them to me.
Coffee at the bookstore? Is this a dream date or what??
It’s been a great evening, but it’s not over YET! We’ve got the house to ourselves and the night is young. Just one more thing, before calling it a night. That’s right – Late Night with Conan O’Brian! We may even stay up long enough to see the whole thing.
A new ‘do
Since Rachel cut her hair a few months ago, we’ve really been more into “growing” than “cutting.” But at horseback riding yesterday, it occurred to me that it might need a little styling.
So I took her to a very nice salon, where I was sure they would do a good job. And it just happened to be the first place I saw.
Rachel was thrilled.
REALLY thrilled. Especially when the electric clippers appeared. Hmmm. She reminds me of someone, if I could only remember…
Well, I’m sure it will come to me.
The result is all that matters. Is she ready for school or what?
I hear that pollen sucking, bee pirates with Dorothy Hamill haircuts are really IN this year.
Marley and Me – local version
The spy in the backyard, otherwise known as “Pastor Tate”, has a dog, Hogan. He is a lot like Marley (from Marley and Me) only without the self control. So far he’s eaten the screen door, Rachel’s goggles, several pool toys and our weed eater.
He’s really a sweet dog. He just needs a little exercise.
No swimming allowed, just walking please!
Keep him moving, that’s the secret!
Almost there, hang on!
Uh…okay. You can stop now. The gate is that way!
HOGAN! Down!
Well, that went well. Man, some people just don’t know how to handle dogs.
This is going to be fun…
Someone is not happy that summer break is over.
Me: What are you looking forward to MOST about your new school?
Kid: Nothing
Me: What is your favorite subject?
Kid: Nothing
Me: But you’re moving into a new school, that’s exciting.
Kid: Great, now we can be even LATER than usual.
Whatever. She only goes two days a week to “regular” school, which means the rest is up to me. I’m determined to make this year the best ever. I went to a Homeschool Expo last week and found lots of fun stuff. Fun, EDUCATIONAL, stuff. And lots of normal people.
See, not a denim jumper in sight. Homeschooling is great. I’m not sure why we get such a bad rap.
We’re obviously super cool. I wonder where you get a Haitian.
Zolligirl Unplugged
My sister and I have a lot in common. We both love family, can get lost for hours in a good book, and nothing in the world makes us happier than being on the lake. It stems from the fact that we spent hours and hours as children riding up and down Dale Hollow Lake, skiing, tubing, swimming and just generally having a great time.
Even though I can WALK to the lake from my house, I’ve only been on a boat once in the last 15 years. ONCE in FIFTEEN YEARS! Is it any wonder I’m crazy?
Thankfully, my sweet, sweet sister and her lovely husband took pity and invited us to their place on the lake. Yes, I’m talking about Tania the MAD. Do you see how much better I am already?
THIS is where I’ve been hanging for the last 4 days. With NO internet. It really was 4 of the best days of my life.
LORD, do I need a vacation or what?? I look like a homeschool mom from Utah that makes my own clothes and owns 14 denim jumpers. I’m wearing a hoodie in the middle of summer! That’s my brother. We are a load of fun.
I think Rachel kinda needed it too. She wants to go back. Next weekend.
My nephew, Chandler, had the highest jump. I COULD have had the highest jump, but you know how sensitive teenagers are. I had to work really hard at being bad, just to make him feel better.
I suggested Joe take a picture of me and Tania, reclining on his boat in our bikinis, in case he ever wanted to sell it. He went for the family look instead. I’m pretty sure he’ll end up regretting that, but what can you do?
Not only do they have a great place at the lake, AND a beautiful boat, Joe refused to let us pay for anything. We ate huge amounts of food, and spent the equivalent of a year of college tuition on gas, but he wouldn’t take my money. I was only able to contribute by throwing cash in my sister’s purse while she wasn’t looking. Did you know if you wrap a twenty around a bunch of one’s it looks more impressive?
This is a transcript from on board the boat. “Can we ride the tube? Can we ride the tube now? We want to ride the tube. Is it our turn to ride the tube? Are you finished skiing, cause we want to ride the tube. Are we done already?? That wasn’t long enough. Can we ride the tube tomorrow?”
It was 4 days of perfection. Well, almost. I did make a mistake the first day out on the boat, when I wore a bathing suit, and not wanting to do water sports with a camera around my neck, left it in the boat, where they USED it without permission. And now I’m only eating on Thursdays. But I’m not afraid to post a picture. I’m in such a happy place after the 4 days of fun, who cares?
Wow. That felt good. I’m in a very healthy place now. I really MIGHT go back next weekend.