Things I Got From My Mom

Again, not a complete list:

• My ability to be a very loyal friend
• My love of Labrador Retreivers (much against my will, might I add)
• Being able to tell my kids I love them openly and often
• My klutziness
• A good work ethic
• A fundamental feeling that my life has value - from day one
• Unwavering support - no matter what the personal opinion of my thoughts or shenanigans

Thanks Mom!

Things I Got From My Dad

(Yes, Things I Got From My Mom Will Be Next.)

This is not meant to be a complete list.

1) My middle name - check it out, he denies it but the date on this video is quite telling.



2) My love of dirt bikes, fishing (if catching something) and horses. Not that I get to indulge much these days.

3) My love of The Supremes, Surfaris and Paul Revere and the Raiders.

4) My Quixotic approach to life (yes, I realize this can be futile, but it's nice to be idealistic).

5) My Blue Eyes.

6) The Green Bay Packers.

7) After some struggles along the way, because he's a cowboy and always will be, a sense of how much he loves me.

Thanks Dad.

Things I Wish Would Go Differently or Better

I want Brett to report to training camp Friday (he faxed his letter to the NFL Commissioner today) and the Packers are all there to welcome him with open arms (it ain't gonna happen, but it's my blog so there).

I want Little Bit to stay out of the principal's office all the way until his track break starts in October. Yes, he's already been there once in two days, he's got to test this new teacher out. Good news, she seems to have a high level of energy and commitment. She's going to need it. So am I, apparently. I wish track break was more than three weeks.

I wish that The Husband could manage to multi task for once in his life or be on time for once in his life because sometimes I have to work too and I can't manage his life for him. At the same time as keeping up with my job, kids, changing oil on the cars, paying the bills etc.

I wish Big Bit had more of a backbone and could tell his dad (who is NOT TH in case you're keeping track and didn't know) that he thinks the EHFH is psycho and wants to stay here instead of going back because he really doesn't want to live with a psycho. (I knew he was, all along, but Big Bit's finally figured it out on his own).

Argh. Anyway, just had to vent a little, I love all four of the above (three more than the other one of course) but there are days I DO NOT UNDERSTAND MEN. This was one of them.

Just Because The World Needs a New Good Song

I know I have a few obsessions. However, though I've always liked Rick Springfield, it wasn't until I saw him last winter that he moved to that category.

Seriously, I've been in recovery on that subject. :) This week, however, I did stumble across this on YouTube. This is worthy of 80's fangirl screaming. Good song. Check it out.

P.S. He's 59 next week. Holy Cow!

It's About That Time

Who do you hope to see for VP candidate picks? It's going to make things more interesting...I really hope McCain picks Romney...yes I do. (Evil Grin).

On the other side? Hm. I think I've turned against my own gender because although there are some great women options (no, not Hillary), I am really leaning towards John Edwards. But, as with my work situation, I have to let "the guy in charge" make decisions that impact my future and hope that he has my best interests as well as those of the greater good at heart.

So as the "big guy" at work makes his decision on Sybil's replacement, and John and Barack make their decisions, may they all be guided with wisdom and strength.

RIP, Mr. P

Idaho lost a great guy today. Dan Peterson died at the age of 55. He'd been a player in the Shakespeare Festival I think since it's inception 30 some years ago. I don't remember a year I didn't see him playing some part, even if small, with his usual panache; and one of my fondest memories is of his green show featuring the "worst guest" at the Festival: riding his bike straight from the Greenbelt into the amphitheatre, setting up a small, yet smoky barbecue grill ready for bratwurst etc., high backed lawn chairs guaranteed to get the burn going for those lucky guests sitting on the ground behind you, a cigar, arguing with the usher who was trying desperately to get him to behave etc. etc.

Godspeed Dan, and my thoughts are with your wife. I didn't "know" you, but I sure felt like I did. And, from what I hear from some who did, you were a hell of a guy and a hell of an Idahoan. I will miss you like crazy when I go to MacBeth on August 9. I would have gotten to see my old friend again.

What's Going On

Wow, there has been a lot going on...here's an update on the familial (and other) happenings of the last few weeks...

• D-Will re-signed with the Utah Jazz for maximum money (max=more than I will ever see in my lifetime). He will be here at least 3 more years. Which is way longer than I want to be here, but I heart him anyway.


• Little Bit marched in the Fort Herriman Days parade with the Scouts, handing out flags. It was 9 a.m. when the parade kicked off and hotter than you-know-where. I walked with him most of the way. Whew. He argued the whole way over there about doing it, but he enjoyed it in the end, I think. They have quite the deal here for their celebration, including a killer fireworks show the last night after a free concert. Unlike our friend Scott, we did not smuggle Kokanee beer into the park for the fireworks, though it DID cross my mind.

Little Bit also learned to ride a bike the same week. I know, he's 9 and he can't ride a bike? He just had never really tried to learn, he had a "trailer bike" that hooks onto the end of The Husband's and he rode that for several years, just riding along with Dad. He's now too big to even try that, so we had to resort to forcing him to learn. He did great!

First the preparation:


Then he's off!


The week after the 4th, we went to McCall, ID camping. I love McCall, there is a state park right on Payette Lake with flushing toilet, showers and power. We tent camp, but I draw the line at not being able to take a shower! Plus, it's right by town so we went to the brewpub there, found a great pizza place and also got to relax by the beautiful lake.

Lots of swimming, so Margarita and the Bits were very happy indeed.

Then, it was home for TH and I, the bits stayed with Grandpa & Pattie, then with Grandma.

We had grand plans...we planned on seeing family in Boise but due to my family of men's famous inability to get moving faster than snails, we barely had time to see the Father In Law and then drop the boys off at Grandpa's.

We picked them up Saturday, met Mom in Wendover. We were planning on going all the way to get them and seeing my grandmother. As usual, I double booked myself and realized we had tickets to see The Police in SLC on Saturday, so didn't make it to Idaho. But we will in a couple of weeks for Shakespeare.

Before the boys came back we actually got to relax a bit, even with work. Rita and Bucky even joined in the relaxation.






Oh, I forgot. All they do is relax. What a life!

We're all home together now - Little Bit will enjoy his last week of freedom before
4th grade kicks off. Time does fly.