Everyday Summer in Ordinary Time

"Help me trash pick this grill and I'll give you a million bucks," I told her.

"Could I just swim in your pool?" she said with tired eyes. I'd sell my soul to swim in your pool.

"My pool is small. The kind just for babies. You could give it a try."

She did. Gangly legs curled up. Wild, yellow hair chopped like an accident. A house key tied loose to a cast aside sneaker.

I felt so guilty. The grill was so heavy. The mountain so steep. We pushed it on bad wheels at 4000 degrees.

But she smiled the way a child does when a neighbor is kind. She sat in the pool, peacock in puddle, with a smile. I wanted her to laugh. I wanted her to think I was neat. So I dumped iced tea on my head and yelled, "that feels GREAT!"

Haven cried but she just laughed. We tossed water all through sunset.

I don't have a pool but I'll give you what I can. Salad bowls brimming with water. As many as you'd like. Fun is easy to understand, young girl. The cusp of life, not so much. The world, your loneliness, your need to be wanted, I could never touch. But a smack on the back from a bowl full of water, a smile, some friendship, I can give you that.

And Gussie in the lake.

His brother Haven too.

And bare feet with blueberries picked fresh. I can give you that.

20 Healthiest Foods for Under $1

I just got home from Aldi (have I mentioned that I love Aldi -- I really do -- I actually have Aldi highs -- where I call good friends -- ok, just one good friend -- just to talk about Aldi) and read this article. I found it prophetic. Enjoy!

When You Harass Good Friends Long Enough

They finally make you a blog; come on Jean and Danelle you ladies better be next!! In the meantime, visit Kate at:

www.thisisforsarah.blogspot.com

I Could Kiss Your Face a Thousand Times

My little boy. Has it been 2 years already? Since I first saw your face. Since I first held you?

I'll never forget our rocky start. And today I promise to spend at least two straight hours feeling nothing but joy that you survived.

I don't think about our ordeal much at all. It's easy to forget what a sick baby you were when there's nothing sick about the boy you've become -- no motor skill delays, no hearing loss, no cognitive set backs -- nothing. If anything you're more agile than most and beat your brother to the sliding board.

What can I say, my Augustine Ambrose, but I love you. You took me from being a girl with a baby to a mom with 2 kids. You stretched me and made me realize my capabilities. I never knew I could be so strong.

Today you are two. You're my firecracker, my spitfire, my beautiful tornado. Your veins pump pure diesel fuel. And while you exhaust me beyond words, you give me life.

"May the Lord bless you and keep you
May He make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace."

Happy Birthday, Manchop!

(*We cheated and had cake last night with cousins.)

Beautiful Story

Georgianna's Choice

Evidence of a Poorly Caffeinated Morning

I'm friendly at the park.

"What's your name?" I asked the mom at the neighboring swing.

"Kristi," she said.

small talk small talk. swing swing swing. small talk small talk. swing swing swing. Gussie climbs the slide and is about to jump off --

My mind won't work. Name jumbling ensues. I can't remember which one he is. I know he's mine. I search for his name but all I scream is:

"KRISTI !!!"

She jumped like a cat and looked, needless to say, confused.

"Oh," I muttered. "I meant ..."

Now, would someone please lock me up on days like that -- when the bags under my eyes are the size of large hams and I confuse my children's names with those of strangers at the park.

On days like that, all 5 of you should join in one accord and for the sake of humanity (and the survival of my children) bring me coffee -- an IV of espresso -- a can of Coke -- a whiff of your English Breakfast tea ... if not for me, do it for the children; do it for KRISTI !!!

This One's for Uncle Bunkle

Follow this link to see what happens when you combine Diet Coke and Mentos (although everybody probably already saw this like five years ago and I'm just a dork thinking I'm the cool one to point it out ...). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKoB0MHVBvM

I thought of my Uncle Tim when I first watched the above experiment. Uncle Tim, who emailed me this week with the following words of wisdom:

"You can pick your friends. You can pick your nose. But you can't pick your friend's nose."

That is so true. Have a great day, Uncle Bunkle!