Family Reunions

Everybody has them. (I hope.) We all have our favorite stories from these freak events in our lives when relatives you barely send Christmas cards to descend upon a park, restaurant or someone's home for hours of talking, talking, and more talking.

My family had one today. Our preschooler survived three hours of relatives in a dimply lit BBQ restaurant... then she had to go!! (Don't blame her- there wasn't much for her to get out of the experience and no playground to play on.)

We were 6 months old, Quinn, to 89 years & 11 months old, Wayne. There were four generations of us. And only three left from the oldest generation- the greatest generation. These precious ones were as honored as the littlest one who was passed around and around and around.

We represent the families and descendents of four brothers who came from a God fearing, earth toiling Hoosier couple. Their farm is here in Hendricks County. And now we are spread across at least four states.

I've been attending this reunion for my entire life and I am still baffled. Why do we get together? What is the point? Only my portion of this family do I see more often than this once-a-year-event. Long ago I thought I would understand this event when I got older. Now I am older and I still don't get it. What am I missing?

The whole thing remains a mystery to me and yet I continue to go... why? Somebody tell me why?

Excited-squared!

It is in the mail. The big IT has to be in the mail now by December 1, 2009. And so the clock has begun to tick...

The 'BIG It' I am referring to is the book that Todd (the mustache-less man of mayhem) and I are co writing. (the little it was the book contract.)

Yes- I am the one he referred to several blogs back. He convinced me to sign on to a book proposal and now- well- we are writing buddies or co-authors or something. Can't help myself. I have always wanted to venture into writing and publishing. This is another item on my bucket list after all- writing a book or two and getting them published.

Alphabetically- my name should go first on the cover, don't you think? hee hee.

Ya'll will be hearing more about the joys and woes of writing and deadlines soon enough, but for this moment in time, as the contract is off in the mail and the deadline seems light years away, - let's PARTY! Woo hoo! I am so excited!

Thanks be to God for all things especially a publisher who said, "Yes." (and thanks for the dude down the hall for helping out a rookie writer!)

Denial about the End of Summer Vacation

It cannot be August already! Where did the summer go? I haven't accomplished all of my to-do list. We've barely had any heat/humid/hot weather. ACK!

My daughter and I have beat last year's goal of picture book reading. We're at 167 books read as of today (contest ends on Friday). I didn't do so well in my adult reading- only about 800 or so pages this summer (I couldn't count all those magazine articles).

So, I am putting my family on notice that we are going to 'hurry up and have more fun' before the fall hectic schedule begins for myself and our daughter. So watch out- we'll be making our way through town!

15 Minutes Well Spent

While the media is glued to the Beer Summit this week- our family focus was intrigued and captived by something more interesing- caterpillars. While playing in the backyard after lunch we discovered a furry caterpillar on his way to a grove of trees in the corner of our lot.

We watched him for the entirety of his 5 minute trip to the tree line. He was so cute and the world seemed so big to his little eyes. But he took an unexpected turn (and no, the dog didn't eat him) towards the fence. He decided to leave the paradise of our yard for the open pastures of our southern neighbors.

Sticks and leaves stuck through the fence to coax him back were no good. He left us. Sigh.

But the world brightened as we turn back towards the trees- another little fellow was there waiting for us to follow him around for another 15 minutes.

Mother Nature is so interesting! How have you spent your time today?

Grumpies

Grumpies are now living amongst us. They have taken over my precious, sweet kid and turned her into a permanent frowning, stomping, whinning, & wimpering mess with two legs and a great suntan.

Is it time for school to start? Is she bored? Is she growing and tired? Is she an alein?

Whatever the reason- make it stop.

Top Ten Reasons to Keep Duke Pup a little longer or until he dies of something he ate

10. Because every Blue Devil fan needs a light blue colored poop bucket with a University of North Carolina sticker on it.

9. Because he annoys our daughter like a younger sibling would and that brings cheap entertainment to her parents.

8. Because we're greeted with a tail wagging, happy, wet nose, drippy mouth'd friend when we come home.

7. Because watching the infamous "poop dance" is so funny!

6. Because yelling "Duke, Duke, Duke" all the time in the direction of our UNC fan neighbor's house is too fun.

5. Because my husband is assured that this big brute of a pooch will protect us while he is traveling with work.

4. Because I want more work to do; cleaning, washing, feeding, walking: I just do NOT have enough to do.

3. Because he is a great excuse for family exercise together!

2. Because well- he is too cute and I cannot help myself- I'm a sucker for the cuteness.

1. Because you wouldn't be reading my blogs- they would be way too boring.

So, thanks Dukie buddy for all that you offer in our lives. Keep it coming, man, cause I need the material.

Why Keep Him?

Last Saturday night lying in bed, darkness covering us, my husband gently whispers-
"So, tell me again, why do we keep him?"

This not so romantic conversation centered on the pooch of our house- Duke. The rock-eating, drippy drinker, and all around annoying furry companion.

My hubbie asked me this question to validate why it is that we tolerate this dog. THIS dog, who while we were at church innocently getting our family photo taken and worshipping, threw up one-fifteenth of a ton of mulch in his kennel. (Yah think- he was put out that he was not included in the family photo op?!)

Nope- his vomiting expedition came from a much dumber reason than that. He ate the mulch because it had all the remains of our grease tray from the grill. (We had cleaned the grill that afternoon) Yes- Duke dog confused mulch with real food. My husband questions the dog's intelligence.

I never said Duke had intelligence. So I am not dissappointed.

Oh- here's the rest of the story. We cleaned it up. We then went out to dinner. (2nd bad family decision of the night.) And Duke threw up again... and laid in it by the time we got home. With my husband swearing, my daughter yelling "Lordy, look what Dukie did!" and me trying to get the dog into the shower without getting vomit on my carpet- made me re-think why it is that we have a pet when a stuffed varmit, or a fish, or another Beanie Baby would suffice.

I am still thinking...