Shoppin!!!!

My wallet and I are getting ready to go here

In the background are antique shops, schmaltzy tourist traps, and places with signs that say "All items under $20"

I've eaten more in the last 3 days than I have in the past month.  Seriously.  But I haven't had any decadent desserts, and I can assure you (and my stomach) that will change before we go home.

Notify the authorities

Guess who's coming to town?

Pink Mafia Departing

Heads up.  The Pink Mafia is on the move!

If you see us being loaded into the paddywagon on the news, please send bail money.  Lots of it--there are eight of us.  :)

Weather

Here's what the weather has been for the last three days.  We need the rain, but I'm one more downpour from an ark.  I'm sure some wood planks will be floating by any minute...

2012 Last School Day

Sum-sum-sum-summertime is HERE! 

All over the state of Florida, kids are rejoicing.  Parents are misty-eyed.

Tomorrow, kids will still be rejoicing.  Teachers can take a breath for the first time since August 2011.  Parents will be writing their congressman with two requests.  First, teachers really DO need to make a million bucks a year.  Second, why didn't year round school ever catch on?

See ya, fifth grade and third grade!

John Sam & Caroline had very special teachers this year.  We wanted to make them thank you gifts.

We put insulated cups into the gift bags after we stuffed them with drink mix singles-to-go, Pixy stix and Smarties!  I made bookmarks for everybody, too.  We are lucky to have had such awesome teachers and administrators during the kids' time at LCE.

Here's a quick look at pictures from school days past....

From 2009

From 2006

Ok, I have to go blow my nose and start that draft letter to Messrs. Rubio and Nelson.

xo xo xo

C & P

C & P means cleaning & packing.  I still have a longggg way to go.  More packing than cleaning, so there's my silver lining!

Addition to suggestion box

Dear blogger.com:

When it takes me 8 edits to get the paragraph spacing on my post the way I typed it in, it might be helpful to stop putting in triple returns in some spots and no returns in other spots. 

If this is a setting that I can turn off, please feel free to comment here with the solution.  Thanks -

Suggestion Box

Has anybody ever really put something into a suggestion box?  I never have, so here goes. 

 

 

 

Gentle weather people:

Stop standing in the middle of the radar while you are talking about weather conditions.   I know you do this so I will pay attention to what you’re saying instead of watching the satellite loop.   However, I don’t really care what the weather conditions are in Melbourne.   I don’t live there.   If you want to blather on about weather conditions in Melbourne, okay…..but move over and just let me watch the freakin’ radar.  On mute.

Dear Prescription Drug Company:

I found out that I can save $182.65 by getting a Walgreens prescription for 30 days with 2 refills instead of the 90 day supply you want me to buy from your partner in crime, my health insurance company.   I am therefore outing you. You ought to be fully ashamed of yourself.   As you may have surmised, the convenience of my postal person bringing me the 90 day supply is NOT worth $182.65.    C-ya, Medco Mail Order Pharmacy. 

  

Dear A.A.R.P.:

It is sooo not time for me to sign up with you yet.   Stop rushing me—I’ll get there soon enough.   No, I don’t want a sporty insulated travel bag for free if I sign up now.

Dear Utility Company and Cable Company:

You charge me a $5 late charge for paying my bill online the day it is due which doesn’t post on your records until the next day?   Let’s recap.   You get my money right away, but charge me a late charge for the eight hour difference between the due date and the very next day?  Even my effing mortgage company gives me a 15 day grace period.  Who the #&%@ do you think you are?

 

 

Dear Brighthouse Network:

Everyone I know who has you refers to you as Dimhouse.  Your marketing people need to be strung up because the friend slogan is asinine.  You want to be there for me like a good friend should?  I think a real friend would show up on time, deliver the services they promised, and not disappear whenever the wind blows.   Besides, you stole "Hello, Friend" from the cartoon show Little Bill.  That's messed up....

Dear Chase Bank:

Stop sending me “preapproved” credit card applications in the mail. In the last 2 weeks, I have received SEVEN such applications. I still don’t want to bank with you. Plus, each prepaid envelope you send me will be returned with expired Pizza Hut coupons, water purification system flyers, offers from Dimhouse Network, and anything else I feel like sending. Let's see if you like receiving junk mail as much as you like sending it.

Dear Grocery Stores:

Why are the milk prices so different from one store to the next?   If Aldi sells a gallon for $2.89, why do you charge $3.79 for the exact same gallon?   Milk is milk, peeps.

Dear Census Bureau:

I didn’t want to fill out your stupid 40 page form.   Therefore, I don’t want someone from your bureau calling me on the phone at work asking me all the questions I did not bother to answer.    I know it’s been less than 10 years since you forced me to fill out the last one.   For the permanent record, there is no one in my family who needs help with bathing or feeding themselves.   Please make a note of it.

 

Dear Fashion Designers:

Professional women don't wear sleeveless blouses to the office anymore.  Everywhere I shop, I see the cutest blouses and dresses, but nary a sleeve in sight.   Any chance you could scrounge up a little bit more material and make a version that includes sleeves?  If you did, you would make so much more money from ladies who have, ahem, soft upper arms that have lost most of their elasticity.

Dear Universe:

Where is the money I have been waiting for?   I have declared prosperity and abundance, and I am thankful for blessings already on the way.   So please hurry up.

 

 

Anybody else have a li’l sumpin-sumpin for the suggestion box?? Feel free to throw it in J

Pretend Rain

It wasn't raining at the park anymore, but carrying the umbrella was necessary just in case. 

Safety Patrol

John Sam has been inducted into the Honorary Safety Patrol at LCE!   He’s wanted to be in the safety patrol since the first week of 5^th grade.  When he put on the yellow belt, he also put on the smile that brings proud mama tears to my eyes.  I’m glad he was so excited about wearing it that he didn’t remember to be embarrassed by his mom taking (more) pictures.   My little man has turned into my medium man…..because he’s just not little anymore.

It may seem corny, but these kinds of moments are soooooo special to me.   One of the hardest parts about going back to work was my fear that I would have to miss a lot of the everyday-yet-one-of-a-kind events .  The kind that moms get to hold in the keepsake part of their hearts.   Or that the kids might believe I thought my work was more important than they are.   Or they would think my schedule is more of a priority than their accomplishments.  I take so many pictures because I want to make sure they know I’m always there for them no matter what else is going on.   I want to be a part of all their special moments that I can - because the keepsake part of me will never get too full.