Trick of the week.

When your boy is smelly and sweaty and you wish he'd be cleaner, you have options. Dump a bowl of these into the shower with him and you'll be surprised how long he stays in, cleans up and no longer notices the horrific parental anguish you're projecting on him.

Score? Me 1, kiddo 0.

I should be more clear.

Topic: Fly Fishing
Opportunity: Professional-run seminar on fly fishing, upcoming on the St. Croix

Discussion:
- "Hey, there's a really cool fishing guy holding a class"
- "Yeah? On what?"
- "Fly fishing, it's supposed to be really cool."

LONG, QUIET PAUSE.

- "I'm not up for that, it seems like it'd be dangerous."
... Me... thinking. You can hear the hampsters running....- "It's pretty straightforward... what seems dangerous?"
- "Do you like open the door and throw your line down when you're traveling at high speed?
- ... Me, light bulb going on
- "No. There are no planes involved."
- New response: "I'd love to!"

Note to self: be clear, especially when talking new topics. And by the way - you wouldn't find me fishing out of a plane at any point in my life, either!

Speakin' the Greek

My appreciation goes out today to my Mom and Dad... and all the other Moms and Dads of current or once teenage(d) kids. While the phrase "patience is a virtue" plays over and over in my head, all I can dream of is a fully compliant little drone that has five phrases:

- "Yes Mother, I'd love to."
- "I'll get the garbage, it's looking full."
- "I can't wait to pick up those wet towels and do my laundry."
- "You're absolutely right."
- "I wouldn't dream of taunting my brother, I love and cherish our relationship so very much."

Oh (wistfully...) a girl can dream...

Laser hair removal?

Jackson and I were headed to an appointment the other day. Queue the sun, radio and at least 25 minutes stretched out ahead of us in the form of pavement. My mind wandered (safely) to tasks yet to knock off for the day and I was loosely aware of a commercial on the radio. "

I was snapped to when the commercial (for laser hair removal, of all things) turned conversational:

J: "You don't need laser hair removal"
Me: "No, I'm good with shaving."
J: "Besides, it'd be dangerous with a laser and all."
Me: "Not really, they're highly trained with lasers, like Jedi."
J: "Yeah...." - - - L O N G - - - pause...
J: "I don't think it'd be so safe after all. If they sneezed, they'd clearly loose control of the laser which would really cause problems. Shaving's a good idea."

Point made. Next step, purchase stock in disposable razors.

Sneaking off...

I did it. I managed to sneak away for a night without the husband or kids. I'm not all too sure if it's a good thing that I can't remember the last time I did this, but I'll admit it was lovely. Truth be told, I was gone just a shiver over 24 hours but it may as well have been days. It felt really good!

I tucked myself away with 5 friends at a girlfriend's house - all of us in hiding from our collective (nearly) 14 children; and I say nearly because one is a bun baking away in an oven. I've known this group of women over a decade. In days gone by, our night was heading downtown Minneapolis to eat, dance and sleep at a swanky hotel. We'd laugh about the adventure in the morning and plan to do it again. I really laughed as I looked around last night near midnight - we were all in lounge pants watching a movie as low-key as it gets. We ate ordered-in chinese, a home-made (to die for) chocolate cake and swapped stories on the very children we were retreating from. A group so very happy to be still and resting from the needs of children, husbands and outside pulls... regenerating with one another for the next leg of the race.

I'll admit it. I went to bed very happy and alone. No pillow sharing, listening in the night or any of this kind of thing on my mind:












Unbelievably, I slept until 9:15 AM. I haven't done that in years!

Everyone parted ways today to get back to reality. Admitttedly I lingered. I stayed longer, lounged on the couch and continued uninterrupted conversation. And, on my way home I decided to stretch it just a bit longer to see a movie that's been on my mind; Water for Elephants. Great movie and great getaway. My batteries are charged... what a great reminder that in the midst of a wild ride a little rest can go a very long day. I wonder if I can make it like shampoo... rinse and repeat?