It's Been Fun!

Bye-bye Olympics. It's been real fun. Except for the rythmic gymnasts, c'mon, that's a bit like the synchonized diving - I was doing the same thing in my yard when I was 8, 9, or 10, jumping around with a piece of crepe paper streamer left over from some event. Throw it in the air, spin around and try to catch it. Ditto for the hoola hoop, toss it up and try to thread your body through it as it came down, pick it up with your foot instead of bending over. Now the rope, same thing, I just thought I was wimping out of jumping when I was swinging it around my head, tossing it on the ground and jumping over it. Always, always, there was the roar of the crowd I could hear in my head! (No, it hasn't just been occuring in recent years that I hear voices in my head!) So there you have it, the birth of rythmic gymnastics, but it belongs in the front yard with the kids like synchonized diving: 1 - 2- 3 - JUMP! OK, granted I was never 8 foot tall with a 12 inch waist and I could not bend my leg over my back and shoulder and touch my bosom, neither could I stand there and simply lift my leg straight up beside my head and slap my ear. Sure, I envy their flexibility, especially since my back and leg trouble are so bad in the mornings and at certain times that I am barely able to properly clean my own backside (wow, that was frank!) . It was impossible for me to watch the routine from the very pose they struck waiting the starting music. All I could see was Will Ferrell or Mike Myers in the pose, I saw, clear as day, the looks on their face and the poses, not to mention the outfit they would choose. Too many years of watching Saturday Night Live (confession: since it began) prevented me from watching the routines with an open mind, just couldn't do it. Wouldn't you love to see Will and Mike synchonize dive?

One more observation at the track. Sure the ladies are wearing the super skimpy outfit so as to cut through the wind and not be held back but what was up with a couple of them having 20 lbs of long hair blowing in the wind? Every other athlete was slicked back, shaved off or shrink wrapped in some way. Don't tell me that didn't cause a major drag? Could they have at least shaped it up in the form of the cyclist's helmets that come to a dangerous point on the back. That just befuddled me. Befuddled, is that a word? VolleyGirl and I really enjoyed the Olympics and I told her they would be back in four years and she would be in college!!! Yikes! Last time the summer olympics she had just started sixth grade and volleyball. Who knows what things will be like next time summer olympics roll around.....hopefully I will still be able to bend my elbow and take in nutrition......................

BREAKING NEWS!

I finally got to paint some yesterday and frankly, it felt good. More later.................................

Out of the Nest.............For Now

This was lunch prepared for BigBoy yesterday before he left for school. One of his favorite meals this summer was a corn boil chocked full of shrimp, smoked sausage, potatoes and of course corn. For dessert, a long time favorite of his - Cinnamon Pull-Apart Cake. We attacked it like starving piranahs. I wrapped the measly leftovers and sent it on with him.

I was resolved to not shed a tear so as to not make him feel sad. I had almost made a clean getaway after giving him a last hug by his truck when I turn around and see both SuperSpouse and VolleyGirl with tears. Well, so much for that. His dad will certainly miss the buddy he's had all summer to work with, play online poker, caring for Fat Bastard and the past week of frantically finishing their project - the patio. Oh my gosh, the patio, that is a mini-series in itself. I should have documented it on video. VolleyGirl will certainly feel the void of no one shoving a bare armpit in her face or mooning her at every turn.....that's the mild things. Ah, older brothers, a unique gift to younger sisters for sure. I should know, I have two of them. Believe me though, VolleyGirl is very gifted herself at grossing her brother out, more so with words. They get a kick out of each other. She will not feel the absence as much since she stays so crazy busy and that will pick up this week as games and weekend tournaments begin. For me, it just feels quiet and sort of empty right around here right now but I know that he will enjoy his freedom again, I will miss purchasing large quantities of food and yes, the laundry load will drop, but he will spread his wings and fly with an unlimited food card and his very own washer and dryer in his new apartment!!!

Precious Memories..........Still Linger

These are a couple of my "artsy" photos from the beach a couple of weeks ago. The girls had a volleyball on the beach - of course. I sat in a chair trying to catch a good shot of the birds and have a couple of really good close ups.

Still working hard at getting things ready for BigBoy to head back to school next Sunday. Went down last Sunday and helped put things together in his new apartment. Hanging alot of pictures, shower curtain, etc. He has a nice place and I am very excited for him....makes me want to clean out the clutter here at home!

VolleyGirl couldn't be much busier. It's pretty much school, practice, homework, bed. She is practicing two and a half hours a day. I was hoping she would be in bed by 10:00 but that hasn't happened every night. She usually has around 3 hours of homework. Games start next week, that will be even more challenging.

I've not made much progress with my painting....not a good thing. To whack a bit on a dead horse....I washed 21 loads of wash this past week and still had two ready to go. It occurred to me that I should have had my friend take my clothes to their laundrymat in exchange for the paintings - really missed that deal. I have also decided that when my time comes I will be buried in a washing machine. Fold me neatly and I should fit.

Apollo, a.k.a., His Majesty, His Royal "Hine"ness, the Canine Messiah or as I call him - Fat Bastard is really going to miss BigBoy when he's away at school....as will we all. BB is already looking forward to taking him down there for visits for a week or two at a time. (I eagerly look forward to his visits there too!)
I have been watching the Olympics as I prepare supper and folding clothes, really good. The gymnastics though - that's just not natural. What is it with the guys wearing suits that from the waist up looks just like the women's. Right before they swim with goggles and caps, you can't tell the difference. I don't miss those disgusting speedos the men used to wear, the ridiculous skin tight capris are awesome though. How can those bikinis that beach volleyball teams are wearing be comfortable, can they not make a wedgie-free bottom to wear?

Where Did It Go?

Summer flew by.....of course the kids here don't get a real summer vacation. They just get a small portion of the summer for a break and it has flown by. I took VolleyGirl and three of her friends to the beach and they had a very good time. They ate like BigBoy! This is my favorite photo from the trip.

Today is SuperSpouse's birthday so yesterday I went gift shopping in addition to getting groceries. I have been a cooking fool this summer! I pampered him thoroughly......just hope what goes around, comes back around is really true. I brought his paper and coffee to bed, prepared him a lunch of fried chicken, cream corn, fried okra and green beans. Made him a coconut cake, all from scratch from Paula Deen's grandmother's recipe, AND made homemade ice cream. He was very pleased with the gifts we three gave him. I think he is a happy man tonight! Sooooooooo, I will try to get back soon cause I've used all I have for one day. This week VolleyGirl starts school and practice everyday topped off with a carwash next Saturday. I must help BigBoy get things together he needs for his apartment and somehow get some painting done! I am really anxious to get back to it.