"Well Crap!"* times 2 or 3

*That phrase has come out of my mouth several times lately.

First, we had a big, big thunder and lightning storm - which is always a thrill for me. I just like 'em, especially if I am safe at home. I actually saw the neighbor's house get hit by lightning (but I didn't know that was what I was seeing at the time). The lightning hit their chimney and caused the brick to crumble and their electrical box got sizzled. Our power was out until 10 pm. Using candles can be fun!

While looking for our emergency supplies (most are in one location, but some were not where they were supposed to be...), we found a water leak in our downstairs bathroom, under the sink. It's been leaking for some time. Well, crap!

The next day, I discovered that my beautiful new corn was mostly laying over sideways. I stopped short as soon as I saw it, and said, "Aw, crap!" Luckily, I've saved it. I held those boys up and squished the mud down around the stalks as tight as I could. Later when they started listing to the side again, I added a rock to the bottom of the stalks. It's all good now!

Day 2 after the storm, we discovered that we couldn't get the internet going. After troubleshooting with our cable provider, Paul determined that our cable modem got zapped during the storm. We have all the computer cables and whatnot attached to a surge protector----everything except the modem cable ---that's how it got zapped but not the computer. Paul replaced the modem (and got some sort of surge protector for it) and everything is spiffy again.

Today, as I was hurrying home, I passed a motorcycle cop who "chirped me" as he passed me, did a u-turn, and pulled in behind me and started his blue lights. "Well, crap!" I said (and Abbie can confirm this). I got a ticket for going 51 in a 30. It would be almost impossible to go 30 in this area where I got the ticket. I'm pretty sure it is a speed trap. Paul just got a speeding ticket several weeks ago. I guess it was just our time. Neither of us has had a ticket in several years. It was educational for Abbie to see this process - that's my positive spin on this. Paul says the police are giving all these tickets to bankroll the rise in gas prices. Whatever. Now I am paranoid that I might get another one and have to go to an 8 hour driving school. I also did not have my current proof of insurance with me, but he didn't give me a hard time about that, thank goodness!

20 Year Reunion and Another Reunion

I---had---a---blast---at---my---reunion! I had to struggle remembering a few people's names, but I think I remembered 90% of the people. One thing that I thought was interesting: a lot of people looked even better than they did in high school. I think maturing and becoming an adult and learning more about social skills and fashion helped some people morph out of their mousey-ness. Hopefully, I can include myself in that category.
Before I arrived, I had butterflies in my stomach. It felt like the first day of school which was always my most shy day. Something about being away all summer made me worry so much about the first day....would I wear the right thing, would anyone talk to me, who would I sit next to in class.
Once I got there, I relaxed a lot because there were so many friendly people to talk to and sit with. But I still had butterflies. The one person I was hoping to see I had not seen in almost 20 years, and we had not parted amicably. But a week before the reunion, I emailed her and told her I was looking forward to seeing her, and I said I was sorry for not being a better friend.
She and her twin sister arrived late so I was out of sorts until they got there because I still wasn't sure if "it was all water under the bridge" or not.
The picture above (taken unbeknownst to me) was of our own reunion. And it was great! In some ways, it was like nothing had changed, but of course, we had a lot to catch up on. I'm not sure how often we will see each other, but I'm really pleased with the time I got to spend with her.
In my case, my closest friends from school are the ones that know my whole life story, that can finish a sentence that I start, that know all the inside jokes, that can say "remember when...." And because these people have been out of my life all these years, I've kind of had a hole; a piece of me missing. Oh, that's getting way too deep isn't it?
Too bad you can't see me better in my dress! I was having a good hair day and everything! And the shoes were smokin'!!!!!

Going to the Prom

I went to the Senior Prom in 1988 and it was my first prom. I shopped forever for a dress. Tried on many. Went to several different towns, stores, and malls. My mom finally had to drive me to Knoxville, and I found a great emerald green dress there. I loved that dress. I wore a pair of shoes that I already had. I did my own hair - long and loose with a little curl. Can't remember the earrings. No necklace. I don't think I painted my toenails or fingernails. I had a great time at the prom and danced a lot without my shoes on.
Fast forward 20 years. I am going to my 20 year reunion, and I have run myself ragged!!!! There's not enough explamation points to emphasize it. And there is not enough good things I can say about my daughter who has weathered all my shopping with no complaints. Am I grooming her?
I thought I would diet for a month or so and lose 10 pounds. Didn't happen.
But I did get rid of my grey hair this week and refreshed my highlights. I shopped at numerous stores over several days and found the perfect dress at the last store (where I didn't think I would like anything). I have looked at and tried on numerous pairs of shoes and found the perfect pair today at Sears!
I ordered a new purse but sent it back. I had something waxed (no hints). I got a pedicure today and washed my car. I borrowed a bracelet from my wonderful niece, Shanna. I'm using the same black satin evening bag I always use. I'm wearing earrings I already had. The dress needs no necklace. Oh, and before I found the perfect dress, I bought 2 other possible dresses, but returned them after I found the ONE. I am pooped and tired of all this running around.
But just so ya know - I have not gone over the top with anything. My dress was on sale for $50 (50% off with an extra 20% off). Shoes from Sears, nuff said! I needed a pedicure anyway. The hair appointment was my regularly scheduled one. And the dress is very normal - no sequins, no boof, no fluff. I'm not trying to impress anyone (except maybe Paul). I'm just hoping I can remember everyone's name!

My Garden

Drum roll..............oh, wait, I don't have any pictures to post yet. But I will give an update and post pictures after this weekend.

I planted 10-12 corn plants. I wanted to go easy on my first crop, and I know my freezer has limited space. I want to eat some fresh corn, but I want to cut most of it off the cob and freeze it for the winter. I planted 3 corn varieties. The corn plants started coming up really nice (I did some jumping up and down with gleeful cries - oh yes, I did!) and then the big bad wolf came and blew them down. Wait, wrong story. A bad man who was in a hurry cut down my corn with his weed eater. I sank to my knees and was like "WTF?!" Then I called 911 (my mom AND my sister) to get their opinions on whether I had to replant or not. My mom said yes, my sister said probably not. So I left the little sawed off stalks and planted a new corn plant right beside of it. My mom said that if both plants lived then I could just pull up the smallest, youngest plant. The big bad wolf didn't win. The corn plants lived and the new ones came up too. And since I can't kill anything (except ticks and flies), I cannot bring myself to pull up the little, new corn plants. They are all growing happily together. I love the little garden plot that Paul made for me, but I realize now that it gets more shade than we thought. I think the corn might be bigger if it were getting more sun. I'm not using any pesticide, but I have used a "miracle grow" type substance (that is actually years old and I'm not sure how effective it is).
Recently, Abbie and I took a pencil outside, and I showed Abbie what to do. She used the pencil to poke a 2 inch hole near each corn plant then she put a bean (green bean) into each hole, pushed it down and covered with soil. She loved doing this! Today, we discovered that the beans are sprouting. They will grow up the corn stalk so they will not need to be staked. This is how the Native Americans did it.
I have one tomato plant growing upside down in a cat litter pail. It is growing very well, but it needs to be watered just about everyday. I forgot to water it for a couple of days and the leaves shriveled and some of the tiny tomatoes began to wrinkle. I panicked a little, but with careful attention, the plant is back to normal.
And they all lived happily ever after. The end!
At the end of August, I will be planting a crop of beets, spinach, and carrots. I've never grown these, but I know where I am going to plant them - in a sunnier patch.

Lego Star Wars, The Complete Saga, Nintendo Wii

Tonight, Paul was playing Lego Star Wars on the Wii while I surfed the internet. I was watching him play and could tell that he was frustrated with one of the levels - he couldn't find a "blue mini kit" that was essential to completing the level.
I noticed that his character (he has many to choose from) was General Grievous. This character, as Lego people go, is creepy. He kind of looks like a skeleton droid. And, of course, he is a bad guy.
I said, "Why do you want to be THAT guy?"
He said, "Let me show you." Then he pressed a button and the dude whipped out 4 light sabers. Then he showed me his moves while working all 4 light sabers.