Just say 'No'!

If I caught my kids doing this I would freak out and ground them for a year.

It started innocently enough, a casual bike ride around the block. We decided to goof off in the cul de sac a few blocks away and soon teamed up with some other kids doing the same thing. I was "on foot" because my youngest has not mastered the art of getting up the big hill or consistently braking on the way down. As I stood there supervising my kids and all the other kids who suddenly appeared as we entered the cul de sac, the gnats descending on me without mercy. Apparently my constant shooing attracted attention from a local. He came out and offered me his home remedy for gnat repulsion...a medium sized, round, grayish pill.

In my defense:
1) the bottle was clearly marked (although open).
2) I had met the man once before at a home owner's association meeting so he wasn't a complete stranger.
3) the gnats did seem to vacate the area when he approached me
4) the other kids knew him by name and seemed to enjoy his company (without supplements)
5) Brewer's yeast sounded harmless

So I popped the dietary supplement (brewer's yeast) and no harm came of it.
Unfortunately, the gnats were undeterred.

OK, Ok, it's been a boring week and I have nothing more interesting to share.

P.S. 85% closer to my silver award (38419 out of 45000 points). See The President's Challenge
AND...

Fun Week

Lauren and Bill went to their first Father-Daughter Dance. Here they are exchanging flowers for the event. I think they both had a wonderful time and I can't wait to see the picture from the dance.



Since big sis was having a special night with Dad, Kristen and I hosted the Apple Dumplin' Dance for a few of the other younger sibs and moms in the neighborhood. The kids dressed up and had pizza, cupcakes, and ice cream. There were also a number of wardrobe changes with Tinkerbell and many princesses making cameo appearances.

Earlier in the week I hosted book club. My pick was "Three Cups of Tea". I think the book is outstanding and highly recommend it. Go buy it this minute! Check out this site, http://www.threecupsoftea.com/Intro.php, and consider buying through their amazon link) The book was not universally loved by all of the book club members but I think everyone thought it was a good story and worthy of the time spent reading it. For dinner, I bought some of my favorite wines so I had a REALLY good time (which made the next day a little rough). ha!

In keeping with the "April is for Astro" theme this month...
After the Apple Dumplin' Dance, I consolidated the leftover pizzas and closed up the boxes and set them on my countertop. I got Kristen ready for bed and returned to the kitchen to find an empty pizza box on the floor. Doh!

And again...

Astro "opened" the unlocked gate with his snout this time. After racing around the block, he noticed an opened garage and door into my neighbor's home. Without a second thought, he ran right into that house. My heart was in my throat because I knew my neighbor had at least one cat. Fortunately, she is also a huge dog lover and didn't seem to mind the intrusion. Little did I know that she was also a "dog whisperer". She called Astro and he came right to her. GOTCHA!

FYI: No cats were injured in this escape.

Up the Astro Escape-O-Meter...

My fault. I didn't close the door to the house from the garage securely and the garage door was up because Bill was doing yardwork.

I wish I had a picture of Bill tackling Astro as he raced across our neighbor's yard. Astro was so shocked that he stopped in his tracks after the initial "take down".

Pat's "Last Date"

Molly, Felicia, Carol, Lisa, and I were excited to share the many fond memories we have of Pat (over the past 28 years or so) with his fiance, Adrienne. Luckily for her, we only get together like this once a year(on a good year) so she won't have to hear them all again for a while. ha! (Unless she runs into Lani--we missed you!!!)

But who else would have Pat's class picture from elementary school? Party bus, boat, pool, and house pics? Who else will remember the moon boots contest of the late 70s/early 80s? Pat standing "on the wall"? The many antics at QA? Bowie's Jr. Prom party? Two dimes and a nickel? The ski trips? The yearbooks, the school papers, the notes passed in class? Don't think your guy friends saved this stuff or remembered to take pictures. And watch out "guy friends", we know we weren't invited to the bachelor party but we've got the dirt on you too! (Or we know who does and how to get in touch. ha!)

And BTW friends, can someone get me a powder puff next time???

It was great meeting Adrienne and I look forward to hearing some new stories from her in the future. Happy Engagement and Best Wishes to a dear old friend and a special new one!!!!