Hubby and the boys and I just returned from a weekend at camp. It seemed like it was longer than just two days, even with 12 hours of driving there and back, because we totally checked out of our lives. We were in a place that we loved, a place that was familiar to us (so no time needed to acclimate, though we had to figure out how to do the dude bedtime routine in a new place, which Baba O’Riley did NOT appreciate) and a place that completely disconnected us from everything that pesters us during the day at home.

I think the combination - the disconnect, the lack of computers, the distance and the time to do a handful of things slowly with no real urgent schedule - made us all relax. Now I’m wondering how we can recreate it and do so in a way that’s not stressful.

I hope that America’s ideological opposites in Congress, on the airwaves, in cyberspace, and in the public square will learn that being faithful to a political party or a philosophical view does not preclude civility, or even friendships, with those on the other side.

Orrin Hatch

I’ve never been in a position to beg for surgery, but wow. Do I ever want to have surgery. Like, now.

Or, soon.

But pls bring percocet. Thx. 

Saturday was a quiet day because Freebird had a fever. But Sunday, despite being 90 and hot, was awesome. Hubby had to go get some furniture out of the beach house, so while he rented a truck and did that, I took the dudes to the Skylands Music Festival, which was very small and VERY hot, but very awesome. Freebird looked at all the instruments (key quote of the morning: “MOMMY LOOK! A BANJO!") and listened and danced to the bluegrass, and Baba followed his brother everywhere, until he got so hot he told me he wanted to go home.

I was honestly a little worried about Baba, as he was red-faced and sweaty, so we left after a little over an hour, but I know Freebird could have stayed and listened to the music for hours. He was so happy. I have to look for music festivals in the area so he can go enjoy them with me. Nice that he likes bluegrass, too. Heh.

We stopped for Happy Meals, which means my car now officially smells like McDonald’s, and then, while Baba power napped, Freebird colored on the patio and then went to the pool for 2+ hours with Hubby. I woke Baba up later and met them there, and by the end of the day they were both so tired, they passed. Out. Which is AWESOME when there’s pizza and wine and tv for Hubby and me.

I love Sundays like that. 

Hey there:

If you’re like me, you might be jaw-drop disgusted with the Eagles’ decision to sign dog-abusing fucknoid Michael Vick to a 2 year contract. If it weren’t abject cruelty, I’d hope a dog bites him on the ass every day for the rest of his life, but that would be bad for the dog. The poor dog would end up being euthanized for taking a chomp out of an asshat who truly deserves it.

So perhaps you’re repulsed by the decision, and are looking for another team to root for.

May I suggest the Steelers? While green is a fabulous color, black is even better- everything goes with black. The Steelers are conveniently located in the same state, so it’s not like you have to go far, and who can get tickets anyway? And here’s the kicker (HAH!): once up on a time, they were the same team! So except for the part where the Steelers don’t have under contract any marginally remorseful felons with a propensity toward profiting over the outright cruel abuse of animals, it’s not all that different!

Come on over: we have great accessories, too. And even more silly accents! All you have to do is be able to spell “Roethlisberger” when you’re three sheets to the wind n’at.

Come ahn dahn,

Sarah

Today at the coffee cart, there was a little dog with his owner, waiting for her to buy coffee. She looked up and wagged her tail, so I bent down and said good morning, let the dog sniff my hand, and gave her a little rub on the head. Big brown eyes looked up at me - and I totally started to cry.

That was nice and embarrassing. oy. 

The amazing thing that is overlooked in New York is how, when something is wrong, many, many people go out of their way to help. Looking at the pictures from the air collision on Saturday, the first thing in the river are boats, including some ordinary folks in their fishing cruisers and the ferry boats. No matter what happens, the ferry boats are all over it.

During the blackout and on 9/11, they went back and forth across the river, taking people out of NYC until it was dark and they couldn’t cross the river any longer. They filled the boats to max capacity, turned around, and went back for more. That’s how I got home in the blackout. Even though everyone was scared and tired and had been waiting in line for 5+ hours, there was an emcee on board talking to everyone, telling them what he knew about the blackout, how far it went - and that today was his day off. He came to work because he knew the ferrymen would need help.

Ordinary people do extraordinary things between New York and New Jersey - they never get enough credit.