Boat
Hubby is making progress on the boat. This means we’re that much closer to actually taking it out on a body of water.
The words “mixed emotions” fit nicely here.
Critters
Birdlets and woodchucks are scarce over the past week or so (near the house, anyway). Luckily, hubby has come up a new way to fill this empty place in our lives.
We have a prolific family of chipmunks living under the front porch. In the past, hubby has tried, unsuccessfully, to flood them out. Apparently the fact that they’ve started getting quite comfortable in the garage has unnerved him enough to try some new tactics. See Chipmunk vs. Rat Trap, below.
Chipmunk vs. Rat Trap, View 1
So far he’s caught two chippers. However, after the initial success in the first couple of hours, we’ve caught nothing new. Hopefully we’re not being outsmarted.
Kiddos
I confess my Summer Mommy Patience is wearing very thin. I believe this has something to do with the fact that despite several rain-free days, we haven’t been outside much at all. Why? you ask. Because the mosquitoes are as dense as thorns on a well-established rosebush. I cannot recall a summer while living in this part of the state that’s been this bad for the little blood-suckers. I realize my next statement may sound a little ignorant, but from a BUG perspective, I really prefer the drought of the past few years. At least you could be outside frequently, without worrying about being carried off by a rogue swarm of skeeters. Or worse yet, contracting a mosquito-borne illness, such as West Nile disease.
Kate
Kate’s handling her broken toe like the tough girl she is. Not a complaint out of her, other than to mention she’s a little tired of having to wear shoes all the time (required by the doc for protective purposes). We’ll be celebrating her sixth birthday with hubby’s side of the family tomorrow, and heading to the cardiologist on Monday. Let’s hope all goes well, on both counts.
Claire
Claire seems to be flirting with the onset of hormones. If we weren’t convinced of this by her emotional instability and short temper, her face shows the real evidence: she’s had her first couple zits. At this point I’m not sure who I feel worse for: her, for the rollercoaster-journey she’s about to embark upon, or me, for what will inevitably be a fight for sanity as she starts her journey. Undoubtedly, you’ll be hearing much more about this in the future. Like, next week, as well as throughout the next decade or so.
Can’t hardly wait, can you?
Amy
Amy is driving all of us a little batty. Despite her advanced vocabulary and her excellent communication skills (not exaggerating), she screams, squeals, and whines any time things don’t go her way. AND she still sucks at sharing. Not a very good combo of traits, as you may well guess.
New Pests
Wasp Nest on the Underside of Grill "Counter"
Beyond the usual housework drudgery, vacation planning, and the standard putting-up-with-the-kids madness, my biggest personal challenge has been the migraines resulting from my neck problems. Oh, and fending off yellow-jackets while grilling. The buggers decided to start building a nest under the grill and didn’t take to kindly to me trying to cook burgers on our Weber last night. Luckily, my quick thinking, innate self-defense mechanisms, and ability to use household objects for purposes other than their intended use – these things all kept me from being stung. I did a little “dance-like-a-butterfly-sting-like a-bee” footwork, and killed a few of the yellow jackets with the large metal spatula that I use to flip burgers.
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