I Heart Jon Stewart!

'Nuff said.

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=184086

If you're not enraged...

Do the Republicans really think that all they have to do to win the female vote is to throw a woman into the race regardless of her ideologies?

As a woman, do you think I am so misinformed and single-minded that all you have to do is throw another chick in the mix and you'll have our support? Have you paid so little attention that you think that is all that mattered to us?

I am insulted and disgusted.

Where has all the summer gone?

I can tell by my posting frequency that I've been busy, but I where has it gone?

Tonight we find out who the kids' teachers will be for the upcoming year. They are very excited, anxious and ready to see their friends again. I am excited to see how they do, especially Parker. Being gone all day is going to be a big transition for him. He's our guy that swears he's never going to move out of the house and doesn't want to be married because he thinks he'll have to get his own place. He did once say that he would "get a wife" if she would live next door and he wouldn't have to share his room.

Now I have to share both of them for the whole day. It has been a good summer. The kids have their typical fights, but have by and large, been great and reminded me why I am home with them. I wouldn't miss a minute.

Four more days and back to it... Wish us luck!

In a moment of puppy-induced insanity...

Are we crazy? Is it like labor, how they say you forget the pain and that is the only reason you do it again? Is it the puppy breath? Or the over sized paws she kept tripping over? Maybe the layers of extra skin under that soft fur?

Whatever it was, it worked because we brought home an 8 week old Chocolate lab this week. We named her Harley - I suppose in homage to the bike Eric doesn't have yet. Somehow, naming her Honda after his current ride never came up...

So yes, here were are in the throes of insanity, kennel training and living with this animal that we are fairly certain would eat us alive if we didn't physically remove our extremities from her mouth.

But, man, she's so cute...

Oh so close!

The good luck kisses didn't work this time...

In the last regular season game, Eric finally did what every adult dreads when they join a sports team - Blew out his knee. Meniscus. It will be a few weeks before he can have surgery and is supposed to be on crutches until then. But do you think he'll use them? Hasn't stopped him from assistant coaching Parker's football team, coaching a fastpitch camp and riding his motorcycle every day.

Best part? We're SURPRISING the kids with a trip to Disneyland next weekend. Eric came home from his Dr. appointment with this announcement:

"Good news and bad news. Bad news is I need surgery. Good news is, I've got a disabled pass to Disneyland."

Find the silver lining where you can, right?

It's not slow-pitch!

Eric braved his first double-header yesterday in 90 degree heat. It was a long and hot day under all that gear, but he hung in there and only got out from behind the dish for 3 innings. Those were spent in left field, but we won't talk about that. It wasn't pretty and justified his rule #3 in the "Loveriches Don't" list that is constantly being recited to the kids. (Example: Rule #1 Loveriches don't bunt.) Someday we'll have coaches thanking us for instilling such un-coachability in them. Sorry coach, Dad says I can't bunt, play right field, etc... In his defense, "Loveriches don't quit" is #2. And speaking of, check out the souvenir Eric came home with. I went to pat his back after the game and found a half-baseball sized knot inside his right shoulder blade. He'd taken a fastball there early in the 2nd game. "Did it leave a mark?" he asked? I'd say!

Secrets revealed!!!

I had a friend ask me out-of-the-blue this weekend, "What is your secret?"

Secret what? Identity? Antiperspirant? But seeing the way she waited for my answer, I realized she was giving me what I considered the ultimate compliment. Most of you who know me, know that I am not one to spout off relationship advice or blah-blah about my marriage, but I am proud of us, so having someone recognize that... Well, it was nice.

I told her what I believe to be true - Eric and I have seen each other through a lot of "stuff". All of that created a really strong base. It is a base that will either catch you when you fall, provide a jumping point for us or a home to return to if we've gotten off track.

As I mulled it over this week, I found a few more:

Don't forget how you started. We weren't always waving from separate cars on the highway as we darted kids to different practices and functions.

Honesty (I know, generic and obvious). Not just on the big things, but even, "You know when you (whatever)? That pissed me off." Then try to work it out.

On that same note, be able to apologize. I am not the best at this, but I know I'm better than I used to be. That leads me to my last "secret."

Evolve. None of these may apply in a week. The secret is to be ready for anything and for nothing to look like you thought it would. Trying to plan ahead for emotional experiences is ridiculous.

So that's what I've got, right now. Anyone got a better secret I could pass on?