Bah Humbug!

TIME: 1:22 PM
PLACE:  My Desk
SUBJECT:  Tessa

Tessa has no Christmas spirit.
I’m grumpy that I have to go back to work tomorrow.
We are made for each other.

Lazy Saturday

TIME: 4:19 PM
PLACE: Living Room
SUBJECT: Oreo

TIME: 7:53 PM
PLACE: Couch
SUBJECT: Jack

We didn’t do a whole heck of a lot today.

Except for napping.

There was quite a bit of napping going on.

Ironwork

TIME: 6:08 PM
PLACE: Bella Milano, Edwardsville, IL
SUBJECT:  Table

HH and I went out to eat – no kids.

The place where we originally wanted to go (Gulf Shores Restaurant & Grill) had an hour wait.

We were impatient and hungry. 

So we went for Italian instead.

Christmas 2014

 
TIME : 8:54 AM
PLACE: Living Room
SUBJECT: Stella, Claudia & James

Merry Christmas!

…from Oreo too!

TIME: 9:19 AM
SUBJECT: HandsomeHusband

His boy bought him a Cardinals hat.


TIME: 9:22 AM
SUBJECT: Grandpa

He can wear these while drinking coffee out of his “World’s Greatest Grandpa” mug from prior years.

Stung

TIME: 10:41 AM
PLACE:  Bathroom
SUBJECT: Bee sting

HH finally picked up his bees Wednesday evening.  I was promptly stung about 30 minutes after he returned home with them.  (I was inside the house!  The damn thing was on me when I walked in) It’s very red and itchy today. 

It’s on bees.
Next year? 
I’m taking ALL your honey.

Tour de Belleville

TIME:  8:06 PM
PLACE: Union United Methodist Church
SUBJECT:  Dad and DramaQueen

The annual Tour de Belleville, which raised funds for safety/maintenance equipment for the town’s bicycle trail was tonight.  We rode as a family, except for MonkeyBoy, because event though this isn’t a race, his goal is to be the first one done (he ended up in second).  There is a 5 and a 15 mile route.  The fork in the road separates the two. 
 

(Yes.  There literally is a fork in the road.)

SD and HH rode a little more than 5 miles.  An early part of the 15 mile route went about 2 blocks by our home so they rode to that point.  Dad, DQ and I continued on with the rest of the longer route.  After, we joined my brother and his family at a downtown tavern for a beer (soda for DQ!).

Forced Family Fun!

Flowers

TIME:  8:38 PM
PLACE:  Around the yard
SUBJECT:  Flowers

HH planted the sunflowers.
The purple flowers are on a climbing vine that I planted.
I lost the tag that told me what kind of vine it is.
Google is no help.

Bee

TIME:  9:39 PM
PLACE:  Backyard
SUBJECT:  Honeybee

HH finally was able to pick up his hives. 
About 15 minutes after I took this photo, I went back into my house. 
I didn’t realize that a bee was on me.
It stung me on the inside of my left elbow.
Oh, it’s on bees.
I can’t wait to take all your honey.

Mind the Gaps

TIME:  6:45 PM
PLACE:  Attic
SUBJECT:  Gaps in the roof

Did I mention that we are redoing our roof? 
The storm gods did.
They laughed at our apparently pathetic tarp-laying ability.
They put on a big drip-party very late last night – resulting in me getting about 3 hours of sleep before my 10 hour work day.
You never realize how many gaps are in your roof until the shingles are off.
*Sigh*
Sealing and repainting two bedroom ceilings have now been added to the never-ending household “to-do” list.

Stormy

TIME:  8:13 PM
PLACE:  Route 13
SUBJECT:  Sky and motel sign

MonkeyBoy had an indoor soccer game tonight.
While he was playing the sky opened up.
The storm moved through quickly and left some interesting skies on the way home,

Beans

TIME:  1:44 PM
PLACE:  Backyard
SUBJECT:  Green Beans

HH planted about 5 or 6 green bean plants. 
They yielded almost 2.5 lbs of beans today.
They just need some onions and bacon to be perfect!

Fireworks

TIME:  9:35 PM
PLACE:  Somewhere by Breese, Illinois
SUBJECT:  Fireworks

It wouldn’t be the Fourth of July weekend without viewing some fireworks.

Forced Family Fun

TIME:  6:38 PM
PLACE: Six Flags, St. Louis, MO
SUBJECT:  The family

As has been tradition these past few years, the kids and I went to Six Flags on the Fourth of July.  There was bickering between the siblings and DramaQueen was not on board with my order that we take a selfie of the four of us…and we all better look like we are having a good time and like each other dammit! 

She held the camera, snarled, “Everybody smile!”, put on a happy face and took the photo. Frowns and fighting re-appeared immediately after the picture was snapped.

At least it *looks* like we are happy – right?

Really?

TIME:  8:31 PM
PLACE:  WalMart
SUBJECT:  Honey Maid Graham Squares

Honestly? 
If you are unable to break a graham cracker in half to make a s’more.
Maybe you have bigger problems than you realize.

Chopping Broccoli (and Onions)

TIME:  7:38 PM
PLACE:  Kitchen
SUBJECT:  Red onions and broccoli

We are having a potluck at work tomorrow.
I’m bringing Broccoli Cashew Salad.

Wildflowers

TIME:  8:39 PM
PLACE:  Backyard
SUBJECT:  Flowers

HH planted a wildflower mix earlier in the spring.
They are now blooming.

Giving Blood

TIME:  11:10 AM
PLACE:  Work
SUBJECT:  My left arm

It may help save someone’s life…and I get out of work for an hour.

A  win-win situation!

A Fungus Amungus

TIME:  6:51 PM
PLACE:  Backyard
SUBJECT:  Mushroom

That is a very large fungus.

Big Night Out

TIME:  8:39 PM
PLACE:  Bullpen Bar & Grill, New Athens, IL
SUBJECT:  Graphic on building

The HH and I attended a birthday party down in New Athens.  It was at the Bullpen Bar & Grill. 

TIME: 8:22 PM

The HH humored me by posing with the table decorations. 
Thanks hon.

Freshly Picked Raspberries

TIME:  8:21 AM
PLACE:  Kitchen
SUBJECT:  Raspberries

The raspberry bush is loaded this year.  I picked a quick handful this morning.


TIME:  8:48 PM
PLACE: Joey B’s on the Hill, St. Louis, MO
SUBJECT:  Stella and her spaghetti

The girls and I went shopping in St. Louis this evening. 
We then went out for supper.
That’s a whole lot of spaghetti – she didn’t make a dent.

Evening Visitor

TIME: 8:22 PM
PLACE:  Yard
SUBJECT:  Rabbit

This guy was in the neighbor’s yard.

Thick As A Brick

TIME:  6:21 PM
PLACE:  Backyard
SUBJECT:  Chimney Bricks

Yet another household project.
HH took down the remaining chimney.
He almost slid off the roof.
I’d better make sure the insurance is paid up.

Cracked

TIME:  8:02 PM
PLACE:  Home
SUBJECT:  MonkeyBoy’s cell phone

I received a phone call at work.
Son: ”Mom, I dropped my phone and the screen cracked.”
Me: ”Do you have $200?”
Son: ”No”
Me: ”Does it still work?”
Son: ”Yeah”
Me: ”Well then, I guess you are the proud owner of a cell phone with a cracked screen.”

The Elderberry

TIME:  6:39 PM
PLACE: High School Walking Trail
SUBJECT: Common Elderberry - Sambucus canadensis

I took the dog for a walk after dinner.
It was overcast and muggy.
Pretty flowers though.

Sunday Funday

TIME: 12:37 PM
PLACE:  Edison’s Entertainment Complex
SUBJECT:  TANK! TANK! TANK! Results

It was a work family event today – unlimited games, bowling and laser tag!  SD introduced me to “TANK! TANK! TANK!”  We teamed up to battle the Bee-bots and the Octo-roboty thingy.  I think I was a hindrance more than a help – but then, I’m an old woman, so I have a good excuse.

TIME:  7:07 PM
PLACE:  Shichi Sushi Bar
SUBJECT: Dinner

The boat docked and we demolished it.

Lights, Camera…I Want!

TIME:  1:48 PM
PLACE:  Estate Sale
SUBJECT:  Movie Light fixture

I hit the 2nd day of an estate sale (50% off you know).
The home looked like an ordinary 50’s tract house from the outside.
But it was pretty sweet on the inside.
This light fixture was in the dining area (note the exposed beams).
It wasn’t for sale.
Bummer.

Iridescent Coils

TIME:  7:29 PM
PLACE:  Home
SUBJECT: Collated Roofing Nails

We are replacing the roof on the garage.
Ourselves.
In 90 degree heat.
We are gluttons for punishment.
On the other hand…
Who would of thought that the nails we’re using could be so pretty?

Jello Mold Toadstools

TIME:  6:30 PM
PLACE: Front porch
SUBJECT:  Toadstools from Jello Molds

Oh Pinterest – you have such cute ideas.

This time?

I actually got off my duff and made what I pinned!

Parking Lot

TIME: 7:56 PM
PLACE:  High School
SUBJECT:  Parking Lot

MonkeyBoy had soccer practice from 6 until 8 this evening.
The middle of June has come and gone.
Soon, the year will be halfway over.
That’s not right.

The Blade

TIME:  8:53 PM
PLACE:  Home
SUBJECT:  Blade the Gecko

That Blade…he’s pretty cute for a reptile

Evel Knievel She’s Not

TIME:  10:04 PM
PLACE:  StellaDella’s bedroom
SUBJECT:  Scab

She crashed and burned while riding her bicycle today.
She really needs to slow down on those right turns.

Quit Teasing Your Sister!

TIME:  1:14 PM
PLACE:  Westhaven Pool
SUBJECT:  DramaQueen

I had to be stealthy while taking this picture.
I sooo wanted to move the Styrofoam cup. 
But then DramaQueen would have known something was going on.
And I had to see her reaction.
I’m a horrible mother.

Testing at the DMV

TIME: 10:16 AM
PLACE:  DMV
SUBJECT:  MonkeyBoy

MB took the written test for his driver’s permit today.

He passed. 

May the Lord have mercy on our souls.