Awwww

THE GUE IS GETTING MARRIED!!

And I could not be happier for him and Katy, which is weird because we all know how I feel about relationships and coupledom and stuff. But, its nice that he found someone whom he loves, who loves him just as much in return.

CONGRATULATIONS GUE & KATY! I am thrilled for you both and wish you all the luck in the world.


In unrelated news: Sean Connery turn 76 years old today. Is it wrong for me to want him?

Transcripts, Pt. 4

JL came to visit us this weekend and as usual, we had a grand time. Pictures can be viewed here. The highlight of the weekend was of course, when I displayed my grand sense of dork-i-tude with the following exchange:

Me: This is my favorite t-shirt
JL: It says "Geeks Know: The difference between pyramid and triad". I have no idea what that even means
Me: Well, in the original Battlestar Galactica pyramid was a card game and triad was a full contact sport, whereas in the reimagined Battlestar Galactica pyramid is a full contact sport and full colors (triad)is a card game. I have the cards. Do you want me to teach you how to play?
JL: Dude, you are totally creeping me out right now.
ME: OK, I'll stop if you promise to tell me when you see a "Vote Roslin or be thrown from an airlock" t-shirt.

What I am reading: Nothing by Anderson Cooper
What I am listening to: John Lee Hooker - Let's Make It

And so it begins

Mr. Little Man is currently on his second summer break from school. He is back at camp and not really loving it. He misses his routine, the bus, his aide, his friends. He likes camp, but any small change in his daiily routine is difficult for him.

Last week I received a notice from camp that they were taking a field trip to the Aquarium. I signed his permission slip and sent them a check. On Friday I received a note that says, "Unfortunately, Mr. Little Man will not be allowed to attend the field trip because of the extra level of care he requires". At first I was livid, because, why did they send me the notice if they had no intention of allowing him to go? But then I thought about and he does require alot more care than the average child.

I spend so much time with him that in alot of ways I do not realize how different he is. I am sure that this is only the beginning and it will not be the first event he is "uninvited" to. Yes, my child is different, but I can't imagine ever giving in to that. He has been receiving ABA therapy for 2 years and in that small amount of time he has made tremendous strides. He is social, engaging, he has a tremendous attention span (more than the average 4 year old), he is becoming vocal, he's funny, affectionate. In short, he is just an awesome kid.

He is catching up to the "normally developing" 4 year olds, but the simple fact of the matter is that right now he is different and change takes time. I am gonna say a little prayer and remain steadfast in my confidence that next year he can take as many field trips as he wants.

What I am reading: I totally forgot that I bought Dispatches from the Edge by Anderson Cooper. I really like the book thus far. It is a little choppy in that it jumps from 1992 to 2005 to 1996, from Sarajevo to Rwanda to New Orleans, but it is definetly worth it.
What I am listening to: Edge of the Ocean - Ivy

A Weekend in Pictures

Every year I take Mr. Little Man to Terhune Orchards. Usually we walk around and check out the livestock, pick some fruit, catch butterflies, take a ride on the tractor. Its usually a pretty fun time. Some pictures from our weekend:

Creepy bride and groom (then again aren't all brides and grooms a little bit creepy?):


Mr. Little Man:


Me (ya'll don't even realize what a miracle it is that I managed to take a photo without a triple chin):


Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, female (Papilio glaucus):


Monarch (Danaus plexippus)


Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)


Picking raspberries:


Sunflowers on my coffee table (the yellow are "teddy bear", the dark red are "black velevt")


What I am reading: National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies. I have 11 of these field guides and I prefer Audubon's to Peterson's. Yes, I know I'm a geek. No, I don't care who knows. And I am totally psyched that they make field guides for kids now! (Sidebar, should I be worried that I am turning my kid into a geek? Will kids on the playground harass him?)
What I am listening to: Fischerspooner - Emerge

Thank God Thats Over

Last night I was driving Mr. Little Man to Swim Club and (due to an accident) I opted for a different route than what we usually drive.

So, anyway, we are leisurely driving down the street when I see a man in the distance wearing a wife beater, jeans and a fedora. And I immediately think to myself that:

A. Its 102 degrees
B. A fedora and a wife beater? WHO? WHAT? WHY?
C. That there is never a fug girl around when you need one

Then I get closer and I realize that it is an exboyfriend of mine (the same one who christened me Layzbugs; whom we shall refer to as "McJackass" in the future). Then I immediately thought, "Oh, thank God thats over".

What I am reading: Lately, I've only been reading to Mr. Little Man. We've been going to swim club almost every day so there isn't alot of time for reading.
What I am listening to: Summer Breeze - The Isley Brothers