Day 211

Thursday afternoon, Scott noticed a brown, sticky substance on the basement ceiling tile. Further investigation found there was a leak. We thought it was this pipe joint (we later discovered it was coming from MUCH higher up, in the bathroom). I was running the dishwasher & it started leaking. I stopped the d/w, it stopped running. Later, someone used the upstairs bathroom. Nothing. About 10 minutes later, drip, drip, DRIP!!! Big drips!!!

We called a plumber & he has to take out the vanity and cut a whole in the wall to get to the problem. He couldn't finish it that afternoon & would have had to charge us HUGE amounts to finish it after 5. We scheduled him to come back on 8/10, 3 days after we get back from KC. We can't use the upstairs sink until after then. The kids are brushing their teeth & washing their hands in the tub. Fun!

Day 210

I promise! This is the last sleeping Jack pic for a LONG time! But, if you notice, this time, he's in HIS BED!! He was sleeping in the corner every time I looked at him for the last couple of days. So, I moved his bed over to the corner (right next to my computer). He sniffed around it & dug into it a couple times, crawled in, curled up & went right to sleep. Lets see how long it lasts......

Day 209

I got up this morning & decided it was a pancake kind of day (it even included a "panny-cake" song!) Becca requested Mickey Mouse pancakes and I did give it a try. I think this looks more like Arthur than Mickey. But they tasted GOOD!!!

Day 208

Bethel tree update!!! Since school's been out, there has been no update of how my little tree is doing. We had to go by and pay the first half of next year's tuition today & I KNEW I had to get a pic of the tree. He looks happy & healthy here, doesn't he?? I can't wait for fall so I can see how he looks w/his new colors!!

Day 207

Sorry, more sleeping cat pics (clearly, these are the "cat" days of summer!). Once again, goofy pants here won't sleep in his bed. His spot dujour is under the kids game table in the basement. I don't know if he thinks he's hidden from Nick here or it just seemed like a quiet spot. I do think he's SO CUTE asleep. Sorry, I had to take another pic of him!

Day 206

Today's pic is from Nick. He saw the cardinal outside and grabbed my camera & too this pic. He has a lot to learn about taking distance(or close up for that matter) pics. Yes, this pic has the wrong watermark. But, I still like it & makes me happy :)

Day 205

Yesterday, Debi has Carpal Tunnel surgery. So, what do you do your first day post-op?? Have a SU Party of course!! Yes, she knew she it would be the day after her surgery when she booked the party. She's a real trooper!!! We had a great time & made some really cool cards and had a great time!

Day 204

As if yesterday's fall reminder wasn't enough, here is a reminder that CHRISTMAS and winter's on it's way. I don't remember my holly bushes ever having this many berries this early. Maybe it's normal & my bushes have been too young in the past. I LOVE my holly bushes!!!

Can you see my watermark in the bottom right hand corner?? I just figured this out (thanks to the amazing Kristina Werner). Now, I can see me downloading TONS of brushes to make myself more coolio watermarks.

Day 202

There are certain DISADVANTAGES to having your library in a mall. Went last night to drop of some books & ended up buying new shoes for BOTH kids. Well, they were a heck of a deal so, maybe it wasn't a bad thing. Funny how BOTH kids picked out a very similar shoe.

Day 201

Isn't it the summer equinox on which you are supposed to be able to balance an egg on it's end?? Well, apparently, 7/21 is the day you can balance your soda can on it's side. Actually, according to Nick, you can do it any day. You just have to have the right amount of soda left in the can (about half).

I thought this was cool, Scott was worried it was going to fall & spill. That man REALLY needs to lighten up!

Day 200

Last Wednesday, the kids were supposed to have a library event at the park. It RAINED BUCKETS and the event was cancelled and rescheduled for today. Both kids were gone for 5 hours AND Scott was actually doing an audit out of the office (house). I was alone for 5 hours in my own house. It was nice (didn't do anything spectacular but it was nice that it was so quite).

The kids had a blast at the event. There were games and a rock climbing wall. Both kids won prizes; Nick won baseball tickets (for the Cardinals, ick) and a t-shirt. Becca won 2 books & a gift card for a movie theater. The weather was PERFECT, nice & cool. In July!!

Day 199

While walking thru the neighborhood tonite, I passed the house that my uncle has used as his office (my uncle owns the construction company that built most of the neighborhood). He has these HUGE hibiscus blooms and my hibiscus has NOTHING!! These things are bigger than my hand! Really pretty. I did check my plant and I have about 9 buds. Lets see what blooms......

Day 198

Is this July?? In St. Louis??? Unseasonably NICE weather for July. Of course, our pool membership is going unused but it's SO WORTH IT!!! Our A/C has been off for 2 days & may get to stay off for 2 more days!! YEA!! I love sleeping w/the windows open.

Day 197

Nick was outside pulling weeds & came saying there was a dragonfly outside. I was lucky enough to get a few shots of him. Click it to make it bigger. COOL!

Day 196

So, in an effort to find someplace comfy to sleep, Jack knocks over my newspaper basket, drags the recylcing stuff out & makes himself to home. Silly, silly, silly cat!!!

Day 195

Fall??? After a night of heavy rain and loud thunderstorms, I woke up to this little bit on my back deck. A promise that, despite the heat & humidity that fall is indeed on it's way?? Back to school shopping, school supplies on sale, teachers making their lists for next year. Bethel starts on 8/17! Summers racing by quickly!!!

Day 195

Nick is nuts. And, clearly, so am I as I made this my picture of the day 'cause he said so. It's a ketchup bottle that has been to a party & had too much to drink. There was no lampshade nearby so, he's wearing a White Castle box instead. But, it got me a pic of Nick which is become harder & harder (unless I sneak up on him & then my camera takes too long & he notices me & puts his hand over the lens so I can't take the pic!). So, I give you drunken ketchup. Enjoy!!

Day 194

Further proof the the cat is trying to kill ME!! He's been jumping up on the long shelf on the other side of the family room; knocking over pictures, digging in baskets & generally driving me nuts. So, today, he picked a new spot; the book shelf. He's NEVER jumped up there before (probably 'cause the shelves are too close together & he knew his fat behind wouldn't fit!) After he got up, he was afraid to jump down. Crazy cat!

Day 193

While the Cubs were getting beaten by the Cards (boo, hiss) I made chocolate pie. I usually make Coconut but, as I'm the only one who will EAT coconut, I decided to be nice. I personally thought the chocolate was kinda boring. Scott & Becca loved it. Nick wouldn't eat it 'cause it had whipped cream on it. What kind of kid doesn't like whipped cream????

Day 192

It was Stamp Camp day today but I didn't get any good shots in Elsah nor of the river. So, I got this shot of a HOUSE on the way to take Nick to a b'day party at the Y in Edwardsville. I figured it had to be a business or a country club or something but it's a single family home. These are not that common where I live, let me tell you. There are some big houses in E'ville (and some gorgeous historic old homes too) but this one shocked me!