bye-bye Bradford

We were all braced for a SEVERE thunderstorm last night. The warnings were predicting wind gusts of up to 80 m.p.h., damaging hail, and lots of lightning. We took the hanging plants down, pulled the flag in, turned the patio chairs upside down so they wouldn't blow away, and generally braced for impact.

Then it hit. We had one little microburst of strong wind, and it started raining. Not a downpour, just a nice steady rain. There was some lightning in the distance and some rumbling thunder. And that was about it. Bummer.

Fast forward to this morning - I guess that one microburst of gusting wind was stronger than I thought. We woke up to see half a tree in the backyard.



We had talked and talked about cutting the trees down - because neither of us like Bradford Pears. Guess nature decided to help us out and speed along the process. It's hot work to clean it up this way, but I'm not going to complain. Now we just have additional incentive to get rid of the rest and plant a REAL tree! I'm thinking a nice maple or oak...

Or maybe leave just one tree (but NOT a Bradford Pear) and landscape the hillside with some giant sized rocks. Obviously I really have no idea how to make that area look good.

Time to go load up the truck and take the tree-pieces to be turned into mulch. Any ideas when it might storm again? Maybe we'll get lucky and it will take down the rest of the tree!

Gotcha

Got an email today that really warmed my heart. I just have to share...

INCREDIBLE STORY
....In 1986, Peter Davies was on holiday in Kenya after graduating
from Northwestern University.

On a hike through the bush, he came across a young bull elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, so Peter approached it very carefully.

He got down on one knee and inspected the elephant's foot and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it. As carefully and as gently as he could, Peter worked the wood out with his hunting knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot. The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments. Peter stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away. Peter never forgot that elephant or the events of that day.

Twenty years later, Peter was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Peter and his son Cameron were standing. The large bull elephant stared at Peter, lifted its front foot off the ground, then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man.

Remembering the encounter in 1986, Peter couldn't help wondering if this was the same elephant. Peter summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of Peter legs and slammed his stupid ass against the railing, killing him instantly.

Probably wasn't the same elephant...

So - did you fall for it too? I was waiting for that warm, fuzzy ending... and instead - GOTCHA! I had to laugh and pass it along.

a million little questions

Questions my kids have asked:

What’s the difference between poison and venom?

Why do we have toes?

Do cats fart?

If you were freefalling in the air, and got struck by lightning, would you be hurt?

Why does the hair on your arms stand up when you get cold?

Why do you start to like different kinds of food as you get older?

Why is it called learning about the birds and the bees when birds and bees have nothing to do with it?

What was the Cold War? What was the Berlin Wall and why was it built?

If you dig to the center of the earth, will there still be gravity?

Why do radio stations bleep the word God but not damn when the words are used together in songs?

When I grow up, can I have a ____________________ (insert any animal) for a pet?

What’s a mullet and what’s a headbanger and what’s a one-hit-wonder?

Yep – my kids like to challenge me. Sometimes I know the answers and sometimes I don’t – and sometimes I make up completely bogus, wacked-out answers just to make them laugh.

For example – We have toes so that when we are sitting on the couch eating ice cream, we can use our toes to change channels on the tv remote control that fell on the floor.

Or – If you dig to the center of the earth, you will find little miniature people living in a huge underground world and they secretly control the planet. You will also find all the toys and socks that you have ever lost. And yes, there will still be gravity.

It’s no wonder my kids think I’m warped – but it’s so much fun to watch their faces as they try to figure out if I’m being serious or not.

Now I have to go because my ice cream is melting and I have to practice my toe exercises for the day. (Channel up, channel up, channel down… channel down, channel down, channel up…. Mute on, mute off… mute on, mute off…)

Compromising positions

So while we were on our mini-vacation I took some pictures. We went on a hike at a park nearby and had a great time. Those of you from Missouri might recognize the park when you see this shot....



We were on the Devil's Kitchen trail, which was really cool. The kids got to check out an 'almost' cave and see some cool rock formations.



And I made sure we paid a visit to the castle remains for a nice dose of history. For those not from Missouri - we were at Ha Ha Tonka State Park, near Camdenton. Lots of great trails, fantastic scenery, and a touch of history - what more can you ask for?!



But the high-light of the hike was when we caught two turtles in a compromising position. Conner wanted to keep them. Alicia had to poke at them with a stick. And all they wanted to do was get busy. I was trying really hard not to laugh. Poor turtles. Of course I had to take a picture.



Now the kids and Jim are suffering terribly for the hike in the woods. Even though we used bug spray, they ended up with chigger bites all over their ankles. We've stocked up on anti-itch lotions and antibiotic ointments and hopefully all will be well soon.

Oh - and one other note - today was the first day of back-to-school. I made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. Caleb and Conner have decided my chocolate chip pancakes are better than IHOPs. WOOT WOOT

Pathetic, really

I've been really horrible about posting lately. No excuses - just busy. Getting ready to head out this weekend for one last vacation blast before school starts next week. Nothing big or fancy - just a week at the Lake for sunshine and relaxation.

Caleb's been busy with football practice this week. Last night we had a brief but heavy downpour - right at the beginning of practice. It cleared off after a bit and I got some 'practice' shots.





Oh - and after those tough guy shots, I have to post this one. It's so cute!



I don't have any wedding plans to update - because I haven't made any. We have a date and a location and that's about it. No, I don't have a dress. Or a guest list. Or anything else. *excuse me while I have a small panic attack*

The kids aren't really ready to go back to school. I think summer has gone by faster than they thought it would. Part of me is ready for them to start school because it's easier to work when they aren't home, but I'm also a bit sad, too. Sometimes it's really nice to have one of those 'kid hugs' in the middle of the day. And the best way to recharge in the middle of the afternoon???? A tickle fight! Speaking of which - I think I'll go start one now.