Saturday Non-Sithy Posting

I saw this cartoon at Facebook, and I snorted coffee through my nose.

Hope y’all are enjoying your Saturday!! 😀

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

And as usual, I can’t drink. But hey, don’t let that stop any other Sith, right??

That will be me, except instead of Guinness, I’ll be drinking green milk. Or not. Actually, that sounds gross. I think I will imbibe in a green-tinged lemonade, though. Really can’t screw that up.

Y’all have a great and safe Paddy’s Day!!

The Week in Review

Some things I have learned this week:

• Never underestimate travel time. Everyone is constantly on the road during Spring Break.

It took me half an hour to travel six miles on the highway last night. And that was going in the opposite direction of Rush Hour.

• Enjoy the time kids sleep in.

Once they wake up, thinking is out of the question.

• Always wear jeans and socks and shoes to work in the garden.

You would be surprised how many insects can find your sweaty shoes comfortable.

• As a corollary to the above, do not do gardening when surrounded by dogs.

You would be surprised how many insects find their fur comfortable.

Now, for your viewing pleasure, courtesy of JAM2:

And now I’m going to go drink more coffee, and get the day started!!

Tuesday in the Park

Yesterday was an absolutely gorgeous day here. The weather and the clouds co-operated during the photo shoot for the kids at the Japanese Gardens. Elizabeth walked them around the area, while I entertained myself walking with her little boy. Luckily it wasn’t too crowded. We did see several families there with the same purpose as ours, so that made it challenging to wait for turns. But overall, it was a wonderful morning spent in serene surroundings. We did manage to get distracted, though.

That’s right: they spend the morning getting all gussied up and prettified only to want to stick their hands in the water to pet the koi. They get that from their father. But who am I to dissuade them from petting glorified goldfish?

Afterwards, I surprised them with plans to walk down to the zoo, which is just a couple of blocks from the gardens. But as we looked at the throng of people migrating in that direction, we realized that the zoo would have to wait. It appears that everyone goes to the zoo on Spring Break. So, we headed for home, and made plans to go to Fredericksburg later this week.

Of course, plans are bound to change at the last minute around here, so I’m not holding my breath 😉

Best Laid Plans

Well, as usual, I try to make plans for Spring Break, and as usual, they come to naught. Not because I make grand plans or anything, but because invariably the kids’ schedules for school tend to creep in somewhere. So this week, we shall be travelling around the area playing tourists. First stop: The Japanese Gardens!

Pretty, isn’t it? It is a hidden jewel, but one worth enjoying. A picnic lunch after walking around, and then a trip to the zoo, just a few blocks down from there. And yes, tradition holds the kids take a picture of their mother with the flamingos. Tradition also holds I never show it to anyone 😉

One Fish, Two Fish

Possibly redfish, but no blue fish!

Here at Casa de Aggie, we have fish for dinner on Fridays during Lent. But fish every Friday can be boring. So, I have decided to make it into a gourmet holiday for the kids, making sure to serve different kinds, and involving them in the preparations. Eldest really likes to bake, and Son has gotten into sautéing. Little One is still in the “just eating it” stage. But I have hopes for her.

This evening’s offering will be salmon. Now, I prefer salmon raw, but I hear cooked it’s pretty good, too. I will make sautéed grape tomatoes with basil and mozzarella, steamed green beans, and homemade rolls. And if the kids were good today, I may be persuaded to make dessert. Perhaps a cherry pie to celebrate the beginning of Spring Break!

And the beginning of my descent into madness 😉

The March Hare

This is a great title to my post. Why? Because I am going nuts over all the stuff happening this month here at Casa de Aggie. This week brings dental appointments, tax prep, birthday party, and then, just when I thought Spring Break meant just that, I find that two kids have ROTC commitments and then family portraits, and then Son’s birthday, and after that I may be able to go out of town to visit family and deliver last Christmas gifts.

And this is all before the 18th of this month.

And after they go back to school, it’s Spring Concert season. YAY ME!!

This is what I look like, only with a sweatshirt. And clean shaven.

Sadly, the one thing I had to look forward to is no longer on the schedule, but at least the year is winding down, and the countdown goes on.

I’m just grateful to have coffee.

When is Easter?? 😉

Historicality!!

I love making up words. I think I enjoy it because English is my second language, and it was a challenge for me to learn it. And what better day to come with a new word than on Dr. Seuss’ birthday?? The man had a gift for brevity, and a beautiful soul to show for it.

“It has often been said
there’s so much to be read,
you never can cram
all those words in your head.

So the writer who breeds
more words than he needs
is making a chore
for the reader who reads.

That’s why my belief is
the briefer the brief is,
the greater the sigh
of the reader’s relief is.

And that’s why your books
have such power and strength.
You publish with shorth!
(Shorth is better than length.)”
― Dr. Seuss

It is also Texas Independence Day! On this day, Texas adopted its Declaration of Independence, effectively telling Mexico that Texas was free from tyranny. It is also the birthday of General Sam Houston, who is rumored to have wanted the ratification of the document on his birthday. What a way to celebrate!!

Long may she wave!!

And as a short aside, today also marks the day that Puerto Ricans were granted citizenship by President Woodrow Wilson. So if not for that, my path to being a Texan in love with Seussian wordsmanshippery  would not have happened. I hope y’all have enjoyed this little tribute to some wonderlyful historicality 🙂

Leaps and Bounds

Well, it’s that day again!!

FEBRUARY 29th!!!!

True, it’s not a national holiday, but it’s fun to have a birthday or anniversary on that date. My neighbor’s son was born on this date, and he is turning 3 today. Well, no, not really. I remember when he proudly told me last Leap Day that it was his birthday, and you could have knocked him over when I told him he shared that birthday with this fellow:

How many kids get to say that??

I admit I’m more of a Batman gal, but I would have loved to share my birthday with Superman. Heck, I would have loved to share my birthday with Superdog!! 😉

Guilt is a Great Motivator

Last night as I was going through clothing I haven’t worn in a year to donate to charity, I had an epiphany of sorts: I tend to keep clothing that doesn’t fit, either because I plan on losing a bit of weight to be comfy in it again, or because I am far too lazy to lose a bit of weight, and need comfier clothes to accommodate me. I felt a bit guilty over having an “escape route” for my laziness, and finally realized it was time to change that habit.

Luckily for me, Lent is coming up. And as is my custom, I don’t give up just one thing. I give up many, many things.

I give up drinking booze.

I give up sweets, including chocolate.

I give up fatty foods.

And I even give up caffeine.

Check it out! I come with a warning sign!

Usually Hubby steps around here on eggshells during Lent. He’s a smart cookie, though. He gives up cooking for Lent. But since he won’t be back until after Lent, he will get a reprieve. Last year I lost almost 17 pounds. This year he will come home to a more svelte wife. And if he’s smart, he will be carrying a bar of chocolate when he gets off the plane 😉