Seriously

Yep. One more thing I found when I cleaned out the station wagon.

First Soccer Practice of the Season

"Did you guys name the team yet?"

"We couldn't decide on one. Some of the guys were saying we should be The Orange Tangerines."

"What do you think?"

"I was thinking maybe The Flaming Skunks."

End of the Station Wagon Era

The time has come to say farewell to our '96 red Volvo station wagon, or as I have always referred to her, The Sexy Beast. We bought her just before Bob was born. The odometer came stuck at 118,029 miles so I'm assuming the mileage is now well over 200,000. Every few weeks, we've been shelling out to the mechanic for something else that needs to be fixed. I have to lightly kick the front left fender into place every couple of days and the driver's seat is bare to the springs. And yet.

And yet.

Bob and I have traveled all over in this car. She carried Mr. Rosenberg's band on tour through the Pacific Northwest. She hauled three house moves and countless trips to Trader Joe's. She has been fit with every different kind of child's car seat. She has permanent hair, from much loved dogs, in the carpet that no vacuum has been able to remove. She has taken us to soccer fields, and baseball diamonds, and basketball courts. She looks empty without the neighborhood kids in the backseat. I drove hours in this car with a sleeping baby Bob since it was the only way I could get him to nap. We have history.

"But how will people know it's us?" Bob asked me, when I told him we were letting go of our distinctive set of wheels. "They might not, but having a working air conditioner that doesn't leak into the passenger side will be pretty cool."

The new (to us) car is a grey 2006 Toyota Prius. It gets 48 miles per gallon compared to the station wagon that averages 12 miles a gallon. Driving a car built in this century is a new thing for me. I sat in the Prius in the driveway yesterday and had to watch a Youtube video to learn how to start the car. It's all space-age and newfangled compared to the station wagon built back when the Macarena was new.

So, goodbye Sexy Beast.
Hello, Crunchy Jolene.

Smacksy Sunday Links

The five senses of simple living.

A lifesaving reminder.

50 of the most beautiful sentences in literature.

And a dog and a duck.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Retro Harry Potter Bob

2011

Your Son, Bob

A recent love note to his parents. He's a nice guy.

Some Photos Need No Caption

Realization

"Mom? I realized something. If you don't like tacos, then you're not really a person."

Sound Effects

"OHWAAAAHOOOJABUUULAMOOOMOOOOOBOOBAH."

"Bob?"

"Yeah, Mom?"

"Take it easy, you're freaking out the dog."

"Everything's fine, TTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEDDDDDYYYYY."

Don't Even

"Bob? How sad would it be if there was an earthquake and all of your cards got messed up?"

"Super sad, Felix."

"Or if someone sneezed really hard right next to your desk?'

"Felix, step away from the desk."

Smacksy Sunday Links

Learning to love their features: Why You Will Marry the Wrong Person.

Remedies for FOMO.

A story of kindness.

The complicated art of designing a book cover.

And these puppies.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Sunshine on Ted's Shoulder

Almost asleep...

About Him

"So, Dad? In my "About Me" bag for school I brought a picture of me, a baseball, a Zack Greinke baseball card and a picture of Teddy. When I was in front of the class and I had to pull out the picture of Teddy, every one of the girls went, 'Aw!'"

Grade 4, Day 1

"Bob? You need to comb your hair."

"I really don't need to, Dad."

"It's the first day of school."

"I know but I don't want to give the new kids the wrong impression."

"What's the wrong impression?"

"That I usually comb my hair. I'm not a slave to perfect-ism."

Good to Know

Auntie Karen: So, Bob? Ringo went back to school on Monday. When do you start?

Bob: Thursday.

Auntie Karen: There was a rumor going around Ringo's school that there was one teacher in his grade who was supposedly the one for the kids who weren't keeping up in their schoolwork. Then, Ringo found out that he got her for his teacher and he was upset about it. She told him that it was just a rumor and not true at all.

Bob: Wow.

Auntie Karen: Were there any rumors going around your school?

Bob: Yeah, there was one. Everyone says the water in the water fountains is actually snail pee.

A Compliment

"Mom, that show was totally derpy."

"What's derpy mean?"

"Cruddy and kind of weird at the same time."

"Oh."

"Yeah, don't worry you're not derpy, usually."

Already Missing It

Photo by Jennifer Kato

"Mom? When does baseball start?"

"It just ended on Saturday."

"I know but I want it to start again."

Smacksy Sunday Links

Removing ourselves from the center of everything.

When rest is a necessity.

The most beautiful library in each US state.

The mathematical art of M.C. Escher.

And kittens who appreciate music.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Last Game of the Summer

That was fun.

Friday

Realized my tire was flat so I pulled into a mechanic shop to get help putting on my spare. To get to my spare tire, the mechanic had to dig through stuff in a hiding place under the back mat that was filled with junk - like a baby nursery rhyme CD and a stroller attachment. Not pictured: sand toys, a length of rope, and a hand saw. He wouldn't accept money for changing my flat and then as I was leaving, I repaid him by sideswiping a Kia he was working on. He wouldn't take money for that either. Now going to buy an enormous gift basket for my new mechanic.

Tude

"I had a good time watching you guys play tonight, Bob. Did you have fun?"

"Yeah, but sometimes the ump makes it kinda hard."

"It's not the ump that's making it hard, Bob. It's all about your attitude."

"But my attitude is that the ump's making it hard. Hey, is this what they call talking in circles?"

Cell Surprise

My son left this little photographic love note on my phone for me today. So charming.

Be What?

"Mom? Why does the sign say, 'Be bold. Be brave. Be you?'"

"I think they're being inspirational."

"But they're a freaking dry cleaner."

"We don't say 'freaking.'"

"I'm just being me."

Request Denied

"Bob? I really need to squeeze your entire face."

"Nope."

Smacksy Sunday Links

Someone named Bob Rosenberg is crashing my hotel room tonight.

The small happy life.

How to listen when you disagree.

A dark ages royal palace was discovered in Cornwall.

This artist makes the 3-D into 2-D and it's beautiful.

Brush up on your table manners.

And kittens with baby bunnies.

Happy Sunday.

City View

How sweet is the hotel bed? I got ten hours of sleep last night.

The Get Away

For a couple of days, they're both my side of the bed.

For the next three days, I'm attending a conference. I just checked into the hotel and I'm feeling a tiny bit ridiculous. I've traveled around to some excellent cities for conferences before and this one is in one of my favorite cities, Los Angeles. Exactly 9.6 miles from my house. It took me longer to get the key to my room than it did to drive here.

I'm going to order some coffee and get over it. This will be fun.

Define Fun

Bob returned home from camp last Saturday but his letter to us just arrived today.

Dear Mom, Dad and Teddy,
I am having soooo much fun. Sleeping Sunday night was easy and Monday I woke up in the middle of the night and had a headake. My favorite part of camp is the hikes. I also twisted my ankle. Camp is really fun I miss you.
Love, Bob

5ft

"Good morning, Bud."

"Good morning, Mom. I'm pretty sure I grew over night. I feel taller."

"Okay, let's check."

"Am I?"

"Wow. You've grown half an inch in less than a month."

"Half an inch? That means I'm exactly five feet now. Have you noticed I'm growing up really fast?"

This Guy

"Mom, did you see this guy I made at camp?"

"Yes. He looks very friendly."

"I named him Rocky. You know why?"

"I think I do."

"Yeah, I named him after cousin Rockwell."