I Adore This Book!

I am sooooo happy that it's my month to host bookclub. I've been waiting for my turn to share one of my favorites. I read I Capture the Castle several years ago and loved it. It's 50 years old and very British. A coming-of-age story with romance, humor and family drama all mixed in. I recommend it very highly!

The Problem with Having Twin 3-year-old Boys...

You know the what the problem is? That you have two three-year-old boys living with you. ALL the time.

Of course, they are cute and adorable and say funny stuff sometimes, like "Potty-train? Me don't ride no potty train!" (Which is true, unfortunately...) They also give the sweetest smiles and their hugs are delicious.

But, anyone who has lived with any three-year-old recognizes that they are all bi-polar.

I mean, one minute they are all hugs and giggles and the next minute, they are screaming because you did something abusive to them...such as cutting their sandwich into squares instead of triangles. Or failing to fill their juice cup to that mysterious "just right" spot which is .0000000001 inch between "way-too-much-I'm-sure-to-spill" and "not-enough-at-all-do-you-think-I'm-still-a-baby?"!

Every three-year-old has a split personality. Half delightful love muffin. Half rabid maniac.

So, you do the math. One 1/2 crazy three-year-old + another 1/2 crazy three-year-old=one very crazy mom.

And, the thing is...they TAKE TURNS. I know Mr. Rogers taught us all to take turns, but in this case, it's a bad thing. If they both just timed their I-don't-want-you-to-get-my-shoes-on-for-me-but-I-cannot-do-the-velcro-myself meltdown at the same moment, it would be done in ten minutes. But, since they TAKE TURNS, one little incident takes over the entire morning, makes us late for gymnastics and ruins Mom's hair and makeup.

I tell ya...these guys are killing me!

Happy Tails

Thanks to all of you wellwishers for your love and concern.

My better-half's better half is healing slowly but surely.

Now I can truly say that I am NOT his biggest

pain in the rump!

Who needs a coccyx, anyway?

The Way We Were

permgirl gets hitched!

only mr. smooth could get away with this tux...

my favorite

I Hope It's Not Your Coccyx!

My little brothers and I used to watch a certain 1972 Barbra Streisand/Ryan O'Neal movie over and over back when VCR's were a cool new invention.

In one crazy scene, madcap Barb is rushing around O'Neal's character asking if he is hurt and which bones are broken. To quote: "Do you think you broke your coccyx? I hope it's not your coccyx!"

Can you name the movie? Check your answer here....by the way, I think it is a great flick and would be a fun Labor Day weekend repeat.

Well, I always wanted to have something in common with Ms. Streisand...and now I do. Someone I love has broken his coccyx!

If you missed my cutie pie's spill on the hills last spring, you may not realize that he has been in mountain-bike-rehab all summer long. Fortunately, most of his body is back to its everyday studliness...but his tailbone is out of whack.

Tomorrow he goes under the knife for a little coccyx-removal and won't be able to sit down for awhile. Please keep him in your prayers (and say an extra one for me)!

The Great Outdoors

Experience wildlife...take your children camping!

A few shots of our weekend...

Makes a mean s'more...

Roasts 'em but won't eat 'em...

Loves watching the fish jump and the flames dance... Digs up the most worms!

And FINALLY...

The engagement: long & long-distance

The day: a beautiful Wednesday in August

The dress: oh-so-1990 Jessica McClintock

The perm: extra fluffy for the ceremony, then in an updo for the reception

The groom: nervous and wearing a white tux

The wedding: Salt Lake Temple...perfect!

The reception: Grandma's lovely backyard

The bridesmaids: wore floral wreaths in their hair and Battenburg lace place mats as collars (what?!)

The groomsmen: sang in 3 part harmony and flirted with the serving girls

The mother-of-the-bride: almost trampled to death on her way to watch the cake-cutting

The honeymoon: local, humorous and very romantic

What a great way to start living happily ever after!

**Photos to come...having technical difficulties**

It Was Down Hill the Rest of the Way

Mr. Smooth must have followed every direction from the guidebook, "How To Hook Miss Bookworm"...

Step 1: Let her take you snowskiing for the first time. Act impressed with her slalom, take a few mandatory spills and then blow her away with your natural ability. Keep her warm on the chairlift.

Step 2: Help her babysit five little cousins. Endear yourself to them (and her!) by bringing a pocketfull of candy kisses. Let the little one ride on your shoulders and smile when she calls you "Daddy!"

Step 3: Fill her apartment with roses and love notes on Valentine's Day.

Step 4: Make it a Saturday tradition to fix ailing cars and pancake breakfasts. Do all the dishes, too.

Step 5: Watch basketball with her grandpa. Flirt with her little sisters. Joke with her brothers. Be respectful to her parents. Take her home to meet yours.

Unfortunately, he must have missed the page that said...

Step 6: If an old flame comes back on the scene and invites you and all your friends (aside from Permgirl) to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show late one Friday night, do NOT go.

Luckily, he did read...

Step 7: Tell Miss Weepy Bookworm that you are falling in love with her and that it scares you. A permgirl cannot resist a guy who is scared and in love. All will be forgiven and forgotten ('til she starts her blog, of course)!

Step 8: Take her to a fancy Italian restaurant. Arrange for the waitress bring a dozen roses between every course. Hide a small velvet box in the last bouquet. Propose to cheers from the entire restaurant. Good job!