Tales of a Shoebox Princess

I took Matt and Hayley with me to volunteer at a 5K/half marathon race this morning. Paul ran in the 5K and Matt, Hayley and I were course marshals--we cheered the runners mostly. I think we were also sort of making sure no one took a short cut through the parking lot. Here are Hayley and Matt, manning our post. See our lime green volunteer T-shirts? We had a treat before the race started--we saw a fox! He trotted (fox trot!) down the sidewalk and across the street. He checks to make sure no cars are coming--we must always be safe! The half marathon started first and I saw a friend of mine in that race. I cheered her on. Matt and Hayley were sort of embarrassed to cheer at first but soon got into it when they realized that the runners really liked the encouragement. I got a high-five from one runner, and lots of thank-you-for-volunteering!s (NO APOSTROPHE NEEDED) from the runners. Then we saw the runners start for the 5K and Matt kept pestering me, saying "What if Paul win...

Oh yes, I have dreams of a fabulous summer, in spite of not going on any sort of family vacation. I dream that I will be able to sit out on the deck in my chaise longue (YES that's how it is spelled. Well, one way. The way I spelled it in a Modern American Usage class and the professor thought it was wrong, BUT IT WASN'T. FACE!) with a cheesy sci-fi book and a refreshing glass of ice cold Tang, with the wind playing gently (not gustily or lustily) and warmly (but not to hotly) across my modestly unclad legs (shins). No child would dare disturb my peace for at least an hour. The children in the house behind us would play inside all day. I wouldn't have to babysit. No cars would drive past, revving engines and speeding through the stop sign. The bugs would all be on vacation in Iowa or Wisconsin. The fragrant smell of petunias from the hanging baskets would perfume the air and sweet peace would wrap me in a blanket of bliss! Right. No, it is beyond any child's abi...

I finished my Creative Writing assignment and I have turned it in! On to joust with poetry. Poetry looks a lot beefier and more muscular when up against it in a college class with a time limit breathing down my neck. I hope it doesn't kick my sorry procrastinating butt.

1. I'm up, I'm up! 2. But I haven't had breakfast. I can hear Matt eating cereal and it's making me hungry. 3. Servo is freaking out. He does this for about 10 minutes every morning. 4. It's fun to watch. He thinks he has something on his back. 5. Geez, there's a lot of laundry to fold. Whine. 6. My main goal this week is to submit another Creative Writing assignment by the weekend. I'm getting close. Blogging will be rather less than more until then. 7. And it really should be that way until I get this class done. I've taken WAY too long with it. 8. Poetry is next. 9. I don't get poetry. 10. Unless the poem in question is a) a limerick, b) penned by Dr. Seuss, or c) about flowers. Have a happy Wednesday! Tomorrow, I've got another picture of my miniature garden--I've added a bench, a watering can, and some little mushrooms.

Memorial Day. I have no thoughtful post about honoring those who fought for our country. I should, but I don't. I'll just be grateful all day long for the men and women who have lost their lives defending and serving our country. I spent the morning in a fruitless attempt to find Paul among several dozen other marching banders. All the band parents were playing "Where's Waldo?" and mostly failing. Unless they were the parent of either a flag twirler (no hats so you can easily pick out your child's face) or the parent of the drum major (been there. :) ) and you have the benefit of looking for the one person in the whole band who doesn't look like everyone else. Even knowing that Paul was one of only three French Horn players didn't help. And I always pick the wrong side of the street to stand on--the French Horns were on the north side of the band and I was waiting with my camera on the south side of the street. I did catch up to him eventually...

This a post about Paul. It is a long post and it has lots of pictures. This is a post about Paul in his last track meet of the year. It's the JV conference meet. He ran varsity all his other meets, but for conference, the varsity team needed only four distance runners and he was #5. Paul didn't seem to mind. I didn't either. This is Paul with his JV track friends. They like to hang out together in the middle of the field. This is Paul and the other milers approaching the starting line. Can they all find their places? This is Paul achieving lift off. Paul, this is a running race, not a flying race! Get back on the ground! The boys start to run! Run, boys, run! See them run. They are running fast. This is Paul passing up two of his teammates. Go, team, go! Paul is all by himself. Poor Paul. Is he lonely? Run fast, Paul! Paul ran. Paul ran fast. He came in first. Hooray for Paul! Here is Paul as he crosses the finish line. This is Paul as he waits for the t...

Hayley and I made a mini garden. It's very bare and has only three plants in it but since this is our first attempt, I'd say we did just fine. We lack miniature accessories, like a bench and some mushrooms and a watering can, but that lack will soon be unlacked. Next year, I think I need a bigger bowl. Perhaps a birdbath would work.