<p>Yea! So glad Kaliamom! Here’s hoping you will have many more bright times ahead!</p>
<p>Also staring at the gulf of Mexico. Right this minute, with a gulf coast breeze blowing through the salt air, sitting under my wonderful canopy watching three awesome kids playing in the surf. What an awesome fantastic marvelous beautiful day.</p>
<p>It’s a warm, sunny (emphasis on sunny, this being Seattle) day, H’s birthday is tomorrow. D wanted to make him his favorite cookie-shortbread, and we dipped them in chocolate-his two favorite flavors. We had fun in the kitchen baking-Saturdays are not usually commitment-free, H loves his cookies. Now we’re going out for a drive in the sports car his sister gave him when she had to strop driving. Not bad at all.</p>
<p>My 21 yo thanked me for helping her. </p>
<p>I thanked her for saying thank you.</p>
<p>Hugs to you, Katlia. I’ve been where your son is and I know the only reason I made it to the other side is because of my parents and their unconditional love. Wishing you more nights like that.</p>
<p>Cromette’s post reminds me of why I love going to the beach. My boys looked just as joyous barreling into the surf at ages 18 and 20 as they did at 8 and 10. I hope we can all get back to the Outer Banks before too many years go by.</p>
<p>My husband fixed our pool filter just in time for the latest heat wave. Nothing like hitting the sweet cool water after a hot day’s run. And as he said, he’s still got “the knack”. [Dilbert</a> - The Knack - YouTube](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube) :)</p>
<p>1moremom, it was glorious! I invested in a 10 x 10 canopy with an extra sunscreen. NO IDEA why I hadn’t done that before. I could just sit in the cool and enjoy watching them. Happy day.</p>
<p>Love that Dilbert! We used to joke about just that particular one.</p>
<p>JJEEEAAAALLOUUUSS of your pool. I kept an above ground for a while, but got frustrated because I was the only one maintaining it, keeping the leaves out, etc.</p>
<p>My dog smiles at me. He loves me. I love him. He brightens & lightens up every room and makes our family happy happy happy.</p>
<p>Katlia’s post previous page made me smile, yay Katliamom.</p>
<p>Nice thread. :)</p>
<p>Two of my “kids” who have been hanging around the house for a couple weeks both went to work today! For 17yo S, this was his first paid job–helping repair foundation in a basement.
Came home literally covered head-to-toe in crud. LOL 
Just what this kid needs. $80 cash money. Willing to go back for more tomorrow. . . Oh yeah. </p>
<p>My cat vomited in three places bringing up a hairball. And all three spots were on the hardwood floor, NOT on the carpet = my lucky day.</p>
<p>imoremom- loved the knack- sent the link to D.</p>
<p>4 stores later, I found a bicycle skort that fits! My first official bike clothing that will also help with padding. Looks cute. Had to have one to ride in style.</p>
<p>I was on TV again tonight</p>
<p>^wow bookworm! Again! That is awesome – congrats!</p>
<p>Two pieces of good news – the dumpster showed up, as scheduled, at FIL’s house, and the attorney called H back in a timely fashion. It’s starting to feel like progress.</p>
<p>Subscribing to this thread. Thank you all.
Middle child failed three classes in sophomore year and at this point we have accepted that SHE needs to turn her life around. We cannot do it for her.
Youngest didn’t make varsity cheer because of some kind of batchy cheer mom drama thing that I refuse to participate in.
Oldest now has grades that are forcing us to look one level down in the college drama.
Good things: Dog was very happy to see us when we got home from the road trip from hell. I am SO GLAD that dogs don’t ever morph into surly teenagers. (I get to keep one of my sweet babies.)</p>
<p>The expensive chair cushion is back from the dry cleaner with no sign of the red wine stain. My vague idea to go to the flea market to get an accent table for my morning coffee cup, rather than perching it on a tray on said expensive chair cushion worked out, leaving me way under budget. Now I’m watching the birds and squirrels while the cats are perched behind me with no chance of them knocking over my drink. Ahhhh.</p>
<p>Instant swiss mix hot chocolate I swear is ever bit as good as the 5 euros I paid for in Switzerland - they handed me a cup of hot water and a single serving mix and a spoon- that was how they did it here. It tasted great tonight with a comfy chair.</p>
<p>Got to hold kittens today at friend’s house.</p>
<p>Good things: Dog was very happy to see us when we got home from the road trip from hell. I am SO GLAD that dogs don’t ever morph into surly teenagers. (I get to keep one of my sweet babies.)</p>
<p>Want a dog. Maybe I will call her Go Wendy Go ! Maybe this weekend!</p>
<p>Get a dog, ek4! One of the best things for physical and mental health.
Jealous of the kitten holder. :)</p>
<p>Love prevailed :)</p>
<p>So, our tomatoes are doing very well in the campgrow greenhouse we got this summer, ate some this week. Sorry deer and rabbits and chipmunks, there is a screen that is on them, but our neighbors is available…</p>