Roll Call!

I'm in Week Two of our 2-week family vacation, and I am feeling guilty for not having taken some time to blog here over the past one-and-a-half weeks. Actually, that's a lie. I haven't thought all that much about blogging at all, but I did just see a story I know will make Lisa happy -- it appears to be the Summer of the British Band Reunions, no? Time to touch base.

My Life in Pictures: While we were in Atlanta, we all went and had the grandkids take some pictures with Grandma and Grandpa. A couple are featured here:


Brett takes "smile" a little too literally when it comes to taking pictures -- a definite pet peeve if mine -- and as a result he often looks a little demented. My solution is to tell him to laugh instead of smile, and that sometimes works, but he also tends to ham that up a bit, too (imagine), so that has led to some interesting images as well. As we were looking through the pix and picking and choosing which to have developed, Dad famously muttered that he wasn't particularly thrilled with any of the group shots or of the ones of just him and Mom because he felt like he was "just sitting around in [his] underwear." Also? This is the only time any of us have ever seen (or ever will see) him wear jeans.

Must-See Movie: Hot Fuzz -- it was everything I hoped for and much, much more. Best movie I've seen in a long time.

Reading at the Moment: Until I Find You by John Irving (yes, still -- and I'm only 1/4 of the way through its 824 pages).

Listening to at the Moment: Backlogged podcasts from Penn Jillette, Adam Corolla (for Danny, mostly), and NPR's "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me."

Brutal Honesty of the Week: Brett asked this at breakfast this morning: "Grandma, why is your hair always messed up?" (Basically, her answer was the same as mine always is; it's naturally curly.)

Your turns.

Mourning Show

I know it's been a century since I've posted -- please forgive me. It's not that I don't care.

Lisa, I'm truly sorry for your recent losses. I know you love your kitties, and even if I don't consider myself a fan, I can certainly understand the affection we can share with our pets. I would be devastated if Sadie were to have to leave us anytime soon.

It makes the news I have to share all the more difficult to pass on, though. There's no easy way to lead up to it, so I'll just come right out with it: Bob Reitman has retired. And thus has ended an era and has another chapter in my life (our lives, if I may be so bold) come to a close. I only heard about it yesterday from a friend at work, and it's taken me this long to bring myself to confirm it. Sigh.

Okay, two tangents to distract us from the disappointment of our losses:

1. My kids are fricking adorable, if I do say so myself. Best. Picture. Ever.
   
2. Jakob Nielsen is a dillweed. Ever heard of suspending your disbelief, you unimaginative prick?