Swept clean by Irene



Not all that long ago, this was what the inside of my refrigerator looked like:

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Since those days of plenty, we’ve replaced this refrigerator with a sleeker, stainless-steel version, which was just as packed as the one above.

Until Irene.

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After 52 hours without power, we are back to a clean slate. But, other than a bunch of branches all over the yard, nothing was damaged.

And little jars of jams, sauces and chutneys can be replaced pretty easily.

Hope my East-coast peeps made it through Irene without losing too much as well.

Breaking up the house party

At last count, I’ve planned/hosted/cleaned up over 24 kids’ birthday parties in my home (that number isn’t exact, but let’s go with it, ok?).

I’ve thrown fairy parties, pirate parties, outer space parties. There have been mock sleepovers, luaus and first birthday parties where the theme is only “Red things”. I have had Candy Land, LEGO/Star Wars, Alice in Wonderland and Dora-licensed character thingymabobs. All at home.

Now, D, my littlest, is staring down the days until he turns seven (in three weeks! ack!) and I thought maybe we’d have a camping party (like this one, but as if hillbillies threw it because there is no way I’m sewing that tent or painting wooden signs or even ordering expensive cookies from NYC)

Not-so-little D thought about it, shook his head and said, “no”.

Oh-kay what would you prefer?

“A math and chess party.” (here is where I realize I have not explained to my readers that my cute blond-haired boy has morphed into a kid who considers his math/chess class to be the pinnacle of fun) (insert homeschooling joke here).

But, you know, I can roll. . .a math/chess party may be hard, but it could be fun! Division cookies! Subtraction relays! A Pawn Pinata! I could almost see it!

And then he said the words, “And I want it at Frenzy’s” which is some indoor padded play space in which you throw children and let them bounce and flop until they are a sweaty mess, while the adults presumably sit calmly watching coffee and texting.

Oh, and because all play spaces need to position themselves as being enriching and educational in some way, this place has a mechanical bull. Yes.

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yeehaw, I can handle the bull, mama!



I smiled and thought, “eh. . .those places are always a million bucks, make you eat their crappy cake—I like cake WAY too much—and are so far away”. And then I checked the website.

Under $200 for a party where you can bring the cake and do the invitations (oh, and it does NOT include use of the mechanical bull—the more expensive party does, but I consider this a downside of spending more) (my kids can learn how to ride a mechanical bull when they are drunk and 24 like normal people). AND, this place is right down the street.

This may put a screeching halt to my home-party streak.

And I wonder if there is a way to work in math relays while the kids run around the room.

Facebook ate my blog


I’ve missed this space, really I have. But, Facebook is just so damned easy and accessible that I’ve found myself posting there instead of saving them to craft a “real” post for my blog.


Oh, sure I’ve tried to knock out something fast, as evidenced by my pathetic last post, but I guess my summer brain just isn’t in the mood to string more than a few words together. But to get a sense for what we’ve been doing, here are some of my Facebook status updates from the past month. Hopefully I’ll get my writing mojo back in August.


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Another perfect day to spend at the pond with friends and family. I asked John, “Have we ever brought anyone here that has had a bad time? I’m not sure that is possible.”

Just got the call: Negative for milk allergy! 10 1/2 years later and she can finally have an ice cream cone!


Just spent an hour on the phone with an old friend. So great to know that the girl I adored at the age of 9 is still a great friend 34 years later.


Sleepover at Oma’s tonight! Can’t wait to wake up next to the pond.


You know, swimming is not the same as bathing. Guess I should actually take a shower after this weekend. #dirtygirl


Last day with our Fresh Air Child (she leaves tomorrow morning). Will miss her, and will relish a day of doing N-O-T-H-I-N-G too. #exhausted


Spent the day at Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggcha​ubunagungamaugg with my dear friend Michele . And, yes, that is really the name of the lake. Anyone know it’s “nickname”?


If my kids ever go through an “ugly duckling” phase, I’ll show them photos of Neville Longbottom (aka Matthew Lewis) before and after the HP series. . .holy hotness!


Our Pet Sitting is open for business. Currently have our neighbor’s bunny and our friends’ dog. Maybe something with feathers or scales next?


Oh, rats. Just got my letter from the schools requesting our annual reports. Was hoping they’d forgotten.


12 hours of going straight with my little pack of three hooligans. Beach, friends, lake, concert and ice cream. Why can’t it be summer every day?


Vacuuming. It is hot as hell but someone has to do it. Good thing I have a Roomba so it doesn’t have to be me!


Nature walk on the beach with a guide. Great way to start the morning and now we have a pail full of cool-looking shells.


Thanks to grandparents who come to the Cape to babysit so the grown ups can go out for sushi!


Enjoying yet another Frenchie Lick Lick. I’m not sure why my sister calls it that but it’s lemonade with Three Olives Grape Vodka. Mmmmmmm. . . I hope it takes off b/c I’d love to hear people ordering a Frenchie Lick Lick at the bar.


I should be packing. In denial that we leave today.


Home again, home again, jiggity jig. Time to do the laundry.


Flew through two books on vacation and almost wished I had a Nook/Kindle or had loaded books to my iPad. BUT, would you bring them to the beach or poolside? Seems like an expensive toy next to water and/or sand.


You know that saying: “There but for the grace of God go I?” That is the thought that immediately springs into my head whenever I hear of someone planning a trip to Disney World.


What is new with you?