Random Thoughts On A Thursday, vol. 5

Well, hello!  Is anyone still out there?  I wouldn't be surprised if everyone has jumped ship in my absence. 

I wish I had a good excuse.  It's summer and we've been doing everything and nothing at the same time.  Hopefully this lovely list will get you up to speed on the happenings at the Ha house. 

© shoutingforha

1.  My mother-in-law, a.k.a. Nana, came for a week-long visit.  It had been quite a while since she had made the journey to Tennessee so we were especially happy to have her.

Nana arrived just in time to spend the Fourth with us, and since it was approximately one trillion degrees outside (It was really 108, but what's the difference.), we decided to forgo our annual viewing of the spectacular Nashville fireworks and instead settled on a mini display put on by the boy.

The extreme heat prevented us from getting out too much, so we spent the majority of the visit just hanging out.  I'm incredibly thankful to have such a wonderful mother-in-law.  We have always had a great relationship and I genuinely enjoy our time together.

2.  My washing machine died.  Despite it's sixteen years of faithful service, I still felt betrayed when the transmission finally gave out.  In my heart, I expected the old girl to keep on ticking for as long as I do.

I know the fancy front loading machines are all the rage these days, but I've known too many people that have had nothing but trouble with them.  So, being the practical gal that I am I opted for a nice, simple top loader.  Exciting stuff, eh?

3.  Like much of the country, we spent most of the past month in the throws of a horrible heat wave.  My heavens, was it ever hot.  And dry.  And miserable.  The heat radiating off of the pavement was akin to standing next to a raging bonfire.  Suffice to say that I've hardly left my heavily air conditioned house.

I am happy to report that we have had a significant drop in temperatures over the past few days.  The forecast is calling for a 30-80% chance of rain for the next ten days.  Never have I been so excited to see gray skies.  

© shoutingforha

4.  My boy enjoyed attending The BGA JAM for the third year in a row and is already talking about "next year."  The hubby and I have been so impressed by the organizers, instructors and students.  Everyone has been so kind, helpful and encouraging to our boy, who at the age of eleven, is still the youngest child in attendance.

This year, the boy was stretched musically in ways that he had never experienced before, and as a result, he grew by leaps and bounds.  He also earned the respect of the older kids.  For the first time, he was treated as their equal and was welcomed into their musical fold.

The video montage below was shot from back stage during my boy's final performance at the camp.  Since the hubby was standing behind the speakers, the audio quality isn't very good, but you can get an idea of how much fun the boy had playing in the Ska (think Caribbean/calypso meets jazz/blues) band.  The Ska band always performs last and I think you will agree that it's the perfect way to end the show.

 

5.  After three years of inactivity, the boy's mouth has suddenly sprung to life.  He currently has three loose teeth and is simultaneously sprouting all four twelve-year molars.  Pass the Tylenol. 

I have to admit that I was beginning to worry that his baby teeth would never fall out.  Although, now that I type those words, I realize that we are suddenly much closer to the joy and sorrow that is braces.  I better start saving my pennies.

6.  Our dog, Brick, has a unusual ability.  He doesn't roll over, play dead or rescue boys named Timmy from wells.  Those kind-of tricks would actually be cool.  His talent is far more annoying.  Drum roll, please...

The crazy beast can gulp water for over five minutes straight.  I'm not kidding.  It's a good thing he has a five gallon water jug at his disposal.

I know that at times I may be prone to exaggeration, like that time I might have said that it was one trillion degrees outside (see bullet point #1), but I promise that I am telling the truth.  I almost made a video to back up my story, but what person in their right mind wants to watch a beastly dog gulp water for the better part of six minutes.

While I am happy that my dog is sufficiently hydrated, his drinking habits pose a few problems.  First, Brick is a drooler and as a result, he leaves a lake of water on the floor every time he drinks.  Second, his gulping is so loud that he frequently disrupts conversations and makes it impossible to hear any music, TV or movies that we might be playing.  It's a problem.

On that note, I'm going to call this post done.  I promise to get back to writing more regularly.  I have some recipes and some ideas for a few tutorials that I want to share.