1. Tell us about one small blessing you have counted in the past week? 

I guess I counted the fact that I managed to pull off Ash’s party with no issues. Everyone had fun, no one got hurt, no one was too drunk. It was all just a good time.

2. Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14th…have you ever been to France? Any desire to visit there, and if so what would site or city would you most want to see? (pretend for a minute international travel isn’t an issue) 

We visited Paris in 2001 and had a good time. We saw many a landmark such as Versailles and the Arc de Triomphe. I would definitely not go back now though. Too much strife over there.

3. A food associated with France that you love? 

Ohh, I love the croque monsieur, which is basically just a hot ham and cheese sandwich. But crepes are good too.

4. Something you recently purchased where a coupon was involved? Do you regularly shop with coupons? 

Hmm, not sure. I will use a coupon if I do have one. Oh, I know. A couple weeks ago Ash and I had lunch at Harry’s, which is a downtown New Orleans themed place. They often send 10 dollars off 25 dollar purchases. It’s a pretty good value.

5. You have to give something away this week…what will it be? 

We gave away a lot of beer at the party and I wish I could give away more. The beer fridge is still full! A lot of people brought some too.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Tuesday – Oh man I am feeling tired today, though I slept pretty well. Trying to catch up on work today because the next three days, I have a class I am actually taking through one of my jobs. It’s just mornings but I have to be on Zoom and participate and I know I won’t be doing any grading while in the course. Today, I’m taking my oldest to get sushi. Over the years, he’s gone in cycles with it; from loving it to hating it, to being burned out on it. We ordered a spicy tuna roll before our hibachi lunch last week and he realized he’s back into it. So we’ll head up to the new Rock ‘n Roll sushi place and have a nice lunch together. He’s debating going to a movie with some cross country kids and I, without being pushy, am making it abundantly clear that I don’t mind taking him to the theater if he wants to go. It would be awesome for him to start hanging out with kids even before high school starts.

It’s sunny today, which is a nice change of pace. It’s been a pretty rainy few months. Last Thursday held off long enough for me to mow then poured. Our party day was overcast, then sunny, then we had a brief rain around 6. Luckily we have enough space inside for party-goers and everyone came in for a bit then. It’s not even particularly hot lately and I guess that does have to do with the rain. I guess I just shouldn’t complain!

Wednesday – I am about to start that Summer institute that I mentioned and I am NOT really looking forward to it. I guess in some ways I know I will learn something about being a better teacher but it’s so long AND we have an hour long one on one in the afternoon after a 1.5 hour break. Not wonderful when you have a sick kid! Dakota has a low grade fever and stuffy nose. It’s not awful but with today’s climate, kids can’t even get a cold without everyone panicking so I kept her home. I just can’t be down there with her. 😦