Latest Addiction

"Sometime's we get 'em smashed straight to the ground," she said. And I done liked to hug that woman.

Nice Try, Though.

Tonight's dinner didn't jive with this one.

How Green Was My Monday

Earlier this year, I started noticing all the cardboard boxes and plastic bottles I was throwing out, perfectly good containers with the nice recycle symbol on the bottom that I was instead sending to our local dump. My parents had recently gotten a recycle trashcan from the county and my mom told me how surprised she was at the amount of their "trash" that could actually be recycled. She described her experience with recycling as "empowering."

I was caught off guard by that sentiment, by how strongly my mom had reacted to which trashcan she used for what stuff. But I had to admit I was starting to feel a pinch -- the thought of the local landfill, getting higher and higher with junk -- that image made me feel tired.

I decided to call the county, and the next day I had my own recycle can. I very quickly realized that over half of our trash could actually be recycled -- and I felt a similar reaction to my mom. It felt so good to be making a little difference on the world around us.

Since then, I'm working on other ways to "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" (as the song from Curious George tells us). I've bought reusable bags for the grocery store, I wait until dishwasher is totally full until I run it, and each week one boy has the chore of "turning off the lights" throughout the house to make sure we aren't needlessly burning electricity. I've also started keeping track of our resources more fastidiously -- and I've been amazed at how this is helping me want to buy less. I don't want to be a "consumer," in a haphazard, pave-the-earth kind of way. Watching where my money goes helps me want to use every last bit of what I have before I go get more.

As John Paul II said, we have "a grave responsibility to preserve [the earth's] order for the well-being of future generations."

What about you? What are a few things you are doing to take care of Mother Earth?

 UPDATED TO ADD: If you want a recycle bin and live in Richmond County, call Augusta Solid Waste. They will deliver it to your curb.

Important Life Lessons, Vol. 29

"Don't pick other people's noses," Ethan tells Henry. "It's impolite."

To Henry, To Mark His Ninth Month

What I want to express to you, dear sweet Henry, is the overwhelming gratitude I have that you are here.

On the Subject of Milk

For several years now, I have been an ardent supporter of organic milk. I can't remember what prompted me to make the switch, but I did and we all seemed to notice a difference. The milk tastes delicious and I feel good about serving it to my family.

My Own Personal Philosophizer

"Not everyone who has a cape can fly." -- Augie

Bride of Testosterhome

My brother is getting married this weekend! Hooray! We are so excited for Josh and Carolyn. It's going to be fun and wonderful -- and Carolyn is a perfect addition to our family, and we all love her dearly.

I don't know if I've mentioned this, but we are hosting the rehearsal dinner here, in our backyard, Friday night. What's that? I have red wine stains on my teeth? Where did those come from?

Yesterday, I took a picture of this incredible list I've been carrying around for the last two days. It is long and impressive. I was going to post it here for your viewing pleasure and then decided that might be more of me than you really wanted to enjoy. Just know that a) I have a List! and b) it is long! and impressive! (also, I have pretty handwriting.)

Here's another list, Valid Concerns Going Into The Weekend:

What if: The guests are in my backyard for the rehearsal dinner. Despite filling in the giant dirt hole, the boys have managed (in the time between getting home from school and leaving for the rehearsal) to dig another giant hole. A guest falls in. He is never heard from again.

What if: It is one hour before we should leave for the wedding. We start to get the boys dressed and discover I have not picked up their black pants from the dry-cleaners. The earth stops revolving, which in turn ruins the wedding.

What if: I slip on the marble floor as I walk down the aisle. I fall forward, breaking my teeth and (even worse) my dress flips up in the back. Time stands still, the earth stops revolving, the day is ruined.

What if...hmmm can't think of another. The falling thing really takes it out of me.

In other news, we ran out of milk yesterday! And let me tell you right now that "cutting back" on milk is going to take some serious effort around this joint. "No milk," one boy declared loudly. "What are we supposed to drink?" I explained that the clear liquid that comes out of the sink faucet is something they can (and should) use to quench their thirst.

It's going to be an adjustment, this whole quote Water Drinking Initiative unquote. We'll manage, I know. But I'm guessing they'll be even more of this sort of thing than before.

Future Gentlemen of America

“I,” said one boy, “am no gentleman.”

Mother of Boys

As a woman who has repeatedly and exclusively birthed males, I am fairly confident that I don’t fit the bill as the "manly woman" this study has in mind.

Bathtime at the O.K. Corral

Last night during our evening rituals, I heard one of the boys yelling about how someone had shot him in the rear. The reality of my life is that despite the loud noises, I figured (correctly) that there was really no need to run into the bathroom for more details, that I actually didn't want more details unless someone was injured or being inappropriate. And that second thought prompted me to go ahead and look into this.

I walked into the bathroom to find a nerf dart suctioned to the outside of the frosted shower door. There, on the inside, was a perfectly positioned bum pressed against the glass.

Dude.

Around here, we certainly have deep and meaningful conversations about life and love and my feelings on a variety of subjects. Or maybe I have that mixed up with our talks about weapons and war and the size of Chuck's pecs.

In a perfect world, all athletes would be this honest.

"I'm a little bit of a ball hog," says Charlie. "I mean, I try to pass it when I can. But Elliott's not always open, so I have to just shoot it myself."

The Proverbial Chicken (or egg)

Which came first?

The Madness of March

I’m not really down on March Madness. While my tone may signal a bit of agitation, I think it could be better described as amazement with a hint of fatigue.

There Will Be (Cold) Blood

"Mom," Elliott says with exasperation, "I don't understand what it means that a reptile is cold-blooded."

"It means," says Ethan, "that they shoot people when the people aren't looking."

High Society

I have not trained this child properly.

To Which We All Say: Thank You Lord

Elliott looked at me utterly amazed.

"Mom," he said, "You've got some guns!"