Yes! it’s a lake blog…albeit a quick one.

Mark and I drove down to the lodge to gank the wireless internet connection. I needed to send an email and decided I would blog while I had the connection.

Ouachita is gorgeous and we had a great time on the lake. It was HOT today, but that’s not a bad thing. We were on the lake for six hours and now I’m the color of a nice cup of tea.

My niece, nephew, and brother are here and we’ve enjoyed our time with them. Mom and Dad are bickering as usual. I’m not sure why they find it necessary to treat us like we’re still 12 years old, but they do. Thank God for strawberry margaritas. They make the difference between a great time at the lake and a honkin’ (hi, lads) pisser of a time.

I’m still feeling a little sad that my newest sons have departed. I’m sure I’ll get over it eventually. One thing is for certain, this was great training for when my bio-kids decide to move away. I always joke about how it can’t be soon enough, but since my heart still aches a little after only a week with these guys, I can’t imagine how big that ache will be when my real kids take off. I don’t know how Grant’s and Simon’s real Mums handle them being all the way across the ocean. I know they’re big boys—adults really—but still, it’s hard to imagine letting them go.

Tomorrow and Monday will fill with more lake sunning and playing. Lots of rock skipping and goofing off. It will be fantastic.

Wish you guys were here…

Yes! it’s a lake blog…albeit a quick one.

Mark and I drove down to the lodge to gank the wireless internet connection. I needed to send an email and decided I would blog while I had the connection.

Ouachita is gorgeous and we had a great time on the lake. It was HOT today, but that’s not a bad thing. We were on the lake for six hours and now I’m the color of a nice cup of tea.

My niece, nephew, and brother are here and we’ve enjoyed our time with them. Mom and Dad are bickering as usual. I’m not sure why they find it necessary to treat us like we’re still 12 years old, but they do. Thank God for strawberry margaritas. They make the difference between a great time at the lake and a honkin’ (hi, lads) pisser of a time.

I’m still feeling a little sad that my newest sons have departed. I’m sure I’ll get over it eventually. One thing is for certain, this was great training for when my bio-kids decide to move away. I always joke about how it can’t be soon enough, but since my heart still aches a little after only a week with these guys, I can’t imagine how big that ache will be when my real kids take off. I don’t know how Grant’s and Simon’s real Mums handle them being all the way across the ocean. I know they’re big boys—adults really—but still, it’s hard to imagine letting them go.

Tomorrow and Monday will fill with more lake sunning and playing. Lots of rock skipping and goofing off. It will be fantastic.

Wish you guys were here…

I’m not sure how that happened. These two idiots walked into my life 6 days ago and I fell in love. Seriously, I may as well have given birth to them, I love them so much.

Fishdog and I would adopt them if we could.

We also had the privilege of meeting the other coaches and hanging out with them. Karl, Becky, Ian (Nizzy if you’re nasty), and Stephen. It was an amazing week and I’m very sad to see it come to an end.

Guys, I know you’re reading this…keep in touch or I’ll hunt you down and guilt you to death. (and that means all of you)

BTW–I’m headed back to Lake Ouachita today for several days. Will blog again on Wednesday when I return.

Meanwhile, I’ll leave you with a couple of fond memories from the week.

Guess what?

I did go back to the grocery store today. That makes 5 trips in 5 days.

We had pork roast, mashed potatoes, & broccoli and cheese. I made the taters with 5lbs of potatoes. They are all gone. I cooked an XXL pork roast–there is a small serving left. Looking for more broccoli and cheese? Good luck. I swear, they have a hollow leg.

Tonight, I sent them out to the bars with fishdog. I hope they have a fantastic time.

Do you know that I didn’t know what bangers and mash were until tonight? True. They are educating me left and right. But the education goes both ways…I’m teaching them how to say “y’all” properly.

Here are my newest children. Aren’t they the cutest things?

This is Grant. He’s from Prestwick, Scotland–which is about 30 mins from Glasgow. He fancies women with an athletic build and can eat a large pizza on his own.

This is Simon. He’s from Birmingham, England–which has a population of about 9 million. He fancies women in general and loves Strawberry Jam sandwiches and Mars bars.

They both love Mountain Dew.

I have been to the grocery store everyday since Saturday. I refuse to go today. Surely they haven’t depleted our food stores again…

I’m not complaining–just laughing. These guys are great. They have become my oldest kids. I thought I was going to be the dirty old woman, ala Gabrielle in Desperate Housewives, but it turns out having these guys stay with us just brought out a stronger mother gene. Kinda disappointing, really. LOL

They call me “Mum” and Grant will occasionally call me Lassie. I love it. It’s awesome.

Last night, we took them to fishdog’s softball game. They hit on all the women. ” ‘ello, I’m Soimon. Wha’s yor name?” “Ah, ye’re a bonny lassie.”

Everytime a ball was pitched they’d yell “Hit it!” and when it was hit they’d yell “Catch it.” “Ah you couldn’t catch a cold!” I heard more than once. And the poor catcher for the other team…”Lassie, you might want te have the mitt looked at. I think it has a hole in it?” “Bobble it again?”

My co-worker Audrey played third base last night. The boys really took to her. “I love you, Audrey!” “Give us a wave, Audrey”

They started the Mexican Wave….it was a wave of two…but they made it look brilliant. Finally, 2 more folks joined in….A wave of four. I’ve never seen anything so grand.

I can’t believe how much I’m going to miss them when they leave. On the other hand, my pocketbook will be relieved.

So, most of you know I’ve been on the great weight-loss and fitness adventure since January. It’s become a part of my life, and though I miss eating vats of cheesedip and drinking massive amounts of high calorie beer, I do feel better.

I took the last four weeks off from exercise (except for gardening) and even though I didn’t eat that much, I didn’t stop myself from eating something if I wanted it…

I managed to still lose weight, so I guess that’s good.

I started walking again Sunday and will make it back to the gym this week as well. I think I sleep better when I exercise, so that’s incentive enough right there.

Anyway, I tell you all this as lead up to what this blog is really about: I can wear my 2nd wedding band again.

I have 2 sapphire and diamond bands that hug my engagement ring. 1 was my wedding band and the other was an anniversary gift. Well, the 2nd one is a half size smaller than the original wedding band–the orginal was actually a little too big. (yeah, back then. LOL) Unfortunately, after I had the #2 child, I continued to gain weight and I had to stop wearing the 2nd band.

I haven’t worn it in 5 years.

So, it felt great putting it on this morning. I don’t know if wearing a size smaller jeans would’ve felt as good as slipping that ring on my finger did…

Okay, yeah, smaller jeans would feel pretty damn good. Watch out Nicole Richie…before you know it, I’ll be another member of the bobble-head family. *snort*