All those words and she didn't say a doggone thing.

Sucker

First, let me say that I usually buy my coffee at the Co-op, with a preference for locally roasted beans. (Lately I've been partial to the new "Swamp Juice" blend from Cafe del Sol.) I don't typically buy into the whole Starbucks thing, but there I was standing in the coffee aisle at Hy-Vee because I was there and I was out of coffee.

All caveats aside, I think you can probably guess why I chose the Italian roast from among all the other "EXTRA BOLD" blends offered under the Starbucks label. Lookit that purty label, y'all!

I confess, I've always been a sucker for a well-designed label. I do the same thing in the wine aisle. Can't decide between two same-priced bottles of similar wines and my trusty Wine Guy is not on hand for the asking? Even though my choices are eventually determined and tempered by good advice and a scrutinizing palate, I can easily be swayed by a well-designed sticker, a clever name, or, in this case, any and all things scooter-related.

Oh, and the Italian roast? It's aiiight. Plenty strong and bold, bright and not too fussy. Very fuel-efficient. (Wait, is that the label talking again?) It's no Swamp Juice, but I won't be suffering as I brew my way through this bag o' beans.

Good Sport

IMG_3543
Originally uploaded by knights_writes

http://www.flickr.com/photos/iowah/sets/72157607448617720/

I guess it's a rite of passage, especially (they say) for little boys. Arlo made his first trip to the emergency room on Sunday after losing a fight with the back door at our house. I was coming in from the garage and he was playing behind the door. As I opened the door--ever so slowly and cautiously--he spun around to run down the hall, and ran headlong into the door handle. The result was a small but deepish and rather bloody divot right above his left eye.

We were just about to put the kids down for their naps, so the timing couldn't have been worse. In spite of that--and in spite of the fact that the Mercy ER was busy and we spent TWO HOURS there trying to keep the kiddos entertained and safe--Arlo was a model patient. Yes, he cried when the injury first occurred, and he certainly resisted the hospital trip with the appropriate wailing and thrashing. But once we got there, he was stoic and cooperative, patient and brave. He lay still and silent as they stitched up his forehead--and for her part, Mae was also remarkably agreeable (though squirmy and bored) for a baby who should've been napping instead.

Arlo walked out of there with three stitches and a decidedly boring band-aid. (Shouldn't they keep cool band-aids around the hospital for brave little kids? Come on.)

Knowing Macy's free-wheeling, no-fear attitude, we will surely make a return trip to the ER before she turns four. Because I don't really believe in that "especially for boys" thing I mentioned at the beginning of this post. Between the two of them, Macy is definitely more of a daredevil and a Pusher of Limits. Here's hoping that our future emergencies are as manageable and tolerable as this one turned out to be. Sigh.

Ow

Earlier this week, as I was driving my scooter to work and appreciating the gloriously sunny (though a bit on the cool side) autumn morning, I watched a large acorn drop from one of the canopy of ancient oak trees under which I was driving. It fell about a half a block in front of me, and I thought to myself (in a split second, the way that you do when barreling down the road and still paying attention to the moment at hand) how lucky it was that I had "dodged that bullet" hurled from above. In the very next second, though, that darn acorn bounced right back up from the road and nailed me, square in the clavicle.

I was shocked to find that the assault did not result in a bruise. Ow.

Coming soon to a mailbox near you...

...but probably not your mailbox, unless you happen to be the parent of a University of Iowa student.

Arlo and his adorable gal pal, Ava (whose mom and dad also work for the UI Foundation), modeled for us last week for a postcard that we are sending to UI parents in advance of a Telefund campaign wherein actual UI students (not their own though) will be calling to request a gift for the UI. This is one of the photos from that photo shoot, though I'm not sure if it will end up being the final image on the card.

Both kids did such a great job, and held up remarkably well for a good half-hour of photo-snapping, with the parents and photographer (Jill Tobin--yay, Jill!) cheering and coaching from the sidelines. "Hold the phone up to your ear, Arlo!" ... "Now Ava, tell Arlo what kind of animal you want to be!" ... "Arlo won't answer the phoooone!" ... etc., etc.

What fun! I can't wait to see the final postcard, and I'm holding out hope that posting this photo on The Internets will score Arlo a million-dollar modeling contract from the Gap so that I can quit my job and focus on his career. (Ford Models? Are you reading this? Caaaall me, daaarlinks.)

Mwahahaha!

Maybe you've heard this one already...

What do you call a hockey mom who supports abstinence-only sex education?

A hockey grandma!

TECHNICOLOR!

It kind of reminds me of the scene in Wizard of Oz when Dorothy walks out of her house after the twister deposits it in Munchkinland.

Once again, I am thrilled with the results, in awe of the artist, and eager for my next appointment.

Next installment will be on October 9th. Yippeeeee!

New Pics, New Ink

Can you tell I'm busy? I have not had time to write anything here for a while, but I have had time to go to Chicago, attend a wedding, bake a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, attend a birthday party, plan a birthday party, and upload photos.

No, I have not yet found the time to clean my house.

This afternoon I go "under the needle" again for Phase Two of the new tattoo, yay! Coloring commences today, and of course I will post photos ASAP--hopefully tomorrow.

Tomorrow is Arlo's first session of Organized Sports--I signed him up for the City Parks & Rec "Tot Soccer" and hope he enjoys it. Friday we pick up the Bouncy Castle for Saturday's Big Fat Party at our house.

Oh, and one more thing? Ted's truck--our second vehicle--has finally gone belly-up, so we are now scrambling to find another economical vehicle to purchase, before the weather gets too cold for me to keep riding my scooter.

I'm late on submitting a freelance story I've been working on (Gee, I wonder why?) and starting up another freelance writing project for the fall.

I've missed writing for the blog, but I haven't missed much of anything else. Stay tuned for more photos, and (hopefully) more posts in the near future.

Yeah, what she said!

This post could've been written by me today, if only I were braver and had more time to devote to my blog posts (she's a professional, full-time blogger):

http://www.dooce.com/2008/09/04/and-boom

Please consider my blog post a second to Dooce's emotion.

Holiday Weekend Recap

I know it's already Wednesday, but by gosh it has been a busy week! Yesterday was Arlo's 4th birthday, and we spent much of last weekend celebrating it... and just enjoying a gorgeous Labor Day weekend.

On Saturday, Erika and I went to the Iowa-Maine football game at Kinnick Stadium with Joel & Sandie. Big thanks to the Ringadingdingdahls for sharing their season tickets with us!

Here I am putting on my best Sport Enthusiast face. What an great day to be in the stadium!

On Sunday night, Kent and Colleen hosted a casual dinner party, wherein they fed us yummy Gulf shrimp (hand-delivered by themselves from their FL vacation) cooked with potatoes, corn, and kielbasa (or not, for the vegetarians among us) and pina coladas.

Grandma & Grandpa Stahlhut (my folks) came to visit, and to partake in some of Ted's delightful home-baked chocolate cake. Arlo suggested that his whipped cream should be pink, with rainbow sprinkles, and we happily obliged:

My parents also came bearing gifts (duh).


Exhibit A: Large foam glider for flying at the park.

Exhibit B: Chainsaw.

Arlo was all about the power tools (or "electricity tools," as he calls them, since we have explained that "power" and electricity" mean the same thing) this year, so he also scored a drill--with changeable bits and all--from E. Yes, he has safety goggles too, and you can bet that he is very conscientious about putting them on when he has Work To Do.

Thanks to everyone who had a hand in making it a really great weekend!

The Knights family is bizzay in September! Tonight we are having our family portrait taken, and this weekend we are off to Chicago for a wedding and a visit with old friends . Arlo starts Tot Soccer next week, and our big Septemberfest bash (Bouncy Castle, people.) is the following weekend (on the 13th). Good thing I've already figured out Halloween costumes for the kids, because otherwise I just wouldn't have the time!