Shore-ly you must be joking.

Not sure who thought this was a good idea:

It was actually an AWESOME idea. You too can visit Misty, preserved for eternity. She stares at you with haunting eyes that seem to say, "Please, someone, give me a proper burial."

We went to Chincoteague to watch some rocket not-launch and instead spent the day cursing our fellow filthy human beings as we picked up litter. How many people does it take to clean a beach/wetland? 1 to start, 1 to donate more garbage bags, 3 guys to pitch in, and 100 people to tell you why they can't help.

Leave nothing behind - except that used prophylactic and random animal spinal column, because even I am not touching that.

Dipped our toes in the Atlantic...

and realized why no one else visits in April. Remarked in Marielle's intelligence as she exclaimed, "I think the Pacific is the better ocean."

Returned the next evening for rocket launch attempt 3. Huddled under a blanket, snuggie, and 60 lb child. Stuck my head out just in time for blast off.

Gathered my things and took off for home as quickly as that rocket disappeared into space.

Other moments to remember - 6 year old refusing to believe things exist like a hotel that does not have its own restaurant. Being reminded of that motel for the next 6 days with every breath taken at night, since the air freshener seems to permeate the plastic of a CPAP. Wished husband a Happy Father's Day a month and a half early, because this has to count for something.

Got monarchs?

No monarchs yet but they'll be here soon.

 

 Baby milkweed

 

School Monarch Waystation

 

Grow your own monarch food trough.

Busy bees

Busy month - all a blur. Luckily my iPhone photos & facebook updates remind me what happened.

I organized a girl scout tour of the local volunteer fire station. We delivered a bazillion boxes of cookies donated by many loyal customers.

We started work restoring the monarch garden at school. Gonna be a long process - 2 years until Mari needs it though for 2nd grade, so just might finish. Probably not though - vetch is a horrible nemesis. Don't ever plant it or you will never forgive yourself. (I did not, but someone else did and I am paying the price now.)

Mari took the WISC-IV and did so well the psychologist sent me an article titled, "When your child's intellect exceeds your own." Thanks a lot, lady! Her annual IEP is this week and really my only prep will be stopping by the grocery store for bribes snacks.

We traveled 200+ miles to a watch a rocket launch. It did not launch. We cleaned up a LOT of trash. Some other men joined in, restoring my faith in humanity. Or half of it - no women helped. I bathed thoroughly and returned the next day when the rocket finally took off. 3rd time's a charm.



Oh, and one night hard at work procrastinating, I bought a new car. Well, leased it. But it's mine for the next 20 months. Just as soon as I get to Michigan to pick it up.


But first, another 3 weeks of work hell. See you in June!

Crazy for cookies.

This picture is way funnier when you know this isn't even Mari's troop.

Web savvy

Working from home the other day, I got an email from myself. Turns out a certain 6 year old -- home sick from school -- had stolen my iPad, used some app I didn't know existed, drew a picture, and sent it from my email to my email. I don't know why I am surprised - she has tweeted as me before.

She fully grasps the concept of all the big social media sites, though she continues to refer to some incorrectly. "Put this video on youtoo." "What's happening on tweeter?" Still better than your average American.

She's decided she's going to create commercials, shows, and book reports for others to see. I cannot even upload them to her youtoo channel as fast as she makes them. But I sure am trying.