Summer Nights

We spent this past Monday night at a Clippers game, admiring the new field. Not only was it a beautiful summer night, it was dime a dog night. Husband’s brothers and I bought 20 hot dogs for only $2.00. Between the four of us we ate all but one. Leave it to Lincoln to eat SIX.

It was a great night and one of the reasons I really enjoy living here.

Growing

I really enjoy gardening. I wouldn't say I have a green thumb, but I'm not killing everything I touch either. All of my plants were gifts or purchased at a local nursery. There have, of course, been some casualties due to the kids rough housing. There was an indoor christmas cactus that survived the first crash onto the floor only to succumb to a life-ending game of 'get the kitty'. Out back, we have a rhododendron that was so pretty until Sammy chased a basketball into it. It's still alive but has been crippled, relying on crutches to stand up. And then there are the ornamental grasses that both kids like to eat. They walk over and much away with their back teeth, as if they're goats or something.

I've come to realize I need to buy only the most substantial, hardy plants. No orchids or roses at our house.

So, in my ongoing attempt to maintain the life of my plants, I decided to seed the bare spots in our lawn, (other greenery that battles the wear and tear of Sammy). I've seeded sections of the lawn before, so I know I can do it successfully.

Why then, I wonder, was I so surprised and delighted to see the first sprouts of grass covering the soil this morning? Maybe because I can't believe something that fragile can find life in our rough and tough life. Maybe it's because it is the only thing I've actually grown from a seed.

Despite the reason, I was so proud and happy this morning to find the green stubble appear like a five o'clock shadow. Let's hope it can make it through the chaos! I'm rooting for you baby grass!

Dental Hygiene

Book Signing

So David Sedaris was in Columbus at a book signing on Friday. Biscuit is such a HUGE fan that she contemplated calling off work to attend. After hearing a couple of her desperate voicemails, Momma T and I hatched a plan to surprise her.

The plan was to wait in line, get her (and my) books signed, then, eat where Biscuit was working. Momma T called and made the reservations under “Sylivia Potterbutts”. We were a little concerned we didn’t have a real reservation because Momma T is not known for her deceptive ways.

The day of the signing, I was concerned about the line, so I jetted out of work at 5:00. I got down there, went to the counter and asked how this all would work. Turns out there were two lines; a pre-sale line and an overflow line. I asked if I could buy a book and be part of the pre-sale line. Nope, but I could just go ahead and get in the “pre-sale” line since he started signing already. The line was only about 10 people deep. SCORE.

I come to find out from a co-worker, if I had stayed in the overflow line where I belonged, I would have had to wait until midnight.

So here I am, about 5 people deep and I discovered something about myself. I am nervous about meeting someone famous, sweaty pits, shaky hands nervous. I start trying to talk myself out of the heart-racing, nervous fit, but I only succeeded in amplifying it. I didn’t have long to wait before I was in the room with the author.

Let me paint the scene—It is a quiet room where only two or three people from the line are aloud in at a time. Mr. Sedaris is talking to the couple in front of me. Everything is calm and slow, which is in stark contrast to the prancing, leaning, shifting anticipation I exude.

He was talking to the people in front of me about what school they went to. He asks if OSU is in Athens. “NO that’s OU” I shout out, the excitement spewing loudly in the quiet room. THAT’S MY SCHOOL! He’s talking to people about stuff I KNOW ABOUT. Neither the couple in front of me, nor Mr. Sedaris even glanced my way. It is at this moment, I realize the crazy lady I have become. People are actually pretending I don’t exist, the crazy might be contagious.

When it’s my turn, I have made a firm decision to keep the crazy under control.
He takes the first book and asks who is Biscuit.
My bumbling response: “She’s my sister. She really wanted to be here but has to work. She is a huge fan.”

Mr. Sedaris: “Is she a stripper”

Surprised and fascinated by the randomness of the question I ramble a reply “No, she’s a server, but she’d tell you she’s a stripper, she’s a character. Actually she works at this restaurant that you should go to after this if you are hungry. She would buy you a drink if not your entire dinner”

WHAT did I just say???

Mr. Sedaris, in his slow and calm manner, grabs the other book and ask’s “Do you have a cat?”

Again, surprised by his randomness I ramble some more “I do, his name is Franklin. He’s a character”

Mr. Sedaris: “Good, I like it when cats have people names”

I’m so pleased by this compliment that I almost forget how dumb I sound.

There is more to the conversation but it just is more of the same, him asking questions and me rambling, hoping a witty comment will find itself into the bumbling nonsense I’m spewing– but nothing.

At the end I even asked him again to come to Biscuit’s restaurant “She’d love to serve you” I blurt out as I tried to walk out the wrong door.

WOW

As soon as I leave I call Padre, Momma T and Nick Nick to tell them I got the books signed and we should meet at my house before dinner. Besides I need to recount the story and let them all know what an idiot I am.

Nothing Good on TV - Sammy begs to differ

Its a quiet summer evening in the Rinehart household. We've just finished a healthy dinner and are talking about our day. The TV is on more for background noise than entertainment. Jonathan pauses the DVR for a minute while we look at something on my computer. Before we know it Sammy has almost taken the TV out - barking and jumping fervently. What was she all worked up about? We had paused the TV on a close up of a COW.

By the time I get my camera, we lost it (not sure how that happened with DVR and all). She had gotten our attention so below is our attempt at recreating her excitement. Not as surprising as the cow, but she is just as eager.



And what was Franklin doing during all this commotion - Napping in a box of course.

Bolt

Anyone seen this movie? This is a disney movie about a dog that is a TV star but thinks the set is real. It is animated.

Anyway, we were watching it this weekend and I have to commend the animation. Not two seconds into the movie and Sammy was up in front of the TV growling at the cartoon dog. They did such a good job with animating Bolt, it fooled Sammy. She was curious when Bolt whined and barking furiously when Bolt was growling.

It was probably more entertaining than the movie.

Busy with WHAT?

So I've been MIA - Thanks Tiki Tiki for noticing. I've been very busy with work and have decided to stay away from work focused blog topics. Because I've been so focused on work, that leaves little to write about. This weekend, I spent at the Taste of Cincinnati for work. I wont get into the details of what I was working on but had to share a picture of Herbie the Hot Pocket. I still can't get over how much people LOVED him. It was an interesting sight to see.