MOVING ANNOUNCEMENT

Attention all readers, particularly those who struggle with change (especially you Mom, bear with me, here):

It's official. I am MOVING MY BLOG here, so please click on over to my new place, update your bookmarks, and visit often!

For the link-challenged: My new URL is http://kdfblog.wordpress.com.

Well, heck, this is pretty cool!

The fabulous Peri, of Peri's Wrinkle fame, recently honored me (OK, shocked me) with a Thinking Blogger Award. Simply stated, she says that mine is among her top few choices of blogs that challenge her to think.

She said some really nice things about my writing in her April 25th, 2007 blog entry, which can be viewed by clicking here.

Thanks, Peri!

So, I'm just sitting here innocently typing away

... while Abby and Hannah discuss their American Idol predictions for the evening, based on today's schoolbus buzz. They remark, for perhaps the 17th time this week, how very glad they are that Sanjaya is no longer a contestant. Oh, and that Jordin Sparks is fabulous, but she was kinda pitchy last night.

I attempt to stifle my laughter. It doesn't work.

Abby: (hands on hips; looking at me in accusatory, school teacher fashion) "Mom, you type everything we say, don't you?

Hannah: Duh, Abby, we're her children.

Abby: So? That doesn't mean she can put our lives on the internet.

Me: Har!

Abby: (again with the hands on the hips) You're gonna write that down aren't you?

Dental Survey

Somehow, a tiny sample of Crest's new vanilla-mint toothpaste wound up in my travel bag, so I begrudgingly tried it. I mean... vanilla? Vanilla paste? I prepared to gag.

So I was surprised when this turned out to be a pleasantly refreshing vanilla flavored minty experience, and I actually went out and bought a tube last week. Prior to this, I was a stubbornly obsessive loyal buyer of Crest's (also fairly new) cinnamon gel. It's not that I particularly like cinnamon -- it's just that it's something different than what I was forced to use for so many years, because there just wasn't anything else.

I'm grateful we've progressed so far from the days of mint only, and even worse, from those gritty tooth powders and baking soda, but where are we going with this?

Is cookie dough toothpaste right around the corner? Flan-flavored floss? Raspberry gel infused with dissolving peanut butter chips?

Have you ever used tooth powder? How awful was it? Do you like the new flavors or would you rather just stick with mint when brushing your teeth?

And when the chocolate mousse toothpaste arrives on the shelves -- because you know it will -- will you try it?

Conflict Of Interest Update

Reader Warning: Shameless self-promotion to follow; this entry may contains multiple links to my own old tired *classic!* blog entries.

I cooked bacon this morning. Real bacon. Not the baconish-flavored turkey "bacon" that I usually make, but the actual, traditional, greasy, crispy, oh-so-delicious, Homer Simpson-approved, full-fat pork product.

I don't do this often. On the rare occasion that I go whole hog (har!) and fry up the real stuff, I am treated to high praise and all-day heartfelt thanks from my children.

Especially Hannah.

She of the bacon, egg and cheese sammich fame; enthusiastic Charlotte's Web fan; imminent elementary-school stage personality -- the very girl who once apologized before devouring her favorite bagel-encased, salty strips-o-cured-meat lunch.

This morning, Hannah's tastebuds took an unexpected turn.


My little Wilbur turned in her breakfast dishes with all of the bacon -- minus one bite -- still on the plate. This is unprecedented. Hannah usually licks the pork portion of her plate clean, then asks for more. I asked her if she felt sick. I expressed my surprise at her absence of pork-inspired enthusiasm.

She looked at me, slightly mournfully, and said, "I don't know, Mom. It just tastes funny."

Method actress in the house! Piggies don't eat their own.

For Today's Quote of the Day,

... we turn to my 9 year-old.

Abby: I don't like seeing kissing in movies. I don't like it in real life either. It makes me uncomfortable.

Me: What do you mean, Abby?

Abby: Remember when we went to Suzanne's wedding, when she kissed Darren? Even though it wasn't me, I felt the magic. Gross.

Declaration Declamation

Abby made it to the Declamation* semi-finals along with a few of her 4th grade classmates. She will be reciting a poem in front of 600 people in a few weeks.

She is ready.



This is quite an accomplishment for a kid who, in kindergarten, almost threw up just thinking about standing on stage with her class, to sing "Grand Old Flag" in unison.

Of course, that was before she was a seasoned actress.

* OK, I'll admit it. I looked it up.
dec·la·ma·tion (děk'lə-mā'shən)
- noun

1) A recitation delivered as an exercise in rhetoric or elocution.
2) a. Vehement oratory
b. A speech marked by strong feeling; a tirade.

Spring Soccer

It's that time of year again.


Here, the goalie receives motivational advice from Coach Phil.

10 points to the reader who correctly identifies the item in Hannah's right hand.