Sick Addiction

I just want to start off by apologizing for anyone that I might offend. The comments of this blog are my own opinions and not necessarily those of anyone I am related to (although they might be).

I have a sick addition and I would like to come clean to all of you... I check the local hospitals' baby galleries solely to make fun of the names. I am not talking about ethnic or family names; those are safe from my scorn. I am not one for trendy names or "creatively" spelled names, but you might be. I am probably in the minority, but this is my blog so I get to share my opinion, right?

Among my favorite (Caucasian names) for August:
Coy (poor little girl)
Tytyn (pronounced Titan?)
Ainsley (what on earth is this?)
Kaydence (must be a drummer...)
Brilee (sounds like a dessert)
Jareb (dyslexic parents?)
Cage (need I say more?)
Harley (they are from Sturgis)
Izibell (we get it...your kid is unique)
Adicyn (we still get it...no one else spells it like you)
Pqxl (pronounced John...okay, I made that one up)

Maybe I just have a special place in my heart being a teacher and having to pronounce the names on the first day of school. Maybe I am just not a nice person. Maybe when I have babies people will make fun of my kids. Maybe I am just right.

2nd Day of School

The craziest thing I heard on the second day of school. To preface, in my school's main office they have pictures of all of the senior classes for the past 30 years displayed on the walls.

So...I was checking my mailbox when one of my freshman said, "Hey, I have a question," while walking up to me. He asked if the senior class picture of 1998 was somewhere on the walls. I said yes and directed him toward the appropriate picture. He started looking at all of the grads and so I said, who are you looking for (thinking it might be an older sister or someone else I might have known)? He said,"there she is," pointing at an unhappy looking girl in the front row. I asked who it was and he said, "it's my mom." I was dumbfounded that his mother was a year younger than me and she had a child in high school. I guess I might not have looked too happy in my senior class picture with a 5 year old at home!

1st Day of School

So...this is the funniest thing I heard all day today during our first day of school:

To preface, while taking attendance, I asked if anyone had seen "Amanda" in any of their other classes or if she had been absent all day. One of her peers said, "Amanda won't be here until Monday." It seemed to me that the first 4 days of school were a lot to miss, so I asked, "why not?" Her peer said, "Her mom only lets her start school on a Monday," as if it was the most normal answer in the world. What more can you say after that?

Hurray!

School start tomorrow, I am ready but not thrilled. Last spring I was sad when school ended because my schooldad/best friend, Reyner, was retiring. Last week during our in-service meetings, I was lost. I had always sat by him, made snide and inappropriate comments, worked our Sudoku puzzles, coached tennis, etc.
So...Friday morning he was at our 10am meeting. I gave him a hug and asked why he was there. Good news: he was going to be subbing for a science teacher for the first six weeks! I was so happy that I got tears in my eyes. Dorky, I know. No matter how bad my day got with long boring meetings, I had the thought of Reyner being in the building for awhile.

I still can't believe it; I can put off making new friends for another 6 weeks.

oops...

So, all summer I have been used to being the only car in the driveway, because Lee leaves for work well before I leave the house. So last night, I was rushing to get to Bible Study my arms were full and I was just trying to make it to the garage without dropping something. I put the car in reverse and laid on the gas. All of the sudden, I felt a jolt. When I turned around, sure enough, there was Lee's car. Oops.

So, like any punctual person I put it in drive and left. I didn't want to go back inside and explain it to Lee and get into how stupid it was and no I didn't look...so I left.


It could have been much worse. You have to look for it to see the dent, right?


The damage to my car was limited to a scratch on the bumper.

After Bible Study, my mom told me to call Lee and tell him I was in the emergency room and that they might have to amputate my leg, and then say not really, but I hit your car. She also reminded me of the time she forgot to put her car in park in our old driveway, and her car rolled into the garage and out the back. Oops.

Lee was as nice as he could be. I kept reminding him that it was an accident and "we" don't get mad about accidents (that's what Nanny says). He just said to remember this next time he did something stupid and I was tempted to freak out.

Busy Weekend

I had lunch with my godson, Augie.

His mom, my friend Gretchen, tried to be very healthy, but Augie's favorite part of lunch was the Cheetos (as evidenced by his orangey fingers).

Being the super camera sleuth that I am, I took a picture of an ex-boyfriend's ex-girlfriend, Kelly. She was actually very nice. She said, "Aren't you Karoline?" Why yes, I am. And by a strange coincidence, Gretchen and Kelly were in the same Mommy and Me class (whatever the heck that is). Dang, I wish I wasn't so famous.

Poor Helmet and Yoda had to go to the vet to get shots. They don't leave the house much and were not too excited to be traveling.

Big Friday night on the town...Sam's with my mom. By the way, did anyone notice her new purse?

Saturday morning there was a strange spaceman in my yard with some sort of pack on his back. That is actually my father in law. He tends to err on the side of safety, can you tell?

My Husband was a sport and agreed to rip up old carpet in a spare bedroom. We spent a large part of the day pulling up the carpet board and staples. It also seems that the previous residents of our home used the wood floors as drop clothes while painting before they covered them with carpet 35 years ago. Thanks.

Small Soccer Fan

I forgot to mention that my nephew, Jared (Lee's sister's child), came to cheer the team on last weekend. Here he is cheering his heart out.


It got a little bright, so I let him borrow my hat.
I am a little jealous; my eyes have never been that big.

Champion of the Region

Lee began coaching a 3v3 soccer team not too long ago. This summer, his girls (all 11 or 12 years old) played in three local tournaments. The best they placed was second. But, placing second qualified them for the regional tournament. The regional tournament took place last weekend and his team beat teams from all over the Midwest. In the semifinal match they beat the Kansas City Impact and in the finals they conquered the St. Louis Starburst.

As if winning regional wasn't enough, it also qualified the team to play at Nationals. By the way, did I mention that Nationals are in January...in Florida...at Disney World? Also, did I mention that the team pays for flights, hotels and a car rental for Lee and I while we are down there? It pays to be the coach's wife.

Coach Lee in action...the pregame huddle. Did I mention that our team name is the Iowa Ice? I think it is because our uniforms are baby blue.

I think I might have been distracting the victors as Coach Lee and Parent Coach Arthur were trying to have a serious talk with the girls...Oops.

All of the girls are so sweet. One of the moms made the tanks especially for the weekend. On the back of each shirt is a different Disney princess. I wonder when little girls grow out of the princess phase? On second thought...I believe that was my goal two years ago when I got married; so I guess the answer is never, huh?

Happy 65th!

Today is my dad's birthday. We we out for a birthday breakfast before work.


We love you; thanks for being a great dad!

Okoboji with the In Laws

Last week, Lee and I took off and joined his parents and little brother at their timeshare on Lake Okoboji in NW Iowa. They have owned it for 18 years and have a lot of memories there (I do not).

It was the most unCriddle vacation. Nothing was planned, no shopping. Just relaxing, reading on the beach and a few rounds of miniature golf.


One morning, we got up bright and early to make our 6:30am tee time. I drove the cart. Jerry, LuEllyn, Lee and Lance made a handsome foursome.












I took this picture specifically because I laughed aloud that there was a herd of cows grazing next to the 15th tee.










Lots of reading under the big trees by the "beach."




























I made the family take this one after completing a round of miniature golf. I came in last, dang.














The burnt noses and sunglasses were the proof of a successful vacation.

Anyone Hungry?

http://uncutvideo.aol.com/videos/dba681398a3e668299683c1270b31b42?index=0

Bon appetit!