It's all good.

No, you don't have to worry. You will not be seeing us on Divorce Court any time soon. They're all booked up until November. Psyyyyyych! It feels so good to use that word again after like twenty years. I may not be bringing sexy back, but I'm going to try and bring psych back. Anyway, everything's fine. I can't say that everything is resolved, but there is no longer the threat of violence or name-calling. I think these are issues we will probably deal with forever, unfortunately. But it seems like things are progressing a little at a time, and I'm cool with that. ALRIGHT! I'll give you a hint as to what our fight was about. If you had to look up this fight in the card catalog of our life together, you'd probably want to look under "communication" (the lack of) and "money." I know. What a shocker.

So aside from our little grudges that lingered through the last week or so, everything's been pretty darn good.

Brian built Camp his first ramp. Camp was totally stoked and walked around all day with a notepad in which he and Brian had drawn all of the different types of ramps. Camp has been exceptionally good lately which has made me likely the happiest mother alive. He has gotten so much better at not hitting his friends, throwing fits, and going crazy when I say no. In fact, you are not going to believe this: the other day I was at the dollar store and when we got to the register, Camp asked me if he could have one of those jumbo-sized blow pops sitting below the counter. I said, "No. Not this time" and Camp replied, "OK, Mom, " with a sweet little voice. The cashier guy commented that he thought I should write a book or give classes or something. I just wanted to die. Seriously. I could hardly imagine a better note on which to leave the earth. The irony of the situation is so hysterical, considering that for about 90% of my experiences in stores with my kids, I probably had folks all over the place whispering about how I needed to be institutionalized or dragged out of the store with my kids at the very least.




Jane is a joy most of the time --going around telling Camp that he has a "poopoo wog in his gaipa (diaper pro- nounced guy-pa)."

Danin is standing on her own now, got her first tooth, and is eating big people food.

Brian is busy which is about the greatest blessing a self -employed person-- especially a general contractor -- could ask for.

And me? Man, I'll tell you. I have done so well lately at not losing my temper -- especially with my kids. And for about two weeks now, I have been able to defy myself by folding each load of laundry as it has come out of the dryer, so I have not had it pile up once. AND my flowers are looking fabulous. So if it weren't for the fact that my car is burning oil and smoking out everyone we drive by, I would pretty much be the coolest person in town.

So all is good in our hood.