Ugh. Emmett did something Shitty at camp today and there will be a Talk with both his mother and me tonight, and a (very unhappy making for him) Consequence.

He's been all giddy with summer happiness the last three weeks but now it will be crushed under the shiny boot of doom.

I don't like to be the boot, but boot I must.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!

For my birthday, I got cramps, a hellacious drive to the UPS depot, new shoes and a very busy day.

Thanks to Jilli I find myself lusting after Fluevogs, and shoes purchased on sale. Am now contemplating either these or these.

Oh dear. Only one of those makes a good birthday present.

I got Fluevogs: [link]

Oh, and a $550 check from the city. I'm not sure why on the latter.

They want you to buy more shoes?

ooh, purty shoes!

Burell, I love both of those. I know two people who have the flats and love them.

I risked life and back to mow my front lawn this evening. It was getting really long! As I was mowing by the side of the house I managed to accidentally knock the hose on the ground and hit the tap with the handle, which sprayed water all over the electric mower. Quite the smooth move. Luckily, I was planning to wait to finish mowing the back yard on the weekend.

I must confess, the money flow of this first-time mortgage having bewilders me at times: I get a $3K tax bill I am to ignore (mortgage holder pays it from my escrow,) city sends me a check whose source is unclear (homesteading credit? tax bill overpay?) a negative water bill, and come tax time, a check about the amount I will have spent on the deck and blinds.

It's confusing!