Downturn and Dating

I was interviewed last week for a story on how the economic downturn may be impacting dating. As usual, only a few seconds of me show, but much of what is said is from other material I noted during the interview.

Here's the clip: Downturn Dating

Beach Trip Summer 2009

We spent the week leading up to July 4th at our condo in Atlantic Beach, NC. We had a lot of fun as we invited cousins and friends down to visit with us at various points in the week. Below, you see Callen, Emily, and Luke (two of Callen's cousins). They were so great with Callen!
Callen at Fort Macon: Mom do I really have to smile again?

Bo and cousin Betty

How to think like a sociologist

I know you've all been wondering -- how does a sociologist think? Now you can know!

How To Think Like a Sociologist

Trip Travails

We started our trek to NC last Friday. Before we left town Friday, a parent at Callen's school misjudged his turning radius and plowed into the back and rear driver's side of my car that morning. A good amount of damage but drivable thank goodness as we were taking it to NC.

We get to the beach Saturday early evening. After unpacking our car and playing with Callen some, we go out for a late dinner. We're crossing the bridge to the mainland when we hit something in the road. It was some type of strap with a big hook in it. Well, the hook punctured the rear driver's side tire! So, we put on the temporary spare as it begins to rain, thunder, and lightening. The tire that was damaged was a brand new tire! Less than 2 months old. Ugh.

Sunday we went to the beach and had a good time in the sun, sand, and surf. Some of my cousins came in around dinner time that day. Callen had a blast playing with her cousins Luke and Emily from Sunday night through Wed. afternoon! They were such great kids - never appearing to tire of playing with her!

Monday morning I start the dishwasher. A few minutes later my cousin walks in the kitchen and notices the floor is COVERED in water! The guys were out on their way to play golf and happened to call about this time. They didn't bother to come back and investigate what was wrong! We also had an issue with our disposal not working. Our local repair guy got it working but suggested replacing it soon. Then, last night I was washing shrimp to cook for dinner when I noticed water was pouring out on my feet. Oh yea, another plumbing issue! We have a plumber coming out in the AM to check out the dishwasher, disposal, etc. Yeah, more money, more money, more money!

Even with all these trip travails, we've had a great time thus far at the beach! The cousins left this afternoon and some friends come in this evening. Hopefully more good memories to come!

Here's to no more plumbing issues at our condo!

Hippy Scotch???

Huh? We were all on the floor playing this evening. Callen kept talking about hippy scotch and neither Bo nor I could figure out what she was talking about. Then, she said, "I'll show you" and she proceeded to pretend to play hopscotch. Oh, now we get it! I think I like the other name for it though...

Anyone up for some hippy scotch?

Prelude to Father's Day

Today Callen has a little program in her class at school for father's day. I'm planning to go too : ). I hope she doesn't burst out in tears like she did at the beginning of the mother's day program they had.

We don't have any special plans for father's day yet. I'm sure we'll go out to dinner someplace. And, we're having a pool playdate later Sunday afternoon.

What father's day traditions do you have in your family?

I Know I Shouldn't Be...

so bummed but I really am. Yesterday I had 2 manuscript rejections arrive! Not just 1, but 2! What is really annoying is that one of them had been under review for 4 months! And, then the editor makes a decision based on 1 review! Typically manuscripts are reviewed by 2-3 reviewers. Ugh. The review wasn't even that bad but the editor rejected the manuscript.

On the positive side, it looks like my husband's department may not be eliminated (at least yet). However, it looks like all county employees will be getting a 20% salary cut! Ouch. I don't know about you but we don't have an extra 20% of his salary just laying around that we can 'cut'. As it is now, we don't buy extravagant items, do big, luxurious trips, etc. I am grateful that he has a job (for now) but I am just amazed at how poorly the county we live in is run that they can allow the county to be in such a poor economic situation that they threaten the livelihood of all their employees.

This same county just the other day realized that they had not been billing some organizations appropriately for their sewer usage, including UAB! They informed UAB that it owes over a MILLION dollars! As a county, how do you make an error of this magnitude?

Let's hope today is a better day...