A Lesson in Shee-mu and Weewee Honka

I have been a traveling lady. In the last week-and-a-half, we've gone from Virginia Beach VA to Columbus OH to Memhis TN to Orlando FL, and now I write to you from Scottsdale AZ. Whew, that's a lotta trekkin'.

Let me tell you what, I was not too good to haul ass and sprint to catch my plane this morning, because to miss it meant another week in the car. I am not a good long-distance driver or passenger. I get cranky and crabby and generally unpleasant to be around. Praise God that my husband loves me and hasn't left me on some nowhere highway for the coyotes.

I am DYING right now for that little port on the computer that my camera's memory card fits into, but this one just doesn't have it. I don't mean to brag, but I have what may possibly be the cutest nieces and nephews EVER. If only I could prove it today...alas.

While we were in Ohio, we spent time with my sister's 3 wee beasties. At 5, 2 1/2, and 1, they are fun just to observe. The two oldest are boys, and Baby-girl Sara is a princess. While we were there, we were schooled by Andrew, 2 1/2, on "Weewee Honka," and the "Poompas on the Chok-O-Lot." It has been determined that he is speaking of Willy Wonka and his Oompa-Loompas, who (according to him) are the crunchy bits on the chocolate bars. We also learned about "naked pizza night," which we plan to incorporate into our child-rearing tool-kit. Basically all the kids strip off their shirts and can dig in as messily as they want, then you just lock them out onto the patio and hose them clean. This is a big hit all around. The pizza, that is, not the hosing.

Memphis: RIBS.

Then it was on to Orlando. The Lt's older sister and her family are there, so we wanted to drop in. It was great finally getting to know her, after being with the Lt for only 5 years... Their kids are awesome, so we decided to go to SeaWorld. Works out really well, since military members and up to 3 guests get in FREE. (Thank you, Anheuser Busch.) So, we're at SeaWorld, in between the potty breaks that is, and Uncle Lt and Aunt Ashley keep talking about this Shamu person, and how cool she is. Well, who is Shamu?, we get asked. We go over to the orca tank, and can you believe that 2 orcas end up coming over and waving (fins) and nodding and showing great huge tongues and rows of seal-crushing teeth. It was really cool how they were interacting with all the kids, but I'm still not sure who was mimicking who!

It's at this juncture where we're explaining to the kids that Shamu does a show just like the dolphins do, and later we'll see her jump high and swim fast, and even get splashed by her, that Tristan, 6, says: "Um, Aunt Ashley? I think it's SHEE-mu." And the boy cannot be convinced otherwise. He is also highly skeptical of the fact that many of his peers have probably seen Shee-mu and would be interested to hear about his day at Seaworld, and will debate you for hours that he has surely seen horses MUCH bigger than the Budweiser Clydesdales. The ultimate highlight of the day: teaching your nephew a new word. When asked by his mother how big is Shee-mu?, he answered in an awestruck whisper that "she is giNORmous!"

In knitting news, the Eris cardigan is neverending. There are pros and cons of knitting your sweater in one piece. Pro: no piecing. Con: 300+ stitch rows. It takes me so long to do one little row that by the end I'm tired.

Have successfully finished some baby items from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Well, just one technically finished, the other just needs stuffed and stitched shut.

There is much progress on a Dale project on teeny tiny needles. I don't care what you sock knitters say, size 0-2 does not a car-project make.

BTW, if you haven't seen/heard Madonna's new song, it's the straight shiz, yo. What I mean is that it's an awesome, techno-disco, make you want to do the hustle right there in the bank, groove. The video is super slick, she's in full flashdance diva regalia and her body is as state-of-the-art as ever. She obviously works like a maniac, because she's got an ass that just won't quit. Love her or hate her, she's a force to be reckoned with.