I was like that the other day, Nilly. I don't like myself when I'm like that, either, and I'm not sure what brings it out, except fatigue and hunger (but sometimes, it happens when I'm neither tired nor hungry, so...).

Happy Anniversary, amych and DH!

And thank you for all the wishes.

I don't like myself when I'm like that, either

I guess it's so much harder when you have kids around, too.

sometimes, it happens when I'm neither tired nor hungry, so...

Sometimes, the amount of whines collected from all the very-little whines that are accumulated from all the everyday stuff that can whine a person - well, it just reaches critical mass, and is has to whine its way out. There's nothing specific that may cause it, because it's all a collection of tiny things, and yet, there you go. And then, you can't even have a specific out-loud whine to express, because it's nothing in particular, which makes everything even whiney-er, in a way.

Hmm, OK. I need something fun to think about. In honor of the Israeli summer vacation for high-schoolers that started yesterday, could you tell me about your summer vacations as kid? Or of your kids?

When I finish whining grading, I'll write about my owns, too (well, not kids, because I still don't have any, but that's a different whine altogether).

What are you talking about? We knew it was coming at least several days in advance!

Hee. Well, he used to be "S" anyhow. Now "S" just has a definition. Stop trying to define your own life and marriage. The Buffistas are already on the case.

A lot of parents complained, but I think they might be the parents who do the work for their kids.

I fight with a friend of mine all the time about this. He does his kids' homework. He believes that the teachers assign questions that are too hard for the kids to force kid-parent interaction.

My summer vacations as a kid consisted of swimming, or at least playing in the pool (diving for pennies, playing volleyball, splashing around on rafts) and getting tan. And parties. I realized the other day that it's possibly a little strange that I would organize and host backyard parties (for July 4th, or no reason at all) as a pre-teen and teen and invite all sorts of people including adults - and they would come!

The best thing about summer as a kid was how long the days lasted. I loved summer evenings and stayed outside as long as possible. Of course, since I didn't grow up with air conditioning, outside was nicer than inside.

I am a very bad dog parent.

Took the girl out last night, and we ran into one of my neighbors, so I was looking at him and not really looking at the dog and there was a bike chained up to a parking meter and the helmet was attached down near the pedals and by the time I noticed what was there I'm almost sure she peed on it.

Mind you, in this neighborhood, chances are she was far from the first, but yeouch. So, um, sorry guy. Really, really sorry.

Happy Anniversaries Fred & Hubs and amych & mr. amych!!!

I am glad I did not have my bike chained up in Brenda's neighborhood!

Happy Anniversaries amych and DH, and Fred and Hubs !

Bartleby peed on a neighbors boxwood that is 4 steps above the street. It was my fault. I stopped to pet the neighbor's rottie as they were coming out for their own walk. The fellow bellowed (former Marine general, no less) "I should pee in YOUR yard!" I allowed as how he should, he really should. He seemed mollified. I was mortified. It was 'fied.

So, um, sorry guy. Really, really sorry.

Dogs pee. Sometimes dogs pee on things. That's life.

Years ago I drove my parents' 10 year old Grand Marquis to San Francisco. I was staying at some friends' house in El Cerito. The next morning I noticed some fluid on the front tire. My first thought was that something was leaking, so (before I could realize that wasn't really possible for car fluids to leak on the outside sidewall of the tire) I put my finger on the fluid and smelled it to see what it was....