I had a nice day today, meeting up with friends for lunch halfway between here and DC. Woke up with a raging headache, but two Excedrin, another hour and a half of sleep + a large iced latte on the way to lunch killed it. Then I came home, cleaned the kitchen and ran up to my sister's (in a car, not on my legs). Best part? I have the next three days off. Er, mostly.

That sounds delicious, Typo. I love pot roast.

We went to the Solano Stroll (The Oldest Street Fair In the East Bay (tm)) today and watched Emmett's team walk in the parade. It was gratifying to hear the people who knew what their banners signified shouting encouragement to them. (Hey! State champs! Woo! etc.)

Matilda liked the horses in the parade and had an hour of fun at the set up outside the toy store with all the Brio trains and doll houses. She's very easy going at playtime and was shocked (Shocked!) at the breach of protocol by some pushy-grabby toddlers. She gave them total "WTF!?" looks as if they were the most egregious boors in an Austen novel.

Emmett did not give a shit about marching in the parade. I guess I can cross out "motivated by glory" on his personality profile. We had to yell at him to hold the banner.

He is motivated, however, by making Matilda laugh and did so regularly from the back seat. He has spent the rest of the day watching Freaks and Geeks on DVD.

I grew up on the Solano Stroll, lived about a mile away until I was 18. Once upon a time it was a night time event that was attended by just those in the neighborhood and then it grew and grew. In my teen years, I used to make and sell Cotton Candy for the Girl Scouts.

So glad y'all had fun. I'm pretty sure I know the store where Matilda was playing. Yay!

Why does my writing process always include 48 nervous breakdowns?

So Today we took down a small tree. ( I got bonked on the head twice -- next time bike helmet) But I ache just enough to be uncomfortable when sitting on the couch. What did pioneers do when they worked just a little harder than usual?

My peach cobbler turned out not terribly cobblery, but still tasty.

Sorry the creative process is so rough on you, Allyson.

Watching Frank Loggia ham it up as the vampire mobster in Innocent Blood is HILARIOUS. I'd forgotten it was set in Pittsburgh.

Target's using Domo Kun in their Halloween Advertising. This giant DK was hanging in the store this afternoon when Owen pointed up and said, "Mommy, what's that?" When I said, "Domo Kun" a nearby employee just looked at us and asked how I knew what it was. I felt like a ginourmous geek.

What did pioneers do when they worked just a little harder than usual?

Moonshine!

Oh, and tell Matt that I've been laughing at his joke all day.

Why does my writing process always include 48 nervous breakdowns?

Writing is fucking hard. It's a wonder anybody ever finishes a second book after knowing what it takes to finish a first book.

There's a pregnancy joke in there somewhere.