Yes, the protein powders are very popular with the athletes I know that have a hard time consuming adequate calories.

The best sleepovers I have involve setting up the big tent outside with extension cords and game machines. Tons of pillows and snacks and the boys have a blast. Vacuum out the tent the next day. Girls may be different.

if he can't make it/move his excuse for not being able to host the birthday, could you possibly still do it in his place, only without him being there?

We could, except he really *wants* to host it. He just wants to host it on Saturday evening. It turns out that some friends of his from the other end of the country are here that weekend and he accepted an invitation to an all-day barbecue an hour's drive away from home. But he wants to be the birthday party's host, and so we should move the party to 6 or 7 Saturday night.

So now I get to go over there today for the traditional post-church Matilda visit and explain to him that the party is happening next Sunday just as planned (we'll likely move it to a nearby park), and he can be there or not, but we're not having a toddler's birthday party on a Saturday night. In my brain I'll probably be adding things like "Crazy Melty Land" and "under the sofa in HELL" but not out loud. I hope.

ION, megan walker is a fabulous mixologist and her vodka drinks last night were tart and citrusy and thoroughly yum.

Protein powders are an excellent idea. You can throw them into a milkshake for extra caloric oomph.

Random note: My spellchecker does not like the words "spellcheck" or "mixologist" but thinks "oomph" is just peachy.

Lots of good luck with your dad, JZ. He sounds like the kid in this story.

Protein powders were noted if and when I'll go underweight. Right now, just finished another piece of marvelous cake after two full meals, hell lot of snacks and dinner's still in the foreseeable future. I'm so full.

I'm doing my best to keep this weight on (I hope it'll stay!), AIFG.

You know, much as I like Jimbo Fisher and I'm glad they have the Plan for the Future in place, I still grumble every time I look towards Athens, GA-- because there's the guy who should've been the head coach. If Bobby had stepped down after the last National Championship, Richt would've been able to step into the void and I think we'd have had both that sense of stability, plus the injection of new blood. For me, he'll always be The One Who Got Away.

Yeah, it's Bowden's 33rd year and it looks like he'll be here until 35. I can't imagine him willingly leaving until that milestone ends and it's just. It's not doing this team any favors at all.

It seems so stupid that there's Unconquered on all the FSU stuff since we are so very conquered.

On the other hand at half time they honored all the teams who'd gone to NCAA finals - women's soccer, women's track (broke an ACC Record), swimming, diving, and of course baseball.

Right now I'm sitting on my front porch, first time I've done this, not as comfortable as probably my back porch (and quieter) but it seems kind of social to be out here when the downstairs neighbors' kids are playing and the neighbors are on their porch across the way.

Front porch sitting is indeed sociable in the right kind of neighborhood, Askye. I kind of wish there was something other than a cathedral annex across the street from us.

I can't imagine him willingly leaving until that milestone ends and it's just. It's not doing this team any favors at all.

Hub and I were talking about this last night at dinner.

It's just so frustrating. FSU can't recruit the kind of top players they once did because they aren't a top 20 team (and god it kills me to say that) not saying we have bad players but the top notch players want to go where they can win and I understand that.

Plus, I have no idea if this is true, but I've heard it a couple places, before Jimbo Fisher got here, it had gotten to the point where recruiting was done just based on tape. And it's painful to listen to the post game shows, Bobby gets confused about players names and things like that.

I think the best thing for this team would be a really bad losing season, something to shake everyone. Because I think there's a sense that it's not that bad, we're in a rebuliding phase or something.

Also it's hard to listen to the post game show because Peter Tom Willis is gone, they fired him (basically) evidentally he was too critical of the team, so there's a new guy. And he says things like "break bread Seminoles" and "chop it up" which are just not the same was hearing PT say "I see you Chris Ponder!" after a big play.

under the sofa in HELL

Adds this to my top ten favorite phrases.

TY Javachik! I'm going to flag that article for TWC as soon as I get back in range.

We had a great night out with our friends when the rest of the group offered to babysit. And I got forgiven because i took the kids on a field trip with friend's dh and she could spend some time with her daughter. Also, she wrote someone else out of the will and ran out of people to play with.

She is already planning us in for next year but friends DH and I are booking club med. Or something.

Also it's hard to listen to the post game show because Peter Tom Willis is gone, they fired him (basically) evidentally he was too critical of the team, so there's a new guy.

Yeah, I know-- heaven forfend he should speak the truth. Bobby's ego has gotten the best of him and he's lost utter control of that team. It's so sad. I remember being there when we broke into the Top 25 and went to the Gator Bowl and the All America Bowl (I hate that freakin' stadium in Birmingham). And then '87 and the Fiesta Bowl and just utterly decimating Nebraska and the beginning of that glorious run of top-4 finishes.

It was a giddy, wonderful time and it's just so sad to see what the program has devolved into.

it had gotten to the point where recruiting was done just based on tape.

I've heard the same thing from a pretty reliable source.

I think the best thing for this team would be a really bad losing season, something to shake everyone. Because I think there's a sense that it's not that bad, we're in a rebuliding phase or something.

In total agreement.

it's just so sad to see what the program has devolved into.

Exactly

ETA: Here are photos of my neice, Amelia!