I'm ambivalent about LeBron James. Having lived in Ohio during his high school years and his entry to the NBA, I am not sentimental about him. He struck me as a smart kid, having leveraged his skills early and positioned himself to make a lot of money and to take care of the people around him. But watching his mother (who lived in public housing and used food stamps) go out and get a loan for a Hummer for his 18th birthday based on his future income alone was sort of eyerolly. He's a businessman, essentially. I understand that all of Cleveland thinks they nurtured him, and in a way, they did. But he made the best deal he can in order to win a championship.

His NBA pay is nothing next to his endorsements, which shouldn't take too bad of a hit over his move. And I'm sure he bargained for a lot of perks--like getting some of his entourage hired by the Heat and travelling expenses on the road for his family.

I don't know that the lack of state taxes played very heavily into his decision. I think he wants to play with his buddies and win a championship. That doesn't bother me.

The hour long television coverage of his announcement was lame, though. And grossly self-serving. ESPN should be ashamed of itself over that whole fiasco.

I am home. It's nice to see the animals and I had hit my limit on family time, but not looking forward to unpacking and getting ready for tomorrow. Relaxing is exhausting.

Love the Maine pics! And did you two have fun?

Those fog pictures reminded me of our family Maine trip back in '82--one day, we drove up to Quaddy Head State Park (most NE point in the US), and the fog was just as thick. Very cool feeling walking along the beach when you could only see the vague outline of an outcropping some 30 feet out but you could here the barking of the seals basking on the rocks.

Also, loved the boat cruise around the bays! Isn't that fun? Mom, sis and I took a sailboat around Bar Harbor in the pre-twilight hour and had the best time. We were supposed to be on a bigger boat, but they had overbooked and asked us if we would be all right with a small boat. It was perfect for the three of us and our captain/guide, who even let us take the helm.

Oh, and I'm a big PBS geek--I recognize the name Deer Isle, Maine, from the Civil War series.

Ew, Cash...she did that? Gross. Don't worry about the shame, KO isn't done yet.(getting to ding an over-entitled athlete + former co-workers=priceless)

I would think kale chips would be too fragile for dipping, or at least they are when I make them.

Also, if I get hungry later after eating this curry monstrosity of broccoli, potatoes, and cabbage that I've got on the stove, I should slice up some zucchini and have it with hummus!

I know y'all know I'm crazy with the over doing stuff and tolerate me anyway. So with these last minute ebay auctions I did, I have 8 boxes to mail tomorrow, then 2 more things that just need mailing.

I also have at least 2 shopping bags of stuff to take to the thrift store and another bag of books to take to the library.

I thought I was being so good getting stuff out early. At least I'll get the thrift store stuff out and delivered before I pick up mac.

The large pile of stuff that I had put on my bed and in my closet for the movers to leave alone has been whittled down. Some I got into boxes the movers had already sealed. I opened them trying to find my BBerry charger, but instead found several things that did not need to be packed (including trash). I think one more box of stuff will completely finish things off. I will try to get it all packed tonight. All food in a container I want to keep is about to get transferred to take-out packaging.

Love the Maine pics! And did you two have fun?

Thanks! I did. I hope Theodosia did.

The boat trip (to Isle au Haut) was pretty awesome.

I love the fog too, except for the driving in it. [link]

Yup, erika. There was a big to-do about it at the time because it sparked an investigation over that and some throw-back jerseys he'd been given as a gift.

msbelle, hope you are doing something soothing right now.

After bitching, I did one more round of scraping, and ahhhh...gratification. Still need to do at least one more coat and really work on the detailing but: [link]

I love the captions, sarameg...peeled off like rotting flesh=HILARIOUS.