Limit 20 Items

I was at Super Walmart today picking up a couple of groceries. As I finished picking up the last item in the produce section, I headed toward the checkout lines. And this is really what happened: I saw the Express Line "Limit 20 Items." I took a quick glance down at my cart. I used the skills I learned in third grade and thought, "My estimate is that there are approximately 15 items in my cart...TOPS." I went to the line with the fewest people. One would think that the Express Line would be relatively quick. In fact, the word 'express' comes to mind. Not this one. As I stook patiently in line, I looked at the magazine rack to my right. Nothing good. I waited and waited. This is the Express Line for crying out loud! Then, as the customer in front of me placed item after item on the counter I began counting. C'mon, you would've, or have, done the same thing! I counted up to 23, that's right, and then stopped. Clearly this person, A) should have paid more attention in third grade, B) was extremely selfish, or C) cannot read. I'm going to go with 'B' and say this person just does not care about the signs in Walmart. Her negligence in the grocery store leads me to believe that this person may also disobey other signs in life (i.e., traffic signs). I know it's far-fetched, but I'm really angry about this. I wanted to reach out and say (or scream), "Clearly, this line is for people who have FEWER than 21 items. I can see that you have chosen to purchase more than that. Therefore, I think you should take your large behind and all of your items to the next line over. Thank you, and have a great day!"

Our Attempt at Saturday Evening Mass

This evening, we attempted to go to church. That's right, we attempted. We normally frequent the 11 o'clock mass on Sunday's. Brett has a conflict tomorrow, so we decided to go this evening. I looked it up on the Internet, and it said mass was as 6pm. It takes about 15 minutes to get there. So, we got in the car (pouring rain and all) and drove over to Sacred Heart. We arrived at approximately 5:45pm to find the parking lot was pretty full. Now everyone who is Catholic would think the same thing at this point. "What's going on? No one shows up this early for chuch. EVER." I always like to be there early though, like most places. On Sunday's at 10:59am, the chuch is bustling with families trying to find a seat. The pews get really crowded at 11:03am. We even get a couple of stragglers during the first reading. You all know exactly what I mean, right?! I guess it's the Catholic Way. Anyway, it turns out that I remember there is a dinner at the parish hall that begins at 6pm. Mass was moved to 5pm today. So really, we just enjoyed the 30 minutes of quality time together in the car. We'll try again tomorrow and hope it turns out a little better. At least we didn't get as far as walking in and taking a seat, right?

We're Brewin Up Trouble

Last year for Brett's birthday, I bought him an at-home beer brewing kit. And yes, we are just now getting around to using it! We started last Sunday with sterilizing and mixing. This evening, Brett began bottling. It sure does smell like a bad party in our house right now! Brett will have to let you know how it turns out. We have to wait about two weeks before trying it. I forgot to take pictures while we were working hard, but here's what the kit looks like. It's not the exact one that we have, but I couldn't find the website.

Another week down, many more to go. Brett had a busy week with work and recreation. He spent two days covering soccer and football for one of the high schools, played frisbee down town one evening, and we went to a dinner last night. I had two away volleyball games and practice, but that's it. Needless to say, we're not seeing each other all that much. Sound familiar, Suzanne and Ian? And poor, poor Puckett. What a sad life he lives these days...

Oh, so you want to know what happened at school this week? Wait, are you assuming that some crazy things happened with my Catholic junior high kids? You assumed right! I had four 7th graders that got caught cheating. I also had one student who broke an ink pen on his hand. On his way to wash his hands in the bathroom, he wrote on the wall, "Daniel was here." His name is not Daniel. So yes, he was caught and suspended. Good job guys. I think we may need to go to confession next week.

It's Saturday!! Big games today - Notre Dame vs. Michigan, Fresno State vs. Wisconsin, USC vs. Ohio State. Brett is also leaving tonight and going to sit in the new sky box at the Boise State game. I guess that's cool if you like BSU. :o)

We are...N-D!

The second Saturday of the college football season brings us the season opener of Notre Dame football. There wasn't a question about what I would be doing today. After last year's season, a dismal record with only a couple of wins, I can't say my enthusiasm is where it normally would be at this time. But, as a faithful Notre Dame fan and a true Catholic (ha!), I had to get fired up and get my ND gear out.

Unfortunately, the Irish struggled through three quarters of football against San Diego State. Who would've thought? (A rhetorical question.) Thankfully though, Jimmy Clausen has found a way to get a couple of TD's on the board. And to think that Michigan is going to be in South Bend next week! They better get it together mighty quickly.

I would like to say that I hope your favorite college football does well this year. I would be lying though. My heart belongs to Notre Dame, and I always root for Fresno too. Go Irish!

Grandpa Seaver Needs You

Some of you may know or have heard of my grandfather in the Seaver family. He has been diagnosed with severe Alzheimer's disease, but is currently living at home with my grandma. As of late, he has thrown his dentures into the toilet, much to the dismay of my grandmother. Things are getting frustrating and it's something that cannot be controlled. I ask you, my friends and family, to keep Grandma and Grandpa Seaver in your prayers.

All in a day's work

This has been an extremely hectic and busy week for us. Monday was the only evening that we've actually seen each other before dinnertime. No lie. Brett has been busy with covering events (soccer and football) and ultimate frisbee. I have been swamped with volleyball games, school, and Parent Night.

There were a couple of mishaps at school I wanted to share. Yesterday, while I was consoling a crying 8th grader (think Mean Girls), one of my 8th grade boys dislocated his knee cap and tore his miniscus. Of course it was me who was on yard duty that day! Today, while I was teaching 7th graders with the door open, and 8th grade boy puked right outside the door. I guess this is the stuff they just don't prepare you for in college, right?

All in all, I think we're having fun. I wouldn't exactly say we see a lot of each other these days, but I know it will all work out.