I get to have conversations like this:

Me: When you are floating on your back, you can put your arms and legs out just like a starfish.
E: I can't be a starfish because they don't talk.
Me: I can see that you are a boy and not really a starfish. But, if you like, when you are in the pool you can pretend to be E the Talking Starfish!

I "splurged" on some inexpensive lipstain yesterday to beat my rainy day blues ( Read more... )

I taught two classes today. The session started last weekend, but I'd gotten someone to sub for me because I'd already committed to and made reservations for the Festa event before they asked me to teach. I have a sub next weekend due to another prev. commitment ( Read more... )

I had a very early car appointment to get my inspection sticker, an oil change, and to have them check for a possible coolant leak (we spotted some little drips in the snow one day). I'd also recently noticed that when the car idled (when stuck in traffic, for example) the temperature gauge rose higher than usual ( Read more... )

I still sometimes pop my head too far out of the water when I breathe, but it is getting much better ( Read more... )

Every now and then, someone compliments me on my flip turns. This is always a nice surprise, but I do feel better about them than I do about my slow front crawl, for example ( Read more... )

This will be fun!

One "howling E" only hollered towards the end of class, when she was clearly "done." (Her parents agreed that she'd had enough, so they left a little early. The fussing didn't escalate that far, which was great.) I had more opportunity to chat with both of her parents this week, reassure them that taking it slow was fine, they could join in the ( Read more... )

I'll be helping to prepare for and oversee a sweet 16 party for the daughter of a dear friend. The theme is "Gothic Tea Party." We'll be serving things like red-velvet Vampire Bite cupcakes, tea sandwiches, and scones with blood orange marmalade ( Read more... )

1. The pussy willows where I walk are open ( Read more... )