We're all a little Nutty

Yesterday, I did one of those things you always warn your kids not to do. Lee put a dripping vegetable grilling pan on the stove straight from the BBQ, and because it was leaking all over the burners, I reached over to pick it up and move it, completely forgetting that it just came straight off the BBQ. Lee swears that he heard sizzling, but I think that was from the condensation coming up from the oven, mixing with the hot pan. All I know is that I instantly dropped the pan, scattering oily veggies (perfectly cooked, and seasoned, I might add) all over the kitchen floor. I turned to the sink to run my hand under cold water and cried. Lee calmly began gathering up the vegetables because I told him we were going to eat them, dang it. It was truly almost laughable because I was so stupid for picking up the pan. 20 minutes later, I led the choir left handed at our choir practice with a bag of ice in my right palm. When the ice melted, the pain in my hand gradually intensified unti...

Today I had the opportunity to help judge the regional science fair held at BYU. I know it sounds demented, but I have been looking forward to it all week...not because I need one more thing to fit into my schedule or because I like the anxiety of judging those sweet students, but because I got to use my brain! I sort of got involved in this science fair thing in a backward fashion. Because our elementary teachers are so overwhelmed with their huge class sizes and No Child Left Behind standards, the teacher who normally oversees the science fair at our school was considering NOT having a fair because there just wasn't enough time and energy to do it. I told her I'd take it on if she'd be the brains and I'd be her arms and legs. It went fairly well, though I kept copious notes on all the things I could do better...because, of course, I can't imagine the teachers will be any less overwhelmed next year and it may very well depend on parents getting involved. I th...

You may not know this (doubt it), but Lee is Irish. He tells people every chance he gets. Their reaction is usually something like, "so?" It is clear they wonder why he is so proud. Ireland, as it turns out, is recruiting thoroughbreds. If you, your parent, or your grandparent were born in Ireland, then you can apply for Irish citizenship. It takes forever, and costs more than it's probably worth, and you have to jump through way too many hoops, but if you qualify, eventually they send you a letter informing you that you have been added to the "Registry of Foreign-born." Our letter came last July and we had green popscicles to celebrate. It being the month of Irish jubilation, we have an Irish flag hanging in our living room. (Everyone asks if it's Italy or Mexico or some other non-Irish affiliation, cause really...who hangs a flag from ANY country in their living room??) Lee is known for his "anti-hallmark-or-pagan-holiday" sentiments (fie Valenti...