Sporty

Here is my 2009 Mazda 3. It's pretty sweet.
Livvy is cute.

Something Orange

Car shopping is strange. I have been looking online and researching all the makes and models, but then I have to go to a dealership and see what is actually available. I just want what I want. I really want a hatchback, but they don't seem to be readily available. Are they so popular that they sold out or are they do unpopular that nobody stocks them? Len and I went to Astoria/Warrenton on Saturday and I test drove a few. We went to the Suzuki place first. The Reno got great gas mileage, but drove like a go cart. Len loved the SX4, but I thought it drove like an SUV. Then we went to Oceancrest and I drove a little Mazda 3. I loved it. It was totally tricked out and drove like a sports car. Unfortunately is was more expensive used and three years old then the brand new Suzuki. I tried a Toyota Yaris, yuck, no guts. I drove a Ford Focus too, but it was really boring. So, this week we are planning a trip to the city to give Hyundai, Nissan, Honda, and Kia a try. After all of this, I may just buy some duck tape and get the Saturn going again.

Update

It is cold and wet and I am exhausted. Must be track season! This year the programs have been combined and we are now grades seven through twelve. I spend my time after school trying to keep 76 kids for hurting themselves, each other, or running amok. It is a challenge. We had a first home meets this week. Middle school on Wednesday and high school on Thursday. They actually went pretty well. Also on a plus the local newspaper photographer took some decent pictures.

Miss Livy's First Cupcake

Little Miss Livy turned one today! She celebrated with squealing, smashing a cupcake, trying to eat a ribbon, and playing with a plastic fork instead of her gifts. She also took two steps. Such a cute little pumpkin.

Only Seventeen

I feel old. I can't believe Adam is seventeen today. Wow. In one short year he will legally be an adult. Nuts. I found him a really cute shirt, but it is too small. Adam is so impossible to shop for and he actually really likes the shirt. I hope I can get it exchanged quickly. At the little family party tonight we had ice cream cake and cake flavored ice cream. He loves that. Funny kid. He hoped to have some D&D goober-festing this weekend with his friends.

Eighty-eight years young

Owen helped Grandma Barbara with her birthday candles.

Remembering that I am fond of reading

I just finished Coraline. It was a very quick little read, but I loved it and was reminded that before I started grad school I really liked to read. For the past two and a half years I have only been able to sneak in two or three pleasure books. I am so excited to remember that I can read what I want when I want.
Besides Coraline, I have only read one other Neil Gaiman book, American Gods, enjoyed both. Coraline had an Alice in Wonderland feel to it, but much darker. My favorite character was, of course, the cat and I have a new favorite quote. "No," said the cat. "Now, you people have names. That's because you don't know who you are. We know who we are, so we don't need names."
It is super stormy tonight and Len made a giant Spanish Tortilla for dinner. It was yummy.