summer life

I know it's been a while since I've posted. Trust me - it is not because my life is calm. I have been totally absorbed with finding a job. Not only do we need the money but if I don't get to socialize with other humans on a daily basis soon, I am going to need to be put in an insane asylum- oh wait - that's where I live- or at least it feels like it sometimes. Anyway - my business is on hold - ( who the hell can start one in this economy?) and I have a promising second interview set up with a company next week. Back to Princeton I go...( we hope - crossing fingers) .

Let's see we started out our summer with an awesome 3 day vacation to Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos. We had a good time although I found out that children are much more resilient than adults. That occur ed to me at 10pm one evening as I and some other tired looking mom ( after a day of non stop water park) were propped up against an elevator wall to keep from falling down and our children were bouncing around wondering what we were gonna do next. We just nodded to each other in sympathy - talking would have been too much.


A few weeks later we took a day trip ( the minivan does come in handy ) to Cape May. We went to Sunset Beach where we looked for "Cape May Diamonds"http://www.sunsetbeachnj.com/capemaydiamonds.html. We then had some - again very enthusiastic- kids that wanted to see the lighthouse and what was on top. We started the long 199 stair trek upward-with mom stopping by the alcoves on the way up to breathe. As I was catching my breathe and watching my children flit up 199 stairs like it was nothing - all I could think about - is how the heck could a lighthouse keeper do this? I mean what happened if they had to go potty? I'm thinking they carried bed pan with them- I know I would. - The mysteries of life. After our wonderful trek to the lighthouse we went to cape May beach where children frolicked and played on sand and in waves and mom laid on blanket trying to resurrect her legs. Dad stood by water so no one drowned or became shark bait. That evening in true Shearer never say die attitude we went to Wildwood- got dinner and ice cream and of course chocolate covered strawberries from Laura's.

For the 4th of July this year we went to the shore house and then off to fireworks. Of course us being who we are and having to contend with that damn Shearer cloud- the park was closed this year. So we found ourselves sprawled out on a dead end street waiting for the fireworks to start -all 13 of us- when a minivan pulled up behind us to drop off a family. As we turned to look - the minivan caught on fire. Thank goodness we were far enough back that we could stay safely where we were yet watch as one of the neighbors from the street came out with a fire extinguisher and put out the car fire for the nice Spanish family that stood outside of it looking perplexed. Then of course the fire dept came and the tow truck. It was like a pre-fireworks show. The kids of course were in their glory a fire AND fireworks- how much better could life get.

We took another exciting trip later on this month to my brother in aw Danny's house. Hailey had gone to Dee Dee's house so it was just the boys and us. Donald and Dan worked for hours on Dan's fish tank to make it pretty- unfortunately right as they were finishing, that darn Shearer cloud appeared and as Dan "tweaked" something - he broke a pipe- so there was running and draining 250 gallons very quickly to keep their living room from becoming a living reef. Needless to say we were there late. As the kids pointed out - it was already tomorrow. We pulled in our driveway and lo and behold saw nature up close and personal. We have a fox it seems. When we pulled in our driveway we met the fox who had unfortunately already met our female Guinea hen.The were already at the end of a tango. The kids were upset and wouldn't get out the van because they didn't want "to be eaten too". Finally after some calming - we got kids in and settled. I was upset but realized- ( because I had seen the Lion King ) - it simply is the circle of life.
The next day we found that the nest our guinea hen had been guarding was intact - so me being me - is playing mother nature with 12 eggs on my back porch with a heat lamp- hoping a miracle occurs and at least one hatches. We are now down to 4 chickens ( Blondie- the overgrown chicken - died unexpectedly last month ) and one very lonely male guinea hen. Our little farm is experiencing some bumps but I have no doubt that Farmer Don will take care of it ( by the way I'm still pushing for a wee little goat ).

Not much else is happening- our brand new - less than 2 months old dryer a blew circuit board so currently I am wearing some funky colors I normally never touch.( but own none the less)while we wait for parts. We're doing some school work to keep kids on track and I'm playing games on Facebook.( I refuse to update my status constantly- you want to know what I'm doing?- call me). Anyway that's about it-going away for our annual trip for Mom's birthday end of next week to start school shopping. Traveling with mom- is a blog in and unto itself so watch for that one next month. In the meantime keep your fingers crossed that I get this job and can remain as sane as I'll ever be.