Day 101

Drake had finally managed to trap the giant lizard, but after falling into the trap himself, he knew that only one of them would leave alive...







We find geckos like this in the house on a semi-regular basis. This little guy fell into a can that we had stored up on a shelf & couldn't get out, and just about gave me a heart attack when I got the can down. After I took the photo, Drew took the can to the front yard and set it down on its side. It's true that only one of them was alive and able to escape, and it wasn't Drake! I can honestly say that no gecko was injured in the making of this picture.

Day 48

One of the questions I'm asked a lot is, "Do you work?" That's usually met with the Captain Obvious look and a smile. I have six children. Of course I work! When do I ever NOT work? No, I don't have a salaried position outside of my home.

Every six months, though, I spend two days working as a staff member for Divine Consign, one of the largest semiannual consignment sales in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. (We may even be the biggest; I'm not sure.) With two locations, Grapevine and Plano, DC has a combined 70,000 square feet of kids' clothes, baby gear, toys, maternity, and nearly everything else that's baby- or child-related. As a staff member, I work during the presale, when the sale is closed to the public but open for volunteers, consignors, and first-time moms. I'm a devoted DC shopper--with raising six kids on one income it's been a lifesaver--and have shopped there almost exclusively for eight years.

This is a shot taken last night in Plano--AFTER all of the consignors and volunteers finished shopping, and this is still probably less than a third of what is there. (And yes, that's Drew ducking to try to get out of the pic. Didn't work.)

So yesterday, at the Plano presale, I scored some great deals as a shopper but also spent 12 hours on my feet working my staff position. Total exhaustion, but I'm excited to do it again next week in Grapevine! If you're in the Dallas area, check out the Plano sale, at the Plano Center on Spring Creek just east of 75. The Plano sale is open to the public today (Friday) from 9a-8p, and Saturday is half-price day, also 9a-8p. Grapevine is next week, and there are still volunteer shifts open that will allow you to shop the presale night.

With all that being said, the Plano sale floor was the setting for yesterday's photo.

Brian and Josh had heard about the black market for body parts, but neither had any idea it was this bad. In any case, they were confident that they could rescue the next intended victim.

Day 28

Today's picture may not make you laugh, but I know it will bring a smile to at least a few faces. I'm hoping that after four weeks straight of humorous photos, you'll indulge me for just a day without a play on words.

My cousin Micheal (no, that's not a typo!) is fighting cancer right now. She's nearly done with weeks and weeks of chemo, and will soon start a combination of more chemo with radiation treatment added. I'm not brave enough to shave my head completely in support of her brave fight and strong spirit, but this is my tribute to her as a show of solidarity. I'm so impressed with her inner strength and determination.

Bald is beautiful. Cancer stinks. Micheal, we salute you.