August

Normally I loath August in all its hot, never endingness. Seriously, I don't know how it happens, but I swear there is at least 5 more days in August then any other month. Maybe its the effect of having two 31 day months in a row, though January never gives me this kind of stress. Then again, there are holidays in January whereas August is just a whole lot of nothin. (Except for some family birthdays, but really, if they're not mine they don't really count)

Anyway. There is my rant on august. And it doesn't apply this year. I always approach August with trepidation, and my bleak outlook just hasn't panned out this year. We did have those abysmally hot days last weekend, but the rest of the month has been pleasant and lovely. Usually the days of August drag by, but this year I'm surprised to look at the calendar and see that it's already the 21st. School starts next week and tomorrow we leave for Long Beach, WA and the International Kite Festival and a last big Hurrah for Summer! Rob's mom, Elaine, is a kite fanatic and has been wanting to go to the festival for a long time. She asked us along this year and we eagerly agreed, even though it means we will be missing our own Lentil Festival here in Pullman. And I'm sorry for that since this is probably our last summer in Pullman and the lentil festival is the high point of the summer here. Sam and Grace are very excited to be spending the weekend with Grandma; Sam especially. He had his backpack packed and ready with all the essentials (toys) weeks ago! The backpack was on his bed for a few weeks where he would periodically change around its contents. Then about 5 days ago he moved it to right by the front door so we would be sure not to forget it. On Tuesday I bought him a new backpack for school and the moment we got home from the store he sat right down and lovingly moved all his stuff from the old to the new, and then moved the new pack a few inches closer to the door... just in case it would be overlooked in the old position! I anticipate a highly successful weekend, even though we will be tenting it Friday and Saturday night and the chance of rain isn't all that small. But we'll be right by the beach and such roadside attractions as the largest cast-iron skillet in the world and the amazing alligator man (half man, half alligator), and best of all, more kites then you could possibly imagine! Who says August can be dull?

The Dog Days

Out of nowhere Pullman decides to hit us with some real summer days. We'll be hitting 100 degrees and beyond tomorrow and I'd like to point out that I've checked the weather forecast for all the places where my family live and with no exception, not even those in Arizona, we'll be the most miserable tomorrow. Factor in our lack of A/C and windows that face full west and I almost want to cry.  However, by Wednesday we should be back in the 60's and raining... so a typical day in this not so typical Pullman summer. I have to say this has been the coolest summer I think of my life. By the end of it I'll probably be able to use my fingers to count the number of times we hit 90 and beyond. Growing up in Arizona, I'm not used to summers like this. I like it! 

O frabjous day!

Our neighbors are moving!!!! Pure joy is making my little heart leap and frolic with glee. No more  cigarette and pipe smoke pouring into my bedroom window while I try to sleep, no more waking up at 4 am Sunday morning to listen to domestic altercations that end with visits from the police and trips to the E.R. because of aggravated assault and battery, no more vulgar and foul language to listen to, no more holding my breath when passing their apartment in the stairwell. 

Bliss. 

Until the next ones move in. 

Who could be even worse, though I'm struggling to conceive how.