It'll do, I suppose.

Any of you out there even mildly addicted to TV like I am knows that summer can suck when it comes to having something good to watch. I normally fill my summers with Bravo's reality-competitions and America's Next Top Model marathons on Lifetime.

But we have Dish Network rather than cable now, and though in general I'm very pleased with the service, Bravo and Lifetime are not included in the basic package. At present I refuse to pay $20 a month more for two channels, even though I'm having some serious Kathy Griffin and Tom Colicchio withdrawals. Maybe when Will starts making that big Warrant Officer money in a few months...

So, anyway, I haven't watched TV since Lost ended in May.

But then Will DVR'd a new show on ABC called Defying Gravity. Out of desperation and boredom, we finally watched it Thursday night.



It's a little like Lost, Battlestar Galactica and Grey's Anatomy had a manage-a-trois that resulted in an illegitimate, mildly retarded love child.

It's set in space, on board a ship in the future (2052) where the mission is for 8 astronauts to explore 7 planets over 6 years.

There's lots of cheesy relationship drama.

There's some big, dark secret that will be central to the plot of the show that they allude to constantly but never reveal (other than it's referred to as "Beta" and apparently resides in Pod 4 of the ship, but it took nearly 90 minutes just to get that much).

And even though the acting wasn't always stellar and the flashbacks were confusing (even for a seasoned Lost veteran like me), you can bet I'll be watching it every week. With Will right there watching it, too. Because we're geeks and it's defiitely geek TV. And because there's nothing else on. And because, damn it all, now I need to know what Beta is and why he/she/it is messing with people.

Hmmm...Maybe Beta is the Smoke Monster. Or a Cylon.

Lunchtime Poll Topic #6

Mercifully, the boys head back to school Monday. Yep, Monday. School starts really early in these parts. The neighboring county where most of our friends live starts back to school today. Who starts school on a Friday?

In honor of back to school week, I've got TWO lunchtime poll topics for you today. Both are all about school, both short and sweet.

1. School uniforms? For them or against them?

2. Homeschooling? Yes--it's the only way to go, or, No--I don't want my kid to grow up to be one of those freaky, socially awkward homeschool kids.

As for uniforms, we've never lived in a district that required them so I can't speak from experience, but it seems like it would make life so much easier. And possibly cheaper. Ben is getting to the age where he's picky about clothes, and I know kids notice what other kids are wearing. I know that Wal-Mart jeans may get made fun of. I buy the Wal-Mart jeans anyway because I'm not going to feed into the idea that he can only wear certain brands of clothing to be liked, but I'm aware that if we lived in a wealthier area he might catch some flack for having a budget wardrobe. (As it stands, our elementary school encompasses the very poorest area of town, so even in his Wal-Mart jeans, Ben is well dressed comparatively.) Anyway, I think it would be so nice to just buy a stack of khaki pants and white shirts and call it good. Especially once Amelia is in school. Girls and clothing are a bad combo.

As for homeschooling, no. No, no, no. It's not for me. I'm not against homeschooling in general. I think there are circumstances where it's needed and better for your kids. I think there are some parents who excel at homeschooling and are better than any teacher could be. But there are some people out there who are too ignorant to homeschool. I'm sorry, but it's true. If you're dumb as a rock and homeschool your kids, your kids will likely be dumb as rocks too. I also think if you're homeschooling to "protect" your kids from the evils of society, you're not doing them any favors.
I went to highschool with kids who had been homeschooled through eigth grade. They were from two different families. The kid from one family was extremely smart, well rounded, socially adept and popular. He ended up being our senior class president. The other was socially stunted, had no idea how to interact with others, how to deal with minor conflicts or how to navigate the social intricacies of high school. And she was so far behind academically it was sad. So, I think if you're considering homeschool, you really need to be objective and think about if you're truly qualified to do so. For me, it boils down to patience. I have none. Homeschool would be highly unpleasant for both me and the kids. We're better off with public shcool, even if Georgia has less than stellar schools.

So how about you? Where do you stand?

Thursday Morning Confessions: Not at the Y Edition

Happy Thursday, internets!

I'm not at the Y right now like I normally am, so you get your Thursday dose of TMI much earlier than usual.

Here we go.

1. One of the reasons I'm so excited for school to start on Monday is that it means Boy 1 and Boy 2 will probably be pooping at school rather than at home. Anyone who's ever had a 5 or 10 year old boy needs no further explanation.

2. This picture is the story of my life this week. That evil little girl is my hero. (Don't ask. You really don't want to know).




3. I'm not at the Y because I have my yearly "well woman" doctor appointment. All the ladies out there just crossed their legs, folded their arms across their chests, cringed, and felt really sorry for me.

4. It's probably a good thing I'm not a violent person, or I might be in jail this week.

5. Amelia is fascinated by my "big nurples." She talks about them all day long. All. Day. Long.

6. Exclusive confession for Sylwia: My top secret cranberry walnut oatmeal cookies are from a mix. That's why they're top secret. (Everything else I've made you really was homemade, I swear!).

7. Ben is completely capable and willing to get his own cereal and make his own lunch, but my germ phobia and the idea of 10 year old boy hands, even washed, won't allow it.



8. Yesterday Liam was taking armfuls of things out of Ben's room while Ben was outside. When I asked why he said, "These came from Germany so they're mine." Apparently he believes that because he was born there, everything else in our house from there is his. For the record, none of the toys he was pilfering were actually from Germany.

9. All three kids are obsessed with visiting Sylwia in the hospital. It's because she saves up italian ices for them to eat and lets them play in her wheel chair. We didn't go yesterday and Ben informed me I was a bad friend for not going. How could I leave her there alone?!

10. Speaking of Germany (we were, remember?), we might just be living there again next June. Nothing's set in stone, and we could very well end up somewhere else (like how we're supposed to be enjoying life in the Pacific North West at Ft. Lewis but are instead in rural Georgia), but for the moment the orders say Grafenwoehr, Germany (it's near the border with The Czech Republic).

People who are less talented than I.

I'll probably be back later today with a real post, but for now you can make yourself feel like a better, more talented person with a simple click of the mouse. Unless, of course, you made one of these horrors. In that case, I'm sorry. There's no hope for you.

First there's Cake Wrecks. Oh dear, have you seen this? It's a chronicle of hilariously bad cakes. They're so bad they're good.

Then there's Craftastrophe. I just discovered this one. Sadly it reminds me of some of my past creative failures. It features crafts that are not necessarily poorly executed, but they'll still make you wonder what the crafter was smoking when they came up with the concept.

Enjoy!

You're supposed to be thinking about Jesus.

The following conversation took place during Sacrament meeting (like communion in other churches) at church yesterday.

Liam: "Annakin was living on the Death Star when he was called Darth Vader and Luke came and..."

Me: "Shhh. We don't talk about Star Wars during the Sacrament. You need to think about Jesus."

Liam: "...so, Jesus was on the Death Star with Annakin and..."


Boys.

Proof that clothes can make or break you.

So, the dress I'm wearing in this week's Operation: Get Skinny update picture is a size eight. Yeah, that's right, an eight. However, because the front has a ruched, empire waist, I not only look like I've gained rather than lost, I also look like I'm 6 months pregnant (I'm not, trust me).

Anyway, here it is. 104 pounds down (which is about the same as the last picture I posted).

I guarantee you a man invented this.

Watch this commercial and tell me this product wasn't designed by a 20-something male and his college buddies.



And yes, as a matter of fact it is inappropriate for you to think what you're thinking. You better stop laughing before you get in trouble.