You're a good man, Homer Simpson

In my office when someone has a birthday we all take an hour break and sit around eating cake and talking. Also in my office, there is one person who enjoys doing most of the talking. He happens to the be the boss too.

Today was someone's birthday. I ordered a lemon raspberry cake with cream cheese frosting. The boss told a 25 minute story about the remodel he's doing on his house.
This was my experience:

Boss story:




My train of thought:


Mmmm cream cheese frosting.

Seriously, that's exactly what was like.

An Inspiration

So I've been watching a lot of the Olympic Games. I mean many, many hours each day. Too much? Maybe, except that watching the athletes has kind of inspired me. So I decided today I was going to go all Michael Phelphs and swim laps in our apartment pool - just for the fun of it. (I even learned how to do the different strokes from the Internet. Yeah, I'm that bad).

I had previously checked that there was no one else around to watch me. I'm not ready for judges yet. So, I get all ready and head to the pool. When I get to the pool, however, I can't get in. It's locked for cleaning!

That's twice this summer that they closed the pool, but I didn't find out until I was already at the gate.

Don't these people know how much effort it takes for a woman to put on a swimsuit and go out in public wearing it? The mental strength! The emotional stability! The shaving!


I deserve a gold medal just for making it to the gate!

I might have some Gold Meadow Mint Chocolate in the freezer.... that's close enough for me!

Home Again

You know that uneasy feeling you get in the pit of your stomach on Sunday nights when you realize the next morning you have to go to work again? Coming home from vacation is like that - only worse.

You know the headache you get when you've just finished making a huge batch of cookies and you see all the mess that activity has caused that now needs to be cleaned up? Unpacking from vacation is like that - only worse.

You know the dizziness you feel when you stare too long at one of those "hidden 3-D image" pictures and still can't see the jumping dolphins or whatever? Sorting out the budget after a vacation is like that - only worse.

So with the uneasy stomach, headache, and dizziness coming home has caused, maybe I should stay in bed just one more day....right?

Cultural Insight

I try not to be one of those dorky missionaries who always talks about the cool places they were in and what they do, but....

Italians are very good at taking vacation. One holiday I particularly am in favor of is Ferragosto. Basically the whole country shuts down for the month of August and goes to the beach. I think the US can learn from this.

The official day of Ferragosto is August 15th. EVERYONE is gone that day. Most people show so much dedication to the purpose of the holiday (either the ascension of the Virgin Mary into heaven or the goddess Diana and her fertility depending on your research source) that they take at least the week and usually the month off of work.

Anyway, the point is, this week in August is dedicated to doing nothing but relaxing and having fun. We plan to celebrate this whole-heartedly as we leave for Colorado. (Not a beach, but whatever). We hope you do too in any way you can. Maybe we'll start a trend.

(reads: closed for holiday will reopen Friday August 24th. Maybe.)

Minutes taken from the Burgoyne Blog Planning/Writing Committee Meeting:

• Events of Note since last blog:
  - Noah (nephew) born - practical joker already by spending 10 days in NICU just for fun but home now.
  - Cousin Carolyn married, beautiful wedding and time with family was almost worth the 2 hour delay at the airport.
  - Mamma Burgoyne's visit. Much fun and much dessert!!
  - Papa (Mike's grandpa) passed away. Described as author of all that is silly and fun in the family. He's home now too.
  
  
• Accomplishments/Areas for Improvement:
  - Shaina finished spring cleaning the apartment. Mike being away on business made throwing out clutter a more efficient process.
  - While Mike was away he picked out a dress for Shaina all by himself. Correct size too. Under consideration for advancement to head of the Fashion Committee.
  - Meeting scheduled with Budget Committee to review need of driving versus need of eating.
  
  
• Upcoming Events:
  - Groves' family trip to Durango
  - Football Season