Attack of the Frogs -** POST EDIT

I know you can't see this very well (because I took it with my phone camera and it was dark outside) but this massive fella is who was waiting patiently at my door when I came home from running errands.

Let me back up a little. We have a lot of frogs around our house. When it rains, sometimes Carl and I will go walk the streets with a flashlight looking for them and in Carl's case, making them hop. It's pretty fun. You might remember that we used to have a frog and I'm generally an amphibian lover. Generally.

Back to coming home. So, this frog is giant. Probably a toad. What's the difference again? Warts? Anyway, I am fascinated by him. He is so still, won't even look at me. Maybe because he thinks I'm actually inside the door. Anyway, I stand there looking at him. He looks like a nice frog. I stand there staring at him, marveling at the amphibious wonder that "landed on my doorstep" and I see something move out of the corner of my eye. It's near the light and since it is dark outside my eyes had a hard time adjusting to see what was moving. I finally realize that a much smaller frog has climbed up the stone front of the house and is perched between stones up by the light. (here is an incredible side note: as I sat staring at the colossal frog I looked over at the stone and thought how cool it would be if the frogs would climb up it...and they did!!)

Now my fascination has turned to the little guy. He's moving. He jumps from the stone to the window frame right next to the door. See picture below.

(again, phone camera and horrific lighting)

Okay, so I'm just sure he's looking for bugs to eat. Hooray, I hate bugs. I'm trying to stare at him but the light is really messing with my eyes. I shield the light with my hand and watch him until he makes a massive leap across that window to capture his dinner. Solid work, Froggy.

I've now been standing on my doorstep, bags in hand, for at least 10 minutes. I have since sent pix messages to both Carl (who was at boy scout camp) and my dear friend, Summer (who cleverly sent a pix message back of a meat tenderizer as a solution). At this point I realize I'm going to have to get through that door.....but how? I'm worried that if I open that door I have two likely possibilities that are both unfavorable. One: Fatty Frog will jump in through the doorway into the house - he was almost leaning on the door. No good. Two: Ninja Frog up in the corner would jump on me as I walked under/past him. Also no good. I considered walking around and going in through the garage. No, too sissy.

A good portion of this story is unfolding in Summer's ears because now we are talking on the phone. She's listening to my every evaluation and my pep talk for myself trying to get through that door. I'm gearing up to just go through. "No, I'm too nervous. Pull it together, Callie, you can make it. But what if..."

And then.....Summer offers to come over with her husband and help me get through the door frogless. Ha. They live across the street so I accepted her offer. A few minutes later they show up, armed with a broom. Dave swept Biggy into the bushes (no easy task. did you know some frogs are stubborn?) Then he captures the little one in his hands. He was so brave. The way was clear, I gave thanks to my rescuers and bid them goodnight.

You know how some little kids "Love doggies" but as soon as one gets near they turn hysterical. I'm pretty sure I was that kid. And for those of my friends and family who were with me through the "bird down the chimney into the fireplace" event and the "brazilian bug on my souvenir and toilet bowl" fiasco, you will not be surprised how this all went down.

Whew. Thanks, Traxlers. You were a life saver! and I am a sissy afterall.

**POST EDIT:

8/21/09 - LAST NIGHT!! after writing this post Carl and I went out. When we got home it was dark, and we stopped in front of our doorstep because I saw a frog in the window frame again. This time on the ground. I got a little nervous but was determined to not be a sissy. So I took a step towards the door to unlock it and he started jumping around and I thought Carl was going to step on him in the commotion but instead he jumped RIGHT. INTO. MY. LEG!! I squeeled a little, and my ankle felt slimy, and then we hurried inside. Hilarious. And, I also felt a little validated on my concerns of the other frogs jumping on me or into the house from the previous story. Can you believe that happened?! Right into my leg and then bounced right off. Ha!

Questions...

1. Does anyone have a vegetable chopper that they really like and that works? I want one but am worried about buying one that doesn't work. I would like to be able to dice tomatoes, apples, cucumbers...anything my little dicing heart desires. Suggestions? Suggestions on what NOT to buy?

2. For my Maryland friends - does anyone else feel like there is no good produce around here? I feel like every time I go to the grocery store it takes me forever to pick through all the bad produce to find a half-decent _____.



3. Also for my Maryland friends - does anyone need a cute bedskirt, sheets, pillow shams for a twin bed? I had a twin bed in my college/non-married days and my mom made this super cute bedskirt for my sheets/comforter but we no longer have the twin bed. I have posted a picture so you can see just how cute the bedskirt really is. You can see the checked sheets in the corner. I also have a down comforter with a white or green duvet cover. Any takers?

Shew fly...don't bother me

This is the story of a girl and a housefly.

Once upon a time there was a girl who opened the front door to talk to the people working on the yard. When she realized they had already done what she was going to ask them to do she shut the door…but not soon enough. A fly got in the house.

This was a very big and annoying fly. He kept buzzing around and around and especially liked to fly in circles around the girl’s head. So the girl decided to do something about it. She found a few pieces of paper, rolled them up, and followed the fly around. This fly must have been doing P90X because he could fly around without stopping forever!

Finally, he landed on the window. The girl took aim, got in her crouch, and WHAM! … she missed – but he flew just one pane up on the glass so she tried again. …she missed. Again with the buzzing. Round and round he flew. Again – back at the window. Another few smacks with the rolled paper (she was a little out of control). Shucks – missed again. At this moment she realized that as she was smacking away at the fly – she was ruining the frosted glass. By this time, the glass was already ruined so she might as well keep smacking until the deed was done.

Once again…fly on glass….wham, wham, wham, wham….just to make sure. There he laid on the cold front-entry tile. And his yellow, disgusting guts were all over the window and paper. But do you know what? It was quiet.

Back to work.

By: Callie Brewer

I woke up

It's official. We are now Maryland residents according to the Motor Vehicle Administration. It's been a real nightmare for the past six weeks trying to get our cars inspected, titled, registered, and get our new driver's licenses....but we finally did it! Maryland has a million stupid and crazy rules that cost a lot of money, time and anguish, but it's over now.

On the bright side - our license pictures both turned out great! I'd post them here but it's probably against some sort of Maryland law.

A sad, sad story

Yesterday I lost a pound. Woo-hoo. EXCEPT, when we went to Frederick last night to pick up the new desk we decided to splurge and eat at Arbys. Well, apparently Arbys is currently doing Freebie Wednesdays where every Wed they have something free with purchase. Last night's freebie was a shake. (Orange Cream was the advertised free shake which seemed ironic since the recovery shakes we’ve been drinking every morning are orange cream and are a little less than delicious) So...how could Carl and I turn down FREE chocolate shakes? (they didn’t actually care what flavor you chose for your free shake)

"Well hello there, pound I lost. I've been missing you."

Funny and sad - all at the same time

Red, White, and Blue

I've had many culinary successes in my day, but today, the 4th of July, just might trump them all.

Behold, my festive Jello Stars:

*I've been working on this idea for months now and was happy to see it come to fruition.