Two posts in one day. Incredible (pronounced en-cred-eee-blah). I wanted to post a couple of fun photos earlier to augment my bleach post but ran out of time.

I spend 5 hours tonight finishing up a Scrapbook for Father's Day. I had contacted the older kids and asked them to write some memories of their Dad. They all returned really poignant beautiful letters. We should all have the priviledge of dying the day after we receive such tributes.

I am reading "The Secret." My favorite takeaway is about weight. Instead of indulging the thought...I am getting so fat, I must lose weight..the book proports that you visualize yourself at the desired weight and the Universe will tune to your visualized frequency. I am all over this. Speaking to you from my size 8 body.

Enough for now...love to all.

Inspired by my friend Carrie's homage to Duct Tape (which by the way is a common nickname for my husband, Doug Tate) I want to expound of the glories of the Clorox Bleach pen. I have never been a gifted laundress and for many years I have struggled to keep my whites white. Then along comes the bleach pen. Ah the joys of spot bleaching. I gloried in my ability to retain items before considered disposable. However, my elation was starting to become comprised by a price/volume consideration. I was going through a bleach pen with each white load. Clorox had me in its grips. Until one day I began pondering what others products there might be in a bleach format that could satisfy my need for volume bleaching. I thought about the creme bleach I use to color my hair...then it dawned on me the number of times I have been vigorously cleaning with Softscrub (not often enough) and the spray had ruined some very attractive black sweats (oxymoron).

Could it be that I could use Softscrub to bleach my whites, thwarting the Clorox product manager who believe 2 oz of bleach in that little tube is worth $4.39? I tried it, it works. Now I no longer have to judiciously spot my whites. I can indulge socks and underwear freely with the white magic. After all I know get 20 oz for a mere $1.89. The math is so exciting $1.89 vs. $43.99. Okay, in life we all have to give up something to get something. The little scrubbing grains may stress the fabrics slightly, so I don't suggest using it on the wedding dress. But for my needs, a definite win.

Okay, this long post about the joy of finding a more economical way to bleach my whites may seem a little sad but truly there was a feeling of accomplishment which is more than I can say many of my days.

Enough for now...love to all.

SPENCE THE MAGNIFICENT!!!!
Okay so I know enough bragging out my children takes place on this site but I have a couple of things I want to record about Spence. I have been a bit challenged with my new camera. A couple of days ago Spence asked if he could take a couple of photos. He went outside and took a few shots of neighborhood kids. His composition and the feel of his shots blew me away. We printed this shot, framed it and gave it to the parents of these girls, honestly some of the shots he took look like the inserts to the photo frames you buy. Effortless!

Next, we got the results back for the GATE testing (Gifted and Talented Placement). Spencer did very well overall 68/72 possible but what blew us away is the fact that he got a perfect 36/36 in the Math Application and Comprehension testing. He is in the 100% national for his age. This is the kid who doesn't think he should be required to get up a 7 am. Amazing.

Enough bragging...love to all.