Mike was trying to move a computer around and banged into a heavy wooden stool at our kitchen bar.

Out of nowhere Charlie and I hear a loud bang, while at the same time my husband yelps loudly in pain.  I said, “What happened?!?”  Charlie said, “You okay Dad?”

Mike says through gritted teeth, “Yes, owwwww, the…. fffff…. stupid stool just fell over and hit my shin.”

Charlie said, “Don’t say that Dad! Don’t say stupid!”

Mike breathes deep and says, “Sorry. It’s just, it hurt a lot.”

I was thinking, “Buck up little camper, it’s just a bump.”  And then I was thinking, “I wonder if the stool broke… that would be two stools broken by my husband.. the man has a problem with stools.”

Charlie ran in the room to watch as Mike grimaced and groaned over his injury.

Finally Charlie, having depleted his sympathy thimble, said, “It’s okay Dad. Stop making that sound.”

Mike said, “It hurts! Oooooooh….”

Charlie said, “Stop it Dad!”

Mike said, “My leg hurts really bad Charlie.”

Charlie said, “Come on Dad, you’re still alive.”

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Sorry I’ve been MIA.  Working on a few new projects – I’m excited to talk to you about them; but I have to get everything to a launch point before I do.  I think you’ll all be very excited!   Thanks for your emails of concern (and that one telling me to get off my ass).  LOL

Charlie had a great birthday.  He was so grateful and thankful for every gift, the cake, even that his family had gathered to celebrate. We did a bit of spoken word when it came time to sing Happy Birthday (he has never liked the sound of singing that song – and who can blame him.. really).  So we all spoke the words (which is tricky… try it).  When it was time to make a wish and blow out the candles, we heard the same wish we’ve been hearing for years, “I wish I had a Sony Aibo!” (yes he said it out loud, he has no inner dialog):

After the candles were blown out I asked which part of the cake he wanted.  The answer (of course) was (more…)

Seven years ago today, Charlie was born.

Happy Birthday Buddy!  We love you!

Been baking the birthday boy’s cake all morning.  Used coconut oil (unrefined) instead of regular oil in the chocolate cake mix, house smells like a mounds bar. Yum!

Do you know Domo?  This is Charlie’s latest obsession.  He asked for a Domo cake.  I did my best.  The first pic is of the original Domo Kun.  The other pics are the progression of the cake as I attempted to copy the image.  Oy!  Seemed easier on paper. (more…)

Remember Charlie’s progress report a few weeks ago?  Well, the official report card came home today:

All A’s.  You heard me.  ALL A’s!

Along with the report card, the school sent home a bumper sticker, “My Child is an Honor Student at — Elementary,” (which Charlie immediately tried to stick on his Grandfather’s car), as well as a “Principal’s Honor Roll” ribbon.

After years of struggling to just BE in a classroom, to just be able to get through the entire day sitting in the class, this is a HUGE accomplishment.

“Huge” doesn’t even do it justice.

Way to go Charlie! 

Insert frantically screaming people here… Now, brace yourselves… We’re going sugar-free as of November 1st. Yeast are back. Time to get serious. Just discovered a new product (thank you Dr. D!!): Lakanto

More to come.

I’ve been sick this past week with a head cold.  I hate head colds.  They affect my ability to string sentences together.  I still feel foggy so I’m going to just tell you two quick stories and then go make myself a nice cup of Gypsy Cold Remedy tea…

First:  Last Saturday we took Charlie to Oktoberfest.  He loves Oktoberfest.  Admittedly, our local Oktoberfest is very small, let’s call it “quaint,” compared to most.  In my 41 years, I’ve been to some pretty impressive Oktoberfests, the most impressive of which was Oktoberfest in Sulm (umlaut over the u), Germany circa 1976, where my family lived while my father was stationed at Bitburg Air Force Base.  I was nine years old.  My brother and I, along with two other Air Force brats we knew, had walked to the center of town and stumbled upon the Oktoberfest celebration.  We were offered beer (which we declined), and invited to join in the fun.  It’s one of the few memories I have from my childhood.  And a good one at that. (more…)

Waffles… as many of my friends and family know, I have been attempting to perfect my GFCFSFEF waffle recipe for almost 3 years.  I think today I may have finally done it… or I’m darn close.  I took a small bite of one and I was blown away by the flavor!  Better than a “regular” waffle!  And that was with NO SYRUP!  I was able to make them crispy on the outside and cake-like on the inside… the perfect combination, in my opinion. (more…)

This is one of Charlie’s, and my, favorite songs.  Whenever the part about dreaming of cherry pies, candy bars, and chocolate chip cookies comes on, he laughs.  Then he sings, “I used to microwave, now I just eat nuts and berries…” and rolls on the floor with laughter.  Enjoy!