Top 10 Memorable Things at Camp This Year

1. My cabin. I had a great group of 5-6th grade girls. Everyone actually showered this year. Yay!
2. Mice. Every night for 4 days we had a little visitor, by the second night I was screaming with my girls on top of the bed. Our heroes killed the mouse on the 5th night.
3. My co-counselor Linda. She was easy to get along with and fun. She also gave me medicine at night so I wouldn't have to walk to the nurse's to get it in the dark.
4. Snake citings. People were seeing copperheads, and I saw the rattlesnake that Jeff killed with a stick.
5. Fishing. I actually caught a fish. Of course, I wasn't going to take it off the hook. One of Josh's campers did it for me.
6. Friday night party. The 4th-6th grade girls had a party in the mess hall. I just sat down and laughed at them - they were wound up. Bigtime. I think that's what happens when you chug 6 cups of Dr. Pepper at midnight. Yes, one of our girls did that.
7. Teaching. I got to teach the 6th grade and 10th grade girls. Very different audiences. Very different subjects. Ha!
8. Canteen. I ate at least one candy bar a day. The candy and pop got me through the days when the food was too gross to eat.
9. Fireworks. Fires. Fireworks landing right behind us. That excitement caused one of my girls to start crying. I was more worried that a snake was going to come up behind me.
10. Skits. Josh singing "I've Been Everywhere" and all the performances we had this year...Lighten Up, Summer Singers, and Phil's Gameshow.

Scientifically Chic

So there's this article I read that gives tips on how to decorate your kitchen scientifically. You can use test tubes for spices, salad dressings in volumetric flasks, or candles on watch glasses. I have a feeling Josh would veto this redecorating idea...
http://www.orangemagazine.com/article.php?aid=202

PDN (Public Display of Nerdiness)

Like in many nerdy departments, we have professors that talk to themselves in the hallways. Usually he or she is giving the day's lecture to themselves or trying to solve a research problem out loud. I don't find it odd anymore when I see it in my building. Of course, if you are in public, that's a whole other ballgame. I happen to drive by one of these professor's houses yesterday and saw him outside in his yard talking to himself and the cat. He was lecturing about chemistry in public! I think the cat's eyes were glazed over.

My 3rd Anniversary Mug

I just recieved my complimentary mug for being a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS) for 3 years. I didn't get a mug the first year, and last year it broke in the mail. I'm suprised the mug survived the trip this year. It's in a thin styrofoam container with tape wrapped around it. Not the most sturdy packaging. My nerdy mug has the element lithium on it since it's the third element on the periodic table of elements. There's also some nice facts about lithium to read about on the mug. I must say, I'm very proud of my chemistry mug. I really don't have much chemistry parafernalia so it's kinda cool. I can't wait until next year's beryllium.

Josh and Newman 

Newman's Recovery

We picked Newman up today after his surgery. He's still in some pain, and his Frankenstein-looking leg is shaven with stiches going up his whole thigh. I'm glad the surgery is over, but he can't run or jump for 8 weeks! That is going to be hard for a bird dog! He's either in his kennel or on a leash inside or outside. Right now, he's sleeping a lot though so that's good I guess. Padme is cute; she tries to open the kennel up so Newman can play with her. She's probably lonely during the day.
I'm this bad with our dogs, I'm going to be a nervous wreck when I have kids and they get hurt! haha
Josh is seranading Newman now. Okay not really, but he is practicing his guitar in the living room where Newman's resting.

Music Mania

Friday night, Josh and his dad played their guitars and LaNette and me sang karokee. Josh is getting better and better at the guitar, but I still think my favorite part was when Josh sang "Redneck Woman" on karokee.

Jam session with Dennis and Josh 

Me and LaNette sing'in it up! 

Josh "playing" the guitar with his teeth. 

Josh the guitar player 

Fun on the Farm

We hung out Saturday morning on the farm and watched the dogs play. Newman was funny with the horse - when the horse started eating the leaves on that bush, so did Newman. He's such a copycat

Go'in after somethin' 

Newman stares at the horse next door. 

Newman staring into the eyes of the giant. 

There you are! 

Buddy the 3-legged dog - he could keep up with Newman! 

Farm dogs hanging out...we took Newman and Padme on a walk Saturday morning and all three of these dogs followed us...I'm sure we looked like a dog parade! 

Relaxing at Sheri and Jack's

We went over to Josh's mom and stepdad's on Saturday. We relaxed, talked, and played games. Oh yeah, and played with Tana - a lot!

Tana and Big Josh playing the guitar