Updately-like

Yikes, a week has passed since my last post! Blame Blogger. It was acting all weird yesterday. I have some BIG news to report, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. In the meantime, I thought you'd like to know that we had a fabulous Fourth of July at the JCC and later at Andria's house. Despite having a one week old and in-laws in town, she had the whole gang over for a BBQ and fireworks.

I actually purchased the fireworks on my way back from Jackson, Mississippi last week. I didn't really know what to get and relied heavily on packaging. This resulted in us not really having super exciting fireworks, but the kids didn't seem to notice.


The sparklers were a big hit, as were the "disco balls." They flashed just like a real disco ball and the kids danced around when they went off. It was pretty cute.


In other news, Andria's not the only one who has a new addition. Please join me in welcoming the newest member of Team Oster, ERM, the electric rechargeable mower.


Like most newborns, ERM, is a bit hard to figure out. Warren has been spending lots of quality time with him, trying to get to know him. ERM's maiden voyage in the yard went well, but Warren hasn't quite gotten the timing down in terms of recharging his batteries, as witnessed by this current photo of our lawn.


ERM almost made it halfway through.

I discovered a new feature on the City of Memphis website that allows you to report problems directly to the Mayor's Citizen Service Center. I had quite a time reporting the numerous problems around our new house--misplaced signs, vacant lots, missing curbs, and an alarming number of mosquitoes. In terms of the latter, the online form asked if there was any standing water nearby. (I replied no.)

An official from the Health Department quickly came over (when I was not home) and talked to Warren. He pointed out that the 200 wine bottles that I had amassed on the front porch for my garden project were clearly collecting water.


He even dipped a special little gizmo in the bucket where I was soaking off labels to show Warren how I was systematically breeding mosquitoes right next to our front door.


I believe he said to Warren, "The people who report these problems are usually the ones causing them."

Heh.

Finally, the monkeys and I discovered that eating breakfast in your goggles is really fun.