I Can't Say Anything Nice.

Not tonight, at any rate. So I'm playing with my farting keychain in the hopes that my humor improves. After pressing the buttons for "Ripper", "Juicy" and "Nervous", I'm already experiencing a significant improvement in my disposition.

I'm making mental preparations for the onslaught of summer. I like to get the kidlets a small something at the end of the school year, and so far I've only managed to check Lula off my list with a t-shirt in which Snoopy hugs the wearer with arms that encircle front and back, as well as this utterly darling book, Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator! by Mo Willems. I can't recall the last time a children's book charmed me so - it's one I'll keep even after my own children have outgrown it, in fact. Of course, Xanthe got a matching Snoopy t-shirt...because who wouldn't want a hug from Snoopy? I'm going to rely on my better half for a good idea for Henry, though. He's at that funny age where toys just don't 'do' it any longer.

Speaking of which, I'm afraid the t-shirts will just re-ignite my desire to collect all things Charles Schultz, including several biographies and various compendiums of the Peanuts strips over the years. As if I don't have enough books! In addition to being a book tramp, I am hopelessly addicted to silly little computer games through Big Fish Games, especially given the fact that I can get 12% cash back by going through ebates. Again, people - if you shop online and you're not using ebates, you are a damned fool. Although I did forget to log on through them last night when I bought myself a snazzy new swimsuit from every mom's favorite source, Lands End. Curse my enfeebled, senile brain!

I am pondering the wisdom of staying up late to watch the first gruesome movie that crosses my path. I finished "The Snowman" and enjoyed it tremendously. It reminded me a lot of Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith. I also highly recommend How To Live On 24 Hours A Day by Arnold Bennett, which is a FREE download for all you Kindle owners out there. Delightful stuff.

OK, that's all for now. I guess I was able to muster up something pleasant, after all. May your holiday weekend be a happy one, and one that includes prayers and thanksgiving for all the soldiers who've made our great nation what it is.