File this under "Wanted to Be the First to Break the Story"

So today I'll spare you a diatribe about the extreme pain I'm experiencing due to my new gym commitment.

Instead, let's have a little laugh at the expense of some poor AP/Yahoo News (not sure which) reporter who, in his/her quest to be the first to break the story of John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate, neglected to do some basic proofreading.

If you've been around the Diva site for any length of time, you'll know of my love of words and all things grammatical. My disclaimer, of course, is that I'm certainly not perfect all the time, but I'm always on the lookout for public grammar offenses.

Here's my recent fave, the final line of an article referenced above. (You can read the whole article here.) ***UPDATE: So it looks like someone caught the error, because they've completely updated the article and rewritten the part about Sarah Palin's family. Ah well, take my word for it, it was there earlier! :)

"She and her husband Todd Palin, have five children. The latest, a baby, was born with Down syndrome."

Did you catch it? I'll give you a minute to re-read if you didn't.

One simple question. Wouldn't you expect that ALL FIVE of Sarah & Todd Palin's children were born, well, as babies? I know my two children were babies at birth.

Just a little humor as we start what is sure to be a brutal presidential campaign.

The Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn

In spin class, I prayed that Jesus would let me die.

This morning, I didn't do that. I took a class called "Total Conditioning", and I couldn't catch my breath long enough to pray for a quick and painless death.

I did, however, survive. And will likely go back. I figure one of two things will happen.

Either I will shape up, and not feel like I will die before the class is over,

OR

I will shape up enough so that I have the breath to pray that it will end.

Spinning Wheels

Yes, I made it to my spin class this morning.

Yes, I survived the whole hour. However, around 5:50, I began a singular prayer. As in, "Sweet, dearest Jesus, please let me die. Now."

It's amazing how focused your thoughts become when it's just you, the bike, and the aching pain in your butt and legs.

All in all, it wasn't half bad, and I intend to go back on Friday. My Thursday morning workout won't be a spin class, which is good, since it will probably take until Friday to recover once my muscles realize what they did this morning.

Spin Cycle

So tomorrow, it begins.

Dear bloggy friends, I'm not sure what I've gotten myself into, but I've decided to go to a morning class at the gym three mornings a week.

At 5:30 am.

Fortunately, the gym is close by my house. But I still have to get up at (gasp) 4:45 am in order to make it to class on time. And that is without a shower, so I don't even have hot water to wake me up! I see no point in showering if I'm just going to work out and will have to shower when I get back.

5:30 am.

Pray for me before you rest your heads tonight. Pray that I will not just turn off my alarm, and that I survive an hour of spinning.

At 5:30 am.

Facebook

I have a new addiction.

I must have it every day, nay, several times a day.

I admit, I am powerless over its amazing capabilities.

My name is ElleBee and I'm a Facebook-aholic.

It started innocently enough, with a friend telling me how much more she liked Facebook than MySpace. Now I have almost 100 friends, and more crazy applications than you can count. I'm concerned because I almost have too much Flair for my board. I can't go one evening without playing Scramble. And I have this poking problem which has nothing to do with my toddler.

Of course there are some good aspects. I've reconnected with friends who I haven't seen in more than twenty years. I'm realizing more and more just how small the world really is, when I discover that friends in one circle of my life know friends in other circles. And I get to see really cute baby/child pictures of my friends and family members.

The downside, of course, is that I just can't stop.

Will you be my friend?

High Tea

I love tea. Hot tea, iced tea. I've even developed a fondness for that stuff those Southerners call "sweet tea". This morning, I decided to have a cup of hot tea, so I assembled all of the necessary tools.

• Tea (leaf form, thankyouverymuch) from this fabulous site. (By the way, if you love tea and want to order from here, leave me a note in the comments and I'll send you a $5 gift certificate!)
• My excellent teapot.
• My favorite Disney mug (it's a nice big mug with a big handle...looveee it)
• Honey

After the tea finished brewing, I poured it, steaming, into the cup. Then I took out the honey.

Ah yes, the honey.

So this past weekend, at the farmer's market, I came across some local honey in the comb. I've heard marvelous things about honey in the comb, so I bought it. Yes, indeedy, it is some tasty honey.

But I have a problem.

And I need your help.

How, exactly, does one get the honey OUT of the comb?

You see, if I just chuck a chunk of the comb into my tea, I end up with waxy bits floating in my cuppa. This does exactly nothing to enhance the tea drinking experience.

I tried smashing some comb to extract the honey, but just ended up with a mashed, sticky, waxy mess.

Please help me. I need some of the sweet honey goodness in my tea.

Free the Tethered Children

Or not.

I think I've established the fact that The Manimal is, well, active. If he's not in a stroller or cart, I use a pseudo-leash to keep him in tow. It is disguised as a cute little monkey backpack, so he's usually oblivious to the fact that Mom has him on a leash.

When The Manimal is on a leash, however, he finds other ways to wreak toddler havoc.

Enter the Take-Along Tether.

This invention is the brainchild of Jennifer Spencer, a mom who was tired of chasing her children or picking up their sippy cups and toys. She recently appeared on Good Morning Texas in a segment featuring unique baby gifts.

If you're looking for a way to keep track of your little ones or want a great baby gift, check out Take-Along Tether!

Camp, Camp, Camp...Everybody Here's a Champ!

Other than part-time jobs, I've always worked for educational organizations, so my adult schedule seems to have focused on a school year calendar. Consequently, August always brings with it a sentimental feeling. The summer is ending and the school year beginning. Today as I dropped off SS#1 at day camp, I recalled six amazing summers of my own.

I did my fair share of camping as a kid. Girl scout camps, church camps, pop-up trailer camping with the fam. You name it, we did it. I have some really wonderful memories of being a camper.

None of those memories, however, compare with the six summers I spent as camp counselor. In 1989, one of my college friends introduced me to Culver Summer Camps. She had attended as a camper and was working as a counselor. She encouraged me to apply for a counselor position.

If you're not familiar with Culver, it is a renowned Military Academy and Girls Academy during the academic year, and a fabulous 6 week summer camp during the "off season".

My parents could never have afforded to send me to camp there, but for six blissful summers, I lived vicariously through my campers. Even though I was in college and teaching when I was there, for six weeks, I was a kid again, with no worries except to have fun. It was not as much work, as work disguised as fun.

Here's to the summer memories!

The Simple Woman's Daybook--August 11th

For Today...

Outside my Window...is the dusky greyish pink of the just-post sunset evening.

I am thinking...that being back at work isn't all it's cracked up to be.

I am thankful for...supportive friends and family.

From the kitchen...breakfast for dinner and flax oatmeal cookies tomorrow.

I am wearing...shorts and a t-shirt.

I am reading...Colossians and a novel.

I am hoping...that my mood will improve. Soon.

I am hearing..."Wonder Pets" on TV.

Around the house...a messy living room and laundry to do.

One of my favorite things...hopeful plans.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...working and baking.

The Simple Woman's Daybook--August 4th

For Today...

Outside my Window...is the warm Atlanta sunshine, beautiful green trees and the horses of the backyard neighbor. 

I am thinking...how nice it is to not have to be at work! 

I am thankful for...dear friends, lots of wonderful children, and the love of an awesome God.

From the kitchen...yummy green smoothies and homemade bread. 

I am wearing...flannel pajama pants and a t-shirt.

I am reading...nothing seriously at the moment, but a ton of titles are at my bedside, thanks to my dear friend and her daughter!

I am hoping...to pick up some baking supplies at Breadbeckers.

I am hearing..."The Backyardigans" and three happy children playing together.

Around the house...my house is hopefully still clean, since it's just DH at home!

One of my favorite things...spending precious time with friends who are like family.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...enjoying my vacay, gym time, story time with the kids, getting a delicious taste of being a "stay-at-home mom".