Stepping out of my car, I heard a magical sound.  A sound of pure summer.  An ice cream truck nearby.

I raced into the house.  I found my kids.  I could hardly contain my excitement.  There was an ice cream truck outside!  Let’s go!

That’s when I heard the news, “Oh, we just got some ice cream from the truck a little while ago.”

As they relayed, their ice cream truck selections, I asked, “What did you get for me?”

Oh, I already knew the answer.  We all know the answer.  There would be no frozen treat for me.  I had been left out in the ice cream cold.  A frost settled on my dairy free heart.  Play on ice cream truck, I shall see you another day.

Mowing the lawn, I was suddenly filled with excitement.  I had found an incredible treasure.  Scooping it up into my hands, I rushed into the house.

Seeing Charlene in the kitchen, I asked, “Where are the boys?  I need to show them something.”

Looking at me a tad quizzical, I explained.  “I found a toad!” Sure enough, cupped in my hands was a baby toad about the size of my thumbnail.  I remembered playing with toads as a young lad and I could not wait to show my kids.

Charlene motioned toward my boys, who were sitting on the porch.  Then my ultra caring and protective wife informed me, “You are going to need to wash your hands.  Toads carry salmonella.” Ugh, okay.

Now, pass me that raw cookie dough, I’m hungry.

Is it wrong?

Is it really so wrong?

So wrong that my first thought upon hearing that my middle son needed help trimming his toenails, “Is PetSmart still open?”

Advance apologies to Ben for posting a photo, which features his “Flash” underwear.

Tuesday – Clothes are all folded and ready to be put away, but young Ben is asleep.  Oh well, that chore can wait until tomorrow.

Wednesday – Before work, Ben is sleeping in.  Oh well, no hurry.

Thursday – Are those clothes still sitting there.  Oh bother.

Friday – Look a new hamper full of laundry.  Sorry pile of clothes, it looks like you’ve been lapped.

Proven fact…  when the shower head becomes loose and drops onto your noggin first thing in the morning, your day will almost certainly get better from that moment forward.

Timber!

In one of our offices, my cubicle is on the fifth floor.  This results in many a trip on the elevator.

Today, I regretted that decision.  In succession, the elevator was filled with the following strong odors…

Sulfur (read into this at your peril) mixed with heavy cologne

Cigarette smoke

Chinese takeout

I believe I smell a subliminal attempt by HR to get people to use the stairs.  That stinks.

I vow with every ounce of my being, I will no longer be tempted by you.  Nope, I’m over you.  You most awesome claw machine Double Bubble stuffed toy.

No more quarters shall answer your siren song.  Well at least not while I am out of quarters (a.k.a. “A Claw Machine Cry for Help”) (a.a.k.a. “I’ve got a problem”) (a.a.a.k.a. “A Claw Machine Problem”).

I headed out on my run with the spirit of a man twenty years younger.  Not my biggest regret.

Ran along a new road that turned out to be hilly.  Very hilly.  Not my biggest regret.

Jogged along a stretch, where bunnies vastly outnumbered people or cars.  Not my biggest regret.

Covered in sweat on a hot summer night, I hobbled along.  Not my biggest regret.

Night fell, as I still had many miles to run.  Not my biggest regret.

My biggest running regret?  The chili cheese dog that I ate for lunch.  Now, that is my biggest regret.  No doubt about it.

Hey, parents.  Parents who happen to have a big nose.  Parents who happen to have a big nose, just like me.  Parents who happen to have a big nose, just like me, and enjoy jumping off the dock into the lake, while playing with their children.

A little piece of advice, pinch your nose shut while jumping off the dock.  It may look a little awkward, but it will prevent half of the lake from going up into your nose, plus probably countless tiny fish.

Lesson learned.  Next time, a nose pinch and a lake full of water remains where it should, out of my nose.

Observation of the Day.  Super Soaker battles with a 12-year-old are mighty fun.

Secondary Observation of the Day.  Super Soaker shots to the eye don’t feel too good.

Thirdary Observation of the Day.  A Super Soaked battle with a 12-year-old will most likely result in a shot to the eye.

#TheWayLifeWorks

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