dear athen,

Please, stop whining, saying you hate your brother and do as you're told the first time I ask you.

I don't want to be a mean mom. I want to be a nice mom.

love,
- mom

painting a motorcycle

"going under"

asher's teef

Asher's teeth came in during the record breaking heat wave here in Washington.

5 days of 104 degree weather, no air conditioning, diarrhea and the fussiness of a teething 7 month old...good times...

public health care

Athen brushed his own teeth before we left for the dentist today. We waited 40 minutes before we were led into an exam room with four posters showing images of child tooth decay and two with cartoon characters holding tooth brushes. The dental hygienist asked me if he still took a bottle...I said "No, he's never had a bottle."

She cleaned his teeth quickly and lectured me on tooth decay. When she finished she left to get the dentist. He arrived over worked, mumbled hello to Athen, looked at his teeth for 30 seconds, and said "Good, no cavities."

Having grown up with a dentist who poked every tooth, I questioned him. "Are you sure?" For the first time he acknowledged me and replied, "Yes, I'm sure."

observations

With great concern, Athen informed a family friend with clubbed feet that his "Toes are on backwards."

easy fried chicken strips

8 -10 boneless chicken pieces
3 Tbl. olive oil
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
lemon wedges

Mix flour, salt and pepper in a plastic baggie. Rinse chicken. Place a few pieces at a time into the baggie. Shake and cover chicken pieces entirely with seasoning mix. In a non-stick skillet heat the olive oil on medium low. Place seasoned pieces on the skillet. Fry and flip until golden brown. Serve with lemon.

Try it with steamed green beans. Great with dark sweet bread and honey.