Three things I’m loving this week:

1. Tennis. Or, to be more precise, smacking a tennis ball off a cement wall with a racket. I don’t really know how to play the actual game of tennis, nor do I really want to learn at my age (frankly, it looks like a knee injury just waiting to happen). But, I recently took my daughters to a tennis court in an effort to introduce them to different sports (even if they’re not my thing) and rediscovered my love for whacking a ball repeatedly. Talk about aggression relief — just put a face on that fuzzy little ball and SLAM!

2.”Campbell’s Busy Family Recipes” book. Breezing into Barnes & Noble the other day, this cookbook caught my eye. Of the few recipes that I have made and like, many are Campbell’s recipes and they’re usually quick, cheap, easy and tasty. Plus, I can often make them healthier by using low-fat cheeses and the low-fat Campbell’s cream soups.

I thumbed through the book. When I liked every recipe I looked at, I knew it was worth $10. It contains the kind of recipes my husband is always looking for (he’s the cook in the family) and I knew he’d like it.

He and the girls have picked a recipe and cooked every night this week. Yep…well worth my $10.

Here’s what the inside pages look like (most recipes have photos and all have a shopping list with common ingredients…no need to search the shelves for mint truffles or Columbian goat milk):

3. L.L. Bean backpacks. If you bought your kids a character backpack from K-Mart, Walmart or Target, you may want to surf right over to www.llbean.com and pick them up a backpack that will actually last because: A.) that cheap backpack won’t make it to Christmas break; B.) L.L. Bean backpacks are guaranteed for life (Yes, you read that right, for life!) and C.) L.L. Bean backpacks are currently on sale AND they are offering free shipping with no minimum order.

My daughters have had their backpacks for three years now and they’re like new. Though, I would advice choosing a darker color. The packs get set on the floor of the bus (and who knows where else) and the lighter colors show dirt more.

Savvy shopper note: If you get the L.L. Bean Visa card, you get free monogramming on anything you order, free shipping (on everything all the time) and $10 discount coupons mailed to you occasionally.

Three things I’m not loving this week:

1. Racism. Here’s an easy rule to remember: If you ever have to qualify a statement about to come from your lips with the words, “I’m not a racist, but…” — just shut your mouth. There is no excuse for hate.

2. My digital camera in the wrong hands. See what happens when my husband gets a hold of my camera?

He’s standing there…ready to shoot me at the end of a run on a 90-degree day. Seriously? Yep..this sucker will be deleted…right after I share it with the world (oh, what I won’t do for blog fodder).

3. Hurricane Earl. I’ve got a half-dozen parties, fun events and a canoe trip with 20+ other people planned for this long holiday weekend. Hurricane Earl threatens to rain on all the fun. (And, yes, I know…it could be much worse, It’s not like I have to pound plywood over my windows or anything, but still…).

I’m 39 today…which, for some reason, seems monumental.  More so than 40 — that just seems inevitable. (All roads lead to middle age).

39 still has potential and I’m excited to see what this year will bring — More wisdom? More self confidence? More money in my paycheck? More wrinkles? More laughs? More kids? More sagging skin?  (Obviously I’m more “excited” about some things than others…and no, I have no plans for a last-ditch baby).

Looking back a decade, 29 was a big birthday for me. I had just lost my best friend, we’d just drained our savings account to put in the pool and my career began to take off. And, of course..that was the year Dan and I finally decided it was time to start a family and I became a mom just a few short months before my big 3-0.

At the Inland Press Special Sections Contest Awards/Conference in Chicago, Aug. 16, 2000.

Me and my niece, Eliza, in our new pool on Aug. 26, 2000. This is the girl that babysat my girls this summer. In the background is Dan with black hair and goatee. I know, crazy, right?

I’m not sure I can top 29, but won’t it be fun to try?

I’m not crazy about the effects of aging on my body, but I am determined to enjoy the ride.

As the old saying goes, it’s all downhill from here. Some may see that as a bad thing, but, as a runner, I have an appreciation for cruisin’ downhill…it’s your reward for all those grueling uphills.

My family spent the weekend taking care of my husband’s 9-month-old nephew (technically his grand-nephew), Damian.

He’s the happiest, sweetest, cutest chubby baby boy you’ve ever met. If all kids were this easy, we’d all have 5 or 6 of them (he’s THAT good).

But, I have to tell you: I. Am. Completely. Exhausted.

I had forgotten how much work babies are and I’m truly grateful I had mine nearly 10 years ago, because I don’t think I could do it now.

Props to all you late-in-life baby mammas — ladies you have my utmost respect.

My house is trashed — the sink is full of dishes, the laundry never got done and I couldn’t even find time to run yesterday.

But, I did get to spend my weekend snuggling a baby, singing lullabies and inducing those adorable baby giggle fits.

That’s definitely worth a marathon dish-washing session and a basement floor full of laundry.

Hysterical…even if I am a mom on Facebook.

Three things I’m loving this week

1. Erie Times-News’ District 10 Football Guide. This is one slick publication put together by my colleagues in the sports department. Seriously…this thing is impressive with a great layout, incredible photos and page after page of info about LOCAL high school football teams.  You can buy the magazine at all Country Fair locations for $5. (You can also buy it at the Erie Times-News, 205 W. 12th St.)

2.  My sunroof. My new car has a sunroof and I just love it. I don’t know why because it doesn’t really provide a breeze. In fact, the sun shining through can actually make it hotter in the car, but I always open it anyway.

The only bad thing? It’s just a matter of time before I leave that sucker wide open in the rain.

3.  Panama Rocks. I hadn’t been to Panama Rocks in Panama, N.Y., since Dan & I were dating many, many years ago.  I was holding off taking the girls because one thing I vividly remember is that there are lots of crevices on the top of the rocks that I’m fairly certain lead directly to the molten core of the earth.

Exhibit A:

But, we finally decided that, at 7, Lauren might be ready for her first trip to the big rocks. And, we knew she’d love it Finally, her father had someone brave enough to crawl through the crevices, shimmy between the rocks and really explore this natural wonder.

Things I’m not loving this week

1. A broken garage door. Two — not just one, but two — broken door springs mean no getting in and no getting out.

2. Flocking birds. Those electrical wires bowing under the weight of 300 birds is just another sign of impending doom….I mean, fall. When I see them all lined up, squawking at each other, I can’t help but think…you lily-livered, yellow-bellied cowards! (Truth be told, I’m just jealous. If I had wings, I’d be headed south with them).

3. Cool evenings. I know…I know…the rest of you are sighing in relief. Me? Not so much.

I got to chatting with the finance guy at Rick Weaver when we bought our car recently (I know you’re shocked…just call me Chatty Cathy) and we got on the subject of daughters and the teen years.

“You’re still in the puppy years,” he said. “Just wait till the cat years.”

“Come again?” I said.

“You never heard of ‘The Cat Years’?”

“Uh, no…I don’t think.”

So…he gave me a copy of this essay which is spot-on when it comes to kids. While I’m a genuine cat person, I can’t say I’m looking forward to “The Cat Years.”

Most parents I know are grinning ear to ear, happy to be sending the kids back to school soon.

Not me. I dread this time of year.

At the risk of sounding like a 9-year-old, I don’t waaannnaaaa go back to school. School sucks.

School means lots and lots of paperwork (I’m taking a half day on the girls’ first day just to deal with the 4,832 pieces of paper they’ll be packing home).

School means homework, morning madness, teary fights with overtired kids, early bedtimes, rushed showers, hurried-up morning runs, breakfast in the car, blah, blah, blah….

I think I hate it more now than I did when I was a 14-year-old emotional wreck navigating the choppy waters of junior high.

I’m in complete denial. I have not rolled back the girls’ bed times. I have not bought any school supplies. I haven’t checked to be sure their gym sneakers fit.  I don’t even know where their lunch boxes and backpacks are.

Like any reticent school kid, I’ll wait till the 11th hour and I’ll, no doubt, pay a high price for my lack of preparation.

But, really, who can blame me for wanting to hang onto every last second of summer?

Here it is 3 p.m. on my first day back at the office after a week’s vacation and I’m still basking in the glory of a great vacation.

“I can tell you’ve been on vacation,” a coworker remarked. “You’re all positive and upbeat.”

That’s what she said, but I’m pretty sure that what she meant was…your happy-go-lucky attitude is annoying; where’s the jaded, sarcastic coworker I’m used to?

Ah…but that’s what vacations are for, right? To refresh, renew, recharge and, in my case, remind me why I work. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids and I loved spending time with them all week, but…by the end of 10+ days of togetherness, I think we were all happy to go our separate ways this morning.

…and go there renewed, refreshed and, yes, annoyingly happy.

Here’s a little tour through my vacation in photos:

FRIDAY

My vacation started with….a brand new car! Well, not brand-new, but new to me — the White Knight here was purchased after my old Jimmy Blue wouldn’t start when I brought the White Knight back to the dealership after test driving it. (It’s true…I swear this stuff only happens to me).

SATURDAY

Camping in Cook Forest…with 30 of my closest in-laws. And…of course, no camping trip would be complete without a visit to the Pale Whale and a bumpy ride down the rocky Clarion River.

The waaaaittting is the hardest part….

SUNDAY

Sunset at Shade’s Beach:

Playing limbo with some driftwood.

MONDAY

Panama Rocks in Panama, N.Y., with Lauren. Yes..with Lauren and caves and caverns and rocks just begging to be climbed…and holes that go to the center of the earth just begging to be fallen into.  It was as terrifying as it sounds. I think, at one point, I said to Dan…”Seriously, you hold her onto her hand or I’m filing for divorce.”   (No doubt he was thinking…if only it were that easy, woman).

TUESDAY

Beach day at our beautiful Presque Isle State Park.

WEDNESDAY

Steeler’s training camp in Latrobe. Loooooooongggg drive, but a cool experience. My favorite part? Watching Troy Polamalu, James Harrison and three other giant defense lineman playing on the grass with Polamalu’s little toddler son after practice. I could’ve watched that all day long.

Casey Hampton….one big dude.

FRIDAY

The Cleveland Zoo & rainforest. It was a hot, hot, hot day. We felt like we were IN a rainforest at the zoo. Funny thing is, it was nice and cool in the rainforest (which is in a big building).

How cute is this Koala and her baby bear?

SATURDAY

I spent the day blissfully shopping completely alone while my husband took the kids to his mom to shoot clay pigeons (Dan, not the kids…at least, I hope not, but then, I didn’t ask question –  I was shopping. Alone. For Hours and hours.).

SUNDAY

Kelly Celebrated Erie by making a free puppet at the Betsey & Friends booth

Craig Morgan concert — we had awesome seats thanks to a friend who gave us her sponsor passes.

MONDAY

See why I’m still smiling?

I’m on vacation for a week.

We’re not “going” anywhere. There’s just no need to do that in August in Erie…plenty of fun to be found right here in our hometown.

See ya in a week.

www.crapatmyparentshouse.com

Seriously….I’ll bet we could ALL submit a library of photos of the weird stuff at our parents’ house to this site that is oh-so-appropriately named: www.crapatmyparentshouse.com.

My mother has the ugliest blue cannister/kitchen set that she keeps threatening to leave me in the will. I will have to take a photo & post it next week. Every time I’m there, I check to make sure my name isn’t on the bottom of one of those gawd-awful pieces (and, yes, my mother has already labeled some of her “special” things that are designated to go to a certain family member upon her death….I kid you not).