1. I think I'm still feeling overwhelmed. We're all finally healthy again (although Cal was at a sleepover last night, so I have a sneaking suspicion that his sleep bank may need another deposit), but the catch up is nearly killing me. I've moved my office which has made me a lot more productive, and STILL. The laundry piles, the ironing piles, the dishes...oh, just everything. So. I'm thinking we'll go to the beach this weekend.

2. I think my parents are a hot mess this week. My dad dropped a TV on his foot and now has what's called a "crush injury," and my mom's spare tire was slashed. I think this means they need some time away at the beach, yes?

3. I think I heard a fascinating speaker on Wednesday evening. An assistant commonwealth's attorney who spoke about the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act. I was fascinated, and I hung on his every word. Makes me wonder if I should have gone to law school. Too late for that, but that's okay. Maybe I'll just join Cal when he hangs out with our judge friend next week. Sorry, Cal!

4. I think we have a lot left of summer and a lot yet to do. Baseball games, beach days, bike rides. Now that I'm feeling better, I want to soak up every single minute. What should we do first? What's been your favorite thing so far this summer? What are you still looking forward to doing? What do you want to do this weekend?

5. I think this was one of the most moving stories I've seen in a long, long time. Surely you've seen the photograph that made John and his dog Schoep famous? When the picture was taken last summer, Schoep was 19 years old, and to ease the pain in his arthritic joints, John would carry his dog into Lake Superior and rock him to sleep. Every night. The photo went viral (I love the internet.), and proceeds from the sale of the photo as well as donations went to pay for vet bills for the aging Schoep. More than $25,000. Just a few weeks ago Schoep turned 20 and this week Schoep died.

Here's the link to his facebook page; send them some love, would you. We surely love our dogs.

1. I think we've totally been thrown for a loop around here. I can't completely shake my sinus thing, and now Callum's down for the count. 103º fever yesterday. Yikes. Our re-entry hasn't really happened yet. It's hot outside? I had no idea. My laundry? Still needs to be managed. The house? Cluttered. All those great post-vacation changes I had planned? Postponed.

2. I think I had a great time teaching my first blogging class this week. My students were so patient with my as I dealt with audio visual trials and a huge coughing fit about halfway through class (lovely.). I had fun. I hope they had fun. I'll keep you posted. Any tips I should share?

3. I think I need about 12 days to get myself organized. I haven't made our monthly Target run yet. I have papers scattered hither and yon. Do you guys have any strategies for getting yourselves organized? Any Pinterest boards of gorgeously organized home offices? I need a boost.

4. I think, after all I've said here about my friends Mark and Fred, that I can't let the end of DOMA go unremarked. I was standing in Waterloo Station (waiting on Neil #2) casting about for spotty WiFi when we got the news. I could only access the Waterloo Cloud so I ended up with what seemed to be a BBC news article, but the content was clear. No more DOMA. I won't lie. I teared up as I thought of my far-away friends and their long fought battle. I was very proud to be an American, an equality loving, accepting American, in that moment.

The sad news is that while in the long-term DOMA will mean a world of difference for Mark and Fred, in the short term, the ruling came too late for them. Fred's father had been growing ill in France, and he and Mark hoped to be able to travel there to see him before he grew gravely ill. Unfortunately, in the days just following the Supreme Court's ruling on DOMA, Fred's father died. Despite the end of DOMA, Fred was unable to get a travel voucher to get home in time for the funeral. Honestly? I have no words. At a time that I should be happiest for my friends, I continue to feel a sort of impotent rage that they were kept under this mantle of discrimination simply because of who they fell in love with.

5. I think I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate all the lovely comments you've been leaving on the posts about our trip. We had such fun while we were there, and it's be great fun to relive it as well. I have more posts planned for next week (sorry!), and Leah, don't worry, Callum totally has his sights set on Australia!

It's nice to be home though and coming home to all of you lovelies is just the best. Do you have fun plans for the weekend? I think ours will involve heavy rest. Starting to get a little bummed out about that. I could start some Blurb books from our trip. Or organize my 365. Although, I have been thinking I might get myself a little treat to celebrate the start of my class. I'm thinking some new body wash and lotion might do the trick and perk me up. Anybody have any experience with this lovely looking stuff?

five things, july 19

five things, july 12