Catching up and "Broomey Lads"

Yesterday I took the kids out for the day.  We did a little shopping, got some lunch and then spent the afternoon at the water park. Hot! Hot! Hot!  I kept the sunscreen slathered on, though, and when I wasn't in the water I sought a little shade, kept on my sunglasses and a big floppy hat; and I drank a lot of water.  I still came home with a minor heat headache, but I knew I would.  The kids had a blast, though.  I can't keep telling them all summer long, "No, I can't go anywhere with you to have some fun; I'll get a headache!"  A friend of ours is taking them to the pool tomorrow,  so at least they'll get two trips this week.

I fixed a big salad when I got home and honestly didn't want anything else, but I remembered that I had poached some chicken breasts and put them in the freezer over the weekend, so I pulled them out and Thomas grilled them for a few minutes with a little lemon, pepper and tarragon.   Then I remembered the pickled peppers I had just bought for him.  Have you ever had pickled banana peppers?  I recommend Vlasik's Stackers; we get the mild ones.  Man, they are good!  While we were eating I said, "I think I'll chop up the leftover chicken and make some chicken salad for sandwiches.  I bet these peppers would be great in chicken salad."  And before I thought I said, "I'll take some to work tomorrow."

Work?  Where did that come from?  That was the first time since my job ended that I had forgotten.  (I'll just have that sandwich for lunch today!)

No plans for the day, except staying inside where it's cool.  I did go outside early this morning to check my flowers and plants to make sure everything looked okay and that nothing was suffering from the heat.  We'd had enough rain right before this hot spell, so everything looked good.  Even Vivie, Eler Beth's tropical bonsai that had been under the weather, seems to be reviving and putting out new leaves.  Lincoln, the ficus bonsai needs a trim all ready! 

Yes, she names her plants.  I think it's cute.  We were in Kroger a week or so ago and she asked me what a certain plant was.  I answered, "It's a kind of bromeliad."  Then we went on with our shopping.  Before we checked out she said, "Mom, do you think I could get something?"  "What?"  "I'd really like to have that broomey-lad."

It took her a whole day to remember how it was pronounced, but her bromeliad is now affectionately named "Broomey Lad."  Yes, sometimes they just name themselves.