… and then some! After returning home from our annual Lodge vacation and cleaning up all that chlorinated laundry we brought back in our suitcases, the Catholic Family and I were absolutely thrilled about celebrating Independence Day WITHOUT our rude and obnoxious neighbors. That’s right - THEY ARE NOW GONE! It’s like the Dad Dude gave his wife and kids the boot, leaving us to enjoy our little family fireworks display in peace. Because really, we’ve had enough of all those teens partying it up on the Fourth by aiming roman candles, bottle rockets and other illegal fireworks at neighborhood homes and/or vehicles in our area. Enough.

So just sit back enjoy this flashback of our Great Wolf escape as I revel in our 4th of July family fun.

Who says God doesn’t answer prayers?
Thanks, Big Guy.

Ever hear the saying, Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it? With Mother’s Day just around the corner, here’s a little hint from ITCM about what not to give Mom this year. (She won’t be wishing for a pair of these, trust me.) A gift card to Gap for low-rise boot cut jeans will make a much better substitute. Seriously:

Yes, not only is today ‘Fat Tuesday’ during which time Catholics everywhere are reminded that it’s the last day before Lent that they can EAT ANYTHING THEY WANT, but it’s also ‘Super Tuesday’ in the political world here in the USA. So I thought the name of my blog was creative, unique and even kind of funky - at least until I overheard several teachers at the CK’s school tossing that little phrase around like they just thought it up. Spoilers. So much for that bubble burst!

Anyway, I’m back at home catching up on consulting duties and doing this, because it’s snowing like mad outside and snacks are off limits during Ash Wednesday’s fast tomorrow:

And I do promise to try to be good in my eating habits tomorrow, even if it means chewing a few more sticks of gum between meals. Because, as you know, I’m a huge snacker. But there will be no repeat of last year’s faux pas. Nuh-uh. Even the original Catholic Mom caught me in the act of that particular sinful behavior, and we don’t want to see it happen all over again.

You should worry about me.

… the sound parents make after the kids return back to school after an extended break, and I’m doing just that as I clean up all of the crumbs, wrapping paper scraps, empty boxes, stale Christmas cookies, tree needles, pieces of shredded tinsel (thanks, Smokie) and what-not. And after all was said and done? I have to say the holidays were very, very good to our wacky Catholic Family… despite the clutter left behind.

Now back to regularly scheduled life again. Where exactly was I?