It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I love Thanksgiving. It is by far my most favorite holiday. You get all the great food (usually) with all the great family time, but where we live, you can still wear shorts. That's nice. You don't have to rush around to a million places (at least we don't), and you don't have to schlep anything with you but your kids and whatever dishes you signed up to bring to the meal. Again, very nice.

But the best part of this time of year is that I get to start organizing for the NEXT year. Oh baby! I have to hold myself off from August to November, but once we hit Thanksgiving, all bets are off. At least in August I can appease myself with new school supplies and the joy that comes from (a) smelling and (b) organizing new pencils and packs of notebook paper. But I digress.

The thing that really makes my heart sing is gearing up for a new year. I get to have all new, fresh, unwritten-on file folders. My Quicken program starts on a new year. Two words: NEW DAYTIMER!!! A new year is a thing of beauty.

I know, most people dread filing away the old and starting over with the new. But I crave it. So does my brother. (It may be inherited.) I have finally managed to convince Spanky to let me help him organize his room by telling him that we have to make room for all the Christmas gifts he's going to get. Oh, like you never lied to your kids just to get some simple enjoyment out of cleaning their room?

FrogBoy is pretty well organized. He likes his Legos just so...and before he goes to bed at night, he fills the 8 (yes, 8) boxes back up and stacks them neatly on the storage cubes in the corner of his room. I guess that's a huge blessing of autism...even if he doesn't really like to do it, I only had to tell him a couple of times and now it's a routine...so he's going to do it. It's ingrained in his innermost being. I love that!

If you need me between now and January 1, I will probably be sitting at my desk organizing my papers - with a huge grin on my face (commonly referred to as the Salley grin). Oh happy day!

Purse Ponderings

Let's get something out of the way right up front: this blog is 100% about purses. If you're a guy, you may not be interested...but I bet you'll keep reading anyway.

I've been pining for a leather Fossil purse for quite some time now. Since I can in no way afford a leather Fossil purse, I snuck it onto my Christmas list, thinking there was no way I'd ever get it. There's a puppy on that list too.

Anyway, my aunt and my grandmother decided that if that's what I really want...which of course, it is...they would give me money toward a leather Fossil purse. It is my job to find the purse of my dreams. And while that sounds like a relatively simple task, given my love for purses, in reality it is almost as difficult as deciding what to name my children.

This past weekend I was at the Fossil outlet store in North Charleston. I don't normally like the outlet mall, but remember, I needed Fossil, and I can't afford it without it being from the outlet store. So I dealt with it.

Now I've been drooling over several bags at this particular store for quite some time, but never paying much attention, because I knew I couldn't afford anything. This time was different. This time I was checking every tag. And I found my dream purse. Hallelujah. The angels sang.

Of course, they only had one left in the style and size I want. And it is tan. TAN. What a lovely non-color. Wouldn't you think, if you were going to make the perfect bag, that you would offer it in an array of colors? Like red, mainly? But no. They have TAN.

So I've been mulling over my decision for several days now. Do I go with the perfect bag in NOT RED, or continue looking for a red bag and possibly never find The Perfect Bag again? What to do? Sometimes life just isn't fair.

Thank-Full

After a very strange Thanksgiving, I am finally getting around to updating my blog. Normally I'd be too bloated to blog for at least 2 days after turkey day, but this year, my family tried something a little different...bizarro Thanksgiving.

You know how every year someone manages to screw up the dish they're bringing...so you just do without that particular food item that year? Okay, that was this year...except it happened to EVERYONE. Which meant that my meal consisted of stuffing and corn casserole.

On top of that, SuperHubby was still suffering from severe vertigo, which meant he felt terrible and wasn't going to go to my aunt and uncle's for lunch. Turned out that was okay, because Spanky woke up, ate breakfast, and promptly puked all over the place. So it was just me and FrogBoy as far as Fitzgeralds went this year.

Then my dad, who always adds a little levity to the situation (usually not intentionally), managed to knock over a vase, which shattered into a million pieces. And my grandmother's husband knocked into a shelf, which deposited knick knacks on his head. Oh my.

Still, I managed to come up with a list of things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving. Here, in no particular order, I give you...

1. School holidays. Yes, I know I'm not in school. But I love it when my kids don't have homework and can just enjoy themselves for a couple of extra days.
2. Horse therapy. This has been an amazing thing for FrogBoy the past couple of months. Today I asked if he wanted to go feed the horses at my aunt's house and he said "SURE!" On the 4th of July, they dragged him out there kicking and screaming. And that hasn't been the only change...he has gained incredible confidence and skill in riding. It has truly been a blessing.
3. Caller ID. Remember what I said about my dad?
4. Purses. Daytimers. Boxes and bins and rubbermaid storage totes. No explanation necessary.
5. My aunt's stuffing. Previously known as my grandmother's stuffing, until my aunt took over making it. Even this year, when it was a little runny and I forgot to bring home the gravy for my leftovers. The only thing I don't like about it is that I only get it twice a year.
6. Fantastic hair. We all know I have it, but now it's out there.
7. My job. I was talking to the Smurf (my mother-in-law) last week, telling her that Geoff (boss #1) was back from India, and how glad I was about it. She gave me a quizzical look. I told her I couldn't help it, but I miss my boss when he's away. Then I mentioned that Shawn (boss #2) would be out the entire week of Thanksgiving...and I would miss him too. She told me I had always enjoyed my job way more than she could understand. I started thinking about that and realized that I do love my job, but I also really enjoy the people I get to work with. And that is a really cool thing.
8. Jon Bon Jovi. Oh my. What can I say? JBJ is quite possibly the most gorgeous specimen God ever created. He's extremely talented, has been married to the same woman for a bazillion years, and doesn't do stupid stuff, at least not so the media gets ahold of it. And did I mention he's gorgeous? And he knows he's hot...but in that precious, little boy way, not a cocky way. That makes him even more hot.
9. Gifts. Not presents, gifts. When Geoff came back from India, he brought me a gift. Shawn recently pinky-swore (in front of witnesses) that I would be the first person not involved in his book to read his book. Gifts are from the heart and tell me the person was thinking about me, even if it was extremely brief and fleeting. I'm not big into presents. I love gifts.

Of course, I'm also thankful for my family, mostly because they give me something to blog about...but also because they really are a lot of fun. Thanksgiving is the best holiday - it gives you time to reflect on what's important - like family. And Jon Bon Jovi.

Skinny Jeans

What a giant load of crap. A total misnomer. There is no such thing as skinny jeans.

Their name suggests that skinny jeans make you skinny, or, at the very least, make you look skinny. This is simply not the case. Skinny jeans are the jeans fat girls wish they could wear. The jeans skinny girls already wear. Which they call jeans.

It is just not necessary for these flightly little stick people to call them "skinny" jeans. It's not like I call my jeans "whale" jeans.

Let's not point out the obvious, people.

Sibling Rivalry

So I haven't posted in a while, and I have some really important stuff to say, but I just couldn't let this story pass...

Seems this couple was set to deliver twins...on Sunday. The first baby, a little boy, was born at 1:32 a.m. His sister was born 34 minutes later, but because of Daylight Savings Time, she was born at 1:06 a.m. (I'll wait while some of the slower folks do the math there).

So even though this poor kid managed to sneak out before his sister, and in reality he's 34 minutes older than her, all official records of their birth show her as being older. Isn't that the most bizarro thing ever? I wonder what the odds are.

Just shows you that girls will figure out a way to mess with their older brothers regardless of what it takes.

SuperSexy


So there's SuperHubby, extremely happy with me (can you tell?). Isn't he just the cutest?

Now That's What I Call Music

A couple of weekends ago, I made a little trip to my brother's house and had him load up my MP3 player with songs. I did this for 2 reasons: (1) I thought SuperHubby might be going to the hospital and I wanted something to listen to, and (2) I am cheap, and didn't want to pay for the music.

So he downloads a bunch of songs that he had on his computer. One group that he rather enjoys is a local group, The Fire Apes. He enjoys them because his buddy, John Seymour, a teaching and running friend of his, is the lead singer. He actually also knows SuperHubby, but that's not the point.

The Professor (my brother, for those who can't keep up) and sis-in-law (if you can't figure this out, stop reading now - you're just stupid) have tried several times to get us to go to see The Fire Apes play. Unfortunately, it's usually "Hey, they're playing tonight, can you get a sitter and meet us there in 2 hours."

But I was really enjoying their style of music. I listened to a couple of songs. I also listened quite intently to every single 80s song (and Johnny Cash song) he downloaded for me. And then I saw it. My name. Right there on my MP3 player. Sweet.

I have mentioned before how completely un-skilled I am at anything and everything gadgety, which is actually the 3rd reason why I drove 30 minutes to get him to put music on my MP3 player. I was looking at my name and thinking, "Okay, so he has named this group of songs Lori. Makes sense." Then the music started.

Yes, my friends, The Fire Apes have written a song called "Lori." I am pretending it is about me. It's an awesome song and they even spelled my name right, so it doesn't matter that I've never met anyone in the band. They wrote a song about me! How cool is that??!!

Shut it. How many of you have songs written about you? Okay then.

Name That Van

In random-weird-stuff-happening-to-Lori news, several people have mentioned to me in the past couple of days about why I haven't given a moniker to my new van. Frankly, I've been thinking about it...but I LOVE this van, so nothing along the lines of The Suppository will do. (yes, I loved her too, but in an I-hope-she-dies-soon kind of way).

So I was talking to Geoff about it yesterday, and was explaining that my first thought was Freida - as in Frigid Freida - because that girl can blast the A/C, let me tell you. This is a good thing, since 3 out of 4 Fitzgeralds are very hot-natured. And SH doesn't get to drive my van that much.

Then FrogBoy mentioned that I needed to name the van. That was odd. His suggestion? Princess Mommy Mobile. I like it, but the initials (PMM for those of you who are really slow) are a little close to PMS, which would make more sense but is slightly hurtful.

I also thought of Maxine, although I have no reason other than I think it sounds cool.

So...any suggestions out there in blogworld? Certainly the 3 people who read this can come up with something. I'm counting on you to name my van...don't disappoint me!!!

Only Me

This morning, as I was driving to work (early - and alone - since FrogBoy has a bad case of the skitters, and there's a RULE that you can't go to school with the scoots) - I realized there was a funny noise coming from the front end of the van. Now I am very adept at noticing these things, although I am horrible at describing them, so I shut off the radio to get a proper feel for the noise before I put SuperHubby on alert.

Fast forward just a few minutes, and I am CONVINCED that there is something alive in my glove box. It sounds like it's scratching and clawing and trying to get out - and near me. It didn't help that FrogBoy had horse therapy yesterday and so OF COURSE a field mouse somehow must have gotten in my car and is too stupid to get out. Now I'm cussing mice while simultaneously figuring out how to escape the car without crashing into a tree.

Now, anyone who knows me knows that I am a total weenie when it comes to anything of the rodent variety. If you didn't, (a) now you know and (b) DUH!!! So I call SuperHubby, who you would think would be in a rather good mood (other than the possible brain infection issue) because who do you think got up at 4 a.m. with scooter boy? Certainly not my main man. Sometimes that whole deaf thing comes in really handy. But I digress.

So I call my knight in shining armor, preface the entire conversation by explaining that I know it's going to sound weird, but he's been married to me for a long time and should be used to it by now, and I'm just SURE something alive is in my glove box. Could he possibly meet me in front of the house and check it for me? (Okay, he may have been a little cranky because it was 6:30 a.m. and he's so NOT a morning person...but I had a mouse in my car - with me!!)

So I go home, and SH checks the glove box. Nothing. Then he checks the other glove box. Still nothing. I must say I was a little disappointed. I mean, honestly, there was something knocking around in there. He tells me to listen for the noise to happen again and take note of when it does it. Of course, it hasn't done it since.

Guess it just needed a little TLC from SH. And now I look like a big dummy that's afraid of the cell charger in my glove box.

Good News / Bad News

Good News: MUSC still hasn't called
Bad News: We're only on day 8 (last time it took until day 14) and the neurologist thinks we're looking at an infection.

Good News: FrogBoy continues to do amazingly well with horse therapy. The teacher thinks he will be riding independently by December.
Bad News: His horse is 28 years old. That sounds really old to me.

Good News: Spanky continues to do exceedingly well in 7th grade.
Bad News: Spanky is almost 13.

Good News: I got 6 inches cut off my hair last week and it looks more fabulous than ever.
Bad News: I am still fat.

A Day in the Life...
a.k.a. WHAZZUP?!

Since I posted earlier in the week about SuperHubby, I thought I should probably post again to update everyone. This is mostly for my sanity, because I can't for the life of me remember who I've told what, although it also gives me another chance to call him SH, which his uncle apparently thinks means something ENTIRELY different from SuperHubby (I'll give everyone a minute to catch up - it took me a little bit, so all the nice people who read my blog - both of you - might have to email me privately). Suffice it to say, today, SH is acting like the 2nd meaning of the word.

Anywho, SH has been feeling lousy all week. Nothing new, so there's really nothing to report. Oh, except today he felt compelled to try to jog. Which didn't go well. DUH. So I am a wee bit ticked. Meanwhile, he cleaned the entire house, because that's what we do when he feels lousy like this, just in case. Which means he's saying he thinks it's his RLS medication, but he's worried it isn't.

To top off the loveliness with SH, Spanky went to the Allnighter at church last night. Suddenly Spanky is Cranky. And he managed to hurt his knee so he's been milking that all day. Lovely.

Meanwhile, FrogBoy has been totally precious, even coming up to me earlier this evening and asking me if I was happy. I wonder if that kid realizes how much he makes me smile.

So...in a nutshell...and I emphasize NUT...it's the same old, same old here. I am just holding on tight and hoping things don't go upside down this week.

Life Verse

A lot of people I know have chosen life verses for themselves...verses that sum up everything that is anything in their lives...and I have discovered mine...

Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out...
Luke 12:33

CowFrog Photos

Yesterday was FrogBoy's 2nd time at horse therapy. I thought I'd share some pix.

So yesterday started out relatively stinky for FrogBoy (he told me when I picked him up at school that it was a terrible day...and apparently, according to his teacher, he was right). Being a cowboy makes everything better though! He even got to trot (2nd to last picture - notice the grin!)

Be A Buddy

This month there is a Buddy Walk here in Charleston for families affected by Downs Syndrome. Since my BFF has a son (Nick) with Downs, and my boy BFF has a daughter (Coleman) with Downs, I wanted to get the word out to as many people as possible about this exciting event.

You can visit Scott and Meghan's site to see about being a buddy for Coleman. My girl BFF lives in the upstate and hasn't sent me any information on a Buddy Walk there...but I will keep everyone updated. Click here to see about donating for Coleman and the Kinney family.
http://buddywalk.kintera.org/lowcountry/colemankinney?faf=1&e=1233106221

I would like to point out that I am NOT walking, I am merely donating. Anyone who knows me knows I don't walk unless someone's chasing me. Frankly, I think it might distract from the Buddy Walk if I had a coronary event right there.

There's an autism walk each spring; somehow I always manage to miss that as well. I MEAN to go, I just don't get around to it. Anyway, this is a great chance to help out some great people -

SuperHubby Update

So SH hasn't been feeling all that great for a couple of weeks. It finally bottomed out this weekend when we realized he had all the symptoms of something funky going down with the shunt. I lovingly suggested that he call the doctor. He lovingly told me to butt out. By yesterday morning, he was offering to go to the ER if that would make me feel better. Anyone who knows SH knows this is not a good sign.

He left for the ER at 1:30. I got 2 text messages from him around 4:00 and then nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Not good for the nerves. I finally called the ER and found out they were running the full series of shunt tests and I really just needed patience, thank you very much.

After 9 hours in the ER, SH was released to come home. He was feeling lousy so I went and picked him up. (Thanks to Kelly and the Smurf, who helped me with logistics!). When I got there, he was terribly nauseous from the spinal tap so they had to give him phenergan in his IV – and we had to stay until that starting working. He also had a terrible headache that nothing was touching. It was a pressure headache but could have been caused by the spinal tap – that makes the fluids decrease quickly, which can cause a pressure headache. He said the doc took a lot of fluid so we’re thinking that was a contributor to the bad headache.

Finally got him squared away and had to run to the 24-hour CVS for Lortab for his headache and Gatorade to try to replenish some of his fluids. Got him home around 10:30. He didn’t sleep well – he was screaming and jerking and the norm when he’s like this – so I haven’t slept a wink (yeah, right, poor me). I left him in bed when I took the boys to school but had to run home because a teacher got makeup on my shirt and he was awake and prepping to come to work.

Right now we just wait. The culture they tested last night was clear but the doc was talking a lot about the last time he had an infection and how the bacteria grew so slowly and how they’ll really have to keep any eye on it again. SH is nervous. We have to monitor him very carefully over the next couple of weeks and return to the ER if there are changes.

So if you think about it today, please pray for SH.

Even More Stuff about Me

For those not in the know, the title of this post (and the other 2 that give all sorts of interesting tidbits about my life) are directly stolen from a group of books called, Parts, More Parts and Even More Parts. They are these great books that I got for FrogBoy to help with idioms. They are very cute.

I think I have finally come up with the last 1/3 of my list. In no particular order...

1. My favorite flowers are carnations.
2. I LOVE boiled peanuts. They are quite possibly God's gift to the human race.
3. I also love pumpkin cheesecake. Or oreo cheesecake. Or even butterfinger cheesecake. Cheesecake is a good thing.
4. My favorite movie of all time is The Sound of Music.
5. I had a stuffed bear named Betty Bear when I was a baby. It was bigger than me when I was born. I had her until last year, when one of our stupid dogs ripped her to shreds. I found her lifeless body in the backyard. I am ashamed to admit I cried.
6. Growing up, I idolized Def Leppard.
7. I really think I could be a vegetarian. I like an occasional steak, and I love seafood, but I'm not big on beef or chicken. And I actually love tofu.
8. I have a tattoo on my right ankle. I want another one - possibly on my left shoulder.
9. I LOVE anything and everything pertaining to Veggie Tales. I try to blame it on the kids, but it's really me. The best? Josh and the Big Wall - the French Peas - of course.
10. I am terribly, deathly afraid of flying.
11. My favorite sandwich consists of cheddar cheese, miracle whip and smushed lays potato chips on white bread. Heart attack on a plate.
12. I absolutely adore Neil Diamond.
13. I can't parallel park. I have never done it, not even for my driving test.
14. I am double jointed in my elbows and thumbs.
15. I can't cook, but I make something called Lori's Awesome Nachos that are really good.
16. The first thing I do when I get home is take off my shoes. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, I can't stand having shoes on my feet.
17. I love salad - hold the lettuce. Yes, I'm that weird.
18. I fill my gas tank when it gets to the halfway mark (credit years of emergency trips to MUSC with SuperHubby for that) but I never, ever check the oil in my car.
19. I was head cheerleader for my brother's little league football team. The only reason I was head cheerleader was because I was the tallest girl out there.
20. I sing at the top of my lungs in the car. It embarrasses the snot out of my children. I don't care.
21. I sleep with my right leg kicked out from under the covers. Even in winter.
22. I am named after my grandmother and my mother.
23. I love hurricanes.
24. I hate bugs (but I'm getting better - I no longer freak out when I see them).
25. There's nothing better than watching a cheesy movie on Lifetime or Sci-Fi Channel.
26. I was very brave this weekend - I got 6 inches cut off my most fabulous hair.

I still can't think of the rest of my list - so I guess I'm just not that interesting. Anyone who knows me and comes up with something I forgot, feel free to post - just be nice.

In the Kitchen with Lori

I found this pretty cool website the other day called www.startcooking.com. For those who really haven't been paying attention, I can't cook - at all - which is one reason I married a chef. (The fact that he was really cute didn't hurt matters.)

So I thought I would check out this website. After all, they claim to be able to take people like me, with absolutely no cooking talent, and teach them how to cook. I figured they were lying - most sites do when they're trying to let people know what their site is about - so I decided to check it out. I can't boil water, so how can I cook a gourmet meal?

I was pleasantly surprised to find that on this site, they actually teach you how to do the basics - for example - they walk you through the steps of boiling an egg, complete with video instruction. Then they teach you how to make things with that boiled egg (delived eggs anyone? how about egg salad??)

While this sounds pathetic to most of you reading this, it makes me very happy. I won't have to bother SuperHubby if I need to make rice. (spaghetti and pop tarts get old after awhile, even if you do rotate them in the menu). I haven't tried anything yet, just experimenting with the website for now...but watch for a future post on The Queen Conquering the Kitchen!

Cowboy Words of Wisdom

So FrogBoy has to write a friendly letter to a classmate each week at school. Each student gets to be "Star of the Week" for one week during the year - they get to do all the fun class chores, they get friendly letters from everyone else in the class, and they get to make a poster all about themselves. This must be big in elementary school, because Froggie has done it every year since first grade. But I digress.

Froggie's letter this week was to Walker. And here is what my precious child wrote:

Dear Walker,
I've been to a barn in Awendaw and I just became a cowboy! I rode on a he-horse named Danny and we played games and made a "victory" hand sign. It also had a store cat mascot named Oreo. It's fun at the barn.
Sincerely,
Michael F.

Who can tell me the people at equine therapy don't have an amazing gift from God?

Happiness

109 days til Christmas!!

Cowboy Mike

Tuesday was another amazing day in our house. FrogBoy started equine therapy. I have never seen anything like it in my entire life.

It took us about 30 minutes to get there...and I got lost 3 times before I actually found the place. We're talking backwoods, people. Anyway, as we're driving in, we notice roosters and hens, cats, dogs, and of course, lots and lots of horses. This is going to be interesting.

See, Froggie doesn't really care for animals that much - although he does like smaller dogs - and he certainly doesn't like being outdoors. He has a hate/hate relationship with dragonflies and butterflies and most other bugs that fly. I figured we had a long day ahead of us.

So we go in and he changes into his jeans, because, as Miss Leslie told him, he's going to be a cowboy today and ride bareback. WHAT?! I really thought the first day would just be, "Hello, this is a horse, see you next week." Anyway, he gets changed and picks a helmet, which takes a few minutes because you want just the right one, and then we're off.

Now I have to say, these people know what they're doing. They should - they do this equine therapy for autistic kids and handicapped kids alike, so you want to make sure no one gets hurt. But they had Miss Leslie, who was in charge, and then Miss Julie, Miss Susan and Mr. Rick - one in front, leading the horse, and one on either side, making sure the kid doesn't slide off. Oh, and Danny.

Danny was the horse. Danny was the coolest horse ever. I have never seen such a gentle creature. He was amazing. Again, I'm sure they screen for this, but he was on his mark Tuesday. He sniffed Froggie to get his "stench" (FrogMan's words, not mine), and then they all went to the ring. I got left behind, outside the gate. Story of my life.

Miss Leslie explained some things to Froggie and told him that Danny wanted to play games with him - Danny loves to play games. Froggie found this to be good information. Miss Leslie asked Froggie to mount Danny. Froggie said, "Um, no thanks." Polite kid.

Miss Leslie then explained that Danny really wanted to play, but they couldn't play the games if Froggie wasn't actually ON Danny. They walked through the games without the horse, and my little FrogMan, who can't stand animals or the outdoors or bugs (and there were plenty!) actually RAN over to the horse and mounted up like he's been riding for years! These people really know what they're doing!

Now at this point, I must point out that I was crying and trying to pretend like the wind was causing my eyes to water. I knew if they didn't get FrogBoy on a horse that day, it wouldn't be happening. He's a little like me. But there he was, riding like a pro.

He rode with both hands. Then he started petting Danny while he was riding (he was told to do this, he didn't just start doing it because he felt like it). Then he would reach back and try to touch his tail while riding. He had great posture and would correct himself when he started to slip. He used his voice commands and even learned a non-verbal command for Danny. Froggie was happy. Danny was happy. I was ecstatic.

Eventually they played the games, which were pretty cool. I think Danny was even smiling, although I could have imagined that. Then they had Froggie do a victory lap, during which he actually rode around the ring with both hands in the air - incredible!

All the while, I had Oreo the cat hanging out on top of my feet. And I don't even like cats!

After they were finished, I talked with Miss Leslie and she was very impressed with how well the first lesson went. She actually used the word "miraculous." I think that may be a little strong, but it was nothing short of REALLY COOL.

In the car, FrogBoy told me how proud of him everyone would be. He is so right.

Then he asked me where babies come from. Ruined a great day. I asked him why he wanted to know and apparently he had seen it on a billboard. Thank you, East Cooper Hospital. Your silly little advertising gimmick has caused me to have acid reflux. Anyway, I asked where he thought they came from, and he said "From mommies tummies." Thank goodness I thought to ask before I went into an explanation - his answer was WAY better than mine!

And then, true to Froggie form, he said, "Yeah, they don't come from New Jersey, or lettuce, or mommies armpits."

What a great kid.