The Mother Load

(Author's note: MAT Camp is short for Music, Arts, and Technology Camp where we've holed up for the week to learn lots of cool stuff.)




Mom, today I learned that when you show up for your first day of Vocal Jazz and find out your teacher is the coolest guy at camp it's only THAT MUCH MORE INTIMIDATING when he tells you he's read your blog.

(Additional Author's Note:  Seriously?  Terrifying...but kind of awesome.)

So, hi.  My name's Sarah Clark.  I used to blog a lot...

And then it was summer.  And kids were home.  And there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth.  And then kids were gone at their dad's house.  And there was much wailing and out-of-sortsness at my house and much TV watching at his.

Then there was the week my mom flew in, and I had to get ready for the BIG DAY (more about that on my other blog), and there was much cooking to be found.

And there was definitely not much blogging.

But I assure you...readers old and new...I'm totally a blogger.  Totally.  Pay no attention to the lack of posts over the last month.  Your blogger has returned.  She is back.  She will blog.

(And there was much cheering to be found in cyberspace?  Yes?)

See, I have to get my bottom in gear this week because I'm actually teaching a blogging class at Music, Arts, and Technology Camp, and it would never do for my students (all 2 of them) to seek out my blog and find a whole lotta nada.  Can't have eager learners thinking, What? This woman calls herself a blogger?  This is no blog!

Also, there are all of you...the devoted...the deprived.  A friend and coworker cornered me at our recent company retreat and said, "You need to blog!  I need something to read!"  Properly chastised, I am here a mere week (two?) later.  Here you go, Jenn.  These are words and you are reading them.  Be at peace, little tan one.

So, what's on the schedule for the week?  Probably some pics from MAT Camp...lots of singing and dancing and music playing and general geekiness.  I'll throw in some specific geekiness too.  Interspersed, expect to find some photos of beautiful Wyoming, where the cows outnumber the trees 254,679,902 to 1.

I've got a little Weird Al love for you tomorrow, and I have a doozy of a Stupid Product for Wednesday.  I'll be updating my Mother Unload weight loss progress soon...probably today, and I have a new recipe to share for sure.  Awesome Product Thursday will go forward as planned, and there will be an actual, real, true, bonafide Mother Load column up on Friday!  We'll also probably have a bonus YouTube video of the MAT Camp Flash Mob, of which my family will be a part.  (No more details on that in case there are readers in Evanston who like to shop at Wal Mart.  I probably should have even said that much.  Blast!)

I'm less able to post links on the Mother Load Facebook Fan page because the internet at the school has social networking sites blocked.  Middle school students aren't old enough for a social life, I guess.  Either that, or they're worried about kids Facebooking during class.  That's more of a problem among college students...I mean...I've heard...

So, there you go.  I'm happy to be back.  Happy that the wailing and gnashing and TV watching and cooking have all been toned down (well, the wailing is still going on), and I can get back to the world of blogging!

Because I'm totally a blogger...

Mom, today I learned that Michael HATES red shirts...



until he's told he gets to keep one.

Mom, today I learned that on some rides, it pays to be married.




Except when you're married to someone who wants to take on you the crazy rides...



Like this one.



And this one.



Of course, once you master your fear and ride them, you realize it wasn't that bad after all.



I learned that someone at Lagoon is dumb enough to need this sign.



And someone is misshapen enough to need this one.



I learned that people are gross.



But anyone willing to collect this money is even more so.  (Richard was tempted...)



And finally, I learned that if you stay until the park closes, you're likely to be tired.



But the attendant at this ride will let you ride it three times in a row just for fun.



Awwwww, yeah!