Mickey Towel Art awaiting me in the room at the Boardwalk

It’s no secret to anyone that part of my job involves working with many talented and amazing mom bloggers. While I’m only a mom to my baby dogs, I do blog, occassionally so I have the experience to know what it takes to maintain a blog.  It truly amazes me the work these women put into their blogs. The writing is often flawless, the stories are creative and captivating and the accompanying photos are all so professionally shot. I sit in shame and bewilderment as to how they do it and maintain their homes and families.  My hats off to all of you. You inspire me.  I will provide a blog roll list on one of my next updates so you can check them out yourself.  I can’t do it right now because I need to be downstairs in a few minutes to meet the next wonderful mom bloggers - who are calling themselves on Twitter – #disneymochamoms.  Follow our trail this weekend on Twitter.

Photo from: Florida Southwest River Water Management District

Tonight on the news was a story about 2 people struck by lightning – while sitting outside on metal chairs watching the afternoon thunderstorms pass by. (story from Local 6 here)  The fact that they were “SITTING OUTSIDE IN METAL CHAIRS” just floored me. Florida has long been nicknamed the lightning capital of the United States. On average, 7 – 9 people per year are killed by lightning in the state.

Being a native Floridian, and Orlandoan, I have grown up in the Lightning State, er – I mean Sunshine State.  I’m very afraid of lightning.  I take it very seriously. I’m scared to death at the end of the work day having to walk the long distance outside to the parking lot holding a metal umbrella while dodging lightning bolts all over the place.  Lightning is dangerous.  The biggest rule to remember is seek shelter indoors when you see or hear lightning and thunder nearby.  It’s that simple. Don’t think you can beat the odds because you’re special.  And most of all, don’t sit outside watching the storms pass in a metal chair!

NASA Lightning Map (2001)

The maps show that Florida, for example, is one place where the rate of strikes is unusually high. Dennis Boccippio, an atmospheric scientist with the NSSTC lightning team, explains why: “Florida experiences two sea breezes: one from the east coast and one from the west coast.” The “push” between these two breezes forces ground air upward and triggers thunderstorms.

Hong Kong Lightning by David Roark

The Prized Yellow Football

Take a look at this photo to the left. Mikita is cherishing her prized yellow football. She loves this football, as torn up as it is. It’s her most favorite toy of the bazillions of toys she has.  I bury this ratty ball in the bottom of her toy chest (yes, she has a toy chest) and she sniffs it right out. There is absolutely no hiding this ball from her. I could just throw it away, but why deprive her of the fun of playing with something she’s destroyed. 

So, now that you know how much she loves this football, the rest of this post will hopefully be funny and make sense. 

I have a dog sitter who comes to the house once a day to let the kids out and play with them for awhile. I’m fortunate to have someone excellent, whom I can trust with my babies, and who loves them almost as much as I do.  She leaves me daily notes of the highlights of her visits with them. Today’s was exceptionally humorous:

Dog Visit 05/20/09

“I had a battle of wills with Mikita today and lost both times. I think I was cranky from the rain because I didn’t want to play with the football. I threw the pink ball and she brought me back the yellow football. This went on for 5 minutes until I finally gave up.  Then, when the skies opened up she didn’t want to come in. You just can’t help but love her.”

Gotta love Mikita.

Mikita loves her toys

Lap dogTired baby