Last week before I left for St. Louis I met my parents halfway between our house and theirs. The little man was going to stay for them a few days, and he told me in no uncertain terms that he wanted me to pick him up this Wednesday. It seemed like a long time for him to be away from home, but he was all about it. Breakfasts of brownies and Cheetos hold a certain appeal with seven year-olds, I reckon. Not to mention all the TV and Cokes and trips to the toy store that you can handle.

I got home late Saturday night (I will have to tell you about how the St. Louis heat got my attention but good on Saturday afternoon), and Sunday was super-relaxing. D and I went out to eat for lunch and for supper (we’re CRAAAAAAAZY!). We talked about his work and my time in St. Louis and the sermon we heard yesterday and a maybe-trip that’s on the horizon and TV and tennis and soccer. It was such a good, easy day. And since I knew I was going to be all by myself today, I decided before I went to bed last night that I was going to sleep later than normal, treat myself to a pedicure (it’s not something I get to do often, but it’s my most favorite indulgence in the whole universe and I really hope with all my heart that there’s some sort of nail salon in heaven) and then tackle my house with a vengeance. Change sheets. Wash clothes. Dust. Clean bathrooms. The whole thing.

Well.

When I looked at my phone after the pedicure, I’d missed a call from Mama and Daddy’s house. It was Alex. And he had some thoughts about his travel plans. When I called him back, he said, “Well, Mama, here’s the thing: I’ve just really been missing you.” So I said, “Aw – that’s so sweet! Do you want me to come pick you up today?”

And before I could finish the question, he said, “THAT SOUNDS PERFECT! WHAT TIME WILL YOU BE HERE?”

So I walked straight to my car, cranked ‘er up, and drove to Mississippi. I pIcked up the little guy (who, by the way, has grown approximately four feet in the last five days), then stopped by the drug store to pick up a prescription for Mama – who decided she’d ride back to Alabama with us and stay here for a few days. I didn’t clean a thing. Didn’t dust even a little bit. AND NOW MY MAMA IS HERE.

But my boy, he’s home. And OH, HE IS LIVELY.

All that to say: I had great intentions of putting up a post today and showing you the 73,000 pictures I took of the Arch last week – each one just as rivetingly boring as the one before. My spiritual gift is repetition, apparently. And I’ll say that again just in case you didn’t get it the first time: I TEND TO DO THE SAME THINGS OVER AND OVER.

But now it’s time for our little family to get our groove back. And to take Mama to the Steinmarts. And to take Mama to the Home Goods. And to take Mama to the TJ Maxx.

So I’ll be back in a couple of days. But in the meantime, there’s another chance to win a $100 gift card courtesy of BlogHer – here’s the post where the giveaway magic is happening.

And also, you know, this:

There’s 72,999 more where that came from.

You must be beside yourself with anticipation.

Late this afternoon I went to the DSW to kill some time (and to try on some flip-flops that Megan recommended) before I met David for supper, and after about 15 minutes in the store, I started to shake my head and giggle.

Because seriously? WHO CAN WEAR THESE FOR MORE THAN SIX MINUTES?

They’re just perfect for an afternoon of chasing kids around the park or the pool, don’t you think?

And please don’t get me wrong: I’m all for a cute wedge or a kicky heel. But if I wore any of those shoes? I’d only be about four quick steps away from a broken ankle.

Now I realize that there are some darlin’ women who are running around this summer in some gravity-defying heels (or as I like to call them: stilts), but Mamaw here needs some arch support. I can still handle a sensible (and dare I say sassy) wedge like this one –

– but if my foot has to deal with a shoe that has more than about a 20 degree angle, I’m toast. I’ll walk around in three-inch heels (and often do) as long as the base of my foot is on a level surface, but as far as wearing shoes that require a steep incline? OH NO MA’AM.

The good news, however, is that my time at the shoe store was not for naught. Because I rediscovered an old friend.

I didn’t buy them, mainly because when I tried them on I had flashbacks of a time when my days consisted of listening to Hootie & The Blowfish and watching the first season of “Friends” and wearing those pleated palazzo pants from The Limited that came in either solid colors or – SHIVER ME TIMBERS – earth-toned floral patterns.

It’s not necessarily a fashion era that I care to revisit. Purely for personal reasons, you understand.

But there’s no question that for sheer comfort, Birkenstocks can’t be beat. I’d forgotten how they’re supportive in all the right places. Well-made. Dependable. And you know what else? I think they’re due for a comeback.

So, just because I’m curious (read: nosy) and because nothing will delight me more than looking at and thinking about shoes all day, let me ask you this: what are your most favorite, most comfortable shoes in the whole wide world? Leave a link if you want. And if your most comfortable shoes are some sort of stiletto-ish wedge, then please know you have my envy and my undying admiration.

My flip-flops and I just think the world of you.

So I’m starting to think that there is in fact some sort of falcon nest in one of our trees, and I’m basing that theory solely on the amount of high-pitched squawking that’s going on in our backyard. I’m tickled, of course, that the birds have found a safe haven right here among us, but they’re going to have to keep the noise down a little bit or I fear I’ll have no choice but to file a complaint with the homeowners’ association.

The nature should always pay close attention to noise ordinances, don’t you think?

We were out of town most of last week, so today my plan is to get my house under control again. The floors need to be mopped, the laundry needs to be put away, and the luggage needs to return to somewhere besides the foyer. I feel like there are papers stacked on every stationary surface – countertops, tables, bar stools – and I have very high hopes that today will be the day that I conquer Paper Mountain. Truth be told, I’d really like to throw all the paper in the fireplace and then light ‘er up, but there’s no way I could stand the heat. It’s 204 outside. Not really the time to snuggle up ’round the fire.

I’m also determined to find an appropriate place to keep all of our library books. I enjoy the fact that reading the books is, you know, FREE, but OH MY WORD AT THE BOOK-RELATED CLUTTER. They’re everywhere. And I think they need a tote bag. Or maybe even a basket. Or shelf. Or something.

ANYWAY, the whole point of this post is to tell you that I just posted a new giveaway for a $100 Visa gift card. And the giveaway for the $50 gift card is still up and running. So, you know, enjoy. And good luck. And etcetera.

All righty. Paper Mountain awaits. If you don’t hear from me by tomorrow, please alert the rescue team.

Thank you and have a lovely day.