I'm feeling a little extra macho-he-man today because I fixed our dryer! Now I'm going to get very technical with you, so skip over this part if you don't understand very complicated repair-man jargon.

There are these two round, black doohickies that have something to do with the gas. Apparently they go kerfluey after a few years, and you have to unscrew the thinamabob that holds them on and replace them. Unforunately, I broke off the gizmos holding the deeley to the doodad, and had to make another trip back to the appliance parts store for two more gizmos.

Anyway, after 2 days, 3 cut fingers and 58 dollars, we now have a functioning dryer! If we'd have had a repair-man (or woman! Am I right, ladies???) come out, it's estimated to have cost 1.2 million dollars.

So, while I might not be a real "superhero," today I bask in the warm glow of a job well done. Or maybe that's just my warm pants.

I am happy to report that all of us returned home safely from our weekend of camping. A couple thoughts:

1. There was a lot of music and drunken laughter in the campground until about 1 am. It was just like camping in a Planet Hollywood!

2. Our old Coleman stove still works! My dad bought it in about 1968, and it's still chugging away! They don't build stuff like that any more!

3. Kids don't love to "go for a nice long hike!"

I love to go to movies! I'll go by myself, and I'll get popcorn, candy, the whole thing! (Unless I sneak candy in. Shhhh!) However, I've been going less and less often lately for one reason: The price!  Sorry, movie theatres, but it's just over my tipping point for the tickets, when I know the movies are going to be out on video soon anyway, and I can watch them on my tv!

So what did my awesome family get me for my birthday this week?  A movie theater gift card! For a hundred buck! No excuse now! The money's already been spent! I may even splurge and buy one of those $4.00 drinks! Okay, "Man Of Steel," here I come!