We're still up here on the third floor and Grover & Ollie have abandoned the noise routine to watch a yoga tape that my mom gave them. It's very cute to see them doing yoga (although the woman narrating this tape sounds like she's still stuck in the 60's).

Oh, did I mention that Ollie is wearing nothing but underpants? I guess if you really want to get back to nature...

From Overheard in New York

Girl: Taco Bell is fifty cents, but I don't want to go to Taco Bell for a date.
Guy: Have you noticed that if you say "Taco Bell" enough, it starts to sound funny?
Girl: Taco Bell.
Guy: Taco Bell. It sounds like a battle of the Civil War.
Girl: The Battle of Taco Bell.

--Threepenny Opera, Studio 54

I killed the laptop. Well, not really. I was multi-tasking as usual and while talking on the phone, eating my cereal and checking my e-mail, I spilled milk on the laptop. As a result, the space bar doesn't work although everything else seems to be fine. When I called Dell, they told me I probably need a new motherboard (!?!) and we arranged to have the laptop sent back for repair. Unfortunately, stupidity is not covered under our extended warranty so the repair will take place to the tune of $530. Yikes! I'm still hoping that the diagnostic will show that the motherboard is fine and all they really need to do is replace the keyboard which will cost significantly less.

Meanwhile, if I want to type e-mail or post here, I have to use the dinosaur upstairs. Compared to the laptop, it's painfully slow but it could be worse. I could have no back-up at all. OMG - then what would I do??? Actually, the worst part of using the PC is that it lives on the 3rd floor which is our playroom. This is where all the noise-making toys were banished - I could send Grover and Ollie up here to make all the noise they wanted while I sat in peace and quiet two floors away. Yeah, now I get to hear Ollie demonstrate her musical talents with the one-man-band set my mother-in-law sent for Christmas one year while Grover accompanies her on a xylophone-type instrument that plays animal sounds. It is a sight (okay, sound) to behold, I assure you.

Well, Mike C got his long locks shaved last Thursday (and lost the playoff beard as well) and in the process raised $15,000 for the Jimmy V Junior Classic. He went from (to paraphrase the News & Observer) looking like Grizzly Adams to G.I. Joe in about half an hour. I couldn't go because we had Vacation Bible School last night and I figured that blowing off Jesus to go see a hockey player get his hair cut might not win me any points in the long run. My friend, however, had no such obligation and was there amid the chaos. She said it was great. There were even a few of the kids from Duke and UNC hospitals there to participate. I wish I could volunteer with her for the Junior Classic but it takes place on Ollie's birthday. Alas, ogling professional athletes and soap opera stars is not a good reason to miss my own child's birthday!

Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina... with the STANLEY CUP!!! I am still so excited about the Hurricanes' win that I can hardly find the words to express myself.

I will, however, remind you of my Chop the Mop post and update it by saying that the ceremonial chopping will occur tomorrow, June 22, at 6:00 p.m. at Generations Salon and Spa in the Brierdale Shopping Center in Raleigh (in case you wish to attend the event).

Mike's goal is $20,000. Show your support for Mike, not only for his unique hair style but for his commitment to the kids of the Triangle. Make a donation today by selecting from the choices below. You can make a selection and check out using your credit card. This fund-raiser will only be in effect for as long as the Canes are playing, plus 10 days.

Please consider making a $10 (or more) donation in honor of Mike C. to go to the V Foundation, specifically children's cancer research and Duke Children's Hospital. You can donate HERE or you can mail a check payable to JVCGCJR to:

JVCGCJR
c/o Commodore Event
7474 Creedmor Road, #125
Raleigh, NC 27613

Thank you and WAY TO GO 'CANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!