Ah… there are some times when being a parent can be so satisfying.

My loyal readers (both of you) will remember that the other day there was a bit of an altercation in the morning because it was perceived (wrongly) that I was somehow at fault because #1 son was a little slow at getting ready to leave.

Yesterday I picked up a clock to hang in #1 Son’s bathroom, allowing him to always know how late he’s running in the morning. I had a choice between expense and water resistent, or cheap but not water resistent. I went with cheap, because I wanted one with nice big numbers to hang by his mirror.

Here’s a little snippet of conversation, when #1 Son arrived home:

Mom: Hi, kiddo. Welcome home. I bought you a present today. It’s in your bathroom. Go take a look!

Son: [long pause while he looks in his bathroom and tries to figure out what's different]

Son: [emerges from bathroom with big grin on face] Mom… sometimes you are such a smart ass!

Even if I have to replace the thing monthly, it’s paid for itself already by making my point. He was still a bit late today, but he didn’t blame me for it.

In other good news, the van that has been taking up two parking slots for the last 6 weeks has finally disappeared. That sound you hear is a vast sigh of relief from those who daily jockey for position on the parking-lot totem pole.