I need t-shirt ideas. For some reason, 98% of my t-shirts are huge on me, because I inexplicably insist on buying men’s t-shirts in small sizes and calling it a day. (I have a form-fitting woman’s Twins t-shirt and every time I wear it I am amazed: “Look at my waist! I have a figure!”) I especially need cheap t-shirts I can wear camping. Bonus points if the slogan or image has to do with camping. Thoughts? Links?

This morning, as Shorty was snoozing on the bed with us, Sunny was over-the-top belligerent that we were not feeding her, throwing decibel-ratcheting meows from phantom locations like a skilled voice thrower. Shorty was getting increasingly annoyed with her (join the club, pooch) and finally heaved a giant sigh as if to say, “Jeezus, cat! Shut it!” and wormed his way underneath the bedcovers to hide his head.

I bought the most perfect bag of Rainier cherries last weekend. They were really expensive, but ohmigod. I had some at work and felt like Gollum clutching the bag to my chest. I plan on bringing the rest camping this weekend, and this is one of those times I’m glad Jason doesn’t eat any fruit. Like Joey on Friends, Shauna doesn’t share food!

The car saga is over (I didn’t even tell you guys that after everything else, the alternator then went out. The mechanic felt so bad for me he put it in for $130) but I am already compiling a list of possibilities so when the car dies, I can preferably torch it and walk away from its flaming remains to the nearest car dealership. So, I am looking to spend about $10,000 on something less than 5 years old with less than 50,000 miles (because, in case you missed it, I hate car payments) and want something that has a ton of room for camping supplies, the dog, and us. I like the idea of a small SUV like the Saturn Vue, but does anyone else have any recommendations?

Has anyone used that Off! fan? I am suspicious of its performance. It seems too easy, like the crappy citronella candles I buy in the hopes I won’t have to shower in bug spray but then disappoint me. Yay? Nay?

Oh, and because I am a giant hypocrite, I am now on Twitter. Follow me there if you’d like. (picklesdimes)

Have a fun and safe 4th!

Thanks for playing, guys! (Your great guesses gave me ideas for future mastheads!)

The winner of “Guess July’s Masthead Theme” is Whimsy! She’s the only one who correctly guessed Pac-Man, and will receive a package sometime after the 4th! Congrats, Whimsy!

BTW, there are a lot of exclamation points in this post. It’s way too early for that. I apologize.

(P.S. Does anyone else have to really think about whether it’s “exclamation point” or “exclamation mark”? Just me, then? Very well.)

It was hot (Weatherman: Looks like today will be the hottest day of the year so far!), but we coped well. We drank plenty of beverages.

We brought ice water-soaked washcloths to the games. Ahhhhhh…

And we found shade whenever we could. (This was on the stadium tour, and during a visit to the Cards’ announcer’s booth, Jason read a note left there for Bert Blyleven. I cannot take him anywhere.)

The Thing tagged along. He claims he’s been to St. Louis before, but he’s lying. I think.

He made sure we wore our hats and covered ourselves in sunscreen. (Although, even though I did this last year in Colorado, I once again managed to burn my kneecaps, and only my kneecaps. How does this happen?)

We saw the Arch.

And the view from the Arch.

The stadium was awesome and hopefully, Target Field will be just as beautiful. Plus, it was a block from our hotel.

Our hotel had a fantastic view of the Arch. Jason took this picture because it was early and I was sleeping. Too bad the window washers hadn’t made the rounds to our side yet.

Trip-related ailments:

My knees. They got sunburned, even though I put on sunscreen, the same sunscreen that effectively protected me for nearly four hours everywhere else on my body. Ridiculous.

Jason’s nose. We were wrestling on the hotel bed (yes, wrestling vs. “wrestling”) and we started to do this slow slide off the bed that neither one of us could stop. Seriously, it was in super slow motion and gravity was winning. So we slid (slowly) off the bed onto the floor and Jason’s face met the hotel carpet. And then the full weight of my body landed on his head. At first he thought he broke his nose. It bled a lot, puffed up, bruised and has a bump on one side, but he can breathe through it and the swelling is already better. Although it made taking off in the plane (with its cabin pressure) pure hell on the way home.

Do we know how to have a good time or what?

Next year, I’m bringing an extra tube of sunscreen solely for my knees, a bunch of gauze and bandages for Jason, and the address of the nearest medical facility.

Now that I have a job where making mastheads during my downtime can’t be attributed to “employee development” (“I’m learning PhotoShop!”), I make them at home. Only I don’t want to spend my nights and weekends hogging the computer.

So we all lose.

This masthead was supposed to be real. “Real” in that I was trying to find an image of a real tree, with a real heart carved into it. But the stupid free photography sites don’t have photographers who cater to my every whim! The nerve!

So, you get clip art instead. I’m sorry.

But, lucky you, I’m already done with July’s masthead and I’m going to have a contest.

If you can guess the theme of July’s masthead, you win a prize.

Here’s your one hint: it’s based on a video game.

Good luck!

One guess per person, please. All entries must be received by 5:00 p.m. CST on Tuesday, June 30, 2009. One winner will be selected randomly from all correct entries. Residents of Brazil and Chad are not eligible. Void where prohibited.

The mascot of Tater Daze, Spudsy.

At the starting line

Feeling good…20 steps in

About 20 seconds from the finish line (And, according to Jason, “About to die”)

His goal: 30 minutes

His official race time: 29:59.7

Way to go, baby!