I am a little worried about my countdown. Look at the weather* that Doug is hiking and camping in right now. I think they should come home early, but I’m afraid they’re going to get stuck and come home a day or two later than planned. Can I call the park rangers yet? “Your Mommy wife wants to know if you have enough sense to come in out of the rain.”

On the homefront, we are in Harry Potter countdown mode. After Sarah goes to flag camp in the morning, I am supposed to go get a number at Borders. Why can’t they just distribute based on pre-order dates? After I get a number color, I am going on a hunt for the gloves Sarah needs for flags. I don’t know what they’re called, what they cost or anything except the vague description Sarah has given me. Apparently, her flag teacher doesn’t “do” handouts to clue parents in on anything. She also doesn’t “do” mass e-mails, yahoo groups or anything else to keep me informed. The very best part about hanging out at Borders for 6 hours tomorrow night? Amy and Evan are spending the night with their grandparents. That woman melting into her chair at Borders? That will be me. No toddler chasing and no 5-y-o who likes public restrooms a little too much. I might even raid the hidden alcohol when we get home from Borders. Saturday morning? I’m sleeping in! cue choir singing I’m feeling good.

*Don’t tell anyone, but I don’t know how to find the National Forest on that weather map. I wasn’t kidding when I said I have no sense of direction. Are they in the tornado warning area? Are they in the dry areas?