Rough Draft

Compare

Last Sunday:

4:45am woke up to take the dog out to pee.  Ugh.
5:30am can't sleep; toss.
6:30am still awake but refuse to get up this early on a Sunday...damn.
7:30am must have finally fallen back to sleep.
9:30am woke up and started a new book; kids came into bedroom asking for breakfast.
9:50am took shower; made bed.
10:30am made oatmeal for kids for breakfast; cleaned sink; fed dog breakfast; swept kitchen/nook; dusted family room; started a load of laundry; did more dishes; made myself toast; made coffee.
11:30am checked email and facebook; went to good reads and updated books; researched and printed out recipe for tonight's pork spare ribs.
12:15pm folded laundry; did more laundry; straightened kitchen area; changed clothes; gave dog fresh water; poured myself more coffee.
AFTERNOON (basically, I lost track of time...):
checked the bird feeder outside that had fallen over and surveyed situation.
took Josh to the church for basketball practice.
cleaned island in kitchen.
took meat out of the freezer for (fried) rice tonight.
checked facebook.
fed the dog lunch.
gave Jennifer a bath...extra conditioner for the tangles in her (long) hair!
made nachos for the kids for lunch.
dropped Harrison off at a cub scout meeting.
picked up Josh from church.
fixed the bird feeder by tying some string stuff to the fence; hands froze.
did another load of laundry.
put towels and place-mats away.
straightened laundry room.
went through paperwork for school tomorrow.
cleaned kitchen (again).
put rice in the steamer for prep for tonight's fried rice.
checked email.
warmed up more coffee.
talked on the phone briefly.
picked up Harrison from scouts.
read a couple of chapters in my book.
took Advil for the pain I feel in my chest (stress?).
started prepping ribs for dinner.
dealt with overflowing toilet in the powder room; plunged the toilet to no avail...grabbed towels to clean up the overflow; decided to clean toilet while I was in there; mopped bathroom floor too.
discussed toilet paper usage with kids.
prepped the ingredients for the fried rice and roasted Brussels sprouts.
talked to Larry over the damn toilet...cried, frustrated, chest hurting.
did more dishes.
another load of laundry.
put laundry away.
checked facebook.
cooked fried rice.
sorted photos for 2007 by month.
chest is still hurting...take Tums (not working).
ate dinner.
did dishes and cleaned kitchen.
fed dog dinner.
made kids lunches for school tomorrow.
gave kids dessert: pudding, cool whip, and chocolate chips.
cleaned up dessert dishes.
sat down and played "card-throwing-into-trashcan-this-is-what-they-do-when-they-can't-play video games" with the kids.
brushed tangles and knots out of Jennifer's hair.
straightened upstairs.
put kids to bed...
changed into my PJ's; washed face; brushed teeth; flossed.
sat down and watched "Property Virgins" on HGTV.
talked to Larry again.
took dog outside to go potty one last time.
put last of laundry away.
checked email and facebook one last time before closing down computer.
turned off heater; straightened office; shut lights; lock doors; head upstairs.
9:30pm go to bed EARLY; sit in bed and read for about an hour; set alarm for 6:15am.

Today:

took dog outside and fed her breakfast.
slept in.
woke up late; read in bed.
took shower.
made fresh coffee and ate half a bagel for breakfast with some juice.
read my book.
talked to my mom on the phone.
made a little salad for lunch.
put all the dishes in the dishwasher.
fed dog lunch.
talked to Larry.
picked up Thai food for dinner.
read my book.
checked facebook and email.
read my book.
turned fireplace on because it is really cold.
watched birds outside the kitchen window.
read my book and got sleepy.
ate Thai food for dinner.
fed dog dinner.
read my book.
watched Mamma Mia...again!
finished book.

Because It Has Been Watched About Seventy Times

...And I will probably watch Mamma Mia seventy more times.

I love it.  Love. It.

Apparently my kids love it too.  Well, Josh (still) thinks there is entirely too much singing but the other two love it as much as I do.

During Christine Baranski's "Does Your Mother Know" scene, Jennifer asked me, "Is she mean?" I told her I didn't think (Christine) was mean, why?  Jennifer said, "because the popular girls are always mean!"  I was speechless.  This is coming from a second grader?  Wow.

I am convinced that Colin Firth must have a wet shirt/no shirt in every one of his movies because he is shirtless AND has a wet shirt in this movie too. And it is glorious.  And despite his role in this movie, the man is still hott.

Why does Sophie not want to show Pierce/Dad/Sam her drawing on the boat?  I mean, okay, she is a good with a pencil.  Is that a dream?  Maybe it is, who am I to shoot down the artist but I would have liked a little more clarification on that dream of hers.

Singlehandley my favorite, laugh out loud scene was when Meryl/Mom/Donna stood up and clarified her daughter's statement that she did NOT SLEEP WITH HUNDREDS OF MEN...in front of the priest.  Hysterical.

When I first saw the movie I thought Pierce Bronson and Colin Firth were absolutely horrible singers.  I cringed when they sang.  The second time I saw it, I was prepared to cringe when their singing parts came up.  But now, they aren't that bad anymore.

The kids were SHOCKED when I told them that the songs were all sung by a group called ABBA.  A real live group of four people...two of which (the guys) played cameo's in the movie.  Then, I told them that we own several ABBA CDs to which they had to run and find them!  Yes, I broke down and gave them a full run-down of 70s-disco-ABBA goodness.

My favorite song and scene is Dancing Queen.  And, I have been known to rewind (that sounds so VHS-ish) the scene more than once and if I wasn't afraid of doing serious damage to parts I still care deeply for, I would get up and totally make a fool of myself.

Bridge Over Troubled Water

There's this one mother of a friend of Jennifer's who absolutely must tell me every time she comes to my house how "that is why we didn't pick a beagle" and then laughs, ha ha ha.  (Because the dog barks as if a murderer had just entered our house.  In fact, she barks like that when my friends come over and with little girls...whom she especially dislikes and barks like mad!)  I have gotten to the point where I secretly roll my eyes every time this Miss Bitchy Pants comes to my door because she says it Every. Single. Time.  I nod and chuckle.  Whatever.

Here's the thing about our dog.  Yes, she barks.  She hates strange little girls.  Even little girls that come over a lot to play with Jennifer, she barks as if that little girl is surely going to put the dog in a freezer and make some Ice Cold Dog Pops out of her.  She also doesn't like loud motorized two-wheeled vehicles that tromp in the empty lots next to us.  She also barks when the middle school kids come home and walks on the pathway along our back fence.  And, well, she just knows when a car pulls into our driveway because she is immediately at the door, barking.

Okay, she also likes to occasionally dig.  Which, as I have vented here a lot in the past, has been a thorn in my side and has caused me to rethink this whole dog thing and dangle within three minutes of giving that pup to another sucker.

But there is no "perfect" dog.  A lot of dogs have all kinds of issues and it boils down to which dog you fall in love with and allow into your home, life, and family that matters.  And, despite the challenges, I love this dog and couldn't imagine our family without her.

...She is so sweet and such great company.  I truly don't know what I would do without her with Larry gone.  She provides me endless comfort.  She follows me everywhere.  She lays on my lap at night.  She lays on my bed at bedtime.  She is a total creature of habit.  She is cute and cuddly and soft.  She has a great disposition and tolerates the kids and their endless hugs and kisses but she ALWAYS has one eye on me as if saying, "mom, pleassseeee do something about these little children!"

And because we are silly and sometimes crazy (hey!) we have all kinds of silly and crazy names for our dog.

We only call her Bridget when she is doing something wrong...like how the kids middle names come out when they are doing something wrong too.

Other times it is:
Boo
Boo Boo
Bridge
Bridgie
Puppy/Pup (although I think I may stop calling her this because then she will think she is too old to go after toilet paper and stuffed animals because those traits are such a baby/puppy thing!)
Bridgie, Bridgie Boo Boop (yes, I realize how completely lame that does sound)
And, my favorite: Bridge Over Troubled Water (which only Larry and myself understand the cleverness and what can I say, gay music has always been my favorite!)

Bridget is a fun dog to have.  Her ears are silky soft.  She loves toilet paper, toothbrushes (she grabbed an old one from the kids trash can...ew, she is such a dog!), stuffed animals, Barbie's and any other plastic type dolls, library books...which means we are forced yet to keep the kids bedroom doors closed because in her case, idle hands...But her absolute favorite thing in the house? Blankets.  She takes over every single blanket in this house and claims it.  She simply will not lay down for long unless she is on a blanket...and since most of the blankets we have laying around are crocheted ones from my mom, it utterly pisses her off to see the dog cuddled up on one of her blankets!!!

Oh, and Miss Bitchy Pants.  That woman owns the biggest Rottwhiller I have ever seen.  The dog slobbers a river and nearly topples me when I knock on the door.  And, yes, I have told her I could NEVER have a dog like that.  I'm big and mature like that.

Conversations With My Daughter

Today was picture day at the elementary school.  (You know, "spring photo day" in the month of January, clearly in the middle of winter and a long, long way from anything resembling spring in this state.)

I asked Jennifer how she wanted her hair.

She told me she wanted pony tails and then curled.  Oh goody.  The curling iron.  On a school day.  Lord give me more minutes...

Me:  "Jennifer, why do you like your (long, in her eyes) bangs unclipped?" (note: I send her to school with her bangs clipped and she comes home with them unclipped and like a typical old pain-in-the-ass-your-music-is-too-loud-mother I tell her all the time to "clip back those bangs and get the hair out of your eyes!!")
Jennifer:  "Because it makes me look pretty."
Me:  "I think you look pretty with your bangs clipped out of your eyes too!"

On her choice of clothes for picture day which consisted of a black and white skirt, white turtleneck, a cute little red short-sleeve shirt she wore on top of the turtleneck, red tights, and shiny black shoes...in another words, an outfit that looks nothing like a sunny spring afternoon.

Me:  "You sure look cute in this outfit."
Jennifer:  "I know! I love this skirt!  Do you know Kaylie?"
Me:  "Yes, she was one of the little girls that came to your birthday party, right?"
Jennifer:  "Yes, well, she wears the craziest clothes! I mean, doesn't she realize she doesn't match?"
Me:  "What does she wear?"
Jennifer:  "She wears things like a polka dot shirt with green and orange and grey!  Then, she wears purple pants and a pink sweatshirt.  Can you imagine?  (Shaking her head) I just don't get it."
Me:  Well, maybe she likes all those colors together."
Jennifer:  "It is just crazy mom!"

I won't remind my lovely daughter of her past, ahem, colorful choices in attire.

Oh The Horrors Of It All

Okay, I have made my point here on my blog many times over my huge not-a-fan-of-video-games opinion. 

While it is true I dislike them, the main reason(s) are as follows:

1.  The boys fight, argue, scream at the screen, yell, fight (did I say that already?), bicker, complain that (fill in the name of sibling) has either a) hogged the system; b) won't take turns; c) won't share his game; or d) won't stop the commentary from the cheap seats.  And, they fight, scream, and get entirely too carried away.  And, because I'm not a fan of noise, the above mentioned DOES. NOT. BODE. WELL. WITH. ME.

2.  I don't like the sit-on-the-couch-all-day and do nothing but play for hours on end mentality.  I think it promotes laziness and a lack of fresh-air-ness.  I don't have a problem with a little play but they are unaware of the meaning of moderation.

I realize many don't share my utter dislike.  And I don't hate it all the time.  Okay, Josh's wrestling game is dreadful except for that amusing incident when he was playing his guy against his sister (who opted for a female wrestler) and the moves were all X-rated simply because the game is not "meant" for male/female wrestlers at one time.  Yeah, that was some fancy footwork on my end to put an end to that lickety-split.  However, Wii sports I do enjoy playing now and again and it is fun to watch Jennifer dance and sing to Hannah Montana.

Moderation.  That is all I ask.  And perhaps a little quieter play.  Really, is that too much?  I. Think. Not.

I was not happy with the video situation in our house.  From Friday...the second they got out of school...until bedtime on Sunday...they played video games.   No, not continually but it sure as hell felt like it to me.  Ugh.

I decided on a little micro-managing.  I know, I know, don't lecture me on the perils of micro-managing my kids...at this point I think they needed a little intervention before I did serious damage.

I made a very simple rule.  For every thirty minutes of reading they got thirty minutes of video game playing.

They pitched a fit.  I didn't back down.  You want to play all friggin weekend?  Then open a damn book.  Easy.

And you know what?

This weekend they had all of three hours worth of video games.  They broke it up between Saturday and Sunday (I don't allow video games on Friday nights anymore, long story...).  And you know what else?

It was FANTASTIC.

They played.  They were done.  They didn't even complain about the lack of minutes.  I didn't have to pull them apart, tell them to get along, ask Josh to turn off the system, separate them, or tell them to stop bickering (oh my God, STOPPPP BICKERINGGGGG).  It was glorious.  It worked perfectly.

They didn't even really balk.  (I was shocked and equally pleased with myself.)

So I took it a step further.  What can I say...I was on a roll.

I am also tired of putting those damn Wii controllers away after they leave them on the coffee table or all over the couch.  More over, I was tired of REMINDING them to put the damn things away.

I told them that from now on if a controller is left out, I will take it away.  They will only get four chances at that until they are left with hours to play but no controllers.  They'll have to pay to earn them back (and since their earning potential is rather slim, they'll have to do EXTRA chores to earn money.  Win/Win for me).  So far, amazingly, they have remembered.  Imagine that.

Since I was on such a roll...with a relatively quiet video game type weekend that actually allowed me to THINK...I also told them that I'll take toys (crap) they leave out as well.  Do you know how much shit I pick up and tidy all day long?  You know what I'm talking about...Jennifer's stuffed animals and tiny horses; MP3 players; decks of cards; books; puzzle books; highlighter pens; gloves...and so on and so on and SO ON.  At the end of the day if anything was left out, I would take it and they'll have to "buy" that back too.

Bottom line is this: mom is tired, done and is now playing hardball.  And the extra minutes it takes to micro, I have been rewarded threefold in peace and quiet...and a tidier house.

Genius

I am library challenged.  I admit it.  And I have been WAY better since my almost-two-hundred-don't-ask-fine-fiasco.  Nothing like paying that kind of money to get your ass in shape, pronto-like.

However, I still have minor issues.  Perhaps it is because there are four of us checking out books and not just one book nor from one library.  We have "Bookmobile Tuesdays" too.  So, there are four of us and two libraries.  I'm sorry but that is downright confusing.  (Shut up.)

I can't stop checking out books.  I have almost a hundred books...that I own and are currently unread...(Hi, my name is Natalie and I have a book collection problem...I was going to say a reading problem but that just sounded retarded)...and yet every time I step foot in a library with or without wheels, I can't help but check out at least another book or two.

Today I went in search of my February book club book that the library called and said was in.  Then, I walked around and found two more books I had to have.  Then, Jennifer went and found three more she had to have.  And Harrison checked out a slew of books for his pace project so he could sit and decide which famous person in history he wants to spend four months with.

I go to check out and the lady says I owe three dollars.  How is that possible?  I've been so damn good.  Apparently, my little daughter is hoarding books and moving them from our OFFICIAL LIBRARY SPOT in the laundry room (and I won't panic yet but I set her little butt in gear to go and find the missing books! Ugh).

I was keeping good track of all the outstanding books.  I was saying they could only check out one at a time...those kind of rules gets shot to hell fast.  I used to keep the printed receipt on the bulletin board and marked the due date on the calendar.  Yeah, it's been months since I did that.  I like to be organized, but sometimes my challenge areas rear their ugly head(s).

Then, the genius library person renewed my books for me that I requested and then offered to make EVERY BOOK I have checked out all due on the same day in February.

OMG.  Why am I only realizing NOW that this could be done?  Do you know how that will simplify my life?  And right now more than ever I NEED SIMPLE.

I left there feeling like I at least had a handle on the library situation.  Then went to pick up some canned goods that I need to bring in to erase my debt.  (If only all the debt worked that way: "here you go Mr. Mortgage Guy...my five cases of chicken noodle soup and a case of green beans...my mortgage is paid up until next month now, right?)

Children

Report cards came home the other day.

And while you are all privy to my ongoing meltdowns-a-la-children due to bickering and sibling loveliness, I thought at least it would be fair to them and to you if I shared some of the positive goodies too.

I'm always a little worried about the whole report card thing.  My own Jr. High report cards were awful.  More awful than my memory allows, I'm afraid (I apparently didn't kick into gear until somewhere between ninth and tenth grade).  However, it never seemed to matter in my household so I guess I never gave it much concern.

In this house report cards are a big deal.  I expect my kids to try their hardest and do their best.  I drive home the concept that this is all they have to do right now.  This is their job.  Worry about the big bad world LATER.  For right now, be a kid, play, go to school, do your homework, do your chores, and try hard.   I am not only happy over As but more over their ability to try and do their absolute best.

That being said...

Josh.  His first report card for the quarter after dad left.  Getting that fire lit under that boys ass is hard when you are flying solo (thank God for the video cam!).  He received all As, Bs, and Cs.  The one D he got was in his astronomy class (which he has fallen in love with the subject and despite the bad grade has actually learned a ton that he continues to share at dinnertime)but I gave up pushing him because honestly, this was an elective class with a teacher that was clearly a thorn in both our sides.  Between you, me and the big Internet, this lady was a bitch.  She was a pain in the ass.  I looked up his grades every few days...his projects and reports and class assignments, all As and a couple of Bs.  He took a test that he failed and he failed a quiz on a movie or something along those lines and that alone awarded him that D.  I simply gave up fighting that bitch.  Sorry, I know that may not be the best approach, but all his other grades were great.  And, compared to 6th and 7th grades and this year, it is like Michigan State and Harvard (my "Prep" gals will understand what I'm saying!).  Anyway, in one of his As which happens to be Algebra the teacher wrote: Positive effort and attitude/Outstanding student.  Rock on son, you did GREAT!

Harrison.  The boy does a really, REALLY good job...mostly As and a couple of Bs.  He does his work with little effort from me.  He is a peacemaker at school and I swear the skills he is learning is actually helping in other areas of his life, and that progress is amazing to watch.  His teacher is awesome and amazing and comes up with the absolute best ideas!  The week of Christmas they were pulling taffy (I know, can you even imagine how fun that would be?!) and next week they are setting off handmade hot air balloons.  The fifth grade team is seriously creative.  I thought I would share an excerpt of what his teacher wrote on his report card: "Harrison is a joy to have in class!  He is a wonderful kid with a great sense of humor, quick wit, and ability to learn and grasp new concepts.  He can be counted on to take responsibility for himself and is a team player whom others enjoy working with."  That kid makes me so proud.

Jennifer.  She is at grade level or above in all areas.  She is so cute to watch in class because she is very serious.  She loves to sit and read and write and draw.  This teacher she has has a degree in art so they do a lot of serious grown-up type art projects...very cool.  She needs a bit work on telling time (although she is doing much better at telling time using actual hands instead of just going by what the microwave or oven says which I'm convinced is all the boys know!) and counting coins.  Otherwise, she is doing a great job!

I especially love that when the report cards came out this quarter...I was able to do a happy little dance...some hugs and smiles and "good jobs"...and didn't require endless drilling at the dinner table of how the third quarter WILL be better.  So, thank you to my kids for trying their best, working hard, getting good grades, being good kids, doing the right things, making good choices, reading when it is time to read, and not making me bring out the big guns of punishment and therefore adding further gray hairs to my head over report cards and grades.  In another words, thanks for keeping me sane and saving some breath...at least for another quarter.  I really appreciate it.

**Side Note:  the kids came home with "Spring Picture Day" forms too.  For January.  Really?  Isn't that a bit of overzealousness?  Wishful thinking perhaps?  Are the photography people unaware that it is 35 degrees, cloudy, rainy, snowy, inversiony and, oh yeah, WINTER STILL?   We are a good two months away from anything remotely resembling SPRING.  They certainly can't wear springy type clothes with January weather.  Nutty.

Dear Mr. Or Mrs. Author,

Hi there.

I gotta a question for ya.

Why, why, WHY do you all seem to forgo the whole "chapter" thing?  Is it cooler to have just one big ass book with absolutely no page breaks whatsoever?  Are you being lazy asses to break up your prose with 1, 2, 3, and so on?  You could get all cutesy and crap and name your chapters like Ms. Stephenie AnnoyingpantsMeyers.  Is this a new trend perhaps and all the super fancy-smancy authors are all doing it and so you might as well too?

The last maybe SIX books I have read have absolutely no chapters.  Or, it has the largest chapters they could possibly get away with.  For instance, one chapter might last 168 pages.  Seriously?  No people.  That is not a chapter.  That is a Part.  Or a Section.  Not a chapter. 

It bugs me.  I want a break.  I want an official break not just large spaces for the whole of three hundred pages.  It helps me to put the book down and know that when I pick it up again I will not forget where I'm at in the story.  It is satisfying to go from chapter to chapter. 

Am I the only one who has noticed this trend and is bothered with it? 

I say, go back to the chapters.  Give us numbers, Roman or otherwise.  Give us names.  Hell, break it up by letters if that floats your boat, but stop making one big ole book filled with nothing but words and no chapters.   

Because the lack of real, numbered chapters annoys me.

Thank you. 

History

I have been fascinated with history for a long time.  Of course, not that long because in my 12th grade history class I distinctly remember doodling while Mr. Alba yakked away about boring events and endless dates I didn't care about.

Somewhere along the line the tide turned.

I am especially fascinated with presidential history, the early days of our country, the Civil War (I really enjoy the overall history of the nineteenth century and is probably my most favorite time period), and Lewis and Clark (which fascinated me prior to moving to Idaho where the Oregon Trail is practically in our backyard)...but I guess it is also fair to say that my enjoyment of history dates from the early settler days to about World War II.   

I just finished reading the book, 1776, by David McCullough and I loved it.  In fact, I wish there were books like that when I was in high school.  Corinna had asked me if I "would have enjoyed it as much then as I do now?"  The answer is probably no but I will say this: it would have made learning about Washington and the Revolutionary War...with all the key players like Greene, Grant, Cornwallis, and Knox...fighting in New York (I didn't realize that is where the majority of the battles took place)...while the other key players...Franklin, Hancock, etc. were making history away from the front lines...WAY more entertaining and enjoyable.  See, fascinating, yes?

If I were to do it again, and with what I would do with it I have no idea, not that the degree I currently hold I'm doing much with either, but I would have gone after a history degree in college.  Maybe I will one day...

The idea of moving to Pennsylvania holds many exciting facets.  MANY.  Some of those exciting facets involve the history of the state...which Harrison and I continually remind the others that it is the second state, but only by a matter of days (because clearly that is something that only amuses the two of us!).  I can't even tell you how thrilling it would be to explore that state where so much history has taken place...

There are so many museums in the eastern portion of Pennsylvania, I can't even count them all.  I admit: I am a bit of a Museum Whore.  I will find a museum in every town we travel to on every single vacation we have ever taken (dating back to my single days traveling to Boston and our honeymoon, also to the east coast).  My kids have all come to accept that about their mother and for the most part they enjoy the museums too.

Besides museums there are historical areas, memorials, statues, and national parks.  There is so much to absorb that I could hyperventilate with the possibilities of seeing it ALL.  And, if we do end up there, believe me, I'll see it all sooner or later.  (Not to mention how close half a dozen OTHER states are that are prime for exploring too! I will be a grandmother before I see it all.)

Places like the Betsy Ross House; Independence Hall; Franklin Court; National Constitution Center Museum; Elfreth's Alley (the oldest continuously occupied residential street in America and dates back to 1702 and much of Colonial Philadelphia resembled this area...now, doesn't that sound absolutely fascinating??); the United States Mint; Civil War and Underground RR Museum (oh, be still my heart); the Benjamin Franklin Parkway; The Liberty Bell; Gettysburg Battlefield (which is rumored to be haunted which is an added bonus); Valley Forge National Historic Park...and these are places in and around Philadelphia which would be about a 90-minute drive from the northern corner of the state we would be living (can you imagine ALL of that and about a million more sights only 90-minutes away?).  Plus, there is a trillion MORE places that don't involve Philadelphia like Hershey, where you can tour the chocolate factory (that one is high on the kids list and is even closer to where we would be than Philly).

Okay, yes, I am mildly more excited about the history of that area than perhaps I originally lead you to believe.  It just makes me giddy to think that I can be so close to so much history.

For awhile anyway I will be eating, drinking, and sleeping HISTORY (and as the cherry on top it will be SUMMERTIME when we get there!) which works really well, coincidentally or purposely, with the book series I am also working on. 

***(And for those that are going to ask, "Are you for sure moving?" The answer remains the same: we just don't know yet.  And, as Jennifer likes to say: it is a 20% we will stay in Idaho and a 89% chance we will move.  Yes, math is really not her thing, apparently.  The bottom line is that in almost 10 months, maybe more, there has not been a job for Larry in Boise.  Period.  Since he moved in October he said the prospects have dwindled to nearly nothing.  I cannot wait until June First to get on board with the idea of moving so we talk about it a lot around here; we have talked to real estate people and management companies; we have explored rental properties out there; we have looked up schools and compared cities; we have requested information and maps and books on the area.  And one way or the other our current situation is not going to last forever, despite how it seems to me on most days like that is exactly what it will do.  I miss my husband.  The kids miss their dad.  We are all to some degree, unhappy with our present situation...despite being INCREDIBLY BLESSED that he has this great job that just happens to be in a state far, far away from where we thought our "forever" home would be.  Ah, life.) 

Second Grade

Okay, I know that all us forty-something (and probably older and some younger too) will agree, hands down, that school today is WAY different than when we were in school.  Walking five miles, uphill both ways, in the snow, notwithstanding of course, the stuff they are learning today compared to Mrs. Shelton's second grade class at Dahlia is shocking.

Case in point: one of my daughter's spelling words this week:  Congruent.  Seriously?  Granted, it was part of the "challenge" word section, but still...wow.  Congruent.  Because that is a word we use everyday.  (I know, I know, that isn't the point...)

And on a totally unrelated subject, I have a question.  Why does my dog like to lick library books?  I find it disturbing and gross.  Only library books.  Licks.  Yuck.  (Maybe I don't really want to know...)