Words are like toothpaste

Ok, well, not-so-exciting. I got the computer, but as usual, a pc is a letdown. It has no software, and all of mine is for macs. It has no dvd/cd drive, so Ches went to get an external drive. Only another $75. If I don't get one, I can't load my embroidery software that I already have. To get the newest version of the software you buy online and download is $1700. Waahhh. Also, we need a drive if the kids use it to play games (we already have) and watch videos.

Yes, I know. Why didn't we get a bigger computer with a drive already in it? Because all the new bigger pc's have Windows Vista, and my software will only run on Windows XP. Again, because I'm not upgrading. Trust me, it's the cheapest, easiest way to go. Although, I'm really wishing they'd made the software in a Mac version to begin with!

Ok, on with life. Today some mysterious person unrolled all the tp in my bathroom. It couldn't have been an adult, since it wasn't me and the other wouldn't have dared. It couldn't have been the oldest two, as they know better: they'd be using it for the next week. So, it was the shortest of the bunch. He must've had fun! I mean, haven't you always wanted to do it? It is just tempting! I remember reading Ramona Quimby when I was young-and she squeezed ALL the toothpaste out of the tube into the sink! I just loved that! Her mom made her spoon in into a baggie and use it. Gross. And practical. Even now, every time I brush my teeth, I think of her! I'd love to do it just once! I also remember our counselor at my old school teaching the kids a lesson. She'd hold up a travel toothpaste, and tell a story as she squeezed. She would tell them that words are like toothpaste. Once they are out of the tube, they are hard to put back in. : ) Cute, huh?

Church was very good. Father John talked about what he's missed by devoting his life to the church. He said he used to miss having a wife/celibacy, but now he misses having children and a family. I understand. I used to miss having a family before I had one. It is a big choice. I am thankful he answered the call, I hope he is richly blessed for his choice. Ches tried to be a priest, and later a deacon. They told him to come back when he was older, they just didn't think he was right for it. Can you imagine them turning someone away!? They must have been so prayerful and really listened too! I mean, I'm thankful they were so wise, but wow. Do we listen so carefully about how God is guiding us, or how we are to guide others? Huh. Think I'll listen more.

We went to CFA to eat and let the kids play. Bulletin: We now require two tables. Ches, Me and Ethan at one, and Clay and Mary Claire at another. Our food requires room, plus chair room, etc. Wow. And it went so well. The kids ate so fast, then played. Ethan took longer, but didn't seem to be in a great rush. It was actually a pleasant dinner out! It wasn't crowded either, so I'm sure that helped.

I'll have to post a picture of the kids from the flag ceremony this morning-they were adorable! I think usually older girls do flag ceremonies, but it was impressive to see such young girls be respectful and know what to do! I was so proud of them!

Update (if I haven't already informed you): Triops (in my opinion) aren't real. They must be small ballish pieces of foam. I think they were never really going to grow. We were hunkered down over the lighted, heated, conditioned-shallow-water for no reason. And if they didn't work, you can send another dollar for another set to try again. (Throw more money at it!!)

Oh, and Ches and I have a new bargain. Partially for Lent, as we don't feel like we are foregoing as much as the kids. We are both committing to be more positive. He can fuss about road conditions, upcoming weather, our schedule, and I fuss about messes, things getting done (and on time), and other people's negativity! So, we shall both try to improve. Oh, and you can disregard the above Triops story, as it's probably negatively-biased.

Sleep well, angels, and turn your clocks forward tonight! (How about we think about it as losing an hour of waiting time somewhere instead of an hour of sleep?)

Flowers, Flags, and Fonts, WooHoo!

I've lived another lifetime! ; ) Yesterday was nice-n-full! I went to the school to help Clay's class work on writing. We worked in small groups using showing sentences instead of telling (icycles hung from the rooftop instead of it was cold outside). They did so well! My favorite was "The cookie was good" -we had great ooey-gooey chocolatey chip cookies and chewed slowly- "Mmmm..goood!".

Then I came home to work on more laundry, then to meet Jenifer at her house for some yummy Guido's pizza and some flower arranging. We made one for her dining room table, took it apart, made a smaller one for the entry way, and she's getting more flowers to finish the dining room table one. It was such a large urn-it needed more!!

Then home, got Mary Claire ready to go, and off to Sandra's to help the girls practice for a flag ceremony. (They did the opening ceremony for the Alzheimer's Memory Walk in Fayetteville this morning. They were so cute!) Then we had pizza there-yum! and veggies, then made our way home. Sandra called when I was almost home and we'd left Mary Claire's meter there! Ahhh! When I was leaving, I'd noticed her meter purse was soaking wet, so I'd taken everything out, dried, and put them in a big paper towel to bring home to another purse. Well, I didn't remember everything! So, we used another one till today. Crazy!

Then, we ran by Taco Bell to get the kids some tacos for snack, baths, jammies, snacks, and them off to bed. I was so tired, I fell asleep right away (8pm?), and didn't wake up till Ches came to bed around 12:30! I washed my face, set my alarm, and mentally made a checklist for this morning!

I had to finish sewing patches on Clay's uniform (he was going with so he could count it as watching a flag ceremony for his wolf badge), iron our clothes, get me ready, and the usual. I didn't want to be late! : ) We got there, and Mary Claire's PRE teacher, Adela, was there! She was helping to organize it-she's so sweet! Mary Claire didn't want to go say hi, but eventually she did.

Next we went by WM for the latest needs: namely more Tide and Downy! Then to Collier's for rx's, and finally to Smith Elementary to get bags to put on front doors (our neighbors will love us!) to gather unperishable food items to be collected by Clay next Saturday. It's been a busy scouting season. You almost can't do more than one thing if it's scouting. Clay has an event in Ft. Smith coming up, and Ches is taking him. He can earn patches, and it's easier than sleeping out Ches says! Anyway, then back home for lunch.

Now, I've had a few minutes to catch up, Clay's reading the Hardy Boys/alternating every 15 minutes with playing Wii (I'm using it as a bargaining tool! Very Handy!), Mary Claire is putting on a play for her dolls and stuffed animals, Ches went for a bike ride, Ethan's napping, and there shall be more! When Ches gets back, I'm going to Sam's to get a new little mini-computer. It's pink! : ) I just bought 14 new fonts, so I'm sooo excited!! My computer (pc) that I use with my sewing machine is old and so slowww! I don't know if it could even handle the storage of all the fonts. Well, probably, but it'd just slow it down even more!!

Then, church-we may try it with all of us together since it's been so long! We need to go to Lowe's and maybe Chick-Fil-A for the kids to play IF it's not raining! : )

Okay, Ches is home, so I'm off to Sam's! : ) Woohoo!