Just What I Was Thinking

As I was in the post office today with the girls, the line was not moving much. Does it ever? Well we were one more person to go and sweet little A blurts out: "This is boring". I look down at her and ask her, "what did you say". She repeats herself clearly. A few other people in line reply with "it sure is" and "that is what I was thinking" I am so glad that A didn't say anything worse. She still loves to use "so stupid!" and "not fair!" Oh how nice it would be sometimes to be able to say what we want when we want. Perhaps I should have used this moment as a teachable moment. Nah - I'm sure there will be another one soon that I can use.

Big Lesson

Today was a big day for B. She has begun to see that money is hard to earn, yet very easy to spend. She has had her eyes on these Soda Pop dolls ever since she played with a friend that had a ton of them. We talked about how much they would cost and how much money she has saved. Her decision was to go buy one. She has talked about them non stop for 2 days. Her whole face lights up when she begins to describe these dolls to anyone. After a trip to target where she did not find the one she wanted, we hit toys r us. Looking down every doll aisle, I finally found 4 dolls. Non were the one she wanted, but lucky for me this is the one she liked. So it saved me a trip to walmart. This small doll that comes in a plastic soda bottle(or beer bottle as B calls it) cost $10.00! B is soooo very happy with her new purchase that she didn't even mind handing over all of her hard earned money. I'm sure she will be happy to do a chore for me now :)

TIMBER!!

Here are the photos Tom took of some of the many trees that blew over due to the storm. This huge tree, as you can see, looks like it was pulled right out of the ground and was put down on it's side. There is actually another tree right behind this one. Yup, 2 huge trees in a row down. They blocked the road for a while and 3 days later most of the trees are still there. It is truly amazing and shocking that wind has this much power.

In the bottom photo you can get a good view of the grass that came up with the roots of the tree when it fell over. Thank God we took down a few of our older trees last summer or there could have been some serious damage.

Storm Report

So it is a few days after our storms and we finally have our power back. We are still one of the lucky ones. There are tons of lines down and until the trees are off, no power. It has been a tough number of days with out our beloved electricity. It still is amazing how much we depend on it.

No refrigerator, no lights, no laundry, no dishwasher, no microwave, no computer, and worst of all...no television!

I did rather well without the tv, the girls and Tom, not so well. We actually went to spend the night in a hotel so Tom could have air conditioning and his sports. Plus, eating by candle light was growing thin. I am glad to be home and turning on the computer has been rather relaxing for me. I still need to go through the cooler and throw away pretty much everything in it. Good thing I have been on a no grocery store kick or I would have a lot more food to throw away.

I have some amazing photos of a few trees that were literately ripped from the ground to post, but couldn't upload them yet. Will try again later.

Thank God we are and were safe, and hope to not have to go through that again.

Simple But True

I received this poem from a friend today and I thought it would be just right for my blog. Remember the main reason I am doing a blog is for my friends that I seem to have lost touch with. Perhaps I will take note of this and ring some of your bells :)

Around the corner I have a friend, in this great city that has no end, Yet the days go by and weeks rush on, And before I know it, a year is gone. And I never see my old friends face, For life is a swift and terrible race, She knows I like her just as well, As in the days when I rang her bell. And she rang mine but we were younger then, And now we are busy, tired women. Tired of playing a foolish game, Tired of trying to make a name. "Tomorrow" I say! "I will call on Jill Just to show that I'm thinking of her." But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, And distance between us grows and grows. Around the corner, yet miles away, "Here's a telegram sir," "Jill died today." And that's what we get and deserve in the end. Around the corner, a vanished friend.

What A Deal!

We went to get B's new school uniform yesterday. I decided that for Kindergarten I was not going to pay 45 dollars for just 1 jumper if I could help it. The uniform store total would be about $200 dollars for all the things she needed. So we hit the uniform resale at the school. What a smart move on my part! I got everything in the photos for a grand total of $48.00!!!

That includes 2 jumpers (one is brand new still with tag), 5 blouses, 1 sweatshirt, and 1 cardigan sweater. I was so pleased. Now all I need to find are navy blue tights that don't cost an arm and a leg.

A few people have been surprised that I would put B in a used uniform for her first years. I would rather have it be used so when she get paint on it, or cuts it accidentally I don't care as much. Plus, knowing that I saved $150 I am super excited.

B put on the uniform last night for Daddy to see. She looks so cute and old. I wanted to post that picture too, but I will keep you in suspense till her first day of school. She now seems to be getting really excited about this new school too. I am glad about that.

Busy Weekend

Friday night we had Tom's niece and ex-sister-in-law over for dinner. They are in town for nephew's first Northwestern Football game. He was on the team last year, but he was a red shirt then. So this was a big day. Tom even took the girls to see the game Saturday.

Saturday I went with some of my family to drop my sister off at college. This was bitter sweet. I am so happy that she is going away for I know she will love it, but at the same time I and the girls sure will miss her. I don't mean just for babysitting either. She has been such a big part of the girl's life these past 2 years. It will be great to see how their relationship changes now. I know B is so looking forward to lots of mail from Aunt Vic.

I too am a tad bit jealous for I think I might like to go away to college again. I mean have everything in my room, a big bathroom I never have to clean, food prepared for me 3 times a day, no kids, no husband... Sounds good doesn't it? but then I think about the things I'd have to give up... yeah I still want to go back :)

Since it has been raining non stop all day, I have been at the end of my rope. The girls have been going nuts for most of the day. It was so bad this morning that I took them out in the rain for a puddle walk. Even daddy came with us. It was kinda fun except for all the darn mosquitoes. But the girls had a blast going in all the puddles they could find and getting totally wet. They did have rain boots and rain coats on, but still very wet.

This afternoon, B and I went to the movies while the other two members of the family took naps. It was fun. I have never gone with just her. We saw Ratatouille. It was cute. Not the best kids movie, but it worked.

Still feeling lazy, we had a Grandma inspired "nibble night" for dinner. This means we just eat nibble type foods for dinner. B loves this. I like it too, for there is no real cooking or cleaning involved.

Lucky for me the day is about over.