random thoughts for today

1. Before we left for vacation we got an HOA violation notice for our "landscape maintenance" (ie. weeds in our flowerbeds). So when we got back we spent no less than 4 hrs doing yardwork. Called the HOA and told them we had taken care of the problem. They called a week later and said it still wasn't fixed. Huh? So we pulled some more little weeds, thinking this was getting ridiculous, called them back again. We heard back again with them claiming the problem still wasn't fixed. At which point I kind of lost it and exclaimed that I really had no idea what else could be done and if there was still a problem they needed to come show it to me personally, because this was really and truly ridiculous.

We finally got a call about a week later saying that it was resolved. They had been looking at the wrong house.
Seriously.

2. A couple weeks ago Zac announced to me that, although we can each appreciate each other's taste in music, we'd probably never really like the same things. And, you know, after 12 1/2 yrs of marriage, I think I can finally accept this. I just laughed. We do both like The Beatles (among some others) - and that is more than enough common ground for anyone. Don't you think? ;)


3. Our dishwasher broke about a month ago. And although there is something sensual and soothing about washing dishes with hands immersed in warm sudsy water, both Zac and I are very excited about our new dishwasher which will be delivered tomorrow!! It's also a quiet model. Which, after 8 yrs of not being able to watch TV with the dishwasher running, is quite exciting.

4. And speaking of other things which have broken, my laptop DC power input jack broke on Mon. This was very very sad. Luckily I found someone who could fix it for about $60. But this, combined with the dishwasher and the smaller replacements of our bathroom scale, blender and kitchen faucet, is making me feel like things are falling apart left and right.
It's also making for a rather expensive month.

5. Oh yes, and speaking of expenses, I suppose I should update you on Elisabeth's surgery. She seems to be doing well. Her post-op follow-up visit is tomorrow. But her tonsillectomy site started bleeding on Sunday after she threw a pretty big tantrum over something. It made me nervous because when I had my tonsils out (at 14) and started bleeding a few weeks later, I filled up a Big Gulp cup with blood on the way to the Emergency Room to get it cauterized. It was really yucky. Hers stopped pretty quickly, thank goodness. And we went back to movies in bed and sucking on ice chips and that seemed to help. She's been waking up every night screaming because her throat hurts and has been pretty grumpy. So I am really looking forward to her complete recovery.

6. Actual conversation just now:

kids: we're playing a game teaching the kids to dance

me: that's great but I really want you to get your chores done first

Isaac (groaning): you say that every day!

me: I know I do. And someday, you know what would be really great? If you guys woke up and did all your chores, and maybe even something extra, without me having to even remind you.

[pause]

Abigail: well, that's most likely never going to happen.

Huh.

And that is our summer at this point.

(Although I am making lemon bread for breakfast. And that. is. awesome.) :)

getting big

For those that may not be familiar with Primary, the children's organization in our church, kids start going to Nursery when they turn 18 mos. old, where they play with toys, sing kids songs, and learn short lessons for the 2 hr block when the other classes are being held for the older children and adults. The January after they turn 3, they join the Junior Primary in the Sunbeam class, where they have group singing time and sharing time (more active participation) for an hr. and then individual class time for the next hr.

So, with Elisabeth now being 3, today was her first day in the Sunbeam class. She went to class happily, glancing back to wave to Samuel sitting with the kids his age in his class, and then came home and announced to me that she was a "big kid" now. I suppose she really is. It is hard for me to see sometimes, because she is still the "baby." Sometimes I am really surprised at how big she is getting.

On Friday, when my mom babysat the kids for us, she asked Elisabeth if she was going to go to Primary this Sunday. Elisabeth replied, "yes, I going to be a Sunbeam." And then she paused and asked, "does that mean I not be [Elisabeth] anymore?!"
silly silly. :)
At least we can always know that no matter how big she gets, she will always be our little Elisabeth. At least that never changes.