Just a Line...

We're still here, but still swamped. Dave is working out of town again, so I still don't have time to write anything worth much. I can't even just report what's going on, because as I sit here writing this, I can only think of the waiting dishes...and of the bed waiting for me after I'm done. So bear with me, and check back later, when things have settled down and I've (hopefully) recovered some brain cells.

Week 8...

We are on week 8 (I think) of Dave's working out of town. I wish it were going a little better, but we are all alive (mostly - I've had a cold all week, and now it seems some of the kids are getting it, too). Of course our days have been frightfully busy, but I just haven't had much time to put together enough coherent thoughts for a good post lately. Here's an interesting little nugget, however:

At breakfast I reminded Aimee about the no-reading-during-meals policy (except on Saturday morning - I'm not a complete tyrant!). She reminded (challenged) me that I often read aloud to them during meals. I replied, "Well, that's because I'm the mom."

Resigned but smiling -fortunately for her - she shot back, "A fact which you have now certified for the hundred-millionth time."

Some Favorite Conversations

Me, to Aimee, who is having trouble with a math page: "I'll be glad to help you, if you'd like."

Aimee, completely exasperated: "I don't like it when you help me! You always have to give me all the details, instead of really helping!"

Me, in carefully measured tones: "Do you mean explaining how to figure it out, rather than just giving you the answers?"

Aimee: Stony silence, which, when translated, means, Grrrrr!



Me, to Drew: "Can you please feed the dogs while you're outside?"

Drew, with extreme reluctance: "Where's the dog food?"

Me: "In the shed [where it always is]."

Drew: "How do I give them their food?" Believe it or not, this is his daily job.

Me, after taking a deep breath and counting to ten: "Get their bowls, fill them with dog food, and give the bowls to the dogs."

Drew: "Where's Champ's bowl?"

Me: "In the kennel [where it always is]."

Drew, slumping his shoulders in complete astonishment: "You mean I have to go all the way across the yard?!?!?

What an arduous journey. I laugh in spite of myself and don't even know what to say.


During a grocery run, I hear intense squabbling between the boys just ahead of the cart. Finally Ryan breaks away and presents his case. "He STOLE my speeder [somehow I'm positive this has something to do with Star Wars] and WON'T GIVE IT BACK!"

Me, incredulous: "Are you guys arguing over an imaginary object?'

Drew, entering the discussing: "I had it FIRST!"

Me, undeterred: "So you're really arguing over an imaginary object?"

They both look at me like I'm the one who's crazy. I invent another speeder and give it to Ryan, then pretend I can't hear anything for the rest of the shopping trip.