Sun-Mon-Day.

Good Morning! It's a bright, sunshiny day! So far, no major catastrophes. Today has great day potential.

Josh just left for a very busy Monday. He's not coming back until dinner. This might seem pretty normal to you, but it will be the first day like that since he lost his job at the Phoenix Group. We're still getting by because of the tax return money that we used to get ahead in the bills. That won't last, unfortunately. He's still applying everywhere. One day he applied for over 50 positions. And today is not actually a day full of knife selling appointments, either. The morning appointment is with the unemployment office.

Well, we did the funeral thing. Actually, it wasn't a funeral. It was a memorial. Or often it's called a "Celebration of Life". I don't much care for that phrase. It sounds a little ethereal and ungrounded. Besides, if you want a "celebration," then have an Irish wake. This was less fun that a bridge party. I'll stick with Memorial, I think.

Do people use the word harrowing anymore? My job of keeping the children from being disrespectful, impolite, mean, disobedient or distracting can be described as harrowing. Although, I think maybe tortuous might be even more accurate. I think it was one of the more difficult days of "work" I've had since the kids could talk. And un-successful. I, by some amazing cosmic event (and sheer determination) was able to get Grant and Abbie to not talk during the speaking, or kick the table, or jump out of their seats, or sing noisily, or climb all over me or Josh. I gave them paper and pencils. So, what do you think? I got glares from old people in mourning because they were scribbling too loudly. I can't win.

In other news, one old lady could not be persuaded that I wasn't my sister-in-law, Sarah. The kids had too many cookies. I suspect the staff gave Grandma extra "happy" pills. She seemed a bit cheerfully detached for her. And if you ever want to cheer up and entire nursing home wing full of old ladies, just walk a little girl down the hall dressed in a gray suit, black wool coat with matching beret, and new shoes. Little old ladies love dressed up girls. But they lose interest in the boys after toddler age. When Grant was about 3, he could get a smile out of just about any white haired woman he came across.

I went to taiko yesterday. Secretly, I was very, very tired and didn't much feel like it. Plus, it was raining. But I had said I would be there, so I was. I picked Michelle up at her house. I really should be able to find it by now, but I got lost, anyway. That wasn't nearly as funny as the fact that after I picked her up, we got lost twice before we found 40 (we needed 70). It was kinda fun.

I filled in for Rieko on Hanabi. I feel a little guilty, because I was just kinda going through the motions. I wish I had worked a little harder. But I did try to correct a mistake that I recently found out I was making. Played atarigane on ashura a lot, and was extremely accurate, if I do say so myself. Finally, the last time we played it, we didn't slow down at all, and I think some of the chuu players were surprised at how fast we were going. Well, that's what happens when you don't slow down! We also played St. Louis Bayashi. I don't think I ever got it exactly right, but at least I am gaining familiarity with the song, and with the part I'm playing. Then I took Michelle back to her house, and didn't get lost at all! Yay!

I thought maybe Heather might come over in the afternoon. I found out she had never seen The Princess and the Frog. Did I tell you that my mom sent it to us on Blu-ray last week as a surprise? I asked if she and Renee wanted to come over and watch it. But it turned out that they had other plans. I did get to see her for a minute on Friday, though. Heather was picking Renee up in Columbia, and I was on the way back so they stopped in for about a half hour. It was fun. But Sunday we ended up just having our neighbors over instead.

Some people have flowers coming up already. And blooms on trees. Not at my house. I will have to wait and see if those bulbs I moved will flower at all. I haven't really lost anything if they don't, though. They weren't flowering in the front yard. And I haven't been able to check my free red buds to see if they made it through the winter. The other bushes and trees have buds. Hopefully the red buds do, too. It's just really hard to check. Our back yard is entirely clay, which takes for ever to dry out, and it slants down toward a drainage ditch, so the further from the house you walk, the more the chance of getting stuck in the wet clay.

Can you believe that Easter is this weekend? We will probably have plans at Josh's mother's house, as per usual. I need to write her and ask the times, though. She hasn't said yet. It must've snuck up on her, too!

My mom and cousin spent the weekend visiting my brother in Colorado. Can't wait to hear how that went. And Brother should be coming at the end of April. I'm already thinking of all the fun things we can do.

I think we're going to play outside later today. Or at least take a walk.

How are you? Are you your usual cheerful self? 'Cause... I worry, you know. Maybe you need a walk in the sunshine. We should all eat our lunches picnic style today. What do you think? Josh brought up a bunch of old photos to scan, and some of my old photo albums. I swear, I was having a picnic every third page! Ha!

Happy Monday!

YAWN!

Hi. We're watching Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. How are you?

Rough day. Abbie is testing to see what would happen if she did pretty much what she wanted, regardless of what I have just told her to do/not do. And Grant is just being kind of mean and rude. Actually, he's also been repeating words and phrases that he doesn't know the meaning of, hoping that they are funny. They aren't. So, I'm the mean, evil Mommy today. Never my favorite.

Yesterday was good. We played outside lots. We went to the library, and the book I wanted wasn't there, of course, but we read some kid books. I even found a cute one about a little pig who sends a big hug to his grandmother in the mail, and all the mail carriers and stuff have to hug each other in order to get it to her. It's hard to find a sweet kids book. Lots of them are just not what you would want.... Makes me want to go out and publish mine.

Then we ran off to the park! I had packed snack food in a picnic basket, and we ran around and had snacks and met a huge and very sweet Great Dane, did lots of giggling, some swinging... You know -we played at the park. We played on the deck when we got home, too. It really was a beautiful day.

Josh really liked the chicken recipe. I served it over jasmine rice. Very yummy. But I'm out of ideas again, and nowhere near out of chicken.

Speaking of Josh, he spent the day applying to every job on the Internet. Really. Right now, he's off at a meeting he's not getting paid for. Are your fingers crossed? Mine are. Please, please, PLEASE can we just have some good news?

Know what sounds good? Cheesecake. It's a good thing I don't have one in front of me. I would undoubtedly eat the whole thing.

I have to buy health insurance. Have you heard? That's what the fancy reforms were about. So, either I have to come up with money I don't have, or be dependent on everyone else, whether or not I want to. I was kinda hoping we could do something toward maybe...NOT having health insurance. Well. Disappointing, but at least they're trying. I have a friend who is so furious that he can't seem to talk about anything else. He's claiming that his rights are being violated because he is being required to purchase. He says that telling us how to spend our money is unconstitutional. (Except, of course, for the taxes.) I can almost see that argument, actually. Car insurance is required, but only if you accept the privilege of driving a car. You have the right to decline. Not anymore. Well, I think we can do better than this, anyway. Just getting started was the hardest part. Maybe now we can make some changes that are actually helpful. In the meantime, please don't be mad at me because you will be footing my health insurance bill. It was not my idea.

But, I'm not really too hung up on that. I have concerns that are closer to home. Like...affording the bills.

Went to taiko on Tuesday, and I came home exhausted. At first, it didn't look like it was going to turn out that way; Laura is learning Tsurugi, and I had to play atarigane. I like it and all, but I wanted to learn the chuu part, too. We did that for a long time. Then I filled in for missing people and played Omiyage and Drive. I got through both, but need practice. Um...which, I guess, I was getting. The best news of all is that even though my back was sore when I got home, my wrist wasn't! Yay! I'm sad that I won't be able to make it to practice on Thursday, but I will be there Sunday. I feel especially upset that Michelle won't have a ride, and will have to stay home, as well. Sadly, her parents are out of state this week.

I wish I could somehow help her find a place where she can live independently. Isn't it too bad that St. Louis doesn't have much in the way of public transportation?

Oops! It's very late. I have to start some bedtime-ing. Hope you are well and happy today. I am wishing you subliminal cheesecake!

This and That on a Monday

Hello, my wonderful friends!! Don't you just love sunshine? I can't decide if I was pleased or disappointed that we didn't get snow this weekend. On one hand, I'm very very done with winter. On the other, though, I've always thought that if it's going to be cold and gloomy, it might as well snow. But I don't have to worry about it now, because it's clear and sunshiny at my house, and if reports are correct, it will be for at least until Wednesday.

Ah.

And. And. AND: the kids are home. (Happy!)

But now I can't remember if I told you. I think it must have been right after my last post that my mother called. She had always planned to take the kids to her house for the weekend in March sometime, but she was getting so scheduled up that this weekend was her only choice. So, she called Thursday afternoon to say she would pick them up Friday around lunch. We've really been kinda stressed out, and my first reaction was to cry. But I couldn't, because I was on the phone with my mommy, who would think I was ridiculous. But then I just kept busy with getting them packed and stuff. Friday morning, they were whisked away to Rolla.

First, as is tradition, I had to fight with Josh. It wasn't as fun as usual.

Molly came over in the evening, and we watched For Rosanna, a dark comedy that I am fond of, and then we watched Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. Molly hadn't seen it before, but I think she liked it. Then we looked at knives and stuff, but she couldn't stay all night. She's still wonderfully happy with her boy, and would be loving her job, too, if they could replace some of the people they lost.

Josh had some work on Saturday, so I watched the entire Trois Couleurs trilogy, beginning to end. Bleu is absolutely gut wrenching, if you are sensitive. It is the story of how a woman deals with the deaths of her husband and daughter. Blanc is a strange tale of love and revenge....kinda. Rouge is the finale, and is a tad obscure. I think it has several themes, and among them are connection vs. detachment, atonement and destiny. But maybe you should watch it yourself and see what you think.

When Josh came back, we watched our Netflix movies: Penn & Teller's Bullshit, volume 2, an anime which we didn't enjoy and turned off, and The Fifth Element...on Bluray. We couldn't afford to go see a movie in the theater, so we just bought movie candy at Wal-Mart and had a movie weekend at home. Bu the end of The Fifth Element, I was pretty sure I never wanted to see candy again.

Most of Sunday we spent with Josh's family. We visited Grandma Mroczkowski in the nursing home. She was pleased to see us, but kicked us out pretty soon. She was tired. Then we visited with Josh's uncle Jim and Uncle Dave and Aunt Lesley at the house. Becky came, too. It wasn't much of a social visit, though. Mostly Uncle Jim insisted that Josh take stuff, and Josh said yes. As if our house weren't cluttered enough. But how could you say no? It looks like we will be getting the family furniture from the basement, and also the dinning room stuff, too. Please don't ask me where I'm going to put this stuff. Also, the memorial for Josh's grandfather is going to be Friday afternoon or Saturday, but we still don't know where.

When we came home, we watched Men In Black and Lost Boys, which I had never seen before.

Josh had a job interview this morning. While he was gone, Mom came with the kids. I'm so happy they're home! And so is Jake. He was neurotic the whole time they were gone. Silly puppy. He's sad without the whole herd. He is happily asleep right now. And so are the kids! I was a little surprised, but Mom did say that they didn't sleep in the car on the way here.

Grant had yet another dentist appointment. The dentist is training a new hygienist. She's not very good. She seems to have a sweet personality, though. Grant thought she was nice. He had another pulpotomy, and had a cavity filled. It took very little time. I was happy about that. He has another appointment for April. The dentist is very understanding, and told me that I shouldn't worry - most kids who have bad baby teeth take extra good care of their adult teeth, since they know what will happen if they don't.

Today is a big day for Democratic politics. I have never found a political party. I have very strong views, but they're not a matched set, if you were. I have an idea of what is right, according to me, and I don't reference it against anyone else's beliefs, necessarily. So, I can't claim to be a Democrat, really. Nor can I claim to be a Republican. However, I am the loyal sort, so I am happy for the president that he is making forward progress. I'm a reformist, you know. However, I equally hope that the progress truly turns out to be in the forward direction, and also that it is practical and attainable. See? My idealism can never truly defeat my realism. Even on a sunny day.

So...my kids are asleep. Not sure I want that. But they don't wake easily or nicely.

Chicken. I have an overload of white meat chicken in my freezer. Mom gave me some. Okay, some might be an understatement. I had it separated out into pounds, and there were 5, I think. I made jambalaya once, and tetrazinni once. I still had 3 pounds of frozen chicken. The problem with that is that over half of my chicken recipes are for dark meat. Finally, this weekend, I called my grandmother and got another recipe I had eaten at her house once. It's tangy and very easy to make - only 4 ingredients! I'm making it tonight, in fact. I had the chicken thawing already when mom showed up this morning.......with MORE FROZEN CHICKEN!

Send recipes.

Please.

Josh is still a little depressed, I think, but this weekend did him good. He got to eat junk food and watch grown-up movies... It helped. He wasn't too excited about the job interview today, and we still need something besides this sales gig to get us to July. And his grandfather passing is a mess, too. Sometimes, people respond to grief by bickering. I don't see the point in it, myself. But Josh gets caught in the middle, sometimes. He doesn't like it when that happens, because whoever is venting at Josh wants him to side with her, but Josh is avoiding taking any sides at all, even his own. Poor Josh. Let's all hope some good news comes to him this week. I know my fingers are crossed.

It's sunny, and the wind is blowing a little. I love it. It's a shame that it's going to be gloomy again by mid-week. I'm going to try to take the kids on a picnic or something tomorrow.

Hope today is making you smile! I'm sending you all the spare Happy I can grab.

Happy Thursday (Friday Eve)!

Sunshine! Yay! Yesterday was so nice, we went for a walk.

Two of my cousins have birthdays today. Happy birthday to both of them! I think it's the only day of the year that two of my cousins were born on. Not that I know the birthdays of my Viguerie cousins, except for my uncle Tony's family.

I wanted to have a good day on Tuesday, remember? Well, my scheduling was unfortunate. In the morning, Josh had a job interview via telephone, and he didn't get the job. He was particularly upset, because the job would have been perfect. 14 something an hour, 8-5, and a temporary contract position. Then he checked his messages and found out that his grandfather had died. Poor Josh. Really not his best day.

I went on to taiko practice that evening, as usual. Michelle is sweet and wonderful. She made me a music CD. With foreign language songs! She also lent me a boxed set of her anime. I'm not sure what to think about that one, I'll try and take a peek at it sometime today. But it was so nice of her, regardless.

Andrew came back to practice. WHEW! I'm very relieved for that. There is one particular new member who has decided that I suck and know nothing, and so he doesn't listen to anything I have to say. In fact...he's an arguer. He always has a reason why he's right. I don't want to start bad feelings. After all, he's right that I suck, but that doesn't mean I know nothing. So, I'm glad that there is someone indisputable, if you know what I mean. Also, this time of year, having Andrew's energy around is just what the doctor ordered. My biggest hope of all, though, is that the "2 out of 3 practices per week are required" rule will be reinstated. Lack of attendance in experienced members is inconvenient, but in the inexperienced ones, it's absolutely poisonous.

My wrist is still bothering me, so I tried to ask Andrew if maybe I'm doing something wrong. We're both going to pay closer attention to my Oodaiko playing this week, I think. I also heard from Karlynn, who says to use the wrist guards and not to worry about becoming tolerant of Ibuprofen, just take it when I need it, but not on an empty stomach. So, at least I'm not as worried about it, even though it still hurts.

Yesterday, it was sunny! So...who thinks I had a good day? Ah. You would be correct. We all got dressed up in our St. Pat's green, took pictures, played with shamrock stickers, made sugar cookies and added green sprinkles and green M&Ms, and drew a leprechaun. Happy late St. Patrick's Day!!! I didn't have green beer or corned beef. In fact, we had pork chops and ramen. But we enjoyed it. And we watched The Secret of Roan Inish.

Sadly, I didn't sleep wonderfully. But I'll live. I'm solar powered. ;)

Josh is off to peddle his knives again. On the way, though, he got a call, and has a job interview on Monday for a job in O'Fallon. He also applied to a bunch of other places this week. Personally, I hope he gets the Netflix job in St. Louis, but they haven't called....yet.

I am going to shower in a minute, then start some laundry. We might watch Roan Inish again. It was a big hit. We hadn't seen it in a long time. What I love most about it is how it really captures the beloved Irish tradition of story-telling. Most of the major characters tell a story during the course of the film. And it's just cute.

I haven't heard much from the outside world lately. I think I am going to try to call Brother tonight or tomorrow. And I might call my grandmother, or write her an email.

I kinda want to have a barbecue. Wanna come? Josh says the first thing he's going to do when he gets a job is to have a karaoke night at Charlie's. You are invited to that, too.

This morning I was taking pictures of Josh playing with the kids, and got a fat lip. Gotta look out on those action shots. And then on Monday, Grant was playing and head butted me in the chin. I ended up cutting the inside of my lip both times. Gonna have to start taking these wild babies to the park.

Tomorrow, cheese pizza for lunch (Zoku pizza) and macaroni and fish sticks for dinner. Then Saturday I'm going to make "Man Dinner". It has ground beef and diced tomatoes and onion and garlic and noodles and cheese.

Right now, though, I think I'm up for that shower. Are your windows open? It's a lovely day!

The Ides

Abbie is having a crying day. It's a good thing Josh ran off with the super sharp knives before I was tempted to use one on myself. If there is anything that gets under my skin around here, it's Abbie's drama for drama's sake, and being sad or angry just to be sad and angry. I've told her, "Abbie, if you want a hug, you can just ask. You don't have to cry first." No dice. And Grant seems to find this an opportunity of annoying Abbie (since he knows I'm already mad at her, not him), causing her to be angry or sad or both, and then sneaking away to avoid the consequences. So they both get in trouble, and then we're ALL miserable.

Is it bedtime yet?

Well, Saturday's performance at the anime con is over, and I'm thinking my yearly quota for Adults In Costume has been more than achieved. Yikes. And I had vague feelings or recognition for many costumes, but very few real mental connections were made. And the few conversations I happened to hear made me shake my head. Childish. Well, we all are, at times. But they don't seem to notice how obviously their true intentions come seeping through their pre-rehearsed dialogues. Not my mating call of choice, to be perfectly honest.

As for the actual performing part....I think I got pretty much all the hits right, with a brief exception on Zoku (one that was virtually undetectable), and my movements were occasionally sloppy, but never "wrong". They could always use improvement. I saw some minor mistakes during the performance, and I have a short video clip that a nice friend of the group's made with my camera that showed me a few more. Big picture, though, we did fine.

One funny thing: The first song I played on was Ashura, and in the intro of the song, on the VERY FIRST "close" style hit, my bacci nearly got stuck in my costume. I was in serious danger of giggling.

The workshops were what got to me, though. Whew! So exhausting! I was doing the Oodaiko, and got tired and wanted to switch, but it never quite happened. And I was a little sore from them later. And my wrist....still isn't good. I wrote my doctor friend about it....even though she's in New Zealand now.

Sunday I stayed with the kids. Josh left at dawn and came home just in time for us all to get ready to go to his mom's house. We had a birthday celebration for Austin, Sarah and Eric all at the same time, and then Josh did his knife presentation. The sales pitch is obvious, as are the company's strategies to sway me. If he showed up at my door and spewed that crap at me, my intelligence would be insulted, and I would show him the door. Oh, well. At least the knives really are that cool. And dishwasher safe. Anyway, not a restful day. I had been told that I could have today in exchange, but here I am, watching the kids. Again. Alone.

And it's quite a day. Grant fell and hit his head. No blood, but it was not great. There are puzzle pieces on the floor to my right that I asked Grant to pick up 4 hours ago. Abbie, as you've heard, has been extremely contrary in a whiny way. Josh's grandmother gave him some food from her pantry, and I was happily about to start making cookies, but on closer inspection, we don't have the correct ingredients. (Or, rather, enough of them.) Very disappointing. They were the Heath Bar morsels, too.

Anyway, Life in general is fine, but today is not on my list. I'm worn out. I'm the other tired. I know I only have to make it until July....but how many times have I done this? "If we can make it a few more months, everything will change." Well, after all of that, this is where we've ended up. A crappy little job-lette that might bring in hundreds when we need thousands, and me not qualified to tutor online. Well, not at the place I applied. But I am going to try another site that Michelle tutors through. And when Abbie goes to school...well, then it will be my turn to swoop in and fix things. And I will, too, damn it.

Okay, so I'm a little negative today. Maybe I can make some cider or something, and think positive. It's overcast. And I am, too.

Did I ever tell you that I finished my second Jasper Fforde book? I'm enjoying the series. I will continue with it, if I ever am able to.

Michelle and I were talking about Alice in Wonderland the other day. Actually, because of the movie, it has been a very popular topic lately, and I was laughing because some of the characters happened to have cameos in my Jasper Fforde book. She was asking, though, if I'd ever read the original Alice. I have, but it was a long, long, time ago. I do know a little about the author, though, for a more recent exploration that he was vaguely connected with. Lewis Carrol was kind of a lonely guy with a stutter. He was uncomfortable around adults, but liked the company of children. Some sources say it was connected with the speech impediment. He became very close with a family whose name escapes me at the moment, and primarily with the daughters, the second of whom was named Alice. He told the stories of Alice and the imaginary world to them as entertainment, and has said directly that he named the character Alice after his little friend, but they were not the same character. I'm not sure how much was changed in the transition from tale to book. The book, if memory serves, was bordering on the nightmarish. But maybe if you are laughing with a group of children in the country sunshine somewhere, these things take on a lighter character. I can see how kids would think a baby turning into a pig would be funny, whereas I would think it disturbing. Except....I was a kid when I thought that.

Lewis Carrol had a falling out with that family. No one knows the details. The corresponding pages of the family journals and all written communication pertaining to that day have been removed and destroyed. However, some have speculated that Carrol asked for the hand in marriage of the eldest daughter, despite the fact that she was not even close to legal age. His reputation of a pedophile persisted after that, and I'm not so sure it isn't so. It was not a term that was thrown around back then.

Did you know that The Lord of the Rings was originally sold as a children's' book? It seems that the concept of the fantastic was not always considered adult reading material. I, on the other hand, have a hard time reading books that are too submerged in realism. Unless they are extremely funny. I read for entertainment, and the imaginary entertains me. Sadly, this exposes my literary collection to comment. I was part of an online readers group for a while, and then a girl from New York commented on one of my book recommendations by saying that the books I read are for adolescents.

I own the Harry Potter series, and the Chronicles of Narnia, and Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events. It's true. And I'm the first to admit that they are juvenile, despite any of their more worthy qualities. I also own Pride and Prejudice, Bleak House, Rebecca, All Creatures Great and Small, and Wise Children. I dare you to read any of those to a child. Oh, wait. I read Pride and Prejudice in middle school. Uh...moving on. The ones I was being ridiculed for were Little Women, Daddy Long Legs, and The Three Musketeers. Not even fantasy lit! Well, I'm sure she wouldn't approve of my more recent purchases, either.

I quit the group not long after that. You can't please everyone. You can't recommend books to someone you don't know and expect positive results. I am about to start N-Space by Larry Niven. It was recommended to me by someone who ought to do a good job. Let's see, shall we? I haven't really read any straight science fiction in years.

I want to feel happy tomorrow. Maybe I'll just plan on that, and see if it works. Tomorrow shall be a good day, folks. It's on the schedule.

My wrist hurts. :(

Long Friday of a Long Week.

My computer just restarted itself for the third time this week. Josh said something noncommittal the first time about "updates, maybe," but I'm not entirely convinced the whole thing isn't about to drop dead.

Yesterday was stressful. Abbie started throwing up in the wee hours, and I started the day red-eyed and a little frenzied. Josh's "job" training from noon to 6, and my performance practice for taiko meant that I had no choice (none) except to take the kids to Josh's parents' for the evening. So, I spent the entire day feeling like the bringer of plagues. I even called Josh to ask him what to do, but there wasn't any other option, and we knew it. The other half of me was feeling very sorry for Abbie, who wasn't quite sure what was going on, and was scared to throw up in the bathroom. I gave her a little bucket, but by then she was finished needing it. The fever, however, lasted all day. In fact, I'm still giving her medicine for it. Grant was fine for a while, but very quickly got bored not being able to play with Abbie, so he spent the day upsetting anyone who would come close enough.

In the car, the kids were playing one of their favorite original games. I think you have to be a preschooler to really understand it, but as near as I can tell, they happily yell, "Cheese car! Cheese car! Cheese car! Cheese TRUCK!!!" for passing cars and trucks, respectively. You know...at one point I was congratulating myself on having clever children. But maybe I shouldn't say that too loudly....

I dropped the kids off, and Josh's dad said that he might make an appointment with Josh and buy some of those knives he sells, because they like them. Then he told me that Josh's problem was that he was, "too honest. Ya' gotta bullshit these people a little." I don't see Josh suddenly acquiring that skill. Well, that suits me.

Practice went well enough. I somehow didn't die of Oodaiko overdose. Wish I could find my wrist bands. That worries me. I hope I didn't really leave them at the skating rink, but I just can't find them at home. In other physical wear, I have new and exciting blisters on my hands, and keep re-pulling the same leg muscle. Not a very severe list, so I'm reporting that all is well. I hope I do okay tomorrow. According to Eddie, I'm still quiet. I'll have to see what I can do. Practice ended early, although me and Michelle agreed that it didn't feel early. Most of the others went to Growlers afterward, which sounded very fun. I might have gone, too, if it weren't for Abbie being sick.

Today, Josh left bright and early for more training. He was gone by 8. We waved at the window. Abbie didn't eat her lunch, so I told her no more food until dinner. Shortly after lunch, though, both kids fell sound asleep. They slept all afternoon. I finished my book, uploaded, re-sized and posted taiko pictures, and made dinner. Then, Grant finally woke up. Abbie came in just as Grant was finishing his fish sticks and Velveta shells and cheese. That was 4 hours ago, and they're not showing any signs of impending bedtime. I could cry.

Then, I got a call from Josh at 7. He finished training, and made THREE appointments for today, the first of which he was late for because of traffic. It's okay. It was Big Chris. But I'm not getting any sort of a break today. AND he went and scheduled the entire day Sunday. I was going to stay home from taiko and rest. Now, I'm going to stay home from taiko and watch my children all alone, just like a normal work day. I was feeling petulant at this point, and sulkily told Josh that with any luck, he will make enough from today's appointments to cover the gas.

Probably, he won't.

Why is he suddenly so ready to approve of this completely worthless job offer? If he finds anyone who is half the Easy Sale Josh is, we'll be rolling in wealth.

My parents are leaving for Houma, Louisiana tomorrow. Hope they have a good trip.

Are you doing any St. Patrick's Day celebrating this weekend? Josh won't let me cook corned beef and cabbage. Last year we made brownies and put green sprinkles on them. Maybe I can do something similar this year. Not going to Growlers made me really want some of that cider. I wonder if I can get it anywhere else....

Remember the injured former taiko member? She is finally out of the hospital. She has been a popular topic of conversation over email. I collected the money for flowers, and also a second envelope of spare change to give to the girl's mom to help with hospital coffee, etc., and it was hijacked by Rieko, who then passed it on to Andrew. Andrew said, and he was not the only one, either, that the second envelope was silly, as this girl's family are very well off.

Well, unless they've been stockpiling their riches in a giant box for the purpose of hospital expenses for their adult daughter, then it doesn't really matter, does it? Why does the family income even matter? First of all, people with higher incomes don't necessarily have more available cash. Their houses are more expensive. Their cars are more expensive. Their hobbies are more expensive. It doesn't translate that they just have extra money sitting around. In fact, I would guess that they have less, since they have security, and no fear of spending. But secondly, and more importantly, I didn't collect money because I thought they were poor, I collected it because I thought it would help. And I still think that. Why is it that it is not allowed to show generosity to someone who makes more money? Isn't that a form of classism?

I think Andrew sent a plant. I approve. Of the gift, anyway. ;)

Well, I am tired. I started out that way, but now I'm doing more correcting than writing - a sure signal that it is time to go. I hope the weekend is good to you. I am sending you sleepy hugs!!

Wednesday. Doesn't that start with "meh..."?

I burned my arm on a 425 degree oven while fetching baked potatoes that turned out to not be done yet. Typical.

We had our big meal at lunch instead of dinner, since Josh is off at his unpaid training. We had pork chops, baked potatoes and green beans. Tonight, we will have leftover stew.

I'm taking a break from Jean Shepherd to read my Jasper Fford book that came in the mail. I'm only a few pages in. It's too sunny to just sit and read. We actually just came in from playing on the deck. Lots of happy singing is coming from the kitchen.

I'm feeling kind of lethargic today. It's not my usual reaction to sunny days. Maybe it's my instinct to take a nap in the sunshine getting to me. Or maybe I'm really tired. I did have an exhausting evening, and then less than ideal sleep.

Taiko went well, I think. I played Drive all the way through. I'm sure I didn't look good, but it's a start. And I made it through my Oodaiko songs. I was tired at the time, but I didn't (and still don't) feel sore, so I must be gaining muscle. (Not that I can find any new muscles emerging out of my gelatinous arms.) And the things that were rousing my ire on Sunday don't really apply to me anymore, so I'm not going to get all worked up about it. I pulled a muscle in my right leg about mid-way through practice, but not badly, and it's all but healed now. And in Ashura...I have no idea what was wrong with me...but I must have hit myself with bacci a dozen times. Knee, shoulder, both hands, side of the head...eventually I started giggling.

Josh is not looking forward to finding out more about his "employers". He spent the morning filling out applications. He's not convinced that this job will take us all the way to June. He glumly mentioned applying at fast food places. I told him that since he's wearing a tie and jacket, he might as well stop along the way to this training place and ask for applications. He called a few minutes ago, saying that there were no "hiring" signs out. I don't remember that having anything to do with it....

But I am happy to be married to Josh. He's not out there turning his nose up at work, just because it's not what he wants. Sure, he did that plenty when he had a job already, but he's not the kind of guy who sits at home with the want adds and cheerfully collects unemployment while waiting for someone to magically offer his dream job. Those people bug me. Not as much as the women who have more kids, just to get more welfare money. That drives me up the wall. Let's think about that expression. Drives me up the wall! Yes, I get so annoyed at these people, who are not even standing in front of me, that I literally have to get out of my chair. (I do refrain, however, from attempting to scale the walls.)

What makes a good person? I guess there are as many definitions as there are people to think of them. You know, some places in the world, you could ask multiple people this question and get similar answers. I wonder if it is to our benefit that Americans each make up their own standards of judgement. Obviously, those of us who don't tend to be extra forgiving of qualities which we ourselves possess are hyper critical of them. If we each base our ethical code on our own lens of perception, it sorta takes the "standard" out of it. Who can be held accountable in such an environment? Personally, I think that is one of the dangers of discarding some of the older Constitutional articles. We don't have anything universal to replace them with, even if they are antique in the extreme.

Wait. How did we get to National Government, again?

What lovely weather we're having.

And we are, too. My windows are open. Ah, spring! I hope the spring is a long one this year. I am loath to part with it.

My mother is having lunch with Mackenzie today. I wonder what they're having.

Some friends from Rolla are wondering if we should attempt a reunion of sorts this summer. I think it would be a great idea, but somehow, it already feels like it will never leave the realm of speculation. Or should we just pick a date and start planning? Potluck in the park - bring your families. 10:00-2:30 Kyoto for dinner 5:15, then drinks - don't bring the minors. Panera for breakfast, pick a house and hang out until noon. Lunch at Maid Rite and maybe a movie at the theater.... We could do it.

It's 2:30, and I still haven't decided what I want out of today. Oh, well. I'm gonna go play dinosaurs with my cute children.

Have a great one! I am smiling at you! Can you see?

Well!

Hi. I'm making stew. The idea was that it would rain, and I would make stew. Instead, I'll have to settle for the rain we got during the night, and a sky full of gray clouds. And stew.

Josh's interview was a success. He is now employed. He's going to sell cutlery for Vector Marketing and get paid by the appointment and buy his own expenses. And then he's going to do something else in July. We should hear one way or another from the police by mid June. He will either be offered a job by them, or he will find another one for himself.

He was sick with a fever yesterday, last night and this morning. He feels better now, and is working on a computer that his mother wants him to fix for some co-worker of hers.

I have flowers! I have crocuses under Abbie's window, and in the back yard, and under the mailbox. Even some purple ones. They were all supposed to be white and purple, but mostly, they are yellow. And there are little points all over, too. In fact, It would seem that I missed about 5 tulips when I was re-locating them to the back yard last year. Ooops. And the ones that I DID get moved seem to be healthy enough to come up. I checked for bud on the burning bushes in the front - they are fine. I didn't get to the redbuds in the back. My poor mutilated maple is about half living, and is going to look very odd after the pruning.

I didn't quite get the laundry folded.

No news from Josh's grandparents. I'm assuming all is well, or at least moderately so.

In similar news, a former taiko member is in the hospital with a broken wrist and a severe head injury and brain swelling. So very sad! Since I am the one who mentioned it, I have been put in charge of collecting money in order to send flowers to her. Little does Andrew know, I also mentioned trying to pull together some songs for a fundraising performance, say, in a park somewhere, and sending money to help offset the medical expenses. Several group members expressed interest, but I'm not sure what our limitations would be, since we are a non-profit organization.

Performance practice tonight. I am going with curly hair. I'm also very tired. Taking care of everybody all the time gets exhausting.

Well, I'd better go. I still have to make a salad and heat some bread if I want to actually have time to eat before I run away to practice.

Have a happy Tuesday (even though it isn't beautiful and sunny.)

The Winds of Change. (Very dramatic, don't you think?)

It's March, now.

Okay. I have to catch up a little here. The computers have been undergoing maintenance, and such.

First: The wedding was fun. Cousin Fawn got married, looked wonderful, and smiled all day. I got to dance around in a most silly and happy way, and even got Mackenzie to dance once or twice. I taught her to two-step (Thank you, Mom, for that one and only set-up. All I got out of that, really.), although in retrospect, I taught her the boy part. Oops. I met this really nice guy and found out later that he is the guy that another of my cousins is together with. Isn't that about perfect? Now I know my approval of him is not based on his excellent taste in women. I really got a huge kick out of this situation. The cake was yummy.

Okay, now for the other news. I hope you are all cheerful and stuff from my account of the fun wedding. But even if you aren't, it's time to get this out: Friday, before we left for Rolla (and the wedding), Josh lost his job.

The timing on this is actually not bad. And though it's one of the scariest things that could have happened, I consider it a return of our good luck that it happened right after we had paid 3 extra house payments and 3 extra car payments. Don't you? Just think what stress we have been spared! Not so bad, after all.

Josh already has an interview for today.

We have seen some of our friends lately, too, which is nice. Just this weekend we saw some of Lisa and her mom and dad, Chris, and our neighbors. And my crocuses came up! I am no longer in hibernation mode. It is time to come out and smell the fresh air and run in the still chilly wind and feel sunshine on my cheeks. We played at the park this weekend. I recommend it. Even if you don't have a job.

Josh's grandparents are both unwell. Grandpa Mroczkowski just got out of the hospital, and Grandma Mroczkowski is still there. We visited Grandpa on Saturday.

Josh actually feels like he has a fever today. Poor Josh. I made him some tea, so I hope he's starting to feel better. The plan is that he will get a haircut before his interview.

I did not have fun at practice on Sunday. But I am going to work hard this week. We perform on Saturday.

The kids are good. I'm gonna check on the sicky. Have a good day!