Cloudy (With a Chance of Showers)

Was that a weekend? Well, it's gone now!

Everything is pretty much in a pre-Japanese Festival frenzy. I babysat the two girls last week, in hopes that I could save the money to buy extra food and souvenirs for the kids, and some spare tabi socks at the festival, but instead I spent it on extra uniform items, since I don't know if I will have access to laundry facilities. In fact, just when I thought I knew where I was staying on Friday and Saturday nights, that has all changed, and I'm back to not knowing.

This morning I got an email from Josh saying that he is switching to his new days off. But by the time he got home at 8am, that had changed. It's one thing for me to be in a perpetual state of readiness, but another to ask that of the people who help watch my children out of the goodness of their hearts.

Probably we should be on government assistance. But I refuse.

I'm feeling very isolated. I haven't read the news lately. And that particular feeling might increase soon. My computer has started making loud running noises and has restarted itself twice in the last two weeks. So...I wonder what exactly is dying. Hard drive?

Are you hoping for pleasant weather this weekend? It can't hurt. (I don't care what Andrew says, the new harugake are NOT a temperature improvement in the way of uniform pieces. I'm sure we will appreciate them at First Night.) But I think the weather this weekend will be very nice. Especially for late August. I hope to run into you all at the festival!

Grant has a cough now. He's off at school, and presumably having a wonderful time. I might have to take the umbrella when I fetch him from the bus stop. My forecast says chance of showers in the afternoon, and I must say, it's certainly cloudy out there!

I'm still reading Harry Potter. I'm nearly through book 4 (again) right now. I sort of read all the Agatha Christie that my library regularly carries. Maybe a Barnes and Noble gift card will fall out of the sky or grow out of my front yard.

And I still love Radio?Sure! I didn't explain it well, because I hadn't been told all about it last time. It would seem that it is a free search engine especially for radio stations, complete with a recording function. Frequently, the very beginning and end of the song are clipped, and occasionally there is DJ talk over the song, but mostly it is wonderful. Depending on the radio station you choose, your recordings will either be separated according to track, and named with artist and title, or they will be lumped into a single track called "untitled", which you will then have to edit later if you want a single song. It is my new hobby. I'm still digging the Irish song about bacon and cabbage, and have some fun new Asian and European songs, as well as one or two American ones that I like. There is a station in Romania that is really called Radio GaGa.

Ever have a craving for something, but you can't figure out what it is? I'm beginning to think this craving I've been having might just be for jello. No, really. I'm really toying with the idea of bringing some to J-Fest! It's just....how would I do that?

Money is a scary subject at our house again. The bills for the kids' vaccinations came, and also we took Jake to the vet, as well. Josh is dealing with it in the usual way - ignoring the problem and pretending (assuming?) that it will all go away and everything will be fine. Yeah, well, it will...just as soon as Abbie goes to school and I find a job. And then I'm sure he'll act like it just fixed itself.

I have been practicing the end of Hachijou, thanks to a video clip from Amy. I'm improving! Yay! It was the only song from the set that I didn't have memorized. Isn't that funny? I'm only playing the last verse! Once I have this down, I will feel prepared. Then, all I will have to do is perform my very best, and all will be well! I'm also going to memorize my drum movements, or as many as possible.

Did I tell you about our last Netflix movies? There was sort of a theme going...we had Camelot (the 1982 Broadway version), Once Upon a Mattress, and Enchanted. I don't recommend that Camelot. Really the movie was very superior. They are being sent back today, and then I will get the second Twilight movie next. I haven't seen it, yet. I'm curious to see what that group of film-makers could accomplish with a real budget, but that's really as excited as I am about it.

Well...I suppose I must go and begin my day! I certainly hope that whatever you are up to, it is making you smile. Go, out, Friends, and make your contributions to the happiness of the world!

We are always recruiting for the Good Guys! :)

Sometimes it just comes out as random.

My son proposed marriage on the bus Monday to a girl whose name he can't remember. We are all highly amused. I wonder what her mother has to say. I'm curious to meet the girl. Should I send him with an invitation to play sometime, or would that seem like I'm trying to coerce a relationship?

Sometimes you offer a helping hand when all that was wanted was a sympathetic ear. And sometimes you offer sympathy only to discover that it's not right, either. Or you're not right. Or something.

And sometimes you are trying hard to do your best for a lot of people, and one of them wants you to do your best only for him/her.

Sometimes you ask for a sympathetic ear, and you get criticism.

I've been listening to Radio?Sure! and have discovered something: Katy Perry's California Girls is played every third song in France. Now I can turn it off in two languages! And that is another discouraging fact. In nearly every country you can hear American songs. Why (and I've been saying this for a decade, at least) do American radio stations not play popular songs from other languages and cultures?

I think it's that Americans make such creeps of themselves everywhere they go, they suspect the songs say unpleasant things about us. I suppose they wouldn't like to discover that they've been singing in the car/shower about how Americans are scum. (Unless it was their idea.)

Of course, if we stopped acting worse than everyone else, maybe we could grow out of the inferiority complex.

Sometimes you just don't have time.

Sometimes you get exactly what you want, and then are miserable, and can't even complain, by rights.

I think Abbie is a little lonely. Maybe tomorrow we will go to the park after lunch. That is, if I have any energy left. I will be babysitting tomorrow morning. I'm dreading it. And I'm putting off cleaning the house. It has to be done, though. And soon. I am just very sad thinking about it.

Grant's medicine is not yummy like last time. But he's a good boy and hasn't declined taking it. And speaking of teeth, part of his sick tooth fell out yesterday at school. They sent him home with it in a little "tooth box" just as if it were a whole tooth that fell out naturally. He was excited. And the "tooth fairy" gave him a quarter, even though it wasn't a whole tooth. I hear she pays more for whole ones.

Sometimes you wonder if it's all too much to remember.

Another child pushes yours, and you teach him not to "take it". You teach him that if some one pushes, to push back. Your child learns that pushing is okay, as long as the report states that it was provoked. You have created a child that pushes. Your child pushes another child, and his parents teach him not to "take it".

Sometimes you wonder how there are any sweet people left.

My windows are open. It really is a lovely day. Abbie and I played on the porch for a long time. We were getting pretend clothes for a pretend coyote, giraffe, lion and zebra. Over and over and over.

Sometimes you wonder if other people are more emotionally comfortable than you.

I've been awake since 5:00am. That was when the magnet on the refrigerator parted company with its decorative plate. I'll have to re-glue it. I couldn't go back to sleep, so I just got up. Last night was late and difficult, too. Josh was nearly late for work. He had to meet me at Fifth Street (St. Charles) to switch cars. Then I took Michelle home, and then went home, unloaded the kids and put them to bed, cleaned up the trash that Jake, in my absence, had thrown all over my room. (Josh forgot to close the bedroom door.) Then I made Grant's lunch and got him some school clothes for the morning. Then I went to bed.

My neck is sore. Don't laugh. It's not from taiko, or the jumping jacks. It's from trying to drive with my hair in a pony tail.

Sometimes...it's just funny.

Sometimes an insufferable little know-it-all tries to tell someone how to do something in which she has had 6-ish years more experience doing, and she is too nice to tell him to go jump in a lake. And sometimes he tries to teach a whole room full of experienced people...and looks very foolish indeed.

Sometimes you're surrounded by idiots....and sometimes you're the idiot.

Sometimes you are the Bad Dog of the day, even without a single failure or misstep or transgression of intent or accident. Sometimes 105 % isn't enough, because it isn't your usual 110%.

Grant got a purple doubloon at school that says, "I Was Caught Being Good". It's a small reward, and he was very happy to receive it. Almost as happy as he was to have his tooth in a box. Boys are funny.

Leftovers tonight. We made pork steaks last night, and we're going to finish them off, and I ought to make something to go with it.... ??

I'm tired, and hoping for an early bed time tonight. But I also have lots to get done. I am going to start cleaning very soon. Josh said he would mow the lawn yesterday, but didn't. I was hoping he could do it today, but am not sure anymore. When he came home this morning he told me he's sick, and that I gave him something. I informed him that no one in the house (excepting him) is sick.

And if he DOES get me sick, he will hear about it. If I'm sick for the Japanese Festival, I shall be the world's angriest girl. I shall put the fury of hell to shame as insignificant.

Sometimes you know that your life is really pretty great. (But you still wouldn't say no to a nap!)

I wonder if a cheesecake will magically appear in the kitchen if I wish hard enough.

Well...this house isn't going to clean itself (worse luck). Hope your week is progressing as you would wish.

Adjusting and Not Adjusting

Well. This is different.

I just put Grant on the school bus. He loves school. Wanna hear how much he loves school? On Saturday, we went to an incredible birthday party for our dear friends' daughter, Zoi. It was on some private property belonging to an old family friend of theirs, and the place honestly looked like a park: huge trees, healthy, well groomed lawn, small lake for fishing, swimming or using their paddle boat (and complete with sand beach with clam shells). There was also swings and a slide, soccer ball for the boys, horseshoes, great food, CAKE, and a pinata with heaps of candy. Both kids had a fantastic time. So, when we got in the truck to leave, Grant said, "So, can I go to school now?"

I guess you could say he is adjusting well to the new schedule.

Abbie loves being an only child, for at least half the day, but about 1:00 she starts asking for Grant. Sometimes, if that doesn't work, she tries gasping dramatically and saying, "Look, Mommy! Look at the time! We are gonna be late! It's time to go to the bus stop!!!!" Sorry, Kid. That doesn't really make him come home faster.

I guess that makes me the cranky one, though. I'm having trouble adjusting. As soon as Grant had a wonderful and fun first day, I wasn't worried about him anymore. I was a little tiny bit hurt that he didn't get off the bus and give me a big hug (he gave it to Josh) and tell me about his day (it came out bit by bit over the next few hours), but on the whole - day 1 was a success. But I'm having quite a time trying to fit everything in. There's just no time. I was a little horrified when the bus didn't bring Grant home until 4:20. I was expecting it an hour sooner, since I knew his school day ended at 2:45. So, talking about school, cooking dinner (and then eating it), playing outside, playing inside, reading, and baths is a lot to try and squeeze into 3 1/2 hours. And I also have to make Grant's lunch, answer the phone when it rings, take care of the dog, and of any minor emergencies.... It's really a frantic time. And we get up at 6, now, to make sure we don't miss the bus anymore.

It's wearing.

Here's another schedule for you: Josh gets home at 8am, after Grant is fed, dressed, and off to school. He sleeps all day while I stay with Abbie. He wakes up just in time for Grant to come home, and then plays with Grant, eats with us, and starts getting ready for work while I put the kids to bed. Or if it is Tuesday or Thursday, I leave after dinner to go to taiko and he gets the kids' teeth brushed and puts them in the car and meets me on his way to work/my way home from taiko and we switch cars. Then, I drive Michelle home, drive myself home, unload the sleeping kids and put them to bed, let out the dog, and then go to bed, exhausted. There is never any time for me to even talk to Josh, let alone watch movies together or anything.

I really feel alone in all this. I even sleep alone, until Grant comes in at 3 or 4 to kick me for the rest of the night. Last night I had to sleep with my knees out in front of me as a defense, as he was especially violent.

So, I'm tired and lonely, and my mother has been particularly unsympathetic this month. But Josh is not quite himself, either. He gets angry about the stuff the kids aren't allowed to watch or do, even though it's not new news. Even though we've let them do and watch some new stuff now that Grant is in school, it's not enough for Josh. He's been getting invitations from his friends (through me, mostly, since he's not famous for writing back) and he won't commit. I keep reminding him that he hasn't answered, but it doesn't help. Several events have gone by with his refusing to say either way. Well, if that's the way you want to deal with friends, that's your own business....right? Well, they're my friends, too, and if they stop inviting us, he's not the only loser. But it feels rude to run off without him, so I guess if I want to take matters into my own hands, I've got to start politely declining on his behalf.

I think it's Josh's schedule, not Grant's, that is messing so much with the adults of the house, but when you then add Grants and then taiko's, I am pretty near my wits' end. I'm having the worst time I've ever had adjusting.

Other weekend news involves Grant having yet another dental infection. I shall be calling the dentist as soon as I believe his office to be open. Also, it rained so hard when I was collecting Grant from the bus on Friday that we took umbrellas, and the wind broke Grant's little one. Grant almost didn't get off the bus. He hasn't learned his bus stop yet.

But...as for the nice things: At least we did get to see the Shermans and the Frankes at the birthday party, and Josh got me RadioSure. Now I can listen to foreign radio stations....and record them!!!! So fun.

Happy Monday to you all.

A Change

We did watch the entire extended Lord of the Rings. It was fun. I also saw the most recent Die Hard, too. The one about the computer terrorist. I had not seen it yet, and it was better than I had expected.

Mom didn't really have time to socialize when she dropped the kids off. She had just discovered that my dad's older brother was coming to visit, and she only had one day to clean.

Tuesday Morning, Grant had a dentist appointment. He had an X-ray, and we found out that the filling keeps falling out of that tooth because it is cracked. Since it's a baby tooth, he's not going to pull it until Grant's molar finishes coming in. I am told to expect another infection on his gum. While we were there, they filled another cavity that was next to another filling on another tooth. Poor kid.

Josh took the kids to the Kindergarten Open House while I was at taiko practice on Tuesday. Grant's teacher is just exactly the one I liked best at the informational meeting last spring. YAY! Josh got all the information about the bus stop and such, and Grant got to see where he would be sitting.

We had an exhausting practice, and then Michelle and I met Josh and switched the kids over. It's a good thing Eddie reminded us not to take 70. I would have made Josh late for work if I had been sitting in construction traffic.

Josh bullied me into calling the city about the swim lessons. But I guess it was a good thing. Even though Kristin didn't pass Grant, the lady says it's okay to put him in the next class. I hate complaining.

I also have information about dance classes for Abbie. I haven't priced the shoes and clothes yet. I'm a little nervous about that. But the class called Pre-Dance sounds great. A little ballet, a little tap and a little tumbling. I hope she likes it. She's a little sad about Grant starting school, but if she is starting something, too....

Yesterday was the last day that Grant and Abbie were my At Home babies. I took a look at Grant and considered him, and here is what I have decided: Until now, he was MY Grant, but he's about to become part of the world, and have other influences and experience things through his own lens. He is about to be Grant's Grant. So, in a way, I am sort of done with The First Part. And I am satisfied. He is cooperative, eager to learn, eager to succeed and tries to be a Good Guy. Plus, he has beautiful manners. He is ready, so I will be, too.

Well, I'll try.

And now it is time to work on Abbie. She is miraculously becoming less difficult all on her own, and I was so worried that I would be spending the year potty training her! But she has learned that successfully, and things are going well. First thing I think I will work on is table manners. She still uses her fingers when I'm not looking, but doesn't wipe away the evidence.

This morning was Grant's first day of school. We got up and had bagels and I let Grant and Abbie each have a cookie with a school bus on it. My mom found them. I looked at our Wal-Mart, but they weren't here. I got Grant's teeth and hair brushed just in time, and we all got ready to walk to the bus stop together....but when we opened the door, we saw the bus driving away. I checked the clock to make sure, and it said that it was 10 minutes before time for the bus. Just to make sure, Grant knocked on a neighbor's door. She told us that it was Grant's bus, but that it often comes early. Oops. So Mommy and Abbie took Grant to school. His Principal walked him inside. Abbie didn't cry or say anything, but her face was very sad. So I asked her if she wanted to make Grant some Welcome Home From School cupcakes. She was consoled.

I sent lunch with Grant. Want to hear what he is having? Peanut butter and grape jelly, goldfish crackers, raisins and more school bus cookies. We are going to make those cupcakes in a minute.

Tonight for dinner, we are going to have pork chops marinated in Yoshida's, macaroni and cheese shells, green beans, applesauce and cupcakes for dessert. Does that sound like a good Start of Term Feast to you?

I am staying home from taiko tonight, but will be back to work on Sunday! I hope everything pulls together soon! It's scary to think that the show is only 2 1/2 weeks from now. I don't feel ready....

I am tired. Grant slept in my room last night. He kicks. Let's all cross our fingers for an early bedtime, tonight.

I hope you are well and happy and safe and comfortable. I hope you are looking forward to your days ahead. Happy Thursday, the weekend is almost here!

Athleticism, and it's high and low points yesterday

Guess what! I successfully did all the twirls in Omiyage TWICE last night! I'm so excited and relieved. It seemed to be taking such a long time for my arms to cooperate with what my brian told them they needed to do. It felt great, and now all I need to do is keep practicing until it also looks good. I am no longer worried about performing Omiyage. I am a little concerned about my contribution to Hachijou. I didn't do as well as I should have last night. I will practice. During Matsuri Taiko, I dropped my bachi twice....in the exact same part of the song. Guess I need to be more than usually careful playing that part! That song, also, I am not particularly worried by. I suppose you could say that things are starting to come together.

Andrew's wife might have some work for me. So far, though, I have not received an email. I am curious. I don't know what kind of work it is.

The kids...are not here. I feel odd without them. Even Jake has abandoned me. Josh is sleeping downstairs right now, but last night was creepy.

I will tell this story in order now.

We will gloss over Monday, by saying that I had an unsatisfactory phone call, and spent much of the afternoon very cranky.

It was sort of a rush at the house that afternoon. I had to get showered and made up, and I even straightened my hair. We were having group pictures before taiko practice. I hope they came out....it was a lot of effort for a lot of people.

After practice, we tried for the first time to switch the kids on Josh's way to work/my way home from practice. It went better than I expected in terms of the kids, but I am not sure what Michelle thought of the inconvenience of having to stop and switch cars half way to her destination. Well, it was the only way, really. In the winter, though, I'm not going to like doing that to the kids. I'm considering leaving practices early like Jason does. It would only be Tuesdays, as Josh is going to be off on Thursdays in the near future. My other option would be to only do taiko on Thursdays and Sundays. I'd rather leave early, I think.

Wednesday morning, I got the kids ready for swimming lessons and drove to the park. We were a little early, so the kids played while we waited for the pool to open. We said hi to their swimming teacher, Kristin, on the way past. She had a small and very angry dog with her. It was only a coincidence that we saw her leave. We were at the park still, and Kristin and her dog got into a van and left. I assumed she was taking the dog home, and would be right back. However, time passed, we went and changed into swimming attire, went through to the pool, the whistle blew, and still no sign of Kristin. I could hear the other lifeguards in the office calling her, and once I had to actually tell someone that she and the dog had left. Another lifeguard named Ryan came out and took the class, instead. The other mother and I watched with wide eyes as our children complied easily to his requests, and within 20 minutes had completed all requirements of the class. I laughed out loud. The other mother pulled me aside and told me what she thought of Kristin as a teacher, and I must say that my complaints were nothing to hers. She had even gone so far as to call the city to complain.

The lesson was better than good. It was incredible. Grant even jumped off the diving board (he did take a long time, and ended up holding the flotation device...but he did it). Abbie didn't always do what she was asked the first time...but she did do it. If I wasn't moderately sure it would seem creepy, I would have bought a cake for that Ryan guy. Fantastic.

Thursday was the last day of swim lessons. Is it unkind to admit that I was sorry to see that Kristin was there? I sort of gave up on the whole thing. Kristin informed me that even though she had been told that the kids had done everything the day before, she hadn't passed them. I don't mind for Abbie's sake, she could stand to take the class again. Grant, though, has already taken that class. In fact, he was closer to passing last year. For him, I am a little annoyed. When the other mother learned that my kids hadn't passed, she was shocked. "She passed mine!" she said. She was horrified, and said that she didn't know which of the kids were capable, but none of them, even hers, had displayed the required tasks except for the previous day with the other instructor. She kept insisting that I call the city and complain. It occurred to me, later, that this could be a key element in her son's passing the class.

The kids got ice cream for completing the class, and I was given a comment sheet to fill out. I was very flustered. I don't like having to report negative things. Especially when the teacher was actually trying to do her job. She was just young and inept. I can complain easily enough about rudeness and laziness, but this made me very uncomfortable. I felt like a horrible person, despite my right to be unsatisfied, and slunk away from the pool in extreme discomfort.

Mom came later, and we played for a while before she whisked them away to Rolla. Jake insisted on joining them, too. The notice was short, and I didn't really have a chance to decide what I thought of the whole thing, but I could easily see that it was out of my hands.

And then, on to taiko practice and my great achievements in twirling. There was construction on the way home, and it took a long time. I took Michelle all the way home, and then returned to my empty house.

Today, Josh and I are going to watch The Lord of the Rings - the whole thing!

And as he is awake and holding the remote control in his hand....I leave you. Happy Friday the 13th, everyone!

Life Imitating Art

Good or bad, nice or mean, appropriate or inappropriate, people imitate what they see on tv and hear on the radio. Argue if you want to; it's true. It's especially true of those who have not found their own "voices" yet, i.e. the young and the immature. I have a problem with what is considered acceptable for general audiences. I'm talking specifically about commercials, language, oversexualization....all of it. Did there not used to be a rule that publicly available tv and radio stations had to behave themselves until after 9pm? What happened to that??

If it's "art" that life is imitating, then I fail to see the beauty. This could be fixed. It won't be, though. Why?

Well, I'm sure you can guess.

I wish I didn't have to turn the radio station because my kids just heard half of a tasteless sex joke, or because the announcer said "ass". I wish I didn't have to sit up with scared kids because some "approved for all audiences" commercial had scary images, or that they were exposed to almost-but-not-quite-naked women squirming around seductively. (There's a fantastic role model! And they wonder why 7 year olds are wearing make-up.) And I don't even have cable!

Maybe I'll give up and move to a little stone house on the English countryside. Jake would probably love it.

Sulk, sulk.

Hey, America. Why don't you create something worth imitating?

Sick, but still hanging in there.

I'm sick. I always read Daddy Long Legs when I'm sick. I'm nearly finished with it again.

I started to be sick on Wednesday morning (unless you count from Monday's headache), and it was awful. It was the same respiratory virus that always causes me so much trouble. I refuse to call it a "cold". It can't possibly be one. I've had colds, and they really aren't that bad. Whatever this other virus is, it's intense and miserable. And the older I get, the worse I feel when I get it. For instance, in addition to the coughing, sneezing, fatigue, low fever, sleeplessness and sinus pain/pressure/headache/jawache and congestion, this time I also had a problem with swollen hands and also with my arms and legs falling asleep often. ??? I didn't get a whole lot done this week. Grant finished his thank-you notes, but I was too sick even to address them. And the dishes in the sink were just revolting. I finally got to them today. And I need to do laundry, too.

The kids completed their first week of swim lessons. Abbie was not cooperative, and the lifeguard never succeeded in making her so. After three days she was able to get Grant to do what she wanted, but that's pretty terrible, since Grant is extremely cooperative. The third kid has never done a single thing he was told, to my knowledge. Even Abbie's got him beat, there. Grant almost jumped off the diving board. Maybe next week.

Also, we bought Grant's school supplies! He is now the very proud owner of a "How To Train Your Dragon" backpack, that is too big for him and makes me giggle. Also lots of green: green pencil box, green notebook, green scissors, green towel...anything that was offered in green. I also gave his updated shot records to the school, and while I was there, I asked a few questions to the office ladies, who are so nice: Yes, it's a good idea for Grant to ride his bus on the first day. All the info from the open house that I will be missing due to taiko will be sent home with Josh in written form, so I won't actually miss anything important. Last, but certainly not least to me, little boys with good manners do well in kindergarten, not just with the teachers, but with the other kindergartners, too. Apparently, there is status attached to it. I don't know about Grant, but Mommy is officially excited.

Not only did yesterday start the weekend of tax-free school supplies, but it was also "Shop at Sam's Club without a Membership Day". Josh bought paper plates and napkins while I stayed home and rested. I wish I had remembered that those kleenex we bought with Grant's school supplies were for his class and not us, or I would have had him get that, too.

I did spend a lot of yesterday in bed. I didn't even feel like watching movies. I did call Brother for his birthday, though. He was making scrambled eggs. I got him a mug that shows all the aliens from Space Invaders when you pour something hot in it. He hadn't opened it when I talked to him, but Mom called later and said he laughed. For Christmas I'm debating getting him Monty Python Evil Bunny Slippers or Donkeykong Jenga. What do you think?

I'm going to taiko tomorrow, but I'm not sure if I'm still going to go to our friends' house in the evening. I keep asking Josh to call them and tell them that we have sick cooties, and ask if they still want us. He keeps forgetting.

Well, I was going to tell you about the movies I saw last week, and about the things I thought about news items, about what is going on in a larger scale....but a little girl named Abbie wants to have a picnic lunch with me on the living room carpet. So, I'm off to make sandwiches and put pretzels and juice boxes into our picnic basket!

Hope you are having a great weekend! Stay healthy!!

Ready, Set....

You will be glad to know that the bills for 400.00 each for the shots my children received turned out to be in error. I know I was glad. I fantasized about it, of course, but all along I was expecting the bucket of cold reality to come spilling down over my head, swirling 'round my feet in pools of disappointment. It's nice to get good news instead of bad every now and then. Although, technically, this is more like rescinding bad news that I already got instead of receiving real, true, no-strings-attached Good News. Real good news wouldn't conclude with, "We will be sending your corrected bill as soon as it is prepared."

But you want to hear about the weekend, don't you?

Molly said that we should open up a catering business together. "You're fun to cook with. You talk to the food, like me!" And she showed me her potential wedding dresses, too. We had fun and got lots done. I also did the unusual cleaning on Friday, like the windows and scrubbing the grubby hand prints walls and doorways. Probably, I should do that more often. You'll be glad to know that I am properly ashamed.

Grant's party was a huge success! My grandmother and Nanny came, and my parents, and Heather came. Jay and Evan made it (yay!), and the Keiths from down the street. The Frankes were here, and the Shermans came later, and ALL the Macneils came, too! I thought Bill was going to be out of the country, but he was able to come as well! Carter brought a tiger instead of his stuffed lion, Larry, this time. Some miracle occurred, and all the children got along well together. With my dad supervising, Josh cooked up the kabobs, and they were FANTASTIC!! Josh did great, but I give the bulk of the credit to the butcher shop and to Molly. Mom brought the soldier cake and it was beautiful. I put umbrellas in the chocolate cupcakes. I thought I was being clever, but when my grandmother saw them she said, "Oh! I used to do that all the time!" I was so tickled to have her here! My friends adored her, and I think she adored them back. It was a great collection of people.

It wasn't a perfect event, of course. Lisa couldn't make it and she was the one who was bringing the water balloons. Heather happened to have some, but they were old and kept breaking as we filled them. It turned out that each child had two balloons. They loved it, but it was brief. But who knows what would have happened if there were lots of water balloons - maybe they would have played happily for much longer, maybe it would have ended in tears and violence.

And, I forgot the ice cream! It was there, I just never opened the freezer and got it out. Josh says it's just as well, the parents were already going to have sugared-up kids because of the cake and jelly beans. (Not to mention the juice.)

Funny thing: everyone brought chips and juice boxes!!! I could give snacktime to an entire pre-school with just the leftovers!

Our last guests left at 8:30, and Grant's only fits of temper were before the party, so I am very proud of my little man. And Jake, too! Baby Zoe was "brushing" him with things like pretend swords, dolls, and pointy plastic dinosaurs, but he just sat there politely as if he were being groomed with real brushes. But I figure Jake was paid handsomely for his good manners by all the snuggles he got from Jenn and Bill. I hear that when Carter was going to bed, he wanted a puppy and called him "Jake". I told Jake about that. I think he looked pleased.

Yesterday I went to taiko, and Michelle told me all the stories from France and showed me some pictures. The place she was staying is ridiculously beautiful. Poor Michelle got very sick while she was there, and even had to go to a hospital! Here's something to think about: the cost of her emergency room visit was less than her co-pay in the United States. Hmm.

In the evening I had a strange headache. I'm worried that I'm having sinus pressure, but not in the breathing section, in the hearing section. I'm going to take a decongestant to see if it helps. I don't want an ear infection.

The kids started swim lessons today. I was disappointed. Their lifeguard/teacher seems a little incapable. She couldn't get any of them to listen to her, and she also didn't seem the greatest teacher. Oh, well. At least they're burning calories and getting some sunshine.

I'm going to see what we can do about maybe seeing a movie. The playing seems to be a little rough right now. Hope you are all well and happy, and starting a wonderful week. Extra hugs to those of you who came to see Grant at his birthday barbecue. Hopefully, when J-Fest if over, we can have more events of a similar nature!