The News of Many

I'm freezing.  Just wrote this to my husband:  "First of all....remember how you used to have two black pillows in the living room? Now...you just have two dogs. I, on the other hand, have a huge mess AND two dogs."  Also, both M and K had bad days today.  M was arguing with me in library, and he also pitched a fit at the end of P.E.  While I was taking him to get the library book that he forgot to return that morning, K was rude to the librarian!  Her bad day started before she saw me, though.  She was crying in the morning because she couldn't listen to her iPOD.  I heard her teacher say that she would be able to during indoor recess (it's pouring), so I hope that helps.  Tomorrow is her math test, but I don't know if she'll use the study guide I made her.

Then I came home to shredded pillows.  That's enough, Tuesday.  I'm making tea.

I also need to finish writing the newsletter for this month.  It's only an outline, so far.  I can't remember if I need to have it done by tomorrow or Thursday....

So.  Boston.  As far as I can tell, authorities don't know why there were two explosions during the Boston Marathon, except that it was probably not an accident.  On the other hand, no one is taking credit for it in the terrorism world.  Most of what I've heard about the reactions of the people paints a very human picture.  Many bystanders helped where they could, and that makes me feel a great deal for them.  Yay for the good guys.

I've got to tell you, though.  Many more people were killed in the earthquake in Pakistan, and no one seems to be talking about that....  Or Korea.  I wonder if the Korean government is missing the attention.

In other news, Abbie got in trouble yesterday for talking during a test.  A TEST.  This is also the second time this month that she has been in trouble for talking on a test.  We had a little talk.

On a brighter note, she finished the Nancy Clancy book, and is done with her book report, except that she drew pictures that she wants to color.

In Grant's class, the farm finally delivered the eggs, and sometime early next week there should be baby chicks hatching out of them.


I'm going to drink my tea now.

Guess where I went today.

Swim lessons.  Gotta love wrong information that you specifically call to get.  I've decided to find the whole thing funny.  Another mom (boy was she surprised to see me) said that she did get a call from the city to say that the lessons were a go.

Grant and Abbie went to swim lessons today.  I sat in the shaded area and talked to the other mom.  I still got a little bit of a sunburn, but it's already starting to fade.  I could see them splashing around, and at the end of class, they all went off the diving board.  Some jumped, some were dropped.  Mine were dropped today, at their own request, but I have every faith that they will jump of their own accord soon.  I'm not attaching too much importance to these lessons, since they already will not accomplish my original goals.  I wanted the kids to do two sessions in a row.  Now, obviously, there won't be time.  So whatever they learn - great.  Plus they're spending time in and around the water.  All good stuff, and no pressure.

I've been reading The Wind in The Willows.  Did you ever read that?  So civilized.  And kinda sweet.  Not bad for an end of summer read.  The next thing I pick will be a little more exciting, though.

Last night I made steak.  One huge steak.  It was cheaper than getting individual ones.  And I also cooked zucchini and summer squash with onions.  For lunch today, we had salmon and miracle whip and white American cheese on bagels with lettuce and tomato.

I did some research on teacakes, in all their various incarnations.  It would seem that what I really like is fruit coffee cake, only with tea.  In America, they make tea biscuits in the south, and fruit breads in the north.  In Australia, India and New Zealand, they have a variety of spongecake made with peel.  In England, what they are eating is essentially a fruit bagel, without the hole.  While all of those things sound yummy to me, what I really want is coffee cake with blueberries or cranberries and a streussel topping.  Yum.  Especially if I'm having my tea English-style.  If I'm having black tea and I'm not adding anything, then a fruit bread and plenty of butter would be wonderful. 

Anyone else getting hungry?

There shall be taiko tonight, but I'm not on either of the sets.  I wonder if there will be anything useful to do.  Usually on nights like these, I dream of coming home early...and then never do.

I have that nagging feeling that there is something that is supposed to happen tomorrow, but can't remember what it is. 

So!  How are you?  Seen any good movies lately?  Not I.  We've had the same ones out from Netflix forever.  Really time to send them back and have something fresh.  I can only watch a 20 year old NOVA episode about lightening so many times, you know.  If you have any recommendations, I would be glad to hear them.

There is, of course, no news with our impending move.  Josh hasn't even mentioned it lately.  Passing phase?  How depressing.  Oh, well.  At least I don't have to worry about someone opening my closet and seeing that it's stuffed to capacity.  I swear, we outgrew this house the year we moved into it....

Hugs to you all!