Girls' Weekend

This past weekend went by in a blur.  Two of my very best friends flew in on Thursday.  One from Texas, one from Nebraska.  I tried to give them a whirlwind tour of southeastern CT and western RI on Thursday.  Friday, we drove to Cape Cod, where we joined ten other friends for a girls' weekend.

Lots of laughs were shared.  Many memories were made.  New experiences were, well -- EXPERIENCED.

I took some pictures while in the Cape.  This is one of my favorite.

Back to Normal

Amanda went with me to Vermont on Friday.  We headed home early Saturday afternoon, stopping by Six Flags in Agawam, MA, along the way.  (We didn't spend much time there, simply had to validate our season passes before the end of the month...literally did that and one ride around the Carousel before hitting the road again)

This morning we're back to normal.

Gordon and the girls have already left for their day.  Will is up, has eaten, and is now getting dressed for school.  Eleanor just woke and came downstairs minutes ago.

Spring Break is now just a memory.  Everyone is back to their regular activities.  Daily drudgery, here we come!

Grand Plans

With the kids visiting Nana and Bert for the week, Gordon and I are on our own.  I had grandiose plans for this week.  I intended to make the most of our child-free week.

Primarily, I had planned to get some deep cleaning done.  Lots of cobwebs to dust away.  Floors to be bleached and scrubbed.  The list was endless, really.  It's all the things I've been too busy to get around to do in far too long.

I haven't done a thing (besides dishes).

I've been too tired.  Exhausted, really.  I have gotten home from work each day, sat down, and have been unable to get up to do ANYthing.

How do working moms do this?!?

Boston Marathon

Many thoughts and prayers for those hurt at the Boston Marathon yesterday.  I can't do anything but shake my head.  What sort of crazy even THINKS about performing such a horrific act?  I'm trying to keep Fred Rogers' quote in mind -- "look for the helpers".  There sure were a LOT of helpers after yesterday's tragedy.  Thinking of those helpers helps to restore my faith in humanity.

Where is everyone?

Over the weekend, Gordon and I drove the kids to Vermont.  The kiddos will be spending the week with Nana and Bert.  It is their school's Spring Break, but Gordon and I still have to work.

Driving home yesterday afternoon was nice.  No one in the back of the car bickering, whining, complaining, or crying.  We even decided to make a stop at Cracker Barrel for dinner -- because we could.

Hanging out in on the couch last night was nice too.  Nobody complained when it was time for bed.  Nobody whined and pleaded to stay up 'just a few minutes more'.

This morning?  It's weird.  Eerie.

I keep looking around the house, wondering what everyone is doing.  How the kids are behaving.  Whether they're getting along well for Nana.

I'm sure the week will pass by quickly, and I intend to enjoy it as much as I can, but I am already looking forward to hugging my babies again.

Unexpected Time

Earlier this morning, shortly after 7am, I received a phone call.  It was Ms. Kristy, the Littles' babysitter.  Both of her boys are sick today.  One vomiting, one with a fever.  She won't be able to watch the kids today.

Okay, I can roll with this.

I'll have to go to work a little later than normal, waiting until after I've sent Eleanor off to school at 11:30am.  I'll also have to send in notes with both Littles, requesting bus passes for them to come straight home after school.  Grace and Dianna will both be home, so they'll be able to greet the Littles as they get off the bus.  (Thankfully, Grace babysits for us on occasion, so she knows all the rules that go along with watching the Littles.)

So now, here I am.  About a half hour after I have normally headed out the door.  I don't know what to do with myself!  Nora is playing quite happily with playdough.  I have a load of laundry in the washer, getting clean.  I'm about to unload the dishwasher and take care of this morning's dishes.

And then what?

I am so out of my stay-at-home groove, that I don't know what to do next.  Part of me would like to work on cleaning the gardens of Fall's debris, but there won't be time enough to make a dent.  Plus, I'm already dressed in my office attire.  NOT good for gardening.

So I'm left with time on my hands.  Good thing I recently picked up a paperback from the Friends of the Library for a $1.00.  Might as well take advantage of some unexpected reading time!

Commedienne

Most Sundays, when Pastor Tom gets to the end of the announcements, special recognition of a birthday or two will come up.  The whole congregation sings a round of Happy Birthday to the person of honor.  When there is more than one person of honor, we change up the words just a little.

This morning, there was a slew of birthdays coming up in the next few days.  Our organist/pianist started playing the usual notes.  The entire congregation joined in.

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Biiiiiirrrrrrthday...."

(here comes the changed up version...)

"....God Bless you, Haaaaaappy Birthday to you!"

This morning, as we sang in honor of all of our birthday boys and girls, Grace must have been feeling a little silly.  As the congregation finished singing, "God Bless you," Grace quietly added, "Ah-choo!"

Cracked me up.  And the mom seated in front of us.  Also, the elderly couple seated behind us.

Silly Grace.

Lone Crocus

The first spring after we moved into the Crazy House, I was delighted to see the flowers that grew in the gardens.  Tulips and daffodils aplenty.  Peonies a little later.  Lilacs too.

The first flowers I noticed were the crocuses.  I love crocuses.  They're the first flowers of spring around here.  Unfortunately, we were blessed with only a handful of crocuses that first spring.

This year, we're down to only ONE crocus.  One single, lonely crocus.  Perhaps I should get some more crocus bulbs to add to the gardens so we'll have more than one next year....

April Fools' Day

It's April 1st, otherwise known as April Fools' Day

I've never been good about staging or carrying out April Fools' jokes.  Don't expect me to be playing any pranks today.  I've got nothing up my sleeves.  That's no joke.

I remember when I was in Middle School, one of my best friends came to school with a sad tale.  She looked teary as she told me about her kitty being hit by a car, right in front of her as she waited for the bus.  I felt so horrible for my friend -- she looked so sad.  Right as soon as I offered her a hug and my condolences, she gleefully smiled and shouted, "April Fools!"

I could never top that.  Not even now, in my ripe old age.  So I just try to enjoy others' jokes and pranks.