Tuesday, April 21, 2009

miscellany

I was sick all during my kids' Spring Break. I didn't get to do fun things with them every day like I had planned. Their grandparents took them out one day, and their dad took them out another day. My attempt to take them to a movie didn't pan out, either, so we rented one and made popcorn at home. I didn't take one single picture during the whole week! I have never been more grateful for my kids' homebody tendencies. They seemed to have a great time just hanging out at home. Whew!

This is what she did during a rare half hour of peace and quiet. She wasn't crying and she wasn't whining, so I willingly ignored what she was doing, which turned out to be making her hands into spiders with markers. Well. I didn't see that coming. And, truth be told, I wouldn't mind if she colored on her entire body if it would buy me some more peace and quiet.

After almost two weeks of having no cold water in the kitchen, I'm happy to report that it is fixed! Marc bought a new part and a new wrench and got it done. I am thoroughly enjoying being able to fill up my water bottle whenever I want to, and having ice in the freezer. Yahoo!

Our freak snowstorm last week caused some major damage to our trees. I borrowed a limb saw from the neighbors today and went to town with some major pruning. I have never used more than loppers before, and let me just tell you that it takes some serious manpower and a decent amount of time to saw off big branches. I eventually gave up on the high breaks, as, even with a ladder, I couldn't really reach them. I was trying to saw over my head, which made it difficult to get any torque and also caused sawdust to rain down on my face. Also, after spending a couple of hours in the trees, I couldn't stop sneezing and wanted to wash out my eyes. I will say it was pretty satisfying to see the huge pile of boughs I did manage to remove.

The lesson I taught in YW on Sunday was discouraging. Our large group of normally boisterous Laurels were all sitting there like zombies. It made me question my aptitude for this job.

Tonight for our activity we went to the driving range. (One of our girls is a major golfer and her father owns the local course.) They weren't about to allow me to just sit on the bench and watch, and therefore I had to humiliate myself. Repeatedly. They seemed to get a kick out of it, though, so I guess it wasn't all for naught. I honestly don't have an athletic bone in my body.

I got my hair done on Saturday. I'm not 100% sure about the cut yet, but I really like the color (blonder). What could be better than spending 3 hours with someone else playing with your hair? I enjoy chatting with Sharolyn, too, I really think she gets me.

Lucas is home with a fever again. I thought perhaps he just kind of wanted to stay home, but no, he pulled out the symptom that gives you a guaranteed pass to miss school. You can't fool the digital thermometer. (although you can fool the old mercury ones -- I faked a fever a few times as a kid... I wonder if this is my punishment?)

Tomorrow is Wonderful Wednesday. Hallelujah!

13 comments:

Tasha said...

I'm so sorry you were sick & it was snowing all break. I don't think I could drive a golf ball either!

Michelle said...

I hope you are feeling better! I am so impressed with your tree pruning - and your willingness to humiliate yourself for a good cause. When do we get to see a picture of the new hair?

Jill said...

It sucks that you were sick during spring break, but hooray for the kids' homebody tendencies!

It scares me to think of you trying to saw branches up over your head. That was an accident waiting to happen.

How great that the fridge is finally fixed and that Marc did the repair!! You'll never take ice or cold water or having the fridge tucked back in place for granted again.

jenn said...

You can never cut a break when it comes to being sick or having to take care of kids who are sick- definite celestial points there!

Sawing large branches on a ladder?!!@#*! Don't you have a nice man neighbor to do that for you?!

Charlotte said...

Sorry you were so sick :( And I'm impressed and scared that you were sawing branches--that's a man's job! Em and I want to stop by sometime before we leave--I'll email you!

Kelly said...

Oh my, Eva's hands! She's obviously very ambidextrous. PQ's new love is Play-Doh, and I'm just waiting for some sort of disaster to come of it.

I find pruning trees to be very satisfying, but I've never had to use a saw! That doesn't sound fun, and I'm glad you came down before it got too risky.

Anonymous said...

Oh Michelle, I am so sorry you were sick last week!

I spent a good chunk of the day yesterday sawing off some neighbors branches that were broken. I feel ya- my arms are sore today, yours?

I hope you are living it up Wonderful Wednesday style!

Rebekah said...

i'm seriously impressed by eva's marker job.

linda said...

I would love to see your new hairdo, I bet the blonde looks great. It is amazing how it can brighten your face!

wende said...

i'm glad you are feeling better, and i would rather rent a movie than go to a movie any day - i'm sure your kids just appreciated the break!

i would totally let ethan color all over his body with a marker if it meant having an hour of quiet time.

i would have humiliated myself on the golf course too - no worries.

Denise said...

". . . not an athletic bone in my body." Petersen genes for sure! I'm right there with you but am not sure I could have been as good a sport as you were to even try.

I can't imagine you faking sickness to miss school! That's too funny.

I feel your pain about discouraging teaching moments. Remember Stonehenge for me a month or so ago?

On a ladder. Sawing limbs. Over your head. Sawdust in your face. Oh dee--you are a wonder, indeed!

Bond Girl 007 said...

ohhhh soo sorry you were not feeling good. that is just not right....hey about the sickness, i think you should check out your home for mold....I think it would be good to discard it from the list of possible things, or maybe is just they are growing and sometimes their bodies get sick....but that would be soo tiredsome at one point don't you think to have them sick....for me it is agonizing...I don't know what to do, and all I want is for them to be well again!
It is good to catch up with you....it always makes my day brighter....

j said...

i'm sorry you were sick during spring break!! no good!!!

but i do love that photo of eva. such creativity. i'm impressed she was able to do both hands!

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