Lemonade

Instead of the phone call I was expecting confirming a tentatively scheduled third interview, I got a letter in the mail. *sigh*


So! Let's get on with the PLEASANT part of last week, shall we? It was winter break, so I had the kids home with me all week. And since we got our tax refund, and since we had the time, and since we had a little birthday in the house (My boy! My little boy is EIGHT!), John decided to schedule a very quick, mini-vacation to an indoor water park (we were barely there!).

Mary and I spent the evening we first got there going down all the big slides. John took Izzy and Keith through the kiddie slides. The next morning, John took Keith down the big slides. I managed to get Izzy down two of the tube slides (with her screaming in fright the whole way down!). Mary kind of tagged along with Izzy and me--we would get in the same set of lines and then wait for each other.

We beat feet back home rather early, but I think we got in enough fun time for all. It was a nice change of pace for me and my gloomies. And the kids had fun, too!



Another portion of the taxes went to a couple of new appliances. Of course, we were trying to cash in on the rebate program, but the stipulations were very difficult for what we actually NEEDED in this house. John and I went through our needs and wants and ended up getting a brand! new! DISHWASHER! Yay! Ours was probably over 20 years old, didn't seem to be cleaning too well, and had a piece that was continuously falling off and basically too difficult to snap back into place, and the dishwasher was almost impossible to even START. No rebate on that baby--it was ALL us.

Since John's been doing a bit more cooking lately, he has actually discovered an amazing fact--our refrigerator is TOO SMALL! (Really? Hmmm? Didn't I tell you that a while back? Hmmm?) So, we bought ourselves a really cheap model to put in the basement for a bit of extra beer and milk storage. At least that little baby got us a rebate.

(Other new gadgets acquired since John has started cooking more--new knives, new cutting boards, a compact food processor [I HATE the big ones and refuse to use them!], and new prep bowls!)

I didn't do any dishes Sunday as John pulled out the old one to be carted away, and we DO want dishes to try out on the new one, right? Well, I forgot how quickly dishes pile up in a household of five. I could barely get to the sink by the evening. And...John didn't quite finish getting the new dishwasher installed last night. He needs a different part, and it was too late to go out and get it last night. I rolled up my sleeves and tackled the pile in my sink this morning. We will fill the new washer soon enough!



And now...on to the birthday boy! Yes, Keith turned eight and was once again spoiled by family. He got a couple of choice DS games, another snap circuits kit (we love those!), and Mary made him some Mario characters out of clay (Goomba! Yoshi! Bob-bomb! Bullet Bill!) amongst other things....

We're hoping to try to get his school buddies together next month for a little "gathering." It's just too difficult for the poor guy when his birthday falls on winter break like that.


And...Keith's birthday presents have led to ANOTHER issue. I have replaced my reading obsession with a DS obsession! MUST. SOLVE. MARIO!!!! So...I am limiting my DS time just like I do the kids' DS time. Sheesh!


Now, if you'll excuse me. I need to put away that mountain of clean dishes. And do more laundry. And follow up on a job lead. And get some more resumes out. And go to the grocery store. And get the house picked up for Keith's playdate this afternoon. And...I still haven't had any coffee!