LAmom

I'M BACK

I didn't die.  It was just my computer that died.  For some reason something went wrong with the power supply when I transported it from the old house to the new one.  It's in the shop now and I've bought a new one (so glad I have an emergency fund!).  The old one will go to the kids after it's repaired.

We're getting settled into the new house, but we're still waiting on a stove and a refrigerator (right now we're eating lots of take-out).  The transition was stressful for BT, but he's adjusting OK.

This house is really big (it used to be a group home).  The advantage in that is that you can have privacy when you want it.  But it doesn't feel as home-like as the old place did.  Hopefully some decorating will help.  I'll put up some pictures soon.

WE'RE MOVING!

Exciting stuff!  We got a new house!

It's in Carson, which is going to make my life so much more convenient.  Our church, the school that DL and CL attend (which is also where I work), and my parent's house are all in Carson.  For almost eight years I have driven 12 miles in each direction, with JG and BT in tow, to take DL and CL to school.  But now they'll be able to get there on their own using the local bus.  Our homeschooling lifestyle will no longer be ruled by the school schedule!

Also, the new house in considerably larger than the one we're in now.  JG and BT will have a real bedroom!  Right now they live in what is supposed to be a den.  And I'll have a normal-sized kitchen, one where we don't have to keep the microwave on top of the refrigerator in order to have counter space.

There are two obvious downsides to this house.  The reason it is so spacious is because of some add-ons to the original structure.  Because of this, there is no backyard, which means no garden for me (sigh).  Additionally, the kitchen and dining room, which used to look out into a backyard, now get no sunlight.  The two kitchen windows and the sliding glass door in the dining room are still there, but now they offer a view into a garage.  I've been looking around for ideas on how to perk up a gloomy "windowless" room without busting our budget.  But overall, it's a great house and we're all excited.

 

The big move is supposed to happen on Monday.  More details to come.

IT TAKES TIME TO REALLY SAY STUFF

As my life has gotten significantly more busy lately, I've begun to realize how much time I used to put into writing some of the blog posts that I am most proud of.  An hour or more writing and rewriting my own thoughts until I feel like I've expressed myself the way I want to.  Sometimes taking almost half the day (including life-related interruptions) to research an idea or get good link.

Several times in the past few weeks I've wanted to blog about things, but I didn't do it because I didn't want to write haphazardly about important topics, and I didn't have time to write about them really well.  The result has been not writing anything.

I don't want my busyness to result in not blogging, because I really like blogging.  So my plan is that for the present time I'll be writing about less important stuff.  More kid blogging and garden blogging, less saving the world.  I'm sure I'll get inspired to pontificate now and then, but not as often as before.

BIB #15209, I LOVE YOU!!

Right now, LAdad is participating in the Los Angeles Marathon!  He's walking it, like he did in 2004 (his goal is to be ready to run it by 2008).

The first time he did this, I was REALLY NERVOUS, but now I'm feeling more comfortable.  Bust it, baby!

   

UPDATE - 2:00 PM: LAdad's buddy, SuperDave, just completed the course!  His time was 5:26:40.  I've known SuperDave for about 20 years.  He has always been a running devotee, but this was his first time attempting a marathon.  Congratulations, dude!

UPDATE - 6:45 PM: He did it!  Hubby's finishing time was 7:39:12.  He was on the phone with me as he walked across the finish line, just like last time.

THINGS MONEY CAN'T BUY

Crab legs:    $9.14
Raw shrimp:    $18.72
Chicken:        $9.15
Sausage:        $8.49
Vegetables:    $3.62
Spices, etc.:    $7.96

Watching DL achieve his goal of learning how to make gumbo:  Absolutely priceless.

REAL LOVE

When he comes home bruised and stiff from bumping into a bleacher, and you're exhausted because you spent the day driving all over town as usual, and then spent the afternoon in the emergency room with a frightened 13-year-old, and you realize that there's no way you're going to be able to do the things you had tried to plan for the evening, and you rub his bruised and aching back for him, and he sits through The Daily Show without complaining because he knows you love it even though he hates it, and then you lay down and just enjoy cuddling with him even though he smells like Ben-Gay, and you both agree that it's still been a good Valentine's Day, that's real love.

EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE A BOSS LIKE OURS

When I dropped by the school this morning, my brother was there and he had brought his baby with him.  She was being watched in the office while he taught a math class.  I wish more people had options like that.

IT'S REALLY JANUARY

The traditional January rainstorms have begun.  I haven't heard, though, whether we're expecting this year's rainy season to be heavy or light.  Yesterday, we were without electricity for most of the day.  The boy's actually enjoyed it -- being in the darkened house listening to the rainfall.  After it cleared up, Hubby saw a container that had been left outside being used as a birdbath, but the rest of us missed it.

This morning, with the ground soaking wet, it was the perfect time to start preparing for this year's garden (you guys know how much I love the garden).  I really want to do it big this year.  I marked off a big section of the yard and started turning soil.  With no toddlers trying to eat dirt or pull up seedlings this time, it should be a little easier to focus.

It's time for another visit to my favorite seed source.  Squash, beans, and watermelon are calling my name.  Maybe I'll even try corn this year.  And I'm sure there will be some volunteer tomatoes that try to take over the garden (beware the Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme, give it an inch . . .).

MY NEW PICTURE

Now that I have a working digital camera again, I was able to get the graphic that I've wanted for a long time for my blog -- a picture of Dolly (in the photo she's sitting on my printer).

Dolly was given to me years ago by a friend and former client (I was her labor coach).  She lives on my desk most of the time.  JG and BT play with her occasionally, but I make it very clear that she's Mommy's toy.  She's a great companion and she looks much more like me than that other picture did.  Imagine Dolly with glasses and a little bit of gray hair and you'll have a pretty good idea of what I look like.

IT'S A GIRL!!

I'm an aunt many times over from my husband's side of the family, but this has been the first time on my side.  My brother (the lawyer, not the engineer) looked on as his lovely wife gave birth to their baby girl this morning, less than an hour ago.

Congratulations Tom, Jessica, and little Charis!  Auntie Joan can't wait to see you guys!