Blog slacker and what I overheard at school

I haven't been blogging.  Obviously.  Instead I've been packing.  We found a new place to rent.  A WHOLE house.  It doesn't even have a basement and that makes me incredibly happy.  I think I'd be fine if I never stepped foot in another basement again.  It's a cute little house right across the street from Ava's elementary school.  She's so happy to get to walk to school.  We will be moving Saturday. 

I had a root canal today.  I have the worst teeth in the whole world.  I did go for a 8 year run without a single cavity after I married Brig.  But recently it's been nothing but bad news.  My dentist didn't do himself any favors when he told me that I must have had some country bumpkin dentist growing up because I had some weird dentistry going on.  Hey, I loved that country bumpkin dentist, I thought.  He called everyone kiddo and let us choose a prize after our appointments.  He also was very generous with the laughing gas...something you could learn from.  He likes to crack jokes and ask me questions when I have my mouth open like a yawning whale.  Yeah I know, it's not very flattering to compare oneself to a whale.  But I'm a renegade like that.  I shake my head or try to crinkle my eyes especially crinkly so he knows I find what he's saying amusing.  Here's something odd.  I've noticed before that there is a hot beverage machine in the waiting room.  It makes hot cocoa that's at least 500 degrees and the girls get all whiny that it's taking too long to cool down.  But anyway I saw a fellow patient open the bottom part of the cabinet today to reveal a mini fridge.  And lo and behold it was stocked with Coca Cola products!  I guess it keeps the good dentist in business. 

Before my root canal I ran up to Ava's school to stuff envelopes like I do each Monday.  I usually listen to a podcast as I work, but today I left my phone in my purse and didn't think about listening to anything besides the normal goings on of a school.  I overheard a heated discussion going on a short way down the hall.  It was between a student and teacher.  The teacher asked what was going on?  I didn't hear the girl's reply but it was something like abject oblivion.  The teacher then laid her accusations at the sheepish student's feet.  "Lucy told me you put Windex in my drink!  That's not okay!  Now go back to the classroom.  I'll be there in a minute."  The rest of the class had already entered the computer lab.  WINDEX!  In a teacher's glass!  That's one deviant pupil.  I've always said teachers should get paid more. 

Another reason I haven't been blogging is that I've been editing my story, The Tanglewood Tree.  It's rough.  Some days I think it's okay and others I have so many self doubts that I feel like just giving up.  I love to write.  When I'm in the story and the words are flowing from my imagination to the screen it's one of the most transcendent feelings.  It brings me such joy that even if nothing becomes of these stories I guess it's gift enough to have the experience of telling that story. 

Other highlights of my week:

My mom coming down over the weekend to help me pack.  I love her.  It was nice to have a bed companion who snores like me.  (Brig was on a scouting weekend). 

Ava being such a good example to me.  Her faith puts mine to shame. 

Brielle pooping on me.  I thought maybe letting her run naked around the house would nudge her in the direction of the special Mickey Mouse potty we bought for her.  Instead as I was going through notes Brig kept from college and tossing most of them she sad down on my lap, buried her head in my shoulder and apparently did her duty.  I didn't know it at the time.  I thought she was just snuggling.  Only when I pushed her away to stand up a few moments later did I realize I'd been crapped on.  I began screaming like a car alarm.  Pure shock.  This made Brielle panic and she grabbed me and in the process smeared poop across my cheek.  It was a mess.  Both of us and the carpet needed a good scrubbing.  It was Brielle's first shower and she bawled the entire time.  I love toddlers.  I love potty trained toddlers better. 

Easter and Whatnot

I downloaded these pics shortly after Easter.  And then I'm not sure what happened.  Ava was teasing Brielle.  Brielle was crying.  I turned into monster mom.  You know, life.  We had a great Easter.  Me and the girls stayed up with my parents for spring break.  We rode four wheelers, went swimming or sweating (you decide) at Lava Hot Springs, and just generally enjoyed being country girls once more.  It was too short.  And that's all I've got to say about that.