telling it like it is

Kathryn and Margaret stayed home today. Margaret has had a cold, and figured she may as well stay home again today, and just get all her work on Monday. Kathryn missed the bus because I, the observant and capable mom, failed to even notice that she wasn't up with the first trip kids. But don't tell her that. When she came out here all blurry-eyed right as the second trip kids were leaving, I sort of pretended I thought she wasn't feeling well, because it seemed nicer than saying, "Oh Kathryn, I did not even notice that you weren't up!"

So because Kathryn is so nice, and because she felt a little bad that she had passed out pieces of Pop-Tarts to the little girls in the living room, (I sort of flipped out - I thought they were crackers), and I had just finished sweeping, she took the kids outside for about a half-hour. I did some laundry, washed my hair, cleaned up the sinks, swept up the Pop-Tart crumbs, and they were still outside...so I did what tired lazy mother would do: I sat down and put my feet up. I didn't go so far as make the cup of coffee, but still.....as soon as I sat down, in they came! Jon is full of the devil, as my mother used to say. He is being silly and crazy, and the dog is even crazier.

I talked to my oldest daughter, Emily, on the phone yesterday from Norway. She said it costs only a fraction of a krone per minute, however much that is. She was telling me that in Norway, chicken is very expensive, like the equivelent of $12 per pound. And beef: only ground beef in the casseroles is what she's had since she has been there, in late December. She is having a very nice time though. She should be home by Christmas this year.....

I would like everyone to suddenly decide they wanted to live in a clean organized house, and help me with all their hearts for just one day. Bedrooms cleaned and vacuumed and straightened, laundry all sorted and brought from said bedrooms, windows and windowsills washed and shined and sparkly....all bathrooms scrubbed and shiny....heck, if they even help for two hours, I would be glad. Maybe I will start begging.... Last night, we left for the concert before the older kids left. So, I handed Abigail 12 dollars, and told her if they cleaned up before they left, (swept living room and kitchen, dishwasher, counters) they could go for ice cream. They did okay, but in my humble opinion, it was no $12 job. (Am I the ONLY one who sees the stuff around the edges?)

I can dream right?