Lest I Forget

Last night we slept in our own beds for the first time since January 8, just one day shy of two months. It felt like such a luxury. I have such mixed emotions about that since it is the beginning of Lent after all. I feel like we have had our own personal Lent imposed upon us for the last two months. We have lived out of three suitcases, three outfits a piece plus one more for Church. One more suitcase for some toys, which quickly got old. Not many luxuries to speak of, and frequently I found myself having to improvise to make things happen. Our household goods arrived yesterday, one week ahead of schedule. All day Ash Wednesday, Jack would burst out, "I can't wait for tomorrow!" Finally, at bedtime, I said "I can't wait either. Do you know why?" And he looked at me expectantly. I replied, "Because you will stop saying 'I can't wait'". He thought that was the funniest thing. He laughed and laughed. It was a little like Christmas, ripp...

Before dawn's early light, we arose. In the cool darkness, I dressed, made the coffee, and when at last it could be put off no longer, I woke the kids. Anna shot right out of bed and got ready. Jack, not so much. If a body can ooze out of bed, then that is what he did. I dressed the little ones and loaded them up in the car. The sky was beginning to lighten over the black mountain that looked much like a sleeping giant. The sliver of moon and one star were still brilliant against the deep blue-black sky. I really love seeing the day creep into being like that, I just don't like having to get up so early! We arrived at our destination, the driver testing center. Tony dropped me off at the door and then went in search of breakfast for the kids who were by now fully awake and wanting nourishment. I looked over the rules and signs one last time. It was very important to pass this on the first try, for we had found a used car to buy for Tony and we were to pick it up today. Not ve...

As in, I have a very limited kitchen here in the hotel. One skillet, 2 pots, no oven safe dishes, and the most meager selection of cooking utensils. The spatula came pre-melted and the kitchen scissors were already broken. We have exactly 6 plates, forks, knives, spoons, and cups, so I have to either run the dishwasher or do all the dishes by hand after each meal. We arrived on the fourth of this month and I am fast running out of ideas. Oh, and everything I am cooking is from memory since my cookbooks are still in a crate somewhere. I have another 2 weeks of this before we can move into the house we found, if we have managed to communicate effectively with the landlord. We are still not sure he understands us and we are not understanding him. Tomorrow's task is to get with the housing office and see if we can get all this straightened out.  Peter was supposed to start feeding therapy before we left, but time ran out. He spits out more than he consumes, which is messy and fru...