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September 30, 2007

Updatery

Oh the luxury of blogging! Right this instant, when I want to! I will not be taking this for granted anytime soon, I can tell you that.

So now that I have this unlimited freedom to write again, I am not sure where to begin. Maybe a rundown of the weekend? Yeah, let's start there. Friday, one of King Pen's coworkers volunteered to watch the kids for a few hours so we could go out. You can bet your sweet patootie that when somebody offers to give us a night out, we are sure gonna take it. So we got the house tidy, kids fed and bathed, kissed 'em goodnight, and we hit the bowling alley. I can't even REMEMBER the last time I bowled. Sadly, that was evident on the scoreboard. But, I had fun, and King Pen was finally able to put to use that "lesson" they had when he was homeschooled and the professional bowler came to speak. Ah, the joys of choosing your own curriculum! Ha!

After bowling, we tore up a pool table ... oh, who am I kidding. We didn't tear it up. We didn't rock it. We didn't it set it on fire, either. I'm not even sure it was aware we were playing on it at all. But fun was had, and that's the important thing. Yup.

Then, Saturday morning, the kids had a birthday party to attend. They jumped themselves silly on a big, bouncy choochoo train, and ate cake shaped like a bass fish. Only in Alabama, people. We wrapped up the day with a trip to the grocery store, a jaunt to the creek, and some hot, homebaked empanadas from our Peruvian neighbors. It was a good day.

We had to be at church early today because Czarina's choir sang in the service, so that made things interesting. Sunday mornings are a madhouse around here, but we managed to get there on time. Miracles DO happen.

After church is over every Sunday, we all usually hang around talking for a while, visiting. I was chatting with a friend, and there was a pause in the conversation. She looked out at the crowd and sighed happily. "I just love this church," she said. And I knew exactly how she felt. I've been in a lot of good churches, where the teaching is solid and the people are nice. But this place... it's hard to explain. There is genuine love for each other, and love for Christ's church as a whole. It's a tangible thing that you can see enacted in their lives every week. And the preaching- it's honest. That may seem like a small thing to say, but in this day and age, honest preaching is rare. Strong. Life altering. Satiating. And when it falls on receptive ears... wow. I love to see pulpit truths rippling out through the lives of the congregation. It's a beautiful thing.

Besides all those good things, the fact is, there are just a lot of intelligent, funny, friendly, and interesting people in our church- people I really want to be around. Friends, that feel like family. I don't mean to go on and on about it, but it's a real blessing to have that in my life. I am genuinely happy to be in this church on Sundays, worshipping with these people. I look forward to it every week.

So that was a bit off topic, but oh well!

This week, I am hoping to be very slightly more productive than normal. (Hah) Besides schooling, I'd like to take dinner over to a neighbor who just had a baby, I need to get some sewing done, a baby shower to attend, and some other odds and ends I've been meaning to get around to. I'd LOVE to go running, too, if my ankle will allow. I sorta turned it again bowling the other night-- grrr-- so we'll see. I am going to be bizzay.

Well, my evening is winding down, still a few things to get to before I turn in tonight. Just wanted to get a running start on my blog, hit the updates so I can get to actual blogging tomorrow... I am SOOOO THRILLED to be back in the saddle again!

Posted by WonderGirl at 9:53 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

September 29, 2007

Unbelievable.

Lest you think me fickle, dear readers, let me assure you that I have not given up blogging. As soon as I hit the "post" button for that last entry, POOF. I think smoke actually came out of my keyboard. So, back to the computer shop, and one new keyboard later, here we are. I've had to replace two components of this laptop in the last two months - which is irritating and kind of expensive, but what really got my goat was not being able to blog about it!! Nobody had any idea what happened to me there for a few weeks. Bah. But it's really truly fixed now, and I can write to my heart's content!! (Until the monitor falls off or something, which should happen in 5-4-3-2... NOW. Ha.)

Anyway, I know you're all watching your Saturday morning cartoons and eating Chocolate Rice Krispies, so I'll let you get back to it. I'll hop on again in a bit. For now, I have a month's worth of emails and blogs to catch up on!!

Posted by WonderGirl at 9:17 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 19, 2007

Hey Stranger!

Back! Bless my soul, I'm back again.

The computer was salvagable, and it only cost the price of a small tropical island! Well, no, not really. But all we've poured into this laptop over the last few years could definitely have gotten us at least a timeshare. We've got to get a new computer one of these days. It's on the "to buy" list. Who knows when, but that's okay. I still have to buy that pony that's been on the list since third grade. All in good time. Right now, I've bumped a couch up to the top of the list. Ugh, the couch. It's basically two springs and a collection of scary stains at the moment. It's been through a lot, the poor dear. Don't lift the slipcover, seriously. It's traumatic.

Anyway, let's take a moment and let the joy sink in, that I have internet again!! Yippee Skippy!! Although, I'll admit, there was a certain liberation in being unavailable there for a while. I got a lot done! Baking homemade bread, keeping up on the laundry, etc. It did help me break my addiction, which was perhaps a bit excessive. It's all about balance, people. Balance.

But still.

Yippee!!

Now, to gather up my scattered audience again. Oh readers, where are you? Here, readers, readers... I've got a nice tasty blog for you...

Well, I'm going to let you all get to your business for the day, and I'm going to get to mine. Let's meet up later, huh? We can take our breaks at the same time. I'll meet you out back, and we can talk about the boss, and gripe about our salaries.

Have a good 'un.

Posted by WonderGirl at 9:41 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

September 16, 2007

Is This Thing On?

A few moments to write, and I don't know where to begin! So much has been going on lately, relatively speaking. We're busy, but it's more than that. A lot of rearranging in my head. Taking stock of things, getting my priorities straight, and all that rigamaroll.

I miss blogging. An upside though, my journal is fuller than it's ever been. I'm not really keen on the pen and paper thing, because I am too fond of my backspace key, but it's nice to see blank pages filling up. Besides writing journal style, I've been thinking about writing in general. Organizing some ideas in my head, figuring out what I want to say and why. I think that's my biggest hang-up at times. What worthwhile thing do I have to convey? It's there, I know it, it's just a matter of grabbing hold of it and giving it a good shake.

Czarina is seven today. She's such a beautiful person... She's kindhearted and gentle, goofy, but bright. She has an emotional sensitivity to others far beyond her years. I've never known a kid with a bigger heart. I'm so proud of her and who she is. I thank God for this day seven years ago when she came into my life and changed it forever.

More to say, more life to share with you guys and the clock ticktocks. -sigh- You only get an hour at the library, and that doesn't go very far. In computer news, it's at the shop, and we await the verdict. Could go either way. I need it to go the good way, so keep your fingers crossed, yeah?

Onward.

Some wonderful news- I'm happy to report that God has been merciful to my brother and he is not going to jail. This is HUGE. He's going into a longterm treatment program, and this time, he's going in with a motivation unlike any he's had before - fatherhood. There is nothing quite like knowing you're going to be a parent to open your eyes. Pray for him, that as wonderful a motivation as parenthood is, that ultimately he will depend on God alone for strength. It was miraculous that he wasn't incarcerated, seriously - and I know God isn't done with him yet.

Okay, what more? I have this checklist in my head of things to blog about, but I'm forgetting them left and right.

Britney Spears- poor gal. But I'm too late for that train, huh? You're all over it. I missed my chance. Luckily, I'm sure she'll provide me another opportunity pretty soon.

Congrats out to my sil, who just had their third child, Layla. How cute a name is that? Happy for you, Amy. Can't wait to see her. Hope you're feeling better by the minute.

Oh, and hey, I turned 32 on the eleventh. I recieved special gifts from each of the kids, which was cute. I haven't decided where to put the dollsized tea set yet, but I know it will come to me soon. They were all very sweet, and Czarina called me "the birthday girl" all day, which was fun.

We're going to Vburg for my cousin's wedding this next weekend. Congrats Laura and Adam! There's also something else going on that I can't be specific about, but it could mean some changes for casa de Wondergirl. How's that for vague and enigmatic? I know, you hate me. I'll reveal once I have the green light on that one. Anyway, this means a roadtrip, which means I'll spend most of the week trying to keep the laundry under control and all the kids injury/disease free. Duct-tape, that's all I have to say.

Egads, six minutes left! Boo.

Okay, I guess on that, I should end. I'll try and write again soon, but you know how it goes. Just look for me when you see me coming.

Have a lovely week everyone, and enjoy the first signs of Fall. (Really, especially if you live in the South, because you know it's going to be over by Thursday.)

Posted by WonderGirl at 3:30 PM | TrackBack

September 7, 2007

Goodbye Mr. Internets

Well, it finally happened. Our computer gave up the ghost. It's been in poor health for some time now, and I can't say it wasn't expected. It was unexpected however, that we were written out of the will entirely, and everything was left to the dang MOUSE. Son of a gun. Oh well.

So, this leads me to a very sad announcement. The Sift will be temporarily shut down, while I go dig around in some dumpsters for computer parts. I know, I know. I'm in mourning, too. It's horrible. I don't know what I'll do without my blog. By the time I finally get back online, the party will have ended and you'll all be gone. Wah. I'll be drinkin' alone. And that's just sad.

Looks like the soonest we can get another computer attempt to fix the laptop will be sometime in late October. So till then, it will be sporadic email checking at the library, and maybe the occasional blog post if I'm lucky.

-sniff- Be brave, WonderGirl. Be brave.

I'll miss you guys. Check back occasionally over the next few weeks to see if I'm back online, and if I'm not, then send out a search party. I'm probably laying in a ditch somewhere with no sweater and no internet access. I'll have fallen, and can't get up. I needs hep'.

Take care, enjoy the fall, and call me. I enjoy human contact.

Posted by WonderGirl at 4:55 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

September 5, 2007

Still Pasting Spaces

Love that title.

Okay, remember I was having keyboard trouble? Yeah. Still. We're working on it, but in the meantime, I'm having to cut, copy, and paste a space between every SINGLE word. Grrrr, I say.

It really sucks the joy out of blogging or emailing! And it takes about four times as long. But, the end is in sight, and I'll be back to regular writing soon. Thank goodness, because this royally STINKS. I wanna just hop on here and go to, ya know? I've got gobs of stuff to say!

Anyway, bear with me a little while longer, and I'll get back on track, mmkay?

Posted by WonderGirl at 9:08 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

September 3, 2007

Master Plan

So, I go out of town for twenty-four hours and guess what my six month old does? He pulls up to a standing position at the couch. That should be months away, folks!

I'm convinced this kid has an agenda. And I think he's secretly coordinating the other children, too. It would explain the "Handbook of Clandestine Organizations" I found the other day. Something's up, I'm sure of it.

Posted by WonderGirl at 9:21 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 2, 2007

Back!

... water-logged, dead-tired, and mucho-happy.

Will blog tomorree.

Posted by WonderGirl at 10:00 PM | TrackBack