We'll see how this goes...

Dial-up internet, you know. I just tried putting pictures up from Picasa and I don't see them yet. So now I'll try it directly from Blogger. Here goes...
Hmmm, doesn't seem to be working. I just waited for these pictures to load for 25 minutes. I chose three I wanted to post, and told Blogger to do them small. 25 minutes later, no pictures. I'm really frustrated right now. Picasa doesn't work, Blogger doesn't work.
Waaaaaaah. I want Hello back.

Mother's poem

This is a poem I've had for a few years now and I like to refer back to it when I'm having a hard day.

Mother, so tired and weary,
Worn out with the toil of the day...
As you tend to the needs of your family,
Exposed to the noise of their play.

Your patience so often is tested,
And sometimes so much seems amiss.
Buth mothers, whatever the problems
Send the children to bed with a kiss.

The dear little feet wander often
And stray from the pathway of right.
The dear little hands find new mischief
To try you from morning to night.

But think of the sad, lonely mothers
Who'd give all the world for your bliss.
And as thanks for your infinite blessings,
Send the children to bed with a kiss.

For someday their noise will not vex you;
The silence will trouble you more.
And you'll long for the sound of their voices,
For a child's sweet face at your door.

And to hold a child close to your bosom,
How much it could mean just for this:
For the comfort and joy of your future,
Send the children to bed with a kiss.

Author Unknown (to me, anyway!)

And it's only 1:30 p.m.

Have any of you heard of that children's book--I think it's title is something like Fortunately, Unfortunately? I remember reading that often when I was little and it was about a boy who found himself in many different situations, some good, some bad. Each page started with either the word "fortunately" or "unfortunately" (hence, the title). For example, unfortunately he fell from a high place. Fortunately he was headed for a pile of hay. Unfortunately there was a pitchfork in the hay. You get the idea. Well, to get on with my point, that's how my day has gone so far. Let me fill you in:
Fortunately, I got Rebecca off to school this morning and she didn't miss the bus.
Unfortunately, there wasn't time to pack a lunch for her or for John.
Fortunately, I was feeling like cleaning the house/doing laundry this morning.
Unfortunately, I vacuumed up a strap on Joel's backpack.
Fortunately, I was able to remove the strap.
Unfortunately, the vacuum quit.
Fortunately, I was still feeling like getting something accomplished today, so I started a load of laundry.
Unfortunately, when I went to put the first load in the dryer I discovered I had washed a lemon-scented yellow marker in my load of whites.
Fortunately, the marker did not leave spots on our new white sheet set.
Unfortunately, I will have to re-wash a sweater with bleach.
Then I went to check my e-mail.
Fortunately my computer was not too slow today.
Unfortunately I heard Joel saying the dreaded, "Hey Mom!! Clayton has a black marker!"
I hoped with all my might that it was a washable Crayola marker.
Unfortunately, it was permanent.
Unfortunately, he colored on the microwave, the countertop, and the wall.
Fortunately, we are planning on installing a new microwave above the stove, the countertop is really old, and I can repaint the wall.
Unfortunately, the boys were hungry for lunch. (Mealtimes are not my favorites. Come anytime to find out why.)
Unfortunately, I got sidetracked with another little task that couldn't wait.
Unfortunately, the boys decided to keep busy by "cleaning" the kitchen floor.
Fortunately, I have a 2x2 foot area in front of the sink that is REALLY clean now.
Fortunately, I made it through lunch without a breakdown.
Fortunately, the boys are napping now. And I'm just going to sit here and breathe.
There is more, but it's probably not appropriate to post. It involves Joel getting into something he shouldn't have. (Don't worry, John. It was something of mine.)
Now that I got that off my chest, I have something more to add. I recently read a blog entry of my friend's sister-in-law that I really enjoyed. It had to do with stay-at-home mothers and the thankless job it so often is. I'd like to speak my piece about this as well...and pat myself on the back. Many days at the end of the day, it may look to an observer (or even to me) that I didn't get much done that day. But anyone who actually is a mom would understand that there was tremendous effort put forth just in keeping the house semi-clean. I got an e-mail several months ago which I loved, and may have even forwarded it to you. It was about a father who came home from work and immediately was concerned because he saw his three kids outside, still in their pajamas. The front door was wide open and every room was a disaster. A stream of water trickled down the stairs. The kitchen had food smeared everywhere. The man finally found his wife upstairs in bed...she was reading a novel, happy as could be. She smiled at him and said hi. He asked in a panic, "What happened here?" She answered, "You know those days you come home and ask me what I did today?" He said yes. She replied, "Well, today I didn't do it."
So if I have days, which I occasionally do, where I ask myself what I got done that day...all I need to do is look at my kids and tell myself that I did what's most important: I kept our kids safe, fed, and happy for another day. And I'll give myself a pat on the back.
And when I see other young families at Meeting, or mothers trying to make their way through the grocery store with two or three toddlers "helping" her, I can appreciate what it took for them to get there.
I don't often use this blog as a space to rant, and I don't like it to be all about me...I hope I won't feel like venting anytime again soon. But today it's just been one thing after another. And I'd like to say Thanks to my parents for all they went through for us!

No pictures yet

Dear readers,
I still haven't gotten around to downloading Picassa. I am one of the very few people left in the country still trying to limp along with dial-up internet. The benefits of having such slow service are many: I can walk the dog, do a load of laundry, and read The Grapes of Wrath all while my e-mail loads. As an added plus, it takes two hours to download small files. I am truly lucky.
So...that's why there have been no new posts. I've tried adding pictures directly from this page but as I mentioned, it takes an unreasonable amount of time just to do one picture. Someday I will feel like tying up my phone line for that long. Just not right now. Besides, my boys are big fans of Candy Land and Blue's Clues games and if I'm using the internet they can't play those. Do you see my dilemma?
As I've said many times before, it's a good thing I have no real problems to speak of. I'm such a wimp.
To update you all on what's going on here: Joel's fourth birthday is coming up in five more days. We're having a small party for him tomorrow night.
We have no snow, except the ridiculous skiff that cover small patches of ground. For the winter we've had a whole 1 1/2 inches of snow. Normally by this time we've had 21 inches.
The dog is still a nuisance. He listens when he wants to, not before.
We got a new washer and dryer to replace the set that was here when we bought the house. They are wonderful!! Laundry has never been more fun for me!
And now, to counter-balance the negativity of my last post, I'd like to tell you what I love about my kids.
I love how I can see Rebecca learning things and taking it all in. She gets really quiet and still and just watches and listens. She's a little sponge.
I love that Joel is always telling me he wants to be big. He's still such a little boy to me...but I can see the bigger boy he's becoming.
I love to hear Clayton trying to talk. I love the babytalk of this age, that's not yet "baby talk." It's precious. And he's such a cuddle-bug.
There are many more things I could list but I don't want to bore anyone.
Until next time (when hopefully I'll have pictures up)...
Thanks for continuing to check for updates!