If you ever plan to motor west...

Home sweet home here in Tucumcari, New Mexico! Yes, this is night three in our by now quite soiled hotel room. We twice have opted not to have housekeeping services, only towels, thinking that in a few hours we would be free. Twice that was a mistake-- I will not describe things in detail, only trust that clean white sheets are no match for nacho cheese Doritos, chocolate, and Ava. The kids are happy, with an average of three swims a day, coupled with lots of t.v. and fast food. The repair man--we broke down here in the parking lot of McDonald's and the Holiday Inn Express, and a few other hotels, restaurants, and gas stations Sunday night on our trip to San Diego for those not up to speed-- ordered the wrong part yesterday, discovered it this afternoon, and will have a new part tomorrow, we hope. But we are in high spirits and look forward to tomorrow's events with great anticipation. Until then, listen to John and think of us. All hail the Mother Road.

We are tired of the pirate look.

Who is this kid? Seriously though. Three more months of this, and then glasses, and then perhaps surgery. No end in sight.

School's out for-ever!!

Life after number four? I don't know yet because we haven't had an opportunity to have a normal schedule with my mom helping, and now his parents visiting. This I will say: thus far, its a nightmare, or at least a dream I'd like to wake up from. He has colic, and each day brings a change in his patterns. He is totally unpredictable. I have welcomed fatigue back into my life, a lost friend. I thought I was tired when I was pregnant, but having a newborn takes it to a new level--the bonus round perhaps. Once our visitors leave, we will resume our lives, however we will start our new unschooling program. This is exciting because it means learning while living, not so much me teaching lessons and lecturing and pressuring and then eventually me being frustrated and losing it, as has been witnessed in past homeschool attempts. So an all new approach. A new start. I have high hopes. I am also grateful to live in a state that will not regulate our efforts. Down with the man. Wish us luck.

A curse on Eve... I shoulda thought this through

I am usually pretty tough. Seriously. But this pregnancy has knocked my down. I constantly hurt, and complain-see Jason for validation of this- and am just generally miserable. I tried to talk my doctor into taking the baby early, but he refused because he is cruel, although he did say something about the health of the baby but I am sure that is a plot to further torture me. And also, my hips feel like... well its indescribable really. Plus, sweating at night? That is just gross, but its happening. Not to mention all the unmentionables--they are even worse. Please remind me of all these complaints in six or seven months when we are ready to have another go at parenthood. Really. I will have forgotten this personal hell. Obviously or I would not be here now.

All dogs go to heaven... and some through hell

Will it ever end for Fritz? Being given away twice, losing two wives, attacked by a bobcat, and now this? Thursday night he was bitten by a snake, and though the vet assured us it wasn't a rattlesnake, it was poisonous and he is at present fighting for his life. Perhaps it will end for Fritz. Very disturbed at the whole situation. How am I to let the kids play outside with venomous snakes on the loose? And especially with a dog that is really not a fighter in the first place, not to mention recently wounded. If he makes it to begin with. Not that I am being callous about his survival; I am just trying to be realistic as he is taking shallow breaths and lethargy is setting in. So I will leave off with a prayer in my heart for a little dog who has been a wonderful friend for our family.


Side note: These are copperheads, another venomous snake native to our area. May or may not have been Fritzy Boy's foe, but we tend to think so. Also, the vet said it was a baby snake that bit him. How reassuring is that?

I'm quite certain you missed me

Perhaps I should give this up. However, now that I have a computer, albeit at Jason's office, it is permanent so I have no excuse for another hiatus. I unfortunately have no news to report. Homeschooling is going about like I thought, or just a bit worse. I have yet to settle on an approach in our efforts, but am very interested in the Montessori and unschooling methods. Montessori schools discourage the computer though, and as that is Reno's favorite part of the day, we will not likely be die-hard. But then was I ever? About anything, besides perhaps dessert? And another thing. I am about done with winter. Thats all. Nothing grand.

Do not eat the stew. You have been warned.

Yes, I have enjoyed my hiatus. I have had to choose between sleep and blogging, and have really enjoyed getting to bed at about 9:30 the past few weeks. All is well with us. We had a rat in the house. A real one. I bought, baited, and set the trap myself. I then twenty minutes later placed the still twitching creature into a freezer bag and put it in the freezer--my kids were already asleep and I had also promised Jacob he could see it. It still resides there, causing my stomach to turn over every time I open the freezer, which is quite often since I have given up cooking in favor of taking it easy. One can never have enough Bagel Bites, I say. Besides Rat, we are anticipating a great Christmas. We wish yours Merry as well, since I can assume I will neglect this little chore for some time more.