Dang!

What a couple of days I have had. Yesterday started off with a parenting issue that pretty much had me convinced I am the worst mother who ever lived (but then I remembered her). A friend came through in my hour of need, confirmed that I had handled things as well as I could, and generally made me feel better.

Some extended family drama and news pushed me a little further into the funk as well, but by the end of the day I had brought a crock pot of hot ham & cheese for the staff and volunteers at the DFL so they could have a quick meal and keep working. So much energy and hope in that office -- volunteers buzzing around, making phone calls, entering data, putting together packets for doorknocking and lit drops -- I just couldn't be sad after that.

Today I went over to the house my brother-in-law and his wife are flipping. They need someone to do some priming and painting for them as they work on installing new appliances and fixtures, updating bathrooms and readying the kitchen for new countertops. I like to paint, so it's a good fit. I hope to earn enough to replace the tanzanite trillion stone in a ring Rob gave me years ago. I haven't worn it since the stone chipped when it got slammed in a car door (on my finger, thankyouverymuch). Anyway, a little extra pocket money is always a good thing, so I taped and primed and spackled holes and even painted a bit in one room to see if we need to prime there, too. (I think not.)

Home again to do laundry and hang out in World HQ for a bit. I made a 3x3 album from scratch the other day for a project. Once it's finished I'll post pix and a link to the directions for the album and the project. I also am working on an exploding box and pictures will follow of that as well.

I got mending done last weekend, the laundry is all caught up, Garrett leaves for a 2 night camping trip tomorrow morning with a school group, and I am looking forward to an impending trip to Chicago to see my friend Kris's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. I am really looking forward to it -- I think we're all gonna have a blast. There is no place for me like the Art Institute and now that the boys are all old enough to really appreciate it I can't wait. They are all excited to see Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of Le Grande Jatte. I am most excited to see Chagall's America windows, one of my absolute favorites.

Off to the Bookmobile with my boys and a workout with Rob at the Y before dinner. It's been raining all day and I am ready to see a little sun. I'm hoping for a brighter day tomorrow.