Yeah, it’s true. Ah well. I didn’t really miss the day, but I just didn’t have the energy to sit and write last night before I went to bed. There were just a few too many things going on…but all is well.

I managed to do some more paperwork type of stuff this weekend (specifically Friday night and Saturday through the midday). I did my quarterly filing reduction business (consolidate all of the items I’ve filed) which made more room in the filing cabinet (a Good Thing), wrapped up our taxes and got that business out the door, and just cleaned up around the desk here a bit. Very good things to have done.

Saturday night I judged the county 4-H Share The Fun skits. I was invited to be a judge about a month ago (as partially rambled on at the end of this post), and so I dropped off Beth and Kirstin at the parsonage (so they could visit with the Seidl’s who were in town — more about them later) before I headed over to the high school to be a part of that event. I wasn’t exactly sure what I’d be getting in to, but I was quite pleasantly surprised with the talent and variety that was shown. It was a really good time (many, many laughs), and of course I was able to brush up a bit on my judging skills. 🙂 I would definitely do it again, because it was most fun to watch.

Anyway, after that event was over (it was about 9:30), I headed back to pick up Beth and Kirstin. I stuck around for a while and visited with the Seidl’s — Good Times. You see, many, many months ago we had asked Becki if she would be so kind as to be the organist for Kirstin’s (who was unknown in gender at that time) baptism. She gratefully accepted, so they made the trek all the way from Mitchell, SD, just to be a part of it. Fantastic! She rocks as an organist; it was an absolute pleasure to have her available (and she enjoyed it too from what she said to me). So anyway, we were visiting with them a bit, and then headed home. By the time we actually got home it was around 10:30.

I had to get the roaster rinsed out and ready to go (and also get the two half hams cooking), so by the time I actually got a chance to sit down and ‘relax’ for a bit, it was going on Midnight. Just a bit too late to start writing a post here (especially considering that the intention was to get up around 6:30). Besides, I don’t write well when I’m really tired…and that’s what was happening then.

So anyway, we had a fair night (after a bit of a rocky start). Kirstin ended up spending the night in her own room by herself. It wasn’t the intention (that was intended to be tonight), but she was just making too much noise and causing too much commotion for either of us to get much sleep. Putting her in her own room and crib was fantastic — we could hear the important stuff (crying), but missed out on the vast majority of heavy breathing/snoring, grunting, and other noise that she’s so good at making. So after that interesting start, we all had a pretty good night.

I’ll write another post about the baptism stuff…that’s coming next.

When we got home this afternoon — it was time for a serious nap. For everyone. So we got things put away and whatnot, then did the nap business. Kirstin in her crib, too. Beth was able to get some reasonably good nap time in (which is a Good Thing), as was I. A few hours passed, and everyone was refreshed enough to finish out the day. Woohoo! Again, no real problems with Kirstin.

After the nap business, I went outside to feed the dogs. But instead of a milk-bone type of treat, this time they each got a ham bone. They were so excited and happy about that. There really are few simpler joys in life than to see two dogs happily gnawing away on their respective ham bones. They enjoyed the treat.

The rain and snow has finally stopped — at least for a while. I kinda wished I’d put out the rain gauge again, because I’d be interested to see how much rain we actually got over the last few days. It’s been a bunch, and as I told several people today, “I’m glad I bought that stock in the ark building company…” Even though they raised the road 2+ feet last summer, when we came home from church this afternoon there was water running across the road. So far, there’s no real water infiltration into the basement here (aside from a little bit in one corner where it’s expected when a heavy rain comes). I think we’ll be okay for major water issues this time around, as long as we don’t get much more for a while. We were dry enough last summer and into the fall/winter that we should hopefully not have a problem. That would be nice.

Of course, now that I’ve said that, I’ll be proven wrong. 🙂

One thing that I want to do (and I’m not sure exactly when I’ll do it) is break into the cistern in the basement (which requires a concrete saw), and then dig in a sump basin (requiring a jackhammer). I figure that this would help tremendously for the future. That would be lovely. We fortunately don’t really get that much water standing in the basement (because it all gently flows to the floor drain if it happens and is only as deep as a quarter inch at worst), but preventing it would be the better option. We’ll see what happens.

And last but not least — buttpaste.com This is funny stuff! They take their diaper rash treatment to a new marketing level. Shirts, caps, onesies. You name it, they got it. Fantastic! And they call it butt paste. That’s the best part. It’s supposed to work really well (we’ve got some, but not yet used it). Even better!

Anyway, until next time…

–MZ