Campy Camping...

I am having some fun "alone time" tonight because the girls and Isaac are already asleep and my boys are on their big father-son overnight camp out for Scouts.

Wait, let me get a better shot of that tent.


Wait, it's really hard to get one without the patio in the background.

Okay, okay, I'll stop teasing.

All Done Pouting...

So, it turns out that fresh squeezed orange juice really is a good thing - even after brushing your teeth - if you just give yourself a minute to get used to it.

(See previous post.)

After just finishing lesson #2 with my new dance teacher this morning, I am feeling that I just can't wait until my next lesson! I thoroughly enjoyed myself and learned so much, and left as a better dancer than I was when I arrived. This is the feeling I love to have.

So, I must conclude that I like this guy after all.

So, I must also conclude that the pouting is officially over and it turns out I am not so bad with change after all.

Well, as long as you don't tamper with my spaghetti sauce.

Oh, and one more bit of trivia - it turns out my former dance teacher has actually "vanished" to California where he felt he simply must live. Could there be a hint of irony at play in my life here?

Picture This...

Phone Call: "This is ______ from ______ Elementary attendance office calling about your daughter's absence from school today."

My Response: "Ummm, both of my daughters are IN school today."

Caller: "Er, hold on a minute. I'll call you right back. Let me check this out."

Response: No response actually.

...Three very slow minutes pass on the clock...

Phone Call: "Mrs. Montoya?"

"Yes..."

Caller: "She is actually in class. I apologize for the mistake."

Actual time my heart stopped beating? I would say about three minutes - give or take a few seconds.

Bye Bye, Baby...

It is a bittersweet moment in my house today. There are a whole lot of people about to gasp as I tell you what has just happened.

I am having trouble telling you, that is why I am stalling.

Okay, here goes...

The Bosendorfer has been adopted.

Yes, I mean sold.

YES... I KNOW!!! (Regaining composure...Sorry about that little outburst.)

One minute I am posting an ad on Craigslist (not exactly guerilla marketing), the next minute I am fielding several unexpected phone calls, and the next minute she is sold to the very first person who came to see her. I was going to wait and post real goodbye pictures of the piano movers hauling her away on Tuesday, but that would have been a lot like stopping to take snapshots of burly men as they kidnap your child.

I am a little (okay, a lotta) sad.

Then again, our family has come to realize that a few temporary lifestyle downgrades would really help speed things along for some of our other goals... (the semi-sweet part of the bittersweet). So - we concluded that maybe we didn't need to own the finest piano made in the world...Yet.

Choices. I guess we all make our share of tough ones.
My most beloved know that I really do need a hug right now.

I am sure it won't be long before we find a suitable (tolerable) stand in (for my baby?!?) - After all, an hour and a half is a long time to entertain Mr.C (our fabulous piano teacher) every Thursday without any instruments in the house.

Here is where you console me.

Good Mommy Points

I could have been on the beach in San Diego somewhere. Or, I could have been hiking the Grand Canyon. I have been thinking about the Grand Canyon again lately. It has been a good many years since I last visited and took the killer hike to the bottom, and I am ready to do it again. This weekend would have been perfect, but I was not in San Diego or at the Grand Canyon this weekend. I was at home helping Joey complete his 5th grade science experiment.
I spent a great deal of time helping him create one of those poster boards you were jealous of when you were in the fifth grade, because you knew when you saw the kid at the next desk walk in with it that his mom probably worked harder than he did last night. (Was I the only one?)

Well, tomorrow Joey gets to be the kid at the next desk. So there!

Tonight I get good Mommy points.

The Grand Canyon will still be there next weekend...

Good night, son.