Like most every middle class family my family needs two cars. My DP drives nearly 20 minutes to work every day and our family home is also 20 minutes from the nearest incorporated town. With one vehicle my son and I are stranded at home. Before we moved, we got a long perfectly with one vehicle. I rode my bike into town. Now ,we simply live too far out with too many speeding drivers on the road for me to ride my bike safely.
So about 3 weeks ago we started the heavy search for a vehicle that was somewhere around 10 years old, with less than 150K miles, and had three rows of seating. At this point in our lives, fuel economy will have to wait. We settled on getting a mini van. It would be big enough to haul all of our camping gear and the kids could ride without touching each other.
Its been more than a week since we found our diamond in the rough. We scored a great deal on a 1999 ford Windstar SEL. I wasn't too overjoyed in the sense I knew we'd have problems we were buying it from a private seller. No big deal we were several hundred dollars under our budget, and nothing short of major engine repair or a new transmission would break the bank.
The madness with our new mini van didn't start until after we got it home. First we realize that one of the sliding doors will not unlock. At first this was frustrating. However, my first and only minivan had only one door and some how I survived a year with the single door. Now then some other things happened like the alarm going off one morning. My DP and I wasn't aware of the system or how it could possibly be armed. My DP shuts it off, but calls me later to ask if the lights were on in the van. I opened and closed the doors with out any problems. Later, that same day the I caused the alarm to go off, and this time the battery died.
The madness continued the day that my DP and I were in the yard working. I decided to clean the van. It needed some detailing and vacuuming done to the inside. In the 30 minutes I had the doors open the battery died again.
I have a Radian80 Child Passenger Restraint. The significance is that it can be very difficult to install in some vehicle. So far I have found vehicle made by Ford to be the most difficult and I happen to own a Ford Windstar. SO knowing the difficulty before me I took my van and the seat to a Safekids carseat check this past Saturday. I get there and first have a Tech try and tell me my son is too big. (Can someone tell me how someone can go through standardized training but is completely clueless about High weight Harnesses?) I had to get out the Manual, and I asked specifically for a more qualified tech that I knew would be there. She and I both agreed that the install was going to be extremely difficult. The local Policeman thought that the whole thing was funny, because it was evident I know a little something about Child restraints and especially the one my son uses on a regular basis. The seat wasn't the big issue, the BIG ISSUE was my car was leaking a great deal of water onto the ground. When I first pulled into to get my seat checked I could smell the odor of hot Anti-Freeze. So not only did I have the worry of getting the seat installed properly somewhere in my car, I also had the mechanical problems of the vehicle. The police and techs were great though. The techs helped me get my seat into the car. The policemen tried as best they could to see where my vehicle was leaking from and also caused the alarm to go off AGAIN!!! I also couldn't get the tailgate to pop, but I have since learned the tailgate is just heavy and requires a big tug. So the car seat is installed in the middle of the very back of the van. I was disappointed when the head tech recommended I just use a booster. I quickly told her my DS is not mature enough to sit correctly every single time, and with the harness I know he's properly secure the entire time we're in the car.
The car on the other hand, I had to move and park it in front of a big box store. I did the only reasonable thing there was to do in this situation, go shopping. I bought a few supplies for my DS's learning environment, and we looked at Halloween decor, and I bought two gallons of water. I also looked a car seats and thought long and hard about buying another one, so that it would fit in the one of the captains chairs in the middle row of the van. Alas I skipped that idea. I left the store, put water in the van and went home. The first fill up of the Radiator only took a gallon of water. So the leak was bad but not so bad that I had to use all of the water I had purchased. I drove the 15 minutes to the next town and bought some auto stuff for another car, added more water and continued home. Much to my surprise the leak at the point wasn't so bad that my vehicle ran hot.
Of course once I got home I had to drive the van again to go get some replacement parts for our other vehicle. Yet, before I could do this I killed the battery Again, while doing some detail work. While I was at the auto parts store I had the battery and alternator checked, and again it was fine. Now a crazy thing happened while the hood was up on the van. The employee of the auto parts store that was testing my electrical system, thought he'd take a look at the leak. Now he found the actual leak and assured me the part we were looking at was the water pump. So what do I do, I order a water pump. Later however, my DP tells me that is not the water pump, but instead is the power steering pump. Now if I had been thinking I would have looked at the diagram of the pulley system that is under the hood. From this diagram I would have known the leak was coming from the power steering pump and would have saved myself the purchase and return of a water pump.
To ice the cake that is my "new" mini van we have to move the Child passenger restraint back to our old car while we put the van in the shop for a complete over haul and tune-up. Did I mention that although the seat is installed in the van, it didn't go in with ease, and require two people. So all of the difficulty and frustration I experienced at the Car seat check, and the worry I went through driving the van back home while it was leaking was all for NOTHING! I now know how to install the seat in the back of the van, but who knows if I will be do it.
That's really all, we'll see what happens after we put a few hundred into simple repairs and an owners manual.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
"home" sick
So I miss my old home in the Mountains. I know that sounds very silly considering its been nearly two months since I said good bye. We left so quickly I didn't have a chance to say good bye to the friends I made, I didn't have a chance to let it all sink into my head.
Over the past week or so I have found myself very sick for my home in the Mountains. I truly didn't think living somewhere for just 7 month would cause such heart ache, but it has. I lived in one city for nearly 5 years and kissed that place good bye with a celebration. Deep inside the day I left that city I hoped nothing but my close friends would bring me back. I certainly would never want to live there EVER Again. I occasionally go back to see them and I get a very fast reminder as to why I don't want to live there...Traffic, rude people, and Tow trucks.
Back to my home sickness. When we found out we were moving to the Mountains this past November I was so relieved. We would move to an area of the country that appreiciated a slow pace of life, where living off the land was rewarded, the air and enviroment were Great. Finally, I could live off the grid and meet other like minded folks. Organic Gardening wasn't something a family tried,its what people did.
So I settled into my Mountain bungelow and for 7 months I met many people and visited many places. I think part of my home sickness comes from the fact I didn't get a chance to say good bye to the people I had met. The area we lived in was pretty spread out and many of my friends lived in rather isolated areas. Most of us got together at parks or at a coffee shop rather than driving to each others home. From the moment I found out we were moving until the day we pulled out, I was unable to tell anyone, other than thos that use the Internet. I digress, my time spent in the mountains was more of a vacation with nature.
We got there in winter, and enjoyed the ice and snow. Spring came and the Mountains were a live with blossoms and green. In late May the Cicadis came. I feel very lucky to have been there when the 17 year cicadis emerged from the ground. Albeit millions are large alien looking insects flying about can be irritating, and messy. We heard their song for nearly 6 weeks before they all finally died.
I also miss our mountain road. It was perched on the side of mountain, overlooking the "holler" below. It curved around the outside of the mountain and went down into the town of Mars Hill. In places the tree branches covered the road like a tunnel, in other places you could several ridges of Mountains.
I miss how the Mountains changed through out the day. Effected by the sun, the mountains could be a clear and green as moss covered ground, or a blue as the sky above. The mountain across from our home was the land mark, Baily Mountain. I didn't know that, until a local told me. Who'd thought I would live somewhere that people know about like local folk lore.
I miss how close knit the communities were. Most of my friends had friends in every corner of the county, and once in a while they'd all get together for a party. The funny thing is the number of people I crossed pathes with who knew someone else I knew and I had no CLUE!!!
I can go on and on about my love of this magical place I would love to call home again. I miss it soo much, that I doubt my current country home could replace.
Its not that I don't appreciate where I live. Our mountain home was a two bedroom bungelow, with no flat yard, perched on the side of a foot slope. The house was about 1/2 the size of the one we live in right now. I am proud of our new residence, I am not however happy with its location. If only it were in teh mountains....with green pastures and lots of happy farm animals.
At this poinst I am just rambling. Please enjoy your day.
Over the past week or so I have found myself very sick for my home in the Mountains. I truly didn't think living somewhere for just 7 month would cause such heart ache, but it has. I lived in one city for nearly 5 years and kissed that place good bye with a celebration. Deep inside the day I left that city I hoped nothing but my close friends would bring me back. I certainly would never want to live there EVER Again. I occasionally go back to see them and I get a very fast reminder as to why I don't want to live there...Traffic, rude people, and Tow trucks.
Back to my home sickness. When we found out we were moving to the Mountains this past November I was so relieved. We would move to an area of the country that appreiciated a slow pace of life, where living off the land was rewarded, the air and enviroment were Great. Finally, I could live off the grid and meet other like minded folks. Organic Gardening wasn't something a family tried,its what people did.
So I settled into my Mountain bungelow and for 7 months I met many people and visited many places. I think part of my home sickness comes from the fact I didn't get a chance to say good bye to the people I had met. The area we lived in was pretty spread out and many of my friends lived in rather isolated areas. Most of us got together at parks or at a coffee shop rather than driving to each others home. From the moment I found out we were moving until the day we pulled out, I was unable to tell anyone, other than thos that use the Internet. I digress, my time spent in the mountains was more of a vacation with nature.
We got there in winter, and enjoyed the ice and snow. Spring came and the Mountains were a live with blossoms and green. In late May the Cicadis came. I feel very lucky to have been there when the 17 year cicadis emerged from the ground. Albeit millions are large alien looking insects flying about can be irritating, and messy. We heard their song for nearly 6 weeks before they all finally died.
I also miss our mountain road. It was perched on the side of mountain, overlooking the "holler" below. It curved around the outside of the mountain and went down into the town of Mars Hill. In places the tree branches covered the road like a tunnel, in other places you could several ridges of Mountains.
I miss how the Mountains changed through out the day. Effected by the sun, the mountains could be a clear and green as moss covered ground, or a blue as the sky above. The mountain across from our home was the land mark, Baily Mountain. I didn't know that, until a local told me. Who'd thought I would live somewhere that people know about like local folk lore.
I miss how close knit the communities were. Most of my friends had friends in every corner of the county, and once in a while they'd all get together for a party. The funny thing is the number of people I crossed pathes with who knew someone else I knew and I had no CLUE!!!
I can go on and on about my love of this magical place I would love to call home again. I miss it soo much, that I doubt my current country home could replace.
Its not that I don't appreciate where I live. Our mountain home was a two bedroom bungelow, with no flat yard, perched on the side of a foot slope. The house was about 1/2 the size of the one we live in right now. I am proud of our new residence, I am not however happy with its location. If only it were in teh mountains....with green pastures and lots of happy farm animals.
At this poinst I am just rambling. Please enjoy your day.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Planning my Child House
Maria Montessori was the founder of the Montessori Education. You can find out a lot about her just by doing a Google search. She believed that children were sensitive to learning in the early years. She also believed in freedom and independence for the children.
Many of her concepts I have embraced as just a part of my parenting. That is respect for the child, planning my home around their needs and encouraging my child's Independence. Although I haven't encouraged independence in the traditional way, of forcing him to do it. When he is ready, for example to get himself dressed, I have shown him how to get dressed on his own.
Since we have moved I my head has been spinning over the many lessons and activities that are within the Montessori approach to early child hood learning. I know that for certain I want to set up a learning environment, but at the same time I know that I cannot feature the hundreds of activities provided by numerous resources. I also know that many of the practical life activities are just a matter of daily life at home, so again I don't need a special area for practical life. Some of the more "academic work will need some special areas.
At first I was hoping to set up several learning areas in my home. I came to realize that my DS might get more out of the activities if they were in one learning "environment." So I have set aside an area of the living room that will be for him and his needs. However before I do that there's some other things I am going to have to do.
First, the entry way of our home lacks proper coat hooks and a designated place for shoes. In general I would like these things to be kept in the bedroom, but with winter coming I would prefer that coats and muddy shoes stay as close to the door as possible. In this area I will hang several coat hooks low enough for my DS to reach. My DS has been hanging up his own coat since he was about 18 months old, mainly because he has had his very own coat hook.
Also in this same entry way is the laundry and utility pantry. My DS has always had his own cleaning tools. So far he has a small duster, I bought a dry mop that has a telescoping handle for he and I to use, and he has his own broom. My plans are to purchase a sponge mop and cut off the handle and get a new broom. He has had his current broom for three years now and its not in the best shape for good sweeping. All of these items will be kept where he can easily reach them and use them if he needs to.
Next is my kitchen. Now this is a full adult size kitchen yet my DS has his own things in this kitchen too. First I will be purchasing a step stool for the kitchen. We already own one stool, but its not always ready to use in the kitchen. So we need one that is always stationed in the kitchen. I plan to rearrange the fridge so things like Yogurt, Cheese and fresh veggies are all within reach. Currently all of our kitchen utensils are kept in low drawers. My DS knows where they are. Because we haven't done any work with knives together, I have decided to keep them out of reach until he's ready to use a knife.
All of his dishes are kept in a low cabinet. As of right now they are in a box and I don't think this system working. If he cannot find what he's looking for he gets easily frustrated. I will be rearranging that area as well. I have another bank of cabinets I am using for "homeschooling." these Cabinets will house all of the a activities that i am working on before putting them into the learning environment. I will also house supplies and things that I am stock piling. There's also a lower set of cabinets I have decided to use for art supplies. I know that the Montessori method encourages the use of low open shelves. The art supplies such as paint and glue I would rather keep in the kitchen. I think having these "messy" items in the kitchen will make for easier clean up when my DS is finished using them. My DS will know where these items are will be taught how to properly set the area up for using them.
The dining room is next. So far as I can tell there isn't anything really needed in this area. My DS is tall enough to sit at the table with out a booster seat. He understands that dinner and other events around the table are for the entire family. So he is with us at dinner enjoying all that the entire households has to offer at dinner time.
The living room is a room that is lacking A LOT of things. Its not even adult friendly, let alone child friendly. The room is a massive room host to the TV, stereo , DVD player, and two couches. My ultimate plan for this room is to have our learning environment set up here. It will be host to the language, sensorial, history, math area of the house. Now this will include a table and chairs for his size and a rug. Once I set up the area I plan on taking a few day show him how to "respect" the environment. Making sure he puts the work back, how to set things up, ect.
Since we plan on moving the DVD player and Stereo equipment out of his reach, mainly because as adults we have a hard time using it at a lower level, we will giving our DS his own TV and CD player. These items will be in his bedroom.
The next room that will need some planning is his bathroom. So far we have a stool, and low hooks for him. The bath tub is only used by him, so we have toys and tear less shampoo. NOW if I could teach him that all he needs is a little bit of shampoo each time, we'd be in business. He already knows how to turn on the water and how to make the right temperature. He knows where the towels are kept. The tooth paste and tooth brush are within his reach and he has been shown and has mastered putting the right amount of tooth paste on the brush. He is left to brush his own teeth, but I do observe.
The last and final place is my DS's bedroom. The space is a shared space, with my DS being the primary resident. Each child will get a book case for their very own toys and books. Each child will get a dresser. My DS's dresser will be labeled so that he can put his clothes away in the right drawer. Each child will have their own chair for TV viewing or other activities. The beds are bunked and I have found this to be difficult when teaching my DS how to make his bed. I have difficulty making this particular bed and I can imagine what a four year old must experience. There's also the issue of the closet. My DS like many kids of his generation simply has too many toys. After moving I have established that only about quater of his toys and books are out for him to play with. His favorites are his puzzle collection, and toys that allow him to pretend. THe rest of his toys and books are stored in the closet. He closet at this point is full and not usable for clothing, though he doesn't have clothing to hang up either.
My bedroom is home of the computer. For the most part my DS does spend some time in our room but its not entirely child friendly. Since the computer is here, there is a low shelf with his computer games on it. He is allowed to play computer games when no one else is using the computer. For now he isn't allowed online, not because of online predators but because I really don't want any extra soft ware down loaded. So until he can read some of the pop ups that sometime happen on line (even with pop up blocker) I am going to keep off line.
As I get each area of the home more adapted to my DS I will share pictures and ideas.
Many of her concepts I have embraced as just a part of my parenting. That is respect for the child, planning my home around their needs and encouraging my child's Independence. Although I haven't encouraged independence in the traditional way, of forcing him to do it. When he is ready, for example to get himself dressed, I have shown him how to get dressed on his own.
Since we have moved I my head has been spinning over the many lessons and activities that are within the Montessori approach to early child hood learning. I know that for certain I want to set up a learning environment, but at the same time I know that I cannot feature the hundreds of activities provided by numerous resources. I also know that many of the practical life activities are just a matter of daily life at home, so again I don't need a special area for practical life. Some of the more "academic work will need some special areas.
At first I was hoping to set up several learning areas in my home. I came to realize that my DS might get more out of the activities if they were in one learning "environment." So I have set aside an area of the living room that will be for him and his needs. However before I do that there's some other things I am going to have to do.
First, the entry way of our home lacks proper coat hooks and a designated place for shoes. In general I would like these things to be kept in the bedroom, but with winter coming I would prefer that coats and muddy shoes stay as close to the door as possible. In this area I will hang several coat hooks low enough for my DS to reach. My DS has been hanging up his own coat since he was about 18 months old, mainly because he has had his very own coat hook.
Also in this same entry way is the laundry and utility pantry. My DS has always had his own cleaning tools. So far he has a small duster, I bought a dry mop that has a telescoping handle for he and I to use, and he has his own broom. My plans are to purchase a sponge mop and cut off the handle and get a new broom. He has had his current broom for three years now and its not in the best shape for good sweeping. All of these items will be kept where he can easily reach them and use them if he needs to.
Next is my kitchen. Now this is a full adult size kitchen yet my DS has his own things in this kitchen too. First I will be purchasing a step stool for the kitchen. We already own one stool, but its not always ready to use in the kitchen. So we need one that is always stationed in the kitchen. I plan to rearrange the fridge so things like Yogurt, Cheese and fresh veggies are all within reach. Currently all of our kitchen utensils are kept in low drawers. My DS knows where they are. Because we haven't done any work with knives together, I have decided to keep them out of reach until he's ready to use a knife.
All of his dishes are kept in a low cabinet. As of right now they are in a box and I don't think this system working. If he cannot find what he's looking for he gets easily frustrated. I will be rearranging that area as well. I have another bank of cabinets I am using for "homeschooling." these Cabinets will house all of the a activities that i am working on before putting them into the learning environment. I will also house supplies and things that I am stock piling. There's also a lower set of cabinets I have decided to use for art supplies. I know that the Montessori method encourages the use of low open shelves. The art supplies such as paint and glue I would rather keep in the kitchen. I think having these "messy" items in the kitchen will make for easier clean up when my DS is finished using them. My DS will know where these items are will be taught how to properly set the area up for using them.
The dining room is next. So far as I can tell there isn't anything really needed in this area. My DS is tall enough to sit at the table with out a booster seat. He understands that dinner and other events around the table are for the entire family. So he is with us at dinner enjoying all that the entire households has to offer at dinner time.
The living room is a room that is lacking A LOT of things. Its not even adult friendly, let alone child friendly. The room is a massive room host to the TV, stereo , DVD player, and two couches. My ultimate plan for this room is to have our learning environment set up here. It will be host to the language, sensorial, history, math area of the house. Now this will include a table and chairs for his size and a rug. Once I set up the area I plan on taking a few day show him how to "respect" the environment. Making sure he puts the work back, how to set things up, ect.
Since we plan on moving the DVD player and Stereo equipment out of his reach, mainly because as adults we have a hard time using it at a lower level, we will giving our DS his own TV and CD player. These items will be in his bedroom.
The next room that will need some planning is his bathroom. So far we have a stool, and low hooks for him. The bath tub is only used by him, so we have toys and tear less shampoo. NOW if I could teach him that all he needs is a little bit of shampoo each time, we'd be in business. He already knows how to turn on the water and how to make the right temperature. He knows where the towels are kept. The tooth paste and tooth brush are within his reach and he has been shown and has mastered putting the right amount of tooth paste on the brush. He is left to brush his own teeth, but I do observe.
The last and final place is my DS's bedroom. The space is a shared space, with my DS being the primary resident. Each child will get a book case for their very own toys and books. Each child will get a dresser. My DS's dresser will be labeled so that he can put his clothes away in the right drawer. Each child will have their own chair for TV viewing or other activities. The beds are bunked and I have found this to be difficult when teaching my DS how to make his bed. I have difficulty making this particular bed and I can imagine what a four year old must experience. There's also the issue of the closet. My DS like many kids of his generation simply has too many toys. After moving I have established that only about quater of his toys and books are out for him to play with. His favorites are his puzzle collection, and toys that allow him to pretend. THe rest of his toys and books are stored in the closet. He closet at this point is full and not usable for clothing, though he doesn't have clothing to hang up either.
My bedroom is home of the computer. For the most part my DS does spend some time in our room but its not entirely child friendly. Since the computer is here, there is a low shelf with his computer games on it. He is allowed to play computer games when no one else is using the computer. For now he isn't allowed online, not because of online predators but because I really don't want any extra soft ware down loaded. So until he can read some of the pop ups that sometime happen on line (even with pop up blocker) I am going to keep off line.
As I get each area of the home more adapted to my DS I will share pictures and ideas.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
When the Door Bell Rings
How many times have I found myself in this state. Its 11 AM in the morning, I haven't brushed my teeth, the breakfast dishes are still out, I have started some project that has turned the house into a giant wreck, and my child looks like something from Lord of the Flies when ,DING DONG!!! The door bell rings and suddenly the panic of OMG, the house is a wreck and my breath stink runs over my entire being.
It happened much like that today. I had been stumbling around the house since about 9:30. After checking e mail and getting breakfast for my DS I had decided on mopping the floors and rearranging our living room. All the while this morning I sensed that there was something important I had to do today or going to happen although I had forgotten what it was. So I am taking my time, leisurely cleaning the living room and washing laundry. My DS and I even stop for a little while to make "cake". My DS wanted to pretend he was running a kitchen. When we stopped pretending we started on washing the bath mats for the bathroom when the Door bell rang.
All I could think of at that moment, was who could it possibly be, no one ever visits me out in the boonies. My DS went running for the door. Mind you he's wearing a pair of dirty shorts and still had paint on him from yesterday with chocolate in the corner of his mouth from the brownie he at for breakfast. I move my DS aside and open the door, wearing stained T-Shirt and Spongebob shorts. Standing in the door way was one of my DP's co-workers. She had come to sample the water. Now lets rewind a moment. ...
Yesterday my DP comes in very stressed with the test results from our well. He says its been a very rough day please read. There under "findings" were words that NO Family wants to read , "fecal Coliform, e-coli, Positive". That's right we have fecal bacteria in our well. As a result the well needs to be tested again and this time by someone from the health department, and NOT my DP. My DP was telling me all of this while I was rushing around the house attempting to get my DS and I ready for church.
Back to the events of today....
The lady must have been a full time Domestic Engineer previous to her working and noticed the fear of disaster in my face for she said she would take her time getting the sample she needed outside. WOW!! Relief. Well I was somewhat relieved until I went back to tidy up the kitchen. When I got there I swear the mess had multiplied into some sort of a monster. I am pretty sure I got the kitchen back in order in less than 5 minutes. At this point though the dishwasher will need to be reloaded as I used it as more of a dirty dish storage unit. I slammed all of the dirty cast iron pans into the oven and quickly swept the floor. My DS helped me as I was , begging him to please wash the counter tops. The poor guy seen his mother in a panic and was stunned. LOL. He was more interested in the "water sample" lady than actually making the house more presentable.
After the kitchen was up to par. That was the dirty dishes were hidden out of sight in the modern marvel known as the dish washer, I dashed into my bedroom and changed shorts. I only hope the woman didn't notice I was still wearing my PJ's at Noon. Then I calmly walked back to the kitchen to do some decluttering of the bar. I helped my DS put on a shirt. I had to find time to calm down. The house wasn't the marvelous wreck it was when she first arrived.
After a few minutes she returned to the front door and this time I could smile. She took the water sample. All the while I am hoping to find an opening to explain why my house is in a undesirable state. She asks "so you guys home school, that's what Erik said". I thought to myself "YES! I finally have my chance." I told her that yes were homeschooling and next week we'd be starting things full force and as a result I have had to put extra effort into lesson planning and such so the house has been a bit neglected. She told me about her homeschooling days and how things would go for her family. I was at least glad that she's been there.
SO as I closed the door behind her my DS asked "Do we have to clean fast like that again." I couldn't help laughing.
It happened much like that today. I had been stumbling around the house since about 9:30. After checking e mail and getting breakfast for my DS I had decided on mopping the floors and rearranging our living room. All the while this morning I sensed that there was something important I had to do today or going to happen although I had forgotten what it was. So I am taking my time, leisurely cleaning the living room and washing laundry. My DS and I even stop for a little while to make "cake". My DS wanted to pretend he was running a kitchen. When we stopped pretending we started on washing the bath mats for the bathroom when the Door bell rang.
All I could think of at that moment, was who could it possibly be, no one ever visits me out in the boonies. My DS went running for the door. Mind you he's wearing a pair of dirty shorts and still had paint on him from yesterday with chocolate in the corner of his mouth from the brownie he at for breakfast. I move my DS aside and open the door, wearing stained T-Shirt and Spongebob shorts. Standing in the door way was one of my DP's co-workers. She had come to sample the water. Now lets rewind a moment. ...
Yesterday my DP comes in very stressed with the test results from our well. He says its been a very rough day please read. There under "findings" were words that NO Family wants to read , "fecal Coliform, e-coli, Positive". That's right we have fecal bacteria in our well. As a result the well needs to be tested again and this time by someone from the health department, and NOT my DP. My DP was telling me all of this while I was rushing around the house attempting to get my DS and I ready for church.
Back to the events of today....
The lady must have been a full time Domestic Engineer previous to her working and noticed the fear of disaster in my face for she said she would take her time getting the sample she needed outside. WOW!! Relief. Well I was somewhat relieved until I went back to tidy up the kitchen. When I got there I swear the mess had multiplied into some sort of a monster. I am pretty sure I got the kitchen back in order in less than 5 minutes. At this point though the dishwasher will need to be reloaded as I used it as more of a dirty dish storage unit. I slammed all of the dirty cast iron pans into the oven and quickly swept the floor. My DS helped me as I was , begging him to please wash the counter tops. The poor guy seen his mother in a panic and was stunned. LOL. He was more interested in the "water sample" lady than actually making the house more presentable.
After the kitchen was up to par. That was the dirty dishes were hidden out of sight in the modern marvel known as the dish washer, I dashed into my bedroom and changed shorts. I only hope the woman didn't notice I was still wearing my PJ's at Noon. Then I calmly walked back to the kitchen to do some decluttering of the bar. I helped my DS put on a shirt. I had to find time to calm down. The house wasn't the marvelous wreck it was when she first arrived.
After a few minutes she returned to the front door and this time I could smile. She took the water sample. All the while I am hoping to find an opening to explain why my house is in a undesirable state. She asks "so you guys home school, that's what Erik said". I thought to myself "YES! I finally have my chance." I told her that yes were homeschooling and next week we'd be starting things full force and as a result I have had to put extra effort into lesson planning and such so the house has been a bit neglected. She told me about her homeschooling days and how things would go for her family. I was at least glad that she's been there.
SO as I closed the door behind her my DS asked "Do we have to clean fast like that again." I couldn't help laughing.
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