I pulled out my camera yesterday to take individual pictures of well over a hundred people involved with our homeschool co-op only to discover that my lens is severely misshapen. The focusing ring will not work, and even the zooming ring is tough to turn. As we recounted the life of my camera over the last couple of days, we think it may have been melted as it sat next to the stovetop while the oven was going through a self-cleaning cycle.
I feel totally unprepared for life now. I am so used to being able to be ready to capture any memory that not having that option is disturbing to me. There are so many things I had meant to capture. I need to get pictures of S and Shadrach before either of them grow up too much.
So I've been researching lenses only to discover that the ones that make most sense for me based on how I use my camera cost $400+. Yikes! My job today is to pull out that old box of camera equipment, get a quote for it, and get it packaged to send away. I doubt that will raise all the money, but it will be a start. Hmm, what else can I sell around here?
It is quite a story, but one evening we had a Kirby salesman stop by the house and ask to do a demonstration. Pete, an experienced salesman with quite a knowledge of large and small appliances, had a LOT of fun quizzing the poor Kirby sales guy and throwing him off track. At one point I think he knew we were a lost cause as far as closing the sale, but he made the most of it by giving the kids a night to remember.
We've been talking about symmetry lately, and Miah lost his second tooth to provide an illustration for us.
Of course, Dad had to bribe him with a bowl of ice cream, a banana muffin, a chocolate cookie, and $.50.
One of the major concerns for us in choosing a dog is whether it would be good with kids. I think the pictures tell most of the story, but let me tell you that Shadrach was not whining or struggling during this whole playtime. He definitely has more playful moments when he is not this mellow, but S started playing with him just before his nap.
Once we decided to get a puppy for Christmas, I couldn't wait. The kids agreed that they would rather have a puppy than Christmas presents this year, and I decided I'd rather housetrain a puppy in October than in December/January. So we found a cuddley, sweet little male Bichon Frise who is now officially named Shadrach.
There has been more laughing in this house over the past couple of days than a whole week combined before our puppy days. The kids each react and play with the puppy in different ways, but it always ends up with laughter. Even Pete got into the play and ended up chuckling as he realized his face was more ticklish than he thought.
Our little guy is non-shedding, loves people, and will only grow to 10-12 lbs. He is currently 8 weeks old, and is quickly adjusting to his new family.
Miester is a monkey, a dare-devil who has stopped the hearts of many a grandmother with his antics. Now little S started climbing early as well, and has recently figured out how to climb her sister's ladder to her loft bed. She's only 17 months old, so I can only imagine what she will be into at age two.