Friday Fragments

• We have power back!  Yay!  Unfortunately, my oldest and his family do not.  Unbelievable to me, no matter how many times we go through it, to think that we can live in a decent-sized suburb or a large city and lose power for days at a time.  Crazy!  Hoping they're back to normal soon, and enjoying being back to normal ourselves.  Nothing like being forced to live without the basics for helping you appreciate all you have.  When we were struggling, and afraid, Tuesday night, I kept thinking that no matter what we were going through, no matter what happened, I knew we were going to be all right.  Worst case scenarios running through my head of trees crashing through our roof, etc., I knew eventually all would be taken care of.  I knew how blessed we are.  I kept thinking of the millions of people who live in this world, many in Third World countries, in truly horrible conditions; that don't have the comfort of knowing that State Farm, or whoever, will be there to help with what goes wrong.  That the heat will come back one day.  Schools will reopen.  It definitely was a good reminder of just how lucky we are.  All that being said, the tree limb that broke is still on the roof, there's another broken one high up in the tree.  I'm thinking they're both going to have to stay that way until the weather vastly improves.  I don't think we'd have much luck finding someone to come out here right now, nor could we afford someone who would want to do it.

• Want to make a lot of money?  I'd love it if someone started a business that offered science fair kits in a box.  Everything you need to do a wonderful science fair project, organized by how long you have to work, general are of interest--plants, animals, chemicals, electricity, etc., and also organized by difficulty and grade level.  I do believe science fairs are beneficial, but I am unfortunately pretty hopeless when it comes to coming up with projects and having any idea where to get the materials.  I know we have a serious problem in the US when it comes to science, I definitely like my kids participating in science fairs, I just wish I didn't feel so overwhelmed by them.
• Isn't it just wrong that I pay more to get my dog a haircut than I pay for my haircuts?  I go to an upscale salon too, crazy!  There's something really out of whack about that. 
• We were at Target recently and Jacob and Julianna saw notebooks that are half lined and half blank for pictures.  They both begged for them and I gave in and bought them each one.  They have loved those notebooks.  Jacob was writing in his this morning and he told me he was writing his story in both "regular" writing and also cursive so he gets practice using both fonts.  Cracked me up how technology is permanently changing things in the next generations minds.  Of course, he also told me his first phone is going to be a Blackberry.  Guess I won't be getting him his first phone after all, what a relief!  He'll be waiting until he's old enough to buy one.  :) 
•  Finally, trying to figure out how to add another day to the weekend.  In a perfect world, this weekend I would:  spend an hour or so cleaning, catch up on laundry, run the errands that need running, grocery shop--both for the basics at the big box store and also meat, chicken, etc. at the independent grocer I love; spend time with Jason, Lori and the kids and visit my parents (who live almost 2 hours away).  Anyone want to take a crack at that schedule?  It's a puzzle I just can't seem to solve.

Next week I'll update the science fair (we did it, and, more importantly, it's over for another year!)  Plus, pictures to come of the cutest couple at the Father-Daughter dance (though I may be more than a little biased.) 


Well, off to meal plan, watch the munchkins, do some laundry, etc.  Hope whatever your plans hold that you have a wonderful weekend.  We're supposed to get more snow.  Can't wait!  (That was completely sarcasm in case you didn't know, I'm feeling very over winter after this week.)  Happy weekend!


Last day to enter my giveaway!  Go on, check it out.