Quick Takes

1. There are some advangages to getting old(er). For instance, some lucky ones of us develop internal weather forecast systems. Thus, Theresa's comment this morning upon looking out and seeing snow on the ground: " Mommy's weather toe was right again."

2. We found TONS of wonderful St. Valentine's Day crafts at Crafty Crow, including these easy-peasy, construction paper Valentines we made for friends and loved ones this week.

3. Today is the day of the annual Homeschool Rollerskating Party here. The children look forward to this outing more than just about anything we do all year. Why wouldn't a kid love rolling around and around and around in circles, falling down, and getting all hot and sweaty, while laughing and playing with all their best friends? I'm not sure if I'll venture out on to skates this year. Usually I have an infant on hand and can't. This year, I'll need to be chasing Teeny-Little-Super-Guy William around, which may necessitate it, though. Wish me luck! It's been YEARS since I attempted it.

4. We're learning all about preparing for a wedding these days. My future daughter-in-law is the most capable planner you can imagine, and is already incredibly on top of things. She already has the chapel and reception hall reserved, her bridal party chosen and informed, and her dress bought and hanging in her closet. We have volunteered to take care of the flowers and the pew decorations ~ and just realized that it's our responsibility to host the rehearsal dinner. We'll have a group of about 25 people to feed, and are trying to come up with something memorable, but on a budget. Any ideas?

5. Here's the big leek we had in our kitchen recently:

(One needs gloves it would appear to handle such a big vegetable.)

6. Having a little bout with insomnia again lately. It comes in waves, for some reason, and is possibly pre-menopausal in origin. When I'm lying in bed, watching the numbers flip on the digital clock near my bed, I always debate the option of getting up vs. staying in bed. I worry that getting up will just wake me up even more and prevent a possible drifting-off scenario. But, then, after I've lain there for an hour or so, I figure I'm wasting time that I could be getting something done. Like blogging? What do you do when you can't sleep? Any good tips would be appreciated!

(Here are some ideas I came up with a while back, but, as you'll see, they aren't very practical solutions...)

7. We've been playing the "Could-We-Possibly-Sell-This-House-And-Find-Something-That-Functions-Better-For-Us" game lately. Like my insomnia, it's a cyclical thing. (Hmmm... I wonder if they're connected?) We'd like to be a little closer to Dan's work, for one thing. He drives about 50 minutes both ways every day, which is wearing on him and expensive gas-wise. It'd also be so nice to have a more modern layout in a house, for a change. I'd love to have a great room; gathering space is a big issue for us. And closets. Closets would be so nice. I'll have to tell you about the way we store our clothes sometime. And I've always dreamed of having a separate room just for schooling, and a basement for the Little ones to play while the rest of us are trying to get some schooling... Oh, and it has to be on at least five acres and not too close to a big road, and it has to have a good well. I'm not asking much, am I?

So, anyway, we've got an appointment to have a second look at a house. It's five minutes further away from town than the one we're in now, it's down a long dirt road, and it has no great room, but it's a newer, remodeled home, it has the land and good well, and it does have a large unfinished basement and more closet space ~ and a view that can see three states. I'm a sucker for a view. But... Alas! I don't know that we could sell our house to be able to afford the one up the hill. And I'm not sure we'd be better off up there. And we'd have to move again. Ack.

But, oh, those views. How much a glutton for punishment am I? I'll let ya know...

Have a good weekend, Everyone!