Daily Excitement

... not all in the same day, but within the same week.

Last Wednesday or Thursday I was thinking how little baby powder we use. I bought one container when Zarina was about 4 or 5 months old and it was only half gone 2 years later. This observation jinxed myself though, because the next evening Z opened the powder and spilled it on herself, the changing table, the floor and the rug. The last few months we have asked Zarina if she wants cream or powder when we change her bum, the last few days have created some issues when she asks for powder and we didn't have any. Last night I made the $2.49 investment to have a happier toddler.

I asked Zarina if she wanted her "nappy" changed and she became upset because she thought I wanted her to take a nap.

Brien filled 3 pitchers with water in preparation of cleaning the fish tank. This morning while I was in the bathroom I hear water running off the table. Zarina had gotten a pitcher and was playing with it and spilled at least a liter of water on the table and floor. I can be grateful that she didn't spill everything.

I completed our taxes on-line. Brien is very impatient for our return to be directly deposited. I love that my taxes are done in January. I love that nowadays we don't have to wait for paperwork, unless we choose to. Growing up, and even now, my dad waits until the last minute (as in April 14th) and paper files and waits for a check. I understand his hesitation with the electronic procedure, but I really don't want to be patient (or impatiently waiting).

This week Brien has his review deadline for his project this Friday/Monday. The final product is due near the end of April, but they want it finished Feb. 1st so they can review it in the state office and have plenty of time to make whatever corrections may be necessary. I thought he would be stressed, but he's handling it really well.

Last week we got 20 inches of snow. It snowed everyday, and I was the one that did most of the shoveling. My back started to bother me, so Brien was guilted into shoveling on Thursday and Friday. The snow level has melted/compacted about 5-6 inches from the highest level on Friday, but there is still so much snow on the yard! We have icy patches on the driveway that try to make me slip. If I have to tolerate snow I want the roads, driveways and sidewalks to clear up so that the only snow is the pretty stuff sitting on my yard and pinning my dog close to the house. That reminds me, we had shovel pathways for Jack everyday or he would have likely done his business on the porch.

Yesterday, or was it Sunday, I was putting on make-up and Zarina came up to me with her tongue sticking out and was rubbing her hand on it, like she was trying to get something off. I looked closely and saw some dog hairs. I don't know if she tried to bite Jack, or just licked his fur.

Last night I returned from the grocery store and Zarina was only half dressed. She's not one to run around undressed (it's cold here remember!). Brien handed me Z's nightshirt and asked what I thought the smell was. I decided she had opened a bar of baby soap (from her baby shower) and rubbed it on her clothes and on her. Luckily it doesn't leave a residue. We were given so much baby wash and lotion at the baby shower we won't have to buy any for a few more years yet. Especially the lotion, We have enough to lotion up Zarina through the 2nd grade. I've shared some, but it just doesn't dawn on me to grab lotion from the cellar to re-gift to people.

Today I finally pulled out the crockpot to cook dinner. I have been meaning to do this for weeks. (We actually have two crockpots. One large oval (5.5 qts.?) and a slightly smaller round pot). Tonight we are trying out an orange chicken. Some recipes have you brown the chicken before cooking, with this one you just toss it in. If the recipe turns out well I'll share it. It's supposed to taste like Panda Express. My visiting teacher gave me the recipe, and she says it's her family's favorite meal. I set out the minute brown rice and basmati brown rice for Brien to choose from. I'll be taking Zarina to kindermusik, so hopefully Brien will get home in time to make the basmati rice to go with dinner. It tastes so good, but takes so much longer than 5 minutes to make.

I better go shower now.