Considering the state of our half-unpacked/half-still-packed house, I have just a few pictures to share today.

This is our little yard. The best part of this yard? Dave doesn’t have to do a thing to it! Our rent includes a weekly gardener. Neither one of us like yard work at all so this is positively wonderful!

After just two weeks in California, Hope’s hair is getting blonder!

Since we sold or gave away almost all of our furniture before we left Maryland, we have been on a Craigslist and thrift store hunt for new (to us) pieces. Dave picked up a leather sofa off Craigslist and we love it! Lauren wanted a picture with her American Girl slippers that we found at a consignment shop for $3.

Dave has always said that once I get something into my head, nothing stops me. He has also remarked that over the past few years, I sort of lost my way. But, I’m finding my way back. In my former life, I would tackle a chore/job and keep going until I finished. This week’s chore has been the tile grout.

Before you think I am crazy, let me explain. I love to walk around barefoot or in little white socks. I do not like having dirty feet. So, our floors have to be clean.

I thought the tile floor was clean until the carpet cleaning guy came over and pointed out the dirty grout. Now, he probably pointed that out because he also cleans and seals grout. For $2 per square foot. Considering that we have about 500 tiles, I decided to clean it myself. Mr. Carpet Cleaner had no idea what he started!

I googled cleaning tile grout and found a couple of good ways to clean: Magic Eraser and Oxiclean. I MUCH prefer the Magic Eraser method because it is so easy and less messy. For the hall and edges, it worked beautifully. Lauren and I put on gloves and scrubbed away. The kitchen tiles were much dirtier and required Oxiclean. I sprinkled Oxiclean on the grout, placed sopping wet towels on top, and let it sit for a couple of hours. After letting the Oxiclean work its magic, I removed the towels and used a stiff scrubby brush to remove all the stuck-on dirt. Then, I mopped up all the mess. Ahhhhhhhh, clean!

You can see the difference here. The back half is clean. The front half looks like McDonald’s tile floors!

That’s all for now. I’ve got to get ready for the day. We are still having all kinds of fun here and enjoying beautiful San Diego!

Every time I’ve eaten lunch at Lauren’s school, I get a kick out of my “celebrity status”. If you are ever feeling less than the best, just go eat lunch with your elementary-aged kid and suddenly you will be right up there with Hannah Montana and Justin Bieber.

“Hi Mrs. Coddington! Hi Mrs. Coddington! Hi Lauren’s mom! Hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi!!!!!!!!”

I took a look at the lunches at Lauren’s table. You know, just to see what other parents send in. Sandwiches, grapes, crackers, etc. One first grader was eating the cafeteria offering for the day.  I was concerned as to why the mashed potatoes looked a little green. Who knew that broccoli can be mistaken for mashed potatoes? I now understand why Lauren does NOT NOT NOT like school lunches!

The little boy sitting across from me at the lunch table had lots of questions.

Little Boy: Who are you?

Me: I’m Lauren’s mom.

Little Boy: Why are you here?

Me: I’m here to eat lunch with Lauren.

Little Boy: What job are you going to next?

Me: I don’t work. I stay home with my baby. (Why oh why did I say that? Moms work hard!)

Little Boy: Bummer.

A few minutes later Little Boy started smashing Goldfish and Oreos on his head.

The two girls (including Lauren) at the table just rolled their eyes.

Then Cracker Crushing Boy said my legs were swords.

Another little boy saw my purse and asked if he could play a game on my phone. 1) How did he know my phone was in my purse? 2) How did he know my phone has games on it? I said no. He then gave me a big hug. A hug that wouldn’t stop. I pried him off and decided right then and there that elementary school teachers are angels.

We finished lunch and went to recess. It was 102 degrees outside. A few kids played basketball. Lauren and her best buddy Maya ran around. Most of the kids sat in the shade. I sat with the kids in the shade. I think it might have been 101 degrees in the shade!

To summarize:

One insult from a cracker/cookie crushing first grade boy. (Or two if you count the legs = swords comment.)

One extra long squeeze that wouldn’t stop from another first grade boy.

One VERY hot recess that resulted in the need for Shower #2 for the day. (Didn’t get Shower #2 but needed it.)

One little girl who was very happy and excited to have her mom visiting. Priceless.

While I didn’t shoot any video this time, I did snap a few photos.

Lauren Watches Hope Swing After Giving Her a Push

Weeeee!

Sisters Playing

Mommy and Her Girls

Run, Lauren, Run!

It's Good to Smile

It was a stark contrast to our Labor Day trip with Lauren and Carmen. This time, Lauren had a sister to play with…and play they did.

Happy Mother’s Day, Lana. I hope you had a great day.

My initials are LC. Lauren’s initials are LC. Liz Claiborne’s initials are LC. Works out well!

Lauren was super excited to give me a wallet with our initials on the front!

Now that I have a pink wallet, Lauren thinks it is time for a pink purse too. I’ve had three purse colors in my whole life. Black, brown and navy blue. A hot pink purse is way out of my comfort zone. Time to bust out of the comfort zone!

Lauren made a Mother’s Day book for me at school.

This made me smile.

And this made me smile even bigger and laugh out loud!

So true.

I can’t quite imagine life without the constant entertainment of a certain seven year old!

Here are a few pictures:

NY Grandpa is never at a loss for words but sometimes he just sits and observes. This was one of his observing moments.

Cousin Kadin. Isn’t he a handsome young man? He’s sweet and kind too.

There is little I enjoy more than just hanging out with family.

Sometimes I think about Heaven and how we’ll get to spend time together without any of the disruptions and complications of life. Even with all the mess of life, I love being around people so I can’t even imagine how wonderful it will be to spend eternity with perfect relationships. Sounds good to me!

The first errand was to the post office. I needed to mail some books. There was a long line so one of the postal workers was walking around, asking what we were mailing, how we were paying and sending people over to the automated machine.

When he got to me, he looked at the package and asked, “Priority?” I said, “No, media mail.” He asked, “Books?” I said, “Yes.” He then loudly barked, “Did you put a card in there? Or a note or anything?” I answered, “Yes, I put a card.” You would have thought I just kicked his dog. He snapped, “YOU CAN’T DO THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Media mail is ONLY for books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I was rather stunned by his way over-the-top reaction and honestly about one second from bursting into tears. I had no idea a small card couldn’t be included in media mail. I ended up shipping the package Priority and leaving in a hurry.

I then decided to go through the Starbucks drive-thru for an iced tea. I was still shaken up. As I looked at the menu board, I thought about getting one of those new Cake Pop things or a slice of lemon loaf. But, then, I noticed the 490 calorie note next to the lemon loaf and decided it was not worth it. I pulled up to the speaker and gave the Starbucks guy my tea order. He asked, “Anything else?” I said, “No, that’s all.” He perkily asked, “Are you sure you don’t want anything else?” The way he asked and the way I was feeling, well, I laughed out loud.

What a difference in those two errands. One left me almost in tears. The other made me laugh out loud.

Regardless, my take-away from all of this was that I need to double and triple check my own reactions to people. If I’m impatient or negative toward someone, I very well may “ruin” their day. On the other hand, if I am cheerful and witty (I’m not all that witty but every once in a while something clever comes out!) I can make someone smile.

P.S. Apparently it’s OK to include a packing slip or note regarding the item but nothing personal in media mail (or something like that…I googled media mail and found all sorts of vague answers as to what is acceptable and what is not).

None of us are morning people so we usually miss the lovely, soft morning light.

Perhaps we should become morning people…the light is so nice!

Are you a morning person?

Hopefully, she will be content drawing with the Magna Doodle and not experiment with pens on the walls, floor, sofa, etc.