It's the small things...

Tiny, isn't it? You'd think that something so small and seemingly insignificant would not cause anything more than a little excitement and monetary greed, right?

Wrongo Bongo!

This tiny little speck of a tooth has been hanging around in one 7 year old mouth for about two weeks now. Getting wiggly and more snaggly looking every day. Lately it's gotten so bad it almost looked like it was sticking out sideways. I could barely get a finger on it to test wiggle it before the 7 year old mouth would start whimpering and pull away.

Finally today I could take it no more. I decreed it was time to Get. It. Out. I promised a TV show and lovies to snuggle for the ordeal. I promised cake when it was all over. Half giggling, half whimpering she agreed.

First we had to get set up. Lovies, check. Blanket, check. TV show on and started at the right spot, check. Mouth open, whimper. I finally was allowed to get a grip on it with a dish cloth and did a few test wiggles. Squawk went the mouth. A little push. More squawking. Squirming. Resettling. Squirming. The thing was so loose I was surprised it was still hanging there. I gave a tug. Screaming. Crying. Mouth wide open crying.

That's when I saw the tooth sitting on her tongue.

I plucked it off and started whooping and cheering and she cried even harder. Wait. What?! It's out! Time to celebrate! "What's wrong?" I finally asked her.

"I don't kn--oooo--ooww!"

I'd like to say here that I was a kind, understanding mom who didn't laugh at her daughter's dismay. I can't. I laughed. Then I hugged her tight and just let her cry. All that bottled up fear and anxiety about that tiny little bit of nothing, suddenly released, like a balloon that pops too loudly and unexpectedly.

Once she finally calmed down, she was excited and raced off to look at the gory hole in her mouth. Little Sis raced off to get the tooth box for the Tooth Fairy. She's one to keep her eye on the prize.

Best of all? She got a big fat piece of cake. Before dinner.

Proving it really is the small things in life...

Battle

There she sits on her chair in the kitchen. Face bright red, sweaty, and a little tear streaked. Hair sticking to her cheek on one side.

Wailing.

Moaning.

Whining.

A few minutes ago there was kicking, shoving, paper crumpling and screaming anger.

I'm sitting here in the living room, waiting her out. For 45 minutes now.

"Ignoring".

Silently fuming.

Wondering how, and why.

She'll sit there until her homework is done. I will win. I always do.

But, until then we sit. Waiting.

A Carpenter's Love Story

My husband is having an affair. When I'm talking to him, he has that glassy eyed look of the man who is only paying enough attention to stay out of trouble. I can tell his mind is miles away. Or, to be more accurate, about 50 feet away in the garage. I have become a workshop widow.

I think I realized how serious the situation was last night. We had just finished up playing some tennis on the brand new Wii that he had won in the office Biggest Loser competition. (A Wii! I know! That's huge!) He had worked extremely hard for nearly four months and lost more than

35 pounds, all motivated by that tantalizing Wii carrot. I wanted to try the tennis by myself for a minute to see if I could figure out how to hit the dang ball.

Him: Are you kicking me out of the game?

Me: Just for a minute, I want to figure this out.

Him: So, you're kicking me out of the game?

Me: Just for a minute!

Him: You want to play by yourself?

Me: (getting paranoid) You don't have to go, I just want to try something

Him: Nothat'sokayI'mgoingtojustgoingouttotheshopforaminute....

And then he was gone. I could feel a rush of breeze from his swift departure out to the garage.

I'm not a jealous wife. I really don't mind sharing my husband with the girls in the shop because the smile on his face when he is covered with sawdust is pure joy. It lights up the whole room.

I love living in the light.

The Girls:

Jezebel, Delilah, and Fifi

Ant Rant

I had planned to begin this post today with a picture of the offending little frellers*, but I didn't get a picture yesterday of the ravening hordes descending upon the homemade traps we made. This morning when I went to get the pictorial proof I realized that it just wouldn't have the visual impact with only the few hardy (or stupid) ants that are still trying to get through our defenses. So, it is with smug satisfaction that this post goes naked for the day.

I wouldn't call this all out victory. Not by a long shot. But, we have at last gained ground against the insidious infestation that has up until now resisted all efforts of eradication. For weeks now, I have suffered patiently, with ants on my counters, on my floors, on my walls, on my ceilings, on my TOILETS! (ugh!), on my sofas, on my clothes, on my BODY! (double ugh!), and just about EVERYWHERE YOU LOOKED!!! We (and by "we" I mean The Mr.), systematically sealed all the cracks, laid out store bought traps, sealed more cracks, more traps, stuff outside around the house, and yet they still came. It was getting so bad that I was getting twitchy anytime I felt the slightest itch or tickle on my skin for fear it was yet another ant creeping up on me. (Pause to vigorously do the ants in the pants twitchy dance) I did consider handing down an ultimatum that I was retiring to a hotel until the ants were gone. More and more frequently in the past few days, did I consider that option.

But today. Ah yes, today.

Mwaahahahah!! (Hands rubbing together, demonic gleam in the eyes)

We've got them on the run now.

Dirty little twerps.

It's only a matter of time...

*"freller" brought to you by Robin McKinley at www.robinmckinleysblog.com. One of my all time favorite authors and blogs that I stalk regularly. I particularly delight in her delicious alternatives for "naughty" words. It's so satisfying to say. Try it. But, be careful. You might like it. You might find it and other words like dranglefab, frelling and ratbag sneaking into your daily language. (Again with the hand rubbing and maniacal laughter...)

Happy Valentine's Day!

With love from our house to yours!

A New Perspective

I finally downloaded the pictures from my camera today.

There was a whole series of photos that were a surprise.

Evidently Big Sis had gotten her hands on the camera a few weeks ago.

These are just a few of the gems I found.

I think I know what to get her for her birthday.