Bitter / Happy

Bitter

I'm a crappy photographer. And I have grumpy models who stomp and whine and refuse to look in the direction of the lens, despite any bribes I might offer. Our new town is on the edge of national forest land; there are deciduous trees everywhere in full autumn glory. But do you think I can convince my girls to pose amidst all that loveliness? Yeah, no. I tried twice to take some sister pics of them this week: The first time, we didn't even get to the location before Uno and Dos got in a punching match and I had to march them back home. The second time I took 218 photos and ended up with not a single usable frame. Any shots not ruined by eye rolls and goofy faces ended up out of focus (what is wrong with me??). I don't think I can convince them to try again. It's stupid, but it hurts my heart.

I keep playing Bejeweled Blitz over on Facebook. I don't know why. I kind of hate the game; the "narrator" (for lack of a better term) keeps shouting, "Awesome!" at me in the most creepy, menacing voice. I'm afraid he might track me down and hurt me if I stop playing.

Our old house hasn't sold yet. The Realtor claims the tiered back yard is people's biggest complaint, and of course there's nothing we can do about that. (The views, people! That house has the best views of the valley because of the tiered yard!) The last time we spoke with him, the Realtor also asked if it was okay for them to handle offers other than the exact asking price. Um....? Isn't that their job? Have they turned away potential buyers without asking us because they thought we were inflexible about the price? Hello, we are living with the in-laws! WE WILL BE FLEXIBLE!

I miss my family and friends. I'm not one to get homesick easily, and I generally don't mind my own company -- but DH sees his family every single day. Everywhere he goes, he runs into old family friends, people he went to high school with, people he used to work with, people who knew him when. He can call up any number of cousins or BFFs if he wants to go see a football game or hit some golf balls around to blow off steam. I can ... play Bejeweled Blitz.

Tres seems to have given up on naps.

The girls had their Primary program at church today: In lieu of speakers or a sermon, all the children (all 10, lol) sang songs and presented short prepared talks on the importance of faithful families. DH couldn't come; he was working. The girls' grandparents didn't come because (in DH's words to me, after he and his mom had gotten into it over the subject of baptism tonight) they hate our religion. Nobody was there to watch the girls do their parts. I heard it all, of course, but even I didn't get to see them because I teach Primary now and I had to sit up on the stand with the kids. I saw the backs of their heads.

Happy

Tres may have given up naps, but she's doing a little better at going to bed, after a nearly three week strike. (She'd stand up in her crib and shout angrily to anyone who would listen, "I don't yike bedtime! I not going to sleep! I NOT DOING BEDTIME, MOMMY!")

We can't buy anything permanent because we haven't sold the old house yet, but I think we've found something to rent -- and that's no small feat around here, where decent rentals are nearly impossible to come by. It's a well cared for two-bedroom, one-bath home with a nice sized back yard in a good neighborhood. The house isn't big, but the space is used efficiently; the two bedrooms are about the same size, so I think we can fit all three girls in together. I'm very grateful to the ILs for being so willing to take us in, but I'm soooooo ready for my own space! We should know within a couple days if we get the place and how soon we can move in.

Halloween is coming up, the girls have cool costumes, and (I think) for the first time ever since we've had children, DH will not be working on Halloween and can participate in the trick-or-treating. I will be Cleopatra. Uno and I keep trying to convince DH to dress up with us, but he's a party pooper in that regard. Still, he'll be here for the fun! Maybe he'll finally catch the spirit of the season and then next year we can get him in a costume.

Uno is an excellent reader, and she enjoys it. I love that.

I guess that's all for now.


~RCH~