To Maarje, from Estonia

I'm sorry.  I really am.

You caught me at a bad time.  You might have noticed that I was trying to keep 4 kids and 2 dogs inside the door as you gave me your schpiel about books.  I understand you may not have understood the "No Soliciting" sign right above the doorbell you rang.

I admire your perseverance, continuing on even when the kids and dogs went crazy.  And how you followed me around after they all got out and I was frantically chasing the dog we're babysitting.  Who runs like a wild animal if she gets out.  And only understands Spanish.

Truly, it was amazing that you could keep a straight face and tell me about your books as I ran like a crazy woman, calling out "Princessa!!! Ven aqui!!" and not even knowing if I was telling the dog to come here, or maybe saying something completely different. All the while trying to tell my kids in English to please go back inside and take Charisma with them.

Maybe it was the heat.  I could see your fair, European skin couldn't take the direct sun.  I could tell you were hot and tired.  Yet you still took the time to show me on the map where Estonia was.

And even though I repeatedly told you I wasn't interested, and was clearly occupied with my menagerie, you did your job flawlessly.  You did not stop telling me about those books!  For even a second!

Thank you for telling me that flamingos are pink because of all the shrimp they eat, and that if they stopped eating them they would turn gray.  I am SO going to use that piece of trivia some day!

But in all seriousness, I'm sorry you got stuck with such a poopy job, walking neighborhoods trying to sell books to harried mothers such as myself who don't have the time or energy you deserve.  I hope your time in America isn't defined by the semi-insane woman you met at the door today.  Or the circus that you unsuspectingly walked into.

So, dear Maarje (from Estonia).  I'm sorry.  I wish I could've bought your books, or even just listened quietly and respectfully to your speech.  Maybe even offered you a glass of cold water.  Unfortunately, my children and my dogs were very uncooperative.

I hope you had better luck with my neighbors.

Estonia.  It's by Russia.

This and That

*My brother is engaged!!!!!!!!! To a very sweet and fun girl who fits perfectly into our family. =)

*My sister and I gave ourselves fake French manicures with press on nails.  And I spent a good 5-10 minutes trying to get my contacts out afterward, because the nails kept scratching my eye. Oops. (I filed them down the next day and all is well now.)

*I put up some wall words at approximately 11:00p.m. with one of my good friends.  We were very tired and silly, and it was a lot of fun.  I love the way it turned out! I'm trying to get a good picture, and I'll share

*I bought Kate some new shoes and she wore them for a whole day before we realized they were both left feet. :-P

*I started making french press coffee and it is delicious, but it uses way more coffee than the regular kind. :-/

*I had milkshake literally explode all over me TWICE in one week... both times at the hand of my sweet but clumsy daughter.

*We have to start patching Christian's eyes, so we bought him a pirate patch hoping it would make it more fun.  It doesn't, and he doesn't like wearing it, but we're working on it.  Hopefully it'll help until we can get the surgery done in January.

*I was helping Owen after he went to the restroom and he said, "Mom, you're my BEST FRIEND."  And then he gave me one of his exaggerated winks and told me I could be in his club.  :-D

*I made 4 loaves of banana bread and 4 dozen scones for a bake sale at church, and I was so happy that they all sold!  I also bought some cinnamon rolls from said bake sale and they are super delicious.

*I have played more hands of Spades in the last month than in my entire life combined.

*I am obsessed with fresh basil.

*Bubble baths + books = happy me.

*This could possibly, maybe be the last month  Josh has to travel weekly out of state for his job!!!!!!

*I'm not holding my breath on that last one, but it's nice to dream. ;-)