Clean thoughts

As opposed to dirty? :)

No, I was actually just able to clean my kitchen--well.

Without just shoving piles into different piles and sweeping in a hurry. I got out my plastic gloves (yes, I am that person), my lysol wipes, attacked the countertops, and am in the midst of sweeping when I decided I should record the plethora of thougts going on in my head while it's quiet, and I have the ability to write a blog post.

The gloves, because I can't stand my hands after lysol wipes. Now, clorox on a washcloth, no gloves needed, for I actually enjoy the smell of Clorox. Might explain a few things.

But we can't use clorox, generally, here. We have a septic system and if clorox goes down the drain, happy little bacteria eating our sludge will die and our septic system will fail. Bad (and smelly) news.

So, anyway, my thoughts. First, in outline form, so I can continue cleaning in between bursts of writing (plus, if a kiddo wakes up, I can always come back, right??)* Preschool cliques
* Black stovetop
* New computer
* Christmas shopping
* Robots/DVD player

Yup, and as Murphy's law dictates--just as I am getting into this-- two children are awake from naps--one happily, one not-so-much and screaming. Will resume post at later time.

Crisis averted, older child now playing Mario Kart Wii, and middle back to sleep.

Floor swept and mopped, I feel I can type now!

So, Ryan goes to preschool three mornings a week from 8:20-10:50. First of all, it is hard getting three children dressed and fed and in the car on our way to school on time. Today was the first day we left before my 15-minute-reminder alarm goes off on my phone (it takes about 14 minutes to leave our driveway and get to school parking and in the door). We haven't ever been late (which is my absolute stress creator--being late) but I've been grouchy trying NOT to be late. It's hard!! It starts with prodding them out of bed, prodding them into clothing, prodding them to eat more quickly, prodding them to get shoes on more quickly...etc etc etc! Last week there was no school and it was a nice vacation break!! I can't imagine what it will be like next year with Ryan going to kindergarten 5 days a week and Brooklyn to preschool a few mornings a week. QUIET, when it's just Libby and I, but even more responsibility getting to school! Thankfully, we are just down the block from the bus stop and I can watch Ryan walk there--preschool is of course, not bussed.
ANYWAY I was going to type about preschool cliques. On the very first day of preschool two little loud girls hit it off and became best friends (Ivy and I forget the other girl's name). They let the whole class know about it, too. Ryan didn't (and doesn't) really care, thankfully, but Miss Connie picks different partners each week for the kids to buddy up with for their walks to and from the playground, library, etc. It's great--teaching them to make friends with everyone. But Ivy will cry and pout and not participate if she can't be ____'s partner (I wish I could remember her name). It's annoying, but I'm not at school to deal with it so I don't REALLY care. But Ivy's dad and ___'s mom are just as clique-y! They have set up playdates (no big deal, that's fine) and talk to each others' kids--but they don't talk to any other parent besides each other. Ivy's dad is strange, too. He must stay at home (with the hours of preschool) and he often talks about just sipping coffee at the cafe during preschool. He wears his hair in a ponytail and wears converse shoes and a hoody sweatshirt every day. I think he probably listens to NPR (so do I :o) ) He also probably makes his own granola (I do not) or buys only at organic stores (again, I don't).
It's all fine and well, but today, we signed up for parent/teacher conferences. He signed up Ivy's conference and then called ____'s mom and said "Can you do xx:xx slot? That's right after us. Great. I am so glad we can be back to back"WHY? I just don't get it. Anyway, since it doesn't bother my son, I should probably let it go too. In fact, even typing it out makes it seem silly. Sorry for wasting precious time for you to read this!! I think I just don't like feeling left out--this happened back in Laramie too when other kids would hit it off so their moms would naturally become close friends and then exclude other moms/kids (not intentionally). It was sad.I am a weenie and need to get over all of it. Next bullet point!!

I have a new black stovetop on my 5-burner/2 oven range...I love the unit itself, except you can really see crumbs (and salt and dust) on the stovetop! Makes me clean it more often. Nothing wrong with that...just...an observation.

Speaking of new, my lovely husband bought me a new computer yesterday as the one I used to use was fading. Scary fading. Losing information fading. This new one is also black (theme?? No. cheap :) I wanted pink but, alas...) It's fun but needs some getting-used-to-time.

Speaking of shopping...I love Christmas shopping. I am more than halfway done! It helps to have a plethora of stores available at my 10-minute-beck-and-call...but I also feel as though Christmas should be here within 2-3 weeks, not 7-8!!

We got a dual-screen DVD player like the Ennists, for our car trip to Chicago this weekend. It's nice, and we set it up to test it out--and haven't taken it down, as we are leaving in two days. But...you can tell we drive much more around these parts to get places, because I have listened to the movie "Robots" about 6 times and "Toy Story 3" twice (already! It just came out yesterday!!). I have the theme music from "Robots" stuck in my head now. (Which is better than Sid the Science Kid intro music. That was stuck there this morning).Anyway. I have other things I want to do before naptime concludes, so, here's my long post about, really, nothing...if you are looking for pictures, please refer to Facebook or Shutterfly!!