First the car went bang. Then the kitchen faucet went bang. Yesterday the boiler went bang with enough smoke and flame I summoned the firemen. I'm getting weary of big bangs. They are messy and very expensive.
I was grateful to my friend Andy Wiken who put these problems in perspective last Sunday. He reminded me that these are "first world problems". In third world countries, families are not worried about their second car breaking down. They don't even own a first. There isn't such thing as a broken faucet because they haul their water 2 miles from a central well. Forget boiler problems. If they even have a house big enough to heat, it sure as heck isn't pleasantly warmed by some fancy boiler. I'm such a weenie sometimes.
Speaking of big bangs, last night was the middle school band concert. My two handsome boys performed in the percussion ensemble with a rousing rendition of excerpts from the opera Carmen. I'm thankful for a good band director. Piano lessons have become epic battles so at least they get musical exposure at school.
We celebrated Martin Luther King by taking all 5 kids to a used car lot and then lunch at the Old Country Buffet. Honestly it seemed like sacrilege. Nothing says ethnic equality like a sleezy used car salesman and totally inedible, nutritionless, fiberless food.
Max had one of his worst anxiety attack this week. He couldn't even go to school. My compassion is increasing a little as I watch him struggle. Last night I helped him make an emergency notebook. We listed every possible contact number he would ever need and included a family picture with names and ages of all his family members. It seemed like it helped but the last thing he said to me as I said goodnight was, " Mom, what should I do when the house catches on fire tonight?" He's only 6 for crying aloud!
Cooper is planning to publish his revenue generating book of poems within the next couple of weeks. His book is entitled "Living with Three Brothers." He takes money and money making schemes very seriously.
Wilson quit wrestling yesterday. Then he found out his was seated third in the state. Now he's back. AAARGH!
Ingratitude is no longer my worst pet peeve. Not keeping commitments has become the unforgivable sin around this house and the kids are about sick to death of hearing me harp on it. I am freaking out with the idea that if my kids don't keep their commitments they will not be functional adults.
The house improvement project continues slowly but surely. Kylie, the miracle carpenter has completed the railing part of the stairs. He is amazing. I am grateful
