"Wait—a new idea!"

Sunday, August 9, 1992

     I'm so tired all of the time any more. I try to take naps when Ez. does but seems like by the time I actually get to sleep it's not long before she wakes up. And if I decide to go ahead & get up & do something, like now, she wakes up before too long.

     Writing with the carbon paper is such a hassle when I want to write something here but not to Guy so I guess I'll go back to writing things twice. Wait—a new idea!

     I decided to write with the carbon paper between the pages of my notebook instead of using ledger pad paper. So now the lines line up and I got a new sheet of carbon paper so they copy should be more legible than what's in my journal so far.

     To be honest, I haven't written in the past couple of days because I was just tired of writing. But I've been making some notes so hopefully I won't forget anything.

     It was nice to stay home Friday after having to go somewhere every day for three days in a row. But Ez. apparently got used to going without a morning nap.

     Fri. I woke up at 5:32 needing to go to the bathroom. I went back to sleep then Ez. woke up at 6:24. She was sitting up crying instead of standing so I just gave her back her pacifiers & she did go back to sleep til 7:21. I tried to get her to take a morning nap but she fussed for about 30 minutes & when I checked her she had pooped. She slept good that aft. 1–3:37. I dozed through my story then woke up at 2:21 with a headache. I think I'd turned over on my stomach & that probably caused it. I took Panadol 3 times before it went away overnight.

     FRI. HI–77° LO–77°

     When she went to bed at 8:00 Fri. night I worked on the magazine pictures I've been saving up to make her some "flash cards". I've got them trimmed & sorted out but need to put the clear contact on them.

     Ez. woke up at 7:36 Sat. morning so she slept almost 12 hours! I was sorting through some stuff on the piano when she was wanting to play after breakfast and found the Wendy's Sweepstakes form. I'd thought it was over on August 31 but it's Aug. 12! I don't know if it'll get there on time but I sent in an entry just for the 99 days of mortgage payments. I figured that would help us out the most.

     We took a stroll down to the corner for a newspaper. When we got back, Barb drove up just as I was opening the trunk to put the stroller back in. She & John had come by on their way to Linda's new place (off Centerville) and she called from there & left a message on the machine since I didn't answer the door. I told her I'd figured if she came while I was out she'd see me on the sidewalk but they didn't come down Windbrooke. Anyway, she mowed while John used the weed eater. They did a good job but wouldn't let me give them anything.

     Mrs. Gibbs came home as they were finishing out front. She said she & Damion had been at Boy Scout Camp all week. I'd thought it was kinda quiet over there. Mr. Gibbs is gone til next Fri. I found out Rochelle's going to NSU this fall & plans to live on campus.

     Ez. took a nap from 12:40–2:21 yesterday aft. I don't even remember now how long I slept. I did her hair in the kitchen after I finished up the dishes after supper. Chief started getting all hyper when I started getting things ready so I put him outside. This time was even worse than the first time I did it there. I don't know why but she screamed the whole time. We did her bath right after that and she kept wanting to stand up. She slipped a little bit once but didn't fall. I had her stand up instead of laying her down to wrap the towel around her when she got out.

     SAT. H-84° L-66° (pretty humid again) I guess our little spell of nice coolish weather is over. It was sure nice while it lasted.

     It was about 8:35 when she went to bed last night. She's getting slow about eating her bedtime snack. I got up at 6:39 this morning & got my shower & hair washed before she woke up at 7:19. I thought I had most everything ready last night but for some reason we were late getting off to church this morning—8:45.

     I took a Mrs. Smith's pie & your & my tea for the visitors dinner. There was only one piece of pie eaten so I left it there for the fellowship tonight.

     Can't remember if I've talked about how Ez. is improving at her efforts to walk. In the past couple of days she's gotten better at walking just holding on to one hand instead of two. I asked Stephanie if she could watch Ez. while I got my food out & she said ok. She was already carrying Erin (Cathy said she's taken a few steps) but sat down in the floor with both of them. The first time I went back up there, all the other kids were around them and the next time, Megan Landon, Carter Bailey & Natalie Lowell were taking turns tow at a time walking Ez. around the whole room. I saw her fall a couple of times when they'd go a little too fast but she didn't cry. They helped her up. One time Carter tried to pick her up—it was kind of awkward but she did it. I stopped them once to tie her shoelace. (I don't put the bells on for church.) She looked like she had fun. When the older kids finished eating before her and started playing with the puppets she wanted to go play too. I finally had to sit her on my lap to finish feeding her. (I think there was one couple visiting)

     I figured Ez. would fall asleep on the way home but she didn't until we were off the freeway. It was about 1:00 & it's 3:32 now so she'll probably wake up soon.

     I'd left Chief outside this morning and I guess I thought I heard it thunder is why I woke up. So I went to let him in. It is getting darker but no rain (or even thunder) yet. I never really got fully asleep & I'm not sure why. It was almost 1:30 before I laid down. After I brought Ez. in & got her settled I went to get the stuff out of the car, then put her seat in the truck so we can take it tonight. It'll be the first time I've driven it since you've been gone.

     Gloria Piselli was there with baby Anna today. She's even smaller than Ez. was—not quite as long I don't think cause she doesn't look as skinny. She's got lots of hair sticking up like Ez's did but it's dark. Ez. seemed to be fascinated by her. I let her touch her arm. I didn't think to ask Gloria's permission but she didn't say anything. I told her we still have the swing if they want it back & she said yes—but there's no rush.

     I can't believe she's still asleep. I'm getting sleepy again now. If I try to go to sleep she'll wake up.

     I gave $5 to Bill Johnston for the money tree for Crutch.

     I finally introduced myself to the Claypool's. They both came in the nursery with Garrett while I was checking Ez's diaper. I told them we lived near each other and they said they'd looked over here.

     I ended up taking Ez. to the nursery. Lisa Mounts was in there. Ez. was so tired but she wouldn't go to sleep. She kept wanting to stand up & look back at Andrew 2 rows back but Doris Mozley was right behind us & I didn't think she'd appreciate the distraction. She'd play with something or look at a book for just a little bit then want to stand up again. I did have the extra pacifiers to hold but it didn't help. After I left her there I went to the office to look for a map. Jeff & Steve had been in the hall with a couple asking directions to Central. They asked if I could tell them how to get there—they (Jeff & Steve) said they could drive it but not explain it. I told them I only knew how from the freeway but that there should be maps in the office. By the time I got down there Jeff had found one. I went to check on Ez. & she was still sitting on the couch where I'd left her. Lisa was reading a book but Ez. wasn't paying much attention—she was just sitting there like she was in a daze. Lisa motioned that she was ok so I left to go back to the auditorium. But I stopped in the bathroom cause I started crying. I guess from the frustration of not being able to get her to go to sleep or be still and then just seeing her sitting there with that blank look on her face. It didn't last long & no one saw me.

     I can't believe it but Ez. slept til 4:10 this afternoon! That's over 3 hours! I sure wish I could've slept that long or even half that long.

     It started raining sometime between 4:30 & 5:00. I didn't hear too much thunder close but saw quite a bit of lightning. I almost decided not to go to church cause it was really pouring and they said a big storm was headed our way. But I figured we'd get there before it got too bad. It didn't get too scary except that it was really pouring down. When we got there I took Ez. on in and asked Mary to watch her while I went back to get her bag. My feet were soaked by the time I got back in. I took in one of the towels we use to cover her seat and left my shoes off during most of church. Ez. did fine for awhile then all of a sudden she decided she wanted to get down & go over where Ryan & Melissa & Christopher were sitting. She got too loud so I took her to the nursery again. Lisa was in there again but I stayed this time.

     Jeff came in and gave Ez. & Amanda & Rachel a little sack with a certificate for VBS and a package of chain links (Gerber brand). I asked him about promoting Ez. & the others next month & he said he pretty much leaves it up to the parents & teachers to decide when they're ready for all the pre-school-age classes. He hasn't got the new teachers assigned yet. The first Sun. of Sept. I plan to go ahead & put Ez. in the toddler class.

     We stayed for the fellowship & Ez. did pretty good again. There was one piece of the pie left this time so I just left it. We got home at 8:08 & I put her to bed by the time just before I started writing. I still can't believe she slept so long this aft.

     I checked the rain gauge when I left Chief out & we got 1.3". I expected it to be full. I put the gate up to keep Chief in the kitchen while we were gone so he wouldn't go crazy all over the house if it stormed. I need to go let him out again & do his eye drops & pills in a few minutes.

     I called for my Tobra refill Fri. saying I needed it by next Fri. They called back later & said it would be sent over late Mon. I'll probably wait til Tues. to go get it just to be sure. There's a ladies brunch at Bea's Tues. too. We'll probably go to the ACE post office tomorrow or Tues but that's all I have planned for the week so far. I should call around & schedule someone to go visit.

     I'd called Carole yesterday to remind her to bring me the Current catalog today & had to leave a message on the answering machine. Today in Ez's class was the lady who taught them in VBS. She said her name is June White and that Carole had asked her to teach for the next two weeks. She said she told Carole she wouldn't be here the second week but didn't know if Carole found anyone for them. I wish they wouldn't go off like that without telling us, especially when she's supposed to be getting back to me about something.

     Last night & tonight I made Chief go out by himself at bedtime. I had to open the door 2-3 times to tell him to go on out then watch to be sure he did something.

August 9, 1992