How to Make Vacuuming Smell Good

1. Spill a bunch of your favorite aromatic spice (curry powder, for instance).
2. Vacuum it up with your bagless vacuum; empty the canister.
3. For weeks afterward, whenever air passes through the filter, it will be scented with above-mentioned aromatic spice. Instant cravings, whenever you vacuum!

Ask me how I know all this ... later, though, I need to go find some curry now.

The baby is lying on the floor kicking and screaming.

Of course, he's also grinning from ear to ear. Looks like I've got another loud one on my hands. Pray for me!

That's the last time I let you watch the Discovery Channel special on acid rain ....

"Mommy, is it going to snow?"

"No, sweetie, it's too warm to snow."

"But the clouds are moving in front of the sun and they will cover it up and then it will be cold and then it will snow."

"Honey, it's already fifty degrees outside. If any water falls from the sky today, it will be in the form of rain."

"Mooooommmmmy! Water doesn't fall from the sky. That's so silly!"

"Oh, yeah? What do you call rain?"

"Poison."

Such a tease ....

... this weather, that is. Spring has visibly sprung. There are buds opening on every tree and the sun is shining brightly.



The rays refracted through the glass doors in the living room are so very warm and inviting.



Unfortunately, the backyard thermometer reads 36 degrees -- and it's in the sun.

Try explaining to a cabin-feverish three-year-old why we can't play outside on his brand new bike (Happy Easter!) when it looks oh-so-lovely through the windows. According to weather.com, it's supposed to get up to 56 degrees today, but not until 6 pm, and really, what use is that?

I figure if it tops 40 degrees, we'll bundle up the baby and head outside, but I don't do 36 unless there's snow to play in.

I can't wait for the REAL arrival of spring!

Where I've been

God used me to make this little guy, born November 4:



He's nearly five months old and I'm just getting back into the swing of things. It was an exhausting pregnancy (with the insane three year old running about) ending in bedrest and an emergency c-section six weeks ahead of schedule. By the grace of God and many, many prayers (especially the Memorare), he was absolutely fine. As you can see from the picture, he's robust (rotund, even!), and happy. Praise God for His generous gifts.

(Check out big brother rocking out on his guitar in the background of the picture if you want to start your day with a smile.)