Another Sunday, another visit to a new church.  All these churches we are visiting have their own strengths and "vibe" if you will, it is quite fascinating.  This one was a Lutheran church (Mo.Syn.) and they were a happy, huggy bunch (and really good singers)!  We felt very welcomed by everyone.  Jacob was unusually calm (not fidgety or bouncy) during the service, very quiet and taking everything in.  It might have had something to do with the cushy pews...

Lisa was with us for the day yesterday, which meant that Paul had to go pick her up in the van before church, in case Layla was coming too, since Layla needs a car seat, and the van has one built in.  However, he failed to remember that I lost my keys to CEL, so I had to drive Fabio instead when I came to meet him at church with the rest of the kids.  That was not a problem since I have missed driving my big truck.  Anyway, after church we grabbed a quick lunch at BK, and then headed out to go home.  Paul let me choose which I wanted to drive home, so I chose the minivan, mostly because I usually get the impression he would like to NOT have to drive it.   So he hopped into Fabio, and as I was backing out, I saw him walking toward me across the parking lot, waving me down.  I stopped and rolled down the window (which surprised me greatly, since the driver's window has been stuck "up" for a week or so) and he said that he had apparently royally flooded the engine, and could he please have a ride home.  Of course, I had to snicker a little that HE had flooded it, when it had started up fine for me in the morning when it was cold.  

So anyway, fast-forward about an hour or so, back at home and everybody is chilling out, playing on computers.  Paul says hey, drive me back to BK so I can bring the truck home.  Good enough, off we go.  So, as he's getting out he says, "Ok, now WAIT till I get it started before you leave!"  Lol.  Good thing... cuz that engine was just NOT going to start. 

Sigh.

Out came the chain.  Fortunately, the truck was parked on a bit of an incline, so he was able to just coast it out of the parking space in neutral.  The chain came off 3 times before we left the parking lot, but the last time he got it on securely and we made it the mile-and-a-half home at a very slow pace, without further ado.

With a high five to my honey for our great accomplishment, I went inside and marshalled the girls to get their shoes on so we could all go for a walk, rather than having them all vegetating in front of computers for the rest of the day.  What I really wanted was some exercise and quiet thinking time for myself, though, so I brilliantly conceived of a plan to achieve both.  I gave the four girls a $20 bill and a list of ingredients for the pico de gallo and guacamole I wanted to make for supper, and sent them over to the Ranch Market (1/2 mile away).  Then I took off in the opposite direction!    I have never sent my kids off on their own to the store like that before... this neighborhood always makes me a little trepidatious.  But having Lisa along as a bodyguard, I felt pretty secure that they would be fine.  And I had myself a wonderful walk -- I always think better when I walk.  If I'm not getting my walks, I am not getting my thinks, so I really have to get back into the swing of it.

While we were walking, Paul and Jacob were working together on diagnosing Fabio's illness.  I got back and found Jacob looking at the manual and reading numbers to his dad, who was up on top of the engine inside the hood, checking spark plug wires.  When he had gotten everything plugged back where it should go, he sent Jacob up to the driver's seat and had him crank the engine to see if it would start, and lo and behold!  It did!  That was fun for The Boy.

Unfortunately, there are still some unresolved issues, so Fabio is not yet drivable... Something about a coil.  I don't know what that means, except I'm not to drive it, or even attempt to correct the kitty-wumpus yard-encroaching parking job my husband did when he backed it into the driveway from the street where I had towed it to a stop.

It was another 10 minutes after I got inside before my "personal shoppers" marched in, all of them exclaiming in bewilderment over the masses of people in that store.  I chuckled, since I have witnessed the fiesta-town it becomes on Sundays.  What I had forgotten was that this was SUPERBOWL Sunday, and oh, my.  People were mashed up in there like sardines!  The girls spent more time in line than they did shopping... I could only laugh.  I'm glad they had a memorable experience! 

The rest of the afternoon was quiet.  I set about making my tostada supper while the kids watched Ice Age and Paul went to visit Susan, who is doing a bit better since her most recent surgery, and I think her infections are subsiding too.  When he got home, everyone piled their tostadas with taco beef, refried beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, black olives, shredded cheese, and plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream (wow, YUMM!) and we had a Pretender party.  Such a fun show... remember the 90's?  Miss Parker and her micro-mini skirts... lol!  I always thought she was so glamorous, if only she would add about 18 inches to her skirts. 

Anyway... we wound it down after a couple of episodes and I took Lisa home so she could do her laundry for the week.  And that was our Sunday in a nutshell. 

Now we are into another week of school, and I'm looking at doing some painting, taking the boy to karate and another dr's appointment, picking up my new glasses some time this week, and helping Jeff get sorted and packed for the move to his new apartment this coming weekend.  Lots to do!  I'd best get on it!

Where I've been this week, besides schoolin' the kiddos:

TUES:

• To the library, to pay a fine for a hardcover book that fell out of the van onto the driveway unnoticed until I backed up and ran over it.
• To the orthodontist, to make appointments for consultations on the two youngest mouths in the family, only to find the door locked up tight.
• To Saguaro Ranch again, so the oldest daughter could write a nature observation assignment for her writing course.
• Back to the orthodontist, thinking surely they must be done with lunch by that time, only to find the door locked up tight.
• Home for a few moments before heading over to Del Taco.
  

WED:

• Yesterday it was off to the eye doctor for myself and Geneva, where I was thankful her prescription had not changed since she just got replacement glasses not long ago, and where I had to spend oooooodles of cash on my own ever fluctuating eyesight -- but I am very much looking forward to my new frames!
• Back home for a few moments before taking The Boy to karate, where I spent the time delving into a Daniel Silva book, even though my eyes were still wiggy from all the eyedrops.
• Then home to Geneva's sumptuous casserole of layered MacNcheese, refried beans/canned chicken/salsa, more MacNcheese, enchilada sauce, and shredded cheese on top.  Yumm!!
  

THURS:

• And today there will be more running around and appointments, and more appointments next week, and probably the week after that, and then maybe finally we will be done with appointment season.
  

P.S.
I should mention, I watched the LOST season opener last night.  Still reeling...  Terry O'Quinn for every award imaginable...

• Smells of french roast coffee, cinnamon-nutmeg french toast and home-made syrup are wafting through the house from the kitchen where Laurent, who, when it is her turn to cook, rules with a velvet glove over her iron fist, and competently multitasks the food prep while shooing out would-be helpers who only get in her way.  
  
  
• Out my window I see nothing over the rooftops but palm trees in stark relief against startling cerulean blue.  The storm has passed.  It was fun in an out-of-the-ordinary sort of way, but after a few days of gloom & doom in the skies, I remember one of the reasons we left the midwest... Nettie needs sunshine!!!
  
  
• My hubby is taking us on an outing today -- we are joining a shooting club!  Today it is open to the public, which should be fun.  I expect we will bring along some gear and pop off a few rounds.   And, since it is right at the foot of South Mountain, we might just decide to take a hike while we're in the neighborhood, on such a loverly day as this.  I believe the weather forecast calls for highs in the high 50's, which couldn't be more perfect!  I just need to remember to bring a hat this time (and my camera, for sure!).
  
  
• I am working on something special for my little grand-nephew who is going to make his appearance in about a month and a half.  Here's how much I have so far: