Did She Really Just Say That?

Kiara:  (As she is dressed in a bathing suit and blanket-sarong, with a dramatic wave of her arm) Me and Ariana are careless beauties in our teens.  

Note:  I suggested they be carefree beauties instead of carless beauties.  We'll see if they take my advice.

I Am Woman... Hear Me Roar!!

I'm feeling pretty awesome right now.  I just fixed our microwave.  No husband home, no one else here to help (unless you count Xander, who was actually surprisingly helpful).

It broke on Friday night and gave me an error message.  Looked in the owner's manual and of course it said to send for a technician.  Yeah, right.  By the time I pay for that I could buy a brand new microwave.

Undeterred, I headed to the internet.  Sure enough, there was an easy explanation of the problem, complete with a video on how to fix it.  So I ordered the part and waited with baited breath.

It came this evening (joy of joys!!  Have you ever stopped to think how often you use your microwave?  I bet it's a LOT more than you think).  So I confidently began the process.

Unfortunately, my microwave is put together differently than the one in the video.  That created a few bumps in the road.  I tried to find a video online to help me with that, but was unsuccessful.  Nevertheless, I eventually triumphed over my microwave!!  I dismantled it without breaking anything, replaced the part, and TA-DA!!!  We have a functional microwave.

See?  I told you I am pretty cool.

One of the many reasons I love my son

Xander:  Hey Mom, you're pretty.
Me:  ... (no answer-- I was focusing on making him a sandwich and kind of spaced out)
Xander:  HEY MOM!!!!
Me:  What?
Xander:  You're pretty.
Me:  Thanks!
Xander:  I like you.
Me:  I like you, too.

I kind of wish I could video record these moments.  I know I will long for them in the future.  I guess I'll just have to settle with writing them down.  :-)

Why?

Why, oh why, oh why is a toilet brush irresistible to a toddler?

Crazy Mama

Xander just asked me if he could have instant oatmeal for dessert.

And I actually said no.

Until Kelly made fun of me.

Wisdom Beyond Her Years

Today Kiara was asking Xander to get her the tape and when he brought it she enthusiastically said:
"Good job, Xander!  You are such a big helper!!"

Then she peeked up at me through her eyelashes and murmured:
"The key to working with boys:  flattery."

Too true, Kiara.  Too true.

A "Real" Alaskan

I've often wondered when I would be able to call myself a "real Alaskan."

I thought perhaps it was when I endured temperatures less than 50 degrees below zero.

Then I thought it was when I had survived a whole winter here.

I wondered if it was when my kids declared that 70 degrees was "steamin' hot."

Or perhaps it was when they went swimming in the lake and it was less than 70 degrees outside.

But my latest take is it happened when I saw a black bear lumber into a stream, catch a salmon, and wander off into the reeds to eat it.

Yeah, it's pretty cool to be an Alaskan.