I believe it was a Freudian slip when I typed "California" instead of "Arizona". They certainly do not have buses in CA! Just my homesickness showing.

Moms rule

Look! They have school buses in California! Thomas and Abbers get a lift almost home in the afternoons. And - get this - I actually could send homemade cookies to school for Thomas's birthday! Uh-huh! I could get used to this.

Moms rule

Our home is no longer invisible - now it's "holey"! All pipes to be installed, buried, and the slab poured soon.

Moms rule

This - drum roll, please - is a reasonable representation of our to-be-built home. In fact, this is the model home right across and up the street. Our lot has pretty pink stakes delineating the boundaries of our new abode - really charming. Whoo-hoo!!

Moms rule

So, this is what happens when you enroll in alternative on-line high school - you begin to fit in!! The student body president did escort Elizabeth to a meeting and asked her what she was doing at that school. Apparently, they have a prom and everything - wonder what 150 kids do for a dance?? Hokey-pokey or a soul chain are my best guesses.

Moms rule

You know that chemical they put in port-a-potties?? Well, I've deduced what they use to make it. Cactus!! That's right. Everytime it rains here, I'm transported back to our family camper and the luxurious self-contained, portable toilet which was indispensable during horse shows and camping trips. It was luxurious because we went without for many years! Anyway, when it rains here, the scent is eau de port-a-potty. It must be the wet cacti. Elementary, Sherlock.

Moms rule

With the exception of our family and most children under 6, everyone smokes here. I was taken aback by the pervasive and prevalent cigarette odor which has greeted us in every public and some private places! I grabbed my towel after showering and it smelled like cigarette smoke. Unless Elizabeth is taking a few drags surreptiously in my bathroom, the neighbors are smoking or the odor is a permanent part of the paint. Nasty!! We were driving and the same smell inundated the interior of the truck. After some looking, we finally saw that the person driving the car in front of us was smoking. Thank goodness it wasn't Elizabeth lighting up in back!! There are invisible people who smoke, too - we often smell it when no one is around. Weird, huh? I guess people get too cold during the winter and have to warm up by inhaling fire and carcinogens. Whatever lights your fire -