I spent the day yesterday with my mom, working in her yard so she wouldn't have to. I think I weeded approximately 42 miles of flowerbeds on my hands and knees, leaving my palms raw and my knees severely bruised this morning. Now I remember why I don't have flowerbeds. Pretty to look at, but definitely ugly to maintain. Unless you're my mom. I asked my son if he wanted to help out and he said, "Nope! I'm going to stay inside and watch the news with Granpa!" But I had the two girls and they were immensely helpful. Katie weeded right along side of me and Abby transferred the piles of weeds into bags to be thrown away.

On the bright side, it was a beautiful Texas day. Sunny and warm, with just the right amount of breeze. I sometimes wish that our weather was a constant 70 degrees, as it was yesterday - I do not care for the heatwave that is called Summer. I can't even get a good tan - all I get is freckles. I used to joke that maybe someday all my freckles would get it together and I'd have a nice tan, but now I just stay out of the sun unless I have sunblock on. Who wants to look 92 when they're 40?

Speaking of premature aging, did you know financial stress can pack on the pounds and the years? I should know - we have had a very rough start to our year. Our business has not been able to provide for some of our most basic needs and now my husband is out looking for a job. I wonder how many other people work a full time job and are able to maintain their own business? To top it all off, I feel so guilty for not getting a job myself. I just don't know what we'd do with our two kids that are homeschooled (our town's public school is NOT an option - it is horrible), plus my husband says he really wants me to stay at home with all three of them. I don't know how this is going to work, but something has got to give. We'll see how it goes. Finances are blechy right now. 'Nuff said...I know we're not the only family feeling the crunch, and to complain about it is wrong. I truly believe that God gives us all a measure of faith and I feel like mine has surely grown over the last year, but I must say that I feel as though I've had enough. This is the closest I've ever, ever been to what I think depression must be like.

So after all that, who still wants some coffee? and Pi? Okay...I probably should explain the "pi" thing. Today is 3.14 - you know, Pi. Sorry, it's the math nerd in me. I got a kick out of my daughter this morning when I said we were having some coffee and pi for breakfast - her face lit up like a Christmas tree and she asked me, "What kind of pie is it?" I felt so badly for teasing her, but not bad enough to cook a real pie. I'm a nerd and a meanie.

My son now calls me a "mean mom" when I don't let him have his way all the time. It reminded me of a poem I read once that I have always liked, but never fully appreciated until I was a mother myself. Unlike me, he hates math and doesn't really want to learn this terrific song I made up for my oldest daughter to teach her about the value of money. It has to be sung to the tune of the Beverly Hillbillies (complete with an imaginary banjo played by Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt):

"Five pennies make a nickel and two nickels make a dime,
Two dimes and a nickel make a quarter really fine.
Four quarters make a dollar, you can spend it at the store.
To get five dollars, you just add four more....ones that is.
George Washingtons..."

Wish I had me some of those George Washingtons right now...I'd have you ALL over for some Pi and coffee.



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