For Your Reading Pleasure

Last night, I go to tuck my 5 year old in, and she's crying.

"What's the matter, pumpkin?" I ask.

"I sometimes think that Daddy will die, and you will die, and my big sister will die, and I'll be all alone." she says, rubbing her eyes while crawling into my lap.

I quickly give her a kiss and tell her we'll read a story to take her mind off such depressing thoughts.

I picked up Cinderella. Got about 2 pages in, when I realize the Mom kicks it.

Bambi? No go.

Her sister is reading Harry Potter, and pipes up that this will not be a good choice either.

Annie? Nope. Anne of Green Gables? Ballet Shoes? Pippi Longstocking? Orphans, every last one of them.

We settled on Seuss' Yertle The Turtle. A nice allegory of social injustice, to take her mind off the heavier things.

Moving Right Along

I just bought 100 feet of bubble wrap and 25lbs of newprint paper. It felt better than a fancy pair of shoes, because it means I'm finally saying goodbye to our rental house.

The rental house with drawers filled with someone else's fingernails. Remember that housewarming gift? I still shudder.

We have lived here live for 7 months. And during that time-

• the air conditioner broke twice (something you CANNOT live without in Houston).
• the roof leaked once.
• our power has gone out more times than I can remember.
• the ceiling fan in my kids' room almost came out of the ceiling.
• the kitchen sink leaked.
• the kitchen faucet refused to work.
• The single, solitary outlet in the master bath stopped working.
• A family of (hopefully?) squirrels took up residence in our attic.
• Someone stole beer out of the trunk of my car when I was bringing in groceries.
• Someone stole a book of checks from my mailbox.
• Someone stole my drivers license (with the hideous picture).
• Someone is now posing as me & is working as a dishwasher in a Texas restaurant. Hey! At least they're paying their Social Security.

Technically, our lease isn't up until July. But the property management company that manages the house is so terrific- they understand the litany of house repairs we've had are somewhat ridiculous, and are being really reasonable. (Blessings everywhere you look!) So yes, this time around- I'm ecstatic to see the packing paper and bubble wrap. I'm wrapping anything I can get my hands on, so the dog better be careful where he naps.