miscellany monday ~ 3/14/11

{one}
We’ve been studying the 1930’s in history class for the past several weeks.  So far, in addition to reading about the 30’s in our textbook, we’ve also been reading some biographies about famous people who were either born or lived/worked during that era.  We’ve also watched several movies either made in the 30’s or about the 30’s (a few Shirley Temple movies, Gone with the Wind, and one of my all-time favorites – A League of Their Own). 
Tonight, we’re continuing our study of the 30’s by “preparing” a meal of foods that were introduced to the world in the 1930’s – Spam, Fritos, and Hawaiian Punch (not much to prepare, really!)
LOL  Go ahead and envy us because our supper sounds so yummy!

{two}
Everyone on FB is mentioning that today is Pi Day (3.14).
Funny, Gracie has recently been introduced to the infamous pi (pronounced “pee” when it’s a Greek letter – go figure).  We decided that, in honor of this day, we’d make a pi(e) for dessert.  We loved this one so much last time, that we’re having it again – topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel.  Hmmm . . .
now you can really envy us!

{three}
I think I found our next vehicle.  Good thing, too, as I was getting sick of looking.  I love researching things, but it’s much more fun to research things like cars when you can actually afford them.  When it’s an emergency situation that you weren’t expecting, somehow that takes the fun out of it.  Go figure. 
Anyway, I found this:

It’s a 2009 Toyota Sienna with 29,000 miles on it.  Compared to the others I’ve been looking into, it’s a year newer and has at least 20,000 less miles – and the price was only $1,000 more.  We’re hoping to pick it up later this week (possibly even tomorrow). 

{four}
I spent some time this morning emptying out our old van (the lovely white Chevy Venture – and, yes, I’m saying that with a sarcastic tone!)  Amazing how much stuff you can store in a van – tons of cds, books, and magazines, wipes and hand sanitizer, lots of pens, a few pencils, and even a few (thank God unmelted) crayons.  Emptied out, and clean (since it’s been parked in the garage for a month), it doesn’t look 1/2 bad.  But, I’m still bitter.  Just sayin’ . . .

{five}
Meanwhile, my old van is haunting me.  Yes, our old Ford Windstar, which we sold in order to make room for the Venture, has been turning up everywhere I go lately.  Saturday, I saw it at the grocery store; Sunday I saw it on the way to church.  I haven’t been outside today; or I’d venture to guess I’d have seen it somewhere again – possibly the post office.  What’s up with that?! 
Do you ever wish you could see into the future?  It would sure help in making decisions in the present, wouldn’t it?  Hindsight is always 20/20.  If I’d have known then what I know now, I’d still be driving my pretty maroon Windstar – at least IT had a new transmission!

{six}
Here are a few of my current pet peeves:
*** people who think that, because we homeschool, we’re free to help out in any way, on any given day
***and, in direct relation to the above, the fact that I have an inability to tell people “no”
***people who have Facebook accounts that aren’t in their real names (I find that so confusing)
***washing machines that don’t spin out the first time, and need to be put through the final spin cycle for a 2nd (and sometimes even a 3rd) time – especially when said washing machine is in the basement (and I’ve already carried the clothes basket down 2 flights of stairs to get there).  Gee, I should just be glad for the extra exercise
***neighbor’s dogs who bark and get loose a lot – especially when said dog is ugly and somewhat vicious looking
***not knowing what’s going on in my life, which hinders me from making definite plans (this is such a lesson in patience for those of us who are major planners)
***and, CLUTTER!  We have a ton of it right now

Wow!  How’s that for miscellaneous?  I’m sure, if I sat here a bit longer, I could think of lots more miscellany to share today.  But, I’m busy.  I need to go take my pi(e) out of the oven, fry my Spam, check my washer and (no doubt) run it through the spin cycle again, fold some clothes, and clean up some clutter.  But, I think before I do any of the above, I’m gonna go sneak a kiss from Ian.