Overheard this week...

There actually are other people who live at our house besides Annie, and they drop in and out, pausing occasionally to read to her, fetch a bucket, or sit with her while I change a load of laundry.

David--2 weeks away from graduating high school, wants to take his (2nd) test for a driving permit. We drop Annie off at school, drive down to the DOL, and notice that there are no cars in the parking lot--sign on the door says they're closed on Mondays. After spending 30 seconds bewailing our poor planning, we start for home, stopping on the way at Walgreens to get some decent senior wallet photos printed to put in the graduation announcements that are somewhat late in getting out. "Do you want this pose or that? That one? I like this one." Done. Return home, get out of van.

Get back in van to pick Annie up from school; drive down to Children's. Guard meets us at the entrance. Me: "No, we don't have a cough, fever, or the swine flu." I don't tell him about the vomiting caused by no pooping. Meet with nutritionist to strategize how to 1. stop Annie's vomiting, and cause (number) 2. to occur on a regular basis. Stop on the way home at RiteAid to get Senna, hopefully the magic bullet for Annie's reluctant gut. Arrive home, get out of van, take Annie into the house.

Get back in van and drive Jack to guitar lessons. On the way, Jack: "Where is everyone today? I'm sick of being the only one at home. When's Peter coming home?" Me: "Peter IS at home--he is at HIS home with his wife, Cris." Drive back to house, get out of van.

Olivia asks if she can go to home group. I pause and think about getting back in the van to drive her there. She reads my mind and calls her friend to pick her up.

Andy arrives home after a challenging day serving people Chinese food. Comments that one group needed to be reminded the world does not, in fact, revolve around their table.