Yes, I have resorted to talking about the weather on our blog! Not for lack of anything better to say(although lately the scope has narrowed a bit), but because the weather really does seem crazy. It seems like every season I've spent here, someone has told me, "This really isn't normal for this time of year." But no one had to tell me that this winter.
It started out very mild, and around December finally hit some cold days. Despite the cold sticking around (nights in the teens every now and then, and most certainly freezing many nights in a row), my Daphne bush began to bud. I kept waiting for the inevitable, painful freeze and ruin of my new favorite plant, but the buds hung on through more freezing in January and are actually blooming now, complete with their lovely tropical scent!
We also had the craziest storm ever a couple weeks ago during which there was torrential rain, howling wind, freezing temperatures, tornado warnings, thunder and lightning. There was literally a current flowing through the yard on which things from outside were actually floating by us!
Needless to say, our little gal has been getting bundled up extra lately for walks through the field to Pap and DiDi's house, and errands around town. Tonight is her first band practice outside the womb, and I'm excited to see how she responds to songs she's heard so much muffled from the inside.
In other exciting (for me) news, we were loaned a centrifuge! I usually wash diapers about every other day by hand, and by far the most tedious part is wringing them all out. In fact, I was starting to sport the beginnings of some good calouses (blisters!) from doing it so much. While introducing Sienna to another past client and describing my washing process, her husband dissappeared into the garage, and emerged with the answer to my tedium. Turns out they used to wash by hand back in the old days in Germany, and still had this wonderful tool.
I still am keeping my eyes peeled for a hand-crank wringer, though. The starting and warming up of the generator, and getting the centrifuge out is in itself a tedium, but worth the time. Why don't I just get a washing machine, you ask? Good question. I may still do that, but for now, I feel like I'm in a living, condensed version of "The History of Modern Technology." We truly started from scratch here in more ways than one and are discovering the joys of modern conveniences in a way that is impossible when you start with them already at your fingertips. Also, it makes you fully realize why things were created, as necessity truly is the mother of invention. Or, in this case, desire for ease and more free time on your red, blistered hands. :)
As for this little cutie, she is getting chubbier and more aware with each passing day. We are placing her within a hand-swat away from things that are easy to grab, although I think she's still trying to figure out if those hands are hers. It's the sweetest thing to watch her grabbing at her own fingers and staring down at them, trying to figure it all out. I bet all those synapses firing up in that brain look like a fireworks show! Oh, sweet little Love..don't grow up too fast!~
