Game of the week: using ONLY what we have in the house to eat this week. While the impetus for this clever game is having ONLY $30 in the bank for the week (for gas) (and no credit cards) - (and because as an adjunct professor, I do not get a paycheck between Christmas and Valentine's) - I still think its sort of fun. Today I made chili, in part with beans I boiled from dry and then froze in jars - at least a year ago, and a strawberry rhubarb crumble with strawberries we picked in June but have been too lazy to use since I froze them in two big gallon blocks. Tomorrow, I thaw the cheese collection, including triangles of cheese I saved from the baby shower last month.

We picked up my mom at the airport and she took us to Russell's for lunch. I haven't been there in forever. My Grandma went there after her prom. I could see our family eating together with her and Pa when we drove past the picnic tables outside. It still looks the same.

Per my game rules, we can accept a meal, but not money, so Russell's - OK.

Last week Charlotte woke up, dressed, and did her math before I got up. Since then, both girls have been doing math every morning, first thing. The schedule is evolving, so far, to follow with breakfast, quiet novel reading, my workout and their playtime - although they're starting to join me, and then history or science or literature discussion and writing in their journals. The dining room table has been covered in paints, embroidery, etc. for at least a week, so they are revisiting that quite a bit.

Gracie is sitting next to me playing carnival games on the DS and sucking on a candy cane shotglass. I asked how old her cabbage patch baby was today and she said 24. Her speech has exploded and I think she's grown two inches since thanksgiving. I don't know. Maybe one. She just looks older.

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Kids in bed. Reading them a folk tale before bed each night from a collection - tonight: Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Pretty violent bedtime reading for three little girls... Last night was my favorite so far - The Son of Seven Queens.

The dishes aren't going to get done tonight either. I'd rather practice the guitar. Chris probably won't find that as amusing as I do. I am running around picking up before he gets home. ... I'm not above kicking loose change under the couch.