the grass is ris',

I wonder where

The birdies is?"

My grandpa used to always say that little poem to us around this time of year, so I thought I would share!

So, I am out of hibernation and back to my blog :)  Actually, for anyone who wonders where I have been, I will sum it up:

Changing lots of diapers, chasing lots of kids (ok, so only 3 but feels like a lot), and bemoaning the fact that I felt that winter was never going to end...  ok, so that is not really why I have been away from my blog so long, the real reason is...

Bet you can't guess!

... it is because....

my laptop was dying a slow death!  Yes, first the screen hinges broke, so I had to hold it while I was trying to type, not an easy task, and that was the reason for my slowing down on blogging a while back.  Then my screen died all together, so I had to attach an external monitor and lost the ability to work in the midst of life happening here all around me.  Finally, the final blow:  my space bar died.

For those of you, and I imagine

 there are not many (though I could be mistaken), who have attempted to write blog entries on a screen you can't see held to the base of your laptop by duct tape which only stays open at a certain angle, and if that angle is disrupted, will slam the "laptop" (I am using that term loosely here, please understand) crashing down forcefully on your hand, causing great weeping and gnashing of teeth and testing your resolve not to swear like a sailor, and furthermore type them all with a space bar which does not work unless you go back into thelineyoujusttriedtotypewithoutanyspaces and click with your mouse to insert them, you will understand the dilemma I faced.  To those who have not experienced this, please let me say that 1.  I sincerely hope that you never do, and 2.  it certainly sucks the joy and creativity out or writing, to say the least.  At worst, it is like behaviorist theory being used to train you NOT to blog.. the minute you start, great pain is involved.  It doesn't take long before you just want to avoid the pain.

Well, providentially and blessedly for me, my birthday was this week, and I can now say that I am 34 and the owner of a fine new notebook computer!!!!!!  YIPPEE!!!!  Let the blogging begin!

I would especially like to thank Kim Wolf who emailed me this week to sweetly inform me that she missed me (and perhaps in a subtle way inquire as to whether I was still alive :) ) 

Oh, I just have so much to fill y'all in on!  I will have to leave that for many future posts, but I am just glad to be back for now!