pesach expenses so far:

clothing: -- 200.00
(got away easy this time.
One boy's suit,
two little girls dresses at old navy
lots of nice new shirts,
one pair of shoes at the children's place $19.99 -
refuse to pay $80 for an eight year old's shoe-
some yarmulkas -short name so embroidery cheap)

extra cleaning help -- $12.--
pay teenage son to clean car-- $20.00
ice cream for younger kids for cleaning other car--$13.00
shoemaker and cleaners -- $30.00
other (easy-off, tape and stuff like that) -- 25.00
matza--12 pounds at $19.50 a lb.-- 234.00
grape juice--(no wine)6 bottles at $3.00 ea - $18.00
new light fixture to replace the one the kids
busted when bringing stuff down from the attic-- $15.00
first grocery shopping-- 395.00
new vacuum cleaner (old one deemed not
worth saving) $107.00
new belt for vacuum cleaner busted by
helpful child $12.00
dryer repair (of course pesach time!) $170.00 * *
total to date 1209.00
and it's not even pesach yet!

** maybe this doesnt count cuz it's not just for pesach?

Once again I am finding myself thankful that I dont have as many kitchen cabinets as some of my peers.
And only one oven.
and no extra bedrooms
or closets
or basements
or garages...

I need to remember this feeling the next time I go visit someone with a dream kitchen.

My daughter who is three years old is so adorable, I had to ask her Can I eat you up? and she tells me NO, I need myself!!

Today we celebrated my daughters eighth birthday. The chometzdig birthday cake was really appreciated, cuz we are down to like no food in this house.
I always feel that birthdays are more of a milestone for the mother than the child. After all the child did nothing. The mother did all the work, so therefore the celebration is more about the mother. I should really go treat myself.
Oh, wait - I need to go EASY OFF the oven.
Forget about the treats.

Yesterday I had a bizarre, otherworldly experience.

I told one of my kids to do something. (I forgot what,exactly)

He said, "Okay" and he got up and did it.

Weird!!

A purposeful Rant at my neighbor

or why are some people so nasty?

Here's the sitch. Since the weather got nice, the boys on my street from around ages 7 -13 have been gathering on an empty lot near my house and playing baseball after school.
This is great, because
a: they are involved in outdoor physical activity which is good for their health and well being especially since these kids are in school till about 4:30.
b: they are not playing on the computer which they have been doing too much of lately.
c: ALL the kids are involved and are getting along great which is really nice to see. (even the kids that are no good get to play)
d: it's FREE.
e: nobody is nudging their mothers as long as they are out there.
f: nobody is fighting with siblings etc. as long as they are out there.

So every time I see them I get a little nachas.

So far, nothing negative, right? So you wonder how long it will last. AS you know, around here every time there is something good and positive some jerk has to come ruin it.

It only took till a couple of days ago, for the guy whose house is right next door to the lot to kill the joy...

He came out and yelled at the kids and told them they cant play there anymore.
Mainly cuz he keeps his (old shmatta 1990) car parked ON THE STREET in front of that lot, and he doesnt want the ball to hit his car and break a window, I guess.

I have been seething about this for the past three days. WHY does this jerk have to ruin the fun for a bunch of kids? He can easily park his car elsewhere - it's not one of those streets where parking is at a premium. There are plenty of placed to park, including his own driveway.

AAAARRRGH!
This guy has a few daughters. Wait till he has sons who need to get out there and play. How would he like it if someone came along and ruined their game?

(dont want to confront him cuz we sort of get along with them and I dont want to ruin our relationship)