Kate had a fabulous day yesterday - first soccer, which she refused to particupate in with the rest of the kids, preferring to dribble the ball around by herself on the sidelines - then home to change and off to Great Country Farm. (www.greatcountryfarm.com) for the barnyard bash...I, on the other hand, was wiped out from getting up every hour on the hour Friday night with this dang cold and then getting up and getting her to soccer.  I crashed and didn't go to the party.  My own kid's party and I stayed home and slept because I felt so awful and I knew that being out in the sun and the heat and the pollen would be even more of a disaster.  The good news is that she was really ok with it and didn't really miss a beat.  They all went, returned with great pics which have been downloaded on another computer and deleted from the camera, and a few complaints from the father.  Not too many complaints and I didn't take it the wrong way - just good to know stuff about that particular party venue and the other moms apparently pitched in and helped serve the food etc.   I was so sick I couldn't even fret over all of them thinking I was the absolute worst mother for not going.   I woke from the big snooze when they got home with the gifts and the rest of the cake and so I got to enjoy the opening of the gifts while eating a slab of the cake.  If Tylenol won't make you feel better birthday cake sure will!  I'm happy to say that the bubblegum pink radio control Barbie corvette from Mom and Dad is the favorite gift.  The cheerleader uniform did not arrive in time despite my paying up for quick shipping.  Oh well. 

Today it's raining very heavily and there's an occasional boom of thunder which has Chloe the wonder dog trying to curl up under my chair.  At 65-70 lbs this is not an easy feat to accomplish.  The day is winding into late afternoon and I want to make a card or two that I've had on my list of little projects but all I want to do is sit and write and read and surf on the computer.  So much to do so little time to just sit and reflect.....I don't feel guilty about a little reflection because it's Sunday and the rain is coming down on my flowers and they really need it!  my neighbor who had emergency surgery a week ago is home recovering!  my little girl had the swell 4th birthday party that she looked forward to so much, I still have a job even though I'm not crazy busy or in a key role at the moment, dh seems happy with work and the time he's able to spend on his much-loved electronics and car hobbies, the new front walk looks superb with the beds all mulched and the daffodils and tulips coming up, Debbie seems to be really happy as our nanny and I, for one, am much less stressed since she started two weeks ago because I'm not having to make two stops every day after work to get the kids.

It's raining outside but I'm very content and grateful because I'm one lucky duck!  and ducks love rain!