exhausted

...
Lots of running around with the kids today. Talked to half of my siblings today (1 sister, 2 brothers), there's a lot going on in the family, some good, some not-so-good... it's still nice to hear from folks, whatever is going on.

The contractors started today and they are OUTSTANDING. They were so neat and careful, and were great about my little ones watching (they were not underfoot)... I'm really encouraged by how well it went today. They cut the door and started the demolition of the wall. It's going to look really nice when it's through. We discussed putting wood floors down in the new room rather than replacing the carpet. The contractor thinks it will cost about the same, so we'll go with it, most likely. We'll have to wait for the final cost estimate to be sure.

I made omelettes for dinner. I just didn't want the same old stuff, but everything that I really wanted (Sherri's Flat Bread, for instance) needed one or more ingredients that I did not have. I'm out of cream cheese. (ARG!) And tomatoes. More shopping tomorrow -- Sam's club, where I will get cream cheese. And tomatoes! Among other things, of course...

DS2 is making good progress with the potty these days. Tonight I bribed him with a dum-dum lollipop, with absolutely no shame or guilt. If I can get him to use the potty with those things, I will. My 2 older kids were impervious to bribes, but they trained easily because I let them run around with bare bottoms, at which point they learned very quickly. DS2 positively freaks out if I take off his pants, so that's not an option with him. So I may go with the lollipops. I would really like to not have to buy diapers (except for overnights) ever again, and I have about 3/4s of a big carton left, it should be enough to get us through a few weeks of training. I'm being ridiculously optimistic, I know, but I have been changing diapers non-stop for SEVEN YEARS and I am just so over it, ya know?

Have more work to do tonight but I'm unsure I have any energy left for it... have at least 3 more great column ideas but again, lack the energy to crank them out. Some day.