Getting the house in order

We're all in that mood this morning at our house, for a variety of reasons.

Bruce is off at his aikido class, diligently preparing for the shodan (black belt) test he'll take in less than a month (Saturday, March 5, to be precise). With that in the immediate future, the training schedule has kicked into high gear. He's bound and determined, as he says, not to embarrass his sensei. Not that Wendy's worried about this, mind you. Neither am I.

I got inspired out of my lethargy this morning by Karen's adventures, tied on my sneakers and went out for a walk around the block. A brisk walk, mind you-- and out here, "around the block" approaches two miles. It felt good, and I was reminded that this is a habit I need to get back into. Thanks, Karen!

Carolyn is whirling in a domestic frenzy. She has apparently inherited one of her mother's techniques for dealing with anger and stress: aerobic cleaning. Be forewarned, gentlemen: right now, at our house, Men Are Pigs-- and judging from the spotless state that her normally scary bedroom is approaching, they will be for some time to come.

Kyle had a friend spend the night last night, and they're now busily tidying up the myriad activity centers that have cropped up throughout the house as a result of their adventures.

And now, onward! Perhaps that long neglected drywall work in the bathroom...