things...

Things that I just can't seem to get the hang of:

1. Using a leaf blower ~ Sam bought a leaf blower a few weeks ago since our new backyard has a lot of trees. He showed me how to turn it on and I watched him blow the leaves into a big pile. Looked easy enough. So the other day I figured I would help him out and blow a few leaves. I turned it on, which was hurdle number one. And then I proceeded to blow some leaves. The problem is that all I managed to do was blow the leaves around the yard. Apparently, getting them into a pile isn't a given. After watching leaves swirl around me and fly to all corners of our yard, I finally put the blower down and just pulled out the rake.

2. Folding bottom sheets ~ How in the world do you fold a fitted sheet so that it doesn't look like a four year old did it? I've seen nicely folded bottom sheets and I just don't understand how those women do it. Maybe the elastic corners aren't as tight as mine. Maybe they have super long arms that just allow them to hold the sheet taut and fold it at the same time. Or maybe it's just another skill set that I seem to lack.

3. Making friends with the other preschool moms ~ I'm not sure how friendships are born out of those two minutes that we all stand out in the hallway waiting for the doors to open. How do you get to know enough about a person in that short time to know that you want to see them outside of preschool? It sort of seems like speed dating. And most of the conversations that I hear or participate in have to do with the weather or asking how old the baby is that they are holding or speculating about when the door will finally open. Not really the sort of conversations that lead to more.

4. Cooking the right amount of pasta for my family ~ I always make too much for one meal but not enough for leftovers. Seems pretty simple but I mess it up every time.

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                  andrew coulter enright  http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewcoulterenright/11872109/
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                  foodiesathome  http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewrittengeek/4704626393/