Zavoral Villa!

An Ode to Great Things by SarahLynn Zavoral Oh, the things, the things that make life great! Like eating ice cream to try and gain weight. Where did we get the giant box of sweets? Costco, of course! The price can't be beat. The new washing machine has been a charm! We can wash all we want without any harm. With less mountains of clothes around the room, I'm able to find things without blowing a fume. And how great are two bathrooms in one house! We can both use The John without having a joust. We were worried how having no cable would be, but, oh, the things we get done when there isn't TV. There's still internet, though, and what a joy! What great connections that thing can employ. Call us nerds or dorks, we don't care. We love NPR news every time they're on air! They feature music, politics, science and sports In unbiased lengths that are nothing too short. How can I forget our brand new screen doors? Both a front and back increases the scores! Tupperware, su...

Okay, to begin making my point, let's imagine that you are standing in line to get into Disneyland. You just bought your tickets and you're moments away from stepping into the Happiest Place on Earth. Just as you reach the ticket scanner, your attention is drawn to a most unusual scene taking place at the fence right next to the check-in area. To your utter surprise, a family is scrambling to climb over the fence and get into the park! They don't have any tickets with them and they seem to have no intention of paying for any. Appalled, you mention something to the security guard. "Excuse me, sir, did you see that family just climb the fence into the park?" "Oh, don't worry. That happens all the time." "All the time?" you inquire. "But, what about paying to get in? My whole family has been waiting and saving up to come to Disneyland. And now I come to find out that people just jump the fence to get in?" "What do you want me to...

In an effort to start the next singing game with my Kindergartners, I chose a few responsible kids to demonstrate what to do before I set the mob loose. One student that I chose was Brandon (name changed). He is one of the funniest and tiniest students in his grade. "Find a partner, Brandon," I urged. "Choose someone who is being really responsible." Brandon's demeanor immediately changed from a giddy, free spirited little kid to an authoritarian. He straightened out his pants, stood up as tall as he could (which was just 3 ft high) and put his hands straight at his side. With the most teacher sounding voice he could muster, he announced, "Okay, boys and girls! I am looking for a student that is very responsible. Someone that is sitting criss-cross applesauce, and is quiet and...and has their hands like this (gesturing linked fingers) in their lap." Trying not to laugh, I sat back and watched to see how long he would play teacher. He then slowly walked...

Apologies for not posting very regularly. Moving has kind of taken a toll on us. So to make up for it, here's a 3-in-1 post for you! Fixin'- We're pretty much moved into our new home now! Jeremy replaced a toilet as soon as we moved in. He did a great job with that! He also started replacing a screen door, but that got put on hold cuz he needed more parts. He started replacing the bathroom fans, but that got put on hold cuz he needed more parts. He also started replacing the bathroom facets, but that also got put on hold cuz he needed more parts. So now we have a few unfinished projects laying around, which kind of keeps us second guessing about this home ownership thing. But all our worries are set aside everytime we pop in another load of laundry into our very own washer and dryer!!! It is perhaps one of the best things that has ever happened to us! (Lame, you might say. But once you've lived 8 years without your own washing machine, I think you'll understand). We...