"I've been missing you ALOT." ~ Elaina Kunz, first grader

When a child says, "I love you" or even "I miss you," they mean it wholeheartedly.  They don't use word games or other adult-ish tactics.  They just say it outloud and they mean it. 

Today Ginger called to chat.  I was on my way in to Target to buy a (drumroll, please) new toilet bowl cleaning brush.  Exciting times, I know!  Actually it was fun....Target had a whole slew of brushes.  Did I want/need a big toilet brush?  Brushes with blue handles?  Brushes with a short handle?  Did I want a brush with a container to store it?  Ummmm...YES!  After picking up each one and contemplating the length of the wand and the texture of bristles, I picked a nice scrubbing device that will do wonders on the cleaning of my toilet.  I, then, perused there assortment of kitchen dish towels.  Not enraptures over the selection, I meandered through the store in no particular course...just meandering and chatting with Ging.  After we discussed a plethora of ideas, the phone was passed off to Elaina, first grader extraordinaire!  She began the conversation with "I've been missing you ALOT..." to which I replied, "I know sweetie and I have been missing you alot also!  Now tell me, how do you love Seattle?" and from there she told me about their adventure to the aquarium where they saw an octopus and got to touch a starfish.  She was very adamant that they only touched the starfish and not the octopus.  She, also, talked about a 2 week old sea otter.  Later when the phone was handed back to Ging, I was informed that sea otters aren't like those cute river otters that we picture in our heads.  No -- sea otters can weigh 100 pounds!!!  Wow!  I'm picturing a new Sci-Fi movie, Attack of The Killer Otter!  Somehow the Jaws theme is playing in my brain...hmmmmm...if we do work on this new movie, we will need to come with an otter theme so as not to give all the glory to Jaws. 

Perusing the dollar spot at Target can always be tricky and requires the utmost attention.  I'm looking for cute VD (Valentine's day) bags or baskets.  I found felt bags which were cute...but I wasn't sure if the gift will fit in the bag.  Then I saw a cute ribbon-handled cardboard "basket" which might've worked...but again, not really sold on that idea either.  And lastly, rectangular-ish baskets...those might be the winners.  Since none of them were the ONES...I left VD container-less.  (sigh)  Perhaps there will be something fabulous at Michael's...  Do you ever have a particular idea in your head but you just can't seem to find it?  It's kind of like a hunt.  I don't hunt.  I didn't even know that I liked shooting guns until the laser tag outing two weeks ago. 

Well, I think that's it for today.  I'm going to work on some cards for the new ministry at church and then meet up with two of my Sunday school kids & their delightful mom at Barnes & Nobles.  I am praying that I will be a blessing to their sad, missing-their-friends hearts.

Happy Saturday!