Here in the sand, nothing goes as planned

Although this picture makes it look easy and fun, my little guy had to be big enough and strong enough to get in and out of our own turtle sandbox on his own. Ours is harder, because it's purple not green. Well okay, it's a bit bigger. And "Sand not included" is in fact a big warning."

We had about half a bag of sand from our previous failed attempt at sandbox before my son was born. The failure involved no cover and cats. The reader can guess why.

This weekend, we put sand in the purple turtle sandbox. Both my kids immediately climbed inside and started playing. Never mind they kept scraping the bottom of the sandbox. We had a hard time persuading them to leave to get more sand. No sand in the two stores we went to.

Over the next two days, I called several stores. "Not the right season" they tell me. Why do stores around here act like the bay area has seasons?

Finally after waiting on hold for 10 minutes, Home Despot says "We have play sand. Lots of it." as every store should have sand. Of course they should. I call my husband and tell him. He says "it's not exactly on my way home." I tell him my travails. So he buys two bags of sand and puts it in the sandbox.

We have more sand, and it now covers the entire bottom, but it's still not quite enough sand for true digging. My daughter shows little interest in deep digging. She's all about making me "ice cream." For my son and his big plastic digger, it's only a matter of time before he's scraping the bottom again.

It's a strange metaphor for my life. Getting more sand seems like it should be so easy, but it becomes strangely hard. However, my kids seem satisfied with whatever sand we already have. Both kids play in the sandbox every day.

The kindness of strangers

Yesterday my husband and my two kids tried to go shopping but emerged with literally nothing after 3 stores. My healing broken toe throbbed, and I was starving. The kids were too cranky to be put back in the car, so I hobbled to a noodle place in the same mall. And I discovered I lost my purse. Horror.

I walked back to Target, but I was too worried to think about my toe. I wandered the circuitous route we had taken around Target. I could not find my purse. No one had turned it in.

I hobbled back to the noodle place to eat. I had ordered the wrong noodle dish. I was very sad. Everything was going wrong.

I had to try once more. So we drove to Target. I stood in the long Customer Service line. I felt forlorn, and lost too. I thought about how long it would take to replace my driver's license, credits cards, etc. Time I did not have. I felt very very tired.

Then like a miracle, I saw my purse sitting behind the counter. Thank you kind and honest person who returned my purse with everything inside!!!

I was too tired to cry "Praise be!" but I must have looked very relieved. The person behind the counter said "We paged you." in a kind voice. I believe in miracles and the kindness of strangers.

Planet Earth needs a star

I'm really ticked off. This wonderful show called Planet Earth will air March 25 on the Discovery Channel. It's the American version of an English show originally produced by the BBC and David Attenborough. In case you're not living on planet earth, or at least not a nature show lover, David Attenborough is a wonderful naturalist who has produced many amazing nature shows. He also has a rich plummy English accent, and when he talks about certain natural wonders or discoveries, he brims with joy and enthusiasm. He literally becomes breathless with excitement. It's absolutely infectious, and wonderful to watch and hear.

When I was a kid, my dream was to become the next David Attenborough. Unfortunately I discovered that much of his work consists of sitting around for literally hours and hours waiting for that perfect shot. So now I just live vicariously through him.

But do I get my David Attenborough? Noooo. The American version of the show is narrated by Sigourney Weaver. Now I happen to like Sigourney Weaver as an actress. And yes she has spoken up about conservation. But she's no naturalist. It's not her work.

I want my David Attenborough! I am extremely disappointed. I'm also insulted. David Attenborough has produced several highly-rated and watched nature shows that have been aired by the Discovery Channel in his own voice. Why do Americans now need a famous actress to watch a nature show? Yes, David Attenborough is grey-haired, and even when young, his looks were not movie star quality. But he's the man. On the other hand, this is the first time I've heard about one of his shows on the Oprah show. Though no mention of his name was made there either. Hmph.