While chicken soup simmers for another 30 minutes, I can either vacuum all the floors or sit and blog.  

Yesterday the Kia went for its maintenance checkup plus a few things I threw in. Brakes were squeaking, the three wipers needed replacing, and I requested a good washing.  I wash it about once a week when the weather allows but the gravel road dust gets into everything.  I vacuumed the inside and wiped down the dashboard and doors, etc.  At 11 I met two neighborhood ladies at the gym yoga class which ends at noon.  I hadn't eaten since early morning and had been awake since 4:40.  Couldn't fall back asleep.  On the way to Kia Service, I stopped at So's Good Chinese for Miso soup to eat on the Kia porch while the car was being serviced.  First I sat in the TV waiting room for a few minutes until a small male child about 4 years old started talking in a high-pitched ear-piercing voice to each customer.  He talked nonstop barely talking a breath between sentences.  As he made his way toward me I picked up my book and the take-out bag, headed for the porch door to set up outside for a much needed quiet lunch. Within minutes the porch door opened and the high-pitched non-stop voice was heard again.  This time I plugged my earbuds in and set my cellphone on Pandora to drown out the constant chattering coming from the table to my right.  Even with my earbuds in the child's voice resonated into head.  The parents barely spoke to him, just sat playing on their cellphones.  About 20 minutes later their vehicle was ready and the outside quieted down again.  Poor parents living with a bright 4-year old with lots of conversation to share.  After my soup was gone I walked back inside and sat on the couch where I fell asleep.  Suddenly a gentle tap on my shoulder woke me.  The Kia was ready to drive home....all shiny clean with a new oil change.  

Chicken soup is ready....................