It did.  What can I say, I love great music.  And the Moses story is so incredible.  When that opening song came on and the Hebrew slaves sing, "Elohim, God on high, Can you hear your people cry?" I just started sobbing.  It was so moving.

Of course I really lost it when Jochabed starts singing to Moses.  Can you imagine sending your baby down a river on the chance that he might live?  Seriously.  The faith of that woman.  I can only imagine the angst she must have felt as she sent him down the Nile and I would guess she was just pleading with the Lord to let him live.  I know I would have been begging to see him again.  And I am totally touched by the tender mercies of the Lord toward Moses mother.  She sends him down the river and then the Lord, through Miriam and Pharaoh’s daughter, works it out so that she gets to be her son’s wet nurse. Not only does her baby live but she is blessed to be with him for a few more years.  What love!

Anyway.  I was crying.  I just love that song– Deliver Us.  Totally worth the dollar I spent.  

Dear Mapquest,

I want to start this letter by thanking you for your many years of service to me.  I am, to put it politely, directionally challenged, and you, you have always been there to guide me.  You’ve been my north star, my guding light, my navigational friend.  I have been spared many a paper cut and painful map folding experiences because of you.  I have saved many a cell-phone minute, by not needing to call for directions, because of you.  We have had some good times, Mapquest. I amvery grateful to you, as many a time, I know I would have been lost without you. 

Excepting of course, the times, I was lost with you… or even because of you…

Unfortunately, dear, sweet Mapquest, as much as I have loved you, I am writing you this letter to let you know that you have been replaced in my life.   Yes, you heard me, you are being let go.  

You live in my computer, Mapquest, and though she is a laptop, my computer can’t go with me everywhere I go.   My computer doesn’t plug into my car and tune into you, Mapquest.  And as much as you give good directions, Mapquest, you do not have a lady voice that gives audible directions.  You have definitely been there for me, but never in my car telling me when I have made a wrong turn.  You don’t give that many alternate routes, Mapquest.  And when was the last time you found me a great parking garage or even some teriyaki, while I was out on the road?

I love you Mapquest.  My love is strong.  But there is a new, stronger love in my life.  BEHOLD!

OH!  Feel the power of the GPS!  So sleek.  So smooth.  So portable and tells-me-where-to-turnable.

Never to be lost again! 

And the giver?  Most, wonderful Charming.  Best Christmas Gift Giver, Charming.  Owns the key to my heart, Charming.  Never to sleep alone again! 

Mapquest, adieu!

How far would you go for a great deal?

I drove 20 minutes the other night to go gorcery shopping at Albertsons even though the church is only three minutes away.  I couldn’t help myself.  It was the big Quaker ten for ten sale.  But driving there, I kept thinking, "gee this is really far, am I really saving that much money?  Will the cost of the gas justify the savings?"

I spent $74 and saved $78. My pantry is stocked full of useful things.  I drove a total of 40 minutes, was in the store for less than 30 (kidless, yay!) and my name brand cereal was only one dollar per box.

But the driving!  Living in this new place, I find that I must drive at least twenty minutes to get most places.  It only takes me about two or three minutes to get anywhere in the town, which is great, but the town is small.  There is a lot here considering the size, but not everything I need or want. 

I’ve been getting depressed lately because Engineer is not in Pre-School.  The cost of it here is so high, and there would still be some driving involved.  (Not to mention, not much enrollment space).  I toyed with the idea of sending him to a local co-op (three minutes away!) where I would have to find a sitter for my girls and help out once a week and still pay $100 a month, but canned it because of the sacrifice involved.  But as I explored other less expensive options, I took into account the driving, and now I think he’s going to the co-op.

I want him in school so badly, for his sake and mine, that I am willing to do a little more than I might normally.  And I really don’t want to drive 2-3 hours a week so he can go.

And yet, once our house sells, I am willing to drive Sugar 20 minutes to gymnastics because she is gifted in the sport and it is soooo good for her. 

It’s funny the things I am willing to do and those I am not.  The trade-offs I make.  I think the twenty minute drive to the Alby’s was worth it.  But I am still looking to see if there is a store closer.