Another week has flown by without really realizing it.
This weekend is filled up with Sunday being resting day.
Today is soup/salad pot luck at work in which I have 30 minutes to make two white chocolate double mint chip pie's for Ed's birthday treat.
Tonight's event is a post Christmas music party for all people on the music teams at church.
Tomorrow is Ed's b-day filled with surprises, and in case he reads this post, I won't be spilling the beans about what is going to be happening. Though he knows something is up as I bought plastic forks.
Tomorrow is also my eldest niece's birthday. She will be turning 17. She was born when I was 15. It still blows my mind how fast time goes. How often I find myself pinning for the days when both kids are in school. Then realize that some day I'll be wishing for the battles I am facing today with my kids. How, when looking back, life was a lot easier. How the saying, "hindsight is 20/20" always seems to be true.
So happy weekend to all. Enjoy each moment of life that you breathe.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
a smidge too close
Today has been one of those busy days where everything seems to pile on top of each other when nothing was really planned to begin with.
8:30-11:30 work. Typical Monday.
11:30-12:15 lunch, helping child get dressed, school. This is the time of day where I am thankful our son can get dressed by himself. Though I'm sure it's to the point where the teacher wonders if he has any other clothes besides the three outfits that he continually wears. At least they're clean.
12:25-4:12 grocery shopping with the little miss. Quite the helper she was today.
4:12 and 30 seconds. Son off bus. Today was a day I was thankful there was not one cop on Spaulding. Going 60 down a hilly street does funny things to ones stomach. Maybe that's why the speed limit is 35. I gave myself enough time at Meijer to check out. At least I thought it was enough time. I did not have a lot of items, but the cashier would scan one item and look at all the rest to see if there was something way at the end he could put in a bag. As anal as I am, I do put all boxed goods together, canned goods, produce, chips/bread last as to not get smushed. It took a total of 10 minutes to check out. With the 40 or so items I had, it took him between 20 and 30 seconds to scan each. So I was flying out of the store at 4:05 and still had to buckle little miss in and load the groceries. It took me 3 minutes to get home. Would've been shorter if I didn't get behind someone actually doing the speed limit. It was way to close of a call. Way too close.
4:15-4:30 putting groceries away.
4:30-5:00 work and catch up with Ed.
5:00-5:30 piano lesson with son.
5:30-7:30 make dinner, Ed home, jammies.
7:30-now read books and sing songs, bed.
8:30-11:30 work. Typical Monday.
11:30-12:15 lunch, helping child get dressed, school. This is the time of day where I am thankful our son can get dressed by himself. Though I'm sure it's to the point where the teacher wonders if he has any other clothes besides the three outfits that he continually wears. At least they're clean.
12:25-4:12 grocery shopping with the little miss. Quite the helper she was today.
4:12 and 30 seconds. Son off bus. Today was a day I was thankful there was not one cop on Spaulding. Going 60 down a hilly street does funny things to ones stomach. Maybe that's why the speed limit is 35. I gave myself enough time at Meijer to check out. At least I thought it was enough time. I did not have a lot of items, but the cashier would scan one item and look at all the rest to see if there was something way at the end he could put in a bag. As anal as I am, I do put all boxed goods together, canned goods, produce, chips/bread last as to not get smushed. It took a total of 10 minutes to check out. With the 40 or so items I had, it took him between 20 and 30 seconds to scan each. So I was flying out of the store at 4:05 and still had to buckle little miss in and load the groceries. It took me 3 minutes to get home. Would've been shorter if I didn't get behind someone actually doing the speed limit. It was way to close of a call. Way too close.
4:15-4:30 putting groceries away.
4:30-5:00 work and catch up with Ed.
5:00-5:30 piano lesson with son.
5:30-7:30 make dinner, Ed home, jammies.
7:30-now read books and sing songs, bed.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
New arrival
Ed received an instant message from me saying, "oh boy. oh boy. oh boy!!!!!"
My pots and pans came today and that's exactly what he guessed. In my head I was singing "ahhhhh" like when a bright light shines upon someone on tv. The chorus of voices announcing something glorious. Yes. That's what the sound was when I was opening the box.
Jenna said I was allowed to rub my hands all over them. I would have done that too if they weren't so cold! I had to sit on my hands after taking the pots/pans out of the box.
The chicken will be the first victim. Mwaaaahhh haaa haaa (rubbing hands together).
Who knew transitioning from angelic voices to villian laughter in a matter of seconds could happen so quickly!!
My pots and pans came today and that's exactly what he guessed. In my head I was singing "ahhhhh" like when a bright light shines upon someone on tv. The chorus of voices announcing something glorious. Yes. That's what the sound was when I was opening the box.
Jenna said I was allowed to rub my hands all over them. I would have done that too if they weren't so cold! I had to sit on my hands after taking the pots/pans out of the box.
The chicken will be the first victim. Mwaaaahhh haaa haaa (rubbing hands together).
Who knew transitioning from angelic voices to villian laughter in a matter of seconds could happen so quickly!!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
a reminder to myself
I forget how addicting Ebay can be. Those last few seconds before the bidding has ended. The exhilaration of trying to win and the let down when you were beaten by 50 cents. I've been watching and bidding on different sets of pots and pans and have to keep reminding myself not to get out of control. I told Ed last night that I just want to keep bidding and bidding so I actually win, to beat everyone else, but then remember, "oh yeah....I really do have to pay if I win". That it's not just a game to be played.
So, off I go. Back to watch the pots and pans and keep my index finger under control so as not to hit the Confirm Bid button one to many times.
So, off I go. Back to watch the pots and pans and keep my index finger under control so as not to hit the Confirm Bid button one to many times.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
shrinking food supply
It amazes me how one person can eat so much. Two bowls of oatmeal in the morning. Fruit, crackers, cheese, sandwich at lunch. Today's lunch was grilled cheese with yogurt and a sandwich and a half was consumed. Dinner usually consits of two helpings. In between each meal is one snack. When the plate is empty, I hear, "Are you going to eat that? Are you done? Can I have what ever you don't eat? Are you done yet? Can I have that?" Eating all day could very well be happening if I didn't set limits.
The 1st question in the morning, "Mom, what are we having for dinner tonight?"
Pants are getting shorter. Shirt sleeves are shrinking. Major growing is going on.
I told Ed today, I can't imagine what it's going to be like when he's a teenager and goes through a growth spurt. Let alone when he turns 6. Ed's reply, "I'll need to go donate plasma just to feed him."
The 1st question in the morning, "Mom, what are we having for dinner tonight?"
Pants are getting shorter. Shirt sleeves are shrinking. Major growing is going on.
I told Ed today, I can't imagine what it's going to be like when he's a teenager and goes through a growth spurt. Let alone when he turns 6. Ed's reply, "I'll need to go donate plasma just to feed him."
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Questions for the day
Does taking down Christmas lights outside count for exercise (up and down the ladder, climbing the tree, walking around the tree so many times you start to get dizzy)?
When a gift is bought for someone with a plethera of other items and a 15% discount is applied to the total bill, when the one gift is returned, should it be allowed for the store to apply the 15% discount to that one gift?
*The above question has been answered and I do understand, now that my ever patient husband explained it to me with visuals (if I can't picture it, there's a slim chance I'll grasp it). In my head it made sense of how I was thinking it wasn't correct for the store to do, but alas, I was in error.
Is it normal for it to be 50 degrees out in January in Michigan? Not that I'm complaining....
What's the best type of pots/pans out there without spending an exorbitant amount of money?
When a gift is bought for someone with a plethera of other items and a 15% discount is applied to the total bill, when the one gift is returned, should it be allowed for the store to apply the 15% discount to that one gift?
*The above question has been answered and I do understand, now that my ever patient husband explained it to me with visuals (if I can't picture it, there's a slim chance I'll grasp it). In my head it made sense of how I was thinking it wasn't correct for the store to do, but alas, I was in error.
Is it normal for it to be 50 degrees out in January in Michigan? Not that I'm complaining....
What's the best type of pots/pans out there without spending an exorbitant amount of money?
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
lost appetite
I have quite easily forgotten how much blood one tiny tooth popping out can produce.
I was reminded of this last night during dinner time eating pizza's no less.
It was the hit of the evening. Especially amongst the boys.
I was reminded of this last night during dinner time eating pizza's no less.
It was the hit of the evening. Especially amongst the boys.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
fresh start
I'm not one to make new year resolutions. I really never have. Maybe one year here, one year there. This year is different. I have just a few things of which I hope to work at in the coming year.
1. Exercise at least three times a week. The Christmas money was pooled and a stepper was bought. It is set up and ready to be used. Along with the work out bench and the videos that have been wiped free of dust.
2. As of the 1st, eating around here is going to change. Slowly, but it will change. With being the grocery shopper and cook of the family, I feel it is my responsibility to feed our family healthily. What better time to start this with a new year right around the corner. With taking better care of myself and our family, eating healthy is half the battle. Exercise is the other.
I could include many more, but when I get too bogged down I then do none, which would defeat the whole purpose of writing this. I will set goals to work at, continue good habits that have already started, and keep at breaking the bad habits that have formed.
I am looking forward to this new year. If it is nothing like the beginning of 2006, I will be more than happy (last year started with vertigo, sinus infection, pink eye in both eyes, another sinus infection, pink eye again and ended with vertigo in March).
So here's to a new year. A time to start fresh with a big gulp of clear air and a lilt to the steps that will be taken over the next 12 months.
1. Exercise at least three times a week. The Christmas money was pooled and a stepper was bought. It is set up and ready to be used. Along with the work out bench and the videos that have been wiped free of dust.
2. As of the 1st, eating around here is going to change. Slowly, but it will change. With being the grocery shopper and cook of the family, I feel it is my responsibility to feed our family healthily. What better time to start this with a new year right around the corner. With taking better care of myself and our family, eating healthy is half the battle. Exercise is the other.
I could include many more, but when I get too bogged down I then do none, which would defeat the whole purpose of writing this. I will set goals to work at, continue good habits that have already started, and keep at breaking the bad habits that have formed.
I am looking forward to this new year. If it is nothing like the beginning of 2006, I will be more than happy (last year started with vertigo, sinus infection, pink eye in both eyes, another sinus infection, pink eye again and ended with vertigo in March).
So here's to a new year. A time to start fresh with a big gulp of clear air and a lilt to the steps that will be taken over the next 12 months.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
observing changes
Every day seems to be blending into another. Once the kids' feet hit the ground the day starts and once their eyes are closed and they are actually sleeping, the day can come to an end and a breath can be taken. What goes on in between those two moments is all a blur. I can't tell one day from the next as they all consist of the same things. Work. Take Sam to school. Go to one store or another. Get home. Get Sam off the bus. Dinner. Bedtime. Do all over again. But that seems to be coming to an end.
Usually I do not look forward to change. I become content in the every day sameness and even the every day struggles seem to look alike. But changes are coming down the pipe. And I look forward to them. I'm ready for a change. Tomorrow starts the first one. Sam is done with school for the next week and a half and I'm looking forward to having him home and have ideas in my head of what we can do over the next days before schools starts again.
It has been hard to find enjoyment in each day when they fly by and seem like a repeat of the day before. I'm sure there are little changes that are happening that I don't even realize. The sun peaking through the clouds. The kids learning something new. Encouraging someone without realizing it. A step towards growth, even when it may be a small step. A stirring in the heart.
So with eyes that now see the way life has been, hopefully they can focus on the little things that can change and bring life instead of the same things that they have observed over the past days and weeks.
Usually I do not look forward to change. I become content in the every day sameness and even the every day struggles seem to look alike. But changes are coming down the pipe. And I look forward to them. I'm ready for a change. Tomorrow starts the first one. Sam is done with school for the next week and a half and I'm looking forward to having him home and have ideas in my head of what we can do over the next days before schools starts again.
It has been hard to find enjoyment in each day when they fly by and seem like a repeat of the day before. I'm sure there are little changes that are happening that I don't even realize. The sun peaking through the clouds. The kids learning something new. Encouraging someone without realizing it. A step towards growth, even when it may be a small step. A stirring in the heart.
So with eyes that now see the way life has been, hopefully they can focus on the little things that can change and bring life instead of the same things that they have observed over the past days and weeks.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
before the fall
I lived out a saying Tuesday night. Pride comes before the fall. And the fall comes fast and hard. Very hard.
Tuesday night was the Orienteering group Agape Feast. A time to come together, worship through singing, reading scripture, eating a Mediterranean meal and taking communion together. The evening was focused on the prophesies of Christ's coming in the Old Testament and then reading in the New Testament of how those prophesies came true through Christ's birth, death and ressurection. It was an amazing, amazing time of reflection, celebration, worship and fellowship.
Ed and I were in charge of bringing a bean dish, dessert, bread and olives. Bread was bought, hummus became the bean dish, canned olives were purchased and baklava and pirouettes were ready to go on the plates.
With being the only one bringing desserts, I wanted to make sure there was enough for everyone, and an assortment in case some people did not enjoy nuts (in the baklava0. So onto the internet I hopped and found some Jewish dessert recipes. Babka (bread with a filling in the middle, rolled up like a jelly roll), apple turnovers and cinnamon twists. Everything was on schedule. Bread was rising, dough was chilling in the refrigerator and the oven and I were ready to tackle all the food. I was excited. Excited to see how everything would turn out. Visions of how the home-made apple turnovers would look, dressed in their drizzled glaze. How the cinnamon twists would be with their sugar coatings on, looking pretty lined up next to each other. How everyone would oooo and ahhhh over the creations and I would feel good that I made something worthy of a large number of people to eat.
Come about 4:30, I started on the turnovers. Apples were peeled, sliced and diced ready to become stuffing. Little did I know that the person who wrote the recipe did not include all ingredients or state at what the turnovers should bake at. My eyes were all stars when I first read it, amazed at how easy it sounded. This should've been a red flag, but nope. I just continued on. Thankfully my mom was home, so many phone calls were made. It helps that she's been a baker for years! :) I ended up making 5 turnovers that turned out to be blobs with big holes on the top. Frustration level started to rise.
Cinnamon twists were rolled out and twisted, on the cookie sheets ready to go after the blobs came out of the oven. Not putting two and two together, the twists were actually cookies, not like taco bell cinnamon twists. So when they were taken off the cookie sheet, they all broke because they were too long and thin.
By the time I left for church, my frustration level was beyond compacity. I was driving with broken cinnamon twists, no apple turn overs and hopes that the babka turned out as it was on a cooling sheet in the back seat.
It wasn't until later, while singing and finally being able to take a deep breath that God revealed to me how prideful I had been. How I had been making all the food for my own glorification instead of just to be enjoyed by others, no matter what it turned out like. It's obvious now that the food didn't turn out for a reason. A reason called a lesson.
It was a hard lesson. A hard lesson learned a hard way with a hard fall. And you know what? Not one person noticed the broken cookies or missed the blob turnovers. The evening was a huge success and my flubbed up desserts did not make or break the evening. They were just used as an instrument to break my pride.
Tuesday night was the Orienteering group Agape Feast. A time to come together, worship through singing, reading scripture, eating a Mediterranean meal and taking communion together. The evening was focused on the prophesies of Christ's coming in the Old Testament and then reading in the New Testament of how those prophesies came true through Christ's birth, death and ressurection. It was an amazing, amazing time of reflection, celebration, worship and fellowship.
Ed and I were in charge of bringing a bean dish, dessert, bread and olives. Bread was bought, hummus became the bean dish, canned olives were purchased and baklava and pirouettes were ready to go on the plates.
With being the only one bringing desserts, I wanted to make sure there was enough for everyone, and an assortment in case some people did not enjoy nuts (in the baklava0. So onto the internet I hopped and found some Jewish dessert recipes. Babka (bread with a filling in the middle, rolled up like a jelly roll), apple turnovers and cinnamon twists. Everything was on schedule. Bread was rising, dough was chilling in the refrigerator and the oven and I were ready to tackle all the food. I was excited. Excited to see how everything would turn out. Visions of how the home-made apple turnovers would look, dressed in their drizzled glaze. How the cinnamon twists would be with their sugar coatings on, looking pretty lined up next to each other. How everyone would oooo and ahhhh over the creations and I would feel good that I made something worthy of a large number of people to eat.
Come about 4:30, I started on the turnovers. Apples were peeled, sliced and diced ready to become stuffing. Little did I know that the person who wrote the recipe did not include all ingredients or state at what the turnovers should bake at. My eyes were all stars when I first read it, amazed at how easy it sounded. This should've been a red flag, but nope. I just continued on. Thankfully my mom was home, so many phone calls were made. It helps that she's been a baker for years! :) I ended up making 5 turnovers that turned out to be blobs with big holes on the top. Frustration level started to rise.
Cinnamon twists were rolled out and twisted, on the cookie sheets ready to go after the blobs came out of the oven. Not putting two and two together, the twists were actually cookies, not like taco bell cinnamon twists. So when they were taken off the cookie sheet, they all broke because they were too long and thin.
By the time I left for church, my frustration level was beyond compacity. I was driving with broken cinnamon twists, no apple turn overs and hopes that the babka turned out as it was on a cooling sheet in the back seat.
It wasn't until later, while singing and finally being able to take a deep breath that God revealed to me how prideful I had been. How I had been making all the food for my own glorification instead of just to be enjoyed by others, no matter what it turned out like. It's obvious now that the food didn't turn out for a reason. A reason called a lesson.
It was a hard lesson. A hard lesson learned a hard way with a hard fall. And you know what? Not one person noticed the broken cookies or missed the blob turnovers. The evening was a huge success and my flubbed up desserts did not make or break the evening. They were just used as an instrument to break my pride.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Let it Snow!
Today I signed up for the Let it Snow reading club for adults at the library. I look forward to this at winter time as it gets me out of my "normal" reading patterns and into books I usually wouldn't read. It is set up like a bingo game. There are drawings for completing two bingo's and the entire sheet but I'm excited to read some different types of genres. I never know what to read except what I'm used to, so with lists of suggestions given for each genre, I have somewhere to start.As you can see on the sheet, there are different types of books you have to read to fill a square. Animal stories, chick lit/men in action, set in the west or a western, mystery or thriller, etc. There are also 4 "your choice" boxes. So it is quite an array of books that you will have read by the time the sheet is all filled up.
I have my first 4 books.
One Book One County: Peace Like A River by Leif Enger
Inspirational or Romance: When Heaven Weeps by Ted Dekker
Chick Lit or Men in Action: Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes
Michigan Author: Wanting Only To Be Heard by Jack Driscoll
Monday, December 04, 2006
Saturday, December 02, 2006
scene change
Freezing rain for 8 hours. Snow for 4 hours. School for 0 hours. Playing outside for 15 minutes. Rosy cheeks for 30 minutes. Hot chocolate for 3 minutes.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
twisted
It's just not right when the temperature reached 63 today, is sitting at 56 at 7:04 pm, and a winter storm watch is in effect.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
reoccuring theme
I had written the following a while back and I keep coming back to it, so I thought it would be worth sharing as it is an area in my life that continues to pop up.
I seem to have a reoccuring theme inside of me. A theme of "not good enough". Where it comes from, I know. It's the enemy trying to ruin my heart. To ruin the image of who I believe I am. A daughter of God. This theme comes and goes each month. It could be a sentence, a phrase that flits before my eyes. Something someone says or doesn't say. It's usually something I assume. I have learned that assuming is not that great of an idea to do. Emotions come flooding back. Emotions of I'm not liked because I'm not like so and so, or think like this person, or do what this person does. That I'm not good enough based on what and who others are. Over the past months I've beaten myself down because of this, or should I say, have allowed myself to be beaten down. Weeks out of every month have been spent in tears, sorrow, self pity and truly believing I really am not good enough for any one. Why is this so important to me? Is life based soley on this aspect? No. Funny, that after months of being told that I am worth something, that I truly believed those words. All these emotions came flooding back today because of what I assumed. I started being beaten down. Ground into the earth. Then a small, little flicker, a hushed whisper came to me. "God loves you. He thinks you are so very important. He LOVES you! You are assuming again and letting the enemy grab your heal and pull you down and I am here to hold you. You don't have to feel this way. I made you and love every aspect about you because I knitted you together and you are exactly who and what you are supposed to be. My child." All of this came at me in a split second. And after these thoughts flitted across my mind, very softly, I was ok.
This past Sunday we were visiting a friends church and the pastor spoke about being the unique person that God created you to be. To not pretend or wish you were someone else. To just be you. He talked about a conversation between Jesus and Peter (John 21:15-22). Jesus asking Peter three times if he loved Him and Peter answering yes all three times. Then Peter asking Jesus about John, who was following behind these two during their conversation, "What about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You should follow me." I need not try and be or wish to be someone I'm not. My focus should be on following Christ, not on who/what others are.
One step forward and I'm sure there will be steps back in the days to come, but letting this truth break through, has been a giant step. No matter how tired, beaten down or how many times I fall, I need to keep stepping, crawling, moving forward and continue being who He uniquely made me to be.
I seem to have a reoccuring theme inside of me. A theme of "not good enough". Where it comes from, I know. It's the enemy trying to ruin my heart. To ruin the image of who I believe I am. A daughter of God. This theme comes and goes each month. It could be a sentence, a phrase that flits before my eyes. Something someone says or doesn't say. It's usually something I assume. I have learned that assuming is not that great of an idea to do. Emotions come flooding back. Emotions of I'm not liked because I'm not like so and so, or think like this person, or do what this person does. That I'm not good enough based on what and who others are. Over the past months I've beaten myself down because of this, or should I say, have allowed myself to be beaten down. Weeks out of every month have been spent in tears, sorrow, self pity and truly believing I really am not good enough for any one. Why is this so important to me? Is life based soley on this aspect? No. Funny, that after months of being told that I am worth something, that I truly believed those words. All these emotions came flooding back today because of what I assumed. I started being beaten down. Ground into the earth. Then a small, little flicker, a hushed whisper came to me. "God loves you. He thinks you are so very important. He LOVES you! You are assuming again and letting the enemy grab your heal and pull you down and I am here to hold you. You don't have to feel this way. I made you and love every aspect about you because I knitted you together and you are exactly who and what you are supposed to be. My child." All of this came at me in a split second. And after these thoughts flitted across my mind, very softly, I was ok.
This past Sunday we were visiting a friends church and the pastor spoke about being the unique person that God created you to be. To not pretend or wish you were someone else. To just be you. He talked about a conversation between Jesus and Peter (John 21:15-22). Jesus asking Peter three times if he loved Him and Peter answering yes all three times. Then Peter asking Jesus about John, who was following behind these two during their conversation, "What about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You should follow me." I need not try and be or wish to be someone I'm not. My focus should be on following Christ, not on who/what others are.
One step forward and I'm sure there will be steps back in the days to come, but letting this truth break through, has been a giant step. No matter how tired, beaten down or how many times I fall, I need to keep stepping, crawling, moving forward and continue being who He uniquely made me to be.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
coming to you...
From balmy Ill.
We made it today to our friends' place around 11 a.m. our time, 10 a.m Ill time. (The road trip was split up into two days). Our friends weren't home, so we sat on their front porch ready to surprise the husband. Within 5 minutes, they pulled in the driveway and he exited the car slack jawed. "Happy Birthday!!" He was absolutely shocked.
We had lunch out and then went to the park. With it being a nice 70 degrees, we took advantage of every moment outside.
Excellent conversations, excellent weather, all around an excellent day.
Tomorrow is church, lunch in St. Louis (another surprise for our friend's 40th birthday weekend) and then heading home. The time here has moved way too quickly.
Bedtime is approaching. Kids have had a hard day playing with their friends. They even tried out the oversized jacuzzi tub in our room (which went better than last night in the hotel pool when Alina drank too much water and threw up all over the pool deck. Her little belly and pool chlorinated water don't mix well).
Happy Thanksgiving weekend!!
We made it today to our friends' place around 11 a.m. our time, 10 a.m Ill time. (The road trip was split up into two days). Our friends weren't home, so we sat on their front porch ready to surprise the husband. Within 5 minutes, they pulled in the driveway and he exited the car slack jawed. "Happy Birthday!!" He was absolutely shocked.
We had lunch out and then went to the park. With it being a nice 70 degrees, we took advantage of every moment outside.
Excellent conversations, excellent weather, all around an excellent day.
Tomorrow is church, lunch in St. Louis (another surprise for our friend's 40th birthday weekend) and then heading home. The time here has moved way too quickly.
Bedtime is approaching. Kids have had a hard day playing with their friends. They even tried out the oversized jacuzzi tub in our room (which went better than last night in the hotel pool when Alina drank too much water and threw up all over the pool deck. Her little belly and pool chlorinated water don't mix well).
Happy Thanksgiving weekend!!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
eight blind mice
The mouse population has grown in our home. The population, that is, of dead mice. Yesterday and this morning were the clinchers. Yesterday I asked Sam the usual morning question. "Would you like to go and check the mouse traps?" He really enjoys dead things. Morbid, I know. He was yelling for me to come downstairs to see the trap that sprang, was licked free of peanut butter, and beheld no objects in the shape of a small rodent. So I rounded the corner and was heading back upstairs when I saw a movement. There, peeking up at me was a cute little mouse. The kids started yelling, "DON'T KILL IT MOMMY!!!". So what is a mother supposed to do? Secretly kill it behind their backs? Let it roam free so as not to squish two little hearts who are looking adoringly at the beady eyed invader? I quickly looked around to see what I could squash it with and found nothing. I came up and called Ed. "How do you kill a live mouse?" I was armed with a plastic cup to capture it, went back downstairs and it was gone. I picked up my exercise mat and tapped it on the floor, out jumped the mouse, me following it with a cup and it leaping to safety under the couch. DRAT!Sam was even so considerate to peel off all of his crust from his toast and leave it on the floor to feed the mouse. Thank you my son.
This morning I awake to this: "jean" in a hushed whisper. "JEan". "JEAN!". I was then awake. Came downstairs and Ed said, "Look". There in the middle of the kitchen floor was my small little tin tub that is usually on top of the washing machine, upside down. My mind was still a bit foggy and was asked, "do you know what's in there?" I squeemishly replied, "a mouse?". Bingo. He said he saw it running around the dining room was able to cover it up and right before the tub went over it, it just gave a little innocent look at him. What to do next? I suggested putting a mouse trap under there with it and let that kill it. So downstairs I went to get the mouse trap I had set for yesterdays live mouse, thinking that was the mouse that managed to make it upstairs. I yelled up to Ed, "It wasn't the mouse that was down here!" I still need to empty that trap. So we tried to set the mouse trap, but it went off right when Ed put the tub over it. Paper bag with a little tub and jumping mouse inside worked wonders. Then transfered to a plastic bag. Then like a grape juice stomping party, but in pajamas, the fun began. Three out of four of us were outside on the back deck making a quick demise to the rodent who wasn't so smart to show its face in our home. I sat inside hoping I was going to be able to eat today.
So now, death blocks are strategically placed all around the perimeter of the house. Death food. Lucky mice. Talks of getting a mouser are more and more now.
Now as dusk falls I sit here and think I see running things across the floor and hear rustling, scratching sounds. Ahhhh the imagination does wonders.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
what about you?
1. A God who loves and forgives, no matter how many times I fall flat on my face. Pursues, offers life, breathes sustinance. Lifts me up when I am deep in despair or depression. Is patient in my relationship with Him, in learning how I fit into His ultimate story, and seeking out who He made me to be. Promises to always be there and has been there through dark valleys and sunny peaks. For this I am thankful.
2. A man who puts the twinkle in my eye. Is my best friend. Holds me when life is crashing by so hard and breathing is next to impossible. Accepts me despite my faults. Listens to my heart whether it is crying or laughing. Encourages me to try new things and climb out a bit further on the limbs of life. Takes my hand and doesn't let go through the adventures that are placed before us. For him I am thankful.
3. Two little people who forgive at the drop of a hat. Have smiles that radiate with joy and the youthfulness of life. Are reminders that living CAN be fun. Exude health and are vibrant. Fill our home with laughter, screams, stomping feet and noise. Give hugs full of love. Cause silliness and tears. Bring joy that no other can fill. For these two I am thankful.
4. Friends who listen and nudge. Cause stomach cramps from laughing so very hard. Remind me to be myself and no one else. Are authentic. Encourage spiritual growth and depth. Despite miles of separation, are always a phone call or e-mail away. For all of them I am thankful.
5. Family. A warm home. Music. Sounds of the ocean, birds, leaves rustling. Seasons. Books. A growling stomach as a reminder to eat. Imaginations. Each person's uniqueness. Hard times causing growth. Needs being met. And so much more.
For all of these I am thankful. What about you?
Friday, November 10, 2006
of mice and woodpeckers
When we were looking for a house to buy back before our daughter was born, we really weren't looking for a fixer-upper. Funny how what .
A new septic system due to the 60 year old one, a new backyard due to the new septic system, a new bathroom due to a rotted floor and leaking toilet seal, new insulation in the ceiling, service call for the water heater going out due to a red squirrel going down the chimney and stopping the air flow to the water heater (it met its demise as it got stuck), a new water softner system as the old one didn't work and turned all our clothes yellow. A new dishwasher because the other one rusted and broke due to the water.
There is still a lot we need to do to the house. Some things are taking a higher priority as the days go by. Take the siding for instance. We had in the long range forcast to put new siding on, oh, in maybe 10 years. Yesterday found me outside trying to figure out what the thunking noise was I heard inside. I thought it was a mouse in the walls chewing and scrambling around on some wood (the mice in the basement have delighted in several meals off of the mouse traps due to me just realizing that I was setting them wrong!). Then I listened more carefully and noticed that the noise was too consitant to be a mouse. So I opened up Sam's window and he and I came to the conclusion that it was something outside. So out I went and low and behold, a woodpecker was on the side of our house working away at a hole in our siding. It's amazing how such a small little bird can cause so much damage. A nice quarter size hole was drilled out from this woodpecker. I must say though, that it did its job very well. God made woodpeckers with quite strong beaks.
Because of this woodpecker, it was also discovered that our siding boards are starting to rot. So siding the house has moved up in priority on the house list.
I struggle with this house. With everything that has gone wrong with it, that continues to go wrong with it. I try to keep a positive attitude. I try to keep trusting that He will provide exactly what we need. But it's hard. I really am thankful to be in a place that is warm, that is in a good school district, that has a yard where our kids can play, where wildlife (other than mice) can be seen daily, for the beauty of the huge trees changing colors, that is a safe haven for our family. I don't want to become old and bitter because of the way life has gone, but grasp each moment, situation, and challenge that falls before us as an adventure and learning experience and be thankful despite the house falling apart.
A new septic system due to the 60 year old one, a new backyard due to the new septic system, a new bathroom due to a rotted floor and leaking toilet seal, new insulation in the ceiling, service call for the water heater going out due to a red squirrel going down the chimney and stopping the air flow to the water heater (it met its demise as it got stuck), a new water softner system as the old one didn't work and turned all our clothes yellow. A new dishwasher because the other one rusted and broke due to the water.
There is still a lot we need to do to the house. Some things are taking a higher priority as the days go by. Take the siding for instance. We had in the long range forcast to put new siding on, oh, in maybe 10 years. Yesterday found me outside trying to figure out what the thunking noise was I heard inside. I thought it was a mouse in the walls chewing and scrambling around on some wood (the mice in the basement have delighted in several meals off of the mouse traps due to me just realizing that I was setting them wrong!). Then I listened more carefully and noticed that the noise was too consitant to be a mouse. So I opened up Sam's window and he and I came to the conclusion that it was something outside. So out I went and low and behold, a woodpecker was on the side of our house working away at a hole in our siding. It's amazing how such a small little bird can cause so much damage. A nice quarter size hole was drilled out from this woodpecker. I must say though, that it did its job very well. God made woodpeckers with quite strong beaks.
Because of this woodpecker, it was also discovered that our siding boards are starting to rot. So siding the house has moved up in priority on the house list.
I struggle with this house. With everything that has gone wrong with it, that continues to go wrong with it. I try to keep a positive attitude. I try to keep trusting that He will provide exactly what we need. But it's hard. I really am thankful to be in a place that is warm, that is in a good school district, that has a yard where our kids can play, where wildlife (other than mice) can be seen daily, for the beauty of the huge trees changing colors, that is a safe haven for our family. I don't want to become old and bitter because of the way life has gone, but grasp each moment, situation, and challenge that falls before us as an adventure and learning experience and be thankful despite the house falling apart.
Monday, November 06, 2006
A piece of skin
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