Wednesday, February 28, 2007
My Mom
Before February ends, I have to tell you about my mom.
Remember her? The one who turned 80 years old yesterday.
She is an identical twin. Her sister also turned 80 yesterday.
My mom was the twin that was incredibly sick. She had terrible kidney problems, and wasn't expected to survive her early childhood.
But, she did.
When she married my dad she weighed 99 pounds on a good day.
When she was pregnant with her second child, it was suggested by her OB that she terminate her pregnancy. Her heart was so enlarged he did not think she would survive.
But, she did.
When she was in her late 50's, she developed breast cancer.
Obviously, she survived that too.
For 59 years she has kept alive a husband who didn't stand much of a chance of survival either. He was born with an extremely serious heart defect. Nobody knew it until eight years ago when he had it corrected (on Valentine's Day).
She nursed him through back surgery, kidney stone surgery, broken bones, strokes, heart failure, COPD and prostate cancer, just to name a few.
She's never flown in an airplane. She won't ride on boats. She was never a good driver. She always wanted to go to Florida, but never has.
But, if you were to ask her about her life she would tell you, "I've been blessed."
The crowning jewels of her life are her three daughters, her eight grandchildren and her one great grandson. Even though she has dementia, she still asks me regularly how the 'new' great grandbaby is coming along.
Yesterday when she was here, she told me that she had tried to reach her twin sister, but she didn't get an answer. She commented to me that she was probably out for the day. Then she told me that she feels sorry for her, not having any children to celebrate with. I feel sorry for her, too.
Then a little bit of her dementia, and how she copes with it showed up. I asked her if her younger sister had called. She pondered that thought for just a minute and looked at me and said "I don't remember. Knowing her, I am sure she did. When dad gets here, ask me again. He'll know. Then he will tell me what she said and I'll remember." Sure enough, that's exactly what happened.
My mom has dementia.
She's surviving that, too.
Labels: memories
I Like This Picture.
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Wardrobe Changes
There were so many wardrobe changes today that I lost count.
This isn't what he was wearing when he came. Nope. Dumped my morning coffee down the front of him, he did. At least it wasn't hot.
This thrift shop Baby Gap shirt ended up covered in chocolate. I only gave him a tiny taste. Amazing how far a tiny taste of chocolate and a lot of spit can go.
Here he is bringing me a wet diaper. He ran around naked for awhile. Only because he is slippery and hard for me to catch. 
He didn't want to wear the jeans. Why do babies think they get a choice? They don't. Pants ARE REQUIRED.
And here we have Baby Boy posing like Napoleon.
He didn't want to wear the jeans. Why do babies think they get a choice? They don't. Pants ARE REQUIRED.
And here we have Baby Boy posing like Napoleon.
We ran out of shirts today.
He didn't mind at all.
Doesn't care that it is still February in Michigan and COLD.
We had a lot of fun today.
Except for that one incident when he insisted on 'drawing' on the carpet with his bottle. He had fun. I did not.
Labels: baby boy
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Judy Makes a Cake, 4th and Final
This is all that's left of the cake!
It made some of the party guests go wild.
Others went into sugar shock.
I am one of the 'others'.
It REALLY was GOOD!
Judy Makes a Cake, part 3
Three cheers for plastic cake decorations!
I bought this a year ago and kept forgetting that I had it.
Blue and brown seem to be gaining in popularity lately, so I stuck it on the cake.
Great grandpa had a great time with Baby Boy.
Baby Boy learned how to shake hands today.
We were all properly welcomed.
Every 80 years or so, one really should review the alphabet.
At least, my mom says so.
She came into the kitchen after dinner, and said that it 'made her day' to be able to watch Baby Boy.
She really needed to get out of the house today.
Judy Makes a Cake, part 2
The finished product!This cake is so dense, I was actually able to hand one of the layers to Daughter without any fear at all of it bending or breaking. Think large 'sugar cookie' here.
Daughter brought me a gallon of milk, so I added vanilla pudding between the two layers.
The Cocoa Butter Frosting seemed to want to just puddle on the top. I was a bit leery of spreading it down the sides, as the pudding is slippery.
I do hope that it is good.
If nothing else, it will be FILLING.
Now I'm off to make the main course.
Labels: my corner of the world, things to make
Judy Makes a Cake
I do not do that often. And, when I do, I use whatever cake mix is on sale. I'm creative enough that I add stuff to make the mixes 'mine', but still. I make cakes only rarely.
But, I got the idea last night to invite my mom and dad over for dinner. THGGM is picking my dad up after work to bring him for the monthly blood work he always has to have done. My dad is six feet tall and I cannot get him from his door to a car in a way he would be comfortable doing hobbling as he must on this broken leg. THGGM can.
So, since they will already be out, and since my dad made it into the house okay on Sunday, they are coming here for 80th birthday dinner. I'm not the daughter who cooks. Nope. That is not me. This also means that my pantry is not well stocked. But really, how could I not have a cake mix?
Not only that, I ran out of milk. Thankfully, 'substitution' is my middle name.
To make a cake from scratch I had to pry open a really sticky page in my nearly 30 year old Betty Crocker Cookbook that I got for a wedding present from someone who cared. This cake had 'butter' in the title, so I am sure we will all like it.
I had to hunt for my round cake pans with the removable bottoms. Having THGGM rework the kitchen WAS nice, but I cannot find anything. Well, now I can, because I have been EVERYWHERE. I found them. I washed them. I sprayed them. I filled them.
I haven't read a recipe in awhile. Such teeny tiny print! Someone must have come into my house since I last used this cookbook and removed the very legible print of the past and exchanged it for a font so small I had to actually lay my nose on the recipe to see it.
I probably should have turned off my handmixer BEFORE doing that, but I didn't. My hair will be fine, I'm sure.
There was an instruction that totally mystified me. "Beat on high for 5 minutes, scraping sides of bowl occasionally." Occasionally. Occasionally, we flip our mattress. Once, maybe twice a year. I want to know EXACTLY how many times in a five minute period I am required to scrape the bowl! I did it twice. Like mattress flipping.
If this cake turns out (it's been in 30 minutes and still is doughy in the center) I will frost it with my mother's Cocoa Butter Frosting. I was going to put vanilla pudding between the layers, but unless I can use soy formula or white chocolate macadamia nut coffee creamer to make the pudding, I'm out of luck.
Stay tuned for pictures!
But, I got the idea last night to invite my mom and dad over for dinner. THGGM is picking my dad up after work to bring him for the monthly blood work he always has to have done. My dad is six feet tall and I cannot get him from his door to a car in a way he would be comfortable doing hobbling as he must on this broken leg. THGGM can.
So, since they will already be out, and since my dad made it into the house okay on Sunday, they are coming here for 80th birthday dinner. I'm not the daughter who cooks. Nope. That is not me. This also means that my pantry is not well stocked. But really, how could I not have a cake mix?
Not only that, I ran out of milk. Thankfully, 'substitution' is my middle name.
To make a cake from scratch I had to pry open a really sticky page in my nearly 30 year old Betty Crocker Cookbook that I got for a wedding present from someone who cared. This cake had 'butter' in the title, so I am sure we will all like it.
I had to hunt for my round cake pans with the removable bottoms. Having THGGM rework the kitchen WAS nice, but I cannot find anything. Well, now I can, because I have been EVERYWHERE. I found them. I washed them. I sprayed them. I filled them.
I haven't read a recipe in awhile. Such teeny tiny print! Someone must have come into my house since I last used this cookbook and removed the very legible print of the past and exchanged it for a font so small I had to actually lay my nose on the recipe to see it.
I probably should have turned off my handmixer BEFORE doing that, but I didn't. My hair will be fine, I'm sure.
There was an instruction that totally mystified me. "Beat on high for 5 minutes, scraping sides of bowl occasionally." Occasionally. Occasionally, we flip our mattress. Once, maybe twice a year. I want to know EXACTLY how many times in a five minute period I am required to scrape the bowl! I did it twice. Like mattress flipping.
If this cake turns out (it's been in 30 minutes and still is doughy in the center) I will frost it with my mother's Cocoa Butter Frosting. I was going to put vanilla pudding between the layers, but unless I can use soy formula or white chocolate macadamia nut coffee creamer to make the pudding, I'm out of luck.
Stay tuned for pictures!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
80th Birthday Party (part 2)
80th Birthday Party
The Birthday Girl!
The food!
The available grandsons!
The food line!
The broken leg!
The food line!
The broken leg!
A picture that I really like of my neice!
Ten Months until Christmas!
Friday, February 23, 2007
Preview Page
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(click to enlarge)
Okay. Since I had an 'empty nest' day today I began my book.
Here is the roughest of rough drafts ever.
One more page appears on my Inky Fingers site www.judyh58b.blogspot.com
Hopefully, I will be adding more.
I think I will tweak things up a bit and do this one for Baby Boy with Daughter as 'the mom'.
I'm trying to get the hang of quick sketches. I just get so I'm okay at it, and then I don't do it for so long I forget everything. I might have to go with pen and watercolor.
Labels: things to make
An Empty-Nester Morning
Are you a harried mom? Wonder if the work will EVER end? Do you long to drink a cup of hot coffee without fear that you might spill some on a fuzzy little head? Wonder if your kids will turn out okay, even though you live in a state of terminal dysfunction (who doesn't, really.)? Wish you had done hurdles in high school so you could scale baby gates with the greatest of ease?
Come sit by me, and let me tell you what is in store for you (if you live).
Today, my only morning of the week without either Baby Boy or work to go to, I get to ENJOY what an empty nest is all about.
I got up at my usual time, even though I didn't sleep well at all last night. Getting up is SO much easier when you aren't required to. Anyway, if I stayed in bed I would miss out on my enjoyment of all that quiet.
It IS quiet here. THGGM left for work. No one is here but me and the kitty who likes to sit on my cold feet. Last year I still had a dog to play 'in and out' with all day long. She left the nest too.
I drank my coffee. I made it last night. No one intercepted it. It was just how I like it.
In peace and calm I read my morning devotional. I am in love with Oswald Chambers. I used to think of him as one of my favorite 'dead old men' writers. Now I realize that he was more than five years younger than I am right now when he died.
In utter tranquility I thought my own thoughts. I thought about the Gladys Taber book I read last night. Part of the reason I am tired this morning is that I googled her last night and stayed up late reading about her. Then, I climbed into bed and read what she had to say. I can do that. I thought about how much I would have liked her life. To a point. Wouldn't it be FUN to have a 'Jill' like she did, who seemed to do all of the work while Gladys wrote about what Jill did? That is my idea of a good life. You do something cool, and I'll write about it! I also think I would be good at raising puppies.
At 9:30 Daughter arrived for morning coffee, sans Baby Boy, who plays with his other grandpa on Fridays. Children who drive you completely bonkers while young grow into amazing human beings who function fabulously and are delightful to spend time with! I am astounded by that. Daughter is a wife, the mother of a thirteen month old, and is now four months pregnant. We carried on normal adult conversation. Children are cute and all that when they are small, but NOTHING is greater than sharing a cup of coffee and conversation with someone who knows what you look like when you get up in the morning, and still respects your opinions.
Daughter left for work and I tidied up the kitchen. So lazy was I when I went to bed last night that I ran the dishwasher for such a small amount of dishes I should be embarrassed. I remember when it wasn't unusual to run it several times a day. Still, I challenge myself daily to use the least amount of dishes possible. It's a little game I like to play. Others call it OCD. I also sat at my NEW kitchen counter and ate a bowl of cereal. I meant to eat Kashi GoLean Crunch, but I mistakenly poured myself Honey Bunches of Oats instead. I used up the milk, so I had to eat it. Still, I didn't let a little thing like that ruin my enjoyment of my new perch in the kitchen.
It's still morning. I plan to 'walk' through my house, picking up things and returning them to the proper place as I go. I have two piles of craft-related stuff to put away, but now that I am considering switching to yet another room, I'm not sure if I'll bother with that yet. My mom's 80th birthday is on the 27th, so we will host a family birthday party for her here on Sunday. Time to vacuum the Cheerios out of the couches. I took a picture of Baby Boy having his bottle on the floor, and also noticed a plethora of brightly colored balls under the couch in the living room. Must retrieve those too.
My plan for the early part of the afternoon is to clean up our bedroom. Since the bat incident of a month ago I have not been eager to spend any amount of time alone in there. I am not brave. Not one little bit. I'm more horrified at where I might find 'guano' than I am of actually finding another bat. No looky - no seey.
In my past life, I would try to remember what Daughter looked like, because she was SUCH a busy person we rarely saw her. She was either with a friend or playing some sort of sport. She found us to be incredibly dull (can't argue with that). Now, our dullness works to her advantage, and she knows that Baby Boy can pop in to play at almost anytime and we will be here, just being dull. I also never knew when Youngest Son was going to invite the entire basketball team to shower at our home. The school didn't have showers. He thought that answer would satisfy me. It never did. Oldest Son has friends whom we have never met, although they have been to our home numerous times. That's because they came in after we turned into pumpkins and left just a few minutes before we got up.
In my present life, take Monday for instance, everyone left to go to their own homes at precisely the same time. THGGM looked at me and said "They are all gone!" Then, he promptly fell asleep.
I watched "Antiques Roadshow" in peace and matched socks (you can take that either way as both are true).
Yes. The time does fly. Except of course, those times when THGGM would quickly pull into a parking spot and say "I will be RIGHT back!" leaving me in a very small car with three very young children. Those times sort of linger in my mind and I awaken some nights feeling as if I am still in that car. The great stuff, like Christmas mornings with everyone healthy and wearing bright new blanket-sleepers with the feet still attached I'm glad I have pictures of, as those moments seem to have been shot from a cannon (for the record, i had a nikon).
When I find that I miss all the noise and flurried activity of 'young family' life, I have my memories. And, I know of plenty of people willing to loan out their children for just long enough to remind me of why babies happen to the young.
Sometimes I wonder if maybe I enjoy being alone a bit too much.
Nah.
Come sit by me, and let me tell you what is in store for you (if you live).
Today, my only morning of the week without either Baby Boy or work to go to, I get to ENJOY what an empty nest is all about.
I got up at my usual time, even though I didn't sleep well at all last night. Getting up is SO much easier when you aren't required to. Anyway, if I stayed in bed I would miss out on my enjoyment of all that quiet.
It IS quiet here. THGGM left for work. No one is here but me and the kitty who likes to sit on my cold feet. Last year I still had a dog to play 'in and out' with all day long. She left the nest too.
I drank my coffee. I made it last night. No one intercepted it. It was just how I like it.
In peace and calm I read my morning devotional. I am in love with Oswald Chambers. I used to think of him as one of my favorite 'dead old men' writers. Now I realize that he was more than five years younger than I am right now when he died.
In utter tranquility I thought my own thoughts. I thought about the Gladys Taber book I read last night. Part of the reason I am tired this morning is that I googled her last night and stayed up late reading about her. Then, I climbed into bed and read what she had to say. I can do that. I thought about how much I would have liked her life. To a point. Wouldn't it be FUN to have a 'Jill' like she did, who seemed to do all of the work while Gladys wrote about what Jill did? That is my idea of a good life. You do something cool, and I'll write about it! I also think I would be good at raising puppies.
At 9:30 Daughter arrived for morning coffee, sans Baby Boy, who plays with his other grandpa on Fridays. Children who drive you completely bonkers while young grow into amazing human beings who function fabulously and are delightful to spend time with! I am astounded by that. Daughter is a wife, the mother of a thirteen month old, and is now four months pregnant. We carried on normal adult conversation. Children are cute and all that when they are small, but NOTHING is greater than sharing a cup of coffee and conversation with someone who knows what you look like when you get up in the morning, and still respects your opinions.
Daughter left for work and I tidied up the kitchen. So lazy was I when I went to bed last night that I ran the dishwasher for such a small amount of dishes I should be embarrassed. I remember when it wasn't unusual to run it several times a day. Still, I challenge myself daily to use the least amount of dishes possible. It's a little game I like to play. Others call it OCD. I also sat at my NEW kitchen counter and ate a bowl of cereal. I meant to eat Kashi GoLean Crunch, but I mistakenly poured myself Honey Bunches of Oats instead. I used up the milk, so I had to eat it. Still, I didn't let a little thing like that ruin my enjoyment of my new perch in the kitchen.
It's still morning. I plan to 'walk' through my house, picking up things and returning them to the proper place as I go. I have two piles of craft-related stuff to put away, but now that I am considering switching to yet another room, I'm not sure if I'll bother with that yet. My mom's 80th birthday is on the 27th, so we will host a family birthday party for her here on Sunday. Time to vacuum the Cheerios out of the couches. I took a picture of Baby Boy having his bottle on the floor, and also noticed a plethora of brightly colored balls under the couch in the living room. Must retrieve those too.
My plan for the early part of the afternoon is to clean up our bedroom. Since the bat incident of a month ago I have not been eager to spend any amount of time alone in there. I am not brave. Not one little bit. I'm more horrified at where I might find 'guano' than I am of actually finding another bat. No looky - no seey.
In my past life, I would try to remember what Daughter looked like, because she was SUCH a busy person we rarely saw her. She was either with a friend or playing some sort of sport. She found us to be incredibly dull (can't argue with that). Now, our dullness works to her advantage, and she knows that Baby Boy can pop in to play at almost anytime and we will be here, just being dull. I also never knew when Youngest Son was going to invite the entire basketball team to shower at our home. The school didn't have showers. He thought that answer would satisfy me. It never did. Oldest Son has friends whom we have never met, although they have been to our home numerous times. That's because they came in after we turned into pumpkins and left just a few minutes before we got up.
In my present life, take Monday for instance, everyone left to go to their own homes at precisely the same time. THGGM looked at me and said "They are all gone!" Then, he promptly fell asleep.
I watched "Antiques Roadshow" in peace and matched socks (you can take that either way as both are true).
Yes. The time does fly. Except of course, those times when THGGM would quickly pull into a parking spot and say "I will be RIGHT back!" leaving me in a very small car with three very young children. Those times sort of linger in my mind and I awaken some nights feeling as if I am still in that car. The great stuff, like Christmas mornings with everyone healthy and wearing bright new blanket-sleepers with the feet still attached I'm glad I have pictures of, as those moments seem to have been shot from a cannon (for the record, i had a nikon).
When I find that I miss all the noise and flurried activity of 'young family' life, I have my memories. And, I know of plenty of people willing to loan out their children for just long enough to remind me of why babies happen to the young.
Sometimes I wonder if maybe I enjoy being alone a bit too much.
Nah.
Labels: my corner of the world
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Random Comments
It is very windy here today. Very. I am watching the flag across the street go wild. I am also reminded that this flag was never put to half staff when President Ford died. I believe it belongs to the city. Shame on them.
I've decided to move my art room again. I just might have to get rid of more stuff. Or, set it outside and let it blow away today.
A mouse trap snapped while I was making coffee this morning. No mouse parts are visible outside of the trap, but I can hear squeaks coming from inside. I plan to spend no more time than is totally necessary in my kitchen today until THGGM gets home. Hearing a small mouse cry himself to death is not my idea of a good time.
This week I set "The Cat in the Hat" to music. I'm finding that I get short of breath reading loooong children's books that require expression in the reading of them. But, I can sing them just fine. "The Cat in the Hat" works great with one of my favorite Christian songs. I will not tell you which one, as it would ruin that wonderful song for you forever.
I spent an hour this morning reading controversial stuff. I should not do that. Gives me heart palpitations and a headache. I'm thinking of writing a controversial book in the 'touch and feel' genre. A variety of nail heads and needles would be available for poking ones self. What I read effects me in the same way. No more controversial stuff for me for the rest of the day. I have a 'cottage style' decorating book with many pictures to inspire happy thoughts.
Another book idea. This one is for children. It's to be called "This Is Mom". In it, the child will follow what 'mom' does all day. I'm getting sick and tired of books about what the child does all day. One page will be "This is mom eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with you. She loves you, but she hates peanut butter and jelly and can't wait for you to take your nap so she can eat the M&M's she has hidden away. Although, she has to eat them on the run, or she will not have the dishes washed, laundry going or dinner started before you wake up, requiring a diaper change." That particular page COULD have an element of 'scratch and sniff', I'm not sure about that yet...
I finally have the purrrfect cat. He sleeps on my cold feet. I've tried for years to get other pets to do that, but they have preferred to sleep on parts of my body that are never cold. If I could think of what to reward this cat with, I would do it. He has lost all interest in small squeaking mice.
Baby Boy is FINALLY down for his nap. It was a struggle. He wanted me to hold him. I wanted him to lay down. We compromised. I held him. Then, I laid him down while still holding him. Next I sloooooooowly removed my arm from underneath him. He did open one eye and give me a really dirty look, but he has remained asleep.
I can dance through "The Barnyard Dance" book one time, but any more than that and I feel the early warnings of cardiac arrest. Baby Boy has spent the morning pointing to the page in the book and demanding in the way only he can that he wants me to either 'twirl' or 'promenade' neither of which look pretty when I do them. He will not bow, spin, strut or bounce on his own. Just points at the page and nods his head while saying 'jah, jah, jah!' like a good Dutch boy should.
Yesterday I had a few hours of what, if my memory serves me correctly, felt like happiness. I hate to admit to having a BAD case of the winter 'blahs' bordering on nasty 'I can barely function' depression. But, I do. My most obvious symptoms are a lack of feeling anything but tired, and a desire to do nothing but whine about this ache or that pain. But, that glimpse into a happier world made me feel hopeful. Almost human. I blame a lot of this on that horrid "Wuthering Heights" book that I determined to finish. And did. And HATED. Icky pooh book, that one.
I'm reading the 'spring' portion of Gladys Taber's "Stillmeadow Sampler" and that is helpful. Last night their barn burned down. But, I'm okay. If even one of their dogs had died, I would have been a basket case this morning. But they got all of the dogs out. Really. The book is so old that I felt sad thinking that they are all dead now anyway, but I digress (maybe i am not really depressed, maybe i am just digressed).
But, no. I'm fine. Really, I'm fine.
Time to go write some really fine poetry, me thinks...
I've decided to move my art room again. I just might have to get rid of more stuff. Or, set it outside and let it blow away today.
A mouse trap snapped while I was making coffee this morning. No mouse parts are visible outside of the trap, but I can hear squeaks coming from inside. I plan to spend no more time than is totally necessary in my kitchen today until THGGM gets home. Hearing a small mouse cry himself to death is not my idea of a good time.
This week I set "The Cat in the Hat" to music. I'm finding that I get short of breath reading loooong children's books that require expression in the reading of them. But, I can sing them just fine. "The Cat in the Hat" works great with one of my favorite Christian songs. I will not tell you which one, as it would ruin that wonderful song for you forever.
I spent an hour this morning reading controversial stuff. I should not do that. Gives me heart palpitations and a headache. I'm thinking of writing a controversial book in the 'touch and feel' genre. A variety of nail heads and needles would be available for poking ones self. What I read effects me in the same way. No more controversial stuff for me for the rest of the day. I have a 'cottage style' decorating book with many pictures to inspire happy thoughts.
Another book idea. This one is for children. It's to be called "This Is Mom". In it, the child will follow what 'mom' does all day. I'm getting sick and tired of books about what the child does all day. One page will be "This is mom eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with you. She loves you, but she hates peanut butter and jelly and can't wait for you to take your nap so she can eat the M&M's she has hidden away. Although, she has to eat them on the run, or she will not have the dishes washed, laundry going or dinner started before you wake up, requiring a diaper change." That particular page COULD have an element of 'scratch and sniff', I'm not sure about that yet...
I finally have the purrrfect cat. He sleeps on my cold feet. I've tried for years to get other pets to do that, but they have preferred to sleep on parts of my body that are never cold. If I could think of what to reward this cat with, I would do it. He has lost all interest in small squeaking mice.
Baby Boy is FINALLY down for his nap. It was a struggle. He wanted me to hold him. I wanted him to lay down. We compromised. I held him. Then, I laid him down while still holding him. Next I sloooooooowly removed my arm from underneath him. He did open one eye and give me a really dirty look, but he has remained asleep.
I can dance through "The Barnyard Dance" book one time, but any more than that and I feel the early warnings of cardiac arrest. Baby Boy has spent the morning pointing to the page in the book and demanding in the way only he can that he wants me to either 'twirl' or 'promenade' neither of which look pretty when I do them. He will not bow, spin, strut or bounce on his own. Just points at the page and nods his head while saying 'jah, jah, jah!' like a good Dutch boy should.
Yesterday I had a few hours of what, if my memory serves me correctly, felt like happiness. I hate to admit to having a BAD case of the winter 'blahs' bordering on nasty 'I can barely function' depression. But, I do. My most obvious symptoms are a lack of feeling anything but tired, and a desire to do nothing but whine about this ache or that pain. But, that glimpse into a happier world made me feel hopeful. Almost human. I blame a lot of this on that horrid "Wuthering Heights" book that I determined to finish. And did. And HATED. Icky pooh book, that one.
I'm reading the 'spring' portion of Gladys Taber's "Stillmeadow Sampler" and that is helpful. Last night their barn burned down. But, I'm okay. If even one of their dogs had died, I would have been a basket case this morning. But they got all of the dogs out. Really. The book is so old that I felt sad thinking that they are all dead now anyway, but I digress (maybe i am not really depressed, maybe i am just digressed).
But, no. I'm fine. Really, I'm fine.
Time to go write some really fine poetry, me thinks...
Labels: my corner of the world
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
New and Improved Baby Boy!
Baby Boy had his hair trimmed last night.
No doubt about it, Baby Boy looks just like his daddy.
But the expression on his face in this picture looks JUST like his mommy!
Labels: baby boy
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Some Days I Feel Just Like this Bird.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Monday
My very own Monday.
THGGM left for work at his usual time.
30 minutes later my mom arrived. She was clear and focused and we napped through most of the Today Show. We napped clear and focused, the two of us did.
At 9:00 Baby Boy and Daughter arrived. Baby Boy had a good night's sleep and was happy.
Oldest Son got up and had coffee with us. He is a banker and had the day off.
Daughter left for work.
My dad made it into the house for a brief visit, thanks to Brother-in-law who took him to his doctor's appointment (broken bone is healing very well) and to pick up some groceries for the week.
Mom and dad left for home.
Oldest Son reheated leftovers for us for lunch while Baby Boy napped in my arms.
Oldest Son fed Baby Boy his lunch (BB's lunch, not OS's chicken enchilada).
Oldest Son and I watched "The Office" epidsodes that Youngest Son recorded when he still lived here.
Baby Boy played happily.
Nephew Chris came. He is on a reading break from his master's program in Toronto.
Nephew Chris and Oldest Son went book shopping at Barnes and Noble.
Baby Boy and I took a nap.
Nephew Chris and Oldest Son returned. They had books.
Youngest Son came to see Nephew Chris and Oldest Son.
Daughter returned.
THGGM returned.
We had pizza for supper.
In a five minute period, Daughter, Baby Boy, Youngest Son, Oldest Son and Nephew Chris all left.
THGGM fell asleep on the couch.
I watched Antiques Roadshow and folded laundry.
THGGM woke up and went to do something noisy which seemed to involve moving furniture in the room directly over me.
THGGM went to bed at 10:00.
It's awfully quiet here now.
Really really quiet.
I'm so tired, yet I didn't really DO anything today.
THGGM left for work at his usual time.
30 minutes later my mom arrived. She was clear and focused and we napped through most of the Today Show. We napped clear and focused, the two of us did.
At 9:00 Baby Boy and Daughter arrived. Baby Boy had a good night's sleep and was happy.
Oldest Son got up and had coffee with us. He is a banker and had the day off.
Daughter left for work.
My dad made it into the house for a brief visit, thanks to Brother-in-law who took him to his doctor's appointment (broken bone is healing very well) and to pick up some groceries for the week.
Mom and dad left for home.
Oldest Son reheated leftovers for us for lunch while Baby Boy napped in my arms.
Oldest Son fed Baby Boy his lunch (BB's lunch, not OS's chicken enchilada).
Oldest Son and I watched "The Office" epidsodes that Youngest Son recorded when he still lived here.
Baby Boy played happily.
Nephew Chris came. He is on a reading break from his master's program in Toronto.
Nephew Chris and Oldest Son went book shopping at Barnes and Noble.
Baby Boy and I took a nap.
Nephew Chris and Oldest Son returned. They had books.
Youngest Son came to see Nephew Chris and Oldest Son.
Daughter returned.
THGGM returned.
We had pizza for supper.
In a five minute period, Daughter, Baby Boy, Youngest Son, Oldest Son and Nephew Chris all left.
THGGM fell asleep on the couch.
I watched Antiques Roadshow and folded laundry.
THGGM woke up and went to do something noisy which seemed to involve moving furniture in the room directly over me.
THGGM went to bed at 10:00.
It's awfully quiet here now.
Really really quiet.
I'm so tired, yet I didn't really DO anything today.
Labels: my corner of the world
Oldest Boys
Hmmm.THGGM, Oldest Son and Baby Boy are all the oldest in their families of origin.
So is Baby Boy's Daddy.
I see some interesting stuff in their futures together.
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Labels: my corner of the world
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Oldest Son and Baby Boy
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Baby Boy's Uncle is visiting this weekend..JPG)
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Baby Boy hasn't seen him since Christmas Day..JPG)
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They've had much catching up to do.
They are doing all of their favorite things together.
Labels: Posts Actually Meant for Baby Boy's Blog
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Thrifty Saturday
Since it is no longer January, I am free to thrift shop again!
Sadly I did not find all that much of a turnover from the end of December.
But, I did find these three adorable plastic angels who will someday find their way into a shadow box.
Aren't they cute? And I LOVE the color. They were still tightly tied into the box they came in.
THGGM found this NEW lamp shade. We have several lamps around here in need of shades. This one will be going into the guest room. He also found a shirt, but clothes were 'buy one get two free', so someone else will be getting two shirts.
THGGM found this NEW lamp shade. We have several lamps around here in need of shades. This one will be going into the guest room. He also found a shirt, but clothes were 'buy one get two free', so someone else will be getting two shirts.
I also found four books. One of them "Poems of the Midwest" by Carl Sandburg. I don't think I really like Carl all that much, but the book was the right color, and I am seriously looking to increase my knowledge of poetry. I read a lot of Sandra Boynton and Dr. Seuss now, so I feel I need some balance. I also came home with two Pearl S. Buck novels and Kathleen Norris' "Amazing Grace".
I also found this really cool school chair for Baby Boy. His daddy built him shelves for his books, and now he will have a little chair so he can use the bottom shelf as a table.
I found two Baby Gap shirts for him also.
Let's see...what else...
Oh, I got a terrific piece of upholstery material. A yard and a half of cream on cream for 75 cents. Another 99 cent arpon on which I can embroidery something cute, and a salt shaker.
And now I will add a little note. When I got up this morning, there in my mouse trap were two mice. TWO. In the same trap! However does this happen? Really. We have plenty of traps for everyone, but this looked like it just may have been some sort of lovers suicide. Once it turned bitterly cold here two weeks ago, those little buggers have found a new way in. I would not be surprised if they had keys.
Labels: mice aren't nice, thrift and antique shopping
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Thursday
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Baby Boy came to play today. Although, we didn't do much playing. He is not feeling well. He is unable to understand what a runny nose is, and is very unhappy about having one. I am popping vitamin C's like they are candy. I do not want this, oh no I don't!
The Greats could not visit today. My dad will need to be off of his broken leg for six weeks at least. He broke the smaller of the two bones that make up the leg between the ankle and the knee. A nice clean break which is already showing signs of healing.
I watched "The Office" tonight. It was four weeks ago tonight that we had a bat flying around our bedroom. It was TOO soon for me to watch a bat flying around on TV. I was retraumatized and will probably be reverting back to childish behaviours.
For Valentine's Day, THGGM and I watched Baby Boy so his daddy and mommy could go out for dinner.
I must also tell you of my milestone achievement. I can recite the entire book "The Folks in the Valley" from memory. It took me a year, but by golly, I did it! Now I'm moving on to "The Barnyard Dance". I told Daughter today that I am going to design badges to sew onto a vest to mark these milestones in my life as "Beppe".
And, now I must go to bed. Again, I am finding myself to be unbelievable tired lately. I took a morning nap with Baby Boy, but he woke up screaming right into my ear and I have been ornery ever since. Then, he took a nice long afternoon nap - nearly two hours - but he would only sleep if I held him. That is, if I held him PERFECTLY still. I never quite woke up from THAT nap. So, tonight I will finish up Wuthering Heights and will look for something light and fluffy to read.
Something like "Mr. Brown Can Moo".
Labels: baby boy
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Irreconcilable Differences (First appeared in May of 2006) In Honor of Valentine's Day
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Goodness.
If Irreconcilable Differences is a reason to get divorced, I cannot believe that I am still married.
If Irreconcilable Differences is a reason to get divorced, I cannot believe that I am still married.
The Husband God Gave Me and I have SO many irreconcilable differences that we could marry and divorce every day for the rest of our lives.
His snoring is enough to drive me insane. I like to sleep ALL night. But, I no longer can, as I must kick start him back to life. He quits breathing so often I cannot believe he is still alive. Hence, I don't dare sleep. He goes to the sleep clinic August 1st. The papers came today. Maybe we can reconcile this one.
He likes celebrity news shows. I like the History Channel. He has a habit of changing the channel when I am in the middle of something. "Oh. Were you watching that?" If my eyes are on the TV, chances are I am 'watching that'. Arghhh.
Whenever he unwraps something, he hands the paper to me. I do not know why. I DO save a lot of scraps, but not shrink plastic or candy wrappers.
THGGM is terribly fussy about his ironing. He will not let me iron his shirts. Says he doesn't want two or three creases going down his arm. Well. Imagine that.
Presently, I only own five pairs of shoes. Black heels, ivory heels, beige slip-on flats, black clogs and my favorite Dr. Shoals. He has developed long term relationships with more pairs of shoes than I have ever owned in my life. If he asks "Can you bring me my brown loafers" I usually end up getting a review of brown vs. burgundy. In a dark closet, they look the same to me.
Oh, and his belt MUST always match his shoes. Even though his belt no longer shows.
I am the owner of six pair of identical navy blue socks. He, on the other hand, owns socks in every hue of every color in the spectrum.
I love to play Scrabble. He doesn't. Yet, he always wins.
THGGM has shy kidneys. My kidneys are extremely outgoing.
He likes to sleep on a nicely made bed with smooth sheets. I could sleep on a dog, six magazines, a book and a pair of jeans.
He also needs a fan going to sleep. I like to sleep in quiet.
I love to read in bed. Until the book falls and I am asleep. He likes to sleep in the dark. Pitch dark.
He loves the beach. I love the woods.
THGGM loves to eat Chinese food from the mall. Ack. Double Ack.
When he is ill, he wants to be left totally alone. When I am ill I want to keep telling him just how ill I am. And how even if he has had the same illness, mine is just a bit worse.
I love books. He thinks they make dandy coasters. My beloved copy of "My Utmost for His Highest" looks like it has the Olympic symbol on the cover.
It is important to him that his darks and whites are washed separately. It matters not a wit to me. I do not intend for anyone to see my underwear, ever. Anyway, 'bluing' has always been known to perk up whites.
I like the dining room chairs just as they are. He wants to paint them black.
He said "Let's take up the horrid carpet in the bedroom!" I said, "No. There is a sticky pad under it." We now have sticky pad carpet in our bedroom. I don't like it. He won't talk about it.
THGGM likes to get where we are going. I like to meander like a shallow stream.
He likes to sit on the front porch so he can see everything that's going on. I like to be in the fenced in backyard were I can pretend that nothing is going on.
He likes sun. I like shade. Which means, he gets tan, I glow in the dark.
I like museums and nature preserves. He likes shopping malls and crowded art festivals.
He likes all curtains open and blinds up. I would wear a burka if I knew were to get one.
THGGM irons linen napkins to relax. He also clips coupons to relax. And, he cleans the house to relax. The only way I can relax is if I take Vicodin - which I don't. So I never relax. I sit very very still and LOOK relaxed, but I am not.
Classical music. We both like it. Although, he likes Bach adaggio's that make me depressed. I like Beethoven and trilly happy sounds. With the exception of Moonlight Sonata. I do like that.
He likes country music. It sounds like a migraine to me.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As we approach our TWENTY-EIGHTH Wedding Anniversary I will attempt to find time to drone on about what we HAVE reconciled.
But, most importantly, I love him and he loves me. And that love covers a multiple of irreconcilable differences.
Labels: The Husband God Gave Me
Baby Boy
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Monday, February 12, 2007
One of My Favorite Sites
www.kiddley.com
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this site! Fabulous ideas for things to make and do with kids.
I'm crazy about the Valentine pails. Go check it out, you will be to!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this site! Fabulous ideas for things to make and do with kids.
I'm crazy about the Valentine pails. Go check it out, you will be to!
Labels: things to make
A Post In Which I Take a Long Time to Get to the Point.
Do you remember the early days of space travel?
How when the space craft took off and again when it landed it went through a period of time when all radio contact was lost?
I felt like that today.
My dad needed an x-ray. I'm not much good at moving an incapacitated 6 foot man, so my brother-in-law drove all the way from 'up north' to bring him to have his foot x-rayed.
The trick was in coordinating all of this. Neither he nor I have a cell-phone.
I had to call the doctor's office when they opened to ask for an x-ray appointment. I called at 8:00 and actually got through at about 8:35. Monday mornings and doctor's offices do not mix well.
The nurse sent the request to the doctor, but I had to wait for her to call me back with all of the details.
My brother-in-law decided to take his chances and come in, hoping that the x-ray would actually be today. He is 45 minutes away, in good weather.
Meanwhile, the nurse called. I believe it was about 11:00. The x-ray order was sent, and he could have it done anytime today.
I call my dad. He is ready, and will be waiting. He is working at getting mom ready. This is harder to do than one would imagine. My mom's 'hurrier' is broken.
My brother-in-law arrives at about 12:30. He brings my mom over here, as I no longer think it would be possible to take my dad who cannot walk and my mom who cannot remember things like 'stay right by the bathroom door' out together with just one other person anymore.
By this time I am hoping that I have remembered everything that needs to be told. Things like how to get to x-ray, wait for the x-ray to be read, don't leave until follow-up is scheduled...stuff like that.
Mom and I had lunch. Mom thought that my sister had the day off and had gone shopping. In actuality, my sister was at work, about an hour and a half away. I was communicating with her by e-mail all day. Mom also thought that my brother-in-law and dad where off doing something mysterious. When she first got here, she kept saying, 'why did they plan this without telling me?' Dementia is horrid.
Well, mom calmed down nicely. After lunch we stamped Valentines. My mom and I used to stamp a lot. She gave it up years ago. Today, she had a grand old time stamping Valentines for my dad. At one point she turned to me and said "Why did we ever quit doing this? It's so much fun! We have to start doing this again!" ( Oh, we will mom, we will.)
Now, across town my brother-in-law and dad are playing the wonderful game of 'hurry up and wait'. Thankfully, my brother-in-law is not a shy unassuming guy. He would have no trouble at all finding out all of the whys and wherefores and ins and outs of navigating the complicated system called health care.
Meanwhile, back at MY house my mom is still 'in focus'. After stamping, we moved to the couch where we indulged ourselves with very chocolaty hot chocolate and extra fudgy brownies to which I added even more chocolate chips. She told me that she likes to come to my house. That she can relax when she is here. I told her what she REALLY liked was that we had turned into Viv and Bea (her mom and aunt) who were both ample-lapped diabetics like the two of us who at times spit in the face of modern medical knowledge and feed our inner child the sweet nectar of forbidden carbohydrates.
I'm quite sure we had more fun today than 'the boys'.
The x-ray showed that dad does indeed have a broken foot.
"Houston, we have a problem."
How when the space craft took off and again when it landed it went through a period of time when all radio contact was lost?
I felt like that today.
My dad needed an x-ray. I'm not much good at moving an incapacitated 6 foot man, so my brother-in-law drove all the way from 'up north' to bring him to have his foot x-rayed.
The trick was in coordinating all of this. Neither he nor I have a cell-phone.
I had to call the doctor's office when they opened to ask for an x-ray appointment. I called at 8:00 and actually got through at about 8:35. Monday mornings and doctor's offices do not mix well.
The nurse sent the request to the doctor, but I had to wait for her to call me back with all of the details.
My brother-in-law decided to take his chances and come in, hoping that the x-ray would actually be today. He is 45 minutes away, in good weather.
Meanwhile, the nurse called. I believe it was about 11:00. The x-ray order was sent, and he could have it done anytime today.
I call my dad. He is ready, and will be waiting. He is working at getting mom ready. This is harder to do than one would imagine. My mom's 'hurrier' is broken.
My brother-in-law arrives at about 12:30. He brings my mom over here, as I no longer think it would be possible to take my dad who cannot walk and my mom who cannot remember things like 'stay right by the bathroom door' out together with just one other person anymore.
By this time I am hoping that I have remembered everything that needs to be told. Things like how to get to x-ray, wait for the x-ray to be read, don't leave until follow-up is scheduled...stuff like that.
Mom and I had lunch. Mom thought that my sister had the day off and had gone shopping. In actuality, my sister was at work, about an hour and a half away. I was communicating with her by e-mail all day. Mom also thought that my brother-in-law and dad where off doing something mysterious. When she first got here, she kept saying, 'why did they plan this without telling me?' Dementia is horrid.
Well, mom calmed down nicely. After lunch we stamped Valentines. My mom and I used to stamp a lot. She gave it up years ago. Today, she had a grand old time stamping Valentines for my dad. At one point she turned to me and said "Why did we ever quit doing this? It's so much fun! We have to start doing this again!" ( Oh, we will mom, we will.)
Now, across town my brother-in-law and dad are playing the wonderful game of 'hurry up and wait'. Thankfully, my brother-in-law is not a shy unassuming guy. He would have no trouble at all finding out all of the whys and wherefores and ins and outs of navigating the complicated system called health care.
Meanwhile, back at MY house my mom is still 'in focus'. After stamping, we moved to the couch where we indulged ourselves with very chocolaty hot chocolate and extra fudgy brownies to which I added even more chocolate chips. She told me that she likes to come to my house. That she can relax when she is here. I told her what she REALLY liked was that we had turned into Viv and Bea (her mom and aunt) who were both ample-lapped diabetics like the two of us who at times spit in the face of modern medical knowledge and feed our inner child the sweet nectar of forbidden carbohydrates.
I'm quite sure we had more fun today than 'the boys'.
The x-ray showed that dad does indeed have a broken foot.
"Houston, we have a problem."
Labels: my corner of the world
Saturday, February 10, 2007
High School Meme
Year of High School Graduation - 1976
1. Who was you best friend?
My best friend in high school was THGGM. Although then he was just TBFGGM.
2. What sports did you play?
None. Unless "Hard to Get" is a sport.
3. What kind of car did you drive?
I occasionally took my dad's '66 Buick LeSabre to school.
4. It's Friday night, where were you?
Football game, Basketball game or working.
5. Were you a party animal?
No. I have NEVER liked parties.
6. Where you in the "In Crowd"?
I don't think so. THGGM thinks I was. It was a very small high school with only 100 in our graduating class.
7. Ever skip school?
No. But we did do something called "selling advertising" for journalism/yearbook class which was about the same as skipping!
8. Ever smoke?
No.
9. Were you a nerd?
No.
10. Did you get suspended/expelled?
No.
11. Can you sing the alma mater?
Yes, I can. Sometimes I still sing it just for fun. (if i wasn't a nerd then, i certainly am now)
12. Who was your favorite teacher?
Mr. Brisbin
13. Favorite Class
English
14. What was your school's full name?
Lee High School
15. School Mascot?
Rebel Soldier, Confederate Flag
16. Did you go to Prom?
THGGM and I went to our Jr. Prom, but not our Sr. Prom. I think we were just too cool by then.
Anyway, it's a party, and I don't like parties.
17. If you could go back and do it over, would you?
I would love to relive 9-11 grade. My senior year was just too emotional for me. I haven't recovered from it yet. We did not attend our 30 year reunion this year because I could not stand the thought of reliving that year.
18. What do you remember most about graduation?
How HOT it was.
19. Favorite memory of your senior year?
I had a great schedule. I do remember that! All through high school I had choir first hour. Truly, starting out every day singing was a great experience.
20. Were you ever posted on the senior wall?
If that means 'honor roll', yes.
21. Did you have a job your senior year?
Yes. I worked at Roger's Department Store.
22. Who did you date?
My senior year, only THGGM.
23. Where did you go most often for lunch?
Home. I had lunch with my mom and dad every day of my senior year. Except, of course, those days I borrowed the LeSabre and THHGM and I went out to 'sell advertising'.
24. Have you gained weight since then?
Hahahahahahahahaha! I weighed 114 pounds when THGGM and I began dating.
25. What did you do after graduation?
IMMEDIATELY after graduation? THGGM and I went out for ice cream with my mom and dad. The next day I went to my full time job at Systematics, doing data entry. I LOVED it.
1. Who was you best friend?
My best friend in high school was THGGM. Although then he was just TBFGGM.
2. What sports did you play?
None. Unless "Hard to Get" is a sport.
3. What kind of car did you drive?
I occasionally took my dad's '66 Buick LeSabre to school.
4. It's Friday night, where were you?
Football game, Basketball game or working.
5. Were you a party animal?
No. I have NEVER liked parties.
6. Where you in the "In Crowd"?
I don't think so. THGGM thinks I was. It was a very small high school with only 100 in our graduating class.
7. Ever skip school?
No. But we did do something called "selling advertising" for journalism/yearbook class which was about the same as skipping!
8. Ever smoke?
No.
9. Were you a nerd?
No.
10. Did you get suspended/expelled?
No.
11. Can you sing the alma mater?
Yes, I can. Sometimes I still sing it just for fun. (if i wasn't a nerd then, i certainly am now)
12. Who was your favorite teacher?
Mr. Brisbin
13. Favorite Class
English
14. What was your school's full name?
Lee High School
15. School Mascot?
Rebel Soldier, Confederate Flag
16. Did you go to Prom?
THGGM and I went to our Jr. Prom, but not our Sr. Prom. I think we were just too cool by then.
Anyway, it's a party, and I don't like parties.
17. If you could go back and do it over, would you?
I would love to relive 9-11 grade. My senior year was just too emotional for me. I haven't recovered from it yet. We did not attend our 30 year reunion this year because I could not stand the thought of reliving that year.
18. What do you remember most about graduation?
How HOT it was.
19. Favorite memory of your senior year?
I had a great schedule. I do remember that! All through high school I had choir first hour. Truly, starting out every day singing was a great experience.
20. Were you ever posted on the senior wall?
If that means 'honor roll', yes.
21. Did you have a job your senior year?
Yes. I worked at Roger's Department Store.
22. Who did you date?
My senior year, only THGGM.
23. Where did you go most often for lunch?
Home. I had lunch with my mom and dad every day of my senior year. Except, of course, those days I borrowed the LeSabre and THHGM and I went out to 'sell advertising'.
24. Have you gained weight since then?
Hahahahahahahahaha! I weighed 114 pounds when THGGM and I began dating.
25. What did you do after graduation?
IMMEDIATELY after graduation? THGGM and I went out for ice cream with my mom and dad. The next day I went to my full time job at Systematics, doing data entry. I LOVED it.
Labels: meme
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Randomly I Roll a Long...
I really like this picture of my mom watching Baby Boy's silly antics. She and my dad could not come to visit today. My dad took a fall yesterday in their parking lot while carting groceries into the house and hurt his ankle. So, he is home with his leg up. Those two.
They just CANNOT stay put. I have told them, and my sisters have both told them, to let us know what they need and we will BRING IT TO THEM. But, I think at this point in their lives they are driving each other nuts and just WANT to get out.
And now for the happy news! When I checked the washing machine last night we had water! Hooray! The pipes have thawed. They were frozen since Sunday night, but with only THGGM and I here I could only come up with two loads of laundry. TWO LOADS. Oh, the days I dreamt of are upon me!!! I remember in the days of yore when the entire basement floor would be knee deep in dirty clothes and I would wonder if it was even possible to catch up. Now I know that it is.
And now for an observation. Baby Boy entertained himself for thirty minutes today in his Pack-N-Play by playing with a baby wipe. Only a baby wipe. It seemed it could be used as a blanket, a doll, an airplane a car, and also he had a delightufl time washing down the rails along the top. He sang to it, he cuddled it and he scrubbed his head with it. His mother, at that same age, would have swallowed it whole and flossed her insides with it.
Labels: my corner of the world
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
The Grandkids
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Baby Boy
and
New Baby!
Everything looks very well with New Baby. Daughter was a bit more concerned this time, as she is not feeling as perky as with Baby Boy. New Baby's little heart is beating and everything looks as it should for 12 weeks. This gives Daughter a due date of August 19.
I'm already madly in love with this one too!
I wish the picture were clearer. It's just a copy I made of the pictures they brought home. I could not resist posting one!
I am SOOOOOOOOO blessed!
I Wish Someone Had Told Me...
...but, as it is with most things, I probably would not have believed them. Or, maybe someone did tell me, but I couldn't hear it.
Here are just a few - off the top of my head - of the things I THOUGHT I had to do.
I thought I had to 'help' people. Like go out and find them and turn them into a 'ministry'. I have no doubt that there exist people who ARE called to do that. There is no such call on my life. When I struggled with how to do this thing that everyone else was doing I felt like such a failure. So, I gave up that struggle and just told God that He would have to drop someone on my doorstep, and He did just that. More than once. Oh, and quite often the doorstep wasn't literal.
I thought I had to figure it all out. Like my friends. Some of them think they did, and, frankly I find them tiresome now. Because I know they did NOT figure it all out. It CANNOT all be figured out, and it's truly annoying to have to listen to people who think they have. Wasn't it St. Augustine who said something loosely translated as "If you can figure it out, it isn't God"? I realized that I was never going to travel in the group of 'those who thought they had it all figured out' after attending a Women's Bible study at my church. After 12 lessons on becoming a certain type of woman, I found myself standing in front of my dryer praying that my underwear would dry in time for me to leave for the last lesson. Can't one still be Godly without having every duck in a row? My ducks liked to spin out of control from time to time. Just for fun, I like to think. Certainly, I still TRY to figure things out. But, it would have saved me a lot of grief if someone had just told me it couldn't be done. Not completely, anyway.
I thought it mattered more how things appear than how they actually are. Unlike (or would it be like?) Hyacinth Bucket I'm no good at keeping up appearances. I see this as a major problem everywhere. Now that I know beyond any reasonable doubt that NOTHING is as it appears, I'm cynical, yet trusting in a guarded sort of way. A worthy goal, I've found, isn't to hope to find oneself suddenly sinless, but finding oneself so sinful that the only real good that can happen is that the time between the sin and the repentance becomes shorter and shorter. This is what has always confused me about Christianity. I hear the TV evangelist variety telling how bad they were, and then Christ entered their life, and they became good. It didn't happen like that for me. Christ came into my life and showed me how much worse things were than even I thought possible. He never told me, 'There, I've fixed you up good, now you go point out to everyone else what is wrong with them'. He seemed to say to me something entirely different. Something more like - come to the party where everyone is an honest mess, but together I'll teach you where to find the joy.
Here are just a few - off the top of my head - of the things I THOUGHT I had to do.
I thought I had to 'help' people. Like go out and find them and turn them into a 'ministry'. I have no doubt that there exist people who ARE called to do that. There is no such call on my life. When I struggled with how to do this thing that everyone else was doing I felt like such a failure. So, I gave up that struggle and just told God that He would have to drop someone on my doorstep, and He did just that. More than once. Oh, and quite often the doorstep wasn't literal.
I thought I had to figure it all out. Like my friends. Some of them think they did, and, frankly I find them tiresome now. Because I know they did NOT figure it all out. It CANNOT all be figured out, and it's truly annoying to have to listen to people who think they have. Wasn't it St. Augustine who said something loosely translated as "If you can figure it out, it isn't God"? I realized that I was never going to travel in the group of 'those who thought they had it all figured out' after attending a Women's Bible study at my church. After 12 lessons on becoming a certain type of woman, I found myself standing in front of my dryer praying that my underwear would dry in time for me to leave for the last lesson. Can't one still be Godly without having every duck in a row? My ducks liked to spin out of control from time to time. Just for fun, I like to think. Certainly, I still TRY to figure things out. But, it would have saved me a lot of grief if someone had just told me it couldn't be done. Not completely, anyway.
I thought it mattered more how things appear than how they actually are. Unlike (or would it be like?) Hyacinth Bucket I'm no good at keeping up appearances. I see this as a major problem everywhere. Now that I know beyond any reasonable doubt that NOTHING is as it appears, I'm cynical, yet trusting in a guarded sort of way. A worthy goal, I've found, isn't to hope to find oneself suddenly sinless, but finding oneself so sinful that the only real good that can happen is that the time between the sin and the repentance becomes shorter and shorter. This is what has always confused me about Christianity. I hear the TV evangelist variety telling how bad they were, and then Christ entered their life, and they became good. It didn't happen like that for me. Christ came into my life and showed me how much worse things were than even I thought possible. He never told me, 'There, I've fixed you up good, now you go point out to everyone else what is wrong with them'. He seemed to say to me something entirely different. Something more like - come to the party where everyone is an honest mess, but together I'll teach you where to find the joy.
Labels: This post brought to you by a migraine
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Finally. I Have a Good Idea that Works!
I found the PERFECT place to put Baby Boy's Pack-N-Play! It is in the doorway between the back hallway and the den! It is SO perfect that I cannot believe I didn't think of this months ago.
He doesn't need to be in it for long periods of time, just long enough for me to turn around without fear of him sticking contraband into his mouth, falling down stairs, or hugging the kitty too hard.
Oh, and making lunch was much easier today.
If he seems to be dressed too lightly for the extreme outside temperature, trust me. The Boy is NOT cold.
Our pipes to the washing machine are STILL frozen, so in an effort to thaw them, I have the heat on hold at 70 degrees. It's usually at 65.
The pipes are holding, but they haven't thawed yet.
I, on the other hand, am so hot I am entertaining myself by pressing my sweaty forehead against the front window pane.
I dread seeing this gas bill. Last year we had a four hundred dollar bill one month, and it wasn't nearly this cold and the thermostat stayed at 65.
Tonight, just for fun I suppose, I got a migraine.
I've been engaging in the mindless activity of making another styrofoam hat head. That is the scary looking thing in the bottom picture. Baby Boy likes to kiss it. Since I like to use fake body parts like heads and hands as display pieces around the house, it's a good thing that he is okay with them.
Labels: new baby
Monday, February 05, 2007
How I Survived the Cold Cold Blizzard of 2007
Not all of my plans came to fruition. Nevertheless, I did survive.
Friday I watched "Ground Hogs Day". It was on during the day. I thought THGGM planned to watch it at night (like we always do), so I was going to impress him with my fabulous ability to quote from favorite scenes. Disappointing things like that are always happening to me.
On Saturday I cooked a lot. I never left the house. THGGM left once and found it not to be to his liking. He isn't a wimp about driving like I am, but it was nasty out there.
I spent most of Saturday cooking and also putting things away in my art room. THGGM moved all of my sewing stuff up there too. I think I went up five separate times to put away 100 things. That's 500 things. I also filled one large trash bag and one large thrift store box. Oh, it felt good to accomplish something.
On Sunday, we slept in. I normally hate sleeping in. I get a migraine if I don't get up at the same time every day. But, that didn't happen. THGGM got it into his head to rearrange EVERY cupboard and EVERY drawer in the kitchen. He finds this kind of sorting and pitching activity to be a weird sort of fun. It also made it impossible for me to cook, so we just reheated all the leftover food from Saturday as needed. Youngest Son moved out most of his stuff. He seems really excited about having a 'study' in his new bedroom. THGGM becomes actually gleeful anytime someone removes books from the house. THGGM removed a large trashbag from the kitchen, and also filled a box to bring to the thrift store.
I never picked up Wuthering Heights until Sunday night when I went to bed. Now I am determined to finish the stupid thing. I hate it. But, I do have my principles to consider. I cannot let my pile of unfinished books extend to more than three. I haven't finished "A Prayer for Owen Meany" yet. And, I have a Miss Read floating around somewhere. My parents haven't had as many appointments this year as they did last year, so my Maria Montessori book is yet to be finished too. Saturday night I finished "North to the Orient". Excellent book.
I only filled in 20 answers in the crossword puzzle book THGGM bought. We never played Scrabble. Time really flies when you're stuck home.
Time really flies when you're not, too.
Friday I watched "Ground Hogs Day". It was on during the day. I thought THGGM planned to watch it at night (like we always do), so I was going to impress him with my fabulous ability to quote from favorite scenes. Disappointing things like that are always happening to me.
On Saturday I cooked a lot. I never left the house. THGGM left once and found it not to be to his liking. He isn't a wimp about driving like I am, but it was nasty out there.
I spent most of Saturday cooking and also putting things away in my art room. THGGM moved all of my sewing stuff up there too. I think I went up five separate times to put away 100 things. That's 500 things. I also filled one large trash bag and one large thrift store box. Oh, it felt good to accomplish something.
On Sunday, we slept in. I normally hate sleeping in. I get a migraine if I don't get up at the same time every day. But, that didn't happen. THGGM got it into his head to rearrange EVERY cupboard and EVERY drawer in the kitchen. He finds this kind of sorting and pitching activity to be a weird sort of fun. It also made it impossible for me to cook, so we just reheated all the leftover food from Saturday as needed. Youngest Son moved out most of his stuff. He seems really excited about having a 'study' in his new bedroom. THGGM becomes actually gleeful anytime someone removes books from the house. THGGM removed a large trashbag from the kitchen, and also filled a box to bring to the thrift store.
I never picked up Wuthering Heights until Sunday night when I went to bed. Now I am determined to finish the stupid thing. I hate it. But, I do have my principles to consider. I cannot let my pile of unfinished books extend to more than three. I haven't finished "A Prayer for Owen Meany" yet. And, I have a Miss Read floating around somewhere. My parents haven't had as many appointments this year as they did last year, so my Maria Montessori book is yet to be finished too. Saturday night I finished "North to the Orient". Excellent book.
I only filled in 20 answers in the crossword puzzle book THGGM bought. We never played Scrabble. Time really flies when you're stuck home.
Time really flies when you're not, too.
Labels: my corner of the world
Somebody Loves Books!
It is really fun to listen to Baby Boy as he 'reads' his books.
He does different voice inflections.
Too cute!
A Post in which I Wax Sarcastic
Oh, do please feel sorry for me!
I had to work this morning.
I left at 7:30.
It was -8 degrees F. and I had to walk there.
I don't have a car.
I haven't any boots, gloves, nor a hat.
Poor poor pitiful me, poor poor pitiful me.
When I got there - in actuality it took me less than fifty steps and I stopped to gaze at the beautiful moon - I was wide awake, but would not have noticed it was terribly cold if the weatherman hadn't told me.
Anyway. Before I came to do the job I had to do, I did a quick check to make sure nothing was frozen. Didn't seem to be. Not like at our house, where there is no cold water to the washing machine, only hot. The opposite was the problem, as I could hear the sound of water splashing on carpet. I moved to round up the usual receptacles, only to stand in a wet spot with my thick sock.
Now. It is only 50 steps back home, but now I am rather sure I will feel the cold with a wet sock, and will have to explain the whole story to THGGM, which will take time. So, I proceeded to continue my work whilst walking around in a soggy sock.
As you may have guess, by this time I was not happy. Even less happy was I when a piece of foam became lodged in my vacuum and soon the room filled with the acrid smell of burning rubber. This required me and my soggy sock to go on a hunt for vacuum number two, which wasn't in any spot I have ever left a vacuum. Here I noticed that someone had placed a cardboard box WAY to close to the boiler which occasionally has been known to shoot flames. My only thought upon moving said box was that flames would warm my now frozen foot.
Upon my return with a brand new well functioning vacuum I was able to finish what I set out to do. I felt a sense of irony, as the reason I have this brand new well functioning vacuum is due to it's having survived a fire at the vacuum cleaner store. I swear I heard it say "save me!".
That brings us back to poor poor pitiful me. Slowly retracing my 50 steps. With my coat unzipped, THGGM's gloves unworn, and the only cold spot on my entire body, that frozen foot I'm dragging around with the wet sock.
(Oh, Youngest Son, I know at precisely what times of day I will miss you the most!)
Labels: my corner of the world
Friday, February 02, 2007
My Weekend Plans
For those who have an interest in my weekend plans, here they are!
I plan to stay put. Oh, of course I will go to work and to church, but for that I do not need to leave the compound. Although, I do plan to venture out of doors to do my parents meds, but I have already asked THGGM's help with that. He hasn't responded favorably yet. Temperatures containing windchills below zero do not sit well with me. Not outdoors anyway.
I've already sent him my list of "hunkering down" supplies for the weekend. Hopefully, once he gets home, he will not need to leave the compound either. We will be well set with chili's and soups and food that gives us comfort (and quite possibly, gas).
Youngest Son will be moving out this weekend. He seems to be enjoying his new job. He is absolutely enjoying his new found income. THGGM and I are enjoying the thought that the food we buy will still be there when we open a cupboard to retrieve it. He will be living with his friend with whom he shared an apartment a few years ago, and a friend who owns a house and was recently divorced. They have been friends since they met in Miss Jana's kindergarten class.
Baby Boy will be spending Sunday night with us. His parents are going to a Superbowl party. I doubt that WE will be watching the superbowl, although, for the sake of my Bears loving family in Illinois and Wisconsin, we will tune in from time to time to wish them well. Or, as THGGM likes to say 'we do have TWO tvs'.
Now. I hope to finish "Wuthering Heights". I've actually never read a book in which I hoped so much for characters to die. Heathcliff and Cathy are horrible people. I thought that since I have seen the movie and read the book at a much younger age, I must have missed something. Clearly, I haven't missed a thing. At least in "Jane Eyre", Jane was a peach, and Mr. Rochester at least had redeemable qualities (and, i am sure, several STD's). Anyway, on my lap while I read WH, I keep a copy of a "Mutts" comic books. I need the balance.
When I am not reading, I have a plan to reorganize my art room. I'm going to begin by putting away 100 things an hour. Let's see how that goes. Oh, yes. I DO have hundred's of things out of place. Hundreds. Beads and glue and glitter and markers and colored pencils and stamps and punches and sculpey and picture frames and clothes pins and lace and rick-rack and patterns and templates and scrabble letters and stencils and books and magazines and corks and erasers and exacto knifes and cotton balls and pom-poms and charms and baby food jars and empty creamer cartons and batting and clip boards and small wooden boxes and tiny tins and other stuff. Lots and lots of other stuff. 100 things in an hour. Wish me luck.
I might make some Valentine's, too. But, the materials for that are still in a picnic basket in the dining room.
Oh! And tonight I plan to watch "Ground Hog's Day". I LOVE it. Some people don't. I'm one of those who do. My favorite scene is the one when he is watching Jeopardy.
Maybe you won't hear from me again until Monday.
Maybe you will.
I plan to stay put. Oh, of course I will go to work and to church, but for that I do not need to leave the compound. Although, I do plan to venture out of doors to do my parents meds, but I have already asked THGGM's help with that. He hasn't responded favorably yet. Temperatures containing windchills below zero do not sit well with me. Not outdoors anyway.
I've already sent him my list of "hunkering down" supplies for the weekend. Hopefully, once he gets home, he will not need to leave the compound either. We will be well set with chili's and soups and food that gives us comfort (and quite possibly, gas).
Youngest Son will be moving out this weekend. He seems to be enjoying his new job. He is absolutely enjoying his new found income. THGGM and I are enjoying the thought that the food we buy will still be there when we open a cupboard to retrieve it. He will be living with his friend with whom he shared an apartment a few years ago, and a friend who owns a house and was recently divorced. They have been friends since they met in Miss Jana's kindergarten class.
Baby Boy will be spending Sunday night with us. His parents are going to a Superbowl party. I doubt that WE will be watching the superbowl, although, for the sake of my Bears loving family in Illinois and Wisconsin, we will tune in from time to time to wish them well. Or, as THGGM likes to say 'we do have TWO tvs'.
Now. I hope to finish "Wuthering Heights". I've actually never read a book in which I hoped so much for characters to die. Heathcliff and Cathy are horrible people. I thought that since I have seen the movie and read the book at a much younger age, I must have missed something. Clearly, I haven't missed a thing. At least in "Jane Eyre", Jane was a peach, and Mr. Rochester at least had redeemable qualities (and, i am sure, several STD's). Anyway, on my lap while I read WH, I keep a copy of a "Mutts" comic books. I need the balance.
When I am not reading, I have a plan to reorganize my art room. I'm going to begin by putting away 100 things an hour. Let's see how that goes. Oh, yes. I DO have hundred's of things out of place. Hundreds. Beads and glue and glitter and markers and colored pencils and stamps and punches and sculpey and picture frames and clothes pins and lace and rick-rack and patterns and templates and scrabble letters and stencils and books and magazines and corks and erasers and exacto knifes and cotton balls and pom-poms and charms and baby food jars and empty creamer cartons and batting and clip boards and small wooden boxes and tiny tins and other stuff. Lots and lots of other stuff. 100 things in an hour. Wish me luck.
I might make some Valentine's, too. But, the materials for that are still in a picnic basket in the dining room.
Oh! And tonight I plan to watch "Ground Hog's Day". I LOVE it. Some people don't. I'm one of those who do. My favorite scene is the one when he is watching Jeopardy.
Maybe you won't hear from me again until Monday.
Maybe you will.
Labels: my corner of the world
