Still at it...

In bed.  Being quiet.  My outlook for getting the cleaning behind the remaining appliances done in 2 hours was WAY too low.  Still not done, but considering I'm repainting chipped paint, and the wall behind the stove does require major scrubbing, I'm not complaining about the time.  Even minor spatters cling a bit too enthusiastically to the paint.  Ugh.

One son reached on top of a cabinet to clean it since it's high-up and after I get up here, will tackle behind the dryer and fridge.  Not excited about it, but will appreciate the afters.  And seeing Gary's eyes light up when he gets home, after seeing what I accomplish is a real treat.  He's very tidy, and while I'm not---to see me make an effort makes him happy.  I get it.

Might reward myself with a movie online tonight.  Will see if the Inspector Lewis' are still on PBS.  One son bought the season, however, so if I can't get to them, he can.  Treats!

Now will go.  After I get the cleaning done, will put a couple of meatloaves in the oven.  Mashed potatoes and English peas to go with that.  And gravy. Love gravy.  And will think about a pot to put my new Lucky Bamboo in. Bought it on sale at the grocery store last night for $2.00.  They had been 9 dollars, and I'd been watching for them to go down in price.  Might check out the Goodwill later on this week for a vintage sort of pot to put it in.  Minor fun, but fun nonetheless.

Take care.

(clickable photo from pinterest)

Monday's chores

Maybe I've achieved a tiny bit of wisdom in my old age.  Used to, I'd plan what I wanted to accomplish in one day and set way too high a goal for myself. Now I'm learning to be a bit more realistic.

Today's plan was to pull out the washer (which is in the kitchen, along with the dryer), clean out behind it, wash the walls, the ceiling above it, and sweep off the old vent above the washer that's the old house attic fan.  The grate on it gets nasty with fuzz, and makes me unhappy.  Then I touched-up the light green wall paint and the white trim. Fourth son helped me out and it was done in about an hour and a half.  Much better.  One corner all finished. Tomorrow we'll get behind the stove, dryer and fridge.  I'm figuring about 2 hours or so for that.  There'll be less grime since we do that more often, and so it'll be faster.

Anyway, small goals are so sensible.  I'm older and require tiny breaks while doing these chores, but the end result is so fresh.  And the kids won't go to my mom's this week, which will be a huge help in keeping up the rhythm.

End of summer cleaning.  So rewarding.  When we begin school, I'll feel like I've set a plan in motion and kept it and that goes far in making me feel good about myself.

Sunday dinner

Oldest daughter and sweet Indian boyfriend are working together in the kitchen making nachos for all of us. Nice for me with his family making dinner last night, and for the kids to be busy in there now.  Not that I mind cooking, but do enjoy someone else's dinner, no matter who it is.  It's a refreshment.  And it always tastes good, for some reason.

And had a nice, quiet afternoon.  Beforehand, took the major portion of my brood to church, and as always, church was wonderful.  In my whole life, I've never felt so part of a service or congregation as I do now.  Maybe when I was a child in the Methodist church my parents help found.  Not sure.  And I don't even know everyone yet, but have been made to feel so comfortable.  There's something to recommend with a small congregation.  There's a closeness and a family atmosphere that's very appealing.  And like I've said----it's so very Mitford-like.  Who could resist?

After church, went to the library for a bit with oldest daughter.  Just an hour of time with her, which was a treat.  I have to make plans with one child at a time, sometimes, so they don't get swallowed up in sharing each other and me.  It's easy to get lost in a large family.  I didn't come from one, but now, I totally understand the hazards.

Now a restful evening spins out ahead of me.  Not sure what we'll do, but doesn't really matter.  Just home stuff.

(photo of daisy thinking about it)

It's all about the food

Went to sweet Indian boyfriend's family's new house for dinner.  Now, I'm not aware whether all Indians are food-oriented, but in their house, that's the case.  And whenever our daughter talks about going over there, the conversation generally centers around dinner.

Tonight we were served Kofta (which are curried meatballs) and a delicious rice.  The rice recipe was:  an onion chopped up and cooked in a skillet, then the rice is added and fried a bit in some oil.  Next she added 5 cups of white, long-grain rice with 10 cups of water and 1 can of coconut milk.  There may have been some garlic added.  Not sure.  I couldn't keep up with the recipe while SIB's mom was telling me.  Oh, and about 1 heaping teaspoon of turmeric was added as well.  After the frying and adding of the water, etc. it's just cooked as regular rice. Wonderful.  The turmeric made it a beautiful yellow and it was mild-flavored against the spicy curry.

Yum.

Oh, and second son went to a friend's house today and helped him sl@aughter (not sure if certain words will red-flag the blog) some hens.  And he came home with one.  My goodness.  I've never cooked a fresh bird, so this will be interesting.  Chicken pie on Monday, I'm thinking.

Now I'm ready to quit.  Tuckered out and it's time to stop.  The boys will be home from the restaurant soon, and I want to take my shower before they get here.

Rest well.

(photo from about.com)

After tidying up

Friday's this and that

• just about finished re-arranging the living room...good grief, it's dusty
• it's the only way to vacuum under everything in a way that satisfies me...plus i get inspired when stuff is moved here and there...visual stimulation
• caught a 6th rodent in about 3 weeks time last night...will let your imagination soar as to what kind.  you'll not like the answer
• an overcast day 
• we didn't get any of that rain that whooshed across the South last night...just teasing sprinkles
• but it's cooler, so can't complain too awfully much
• dinner at sweet Indian boyfriend's family's house tomorrow night
• and he'll come here to eat on sunday
• we're taking key lime pie to their house, and possibly a tiny cactus as a housewarming gift
• will be taking 6 of my offspring to the Anglican church on Sunday...tickled at that
• the rose macaulay book is peachy
• homemade mac and cheese with ranch beans for dinner, and what i can salvage of the lettuce
• gary called the police last night about the truck vandalism and they actually took fingerprints
• our neighbors were thrilled at the activity...we're like a hood-like mayberry here, i guess
• thankful of feeling content...it's a vicarious emotion, so will enjoy it while i can...praying it lasts

take care.

Thursday evening

Eating a bowl of not-cold/not-hot white rice with a little sugar on it. Leftover from dinner. Comfort food. Have become quite a dab hand at making it. After almost 30 years of marriage, you'd think I'd have mastered it before now. Ha. We have this deep iron skillet with a tight-fitting lid and that's my secret. Works a charm. Sadly never tried the skillet until a few months ago. Four cups of rice, just over 5-1/2 cups of water and there she goes. Not the 2 to 1 ratio, but it seems to work for me. And who's to argue with someone who's tried to cook rice for this long?

But even with the hoop-lah surrounding the truck-theft-attempt I feel all cozy and settled. My copy of The Towers of Trebizond came today and am also reading The Everlasting Meal.  Haven't hardly cracked the cover of the Towers book (am dangling it in front of my face, avoiding really reading it so I can get into it at at bedtime), but am to about chapter 4 or so in Everlasting.

Thankful that most of the bills are paid for the month, and even though we're cutting it close, the major annoyances are satisfied.  Get the house note and gas/electric/water bill paid and I'm in high cotton.  If I have a place to live, the basics in the house as to utilities, plus a few household necessaries and some dinner, I'm all set.  Well, tea.  I need to have some tea.  But that's all.  Chocolate's nice too, but I don't always have that.  Sad.  And I'd adore some shortbread, but that'd just be plain greedy.

Now will go.  Hope you rest well.

Bummer

Someone tried to steal Gary's Suburban last night.  They also tried it with oldest daughter's pick-up but she has a metal sleeve on her steering column, so they had no luck with that. Thankfully, though, Gary has rigged his truck so anyone who wants it has to be clever.  I've never thought criminals to be clever, but just skilled enough to take stuff that's not theirs.  If they were very smart, they'd get a real job.  Our daughter knew someone had opened her truck door because she could smell cigarette smoke in it.

They must've moved on to Gary's next, because they put out their smoke on the dashboard. Couldn't take the truck, so to add insult to injury, left a burn mark.  Oh, and of course they broke the steering column on his so that now the truck has to be started with a screwdriver.  I remember those days with my old Suburban.  It got broken into, I think, 3 times.  I just got used to the screwdriver start-up and went on my way.  You can only fix things so much, then you just can't afford to bother. G's out a radio too, and they not only took it, but bent the framework around it.  It's like they were mad to not get the truck, so did as much damage as possible.  Brother.

And on it goes.  Interestingly enough, I couldn't sleep last night, finally drifting off at 3am or so.  Now I wonder if the Lord was nudging me.  I did pray for the safety of the family (since I couldn't sleep), but never thought about our vehicles---which we do pray over from time to time.  Maybe I'm out of practice.  But need to remember that it's not my fault.  It's easy to go there.

And it's tough to drop a mood that this sort of situation causes---you want to be mad, wish a bad day on the criminal and maybe throw things, preferably at the bad guy.  I found myself instead praying that guilt would overpower them today.  Might take some heavy-duty praying for that, eh?

Anyway, as Gary said a bit ago (after getting over his fury), we're blessed in spite of the violation.  Got to remember that.

Just me and the dogs

I figure I've got about an hour of housework/cabinet painting to do before getting my act together and picking up the kids at my mom's.  Have been taking it easy. Trying to avoid too much physical/mental activity today.

Read something at Lesley's site (Wisteria & Sunshine) from someone who teaches with the Waldorf method.  I'm not very familiar with that style of home-teaching, but those who do really enjoy it.  Anyway.  She talked about activities that are in-breathing and out-breathing.  Quiet doings are the in-breathing ones....sewing, painting (in an artistic way), reading, etc.  The out-breathing ones would be dusting, singing, more physically demanding tasks with gardening being in both categories depending on your outlook on it, etc. She said that it's important to do your day in an in/out pattern, as in breathing.  That made such sense.  Balance the in-breathing ones by alternating with out-breathing ones.  I know I'm guilty of being way more physically hard on myself than necessary, and not just with hard work, but with hard mental work.  I don't balance it with quiet things to do.

That said, I've had about an hour of reading time, both online and in person. Got friended on FB by someone I met at church, and it appears we have lots in common.  And oddly enough, we went to the same school in 8th grade. Life's funny that way.  Looking forward to making more of her acquaintance.

Now will go putter.  Have re-potted the tiny cactus I bought today at the drugstore, and am excited about 2 books I've ordered online.  Rose MacAuley's The Towers of Trebizond and Phyllis Theroux's The Journal Keeper.  Realizing that these little treats I gift myself with are key little joys.  I need them.  We all do, but it's easy to get into the rut of not fussing over ourselves.  Now must go.

(adorable restaurant in paris called 'poulbot'---sharing the photo for the cuteness factor)

A hot Tuesday afternoon

Okay. I get it. Time to put my life in slow down mode. Fell asleep last night with a slight sore throat on one side. Woke up with same, plus a headache on that side, plus a queasy stomach. Just an all around blah feeling. Still, had to take third son to work and go to the store. Now am in bed, chillin'. Daisy the pug is in bed with me, keeping me company. Spaghetti for dinner---simmering along.

It's hard to stop and rest. So hard.  Even now I'm looking ahead (stop that!) to going to the grocery store for my mom in the morning, taking the kids by her house, and scheduling third son's eye appointment.  I think a personal stay/va/cation of sorts is in order, especially before we start school again. And really, none of what I do is difficult.  It's just that there's so much of it. Constantly.

There's a line in Wild Child  (below) I'm re-reading and it's something about how folks sometimes just need to get sick.  I'll agree.  Those are often the only times I stop everything.  But even so, I tend to keep on going, unless sickness slams me into bed.  That's what moms do, right?

"Sometimes life is too difficult to be lived.  So it's better to be sick for a bit."

Maybe the quote is a slight exaggeration on my personal situation, but it's valid nonetheless.  This dang heat doesn't help, though, you know?  It's not quite as hot as it has been, but still...it's hot.

Middle daughter said something to me the other day that was so curious.  I was fussing aloud to myself about something I can't even remember, and she said, "You really don't give yourself much credit, do you?"  Wow.  That sort of remark from a thirteen-year-old will cause you to sit up straight.  But she's right.  I'm all about criticizing what I don't get done, and am not so generous to myself when I do accomplish something.  What's up with that?

Oh well.  Enough about that.  Just something to attend to.  Cutting myself some slack would be advantageous all around, I'm thinking.

Must go now.  There are books to read and kitchen painting NOT to do today. :)

(clickable photo from pinterest)

More painting

For some odd reason I've felt so distanced from our house----and for a long time.  Must be that I'm distracted. It really does require focus to take care of everything, and with these kids going every which-a-way all the time---it's enough to confuse anyone.

When one wants to do something, then another one has plans, this one leaves to go somewhere, and then there's the issue of the dogs barking.  Noisy and mind-numbing.

Yesterday I was up and down, up and down, and Sundays are supposed to be a day of rest.  Truly, with 3 of the boys working in the same restaurant, and needing to eat when they get home at 11pm or, most likely, later, the rhythm of the kitchen chores are messed up.  We end up being a 4-meal-a-day household, when 3 would do for most folks.  The day never ends, especially with the boys needing to chill out before settling to bed.  Two a.m. is not an unusual time for our house to finally get completely quiet.  Then the dogs have to go out at around 6:30am, and that's right after oldest son leaves for his job.  HELP!  Our house is completely still from about 2am until 6am.  That's just pathetic!  And you might have wondered why I get so jazzed.  Guess that's the explanation.

Anyway, enough blethering.  The photo is of the kitchen today after I hunted down a can of grey/blue-ish/green semi-gloss to paint the inside of the cabinets.  The white I'm using on the outsides and what I used on the insides of the upper cabinets won't last to do the bottom insides, so got creative.  The colors all work, and really, with the constant dirt tracking that goes on from the back door through the kitchen---well, it all gets inside the cabinets.  The darker color will be a blessing in the long run, I'm sure.  Anything is an improvement to these 60+ year old cabinets. :)

Back to being distanced from the house....hopefully these spring cleaning-esque chores I'm busy with will help me to feel more grounded.  That's sort of the goal, I'm thinking.  I need puttery chores like weeding, cutting flowers for vases and re-arranging.  Those mild chores really do settle the mind, and obviously mine needs settling.

A quiet Sunday afternoon

A sweet time at church this morning.  The rector announced that one of the main organists had passed away yesterday (there have been two of them who switch off).  She'd been having issues with her pacemaker this last week, and the doctors said she'd had a mild heart attack.  I thought she was getting better, but she died sort of unexpectedly on Saturday.  My goodness, this happened so quickly---she actually played the organ last Sunday.  Goes to show that the Lord's timing is just that.  His.

Watching the affection that the rector obviously felt for her, and the other members who've known her for years was so touching.  There were lots of tears and hugs after he made the announcement, though I'm sure word got out in other ways as well, previous to the service.  Very special.  And even though I never officially met her, I got caught up in the moment.  Such raw love is amazing to witness.

And the second Confirmation class was rich as well.  Lots to learn, but I love stuff like this, so am enjoying every minute.

Must go, so you take care.

(a real photo of the anglican church...sweet, eh?)

Dinnertime on Saturday

Today I'm tired. Like, really tired. Have spent lots of time painting and cleaning this week, and now it's time to rest.  Thank goodness for weekends.  My spirit is done in and my body itself needs to putter along and do quiet things---or nothing at all.

About to sizzle some hot dogs in the skillet and warm up some ranch beans.  Would love to find a movie online to watch before our Netflix trial subscription is up.  That'd be nice.

Also need to get everyone's church clothes ready, or at least over see what the kids have come up with to wear.  They're responsible for their own fetching, and with it so hot outside, figure I can still wash a load and have it dry before morning.  Am glad the church has a laid-back attitude toward dress.  The kids can wear jeans if they want to.  The older church members usually do the suit and tie number, but many others just go casual.

Hope your evening is sweet.  And mine as well.

(painting is called 'resting by a basket of flowers' by myron g. barlow)

Later on Friday

Oh.  Me and my updates.  All is well.  Gary's relieved that the kids are so willing to help, and he's getting some positive response tonight on the vapes he makes.  And my tattoo makes its debut down toward the end of the page. :)  Now I'm a hand model! (for what a wood vapor/vape is, see comment at end of this post)

Trying to focus on this. very. minute.  I realized the Lord wouldn't have me all scrambled up inside.  Lots on my mind, this week, and it's nice to see a weekend up ahead of me.

One thing.  Fourth son has been going through the motions of applying for a job at the Veterans Hospital here...a medical assistant of sorts....more along the lines of a clerk/receptionist job.  He heard about it several months ago, began writing a resume, and then the job was on hold.  He heard this week that it was up for folks to apply, but it had to be done by tonight.  He's like his mom in that moving fast in any direction is extremely difficult.  Not in a physical sense, but in a mental one.  We felt a hesitation about it on our parts (Gary and I), had a talk with this son, and had some concerns about a person we know getting too involved in helping him (she works at the VA), and honestly, I could feel a spirit that just didn't belong when I got to thinking about it.

Turns out, last night he decided to not apply.  Excellent news.  He's going to settle in at the restaurant job, which is still new to him.  He's not really keen on it, but we tell him it's character-building.  For now, that's all good.

Now.  Time to chill.  You take care.

(vaping is what folks do who're trying to quit/have already quit smoking...it's like a nicotine patch in hand-held/battery operated form...and it's cool in that it produces a vapor that looks just like cig@rette smoke...harmless, but sorta neat...the user adds flavored liquids that contain the nicotine along with a mouthpiece which goes on the end...hope this makes sense)

Just before dinner

Feeling a bit antsy.  The big job Gary's been working on in his shop ever since he left the part-time FedEx job is dragging on and on.  He's frustrated at how long each piece is taking to be built, and also at the client who's prone to changing her mind from time-to-time.  It's to the point where we'll have to hit on the kids for funds.  They don't pay rent (something my MIL doesn't quite understand), but they are asked to contribute when the bills come due and we aren't drawing money into the shop.

Still, I hate it.

Middle daughter, who's a sympathetic listener, said to me, "But you have good kids, and they don't mind helping out."

Still, it makes me squirm.

But when needs must, asking is necessary.  Pride is the big problem in this issue.  The almost worshiping of money tendency (which I have issues with in a personal way), and the inability to put things in proper perspective.  In the grand scheme of things, this is small potatoes.  With a neighbor who's in jail for the duration, or the house up the street that's been burned, or another neighbor who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia---well, my problems are pretty small.  A tidy check or two can solve my issues, but problems involving health or the civil authorities are way more serious than mine.

Not sure why the funds don't come through the shop---this is the thing I struggle with.  Why, oh why, are we driven to lean on our kids?  Why can't the money come via customers?  You know?  If I was the one holding the solution, my answer might be a bit different.  For some reason, it's necessary for our kids to be involved. I scratch my head about this---just can't figure it out, and maybe I'm not supposed to.  But still...

The word 'surrender' which I vowed in January to be my catch word for 2012 springs to mind.  Hard to surrender when the visions of late notices dances through my head.  The thing is....(and I hate this---must be honest about it)...life for a believer isn't about neat and tidy.  The material sorts of things we struggle with are incidental to what the Lord is tweaking with in our hearts and spirits.

Argggh.

'The Company' by Chuck Graham

I loved this book.  Really.  In Chuck Graham's allegorical tale titled The Company I was drawn to the story because I wanted to figure out what everything represented, and the end-times storyline was appealing from the very beginning.  I was encouraged by how Graham described God and His involvement in our lives.  He beautifully represented the Trinity in a way that was gracious and respectful.  Not all writers have that ability.

"Your world has always been subject to the darkness....."
"Will we ever understand?"
"Yes, when the sun returns."

This is the story of the earth's destruction and the ways the people manage afterward, yet that's not all there is to it.  The book is more about how God is right there in our faces, yet we seem to lack the ability to actually see Him for Who He Is.

Sam Mitchell is an engineer (and the main character) who's drawn into a mystery when he's invited, along with the more senior members of the companies to go to a conference.  None of the attendees quite knows what's going on, but as the book plays out, we see that their weaknesses and strengths come to the forefront when they're tested.  And while the reader is left in the dark about many of the books twists, it all comes together in the end.

This book could easily become a modern-day classic.  I certainly hope it does.

Information about other bloggers who are reviewing The Company can be found here, and the book is available for purchase here.

Book information:

A meteor strike plunges the world into darkness. A stranger to the village of Brigos Glen restores power and light, supplied by three businesses, known as “The Company,” located beyond the forbidden mountains. The stranger reveals a plan so the Brigons can maintain the power and share the light with outlying territories, which remain shrouded in darkness.

Now, seventy years later, The Company summons six Brigons, including the young engineer Sam Mitchell, to attend a conference in the mountains of the forbidden Outlands. 

Responsible for compiling a report about Brigos Glen from his five companions, Sam learns how managers and villagers largely ignored the plan or compromised it to self-interest, forsaking their duty to share the light. They also took for granted The Company responsible for generating and transmitting the power.

In an ordeal fraught with failure, revelations, and judgment, Sam discovers the true identity behind The Company and learns the fate that may befall Brigos Glen . . . that is, unless he can stop it.

Author information:

Chuck Graham's legal career as an attorney in private practice spanned more than thirty-one years. He represented many local, national, and international clients, acquiring intricate knowledge about the often-overlapping structures of the corporate world. He also worked against those seeking to create racial division, including the Ku Klux Klan. He has served as a member of the state bar of Georgia since 1979 and an instructor to attorneys and judges through the Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE). He received the Medallion of Appreciation from ICLE.

Chuck is also a speaker and the author of Take the Stand (Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996) and the compilations, A Year of Encouragement (Xulon Press).

In 1997 he founded Ciloa (Christ Is Lord Of All), a ministry devoted to sharing God’s encouragement with the world and teaching those who follow Him how to encourage others. Today Chuck serves as executive director and principal author of A Note of Encouragement, a weekly e-zine reaching 175 countries.

He and Beverly, his wife of thirty-four years, have lived in Lawrenceville, a suburb of Atlanta, for fourteen years. God has blessed them with three children. In his free time, Chuck enjoys backpacking and hiking (especially on the Appalachian Trail), playing the guitar, dabbling in photography, and reading extensively about the Christian faith. 

(I received this book free to review from Litfuse Group)

Window after...

Just checked the weather online and saw that the heat index this very minute is 115F.  While I know it's hot, didn't know it was THAT hot. Thankful for the air conditioning working, though.  Over the weekend we developed a leak coming through the living room ceiling---the evaporator was mucked up in the attic and the a/c was clogged where the water drips to the outside.  Now will have to locate some ceiling paint in our various paint cans.  After painting the living room/dining room ceilings 2 years ago, not happy about the stain.  I will say, though, that I'm very pleased that I have a husband who will crawl around a hot attic to fix stuff.  And glad the nights were mild over the weekend.

And considering the heat, our power was knocked off at about 1am this morning when a truck hit the pole up the street.  Sadly a house across from it suffered a fire in their attic and back porch.  The rest of us had to man-up and be patient with hot houses.  I think we came out ahead.  The gas/electric guys had it fixed by about noon-ish this morning.  At the height of the hullabaloo, there were 4 fire trucks outside.  Wondering if they were afraid of a ricochet effect of the fire spreading along the wires.  Amazing, to be sure.  Never have felt safer!  Oddly enough, the guy who hit the pole (Gary saw the accident happen) whammed it super hard, but just drove away.  Left his front bumper, though.  People are so strange.

Now resting after a barely fitful night of sleep.  I think we finally got to bed at around 3am or so.  Then we all  had to get up and do it all over again.  That's the way of life, eh?  We just keep on going, no matter.

Take care, yourselves, and slip in something fun.  Still working on that, myself. :)

Violet

Still painting and such

Well, here's the kitchen window right now, before I put a fresh coat of paint on the shelf that goes in front of it.  It does look nice and spare, but honestly, with a shortage of space, I'm not sure I can do without the shelf.

Will think on that.

Now will putter along and get some things done before picking up the kids at my mom's.  I've had a quiet afternoon---no cleaning, just resting, and am ready to get going again.  A stack of new books from the library as well.  And if the oven will start (it's lighting itself without help again) then fourth son says he'll make chocolate chip cookies after dinner.

All is well.

On Tuesday evening

Goodness, we've got a lot of stuff. Several of my household have commented on how clean the window over the kitchen sink looks with the shelf down and the curtain gone.  Sadly for them, I like lots of clutter, and while clean-and-tidy is nice, it's not usually the way I roll.  The shelf will go back up, and while the former curtain will be re-done, I'll still cover the window...maybe this time with lace.

And third son just called from the restaurant.  They're getting rid of cans of (still good) white corn---6 pounds/can, and he wanted to know if I wanted any.  So funny.  Of course I was just laughing hysterically while he laughed in the phone.  I couldn't stop laughing, just thinking of putting huge cans of corn SOMEWHERE.  He said he'd bring home two.  Still, it makes me crack up. Anyway, they considered putting the corn into the grits (not a food I generally eat) and decided to not change the recipe.  Where the heck I'll put them, I just don't know.

Just wish I'd gotten more done today.  Did put yesterday's cabinets back in order last night, and found the shelf paper.  It's such a pretty green and white. Concentrated on the right-hand upper cabinet this morning, and got the bottom shelf painted inside, and also the trim around the window.  The upper cabinet shelves will have to wait until tomorrow.  Had to take fourth son out after lunch, after taking third (corn) son to work.  He wanted to shop, so we shopped.  Or rather, he shopped and I followed along.  I'm not much of a shopper, being more of a run-into-the-store-grab-what-I-need-and-come-back-out sort of person.  Plus we got groceries.  I must've been in a self-abusive mood.  Good grief.  Way too much shopping!

But all is well.  The kitchen will look worse before it gets better---isn't that what folks say?  But it'll be clean and you can't beat that.

(the kitchen window in the winter, last year)

A cleaning sort of day

Decided over the weekend that for the remainder of the month I'll deep clean the kitchen (this week) and the living room/dining room (next week).  I need to feel that the summer months have been profitable in some tangible way.  So.  Today I set my plan in order---figured out what I could reasonably do in one day, and will try to keep to that schedule.  I'm a perfectionist, though you couldn't tell by my environment, and will usually avoid a task if it either takes too long, or seems too overwhelming.  I give up way too easily.  Limits of how much I'll do on a particular day prevent me from that situation.  I hope!

Today I emptied the cabinet over the washer, and the one to the left of the sink.  Second son is at this very minute buying me a can of white enamel so I can re-paint the cabinets.  I have some shelf paper around here somewhere that I put in a safe place.  Right.  Will have to waltz right around that issue, though, and do that later.  I'm not going out today, and considering the get-up I'm wearing, that's a good thing.  Shelf paper isn't a necessity, but it's sad to not be able to find it, since it's so darn cute.

And actually, if it wasn't for the copious amounts of iced tea/coke zero I'm drinking, I'd would just fade away.  That's my household secret for the day.

Oh, and oldest daughter is cooking Indian for us tonight, least I think it's Indian.  She had it over at SIB's house recently and it'll be lovely.

All in all, a nice day.

(painting of 'the housemaid' by william mcgregor paxton)

Sunday afternoon

It was nice having 5 of my offspring go to church with me this morning.  The attendance at church is usually hovering just below 70 folks, so bringing in part of my crew really swelled the numbers---not that anyone's counting.  Really.  It's a church that's not going out to bring in more members (refreshing), but I'm sure it's nice for the rector to see new faces.

While I went to the confirmation class after the service (loved it...lots of history, which I always enjoy) the kids met some other kids and they did kid-like things.  One son wasn't keen on any of it, but he's my particular child.  He's a bit bamboozled at working now at the restaurant, and too much newness is frustrating him.  I get that.  He sorta got thrown into the job before he was expecting it, and is adjusting slowly.  A fat paycheck is an incentive, but he's tired and not at his best mentally.  To go to a church that was so foreign to him was too much change, I'm sure.  He might not want to go back, and he's old enough at eighteen to make up his own mind, I reckon.  Will put it in the 'wait and see' pile.

So. That's my story.  I put two large packages of dear little chicken thighs in the heavy enamel/cast iron pot along with lots of curry and onions.  Will make rice and green beans later on.  The least one will frost second son's b'day cake.  A low-key celebration with no company and not a need to tidy up overmuch.  Yes!  That's my kind of birthday dinner.

(not sure where the church is in the photo---looks english to me, but it's lovely, that's for sure)

Saturday noon

The plan is to stir the boys up to do the yard in a quick bit, then go out with oldest daughter for awhile.  She and I will grab a bite, stop by the Birkenstock store for her to get some new clogs, then we'll clean the monogramming/embroidery shop where she works.  Getting paid to do it as well.  Now, that's a perk.  Gives me money to shop for second son, who's celebrating his 23rd tomorrow.

Anyway, a busy day.  Will have to birthday shop tonight and get supplies for his dinner---chicken curry.  I'll buy some dear little chicken thighs (I've begun prefacing the word 'chicken' with 'dear little', and it makes the girls laugh), rice and whatever we might need for his chocolate cake.  This is one of those weekends where I realize that we're out of EVERYTHING, including a couple of supplements I need to stay level.  Gary would caution me to not run low on those.  My mood is sketchy at best, lately, so it'd be wise to stay pumped up on my herbs/vitamins.  Huh.

Now off to browse Lesley's online loveliness, and enjoy the way it quiets my spirit.

Enjoy your day.

(the way to our porch, after the rain)

Friday evening

Made a pot Split Pea soup, which we weren't in any hurry to eat, since there just wasn't any need. Gary's working a bit late at the shop---building a bed for a client, 3 boys are at work at the restaurant, oldest daughter is eating with sweet Indian boyfriend's family and the rest of my brood are just chillin'.  A good way to spend a Friday night. Might try to find a movie on Netflix.  We have a free month to browse there, and it's fun to just have the possibility of a movie playing in my head. Anticipation of a treat is one of my favorite things.

Oh, and just joined Lesley's wonderful site, Wisteria & Sunshine, which is totally delightful (see sidebar link).  Have been meaning to follow through and join, hesitated for some odd reason, then just did it!  I really need someone to prod me a little bit to take care of myself, and Lesley is so gifted in words and how she lives her daily life.  Such prettiness.  Anyhow, wander over there and see her offerings.  Hope you'll join as well.

Must go now.  Take care.

(painting by Jean-Edouard Vuillard)

A cloudy day

As a result of permanently changing my email (see previous post), I downloaded some messages that I'd put into a save folder.  Some were from those of you who comment regularly, and some from Amy Schultz, who many of you remember from her blog concerning the illness and death of her mother.  What a writer.  She inspired not only me on a daily basis.  And, of course, some of the savers were from Patricia (who will have been in Heaven 3 months come Saturday), but that should go without saying.
                           
In my present mood, I needed to read things that filled my spirit.  It's one of those dark days (not only mentally, but in real-life as well).  A cozy, cloudy day outside the house, but afraid that's the way of my head too.  When these days rear their heads, I tell Gary I'm having a Bad Mental Health Day.  He gets me and is sweet to show concern.  Unfortunately it's hard to shake, and for anyone who's not familiar with depression, it can be hard to understand.  The urge to tell a person to get over it is likely the phrase that comes to some folk's minds.  For anyone who feels that way, I say please refrain yourself.  It's not like I can blow my nose and make it go away.  But I don't think any of you would do that...just mentioning it for anyone who drops in here off the street.

Anyway, reading their/your words has held me up a bit this afternoon, and I thank you for that.  Just having companions walking along the way makes such a huge difference.  It's probably helpful, though, if we're not ALL depressed!

Now, for the rest of the day----have my friend Tina's delicious marinara sauce simmering, bought a tiny cactus at the drugstore which I'll re-pot into a favorite teacup that I broke the handle off of yesterday, and will figure out where to plant the two sizable lemon balm plants a neighbor gave me the other day...need to take off some leaves and make me some tea as well.  Figure I could use it.

Hope your day is happy.  Take care.

(photo of violet commiserating with me)

Email change

My NetZero email account is due for payment (which I choose to ignore), so am switching to GMail for all of my mail from now on.  So what has been herbgardener (at) netzero.net, is going to herbgardener (at) gmail.com.

Just a head's up. :)

Monet's home...

Source: curious-places.blogspot.com via Vic (Jane Austen's World) on Pinterest

Church stuff

Another cloudy day---temperatures in the 80's and a bit of a breather for all of us.  A restful day.

Ah, in other news, as we were driving to the library this morning, fourth son mentioned church on Sunday.  He said he'd likely go---it'll be his first time there with me at the Anglican church, and fifth son, who was listening in, said he'd probably go as well.  I had to avoid gasping too loudly, since these two boys were very adamant awhile back about never, never going to the Anglican church. They'd been going to the mega-Presbyterian church so long and were content there, and that's okay too.  The little girls, however, have talked non-stop about the folks they met recently at St. James, and with the chatter about the sweet, teenaged girls there, I'm thinking the Lord is working on my youngest boys (they're 19 and 16) in a unique way.  Have learned that our kids (maybe everyone else's too) respond better when they make the decisions themselves.  I'm in no hurry and it's interesting to see God work.

I'm going to the confirmation classes beginning this-coming Sunday after church.  For about 1/2 an hour, the rector will give a history of the church, etc.  I'm not committed to joining (and the rector said I could decide later on--this just gives me the over-view) and had told Gary I'd rather not do anything lasting without him.  Asked him if it was okay with him for me to go to the classes, and he didn't mind.  He'd only be bothered if I pressured him to go as well, and I know that.  Doesn't make any difference to me.  As of lately, he's been a bit burned-out on going anywhere, and listens to Alistair Begg while the rest of us go to church.  Whatever works.  There's no shame in taking breaks.

Now am cooking beans for dinner to have with wild rice and sausage.  A stick-to-your-ribs dinner, sounds like.  Have a pile of books to sift through, clothes in the dryer (too humid to hang outside) and hopefully, a quiet evening staring me in the face.  Sounds good.

(photo from stock exchange photos)

This is wonderful...

Source: dyingofcute.tumblr.com via Sandy on Pinterest

Pretty quote from 'Peter Pan'

Bliss

So thankful for a cloudy/rainy day.  That blistering sun can make a person want to weep, especially when it occurs day after day after day.  Now it's raining, and a bit cooler.  Just now had to run outside to take the clothes off the lines.  Had been a teensy bit optimistic to even hang them out---figured I had a couple of hours of heat to dry them.  Glad I was wrong. They're spinning in the washer again, to get the rain out.  Will pop them in the dryer, which is easier in the long-run anyhow.

My spirits feel so settled with rain.  I can never get enough of it.  Now the bedroom window is open, I have the curtains pulled back and the water is drumming on the sill.  What could be more perfect?

Sunday afternoon

Went to church with two youngest girls (who are both giddy at making some new friends--the joke is that I'm making little Anglicans of the family one-by-one!), then back home to tidy up before sweet Indian boyfriend and oldest daughter got home.  Rested and watched a bit of the movie Seraphine. Excellent.  Anxious to watch the rest of it, but will tempt myself a bit. I love looking forward to things.  My laptop overheated and shut down while I was watching, so that'll be fun to see later on.

Rain is about and we got a shower yesterday, but hopeful for lots and lots.  The temperatures are a bit more bearable today, but still, it's humid.  I'm planning a home-day for Monday---will tell fourth son who's off work tomorrow to plan his 'get-out-of-the-house' ventures for later on, especially since he doesn't drive and requires a chauffeur.  I just want to putter.  Have some pillows to make for SIB's mom, and want to get those done. She bought a beautiful red Indian pattern fabric and while the pillows will be simple, the design of the material will be scrumptious all made up.

Now will go see what oldest daughter and boyfriend are doing in the kitchen. They're making chicken alfredo and bought a cake as well, so dinner sounds yummy.

Enjoy your night. :)

Perspective

Just this week on our street, within view of our front porch, there was a drug bust and even more outrageous---the man across the street was caught shooting a police officer with a sawed-off shotgun, and his charges include 4 counts of attempted first-degree murder since there were four cops involved in the shoot-out.  Really.  A shoot-out.  And just down the road from us at the shopping center.  Within 1/2 a mile.  Seriously?

But I can't help but feel sympathy for the family left across the street, though. And was talking to the kids about it---how we can be angry about our neighborhood being violated, but still, it's people who're involved.    Not trying to sound too awfully precious about it, but there are two children at risk who would be in foster care otherwise (they live with their aunt/uncle since their mom is in jail) and the wife might be evicted if the landlord gets wind of it.  Figure it's just a matter of time.  One person's stupid mistake (and you can't help but call shooting a cop stupid) trickles down on so many people.

One of our boys questioned the wisdom of the kids staying with the aunt with their uncle in jail.  I figured that being with family was better than strangers.  I don't know.  The answers aren't, any of them, appealing.

Guess the Lord is helping me to see the real folks behind the stories.  Three families have moved on our street in the last 6 months or so, and with them, the entire mood of the street has changed.  We weren't sure why until these two episodes occurred.  Now it makes sense.  Crime really does penetrate further than you'd expect.  And is visible, even when it's hidden.

(the flowers for are for hope--figure it's best to think on the bright side)

Another book

Finished a book today---Vita Sackville-West's All Passion Spent.  In a few words it's about a woman who reaches her eighties, and with the death of her husband is able to live life the way she wants.  That entails moving outside of London and renting a charming cottage, totally out of the reach of her domineering children.  The book isn't about the house, though, but about how she communicates with her family and new set of friends.  It makes you think.  And it's how she thinks.  Here's a quote, referring to herself and her French life-long maid (or best friend, which is more apt) who were visited.

"Whenever the front door shut behind one of their rare visitors, each was conscious of a certain relief at the departure of intruders.  The routine of their daily life was all they wanted---all, indeed, that they had strength for.  Effort tired them both, though they had never admitted it to one another."

It's a book that made me nod my head in agreement.

Hiatus

Taking a mini break from blogging.  The brain is tired and it's time to lose the technology for awhile.  See you soon!

(photo of the front porch seen from the dining room)

Just before noon-time

Husband and fifth son have high-tailed it down to Oxford, MS for the day. They're delivering bed rails to a storage unit for a client.  The headboards are getting upholstered and will be following along directly.  Nice for the two of them to have a day away. They took fishing rods.  Male bonding, you know.  Besides, Oxford is such a cute town...lots of history there, and the prettiest houses.  I doubt they'll browse the town, though.  My husband has a trait I'm trying to change.  He's more into the 'get it done' mentality, and for him to slow down and actually enjoy a task is a rarity.  Left to his own devices, he'd run down there alone, leave the rails, and turn right around and come home.  Maybe I've made him overly domestic.  He does thrill to come into the door before dinner.  I do appreciate the enthusiasm for being home, but some adventure placed here and there is a plus.

For the morning, I was able to have some quiet with my tea, which always starts the day out well.  Quiet.  A dark living room to sit in and sleeping dogs. And early on, the air conditioning doesn't run non-stop.  Got sort of concerned with it yesterday since with the heat it wouldn't shut off.  It ran constantly.  Makes me jittery, which sadly enough, isn't hard to do.  Always on edge.

Now will go hang out the first load.  Needlework is in the plan with an Elizabeth Bowen book of short stories to finish.  Not sure what's for dinner, but will aim for simplicity.

Take care and drink your water.

(photo of rowan oak, william faulker's home)

Thinking about stuff

Have been looking at homey/decorative/crafty/baking sorts of blogs.  The spots where women dress up the table before dinner.  Where they plate the meal, so that it looks like t.v. food.  Where a room has tiny little vignettes of pretty scattered here and there.  I love sites like this.  The ones that raise homemaking beyond putting away the folded laundry and cleaning the bathroom.  Places where beauty reigns.  I want to be that sort of person again. And while I realize that some of these online/blogging women are just as muddled as I am, they do make an effort.  I've not done that in ages.  'Course the heat doesn't help.

I admit to allowing depression to be too dominate in my life, not that that's an easy ailment to divert.  But I'm tired of it.  Actually, I'm tired of being tired.  Of greeting the day, first off, with 'oh yippee, here we go again'...of not being excited, but just being tolerant of whatever the day throws at me.  That's no way to be, but honestly, it's hard to escape from.

I've become a person who reacts to what's presented instead of having a deliberate hand in planning what happens to me.

A change sounds wonderful.  Baby steps, here I come.  Don't hold your breath, though.  This'll take awhile.  A really l-o-n-g while.

(photo by my woodboy of the cute scoop he made)