A brief, quiet moment

~milk giving me the death stare

Milk, chicken of my heart, is now molting and has a big bare spot on her duff.  She just waddles around like everything's fine, which is wonderful.  In strict contrast to Anastasia who appeared to be suffering from a stroke.  She'd have to trace alongside the coop fence to get where she was going, since she couldn't run in a straight line.  Thankfully she's fine now.  Must mess with their nervous systems, all that feather dropping.  (The above-photo is from last week, when Anastasia would get trapped in the corners of the yard, indicated, and when Milk was still gorgeous.)

House is relatively tidy.  The girls have been awesome.  The least one polished our sweet collection of silver (all from my dear friend, Tina, but about three serving pieces and a fork and some knives from my grandparents), a job she loved.  Middle daughter has spent the last two days freshening up the paint in our 'only' bathroom.  Sixty plus years of yuck in that room, which has always been a major eyesore.  We're only the third owners of this house, but the second owners were self-improvement junkies, sadly they were amateurs.  Plastered 12" ceiling tiles indiscriminately, put up paneling (which we immediately painted over) and hung Masonite on the bathroom walls.  Still, I love the house, but like all of us, it has its flaws.  Tall son, the one in California, remarked on the bathroom ceiling last time he was in town, which has the tiles.  They're coming loose around the fan, and he said they looked about to fall.  I reminded him that they've been doing that for years.  And if they fall, they'll fall softly.

Not on my radar.

Resting now.  Scrambled eggs and buttered toast for dinner.  Church service.  The girls will make pies when we get back home.  We're on a roll, and I ain't lettin' nothin' get me down.

Take care all.

Friday morning

Gradually I'm taking out a few Christmas-like things.  Mostly books, but our dressed-in-pretend-fur Santa as well.  He stands about 15" or so, and he's the first decoration I put out.  

Anyway, in my search, I found the sweetest book in our lawyer's bookshelves.  This is a 1925 copy of The Essays of Elia, a book by Charles Lamb.  This one looks to be a student's copy, with lots of pencil marks in the front of it, but I don't know the person it belonged to, unless someone in my family is acquainted with a Sam H. Johnson.  I committed the huge sin of using some masking tape to mend some loose joints in the pages, but who's going to care?  It's not being sold, and I'm the only one who will read it.  Just needing something to get into that's settling.  Plus the book is the most adorable size at 5-1/2" x 4-1/2" and about 1-1/2" thick.  Nice brown cloth covers.  Apparently it's a book mentioned in  Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which I read quite awhile back.  Don't remember though talk of the book.  I just want to walk around with it in my hands.  Sort of like the guy in The English Patient who carries around Herodotus' The Histories.

* * *

Home today.  For dinner it's Kale, Italian Sausage, Cannellini bean soup, without the Kale, using baby Lima Beans (which I love) instead.  Improvising.  Just couldn't get my head around buying Kale.  A little goes a long way.

Rest and washing bedsheets.  A good drying day.  More minor tidying.  A restful Friday.

Thursday noon

Today is one of those days I want to attempt to live more in the mindset of a Luddite (one who resists technology, etc).  I have a few books on hold at the library, two of them are ones by Mary Randolph Carter, who takes wonderful photos which celebrate the old and worn.  A personal mindset lately as I look at our house with new eyes.  Old and worn.  Yes, indeed.  Technology reminds me of the benefits of the perfect and sleek, which I'm not and don't live in at present. 

Banged up house trim, kitchen drawers that close only with a waggle, and drafty windows.  This is my life, and it's one that suits me.  Candles that warm up dark corners, drawn curtains in the evenings, and the curls of smoke from a hot cup of tea are settling, and very fitting for older houses.

I want to breathe deeply and just relax.  The holidays loom, with Thanksgiving only a week away, and many things yet to buy.  Making do with less in order to have the money to go around.  But it's do-able.  Have to focus on the comfort and chores of just this day, and avoid borrowing trouble.

One thing that seems to work for me is to keep busy for, say 20-30 minutes, then sit down.  Think about it and get up again after a few minutes.  On and off.  Work and rest.  Keeping a rapid pace just doesn't work for me, making me overtired before the job is done.  

After getting our schoolwork done today the younger girls and I will get some groceries.  Just a few.  Just enough for a day or two.  Easy dinners.  Cream for my tea (which I had to do without this morning, making me very sad), bread, makings for pizza now that the oven is fixed, maybe some soup.  

Quiet thoughts in the midst of the bustle which you can feel when you shop.  I won't give in.  I won't give in.  At least not yet.

Mid-week

Oddly enough, I believe the most excitement this week was on Monday night when the kids and I were shopping for my mom's groceries.  Was just passing by the frozen turkey display, saw about three over-twenty-pounders (Butterballs, no less) mixed in with the smaller birds and put a big one in the cart.  At 89 cents a pound, I thought that was a steal, especially since I'd read that the ones this large would be hard to find.  Sorta happy about that.  Will buy a smaller turkey to roast ahead of time on Thanksgiving Eve night, so's to have enough for leftovers and sandwiches.  

Actually, the best part of Thanksgiving dinner, to my way of thinking, is the day after.  Cold turkey on white bread with a dash of salt and mayonnaise is what I call delicious.  

* * *

Today is good.  Lots of wind yesterday, and last night just before the rain came, the wind was downright scary.  Gary and I sat on the front porch after dinner in the dark, watching the trees blow across the street, and I was mentally praying for God's protection. The tops of the trees were just whipping.  Our neighborhood is full of old oaks, as I've mentioned before, and we cringe and pray when it's stormy.

It's always amazing when the wind actually calms when you pray for the Lord to intervene when the weather is dangerous.  Maybe that's one reason, just one reason, that the Bible includes the story about Him calming the waters when the disciples were in the boat.  To prove He can and will do this.  And He still does.  I just shake my head.

Later last night we heard about trees falling on cars, and trees down along with wires---in our same part of town.  Thankfully nobody was hurt.  Now, I'm not getting cocky about this, but do credit the Lord with sparing us.  I'm no more special than anyone else, but the wind was outrageous.  I do understand the rain falls on the just and unjust.  But really, we do have the ability to ask for Him to intervene.  Either we just play the victim and give up to whatever the world shoves our way, or we ask for help.  I ask you, which is the wiser route?

* * *

Getting the house ready for company, even just my boys.  Want the house to sparkle for next week.  Having things done gradually allows for not-so-much-pulling-out-of-hair next week.  Dusting bookshelves, and all-around tidying up.  All pleasant when you're not rushed.

You take care.

After our workday...

Much housecleaning completed today.  Moving furniture, dusting to an extent that was sad, or ridiculous.  Emptied out the vacuum cleaner numerous times.  Not the best vacuum, hence the constant emptying, but it all got done.  Tomorrow will get out Autumn wreaths and finish up a couple of minor things.  Like the ceiling fans which I'll postpone cleaning until absolutely necessary.  Keep the things spinning and no problem. :)

But a good day.  Made Diane's recipe for Tomato Tart and had salad with my friend Tina's recipe for dressing (lime juice, olive oil and tarmari sauce).  Delish.

* * *

Now we're waiting to hear from a friend of middle daughter's who's seeing if there are spots on Thursday night for she and I to help at tobyMac's concert here.  If they still need help, we can get in free.  

* * *

The girls and I go to the Owl City concert out-of-town next week.  Was doing research tonight on parking, etc.  Saw something on the place's website about age restrictions.  It's at a venue that has a bar, and sometimes 18+ or 21+ shows.  After holding our breath for a few minutes, we found that this concert is considered ALL AGES, so shouldn't be any problem with my teenage girls getting in.  Can you imagine, though?  Go on a trip, get there and be refused?  That'd be horrible.  But it sounds as if we're good.  I wrote the General Manager an email tonight to double-check.  Pays to be careful.

* * *

Funny thing.  Last night my husband said something I never thought I'd hear pass his lips.  

"Hey Baby, you're really rockin' that gray hair."  

Good grief.  But in a good way.

Tuesday afternoon

Finished Your Spacious Self and have begun reading a bit of Emily Freeman's A Million Little Things in its place.  I find that if I make serious time for my devotions after tea, and add a book to think about after that reading, there's something to study on in my head during the day.

And about that de-cluttering---I'm prone to get distracted, put things down before I'm finished and then I leave a trail.  I'm (at my age, imagine) now learning to pick up something once, use it and then put it away.  Life changing, let me tell you.  I have to make a concerted effort to not forget.  Oh my.  This lesson should have been learned years ago.

And I can't stress enough the importance of doing even one tiny thing, picking up one morsel of something and putting it away or tossing it.  One bit of paper, a bobby pin, a feather or floating bit of dog hair.  Pick it up and deal with it right then.  I think my depression has allowed me to be more piggish than I'd ordinarily be.  I'd see something and think, "Oh, who cares?" and then walk away.  

Today I swept underneath the treadmill and don't tell me that's a pleasant chore.  Speaking of dog hair, and shoes.  The combination of the two is very unpleasant!

Sweeping, my new favorite thing.  And with our vacuum on the fritz, very necessary.  Sweeping has a tendency to clear a muddled mind, and you get such fast results.  Very partial to that chore.

Have a good day.  Rest, and take care of yourself.

Tuesday afternoon

Cleaning more in the house, this time the shelves that hold the cookbooks and overflow of small appliances.  Tossing mismatched saucers and plastic cups with missing parts.  Also a small coffee maker missing the pot.  And a Pyrex dish that won't come clean even by using the ever-faithful ammonia trick.  Out it goes.  I have trouble with this, but hold the things in my hands asking the question as to whether they're necessary to my joy.  Well, no.

Purging is good for the soul, either physical or spiritual.

Lots on my mind---friends are sharing problems.  Cancer, abuse, marital discord.  I've heard the evil one is stepping up his techniques realizing his days are numbered.  I like that.  The numbered days bit.  Seems praying for things requires much more spiritual footwork.  Things I used to pray about and expect and see quick answers are now having to be buried in prayer.  Buried.

While I don't believe the numbers of angels and demons changes, their work is more intense.  And I even suggested to Gary that he pray a continual hedge around his shop.  The dark powers won't like us getting involved in a church family's new situation.  One of their sons (a five year old) has been abused by a friend's son.  I won't go into detail, but the father of the abuser is a cop.  The ramifications could be interesting, to say the least.  Oldest daughter will be helping the mom (who is a good friend of hers) to care for the kids this week.

Staying prayed up.  Do NOT let your guard down.

Can't see ahead of me.  Need work in the shop.  Bills overdue.  God be praised in all things.

Listening to David Dunn's new CD on Spotify called Crystal Clear.  Sweet Christian young man, who oldest daughter has a crush on. :)  I get that.

Muttering along

I'm such a slow mover.  Signed up for email notifications in regards to a book I'll review in the next few weeks--there's a Bible study/book study to go along with it.  The first few emails poured in---actually poured in, and the women who run the site are so full of energy and enthusiasm.  Frankly, it makes me tired. :)  As I said, slow mover.  Too much effervescence makes me want to run the other way.  I had to put my email notifications on snooze for a bit.  Otherwise I'll just delete.  

When you get to looking, there are plenty of Christian women's sites like that.  They have such big, white teeth.  Beautiful 30-something young women who have such a following.  Good for them, but I need a tired old fifty-something women's group.  The one where you really don't care what the other person looks like, and you toss off your shoes and put up your feet.  Not into making an impression, just making it through the day. 

Can I hear an Amen?

The older I get, the less I'm impressed.  Folks try so hard.  Me, I try hard, but in different ways.  Honestly, when I get in bed at night, I'm so relieved.  I'll joke with Gary that we've survived another day.  Thank you, God, that we made it.  Might sound defeatist, but if you had some of my children, you'd feel the same way.  Gosh.

* * *

Cleaned behind another cabinet in the living room today.  The least one got behind it and did the walls, trim and floor.  Sparkly, pretty much.  Moved it back at a different angle and re-filled the shelves.  Just refreshing to see it all tidy.  And that was all I could do.  Naptime!  Tomorrow we'll pull out the piano and clean there, then redo the arranging on top of it.  My energy level is still sorta stinky.  You'd really think I'd been sick. Anyway, it's gratifying to get things neat.  Does my spirit such good.

Be sweet.

Refreshment

There must be some sort of subliminal messaging going on in our house.  Gary brought home 18" carpet squares from the church the other day, leftovers from some renovation work we'd had done there.  They save EVERYTHING.  Good for us.  We now have a beautiful carpet in our bedroom, which has totally transformed it, and some in the dining room as well.  We've cleaned up things that have been long overdue,  I'm thinking we're cleaning our lives of muck in person, sort of getting stuff out of our heads as well.

At least I am.  The freedom I'm feeling with the backside of things being dusted and washed is incredible.  Very freeing.

Making room for the Holy Spirit to continue a good work in our lives.  

Monday, all quiet

Today was better, so I'll chatter a bit.  Woke up to our new (but haven't moved in yet) neighbor cutting down something with a chainsaw at 7:15am right at our property boundary.  Gary woke up, muttered and went in the backyard.  Stood there, got the attention of the neighbor and reminded him of what time it was.  The guy had the decency to appear embarrassed.  Said he thought it was 8am.  Silly man.  He stopped, but did fire up the chainsaw later on in the morning.  He's cutting down all the bushes and small trees near the house.  Says he can't stand things that close to the house.  The dogwood and a holly bit the dust this morning.  

Gary talked to him and his wife (who I really like) this afternoon, and the guy cut a look at our yard, which is definitely overgrown, not weedy, though we have plenty of clover (Gary's built a beehive he's wanting to find a swarm for), but we have stuff---flowers and lots of greenery.  He eyed our huge Oak in the backyard and Gary says, "Our tree stays!"  

* * *

Tomorrow is a stay-at-home day which we all need.  Mom probably wants her groceries we got tonight, but maybe she can wait a day.  I have to slow down a bit.

Reading Ann Patchett's Bel Canto, which honestly (so far) is one of the most beautifully-written modern day books I've ever read.  I'm only on page 37, so will reserve further comment until I finish it.  Loved Elizabeth von Arnim's The Pastor's Wife as well, which I finished recently.  The longest book (at over 900 pages) I've read this year is Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth, which I enjoyed even with the harshness.  Brutality, which fit the time (1100's, I think) with castles, etc., but it was tough to read.  Considering the sequel, but will wait a bit.  Your Spacious Self by Stephanie Bennett Vogt is about uncluttering, but more than that.  About the emotional bondage we subject ourselves to.  She recommends journaling as you read her book.  A powerful book for me, let me tell you.  I got a used (like new) copy online.  Worth having.

Must go.  I need to water my flowers and seedlings and prefer to do it a night when the neighbors are tucked away.  Take care all.  And thanks for your prayers. :)

Tuesday afternoon

Confession:  I have too many books.  

About ten years ago, or more, I was involved in an online Classical homeschooling set of women, and we all counted our books.  Our count was over a thousand, and since then, I'm afraid the number has increased more than is sane.  I do need an intervention.

The question is whether it's worth my time and the aggravation to put some on Amazon to sell.  The details of listing things, plus having supplies to mail them off sort of puts me off.  The money would be nice, but since several of these have been free to me (review copies) I really don't need to recoup any cash.  

Our main bookcase in the living room (see side photo) is two-deep with books.  Can't even see half of what we have just right there.  Fortunately my husband is understanding, or maybe he thinks it's useless to control me.  Least I don't drink.

With our new next-door neighbors renovating, and also with second son bringing over his stuff to go into our attic before he leaves tomorrow----well, I'm into the clean-out mentality.  I'm trying to do a bit in each public room of the house (also our bedroom) to fix up.  I've been in a depressed mode for about two years and finally I'm snapping out of it.  Blame Jury Duty.  That was a big snap.  Brain re-do.  Really.

Speaking of our new neighbors----she's South of the Border in some sense.  Not sure if she's Mexican or South American.  Her accent isn't too awfully thick, and her English is very good.  The Lord spoke to me as she was first working on the house, telling me she'd be a really special friend.  Love that.  I just met her yesterday and we clicked.  You know how that is.  Instant.  Met her husband too, who seems a bit of the masculine-take charge type.  Works for me.  

Tomorrow night we'll have a dinner for soon-to-be-moving son.  Gosh, I'll miss him.  He's trying so hard to listen to what the Lord would have him do.  And the girl he's going to see in California.  He told her the other day he wasn't taking the job (which she initially told him about) solely to be near her, and that seemed to take off some pressure.  Otherwise, she'd feel responsible in a way.  In my mother's mind, I hope he doesn't settle in CA.  She's from Maryland, which is still too far from us, but her family is there.  What can I say to that?  See, I have them married already.  Don't have a clue as to how this will play.  God has it.

Today is good.  Blessedly good.

Friday evening

Just me and the girls at home today.  Youngest son spent the day at Mom's, which he does most Fridays.  Rain.  Cleaning.  Slowing down.  Lots of quiet time.  Washed all the clothes, folded them in piles on the dining room table for everyone to fetch.  Chicken pie for dinner, which went on hold while Gary cleaned up a partial quart can of white trim paint I upended on our wooden kitchen floor.  Can't tell a thing from the floor, though I'm out a bit of paint. :)  Tidied up a treat.  Darn stuff ran under the dryer and stove.  Imagine that.

Washed our sheets too, which I enjoy having clean, but dislike putting them back on.  Yeah, I have the lazy gene, I guess.  Good at starts, not so good at finishes.

I can't remember when I've done so much puttery housework.  The daze I've been in since our boys went into the Grand Rebellion is lifting just a tad.   Enough to see the glimmer of light.  I'm doing a bit at a time---sort of deep cleaning and re-arranging, but not overdoing it.  Just enough, then I sit down with the Pugs with a glass of lightly vinegar-ed water.

Guess you could say I simply enjoyed the day.

And tomorrow looks fine, weather-wise.  The rain should be clearing up, and the sun beginning to show through.  Will buy flowers for the altar---it's Rose Sunday, a break from Lent (which I don't observe with a fast...just hard to teach this old dog that new trick) and we'll have a pancake breakfast before services.  I'll be setting up the altar as well.  And maybe I'll not forget anything.  Seems I'll put out the wine and wafers, the extra cloths for wiping the goblet rims, etc. and as Communion is being prepared by our priest, I'll jump inside while sitting in my pew, realizing I've forgotten something.  Happens consistently.  Goodness.  Maybe not this week.  Have got a steep learning curve with some of this Anglican business.  But thankfully everyone's the same and we all learn as we go along.

Take care, and remember to take some time.  Think I'll go light my new Peach Cobbler Yankee candle.  And have more tea.  Always more tea.

Friday night...

Some days are days of no accomplishments, but simply maintaining the normal flow of things.  Today was such a day.  Rest and then, more rest.  I still tend to walk around with tense shoulders, but here in bed now, all is well.

Tomorrow, oldest daughter and I are going out to lunch and then to putter around at the shops.  I make that sound maybe more quaint than the reality, but we are determined to find some out-of-the-way spots to browse.  No heavy-duty shopping, but lighthearted fun.  Hoping.

~ ~ ~

*Next week promises to be a tad busy, with a call from my mom yesterday asking me to make some spaghetti for my out-of-town brother's visit to her from Tuesday through Thursday.  We'll shop for her Monday morning, make food, then take it over and clean her house in a company-coming fashion. 

*Then Tuesday, we'll go over to the antique shop where Woodboy has his shop and clean for his landlady.  Her life is overwhelming difficult now (husband with Alzheimer's & a recent robbery at her home) so a clean antique shop might brighten up her day.  

*Then....wait for it.....more to do.  This will be fun, though.  Church dinner on Wednesday, ornament (Chrismon) making---lots of glitter, singing caroles, and my very favorite past-time will be the Christmas pageant.  I love it.

~ ~ ~

But this weekend, hopefully we'll find a tree.  Simple meals.  The calm before the so-called storm of Christmas.  Not a big fuss at our house, but we tend to make it sort of quiet.  And the kids are agreeable to that.

You take care.

Monday's news

~our church participated in the neighborhood Fall Festival yesterday...stuff and nonsense

The tail-end of a very nice day.  Cleaned up the kitchen better than usual, and felt good inside---my insides.  No depression, but a bit of anxiety for a couple of things.  The norm for me.  I tend to fret and expect too much of myself.  I can have an exquisite time and something will sneak up on me, ruining an otherwise great day.  Have to keep on top of that.

Even got my mom's groceries in and delivered at her house with help from two youngest girls---bed changed, bathroom cleaned, coffee pot ready for the morning, started a load of clothes, tidied up, etc.  Gave her some of the bean and ham soup/cornbread I made for us.  She rarely gets homemade food being a fan of frozen dinners, so that was probably a treat.  Left her in good spirits, chowing down.  Click.  Turn off head.

~ ~ ~

And talked to Gary about asking the fiance-of-son-who-lives-with-her to dessert on Thanksgiving.  They'd already decided to go to their separate parents' houses for turkey.  Figure it's a good idea to offer.  Being that we've not talked to her since before the great blow-up when he moved out in August, it'd be wonderful if the communication could be restored.  Not like inviting a daughter-in-law over, but I want to try.  He gets along with all of us---we've really worked on it, praying lots and lots.  There's an elephant in the room when he's here, you know what I mean, but at least he'll come over.  Not a lot, but still, it's better than nothing.  When he's here, it's like he's always on guard.  Shoot, we're done fussing.  What's done is done.  Just got plow ahead now.  And wait on God's timing.

~ ~ ~

And in other news, got a pile of books at the library sale on Saturday.  I'll just mention a few authors I got: Miss Read, William Faulkner, William Butler Yeats, Susan Minot, EF Delafield, EB White, Mary Emmerling, Gail Godwin, Hal Borland, Thomas Hardy, Baroness Orczy, Markus Zusak's The Book Thief, Carrie Brown, Linda Nichols (a favorite contemporary author), and a Bailey White that'll make you crave cornbread while you're reading it.  The Bailey White is Quite a Year for Plums and the first time I read it, I just laughed and laughed, and honestly, I put the book down, made cornbread, sliced tomatoes and fished some green onions out of the fridge.  A perfect lunch.

If I got anything else I can't remember, but pretty nice haul, yes?  Now must weed out some of my own gluttonous collection.  I really am a pig.

I got the Faulkner partly because of going to Oxford, and totally loved one of his I read last week---it was a copy I'd been toting around since college, but hadn't remembered reading it. It's Intruder in the Dust, and for anyone not from the South, it's the perfect book to tell it like it is.  Exactly my experience.  I don't use the word 'awesome' very often, considering it sort of cliche anymore, but this book is awesome with a capital awe.  Kept nodding my head all through it and the ending is priceless.   Only a Southerner could get it right like Faulkner.

Oh, and borrowed a copy of Marilynne Robinson's newest book Lila, and read it in two days.  Yes.  Lived up to my expectations.  Read her book Gilead right after, if you've not already.

I've got more to say, but will resist.  Enough for now.

Thursday

The way clothes really look out on the clotheslines, including an upside down rake to prop up a sagging line.

Pretty afternoon light today

~romeo's ears in front of chair

~daisy w/ opal in background

~violet

Monday

A day of cleaning, with the two youngest girls taking over.  The work they get done in a short amount of time is amazing.  With that done, sort of a Monday routine, we can relax a bit tomorrow.  It's second son's 25th birthday, so we'll make curry and naan for dinner, plus middle daughter will bake his cake. Unfortunately he's working (and lives away in an apartment with first-born, so we can't hit up on him first thing).  He'll probably pop in mid-day before he goes on into work, but he'll be here to eat after his stint at the restaurant.  That'll be late, though, about eleven pm or so.  We'll eat at the regular time and save his...with him blowing out candles late.  Can't be helped.

Just finished watching some old home movies. Everybody is in them, with the least one being less than a month old in one (2002) and walking in the next one (2003). Everyone was so cute, eating all the time, but being silly.  Guess they had a happy childhood, hmmm?  Oldest daughter cuts a look at me when I say things like that.  Just checking. ;)  Making gingerbread cookies, the vacuum cleaner still sitting in the hallway as it is this very minute, folded clothes piled up on the back of the sofa, middle daughter who was about 3 wearing her turtleneck shirt inside out with the tag hanging out, g.i. joes, but lots of laughs.  It passes way too quickly.

I had tea on the front porch after dinner....still raining. Supposed to be cooler tonight and the next few days. Bliss.

Good news and deep cleaning

Work is now in the shop for which we're thankful.  More please. :)  Hoping and praying it's the beginning of a pattern.  A small start, but all good.

Spring (summer?) cleaning.  Throwing out, putting away dishes, much heavy dusting, washing/ironing curtains, washing windows.  Re-arranging furniture.

The prospect of Nat'l Guard boy bringing his girlfriend to dinner.  Hence cleaning.  Not sure when she'll be here, but I feel more pressure to tidy for a female than for oldest daughter's sweet Indian boyfriend, who just overlooks most things.  He's very laid back.

I asked our son how serious he was about this girl and says he doesn't see the sense in wasting time if he's not serious.  Oh my.  Not sure I'm prepared for another child's romance.  Had lunch with the two of them on Monday.  Sweet visit, but some concerns---some large, some not so large. Much prayer needed.  Mostly focusing on the aspect of them being unequally yoked.  Not a good basis for a grounded relationship, I'm thinking.  Not sure our son is convinced of it being of the utmost in importance.  More prayer.  He says she's 'close' to releasing her will to the Lord. She leans more to an intellectual's viewpoint, and is very well educated...already has her Master's and is working on her PhD.  I think she's got more book learning than all of us all rolled up together.  We lean more toward street smarts in our household.  Whatever.

Tomorrow will finish up more cleaning.  So enjoyed today's work.  It felt good to be busy and see evidence of it at the end of the day.  Not sure those who worked and weren't here could see much had been done, but those of us who plowed away sure did. :)

Mid-week

Put up a post here about my mom, but just moved it over here.  Hadn't put anything up there in about a week, and had sort of forgotten I had a dedicated spot to chatter about her stroke.

I talked about taking time away from my mom, which is very healing.  I think I'll re-schedule how I manage my visits with her, being that they really take their toll on my mental/physical health.

And, I realized I'd not processed our son's Nat'l Guard life.  With her situation being so mentally exhausting for me, I've not given myself time to think about Joseph, and that's why I've posted photos of the graduation here and on FB. It came to me that it'd been shoved aside when the girls and I recently took dinner to my newly-widowed aunt.  My cousin was there and she asked about Joseph, and she said she didn't know how she'd deal with having a child in the military.  I sat there and thought about what she'd said, finally sinking in that I've held onto a brave face, and likely needed to deal with some stress related to his choice of lifestyle.

And when things make me cry with little effort, figure they need time to be resolved and tended to.

So yesterday the kids and I cleaned up some outside.  I took off one storm window, wiped off the spiderwebs and washed it down, and put it back up.  A small step in tidying my nest.  Didn't have much energy for much more, but it was restoring.  I need to plan more of that.  So necessary and refreshing. While the kids do their Spanish CD in a minute, will scurry around and do a bit. Cleaning can be a pain or therapeutic.  Today it's the latter.

On a chilly Thursday afternoon

Taking a few minutes.  It's funny.  Awhile back ago, I took a teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and noticed shortly after that I had such a lot of energy. Same today.  I had it in apple juice before bed---slept well, and had some after breakfast. Off I go.  Got the kids revved up to tidy the house, and I did extra stuff in the kitchen because it was such a pigsty.

Having the heat on for days on end makes things dustier than usual, it seems.  At least that's my excuse.  The kitchen gets grimy without us having a vent fan over the stove, plus worn out things look more worn out when they're dirty.  And I'm not the winning-est house cleaner, having better things to do with my time (like read), but I do like it when things are clean.  Wish they stayed that way magically.

This isn't a rant, but an observation.  Glad it seems the only thing I've changed (except really limit my sugar intake.....hmmm), has given me more energy.

Well, guess that's it for me.  Have got an informal set time to sit down with the kids to go over Spanish in a few minutes.  Take care and stay warm, if possible.