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.

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.

A mid-week quiet

Sometimes I just need me some Nora to cuddle.  She tends to be picked on by gorgeous Madelyn, who is apt to be way too big for her britches.  Beauty queen syndrome, I'm thinking.  But, here's the thing.  I think Madelyn is just jealous, because Milk and Nora get lap-time and Maddy just struts around waiting to peck at Nora when she jumps from my lap.  Like people.  Huh.  The least one came into the chicken yard this morning, picked up Maddy and she settled right down.  As with humans, those who are most prickly, seem to need the most loving, not that we want to.

Having a quiet day today.  Yesterday was supposed to be that, but my mental health went a bit awry. One son needed papers from me in order to apply for a college grant, and unfortunately I'm one of those people who isn't very organized in terms of papers.  It all got settled, but having to hunt when I wanted to chill was a bit frustrating.  He got it figured out, though, without my 'lost' papers.

I'm the person who's always asking where my keys, comb, pen, etc. are.  Terminal, I fear.

Believe we'll take it easy in the house until Monday, which is the first of June.  Then get a schedule of sorts for summer.  Not pressing, but a bit of organization would be a good thing.  Last summer was a wash, and with third son's official wedding on September fourth, I'd like to feel settled in my head.  I figure three months to get there will work. :)  

Monday morning

I'm tired.

Extended adrenaline high last week, in addition to a busy weekend.  Son who's moving to California (at least for six months, if not longer) was treated to a dinner at his inner-city pastor's house yesterday, and we were invited.  More time out of my comfort zone.  Different lifestyles are challenging to me, but that's not a bad thing.  Just tiring.  

Today I'm giving the kids a day off from school.  And with me being gone so long last week, I figured a day of recovery would be a good thing.  I'm dizzy, though, but that will pass.  You know how it is when you mentally hold your breath for an extended period of time.  When you exhale, your physical self often goes a bit wacky.  Least mine does.  I'll try to pace myself.

I feel like a dog that shakes itself after coming in from the rain.  Stuff in my head I need to process. Not easy to deal with sending someone back to prison, though the young man we voted the verdicts on deserves it.  He'd only been out of lock-up for five months before he was at it again, at least so far as the law sees it.  I see a pattern.

Will likely be on pins and needles for a bit.  But that will pass as well.

I've become Facebook friends with several of the women who I served with last week.  Look over their posts, and remember conversations we had, and you're talking about Christian women.  And even thinking on the others I served with---the Lord was present.  Wondered if the prosecutor or his assistant had prayed about this trial, asking for His people to serve.  Makes you wonder.  One woman (a spicy talker), who I really enjoyed, took all of our names/emails down so we could have a reunion.  Isn't that something?  Strangers. But we really did become close in those four days.  

Now will focus on home.  Husband needs work in the shop, Mom needs groceries, son leaves on his journey on Thursday (and a friend will drive with him, for that I'm grateful), house needs lovin', and I have to get back into my routines.  But slowly at first.  Nothing pressing, and if I don't hand it all to the Lord, I'll get frazzled.  No need.  

Oh, get this.  Two of the women on the jury have pugs.  Two a piece.  I call that almost providential. 

Y'all take care.

Tuesday night

A good day.  Got up too early after too late a night reading (see previous blog post with book review responsible for my poor sleeping hours).  Shame on Lisa Samson.

So, after 5-1/2 hours sleep, I got my tea ready, wanting to get a jump on the day.  Figured with school starting, and having a youngest son who's oftentimes trying to my patience, I'd pave the way ahead of time.  Lots of prayer, you know.  Tears always a good idea.  Love that proof of the Holy Spirit's presence.  God is so faithful.  School turned out wonderful.  Everyone got along, and I was so pleased.  I think we all were.  Just getting along was simple and sweet.  I don't ask much.  Just be decent and polite.  All good.

Afterwards, we all went to the library to get 'on hold' math books, and then the store to buy Mom's groceries ahead-of-time.  She doesn't need them 'til Friday, but it seemed wise to getitoverwith.  Tomorrow's supposed to be in the teens overnight, so I figured less time away from home would be wise.  Warmth is so necessary to comfort.  Besides, tomorrow I have the Intercessory Prayer group to go to, and oldest daughter's best friend will be here overnight.  C-L-E-A-N the house!

~ ~ ~

Last night, second son baked bread at his apartment, and took one loaf to military third son who's engaged.  While he was there, third son and his fiance made noises about getting married next week.  Something about insurance.  Romantic, huh?  We'll see how it goes.  While part of me would like to see an honorable, moral solution to their situation, the other part wants an nice-Christian-girl for this son.  May the Lord continue to keep His hands on them, no matter what it looks like to any of us.  Not my call.

~ ~ ~

Oldest daughter gave notice at her job today.  We've all talked about it, and since she's financially secure for a bit, she'll just lay low for a few months.  Recover from some stress.  Well, her boss was a real stinker about her leaving.  Did NOT take the high road.  Our daughter will have to tolerate some ill treatment, unless the Lord intervenes, for the next few weeks until she goes.  Her boss even withheld one of her checks she's earned.  Aren't folks something?  She'll get the check, never fear, but might have to wrestle the woman for it.  Gosh.

~ ~ ~

Listening to Josh Groban, the least one's current favorite music. Eclectic tastes these girls have.  

Take care.

New Year's Eve

Happy that tomorrow is another day off for many of my brood.  Gary probably won't go into the shop, and a few of the other kids will be home, or possibly will be by here to eat.  Second son is going to grill something delicious (as yet to be decided), and I'll make homemade Boston Baked Beans and Cole slaw.  We'll see how that flies.  My brain can take a holiday as well.  It needs an extended break, let me tell you.  More than a day's worth.

As to housework, pull the other one.  Have been hit with a huge dose of lethargy.  Not much tidying up is going on, but the tree is down (and in the backyard, waiting for the next garbage pick-up), and the decorations (except for the lights and greenery around the outside doors/wreaths/Nativity scene) are put away.  Going to let Baby Jesus stay out until Epiphany.  Sounds like a lot of work, taking all of that down, but not so.  The girls did most of it.  I dumped out the 50# bag of chicken feed in the container we use, changed the vacuum cleaner belt, and marveled at how well it sucked (yeah, well) afterward.  That was my yesterday.

Love days where I can really take those necessary deep breaths.  And New Year's Day provides a bit of time where I don't have to think about responsibilities, but can enjoy the day.  

Not sure what plans I want to tackle for the coming weeks.  Would like to be easier on myself, expect less, and as my mom said after her stroke, "I wish I'd had more fun."  That's it, pretty much, in a nutshell.

Happy New Year!

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.

Friday before dinner----still muttering

I'm so chatty today.  Third post.  My, my.

Just all tucked into bed.  It's been so nice today, all warm-ish. The girls rode their bikes in the backyard, circling the chickens, without jackets on.  In the fifties, which to me means a sweater or something, but they were happy to be bare-armed.

About to get up and make drop biscuits to go with the stew that's been simmering.  I told Gary my get-up-and-go got up and went, and wish it wasn't so.  Think the annoyance of the phone call this morning took all my adrenaline and my energy level just went down the toilet. S'okay.  Wish I had the urge to tidy up the place, but figure that's best left alone.

Some days I seem to drift from one task to another, and this seems to be one of those days.  But all is well. When I feel this way, I tend to just need to gain some Perspective. Look at what's in front of me, be thankful for it and not look too far ahead.  When the weekend hits, Life piles up a bit.  There's usually a trip to see my mom, which is stressful---buying flowers for the altar, which isn't stressful, but is ONE more thing to do repeatedly, and most times groceries---which is necessary, but not fun to do on a Saturday.

But fourth son is treating me to lunch tomorrow, so will go that far in my head and no further.  Natch.

A play day for Thursday

Here I lie in bed, thinking about tomorrow.  As far as I know, there are no errands outside the house for me to perform.  If I have my druthers, it'll be a quiet day of puttering along, putting the tablecloth and lace back on the dining room table, and the old patterned tablecloth back on top of the refrigerator.  They got washed and hung out to dry last week, and have been folded up ever since.  I've been too hot to even think of decorating.  I want to re-arrange things a bit and put them in different places. Re-pot some begonias, and basically just shake things up a little.  Visual stimulation goes a long way in making me happy.

And it's been a frustrating series of days.  Our washing machine drains into the double kitchen sinks (done before we bought the house, by the owners who were fix-it types), and has been on the brink of overflowing for weeks off and on.  The boys would get on the roof, run the hose down the outlet drain and it'd be fine for a day, then clog up again.  Gary found a gizmo in his bag of plumbing tricks and got up there this evening. The sinks were good and clogged this time.  Finally, relief.  Now I don't have to watch the sinks when the washer spins out, and that's a very good thing.

Plus our vacuum bit the dust awhile back and I'm using Gary's shop vac.  Not recommended for the faint of heart.  Man, that beggar is hard to drag along.  Will be glad for the opportunity to get another home vacuum, but still, glad of having his to use.  Can't complain too awfully much.

Seems I spend an awful amount of time in simply maintaining the status quo around here.  Keeping the house reasonably decent, groceries in the cabinets and milk in the fridge.  When one part of the house breaks (the sink, for example), it puts a drain on the day.

The least one wants to sew tomorrow.  Awhile back, we got out felt and the two younger girls made small stuffed creatures, for lack of a better name.  They were sort of like monsters.  Anyway, while middle daughter enjoyed it, the least one had a real talent for it.  So tomorrow I'll let her create.  It's so easy for the day to pass with only chores completed, and nothing fun being accomplished.  Time to shake it up a bit.

Will try to get the basic chores done early, to leave the day for play.  I need it as much as the kids.  Must remember that.

Friday night

nora & madelyn, w/ anon. chicks on floor

Just trying to get caught up.  Failing miserably.  The house needs vacuuming very badly since the dust and fur from the dogs is EVERYwhere.  It's really shameful, but I cough at the least encouragement, so less busyness really is mandatory.

But chicken life is fun.  Gary and I had to pick up two of the kids from a dinner with their Sunday School class tonight, and when we got back, the remainder of the kids were blocked in the kitchen and playing with the chickens.  Gary says it's like watching a tiny circus.  Or an aquarium.  Or a fire in the fireplace. Just watching them is a kick.

We really have to watch the big dogs.  The pugs are curious about the chicks, but more interested in their feed.  We left the kitchen unattended day before yesterday for only about 2 minutes, really, 2 minutes.  In that time, Opal our shepherd/husky had pushed aside the dog gate, gotten to the cardboard box the chicks are in, left some awful chew marks on the side of the box and was in the process of trying to knock it over.  In two minutes?  Seriously?  Thankfully the water container in the box is heavy and weighted it down enough to prevent Opal from having a snack.

Second son says we'd better think of the chickens as goldfish rather than pets.  He might have the right idea.