Saturday morning

Tea in bed.  Window up.  Children sleeping in.  Dark skies.  Gentle rain.  Deep breaths.  No stress today.  At least, that's my plan.

Just had a sweet conversation with my mom just now regarding the wedding.  Threw some thoughts her way, drinking in her wisdom.  I realize it's tough for her, with the stroke, being on the outskirts of whatever's going on.  She used to be a doer, now has to be a watcher.  Not easy.  So, we talked about the rehearsal dinner and such, which was good for both of us.

But overall, I'm taking today off from planning anything.  Nothing more I can do or buy until I talk to the rehearsal dinner hostess tomorrow night.  Spoke to our groom about hauling tables from our church to the hostess' house.  He says he's probably got some guy friends who can help.  That would be huge.  We'll see.

Anyway, will buy altar flowers later on, and maybe stop in the Mediterranean shop for some loose tea.  A treat, since we've been using plain old Lipton teabags, which are fine, but I'm spoiled---so enjoy the making of tea when it's from a tin of loose tea.  An event.  A ritual.

Simple pleasures, which have been too few and far between for me.

Reading Like Water for Chocolate, which is perfect for today.  Had snapped it up at the library used bookstore for a buck awhile back and hadn't begun reading it until this morning.  Very restful, so far.

I need to take care of myself for today.  This-coming week is the last full week before wedding week.  Pace myself.  Do only what's necessary.  Don't take on any pressure that's not mine.  You know, stress seems to be like a sickness.  Stay around a person who's running their self ragged (thinking of the bride) and you follow suit.  I can't and won't.  Adrenal fatigue.  My body keeps reminding me of my limitations, which can be a blessing.  Otherwise I'd be over-busy.  Not necessary.  Will have a healing weekend, then let the nonsense commence.

This is the day the Lord hath made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.  

Monday night

There's something wonderful about getting things done and out of the way and loving how it frees my mind.  My mom's got her groceries in, bed changed, bathroom cleaned, kitchen tidied and counters wiped down.  She's in high cotton until Friday when our youngest son stays the day with her.

And tonight I used the weedeater on the yard and Gary mowed a bit, including the vacant house next door.  Youngest son will finish tomorrow the cutting and the girls will sweep.  Gary's still quite sore from the accident, but as I've said, he won't stop doing.

Chores done, at least on my part.

* * *

Some friends from church called this morning, said they'd given something up to prayer, and offered us their 2004 Ford van to have.  To have.  At that time we'd not heard from the insurance company, so I said we'd pray.  She sent me information about the van via text and it looks wonderful.  She said they'd been given it awhile back, had used it and now have something else.  Later this afternoon we heard about the settlement and it's modest, but at the same time, generous, especially considering we had a 1989 Suburban.  So, now we're not sure what to do.  I'd love to have a ride again (especially if Gary could get something for work later), and truth is, if we accept it, we'll offer them something for it.  Gary needs something for work he can haul things in, but he's not sure a minivan is the ticket.  So, we're praying.  Sort of amazed at their offer.  We shall see.

Tea tomorrow morning.  Quiet.  Reading in bed.  Painting trim in the kitchen.  Turning off noises that mess up my head.  And one more day with no sugar.  So far, so good.  I have to look at my health one-day-at-a-time, like everything else.  As I clean one tiny bit at a time in the house, the same routine will, hopefully, pay off with my physical well-being.

The beginning of Lent

Oldest daughter was telling of an Episcopal church she heard about that was having an Ash and Dash way to be blessed on Ash Wednesday---allowing folks to stay in their cars, roll down the window, hear a prayer, receive the sign of the cross on their foreheads, and be on their merry way.  I'm sorry, but this just smacks of our current trend in having everything done speedily.  You hear this all the time on the Internet, but flying through our tasks, chores, and pleasures isn't always the way to go.  And the service at church surrounding Ash Wednesday is so sweet, not lengthy, but full of beauty.  To lower the day to a quick prayer and a brushing of the forehead with ashes---(okay, you're done) is just plain sad.  And I won't listen to anyone's argument on it being cold and this makes it easy for folks.  Who ever said that church attendance was supposed to be easy?

Somber, respectful, more quiet, prayerful, inward thinking, sacrificial---these are the words reflecting Lent. Not Ash and Dash.  How common, and how irreverent.

About the tea tray...

My husband and I both have little daily routines, and they might just be what keeps us sane.  He eats ice cream out of the same bowl, using the same spoon, eating the same ice cream and cookies topped with a splash of milk every night.  Like clock-work.  He says if we're even out of milk, he's sad.  It has to be the same pattern all the time.  He's done this for years.

I set up the tea tray every morning, not the night before.  Get the kettle boiling, take out my tea (currently PG Tips with cardamom added), my sweetener, whatever cup and saucer is the choice, get half and half into the little pitcher, get my stirring stick for the tea (which is a hand-carved chunky crochet hook one of the boys made me---not shown in the photo), fold a napkin, pour out my oatmeal, get a spoon and preferably a particular one.  And I add a little bowl or cup for my teabags or the tea strainer as well.  You get the idea.

It makes me feel safe.  Usually I have loose tea, but for now it's the PGTips in bags.  Not even sure if they make a loose one.  When I bought the tea, I took out some of the bags, put them into a tea tin and sprinkled on the cardamom. Tastes wonderful, a nice change from plain, old tea flavor.

Steadiness in the midst of our sometimes chaotic lives.  And it helps.  Really it does.

{57 eggs to date---3 today, so far}