The election

With the Presidential election just a month away, I figured I'd say a brief word on my reason for voting for Romney/Ryan. Or maybe I'll let someone else do the saying since I don't want to get into a tussle with anyone, and just want to state my opinion and leave it at that.

And, for the record, do I care that Romney's a Mormon?  Well, I'd prefer it if he wasn't, but it's not a major sticking point.  I personally believe our current leader has no faith at all.  So you choose...which is more valid?  For those of you old enough, do you remember the ruckus over Kennedy being a Catholic?  I was too young for it to matter to me, but I know my folks talked about it (and voted for the Republican candidate, though not because of religion).

The blog post I'm linking to is written by an Episcopalian, who seems to have his head screwed on straight.  And I'm not concerned whether I agree with everything in the post I'll send you to (linked here), but the comments about us needing a successful businessman to run the country make excellent sense to me.  

Time for a change?  Absolutely.

Late Saturday afternoon

Went out to lunch with my mom....she had a gift card for Olive Garden, and it was nice.  We had an exceptional waiter, and I wouldn't have minded bringing him home.  Such a sweetheart. And the food was yummy...shrimp scampi and the salad/bread. Always good, but then again, I'll eat out anywhere.  I do adore going out for a meal.

Rainy day, overcast and no hurries.  A few errands, and home to rest.  I tidied up after I got on comfortable clothes and that's always nice to get me into an at home mood again.  Have already shared that I really don't like to be gone long, just long enough to cause me to appreciate getting back.

Will go now.  Have a bag of those Indian red/orange lentils to prepare along with some rice.  I'll tell you...with this diet I'm on, and I will call it a diet....I'm heavy into the grains, not so much the fruit/veg (expenses mostly) and it's working for me.  None or little bread and very minimal sugar.  The fiber must be a plus for me, for some reason.  It's filling and keeps me from yearning, and of course, that's a very good thing.

Next stop.  The kitchen and dinner.

Perspective

When I wake up in the mornings and am reminded of our waiting for God to answer prayers, I feel like I'm holding my breath.  Exhaling seems difficult sometimes.  I get anxious and sometimes almost feel that I can't enjoy the day until I see some evidence of His working.  It's almost like my anxiety is propping me up, when it ought to be that my faith does that job.

Huh.

While we tally up moneys to pay a particular overdue bill, I get edgy.  I want it over.  I want the relief of not having that hanging over us.  On the up side, though, Gary has work in the shop, and just has to 'get er done' in order for us to have the proper funds necessary for said overdue bill.  I'm not ashamed to admit we fall behind.  I wish more folks would share these sorts of battles.  There are really lots of us who are struggling.  Thankful it's not always a daily thing, but really, there's no shame in hardship.

I have to remember what my job is, though.  I'm the keeper of the home, the axle at the middle of the wheel (as Gary refers to me) and the one who holds it all together (in a human way, of course).  My tasks are to manage the home fires, not make the income, and provide a safe haven for all of my chickens.  Worry doesn't need to be my side companion, but trust does.

It's going to be okay.  Life is sometimes hard, but it doesn't have to be unbearable.  Must give myself the opportunity to experience joy today.  And that's all I have to do.  Today.

(by the kitchen sink last fall)

Deep breaths

Feeling a tad overwhelmed.  Not sure why, and this is usually how it goes.  I'm thinking partly I feel smooshed by all the humanity/dog-ness I live with here.  As soon as I open the bedroom door in the morning, Romeo the puppy is RIGHT THERE with his wet nose nudging me.  And since our bedroom is 5 steps below the level of the kitchen door, as I walk up the steps, his nose is level with my face.  Not the way I want to begin the day.  I appreciate his enthusiasm for my presence, but really, is it necessary first thing in the morning?  I think not.

Just now went over to one of our neighbors with 3 of the kids to clean out her bushes of convolvulus and honeysuckle.  Her huge azaleas have been buried over the summer with vines and now they can b-r-e-a-t-h-e.  This is the sweet neighbor who's got her Zen on that I mentioned last week. Remember she gave me a huge jade then, and today gave me two cuttings from one of her orchids.  I told her I was scared of them, and it might just be a matter of time before they pass on.  She laughed and asked if I wanted to see the African violet she had to throw away earlier today. That does help!  Fortunately she lent me an orchid book as well.  We'll see how this flies.  And to think that I used to have such a green thumb.  Sadly, it seems to only be working on what's outside, though.

And trying to let God work and not fret.  Will have to get back to you on that one.  A major bill is past-due and while I bragged the other day about not being such a worry-wort, I'm showing my stripes today.  Maybe still tired from the cold that's just now leaving, and not feeling rested like I'd like, plus old evil one, or his cohorts have been picking at me since Confirmation day.  Rats.  Note to self:  He does have it under control.

Oh well.

Looking forward to Saturday.  They observe St. Francis' Feast Day and have a blessing of the animals.  Gary just rolls his eyes at that, but I think gets a kick out the Anglican frills, as long as he's just hearing about it and not having to participate.  Middle daughter wants to take Violet the pug, but she's such an excitable dog, that that won't happen.  Daughter said she wanted Violet to get confirmed since she herself will go through the process next fall.  Silly girl.  We'll just go to watch.  Might be fun.

Must be off now.  Schoolwork to go over and then the post office and must needs get some potatoes.  Remember to tuck some fun into your day....I'll do the same.

Taking it as it comes

Took oldest daughter to the dentist for her long-awaited appointment for root canals only to find out that one tooth has to be pulled.  Not the greatest news.  The appointment took so long to get (going through a local church-run medical group for those without insurance) that one tooth deteriorated.  Makes me tired when our kids get bad news.  It hurts and Gary and I both wish we could switch places with her.

On the plus side, the tooth is the back one, and with her tiny mouth and with that tooth gone, she'll have more room for the other teeth to stretch out a bit. There's always a hidden blessing, I guess.  And it's good to keep a healthy focus when life throws these curve balls.  It's really okay.  Really.

But I'm in bed now with Daisy, resting myself.  I'm tired.  Being outside the home, away from my usual haunts tends to exhaust me.  I don't have that malady where a person is afraid to go out (agoraphobia)---I do leave the house, but really prefer to keep my outings to what I know, with few surprises.  I think more I just get antsy with things that come at me from out of the blue.  Figure, my life is full enough with all that the kids are involved in, and quietness is something I crave like an addict.

Think I'll drag out making dinner so it'll be more enjoyable.  Getting out my bag of paints and drawing tins sounds good.  Nice, rough paper---and doodling a bit sounds refreshing.  I'm just plum wore out and need to do soothing tasks.  Sounds good.

And I'm glad oldest daughter took tomorrow off from work, as well as today.  I'm a great believer in healing when something happens.  She did have the tooth drilled and temporarily filled, and got a heaping dose of pain killer, even though there wasn't an official root canal done.  Her body needs rest, so that's a blessing to have an extra day, as well.  Like I tell the girls, "You're tender flowers, and don't forget that."  We're not all machines, though the modern world would convince us otherwise.

(fall photo by oldest daughter)

Monday late

Having a tiny bit of quiet before getting ready for bed.  First-born is at work now---he works as a manager in retail and has overnight hours for the next 3 months. Imagine.  It's a Christmas thing. I will say, though, that his attitude is brilliant.  He just does what he does, rewards himself at regular intervals (by taking trips, etc.) and just plows ahead.  As he's fond of saying---"it's a means to an end."  And I guess he's right.

And thinking of taking oldest daughter to the dentist tomorrow. I'll have a spell of quiet while I wait for her and am thinking of what to put into my bag of tricks.

Bought some simple things at the grocery store, including chicken soup, jello, and chocolate pudding for her to eat tomorrow.  An easy chicken dinner to put in the crock pot while we're gone, and plain old navy beans and ham for a soup on Wednesday.  Warm, snuggly things to eat.

Must go now.  Second and third sons are on their way home from the restaurant and I need to get their dinners out of the fridge.  Will listen to their chatter and will get ready for bed myself.  By then it'll be time to quit.

Rest well.

Monday before dinner...

Today has sort of been draggy.  Got up later than I'd planned, but that's okay.  Weekends tend to be full, but still, I got the kitchen cleaned and most of the huge pile of laundry done.  Schoolwork was finished as well.

Told one of the kids that I don't give myself credit, though.  Really, I washed 'who knows how many' loads of clothes---thinking it was about seven and put them in the dryer.  It's been chilly and rainy so hanging them out hasn't been an option.  Folded the working boys' pants/shirts so they'd not have to be ironed (insert hearty laugh here).  Cleaned up after everyone's eating since they'd been sloppy about it themselves this weekend.

I tend to do a whole lot of stuff and then fuss at myself that my over-long list didn't get finished.  What gives there?

And tomorrow will take oldest daughter to get 2 root canals done.  Not sure how long that will take, but will leave work for the kids to do so that they don't turn into idiots while I'm gone.  I think they'll be fine.  Just kidding about the idiot part.

Now will warm-up the leftover spaghetti.  Putter around and make out a small grocery list.  Must have something easy for dinner tomorrow.

Take care.