Last day before first day

The weather is totally dishy today. There's a strong breeze, temperatures in the upper 60's and the sun seems to be showing itself after a cloudy morning. But according to the map, rain's on its way. Still, we've got some windows open and the house is beginning to smell fresh after having it closed up with the heat on for the past few weeks. I'll take it as it comes. It'll be a bit cooler tomorrow and through the rest of the weekend, but today's fine.

Hoping to get the bedsheets washed and hung out before it storms. And plan on making a batch or two of scones---a hankering I've got today. And, Hoppin' John for our New Year's Eve dinner. If I can whip up some cornbread to go with it, I'll be one happy camper.

Now will putter.

Are we having fun yet?

I think I need a break. Sure, the kids have been out of school, but am sorta at the weepy stage and feel ready to crumble. This non-stop illness that the kids have passed around has worn me to the bone. But thankfully neither Gary or I have caught it. So, think I'll turn off my head and enjoy the next few days and avoid any more confrontation.

One of the boys got a bit mumbly with me in regards to him *not* going back to work yet. My idea. His brother will cover for him, and willingly, but this sick son who's very responsible and honorably so, still has too rough a cough to work today. I admire his work ethic, but appreciate him doing what I say even more.

As the saying goes...'parenting isn't for the faint of heart'. Amen.

Mid-week

My goodness, a busy afternoon, filled with taking a son to work, the grocery store, library and a couple of other stops. Can't complain, though, since I stayed in bed 'til after noon. That's not happened in ages and ages. Must have been that I was just plain worn out. I did initially wake up at 5:30am (not from the dogs making noise, though) and stayed awake until they needed to go out at just before 7am. Used my time relatively wisely with reading the Daily Office for the morning. Those Robert Benson books I've been inhaling have been so wonderful for encouraging a regular prayer time. Very soothing to my spirit, if you know what I mean. Puts God in a more respectful place in my thinking as well. Seems to me that Protestants are sometimes all about making God cozy, and I have always gotten a bit het up when folks call him Daddy (no offense for anyone here who does that, it's just not my thing---my mom practices that as well). Just seems too laid back and puts God into a human role that appears to be inappropriate. But that's just what I think. But then, my mindset isn't for everyone.

Besides my mental/spiritual quests---one more child was felled by the sickness here, but he slept most of it off. He woke up just now after going to bed after work (he worked until 11pm) last night. Sleep and drugs did the trick, it seems, and I'm grateful for that.

Middle daughter is getting a slight headache which the precursor of this sickness, but maybe she can fight it off. Time will tell. I went out the drugstore/healthfood stores and bought marshmallow and slippery elm capsules, and a mullein-based tea along with some echinacea. Two of them are fighting a cough that's annoying and want to control that before it gets any worse.

That's my world. You're welcome to it, but then again, it's not for everyone. :)

A quiet (yet messy) Tuesday afternoon

The living room is a jumble of worn-out cardboard boxes half-filled with Christmas decorations, along with unfolded clothes and pug covers. It's a mess. And the whole house (to a large extent) is cluttered and looking a bit chubby. These are the days when I have to shake my head to get it to set on straight. Fortunately, however, nothing's hanging fire (which is a saying that came out of my mouth the other day causing Gary to say that he'd never heard that phrase---huh! In my southern world it refers to something that's not in desperate need of happening) and I can take my time in setting things to rights.

Disarray. A reality but one that makes my insides sad. I do love order, but being a packrat to some extent, makes that a challenge. Plus, G.'s making me a new bookshelf for beside the bed and that area of the bedroom will have to look worse before it gets any better. Change is messy, that's for sure.

Now must rest. Nap-time passes all too quickly.

Late Monday

All kids are better, and surprisingly enough, everyone didn't get sick. Well, I find that amazing. Anyway, have ingredients to make spaghetti tomorrow (and it'll last 2 days), and will putter around a bit. There's NOwhere I have to go (well, will take one boy to work, but that's minor), and just need the mundane-ness of moving around the house and not being in a hurry or distracted. Having sick ones makes me feel a bit wired, so hopefully tomorrow can be day one in a series of slow days, especially since we don't start back with schoolwork until a week from today. Besides, the temperatures are gradually rising, and we supposed to hit 60-65 degrees by Friday. Sounds dishy to me.

Sunday afternoon

The least one made signs of catching the flu-ish thing that's in our house, but only played around with a cough before the sun came up this morning. She's quieter than usual today, but for a slender little girl, is surprisingly tough. I've said this before, and I'll say it again: the children of ours who've not been inundated with vaccinations are healthier than those of ours who were always up-to-date on shots. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. Just sayin'.

Anyway, am tucked into bed as is my habit on a cold afternoon. My nose is cold, as are my hands, but will alternate tucking them under the covers when I'm through typing. But not my nose.

Life is getting back to normal today, and quickly too. The three older boys have to work (and a shame on a Sunday, and hard since two of them aren't completely well yet), but the rest of us are staying cozy at home. It's COLD outside. Had some snow last night, but just enough to tuck into the cracks outside. Still, it was pretty falling after dark. The 3 girls are in bed together watching 'Pride and Prejudice'---all tucked up and youngest son is playing on the computer while fourth son is sick in bed. All accounted for in one way or another.

Thinking more on New Year plans. At this place in the calendar, it's a pleasing occupation to think about, with none of the pressure. I like that! Now will go watch 'Brief Encounter' online. Love this movie.

Take care and stay warm.

The afters

There's something so appealing about the *after Christmas* feeling. Fresh new starts and all. Seems that as soon as the table is cleaned from our big Christmas dinner in the evening on Christmas night, and the presents are gradually put away, that I feel a lightening in my heart. I'm ready to toss out and freshen up.

'Course with this flu-like virus still taking hold in our house (2 healing and 2 in different spots of illness), there's not a hurry to do a winter cleaning. That'll have to wait until everyone is well. But, I can begin to figure out things in my own mind, and decide what needs to go and what must stay.

And as to resolutions---I'm not so good at keeping them. Maybe I'll just focus on short-term changes---ones that have more likelihood of being fulfilled. We'll see.