Since yesterday I have had a faint slightly nauseous feeling. It seems to dissipate with saltines or something in my tummy, otherwise it comes right back. I am pretty sure it is a simple reaction to Monday's H1N1. It hasnt really prevented me from doing anything important, play rehearsal, driving kids here and there, etc. But it is difficult to 'make' myself do anything.
But it sure is hard to keep motivation up. I wonder too what the best thing to do is? When do you listen to the dictates of your body? On a day like today shouldn't I simply put back on my pjs and climb into bed? Let the house and animals and kids do their thing.
Don will be home in time to drive Yon to work. Everyone is certainly old enough to make their own dinner and entertain themselves. Shoot I will still have to drive Jamie at 4.....it just seemsl ike everything is taking just a bit more push and extra energy from me.
Yet to just plunk down when I am not sick sick seems absurd. So much cleaning to do, today is suppose to be a lift weight day at the gym, Joe is hoping I will play a game with him, bunnies need nails trimmed. Still should go through the cabinets to see what is needed for the Shaws shopping tonight....I will not even go into the debris field that is my bedroom.
But if my tummy is queasy shouldn't I just curl up with the lap top and watch an old movie while sipping some tea? Why we push ourselves through so much 'have to'that then we are too exhausted or time stressed for 'want tos' is beyond me but we all do it.
OOOPPPPS no point even debating whether or not to take a day off, compsny just came. Queasy from a shot or not one must always be a good hostess! Happy New Year.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
WATER UP YOUR NOSE
The last 2 days at the gym, I have worked very hard. Yesterday I yoga-ed for 15
then walk/jogged the treadmill for an hour, hopped on the bike for 15,and yoga-ed for another 30. So ambitious!
Today I chose the ellyptical for an hour (read a GREAT Good Housekeeping magazine article about Brooke Shields)and then yoga-ed for a final 15.
Both days, a curious biological event occured. You know how when you swim and water splashes your face you sometimes get water up your nose? Well both days, right at the most grueling part of my aerobic workout the same thing happened to me! Except of course the water up my nose was my very own sweat~ how is THAT for dedication. Darn near drowned in my own perspiration...
then walk/jogged the treadmill for an hour, hopped on the bike for 15,and yoga-ed for another 30. So ambitious!
Today I chose the ellyptical for an hour (read a GREAT Good Housekeeping magazine article about Brooke Shields)and then yoga-ed for a final 15.
Both days, a curious biological event occured. You know how when you swim and water splashes your face you sometimes get water up your nose? Well both days, right at the most grueling part of my aerobic workout the same thing happened to me! Except of course the water up my nose was my very own sweat~ how is THAT for dedication. Darn near drowned in my own perspiration...
December 28th.
Tonight found only four of us home for dinner, Corey, Joe, Don, and I. When Don came back from refereeing I had rolls ready to brown, snap peas ready to heat up, and a turkey in the oven. (The turkey was cooked totally en-tented in aluminum foil so that the skin would remain unbrowned and untemtping. After all I have weigh in tomorrow morning!)
But upon discovering the small number for dinner Corey felt nothing less than Friendlys would do and offered to treat. (Ok actually the choice became he could pay for dinnner or his portion of January's phone bill. It does not require a brain surgeon to figure out what I picked!)He is going back to school tomorrow and so it was his last full day withus for quite sometime.
Just after we sat down a young family came in with a wiggly wriggly little 2 year old boy. The mother begged they be put in the corner so her little boy would have the wall to his back. "Otherwise he pokes and bothers the people behind them."
The waitress originally wanted the family sitting behind Corey and Joe. Instead the mother and big 6 year old girl sat behind Don and I and the naughty boy and his dad sat across from them, back to the wall. I turned and joked that we totally understood and that we use to have to do that with Corey. They looked at my 6 foot 1 lanky bearded son and laughed trying to imagine their little boy a man grown. The waitress heard the exchange and patiently waited to take our order. As we were ordering, Mr Corey decided to blow his straw paper at his father. He missed and it blew behind us to the family so carefully trying to make THEIR chilren behave. The waitress nearly died...
When we got home and I made up the gravy and sliced the turkey for tomorrow's dinner Joe wanted to work on science experiments. It seems Tim bought him a Spongebob science kit and so we discovered the mysteries of water, volume, displacement, etc. (Displacement I understood, that meant water spilling every where!)
Now I sit playing on my laptop. BTW it has a lille camera attached to it so I can video chat. So if you have AIM video or skype or the like talk to me!!!!!! Poor Don is having technological bad luck trying to get his Christmas gifts to work, poor thing. I am also watching the Louisa Mae Alcott bio on PBS.
Just heard that a friend of a friend's husband dropped dead of a heart attack at 45...and they have 4 children!
Apreciating every single second of all of my riches.... even the spilled water all over the kitchen floor! Thanks Spongebob.
But upon discovering the small number for dinner Corey felt nothing less than Friendlys would do and offered to treat. (Ok actually the choice became he could pay for dinnner or his portion of January's phone bill. It does not require a brain surgeon to figure out what I picked!)He is going back to school tomorrow and so it was his last full day withus for quite sometime.
Just after we sat down a young family came in with a wiggly wriggly little 2 year old boy. The mother begged they be put in the corner so her little boy would have the wall to his back. "Otherwise he pokes and bothers the people behind them."
The waitress originally wanted the family sitting behind Corey and Joe. Instead the mother and big 6 year old girl sat behind Don and I and the naughty boy and his dad sat across from them, back to the wall. I turned and joked that we totally understood and that we use to have to do that with Corey. They looked at my 6 foot 1 lanky bearded son and laughed trying to imagine their little boy a man grown. The waitress heard the exchange and patiently waited to take our order. As we were ordering, Mr Corey decided to blow his straw paper at his father. He missed and it blew behind us to the family so carefully trying to make THEIR chilren behave. The waitress nearly died...
When we got home and I made up the gravy and sliced the turkey for tomorrow's dinner Joe wanted to work on science experiments. It seems Tim bought him a Spongebob science kit and so we discovered the mysteries of water, volume, displacement, etc. (Displacement I understood, that meant water spilling every where!)
Now I sit playing on my laptop. BTW it has a lille camera attached to it so I can video chat. So if you have AIM video or skype or the like talk to me!!!!!! Poor Don is having technological bad luck trying to get his Christmas gifts to work, poor thing. I am also watching the Louisa Mae Alcott bio on PBS.
Just heard that a friend of a friend's husband dropped dead of a heart attack at 45...and they have 4 children!
Apreciating every single second of all of my riches.... even the spilled water all over the kitchen floor! Thanks Spongebob.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Fresh water sharks
Ok in reality this is the Atlantic ocean (Green Harbour.) Also it is not actually a shark, just a creepy shaped stone and some seaweed. But it could have been a real shark. I am just sayin.'
Standing room only
My friend Margo wrote an interesting blog yesterday about the crowds at Mass during Christmas time. I thought of her today while I was working out at the gym. These last couple of weeks heading into the holiday the space has been a veritable ghost town.
Perhaps a dozen to 2 dozen diehards were hitting the weights or aerobic machines. Weight Watcher meetings were also scantily attended. Yet today at the gym the place was mobbed. It looked like Christmas Eve Mass without the incence but plenty of sweat!
Last January I felt a bit intimidated by the crowds, mostly because I use the equipment self consciously slow and I did not want to be in everyone's way. Also as you may remember this gym has many very serious muscle bound members and it was rare that I truly saw any real fat people.
I do recall hating overhearing remarks like 'oh all these New Years Eve Resolutioners will be gone by February and then we can have the gym back to ourselves.' I heard much the same albeit more nicely put by weight watcher folks. But like Margo welcoming the crowds at Mass I too welcome the get healthy crowds.
Sure things thin out after a while. But meanwhile that burst of enthusiasm gets my own healthy goals fired up. I like being in the same boat as others. I find it lonely to exercise alone. I do not mind the work out but being quiet for an hour or two is a killer!
Today I was very excited because I was able to do 12 perfect barbell lifts. I did 2 sets of 6 which on Wed was all I coudl muster. Then instead of a final setof 6 I did a set of 12. Such a Victory. But no one to share it with.
I have not fully decided on my resolutions yet. I know as of Jan it will be one full year of me at the gym and 2 full years on weight watchers. I am no slender reed, but definite;lya work in progress. It will be fun to share weightloss plans and healthy goals with other people for a while!
Perhaps a dozen to 2 dozen diehards were hitting the weights or aerobic machines. Weight Watcher meetings were also scantily attended. Yet today at the gym the place was mobbed. It looked like Christmas Eve Mass without the incence but plenty of sweat!
Last January I felt a bit intimidated by the crowds, mostly because I use the equipment self consciously slow and I did not want to be in everyone's way. Also as you may remember this gym has many very serious muscle bound members and it was rare that I truly saw any real fat people.
I do recall hating overhearing remarks like 'oh all these New Years Eve Resolutioners will be gone by February and then we can have the gym back to ourselves.' I heard much the same albeit more nicely put by weight watcher folks. But like Margo welcoming the crowds at Mass I too welcome the get healthy crowds.
Sure things thin out after a while. But meanwhile that burst of enthusiasm gets my own healthy goals fired up. I like being in the same boat as others. I find it lonely to exercise alone. I do not mind the work out but being quiet for an hour or two is a killer!
Today I was very excited because I was able to do 12 perfect barbell lifts. I did 2 sets of 6 which on Wed was all I coudl muster. Then instead of a final setof 6 I did a set of 12. Such a Victory. But no one to share it with.
I have not fully decided on my resolutions yet. I know as of Jan it will be one full year of me at the gym and 2 full years on weight watchers. I am no slender reed, but definite;lya work in progress. It will be fun to share weightloss plans and healthy goals with other people for a while!
Christmas odds and ends
The first day of Kwanzaa is always a peaceful one here. Actually we are not celebrating Kiwanzaa but we have in the past, depending on the foster children in our home. Anyway, this day after Christmas is always fun and relaxinbg as toys are still new, books are still unread, and there are new games to play.
I was reflecting on a couple of families I know and a few conversations and emails I have had. One friend is going through a painful divorce and Christmas was a torture of memories and regrets. It was hard for me to put myself in their place and I felt a little like I betrayed the friendship because no where in their painful woe is me speech did they reflect on the pain for their kids, which really bothered me. Now this is entirely unfair of me. Perhaps their children's pain is such a terrible subject for them that they cannot even speak it outloud. Or perhaps they chose to share that pain with a different friend. You really do not know how others live.
Another friend is going through a frightening health crisis of their spouse. The friend is just distant enough that again I am not privy to all their trials and tribulations although it is easier to try to imagine their pain than that of my divorcing friends. We have all lain in bed at night battling fears of what if something happened to the one we love the most. How do you maintain a relationship when one of the couple is so frighteningly ill and fragile? Who takes care of who?
On a much more insignifigant scale,I have also reflected on friends who have not been in contact this season. I sometimes get tired of being the one who maintains the relationship. But if I do not call it does not get done. Is it ok to just say forget it if they do not call- oh well? Especially when you know they may not ever get around to it? What if they are going thru something and do not have the stregnth to call? What if what I should really do is call and complain....'hey hold up your end of the friendship here'!!!!
I want everyone's New Years resolution to be "be nicer to your family and friends." but apparently I can not tell EVERYone what to do:>)
Meanwhile I put in a call to my sister on Christmas day. She has certainly had her share of struggles, a Persian Gulf vet married to a husband who is battling cancer (and just lost his beloved sister.) They have had alcohol issues as part of their relationship, lost their house as a result of a flood, and poverty that they simply cannot shake.
We spoke via her pay as you go phone as they currently have no Internet (our normal mode of communication) or house phone paid up. Their Christmas was small and the kids are certainly missing the 'no computer access'.
But as per usual my sister was upbeat and endearing. She had stories to share about the kids and made sure to ask about mine, and Yon. She sent the kids' school pictures as a Christmas present and they are all three so lovely and big now! Mary and I are going to send a package to her three after Christmas and they are looking forward to that.
It was fun to chat with her although as always I wish we could do something to help them. But Ohio is a looooooooong way away. After few painful years of estragement it is so lovely to be able to communicate with my sister, so fun to share in her life even if it is long distnace.
We had such a wonderful Christmas yesterday. It does sadden me to think others did not have such a nice day. Our Christmas morning was made brighter by a Secret Santa who helped with gifts for our younger children thus freeing up some of our cash for the big kids.
Christmas is for the kid in all of us and presents under the tree should be available for everyone even if Corey DID get coal in his stocking. We had a bonus Christmas night courtesy of the wonders of modern technology. We were able to skype video chat with Corey's 'friend' Rose who is home with her family in the wilds of Pennsylvannia. Julie, Nikki, and I got to make fun of him to Rose who VERY much enjoyed it.
All in all a good day and now a week of Christams vacation to look forward too.
I was reflecting on a couple of families I know and a few conversations and emails I have had. One friend is going through a painful divorce and Christmas was a torture of memories and regrets. It was hard for me to put myself in their place and I felt a little like I betrayed the friendship because no where in their painful woe is me speech did they reflect on the pain for their kids, which really bothered me. Now this is entirely unfair of me. Perhaps their children's pain is such a terrible subject for them that they cannot even speak it outloud. Or perhaps they chose to share that pain with a different friend. You really do not know how others live.
Another friend is going through a frightening health crisis of their spouse. The friend is just distant enough that again I am not privy to all their trials and tribulations although it is easier to try to imagine their pain than that of my divorcing friends. We have all lain in bed at night battling fears of what if something happened to the one we love the most. How do you maintain a relationship when one of the couple is so frighteningly ill and fragile? Who takes care of who?
On a much more insignifigant scale,I have also reflected on friends who have not been in contact this season. I sometimes get tired of being the one who maintains the relationship. But if I do not call it does not get done. Is it ok to just say forget it if they do not call- oh well? Especially when you know they may not ever get around to it? What if they are going thru something and do not have the stregnth to call? What if what I should really do is call and complain....'hey hold up your end of the friendship here'!!!!
I want everyone's New Years resolution to be "be nicer to your family and friends." but apparently I can not tell EVERYone what to do:>)
Meanwhile I put in a call to my sister on Christmas day. She has certainly had her share of struggles, a Persian Gulf vet married to a husband who is battling cancer (and just lost his beloved sister.) They have had alcohol issues as part of their relationship, lost their house as a result of a flood, and poverty that they simply cannot shake.
We spoke via her pay as you go phone as they currently have no Internet (our normal mode of communication) or house phone paid up. Their Christmas was small and the kids are certainly missing the 'no computer access'.
But as per usual my sister was upbeat and endearing. She had stories to share about the kids and made sure to ask about mine, and Yon. She sent the kids' school pictures as a Christmas present and they are all three so lovely and big now! Mary and I are going to send a package to her three after Christmas and they are looking forward to that.
It was fun to chat with her although as always I wish we could do something to help them. But Ohio is a looooooooong way away. After few painful years of estragement it is so lovely to be able to communicate with my sister, so fun to share in her life even if it is long distnace.
We had such a wonderful Christmas yesterday. It does sadden me to think others did not have such a nice day. Our Christmas morning was made brighter by a Secret Santa who helped with gifts for our younger children thus freeing up some of our cash for the big kids.
Christmas is for the kid in all of us and presents under the tree should be available for everyone even if Corey DID get coal in his stocking. We had a bonus Christmas night courtesy of the wonders of modern technology. We were able to skype video chat with Corey's 'friend' Rose who is home with her family in the wilds of Pennsylvannia. Julie, Nikki, and I got to make fun of him to Rose who VERY much enjoyed it.
All in all a good day and now a week of Christams vacation to look forward too.
Friday, December 25, 2009
I am sitting at Mary and Matts blogging while the rest of the family joyfully plays BeatlesRockband or eats chocolate trifle. It is a loud and joyful day.
We do not normally leave the house on Christmas, except last year for supper when the broken stove forced us to leave the uncooked turkey and venture aka Christmas Story style to the chinese restaurant.
I threatened the kids with their very lives if they fa rarRARAED the Chinese waiter. Thankfully they refrained. But normally we spend the day lazing at home playing with all our new loot.
This in marked contrast to the big kids first Christmas' when we would drag them from house to house. The year we had 4 in diapers and 6 kids under 8 I put my foot down and Christmas became about hearth and home.
Now however Mary and Matt offered a salad, deli, lasagna, dessert luncheon and we all trooped to their house. The kids did not complain exactly, after all few people are cooler than Mary and Matt ( a son in law who designs computer games is a godsend in a plugged in family!) but they did ask if next year we could stay home Christmas day and do M and Ms house on the Sunday before like we have done in the past.
Mass this morning was awesome because all the college kids are home so I got to catch up on kids I rarely see. Plus We FINALLY got to sing Christmas carols in church! But the best part was during the consecration. I wish I could share with you a come to Jesus moment or some other spiritual or uplifting story. But what happened was just as Father Medairos was changing bread into body a naughty little 4 year old raced up the center aisle and tried to climb up on the little altar dais.
We sit to the left of the altar and as the little boy stood between Father and I the congregation began to chuckle. The poor mother tried to snatch her son but he cavorted just out of reach. My Joe was giggling along with everyone else. Without missing a beat, Father (arms upraised reciting the consecration) looked at the boy, looked at me, glanced at Joe and then back at me. Father (who is not known for his patience with kids) laughed at me as he knew we were both thinking how a few years ago this would have been Joe! With a final grin Father continued the prayers, the mother grabbed the little guy,and everyone settled down.
Sometimes as a parishioner listens to a homily he swears the words are meant specifically for him. Today during Mass Father did not make eye contact eith the mother of the naughty boy. Instead he looked right at me, the mother of other mischievous boys. Then we both laughed, sharing community and good cheer.
THAT was my favorite part of MASS today.
Now we play at M and Ms and all the kids are begging to go out to Chinese again tonight. They complain that I keep Christmas Story on for 24 hours. But they love the thought of Chinese food on Christmas like the movie.
I suppose thebrisket can wait another day. Hope everyone has a peaceful and joyous NOEL.
We do not normally leave the house on Christmas, except last year for supper when the broken stove forced us to leave the uncooked turkey and venture aka Christmas Story style to the chinese restaurant.
I threatened the kids with their very lives if they fa rarRARAED the Chinese waiter. Thankfully they refrained. But normally we spend the day lazing at home playing with all our new loot.
This in marked contrast to the big kids first Christmas' when we would drag them from house to house. The year we had 4 in diapers and 6 kids under 8 I put my foot down and Christmas became about hearth and home.
Now however Mary and Matt offered a salad, deli, lasagna, dessert luncheon and we all trooped to their house. The kids did not complain exactly, after all few people are cooler than Mary and Matt ( a son in law who designs computer games is a godsend in a plugged in family!) but they did ask if next year we could stay home Christmas day and do M and Ms house on the Sunday before like we have done in the past.
Mass this morning was awesome because all the college kids are home so I got to catch up on kids I rarely see. Plus We FINALLY got to sing Christmas carols in church! But the best part was during the consecration. I wish I could share with you a come to Jesus moment or some other spiritual or uplifting story. But what happened was just as Father Medairos was changing bread into body a naughty little 4 year old raced up the center aisle and tried to climb up on the little altar dais.
We sit to the left of the altar and as the little boy stood between Father and I the congregation began to chuckle. The poor mother tried to snatch her son but he cavorted just out of reach. My Joe was giggling along with everyone else. Without missing a beat, Father (arms upraised reciting the consecration) looked at the boy, looked at me, glanced at Joe and then back at me. Father (who is not known for his patience with kids) laughed at me as he knew we were both thinking how a few years ago this would have been Joe! With a final grin Father continued the prayers, the mother grabbed the little guy,and everyone settled down.
Sometimes as a parishioner listens to a homily he swears the words are meant specifically for him. Today during Mass Father did not make eye contact eith the mother of the naughty boy. Instead he looked right at me, the mother of other mischievous boys. Then we both laughed, sharing community and good cheer.
THAT was my favorite part of MASS today.
Now we play at M and Ms and all the kids are begging to go out to Chinese again tonight. They complain that I keep Christmas Story on for 24 hours. But they love the thought of Chinese food on Christmas like the movie.
I suppose thebrisket can wait another day. Hope everyone has a peaceful and joyous NOEL.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas traditions
This morning I was up early tidying the house (Uncle Wes was stopping by) and cooking the cake for tomorrow's trifle. I was also working on an odds and ends shopping list to grab those few things we forgot yesterday. I had to run in to Shaws today anyway as they had my special 5 pound cut of beef brisket waiting. (It pays to have Shaws workers living at home:>)
Don was refereeing last minute morning hockey games and trying to finish his Christmas shopping list. It was making me chuckle thinking how he shops EVERY year on Christmas Eve. Even out of work he somehow managed not to fit time in to get his mother something or pick out the kids Christmas ornaments, a family tradition. He also had the task of getting one more gift for Yon and Tim.
As I headed into my room to grab the wrapping paper I was happily thinking how for the first time in our long and productive marrriage that he had helped buy almost every gift. I was feeling grateful that he had helped pick out the gifts and had wrapped the lion's share of them.
An hour later I was back from Shaws, making cookie dough, sending off the neighbors gifts (Nikki and I baked cookies and I sent them in Tupperware of course!) and cooking up meatballs for a recipe Donnie had liked at his family's party the week before. (Those grape jelly meatballs yum).
I was trying to get Joe to brush out the dogs. Joe has been fascinated by the Advent candles and he was allowed to light them this morning. He kept stopping in mid dog brush stroke seeing which candle burnt down quicker. I kept a careful eye that WE did not get burnt out in his enthusiasm. Also I had to get the college kids out of bed and and and... On another trip into my room to finish wrapping a few gifts I realized how much work I was still doing- Running around like mad actually. Not that I minded. I love all the Christmas bustle, the baking, and the giving, and of course the anticipation of the GETTING.
Suddenly it struck me however that even with Don's real and honest help I still had 1000 things to do. I then got retroactively mad at Donnie recalling all the years I did all this stuff PLUS all the shopping, deciding, and wrapping. For a good ten minutes I was pretty steamed!
Lucky for him he was out trying to buy gifts and getting frustrated by all the crowds in the stores and cars on the road.
I wonder how long a couple is married before they can get retroactively mad for a past misdeed? I cannot be the only person to do this.
Thankfully the aggravation passed by the time he came home. We are now getting ready for another family tradition, Christmas Eve dinner at Wes in Hanson. Tomorrow Joe has to wait ALL THE WAY until 7 a.m. before getting out of bed fro present opening. Then there is ten o'clock Mass and after we head ot Mary and Matts for Christmas lunch.
Dinner will be later at home, beef brisket -a break from our roast beef tradition.
Hope all is well where you are: Peace and Goodwill toward all, even those who have legitimate reasons to be retroactively mad at people in their lives>)
Don was refereeing last minute morning hockey games and trying to finish his Christmas shopping list. It was making me chuckle thinking how he shops EVERY year on Christmas Eve. Even out of work he somehow managed not to fit time in to get his mother something or pick out the kids Christmas ornaments, a family tradition. He also had the task of getting one more gift for Yon and Tim.
As I headed into my room to grab the wrapping paper I was happily thinking how for the first time in our long and productive marrriage that he had helped buy almost every gift. I was feeling grateful that he had helped pick out the gifts and had wrapped the lion's share of them.
An hour later I was back from Shaws, making cookie dough, sending off the neighbors gifts (Nikki and I baked cookies and I sent them in Tupperware of course!) and cooking up meatballs for a recipe Donnie had liked at his family's party the week before. (Those grape jelly meatballs yum).
I was trying to get Joe to brush out the dogs. Joe has been fascinated by the Advent candles and he was allowed to light them this morning. He kept stopping in mid dog brush stroke seeing which candle burnt down quicker. I kept a careful eye that WE did not get burnt out in his enthusiasm. Also I had to get the college kids out of bed and and and... On another trip into my room to finish wrapping a few gifts I realized how much work I was still doing- Running around like mad actually. Not that I minded. I love all the Christmas bustle, the baking, and the giving, and of course the anticipation of the GETTING.
Suddenly it struck me however that even with Don's real and honest help I still had 1000 things to do. I then got retroactively mad at Donnie recalling all the years I did all this stuff PLUS all the shopping, deciding, and wrapping. For a good ten minutes I was pretty steamed!
Lucky for him he was out trying to buy gifts and getting frustrated by all the crowds in the stores and cars on the road.
I wonder how long a couple is married before they can get retroactively mad for a past misdeed? I cannot be the only person to do this.
Thankfully the aggravation passed by the time he came home. We are now getting ready for another family tradition, Christmas Eve dinner at Wes in Hanson. Tomorrow Joe has to wait ALL THE WAY until 7 a.m. before getting out of bed fro present opening. Then there is ten o'clock Mass and after we head ot Mary and Matts for Christmas lunch.
Dinner will be later at home, beef brisket -a break from our roast beef tradition.
Hope all is well where you are: Peace and Goodwill toward all, even those who have legitimate reasons to be retroactively mad at people in their lives>)
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Fa lalalalalalalala
Singing Christmas songs with a bunch of the community theater people which will be so fun. I worked out at the gym extra hard today as a reminder that what I want now might not be what I want most. (As in I might THINK I want that extra chocolate but what I really want is to weigh less and be healthier.) Not that I will not indulge. But I want to be aware. Uncle Wes' house for Christmas Eve- Mary's house for Christmas lunch- Our hosue for Christmas dinner- plus tonights cookies and cider. Lots of chances to make healthy eatign hcoices and strill enjoy myself.
Can hardly wait for Christmas. We are all very crowded as presents and tree and decorations close in on us in the lving room, not to mention that we are ALL home:>) But the excitement is building! Merry Merry and bright.
Can hardly wait for Christmas. We are all very crowded as presents and tree and decorations close in on us in the lving room, not to mention that we are ALL home:>) But the excitement is building! Merry Merry and bright.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Trudging Ahead
Today was an aerobic day but no one wanted to go snow shoeing with me and I just did not want to do it alone. Since I was not really up for a snow ball fight (one of my winter boots is missing and although my hiking boots are pretty good if I keep moving a la snow shoeing there is no way they would have with stood the stand still throw and duck of a decent snow ball fight.) Instead I opted for the bike at the gym for my hour's sweat filled workout.
I am certain I will renew at my gym for another year, 99$ is just too good to resist. I faithfully went to the gym 3-5 times per week from January until the end of April (except during my six week bronchitis/pneumonia/ swine flu/blechy blah episode.) I have also been back 3-5 times per week since November. For those counting that is 6 months of working out indoors. You all know I also faithfully kept up with my outdoor work out once it got warm enough to do so. Remember my 3 road race 'season' and my heroic half mile swim across Maquan pond? (Brave not because I accomplished it but that I was able to put my shark fears aside. Let us not get into another debate about whether or not a fresh water shark could get into a spring fed pond 25 miles from the sea to begin with.)
So 99$ for 6 months is pretty darn good. Now clearly I could have utilized the gym during the warmer weather but I am trying to make sure I at least spent the 100 bucks wisely. (ok the hundred bucks I made my 24 year old, still lives at home, son spend wisely.)
I believe I have. To really make out on the deal one of my New Years Resolutions for 2010 will be however to take advantage of the gym YEAR round. But considering how few people actually stick to their resolutions and judging by how few folks are even in the gym now I think I have not done too badly.
Meanwhile I do look at other gym options as I feel lonely working out and in the 2 years I have been working this health thing it has not lessened any. Weight Watchers calls exercise the Queen and diet management the King (OK they never say diet- like its a bad word!) Clearly I am meant to be Queen and I really and truly have accomplished a lot in that area. I am saying this out loud to keep myself reminded not as a brag.
But it would be nice to lessen the loneliness of it. Other gyms like the Y and Stonewood are too costly for our family. Perhaps when our health insurance is straightened out that can be an option. I do believe if I could attend classes with other people I would really like that and my little gym is does not have that option.
Meanwhile another of my Resolutions will be to be brave and ask people who go to Stonewood if I can use one of their 'friends' passes. I did that once before and people have offered but I feel a bit shy about pursuing it. So I WILL in 2010.
I am certain I will renew at my gym for another year, 99$ is just too good to resist. I faithfully went to the gym 3-5 times per week from January until the end of April (except during my six week bronchitis/pneumonia/ swine flu/blechy blah episode.) I have also been back 3-5 times per week since November. For those counting that is 6 months of working out indoors. You all know I also faithfully kept up with my outdoor work out once it got warm enough to do so. Remember my 3 road race 'season' and my heroic half mile swim across Maquan pond? (Brave not because I accomplished it but that I was able to put my shark fears aside. Let us not get into another debate about whether or not a fresh water shark could get into a spring fed pond 25 miles from the sea to begin with.)
So 99$ for 6 months is pretty darn good. Now clearly I could have utilized the gym during the warmer weather but I am trying to make sure I at least spent the 100 bucks wisely. (ok the hundred bucks I made my 24 year old, still lives at home, son spend wisely.)
I believe I have. To really make out on the deal one of my New Years Resolutions for 2010 will be however to take advantage of the gym YEAR round. But considering how few people actually stick to their resolutions and judging by how few folks are even in the gym now I think I have not done too badly.
Meanwhile I do look at other gym options as I feel lonely working out and in the 2 years I have been working this health thing it has not lessened any. Weight Watchers calls exercise the Queen and diet management the King (OK they never say diet- like its a bad word!) Clearly I am meant to be Queen and I really and truly have accomplished a lot in that area. I am saying this out loud to keep myself reminded not as a brag.
But it would be nice to lessen the loneliness of it. Other gyms like the Y and Stonewood are too costly for our family. Perhaps when our health insurance is straightened out that can be an option. I do believe if I could attend classes with other people I would really like that and my little gym is does not have that option.
Meanwhile another of my Resolutions will be to be brave and ask people who go to Stonewood if I can use one of their 'friends' passes. I did that once before and people have offered but I feel a bit shy about pursuing it. So I WILL in 2010.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Blizzard 2009
The kids are dancing about giddy with excitement. We just finished dinner and the superintendent called to cancel school for tomorrow. In a town where everyone has a pickup and a plow or knows someone who does, this is unprecedented. Normally we get a one or two hour delay. But many of our teachers come up from the Cape and of course they and we are buried under 2 feet of the white fluffy stuff.
Last night we headed to bed a bit nervous as flakes did not even begin to fall until close to ten p.m. Certainly we were not nervous about the storm. On the contrary every blessed one of us loves snow and wind. But those weathermen have been notoriously off this year and every single important event in our household in 2009 seemed destined to occur in a rain storm.
But we fretted for nothing. Dawn arrived in a blanket of white and it has snowed merrily all day long. Confirmation classes were canceled early today although Joe did feel a bit gypped since he and Tim went to Mass last night while the rest of us got off this Sunday Mass-less because of the snow drifts.
Tim, Yon, and Don very quickly concluded that the snow blower would not be blowing any of our snow this time around but they cheerfully dug in to dig us out. For reasons that allude me the three of them enjoy shoveling. Jamie started out lending us a hand but then headed across the street to help the older couple there dig out. He started with a snow shovel but quickly had the pleasure of using their working snow blower.
The boys spent a good part of the day working at shoveling because in addition to the driveway, porch, and walkways, we need paths to the animal barns carefully cleared. The chickens were not pleased with the snow but the bunnies remain unaffected.
Meanwhile snug indoors I have tripped over gallon water jugs that we filled the previous evening in the event of a power loss. We need a couple of gallons to flush our toilet if we lose power but all the animals need water and so when a big 'event' come around I make sure we have enough for a 2 day outage.
The wind certainly howled and rattled the windows but we never did lose power which was nice. Candles and flashlights are at the ready just in case however. In addition to missing Mass and CCD we also missed out on a town basketball game, a school basketball practice, and Christmas carols in Hanson.
I waited until the last possible second before baking cookies for the caroling. I did not want to have them hanging around if we were not bringing them to the gathering. Cookies 2 days before weigh in are not a good match for me!
Naturally caroling was postponed AFTER I broke down and made giant chocolate chip cookies with Nikki. Doesn't it just figure? Ah well, Nikki and I froze them for later. We also made candy kiss cookies and a molasses dough to make ginger cookie balls for tomorrow. The dough has to get cold and rest overnight before baking. I just have to stay clear of the dough and I will be all set.
Don and I did manage to sneak away to have a 45 minute snow shoe adventure. The drifts were over 2 feet and the wind blew snow in my eyes most of the way. Still it was a GRREAT work out and very beautiful.
We then headed to the sand pit just infront of the Lakenham cemetary to go coasting. I have not coasted for a long time and even in the last few years when I have, I have only managed a few trips down the hill. Just too much on my back.
But my muscles felt strong and my back flexible. I made trip after trip up and down the sandhill. I was certainly more winded than I ever remember being as a kid, but it sure is fun to sled and recall those happy childhood memories of coasting down our neighbors'-The Gavins- back yard hill.
I use to coast with my right foot tucked under my bottom and my left leg sticking straight out. Every time I managed to get to the top of the hill and plunk my sled down the muscle memory of that long ago position automatically kicked in and I would have to remind mydelf to sit with both legs facing out. No need ot break a leg at this point in the game!
Don and Tim kept trying to out distance my furthest sled ride but it was a no go for them today. It is unusual for me to come out the winner in these competitive events but this time I clearly and consistently coasted the furthest of anyone. I was allowed bragging rights although there was no one the least bit interested in hearing about my accomplishment!
It is now dark. The Patriots game ended in a win. Corey has blared music loudly all day, Nikki is practising her flute, Don has restrung his guitar, and Yon has packed away the left over dinner (yummy baked chicken that tastes like fried, baby carrots, and red bliss garlic mashed. The rest of us are utilizing various electronic objects, computer, video game, tv. Lights out could be fun, sitting around by candlelight. But full power is easier on the mother!
Prayers please for a friend's husband who is battling cancer and has been in the hospital over a week. He needs to be home for Christams!
5 more days and the excitement grows around here. We have our struggles and worries true. But we are all healthy and together and that is a priceless gift!
Last night we headed to bed a bit nervous as flakes did not even begin to fall until close to ten p.m. Certainly we were not nervous about the storm. On the contrary every blessed one of us loves snow and wind. But those weathermen have been notoriously off this year and every single important event in our household in 2009 seemed destined to occur in a rain storm.
But we fretted for nothing. Dawn arrived in a blanket of white and it has snowed merrily all day long. Confirmation classes were canceled early today although Joe did feel a bit gypped since he and Tim went to Mass last night while the rest of us got off this Sunday Mass-less because of the snow drifts.
Tim, Yon, and Don very quickly concluded that the snow blower would not be blowing any of our snow this time around but they cheerfully dug in to dig us out. For reasons that allude me the three of them enjoy shoveling. Jamie started out lending us a hand but then headed across the street to help the older couple there dig out. He started with a snow shovel but quickly had the pleasure of using their working snow blower.
The boys spent a good part of the day working at shoveling because in addition to the driveway, porch, and walkways, we need paths to the animal barns carefully cleared. The chickens were not pleased with the snow but the bunnies remain unaffected.
Meanwhile snug indoors I have tripped over gallon water jugs that we filled the previous evening in the event of a power loss. We need a couple of gallons to flush our toilet if we lose power but all the animals need water and so when a big 'event' come around I make sure we have enough for a 2 day outage.
The wind certainly howled and rattled the windows but we never did lose power which was nice. Candles and flashlights are at the ready just in case however. In addition to missing Mass and CCD we also missed out on a town basketball game, a school basketball practice, and Christmas carols in Hanson.
I waited until the last possible second before baking cookies for the caroling. I did not want to have them hanging around if we were not bringing them to the gathering. Cookies 2 days before weigh in are not a good match for me!
Naturally caroling was postponed AFTER I broke down and made giant chocolate chip cookies with Nikki. Doesn't it just figure? Ah well, Nikki and I froze them for later. We also made candy kiss cookies and a molasses dough to make ginger cookie balls for tomorrow. The dough has to get cold and rest overnight before baking. I just have to stay clear of the dough and I will be all set.
Don and I did manage to sneak away to have a 45 minute snow shoe adventure. The drifts were over 2 feet and the wind blew snow in my eyes most of the way. Still it was a GRREAT work out and very beautiful.
We then headed to the sand pit just infront of the Lakenham cemetary to go coasting. I have not coasted for a long time and even in the last few years when I have, I have only managed a few trips down the hill. Just too much on my back.
But my muscles felt strong and my back flexible. I made trip after trip up and down the sandhill. I was certainly more winded than I ever remember being as a kid, but it sure is fun to sled and recall those happy childhood memories of coasting down our neighbors'-The Gavins- back yard hill.
I use to coast with my right foot tucked under my bottom and my left leg sticking straight out. Every time I managed to get to the top of the hill and plunk my sled down the muscle memory of that long ago position automatically kicked in and I would have to remind mydelf to sit with both legs facing out. No need ot break a leg at this point in the game!
Don and Tim kept trying to out distance my furthest sled ride but it was a no go for them today. It is unusual for me to come out the winner in these competitive events but this time I clearly and consistently coasted the furthest of anyone. I was allowed bragging rights although there was no one the least bit interested in hearing about my accomplishment!
It is now dark. The Patriots game ended in a win. Corey has blared music loudly all day, Nikki is practising her flute, Don has restrung his guitar, and Yon has packed away the left over dinner (yummy baked chicken that tastes like fried, baby carrots, and red bliss garlic mashed. The rest of us are utilizing various electronic objects, computer, video game, tv. Lights out could be fun, sitting around by candlelight. But full power is easier on the mother!
Prayers please for a friend's husband who is battling cancer and has been in the hospital over a week. He needs to be home for Christams!
5 more days and the excitement grows around here. We have our struggles and worries true. But we are all healthy and together and that is a priceless gift!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Old Dogs
This past Fall we put our old beagle Champ down. He was over 14 years and had lived a great beagly life. I kept him alive certainly much too long for his comfort because I was thinking of my own. I love beagles, and he was a connection to my parents, and I did not want to put Yon and the children through the sadness of the death of a beloved pet.
But of course having a pet means ultimately dealing with their death. Still I did not want to have to be the grownup and decide when it was the right time. Yet poor Champ's nocturnal confusion and subsequent crying left me no choice but to be a mature adult and make the call.
2 dogs are certainly less smelly and more convenient. The kitchen is absolutely less crowded without the third dog crate. But we have promised Yon a puppy come the spring and we are all researching just the right puppy for him.
Now however a second death looms ominously on the horizon. Last Fall we discovered a tumor growing approximately in the area of Bearded Collie Lily's thyroid. She definitely has acted more sluggish and seemed a bit sad although not in any pain.
Having no money for big testing we simply played with her more and hoped for the best.
Well she has been steadily losing hair since the spring and currently looks like some groomer went crazy trying to make a portugese water dog out of her....a bald back end and a shaggy front end.
We thought at first that it was a reaction ot flea bites as she is quite allergic. Donnie shaved her down but it is apparent that the tumor is preventing hairgrowth and encouraging more hairloss. I just bathed her in preparation for Christmas (Advent is for dogs too I reckon!) She had almost no mats on the shaggy parts of her but not because of frequent combing. No it is very obvious that her hair is getting thinner in even the shaggy areas. I thought so last month when I bathed her just before Thanksgiving but a little denial never hurt anyone.
I plan on getting her a doggy coat this week as she will freeze with all that exposed skin. Poor little sheep dog suffering the indignity of no hair. After Christmas I will call the Vet and bring her in. I paid December's mortgage on time, all bills are caught up and once I get through Christmas I will feel less guilty about a veterinary bill.
I am hoping he can offer an inexpensive solution to the hairloss. She is ten and a half. There is no way to justify big money spent on an old dog.
But oh she has been such a delightful creature. She came to us painfully shy except around kids and other animals. She loves children and beams with curiosity when a small kid comes over.
She has barked frantically and made us come out whenever a bunny has gotten loose or a baby bird has fallen out of a tree into her pen. She lives for when baby bunnies begin hopping out of their nestboxes. She watches them in fascination as they hop about. She would never ever bark if it weren't for Bambam and his frantic need to greet the world. She has no wish to greet the world. She gets violently carsick. Also when I have brought her to obedeince school or Nikki showed her in 4H she did everything required of her, while she shook and shook the entire time.
She has been happy to live her whole life herding thek ids and animals and just being nearby. She is a good dog and I do not want to make another 'put to sleep' decision. I just may have too however. The tumor is huge and if it grows even a half inch more inward her esophogus will be effectively cut off. That is certainly no way to die.
Ah, my shaggy Lily.... she is a good girl.
But of course having a pet means ultimately dealing with their death. Still I did not want to have to be the grownup and decide when it was the right time. Yet poor Champ's nocturnal confusion and subsequent crying left me no choice but to be a mature adult and make the call.
2 dogs are certainly less smelly and more convenient. The kitchen is absolutely less crowded without the third dog crate. But we have promised Yon a puppy come the spring and we are all researching just the right puppy for him.
Now however a second death looms ominously on the horizon. Last Fall we discovered a tumor growing approximately in the area of Bearded Collie Lily's thyroid. She definitely has acted more sluggish and seemed a bit sad although not in any pain.
Having no money for big testing we simply played with her more and hoped for the best.
Well she has been steadily losing hair since the spring and currently looks like some groomer went crazy trying to make a portugese water dog out of her....a bald back end and a shaggy front end.
We thought at first that it was a reaction ot flea bites as she is quite allergic. Donnie shaved her down but it is apparent that the tumor is preventing hairgrowth and encouraging more hairloss. I just bathed her in preparation for Christmas (Advent is for dogs too I reckon!) She had almost no mats on the shaggy parts of her but not because of frequent combing. No it is very obvious that her hair is getting thinner in even the shaggy areas. I thought so last month when I bathed her just before Thanksgiving but a little denial never hurt anyone.
I plan on getting her a doggy coat this week as she will freeze with all that exposed skin. Poor little sheep dog suffering the indignity of no hair. After Christmas I will call the Vet and bring her in. I paid December's mortgage on time, all bills are caught up and once I get through Christmas I will feel less guilty about a veterinary bill.
I am hoping he can offer an inexpensive solution to the hairloss. She is ten and a half. There is no way to justify big money spent on an old dog.
But oh she has been such a delightful creature. She came to us painfully shy except around kids and other animals. She loves children and beams with curiosity when a small kid comes over.
She has barked frantically and made us come out whenever a bunny has gotten loose or a baby bird has fallen out of a tree into her pen. She lives for when baby bunnies begin hopping out of their nestboxes. She watches them in fascination as they hop about. She would never ever bark if it weren't for Bambam and his frantic need to greet the world. She has no wish to greet the world. She gets violently carsick. Also when I have brought her to obedeince school or Nikki showed her in 4H she did everything required of her, while she shook and shook the entire time.
She has been happy to live her whole life herding thek ids and animals and just being nearby. She is a good dog and I do not want to make another 'put to sleep' decision. I just may have too however. The tumor is huge and if it grows even a half inch more inward her esophogus will be effectively cut off. That is certainly no way to die.
Ah, my shaggy Lily.... she is a good girl.
Friday, December 18, 2009
The good fight continues
This morning as I was supervising the kids getting ready for school I browned the meat and created a crock pot beef stew. A bit later in the morning I got the dough started in the bread machine for rolls to go with tonight's stew.
I then busily made phone calls for Tupperware, did a little wrapping, and decided to head for the gym at noon. Crossing back into the kitchen I pulled out the hamburg for tomorrow's Christmas party meatballs, as well as the fixings for the dessert trifle that everyone loves.
It was at THAT moment that I succumbed to the brownies that I had been thinking about since 10 o'clock last night. I sliced a big ole hunk for me and furtively ate it, washing it down with ice cold milk.
I do NOT know how to stop that. Should I have had a small piece last night when I first craved it? Should I have made Donnie take it with him when he left this morning like I jokingly asked him? Maybe I should have had a small portion when he took a piece on his way out the door? I tried telling the kids no homemade goodies (I would never be tempted by a store bought brownie!) But after a few months that just seemed mean. So now if they want to bake they can on Tues, Weds, and Thurs. This limits the homemade goodies and has them early in the week before my next weigh in!
I have been diligent about the gym lifting weights 2 to 3 times per week and doing aerobic and yoga on other days. I have been very good about going to weight watchers and I always learn some new tidbit or leave inspired by the other dieters.
I am also researching hunger signals, because obviously it is not the worse thing in the world to eat a big brownie. I am much healthier than 2 years ago and a little indulgence is good for the spirit if not the waistline.
But the constant hunger signals my body sends is not normal. A weight watcher healthy meal while portion controlled is certainly a reasonable amount of food. But for whatever reason my hunger signals do not think so. I have had no measurable weight loss since my ten 15 pound summer gain, in spite of being on program. Why is my body so determined to hold onto the weight? Why am I hungry so much of the time..... I am fairly certain it is not psychological, we are talking physical hunger pains here.
The brownie situation is a silly but reasonable scenario, I head to bed with the entire house smelling like fresh brownies. I get up in the morning and stand in front of the brownies while getting the kids breakfast and cooking the start of our dinner. I later head to the kitchen to make the bread dough and prepare sliced fruit and a small healthy breakfast. I then head back to the kitchen and make tea while pulling the food out for tomorrow's party. Of course the brownies cannot be resisted!
But why no more weight loss? Why the constant hunger? The hunger is not new however. When on a diet I am hungry all the time just about. Left to myself I would eat 2 huge meals a day mainly meat and potato and be perfectly content and very full.
But there is not a diet in the world that works that way! I am glad to be eating more fruits and veggies (ok not broccoli!) But I really need a pill that makes me feel not hungry or one that makes me feel full.
Self control and motivation, prayer and distraction, sweat and hard work, are all needed for a successful weight loss. Boy no weight plan tells you the time and energy needed! Or no one owudl buy into it! Eating a brownie should not feel like cheating or a failure.
Feeling hungry most of your waking hours does not feel fair either. I know I know life is not fair. But I do not think life should be all about suffering either. I can think all the positive thoughts I want, go to meetings, follow my plan, make fun active dates like dancing or entering a road race. But the cold reality is I ma VERY hungry and this is very time consuming and difficult. And right now the rewards do not seem very apparent.
Ok enough of the pity party. I have a date with myself at the gym. For all my kvetching I will be very Catholic and offer up my workout today for people with more crippling challenges....those in the midst of divorce, those battling cancer....
no no this is wrong. I mean of course I will offer up my workout. What I mean is weight loss and getting into shape is very very hard and I think talking about it should be ok. I should not lessen the pain just because other people have other pains. We all have suffering and worry in our lives. It is just hard for me to really admit that the work to weigh less and get into shape is very challenging and sometimes discouraging. But what is the alternative really?
I then busily made phone calls for Tupperware, did a little wrapping, and decided to head for the gym at noon. Crossing back into the kitchen I pulled out the hamburg for tomorrow's Christmas party meatballs, as well as the fixings for the dessert trifle that everyone loves.
It was at THAT moment that I succumbed to the brownies that I had been thinking about since 10 o'clock last night. I sliced a big ole hunk for me and furtively ate it, washing it down with ice cold milk.
I do NOT know how to stop that. Should I have had a small piece last night when I first craved it? Should I have made Donnie take it with him when he left this morning like I jokingly asked him? Maybe I should have had a small portion when he took a piece on his way out the door? I tried telling the kids no homemade goodies (I would never be tempted by a store bought brownie!) But after a few months that just seemed mean. So now if they want to bake they can on Tues, Weds, and Thurs. This limits the homemade goodies and has them early in the week before my next weigh in!
I have been diligent about the gym lifting weights 2 to 3 times per week and doing aerobic and yoga on other days. I have been very good about going to weight watchers and I always learn some new tidbit or leave inspired by the other dieters.
I am also researching hunger signals, because obviously it is not the worse thing in the world to eat a big brownie. I am much healthier than 2 years ago and a little indulgence is good for the spirit if not the waistline.
But the constant hunger signals my body sends is not normal. A weight watcher healthy meal while portion controlled is certainly a reasonable amount of food. But for whatever reason my hunger signals do not think so. I have had no measurable weight loss since my ten 15 pound summer gain, in spite of being on program. Why is my body so determined to hold onto the weight? Why am I hungry so much of the time..... I am fairly certain it is not psychological, we are talking physical hunger pains here.
The brownie situation is a silly but reasonable scenario, I head to bed with the entire house smelling like fresh brownies. I get up in the morning and stand in front of the brownies while getting the kids breakfast and cooking the start of our dinner. I later head to the kitchen to make the bread dough and prepare sliced fruit and a small healthy breakfast. I then head back to the kitchen and make tea while pulling the food out for tomorrow's party. Of course the brownies cannot be resisted!
But why no more weight loss? Why the constant hunger? The hunger is not new however. When on a diet I am hungry all the time just about. Left to myself I would eat 2 huge meals a day mainly meat and potato and be perfectly content and very full.
But there is not a diet in the world that works that way! I am glad to be eating more fruits and veggies (ok not broccoli!) But I really need a pill that makes me feel not hungry or one that makes me feel full.
Self control and motivation, prayer and distraction, sweat and hard work, are all needed for a successful weight loss. Boy no weight plan tells you the time and energy needed! Or no one owudl buy into it! Eating a brownie should not feel like cheating or a failure.
Feeling hungry most of your waking hours does not feel fair either. I know I know life is not fair. But I do not think life should be all about suffering either. I can think all the positive thoughts I want, go to meetings, follow my plan, make fun active dates like dancing or entering a road race. But the cold reality is I ma VERY hungry and this is very time consuming and difficult. And right now the rewards do not seem very apparent.
Ok enough of the pity party. I have a date with myself at the gym. For all my kvetching I will be very Catholic and offer up my workout today for people with more crippling challenges....those in the midst of divorce, those battling cancer....
no no this is wrong. I mean of course I will offer up my workout. What I mean is weight loss and getting into shape is very very hard and I think talking about it should be ok. I should not lessen the pain just because other people have other pains. We all have suffering and worry in our lives. It is just hard for me to really admit that the work to weigh less and get into shape is very challenging and sometimes discouraging. But what is the alternative really?
Thursday, December 17, 2009
How many days left?
Don and I spent some time wrapping presents to put under the tree today. The only good part about no real little kids around the house anymore is that we can put presents under the tree before Christmas. It looks lovely and of course drives the big kids wild!
Tonight is the middle school concert which only I will be attending as Don will be doing the drive around for Special Olympics and 4H. Julie is taking the train into Boston to see the Nutcracker with her sister and Tim has church work tonight although he will drive Yon one way.
Ah the crazy run around that is the Advent season. I can hardly wait to just sit and listen to Christmas Carols at the concert tonight. I get all the church reasons for no Christmas songs until Christams but it makes me crazy. I like hearing them and it is a little funny that I have to go to the public school in order to do so!!!!!
Joe and Nikki have been practising their instruments and this year Joe was invited to join Jazz band so that will be an extra treat!
I think our shopping is done, perhaps just a few stocking stuffers for Donnie. Saturday is the family party at Kiwanee and Sunday night we are singing Christmas carols with the play people so there are lots of fun things to do between now and the big day!
Trying to figure out how to fit in visits with dear freinds but that may have to wait until the week after Christmas. Have been subbing a lot in the little kids school and it is so fun to see them wearing their Santa hats and silly Christmas t-shirts. I hope I get to sub next week there when they have their sing alongs! Talk about tidings of comfort and joy!
Tonight is the middle school concert which only I will be attending as Don will be doing the drive around for Special Olympics and 4H. Julie is taking the train into Boston to see the Nutcracker with her sister and Tim has church work tonight although he will drive Yon one way.
Ah the crazy run around that is the Advent season. I can hardly wait to just sit and listen to Christmas Carols at the concert tonight. I get all the church reasons for no Christmas songs until Christams but it makes me crazy. I like hearing them and it is a little funny that I have to go to the public school in order to do so!!!!!
Joe and Nikki have been practising their instruments and this year Joe was invited to join Jazz band so that will be an extra treat!
I think our shopping is done, perhaps just a few stocking stuffers for Donnie. Saturday is the family party at Kiwanee and Sunday night we are singing Christmas carols with the play people so there are lots of fun things to do between now and the big day!
Trying to figure out how to fit in visits with dear freinds but that may have to wait until the week after Christmas. Have been subbing a lot in the little kids school and it is so fun to see them wearing their Santa hats and silly Christmas t-shirts. I hope I get to sub next week there when they have their sing alongs! Talk about tidings of comfort and joy!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Adventus Momentus
Joe was eagerly awaiting dinner time because he gets to light the Advent candles and read the Advent prayers. The other pyros in the family fight to get a turn at the lighting but they are all willing to let him do the prayer part. It means they get to eat quicker!
It has been a long and busy weekend and so it was nice to reflect on Adventy things while eating. I of course dug right in to my meal but I could listen while chewing!
I suppose this morning's Mass would have been a good time to reflect. But as often happens at church I spend more time Mommying than praying. I did spend some time this afternoon in prayer. But that was during Nikki's town league basketball game. Her father promised to take her out to dinner if she scored 10 baskets. She came darn close too. As you can imagine I was not praying for world peace, but for baskets. I do love to eat out...
I had to fend off numerous requests for Nikki to play travel basketball. It is not enough that she is on the high school team as an eighth grader in addition to town ball. No, she must must play travel team which is a nightmare if you have more than one child or a life. The tournaments take place over a weekend and you play 3 to 5 games. You are stuck the entire weekend as it is round robin.
We did travel once, never again. You have to pay to play of course but then you have to pay to watch your kid every time they play! No matter how many times I explain our family's schedule is too complicated to fit travel team in, well meaning people are convinced it is not so.
This year most travel games will be on the March weekends. Already booked in March are the first 2 weekends, which is the play, a friend's kid's Confirmation, 2 Rabbit shows and 2 4H meetings. Plus college kids will have some vacation time then, and Don will be reffing hockey games every single weekend times to be determined later. One mom, whose kid does NOT want to play if Nikki is not offered to drive. But that is not the point really. We as a family support one another, which means we WANT to be at the games they play, the 4H events they have, the plays they are in, the rabbit shows. There are a lot of us and only so many hours in the day. sometimes we do not get to do all the things we want to. that is OK too and an important lesson to learn...
Anyway afternoon prayer was on all things basketball so tonight it was fun to listen to Joe and reflect during dinner. Most of our shopping was done and we even managed to get the gift for our church's Angel tree, a couple of Toys for Tots grabs, and this week we will donate fresh produce for the food baskets. I still have to go through old coats to see what can be donated.
I love this time of year. I like buying and making gifts for my people and I so love getting presents from them. I love the songs, Tim, Joe and I have Christmas music on constantly.
I am not big on the wrapping and I hate buying dumb old white and black clothes every year for the kids Christmas concerts! I struggle a bit with the holiday yummy foods. If I could only be like Don and take a small portion and leave the rest. But that is not me!
The schedule is quite revved up for the next couple of weeks. But we get to see lots of fun people, do some Christmas caroling, and play with our new toys.
Another year is rapidly drawing to a close. How can it be that a new decade is dawning? Wasn't it just yesterday that Y2K was going to grind everything to a halt?
It has been a long and busy weekend and so it was nice to reflect on Adventy things while eating. I of course dug right in to my meal but I could listen while chewing!
I suppose this morning's Mass would have been a good time to reflect. But as often happens at church I spend more time Mommying than praying. I did spend some time this afternoon in prayer. But that was during Nikki's town league basketball game. Her father promised to take her out to dinner if she scored 10 baskets. She came darn close too. As you can imagine I was not praying for world peace, but for baskets. I do love to eat out...
I had to fend off numerous requests for Nikki to play travel basketball. It is not enough that she is on the high school team as an eighth grader in addition to town ball. No, she must must play travel team which is a nightmare if you have more than one child or a life. The tournaments take place over a weekend and you play 3 to 5 games. You are stuck the entire weekend as it is round robin.
We did travel once, never again. You have to pay to play of course but then you have to pay to watch your kid every time they play! No matter how many times I explain our family's schedule is too complicated to fit travel team in, well meaning people are convinced it is not so.
This year most travel games will be on the March weekends. Already booked in March are the first 2 weekends, which is the play, a friend's kid's Confirmation, 2 Rabbit shows and 2 4H meetings. Plus college kids will have some vacation time then, and Don will be reffing hockey games every single weekend times to be determined later. One mom, whose kid does NOT want to play if Nikki is not offered to drive. But that is not the point really. We as a family support one another, which means we WANT to be at the games they play, the 4H events they have, the plays they are in, the rabbit shows. There are a lot of us and only so many hours in the day. sometimes we do not get to do all the things we want to. that is OK too and an important lesson to learn...
Anyway afternoon prayer was on all things basketball so tonight it was fun to listen to Joe and reflect during dinner. Most of our shopping was done and we even managed to get the gift for our church's Angel tree, a couple of Toys for Tots grabs, and this week we will donate fresh produce for the food baskets. I still have to go through old coats to see what can be donated.
I love this time of year. I like buying and making gifts for my people and I so love getting presents from them. I love the songs, Tim, Joe and I have Christmas music on constantly.
I am not big on the wrapping and I hate buying dumb old white and black clothes every year for the kids Christmas concerts! I struggle a bit with the holiday yummy foods. If I could only be like Don and take a small portion and leave the rest. But that is not me!
The schedule is quite revved up for the next couple of weeks. But we get to see lots of fun people, do some Christmas caroling, and play with our new toys.
Another year is rapidly drawing to a close. How can it be that a new decade is dawning? Wasn't it just yesterday that Y2K was going to grind everything to a halt?
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Miscarriage, Advent, Mourning, Peace
Just finished decorating the tree. The college kids still have to put on their ornaments, but otherwise it is good to go. As tradition has it, Don put the last ornament on, a little silver angel holding a candle. She is called "Karen" named after the baby we lost, 16 and a half weeks pregnant.
We lost the pregnancy on Aug 4, 1988. By that Christmas however we were already pregnant with Corey. (who was born June 28th 1989.) But having lost Karen in 89 and another tiny pregnancy before her, it was impossible to imagine a live birth the following summer, let alone the firecracker that is Corey:>)
The first year we hung "Karen" on the tree, I cried like a baby. And for other years as well although since that was 20 years ago I do not know when the tears morphed from the loss of Karen, to the loss of foster children (43) who entered our lives for such a brief time. Some like Jazzy and Shaun were my children. My milk came in when they joined out family literally! They were from the moment they were placed into my arms MINE. They still are although I have not seen Jazzy in since 93 nor Shaun since 96. Perhaps one day in heaven I will see them again (a goodly long while a way one hopes). I will know them, they are mine.
Others I knew were not mine. Well I knew it intellectually. But I have the habit of unconditionally loving whoever ends up under my mothering. Some like my children friends have wonderful families who adore them. Still Katie, Holly, Sarah, Andy, Andy, well they are MINE. Even my adult children who end up introducing me to their friends, they too somehow become mine. I am sure THEY do not look at it that way. Never the less it is so.
One of Mary's friends, a sweet lovely southern belle just suffered a miscarriage. She had just told her family. One moment she had great expectations, the next empty arms. Just like that.
There is nothing to say, not really. I have had friends lose pregnancies who barely knew they were pregnant. I have known people who have lost pregnancies they neither planned nor really wanted. My very first miscarriage, Mary was just over a year and Tim only months old. Who had time to grieve? I had 2 babies at home.
Our second miscarriage was devastating. The grief seeming endless. Some would think an ornament reminder not a good thing. But really....do you think a woman or man forgets their loss? We lost a baby. A loved beloved wanted anticipated baby. 21 years later I can still recall every moment of that anticipation and loss.
Our silver angel honors that. That she now honors the memory of all the children we have lost in no way diminishes that first heartbreak.
Often at Mass I hear MALE priests, unmarried non-FATHER priests try to downplay the baby in a creche infant Jesus part of Christmas. They want us to think of the whole picture- the Christ came to die for our sins -and saved us Jesus.
Well guess what.... For millions and millions of women and men- The Advent Season, the anticipation of birth- will always be a bittersweet reminder of their own victories and losses.
Advent is about the anticipation of new life. And for all humans that life started as an infant birth and adoption. For many many people it is both a joyful and sad time. This is ok of course We humans can hold two opposite thoughts at once.
This year as always while hanging ornaments I missed my parents with a deep deep ache. I missed my babies, those born and not. Yet I could still treasure Tim reaching to the tree top, and Joe scurrying underneath.
I also had a thought of Mary's friend and her real grief. I thought of friends in midst of bitter shocking divorces. I appreciated my life even while missing my college kids and my married daughter. Don and I hugged and kissed in front of the tree, just like every year, after hanging our blessed angel on the tree.
Advent is a time of great anticipation. I want to remember to be kind to those who have anticipated and lost.
We lost the pregnancy on Aug 4, 1988. By that Christmas however we were already pregnant with Corey. (who was born June 28th 1989.) But having lost Karen in 89 and another tiny pregnancy before her, it was impossible to imagine a live birth the following summer, let alone the firecracker that is Corey:>)
The first year we hung "Karen" on the tree, I cried like a baby. And for other years as well although since that was 20 years ago I do not know when the tears morphed from the loss of Karen, to the loss of foster children (43) who entered our lives for such a brief time. Some like Jazzy and Shaun were my children. My milk came in when they joined out family literally! They were from the moment they were placed into my arms MINE. They still are although I have not seen Jazzy in since 93 nor Shaun since 96. Perhaps one day in heaven I will see them again (a goodly long while a way one hopes). I will know them, they are mine.
Others I knew were not mine. Well I knew it intellectually. But I have the habit of unconditionally loving whoever ends up under my mothering. Some like my children friends have wonderful families who adore them. Still Katie, Holly, Sarah, Andy, Andy, well they are MINE. Even my adult children who end up introducing me to their friends, they too somehow become mine. I am sure THEY do not look at it that way. Never the less it is so.
One of Mary's friends, a sweet lovely southern belle just suffered a miscarriage. She had just told her family. One moment she had great expectations, the next empty arms. Just like that.
There is nothing to say, not really. I have had friends lose pregnancies who barely knew they were pregnant. I have known people who have lost pregnancies they neither planned nor really wanted. My very first miscarriage, Mary was just over a year and Tim only months old. Who had time to grieve? I had 2 babies at home.
Our second miscarriage was devastating. The grief seeming endless. Some would think an ornament reminder not a good thing. But really....do you think a woman or man forgets their loss? We lost a baby. A loved beloved wanted anticipated baby. 21 years later I can still recall every moment of that anticipation and loss.
Our silver angel honors that. That she now honors the memory of all the children we have lost in no way diminishes that first heartbreak.
Often at Mass I hear MALE priests, unmarried non-FATHER priests try to downplay the baby in a creche infant Jesus part of Christmas. They want us to think of the whole picture- the Christ came to die for our sins -and saved us Jesus.
Well guess what.... For millions and millions of women and men- The Advent Season, the anticipation of birth- will always be a bittersweet reminder of their own victories and losses.
Advent is about the anticipation of new life. And for all humans that life started as an infant birth and adoption. For many many people it is both a joyful and sad time. This is ok of course We humans can hold two opposite thoughts at once.
This year as always while hanging ornaments I missed my parents with a deep deep ache. I missed my babies, those born and not. Yet I could still treasure Tim reaching to the tree top, and Joe scurrying underneath.
I also had a thought of Mary's friend and her real grief. I thought of friends in midst of bitter shocking divorces. I appreciated my life even while missing my college kids and my married daughter. Don and I hugged and kissed in front of the tree, just like every year, after hanging our blessed angel on the tree.
Advent is a time of great anticipation. I want to remember to be kind to those who have anticipated and lost.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Racism...
Off and on my youngest daughter has come home from school very silent. Although she can be reserved she had been really looking forward to 8th grade and being with all her friends. But this year she has had more complaints than cheers and overall she has not enjoyed her final year of middle school.
Sometimes she has walked in the door and it is clear that something is on her mind. But getting her to talk when she does not want to is almost impossible. Grades are ok and school girl friends are all fine. She does have a few favorite classes and is doing overall pretty well. No boyfriends and no real interest in one. She has just the right clothes although of course she could always use more. She even has THE in muk luk boots she so desperately wanted. To top it off she is one of 5 eighth graders to make the high school JV basketball team, so what is there to be upset about?
Late Friday afternoon she finally broke down and whispered that she has been having to deal -alone- with rascist remarks made to her by some boys in her class. This admission was painful, made between great gulping sobs and the words almost had to be dragged from her.
She would not name name,. After an hour of support and investigation I was finally able to have her identify one boy, but she says there are others. The worst part is this boy often says these things in front of her (white) girlfriends, who completely ignore what is being said.
I think she has felt betrayed and confused by her friends who do not either stand up for her or at least talk about it later. She of course does not bring it up and it leaves her feeling vulnerable and afraid. Her word's exactly "When they say those things I feel scared and embarrassed."
We spent some time talking about her friends and she was adament I not speak to them or make the school speak to them. I tried to explain how hard it is for ANYONE, even adults to stop someone or respond when inapropriate things are being said. We have all been silent when some rascist, sexist, bigoted remark has been made. We think of a million comebacks later and we despise our silence, but silent we reamin.
I did tell her that I would be speaking to the mother's of her friends because I felt the girls should not be subjected to rascist remarks or be put in the uncomfortable position aboutwhwat to say or if to say something.
Every mom was of course outraged because my darling girl is a favorite. None however had ever specifically taught their daughter what to do in such a situation. We all have to do more than just raise our children to be accepting of others. We need to teach them tools to make certain they are not foreced into the situation her friends are, witness to rascism and no way to deal with it.
She was also adament that I not go to the school with this. She is convinced that the school does nothing. I could not honor her request although I was very clear with the adjustment counselour about all her concerns. I am pretty certain he took it seriously. There is a tendency at our school however, and maybe this is middle schools everywhere, to excuse kids god awful language and behavior with 'kids now adays.'
He seemed to feel it may be a question of this boy liking her and being an idiot. Many a normal man has become a fool in the presence of a beautiful woman. I did tease her a little about THAT on the night before she went back to school.
But I fear there is more to it than that. One of the things my daughter is grappling with is the fact that this kind of thing will ALWAYS have to be dealt with, and that stinks.
She is a breathtakenly lovely, athletically talented, sweet caring young woman and how anyone could possibly be mean to her (besides her brothers I mean) is beyond comprehension.
That she has to deal with any of it by herself breaks my heart.
She only confided in one friend about it. She left our talk and I dropped her off at basketball practise. It was clear that she had been crying however and one of the older girls, a tough little cookie, asked her what the matter was. When she told the girl the girl raged and demanded names ( thankfully she did not tell her them:>) She threatened to go down and beat up the boys. My daughter was amused and felt better that someone really understood (the older girl is black and sadly has had to deal with the same). I think part of what is troubling her is that she does not feel able to talk to her closest friends about it and they are all white. She does not want to feel separate from them but she feels a wall with this issue. We are working on that.
I kept a straight face when she told me what her defender offered to do. I solemnly explained that violence does not solve problems and we would not be doing things that way. But as I turned ot leave the room I commented, "BTW if she does do that she will get suspended. Then of course I guess I will have to take her out to lunch."
As I left the room I could hear my baby laughing and she said, "I just knew you would say that."
Sometimes she has walked in the door and it is clear that something is on her mind. But getting her to talk when she does not want to is almost impossible. Grades are ok and school girl friends are all fine. She does have a few favorite classes and is doing overall pretty well. No boyfriends and no real interest in one. She has just the right clothes although of course she could always use more. She even has THE in muk luk boots she so desperately wanted. To top it off she is one of 5 eighth graders to make the high school JV basketball team, so what is there to be upset about?
Late Friday afternoon she finally broke down and whispered that she has been having to deal -alone- with rascist remarks made to her by some boys in her class. This admission was painful, made between great gulping sobs and the words almost had to be dragged from her.
She would not name name,. After an hour of support and investigation I was finally able to have her identify one boy, but she says there are others. The worst part is this boy often says these things in front of her (white) girlfriends, who completely ignore what is being said.
I think she has felt betrayed and confused by her friends who do not either stand up for her or at least talk about it later. She of course does not bring it up and it leaves her feeling vulnerable and afraid. Her word's exactly "When they say those things I feel scared and embarrassed."
We spent some time talking about her friends and she was adament I not speak to them or make the school speak to them. I tried to explain how hard it is for ANYONE, even adults to stop someone or respond when inapropriate things are being said. We have all been silent when some rascist, sexist, bigoted remark has been made. We think of a million comebacks later and we despise our silence, but silent we reamin.
I did tell her that I would be speaking to the mother's of her friends because I felt the girls should not be subjected to rascist remarks or be put in the uncomfortable position aboutwhwat to say or if to say something.
Every mom was of course outraged because my darling girl is a favorite. None however had ever specifically taught their daughter what to do in such a situation. We all have to do more than just raise our children to be accepting of others. We need to teach them tools to make certain they are not foreced into the situation her friends are, witness to rascism and no way to deal with it.
She was also adament that I not go to the school with this. She is convinced that the school does nothing. I could not honor her request although I was very clear with the adjustment counselour about all her concerns. I am pretty certain he took it seriously. There is a tendency at our school however, and maybe this is middle schools everywhere, to excuse kids god awful language and behavior with 'kids now adays.'
He seemed to feel it may be a question of this boy liking her and being an idiot. Many a normal man has become a fool in the presence of a beautiful woman. I did tease her a little about THAT on the night before she went back to school.
But I fear there is more to it than that. One of the things my daughter is grappling with is the fact that this kind of thing will ALWAYS have to be dealt with, and that stinks.
She is a breathtakenly lovely, athletically talented, sweet caring young woman and how anyone could possibly be mean to her (besides her brothers I mean) is beyond comprehension.
That she has to deal with any of it by herself breaks my heart.
She only confided in one friend about it. She left our talk and I dropped her off at basketball practise. It was clear that she had been crying however and one of the older girls, a tough little cookie, asked her what the matter was. When she told the girl the girl raged and demanded names ( thankfully she did not tell her them:>) She threatened to go down and beat up the boys. My daughter was amused and felt better that someone really understood (the older girl is black and sadly has had to deal with the same). I think part of what is troubling her is that she does not feel able to talk to her closest friends about it and they are all white. She does not want to feel separate from them but she feels a wall with this issue. We are working on that.
I kept a straight face when she told me what her defender offered to do. I solemnly explained that violence does not solve problems and we would not be doing things that way. But as I turned ot leave the room I commented, "BTW if she does do that she will get suspended. Then of course I guess I will have to take her out to lunch."
As I left the room I could hear my baby laughing and she said, "I just knew you would say that."
Its the most wonderful time
December is a busy crazy month, for everyone of course. The Media showers us with ads about the 'perfect' gifts. I certainly do not mind those little commercials showing the latest dolly or Legos. But have you seen the Target commercials? Is it just me or are those plain creepy?
Then of course there are those commercials for diamonds and furs or a Mercedes Benz. Really? A car?
Neither Donnie nor I are shoppers. I love grocery shopping, going to bookstores and checking out the pet store. That is it. Don likes pawn shops and the Guitar Center. Thats it. Many an Advent season has been spent with me doing all the shopping, he doing none of it, and me fighting about it!
This year with him out of work shopping is a bit trickier. We really do have to pour over the ads and find the best deals. Borders for instance is offering free shipping!Shopping with some one makes it so much easier, and WAY more fun.
But of course December is not just aobut shopping it is about the perfectly decorated house. We are not going with lights outside this year, an energy savings. We did pull Santa and Frosty out from under the back porch and they stand guard outside the front door. I suppose we shall light them a few times.
Don queried the kids about going with a smaller table sitting-on tree. (Remember we cut down our own white pine tree from out in the woods, family tradition.) Most of the kids did not have an opinion one way or the other but Joe was adament. He still likes to sleep under it and look up into the decorated boughs. THAT is reason enough to have a crowded living room.
Trying to fit in everyone's schedule with the addded December events makes for more than a little stress. Why must the middle school band wear balck and white? Every year we have to get new stuff. A nice holiday dress could at least be used a few times. Ah well.
Also JV basketball at the high school level is proving to be a spectacular inconvenience. They even have weekend practices, including Sunday. Job searches and interviews, updating resumes and writing cover letters blah blah blah.
But 2 nights ago Joe and I snuggled on the couch to watch Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Jamie after multiple attempts FINALLY passed his learners permit and is overjoyed.
Our Advent wreath is a bit lopsided but this year we finally have straight candles. I usually forget and pack them away up in the attic where they melt into fascinating formations. However I finally rmemebered to pack them in a kitchen drawer- so nice straight candles. Somehow though the wreath managed to get a bit squashed!
This morning I really knew Christams was a -coming. I had to plunk my Victoria's Secret pink Santa hat on, slide my coat over my pjs, and drive the kids to school in the snow storm.
The roads were treacherous but oh so beautiful. I was concerned that with my luck this would be the day of my first accident since I was wearing pajamas. But I managed ot arrive home safely:>)
Sadly all our snow has turned to freezing rain. But the house is toasty warm, kids home with a half a day, meatballs are set for this evening's dinner and I am donning on my boots to head off to the grocery store. Today is a good day.
Then of course there are those commercials for diamonds and furs or a Mercedes Benz. Really? A car?
Neither Donnie nor I are shoppers. I love grocery shopping, going to bookstores and checking out the pet store. That is it. Don likes pawn shops and the Guitar Center. Thats it. Many an Advent season has been spent with me doing all the shopping, he doing none of it, and me fighting about it!
This year with him out of work shopping is a bit trickier. We really do have to pour over the ads and find the best deals. Borders for instance is offering free shipping!Shopping with some one makes it so much easier, and WAY more fun.
But of course December is not just aobut shopping it is about the perfectly decorated house. We are not going with lights outside this year, an energy savings. We did pull Santa and Frosty out from under the back porch and they stand guard outside the front door. I suppose we shall light them a few times.
Don queried the kids about going with a smaller table sitting-on tree. (Remember we cut down our own white pine tree from out in the woods, family tradition.) Most of the kids did not have an opinion one way or the other but Joe was adament. He still likes to sleep under it and look up into the decorated boughs. THAT is reason enough to have a crowded living room.
Trying to fit in everyone's schedule with the addded December events makes for more than a little stress. Why must the middle school band wear balck and white? Every year we have to get new stuff. A nice holiday dress could at least be used a few times. Ah well.
Also JV basketball at the high school level is proving to be a spectacular inconvenience. They even have weekend practices, including Sunday. Job searches and interviews, updating resumes and writing cover letters blah blah blah.
But 2 nights ago Joe and I snuggled on the couch to watch Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Jamie after multiple attempts FINALLY passed his learners permit and is overjoyed.
Our Advent wreath is a bit lopsided but this year we finally have straight candles. I usually forget and pack them away up in the attic where they melt into fascinating formations. However I finally rmemebered to pack them in a kitchen drawer- so nice straight candles. Somehow though the wreath managed to get a bit squashed!
This morning I really knew Christams was a -coming. I had to plunk my Victoria's Secret pink Santa hat on, slide my coat over my pjs, and drive the kids to school in the snow storm.
The roads were treacherous but oh so beautiful. I was concerned that with my luck this would be the day of my first accident since I was wearing pajamas. But I managed ot arrive home safely:>)
Sadly all our snow has turned to freezing rain. But the house is toasty warm, kids home with a half a day, meatballs are set for this evening's dinner and I am donning on my boots to head off to the grocery store. Today is a good day.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
TV Shows
When I was a kid we could hardly wait for the new Fall season to start. We were all so eager to see what the new Saturday morning cartoon schedule would be. We hoped and prayed a cool new cartoon did not conflict with CCD!
I remember when school house rock came out! 'Conjunction junction whats your function.....'
But the Fall evening TV schedule was really amazing. I am pretty certain I was in 5th grade when both All In The Family and MASH began and I was so excited that my parents allowed me to watch grown up television!
Starsky and Hutch was on past my bedtime (8th grade) and my parents debated whether or not I should be allowed to watch a violent show such as that. TV was definitely a family thing. Even back then critics complained about the boob tube. But we watched things together. My Dad and I treasuring Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.... or all of us gathered on Sunday nights to see Disney -eating popcorn that Daddy made. (no butter, lots of salt!)
I clearly recall my sisters horror when she realized her favorite Trapper John would no longer be allowed on MASH. We poured over TV guide, not a regular magazine at our house but we always managed to buy the one that talked about the new season of shows.
For the past number of years however I have not had any regular shows. Working the night shift and kids crazy evening schedules pretty much saw to that. Plus there just did not seem to be anything worth watching.
Ah but this season is VERY different! Modern Family and the Big Bang Theory are now must see TV and I plan my schedule accordingly. Of course it does help to have DVR, wish that had been around in the good old days! Even the mediocre Sherry on Lifetime holds a certain goofy appeal. And Julie swears by Glee so I will have to check that out as well.
TV, the great escape...
I remember when school house rock came out! 'Conjunction junction whats your function.....'
But the Fall evening TV schedule was really amazing. I am pretty certain I was in 5th grade when both All In The Family and MASH began and I was so excited that my parents allowed me to watch grown up television!
Starsky and Hutch was on past my bedtime (8th grade) and my parents debated whether or not I should be allowed to watch a violent show such as that. TV was definitely a family thing. Even back then critics complained about the boob tube. But we watched things together. My Dad and I treasuring Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.... or all of us gathered on Sunday nights to see Disney -eating popcorn that Daddy made. (no butter, lots of salt!)
I clearly recall my sisters horror when she realized her favorite Trapper John would no longer be allowed on MASH. We poured over TV guide, not a regular magazine at our house but we always managed to buy the one that talked about the new season of shows.
For the past number of years however I have not had any regular shows. Working the night shift and kids crazy evening schedules pretty much saw to that. Plus there just did not seem to be anything worth watching.
Ah but this season is VERY different! Modern Family and the Big Bang Theory are now must see TV and I plan my schedule accordingly. Of course it does help to have DVR, wish that had been around in the good old days! Even the mediocre Sherry on Lifetime holds a certain goofy appeal. And Julie swears by Glee so I will have to check that out as well.
TV, the great escape...
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