Yes folks, I'm an auntie once again. My sister just gave birth to her fifth child, Clark Esidore, 8 lbs 10 oz, 20 inches with lots of blonde hair. Mother and child are both strong and doing well. Praise the Lord for this dear, sweet baby blessing.
A. Too many things are sitting left undone around here.
B. Once Prettiness gets her hands on something, it will be quickly undone.
C. After pricking the same finger twice quite deeply tonight, I became undone.
D. Then after making a stupid mathematical error, I found that the stitches must be undone and restitched.
E. Undone is a song by Weezer that I like.
F. All of the above.
answer: F
Well, I pulled it off. As my own worst critic, I know where improvements could have been made in the cuisine. In an attempt to avoid the "oh, no the turkey is not done yet" panic, I had the bird done too soon, so I think it got a bit dry, however the flavor due to the under-skin wet rub and the over-skin dry rub was terrific. Not sure exactly what went wrong with the gravy. I had the opposite problem with the cornbread, it was a bit under done in the center. I swear the skewer came out clean! We accidentally forgot MK's delicious sweet potatoes which were warming in the oven. But in my family, it is practically a tradition to forget one dish at a big meal like this. But everything else was superb (If I may say so myself) . Mmmmmm, pie for breakfast!
Somehow I managed to get to bed at a decent hour for the first time in weeks last night. So when L awoke at her usual 6 am, I was actually O.K. with getting up. I of course changed her, and made her go back to bed, but when I realized how still the house was and how alert I was, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity. I spent at least a half hour in reading the scriptures and in prayer, especially making note of what I am thankful for. Paul calls us to be "over flowing with thanksgiving" in Colossians...and while I am very thankful, I don't think I'm over flowing just yet.
After planning the Thanksgiving menu of :
http://www.msn.americangreeting
I've got my 19.5 pounder in the fridge to thaw....mmmmmmm, turkey.
My mother is the queen of making lists. Every time she and dad head off to some other part of the country or world, she leaves behind a short novel of instruction for the affairs of her household. She also has these lengthy do lists for each day of things she plans to accomplish that day (or week). I go back and forth between being a listmaker and spontaneous doer (although there generally is a running list in my head) of the things I need and want to do. I recall during my teen years I would list every item I needed to pack for the trips I went on to Colorado (for camp) and to Europe (for fun). When household chores overwhelm me, I generally need to list them so I can feel some sense of accomplishment after one is done and I can, not just cross it off, but scratch it out to oblivion. Somehow during the past two years of my personal hurricane, I have managed to get things done without jotting most them down. Presently I am feeling that sense of too much to do with too little time to do it in. So instead of actually doing them, I'm sitting here writing about making lists..typical avoidance :) Tonight I have a small window of time while the kids are at dinner with their father, but it isn't really long enough to do anything of consequence. Perhaps I'll catch up on my magazines (I am two months behind on those) or finish some work in my sewing studio. What I really should do is make a list, so I can feel that satisfaction of scratching something out when I've completed it.
The most disgusting thing I ever spent money on is a vial of flightless fruit flies in various stages of life. One small vial costs about 6 bucks and lasts a couple weeks. Why did I buy these nasty little insects when all I have to do is let a bananna go bad and they are swarming in the kitchen? Our froglet. It's been a while since I've updated my readers on our pets: froglet and tadpole. Froglet, aka: Camoflage (since he changes color to match his surroundings) has been with us for about a month (as a frog, we raised him from a tadpole). Our last froglet died of unknown causes and I thought this one was a goner the other day. He had escaped from the habitat (because I neglected to snap the lid tight) and I couldn't find him Monday morning. I knew he would be in the kitchen somewhere and soon found him on the floor, I could have so easily squashed him, disguised as a dust bunny. His legs had gotten all gunked up with lint. Please keep in mind this froglet is only about the size of my fingernail. Can you find him in the picture? But happily, we were able to return him safely to his home and he seems completely recovered.
I trooped into three different pet stores yesterday with all three children in tow and still came up empty on the flightless fruit flies. Stores don't like to sell them because they die in a couple weeks...which is precisely why I need to buy more. So I spent some time digging in the dirt looking for the most miniscule thread worms and creepy-crawlies I could find to feed this guy. Frogs will only eat live prey. This tiny amphibian is becoming a lot of work, I hope the flies come in soon.
We are hoping Tadpole (now accepting ideas for names, please post your votes in comments) will soon join Camoflage in the frog habitat. He has his hind legs, so it won't be too much longer now.
My gift from God today was this perfect fall, picturesque day. This is a picture taken from the beautiful place I am privileged to call home on this my birthday.
I had many birthday surprises today. At WOW all of the women (about 60 or so) sang Happy Birthday to me when I walked in the room. Then I was treated with lots of little notes, cards and gifts from the ladies in my Colossians study. (My mom is responsible for all the press my birthday got this year--Thanks again mom.) When I got home there were balloons on my door with a card. I had lunch with my best friend, and her little fella and we all had a great time playing outside in the playhouse, on the swing and with the ride-on toys. While the kids were out with their father, my mom brought me a little and very delicious chocolate cake. I would have to say that my birthday is now complete.
I am so thankful to God for all of the people in my life, new and old, who have been my life-line these past couple years. I would have to say these have been the hardest and yet most personally profitable years of my life. I wouldn't be who I am without all of you! I am also thankful to God for my beautiful children, my home, my family. I am truly blessed.
It is my birthday today, and before I forget, Happy Birthday Ben, Heinz and whomever else shares my special day.
How many times can a girl celebrate the same birthday? On Saturday, I had a lovely brunch with some girlfriends at the BMA and then toured the Monet's London exhibit with a couple of them afterward (thanks Jeffy!). I've already opened gifts and received flowers and cards. Last night my folks bestowed their gifts of love upon me, since dad heads out this a.m. for another trip. Nothing spectacular planned for today actually. I've got bible study this morning, possibly lunch with my best bud, MK, and the kids won't even be home for dinner, so I'll either take a nap or go shopping (I got a couple giftcards I'm itching to use).
My children are still too young to really do anything on their own to celebrate, but yesterday when we were grocery shopping, I asked them what they wanted to "make" me for breakfast. They thought I was kidding. Finally, they said "donuts, but we can't make them." I asked if they might be able to put one on a plate for me if I bought some... donuts are their most favorite breakfast treat, and since I have been "quitting" donuts, this really excited them.
I'll drag out the festivities of my birthday as long as I can, but I'm only turning 33 once, and that is TODAY.
Today is L's 2nd birthday. Where has the time gone? Oh, yeah, I remember...
Today we also celebrate the birth of my friends', Inge and Greg, newest addition, Joshua Thomas! It's a great day for birthdays! Welcome to the world, Joshua.
My least favorite thing about homeschooling is having this conversation:
person: So are you working, or do you stay home?
me: I stay home, I homeschool my children.
person: (eybrows raised) Oh you homeschool?
me: Yes
person: Wow, I could never do that. I mean I love my kids and all, but I could never teach them. They wouldn't listen to me.
me: hmmm (thinking: you've taught them plenty already just being their parent), well it isn't easy, it's a lot of work, but I'm glad that I am doing it. It is really important to me.
person: I really respect people who can do that, but I never could. I would just go crazy.
me: (wondering how to change the subject without being too obvious) Well, even though I live in the "best" public school district in my county, I don't trust the government to educate my children the way I believe they should be educated. And my kids really like it too, so that helps make it easier. (trying to soften my reasons. now please talk about something else!)
Whenever I have this conversation (or one like it) with someone new, it makes me really uncomfortable, I don't want my new friend or acquaintance to think I'm a kook or some crazy right-wing fanatic...I also don't want them to feel like I am judging them, that I am looking down my nose at them for not homeschooling. It is very difficult to feel strongly about something and talk about it without rubbing someone the wrong way. I guess I just need to get over it. I think what really gets to some of these people is how I am homeschooling as a single-mom. I think that perhaps they feel threatened by this. They have already decided they can't homeschool, so how can I without a husband helping me at home? I'll tell you. It is a decision I made, and I just do it. Yes, my house looks less than perfect most of the time, I have dustbunnies, and dirty dishes and piles of laundry, but that stuff is really not all that important. I've learned that the people who judge me based on these outward things aren't really friends anyway. Those who know me and my children, my real friends, can attest to the fact that, whatever it is I'm doing, it's working.
I graduated from high school in 1990, this weekend was our fifteen year reunion at Oregon Ridge. It was very low-key, and only about 40 or so people of our class of roughly 400 showed up. This was not your typical "t.v. reunion episode" where everyone comes hoping to show up all the others, attempting to impress with their successes. This was a gathering of real folk, many of us with kids, husbands or wives, some with divorces, and ordinary jobs. Absolutely no putting on of airs, which considering the fact that Dulaney was/is the most prestigious public high school in our county is a pretty big deal. I think I was the one there with the most children, some others had two, and there were some with brand new babies just starting their families. I was glad to have gone, because six of my old elementary school girlfriends were there (Missy, Alicia, Heather, Tricia, Molly, and Ellen) and they are all still local to Baltimore. It was fun to reminisce about old teachers and boyfriends and share who we've bumped into at the supermarket or other places around town. We swapped some phone numbers and plan to keep in touch. Isn't that what we said at the end of senior year?
D said to K, "You're a genius!" and then added "but I'm more geniuser than you are."
L (not quite 2 years) is now attempting knock-knock jokes as she mimics her brothers attempts at humor. There is nothing more surreal than two year old humor.
L: knock-knock (she gesticulates knocking when saying this, it's so cute)
me: who's there?
L: meow-meow (her word for cat)
me: meow-meow who?
L: baby...apple
In other education related news, K is now officially slightly literate. He is reading and writing short-vowel words, but impressed me today at the grocery store when he told me the door said "Fire Exit". He is also "doing addition" and reading prices on things. I find all of this rather exciting. The reading has been slow in coming, but I think now that it is finally beginning to "click" he will love it. He also has his very first loose tooth, which is getting looser by the day. The rice crispy treats we made yesterday have done their job well. Perhaps the toothfairy will be visting our house by weeks end? or maybe by months end, you never can tell with teeth.
update: 10-19-05 The tooth fell out today! I guess I need to find my fairy wings! :)
For some odd reason these two expressions popped into my head during my walk on this very fine autumn day. I'm not even sure what I'm asking, but for some reason it didn't seem possible for both to be true...and then my head started to hurt. Tell me what you think.
"If you are not for me, you are against me."
"If you are not against me, you are for me."
