midwest squall

high level thunder rumbles. mirrors reality on the ground. will it storm soon or be delayed? it is inevitable. the wait is is the hardest.

planting flowers in the thunder and rain was good therapy...

so grateful for the prayers. i am certainly blessed by friends.

Contrasts

I am used to falling asleep & waking up to the sounds of the nearby highway; motorcycles, jarring sirens, hot rods, smooth running cars, garbage trucks. It is a shock to fall asleep to almost total stillness and wake to the birdsongs. I love the country.

The boys have had their first encounter with recently born kittens. Lots of Benedryl, but apparently worth it. Fresh air, come and go in and out as you please. A far cry from having to keep an eye on them constantly, even in our own backyard.

No need for air-conditioning. Lots of breezed to cool the house. What a concept.

Small town, slow traffic...use the turn signal? Why? Everyone knows where you are going. Shop keepers, bank tellers know your name (and maybe your business?). A far cry from the anonymity of city dwelling.

Need to find the camera.

Starry Night and Cookies

Two days left of school. I have the worst case of Spring Fever/Summer Vacation Fever in the house.

Carrie asked what color my room is. I have to admit I just used WalMart's ColorPlace Paint...three walls (and a wall in the hall) are called Sebago Blue (think Early American Blue) and the "accent wall" (if we were going to pretend I was a fancy decorator, which I'm not, but we can pretend) is called Starry Night. Think Van Gogh.


In fact I am pretty sure I am going to get a print to hang on that "accent wall." I have a mini-quilt wall hanging, but it just isn't doing it for me. Which is sad because I love the piece.

For anyone who is interested, the WalMart paint has been really easy to use and the results are nice. This is the second room I have done with it. I am NOT a painter/decorator so I am sure my expectations weren't really high--but neither is my bank account. So WalMart brand it was going to be.

I got to watch the boys rehearsal last night. Two shows--tonight and tomorrow. Be patient with me because I can't help but brag. My guys were fantastic. My prayer is that they, and all there classmates, do just as wonderfully in the shows. I am so amazed at who they've become. They sure didn't get it from me.

Must go be a grown-up now. I really don't want to be a grown-up. Whoever thought I would make a good grown-up really had a sense of humor...

And for the record making cookies when you cannot have carbs should be against the law...and yet I volunteered to do so. So off to bake.

And inhale a lot.


Starry, Starry Night by Don Mclean

Daybook May 18, 2009

FOR TODAY ...May 18, 2009...

Outside my window...green leaves, a view of the street. I've moved my computer in my big painting/organization project!

I am thinking...there's a lot to do in the next three days!! Still digging out of my project--living room and bedroom are chaos, but I've found my clothes. Laundry and packing need done.

I am thankful for...my husband who let me paint and make a huge mess, who bought me new shelves!!

From the learning rooms...three days left, but who's counting?

From the kitchen...hot dogs for lunch--Julia Child, I am not today.

I am wearing...still in jammies!

I am creating...working the same yarn with different size needles. Interesting and educational. Love knitting still.

I am going...oh gee...where am I going??? Oh that's right--dance!

I am reading...#28 in the Morland Dynasty series--The White Road. Number 31 is out in hardback and number 32 is out in November!

I am hoping...that I can make a difference today.

I am hearing...someone whistling and calling their dogs that got lose. I just watched them run by. I think I like this new view!

Around the house...chaos...praying for the piles to diminish today.

One of my favorite things...my new paint color in my room. Who knew paint could help my attitude SO MUCH!! I'll post a picture when I get more work done.

A few plans for the rest of the week:Organize. Laundry. Pack. Drive. Wait. Organize. Laundry. Pack. Drive. Wait. Organize. Laundry. Pack. Drive. Wait.

Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook to find more daybookers.

Computer Screen Germs

The CDC has recently learned that all computer screens on the inside are covered with bacteria, dust, germs, etc. that can be dangerous to your health.

This is caused by a variety of reasons and it can prove to be a health hazard for everyone that uses the computer. We have determined that the problem can be as dangerous as cigarette smoking because of the quantity of time that most of us are now spending on computers for work and personal reasons.

It is recommended that all individuals with access to a computer should access the link below. This link is to a special program that will correct clean and correct this potentially dangerous Health Problem.

Click on this link to clean the inside of your screen.

Taking My Eyes Off the Goal

The enemy whispered and I listened and allowed myself to be deceived, distracted.

I've allowed myself to wallow in worldly matters. Matters that will be burnt up like chaff--in as little as five years I will have forgotten perceived hurts and injustices.

I've allowed myself to become over-worried about personal concerns, for myself and for family members; health, emotional, and financial. I've allowed myself to dwell in the past and in grief that should be put aside.

A long time ago someone reminded me about other worries, "It is what it is." I tell my children often, "Don't borrow trouble from tomorrow. Just deal with today." Maybe I should go with that. Hmmmm...

"DIFFICULT PRESENT MOMENTS

When the Present Moment comes and gives me something very difficult to bear, I say, "This is the will of God."

Think of when Pilate told the Lord, "Don't you know I have the power to crucify you and the power to release you?" And Jesus said, "No, you would not have power over me if it had not been given to you from above" (John 19:10-11). Even at that awesome, unjust moment, Jesus saw the Father's Will and accepted it. In our daily lives we should to. "--Mother Angelica from Little Book, of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality

Photo courtesy of Public Domain Pictures/Petr Kratochvil

Just Call Me Spot

If you were to come into my home on any given day you would see me running around in one of my many stained t-shirts.

Oh, I do have nice tops. I am capable of looking better than the dishrag. But I save my unstained clothing to put on less than twenty minutes before I leave the house. I've got this disorder that will not allow me to eat without food jumping off my spoon or fork and landing on my shirt (at best--at worst my pants are targeted too.)

Iced tea or a soda? Dribbles down my chin. Amazing that I taught my children to eat or drink, but the truth is they are far less messy than I am. But when one of them or my husband does get a spot on their shirts they claim they performed a "Mommy." Nice, huh?

I'd buy polka dotted shirts, but they are even less slimming than horizontal stripes. Tie dye is always an option...Sigh

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Daybook...April 27, 2009

FOR TODAY ...April 27, 2009...Can you believe we will be leaving April behind this week? One third of the year 2009 is already gone. How does that happen. I'm trying to catch up.

I keep saying I am going to spend time catching up with my blogging buddies and I don't feel I'm doing a great job with that either. Such is the life of a mom, I guess.


Outside my window......"and the rain rain rain came down down down so Piglet started bailing..." Feeling like we better start bailing soon. We've missed a lot of bad weather and I am grateful. But I certainly hope everyone else is okay. I know there were tornadoes not far from us last night. 'Tis the season for twisters. Sigh...

I am thinking...I haven't started any projects I'd planned for the last few weeks. School is taking up a lot of time and energy.














I am thankful for...a patient husband who helps with the house.

From the learning rooms...marching forward in the face of Spring Fever. Mom is the worst culprit for not wanting to do our work.

From the kitchen...eating on the fly tonight. Grabbing a bite between dance and church. Last time we should be doing that for a while. A nice roast and trimmings for tomorrow.

I am wearing...my jammies...does that count as a uniform for me???

I am creating...Still messing around with knitting. Learning. Things have been too cluttered to drag out my beads. Sat down to do cards yesterday. Spent time instead with the husband. I think it was a good change of plan. :)

I am going...to get more blood drawn tomorrow. Yuck.

I am reading...Inkspell.

I am hoping...to get it all together one of these days.

I am hearing...noise off the highway.

Around the house...I think everything is just going to be on hold until school is done.

One of my favorite things...the art gallery. We have a phenomenal one and I spent a few hours there alone on Sunday while waiting for Roo.

A few plans for the rest of the week:A couple friends may swim float stop by this week. Need to figure out a nice lunch.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...It's in Swedish which gave me a smile for the blustery day...



Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook to find more daybookers.

Grains of Gratitude--It's Been Too Long Edition

It's been far too long since I've posted Grains of Gratitude and I apologize. It's not that I've not been grateful, because there has been so much to be grateful for.

I am grateful for being able to attend church with my family. There is something so special about having my boys so focused and to hear them sing & pray. The husband made it home in time to join us Saturday night. Yay! I am grateful he is home--it was a quick trip, but it looks like there will be more again in the future.

Wish we could have gone to Mass on Sunday, we miss some of our favorite people when we go at a different time, but Roo had a fundraiser to appear at. Which, thankfully turned out well.

Left him on his own (under adult supervision) when I really wanted to stay and hover. This is part of the letting go, trying wings stuff I am so not ready for. Apparently he was quite the professional while I was gone, but upon my return he fell into some of his silly (and age appropriate) ways. Does that tell me something? I'm grateful in that bittersweet, Mommy sense that he is moving out farther and farther into independence.

Friday we were gifted by a homeschool mom, a fairly new friend, with a large grocery bag full of books. Not telling this to toot my horn, but I had just given a box of books to a family of new homeschoolers. The point wasn't me, but isn't it great how GOD always, always proves HE cannot be outdone.

The boys are attending the end of year Parish School of Religion carnival, Monday (today because I am posting late). I am grateful they find themselves very at home there. They are loved at often spoiled there. They will run around and be crazy for a while. I will sit and try to figure why their vitamins work better than mine.

Selfishly I am glad that we are nearing a vacation point. I am in need of a break. It is very hard to keep me focused, so you can imagine how things are around here.

Back to joining the originator of Grains of Gratitude, Christine--Mom to Brady & the whole Bunch.

7 Quick Takes Friday--April 24

1. Always late to the party, this is my first time joining 7 Quick Takes. It sounds like a good wrap up for the week. For someone not familiar with 7 Quick Takes--Jen at Conversion Diary hosts it every Friday. It is simply seven small random pieces to share. Not necessary to have anything to connect them. I'm pretty random. It fits well.

Jen's blog is one of my favorite reads. She talks about her journey as an atheist to finding God and her life since her conversion. Go. Read it. It is better than anything you find here.

But I'll still be here blogging if you want to come back.

2. My husband is on the road. On his birthday. I woke the boys up early to call him. He told them he loved them and go back to sleep. They had no problem with that. Thankfully this is a short trip and he will be home soon. Don't like the travel, but really am grateful for the job.

3. Four weeks left of school and ballet. I am so thrilled. This is the first year that we will take a large break from schooling. We've always done year round school. But the boys are doing summer intensives for 4 weeks for Boo and 5 weeks for Roo and at six to seven hours a day of that I could not add school. We are taking a two week break before. I think Mommy needs it as much as they do.

4. Trying out Twitter and Facebook. Anyone want to be my friend??? Actually, I've been pleased to find several of my friends from my hometown there.

I'm trying to figure it all out. It is different than blogging and different than forums. Facebook is a little easier for me to "get." Twitter is aptly named and it just seems very random. It's been easier than blogging lately though--don't know why for sure.

5. I turned on the AIRCONDITIONER today! What is up with that? It looks like next week will be cooler. We have limited windows and get no cross-breeze. I am going to open the windows tonight. I love fresh air.

6. Has anyone else ever groaned and complained about helping someone, only to find themselves being blessed more in the bargain? Lots of that around here. I am really getting a big dose of humility.

7. Researching thyroid and diabetes does anyone have any good tips/links/books they can share. My cake is iced with peri-menopause, so you could toss in a prayer or two for my family.


Hosted by Jen at Conversion Diary
lots of other participants to check out!