Tonight, beginning at 7 p.m., my husband will embark on a 12-hour journey, testing his endurance, fitness, and mind in a way many people find "crazy." He will be running a 12-hour race. The winner will be the person who completes the most laps around a lake. The loop is 3.17 miles. I am nervous.
He ran a 50-mile race in April, so this one will just be a few hours longer. That was a long day, but I was the only support he had, which meant while he ran for almost 9 hours, I sat around for 9 hours. There were other wives of ultramarathoners with whom I chatted throughout the day, but it was a rather lonely venture for both of us. Tonight, both our daughter and Mike's best friend will be with us. Elizabeth and I are planning to take turns running (pacing) with Mike late in the race, when his mind may be playing tricks on him and he will certainly be fatigued. We will also be there at the pit stops to give Mike the food, drinks, and care he needs to get him through the race. It will be great to have another grown-up, especially one who is proficient in camping skills and has lots of gear. In terms of gear and food, I think we're fairly well-prepared for the night. What the night will do to my husband physically and mentally is not something I can honestly prepare for at all.
Dear Lord, bless Mike and all the runners participating in tonight's races (marathon, 12-hour, and 24-hour!!). Keep them healthy and strong. Protect the runners, the volunteers, and the supporters of the runners.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Purging of the Junk Continues
Trash night was last night. We added more crud to the giant barrel. Our city has large rolling trash barrels for residential pickup. In addition, we have a giant blue barrel for recycling, which is picked up every other week. It's a great program--we don't have to sort. Paper, plastic, glass, and metal cans are all included in the recyclables. We are diligent recyclers, so the barrel is usually quite full by the second week. One the other hand, the same-sized giant green barrel, which is picked up weekly, is almost never even halfway full. We compost food scraps. We don't buy fast food or use paper plates or paper napkins unless we're having a party. We simply don't generate much trash. However, I know the clutter lurking in the laundry room includes a fair amount of waste. We've held onto empty packaging from various electronics for years, just in case. We kept an old medicine cabinet, just in case. We kept the arms from an office chair that have collected dust for six years, just in case. Some people might need a dumpster to really declutter their homes. Since we are using baby steps to get the job done, we simply need to put more things that are trash in the giant empty trash barrel we already pay to have picked up weekly.
I admit, some of the screws, woods, wires, and other miscellaneous items we've kept have come in handy for this project or that emergency over the years. However, the bulk of the items sitting in the basement are waste. They waste our space. They waste our time, by preventing us from organizing the stuff we do need. They waste our energy when we need to move them repeatedly to get to the things we really want and need.
One of the biggest sources of clutter is partly used cans of paint. I must have 8 or 10 cans, some of which probably have about a cup of paint in them. Now that it seems we'll be getting a little break from the extended drought and heatwave, I'm hoping to do a few rounds of touch up painting to use up the last of what's in those cans and get them out of the house before the edges are too rusty to use.
The biggest blessing of the whole purging project is that Mike is finally on board, which has made the job much more manageable. For a long time, he took my requests to get rid of things as a personal affront--like I only wanted to get rid of his things. Something changed recently, though, and I'm not sure why or how. In any case, he knows it's not about him or his stuff. Now we're working together to make our little house meet our needs and keep our family comfortable.
The decluttering project is taking many weeks longer than I'd hoped, but it's getting done a little section at a time. We spend 30-60 minutes opening boxes and pulling out items. Some, we just toss. Others, we talk about and then decide together. We've tossed junk, donated useful items, and found new uses for dusty items we'd forgotten. We've done two or three rounds of sifting and sorting so far. I'm going to give it another round or two of purging before I post updated photos. The change is negligible to the untrained eye. In other words, if you never walked in our laundry dungeon, it would be hard to recognize the tremendous progress we've made.
The ultimate goal for the laundry room is to make it a multi-purpose space. One end will be a workout area with mats and weights. The middle section will be a pantry area and laundry section. The other end of the space will be storage. I'd also like to make better use of the "under the stairs" space so that it can be well-utilized for Christmas decorations, freeing up a bit more room in the storage section.
In addition to better defining spaces, we plan to paint the room to brighten it up. The room is so dark that it's hard to check clothing for stains, even with all of the lights on. Once some painting is done, I'll post more pictures of the transformation.
I admit, some of the screws, woods, wires, and other miscellaneous items we've kept have come in handy for this project or that emergency over the years. However, the bulk of the items sitting in the basement are waste. They waste our space. They waste our time, by preventing us from organizing the stuff we do need. They waste our energy when we need to move them repeatedly to get to the things we really want and need.
One of the biggest sources of clutter is partly used cans of paint. I must have 8 or 10 cans, some of which probably have about a cup of paint in them. Now that it seems we'll be getting a little break from the extended drought and heatwave, I'm hoping to do a few rounds of touch up painting to use up the last of what's in those cans and get them out of the house before the edges are too rusty to use.
The biggest blessing of the whole purging project is that Mike is finally on board, which has made the job much more manageable. For a long time, he took my requests to get rid of things as a personal affront--like I only wanted to get rid of his things. Something changed recently, though, and I'm not sure why or how. In any case, he knows it's not about him or his stuff. Now we're working together to make our little house meet our needs and keep our family comfortable.
The decluttering project is taking many weeks longer than I'd hoped, but it's getting done a little section at a time. We spend 30-60 minutes opening boxes and pulling out items. Some, we just toss. Others, we talk about and then decide together. We've tossed junk, donated useful items, and found new uses for dusty items we'd forgotten. We've done two or three rounds of sifting and sorting so far. I'm going to give it another round or two of purging before I post updated photos. The change is negligible to the untrained eye. In other words, if you never walked in our laundry dungeon, it would be hard to recognize the tremendous progress we've made.
The ultimate goal for the laundry room is to make it a multi-purpose space. One end will be a workout area with mats and weights. The middle section will be a pantry area and laundry section. The other end of the space will be storage. I'd also like to make better use of the "under the stairs" space so that it can be well-utilized for Christmas decorations, freeing up a bit more room in the storage section.
In addition to better defining spaces, we plan to paint the room to brighten it up. The room is so dark that it's hard to check clothing for stains, even with all of the lights on. Once some painting is done, I'll post more pictures of the transformation.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Happy Birthday
Thirteen years have passed since the birth of my second child and only daughter. Today was probably the strangest birthday we've celebrated with our children. For Elizabeth, it was great! She woke early, got ready to go to lunch and shopping with her grandma. She took some of her money from savings, paired it with birthday money, and bought something expensive that she really wanted. We went to Saturday evening Mass and one of her friends joined us. After Mass, we went to the family movie night in the parish center to watch Facing the Giants, and she got to sit with all of her friends. When we got home, at 10 p.m., I baked her cake. It's cooling on the rack as I write this post. We'll enjoy cake tomorrow.
So, why was this birthday so strange for me, the mama? Well, for starters, Elizabeth woke before me, so I couldn't get my whiteboard birthday card prepared before she woke. I did sneak in the kitchen later in the morning, but it wasn't quite the same. I write a special birthday message and draw some little pictures on the kitchen whiteboard for whomever is celebrating his or her day, and it usually stays on the board for a week or more. The message I wrote made her smile, but to me it felt rushed.
As you might have also noticed, the cake is cooling now. It won't be frosted until tomorrow, the day after Elizabeth's birthday. Of course she's not the first child to celebrate her birthday on a different day than her birthday. I just felt bad that we didn't have a family celebration on the real birthday.
Yesterday, I took her to the mall for new running shoes and a haircut. I haven't ignored or forgotten her special day, but it still felt anticlimactic--like a grown-up's birthday. I guess that is the thing. She's not little any more. Elizabeth is officially a teenager. I remember the day she was born, praying for her during my labor. When her older brother Michael came to see us at the hospital with Mike the next morning, I remember thinking he was so huge--he was two years old and looked like a giant next to my tiny new baby. Now they're both teenagers. People told me so many times to enjoy them while they're little, that time goes by so quickly. I know it's true, but I have also said that although time does seem to slip by quickly, the pace of our lives seems just right to me--not too fast or too slow. Sometimes things are hectic, but it really is a sweet life.
So, why was this birthday so strange for me, the mama? Well, for starters, Elizabeth woke before me, so I couldn't get my whiteboard birthday card prepared before she woke. I did sneak in the kitchen later in the morning, but it wasn't quite the same. I write a special birthday message and draw some little pictures on the kitchen whiteboard for whomever is celebrating his or her day, and it usually stays on the board for a week or more. The message I wrote made her smile, but to me it felt rushed.
As you might have also noticed, the cake is cooling now. It won't be frosted until tomorrow, the day after Elizabeth's birthday. Of course she's not the first child to celebrate her birthday on a different day than her birthday. I just felt bad that we didn't have a family celebration on the real birthday.
Yesterday, I took her to the mall for new running shoes and a haircut. I haven't ignored or forgotten her special day, but it still felt anticlimactic--like a grown-up's birthday. I guess that is the thing. She's not little any more. Elizabeth is officially a teenager. I remember the day she was born, praying for her during my labor. When her older brother Michael came to see us at the hospital with Mike the next morning, I remember thinking he was so huge--he was two years old and looked like a giant next to my tiny new baby. Now they're both teenagers. People told me so many times to enjoy them while they're little, that time goes by so quickly. I know it's true, but I have also said that although time does seem to slip by quickly, the pace of our lives seems just right to me--not too fast or too slow. Sometimes things are hectic, but it really is a sweet life.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
We Remain Hopeful
One of my first grown-up friends when I was a young mother used to frequently say, "And we remain hopeful!" She gave me a blue frosted glass cross with the word "Hope" etched on it. I keep that cross on my dresser in my room and see it almost every morning. I just browsed through my Facebook homepage a minute ago and saw lots of political posts about Obama and the sad state of our country. In spite of the negative situation of politics and the economy, I am hopeful. In spite of the drought and inevitable rise in food costs, I remain hopeful. Our God is a good and gracious Father. He loves us with an ever lasting love. He knows the things he has planned for us, and this earth is not our eternal home. Yes, things are hard and frustrating and discouraging, we must remain faithful and hopeful.
Today, I am going to try to swallow negative words and thoughts and be more of a vision of Christ's Hope in a fallen world.
Have a sweet day!
Today, I am going to try to swallow negative words and thoughts and be more of a vision of Christ's Hope in a fallen world.
Have a sweet day!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Tuesday Supper
Monday night, I rushed to bake some bread so Mike could have a sandwich to take for lunch Tuesday. The bread tastes different, not bad really, but not that good either. I don't know if I forgot the salt--as I said, I was rushing--or if the wheat is starting to go bad because of the heat. I am hoping that I forgot the salt. The bread didn't rise the way it normally does either. In any case, it was adequate for grilled cheese sandwiches. Along with the sandwiches, we had collard greens and white turnips sauteed with hot and mild sausage for Tuesday's supper. Not a bad meal considering there is "nothing to eat" in my house.
We have a CSA farm share this summer in addition to a very thirsty garden during this extended drought (I'm heading out to water shortly). I picked up the share today and realized I still had a few things to use up from last week. We are definitely expanding our family's horizons with the vegetables we have been eating. I have been resisting going to the grocery store, and my family is not thrilled about the lack of "snack" food in the house. I'd love to make the vegetables the snack of choice, but it's difficult since three of the four children will have some form of orthodontic appliances or braces by the end of summer, making crunchy snacks like carrot sticks a bad choice (popped brackets are a very bad thing). I'm recognizing a need for creativity in snack land! Cucumbers, on the other hand, are an excellent choice because they're soft enough in their raw state for everyone to eat safely, and everyone in my family actually likes them.
Wednesday morning, I will finally break down and go to the grocery store to stock-up. We are out of milk, half and half (my guilty pleasure), cheese, and meat (unless you count pepperoni as meat). We are completely out of pasta, which is not good in a house full of runners. We need a bunch of other things, too. I have been working on menu planning and a grocery list for the past few days. When I have a menu, the days are always easier.
Summer should be easy, but it hasn't been as relaxed as I would like it to be this year. The older boys are working at a community garden a few mornings a week and we've had a number of doctor, dental, and orthodontic appointments to work into our days. Somehow things were a little easier when I had to take four small children with me. Back then, I knew the next destination and was wise enough to do most out-of-the-house errands before lunch. Now, with the 11-15 year olds, they have destinations from which they must be dropped off and picked up. Mom doesn't hang out with them everywhere they go anymore, which leads to a lot of back and forth and not-quite-enough-time to do the things at home that I'd like to do. FlyLady would caution me against "perfectionism" and "stinkin' thinkin'" and that's probably true.
Yesterday I had just about 45 minutes before the next dash out the door. I pondered, "What can I do in 15 minutes?" I paced around for a few minutes and then realized I had plenty of time to make a batch of pesto with the basil I had trimmed earlier in the week. I had it in a pretty pink bud vase on the counter, but I was making it wait too long and some of the leaves had lost their freshness and begun to wilt. I grabbed the last of my almonds, a couple of farm share garlic scapes, some Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and the food processor. In went the scapes and nuts. Pulse, pulse. Next, the basil leaves. Pulse, pulse, grind (because I'm still praying for patience). Parmesan cheese and olive oil. Pulse, pulse, "Oh, it's so pretty!" I put it in a bowl in the fridge for later this week. Done, with time to spare!
Next, I refilled the maple syrup bottle that had been sitting on the counter for almost 24 hours. I bought a gallon of syrup a month or so ago, and the kids would probably love to drown their pancakes, but I help them resist by transferring enough for a meal into a small bottle. The small bottle makes pouring easier and helps with portion control. I had plenty of time to tend to that little chore, too. Still 25 minutes to spare, so I cut up a cabbage and some peppers and mushrooms for tomorrow's salad. This task made room for the farm share I would be picking up in the evening and helped prepare for another meal.
The boys helped me water the thirsty garden after dinner while Elizabeth and Mike cleaned up the dinner dishes. When we came in, I sat on the couch to have my coffee. I read to Tommy, and the other three children were all in the living room with us listening to the story of Jemima Puddle Duck. It was a cozy moment that brought a sweet end to a hectic day.
We have a CSA farm share this summer in addition to a very thirsty garden during this extended drought (I'm heading out to water shortly). I picked up the share today and realized I still had a few things to use up from last week. We are definitely expanding our family's horizons with the vegetables we have been eating. I have been resisting going to the grocery store, and my family is not thrilled about the lack of "snack" food in the house. I'd love to make the vegetables the snack of choice, but it's difficult since three of the four children will have some form of orthodontic appliances or braces by the end of summer, making crunchy snacks like carrot sticks a bad choice (popped brackets are a very bad thing). I'm recognizing a need for creativity in snack land! Cucumbers, on the other hand, are an excellent choice because they're soft enough in their raw state for everyone to eat safely, and everyone in my family actually likes them.
Wednesday morning, I will finally break down and go to the grocery store to stock-up. We are out of milk, half and half (my guilty pleasure), cheese, and meat (unless you count pepperoni as meat). We are completely out of pasta, which is not good in a house full of runners. We need a bunch of other things, too. I have been working on menu planning and a grocery list for the past few days. When I have a menu, the days are always easier.
Summer should be easy, but it hasn't been as relaxed as I would like it to be this year. The older boys are working at a community garden a few mornings a week and we've had a number of doctor, dental, and orthodontic appointments to work into our days. Somehow things were a little easier when I had to take four small children with me. Back then, I knew the next destination and was wise enough to do most out-of-the-house errands before lunch. Now, with the 11-15 year olds, they have destinations from which they must be dropped off and picked up. Mom doesn't hang out with them everywhere they go anymore, which leads to a lot of back and forth and not-quite-enough-time to do the things at home that I'd like to do. FlyLady would caution me against "perfectionism" and "stinkin' thinkin'" and that's probably true.
Yesterday I had just about 45 minutes before the next dash out the door. I pondered, "What can I do in 15 minutes?" I paced around for a few minutes and then realized I had plenty of time to make a batch of pesto with the basil I had trimmed earlier in the week. I had it in a pretty pink bud vase on the counter, but I was making it wait too long and some of the leaves had lost their freshness and begun to wilt. I grabbed the last of my almonds, a couple of farm share garlic scapes, some Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and the food processor. In went the scapes and nuts. Pulse, pulse. Next, the basil leaves. Pulse, pulse, grind (because I'm still praying for patience). Parmesan cheese and olive oil. Pulse, pulse, "Oh, it's so pretty!" I put it in a bowl in the fridge for later this week. Done, with time to spare!
Next, I refilled the maple syrup bottle that had been sitting on the counter for almost 24 hours. I bought a gallon of syrup a month or so ago, and the kids would probably love to drown their pancakes, but I help them resist by transferring enough for a meal into a small bottle. The small bottle makes pouring easier and helps with portion control. I had plenty of time to tend to that little chore, too. Still 25 minutes to spare, so I cut up a cabbage and some peppers and mushrooms for tomorrow's salad. This task made room for the farm share I would be picking up in the evening and helped prepare for another meal.
The boys helped me water the thirsty garden after dinner while Elizabeth and Mike cleaned up the dinner dishes. When we came in, I sat on the couch to have my coffee. I read to Tommy, and the other three children were all in the living room with us listening to the story of Jemima Puddle Duck. It was a cozy moment that brought a sweet end to a hectic day.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Please Lord, Send Some Rain!
This week in the evenings after dinner and coffee with Mike, I've spent a lot of time in the garden, watering. I have two 50 gallon rain barrels that have been empty for weeks. I've been using the garden hose to keep my rather ambitious urban garden moist and happy in this urban desert. The summer heat has encouraged the plants to grow tremendously over the past five or six weeks. Here are a few before (early June) and after (mid-July) shots of the garden.
I picked the last of the shelling peas this week and will clear out the snap peas today. The basil plants were huge, so I trimmed them back and put the lovely stalks in water to use for pesto for dinner. I fear that if I'd left them in the blistering sun another day they surely would have bolted and flowered. I also noticed that some of the other herbs could use a trim, so I decided to make some sun tea from chocolate mint, lemon verbena, lavender, raspberry leaf, and strawberry leaf. The fragrance was intoxicating when I removed the lid in the evening after letting it brew all day on the sunny back steps. I haven't sipped it just yet, as it was chilling in the fridge over night.
We're expecting a few more dry days with temperatures in the 90s. The grass, which was so very green in June is now the color of the straw between the raised beds and in the tee-pee garden. I'm glad we don't need to mow, but it's a little heartbreaking to hear clover and grass crunch under my feet as I haul water to the garden beds throughout the yard. We shouldn't be surprised. We often have a drought this time in July. However, we had a drought in April or May as well, and I know many areas around the country are suffering. Water bills will be high. Food prices will skyrocket. I take the weather as the Lord sends it, knowing it's a reminder that "all good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change" (James 1:17, NAB). If it is for our benefit, the rains will come and water the earth. In the meantime, I thank God for the sweet gifts of running water and arms strong enough to carry water to the plants.
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| Baby Sunflowers, squash, peas, and tomatoes with volunteer marigolds. |
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| Sunflowers and their friends, not so tiny now! |
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| Raised beds, flourishing! |
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| Transplants of eggplant and peppers--back right corner of raised bed area. |
We're expecting a few more dry days with temperatures in the 90s. The grass, which was so very green in June is now the color of the straw between the raised beds and in the tee-pee garden. I'm glad we don't need to mow, but it's a little heartbreaking to hear clover and grass crunch under my feet as I haul water to the garden beds throughout the yard. We shouldn't be surprised. We often have a drought this time in July. However, we had a drought in April or May as well, and I know many areas around the country are suffering. Water bills will be high. Food prices will skyrocket. I take the weather as the Lord sends it, knowing it's a reminder that "all good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change" (James 1:17, NAB). If it is for our benefit, the rains will come and water the earth. In the meantime, I thank God for the sweet gifts of running water and arms strong enough to carry water to the plants.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Maybe I Have A.D.D.
A year or two ago, I called my mom to ask her if she thought I had A.D.D. She laughed at me and said, "No." She thinks I just have too many things going on--four children, two cats, husband, job, garden, etc. However, I get the impression that her idea of Attention Deficit Disorder includes the Hyperactive trait. I may not be a severe case, but I am very easily distracted and have a hard time keeping my attention focused on brain work, like grading papers. I tell everyone I love my job, and it's true; however, grading essays makes me sleepy. Physical work is a different story. I could pull weeds or cook for 8 hours straight as long as I had water and snacks to keep my energy up, but give me a batch of essays to grade and it's like a sleeping pill! The papers are good papers--quite interesting, actually. The problem is me.
I need projects to keep me motivated. If I don't have a project, I seem to flounder. Last year I painted the kitchen cabinets. I was motivated and driven to complete the project. I had something physical to show for it when I was done. For some reason, paid mental work doesn't motivate me to keep working with the same gusto.
I have had more alone hours than usual this week because the kids are at a summer day program at the Church from 9-2. My plan was to get caught up with grading and prepare for my fall course. I have done a good bit of grading, but I'm still not caught up. I have communicated with the bookstore and the book rep. about the text I plan to use this fall, but I haven't written assignments or read the text. I have done things that were part of the plan for the week, but not as much as I'd hoped to have done by today. The quiet house mainly reminded me how easily I am distracted. When I started reading an essay, it would make me think of something else, so I'd do a quick search on that topic. That's the problem. I think about too many things, and Google is always ready to help.
So far today, I've done the following: dropped the kids off at the church, baked a chocolate zucchini cake, went to Mass, baked bread (three part process from scratch), washed a load of laundry, hung it outside to dry, read some job postings, started a batch of yogurt, washed the dishes, folded and put the laundry away, called the orthodontist, frosted the cake, graded 4 or 5 essays, talked to the bookstore, checked email, and ate lunch plus two handfuls of chocolate chips (because they're good for me!), then met the kids at our friends' house and brought their suits so they could swim. We got home about 4:15. I feel like I've accomplished nothing today because I still have 11 essays to grade. What's the answer? I know I did a lot today, but those essays are hanging over my neck like the blade of the guillotine. And now I'm writing a blog post....
I don't want to be sarcastic or crabby or whiny. I just want to be done with those essays--but I need to go for a 5-mile run because it's on the training schedule! Maybe after the run and dinner and a nice iced coffee this evening, I will have the sweet clarity and focus to get the grading done so tomorrow can be a day of planning for the fall course.
I need projects to keep me motivated. If I don't have a project, I seem to flounder. Last year I painted the kitchen cabinets. I was motivated and driven to complete the project. I had something physical to show for it when I was done. For some reason, paid mental work doesn't motivate me to keep working with the same gusto.
I have had more alone hours than usual this week because the kids are at a summer day program at the Church from 9-2. My plan was to get caught up with grading and prepare for my fall course. I have done a good bit of grading, but I'm still not caught up. I have communicated with the bookstore and the book rep. about the text I plan to use this fall, but I haven't written assignments or read the text. I have done things that were part of the plan for the week, but not as much as I'd hoped to have done by today. The quiet house mainly reminded me how easily I am distracted. When I started reading an essay, it would make me think of something else, so I'd do a quick search on that topic. That's the problem. I think about too many things, and Google is always ready to help.
So far today, I've done the following: dropped the kids off at the church, baked a chocolate zucchini cake, went to Mass, baked bread (three part process from scratch), washed a load of laundry, hung it outside to dry, read some job postings, started a batch of yogurt, washed the dishes, folded and put the laundry away, called the orthodontist, frosted the cake, graded 4 or 5 essays, talked to the bookstore, checked email, and ate lunch plus two handfuls of chocolate chips (because they're good for me!), then met the kids at our friends' house and brought their suits so they could swim. We got home about 4:15. I feel like I've accomplished nothing today because I still have 11 essays to grade. What's the answer? I know I did a lot today, but those essays are hanging over my neck like the blade of the guillotine. And now I'm writing a blog post....
I don't want to be sarcastic or crabby or whiny. I just want to be done with those essays--but I need to go for a 5-mile run because it's on the training schedule! Maybe after the run and dinner and a nice iced coffee this evening, I will have the sweet clarity and focus to get the grading done so tomorrow can be a day of planning for the fall course.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Garage Sale, Day 2
What a week! I'm so glad we're done with the sale part. I didn't make a tremendous amount of money, but I earned enough to pay all of the children a little for their help and to buy some groceries. Best of all, some of the large items sold and I reduced the clutter in the house. I call that success!
A couple of larger items I had hoped to sell did not go to a new home, so I will need to decide which can be donated and which I should try to sell through Craig's List or another tag sale later in the summer.
Next week the kids will be at a day camp all week, so I will be working in a quiet house. Last year was the first time I had a week alone in the house since my 15 year old was born. I painted the kitchen cabinets while they were gone. My number one project this year is preparing for my fall course. I would prefer to focus on the laundry room, which has less junk in it than it did last week, but my paying job at the community college must be the priority! I will be using a new textbook and developing a whole new online course for September. I'm excited and somewhat apprehensive at the prospect. I really liked my old text. I found that the students responded very well to the tone and content of the book. I know, however, that it's time for a change and that it will be good for the students to have an up-to-date book that features the latest research and documentation techniques. The old book is almost 10 years old, which is a lifetime in terms of technological advances for research. A quiet house will afford me time to delve into the book, plan assignments, and start laying out the online components of the course.
I was so impressed with the children this weekend. The 11 year old boys were a tremendous help, and they were both eager to do whatever needed doing. The teenagers took care of the small children, gave adults breaks from watching the cash drawer and checking out customers, and moved large objects as needed. In spite of the awful heat yesterday and the fact that we started today already fatigued, the children gave a great deal of loving service to our venture. The mommies with infants are heroes--and so are the babies. It was a challenge to keep the little ones content when all they wanted was mama's attention. My kiddos are bigger, but by the end of the day, they had clearly had enough sunshine, fresh air, and togetherness for the past few days. We were ready to go home, get showers, and go to the Saturday Youth Mass.
Since my daughter is in the music ministry we needed to get to the church early for practice. We took two cars. The older two children went with me, and Mike met us a bit later. We were nice and early, so there was time for confession before Mass. I'm so glad I went and received the graces of the sacrament before Mass. I'm not sure if I had big circles under my eyes, but the priest gave me an unusual penance--to rest tomorrow on the Sabbath. I know that the priest acts In Persona Christi, but I am always a little surprised when I don't say something specific, but the advice offered in confession is tailored to my specific needs. Father talked about the importance of the triangle of "Mind-Body-Spirit" and how the needs of each must be met for balance in our lives. I have been sleep deprived and not eating as well the past few days, so I really needed the Mind-Body-Spirit talk! I've heard of the connection between Mind-Body-Spirit, but Father's explanation gave such clarity and practicality to the idea.
I know I have many things I would like to do tonight and tomorrow morning. At the moment, though, the best thing I can do is get started on my penance. My eyes are heavy and I need to simply give in to sweet sleep.
A couple of larger items I had hoped to sell did not go to a new home, so I will need to decide which can be donated and which I should try to sell through Craig's List or another tag sale later in the summer.
Next week the kids will be at a day camp all week, so I will be working in a quiet house. Last year was the first time I had a week alone in the house since my 15 year old was born. I painted the kitchen cabinets while they were gone. My number one project this year is preparing for my fall course. I would prefer to focus on the laundry room, which has less junk in it than it did last week, but my paying job at the community college must be the priority! I will be using a new textbook and developing a whole new online course for September. I'm excited and somewhat apprehensive at the prospect. I really liked my old text. I found that the students responded very well to the tone and content of the book. I know, however, that it's time for a change and that it will be good for the students to have an up-to-date book that features the latest research and documentation techniques. The old book is almost 10 years old, which is a lifetime in terms of technological advances for research. A quiet house will afford me time to delve into the book, plan assignments, and start laying out the online components of the course.
I was so impressed with the children this weekend. The 11 year old boys were a tremendous help, and they were both eager to do whatever needed doing. The teenagers took care of the small children, gave adults breaks from watching the cash drawer and checking out customers, and moved large objects as needed. In spite of the awful heat yesterday and the fact that we started today already fatigued, the children gave a great deal of loving service to our venture. The mommies with infants are heroes--and so are the babies. It was a challenge to keep the little ones content when all they wanted was mama's attention. My kiddos are bigger, but by the end of the day, they had clearly had enough sunshine, fresh air, and togetherness for the past few days. We were ready to go home, get showers, and go to the Saturday Youth Mass.
Since my daughter is in the music ministry we needed to get to the church early for practice. We took two cars. The older two children went with me, and Mike met us a bit later. We were nice and early, so there was time for confession before Mass. I'm so glad I went and received the graces of the sacrament before Mass. I'm not sure if I had big circles under my eyes, but the priest gave me an unusual penance--to rest tomorrow on the Sabbath. I know that the priest acts In Persona Christi, but I am always a little surprised when I don't say something specific, but the advice offered in confession is tailored to my specific needs. Father talked about the importance of the triangle of "Mind-Body-Spirit" and how the needs of each must be met for balance in our lives. I have been sleep deprived and not eating as well the past few days, so I really needed the Mind-Body-Spirit talk! I've heard of the connection between Mind-Body-Spirit, but Father's explanation gave such clarity and practicality to the idea.
I know I have many things I would like to do tonight and tomorrow morning. At the moment, though, the best thing I can do is get started on my penance. My eyes are heavy and I need to simply give in to sweet sleep.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Garage Sale, Day 1
The first day of the garage sale was fairly successful in spite of the hot, humid day. We started the day with prayer, asking for God's blessing and protection on all involved--customers, moms, children. Those few minutes of prayer were very powerful. Four of us simply stood in a circle together and asked the Lord for His blessing on the day. I was feeling hot, tired, and anxious before the prayer, but peace and joy replaced those emotions with our moments of prayer. A customer walked up as we concluded the prayer. He asked if we were praying, and I told him "Yes, and we were praying for you!" He gave Jesus glory as soon as he heard my remark.
We didn't make "Big Bucks" today, but everyone sold at least one item.We hope that God's will is for many more things to sell tomorrow so we can continue the simplicity and decluttering processes in our homes. We do not want to bring the items back into the houses!!
As I mentioned yesterday, today is my wedding anniversary. Mike and I are going to Sal's Bakery and Cafe for dinner. Sal is a wonderful Catholic young man who serves in the Army National Guard and who earned an MA in theology from St. John's Seminary. He hosts Catholic Coffee and Conversations bi-weekly. On this feast of St. Maria Goretti, I thought it would be nice to go to a locally owned Italian cafe.
Today's post will be short and sweet. Stay cool if it's hot where you live!!
We didn't make "Big Bucks" today, but everyone sold at least one item.We hope that God's will is for many more things to sell tomorrow so we can continue the simplicity and decluttering processes in our homes. We do not want to bring the items back into the houses!!
As I mentioned yesterday, today is my wedding anniversary. Mike and I are going to Sal's Bakery and Cafe for dinner. Sal is a wonderful Catholic young man who serves in the Army National Guard and who earned an MA in theology from St. John's Seminary. He hosts Catholic Coffee and Conversations bi-weekly. On this feast of St. Maria Goretti, I thought it would be nice to go to a locally owned Italian cafe.
Today's post will be short and sweet. Stay cool if it's hot where you live!!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Prepping for the Garage Sale
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| Sporting Goods and Household, to your left! |
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| Toys! |
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| Tiny sampling of the books for sale |
In other news, tomorrow is our anniversary! Mike and I have been married for 16 years. Life hasn't always been easy for those 16 years, but he has made it a joy and a blessing. I had a friend tell me when I was single that one of the most important things a person can do to have a good life is to "marry well." I didn't really understand how true that idea is. Over the years I've met people who struggle in their marriages, resent their spouses, suffer through divorces, etc. Our relationship is human, and as a result it is not perfect. But at the end of the day, we love one another deeply and genuinely. We're in it together for the long haul! I pray that others can have such a blessed marriage. We are partners, lovers, and friends. We are the parents, together, of four fabulous children. Most importantly, we are two who became one in the Sacrament of Marriage. Scott and Kimberly Hahn write and speak about marriage as a Covenant--not as a contract as society defines generally marriage.
In a society that is suffering on so many fronts, the center of a majority of our problems is the brokenness of the family. I don't have the solution, but I know that a majority of couples who share their faith (obviously my preference is Catholicism, but couples of one faith background can be more centered in their overall relationship with one another and with God) and give themselves in open love to one another are a lot happier than the general population.
Have a sweet day!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Making Progress with the Decluttering!
Mental wanderings....
My friend is hosting a multi-family garage sale on Friday, so I'm making some progress with the decluttering. I delivered some large pieces to her house this afternoon. The children are all contributing toys and games. I've found a wider path through the laundry room. (I'll post more pictures soon as the room continues its transformation from a cluttered cave to a bright, cheery, useful space.) So far, I've taken two youth desks, a changing table, a trike, and a nice L.L. Bean Back Pack. It's so cute--dragonfly pattern. I wish it was my size! (Stop!! The clutter must leave. No emotional attachment to stuff is allowed.) The kitchen counter is full of Barbie dolls and decorative pictures. I think we'll have a pretty good number of items to contribute to the sale. And if we make a little money, all the better!
Tomorrow is Independence Day. I love my country. I'm grateful for the freedoms we have and I hope they aren't taken away by the current administration. Mine is not a political blog, but I will say that I would like a little less government and a lot better economy.
My daughter is off to run a summer series youth race. Last year she did the race every week, but this will be her first time this summer since she had a scheduling conflict with another activity that wrapped up last week. Her dad took her, so this is the first time she's has run without me in a few months. I will have to go for my 2-miler when they get home. I hope she does well--it's rather hot this evening.
I starting putting together a planning notebook yesterday. I had wanted to do one for years. I tried the FlyLady method, but I could not seem to make it happen. The big binder was just too big to carry around, and if I couldn't carry it, I wouldn't use it. I have been reading Confessions of an Organized Homemaker by Deniece Schofield. I know that many of the principals in her book are similar to the FlyLady advice. One chapter suggested using a binder that holds 5.5" x 8.5" paper. I have been using the Cozi Family Calender and it has worked wonder fully, except when I need to make appointments away from home. I don't have a smart phone, and I didn't want to manually recreate my calendar that's so thorough in Cozi. I realized I could sync the Cozi calendar to my Microsoft Outlook calendar on the computer, then print calendar pages for my binder. Brilliant! Of course, I could not find reinforced printer paper in 5.5" x 8.5", but Staples cut a ream of printer paper in half and I can three-hole punch it to fit in my pretty new binder. My printer was acting up a bit yesterday, so printing front to back was a challenge. However, once I have the planner set up, I'll only need to do a few pages at a time, which won't be a big deal.
So, in a nutshell, I hope to have my planner set up and the laundry room organized by the end of July. That way systems will be in place before school starts.
My friend is hosting a multi-family garage sale on Friday, so I'm making some progress with the decluttering. I delivered some large pieces to her house this afternoon. The children are all contributing toys and games. I've found a wider path through the laundry room. (I'll post more pictures soon as the room continues its transformation from a cluttered cave to a bright, cheery, useful space.) So far, I've taken two youth desks, a changing table, a trike, and a nice L.L. Bean Back Pack. It's so cute--dragonfly pattern. I wish it was my size! (Stop!! The clutter must leave. No emotional attachment to stuff is allowed.) The kitchen counter is full of Barbie dolls and decorative pictures. I think we'll have a pretty good number of items to contribute to the sale. And if we make a little money, all the better!
Tomorrow is Independence Day. I love my country. I'm grateful for the freedoms we have and I hope they aren't taken away by the current administration. Mine is not a political blog, but I will say that I would like a little less government and a lot better economy.
My daughter is off to run a summer series youth race. Last year she did the race every week, but this will be her first time this summer since she had a scheduling conflict with another activity that wrapped up last week. Her dad took her, so this is the first time she's has run without me in a few months. I will have to go for my 2-miler when they get home. I hope she does well--it's rather hot this evening.
I starting putting together a planning notebook yesterday. I had wanted to do one for years. I tried the FlyLady method, but I could not seem to make it happen. The big binder was just too big to carry around, and if I couldn't carry it, I wouldn't use it. I have been reading Confessions of an Organized Homemaker by Deniece Schofield. I know that many of the principals in her book are similar to the FlyLady advice. One chapter suggested using a binder that holds 5.5" x 8.5" paper. I have been using the Cozi Family Calender and it has worked wonder fully, except when I need to make appointments away from home. I don't have a smart phone, and I didn't want to manually recreate my calendar that's so thorough in Cozi. I realized I could sync the Cozi calendar to my Microsoft Outlook calendar on the computer, then print calendar pages for my binder. Brilliant! Of course, I could not find reinforced printer paper in 5.5" x 8.5", but Staples cut a ream of printer paper in half and I can three-hole punch it to fit in my pretty new binder. My printer was acting up a bit yesterday, so printing front to back was a challenge. However, once I have the planner set up, I'll only need to do a few pages at a time, which won't be a big deal.
So, in a nutshell, I hope to have my planner set up and the laundry room organized by the end of July. That way systems will be in place before school starts.
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