lauralea.ca

Another One Of Those Days?

2012-02-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

Not like the last one, where I couldn't sleep half the night.

Nearly the opposite, in fact, as I, atypically, closed my eyes just after midnight and didn't open them again until the alarm alerted me to the fact that it was time to get up.

No... one of those un-self-motivated days.

I got a few things crossed off my list yesterday, and seem to have crossed off the will to do anything remotely productive along with them.

It's a good thing there's A Guy coming to look at a water thing at the house this morning, or I'd likely sit here in my pajamas until it was time to go to town for my daily coffee date.

As it is, with the knowledge that I have until 10:00 to be presentable and decently arrayed, I'll shuffle off to the shower momentarily.

Looks like there are a couple of good movies on TCM at least... if I clear off the shelf on the island I'll be able to see the TV from the stove... maybe the kitchen list items will get crossed off this morning after all...

Gonna Be One Of Those Days

2012-02-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

If it isn't hard enough to put myself to bed at a reasonable hour when Himself is away,

Deciding that as the coffee in the new thermos is still hot from breakfast and should be consumed didn't make it any easier.

I was in bed a titch earlier last night than the night before, and pretty much as soon as my head hit a comfortable spot on the pillow I was asleep...

The problem was that when I woke up at 4:00, I couldn't fall back to sleep.

*sigh*

Then I made the mistake of making a list of all the things that need to be accomplished before I hit the road in a week and a half.

At least the lesson is ready for preteen this afternoon.

Maybe the best course of action would be to lock up the house, take the phone off the hook and go have a long nap until lunch time.

Yeah... maybe so...

Well... The Jury's Still Out

2012-01-24T21:59:00.000-07:00

Blood work results today.

If I didn't have an appointment with the Diabetes Educator in a couple of weeks, I might be actively looking for a new doctor tomorrow. We will go over my "numbers" then; today I'll take the doctor's "everything's good" to mean that I don't have to give up bacon and eggs to save my cholesterol, and that Christmas didn't kill my glucose levels.

Ah, well.

I guess I'll live.

I'll make it look like I am, anyway.

Three For Three

2012-01-20T19:52:00.001-07:00

The French Onion Soup turned out really well.

I even managed, by opening a couple of windows and closing a couple of doors, to keep the onion smell from being too pervasive.

A short loaf of fresh French bread sliced, toasted and topped with finely grated Edam cheese, made lovely croutons to float on the soup. Two more short loaves for eating with butter completed the meal.

Most delightful.

I should see what Julia does with pork and chicken, and try something along those lines next.

Why does cooking delicious food fill me with such contentment? I don't know either, but it was an enjoyable day- even with slicing three pounds of onions thrown in for good measure.

Mm...Mmmm.

I call dibs on the leftovers!

It's Been A Long Week

2012-01-13T03:22:00.002-07:00

On Monday, I thought it was Tuesday.

I never recovered.

OHHH! Because I Threw It Into The Back Seat...

2012-01-10T09:12:00.001-07:00

We were in Edmonton yesterday to run a bunch of errands. Productive, but not terribly exciting, really.

While driving from one place to another in the South Commons, we drove past SuperStore which reminded me that I was out of yeast.

Driving back again, I suggested that if he drove slowly by the entrance I could jump out, duck and roll, run inside, grab the yeast (which comes in large containers there) and be back to the car before he could make a circuit of the parking lot.

So, we did that. Well, except for the ninja moves.

When he pulled up to get me again, I threw the yeast, in the SuperStore bag, onto the back seat and we continued on to the next stop.

At home, we cleaned out the trunk, and I put stuff away.

This morning I went to mix up some bread, and thought, "Right. I'm out of yeast here", so I went down to the pantry to get one of the two containers I just bought yesterday.

Trouble is, it wasn't there.

I was perplexed for a minute, and after looking all over the house for the bag that might contain the yeast, I realized that it probably got left on the back seat.

And then I realized that Micah took the car this morning.

So I pulled out a package of not-instant yeast that Hillary left here at the end of the summer, and as the yeast proofs, I give my head a shake at my forgetful self and start writing this.

About the time I got to "And then I realized that Micah took the car this morning.", I all of a sudden thought, "Wait a minute... Micah's driving the Crown Vic., and we were driving the Focus yesterday"...

So halfway through this post I realized that it was ALL a moot point because the yeast is probably sitting in the back seat of the car that's still in the garage, but having momentum, I kept writing up the story, intending, in the end, to reveal what a brain fart in my existence looks like, practically speaking.

*sigh*

I'll just get that bread mixing and then zip out to the garage, shall I?

That`s All She Wrote

2012-01-07T13:11:00.003-07:00

I got the Christmas decorations put away yesterday. All but the little puzzle village that Hillary and I bought at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in September, and which she put together before she left for England. Not quite sure what I`ll do with that yet, but for now it`s still alright on the mantle.

I`m loving Julia Child`s French bread recipe. So easy to do, once the method has been studied up. I made another batch yesterday with 3 cups unbleached flour (instead of 3.5), half a cup of ground flaxseed, plus a quarter cup of 10 grain cereal. I increased the water from 1.5 cups to about 1.75, and (with the same tablespoon instant yeast and half teaspoon of salt) mixed it up and there you go! Yes it takes all day to do two risings, but since I`m home all day anyway...

This morning I have a batch of regular white buns on the rise and I`ll turn them into pizza buns for supper.

I should go do something semi-productive, besides the buns. I could clean out the fridge freezer... or go do a spring clean in the bedroom...

Or make a pot of tea and build a Sims2 house... or finish that Albert Campion mystery...

So many choices!

I think I`ll start with the tea. I can poke my head in the freezer while it boils, I suppose. We`ll play it by ear after that.

Happy Saturday.

Mais Oui

2012-01-05T12:12:00.001-07:00

Well, the French bread is rising. The dough was far from as sticky as it sounded like it should be, but I'm hopeful that it is soft enough to make an edible baguette or two.

I've just hauled up the vegetables to start the stew. The "Carbonnades A La Flamande" can be made ahead and reheated just before serving, so I'll start chopping onions and slicing up the rump roast to make it now. It gets to slow simmer in the oven for 2 1/2 hours, which, if I play my cards right, will have it deliciously tender by three thirty, giving me time to bake the bread and a dessert. There isn't enough room in the oven for the stew pot, a baking dish and the baking stone.

I was pleased with the Turkey Crepes last night. Pleasantly encouraged that all the "French" techniques were things I've done before and had no problem with. Julia Child's crepe recipe was better than the one I usually use, and the sauce for the chicken involved a roue, and tempering an egg yolk mixed with cream. Yum.

Anyway; while the oven is heating up and the bread dough rises on the back of the stove, I'll go start cooking beef and onions on the front of the stove.

"Mastering The Art Of French Cooking" is turning out to be as much fun as I imagined it might be when I started looking for old copies in used book stores last year.

Bon Appetit!

The Girl With Kaleidoscope Eyes

2012-01-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling a little out of focus today.

It better not be the start of something viral.

It can't be something flu-ish, as I was a good diabetic with thyroid concerns and had my flu shot.

Ah, well.

As long as I don't sit in the comfy chair too long... that's when, with my eyes closed, I can almost feel my head sliding out of kilter like a cartoon puzzle; top of the head sliding left... eyes sliding right... nose shifts left... mouth slides right... and the rest of my body kind of wibble-wobbles out both sides like a Jell-O jiggler sinking down...

Let's start with a cup of something hot and fluid. Coffee. Or Tea. And breakfast.

And then more drugs.

Second Thoughts...?

2012-01-03T09:28:00.002-07:00

For Christmas Randall gave me a two volume set of "Mastering The Art Of French Cooking". Each time I've peeked within its Fleur de Lis speckled covers I've learned something new, so I'm excited to read on.

What I learned the last time I opened volume one, was that I need a big pot that can safely go in the oven as well as on top of the stove, so when we were at Ikea yesterday I smilingly convinced Himself that the $39.99 10 litre pot (it was on sale...) was necessary.

Then I realized this morning, as I was putting the kettle on to boil and thinking about the grocery shopping list that the first thing I'm planning to use the new pot for is a stew recipe from the new cookbook.

The Husband confided, a few years ago, that he doesn't really like stew...

... so this morning, as I considered The First recipe in a pot that pushes the Christmas gift well past the $100 mark, I wondered if he'll be sorry he found those cookbooks...

Also, that better be some kick-ass stew.

Also, am I going to regret writing that last sentence...?

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T10:02:00.001-07:00

Compared to 2010, 2011 was a bit ... less spectacular.

We think it may be because we didn't really have a "theme" for the year. 2010 was "The Year Of Us", wherein we were deliberate about each other to celebrate our 25th Anniversary all year.

It really seemed to work, and we had a good year.

Last year was themeless, and it feels like it not only went by fairly quickly, but that it sort of just slid past, with life and events schmooshing together in a nondescript way.

Twenty-twelve has the look of being a year of transition, so I'm a little nervous about just letting it happen willy-nilly. I feel quite sure that to make it a good year, we'll need to be deliberately transitional in positive, healthy ways.

Regardless of the plan or theme, I wish you a Happy New Year, with every good blessing God can give. I wish you some hard times to smooth off some more of your rough patches. I wish you joy and peace to carry you through your griefs and losses. I wish you beautifully hearted people to love you through your good and bad days. I wish you the sure and certain knowledge that Jesus is walking beside you only a handclasp away.

Happy New Year.

There's A Kinda Hush

2011-12-30T10:16:00.002-07:00

I decided to get up when I woke up this morning, instead of rolling over for round two... or three or four as the case, and the night, may be; and so I found myself in the kitchen via the bathroom, at 8:30.

I've had breakfast, enjoyed one cup of coffee so far, and have done some web-surfing and blog reading.

And the house is quiet, but for the humming and buzzing of the fridge and a fan somewhere.

I was wrong. It was only the fridge. It just stopped, and all the noise with it.

Makes me wonder if this is what life is doomed to become: quietness.

In less than six months Micah will be finished school and will be looking to start his life, which probably won't, and probably shouldn't include living with us in The Field.

It's as it should be. I keep telling myself that if we've done the Parenting Thing well, the inevitable conclusion is that we will be alone and childless... which is not a bad thing. It will just be quieter.

It's a good thing that we still like each other. The husband and I.

It's a good thing we don't mind quietness.

It will be interesting to see what life looks like with the volume turned down. Will it be a comfortable quiet or an awkward silence.

Will we become that lovely, old married couple who don't need words to fill the void- who can communicate a thousand words with a single glance; two gray-haired relics reading poetry and mystery novels by the fire while Classic FM or the BBC plays softly in the background and the kettle steams on the back of the stove?

I hope so.

If the odd morning-alone-before-everyone-else-is-up is any indication,

It will be just fine.

I Think It's Over

2011-12-26T22:12:00.000-07:00

I think we survived.

We had a good Christmas.

It was our first daughter-less Yuletide, but I think we've all come through emotionally unscathed for the most part.

We had face to face conversations with both of them vie Skype and the Internet. It was good to see them and talk to our Grand baby and all.

We had a good couple of days with both boys home, and now we're easing into a week and a half or so of quieter school vacation days. No alarms to be set, no bag lunches to make, few demands on our time and energy...

A good, well needed rest.

And the weather! Pseudo-spring is lovely! On Christmas day I took a bag of garbage to the bin, and I didn't need a coat... just shirt sleeves, if you please. Crazy warm.

It has, indeed, been a good Christmas.

I hope it has been a good celebration for all y'all as well, and that good cheer abounds as we move through the week toward New Year's Eve and whatever festivities may come.

Happy Christmas, all.

God bless us, every one.

Joy Bells Are Ringing

2011-12-23T15:09:00.000-07:00

'Tis the day before the night before Christmas

And as of yesterday I am getting excited for the weekend.

It took six weeks and and three days, but Hillary's Christmas gift finally found her. The same day that the surprise package of Christmas cookies and candy was hand delivered by a Pastor friend from Edmonton.

Joy!

All our gifts have been purchased, wrapped and posted or put under the tree. All. Done.

Joy!

The turkey is in the freezer, and Christmas dinner is ready and waiting to be cooked and eaten on Sunday.

Joy!

Thomas is coming home today after work; he has all weekend off and we get to keep him until Monday.

Joy!

The plumi moos (Mennonite fruit soup) is bubbling away on the stove; one of my favourite holiday things. Tomorrow I'll cook up a batch of cinnamon buns for Christmas morning, some fluffy white buns for turkey sandwiches and some of my Grandma's rice pudding for Christmas Eve.

Joy!

There will be no grand baby to follow around, and no daughters or sons-in-law to share in the family games and meals, but the face-to-face Internet visits will ease the pain of separation.

I feel ready for Jesus' birthday. I anticipate the Christmas Eve candlelight service and a weekend of quiet family time with our boys.

Peace is here.

Joy!

Found Treasure

2011-12-18T17:20:00.000-07:00

Digging around in a drawer this afternoon I found this poem. There's a tune that goes with it, but the words struck me as somewhat encouraging even without the melody (although that is going through my head now too)

Follow Me, I will lead you,
Follow Me- I'll show the way.
Follow Me, I will lead you
Fire by night and cloud by day.

I will free you from your bondage, lead you to your promised land.
Step by step I'll take you forward, side by side and hand in hand.

When your enemies surround you and the river seems too wide,
I will lead you through the water, on dry ground to the other side.

Though the road ahead's uncertain- you can't see around the bend;
Stay with me, I'll never leave you from beginning to the end.

Follow Me, I will lead you,
Follow Me- I'll show the way.
Follow Me, I will lead you
Fire by night and cloud by day.

What A Difference A Day Makes

2011-12-16T20:13:00.001-07:00

I think it was almost more work putting away Open House than setting it up. It would have been less work if I hadn't been distracted by the state of the pantry for over an hour... but that room has been driving me nuts for a few months already, and I couldn't bear to just throw the extra tortilla chips and crackers in there without cleaning it out first.

And so the kitchen has been reclaimed, one more time. The pantry has been de-cluttered and tidied up nicely. The extra cookies have been divided up for various things this weekend.

And

I

Am

Exhausted.

But, there is peace in it all, and we had a really good evening with the cider and the snacks.

Randall will show me (yet again) how to post pictures here so I can show you my very fun, latest adventures in pottery. You can have a sneak peak over at His Blog, if you like. (I am particularly thrilled with the three coloured squarish bowl, the cheese plate and the cactus candlestick)

I think today is over, even though it's just gone 8:00.

Bed will feel very good tonight.

As does the clean pantry and kitchen.

I Think ... I May Be ... Just About Ready ...

2011-12-14T23:53:00.000-07:00

Two days hard at it, but with results.

Bathrooms are sparkling, counters are clear, cookies are baked, popcorn is caramelized, crackers, cheese, salsa, chips, cider... All present and accounted for.

It's even before midnight! Bonus!

Tomorrow I'm sneaking into town to collect my pottery, and then it's home to light the candles and fire up the Christmas tunes;

At 2:00 pm the Friesen Annual Open House will commence!

"Snacks and Cider"

Or "Cider and Snacks"

However you say it, there will be spiced apple-cranberry cider and a few favourite snacky things to be had.

If you're in the neighbourhood or just passing by The Field, drop in. We'd love to see you!

Don't be too late, though. We'll be thinking of turning off the lights and locking the doors around 9:00...

There's A Light At The End Of The Tunnel

2011-12-08T23:12:00.000-07:00

I was surprised at how happy I felt on the way home from Pottery tonight.

After a little self-analysis, I decided it was probably because I've survived youth supper night, MOPS is done until the end of January, all my pottery has been glazed and should be ready to bring home next week, and my quilt block is done for class on Saturday.

I felt fairly jubilant driving home, even if I missed Starbucks by ten minutes.

There's baking to do now, and Open House next week, and a couple of Christmas parcels to be made up and posted, but I won't think about that now.

Tonight I'll just be glad that the first crazy week is nearing an end

And I've lived to tell about it.

Sanity intact.

So far.

Mostly.

Looking Pretty Good...

2011-12-06T21:48:00.000-07:00

I've been a good girl.

Diligent, persistent and hard working.

I've exerted huge will power to leave the playing things until the work is done.

Consequently, it's Tuesday night- only 9:30 mind, and I am not panicking about the next two days.

I have very tired legs and feet, and my eyes are pretty itchy, but the chili is made and in (5 four litre) buckets, the (6 dozen) buns have been sliced and re-bagged, the carrots (6 pounds) and celery (3 bunches) have been peeled, cleaned and chopped into "sticks".

The preteen lesson has been composed, typed and printed.

I am ready for tomorrow.

I also appear to be mainly ready for Thursday and MOPS. My baking has been done and safely stowed in the freezer since Sunday, and three batches of caramel popcorn stand at the ready.

I'm still a little dazed and wonder how that has been accomplished.

Awesome.

The decorating has been done, (all but the last minute things for Open House), my quilt block for this Saturday's session is nearly done and I WILL be in bed (and probably asleep) before 10:00 tonight.

I even managed to Skype with one daughter and talk to the other on the phone this afternoon while stirring chili and slicing buns.

Let's hope we can keep up the momentum until Saturday afternoon or Sunday, at which point I will shift focus to next week's Open House.

Good night, all.

Sweet dreams. Deep rest.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

2011-12-03T23:50:00.000-07:00

I just wish it felt a little more like Christmas in me.

I think it will after this week is over.

I hope it will.

I have a feeling that tomorrow will be the deep, steadying breath before leaping off the dock into the cold water of the lake; Monday will be the spring and dive.

Tuesday will be the shock of the plunge, and Wednesday will be gasping for air.

Thursday? Numbness, to some extent. I'll think I'm getting used it, but the warmth will only be from the energy exerted by treading water to keep afloat.

Friday, glorious Friday.

If I make it to Friday still kicking, perhaps there'll be strength to crawl back to shore and fling myself onto the beach for a rest.

And a lovely, refreshing beverage with an umbrella.

And a snooze in the sun...

Oh, right.

Winter... snow... coldness....

Reality.

At least the tree is up and some of the preliminary work for the busiest days is done.

Staying up until midnight, however, isn't doing anybody any favours.

So I bid you goodnight.

See you next week on the other side of crazy.

All Mopped Out

2011-11-24T22:24:00.001-07:00

Another long day.

At least I was in bed at a decent hour last night so 6:45 didn't seem quite as early as it might have.

MOPS went well. I counted just about 30 ladies in the hall, and the mini donuts and coffee cake were a hit. We were even cleaned up in record time and I was home by 1:00.

A spot of lunch, a rummage in the freezer for supper, and then just about three hours of cleaning pottery at the kitchen table in readiness for tonight's class.

I am very tired.

It's been a full day.

If I can get through the weekend unscathed, all will be well. I might be alright if I keep to the list stuck to the fridge door. Doesn't look like there'll be much time for sloth between now and Christmas.

So... I should wrap it up here and hie me to bed.

Before my legs drop off and my eyes fall out of my head.

Phase 1 Complete

2011-11-22T23:13:00.002-07:00

It's been a long day.

Mostly it's my own fault.

Yesterday we went out for breakfast, and I started the day off with about three cups of coffee. From breakfast coffee in Wetaskiwin we moved on to Chapters/Starbucks and coffee in Edmonton. Randall had a medium sized holiday special, but since I was just getting regular coffee with a shot of flavour, I opted for the largest size. It was only 30 cents more, after all. Pure economics.

I don't think I made coffee for supper... although at this point I can't be certain I didn't, but I was drinking something hot, so if it wasn't coffee it was at least tea.

Suffice it to say, I was still a little wired when I hit the sack.

I had trouble falling asleep, and then I had trouble staying asleep.

If today had been a lay-about day, it would have been fine, but I needed to get supplies for MOPS this week, and I'd already planned to drop Micah off on my way to Safeway.

Anyway.

Groceries were purchased, and I managed to get a good chunk of the baking done today. I think I may have done a load of laundry this morning... I have a foggy recollection of starting the washer before breakfast, and getting it into the dryer before we left for town...

It's been a good, but long day.

Three little donut-shaped coffee cakes are baked, a batch of gluten, dairy, and egg free cinnamon donuts were made, a batch of regular mini cinnamon donuts (6 dozen!) were done, and a small batch of mini-muffins were made using the donut recipe. They turned out really well and are quite delicious.

And no coffee was consumed.

And only a couple of cups of tea.

And my clean sheets are calling me.

Tomorrow looks pretty manageable at this point; only another batch or so of the mini-donuts to do before Pre-Teen and the Bible study.

Piece of cake.

Or min-donut, as the case may be.

Ho Ho Ho

2011-11-20T17:37:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the last day of semi-sanity before the crazy-busyness begins.

Tis the season.

I've made a three page list and have clipped it to the fridge. I'm hoping I haven't forgotten anything. Also hoping I don't have to add much more... although there's at least one wedding and a baby shower I need to write in...

Three weeks of crazy.

Or is it four?

MOPS twice, and church banquets and Christmas parties and Open Houses... I think it's all happening in just three weeks.

I'm wondering if we should put up the tree tomorrow so that we can enjoy it a little more this year. Last year we barely got it up in time for our Open House. It's nice to have it up a little longer before Christmas, as we rarely leave it up much past New Year's.

We'll see.

One day at a time, and stay relaxed- even if it means simplification in a few areas.

So... relaxed and flexible.

But not too relaxed, or I might doze off...

Here I go, holding on for the ride.

Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful

2011-11-17T19:25:00.002-07:00

But the fire is so delightful, and since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Just A Heads Up

2011-11-16T09:18:00.001-07:00

Christmas is coming.

I know that you knew that.

What you might not know is that all the Christmas commercials are on T.V.

Well, I expect you also knew that.

What you really might not know, is that I am, this year, being adversely affected by them.

Not adversely affected in a Scroogey-Mrs. Grumpy Pants sort of way, but affected in a "Oh-my-goodness-here-I-go-I'm going to cry again" type of way.

It's not just television commercials; radio ads, random magazine covers in check-out lines, rogue thoughts throughout the day, Skyping from Oxford, Facetime-ing from Wisconson, my husband stroking my granddaughter's cheek on the computer screen...

Especially that last one.

I can't even write that down without getting all weepy eyed.

I am an intelligent woman, and I'm pretty sure it's just the fallout of being a family in transition, but it does make going into this most festive of seasons a little difficult.

Therefore the "Heads Up".

I'm not overtly saddened by it all, and I'm not going to blubber my way through Christmas (I hope!), but I may, at seemingly random, odd times, get glazed teary eyes. You may notice me wiping away some leakage. I may have a melancholic, half-there look on my face.

And I'm not apologizing.

Just letting you know that I was probably thinking of a homesick girl in England or a lonely girl in the States or how big the table will seem and how empty the beds.

I know in my head that these separation wounds are ones that time may or may not heal; they may or may not get a little numb and easier to bear. It could become "out of sight, out of mind" or it could be that "absence makes the heart grow fonder" and ache even more.

We'll see.

But it has the potential to be a Christmas that's a bit too quiet.

So, yeah.

Just a little heads up there.

Oh... Right...

2011-11-07T08:23:00.001-07:00

As I stood at the window watching for the bus this morning it occurred to me that it was nice to have such a bright sunny morning after all the dark, cloudy ones we've been having lately.

"Why," I thought, "my first glimpse of the bus today won't be of the red lights flickering through the trees, but of the yellow bus itself."

"How nice, " I thought, "that it's a little lighter for a change."

And then I remembered:

Daylight Savings Time.

R i i i i i g h t....

I'm so on the ball today.

I'm Not Sure If It's The Sunshine

2011-11-05T14:27:00.001-06:00

Or the fact that it's been a quiet, more normal Saturday morning than we've had for a long time,

But it's been a good morning.

I always feel fairly content and cozy when we can sleep in a bit and there's time to meander through the day.

Today it was my hazelnut coffee blend with scratch pancakes, sausages and eggs for brunch; and as it was a very late brunch, we should be good until supper, which is nice.

Although I think I've missed a candle party, which I have to double check and for which I'll have to apologize if it was indeed today as I suspect, it has been a good day so far.

A load of towels is hanging on the line to dry, the first big meal of the day is done and nearly cleaned up, the sun is shining brightly, and the roses my husband brought me "just because" are opening up nicely and smelling like roses while I type at the kitchen table.

If the cough would be done it would be a perfect day.

As it is, we'll go with good, and get the last of the brunch things cleared away before heading to the sewing room to finish a Christmas project I've been working on.

Oh, alright.

Just one more cup of coffee...

Walk Right In, Sit Right Down

2011-11-03T14:32:00.000-06:00

Daddy let your mind roll on. Walk right in, sit right down, Daddy let your mind roll on. Everybody's talkin' bout a new way of walkin', Do you wanna lose your mind? Walk right in, sit right down, Daddy let your mind roll on...

I spent a good hour or so with the Diabetes Educator in Wetaskiwin yesterday and came away feeling greatly encouraged.

My exercise suspicions were confirmed, and I'll be getting back on the treadmill, but in shorter spurts.

I'm concluding that I will have to just accept my roundness and learn to love it. I'll be walking for my heart and to keep my joints moving, but I won't expect to really lose weight. If it happens, that will be a lovely bonus, but I'm not getting back into it with that expectation. Although my age and especially my disease is against me, I can be a healthy round person if not a skinnier one.

I feel like my tools have been sharpened and I'm ready for round 3.

There's discouragement in re-facing the reality of a progressive, chronic disease, but there is the same feeling of grace I've known in a spiritual sense, which gives me hope.

Ho-Ho-Ho

2011-10-31T18:42:00.001-06:00

Oh.

Wait.

That's the next one.

I guess a "Happy Halloween" is in order.

May your tricks be few and your blood sugar steady.

Crossing Over

2011-10-29T22:19:00.000-06:00

This afternoon our girl and her husband made it over the border, leaping the final hurtle on their journey to his homeland in Wisconsin.

She's following her heart, which is a good thing, and my grandbaby will be close to her other grandparents, which is a good thing, and it's just the United States, barely a foreign country,

But

There was a brief moment earlier this evening, when I had an image of her in the "Stardust" movie, walking through the gap in the wall, disappearing in the leafy, green darkness of the woods.

I know it won't be much different from when they were over the mountains; Skype and the Internet will be the same...

But tonight she feels kind of far away.

Up Two Notches

2011-10-24T16:43:00.001-06:00

I may have stated that my favourite fast food place is probably A & W- love the real egg breakfast, love that they have whole wheat buns that they will wrap around any sandwich on the menu board, and love the diet rootbeer for a refreshing change from the usual cola drinks.

Today, though, McDonalds, which is quite a bit further down the list, went up a few notches.

We were in the city and decided to swing past a drive-through for a snack. I had an apple in my purse, so I said if the oatmeal was available I'd try that, otherwise I'd just eat my apple.

It was available.

I tried it.

I was impressed.

I like that it didn't taste like instant oatmeal. I liked that the maple and brown sugar came in a separate packet. I like that it had real, chopped apple and a nice mixture of dried cranberries, sultana, and golden raisins. I like that the fruit made the maple and brown sugar unnecessary.

It was a tasty, satisfying snack. A cursory Internet search indicates that it might have 47g of carbohydrates, but it didn't indicate if that was with or without the packet of sweetening.

Good for McDonalds.

That was a cup of goodness that left me feeling warm and happy inside.

I recommend.

I Honestly Couldn't Believe That It's Been Only A Week Since We Were In Edmonton At The Play

2011-10-22T17:02:00.000-06:00

As we were driving to Wetaskiwin last night after supper for the first band/choir concert of this school year, Randall noted that last week were at "Death of a Salesman".

(Excellent play, by the way. Made me cry though.)

Only a week!

It honestly feels like eons ago.

I don't know that the time has flown because we've been having fun. I mean, there were definitely fun elements, don't get me wrong, but I'm thinking it has more to do with emerging from the blur that comes with children (and grandchild!) coming and going, the fog that was Pastor's & Spouses retreat weekend and the stress that goes with fall program start up at church.

This weekend feels a little less... everything... than it has for about a month. With the beds and bathrooms ready for whatever round two of company turns out to be, and with my head partially wrapped around pre-teen group for the next few weeks, it feels more relaxed again.

It's still a little too empty and echo-y loud in here, but it feels a little less taut. A little less stretched, if you know what I mean.

Now, as I wait for my second batch of candy to finish cooking, (..."let it boil slowly to the hard crack stage without stirring, about 30 minutes"... the LONGEST thirty minutes of the day!) and try to keep my fingers from stealing to the sort- of- failed first attempt, (I was going for butterscotch, but it turned out very like the Scottish Tablet we had in Iona...) I'll turn my thoughts toward supper for the guys.

Me, I have a dinner date with a fun bunch of ladies and I don't want to use up my carbohydrate points prematurely.

The sun is shining through again, after a bit of rain.

That's a nice way to end a post.

As It's 10:00 In The Morning

2011-10-19T10:09:00.001-06:00

And I'm still in my pajamas and haven't done anything with my hair,

I half expect the Jehovah's Witnesses to show up at the door.

Yes, that's correct.

The Jehovah's Witnesses have been coming around.

Here.

To The Field.

Where we live 500 feet from The Church.

I imagine it would be pretty major points toward a seat in heaven if they should successfully recruit a Protestant-type Minister who lives beside a church.

However it is that we are on the J.W. radar, it seems they have impeccable timing as far as catching me in an attractively compromised state.

The first time they came by I heard about it when someone who had been at the church noted that I'd had visitors. I looked blankly at her and she explained that the Jehovah's Witnesses had been knocking at the door. I must have been in the shower, so I didn't hear them and missed the visit.

The second time they came by I hadn't yet found my way to the shower, so I was attired as I am this morning, bed-head hair askew, and I looked, at something after 9:00, like a lay-about stay-at-home, I imagine.

Which is why I half expect them this morning.

Ah, well.

I give them points for persistence, if nothing else.

I feel a little sorry for them, driving all the way out here; Pointless, really.

It's like trying to send an affectionate lost puppy home- if you're polite and the least bit kind they're encouraged and keep coming back. Hope they figure it out soon.

I'm not good at kicking lost puppies away.

And Now That The Internet Is Back,

2011-10-17T11:03:00.000-06:00

I forget what I was going to say...

It was a quiet weekend.

The daughters have moved on; #2 is settling into life in England and #1 is making the rounds before heading south.

And so life in The Field returns to an echo-y form of normal.

I suppose the big project this week might be the Oxford girl's Christmas parcel. I need to get on that so I can send it surface mail and save some postage. I must remember that there are less than 10 weeks until that great and glorious holiday. How's that for perspective?!

I'm also behind on my pottery. I signed up for a class in Wetaskiwin three weeks ago, and what with one thing and another, (one thing being Pastor's and Spouses Retreat, and another being our Girl's last night here) I've only been to the first class. I have the wherewithal to catch up at home, as far as having clay, tools and canvas covered table go; I just need to clear off the table and do a little pottering before Thursday evening.

That said, I guess I should get busy and start racking up today's accomplishments.

Either that, or pour another cup of coffee, fetch my knitting and watch the rest of this TCM movie...

See? There's the genius of it- knitting redeems the coffee & movie, giving me something to actually add to the list of the day's accomplishments!

Ah; The beauty of the clicking needles.

The Air Is Cool

2011-10-08T16:02:00.000-06:00

And fresh and crisp.

The geese are heading south en masse.

A north-west wind blows through the trees

And yellow rain falls on the grass.

The sickly sweet decay of leaf,

A hint of wood smoke in the air;

Shadows falling long at noon

And summer dying everywhere.

Don't think of winter yet, close tight

Your heart's eyes; rather, while you may,

See fading sunshine and enjoy

The crisp delight of autumn days.

By The Way,

2011-10-02T23:05:00.000-06:00

I did finally get that rose hip juice made into jelly, and it was quite good. It has a fairly delicate flavour; slightly reminiscent of clover honey and choke cherry syrup and summer.

The very fresh, hot off the press jar that I opened for us to try hadn't set yet, so it really did have a liquid honey consistency.

I did two batches, and for a first attempt I thought it turned out pretty well.

I think it was worth the effort.

Kinda fun to have Rose Hip Jelly in the pantry, at any rate.

So Many Words, So Little Time

2011-10-02T22:53:00.000-06:00

I think I'm nearly packed for the Pastor's and Spouses Retreat this week. Just the morning things to go in.

More difficult than packing to go, is prepping the house to leave. Kids coming and going while we're gone means the fridge got cleaned out so they can see what's there, and towels and sheets have been washed so they'll be comfortable until we get back.

Some of the little niggling things I was conscious of forgetting have actually been remembered and done.

I really should have made a list. I'm much better with a list. I remember things with a list.

Unless I lose the list.

Besides the retreat this week, we're in transition again. Well... our children are in transition, which gives us a feeling of transition even though we're not physically transitioning... our emotions are in transition.

Hillary's plane landed safely at Gatwick Airport; I'm adopting a "no news is good news" mindset, since she'll be feeling her way for the first bit, and might not have immediate access to the Internet or a computer. Her year with the All Saints Sisters Of The Poor in Oxford, England has begun. (You can google that to find out where she is and get a hint of what she might be doing.)

One grown child in England, another grown one in Montreal, a third in Vancouver... if there was ever any doubt, the pigeons have flown the coop for sure.

I'd better go finish up here, so I'm in bed before midnight for a change. Not much fun for Randall if I'm snoring all the way to Banff tomorrow...

Let's see... take the chicken out of the freezer for Micah's supper tomorrow... do the online banking stuff... get the apples up from the root cellar... refill the glucose monitor strips... make sure my purse is packed... pick a book to bring along...

Bed will feel good tonight, if I ever get there...

And That Was My First Mistake...

2011-09-27T22:47:00.000-06:00

Starbucks coffee this afternoon between errands and groceries.

And that was my second mistake...

Simon and Garfunkle on the stereo after the most mellow Christmas album we have while I kicked Hillary's can at Canasta tonight.

And that would be my third mistake...

Worrying about the children who are in transit. The best thing I can do for them is pray while I get ready for bed. Four travellers in two vehicles...southbound and northbound... God keep them safe.

In Other News

2011-09-21T15:19:00.000-06:00

Bonny and Clyde, the famed Peafowl of our Peacock summer, are on the lam again.

We got a call from their persevering owner to let us know that they've beat a hasty retreat from his place up the road.

Silly, Pea-Brained critters.

I must confess that I've been compulsively looking outside every time I pass a window in hopes that they've wandered back here. They should be easier to catch, now that their wings have been clipped and they can't fly away; unfortunately, their non-flying status also means they're not safely up in the tree tops at night, making them vulnerable to coyotes and cougars. This is also not the time of year to be walking, if you're a pheasant looking bird; grain and gravel trucks are continually streaming past on the highway, and the fields are full of combines and hay bailers.

I hope they turn up soon.

Silly, silly birds.

Cooking Wild Rose Hips

2011-09-21T15:05:00.000-06:00

And filling the house with a strangely distracting perfume...

Not quite a lovely and delicious scent, but not quite a stink either.

At least it's not an abhorrent smell. That would totally have taken the joy out of the whole process.

Tonight will be straining the wild rose hip liquid through the jelly bag. Maybe tomorrow will be turning the wild rose hip juice into wild rose hip jelly.

Kind of exciting...

Picking Wild Rose Hips

2011-09-19T20:30:00.000-06:00

Is prickly, spidery, scratchy work.

Cranberries By Moonlight

2011-09-17T23:11:00.001-06:00

Only it was by flashlight, because the moon was still behind the thunderstorm clouds from earlier in the evening.

I went to take the garbage out after supper and decided to go check the cranberry bush by the graveyard. The sky was rapidly darkening, so I took a big flashlight along with my little pail.

It went pretty well... filled the pail with cranberry clusters and didn't trip over any branches or get tangled in any twigs.

The coyotes were howling in another bush further afield, and I didn't see any bats or anything, so it was all good.

I managed to pick, besides the cranberries and a few leaves, a dead caterpillar, a live bumblebee and a ladybug.

The caterpillar might actually have drowned in the cranberry washing water, but the bumblebee and ladybug were definitely alive.

I'll make another trip out yet, and it looks like there'll be enough berries to get a batch of cranberry jelly for Christmas.

Yay!

Now it's time for a piece of raspberry jam toast to ward off the overnight low blood sugar blues. So much for swearing off jam until Christmas...

Time also for a quick spider check... found one in my cleavage while washing berries, and I don't fancy taking any to bed with me.

Pleasant dreams.

Because Worlds Would Collide

2011-09-16T16:16:00.003-06:00

If now I lay me down to sleep
Who'd do the laundry, mend and sweep?
With food uncooked they'd go unfed
If I should lay me on the bed.

I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
Should I lay down and go to sleep;
It shouldn't bother me, me thinks,
To knock off and catch forty winks.

If I should die before I wake,
All hell'd break loose, make no mistake,
And those once calm and sensible
Would find me indispensable.

I pray the Lord my soul to take
To quietness, for goodness sake;
A little rest before I snap.
Perhaps I'll lay me down and nap...

Tea And Scones

2011-09-11T19:44:00.000-06:00

With old cheddar cheese and homemade strawberry jam

On a cold, cloudy Sunday evening

Make me feel cozy and warm and content.

That's all.

This Makes Me Happy

2011-09-06T19:48:00.000-06:00

From a huge box of apples I was given, I've cooked and canned 29 pints of unsweetened applesauce and 10 litres of apple pie filling.

There are still a few apples left, and the Scotchwoman and converted Mennonite in me are considering boiling them up for the juicing bag to make whatever litre or two of apple juice I could get out of them. Better than letting them go to waste.

So, several days worth of chopping, cooking, milling, spooning, wiping and canning has resulted in a couple of stocked pantry shelves and the filling of all my empty pint jars.

I think I'll take a walk around the yard tomorrow with a pail and have a go at rose hip jelly... Something I've always wanted to try. It's supposed to be chock-full of vitamin C, so it could be a good addition to the larder come cold and flu season this winter.

I'm calling it a day now, though. I think I've got Hillary convinced that a game of Canasta is in order.

That, and I just made a pot of tea.

Ahhh...Apple satisfaction...

In The Good Ol' Summertime

2011-09-05T14:56:00.000-06:00

Back in the day, Labour Day weekend was for picking potatoes and cleaning up the garden. It meant several hours of following Mom through the potato patch putting the spuds in bags as she dug them up. We might have had to do some digging as we got older, but if we did I've blocked it out.

Labour Day was just that- for labour.

I kind of like the better new summertime best.

For example... after hitting the sack around 8:30 last night and being asleep by 9:00 or so, I slept until about 9:00 this morning, and after falling back to sleep, I didn't really wake up until about 10:00. Well, it's nearly 3:00 pm, and I can't say that I feel fully awake even yet, but I was out of bed by 10:15.

Can you say "Lazy Bum"?

It was good. If I felt more awake now, I'd even say it was delicious.

As it is, I can 't feel badly about such a long lie-in, because I must have been extremely over tired to sleep so long. I only woke up twice in the night, and wasn't awake for more than 15 minutes at a time. I even fell back to sleep when the duck shooting started at 6:00 am. And 7:00. And 8:00.

Probably a good start to the Back to School week.

Have I mentioned that tomorrow is our last first day of school? High school, at least.

But that's another story, and I need to go get myself ready to hit the other city. We're going to round out Labour Day with a trip to Red Deer to fetch Micah from the bus depot.

Happy Labour Day to all y'all.

See you tomorrow for a sober version of the back to school happy dance of joy.

The Times, They Are A-Changing

2011-08-31T21:36:00.000-06:00

I felt positively "nesty" today.

I think it was the gray clouds and the autumnal chill in the air.

I found myself drinking copious amounts of tea, baking cookies and bread, and generally mucking about in the kitchen all day.

I'd've started the gas fire if the pilot light was lit... but Himself says not until next month. I'll wear him down. He used to be that way about Christmas music...

Yup. Autumn is definitely my favourite time of year. I still maintain that spring and autumn should each be four months long. Summer can have three, if mosquitoes are banned, and a snowy, freezy winter might be manageable for four weeks.

Too bad it's so lopsided the other way, with the lovely transitional seasons being just that- mere transition into the long buggy/cold seasons.

Ah, well.

They say a change is as good as a rest; autumn must be a restful season.

There will certainly be a lot of change in the next couple of months. Children moving to foreign countries, starting their last years of high school, changing jobs and generally growing up and out.

Bring on the autumn; apple sauce and rose hip jelly. Hot soup and fresh buns. Stew and biscuits. Pie and coffee. Cosy fires and mystery novels. Scrabble and tea.

Bring on the change.

To infinity and beyond.

No More Stinky Rhubarb

2011-08-22T17:55:00.000-06:00

Little Skunk, I don't care what you say;
I cut down all that rhubarb today.
Though three weeks have gone by,
The stink still stung my eye.
Any sympathy's long gone away.

I Always Have Something To Say When The Internet Is Down...

2011-08-22T13:38:00.000-06:00

'Course, now that it's back, all I'm thinking about is raspberry picking...

Maybe this will just serve as a Public Service Announcement:

If I don't write anything here for a seemingly endless age, if there are no tender reminiscences, no pithy anecdotes, no bitter rants, let's not assume I've been plunged into a wordless abyss of doom or gloom.

Let us rather adopt a prosaic stance; let us tap the side of our nose as we nod and wink knowingly at each other.

Without a doubt the Internet has been on the blink.

It will, of a certainty, be back off the blink, but until I have the technological power to regale you with the lauralea.ca magic...

Well... do as I do, and find your happy Zen place while you wait.

Or read a book.

What's Good For The Goose And All That

2011-08-16T16:47:00.000-06:00

The Peacock evades capture no longer.

This afternoon he went on to his pre-eternal reward, by which I mean, he was netted, bagged and has probably had his wings clipped by now, on his way to join his girlfriend at the country estate from whence his journey to our house began nearly 3 months ago.

It's been very fun to have them roaming about the place all summer. (peacock poo on the sidewalks aside)

I'll miss them, but I'll rest easier as autumn comes on knowing that they're safe, secure and together. Mister's mournful crying in the evening was breaking my heart.

I hope the reunion was a happy one; at least once his heart-rate returns to peacock normal and he can relax enough to appreciate the new place.

Fare the well, my fine feathered friends.

It's been a pleasant pheasant distraction.

McBlogging

2011-08-12T16:53:00.000-06:00

I think my most preferred fast food restaurant is A&W. You can get a real bacon & egg breakfast until 11:00 am, and they are, to the best of my knowledge, still the only place that offers a whole wheat bun. It's not multi-grain, but it's a good start. Oh- and diet rootbeer. SUCH a nice change from the usual (only) diet cola.

That said, McDonalds in the afternoon of a hot summer day runs a close second.

With the soft drinks and iced coffees (which can be made sans sugary syrups and are just fine with a packet of Splenda), air conditioning and free WiFi...

Well, that's a pretty sweet setup when you've got an hour to kill.

Or a few Scrabble games to catch up on.

Or a little post to write...

Bad Timing

2011-08-10T23:09:00.000-06:00

Yesterday morning I woke up with a plugged ear...

This morning that ear was clear but the other one was itchy and the glands in my neck/throat felt thick and a little sore...

Tonight the swollen glands really feel like swollen glands, and my nose has started to run...

Week one of holidays is over, and week two is beginning...

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't be getting sick...

...pretty please with Splenda on top...

So Ends Peacock Summer

2011-08-09T21:19:00.000-06:00

I'll miss her funny little face peeking in the windows and her bobble-headed trot across the grass as she runs for cover in the bushes. I'll miss throwing her bread from the back deck and whispering sweet nothings over the rail.

Bonny, the Peahen has been captured and removed to a safe place with no highway access.

Silly bird. I hope she settles in well and is happy.

Now for Clyde.

He, the Peacock, is still at large. With the Missus in custody, the chances of catching him too have probably increased.

Fingers crossed he's home sweet home and safely snuggled in before the season progresses much further.

The beginning of the end of an era...

Ode-Or "In The Stinky Rhubarb"

2011-08-05T21:06:00.001-06:00

Little skunk, although we did you wrong,
You were messing where you don't belong,
And we'd shoot you again,
Though you got your revenge;
How the memory of you lingers on...

Biting The Bullet

2011-08-03T18:01:00.001-06:00

It's been a year since I've been seen by a chiropractor, and that was back in Prince Albert. I'm intensely loyal... and I was getting tired of trying to find someone who could replace my Guy.

I was doing really well, spinally speaking, until the mud slide last week.

Since I could definitely feel a twist in my back and a kink in my neck, I thought I should suck it up and try again here. The Doctor of Chiropractic I tried today is someone I think I can live with. She's not Doctor Boden, but I think she'll do.

I feel much straighter this afternoon, and the kink in my neck seems to be gone. The bonus was that I also had a review of Friday's neck X-ray; I mentioned that I was nervous of major neck adjustments because of the grating, and I'd complained about the noise/pain to the Doctor and had that x-ray. She got me to sign a release form which they quickly faxed to the hospital and before I left the office a copy of the x-ray report was there. The chiropractor kindly translated it for me.

It is as I suspected: there is noticeable deterioration on the vertebrae in my neck yada-yada-yada. Not much I can do about it, except to keep mobile and moving. Frankly, I'd have been surprised if it hadn't shown some deterioration.

So... there's potential for a new chiropractic relationship, and I have the inside scoop on the x-ray, in case the doctor ever phones me with the results...

I know. I should phone him.

Tomorrow.

Today, I'll go check the potatoes and corn I have baking on the barbeque, and contemplate taking advantage of the massage therapy they have going at the chiropractic clinic...

Maybe I'll even have an epsom salts bath as was suggested. Apparently the magnesium in the epsom salts soaks into your muscles making them softer...

... after a year I am pretty tightly wound...

This Is Why I Don't Roller Skate

2011-07-27T14:59:00.001-06:00

Or "do" the trampoline.

It's the klutz and recovery problem.

For example: yesterday, I drove to town in the rain for a doctor's appointment, and parked, in the rain, across the street from the clinic.

I walked, in the rain, across the street, and stepped over the gutter water onto the curb.

As I stepped from the curb to the sidewalk, my right foot, missing the actual cement block of the sidewalk and stepping instead on the grass that had been sitting all day in the rain, slipped on the gooey muck that the grass had become, in the rain.

Since my right foot had taken the leap, it being a good stretch for my little legs, my left foot was in motion before my brain registered the sliding of the right foot, and before you can say "Tut, tut! Looks like rain!" I found myself in a strange, twisted, half supplicating position on the sidewalk. In the rain.

It may or may not have been a good thing that I chose to wear shorts and sandals, in spite of the rain.

On one hand, I didn't get my jeans dirty or end up with shoes covered in mud.

On the other hand, I entered the clinic with a grazed knee and a decidedly squidgy-sounding walk after stepping back to the street and rinsing my sludge-covered toes off in the ditch water that had gathered in the gutter, and which I had been trying to avoid in the first place.

That would be the Klutz problem.

The stiff knees, painful, jammed toe, pulled muscles and aching back would be the recovery problem.

I expect it will last a few more days. It usually does.

Yeah.

So, if you invite me ice skating or roller blading or paint-balling and I graciously decline, don't take it personally.

It's like I tell my kids:

I bruise easily and heal slowly.

The Numbers Game

2011-07-27T14:38:00.001-06:00

In an attempt to lose weight, get my A1C blood glucose numbers down (..."7" is the magic number: below 7 is alright. Above 7 and we are concerned. In March I got 6.9. Still fine, in spite of assurances from me that I've been constantly testing high...), and feel better generally, I've been walking a minimum of 3 miles a day.

Every day.

Since Mother's Day.

(Except for two Sundays that I had to be at worship practice before 9:00, and a day off that was starting early and would include mall walking.)

I say, "In an attempt..."

Yesterday I got the results from last week's blood tests.

Although my iron is back up a bit- Ferritin was "38" at Christmas (a far cry from the "5" a year and a half ago) but had slipped to 31 in March, my A1C also went up to 7.2.

In spite of the walking.

And sweating.

To top it off I've maybe lost almost 3 pounds, depending on the time of day and the condition of my bowels.

Besides which I've been fighting a losing battle with Tired and Cranky.

Frustrating.

I got another poke yesterday to see what my thyroid and electrolytes are doing. I'll phone the Doctor's office later this afternoon to see if there are any results yet. It's summer time and I don't trust them to automatically let me know.

"Don't stop walking, though!" he said.

Grrr....

Getting Funky

2011-07-22T13:22:00.002-06:00

It's a cold, gray, rainy day today.

I'd say it's a blue day, if it weren't so gray...

Completely unmotivated.

Not even enough ambition to go along to town with Himself.

Pathetic.

It's been a much quieter week as far as meetings and deadlines go. We got Micah out to camp, where he'll be until the middle of August. I think he'll have a week and a half to take his driving exam and get himself ready for the start of school.

Maybe I should go put on one of the birthday movies that came from the Disney Movie Club yesterday. I still had a chunk of designated gift money, so when the DMC had a "buy one at regular club price and get half off all additional movies, plus free shipping" I ordered a few that I've had my eye on and/or been seeking for a long time. Last night we watched "O Brother Where Art Thou" (LOVED it again). "The Incredibles" and "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" are in line for a viewing with The Mister. I bought the two original Shaggy movies as well- "The Shaggy Dog" and "The Shaggy D.A."... maybe one of those while I make some cookies to take out to camp next weekend.

I wonder if I need to mix up a loaf of multi-grain bread yet? The last third of the existing loaf will do for a couple of days, but tomorrow might be hot again, and who's to say I'll want to bake bread on Sunday or Randall's day off on Monday?

Which reminds me...

...text him and add whole wheat flour to the Safeway list...

Oh the joy of a rainy day in the field.

To Jam Or Not To Jam...

2011-07-14T20:06:00.002-06:00

That is the question...

I thought it would be nice to make some cherry jam while the Bing cherries are on sale, but I haven't had much luck finding Bing cherry jam recipes.

Sweet cherries don't show up on the Certo Lite packet liner either, and I'm not sure I'm motivated enough to find out what the fruit to sugar to Certo ratio would be.

Those cherries are awfully good for snacking on...

Maybe I'll do as Randall suggests and see what kind of cherry jam I can find at the store.

Or chop up the cherries anyway, freeze them in 1 cup containers and find a recipe later.

To jam or not to jam...

Safe And Sound

2011-07-11T00:35:00.001-06:00

The Boy's home.

Everyone is accounted for, and they look none the worse for wear, if pretty tired out.

First load of laundry is already half done, and he's begun unloading his Haitian treasures. (Vanilla extract by the litre and ground cinnamon prepared locally by Madame Ciliane Jean Baptiste Coissy for his Mama. Does he know me or what?)

Himself has been showered off and I think we're all pretty much ready for bed. Hopefully tomorrow will be a quiet, relaxed kind of day.

I might have to put his coffee beans somewhere a little more airtight... pretty strongly scented...

Time to go change loads in the washer and then hie us to dreamland.

Keep an eye on his weblog. I think he'll have stories to tell.

Five And A Half Hours

2011-07-10T16:13:00.004-06:00

But who's counting?

Micah and the Haiti team should be landing around 9:15 this evening. It will be good to have him home.

It's been a little quiet.

At least I had the peacocks to keep me occupied.

I've begun to feed them a couple times a day- just to socialize them a bit more, and get them used to coming around.

They'd begun to get a little wild, I think, and had taken to wandering quite a bit. I certainly don't mind if they end up staying here for always, but I didn't like that they were using the highway as their personal public transit system. I'd rather see them transported to a safer place than have them end up schmooshed all over the road. Too many cars and big trucks going by; not safe at all.

So, I switched up my thinking, and have gone from letting them fend for themselves (and wandering, hither and yon) to standing on the deck out back around 9:00 in the morning and 5:00 in the afternoon, talking to them and dropping pieces of bread.

Hmm... that begins to suggest a Crazy Peacock Lady...

Much Ado About Nothing

2011-07-09T21:26:00.001-06:00

Still a great movie.

It's on our "movies to purchase because we can watch it over and over and still enjoy it" list.

Also enjoying the "Netflix". It's making the satellite downsize easier.

Anyway.

My head is a little full of the movie yet; very fun. A favourite to be sure.

I laughed, I cried; It moved me, Bob.

Walking Is My Life

2011-07-08T20:01:00.001-06:00

Not in a "walking is my life because I LOVE walking" kind of way,

But walking is my life in that I've been feeling like walking and the treadmill overshadow my day.

I've kept at it (*cue the cheers, gold stars and pats on the back*) but I can't say that I'm enjoying it any more than I did when I started in May. Until a few days ago I was maintaining my goal of walking three miles a day by splitting it up- two miles in the morning, then one (which often turned into 1.25 or 1.5) in the evening.

The split walking was working, in that two miles at the 3 mi/hr I've worked up to only takes 40 minutes, and wasn't too daunting a prospect.

This week I thought I'd try to do it all first thing in the morning to get it over with.

NOT loving the change.

Besides that it takes an hour to get 'er done, I've felt like I'm starting the whole day on a half tired footing.

I'm just grousing, I guess, and I'm sure that in a week or so three miles in an hour will feel like nothing.

Until then, I guess I'll continue to dread the walk. Especially when I have a morning appointment, necessitating a very early rising to get the treadmill done before the rest of the day starts.

At least I can walk.

Could be worse.

Tomorrow's The Big Day

2011-06-30T21:18:00.000-06:00

I'm rushing a bit, to get this post up, because it's nearly 9:15 pm, and I need to get to bed because I need to be up again by 3:45 am... so I'm ready to leave the house by 4:30 so we can get to the airport by 5:30, so The Boy can be checked in, through security and ready for his 7:00 flight to Toronto.

After Toronto, He and the Youth Group Mission team will be heading south to Haiti for 10 days.

His first flight ever.

He may be a little nervous, but he's an excellent packer. (He gets that from his parents)

An awesome opportunity, and some eye opening experiences, I'm sure. He's quite sure he'll come back a changed person. I think they all will.

This will be a Canada Day that he'll never forget!

Bon Voyage, My Son!

I Think I Missed The Barbecue

2011-06-24T21:32:00.002-06:00

Tonight I made a pork loin roast. (which was REALLY good with the new Kraft Mango Chipotle salad dressing)

Pretty much every meal but one or two have been made on the grill since we got it nearly 2 weeks ago. I love barbecuing!

It's nice that it's a gas barbecue, so I'll never run out of propane again when company's coming. Also nice that it's just outside the sun room door, and is fairly sheltered, so it doesn't get terribly wet when it's raining, and with very little shovelling will be accessible all winter!

Yay!

Last Night Certain Things Came To Light

2011-06-21T21:39:00.003-06:00

Well, ONE thing came to light.

Much to my embarrassment, I discovered that I did not, actually, know where Haiti is.

In light of the fact that my kid is going there in about 10 days on a Youth mission trip, that is a sad state of affairs.

It came about when Randall mentioned (at a little after midnight) that it was 1:something in Haiti. I said "in the afternoon". And he said, "No, in the morning." I said, "How the heck can that be?!", as it's over on the other side of the world, me having placed it somewhere in the South Pacific. We ~~argued about~~ discussed it further, until he googled up a map and definitively proved his point.

So, the joke was on me, and he was threatened, on pain of death, should he blog it or Twitter it or Facebook it.

Tonight, now, Micah made me feel better about my geography-challenged-ness, and this has given me the courage to face my inadequacies.

..."Somewhere in England, I think the Netherlands, they have 4 meals a day"...

'Course, he's sick, so we have to cut him some slack... but he comes by it honestly.

Well... It's Not Polio,

2011-06-16T20:30:00.000-06:00

So there's a chance that if it doesn't kill me it will make me stronger...

The treadmill, I mean.

I think I've pretty much settled into a routine; I walk two miles in the morning after breakfast, and then one more mile in the evening before bed.

If I have the mileage as a goal, it allows me to walk as slow... or as fast... as I want to, and am able.

Three miles seems like a respectable distance to aim for, and splitting it up means the morning walk doesn't take ALL morning, and the evening walk isn't an overwhelming prospect.

I can pretty much do two miles at 3 miles/hour before my hernia starts to give me too much grief; and if it's getting bad I can lower the speed and just take longer to do it. Likewise, if I'm just tired of walking and want to get it over with, I can kick up the speed and be done sooner.

It's been a little hard this week, though. I think general fatigue and shorter nights have been having an affect. At least I am stubborn enough to do the distance every day, even if it's done in two parts.

One of these days it will start to make a noticeable difference.

One of these days...

First Barbeque Of The Season

2011-06-14T19:28:00.003-06:00

First barbeque since we moved 2 and 2/3 years ago.

YAY!

I've missed the whole barbequed meal thing.

We left our barbeque in Prince Albert. More accurately, in the Prince Albert landfill I think, intending to replace it after we moved.

We arrived to a church parsonage/ manse/ house, with the lines plumbed in for a gas barbeque. Quite honestly, it's taken us over two and a half years to go from talking about it to actually doing something about it.

But, yesterday when we stopped at SuperStore for tonic water and soy sauce, we also walked out with a gas barbeque. It had to be removed from the packing to be strategically inserted into various crevices in the Focus we chose to drive, but we got it home and Micah and Randall invested a couple of hours assembling it and hooking it up to the gas.

And so, the steak that I'd intended to make into a stew of some sort was seasoned and marinated for grilling. (Can you hear Randall's heavy sigh of relief? He doesn't much like stew...) The corn on the cob I bought for supper last night and which was replaced by kernel corn and carrots became wrapped-in-foil barbeque corn. Instead of baked potatoes we had to have instant mashed, but the guys assure me that instant mashed potatoes have gotten a bad rap over the years and are quite edible. I even found a red pepper and an orange pepper in the fridge which, when grilled with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of garlic powder, basil and oregano, was quite delightful!

Supper was yummy.

"What are we having tomorrow?" I was asked.

The possibilities are endless!

Time to go treadmilling... and then I think I'll take a glance at the barbeque cookbook... maybe even while I'm walking...

No News Is Good News?

2011-06-14T15:41:00.001-06:00

No stories to tell?

Nothing doing in The Field?

To be honest, I'm not exactly sure where the last two weeks have gone... I seem to have a sort of vague recollection that they have been fairly busy... not overwhelmingly busy, but something-every-other-day kind of busy.

Bonny and Clyde, the jailbird peacocks, are still hanging around and evading capture. Yesterday the bread was gone from the latest attempt at a trap in the back yard, but we have to see them going into it in order to pull the string and release the door. Not 100% sure it was the peacocks who snatched the trapping snack, but if it was them, they were sufficiently disturbed by the close quarters of the steel cage to give it a studiously wide berth this morning when I was watching them. They started walking in its direction, and then fairly ran past. The bread Randall added last night remains undisturbed.

My crotchety-old-Grandfather genes have been very evident this past month. I continue with the new treadmill regime, in spite of absolutely no change in the numbers on the digital scale. I sincerely apologize to everyone who has ever heard me say, "It's alright! You're doing great! You're getting muscle, and muscle weighs more than fat." Had you punched me in the nose you would have been completely justified.

We're getting closer to the end of grade 11 and the youth group trip to Haiti. Micah had his vaccinations on Friday which makes the impending trip that much more real.

It's going to be a different kind of summer again; Micah's in Haiti for the first 10 days of July, then after a week in which to get over the jet lag and do the laundry, he'll be at camp again for the summer. Senior counselor this year. We need to think about holidays, but we're having a hard time getting motivated to make plans.

Ah, yes.

Now that I've broken the silence, maybe I'll get around to writing more regularly.

Don't hold your breath though.

:)

And Just Like That

2011-06-01T19:01:00.001-06:00

*snap* Preteen is done for this year.

I think we had a good run; for a few months there we had 18 kids coming every week, and only, I think, 6 of them from our church. It's been very good. They are a really nice group, and but for the three who get to be promoted to Junior Youth, we'll have the same bunch next year.

I think we ended well today. Snack was a little special- cupcakes provided by one of the newer Moms, Jello with whipped cream and happy sprinkles from me, and the leftover chicken wings from MOPS last week. The Bible study was on forgiveness, a good lesson to take into the summer, and then a very fun relay race that was rewarded by very generous candy bags from Stacey, my co-worker and activities coordinator.

It's been one of those things that I sometimes find myself grumbling about, mostly to myself, before I get there. But it is, honestly, one of the most rewarding things I've done this year. I do like to teach, and I know that I do it well, and it really has felt like these grade 4-6 kids can sense that I like them and they have responded, respectfully, in kind.

A good Pre-Teen Group year.

It's also good to be done for a few months now. I like the feeling of slowly easing into summer rest; like sliding into a hot bubble bath after a three mile walk on the treadmill...

It's a good feeling.

Bonnie And Clyde Are Still At Large

2011-06-01T12:19:00.002-06:00

And roaming with proprietorial freedom around the church yard.

We haven't really named them- they're not ours to name, but I've taken to thinking of The Peafowl as "Bonnie and Clyde". They're still on the run, and have managed to elude capture since Friday now.

They like to sit under the fir trees in front of our house, under the deck beside the bedroom and family room windows at the back of the house, in the bush behind the fir trees and on the shady side of the church, whichever that might be at any given time of the day.

The Peahen is a bit vain, I think, and seems to like her reflection in all the basement windows. I freaked her out last night when I came out of the church; she had wandered over to her favourite looking glass while I was inside, and it gave her quite a start when the door flew open and I came out.

The Peacock has such beautifully coloured feathers. It's quite a delight to catch glimpses of him all around the place.

It's been fun having them here, but I fear their hours are numbered. The Peaman is going to gather a bunch of nets and will see if the youth can help him corner and catch them tonight finally.

Yes. A fun diversion they've been this week.

I think I'll miss them when they're gone.

May I Be Done For Today?

2011-05-28T17:15:00.000-06:00

The last load of this week's laundry is in the washing machine waiting for the second last load to finish drying in the dryer.

All the guest beds have been remade, sheets having been washed, pillow cases washed and ironed.

Three loads of towels have passed through the waters and are neatly reposited in the linen cupboard.

About a dozen church kitchen cloths and towels have been washed & ironed and await transport to their church kitchen drawer homes.

The counters in my kitchen have been tidied, the modern sculpture of tin pots that has filled the sink since yesterday has been dismantled and put away properly.

A fairly decent full English breakfast was cooked and cleaned up.

Yeah... I think I can call it a day...especially as I consider that there is some sort of evening meal type nourishment to concoct and two final loads of laundry to finish and put away...

Now. If only I could get my laptop squared with Blogger so I wouldn't have to type posts with one finger on my Ipod...

And The Answer To This Weekend's Burning Question...

2011-05-24T23:00:00.000-06:00

How Many Grannies Does It Take To Change A ~~Lightbulb~~ Baby?

Well... suffice it to say that three Grans were enough to keep her well cuddled, and besides the diapers, which were dispatched efficiently and in a timely fashion by the child's parents, we wouldn't change a thing about Our Baby, so it's a moot question.

The May Long weekend is over.

Company arrived in dribs and drabs starting with my Mom on Thursday afternoon and followed by Thomas Friday night. Hillary came Saturday morning with Randall's Mom and Sister while we were at the airport getting Nate, Johanna and baby Norah.

A full house, we had, but it was a good kind of full.

Everyone but the guests of honour left on Monday, and we just now got back from the airport where we saw them safely through the security gates.

I suppose it's needless to say that but for the Vancouver hockey game the house is a bit quiet?

No time to dwell on the emptiness, though. The rest of the week is very full, including knitting lessons, Preteen Group, guest laundry, MOPS and getting The Boy off to Y.C. on Friday...

Did I mention that The Boy passed his Driver's Ed classroom exam tonight?

I was remiss.

Just the in-car sessions and the actual driving exam to contend with. Well done, Son.

Time is certainly not standing still.

Speaking of time... I think it is time to start considering bed and sleep.

Yes.

It was SO very good to see our little Norah again. It was also good to be able to show my Mom where I'm living now. I'll keep working on the other Parental Unit... (you know who you are!) One of these days, the promise of a bottomless cup of coffee and unlimited access to my extensive British Mystery library will lure him into The Field.

For now it would be prudent to call it a day.

And so I will.

Nothing Like Old Cheddar And Honey To Sweeten The Mood

2011-05-18T13:48:00.000-06:00

With raisin bran muffins, the hazelnut-vanilla coffee blend, and an Agatha Christie mystery...

Lunch was good; and for maybe half an hour I was in a cool, dimly lit basement kitchen in London, feeling calmed by the certain knowledge that outside I would be met with gloomy, leaden skies and a million streetlights twinkling like diamonds against the dusky backdrop of a sweet spring evening.

And no mosquitoes.

Then the phone rang, the muffin was eaten, the coffee was good to the last drop and a dusty, sunny May afternoon burst back into reality, complete with a shimmering haze of fragile looking, blood sucking wing-ed insects of the Culicidae family.

Back to work. Before I get all itchy just thinking about the 2 minute walk to the church for Preteens this afternoon...

To Infinity And Beyond

2011-05-16T11:55:00.000-06:00

One week down, how many to go? A million-billion-trillion-gazillion, I suppose.

So, I am ... pleased?... to report that Mother's Day ended with a one and a half mile walk on the treadmill, and has been followed by a morning and evening walk every day since.

I should feel better about it, I think. I should be beginning to feel energized and revolutionized... but I have been tending more toward fatigued and squishy.

I don't like to sweat.

At least I don't hate it.

The treadmill, I mean.

I detest the stationary bicycle. I liked the rowing machine... but that was a short lived yard sale experiment.

I don't hate walking and going nowhere. It would be quite enjoyable if it were on the deck outside, but I expect the mosquitoes would soon become pestilential, and the weather for 75% of the year would be an issue.

But, as it is, it's not terrible.

Good thing. I have a long way to walk yet, I fear.

I just wish the endorphins would soon kick in.

Crossing Delancey

2011-05-15T15:41:00.000-06:00

...A good way to lose part of a Sunday afternoon...

Birthday Breakfast Waffles With Custard Sauce And Sausages For The Boy

2011-05-10T20:51:00.000-06:00

Followed by sausages and pancakes for The Husband and myself,

Then 1.5 miles on the treadmill, #53 (Medium Golden Brown) for the hair and a shower. While I made the Birthday Supper of Enchilada Casserole with Gumdrop Cookies and Tapioca Pudding for dessert, I stripped four beds, got five loads of laundry through the machines, ironed ten pillow cases and a dress shirt, remade two beds, put five loads of laundry away, did dishes twice, remembered to eat a sandwich for lunch, got the Preteen lesson verses ready for printing and photocopying, and took out the trash.

No wonder I'm tired.

But, the laundry is done, I'm half ready for the Preteen lesson tomorrow, the birthday meals were a success and I think it was a good day for my Micah. Seventeen...

Wow.

I must be getting old.

Maybe I can walk it off...

Oh, Pooh.

2011-05-09T20:55:00.001-06:00

I think it's just about that time of the day again.

If you can call a thing a "routine" after two days, then it's about time to head down to the treadmill for my nightly walk...

Don't wanna.

Better do it anyway...

Let's see... 1.5 miles in 45 minutes last night... 1 mile in 20 minutes this morning... another 1.5 tonight?

We'll see how it goes.

And With A Click Of The Mouse Button

2011-05-08T16:03:00.001-06:00

I've done the on-line Census questionnaire, completed my civic duty,

And accomplished something two days in a row!

Ahhh...

Bring on the hot, warming beverage and computer games :)

You Know It's A Good Day When

2011-05-07T09:25:00.000-06:00

Ah... The sweet smell ... and taste... of success.

There's a Ladies' Brunch planned at the church this morning (11:00, Ladies! Come on over if you're free, or relatively unexpensive, this morning!) and I'm bringing muffins.

I was waffling between something apple-streuselly, and something lemon-poppyseedish. The lemon-poppyseed was winning out, so I went in search of a recipe.

It only took three cookbooks for my Eureka! moment, and this morning I made some very yummy lemon-poppyseed muffins.

Deeelish.

After the breakfast taste test, I'm left with a feeling of accomplishment that more than makes up for the continuing sinus headache that is threatening to go from "on the verge" to "think you can ignore me? think again!!!"

Ah, yes. A good morning so far, with a nice hour and a bit in which to do a sinus rinse, have a steamy shower and get beautiful before facing the greater reality.

... and for the Acetaminophen to kick in...

It's Been Almost A Week...

2011-05-06T18:22:00.001-06:00

I've nearly posted a few times since Saturday, but somehow the motivation got lost before the "publish post" button could be clicked.

I've been fighting with the sinuses, and that has taken a bit of wind out of my sails. Tuesday's post would have been called "Crossing The Threshold", and would have described the excruciating, over the top of my very high pain threshold, aching face. One side was incredibly sore, and seemed to have pressure across my cheek and around the eye on the tear duct side; eye drops, pain killers and frequent sinus rinses have helped tremendously. It's quite a bit better- at least I've not felt like ripping the eyeball from it's socket for a few days now.

Thursday's post would have been "The Dust Is Settling Once Again", and I would have told you about taking Hillary to the bus depot in Edmonton, and sending her off for a summer in Saskatoon. I would have expressed the mixed joy and sadness of a parenting job well enough done to see offspring flying the coop.

And today.

Today has been about phone conversations and procrastination and improvisation...

Today continues to be a relaxed sort of day, and looks to end as a relaxed sort of evening.

A good note on which to end the week.

On The Road Again

2011-04-30T20:17:00.000-06:00

Not me.

Our Hillary is busily packing for a summer in Saskatoon. Wednesday we'll take her to the city to catch a bus.

On the one hand it seems longer than two weeks since she graduated and we collected her from college. On the other, it feels like no time at all.

Ah, well.

This is what happens if we do our job well, right? They leave home and get down to the business of living their own lives.

The house will be quieter again.

Good thing I have a couple of coffee dates lined up for the end of the week... transition java.

I always miss her when she leaves after she's been here for awhile. She likes to play games :)

But I know she'll do very well.

I'm more proud of her than I can say.

Ready Again.

2011-04-27T21:19:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow is MOPS.

The morning is being built around Coffee... Coffee House, specialty coffee, espresso machines steaming, Coffee House Musician, coffee themed crafty thing...

And so I thought... "What shall we snack on?"

I decided that my contribution would be Danish Apple Bars- a fruit-filled pastry type square. Original apple, plus cherry-cranberry and blueberry.

Quite yummy, if my preliminary taste-testing is to be believed.

I can't believe how pooped I am, although, to be fair to myself, it took about 4 hours to make the apple bars yesterday (3 pound of apples to thinly slice...) and another 5 1/2 hours today to make the other 4 batches.

Anyway...

It's as ready as it's going to be... and it's only 9:15 Wednesday night... and I might even make it to bed before midnight!

The Writing On The Wall

2011-04-27T21:00:00.000-06:00

Two years ago, while Randall and I were at the Annual Meetings in Surry, BC, Hillary decorated the house for my birthday (which occured while we were there). I came home to a kitchen full of balloons and a big banner stretched across the sun room door that read "Happy Birthday!" with a big "46" in the middle.

The sign fell down around Christmas time, but Randall stuck it back up.

Last year I said someone should change the "6" to a "7", but although that didn't happen, the sign remained.

This year I suggested (repeatedly, according to Hillary) that turning the "6" into an "8" would be a fairly simple matter, and so I wasn't surprised to see that alterations were made sometime Saturday night.

What was a bit of a surprise, was that "46" had been covered over by a yellow polka dotted, purple "50".

We're set for a couple of years now.

I'm also wondering how prophetic said signage is, as every day since Sunday has seen me waking up stiff, sore, tired and feeling particularly ancient...

I suppose it's just a matter of time anyway, really.

After all,

The writing IS on the wall...

Good Morning, Wednesday. What Have You For Me Today?

2011-04-20T09:39:00.001-06:00

I'm thinking about getting a haircut, in honour of the big Four-Eight on Sunday, but as the weekend is filling up with company again, I'm thinking that if I can get in for a haircut, I should bundle that with a stop for groceries, and an egg run, and maybe even the knitting lesson.

Problem is the hair place doesn't seem to open before 9:30, and there's just today and tomorrow to get the cut done. With so much riding on this trip to town, it seemed prudent to phone ahead for an appointment, but waiting for the shop to open is setting the whole day back.

Sure, you say, I could be tidying the sewing room, clearing off that spare bed and making it up instead of sitting here with my tea.

I am, in fact, working on a mental shopping list while I'm here at the kitchen table...

... Hair appointment is set for 3:30 this afternoon...the day is shaping up. In my head at least. Time to go put thought to action.

Easier said than done :)

10:15

2011-04-19T22:22:00.001-06:00

It was a good day, all in all.

Had to get one of the kids to a passport related appointment in Edmonton right after lunch, and since we were there, we parked on Whyte Avenue to hang out at the bookstores for a while.

Salad and spaghetti at the Olive Garden followed by a little dreaming at Best Buy...

And we're home.

The hockey game is over, the news, for a change, has been watched, and the bed beckons.

Now.

What to do with the offspring who seem to think that it is time to eat their leftover supper and/or clean/sort/rearrange their rooms while doing laundry and listening to television or radio or something...

If the banging/shuffling/thumping keeps me awake tonight I will be less worried about grinding coffee first thing in the morning.

I'm just saying.

Ah, well.

Let's give it a try, shall we.

There's Something A Little "Secret Garden"-ish

2011-04-18T09:23:00.000-06:00

About being the only one awake and up and about in a big, sprawling bungalow out in the country in the middle of The Field.

Something furtive and stealthy about toasting the bagel and setting up the coffee press with pre-ground coffee from a yellow bag or choosing the beans and sneaking into the remotest corner of the house with the doors closed to grind them.

Something deliciously serene about having the house to myself... no idle conversation that must be made, no noise but the ticking of the cuckoo-clock in the next room and the bathroom fan down the hall.

The sun room windows are begging to be opened, and I know there will be a cool, crisp "spring in the meadow" breeze and bird songs to waft over the green striped chair in the corner.

Good morning, Field Dwellers.

Welcome home, Self.

In Spite Of The Two Inch Mattress,

2011-04-17T21:54:00.001-06:00

The one shared blanket and the iron ribbed, bony embrace of the old dormitory bed

I didn't sleep very well when we were away.

I won't even mention the door stopper I tripped over several times or the black eye I got from the mounted wall shelf I walked into in the middle of the night...

Four different beds last week.

In the past month we've passed through or visited twenty-two cities, driven more than three thousand kilometers around three Canadian provinces and one American state, and flown the same distance twice.

I'm glad we're home and don't anticipate any travel again for a while.

At least I didn't miss the arrival of spring while I was gone. (she said sardonically)

With Honours

2011-04-17T20:52:00.000-06:00

And we're home for awhile now.

Hillary distinguished herself, with Honours, this weekend.

I suppose that's not strictly true... she's been distinguishing herself for the past four years, and she graduated with honours for working hard and being consistently on the Dean's List.

We're supremely proud of her.

She's not sure what the summer or, for that matter, the future will hold now, but she's better equipped to face whatever it is.

Tonight, though, she's busy unpacking four years of college life, and rearranging her room.

Maybe she'll even take off her mortarboard before bed...

"Are You Coming Or Going?"

2011-04-14T21:28:00.000-06:00

Is what my Mom asked when she phoned this morning.

"Spinning in circles", is what I answered.

Home from Conference Tuesday evening, off to Hillary's Graduation celebrations early tomorrow morning.

It's not a terribly long drive- only about 6 hours or so from our house, but there's weather to contend with and I imagine the earlier we can get away, the better.

To that end, I should probably go round up the blankets, sheets and towels we need to bring along... (unequipped dorm rooms have been secured for our comfort) and then get my twitchy eyes to bed. Our original 9:00 am estimated time of departure was quickly modified to 8:00, and since supper we've been talking as early as six.

We'll see how it goes.

Now.

Back to the bedding. And to try to figure out why that last Scrabble update on my Ipod seems to have wiped out all trace of my current games there.

***
In and out
On and on, and you're
Turning me upside down
Turning me inside out
And I feel
My head is spinning round

Round, round we go...

Which Road Is Paved With Good Intentions...?

2011-04-08T07:47:00.001-06:00

After yesterday's 3:10 am rising and long day of travels, I went to bed purposing in my heart to wake up when my internal alarm went off, so as to catch the hotel's complimentary breakfast and ride along with Randall to the Women's Ministry segment of Conference this morning.

I guess my internal clock is still set on Mountain Time, because when Randall's Iphone alarm shattered the silence and I asked what time it was, he said 8:15.

I think.

It's all pretty much a haze.

So, I'm missing at least the first half of the Ladies' Meeting, and breakfast has been a well thought of Plan B (McDonald's muffin, picked up after the meeting last night "in case...")

I very nearly went back to bed & sleep when Randall left for his Ministerial meeting, but sense kicked in and I decided that a more normal meal schedule than yesterday would be a good thing, so hotel coffee was made and fruit & fibre muffin was eaten while Facebook Scrabble games were played (while the Ipod was plugged in so I'll have a fully charged battery with which to bore countless numbers with endless pictures of my new Granddaughter)

It looks perfectly lovely outside- all gray and gloomy; a little chilly, perhaps, so I think a nice hot shower is in order, and then a good brisk walk across the park and down Nelson Street to the church to keep the lunch date I made.

If I'm quick about it I could get there in time for the last half of the meeting... but as long as I get there by 12:00, it will be fine.

Ready Maybe?

2011-04-06T20:56:00.001-06:00

I think everything has been crossed off my list. I'm pretty much past caring if I forget something at this point.

There's food for the boy, and a few reminder notes tacked to doors, and the suitcase is packed.

Now for a little shut-eye before the alarm goes off in six and a half hours.

'Twill come too soon, I fear.

I hope it's long enough to rest the headache that is creeping round the sides of my head.

If that elusive boredom catches up with me in Ontario I may be motivated to write while I'm away. If my mystery novel and knitting keep me occupied, well, I'll let you know how it was when I get back.

'Night now. Pleasant Dreams.

Happy trails.

I Wish I Were Bored

2011-04-04T21:57:00.001-06:00

I look forward to waking up some morning with the realization that I have no lists to work my way through, no pressing deadlines, no imminent undertakings to organize, no trips to pack for, no company to prepare for... just a whole lot of nothing looming on the horizon.

I'm forgetting what that looks like.

April is particularly busy- I've known it would be, but now that it has begun, I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed.

Every weekend in April is booked.

At least, every weekend except possibly the last, but that one morphs into May, so maybe it doesn't count.

It's all good busyness, but even good busyness takes a toll.

I'll just have to jump each hurdle as it comes and try to breathe between jumps.

To give you an idea...

...I have two days to get ready to fly to London, Ontario for the Annual Conference with Randall, which flight leaves at 6:30 this Thursday morning, meaning we have to leave from home at 4:30, which means I'll have to be up around 3:30 to be ready to go... we get home again next Tuesday, and then I'll have maybe two days to get ready to drive to Sexsmith, Alberta, just north of Grande Prairie, for Hillary's PRBI graduation and Bachelor's party... we'll be home again on Monday giving me about three days to get ready for a possible houseful of Easter/Birthday (mine) company... and the last week of the month includes MOPS, I believe, unless I've got the dates wrong again...

I'm looking forward to a stretch of boredom.

To a whole week or two of nothing but coffee dates and lunch appointments because I've got nothing urgent that I should be doing...

An uninterrupted stint of movie watching and knitting...

A long period of languid leisure...

...Hold fast the dream.

I Can See! I Can See! It's A Miracle!

2011-03-26T22:15:00.000-06:00

On Wednesday we slept in a little bit, then took our visiting selves out for a jaunt to Stanley Park.

We stopped at a MarketPlace IGA to pick up some buns, luncheon meat and drinks.

It was a beautiful sunny day. The wind was cool, which was nice. Lowered the climate shock value.

We had a very nice picnic at Prospect Point, then took a few pictures, had our first hard ice cream cone of the season, and made our way back to Johanna's.

On our way up in the elevator, we laughed at my blindness as I realized I hadn't taken my sunglasses off.

I unclipped the shade, and I remember fumbling with the case a bit, before putting it in it's usual outside pocket on my purse.

On Thursday we picked up Johanna and Norah and made our way to Granville Island for the afternoon.

As we were driving, I went to the sunglass pocket on my purse only to find it empty.

I couldn't think what had happened to the clip-on shade.

Before we got back to the hotel Thursday night we had looked on every floor of the apartment building, retraced my steps through the basement car park, torn my purse and every canvas bag I'd brought apart, looked in corners at Johanna's apartment, searched the car and come up empty handed.

No sunglasses in their little leather case.

I was praying, as I went to bed, that Jesus would put them in a place where I could see them, intending to give the apartment and the common areas of the building one last thorough going-over when we went to say goodbye in the morning.

Friday morning we got up, packed and started to load the car.

Randall and I took the first load of duffel bags and pillows down, and after I'd unloaded my armful I turned to put my bag in the front seat.

There, on the cement in front of the truck that we had parked beside Thursday night, was the leather sunglass case. Sunglasses inside. Intact.

Randall noted that they hadn't been there Thursday night when we parked.

I'm not sure how they spent Wednesday night to Friday morning,

But I was warmed to the core of my being when God put them right where I'd see them before we left for home.

He's good, and I'm still His girl, and He still likes me that much.

I'd Rather Be Snuggling

2011-03-26T21:42:00.000-06:00

Was it worth nearly 15 hours there and another 15 hours back through the mountains, for three days of baby love?

Absolutely.

Would I do it again, for the same or less time together?

In a skinny minute.

I can say, without hesitation or bias, that our daughter and her husband are excellent parents.

I'm not surprised, mind you. I knew she had it in her.

I suspect that one of the biggest stresses for them, in having us there, was that Nate was missing out on his own Norah snuggle time. The Grandparents were baby hogs.

It was such a blessing to hold that little girl, and smell her, and talk to her and cuddle her.

I told Johanna that when we left my eyes were leaking until Chilliwack.

I lied.

They still have a tendency to leak when I least expect it.

It was a nice reprieve from winter, though. A little unfair, almost, that just thirteen or fourteen hours away (less than 2 if you hop on an airplane!) it is actually spring. Sun is shining, crocuses and daffodils are blossoming, song birds are singing and grass- actual real, green grass!- is growing.

*sigh*

It was hard to leave baby squeaks and snuggles and sunshine and picnics for blowing, drifting, thigh deep snow and a quiet, echoing house.

At least we have pictures, Skype and memories to sustain us.

Now if only we could do something about the snow...

Almost Ready, I Think

2011-03-20T21:19:00.000-06:00

I managed to get the sewing and baking that I wanted to finished.

Well, most of it, anyway. Enough to be content with.

The bags are mostly packed and things are almost tidied up in the house.

Except for driving through the mountains at this most unpredictable time of year, I'm looking forward to getting to the Lower Mainland.

Can't wait to see that little Norah.

Ah, well. I just thought I'd check in here quickly before we take off in the morning.

I still have to assemble all the bits and bobs that need to be packed, and I need to get to bed early so I'm not a complete wreck tomorrow.

Night, all.

Hope your week is as full of love as mine will be.

Somebody Didn't Get The Memo...

2011-03-17T14:59:00.001-06:00

'Tis supposed to be Green Day! I'm not sure what all the fluffy whiteness I see falling from the sky is trying to contribute to it...

Lunch helped ease the pain a bit. I dug out "Step-By-Step Irish Farmhouse Cooking" and made Potato and Leek soup, with Potato Scones.

DEEE-lightful!

And now that it's all cleaned up, I'll be off to the sewing room to make a dent in the long list of sewing projects that await me.

One o' these days we'll be seein' the green again.

Forget About Lions And Lambs

2011-03-14T15:04:00.000-06:00

I think March came in like a premenstrual woman!

Completely hormonal; she's hot, she's cold, she's miserable, she's happy...

After this morning's gloom it's turned sunny again. Pale blue sky... some light clouds... gentler looking breeze...

Crazy March.

Take a pill already.

Looks Like A Perfectly Dreary Day

2011-03-14T09:38:00.001-06:00

Not as cold and wintery as it has been, but sort of dreary in a miserable, wind blowing, branch waving, cloudy sky, spring kind of way.

I'm still deciding if I'll have another cup of tea and finish reading my book

Or go back to bed.

The incessant yawning would indicate the latter...

This week's long to-do list would suggest the former, replacing the book with the sewing machine or the oven.

Still... it was mighty hard to get up this morning...

Maybe a compromise. Tea and book now, nap later!

She said, knowing how unlikely it is that she will take a nap to stop the yawning.

Tea first anyway.

We'll see how the day unfolds.

***

And the rain Micah's weather app predicted has started.

The day grows ever more dreary.

I Came Home To Find Micah Eating Lunch While Watching "Seven Signs Of The Apocalypse"

2011-03-12T13:33:00.002-07:00

On the History Channel.

This will be followed, according to the channel guide, by "After Armageddon".

....I wonder if church attendance will be up tomorrow...?

:)