My plan for this morning (Saturday) was to spend a couple hours finishing up some yard clean up before heading in to hang out with a cute baby and make some pies. Now I am trying to put it off as long as possible...
The last couple days, Maggie has been up to something in the far corner of the yard. Unfortunately, I've noticed this a couple days in a row at night, and my one quick trip out there just proved it was too dark to see anything. Last night she brough part of it up close to the patio-- it's part of a dead animal. Yuck. Dogs are so gross. I really want to return to the last 5 years of no dead animals- and finish this year of a dead animal a month (or more some months). This particular dead animal is going to be worse than the other bunnies and squirrels because I know it is in pieces. *shiver* and as much as I hate to admit to being a wussy girl, dead animals in pieces really really really disgust me. Okay, I'm going out there...
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Sunflower
I am a |
"When your friends think smile, they think of you. There is not a day that goes by that you can't find something good about the world and your fellow human."
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Saline Thugs
I was robbed and I'm mad.
I'd gotten my car fixed Tuesday afternoon, and had grabbed one of my canvas bags with my bible, journal, a book or two, my camera, a coffee mug, etc. Tues evening my dad dropped me to get my car and naturally I had my purse and the canvas bag with important stuff in it. When I got home, I thought I carried both into the house with me. But the next morning, I didn't see the canvas bag, so I figured I'd left it in the car. Sure enough, I went out to the car, and the middle console was open (like it had been rummaged through), my glasses case (from said console) was open on the front seat, and the canvas bag was nowhere to be found. I searched the house again to no avail. As I drove into work, I realized the passenger door was also open. Grrr. Keep in mind they didn't want my cds or the discman with car kit- that is still there, but my bible is gone...
Yesterday I made a police report. I was considering filing a homeowner's insurance claim, except that I have a $500 deductible... all the stuff that was stolen was definitely less than that, so there is no point.
The worst part was realizing my life insurance application was in there, all filled out and ready to mail. Not only does that mean I have to start over with a new 30-page application, but it also means the thugs have a lot of important information- soc security #, birthdate, address, etc. ... ARGH. Luckily a month ago I signed up for identity theft insurance, so I this morning I filed a claim alerting them, put an alert on my credit report, and am praying no one tries to open a credit card or something in my name. Argh. I want to leave a note on my car or my garage door or somewhere for the stupid thugs. "Give it back meanie" but I figure it will puzzle my neighbors and they already think I'm strange enough...
Although I am mad about the whole thing, I do recognize it could be worse. I'm mad at myself that I forgot the bag in the car. I'm mad that I thought Saline was safe and I never lock my car (although I don't usually leave my camera in it). I'm mad that they stole my camera, my bible, my journal. And for crying out loud, it was my favorite bag too! I'm definitely mad about that insurance application. Grrr. On a brighter note, my favorite travel mug had fallen out of the bag, so I still have that.
I'd gotten my car fixed Tuesday afternoon, and had grabbed one of my canvas bags with my bible, journal, a book or two, my camera, a coffee mug, etc. Tues evening my dad dropped me to get my car and naturally I had my purse and the canvas bag with important stuff in it. When I got home, I thought I carried both into the house with me. But the next morning, I didn't see the canvas bag, so I figured I'd left it in the car. Sure enough, I went out to the car, and the middle console was open (like it had been rummaged through), my glasses case (from said console) was open on the front seat, and the canvas bag was nowhere to be found. I searched the house again to no avail. As I drove into work, I realized the passenger door was also open. Grrr. Keep in mind they didn't want my cds or the discman with car kit- that is still there, but my bible is gone...
Yesterday I made a police report. I was considering filing a homeowner's insurance claim, except that I have a $500 deductible... all the stuff that was stolen was definitely less than that, so there is no point.
The worst part was realizing my life insurance application was in there, all filled out and ready to mail. Not only does that mean I have to start over with a new 30-page application, but it also means the thugs have a lot of important information- soc security #, birthdate, address, etc. ... ARGH. Luckily a month ago I signed up for identity theft insurance, so I this morning I filed a claim alerting them, put an alert on my credit report, and am praying no one tries to open a credit card or something in my name. Argh. I want to leave a note on my car or my garage door or somewhere for the stupid thugs. "Give it back meanie" but I figure it will puzzle my neighbors and they already think I'm strange enough...
Although I am mad about the whole thing, I do recognize it could be worse. I'm mad at myself that I forgot the bag in the car. I'm mad that I thought Saline was safe and I never lock my car (although I don't usually leave my camera in it). I'm mad that they stole my camera, my bible, my journal. And for crying out loud, it was my favorite bag too! I'm definitely mad about that insurance application. Grrr. On a brighter note, my favorite travel mug had fallen out of the bag, so I still have that.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Baking
Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Saturdays??? Today hasn't been particularly productive, which I don't like, but so far it's still been a good Saturday. One thing I love about Saturdays when it's cold: baking. So far I made pumpkin muffins for breakfast, banana bread (to use the bananas that were going south), and cookie dough. There's something terrific about putting on your apron, rolling up your sleeves, and making a baking mess :) not to mention that the house smells AMAZING when you're done. Sad to say, I love the baking process more than I actually like baked goods.
The pumpkin muffins were good, but not the best I ever had. I should have been more liberal with the spices I put in to give it some kick. Oh well, that's part of the fun of trying new recipies. I don't even like eating banana bread, but I love baking it and can always find someone to pawn it off on. And rumor has it I do make good banana bread. Besides, I have enough of my frugal mother in me to require me to use the overripe bananas, rather than throwing them out. Thanks Mama. :)
I'm considering trying a recipie I found for crockpot pumpkin pudding since now I have half a can of pumpkin that needs to be used... hmmmm... that would add another amazing smell to this already great smelling kitchen... although it's almost 3 pm and I haven't really done much in the way of chores, repairs, or projects... maybe I should go do some laundry before I contemplate my next kitchen mess.
The pumpkin muffins were good, but not the best I ever had. I should have been more liberal with the spices I put in to give it some kick. Oh well, that's part of the fun of trying new recipies. I don't even like eating banana bread, but I love baking it and can always find someone to pawn it off on. And rumor has it I do make good banana bread. Besides, I have enough of my frugal mother in me to require me to use the overripe bananas, rather than throwing them out. Thanks Mama. :)
I'm considering trying a recipie I found for crockpot pumpkin pudding since now I have half a can of pumpkin that needs to be used... hmmmm... that would add another amazing smell to this already great smelling kitchen... although it's almost 3 pm and I haven't really done much in the way of chores, repairs, or projects... maybe I should go do some laundry before I contemplate my next kitchen mess.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Musings
Today is one of those days I have a lot happening in my head... you may not want to read further...
-People are fascinating creatures. In my women's group, we just finished reading and discussing the Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. He talks about the ways that we give and receive love. I've read this book before and it has triggered many a fascinating discussion about how each of us gives and receives love in different ways. It was interesting to me how one's family of origin seems to affect how we expect love and many of our love languages... that was kind of a surprise to me. If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it. Fascinating stuff. It really calls me on to really think about the people I'm trying to love, and reminds me to work on speaking love to them in their own language, rather than my own. And in case you're wondering, my primary love languages are Quality Time and Acts of Service. You?
-Now we are reading and discussing the four temperments. The Temperment God Gave You by Art & Laraine Bennet (I think). Also fascinating stuff, mostly a review for me, but a great topic to delve into and I learn something every single time I do :) I'm a Meloncholic Choleric, as far as I can tell. It is fascinating to read and study temperment, and to also realize we aren't just stuck with a temperment, we have grace to help us lead a life of holiness, sometimes aided by our natural temperment, sometimes hindered by it. I am encouraged too, because it is amazing to look back over my life and see the growth-- virtues I have worked really hard on beginning to become like second-nature, weaknesses I've worked to overcome by the grace of God. Not to say I'm done, I have a long way to go... and yet, it is good to be able to look back in my life and see the hand of God, the mercy of God throughout the years.
-Winter. Favorite Aunt does not like winter. She tries very hard not to complain all the time, and to find things to be thankful for in spite of winter, and yet, she really really does not like winter. Things I like about winter: sweaters and scarves, cozy evenings, hot chocolate, a warm bed, slippers, Christmas, baking... what do you like about winter??
-Perfectionism. I definitely struggle with perfectionism. I take on too many projects, too many hobbies, too many responsibilities, and then I feel like a failure because I can't do them all 100% perfect. Lately I feel particularly overwhelmed by a lot of stuff I need to do at home and just can't seem to find the time to do because I overcommit in every aspect of my life. It's very humbling and quite frustrating for my inner perfectionist!
- Life Teen. This weekend is the Life teen retreat. It's wierd to not be going, and yet a huge blessing at the same time. Although I miss the core team and the teens, the amount of peace I have with not being in LT, not being on Core team, not being overcommitted there as well is definitely a good sign that I am doing the right thing. Nonetheless, I'm praying for the team as they prep for retreat and all the teens as they go on retreat... and I'm reveling in the fact that I'll be at home this weekend :)
- Work. Ugh. So much to do, so little brain function.
-People are fascinating creatures. In my women's group, we just finished reading and discussing the Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. He talks about the ways that we give and receive love. I've read this book before and it has triggered many a fascinating discussion about how each of us gives and receives love in different ways. It was interesting to me how one's family of origin seems to affect how we expect love and many of our love languages... that was kind of a surprise to me. If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it. Fascinating stuff. It really calls me on to really think about the people I'm trying to love, and reminds me to work on speaking love to them in their own language, rather than my own. And in case you're wondering, my primary love languages are Quality Time and Acts of Service. You?
-Now we are reading and discussing the four temperments. The Temperment God Gave You by Art & Laraine Bennet (I think). Also fascinating stuff, mostly a review for me, but a great topic to delve into and I learn something every single time I do :) I'm a Meloncholic Choleric, as far as I can tell. It is fascinating to read and study temperment, and to also realize we aren't just stuck with a temperment, we have grace to help us lead a life of holiness, sometimes aided by our natural temperment, sometimes hindered by it. I am encouraged too, because it is amazing to look back over my life and see the growth-- virtues I have worked really hard on beginning to become like second-nature, weaknesses I've worked to overcome by the grace of God. Not to say I'm done, I have a long way to go... and yet, it is good to be able to look back in my life and see the hand of God, the mercy of God throughout the years.
-Winter. Favorite Aunt does not like winter. She tries very hard not to complain all the time, and to find things to be thankful for in spite of winter, and yet, she really really does not like winter. Things I like about winter: sweaters and scarves, cozy evenings, hot chocolate, a warm bed, slippers, Christmas, baking... what do you like about winter??
-Perfectionism. I definitely struggle with perfectionism. I take on too many projects, too many hobbies, too many responsibilities, and then I feel like a failure because I can't do them all 100% perfect. Lately I feel particularly overwhelmed by a lot of stuff I need to do at home and just can't seem to find the time to do because I overcommit in every aspect of my life. It's very humbling and quite frustrating for my inner perfectionist!
- Life Teen. This weekend is the Life teen retreat. It's wierd to not be going, and yet a huge blessing at the same time. Although I miss the core team and the teens, the amount of peace I have with not being in LT, not being on Core team, not being overcommitted there as well is definitely a good sign that I am doing the right thing. Nonetheless, I'm praying for the team as they prep for retreat and all the teens as they go on retreat... and I'm reveling in the fact that I'll be at home this weekend :)
- Work. Ugh. So much to do, so little brain function.
Monday, November 10, 2008
A Munchkins Weekend
I am quite pleased to report the weekend with the munchkins went well. Although for some reason I do feel guilty when a kid bursts into tears at the sight of their parents coming to take them home... I guess if that is any indication, we did all have a good time.
Overheard from the living room where the kids had the play mobil guys out in full force, the castle, dollhouse, stuffed animals, etc--
Ben: "Ellie, it's okay, these are the good guys. See? they are wearing shoes. All the good guys wear shoes. The bad guys wear boots."
Reen: Okay kiddo's, what would you like for breakfast? We have oatmeal, pancakes, toast,...
Ellie: I like YOGIT!
...a few hours later... lunch...
Reen: What would you like for lunch, peanut butter sandwich, grilled cheese, yogert...
Ellie: Yayayay! I like YOGIT!
...a few hours later, snack after nap...
Reen: How about some animal crackers and an apple?
Ellie, grinning excitedly: I like Yoooo git!
by dinner Aunt Reenie realized she shouldn't offer choices since Ellie had probably already had twice her daily quota of yogert-- and although Ellie was hoping for "yo-git" she settled for the lasanga and garlic bread and applesauce, since there was no yogert in sight.
I had two rosaries in my purse and I let Ellie hold them and play with them during Mass on Sunday. She would run her fingers through them, loop them on her arm, hide them under her skirt, and other respectful things. When Mass was over, I couldn't find the nicer of the two rosaries, a long one with beautiful beads. I looked in the diaper bag, my purse, Ellie's backpack, coat pockets, the floor, everywhere and couldn't find the rosary. Finally I just decided to check lost and found later in the week and the kids and I left. When we got home and made our group potty stop, I pulled off Ellie's boots and there was the missing rosary, stuffed in her boot that whole time :)
In addition to all the taking-care-of-kids stuff, I accomplished a few things:
- folded laundry
- washed the kitchen floor (hands and knees style for a really thorough clean-- FINALLY)
- made several lasangas for the freezer
- made spinach dip for the freezer for some upcoming events
- cooked 3 pie pumkins (still need to puree the insides and freeze)
- started organizing some sewing stuff, but didn't get very far on the rest of the downstairs closet
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