Christmas gifts

Some lovely generous Oregonian benefactors enabled us to go out for a rare family dinner. We went to the local Asian restaurant. We all enjoyed the deep fried candy meat, Lumpia, and Moo Goo Guy Pan (MC ordered that just so she could say it. . .it was good). Extra MSG please. Soda's for all! (A large family eating out on a budget is used to Mom and Dad saying "water please" very emphatically. . .). A really wonderful holiday treat. The conversation included finding out who would prefer to swim in maple syrup, and who would prefer running in marshmallow fluff--most were fluff people, Thaddeus and I opted for the syrup. Geargie was neutral.


Also--just found my cell phone--lost since Christmas day. Mary Catherine and Thalia shared the Chocolate reward offered for any information leading to it's return.

I'll post the official Christmas Caard soon!

Cookie CountDown!

This is the first year we are officially counting Christmas cookies made--in competition with Babci, and Cioci Mary. 144 so far! We have till twelthnight as far as I can tell. . .

They are Done!

At least the big ones are. I want to make about 10 more little-uns.

Update:

I have eaten half a bag of chocolate covered java beans. No dinner--may cut the caffein effect. Babies had late naps. . .bed will be late--alas! Dolls have to wait.

Here's the Situation. . .

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I want to make 4-8 of these sweet dollies, some with clothing. . .some with scented filling. . .some bigger, some for stockings. . .

The pressure is mounting.

Can I do It?

Will I be able to get out of bed after nursing the baby down?

Will the sewing machine jam?

Will I start crying and give-up?

Will I lay my success as a loving mother at the mercy of my crafting ability in the wee hours before Christmas--or will I just get another breast infection?

Stay tuned. . .(though I did buy myself more time by announcing at breakfast that homemade gifts may show up an ANY TIME during the 12 days of Christmas.)

Where is Jesus?

He's still in Mary you silly! He only comes out after Mass on Christmas Eve! That's also when the wise men appear--they spend 12 days travelling closer and closer to Jesus. You have to find them every day somewhere in the house.

Chilled to the Bone

I fell into some water today. This was outside, in the snow, after my run and warm shower, UP TO MY WAIST! Don't ask. It's not a pretty story. But I did notice after the fact that my first thought, as I stood in the frigid water screaming for John-who-saved-my-life, was "Darn it! My wicked cute outfit is wrecked!" I was wearing these, and a cute black skirt. The yoga pants that replaced the freezing wet clothes (which are still sitting outside the front door--hope I didn't moon the neighbors) fall short.

I have been cold ever since. As a reward for doing a days worth of dishes and starting dinner I will take a hot bath. . .AHHHHHHH!

ATTENTION!

I have a new favorite Blog to your right. . .Life in the Library, by my big sister (but she's actually pretty small. . .) Harmony. AKA Too-to (pronounced Two-Two--has something to do with a lulaby and my inability to say her long name. . .). Too-to is the least librarian-ish woman I know, but she obviously loves her job!

Contentment and Desire

This is the face of a happy 9 year old. Content. And yet, her deep desire for a little sister is JUST below the surface. Thalia has been praying for "Agnes-on-the-way" for going on 6 years now. Thankfully God sent Temple and Iska, so there's an extra baby girl to go around whenever we visit. They wear a lot of pink, since they were preceded by 2 boys.

We certainly do want more babies--but one never knows--and of course we can't promise a girl. . .and sometimes even I get frustrated at Thalia's seemingly relentless "When will we have another baby?!" Not the thing to ask when Mommy is tired out from a busy day with her existing children.

But during my calm moments I am right there with her. I love all my babies, and will love having as many more as we end up having. I used to answer the "Are you done yet?" or "when will you be done?" queries with the old "Weeellll, there's this thing called menopause. . . ". But now I realize that there are recorded miracles in scripture of post menopausal women having a baby--so my new answer is "Sarah and Elizabeth were sent babies in their old age--I can only hope. . ."

Then again--I'm an optimist. A friend is caring, long term, for her infant grandson. She's tired. Maybe menopause is a good idea for most of us.

But until then Thalia and I will keep praying for Agnes (or Notkur) on the way.

Martha Martha!

You are worried about many things.

Yup--that's what I feel like Jesus is saying to me. I am all better today, and have enjoyed having John home to help with the homeschool catch-up for half the day. But I also feel like two infections in two weeks is a bit of a warning that I'm doing too much for this poor old body. . .

So I'm spending today taking a deep breath--not picking up every stray item as I see it, and figuring out what my activities should be so I can take care of myself and my family. I think it's harder here in Maine because my greater community needs more mother-care than our community in Oregon needed. And I'm a mother--and I have the bad habit of making myself sick trying to fix everyone else, and comfort everyone else. . .but I gotta go to make a post partum meal. . .ironic I know, and I'll start saying no--but I already said yes. . .There is a balance between Mary and Martha--I'm trying to find it.

In the mean time I did get a closet all cleaned out while I was "resting in bed" yesterday. I'm incorrigible!

Bed Ridden

So I sick in bed--slightly functional--but waiting for the antibiotics ($100 worth!!) to kick in. I've been instructing the younger kids from my pillow. But Mary Catherine is doing a unit study on home economics, ie running the house. So far she has made breakfast for dinner (last night), washed dishes this morning, and is making lunch right now. Thalia and John Henry are doing their part also--picking up the floor and setting the table--but those are normal chores for them.

Mary Catherine is being a helpful and hardworking little homemaker! I wonder what I did on sick days when I only had small children?

God Bless Mary Catherine!

Our New Kitties

I like this kind of kitty. I mean the adult, already fixed kind. Theo is a mini Bear Cub. He is really sweet. Best of all is he is a willing victim for the girls' need to preen and primp something. I think he came with 4 combs and brushes!

Phish--who has quickly taken on the nickname "titch"--is as silky and smooth ass Theo is furry and fluffy. She does seem to be the hunter. She has already been scoping out the location of the recent Beaver attack.

Quote of the Day

John Henry: German women are pretty. (out of nowhere. . .)

There's a Beaver Eating my House!!

At about 4 am I was wakened by what sounded like LARGE RODENT TEETH chewing wood in the vicinity of my closet. I woke John and he threw a Lego--always withing reach at our house. It was too small to scare large rodent. So I threw a book. It stopped.

Then It started again. John charged and stampeded the area. Rodent apparently took the hint.

I NEED A CAT!!!!

Good Question

I'm not sure what sparked it, but while listening to the news Thalia asked "Why do they take care of adults, when they kill babies?"

"Good Question." Was my quick response. My mind spun off into thoughts of able bodies adults getting government aid while babies are aborted because their mothers don't have the resources to care for them. . .

Then Thalia said, "I mean, why take care of an adult, when they could have been killed in an abortion when they were a baby?"

Pithy--the sanctity of life. The baby is as valuable and deserving of respect as the adult. If we value the adult, why don't we value the baby? Murder is illegal right?

Too Much

Does this ever happen to you--Too much dishes, clothes (both clean needing to be put away, and dirty needing to be washed), legos on the floor, books and papers stacked up, money disappearing from the bank account, lessons to plan, papers to find, church events to organize, people to call, orthodontists, car guys, and tax preparers to pay, floors to clean.


I'm really stretching to make this pity party sound as bad as possible--but John just came in and announced that the table is clear, so I can do the lesson plan, and he's starting a load of laundry. And really it doesn't look that bad now that I put it all in writing.

Sunday night anxiety strikes again! Thank you Lord that I also have too much Love coming at me from John!

Sunday morning list

Q: Who knows the first Joyful mystery?

4 year old: The Annunciation!

I really don't think big sister tipped him off. He's just a genius, spiritually and otherwise.

Strictly impartial mama. . .

Just some show Off pictures

Of what I'm sure is the best Thanksgiving feast I have ever produced. Turkey was wonderful, many side dishes (if you MUST know: mashed taters, gravy, cranberry sauce, Mama Stanburgs cranberry relish, stuffing, roasted autumn veggies, greenbean cassarole--the healthy no cream soup, homemade healthy onionrings kind that still tastes really good even though it's healthy--, homemade Parker House rolls,and himmel und erde.) Three kinds of pies--pumpkin, apple cranberry, and apple with a butter/sugar top (I didn't have a recipe for that, just tried to copy what I had at a friends house, it turned out great--can't go wrong with a bunch of butter and sugar can you?). Entertainment included recorder playing by our guest, Kurt Rauscher, Poems (The Lamplighter by RLS, recited by JH, and Sea Fever by J Masefield, recited by Thalia), guitar and flute duet by MC and myself, with the recorder joining in, and reading aloud from Little Men and the Hobbit.
Things we said we were Thankful for: Thalia--words and paper and pencil (she's writting a book). MC-- family. JH--Our House. Tadeu--race cars. John--for us being here together. Allison--John's job, al children, and being together.

Happy Day After Thanksgiving!! Don't Buy Anything!!

Why I love my Roasting Pan

ON the crazy busy cold days of basketball season, nothing beats a roasting pan. Part of the reason I'm not a crock pot user is that the oven on all afternoon and evening will help the house stay warm even when the fire runs down.

My shiny roasting pan is pretty too--thanks Molly in Oregon. I inherited this after the GREAT ROAST PORK MASSACRE of 08. . .it involved a three year old, and an oven at 500 degrees for several hours. . .

But I got back on that horse, and am roasting away. Last week it was soup--what you do when you don't have a large chunk of meat, but only 2 chicken leg quarters.

Frozen Chicken
Fennel, carrots, rosemary, onion,tomato
White beans
4 Cups frozen chicken broth.
Put it in the roaster at 2:30, 300 degrees, and when you get home at 6:30, Voila!

13 Years, Then and Now

Mom at the Basket ball game

"Go! Go!"
"REBOUND!"
"MOVE! GET OPEN! PASS!"
"IT'S ALL YOU! YOU OWN THE COURT!"
"YES!YES!YES! NOOOOOOO!"
"YES MARY CATHERINE! GREAT SHOT!! WOOOOOO!!!![jumping 4 feet into the air]

I don't know about MC, but I for one am exhausted at the end of the game!

The paper has a calmer version:Bristol 37 - So. Bristol 18
Ten Lady Blue Devils scored in their win over the Mariners on Nov. 12. Konitzky netted 9, Asley Mason, Mary Eddyblouin, Kassidei Demmons, Kara Mullin and B. Pendleton 4 each, and Anna Quinlan, K. Pendleton, Kristen Poland and Kyleigh Plourde scored 2 each. Scoring for South Bristol were Kaydie Kaplinger 6, Rachel Hughes 6, Marissa Pendleton 4, and Taylor Poland 2.

When things look grim, then work out. . .

Don't you love that!! I love it. Now I could be referring to John loosing his job in Oregon, then spending 5 months unemployed. But I'm thinking more on the micro level.

Last Friday 4:30. Going Grocery shopping with 4 or 5 hungry children. (I honestly can't remember how many I had, but I left with the same # I brought home, so that's good.) Tired Mama, messy kitchen, lack of dinner plan. Grim. Grim. Grim.

Enter Chocolate Covered Java Beans. By the Grace of God, and a couple of very well spent dollars at the co-op, we got home, had a lovely dinner, cleaned the kitchen, had dessert even, and a rousing game of Clue. We even sang songs together while cleaning--If I had a Hammer, I've been working on the Railroad, She'll be Commin Round the Mountain. It was idyllic!

Sigh!
Thank you Lord. I really love it when it works out!

Mommy Going Out!

Ignore the Laundry. . .don't worry about the overflowing recycling bin. Just go have a good time at the local Republican Party party(our 3 county candidates won!).

This is what happens when

the dental hygienist, though a perfectly nice woman, does not have a lot of training in communication. Statements like "Do you ever brush is teeth." and "I'm assuming flossing never happens." can send any slightly neurotic mother straight to the drug store. We now have a complicated tooth regimen. The Dental hygienist police won't get me!

Martinmas

Well, I am amazed once again at the richness to be found in the Catholic Church. Today the children and I took part in a Martinmas celebration. Who knew St. Martin, Roman Soldier, had his feast day on Armistice Day? Who knew the faithful used to walk around outside with lanterns? No I? But now I do! Most of the lanterns were the mason jar, or paper type. But in an effort to be authentic I used a mega turnip to make a bonafide European pre-pumpkin lantern. I was very pleased with the effect (see above)!

At the peak of our walk we said a prayer to St. Martin. Some yummy food, good friends, and hide and seek in the dark made it a full and festive night!

John is now

EMPLOYED!! He goes up to Borealis Breads for a meeting on Thursday, and starts on Friday!! Just in time for Thanksgiving and November bills!! YEAH!!!!!!

BTW I'm also beginning to bring in tens of dollars a week as a weight watchers leader. Just doing my part. . .

It's SOOOO warm

that the woods smelled like spring when I went on an accidental 1 hour run. When you run through the woods, and come to a road, and wonder "hey, where does this road go?" Be prepared for a long run. But it was fun. And it smelled like spring. So whose complaining.

This is a Day

That The Lord has Made. Let us rejoice and be Glad.

No--my guy didn't win. But I don't dwell on disappointment. I get warm and fuzzy over the "work together" and "I'm your president too" comments in the concession and victory speeches.

Lest you think I'm of pure intentions, I also am motivated by the desire to be more graceful in defeat than the Dems who publicly spouted about the "F***ing Republicans" after the last election. No foot stamping and temper tantrums from me. This is the US of A, and I'm looking forward with confidence and a bit of anxiety.

As long as we still have freedom of speech and freedom of religion, I'm cool.

Now. . .about my future in politics. . .

Halloween

We had a great Halloween day. First was the two puppet shows for story time, then for the kindergartners. I got to use my Sarah Palin accent a lot. Talking like that just makes you feel cheerful!

Clown girl, Robin Hood, Will Scarlett, the Asparagus, and the princess turned clown turned Dorthy girl all had fun. The three oldest were puppeteers while I narrated--all with Melissa's executive direction of course.

Then we went on to the Parish pizza party--we had about 30 participants--eating 8 pizza's, and taking a twilight walk in the graveyard to pray for the souls of the dead.

THEN it was up to Coopers Mills for trick-or-treating in the small village way, and feasting on Lauren's fantastic food--homemade feta, mascarpone cheese brownies (that's homemade mascarpone!), two different stews. . .on and on and on...

Today we continue to remember our friends the saints, and tomorrow we will visit three special graves for All Souls--two baby girls, and one sweet deacon.

Some have the toothfairy. . .

We have the snowsuit fairy. She sends packages from Canada, where they make really warm snowsuits! Thanks Nanna!

It is October 30th

And I will be up with the sewing machine later tonight creating Robin Hood, Will Scarlett, and an Asparagus hat.

If anyone feels like chatting feel free to call anytime between midnight and 2 am.

The really exciting news in my life is that the cell tower at the end of my road is working now and I have 4 bars in my own home!!! YEAH! Now I can talk to 2 friends, on 2 different phones, AT THE SAME TIME!! Multi tasking has just reached new levels!

So call on either phone, eh?

They Say Stupid in Hell

Thaddeus has been saying "stupid" a lot. Not the worst, but not the best either. I have given him "funny" as an alternative. Usually he is using the word in the context of a strange behavior or object. E.G. "That plate of carrots looks stupid."

In discussing these words thaddeus asked "Do they say stupid in heaven?"

A quick check of my vast theologic knowledge bring me to no--stupid is not used in heaven. Since heaven is a place of perfection, and no wanting or sin, there is no use for the word stupid there. I tell Thaddeus as much.

"Can you say funny in heaven?"
"Yes, you can say funny in heaven."

A few days later I was with John and Thaddeus. Bringing the mail over to the table I said "This card is funny!"
Tadeu's quick response was "Yeah. Cause if it's stupid you go to hell."

ummm. Let me splain honey.

Anniversary

Six years ago today I gleefully moved from the yurt to the home John had built for us. The plumbers were worried about the threat of a hard frost. We needed to move in to keep the pipes from freezing. The walls were mostly naked drywall. The clapboards were not on--just typar. The floor was plywood. BUT, the toilet, bath, and shower worked. There was a BIG cook stove, and a little propane heater. There were rooms--even if the only one with a door was the bathroom.

Today I have oak flooring, a yodel heating stove, kitchen cabinets, and a door on my bedroom. Also some of the house has clapboards, and some of it is even painted!

Mostly I remember, from 6 years ago, waking up in a warm room. WARM! The upstairs of my well insulated house stays warm all night even if the fire goes out downstairs. Tears welled up in my eyes that morning as I enjoyed the comfort of slightly more modern life.

I resolve many times to not take it for granted. The I fail, and do take it for granted. But the running water, bathroom, and heat (or rather, insulation) are all such powerful gifts. My life was made less stressful in many ways by moving in. In other ways the stress was increased. With a water heater comes, eventually, a broken water heater. The stock pot on a wood stove never broke. With plumbing comes frozen pipes. The hand pump on the spring was thawed with the tea kettle every morning. I compromise, and give up some labor in exchange for ease and maybe a bit more worry. I'm still playing a balancing act between modern ease and good old fashioned dependability.

So I'll keep my computer AND my wood stove. My meat and egg ducks, AND my Yukon GMC. It's not either/or--but both/and. This is the cornerstone of my faith in Jesus. Suffering, and joy. Sin and redemption. Death and resurrection. Both. And.
With my faith I have good old fashioned dependability, and the ease and contentment that comes from knowing I am loved and valued.

John building this house for me is another example of how very loved and valued I am. Thank-you John. Thank-you Jesus.

Distracted

This is the ugly result when one does not pay attention. I was trying to dry the skillet and cool the bread. . .

I love the smell!

Going for an early morning Fall run is a great pleasure! I had many DEEP THOUGHTS during my jaunt through the woods yesterday, but Gerardsays it so well!

Spring and Fall: To a Young Child

MARGARET, are you grieving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Leaves, like the things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
Ah! as the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie.
And yet you will weep and know why.
Now no matter, child, the name:
Sorrow's springs are the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What heart heard of, ghost guessed:
It is the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.

Gerard Manley Hopkins

Not totally tuned out

I'm tuned in enough to find this guy.">

Anger

The reason I eventually tune out of the day-to-day election scene is because I choose to avoid all the anger that flies around. I remember being at a Mom's night after the last election, and having to listen to a woman red-faced over the "f***ing Republicans."

And let's not forget these folks.

The blog-o-sphere is full of it right now. Including at my sister's blog. Boy am I tired of the old "Republicans are stupid" line. That does nothing to help us all dialogue and move forward. But it's still kinda painful to sit with a whole bunch of family and have them talk about the republican "uneducated" vote. I could be wrong--but I think there are some smart cookies out there who are republican--people who have thought carefully about issues like the economy, environment, life, and security. People who really care about the country and want the best for it, and all it's citizens. And I know there are democrats who fit the same bill. What I get angry about is everyone trying to shut each other up by name calling. It's like we are just sticking our fingers in our ears and saying "LALALALA. . .I can't hear you!"

As a republican woman I was really excited with Hillary's campaign, and sad when she lost. I don't get the liberal-woman attack on Palin. It is true that she has more experience than Obama.. .but for the record--I did think it was funny when she said "He's the man we need to leave." in the debate. And she was too Maverick-y.

I really can see the appeal of Obama. Twelve years ago I would have been right there! But when I started to learn more about abortion and how bad it is for women and children, and a bit more about economics, and especially when I saw what's happening in ultra liberal/socialist Canada, I left the democrats for the republicans via the Greens. When you go far enough to the left you find yourself on the right.

But maybe Sarah does prove that the feminist movement was just to give ugly women a platform. . .just kidding! (sort of)

Anyway--I've watched the debates and I don't see a lot of huge differences. Politicians doing what they have to to get elected. At the end of the day I'm voting for the party that most closely matches my top priorities. That's what we all do.

And I'm not going to hate you for it neither!

Sensuality

I have always been sensitive to the tactile and visual beauty of food preparation. That first slice into a turgid eggplant, the stunning beauty of pink beets, or purple potatoes, the juice that come streaming out of a pierced poultry breast. Smell the flowers? I'd rather knead the bread, carve the roast, or grate the ginger with awareness.

Which brings me to these carrots. They came from a friends' garden. Washing them was almost obscene. Such abundant, and fecund carrot forms had never been cradled in my hands. And the smell! The crisp carroty smell was everywhere!

Laudamus Te! Adoramus Te!!

Pastoral Beauty

Please imagine that "Happy Music" from the Smurfs when you watch our happy ducks. 3 of them are named "Christmas Dinner."

Phys Ed

When John is Away. . .

it's hard to do the grocery shopping when the car key with him in Connecticut.
Who will get home first? The locksmith or the husband?

I'd rather be sailing.

Counting Blessings

So--sometimes God takes something away so you can REALLY NOTICE what a blessing it is and REALLY APPRECIATE IT when it returns. Like, say, income. Yup--regular income sure is a nice thing. It will be really great to have it again sometime soon!

I'm keeping a sense of humour about this because the winter projects will be coming into the boatyards soon, and John will be landing one of those jobs. And we don't pay rent, and we are all healthy etc etc. Life is good in many ways. But I'll tell ya--not a penny of John's future paychecks will be squandered! What a blessing work will be!

The culture shock of returning to Maine has hit us in the past few weeks. Grass is always greener syndrome; I miss all the large generous Catholic families in Oregon (only small miserly families here in Maine don'tchknow). And Thaddeus insists on crying to return to Oregon, and talks about his "girl" Anne ALL THE TIME.

One fun thing is that the kids and I volunteered at the republican headquarters for our County on Monday. You'd be surprised at who is republican. That old actor with long hair? Republican. The really cute 22 year old with the superman T-shirt. Totally pro-life republican! I had a great time and felt that it was a good civics lesson for the children.

Some family members have been asking me "why McCain Palin?" (they're asking because I got sick of the anti-Republican stuff I was being sent in group emails so I sent out an email revealing myself as a member of the other side. . )

I can stretch myself to think of some thoughtful answers. I've listened to enough radio to pull together an intelligent response. . .but really the bottom line for me is the sanctity of life. I really want to hold our country to the high standards of respecting life from conception till natural death. I don't think that killing an innocent life is a choice that should be legal. We have lots of choices before conception. This country has enough money, and childless couples to care for every baby. It kills me that Downs babies, black babies, and girl babies are all at high risk for being aborted. The inherent eugenic, racist, sexist stance makes me shudder.

But maybe I'll just say I like her glasses...

Keeping Me Busy, a Photos Essay

THE KITCHEN

You Go Girl!

Now this is the kind of woman I can disagree with, and yet still agree with in many of her most fundamental points! Well said!

Gotta Love the Lick!

I'm still loving Sarah. But Piper has a special place in my heart after this:

Visual stimulation

before
After

More will come when it is REALLY finished---but about a million people were complaining about the lack of photos on my blog. OK, it was only Diane. . .but if you know Diane you know she might as well be a million people. . .and no, I'm not gonna run marathons. . .just trying my best to get back to Oregon (just kidding Mainer friends, I'm really happy to be back!).

BTW--I did not get into the CNA class, and because I'm still processing (ie crying, getting mad, petulantly declaring that I didn't want to do it anyway) I'm not really into blogging about it much. It's fine. FINE! I"M FINE REALLY!!! WAAAAA!
But my faith tells me that God has a better plan, and I'll like it better. . .and Maria Von Trapp says "When God shuts a door, somewhere he opens a window."
SIGH. I feel better.

Tub Wars

Three Boys. Three Boats. One Tub.

#1: I'm France. You're Canada.
#2: No. I'm France, cause France was once the Most Powerful Navy. You're Canada.
#3: Ga. Da! [splash!]
#2: Now we start the cannons.
#1: I got you! I got you! Canada wins!
#2: It's a submarine now. France has powerful submarines. I get you with a torpedo!
#3: Splash splash splash!
Mom: I think we're done boys.

Yes, I am a Republican

How to get a couple of Boomers to choke on the gourmet sandwiches I just served them? In response to a dispariging remark about Sarah Palin say "Well, I'm a republican. And I LOVE her!"

I could see them struggle. A gen X-er working at The Green Gourmet a Republican?

Then came the quiz. "Do you believe in Global Warming?"
(btw I didn't know it has to be an act of faith. . .)
"Climate change is real, and I'm committted to doing our best for the environment."

"What about Iraq."
"I'm not thrilled about it. But I'm more concerned about abortion, frankly."

It stayed quite civil. I fell back on my "Aren't we glad we are allowed to be either Democrat or Republican without being persecuted. It's so great to live in a pluralistic country where we can have opposing views and still know that we are all American doing our best to help the country. Google Crunchy Con and you'll see what I'm about"

That stops them in their "Inclusiveness at all costs unless you're pro-life" tracks.

But I REALLY am excited about Sarah Palin. I've been a McCain fan since his first run--Sarah just ads fuel to my fire. . .Also-this plank of the Republican party:

Maintaining The Sanctity and Dignity of Human Life

Faithful to the first guarantee of the Declaration of Independence, we assert the inherent dignity and sanctity of all human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution, and we endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children. We oppose using public revenues to promote or perform abortion and will not fund organizations which advocate it. We support the appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity and dignity of innocent human life.

We have made progress. The Supreme Court had upheld prohibitions against the barbaric practice of partial-birth abortion, the Born Alive Infants Protection Act has become law, and states are now permitted to extend health care coverage to children before birth. We invite all persons of good will, whether across the political aisle or within our party, to work together to reduce the incidence of abortion; to protect girls from exploitation and statutory rape through a parental notification requirement; and to oppose sex selection abortions. We all have a moral obligation to assist, not to penalize, women struggling with the challenges of an unplanned pregnancy. We salute those who provide them alternatives, including crisis pregnancy centers, and we take pride in the tremendous increase in adoptions that has followed Republican legislative initiatives.

I think it's very well worded. And I hardly ever get to ask a pro-choice person--Since we no longer have a social stigma against single mother-hood, where is the necessity for abortion? It's not like you'll be shamed for being pregnant--or even giving a baby up for adoption. If anything women today would have encouragement for those choices--so the fear of illegal abortions is not well founded.

As I said to the Boomer customers today: The environment begins with our bodies. Respecting the environment means respecting all life.

If you havn't seen it yet--watch Mad World/Obama on youtube. How inhuman can we become?

Facebook

Anyone on Facebook? If you are find me!! It's so sad to read "Allison, you now have 2 friends."

Really?

Only 2?

Awww. Cmon.

Virtual world is so deceptive!

Leisurely Work

Getting up, showering, putting on attractive clothes, a bit of make-up, and blow drying your hair before going outside to sand and paint your new cabinets is REALLY FUN!! Feminine, powerful, creative.

Stem Cells

Although not in the news recently, the question of embryonic stem cell research will likely come up with the general election.

Here is a clear and concise article written by one of the foremost researchers in the field. . .he's also an Oregon Friend. That's a new class of Allison friend--THE OREGON FRIEND CLASS. Kinda like the Aegis Destroyer Class--but different.

Anyway, enjoy the article!

Update

We are distracted by putting in a new kitchen. Washing dishes in the bathtub somehow make blogging about the day the Van died less than appealing. Don't ask why--remember--I'm not logical in the same way that Aslan is not tame!

BUT I will get to it!

Also, thanks for the format comment Libby--I didn't like it either, but needed a nudge to change the template again!

Of Berries and Thorns

This morning I made cornmeal blackberry cobbler (yes, that is an original recipe). This necessitated being out at 6:30 am to pick the berries. It's that time of late summer when the berries are plump, juicy, sunshine full, and falling effortlessly into you palm.

The down side of this is that 3 perfect berries fall into the thorny abyss for every berry you pluck. What about when you score a PERFECT berry, only to find a wasp sipping away at it! Ouch! Let's not even mention the thorns!!
What IS the greater life lesson in these sad and frustrating berry-picking truths?

Well--you know me. I'm a die-hard optimist. I love making lemons into lemonade. Easier still is berries into cobbler!

While savouring my yummy creation I thought of one possible lesson to take from the berries: To decide is tragic. Not to decide is pathetic. Or: choosing one berry means loosing 3. But better to have one, than none!

How sad it would be to sit and watch the blackberries go to wasps and rot, all for lack of courage to endure the pain of the picking. Give me thorns in my fingers, scratches on my arms, and the feel of fresh berries popping in my mouth!

Thoughts on Happiness

I think we all have periodic bouts of philisophical evaluation of our lives. Times of healthy introspection when we try to take a step back and ask "Who am I?" "What are my goals?" "What do I really want?" "What makes me happy?"

I'm not really having one of those times, but a young woman whom I love is. . .so in a frustrated effort to answer her questions for her (which I know I can't--because it's something we all have to do alone) I have been having my own musings. . .

It is one of the great paradoxes, and tragedys, of existance that we are all profoundly alone, but inherently social. We need eachother, but there is always a space between us. We can't read eachothers minds. In the context of the most intimate relationships we do thoughtlessly hurt eachother. But the flip side is the intense joy, laughter, trust, and happiness we bring eachother in family and community.

The chicken/egg question is do others make me happy, or am I happy and so have happy realtionships. I'm guessing this is one of those "both,and" questions. Guessing, because I havn't spent a lot of time pondering it.

One major simplification in my life is that I have a well defined "Higher Power" (to use AA terminology that I have learned from friends). The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. Creator, Redeemer, Sacntifier. These are who I lean on in hard times. This is where I find the source of my Love, my Hope, and the Faoth I need to get out of bed every day a move on into the enigma of life and relationships. When I'm feeling off, out of balance, or overly stressed, a second of reflection usually brings to light that I have neglected the prayer, meditation, and recollection of eternity that keeps me grounded. My personal care includes exercise, recreational time alone, and daily meditation and prayer.

But I know from experience that this does not protect me from suffering. Nor from making major mistakes. But my faith effects how I face my suffering, what I can do with it during and after.

I have a vivid memory, from when I was 12 or 13, of one of my Mom's boyfriends trying to disabuse me of my belief in magic. To the point that I was crying. (I won't get into what I think of this as an adult looking back and wondering what this guy was thinking!) Well--he failed. Because I know that magic still exists! The magic that makes John and I love eachother more now that 13+ years ago when we married. The magic that tells me to pray randomly for a distant cousin, only to find out months later that she really needed my prayers at that time. The magic of every single baby needing love and care. The magic of stopping to say our Noon Angelus, and feeling God's grace flowing all around us and re-enlivening our family. There are invisable forces all around us. God's Love wills us to know that we are loved. And in knowing that we can love back fearlessly.

4 Year Old Language

I love 4 year olds! Thaddeus is beginning to really listen to how we all put words together. "What does 'dream come true' mean?" "What does 'by the way' mean?"

In our family, playing with words and phrases is practically a contact sport--thanks to John mostly. Usually my brain is working so slowly you can hear the gears grinding. This moring I was witness to this conversation:

Thalia: Is the swimming test at camp really hard Mary Catherine? [first day of sailing camp.]
MC: oh, it's not hard. You just swim out and back.
TH: Cause sometimes I have a hard time keeping my head up.
John: That's really not the important part. Getting past the sharks is the real test.
MC: DAAAAD! Thalia I have NEVER seen a SINGLE shark in Round Pond!
John: Yup. They travel in herds.

Meanwhile I'm grinding away at "sharks?", while the rest of them laugh away! Thaddeus was as lost as I was.

A Couple of Good Excuses

For not continuing my ramble down memory lane with the trip back home:

--We are not living at home this weekend, but at friends' who are away, so John can get the oak down, sanded, and finished. . .say a prayer for that hard working man who can't get to the end of the day without having either a thumb or a toe that has succumbed to THE HAMMER!

--I have just finished the seoncd day of my three day work week here. (click on the "greegourmet" link at the top of the page) It is owned by friends, and I'm loving it. The job serves 2 purposes:

-- It brings in a little extra $ before my CNA Class begins (still don't know if I'm accepted. . .)
-- it gets all of use used to the new "mom-out-of-the-house-for-3-days-in-a-row" schedule that we will have for 10 weeks during the class.

Two things I have learned about myself thse past 16 hours of payed labor:

--I'm mighty good at chatting-up friendly strangers and being generally welcoming and helpful.
--I can handle myself very well in a kitchen. Preparing ahead, multi-tasking, and creative cooking are all things that have become second nature as a professional homeschooling Mamma. Who knew thay would become marketable skills?!

Another thing--being at a deli/market all day is NOT as tiring as taking care of my sweet babies. . .huh? But the pay (at the market) is not NEARLY as good! Eternally speaking, that is.

Clueless

John kindly pointed out that the stock photo barf bag below is actually a joke about some computer system called UNIX. Huh. Who Knew? Really I just wanted a barf bag.

We Interrupt the Regularly Scheduled Program. . .

to bring you. . .

YE OLDE BRISTOl DAYS!!




Thaddeus and the girls at the start of the 1 mile "fun run". The girls are in the center of the frame, one behind the other. (John Henry was at a sleep over.)


Thaddeus came in second for his age group (0-4, tough competition!), and so got to pick out this prize. He is very happy with it!

Here I am at the end of my running debut. Though I have a competitive spirit ( no one passed me, and I reeled in 11 other runners), I can't be accused of being speedy. . .my time was 59:16. But I know I have a 9 minute mile in me trying to escape before I turn 40! (only 4 years. . .not that I'm counting).