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.