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.