I can still feel the effects of the decongestant that I took last night before bed. Yes - 18 hours ago! What do they put in that stuff?! I am light-headed and spaced-out. Can't quite think perfectly straight. I don't often take drugs or medicines, and every time I do I swear never to do it again; the effect is always so strong. Well, at least I slept last night. Ha!
It is a miserable day, perhaps made more so by me feeling sickly. It is cold and the light snow is blowing all around, so that it stings your cheeks when you're out in it. M made me a super cozy quilt, which is perfect for days like this!
Need to get the new song to music; need to finish our holiday newsletter; need to do petitioning; need to do more work on Quick Books for MJRTL; need to do laundry; need to think up some inspired dish for supper; need to pick up the boys from school.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Sunday, June 9, 2013
June 9
P got it night before last. Short and not-so-sweet for him. He and M went with A to church today, but L is still not very well - not sure why the recovery is taking a little longer for her, but she has a mild fever, stomach ache and headache, and she isn't eating much. She is drinking, at least, and nibbling a a dry cracker every few hours. And glory to God, D hasn't got it yet at all!
Friday, June 7, 2013
June 7
Dealing with stomach flu at the moment, picked up from school. Fun, fun. M had it 2 nights ago, and L was sick all last night. Now waiting to see who will be next. My stomach was churning all last night, and I am hoping that that is it for me. I guess we'll see. Needless to say, I haven't slept much in the last three nights! At least it is the 24 hour variety, and the nasty part only lasts about 8 hours - then sleep and fluids for the next 8 hours or so. Anyway, no hospitalization required up to this point, thank God!
Mom and a few ladies from church are off to a retreat this weekend, so Mom came over yesterday to go through the music for Vespers and Liturgy with me. I will probably be "the choir"! I told Dad today that I won't be at either service if anyone else gets sick, though.
A's parents are keeping busy. His dad is working on my parents' garage - there is no stopping that man! One has to twist his arm (almost literally) to make him take a lunch break! We probably won't be doing any renovations on our house this year, as the tax bill is still hanging around. The planned list included flooring, painting, playhouse, deck, window latches, etc. But I would like to have some fun with the kiddos this summer, since we had to cancel our planned vacation. When M and B come, we would like to take some day trips to lakes and sights around here, as well as go mini-golfing, water-sliding, and bowling - so that will need a little bit of money. Also, the Wiggles are coming to S in July, and I would love to take the kids to see them this year - but it would mean an overnight stay there and two days away from work for A (more arm twisting needed!) I am not sure how much the show costs, but at this point, the whole thing may be wishful thinking. We'll see.
A and I have been having a rough time lately, although we had a good LONG talk the other night (I had to stay up WAY past my bedtime!) Maybe managed to get a few things worked out. Long term, not sure. So easy to forget and fall back into routine and habit. But for the kids, I was ready to walk out of here on Sunday. So tired of so many things. Desperately need my friend - to listen, to laugh with, to ground me, to encourage me, to be silly.
Mom and a few ladies from church are off to a retreat this weekend, so Mom came over yesterday to go through the music for Vespers and Liturgy with me. I will probably be "the choir"! I told Dad today that I won't be at either service if anyone else gets sick, though.
A's parents are keeping busy. His dad is working on my parents' garage - there is no stopping that man! One has to twist his arm (almost literally) to make him take a lunch break! We probably won't be doing any renovations on our house this year, as the tax bill is still hanging around. The planned list included flooring, painting, playhouse, deck, window latches, etc. But I would like to have some fun with the kiddos this summer, since we had to cancel our planned vacation. When M and B come, we would like to take some day trips to lakes and sights around here, as well as go mini-golfing, water-sliding, and bowling - so that will need a little bit of money. Also, the Wiggles are coming to S in July, and I would love to take the kids to see them this year - but it would mean an overnight stay there and two days away from work for A (more arm twisting needed!) I am not sure how much the show costs, but at this point, the whole thing may be wishful thinking. We'll see.
A and I have been having a rough time lately, although we had a good LONG talk the other night (I had to stay up WAY past my bedtime!) Maybe managed to get a few things worked out. Long term, not sure. So easy to forget and fall back into routine and habit. But for the kids, I was ready to walk out of here on Sunday. So tired of so many things. Desperately need my friend - to listen, to laugh with, to ground me, to encourage me, to be silly.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
punched in the face
Maybe it isn't the best way to explain it to the kids, but I told them that when we attended the Paschal Matins and Divine Liturgy last night, it was like we punched the devil in the face. He was whispering to me for the hour or so before I had to wake the kids up, that it would be better for everyone if I let them sleep; he made my eyes droop with fatigue; and when I woke the kids up, and M started crying (he who was most excited to be going to church in the middle of the night), the devil told me how much easier it would be not to bother going at all. But we loaded four kids, four pillows, four comforters and four Paschal baskets (!) into the van, and off we went. The stars were very bright in the black sky when we tumbled out of van at the church. And after the procession, as everyone started joyfully singing "Christ is risen" over and over again, and as we got into the wonderful songs of the Paschal Matins, I thought to myself, "Ha (punch, punch) - this is the one thing needful, and I wouldn't trade any of us being here for anything."
Sunday, April 7, 2013
April 7
Yesterday was my brother T's birthday. Unfortunately, we didn't get to hear his happy voice, in spite of multiple phone call, text message and skype attempts. We did skype with him last week on my brother A's birthday, however, and with A too. It is a month full of celebrations! Dad's birthday is next week. D's namesday is today, and D's godfather's birthday is tomorrow.
Yesterday, when told that today is D's namesday, P asked me if he could wrap a present for D. I said it didn't really matter, because a namesday is not about presents. But he insisted, so he took one of D's books and wrapped it up for him! At least the present will be familiar!
Read the lives of Saint Panteleimon and Saint Blandina to M and P last night, after L and D had gone to bed. Talked to the boys about strength of character and spirit, and how that kind of strength only comes from Christ and is so much more important than physical strength. Talked about persecution and how we are blessed at this time to live in a country reasonably free of persecution. A few families at our church are refugees from Africa and we talked about the persecution they faced, that led them to flee to Canada.
It is so easy to see our lives as the common reality. We forget about people in other parts of the world who literally struggle for life every day. We forget about our Christian heritage, and the saints that literally struggled for Christ and His Church every day. Much more was required of them than is asked of me at this point, and I pray to God for mercy. The beautiful prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian really calms me:
O Lord and Master of my life, give me not a spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition or vain talking;
But rather a spirit of purity, humility, patience and love bestow upon me Thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brother,
for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.
Yesterday, when told that today is D's namesday, P asked me if he could wrap a present for D. I said it didn't really matter, because a namesday is not about presents. But he insisted, so he took one of D's books and wrapped it up for him! At least the present will be familiar!
Read the lives of Saint Panteleimon and Saint Blandina to M and P last night, after L and D had gone to bed. Talked to the boys about strength of character and spirit, and how that kind of strength only comes from Christ and is so much more important than physical strength. Talked about persecution and how we are blessed at this time to live in a country reasonably free of persecution. A few families at our church are refugees from Africa and we talked about the persecution they faced, that led them to flee to Canada.
It is so easy to see our lives as the common reality. We forget about people in other parts of the world who literally struggle for life every day. We forget about our Christian heritage, and the saints that literally struggled for Christ and His Church every day. Much more was required of them than is asked of me at this point, and I pray to God for mercy. The beautiful prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian really calms me:
O Lord and Master of my life, give me not a spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition or vain talking;
But rather a spirit of purity, humility, patience and love bestow upon me Thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brother,
for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
April 3
While getting our fresh air this afternoon, the kids and I found GRASS! An actual spot in the backyard where the snow melted completely into a puddle, through which we could see muddy, old, half-dead grass. The children got very excited, as this surely was a sign that spring is here!
It is hard to believe how quickly the snow is melting. I thought it would take months, but in only a few days the level in the backyard has gone down by about ten inches. Crazy. It's not even that warm, although the kids traded in winter coats for light jackets today. We have a huge puddle at the end of the driveway and part way down the sidewalk. The ice and snow in the road are still too high to let the water drain away. As we drove into the driveway this evening, M said, "Entering the lake!"
The kids have the week off of school. This afternoon I took them to a musical show at the mall, based on Richard Scarry's Busytown books. It was well done and they enjoyed it. Got smoothies from Mc D's afterwards.
A and I are going to Pre-Sanctified Liturgy tonight. D is getting better with the babysitter, although he still grabs my leg and wants to be held as soon as she comes in the door; when he sees her, he knows it means I'm going out!
Enjoyed the visit with M and J last week. The kids had a blast with J, and he quite enjoyed watching and listening to them. I took them to the airport, feeling like we had had a nice visit and that it had been long enough, and then cried half the way home. Only because I feel like I have not got any true, close friends here yet. And saying goodbye to M and J, I re-lived the leave-taking of other dear friends, who I miss so much on a daily basis. As I did once before (with an amazing result), I prayed to God to provide a friend for me - the one I need, hopefully Orthodox, who I can "click" with, trust, share pain and growth and faith. I have found that this type of friend is a rarity - literally, a needle in a haystack. Not that I am ungrateful for those people I have met and loved here and before here.
It is hard to believe how quickly the snow is melting. I thought it would take months, but in only a few days the level in the backyard has gone down by about ten inches. Crazy. It's not even that warm, although the kids traded in winter coats for light jackets today. We have a huge puddle at the end of the driveway and part way down the sidewalk. The ice and snow in the road are still too high to let the water drain away. As we drove into the driveway this evening, M said, "Entering the lake!"
The kids have the week off of school. This afternoon I took them to a musical show at the mall, based on Richard Scarry's Busytown books. It was well done and they enjoyed it. Got smoothies from Mc D's afterwards.
A and I are going to Pre-Sanctified Liturgy tonight. D is getting better with the babysitter, although he still grabs my leg and wants to be held as soon as she comes in the door; when he sees her, he knows it means I'm going out!
Enjoyed the visit with M and J last week. The kids had a blast with J, and he quite enjoyed watching and listening to them. I took them to the airport, feeling like we had had a nice visit and that it had been long enough, and then cried half the way home. Only because I feel like I have not got any true, close friends here yet. And saying goodbye to M and J, I re-lived the leave-taking of other dear friends, who I miss so much on a daily basis. As I did once before (with an amazing result), I prayed to God to provide a friend for me - the one I need, hopefully Orthodox, who I can "click" with, trust, share pain and growth and faith. I have found that this type of friend is a rarity - literally, a needle in a haystack. Not that I am ungrateful for those people I have met and loved here and before here.
Friday, March 22, 2013
still indoors
They are saying that this is a winter that we will talk about for years, that we will tell our children and grandchildren about. Really. The most snow on record ever. The coldest winter on record ever. The most days the highways have been closed or had warnings ever. The most days bus service has been canceled ever. The list goes on. And so does winter . . .
The kids had no school today. The teachers got the day off to make up for parent/teacher interviews. I finally got around to drawing the frames on the wall of the boys' bedroom, and they spent a good hour painting their masterpieces! Looks pretty cool! Original art is definitely priceless!
They spent the afternoon making and playing in a fort/tent in the living room, and we roasted marshmallows over the gas stove and made popcorn. We played cards and read stories. I went outside for 30 minutes with the dog and shoveled the snow away from the foundation (again) in between the ball throws. Somehow when I was out there, D got a bruise and hurt his foot. Not sure what happened, as he can't tell me quite yet. He seems okay.
P fell off the chair at supper time and hurt his arm. I thought for a second that it had got broken, as it was twisted a funny way, caught between the chair and the railing, but he just has a scrape and what will become a very colorful bruise.
A is going tomorrow with Dad to S to get his new van. He has been using my van since the mishap and I can't wait to have it back! The highways out of town have been closed for two days; some foolish people have decided to chance it anyway and have gotten stuck where even emergency vehicles can't get through, because of blowing snow and piling snowdrifts. Most that have ventured out onto closed roads have been rescued and driven home, but have had to leave their vehicles behind. Over the next couple of days things are supposed to get better. I hope so, as I have to go to R on Monday afternoon to pick up M and J, who were supposed to fly in on Thursday (the worst winter day of the year, apparently). They went as far as C (where conditions were not much better - I heard there was a 100 car pile-up on the highway between C and E, and cars in the ditch all along the way) and barely made it to E. Anyway, I hope they get here okay, as I am really looking forward to the visit.
Still working on my photo scrapbooks. Love Mixbook! Have got 5 completed, but still have a lot more to do. They are so beautiful! The quality is amazing! I have to wait to order the most recent two till they put out another coupon, as I cannot afford to buy them at full price.
There is a model train show tomorrow at the Western Development Museum, and hopefully Mom will come with me and the kids. M goes to a birthday party in the afternoon.
So excited for Sunday of Orthodoxy! Love it! So grateful for icons and those who fought for us to be able to have them. Glory to God!
The kids had no school today. The teachers got the day off to make up for parent/teacher interviews. I finally got around to drawing the frames on the wall of the boys' bedroom, and they spent a good hour painting their masterpieces! Looks pretty cool! Original art is definitely priceless!
They spent the afternoon making and playing in a fort/tent in the living room, and we roasted marshmallows over the gas stove and made popcorn. We played cards and read stories. I went outside for 30 minutes with the dog and shoveled the snow away from the foundation (again) in between the ball throws. Somehow when I was out there, D got a bruise and hurt his foot. Not sure what happened, as he can't tell me quite yet. He seems okay.
P fell off the chair at supper time and hurt his arm. I thought for a second that it had got broken, as it was twisted a funny way, caught between the chair and the railing, but he just has a scrape and what will become a very colorful bruise.
A is going tomorrow with Dad to S to get his new van. He has been using my van since the mishap and I can't wait to have it back! The highways out of town have been closed for two days; some foolish people have decided to chance it anyway and have gotten stuck where even emergency vehicles can't get through, because of blowing snow and piling snowdrifts. Most that have ventured out onto closed roads have been rescued and driven home, but have had to leave their vehicles behind. Over the next couple of days things are supposed to get better. I hope so, as I have to go to R on Monday afternoon to pick up M and J, who were supposed to fly in on Thursday (the worst winter day of the year, apparently). They went as far as C (where conditions were not much better - I heard there was a 100 car pile-up on the highway between C and E, and cars in the ditch all along the way) and barely made it to E. Anyway, I hope they get here okay, as I am really looking forward to the visit.
Still working on my photo scrapbooks. Love Mixbook! Have got 5 completed, but still have a lot more to do. They are so beautiful! The quality is amazing! I have to wait to order the most recent two till they put out another coupon, as I cannot afford to buy them at full price.
There is a model train show tomorrow at the Western Development Museum, and hopefully Mom will come with me and the kids. M goes to a birthday party in the afternoon.
So excited for Sunday of Orthodoxy! Love it! So grateful for icons and those who fought for us to be able to have them. Glory to God!
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