Xmas and Away

This was Christmas:

This last picture is why I used LITTLE trees placed high.

Both cats thought our Christmas tree was their cat tree. And one was eating the branch tips.

(Obviously, this smallest tree had to put up high, too.)

Christmas morning was lovely & fun. Santa had no problem snipping through the zip-ties on the fireplace curtains (since if Santa can come down the chimney, curious cats could go up,) and then re-securing them.

But, two weeks after Epiphany, it all looks tired and ready to sleep.

I'm only about halfway done; still need to stow the trees and the kids' ornaments. Taking down Christmas always makes me a bit sad. But it needs to be done.

Otherwise, how on Earth could I look forward to this coming Christmas! New shiny things!!!

Weighty Matters

This has moved into the bedroom.

Carl is ready to up the ante.

When he's not giving due time to this taskmaster:

Maybe I'll get some leg work in. If our fuzzy overlords will let me.

Medicating Mommy

After a somewhat taxing Holiday season, I have to admit that it's time to up my depression meds.  I've been resisting it.  I've been rather pleased and relieved that I have been getting by on a very low dose of Celexa: only 20mg at night for the past 7 or so years.

But this last bout of PMS has convinced me that I need to finally up it a bit. I had accidentally taken two pills last Tuesday. I wasn't sure if I'd taken my pill, so I took it (again.) It would have been worse to skip it all together, than to double up. The worst that would happen if I doubled up is I would clench my jaw. Without it, I'd clench anyway, AND be even more out-of-it.

Wednesday was the only day last week I felt good.

Before I'd even started on my meds years ago, (which I had resisted beginning until I had made sure that I was done having kids and that everyone else's health needs, especially MLB's, were attended to,) I knew my moods were quite attenuated to my menstrual cycle. I was started on the 20mg dose, and after an about 5-week adjustment period, found that I had more energy and less needless stress and better sleep. I was thrilled that I only needed a tweak; I'd known of too many others' long searches for the right dosing. I had the usual initial side-effects of thirst, somnolence and fogginess, all of which passed. The one side effect that never truly passed, and has always been an odd one, is that I involuntarily clench my jaw when my med/serotonin level changes.

After all of this time, I've noticed that my week of PMS has been getting "draggier." I tried having my meds "cycle" with my cycle: 20mg for a week, 10mg for a week during ovulation (I'm euthymic then,) 20mg again for a week, and then up to 30mg for PMS week. But with all of that constant changing, my jaw stayed tight. Also, my cycles aren't precise weeks. It wasn't worth the effort.

I've been having more "rumination" before I sleep. (Night-owl, night-thinker-- runs in the family.) My psychiatrist, last year, suggested upping my meds. I declined, because I believe science is still trying to determine how an SSRI might permanently change the brain. While the results of coming off an SSRI are not officially categorized as "withdrawal" as if one was coming off some other meds, it has still been noted that discontinuing must be done slowly and that many people do not fully adjust to life without an SSRI, or at least not quickly. Since I plan to be on this the rest of life (unless menopause gives me a radical overhaul,) I have been concerned about "maxing out." I am at a point that I have adequate experience and family support to ride-out those outlier emotional collapses, and to not get in a tizzy about day-to-day stuff. I've done well.

But, I have to admit, it's been time to up it. So I've been on 30mg for the past few days. Again, sleepy and clenching my jaw, but both will pass soon. I'm feeling a bit more together. We'll see if I need to stay here or bump it up again.

Life is too short to not have one's head in the game.

Falling Behind

So I've gone up on my unofficial, unannounced 2017 plan of writing (blogging) everyday.

Even trying to keep things simple, trying to avoid lengthy essays, I simply haven't essayed.

I'm only a week off, so catching up with two entries a day for a week shouldn't be hard?

Right????

Ugh.

I hate PMS.

A Boy and His Trophy

I got to visit MLB's Math Team meeting today, and got some good pictures.

These might also be used on the website or the yearbook. (Their team photographer wasn't able to get a school camera that afternoon.) I'm rather proud of that boy!

I was also able to acquire the updated info on the remaining math events for the year, and sign a permission slip for him to go on a field trip to see the cyber students and their BIG computers at UAH. All in all a productive afternoon. But, I am the Mom.

"Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we call upon You for the continued well-being of our Parish. Help us in this our time of need. Make our parish a family of one heart and mind towards you. Grant that our common life and work may be an example to all about us. Guide our Bishop and his assistants in their discernment. Hear us now, in this our time of special need; send Your continued graces upon us and bring to a happy solution the situation that confronts us.  Dearest Mother Mary, we ask you to assist us and to be our advocate for the continued spiritual and physical growth and well-being of our Parish. We make our prayer in the name of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior.   Amen."

(Follow this prayer with 3 Hail Marys; 1 Our Father)

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen."

Excursions

Today was a "jam packed" day. Wish it was blackberry jam on a toasty English muffin, but we made it work.

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

First off was MLB's second math tournament of the year. Carlos drove them both to The Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham.

For an 8am sign in.

It was a long day before we even woke up.

The plan was to wake up by 5am; Carl & I woke at 4am. DLG, who didn't even HAVE to be up before, say 9am?, was all "Good morning!" at 4:30. (Ugh.) MLB had to hauled out of bed at 5. While Carl was exercising and getting ready, I was nagging MLB. And trying to feed him breakfast; because at the last minute, because MLB was dragging, the biscuit-on-the-road plan had to be eighty-sixed.

But with the guys successfully set upon their road, I left DLG with Minecraft and I headed back to bed. For all of 90 minutes. They arrived in downtown Birmingham, and needed further intel ASAP! To state I was disoriented would have been understated.

MLB got to witness social-skills lessons from the passenger-side seat.

I should not assume that all directions are clear and all information is readily apparent. I had found a schedule for Carl of the tournament events; I sent him the event link. But as this school is in the heart of downtown, it does not have free, on-campus parking, nor can it set out a trail of helpful signs. We are accustomed to these amenities at most school events we attend. So Carl was forced to pay for use of a parking garage, and was "blessedly sent" other student groups he was able to follow to the registration lobby.

Carl should not lose his temper when he is uncomfortable. He yelled at me quite a bit after he found out that a paid parking garage beside the school was his best option. In sympathy, I have to acknowledge that they had to drive through dense fog, that they had not yet heard from the the Math Team sponsor who was on the team bus, and that MLB just really doesn't have what it takes to ride shotgun.

But, at this point I ought to say "all's well that ends well," since they connected with the team in plenty of time, MLB was registered to take his written test and was scheduled to start off the ciphering rounds, and Carl watched a proud and confident MLB go off to do his thing.

I ought to.  But, it didn't QUITE end well. MLB thought he did ok with the test, despite feeling like he didn't answer the tie-breakers correctly. Snack time was tasty. Ciphering started off ok, but he started getting out his answers slower than the other competitors, and THEN...... he forgot to present the 4th answer altogether, even though he knew he had a correct answer. He soldiered on and completed the final 5th question, and then gave his seat over to his round-two teammate. But in the hubbub, he lost it. Slow tears at first, then choked sobs, to finally soft wails as Carl gently lead him from the auditorium. As usual, his coach and his teammates showed their concern for him (they adore him so, and wouldn't deride him!) Carl got MLB to calm down, and his coach got him to laugh. They finished watching the ciphering.

But the long day was DONE. MLB agreed that the idea of skipping the awards and coming home would be good. Now, it's "all's well!" MLB & Carl talked about how each of them reacted to "adversity" that day, how they did well and how they could do better. They feasted for lunch at Pizza Hut. And on the trip home, the did get a message from the coach.

MLB won Third Place individual in his Algebra Division!

Awesome!!!!!!

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

"Meanwhile, back at the ranch......"

I tried to go back to sleep, but it was no use. Even as understanding as I was, I was still miffed. And tired. I chucked my plans to help pull costumes that morning for the Fairy Tale ballet. I kinda chucked any & all plans to do anything, really. Except for the Birthday Party. DLG was scheduled to go to a friend's party that afternoon. She and I just wore our pajamas and played computer games until the guys got home. Then we girls got the present wrapped, the card signed, our clothes put on, and went. Honestly, I wasn't in the mood, but this group was a low-key, hang-out bunch, so I was glad to make little girls happy. It was fun to watch DLG and her pals LITERALLY bounce around the place--- the party was held at The Matrix Gym (wall-to-wall trampolines, mats and balance beams.)

But a cupcake does not a dinner make. (Start, yes. Complete, no.) Poor DLG was so envious that they guys had pizza for lunch. She wanted pizza. Who doesn't?

Yeah, somebody took a selfie at Big Eds. Even though the guys didn't bring US home any leftovers, we brought them some. MLB-- pizza, Round 2.

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

Ah, home again, home again, jiggedy-jog!

"Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we call upon You for the continued well-being of our Parish. Help us in this our time of need. Make our parish a family of one heart and mind towards you. Grant that our common life and work may be an example to all about us. Guide our Bishop and his assistants in their discernment. Hear us now, in this our time of special need; send Your continued graces upon us and bring to a happy solution the situation that confronts us.  Dearest Mother Mary, we ask you to assist us and to be our advocate for the continued spiritual and physical growth and well-being of our Parish. We make our prayer in the name of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior.   Amen."

(Follow this prayer with 3 Hail Marys; 1 Our Father)

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen."

Friday the 13

Ok. So that happened. Yeah, has never bothered me. My mom was born on the 13th, so she considers it her lucky number. MLB says it's his favorite prime number. DLG has been assigned it as her classroom bin number.

I think I even forgot, for a moment, that it has been Friday. Silly me.



"Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we call upon You for the continued well-being of our Parish. Help us in this our time of need. Make our parish a family of one heart and mind towards you. Grant that our common life and work may be an example to all about us. Guide our Bishop and his assistants in their discernment. Hear us now, in this our time of special need; send Your continued graces upon us and bring to a happy solution the situation that confronts us.  Dearest Mother Mary, we ask you to assist us and to be our advocate for the continued spiritual and physical growth and well-being of our Parish. We make our prayer in the name of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior.   Amen."

(Follow this prayer with 3 Hail Marys; 1 Our Father)

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen."

Hot Water

I am thankful for my new water heater, the good guys at Scott Plumbing that got the job done (and replaced the failed PRV that had likely hastened the heater's demise,) and for my husband who trusted me to handle this.

Carl cooked dinner for us; he commented that I must be tired from all the work I did. That baffled me-- what work? I didn't clean the house, I didn't garden, I just moved stuff away from the heater in the garage and then moved it back. Oh, yeah, I guess I did do work. That area also holds our riding lawn mower and the weight-disks to go with the bench. I guess I must have have shifted a few hundred pounds (admittedly in 15# or less loads, or with wheels, but still.) There was much sweeping, dusting and cobweb bashing.

I'm still surprised when I adult.



"Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we call upon You for the continued well-being of our Parish. Help us in this our time of need. Make our parish a family of one heart and mind towards you. Grant that our common life and work may be an example to all about us. Guide our Bishop and his assistants in their discernment. Hear us now, in this our time of special need; send Your continued graces upon us and bring to a happy solution the situation that confronts us.  Dearest Mother Mary, we ask you to assist us and to be our advocate for the continued spiritual and physical growth and well-being of our Parish. We make our prayer in the name of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior.   Amen."

(Follow this prayer with 3 Hail Marys; 1 Our Father)

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen."

Changed Plans

I am postponing tonight's planned blog topic to bring you this news:

We need to replace our 14yo water heater; which explains the power bill spike, running water sounds, and pathetically short shower times.

That is all. And good night.




"Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we call upon You for the continued well-being of our Parish. Help us in this our time of need. Make our parish a family of one heart and mind towards you. Grant that our common life and work may be an example to all about us. Guide our Bishop and his assistants in their discernment. Hear us now, in this our time of special need; send Your continued graces upon us and bring to a happy solution the situation that confronts us.  Dearest Mother Mary, we ask you to assist us and to be our advocate for the continued spiritual and physical growth and well-being of our Parish. We make our prayer in the name of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior.   Amen."

(Follow this prayer with 3 Hail Marys; 1 Our Father)

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen."

Quiet Day

The wind blew all day. It's raining now. My kids have chattered every chance they got. I was non-stop with in-town errands, homework assistance, dinner making.

I got done what I intended to do. I had a lovely lunch. I feel sleepy. And loved. And content.

Being able to drift off without my mind racing at the end of the day is a quiet day.




"Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we call upon You for the continued well-being of our Parish. Help us in this our time of need. Make our parish a family of one heart and mind towards you. Grant that our common life and work may be an example to all about us. Guide our Bishop and his assistants in their discernment. Hear us now, in this our time of special need; send Your continued graces upon us and bring to a happy solution the situation that confronts us.  Dearest Mother Mary, we ask you to assist us and to be our advocate for the continued spiritual and physical growth and well-being of our Parish. We make our prayer in the name of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior.   Amen."

(Follow this prayer with 3 Hail Marys; 1 Our Father)

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen."

A Novena for Guidance and Discernment

Christmas this past year has been more sorrowful than it usually is. We, the parish of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, unexpectedly lost our pastor, Fr. Louis Giardino. He collapsed from a heart attack the afternoon of December 18, and then passed away the morning of December 23. The Diocese of Birmingham generously assigned Bishop Emeritus Foley to offer the Christmas Eve Masses for us, and Fr. Bazzel (who came from assignment in Rome for Fr. Louis' funeral,) to offer the Christmas morning Mass.  Both are wonderful homilists and of a heart that I would gladly point to them as examples of men of God. Much like our Fr. Louis.

For January & February, we will have local Salvatorian and Benedictine priests offer Sunday & one weekday Mass; Deacon Paul will be available for our parishioners, as always; many members, as well, have spiritual relationships with other Diocesan priests in the deanery. We carry on.

We begin a novena today for Bishop Baker and his assistants, that the Holy Spirit guides them to discernment for our Administrator Priest who will shepherd us until the summer assignments; and for future guidance and discernment for selecting our new pastor.


"Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we call upon You for the continued well-being of our Parish. Help us in this our time of need. Make our parish a family of one heart and mind towards you. Grant that our common life and work may be an example to all about us. Guide our Bishop and his assistants in their discernment. Hear us now, in this our time of special need; send Your continued graces upon us and bring to a happy solution the situation that confronts us.  Dearest Mother Mary, we ask you to assist us and to be our advocate for the continued spiritual and physical growth and well-being of our Parish. We make our prayer in the name of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior.   Amen."

(Follow this prayer with 3 Hail Marys; 1 Our Father)

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen."

"In the Bleak Midwinter"

Clear and bitter cold was today. 'Tho no wind, and with bright sun, the temperature was frozen.

Still, the Magi traveled, as we, and adored Him upon the Feast of the Epiphany, of God revealed.

They came, summoned by signs, to worship the new King of the Jews-- He we know as God-made-flesh.

They gave gifts of great price to a baby so lowly.

We have not He Himself walking among us; we have no gifts to ever equal in cost His to us.

We, instead, are asked to see Him in each other, and to give everyday.

I gave gifts to my family and saw their joy, as they found themselves known and loved, as God knows and loves each of us.

I gave time and talent and voice to my community to help bring parts of the Mass to life, as Jesus lived to bring life to each of us.

I offered friendship, encouragement, smiles to others, as the Holy Spirit lifts and inspires each of us.

I was just being myself, being (I hope) my better self. I pray that is, for today, enough.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"In the bleak midwinter"
        by Christina Rossetti

In the bleak midwinter, the frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Gifted

Being as today is January 7th, Christmas is (almost officially) over.

For me, it's not over-over until after tomorrow; in a rare occurrence, the USCCB Sunday-shift of the Feast of the Epiphany is occurring AFTER the date of the feast. Woo! Party on Casper! Party on Melchior! Party on Balthazar!

While the Three Kings didn't visit me (forgot to stock up on camel hay,) I'd like to share three of my favorite gifts from Christmas Day.

THIS WATCH!  My mom gave this to me. She's been having a grand ol' time ordering fine and costume jewelry from the Internet; I received quite a few whimsical Betsy Johnson pendants for Christmas, but this bargain-find watch is my favorite. I've been looking all season for a bright Christmas watch. And now, YES! I have worn it almost every day since Christmas. (Yes, did go "Squeeeee!!" when I opened the box.)

THIS CHARM!  My friend Tara knows I LOOOOVE The Velveteen Rabbit. This is only the latest in her "real little bunny" gifts to me. Oh, yes, much more squeeing! And the box looks like a book, too! So these are officially the smallest books in my collection.

THIS FAMILY!  I spent a very blessed day with Carl and the kids. We were also visited by his mom, Hazel, and his niece Zoe.  Later, we were joined by my own mom, Pat, and my brother, Bill, as well as the kids' dad, Scott. Yes, Christmas is about family, however God brings us together.

Sno' There

And snow there.

And there.

All over there, too.

But none here in Huntspatch.

Not that I'm complaining. It's looked rather nasty in all those "theres." Meanwhile, I've had a snug little day with my three kings: my husband Carl and our two kittens.

Epiphany

Maybe it's time to stop the after-Christmas sale shopping when you bring home this 75%-off special from Walmart:

Droning On

My husband Carlos, upon reading yesterday's post, exclaimed that we should be helicopter parents, that we should always know what our kids are up to, who their friends are, how they are doing in school--- that we should be hands-on and involved in their growing up.

True, but "helicopter parents" are considered those parents who are also using their lift to keep their kids from floundering and failing, those parents who don't let their kids' feet touch the ground.

I think what we do is surveillance. Luckily, my brother gave us a Christmas gift to practice with around the house:

Wonder how much practice we need before getting an FAA-approved quad-copter?

How High?

We are not supposed to be "helicopter parents."

But we are also supposed to be involved in our kids' learning.

So how high should I hover?

My daughter is preparing for First Reconciliation and First Communion. True, a family should worship together, and parents should be able to teach their children in the way they should go. But to make sure she is ready, her Sunday School teachers have also assigned work for the parents to do with the kids. I'm certain she won't "fail" if we parents don't help her do all the exercises. But, how will it reflect on all of us? I feel guilty that I have not made time to work with her on this. I also goggle over it; this was not a part of her brother's instruction five years ago.... it was not a part of mine four decades ago. Even without her Religious Education classes, she learns much about her growing relationship with God through our talks.

So how high should I hover?

My son has a science project due this 3rd 9-week period. It's either due in 3 weeks or 6 weeks, depending on the date of the "STEM Fair." (Not just your boing parents' Science Fair any more.) I find no date posted for the fair, anywhere on any school related site. His teacher has, on Edmodo (a curriculum-anchored social site for schools/classes,) only assigned to turn in project ideas for teacher approval; parents approval comes later. But when? There is the 3-page guide in the Science Folder. That's it. It is a comprehensive guide, but without due dates. It does have the caveat that research must access two books from the school library before referring to the Internet, yet when can my son go? Standardized tests and holiday breaks came up quickly; there is little free time in the school day. Also, my son is notorious for losing hand-outs and not paying attention to notes on the whiteboard. We are working to make him accountable, but we also rely on his IEP to make sure that the teachers are allowed to give him the time and flexibility that the standard of "teaching to the test" doesn't allow for.

So how high should I hover?

Because, I know myself well and I know I was never fan of my own homework.

One Molehill at a Time

I've let things pile up. Literally. All of the boxes from Christmas? In a pile in the den. Nested, neatly, but still a pile. All my kids' gifts? Piled (still neatly) in laundry baskets. Likewise, our clean clothes. The things I cleared out of our room in anticipation of a re-arrangement? Ok, those were just stuffed in boxes and bags, and were littering the den furniture.

My husband called me on it. Deserved it. Fixed the exposed piles.

If I can neatly pile it up, even get it close to where it should be, I can put it away. Right? Sure.

Gonna' be unearthing a bunch this month.

They Say How You Spend the Day...

Folks have FB posted that how you spent the first day of the new year will define the next 364 days.

I spent it doing nothing but sitting beside my Carl and petting the kittens.

It'll be a cozy year, but folks might have to bring groceries & cleaning staff.