Love Is.... Self-care

Self-care is not blogging when I'm tired and really have nothing to say.

Self-care is turning out the light when my husband asks,
because we do like actually sleeping together.

Self-care is owning up to being a night-owl and just going with it.

Self-care is admitting 5am hurts.  And naps are nice.

Self-care is a shower.

Self-care is eating an apple, instead of saving them for others.

Self-care can be going ahead and pigging out on my favorite junk food.

Self-care is happily cooking a meal.

Self-care is asking to be taken out for a meal.

Self-care is taking care of things on my to-do list.

Self-care is taking it easy after a busy-do day.

Self-care is accepting compliments and understanding and love.

Even from myself.

Hither & Yon

Today was mostly spent driving.

Tuesday is chock-full of after-school activities.  OK, dance lesson for DLG & piano for MLB, but that's plenty.  We do not believe in over-scheduling anyone.

Midday, I drove all the way over to my mom's house to retrieve DLG's coat, and to bring back my vanity/desk from my childhood.  The piece looks lovely in her room.  I think I will go to Costco to get her some lighter colored shelves.  Then, it's on to figuring out how to fit my old double bed in her room.

Maybe we'll just commandeer her brother's room.  Boys don't need much space.

Steady as She Goes

Still plowing through my To Do List.  It contains between 20-25 items.  As some come off, I add others.  Some adds are emerging things; some are things that I've put off long enough.

Maybe by summer I can get it down to a reasonable 10-item as-needed list.



Nah.

We Have Seen

Today, January 6, is the Feast of the Epiphany.  This year the actual feast day fell on a Sunday, which was very convenient for us Americans.

We celebrate the revealing of the Christ to the world when wisemen from the east came in search of the new king whose star they saw rise.

More amazing than their trek is their acceptance that the king was a suckling child of humble birth.

We rarely accept things as they appear to us.  We look for the "angle," for the falsehoods, for the traps.  We expect more and are disappointed when that's all there is.

My kids-- God bless them, because He blessed me with them-- find delight in the here and now.  They have learned to be dazzled by the wonders of everyday:  a spider, a book, lunch.

I brought them Three King's Day gifts.

Nothing big.  Just stuff I found post-holiday clearance.  My son was excited to see his tin held holiday magnets; he barely saw the chocolate coins (a kid fave) below those.  My daughter didn't even open her tin; she was all about her emoji-poo squishy.  And both of them were amazed at the size of the gumballs.  My 14yo & (almost) 10yo were excited about $5 of stuff.  They accepted and rejoiced.

I pray that the Lord keeps them full of gratitude and wonder.  I pray the Lord reminds me always to be thankful and joyful.

Setting Priorities

Today I feel both disappointed with myself, and satisfied with myself.

I'm disappointed because I did not help with the ballet studio's Winter Open House and Rummage Sale.  During The Nutcracker performances, I'd made plans to help out (despite my own misgivings of planning & organizing a rummage sale 10 days after Christmas.)  But then, as evidenced by yesterday, life caught up with me.

That, and I needed to reassemble my dryer vent.

So the dryer vent is one of the banes of my existence.
THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS WRONG WITH IT!
(1)  The inadequate roof vent is clogged with 10-year-old matted lint.
(2)  And we don't own a ladder tall enough to reach the lowest eave.
(3)  The conduit from the floor to the roof is about 20 feet.
(4)  It slopes the last 9 feet.
(5)  The interior conduit is, I believe, repurposed rectangular downspout.
       Because that fits within the framing.
       As opposed to making the framing fit round conduit.
(6)  So. Not. Code.  (Wait!  The county has no codes!  Ha-ha!)
(7)  I need to fit a 12.5 sq.in. round peg into a 6 sq.in. rectangle hole.
(8)  That's off-center.


A few visuals:


This is the vent opening, and the repurposed downspout.

This is my dear, sweet, up-to-code, UL certified dryer.

Quite the mis-match, eh?

I bought an arsenal of things that might make a connection that can easily be removed & cleaned, that would be less likely to catch lint.

And I ended up using what I had removed.  It had been cobbled together by the last tech to work on my dryer.

I don't work by the hour or by the job, so I was able to take time to securely reassemble the parts and to use vent tape to smooth it all out.  After I had to cut the connector piece in order to make a truer 90-degree bend, the round conduit fitting was more of a 3.5 than 4 inch diameter.  Luckily, I had a true duct connector (both ends crimped, a pair of tightening belts included,) which created the transition I needed.  It made the unit stick out an extra 3-4 inches, but Carley was able to figure out a way to get back there and gather up the slack on the flexible conduit so it could be back in its original position.

So I'll see how it holds up, and how soon I'll need to clean the conduits.

Someone said that charity begins at home.  I believe the intent was that charity is first modeled in the home.  Mrs. March took it a step further when she entreated her girls Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy to concentrate their efforts at care and helpfulness with each other first.  Or as my husband reminds me, you can't pour from an empty bucket.

I truly missed spending time with my fellow ballet-moms.  I consider them friends, not co-members.  But I do need to take care of myself and my family first, so I can give more of myself when I do have the time.

Training

I saw a beautiful horse today near the house.  Its coat glowed in the overcast weather; its head arched to display its braided mane; it stood perfectly poised.  I asked the young man if he needed to cross the road, but he said no.  As I drove past, it occurred to me that he must be tempering his show-horse to  distractions-- traffic, people, weather.  Horse and rider, patient & still with each other.

My own selfishness can be a distraction.  I play way too many games on my tablet; I take too many naps; I try to get away with as few responsibilities as possible.

I need to train myself, need to be well tempered.

Stayed busy enough today.  Got my list down to 20 items.

2019. Day 2.

I did not take a nap today.  I did prepare and enjoy 3 nutritious meals today.  I did complete a handful or two of tasks from my list, while adding a few new tasks.

Do To List now stands at....... 24 items.

Yay me.

But, here's a resolution we can all support:

(Life is short, eat the donut.)

Hello 2019

My To-Do list has  25 things on it. Had to make a list, otherwise I'd forget to do them. Like I have for the past few months while either stressing, depressing, or over extending with kid-related volunteer projects.

Mom-life. Oh, look. More stuff.

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!!!

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????

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."

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."

Packing It Away

I am   FINALLY   packing away my Christmas stuff.

I thought it would have made me sad, but it mostly hasn't.

I've enjoyed looking at each of my treasures-- this year's new ones, previous years' discoveries.

I have great satisfaction in reorganizing some of my storage boxes.  And in deciding that other boxes have achieved "just right."

Looking at my kids' ornaments-- the ones they've made and the ones with their photos-- has made me a bit wistful.  They seem to grow up SO fast.

Ok, maybe I'm also wishing that I'd hung more ornaments or used more holiday serving-pieces or made more cookies & candy (or tried my hand at fruitcake.)

Maybe.

But, as I mentioned in my last post, I'm already looking ahead.  Today, I renewed my Keepsake Ornaments Club membership (and ordered replacement Crown Reward cards.)  I'm "following" Keepsake Ornaments on Facebook.  I've seen that there will be an Artists' Signing at one on my franchise's stores just before my birthday--- can you say "day-trip" ??!?

My church's rummage sale is coming up, and I always find goodies.

My craft room is (once again) shaping up, so I can tackle some projects that have been patiently waiting.

So, bring on birthdays, Valentine's Day, Easter & such!

I shall celebrate!

Gifts for All

Today, the Catholic Church in America celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany.  We, here, have moved many major feasts to the Sunday of the week it falls in.  We're a very busy country, quite out of the habit of daily Mass.  Mea culpa.

The kids did not have Sunday School, I did not have Children's Liturgy of the Word, I was not scheduled to read.  Still, we got there early.  The kids were about to dash off to the choir room to get their Maginifikids missalette, when I suddenly knew I had to go with them.

Micki would be on a King-hunt.

For Epiphany, our church gets three kids to wear capes and crowns, and to join the procession with the gifts to present at the manger.  The adults seem to think it's cute.  The kids seem to avoid it.  My two did it last year. They declined Micki's offer to be kings again.  (DLG is not keen on being a "king" since she's a girl.)  Micki asked if I would look for the kings.

Carl asked when I knew I knew I was going to be helping with today's liturgy.  "Five minutes ago."

I recruited three kings, and got them decked out.  I explained to them what they would do.  I refreshed the head usher on what the kids would do.  I set up the book and stand at the ambo and altar.  I noted that no one was there for CLoW, so I had to alert folks on for that.  I counted readers... oh, there's one... but Janie said that her reading partner was sick, so I offered to do the second reading.  And the deacon's broken foot was aching him and it hurt to go up and down stairs, could the first reader bring up the book?  Well, Janie had already sat down, but since I was shepherding the kings, I'd carry the book.  My family sat in the pew behind the kings, so I could lead them to their spots for the offertory, and then cue when they were to join the recessional.

Father Louis' homily was about us bringing our gifts to the King of Kings. We have something more precious to offer than gold, frankincense and myrrh.  We can offer ourselves and our talents.

Glad to.

NYD

So people go around making New Year's Resolutions.

I'm resolved that I'll do things when I'm good and ready.

Or when I just "haf" to.

But this year, I'm going work better on the use-it-or-lose-it plan.

First on that list is my food stuffs.  I'm pitching those five-year-old jars of homemade (not by me) pickles.  I've got better uses for those Mason jars.

Happy New Year, y'all.  Keep sparkling!

Eenie, Meenie, Mynie, More

*** I Got Skills *** In Good Faith ***

*** Call Me Ishmael ***

*** Bone of Contention *** Audience of One ***

These are the writing prompts for the past few days.

I've just not felt like writing. I wanted to force myself to do it, but come on! this is not NaBloPoMo, so I really don't NEED to post EVERYDAY.

Sometimes these prompts just don't thrill me. They "hook" with these titles, but their writing suggestions are mild. When I've used them, I've let myself be inspired by the title; when I look at their page with linked blogs, I think, "Wow, nowhere close to what I wrote." So, there you go.

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"I Got Skills" tempted me, but.... I.... just.....

It prompted describing any skill I'd like to master.

I have skills, and sometimes I work on improvement. I'm more proficient in some, more instinctual in others. I'm currently pleased with my competencies. I can't think of any that I dream to totally master.

On top of that, the phrase is "I Got Skillz," which connotes a skill or ability you have that has surprised/impressed someone when you use it, often unexpectedly used but apropos. I do that already, starting back when as "the roommate who cooks."

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"In Good Faith" asks writers to consider a significant day in their faith-eveloution. Check. That shows up around here. Just not in this post.

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"Call Me Ishmael" suggests starting the post with the first sentence of a favorite book. Right.... interesting, but I'll pass.

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"Bone of Contention" is more a debate training tool: to write about the opposing viewpoint of an issue you have a strong stand upon. It comes with a follow-up psycho-self-anaylsis-- how did that make you feel. Good exercise. Right now, I don't think that is a brain part that needs work.

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"Audience of One." Ooo, that's an interesting title! So, prompting minds want to know, who is the ONE person-- more than any other-- do I want to read my blog? Would I write that person a letter, an open invitation?

I want YOU to read it. YOU, yes you. Right now. Friend or wanderer, I want you here. I've learned that I'll never fully know who I'll make an impression on. More surprisingly, I'll never guess what it is I do or say that connects. So, I just do what do and say what I say. I strive for integrity-- balancing candor with consideration, formal with colloquial, inspired with insipid. I'm just glad you stopped by.

My blog title says it all, "Me, myself, am I."

My blog posts just flesh it all out a bit.

Daring Do

Daring-do: daring spirit or deed; boldness or bold action; heroic feats.


I'm not sure any of that applies to me.


When I think "daring." I picture...

Sensational people like Evel Knievel or any Wallenda;
Courageous individuals like Harriet Tubman or Mahatma Ghandi;
Unbridled talent like Madonna or David Bowie;
Heroic folk like troops or emergency responders.
Brave employees like electrical line men and girder workers;
Unique vocations like astronaut and deep-sea diver;
And maybe a few outright crazy souls that do dare to act.


I don't think I'm like any of those.


Others tell me I have "daring-do" because I...

Read at Mass;
Raise a son with ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome and a mild cleft;
Perform in community theater;
Don't lose my cool in a crisis, even if 911 is called;
Cook, with or without a recipe;
Make crafts, needle arts, scrapbooks;
Let my kids sometimes push their limits and mine.


Is it "daring-do" if I...

do what I want to do,
do what I have to do,
do what is right?


Maybe it is.

First!

Ah, up in the morning and time for my "twah-lette." But first! I should go ahead and make the coffee so it brews while I'm "busy."

Ah, time for a cup of coffee. But first! I should go ahead and clear the dishes from the dish drainer, because my husband's mug in somewhere in there... and go ahead and empty the dishwasher, too.

Mmm, breakfast. But first! The kids want waffles today, and Carl would like a breakfast sandwich. While I'm in the fridge, I should get out the lunch stuff and make those, too.

What to wear, what to wear? But first! Mooooommmmm! I caaaaannnnnn't..... uh, better get those kids sorted out for school.

Kids are at school. The morning is mine. But first! I need to go to the store. Well, both stores.

Wow! Sale on clothes! My wardrobe could use some additions. But first! The kids are growing like weeds and they need new things in bigger sizes for this weather.

Home again, home again, jiggedy-jog. Man, I'd like to take a nap, 'cause 5:15 a.m. was awfully early. But first! I need to unload the car and put everything away. Which, of course, entails all sorts of other straightening and rearranging.

While I'm straightening and rearranging, I think I'll finally try to clear off my alledged-crafting table. But first! I see the laundry basket is full. Is anyone running out of crucial clothes?

Clothes washing, now to tidy. But first! The dog wants a walk. I also really need to finally eat. And wash and put away dishes. And do some dinner prep. And some clothes are ready to be put away. And, oh look! it's time to go get the kids.

Home, again. Again. Maybe now would be a good time to surf the interwebs. But first! The boy child needs me to ride herd on him and his homework. Daughter just needs some attention of her own.

Homework is done. (Finally!) Maybe while they're busy, I can start on my blog. But first! I should start dinner, since it can cook while I'm blogging.

Dinner is cooking. Computer time??? But first! Ugh, I should clean all the prep dishes so there's less to do after dinner (and clear out that dish drainer again.) Oh, I've topped off the garbage can-- out with you! Really, more clothes to fold? Kids! I need you! One of you needs to set the table for dinner, the other take the dog out. I don't care who does what, just do it! And wash your hands before you set the table. ("Hi, sweetheart! Welcome home. kiss-kiss. Dinner will be on the table soon.") Good, did you wash your hands, too? Then do it. And you, go tell everyone dinner is ready.

Good dinner. Time to relax and enjoy a dessert. But first! Kids can't make up their minds what they want. You want ice cream? You all want ice cream? Ok, bowls or cones? Yes, you can have yours in a mug-- with chocolate syrup. Kids, when you're done with dessert, go to the bathrooms. It'll be time to start getting ready for bed. I'll just finish up in the kitchen while you eat.

I still have dishes and clothes to finish. But first! Getting. Kids. Ready. For. Bed. (sigh) Bill Cosby spoke truly: "Turn on the water! Use soap!"

Still. Dishes. Clothes. And now I think I need a bath. But first! "Mommy, can I have a story?" "Mommy, can I have a cuddle?"

Sweet sleeping littles. And clean kitchen. And clothes at a "stopping point" for the day. Time for a LOOOOONG, HOT shower. Ahhhhh... But first! Eww... when did this shower get so grimy? Well, while I'm in here, I might as well bring in the cleaner and a sponge. I'm wet anyway, and would need a shower after cleaning.

Clean. It feels good to be clean. And in pjs. Ready to sit in bed and goof off. But first! What's the matter sweetheart? Your heels again? Here, let me smooth them.

Time to sleep. 5:30 a.m. still comes awfully early. But first! What, sweetheart? You want to "hmm-hmm"? Sounds good to me.

But first? Sure, I'd love to relax in your arms and let you love me.

Getting Crafty, Maybe?

Mary A. Ramsey-- someone whom I see more on Facebook than in real life, but someone I do admire for her energy and vision-- put up a fun repost the other day.

Quote:  "I will make something for the first ten people who comment on this post with something along the lines of "Yes, I want in." A 'like' alone is not enough. It will be delivered unto you by the end of the year.

You must in turn post this as your status update and make something for the first ten people who comment they want in on your status.

The rules are simple: it has to be made by you, and the recipient must receive it before 2014 ends.

It sounds fun, so I put in my "I'm in," comment.  I'm surprised;  I'm the only "I'm in," comment.  Maybe the other interested folks have private messaged her.  She is C R E A T I V E.  She acts.  She sings.  She directs.  She up-cycles.  She makes STUFF.  She crafts business plans.  She is the Interim Director at JA (you know, teaching young people to bring a business plan together from product conception to getting you to buy it?)  She also cooks. And that is just what I know about her.

So, as I said, I'm surprised that no one else has chimed in.  I'm excited!

Ah, but to get, I must, in turn, give.

Maybe THAT is the deterrent.

Not here.

Y'all, if you haven't noticed, I'm pretty crafty, too.

Thus, the purpose of this post connected to my FB repost:  the rules don't specify if the giver or the receiver has the greater say in the crafted gift. Maybe it's all on my part; I can chose how to spend my time and energy; I can have a single-day craft-tan-aganza; I can tailor my gifts to what I know about the respondents; obviously, delivery methods will count towards limitations.

Then again, I think those who will respond to my repost should have a good idea of what I can do:  crochet & knit (short projects,) needlework (cross-stitch preferable, needlepoint under duress,) scrapbookking (is too a word,) up-cycling (like candles,) simple beading, simpler sewing, glue ANYTHING.  Oh, and cooking.  There's probably a few other things I can do (oh, I can write, duh,) but I don't see them spread out on my craft table to be done or put away.

A few photos, if you're curious....

Not much, but there you go.

A Little Time Has Passed, Hasn't It?

Not sure if I've got a bunch to say, or very little.  It's been, what, three-four weeks since I last posted?  It's been sometimes busy- but mostly just FULL- weeks, because it is the "holidays."

L-R: Carl-kid, Carl, Mine, MLB, DLG, Hazel, Zoe, Mine-kid

You know, trying to cram everything in at once.

Carl & I took the kids to see their first movie, Disney's "Frozen."  It's a WONDERFUL film, and the kids were enchanted.  Even Mr.-I-Don't-Want-to-Go-and-I'll-Hide-Down-in-My-Chair was sitting up and cheering by the end.  I think he wants to be Sven.

I finished the gift shopping.

I got a quick visit in with MLB's Godfamily now that they are stateside for the holidays; Sandra & Kevin's new daughter Ellie is a charmer & Eileen is a good big sister.

I got Christmas cards addressed, written & mailed; they went out a day or two after Christmas, but they included a picture of the kids.

I love getting cards!

Not bad for this year.

The kids stayed over a bunch these past weeks; it's been fun, whining & all.

Somebody hogs up the bed.

Somebody hogs up the Carl.

We celebrated Christmas morning here!  The kids' excitement over the visit from Santa was joyous!  Carl was just awash in the wonder of kids & magic of Christmas morning!  Every gift they opened from Santa or me or Carl was just what they wanted.  They played & played & feasted on candy from their stockings.  (Of course.)

He's awash, trust me.

Then kids were off to a celebration at their dad's house, celebrations at my mom's house (Paw-paw's day-after-Xmas birthday & present-o-rama,) and then Christmas at their other grandmother's house.

I've hit a few after Christmas sales, of course.  Candy, cookies & Hallmark stuff at half-off?  Duh!

Now we're just chillin'.  Not quite ready for the vacation and for this year to end, but looking forward to a new year and a return to routine.  If I resolve to do anything in the new year, it's to craft more (scrapbooks included,) write more (blog included,) read more (finishing "Mockingjay" included,) and be a better role model for the kids (quite a few habit changes included.)

Carl says I also need to watch several movies & series I missed over the decades.  He's starting me on "Trading Place" as soon as I post.

It's cool.