Month: September 2009

  • The Simple Womans Daybook 14 September 2009

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    I have already done this once today but cyber space ate it up and spit it out somewhere else.  So let's try it again

    Outside my window........the sun is up and it is quite nippy out there.  There is the tang of fall in the air and it is my favorite time of the year, minus the allergies.  The trees are slowly relinquishing their summer green for the glory of autumn.

    I am thinking.........about New York City of all places.  A dear friend has invited me to accompany her to the city for two days and I am attempting to be about my excitement while I wait to ask my husband if I might go.

    I am thankful for.........all of you wonderful xanga people who are praying and being so supportive since Doug lost his job.  You have made a potentially anxious time into a peaceful time.

    From the schoolroom........all is in waiting for Matthew to come home from Mass and begin another week of learning.  He has a renewed desire to excell since his brother is encouraging him to not only become physically fit but spiritually and intellectually as well.  What would we do without big brothers.

    From the kitchen..........grilled pork steaks, potatoes from my garden, fresh green beans, and peach pie.

    I am wearing........I am going to be wearing jeans, black tee shirt with a pig on it, and flip flops after my shower

    I am creating...........an atmosphere of encouragement and love for my husband.

    I am going.........nowhere today, I hope.  To NYC tomorrow, I hope.

    I am reading.........still plowing my way through Love and Responsibility

    I am hoping........that Doug finds another job soon.

    I am hearing........the sound of both dogs snoring from MK's room.

    Around the house.........three clean bathrooms, clean floors on the first floor, two loads of laundry going, dishes done, dogs fed and contented, husband and son to Mass, schoolwork prepared for, and one workout done.

    One of my favorite things........listening to my husband talking to our kids on the phone.

    A few plans for the rest of the week.........I am throwing them all up in the air until I talk to Doug about going to NYC.

    Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you........

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    Either this is a creature from some strange planet that has invaded our home or Matthew has finished his ghillie suit.

  • The End

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    My husband and I took a walk this afternoon and ended up out at the little clearing where once we dreamed of building our dream house.  The dream is now dead.  Burnt up in the same conflagration that took our barn, herd and our livlihood.  I somehow knew that night that there would never be a house in the clearing.

    As we stood looking silently at the beauty of the woods and that special slanted tree something came over me and I wept.  I wept as I had not done so since the fire.  All of it, the dream of the house in the woods, the hurts, pains, disappointments, and frustrations that had been inside of me since that cold day in January came flowing out of me.  As I stood staring at that tree, seeing a little dark haired boy trying in desperation to climb that tree, it represented to me all the struggle of the past two and a half years.  Then I suddenly recalled the day that Adam finally climbed the tree.  All the boys tried and failed but for some reason it seemed to mean more to him and he was the most persistant about it.  One day he did finally climb that tree and along with that memory I heard a voice inside my heart saying, you too can climb whatever comes along.  Just hold my hand and I will help you up any obstacle that comes along.

     

  • Mulling things over, getting them off my not inconsiderable chest, thinking things through.

    About two years ago we sold what livestock was left on the farm after the fire, made the very difficult decision not to rebuild, and my husband went out in search of a job.  After a series of part-time jobs and a short stint in a factory assembling lawnmowers, he was hired to work on a farm.  The farmer that hired him had hired our son two summers before and was impressed with Jason's work and work ethic and was becoming acquainted with the rest of the family.

    Relieved to have steady work Doug took himself each day to this farm to earn his daily bread.  This has been the arrangement for about two years now.  The arrangement being that he work Monday through Saturday.  During the cold months the hours are 5AM to 4:30PM and during the nice weather 8AM to 7:30PM.  With Sunday off.  He has worked a few Sundays when the family has gone on vacation.

    A few weeks ago his boss suddenly asked him to start working on Sundays as well as the rest of the week.  My husband respectfully said that this would be unacceptable.  Sunday is a day of rest and he also needs that day to be with his family and to attend Mass.  Yesterday he was issued an ultimatum, either he consent to working on Sunday or don't come back to work. 

    We are both floored.  During these years of working for this man our families have come to know each other and, we thought, become friends.  Many pleasant evenings have been spent in conversation and the children have become friends also.  I don't know what to make of this sudden hardening of heart of the father of the family.  There is no dialogue, no room for appeal.  So my husband is tossed back into the ranks of the unemployed and now must search for a job.

  • THAT day.

    When I was a girl growing up I cannot count how many times I would listen to the conversations of grown-ups and try to figure out what they were talking about.  One thing that I remember hearing more than once was the question, "Do you remember what you were doing the day that Kennedy was shot?"  I remember wondering what the big deal was.  What was so great about the day that Kennedy was shot?

    Now I know.  Not only do I know but my generation has a similar question to ask.  One that binds us together the way that another question binds together our parents generation.  "What were you doing on 9/11?"

    I know I shall never forget what I was doing and where I was that day.  The whole day and all of it's details remain in my mind as if it were yesterday.  The feelings that I had that day and for days after I hope I never forget.  The feelings of horror at what one human can do to another.  The feelings of helplessness and uncertainty.  Helpless to help those who were in peril.  Those who were under attack and those who were certainly in danger even though they were rushing in to give aid.  Uncertainty in the face of this new danger.  What was going to come of this.  Would the wounds heal, would the scars fade?  Would the people of this country be able to rise above the anger and rage that would surely result from such and attack?  The most overwhelming feeling was one of hurt and pity for those who were so innocently suffering for they knew not what.  Pity for those who had no chance to lift their minds and hearts up to God before their lives were cut off.

    As we commemorate yet another year past that fateful day, let each of us who has been left behind lift our minds and hearts to God.  First in thanksgiving for the many and continued blessings that God has bestowed on us and on our country.  Then let us beg Him for his favor on those who have been left behind, that they may see a divine plan in all that has come before and all that is to come and that they may find peace in knowing that God is truly in charge and managing our destiny both personally and as a country.  And finally let us remember that God expects us to strive for perfection in our own hearts and lives.  That he wishes the best for us but that we must cooperate in the gift of his grace and must work each and every day to be worthy in some way for the salvation that he died to gift to us.

  • Yikes!

    I went to see Dr. Jim today for a regular check-up.  I have to see him every three months because of the medication that I am on.  The nurse had me step on the scale and..........YIKES! I gained 10pounds.  I didn't know I had gained any weight.  I still fit into my size 8's and not tight but comfortably.  What's with this. 

    So into the examining room walks Jim.  Being a man and a doctor the first thing he sees on my chart is not how well I am doing on my medication.  Noooooo, he sees the weight gain first.  What kind of a doctor is he anyway.  I tried the tact that is was all former fat that had been turned into lean muscle mass.  Muscle weighs more than fat don't you know.  He just gave one of those looks that says, "Yeah, right. Want to try another one on me?"  Having known me since we were in third grade I guess that was not the way to go.  So then I tried to convince him that there was something wrong with his scales and he should ge a maintenance man in immediately to fix them.  Another one of those looks.  Not washing, guess he isn't buying what I am selling.  He just advises me to do something about that weight gain and goes on to the next thing.

    He gave me my yearly cortisone shot in my left hip rendering me incapable of exercise for a few days.  My parting shot to him, "guess I won't be doing any serious exercise for awhile."  His parting shot, "then eat less while that shot is taking effect."  He always has to get the last word.  Isn't that just like a man.

  • When did it happen?

    When did they grow-up. When did they change?  When did the dirt in the tub go from sand and sweat to grease and oil?  When did I stop being able to kiss it and make it better and why doesn't a popsicle and a bandaid make all things right again?

     

  • There is nothing like good friends.........

    When MK was about five years-old I received a phone call from the pastor of the church up the road from our house.  He told me about a woman who lived not far from us who had a daughter about the same age as mine.  He thought we should get together since I was homeschooling my children and this mother was interested in homeschooling her daughter.  Oh, and by the way, the little girl was adopted from India. 

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    Little did I know that it would be the start of a very long friendship both for myself and my family.  Mary, Dan and Therese have been friends of this family ever since.  Because I have only one daughter I have always felt compelled to "import" little girls for companionship for MK.  Since Therese was an only child, Mary felt compelled to import other children for a little competition and companionship for her.  What a good match we made.  Our family came complete with ready made big brothers who were equipped to teach Therese what it was like to live in a larger family and to take a little brotherly ribbing now and then and their family came with another girl who taught MK how to give and take a bit in the often tense world of females.

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    But more than this these people have been true friends in every other sense.  Of course we have done our part too.  Since poor Dan spends his days surrounded by women we have often joked that he needs to "rent a boy" now and then to even the score a bit.  Through the years the boys have provided such manly services for him as mowing, plowing the garden, and moving furniture when needed.

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    The best times that we spend together, though, center around sharing ourselves with each other.  Time spent in the pool and cooking out in the summer and playing garmes around a fire in the fireplace in the winter is time spent with an extended family.

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    An evening spent with Dan and Mary wouldn't be complete without finishing it up with some music provided by some of the kids.  Mary-Kate at the piano most often.  But at other times we have heard from Jason playing and the big guy singing.

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    Last night Matthew sang also and played his tin whistle.

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  • The Simple Womans Daybook 7 September 2009

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    Outside my window...........it is still dark and cool out but it looks like it will be another nice day.  This past two weeks has been the longest stretch of nice weather that we have had all summer.  I will take this and more. 

    I am thinking..........about all that needs to be done and all that I want to do and about the silence in the house.  I love the house at this hour when no one else is up.  But I admit I would prefer to be asleep too.

    I am thankful for...........good friends and family and the lovely time that we had yesterday.

    From the schoolroom............more education will be happening today and all this week.  Matthew is really intent on staying on track this year, that makes my job a whole lot easier.

    From the kitchen...........yesterday's menu will be the order of the day since we had a change of plans and went to a friend's house for the afternoon.

    I am wearing............sweatpants and a sweatshirt.  Too early to wake the house getting a shower and dressed for the day.  Besides, it is a bit too nippy to be getting all wet.

    I am creating...........let's see......making bags for stvi's niece, baby quilts for several new babys in the area, have to start on some Christmas gifts.  I think that is enough for now.

    I am going.........to 8:00 mass then home for the day.

    I am reading.........Love and Responsibility by Pope John Paul II  (I'm pretending I'm smart)

    I am hoping............the rest of the week stays as nice and sunny as last week was.  Cool would be nice too.  Want to close the pool this coming weekend.

    I am hearing.......the tick of the clock and the sound of my fingers on the keys and nothing else.  I am the only one astir in this place. 

    Around the house...........there is an air of waiting, as if the house is poised to start the day and another busy week.  The feeling of anticipation is almost palpable.  But it is a pleasant feeling.

    One of my favorite things...........knowing that my loved ones are sleeping and content in the rooms above my head.

    A few plans for the rest of the week.........let's see, this week starts the season of madness.  Tomorrow there is a meeting for our women's group to plan the dinner, along with my regular holy hour, wednesday is my prayer group, thursday is the dinner for the women's group, friday is my other holy hour and the day that I pick up MK and bring her home for the weekend.  In among all of those things I need to work daily mass, laundry, school, cooking, cleaning, sewing, and caring for my family.  Just the usual. 

    Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you..........

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    The group is getting smaller I am afraid.  Our usual group shot after a fun day spent with Dan and Mary.  The kids went in the pool while the rest of us chatted.  Then we had a cook out, played games and listened to some darn fine music.  There is nothing in the world like this pair of friends.

  • My latest acquisitions

    In the town near where we live there is an old hardware store and lumberyard that went out of business a few years ago.  Recently someone acquired the property and has turned it into a unique type of store for this area.  The hardware store has been turned into booths for those who would like to rent them and display their consignments.  I recently found out that the building in the back that housed the lumberyard is being converted to contain more booths.  The contents of these booths contain a particular type of item, though.  They are not home to the "garage sale" fare that is ordinarily found in flea markets.  Whoever owns the property and is renting out the spaces is obviously trying to attract a "certain quality" of goods.

    There is a great deal of antique furniture and glassware on display.  Some of the booths are set up to resemble little "rooms".  Some of them have antique or unusual toys and very well made, one of a kind homemade items, I wouldn't call them crafts.  There are booths with handcrafted soaps and candles and lovely displays of home canned jams and jellies.  It really is a beautiful place to pass an afternoon just browsing even if you have no intention of spending any money.

    This past Friday afternoon I picked MK up from school with the intention of taking here there as a surprise.  I knew that she would enjoy walking through the store seeing the treasures that were to be found in the corners, nooks, and crannies of the place.   When we pulled up she commented, "Oneida Commens", in a rather bored voice since it was a place that we had often passed without having ever stopped in.  When she had crossed the threshold, however, the look on her face and the change in her stance told me that her opinion of the place had changed drastically.

    By the time that we were ready to leave she was ready to come back again, soon and we both were a few dollars poorer.

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    This chicken bowl caught my eye and now it sits in the middle of the diningroom table waiting to be filled with something good.

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    Our new butter dish sits proudly on the kitchen table.

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    This little treasure sits beside my sewing machine holding all of those pesky little items that seem to go missing at all the wrong times.

  • The chickens are organizing, Mrs. Tweedy!!

    Ever since I was 8 years-old I have been driving a sewing machine.  My mother taught me to sew, I think, hoping that I would take over the family mending and such.  She never kept it a secret that sewing was not her favorite part of being a mother. 

    From the first I was hooked and I have been sewing since.  As soon as each of my kids got to be old enough, five or so, I started to teach them to drive a sewing machine also.  Since God saw fit to send me four boys to start with, I naturally started with my eldest son.  It doesn't hurt to teach a boy to sew; not only mending and putting buttons back on things but to create their own garments and anything else that they may want.  Each of my boys has made everything from clothing for themselves or others and dolls to quilts ranging from doll size right up to king.

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    I think Matthew is the most avid sewer of all the boys.  He is motivated to start and finish projects on his own with very little encouragment from me.  He has even taught himself to put in zippers, something that I can't do and modify patterns to suit his imagination.

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    He recently made himself this camouflage outfit.  He is now in the process of turning the jacket into a gilly suit.  Why? I don't know but if that's what he wants to do, so be it.

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    This summer has been a very rainy one for us.  Just last week we recorded over five inches of rain.  Consequently any low spot on the farm has turned into a mud hole.  This driveway that goes past my garden is getting a facelift.  Doug has picked up these cement silo staves and is laying them out in the driveway.  When he is done gravel will be spread over top and packed down.  Hopefully that will make for a better driveway and less mud for me to have to walk in when I go to the garden.

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    The day that she left for school, Mary-Kate's chickens made their move from the drag-around in the yard to their permanent chicken coop in the pig barn across the road.  They are getting noticeably bigger and the adolescent males are even trying to crow.  (oh joy!)

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    She has entrusted Matthew with the task of caring for her birds while she is gone during the week, which he lovingly does as any good brother would.  Which reminds me that a loving mother would remember to go to the feed store and get chicken feed before we run out.  (yikes!!!!)