Another hot and muggy day in store for the northeast.  Even with the heavy cloud cover it is warm and muggy out there.  I can't imagine what it would be like if the sun were shining.  Today I decided to be either a tortoise or a three-toed sloth. 

They are both slow-moving enough to save energy and keep me cool-ish.  Besides there are only two loads of laundry to do today, very little housework and then it is time for school.  All the energy that will be expended today will be brain power.

I think I can even manage to ignore the three large tubs of summer squash sitting on the table here.  I will be like Scarlet O'Hara, "I'll think about it tomorrow!"

For the past two weeks it has been southern hot here in the Northeast.  This is not normal.  Granted the farmers love it because they have been able to make hay like it was going out of style but the rest of us are sweltering and any other word that you can come up with to describe 90+ temperatures and 80% and better humidity.

I personally am getting tired of sweating like a pig.  There is a stupid phrase! Where did it come from? Not a pig farmer I can tell you that.  Pigs don't sweat because they don't have sweat glands that is why they prefer to make wallows when it is hot and spend the day in the wallow or covered in a coating of mud.  But, anyway, I am tired of sweating, something that I do with great ease and in large quantities.  There isn't enough beer in the world to restock my sweating capacity!

This morning I got up to another hot and muggy day and made up my mind that I wasn't going to let it effect me.  I have put my ability to perspire on hold for awhile and I decided to honor another animal who doesn't get enough praise.  I decided to work like a dog today.

Consequently the whole house is clean, all the laundry is done, supper is made and both refrigerators are cleaned out (no more science projects!).  I took care of all the necessary paperwork that allows me to homeschool Matthew for his last year of highschool.  My financial aid packet for school is all taken care of and now the ball is in their court while I wait for approval of the amount of aid that I am getting. (a mere formality)   Library materials are back where they belong and all the books from the previous school year are put away and the ones for the up coming year are out and catalogued.  The ironing is done and there are even new curtains in the livingroom.  Now I can sit down to the sewing machine and do a little pleasure sewing before I go collapse in front of the Blessed Sacrament for an hour. 

I wonder what kind of animal I will feel like tomorrow?

Outside my window....it is hot and muggy.  Even at this hour of the evening, 8:18, the temperature and the humidity are still up there.  The rain that we had the other day did nothing to lower our humidity. 

I am thinking....I am not enjoying people leaving to go their merry way.  Ian left last night to go to South Carolina to visit my parents.  The big dude left on Saturday morning to go back to Ft. Bragg.  Matthew spent the weekend in the Adirondacks with his friend Brett.  Matthew is home but that is all.  I love MK and Melissa but they are awfully quiet.

I am thankful for....each and every member of my family and all of my friends and for every minute that I get to spend in their company.

From the schoolroom....there is silence.  This week I begin my finals.  Soon Matthew will start his senior year and MK will start her online classes.

From the kitchen.....I am sure that Melissa will be cooking up something delicious.  We now have over 400lbs of beef in the freezer.

I am wearing....pj's.  It is almost time for this mom to hit the hay.

I am creating....plans, great plans for great things.

I am going.....nowhere for the rest of the day.  Tomorrow I hope to spend an hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament, drop off library materials and then be home for the rest of the day.

I am reading.....Matthew Kelly's Joy.  Matthew Kelly is a hopeful and encouraging author.

I am hoping...to finish proofing and submit my paper before midnight tonight.

I am hearing....Melissa and Doug talking about food in the kitchen, Mary-Kate talking to Matthew, and the music to Lord of the Rings as Matthew watches it on the TV.

Around the house.....pushing to get everything done yesterday is paying off.  The place is still clean, there is no laundry in evidence, and everything is tidy.  It is nice to start off Monday with no work leftover from the week past.

One of my favorite things.....the day that I just spent with my husband wandering around our little corner of New York State.

A few plans for the rest of the week...daily Mass, holy hours, schoolwork, laundry, gardening, and family time.

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

Layn was a bit fussy in the heat this afternoon so MK took him in the pool to cool him down.  If he doesn't exactly look happy at least he isn't crying anymore.

Doug at the top of the stack Friday in high heat and humidity doing what he does best.  The man never complains about the heat.  Just make sure that he has plenty of water and the AC is working in the car when I come to pick him up.

A very pleasant time we spent together walking and talking and enjoying the scenery at Pratts Falls this afternoon.  Nice to have "couple" time together once in awhile.

A word of caution to the soft-hearted and unsuspecting; adopting a dog from a shelter is like buying a used car, you get someone else's mistakes and problems.

A year ago we adopted two pure bred American Bull dogs from our local humane society.  They were 2 1/2 years old at the time and we were told the the previous owner had lost his home and was therefore financially unable to keep the dogs any longer.  Second caution, don't believe the story you are told by the shelter, they just want the dogs to be adopted.

In the shelters defense I think I would have taken these two not matter what they told me as long as it didn't include rabid child eaters.  I firmly believe that dogs are like children, if they get consistant training and firmness (not cruelty) and lots of love they can be trained.

Brutus was the most exhuberant dog that I have ever owned.  He could jerk my arm right out of the socket when I took him for a walk (and I am pretty strong).  So the first order of business was to take him to obedience training.  He also had issues with other animals.  He didn't attack but he barked relentlessly when he came near our cows or pigs or saw the horses up the road.  That was unacceptable.

Little by little we worked together until he and I could walk on a loose lead anywhere except where there were other dogs.  The only dog that he wouldn't act aggressively toward was his sister, Isabella.  He learned to ignore the farm animals and the horses along the road when we went for a walk.  He would even give over his attention to the neighbors dogs as long as the other dogs were tied up.

Then in January Melissa came to live with us and brought her two dogs with her.  It was pure hate at first sight for Brutus and her little golden mix Miss Bella.  We kept the two of them apart the best we could but, with the large number of people coming and going from this house a mistake was bound to happen.  Two weeks ago it did happen, Miss Bella and Brutus were allowed contact with each other and a fight ensued.  They were pulled apart and neither were seriously hurt but, I knew a decision had to be made.  Then last Saturday it happened again and that was the last straw.  We had to have Brutus put down. 

He was a well trained dog.  He could be loving and lovable but he didn't like other dogs and I couldn't seem to train that out of him.  Maybe it was my fault but I know of no other way.  He wasn't safe with Layn around and it's not fair to send him off to someone else knowing that all it would take was another dog coming into his radar range to set him off.

I miss the big goof but I think that I may have learned my lesson.  No more used cars or used dogs.

The big guy has been here visiting us for the past week.  Whenever he comes it is never for long enough and we never seem able to pack enough activities into the time.   So as per usual this week has been action packed and fun in spite of the heat and humidity.

Fireworks were watched and enjoyed by all.  We have some very good friends who live just beyond Vernon Downs.  It has become a semi-tradition to go to their house, have a good time and watch the fireworks when it gets dark.

Between the swimming and the fireworks display some music was made.  MK played while Jason and the Big dude sang for anyone who would listen.  My heart swells and fills my chest whenever members of this family get together to make music.

Layn got his first swimming lesson.  He loved being in the pool so much that he only cried when he was taken out.  He was also purple when I took him out and dressed him.  Consequently he nursed and slept all night that night.

Hair was cut this week.  My good friend Mary came over to show off her new grand-daughter and to cut MK's and my hair.  

Layn spent a lot of time just hanging out and trying to stay cool.  Get a load of those Buzz Lightyeat sunglasses!

Books were read and plenty of Layn and big guy quality time was fit in as well.  We all try to make sure that he is exposed to the finer things in life.

There was a big bonfire and plenty of hotdogs and marshmallows were roasted.  Only this family would have a bonfire in 95+ temperatures and 80% humidity.  You can tell that the natives were having a miserable time.

Matthew and his friend Andrew managed to get in some friendly combatives during the bonfire.  

Daily workouts were a part of the schedule in spite of the heat.  The workouts were followed by dips in the pool.

First and foremost, as in any large family, much good food was consumed by everyone. 

We are going to miss the big guy after he leaves.

Today is the 7th so that means in 8days Layn will be 3 months old.  It has been awhile since I posted any pictures of the little nipper.  That doesn't mean that he hasn't been photographed.

Since this little heat wave has started he hasn't been inclined to wear much in the way of clothing.  When I get my hands on him and we go outside to work on schoolwork he wears even less.  My policy has always been that the more fresh air and sunshine that a kid gets the better he is for it.

When Layn is in the house on a hot day a fan had better be close by. 

He doesn't tire of being held and talked to, especially if the person holding him and talking to him is willing to make a fool out of himself to get smiles out of Layn.

He's quite the little personality.  He has already taken over the whole household.

What a good daughter I raised.  Fresh-water mussels that she dug at Brown Tract Pond yesterday steamed just for her mother and a cold beer.  Each delicious morsel of mussel and swallow of beer was consumed in your honor, Grandpa.  Happy 4th of July.

Outside my window....there is no window since I am outside already.  However, it is 88 and very muggy out.  Today is definitely a go in the pool day.

I am thinking...that there is nothing like a big family.

I am thankful for....the fact that the big dude is home for a visit, that my sailor just called and he is going out to sea tomorrow, and the rest of my family is all hail and hearty.

From the schoolroom....I need to finish two papers and two final exams then I will be done with this semester.

From the kitchen....sandwiches, leftovers, and whatever else you can scrounge up.  It's too warm to light the stove.

I am wearing....red tank and khaki capris but that is going to change soon.  I think the pool is in my future.

I am creating...an atmosphere of family closeness.

I am going....nowhere today.  Not only is it a holiday but it is a Monday. 

I am reading....Rediscovering Catholicism by Matthew Kelly.  I highly recommend this read for everyone Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

I am hoping....that my husband doesn't have to work very late this evening.

I am hearing....Matthew talking to Adam on the phone, the birds singing, the chicks scratching in their pen behind me, and the farmer on the hill behind us running his machinery.

Around the house.....MK and Melissa have things all in order.  I slept until 10:00 this morning so I missed the flurry of early morning cleaning and straightening that is normal for a Monday.

One of my favorite things....the normal everyday comings and goings of a large family.

A few plans for the rest of the week....hopefully I will complete all the pending work for school and post it.  If my professors put up the finals I will take them and be done with this semester early. 

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

A quiet moment of togetherness between the big dude and Layn.  The sight of my sons holding a small baby never cease to warm my heart and amaze me.

Matthew and Brett out in the kayaks yesterday at Brown Tract Pond up in the Adirondacks.  We were invited by some friends to spend the day with them at their camp. 

They swam and kayaked and explored the pond.  MK brought home a bag of mussels that she dug up in the pond and is cooking them now for lunch.  There is something renewing about a day spent in the Adirondacks that I cannot resist.  Thank you Karen, Doug, and Mark for a lovely day.

The big dude is home!!!! For 8 days we have the pleasure of his company and aleady he has taken up his customary position at the dining room table and the rest of the family feels different in response to his presence.

Even the dogs behave differently.  Isabella barked her head off as if to say, "I thought humans were smarter than that!" When the big guy took an early morning plunge into the cold swimming pool.

Thank you Lord for his safe return into the bosom of his family.

In the evening when he comes in from working Ian's favorite thing to do is to take Layn from whoever is holding him and talk to him and play with him.  Doesn't matter who has him, Ian has priority when he comes in at night.

Now that we seem to have Layn's colic under control he is a new man and is a lot more fun to have around.  Tonight he and Ian were having a rather involved conversation about what to do tomorrow in the way of making hay.  I truly wish that I was a worthy photographer.

If I didn't know better I'd think Layn knew what Ian was talking about and was answering him.  There is nothing like a baby in the house to make every member of the family turn toward what really matters.