blah blah blah plus request

So since  my last post I have written many post in my head.  I have told you about some of my daily celebration adventures, quotes that I have made up, and other random stories.  But as is often the case, they have not reached the keyboard.  There is no real excuse, just not the priority.  I am trying to get back into running and some regular exercise.  Actually rising early in the morning to run a 5K tomorrow.  I am trying to readjust my sleeping schedule to "early to bed and early to rise" which is a whole new concept or me.  The past two weeks I was obsessed with redecorating my bathroom.  Now I am knitting little baby hats.  I am also making plans to sell my recycled gift card guitar picks and jewelry at an upcycle market at the end of April.  So lots of things to consume time and energy.  But there are a couple of things I want to share as well as ask of you so I am writing this little entry.

 

As stated above, I am working on some recycled item crafts.  For the April 30th market I need all the used, empty gift cards (the ones you spent and are going to throw away) that I can get my hands on. So if you have any just hanging around and want to send them my way, I am happy to give them new life.  I have another project (actually for Christmas) and am gathering wine corks.  So for those who like me hate to throw those kind of things away and want them to be useful, I would like to help.

 

The second request is for prayer for Peter.  I know many of you do or have prayed regularly for him.  I just felt the need to ask for a renewed effort.  It is hard to explain to you what is going on and many would respond that it is typical teenager.  I am not convinced that it is.  It definitely seems like more. His motivation is practically nil.  His expectations and perception of life are extremely skewed.  There is no evidence that he has any real friends.  A few weeks ago he made a choice that was extremely dangerous but he was oblivious and totally in denial when it was addressed.  He does not listen to advice or accept instruction.  I am aware that some of the stuff going on is because I enable it.  And I am working to break the cycle but it is not without a lot of yuck.  It is scary to watch the path he is currently on because  the current course  is certainly not headed upward.  Again many would tell me not to be alarmed but I am.  It has made me more prayerful and it made me want to ask others to pray for him as well.

 

This Wednesday March 16th is Saint Larry's day.  It will mark one year since my brother Larry's death.  In honor of this day I am taking the day off to spend with my folks.  The current plan is to have a work day in Mom and Dad's yard preparing their backyard flower garden.  The plan is to make this a day of celebration of family.  So if you think of it say a little prayer for us and share a favorite Larry memory if you have one.

more days of the year

So as recently mentioned, I like celebrating the more obscure holidays as I find on Days of Year.com.  So here is a little update on my celebrations.


On February 11th I did wear white.  I did spill the milk without crying about it.  I did make new friends, Daysi and Rebel.   I gave out guitar picks to my co workers.  And I was satisfied staying single for that day as well.

On February 13th to celebrate "Get a New Name" day, I gave myself a new name for the day.  Indigo Blu (Indie for short).  But I was home alone most of the day so I am the only one that called me that.

Monday February 15th was Single Awareness Day.  I had planned my second annual SAD party to take place at a local Mexican restaurant however due to expected bad weather (that never happened by the way) I postponed it.  So I spent the evening crafting and watching movies. 

Tuesday February 16th was "Do a Grouch a Favor" day.  I didn't give Peter any chores that day.  I figured that counted.

On Wednesday February 17th I celebrated "Random Acts of Kindness Day."  I did an act so random that I am not sure who benefited. Someone out there got a $20 bill when unknown to me it fell out of my pocket.  When discovered I decided that counted for my random act of kindness.  Can't get much more random than that.

Thursday February 18th was "Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast." Since it was also my co-worker's birthday, it was a convenient way for our preschool kids and I to celebrate her while having ice cream for breakfast. 

Though not found on the Days of the Year website, Friday marked mine and Peter's 13th anniversary of when we became family by his coming to live with me.  I bought Chinese take out to celebrate.

Today is Sticky Bun day so I baked a can of cinnamon rolls that I had in the fridge.  I bought and baked them for Peter yet managed to eat two already.

Looking ahead . . .
Tomorrow the 22nd  is Margarita Day.

Tuesday the 23rd is International Dog Biscuit Day.  I don't have a dog but recently found some "Scooby Snacks" that are graham crackers shaped like dog biscuits.  Seems like Tuesday will be a good day to share with the kids at the preschool.

The 24th is Tortilla Chip Day.  That is Peter's staple food!  And since the fourth Wednesday in February is also "Inconvenience Yourself Day" maybe I will do so and go buy Peter a bag of tortilla chips and throw in some salsa.

This one wasn't on the website either but Thursday the 25th is my friend Debbie's birthday!

Friday is my favorite this week.  It is "For Pete's Sake Day."  And since I have a Pete(r) in my life, I am sure I can find something to do for his sake that day.  Maybe more Chinese take out.

Saturday is Kahlua Day.  I have a good Kahlua cake recipe - hmmmm. 

Sunday is Floral design day.

Monday February 29th is Leap Day.  When I canceled the Single Awareness Day party I rescheduled it for Monday February 29th making it a "Leap for Joy, We're Single" party. I was amused to recently discover that on Days of the Year it is marked as Bachelor Day.  I guess I wasn't that far off.

May all your days be a celebration.

Thursday February 11th

I think I have mentioned this before but I am a fan of celebrating obscure holidays.

 

I get a weekly e-mail from a website called Days of the Year that highlights that weeks holidays along with links to information on other celebrations.  I have started taking a few minutes on Sunday to look at the holidays that I can celebrate for that week.  I have been known to make Chocolate Cake simply because it was Chocolate Cake Day.  Well as I looked at this weeks options I realized that February 11th is a humdinger of a day for celebrating.  Thursday is "Wear a White Shirt" while I "Don't cry over spilt milk" and then go out and "Make a Friend" by "Getting out my guitar" and all along be "Satisfied Staying Single (S3)" Day. 

 

This is a great day of celebrating for me. I have several white shirts.  I often spill the milk while serving the preschoolers breakfast. Although I don't have a guitar I might be able to convince others to get theirs out while I make friends by handing out guitar picks that I made.  And hey I am single.  Lets here it for February 11th!

Write a Book

If I have talked about this before, forgive me.

 

So when I was a freshman in college, my English professor told my mom that I should be a an English major as I "had a lot of potential."  My mom laughed as she knew the state of my spelling and grammar skills.  Even before the arrival of spellcheck, the professor assured her that was a minor detail.  In spite of the affirmation, I majored in Home Economics. Somewhere along the line mom must have decided that the English professor had a point.  She has been telling me for many years now that I should write a book.  My usual response is "Mom, the world doesn't need any more books, have you seen the clearance racks at the book store?!"  I do not feel like people are lacking in material to read but that isn't the real reason I decline.

 

It is a patience and persistence issue.  I do better with quick and easy projects.  That is why when I look at the daily 'All About Knitting' e-mails, I look at the patterns that say "2 hour project" or "fast and easy." I don't knit sweaters with details, blankets with multiple rows, or even socks with fine yarn.  Geez, that last dish cloth with the cotton yarn and #5 needles almost did me in.  I like to make head warmers, scarves with thick yarn, small dish scrubbies and itty bitty gnome hats.  I enjoy the creative process but I better have a product soon or I lose interest and it becomes part of a pile in the corner. It is for this reason that my friends did not receive Christmas cards.  I designed a homemade card at Thanksgiving time and got as far as printing the inside sentiment. But because the outside embellishment was taking longer than I hoped, I never finished them.  I have been collecting empty gift cards to make recycled art.  Currently I am making guitar picks and guitar pick jewelry.  I have tools and have made a few prototypes.  They are fun and easy.  But thanks to friends and kind clerks at Target and Starbucks, I have accumulated a large pile of gift cards.  And I feel it happening, this little craft is becoming BIG and overwhelming and I am getting itchy.  I fear this could be another craft in the corner.

 

Therefore the thought of writing something makes me nervous.  It seems so big and I can't get started.  The truth is sometimes these projects don't really take that long, but in my mind it is so big that I can't begin.  For several years I wanted to write my mom a personalized poem.  At her urging I made one for Dad the first time he retired.  Therefore I felt it was fitting to do so for mom after her retirement.  It was probably five years after her retirement that I finally did it after much thinking, talking  and guilt for not doing it.  Then one Christmas Eve I sat down and wrote it within half an hour.  It took five years to do something that really only took thirty minutes. 

 

With the knitting I have learned to tackle smaller projects and enjoy the process with it's quick outcome.  In a way I am learning to do the same with the writing.  It is one of the reason's I have this blog. There even was a time that I wrote "jacket covers" of novels.  It gave me a chance to create characters and scenarios with little commitment.  Recently when a friend text me that she wanted a hymn about Jesus' Love being sweeter than brownies, I wrote her one in 20 minutes. She had low expectations and there was no pressure. (Also I was probably procrastinating something else at the time.)  One of the hobbies that I have had for many years is creating song and book titles.  In fact the name of this blog is inspired by one of my early book titles.  I used to say that the autobiography about my life before Uganda was going to be titled "Where is Yonder?" The book about my life in Uganda was going to be "I Found Yonder." And the book about post Africa life would be titled "To Yonder and Back." 

 

Recently I have come up with a new set of autobiographical titles.  To help you understand context though I need to talk about hair for a moment.  I have long brown hair and these strands can be found throughout the house.  It has often annoyed Peter when he comes across one.  I personally am not very happy either when I find one on my kitchen counter.  Peter's hair is different.  When his short curly hair falls out on the sink in the bathroom it is in the form of dark black circles. And now as it is being grown out because Peter is no longer in Military School and mom has decided to let go, it falls out in fuzz balls. So back to the book.  From the time Peter and I became a family I have thought the autobiography of life with Peter would be called "For Pete's Sake." Then a few years ago I decide instead that it should be called "Circles In My Sink."  Recently I decided to make it a two part series.  The early years would be "Circles In My Sink" with the adolescent years falling under the title, "Fuzz on the Floor."

 

The truth is sometimes I feel compelled to embark on a project that requires patience and perseverance.  Remember the Half Marathon?  I did knit dad a blanket once.  Okay so it did use big chunky needles and multiple strands of yarn. I desire to make longer projects really.  I want to finish and send out the Christmas Cards for next year.  I want to make a weather inspired throw blanket.  And so who knows maybe some day I will write a book.  You can look for it on the clearance rack.

 

 

Getting Ready for Winter

New Year's Weekend I removed the gold and green Christmas décor on the outside of my house.  In spite of the 60 degree weather, I put up the "winter decorations." The appearance was a little disjointing on some of our unusually warm January days.  But with the recent temperature drop, it feels a little more appropriate.  Last year's décor was very glittery and honestly a little "too" much.  The look has been neutralized a bit this year and it seems to fit the house better.  It makes me smile when I drive in.  Want to see?

The Front Entrance - rarely used
but the space I spend the most time decorating.

Those are my ice skates from the ice skating phase
 when I was 17 and I took lessons.

Lantern came from Uganda with us for nostalgia sake.
The pail was bought to hide the bubble machine at a wedding.
Snowballs are foam and clear ornaments.
The logs were picked up on the side of the road one day.

 

Wine Crate End Table
Christmas clearance birds for 50 cents each from Hobby Lobby.
Clearance snowflake stickers and burlap placemat.
The elephant watering can was from a yard sale years ago.  He gets a seasonal ribbon.
We live in "Elephant" territory as that is the mascot for Peter's high school.

I keep recycling the P with different paint, ribbons and doo dads.

 

 

The Back Door - the real entrance to our home.

 

 

 

Prepping for the "Blizzard"

I was in the bathroom and I heard Peter "talking" in his room. The thing is I am not sure who he was talking to.  No one was back there (I checked) and he was watching something on his phone so I don't think he was talking on the phone to someone.  I am pretty sure he was talking to himself.  This is not the first time I have heard it.  It is alarming for this mom.  I already have concerns about how much time he spends alone in his room and add to that him "talking to himself," and well that just seals it.  It wasn't a half hour later that I realized I too was talking to myself.  So either I need to stop worrying about Peter or be worried for both of us.

 

My talking to myself is probably even more alarming as I realized I was running "commentary."  Perhaps it is watching too much Reality TV with Mom and Dad but I realized I was narrating my story.  My folks are big fans of the Alaska Reality TV shows.  I don't know the name of the show but there is this one with the Kilter Family.  Well lets just say we talk about the Kilter's probably more than our own blood relatives.  If you were listening in you would think they were relatives or personal friends. I think we are all a bit mesmerized by all they do just to maintain a life that for us largely comes from Wal-Mart and Amazon.com.  So call it Kilter influence but I found myself narrating my prep for the upcoming "blizzard".

 

So lets talk about that "blizzard."  First of all lets remember that I live in the South where it takes little more than predictions of rain and the temperature dropping to shut down the town.  Today is the second day my town has shut down schools this week because of the weather.  Currently that weather has been little more than cold rain.  Go ahead and laugh. Most of us here do too. "They" do say we really are suppose to get something tonight.  So my plans for tonight and tomorrow have been postponed and having been sent home early from work, I have spent the afternoon "preparing."

 

Now before you judge too much let me say that in the past couple of years we have had some winter weather that has caused havoc - icy roads, power outages etc.  Add to that my seven years in Uganda where I dealt with regular power and water "rationing."  I know it is better to be prepared and later put it all away unused than to be scrambling in the midst because you didn't.

 

So having taken lesson's from the Adams and Moores who I survived winter storms with during my Camp days and my own experiences in Uganda, I took some steps of preparation this afternoon.  First of all I made sure I showered and washed my hair this morning, just in case I don't have hot water for a few days.  Then I did laundry so my favorite clothing is clean.  I washed the dishes.  I baked brownies.  That had multi purposes. That act helped warm up the kitchen as well as provides chocolate should I have to deal with a power outage.  And yes now I have to do the dishes again.  I will get to that shortly. So then I found candles - lots of candles.  I prepped them and have them waiting in the laundry room in case they need to be deployed.  I also located flashlights and checked batteries.  And yes I know where the matches and lighters are.  I filled up some jugs with water for drinking as well as "other."  I took some refrigerator food and place it in my car (whose temperature is lower than the fridge's).  Now that might seem strange but this is my Uganda training.  I had a roommate in Uganda that would not let us open the fridge once the power went out.  Like she locked it.  Yes we had a lock on the fridge.  It seems extreme but it saved a lot of food from spoiling during regular 24 and plus hour power outages.  Living on a power rationing schedule we often knew approximately when the power was going to be out and could pull food out of the fridge and put in a cooler with frozen milk to be used during the power outage.  Therefore in my effort to not open the fridge I have a few items waiting in the car if needed.  And yes these are foods that don't need to be cooked.  We have a gas furnace for warmth but not a cooking source.  I did put a pan of water on the furnace grate so we would have some warm water.  I will drink warm tea if I have to.  I inventoried what can be eaten without cooking so if it happened I can present Peter with his options.  Oh I also moved my car to the bottom of the drive near the street.  This is also based on experience from the year I spent days trying to shovel the icy drive as well as the number of limbs that fell last year at the top of the drive way.  I have charged my phone and computer. 

 

And all the while that I am doing this prep I am "narrating" the how and why as if the Kilter camera  men are following me around.  So maybe I spend too much time alone or too much time watching reality TV.  Or maybe I just need my own show.

 

About 15 minutes ago the blizzard started - flakes looked like they were being dumped. Wow! I was feeling pretty proud of my prep and planning because by looks of things, the blizzard is on its way.

 

It has since stopped.  Oh well, blizzard or no blizzard it never hurt to have brownies.

The Christmas Letter

This is not the traditional Christmas letter but a little update on the family.

Peter has a job.  He is a Courtesy Clerk at a Kroger grocery store.  In  a nut shell he bags, gathers carts, mops and cleans bathrooms.  I think the title is funny considering "courteous" is not how I describe Peter.  None the less he has had the job 2 weeks and as far as I can tell is fulfilling his roll.  I actually saw him interact with folks at the bank yesterday and was assured that the 2 years of Military School had not been in vain.  When required he does pull out those manners, shaking hands and saying mam and sir.  It is actually quite impressive.  I trust he is using those good manners at work and that he will continue to receive hours after the holidays.  It isn't the most convenient location but I am happy he has a job so willing to make necessary trips.  And we have the help of Mama Millie as well. He is pretty excited about the first paycheck.  He had the bank clerk give him a $100 bill so he could take a picture of it.  Then he traded it in for $20 bills because he owed me money.

Mom and Dad are doing well.  Dad actually is probably the best he has been in over a year.  He has aches and pains but his mind is pretty sharp. He walks the neighborhood several times a day weather permitting and works on his word find books.  I realized how well he was doing when the other night he was meddling in my business. He had not done that in awhile.  Mom continues to busily go here and there.  She spends a lot of time driving Dad and Peter, doing her volunteer work and being awesome.  Mom and Dad have taken a variety of trips this fall.  Presently they are talking about where to go next.

We anticipated that this Christmas might be tough as it was the first one without Larry. Mom and I have participated in several activities specifically to commemorate Larry.  We attended the Love Lights Ceremony at the local hospital.  This event supports Hospice and was a sweet remembrance service.  She and I also attended the Living Christmas Tree at her church.  Larry loved that event.  Attending it last year was actually his last fun outing from the nursing home. (The Nursing Home was quarantined last Christmas and he was not able to be with us Christmas day.)  The year before, I think Larry went to three performances of The Living Christmas Tree.  So although I have not been a regular attender of the event, Mom and I made an appoint to attend it this year "for Larry." Today Mom and I went to the nursing home to visit some of the nurses and residents.  It was the first time I had been back since Larry's death.  Though I wasn't sure I could do it when we first got there, it was a sweet visit.  Though I have not been particularly emotional about Larry throughout the holiday season, today was harder than I anticipated.  I just found myself a little on edge emotionally and kind of unmotivated.  I think that for me  grief's greatest effect has been in my feeling unmotivated to do things I might otherwise do.  I trust it will pass with time. 

 

So that's the Plants Status Report for the Holiday Season.

 

Merry Christmas to You and Your Family.