Updates

1. The doctor's office is on speed dial. My little one continues doing her best imitation of a human toaster oven. Probably no school for the remainder of the week. Prognosis still a virus.

2. It's snowing.

3. Note to self: worry is not a virtue. The little one will be fine.

Believing is Seeing!

ANTs in February?

Four gallons max of sap this afternoon, and there are ants at the tap. Ants that normally don't make the scene until late March early April. Interesting.

Is their presence a sign of a short season? Still a bad season is far better than no season.

First boil - a short one - probably Friday night.

Tap Tap Tap

The sap sap sap is running.

Resting To Recovery

Reading with Mom.

Careful What You Ask For

Yesterday, faced with a full day of commitments I mentally commented that another day added to the weekend would be nice. Eleven hours later I was calling into work a sick day for Monday. My little one has a fever of 102. We will be home together; resting.

SPRING!

Skunk Cabbage

Don't Envy Me because I meditate.

At prayer group this week I had flashbacks of that 80s shampoo commercial, "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful."

Meditation is a simple and quiet way to connect with God. It passively spreads God's grace worldwide. It banks inner peace. It opens my eyes to see the Christ in everyone.

So that I view each moment of each day as an opportunity to serve Him in His earthly dwelling places.

And how was your vacation week?

When my eyes opened this morning and Friday started I realized I wasn't as tired as usual on a Friday. And I realize why. It's my girls; home on vacation.

For as I headed out the door each day I left them a to do list: dishes, laundry, floor washing, toy straightening. All jobs I have queued up for me daily. The only reason for not being tired is all that extra help made my week a true vacation.

And when I got home today, my middle schooler suggested I leave her and her sister lists even after they return to school next week.

Sounds like a plan; and such a gift. Thank you girls.

Lesson Learned

While bowling in a distant town, but in the closest alley, we spied a Girl Scout troop having a booth sale. And because they are from a different council, they have different cookies. Specifically the caramel chip and the berry munch. Ecstatic I grabbed a box of each claiming them for me. "I'm saving them."

For two days now I have walked by my stash, and each time I spy my prizes I think, "Saving them for what? Who?"

I have discovered the act of not sharing has reduced the cookies allure. The fun of these added flavors has vanished.

So tonight over a screaming game of Scrabble we'll bust open the seals and enjoy.

Sharing: the ultimate flavor enhancer.

Silly mommy, cookies are for kids.

Pin Pick

Disney creates some truly beautiful pins. (Forgive the horrid picture, it's mine.) My favorite, to date, is of kanga and roo. Mother facing child. Both smiling. Both chatting. Despite yesterday's rough middle, by evening, this house's kanga and roo were back on the same page. Thank God.

Really I want to be warm and fuzzy, but parenting isn't always like that.

Parenting is the world's toughest job. I want to be the lovie mom, the huggy mom, the showering children with kisses mom, but sometimes the storm trooper in me must take front and center. Lying down the law. Teaching right from wrong. Being the meany; I hate it.

Ever Wonder Why Me?

Do you ever wonder why not me? It's something to wonder about.

Spring Day Hike

C'est fini

Where did the time go? A lot of it went towards working on this window.
What's next? A glass collage for my niece.

Sometimes life is as...

Plain as the nose on Leo's face. Though truthfully, neither Leo's nose nor life is plain.

Nurture Love

In your heart.

The things we do for love

My joy is being a caregiver, a companion. For a few hours a day I run errands, clean, fold laundry, sort shoes, or visit. Chatting over coffee and ... Sharing and listening.

It's lovely. My clients are so grateful for the companionship that they want to feed me: breakfast, lunch, snack, coffee, candy. All the time, eat, eat, eat more. It goes with the Italian territory, which I fully understand, being Italian. I've sat at my grandmother's kitchen table many a morning, noon, or night. The coffee and obligate plate of cookies at the ready.

As part of my joy I accept a first slice, and linger over each bite. Stretching out the eating to fill our time. All the while, politely refusing the offer to eat more - for my health.

The things we do for love.

Be Wishful

In your thinking.

Culinary Science in the Workplace

Clients and I conducted a bit of science the other day when neighbors dropped off an odd looking fruit. My iPhone scanner app told us it was a papaya. None of us had ever seen or tried one.

After a bisecting cut we were amazed at the fruit's form. But the real test was its flavor when served with rice crispies: It's a keeper.

Yesterday

Was an interesting day. jeff noel recently blogged the two most significant days in a person's life is the day they are born and the day you realize why.

Yesterday as I comforted a client I realized why. I know where I am suppose to be. I know what I am suppose to do. That's significant.

And the beat goes on...

It's okay to follow a different drummer, or to tap out a tune on your own. If we all followed in each other's foot steps the world would certainly be in a rut.

Breakfast Is Served!

Breakfast!

It's the service that draws us together. And love that makes us family.

The difference a day makes

Today it is snowing. Tomorrow the forecast calls for bright sun returning.
Today from 9 to completion we gather at the hall to set up and do the prep work for the parish breakfast.
Tomorrow is the parish breakfast. From 8 to 10 we will serve parishioners and neighbors a breakfast fit for royalty.

The Cat Naps

Make and take time to rest.

I'm Listening

It's not a life or death situation, but still I'm having sleepless nights. I'm coming up to a fork in the road. Do I stay with the joy (job) I enjoy, though not lucrative by any stretch of the dollar, or do I return to my field and a real salary? How lucky am I to be presented with this chance to chose. But what about my customers who tell me everyday they love me, and thank God for the day I walked into their home.

Yesterday I sorted shoes. Not difficult. Keep these. Toss those out. The thanks for cleaning out a closet and dusting off a shelf nearly curled my ever straight hair. I remind my client, this is my job. I'm suppose to help you. But still the praise rains down.

And all the time I wonder what am I suppose to do? Walk away? Stay?

Pray. In a week's time all should be resolved.

Words With Friends

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

Cake a la Hagrid.

From our woodsy walk

Is a fungal infection good? Ever? This poor tree is not long for this world. Being much less than a foot in diameter it lived only 20 years or so, young by tree and human standards.

But once it falls and decays, from it's composted soil others will grow. God wastes nothing.

A Mother's Pride

This Mother's Joy runs the 1000m.

Of course I'll still exercise the old fashion way.

Out for a Saturday hike. Enjoy the day. Enjoy your life.

I have a wee secret

What isn't a secret is all of my adult (since 30) life I have fought daily with my weight.

I was the skinny kid. The kid who could eat anything and remained a bean pole. The healthy and active kid, who is still an active (50+) adult, but now with health issues. Most people say, "Oh you're not overweight. Eat a cookie." But my health numbers are telling me and my doctors a different story.

So, my secret. It was my early surprise Valentine's Day present from my husband: A Wii and the Wii fit. (Our family's first video game system.) So I've been Wii'ing.

I like the body assessment piece at the beginning. The BMI and weighing in... the stillness test... a daily or whenever benchmark. I like being able to "attend" a step class without negotiating the traffic between this house and any gym. My wee secret: I like Wii fit. But not only me, but the girls too. And I'm looking forward to the new Mii.

Happy Friday!

It's February! Unbelievable, the sugaring season will be here soon. Or it will be over soon. It's all up to the weather and the trees. Yesterday the temperature was close to 60, and the buds on a rhododendron were swelling. I glanced up at a local maple and its buds appeared to still be closed up tight. Maybe we will tap the trees next week. The long range forecast is looking good for sap production. Not too warm, not too cold. Like baby bear's porridge. There is a lot of truths in children's stories.

I guess we can learn everything we need in life in kindergarten, (and religious ed.).

Ground Hog Day!

Happy Ground Hog Day backyard raider and family. Amazing how cute these wide bodies are when they are not eating my peas and beans.

Disclaimer: No ground hogs were hurt or maimed during or after the taking of this picture.

There, And Back Again

Life's opportunities, road trips and meet ups.

Thank you Tammy from Happenings on the Hill for a great evening. I so enjoyed your company and conversation. And pray your road trip home was a quick and easy 3 hours. You are a great mom.

I'm OUT!

Last December, while walking down Main St. USA, I received an email, (I know... very bad to be checking email on vacation...).

The writer asked, "Do you live close to Lowell?"

I looked at my husband, and asked, "Do we live close to Lowell?"

His response, "Relative to what?" Granted at that very moment in time, being 1200 give or take 50 miles away from both home and Lowell, Lowell could have been a neighboring town. What's an hour drive among friends?

Exactly. When a dear friend emails saying she will be in the state, for that matter, the eastern part of the state, and would I like to get together for a cup of coffee, tea, dinner, the answer is always, "Oh yeah, we're close."

So today is that day. This evening I'll hook up my trusty Garmin and away we will go seeking a good friend for some good company, and hopefully some good Greek food.