November 10, 2009

• Thoughts on a Cloudy Tuesday

  This has been a cloudy day that has only gotten more cloudy, as the hours wore away! 

  I don't think there is a chance of rain, but that's how it looks . . . dark, cold, and like it will storm.  It's 57° but feels much more chilly . . . kind of damp. 

  I saw the girls outside without shoes (brrrrr!) and made them put on shoes and socks. 

          
                                    Notice how no one unties their shoes to take them off??? LOL!!!

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  Rissy and Luci are inside, for the moment, playing with Little Bit.  Rissy started it . . . playing on the floor like she was going to attack him - growling at him, etc. 

  She's 92 million times bigger than him, but he's holding his own.  Growling, barking, circling, and the tail is wagging the whole time. 

  He gets so excited that his little legs come up off of the ground!  *Very* funny to watch!

  ==========================

  School was better today, than yesterday.  We finished after 2 hours and had an early lunch.  I grabbed some info from the Internet to embellish a few of our own books with the stories of Separatists, the Strangers, the first settlers, etc. 

  This is all in preparation for Thanksgiving and what we are REALLY celebrating.

  I'm combining geography with history, as we discuss the Eastern Seaboard.  I showed them where Miss Shanda lives and their great aunt and uncle and cousins.  I could see their interest beginning to dull, so I quit. 

  "To be continued tomorrow!"

                                     
                                              Oh!  If only I had half of their energy!

  ===================

  I found use for the old ham bone from last week.  I'm making a pot of ham & beans for dinner.  It's simmering and smells good.  I can hear the gentle hissing, as steam escapes between the lid and pot. 

  I love easy meals.  And, since we haven't had this for almost a year, it will be a welcome change!

  ===================

  I am making plans early for the holiday season. 

  We don't usually celebrate Christmas in a huge way, but I have a different feeling this year.  I want to make things really fun (maybe "dreamy"???) for the girls.  I haven't spent much money, but their gifts are already bought.  What a HUGE relief!!!  Even wrapping paper has been purchased.  And, I want to start wrapping things soon. 

  Jesse is feeling different, too.  He actually mentioned something about putting up Christmas lights this year.  Also, hiding all of the gifts from the girls until Christmas morning. 

  He and I talked last week and the week before.  Our changing attitudes about the holiday season, etc. . . . our wanting the girls to capture the real essence of the birth of Christ, without all of the Christmas holiday trappings. 
  

                            
                                            (Does Rissy look like she's loosing steam??!!)

  I want them to have pretty wrapped gifts and memories of making cookies & candy.  I want them to remember the beauty of a house decorated with twinkling lights and the sound of Christmas songs playing in the background. 

  We did away with a Christmas tree quite a few years ago, and we also quit decorating with ornaments, etc.  Instead we use bird nests, birds, berries, and flowers stuck in garlands of evergreens, wrapped with clear mini lights over the interior doors.

  My thoughts?

  I'm honestly thinking of getting the garlands up early this year.  Like, the week before Thanksgiving.  Just the evergreen garlands wrapped with clear mini lights.

  THEN, after Thanksgiving's meal, turning on the clear twinkling lights that night.  The next day (Friday), I'll start adding berries, etc. as I have the energy.  I'm thinking PRE-planning and doing chores spread out over a few weeks won't be as tiresome on me.

  Jesse's birthday is December 4th and I don't like things to look too much like the holidays on his birthday.  It's a shame that he grew up with no Christmas gifts because, after all, "You just had a birthday," (isn't that rotten???!!!); but, I think he has always felt cheated on his birthday, because people have made his birthday feel like it got in the way of Christmas.

  ======================

  I forgot my afternoon pain pill, yesterday.  AND, I didn't ever lie down to rest my back.  I was in so much pain last night, that I couldn't fall asleep. 

  When I finally started to doze, my feet (toes, arches, AND ankles) began to cramp with Charley horse cramps.  I didn't know (before I had chemo therapy) that an arch or ankle could HAVE a Charley horse cramp!  It took me standing and walking around the bed (for quite a while) to ease the cramps.  By then, I was awake again.

  Point being?  I realize the importance of resting and taking it easy.  Whether it's a lack of energy from being in bed so much this year, or bone damage in my vertebrae, I MUST remember to not push myself so much. 

  I didn't even notice the back pain until I began to prepare dinner. 

  By then, too late. 

  MUCH too late!

                                     

  I think my learning to pace myself is more of what's behind the early preparation for the upcoming holidays. 

  That, and the fact I want the girls to always remember the beauty and peacefulness of the season. 

  Not the "Hallmark Card Company" perfection with parents stressed and short tempered. 

  We haven't ever subscribed to the Santa Claus story.  Instead, we've told the truth of Jesus' birth and the fact He wasn't really born on December 25th.  I don't think we are misleading our girls by having family gatherings, exchanging gifts, or traditional recipes at that time of year. 

  All of those things will be a success, if I'm happy and not in bed hurting!! 

  It's all about pacing myself . . .

  which means an early start this year!

  Be Blessed  ~

  • 6:19 pm
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