On the first day of cookies (Monday) I mixed up a double batch of chocolate chips.
On the second day of cookies (Tuesday), I baked the double batch of chocolate chips.
I also mixed up a quadruple batch of molasses crinkles and baked about half of them.
I then mixed up a double batch of peanut butters and baked all of them. And I mixed up a double batch of butters (cutter cookies!) and put the batter in the fridge to bake up some time over Christmas break.
On the third day of cookies (Wednesday), I baked the rest of the molasses crinkles. I then mixed up a double batch of oatmeal raisins and baked them, and mixed up another double batch of chocolate chips and baked them.
We then cleaned up, sang Christmas carols, drank hot cocoa, ate a bunch of the cookies, gave away a bunch, froze about half of what we made, and set aside the rest to eat over the next week.
Enough cookies to enjoy for a while! Happy cookie time!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Lots of Twelves
In celebration of Patience's 12th birthday, we hereby present to you....
Well, I guess we're starting w/Year "Zero"
(In the beginning.....or better yet, once upon a time,
there was a little girl named Patience! She was tiny, but she grew and grew and grew! And she's still growing, so no "the end", just a "stay tuned" by God's grace!)
The First Year of Patience (1999)
The first year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a kitchen cabinet full of Tupperware.
The Second Year of Patience (2000)
The second year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a bouncy bed and time with my family.
The Third Year of Patience (2001)
The third year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
some markers and a handmade tutu.
The Fourth Year of Patience (2002)
The fourth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a whole new outfit and accessories.
The Fifth Year of Patience (2003)
The fifth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a 2nd year of preschool and a cheerful attitude.
The Sixth Year of Patience (2004)
The sixth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a new little sister and time with my Grammy.
The Seventh Year of Patience (2005)
The seventh year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
another little brother and lots of time with my special friends.
The Eighth Year of Patience (2006)
The eighth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a ton of snow and a brand new sled.
The Ninth Year of Patience (2007)
The ninth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
new glasses and a crazy brother.
The Tenth Year of Patience (2008)
The tenth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a growth spurt and a new way to have fun.
The Eleventh Year of Patience (2009)
The eleventh year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
better health and tons of new books to read.
The Twelfth Year of Patience (2010)
The twelfth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a great trip with my mom and a pile of new friends.
The Twelve Years of Patience
Well, I guess we're starting w/Year "Zero"
(In the beginning.....or better yet, once upon a time,
there was a little girl named Patience! She was tiny, but she grew and grew and grew! And she's still growing, so no "the end", just a "stay tuned" by God's grace!)
The First Year of Patience (1999)
The first year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a kitchen cabinet full of Tupperware.
The Second Year of Patience (2000)
The second year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a bouncy bed and time with my family.
The Third Year of Patience (2001)
The third year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
some markers and a handmade tutu.
The Fourth Year of Patience (2002)
The fourth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a whole new outfit and accessories.
The Fifth Year of Patience (2003)
The fifth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a 2nd year of preschool and a cheerful attitude.
The Sixth Year of Patience (2004)
The sixth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a new little sister and time with my Grammy.
The Seventh Year of Patience (2005)
The seventh year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
another little brother and lots of time with my special friends.
The Eighth Year of Patience (2006)
The eighth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a ton of snow and a brand new sled.
The Ninth Year of Patience (2007)
The ninth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
new glasses and a crazy brother.
The Tenth Year of Patience (2008)
The tenth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a growth spurt and a new way to have fun.
The Eleventh Year of Patience (2009)
The eleventh year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
better health and tons of new books to read.
The Twelfth Year of Patience (2010)
The twelfth year of Patience, the good Lord gave to me
a great trip with my mom and a pile of new friends.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Twelve years ago, we welcomed our little Patience.
This was actually the 19th - the day I went into labor. At the time of this picture, I'd been having consistent contractions for 10 hours already. Nevermind she didn't come until another 30+ hours had passed. We won't hold it against her. (She's apologizing even as I type - Patience, she says..... I say that's HER virtue, not mine! Lord help me grow!)
She did finally come out, and we have been delighted by her ever since. Isn't she cute? (Even in all the medical get-up?) :-) God has been so good to us through and with her! What a blessing - a true joy - this precious gift is to us!
Patience wishes you all a very Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Giving
I love to give gifts - and I like to receive them too. But giving is very, very fun. I get a bit caught up in it. Frankly. Really.
I am learning how to teach "giving" to my kids. Not just at Christmas, but for birthdays, and at school, and on the sidewalk, and so on and so forth.
And giving has everything to do with serving, and my God who gave His one and only son Jesus to die in my place. Period.
In any case, while there is much more that I can say on this subject, and maybe I will at some point, I just read two articles that were thought provoking. I think each brings interesting perspective to this "giving" season. And yes, there is too much "stuff", too much "commercialism" and too much "materialism." Oh yes.
May all my "abundance" at this season be a reflection of His abundant gift(s) to and for me, that it may give HIM glory, not just today, but every day, throughout my life and that of those around me.
So happy reading:
Please note too that this is all my own humble opinion - and those of you who do things differently are in no way in the "wrong" nor am I "right" not by any stretch of the imagination. There are so many ways to "do" Christmas, and to "give" to our kids and so on and so forth. This is just an explanation (if anyone was looking for one) of why we give a lot when we can. We can be a bit over the top. Honestly. And we know it. And we love to give gifts. Period. Me even more than the hubby, but he does get a bit carried away w/Christmas (even more than me!) And we give not only now but throughout the year. (Kind of different from one article anyway.... but still what she says is interesting). But that is yet a topic for another blog another time.
I am learning how to teach "giving" to my kids. Not just at Christmas, but for birthdays, and at school, and on the sidewalk, and so on and so forth.
And giving has everything to do with serving, and my God who gave His one and only son Jesus to die in my place. Period.
In any case, while there is much more that I can say on this subject, and maybe I will at some point, I just read two articles that were thought provoking. I think each brings interesting perspective to this "giving" season. And yes, there is too much "stuff", too much "commercialism" and too much "materialism." Oh yes.
BUT (and this is a big and important but)
God gave extravagantly.
There is a time and place for "extravagance". It reflects his abundant (over abundant and undeserved) favor, blessing, generosity, and love.May all my "abundance" at this season be a reflection of His abundant gift(s) to and for me, that it may give HIM glory, not just today, but every day, throughout my life and that of those around me.
So happy reading:
Please note too that this is all my own humble opinion - and those of you who do things differently are in no way in the "wrong" nor am I "right" not by any stretch of the imagination. There are so many ways to "do" Christmas, and to "give" to our kids and so on and so forth. This is just an explanation (if anyone was looking for one) of why we give a lot when we can. We can be a bit over the top. Honestly. And we know it. And we love to give gifts. Period. Me even more than the hubby, but he does get a bit carried away w/Christmas (even more than me!) And we give not only now but throughout the year. (Kind of different from one article anyway.... but still what she says is interesting). But that is yet a topic for another blog another time.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Skating
We finally made it back to the rink today - yipee! It was a lot of effort to get there, I didn't feel like going, getting skated up was time-consuming and hard work, and I started out w/my left foot uncomfortable and me wobbly in general. But once we were settled on the ice, it was lovely. I think I have missed skating. I am so glad we went. Yay! And it was just three families so the rink was delightful. Nothing like tons of space, your kids with you happy to be there (ok, just one was mine but we had a few others in tow). I love to skate!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Today's Checklist
- 5:30 am: Wake up and shower
- 6:00 am: Wake Dante up to do his homework (he forgot to do it last night because we decorated the tree - oops)
- 6:30 am: Wake up Constance - let others sleep (Patience is ill, Vivace has been tired and we don't want him to get ill)
- 6:55 am: Eat breakfast, make lunches
- 7:15 am: Clean up breakfast; Brush teeth; Get on everyone's snowpants, boots, hats, coats, mittens... (Note: Vivace is now up and joining in the fray)
- 7:25 am: Dante is ready to go and he and I head out to help Papa Bear find the driveway under the 6" of new snow.
- 7:30 am: Good bye and have a nice day to Papa Bear, Dante and Constance. My dearly beloved has dug out the driveway at this point (at least the half between the door and the street). My hero! Dante started on the cars.... And now I begin to do dig out the station wagon in earnest.
- 7:40 am: I go in to use the phone because I remember that I need to call school to tell them Patience probably won't be in again (I'm just letting her sleep at this point but since I don't know how she's doing....)
- 7:45 am: Patience wakes up, feels awful, but fever is down. I head back out to dig out the car some more
- 7:55 am: I'm cold and the car and van are both mostly brushed off so I come in to get the car keys (so I can start them warming up to get all the ice off from the major 45-degree melt and pouring rain we had Sunday and Monday before the temps dropped into the low teens overnight....) Patience and I get her breakfast ready too and dose her so she can eat. Decide she is indeed not going to school.
- 8:00 am: I tell Vivace to get ready to go to school and head back out to start the car and clean up the driveway, which I've now covered w/the snow I brushed off the cars. But I can't get into the car b/c it's frozen shut solid - and I'm reluctant to break the door handles to get in. Five minutes later I manage to pry open the passenger door and crawl across to start the car. Nevermind that I can't close the door now (it is frozen open...). I manage to push the driver's door open. Now I have two "open" doors . . . neither of which will close, but at least the defroster is going full blast. So I shovel the driveway some more.
- 8:10 am: I try to open the driver-side rear door and am successful (tho' it won't close now- that's 3 open doors . . . . I'm wondering how this is going to work driving down the road...) and discover that I don't have a carseat which means I have to go try to open the van door, which is also frozen shut.
- 8:15 am: Long story short, the rear hatch and both front doors can open, so I'm able to fish out a carseat and now the back door of the wagon is staying shut - yay! But Vivace isn't ready when I go tell him to come load up . .. . so I come back out - cello in hand to load it into the front passenger seat and now that door closes, yay - two closed, one to go!
- 8:20 am: Vivace is ready so we load up and do a final scrape off of the car (yes, the snow is still coming down!).
- 8:25 am: We head out to pre-school with me holding the driver's door shut while driving (not a first). Driving is slow and messy. Roads are slick.
- 8:35 am: Arrive at pre-school (the very long driveway there is not shoveled b/c the snow plow had frozen gas lines - we were forewarned - whee!!! at least it's flat) My door closes when I get out - yay! Have a great morning at pre-school Vivace!
- 8:40 am: I drive to Dante's school and deliver the cello.
- 8:45 am: I head to an appt for 9am. The drive is messy and slow going but I get there just in time without any incident.
- 9:00 am: My appt - an "annual" mammogram (long overdue). Relatively quick and simple. But definitely not fun.
- 10:00 am: Out of there! And on to my next errand.... roads are much better, the snow has stopped, and I'm at least heading back towards home. Ready to do a little Christmas shopping
- 10:40 am: Touch base w/Patience, do a quick return/exchange at the local hardware store
- 11:00 am: Pick up Vivace
- 11:10 am: Arrive home . . .
- 11:15 am: Tackle the van and the rest of the driveway (including making a giant pile at the end of the driveway for sledding). Note that the van sliding doors still do not open.
- 12:15 am: Finish the job, come in, make lunch and crash. We're exhausted! Forget all the "to-do's" for the afternoon!
NB - We can't really do that, but it's a nice thought, and some rest is definitely in order!
- 6:00 am: Wake Dante up to do his homework (he forgot to do it last night because we decorated the tree - oops)
- 6:30 am: Wake up Constance - let others sleep (Patience is ill, Vivace has been tired and we don't want him to get ill)
- 6:55 am: Eat breakfast, make lunches
- 7:15 am: Clean up breakfast; Brush teeth; Get on everyone's snowpants, boots, hats, coats, mittens... (Note: Vivace is now up and joining in the fray)
- 7:25 am: Dante is ready to go and he and I head out to help Papa Bear find the driveway under the 6" of new snow.
- 7:30 am: Good bye and have a nice day to Papa Bear, Dante and Constance. My dearly beloved has dug out the driveway at this point (at least the half between the door and the street). My hero! Dante started on the cars.... And now I begin to do dig out the station wagon in earnest.
- 7:40 am: I go in to use the phone because I remember that I need to call school to tell them Patience probably won't be in again (I'm just letting her sleep at this point but since I don't know how she's doing....)
- 7:45 am: Patience wakes up, feels awful, but fever is down. I head back out to dig out the car some more
- 7:55 am: I'm cold and the car and van are both mostly brushed off so I come in to get the car keys (so I can start them warming up to get all the ice off from the major 45-degree melt and pouring rain we had Sunday and Monday before the temps dropped into the low teens overnight....) Patience and I get her breakfast ready too and dose her so she can eat. Decide she is indeed not going to school.
- 8:00 am: I tell Vivace to get ready to go to school and head back out to start the car and clean up the driveway, which I've now covered w/the snow I brushed off the cars. But I can't get into the car b/c it's frozen shut solid - and I'm reluctant to break the door handles to get in. Five minutes later I manage to pry open the passenger door and crawl across to start the car. Nevermind that I can't close the door now (it is frozen open...). I manage to push the driver's door open. Now I have two "open" doors . . . neither of which will close, but at least the defroster is going full blast. So I shovel the driveway some more.
- 8:10 am: I try to open the driver-side rear door and am successful (tho' it won't close now- that's 3 open doors . . . . I'm wondering how this is going to work driving down the road...) and discover that I don't have a carseat which means I have to go try to open the van door, which is also frozen shut.
- 8:15 am: Long story short, the rear hatch and both front doors can open, so I'm able to fish out a carseat and now the back door of the wagon is staying shut - yay! But Vivace isn't ready when I go tell him to come load up . .. . so I come back out - cello in hand to load it into the front passenger seat and now that door closes, yay - two closed, one to go!
- 8:20 am: Vivace is ready so we load up and do a final scrape off of the car (yes, the snow is still coming down!).
- 8:25 am: We head out to pre-school with me holding the driver's door shut while driving (not a first). Driving is slow and messy. Roads are slick.
- 8:35 am: Arrive at pre-school (the very long driveway there is not shoveled b/c the snow plow had frozen gas lines - we were forewarned - whee!!! at least it's flat) My door closes when I get out - yay! Have a great morning at pre-school Vivace!
- 8:40 am: I drive to Dante's school and deliver the cello.
- 8:45 am: I head to an appt for 9am. The drive is messy and slow going but I get there just in time without any incident.
- 9:00 am: My appt - an "annual" mammogram (long overdue). Relatively quick and simple. But definitely not fun.
- 10:00 am: Out of there! And on to my next errand.... roads are much better, the snow has stopped, and I'm at least heading back towards home. Ready to do a little Christmas shopping
- 10:40 am: Touch base w/Patience, do a quick return/exchange at the local hardware store
- 11:00 am: Pick up Vivace
- 11:10 am: Arrive home . . .
- 11:15 am: Tackle the van and the rest of the driveway (including making a giant pile at the end of the driveway for sledding). Note that the van sliding doors still do not open.
- 12:15 am: Finish the job, come in, make lunch and crash. We're exhausted! Forget all the "to-do's" for the afternoon!
NB - We can't really do that, but it's a nice thought, and some rest is definitely in order!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Souvenirs and Chocolate
We came back from Switzerland with souvenirs, books, and chocolate! This pile of goodies took up at least a suitcase (or two), and would you believe over half of it is gone as gifts already? Wow, and what fun. Let me list some of the fun stuff (some of you are detail people and will be interested or at least amused so here goes.) Lucky Luke cartoon book, 3 Tintin books, two French bibles, six "Jesus Raconte" - that's the "Jesus Storybook Bible" in French, five scarves (two each for Patience and I, one for Constance), earrings (one pair each for Patience and I), play Swiss francs, play Euros, herbes de provences, knitting needles, playing cards, notepads, postcards, pastry cream (powdered), nougat candy, chocolate bars, chocolate balls, chocolate boxes, chocolate coins, marzipan, mustard, coffee mugs, pencils, "I spy" book in French, candy taffys, maps, tea, cowbells, umbrella, hard candies, vanilla sugar packets, smarties (like M&Ms), stuffed St. Bernard dogs, and chestnut cream/paste.
Regarding the herbes de provences (my favorite spice for cooking - I use it in everything from my potato soup to my chicken bbq to my baked sausage and egg casserole) - I spend about $6 per jar here (17g), and I can't get it at my usual grocery store so I have to make a special trip. I got lucky last year and bought a whole bunch when the spices were 1/2 off (that's why everyone got it for Christmas - I really love this stuff!). Anyway, I spent $2 per package in France - that's $2 for 100g - I saved over $25 per jar! And I have enough to last a year. I'm totally excited about that. :-) Nothing like "grocery shopping" abroad!
We have hung on to some chocolate for us especially to share with family and friends over the holidays that so fill this time of year, but much of it went to friends and classmates and to thank all those who helped make this trip possible, either before leaving, or while we were gone. It's amazing how much we can bring back and yet how little it feels like we have to give everyone (it only stretches so far!). Thank you to EVERYONE who prayed or who helped watch or transport kids and so much more. I wish we could multiply the chocolate the way you multiplied your love and help and support for us!
Regarding the herbes de provences (my favorite spice for cooking - I use it in everything from my potato soup to my chicken bbq to my baked sausage and egg casserole) - I spend about $6 per jar here (17g), and I can't get it at my usual grocery store so I have to make a special trip. I got lucky last year and bought a whole bunch when the spices were 1/2 off (that's why everyone got it for Christmas - I really love this stuff!). Anyway, I spent $2 per package in France - that's $2 for 100g - I saved over $25 per jar! And I have enough to last a year. I'm totally excited about that. :-) Nothing like "grocery shopping" abroad!
We have hung on to some chocolate for us especially to share with family and friends over the holidays that so fill this time of year, but much of it went to friends and classmates and to thank all those who helped make this trip possible, either before leaving, or while we were gone. It's amazing how much we can bring back and yet how little it feels like we have to give everyone (it only stretches so far!). Thank you to EVERYONE who prayed or who helped watch or transport kids and so much more. I wish we could multiply the chocolate the way you multiplied your love and help and support for us!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Five years ago....
At 8 days old (below), he was already an energetic bundle of enthusiasm and we celebrate today how much he has added to our home.
I missed him tons while in Geneva, and am so happy to be able to be home to enjoy this day together. We made cupcakes together yesterday and he took some to preschool with him this morning.
We'll celebrate as a family tonight, with homemade mac and cheese and broccoli, and gifts of course. And tomorrow after gymnastics, he thinks he's going to a friend's to play, but there will be lots of friends there to play, complete with cupcakes (we made tons), balloons, and party favors. Not much planned but "surprise!" and play time will reign supreme for a couple hours. No doubt he'll enjoy it all to the hilt.
Happy Birthday to my "baby"!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Lucette
Patience and I enjoyed a delightful trip to Geneva, all with the purpose of visiting my dear host mother, Lucette, with whom I lived for a year when I was in high school. We visited with many others while there, but were able to spend great, concentrated time with her. This picture was taken 11/18, the day we arrived (very tired of course having flown overnight, sleeping but a couple hours in the plane). Also pictured is Damien, the oldest son of my host brother, who comes over after school on Thursdays to play games with Lucette.
We just got home late last night and will evidently share more over the coming weeks, but I had wanted to post this while we were gone and it just wasn't possible w/o a proper picture editor etc. on the netbook we took along. So here it is, at last. Praise God for such a wonderful visit with folks so dear to my heart!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Flying with Diabetes...
...is a pain. Poor Patience got frisked - thoroughly - and every lick stick of her person and stuff was searched, tested literally for explosives and so on and so forth. Mama Bear felt like a Mama Bear: protective. It was very hard for me. The airport folks were nice, but it was nevertheless difficult. I understand that there are crazy people out there and airport security is necessary, but "we" are the ones who pay for it - that is the innocent people. I guess it's all part of learning to be "like Christ" and suffering what he suffered etc, but I DO NOT feel like I'm suffering for the cross; I feel like I'm suffering for stupid reasons that don't relate to the gospel at all.
And we had lots of "extra" stuff to carry just because of the diabetes. Nevermind the non-diabetes stuff we took along. Even if all of that had gotten checked, we still would have had heavy stuff to carry through airports, to and fro, up and down stairs (yes, stairs), ramps, etc and so forth. God gave us plenty of grace, and tons of time by ensuring early arrivals at each of our stopovers (37 full minutes early into Amsterdam!) but add to that airsickness on the landing into JFK (turbulence - lots of it), the need to regroup and of course check glucose levels, drink juice etc and so forth, fatigue, and an additional frisking (much less invasive) in Amsterdam, and finally we arrived. Yay. I can't tell you how glad we were to arrive. But again, it all went smoothly - minus a few knitting needles in Amsterdam. Oh well. Happy landing, happy people, we're more or less over jet lag and enjoying those we came to see. And so far the bread and the insulin seem to be friendly enough and staying in balance. :-)
And we had lots of "extra" stuff to carry just because of the diabetes. Nevermind the non-diabetes stuff we took along. Even if all of that had gotten checked, we still would have had heavy stuff to carry through airports, to and fro, up and down stairs (yes, stairs), ramps, etc and so forth. God gave us plenty of grace, and tons of time by ensuring early arrivals at each of our stopovers (37 full minutes early into Amsterdam!) but add to that airsickness on the landing into JFK (turbulence - lots of it), the need to regroup and of course check glucose levels, drink juice etc and so forth, fatigue, and an additional frisking (much less invasive) in Amsterdam, and finally we arrived. Yay. I can't tell you how glad we were to arrive. But again, it all went smoothly - minus a few knitting needles in Amsterdam. Oh well. Happy landing, happy people, we're more or less over jet lag and enjoying those we came to see. And so far the bread and the insulin seem to be friendly enough and staying in balance. :-)
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Floundering
I'm wanting to write - there's so much going on - yet the words aren't coming. Today papa bear did yard work (beautiful sunny 50 degree day) and the kids rode bikes. Last week we had freezing rain - it was nasty out and very slippery (black ice - yuck). The winter stuff is out and I'm still working to get things put away. Getting there. Patience has had opportunity to exercise that very virtue as she was ill and missed school all week. Bummer. Viral they say . . . . nothing to do but rest and fluids. She's sick of water. The others are ok so far - hoping they don't come down w/it this week in light of the upcoming trip(s). I'm overwhelmed but keeping my head above water (if barely). God is good to keep me moving through it all, forward, and humbly.
Friday, October 29, 2010
The tongues of men
My German stinks. I'm not even going to try to say that auf Deutsch. It's better than nothing, I suppose, but I feel completely inept. I understand very little spoken, I can't remember any words when I try to speak, and real life doesn't happen in writing. My problem is I once knew it "OK" (conversantly in any case) and the "structure" is still intact in my brain, but I lack vocabulary - it's all gone. I recognize tons when I see or hear it, but can generate little to none from memory (20 years is a very long time). With a dictionary and time, I can do quite a bit, and understand most if not all. But who walks around with a dictionary in their pocket and tons of time to figure out each and every simple phrase or question?
All that to say, I'm delighted to meet this new family from Germany. Our children (they have two) get along well and have come over a couple times. Mom and I seem to be able to converse adequately. We get by. It's fun. I will be volunteering with the daughter in school a couple times a week in Language Arts class; today was my first day.
But in the meantime, I don't think that German is a strength of mine. Hopefully I will learn a lot and be of assistance to them in due course. Either way, we have definitely become friends, and that is a good thing in and of itself.
All that to say, I'm delighted to meet this new family from Germany. Our children (they have two) get along well and have come over a couple times. Mom and I seem to be able to converse adequately. We get by. It's fun. I will be volunteering with the daughter in school a couple times a week in Language Arts class; today was my first day.
But in the meantime, I don't think that German is a strength of mine. Hopefully I will learn a lot and be of assistance to them in due course. Either way, we have definitely become friends, and that is a good thing in and of itself.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Fall Soccer
Constance decided about a week before school started that she wanted to play soccer this fall. She said she remembers thinking it looked like fun when Patience played it three years ago. So we signed her up and she got put on the wait list and just a few days before the season started, we got a call; she was on a team. Yay! The season lasts a whopping six weeks (six Saturdays for her age group, no practices and they really don't keep track of who "wins and loses" since it's not really quite that straightforward at this age due to mistakes, inattention, swapping players when teams are short kids, untied cleat laces and the like). It was an experience she really enjoyed and by the last game, she was actually "daring" to actually try to kick the ball. True to her "constant" nature, she persevered through getting hit w/the ball, being among the smallest on the team, and some cold weather, and she asked if she could keep playing all winter. We said we own a soccer ball and she can play in the backyard any time she wants. Stay tuned for next fall....
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Speaking of retirement
It would seem the French law is all but a done deal now, but on a more important note, my mom has officially retired and the ripe young age of ... well I guess I'm not supposed to say but it's well above the minimum in any case. And she is visiting for a week. It's nice to have her and I hope her retirement is the well-earned privilege and break she deserves after all the years and hours she's put into her work. Granted, she took lots of "time off" to raise my siblings and I (and stayed extremely busy then to boot) but that was a full-time (and then some) job, and then she went back to school and worked like crazy these past twenty some odd years (more?) I'm glad she's saying good-bye to the grind and is choosing to spend some of her first few weeks of retirement here with us. Love you Mom!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Good old Maggie
I just read online in response to the whole French pension situation that Margaret Thatcher once said that the trouble with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money. I thought that very funny and so very true. So very apropos in our current state political situation too, and the current governor race will likely determine how much or how little restraint the next two years will have fiscally in our little state. Looking forward to the politicking being over soon, both here and in France, Lord willing, so we can get back to living without all these particular distractions (tho' they are very revealing of what's in people's hearts and minds...)
[Snopes says it's a true quote (you can read about it here if you'd like).]
[Snopes says it's a true quote (you can read about it here if you'd like).]
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Four day weekends
Every October the NEA has a teacher convention and the kids get a four-day weekend. It is always at just the right time, and it's now. Some illnesses are just starting to gear up at school (the colds have been around but now we're looking at tummy bugs and strep) and so a few days away from the place doesn't hurt. Patience has a nasty cough that I'm hoping will get better with rest. She's still asleep (it's almost 7am) and hopefully we'll be quiet enough so she can sleep as long as she'd like. Everyone else seems to have a body that won't stay asleep on a day off. I woke up at the usual 5:30 w/o an alarm (though I did get back to sleep for an hour - yay). The other three kids were all up at 6:30 - I usually have to wake them when there's school but not on Saturdays and they seemed eager to play this morning despite the opportunity to snooze! Maybe tomorrow.
We hope to play and rest and go for walks (yes, I'm sore) and get some chores done (like sorting clothes and getting the summer put away and the rest of the longer sleeved stuff out). There are many things I had just begun when we discovered the lice so they got put away and or tabled and it's time to get back to them. We really didn't want to be trying on clothes in the midst of that mess. So now that we're clean, best get to it! Hopefully we'll do some baking and the like too and perhaps get together with some friends. There are still piano lessons and Awana so "life goes on" but the break is nice.
We hope to play and rest and go for walks (yes, I'm sore) and get some chores done (like sorting clothes and getting the summer put away and the rest of the longer sleeved stuff out). There are many things I had just begun when we discovered the lice so they got put away and or tabled and it's time to get back to them. We really didn't want to be trying on clothes in the midst of that mess. So now that we're clean, best get to it! Hopefully we'll do some baking and the like too and perhaps get together with some friends. There are still piano lessons and Awana so "life goes on" but the break is nice.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The right to retire
I have been following the news about the upcoming change in the minimum retirement age in France and the way the French people are responding and reacting, and just have to comment. One article states:
Gasoline shortages and violence on the margins of student protests have heightened the standoff between the government and labor unions who see retirement at 60 as a hard-earned right.If they think their walking out on their jobs and bringing the economy down by violent protests and the like is earning something, their definition of "hard-earned" differs greatly from mine. I thought one earned things by working, not walking out or breaking the law. Another quote says it quite succinctly:
The interior minister, Brice Hortefeux, warned rioters, “The right to protest is not the right to break things, the right to set things on fire, the right to assault, the right to pillage.”And never mind the student protests - they haven't earned anything yet. They may be legitimately afraid of whether or not they will find jobs when they finish school (unemployment is an ongoing problem in France as well, and those in the work force continuing work for another two years may indeed cause issues there) but they need to understand basic economics too, like bankruptcy and not having enough money to pay the bills (the gov't is running out of money to pay the pensions largely because people are healthier and living longer). The money must come from somewhere.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Crazy Days
It was a crazy and interesting one today. Busy and while a good day, not the smoothest. I began by writing a note to one of the kids' schools that I'd been putting off. I got it done - a very good thing - but I got caught up in it to an extent that made me run late getting Vivace to preschool. Granted it was just 5 minutes late, but it seemed to set the tone for the rest of the day. I didn't run late again but I felt hurried and behind.
I then went for an hour long walk/talk w/a friend. Our conversation was at times very enthusiastic, and so was our walking it would seem. It's a good thing to walk, and I need to get into the habit on account of our upcoming trip, but I'm clearly not used to it, and to do so for a full hour wore me out! My legs were jelly when I got home and my feet never quite recovered.
The conversation we had was definitely franglais - it was all over the map language-wise and I so totally love that. Both of us being bilingual is fun. We intend to speak French when together, but we end up in English often. It kind of just flows back and forth. When I don't know the French, she helps me, and vice versa. I learned that "porch" is "galerie" - like an art gallery! How cool is that (we were admiring several porches as we walked). One of the things I enjoy most about talking with her is that we share the same faith in Christ as our redeemer, though we don't attend the same church, and the bulk of our conversation yesterday revolved around "thorns in the flesh" and suffering and happiness and contentment and God being "bigger than our circumstances" whatever those may be. You can see how it got exciting. An awesomely encouraging time (which is part of why I didn't feel the walk 'til afterward). So the tone for the day was a good one, but still not smooth.
The trip to the grocery store after pre-school was nuts. I had been on the fence about going at all today, and wished afterwards I had chosen to wait. You see, it's under construction and literally every day something is moved around. They are expanding and renovating all while staying open for business 24 hours a day. The end result will be awesome and we're starting to see glimpses of it, but getting there has been interesting and there are still months left until completion according to the big plan. Every week we try to have fun and treat going like a "let's see what's changed this week" adventure, and getting what we're looking for is a scavenger hunt. But the owner of the property (not the store) decided yesterday was a good day to repave the parking lot. What a nightmare (balancing that w/construction equipment - yikes). First I misunderstood the signs directing me, then after sorting that out, I got stuck and had to back out of an awkward situation, and then I couldn't find a spot anywhere. Two-thirds of the parking lot was blocked off - kind of ridiculous. There wasn't room for parking at all. I don't know what they were thinking but hopefully it's done and it won't happen again. I was so focused on trying to find a spot and getting out of the "mess" that I didn't even notice until after we were done shopping that I had parked on lovely new pavement. And then inside the store finally got to me. I couldn't find things. Maybe I didn't have the right "adventure/scavenger hunt" mentality yesterday but between the newest relocations (milk was in one place, the bakery totally displaced, the cheese in a new location, but obviously a temporary one and nowhere near the yogurt or the rest of the dairy....) and simply walking more, I was done in. My list was so totally not in the correct order b/c of everything's topsy turvy location and I must have walked back and forth across the entire store multiple times in search of things. I think I left w/o getting everything too - we had just had it. Oh well. I did keep to the budget at least!
So the rest of the day went similarly; I got done everything I needed to do, and it was "good" but w/lots of extra walking (we seemed to have a back and forth kind of day), I was tired, and little obstacles and unplanned things happened at every step. I got a deal at the school book fair (but was missing a kid for a while while he got himself confused about where he was supposed to be and failed to connect w/a parent to trade kids at the appropriate time to boot), Andante's parent teacher conference went great (but we got interrupted every 5 minutes w/another child needing to use the restroom or get a drink), and no one has any more nits or anything so I think we're done w/the lice - yay. Today was the two-week point! If we have anything after this, we likely picked it up again. So I'll be watching... but praise god we appear to be over that.
The craziest thing happened on the way home from home group (weekly bible study). Deer. We're fine, the car's fine, and the deer might even be fine (we didn't stick around to find out but we think so). But god sure reminded us that he's the one who determines our steps. There was a small deer in the middle of the road so we slowed down and began to swerve to the left so as to miss it. I saw the big doe (I think) off to the left coming right at us. She was huge and when we slowed down, she paused and then kept coming so we sped up a little and went between the little one and her and she just ran right into us full tilt, hitting right into the back left side of the car (Papa Bear thinks it was right behind him on the door to the back seat.) I was bracing myself and looking to see if there were more deer to dodge (and praying fervently). There was a big loud smack and everything seemed to be fine (Papa Bear thinks he saw the deer keep going) so he kept driving, feeling very blessed but very alert and full of adrenaline. That was close but again, everything went fine.
I was so glad when we got home! And today is now all but over - hope tomorrow is not so crazy (and no more deer thank you!)! Good night!
I then went for an hour long walk/talk w/a friend. Our conversation was at times very enthusiastic, and so was our walking it would seem. It's a good thing to walk, and I need to get into the habit on account of our upcoming trip, but I'm clearly not used to it, and to do so for a full hour wore me out! My legs were jelly when I got home and my feet never quite recovered.
The conversation we had was definitely franglais - it was all over the map language-wise and I so totally love that. Both of us being bilingual is fun. We intend to speak French when together, but we end up in English often. It kind of just flows back and forth. When I don't know the French, she helps me, and vice versa. I learned that "porch" is "galerie" - like an art gallery! How cool is that (we were admiring several porches as we walked). One of the things I enjoy most about talking with her is that we share the same faith in Christ as our redeemer, though we don't attend the same church, and the bulk of our conversation yesterday revolved around "thorns in the flesh" and suffering and happiness and contentment and God being "bigger than our circumstances" whatever those may be. You can see how it got exciting. An awesomely encouraging time (which is part of why I didn't feel the walk 'til afterward). So the tone for the day was a good one, but still not smooth.
The trip to the grocery store after pre-school was nuts. I had been on the fence about going at all today, and wished afterwards I had chosen to wait. You see, it's under construction and literally every day something is moved around. They are expanding and renovating all while staying open for business 24 hours a day. The end result will be awesome and we're starting to see glimpses of it, but getting there has been interesting and there are still months left until completion according to the big plan. Every week we try to have fun and treat going like a "let's see what's changed this week" adventure, and getting what we're looking for is a scavenger hunt. But the owner of the property (not the store) decided yesterday was a good day to repave the parking lot. What a nightmare (balancing that w/construction equipment - yikes). First I misunderstood the signs directing me, then after sorting that out, I got stuck and had to back out of an awkward situation, and then I couldn't find a spot anywhere. Two-thirds of the parking lot was blocked off - kind of ridiculous. There wasn't room for parking at all. I don't know what they were thinking but hopefully it's done and it won't happen again. I was so focused on trying to find a spot and getting out of the "mess" that I didn't even notice until after we were done shopping that I had parked on lovely new pavement. And then inside the store finally got to me. I couldn't find things. Maybe I didn't have the right "adventure/scavenger hunt" mentality yesterday but between the newest relocations (milk was in one place, the bakery totally displaced, the cheese in a new location, but obviously a temporary one and nowhere near the yogurt or the rest of the dairy....) and simply walking more, I was done in. My list was so totally not in the correct order b/c of everything's topsy turvy location and I must have walked back and forth across the entire store multiple times in search of things. I think I left w/o getting everything too - we had just had it. Oh well. I did keep to the budget at least!
So the rest of the day went similarly; I got done everything I needed to do, and it was "good" but w/lots of extra walking (we seemed to have a back and forth kind of day), I was tired, and little obstacles and unplanned things happened at every step. I got a deal at the school book fair (but was missing a kid for a while while he got himself confused about where he was supposed to be and failed to connect w/a parent to trade kids at the appropriate time to boot), Andante's parent teacher conference went great (but we got interrupted every 5 minutes w/another child needing to use the restroom or get a drink), and no one has any more nits or anything so I think we're done w/the lice - yay. Today was the two-week point! If we have anything after this, we likely picked it up again. So I'll be watching... but praise god we appear to be over that.
The craziest thing happened on the way home from home group (weekly bible study). Deer. We're fine, the car's fine, and the deer might even be fine (we didn't stick around to find out but we think so). But god sure reminded us that he's the one who determines our steps. There was a small deer in the middle of the road so we slowed down and began to swerve to the left so as to miss it. I saw the big doe (I think) off to the left coming right at us. She was huge and when we slowed down, she paused and then kept coming so we sped up a little and went between the little one and her and she just ran right into us full tilt, hitting right into the back left side of the car (Papa Bear thinks it was right behind him on the door to the back seat.) I was bracing myself and looking to see if there were more deer to dodge (and praying fervently). There was a big loud smack and everything seemed to be fine (Papa Bear thinks he saw the deer keep going) so he kept driving, feeling very blessed but very alert and full of adrenaline. That was close but again, everything went fine.
I was so glad when we got home! And today is now all but over - hope tomorrow is not so crazy (and no more deer thank you!)! Good night!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Family Trip to the Apple Orchard
Apple trees and the Adirondacks behind
Monkey Bar Princess (this is a really cool playground)
Mums mums and more mums.
Lots of pumpkins too. We stuck with cider, apples, and cider donuts. Yum!
Monkey Bar Princess (this is a really cool playground)
Mums mums and more mums.
Lots of pumpkins too. We stuck with cider, apples, and cider donuts. Yum!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Pictures
Note on pictures here in our blog. Generally we've posted them so that if you click on the photo, you'll be able to see a larger version.
Friday, October 15, 2010
School days
Pictures from the first day of school - a silly one here at home....
one on the way (Patience went the other direction)...
Andante waiting outside his new school (his teacher is down the end of the line by the building holding the sign)....
and of course, Vivace and I went swimming w/his buddy . . . . gotta do something while the others are at school (and it's hot!).
one on the way (Patience went the other direction)...
Andante waiting outside his new school (his teacher is down the end of the line by the building holding the sign)....
and of course, Vivace and I went swimming w/his buddy . . . . gotta do something while the others are at school (and it's hot!).
Thursday, October 14, 2010
The Fair!
Mommy, can we take the bunnies home?
(Really?)
(No :-( )
Animal boy watched these chicks for about 15 minutes. The little ones joined him for a few moments and he shared every detail he'd noticed with them - at length. It was hard to tear him away. He'd like us to get some eggs to hatch some year. I know he'd do the necessary work and is more than capable. It would be fun; maybe someday.
OK so the cows have been interesting . . . . but this one was Vivace's favorite by far. We'll miss them next year on the Street.
Ahh yes - the flower arrangements etc. Note the giant pumpkin to the far left and the giant sand sculpture in the background. They loved these displays.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
The tongues of angels
I was "new" a lot as a kid. We moved around. Maybe it was the timing of things but it felt like we were always moving and I was always adjusting and figuring things out. So I have a certain radar for "new kids" and for wanting people to feel welcome in a new place. Yesterday, Patience came home and told me there was a new girl at school. She was very descriptive of her and was very intrigued. You see, the new girl speaks little to no English. Frankly, Patience came home asking me a question as an introduction to her conversation; "Mom, do you know any German?" Well, I do know a little (but it's been 20 years), and so I wrote a note to the new girl in very broken German, hoping to encourage her and as a way to reach out and welcome her and her family to our community. Patience came home today to tell me I made the girl giggle and smile and elicited a "thank you" as well.
You see, the Lord tells us to treat others as we'd like to be treated. This is how I always wanted to be treated when I was new, especially when I was in a 'strange' land (try moving to NY City w/a Southern drawl in elementary school - oh yes, and with glasses and being way too smart for your own good - talk about culture shock and ridicule). May the gift he's given me with the tongues of men be used for his glory, and may I someday be able to share things of much greater priority and substance with this girl and her family, in whatever tongue he sees fit.
You see, the Lord tells us to treat others as we'd like to be treated. This is how I always wanted to be treated when I was new, especially when I was in a 'strange' land (try moving to NY City w/a Southern drawl in elementary school - oh yes, and with glasses and being way too smart for your own good - talk about culture shock and ridicule). May the gift he's given me with the tongues of men be used for his glory, and may I someday be able to share things of much greater priority and substance with this girl and her family, in whatever tongue he sees fit.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Grandpa's Conference
Our annual family visit to see Grandpa at the conference center - visiting all the booths, dressing up, eating breakfast with the business folks, advertising for grandpa, and special times (including swimming in the hotel pool of course). Don't the kids look nice all dressed up? They really look forward to this every single year. It's a ton of fun for us all. Precious memories with the grandparents right here in our backyard.
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