Wish you a happy Halloween - and a good night of sleep
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Autumn and Me
I first noticed a changing of the seasons when I was 21, pregnant with Jude and going on 2 mile walks each day with Marian (our housemate with Alzheimer's). We made the same circle daily and her comments would repeat like clock work, "What beautiful blossoms," "what beautiful leaves," "What lovely colors" - my tour guide through the seasons. For three months we watched the leaves change and fall.
In Kansas, autumn is not a three month dance with nature. Rather it is a gail force wind that hits between 9 and 10 p.m. on any Thursday night in October.
Summer. Wind storm. Winter.
This year though, we have had an autumn. Marian taught me well to watch the trees, and on my drive home from Jude's school twice a day I watch the leaves change - and uncharacteristically Kansas sway in the wind. Our autumn says been a gift. My dad's time has been free as it has been too warm to move trees, the garden is still producing, and gym memberships have been delayed by long evening walks. Almost everyone has been please by it, but with undertones of suspicion.
Ever the practical one, my father sniffed out news of he coming "big freeze" and yesterday picking preparation began in almost every garden, and at 3:25 exactly - a wind came in a and took the leaves.
They say about Kansas that if you don't like the weather all you have to do is stay until tomorrow - it is bound to change - who knows what this day will bring -but we are in for the long haul. I just hope we can get the wood stove installed before it "get's cold and stays cold."
This week's Autumn highlights:
David's awesome Birthday BBQ with Jay's hamburgers and Jessie's pig feet - and some yummy cupcakes:
My family rocks: 6 loads of debris and trees hauled off on a beautiful Tuesday!
Carl cleaning the chimney of 50 year old ash:
Free hats "leftover and unwanted".... what great give aways! And free veggies from Bethesda's giving garden. Have I mentioned before that I think people in need should move to the midwest? Look at that abundance!
Marrina cooking "dumplings" for Jude's international lunch at school - they were a hit - even if she said I made them WAY TO BIG.
And finally Lucy and my mom working in the flowerbed mom has been waiting to transform since April. "i know you don't think about it Amanda but you need to get those spring bulbs in the ground NOW." Thanks mom
Huh... looking at these picture makes me think I have liked the extended Autumn for all the great stuff other people have had time to do for me.... opppsss... :) I guess mayby everyone else is ready for a winter rest.
In Kansas, autumn is not a three month dance with nature. Rather it is a gail force wind that hits between 9 and 10 p.m. on any Thursday night in October.
Summer. Wind storm. Winter.
This year though, we have had an autumn. Marian taught me well to watch the trees, and on my drive home from Jude's school twice a day I watch the leaves change - and uncharacteristically Kansas sway in the wind. Our autumn says been a gift. My dad's time has been free as it has been too warm to move trees, the garden is still producing, and gym memberships have been delayed by long evening walks. Almost everyone has been please by it, but with undertones of suspicion.
Ever the practical one, my father sniffed out news of he coming "big freeze" and yesterday picking preparation began in almost every garden, and at 3:25 exactly - a wind came in a and took the leaves.
They say about Kansas that if you don't like the weather all you have to do is stay until tomorrow - it is bound to change - who knows what this day will bring -but we are in for the long haul. I just hope we can get the wood stove installed before it "get's cold and stays cold."
This week's Autumn highlights:
David's awesome Birthday BBQ with Jay's hamburgers and Jessie's pig feet - and some yummy cupcakes:
My family rocks: 6 loads of debris and trees hauled off on a beautiful Tuesday!
Carl cleaning the chimney of 50 year old ash:
Free hats "leftover and unwanted".... what great give aways! And free veggies from Bethesda's giving garden. Have I mentioned before that I think people in need should move to the midwest? Look at that abundance!
Marrina cooking "dumplings" for Jude's international lunch at school - they were a hit - even if she said I made them WAY TO BIG.
And finally Lucy and my mom working in the flowerbed mom has been waiting to transform since April. "i know you don't think about it Amanda but you need to get those spring bulbs in the ground NOW." Thanks mom
Huh... looking at these picture makes me think I have liked the extended Autumn for all the great stuff other people have had time to do for me.... opppsss... :) I guess mayby everyone else is ready for a winter rest.
Monday, October 18, 2010
In a good week
It scares me how much schizophrenia this house brings out in me. I am humbled by how much of a life process "learning to be content in all things" really is turning out to be. And all those funny cliches about "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans-" Or "When praying don't give God instructions, just report for duty-" would be a lot more amusing if I could get the hang of it. Thankfully for me - once in a great while our plans align and I feel happy... oh so happy... and free.
Please check out the completion of 3 of 7 rooms in the basement....
and not a moment too soon as Daisy - our fourth student arrived shortly after the paint dried (more on her later).
Jarod and Dad had a wonderful week installing doors, ceilings, and working on counter tops and chimneys - thanks to God for weather too warm to have dad busy moving trees.
And every once in a while our remodeling brings joy to everyone's lives as the kids and Sunjin enjoyed an arial view of our neighborhood and the kids spent a long afternoon playing "hide out" in the toilet boxes with their cousin.
A Community Connections event with FHSU international students was hosted at Bethesda Place on Friday night where over 100 students enjoyed wonderful fall weather, garden tours, a hay rack ride, pumpkin chucking in the trebuchet, and a 'weenie roast" and smores.
My brain is coming out of motherhood atrophy as the students allow me to help edit their papers and I couldn't find more enjoyment in our late night work and laugh sessions.
On top of all the good things happening in our lives, our friend Amy is recovering nicely from a scary bout with leg numbness after a LONG labor... and I am planning a trip to California to visit some other friends who are expecting.
And finally - Jude and I reassembled the lost body parts of 23 LEGO men, Jarod's sister survived to tell about her skydiving trip, and this morning Katie showed me a 100 day around the world cruise for $17,000. :)
Hope you all have a good week.
Please check out the completion of 3 of 7 rooms in the basement....
and not a moment too soon as Daisy - our fourth student arrived shortly after the paint dried (more on her later).
Jarod and Dad had a wonderful week installing doors, ceilings, and working on counter tops and chimneys - thanks to God for weather too warm to have dad busy moving trees.
And every once in a while our remodeling brings joy to everyone's lives as the kids and Sunjin enjoyed an arial view of our neighborhood and the kids spent a long afternoon playing "hide out" in the toilet boxes with their cousin.
A Community Connections event with FHSU international students was hosted at Bethesda Place on Friday night where over 100 students enjoyed wonderful fall weather, garden tours, a hay rack ride, pumpkin chucking in the trebuchet, and a 'weenie roast" and smores.
My brain is coming out of motherhood atrophy as the students allow me to help edit their papers and I couldn't find more enjoyment in our late night work and laugh sessions.
On top of all the good things happening in our lives, our friend Amy is recovering nicely from a scary bout with leg numbness after a LONG labor... and I am planning a trip to California to visit some other friends who are expecting.
And finally - Jude and I reassembled the lost body parts of 23 LEGO men, Jarod's sister survived to tell about her skydiving trip, and this morning Katie showed me a 100 day around the world cruise for $17,000. :)
Hope you all have a good week.
Monday, October 11, 2010
World Cruises
I don't have time to blog tonight because I am looking up around the world cruises for no reason (Thanks Katie - and they are not $10,000). I may not be accomplishing anything tonight but my friend had a baby today (Congrats Amy and BJ) - and as far as I'm concerned that's enough accomplishment around here anyway.... now back to cruise shopping... Welcome Levi.
... and I choose this one:
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
The Trip: Seven Seas Voyager will sail a 145-night cruise from San Francisco to Southampton. Guests can also choose slightly shorter world cruises, including a 131-night cruise from San Francisco to Rome, 111 nights to Dubai and 86 nights to Bangkok.
The Dates: January 13 - June 7, 2011
Itinerary Segments: San Francisco to Sydney, 41 nights; Sydney to Beijing, 25 nights; Beijing to Bangkok, 20 nights; Bangkok to Dubai, 25 nights; Dubai to Rome, 20 nights; Rome to Southampton, 14 nights.
Prices: Full cruise fares range from $75,999 to $289,999 per person, double occupancy; segment fares begin at $9,999 per person.
... and I choose this one:
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
The Trip: Seven Seas Voyager will sail a 145-night cruise from San Francisco to Southampton. Guests can also choose slightly shorter world cruises, including a 131-night cruise from San Francisco to Rome, 111 nights to Dubai and 86 nights to Bangkok.
The Dates: January 13 - June 7, 2011
Itinerary Segments: San Francisco to Sydney, 41 nights; Sydney to Beijing, 25 nights; Beijing to Bangkok, 20 nights; Bangkok to Dubai, 25 nights; Dubai to Rome, 20 nights; Rome to Southampton, 14 nights.
Prices: Full cruise fares range from $75,999 to $289,999 per person, double occupancy; segment fares begin at $9,999 per person.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Strange ways to warm a woman's heart
Jarod bought me a freezer about a month ago (not sure if it is because he loves me or because he was tired of hearing about all the great meat sales I had to pass up because of lack of space.) And now due to our mothers who are generous in meat, a few great bread and frozen veggie sales, a few afternoons with a kitchenaid and fall produce, a tamale sale at the Spanish church, and a night of casserole making and trading with my girlfriends – it is full. And I granted my self the wasteful pleasure of a few moments of standing in front of freezing warmth of the “fullness” of it all. Then I proceeded to wake up twice in the middle of the night and check to make sure it was closed securely (Thanks Sommer). How fickle the security of abundance really is.
Other things that warm my heart are:
Fun family interactions like Seonjin and Lucy's new found primping bond.
My dad putting in window frames!
These guys.
These guys.
A friend's beautiful pregnant belly
A brother who can think of nothing better than spending his Sunday afternoon continuing the digging in our accidental swimming pool/pond.
And a crock-pot full of my favorite sweet potato peanut soup for our family meeting tonight.
Things that don't warm my heart:
What on earth are we going to do with that POND! And after hauling over 300 wheelbarrows full of dirt around the house to prevent leaking Jarod calmly comments, “But you see here? That looks like structural weakness. We are gonna have to pull this whole side out. Do you know a brick guy?” GREAT!! So now I have a swimming pool that didn't fix anything.
I think I'll make zucchini bread.
This is called a full freezer avoidance mechanism.
(Photo props here go to Layton... (the strange kid by the pole) - good work for his first time holding an SLR... "here's lookin' at you kid.")
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