Texas Springtime

No matter how long I live here, I will never get used to this. I am most certainly grateful for the high of 69 tomorrow. But then to plummet 30 degrees for a high the next day? Mere insanity.

Which leads us (as always) to this.

Funny that the flu season coincides with the beginning of the year, right when our prescription deductibles are at their highest. We don't have the actual flu virus. But considering the amount of medication that's being doled out here with all of the coughing and sniffling and sleepless nights, I'm confident that we've almost reached our deductible .

Which brings me to my "yay doctor!" gush of gratitude.

We've had the same family doctor since Action Man was born. She delivered my first three, and has taken care of all of us since. When I found out I was pregnant with Little Dear, and Sports Fan was only 3 months old, she skipped into the exam room with a jubilant, "Well, I'm so happy!" Of course, I bawled. But she was so awesome through it all.

Now that the clan has stopped growing (for now) she has been a source of great comfort, answering my late night pagings, prescribing medication over the phone (in huge! quantities! with endless! refills!) and always making me feel like I really wasn't bothering her. Most of the time, these pagings has found her still at the office. She is swamped, and dedicated...

Our one regret is that, while she is Catholic, she does prescribe birth control. We are praying for her. And she knows it.

Today, I am grateful for dedicated doctors and modern medicine. And yes, also for our crazy Texas weather.

:)

15 Minutes to a New Me

Still really enjoying these posts over at Owlhaven. Mary said she would be posting them, and each time I click over, it is such a joy.

And I certainly need a little joy right now.

Yes, we're sick. Whatever. Everyone else in the world is too!

I'm cold. Don't laugh. We have thin skins, we Southerners. A high of 50 is cold. Yes ma'am.

And so, I need to shape up over here.

After 15 minutes, I think I have...

1. Survive a 45 minute tantrum compliments of Little Love without losing my cool. Read two stories to her (two times each) after her "sorry Mama" and precious hug.

2. Teach my 10 year old how to make pasta and bean soup. Enjoy a bowl with him.

Things are calmer. I am warmer. The sickies are not acting as sick.

Life, of course, is always good. I needed the reminder.

:)

My Little Boo

Some Little Boo-isms to brighten your Friday:

Yesterday morning...
Me: Where's Little Love?
Little Boo: She's in the Living Room.
(pause)
Little Boo: Where's the Living Room?


After lunch...
Little Boo: (yelling) Why does Little Love get more Kool Aid and I don't?
Me: Because Little Love is on medicine that makes her thirsty.
Little Boo: What am I on?
Me: (observing the tantrum) Steroids?


Before bed...
Little Boo: Why don't you give me medicine?
Me: Because you don't need it.
Little Boo: You just want me to be sick.


Have a fabulous weekend all! And Happy Birthday to my dear sis, Sephora!

:)

Proof: The Internet is Inspiring

After my horrific day yesterday, and the extensive sniveling and licking-of-wounds that occurred last night, I was ready to begin again this morning.

After a huge breakfast and a double-shot coffee, of course.

:)

The Internet was also on my side.

Go read this over at Owlhaven. We can all do 15 minutes can't we? I need to spend at least that much time just being present, every day.

Then take Danielle's suggestion and visit this generous woman. I say generous because if she were charging for these, I would gladly pay. But she's not:

My goal is to help grownups and kids spend time together making things. It is my wish to amuse and delight.

I know how we'll be spending our 15 minutes today....

You?

:)

Off to a Roaring...

... fizzle.


Thank goodness for IRL (in real life) friendships.

And those online.

After all of my resolutions of being cheerful and patient and not losing my temper, we started the day off with Mama screaming and wacking the eldest upside da head because he once again, for the zillionth time this week, called Little Dear a name, unprovoked, just because.... well, he doesn't know, he just... wanted to.

(errrrggggghhhhh)

So, after schooling, we packed ourselves off to our very dear, understanding friends to soothe our disappointment with some soul-nourishing chats and a hot cup of tea. We left heartened and inspired and yes, hungry, but with a renewed sense of calm and peace.

And it was with great relief and a huge smile of understanding to come home and read this from Danielle Bean, my daily source of inspiration.

God gives us many opportunities for grace, yes. But He also knows when we need concrete encouragement, and the ear of a good friend. Not to mention an honest blog post.

:)

For All the Northerners...

... who keep blowing their cold air down to us Southerners....

STOP IT

:)

Being a native Northerner myself, I can sympathize with your desire for sun. And warmth. And all things Spring.

So, this is for you. And you. And you. And you. And you. And you.





















And most especially, you. You especially need these.
















:)

Making It Ours... Part I

I am being very optimistic in labeling this post as a Part I. We are not on a mission to completely remodel our new house. So, don't worry, this will not become a drywall and spackle blog. However, as the queen of my new domain, I need to make it my own. I see potential for beauty everywhere I turn, and I need to fix it!

And so, here it begins.... with the "formal living room" which is now the "front room" and has become in my mind the "library/reading room".....

The before:
















Is shaping up nicely towards the completed picture in my head:


































Around the corner to the left is where the large bookcases are located. I hope to add a bunch of floor pillows and an area rug to the mix. I'm trying to create a quiet (ha!) comfy place for the kids (and me!) to curl up with a good book.

Tune in next time to see our brassy gold bathroom that screams
I. AM. 90's!

:)

Book Meme

Red Cardigan tagged me for this meme I have seen making the rounds. She allowed me some leeway as to which book I could choose. Preferably one that is unpacked.

Smart woman.

Here are the rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book ( of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

Sitting at my computer, the only thing within arm's reach is the Lego Star Wars computer game instruction manual.

Hardly 123 pages.

And so, I must amble to the bookshelf. I guess I'll follow Matilda's lead and close my eyes and grab one....

I picked Clowns of God by Morris West. I read it many many moons ago, and only vaguely feel a little sheepish about owning it. Is it slightly blasphemous or a book I wouldn't recommend? Somebody refresh my memory!

He was happy about one thing: he was no longer bound to secrecy. He could discuss the issues involved; test his opinions against those of devotees and cynics alike, talk out his puzzlements in the language of simple folk, instead of the loaded dialect of the theologians. He was still far from satisfied by the explanations Jean Marie had given him. The description of his mystical states, which others had obviously witnessed, seemed too bland, too familiar, too -he groped for the word- too derivative from the vast body of devotional writing. Jean Marie was precise about the possibilities of catastrophic conflict.

Mr. West is certainly prolific with his sentences! And no, this book I cannot recommend. It is a "Vatican Thriller"... mere eye candy, not inspirational in the least. I remember now.

And now, for 5 people!

I tag: Mrs. Bear, Portia, Lisa, Sarah, and Cmerie. I can't wait to see what you gals are reading....

:)

They Picked Me!

Lisa and Cmerie awarded me the "E for excellence" award. And I am really very flattered.

Thank you!

Now I get to nominate 10. more. people!

Yikes.

I read a lot of blogs, and I like to think all of them are excellent. I don't think I can pick just 10.

And so, if you are in my sidebar, I think you are excellent. Give yourself a button.

:)

*With My Fingers In My Ears*

I refuse to listen.

I won't read.

I have to wait.

Tonight, we'll be watching online what the rest of the world already saw last night.

A season premiere from 7-9pm? My kids are rarely settled for the night by 9pm, never mind 7!


Who else is a Lost junkie?

:)