Living in a Third World Country... Part I

To spare the reader, I will break this series down into parts. The recent destruction in Haiti, and the descriptions of their life has triggered many memories of visiting my parents in the Philippines the summer before my senior year of college.


When I was a junior in college, my parents sold everything they owned and moved the family to the Philippines.

Sometime soon I'm going to have my mom do a guest post on here. Their experience spans almost two years, and is something that would be good to read about given the recent devastation in Haiti... if nothing else but to begin to understand the way of life of a people so poor and desolate.

I was fortunate enough to visit my family in the province of Pangasinan, living with them in their second floor apartment in the city of Alaminos for two weeks before I returned to college as a senior.

During my stay, my eyes were opened in many ways. What I witnessed there would sometimes make my jaw hit the ground in disbelief, but there were also moments of extreme beauty and peace. Maybe because I knew I would be leaving I felt I could truly drink in my surroundings... but as someone who was not trapped there. I did not have to scratch my living from the harsh and fickle landscape. There was a rhythm to these people, especially in the provinces... a connection to the land that was not present in the cities. (And isn't that case, no matter what country you live in?)

While we did travel around sometimes in a borrowed jeep (with A/C... what a luxury!) we did sleep in our rooms with fans blowing and windows open. No covers were needed, and cold showers were taken at least twice a day. I have never known such humidity. I think we could have made water by trapping air in a cup and making it condense. Any clothing with an ounce of polyester was unwearable, and make up was useless. So, we were not insulated by any means. My family was out there, living and moving and breathing with the locals.

And this enabled me to experience firsthand, albeit for a brief time, what it was like to live in such a poor country.

Sunshine and Allergies Daybook

Warm weather has returned to the Nut House. Highs in the low 70's this week! But with it comes much pollen. DH is especially having a hard go of it these days.


Outside my window....

Abundant sunshine. I'm looking forward to my afternoon break outside in my patio chair with a good book.


I am listening to...

Little Love and Little Boo playing. No school today, so they are taking advantage of the quiet downstairs to spin their tales with Polly Pockets tucked into decorative shelving set up as exquisite homes.


I am wearing...

Pink and lime flannel plaid pj bottoms, lime green sweatshirt and crocs. Don't ask about the hair. :P


I am thankful for...

The return of the warmer weather. I don't feel so restricted and hunkered down anymore.


I am reading...

Edge of Sadness for bookclub, and In Conversation with God for me. For those of you who have read In Conversation... is it just me, or does it miraculously apply to just about every day of your life? The meditations are unbelievably timely and applicable. Gives me the goosebumps.


From the kitchen...

Two very ripe bananas. Guess I'll be making muffins today. Everything is stocked for the week, I just need to spin my magic and think up some delectable meals... that include lots of salad.


I am thinking...

That I do my best thinking in the shower at night. And I need to post then, not in the morning. Which means my time with DH will be limited. Not. Good. Hmmm. Need to think more about that.


On my iPod...

I hardly listen anymore. Does the soundtrack to Cars count? lol The kids insisted that DH put it on, and now that's their clean up music. A tad bit loud sometimes.


Towards a real education...

Catechism co-op today! We love that the kids get weekly time with their best friends. Delving into the faith with them and their awesome teachers is something I would never replace. It's amazing for them.


Towards rhythm and beauty...

Hosting 75 people here on Saturday night convinced me that our house is way more versatile than I thought. It was lovely. I'm excited to plan for other events in the future... and declutter everything we "packed away" from tiny fingers...


To live the Liturgy...

Love my spiritual reading. I can't say enough about it. Keeping those meditations in mind throughout the day has made me look at everything I do in a new light. Sanctifying our work as moms is a real thing. It raises our work to the supernatural. But it's not us. We need to beg God for His grace. Humbling, and yet awesome.


I am hoping and praying...
For so many situations.


In the garden...
The pansies are still alive, looking a bit wilted. Guess I need to water them! :)


Around the house...

Laundry. And lots of it.


On keeping home...
Still no chore schedule. What is it going to take for us(me) to get my act together? Any tips?


One of my favorite things...

Sunshine and a good book.


A few plans for the rest of the week...

Bunco Friday night. Playdates for the kids, and a meal for a friend with a new little blessing!


A picture thought I am sharing...
















This is how Little Boo plays hockey with Papa.

:P

Early Morning

Standing at the precipice
About to hurl myself over the edge
of today,
I wonder at my past folly.

To leap and not to care
if the net was secure
if the wind was right
if I was right.

To leap and not wonder
at the uncertainty of
the day ahead.
All that would happen.
Not to wonder
was I ready?

What folly
to cast myself into today
and not secure the bindings
and make safe my path
through His love
of words
and comfort.

And step out, firmly tethered
to weather the storms
directing my ship
with His hand
and
ride the waves of grace.

When Patience is Needed in Abundance

Little Love: Mama! Mama! I can count to 100... wanna hear?

Mama: Errrrm... sure.

Little Love: 1, 2, (...) 59, 70, 71... oh! Oh no no no no! That's not right!
Lemme start over.
1, 2....


:P

My Little Boo

Things here in the Nut House are steaming along at a more-rapid-than-usual pace these days. And my Little Boo is the kind that is resistant to her Mama's exhortations, especially when there is a time constraint attached to it. In fact, the more frantic Mama is, the slower she obliges.

Last night, as I was urging her to finish her chore of putting away the toys she and Little Love had been playing with, she parked herself in the kitchen and would. not. budge.

Frustrated, I burst out: Little Love is doing exactly what I told her to do! Look, she is putting the chairs away all by herself! Now, who is being a big responsible girl?

Rolling her eyes, Little Boo retorted: Not me.



















And, for no apparent reason, both DH and I had simultaneous coughing fits.

:P

Daybook: When Resolutions Kick In

Outside my window....

Sunny sunshiney SUN! High of 55 today. We may have to break out the shorts...
:)


I am listening to....

Keyboards clacking, pages turning and pencils scratching. My 3 olders are hitting the books!

I am wearing...

My favorite jeans (low waist, baggy, abercrombie that I got for a steal..) crocs, and new Old Navy hooded shirt I got for less than $2! Hair in a messy bun.


I am thankful for...

Understanding friends.


I am pondering...
How best to ensure my resolutions stick. I think taking it day by day is key. Not be overwhelmed with the big picture.


I am reading...

Edge of Sadness for book club, and starting In Conversation with God for spiritual reading. My good friend recommended it and also loaned it to me! Just started today, and I think it is exactly what I was looking for.


From the kitchen...

Fajitas for dinner tonight. The whole week's menu is planned out. We have lots going on with not a lot of wiggle room. I need to stick to the plan.


I am thinking...

That I can be way too transparent sometimes. Not online, but in my friendships. Sometimes, I need to be patient and not jump the gun when it comes to certain situations. I usually end up feeling extremely idiotic. I guess it's a good lesson in humility for me?


I am creating...

A new outlook on my vocation. It's a step by step process, and will probably last my entire lifetime. A bit daunting, yes. But very needed. Also? I'm trying to trust. Some things are in the works and I have no idea which doors are opening and which are closed. Being patient and trusting... two of the hardest things for me to do!!


Towards rhythm and beauty...

Ugh. I am trying so hard to get my house back in order and re-establish the chore charts. It's taking awhile. We have so much going on this week, and a tidy house is essential. Praying and cleaning go well together, right?


To live the liturgy...

The awesome thing about In Conversation with God, is that the meditations are based on the readings. And I need to be fully aware of what season we are in. Love that. For the kids, I need recommendations on Saint's books. What do you use?


I'm hoping and praying...
For quite a few intentions.


One of my favorite things...
Coffee. Hands down my most favorite material (non-living) thing in the world. Think I'll go brew another cup.
:)


A few plans for the rest of the week...

Ready? It's a doozy of a week.
~Book club tonight, where we discuss the horrific novel Of Human Bondage. Yes, I disliked it immensely, but I finished it.
~Lil Sis comes home tomorrow! Yay! DH goes out with a friend from home who is here on business... boys have scouts.
~Wed DH's friend comes for dinner.
~Thursday is mom's night out... :)
~Friday is clean the house day because...
~Saturday we are hosting the Montessori school's (belated) Christmas party here! Count stands at 54 people. It's potluck, so not too bad on the prep work for me. I just need to make sure my home is totally baby proof! I'm the "older" Mama in this crowd. Lots of babies coming for me to drool over.
:)


A picture thought I am sharing...

















Hard to believe our world was like this not too long ago!


:)

How We Survive The Winter

Early morning fires...



















Laundry and math by the warmth of the sun...






















Popcorn and PJ's in the afternoon...






















Hockey practice in the garage...






















A good movie in the evening...





















Or a good book...





















Stay warm, y'all!

:)

Afternoon Thoughts

A cold front is threatening to the North. An Arctic Blast is what they're calling it, plunging temperatures into the teens.

Trees rattle in fear, their limbs empty… dry and chilled with the winter air.
Walking through the backyard, I notice that even the outdoor chairs and toys huddle close to the house... waiting.

Funny how my shoulders relax in the seeming balmy 45 degree weather.
The sun plays off my crazy house-bound hair, and red abounds.
While, stark in his black and white, our cat rolls on the scratchy brick patio.
I pick at the weeds poking through the seams, eager to remain in the light.

Always, in the warmth, no matter how feeble.

Children bound in and out, wondering for me... puzzled at my position on the step.
As the wind picks up, they scurry inside.

Winter is not for the faint of heart.











:)

Recuperating

This stomach bug has really thrown me for a loop. I've never felt so awful, except when in my first trimester... and alas, no, I am not experiencing that thrill this time around. How I wish! My system is totally out of whack. I think I dehydrated myself unknowingly. How weird that the Mama should fall victim to the very thing she worries about with her own kids regarding this bug! And you know what? This rehydration process is long and arduous. I'll never make this mistake again.

All of the organizing and de-cluttering I had planned for the home school room hasn't happened. We waded through the mess of toys and markers and papers to dig out our books and notebooks in getting back to it today. My kids are used to this, unfortunately, and I find that persevering in our studies despite the mess has it's advantages. My house will always need cleaning. And while I used to sacrifice a school day to restore order to our home, I've learned my lesson that it's never worth it. By the end of the day, the house will need to be tidied yet again, and we've lost a day of learning.

Laundry is my main accomplishment these days. Funny how the New Year is rung in, in much the same way the old one is rung out. And (heh heh) I am already feeling wrung out. (sorry, couldn't resist...) But it's the little things done, the baby steps taken, that satisfy my inner Martha. And, finally, at the end of the day, my realistic expectations of myself and my kids are what bring peace and order to the day.

It's all about perspective, isn't it? The fact that I have already lost it on my kids this morning what with all the moaning and groaning of the new school week. The same old gripes and the same old downfalls... it's tiring and exactly what I was dreading about today. All these things are part of the picture here, but not the focus. Heaven help us if it were. I'd never be able to continue.

It's the sweetness between Little Love and Little Boo, the ah-ha moment that Sports Fan had in Math today, the ease in which Little Dear picked up long division after the even longer break, and the perseverance Action Man showed as he tried (in vain... ;) to straighten his crooked letters, out of practice and rusty from too many days spent frolicking, void of paper and the ever-exacting pencil. But, he labored, and patiently I praised his efforts. We must not be defeated this first day back.

There must be enough hope and effort left to last. Enough care and love to be renewed and enough patience to make it...

At least until dinner time, eh?

:)

A New Me?

'Tis that time of year for us bloggers to get all philosophical about the upcoming year and how we will change. There have been a lot of fantastic posts on this, ones I am sincerely taking to heart... in fact, they are all there on my sidebar. And I appreciate the wisdom and simplicity of these posts, all surrounding one word.

Yes.

Still.

Now.

I love these ideas. And, unbeknownst to me, I have been practicing them since the New Year began! How is that? Well... I've had the stomach flu.

:P

Seriously, there is nothing like a nasty virus that knocks you on your back to make a person slow down and think. Think about what is truly necessary, what is truly important, and what really and truly must be accomplished to survive the day. Luckily for me, DH did all of what needed to be done, and I got the luxury of moaning and reading and playing speed with Little Love.

I practiced "Yes" when she asked me to play and read stories and snuggle. (why that child has not gotten sick is beyond me... keeping my fingers crossed!) I practiced "Still" for two entire days. I was exhausted (dehydrated, more like it) dizzy and incredibly woozy.( I'm still not 100%, this is going to take awhile.) So, my "stillness" will not be a fleeting thing. The "Now" is ongoing. DH took the rest of the kids to a hockey game today (Little Boo went in my stead) and I got to say "Yes" to all of Little Love's whims of going out to lunch and visiting a few playgrounds before settling at home with a movie. At each stop, the "Now" was constant. Little Love is a chatter box, and a delightful one at that. We were in eternal conversation-mode, and it was lovely. I had no choice but to be completely present... and it was interesting, since I am not used to focusing on one child/event at a time. Like other moms, I multi-task quite well... what a concept this was!
Am I changed? A bit. I think every new experience alters a person's perspective. Have I changed forever? Ah, the Pollyanna in me wishes that were the case! But, I know myself, my tendencies... don't we all?
And here's the key... for me, at least. I know me. He knows me. In fact, He knows me better than I ever will. So, no-one, except He (and me) will ever ever be able to change me. And that is where my focus needs to be if I will ever exact a change from these stubborn old bones. Nothing new? Of course not. Read Ecclesiastes 1:9.

There's nothing new under the sun.

And so we begin. I begin. To find my way.
To say Yes.
To practice Still.
To be Now.

And probably mess it all up royally along the way.
;P

But He knows.
And He will help.
Because He is all that matters in the end.

And there is an awful lot of comfort in that.

:)