Almost Good Bye to 2014!
In trying to remember anything memorable that pops out of this past year; I draw a blank. But, I haven't even finished my first cup of tea yet, so, maybe I'm still waking up for the day.
This past year, we gained a dog.
We spent months cooped up in the house due to the coldest temps I can ever remember, and because of 2 months of non stop sickness and/or school closings and/or school breaks.
We flew kites and had a picnic dinner for Easter
We all tried lobster for the 4th of July. It was pretty traumatic. Followed by a magical evening with good friends and thier kids, atop a bank overlooking a river in Olean, as we watched fireworks.
We were in the ER a LOT for various things.
Because of staples in his head, George's breathing problems really came to light which:
Ended us in Children's hospital for adenoid surgery. It took weeks for the poor kid to fully recover.
Our last kid began school. Also traumatic. For me, anyway.
I made 3 different kinds of jams/preserves AND canned them. Not very graciously, but, I did it!
Made my own applesauce and laundry soap. The soap caused a flood it the laundry room, and colorful language from Bearded Man.
The house finally got painted!
I did my first 5K and RAN!
I lost 25 pounds, walked every morning for several months, joined a local Zumba class and loved it!
We lost Bearded Man's mother.
Joe collected and donated money to the local food pantry.
We joined a different church parish, and have really found our niche there
I became (Probably the world's worst) Sunday School teacher.
Lexi has finally been able to indulge her inner mermaid, by joining the school swim team.
Joe has made it through another year without starving to death.
Kaila bacame a teenager.
Bearded Man has a new job.
I am closing out the year with starting a new second job!
One of my sisters got married.
One of my brother's got married.
My Dad was in and out of the hospital a lot.
We took the kids to see a Monster Truck show. They hated it.
Discovered there was a second lein on our house; which no one could find, and no one could discharge. Faced possible forclosure over a lein that was, for all intents and purposes non existant. It took the better part of the year and exhaustive notes, searching, phone calls and persistance, but, I got it all cleared up by Thanksgiving! ON MY OWN, after an arrogant attorney informed me this could take years and thousands of dollars, and that I would never be able to afford to clear it, OR do it on my own. BIG score!
Laughed a lot, cried a lot, prayed a lot.
I don't usually make New Year's resolutions. I suppose there are some things I would like to improve upon, but, honestly, I have enough to deal with every day, without the guilt of impossible resolutions.
Sort of glad to see 2014 come to a close! Here's hoping for a better, brighter, happier 2015!
Stay safe!
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Bailey's for Breakfast
Another Christmas, come and gone. And, due to the murky possibilities the near future may bring; the decorations are down and put away for another year. It was sad, to have all signs of Christmas gone, less than 24 hours after the day was over. It was also something of a relief. This was a rough holiday season.
Christmas Eve and Christmas turned out to be seriously nice days, even without the traditional snow around here. It really felt more like Easter. And, if the weather would like to stay this way indefinitely, I will be completely okay with it.
Christmas Eve dawned with me whipping up Homemade Bailey's Irish Cream, to be given at my parent's and to a few close friends. After making several pints, there was a few shots leftover, which, without real thought, I poured over ice and sipped, while talking on the phone for 45 minutes. I honestly didn't put much thought into it until I stood up after I hung the phone up. Good Morning! Moriah is sloshed. Nice.
Shortly after that, my friend Sue's husband stopped over with her traditional Christmas Eve offering of homemade Syllabub. I handed him a pint of Bailey's, as I happily spooned more alcohol into my system. I observed from my happy haze that, I had finally found a good use for the boxes and boxes and boxes of mason jars that Bearded Man had presented me with all summer. I could probably be completely happy canning alcohol. That being said: Bearded Man and the kids were invited by a neighbor yesterday, to go pick carrots from her garden. They came home with a whole bushel of carrots. I imagine that tomorrow, the last of my 5 days off from work, will be spent peeling, chopping, blanching and freezing carrots.
I told Bearded Man that it could be a fun project for he and the kids to do, while I work this week, and they are at home. But, Bearded Man has a head cold. The most horrible, miserable, terrible, awful head cold EVER in the history of head colds. If the moans, constant sleeping, hacking all over the house, while whimpering how it hurts to: open his eyes, move his eyes, blow his nose, turn his head. We have heard about the color of mucus, is it normal to feel this way? He has never ever felt this way, cannot smell, cannot hear... I don't think Bearded Man will be with us much longer. Which would free up considerable space on the couch, and we will never ever have to watch WWE or the History or Discovery channels again. Trying to stay positive and all that.
Anyway, back to sloshed Moriah on Christmas Eve morning: I was respectfully sober and alert, when we wandered to church for the annual Christmas Eve pageant before Mass. Now that I am one of the Sunday School teachers, I was sort of obligated to assist with this. Which involved telling the children to arrive at least half an hour early, spending 5 minutes getting them into costume, and 25 minutes wrangling them. 19 children. On Christmas Eve. For 25 minutes. At no point in my life have I ever thought I was heaven bound. However, that had to count for something. I spent most of the 25 minutes between a camel and a cow (called "Camel!" and "Cow!" because I had no idea what their names were), trying to keep them from beating the ever living daylights out of each other. My two biggest accomplishments of Christmas Eve were: NOT being tipsy during the Christmas Eve pageant, and, making sure the camel and the cow weren't placed anywhere near each other during the alter portion of the pageant.
I am also happy to report that George and Lexi, as Mary and Joseph, from what I could see, behaved beautifully during the proceedings. I wasn't paying too much attention, because, I noticed almost too late that there were lit candles in all the church windows, and I was standing in front of them, while we directed children. I was THIS close to being on fire several times. Memories and stuff.
Christmas morning dawned, and, snow or no snow, Santa managed to make it here. He even left George presents, after George took several bites out of Santa's cookies. There is a picture of George in the local paper, sitting on Santa's lap. The story behind it being: George had insisted we find a Santa, as he needed to explain that he was on the naughty list, but felt that he had done enough good to be moved onto the nice list. The subject never came up, however, so, he was sweating it out right till the very end.
We spent the afternoon at my parent's, and several of my brothers were able to make it too. It was a nice afternoon, and the kids were completely exhausted by the end of things.
The day after Christmas, I stepped on a scale. And was horrified to see I have gained back a little of the weight I worked so darn hard to lose all summer. So, back to working out for this chick! Turbo is so happy, to be going on the super long walks again.
Speaking of Turbo: Monday is our one year anniversary that he has been with us! Honestly, I love that dog. When I come home from work every night, and everyone greets me with "What's for dinner??!!!"or the laundry list of grievances regarding school, each other, school projects that need to be done, snacks they need by tomorrow, reminders of swim practice/scout meetings.... and there is my dog, just happy to see me.
I love my job. But, some days, it gets to me. In a day, I could have a suicidal patient, pedophiles, crying patients, angry patients, non compliant patients, PTSD, alcohol abuse, infected wounds, dementia, anxiety, terminal diagnosis, sleep patients, providers that need as much care and patience as the patients do, constant phone calls, emails.... the mental and emotional stress is a lot sometimes.
So. On those days that I need a break, there is Turbo, the dog that was supposed to be Joe's, but I think ended up as mine. He is quiet, and loyal, and is near me almost always when I am at home. Sometimes, it's nice to snap the leash on him, and walk for miles and miles and clear the cobwebs out of my brain. Since getting Turbo, I have lost almost 25lbs, he's been great for stress relief for me, and made me honestly a better nurse, and I genuinely love that creature. I never thought I would be one of "Those" people, who adored their dogs, but, as much as I love Buster too, Turbo has kind of become my buddy. Sort of a therapy dog for me. And, I am so very very happy that somehow he landed here. I heard after we brought him home, that there was a very long list of people who wanted to adopt one of the rescued "Hannibal Huskies". I was not on the list. Within the first few months of having him, we fought over potty training, I literally caught pneumonia, standing outside with him day and night on a leash, during of the coldest winters I can ever recall. Like, EVER, and there were times I thought "Seriously. This isn't going to work" HA! Now I have this big fluffy beast that loves to snuggle in my lap just as much now, as he did when he was a baby. Who has also learned how to open the bathroom door, so he can be near me when I shower in the morning. He even lies on my feet while I get ready for work every day. Happy Anniversary to Turbo!
Now that the holidays are winding down, I imagine we will be trying to get back into something of a routine around here. The kids are all pretty content with their Christmas gifts, and the nice weather to be able to play outside the last few days. It has really helped, not having the cabin fever that we had last year around this time! Hopefully everyone in the household doesn't catch Bearded Man's cold, and things can start to get back on track. Happy New Year, everyone! Celebrate safely!
Christmas Eve and Christmas turned out to be seriously nice days, even without the traditional snow around here. It really felt more like Easter. And, if the weather would like to stay this way indefinitely, I will be completely okay with it.
Christmas Eve dawned with me whipping up Homemade Bailey's Irish Cream, to be given at my parent's and to a few close friends. After making several pints, there was a few shots leftover, which, without real thought, I poured over ice and sipped, while talking on the phone for 45 minutes. I honestly didn't put much thought into it until I stood up after I hung the phone up. Good Morning! Moriah is sloshed. Nice.
Shortly after that, my friend Sue's husband stopped over with her traditional Christmas Eve offering of homemade Syllabub. I handed him a pint of Bailey's, as I happily spooned more alcohol into my system. I observed from my happy haze that, I had finally found a good use for the boxes and boxes and boxes of mason jars that Bearded Man had presented me with all summer. I could probably be completely happy canning alcohol. That being said: Bearded Man and the kids were invited by a neighbor yesterday, to go pick carrots from her garden. They came home with a whole bushel of carrots. I imagine that tomorrow, the last of my 5 days off from work, will be spent peeling, chopping, blanching and freezing carrots.
I told Bearded Man that it could be a fun project for he and the kids to do, while I work this week, and they are at home. But, Bearded Man has a head cold. The most horrible, miserable, terrible, awful head cold EVER in the history of head colds. If the moans, constant sleeping, hacking all over the house, while whimpering how it hurts to: open his eyes, move his eyes, blow his nose, turn his head. We have heard about the color of mucus, is it normal to feel this way? He has never ever felt this way, cannot smell, cannot hear... I don't think Bearded Man will be with us much longer. Which would free up considerable space on the couch, and we will never ever have to watch WWE or the History or Discovery channels again. Trying to stay positive and all that.
Anyway, back to sloshed Moriah on Christmas Eve morning: I was respectfully sober and alert, when we wandered to church for the annual Christmas Eve pageant before Mass. Now that I am one of the Sunday School teachers, I was sort of obligated to assist with this. Which involved telling the children to arrive at least half an hour early, spending 5 minutes getting them into costume, and 25 minutes wrangling them. 19 children. On Christmas Eve. For 25 minutes. At no point in my life have I ever thought I was heaven bound. However, that had to count for something. I spent most of the 25 minutes between a camel and a cow (called "Camel!" and "Cow!" because I had no idea what their names were), trying to keep them from beating the ever living daylights out of each other. My two biggest accomplishments of Christmas Eve were: NOT being tipsy during the Christmas Eve pageant, and, making sure the camel and the cow weren't placed anywhere near each other during the alter portion of the pageant.
I am also happy to report that George and Lexi, as Mary and Joseph, from what I could see, behaved beautifully during the proceedings. I wasn't paying too much attention, because, I noticed almost too late that there were lit candles in all the church windows, and I was standing in front of them, while we directed children. I was THIS close to being on fire several times. Memories and stuff.
Christmas morning dawned, and, snow or no snow, Santa managed to make it here. He even left George presents, after George took several bites out of Santa's cookies. There is a picture of George in the local paper, sitting on Santa's lap. The story behind it being: George had insisted we find a Santa, as he needed to explain that he was on the naughty list, but felt that he had done enough good to be moved onto the nice list. The subject never came up, however, so, he was sweating it out right till the very end.
We spent the afternoon at my parent's, and several of my brothers were able to make it too. It was a nice afternoon, and the kids were completely exhausted by the end of things.
The day after Christmas, I stepped on a scale. And was horrified to see I have gained back a little of the weight I worked so darn hard to lose all summer. So, back to working out for this chick! Turbo is so happy, to be going on the super long walks again.
Speaking of Turbo: Monday is our one year anniversary that he has been with us! Honestly, I love that dog. When I come home from work every night, and everyone greets me with "What's for dinner??!!!"or the laundry list of grievances regarding school, each other, school projects that need to be done, snacks they need by tomorrow, reminders of swim practice/scout meetings.... and there is my dog, just happy to see me.
I love my job. But, some days, it gets to me. In a day, I could have a suicidal patient, pedophiles, crying patients, angry patients, non compliant patients, PTSD, alcohol abuse, infected wounds, dementia, anxiety, terminal diagnosis, sleep patients, providers that need as much care and patience as the patients do, constant phone calls, emails.... the mental and emotional stress is a lot sometimes.
So. On those days that I need a break, there is Turbo, the dog that was supposed to be Joe's, but I think ended up as mine. He is quiet, and loyal, and is near me almost always when I am at home. Sometimes, it's nice to snap the leash on him, and walk for miles and miles and clear the cobwebs out of my brain. Since getting Turbo, I have lost almost 25lbs, he's been great for stress relief for me, and made me honestly a better nurse, and I genuinely love that creature. I never thought I would be one of "Those" people, who adored their dogs, but, as much as I love Buster too, Turbo has kind of become my buddy. Sort of a therapy dog for me. And, I am so very very happy that somehow he landed here. I heard after we brought him home, that there was a very long list of people who wanted to adopt one of the rescued "Hannibal Huskies". I was not on the list. Within the first few months of having him, we fought over potty training, I literally caught pneumonia, standing outside with him day and night on a leash, during of the coldest winters I can ever recall. Like, EVER, and there were times I thought "Seriously. This isn't going to work" HA! Now I have this big fluffy beast that loves to snuggle in my lap just as much now, as he did when he was a baby. Who has also learned how to open the bathroom door, so he can be near me when I shower in the morning. He even lies on my feet while I get ready for work every day. Happy Anniversary to Turbo!
Now that the holidays are winding down, I imagine we will be trying to get back into something of a routine around here. The kids are all pretty content with their Christmas gifts, and the nice weather to be able to play outside the last few days. It has really helped, not having the cabin fever that we had last year around this time! Hopefully everyone in the household doesn't catch Bearded Man's cold, and things can start to get back on track. Happy New Year, everyone! Celebrate safely!
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Saying Goodbye to Bearded Man's Mama
Today was the funeral service for Jasin's mother. It's been a crazy few weeks. Planning a funeral and holiday must-do's at the same time is surreal. Honestly. We did our usual traditional Pizza Hut and Christmas tree day. And then the kids and I went home, and Jasin met his brother and sister at his sister's church, to plan the service. Not going to lie. I am completely not into the holidays this year.
Anyhow. We made it through the day, and I got to hug all my favorite cousin in laws. (If I missed anybody, you're probably a favorite cousin in law too. There was a lot of hugs.)
And, my kids all coordinated. I itched to reach for my phone to snap a picture of the four of them together, but I restrained myself. I spend enough time on the Internet to know that pictures taken at funerals end up on "Tacky funeral photo" sites, like Buzz Feed. I can only imagine the conversations.
"OH. MY, GOD!!!! YOUR COUSIN'S CHRISTMAS CARD PICTURE WAS TAKEN AT YOUR AUNT'S FUNERAL!!!!!!! WHO. DOES. THAT???????" Or some such thing. It was so hard not to line them up and get a picture though. Not that they would have stood still long enough. The church hall is a converted barn, and sports a basketball hoop and wood floors. So, half the room was set up for luncheon, and the other half had children chucking balls at each other. My kids weren't going cooperate for a picture no matter how nicely they matched.
At the end of the day, Margie, my mother in law was grieved over, and her funeral is over. She is now sitting at Jasin's sister's home until we can bury her in the spring, I think. It didn't feel quite real to me, seeing a little box, that summed up a whole person. That's all you amount to, at the end. It was the first time I have attended a funeral that the remains were cremated. I suppose it isn't unusual. But, it takes some getting used to. We arrived at the church kitchen, and I was trying to ask politely where Margie was. How do you ask where a body is? It's much easier when there is a big casket draped with flowers. Think about it. HOW do you ask where a body is, without sounding all CSI?
For those wondering: Margie was in a box on the counter. Jasin had built a box to put the remains in for now, thus the awkward moment of inquiring where she might be. I think she would have appreciated the day, as we poured over old pictures and family caught up with each other.
It's been a rough few weeks for Bearded Man. This past week was his first official week as a laid off seasonal employee. The dishwasher has been fixed, there are new wooden wheels on the vacuum cleaner, and he built me a shelf for my spices. Not sure if there are enough projects to keep him occupied till April...
With Christmas nearly upon us, George is concerned. He admits freely that he's pretty sure he's on the Naughty List up North. Not sure where he learned the word "deviant", but, he seems to think it might possibly refer to him. He has requested that we locate a Santa for him to visit, so he can discuss this in person. I can only imagine the conversation. In all reality he will probably clam up and find himself unable to talk, regretting it all and sweating out his present status until Christmas morning.
I have it on good authority, however, that Santa has a soft spot for 4 year old boys who love to snuggle with their mamas. I think he'll make out okay.
Most Christmases we stay home and just Veg. However, this year we are going to my parent's. "Tell Joe we are having pizza! He will be so happy he can eat Christmas dinner this year!" announced my mother.
"Yes. He will likely be starving. We are torturing him with a ham dinner on Christmas Eve." I replied.
Also, one last note, my dog is in big trouble with the next door neighbor. It seems Turbo, my husky, and Rugar, the hound dog next door, have become best friends. Rugar was a puppy this summer, when the neighbor adopted him. From day one, the two dogs have been inseparable. They try to play between fences, and try their darnedest to get into each other's yard to play. Which bothers us not at all, but, the neighbor just cannot deal with it.
The latest trick of the dogs, is for Rugar to climb as far up the fence as he can get, and then Turbo gently lifts him over by the back of the neck with his mouth. The neighbor is LIVID. "YOUR dog is BITING my dog's neck! He is going to hurt him!" I could point out that his dog LIKES it, and that the two of them do this every time they can. But, then the neighbor will remind me of his heart condition. It's much easier to chuck his dog back over the fence before the neighbor (and his heart condition) notice. No, I am not putting my dog on a run, as per the neighbor's request. I suspect that, as much as this does not bother us, nor the dogs, it is going to cause issues with the neighbor. Ah well. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, I suppose.
I'm off now. I need to bake cookies for my Sunday School Christmas party tomorrow. I will have precisely one student for this shindig. It promises to be awkward for the poor girl, as we try to figure out fun things to do with one kid for an hour and a half. Because, in all honesty, I have not had time to put together a whole lot this week. Perhaps a small lesson in offering up suffering for the Lord, may be appropriate....
Anyhow. We made it through the day, and I got to hug all my favorite cousin in laws. (If I missed anybody, you're probably a favorite cousin in law too. There was a lot of hugs.)
And, my kids all coordinated. I itched to reach for my phone to snap a picture of the four of them together, but I restrained myself. I spend enough time on the Internet to know that pictures taken at funerals end up on "Tacky funeral photo" sites, like Buzz Feed. I can only imagine the conversations.
"OH. MY, GOD!!!! YOUR COUSIN'S CHRISTMAS CARD PICTURE WAS TAKEN AT YOUR AUNT'S FUNERAL!!!!!!! WHO. DOES. THAT???????" Or some such thing. It was so hard not to line them up and get a picture though. Not that they would have stood still long enough. The church hall is a converted barn, and sports a basketball hoop and wood floors. So, half the room was set up for luncheon, and the other half had children chucking balls at each other. My kids weren't going cooperate for a picture no matter how nicely they matched.
At the end of the day, Margie, my mother in law was grieved over, and her funeral is over. She is now sitting at Jasin's sister's home until we can bury her in the spring, I think. It didn't feel quite real to me, seeing a little box, that summed up a whole person. That's all you amount to, at the end. It was the first time I have attended a funeral that the remains were cremated. I suppose it isn't unusual. But, it takes some getting used to. We arrived at the church kitchen, and I was trying to ask politely where Margie was. How do you ask where a body is? It's much easier when there is a big casket draped with flowers. Think about it. HOW do you ask where a body is, without sounding all CSI?
For those wondering: Margie was in a box on the counter. Jasin had built a box to put the remains in for now, thus the awkward moment of inquiring where she might be. I think she would have appreciated the day, as we poured over old pictures and family caught up with each other.
It's been a rough few weeks for Bearded Man. This past week was his first official week as a laid off seasonal employee. The dishwasher has been fixed, there are new wooden wheels on the vacuum cleaner, and he built me a shelf for my spices. Not sure if there are enough projects to keep him occupied till April...
With Christmas nearly upon us, George is concerned. He admits freely that he's pretty sure he's on the Naughty List up North. Not sure where he learned the word "deviant", but, he seems to think it might possibly refer to him. He has requested that we locate a Santa for him to visit, so he can discuss this in person. I can only imagine the conversation. In all reality he will probably clam up and find himself unable to talk, regretting it all and sweating out his present status until Christmas morning.
I have it on good authority, however, that Santa has a soft spot for 4 year old boys who love to snuggle with their mamas. I think he'll make out okay.
Most Christmases we stay home and just Veg. However, this year we are going to my parent's. "Tell Joe we are having pizza! He will be so happy he can eat Christmas dinner this year!" announced my mother.
"Yes. He will likely be starving. We are torturing him with a ham dinner on Christmas Eve." I replied.
Also, one last note, my dog is in big trouble with the next door neighbor. It seems Turbo, my husky, and Rugar, the hound dog next door, have become best friends. Rugar was a puppy this summer, when the neighbor adopted him. From day one, the two dogs have been inseparable. They try to play between fences, and try their darnedest to get into each other's yard to play. Which bothers us not at all, but, the neighbor just cannot deal with it.
The latest trick of the dogs, is for Rugar to climb as far up the fence as he can get, and then Turbo gently lifts him over by the back of the neck with his mouth. The neighbor is LIVID. "YOUR dog is BITING my dog's neck! He is going to hurt him!" I could point out that his dog LIKES it, and that the two of them do this every time they can. But, then the neighbor will remind me of his heart condition. It's much easier to chuck his dog back over the fence before the neighbor (and his heart condition) notice. No, I am not putting my dog on a run, as per the neighbor's request. I suspect that, as much as this does not bother us, nor the dogs, it is going to cause issues with the neighbor. Ah well. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, I suppose.
I'm off now. I need to bake cookies for my Sunday School Christmas party tomorrow. I will have precisely one student for this shindig. It promises to be awkward for the poor girl, as we try to figure out fun things to do with one kid for an hour and a half. Because, in all honesty, I have not had time to put together a whole lot this week. Perhaps a small lesson in offering up suffering for the Lord, may be appropriate....
Monday, December 8, 2014
The Dick's Get a Christmas Tree.
This past weekend was full of all things Christmas stuff, and some funeral stuff. All the the tune of a Buffalo radio station that proudly plays all Christmas songs 24/7 beginning shortly after Halloween, and lasting till approximately the time everyone sits down to Christmas dinner. I discovered this weekend that, that particular radio station has approximately 2 Christmas Cd's that they just put on repeat.
All of this was because no one could remember which cable channel the Christmas music was on, and also, no one could find the batteries to the remote, to scroll thru 4 million stations to find it.
Anyway, The Dick Family Tradition of Pizza Hut and a Christmas tree continued this year. It had been raining most of the morning before we went out, so, we slopped around the muddy tree lot, as the kids all screamed "THIS is the PERFECT TREE!!!!" at every single one of them. Except Joe. Joe walked around checking price tags until he found the least expensive tree on the lot. And the yearly lecture began:
"I FOUND IT! I found the tree! It's ONLY THIRTY DOLLARS!" He hollered across the lot.
Upon inspection, we discovered a tiny little tree, approximately 3 feet tall, leaning in a back corner. No matter what we said, Joe was not convinced. Spending even $30.00 for a tree that will be in use for a matter of weeks, shed all over the place, cause all sorts of mess, and be chucked out the front door shortly after Christmas, is completely illogical. It makes him crazy every year, that we spend any sort of money on a dead tree. We spent half an hour of listening to Lexi shriek "THIS is IT!!!!" at all the trees, while Joe shrieked "HOW MUCH???!!!!! NO." While the boy scouts that sell the trees followed my 13.5 yr old daughter around adoringly. Memories and stuff.
We ended up with "William the tree", "Billy" for short, and the whimpers of a 9.5 yr old boy after he discovered that I donated an extra $5.00 to the Boy Scouts, to have the tree wrapped. And eleventy million reasons why that was a bad idea. Someday, I am going to hand that boy my checkbook and the bills, and I am sure he will make me wealthy. Meanwhile, I am not sure if we are more "Christmas Story" family, or "National Lampoons" family.
Also this weekend, was Sunday School, and Christmas Eve Christmas Pageant practice. Kaila and Joe decided to sing in the kid's Angel Choir, while Lexi decided to be in the pageant. George followed along because he had to. When the head of Religious Ed announced "Who wants to be Mary?" Lexi jumped up and volunteered.
"Now we need a Joseph!" and George bounced up "I will be Joseph!"
"Okay. George will be Joseph!" agreed the Head of Religious Ed.
"Ummmmm..... I am not so sure... I mean, shouldn't you at least have a TALLER Joseph?" I asked, thinking about my two squirmiest children front and center during Christmas Eve Mass. I had flash backs of the times Lexi had me in stitches at Christmas pageants past, and I wasn't too sure the two of them should do this together.
"Nope! George volunteered first, so George will be Joseph!" Insisted the head of Religious Ed.
"Now you have TWO Josephs, Mom!" George announced excitedly. Lexi is less than thrilled, to be seen with a husband who is half her size AND her brother. Lexi also decided she should wear the ice blue ball gown that was recently bequeathed to her sister and herself, by their Aunt Meghan. It was worn during a high school prom or ball or something, when Meghan and her sister were still in high school, years ago. "Lexi. Mary gave birth in a barn. She CERTAINLY was not wearing a ball gown, and you are not, either."
Once we practiced the pageant a few times, it was time to get back to Sunday School. Yesterday was supposed to be one of those horribly uncomfortable days where we talk about Love and relationships etc. However, the 5th grade class was without a teacher, so Lexi brought them all into my class room. Where, there was a quick change of lesson plans, and we decided to decorate the dead tree that came with my classroom, and talk about Advent stuff. The best comment all morning was "I like to draw pictures of flying toast. And marshmallows. Can I put a flying toast picture and a marshmallow on your tree?" From one of the 5th graders. "Absolutely!" I told him. "You should probably make them kind of big, so that we can help cover the WHOLE tree, don't you think?" So, my little dead tree has flying toast, marshmallows, tinsel, a string of lights, paper chains and whatever else their imaginations cooked up. I completely love it. Best Sunday School ever!
Also this weekend, the kids wrapped up their teacher Christmas gifts, their school Christmas gifts, and George acknowledged that he really was probably on the naughty list up in the North Pole.
"My HEAD tells me 'Be good, George!' but, my body just never wants to listen! My head says "Don't do that, George!" but, my feet make me go do stuff." he explained. Last night, in a last minute attempt to get onto the good list, he cleaned his room after he went to bed, and even made my bed. I think Santa will probably take it into consideration....
Also this weekend, Bearded Man picked up his third deer from the guy who processed it for him. I didn't really think about the logistics of this, until I attempted to put groceries away, and discovered there was no room for anything in the freezers. Also, I am pretty sure he is driving around with the head of his deer in the back of his truck, as he decides what to do with it. I suppose it could have been worse. he could have had the entire thing stuffed, and stuck it in a corner someplace. Meanwhile, we continue to debate where the head will hang in the house. I pointed out the house full of plaster and lath, and lack of supportive wall studs, so, I think that will limit where the dead head can go to some extent. I suppose we will know more about it after it's stuffed and ready to be hung someplace. I think that takes a few months, so, we have time.
All kidding aside, his Mother's funeral will be this Saturday, December 13th. Sadly, this will be only 5 days before what would have been her 75th Birthday. Please keep her family in your thoughts. Thank you.
All of this was because no one could remember which cable channel the Christmas music was on, and also, no one could find the batteries to the remote, to scroll thru 4 million stations to find it.
Anyway, The Dick Family Tradition of Pizza Hut and a Christmas tree continued this year. It had been raining most of the morning before we went out, so, we slopped around the muddy tree lot, as the kids all screamed "THIS is the PERFECT TREE!!!!" at every single one of them. Except Joe. Joe walked around checking price tags until he found the least expensive tree on the lot. And the yearly lecture began:
"I FOUND IT! I found the tree! It's ONLY THIRTY DOLLARS!" He hollered across the lot.
Upon inspection, we discovered a tiny little tree, approximately 3 feet tall, leaning in a back corner. No matter what we said, Joe was not convinced. Spending even $30.00 for a tree that will be in use for a matter of weeks, shed all over the place, cause all sorts of mess, and be chucked out the front door shortly after Christmas, is completely illogical. It makes him crazy every year, that we spend any sort of money on a dead tree. We spent half an hour of listening to Lexi shriek "THIS is IT!!!!" at all the trees, while Joe shrieked "HOW MUCH???!!!!! NO." While the boy scouts that sell the trees followed my 13.5 yr old daughter around adoringly. Memories and stuff.
We ended up with "William the tree", "Billy" for short, and the whimpers of a 9.5 yr old boy after he discovered that I donated an extra $5.00 to the Boy Scouts, to have the tree wrapped. And eleventy million reasons why that was a bad idea. Someday, I am going to hand that boy my checkbook and the bills, and I am sure he will make me wealthy. Meanwhile, I am not sure if we are more "Christmas Story" family, or "National Lampoons" family.
Also this weekend, was Sunday School, and Christmas Eve Christmas Pageant practice. Kaila and Joe decided to sing in the kid's Angel Choir, while Lexi decided to be in the pageant. George followed along because he had to. When the head of Religious Ed announced "Who wants to be Mary?" Lexi jumped up and volunteered.
"Now we need a Joseph!" and George bounced up "I will be Joseph!"
"Okay. George will be Joseph!" agreed the Head of Religious Ed.
"Ummmmm..... I am not so sure... I mean, shouldn't you at least have a TALLER Joseph?" I asked, thinking about my two squirmiest children front and center during Christmas Eve Mass. I had flash backs of the times Lexi had me in stitches at Christmas pageants past, and I wasn't too sure the two of them should do this together.
"Nope! George volunteered first, so George will be Joseph!" Insisted the head of Religious Ed.
"Now you have TWO Josephs, Mom!" George announced excitedly. Lexi is less than thrilled, to be seen with a husband who is half her size AND her brother. Lexi also decided she should wear the ice blue ball gown that was recently bequeathed to her sister and herself, by their Aunt Meghan. It was worn during a high school prom or ball or something, when Meghan and her sister were still in high school, years ago. "Lexi. Mary gave birth in a barn. She CERTAINLY was not wearing a ball gown, and you are not, either."
Once we practiced the pageant a few times, it was time to get back to Sunday School. Yesterday was supposed to be one of those horribly uncomfortable days where we talk about Love and relationships etc. However, the 5th grade class was without a teacher, so Lexi brought them all into my class room. Where, there was a quick change of lesson plans, and we decided to decorate the dead tree that came with my classroom, and talk about Advent stuff. The best comment all morning was "I like to draw pictures of flying toast. And marshmallows. Can I put a flying toast picture and a marshmallow on your tree?" From one of the 5th graders. "Absolutely!" I told him. "You should probably make them kind of big, so that we can help cover the WHOLE tree, don't you think?" So, my little dead tree has flying toast, marshmallows, tinsel, a string of lights, paper chains and whatever else their imaginations cooked up. I completely love it. Best Sunday School ever!
Also this weekend, the kids wrapped up their teacher Christmas gifts, their school Christmas gifts, and George acknowledged that he really was probably on the naughty list up in the North Pole.
"My HEAD tells me 'Be good, George!' but, my body just never wants to listen! My head says "Don't do that, George!" but, my feet make me go do stuff." he explained. Last night, in a last minute attempt to get onto the good list, he cleaned his room after he went to bed, and even made my bed. I think Santa will probably take it into consideration....
Also this weekend, Bearded Man picked up his third deer from the guy who processed it for him. I didn't really think about the logistics of this, until I attempted to put groceries away, and discovered there was no room for anything in the freezers. Also, I am pretty sure he is driving around with the head of his deer in the back of his truck, as he decides what to do with it. I suppose it could have been worse. he could have had the entire thing stuffed, and stuck it in a corner someplace. Meanwhile, we continue to debate where the head will hang in the house. I pointed out the house full of plaster and lath, and lack of supportive wall studs, so, I think that will limit where the dead head can go to some extent. I suppose we will know more about it after it's stuffed and ready to be hung someplace. I think that takes a few months, so, we have time.
All kidding aside, his Mother's funeral will be this Saturday, December 13th. Sadly, this will be only 5 days before what would have been her 75th Birthday. Please keep her family in your thoughts. Thank you.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Newsworthy
For those relatives that read this: I think there will be a Funeral Service for Jasin's Mother Saturday, December 13. Not sure of the time yet.
It has been rough on the family, coordinating everything from NY, while she is in Savannah, while also working around the holidays. I honestly stood in my kitchen making Thanksgiving Dinner, while reading the "Legal-eze" of the Funeral Home Contract to Jasin and his sister. It was surreal, to plan for the sad, while getting ready for a celebration.
Kids excited for Christmas lights on the porch, while we decide who's house his Mother gets sent to. It was pointed out that WE had a mantle, so maybe she should be sent to OUR house. Think what you will, but, I vetoed that. I just can't wrap my head around parking Bearded Man's mother on the mantle, and explaining to the kids that Grandma is hanging out in the living room, while we decide what to do next. So, I think the Savannah funeral home is sending her to Jasin's sister for now. There may be a burial in the spring. I don't know that any concrete plans have been made for that yet. Because: holidays and stuff.
Speaking of holidays, in spite of everything, Thanksgiving was one of the nicest days ever. Dinner was perfect, and the house was full of family. It was so so nice. I brined the turkey this year, and made my own homemade stuffing for the first time ever. Even though I completely love the Stove Top dressing, I always felt like something of a failure, for mot making my own. So, a sausage apple and pecan dressing was whipped up, and it was fabulous. The Earth Mother was able to save a little face, over dinner this year. Even Joe ate!
Ah, Joseph. This has been mentioned on Facebook, but, I want to be "That Mom" and mention it here, too.
The Sunday after Halloween, right after we arrived home from church, Joe began to talk about wanting to help hungry people. Especially kids. When Joe has an idea, or a thought that has his entire attention, he does not let it go. He paced around the living room, and climbed into my lap, and went on about what he wanted to do, to help. He just knew he NEEDED to. He wasn't completely sure HOW, though. I had recently read an article, in which it was suggested that change be collected for a month, and then donated to this charity online. I told Joe I would give him a quart canning jar, and he could collect change, and we could donate it someplace local. Then I threw it out on Facebook, asking for suggestions as to local places we could take it.
For the last month, Joe scrounged for every coin he could find. In furniture, under furniture, my purse, bedrooms, my vehicle, sidewalks, parking lots. Everywhere. Kaila and Lexi threw in babysitting change and tooth fairy money, and everyone began throwing spare change in. It took Joe the entire month, but he even talked Bearded Man out of the jar of change on his dresser.
It was decided that he would donate his money to the local food pantry around Thanksgiving. So, the day after, I contacted Mrs. Sweet, the lady that coordinates things for the food pantry, along with a small group of friends, and explained about Joe's change jar. We made arrangements to take it to her yesterday.
Joe was completely unaware that this was anything exceptional. As far as he was concerned, this was something he needed and wanted to do, and so he did it. This was not anything out of the ordinary, or anything worthy of attention or even a "Thank you". He just wanted to help hungry people. Especially kids. His thought process being "Maybe if someone helps them now, they will grow up to not be hungry, and their kids won't be hungry either." He plans to keep collecting change, and to donate again next year, too.
He even took his favorite soup, the soup that I buy specifically for him, the child who hates nearly everything, and donated it to the school food drive.
Anyhow. Last night, I received a message from the editor of the local newspaper. Mrs. Sweet from the Food Pantry had been so touched by this, that she wondered if it might be mentioned in the newspaper. So, my permission was requested to run the story. Evidently, this has never happened before. No kid has just randomly up and decided to collect money to feed the poor, and donate it, and not been affiliated with an organization such as Scouts.
Joe still has no idea why this is news worthy. He handed over the jar. We apologized for not knowing the exact amount in it, and I apologized that it was unwrapped, and Joe chatted with Mrs. Sweet about her dog, who was a smaller version of Buster, our dog. And then he got back into my truck, and we went home as if nothing had happened.
There are no words, for how proud of my kid I am. In this world of so much emphasis on the bad, this was something truly good. Made even more so, because it wasn't done for anything other than the completely pure thoughts behind it. There was absolutely nothing in it for him, nor did he expect it. He honestly does not understand why this is thought to be exceptional.
And, that's all I have to say about that.
Thanksgiving also brought yet another deer. Bearded Man took down a beautiful 8 point buck. I admired it before I told him he had zero access to the kitchen till the day after Thanksgiving. He decided to take this deer to a friend to be processed, and thought maybe he would have just the top of the skull and the rack mounted for the wall. We even decided on a few locations that it would look okay.
He came back from dropping his prized buck off, and announced that the guy processing it had taken one look at this deer and announced it would be" a CRIME if Bearded Man did not have the entire head and half the shoulders mounted!! He was told that the EYELASHES on this deer were beyond compare! And the PERFECT BEARD!!!! LOOK at the BEARD on this deer! You cannot NOT mount this deer down to the shoulders! It would just be a waste of the most perfect, symmetrical deer EVER in the whole wide darn WORLD!!!!" All caught up in it, Jasin began scouting the house, looking for the perfect place to hang half a deer on the wall, and looking up taxidermists.
So. It seems that, there is the possibility that, within the next year or so, the most perfect deer EVER, with long eyelashes and a beard, may be hanging out with the Dick family, giving Mama Dick the heebie jeebies while I try to eat my toast under the gaze of his beautifully eye lashed dead eyes. We will probably have to name him at some point.
Till next time!
It has been rough on the family, coordinating everything from NY, while she is in Savannah, while also working around the holidays. I honestly stood in my kitchen making Thanksgiving Dinner, while reading the "Legal-eze" of the Funeral Home Contract to Jasin and his sister. It was surreal, to plan for the sad, while getting ready for a celebration.
Kids excited for Christmas lights on the porch, while we decide who's house his Mother gets sent to. It was pointed out that WE had a mantle, so maybe she should be sent to OUR house. Think what you will, but, I vetoed that. I just can't wrap my head around parking Bearded Man's mother on the mantle, and explaining to the kids that Grandma is hanging out in the living room, while we decide what to do next. So, I think the Savannah funeral home is sending her to Jasin's sister for now. There may be a burial in the spring. I don't know that any concrete plans have been made for that yet. Because: holidays and stuff.
Speaking of holidays, in spite of everything, Thanksgiving was one of the nicest days ever. Dinner was perfect, and the house was full of family. It was so so nice. I brined the turkey this year, and made my own homemade stuffing for the first time ever. Even though I completely love the Stove Top dressing, I always felt like something of a failure, for mot making my own. So, a sausage apple and pecan dressing was whipped up, and it was fabulous. The Earth Mother was able to save a little face, over dinner this year. Even Joe ate!
Ah, Joseph. This has been mentioned on Facebook, but, I want to be "That Mom" and mention it here, too.
The Sunday after Halloween, right after we arrived home from church, Joe began to talk about wanting to help hungry people. Especially kids. When Joe has an idea, or a thought that has his entire attention, he does not let it go. He paced around the living room, and climbed into my lap, and went on about what he wanted to do, to help. He just knew he NEEDED to. He wasn't completely sure HOW, though. I had recently read an article, in which it was suggested that change be collected for a month, and then donated to this charity online. I told Joe I would give him a quart canning jar, and he could collect change, and we could donate it someplace local. Then I threw it out on Facebook, asking for suggestions as to local places we could take it.
For the last month, Joe scrounged for every coin he could find. In furniture, under furniture, my purse, bedrooms, my vehicle, sidewalks, parking lots. Everywhere. Kaila and Lexi threw in babysitting change and tooth fairy money, and everyone began throwing spare change in. It took Joe the entire month, but he even talked Bearded Man out of the jar of change on his dresser.
It was decided that he would donate his money to the local food pantry around Thanksgiving. So, the day after, I contacted Mrs. Sweet, the lady that coordinates things for the food pantry, along with a small group of friends, and explained about Joe's change jar. We made arrangements to take it to her yesterday.
Joe was completely unaware that this was anything exceptional. As far as he was concerned, this was something he needed and wanted to do, and so he did it. This was not anything out of the ordinary, or anything worthy of attention or even a "Thank you". He just wanted to help hungry people. Especially kids. His thought process being "Maybe if someone helps them now, they will grow up to not be hungry, and their kids won't be hungry either." He plans to keep collecting change, and to donate again next year, too.
He even took his favorite soup, the soup that I buy specifically for him, the child who hates nearly everything, and donated it to the school food drive.
Anyhow. Last night, I received a message from the editor of the local newspaper. Mrs. Sweet from the Food Pantry had been so touched by this, that she wondered if it might be mentioned in the newspaper. So, my permission was requested to run the story. Evidently, this has never happened before. No kid has just randomly up and decided to collect money to feed the poor, and donate it, and not been affiliated with an organization such as Scouts.
Joe still has no idea why this is news worthy. He handed over the jar. We apologized for not knowing the exact amount in it, and I apologized that it was unwrapped, and Joe chatted with Mrs. Sweet about her dog, who was a smaller version of Buster, our dog. And then he got back into my truck, and we went home as if nothing had happened.
There are no words, for how proud of my kid I am. In this world of so much emphasis on the bad, this was something truly good. Made even more so, because it wasn't done for anything other than the completely pure thoughts behind it. There was absolutely nothing in it for him, nor did he expect it. He honestly does not understand why this is thought to be exceptional.
And, that's all I have to say about that.
Thanksgiving also brought yet another deer. Bearded Man took down a beautiful 8 point buck. I admired it before I told him he had zero access to the kitchen till the day after Thanksgiving. He decided to take this deer to a friend to be processed, and thought maybe he would have just the top of the skull and the rack mounted for the wall. We even decided on a few locations that it would look okay.
He came back from dropping his prized buck off, and announced that the guy processing it had taken one look at this deer and announced it would be" a CRIME if Bearded Man did not have the entire head and half the shoulders mounted!! He was told that the EYELASHES on this deer were beyond compare! And the PERFECT BEARD!!!! LOOK at the BEARD on this deer! You cannot NOT mount this deer down to the shoulders! It would just be a waste of the most perfect, symmetrical deer EVER in the whole wide darn WORLD!!!!" All caught up in it, Jasin began scouting the house, looking for the perfect place to hang half a deer on the wall, and looking up taxidermists.
So. It seems that, there is the possibility that, within the next year or so, the most perfect deer EVER, with long eyelashes and a beard, may be hanging out with the Dick family, giving Mama Dick the heebie jeebies while I try to eat my toast under the gaze of his beautifully eye lashed dead eyes. We will probably have to name him at some point.
Till next time!
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