What are some of the things you DO every day to have your house (and mind) run smoothly?
One of mine is dishes washed. If they are not washed by the end of the day, I can't sleep.
(believe me I've tried . . . . like last night. 4:14 a.m. wide awake . . . . .)
(Update)
Another of the things I have to do every day for a peaceful night sleep is make sure there is bread in my house. As long as I have at least one loaf that is available for use, I can sleep soundly. But if not, I will be up at 5 am driving to Walmart to buy some, or in my kitchen trying to grind wheat quietly to make some. Not my favorite places to be at 5 a.m.
One of mine is NOT sweeping the floor. I've never been up at night due to crumbs on the floor.
Just wondering.
(Confession: I have been known to hide dishes in the oven if they aren't done and someone is coming over. This usually doesn't work out very well because I forget they are in there and turn on the oven . . . melting something plastic. So I try to use this only in emergencies).
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Weekend of Extremes
My family went camping on Friday.
I stayed home with Little E, because I thought he would sleep better at home.
THEIR side of the story:
They went to a church owned property in WY, where 1000 girls attended girls camp this summer. The motivation for going was a service project on Saturday morning, taking down tents and placing the canoes in storage for the winter. But someone brilliant turned it into a fantastic ward activity by inviting families to camp out the night before.
My family enjoyed Hobo dinners cooked in tinfoil (and asked for hot dogs, because that was what everyone else was eating). There was a dutch oven dessert cookoff, which Nathan competed in, but no prizes were awarded. His would have won for best home canned peaches.
They sang songs at the campfire and listened to stories about pioneers. Then they enjoyed seeing stars and reading the scriptures in the tent.
Early the next morning they awoke to breakfast, work and play (canoeing, games, a nature hike and collapsing tents), and then later lunch. They arrived home about 4:30 p.m.
MY side of the story:
Since they left around 5:30p.m. on Friday, I planned my dinner on TH night, and prepared it then. With them gone, I ate quickly and went shopping. When I arrived home 3 hours later, my garage door was OPEN.
I thought of all the worst nightmares you could imagine . . . . but felt calm enough to walk into my house. I checked every nook and cranny, walking through carrying my baby and a mop handle (just in case). Thank goodness there was no real peril, because I doubt that I was a match for any body with my hands so full. Although I felt peaceful enough to walk inside, my heart was racing until dawn, which made sleeping a little tricky. I did finally fall asleep, but then woke up about 3:41 a.m. After laying in bed for 45 minutes, I got up, locked my bedroom door, (just in case), and set about sorting out my closet and drawers. . . . I found a whole bag of unneeded items just waiting for me to take them to Goodwill. I laid back down after looking at the clock at 6:08 am, knowing that I needed to try to close my eyes before my baby woke up.
He was SO QUIET during the 23 hours my family was gone. . . . at one point a thought went through my mind about him having a hearing issue because he was so quiet . . . (my own sleep deprivation?).
After his breakfast, we went on a walk/run . . . while he napped I napped, and then we went shopping again.
When my family came home, they were SO LOUD, but I was so glad to hear their noise. Being alone with one child again reminded me how quiet it is. And lonely. Who do you talk to? I was grateful for my helpers (all 5 of them) to come back. I think I will need a job when they leave home.
The garage door? I must have bumped the opener as I put up the shade in the car. And since I was so excited about shopping alone (or essentially alone), I didn't look back.
I would have slept better in WY.
I stayed home with Little E, because I thought he would sleep better at home.
THEIR side of the story:
They went to a church owned property in WY, where 1000 girls attended girls camp this summer. The motivation for going was a service project on Saturday morning, taking down tents and placing the canoes in storage for the winter. But someone brilliant turned it into a fantastic ward activity by inviting families to camp out the night before.
My family enjoyed Hobo dinners cooked in tinfoil (and asked for hot dogs, because that was what everyone else was eating). There was a dutch oven dessert cookoff, which Nathan competed in, but no prizes were awarded. His would have won for best home canned peaches.
They sang songs at the campfire and listened to stories about pioneers. Then they enjoyed seeing stars and reading the scriptures in the tent.
Early the next morning they awoke to breakfast, work and play (canoeing, games, a nature hike and collapsing tents), and then later lunch. They arrived home about 4:30 p.m.
MY side of the story:
Since they left around 5:30p.m. on Friday, I planned my dinner on TH night, and prepared it then. With them gone, I ate quickly and went shopping. When I arrived home 3 hours later, my garage door was OPEN.
I thought of all the worst nightmares you could imagine . . . . but felt calm enough to walk into my house. I checked every nook and cranny, walking through carrying my baby and a mop handle (just in case). Thank goodness there was no real peril, because I doubt that I was a match for any body with my hands so full. Although I felt peaceful enough to walk inside, my heart was racing until dawn, which made sleeping a little tricky. I did finally fall asleep, but then woke up about 3:41 a.m. After laying in bed for 45 minutes, I got up, locked my bedroom door, (just in case), and set about sorting out my closet and drawers. . . . I found a whole bag of unneeded items just waiting for me to take them to Goodwill. I laid back down after looking at the clock at 6:08 am, knowing that I needed to try to close my eyes before my baby woke up.
He was SO QUIET during the 23 hours my family was gone. . . . at one point a thought went through my mind about him having a hearing issue because he was so quiet . . . (my own sleep deprivation?).
After his breakfast, we went on a walk/run . . . while he napped I napped, and then we went shopping again.
When my family came home, they were SO LOUD, but I was so glad to hear their noise. Being alone with one child again reminded me how quiet it is. And lonely. Who do you talk to? I was grateful for my helpers (all 5 of them) to come back. I think I will need a job when they leave home.
The garage door? I must have bumped the opener as I put up the shade in the car. And since I was so excited about shopping alone (or essentially alone), I didn't look back.
I would have slept better in WY.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Everyday Food Find
While visiting my sister this summer, I decided it was time to try out some new recipes. Here is one I found this week from Everyday Food (Tara's favorite):
Sesame Carrot Salad
I made this recipe twice this week, once for my family and once for an event. The first time I used canola oil, and the second I used Toasted Sesame Oil . .. . I almost prefer it with canola . . the jury is still out--either way it is tasty. TRY IT, even if you don't have toasted sesame oil or think you would want to buy it.
BEST NEW RECIPE for 2010?
(I never expected to get so excited about what's for dinner, did you? Especially this excited about carrot salad? Never in my dreams.)
TRY IT.
Any great finds lately on your end of the "What's for dinner question?"
Other interesting news:
6 patients on Friday--woo hoo!
Tuesday school begins.
(Planning the first day of school party . . . . balloons are in order. I hope I don't cry, too much. I warmed up yesterday while reading I'll Love you Forever, but will try to hold it together on the big day).
Sesame Carrot Salad
I made this recipe twice this week, once for my family and once for an event. The first time I used canola oil, and the second I used Toasted Sesame Oil . .. . I almost prefer it with canola . . the jury is still out--either way it is tasty. TRY IT, even if you don't have toasted sesame oil or think you would want to buy it.
BEST NEW RECIPE for 2010?
(I never expected to get so excited about what's for dinner, did you? Especially this excited about carrot salad? Never in my dreams.)
TRY IT.
Any great finds lately on your end of the "What's for dinner question?"
Other interesting news:
6 patients on Friday--woo hoo!
Tuesday school begins.
(Planning the first day of school party . . . . balloons are in order. I hope I don't cry, too much. I warmed up yesterday while reading I'll Love you Forever, but will try to hold it together on the big day).
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Our new life in numbers
We moved a thousand miles.
Ten days later we went on a ten day vacation.
During two weeks, we saw all seven of our siblings, their spouses, fifteen nieces and nephews, and Nathan's three living grandparents. More aunts and uncles.
My parents are 45 minutes away.
Watched Ed learn to roll, and then sit, and now drag himsellf across the floor in what will soon be a crawl.
At six months, he was working on 4 top teeth, and now at seven months, they are all in.
Enjoying delegation of his feeding:
(Let me interrupt all these numbers to just say that I love how he raises his eyebrows).
We are one week away from the first day of school, and a majority of our children in school. Two of us are more emotional about it than others. Looking forward to structure & progress. Sad about the end of a happy chapter of companionship. LOVE that girl.
4 weeks of swimming lessons and seen HUGE improvements. We bought 4 pairs of goggles--which are a major key to the improvement we've seen.
We've seen hundreds of Canadian geese. (I NEVER saw one in TX).
We've taught 3 lessons at church. Two more next week, and they are both Nathan's.
We canned 28 quarts of peaches. Made freezer jam twice. Think about doing more.
I fell in love again with a cookbook that I already own.
This is my quest to perfect banana bread. Almost there. Need to find the right temperature setting and for how long. It is one of three new recipes that are a hit. More to try.
We celebrated 35 years (two of us). We ate dinner in Old Town. We hope for many more--dates out and birthdays.
We've seen mountains everyday, and lakes most days.
Three cub scout activities (which I was not in charge of). Have you heard of geocaching? We hadn't either. The others were a minor league game with dad and swimming.
We've opened our windows every night and enjoyed the fresh air.
We've missed handmade flour tortillas from our favorite grocery store in TX, but we found the next best thing. In a Walmart near you? Made with oil.
Making new friends.
We went to Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo. My favorites are bull riding and bareback bronc riding. Crazy people do rodeo.
Upcoming camping trip planned.
Patients are trickling in. Some days more than scheduled--which is good. Medicare is slow.
Garbage/recycling seems expensive. $40 a month?
Need to get new library cards (times 5), and bookcases.
Things are great.
Ten days later we went on a ten day vacation.
During two weeks, we saw all seven of our siblings, their spouses, fifteen nieces and nephews, and Nathan's three living grandparents. More aunts and uncles.
My parents are 45 minutes away.
Watched Ed learn to roll, and then sit, and now drag himsellf across the floor in what will soon be a crawl.
At six months, he was working on 4 top teeth, and now at seven months, they are all in.
Enjoying delegation of his feeding:
We are one week away from the first day of school, and a majority of our children in school. Two of us are more emotional about it than others. Looking forward to structure & progress. Sad about the end of a happy chapter of companionship. LOVE that girl.
4 weeks of swimming lessons and seen HUGE improvements. We bought 4 pairs of goggles--which are a major key to the improvement we've seen.
We've seen hundreds of Canadian geese. (I NEVER saw one in TX).
We've taught 3 lessons at church. Two more next week, and they are both Nathan's.
We canned 28 quarts of peaches. Made freezer jam twice. Think about doing more.
I fell in love again with a cookbook that I already own.
We celebrated 35 years (two of us). We ate dinner in Old Town. We hope for many more--dates out and birthdays.
We've seen mountains everyday, and lakes most days.
Three cub scout activities (which I was not in charge of). Have you heard of geocaching? We hadn't either. The others were a minor league game with dad and swimming.
We've opened our windows every night and enjoyed the fresh air.
We've missed handmade flour tortillas from our favorite grocery store in TX, but we found the next best thing. In a Walmart near you? Made with oil.
Making new friends.
We went to Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo. My favorites are bull riding and bareback bronc riding. Crazy people do rodeo.
Upcoming camping trip planned.
Patients are trickling in. Some days more than scheduled--which is good. Medicare is slow.
Garbage/recycling seems expensive. $40 a month?
Need to get new library cards (times 5), and bookcases.
Things are great.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
5K June 2010
We wanted to celebrate the end of Nathan's medical education so I asked him what he wanted to do . . . .
"How about we run a 5K?" he suggested.
So only a week after moving, we did. My parents watched our kids while we ran.
There was a kids' race, too, so the 3 oldest children competed as well. Andrew came in first, and outran the lady he was supposed to follow.
My time: 39:35
At first my goal was to jog the whole way and not leave in the ambulance. I knew I wasn't going to leave in the ambulance, but also that I was not in good enough shape to jog the whole way. (The first mile I ran post- Ed was June 2nd, NATIONAL RUNNING DAY). I decided to jog the long hill at the end and take my walking breaks earlier. I took two--three minute walking breaks, and was able to jog the rest. The sense of accomplishment felt great and I want to do another one, and run the whole way.
The last race we did together was 9 years ago, in Garden Valley, ID on the 4th of July. Nathan won it, and I walked most of it. These two races are the bookends at the beginning and end of his formal medical education. In both post-race photos I am holding a small fuzzy haired baby boy. Not that much has changed, and yet so much has.
"How about we run a 5K?" he suggested.
So only a week after moving, we did. My parents watched our kids while we ran.
There was a kids' race, too, so the 3 oldest children competed as well. Andrew came in first, and outran the lady he was supposed to follow.
My time: 39:35
At first my goal was to jog the whole way and not leave in the ambulance. I knew I wasn't going to leave in the ambulance, but also that I was not in good enough shape to jog the whole way. (The first mile I ran post- Ed was June 2nd, NATIONAL RUNNING DAY). I decided to jog the long hill at the end and take my walking breaks earlier. I took two--three minute walking breaks, and was able to jog the rest. The sense of accomplishment felt great and I want to do another one, and run the whole way.
The last race we did together was 9 years ago, in Garden Valley, ID on the 4th of July. Nathan won it, and I walked most of it. These two races are the bookends at the beginning and end of his formal medical education. In both post-race photos I am holding a small fuzzy haired baby boy. Not that much has changed, and yet so much has.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Graduation
the beginning
or
the end
Nathan completed his fellowship!
Today was graduation.
Again.
Nathan participated in 5 graduations in the past 17 years.
That'sawholelotofschool.
I was not excited about doing a fellowship. "Two more years at the end of this road that is already very long?"
That could be translated as: "Are we there yet?"
During the past two years, however, I have come full circle. It is worth it! And as time marches on, the investment of time will pay off even more.
This is the man you want caring for your feet . . . especially if you have diabetes.
Congratulations and thank you, Nathan.
(and thank you to those who've supported this journey)
or
the end
Nathan completed his fellowship!
Today was graduation.
Again.
Nathan participated in 5 graduations in the past 17 years.
That'sawholelotofschool.
I was not excited about doing a fellowship. "Two more years at the end of this road that is already very long?"
That could be translated as: "Are we there yet?"
During the past two years, however, I have come full circle. It is worth it! And as time marches on, the investment of time will pay off even more.
This is the man you want caring for your feet . . . especially if you have diabetes.
Congratulations and thank you, Nathan.
(and thank you to those who've supported this journey)
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