A Bit of Catch Up

Good morning! I’m not exactly waxing poetic this morning but a day that begins with a piece of cheesecake for breakfast can’t be all bad, can it?

The day began quite early for some of us. My alarm went off at 3:00 and all I had to do was get dressed and drive. My mother, Becky, and Jay all had to get up and get ready to go. I was setting the GPS when Paul came out and said if we could wait a couple of minutes, he’d go with us. That was kind of wonderful because I really was not looking forward to the drive. Granted, I went to bed super early (8:45) and I’d rather be driving after getting up at three than staying up until three, but I’m still grateful that I didn’t have to drive. We made good time and got to the airport at 5:02 which was perfect for the travelers whose flight was scheduled to leave at 6:06 (it may have been 6:08 or something close—remembering little details like that is Becky’s job, not mine). We were home before 6:30 and I went back to bed. I really wanted to go to Adam and Kim’s sealing this morning but I also didn’t want to be a potentially unsafe driver so I did not set my alarm and told myself that if I woke up in time to get ready, I would go. I woke up when Laura called me at 8:10. Not in time.

I think I’m still tired. Three late night/early morning trips to Manchester in ten days is a lot. The next one isn’t for two weeks and it’s in the afternoon. I think I can deal with that.

Anyway, we had a good visit, I think. Busy, but good.

Last Thursday we kind of didn’t do much. That was good because we didn’t get home until 3:30 in the morning. The flight originally was supposed to arrive at 11:30 or so but it kept getting pushed and pushed until it actually arrived around close to 1:00. Joanna and Zak went with me and we had a fun trip. I mean, you know, as fun a trip as you can have driving a huge van after you’ve been watching Harry Potter.

Friday Becky, Mom and I went to That $1.99 Fabric Store. Becky got some fabric as did I, but my mother did not. She did say that if she lived close to something like that, her wardrobe would be better. That evening, Paul and I went on a ‘double date’ with Becky and Jay. My mom got to stay home with the boys because Amena was at a sleepover birthday party with some friends.

I don’t remember what we did Saturday other than a bit of baking and other such things. I cut out a couple of patterns. We were going to go to New Hampshire to Madam Sherri’s but ended up not. The original plan was to go there, take a picnic dinner, and then go pick Laura up. Only two problems with this plan. One, it would have been a lot of driving. Two, Laura ended up missing her flight because she slept in. Instead of arriving at 6:something pm, she arrived at 11:30. Joanna was going to go but didn’t. She was going to be working when I needed to leave to pick her up earlier and when I had to leave later, she had to pick Zak up from work. Becky went instead and we had a nice drive up and a decent drive home.

I’m not done yet, but I am done sitting here for now. Have a terrific day!

Kittens and Cereal

Good morning! Today I am going to finish sewing a wedding dress. And Cedric is going to get home from camp. Again.

In other news: Kitty had her kittens last night. The trouble is she had them across the street in a bush. And she isn’t staying with them like she did the first litter so I’m not sure what’s going on with them.

In other news: we (Seth, Joseph and I) had an interesting conversation this morning. On the back of a box of cereal is a recipe and the picture of a sticky note that says “Luv U Mom! J” Seth first said, “L U V U.”

“Oh,” I responded before I’d seen the back of the box, “It probably is ‘luv u’ because people are too lazy to spell ‘love’ correctly or to spell out the word ‘you’.”

“Yeah.”

Then Joseph, who was actually eating the cereal, said, “Luv U? They don’t even know how to spell.” 

Thoughts

Good morning. I wasn’t going to write anything today but am kind of in the middle of a lot of things with no direct path forward. For example, it’s too early to watch a movie (in my book, anyway) so I don’t want to watch Harry Potter. I’m to the point on the skirt of Kim’s dress that I need things I don’t have to continue. I’m at a point on the bodice that I am rethinking the top layer because I want it to look good. This isn’t to say that I have nothing on my mind other than a bodice because other than that I have cleaning house to do and books to read, dinner to think about, etc.

BB gun cooperation with James.

And then there is life. As you probably have heard, Robin Williams died yesterday. Very sad. From what I’ve read, it appears that it was likely suicide and that he’d been battling depression. The reason I decided to write this morning is because of a comment that I saw on Facebook about really good comedians winding up suicidal. Is it really a surprise? To me, it is not. When I am hurting inside, it is quite easy to smile and put up a false front so that no one knows how I really feel or what I’m really thinking. Why did I not stay at church the last time I wrote? Because I didn’t want to have to put up a front and pretend.

Archery. This and soccer were his favorite things at camp.

Some comedians are really funny. Robin Williams is one of the few that I’ve ever really liked. Is it surprising that he suffered from depression? No. Is it surprising knowing this that he wanted a way out? No. It is sad that it happened, but it is also life. Sometimes people can’t see a way out or have trouble dealing with the hand they’ve been dealt. Sometimes, as I read in a blog recently (which I have been unable to find for the link), suicide is actually the brave choice, not the easy way out that we’ve kind of been conditioned to believe it to be. This isn’t to say that I believe suicide is a good idea, but I do believe that some people come to think that it is their only option. And it isn’t our job to judge the living or the dead.

Food for thought.

Hubbardston Troop 12. Cedric is third from the right in front.

In other news, Cedric and Seth both had fun at camp. I didn’t write while Seth was gone because I just didn’t feel like. I sometimes think I don’t worry enough but the whole time Seth was gone, I experienced the whole ‘sick with worry’ thing. All about his toe. It was for naught, of course. He came home fine and had a lot of fun and is ready to go back next year for the entire week.

Cedric had fun and I think really got to know some of the boys in the troop. That’s nice. When we went up Wednesday to get Seth and stay for some of the family night activities, Paul was showing up where he stayed with the church troop when he was assistant scout master and telling us which boys were there. At least one of the times Daniel went to camp was at Camp Wanocksett. I think they went to Treasure Valley once as well and I’m not sure where they went the other year. I’m really glad he was able to go to Wanocksett at least once because it, in my mind, at least, creates a link to his brothers.

This week Cedric is at camp with the boys from church. I was just thinking that it’s nice the church has a camp, it is a lot less expensive than Wanocksett ($100 versus over $200). However, Wanocksett is about an hour away from us. Treasure Valley is half an hour away in the other direction. The camp the boys are at (and that Amena was at two weeks ago) is an hour and a half away. Some people who are there this week are travelling from the Springfield area, Pittsfield, and other points west and southwest. They have to travel longer than we do.

Have a wonderful day.

What a Day

Good afternoon. What a day today has been and it isn’t much more than half over.

To  begin with, we had YW presidency meeting this morning so it meant Cedric and Seth needed to have all their stuff together so I could take it to church and not have to make any trips home before taking off for camp. All the boys were ready so I took them all. Never a good idea but today particularly not.

On the way, we picked Hans up which was fine and I didn’t mind at all. As soon as we arrived, Joseph had to show Hans what the buzzer by the door does. Children. As soon as I walked in, Bishop Carmack asked if I’d heard the news. What news?

Mary Newton and her daughter Rachel were in an accident on the way home from Girl’s Camp yesterday afternoon about 2:00. They aren’t sure exactly what happened but they hit an RV.  I just looked it up online and the car was a mess. Another person died as well. Life is so short. I did not know Mary well but she was in the Stake YW presidency and had come to visit with us (Gardner Ward YW) upon occasion and see how we were doing and if we needed anything.

As we were about done with our meeting, Joseph came to tell me that Seth was bleeding. That is nothing new; blood is just part of life. It seems especially so with boys. I told Joseph to tell Seth to bring his blood on over to where I was so I could take a look but we ended and I went to find Seth. He was in the boys bathroom so I told him to go across the hall to a classroom there. I looked and his toenail was sticking up. He had a run-in with a door and it peeled his toenail right off. He ended up pulling it off the rest of the way. My first thought was to take him to the hospital but with it off and no cuts or anything, there isn’t anything they really could have done so I decided to take him home, find my phone, and decide what to do.

On my way out the building, Paul and Amena were just arriving so I told Amena about Sister Newton and her daughter.

Once home, I got some water ready with Epsom salt for Seth’s foot to soak in while I looked for phone numbers. (My phone was in the boys’ room where I’d left it after helping Joseph with his tie.) I sent Jamie Pitney a text after calling the house and not getting an answer. Then I called Carignan’s and Scott said that they’d be able to handle anything at camp. He is a nurse and the staff at camp are very qualified. Jamie was of the opinion that Seth should go as well.

After Seth’s foot soaked, I had him put it up on a chair and let him play Plants vs. Zombies while I was making phone calls. He kind of thought he should stay home but at the same time, really wanted to go to camp. When I told him that Mr. Carignan thought he’d be okay and that they could take care of his toe and that Mr. Pitney thought he should still go, he decided he would go. He’s a pretty resilient boy; I’m sure he’ll be fine.

Jerusha had volunteered to take Cedric if need be. Once it was decided that Seth would still be going, I asked if she could also take Seth. I could have taken them but with the news of Mary and yesterday being the third anniversary of our accident, I cried most of the way home and I didn’t really want to do that all the way up and back from dropping them off. I don’t want to add any numbers to the statistics.

I collected more socks for Seth and got some bandages, gauze and tape together for him and got some snacks for him and Cedric. I got their papers and wrote a note saying that Jerusha could sign anything that I’d forgotten to. Seth got some socks on and found that his black and white shoes are hard to put on without feeling strange on his toe. I suggested my purple crocs which he ended up wearing to get outside. On the way back to church, which took a long time because I’d forgotten to put the extra socks in his tote and we had to go back, he got his black and yellow shoes on which are a little bigger.

While I was waiting for Jerusha, I went in the church because I wanted to talk to our new YM president. That didn’t work out so well but Kim Miller did remember the Divergent books which was very nice and I had a good visit with her and some others about Harry Potter. I went out to take the books out and because the Peterman’s were both at church and Seth was up rummaging around in his tote. He showed me that he could run and everything. So, I don’t think his toe will really bother him too much.

Once the boys were off, I decided to just come home. I’ve had a headache for three days now and I didn’t really feel like sitting in church pretending that everything is okay. It’s easier when I’m talking to someone but not really any more fun.

And now I’m sitting here. I need to get the grill going soon for our lunch/dinner of hamburgers and sausages. Also some onion and tomatoes sliced.

Have a wonderful day; be safe and remember that happiness is a choice.

Quick Check-In

Good morning.

As you may have noticed, I haven’t really been writing much over the last couple of weeks. There are some good reasons for this.

First, camp. We’ve had the fun of getting people ready for camp and getting them off to camp and such. Amena is gone this week and I’m sure having lots of fun. Cedric and Seth should both be off Sunday for a week. It’s grand fun. Oh yeah.

Second, this time of year is still a bit hard at times. Today, for example, represents the day before the day before our lives changed in ways I never thought they would. It is a time for keeping busy but being able to stop when necessary.

Third, I have a wedding dress to make.

So, life has been somewhat busy. And I just wanted everyone to know that we are all alive. I just haven’t really felt like writing much (but reading tons—almost literally).

Have a great day.

Such is Life

Good morning. I started something on Tuesday but only got three short paragraphs out. The week has been that way.

Joseph went to Camp Split Rock this week and had a lot of fun. I’ll borrow some pictures from Facebook for you. His going meant getting him to the Foley’s by 8:00 Monday and 8:15 the rest of the week (it was day camp). That wasn’t much of a hardship; Joseph was pretty excited about going (except Tuesday) and it wasn’t hard to get him ready and the Foley’s live less than a mile up Pitcherville Road. Yesterday at 3:00 they had skits. Amena and I left at 2:30 and made it in time. Paul, Cedric and Seth took longer to plant blueberries than Paul thought it would take and didn’t leave until 2:45. They missed the first two skits which included Joseph’s.

Making and playing with slime!

Every day this week other than Thursday, I had something to do at 10:00. I think that’s really the biggest reason I didn’t write this week. The short paragraphs I did Tuesday were done when I really should have been getting ready to go and do.

Toilet Tag!

Monday Julia and I went to visit Kim Miller. Tuesday we went to visit Amy Troop. Wednesday I had an appointment with the chiropractor. Thursday I didn’t have anything going on but I wanted to get the living room cleaned. Friday I met Kim Trivett at Joann’s for wedding dress materials shopping. I also picked Elizabeth up and delivered her to an appointment she had at 9:30. She was done right about the same time we were so that worked out well. The only problem with Friday was that I took Cedric and Seth because they were already having behavior problems.

Wednesday night at church we made cookie dough and froze it. Amena invited the triplets and was amazed that they were able to go. That made rides a logistical nightmare because Sarah Trivett was here as well and I can only fit four other people in the car. With Amena, Sarah, Sam, Charlotte, Allie, and Cedric, that was a good deal more than four. Joanna was home and able to keep an eye on Seth and Joseph which was nice. She ended up taking Amena, Sarah, and Cedric, and I took the triplets. On the way home it was more fun.

This week I read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. I thought I’d read The Hunger Games because I finally watched the movie. Then, because I read it, I had to read the second. Now I need to read the third, Mocking Jay. The good news is that Kim Miller has them and is willing to let me borrow it. The bad news is that there is always something I should be doing when I’m reading but it’s hard to stop.

I’ve also been reading Ana’s Story which is the manuscript-length story I wrote. While reading it, I have been realizing how much I miss California. I miss that particular house even though we only lived in it for a few short months. We moved in sometime in the spring, early enough to get a garden area ready and a garden planted and we left I think in October of the same year. Still, and in spite of the fact that it needed a LOT of work, I loved that house and would be perfectly happy to live in it now. Another thing I miss, and this might seem really strange to some people, is forest fires. Not the really bad ones that turn the sun into a red disk in a dark grey sky but the smaller ones that lend a bit of smoke to the air and cause the splotches of sun on the road to look slightly orangish. Yesterday we had a lot of stuff in the air that almost had the same effect but there was one huge difference: the smell. I miss the wood smoke smell.

The really interesting or funny thing about all of this is that while I miss that house and certain aspects of living in California, I also miss the last two houses that we lived in in Idaho. I think the reason is that there was room for us. There was room for a piano. There was room for everything that we had. And then some. I also actually miss California—the mountains especially. I don’t miss Idaho in the same way at all (although there are forest fires there).

That said, it is further interesting that the story I wrote as therapy years ago is now a source of unrest for me. I left a lot behind in order to come here and I sometimes wonder if the benefits outweigh the costs.

Have a fantastic day!

This

Good morning! It is lovely at the moment but that’s mostly because the temperature is 64° not because the humidity is 71%. What is the deal with higher humidity than temperature? Yuck. It is mostly cloudy and pretty  much our expected highs for temperature and humidity are almost a transposition of what we currently have: 76° and 61%. Is it time to move yet? Actually, I think we’ve covered that already; probably best not to again. At least not now.

Yesterday wasn’t the most exciting day but it wasn’t the most boring either. I do have permission to tell Mally’s birth story with you and that’s pretty darn exciting. I also have been reading more of Pushed and I have to say that I am somewhat disgusted with the United States and midwifery care.

Yesterday we got some laundry done. The boys did some general picking up of things here and there. Seth went to town and did quite a lot of sweeping. I cleaned the downstairs bathroom and soaked all the toothbrushes I could find in bleach water. Amena and I took Sarah home at 1:00. At between 5:10 and 5:15 we left to take Amena and Cedric to Toys R Us. We got there I think at 5:30 and I wasn’t even driving fast. Go figure that one. Anyway, Brock Miller was there waiting but no one else was there yet. Sarah and her dad arrived at 6:01 and then they were off. Amena went with them and Cedric went with Brock. Amena went home with Amanda Wood and spent the night and the Trivett’s brought Cedric home. I suppose they could have taken him to their house and we could have picked him up because we were still at SS Lobster when I called to see where he was because I’d gotten a phone message and text (I left my phone in the car—not sure why).

Going out to eat was interesting. We were going to go to the Soul Food place but after we parked and were beginning to disembark, Paul realized he didn’t have enough cash. They don’t take checks or plastic. So we went to a bank to try his debit card and the card wouldn’t work (it’s kind of falling apart). We went to another one and it worked. The streets are a fun mix of one way and two way so it isn’t always easy to get from one place to another even if you can see where you want to go. We went back to the restaurant, got out, and discovered that the door was locked. The lights were on, the open signs were lit, but the door was locked. Paul said there was a note that said he’d be back at 7:30 but it was already past that. So we went to SS Lobster and didn’t get there until 8:00 and there was a long line. We actually waited for probably five minutes outside before we got in and then waited another ten or so. And we won’t even discuss how long we waited for our food.
As for Pushed, you'll have to read about it and Mally's story on the other blog (Here).