It's that time of year...

Week 46 of the Wednesday Lists.

A grown-up Advent Calendar

• December 1 - put out the Nativity scene & decorate the Katie tree in the Sparkle room
• December 2 - go to the December Art walk downtown
• December 3 - spend the day alternating between decorating the rest of the house and the big tree & reading, have Mom and Dad over for a chili supper that night
• December 4 - after church, order in really good pizza, snuggle up, and watch It's a Wonderful Life
• December 5 - string more popcorn garlands for Sloane's tree and have a carol sing-along
  
• December 6 - go to our small group dinner out and exchange names for the Christmas party
• December 7 - put lights in every window and on the roof-line and bushes this year
• December 8 - decorate the porch with more than a wreath
• December 9 - girlfriend date at Silver Dollar City
• December 10 - Christmas shopping with Sloane, choose our Angel Tree gifts
  
• December 11 - Christmas shopping without Sloane
  
• December 12 - write & address Christmas cards
• December 13 - finish Christmas cards
• December 14 - mail Christmas cards
• December 15 - wrap Christmas gifts and put under the tree
  
• December 16 - light a fire and read lots of Christmas books aloud
  
• December 17 - work on Sloane's Alaska album
  
• December 18 - go on a Christmas lights photowalk
  
• December 19 - family game night
  
• December 20 - bake Christmas cookies & wrap presents for students
  
• December 21 - class Christmas party day
• December 22 - wrap last minute presents
  
• December 23 - Persephone arrives!
  
• December 24 - attend Christmas Eve candlelight service
• December 25 - Merry Christmas!
• December 26 - after Christmas sales with Mom
• December 27 - small group after-Christmas party
• December 28 - annual ornament exchange and party
  

How do you plan to celebrate the season? Happy holidays, friends!

Sunday Morning Poetry

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life?

~ Mary Oliver

I took the photo at Mesa Verde this summer. The picture and the poem, The Summer Day, both remind me that life is wide, precious, and far too brief. I have to say, though... I do know how to pray. And I know just who made the world, the brown bear, and the grasshopper.

Thanksgiving

It has become a tradition for everyone present to help write my Thanksgiving Day blog post. Everyone here joins me in wishing you a happy, happy Thanksgiving. We pray your year will be joyous. We pray you'll know bone deep how very much you are loved. We pray you will know you are blessed each day that you live. From our home to yours happy Thanksgiving, my friends. I love you.

a list of gratitude

* Arlen's life * Sloane's height * mashed potatoes and gravy * Sloane-made pumpkin pie with whipped cream on top * friends * our Bible study group * Thomas Elementary * spurts of energy * trip to Alaska with my granddaughter * full stomachs * dogsled ride * turkey * warm house on a cold day * a paid for house, every day * old friends * a good doctor * Alaska * a house we can afford * long walks * left-over turkey sandwiches * ice skating * cute clothes * polka dots * the Bible * the way my Daddy always does the dishes * getting taller * Thanksgiving * great jewelry * Post it notes * thoughtful people * good health for my family * hot air balloon rides * Mesa Verde * kites * craft projects * It's a Wonderful Life * root beer * blogging * half of half store * Target * shooting * photography * a beautiful home * working in a library * Papa * cousins * still being able to work at 74 * travel * paid for, dependable, fuel-efficient automobiles * Tara, Briana, Melissa, Anita, Kelly, Krista, and Katie * students that remind you of why you do the job * Alert * tabbouleh * having a job * grandparents * America, America, America * the right to vote * dogs, dogs, dogs * the way our puppies look curled up asleep in their doghouse * the power of prayer * a clean, organized closet * Doug Reeves and his bow tie * Christmas is just around the corner * books * friends at work * comparatively inexpensive fuel prices * star gazing * blogs * wood fires * no school * public libraries * purple * the increasing gospel opportunities around the world * birthdays * Jeffrey's family * used book stores * Persephone * glasses * 2012 Olympics * colored ink pens * swimming pools * cameras * rainbows, after Joplin tornado * unimpaired vision * taste buds * road trips * Lauren and her family (Sloane's best friend) * chocolate * God's blessings yet to come * faith * laughter * family game nights * wonderful sisters * pizza * Sloane's cross necklace * movie nights * fresh, running water * showers * the way we are always needing new bookshelves * having enough * paperbackswap.com * Littlest Pet Shop * pretty dishes * free pain medicine * Walther P.22 * Wednesday Wars * iPods * veterans * Bapak * service men and women * vintage cameras * JD * good podcasts * lace curtains * adventures * teachers * Mrs. Highley * Ibu * magazines * choices * Sloane, Sloane, Sloane * the chance to be a parent * life * liberty * Gareth * stuffed animals * love * hugs * kisses * affection * giggles * love, love, love *

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day.
The house smells like pumpkin pie.
Sloane rubs her eyes - too tired to stay up any longer.
I sit and sigh, and know I am a woman blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. I am so very thankful for you.

Sunday Morning Poetry

A Song on the End of the World

On the day the world ends
A bee circles a clover,
A fisherman mends a glimmering net.
Happy porpoises jump in the sea,
By the rainspout young sparrows are playing
And the snake is gold-skinned as it should always be.

On the day the world ends
Women walk through the fields under their umbrellas,
A drunkard grows sleepy at the edge of a lawn,
Vegetable peddlers shout in the street
And a yellow-sailed boat comes nearer the island,
The voice of a violin lasts in the air
And leads into a starry night.

And those who expected lightning and thunder
Are disappointed.
And those who expected signs and archangels’ trumps
Do not believe it is happening now.
As long as the sun and the moon are above,
As long as the bumblebee visits a rose,
As long as rosy infants are born
No one believes it is happening now.

Only a white-haired old man, who would be a prophet
Yet is not a prophet, for he’s much too busy,
Repeats while he binds his tomatoes:
There will be no other end of the world,
There will be no other end of the world.

Warsaw, 1944

Czeslaw Milosz 1911–2004
Translated, Anthony Milosz

put your nail belt on

I was talking to Jeffrey the other day about the way some people are able to accomplish so much more than I am in the same 24 hours. I always feel rushed and hurried, and I wonder what their secret is. He reminded me of a friend of ours. This man was running his own business and remodeling a house on his own time; to say nothing of his commitment to church, his friends, and family. Jeffrey asked him one time how he ever managed to accomplish so much. Joram said, "When you get home, first thing you do is put your nail belt on." He meant that you don't take a break. You get home, and you get to work. I've been trying that for the past two weeks. Joram was right. If I stop, I'm a goner - that laundrey will never get done. But, if I get right to work, I finish the day with so much more accomplished.

That's not to say that Joram didn't know how to play. He definitely did. He worked hard and he played hard. He just knew his goals and what it would take to reach them. One of my goals is to not let the chores pile up. That way, when it's time to play - there's nothing on my mind. I'm free to play.

How about you guys? Do you put your nail belt on as soon as you get home? Or do you find yourself "relaxing" far longer than you'd planned? How do you accomplish all that you do?

The cherub pictured above is the little brother of my giggling cutie from last week. I am having so much fun with these family photoshoots.

like a squirrel

November is kicking my butt this year.
Every day is rush and hurry and scurry.
I feel like a squirrel readying herself for winter.

Yes, I am tired.
But, oh! I don't want to stop.
All this hurrying and scurrying is good stuff - fun stuff.

Like this weekend.
We're celebrating Sloane's tenth birthday at a hotel
with her four best friends and an indoor pool. How cool is that?

And get this.
She made her own cake;
a peanut butter chocolate confection she invented.

She made her own cake
because she wanted to make something wonderful to give her best friends.
What a kid!

I need a quiet place like this one just now. Taken at the Old State House Museum in Little Rock.

people are about as happy as they choose to be

Week 45 of the Wednesday lists.
With thanks to Mr. Lincoln for the title.

Things that make me happy today

* Sloane is coming home from Alaska tonight! * Sloane and my Mom got to ride and drive a dogsled. * I attended the most wonderful reading conference for the last two days. * Some of my blog readers noticed my absence and missed me while I was gone. ;^) * My photos of the little guy up there make me very happy. * I learned lots and lots and lots at the conference. * It is an absolutely gorgeous day! * My kids were all glad to see me. * Sloane is coming home tonight! * Thanksgiving is just around the corner. * I have a great bunch of women that I get to spend my days with. * Jeffrey. Jeffrey, Jeffrey, Jeffrey. Just typing his name makes me smile. * The people I work with are patient with my mistakes and tender with each other. * Our PTA donated all their left over carnival prizes for our Christmas Around the World party. * By the way, Sloane is coming home tonight!

What about you? What makes you happy today?

Silly Celebration, take four

Today is 11-11-11. It's become a tradition for me to celebrate this triple date with you. I've had so much fun coming up with a variety of lists each year. Today is also Veteran's Day. So, before I go any further, I'd like to thank every Veteran for their service to our nation.

Eleven Lists of Eleven
all lists in no particular order

Eleven ways to thank a vet

• write a thank you note to a veteran you know
  
• teach your children to respect soldiers
  
• call your favorite veteran today, say thanks
• support the troops currently serving
  
• fly your flag today
  
• support our military
  
• attend a parade and cheer till you're hoarse
• any time you see a person in uniform, go up and thank them for their service
• support military families and be sure to thank their spouses
  
• find a parent whose son or daughter is currently serving, tell him or her you are praying for their child
• VOTE! Make the sacrifices worthwhile
  

Eleven ways to love your country

• when the national anthem plays: stand up straight, put your hand over your heart, and sing along
• learn the rules of flag etiquette and follow them
• learn some patriotic songs
• teach them to a child you love
• when you go on walks, take along a trash bag - keep America beautiful
• let your children hear you speak positively about our nation
  
• pray for our nation's leaders
• when you think something is wrong with our country work to change it
• stop complaining, start campaigning
  
• when you have the chance to say the Pledge of Allegiance, really think about the words
• VOTE! It is a sacred privilege.
  

Eleven ways to give

• mail Christmas cards and packages to soldiers overseas
• take a child you love to buy a toy to give to Toys for Tots
  
• fill a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child
• buy $10 of extra food each time you do a grocery shop; take it to the nearest food pantry
  
• sponsor a child through a program like World Vision
  
• deliver a meal to a sick colleague
  
• support St. Jude by making a donation
  
• instead of buying lattes for a month, donate the money to your local shelter for battered women
  
• participate in a breast cancer awareness run
• call up the animal shelter and ask what they might need; dog food, cat litter...
  
• call your local elementary school and ask if there is a needy family you can sponsor this Christmas
  

Eleven big ways to make a difference

• volunteer at an elementary school
• next time, go buy a burger for the homeless guy at the intersection
  
• consider being a Big Sister
• become a CASA volunteer
• give blood
  
• regularly spend time with an elderly person
• pay tithes
  
• consider volunteering at your local community center as a tutor
• contribute to a politician you believe in
• help with a voter registration drive
  
• VOTE! It is your biggest responsibility as a citizen
  

Eleven little ways to make a difference

• return your grocery cart to the corral
• return someone elses's cart while you are at it
• bring something for the bake sale
• spend lots at school carnivals
  
• take a moment to chat with your cashier
• leave a bigger tip
• stop at the high school band car wash
  
• when you receive good service, tell the manager
• share your recipes
  
• when you love a product, spread the word
• offer to keep your friend's child for an evening
  

Eleven way to love your husband

• never, ever talk badly about him to anyone
  
• notice when he does a chore
  
• DON'T redo something he just did
• participate in his interests
  
• thank him for all the things he quietly takes care of
  
• offer a back rub
  
• hold hands in the car
• snuggle during the movie
• don't grumble about his little quirks
• never say, "You always..."
• have sex more often
  

Eleven ways to love a child

• listen
• answer questions
• let them decorate their own room
  
• apologize when you are short tempered
• apologize when you are wrong
• carry the heaviest burdens, but give them enough to carry to make them strong
• say yes every chance you get
• set clear, reasonable boundaries and communicate them
  
• always discipline quickly, but never in anger
  
• every once in a while, skip the healthy dinner in favor of pizza
• LISTEN!
  

Eleven ways to love your parents and grandparents

• call
• call again
• call every single day
• disagree if necessary, but do it gently
• mail the thank you note
• protect their dignity as they age
• send pictures often
• ask questions about their lives and interests
• listen to their stories without sighing because you've heard it before
• hug them close every chance you get
• be patient
  

Eleven quick organization projects

• sort the recyclables and haul them off
• get rid of the shoes you never wear and polish the rest
• tear out the articles you liked and recycle the rest of the magazine
• toss all your old spices and only replace the ones you really use
  
• toss old Christmas ornaments this year and buy new lights on sale
• clean out your medicine cabinet
  
• clean out the junk drawer
• tidy your computer desktop
  
• update to a digital address book
• clean out your desk drawer at work
  
• clean out your email folders and in-boxes

Eleven images to make you smile

• Flying Squirrel Hiding in a Tree, Norihisa Inomata
• a symphony in yellow, Paul Frederickson
• Celebrity, complejo
  
• ladybug, photographer unknown
• Amy & Lewis, Freya Blackwood
  
• barn buddies, photographer unknown
• the owl owns this town, Penelope and Pip
  
• cutest baby photos ever, Stephanie Robin
• anything by Abigail Halpin
  
• bubble fancies, photographer unknown
• a little king, photographer unknown
  

Eleven habits that will make you happy

• seat dance in the car
• put things away as soon as you get home
  
• smile at strangers every chance you get
• practice guerrilla acts of kindness
  
• pay at least two compliments a day
• hug your friends; they need it and so do you
• say "I love you." often
• sing in the shower
• do more than is expected of you
• keep a list of the things you are thankful for
• read every day
  

Happy 11-11-11!

All numbers thanks to Leo Reynolds.

What do you miss?

I've been thinking about the quiet tonight. Sloane is gone and it makes our house feel uncharacteristically quiet and empty. It's funny how one person can fill a space and make it breathe with laughter and joy. My parents gave Sloane a trip to Alaska for her birthday. She's going to see a dogsled race, ride a dogsled, and, if the weather cooperates, see the Northern Lights. I'm so excited for her I can hardly stand it.

I guess tonight I'm just thinking about my baby. Missing her. Just now I miss the sound of her. The slow, quiet breathing when she is asleep. The giggles and laughter when we are playing. The non-stop chatter all the rest of the time. I miss the sound of her.

What do you miss when your loved ones are away?

Northern lights in Alaska photo via Buy Me Posters.com.

simple pleasures

Happy autumn, my friends.

This is it; Sloane's last night as a nine year old. As we were snuggling before bed I asked her what she will remember most about being nine. She said, "our trip to Oregon, Mesa Verde, Christmas, feeding the dogs so much at Thanksgiving, giving the dogs bacon for Christmas, Mrs. Schmitz (third grade teacher), lots and lots." Then I asked her what she was looking forward to about being ten. Her answer was funny. "I don't know. The kids' menu usually ends at 12 or 13, so I guess being ten will be pretty much like being nine."

My girl.

She's very pragmatic, like her Daddy. Neither one of them would ever spend the night before a birthday crying over their child. That's me. All me. I find that I need to mark the passing of time. I think it's important to take a few moments to really notice all we are leaving behind as our little girl grows up. I want to spend time saying "thank you" for all I've been given as the mother of this amazing girl. I want to remember. I want to sit quietly and listen to her breathe and smell her sweet scent.

And then I always look forward. I pray over my child. I sit and caress her sweet face. I bless her; much like Abraham did over his sons. I commit Sloane to God and ask for His protection on her and on our family. I pray that He will give her only enough trials to help her grow kinder and more Christ-like. I pray that He will use her to do amazing things for His kingdom. I pray He will keep her safe and whole and healthy. I pray that her mind and her body will grow stronger every day. I pray she will use her blessings for His glory and never squander them. I pray He will let her know, bone-deep, how very much she is loved.

And then I kiss her. And wipe my eyes. And sit down here to write once again about the joys of being Momma.

The photo above is by the amazing photographer, Jim Mayfield. He took this of Sloane when she was nearly three.

Food Rules

It's funny; all the delights blogging can bring to your life.

Like this little book.

I am so excited TLC book tours gave me the chance to tell you about it.
If you eat; if you think; if you struggle with your weight;
if you simply want to be healthy: you really should read this book.

Author, Michael Pollan, has simplified his incredible body of work
into one immensely readable book of rules.


Like this one, written especially for people like me,
Treat treats like treats.
And this: Eat only foods that will eventually rot.

Just good, simple advice. The kind that makes you slap your head and say,
"Duh. Why didn't I think of that?"
I don't know, but I am sure glad he did.

What makes this book so special are the whimsical illustrations by Maira Kalman.
It's her art that makes you go back to the book again and again.
And, that's great because this is one set of rules it wouldn't hurt to memorize.

I hope you'll read this book, my friends.
You won't be sorry.

...

Doesn't this little face just make you smile?
Me, too.

November eves

It's 8 o'clock on a Saturday night and I am sitting here listening to the wind chimes on the back porch. From time to time the dogs jump on the back door to peer in the window, which makes the door rattle. It's a sound that calls us out to spend time with them. Sloane is bundled up because the night has turned cold and the wind is arctic. She keeps saying, "Mom, are you ready? Are you coming? Let's take these dogs for a walk." And I say, "Yes, let's. The moon is beautiful, let's go enjoy this night."

And I think of you one last time tonight. I wish you a long walk with chattering child, an exuberant dog or two, and the man you love. I wish you cold toes and a warm heart. I wish you warm mittens. I hope that you notice the curious way that laughter is carried better on a cold night.

Good night, friends. Sweet dreams.

Friday Finds

Here's a round up of some fun and favorites to brighten your weekend. May your weekend be full of blue skies and balmy breezes.

• vivaree ~ a fantastically creative and fun contest. The contest is over, but the comments are well worth reading.
• sappling press ~ the funniest stationary I've ever seen
• Eliza Deacon ~ a marvelous photographer I've only just discovered
• Air Kiss ~ a blog that celebrates a simple, rich life
• New Fairy Tales ~ perfect for reading on a cold night
  

...

What haunts you?

in just one week

Week 44 of the Wednesday lists. Sloane turns ten in seven short days. We have big plans and exciting adventures in the works. But, what I want to do today is remember nine.

Sloane, at nine

I want to remember...

• her joy at getting glasses and her wonder at just how beautiful the world really is.
• the first time she saw a picture of herself without glasses and didn't like it because they had already become so much a part of her.
• the way that she grew closer and closer to her Daddy as she began to share more and more of his interests.
• that she just couldn't cheer for the Cardinals to win the world series, even though we live in Missouri. They had beaten the Braves; her Daddy's team from way back.
• the time she had to write a commercial for class. She chose to do one about Relyn Lawson photography.
• her excitement in doing things or buying gifts for other people.
  
• the time she put her hands on her hips and said, "Mom. We have GOT to do something about this closet."
  
• the way she grew into her height and is now proud of being the tallest student at her school instead of embarrassed by it.
• her first pimple and how earnestly she asked me to help her take care of her skin.
• her passionate desire to grow her hair out, and the willingness to take care of it herself.
  
• how astute her observations of other people are.
• that she is always considerate of others.
• how well she respects others' privacy - I am a Nosey Nelly myself.
• her exact tone of voice when she's fully ready for school and asks, "How do I look?"
• her first crush.
• her willingness to forgive and move on.
  

Oh, I am so blessed.

NaBloPoMo

NaBloPoMo? What? I have no idea what that word means. I think maybe National Blog Posting Month? Not sure. But. The idea is this: for a single month you post every day. For some of you, no big deal, you do it all the time. For me? Challenge. I just don't make it to the "page" every day. But, for this one month a year, I do.

I hope you'll join me. I hope you'll stop by more often. And, I hope you'll leave a comment. I live for comments, you know.

See you soon. Till then, a little video to make you smile. And hug someone.