For Today, July 26th, 2010

(more daybooks at Peggy's)

Outside my window… overcast and cool.  The clouds tend to collect in the valley making it look like the forest is smoky.  

I am hearing…. Abbie absolutely bursting with language.  Her word choice blows me away.  We were at the thrift shop sifting through a rack of baby clothes when she grabbed a top and said "Cute!".  I picked up a skirt that would match which did not meet her approval.   "NOT cute!" she said very decisively and would not allow it in the cart.  She has a variety of adjectives for situations which arise in our house: 'gross', 'ewww', and 'asgusting' make frequent appearances. 

Otherwise, it is wonderful to hear the piano again, even off key!

I am wearing… I think the same thing I was wearing the last time I sat here for a daybook, workout clothes.  Though to shake things up a bit let me tell you about the new bronze flower stud earrings I picked up at Target before we left.  Little rhinestone centers.  Very retro. Seen no less than three times last week. 

I am reading… the new Life Beautiful magazine.  I love it. Just happens to feature a girl's birthday party, which is right up our alley this week. In other news, catching up on Mrs. G.  Lest someone tsk me let me add that this could be said about moi as well:

"Mrs. G. is friends with people of many different faiths. Obviously, with these different faiths, come widely contradictory and opposing beliefs and philosophies about everything from deities, origins of life, holy books and doctrines to parenting styles and the choicest slice of pie in Seattle. They don't always agree to disagree…there are sometimes spirited discussions, but somehow these friendships keep on keepin' on. Mrs. G. thinks it comes down to respect and the realization that they all mainly do the best they can."

From the kitchen… iced oatmeal cookies.  Friends kept the boys while the movers were here Friday.  We sent them with Alannah's cookies which were a major hit.  I guess it may sound lame that I send my daughter's baking as gifts instead of my own.  If you tried some of both you would say no more.  I will never bake as well, nor enjoy it half so much as she.  It's a gift she has.  She says she used this recipe but I can't swear she didn't tweak it. The icing she whipped up out of her head so can't help you there.  The response from the friends was WOW!  Wow, wow WOW.  Move over Mrs. Fields.

Around the house…. I could sum up with Kieran's comment the other night.  He came in from outside and looked up at the china cabinet and said, "It looks just like home in here!"  The furniture has arrived and we are working at breakneck speed to unpack.  We bought and assembled a wall full of IKEA bookshelves Thursday night.  By Sat we had all the bedrooms, kitchen, dining, and living rooms pretty well done (minus wall art and curtains).  Now we have books and clothes to tackle.  Hoping to finish most of it by Alannah's bday party. 

I am creating… a new home. Specifically, working on wall art and window treatments next. 

I am thankful for… the way my husband has so skillfully redirected us this past month.  Had a bit of a meltdown on Saturday over a misunderstanding regarding china cabinet arrangement.  Stop laughing.  That can happen to me.  What, you can't picture me chasing the man out onto the patio debating about which pattern to display? It ended badly on my end.  Not my finest moment of late.

Moments like that are rarely over what they seem though.  It was just the last thing that happened in a string of no sleeping, hard working, emotionally charged few weeks.  He knew that.  That is why he found me in the utility room a while later, insisted we had come too far to fall apart over transferware, to discuss where the communication had misfired and how we can prevent that in the future.  

And that, my friends, is why I love this man. We by no means boast marital perfection.  But we are here today, saying these things and trying to really hear the responses.  For that, I am thankful. 

A few plans for the rest of the week….  Alannah turns 16 this week.  We are planning a birthday party with her new friends to feature a fondant cake by Moira. (see above re: my baking…)  She confided that she is uncomfortable receiving gifts so she is planning out party favors for each of them in return because she sincerely will not be happy with nothing to give in return. We look forward to celebrating the gift that  she is.

Pondering these words…

Let mercy lead 
Let love be the strength in your legs 
And in every footprint that you leave 
There'll be a drop of grace 
If we can reach 
Beyond the wisdom of this age 
Into the foolishness of God 
That foolishness will save 
Those who believe 
Although their foolish hearts may break 
They will find peace 

– Rich Mullins

from my picture journal: