and life is grand!

Everyone (read Abby) has settled into a routine and I've sufficiently decompressed.  That only took six days of staring at blank walls and accomplishing nothing. 

I had eight inches cut off of my hair this morning.  It was longer than it's ever been and though I liked it I'm happy to say that all of the damage done by straightening my hair last fall is gone.  Poor Sarah is grieving the loss of her beautiful Mama, but she'll recover. 

Um, yes, that is a baby in my mid section - and yes, those are leaves outside my window.  Happy sigh... 

Just kidding, but this is truly crazy!!!

http://coaches.aol.com/kids-and-family/feature/_a/kids-and-parents-agree-18-to-25-year/20071213150309990001

Meshing our vision (that young adults are fully capable and live up to expectations set for them) with our culture will be interesting.  Let the fun begin! 

Jax and Tipper

On the whole I prefer to be a non-pet person, but when pressed I consider myself a dog person with no time or energy to train a dog.  I am definitely not a cat person, but I am certainly an anti-mouse person. I also happen to have two children who fall in the category of needing a pet.  In light of that, and by way of avoiding an indoor dog, Dan found these people friendly, mouser cats on Craig's List.  We met them this afternoon and brought them home.  Somehow, I've been given the grace to like them.  They like us too and made the transition easily.  Jax (male, orange, with a dog-like personality) and Tipper (female, black, friendly cat personality) have moved into our insulated third stall and have a cozy house on our kayak trailer near a window.  The girls tried valliantly to get us to allow them in the lower level, but we haven't lost our minds completely - yet. 

Well, I should have known!

I've been hitting walls for two weeks.  A trip out of town would be enough as would re-entry after a break from school.  Having to be out of the house all day so our Builder can prime (Tuesday) is definitely enough, though we had a fun day.  I was starting to wonder when and how I'd pull myself together. 

So, today, we decided to decorate.  We weren't doing school anyhow and it didn't feel like the holidays without our tree and Christmas toys.  Nevermind the fact that my cleaning friends were unable to help tackle construction dust before Monday or the fact that half of our belongings have been packed away for the last four weeks to avoid further dusting, we determined to do it despite the extra hassle.  It was an overwhelming task and my physical self had enough by the time the extra dusting and usual household items were unpacked.  Once we got to the Christmas items (an abbreviated version this year), my *elves* were happily doing all of the work.  While I watched and encouraged them an amazing transformation took place.  Suddenly, I was HOME again.  Ahhhhhhhh....  (happy sigh).  A clean, pretty house is a wonderful cure-all!

So, tonight, my younger girls played their instruments by the light of the Christmas tree and I put them to sleep playing my...

horn. 

Did you know I have a horn?  I do.  It's lived in a variety of closets for the past decade outside of a handful of Mommy show and tells.  Last week, due to the encouragement of several friends, it made the journey from the closet to my room and tonight it made the journey to the music room.  Dan found my music - what a LOT of music - and a Mozarting did I go.  Amazingly, I can still play.  My tone is much the same.  (That's a good thing).  The inaccuracy is there too - and in fine form.  (Okay, I'll work on that!).  I think I'll continue meeting with my horn for awhile.  It might be fun to play locally and that this will help keep me out of the violin section.  If nothing else, it has to be good for my lung capacity.    Now I just have to think about whether or not to get those four front teeth completely repaired from their run in with our kitchen tile last February. 

Thanks Annette! 

and live too far away to easily attend (or missed out on the newfangled on-line ticket rush), consider visiting a theater near you for this year's St. Olaf Christmas Festival.  We're still considering the drive to a not so local theater.  Dan and I met while on Cantorei retreat and stood next to each other during Christmas Fest. sophomore year - as some of you dear friends recall!  Seeing 'Spaas conduct would certainly be fun as I had every class with him for three years.  Poor guy could hardly keep up with me.  :)  Those memories are (mostly) fun, fun, fun...  Somehow, fitting study for finals and term papers around an insane amount of rehearsal seems *fun* at this point in life! 

http://www.fathomevents.com/

that we're doing something right around here. 

Tonight, Sarah asked to come with me to a Messiah sing along.  It was delightful having her along on this sad excuse to test my vocal inabilities with the difficulties of these latter days.  I found that  wailing with the sopranos is still possible, but I've never been one for wailing.  If it can't be done with subtlety and restraint... 

1. Videos are good when driving from Michigan to Arkansas. 

2. Our family has aquired the ability to carry all needed items, including instruments, into our hotel in one trip.  

3.  All of our practice staying in hotels during Suzuki Instututes has proven extremely worthwhile.  Going to bed no longer requires extra assistance. 

4.  Turkey, stuffing, mashies, and cranberries are good eats even when you can't taste them.

5.  It's good when your nearly twelve year old daughter asks Dad and Mom to shop for her clothes every season. 

6.   Eggs should not be eaten before driving through a mountain range if your name is Holly.

7.  Ziplocs belong in the van at all times.  (Younger parents take note!). 

8.  Mountain ranges should be avoided at all costs if your sinuses are 100% blocked.  We're assuming air travel is out as well. 

9.  We love our I Pass and conceed that the construction we've put up with in Chicago over the last four years was worth the trouble.

10.  Pine trees and dunes feel like home and home is good, especially when your builder dusts and vacuums when you're gone. 

Here are three girls ready to leave the hotel in Springfield, MO and head to their Grandparents Thanksgiving morning.  We'd hoped to arrive on Wednesday, but the rain was too much after ten hours.  Can you tell they slept well? 

Abby and Hannah enjoyed helping Grandma with meal preparation. 

Sarah and Holly relaxing... 

Here's an after meal picture. 

He doesn't mind having his arms full.  How could he? 

Sarah finished a quilt project with Grandma.  Here, she is sewing on a binding.

The next day she used Grandma's quilting machine.  It's a far cry from the discipline of hand stitching she's learned at home!

About three weeks ago my middle girls started asking for short haircuts.  While noting the wonders of progress from impulsively hacking off of each other's hair to asking for a hair appointment, I told them to think about it for awhile and then I'd call.  They were insistent and I made the appointment the following week.  Their hairdressers wanted them to wait another week before doing her part, but the day finally arrived on Wednesday.  I noticed during their haircuts that Hannah and Holly seemed very determined and intense.  Something was *up,* but I had no idea what and didn't dwell on it. 

When we arrived home, they tumbled out of the van saying, "Let's go!  Let's finish our *play!*"  (Everything imaginative is called a *play* lately).  I wondered what they were finishing and they looked at me like I was a complete idiot when they answered, "JOAN of ARC, Mom." 

I've been laughing ever since. 

Here they are in the midst of battle.  Holly received birthday money today.  Apparently, nothing else would do... 

Has anyone else said, "Okay, buckle in" when finishing a cuddle before bed time? 

The sad thing is that I didn't even realize it.  Sarah and Hannah started laughing hysterically, bringing their little sisters out of bed and Dan over to the stairs.  I'd have titled this Poor Mom for all of their laughter if I didn't realize how very hard it must be to honor and obey a Mom who says such ridiculous things! 

on the endless variety of details that go with keeping up a household and schooling with a bunch of construction workers in the house.  They won't be around until we're away for Thanksgiving and this morning I found out that it's time to for me to decompress.  I sat around a lot of the morning and um, I'm not a good sitter (just ask my dh how much he enjoys watching movies with me...).  The girls did some token school and are watching a library video - and um, we don't watch videos on weedkday mornings!  I wonder what will help me decompress.  Hmmm... I wonder if that is Goodwill calling my name.  Oh, I might take a nap too - something I only do while pregnant (and I'm not).    When January or February arrive, I'll be exploring the area of balance.  Won't it be grand to find myself there again?!?!

Several of you have let me know that you really want to know, so I'll try to give a general update. 

The girls are great.  We've had a wonderful start to the school year, despite the construction.  The interruptions provide just enough incentive without being too distracting.  We're seeing them become wonderful friends for each other as they've gotten older.  They're still so much fun! 

Construction is going well also.  We had a few weeks of outside work while we waited on a bathtub.  It was well timed and provided the perfect opportunity to regroup.  I'm holding up amazingly well (lost it only once!) - and yes, it's messy.  I've figured out a few temporary systems for staying on top of the essentials and have been able to keep my perspective and patience thus far.  The rest of this week and next will be devoted to drywalling (and cleaning).  When our builder returns, he will finish the lower level, inxlusing the carpet and bath.  At that point, the girls and I will have an entire level of peace and sanity (relative, of course) to ourselves.  I'm just a tad excited about that.  Our builder will finish the main floor and upstairs as time allows, taking a break when the kitchen is ready.  That will be the last big hurdle and as much as I'm not looking forward to it, I'll be glad when it's over.  We knew the kitchen was junk when we bought the house, but somehow our "in five years" was turning into nine.  I *think* I'm glad we're pushing ahead now.  The house is already a mess. 

With construction, time has been moving swiftly, but things are still one day at a time as far as how I'm doing.  I have recovered the strength to do normal tasks, though at a slower pace.  After last winter, I'm very thankful to be washing our dishes!   I completed a bunch of testing a few weeks ago and was given a diagnosis.  We're hoping I can get by without the treatment recommended by my ENT and pulmonologist (tons of steroids and a surgery that would likely need to be repeated several times - um, no thanks).  For those who've asked, I have a symptom set that is called Samter's Triad.  I've probably had this underlying susceptibility throughout my life, but it flared when challenged by the severe upper respiratory illness I picked up at the hospital last winter.  My CT scan showed 100% blockage of all but one of my sinus cavities.  That other one was blocked 96%.  That is likely why I can no longer sing (well), why I can't smell or taste, and why I've had no improvement with medication.  The blockage is supposedly polyps and those polyps cause the breathing problems, which they now believe are asthma.  I noticed last winter that an ibuprofen brought on immediate, severe breathing diffiiculties, so NSAID allergy is likely a factor.   We'll be tackling this from several angles once construction ends.  In the meantime, we're hoping for a calm winter health-wise.  A decrease in sinus pain without surgery would be wonderful.  I want to sing again more than I want to smell or taste, but we'll see... 

Dan had patient appreciation week this week - saw 110 people today (thud!). 

My Interlochen bench - a gift from Dan one fall a few years ago when they were handing them over to willing alums for a $50 donation.  (Isn't he grand?).  Well, it is the perfect rustic bench for our woods.

Enjoying the view

One of Dan's patients owns the ten acres behind our home and graciously allows us to play there.  The girls' favorite activity is going "down the gulley with Dad."   

They make brownies for fun on weekend afternoons.

These donutes are very, very bad.  Yep, they are.  They're horrible. 

Yes, I ate one too.  It nearly had me in tears.  Never underestimate your attachment to your sense of taste and smell.  I made chex mix for the girls last week and was shocked that I couldn't taste it.  Hmmm... the holidays aren't looking good for me - and I promise I'm not a glutton.  I just like to taste my food! 

I love it when history makes the news. 

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/magna-carta-is-going-on-auction-block/20070925163209990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

Those of you (and many  strangers) who find me so *calm* will be glad to hear that my *calm* self has returned after my "help" attack and a wonderful weekend playing Martha Stewart in my kitchen and outdoors.  Apple crisps fill our freezer.  Mums sit on our porch.  Gourds and pumpkins line our window boxes.  I don't tend toward the decorative, so perhaps I'll take pictures later.  We did a bit of "together" schooling on Saturday.  Dan has taken ALL of the girls bike riding on a trail while I figure out how to do laundry (it's interesting here right now).  A weekend has never been such a wonderful thing!  The girls will enjoy playing in sand at the beach for many, many hours tomorrow and as we have no other fixed engagements... 

Yes, I'll take pictures later. 

That's code for ,"Help!" 

Have I mentioned I need help?

Yes, you knew this was coming.  AK living in a mess with 10-20 men running in and out of the house during the day.  I've lost it.  Yep.  Aren't you surprised??? 

Our new plan:

Piano times 4 kids and Hannah's cello done around breakfast time.

Math times 3 kids.

L. Arts times 3 kids. 

Latin review for older 3 while I do preschool with Abby.

Squeeze in Holly's violin while the others watch a video on my computer in their bedroom (see, I've LOST IT!). 

Tapestry of Grace written work.

LEAVE THE HOUSE FOR FIVE HOURS (help!)

Before bed, we'll pack lunches and books.  I'll read aloud (to regroup and find our family again - help!).  Sarah is practicing flexibility and practicing violin at bedtime.  She's also the lucky one who gets to go to ballet school, where things are normal, every now and then.  Saturdays will be for piano lessons, Sarah's science lab, and introducing our next week of history.  The girls still don't think history is "school," so there's no reason to take a break in that area.  Besides that, we're on the feudal system this week and get to study knights and castles.  That's good news. 

The other good news is that the necessary walls have been destroyed and moved.  Plumbing was done today.  The cement patio is done.  The siding is nearly 2/3rds complete.  We'll be fine, but for now...  HELP! 

Think of me in the afternoons.  Migraine and breathing problem free thoughts most welcome! 

Sarah and Holly spend Thursday afternoons together.  Here they are playing after ballet followed by a few shots taken during their violin lessons. 

Ha!  Sarah's teacher likes to make Sarah have *fun* with her violin.  No losing blood over her art allowed (outside of ballet!). 

Or, Personal Impact on Economic Systems...

I was in Meijer (regional Target-like store) after ballet class this afternoon and was shocked at the sight of  products I've procured through mail order, co-ops, and health food stores for the past decade.  This was more than the usual nod to those who prefer organic milk.  Our staple, Agave Nectar, lined a prominent shelf.  I spied these Cheetos in another aisle.  Ten years ago we played the role of outcasts in society for our determined resolve to avoid artificial preservatives, trans fats, and artificial colors.  It's hard to imagine that, at the time, few in our aquaintance had ever heard of trans fats.  Imagine my enthusiasm over the sight of this bag of Cheetos - my personal victory - economic weight working it's magic on market share (LOL!). 

So, we're normal, maistream...   That will take awhile to assimilate. 

The thought that Hannah had never tasted a Cheetoh prompted this bag's trip to our cart.  Healthy?  Probably not.  Poison?  Probably not. 

Abby liked them.  The other three?  Not so much. 

with the girls from our visit to my parents.  I'm ready for a rest after the drive.  Dan is ready too.  Here's the first sign of *fun.*

Yep, those are crushed flower beds on our side lawn.

Here's another tell-tale sign that we're in for a treat.  The girls wagon is out without it's covered wagon cover.

Whatcha have there, Dan?

Ah yes, it's a tree.  It's a fine tree.  It's a "specimen." 

They don't deliver during their Labor Day sale, huh? 

Yes, they do, but I have a trailer. 

Ah, yes, you do...

I am now ox as we play pioneer family displaced from the plains once again.  Watching is one of our neighbor's favorite activities. 

 In due time, our heeving pushed the trailor over the rock path and past the side of the garage to the determined location for our specimen.  Now my steroidal mass was to come in handy pulling on this yellow rope...

This one's blurry due to the heat of the moment...

The angle you see here took great jiggling of the trailer on his part and continued leaning with the rope on  mine - great entertainment for neighbors, this tree planting business. 

Every inch counts in this game...

so much so that I am now in the tree.

A true engineering marvel...

stretching into day two.  Now I am placing and hammering boards while my beloved meticulously bounces upon them until...

(oh, the suspense)...

A tree.  A very fine specimen. 

There's still a lot of farm in the lad from Iowa wouldn't you say? 

Sarah and Hannah came home from a babysitting class at the local hospital last spring asking, "What in the world are Spaghettios?"  I gather from their sharing that the teacher mentioned preparing Spaghettios several times during class.  I'm not sure Queen-of-homemade-chicken-pot-pie-Sarah was impressed with the instruction in safe use of a can opener or the instructions on proper cleaning up of the kitchen, but that's beside the point.  Since we don't plan on having them babysit for other families it's likely they won't run into Spaghettios any time soon.  However, this week I made Tomato Orzo soup (with macaroni as I was out of orzo) and thickened it with a bit too much corn starch slurry.  The result, according to Dan, was very spaghettio-like.  I'm not sure I would concur as my recipe most certainly lacked cheese, but as I can no longer taste or smell I thought I'd let his opinion stand.  Spaghettios with carrots, anyone?

Oh, the first aid portion of the class was the reason for their attendance.  I don't think either of them needed the lesson on changing diapers or helping younger children take turns! 

that you have a member of the New York Phil. practicing in your basement OR a baby that's even more wonderful than the sound of the horn in your arms OR a great friend from year's long past visiting in your living room.  Thanks for coming this way, T., T., and K.! 

My New Glasses

Okay.  8:30 on a Friday night is not the best time for my hair.  What do you think, Ann? 

my new glasses coming soon.  Sarah thinks my Big Sis did a great job picking them.  "You don't look sick anymore, Mom."  Great.  Now, I just have to get rid of the effects of six rounds of steroids.  Grrrrr...  (Have I mentioned that I still can't taste or smell?  What a bummer that is in the cooking department!).

So, we're doing school in our master bedroom this fall.   Sarah is in her room, but I have the younger three with me upstairs.  We're having an addition put on the back of our home and this puts us as far away from new construction as possible.  It's working, the parents will be glad when our bedroom no longer looks like this. 

Kudos to Dan for finding and building $5 desks.  They look *nice* in our room, huh? 

Hmmm.... maybe I should find our valances.