Category: Life according to Angela

A Summary and a Question about Timing

I hope you had a nice weekend. We did many things, but I won’t bore you with every detail.

We had a nice Veteran’s Day. I invited a WWII veteran to speak to our homeschool group #2. Since all public buildings were closed, I rented a hall for the event. The kids decorated handkerchiefs with patriotic messages to send to soldiers and we also collected goods for 4 care packages to send to Afghanistan. The guest speaker served in the South Pacific and was very good at speaking to children. I felt really good about the event.

The 3 boys sang a trio in the adult session of Stake Conference on Saturday night and I played the violin. Richard sang with the choir. Mark bumped his head on the podium as he was climbing up to sing, but managed to sing through teary eyes and some pain. It was a good experience for the boys and they enjoyed some Lego rewards when it was all over.

I was reading about discipline in an education magazine that I receive from BYU. One article said that the greatest measure of how well you are doing as a parent is how your family treats one another. Do you think I can measure my success during a time when the kids are all watching a movie together or playing around in the mountains? The results would be so much better then.

One load, one dog

Well, looky here. I washed the blankets our dog rests upon and this is what came out in the lint collector.  Revolting, isn’t it?

And here’s another view to give you nightmares.

Today, aside from the above lint ball, was wonderful. I found a lot of joy this morning watching a friend’s children and reading books to the baby. I giggled as I watched this baby maul Mark with hugs and kisses for about 30 minutes. Baby kisses! Mark didn’t know what to think. He’s always been the kisser. He kept looking at me for help/reassurance/help but I was too busy cheering on the baby,” Tackle that big boy! Big hugs, now!”

After baby-sitting we went to a science club meeting and I taught 20 kids about crystals. Fun. We also harvested papyrus from the pond so we can learn how the Egyptians made papyrus. I know, you wish you were us. Only, you wish you were us with a unicorn.

We came home and I tried to read aloud to the kids but had to take a nap at chapter 5. I fell asleep on the couch listening to Daniel read to the family where I had left off. When I woke up, Timothy asked me if I’d like to hear him read the last chapter of his book. (Shouldn’t we all just cancel our cable and read aloud to each other from now on? I am sure it would solve most of our problems.)

And so it went, my last day of being 35, surrounded by my children plus twenty, growing crystals, harvesting papyrus (and dog lint)… and people, I loved it. I couldn’t wish for a better day.

Dinner party

I’m just skipping Halloween this year and decorating early for Thanksgiving. It seems that many of my neighbors have omitted the Halloween decorations, too. I wonder if it’s the economy. I just don’t like scary stuff, but oh, how I love to dress up.

The other night I had the perfect idea for our family Halloween costumes… if I had some time to sew. I asked the kids if they wanted to dress up this year. The boys seemed unenthusiastic, but Paige said, “Well, of course,” indicating with her voice that her answer was ob-vi-ous… (my girl).  In my brilliant plan, Daniel would be Peter Pan; Paige would be Wendy; Timothy would be John (top hat, Harry Potter glasses) and Mark would be Michael with his teddy bear named Chunky. Richard would be Captain Hook and I could be Tiger Lily or Tinkerbell. I swear the Tinkerbell idea was not mine. It was Paige’s. I know, I know. Don’t worry. I won’t make myself ridiculous. And there isn’t time to make costumes this year. Halloween is on Sunday, so that pretty much destroys my plans: we’re not going to be Peter Pan this year.

In other news, I haven’t been blogging lately because I have been

a. pouting

b. reading

c. really grumpy

d. all of the above

Yes, you guessed it. The answer is d.

Today I finished reading McCullough’s John Adams. I love that book. I find a lot of comfort and inspiration in the Adamses’ relationship and sacrifices. I also like reading how time and experience mold perspective and patience. I’d be a historian if I could remember facts like Melinda Ross. As it is, I have to read things every few years to remember them.

I plan dinner parties in my mind. I never carry them out, though. If I could invite any prominent person living today, it would be David McCullough. I used to think the guest would be Michael Medved because even though we might disagree, he would keep things civil and would talk with a soothing voice about a broad range of subjects. Now I just want David McCullough to come over and talk to our kids about American history and all of those Providential Storms in the Revolution.

One more thought before I drive Paige to ballet. The blog phenomenon is interesting to me. Why do people keep reading? I recently decided to stop reading two very popular blogs because they were getting on my nerves. Updated daily, these two blogs were a part of my daily routine (yikes).After removing them from my blog list, I literally feel no loss in my life. It has made me think that blogs are read because they are

a. much like reality t.v., providing a glimpse into someone’s home that we wouldn’t otherwise have.

b. updated. People come back to anything that moves.

c. inspirational. Some truly make me happy.

d. a good way to communicate/sort family and personal events.

e. a way to feel connection without commitment.

Hopefully you’re not reading  just because this blog moves. If you are, you should rethink your decision. It’s a beautiful world out there. Go turn off the computer and enjoy it.

The night I got burned

I used to cook with a pressure cooker all the time. One night I was making mashed potatoes and there was a lot going on. As I was running water over the pot and opening the valve to release steam, the lid burst off and potatoes flew out on my face and hands.

I learned the hard way about being in the way when high pressure objects go flying.

It’s so cliche to hear people saying it’s okay to say grumpy things in order to “let off steam.” I think this is a poor excuse to behave badly and spread the anger. It’s better to release steam slowly and allow time for high impact moments to die down before words are said. The last few months have brought some intense situations and I’ve learned to appreciate Richard’s wisdom through it all.

Since I’m not complaining in this post or “venting frustration” in a negative way, I will say a few words of gratitude. I’m thankful for a little knowledge of logic. This has helped me identify error and truth in what people say. I’m grateful for the teachings of Jesus Christ as a guide for reacting to people who have been grumpy to me about my faith. I’m grateful for Richard who spent the weekend with me, talking to me, listening, and encouraging me. His steady and direct words have made a great difference.

Anger fills a room, exclusive in its dominion; it drains its object of self-confidence; anger finds its expression in gossip, name-calling, and humiliation of others; it is contagious. It hurts like a burn, too.

Health

I’m feeling much better. Thanks for your concern and prayers.

As for Ray, I wish his news yesterday had been better. I’m grateful for the progress that has been made, though. I wish all the energy and concern and love of relatives and friends could be turned into a medicine because I’m pretty sure that would be the cure. There would be no needles and no nausea and hugs and fun times would be the only therapy required.

However, I know that God has a plan for Ray and each of us and we can trust that plan.

Health is a blessing that I easily take for granted. I’m grateful for fewer aches and the good night’s sleep last night.

Summary

We had a wonderful Labor Day. We visited the Desert Museum and grilled steaks on a new grill. I think food is a link to our extended family on holidays. Naturally, we make clam dip (Sanchez) and baked beans (Ross) and pretend we’re with everyone, I guess.

Our week brought a new course for Paige in school and a talent show performance for Daniel. Timothy loves listening to Treasure Island each evening. Mark writes letters. If you are a lucky recipient, I hope you know he loves you. Also, I can’t think of a prayer offered by Timothy or Mark since May in which they haven’t mentioned Ray. We hope your tests this week show no signs of cancer, Ray.

I’ve felt terrible for about five days now and I hope to feel better soon.

Richard and Mark went tool shopping on Saturday. Mark came home with a hammer but Richard only came home with a duster for the ceiling fans and some welding gloves that don’t really work. Bummer.

I can’t sleep because I am so uncomfortable. Say a prayer that I feel better. Thanks.

Sunday Sounds

Click below and listen as you read:

How was your Sunday? How was church? Did you make a decision to be better about something? I decided that I need to focus on a topic as I read the scriptures. In my study of the Book of Mormon, I am going to catalog the tender mercies of the Lord, specifically how he imbues his children with power.

How was your Sunday dinner? Ours was nice. We had a salad and some fruit and Rice Krispies squares for dessert.

Did you think about someone far away? I did.

Did you get a nap? I didn’t, but that’s ok.

Are you ready for a new week? I think I am. We still have fresh groceries, clean laundry and sheets, and the school lists are made. We have a birthday in our family this week. Paige turns 14.

Sweet dreams.

-A