The Pack for Saranac

I'm taking a caffeine break (5:30 p.m. mass tonight!) as we get ready to leave early in the morning for the trek to Saranac Lake in upstate NY. I'm officially past the cheerful, relaxed not-ready stage (NRS) and into the anxious, getting cranky NRS.

Deep breath. Okay.

Here's what we're gearing up for: my parents, all my siblings, and all the grandchildren (plus a few more folks) in one sprawling house (12 bedrooms!). We'll be 33 in all! This is our third year, and for the first time my brother from California is coming with his wife.

My children (and me, too, of course) look forward to Saranac all year. Mostly it's about the cousins, but the place is amazing, too. Here are pictures from our past visits.

(Note: I'm missing some good shots because I don't want to post recognizable photos of other peoples' children until I get permission.)

The view from the house. The lake and two docks are maybe 10 feet from the deck.

My brother-in-law brings his sailboat.Canoes and kayaks abound.There's always an expedition (or two or three...) to Tommy's Rock.The view from Tommy's Rock. Note my brother-in-law's sailboat and my sister's windboard, with our house on the right.The anchored raft.A trip to Donnelly's is required. Just two flavors per day meant some (ahem) negotiating last year. This is Becca in 2007. It got even messier, believe me--hey, she was 2!

Well, back to work now. We'll be gone a full week, and it's unlikely I'll be posting anything new while we're away. I hope your week is as fun (and noisy and cool and conversational and connected) as ours. God bless you!

The Question

A while back Ann wrote about the question she asked her husband, and I decided to try it for myself.

Len answered with two simple ideas, not even surprises. They're acts I've known he appreciates, but hadn't been doing consistently (or even often). I've been consciously trying to follow through this week.

It's all about mindfullness. There's always room for improvement. Good can keep getting better.

Are you willing to ask?

Anne's post is lovely and thoughtful, but if you just can't make the time to get over there, her question was, "How could I be a better wife to you?" Thanks to Elizabeth for pointing to it.

Small Successes

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

1. FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, I pulled over when I got drowsy while driving, even though I was less than an hour from home. I closed my eyes for 20 minutes, and although I didn't sleep the whole time, I was definitely drifting in la-la land. Hopefully now that I've taken this baby step I'll be willing to always drive only when I'm fit for it.
2. I excavated my desk. It looks better than it has since maybe the first year we moved into this house (almost 16 years ago!). If you haven't read the post, at least go check out the before and after photos.
3. After three trips to three stores on three successive days, I think I'm finally done buying groceries for our big trip to Saranac Lake. No, wait--I still need to get to the bagel store (1/2 price after 3:30!) to stock up for Sunday morning breakfast in the car. Oh, well--getting there.

I hope you're having a fabulous summer week! Find more inspiration and encouragement here.

Gone Paintin'

My sister's husband is in an Irish (rock?) band, and its last performance for a long while is tomorrow. As I heard it, the whistle player is going to grad school, which apparently is incompatible with rehearsals and late night pub playing. Or maybe he's going away to school; I don't know.

ANYWAY, since they know my David is interested in Irish music (among many other genres) and has never watched this particular band perform, K & D invited him to NY to do just that. Aren't they great?

David took the metro to the train to the shuttle to another train, and was picked up just a mile or two from my sister's new house. New for her, anyway--it's actually a rambling old place (with land) in need of MUCH work. My son will be earning his keep by stripping wallpaper, painting, and doing whatever else needs doing. He's big and strong, with computer and bike mechanic skills; I don't think they'll run out of work for him!

While we miss David, there was also some glee (especially from back seat riders) that his trip north is happening right now, because it means the NY portion of the family will be taking him to Saranac Lake. On Sunday we're driving to upstate NY (in the Adirondacks) to join my parents, siblings, and assorted cousins (33 people total!) for a week in a giant house. Without David we have just (just!) 13 people spread between two minivans (15 seats)...

Speechifying

Joseph joined Boy Scouts just a few months ago, and is really enjoying it. This week he's participating in a 5 day workshop (?), working towards a communications merit badge.

Yesterday he gave a speech about the best way to eat ice cream. Since visual aids were required he brought in cones, sprinkles, sauce, and scoops. His three minute presentation lasted just a minute and a half, probably due to the typical banes of beginners: forgetting some points and talking too fast.

Today Joe is supposed to speak for 6-8 minutes, and someone suggested homeschooling. He agreed, knowing that at least there is plenty to say. ;-) Last night I helped him organize his thoughts in outline form. His practices at home have gone well; he's been working hard, and I'm proud of him.

I started typing up his outline for the blog, figuring that OF COURSE you would be interested, but now I'm not so sure. Suffice it to say Joe gave an overview of homeschooling, including schedules, subjects, teaching methods, and advantages and disadvantages. Fascinating stuff! ;-)

UPDATED: Sounds like the speech went well, with appropriate audience reactions to the high points (no homework, four fewer weeks of school, that sort of thing). Joe zoomed through it, but pacing takes practice.

Why Do I Blame Myself?

Why is it, "I look bad in this outfit," instead of, "This outfit looks bad on me?" See the difference?

Even though overall I have a healthy self-image, that bad attitude can raise its head anytime. (Can you tell I've been trying to buy a swimsuit?)

It's just not rational! And as I complained to my eldest, she pointed out that even young, beautiful women (like herself and her friends) are rarely 100% comfortable with how they look. Why are we like this?

I wonder (about myself, at least), whether this dissatisfaction is about setting too high a standard or not loving myself enough or PRIDE. How important should appearance be, anyway?

All Things Are Possible

My desk in January: My desk a few days later:My goal: to spend 10 minutes a day cleaning up and then maintaining order.

The reality: two weeks of overall improvement followed by six and a half months moving back and forth between photo 1 and photo 2.

It's all over now! This is how I spent a large portion of my holiday weekend: Look, look! No boxes underneath! Everything has been sorted to its proper location (mostly other areas of the house). I did pile some papers on the school table, my next area to conquer.

Lots and lots of paper went into the recycling, too. If you keep it around long enough (I found some 2007 material!), most of it becomes obsolete, anyway. I did some actual decluttering, too.

This sight will keep me smiling for days.

Bugs!

Marianna and a friend found this critter in the front yard. Aren't the fake eye spots impressive (and maybe scary enough to deter a predator)? At this angle (photo below) it's a little easier to see the real head and eyes.

This weird insect was crawling over the newly laid mulch yesterday. It tried to grab a blade of grass or small stick whenever one was put near those claw/jaw/curvy things.Now look at how big it is! That's Joseph's hand there for perspective.I haven't yet done the research to find out exactly what these are. For the moment it's enough to marvel at finding something new (to us) in suburbia.

Note to Self: Mind Your Tongue!

Usually when I'm not "minding my tongue" I'm speaking harshly to someone I love (yes, my children). This morning I found some Scripture with a beautiful image to inspire me to more self-control:

"A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit." Proverbs 15:4


Yesterday I practiced a less typical (for me) sin by making a cutting remark about someone who wasn't even present, which jump-started more remarks. Ugh! The thing about wrongful speech is that it can't be taken back--it's done. Yes, I can be sorry, and yes, I can be forgiven, but how much better to not say it in the first place!

The Bible has LOTS to say about this. Below are just a few verses I found that can be used for inspiration, warning, or reproof (for ourselves), depending on how well we've been behaving lately:

"He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile." 1 Peter 3:10

"There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18

"The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly." Proverbs 15:2

"He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." Proverbs 21:23

"Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit." Psalm 34:13

Maybe I Should Leave Town More Often?

While I was gone FOR ONE DAY, Len took the children to the library, the pool, and a bluegrass concert (complete with a picnic) in the park. And that's just the stuff I know about! If he did anything crazy like making waffles for breakfast, they might ask me to turn in my parent-at-home badge...

Small Successes

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

1. I set up (and followed through on) play dates this week: Becca (fun in the wading pool), Joseph (drove him to Maryland for two nights with his cousin and set up a day with an almost nearby friend), and me (my sister-in-law and I regularly share walks, tea, and talking). Marianna doesn't need official help--there are a zillion girls her age in the neighborhood.
2. After the bread pan began leaking irreparably (and as it turns out, irreplaceably as well), I researched, bought, tried out, and then returned a new bread machine. Then I bought two new loaf pans and made peace with the fact that I'm going to have to put a little more effort into homemade bread when I want it. It's just about finding another routine, right?
3. Part of David's birthday present is a day trip to the NJ beach to visit with a West Coast cousin. We came up last night; I had my caffeine at 6:00 p.m. just to be safe. ;-) Today is for hanging out (they're playing guitars and singing Beatles and Carbon Leaf tunes right now), beach time, and dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant here (just the two cousins).

What are your successes this week? Share the encouragement here.

More Baking

I did post the recipe for no sugar added fruit pie over at my cooking blog. There's also a story about my hideous pie crust debacle. If you're interested in reading all four posts there (from yesterday and today), it's probably easiest to go straight to the blog instead of clicking the link for each separate recipe.