Monday Musings--18 July 2011

Right now...it is around 7:00 a.m.  It is our 24th wedding anniversary!  Hard to believe, but it's true.  And I gave us about three months when we first started going out (I didn't have a very good track record, and he was so different from most of the guys I dated, so...normal.  He remains, to this day, the only person I know who carries absolutely no emotional baggage.  Hm...I guess that would actually make him somewhat abnormal, wouldn't it...?).

Truly, I was a mess when we met.  I was insecure, angry, sarcastic and frequently depressed.  I really didn't know how to do much.  I read a lot, could draw a little and was good with my hands.  Not a whole lot to recommend me.  But for one reason or another, he stuck with me--in spite of depressions, anxiety attacks, fits of rage, biting sarcasm and the fact that I had no intention of having children--he still wanted to spend his life with me.  Okay, he is seeming less and less normal as I write this.  He obviously had some kind of masochistic streak...

Anyway, it is funny how God works.  I came into the Church.  I got over my chronic depression.  I learned to trust--at least my husband!--and found that motherhood was the best part of my life.  Twenty four years and six kids later, here we are.  Getting old, saggy and tired together.  The "together" is really nice.

This weekend...was okay.  I made six pints of strawberry-rhubarb jam that came out too runny.  Deciding that I did not want to heat up water in the canner again to try and remake the jam, I am simply labeling it "Strawberry Rhubarb Syrup" and using it on pancakes and yogurt.  I am also working on a cyclops mask for a little theatrical the kids are planning.  In the past, they have created their own masks, usually of paper bags and such, but I thought that perhaps it was time to step it up, so I pulled out the plaster-impregnated gauze and with Sebastian watching (the others were not so interested), began the process.  I actually had a pretty good time with it.

Mass was pleasant, although the line was so long, I didn't make it to confession, but Bret and the kids did.

Some plans for the week:  Okay, tonight we are grilling sirloins and T-bones (our bounty of grass-fed beef is getting a bit thin now, and no calf due to Nuala's fertility problems.  We really need to get Fiona bred) and I broke down and bought a couple of bags of frozen shrimp for the occasion.  We might make some ice cream, since we have abundant cream (and not all of it ought to become butter!).

Tomorrow we are hoping to attend the funeral of Fr. John Malloy, CPM.  He was one of the old Fathers of Mercy, and he has been in a nursing home for the last few years.  Just a few weeks ago he celebrated 65 years as a priest, at the age of 93.  He was an excellent confessor, and his having spent many, many years as a parish priest made him especially good at hearing the confessions of married people and offering them sound, practical advice.

I am still trying--to little avail--to make some headway on my school plans.  I want some structure, to insure that everyone is getting what they need in the way of academics, but I want to get away from textbooks for history, science and geography.  I don't want to transfer the classroom to my home; I want there to be learning in my home.  I am rereading my Charlotte Mason type books and seeing what I can do.  It isn't easy when most of my kids are unable to work independently for many of their subjects.

I have to figure out what to buy/make for Dominic.  His birthday is the beginning of August.

If I can find some time for myself, I would like to...work on Sebastian's cyclops mask, help Una with her sewing project, get more done on Adrian's sweater (one sleeve done--one more and the hood to go--and cast on for some other knitting project because this one is dragging on too long and I find myself less than inspired to knit right now.  I have a bunch of projects in my head for the Etsy shop, but I can't seem to find the time to work on any of them.

I am grateful for...Bret sticking it out with me these twenty-four years; little school right now; my family's health, air conditioning, ceiling fans and iced green tea with jasmine.

Some prayer intentions for this week:  for the repose of the soul of Father John Malloy, CPM; for another 24 years or so with my great husband; for God's grace in trying to work out a plan for learning that works for us and still allows us time for lots of other creative pursuits, and for Abby, who turns three this Saturday, NOT on the 5th of July as I had previously believed.

Something that makes me smile:  photos from about 24 years ago!