I’m back
…and, first off, let me apologize for all the complaining. I know, stomach viruses come with the territory of being a mother. And I really shouldn’t whine so much when we really have had a great year of health, overall. It had just been sort of an icky couple of tiring weeks for us and I had just about had it. So y’all will all be happy to know that I did get to go to Chicago with Jon and the boys and I did manage to find my smile up there. 🙂 What a great city. I hope to go back there (sans progeny, hopefully) someday. Oak Park is where we stayed. It was great to see the Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, at least from the outside. And, I enjoyed the other parts of Chicago that we got to experience. It just wasn’t enough for me….I had forgotten about the low endurance of children. So, things to do/see next time abound. And, truthfully, I would love to take the boys camping instead of dragging them to a big city. But, I have 2 space cadet sons and a type-A son along with a fearless baby. Jon and I are hopelessly outnumbered. Everytime I even think about taking them camping, I remember that little boy that got lost from his Scout Troop a few years ago. I could just see that happening to us. Volunteers would probably find my oldest, only instead of looking scared and exhausted, he would just ask them for a Coke. And, when they asked him about the scratches on his arms he would tell them about the racoon that he found and how it looked like it needed a hug. That is why outdoors-loving Jon and Annie don’t take the boys camping. Maybe someday……

In the time since our return, we have slowly been getting back in our groove of school, etc., after having been out of the groove for a couple of weeks. It was nice to get things washed and put away though I’ve still not unrolled my rug. Also, I’ve been reading a little more this week. Mostly, it has been Roald Dahl. I’ve read most of his stuff for children before, but this week, it has been his memoirs, Boy and Going Solo. What an interesting life he led. It was so full of adventure. I’m glad that he took the time to write his remembrances. It has been a pleasure reading them. Also this week, I’ve been reading What You Wear Can Change Your Life. This is by the British “What Not to Wear” girls, Trinny and Susannah. I have gotten both of the recent books by them from our local library and I must admit that I’m really interested on getting their view on fashion and what you should wear. This last book is extremely interesting because it confirmed my suspicion that I have the exact same body type as Trinny, one of the authors. We even look good in similar colors. I think that may be why I’m so interested in the book. I see her on the pages looking so polished and glamorous and wallabee/jeans/t-shirt/ponytail/makeup-free Annie thinks to herself, “I could look just like that!” I mean, I know that I never will, and my lifestyle and budget and just about everything else would get in the way….but still it is an interesting daydream. And they do give some really helpful advice about wearing color and about accessories and about dressing while pregnant (too late for me on that one). So, if you are interested in those things, I would suggest you give it a look. This is just the fluffy stuff of life, of course, and it means nothing compared with more important things. Speaking of more important things….

Miss Liz
I just returned tonight from seeing our dear friend, Miss Liz, who is still in the hospital. She has been in there for 3 weeks now, and I’m telling you, that lady is such a trooper. I am continually amazed by her good attitude. We still don’t know when she will be coming home. I hope that it will be awhile just because she is so weak now. And, I just keep wishing that she had someone to fuss over her and make her time in the hospital more comfortable. I wish that she had an advocate. But she doesn’t. All through the declining health and deaths of both her sister and father she was the ever-constant encourager and helper. I just find it so sad that she is all alone now, for most of the time, when she was such a helper to other people in their hours of need. But, you can’t fix everything….and her family might come this weekend. So that is hopeful, I guess.

If any of my readers are still with me, bless your heart. Sorry for being so boring. I am promising a recipe for a beautiful, yummy, easy, elegant dessert next week. So check back. And have a great weekend. 🙂