May... the Monumental Month

We have much to celebrate in May! Today is our 10th anniversary. Tomorrow the twins will be 1 year old. And every year, it strikes me as providential, though unplanned, that Mothers' Day always follows our wedding date so closely.

I have so much to be thankful for.

And then comes June, and the party to end all parties ;)

Life is good. Indeed, 'tis convivial.

The lima beans are, uh, lacking??

Boy, what a crummy day. Started out with a trip to a new dentist, who referred the mama to an oral surgeon. But only after prescribing hefty doses of antibiotics and pain meds. I have grown accustomed to breaking teeth after having a baby. A small price to pay IMHO. But this, well, this just bites.

On top of that, 3 orphaned kittens died. That the kids *loved*, fed, blanketed, and cuddled for 3 days. Eldest is devastated. The whole "life on a farm" speech failed utterly (quite understandably)

And then to top it all off, I fell while painted the kids' bathroom. Hard. On my back. Indeed, I am up at this late hour solely because I dread the pain and stiffness tomorrow will bring.

On the brighter side of things, I planted a pumpkin plant that is blooming! The bathroom *is* mostly painted a really cool deep blue. I dug the post holes for the toddler playground the twins are getting for their birthday (which is this Friday!!!) And our grocery store sent us coupons for 2 free birthday cakes (how cool is that?!) Also, we've got a line on 2 sets of bunkbeds for an unbelivable price.

So there is still good in the world. Being in it just hurts more than usual today.

Pax

Progress Rocks!!!

We've gotten so much done in the last 2 days!

Chicken palace... done!
yard extension to road... in progress!
dog run... 3/4 done!!

and... the 1st pieces of the toddler playground arrived today! an eggplant rocker and peapod teeter-totter! (the carrot slide and pumpkin sandbox are due in late June)

Did I mention, we are going to make this the coolest place on earth?? ;)

Yea, PROGRESS!!!

The Great Blank Canvas

That's what I call our property. We're beginning to fill in the landscape.

It's starting to look something like a home, with new flower beds around the trees and little hydrangeas in front of our window.

This year is the year of livestock preparation. We're going to fence for cattle, goats, and sheep. Also on the "to do list" are a feeder pond at the top of the property, providing for pump circulated streams through the pastures, fixing the road, building a bridge, and readying the side of the road for fruit trees next year.

Of immediate concern are the chicken run, a larger dog run, and veggie/herb gardening.

If we accomplish all of the above this year, we will turn our focus toward building the coolest playground/party place on earth.

The great blank canvas... may it be lushly fleshed out!!

Triduum Begins

Tonight, los ninos and I went to Holy Thursday Mass. It was intensely moving. Intensely is not a word I use lightly. I mean it*was*in*tense*

I don't know how the men whose feet were washed held it together.

I don't know who wouldn't have been startled as the usual 3 bells were replaced by loud claps of wood.

I just don't know a lot about how other people receive the mystery of these three days.

I do know I've spent far too many years stiffling my reaction to it.

Guess it would be wise for me to wear a really long mantilla or scarf and bring a couple of handkerchiefs to the Good Friday service and the march in silence that follows it.

Quizzical

Prompted by the LQ's "What kind of writer are you?"... (I'm a poet, no big surprise)

BTW, why am I up so late taking silly quizzes that confirm my own suspicions??

#1 kiddo jumped off a playset and sustained 2 fractures above her elbow last night. She's in hospital and will have surgery (to put pins in it) in the morning.

So... here's the silliness. Off to rest am I.

Your Values Profile

Loyalty: You value loyalty a fair amount. You're loyal to your friends... to a point. But if they cross you, you will reconsider your loyalties. Staying true to others is important to you, but you also stay true to yourself. Honesty: You value honesty highly. You're unflinchingly honest, even when it's not easy. For you, integrity is very important - in yourself and others. People may not always like what you say, but they know they can trust it. Generosity: You value generosity highly. So much so that you often put your own needs last. edited out by me - celogo Humility: You value humility highly. You have the self-confidence to be happy with who you are. And you don't need to seek praise to make yourself feel better. You're very modest, and you're keep the drama factor low. Tolerance: You value tolerance a fair amount. You are open to new cultures, beliefs, and ideas. You have very few prejudices that you're aware of. And while you are tolerant, you do stand true to what you believe.

The Five Factor Values Test

The big one...

Well, we did it.

Two weeks... two parents... one car.. five kids... fourteen states...

I, having work in New England, dragged (ha!) family to skiing, and site-seeing across the country. Visited many friends and family, too.

All I can say is wow... what a trip!