Monday, June 22, 2009

Random Notes on Monday Morning

* The first thing I'm thinking... as I sit down at the computer is that, most mornings so far this strange summer I've started out with a sweater, but today it's nice and warm out already and there's not a cloud anywhere to be seen. I checked to see what the weather folks are saying, and it looks like the unsettled, wet weather of the last few weeks will be calming into the more typical Colorado summer forecast: hot, dry days and cool evenings, with only the occasional, instead of daily, thunderstorm. This is nice in some ways: for one thing, the littles have been wanting to set up the wading pool and it's just not been warm enough yet. But, I'll miss the lovely moist air, which has felt so good on our skin and hair -- and I'll really miss God watering the garden for me!

Still, this is Colorado, and the weathermen can only guess. We'll see what really happens!

* The next thing... that occurs to me as I think forward into my day is: Gee I'm glad the big kids got the milking done this morning before they left! Last week was very calm around here, with all the big kids at Catechism Camp all day long. Gabe and William and I had a good time together, just goofing around and getting pretty much nothing done. And this week we'll have a different mix of kids yet again.
Bright and early this morning the big kids, Jon, Dominic, and Michelle, headed to the mountains to spend the week with some friends on their farm -- to play and visit and (ostensibly) help out with the haying. So, we'll just have the five youngest at home. Last week, though, since it was a day camp, everyone was around early morning and evening to help with the animal chores, and this week, it'll just be Theresa, Cathy, Dan and me milking, watering, and feeding. It's such a pain to get everyone up and fed and dressed, start the laundry, etc, and fit the milking in by 7:30, too. But I'm not complaining. Really. I'm just saying.

* As I look around, I'm also grateful for the teenagers who stayed up washing the second load of pots and dishes that wouldn't fit in the dishwasher. Because of their help, when we we got up this morning all we had left to clean up from yesterday's barbecue for the Dads, -- my husband, my Dad, and my brother (feted and celebrated by the rest of the extended family) -- were empty potato chip bags and lawn chairs scattered hither and yon. We had a fun day yesterdy. The weather cooperated and a good time was had by all. We had brats, hotdogs and some odds-and-ends leftovers of steaks and pork chops (that had sunk to the bottom of the freezer), plus a couple vegge side dishes, fresh-made guacamole, hummus, and salsa, compliments of Jon (18), chips and pop. And all the goodies Catherine (8) spent all day Saturday baking. She made two different kinds of cookies, muffins and this cake. Why pink for a Father's Day cake, you ask? Because Circus Cookies are her Daddy's favorite and pink was the only color frosting that would work with the cookies. Daddy loved it.

The boys spent Sunday afternoon going back and forth between two television sets. The Rockies were playing on one and Phil Mickelson was playing on another one. You see where we girls were.



* Saturday I got the chance to visit with two special girlfriends over a cup (or two...) of tea at a nice tea room in Denver. I can't think of a better way to catch up with old friends! Amy (L) and Rosemary (R) ordered high tea and I had the miniature version, without the pastries. I think we went through three pots of tea, maybe four, and closed the place down. I do love coffee, as you might know. I grew up with it; it is the American cuppa. But, I do enjoy a good cup of tea, too. Especially when it's paired with excellent company and good conversation.

"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea." (Henry James


"Tea tempers the spirit and harmonizes the mind, dispels lassitude and relieves fatigue; awakens thought and prevents drowsiness."
(Lu Yu, 5th Century Chinese Poet)
It also has less caffeine and is less acidic than its big brother, coffee...

And last but not least, I've gotta tell ya... I'm feeling a thrill of accomplishment this morning, as I look out my patio window -- you know that tingle of satisfaction you get from an unexpected little victory -- like finding a five dollar bill in an old coat pocket? Well this thrill is like that, but better. Here's the story...

I was trolling around on Craigslist, as I do upon occasion --- not because I have money to spend, mind you, but just because I like to torture myself. Anyway, I saw an ad, with a couple of pictures, selling a yard full of statuary -- and one piece looked like a St. Francis bird feeder! (I've been wanting a statue of St. Francis for the bird garden I'm planning) I called Dan to see how he'd feel if I just went and took a look. And, bless him, he said I could, and said if it was a really good deal, I could write a check. Woohoo! So I went, and it was a good deal, and this is what I got:
Poor Dan didn't know what he'd gotten himself into, did he?
But, look at all of it! Did you see the big decorative windmill, the wishing well planter and the sunflower shaped birdbath in that last picture? Plus, there are two medium sized trellises and a "pole" gazebo. And, at the risk of looking like Minnie Pearl with the price tag dangling off the side of my hat, I have to brag that I got it all for $85! Woohoo!
I'll take pictures as we figure out where we want to put everything.


Happy Monday, everbody! I'm off to climb Mount Laundry today.

10 comments:

Sarah - Kala said...

You know, it was money well spent. I love the St. Francis one! Some day when I own my own home, I may spring for statuary. Heck, I may when we finally move into Navy Housing some time by end of July early August. Could you put a few prayers in for us with the Big Guy Upstairs? I like this condo, but it's a whopping $3100/month plus utilities (why we are trying not to mind the 80 degrees we keep the thermostat at). Yikes! We can do it, but we are feeling the pinch! You probably know we get BAH (basic housing allowance, but it's only $2545/month - so the rest of rent and utilities comes out of our regular pay). Pray I stop worrying so much! Thank you!!

Anonymous said...

WOW! Excellent deal and tons of great stuff! I can't wait to see how you put it all together.

Suzy said...

Lovely to hear how you guys have been doing!
I love the Saint Francis statue too!
You got a wonderful deal there.
Praying the rest of your week is restful.

... said...

i thought the same thing this morning when i took the trash to the curb (around 7:15)... "what a beautiful morning" and "it's going to be a hot day if this is the temperature already." i love the early mornings during the summer.

i love hearing about all the chores you have and how the children all pitch in and do their share. i've never lived on a farm, but know that's how it has to be. too many kids these days aren't given the responsibility of chores and it shows in how they are as adults.

and lastly, i love statuary. your little area looks like a place i could just sit and enjoy the peace and comfort of it all.

hope you have a great week.

MightyMom said...

we call it UNDERWEAR MOUNTAIN around here.

It's a good thing you got all that, cuz he may never let you loose with the checkbook again!!

;-)

Blessings each day said...

Mondays are so busy here that sometimes it's hard to get my commenting done...how unfair tis THAT...life interfering with blogging!
It is nice to 'follow' you around on your daily doings and then to have a peek into your 'secret' stash of great deals!
But where was YOUR picture? And was that the back of your head that your little guy took the other day?

blessings and hugs,

marcy

Lisa said...

Sarah ~ PRAYING!

Natalie ~ Cool huh? I can't wait to see what we do with it, too...

Suzy ~ Thank-you! We're especially pleased with the St. Francis! And he has a book instead of a bird or deer, which is unusual, but we can't think of a single other saint who would have the characteristics of this statue, except for St. Francis. I'm thinking God will provide the birds who will land on the book and complete the iconography. &:O)

Diana ~ It WAS hot, too, and today (TUesday) looks like it'll be another real summer day. I think we may be blowing up our pool today. And, I agree with you about the chores helping bring up responsible adults. That's the main reason we moved out here to the farm; there just wasn't enough for them to DO in our suburban home. Hope yours is a wonderful week, too!

MM ~ Yeah, he didn't have a clue. Poor Dan. He couldn't say it wasn't all a really good deal, but, um, I think I won't even ask for any checkbook privileges for a while...

Marcy ~ I have the same problem on Mondays, especially. But other days, too. And then, I need to run around and catch up; I'm always afraid I'll miss something!

About the pics the other day ~ I had a couple, I must confess, that Gabe took of me that will not see the light of day. One of them he titled "Mommy's big ole nose." LOL! I ought to post that one just for the shot of humility... But, yes, that one I allowed to slip in the pack was the back of my head. &:o)

Kim H. said...

Lisa, you are my bargain hero!!!

I can't believe you got all that for eighty five smackers -- you rock! You got the ultimate "buy one, got a lot of other stuff free" deal!!!

Hugs!

Aubrey said...

What good finds! I love Craig's List. I still want to purchase a statue of Mary for our home.

I enjoyed reading your thoughts for the morning! :)

Maria (also Bia) said...

That was some bargain . . . good for you.

And, what a coincidency . . . we have a Mount Laundry over here, too.