Minutes – November 12

::faithful

Praying for

• Dad, for an expeditious recovery from his ankle reconstruction.  I know it hurt a lot, and staying in bed and off the foot for eight weeks is going to be tiresome.
• Mom, because, well, because Dad being bed-ridden and cranky for eight weeks is going to be tiresome!
• Grandma Judy Darling, for stamina and healing as chemo continues
• Michelle, as she continues her battle against the cancer that is now spreading
• Students preparing for mid terms and finals
• Our country, that we finds a way forward

• cold!  frost!
• friends new and old
• opportunities to gather with family
• yarn and needles
• a sewing machine
• This:

::healthy

It’s all good.  More veggies on the table (and onto the plates!), no junk food in the pantry,  and back to regular exercise.  I don’t think I’m going to make my year-end goal of being able to do ten pull-ups, however, I can now do a hundred push-ups.

::creative

Mom’s Pretty Knitted Thing is almost done!  That’s a good thing, since I intend to wrap it up and carry it north when we all head to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving.

The Last History Fair Project EVER!!!  The school our children attend(ed) has an annual History Fair, and all sixth and eighth graders are required to participate.  Projects consist of an enormous research effort, rough drafts, a multitude resources to be found, a formal paper and a gigantic exhibit. It starts in September and ends in November. The projects will hijack an entire family, as research and writing of this magnitude needs a family effort for backup and guidance.  The projects will take over every computer and flat surface in the house, seemingly right up to the moment we stuff the Thanksgiving turkey and place it in the oven.  (Up until this year, the project was always due the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. ACK!!!)  There were a few years when we had two projects going at the same time.  DirtBike’s project this year is our eighth and final project. Doesn’t DirtBike look thrilled?  He’s barely awake, as the projects have to be delivered to the Parish Hall and set up before school, 7:15 am.

::delicious

• Beef and Vegetable Soup
• Pork Enchiladas
• Roasted Chicken, Green Beans
• Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Tomato Soup
• Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Zucchini
• Pizza and Salad
• Clear the Freezer and Pantry in Preparation for the Holidays – a smorgashboard of leftovers, odds and ends and random frozen bits (that ONE eggroll in the freezer…)

::fun

Okay, this fun is from a few weeks ago when the girls were visiting.  We went to the Dallas Arboretum to see the Chihuly exhibit.  I am absolutely awestruck at the sheer tenacity of these enormous glass sculptures.  Yes, glass.  Outdoors. In Tornado Alley.

The yellow sculpture is about 30, maybe 40 feet tall, and just as wide. I have more pictures, and am going to try to squeeze a few moments to make a complete post.

::looking ahead

Finishing a water distribution system model that has been tying up all of my brain cells at work for the past few weeks; bike rides this weekend; pulling down more dead trees and stacking firewood.

Linking up at Suscipio – come join us!