Minutes – January 19, 2014

::thankful

• today!
• steel cut oatmeal with cranberries and walnuts
• honest work
• the convenience and wonderfulness of technology

::praying  

• good health for so many friends and family
• comfort for our friends as they grieve the loss of their mother
• maturity and common sense for certain teen boys

::pondering – household dynamics. Mom Pea has moved in with us, and Mr. Pea and I are now parents all over again, sort of.  I’ve discovered that you need a PhD to understand and navigate the world of Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance, pensions, and elder-care.  Mom Pea wants to contribute to the running of the household, but she’s so physically limited. I bring her baskets of laundry to fold.  I’m trying to figure out a way she can help in the kitchen (what she really WANTS to do!!) that doesn’t involve standing for more than 15 minutes, lifting anything heavier than a quart of milk, or bending over.  I may need to re-arrange the cabinets and pantry to make things more accessible for her, as well as invest in some regular aluminum pans.  (I cook in cast iron and stoneware, and those babies are HEAVY!!)  I’m open to suggestions, my friends, if any of you have any ideas.

::healthy – Guess What?  I got a Road Bike!  Watch out Bombshells – I have skinny tires and bigger gears now!  It’s amazingly light and so much faster (with much less effort) than Princess Grace.  I still love love love Princess Grace and biking on dirt; I’m just going to be a more well-rounded cyclist now!

Meet Dorothy – named after Dorothy Levitt!  Dorothy Levitt was one of the first female motorists in the United Kingdom, holding women’s land records and outright water speed records.  She was known as “the fastest girl on earth”. In her guide to women motorists, The Woman and the Car,  she combined fashion advice with instructions on how to rebuilt a carburetor.

::delicious 

• Hamburgers, Spinach Salad
• Swedish Meatballs, Garlic Roasted Potatoes, Green Beans
• Chicken Curry, Brown Rice, Samosas
• Pesto Pasta, Spinach Salad
• Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Mixed Veggies
• Fish Tacos with Asian Slaw
• Pulled Pork Sliders, Pinto Beans

::fun – It’s lacking lately, at least for Mr. Pea and me.  The kids are having plenty of fun – preparing for robotics, R.C. cars, biking, mudding with my Spare Son.  I told Mr. Pea that we need a date night. One that includes a movie or live music.

::this week –  Confirmation for the boys – The Architect is a peer minister, DirtBike is attending. Facilities Committee Meeting. Haircuts. Making a year’s worth of appointments with eye doctor, dentist, counselor.  Calling a plumber to fix leaking toilet that Mr. Pea just doesn’t have time to get to. Buying plane tickets for Mr. Pea and Mom Pea to return to the northeast for a week for Mr. Pea’s Godfather’s memorial service and to continue the process of sorting through Mom Pea’s belongings.  Walking and Yoga daily.  Biking as the weather permits.

Keep the Faith.