::faithful – praying for my oldest daughter, for fun travels and a safe return home; for my younger daughter, for discernment on her education goals; for my sons; for Jane as she recovers from back surgery. 

::news from the cancer battlefield – Appointment on Friday with the oncologist to finalize “The Plan” moving forward.  Still trying to get into a clinical trial as a guinea pig.

::creative – Nothing overly exciting this week.  Spent a lot of daydreaming about things to knit, sew and create in the coming year.  Also spent many hours trying to figure out how to rearrange our home and make private space for Mr. Pea’s Mom.  Yes, she is still going to come live with us, probably before spring. Her health is declining more quickly now, and she really needs help getting around.

::pondering –  I wonder if Mr. Pea is overestimating the strength and patience he will need in taking care of both me and his Mom in the coming year.  I am also thinking about how taking care of my own health is going to affect my family.  Will the kids be totally freaked out at a Mom who is temporarily not the energetic woman they know?  Will they recognize the absolute necessity for me to turn inward and focus on myself instead of caring for them? Heck, will I be able to focus on myself, concentrate on getting rest and staying strong while the chemo does its thing?  I’ve always been the Homekeeper – doing, fetching, cooking and cleaning – as well as the Chief Logistics Officer – planning, organizing and scheduling for the entire crew.  However, I know that I won’t have my normal physical strength and endurance for several months.  How will we adapt?

::delicious –

• Lemon Chicken, Mixed Veggies and Tossed Salad
• Mediterranean Vegetable Soup, Parmesan Sage Biscuits
• Seven Layer Dip, Tamales and Black Eyed Peas
• Pork Roast, Spiced Apples, Green beans
• Red Beans and Rice
• Shepherd’s Pie, Tossed Salad
• Tomato Basil Bisque, Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

::fun – Well, the kids are having fun!  Cherry Ames is going to the Dominican Republic for a wedding, Princess Pea, the Architect and DirtBike have been hanging out with their friends over the Christmas break.  Mr. Pea and I?  We’re resting; storing energy and just enjoying the chaos of having all our kids home at the same time.

::fashionable –  Warm is the statement of the day.  It’s cold again, and it’s absolutely FREEZING in my office.  Well, not technically, freezing, just feel like it freezing.  It’s about 64 degrees in here this morning, which feels pretty cold while I’m sitting still at the computer.  I’m wearing black tights, a black wool skirt, electric turquoise blouse and a black cardigan.  I have my coat draped over my lap and a fuzzy wrap draped around my shoulders. My fingers are numb.  🙂

::looking ahead –  Another week of work – storm water system modeling, spec writing and pavement analysis. A quiet New Year celebration at home.

  Keep the Faith.

::faithful – praying for my kids, especially my youngest son; for Jane who is recovering from back surgery; and praying joyful thanksgiving for Emily and her family as they come into full communion with The Church today!!! 

::news from the cancer battlefield – Nothing new, other than the last of the super duper surgical glue is FINALLY gone, and I am still astonished at the outpouring of love and support from everyone we know. I had no idea – absolutely NO IDEA – that so many people even knew I existed. LOL!!

I have an appointment the day after Christmas to get a wig fitted. The girls are going with me to help pick a style…and a color.  I’ve already been told that I can’t have a lavender, hot pink, blue, glitter or iridescent  hue a la Dame Edna. Dangit.

::creative – Looking at patterns for hats. Refinishing an old picture frame to repurpose. Staining the legs of the pool table where they’ve either been gnawed on (Bad Dog!), nicked with the vacuum cleaner or whacked with who knows what. Hmmm….while I have the stain out and a paintbrush wet, I should just go around the entire house and touch up all the furniture.  What a great idea!

::pondering – Not much.  I’m taking a break this week from extremely deep thought, other that the little bit about storm drain system models, floodways and integrated storm water management that is necessary for productive working hours.

::delicious –

• Spaghetti and Meatballs!
• Leftover Meatball Subs, Cauliflower Salad
• Dinner at Taverna
• Ribs, Cheese Potatoes and Green Beans
• Clam Chowder, Cheese biscuits and Broccoli Slaw
• Garlic Lime Chicken, Brussels Sprouts, Something with Rice
• Tacos again because the last batch was so.o.o.o good!

::fun – Mr. Pea and I went to the movies yesterday and then had dinner with our daughters.  Dinner was fabulous – Tillman’s Roadhouse Venison Chili and Butternut Squash Lasagna.  And of COURSE we had the famous s’mores!  Marshmallow flavors of the day were peppermint, maple and rootbeer.

::fashionable –  Sassy attitude again today with a tweed skirt (teal, fuchsia,black and lime green), bright fuchsia sweater, black tights, and black cuffed booties with buttons up the side.  The entire outfit is set off with ginormous puffy silver hoop earrings. 

::looking ahead – Wrapping presents sometime before Christmas morning, Drafting a Happy New Year letter to all our family and friends to tell them we love them (we’re just saving this years’ Christmas Cards for next year because we didn’t get to them), shopping for new boots for the kids, FINALLY remembering to pick up contacts from the optometrist, grocery shopping, relaxing at home with the family.  Maybe another bonfire, since there were lots of graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate left over from the party!

Linking up at Plain Grace– come join us!

  Keep the Faith.