::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!

 

::faithful

Praying for

• Grandma Judy Darling – Chemo has begun
• friends and family in the northeast, as they clean up the mess, pick up the pieces and carry on
• Anthony, as he lost his mother this past weekend.

• seeing Cherry Ames and Princess Pea – two weekends in a row!!
• beautiful autumn weather
• Mom Pea’s safety during Hurricane Sandy

::healthy

Back at it.  I hit my scream weight last week, which means it’s time to buckle down and rein it in before it gets out of control.  Constant vigilance, my friends, constant vigilance!

::creative

Mom’s Pretty Knitted Thing is right where I left it a few weeks ago, more than half way finished.  I made a fluffy, curly scarf for my niece for her birthday.  I need to start another one for her younger sister ASAP, as she was eye-balling it and threatening to steal it the moment they got home.

::delicious

• Sliders, Tossed Salad
• Chicken Curry over Brown Rice, Peas
• Pizza, Tossed Salad
• Roasted Pork, Feta Slaw, Broccoli
• Beef and Bean Burritos
• Potato Soup, Spinach Salad
• Turkey Paninis, Celery and Carrot Sticks

I’m coming to the end of my stash of pre-assembled meals in the freezer, so it’s time to plan and restock.  It’s especially important to keep healthy meals on the table as we head into the germ infested craziness of late fall and winter.

::fun

Mountain Bike Trail Building!  Now this may not seem like fun to some, but for me and mine? A day of swinging tools and wielding chain saws = bliss.  Mostly because it burns off teen-boy energy in a major sort of way, which makes my day so much calmer.  That’s me, rolling up an abandoned barbed wire fence.

We did a quick ride on dirt this weekend – The Architect’s first dirt ride since the accident!  He did great and the leg appears to be recovering quite nicely.  We warned him to stick to the blue/green trails, no jumping obstacles and to keep the speed under 10 mph.

::looking ahead

History Fair Project completion, Mountain Bike club meeting, long walks at lunchtime to enjoy the spectacular weather.

Linking up at Suscipio – come join us!

::faithful

Praying for

• The Rotramel Family – Jen found her miracle in heaven Saturday.  Please pray for her family, for her husband Logan Ronhovde.  They are torn with grief today.

• a tuition exemption for Cherry Ames for her nursing school years, a surprise blessing resulting from my military service.
• the opportunity to teach at the college level
• flu shots

::healthy

I’m on hiatus this week, regrouping and making a plan to move forward and lose these last seven pounds that have been lingering on my frame for a year now.  Yes, exercise will be done, and calories will be accounted for.

::creative

Mom’s Pretty Knitted Thing is coming along, more than half way finished.

The only other creative thing that happened this past week was clearing out the craft cabinet, sorting, purging, and smiling at the re-found treasures in there.

::delicious

• Steak, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Spinach Salad
• Cilantro Chicken Wonton Soup
• Pizza, Tossed Salad
• Roasted Tilapia, Tomatoes and Cauliflower
• Garlic Lime Chicken, Mixed Veggies, Spinach Salad
• Two More Meals are up to the Guys, as I’ll be away on a business trip…that means they’ll be hitting up Jimmy John’s Subs and Kincaid’s Burgers!

::fun

Wrapping up research with DirtBike for History Fair project, helping The Architect build the trebuchet!

Last weekly ride with the Mayor for the season.  The Architect thinks he’ll be able to handle at least half at a slower pace.  We just can’t miss this one, as it involves dressing like a Zombie and riding with headlights.

::looking ahead

A trip to Austin for the Texas Society of Professional Engineers board meeting, followed by a quick dash over to Aggieland to see Princess Pea!!  I haven’t hugged her since August!  Pre-Construction meeting with the contractor for a street and waterline rehab, and health insurance renewal time.

Linking up at Suscipio – come join us!