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fun · letters

Friday’s Letters – June 7

Angela Pea3 Comments

friday's letters

Dear Mr. Pea –  Thank you for the wonderful anniversary date!  I loved that we did nothing but sit and talk over our uninterrupted, two-hour dinner.

Dear Ice Cream – Love you huge as a moose, but you really need to quit calling me. 

Dear Local Office of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles – Mercy.  Just Mercy.  How can it possibly be so incredibly difficult to make an appointment to take a driving test to get a driver’s license?  Yesterday’s moment of true insanity occurred when I made the call to the state patrol office right across the hall from you to ask the clerk if you were open.  I explained that I had made a total of twenty-seven phone calls over the prior three days (yes, really.  I wrote down the times and recorded the calls to make a case) but nobody ever answered the phone.  That sweet woman informed me that the DMV ladies NEVER answer the phone. EVER.  Because they are “too busy”.  The DMV ladies have instructed the state patrol clerk to tell everyone that if they want to make an appointment for a driving test, they have to come to the DMV and wait in line.  Seriously?  Wait for a minimum of an hour to make an appointment to come back who knows how many weeks later to wait in line again to take a driving test? That’s the point where my head exploded.  I called Mr. Pea and told him to take The Architect to the DMV in the neighboring county.  Guess what?  My guys walked right in, waited a total of four minutes, and scheduled an appointment for The Architect to take his driving test this morning. We won’t be coming back to you, Local Office.  Ever.

Dear DirtBike – Your Slapper invention is quite ingenious and totally hilarious.  Who knew there was such fun to be had with a dog-chewed drying rack?

Dear Kasey – Speaking of dog chewed, you’re fortunate I’m soft-hearted and think you have other redeeming qualities.  I still don’t regret rescuing you.

Linking up with the Ladies at Suscipio.

Recognize your Moments of Grace. Keep the Faith.

creative · delicious · faithful · fun · healthy

Minutes – May 13

Angela Pea2 Comments

::faithful

Praying for

  • friends – as they navigate the uncertainty of unemployment, for the blessing of work
  • my children – that they all embrace learning, especially DirtBike.  That he, with the help of the teachers and education specialists, learns new ways to stay focused and organized and that he truly learns to appreciate and enjoy school
  • my parents – as they discern their life path heading into retirement
  • my sister – for backbone and integrity, that she find the gumption to finish school, and the proper attitude to search for gainful employment that will support herself and her sons
Grateful for
  • a new job
  • my husband, kids, friends and extended family, all who have bolstered my spirits and held me up in prayer during the past six weeks of heartache and change
  • A few weeks off until my new job begins, time to pray, regroup, get my house in order and enjoy my blessings

::healthy

Stress works as an effective diet tool, but it’s NOT a very healthy one. I’ve lost a considerable about of weight over the past six weeks from pure worry, and I’m feeling it.  My vain inner brat Olivia is turning cartwheels, but my rational grown up self knows that I have lost muscle tone, endurance and strength along with these pounds.  I’m focusing on eating well and getting plenty of rest for the next few weeks, as well as getting back to some regular exercise.

::pondering

Thinking about pride and humility.

::creative

Knitting like a crazed woman.  It’s been soothing to my anxious mind.  I’ve finished a blanket, two baby sweaters, and half of a summer sweater.  I’m going to teach Princess Pea how to knit this week.  She needs it, too.

Gardening.  Our yard and gardens have suffered mightily from the ongoing drought and extreme temperatures over the past many years.  It’s time to regroup, rethink and replace the 15-year old drip irrigation system. Lots of digging in my immediate future.  Can digging be creative?

FINALLY selecting the paint color for the house trim.  I hereby announce to the world that I WILL slap those sample colors onto garage panels and pick one before this week is over.  Please hold me accountable if I don’t announce a selection by next Monday.

::delicious

  • Polynesian Chicken, Strawberry Shortcake
  • Burgers with Mushrooms, Southwest Chopped Salad
  • Asian Chicken Salad
  • Fish Tacos, Black Beans
  • Mufalettas
  • Pizza Night!
  • Beef Kabobs, Grilled Corn, Berries

::fun

It’s been conspicuously absent for what feels like forever, but Fun IS coming back to the Pea Home!  Fun this week includes a movie date with Cherry Ames and Princess Pea, roasting marshmallows after dinner, studying for finals.  Yes, studying for finals.  I’ve been telling The Architect and Dirtbike for years that studying is fun.  They still don’t buy it, silly boys.

::captured

The Architect and Friends

Cardboard Boat Regata

Yes, that is my oldest son.  He made a boat out of cardboard, rowed it in a race and won for rowing the fastest and for having a beautiful boat. Amazing. I am a very proud Mama, and I’m also glad that our garage no longer smells like a chemical factory.  Have you ever tried to waterproof cardboard?  It takes several weeks of hauling the boat to and from school, conferring with the engineering and physics teachers, many hours researching and the application of multiple coats of multiple types of sealants. And lots of glue, paper tape and red spray paint.

Princess PeaPrincess Pea, captured by The Architect.  My children know and use my camera better than I do!

::looking ahead

New beginnings. Hope.

Oil changes for all vehicles, taking The Architect to get his driver’s license,  new glasses with a stronger bifocal, a haircut, enjoying having the daughters home for a little while before summer classes start,

Linking up at Suscipio – come join us!

 Record the Minutes.  Keep the Faith.

EMail Anglea Pea

fun

Minutes – February 11

Angela Pea1 Comment

::faithful

Praying for

  • Michelle
Grateful for
  • a teen son who has made bounding leaps in the maturity department the past few weeks!
  • friends near and far, real-life and cyber
  • rain

::healthy

kneeThis week’s health focus is Mr. Pea.  He had his MRI Friday to figure out what is going on with his knee.  The good news is that the knee is fine, no cartilage damage whatsoever. The not so good news is that he has a BROKEN BONE!!  The man has been walking around for several weeks with cracks at the end of his femur! (The only ‘incident’ Mr. Pea can remember is trying to break a tree limb over his knee a few weeks ago when we were cutting down the dead trees.  Yeppers, that’s probably what did it.) The knee pain is ligament strain from walking around on a broken leg.  Mercy.  He sees an orthopedic specialist this morning who will probably put him in a leg brace for a few more weeks to finish healing.  I am just shocked at my husband’s high pain threshold, but I’ve had three friends tell me that having a broken leg and not knowing isn’t uncommon – that it’s happened to them or their kids.

::creative

I sewed up a hole in the leather loveseat.  The leather has become so worn in spots that it is thinning and starting to split. I counted in my head as I zip stitched the hole, and realized that our family room furniture is now 21 years old. I think we got our money’s worth.

I finished one of the gloves! How ironic now that winter is pretty much wrapped up and put away down here.

::delicious

  • Skillet Enchiladas and Black Beans
  • Meatball Sandwiches
  • Baked Potato Soup, Broccoli and Homemade Bread
  • Shrimp Tacos
  • Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Tomato Soup
  • Tandoori Chicken with Green Rice and Naan
  • Salisbury Steak, Green Beans and Garlic Potatoes

::fun

Sunday was a gorgeous day, and I went biking in the afternoon with DirtBike and his best friend.  We rode back roads to the next housing development and spent some time climbing the dirt piles and jumping through the drainage gullies. Actually, I only climbed the dirt piles.  I watched the boys jump through drainage gullies – I’m not that brave! It was a great ride, and we got in almost fifteen miles total.

I got to meet Cherry Ames’ Prince Charming’s Mom this weekend. She is very nice, and I think we will get along nicely for the rest of our lives, at least until it comes to future Grandbabies.  I decided years ago that I would be the Coolest Grandma Ever, so she’ll have to pick a different title.

::looking ahead

Valentine Party for DirtBike.  He volunteered to bring truffles as the treat.  I gently reminded him that truffle making is Princess Pea’s specialty.  “That’s okay, Mom.  I already called her, and we’re going to Skype on Monday night and she will tell me how to make them.”  Technology is a wonderful thing.

The Architect got asked to the Backwards Dance!  How cool is that?  I need to track down the young lady’s parents, introduce Mr. Pea and myself, and work out driving for the dance. I’ll be so glad when The Architect gets his drivers license.

Lent.  I look forward to the weeks of reflection and meditation.

Linking up at Suscipio – come join us!

 Record the Minutes.  Keep the Faith.

EMail Anglea Pea