LOST (all communication was at least)

Fortunately this season we can utilize our DVR and not have to cram 22 episodes of Lost into 2 weeks. Spousal communication was at a low as Ryan had to finish them and fast. Premire, tonight. Happening now. Love the DVR!
One funny moment from the week was trying to get my non-potty trained 2 year old to pee in a cup for the Dr. It only took 15 minutes (long time when crouching); much more of me touched the Dr. office potty than I am comfortable with. With lollipops promised, Molly was a great cheerleader. It was too funny. Fortunately they have lots of anti-bac products on hand.
All right; Jack is back, and I don't mean Bauer.

Still Eating Garlic

And so far, it's worked. With a little sore throat, I have fared better than Rev. Pneumonia and ear infection daughter. We'll hope it lasts, and that the antibiotics kick in...and fast!
A couple of bright spots in our week. Sunday we made it to church for the worship service which was just great. Great to see so many there worshipping together, and it was a time in which the music and words came together and challenged me. Then onto lunch with old & new friends, followed by a run to Waco for the Ross Movie House debut. Yes, my parents put a movie room into their house, and I have to say (not typically a huge movie fan) that it is awesome. I won't be going to the theatre again anytime soon anywhere else. (I have only been to one movie in the theatre in the last 4 years anyway.) Fun. Thanks Mom & Dad!

Has anyone read the book, "Don't Make me Count to Three" by Ginger Plowman? I am reading it now (on heart-oriented discipline for children). I like it. However, when I use her suggestions, my dialogues with Molly never play out quite like her examples (like when the young child is repentant and relieved to have the conflict resolved). Yeah, that hasn't really happened yet. Maybe it will come. Let me know if you've read it. Thanks, Detra, for her Wise Words chart! That is helpful; I'm going to post it on my pantry just now. KJ, how is all your stuff on your door? Tape? Sticky stuff?
Off to attempt my first homemade Chicken Noodle Soup in which sometime like, "hacking a chicken for stock" is involved.
Do everything without complaining and arguing. Phil 2:14.

If it's PBS, it's Good for them, right?

We're home with colds today. At least 3 of us have colds; I just swallowed two cloves of garlic, trying to avoid being the 4th. Thought of you, Cindy. "Just eat a clove of garlic!" Katherine, good thing your fun, spontaneous plan didn't work to pop down this weekend from VT; we would be a runny nose bunch. Hope it works out in Feb though. And, it's cold here this weekend. Maybe by Pres Day it will be spring.
Not much new here. Waiting to hear of any progress on the Vietnam side on Lewis; thinking everything is still the same at 3-6 months. Hoping for the short side of that wait!
The big family news is that Justin, my brother, is leaving TX for Idaho! Sun Valley, Idaho. Congrats on the PlumTV job; he is a mountain guy and will have fun shooting & editing stories while skiing, shoeing, fishing, & climbing on the side. We will miss you J! But we will visit!! (I think hiking w/ 3 kids is sure to be great fun, right?) We're looking to try a hill country hiking trip before Lewis' arrival to test the waters.
Hope you all have a great weekend. Ours may consist of PBS/Noggin by day; Lost by night. Almost finished; Ryan is on a mission.
P.S. If we break for a baking activity, will the cold germs bake out?

Nothing like the City

This is worth a read. M&C were born 2 blocks from this scene. Love it!
Corpse Wheeled to Check-Cashing Store Leads to 2 Arrests


Congrats to E, Steve & Olivia. Welcome baby Turner!

"Undecorating"

This is only the second year we've ever had a Christmas tree or really any decorations to speak of, other than the one pillow we always had out on our couch. (Why did I store a large, long pillow over & above another Christmas trinket? It is a cute pillow....) Surely there are others of you out there who get a little emo either decorating or undecorating your tree. In my case, it is more on the undecorating side. Hanging up the ornaments is the fun part, with so much "help" from M&C that there's barely a moment to think about each piece except to think of how to keep it from dropping onto the tile floor to its doom. As all but about 4 of my ornaments are now down (haven't gotten the step ladder out yet) I have to give a thank you to the 5 or 6 people who have supplied virtually all of the ornaments we have. Remember, second year only. Ornaments fit into about 3 shoeboxes.

The glass bell, given to me by Deb in 1997 made me smile. I am sure you bought this a few days after Ryan happened to mention, "oh yeah, that girl that keeps taking the train up here...we're going to get engaged in a few weeks." I like having that 1997 date on there. And, the cute one you made with a pic from the wedding in it. I didn't realize at the time how much I would enjoy that hanging on a tree. Then there's the shout-out to the old roomies; surely K10 has supplied me with some percentage of those cute balls, as well as Mol, ML, & JP. Did someone make this dried bean one? Then there's the "My First Christmas" ones--about 3 times as many for M over C of course. MRA, thanks for the 2 this year!! Love the annual pic idea for the kids. More recently we also added the very cool silver Brooklyn Bridge, given to us by other NYC exiles; we love it & we love you! And, virtually none of these would be here today if I didn't give a thanks to Mom & Dad who stored this massive collection (1 shoebox at that time) for us. Those of you who reside(ed) in the city know that even 1 shoebox is enough to absolutely max out the closet! So, Happy New Year and Happy UnDecorating. (I realize that most people are not undecorating as of Jan. 10 like myself. You are all over-achievers!) Oh, and I have to mention that my Christmas dishes (yes, people in the suburbs have Christmas dishes) are comprised of my Nana Wee's and my Nana Ross' matching sets. I LOVE that sentimental fact!

Flashback

This almost feels like a NYC spring day; I am reminded of our old routine which I loved (most days). Out in the AM, ending at a playground with friends until 2:00 on the dot. Heading home, C falls asleep, transition to nap, and the house was quiet for about 5 minutes. Molly was evidently on the potty. Took me back to the days of quiet afternoons...2-4...silence (when M napped & C was not here). Of course, I drove home from the playground instead of the 20 block, uphill walk. That is not necessarily a pro. Now Molly is back; I am convincing her of the merits of "down time, room time, play time, alone time" anything!! Let's hope it worked.

Vacation's Over

We miss you, NY family! I loved getting these snowy pics from Grammie. Of course we are also enjoying the 60 degree days since our return. We're thawing out.

On a "funny kid sayings" note, Molly mentioned yesterday that her boogers are only coming once a day. Guess she keeps track of the good picks.

I would have to say that my "re-entry" has been a slower one than even normal. Today was my first real trip to the store. I feel like super-mom after a trip to Central Market, even on my annual January budget. Now I just have to actually cook something with it all. Has anyone ever made a venison chili worth mentioning? We have a freezer full of deer, thanks to the generosity of Chris A. after the big hunting trip (this poor deer in my freezer was not a result of Ryan's gun).

And now, off to view Lost, season 3, disc 2, episode 8. Good thing we don't have another disc. We'd be up late enough to see the final of the final votes. Speaking of which, I liked this David Brooks article (no surprise) about Obama & McCain.

Is this Really Lewis?

He looks so old/different! Such a cutie! Thanks to Shelly & fam for taking these last week. Can't wait to meet you little Lewis!

Home Again

It is hard to recount such a fun, drawn out holiday! My memory has been disadvantaged by our 19 hour trip home from Oneonta. Let's just say Freedom Air (Delta) couldn't get their plane turned on b/c it was 5 below. Hmm. We did manage to finish "Chapter Book" on the way. We are also thankful for outlets in the airports & Madeline videos. (See pics.)

Highlights of the past two weeks include Christmas Eve in Waco, Christmas + 2 in Oneonta, great meals, visits in NYC & Philly, lots of snow to last the girls till next time (8+ inches!).