And Speaking of Fall Favorites...

Food... seasonal foods. It is that time again; time to dig out all those favorite family recipes and newly discovered holiday dishes to try,

Even if it's only first week of October and it is 90 degrees outside - whew, it's cooling down... grrrr - my mind is already zooming toward last week in November; to the point of my clearing out a shelf in The Place's tiny refrigerator - there are parts missing and inadequate amount of space, so I need to sort it out before filling it with all things Thanksgiving related.  The freezer portion is even worse. Did I mention it's a rental

Anyway, October is off to a good start in the way of meal preparations.  I've made chili - note to self, never again follow a recipe.  Today I made a huge pot of meatball soup for us and for mom to split. Tonight were having chicken with pasta alfredo, salad and garlic bread. Yum.

So, for this month my food focus will be on making stews, soups, and baked dishes... oh, just remembered the delicious baked talapia topped with salsa and cheese that we used to make at home in Colorado. Served over rice pilaf with a side of steamed veggies... Let's Eat!

I'll probably make a few sweet treats like banana bread and caramel apples, I'll also give one of those Dump Cakes The Pioneer Woman made on her show.  And there is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying ice cream treats, right?  So must stock up on plenty of toppings.  Hmmm, now seems the perfect time to head out to pick up a few groceries.

What do you crave most this time of year?

Sources:

• thepioneerwoman.com

Priority One

I interrupt this BlogHer August 2014 NaBloPoMo Creating Memories blog challenge to focus on Priority One... Kid #3's start of senior year in high school.

It's Back-to-School eve and lunch fixings have been stocked - darn it, I forgot lunch bags.  School bell schedules and contact information have been posted on refrigerator.  Driving itinerary has been sorted - I hope there's gas in the tank.  Everyone is in bed - except those who are currently still suffering cold and flu; lots of nose blowing heard coming from every direction. And, I'm on schedule to be in bed by midnight.

Most importantly, checked on my girl, made sure she has minimum essentials for the day - school supplies will be acquired as requested by teachers.  Made clear what is expected in the way of appropriate clothing choices - watch that neckline, strap width, and shorts inseam length - really nothing to worry about in that department, though. Also, made sure she has a few dollars - just in case. Oh, and now that she has a cell phone, discuss importance of keeping shut off upon arrival at school, and only turned back on after school, or in extreme emergencies - having lived in Denver Metro area of Colorado, this is completely understood.  Also, helps that she only has immediate family in her contacts.

Proud mom, out.

Until tomorrow ~ Lil

  

***

This post is written for Day 27 ~ Creating Memories with August 2014 NaBloPoMo

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Same ol', same ol'

Same ol' day in and day out of Summer break 2014 routine is nearly done, and it's gonna take some adjusting to the changes.  College Girl has settled in at school and The Talent will be starting back in a couple of days. My husband is back to working regular hours, but  Bookstore Boy's schedule has remained unchanged.  My days are taking on a whole new dynamic.  I'll be driving twice as much as I did over the summer, and I'm so not looking forward to the nightmare that is the poorly managed high school student drop off and pick up "procedure."

Here at The Place, there are new habits I'm trying to establish, like making sure I say good night to The Talent (I'm still not sure I like this moniker for Kid #3) before she turns in each night regardless of how distracted I am by less than important things - for instance, t.v. Past few years were so traumatic for all of us, but we've faced the challenges. It was worrisome that it seemed like our youngest was going out of her way to avoid family time; I didn't blame her. Things were pretty grim and I'm just glad that her main focus was keeping her priorities straight and placing her full attention on academics.  Now she is making an effort to welcome little changes. It made me so happy that she could join her brother and I for a movie this afternoon.  So, we are both making an effort to be more present in each others lives, and that's a good thing.

As for Bookstore Boy, there isn't too much change in his routine.  He has a full plate and tries his best to keep his cool when things seem to be getting out of control.  Right now, he's managing our finances, and health, tuition, and car repair costs are causing some stress, but his father and I appreciate all his assistance and contributions for the good of the family.

We are all missing College Girl even though her sister now has a room all to her own. I've lost my dishwasher and meal preparation helper, and her brother no longer has his video game and movie buddy.  At the same time that we are thrilled that she's returned to school, although it's gonna take getting used to not having her around to make our days a little brighter. I can tell her dad is taking it the hardest, with Shadow dog a close second.  I do love that she took the time to call us every night during sophomore and freshman year, and she's been checking in again every day since returning for Fall semester.

As for me... mom duties will be my focus - housekeeping, preparing meals, driving everyone here and there, and staying on top of my mom's health management.  It's very easy for me to slack off and let the day waste away; usually this is a result of a fibromyalgia flare up, and my fingers are crossed those are few and far between.

So, all that said, my short term goals are;

• Resuming a home workout routine.
• Improving my eating habits
• Going to bed at a reasonable hour
• Spending one-on-one time with Kid #3

Finally, and most importantly...

• Acquiring a small dining table so that we can enjoy family meal times together again... It has been too long.

So, here's to a great academic year for all those beginning Fall classes, whether as students, teachers, administrators, and school support staff. Hoping all your plans and routines fall effortlessly into place. And for those of you who could use this, keeping parents in my thoughts for a smooth  start and sending my best wishes to all for a successful 2014-2015 school year.

Until tomorrow ~ Lil

  

***

This post is written for Day 25 ~ Creating Memories with August 2014 NaBloPoMo

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Signed, Sealed & Delivered

Signed, sealed, delivered, or more like, cleared, actually. First installment of 2014-2015 tuition for College Girl has been paid... let junior year begin!

Life... *sigh*

It's a quiet day and there's plenty of down time when I can be mulling over what to write about today, but I'm washing dishes that were sitting in the sink since last night. Yesterday, was much busier than expected; we hardly had a minute to do anything other than what was jotted down on our Must Do lists.  I guess we're all recovering from that.

Some day my blog will be peppered with words of wisdom and knowledge; interspersed with informative, intelligent subject matter, but I'm not there yet... seriously, at this point in time, I cannot make any promises.  Ha.  For now, there's this - life as I know it.  And, right now, that mean's starting dinner.

Oh! And Doctor Who!

Let's do this!

Until tomorrow ~ Lil

***

This post is written for Day 23 ~ ~ Creating Memories with August 2014 NaBloPoMo

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Babies, Toddlers, Grade Schoolers, Tweens, Teens, Young Adults, Moms, Dads, Cousins and One Senior, Oh My!

Family.  Had a fab time tonight celebrating August birthdays in honor of my sister & son. Pot Luck buffet dinner of favorite family dishes, plus my famous tossed bags o' salad assortment was a hit with all.  And, cake and ice cream... come on.

And, yes, the whole gamut of groupings were represented.  Every one happily wished College Girl happy travels, and best of luck at school for junior year. We in turn wished all the school kids a great year, and encouraged them to give it their all and to seek assistance from us if they hit a rough patch.

GiGi Ma relished the moment, always grateful for another year of shared celebrations. She's healthier than she has been in years and looks and acts decades younger than most 86 year olds.  A loving, good time was had by all.

Making memories... I needed this tonight.

Until tomorrow ~ Lil

***

This post is written for Day 22 ~ ~ Creating Memories with August 2014 NaBloPoMo

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History & The Past

As I examine the past decade, I just wanted to share something from 2005. It was written in the midst of the lowest of lows for me.  You see, at this point I had been under doctors' care and managing a number of illnesses, including something new called  fibromyalgia, and the awfulness that is depression and bipolar disorder - emphasis on depression. This passage sums up my struggle coping with life on a small Hawaiian island. Some may infer that I was suicidal during this time; however, quite the opposite was true. I was hopeful... certain that this would pass. I took comfort in knowing I shall never sink like that again. I KNOW IN MY SPIRIT, HEART, AND MIND.

MIND STORM ~

Your embracing arms hold me

Your hand in mine is soothing

You, in mind, comfort me as 

Mind’s ills storm body mind and soul

Sudden isolation 

Confusion and despair

Anticipating fear

My mind storm is here

You have touched me 

You are strong 

I reach for you,

I trust you

I am frightened by the storm

You are caring

And I care for you too

I welcome you free from harm 

To my unimaginable storm

Accept my invitation 

You have been here all along 

Share this time with me 

The storm is still so strong

We all belong here 

Goodness abounds 

This is how it is: 

I’m alone inside

As the mind storm passes on

By Lillian Carilo 2005 ~ Bipolar Disorder

***

In keeping with this month's theme: Decade...
.

Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride ~ Colorado 2005

Colorado 2005 was a welcome change. By springtime my family had established a comforting home life, our children eased into a new school and immediately made friends. Our first night in our new home was Halloween night.. Perfect, a great memory of a happy time... costumes, candy! It was a good night. Another highlight was a holiday weekend for families of employees, courtesy of my husband's company. Good times... 

October 2006 brought with it tremendous joy in the shape of a puppy... a Blue Tri-colored beagle. It was love at first sight... 

********

I love today's NaBloPoMo blog prompt: Wednesday, July 9, 2014 , "Do you like to read historical fiction? Tell us about your favourite book not set in the contemporary period."  I love reading historical fiction, it is one of my favorite genres in literature.  One of my all-time favorite books was a gift from my neighbor, Alicia, from the time my family lived in Texas.  At least twice a year - Eastertime and Christmastime - I pick up my tattered paperback copy of Marjorie Holmes, Two From Galilee ~The Story of Mary and Joseph. I enjoy it not for it's religious aspects, but for the budding romance between two quite ordinary individuals, who find themselves under extraordinary circumstances. The story begins with the mundane and leads it's reader from the inconceivable to the miraculous.  I'll hope to find time to read it for the rest of my life. 

***

Until tomorrow ~ Lil

This post is written for Day 9 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July 2014 and NaBloPoMo.

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Move On, Plan Ahead

This month I commit to take a look back over the past decade.
This is how it looked then.
I never imagined that life would get anywhere near this...

This is Hawaii. This road once took us on a hilarious adventure, but that was in 2003. July 2004 was... Gosh, I don't remember; not any specifics anyway. Everything I wrote back then is in storage.

***

Ten years ago, that first complete calendar year spent on the island, was full of jubilant highs... finally a secure job for my husband; relief... the ability to again establish financial serenity; concerns... were we ever going to adjust to drastic changes to our "normal;" and scariest of all, emotional lows... my inability to manage health issues was wreaking havoc on our home life.

By October of 2004, I had to leave. The only solution to matters at hand was for me to return to the mainland, and attend to my medical needs. Back on the island, my husband began a renewed job search. The industry he worked in - homebuilding - was still in trouble and jobs were scarce. All I could do was promise my soon-to-be eight year-old that I'd be back in time to celebrate her birthday. Now, I'm not one to make promises to my children, but under those circumstances, that promise was made as much to myself as it was to my children. It would be unbroken.

I was only able to stay on the island a few weeks before my health began to deteriorate again... at lightning speed. I had promised my doctors that I would return to California to resume care. It wasn't until March 2005 that my family and I were reunited. I made one last trip to Hawaii. Our things were prepared for container storage and an eight week journey across the Pacific Ocean, followed by a moving truck delivery. We packed a few suitcases with bare essentials to restart our lives together in Colorado.

I can't help but sigh at that memory.  I was forty years old.  I do not miss my forties. Since turning fifty this year, I find I don't have much expectation for anything.  I do have hopes and dreams for my children's future.
So, to answer, "What do you think you will be doing 10 years from now? I hope my husband and I will not have to go too long without visits from our children. We'll grow a bit older along with our dogs. I hope to be smarter, life stable, sound in body and mind. I don't know.

As has been true my entire life, my wish is to someday have an English garden to spend my days in, and enjoy with family and friends.  Yeah, that's what I'd love most to be doing 10 years from now.

Until tomorrow. ~ Lil

This post is written for Day 3 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July 2014 and NaBloPoMo.

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My Decade... Let's Do This!

A decade ago: We bought a car... in Hawaii!

BlogHer July 2014 Decade

Hang on, this is going to be ride...

October 10th ~ Monday Moratorium II

A few months back I issued a moratorium when we no longer could afford to keep health insurance:

http://ahow-toguide.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-7th-monday-moratorium.html

Yesterday I ordered another.  See, this is a house full of lazies and I'm tired of stewing about how much it sucks that I have to be the one dictating shit to everyone or have to walk around hinting that I've asked a task be done only for my request to be ignored... over and over again.


So any time our dogs, Shadow and Sombra, needed attention, my mantra on Sunday became this:  If you don't do anything to help around the house, help with the dogs.  I shouted this out every time the dogs needed to be fed, go out, or whined.


I issued my new moratorium for all to hear:

If you don't do anything to help around the house, help with the dogs.  

It was a Sunday at the end of a three day weekend for the students  in the house ("middle girl" and "youngest girl"), which coincided with first three days of six days in a row of work for "the boy" (increase in hours at B&N job will be a godsend).  And, we also felt the first real chill in the air, as well as, first snowfall of the season... on Saturday morning... when we were supposed to do tax guy and bankruptcy attorney fund raising yard sale.  By Sunday morning, I was far from having a nice weekend.  What's that?


I don't know how "Dad" spends his day, but I can tell you that he comes out of his room to eat several times each day, occasionally beckons "the boy" to help mow the lawn - maybe once a month,.  Hmmm... what else?  He watches t.v.:  Mostly Maury type stuff, a lot of sports, and God knows what else.  Oh, maybe once a month he brings his bedding down for washing.  Eleven months since he was laid off, I'm not even sure he's even still looking for work. (Just another thing for me to harbor resentment and anger over.)  So, I'm most pissed at him on a weekend like this.  "Get up!"  "Do something!"  "What the hell, open your eyes!" is what I shout in my head anytime he's in the same room.  I was worried "Dad" was losing his hearing... now, I just blame selective blind-, deaf- and dumbness.  


On Saturday, "youngest girl" finally brought me down bedding to be washed.  I hate going in her room.  It's a major disaster.  But, I don't get on her about it too much because she's a good student and assumes her academic responsibilities without a peep from me or "dad."  Plus, she's the artistic one in the family, and sometimes out of those messes come lovely creative works.  So if the price of coming home after school and doing hours of home work every day is a messy room, so be it.  But it does get pretty disgusting and I had to remind her, "I don't want your room looking like dad's.  Not acceptable to have bags of cans for recycling and trash piling up."  She heard me and took care of business.  It doesn't take much to make me happy.  Saturday night I was happy she slept on fresh, clean bedding.


Same story goes for "middle girl," do your studies and it doesn't matter that your room is a bit messy.  (Especially if those studies are for four or five senior year, high school AP courses.)  It isn't too messy, she's good about keeping things under control - it helps that she doesn't drink soda or take too many snacks up to her room, unlike "dad" and "youngest girl."  "Middle girl" does love fashion and looks delightful every time she goes out; that's where her room might get out of hand - the piles of passed over items left as she decides on her "look" for the day.  Sunday was her turn to bring down bedding for me to launder... it was due time.  *I wish we had backup sets of bedding to alternate because she didn't  have her bedspread until way late last night.


As for "the boy," he's the only one seeing things from my perspective and I can tell he's had it with everyone else's lack of consideration towards the doers in the house: the grocery shopper, meal maker, dishwasher, kitchen helper, clothes washer, bathroom cleaner, carpet cleaner, yard sale manager, dog tender... I could go on and on.  I do it all, and "the boy" helps as much as he can.  He's the only one who shows concern about my health and well being - I guess because he's been around it more than anyone else.  He's the only one who shows affection freely and constantly.  He shouldn't be here dealing with this.  He's supposed to be off at college, discovering life... his life.  But, instead he's here, stuck in this muddled mess; working his part-time job and handing over his paycheck every Friday so that we could eat.  He's a good kid.  I wish I could kick him out of this hopeless nest, let him take flight... soar.  *It's such a disservice for him to have be stuck in this mess.


I'll admit, I am very lucky - if this is all that I can complain about with regard to my kids, I'm happy.  They've never caused trouble. They've never taken part in any risky adolescent behavior - no alcohol use, no illegal drug use, no under-age sex, no staying out late and partying, no hanging with the wrong crowd.  They've each chosen a low-key, uncomplicated lifestyle.  I like being around them.  They are funny, sweet, loving and smart in a way I can only be extremely happy about... I hope these qualities take them far.

*****

So it was a crummy weekend - as usual, countless chores to do and no offers of help with any of it from anyone.  I didn't help that I'm trying to ween myself off Twitter and Facebook by playing Solitaire on the computer.  Also, trying to manage chronic pain in this much cooler climate without medication for the first time in many years will be something I'm not looking forward to.  Living with fibromyalgia is not fun, like, when you get stuck midway through taking clothes out of the dryer, or can't stand straight back up in the middle of emptying the dishwasher, or have to use furniture and walls to pull yourself to stand.  I think it was the vacuuming that did me in on Saturday.  I'm in pain and discomfort now.


My biggest disappointment this weekend (and what I know I'll be hating myself for every day) is that I've made the executive household decision to stop recycling.  There's only so much a person can do, and as you can see here, people in this house don't do much.  So, I have decided, no more recycling.  Just throw it away.  I don't want to see piles of cardboard, cans,  or plastic containers gathering anywhere in this house.  Throw it away in the trash, I don't want to see it.


Whew... doesn't feel too bad yet.

June 28th ~ Today's Bill Paid: H.O.A. Quarterly Fees - Late

Times are tough so I rejoice in what little there is to make things seem not as bad, like paying a bill.  Because believe me, most days I feel nothing but defeat.  Making - or worse, taking - a phone call takes a great toll on me.  The calls that come in are from creditors, collectors, legal offices, etc., literally make me ill - physically and emotionally ill.  Making an occasional call to a family member or friend, torture.  Nobody wants to hear your sad, bad news about how things are getting worse.  All I want is to hear a friendly voice, say hi, and ask how they are; hear all the good things happening with them.  I hate that I only end up leaving them sad as they ask how we are doing.  I want to tell them I miss them and wish I could see them.  Everyone is so far away.  Today I called Mom and my Rosie to share good news of R.J.'s new job. Glad Mom didn't have to be bothered by my all-to-regular tears, but destroyed that I couldn't keep from sobbing as I told Rosie how grateful I am for her help and that we may finally be able to re-pay her loan soon.  She just said don't worry about it.  I love my Rosie.  She told me over and over again, "Don't worry.  I love you."  That's family, right.

To be continued...  or not.