Oatmeal Baths With Syrup, and Growing Pains

Parenthood doesn't allow for time out.  I sincerely wish it would allow for naps though.  I've never been able to stay up late,  just ask my college roommate Karis. I was in bed by 11 at the latest no matter what. Becoming middle aged and dealing with the odd hours of being a parent hasn't helped that much.  Throw in the fact that it's dark by a little after 5 and I'm ready for bed by 7.

Yesterday's 3 a.m. bed time did not make my 6 a.m. wake up call at all good.  Today doesn't seem to be much better in that department.  I think there ought to be a rule that we get at least a day or two each month between October and March to just hibernate.

Update on Tori,  after resting for the day at home with Dennis,  she was still incredibly tired last night even though she slept till 1 in the afternoon.  Still itchy a bit too. In case you ever wondered about oatmeal baths they really work.  She asked to take one again before bed last night.  Gabs suggested that she should add some syrup to her bath as well so at least it would taste good too.

Gabs herself isn't feeling great either I think.  She's going through a growth spurt of late and has joint pain.  It's funny but I don't remember having many "growing pains" as a kid, at least physical ones...Granted there were those middle school years of mental anguish lol.

Anyhow it's still dark outside and I would love to go back to bed but school and work are waiting.  Time to roll everyone out of bed. Hope everyone has a happy although somewhat dark and rainy day I think.

I'll leave you with this photo of the girls enjoying the large quantities of bubble wrap from the new tree!

"Our Forever Tree" or "THE PERFECT MORGESON FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE "

A bit of an intro:

I actually was cheating a bit and wrote the latter part of this last night with plans to read back over it this morning.  I'm writing this part from the ER with Tori who had a severe allergic reaction to her antibiotic. Just hours after I wrote the other.  She's fine and actually resting well now after an epi shot, steroid and more benadryl.  Just so crazy to me how the world can flip from laughing about a tree to worrying about your child in a matter of minutes.  I guess that makes the rest of this all that more important.  Cherish all the little silly moments, all the moments really, we are blessed to have them.  Sorry to lead in so sadly to such an otherwise funny story.  Felt it important to say that though. _______________________________________

In the beginning of our relationship if you had met me or Dennis you would never suspect that I would end up being the realist of the couple.  I was an art major in the early nineties, during the time of grunge and alternative rock.  I wore combat boots, granny dresses and toyed with the idea of joining Green Peace. I was a bit on the flighty side and Dennis had his two feet planted firmly in reality.  He was no nonsense and had his priorities set. He worked close to 40 hours a week, helped on the family farm and did a full course load in college. He knew he'd go to Saint Catharine College for two years then transfer to U.K. and finish up with a degree in Horticulture and that ultimately he'd be a Horticulture Agent for U.K.'s Cooperative Extension service. He didn't have time to stray from the plan and logic always ruled.

I worked as well and also had a full course load but I changed my mind weekly on where I'd transfer to after S.C.C. starting with San Francisco,  then to Colorado where I planned to live in a cabin in the mountains as a full time artist,  then Savannah, Georgia and finally realizing I didn't want to be so far from him I transferred to U.K. right along side Dennis. And ended up majoring in English.

Fast forward twenty years and Dennis, the man with the plan, is just where he planned to be, working for U.K. as a Horticulture Cooperative Extension Agent.  Me, the artist turned English major,  I'm a librarian.  But while he is where he planned to be I'm much more focused now and he's probably one of the biggest kids at heart that you'll ever meet.  These days he's the one with "big" ideas and I'm the one interjecting with all the "what ifs" and "how will we" questions.  That fact is probably no more evident than it is at Christmas time.

We've wanted,  not necessarily needed, a new Christmas tree for a few years now.  Every Christmas we go back and forth.  Dennis wanted a real tree and I didn't want to waste money on something that will dry up fast and leave me sweeping up needles every day of the holidays.  Not to mention it seems wrong to kill a tree. Dennis reasoned we could wait till closer to Christmas and get one we could plant but again if we're buying it I want to enjoy it for more than a week. 

Then there's our long time debate over clear versus colored lights.  I want clear because they seem a little more classic and he wants colored...that flash and twinkle as the tree spins. Yeah.  We've definitely switched roles!

This year as Thanksgiving Day came and went we went back to our tree discussion and finally decided we were going to bite the bullet and upgrade our tiny Wally World special to a bit more grown up version.  So this Saturday we set out to Wally World once again where after over an hour of looking and comparing,  calling other Wally Worlds to see if they had models we liked, discussing, trying lights,  watching trees twinkle and spin, we finally left with...nothing. We also left hangry,  yes it's a real thing,  and grumpy and Dennis left with a new mission in life.  To find "THE PERFECT MORGESON FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE".  It was not exactly a peaceful nor silent night. 

Now while Dennis has taken on the more whimsical role in our relationship he still gets pretty goal orientated about things and if he gets interested in something, like chickens,  or bees, or the mission to find "THE PERFECT MORGESON FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE" he will not rest until he has researched completely the topic at hand and has gotten exactly what he wants. Saturday night, flashing light,  twirling tree loving Dennis got online and Googled and compared and contrasted all his options local and far until he knew what he would do.

So come Sunday morning after church we piled in the van and headed to Campbellsville and Lowes.  Once there we were accosted by Christmas lights, inflatables and yes TREES. 

Now perhaps I should interject here that Dennis has a favorite Christmas movie, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.  I think maybe that should have clued me in that while focused and logical in his youth there was an underlying part of his personality that strayed to the fantastical and perhaps not exactly realistic.  Which brings me to the scene at Lowes.

Remember that moment in the National Lampoons movie where Clark has brought his family far into the woods where, choirs of angels singing and spotlights focused,  he spies "THE PERFECT GRISWOLD FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE"? Yeah,  I liken that moment in Lowes to that one.

For while we circled the trees comparing sizes and prices of floor models to Internet research on our phones a moment came where I swear to you I'm almost certain my husband heard, within his mind, Martina McBride singing "Oh Holy Night. " For low and behold there it was.  "THE PERFECT MORGESON FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE."

It stood 7 and 1/2 feet tall and not only did it have realistic branches, and was of course pre lit, you also had the option of not only white lights but color too and the factor to beat all others...the ability to have the tree switch between the two color options on its own.  Green,  red and blue back to classic white in an ongoing fluctuation of Christmas tree magic that all the world would envy.  It was also about three times the cost of the Wally World special we had at home. Thus came the interjections of my cold blanket realism to debate the logic of making such a purchase. 

So the dance began again.  The sway back and forth between the necessity of childhood fantasies being fulfilled and the desire to remain within budget despite the fact that I knew my husband had already found his tree. Once again we left empty handed and set out to be realistic and compare the options at the Campbellsville Wally World where of course no other trees could compare. Where we passed by another couple comparing decorations and overheard the wife ask the husband, "Which do you like?" And then upon the husband pointing and answering that he, like my own husband, preferred the bright colors, she replied, "ummmm no." Where we would also leave empty handed and make a pit stop for flame broiled burgers and fries to keep "hangriness" at bay for fear our mission would be lost again.

Then back we went to Lowes where the real battle of wits was about to unfold. 

I saw a tree that was the realists option.  Pre lit,  6 feet, white lights,  life like greenery and about 70 bucks cheaper.  But not "THE PERFECT MORGESON FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE". As we circled again coming to stop before the "one true tree" Dennis began his Patton like Christmas tree speech. 

"The way I see it," he began,  "this is our forever tree. This is an investment.  Yes it's more expensive but it's a tree that should last us a lifetime.  We shouldn't have to buy another one after this. And yes I love the light options but honestly,  this is the tree the girls really want."  The girls, of course, gave their Daddy full support with their patented, we are just cute, innocent little girls, with dreams of Christmas joy, wide eyed looks. "Look at them," he concluded, " they really want it."

And so that is how it came to be that we bought "our forever tree" "THE PERFECT MORGESON FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE".   My long timed pushed down flighty artistic side broke free to join Dennis on the side of non realism and we loaded it, precariously, into the buggy,  wheeled it up front to pay for it and rolled it outside where we stood to contemplate the fact that perhaps the choice to bring the van to cart a 7 and 1/2 foot tree home may not have been the best decision.

So once again we created a scene from National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and while we didn't strap it to the roof we were most definitely creative in our placement of it inside the van. We drove home with the sense of holiday joy in our hearts singing Christmas songs,  like our favorite "Walking 'round In Womens Underwear" where Dennis finally learned, after years of miss sung lyrics,  that they didn't build a snowman to call him, "parse and brown". Once home we rejoiced in the fact that our tree came packed in large quantities of bubble wrap and stood back in wonder as all 7 and 1/2 feet were placed under our 8  foot tall ceilings. 

Yes.  It truly is our "Forever and PERFECT MORGESON FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE. " It's also proof that heartfelt flights of fancy will no doubt always win out over my newfound sense of logic and responsibility. And I have to admit it really is pretty "PERFECT" to see my husband and children gaze happily at the tree with the angel whose head grazes the ceiling and hear Dennis proclaim, "it really is a pretty tree!" as we watch the lights flash from classic white to tack....err whimsical colors.

Not Ready to Rise

My head is stuffy
my bones seem to ache.
The first words of morning
I'm not ready to take.
The sun, it too,
has hidden away.
We aren't ready to rise,
no not today.
The rooster is crowing,
only he is awake.
The hens and I all
just need a break.
It's Sunday they call,
we're not ready to scratch,
back to the roost bar for us,
we've nothing to hatch.
There's laundry to be done
but it's wet outside.
The clothes line must stay empty,
I have an excuse to hide.
My bed is still warm,
my family's asleep,
I can go there myself,
if down the hall I shall creep.
Quiet, so quiet,
the steps I must take,
I'm just not ready to rise,
for goodness sake.

Leftovers and Life Plans

I'm obviously a self proclaimed foodie. I like to cook.  I like to eat.  I'm a chubby girl from way back and will no doubt continue being one for all my days because of those two things.

My Thanksgiving traditions center a lot on food.  It's a time to get together with family yes but we are most definitely going to be eating when we get there.

Food "culture" and traditions fascinate me. Food is a huge part of the reason for why we do what we do and a driving force behind how history was shaped.  Geesh,  just think of all that came to be because we wanted a little extra spice for our food!

I actually had two folklore courses in college at U.K. under the great professor Dr. Alvey. The study of food was one my favorite parts of the classes.  For the first class my semester project was even centered on stack pies and I turned in a stack pie with my paper...got an A I'm happy to say.  In retrospect I can see that perhaps my degree and career path should have taken the culinary fork in the road but in all truth I truly didn't know how deeply passionate I would become about food.  That was at the dawn of the foodie phenomenon anyhow.

So while I am not chef or master Baker I am a home cook. I will always be baking and making something in the kitchen.  It's as much a part of me as my love for writing, art and the other things that make up me.

I've been thinking about it lately.  Where I'm going,  what I'm doing,  my goal and role in it all. I've decided in a way my life has come to be sort of a big planned family dinner.  I started out with recipes and seating charts. I work to follow the menu that I think I can't stray from but I'm only just realizing that a plan is just an idea or notion that is a good guide but ultimately doesn't have to be the be all end all of who I am. 

Along the way I'll run out of ingredients and when I don't have time to run out for more I'll compromise,  get creative and make do with what I have on hand.  The recipes will change accordingly and rather than cry over not making what I intended to make I can rejoice in the fact that I may just have created some new culinary masterpiece or even better a family favorite. 

When it's all said and done I get to enjoy the best parts. I get to see the happy faces of those I cook for and later I have something almost better than the meal itself...leftovers!   Because leftovers are sort of like the sweet memories from all those meals. When the day is done or perhaps beginning anew I can sit for a moment alone with a slice of pie and coffee for breakfast and ponder all the things that makeup the family dinner we call life.  I think we are where we are and are where we should be because of each and every choice we make.  That said I wouldn't change a thing. 

One different choice and my life would be completely different and I wouldn't have the three people I love most sleeping in the other part of the house right now. I wouldn't be sitting on the edge of the couch pecking away and able to see the vanilla tinged sunrise as it begins it's daily path to wrap its cream colored clouds 'round the house and world.

I still have more Thanksgiving today, in the form of a meal and just a whole lot to be thankful for.  So good morning everyone here's hoping your Thanksgiving was a good one and that you all have leftovers to enjoy as well!

P.S. Here's a picture of Gabs holding her favorite leftovers,  turkey dumplings.  She wouldn't smile for the photo but rather wanted everyone to know that the jar was all hers and she didn't plan to share them...granted I did sneak a few bites myself last night.  Don't tell her though,  she might just get me for it.

"Honestly" Thankful

I wish I had some words of wisdom,  some poetic way to encompass the day and put a spotlight on what makes the day important and special. I don't though.  Each of us finds our own meaning in a celebration.  We have our own customs that make it special to us.  I don't think that you can force people to find enlightenment and a newly refreshed happiness in life merely because a grid of numbers on the wall tells them that today is the designated day for them to focus on and give thanks for what they have.

I have been embracing honesty of late and while I will take pause to recognize all that I have to be grateful for and that I have that many don't I also must put highlight on the fact that this day can bring a lot of stress,  unhappiness and might just be a burden for some.

I think perhaps in the beginning the holidays were set forth with truly the best of intentions.  They were days that people should take pause to be with family and friends to share a meal and enjoy a few hours when we could slow down and not feel the weight of winters more darkened days. I don't in any way think the day resembles what the story of the first Thanksgiving says it was all about.  Even back then there were stressed out people who worried about having enough food to make it through the winter and hope to get them through to spring.  The pilgrims and native Americans in our minds have become stereotypes and almost cartoon like. 

The fact is many will work today.  Many are alone.  Many don't have enough to eat. Many are saddened.  Many have stress.  Many are tired and want to rest but commercialism and expectations from society, necessity, are telling them that they are some how wrong for feeling all that.

I wish we could give each other some slack. Give each other a break.  I wish we'd stop telling one another that you must do this, bake this, buy that in order to be one of "us" during the holidays. We need to start seeing the real people around us. And not just on specific days that have been set aside to do it.

I am not meaning to darken the moment but I feel it's important to say all this.  While for many today is a break from work and time to be with family it's another day of hard work and perhaps heightened sense of being alone for others. 

We all aren't given the day off. And even if we are some see it as a loss to their bank accounts and begrudge having to give their fellow people a chance to break from the mad dash. Many are viewing this day as the day to get ready for the most profitable day of their year. Their employees won't be breaking to be with family they'll instead be working overtime to stock shelves so people can fight for a few dollars difference in a price.

I hope everyone can remember that fact.  Today, yes, be thankful for all you have.  But recognize that others may not have it as well.  Show your gratitude by spreading kindness,  understanding and by not feeding into the stress of the world about you. Make a conscious effort to smile at even strangers and to remember that you never truly know what worries someone may have. Let your Thankfulness be more about the feeling and finding and sharing peace.

That said I wish you all a day of plenty and fulfillment.  I wish for you to find a day of calm in the storm. I wish for you happiness and a sense of contentment, to feel connected even if you are spending the day alone. I am Thankful for all I have and I'm going to be honestly thankful by not taking for granted that many don't have the same.

A Moment of Pre Christmas Cuteness

I am not feeling too well this morning but I'm determined that rain or shine or zombie apocalypse, which is what I'm leaning towards right now,  I will blog at least a few words no matter what.  Like I said, awhile back, building the habit is the key I think.

So for today, in honor of Thanksgiving tomorrow and the fact that I want to offer up something happy to see on your news feed instead of all the sad and fear inducing surrounding us of late, please enjoy these Christmas photos of my girls from five years ago.  Of course I am biased but I think they were and are still pretty darn cute.

A little back story.  This was the year that they both discovered "As seen on TV" items.  They each asked Santa for snuggies, wigs, pillow pets and Tori asked for the brownie pan only to later remove it from her list when she realized that it would only give her brownies with crusty edges and she nor Gabs will eat a brownie with an edge on it. We're still waiting for someone to invent the crustless brownie pan!

Anyhow without further ado I give you  your daily cuteness break.  I wish you all at least one moment of laughter,  warmth and shared kindness in a world that we seem to keep forgetting that we're all in this together and we need to start treating each other more like friends instead of enemies.  Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

Pancakes For One

Don't you hate it when you wake up 30 minutes before you actually have to get up? Even worse is that you had just went back to bed before that because you'd already woke up like an hour and a half before you actually had to get up.  Yeah so that happened.

So I decided to make myself pancakes and sit on the couch feeling sorry for myself.  I know that you're thinking,  "crappy mom making pancakes just for herself. " It ain't the case though.  For all their sugar consumption my family doesn't care for pancakes.  On occasion Dennis will eat a couple but the girls will look at me like I'm crazy if I offer them some.  It's just not natural in my opinion. 

So I'm taking a note from the guy who sits somewhere on the edge of a pier drinking beer and instead I'm sitting here on the edge of the couch eating chocolate chip,  bacon pancakes.  Yes,  chocolate chip and bacon. That's happening too.  My new motto seems to be becoming,  "don't judge. "

I'm planning in my head what I need to get done for Thanksgiving at least so I'm being a little productive.  There's a pile of towels sitting next to me that need folding,  clothes in the dryer that need turning back on at least twice more before I will get them hung up.  I have to make a grocery list...dang free loading chickens still aren't laying.  The older ones have hit the phase where they won't lay in the colder months and the younger birds haven't started laying yet at all. I'm hoping once they settle into their new house they'll take it up in time for Christmas.  There's baking to be done after all!

All the same I'll be buying eggs this week though.  It's pie season.  At least 3 or four this week.  Just have to figure out what kind for each place we are going. 

Then I need to dust and vacuum too. Got to get the house ready because the girls are expecting their elf on the shelf to visit right after Thanksgiving and stay through Christmas.  Can't have her reporting back to Santa that we live in a pig sty.

I need to make a to do list.  But first I'd better wake everyone up or else we're going to be late for the last day of school this week!