April 8, 2010 12:50 PM
Wish you were here
No, I mean it. I've just got so much work to do but so much to say I'm kinda frustrated because I'd like to be matching socks or folding towels or stripping beds and saying what's on my mind.
So break time for momma. Forgetting for a moment - or trying to - the mountains of laundry (I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from which cometh my help/My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth. . . . .)
Slim blogging day yesterday because Jonny had tubes put in his ears. His hearing has deteriorated and the doctor said this should help relieve the fluid behind his ears. This was no big deal because he's had 7 or 8 pairs before the age of 9 - though not since.
He was so funny - got up and put on the pale green scrubs the staff gave him when he was hospitalized two years ago for foot surgery. Going to the hospital? Dress for success! We went to the Inova Loudoun Ambulatory Surgery Center - which I really want to promote as being a real gift to Loudoun families. I've been there before for other kids' procedures and am always impressed with the calm, serene atmosphere and the relaxed, friendly - yet professional - attitude of the staff.
Jonny also was relaxed - he's a real pro when it comes to medical stuff. IV? No problem. The nurses were great, making conversation with Jonny. Then they asked me where we lived. I said "Bluemont," then got the usual "Are you the mother of....?"
Yes, I am. And I still can't believe that three months after five minutes on TV, people still recognize her and ask for autographs. The best thing is that she is getting 2-3 singing engagements per week - singing everything from bluegrass to opera.
I am keeping her schedule for her, which actually takes up a lot of time - another reason why some days are less conversational than others - as it means negotiating the details and making sure she has whatever clothes she needs. For instance, next week she is singing in the third level of a state competition, which means a ball gown is appropriate. I actually found the perfect dress on Ebay - a $186 David's Bridal bridesmaid gown for $31. She is singing "Les Berceaux" which is a song about French women singing a lullaby when their husbands have gone to sea not knowing whether they will come home. (Here is the original 1936 version - the actual song starts at 2:08). Typically, singers wear black for competition, but I saw this deep blue and with the musical motif of the sea, it was perfect.
This is what I call "anointed shopping" - when God knows someone in our family needs something specific and I have a limited budget and limited time - and somehow with so little effort I find something perfect beyond what I imagined. It takes my breath away to know how much God cares about me - down to the smallest details of my life.
Now if only He could help me in a similar way with my laundry :)
Anyway, back to yesterday: on the way to the hospital, we stopped at the grocery store because I needed to cook an extra special meal for an extra special guest - a young man who's interested in Maddy and needed to talk to her dad about it.
Great meal: Chicken curry with broccoli (except I cook whole chickens for the meat and forget the bread crumbs). Yum. And since at the last minute I realized I didn't have cream of chicken soup, I looked up a substitute and it turned out so much better than it's ever been before, I will probably never buy cream of chicken soup again.
Which reminds me: as a domestic engineer, don't you find Google to be one of your best friends?
Btw, it was over 90 degrees here yesterday. Hard to believe that just a month ago we still had snow on the ground. We went from winter to summer with only a few days of spring. On the other hand, the temperature is supposed to drop to 56 by tomorrow.
Which doesn't surprise me as today I am wrapping up what has been a Neverending Saga of changing out the clothes and bedding. While I can say I don't often regret our move from California, I'm feeling very nostalgic about the simplicity of life when you don't have to have two extreme sets of clothes.
Jesse had a crick in his back this morning and was walking like an old man. I was going to take him to the doctor but then I thought What would I do with a normal kid? Well naturally, I'd give him some Ibuprofen and some time to work itself out. When I asked him if he wanted to go to school, he said yes. So I sent him off - but inside I was wondering if I'd ever done that before - been overcautious with one of my kids with disabilities. I know I always feel on the spot if the teacher or school murse calls me to say something is wrong. And today the school nurse sub - who happens to be a friend of mine - did call at noon. But when I explained my reasoning, she gave Jesse some Tylenol, he took a little nap and then wanted to go back to class.
She said there appears to be a cramped muscle above his hip so we will work on it when he gets home.
All in the day of a life of a mother. . . .
~~~~~~~~~~~
Art note: Women Washing Clothes by a Stream by Daniel Ridgway Knight (see his collection - including many peasant women outdoors - at Daniel Ridgway Knight)
Posted in Maddy, My life | Permalink
Comments
I enjoyed our chat. :)
you should try taking your children to see a chiropractor. It will clear their ears of fluid and fix back problems. If you have never see a chiropractor you should find one in your area. It's wonderful.
Posted by: tereza crump AKA MyTreasuredCreations | April 8, 2010 5:39 PM
wonderful chicken recipe, and shopping! I always make my own cream soup / white sauce, 'cause it is so easy, better ingredients, and tastier!
Posted by: Cecilia | April 8, 2010 6:42 PM
I had to laugh when I read the recipe for chicken curry with broccoli. My mother-in-law has made the same recipe for years (although she just calls it chicken & broccoli), and it is my husband's favorite food in the world. In fact he made it for me when we first started dating (to impress me, I'm sure!). Any time I want to make something special for him, I go to this recipe.
I am making it in a couple of weeks b/c a friend of ours had it one time and loved it also. I promised her I would show her how to make all my special meals before we move across the country, and this recipe was on her request list. I will have to try the substitute you suggested this time. It sounds so yummy!
Posted by: Kimberlie George | April 8, 2010 7:21 PM
Barbara ~ Regarding the chiropractic recommendation: I second the motion! An Alignment Doc would probably take care of Jonny's ongoing ear fluid problem. I'm a huge fan.
I gleefully stumbled onto your Substantial Blog several weeks ago. My daughter and her husband recently moved from California to Loudaun County. They just purchased a lovely home in Leesburg. Danielle Nadler - my Midborn - is a newspaper reporter for the Winchester Star. I told her to look you up. Literally! Find you and become your Friend.
I am a teacher in Watertown, SD, and have been interested in Montessori teaching for a long time.
You model something very important, Barbara: The secret to contentment. Fully embrace Motherhood. Zero distractions. Raising the next generation of God-noticers is your Full Time Job. Fabulous! What a different world we would have if all Mothers and Fathers dropped everything else - within reason - and prioritized their children. You have done that and will doubtless hear, "Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant." Thank you for showing the Way.
May the Lord be near ~ Care MacMurchy, happy mother of Danielle MacMurchy Nadler, Leesburg, VA
Posted by: Care MacMurchy | April 8, 2010 7:30 PM
You always show us the best art. Thank you.
Posted by: Crystal | April 8, 2010 8:33 PM
Autographs? Singing engagements?? An interested young man??? Oh my goodness, sounds like things are snowballing there.
The gown is stunning. I hope we get to see a video of the competition.
God bless,
Michele
Posted by: MicheleMomof8 | April 8, 2010 9:33 PM
Man, that dress was a deal! The Duggars have some stories of amazing deals that God had just for them. I can attest to God's goodness in this area as well. It is amazing how God provides sometimes.
BTW: the duggar book is full of stories about their finances. It blew my socks off!
Posted by: Lisa | April 8, 2010 10:56 PM
Wish I were there too! I had a dream about your family and our family a few nights ago...it had something to do with American Idol. I'm really looking forward to seeing Maddy again at the NRL convention in June. Will the rest of you be there too?
Posted by: Becky Miller | April 9, 2010 4:06 PM
