Simple Pleasures

Just so I can remind myself that between laundry loads, we did enjoy some simple pleasures... of course.

A tree, already? For a time I would take care not to let Maria's birthday get mixed up with either Thanksgiving or Christmas, but I needn't have worried. Last night, as we finished a lovely family dinner, there was an earnest discussion on the subject of Thanksgiving cranberry sauces, and where were we going put our tree this year, punctuated with thoughts on Maria's thirteenth birthday. Maria chimed in enthusiastically, "Well, I know what I would like for birthday presents: a chocolate shake with bananas, and our Christmas tree." We are making shakes on Sunday, when friends come to play. And our tree is standing, pretty and bare, in the living room. It smells wonderful.

End of the Day

It wasn't my best day, but by evening, I was in a very comfortable corner of the sofa, with something to keep my hands occupied. Alex got a fire started. Max was teaching Maria a card game. I sent a picture to my Mom, through messenger... isn't that miraculous? We can take a good quality picture, and a second later send it to a grandmother, a friend, around the world, or around the corner. In an instant our thoughts and love are shared, we connect.

Later, upstairs, under the covers and in the company of the cat, Maria and I watched The Snowman, with Geoff. Geoff read the Wiki about the story, the music. Maria and I agree, the music is our favorite part.

Speaking of favorites... one of my favorite bloggers is sharing a free download of her pattern for a winter crown, perfect for Santa Lucia, or any winter holiday celebrating light. Alicia Paulson also has a beautiful new cross stitch sampler kit in her shop, First Snow... such a pretty scene.

*delete*

Does it seem like this is becoming Kitty Blog? The chickens are just barely beginning to look like they may start to consider recovering from their Molt-aggeddon. I don't know if anyone's interested in seeing ravaged, zombie hens, rat sketches, or embroidery floss. I'm taking a break from crochet, haven't quilted since forever. And I only cook popcorn, toaster waffles, or spaghetti... it feels like that, at least. It's just cats, cats, and kitty cats in my iphoto albums.

I was all set to share a post about Maria and I painting ceramics, and our eager anticipation of picking them up today. But... pfttttt!! They couldn't find us in their system. Uh... we were in your store for two days, for seven hours! Hello? No record of us, or our plates, or anything. And I can hear the studio dude assuring me, You won't need the receipt. Don't worry. Why did I believe this? Why? Ok... they found our paperwork, and figured out that our plates are in the kiln, and not ready, yet. But the shop is out of our way, and traffic, and timing, and just the long span of time when we were standing in front of them feeling anxious, and replying, Yes, we exist. Yes, we were here. No, my name is not Judy, or Mary, Susan, Steven, Trish. Yes, we paid. Yes, we are quite sure.

It's not an actual crisis, I know. And nothing about this is interesting or compelling, worth repeating... it's just that I am having a kind of hard time week month year. I am only whining, this little bit, over nothing, to relieve some of the real pressure. Do you ever feel awful for complaining, guilty for stressing, apologetic for being weepy, or wimpy? I think I am over-stressed just from the strain of trying not to be too sensitive, needy, weak, selfish, emotional, and dismayed that I have internalized those messages and labels, which distort and undermine my ability to cope and manage the actual issues. Well, now this is getting meaty. This might be a good time to post another cat picture, or just hit *delete.*