Britt Meets God

Darkness. We are right smack dab in the middle of the dark months. I hate the darkness. It oozes into the corners sapping energy and cheer. Until, that is, I discovered lights! Created "atmosphere". Instead of dreading the darkness, I work with it, and create "coziness" in the house with pockets of light and some calming music. Yes, I still look forward to spring, and more light, but for now, darkness and I have called a truce.

I was devastated, simply devastated! this week to discover that my Australian Mint Bush was missing, presumably blown off in the "Super Tropical Storm". I miss all the trees we lost, and it was a bummer that the trailer got dented and smashed a little, but my bush! To add insult to injury, an industrious mole (or as Ryland sensitively put it "that savage little beast") rota-tiled my herb garden! My garden was just primed to spring up this year, my tall mint bush in back surrounded by echinacea, bee balm, coreopsis and a trumpet vine. Humph.

While in the Dr's. office this week, this tall African man with presence came in. He was wearing a black suit with a fedora. Britt turned around, saw this man and stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes widened in awe, and he slowly looked the man over, from his toes to his head. Then he gave a little wave and in a hushed voice asked "Are you God?" The man was clearly not offended, and bent down and said "No, but I know God." It was hysterically funny, and at the same time really sweet.

Caden has had basketball camp this week. He is doing really well, and is taking over more and more of the responsibilities for his diabetes care. This freaks me out, of coarse, being a Mother and wanting to keep his blood sugars perfect. Caden enjoys the freedom he is getting now that he has his pump, and he does very well to remember to check his sugars and give insulin.

Ryland has already read the five books he got from the library. We ordered repair and maintenance manuals for my sewing machine, and together we fixed it. He found some flannel scraps and batting so he is making a small quilt, more like a doll quilt. I am so amazed at how fast he catches on, sewing like he's always done it! He is very good with math and visual concepts. We plan to go to the fabric store and everyone will choose some fabric for p.j.'s. We want to make p.j.'s when Lila (my cousin) comes in January. Ryland has decided to play the flute and the teacher has given the go-ahead for January, so he has been practicing this break, and continuing the piano.

I found a box of Rheanna's baby clothes that I have been letting her use for her baby dolls. She named her special baby Sweetheart, and calls me "Grammy". She is as inquisitive as ever and constantly making messes! Girls are supposed to be easier at this age!

Brian is glad to be back working at the county. We are just glad to see him in the evenings and on weekends.

'Til next post,

ei

P.S. You can turn off the music by scrolling down and hitting the pause button on the music section.

Island Life, or, alternatively, Clean Out Your Freezer In Three Easy Day's.

No sooner, it seems, had I posted "stay tuned for the next family drama", when the next drama was upon us and we huddled together fearing as the rain and wind tore and lashed at our house. This is where Ryland walks by, rolls his eyes, "Mother, you are exaggerating greatly." So, o.k, maybe a little, strictly for your entertainment and I suppose my ratings. I assure you, however, that we did not sleep hardly a wink Sunday night due to the terrific wind and noise. On Monday we stared in awed horror out the lee-side windows. Our camp trailer, familiarly know as the "Rabbit Hutch, aka Snow Cone" had already been flipped on it's side, but some of us got to see the chicken coop destruction (no chickens were maimed or killed) a site that Brian says will be seared onto his brain forever. Brian ground his coffee using the plug in in his car, and heated water on the fire. We tried to identify what was blowing by, and then from where, "Oh, No, Mr. Pollards barn parts!". At 10:00 we realized that we were also going to see our worst flood ever. Our lower neighbors had already evacuated, and we watched the water come roaring in until we were an island - though our house was safe from flooding. It was very warm out and we did a little wading (up to my thighs). This entertainment was cut short by early darkness. Now, darkness falls way too early in the Pacific Northwest anyway, but stormy days have us seeing pitch black by 4p.m., and consequently our lighting shortage was discovered. One measly wind up lamp casting anemic beams for all of six inches. The candles were nice, but kept going out and were certainly not safe for the children to use. This oversight meant that we were stuck in the dark. Now, on Monday night we were feeling pretty good. We were all still alive, warm, and fed, and so sipping hot cocoa we played "aren't we lucky to have... fire, warmth, each other." This is where we regressed. Most of you probably have realized that our children inherited their busyness from their father. Usually, this busyness if carefully channels is productive and useful. He happily does anything from dishes to car repair. So a only a few "active" hours a day were trying. Brian did manage to start cleaning up on Tuesday and burned off some excess energy. On Tuesday night we ate "Thank Heavens We Can't See it Soup" (recipe as follows).

THANK HEAVENS WE CAN'T SEE IT SOUP

Ingredients:

2 containers lukewarm leftovers

4 scrambled eggs

chicken/beef/veggie broth

veggie

To Prepare:

Jerk open refrigerator (conserving any remaining cold) and hastily grab 2 containers leftover, eggs, and a veggie grab.

Scramble eggs, reserve.

Dump remaining ings. into pot, heat to a rolling boil. It is essential to boil for a minimum of two minutes to kill pathogens. Slowly add egg. Eat in dark. Play guess that ingredient (optional).

On this night we played the "ABC-Z" what would I want if I were stranded on an island...

and the next game was if you were going to loot, what store and what would it be (some stores in Raymond were reportedly looted). No, we would never actually loot.

Thankfully, on Wednesday, we got power and hot showers before we moved on to "barter economics" (we fear we have woefully little to offer). Brian will probably suffer permanent psychological effect and start hording coffee (he almost ran out). The town is still a mess, and I don't think every one has power.. you can't buy gas and the schools aren't open.

See all the destruction pictures and LIVE FOOTAGE at: http://www.pickle.com/dickeybirds/113

'Til next post, and thankful for hot water.

ei