Housecleaning and Babysqueezing
Things I did this week:
• Spring cleaning. I know, I know, I’m six months late. Or six months early: maybe that’s a better way to look at it. Besides, I once heard a chaparral expert mention that Southern California’s true spring is in November (going by plant dormancy cycles, I think, or maybe it had to do with the timing of our rainy season). At any rate, I spent the entire week attacking closets and cupboards, purging bags and bags of stuff, and it feels marvelous. Oh my. I keep opening the hall closet just to admire it and then I’ll realize I have a big dopey grin on my face.
• Had a fabulous discussion of dramatic irony in the Scottish Play with my Shakespeare Club.
• Cuddled a feverish baby. Poor glassy-eyed boy.
Jane’s turn for a babysqueeze.
Things I did not do this week:
• Sleep much. See aforementioned feverish baby.
• Spend much time online. Sorry, poor neglected blog. Even sorrier, dozens of nice people to whom I owe email.
• Finish the book I have been reading foreeeeeever. The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. I tore through the first two thirds, completely captivated, making mental notes (now all forgotten) of the zillion quotes and thoughts I wanted to share here. And then…what happened? The plot took a turn that dampened my enthusiasm a bit. That was part of it, but I’m still dying to know how things turn out. I guess mainly it was just that my attention turned elsewhere. Such as: I spent all last week (pre-cleaning frenzy, but undoubtedly related) reading my way through NieNie’s archives. Like Kristen and Sarah and Ellie and Lesley and Jenn and Alice (when Alice was blogging regularly, sob), NieNie writes posts that make me want to spruce up my home with color and fabric and blossom, and also to squeeze my children a lot.
A most squeezable miss.
NieNie’s posts even make me want to cook—almost. But I let Costco do most of my cooking this week. Too busy cramming miscellany into garbage bags. And (since Wednesday night) wiping noses and patting backs and dispensing cough medicine to two pitiful little boys. Because it isn’t just the baby who’s sick; Wonderboy got zapped with this thing too. Sorry, crowd of Shakespeare enthusiasts who spent the afternoon in Germ Central before we knew anyone was sick. And sorry, grandparents who are coming for a visit tomorrow…
Speaking of which,
Things I plan to do this weekend:
Briefly abandon my parents with germ-riddled children and sneak away for a meal with my husband, who has had to work some long hours this week. But not for too long, because I’ve got children to squeeze.
Still Jane’s turn. Now give him back!
Ellie says:
Ah, but if you’re going to step away from squeezing said children for a small spot in time, what better way to spend it than by going off with the husband, hmm?
I am inspired by your garland/tea-set. I am going to make a garland today. I didn’t know I was going to make one today, but I am. The children are away with their father (always a hard day) and I was feeling a bit lost. But! I am going to make a garland, noting gratitudes. I think it will grace the piano ….
Sending healing prayers your way. I do hope it doesn’t spread amongst you all.
~ Ellie
On November 14, 2009 at 8:16 am
Penny in VT says:
That is a most amazing photo of Jane & Huck – so sweet 🙂
Very impressed with all the decluttering. Wish I could say I’m inspired to do the same, but, well, I’m not. Think I’ll wait for Spring in VT. No sense rushing things…
On November 14, 2009 at 9:17 am
almamater says:
That last picture of Jane and the babe brought an instant tear to my eye…so beautiful. Take it to an artist and have it made into a painting!
On November 14, 2009 at 9:24 am
Mrs. Mordecai says:
I’ve been known to return repeatedly to a recently cleaned spot to grin, too. Glad I’m not the only one.
On November 14, 2009 at 9:28 am
Jennifer says:
Lissa, that last photo is just breathtaking. Their expressions and the color of their shirts – just so lovely! And thank you for the sweet link.
On November 14, 2009 at 9:35 am
Hannah says:
Did you just now discover NieNie? Ah, reading through the archives is such a treat. ALthough eerie, when I did it, while she was in a coma, almost like reading the autobiography of someone who didn’t know they were about to die … except that mercifully, she didn’t. I agree, it’s domestically inspiring. 🙂
Great photo of your two!
Oh, and my husband is a Neal Stephenson fan. Takes him forever, too. Egads, but those books are LONG.
On November 14, 2009 at 11:49 am
sarah says:
So much to say here, but all the crowding words slipped out of me when I saw that last photo. Jane is so beautiful! Such elegance in her look. And Huck is quite possibly the cutest baby since … well, since Rilla was a baby, lol! 😉
I hope the boys recover soon and the girls don’t catch it.
Now may I ask a favour? I would love to get a peek into the doings of your Shakespeare Club.
Oh, and I too miss Alice’s writing, her light of faith, her kindness … having her book to hand is some compensation, though. But I want to know how the thatching turned out! 🙂
On November 14, 2009 at 11:52 am
Karen Edmisten says:
Could Beautiful Jane pass that Beautiful Huck over this way, please?
On November 15, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Learning is FUN! says:
I loved this post! As a busy mom of 7 I know all about spring cleaning late. I so enjoyed the baby squeezes. You have a beautiful blog. I found it today while looking for other homeschool blogs. This one is a keeper.
On November 18, 2009 at 6:49 am