Status Report: January

Sitting…on the couch in the living room.

Drinking…mint tea. Because it’s almost bedtime, so no caffeine for me.

Feeling…tired from a day spent with my two toddler granddaughters—and a couple hours with my almost toddler grandson. It was a great day: We took a long woods walk/sled ride in our perfect winter weather, played hide and seek in the house afterward. All day long, there was almost no whining or squabbling. (Recently there’s been some cousin rivalry happening, but not today.) Still, I’m tired, because even well-behaved toddlers are exhausting.

Enjoying…perfect winter weather. I’m repeating, I know, but it’s January in the Yukon. Good weather gets double mention. 

Also enjoying…nights warm enough to sleep with the bedroom window open. I like sleeping in a very cold room under a mountain of quilts and blankets.

Liking…the string of Christmas lights I left up on the mantle. I could not go from well-lit tree to nothing lit at all. I leave them on all day long to curse the winter darkness. 

Saddened…to hear that the father of one of my youngest daughter’s elementary school friends has been missing since December 19. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have a family member disappear and not know what happened. I’m praying there’s a happy explanation, but afraid there won’t be.

Thinking…about taking a trip. I’ll say more if (and when) it happens.

Reading…this book (half-way through 600 pages now) and, when I need a change of pace, The House of Wittgenstein: A Family at War, which I highly recommend, too. And to the granddaughters, this afternoon, I read Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day (library edition), which came in the mail today. (I ordered two other library edition picture books, too—Peter’s Chair (Keats again) and Make Way for Ducklings (Robert McCloskey)—but they are coming in a separate shipment.)

Anticipating…the end of the kitchen project. All the bottom cabinets are painted now, and when the paint has set for a week, they will be installed. The countertops can be installed then, too, and I will have half a working kitchen. 

Status Report: December

Sitting … on the couch.

Drinking … a cup of coffee I shouldn’t be drinking because it’s 7:30 pm. Let me explain, in my defense, that the Yukon’s very short daylight hours midwinter really messes with my sleep regulator (aka circadian rhythm). The extra caffeine is probably make things better in the short term (like the next few hours) and worse in the long term (like the rest of the winter), but I decided to risk ruining my whole life to have a non-drowsy hour or two.

Feeling … a bit frazzled after a day full of toddlers and other visitors. 

Also feeling … disappointed that it was too cold today for any outdoor play. I’m a big believer in daily outdoor play for children, even if it means 30 minutes of bundling up for 20 minutes of play. Kids (and adults) do better when they spend some time outdoors each day.

Sewing … doll quilts for the granddaughters for Christmas. Recently, they have both been busy taking care of their dolls, and I think they’d enjoy blankies for their babies. (Is there anything sweeter than a toddler putting a “baby” to sleep?)

Discovering … that grated raw beets (crunch and sweet) are excellent in a green salad, especially with balsamic vinegar dressing. 

Remembering … that when I first started blogging I pledged that I wouldn’t get involved in bandwagon issues or current conflicts. It’s a pledge I don’t regret—and a pledge I’ve mostly kept, I think.

This doesn’t mean I think no one should get involved in such things, just that I won’t. This doesn’t necessarily mean I think the issues are unimportant, either. Some are, some aren’t. But very few (maybe none) need my voice added to the hullabaloo, and usually, I don’t know enough to comment, anyway—and there are  things I’d rather do than study up on them.

Hoping … for warmer weather, and for time to do more reading.

Anticipating … the season of daily delivered parcels. 

Status Report: November

Sitting…on the couch in the living room. 

Drinking…a cup of tea.

Eating…leftover (but delicious) stew made from packaged meatballs and all kinds of Yukon-grown veggies. If it grows in the Yukon, it’s probably in my stew.

Half-watching…the Raptors play basketball. 

Noticing…how short the days are getting. We are only seven weeks, I think, from the shortest day of the year.

Liking…the layer of snow on the ground, but wishing we had more. Once we get to November, we need snow to brighten up the dreary landscape and gloomy sky.

Feeling…pleased to have lots of new blown-in insulation in the attic. My sons, son-in-law, and a friend put at least a foot more insulation up there last night. (The attic was the one big weak spot left in the insulation of the house.)

Anticipating…the return to the kitchen remodel scheduled for later this week. The big question: Will it be finished for Christmas?

Adjusting…to living alone in my home again. Youngest son moved out of here and into the cute little house in my daughter and son-in-law’s back yard. So far it’s not been much of an adjustment because son is still spending a lot of time here working on projects—and eating my food. (This move means I have no dog living with me either. Should I get one? Or should I be content with the three granddogs who visit me regularly?)

Wondering…if granddogs should be followed by who or that?

Reading…Covenantal Apologetics by K. Scott Oliphant. Yes, still. But I am getting toward the end.

Thanking…God for fresh snow and a warm house. And for the extra-long fall (for us), too.

Wishing…you a November full of thanksgiving for blessings from our heavenly Father. (If you’re on Twitter, why not use the hashtag #novemberthanksgiving to tweet some things you’re thankful for, too?)