Sunday, October 26, 2008

Hope & Misery Abound

"Victories in life come through our ability to work around and over the obstacles that cross our path. We grow stronger as we climb our own mountains." -- Marvin J. Ashton

Yes, I am still sick. This would be the misery part. I'm on antibiotics though and it's now been three weeks, so I'm hoping it clears itself up this week and leaves me able to breathe in peace!

My husband was out of town Tuesday through Friday last week at a conference for work. I missed him terribly, both because I adore him and because it was horrid trying to deal with the kids alone all week when I felt so rotten.

Tuesday I woke up and got the kids dressed and breakfasted and decided to go lie down for a bit. This was a really stupid idea, and I'm playing the sick card as an excuse for my temporarily feeble decision-making capabilities.

When I got up, refreshed and feeling positive about my ability to handle the week with the kids, I first encountered a strong smell. It was not an unpleasant smell, but if I could smell it through this massive head cold then you know it had some serious power behind it. It smelled like . . . barbecue . . .

I was then confronted with my small son, slathered in something frighteningly thick and brown from fingers to wrists and looking like a little ghost--caked in a white powdery substance from the neck up. Then I saw the living room and I was not well pleased. My delightfully creative children decided to give themselves and the house a . . . spice rub.

The main ingredient was this, which is one of my favorite things to add to chili. This was the brown stuff Bear had on his hands. His head was covered in a mixture of cream of tartar and powdered sugar and dampened for maximum pastiness by organic lemon-thyme cleaning spray. Floors, walls, furniture and accessories, all "rubbed".

I thought about taking photos, but frankly I was too sick to do more than send Princess to her room while I gave Bear a bath and then baby-gated him into the hall while I spent 2 hours cleaning. I did get Princess out for the last half hour and have her help me vacuum and scrub, but most of it was too much of a mess for little hands to be of much use. Everything cleaned up fine except for the ottoman which I think is a lost cause. They used it as a palette and it had the hickory salt, cream of tartar and curry powder ground into it. We're going to smell like a smokehouse for months.

Now for the hope part. October is almost over and I am busy, despite the illness trying to get ready for November which brings the beginning of NaNoWriMo and CU lecture writing, Thanksgiving, my sister's birthday, the holiday selling season on eBay and the start of my own holiday prep list (which promises to be as lengthy and glorious as it always is).

Call me an optimist (or totally unrealistic), but I'm excited about everything I plan to pack into the last couple months of 2008! I love the holidays that are part of this time of year and the busyness that accompanies them, and I have hope that I'll manage to accomplish enough of what I want to be pleased with the effort and the results.

Tomorrow my plans are to pull out the sewing machine and begin work on Princess' Orange-Yellow-Pink Fuzzy Spider Costume and do a lot of laundry and work more on a story called "Worry & Care" that I started two years ago. I've only got a few chapters left I think before it's done and I'd adore having it finished this week. Here is the quote from the first chapter that the title comes from. It sums up my current state of hope.

Faith is not without worry or care--faith is fear that has said a prayer.
–Author Unknown

10 comments:

Valerie said...

Sounds like you have a chef in the making. Hopefully it will be funny one day, maybe. Hope you are feeling better soon!

Valerie (LDSMoms)

Anonymous said...

Yikes! I've had some child messes, but I think yours beats me by a long shot. So sorry you had to deal with all of that when you were sick - dealing with it healthy would be bad enough. I hope you get better soon!

Anonymous said...

WOW. That is frankly amazing. What is that old saying about authors being able to use their experiences in their writing? It isn't a tragedy, it's new material? Okay, maybe I just made that up. Good luck with the costume and get well soon!

Wendy

Pirate Princess said...

LOL - they find the BEST times to do this don't they? Hercules did this with pepper and got it in his eye while I'm cleaning the house getting ready for a *possible* homestudy. I had a meltdown when the vacuum wouldn't come on - stupid breaker.

Your holidays are going to be great!

:)

Tobler Bunch said...

SO, I am finally reading your blog and taking the time to write ya! I love your post on the kids. That is a sure fact that when the mommy lays down, trouble awaits after she rises. I can only imagine the mess and the clean up involved. You are such a good sport. Hope you are feeling better.

Jeremy Saunders said...

ugh lara! You are a saint to be calm about that! And what patience and discipline, I think I would have cried! Glad you are posting again!
PS Julie and I are your new VT's, so CALL US!
mimi

Lara said...

*****Thanks Francys :) Today they got into the Costco-sized garlic powder--what a mess!

Lara said...

*****Thanks Mimi :) It was great to see you the other day! I am am so glad you are my VT now!

Pirate Princess said...

Merry Christmas Lara! Hope you have a wonderful one! :)

Lara said...

*****Thanks Aine! Sorry to be so out of touch lately!