Cruising toward the finish line

Here it is, literally past the middle of the month already. Next week is Thanksgiving, then Advent starts, and before you know it, we are at Christmas. I am bound and determined to slow this train down, but there are many factors working against me, including my own self! The kids have certainly chipped in to make sure Mom's been busier than usual:
November 5: ER visit for the Beav. This was one of those days I had scheduled out to the very last minute, because we had appts in the morning, afternoon, and a wedding in the evening. Why not squeeze in an ER visit, right? Why not--we did it, though, and now Beav joins the others in the "Forehead Scar Club." So, we didn't make it to the wedding, but we did make the reception, and that was a nice night out--good food, good people--congrats to our new neighbors!
November 11: ER visit for Bear. This was an interesting one, because I got called into school to pick him up because he was having trouble breathing, like an asthma attack (only he doesn't have asthma). Well, I come to find out that he had been at the nurse's office the DAY BEFORE for the SAME PROBLEM and I received no notification about it until I picked him up on Friday. What's up with that? I would think breathing problems are a special problem that maybe Mom and Dad should know about. Maybe I'm crazy. This wasn't the first time that I wasn't notified, too--that's a little frightening. Anyway, went the Dr, got a nebulizer, went home, into the ER at 1am, d/c'd at 5am, sleep until 8:30 am, into work at the hospital shortly thereafter. Thank you, St. Anthony's, because you all have been great to deal with as pediatric ER visits go, these two were very smooth.
November 18: Lunch at school with Buzz. I made this pact that I'd bring McD's to school on the half days, and now I'm being held to this. It wasn't so bad, just added another wrinkle to the day. But, we have cub scouts tonite and I've taken on this popcorn sale thing, and while it hasn't been bad so far, I still wonder: "What on earth were you thinking?" Let's just take a look at what else Jenny has volunteered for in the upcoming month ahead:
1. Trip to Amish store with former neighbor (actually, I'm looking forward to this)
2. Christmas program at church
3. Christmas party for Bear
4. Popcorn sale (goes on through January)
5. School library volunteer
Maybe that isn't so bad, but add on working, working extra at the preschool, 2 classes I'm taking in December, Beav's Christmas concert at school, it's starting to WEAR ME OUT just reading it. I also like to do a picture of the boys for Christmas cards, and usually by now I have the photo all ready to go out.
Next, I got some bad news. My college roommate emailed and told me she has breast cancer, and it happens to be the genetically linked one that is especially virilant--she is responding to treatment, and I pray that she continues to and is eventually cured. Such a scary thought, and among all these things plus apparent PMS, I have been quite teary all day. I worry about my friend, which makes me worry about myself, my future/my family's future. I am sad for my friend Shannon, who is especially sad this week, noting the one-year anniversary of her husband's diagnosis and beginning of his eventual passing. I'm sad for my friend, Sarah, and the loss of her brother-in-law, quite suddenly. I'm sad for my friend Katie, who's just trying to be a good mom despite the obstacles set in front of her. I'm sad for my church, and the fact that it is hurting so badly, there may not be one in a year's time. I'm scared for my husband's future with his job. The list goes on and on and on.

Trying to find the silver lining in a sad time is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. But, I've come up with this list to counteract the bad stuff. I've been enjoying being at home more and more, just doing laundry and managing household appts and stuff makes me feel good. I've been doing great on curtailing spending--though I think I can still do better. I like playing games with Beav in the morning, like Uncle Wiggily or Chutes and Ladders. I like walking the dog, getting lunch with a friend, driving to piano lessons and listening to Bear play "O Come All Ye Faithful" for his teacher. I like going to assemblies at school for the boys, checking for emails from my sister and my friend Tim, due to come in town in a few weeks. I love laughing with my husband, and it seems like we do pretty well with that lately, even if he periodically flies off the handle about nothing in particular. I like Jane Austen, Rachael Ray's magazine, and my Friday newspaper. Pumpkin spice latte is a good reason to get up in the morning, and Nero D'avola is a good reason to relax at night. Top Chef is coming to a close--that is a bit of a bummer because I'll need a new show, but "My Name is Earl" is on DVD. Christmas music and soft lights against a dark night make me feel cozy and safe. Hugs from each of my boys is enough to make my heart dance, and each one has brought me an extra smile lately: Bear's missing teeth, Scrabble with Buzz, and a walk with the Beav. Good times. Thank you for all these things, Lord, when I feel down and depressed. Thanks for sending me things to brighten my day.
See? My good list is longer than the bad.