A November Evening

Outside my window...it is dark, cold, and it smells like late autumn. The last yellow and red leaves fell from the trees during the hurricane, and are plastered to just about everything in sight. There is woodsmoke and the rich scent of wet grass in the air.

I am thinking...that I will be glad when my parents return home tomorrow. This week has taken a lot out of me, and I’ve been longing for a quiet, cozy night with the family. I haven’t slept in my own bed all week, and I don’t quite feel myself.

I am thankful....that my family and friends are safe after Hurricane Sandy. There are so many people that have been affected by the storm, I am thankful that our house was not damaged and that no one in my town was hurt.

I am wearing...my substitute teaching clothes! Grey tights, a blue patterned dress, and a navy blue cardigan.

I am hearing...the quiet noises of an empty house. The kitchen clock is ticking, the gas stove is settling, the animals are moving around, and the old floorboards are creaking under my chair.

I am pondering...the importance of self-control. For the past two nights I have found myself eating far too much Halloween candy, and almost immediately regretting it. Over the weekend I found a book that uses yoga practices to promote control of the body and mind. This morning I ordered it for myself (something I rarely do) because I feel that I need some structure to support my current lifestyle. 

I am wondering...whether I will have enough motivation to clean my room tonight. Otherwise I’ll have to spend another night downstairs. This past week, I was so preoccupied with parties, houseguests, hurricanes, work, and chores, that I didn’t take much time to do anything for myself. I was in the midst of cleaning my room, doing my laundry, and organizing my sewing projects when my parents left for their business trip. After that, all hope of finishing my individual work was lost.

I am reading...nothing at the moment. I have been trying to keep up with Bible readings when I read anything, but I seem only to be able to read my herbal healing books on a daily basis to deal with headaches, stomach aches, and cramps.

I am hoping...that this weekend I will have the opportunity to get started on a new healthy-living routine. I specifically used my trip to the grocery to buy flax seed, tofu, and lots of fruit. Tomorrow I hope to cleanse my system of all that Halloween candy, and make some vegetarian inspired snacks and meals.

I am going...to see Barack Obama and Bill Clinton on Sunday. I haven’t taken advantage of any political events this election season, but I came up with a fabulous tee shirt slogan, and I’m planning to wear it to a rally in the capital. Here’s a sneak peek: “I’ve got a history degree, but even I’d rather move FORWARD than backward!” It came to me as I was thinking about how scarily backward Romney’s and Ryan’s views on women are.

I am smelling...a stinky dog. I think I should give her a bath tonight. :-P

I am noticing...how much I have to get done before tomorrow afternoon! Clean house, strip beds, bathe dog, wash dishes, do laundry, take down Halloween decorations, cook down pumpkins for canning, put away laundry, bake, start healthy living routine, get Thanksgiving decorations up, put out campaign signs, run errands, etc. Yikes.
 

I am remembering...some of the wonderful things God has done for me lately. He is so good!

Quick Update: Prepping for the GGSE

In 6 months or less, I will be leaving for the Great Graduate School Experiment. In the meantime, I have been whittling away at my abundance of free time. Here are some tidbits about my life since I last posted.

Work

-Traveled to Las Vegas for a trade show with my mom's company. It was a blast seeing the lights and action of Vegas, and I really liked working at the show!

-Finally everything is in line for me to become a substitute teacher in the local school district. I have desperately missed working with children, and I'm excited to be able to serve my community in a new way! My first scheduled teaching position is the last week of October, but perhaps I'll find a few other opportunities along the way.

-The daughter of a family friend swims six days a week, and I've been helping to transport her to and from her swim practices. It's a blessing to help out a friend, and spending so much time driving also allows me to take in the beauty of fall in New England.

-November vacation camp with the recreation department is all ready to go. My co-camp director and I are so excited to be offering a two-day camp exploring the origins of Thanksgiving-- including a trip to Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts (my future dream job)!

-Still working to get my seamstress business off the ground. Some of my work was on display at the town library between August and October, and my dresses in particular were given a lot of attention. I have made plans to attend a few local craft fairs and markets, and hopefully will be selling some items before Christmas. Look for the Rainy Day Seamstress near you.

-I met and played with some of the children in that I hope to be spending time with come February. The kids are all part of an early childhood program at our local community center, and when my friend Lisa goes on maternity leave in a few months, I will be taking her place for a few weeks.

-Since August, I've been housekeeping for my parents-- cleaning the house top to bottom every week. It's a tough job because as soon as I've vacuumed the dog starts scratching, the cat sheds, the bird molts, and I have to get rid of the dust and grime all over again. But I actually like to clean and organize, so it gives me an opportunity to rid myself of excess compusivity.

-After speaking with the president of the local historical society, I have been given the opportunity to join the board and work with the society on a number of projects. It will be a wonderful chance to work in my field during my year at home.

Play

-In September I had the opportunity to visit some dear friends around the state. I will also be visiting UNH for homecoming this weekend. Hopefully I will be able to see a number of my school friends while I am on the other side of the state.

-I've been working hard to train my little Ollie bird. Since he came to live with us a little over a year ago, Ollie has been a bit wild. Unlike any other bird we've owned, Ollie would eat no "people food", would not perch on a finger, and did not talk or whistle. During the summer I spent hours talking to him, feeding him garden vegetables, and handling him on a regular basis. Within the last month, he has become (almost) a normal bird. He talks endlessly in my voice, scavenges for breakfast cereal and carrots, and will come out of his cage with hardly a squawk. Despite my family telling me that I'll end up a crazy bird lady, I'm very proud of all the work we've accomplished ;-)

-In my really free time, I have been sewing and/or plotting to sew all kinds of projects. It's just about time to think about Christmas, and I'm feeling prepared for the first time in years. Of course, part of that is that I don't have to take any exams or research any theses for the first time in my life, but still, it's nice to feel like I've got a grip on something.

-Although it's been dreary and grey for the past two weeks, I've taken every opportunity to work in the garden. We haven't got much left, but it makes me feel better to know that my beds and compost will be in good shape for the winter. Considering that I won't have much of an opportunity to garden in DC, I'm hoping that all the houseplants I've been repotting will be able to survive the big move. Most of our houseplants live on the porch during the summer, but I'm slowly collecting them in my room again as the cold nights settle in.

-I'm also spending a lot of time in the kitchen copying family recipes into my new recipe book, trying out said recipes, and preserving whatever has come my way. So far I've put up 12 pints mint jelly, 12 pints plum jelly, 26 quarts dill pickles, 3 quarts pickled zucchini, 6 quarts applesauce, and countless dried veggies, fruits, herbs and tea ingredients. I'm still planning on another 6 quarts applesauce tomorrow.

Wow. That's a long "quick" update. I'll stop now and leave the rest for another day.

This Old House

I know it's been ages since I've posted. I have been busy with all sorts of projects, and have been too tired to get my act together at night. Mostly I have been organizing the deposited goods that have accumulated after five people have lived in the same space for 25 years. The attic is clean and orderly again after an extensive purge of all things on the 3rd floor.

During my cleaning spree, I have found a number of surprises in and around the house. I just love living in an old house. Surprises everywhere!

Ironstone saucer

Molded clay rooster

Ceramic game piece

Victorian "Frozen Charlotte" doll

1955 transfer-print reproduction coffee mug

Early 20th century linoleum floor cloth

 ...unfortunately, now that the attic is clean, I now know EXACTLY where the roof leaks when it rains.

The Wonderful World of Sodium Bicarbonate

Baking soda is an AMAZING substance. I know I have said this before, but I need to reiterate the true admiration I feel for it. Many do not understand my romance with baking soda, so I've composed a short list of all the things for which I have used it (so far!).

1. BAKING. Self-explanatory.

2. CLEANING
-Drain cleaner. Sprinkle a little down the drain & pour vinegar over it. Wash down with hot water.
-Counter cleaner. Sprinkle a little on a damp sponge or rag & wipe down your kitchen counter.
-Cleansing spray. Mix a little baking soda with a water & vinegar solution. Spray counters, toilets, windows, etc.
-Clean pots and pans. If food clings to pans after baking or cooking, sprinkle a little baking soda over the damp pan. Let sit overnight & scrub clean in the morning!
-Laundry boost. Soak clothes in a tub of hot water with at least 1/4 cup baking soda.
-Powder for the dishwasher. Mix 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup Kosher salt, 1/4 cup borax. Use 1 TBL per load of dishes.
-Sink and tub cleaner. If you have tough scum or rings around the bathtub or sink, wipe area with a damp washcloth then sprinkle a little baking soda. You may need to repeat a few times to scrub away all the scum, but it is much more effective than store-bought chemical spray.
-Deodorizer. In the car: Sprinkle dry baking soda on the seats & mats, let sit for a few minutes, then vacuum away. In the fridge: keep an open box in the fridge & change every 30 days to keep the fridge fresh. In the basement, barn, shed, or garage: Sprinkle dry baking soda on areas prone to dampness or mildew, let sit for a day or so, and gently sweep away. Blow a fan on the area to dry it out & keep away other odors. In the home: Keep a bowl of baking soda in any room needing deodorizing. Add a drop or two of essential oil & mix well. Change every month or so.

3. PERSONAL CARE
-Foot bath. Add baking soda to a pan of warm water & soak feet to relieve tiredness, dry skin, and discomfort.
-Dental hygiene. Sprinkle a VERY little amount of baking soda over your toothbrush to add a little boost to your normal dental routine. Helps whiten teeth & discourage tartar buildup. It's salty, so follow up with your normal toothpaste.
-Hair rinse. Put a few tablespoons of baking soda in a water bottle & fill it up with warm water. Close the top & shake well. During bath time, pour over head & massage into scalp in place of shampoo. Helps control natural oils without the nasty chemicals or processing of commercial shampoo.
-Soothing bath. Add baking soda to bathwater to soothe an achy body or irritated skin.
-Hand soap. Grate multiple bars of soap into a large enamel pot. Cover soap with cold water & let simmer on low heat until all soap has dissolved. Add a cup of baking soda to the solution & stir on low heat until creamy & thick. Cool slightly, then pour into glass containers. The baking soda boosts cleaning power and works especially well for removing oil, pine sap, and paint from hard working hands. I add a few drops of fragrance to my hand soap, but the plain scent isn't bad either!
-Facial scrub. In place of normal face wash or face soap, sprinkle a little baking soda into a damp hand and massage over face and neck. Don't rub too hard as it may irritate skin. Rinse with cool water & follow with moisturizer.

Last Moments of Summer

Outside my window...the sun is brightly drying my freshly laundered clothes on the line.

I am thankful for ...the opportunity to have had an education and the guidance to complete it.

I am remembering ...previous summers and how nervous I was to go off to college!

On my mind ...getting packed and ready to leave for school tomorrow.

From the learning room ...1/4 cup of borax and a few gallons of hot water make an excellent and very effective pre-soak for dingy looking clothes.

From the kitchen ...tea now, and Cheezit chicken for dinner. Maybe with asparagus?

I am wearing ...denim cut-off capris, and my bandana patterned button-down shirt. Work clothes.

I am creating ...a compilation of all the things I want to take to school with me.

I am going ...to switch loads of laundry, and then upstairs to clean.

I am reading …"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" finally. I'm about 2/3 of the way through.

I am hoping ...that this year will prove to be a wonderful and successful last year at UNH.
I am hearing ... "When I Fall in Love" sung by Renee Olstead.

Around the house ...hair tonics for getting rid of blonde highlights, laundry soaks, piles of dorm essentials, and shoes are everywhere!

One of my favorite things ...sitting with my family and talking after dinner.
A few plans for the rest of the week ...moving in to my dorm for the last time tomorrow, then helping everyone else move in on Friday and Sunday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing ...

The Miracle of Washing Soda

About a month ago I bought an enormous package of washing soda at the store, intending to use it for homemade laundry soap. Since it's been in the house, however, I've used the washing soda for all sorts of little chores. How did I ever get by without it?

So far I've used it as a deodorizer in the dog area outside, scrubbed the 100-year old bathtub with it (and gotten rid of the bathtub ring that's been there for almost as long), sprinkled it over the stovetop to loosen all the caramelized gunk from preserves, made a test batch of laundry soap, and most successfully, used it for dishwasher powder.

For ages my family has been on the lookout for an eco-friendly alternative to dishwashing detergent, and I believe that after many failed (and highly expensive) ventures, my homemade powder is just what we needed. It's a very simple recipe, and there are only a few ingredients:

Mix 1 cup Washing Soda, 1 cup Borax, 1/2 cup kosher salt, and 1/2 cup citric acid (optional-- for hard water areas) in a medium bowl. Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to an airtight container--Tupperware or a large Ball jar will do-- and use 1 tablespoon of powder per load. Use a tablespoon of vinegar as a rinse aid if needed. If you run your dishwasher once a day, one batch should last about a month. (I like to sprinkle a bit on my sponge or dishcloth for stubborn pots and pans, or to clean the sink, so my powder goes more quickly than I would like!)

School is Back in Session

It seems like ages ago that I last posted, and it really was, in the scheme of our fast-moving age of technology. Here is a brief recap of my wonderfully long (and blog-less) summer.

After leaving my position as an RA at the end of May, I moved back home for the summer to work as a camp counselor for my local recreation department. I worked through June at the local bakery (my fallback employment since Senior year of high school,) and helped my parents keep the house together as we anticipated my sister's graduation. Oh, the stress of two children in college. It had begun to wear on me before Claire had even received her diploma.

Aside from working at the bakery and keeping the family sane, I spent most of my time in the garden in June. Each day I would wake up, eat breakfast, dress, weed and tend the garden until about ten or eleven, then work on some project for the rest of the day until work. Within the first two weeks of being at home, I made a potting bench for the back yard, a tin lantern, a nesting box, and about fifteen candles.

As June wore down, Ethan prepared to leave for his summer math program at Hampshire College. We dropped him off on July Fourth, and immediately our family dynamics changed. It was strange not to have him around the house, eating all the cereal from the cabinets or playing Chopin on the piano, but we became used to it. Claire and I both started working the week after he left, but were briefly interrupted by a family reunion in Michigan. It was wonderful to travel this summer, as the previous summer found me away at sleep-away camp.

The Antrim Rec. Department turned out to be the perfect summer job for me, and I felt that I had made the right choice as soon as I started. I learned valuable lessons from almost every aspect of the experience, such as working with the kids, getting along with co-counselors, and balancing my home life with my work life.

Although most of my friends were working for the summer, I was able to spend a lot of time with a few of my dearest friends, which was more than I could have asked for. Barbara and I traveled to Maine with her parents and spent an unbelievable week on Eagle Island. Our adventures left me with an even deeper love and appreciation for her than ever before, and memories that will last me a lifetime.

Too soon, the summer drew to a close as camps ended, Ethan came home, and Claire began preparing for her great departure to Skidmore. I tried to take everything in stride because it was all happening so quickly, but the last night before leaving for school was still difficult. I wasn't sure I had made the right decision moving back to Hubbard and no longer being an RA. I was nervous that I wouldn't get along with my roommate, and that I would have a difficult adjustment to being back in school.

All my fears were proved wrong almost immediately. I feel so blessed to have been able to move in early, because I formed instant bonds of friendship to people I would have otherwise missed. My roommate is wonderful, and I feel as though we share bits and pieces of each others' soul. So much has happened in the past week, that I cannot even recount it, but I praise God for all that He has done for me. In the dark days that I experienced just months ago, I could never have imagined that He would bring me to this contentment in such a short period of time. He is so good to me!

Procrastination and a Clean Room

One of my greatest talents is procrastination. I don't know how I developed it as my parents are both very driven individuals. In my case, procrastination can result in the accomplishment of almost everything but schoolwork. That is not to say that my schoolwork doesn't get done, but it is not completed over a planned and extended period of time. My best work is born from pressure. Ironically, so are my best prayers.

Today I don't have a lot of work, just reading for my class in two hours and for my class tomorrow morning. I might have been motivated to get it done earlier if I had not felt the need to clean my room and do my laundry for the first time since Spring Break. Also, it's raining, which I don't appreciate. But as soon as my laundry is done, I think I'll get to my homework.