…apparently the life for me.

Bug wrangling kicked into high gear this weekend.  Saturday night at Vespers, Ana motioned frantically for me to “come here”  from her front row spot in the children’s section of the choir.  I thought she needed me to find her place in the Vespers book since the usual “kid minder” was absent.  I started leafing through the book but she interrupted me “No mommy,” in hushed, but frantic Tone 1 (that’s only funny if you know Byzantine chant),” there’s a bug” she said gesturing towards the top of her music stand.

I managed to pick up the little bugger (with my bare hands because that’s just the kind of W-O-M-A-N  I am) and carry him outside to the front porch where I set him free.  It was one of those black skinny beetle looking bugs with the vermillion chevron on his “back.”  I have no idea what they’re called but they usually do come in from the cold about this time of year.

And then, Sunday morning, David was sitting on my lap during the homily when, probably the exact same bug started crawling up my dress.  David alerted me this time, “Mommy, there’s a lightning bug down there.  Get it…get it…”  If I didn’t get it, Father G was going to have quite a distraction from his sermon, so I “got it” and went back out to the front porch to set him free (again).

It was nice to have actual rather than mythical bugs to deal with this time.

Other than bug wrangling, things have been quiet.  We had a very nice Thanksgiving with Jim’s folks.  His brother cooked a nearly 100% organic meal from scratch and it was mighty tasty.  I was forbidden from contributing anything this time so I did my best to chip in and help with some final cooking and clean up on  T-day.  

The Christmas projects are swinging into high gear and I’ve been stitching quite a bit.  I love a nice stiff length of Aida cloth.  There’s something almost mesmerizing about pushing the needle up and down, the soft “kthhhh” of the thread pulling through the tiny holes to make rows of “x’s.”  I find it easier to pray this way sometimes, even in the midst of the total chaos of life.

My mother-in-law also gifted me with a “Happy Hooker’s Basket” on Thanksgiving which was full of yarn, crochet needles and some new pattern books.  It came just in time as I wanted to do something for an old friend who’s had a rough year or two of it.  I’m working on a “throw” for her and I hope it’s finished in time for Christmas, but if not, I’ll get it to her as soon as possible…praying for her as I stitch.

Jim has one possible lead on a job right now.  It seems somewhat tenuous, but we pray and hope.  Your prayers have been appreciated.  Know that we pray for you too.

God bless!!