Freeze Yer Buns!

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FreezeyerbunsI admit that I'm a big energy consumer in the summer.I over-use air conditioning.  Heat makes me wilt in a big way--I think it's because my blood pressure is practically non-existent. But I do try to make amends in the winter. I like to be a little cold. And I love a warm sweater. There is nothing more sleep-inducing than a down comforter with a heavy quilt on top. Cold? Bring it on! Kara alerted me to Crunchy Chicken's admonition not to be left out of the cold. In the Foss household, we're shooting for 64 degrees during the day and 55 at night. I am fully aware, every time I drag the trash out to the curb, that this household of ten makes a greater impact on the environment than the house next door. I'd like to think that we can also make a greater impact for the better. I'd like to think that the people being educated inside this chilly house are being made aware of how important it is to reduce, reuse, recycle (and but the way, that CD is way too great to miss--even the big brothers are loving it--many thanks, Mary Chris). We are very, very happy to eat locally and love the farms that bring us food. We are over-the-top cloth diaper fans. But we also have a lot to learn and a lot more to do to ensure that all the people in this household grow up aware of their serious responsibility to be good stewards the beautiful world with which they've been blessed.We're going to freeze our buns this winter. Are you in?
Oh, and if you're coming to visit, consider yourself warned--bring a sweater and some fuzzy socks:-)

Inspired.

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I have to be inspired to clean. Sometimes, all it takes is a new scent from Mrs. Meyers. Sometimes, all it takes is knowing that the truck to take away my giveaways will be here Wednesday. Sometimes, all it takes is knowing that the lady who has been cleaning her footprints off the fridge and everything else in sight will be in my house in a few short weeks. And sometimes, it's a beautiful blog with really well organized lists that lights my fire. This morning, the stars have all lined up. It's all there. It's all happening. I have an overwhelming urge to put things in order. Kara's lists are really remarkable. They are Flylady inspired and  tweaked for her personal use.  There is an overall at-a-glance for dailies, weeklies, and zones. Then, she's detailing, room by room, for her homekeeping notebook. I was just saying that my notebook really needs some updating. Michael's departure completely sacked my routines and now that we finally have new ones in places, my pages need re-doing. Kara has beautifully  inspired me. I have Home Comforts and I have Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook. Should be a simple thing to "just do it," particularly given all the inspiration I have. Should be. First though, a cup of tea...and then I promise, I'll get going. Many blessings to you on this Monday morning. New weeks are so inspiring, aren't they?

A Rare Moment in Time

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October_2007_010A couple of weeks ago, Mary Beth, Katie, Karoline, and our friend Mackenzie were playing in Mary Beth's room. The girls were dancing and Kara was watching--and wanting. To Dance. Mackenzie asked if she had yet taken a step and--just as Mary Beth was answering in the negative--Karoline took three such steps. There were squeals and shouts and lots of "Mom, you'll never believe it!" And I didn't.
Because I chose to deny it. That was pretty easy since I didn't witness it:-).
Then Karoline did it again and again and I was forced to admit that she is indeed learning to walk.
Karoline has never crawled. Instead, she scoots along on her bottom and propels herself forward October_2007_038 with her right leg. This is a very useful means of moving. A baby can get herself all over the house, while holding a doll or a ball or Mommy's cell phone. There is no need to walk. She's upright and very fast! Because she spends so much time this position, her left foot and lower leg curl in considerably. While she can bear weight and stand up straight, she has not gone from those few steps to full blown walking very quickly at all. Instead, she usually takes two or three steps at a time and falls over that left foot.
Until yesterday.
November_2007_003Yesterday, she put several more steps together and looked at me with a grin of perfect satisfaction. She is my eighth baby. I know the signs. By Monday morning, my baby will scoot no more. She will be walking.
By the grace of God, this happens to be the first weekend since the middle of August when my husband will be home all weekend. It's also the first weekend since the middle of August when my eldest son will be home all weekend. Karoline knows her audience. It's going to be quite a weekend, a rare moment in time. We're all together,  watching our baby become a toddler.