The Consummate Homemaker

I wish I were. :)

During the blizzard(s) of 2010 here in Philly, I took a liking to cooking and baking. I had the time to actually not just be all Rachel Ray in the kitchen and grab the EVOO on the run, but really talk to Alayna about what I was cooking and laugh and joke around.

Since the snow came around Valentine's Day this year, and I had already planned on making gifts for work, I was excited to know that I could really take my time and also enlist the assistance of my culinary genius, daughter, BabyWheel.

We decided to make these.

Then we started by getting the dough ready:

Then we got the templates together for the cute little boxes. They said, "a little pie for the apple of my eye".

Then we filled the dough with apple pie.

Last, we pulled them out of the oven. YUMMY!

That Whole Cemetery Thing

Remember in the news when the group of gravediggers were digging up and reselling plots?

I wrote this on the day that it happened:

"I found that the Burr Oak cemetary scandal effects me a lot more than I'd like it to. My mother is buried there. A lot of feelings popped up when I heard the news about the terrible acts that the workers committed. I went on google earth to see the location, and sure enough, the are gaping holes, indicating that the digging process is underway, trying to identify the remains of the loved ones who have been disturbed. I went right back to 8 years old in my head, back when she died....I remembered her death, her funeral, the procession, every little detail...even the song in my head that I hummed to comfort myself, Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Funny, when her birthday comes, I remember her taking me to Disney and laughing and smiling with my dad. When someone potentially unearths her, I remember the drama of the circumstances surrounding her death, how my dad plummeted into a life of alcoholism, losing his young, beautiful bride to a heart attack before his very eyes. I remember my dad carrying my mom out of the house as she gasped for air and as dad threw me the car keys, hoping I would open the door. Everything in me wanted to open that car door, but my hands were trembling. Dad smiled and opened the door with one hand as he gently placed my mom in the front seat. In retrospect, the feces I smelled was my mother's last pass at life, but as we drove just a few blocks, we all pleaded for her to "come on". I remember the hazard lights on my dad's Oldsmobile as he whizzed through traffic to get to the hospital. I remember the chaos that ensued as we pulled up and how my 4 y/o sister and I were put in a private room so we couldn't see the paddles, the pleading of my father, the tears....I saw it all, even when they thought I didn't.

I shouldn't have to be forced to remember these events. Those memories were in the recesses of my mind, there with every other painful thing that has happened in my life. I have peace knowing that my mom is with God.

I pray for accountability for all parties involved. Since there are still forensic and digs going on, all familes are in a holding pattern, waiting for confirmation. I hope my mom is right where we left her 25 years ago. "

Thank God, she is where we left her. *Confirmed November, 09*

What a beautiful song

No Greater Love
You loved me when I was so unlovely
You sought me when I was lost
You showed me how much You really loved me
When You bought me at the highest cost

There's no greater love than this
There's no greater love than this
That a man would give his life for a friend
There's no higher sacrifice
Than a man would give his life
You have paid the highest price for me

You chose me when I was so unworthy
You cleansed me with Your own blood
You clothed me with righteousness and mercy
And You crowned me with Your steadfast love

http://www.imeem.com/pabslike/music/ENgUE-of/don-moen-no-greater-love/

BabyWheel's First Day of Preschool

We love BabyWheel's new school. Her teacher is very sweet and energetic and seems to be very knowledgeable. We pray that she learns a lot.

I cried like a baby...I mean it's not not she hasn't ben in daycare before, but she looked so tall and like a big girl, that my heart just melted.

Here are some shots ;)

Nothing Changes

A group of minority kids were turned away from a suburban pool that they PAID membership for...

Little White Dress

You know the kind of person who goes so slow when they're driving in front of you or they're at the store in the checkout line and they are moving as slow as molasses??

Well, I was doing a return at the mall last night, and there was this woman who was in line in front of me. She went on and on AND ON with the cashier about returning this toddler white dress. (It was one of those fancy ones like for communion or even for a little flower girl.

The manager was adamant about not allowing the woman to return the "specialty" dress. The customer was almost in tears, but understood and got some luggage in exchange for the dress at the department store. The woman was just sort of talking aloud about what she planned to do with the luggage and was a little annoying....

One sentence changed everything...

The woman said to the manager....I was going to use this dress to bury my grandbaby, but my daughter already bought her a dress.

It stopped me in my tracks. The woman started to cry, but the manager was not relenting on the policy.

It made me think...the next time I get annoyed with someone for being slow or for talking a little too much, I need to consider what is going on in their lives.

Patience is a virtue.

I came home and hugged my little girl and thanked God that I did not have to buy a dress for her.

Surgery

I am amazed at God and His way of using technology to heal us.

Unfortunately, we lost a baby a few weeks ago, and I had to have surgery yesterday in order to correct some issues related to that.  Really, the point of the post is to talk about care....and love for people.

I am the sort of person that if someone passes away, I am the first one to call, make a meal or just go and comfort the person.  If someone has a bad hair day, I'm over with a hat and a glass of something bubbly to take the blues away..

I now realize that as much as I genuinely enjoy DOING those things for people, in some ways I also expected those things in return.  I have learned to adjust my expectations and realize that I am an odd bird. I am what I would call a first-responder...always on the scene, right in the thick of it for those I love.  

Everyone is not wired like me. I have to learn to accept that.

I can recall when tragic things happened in our lives, and no one seemed to respond. While that was hurtful, I can understand the viewpoint that people just don't know what to do or to say.

Today, two friends made me lunch (thanks for the soup) and then dinner for my family (the ziti and cake were FABU) *burp* One just came over without calling, and I was groggy, funky and all, but she showed love...she listened to my fears and my concern for our reproductive future.  

Jesus said in Matthew 25:35

"I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me into your home."  

We have gotten away from the basics of loving each other...not only in my small situation, but in general.

This is not an indictment on the people who know me and read this blog, but really just sharing my heart about what makes me who I am and how I grow in relationships.

-MommaWheel