Baby's First Shoes

When worlds collide... my love of things vintage, my love of great deals and my love of my cutie baby.  Check out these darling shoes that I just got for Walter!!  They are normally $30, which I would not have spent for a non-walker, but I got them on sale for $12.

Click on the photo really to see those old-timey bicycles.  Aren't they so much cuter than the latest Disney character being hawked?  These are Robeez Mini Shoez Tiny Trikes.  I sure as heck didn't name them.  What is with the z in Shoez?  Is it still pronounced like shoes?  Is it more like the Suez canal? 

Anyway, stupid spelling aside, they are adorable.  They'll go nicely with the vintage carnival theme I'm putting together for baby's first birthday next month.

Motherhood in Any Size Town

Whenever I have a new baby I'm reminded that one of the ways that "they" torture prisoners is by interrupting their sleep throughout the night.  I bet I know another method they use.

Give your subject a task to complete in a certain amount of time.  It needn't be complicated.  Something like, Go through this week's grocery store circular and plan meals for a family of eight.  Match up sale prices and coupons and do not exceed $100.  You have 30 minutes.  Begin.

At random intervals, send in a Distraction to interrupt your subject.  These can increase in urgency and decibel level, depending on how long it takes your subject to break.

You may encounter a subject who has developed a reputation for being difficult to shake.  People who meet her may comment on how calm she appears.  This subject may be able to ignore Distractions going on around her and forge onward with the task at hand.  She has been tortured for many years now and has become immune to rudimentary techniques.

In that case, it is time to move on to Multiple Tasks.  Perhaps combine Attending to Her Morning Regimen along with Getting Baby Ready for His Doctor's Appointment and Making Two Important Phone Calls.  If it appears that she is accomplishing these tasks it will be time to...

Send in Multiple Distractions

The most effective Distractions are those that hang on to her skirt and make a piercing shriek, EEEyahEEEyahEEEyah over and over.  If she ignores the shrieks, have the Distraction bite her leg.  It will be next to impossible for even an experienced subject to apply mascara while being bitten.  It is a virtual certainty that being unable to complete a task because of constant interruptions will eventually break even the most hardened of subjects.

Nooooo!

But fear not, comrade.  If that doesn't work, turn on Dora the Explorer. 





Summer Wedding

Not Actual Gazebo

To the Bride and Groom who just got married in the gazebo in the park in front of our house,

I've enjoyed watching your wedding.  You can't see the nosy neighbor who loves weddings... I'm sure of that because I've checked.  The glare off of the windows makes it impossible to see in.  There have been several lovely weddings in the gazebo since we moved here.  You are welcome that we put off mowing our lawn in your honor.

All of my life, whenever I've seen a bride start down the aisle... even if I don't know her... my heart soars and my eyes well up with tears.  You represent so much promise.  So much hope.  Every good thing lies before you.  I wish you both a long lifetime full of joy and determined commitment.  Not "happiness", though that's nice.  But as you step out into the unknowable future together I can be certain of one thing.  The hard times will come.  They always do.  Those couples who celebrate their 50th anniversary didn't get there because they were lucky.  They got there because they knew something that our world has forgotten... no matter how bleak things may seem, if you hang in there, it can get better.

But you might already know that.  Towards the end of your wedding you did something that I didn't understand.  You each took a hammer and pounded nails into something.  I've never seen that before, so I did a Google search.  I'm not sure if this is what you did, but I think it's a beautiful idea:

A Modern Twist on the Unity Candle Ceremony

"Bring a solid wooden box and place a bottle of wine and two glasses inside. The bride and groom are asked to write letters to one another prior to the ceremony. When the unity time comes they will place these letters inside the wooden box. The bride and groom or the entire wedding party are given a nail and hammer and they are asked to seal the box shut.

The officiant explains to the guests that should the couple fall into hard times and before they make a rash decision, they are to open the box, drink the wine and read their letters to each other.

If the couple never has any issues (VillageJen - Ha! ) they can open it on a special anniversary and read the letters then."

Congratulations to you both.  The bride was absolutely beautiful today. 

Friends and Neighbors

One of the lovely things about living in a small town is the frequent opportunity to make new friends.  Here is the distinguished gentleman we met last night:

As I sat in my parlor I could see this fellow meandering down the sidewalk of Main Street.  He looked perfectly content to be out for a summer evening's stroll but I looked and looked and didn't see anyone with him.  My heart sank.  I couldn't ignore a loose dog.  St. Francis would be disappointed.

Michael ran to get our dog's leash and Grace called the pup to her.  Fortunately he was very docile and mostly cooperative.  Caroline helped me to get a bowl and some water, which this guy drank and drank and drank.  He must have been out on some adventure!

Then we all stood there, wondering what to do next.

Once again, we were grateful to be living in a small town.  I suggested that the children walk him around the village and ask everyone they encountered if this dog looked familiar to them.  Some people said no, but some people gave suggestions as to where he might live.  Our neighbor came over and said that he might know the owners, so he hopped into his van and drove to their house to ask them.

Meanwhile I made some phone calls, trying to find him a place to spend the night.  It was after 8:00pm, extremely humid and this dear dog was very old, stiff in the joints and blind in one eye.  He needed a cool, cushy place to sleep.  I tried the local veterinarian, surrounding veterinarians, distant veterinarians, animal hospitals and labrador rescue groups.  I just needed somebody local to take him inside overnight and then in the morning we'd resume the search for his family.  We sure would have but we didn't know how our dog would react.  (Although, come on, they're both labs, they'd probably just circle each other to death.)

All of my calls were fruitless.  The children returned home with the dog in tow.  There were still some streets left to try but I couldn't have this tired ol' guy go out anymore.  As soon as Pete had seen me with a new dog he had said, "We can't keep him!" but it looked like we were about to.  Just then a minivan turned onto our street.  I said a silent prayer, "Please, oh, please be the owners!"... and yay, they were.  Thank you, St. Francis. 

We Love This Town, But...

Every now and then Pete and I will discuss one of the drawbacks that come with small town living.  There aren't many and we feel that the benefits far outweigh them.  But they're there and lately one of them has been getting on my nerves.  Heck, it's been getting on the nerves of suburban folk and city dwellers, too.

It's these dagnabbit gasoline prices!  I'm not interested in hearing why they exist or what is or isn't being done about it.  It's one of those things that is outside the control of Michigan housewives.  But it is taking a serious bite into our budget. 

When we moved from our first suburb to our second suburb Pete's job was a 20 minute drive away.  And then glory hallelujah, his company built their shiny new world headquarters not three miles from our house!  Had he been a Democrat, Pete would have ridden a bike to work. 

(Joshing!  I love my Democrat friends and family!)

Our family thought we were nuts to move 40 miles away from such a sweet situation.  We did, too.  Who does that?  We have not regretted it for one tiny moment but when Pete is at the pump for the second time that week he's thinking, "Well, here's $50 we won't be saving for retirement... or using towards sprucing up our landscaping... or spending on local pub food."

As an aside... that family that thought we were nuts?  They moved up here and now work from home 250 miles away from the job.  They love small town living, too!

Home Sweet Home

This is our beautiful small town Catholic church, right in the heart of Mayberry.  It is where we can be found every Sunday morning, unless we are feeling radical and go on Saturday evening.  2012 will mark the 100th anniversary of this sacred house of God.  It is directly across the street from our house.  If the doors are open we can almost see the tabernacle.

It is such a blessing to live this close to our church.  I'm absolutely certain that the Lord orchestrated our move into this particular house for that particular reason.  He knew that if I were to remain in a state of grace, I'd need all the help I could get!

We've only lived here for five years but I can't count the number of times I've gone to that beautiful building to worship, plead, celebrate, mourn and thank.  Sometimes I've gone over too late in the day and the doors have been locked so I just sat down on the steps and prayed.  I figured that if our church was bigger and I was in the back pew the graces from the Real Presence in the tabernacle would still reach me, so the steps were the equivalent to the back pew of a cathedral.

(Local friends, I took this picture off of our church's website.  If it's yours and you want me to take it down, I'd be happy to get off my tuckus and walk across the street to take a photo, myself.  Just let me know.)

Night on the Town

When you live in a small town, your options for a romantic evening are somewhat limited.  Okay, they are extremely limited.  Pete and I ask each other, "Do we want pizza, pizza, pizza, pub food or pub food?".  Tonight we are leaving our children to babysit amongst themselves and we are going out for really good pub food.

Then... and here's where it gets exciting... we're gonna cruise down the country roads, heading for the big city to spend a wild and crazy evening here:

Requiescat in Pace





I love cemeteries.  Usually.  They are such interesting and peaceful places.  The headstones tell us stories of history... about people who lived and were loved, who died after a lengthy life well lived or far, far too soon.  I can spend hours in our local cemetery, reading the tombstones and praying for the dead and their mourners.  Usually I pull into the entrance with a detached somberness.  Today I burst into tears.

I pulled myself together and took some photos of old tombstones and statues.  I didn't cry the rest of my time there.  But when I went to edit the photos just now... more tears.  They come without warning several times a day.  I didn't even know Anthony that well.  I so wish I had.  From what I hear, he was a truly remarkable boy.

It's not that I cry because I'm thinking specifically about Anthony's parents at that moment.  It's as if my grief on their behalf has seeped into my soul and is always present.  Dear God in Heaven, if I feel this much pain, what must Anthony's extended family and friends be feeling??

I had Caroline, Harold and Walter with me and we drove around just taking it all in.  Our town's cemetery is actually two cemeteries in one... the Catholic side and the non-Catholic side.  To be honest, the non-Catholic side is prettier because it is older and has more trees.  Mayberry was not settled by Catholics but by British folks (who I realize can be Catholic, but in this case weren't), so the main cemetery was originally designed for them.  The early Mayberry Catholics were buried in two other now-closed cemeteries on the outskirts of town.

What I most love about our cemetery (both the Catholic and non-Catholic sides) is that you are permitted to have any sort of headstone.  I can not stand cemeteries that require small, flat markers.  Sure, it might make it easier on the groundskeeper but if ever there's a place that is worthy of a weedwacker, it's a cemetery.  Check out this awesome grave marker (click on any photo to see it full-size):

Isn't that cool?  Whenever my children and I visit a cemetery I point out things that I like or don't like about grave sites.  They're going to know just what to do when I die.  Plant crocuses on top because they bloom and go before the groundskeeper begins mowing for the season.  No stuffed animals because they get mushy after just one rain.  Yes to a statue of an angel or the Blessed Virgin Mary.  No photo of me because they fade to a strange yellow.  I love the idea of incorporating a bench like this, so that my descendents can sit and pray for my soul:

I was charmed by the inexplicable beer bottle at the foot of the tombstone.  I'm also intrigued by the Viva Las Vegas inscription.  May God have mercy on the soul on this Vietnam veteran.  I'm grateful for his service.

To end this post on a happier note, here is a photo that I wasn't even going to take but Harold kept saying, "Take a picture of this!  Take a picture of this!".  So here is a picture of one of the many pinecones he collected:

I Did it Again

I had to drive up to the town of Chester to visit the foot doctor so I popped into CVS.  I had $5 in ExtraBucks that were burning a hole in my bee-U-tiful binder.  They had eight-packs of Aquapods for $2.50 each.  Grand total?  Ta da... $5.00!

I didn't even have to open my purse.  It was as if I said to the cashier, "I'm just gonna take these here waters and be on my way, k?  Thanx."  I even managed to get out of there without buying young Harold a lollipop this time.

However, I did not manage to get out of the foot doctor's without paying the second $200 installment on my granny mama orthotic inserts.  I may still be nursing an infant but my bunion's acting up and my vision is going.  ~Sigh~  Aging.

Funny Money

I just saved 75% at CVS.  I know that's correct because I asked Pete to check my math.  I bought about $90 worth of goods and only spent about $20 OOP (out of pocket).  That is such a fun way to shop!  Here's how I did it.  I put all of my items in my cart but paid for them in two separate transactions.  That was key to keeping my out of pocket expenses as low as possible.

First of all, I arrived at the CVS with $5 in ExtraBucks from last week's trip.  ExtraBucks (aka Extra Care Bucks) are $$ back that CVS gives on some items.  Their ad will tell you which items give EBs.  For instance, last week I bought an Oral-B Pulsar Toothbrush and received $3 EB and I bought some bottled water and received $2 EB.  These print out on the bottom of your receipt.  You cut them off and use them just like cash money on your next transaction.

I also made good use of manufacturer's coupons, including five that I bought on eBay.  Excuse me, five coupons that were free after I paid the eBay lady for her time to locate and clip the coupons.  The selling of coupons themselves is illegal.

This was my first transaction  (Prices shown are CVS's usual retail price):

• Two boxes of Raisin Bran.  On sale for $2.50 each.  Coupon for $1.00 off of two.  OOP=$4.00.  Earned $1 EB.
• Two Garnier shampoos, One Garnier conditioner.  On sale for 3/$10.00.  Used three coupons for $1.00 off of one.  OOP=$7.  Earned $10 credit towards Buy $15 of Garnier, Get $5 in EB.
• One Garnier cleanser.  On sale for $5.  Used $1.00 manufacturer's coupon AND a $1.00 CVS coupon.  OOP=$3.  Earned the final $5 credit towards the Buy $15 of Garnier, Get $5 in EB, so I received $5 EB.
• Five Lumene eye creams.  $4.20 each.  Used five $4 off of one coupons.  OOP=$1.00.  Earned $20 towards the Buy $20 worth of Lumene, Get $5 EB, so I received $5 EB.
• One Balance Bar.  $1.70 each.  OOP=$1.70.  Earned $1.70 in EB.
• One Razor.  On sale for $6.99.  Coupon for $3 off.  OOP=$4.  Earned $3 EB.

If you add up the red OOP costs, you'll see that my receipt total was $20.70.  I handed over my Extra Care Bucks from last week that were worth $5.00.  So the total that went on my Visa was $15.70.  I also received $15.70 in ExtraBucks to use towards my next transaction.

Here comes transaction #2.  None of these items earned EBs but I did use some manufacturer's coupons:

• Maxwell House coffee.  $2.88 each.  OOP=$2.88.
• Two Soft Scrub Total Cleanser.  On sale for $2.99 each.  Used coupon for Buy One, Get One Free.  OOP=$2.99.
• Two Soft Scrub with Bleach.  On sale for $2.99 each.  Used coupon for Buy One, Get One Free.  OOP=$2.99.
• Two Lysol Wipes.  On sale for 2 for $5.00.  Used one $1.00 off of two coupon.  OOP=$4.00.
• Always Infinity.  On sale for $6.99.  Used $1.00 off coupon.  OOP=$5.99.
• Skintimate Shaving Cream.  On sale for $1.99.  Used .55cent coupon.  OOP=$1.44.

This is where the magic happens.  My out of pocket expense was about $20.  (I haven't shown the cost of taxes.  Or Harold's lollipop I bought because he was such a good shopper.)  I handed over the $15.70 in ExtraBucks coupons I had from my previous transaction.  So I only put about $4 on my credit card.

All told I spent a little over $20 for more than $90 worth of goods.  If you look at the photos you'll see that the five eye creams add up to $20.  So essentially I got everything else for FREE!  It's all about CVS, baby.  Those ExtraBucks combined with coupons are awesome-sauce!

Our Small Town Fair

Well, today is Sunday and the fair is over for another year.  A fantastic time was had by all!  Thanks to the generosity of Grandma and Grandpa, the children were able to get wristbands that enabled them to ride the rides for three days.  The awesome thing about Mayberry's fair is that it is large enough to be super fun, yet small enough that the older children can wander about with their friends and we can find them easily.  Between the admittance fee and fair food, it still ends up costing a small fortune but it is so worth it.  We always make lots of wonderful memories together as a family.  It's old-fashioned, wholesome fun.

This year Caroline, Grace and I entered several exhibits in the fair and won some ribbons!  Caroline received three First Place awards for her crocheted baby blanket, crocheted baby hat and earrings (the baby hat also won Best of Show!).  Grace won two First Place ribbons for her crocheted doll backpack and a poem about the fair.  Much to my surprise, I received a First Place for my strawberry jam.  I almost didn't enter because the dear friend who taught me how to make jam is the fair jam queen.  She makes the yummiest stuff and folks flock to it at the farmers' market here in town.  Imagine my thrill when my little jar had a 1st Place sticker on it!  I'm a legit small-town girl now.  No suburban-babe anymore.



Not Grandma's doll


I also entered my late Grandmother's baby doll in the Antiques division and was honored to receive a First Place ribbon for her.  She has been sitting on my dresser for several years and I've only picked her up to dust her.  But when I took her to the fair I had to carry her in my arms.  The strangest thing happened... I could feel, oh gosh, this is going to sound so wackadoo, I could feel an aura of love about the doll.  I don't know if it was the love that Grandma Helen had poured into her dolly as a little child.  She was a poor farm girl with few toys, so this doll was extra special to her.  Or maybe it was a grace from God telling me that Grandma still loves me.  Either way, as wacky as it sounds, it was sweet.

Rosy Baby

On Sunday Pete and I had to rush baby Walter to the hospital because he had spiked a fever of over 101'.  Since he has bilateral grade 5 vesicoureteral reflux (kidney disease) any fever could be a sign of a kidney infection.  Poor little pup had to be catheterized to check his urine, which happily turned out to be fine.

The doctors said "It's just a virus.".  That phrase used to annoy to bajeebuz out of me but this time I was glad to hear it.  I had packed an overnight bag because I was sure he'd be admitted.  Instead we got to come home.  Woohoo!

When I told my dear friend about Walter's symptoms she said, "Roseola".  Seriously, that's exactly what she said... over the phone.  I have never, nor will I ever doubt this friend's diagnostic abilities.  Here we are four days later, the fever breaks and what's that on baby's face??  A rash!  Yep, it's Roseola.

That baby in the illustration kind of looks like Walter, except that my little guy is usually smiling.  I looked up Roseola online and the description says, "See N, Walter".  Actually it says that it usually occurs between 9-12 months (Walter's 10 mos.), that a high fever comes on suddenly (he was fine at church, then at the hospital two hours later), that the eyes may be red (I kept telling my parents that his eyes didn't look right.) and that the baby might have swollen nymph lodes.  Oh my goodness, I had a swollen gland in my neck last week that was killah painful.

Dear friend, they ought to grant you an honorary medical degree!  Your Dr. Mom credentials are Ivy League caliber.  I'm sure I'll be calling you again in the near future.

Parade time!

This week is just crazy fun.  Truly, the most fun week of the year.  It just might be more fun than a week at the beach.  Sunday night was Mayberry's fireworks... Monday morning was Laketown's 4th of July parade... Tuesday night was Mayberry's fair parade and the fair continues through Saturday.  Every. single. day. there is a fun event!

We've been to bigger parades, but not better.  For small towns, these two parades are top notch.  Miles of antique tractors, cars and firetrucks... the Fair Queen and all of her princesses.... veterans groups and the Shriners in little cars.  Best of all, they toss out candy.  Lots and lots of candy.  When we first moved to our small town we were told that the children should each bring a sack to the parade to hold their candy.  I admit, I scoffed.  At every previous parade we had been to the children were lucky if they went home with one tiny Tootsie Roll.  Thank goodness my children had heard this advice and were jumping around saying, "A sack?  A sack?  We should bring a sack?!  Let's go get our sacks!".  They ended up filled to the brim.
 
Every year I like to remind my children that the observance of Independence Day is not about candy collecting.  It's about remembering what a momentous decision it was for our forefathers to declare this land a new nation.  It's about remembering how many men died defending our right to independence.  So by golly, when that honor guard marches down the street we rise and put our right hands over our hearts.  If the parade has ten different units who carry the American flag, then we rise ten times.  You clap for the veterans and shout out "Thank you!".  Oh, and don't take candy from the Shriners... they're Masons.  (I kid!  About the candy.)

Little Sacrifices

Tonight is Mayberry's annual July 3rd fireworks display at one of the local parks.  Our village quadruples in population for this awesome event.  We have a tradition of meeting our friends at one particular corner of the park and enjoying the show together.  This year I am bummed to be missing it because baby Walter has a fever and wants his mama.  He can't stay up past 10:00pm so here we are.

Oh wait... something fun just happened!  Pete brought Harold home to use the potty and Harold chose not to return to the park for the fireworks.  (It sounds so strange to refer to a three year old as "Harold".  That's not really his name, though it's a good one, dear Grandfather!)  I put baby Walter down to sleep and then Harold and I listened to all of the BOOMS as the fireworks went off.  Afterwards we sat by my bedroom window and watched the exodus of people leaving town on foot and by car.  They were quicker if they were on foot.

We enjoyed seeing the policemen on horseback directing traffic.  Maybe next year our entire family can make it to the fireworks.

Mourning in Mayberry

Our town has lost another dear child.  This was a sixteen year old young man and member of our parish.  I got to know him a little bit when I taught catechism and he was a student in another grade.  After observing him interact with our Director I told her, "I really like this boy."  She did, too.  He was so polite and energetic.  I'm glad that a few months ago I had the chance to tell his mother how much I liked her son.

The real strengths of a small town are most evident when something bad happens.  Word gets around immediately and people flock to help.  I'm coordinating meals for the family and I made up a flier for the school supervisor to hand out.  When I asked the print shop owner for fifty copies he made seventy-five and wouldn't let me pay for them.

There's a sign on the way into town expressing support and prayers for the family.  The funeral Mass  undoubtedly will be heavily attended.  Like everyone, I'm grief stricken for these parents and their surviving son.  I still haven't processed the tragic loss of another child a few months ago.  Now, just like then, I struggle with anger.  I'm not angry at God or at any person.  It's frustrating not to know to whom or at what to direct my anger.  I'm just so dang mad that any mother has to bury her child.  It's wrong.  It's unnatural.  Death was not a part of God's plan for us.  Thank you, Jesus, that we do not grieve as those without faith.