You know a reader is sick when . . .

She can only read one chapter and then has to put the book down because she’s tired.

You know a knitter is sick when . . .

She stops midrow.

You know a mom is sick when . . .

Wait, moms aren’t allowed to be sick.

Darnit!

So I’m tucking Miriam into bed, and we recite the Shema, just like we do every night. We are finishing up the English part, and she stops me and asks “G-d be two on his birfday?” I managed to not fall over laughing, but I think I failed the explanation. I’m afraid she’s very confused.

I have so much to be thankful for this year.  I have my amazing husband.  He works so hard to provide for us and take care of us, and yet he’s a child at heart, always ready to play, laugh, and be silly.  He makes me laugh more than I thought anyone ever could.

Of course, my children.  Even when the try my patience, the inspire awe.  The learn and grow and change so much every day.  It’s all I can do to keep up.

My mother.  She’s amazing.  She’s had a nearly impossible year, and yet she still pushes on and through.  She’s my rock these days.  Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed, or I need a shoulder to cry on, or a hand to hold, or even an ear for a funny story, she’s here.  I’m so grateful that I get to see her almost every day.  And for my children getting to grow up with her being such a strong part of their lives.

My father.  His year has been just as bad, but he doesn’t let it show.  Even in the hospital, he made sure he was keeping us all up to date and informed about everything.  I never have to worry about not knowing what is going on, because my dad, he knows!  And even when I disagree with him, he’s usually right.  Just don’t tell him I said that!

My in-laws.  They are great people.  I didn’t really grow up with the best model of “in-law behavior”.  I think I thought constant cold-war status was the norm.  Well, I was wrong.  My husband’s family took me in straight away and have always made me feel welcome.  For this, I am truly thankful.

My sister.  We fight.  We argue.  We don’t wrestle so much any more (sorry guys).  But, we are still each other’s biggest supporters and friends.  At least when we remember that we really do like each other. 

We have a roof over our heads, food in the fridge, and our bank account is in the black.

I have much to be thankful for.  Thank you!

We’ve been working with Miriam on “trick or treat”, half the time she pops up with “Happy Birthday”. So this morning DH asked her what we say when we knock on doors tomorrow, and Asher pipped up “Tit Oh Bwee”! It was beyond adorable!

Little Man in the lobby

Today was Rosh Hashanah.  Actually, it started last night, but that’s beside the point.  My family attends (and helps organize) a very small, fairly organized free community service for the High Holidays.  The service has been going on for something like 35 years, and it is free to everyone, we just ask for a small donation. Anyway, the same cantor has led services for the last 24 years, and the same man has read Torah for the last 17.  They couldn’t do it anymore.

So this year, we hired a new cantor, and yours truly read Torah.  I was so nervous that even though I knew the portion perfectly, I tripped over my tongue something awful once up there on the bima reading.  I managed to pull it together, and made it through the portion, but my stress level was through the roof.

At that point, my toddlers were done with services.  We lasted long enough to hear my sister blow shofar (the first portion), and then my kids and I high tailed it home.

It’s a good thing too as I barely managed to get the sleeping 1 year old into his crib before my migraine hit full force and I ran to the washroom and lost my breakfast.

Princess in the lobby

I managed to take a pill and curl up with my 2 year old on the sofa, where my family found me when they all arrived for Rosh Hashanah dinner (served around 2 pm).

My mom and sister saw the situation, and stepped in to save the day.  All the food was already cooked, but the table wasn’t set, nothing was heated up, or even organized.  They did it all.  My sister’s soup and rice pilaf were excellent.  Mom’s salad was delicious.  My chickens reheated just fine, and everything came together like clockwork while I lay practically comatose.

I pulled myself together enough to eat, and then they all sent me to bed.

They cleared the table, entertained my children, and just made everything so easy for me!

I can’t thank them enough.

My new year got off to a rocky start, but with family like this, I know that whatever life throws our way, we’ll be okay.

L’Shana Tova Tikatevu to you and yours.  I hope that the new year brings you blessings, peace, and happiness.

The windows of my house are completely fogged up because of the heat and humidity outside.  My kids got into my spice drawer today and managed to open and dump 3 spice jars all over my floor.  My 2 year old decided to try her hand at disassembling furniture today and took a shelf out of the television stand.  The same one she hid the remote under the other day and we couldn’t find it for ages.  My 1 year old is sick, and refused to nap at all.  My husband is still working at 7:30 at night.  He started before 6 a.m. this morning.  My basement is flooded and the carpet goes “squish” whenever I take a step.  The same 2 year old discussed above is refusing to sleep in her own bed, but is (Thank G-d) willing to sleep in the guest bed.  The sheets for the guest bed are in the washer right now, but she doesn’t seem to mind sleeping on a mattress pad, so okay.  The light in my kitchen burned out.

But, I have a lovely glass of Riesling, and am hereby telling the world it can go take care of its own self.  Mama is done for the day.

Sunday: Pasta with leftover lemon-oregano chicken from Shabbat, kale, onions and cream sauce

Monday: Lasagna, garlic bread, salad

Tuesday: Hamburgers and a variety of salads (bean, potato, green, etc) depending on my mood

Wednesday: Leftovers

Thursday: Grilled steaks, corn on the cob, caprese salad

Shabbat: Not my week to cook, I just bake the challah!

Monday: Sauteed chicken thighs in creamy leek sauce, brown rice, and collard greens

Tuesday: Whole wheat pasta, shrimp in garlic butter, sauteed bok choy

Wednesday: As always, the plan is SnB, the back-up plan is take out! I think I may also make a fruit cobbler

Thursday: Fish curry with pineapple, pea pods, and whatever is left in the crisper

Shabbat: Not my week to cook!    As the “Fiesta Shabbat” went over so well for my sister’s birthday, I think that plan is being revamped for this week with some minor alterations.  I love Mexican food, so no complaints here!