quiet

November 4, 2012 Image

The oven timer beeped, “done” at 8:30a.m.
I asked my youngest son, as he was quietly sitting nearby, to tell his big brother, “The cinnamon rolls are ready, it’s time for him to save his game, power down and come upstairs to eat.”
Next thing I knew the basement door was flung open, and that littlest boy used a great big voice to shout, “Get your butt up here! Breakfast is ready!”
I gotta admit, his big brother listened and I laughed aloud in reply.
I was still chuckling and smiling as I handed ‘em each a plateful of iced, cinnamon goodness, baked from a refrigerated Pillsbury tube.
Good morning.
May your day be A Good One.
I’m smiling here, still charmed by my youngest son’s cut to the chase translation.
~ Janean

November 4, 2012

October 29, 2012 Image

I began writing this post on our last day of vacation in Orlando, Florida. The day we headed home. In the midst of packing suitcases, carry ons and getting everyone and everything ready to GO, I tried to post this photo and story about my youngest son, but of course when you’re time crunched is when you’re most likely to have technical difficulties. So, I quickly saved as “draft” and decided to wait and post when I could finish a thought again. It’s now Monday morning. My husband is working, my children are at school, the happy-to-be-home-again-dog is sound asleep at my feet and the glad-we’re-home-but-mad-the-dog-is-back-too-cat is plotting from the floor above. Ah, q-u-i-e-t. Just what I needed most. 

On October 26, 2012, my youngest son (age 9) woke up happy and said, “Yeah! It’s Friday! We’re not going to the parks today!” Sweet boy who is happy to be going HOME. It’s his safe spot. I packed a patterned blanket, in shades of golden brown, on his request. It’s a comfort to him. He likes the cozy, softness it offers at night – it feels like something in between fleece and velour. It was worth the luggage space I gave up to bring it along for him. He needed that extra bit of home with him this wonderful week away. A week spent under palm fronds blowing in gentle breezes and a clear blue sky above. The gray clouds and rainy moments never lasted long or dampened the fun of the trip.

We made our own fun, he and I. He was my apple this week. The crowds were a bit too much. Rides not really his thing. Especially fast, dark and loud ones. Up and at ‘em rushing to eat breakfast and catch buses didn’t feel like vacation to him. Extra desserts agreed with him just fine though! So we swam in the hotel pool nearly every day, played video games at the hotel arcade, split brownie desserts down the middle, tucked in early and watched TV or read books in the quiet of the room while his big brother and dad rode the wild rides and stayed up late, adding to the crowds. Most of my vacation pictures are of him (palm trees come in second), caught my oldest son, husband and in laws a few times too. The memories will last. The smiles too. It was a lovely vacation. ~ Janean

October 29, 2012

October 23, 2012 Image

I’m finding my mellow poolside, under palm trees and a light blue sky. Not a cloud in it either. Just right breeze and temp too for shorts and a t-shirt at 8:36am ET. Maybe the coffee has something to do with that. Oatmeal with brown sugar and cinnamon too. Snuck out while my family was sleeping. Some quiet alone time, just for me.
~ Janean

October 13, 2012

powers of deduction

Our doorbell rings.
(sitting on couch) My youngest son says, “Who is it?”
(standing behind couch) I reply, “I don’t know. I don’t have x-ray vision.”
I could of guessed right though. I walked down the not too long hallway to answer the front door. It’s a neighbor boy, the 6th grade one, wondering if my boys can play. Yes. Yes, they can. Come on in and join the fun. Just leave your shoes on. Go quickly. I have ahold of Blue. Next thing I knew they were switching houses, from ours to his. My house is quiet, for just a little bit. For this I am admittedly thankful. Saturday just keeps getting better. ~ Janean

P.S. I spoke too soon. Let the wild woofing commence. Blue’s at his backyard facing window, and this is how he says, “SQUIRREL!!!!” *sigh* Quiet was nice while it lasted. All 2.3 seconds of it.

October 13, 2012

July 2, 2012 Image

NOTE TO SELF: When the nine month old puppy is out of sight and quiet for too long DO NOT assume he is napping. Because when you ask your children, “Where’s Blue?” he may come trotting from around the corner, carrying a piece of couch upholstery in his mouth, grinning his wolf-like grin. So, I doused the couch in green apple spray and pushed it up against the bay window, shutting down his favorite hangout/barking spot in the center of the window. This is when I’m thankful the couch is from 1999. I think my usually sweet and charming pup has officially entered The Teenage Years. Lord help me!!!! Now he’s sprawled out ready for a morning nap. Grrrrrr That’s me growlin’, not the dog…maybe I need a morning nap too. ~ Janean

May 31, 2012

a quiet house

I hear birdsong from the front yard

and rain sounds from the back

the quiet whir of the ceiling fan above

with a napping dog on the floor

the silver keys are tapping

beneath my flying fingertips

I’m still in pajamas 

even though it’s well past lunch

ah, yes, my favorite kind of day

breathe in

breathe out

just drinking in

the sounds of a quiet house

for the children

are with their Papa

April 1, 2012

cat care

I’m sitting in a dark, quiet room in a comfy chair, with a purring cat on my lap. I wish I could stay here a little longer. But it’s only a temporary stop. I’ve taken too long here already. Was just supposed to get mail, feed and scoop after cats and go, but I’m running on empty. Everyone’s been home on spring break all week. I’m tapped out. Zapped out. Needing a fill up with some quiet time and space. Kitty cuddles help too. I like this lap warming cat a lot more than the yelling, mad, hungry wisp of old gray cat that met me at the door. I think she was running on E too, needing some cuddles right back. Ah, much better. I should be able to face the noise, chaos and commotion that one man, two boys, a six month old puppy and mad about the dog cat fill a house with. My house. I’ll be walking in the door in five minutes…once I get up from this chair that is. ~ Janean

March 18, 2012 Image

the beauty of outside
is the walls hold in
the sound of the TV
and once the dog
stopped woofing
I could hear the quiet
of the night
no stars shine
a bit overcast
50% chance of rain
isn’t there always?
it either will
or it won’t
simple as that
regardless
this is the view
looking up
if you stretch out flat
atop the wooden deck
while the woofing dog
doesn’t ask questions
just lies down beside me
then shhhhhh’s too
I love being outside
even in the dark
of night

March 5, 2012 Image

standing in the kitchen
sunshine on my face
listening to the sounds of quiet
hum of the fridge
tick of the clock
tap of my fingers on the keys
motors filter in
from outside
children at school
husband at work
4am dog taking a morning nap
upstairs cat is just that
out of sight and earshot
time to think
space to do
in quiet if I so choose
it must be Monday morning
thank goodness