sister

January 15, 2013

abracadabra

Today I had a smiling, laughing, delicious lunch out with my sister and a mutual friend. Afterwards, my sister and I had an hour and forty five minutes to ourselves, so we went to mall. I now have a fabulous, new, longer, casual, walking the dog without freezing my hummingbird ass, winter coat in black AND a new gray scarf that sparkles because my sister insisted on it. ‘Cause even though she’s seven years younger than me, ya tend not to argue with her. The first coat we saw, the only one I tried on, fit like it was made for me. I’m still smiling and feeling mellow and THAT hasn’t happened in a long damn time. She’s magic.

January 15, 2013

December 21, 2012

rest time

My youngest son is home sick-ish today. Mostly feeling lousy with a headache and overtired. Oh. How I know. That’s been me this week too. That’s why, mid-afternoon, my sweet, nine year old boy is tucked into my side of the big bed resting. I came upstairs to check on him and heard myself say, “I’m kind of shivery.” Then that wise child o’mine said, “You could tuck in too.” Hmmm. Don’t mind if I do! So, I grabbed my favorite romance novel of all time, the one I started rereading yesterday, and crawled between the flannel sheets and savored the weight of an extra comforter…the comforter my Grandma made for me, and a matching one for my little sister, long ago and far away, when I was still a child. Dog is pacing. Woofing too. This cozy moment won’t last long. Rest time is a nice thought though…

December 21, 2012

November 25, 2012

heart ache

my woman’s heart is breakin’
daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend
life’s been tough for awhile now
doin’ the best I can
cryin’ too many tears
day by day abidin’
movin’ ever forward
walkin’ step by step
thankful for the gift
of each day
we have together
holdin’ it all together
with bailin’ twine and prayers

November 25, 2012

September 13, 2012 Image

I have turquoise toes
adorned with sparkly flowers
a gift from my mother
pedicures for the three of us
my mom, my sister and I
Girl Time
The Best Kind
with smiles, laughter filled conversation and love all around
the pampering was nice too
mmmmmm, needed that
more than I knew
I don’t recognize these feet as mine
for my toe nails were naked all summer
no time to paint ‘em
let alone time to be still
and have them done
a mother’s love
a woman who knows her daughters better than we know ourselves
so thankful for them both
my mother and my sister
both big pieces
of my heart

September 13, 2012

August 3, 2012

heart puzzle

my sister texted me this morning
a note about her oldest son being back home in Arizona, from his two month visit home to Illinois, where he stayed and played with his grandma and papa, aunts, uncles and cousins too, over summer break

she wrote, “Kids were elated to have him home. It felt great to all be under one roof again.”

I replied:
All is well
As it should be
The missing piece of your heart puzzle back in place
I’m so glad
For all of you
Hugs and love

she replied, “That is exactly the way I felt to… Kinda off all summer and just felt complete. It was so fun watching all three kids walk inside the house together with smiles.”

then she added, “I love u so much Janean.”
making my heart squeeze and my throat close and my eyes water because Arizona feels really far away today.

August 3, 2012

March 18, 2012 Image

it was a be-a-u-ti-ful day today
amazingly so
we can’t quite believe the unseasonably warm,
lack of bone chilling wind,
sunshine not rain,
daffodil bloom filled days
it is only mid March
and it feels like May
amazing, remarkable, wonderful
and I’m sure not complaining
I spent the afternoon outdoors
visiting with a friend
she is also my husband’s sister
bonus
the dogs were there too
hers and mine
they ran free
no leashes needed at the farm
we lay in the grass
sat up some too
walked when needed
sometimes in sun
sometimes in shade
always under the blue sky above
with white puffy clouds
the happy kind
and air warm enough
we were just in shirt sleeves
everyone is going to sleep well tonight
yes, it was a be-a-u-ti-ful day

March 11, 2012

reality check

The reality of life in my house is that the dog has goo poo. Again. And the mad as hell about having a dog in HER house cat has decided to pee wherever she wants. I. Don’t. Need. This. Animal. Drama. I. Have. Enough. People. Drama. Did I also mention my 6th grade son had a HUGE president’s report due tomorrow AND my sister and her three children are visiting for a week that will go by way too fast?! Thank you for listening. I just had to say that aloud. TMI Grossness and all.

December 31, 2011

my mom’s spice tea recipe

My mom’s spice tea is one of my favorite tastes of fall and winter. I started my day by making a big pot of it – even though I’m the only one in my house who likes it. It’s Comfort Food for me – in liquid form. My mom made it rarely when I was growing up. I remember spice tea on Christmas morning, snow days and when she’d host her evening card group a few times a year. Sometimes I even got to take the left over to school in my thermos. When you make it, the cinnamon and cloves make the whole house smell good and everything feel all right – inside and out. Happy New Year’s Eve Day, as my father wished me in an early morning e-mail. ~ Janean

Spice Tea

2 cups sugar

2 dozen cloves (or less)

2 cups water

2 or 3 cinnamon sticks

Boil together 15 minutes

Pour 8 cups boiling water over 6 tea bags (or 2 Family Size tea bags), let stand

Add to sugar mixture when brewed

Then add: 4 Tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 can frozen undiluted orange juice. Add 4 cups boiling water. Simmer, do no boil

Extra can be stored in the refrigerator overnight and reheated the next day. You may want to remove the cloves before storing because their flavor gets stronger if left in overnight.

My sister told me once with a wink that this recipe was supposed to be a secret, but I think it’s meant to be shared.