strange noises in the night

Last night we went to bed thinking it would rain a little. Around 2 am we heard a bang, and the power went out. We knew it was the whole neighborhood because we've heard that noise before. Strange thing though, it wasn't windy. Later in the night we kept hearing cracking and breaking noises from falling branches. Again strange, no wind. We all slept in later than usual. Around 7am we heard a very large crash, and all of us congregated. It turned out a good sized branch at the side of the house had fallen in the lawn.

So what caused all of this crackling and breaking? An unexpected freezing and icing rain. It took everyone by surprise. We woke up to an eerie frozen world in which trees were creaking and groaning. Our tall pine trees were bent, trying there hardest to stand up against all of that weight.

Jeff went to work, and gave us the scoop as he drove. He reported almost entire power outages and many fallen trees until he got within 10 minutes from his building. At that point he stopped seeing ice on the trees. Closer down to Boston, they just got rain.

Emily, Eric, and I bundled up and went out in search of warm tea, hot cocoa, and donuts. Only one place in town was up and running. Half of Chelmsford showed up. We decided to stay in line and enjoy the adventure. It was fun hearing everyone's tales of the crackly night, and their ventures out in the morning. When the Chelmsford Highway Dept. workers came in for some coffee, everyone parted for them to go ahead. They even got a little applause. I hope it helped them feel better for all of the yucky hard jobs they had to attend to today. On our way home we witnessed one of them harnessing himself up to tackle a tree that had landed on some power lines. I was really thankful for them ( the workers, not the power lines and fallen trees).

We went home warmed up a bit, and built a nice cozy fire. Most of the day was spent in front of said fire, talking, playing games, roasting marshmellows. It was nice to have a day without distractions. When the sun came out after lunch, it was glorious to watch the ice fall like rain out of the trees. We even cooked our dinner in the fireplace (well, only baked potatoes. But I think that counts for cooking). Now the power is back on. I'm relieved and grateful because it is going to be very cold tonight, and there are many people still in the dark for what might turn out to be days.

It was fun to live without amenities while it lasted though!

Reality, meet Fiction

So today was a rather bizarre mix.

REALITY: At church this morning, Jeff and I toured the World Vision Tent which walks you through the experience of one child orphaned by AIDS. It was extremely moving, and I would highly recommend the experience for anyone. I walked through Steven's story which included his abduction and experience in the Lord's Resistance Army. A very heavy dose of all that a child should never have to experience. The goal of this tent is to gain sponsorship for children. A daunting and growing task.

FICTION: Then in the afternoon, Emily and I went to see Peter Pan on stage. We knew one of the girls in the play. It was outstanding. I almost forgot it was a high school performance! After the dose of reality this morning, I had a new appreciation for James Barries' insights into children's minds. His fantasy world is really a place for children to explore the scary big world and all that is in it. What a beautiful thing he created. It was fun to clap Tinker Bell back to life with Emily. Do you remember what it was like to be 8?

Happy Birthday Mi Amor!

Translation: Jeff is an older man today!

Family Beach Day

Today, we decided to take the entire day off from everything. We spent the morning together as a family just relaxing. Then around 1:30 we felt relaxed enough to pile ourselves into the car and drive to the beach (only a 40 min. drive). We took along sandcastle supplies, munchies, and a change of clothes ( one change for each of us of course, that would be funny if we all tried to ride back home in the same change of clothes). The waves were nice and big. We kept ourselves in the shallows due to rip tide warnings. However, we enjoyed watching the surfers do their thing. We built a nice respectable castle and stayed long enough to watch it meet its doom in the waves. The water was nice and warm, the breeze was gentle, and company was exceptional. As we drove home, it was decided that we should do this at least once a month. Anyone want to join us next time?

Zel called

Spending an afternoon with Eric while Jeff and Emily took in a Red Sox game at Fenway. Then to my surprise I get a call from Zel. He had just crossed into NM. He is doing well, and enjoying the drive (especially after driving through Gustav rains yesterday). It was nice to hear from him, and at such a meaningful moment. Wish I was driving along this stretch with him!

Tired baby

This is Eric's favorite spot in the house. We read books here and have special snuggles here. This is the first place he runs when he is feeling out of control. It has become his safe place. The other day, he was grumpy and climbed up to read a book to calm himself down. I came around the corner and found a sleeping baby. Looks comfy.

Mushrooms

Too much rain is apparently a good thing for growing mushrooms. Too bad we can't identify them with certainty. So we decided to bag them up to keep curious little toddler types from snacking. An entire grocery bag was filled by the time we finished.

Pure fun

Hand-me-downs that rock!

A good friend recently cleaned out her basement, and we were the lucky recipients of some hand- me-downs that the kids could really get into.

So, it's been awhile......sheepish grin

Hi all! Where to begin? I haven't posted in a bit. I guess I'll start with the latest, and then proceed backwards. The last greatest adventure of the Palmer family was a camping trip with some friends from church last weekend. We spent two nights on the Connecticut river in Vermont at Wilgus State Park. It was our first family campout. It will be the first of many as we found out that we really like camping. And it even rained vigorously for one afternoon and night! We stayed dry, enjoyed the great company, and learned how to play "Mafia"(we should try this game at the beach sometime). Because of the damp conditions, this is the only photo from the whole trip. It was taken in the front porch of our tent. We planned on getting photos of our hike up Mt. Ascutney, but weather was threatening rain yet again. Just so your not too impressed, we didn't hike up the whole Mt. with a toddler in tow. We drove up to the top, and only hiked the last 7 tenths of a mile to the summit. That was challenge enough. Some very steep sections. More to come.........

Fisher Cat

Well, I'm still trying to figure out how to make a slide show. It will be worth it when it actually happens.

A couple of months ago, we heard what sounded like a child screaming for their very life. Turns out a fisher cat and skunk got in a fight. It was half a mile down the road, but sounded like it was next door. Last night the fisher cat was back. This time it was behind our shed. I had been in the shed earlier that afternoon. I could smell a skunk hanging out underneath. Obviously the fisher cat was attracted by the same odor. When it got dark, we heard the fight break out. Needless to say, we will be keeping a closer eye on the edge of our woods when out in the yard. Although fishers are nocturnal, and only hunt smallish game, I don't trust them to follow the rules.

Finally.......a breath

Before anything, I tell you that pictures of the past week will be posted this evening. I'm just trying to figure out how to make a slide show work first. Until then, let me just say that today was a beautiful, beautiful day. The first one of pure pleasure in many months. It consisted of gorgeous weather that enabled two leisurely neighborhood walks, backyard water fun, and an ice cream truck chase down. Yum to all of the above. Finally...........we have taken a breath, and it is sweet.

We have been playing back all of the memories of this past week. You guys are something else! We love you. And we are brimming with smiles at the thought of time shared with those who were able to come. It will always be remembered and cherished.

Thesis in print!

Just wanted to shout from the mountains that as of last night, "Jeff has a print copy of his thesis done!!!!!!!!!" Hooray!!!!!!!!! -Bands playing and all- May have to do minor edits before next Friday's defense. But we actually saw the monster book printed out on the table this morning. Emily and I both took a turn holding it to make sure it weighed enough. :-) All in all, 362 pages. Feels like we are standing on top of the giant mountain that we've been climbing for the last few months, years.

Just thought you might like to know.

Quiet Waters

Well, now that I think of it, there was something spectacular that happened this week. However, it does require another confession. So be warned if you dare to read on. Otherwise wait until next time when I post some more pictures. :-)

I guess I have been struggling with a heart problem and didn't fully realize it until I was forced to look at myself. I'm not talking about a medical issue here. In the last few months it has been my job to make sense of our cluttered house, clean the yard, attend to odd jobs here and there. These are things that we normally get to. With Jeff being busy, and a 1.5 year old running around........let's just say things have gotten a bit run down. I have been trying to swallow my pride and just have people over regardless. Always when they enter my home, I feel compelled to explain its condition, or wish I could just hide under a rock. Then last week, I visited a new friends home for the first time. When I walked in the door I almost lost my breath. Her house was stunningly beautiful. I mean a real showplace. I don't think she is prideful about this by the way. She just has a knack for this kind of thing.

When we came home, I couldn't help looking at my house in utter despair. After the kids went to bed, I just broke down. I cried to God. Actually I complained bitterly. "I've had enough! Why can't I just buy a new (fill in the blank)? So and so doesn't have to put up with this. I just want to be done." And so on. Not a moment I'm proud of. So why am I telling you about it then. Well, because it has a happy ending of course.

Finally, I decided to open my bible. It fell to Psalm 24 and 25. I began reading the first Psalm. It mentioned not being caught up by idols. God spoke to me through these words. I was holding on to a beautiful house or the idea of a beautiful house as an idol. It had begun as a simple longing while I cleaned these last months. And it had grown into a full fledged monster. Well that just made me cry harder. I knew the problem. Problem was I couldn't stop holding on to it no matter how hard I wanted to. To my utter grief, I realized that I could not let go. I was being tossed in the waves of despair, and I was beginning to drown. So what does a drowning person do? I called out for help. I asked Jesus to "help me!" The second I said those words, my heart was completely calm. Every tumultuous emotion vanished. Just like that. I stood up, said "thank you", and went to bed. As I walked through the hall, I couldn't help thinking of the disciples on that tipsy boat in the storm when Jesus said "Be still!" In a flash the sea turned calm. I'm thankful His words can quiet hearts in the same manner.

Hope you are encouraged. He never let's us drown. Even if we are the ones who build the pool sometimes.

Wow, May.

Wow, is it already May? Jeff defends this month. And next Friday, he turns in his final thesis draft. It feels like we are looking in on some crazy dream. How can we already be at this point? I'm glad I've been blogging. Otherwise, I would have no memories of this Spring. It's been like walking in thick soup.

There's not much else to report. I'm sure Eric has said cute things, and Emily has performed some wonder. I just can't shake the soup out of my head long enough to remember. Hopefully, it will all come back by the time we see you all in June.

Ta Ta for now!

Oh, one update as I notice the last post. I don't think I can live without a dishwasher. Tried it, didn't like it. Wish I had more grit.

Drumroll please

One if by minivan, two if by.......... Volkswagon?

Had a great day marching with the Redcoats. We followed them for 1/2 mile until they ended up in the parking lot where they broke formation and character for the first time since we met up with them. Couldn't resist snapping a shot of two Minutemen keeping a close eye on them from the cemetery.


Afterwards we headed out for a picnic on Battle Road next to the Hartwell Tavern. There were no battles today, just hikers and children playing. :-)

The original bloggers

I am so amazed at Grandma S. and her generation. They are the original bloggers. Reading Grandma's letters are so comforting. She keeps us up to date, and always ends with letting us know how much she cares for us. I think people are just now starting to pick up the pleasant custom of correspondence that seems to have ducked under a rock for the past 40 years. I remember Granny always encouraging me to write to her and others. I would just shrug and think it archaic. Mostly afraid that I wouldn't have anything worthwhile to say. Now, I realize that content isn't the aim. Letting people glimpse into your thoughts allows them to see that they are loved by you. Ultimately we write because we need to connect. We are hardwired for connection.

Recently God has been rapping on my hard head. He is the one who hardwired us for connection. He wants us to connect with Him. I have been trying to plug along on my own. Thinking that I can survive this hard spell and begin to breathe again on the other side of GRADUATION. Well, I couldn't be any thicker. The thing that really irks me is that I know better by now. God wants to walk with me, and more importantly He wants me to walk with Him. The reason why still confounds me. He created me in His image. He wants fellowship with me. I can hardly believe why someone so all knowing, knowing my bitter thoughts and yucky sides, would still want to hang out with me. That's what He has been doing though. On Friday, a good friend came up to me and said, "I don't know why, but I've been feeling the need to pray for you all week." Only God could have told her to do that. I haven't really let on to my solitude in a public way. I confessed that I have been weepy all week. I haven't been able to let go of my grip and take my load to God. So He snuck up behind me, and tapped me on the shoulder through my friend. Then on Saturday, another friend of mine just showed up in my backyard to help me rake a bit. She had just dropped off 4 of her 5 kids at a friends house and didn't have anything better to do! And now today, our pastor preached about restoration with God, and God's call to intimacy with us. He even confessed that God has been on his case because of his lack of intimacy. Okay God, I get it. The scripture at the head of my blog sums it up pretty well. I'm just thankful that He doesn't let me get away with it. To be apart and at odds with Him is more painful than actually being with Him. I know that sounds odd. But to spend a day with God is intense. However, as the song goes, "...better is one day in His courts than a thousand elsewhere." Also, I've known no greater joy than the times that I've walked closely with God. He is not only all knowing, but beautiful. He can be hard to resist, even by a stubborn fool like me.

If you've read this far, you are probably thinking I have strayed from my original post. Au contraire, mon frere. The original, original blogger was actually eons before "The Great Generation". He has left a post that is living and breathing as sure as you and I are today. His word is a direct love letter to us. Even all the bits about wars and such. He explains Himself and who we are in relation. To read those words is to step up next to His side, or as a child sit in His lap to get closer. He speaks breath into my soul with those words. I can hear direction and purpose. Not in a general since, but clearly, concisely, pertaining to actual events in my day. How can He do that? And how can He send relief through those that don't even know my angst? Why does He do that even when I don't ask? The fact that Grandma always ends her letters with conveyance of love for us reminds me that I am loved unconditionally by a woman whom I have always admired. And she is persistent. Each week a new letter. It gives me some semblance of order in the universe to know that. God sends His love to us in the same way. And I'm just thankful that He hasn't let me get by with throwing His valuable gift on the table to be used for later. He has pressed my soul so hard this past week. Hence the painful part of the scripture at the top of this blog site. He disciplines those that He loves. I know He loves me because of this. Now I need to get on to the disciple bit of the disciplining so that I can actually be fruitful for Him. So thanks for listening to my little confession this post. Hopefully, next post will find me fully abiding still.

Butterfly Place

Today, after waking up to more snow, the three of us were fed up with the uncooperative weather. I mean it is officially Spring after all. We packed up and headed out in search of a slice of Spring, and ended up with a plate of summer. A humid 80 degrees was just the ticket. We spent a lovely two hours observing and dodging butterflies, watching quail crossings, and viewing the fish pond. Here are a few of the delights.

Just a post

I thought I ought to post so that others could not call me a hypocrite. We have been enjoying our week. Days start off slowly with cartoons in the mix. Then they rev up to school, running around town for activities, and preparations for Easter. This year I get to cook the Easter meal. Can you believe that I've never cooked a ham before? Any suggestions for the perfect ham? Well, I'm sure it will be hard to attain PA standards, but I will try my best. Last night we participated in our church Seder. Emily was really looking forward to it. She understands the background of the whole process. She keeps giggling about the fact that we have pizza at the end. "I still don't know what pizza has to do with it", she says with an 8 yr old all knowing smirk. Eric liked the matzo. We had 150 people attend! Tonight we will go back to church for a more somber service. I always like this time of year. It is refreshing how God uses this remembering time to laden our souls with the truth. I can't walk one step without remembering. And I've noticed many friends and acquaintances experiencing something similar. Christian friends have commented on feeling a fresh introspection. And one acquaintances commented that she feels like she is missing something. Now that is the beginning of a new hope! Although I am lamenting not being in PA this season, I feel good about being home. There is feeling of connection to my neighbors and friends, and I sense opportunity. Much love to you all.

Copywork Charlotte Mason Style

Copywork is a standard part of our homeschool day. According to my education hero Charlotte Mason, it is the best way to learn grammar, spelling, and just plain good writing technique. I've read that many of our great historic leaders apparently taught themselves how to write by copying down the works of others before them. This is how they became proficient enough to go on and write the great speeches and documents that formed the cornerstone of our country. Well, that's nice and all, but.........I was raised on good ole spelling tests and grammar worksheets. I love the theory, but can it really work? This is what plagues my mind when I set forth to instruct Emily in a way different from how I learned. The past two years of following Miss Mason's "copywork" ideas have worried me. However, I have begun to see some fruit.

Emily is allowed to pick her own selections to copy. These typically come from either her literature or history books. Lately, she has been picking funny quotes. When I read aloud to her, I have been commenting that quotation marks indicate a person speaking. I've mentioned this a few times. I thought she understood this because after all, I am such a good teacher to bring these things up when we read. (sarcasm here) This morning she proved that copywork is indeed the best source of instruction, not.....Mom said so. I was in the kitchen when I heard her exclaim, "Oh Mom! Those quotation marks mean that someone is talking! I never knew that." I had to smile. I told her what a good observation she had made, and mentally reminded myself to relax into the method. I've noticed that her observation is starting to effect her reading voice. She uses a different tone when someone begins to "speak" in a book. So thanks Charlotte. As far as I'm concerned, we are on a first name basis now. (a note to those not familiar with Charlotte Mason: She was turn of the century English and long since deceased).

To those of you who are still hanging in on this post, here are the funny quotes Emily has been enjoying. Do you know their source? If not, use one on Emily, and she will be happy to fill you in on the joke.

"Nothing, woman, nothing's wrong. But I haven't had so much fun since that shark bit off my legs."

"Oh please don't go-we'll eat you up-we love you so!"

But the King paid no heed to them. "I have broken my good axe," was all he said, "I have broken my good axe."

Friday, February 22, 2008 - SNOW DAY!

Can I just say...................SNOW DAY!!!!!!!!

All was canceled except for hot chocolate, puzzles, eating snow, playing, and blogging. Poor Jeff had to work. And we did it all in our PJs. Does it get any better I ask? Well, except for the Jeff working part. He did get in on the wearing PJs all day part though.

Thursday, February 21, 2008 - Stonewall Farm

Well, at the end of this long day, I can honestly say, "I smell like something the cat drug in!" In fact, we all do. Let me explain. We just got back from a field trip in Keene NH. It's about 1 1/2 hours from home. We went to Stonewall Farm to milk some cows, make some butter, ride on a two horse open sleigh, and drink lots of hot chocolate. It was a blast, and very cold. Brrrrr............... The highlights were watching Emily milk a cow. She did this very adeptly. Must have inherited those skills from her Great-great Grandparents. Also, Eric took a turn petting every cow he could get his hands on. As much as he liked the barn, he could have passed on the sleigh ride. Occasionally, he would put his mittened hand on my cheek to look me square in the eye and say, "No!" What he didn't realize was that it would have been a long hike back in the cold if we got off the ride. He survived needless to say. Em got to play some great king of the snowpile games with her friends before we headed back home. Now we all need a bath!!! And all I have to do now is plan for teaching Nature Study tomorrow morning. Oops! I think we are going to make compasses out of needles and cork, but I better make sure it works first. Gotta go. Hope you enjoyed a little glimpse into one of our outings. Oh, I would have added pictures, but I forgot the camera. Hopefully, a friend or two will send me some of theirs.

Love,
Heather