Stretch What's Tight; Strengthen What's Weak

     I continue to reflect on this past sabbatical year and the invaluable stretching and strengthening of my emotions and spirit. I compare it to grueling training, like preparing for a marathon. I have stretched... my meager writing skills, penning a therapeutic, heritage-investigating Memoir and then strengthened that information through blogs. 

     Many tears were shed... some were guilt-ridden, wishing I had been a better mother and daughter; some were joyful gratitude-filled tears, for undeserved mercy extended to this adult child of an alcoholic; others were just plain weary tears.

     Patience and perseverance STRENGTHEN me, and I see this most annoying revelation tied to decision-making: In many situations there is actually more than one "right" option. Grunt! Groan! Oomph! and argh! In other words, I lack omniscient powers. I will try to not sweat... the small stuff anyway. I will carefully choose my sweating battles. Happy day!

    To interact positively with family and others, patience and flexibility s-t-r-e-t-c-h my kindness quotient. I actually aspire to give more than I get, with no expectations in return; but, why are those muscles for "extra-giving" so tight? It feels like I am performing the (muscle-tearing) Chinese splits.

    I reflect on yesterday's heartwarming activity--interacting with my, too tremendous, 2-year-old. We are all anxiously counting the days before the birth of his brother. Last night's treasured opportunity helped to pass time, and for me, did not disappoint. Mom and Dad enjoyed together a rare, dinner-&-movie-out night, and I (DeDe) babysat. This aspiring blogger now forever captures last night's close encounter moment.

     It is a busy and long day for the little guy, with just one 20-minute cat nap in the car. By 6:00 p.m. his eyelids are like lead weights, succumbing to brief, eye-closure kitty naps. He heroically fights committing to the early, sissy bedtime. Mom and Dad can no longer delay their movie-departure and say hesitant "goodbyes," making our little guy's tears flow freely. I gently share, "I know you're sad. It's sad when Mommy and Daddy leave."

    He sucks up his tears and bravely distracts himself, watching TVs Daniel the Tiger. With his back to me, I patiently wait for

the opportune time and avenue to enter his adorable, play-filled world. We end up experiencing the backyard, playing in the sandbox and throwing balls. He then overturns a large, deep-crevice rock to uncover a "holy cow" buried treasure. A zillion frightened roly-polies scatter for their lowly lives.

     How do I convince this over-tired little guy to head upstairs to relax for sleep? Grandma is supposed to be the gullible spoiler rather than the edgy enforcer. I opt for the stretching approach, using patient flexibility. After a short time, no convincing is needed, because shock of all shocks, he initiates the long climb to his bedroom. I turn out the lights, sit in his memory-filled rocker, and talk about the busy day, with his special world of colorful balls, Daniel the Tiger, petting zoo pigs, ducks and horses, and family dog Brodie. 

     Maybe he is bored listening to my quiet chatter, because the next thing I know he climbs up, nestles his back into my welcoming lap, and closes his weary eyelids. Gentle muscle and face twitches begin as, shock of all shocks and faster than the speed of light, he replays an uncharacteristic behavior I have blogged about before; falling asleep in my lap, this time with no delay. 

     This long-distance grandma is strengthened and ready... to seize an eternal opportunity. I wistfully longed for this grandson-stilled, close-encounter moment. I figuratively bow to my knees and pray, for my daughter's oh so special and energetic 2.5-year-old. I pray for Jesus to guide and protect him... and ask for my grandson's mind and heart to grow to love His Savior God, the Creator of roly-polies.

     Tear puddles form in my eye sockets as I rehearse and re-experience yesterday's undeserved, unexpected (stretched, strengthened, and trained-for) grandchild moment. Prayer hasn't always been my natural response in good times. Throughout this past precious year, the Good-Times Prayer Station is one of the varied and grueling regimens for which I have trained.

Morning Shortcuts

Healthful steel cut oats prepared in a slow cooker

     Mornings are hectic in most homes. Healthy eating options take extra time and add to your budget. I prefer tea to coffee and was repeatedly heating cups of water in my expensive microwave, shortening its life span. Two helpful small kitchen appliances provide healthful shortcuts that I recently began to practice:

• Brew tea in a coffee maker... 1) Measure water to the 6-cup mark of the pot and then pour into the reservoir. 2) Lay one or two tea bags in the glass coffeepot, and let the brewing begin. (Dr. Oz claims that letting a green tea bag steep for 20 minutes adds to the health benefits.)

• Prepare steel cuts oats overnight in a slow cooker. FYI Steel-cut oats are not processed in the same way as commercial breakfast cereals or prepared foods --- meaning vitamins and minerals that support healthy functioning of your body are not removed by processing. The minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, zinc, manganese and copper are present in steel-cut oats, the USDA reports. Steel-cut oats also contain small amounts of folate, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine and vitamin B-6.) Click to read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/327764-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-steel-cut-oats/#ixzz2W72penqG.  I use the slow cooker at this site:  Walgreen's 1.5 qt. slow cooker review. Lightly grease the sides of a 1.5 qt. slow cooker and pour in steel cut oats with other ingredients. Set to low. My experiments include different variations, and add healthful extras* in the morning:

1/2 C steel cut oats

2 1/4 to 2 1/2 C water (experiment for preferred consistency)
1 chopped apple (I add in the a.m.)

Salt & Cinnamon to taste
 

Cook overnight (@ 8 hours). In the morning stir and let sit briefly, then enjoy a hardy breakfast. This generally serves 2 people, depending on the size of appetites and extra ingredients added.
To increase this recipe & still use the smaller crockpot, add 3/4 C oats and 3 C water (or refer to package directions; the water generally does not double).
*Healthful a.m. extras include milk, nuts, flax  or chia seeds, raisins or dried cranberries, crumbled Fig Newton bars, agave nectar, etc.

Using a larger crockpot with an increased bottom surface area may lead to a more difficult clean-up unless making a substantial amount. After experimenting, I prefer the 1.5-qt. crockpot size, to serve 3 or less people.

What is It???? & Tethered Purpose

"What is It?" displayed on Rocky the horse

     "What is It?" I ask many times as I quizzically inspect bizarre gadgets at the thrift store. I hold them, shake and poke, earnestly prodding for identifying "Investigator Monk" markers. Sometimes a company name or product number continues my no-nonsense Internet searches. My last "What is It?" occurred as I held two small circular objects.

     As I inspect the $1, circular, weighted metal items, my curiosity is mega-piqued. Are they metal pill boxes? No, they have battery compartments. How about secret agent remote controls? No, there are no push buttons. Intriguing markers seem to indicate a unique purpose for these gems... I will persevere! Aha! The microscopic name on the back leads me to a helpful Internet site, selling three-pack, $30, hand-wave-activated, over-the-counter spotlights that now brighten my kitchen's counter tops.

     My pregnant daughter recently sent me a primitive pattern of the above "What is It?" sewing project. Despite being an amateur seamstress, and lacking a try-on-as-I-sew "mannequin," I bravely tackled the labor-of-love adventure (after all, I did have the time). It is now a baby gift for soon-to-be-born grandson #2. She learned from baby #1 that a blanket helps (outdoors or in-transit) to block sunlight, rain, wind, and bugs.

     Pictured below is the canopy tethered to the car seat. It is a pimped-out "DeDe" version, with:

1. One baby-safe treasure pocket for Grandson #1 and one pocket for Mom.
2. A custom, camouflaged top loop to easily hang the canopy on a hook, OR, simply thread the front hem through the same loop, for "festoon"-like (I love that word) fabric folds that billow for precious baby-viewing or fresh air.
3. Side slits at the handle allow for sneak-peeks at the baby.

     The cooperative mannequin above is corralled Rocky the horse. The picture to the left keenly identifies the canopy's beneficial bonus: Two loops tether it to the handle. The charming material helps to muffle out a very busy world for my sleepy grandbaby's cocoon-like, on-the-go siestas.

      Sewing seems to segue to swirling sabbatical thoughts. As a 20-year working-outside-of-the-home mom, I rarely had time to reflect, let alone work on major sewing projects. I awoke each morning knowing my incredible purpose: to perform the triple-jointed gymnastics maneuver of prayerfully raising two children in a safe and nurturing home, while faithfully juggling an array of challenging desk jobs.

      This past sabbatical year was uniquely refreshing. I had, for the first time in years, the humbling and undeserved opportunity to begin each morning with a figurative shake and poke, plus quizzical inspections, looking for my microscopic, God-made imprint... to determine purpose, asking: How may I productively serve You (God) today?

      My sabbatical's blurry, "What is It?"-purpose has been curiously illuminated as I faithfully put one foot in front of the other. Today, for example, I seize the morning by composing the first-draft of this showcasing blog. I experience purposeful, internal satisfaction as a Wordsmith, embellishing last week's 30+-hour seamstress temp job. Soon I will shop and perform various acts of random kindness, like composing get-well wishes for hospitalized Uncle Bob.

     My efforts are somewhat concealed, inspiring this random riddle: What type of pay is given to one who diligently persists, flips a quarter, calls heads or tails, waits, and even when he or she works overtime or the pay doubles, sees no immediate, tangible increase?  Answer: Quarter-lee pay (from Jeffery Lee--I will hopefully earn real money soon).

     Now the riddle turns to a million-dollar question: Am I capable enough to cautiously steer away from independent, sabbatical "industry" and aim for clearly-identified, tethered purpose... a REAL job? After grandson #2's soon birth and daughter-recuperation time, the answer is: Ay, matey, I should be. And upcoming posts will reflect that notion.

     Bonus jabber-fest (click here for "jabber-fest": defined): This Baby Boomer was "someone" once... considered capable, competent, and maybe even the ever-yearned-for, pretty. I am beginning to understand that graceful aging and soulful sabbaticals are not for sissies. Embracing the spirited thoughts below will encourage positive follow-through after a most incredible 12 months:

• Sew (eerrr... Sow) your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well (Ecclesiastes 11:6).

• ...for God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

Memory-Enhancing Foods?

     A recent Dr. Oz show briefly highlighted these four foods that may help to enhance memory:

1. Shrimp (its iron content helps blood flow and it contains b12)
2. Beets (improve focus and concentration)
3. Eggs (choline in the yolk regulates muscle functioning, increasing overall brain function)
4. Rosemary (just smelling it can calm nerves)

     Allergies may keep you away from some of these foods, so internet searches of your own can give alternatives and further information about the brain benefits of iron, b12, and choline. 

Mother/Daughter Ear Plugs & Ear Tugs?

     This entry is purposefully written and published on the last day of the month. I want to hide it. This blog is transparent, personal, brutally honest, and is most likely for my eyes only.

     Sometimes when I dialog with others I share more than an earful of words. I ramble. My insightful "yada, yada" turns to a significance-seeking, one-way, pummeling jabber-fest. At times I am... TOO. It particularly happens with those close to me, like when I visit my oh, so patient, gentle-spirited, highly-competent, long-distance daughter and my sister-in-law.

     During my most recent extended stay, we had what I will label as our first-ever emotionally disruptive mother/ daughter blubbery word exchange. The timing was ironic, because it was right after our first-ever Mother/ Daughter banquet together.

     The banquet was an overall delight, with special people, flowers, etched glassware, and all thing pretty. On our way home, naturally I energetically chatter about the evening which segues to my one-way jabber-fest. My daughter responds with what I receive as a hurtful comment, and I over-react. We are tearful, and upon arriving to her place I plug my ears and make a quiet bee-line to my room. Talking any further, after a long and tiring day, would be an ugly, reactive, royal blubber-fest. Instead, I journal and experience a long, lonely, tearful, contemplative night.

      Fortunately, by early morning, rather than beating myself up further, this insightful and relieving thought almost knocks me out of bed: It's normal!! 

      Boing and duh! My shaken nerves are almost immediately calmed, which allows me to mentally enter into her world. We are rubbing shoulders together 24/7, her pregnancy hormones are surely piqued, and she doesn't need to deal with my ACOA (Adult Child of an Alcoholic) affirmation-seeking seriousness. My response can deepen our relationship. Thank you, Lord, for this most amazing... opportunity! 

      I head downstairs to positively "face the music," clear the air, and eat honey-nut crow. We calmly address each other's comments and that my response was TOO. We agree that our tension is "normal." The fog evaporates and the "peace pipe" is passed. After our restorative mother/daughter hug, the air smells fresher; spring flowers dance with color; sun reflections sparkle off the windows; and clouds are whiter.

     Despite severe sleep deprivation and my daughter's busy schedule, we walk on water. We are supercharged, and I prepare to cherish another rare grandson and daughter-filled day.
 
       Bonus jabber-fest: During my hours-long drive home, I reflect on my jabbering and its effect on upcoming visits. Future over-chattering is inevitable, and a respectfully-timed visual cue from my daughter might be beneficial (like vintage Carol Burnett's loving ear tug at the end of her weekly shows. She was sending a non-verbal message to her grandmother that she loved her. The story about her childhood and special ear tugs are touching.)

       Maybe I will suggest the ear tug gesture as my daughter's caring signal: I love you, Mom... but you have majorly entered into TOO-land. But, then again, maybe not!

Freezing Tips for ieeeggs & Other Unlikely Foods

      The following brief but treasured story will segue into my food freezing tips. During a recent Mother's Day visit with my daughter's family, I discovered that my young grandson remembered previous activities with long-distance, sporadic-visitor Dede, and it was in an unexpected, heartwarming way. He uniquely and specifically

Our ī-ēēēggs-tremely captivating boy

associated me with eggs (pronounced ī-ēēēggs).

      In the initial hours of my recent stay, as we gingerly re-acquainted ourselves, he randomly pointed to me and said: ieeegg. My daughter mentioned that last summer, at Christmas time, as well as during my January visit, we blended plastic ieeeggs in various play blenders. We enjoyed cracking real eggs together too (true confessions to being grandson-captivated). She said the emotional Dede/egg association somehow stuck in his mind.  Priceless!

     Speaking of price... and eggs, my organic eggs are rather pricey, so freezing them to prevent spoilage, while I'm away visiting you-know-who or on vacation, is a tempting thought. The following is a 2008 excerpt of money-saving tips titled, "Freezing Anything:"

     You can store almost any fresh food in the freezer, from sale items you stock up on to perishables you would rather not throw out before your family goes on vacation. Three important tips:

1. To avoid freezer burn, leave as little extra air in the bag or container as possible.
2. If you take a defrosting short-cut, like zapping edibles in the microwave instead of thawing them in the fridge, fully cook the food before refreezing.
3. Alternatively, if you change your mind/plans and want to refreeze raw food, you can do so if it is only partially thawed, still firm in the center, and contains ice crystals. Use it as soon as possible to minimize loss of quality.

• To freeze eggs (for up to one year), separate the white from the yolk and freeze. Yolks will need 1/8 tsp. salt per 1/4 cup yolk so they don't become sticky and gelatinous. Label the number of egg whites or yolks that are inside.
• Milk can be frozen for up to 3 months in its original container. Pour some milk off to leave room for expansion; reseal with masking tape. Shake after thawing.
• Ripe bananas, in the peel, can be frozen, stored in a freezer bag, for 8 to 12 months (the peel may discolor). 

 -Samantha Cassetty & Catherine Lo, Good Housekeeping

 September 2008, pp. 181-182.

• Freeze fresh, whole ginger. Only small amounts are needed for recipes, so cut off the portion you need and store the whole ginger in the freezer for future recipes.
• Fresh herbs, like cilantro, can be frozen. First wash and chop the cilantro, and put into an ice cube tray with water. Freeze, then eject the herb cubes into a freezer bag for ice-cold storage and future use.  -The Today Show

Sparkle University & Dishwashers

Sparkle, sparkle!

     Drinking glasses can become less sparkly as dishwashers age. Calcium build-up is possibly one of the culprits. To free your dishwasher of the build-up, use either of these products: CLR or Dishwasher Magic (I use Dishwasher Magic). These steps need to be followed in order, especially noting steps 2 & 5:

1. Empty your dishwasher of any dishes.
2. At the sink, run the tap water until it becomes HOT.
3. Select your dishwasher's "High Temp Wash" or the "Sanitize" setting.
4. Start the dishwasher....
5. The first step or cycle of many dishwashers is to drain! You need to make sure the initial draining is complete before adding CLR or Dishwasher Magic, lest it literally runs "down the drain" prior to performing its magic.
6. When you hear the dishwasher actually begin to wash, add CLR or Dishwasher Magic (refer to the package for the accurate amount and precautions).
7. For the initial treatment with stubborn build-up, run only briefly, and then stop the dishwasher to allow the solution to set (refer to package directions). Then, finish the entire cycle. For successive treatments, the set time is shortened, so refer to package directions.

     If the above steps still don't adequately produce the sparkle factor, there are three other university classes to consider:

• To improve cleaning, run the tap water until hot water comes out of your kitchen faucet. Otherwise, the water will be tepid for the first two cycles of cleaning.
• Is the rinse aid dispenser empty? If so, fill it.

          This Frugal Blogger [a/k/a FB] used to fill the rinse aid dispenser with white vinegar; but since has learned that it is hard on the rinse aid's plastic, so either fill the dispenser with regular rinse aid OR each dish load put a little white vinegar in an upward-facing more shallow glass placed on the dishwasher's top rack.

• It may help to switch your dishwasher soap. More than 2 years ago, soap manufacturers changed their formulas, omitting phosphates from their ingredients, to benefit our environment. Our environment is happier, but the sparkle factor has decreased... thus, the need for the right soap. Cascade Complete is the best option, but it is a bit pricey.

          This FB uses the cost-effective alternative: Walmart's Great Value powder.

• Refer to your dishwasher's owner's manual to learn the proper dish-loading instructions for your machine. The positioning of the various items, allowing for the soap to freely discharge from the dispenser and the water to adequately flow, makes a difference.

• Load dishes down. Make sure no pans, bowls or cups are facing upward and open. Open dishes catch dirty water, and the entire load gets repeatedly bathed in it (Tip: When a load doesn't clean, this is usually the culprit!).

• Use full-strength, white vinegar to sink-soak dingy, stubborn build-up on everyday glassware.

     Your mind is now fully loaded... with more dishwasher information than you will ever need. Enjoy the sparkle.