The Wee Hamlet

Help me Save Lives!

2011-01-29T14:28:00.001-06:00

I am raising funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as a participant in their Team In Training program and I'm asking you to help by making a donation to my fundraising campaign.

Noah Lamacki, 22 mos. in remission; maintanence stage

Please use the link in this post to donate online quickly and securely plus learn more about my progress. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/il/chitri11/jodonnksad

Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. More than 823,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers. I am hoping that my participation in Team In Training will help bring them hope and support.

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, thank you very much for your support. I greatly appreciate your generosity.

Me and Heidi Prewitt, TNT Mentor

7 days 'till THE decision....

2009-09-25T12:01:00.024-05:00

I love the Olympics. Really. I love watching the events. I love the 'song'. I love the stories about the athletes. I love the opening ceremony when all the countries march in with their flags. I even love movies about the Olympics.. Sadly, I rarely remember the name of a movie five minutes after I leave the theatre - but remember the one with the Jamaican bobsledding team? Or the funny one one with the dude from Saturday night live with the secret ice skating move that if performed incorrectly would result in nothing short of decapitation? Or my personal favorite - again with the ice skating.. The one with the cute actor who was a hockey player until he was injured, then was talked into being a figure skating partner with the actress who was later in West Wing, but before that in the movie with the guy from Grey's Anatomy about the homeless guy who went to Harvard? Anyway, my favorite part was when cute actor fell on his figure skates and actress would sing tooeee piiickkk...

I get that I would not be a very successful movie critic. Nor would it appear at 40 (OMG), I'll fulfill my youthful daydreams of being an Olympic gymnast like Nadia or Mary Lou, nor swimmer like Janet Evans, nor skier like the cute girl with the cutesy name... Let me think... Picabo! Love her!

However, however, but wait just. a. minute! As our name indicates, Mundane Miracles happen all the time around here.. After all this time of dreaming and crying with the gold medal winners while their national anthem is being played - total goosebumps just thinking about it! ...After all the silly movies and delightful daydreams , the Olympics, THE Olympics, may be coming to a city very near me! I'm so excited I can't even stand it!!

Finally, I get to be a part of this most amazing event in my own wee way. I can BACK THE BID! And I do. Go Chicago! Go USA! Go little Country with only 3 athletes marching in the big opening ceremony - we love you too!!

Oh wait - this started out in my head as a forum to discuss the amazing Chicago 2016 logo.. You'll just have to read it yourself here: Chicago 2016 Star

Better yet, click on the link below and you will taken to the Chicago 2016 website, where you can back the bid "in person". Or volunteer if you, like me, want to take part in making this happen. My job is 'blog poster'. You can use as many exclamation points as you wish (- I can't get enough of the bats and balls).

Chicago 2016 - Let Friendship Shine.

http://www.chicago2016.org/

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New Names. Don't know why.

2009-05-30T15:05:00.001-05:00

On the way back to his mom's house, Ryan informed us that he now wants to be called Dave Manchang. I will be known as May Oui, and Jim is simply, Bill.

I'm guessing they are from the Batman game on Playstation, but I'm not sure..

Au Revior,

May

Funkikis vs. Speed Racers

2009-04-25T15:57:00.006-05:00

Once upon a time, in a wee hamlet far, far away, Ryan decides his new funkeys would make good hockey sticks..

I know! What we need is a Colosseum. Do you think we can build one?

Looks like today's lesson will be "keep it simple". So, ya... I grab a big cardboard box, glue, paints, ribbon, markers, poster board... I envision paper mache, flags, columns, the whole nine yards. Colosseum? A good thing. Thank you Martha.

Ryan jumps in and finds spectators for the ensuing battle. At last, a use for the millions of little McDonald's toys that are fun for about.. 3 seconds... He makes a little tray for the toys and programs his shiny red robot to carry them over to me on the living room floor. Soooo sweet! This is the best day ever! He was finished gathering the spectators in about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, I sit there scratching my head for the same three minutes, trying to figure out just what in the world I'm going to do with my big cardboard box, glue, paints, ribbon, markers & poster board. And please don't forget about the paper mache and the flags and stuff..

O.K. Julie - ready for the Funkey battle? Ready?! I haven't even researched how to make paper mache.. Julie - ready yet??? Oh boy.. I can't even redirect him at this point - it's all about the battle. I lamely begin to cut the carboard box into strips with my stupid scissors... Martha did this to me.! How can I make archways out of carboard? Where are the flags going to go? Who's making the signs?? THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A GOOD THING!!!!

Enter Jim . (Stage direction: Eyebrows raised, he walks in.. Trying not to smile, he lays down his items and leaves without saying a word). He's left me a pen, 2 sheets of ripped paper, some tape and these lame styrofoam things that were also in the big carboard box... **sigh** I hate to be wrong. I really, really do... We did use a marker at least.

Funkikis (Ryan) vs. Speed Racers (Julie)
Scores (Jim wise old sage show-off kept score):

Funkey Hockey: Funkikis - 15; SR's - ZERO; Pirate Fencing: Funkikis - 5; SR's - 2; Shrek Boxing: Funkikis - 16; SR's - 4; Funkey Pinball: Funkikis - 7; SR's - 1.

Happy Easter, please pass the Hot Chocolate!

2009-04-24T15:48:00.006-05:00

Yes, that's the temp: 36 degrees.... No, this isn't the Bears Game. It's the White Sox vs. the Twins on Easter Sunday!! It was a glorious game - once we found a sunny spot!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Goodbye Winter!!

2009-04-20T13:01:00.013-05:00

Winter is SO fun - in November and December... Starts to wear on me around mid-January.. In the Midwest, Old Man Winter hangs around really until the end of April. So while I'm ready to jump out of my skin at yet another rainy April day (thankfully it's getting a lot warmer though), I thought I'd go through the winter pics one more time.. Then I'll put them away until my bones warm up a bit.. These are from January, 2009- we were kind of excited for this big blizzard.. The snow that fell would have been perfect for skiing - not so much for snowman making. Ever the miracle seekers, our brains here at the Hamlet are now trained to seek creativity as a antidote for bummed-out-ness. (yes, it's a word). Sadly, creativity levels seem to drop substantially after Christmas. *sigh* We made a snow-dragon instead. Snow-dragons don't require sticky snow. Truth be told, in order to get to the snow-dragon, I first had to walk around the yard for 20 minutes trying to get a #$&!! snowball to stick so the snowman could be made. Then I had to have a temper fit because it kept crumbling after about 2 inches. THEN in my fury I started to try and mound the snow for the snow man's base, but of course I couldn't get any height... In my defeated surrender, I noticed that if you put a snowball on the mound of snow, it kind of looked like a dragon tail... And poof - a happy ending is born! I really am grateful that despite the fresh powder, Ryan's snow ball maker from Paul & Dorie worked great! It was a fun afternoon of snow ball fights, snow dragons and reenactments from one of our favorite Christmas movies. In January it seems kind of charming that the day is only about 3 1/2 hours long, and that you can see the moon at 4 pm, and the snow is everywhere...

A Guest Post! by Jim O'

2009-02-19T20:38:00.003-06:00

These are a few of my favorite things...

2009-02-13T06:25:00.006-06:00

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

All my favorite "things" - table set with pretty mismatched china, diet dr. pepper, coffee, flowers... Still, just things.

I make it a habit to write a gratitude list each day. It helps to highlight the mundane miracles I see each day. These "things" don't typically make the cut.

It's the people at the table, or the thoughtfulness of the one who brings the flowers, or the friend I'm having coffee with. Sometimes it the minute of solitude I'm granted to take a photo before the Thanksgiving 'rush'...

Yesterday was a good day. It looks like Dad's unplanned vacation is over, Sissy is feeling better, Jimmy and I sat around and listened to music for a bit, which we haven't done in a long time. He played some Pat Travers tunes ( 80's rocker); we laughed that my ipod has songs by spongebob square pants in it... (For I-dog dance parties in the kitchen - duh!).

Good day or challenging day - it's gratitude that helps balance the see saw. You know?

Wee Hamlet Q & A

2009-01-30T06:30:00.005-06:00

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

The Wee Hamlet is quiet when Ryan goes back to his Mom's....

Jim (outside on the front porch): "BE QUIET! YOU'RE GOING THE WRONG WAY!"

Q: Who are you yelling at?

A: The geese.

Silly Goose...

"And I’m gonna be 40…. Someday"!!!

2009-01-26T13:09:00.006-06:00

…is my favorite line from When Harry Met Sally. At least, it was. Have you met Someday? Someday is super fabulous! She sparkles like the happy angel of morning. She’s thin and fit and has cool clothes, and a cool career, and she’s SO witty! Did you see her on Oprah last week promoting her new book? She actually has 2. One is a novel, poignant and gripping. Oprah LOOOOOVES IT. The other is an overnight teen series sensation – sure to be made into a Disney movie soon. Even teenagers think she’s cool. Someday is the person that jumps up to answer the door when people ring and ask me essentially any personal question that begins with the word When.

Unfortunately, Someday does not age well. Our Someday, that once glittery sensation, somewhere along the way mutates into a right hideous creature called… Right Around the Corner. Right Around the Corner is so mean! And she’s got weird stubby gray hairs growing out of her part! And (whisper this next sentence to yourself, ok?) – she’s a little saggy. Poor Right Around the Corner. She’s still trying to lose that last pesky 15 lbs.

Luckily for me, I’m in the habit of looking for miracles. What is the miracle of turning 40? What’s that? When am I turning 40? “Someday – will you please get the door”? There’s one miracle. I can still send Someday to answer that door.

Mark Twain, that annoying overachiever, once said “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter”. I don’t mind. Someday certainly doesn’t mind. You know who minds? Right Around the Corner, that’s who minds!

Right Around the Corner is FREAKING out. Right Around the Corner is thinking - Mark Twain was putting the finishing touches on Tom Sawyer when he was the big 4-0… THAT’S JUST GREAT!! I’m late for my life!!

We have now arrived at Miracle number 2: Wikipedia! Here’s a tip: Look up late bloomer should Right Around the Corner decide to stop by for a visit. There are a whole bunch of famous late bloomers! Danny Aiello started acting at 40 (“the waitresses were very nice”).. Laura Ingalls Wilder became a newspaper columnist at, yes, 40. Rodney Dangerfield – 42. Grandma Moses (I don’t know how old exactly, but you know, a grandma named after Moses? O.L.D.); do you like KFC?? Well the world had to wait for the Colonel to turn 60 first. Phew! I thought I was late, but it turns out to be Sunday and I have no where to go…

And there you have it! Miracle # 3 at the Hamlet today: Someday and Right Around the Corner had a big fight, and Someday won…

The next post (of course) will be on the top 5 uses of … denial….

Lemon is Important to the Flavor

2009-01-11T07:05:00.021-06:00

I consider myself blessed that I am teachable. In fact ideas that are incredibly, profoundly useful come from all sorts of unexpected places. 2008 was filled with these delicious nuggets of wisdom. By far, my favorite is this. "Be sure to use the lemon -it's important to the flavor".

Sometimes it takes a while for these things to sink in. The lemon instruction was one of those that had to slowly make it's way through my consciousness. This gem came to me back in September.

September, 2008 was an amazing month. Insanely difficult in a good way. This story actually starts in July of 2008 when Jim and I made the decision to purchase this little house. I had this wonderful picture in my head of what it would be like when we "Hamletized" it: we were not purchasing a split level fixer-upper, we were actually deciding to live in the cutest cottage you've ever seen - you'd be dying to knock on the door because just knew the whole place would smell of cookies and you'd just feel happy and sunny the minute you entered it.

The before and after of our little house is a story for another day. Sufficed to say for this post is that we planned on two weeks of work, then we'd have the house of our dreams... The 'actual' exceeded the "budgeted" by four weeks and a whole lot of life in between. So on the 1st of September, Jim and I moved into my parents house instead of the cozy cottage we'd planned on.

We had a nice weekend picking out paint colors and carpet and appliances... FUN! Except that my whole cookie cottage reeked - not of vanilla and sun-dried tee shirts, but of cat pee and motor oil. So sad. We went to work (our day jobs), then came home to stinkyville and flat out hideous manual labor for several hours. Then we did the same thing the next day, and the next day, and the next day. I was just sure that somehow I'd woken up in a nightmare and that the rest of my life was just going to be work for 15 hours a day with no end in sight.

But this is a blog about miracles and sure enough there were plenty during the Fall of Work. One was that after every long stinky day, Jim and I came back to a yummy home cooked meal every night. EVERY night. Attempt number six on "pee remediation" took place after about three weeks at my parents. It was a particularly demoralizing evening of sanding the floors, which, by the way, didn't work at all to remove the smell, but worked quite well in spraying microscopic pee dust all over the rest of the house.. On the way back to my p's house, Jim, who has been blessed with the gift of being able to stay in the moment, mused, "well, we'll think of something, but what do you think your mom made for dinner"?

Mom, bless her culinary genius-mommy heart, made something different for dinner every night for a month. What mom made for dinner that night was incredible Parmesan crusted pork chops which, had I known how good they were, I would not have shared with Jim. MMMMM.

BUT, before we got to MMMM, pork chops, we had a note from Mom, which said, "Julie, squeeze this lemon and put the juice over the pork chops. It's important to the flavor".

Lemon juice? On pork chops?? Isn't this better on fish? Isn't fish yucky anyway?? So, we hesitated... Should we? After the fiasco that was yet another stinky evening do we dare use lemon on these beautiful chops? *sigh* Sometimes faith is annoyingly risky, you know? Hooray for us we leaped off that cliff and fearlessly squeezed that lemon over the chops. And it.. was..... AWESOME!!! The tartness of the lemon perfectly complimented the Parmesan cheese. The lemon sort of bit your tongue, which made the cheese even yummier. Mom was right, Lemon was important to the flavor.

So that's just the perfect metaphor for life, yes? A little lemon is so important to the flavor of life. Today as I type this post, I'm sitting in my cozy cottage. The pee smell is gone. Ryan O is sitting on the couch watching Cartoon Network - and occasionally asking why I delete more sentences than I keep. And what is a blog?, and can I see the owl again?, and where is Japan?... I know that this little scene is so much sweeter because I've experienced a little lemon too. I'm surprised to be grateful for the lemons today.

Un-American?

2008-07-10T12:22:00.009-05:00

Way back when (in April) I decided to dedicate a post each month to the practicing these principles in all our affairs - I believe the plan was to "cutes-ily" post this on the 12th of the month. (Yes, it's a word). So, 2 months later, still not on the 12th, I thought I'd give it another go. So, July - 7th month; 7th principle is humility. I'm rather clueless on the concept.. But I recall vividly the moment that step 7 hit me in the heart (you know? new concepts for me start at the ears (even this is a miracle!), rattles around in my head for a bit then; sometimes quickly, mostly slowly, makes it's way to my heart). ANYWAY, I was sitting on this carved out tree stump in the back yard when it hit me - I'm just human! Mistakes and all - the good and the bad, as they say. This is a pretty big miracle of my life so far. It felt so freeing to have that amount of well, self-forgiveness, I guess. I've been spending some time lately doing things that 'regular' people do - taking a little super-saver weekend trip to Scottsdale; looking at homes to buy - after a little research it turns out we may be able to afford a wee home of our own; taking vacation days from work for some summer fun, that kind of stuff. Don't get me wrong - I loved every second of it!! We've been having such fun around here - in a different way than ever before - it's really quite REAL at the 'ol Hamlet these days..

However, I've been to noticing that I also spend a lot of time sort of daydreaming about what it would be like to have MORE - more money, more house, more time off, yadda, yadda, yadda... This is sort of the AMERICAN WAY - right? Get a job, get a little house, go on summer vacations each year. Maybe a couple of weekend trips just for fun - bbq with the family on the 4th of July.... WEll... This doesn't work for me. At all. The little daydreams turn into a blinders-on kind of focus on material things, which really doesn't work for me - I start to worry, then get jealous of people who have the things that I want (or deserve), then even worse, I start striving for them... Next thing I know, I'm manipulating situations, forming resentments, especially at work, where if they just paid me MORE, I'd be able to "make myself" happy. Having material goals is as normal as baseball and apple pie, and that's great for lots and lots of people. The thing is, I can't handle this kind of thinking.. These material things are not goals anymore. They perhaps can be considered means to the end, but for me, it's dangerous for them to be the end goal. The goal is to be useful to my higher power, in whatever way that looks like to my HP. WHAT?! Here's another really REALLY big miracle - I really want to live this way. Admittedly, I haven't had too much practice at it yet, and can get sucked into daydreams quicker that I can believe, but I want to be able to carry out God's will for me - even more than I want a vacation home in Aspen, or a work-from home 3 days a weeks job... I'm grateful today to know who I am, and (who I am not) and for my dear pals who gently guide me back when I start to get lost in "new-shoe land"... For now, I'm glad for the opportunity to stop and smell the.. well, weeds!

Ahh Computers & Beautiful Weeds!

2008-07-10T08:46:00.012-05:00

Well friends, it's been a while. My trusty laptop caught a cold and blogging just hasn't been the same. On to Plan B (Jimmy's computer)! SO much has changed since my last post. Some on-line changes (miracles!):

One of my favorite blogs has a new address: http://www.mommyjustonemoreminute.com/ - a blog about my favorite little girl in the whole world - there she is with her new haircut! Lots of links to other cool blogs, too. My sister, who is my blogging mentor, btw, rocks!

Another pal has developed a smart new blog/ spiritual forum - you can ask questions/share your own thoughts, or just read other's posts. I think its hip and thought-provoking - check it out: http://www.asksustenance.blogspot.com/ . Welcome back Michael!

In the 'real' world, I have pictures of some of the spring/summer highlights too. I'll try a series of short posts and see how far I get... But for right now - there have been some miracles around the Hamlet this morning: I sat outside with my coffee and saw how pretty the yard looks- I updated the wee hamlet photo with one of the green shots. Usually I only see how many weeds there are to pull, or how long the grass is.... After I decided that the yard is beautiful even with the weeds, I watched a hummingbird enjoy the purple flowers on the hostas (spelling?) I moved to the back yard when we first moved in. It's amazing to me how my mind set really changes how I see things, and how much more I get to enjoy what I see.. Here's a picture of the weeds - beautiful? You decide!

Way to go Ryan O!

2008-04-23T20:44:00.004-05:00

Talk about multi-tasking.. Earning a bowling trophy, a badge for Tiger Scouts, AND taking care of that first loose tooth - all in one week!! Ryan is with his mom until next Saturday at which time we the toothless grin shall be unveiled.

Seriously - there's a LOT going on in the first grade. All day at school, learning to read, write, type, remember his internet/webkinz password, get along with classmates, listen to the teacher, keep his 'stuff' organized, Tiger Scouts, learning to bowl, loose teeth, growing like a weed. Phew!

I'm grateful to be a grown up today. Or maybe just wishing I was back in Kindergarten!

.. and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

2008-04-18T18:58:00.016-05:00

Some of my favorite blogs are those that have a repeating theme each week or each month. For example, Susie over at Mommy, Just One More Minute, has "52 Fridays" where she lists things she's grateful for. The Manolo, over at Manolo's Shoe Blog has a fun little quiz each week called Who's Shoes Wednesday. (I never guess correctly - oh, and I love shoes).

Ever one among many, I try to go with what works, and decided to dedicate a little blog each month on the principles that we over at the Wee Hamlet try to practice in all our affairs. The goal was to post on the 12th of the month, to really align with the BIG PICTURE theme of our blog. Maybe starting in May.... So, better late than never, here's the debut of our theme post!

"If I Were King of the Forrrrest: A few words on Courage"

I can really relate to the Cowardly Lion. Like Lion, I did my very best to appear strong, and noble. Like him, I practiced my growl and dutifully sharpened my claws in an effort to convince everyone, including myself, that I really was, or at the very least, should be, the queen of the forest. When questioned, I ran. When I was sure no one was looking, I cried. I would never, ever admit to feeling scared. And I was -constantly.

So, like my friend the Lion it turns out that all I really needed was the right path, a Higher Power (although I don't call mine the wizard) and a couple of friends to join me on this journey. Courage was right there the whole time. I found it with honesty. I practice Courage by telling the truth. No more growling, no more claws, no more feeling sad in secret. Fear is still there, of course, that's life- but I no longer run from it. Just trudge along through it - with my friends, one step at a time.

So that's what we're practicing this month - being who we are in front of each other. No excuses, no justifications, just us. Whatever that happens to look like at the moment. And believe me, there have been some very interesting looking moments.

I'm blessed to live honestly in an honest house. I don't have to think, "but if you knew the real me..." because those around me know the real me. And I know the real them. And there's a lot of love in these rooms. Thank God.

Baby Owl comes for a visit: Take One & Two!

2008-04-02T20:29:00.016-05:00

The Wee Hamlet just so happens to sit in the middle of a forest, which is not only home to us, but to a family of owls! And today is the day that the babies (2 of them) learned to fly! Another miracle! Let's see if I can master You Tube once and for all..... Here goes:

TAKE ONE:

OK, so now you know another little truth about me.

I'm afraid of owls.

Seriously, this little one is cute, but the mama owl is HUGE! Probably as tall as me. With Fangs. OK, not so much, but still.

Last year their nest fell out of the tree, so the wildlife dept came over and climbed up the tree and built that platform for them. They had 2 little ones last year too. This is the first time I've seen their "flying day" - SO glad I called in to work this morning. The fuzzy one got about 5 inches from the ground and splat! down he went. she? who knows.

Anyway, he got right back up, dusted himself off and went for a little stroll around the yard, at which time he hopped right on up to my back porch! We at the Wee Hamlet typically refer to this as progress, not perfection. We do a lot of spectacular trips and falls around here (on so many levels), but I'm happy to say we always get back up and try again..

Right then - TAKE TWO!

Happy Easter Bawk Bawk!

2008-03-26T13:38:00.007-05:00

Remember that old commercial? Happy Easter Bawk Bawk!? If I was proficient with the You Tube I'd download it.. It was one of my favorite's.

It's funny how each holiday with Ryan launches me back to the 80's. (i.e.,when I was a kid). This year Jim, Ryan and I woke to an old fashioned Easter egg hunt! 'Ol bunny came by and hid the (real) eggs we so meticulously colored the night before (is it Easter Eve?).

Then it was off to Paul & Dorie's (my parents) for another egg hunt, and the classic of all classics - find the Easter basket! Here's the thing. The Easter Bunny (that is, ahem, according to my Dad) decided long ago that in our house, the Easter Basket is something that you need to TRULY hunt for. None of this wishy washy - it's under the kitchen table stuff.. It's true - one year I found my basket sitting in the grill; another in my mom's car; oh - once in the mailbox; another time in the window well.

SIDE NOTE: For those not from the Midwest, a window well is a little half moon hole carved out by the basement window that allows you to either see out, or actually get out of the window.

It took me HOURS to find the thing. Seriously - this is classic Catholic "Ora Et Labora"! That's pray & work, by the way- you work, work, work, then give up (We at the Wee Hamlet call that Surrender these days), then PRAY that someday, somehow you'll find the *#$! Easter basket before Easter is over... Then *poof!* inspiration strikes and dat dat da daaaaaaa - you find it!

Now, the really difficult finds occurred for me when I was not so little anymore - seriously I was in my tweens, at least. What! Anyway, Ryan James is a wee laddy of six yet, so I was a liiiittle nervous for him... Luckily - Dorie was up early preparing our DELICIOUS breakfast (pretty much any yummy thing you can think of was there - thank you Mom), and she actually SPOKE WITH THE BUNNY - the Rabbit of Redemption, the Hare of the Heavens, the Bunny of the most high Bounty!! She's so lucky that Dorie. Anyway, phew! Dorie had the best thing of all that glorious Sunday morn': HINTS!

So - to make a long story... a little less long... Ryan found his Easter Basket in the clothes dryer. Thanks to a little help from Mom. We had a wonderful celebration. SO many things to be grateful for that day. And everyday! That's what mundane miracles are all about, yes?

You there God?

2008-03-14T10:15:00.002-05:00