From the Dark Side of the Moon

Hola, lovelies. I had every intention of hooking up my camera and unloading some pictures. We've had a trip to Illinois, so Eleanor could meet her great-grandpa, great-grandma and other extended family members. We have a precious video of grandpa Henry praying for Eleanor. We didn't do the cemetary visits this time...I simply wasn't feeling it. And it seems a bit macabre to trot my infant out there for pictures with mom and dad's headstones. Right now I think that's something that can wait until she's older.

We had a visit from aunt Yoshimi and cousin Magz. That was so wonderful. We miss those chicas (and the dad/husband unit, too...).

Boogie dressed up as a bumblebee for Halloween. Dad and I were beekeepers. She was remarkably good-natured for the whole thing. I'm thinking Gumby for next year (but let's get through today, shall we?).

She has hit the 5 month mark and is weighing in at 15 lbs. She rolls over, kind of holds her own bottle, loves to lay on the changing table, giggles when Dad comes home, sleeps from 8:45/9 ish until 6/7 am. She has also started eating cereal and it is fun to watch her figure out what to do with the spoon. I'm not sure much of it gets in her tummy, but we do have a fun time trying!

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Reading is here and there. I've been wandering through Brennan Manning's Souvenirs of Solitude and I like it very much. He ends each chapter with a sort of poem Psalm type writing which appeals to me. Manning is an amazing person to me on many levels. His concept of God and God-love are brought in such a way that my own thoughts about the Lord's love are challenged. This (in my opinion) is the mark of a good writer-when one's thoughts can be challenged without offense. But make no mistake, Manning's words are not always soft. It is good spiritual reading for me.

For meetings we've been going through the AA Big Book. I'm quite impressed by the magnitude of the testimonies written on its pages. I'm also enjoying reading another OA booklet called For Today that has daily readings. Each daily reading is accompanied by a quote of some person. These little readings are wonderfully written, and often bring me a sense of calm and connectedness to God, myself and others.

For Fiction, I have nothing going at the moment, but I have a John Grisham hardback that I have not read sitting by my bed that I may begin this week. I recently finished Portia de Rossi's autobiography titled Unberable Lightness which chronicles her severe battle with anorexia and bulimia. She is now (thankfully!) recovered, and anyone who has had ANY issue with food will relate to this book. I read the Kindle edition.

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Christmas is upon us and I am thankful not to be pregnancy-sick this year. We've had some family struggles in the past week, and I will only ask your prayers for my family, without going into detail. This time of year can be so difficult for many people. My parents both passed during the Thanksgiving season, and I know many struggle with loss over the holidays. I don't really anymore (it is all bittersweet now), but for some, this time of year is filled with regret and sorrow. If you know someone in this situation, send them some love.

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That's it for now. Hope not to be away for so long next time. Until then, Give Love.