Library Story Time

My toddler loves his new class at story time. Today is week two of his new fun. He was definitely ready to be done with baby stories, and move on to more active classes. He's a runner!

Also, we are still working on selling the car. Busy days at the cottage.

Cleaning, Selling, Feasting

We're cleaning the kitchen and preparing a chicken matzo soup for supper. We don't keep Passover in a religious sense, but only in a culinary one. Plus, I love chicken soup. It does feel good to have an excuse to get the kitchen really clean.

We're selling the car today or tomorrow, and buying a minivan. It's a bit crazy and stressful, but it has to be done.

This evening we will have time for feasting of the Monday in Holy Week. We are feasting within the fast, so to speak. Keeping Lent but preparing for the Joy to come. We are praying full prayers every day this week, and seeking Holy Guidance toward joining a church.

More Progress

I've had more progress, but it's not enough. I doubt that I'll get to where I want to be. Even so, I have done more than others might. I've done less that others, too. This is the only time in my life that I'll be expecting my third child, so I try not to be too hard on myself.

• Scrubbing the kitchen countertops
  
• Scrubbing the Walls with Borax
• Pulling out the furniture and inspecting and cleaning behind it
• Cleaning out the children's toys and clothes and storage containers thereof
• Opening the windows and letting in fresh air and light
• Sweeping and scrubbing solid surface floors
• Vacuuming carpeted floors
• Putting everything back and tidying up afterwards
• Washing the windows

Continued Progress

As Passiontide progresses, so does my cleaning. I got another cabinet cleaned yesterday. Today, I had shopping and errands in the morning, followed by countertops scheduled for the afternoon. It's a bit too cool for outside play, so we should get plenty of time for inside work.

• Scrubbing the kitchen, partially complete
  
• Scrubbing the Walls with Borax
• Pulling out the furniture and inspecting and cleaning behind it
• Cleaning out the children's toys and clothes and storage containers thereof
• Opening the windows and letting in fresh air and light
• Sweeping and scrubbing solid surface floors
• Vacuuming carpeted floors
• Putting everything back and tidying up afterwards
• Washing the windows

Lady Day

The Collect

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

WE beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts; that, as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought into the glory of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ash Wednesday

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Finding a Window

I think if I rearrange my schedule for a window of cleaning in the late afternoon, I can get on top of it. I managed to make further progress with this yesterday. The children seem to prefer free play at this time anyway. Otherwise, it's good for supervised outdoor play or cookie baking. My list continues:

• Scrubbing the kitchen, partially complete
  
• Scrubbing the Walls with Borax
• Pulling out the furniture and inspecting and cleaning behind it
• Cleaning out the children's toys and clothes and storage containers thereof
• Opening the windows and letting in fresh air and light
• Removing all items from the kitchen cabinets and scrubbing inside them, partially complete
  
• Sweeping and scrubbing solid surface floors
• Vacuuming carpeted floors
• Putting everything back and tidying up afterwards
• Washing the windows

Exiguous Progress

How appropriate that the word of today is "exiguous," since that's the progress I made yesterday on cleaning. Still, progress is progress. I've dusted and done the bathroom. Now if I can just do a bit more, I'll get on top of things for Passiontide.

• Scrubbing the kitchen, partially complete
  
• Scrubbing the Walls with Borax
• Pulling out the furniture and inspecting and cleaning behind it
• Cleaning out the children's toys and clothes and storage containers thereof
• Opening the windows and letting in fresh air and light
• Removing all items from the kitchen cabinets and scrubbing inside them
• Sweeping and scrubbing solid surface floors
• Vacuuming carpeted floors
• Putting everything back and tidying up afterwards
• Washing the windows