Thursday, January 12, 2012

Capturing Contentment

The pleasure of using pretty, vintage ric rac to brighten an oven towel.


Happy is the girl who becomes a mommy again on Christmas morning with a new dolly. 


A dolly with history, who belonged to my cousin Kassie long ago.  A dolly who wears real baby clothes and came with a sweet 80s wardrobe, all aqua and pink and poly-blend.

Genevieve named her Bella, and chuckled contentedly for a full 20 minutes.  When we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house in the sunshine, Bella rode flopped over the Christmas gifts.  It was funny - and got several startled glances.


And the real part of this post is that I'm relying on old photos because I've been working so hard at being content.  I'm struggling with acid reflux yet.  It casts a long shadow on my days right now. 

I fight my bad feelings by keeping the sink clean, hanging the laundry in the sun, and going to bed with a good book at a decent time.  It's the tonic and strength of my quotidian work.  And I got a lift from looking at these Christmas photos of Genevieve - she is such a capable little mama and very devoted to her dolly.  Thank you, God, for the sweetness of life that catches me off guard.

Linking up with Leila and Rosie's collection of pretty, happy, funny, real.

14 comments:

Jennifer Jo said...

I'm so sorry you're struggling with this. I hope you soon get some reprieve...

Lindsey Gallant said...

What a neat idea for your oven towel!

Rhonda said...

what a sweet retro baby doll and daughter you have to take care of the baby.

hope you feel better soon!

Rebecca said...

That chocolate and red are just gorgeous together.

Sorry you're feeling puny, sug. How's this: chicken broth with lots of chopped parsley and some whole wheat orzo?

Christian - Modobject@Home said...

Miss F is quite taken with Bella. When she spotted the photo on the screen she pointed and said, "Beebee." Then she talked about it quite a bit in her own little baby language. What sweet moments you captured.

I'm so sorry, my dear, for your continuing struggle. Not fun. I've been learning (and re-learning) that giving thanks is the key to contentment. You are on the right track, and I will be praying for your full healing.

Leila said...

Ric rac makes everything better! My girls had that kind of doll at various stages, and I finally put the kibosh on taking it to the grocery store. All the old ladies having conniptions b/c they think it's a real baby... tossed in the cart... not good :)

I am not sure what is ailing you, but my two cents: After terrible bouts of bad acid problems, I realized that I can't eat raw fruit really at all. My stomach used to be made of iron, but as I got a little older, I found that some things I just can't take! Cutting out raw fruit, making sure things stay... in motion... with the occasional dose of metamucil -- this helps.

God bless!

Misty said...

Just lifted you in prayer to heal the reflux. I dealt with that a bit a few years ago and found only diet changes helped. I wish it were so simple for you. Blessings today.

Mary Ann said...

Praying for you!

I have a doll almost like that that I received in the 80's when I was 10. It's currently stored away but oh, how I loved that doll, especially the fact that it could wear real baby clothes!

Anonymous said...

Love the doll!

The Provincial Homemaker said...

Sorry to hear you have been feeling unwell. Reflux is nasty.

I love that your daughter is giving an old doll a second life. My daughter rediscovered my childhood doll and she is being given another thorough work out.

Johanna said...

I am so sorry you are dealing with reflux. I have been a sufferer for years and I still can't say it is under control. I am hoping that your condition will be temporary and it will soon be a memory.

Love your daughter's new doll, Bella. She seems like a very sweet and loving Mama to her babies! Must have learned that from *her* Mama! :)

I hope you feel better soon!
Johanna

Polly said...

She wears real baby clothes? That is wonderful!!! I just love her dolly!! Lucky girl.

I am so sorry about your reflux. I hope it goes away. I had it during pregnancy and it was *NO* fun at all, but at least I knew it was temporary. Having it indefinitely would be terrible!!!! I will say prayers for it to just vanish!

loves2spin said...

Have you considered using milk kefir to help with your acid reflux? The following article talks about that. Actually, the kefir that I brew at home has a LOT more than the 10 probiotic organisms in it than is mentioned in the article. Please read my "chapters" about making and using kefir over on the right hand column of my blog and seriously consider it. The stuff is amazing.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/491763-is-kefir-good-for-acid-reflux/

If you are interested, I'd be happy to send you some kefir grains for the cost of shipping - about $3.00

So far, it has cured a friend of mine with duodenal pain, another with chronic, severe constipation, and another with cholitis. It helps me sail right through a round of antibiotics with no trouble. Take care.

Sarah Barry said...

boo for your a.r. so so sorry.

g with her doll is precious! love me some baby dolls.

it really is the little things...