Family Movie Night
We have no Netflix movie here that the older boys won’t want to see when they get home. Mike sent them into our video closet to pull out a movie…but then he put his pick on “Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang”. I do like the music in this movie. I do like the start of this movie. However, I’m totally lost when they get to all this fantasy stuff…even ZANDER gets it and I’m totally lost and thinking it’s plain crazy. I can’t figure the point of the movie out. I can’t figure out if it is supposed to tell me something. I can’t follow the plot at all at this point…and I’ve watched this movie for over 15 years now…since the first time Mike set Bre and Krista down to watch it. I wonder if I missed something crucial in this stage of my development by being in the Jungles of Liberia where we did not have Mother Goose, and movies like this…….:::snort::::
Friday, June 30, 2006
Free E Book...
Looking for some new ideas? Download and print (or print from the site) *Fast & Healthy Meals for Busy Moms* from Urban Homemakers.
Looking for some new ideas? Download and print (or print from the site) *Fast & Healthy Meals for Busy Moms* from Urban Homemakers.
STRANGE AFTERNOON
After our free game of bowling we thought we’d go swimming at China Beach. I had visions of some cool pictures…but alas…the command post called and closed the pool due to lightening. I’ve yet to see lots of lightening but we left the base before the storm would have hit the base. We decided to go on over to a park for an hour – and that was fun. The wind did pick up, the sky got dark, a few lightening flashes flashed…but still no real big storm. We’ll see.
I thought I was having company tonight so headed home to get ready…but now we aren’t having company so we plan to veg out as a “small family”. We miss the 4 world travelers…looking forward to hearing more from AK soon.
After our free game of bowling we thought we’d go swimming at China Beach. I had visions of some cool pictures…but alas…the command post called and closed the pool due to lightening. I’ve yet to see lots of lightening but we left the base before the storm would have hit the base. We decided to go on over to a park for an hour – and that was fun. The wind did pick up, the sky got dark, a few lightening flashes flashed…but still no real big storm. We’ll see.
I thought I was having company tonight so headed home to get ready…but now we aren’t having company so we plan to veg out as a “small family”. We miss the 4 world travelers…looking forward to hearing more from AK soon.
Bowling
After lunch today we headed over to the base’s bowling ally. I plan to take advantage of this one free game a day plan as much as possible. Adrienne and her children and Tricia and her children met us there. Things I learned: don’t put all the little kids on one lane again – they are about twice as slow as the big ones. Make sure Zander is well-rested before adding the stimulation of lots of peers at the bowling ally. Bowling Ally’s are NOISEY!!! We did have fun. This is not the best venue for Mom's to visit. {G}
Here are some pictures from the adventure.
Remember when the lane seemed sooooo long and any ball that reached the pins was a successful ball??????
After lunch today we headed over to the base’s bowling ally. I plan to take advantage of this one free game a day plan as much as possible. Adrienne and her children and Tricia and her children met us there. Things I learned: don’t put all the little kids on one lane again – they are about twice as slow as the big ones. Make sure Zander is well-rested before adding the stimulation of lots of peers at the bowling ally. Bowling Ally’s are NOISEY!!! We did have fun. This is not the best venue for Mom's to visit. {G}
Here are some pictures from the adventure.
Remember when the lane seemed sooooo long and any ball that reached the pins was a successful ball??????
Salad Dressing
In an effort to make salad and fresh veggies seem like something NEW….I tried a new salad dressing recipe. Laura on SHS shared this one and it is good.
Honey Poppy Seed Dressing:
1 1/2 C. honey
1 3/4 t. ground mustard
1 3/4 t. salt
2/3 C. apple cider vinegar
2 T. onion flakes
1 T. poppy seeds
1 C. salad oil (I prefer sunflower over canola, but you could use either)
Combine honey, mustard, salt and vinegar in a non-reactive pan. Mix well and heat to lukewarm. Place mixture in a blender. On low setting, gradually add oil in a thin stream. Mix in onion flakes and poppy seeds. Chill
*I’m not sure why you need to heat the honey and vinegar. All my salad dressings are now a base of oil, vinegar and honey and I don’t heat them. I wonder why it’s heated here….I’ll have to ask. I used 2 tsp of the dry mustard and 1 ½ tsp of salt…..
In an effort to make salad and fresh veggies seem like something NEW….I tried a new salad dressing recipe. Laura on SHS shared this one and it is good.
Honey Poppy Seed Dressing:
1 1/2 C. honey
1 3/4 t. ground mustard
1 3/4 t. salt
2/3 C. apple cider vinegar
2 T. onion flakes
1 T. poppy seeds
1 C. salad oil (I prefer sunflower over canola, but you could use either)
Combine honey, mustard, salt and vinegar in a non-reactive pan. Mix well and heat to lukewarm. Place mixture in a blender. On low setting, gradually add oil in a thin stream. Mix in onion flakes and poppy seeds. Chill
*I’m not sure why you need to heat the honey and vinegar. All my salad dressings are now a base of oil, vinegar and honey and I don’t heat them. I wonder why it’s heated here….I’ll have to ask. I used 2 tsp of the dry mustard and 1 ½ tsp of salt…..
Thursday, June 29, 2006
The REST of the day
We headed for homeschool park day. There aren’t a lot of people that show up for this during the summer. Its in the a.m. and that is nice as it is the coolest part of the day. As it was it was 84* when we left the park at 11:00 a.m. I did get to meet a couple of new ladies today. That was fun. One of them had heard of me…..da da dum….I guess that 9 kid thing sort of goes before you….
We went to a new dentist today. I think he is going to be a keeper. They had two hygienists in and had scheduled no one in the office but us. The one hygienist has a basket of toys in her room and she had us all come back at once. She did Arielle, Nolan, ZANDER and I while the other one did Jared. No cavities! Yippee. I did have them put sealants on two of Jared’s teeth – they said tri-care won’t pay for it – but I told them to do it anyway. Zander has NEVER opened his mouth for anyone and we’ve been trying every 6 months for 2 years. He opened his mouth, let her look and even put some polish stuff in his mouth. Not a lot and not really a cleaning but she got a look. She said he has really bright, white teeth….she asked if I’d done anything to whiten them. Nope. Stacia got to sit on my lap and pull on all sorts of new things while my teeth were cleaned. The boys will go in when they get back.
Jared and Nolan needed shorts. We headed to Target and picked them both up a couple of pairs of shorts…then Arielle needed a new swim suit and I found some non-disposable swimmers for Stacia.
We met Mike at the base to return his driver’s license. That’s another story. I got to talk to Dayton, the Club Beyond leader at Elmendorf. The kids’ luggage was delivered at 2:30 a.m. That seems a bit early to ME. They were 3 hours late getting in last night because their plane in Dallas was delayed due to a medical emergency. Then they missed the connection in Seattle and had to wait for another flight. I was so glad we had built an extra day in for them between arriving in AK and leaving for Hoonah. They were all glad too. I’m sure they are going to have a great time. Dayton will be sending out daily updates….maybe I’ll post some of them here.
Krista’s been calling a lot the last few days. I think she is starting to miss us and wanting to be home for a bit. That’s a good thing. Bre called a lot a couple of weeks ago. If they both ever get lonesome during the same week no one will be able to call in to our house. lol
We tried to go swimming at China Beach but I forgot our pool passes. We had planned to meet Tricia and her daughters at China Beach - sort of – but she didn’t come and so we came home, grabbed the passes and drove to the pool at the Rec Camp – it is open until 8:00 p.m. We swam until 8 and now it’s time to be sure all kids are really asleep. Mike is still out.
We headed for homeschool park day. There aren’t a lot of people that show up for this during the summer. Its in the a.m. and that is nice as it is the coolest part of the day. As it was it was 84* when we left the park at 11:00 a.m. I did get to meet a couple of new ladies today. That was fun. One of them had heard of me…..da da dum….I guess that 9 kid thing sort of goes before you….
We went to a new dentist today. I think he is going to be a keeper. They had two hygienists in and had scheduled no one in the office but us. The one hygienist has a basket of toys in her room and she had us all come back at once. She did Arielle, Nolan, ZANDER and I while the other one did Jared. No cavities! Yippee. I did have them put sealants on two of Jared’s teeth – they said tri-care won’t pay for it – but I told them to do it anyway. Zander has NEVER opened his mouth for anyone and we’ve been trying every 6 months for 2 years. He opened his mouth, let her look and even put some polish stuff in his mouth. Not a lot and not really a cleaning but she got a look. She said he has really bright, white teeth….she asked if I’d done anything to whiten them. Nope. Stacia got to sit on my lap and pull on all sorts of new things while my teeth were cleaned. The boys will go in when they get back.
Jared and Nolan needed shorts. We headed to Target and picked them both up a couple of pairs of shorts…then Arielle needed a new swim suit and I found some non-disposable swimmers for Stacia.
We met Mike at the base to return his driver’s license. That’s another story. I got to talk to Dayton, the Club Beyond leader at Elmendorf. The kids’ luggage was delivered at 2:30 a.m. That seems a bit early to ME. They were 3 hours late getting in last night because their plane in Dallas was delayed due to a medical emergency. Then they missed the connection in Seattle and had to wait for another flight. I was so glad we had built an extra day in for them between arriving in AK and leaving for Hoonah. They were all glad too. I’m sure they are going to have a great time. Dayton will be sending out daily updates….maybe I’ll post some of them here.
Krista’s been calling a lot the last few days. I think she is starting to miss us and wanting to be home for a bit. That’s a good thing. Bre called a lot a couple of weeks ago. If they both ever get lonesome during the same week no one will be able to call in to our house. lol
We tried to go swimming at China Beach but I forgot our pool passes. We had planned to meet Tricia and her daughters at China Beach - sort of – but she didn’t come and so we came home, grabbed the passes and drove to the pool at the Rec Camp – it is open until 8:00 p.m. We swam until 8 and now it’s time to be sure all kids are really asleep. Mike is still out.
BREAD COMPARISON modeled by NOLAN
Look at the difference in those loaves! The left was with Pampered Chef pan...the right with a glass Pyrex...no wonder the dough is running all over the sides of the Pyrex. I may need to find a PC consultant around here and order two more stone loaf pans. Or maybe go to Bread Beckers and buy those waffle ones.....Nolan's hair - he is always buzzed as his hair sticks out everywhere when long. He wants to grow it...yesterday....after the pool was the first time his hair LAID down....we are hopeful. LOL
Travel update and more
We got a call after 2:30 a.m. last night from Josiah. He was telling us that they were there….but they were supposed to be there at 11:30 p.m. OUR time and 8:30 p.m. AK time. I have no clue why it was so late when they called. THEIR LUGGAGE IS LOST!!!! Pray…..they leave tomorrow for a small town, Hoonah to build. They need those clothes etc to arrive TODAY. They are staying with their former youth pastor and obviously he is going to have a ton of things today – and now they need to either find their luggage or go shopping.
The little ones and I watched “Cheaper by the Dozen” the original movie – yesterday. This is a movie I wouldn’t mind owning. I suppose the newer one had more slap stick humor in it. As for a real message, real glimpse into a large family and tips that might be useful the original wins hands down. Arielle has asked that I request Belles on their Toes from Netflix next.
Mike and Jared got home last night as we were taking off for our walk. We wanted to go take some pictures of the deer. We got that AND we ran into a tarantula…which we also have pictures of. We met up with a lady who said that if you see those crawling across the street it means we are supposed to get rain. Still no rain…but who knows. It is down to the 90*’s today.
I got a message from someone I had sent a book to on Paperback Swap. It seems the book arrived with no postage. That’s a first. AND the post office didn’t catch it anywhere along the way. It also arrived in a few short, short days and I sent it media mail. Go figure! I got a message this a.m. that “A Mom like You” by Vicki Farris is on its way to me. I love that book. {G}
Well – I need to get the day off and running. We see the dentist today. I need to call the boys and see if they need $ to buy a week’s worth of clothes and tools. Ugh.
We got a call after 2:30 a.m. last night from Josiah. He was telling us that they were there….but they were supposed to be there at 11:30 p.m. OUR time and 8:30 p.m. AK time. I have no clue why it was so late when they called. THEIR LUGGAGE IS LOST!!!! Pray…..they leave tomorrow for a small town, Hoonah to build. They need those clothes etc to arrive TODAY. They are staying with their former youth pastor and obviously he is going to have a ton of things today – and now they need to either find their luggage or go shopping.
The little ones and I watched “Cheaper by the Dozen” the original movie – yesterday. This is a movie I wouldn’t mind owning. I suppose the newer one had more slap stick humor in it. As for a real message, real glimpse into a large family and tips that might be useful the original wins hands down. Arielle has asked that I request Belles on their Toes from Netflix next.
Mike and Jared got home last night as we were taking off for our walk. We wanted to go take some pictures of the deer. We got that AND we ran into a tarantula…which we also have pictures of. We met up with a lady who said that if you see those crawling across the street it means we are supposed to get rain. Still no rain…but who knows. It is down to the 90*’s today.
I got a message from someone I had sent a book to on Paperback Swap. It seems the book arrived with no postage. That’s a first. AND the post office didn’t catch it anywhere along the way. It also arrived in a few short, short days and I sent it media mail. Go figure! I got a message this a.m. that “A Mom like You” by Vicki Farris is on its way to me. I love that book. {G}
Well – I need to get the day off and running. We see the dentist today. I need to call the boys and see if they need $ to buy a week’s worth of clothes and tools. Ugh.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
The boys left at 6a.m. for their whirlwind trip to AK. I’m praying that this trip is amazingly wonderful for them in every way. This means that we’ve come as close as possible to having ½ of our 9 children out of the home at one time. Strange. Really strange is that this will be our LIFE in a few short years (3 to be exact). We will miss the boys. We miss their sense of humor, their perspective of life, the late night talks and their help with the little ones. Our kids are such team players. We COULD function without the help that the kids give us, but you know if they didn’t help out we’d have no time for say reading, sleeping, or dates. LOL Krista called today to see if the boys had gotten off o.k. and to ask me if I’ll officially be her mentor. She told me I already was and assured me I was up to this. {bg}
I made more bread today. I’m having trouble with it running down the sides of the pans. I made 4 loaves today…two in the big Pampered Chef stone pans and two in the Pyrex. The PC ones are HUGE and look good…and didn’t stick. The ones made in the Pyrex overflowed the sides of the pan. Ah well….they all rose well and taste great. I wonder if the huge loaves will taste the same as the smaller loaves or if they will be airier….hmmm….. I also made Gram’s Italian dressing and French dressing. I am not sure we will be able to eat all this wonderful, fresh produce now that the boys are gone for 2 ½ weeks. I forgot to take that into account when I bought this time. LOL
I took the four youngest ones swimming today at China Beach. We had to squeeze into Mike’s Non- AC Honda for the drive to base. YUCK. I’m hoping he’ll fix that AC soon…it’s miserable to drive…and noisy. I don’t know how he does it or why he does it either for that matter. :::snort::: I KNOW that if he doesn’t fix it this summer he won’t fix it next summer because “we’ll be leaving in a couple of months”…..and we really didn’t need the AC in AK. LOL It was fun to be at China Beach. The whole pool is shallow and made just for kids. They loved it. It was a bit cool and so Stacia got out after the first hour. I was loaded with magazines to read so enjoyed the quiet. A strange thing happened at the pool. One family with several kids was getting ready to leave. Their kids stripped naked right there by mine…they were 9, 10 yo’s not little ones. I found that odd. My 7 yo and 9 yo found it odd too….. As the kids swam I reflected on how different things were at this time last year. We’d just arrived and thought the heat would kill us. I was 8 months pregnant. The girls and older boys were with us. We didn’t know anyone. The whole area was new and strange to us….and now its home.
Well – not sure what we will do with the rest of our night but we have 3 or 4 hours before Mike and Jared are home from Dallas. They drove Cy and Jamin up to catch the plane. I opted to stay home with the younger set rather than try the 10 hour drive…..we wouldn’t fit in the Expedition anyway….which reminds me that Ivey Motors hasn’t called me yet to say the van is fixed….we may be heading for a new one. There has to be an end to them trying to figure out what is wrong with it. I wonder if all 15 pass Ford vans do this….if so, they’d probably be able to figure out what was wrong with it…who knows?
A lady called for Jamin to do her yard today. He’s built quite a nice little business for himself. I’ve got to start remembering to take the camera with us…..this blog needs more photos and less words. LOL
I made more bread today. I’m having trouble with it running down the sides of the pans. I made 4 loaves today…two in the big Pampered Chef stone pans and two in the Pyrex. The PC ones are HUGE and look good…and didn’t stick. The ones made in the Pyrex overflowed the sides of the pan. Ah well….they all rose well and taste great. I wonder if the huge loaves will taste the same as the smaller loaves or if they will be airier….hmmm….. I also made Gram’s Italian dressing and French dressing. I am not sure we will be able to eat all this wonderful, fresh produce now that the boys are gone for 2 ½ weeks. I forgot to take that into account when I bought this time. LOL
I took the four youngest ones swimming today at China Beach. We had to squeeze into Mike’s Non- AC Honda for the drive to base. YUCK. I’m hoping he’ll fix that AC soon…it’s miserable to drive…and noisy. I don’t know how he does it or why he does it either for that matter. :::snort::: I KNOW that if he doesn’t fix it this summer he won’t fix it next summer because “we’ll be leaving in a couple of months”…..and we really didn’t need the AC in AK. LOL It was fun to be at China Beach. The whole pool is shallow and made just for kids. They loved it. It was a bit cool and so Stacia got out after the first hour. I was loaded with magazines to read so enjoyed the quiet. A strange thing happened at the pool. One family with several kids was getting ready to leave. Their kids stripped naked right there by mine…they were 9, 10 yo’s not little ones. I found that odd. My 7 yo and 9 yo found it odd too….. As the kids swam I reflected on how different things were at this time last year. We’d just arrived and thought the heat would kill us. I was 8 months pregnant. The girls and older boys were with us. We didn’t know anyone. The whole area was new and strange to us….and now its home.
Well – not sure what we will do with the rest of our night but we have 3 or 4 hours before Mike and Jared are home from Dallas. They drove Cy and Jamin up to catch the plane. I opted to stay home with the younger set rather than try the 10 hour drive…..we wouldn’t fit in the Expedition anyway….which reminds me that Ivey Motors hasn’t called me yet to say the van is fixed….we may be heading for a new one. There has to be an end to them trying to figure out what is wrong with it. I wonder if all 15 pass Ford vans do this….if so, they’d probably be able to figure out what was wrong with it…who knows?
A lady called for Jamin to do her yard today. He’s built quite a nice little business for himself. I’ve got to start remembering to take the camera with us…..this blog needs more photos and less words. LOL
*Something Beyond the Sky* by Siri L. MitchellThis book was sent to all the SR Protestant Wives in the Air Force, maybe Wing Chaplain’s wives too…..It’s written by an Air Force Spouse.
The book centers on the stories, lives and friendships of four new Air Force spouses. It was fairly realistic. I’ve dealt with or known women that dealt with all the issues in this book. The one character that was unrealistic to me is Rachel – I’ve never known any spouses who had billions of dollars and flew anywhere their heart desired, bought mansions etc…..
This book gives a clear view of some of the issues that face military spouses (moving, loss of personal identity, prejudice…) and it shows some of the highlights of the military lifestyle (diverse friendships…).
This title by Harvest House Publishers (where my brother works LOL) is not in a genre I usually read, but I did enjoy it. It was an easy read. There were moments of fun and moments of reflection while reading the book. I’d like to see a sequel where the main characters continue to grow in their friendships and relationship with God through PCS’s, deployments, new friendships…..and centered more around their involvement in the chapel and PWOC rather than OSC…but that’s ME.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
BUSY DAY
Shew. We did some laundry this a.m.
We went to “The Rink” with Debby and her boys. The kids skated and did two rounds of lazer tag. What a hoot! Zander was high scorer. He shot way, way, way more rounds than anyone else. The first time no one wanted him on their team. The second round they all wanted him. After playing we went to Ci-Ci’s – a pizza/salad buffet joint. We said goodbye to Debby and the boys. I ran the boys up to the base to cash checks at the BX. We had one hour before meeting Mike. I took all the kids in to play their free bowling game of the day. The base has a program where they can get free shoes and one game every day of summer. We picked up Mike. We took our Chaplain Candidate out to dinner and visited. We came home and finished packing the boys. We are going to bed…they leave at 6:00 a.m.
Shew. We did some laundry this a.m.
We went to “The Rink” with Debby and her boys. The kids skated and did two rounds of lazer tag. What a hoot! Zander was high scorer. He shot way, way, way more rounds than anyone else. The first time no one wanted him on their team. The second round they all wanted him. After playing we went to Ci-Ci’s – a pizza/salad buffet joint. We said goodbye to Debby and the boys. I ran the boys up to the base to cash checks at the BX. We had one hour before meeting Mike. I took all the kids in to play their free bowling game of the day. The base has a program where they can get free shoes and one game every day of summer. We picked up Mike. We took our Chaplain Candidate out to dinner and visited. We came home and finished packing the boys. We are going to bed…they leave at 6:00 a.m.
FISH WOES
I”LL SPARE YOU THE PICTURE!
We were given three fish: a catfish, an algae eater and some other silver fish. These fish ate the fish in our tank. We woke up this a.m. and the catfish and silver fish were floating belly up. Zander had fed them. I never KNEW FISH WOULD EAT UNTIL THEY DIED. UGH. SO….we’re packing, playing AND trying to clean out a fish tank.
Not sure WHAT IS UP WITH MY keyboard…..it really needs To bE thrown out….but the new one isn’t working quite right yet.
I”LL SPARE YOU THE PICTURE!
We were given three fish: a catfish, an algae eater and some other silver fish. These fish ate the fish in our tank. We woke up this a.m. and the catfish and silver fish were floating belly up. Zander had fed them. I never KNEW FISH WOULD EAT UNTIL THEY DIED. UGH. SO….we’re packing, playing AND trying to clean out a fish tank.
Not sure WHAT IS UP WITH MY keyboard…..it really needs To bE thrown out….but the new one isn’t working quite right yet.
Monday, June 26, 2006
TAXI
My life today felt like a re-run from the old show TAXI. Not only was I running back and forth on short trips…but strange things seemed to occur at every turn.
I made a trip out to Robert Lee again. This is becoming a bi-weekly event. I drive out on Monday and leave the van. I drive back on Friday and pick the van up. Josiah drove out for me this a.m. and I got some zzzzzz. Yes, I’m still tired. Zander was up at 3 a.m. This hasn’t happened in weeks. I’m thinking he once again overdosed on whole-grain, honey filled cookies. He wasn’t bad – he was just awake. Stacia woke at 5 a.m. Two of her teeth are in and two more are nearly in…..
I took Josiah and Jamin to get their hair cut and I shopped for things they need for their upcoming trip. Raincoats are NOT something that are in high demand in W TX this time of year. :::snort::: We found everything else. Dayton has promised to let the boys use his fishing gear.
I came home and switched out kids. I then took Arielle and Jared to get their hair cut. We refuse to let hair be an issue in our family. There are so many other really big things to fixate about as parents. Our 12 yo WAS getting shaggier and shaggier and testing our resolve. We’d had many talks with him and understood his thoughts. We asked only that he keep his hair clean. Today he came out of the barbers with a CAESAR cut….really short. He mentioned that now that we are hanging out with the students he’d better get a different cut. This actually brought a smile to my face….because I knew that the whole hair thing went deeper – it’s hard to find your identity when your dad is not only a pastor but active duty military and all around you have short, short hair…..I think he is making his peace with the Air Force environment.
Dinner was Encore Presentations. I did get apples going. I didn’t get bread made. Mike and Josiah are working late tonight….I’m hoping my two little ones will be really tired and go down within 30 minutes….then maybe I can go down too.
OH – the hair dresser told me today, while cutting Jared’s hair that my hair is so damaged she’d be afraid to touch up the roots or do anything…it would probably BREAK OFF. She gave me some samples to try to speed the restoration process. I think it is near hopeless. In a few months it may be long enough for me to cut it REALLY short and start all over…remember Susan Powter? Mike’s worst nightmare….
My life today felt like a re-run from the old show TAXI. Not only was I running back and forth on short trips…but strange things seemed to occur at every turn.
I made a trip out to Robert Lee again. This is becoming a bi-weekly event. I drive out on Monday and leave the van. I drive back on Friday and pick the van up. Josiah drove out for me this a.m. and I got some zzzzzz. Yes, I’m still tired. Zander was up at 3 a.m. This hasn’t happened in weeks. I’m thinking he once again overdosed on whole-grain, honey filled cookies. He wasn’t bad – he was just awake. Stacia woke at 5 a.m. Two of her teeth are in and two more are nearly in…..
I took Josiah and Jamin to get their hair cut and I shopped for things they need for their upcoming trip. Raincoats are NOT something that are in high demand in W TX this time of year. :::snort::: We found everything else. Dayton has promised to let the boys use his fishing gear.
I came home and switched out kids. I then took Arielle and Jared to get their hair cut. We refuse to let hair be an issue in our family. There are so many other really big things to fixate about as parents. Our 12 yo WAS getting shaggier and shaggier and testing our resolve. We’d had many talks with him and understood his thoughts. We asked only that he keep his hair clean. Today he came out of the barbers with a CAESAR cut….really short. He mentioned that now that we are hanging out with the students he’d better get a different cut. This actually brought a smile to my face….because I knew that the whole hair thing went deeper – it’s hard to find your identity when your dad is not only a pastor but active duty military and all around you have short, short hair…..I think he is making his peace with the Air Force environment.
Dinner was Encore Presentations. I did get apples going. I didn’t get bread made. Mike and Josiah are working late tonight….I’m hoping my two little ones will be really tired and go down within 30 minutes….then maybe I can go down too.
OH – the hair dresser told me today, while cutting Jared’s hair that my hair is so damaged she’d be afraid to touch up the roots or do anything…it would probably BREAK OFF. She gave me some samples to try to speed the restoration process. I think it is near hopeless. In a few months it may be long enough for me to cut it REALLY short and start all over…remember Susan Powter? Mike’s worst nightmare….
*Woman First, Family Always* by Kathryn Sansone
“real-life wisdom from a mother of ten”
This book caught my eye at Sam’s club and I put it on my PBS wish list. It arrived on Saturday. I don’t think I would have requested it, if I’d looked at it closer at Sam’s Club. I had hoped to find lots of practical ideas…but really there was nothing new here. It did cause me to drool over her home court which includes basketball, hockey and weights in her basement home gym. {bg}
The book is arranged around 3 main sections with 30 1 – ½ page essays on each topic. The sections are “your self”, “your marriage” and “your family and kids”. She lost me right in the beginning with such a focus on keeping touch with yourself and not loosing yourself. This flew in the face of Scripture which tells me that I gain my life when I loose it. I should think of the interests of others at least as much and often more than I think of my own personal interests. I’m to deny self. I think I “get” what she was saying…but this book was a bit to “pop culture” for my tastes. She states it is important for us to get in touch with our spirit – and our spiritual core. Then she goes on to say that this core can be different things for different people for her it is her religion. She gives a list of what it may be for others – with all choices seeming to be as valid as any other. This also lost me.
As for practical advice…all very common sense…nothing new or enlightening.
I guess she’s a big Oprah fan and been on Oprah. If I knew that Oprah highly endorsed her and this book, I’d not have picked it up. I find Oprah’s book choices to be depressing and her focus on “pop culture/religion” to be maddening. I find it even more frustrating that so many Christian women turn to Oprah more often than they turn to the Word to find answers for their daily lives. This is not a book I’d recommend. If someone wanted a book on parenting I’d recommend many others over this one. If someone wanted a book on life management, I can think of two or three I’d recommend over this one.
The great thing is that I re-listed this book last night and someone has already requested it. I’ll mail it out today and hopefully soon have more credits for more books. {G}
Sunday, June 25, 2006
wooHOO
Church/Chapel was great tonight. I so enjoy this worship band…it is loud and they do rock…but they are real, live, excited and it’s great. Mike has officially taken over the service this week as both their chaplains have pcs’d (moved to a new assignment). Mike added a bit more structure and preaching time and with that and the music…..as Jared says “it’s right on”. There were even students responding by leaving to talk with Mike at the end of the service (sort of an altar call….shhh….don’t call it THAT). AND at the end of the service they dismissed everyone (a few left) and THEN worship continued on for another TWENTY minutes until the keyboard player said "I HAVE to go study". Mike preached on dry bones tonight….and I must say I felt like dry ground soaking it up. A song they sang a lot tonight was Amazing Grace…but the old/new way….the one that has the line “Grace falls down like rain”…..it felt like rain…spiritual rain and it was FUN. FUN – at the CHAPEL! Too cool!
It sort of chokes me up when I think that all these young folks have volunteered for the military – and most are students in INTEL for the various services….but what better for our intel community than young folks on fire for God?
Church/Chapel was great tonight. I so enjoy this worship band…it is loud and they do rock…but they are real, live, excited and it’s great. Mike has officially taken over the service this week as both their chaplains have pcs’d (moved to a new assignment). Mike added a bit more structure and preaching time and with that and the music…..as Jared says “it’s right on”. There were even students responding by leaving to talk with Mike at the end of the service (sort of an altar call….shhh….don’t call it THAT). AND at the end of the service they dismissed everyone (a few left) and THEN worship continued on for another TWENTY minutes until the keyboard player said "I HAVE to go study". Mike preached on dry bones tonight….and I must say I felt like dry ground soaking it up. A song they sang a lot tonight was Amazing Grace…but the old/new way….the one that has the line “Grace falls down like rain”…..it felt like rain…spiritual rain and it was FUN. FUN – at the CHAPEL! Too cool!
It sort of chokes me up when I think that all these young folks have volunteered for the military – and most are students in INTEL for the various services….but what better for our intel community than young folks on fire for God?
Sunday
We are still adjusting to having the early a.m.’s to ourselves and church in the afternoon evening. LOL It would have been a great day for a bike ride – if I had a working bike.
I made dinner. For the lasagna I used some “no boil” organic rice noodles. I have no clue what happened. I used all the other measurements the same and a ton of sauce….a gallon for two of them….but those noodles sucked up the sauce…it was dry. We had the French Strawberry Pie I’d made yesterday for dessert. It was “ok” but I think it would look better if eaten the day it was made. I baked some “cookie dough cookies” this afternoon and the littles one chose that for dessert over the pie.
We went over to Moreaus and dropped off their keys, their Shop Natural Co-op order and their mail…..sort of sad to think I won’t have those hours in the week to veg out and read…..I may have to start running to the library a few hours a week. That quiet was really, really nice. I never did get around to scrubbing her bathroom for her….but I did mop the entry area today. :::snort:::
I had to run to Office Depot again today. What a hoot. I wore out my keyboard again – not just the delete key this time but the space bar, and several keys. I always buy the $9.99 keyboard but they had one on sale that is wireless. I bought it - $29. Last night Mike went to hook it up and it wasn’t in the van or the house. I left it in the store. The manager was the one who had been working on my cookbook bindings. He’d put the wrong cover on them the first time and we’d laughed….when I walked in today he said, “I’m so sorry. I set your keyboard down on the floor and forgot to give it to you. First I messed up your cookbooks (which he fixed) and then I kept your keyboard”. Ah well – didn’t bother me much – another chance to soak up the atmosphere of the office supply store. LOL
I got TWO more books from PBS. *What Paul Really Said about Women* and *Woman First, Family Always* by a mother of 10. I was thinking WOW that is a LOT of kids….and then it hit me I HAVE NINE!!!!
Mike is in preparing for tonight. I’m going to go read a book for a bit and then get everyone ready and head out to church.
The girls will be flying to WA from Boston today….and my boys are flying out this week to AK – thanks for any prayers you remember to say on their behalf. I can’t wait to have everyone home for a few brief weeks in August before Mike flies off. I guess this is what you call a “mobile family”. :::snort::::
We are still adjusting to having the early a.m.’s to ourselves and church in the afternoon evening. LOL It would have been a great day for a bike ride – if I had a working bike.
I made dinner. For the lasagna I used some “no boil” organic rice noodles. I have no clue what happened. I used all the other measurements the same and a ton of sauce….a gallon for two of them….but those noodles sucked up the sauce…it was dry. We had the French Strawberry Pie I’d made yesterday for dessert. It was “ok” but I think it would look better if eaten the day it was made. I baked some “cookie dough cookies” this afternoon and the littles one chose that for dessert over the pie.
We went over to Moreaus and dropped off their keys, their Shop Natural Co-op order and their mail…..sort of sad to think I won’t have those hours in the week to veg out and read…..I may have to start running to the library a few hours a week. That quiet was really, really nice. I never did get around to scrubbing her bathroom for her….but I did mop the entry area today. :::snort:::
I had to run to Office Depot again today. What a hoot. I wore out my keyboard again – not just the delete key this time but the space bar, and several keys. I always buy the $9.99 keyboard but they had one on sale that is wireless. I bought it - $29. Last night Mike went to hook it up and it wasn’t in the van or the house. I left it in the store. The manager was the one who had been working on my cookbook bindings. He’d put the wrong cover on them the first time and we’d laughed….when I walked in today he said, “I’m so sorry. I set your keyboard down on the floor and forgot to give it to you. First I messed up your cookbooks (which he fixed) and then I kept your keyboard”. Ah well – didn’t bother me much – another chance to soak up the atmosphere of the office supply store. LOL
I got TWO more books from PBS. *What Paul Really Said about Women* and *Woman First, Family Always* by a mother of 10. I was thinking WOW that is a LOT of kids….and then it hit me I HAVE NINE!!!!
Mike is in preparing for tonight. I’m going to go read a book for a bit and then get everyone ready and head out to church.
The girls will be flying to WA from Boston today….and my boys are flying out this week to AK – thanks for any prayers you remember to say on their behalf. I can’t wait to have everyone home for a few brief weeks in August before Mike flies off. I guess this is what you call a “mobile family”. :::snort::::
Saturday, June 24, 2006
It’s the Little Things that make it a Good Day
Here are a few little things that made the rest of my Saturday a good day. I went to Office Depot – I LOVE OFFICE DEPOT! {G} I have been trying to find the perfect calendar for YEARS. It’s silly. I’ve been going into office supply stores for at least 4 years trying to find the perfect wall calendar…it needed to be large. I wanted to be able to color code all family members AND inside/outside/chapel commitments. Becky has a big Boone board on her wall. That had potential. I went to look and didn’t find one like it…but I did get a 30 day calendar that is laminated. I decided to use it for a week and that gives me 7 long columns for the days of the week. It has a notes section to the right of the calendar and I wrote out the color coded key…..I posted it in the library right outside the older 3 boys’ room. Tonight Josiah was writing his work hours on the chart with the RIGHT COLOR INK….life is good.
While at Office Depot I also asked if they could remove the plastic comb bindings on two cookbooks I’d purchased on eBay. I got “Whole Foods for the Whole Family” and “Whole Foods from the Whole World” – both La Leche League cookbooks. WELLLLLL…..I looked for weeks to find the same edition that my friend Adrienne has. While looking I bid on a newer edition. I won the bid and they threw in the 2nd cookbook for free. LOL I then compared the index and format of the older edition and the newer edition. I discovered that the only recipes missing from the new cookbook are the “kids’ cookbook” and I KNOW how to make most those things anyway. :::snort:::: I liked the new format – bigger print…..but I liked the old binding – spiral vs. plastic comb. I gave the older one to a friend who was excited to get it. I kept the plastic comb binding editions – but one of them has ALREADY broken. I HATE that – have I mentioned that???? The helpful assistant manager at Office Depot cut the old holes off and punched it for me. Then he made a color copy of the front of the books (because he couldn’t cut through the board) and we put each one in a folder that has a plastic front and back….and it looks the same but is SPRIAL and can lay flat now etc. This made my day. For years I’ve snipped the bindings on big books and had them hole punched and put into page protectors and notebooks….but I’d never thought about having a spiral binding put on……I think I’ll take Wisdoms’ Way of Learning in next…that binding is killing me too. I’m psychotic…..
We went to hear 180 – our contemporary/alternative/student service band play at an outdoor concert tonight. It was a beautiful night, beautiful setting and they did a great job. They are really good. They often sound like the sound tracks on the radio. LOL
Mike, Jamin, Nolan, Zander, Stacia and I went out for a late night walk.
Zander told me he loved me at bed time.
It’s been a great day.
Here are a few little things that made the rest of my Saturday a good day. I went to Office Depot – I LOVE OFFICE DEPOT! {G} I have been trying to find the perfect calendar for YEARS. It’s silly. I’ve been going into office supply stores for at least 4 years trying to find the perfect wall calendar…it needed to be large. I wanted to be able to color code all family members AND inside/outside/chapel commitments. Becky has a big Boone board on her wall. That had potential. I went to look and didn’t find one like it…but I did get a 30 day calendar that is laminated. I decided to use it for a week and that gives me 7 long columns for the days of the week. It has a notes section to the right of the calendar and I wrote out the color coded key…..I posted it in the library right outside the older 3 boys’ room. Tonight Josiah was writing his work hours on the chart with the RIGHT COLOR INK….life is good.
While at Office Depot I also asked if they could remove the plastic comb bindings on two cookbooks I’d purchased on eBay. I got “Whole Foods for the Whole Family” and “Whole Foods from the Whole World” – both La Leche League cookbooks. WELLLLLL…..I looked for weeks to find the same edition that my friend Adrienne has. While looking I bid on a newer edition. I won the bid and they threw in the 2nd cookbook for free. LOL I then compared the index and format of the older edition and the newer edition. I discovered that the only recipes missing from the new cookbook are the “kids’ cookbook” and I KNOW how to make most those things anyway. :::snort:::: I liked the new format – bigger print…..but I liked the old binding – spiral vs. plastic comb. I gave the older one to a friend who was excited to get it. I kept the plastic comb binding editions – but one of them has ALREADY broken. I HATE that – have I mentioned that???? The helpful assistant manager at Office Depot cut the old holes off and punched it for me. Then he made a color copy of the front of the books (because he couldn’t cut through the board) and we put each one in a folder that has a plastic front and back….and it looks the same but is SPRIAL and can lay flat now etc. This made my day. For years I’ve snipped the bindings on big books and had them hole punched and put into page protectors and notebooks….but I’d never thought about having a spiral binding put on……I think I’ll take Wisdoms’ Way of Learning in next…that binding is killing me too. I’m psychotic…..
We went to hear 180 – our contemporary/alternative/student service band play at an outdoor concert tonight. It was a beautiful night, beautiful setting and they did a great job. They are really good. They often sound like the sound tracks on the radio. LOL
Mike, Jamin, Nolan, Zander, Stacia and I went out for a late night walk.
Zander told me he loved me at bed time.
It’s been a great day.
Boys will be Boys
Our boys met up with Steve and Debby’s boys at the base’s paint ball field today. Mike likes to do this with the boys and I hear they all had a good time. Evidently this is a growing sport on the base as there were 30 people there instead of the customary 8 – 10.
The highlight of the day to hear Jared and Josiah tell it is when they “rushed” another group. They were out of ammunition but managed to run in and get the other group to surrender by the sheer audacity of their move.
While they played we played at home – sort of. We cleaned up from last night. We made two French Strawberry Pies. We got another load of apples drying. We got Stacia to take a nap. All in all it has been a busy morning for all.
Our boys met up with Steve and Debby’s boys at the base’s paint ball field today. Mike likes to do this with the boys and I hear they all had a good time. Evidently this is a growing sport on the base as there were 30 people there instead of the customary 8 – 10.
The highlight of the day to hear Jared and Josiah tell it is when they “rushed” another group. They were out of ammunition but managed to run in and get the other group to surrender by the sheer audacity of their move.
While they played we played at home – sort of. We cleaned up from last night. We made two French Strawberry Pies. We got another load of apples drying. We got Stacia to take a nap. All in all it has been a busy morning for all.
COMMENTS- Once again I've not been right on top of answering comments and will do them right here.
Q: How did you get your tickers into your blog?
Lis in NY,
I click on the link by my tickers and create a ticker. I'm assuming you've had no trouble doing this? Then I click on the "configure ticker" button. I then scroll down to where it says "html" and copy that code. I go to blogger.com and click template and then paste the html code into the template. For my placement I paste it after all the beginning stuff that seems to give the general lay out of the blog and beofre the "profile container". It comes right under the (can't type out the code or blogger won't publish this LOL) part in my html code. I played around with pasting it in different spots until I found one where it would work. I surely should take a computer course one of these days. LOL
Jodi re: co-op jobs
Thanks for this reminder. I am thinking bout what other jobs I could delegate on co-op days. I have sevral that have been coming each month to help with unloading, inventorying and filling orders. I have another lady who has come twice in a row to help with splits. Several pop in and out to help with splits. I hadn't thought of having someone else being the cashier. It would certainly free up time for me to visit with people. BUT I pre-pay the whole order and I would hate to find that someone else made a mistake that cost me say hundreds of dollars....it's easier to take if *I* make the mistake. LOL I could maybe ask someone to be deliberate about watching children during the pick up time.....I need to give this some more thought.
also not in the FG book so I told the kids it's just for me
Jen, THANK YOU! I had not even checked the FG list. I knew that the colas, root beer and Prime Lime that we'd gotten were all on the list. I wonder why the Dr. Becker isn't? Could it be that it is just new or does it have something in it the others don't. I checked out the tantaric acid (or however you spell that) and it is from crushed grapes....not sure what else in Dr. Becker is different than the colas and root beer.
Hmmm how did your kids morph into my kids, sounds like they play a lot the same!
As you know, Jodi, for years Charlotte Mason has been one of my homeschool heroes (as were Dr. Raymond Moore and Ruth Beechick). All three talk about the importance of children having down time (at home) to be able to play. This playing reinforces all they've learned. It gives them a chance to integreate the information they learn in school......so I've attempted (with varying success) to keep our "out- of- the-home" committments to a minimum so that we are sure to have lots of down time at home. This provides lots of time for imaginative play.....and this is the very best sort of review I've come across in my 16 years of homeschooling.
Our homes do sound very similar, don't they? Could it be that we both are aware of the natural stages of child development and work with them instead of against them? It's funny that our homes are so close because I do use a curriculum and you unschool - but I think we both fun school and simply use different tools to accomplish the same goals. My home and schoool sound more like yours than they sound like many of the fellow T OG users I hear of. I learned early on that curriculum is a tool and not our master.....and that I can take most anything and make it work for a CM/fun schooling type education. I simply believe that the curriculum is a buffet and that I can pick and choose as needed for each child. Don't box us in. I seem to have a thing about molds - don't I? I don't like them for myself and I don't like to try to force my little blessings into a box either. LOL
That's most the comments. RE ACCIDENT comments - thanks for your support. Jen in AZ - thanks for the reminder of the verse on my blog that day - I'd not even checked. "The Lord will keep you from all harm -- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.Psalm 121:7-8" I'm going to begin praying this verse over some loved one's lives. Thanks.
Well, it is now 5:23 and the kids are all settled again in bed. I think I'll try to get another hour or so of sleep......and typing this has proven to me that I've worn out another keyboard. LOL
D
Q: How did you get your tickers into your blog?
Lis in NY,
I click on the link by my tickers and create a ticker. I'm assuming you've had no trouble doing this? Then I click on the "configure ticker" button. I then scroll down to where it says "html" and copy that code. I go to blogger.com and click template and then paste the html code into the template. For my placement I paste it after all the beginning stuff that seems to give the general lay out of the blog and beofre the "profile container". It comes right under the (can't type out the code or blogger won't publish this LOL) part in my html code. I played around with pasting it in different spots until I found one where it would work. I surely should take a computer course one of these days. LOL
Jodi re: co-op jobs
Thanks for this reminder. I am thinking bout what other jobs I could delegate on co-op days. I have sevral that have been coming each month to help with unloading, inventorying and filling orders. I have another lady who has come twice in a row to help with splits. Several pop in and out to help with splits. I hadn't thought of having someone else being the cashier. It would certainly free up time for me to visit with people. BUT I pre-pay the whole order and I would hate to find that someone else made a mistake that cost me say hundreds of dollars....it's easier to take if *I* make the mistake. LOL I could maybe ask someone to be deliberate about watching children during the pick up time.....I need to give this some more thought.
also not in the FG book so I told the kids it's just for me
Jen, THANK YOU! I had not even checked the FG list. I knew that the colas, root beer and Prime Lime that we'd gotten were all on the list. I wonder why the Dr. Becker isn't? Could it be that it is just new or does it have something in it the others don't. I checked out the tantaric acid (or however you spell that) and it is from crushed grapes....not sure what else in Dr. Becker is different than the colas and root beer.
Hmmm how did your kids morph into my kids, sounds like they play a lot the same!
As you know, Jodi, for years Charlotte Mason has been one of my homeschool heroes (as were Dr. Raymond Moore and Ruth Beechick). All three talk about the importance of children having down time (at home) to be able to play. This playing reinforces all they've learned. It gives them a chance to integreate the information they learn in school......so I've attempted (with varying success) to keep our "out- of- the-home" committments to a minimum so that we are sure to have lots of down time at home. This provides lots of time for imaginative play.....and this is the very best sort of review I've come across in my 16 years of homeschooling.
Our homes do sound very similar, don't they? Could it be that we both are aware of the natural stages of child development and work with them instead of against them? It's funny that our homes are so close because I do use a curriculum and you unschool - but I think we both fun school and simply use different tools to accomplish the same goals. My home and schoool sound more like yours than they sound like many of the fellow T OG users I hear of. I learned early on that curriculum is a tool and not our master.....and that I can take most anything and make it work for a CM/fun schooling type education. I simply believe that the curriculum is a buffet and that I can pick and choose as needed for each child. Don't box us in. I seem to have a thing about molds - don't I? I don't like them for myself and I don't like to try to force my little blessings into a box either. LOL
That's most the comments. RE ACCIDENT comments - thanks for your support. Jen in AZ - thanks for the reminder of the verse on my blog that day - I'd not even checked. "The Lord will keep you from all harm -- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.Psalm 121:7-8" I'm going to begin praying this verse over some loved one's lives. Thanks.
Well, it is now 5:23 and the kids are all settled again in bed. I think I'll try to get another hour or so of sleep......and typing this has proven to me that I've worn out another keyboard. LOL
D
Friday, June 23, 2006
The Beauty of Produce Co-op Day…..yumm!!!I bought lots of wonderful fruit this week. I plan to dehydrate a lot of apples etc while the price is low….and we’ll enjoy them for snacks and such when the prices are high. Only three of these baskets are mine…and a bunch of cases that are hidden. Today we got pluots for the first time. Those are so good – and way to expensive to buy in AK. {G}
Let’s see, what else is up in my life other than produce? The day began bright and early….it sort of never ended from yesterday. I got 2 hours and 20 minutes of sleep as Stacia is cutting four more teeth. We’ve tried a zillion things recommended to us for teething and she seems to be one who will complain with company. {G} I’m starting to get sleep deprived…have a hard time finishing sentences. I had finally laid down at 7:00 and about 7:20 we had a HUGE THUNDERSTORM and RAIN STORM; I was wide awake – but we NEED RAIN!!!! After produce co-op, Mike insisted I take a nap. I usually can’t do this during the day but I slept for a solid 2 hours. I feel so much better.
I was able to talk to a man today at Produce co-op who is a prosecutor. Is that a God thing or WHAT? He was listening to the story of my run in with the lady the other day. He said that in this part of the country it is rare for them to award anything to anyone unless you have serious personal injury on a hit and run. He suggested that I write her a letter, restate what happened and request that she pay for the bike damages. That may be what we do.
I got up from my nap just in time to order Papa John’s for tonight. Jamin asked me to make some “Fiddle Faddle” – which I did. I need to go back and find the recipe here on the blog and find out how I adjusted the recipe to make sure I’m doing it the same way. LOL Mike was going to fix our screen door and then we planned to watch the Netflix movie that arrived….but as he worked on the door, a neighbor dropped by. Kathryn loves the Lord and is always fun to visit with. She has her finger on the pulse of church happenings in our town. I always learn about new things when she drops by. We were visiting and Adrienne pulled up. I had ordered a case of red potatoes that didn’t come in at co-op. She was at HEB and they gave her a case of red potatoes for $25 so she brought them on over. Yippee. As she and Kathryn and I visited…Tricia and Lee showed up. They all began to leave. Lee stayed and helped Mike fix the screen door.
At 10:00 p.m. we realized that it was to late to begin a movie and that Josiah will be home soon. I also realized that I didn’t call Debby’s son back about paintball tomorrow nor Mom. I’m sorry Mom…..the night went crazy. I’ll try to catch you again tomorrow. In lieu of a movie we’re watching a couple of episodes of Hogan’s Heroes and trying to get Stacia down for a bit more of the evening….
I hear Josiah coming in. He looked at a Honda today. He’s thinking of buying a car and has just enough to buy this one and go on the AK trip. He is also thinking of waiting until Mike is home from his deployment to buy a car and save for that additional 6 months. We’ll see what happens…stay tuned.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Finally - Success....real loaves of bread! These are 7 grain that taste like "white" bread???? I added gluten. I honestly think that Becky is right and I got some wetter than usual grain. I've never had a problem with my bread in TX, MT, AK....and it just wasn't working here...I think it was low gluten or something because a bit of gluten and it's working fine. Guess I'll use gluten until I open a new bag of grain. I would love to know if anyone else bought grain in Feb/Mar from Shop Natural and is having this problem. LOL
The Girls are going to Harvard!
Who says homeschooling will hold a person back? I found out today that BOTH our girls are going to Harvard!!!! They are very excited. They weren’t sure they’d be able to go. So it’s only for Saturday! They’re touring Harvard…but for the rest of their lives they plan to say “I went to Harvard”. :::snort:::
The girls are really enjoying their time in Boston. They say that they like East Boston better than West Boston (not that I have a clue what THAT means). They have been surprised at the diversity in the city, as the demographics they had studied before the trip had led them to believe Boston was predominately white. They did a service in a Brazilian church. They have met friends from Peru. They’ve done prayer stations, and huge block parties for children. Bre got to be a clown again and she LOVES being a clown. She said that little kids would say “Where do you work?” and she told them “I work at the church”. Do you see where this is going????? Some would say, “I didn’t know they had clowns at church” and Bre assured them that there are lots of clowns in most churches! :::snort::: I love my children’s sense of humor. LOL
Who says homeschooling will hold a person back? I found out today that BOTH our girls are going to Harvard!!!! They are very excited. They weren’t sure they’d be able to go. So it’s only for Saturday! They’re touring Harvard…but for the rest of their lives they plan to say “I went to Harvard”. :::snort:::
The girls are really enjoying their time in Boston. They say that they like East Boston better than West Boston (not that I have a clue what THAT means). They have been surprised at the diversity in the city, as the demographics they had studied before the trip had led them to believe Boston was predominately white. They did a service in a Brazilian church. They have met friends from Peru. They’ve done prayer stations, and huge block parties for children. Bre got to be a clown again and she LOVES being a clown. She said that little kids would say “Where do you work?” and she told them “I work at the church”. Do you see where this is going????? Some would say, “I didn’t know they had clowns at church” and Bre assured them that there are lots of clowns in most churches! :::snort::: I love my children’s sense of humor. LOL
SHEW - I’m tired.
Jamin and I left at 7 a.m. to go water.
Josiah worked from noon – 4:30 p.m.
I baked bread – and it turned out good. I knew it was good when Arielle said, “this tastes just like the white bread you used to buy”. :::snort:::: I THINK what she meant is that it made big slices like she is used too. She likes the 7 grain bread I’ve been making and I used that recipe….so really it doesn’t taste different but it does look different. {G}
I got Stacia down for a nap after lunch. She’s cutting 4 teeth again. This translates to a solid week of sleepless nights. I was exhausted and actually fell asleep myself. Evidently several called and dropped by and were told that “mom is sleeping”. What a life of luxury I live. I told Tricia at the pool tonight that mom’s over 40 with infants deserve a good nap once a week! Other than the continual cat naps I seem to grab while feeding the baby, watching a family night movie, or reading a book. LOL
We had made plans to meet Debby and her boys out at the Lake Swimming Pool. We did that. Adrienne, Tricia and their families came along as well. It was fun to introduce my friends to each other. I’ve noticed that Josiah and Jamin have been reluctant to go swimming. This afternoon we talked and I began to see that yes, the lifeguards were being very, very picky with them. Tonight I watched. Sure enough – Josiah hadn’t been in 10 seconds when they blew the whistle on him. The third time in 30 minutes and he got out of the pool. The boys and Porshe went and played volleyball and the little ones continued to swim. We noted that the lifeguards didn’t blow the whistle on the younger boys when they did the same things the older ones were doing…… it’ s sad to me that authority would paint “all young male teens” with one big brush stroke. That seems to be what is going on because my boys are NOT rowdy….they were getting in trouble for PLAYING with the younger boys – who WANTED to play with the BIG boys. LOL
Zander has discovered that he can go down the slide. Wow. He gets incredibly excited. He’s fun to watch. He can swim all the way out of the roped area by himself – thank you very much. He also has discovered that he can paddle around the big pool and doesn’t need the life vest. This means that if the big boys are banned from the pool I need to take Stacia into the big pool instead of all of us playing in the kiddy pool.
Ah – and right before we left for the pool the UPS man arrived at our doorstep. A week or so ago I’d noticed that Debby had the perfect suit…the suit I have been looking for. Swim shorts and a tank top – she had gotten it at JC Penneys. I like my Lands End suit but the top is a few sizes to big and the shorts are a bit shorter than I wanted with my power thighs. When I went online to Penneys I found that they had put several suits on clearance. I ordered the only color pair of shorts they have (green LOL) and a couple of tops to go with it. I told Mike I’d found a sale online for suits and he said, “Did you buy a swimsuit sampler – one of each?” :::snort::: I WAS able to buy the size 6 tops and 12 bottoms this way. I should be set for years to come…and I can go up a few sizes too. LOL
That’s it for my exciting day.
Jamin and I left at 7 a.m. to go water.
Josiah worked from noon – 4:30 p.m.
I baked bread – and it turned out good. I knew it was good when Arielle said, “this tastes just like the white bread you used to buy”. :::snort:::: I THINK what she meant is that it made big slices like she is used too. She likes the 7 grain bread I’ve been making and I used that recipe….so really it doesn’t taste different but it does look different. {G}
I got Stacia down for a nap after lunch. She’s cutting 4 teeth again. This translates to a solid week of sleepless nights. I was exhausted and actually fell asleep myself. Evidently several called and dropped by and were told that “mom is sleeping”. What a life of luxury I live. I told Tricia at the pool tonight that mom’s over 40 with infants deserve a good nap once a week! Other than the continual cat naps I seem to grab while feeding the baby, watching a family night movie, or reading a book. LOL
We had made plans to meet Debby and her boys out at the Lake Swimming Pool. We did that. Adrienne, Tricia and their families came along as well. It was fun to introduce my friends to each other. I’ve noticed that Josiah and Jamin have been reluctant to go swimming. This afternoon we talked and I began to see that yes, the lifeguards were being very, very picky with them. Tonight I watched. Sure enough – Josiah hadn’t been in 10 seconds when they blew the whistle on him. The third time in 30 minutes and he got out of the pool. The boys and Porshe went and played volleyball and the little ones continued to swim. We noted that the lifeguards didn’t blow the whistle on the younger boys when they did the same things the older ones were doing…… it’ s sad to me that authority would paint “all young male teens” with one big brush stroke. That seems to be what is going on because my boys are NOT rowdy….they were getting in trouble for PLAYING with the younger boys – who WANTED to play with the BIG boys. LOL
Zander has discovered that he can go down the slide. Wow. He gets incredibly excited. He’s fun to watch. He can swim all the way out of the roped area by himself – thank you very much. He also has discovered that he can paddle around the big pool and doesn’t need the life vest. This means that if the big boys are banned from the pool I need to take Stacia into the big pool instead of all of us playing in the kiddy pool.
Ah – and right before we left for the pool the UPS man arrived at our doorstep. A week or so ago I’d noticed that Debby had the perfect suit…the suit I have been looking for. Swim shorts and a tank top – she had gotten it at JC Penneys. I like my Lands End suit but the top is a few sizes to big and the shorts are a bit shorter than I wanted with my power thighs. When I went online to Penneys I found that they had put several suits on clearance. I ordered the only color pair of shorts they have (green LOL) and a couple of tops to go with it. I told Mike I’d found a sale online for suits and he said, “Did you buy a swimsuit sampler – one of each?” :::snort::: I WAS able to buy the size 6 tops and 12 bottoms this way. I should be set for years to come…and I can go up a few sizes too. LOL
That’s it for my exciting day.
My Zoo
I've always said there are days at my house that look and feel like a zoo. Those words must have been prophetic. The younger ones greatly enjoy the *Zoo Tycoon* game that Arielle received on her birthday. (The older boys prefer Ancient Civilizations). It's been enlightening to watch the younger three play Zoo. It's offered a microcosm to study various personalities. {G} Zander likes to mix and match animals and watch the ensuing confusion, Arielle likes to keep the babies and mamas togehter forever, and Nolan is known to say, "everyone has already seen that baby - let's sell it and get another for people to come see". LOL
As with so much of what we read, watch, or play, this game has entered "real life play". The kids were busy for a good solid hour and then I was called to come see. There was a note on the door announcing their zoo. The younger boys' room was lined with cages of various animals - all making appropriate (in some cases inappropriate sounds), they had a petting zoo set up and all sorts of animals and tanks and such. They've played this game a lot this week.
Below are some pictures of our zoo with a bit of interpretation.
The Bobcat Exhibit
The Bear Exhibit (note the clean closet 1 1/2 weeks post the great clean up day) 
The Dinosaur Exhibit
Baby Bobcat Makes her Great Escape
Other than Bike Accidents:
Hmmm….
I know we did something other than bike accidents, yesterday.
The big thing we did was go bowling with Debby and her boys. Her younger son, Mike, is now home from his trip to a friend’s. We hadn’t realized that anyone under 18 can bowl one free game (shoes included) each day. We can do this all through the summer. I was glad to find another thing we could do out of the heat. I’m learning that summer is not the glorious outdoor season around here. Jan – Apr would have been those months. {G}
Josiah had to be at work at 6:00 p.m. After bowling, we hurried and grilled some burgers and steak, I roasted some carrots and red potatoes, made a big salad, put out some fruit and homemade buns and we ate. Mike got home somewhere during dinner and had a few minutes with Josiah before Josiah jetted off to work.
We went for a walk after dinner and did find the car from the accident. I still am feeling terrible about filing a report and really don’t want to call the police officer about this. He made me feel that I was being frivolous to file a report as I “wasn’t hurt”. I must say I am stiff and sore this a.m.
Jamin got another call about doing a yard today (Tuesday). He and Josiah will leave in less than 2 weeks on their trip to AK. Bike took a day of leave so that he can drive them and Porshe to Dallas.
Hmmm….
I know we did something other than bike accidents, yesterday.
The big thing we did was go bowling with Debby and her boys. Her younger son, Mike, is now home from his trip to a friend’s. We hadn’t realized that anyone under 18 can bowl one free game (shoes included) each day. We can do this all through the summer. I was glad to find another thing we could do out of the heat. I’m learning that summer is not the glorious outdoor season around here. Jan – Apr would have been those months. {G}
Josiah had to be at work at 6:00 p.m. After bowling, we hurried and grilled some burgers and steak, I roasted some carrots and red potatoes, made a big salad, put out some fruit and homemade buns and we ate. Mike got home somewhere during dinner and had a few minutes with Josiah before Josiah jetted off to work.
We went for a walk after dinner and did find the car from the accident. I still am feeling terrible about filing a report and really don’t want to call the police officer about this. He made me feel that I was being frivolous to file a report as I “wasn’t hurt”. I must say I am stiff and sore this a.m.
Jamin got another call about doing a yard today (Tuesday). He and Josiah will leave in less than 2 weeks on their trip to AK. Bike took a day of leave so that he can drive them and Porshe to Dallas.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Another Accident Update
A police officer came out. He really did NOT want to file a report. He told me I was riding on the wrong side of the street. NOW….I don’t remember being taught how or where to ride my bike – it made common sense to me to ride so I could see the traffic. WRONG. {G} He told me “in TX cyclists follow the driving rules” and I said, “Well in most states you don’t leave someone you hit even if they were walking or riding in the wrong spot”. I told him I was wrong and won’t ride on the wrong side again – BUT she still should not have hit me and driven off with a wave. He asked if I thought that riding on the wrong side of the road had caused her not to see me. I told him that I thought she didn’t see me because she wasn’t looking…and she didn’t stop to look for oncoming traffic at all. He asked if I really wanted to file a report since I wasn’t hurt. He didn’t even want to look at the bike! I told him I don’t care if she pays for the bike…I want someone to talk to her about being careful and driving distracted and that it easily could have been a jogger or a child or another car. ARGH. He said he wasn’t sure they could do a thing because I was riding on the wrong side of the street. I don’t get that. I guess in TX you can hit folks if they jay walk etc. Mike drove home through the ally and said he is fairly sure he saw the car by my description. Now I doubt that I should turn the report in…the whole thing is very confusing to me. I don’t want her to get in big trouble…I don’t want to go to court….I don’t want to waste the police officer’s time…but it isn’t right for her to hit me and leave….even if I’m not hurt and bleeding.
A police officer came out. He really did NOT want to file a report. He told me I was riding on the wrong side of the street. NOW….I don’t remember being taught how or where to ride my bike – it made common sense to me to ride so I could see the traffic. WRONG. {G} He told me “in TX cyclists follow the driving rules” and I said, “Well in most states you don’t leave someone you hit even if they were walking or riding in the wrong spot”. I told him I was wrong and won’t ride on the wrong side again – BUT she still should not have hit me and driven off with a wave. He asked if I thought that riding on the wrong side of the road had caused her not to see me. I told him that I thought she didn’t see me because she wasn’t looking…and she didn’t stop to look for oncoming traffic at all. He asked if I really wanted to file a report since I wasn’t hurt. He didn’t even want to look at the bike! I told him I don’t care if she pays for the bike…I want someone to talk to her about being careful and driving distracted and that it easily could have been a jogger or a child or another car. ARGH. He said he wasn’t sure they could do a thing because I was riding on the wrong side of the street. I don’t get that. I guess in TX you can hit folks if they jay walk etc. Mike drove home through the ally and said he is fairly sure he saw the car by my description. Now I doubt that I should turn the report in…the whole thing is very confusing to me. I don’t want her to get in big trouble…I don’t want to go to court….I don’t want to waste the police officer’s time…but it isn’t right for her to hit me and leave….even if I’m not hurt and bleeding.
Accident Update
I called the police and left a message. I'm waiting for the patrol officer to give me a call back.
I can't do much because I didn't see her license. I was righting myself and when I looked up she was waving and driving off - my eyesight isn't what it used to be!
Tonight, we are going to take a family walk up and down the ally and see if we can spot the car. We're going to try to get her license number and address and Mike doesn't want me to try to talk to them but to give the info to the police. I want her to KNOW that it wasn't just a mistake but that she needs to pay more attention when driving and really....it's against the law to drive off without stopping and exchanging info when you hit ANYTHING - or so Mike tells me.
I'm actually really feeling bad about turning in a report because I'm sure she feels terrible...but Mike is sure she doesn't feel terrible - just lucky at getting away. {G}
I called the police and left a message. I'm waiting for the patrol officer to give me a call back.
I can't do much because I didn't see her license. I was righting myself and when I looked up she was waving and driving off - my eyesight isn't what it used to be!
Tonight, we are going to take a family walk up and down the ally and see if we can spot the car. We're going to try to get her license number and address and Mike doesn't want me to try to talk to them but to give the info to the police. I want her to KNOW that it wasn't just a mistake but that she needs to pay more attention when driving and really....it's against the law to drive off without stopping and exchanging info when you hit ANYTHING - or so Mike tells me.
I'm actually really feeling bad about turning in a report because I'm sure she feels terrible...but Mike is sure she doesn't feel terrible - just lucky at getting away. {G}
I GOT HIT BY A CAR THIS A.M. I can’t believe it. I was riding my bike. I was on Southwest – a busy street. I was riding carefully and watching traffic. I saw an older, light blue car with a blonde female driver approaching Southwest from the ally between Clearview and Grandview. I noted that I was in the traffic and she would be entering the traffic so I had the right of way. She continued to come….I was sure she was going to stop and she still had plenty of time to stop. I was already crossing the ally when I realized that she was NOT slowing down and she was NOT looking…..she kept coming and did not look up until SHE HIT MY BACK BIKE TIRE!!!! I was IN THE ROAD!!!! I was doing all I could to get out of her way. She entered a busy street without even LOOKING…..the look on her face when she felt the hit was total surprise…but then she waved and drove away!!!!! She didn’t stop to offer to pay for any damage, she didn’t stop to be sure I was o.k. and that I was not to rattled to ride home…she just waved and sped off. This was NOT a young adult. This was a 30-40 year old female. Good GRIEF! I tried to continue riding (I had done 5 miles and had 5 miles left to go) but realized my tire was wobbling. It’s warped, the brakes are pushed in against the tire, the mark where she hit is apparent…I hope her make up was applied to her satisfaction…thank goodness she won’t be late to work – what’s a little hit and run????? I have no idea what to do – I think I’ll write the editor of the local paper.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Day “off”
We are enjoying a day “off” from all our normal responsibilities. In other words, I’ve not done school with the little ones and we don’t have anywhere we HAVE to be.
I took Jamin over to mow Ian and Becky’s yard. I did NOT get bored enough to dig out her cleaning supplies…though I checked and sure enough there they are in her laundry room. :::snort::: I corrected six essays and a play for the first hour and a half. I put aside Jared’s 11 page report on Abraham Lincoln for another day. LOL I spent the remainder of the time reading various books I’d brought with me.
Before we’d left to water I’d put a roast in the crock pot. This is the very same roast that we didn’t get to eat last night because it wasn’t done before co-op. {g} Mike is going to be working late tonight, so we had our main meal at 2:00. Roast, buttermilk biscuits, roasted red potatoes and carrots, salad, and lots of fruit. It is a good feeling to have the main mess and work for the day behind us. We plan to go to the pool a bit later.
Stacia hates carrots but she LOVED these carrots…guess she is an olive oil, garlic, sea salt, Italian spice type of girl. She stuffed herself so well that she’s taking a nice long nap.
I forgot about the raisins that were drying and left them in a bit long…but they are very yummy. We use them most for salads and granola so they’ll soften up in dressing and milk. The kids are enjoying a smoothie icy. I’m going to see if I can lay down for a bit before Stacia wakes up. She was up about 6 times last night. The corner of a new tooth is through this a.m.
We are enjoying a day “off” from all our normal responsibilities. In other words, I’ve not done school with the little ones and we don’t have anywhere we HAVE to be.
I took Jamin over to mow Ian and Becky’s yard. I did NOT get bored enough to dig out her cleaning supplies…though I checked and sure enough there they are in her laundry room. :::snort::: I corrected six essays and a play for the first hour and a half. I put aside Jared’s 11 page report on Abraham Lincoln for another day. LOL I spent the remainder of the time reading various books I’d brought with me.
Before we’d left to water I’d put a roast in the crock pot. This is the very same roast that we didn’t get to eat last night because it wasn’t done before co-op. {g} Mike is going to be working late tonight, so we had our main meal at 2:00. Roast, buttermilk biscuits, roasted red potatoes and carrots, salad, and lots of fruit. It is a good feeling to have the main mess and work for the day behind us. We plan to go to the pool a bit later.
Stacia hates carrots but she LOVED these carrots…guess she is an olive oil, garlic, sea salt, Italian spice type of girl. She stuffed herself so well that she’s taking a nice long nap.
I forgot about the raisins that were drying and left them in a bit long…but they are very yummy. We use them most for salads and granola so they’ll soften up in dressing and milk. The kids are enjoying a smoothie icy. I’m going to see if I can lay down for a bit before Stacia wakes up. She was up about 6 times last night. The corner of a new tooth is through this a.m.
Books, Books and Books….
I had received two books from PBS. I read them and listed them back on PBS yesterday. They have both already been requested! Yippee! Next time they try to send me *The Excellent Wife* I’ll be sure to have credits in the account. Since that one was mailed maybe it will eventually find me.
Here’s as good a spot as any to comment on books I’ve read this week.
*Mudrer at Five Finger Light* by Sue Henry
This is a Jesse Arnold mystery. The series follows Jesse, an Iditarod racer through various mysteries set against the backdrop of Alaska.
This is the classic “closed room” mystery. I really enjoy to read these because so many of the spots mentioned in the series are ones that I’m now familiar with. Jesse does live with her boyfriend, AK State Trooper – if this bothers you the series will bother you. I wish the characters had been a bit more developed but I did enjoy the book.
This book is on it’s way to someone in ID who saw it on PBS.
(Picture won't load)*Life Management for Busy Women* by Elizabeth George
This book focus’ on managing the seven major areas of a woman’s life. Elizabeth George lists these as: our spiritual life, our physical life, our home life, our financial life, our social life, our mental life and our ministry life.
In each area Ms. George summarizes what Scripture has to say and then gives “disciplines” to help us order our life in that specific area.
Frankly, I didn’t learn a whole lot new from this book. I think I would have if I’d read it 20 years ago. {G} One phrase in the book has stuck in my mind “Commit to a pursuit of life-long discipline.”
I had thought I would hold on to this book and have it to loan out; but I listed it to see if anyone on PBS would like it (I had originally received it from PBS) and it was requested within minutes. I think this is a topic that many women wrestle with.
*Jan Karon’s Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader*
Yes, I AM counting cookbooks as books read. This one had great little sections from the Mitford series, cute looking doodads around the pages and even pictures of Jan Karon’s childhood. I enjoyed reading her comments here and there in the book as much as checking out the recipes.
If you are a Mitford fan, I think you will get a kick out of browsing through this book. If you are not a Mitford fan but would like to check out some authentic southern cooking, the editor is from MS. I’m glad I checked this one out from the library.
*Rejuvenate your Life: Recipes for Energy* by Serene Allison
I can’t find a picture of this one for you. It’s one of Becky’s – you know where Jamin waters the lawn. {bg}
I loved the list of various ingredients in the front of this “cookbook”. I also learned some things from reading her articles in the book. The book has over 200 recipes of nothing but RAW food…..and some of them look very good. I was thinking of buying this one for the different recipes….but I’m not sure I want to pay the $18.00 I’m finding it for. It’s a plastic comb binding and I really don’t like those. I’m not sure how often I’d use the recipes in this book – but she has some really cool NEW ways to use fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds and sprouts. I’m watching ebay for this one. {G}
I had received two books from PBS. I read them and listed them back on PBS yesterday. They have both already been requested! Yippee! Next time they try to send me *The Excellent Wife* I’ll be sure to have credits in the account. Since that one was mailed maybe it will eventually find me.
Here’s as good a spot as any to comment on books I’ve read this week.
*Mudrer at Five Finger Light* by Sue HenryThis is a Jesse Arnold mystery. The series follows Jesse, an Iditarod racer through various mysteries set against the backdrop of Alaska.
This is the classic “closed room” mystery. I really enjoy to read these because so many of the spots mentioned in the series are ones that I’m now familiar with. Jesse does live with her boyfriend, AK State Trooper – if this bothers you the series will bother you. I wish the characters had been a bit more developed but I did enjoy the book.
This book is on it’s way to someone in ID who saw it on PBS.
(Picture won't load)*Life Management for Busy Women* by Elizabeth George
This book focus’ on managing the seven major areas of a woman’s life. Elizabeth George lists these as: our spiritual life, our physical life, our home life, our financial life, our social life, our mental life and our ministry life.
In each area Ms. George summarizes what Scripture has to say and then gives “disciplines” to help us order our life in that specific area.
Frankly, I didn’t learn a whole lot new from this book. I think I would have if I’d read it 20 years ago. {G} One phrase in the book has stuck in my mind “Commit to a pursuit of life-long discipline.”
I had thought I would hold on to this book and have it to loan out; but I listed it to see if anyone on PBS would like it (I had originally received it from PBS) and it was requested within minutes. I think this is a topic that many women wrestle with.
*Jan Karon’s Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader*Yes, I AM counting cookbooks as books read. This one had great little sections from the Mitford series, cute looking doodads around the pages and even pictures of Jan Karon’s childhood. I enjoyed reading her comments here and there in the book as much as checking out the recipes.
If you are a Mitford fan, I think you will get a kick out of browsing through this book. If you are not a Mitford fan but would like to check out some authentic southern cooking, the editor is from MS. I’m glad I checked this one out from the library.
*Rejuvenate your Life: Recipes for Energy* by Serene Allison
I can’t find a picture of this one for you. It’s one of Becky’s – you know where Jamin waters the lawn. {bg}
I loved the list of various ingredients in the front of this “cookbook”. I also learned some things from reading her articles in the book. The book has over 200 recipes of nothing but RAW food…..and some of them look very good. I was thinking of buying this one for the different recipes….but I’m not sure I want to pay the $18.00 I’m finding it for. It’s a plastic comb binding and I really don’t like those. I’m not sure how often I’d use the recipes in this book – but she has some really cool NEW ways to use fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds and sprouts. I’m watching ebay for this one. {G}
“Whiney Blog”
A friend and I have joked about the need to have a whiney blog where you could whine all you want and no one would read it. I used this forum as my whiney blog earlier today and I apologize – sort of. {G} I think it is good for any who may want to put me on a pedestal to know that I’m not always gracious.
I thought about this whole co-op thing some more this morning and I realized that USUALLY by the time folks begin to show up to pick up their things we are done with all the sorting and bookwork. I’m able to visit and I do keep an eye on the children. I think the problem was that we were all still trying to sort things out and so there wasn’t the fun of visiting and there weren’t as many watchful eyes to make sure *my* children (as well as others) weren’t going “ballistic”. This simply confirms for me that the goal is to have all the work done before folks arrive so that I can visit, enjoy the time, and be sure my children are being appropriate hosts.
A friend and I have joked about the need to have a whiney blog where you could whine all you want and no one would read it. I used this forum as my whiney blog earlier today and I apologize – sort of. {G} I think it is good for any who may want to put me on a pedestal to know that I’m not always gracious.
I thought about this whole co-op thing some more this morning and I realized that USUALLY by the time folks begin to show up to pick up their things we are done with all the sorting and bookwork. I’m able to visit and I do keep an eye on the children. I think the problem was that we were all still trying to sort things out and so there wasn’t the fun of visiting and there weren’t as many watchful eyes to make sure *my* children (as well as others) weren’t going “ballistic”. This simply confirms for me that the goal is to have all the work done before folks arrive so that I can visit, enjoy the time, and be sure my children are being appropriate hosts.
FITNESS UPDATE
Yehaw!!!! I did 50 crunches today! 4 sets of 12 because the book said to and I could….and two extra because I cheated and pulled on my pants leg for one of them….and TORE MY PANTS…..but I got them done! :::snort:::
I released a lb, brining my total loss since January to 20 lbs. I’m below where I was when I got pregnant with Stacia but at least 15 – 25 lbs from where I was after having Zander. I can tell that the 8 Minutes thing is helping me tone up because I’m fitting into a few of the size 10’s that I normally wouldn’t fit into for another 10 lbs or so.
I lost 1.25 inches this week too. AND I did make the 50 mile goal on the bike…..
Yehaw!!!! I did 50 crunches today! 4 sets of 12 because the book said to and I could….and two extra because I cheated and pulled on my pants leg for one of them….and TORE MY PANTS…..but I got them done! :::snort:::
I released a lb, brining my total loss since January to 20 lbs. I’m below where I was when I got pregnant with Stacia but at least 15 – 25 lbs from where I was after having Zander. I can tell that the 8 Minutes thing is helping me tone up because I’m fitting into a few of the size 10’s that I normally wouldn’t fit into for another 10 lbs or so.
I lost 1.25 inches this week too. AND I did make the 50 mile goal on the bike…..
Every 4th Monday is full of Co-op thoughts, chores and such. {G} Yesterday was especially full. I typed up instructions on how to do everything and laminated them. Mike came up with a better system for unloading and sorting (this involved rearranging the kitchen for the night). I made up nametags for those who ordered and laminated them as well. I expected everything to go seamlessly. It was the most stressful co-op night I’ve had to date. LOL
The truck was scheduled to be 15 minutes later than usual – that meant that it was a later night than normal. We did fine with the sorting and such but there were a LOT of out of stocks this time. Usually, when items are out of stock they deduct them from personal invoices before I download the invoices…this time they didn’t. This meant that I had to adjust many invoices….and I’m still not sure I got it all right with taxes and fees and such…but its close enough. LOL I think this stress of trying to be sure everyone was paying only for items they received is why the night was overwhelming to me.
BUT the noise of the children was certainly a noticeable factor as well.I don’t think we usually have as many children here….and I appreciated all the help we received….actually the noise was during the pick up phase and not the work phase…and my children were a big part of it…though certainly not all of it….Mike thought about taking kids to the park in the future or arranging something for them to do other than throwing toys at ceiling fans and windows…..I think if the order hadn’t required so much THINKING; the noise wouldn’t have seemed so overwhelming?????
It’s been suggested that we do this at a local church….but then we would have to stay longer to clean up after folks are gone….and if the kids break something we’d be responsible….and we’d have to get keys etc…..and it would plain ole TAKE LONGER. It would mean that my young children would be at home and I prefer working where I can keep an eye on them myself.
I like having folks at my house. I like folks being comfortable to bring their children. I love children thinking our home is fun. I like people associating our home with healthy food. It usually doesn’t bother me but I was on edge last night. It could have been PMS, it could have been the need to THINK and do math in a noisy environment and yes, the kids were also not being well supervised. They’ve never been quite so rowdy in the room before…..Maybe it was the moon??? LOL I was on edge. Heather noted and gave me a hug. Cathy did as well and then told me that I looked like I needed some sleep. I knew it wasn’t just me though when we couldn’t find Mike after the last folks left. He said the noise had gotten to him and he had to hide out for a bit. I may add ear plugs to the co-op kit??? :::snort::::
We discovered that Dr. Becker tastes very, very much like Dr. Pepper. The Cream Soda is wonderful as well! I don’t know what we’ll do with so MUCH in our home (had to buy in 24 can cases) but we now have everyone’s favorite at home. I’m hoping this makes it easier to say NO to the junk at the chapel and restaurants…..because they’ll know they can have the healthier version at home. It may last until we move….since we tend to divide a can three ways…..it’s very sweet when you aren’t used to eating a lot of sugar.
The truck was scheduled to be 15 minutes later than usual – that meant that it was a later night than normal. We did fine with the sorting and such but there were a LOT of out of stocks this time. Usually, when items are out of stock they deduct them from personal invoices before I download the invoices…this time they didn’t. This meant that I had to adjust many invoices….and I’m still not sure I got it all right with taxes and fees and such…but its close enough. LOL I think this stress of trying to be sure everyone was paying only for items they received is why the night was overwhelming to me.
BUT the noise of the children was certainly a noticeable factor as well.I don’t think we usually have as many children here….and I appreciated all the help we received….actually the noise was during the pick up phase and not the work phase…and my children were a big part of it…though certainly not all of it….Mike thought about taking kids to the park in the future or arranging something for them to do other than throwing toys at ceiling fans and windows…..I think if the order hadn’t required so much THINKING; the noise wouldn’t have seemed so overwhelming?????
It’s been suggested that we do this at a local church….but then we would have to stay longer to clean up after folks are gone….and if the kids break something we’d be responsible….and we’d have to get keys etc…..and it would plain ole TAKE LONGER. It would mean that my young children would be at home and I prefer working where I can keep an eye on them myself.
I like having folks at my house. I like folks being comfortable to bring their children. I love children thinking our home is fun. I like people associating our home with healthy food. It usually doesn’t bother me but I was on edge last night. It could have been PMS, it could have been the need to THINK and do math in a noisy environment and yes, the kids were also not being well supervised. They’ve never been quite so rowdy in the room before…..Maybe it was the moon??? LOL I was on edge. Heather noted and gave me a hug. Cathy did as well and then told me that I looked like I needed some sleep. I knew it wasn’t just me though when we couldn’t find Mike after the last folks left. He said the noise had gotten to him and he had to hide out for a bit. I may add ear plugs to the co-op kit??? :::snort::::
We discovered that Dr. Becker tastes very, very much like Dr. Pepper. The Cream Soda is wonderful as well! I don’t know what we’ll do with so MUCH in our home (had to buy in 24 can cases) but we now have everyone’s favorite at home. I’m hoping this makes it easier to say NO to the junk at the chapel and restaurants…..because they’ll know they can have the healthier version at home. It may last until we move….since we tend to divide a can three ways…..it’s very sweet when you aren’t used to eating a lot of sugar.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Something that's made me go "hmmm".....if good vinegar has the "mother" still in it.....is their any food with a "father" in it? Are they saying that the mother comes first? As in "which comes first the mother or the father"? And are you supposed to shake the vinegar and mix the "mother" up before you use it or leave it undisturbed looking funky at the bottom of your vinegar jug????
Another Monday morning….
I MADE 250 miles last week on my bike. My goal for the Bike is to hit the 300 mile mark this week. I’m really aiming for 500 miles by the end of July. There - I was supposed to make 3 goals for Thin Within and not tell anyone; but I did. They were to be goals that *I* couldn’t achieve on my own….in other words I’d need to depend on “Him”. I’ve begun reading through the 30 day Thin Within “devotional” again this month. I do this periodically. I love how it is dovetailing so well with the recent health changes we’ve made.
Ah well – before I go further – here’s the weekend in review:
SATURDAY
Bright and early Mike, Stacia and I went into the chapel. We had a 4 hour annual PAC planning meeting. This is where reps from all the services and chapel wide programs meet to plan a schedule (which is always changing) and a budget (which usually doesn’t). I think a lot was accomplished and we all left feeling a sense of accomplishment and confidence that the world is not ending and we can continue to function and minister in the “new Air Force”. {G}
We spent the afternoon working on a few projects. Mike and I both have our very own individualized lists that we work from in spare moments. {G} I tackled our bedroom. It’s looking pretty good. I hope to finish it this a.m. (rehang curtains etc) and begin work on the living room….the room of choice for THIS week’s goal.
We topped the day off by going to the pool. I know the kids and I do that a lot during the week but it’s always a special outing when Mike comes with us. Jamin came too. Josiah was working.
SUNDAY
*MY* day began with a grand adventure. Determined to get at least 6 miles in and make the 250 mile mark, I got up early for a bike ride…and rode straight through a thunder, lightening and quite heavy rain storm. I had a blast. I also had profound thoughts which I’ve not had time to capture…..this seems to be the story of my life lately. LOL
I spent time working on the PWOC newsletter while Mike slept in and answered duty calls. Yes, duty calls. Three of them on Father’s Day. This threw our plans for the day off but we had a good day anyway. Jamin made Dutch Babies (German Pancakes) for breakfast. We gave Mike his new power washer. We hung around…..We watched Pink Panther – the new one from Netflix. We enjoyed it and laughed a lot. The girls both called. They were playing on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. They are enjoying Boston but Bre has decided that, contrary to her former thoughts, she is NOT a big city girl. LOL
Once again we left our chapel service feeling refreshed and happy to have been there. We went out to eat at IHOP afterwards with some friends who were in the service.
While putting Stacia to sleep – which only seems to work in front of the computer screen – I researched more about dehydrators and elliptical machines. I’d love to know if any of you have experience with either of those things….things you like, didn’t like, brands that were good, places to buy that were cheap but had good service….
And here we are on MONDAY morning: Josiah will work. Mike is already at work. Jamin has a yard lined up to mow. I need to do a lot of work on newsletters (co-op and PWOC) and I need to get ready for co-op tonight. I also want to spend the day taking care of some Domestic Goddess goals. It rained really well yesterday so I don’t think we’ll go water at Ian and Becky’s today. That will give me that 1 ½ - 2 hours to WORK – though I think I’d rather go read some more. LOL
I just received notice that the book *The Excellent Wife*, which was coming my way from PaperBack Swap, was lost in the mail or not sent. I had begun to fret that I had no more book credits in my account and if I was offered a really good book from my wish list I’d not be able to swap it…so I’m o.k. with this.
I MADE 250 miles last week on my bike. My goal for the Bike is to hit the 300 mile mark this week. I’m really aiming for 500 miles by the end of July. There - I was supposed to make 3 goals for Thin Within and not tell anyone; but I did. They were to be goals that *I* couldn’t achieve on my own….in other words I’d need to depend on “Him”. I’ve begun reading through the 30 day Thin Within “devotional” again this month. I do this periodically. I love how it is dovetailing so well with the recent health changes we’ve made.
Ah well – before I go further – here’s the weekend in review:
SATURDAY
Bright and early Mike, Stacia and I went into the chapel. We had a 4 hour annual PAC planning meeting. This is where reps from all the services and chapel wide programs meet to plan a schedule (which is always changing) and a budget (which usually doesn’t). I think a lot was accomplished and we all left feeling a sense of accomplishment and confidence that the world is not ending and we can continue to function and minister in the “new Air Force”. {G}
We spent the afternoon working on a few projects. Mike and I both have our very own individualized lists that we work from in spare moments. {G} I tackled our bedroom. It’s looking pretty good. I hope to finish it this a.m. (rehang curtains etc) and begin work on the living room….the room of choice for THIS week’s goal.
We topped the day off by going to the pool. I know the kids and I do that a lot during the week but it’s always a special outing when Mike comes with us. Jamin came too. Josiah was working.
SUNDAY
*MY* day began with a grand adventure. Determined to get at least 6 miles in and make the 250 mile mark, I got up early for a bike ride…and rode straight through a thunder, lightening and quite heavy rain storm. I had a blast. I also had profound thoughts which I’ve not had time to capture…..this seems to be the story of my life lately. LOL
I spent time working on the PWOC newsletter while Mike slept in and answered duty calls. Yes, duty calls. Three of them on Father’s Day. This threw our plans for the day off but we had a good day anyway. Jamin made Dutch Babies (German Pancakes) for breakfast. We gave Mike his new power washer. We hung around…..We watched Pink Panther – the new one from Netflix. We enjoyed it and laughed a lot. The girls both called. They were playing on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. They are enjoying Boston but Bre has decided that, contrary to her former thoughts, she is NOT a big city girl. LOL
Once again we left our chapel service feeling refreshed and happy to have been there. We went out to eat at IHOP afterwards with some friends who were in the service.
While putting Stacia to sleep – which only seems to work in front of the computer screen – I researched more about dehydrators and elliptical machines. I’d love to know if any of you have experience with either of those things….things you like, didn’t like, brands that were good, places to buy that were cheap but had good service….
And here we are on MONDAY morning: Josiah will work. Mike is already at work. Jamin has a yard lined up to mow. I need to do a lot of work on newsletters (co-op and PWOC) and I need to get ready for co-op tonight. I also want to spend the day taking care of some Domestic Goddess goals. It rained really well yesterday so I don’t think we’ll go water at Ian and Becky’s today. That will give me that 1 ½ - 2 hours to WORK – though I think I’d rather go read some more. LOL
I just received notice that the book *The Excellent Wife*, which was coming my way from PaperBack Swap, was lost in the mail or not sent. I had begun to fret that I had no more book credits in my account and if I was offered a really good book from my wish list I’d not be able to swap it…so I’m o.k. with this.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Once again my little ones are up before my older ones on a Saturday morning....it doesn't look well for getting a 6 mile bike ride in. {sigh}
Here Stacia and Zander get an up close view of our baby Grackle. How do we convince him without touching him and moving him that the door step is not a suitable new home? Should we name this new pet...the odds are against him making it, though the other two that fell out of the nest were fed by mama bird until they flew away....
Here Stacia and Zander get an up close view of our baby Grackle. How do we convince him without touching him and moving him that the door step is not a suitable new home? Should we name this new pet...the odds are against him making it, though the other two that fell out of the nest were fed by mama bird until they flew away....
Posted this on SHS but I want as much input as possible with this purchase! {g} Thinking I may get some kitchen appliances and computer monitors instead of an elliptical machine! :::snort::::
I'm looking into a new dehydrator. I currently have the American Harvest Snack Master....6 trays, 500 watts of power. The movers destroyed the shield that sits over the heating element. There are no screws left (so it sits but not attached) and it is cracked. I've been using it daily for months but now that I'm using it a lot.....I need to buy more trays.....and to spent $30 on more trays when the bottom is cracked doesn't seem wise. I'm considering a new one. I have some questions for anyone who has one of these.....or has researched it.
1. Is 1000 watts really needed?
2. Is a potential of 15 sq feet or 30 square feet going to be used most? Currently I have six trays - 6 square feet.
3. Would the feature of being able to dry big and bulk items be used?
Here are the ones I'm considering:
American Harvest Garden Master - can expand to 30 trays (30 sf), 1000 watts, on/off switch (I think) - I like the free shipping and gifts at Urban homemaker.Maybe you need the more watts for the 30 trays?
http://www.urbanhomemaker.com
The Excalibur - 9 trays, timer 600 watt motor, 26 hour timer, can remove trays for things like cheese etc., on/off switch; wanted to buy from Urban Homemaker but direct you get all the mesh screens and fruit leather trays and such too.
http://www.excaliburdehydrator.com/cat7.htm
L'Equip - 6 trays only (can't grow), 500 watt motor, on/off switch
http://www.breadbeckers.com/dehydrators.htm
Does anyone have personal experience with any of these models? Or has anyone "heard" or researched any of these models? For shear volume it seems the Garden Master would have the most potential...but with the American Harvests you can't dry anything like cheese that isn't FLAT. All have temp controls so the wattage doest affect that.....I think I'm really leaning towards the Excalibur or Garden Master now that I typed it all out...because I have 6 trays now and am constantly using it.....for instance I do 4 loads of apples a week....and could cut that down to 2 loads if I had more trays....LOL
The Excalibur seems like a good thing...but I don't want to get something that seems "good now" and find out later that I wish I had bigger!For example....I had a great kitchen aide but our use of it outgrew its capabilities and I bought a Bosch. I love my Whisper Mill but now that I have a Bosch the mill doesn't grind enough to do a full batch of bread and I wish I had the Nutri Mill which will mill more - of course I didn't have this need until I got the Bosch. LOL That is the sort of thing I want to avoid with this purchase...but I can't tell which of the above would be the best and which would be "settling".
Thanks for any input here, on the blog or in my in box. LOL
De'Etta
I'm looking into a new dehydrator. I currently have the American Harvest Snack Master....6 trays, 500 watts of power. The movers destroyed the shield that sits over the heating element. There are no screws left (so it sits but not attached) and it is cracked. I've been using it daily for months but now that I'm using it a lot.....I need to buy more trays.....and to spent $30 on more trays when the bottom is cracked doesn't seem wise. I'm considering a new one. I have some questions for anyone who has one of these.....or has researched it.
1. Is 1000 watts really needed?
2. Is a potential of 15 sq feet or 30 square feet going to be used most? Currently I have six trays - 6 square feet.
3. Would the feature of being able to dry big and bulk items be used?
Here are the ones I'm considering:
American Harvest Garden Master - can expand to 30 trays (30 sf), 1000 watts, on/off switch (I think) - I like the free shipping and gifts at Urban homemaker.
http://www.urbanhomemaker.com
The Excalibur - 9 trays, timer 600 watt motor, 26 hour timer, can remove trays for things like cheese etc., on/off switch; wanted to buy from Urban Homemaker but direct you get all the mesh screens and fruit leather trays and such too.
http://www.excaliburdehydrator.com/cat7.htm
L'Equip - 6 trays only (can't grow), 500 watt motor, on/off switch
http://www.breadbeckers.com/dehydrators.htm
Does anyone have personal experience with any of these models? Or has anyone "heard" or researched any of these models? For shear volume it seems the Garden Master would have the most potential...but with the American Harvests you can't dry anything like cheese that isn't FLAT. All have temp controls so the wattage doest affect that.....I think I'm really leaning towards the Excalibur or Garden Master now that I typed it all out...because I have 6 trays now and am constantly using it.....for instance I do 4 loads of apples a week....and could cut that down to 2 loads if I had more trays....LOL
The Excalibur seems like a good thing...but I don't want to get something that seems "good now" and find out later that I wish I had bigger!
Thanks for any input here, on the blog or in my in box. LOL
De'Etta
Friday, June 16, 2006
Heather’s Wholegrain Granola
And here's the recipe I promised to post when I received it. {g} Thanks, Heather.
Combine in a LARGE bowl:
1/3 cup expeller pressed coconut oil (melted if solid)
½ cup pure Raw honey
3 Tbsp Dark agave nectar or maple syrup
1 Tbsp unsulfured, blackstrap molasses
3 tsp pure vanilla extract (no sugar added)
Add to top ingredients:
4 ½ cups old fashioned oatmeal
1 cup Uncle Sam Cereal or more oatmeal
½ cup hard white wheat flour (King Arthur or Hodgson Mills)
2 Tbsp Freshly ground flaxseed (optional)
1 Tbsp Freshly ground Unhulled sesame seeds (optional)
½ cup dried Unsweetened coconut
2 tsp cinnamon
½ cup chopped nuts Raw almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, raw pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.
Mix all well with a large spoon. May need to smoosh the ingredients together a bit. Turn all out onto 2 jelly roll type cookie sheets. Bake in oven @ lowest temp with oven door open at least 12 hours to maintain nutrients & enzymes or @ 300° for aprox 20 minutes, changing out pans from top to bottom. (Keep an eye on the granola; it shouldn’t get to dark brown.) Remove to cool & spread ½ cup to 1 cup dried fruit over top of granola while cooling. (I use dried pineapple, usually) Once cooled break up with a spatula into bite size chunks & distribute fruit evenly. Store in an airtight container. (Depending on the humidity level, you may need to increase all liquid type ingredients just a bit.)
To make as a hand held snack increase all wet ingredients, more nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews) & more dried fruit (banana chips, cut up dried apricots, raisins)
And here's the recipe I promised to post when I received it. {g} Thanks, Heather.
Combine in a LARGE bowl:
1/3 cup expeller pressed coconut oil (melted if solid)
½ cup pure Raw honey
3 Tbsp Dark agave nectar or maple syrup
1 Tbsp unsulfured, blackstrap molasses
3 tsp pure vanilla extract (no sugar added)
Add to top ingredients:
4 ½ cups old fashioned oatmeal
1 cup Uncle Sam Cereal or more oatmeal
½ cup hard white wheat flour (King Arthur or Hodgson Mills)
2 Tbsp Freshly ground flaxseed (optional)
1 Tbsp Freshly ground Unhulled sesame seeds (optional)
½ cup dried Unsweetened coconut
2 tsp cinnamon
½ cup chopped nuts Raw almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, raw pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.
Mix all well with a large spoon. May need to smoosh the ingredients together a bit. Turn all out onto 2 jelly roll type cookie sheets. Bake in oven @ lowest temp with oven door open at least 12 hours to maintain nutrients & enzymes or @ 300° for aprox 20 minutes, changing out pans from top to bottom. (Keep an eye on the granola; it shouldn’t get to dark brown.) Remove to cool & spread ½ cup to 1 cup dried fruit over top of granola while cooling. (I use dried pineapple, usually) Once cooled break up with a spatula into bite size chunks & distribute fruit evenly. Store in an airtight container. (Depending on the humidity level, you may need to increase all liquid type ingredients just a bit.)
To make as a hand held snack increase all wet ingredients, more nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews) & more dried fruit (banana chips, cut up dried apricots, raisins)
De'Etta's Granola (Kristine in SA - it only APPEARED that I'd forgotten)
*12 C Oats
1 C Grape Nuts (we like the clumps and crunch but if you don't use more seeds/nuts or oats)
1 C Wheat Germ
1 C Flax Seed
1 - 2 C of Cashews (I get these raw and in bulk from the co-op)
1 - 2 C Almonds
I use 4 C of crunchies (nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds - whatever I have)
**1 1/2 C Oil
2 C honey
1 T pure vanilla flavoring
2 T pure almond flavoring
I heat the oil and honey in the microwave until boiling. Meanwhile mix all else but the flavorings. Add the vanilla and almond to the liquid mix. Pour the liquid mix over the dry mix and combine well. Pour onto two greased cookie sheets (big ones) and bake at 350* for 20 - 30 minutes stirring every 10 min....OR dehydrate for 12 - 14 hours......Cool and store in an air tight container.
Comments:
This is good to snack on, eat cold or heat up with milk in the microwave.
*This makes enough to fill a big Rubbermaid cereal keeper with a couple of bowls left over...guessing most would want to 1/2 it?
**I used olive oil and it is fine - coconut oil would be really good in it. We like crunchy and this hasn't been turning out as crunchy as we like it down here....so I plan to decrease the oil to 3/4 - 1 C of oil next time.
I don't put dried fruit IN the granola because some in my family like it plain. You could add coconut, raisens, dates, pineapple....
I love Golden Temple Vanilla Almond granola and am aiming for that. Like that infamous Andes Mint Chocolate Cheesecake - it's a recipe still in the creation stage. BTW I plan to tackle THAT recipe before the summer is out and see if I can make it healthier. I bought the real peppermint oil last month....need to try some honey substitutions out.
*12 C Oats
1 C Grape Nuts (we like the clumps and crunch but if you don't use more seeds/nuts or oats)
1 C Wheat Germ
1 C Flax Seed
1 - 2 C of Cashews (I get these raw and in bulk from the co-op)
1 - 2 C Almonds
I use 4 C of crunchies (nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds - whatever I have)
**1 1/2 C Oil
2 C honey
1 T pure vanilla flavoring
2 T pure almond flavoring
I heat the oil and honey in the microwave until boiling. Meanwhile mix all else but the flavorings. Add the vanilla and almond to the liquid mix. Pour the liquid mix over the dry mix and combine well. Pour onto two greased cookie sheets (big ones) and bake at 350* for 20 - 30 minutes stirring every 10 min....OR dehydrate for 12 - 14 hours......Cool and store in an air tight container.
Comments:
This is good to snack on, eat cold or heat up with milk in the microwave.
*This makes enough to fill a big Rubbermaid cereal keeper with a couple of bowls left over...guessing most would want to 1/2 it?
**I used olive oil and it is fine - coconut oil would be really good in it. We like crunchy and this hasn't been turning out as crunchy as we like it down here....so I plan to decrease the oil to 3/4 - 1 C of oil next time.
I don't put dried fruit IN the granola because some in my family like it plain. You could add coconut, raisens, dates, pineapple....
I love Golden Temple Vanilla Almond granola and am aiming for that. Like that infamous Andes Mint Chocolate Cheesecake - it's a recipe still in the creation stage. BTW I plan to tackle THAT recipe before the summer is out and see if I can make it healthier. I bought the real peppermint oil last month....need to try some honey substitutions out.
Oh goodness....Zander is getting upset at the options I'm offering him. He's been asking very nicely but I still keep telling him no. He just said, "Mom.....you are giving me a little headache". :::snort::::
OK came home today from HEB and discovered that this fella had fallen out of a tree. They had the poor dog on the leash as she now has a reputation of chasing birds and CATCHING them.
Here he is - a grackle...with a face that only a mother could love....
OK came home today from HEB and discovered that this fella had fallen out of a tree. They had the poor dog on the leash as she now has a reputation of chasing birds and CATCHING them.
Here he is - a grackle...with a face that only a mother could love....
It really is sad when they keep falling out of the tree. They cry and cry for their mamas.
I know it’s been busy when I’ve not blogged for two whole days. {G} Stacia is in bed, it’s 10:00 p.m. and Mike is still at work - this is his day off :::snort::J Josiah is at work, we watched *The Kid* and now the older boys are finishing up with some *Hogan’s Heroes*. I’ll quickly update the blog.
THURSDAY – We found ourselves at a local park at 9 a.m. THIS is a better time to go to the parks than our typical after lunch time. It has been really hot here…over 100* all week. I think it was 105* one week – at least someone said it was. The kids had the choice of going to the park or the pool on Thursday and they chose the park. I had only had 3 hours of sleep. After the park I went and bought some things that Mike needed for a staff party. Then we headed home and I took a nap. I made a double batch of granola (oh yeah Kristine – still mean to post those recipes). I threw it in the dehydrator – worked well. I do think some mesh screens would make it a bit less messy. {G}I rounded out the day by attending a Heart 2 Heart Mom’s Night Out at a local restaurant. It was a nice break to get out and get to know some new women. I’ve been meaning to attend since Feb and have never been able to break away. I noted I’d not heard from Ray, the mechanic, for 2 days and hoped that meant they were fixing the van.
The bottom part of my dehydrator was cracked during our move. It didn’t bother me to use it but now that I use it almost every day….and I was planning on buying more trays….well I got to thinking it may be time to replace it. It seemed fine for occasional use…but it can’t be safe to have the housing totally unscrewed and cracked. My friend Heather’s husband is a deputy fire chief. I have begun to think that it would be “wrong” for one of Heather’s friends to burn down her home with a defective dehydrator. I’ve begun researching a new one on the internet. The one I have “American Harvest snack master” has worked fine….but I’m using it all the time now and think maybe one with more wattage would be good. I’m not sure. If anyone’s done research I’d love to hear which brand/model you would buy if you could get ANYTHING and which one you’d buy if money were a consideration. {G}
FRIDAY - Got a nice bike ride in this a.m. If I can figure out how to get a ride in tomorrow I will make my goal of 250 miles. The problem will be that the Sr Prot has called a PAC meeting for 9 a.m. tomorrow. I can’t be to upset since my one and only is the culprit who called the meeting.
After working out and showering I drove Jamin over to Ian and Becky’s to water the lawn and flowers. Stacia goes. Zander and Nolan wanted to come. I agreed. I’ll rethink that in the future. Somehow Stacia lost her pacifier. It will be interesting to see where it turns up. The lawn took longer than expected. I read for the first 1 ½ hours….then I got bored and vacuumed (but not their bedroom – I wouldn’t invade their privacy). I read more from *Nourishing Traditions*. I had hoped our library would have a copy but they don’t. I may have to buy the book. The library did have Rodale’s book on natural cooking or some title close to that. They’re sending it to our local branch. I want to buy a good one with basic info on various oils, enzymes etc……Read about enzymes today. Had to laugh that one book said not to cook anything over 105* (a cookbook Becky had) and the other one said nothing over a dry heat of 150*. Both had some great looking recipes in them…..I’m having fun experimenting with new things.
When we returned from watering, I got a call from Ray the mechanic. Seemed the van was “as ready as we can get it”. That wasn’t a good sign. I really did NOT want to drive out to Robert Lee again…..because it sounded like the van was not fixed which means I’ll be going back out again with it as soon as it dies again. Ugh.
I made a quick trip to HEB. The produce manager there has let Adrienne and I buy a case of JAZZ apples for .80 a lb…..and they are on sale for $1.49. They are GREAT apples! Really yummy. We got a case last week or maybe it was earlier this week for $32 and I picked up another case today for $31…..but he said they were a special promotional deal and they won’t have them on a regular basis. I think apple season is waning. I got quite a hankering for artichokes today. I called Heather and asked about the chance of ordering some from the co-op. They come in bags of 4 and there are 10 bags in a case. I know I can’t use a full case but she will take a bag and Adrienne will take a couple of bags so maybe. They were only $1.30 for 4 and they are $1.99 EACH in the grocery store. Good grief I should not update a blog when I’m tired this is starting to sound like the Food Network. :::snort::::
I dehydrated some apples today. I also made a graham cracker crust that was fairly HEALTHY….organic graham crackers with no preservatives etc, maple syrup and a bit of olive oil. I’ll use coconut oil when I get some. Then I made a strawberry pie with it….I had two choices and Jamin told me to choose the easiest. LOL.
Mike and I drove out to Robert Lee. Just as we expected, they did not fix the van. They can’t figure out what is wrong with it. They are fixated on the idea that there is some radio signal or microwave signal from McDonald’s that is scrambling the computer in the van…but then why does it restart???? AND where are these towers? We don’t see any. They installed a BIGGER black data box. This will hold 8 incidents on it. The van was only stopping every week – month…..it did die twice last weekend. We’re praying it dies a LOT this weekend so that we can record it and get the van back in. We really want this resolved while it is still under warranty and before our trip to the Girls’ graduation.
Mike came home for pizza night and then went on back to work. Hopefully all the details are coming together and we’ll have a very smooth and quick PAC planning meeting in the MORNING tomorrow and it won’t stretch to the AFTERNOON. LOL
Just heard from friends this week: it’s PCS season in the military. The time when new orders come down and we begin shuffling around. Melanie and family are going to Germany and Julie and family are going to England…..and we keep requesting overseas and going to TX. LOL BUT TX really IS “a whole other country”. LOL
THURSDAY – We found ourselves at a local park at 9 a.m. THIS is a better time to go to the parks than our typical after lunch time. It has been really hot here…over 100* all week. I think it was 105* one week – at least someone said it was. The kids had the choice of going to the park or the pool on Thursday and they chose the park. I had only had 3 hours of sleep. After the park I went and bought some things that Mike needed for a staff party. Then we headed home and I took a nap. I made a double batch of granola (oh yeah Kristine – still mean to post those recipes). I threw it in the dehydrator – worked well. I do think some mesh screens would make it a bit less messy. {G}I rounded out the day by attending a Heart 2 Heart Mom’s Night Out at a local restaurant. It was a nice break to get out and get to know some new women. I’ve been meaning to attend since Feb and have never been able to break away. I noted I’d not heard from Ray, the mechanic, for 2 days and hoped that meant they were fixing the van.
The bottom part of my dehydrator was cracked during our move. It didn’t bother me to use it but now that I use it almost every day….and I was planning on buying more trays….well I got to thinking it may be time to replace it. It seemed fine for occasional use…but it can’t be safe to have the housing totally unscrewed and cracked. My friend Heather’s husband is a deputy fire chief. I have begun to think that it would be “wrong” for one of Heather’s friends to burn down her home with a defective dehydrator. I’ve begun researching a new one on the internet. The one I have “American Harvest snack master” has worked fine….but I’m using it all the time now and think maybe one with more wattage would be good. I’m not sure. If anyone’s done research I’d love to hear which brand/model you would buy if you could get ANYTHING and which one you’d buy if money were a consideration. {G}
FRIDAY - Got a nice bike ride in this a.m. If I can figure out how to get a ride in tomorrow I will make my goal of 250 miles. The problem will be that the Sr Prot has called a PAC meeting for 9 a.m. tomorrow. I can’t be to upset since my one and only is the culprit who called the meeting.
After working out and showering I drove Jamin over to Ian and Becky’s to water the lawn and flowers. Stacia goes. Zander and Nolan wanted to come. I agreed. I’ll rethink that in the future. Somehow Stacia lost her pacifier. It will be interesting to see where it turns up. The lawn took longer than expected. I read for the first 1 ½ hours….then I got bored and vacuumed (but not their bedroom – I wouldn’t invade their privacy). I read more from *Nourishing Traditions*. I had hoped our library would have a copy but they don’t. I may have to buy the book. The library did have Rodale’s book on natural cooking or some title close to that. They’re sending it to our local branch. I want to buy a good one with basic info on various oils, enzymes etc……Read about enzymes today. Had to laugh that one book said not to cook anything over 105* (a cookbook Becky had) and the other one said nothing over a dry heat of 150*. Both had some great looking recipes in them…..I’m having fun experimenting with new things.
When we returned from watering, I got a call from Ray the mechanic. Seemed the van was “as ready as we can get it”. That wasn’t a good sign. I really did NOT want to drive out to Robert Lee again…..because it sounded like the van was not fixed which means I’ll be going back out again with it as soon as it dies again. Ugh.
I made a quick trip to HEB. The produce manager there has let Adrienne and I buy a case of JAZZ apples for .80 a lb…..and they are on sale for $1.49. They are GREAT apples! Really yummy. We got a case last week or maybe it was earlier this week for $32 and I picked up another case today for $31…..but he said they were a special promotional deal and they won’t have them on a regular basis. I think apple season is waning. I got quite a hankering for artichokes today. I called Heather and asked about the chance of ordering some from the co-op. They come in bags of 4 and there are 10 bags in a case. I know I can’t use a full case but she will take a bag and Adrienne will take a couple of bags so maybe. They were only $1.30 for 4 and they are $1.99 EACH in the grocery store. Good grief I should not update a blog when I’m tired this is starting to sound like the Food Network. :::snort::::
I dehydrated some apples today. I also made a graham cracker crust that was fairly HEALTHY….organic graham crackers with no preservatives etc, maple syrup and a bit of olive oil. I’ll use coconut oil when I get some. Then I made a strawberry pie with it….I had two choices and Jamin told me to choose the easiest. LOL.
Mike and I drove out to Robert Lee. Just as we expected, they did not fix the van. They can’t figure out what is wrong with it. They are fixated on the idea that there is some radio signal or microwave signal from McDonald’s that is scrambling the computer in the van…but then why does it restart???? AND where are these towers? We don’t see any. They installed a BIGGER black data box. This will hold 8 incidents on it. The van was only stopping every week – month…..it did die twice last weekend. We’re praying it dies a LOT this weekend so that we can record it and get the van back in. We really want this resolved while it is still under warranty and before our trip to the Girls’ graduation.
Mike came home for pizza night and then went on back to work. Hopefully all the details are coming together and we’ll have a very smooth and quick PAC planning meeting in the MORNING tomorrow and it won’t stretch to the AFTERNOON. LOL
Just heard from friends this week: it’s PCS season in the military. The time when new orders come down and we begin shuffling around. Melanie and family are going to Germany and Julie and family are going to England…..and we keep requesting overseas and going to TX. LOL BUT TX really IS “a whole other country”. LOL
Father's Day Contest
We entered Mike in a Father's Day Contest. He was chosen as a daily winner. Today at 3 p.m. PST they will put all the daily winners in a hat and draw a winner. It would be so cool if they picked Mike....but if not, he still was chosen as a daily winner. LOL
Click here for details...and scroll down to see our NAME as a Tuesday daily winner. If he wins it a trip for two to Southern CA...working on the pit crew at a NASCAR race, Knotsberry farm tickets, hotel, air fare, rental car......I can dream. LOL
Here's the picture that we sent them:
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
DAY IN REVIEW
Jamin and I went over to a friend’s house to water their lawn bright and early. They are out of town for a couple of weeks. Adrienne had said that when her son fed their dogs she read Becky’s books….see where this is going???? I spent 1 ½ hours today reading one of Becky’s books. I may have to order it – I may not. If any of you have *Nourishing Traditions* by Sally Fallon – do let me know what you think. It’s available for only $15 at amazon.com. I read all the entries on the thyroid in the book. I wanted to learn WHY I need iodine and what are the good sources for getting it. {G} I discovered that I should use sea salt daily (we only use sea salt) and that PINEAPPLE is a good source of organic iodide…..well….blow me over….I’m already eating that every day too for the bwhatever that helps with arthritis. She said that raw spinach and broccoli inhibit the absorption of iodine and I also eat that most days too! Maybe they’ll balance out? I discovered that fish-head broth is excellent for those of us with hypothyroidism…..ARGH. I had my fill of anything to do with fish heads growing up….but I suppose…maybe…after all it’s not balut. :::snort::: I’m not sure what I think of this author. I’ve heard she researches a LOT…but then I’ve also heard that she thinks we should eat raw meat – that isn’t happening here! BTW this book was on the couch – I honestly didn’t search through drawers and cupboards…ewww….I would never betray a friend’s trust like that…only books that are clearly visible on living room or kitchen furniture.
I dropped Jamin off; picked Arielle up and headed for Target and Albertsons. We needed to get her shoes and such….and I picked up some produce that we were out of – that’s a first in months. LOL
I made Hungarian Swiss Steak (so is it still Swiss steak?), salad, toast, fruit and mashed potatoes for dinner. Josiah has been eating dinners with us this week. I KNEW it would only be a matter of time until he was sick of Chick-fil-A and willing to eat organic. :::snort::: As our family grew, our table shrunk and we had no room for people and food at the table. So we opted to serve meals buffet style for the past several years. I put all the food on the kitchen counter and the kids file past, grab silverware and a cup and that’s that…..well….I decided that they needed to learn table etiquette. LOL AND in this house we do have both our tables pushed together in our dining room – so there is room for the food AND the people around our table again. I met with some resistance from my son who doesn’t like change at all. Poor thing. I still think it will be good. It IS more work. {G} We have to pull the tables apart when the girls are home so may have to go back to buffet for that time period in August.
Mike got home at a “decent” hour tonight. After dinner we headed down to the river to feed ducks. That is always a fun outing. Josiah is working but everyone else was there. I’ll have to upload pictures in the a.m.
OH – Zander keeps waking me up at 4:30 a.m. He needs to use the bathroom BUT he is sure there are spiders in the bathroom. I bought a fly swatter today and told him that he is now the “exalted swatter of all bugs”. Wow. He hooked up a belt and stuck the swatter in there and happily spent the afternoon as a man with a mission.
Jamin and I went over to a friend’s house to water their lawn bright and early. They are out of town for a couple of weeks. Adrienne had said that when her son fed their dogs she read Becky’s books….see where this is going???? I spent 1 ½ hours today reading one of Becky’s books. I may have to order it – I may not. If any of you have *Nourishing Traditions* by Sally Fallon – do let me know what you think. It’s available for only $15 at amazon.com. I read all the entries on the thyroid in the book. I wanted to learn WHY I need iodine and what are the good sources for getting it. {G} I discovered that I should use sea salt daily (we only use sea salt) and that PINEAPPLE is a good source of organic iodide…..well….blow me over….I’m already eating that every day too for the bwhatever that helps with arthritis. She said that raw spinach and broccoli inhibit the absorption of iodine and I also eat that most days too! Maybe they’ll balance out? I discovered that fish-head broth is excellent for those of us with hypothyroidism…..ARGH. I had my fill of anything to do with fish heads growing up….but I suppose…maybe…after all it’s not balut. :::snort::: I’m not sure what I think of this author. I’ve heard she researches a LOT…but then I’ve also heard that she thinks we should eat raw meat – that isn’t happening here! BTW this book was on the couch – I honestly didn’t search through drawers and cupboards…ewww….I would never betray a friend’s trust like that…only books that are clearly visible on living room or kitchen furniture.
I dropped Jamin off; picked Arielle up and headed for Target and Albertsons. We needed to get her shoes and such….and I picked up some produce that we were out of – that’s a first in months. LOL
I made Hungarian Swiss Steak (so is it still Swiss steak?), salad, toast, fruit and mashed potatoes for dinner. Josiah has been eating dinners with us this week. I KNEW it would only be a matter of time until he was sick of Chick-fil-A and willing to eat organic. :::snort::: As our family grew, our table shrunk and we had no room for people and food at the table. So we opted to serve meals buffet style for the past several years. I put all the food on the kitchen counter and the kids file past, grab silverware and a cup and that’s that…..well….I decided that they needed to learn table etiquette. LOL AND in this house we do have both our tables pushed together in our dining room – so there is room for the food AND the people around our table again. I met with some resistance from my son who doesn’t like change at all. Poor thing. I still think it will be good. It IS more work. {G} We have to pull the tables apart when the girls are home so may have to go back to buffet for that time period in August.
Mike got home at a “decent” hour tonight. After dinner we headed down to the river to feed ducks. That is always a fun outing. Josiah is working but everyone else was there. I’ll have to upload pictures in the a.m.
OH – Zander keeps waking me up at 4:30 a.m. He needs to use the bathroom BUT he is sure there are spiders in the bathroom. I bought a fly swatter today and told him that he is now the “exalted swatter of all bugs”. Wow. He hooked up a belt and stuck the swatter in there and happily spent the afternoon as a man with a mission.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Well….well…well…today was weigh in day again. The scale bopped back and forth and I couldn’t get a clear read of where it was landing…so I won’t move the ticker…but I think I’m so very close to that 20 lbs lost! I DID loose another 2 inches this week so really….something good is happening….clothes are fitting better….I can even get into a couple of my size 10 jeans…of course it took a crow bar….and I wouldn’t be caught dead in them! LOL
This morning I had to drive the van back out to Robert Lee. This is a 45 min drive. I’m so sick of making it. I now have the “beautiful car” again. Zander loves this car – it’s an expedition. It SUCKS gas – it has way less power than our 15 pass van and it gets WORSE mileage…but it sure looks cute. {G} Josiah made my day by driving out with me. Ray, the mechanic who I’m getting to know quite well called about 6 times today. It seems the black box isn’t explaining what they wanted to know. It showed that it went from 30 – 6 mph but didn’t really die. I told him it looses all power, no steering etc…..I call that dying. Then he called to see if this was happening on base. Then he wanted to know if there were any microwave towers as it seems to die right outside McDonald’s every time….I told him that maybe it’s having a Big Mac attack…he didn’t think I was funny. They don’t have a clue as to what is going on. I told them it was once a month, then once a week now it died on Sat and again on Monday so SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG!
I did bake bread yesterday – that was one of those goals. We did dehydrate some apples. I went to HEB and picked up a case of Jazz apples that Adrienne and I had ordered from them. Our case of Pink Ladies didn’t come in on the truck this week. The Jazz apples are really good. The man cut us a great deal too…..we only paid I think $.79 a pound. Our pineapples are smaller this time and so I’m not going to be able dehydrate any of them….ah well one less thing to do. Josiah was home for dinner and I really wanted to get dinner before we went to the pool so I came home from the store and made Chicken Divan. It was soooo good.
We headed for the pool and spent a couple of hours swimming and visiting. Heather and children, Tricia and children, Adrienne and children were there too.
I bought Stacia some new bottles and she refuses to drink out of them…..I tried to trick her and put one of the nipples from an older bottle on it and she drank it…but it’s time to cup train her if she won’t use normal bottles….since the store that sold Dr. Brown’s here is out of business. LOL
This morning I had to drive the van back out to Robert Lee. This is a 45 min drive. I’m so sick of making it. I now have the “beautiful car” again. Zander loves this car – it’s an expedition. It SUCKS gas – it has way less power than our 15 pass van and it gets WORSE mileage…but it sure looks cute. {G} Josiah made my day by driving out with me. Ray, the mechanic who I’m getting to know quite well called about 6 times today. It seems the black box isn’t explaining what they wanted to know. It showed that it went from 30 – 6 mph but didn’t really die. I told him it looses all power, no steering etc…..I call that dying. Then he called to see if this was happening on base. Then he wanted to know if there were any microwave towers as it seems to die right outside McDonald’s every time….I told him that maybe it’s having a Big Mac attack…he didn’t think I was funny. They don’t have a clue as to what is going on. I told them it was once a month, then once a week now it died on Sat and again on Monday so SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG!
I did bake bread yesterday – that was one of those goals. We did dehydrate some apples. I went to HEB and picked up a case of Jazz apples that Adrienne and I had ordered from them. Our case of Pink Ladies didn’t come in on the truck this week. The Jazz apples are really good. The man cut us a great deal too…..we only paid I think $.79 a pound. Our pineapples are smaller this time and so I’m not going to be able dehydrate any of them….ah well one less thing to do. Josiah was home for dinner and I really wanted to get dinner before we went to the pool so I came home from the store and made Chicken Divan. It was soooo good.
We headed for the pool and spent a couple of hours swimming and visiting. Heather and children, Tricia and children, Adrienne and children were there too.
I bought Stacia some new bottles and she refuses to drink out of them…..I tried to trick her and put one of the nipples from an older bottle on it and she drank it…but it’s time to cup train her if she won’t use normal bottles….since the store that sold Dr. Brown’s here is out of business. LOL
Monday Recap -
We spent the day at the pool. Need I say more? Probably not, but I will. :::snort:::
We got the school done that we wanted to. We met Debbie and her son, Scottie, at the pool. Scottie is between Jared and Jamin in age. This was fun for the big boys. However, Arielle, I could tell was feeling a bit out numbered. We were thrilled when Tricia showed up with her daughters Ashley and Abby. I was getting ready to leave but Tricia kept Arielle and she had a blast.
When we got home from the pool, I took Josiah to work and Jamin to water a lawn. THEN we headed back to the pool from 6 p.m - 8 p.m. because Mike was working late.
The van has now died three times since we got the flight box. I'm heading out to see if they can read the box. I'm hoping they can but I'm suspecting something is wrong with their box as it keeps giving us the same flashing number. ARGH. Stay tuned!
We spent the day at the pool. Need I say more? Probably not, but I will. :::snort:::
We got the school done that we wanted to. We met Debbie and her son, Scottie, at the pool. Scottie is between Jared and Jamin in age. This was fun for the big boys. However, Arielle, I could tell was feeling a bit out numbered. We were thrilled when Tricia showed up with her daughters Ashley and Abby. I was getting ready to leave but Tricia kept Arielle and she had a blast.
When we got home from the pool, I took Josiah to work and Jamin to water a lawn. THEN we headed back to the pool from 6 p.m - 8 p.m. because Mike was working late.
The van has now died three times since we got the flight box. I'm heading out to see if they can read the box. I'm hoping they can but I'm suspecting something is wrong with their box as it keeps giving us the same flashing number. ARGH. Stay tuned!
Sunday, June 11, 2006
GOALS – so how did I do last week…remarkably well. I’m determined not to let my extra free time in the summer go to waste. Here are this week’s goals!
Fitness goals for the week:
I will get that ticker for bike riding up to 250 miles by Sat. evening.
I will continue with 8 minutes in the a.m. and add weights as needed.
I will continue to eat food that enshrines the temple rather than vandalizes the temple. {G}
I will hopefully see the weight loss ticker move up to 20 lbs by weigh in next Tuesday.
Education Goals for the week:
Continue on our summer schedule (math, language arts, science, read alouds).
We’ll continue reading *The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe* to all the children/young adults.
I’ll make sure that Jared and Jamin have time to WRITE on their books.
I need to begin pulling things together for the boys’ portfolio in earnest. My goal is to have this mailed off by the time they leave for their mission’s trip.
Gatekeeper goals for the week
We’ll continue to rework “Our Family’s 24 Ways”.
I’ll be on the lookout for teachable moments for both the children and myself.
I’ll pray for and with each child, daily.
I’ll look for meaningful ways (to THEM) to enter my children’s lives
I’ll continue to offer healthy food choices and not freak when the children choose to live on toast, apples and carrot sticks.
I’ll be sure to take time each day to help Mike unwind from his busy schedule.
I’ll dehydrate more apples for the office.
I’ll dehydrate pineapple.
I’ll bake bread.
I’ll deep clean our bedroom this week. If I have time I’ll do a second room.
I’ll continue my private Bible study…
I will lovingly and consistently DISCIPLE my children this week.
MISC Goals – what are these anyway???
I’ll remember to reschedule the boy’s dentist appointments.
I’ll read at least 2 chapters in *Age of Opportunity*.
I’ll work on a June/July issue of PWOC newsletter.
I’ll call Christian in Action about PWOC organizing the chapel to participate in their “back to school” drive.
I’ll find a good place in town for ladies to go for dessert after visiting the Lily gardens.
I’ll remember to go buy the produce the kids are asking for…this is a good thing….I’d best make a trip to HEB. LOL
PLAYING GOALS
We’ll make it to the pool at least three times this week.
We’ll try to have a play date with at least one group of family friends if we don’t make it to the pool.
I’ll be sure to have some cool movie here that all the kids will enjoy for Friday night.
I’ll continue to read fund books during my down time.
I’ll make one phone call to an out of town friend….I didn’t get this done this week but I did talk to my folks a couple of times. I’ll add a friend this week.
Fitness goals for the week:
I will get that ticker for bike riding up to 250 miles by Sat. evening.
I will continue with 8 minutes in the a.m. and add weights as needed.
I will continue to eat food that enshrines the temple rather than vandalizes the temple. {G}
I will hopefully see the weight loss ticker move up to 20 lbs by weigh in next Tuesday.
Education Goals for the week:
Continue on our summer schedule (math, language arts, science, read alouds).
We’ll continue reading *The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe* to all the children/young adults.
I’ll make sure that Jared and Jamin have time to WRITE on their books.
I need to begin pulling things together for the boys’ portfolio in earnest. My goal is to have this mailed off by the time they leave for their mission’s trip.
Gatekeeper goals for the week
We’ll continue to rework “Our Family’s 24 Ways”.
I’ll be on the lookout for teachable moments for both the children and myself.
I’ll pray for and with each child, daily.
I’ll look for meaningful ways (to THEM) to enter my children’s lives
I’ll continue to offer healthy food choices and not freak when the children choose to live on toast, apples and carrot sticks.
I’ll be sure to take time each day to help Mike unwind from his busy schedule.
I’ll dehydrate more apples for the office.
I’ll dehydrate pineapple.
I’ll bake bread.
I’ll deep clean our bedroom this week. If I have time I’ll do a second room.
I’ll continue my private Bible study…
I will lovingly and consistently DISCIPLE my children this week.
MISC Goals – what are these anyway???
I’ll remember to reschedule the boy’s dentist appointments.
I’ll read at least 2 chapters in *Age of Opportunity*.
I’ll work on a June/July issue of PWOC newsletter.
I’ll call Christian in Action about PWOC organizing the chapel to participate in their “back to school” drive.
I’ll find a good place in town for ladies to go for dessert after visiting the Lily gardens.
I’ll remember to go buy the produce the kids are asking for…this is a good thing….I’d best make a trip to HEB. LOL
PLAYING GOALS
We’ll make it to the pool at least three times this week.
We’ll try to have a play date with at least one group of family friends if we don’t make it to the pool.
I’ll be sure to have some cool movie here that all the kids will enjoy for Friday night.
I’ll continue to read fund books during my down time.
I’ll make one phone call to an out of town friend….I didn’t get this done this week but I did talk to my folks a couple of times. I’ll add a friend this week.
Hmmm….Misc Sunday evening thoughts….
We enjoyed “Remember the Titans”. The cheap DVD player works better than the new one on Netflix movies. I really don’t like DVDs and wish they hadn’t been invented.
I DID get the co-op order sent to Shop Natural – goodness that took a lot of thinking this time. I bought some Stevia to try in lemonaide….and I found Dr. Becker – a natural Dr. Pepper alternative….we’ll see if Mike enjoys it.
At chapel today one of the bigger boys was holding a soda can above Zander’s head. Zander was jumping, screaming and trying to get it. I noticed it said “organic” on the can and said….”um…that IS his soda”. The boy gave it back. It was empty and Zander proceeded to throw it away. The boy said he’d wanted to jump on it. Goodness…..boys. It cracked me up that a chaplain standing nearby said he noticed the can said organic and “knew it had to be yours”. That is an extremely funny statement to have heard about US….I guess we have made a lot of changes. LOL
We enjoyed “Remember the Titans”. The cheap DVD player works better than the new one on Netflix movies. I really don’t like DVDs and wish they hadn’t been invented.
I DID get the co-op order sent to Shop Natural – goodness that took a lot of thinking this time. I bought some Stevia to try in lemonaide….and I found Dr. Becker – a natural Dr. Pepper alternative….we’ll see if Mike enjoys it.
At chapel today one of the bigger boys was holding a soda can above Zander’s head. Zander was jumping, screaming and trying to get it. I noticed it said “organic” on the can and said….”um…that IS his soda”. The boy gave it back. It was empty and Zander proceeded to throw it away. The boy said he’d wanted to jump on it. Goodness…..boys. It cracked me up that a chaplain standing nearby said he noticed the can said organic and “knew it had to be yours”. That is an extremely funny statement to have heard about US….I guess we have made a lot of changes. LOL
Sunday -
BUSY! Today was the parish volunteers’ appreciation dinner. We volunteered to help Miss Ivey get tables set up and such during the 11:00 service. Things all came together, it looked very nice and it was a nice meal catered by Johnny Carinnos (hmmm that’s not quite right).
We ran the kids home after the dinner. Mike, Stacia and I ran out to the airport to meet our new Chaplain Candidate. He’ll be here for about a month. This is a program that lets folks in seminary go active duty during the summer and gain some “on the ground” training.
This evening was the Contemporary service. We continue to really enjoy our time in there. It went a bit long tonight – but it was fun.
BUSY! Today was the parish volunteers’ appreciation dinner. We volunteered to help Miss Ivey get tables set up and such during the 11:00 service. Things all came together, it looked very nice and it was a nice meal catered by Johnny Carinnos (hmmm that’s not quite right).
We ran the kids home after the dinner. Mike, Stacia and I ran out to the airport to meet our new Chaplain Candidate. He’ll be here for about a month. This is a program that lets folks in seminary go active duty during the summer and gain some “on the ground” training.
This evening was the Contemporary service. We continue to really enjoy our time in there. It went a bit long tonight – but it was fun.
VEGAN WARNING - THIS MAY MAKE YOU THINK LESS OF US!
I've always dreamed of having some free range chickens and collecting eggs every morning. I got a taste of this when we house-sat for Brad and Brenda several years ago. As we shared earlier, our quail has begun to lay eggs. She gives one every day. Jamin has been collecting them. I went to Food Network and found 21 recipes that used quail eggs; but they all seemed pretty high-falutin. Jamin decided to make a simple omlet. He said that they taste like chicken eggs. Of course, I had to try it. I took one bite. The logical part of my mind says "yep, like chicken egg". The psycho part of me left over from the balut eating days of the Philippines said "ARGH, GAG, GAG....I'm going to throw up"....but I didn't.
Here are some pictures of the chefs.
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