St. Lucia Day!

Start:

Dec 13, '07

St. Lucia Day- breakfast with boys

Its Friday!!

I made it. Its Friday, and I don't have to do anything or go anywhere unless I want to. I should feel relaxed, but actually I feel a little shakey. My lymph nodes are very achy but otherwise I have no other symptoms. I'm really trying to stay well!

Yesterday's free haircuts did not go so well. My hair was cut an inch shorter than I had wanted, but it still looks ok. DS12's turned out great, but DS8 had an anxiety attack. I don't know if his stylist was slow or he had more hair to cut, but he freaked out that we were done and he wasn't. The poor kid began to cry and hyperventilate. The supervisor took over and quickly finished up his haircut. It probably still needs tweaking, but she wanted to get him out of the chair ASAP. I think next time I will have to buzz it at home like I do DH's.

My first batch of Christmas cookies are almost ready for the freezer. This morning I roasted up pecans and made "Pecan Snowballs." These butter cookies are a favorite in DH's family. My MIL buys several pounds from an Italian bakery, but I wanted to see if I could bake them up myself. I chose an easier round snowball shape rather than a cresent. I'll keep a few out for DH to taste test tonight.  (No, you do not see one missing from the cooling rack.)

I should clean up my nest because company may visit tomorrow, but the weather forecast has me tempted to slack off. We may get around 4 inches of snow and then a nice 1 1/2 inch layer of ice on top! Should make for a great weekend of sledding/snowboarding, but a lousy weekend for out of town relatives to drive up and cut down a Christmas tree. Note to self- buy birdy seed!

A few weeks ago DS12 watched 300 with DH. I have no idea what this movie was about, but DS12 has now made a scene from the movie with Legos. I'm noticing swords and decapitated Lego guys. Hmm....

Movies that DH has brought home for the weekend; Initial D, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Zodiac, 1408, Zoolander and Futurama Bender's Big Score. Hmm... Maybe I need to start going to Blockbuster? Actually Zodiac has Jake Gyllenhaal and 1408 has John Cusack, the weekend may not be a total loss. Zoolander and Futurama will be good for laugh or two. (I watched the Illusionist this morning so I'm in more of a romantic movie mood. Maybe I'll disappear and watch P&P in another room.)

Its time to go and play in more powdered sugar. Have a great weekend! Peace and blessings!

Mother Teresa quote

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

Thursday 13 Random questions

1. Why is it when I know I have to be somewhere at a certain time, it throws off my entire day? I hate clocks. I hate appointment times, start times, time management, etc. I just want to go with the flow and not have to worry about having enough time.

2. Why is it we live a few blocks from the grocery store yet have nothing at home right now that anyone wants to eat?

3. Why is everything on DH's wish list is only found online?

4. Why can't I find a darn land snail!!!! Sure its hybernation time, but I'd take a sleeping one. Just as long as I can make DS8's Christmas dream come true.

5. Why are the lymph nodes on the back of my neck swollen. I believe I've already told myself I AM NOT GETTING SICK THIS YEAR!!

6. Why is Project Runway making me want to sew something?

7. Have I forgotten my sewing machine is older than I am and doesn't sew more than an inch before jamming?

8. Will I get Christmas cards done this year?

9. Why do I have a huge bag of little bitty pinecones but none large enough for our art project?

10. Will I really pay money for larger pincones?

11. Do I really want a free haircut today?

12. Will the Tomten be nice to me even if I don't find time to make them new boots and mittens?

13. Am I ready to adopt another fur child?

Christmas can't come fast enough

DS8 loves the game Apples To Apples after playing it last weekend at our cousin's house. He has been asking to play it everyday but we have to wait to see what Santa will bring. If Christmas wasn't so close, I'd definitely fork over the dough to pick up this excellent game for him. DS8 has moved it to the top of his wish list and Christmas can't come fast enough now for him.

Yesterday I scored at the library, You Wouldn't Want To Be Sick In The 16th Century- Diseases You'd Rather Not Catch by Kathryn Senior. DS12 loves the "You Wouldn't Want to" books. Its remarkable how much history he picks up from them. We were watching Cash Cab the other day and after getting almost all their questions correct, this nice family decides to go for double or nothing last question. "What kind of stone is the Spinx made of?" We all missed it guessing sandstone except for DS12 who knew the correct answer, limestone. When I asked him how he knew, he reminded me he had read, You Wouldn't Want To Be An Egyptian Slave.

I saw a bookmark put out by United Way at the library that listed reading standard success. I agreed with everything it said until I read "reading by 3rd grade." Although my boys had begun reading before 3rd grade, I have to disagree with this bookmark. What difference does it make when you master reading just as long as you eventually learn?

Today we are going to enjoy more classic "unschooling". DS8 wants to make the ornaments I mentioned before and read the snail books we found last night. Maybe we can figure out why none of the pet stores in our area carry land snails? Santa needs help here!

DS12 is going to help me draw up Gingerbread house plans. I haven't made one in years, and I don't know if I still have a pattern. I was going to cheat and buy a premade house but that story is on my 360 blog.

Speaking of blogs, I'm nervous because my friend's Multiply blog disappeared on her. She was told it may have been accidentally deleted by someone else. Yikes! I really enjoy Multiply, but I  kept my 360 for my friends who didn't want to move over. Maybe I will have to figure out how to back up my blogs for these such catastrophes.

Peace and blessings....

Gardner quote

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

Much education today is monumentally ineffective. All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants.
John W. Gardner

28 Days and counting!!!

"Smash" is home with us now after we cut "him" down Saturday. (DS8 named him.) We've been sprucing his branches ever since. Smash the Balsam fir is decorated in mostly handmade ornaments. They are near and dear to my heart because several of them were handcrafted by my Mormor- "Mother's mother" in Swedish.

She was called home just 2 days before my first child was born. Sharing the things she handmade, and baking the recipes she baked, is one way I can keep her memory alive and introduce my children to her. 

DS8 loves this ornament. He calls it "Porcupine Superman." He gets porcupine and pinecone mixed up. I think my Mormor would tell you its suppose to be an owl. Anyway, DS8 has asked that we make more, including some bad guys. I'll have to plan a make your own superhero pinecone ornament craft soon!

Today we are ringing bells again. I hope I get the same good feeling I got last time. I've got Monday blues. I miss DH. Having him around for the past 4 days rocked! At least I'm not working tonight so I'll see him then. I think after we ring bells, we'll shop for his birthday gift. Maybe I can pick up a Christmas present or two as well.

Peace and blessings!!!

Thank you...

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

I'm thankful for all of you! Your well wishes and friendly notes have brought me joy even though we haven't met face to face. May your day be filled with much peace and many blessings! Happy Thanksgiving!

I must stay well....

I once read that "dis- ease", brings on disease. I have been trying to stay healthy but yesterday I slipped into a state of "dis- ease". I noticed at work last night my tonsils let it be known they are not alone back there.

I could be fighting off a regular cold, but if you know my horrifying history with strep throat, you know why I get nervous. I spent last November through January positive with strep throat. I worked my way through 4 different medications and my family went through 3 rounds themselves.  I was one step away from being admitting to the hospital.

I actually very rarely get regular colds. When I do get sick, its major. So I'm trying to be proactive and take care of myself. I've increased the hot fluids, fruit and veg and my new best friend, Emergen- C! I love this stuff! I'm hoping it helps me win the battle before the war gets started.

I must stay well because...

I have food prep to do; pie baking with homemade crust and sweet potato pecan casserole.
The posse rats will be showing up very soon.
I have to work tonight.
We are road tripping Thursday and Friday.
Saturday we cut down and bring home The Tree.

I'm looking forward to seeing family and enjoying the weekend. I don't want to be in a state of dis-ease and feel not well.

So I'm off to put the kettle on to begin today's hydration requirements with a few packets of Emergen-C! If I get too busy to post tomorrow, Happy Thanksgiving!

Gratitude...

I am counting my blessings!

I'm grateful that...
    the tire store is within walking distance from my home.
    the tire store guy found an affordable tire option for us.
    the tire store received a shipment of new tires in by 11:00a.m.
    the tires were installed before I had to leave for work.

Tonight it may snow 1-3 inches.

God is watching over me certainly!!
   

Deep breaths Dawn...

I was all tense and worked up last night before bed. I woke up at 5:15a.m. the same way. I know this will spell disaster for my immune system so I'm trying to calm myself. I use prayer and my Heavenly Father knows what I need. I spill my guts and give it all to him to worry about.

Last night I thought my sister and her family were in peril as in the empty duplex next to her, an alarm was going off- Carbon monoxide? She's been fighting fatigue. She called Mr. Slumlord multiple times. I ended up loaning her our detector and told her if it goes off, call 911.

When she drove over to pick it at 10:00pm, she noticed a hissing sound coming from my tire. I've known this tire is losing air. I was just hoping I could make it to when I had time to have it fixed. I prayed the tire would have enough air in it this morning to drive the 2 blocks to the tire place. I'm driving it there at 8:00am and hoping they can fix or replace it by 4:00pm so I can go to work.

I started stressing about all I have to do in the upcoming days for the enjoyment of my family this holiday weekend. When I went to bake DH his blueberry muffins this morning, I noticed we were out of eggs. How will I manage everything if there are no eggs in my fridge? Sounds crazy, but this is where my mind is today. If I'm not organized enough to know we are out of eggs, how will I be able to pull off everything else? I need to lighten up and remember we always find a way to where we need to be according to God's plan.

I'm off to drop off the van and enjoy my walk home. Its still a little foggy so maybe I can daydream on my way back.

Smile at someone

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

I challenge you to make eye contact with someone on your path today and just smile.

Ring, ring, ring....

We're back from ringing bells. It went very well. I organized a few homeschooling friends to help us and each family took 30 minutes. We were touched by the generosity of some. We saw not only 1s but 5's, 10's and 20's make their way into the red kettle.  I needed to see this. My boys needed to see this! Lately I feel like I'm living in a world with people who don't care for the welfare of others.

There were people that didn't make eye contact with you, but some people took the time to stop and share greetings even if they had nothing for the kettle. It felt good to thank everyone and to wish them a "Happy Thanksgiving!" The boys each had a bell and really got into it. We used a paint stick to push the dollars down and by the end of our shift, the kettle was heavy!  We're looking forward to ringing again next Monday. If you feel funny about passing by a Salvation Army Bell Ringer empty handed,  just smile and wish them blessings. Even a smile spreads joy and encouragement.

I watched Sicko yesterday with DH. I was moved to tears when he was interviewing the parliament member from England who said people don't vote out of fear or hopelessness. This is so true. Here in the U.S. we have become a nation ruled with fear and we feel hopeless!

I have always voted, since I became 18. I even vote in primaries. I bring my children with every time.  DH votes too, although we do not always vote the same. One woman I know always votes whichever way her husband does. She said she didn't believe in canceling out her husband's vote. So you see, not all of us in the U.S. know how to correctly vote! Voting is your chance to have your voice heard!! If you can't think for yourself, please don't vote!! I think of all the women before me that didn't have this chance, and the women who fought for it. How can you not embrace your freedom to vote?

I'll get off my soapbox now and chillax.

I'm listening to Sarah McLachlan's Wintersong CD. Its putting me in the mood to go downstairs and dig out the decorations.

Today the sun is hiding. We actually have fog right now, but I love fog. Its romantic. I keep daydreaming I'll see Mr. Darcy come walking my way across the field!  Actually my real Mr. Darcy, (DH), brought me beautiful carnations Friday. They are a purply pink. I love how carnations last and last!

Along with my flowers, I've lit candles so its nice and cozy in my nest. I'm grateful I don't have to work tonight, and the week will be a short one. I'm looking forward to family time on our extended weekend!

One more thing to mention, and then I'm off to brew a cup of Bija Echinacea Elderberry with cranberry and Rooibos. Last night we read Santa's Twin by Dean Koontz. DS8 wanted me to recommend it to you and you should check it out from your library. Its really good. I just love when we read books before bed, and then the next morning their noses are stuck back in them!

Peace and blessings.....

NASCARGOT - A NASCAR Parody

DS8's favorite video. Who needs to buy Matchbox or Hotwheels? Are snails made in China? Actually, wouldn't it be freaky if they really moved this fast!

Whoo hooo! Its Friday!!!!

Work's been crazy busy with people registering for Winter classes and people wanting make up lessons for Thanksgiving break. Plus I've been training a new employee and starting earlier than I usually do. Thankfully, I will not have to work on Saturday since the swim meet has been cancelled due to lack of participants. We shouldn't have planned the swim meet so close to Thanksgiving and the start of deer hunting season. (If my boss reads this I'm sorry. Crowded swim meets are my least favorite work day.)

I have to run to the post office to mail our Flat Travelers home, and I'm burning more gas heading into town. I need to pick up DH's birthday present and find a sugar free graham cracker crust. I like to hit the stores before the weekend. I don't do crowds. (Note to self- Remember to buy a camera battery so you can stop ripping off images for your blog!)

I'm making a Turtle Pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. My mom sent me a recipe and I'm trying to make it sugar free. You drizzle caramel sauce and pecans into a graham cracker crust. Then you mix canned pumpkin, instant vanilla pudding, milk, Cool Whip and spices for the filling. You add a layer of Cool Whip on top and then drizzle more caramel and pecans! Yum! I'm trying to make it sugar free for our Great Grandma who is diabetic. I was impressed our small town Piggly Wiggly had sugar free caramel sauce along with sugar free Cool Whip and pudding. They didn't have sugar free crusts though. I may have to make my own.

Tonight's family fun plan is of course, to watch movies, but I also hope we can finish up our clay projects. DS8 wants to watch "Richie Rich" with Macaulay Culkin. (What you'll do for the love of your child.) DH also picked up "The 13th Floor", "Sicko", and "The Last Picture Show".
Last night I watched "Heavenly Creatures." I've seen this film at least 4 times now.

A few weeks ago DH and I were playing a game of naming our favorite movies based on actors in them. His favorite Kate Winslet movie was Titantic, but I remembered Heavenly Creatures and quickly changed his mind.

It was fun thinking of favorite movies with actors we dislike too. DH challenged me to think of a Tom Cruise movie I enjoyed and I just groaned. I'm not a Tom Cruise fan. He plays "Tom Cruise" in every movie he makes. I ended up choosing Vanilla Sky! LOL! Actually that movie is good, not just because he is wrecked up in it. I countered DH's Tom Cruise with Julia Roberts. He picked Ocean's 11. Cheater.

Speaking of movies, yesterday DS8 and I caught some of "Journey To The Center Of The Earth." I remember watching this with my mom when I was his age. DS8 was of course questioning the obvious- HOW CAN THERE BE AN OCEAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EARTH?!  I told him we should read Jules Verne and think about the time the author lived in.
Learning really does happen with everything, every experience.

DS8 also began questioning what happens when something freezes. I started to explain ice crystals and cell structure and then remembered I had whole strawberries in the freezer. We took one out and allowed it to thaw. Broken cell walls leave a mushy mess! Maybe we'll talk about how frogs survive next?

DS12 found a You Tube video where this guy charges his Ipod with Gatorade and an onion.  I guess this is the modern day potato battery. We don't have an Ipod or I'd have DS12 test it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfPJeDssBOM

Well, I better get moving here. Thanks for letting me ramble on. Have a great weekend!

Peace and blessings...

Its over with.

The pyogenic granuloma is gone. Yeah! From start to finish, we were there about an hour. My biggest regret, I didn't bring my camera! As a blogger you would think I would know better!

We found the new children's clinic on the other side of the giant UW hospital maze. One good thing about the move, parking wasn't a problem. From there it goes down hill.

In order to reach the clinic, you have to take two different elevators, located in the same area. You can't take one elevator from the parking area to the clinic floor. This is for "security" reasons. Actually all it does is confuse and freak out your child, nervous anyway because he's going to get a shot. (I didn't like elevators as a child either.)

The waiting area actually was pretty cool. In the bathroom they had neat floor tiles that looked like actual green grass. Why you would want to think you are outside using the bathroom though is beyond me.

We are called back by the first nurse, a real gem of a guy. He looks at DS8's neck and says, "EWW!!! GROSS!!!!" Nice dude. Very nice.

We are escorted through the "chicken wing" to our exam room. Its suppose to be a farm motif I guess, but I notice I'm starting to feel nauseous. I think its the puke paint color on the walls and eggs on the ceiling.

In the exam room, I'm asked to fill out forms. I sit on the cow hide covered bench and awkwardly stretch to reach the desk since I wasn't given a clipboard.

Before we see Dr. Teng, her intern sees us first. She is friendly but then I notice her footwear. She has on the typical white lab jacket, but then you see black patent leather platform shoes! My first thought, is how can those be comfortable to work in all day!! 

When Dr. Teng makes it in to see us, I notice she is wearing great boots! I'm thinking, what is it with these women doctors and their fab footwear?!! Are these really doctors or models pretending to be doctors?

DS12 was grumpy because one of the nurses asked if the boys were twins. Slam! They are 3 1/2 years apart. DS8 really has been growing lately and the height difference is diminishing.

The worse part came when they gave DS8 the injection to numb his neck. That was bad. The actually removal wasn't so difficult though. DS12 watched as they grabbed the growth, stretched it up and Dr. Black Patent Shoes snipped it off. Dr. Suede Boots did the cauterizing. I'm hanging back, holding DS8's hand, feeling a little embarrassed I'm wearing Birkenstocks.
 

# 33 Completed!

DS has this really fun book, 101 Things To Do Before You're Old and Boring. #33 was Learn To Bake a Cake. I think he did a pretty good job! He wanted chocolate fudge frosting and DS8 was hoping for vanilla. DS12 decided to frost with both so everyone in the family would enjoy his cake.

Today we are headed to DS8's doctor's appointment for his pyogenic granuloma. We have to navigate our way around the huge UW hospital which is ALWAYS under construction. I'm anticipating a long wait, and then only 15 minutes with the doctor who will tell us to make yet another appointment at which the pyogenic granuloma will actually be removed. We've already seen our primary care doctor who referred us to the dermatologist. -Health care hoops-  I am grateful we have insurance though.

Lake Farm Park

I had to get away from stress so we took a walk at Lake Farm Park on Lake Waubesa. I get such a good vibe from the place. There are some 32 hidden archaeological sites in the park, but you can just tell people have called this area home for thousands of years. Our hike was going pretty good until DS12 heard gunshots. He was sure we were going to be victims of a hunting accident. I kept him going until we reached the end of the trail.

As we left the trail, we turned around to see a sign in orange that read, "Bow Hunting DNR permits only." OH CRAP!! I thought it was only duck hunting season and that ducks had to be shot in the air. I thought we had been safe. Where was the bow hunting sign at the other trail head where we started from?!" Note to self- BUY ORANGE HATS

My husband's great grandfather accidentally shot and killed his 12 year old son in a hunting accident. Needless to say, we are not a hunting family. But since hunting is now taking place on public land, I better learn exactly when the season starts!!

I'm crabby today.

This is not a good thing. Life is a gift. Each day I should greet with praise and thanks. I should be counting my blessings and figuring out how I can give back, but today I feel like being a hermit crab.

I want a shell to hide in. I want to be away from it. Of course whatever shell I can find won't be my own. It will be a temporary solution.


The problem is really me, not being able to accept I live in a world with many opinions, different from my own. I want to pass judgment and say, "What a waste of a human being you are! Little Man with your big gun, do you feel like God now that you've stopped a beating heart?"

I'm pissed off because people seem to me, to be heartless, self centered, greedy. I'm disgusted because I'm also one of them, "He without sin may cast the first stone..." 

What I really need to do is keep going in that positive direction. Why can't I have what Anne Frank had, "Despite everything  I believe people are really good at heart.."

I need the courage to take off my shell. Leaving yourself open to feel the hurt also means you will be able to feel the good. This is better than not feeling anything at all.   

Way to go Mom!

My mom won 2 pounds of pecans by submitting a wild rice salad recipe! Check it out!
http://www.surrattfarms.com/recipes/?catID=9&recipeID=500

Look-alike Meter

My cool celebrity look-alike collage from MyHeritage.com. Get one for yourself.

Look-alike Meter

My cool celebrity look-alike collage from MyHeritage.com. Get one for yourself.

Holt quote

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

"What children need is not new and better curricula
but access to more and more of the real world; plenty
of time and space to think over their experiences,
and to use fantasy and play to make meaning out of
them; and advice, road maps, guidebooks, to make it
easier for them to get where they want to go (not
where we think they ought to go), and to find out
what they want to find out."

--John Holt

OAH Meeting

Start:	Nov 12, '07 3:30p
Location:	Oregon Library

Homeschool group meeting

Model Magic

Note to self- read package instructions

Yesterday we opened up our Crayola Model Magic packages. We discovered them on the craft shelf I have yet to organize. We decided playing with our Model Magic and Sculpty would warm us up for our real clay projects. After I opened every single pouch of Model Magic, I read that Model Magic is really a one time thing. You can't plan on saving it for later once you open that package. So we never did get around to making our real clay (kiln fired) projects.

DS8 made the "buddy" guy on the right. DS12 made Link out of Sculpty and then made him Model Magic jeans to slip into. I made a new house for Chihiro, and then DS8 had the brillant idea to mix up the Model Magic and make marbles!! We also made a few cubes with the idea we'd paint them to make dice.

Chihiro's house became part of a marble game this morning when we checked on our dried projects. You have to shoot the marbles into the hut bouncing off the cube obstacles. I'm tempted to buy more Model Magic now, and the boys can make this game to give as gifts!

I really like the effect of the swirled together MM. We had started trying to make earth marbles. Our imaginations took off, and we had all kinds of planets!

Thursday Thirteen

Sorry. This is another to do list. I have Thursday Thirteen writer's block.

1. I need to find my slippers.
   
2. I need to find my mittens.
3. I need to find my missing pair of jeans.
4. I need to find my new mockneck.
5. I NEED TO CLEAN OUT MY CLOSET!!!
6. I need to call my mom.
7. I need to send my mom the Halloween pictures.
8. I need to cover the table for clay play.
9. I need to find the clay.
10. I need to find the clay project directions.
11. I NEED TO CLEAN OUT THE CRAFT STORAGE BOOKCASE!!
12. I need to brew a cup of tea.
13. I need to stop chair dancing to the Chili Peppers and get off my butt!  See ya later!
    

He's so wise!

Scene at  the Grove Unschool, living room, 7:18a.m.

DS8 :  I still feel like sleeping.

Mom :  So go back to bed and climb under the covers.

DS8 :  It won't work.

Mom :  So just rest and enjoy your warm nest.

DS8 : But that is less time I'll have to play today.

Mom : Good point! Start playing!

You know you enjoy life when you'd rather get up and live it.

.

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

"Those who do not find time for exercise, must find time for illness." - Earl of Derby

5, 10, 20 years ago...

I am stealing a blog post idea I saw on another blog.

 What were you doing 5, 10, 20 years ago?

5 Years ago:
DS just turned 7, DS is almost 4. I'm living in the house I'm in now. Jones and Kita are with us. We spend our days playing and learning together- much like we still do now! I work part-time at Lands End which means I drive almost an hour each way to and from work. My shift is 6:00pm until midnight which means I get to bed sometime after 1:00am. I'm 15 pounds heavier from eating supper so late.

10 Years ago:
DS just turned 2, DS#2 isn't with us yet. We'll work on that in the months to come. We live in Cross Plains in our tiny 3 bedroom condo. I work full time as the team leader in the Fraud/Security department for a credit card processing company. DH drops DS2 off at daycare at 7:45a.m. I'm already at work by that time. I work until 4:30pm and then pick up DS2 from daycare. We make supper together and wait for DH to get home. Kitton, Jones, Kita and Kerman are with us. (4 cats!)  We live for the weekends when we can all be together!

20 Years ago:
No kids yet. I graduated from high school the year before and DH is finishing up his senior year. I'm attending Concordia College, thinking I want to become a teacher because that's what my parents told me I should be. I'm getting A's, but I only spend one semester there because I realize its costing my father a fortune, and I'm not sure what I want to do with my life. All I know is I miss my boyfriend, (DH).  I spend the second half of the school year living at home again with my parents, attending community college, trying to figure things out. I take classes to prepare me for a career in the health care industry. I discover I'm a bit freaked out looking at dead people cut open on tables for study. (Health care field isn't going to work for me either.) I'm lost and will remain so until I start listening to God's plan for me.

Other years where my life turned a different direction:

17 Years ago:
I am attacked by my mentally ill college roomate. I need to feel safe.  I return to my parent's house until I move to Madison with my fiance (DH) in 1991.

9 years ago:
I'm about to give birth to DS#2. I really, really want to stay home with him and be a SAHM! My boss offers me her job, but I want to be with my kids more.

6 years ago:
I love being with my boys so much I'm dreading sending my oldest to school. I find an online friend who homeschools. At my part time job, someone homeschools her daughter. My oldest asks why he can't just stay home and learn. The lightbulbs start going off as God puts into place these people and events. I CAN HOMESCHOOL!!

Unschooling at 7:00am

You know you're an unschooling mom when you allow your child to go outside on a chilly Wisconsin morning just after 7:00am because he wants to rake leaves. He stayed out there enjoying himself until he noticed cars parking in front of our house. Our neighbors a few streets away were bringing their children to the bus stop. They keep their children warm and snug in their cars before the bus arrives. - And here I am allowing my child to rake leaves in the frosty air? I didn't make him! He wanted to do it! There's nothing wrong with getting a little early morning exercise and fresh air!

Yes, I'm raising mob hitmen.

I told you we were going to smash our pumpkins. I think this is going to become a tradition. We tossed them, stabbed them, dropped them from a ladder, and played batter up.

It was really fun! I'm sure my neighbors thought we were nutty unschoolers once again, but do I care? NO!

The boys were really good about cleaning it up. A few seeds remain but those will disappear in a few days as the critters find them.

When we were finished, DS12 said he felt relaxed now that he had gotten out all that aggression. So I guess it was a stress release as well.

The boys figured out the pumpkins had froze a little so it was more difficult to break them. DS12 experimented with making cuts to see if that assisted in how they fell apart. They also found the moldy parts broke apart more easily.

Of course someone brought up, "What if this was your head?!" Yes, that's why we wear helmets!

Sylvester Calzone

We're watching Jurassic Park last night and during the scene where Jeff Goldblum is in the back of Jeep with the T-Rex bearing down, DS8 says, "Is that Sylvester Calzone?" 

DH and I laughed so hard we couldn't breathe. I ended up with a headache, but it was worth it! Sylvester Stallone will forever be known in our house as Sylvester Calzone!

You've got to be kidding me!!

I rarely click on advertisements. My eyes are trained to avoid the annoying bars of ads, however I saw this ad and had to know more.

Would you pay hundreds of dollars for someone to help you collect and STORE your menstrual blood for the hope in the future, stem cells could be harvested from it?!!!!  Ummm... the only way I'd harvest my menstrual blood is if you PAID ME for it! I'm not about to give away my precious stem cells and then pay someone else for the privilege.

If this is for real, that someday they could harvest stem cells from your period, I hope this is set up like blood donations are. Its just not ethical to collect someone's stem cells for a profit.

Maybe in the future, women will be valued for their life giving stem cells. They will have posh spa centers where we show up once a month, vacuum out our donation and we're spared from 3-4 days of cramping and pain in the ass.

For now your option is to pay this company up to $1500 for them to send you a "collection kit" to FedEx your donation back to them for long term storage! I have no idea what this collection kit is, but I can only imagine.  (Do these FedEx drivers know what they are delivering?)  Check it out for yourself- http://www.celle.com/index.aspx

Bring it!

I want Christmas time! I know we haven't gotten through Thanksgiving yet, but I want Christmas!! Maybe I feel this way because of all the doom and gloom going on right now.  I just want peace and love to fill the planet- Baby! YEAH!

I have a goal to finish my shopping before Thanksgiving so I can spend the rest of the season baking, ringing Salvation Army bells, visiting with friends, sending cards, decorating, crafting, wrapping, singing and praising! I've been going through my recipes and collecting favorites. I've checked out several books from the library, and I'm pouring through, collecting Christmas ideas.

It helps me to get excited about Christmas season as the days grow shorter. Autumn goes by too quickly, and I'd get depressed as it got colder and darker if I didn't have Christmas spirit. Growing up, my family's Christmas season began after Turkey day, amped up at St. Lucia (Dec 13th), peaked on the 25th and lingered until the middle of January. Now that I have my own household, I say let's start November 1st and keep going until the end of January! Spending 3 months spreading love and joy helps to make the winter seem less brutal.

So today we are packing up Halloween decorations and DS8 is looking forward to smashing his pumpkin.

Investation Day

I really should be checking the public school calendar even though we do our own thing. Posse Rats rang the doorbell this morning. I'm heating up hotdogs right now. I could cop attitude that the boycave will be crazy today, but its Friday. Tonight I'm home with DH and we have lots of movies for the weekend.

He brought home from Blockbuster, Spiderman 3, Meet The Robinsons, Pulse (Japanese version),Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, 300, Night Watch, Fido, and Not Another Teen Movie. Obviously not all of these will be watched during our "Friday Family Fun Night". Can you guess which ones will? DH also wants to find time this weekend to see the Bee movie and overload on movie theater popcorn- (thanks Maija!)

Hotdogs are boiling. I'll be right back- I hope. When one enters the Boycave you never know!

I'm back. You bring them food and it gets a little scary, but I did get the standing on the couch, video game controller in hand, salute like you see in that commercial for what, pizza rolls or nuggets? How bad do you think apple juice stains?

Besides all the flicks, I do have hopes to get out and stretch my legs this weekend. I'm anxious to crunch leaves underfoot in the forest. This is my favorite time of year. I love pulling on a fleece jacket and hiking until your cheeks get rosy. Autumn moves through too quickly. Almost as fast as a tray of hotdogs in a room full of tween boys. Its time to bring them a garbage bag and see if anyone even touched the carrots.

Have a fantastic weekend!