Look out Mosquitos, here we come!

Its seems really strange to be getting ready to leave home again so soon, but it's time for our trip up to northern Minnesota. My parents warn the mosquitos are really bad, but the temperatures shouldn't be quite as hot as they are here.

We're looking forward to enjoying the county fair, fishing in Grandpa's boat, a fish fry cookout at my sister's house, watching wildlife wander my parent's land, enjoying a movie at the BlackDuck theater (they have the best popcorn!), and we may even walk across the Mississippi river again. We'll only be up there 4 days so we'll see how much we can cram in.

I'll pack books but I doubt I'll get to read them. Actually packing is a challenge. We are taking our small car to save gas. I'm sure I'll have to do laundry at my mom's. Hmmm... where are those Space Bags?

My sister will come and house sit for us. I'm glad she'll get a break from the heat in our central air, but I'm also happy Yumi will have the company. After returning from our Blind Melon weekend, Yumi wouldn't leave me alone. I could tell she missed us. She is eye balling me today as I pack things up. Too bad she can't go with us.

I'll try to check in, but my mom has dial up.   Ugg!!!

Have a great weekend!

Weed Schooling

Some may say I'm a lazy gardener. In truth, I'm a pacifist. I have trouble pulling weeds. Don't they deserve a chance to grow? In many ways, these so called weeds have my admiration. They grow in harsh conditions, in unexpected places, without any help from me, other than the fact I leave them be. Hey! My weeds are unschooled!!

I noticed two Milkweed plants growing near my garden hose. I decided to allow them to be, and soon I was in awe at how quickly they grew up. A few weeks ago we noticed a Monarch Mom fluttering around! I seized the moment to show my boys and to explain how these butterflies will only lay eggs on Milkweed.

Today purple caught our attention and we noticed the milkweed's flowers were blossoming. We looked closer and noticed bits of leaves have been eaten! We began to look for baby Monarch caterpillars. We found one! DS9 can't believe this tiny little guy will hopefully grow, become a butterfly and then travel all the way to Mexico. This teeny tiny, itsy bitty little guy, on his own may someday be thousands of miles away. Its remarkable isn't it!

I know. I get all geeked up by nature! God rocks!

So my unschooling plants are unschooling us.....

The artist in me can't help but see the analogies. I know how lovely and miraculous my boys will grow, learn and flourish under God's care. Although I do my best to provide an environment for learning, even if I don't provide it all, God will provide them with what they need, much like the itsy bitty Monarch caterpillar.

Austin's Saloon

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Restaurants
Cuisine:	American
Location:	Libertyville, IL

BEST SALAD I'VE EVER EATEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!! This salad alone earns Austin's 5 stars.

"You can have the bread stick DH, I have more than enough salad!" (Notice the hand in the photo!)

This was the Berry Berry Salad. It had fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and dried cranberries. It also had coconut breaded chicken and a strawberry ranch dressing. I could eat this meal everyday, 3 times a day, for the rest of my life!!!

There were other interesting things on the menu, but if I ever end up back at Austin's, I'm doing a repeat!

For the record, DH and I, much later in the evening, shared the "Big Fat Chocolate Cake" dessert before the Blind Melon show. So good!!!

http://www.austinsaloon.com/

Blind Melon 2008 Tour

Signed and complete with ABC gum from Christopher!

Souvenirs from the concerts we've attended this year.

I am Queen Melon Head!!

I've just returned from our Blind Melon Palooza, and I'm still buzzing!!!!! Two nights of amazing performances, DH by my side, it was heaven on earth!

Friday night was the zoo show. It was toned down due to the fact it was at the zoo and families were spread around with strollers, but Blind Melon still rocked it! It was surreal to look over and see lions roaring during the show. I was worried we wouldn't get our usual stage front position. We weren't Lincoln Park Zoo members, who were allowed in first. When we entered, I was a bit shocked to see so many people setting up their blankets so far from the stage. No one, and I mean not one body, was standing up by the stage. At first we felt strange but then I thought, what do I care? If security wants us away from the stage they will ask us to leave. Security left us alone and soon other official Melon fans began surrounding us.

I can now officially say Rogers knows our Melon Head Mugs! At the past 2 concerts, DH and I ended up stage front, right in front of Rogers the guitarist. (Tall dude in photo) I guess our crazy rocking has made an impression because he remembered us. At the Madison concert he hand delivered me a pick and a handshake. At the zoo show, he made a point to hand deliver the set list directly to me before the crazy drunk posers behind me could jump over me to grab it!  After the performance, every single band member signed the set list for me! Ahh...my second set list, this time with signatures!  This set list also rocked because its handwritten instead of typed, and its double sided, indicating which guitars were played with which songs.

It only gets better. I knew the zoo show was a shorter set list and several songs had to be left off to protect young ears, but I was still more than satisfied, and I knew within 24 hours I'd be rocking out again.

The Libertyville show was magic. I had strong doubts our luck would hold out. Could I possibly end up stage front yet again in front of Rogers and Travis? DH and I ended up first in line before the doors opened, but I knew several people had been allowed into the Fuel Room already to listen to the sound check.When we were able to walk in, again, not a soul at the stage. I staked my real estate claim and even though the waitress kept asking, I kept saying no thanks to the drink offers. I couldn't afford a bathroom visit!

Very soon we were surrounded by fans and it did pack in tight. It didn't matter. I had a front stage, full view, pole position, and there was no chance I was going to lose it! DH was on one side of me and my new friend Emily was on the other. That's another benefit to Blind Melon shows, the friendly vibe. Melon heads are a loving bunch and we're now running into each other at all these shows!

Near the beginning of the show Rogers came right up to me and handed me a pick! He didn't have to do this. He had given me the set list the night before and while we were waiting to be allowed into the Fuel Room, he signed my CD sleeve at the bar! Oh yes, did I fail to mention that!! I SAT NEXT TO ROGERS HOURS BEFORE THE SHOW AT THE BAR!

That's what is so cool about the members of Blind Melon. They are regular guys who appreciate their fans. They will pose for photographs, sign autographs and have a drink with you at the bar before the show. (I had a Diet Coke & Rogers ordered himself some supper. Travis (new lead singer with glasses on) had tea with lemon. Very rock star huh!)

I was sorry I didn't bring my camera, but to be honest, I didn't want to worry about it during the show. I wanted to rock out and get lost in the show. Lots of people were doing the photo thing and trying to hold tight to valuables, but I was complete hippie mommy, hair flying, arms waiving. I had a blast!

After the show, crazies grabbed set lists but no worries, I'm Queen Melon Head! Mitch the head road manager hooked me up. He brought me an intact, (not ripped), set list with a gooey bonus. Christopher's gum! (Christopher is the guy in the jean jacket and hat.) The set list had been taped to Christopher's keyboard, and I guess he had forgotten to dispose of his gum before the show! Afterwards I had all the band members sign the set list with the gum still stuck on. That's a souvenir!

Another bonus - I can't stop gushing I know!- Nell Hoon was at the show! She's the late singer Shannon's mom. She's a beautiful artist. She autographed the special poster made in honor of the 2008 Blind Melon tour. Its so wonderful! I can't wait to hang it up. We want to have it matted and framed if we can come up with the money. I also hope to commission a piece of her jewelry.

So now I'm exhausted. I have two new set lists, a new pick, lots of signatures and most importantly, wonderful memories! I'm going to crash now. I'll have to share more tomorrow. Goodnight!

See you later....

I'm off to spend some time with my boys! Have a great weekend, and I'll catch up with you later!

China's Stolen Children

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Documentary

I sat down with DS12 to watch this movie yesterday, and it gave me another reason to curse the Chinese government. Did you know 70,000 children go missing in China every year? Its all thanks to China's one child policy.

The movie introduces you to a couple who's 5 year old boy was kidnapped. Boys are in high demand and buyers usually want someone young enough he can't find his way back home, but old enough he doesn't require constant care such as an infant does. This couple is living a nightmare. They risk prosecution for not only speaking with the film makers, but also for putting up missing posters. The Chinese government doesn't want anyone to know the magnitude of this horror.

Due to the demand for boy children, the abortion rate is insane. The father of the missing boy actually was suppose to be aborted himself. His mother already had a child. She became pregnant and they forced her to take abortion medicine when she was almost 9 months pregnant. Her baby was born alive and the government officials fined her. Chinese parents are fined for unauthorized births and these fines are usually very expensive. This is another reason why parents sell their babies. They can't afford to keep them.

There is a shortage of females now, so young women are being kidnapped and sold into marriages. In the documentary, one such girl is rescued, but this is the exception. Most kidnapped children are never recovered.

DS12 had so many great questions while we watched this movie. It was a great educational tool. We won't be blinded by Olympic glamor. China is a dark country with many human right problems.

http://www.truevisiontv.com/china/index.htm

Clogged head, clogged blog....

Tuesday it hit me out of the blue. Wednesday it knocked me off my feet. Today is Thursday and even though I do feel like I'm getting better, I need a few more days, but I'm not going to get them.

Tomorrow is suppose to begin my romantic, weekend get a way with the husband. I guess I'll have to pack the tissues and Advil. I'll pack my swimsuit hoping by Saturday, the congestion will be gone. If I had to go under water today I think my head would explode from the pressure.

Speaking of sinus pressure, last night I did the strangest thing but it did help me feel better. I wrapped an Ace bandage around my eyes and head. I laid in bed and then placed my rice thingy across my eyes for more weight. (My rice thingy is a dish towel sewn shut with rice stuffed in it. You nuke it in the microwave and it stays warm, or you can freeze it.) After about 30 minutes I removed the weight and the bandage, and I did feel less sinus pressure pain.

I'm really hoping the rest of my family doesn't get sick. DS9 is very excited with his pending weekend with Grandma. She may take them to their first drive in movie and DS9 is excited about being out late, when its dark outside.

DS12 is looking forward to hanging out at Grandma's, but I think he's a little disappointed. One of the Posse Rats is moving away to Arizona. They've been talking about having one last sleep over before he moves. I think he moves Monday so DS12 will most likely miss the send off party. I feel badly for him. The friend moving was the first friend he met after we moved here.

After we get back from our weekend away, we'll have just two days at home before we head to my parents' house in Minnesota. We're looking forward to that trip as well. We only get up to my parents' house once a year. My dad's fishing boat is waiting for us and the county fair will be going on. My mom has a freezer full of Walleye we'll fry up at my sister's lakeside home.
I guess the diet will have to wait until after we get back!

Speaking of dieting, its impossible for me to diet when I'm sick. I totally have that "feed a cold" craving. I don't eat well either; chicken noodle soup, salty taco chips, chicken salad sandwiches, last night DH brought home McDonalds!  I know the salt feels good on my sore throat but my RLS has been wicked. Lord knows what my blood pressure is doing. I've been off my Wii Fit too.

I'm heading to the grocery store this morning for watermelon. I have to get back on track!

Homeschooling At The Speed Of Life

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Parenting & Families
Author:	Marilyn Rockett

I picked up this book at the library. Its has many good suggestions for organizing, but much of it I've heard before. What's really helping to motivate me are the scripture references the author refers to. Its the kind of book you need to read with your Bible handy.

The book comes with a CD of forms for setting up your own organization system. It looks like too much work to me. I've had success at keeping a 3 ring binder for each child for each year we home school. I don't save everything, but for every year, they have a sample of work completed, and I try to document with photos as much as possible.

I've been stressing about finding another source of income, closer to home. When I didn't get the hotel position, I felt the Lord remind me how much I'm needed at home, with my family. This quote from Mrs. Rockett really struck me.

"In the end, when you accept your position as a woman of God and see your home as your workplace, you honor the Lord. Your home will speak to the hurt and dying world that here it is different; your peaceful, restful, harmonious, and happy haven for family and guests will be a witness to the world, a witness that speaks of the simplicity of faith in Christ. Isn't it worth throwing out some clutter in your junk journey?"

Needless to say, I'm more committed to de-cluttering now.

This blog brought to you by Emergen-C....

Last night after playing kissy face with DH, I noticed my left tonsil started to feel funny.

"Baby, is your throat sore?"

"Nope." Hmmm...... It may in the near future.

Why is it only my left tonsil that hurts? I couldn't get much sleep because every time I swallowed, the pain brought me back to full consciousness. Its that razor blades slicing me open feeling that frightens me into thinking I may have strep. I don't think I've swallowed glass shards?

I broke down and took some Advil around 5:30am. I tried to doze some more, but it wasn't good sleep. I'm slamming back Emergen-C tangerine flavor.

I CAN'T GET SICK!!!! 

I'm the worse person when I think I'm getting sick. It stresses me out. I know illness happens, but I worry about not being able to meet my responsibilities when I'm ill. I think I learned this guilt from my days in school and my employers.

I had a college English professor threaten to lower your final grade for each day you miss his class. I showed up once with a roaring sinus infection, burning with fever and constantly blowing my nose. He glared at me the entire lecture and afterwards I told him if he gets sick its his own fault for threatening to lower my grade if I didn't show up.

I once worked for a company that said you could have 5 sick days. If you used 4, you were put on probation. If you used all 5 it could be grounds for dismissal. So you really only had 3 sick days a year. When my son got sick with chicken pox, I had to use my vacation time. When I was preggers, I kept plastic bags at my desk, throwing up between phone calls.

We really don't know how to treat illness in this country. Kids are sent to daycares and schools sick. People work sick for fear of losing their jobs. Its ridiculous. I should stay home myself, but since I'm expected to find my own sub, its not worth the constant phone calls I'd have to make. That's the first thing my boss will ask if I call in, "Did you find a sub?" If I tell her no and say I'm not coming in anyway, she'll be pissed. I'll take more Advil and spread the Love! LOL!

Actually maybe its not strep but just a cold virus. My nose has started to run so maybe my throat hurts because of drippage.

I hope I feel better by Friday!!! That's what really has me worried. How can I be sick and rock out? Maybe I'll have to resolve that I won't be stage front but sitting back on our beach blanket with a box of tissues.

OH!! EMERGEN-C DO YOUR MAGIC!!! 

I've come to realize....

(Stolen from Suey)

1. I've come to realize that my legs... are great for walking.

2. I've come to realize that my job... is too far away.

3. I've come to realize that when I'm driving... everybody passes me because I choose to follow the speed limit. I had a thought I should mount a camera on my van to catch speeders and then post it online for insurance companies to check.

4. I've come to realize that I need... my family. 

5. I’ve come to realize that I have lost... a few more hairs on my head.

6. I've come to realize that I hate it when... people drive like "A" holes!

7. I've come to realize that if I'm drunk... somebody spiked the punch because I don't drink!

8. I've come to realize that money... is the world's motivation.

9. I've come to realize that certain people... need help!

10. I've come to realize that I'll always be... addicted to chocolate.

11. I've come to realize that I have a crush on… my husband. Last night I actually had a dream I was living with another guy but having an affair with my husband!! LOL!

12. I've come to realize that my mom... is getting older and someday she won't be here.

13. I've come to realize that my cell phone is... nerdy in an old person way. Not nerdy in a high tech way.

14. I've come to realize that when I woke up this morning... I slept in!

15. I've come to realize that last night before I went to sleep... I had wasted hours of my life watching a stupid movie on LMN that was semi good up until the confusing ending. (The Gathering)

16. I've come to realize that right now I am thinking about... how I don't want to go grocery shopping yet again. Its only blocks away but I'm there everyday I swear!

17. I've come to realize that my dad... loves us more than he shows.

18. I've come to realize that when I get on Multiply... time is sucked away!

19. I've come to realize that today… is my last day to do nothing, (other than pick up milk from the grocery store.)

20. I've come to realize that tonight... I want to have a healthy supper.

21. I've come to realize that tomorrow... is one day I'm closer to my BLIND MELON BLISS!

22. I've come to realize that I really want to.... work from home.

Now YOU give it a go.

Stone Temple Pilots ROCKED!!

First Off- Mommycore- I owe you an apology. Scott is a ROCK STAR HOTTIE!!!  His 6 pack is gone as well as his hair, but he wasn't emaciated either. How do I know this you ask?

Once again God smiled on me, and I ended up front row, up against the stage rail. I had been second, standing behind a dude half my age when I guess he decided he couldn't wait anymore. That's another benefit to staying sober. I don't drink at concerts and therefore do not need to pee!

I mentioned to DH its odd that now as I approach 40, I've been front row at the past 3 rock concerts we've been too. How have I pulled this off?

Oh... I caught another guitar pick as well!!

One more brag..... I TOUCHED SCOTT! You see he's quite the entertainer, climbing around, moving all over the stage. Well, he jumped down and walked right up to me. I placed a hand on his tattooed shoulder. It was bony as I expected, yet strangely, he felt cold to the touch. Maybe he is part lizard to be able to move that way.

Its amazing how many incredible songs STP has. They are such an under rated band. After the concert was over, I turned to DH and asked when's the next show. Sorry Ashlynn. I will be crashing your concert fun with Uncle Popcorn if STP returns.

So now I have to get back to the mom business today. I'm sleep deprived but not really hung over. We have to head into town on errands; picking up a card game we had ordered, filling up a popcorn tin for someone who may be reading this, and DS9's doctor's appointment. I also have to pick up computer parts so DH can fix mine tonight. This Dell is so slow.

Have a great Friday!

Its my computer...

I can't stick my tongue out at Charter. Its my computer that is broken. I'm on DS12's now which is even older than mine. Its a SWAP find we picked up for $20. I can't check my emails, but hey I got throught to Multiply so its not all bad!!

DH is going to take a piece out of our even older computer, which isn't running, and see if he can Frankenstein the piece into my computer so I can access the internet again. I think its amazing he can figure this out, but he doesn't think so. He's still brainwashed into the "I didn't go to school for this," mentality. He doesn't give himself credit for how much he has learned on his own, unschooling style. Where he works there is no IT staff, so he's had to fit the bill. He's really a design engineer, but he's learned so much about computer hardware hands on over the years. He thinks its no big deal he can open up the CPU and do stuff. I know this is how you learn new things. Just rip it apart and go for it!! :)

Why do people buy into the notion that you can't learn anything on your own? Why does it take a school or piece of paper to validate your knowledge base? We need to wake up. You shouldn't have to go thousands of dollars in debt with school loans to make your dreams come true. Autodidacts rise up!

DS9 lost a tooth last night! Yesterday he was terrorizing me with it. He would wiggle it and you could hear it click. It was really grossing me out. He wanted to do the string thing. (He has no fear of pain.) I told him to just keep munching on apples and carrot sticks. The tooth fairy left him a $2 bill. It quickly went into this wallet.

I'm doing more house cleaning today. My MIL is coming Thursday to stay with the boys while DH and I drive to Green Bay.

I had a 40% off coupon for the half priced book store. I stopped in and found Chasing Vermeer in hardback and two sets of journals that also came with sketch books. Now we can start writing notes back and forth with the boys, and we can have fun drawing back and forth too.

I better get moving. Its strange, I have no options to change the font or load pictures or anything. It must be this old version of Explorer on DS12's computer. Maybe I should try to upgrade software today for him. (Okay, okay, for me. How can I not check email?!)

Internet is down....

GRRR!!!!!!!! No internet all day!!!!

I'm stealing a few minutes waiting for guests to leave the pool. I promise to catch up on all your pages once our internet service at home is back up and running.

You don't realize how much you come to depend on something until its gone. I did manage to get quite a bit done at home though, even washed my kitchen floor! Guess not being able to sit my butt at the computer helps with that!

See you soon I hope!

Weekend fun

I know its only half over, but I have to report we're having a fab weekend!

Friday I stopped at SWAP and bought large 3 ring binders, 4 for a buck. I love SWAP! SWAP is  "Surplus With A Purpose" where the UW system unloads used equipment dirt cheap to keep stuff out of landfills. We found our giant chalkboard there for $10 years ago. Yesterday they also had really nice heavy duty dorm room dressers for $10 a piece. I would have bought one but I have no where to put it.

After SWAP we stopped at Mounds Pet Food Warehouse and found Yumi a grain free kibble food. Its called "Taste Of The Wild". The package and name are cheesy, but the ingredients don't contain grains, specifically corn, which I think is what made Yumi so sick. She seems to really like Taste Of The Wild. Its mostly chicken but it also has venison in it.

Our next stop was Pizza Oven. YUM!!! (See review.)

Our Friday night movie was Super Hero Movie. It wasn't that great. Its suppose to be a spoof on superhero movies.

Saturday we stopped at the "big" library, Hedberg and loaded up on yet more books I won't have time to read.
    Gifted Children At Home by Janice Baker, Kathleen Julicher & Maggie         Hogan
    Homeschooling At The Speed Of Light by Marilyn Rockett
    Psycho Kitty by Pam Johnson Bennett
    The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett (love that author's name)
    Wilderness First Aid by William Forgey MD
    Exotic Birds from A-Z by Barron's Compass Guides
    Smoothies by Louise Pickford

DH also bought for .75 cents a hardcover copy of The Ruins by Scott Smith. I tried to stay away from the sale!

Saturday afternoon we gave in to DH's craving for movie popcorn and we saw Hellboy 2. We've found a theater where you can refill your own popcorn and soda. Its DH's new favorite movie theater. I enjoyed the movie more than I thought I would. I had the villain's demise figured out way before the end, but the creative monsters made it still enjoyable.

On the way home, we indulged with Girl Scout Thin Mint Blizzards. SOOOO GOOD!!! Dairy Queen must discontinue these soon!!

Once home, we laced up our walking shoes and went out for a family walk across town to our big park and then home again, about a 4 mile round trip hike. We made it about 3 miles before the mosquitoes found us. That last mile we had to pick up our pace to try and out run the bloodsuckers.

Well, I better make some noise and wake my sleeping family. They're missing out on Sunday fun!

Pizza Oven

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Restaurants
Cuisine:	Pizza
Location:	Monona, WI

We have a new pizza hang out. Its still a 30 minute drive for us to find decent pizza but the Pizza Oven is worth it!

The thin crust is perfect! It cracks like a cracker when you bite into it. The sauce is correctly seasoned and the cheese is just right. It has become the only pizza my entire family will eat from. DS9 usually skips the za and fills up on bread sticks and fries, but he will eat Pizza Oven thin crust cheese.

The place is decorated with movie pictures and albums covers. The booths are high backed wooden, old school style, the way a pizza restaurant should be.

My only complaint - the pop is Pepsi products. I guess you can't have it all.

I'm going to need chocolate today.....

We had several strong storms move through last night. We're all sleep deprived. Our neighbor had part of his dead tree fall over. Thankfully we've had no damage.

I think we're going to take it easy today. There really is tons to do around here but I'm not feeling it.

I found out yesterday for the month of July, our library will take food donations instead of money for over due fines. Cool! I've decided to hang on to my over due book a little longer and just remember to bring a jar of peanut butter with me next trip. I'm evil. I know this was intended to assist our local food pantry, but I can't help take advantage of this opportunity. I'll have a extra few days now to finish up my reading.

Last night I decided it would be easier for me to get through my shift if I treated myself to one of those new sugar free vanilla iced coffees at McDonald's. Like a moron I ordered a large. I thought this would mean a 16 ounce drink. McDonald's large is 32 ounces! I couldn't finish it and now the other half is in my fridge. It didn't taste as good this morning but I don't want to waste it. It will probably stick around in my fridge a few days, until I feel less guilty about pouring it down the drain. It's amazing how much garbage sits in my fridge waiting for me to dump it.

Well, I guess I better get moving. If I don't, I'll depress myself. Hopefully once I get my ball rolling things will slip into place today.

Maybe my blog is feeling better today

Yesterday as you can see, I had posting issues. Hopefully its feeling better today. The thought occured to me- what if my Multiply blog goes down for good? Scary thought. I have nothing backed up and I'd hate to start over. The worse part of course is losing touch with all of you!

I think this is why I enjoy Mulitply better than blogger. It seems so easy to link up friends and watch my toolbar for all your updates.

The week is flying by. The summer is flying by!!! I'm looking over our calendar, and I realize we don't have a free nothing planned weekend until August 16th! I have to resolve that I'm not going to get everything done.

Today I must, must, go to the library despite the fact it is filled with the masses. (I hate sharing my library. All you kids get back in school!) I have a book over due by 10 days plus $2.50 in fines already waiting for me. I must take care of this. I hate having fines but I try to look at them as donations.

I'm going to look for some acid free composition books. I thought it would be fun if DH and I started writing daily notes to the boys and then have the boys write back to us. We already do something like this on our kitchen chalkboard, but it would be nice to have something years later we could pick up and get sentimental over.

My water glass is empty and its time to kick DS9 off the Wii so I get my turn. Plus I'm not certain this blog post will stick today.

Catch ya later gators!

Weekend clog

I'm pooped. I need some time to recoup. Nothings going on today's agenda except hanging out with my boys and some tunes. Plan on staying barefoot and in my yoga pants until I have to go to work.

Friday's parade was fun. DS9 rode his bike and passed out candy. Our small Norman Rockwell town always has a "kid" parade before the official one. Kids decorate their bikes, dogs are dressed up and skateboarders trick it out.

The coming of the police cars and rescue vehicles signal the begin of the official parade. I knew I was in rural Wisconsin when a major part of the parade was watching farm trucks and tractors all shined up wheeling down the street.

This year the scary, crazy driving clowns and Shriners were absent- thank goodness! Every year I always think they are going to crash into someone.

Of course tons of candy is thrown out but also possibly unique to Wisconsin, cheese sticks! For DS12 its the highlight of the parade to see how many string cheese sticks he can catch.

After the parade we drove over to my MIL's for a cookout. We played washer toss, Lasso golf and Bocce. We visited with Aunt Janice and Uncle Tony from Kansas and Aunt Barb and Uncle Pete from Arizona.

Unfortunately, Great Grandma wasn't feeling well enough to join us. We brought the party to her instead. DS9 & DS12 found the plastic gloves and were making glove balloons. This quickly turned into a game of glove balloon volleyball with Uncle Pete. I was surprised we weren't busted and asked to leave! Every nursing home needs a little spunk every now and then right?

We headed down to the lake front to watch fireworks over Lake Michigan. They were awesome! Best I've ever seen! Some of them shot up from the ground in growing expanding fountains of sparks and then a blasting bloom of color would top it, like a huge bouquet, or a cosmic ice cream cone! I'm usually partial to my hometown show because we get close enough your entire vision field is filled with nighttime color, but the K-town show was very impressive.

Saturday we slept in and got a late start to the day. We headed to my brother's house (aka Maija's) to celebrate DN's 16th birthday. We spent the night and woke up early to cheer on DH as he ran his first official 5K race.

He did really well considering he was too nervous to eat or drink anything. His time was better than his treadmill time.

I felt this strange feeling when he turned to look back at us as he began the run. I wanted to go with him but couldn't. I watched families run off together and felt envy. I've never even thought about trying to be a runner. I can walk and hike but I'm way too overweight to be a runner. I confess I've been jogging with my Wii Fit but I'd never want anyone to see me doing this! I may just have a new goal. Lose enough weight I'm not embarrassed to be seen running. Maybe next year we'll jog off as a family and celebrate our own 5K victory.

After DH's run, we watched DN in one of her soccer 3 on 3 tournaments. I really like 3 on 3 soccer! The field of play and the net is much smaller but the action is fast!

We drove home the long way to avoid the holiday traffic. DH and I split a Dairy Queen small Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookie Blizzard. All I can say is I'm grateful we don't have a Dairy Queen in our town! I have to get back on track with healthy eating now that the holiday weekend is over.

Well, DS9 is done with his Wii turn. Its mine now. Then its a cool shower followed by a spinach strawberry salad with almonds. Yum!

Happy 4th Of July!

I just wanted to pop out a quick note. This weekend is going to be crazy busy with running around to parties, parades, and fireworks.

I didn't get the hotel job. "We really liked you but we went with someone with hotel experience."  I'm bummed but also reminding myself to trust God's plan. Right after the rejection phone call, I prayed and the first thought that came to me was- focus on homeschooling. I guess I had gotten so concerned about money and making ends meet I forgot where I'm needed most.

On the positive- I still have my part-time job at the pool and my boss may have a project for me where I could log in a few extra hours at home. Maybe I'm suppose to keep exploring the home business idea?

For now though, I'm going to forget about money worries and just have fun with my family this weekend. Have a safe and fun holiday weekend! I'll be back with snapshots and details. I'll expect the same from you!

Firefly friends...

I grew up chasing lightening bugs every summer. It was a rite of childhood. -A brilliant little bug who entertained and wouldn't bite as you cradled it in your palm- I may have collected a few in jars, but mostly I was a catch and release type of girl. They impressed me back then, but it wasn't until I moved to our current home that I saw how magnificent they collectively can be.

The farmer sold his land and we watched the corn fields give away to wild prairies. One night we watched in awe as the field twinkled with the light of thousands, maybe millions, of fireflies. You may think watching one bug light up is pretty impressive, but you haven't seen anything until you look out on acres and acres of them firing up.

The developers moved in and the new houses are going up. The fireflies are still around but not in those huge numbers we saw that magical summer. It amazes me these little life forms lay dormant all winter, buried deep underground and snow, and then come summer, follow God's plan to light up and multiply.

I imagine for as long as children have roamed the summer grasses at night, fireflies have danced alongside.


http://iris.biosci.ohio-state.edu/projects/FFiles/
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/firefly.html

Ned Vare quote I love!

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

"The government does not want people to be well educated-- just enough, but no more. The 'economy' needs lots of sheep, not too many shepherds."

School Is Hell

http://school-is-hell.blogspot.com/
Ned Vare's weblog

Why must I share this world with MORONS!!

Have you heard about this story? 

I have to wonder if Joe Horn wasn't white, would he have gotten away with it?

Those men may have been commiting a crime but Mr. Horn commited one too. Murder!

I believe Mr. Horn is an insecure, racist. So is the Texas grand jury!

Now there are people praising him, saying we have the right to defend our property, blah, blah, blah...

It comes down to this- Do you value your possessions more than God's command to love one another?

Grease is the word....

Its always fun sharing with your kids your geekness. DH brought home Grease from Blockbuster. We stayed up late as a family watching and singing. Well, I was the one doing most of the singing.

I can remember being around middle school age and my best friend was Sue. She was a few years older than me and that I thought, was very cool! We spent an entire summer memorizing every lyric and taking turns singing every song from Grease into an old fashioned tape recorder. (No kids, we didn't have video cameras let alone Youtube back then.) To this day, I can't hear the music and not sing along.

The boys knew John Travolta from the movie Wild Hogs. LOL! They couldn't get over how young he looked in Grease.

I was actually surprised the boys watched the entire movie. They usually groan at musicals. They were really into it. At the bonfire scene DS9 said, "Why is Danny being such a jerk?" We had a great discussion on why Danny was trying to look cool. DS9 thought it would have been better to dump the act and get Sandy back right there.

During the dance off they questioned, "Why would you let that guy steal away Sandy? Why would you want to dance with Cha Cha?"  I'm so proud of my young men. They're going to make great husbands one day, just like their father! 

DS12 wanted to know if everyone smoked back then. I told him that in the 50's people didn't know how bad smoking was for you. I told him about how his grandparents smoked but they gave it up after learning it was so dangerous.

"Mom did your school have a carnival on the last day of school?"

No sweetie. High school wasn't really like that. Although I did drive away in your father's car, it didn't fly up in the air away from our singing and dancing friends. LOL!