Colds, Swedish Vampires, Books that match my kitchen, Pizza and a Meth addict

I think I'm winning the war on the virus trying to set up shop. I know you've all heard me preach it before, but I LOVE MY EMERGEN-C!!! Of course rest, tea and raw veg has helped a great deal as well.

Since I couldn't sleep all day, DH and I watched a Swedish vampire movie. I think it was called, Let The Right One In, but I'll have to check on that. It was very well done, and my mom would be happy I'm training my ear on the grandparents' native tongue. I may get more practice in the near future, there's a rumor Swedish cousins may be coming for a visit soon! 

After the movie, we forced the kids out of the basement and headed to the used book store to use our 50% off coupon. Boy, I don't do crowds well, especially when I'm trying to beat a cold. 50% off already half priced books brings out the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to book shopping.

I did manage to find myself one book, surprisingly not on gardening. It must have been because I'm craving healthy, fresh fruit and veg. Juices and Smoothies, Live life, Be Healthy,  Love Life not only has terrific recipes, but it has recommendations on which fruits and veg are beneficial for specific health concerns. I also loved how the cover colors went well in my green kitchen! LOL! I'm going to set up a book area in my kitchen to show off cool books like this and to inspire us to eat more healthy. I could live on smoothies.

After book shopping, we didn't eat healthy though. We did pizza. Why does salty, cheesy pizza feel so good on a sore throat?

Outside the pizza place, DS13 and I were approached by a man asking for $12. He said his daughter had just been hit by a bus, he had walked from a shopping area 5 miles away, he wasn't looking for a ride but needed $12 bucks or he was going to, "pawn my old lady's wedding ring, I swear to God!"

Now I'm all for helping people, but this guy seemed to have his pitch all wrong. Opening with the bus accident was a good one, but why the 5 mile walk and why $12? I would think being hit by a bus would cost more than $12 in medical bills. Why would you walk 5 miles to a pizza restaurant to solicit $12? Why not solicit the $12 at the shopping mall rather than walk 5 miles? I'm sure you could get way more than $12 for a pawned wedding band.

A better pitch would have been, "See my teeth. I'm addicted to meth. I need $12 for another hit."

My son was rattled but this was a valuable life lesson. Our faith teaches us to help those less fortunate, but would it really be helping to give this man money for more drugs? The hospital was less of a walk from the shopping center than the pizza restaurant. If he indeed had a daughter who was hit by a bus, why didn't he walk there?

Well, I better go and brew another cup of cami tea and keep the warm fluids flowing.

Going Out Like A Lion

It is the end of March, not the beginning correct?

We were slammed with an ice and snow storm last night. We thankfully didn't have to work so we stayed home, watching movies, making brownies and playing Scrabble. I also spent a great deal of time with my nose stuck in gardening books, trying not to look outside.

I had this really strange dream two women posing as police officers came to my door. I was suspicious and didn't open the door. I told DS10 to hide, and I called 911. A third female officer came to the door, scaring off the other two. I thought it was safe to invite her inside, however once in my living room, she pulled out a pistol and aimed at my head! I tried to grab for the gun, but it went off. The shot hit my neck and I could feel my artery burst open. I could also hear the blood pooling and gushing around.

She fled thinking she had killed me. DS10 came out of hiding and was obviously upset. I told him I loved him and to call Dad. I remember applying pressure to my neck and thinking I don't want to die! I can't leave my children!

I woke up with a sore throat! And the tonsil that hurts is the one where I was shot!!! LOL!! Think I'm a little stressed when it comes to getting sick?

I'm using my conscious thought today to realize its ok to get sick. I'll get better. I've fought off numerous colds and flu this season, I may beat this one as well. Hot tea and Emergen-C are on order and I have plenty of raw veg in the fridgy. I just have to remember to push those brownies away and choose broccoli instead.

Allowing passions to lead us to distractions

I'm trying to redirect my focus so I don't freak out over life's little hiccups. Lately I've been dreaming big, finding all kinds of garden inspiration from the Garden Girl. I keep telling my husband he won't have any lawn to mow this year. He'll have to help us weed instead.

I was going to try and make seed starter pots out of newspaper, but then I found how to make them out of used toilet paper rolls! ("You Grow Girl" is another cool gardening blog.) I'm thinking even if I dream big, starting more gardening projects than we can finish, we'll still end up accomplishing something, learn lots in the process and have fun doing it!

DS10 has discovered he can customize his Lego figures with Sharpies. This was driving DS13 crazy. I was all for allowing the creative juices to flow, but he was concerned little brother was ruining our Legos. I suppose its like when your sister cut Barbie's hair or painted her face with nail polish. DS10 has learned Sharpie isn't permanent on Lego plastic if he uses our fingernail scrub brush under running water.

Never say never, I found myself watching the Military channel yesterday. We saw Weapon Masters, where they analyze ancient weapons and try to use modern technology to duplicate or improve them. One of the show's host, Chad, is infectious to watch. He looks and acts like a crazy man, but it's a good crazy! He is one of these rare, creative, passionate individuals, who is enjoying himself too much to care what others may think of him, like Steve Erwin was about crocs.

Yesterday's show featured the Roman's Scorpion, a freestanding crossbow. I'm so glad I don't live under threat of Roman attack!!

I suppose the boys love these shows because to a boy weapons are cool. As a unschooling mom, I can see these shows offer a more interesting way to learn about history and science.  I'm just surprised they've captured my attention, but I suppose its the attraction of watching someone so passionate about what they do.

For example, were you really that interested in crocodiles or was it more fun to learn about them watching Steve because he was so passionate and didn't care if he was offbeat?

I hope my boys can take this approach in life, not caring what others may think, but allowing their passions to propel them forward.

She didn't stay gone very long...

Its not even 8:00am yet, and I already need a do over day. I'm grumpy troll today! I'm going to spew and then try to turn this day around.

-Woke up with a brain cloud headache

-Received a letter from our credit union, "Visa debit card may have been compromised, here's new cards."

-I try to log in to check our account, I CAN'T GET IN!! (I'm sure everyone is trying.)

-I told DH he needed to swap out his card before he left today. He picked up mine and signed the back of it with his name!!! GRRRRRR!! WEAR YOUR GLASSES!!!!

-My eyes are achy and with a bit of sting. I can only hope I'm getting pink eye or some other highly contagious disease which would force me to withdraw from society and be the hermit I long to be.

-We've had so much rain, our yard is now a swamp. Our basketball pole is now leaning dangerously, ready to fall over. 

- I have to start work early again today. I'm really noticing these extra hours and how they are spoiling my mood. I miss my Sleepyhouse.

I'm going to go eat my cookie now. (I made peanut butter whole spelt so they aren't completely evil.)

Our first days of spring...

Its going to be a soggy week. Its not even a good rain either. Its cold and there's too much of it.

We're stocked up on library books and movies to get us through. DS10 found the book, 300 Frogs, a visual reference to frogs and toads from around the world. His favorite is the European tree frog. I also checked out Amphibians Of Wisconsin hoping he'd find a local favorite to hunt for, once weather allows us. Maybe we'll have to foster tadpoles again this year.

DS13 is looking over a book on small engine repair. I've told him the old lawn mower from Grandpa we can't get started is fair game. He's also expressed interest in taking apart our combination lock. Why not?

I was grateful I found Bite at the library for DH. For Christmas I had given him the Sookie Stackhouse series, only knowing them from True Blood on HBO. I didn't know that halfway through the series, you were expected to have read Bite to be able to understand what is going on. He's ticked off at the author for this stunt, but I think he'll keep reading them. I've only made it through the first novel and quickly discovered how different they are from the HBO series. I've promised to catch up to DH, but I struggle with reading fiction when there seems to be so much to learn from reading non-fiction books.

I'm still dreaming my way through garden books and catalogs. I'm researching the idea of building tee pees to grow my butternut squash on. (My neighbors are going to hate me!) I'm torn between growing a veggie patch or flower garden. I may just do both. 

I think I had my husband scared. He kept telling me I looked really good, like I was "glowing". Then I began waking up at 4:30am with an urge to clean the kitchen because I smelled something funky.  It was just crazy hormones, not true nesting. My bloodhound nose is so developed because I'm going deaf and without my glasses, I'm blind. My nose is the only thing working well these days!

This is a great week to spring clean, because being outside is no fun. I'm picking off little tasks, one by one, because if I think about everything that should be cleaned, its overwhelming. I wonder how much it would cost to have a super cleaning crew come in for one day and power clean my house? Probably more than I'd be willing to pay. Plus I'm going to need the money for my blueberry bushes!!

Just a quick note....

I haven't had much time to blog and today won't be any different. (Its busy time at the pool.)

I just wanted to wish everyone a great weekend! I'm only getting 1/2 of one, but 1/2 is better than none. (Darkside Dawn is back in her cave.)

DS13 left us for a last minute sleep over, so DS10 had solo time with us. We watched the end of Jaws and Frighteners. We always seem to watch whatever is on TV rather than watch the movies we've borrowed from the library or rented from Blockbuster. Why do we do that??!

We stopped at the Goodwill store and found The Worse Case Scenario Survival Card Game and Big Brain Academy Board Game, all for under $2!! (I love Goodwill!) I'll leave you all with a question from the Worse Case Survival Game, which really grossed out the men in my nest.

How To Urinate In The Woods (For Women)

Do you;

A. Take off all clothing below the waist and wade into a stream.

B. Dig a trench, pad it with leaves and squat over it.

C. Find two logs or rocks close to one another.Lean your back on one and lift your feet on to the other.

I'll post the answer tomorrow.

Darkside Dawn Returns...

Last night at work, I almost got into a shouting match with an EMT/Firefighter. I normally have great respect for first responders, but let's just say, there is always that bad apple in the bushel.

One of our guests was having a bad night. He was in full out melt down, temper tantrum mode, although I've witnessed worse. Mom ended up bringing him into the lobby where she safely pinned him down on the floor so he could ride it out and calm down. This poor little guy was really agitated and was trying to punch and kick. He is only 5 years old.

I asked Mom what we could do to help her. I was a bit shocked when she asked me to call 911 to request an ambulance. She believed her son was having a bad reaction to his ADHD medicine.

I did as she asked and again offered to help her in anyway we could. I offered to call her husband or someone else, but she refused, telling us she had it under control, and that she had called an ambulance last week for a similar episode.

She seemed like she was doing an excellent job, he was stable on the ground, she had his legs and arms restrained. He seemed to be calming down. He actually asked for his mother to cancel the EMT request. I asked her if she wanted me to call 911 back, and she said no. She wanted their assistance.

The 911 operator instructed me to go to the door to greet the EMT and bring them to the patient. While I was at the door, I guess the mother chose to release her hold on the boy and he instantly became combative again, punching and kicking her.

As soon as he saw the EMTs he stopped. The female EMT tended to the mom while the younger male EMT tended to the little boy, helping him calm down, checking his breathing etc.

The third EMT didn't know what to do with himself I guess, because he walked up to my co-worker and myself and began to chew us out. He reprimanded us for not helping the mom.

"I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WALK IN HERE AND SEE WHAT I SAW! DON'T BE AFRAID TO ACT AND HELP SOMEONE IN NEED!"

Before we could say anything in our defense, the mom stopped him and told him we had indeed offered help. She didn't want us to put our hands on her son, and that she felt she had it under control. She began to apologize to us profusely, and I assured her she didn't have to.

I felt so bad because as if this mom wasn't stressed enough, she was feeling bad the EMT was chewing us out. Mr. Insensitive had no clue. He happened to walk in at the exact moment mom had let go and the little boy began swinging away again. Up until that point, she had him pinned on the ground and in a calm submissive position.

After everything calmed down, the little boy left with his mom and the male EMTs headed outside. The female EMT then came up to my co-worker and I and said, "I'm really sorry my partner went off on you two like that. Please don't think you did anything wrong."

I was still fuming. In hindsight, there wasn't anything else we could have done. Mom had him on the ground, under control. I went to the door to escort the EMTs in and all heck broke loose.

My heart is breaking for this little boy. Mom said his doctors just put him on a new medication for his ADHD and anxiety disorder. Its obviously not supporting him. Although I personally wouldn't have chosen to call an ambulance, (his breathing was fine, no swelling, looked like a typical temper tantrum to me), I understood why mom wanted us to. I heard her say to her little boy, "This is the last time I can call the EMTs. Next time they will want me to call the police." My heart breaks for her too.

Why is it doctors are so quick to medicate our children? Why does it seem like alternatives are not considered? Why do they think medication alone is the answer?

This little boy has come to our pool for years and this was the first time I'd seen him act out. Previously he seemed like a typical little boy. He's suppose to be bouncing off the walls. He's 5! It's fun to come swimming. Mom told me he has problems in school because he doesn't want to sit still for very long. I have to wonder if she felt pressured into the ADHD drugs.

Although I do believe some individuals could have brain chemical mix ups, requiring medication, I am alarmed at how many kids these days are drugged up at what seems to be such a young age. Their little bodies are still growing. What are the long term effects?

Cranberry Almond Granola

I improvised a recipe I saw from Giada. It came out really good, but really sweet! Its a sweet snack granola rather than a breakfast cereal. I didn't use any salt and the only fat in the recipe comes from the almonds.

Crannyberry Almond Granola

1/3 C real maple syrup
2/3 C brown sugar
1/2 C cranberry juice- not sweetened with high fructose corn crap, I used juice sweetened only.
1 1/2 t cinnamon
2 C oats, old fashioned
1/2 C sliced almonds
1/2 C sliced pitted dates
1 C dried cranberries

In a small saucepan, on low heat, stir together maple syrup, brown sugar, cranberry juice and cinnamon until the liquid thickens and sugar is all dissolved.

In a large mixing bowl, add oats, chopped almonds and dates. Add in the warmed juice syrup mixture and stir to coat.

Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 325 for 20 minutes.

Add the cup of dried cranberries and bake for additional 10 minutes.

Allow to cool and then enjoy! Its chewy and crunchy! 

(Giada's recipe didn't use dates and had pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. I didn't have those on hand, plus I was trying to cut the salt out. )

Instructables - Make, How To, and DIY

http://www.instructables.com/
There are not enough hours in my day to fully take advantage of this website but I love it!

Quick babble for St. Patricks

I'm much too busy to organize my thoughts. Just be thankful I made it here!

Yesterday I went a bit nuts with wishful, warm weather, thinking. It was the first day it was warm enough to go without a jacket and even though I was going to order from Burpee, I caved at  Farm & Fleet and bought seeds. I picked out Buttercrunch lettuce, butternut squash, garlic chives, watermelon, cantaloupe and Roma tomatoes. I tried to buy things I knew my family would eat. Don't ask me where they are all going!! I hadn't planned on turning my entire small yard into a garden, but this morning I thought, why not? From "Melonhead" to "Melon Farmer"? It could happen.

I'm going to try and make our own seed starters using newspaper. I saw a tool at Burpee, but I don't want to pay for it. I'm going to brainstorm my own version. I have no southern windows so I'll have to set up a light table in the basement. We can't transplant here until mid to late May. 

I found a clearanced water cistern fountain for $24. I couldn't pass it up. It has a spitting lion head. I'm not sure where I'll put it, but its just large enough I may be able to grow a water plant in it. I may try a water lily, but we'll see what I can find at the nursery in a few months.

I'm a little jealous the birds are not using my homemade bird bath, but rather the abandoned turtle sand box for their bathing pleasure. Our neighbors, driven out by foreclosure, left the sandbox last November and it filled with snow. Now its all melted and created a mini-beach for the birds. I think it won't last though. I've seen someone stopping by every now and then, taking pictures of the property and doing improvements. I'm guessing the bank is getting ready to sell it. I hope someone nice moves in.

Speaking of moving, we're excited one of the families in our homeschool posse is moving just down the street from us!! I can't tell you how awesome this is, knowing the boys can see their "hs" friends more than once a week. Of course this does mean world's will have to colide. To date, we've never mixed our neighborhood posse rats with our homeschool posse at the request of my son. I think he's worried about everyone getting along.

Well, I better get moving. I want to make a new granola today that uses cranberry juice. (Giada recipe.) I'll let you know how it goes.

American Heart Association National Start Walking Day

Start:	Apr 8, '09
Location:	Anywhere you are!

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3064287

Join in the American Heart Association's National Start Walking Day event!

Free Writing Practice 3

This entry is for me, for my free writing practice, but you're welcome to read it if you want.

Free Writing Exercise 3

Ouch, ouch, ouch. My back still hurts. I think I hurt it weeks ago trying to life a case of DH's Diet dr. pepper out of the shopping cart and into the back of hte car. I keep re-hurting it, forgetting I need to take it easy. I may lift and twist the laundry, a box of books, my own body. It usually goes away and gets better if I walk, but fo rsome reason, thsi time, it gets better only to then find me wakin gup to it being worse. Maybe its my bed, but we can't afford a new one. I shoudl go to a chiroprator but it would hurt me worse to pay all that money! DS prayed for me lat night! How sweet! he is so senesative. He knows when something's not right and he wants you to feel better. he  doesn't miss anything. Sometimes he does misinterpet though, thinking we're upset when we aren't. Robins outside my window are so fiesty! Must be looking for mates. I did see one old bird drinking at our make shift bird bath. i need to get out there and clean it out today. Should be warm up and feel like spring today> Wish my back wasn't bothering me so I could enjoy it more. I should still keep walking and hope for the best. Maybe after a few more weeks, if it isn't getting better, I'll break down adn pay the chiroc price. I found relief there in the past. Wagon walkers going by. I remember pulling my boys in the wagon. seem slike yesterday, they grow so fast. i need to wash blankets today. didnt' get to it on Friday. I'm grateful to have a washing machine and dryer, but the laundry mountain never goes away. Breathe in,k breahte out, spongebob is on in teh background. Sandy is hybernating. Wish I could have slept last night. I kept waking up with  back pain. Probably woke up Dh a few times, although he didnt' complain. That's probably wehN i shoudl draw the line and go to teh chiro. When this back problem of mine is interferring with sleep and the sleep of my loved ones. Why am I such a tight wad when it comes to me>? If my family felt this way, I would be telling tehm everyday to go to the doctor  but when it come sto me, I feel like I should just shut up and take it like a mom. Just another example of how mom's dont' take care of themselves. DS just put away his waffle plate in the sink. I love that they put away their used dishes in the sink, but is it too much to ask for them to load them into the dishwasher. Of course that means the dishwashermust be empty. Clean dishes don't come out unless I remind him to unload. He wants a bowl of tositoes! First I guess he craved sweet sryupy waffles and now he wants salt. Uggg. why is it such a challenge to get nutrition into this family? I think I'll take of the plastic toda. I would love to open window and freshen up the air in here. OF course then I'lls ee how dirty they are and feel the desire to clean  them. One thing at a time, don't be overwhelmed Dawn. It gets doen when it gets done. Cat hair on the floor...

times up.

Hobo Sock

"What is on your foot!! You need to throw that away. You have new socks in your drawer!"

"But this is my Hobo Sock!!"

"And you love your Hobo Sock?"

"Yes, I do."

"Ok, keep your Hobo Sock, but only wear him around the house ok?"

"YEAH! I CAN KEEP MY HOBO SOCK!!!"

"Fridays Are Fresh Days"

I'm relieved its Friday. Its the one day I plan nothing so I can catch up. Its the one day I know I will be with my family for "Friday Family Fun Night." Its the day before I have my husband home all weekend so its like Christmas Eve in spirit, waiting for that gift! 

Today's Friday will be great because its also going to warm up to above freezing temps! I need spring so badly, I cannot tell you! DH asked if we should take the plastic off the windows, but I'm scared if I do that, we'll drop back down into another cold snap. I'd take out my spring clothes, but I'm worried that too will curse the warming trend heading our way hopefully.

Yumi just reminded me its Friday the 13th. She threw up on the floor vent! Like I really want to dismantle that and try to clean out the vent now?! UGH! Why the floor vent cat??!! You had the entire kitchen floor!!

No, I will stay positive. Even about Supper. If you read my free writing 2 exercise, you know I'm stressing over preparing healthy, tasty meals my entire family will enjoy. I don't feel like playing short order cook, and I've discovered when I stress over a meal's preparation, I can't sit and enjoy it. Menu planning is one of the few things I don't enjoy about being a Domestic Diva.

I don't want to eat out though either. The food really doesn't taste that good to me, eating out. I'm really trying to taste, enjoy and connect with the food I eat. Its part of my learning process working through Karen Koenig's Rules of Normal Eating and The Food & Feelings Workbook.

DH mentioned we should try stir fry at home, only I don't own a wok. I'll be really tempted to look for one at Goodwill when I drop off this week's purge load. I could make stir fry in a regular pan right? I wish I knew how to make homemade stir fry sauces though. Add that one to my autodidact list.

I keep a list of things I want to learn more about. Challenging myself helps me to continue to learn and grow. Plus I'm hoping that my boys will be inspired and model my actions. I saw part of a show on PBS, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, with Dr. Amen. He pointed out each time you learn something new your brain makes another neuro connection, keeping your brain healthy and active. I really believe it.

Becoming an autodidact- a self directed, self taught, person has really helped me in so many ways. Gone are my depression, anxiety attacks and low self esteem. Its freed me to find the path I need to be on, not where someone else thinks I need to be.

"Fridays Are Fresh Days" is a favorite lyric of mine. I hope you all have a Fresh Friday today and a fab weekend!

Free Writing Practice 2

The following is more for me than you. I'm using free writing to try and improve my writing skills. (See previous post.)

Fridays are fresh days. I'm loving that is Friday. I find myseld getting stressed over little things but then if I take the time to stop and think, i can calm down. I think Fridays allow me to do this. Its my sabbath. yesterday i stresed out disagreeing with a freind. I lve her but some of hher views are so different than my own. I hope she isn't regretting our visit yesterday. I think we are brought ttogether for the purpose to learn from each other. I'm stressing over what to make for supper. I want to cook adn eat at home but find that often I'm not enjoying supper because of the stress of haiving to create it. Why does food taste better when someone else prepars it? even toast or a drink? I think my stresssing over the food is effecting how it tastes. family says they enjoy it, but I will not sit and relax and eat it well beacuse Im' still fryed over from making it. I worry about making something eveeryone will enjoy. somethign that is healthy for everyone. I want my family to help me more in the kitchen. i know that will help. I feel like we are in a food rut, but even when we eat out, the food doesn't taste that great to me. everythign i wand to try doesn't soudn good to DH: He tells me to make it anyway and he'll make something else but I hate the lack of unity then. I hate cooking meat basically. I gravitate towards veg. I foudn this really tasty looking recipe for veggie pot pie, but my family would never eat it. What woudl I do with an entire pan of pot pie? I don't want to throw away food. Its awful howmuch food goes done the dipsoal or into the bin. my face itches. why do I itch when I type? I can hear the bathroom door, ds10 is probably up. slept in today. probably because we wer up late watching survivor and hell's kitchen. I love that my family tpaes the shows and waits for me to come home to watch thtem, but htat makes for late nights. I wonde3r if free writing really would hurt if i stopped and make typo corrections. I better not chance ti. Robins are squawkign out there. The ground may still be frozen but its suppose to warm up. YEAH for warmer weather!! I need it. I haven't been walking. I prefer to walk outside than the treadmill. breathe in, breathe out. has it been 10 minutes yet, I'm starting to feel it. Head itches now. My skin's too dry. Bro thinks we need a humidifier but he doesnt' see the mildew on my windows! I probably just need to eat better oils and remember to use lotion righ tout of the shower. Fingers are cold, but not my toes. Strange. Good morning Jared., i'm doing my free writing---- there 's  the timer!! I'm done!! 

Free Writing Practice

"Think of writing then not as a way to transmit a message, but as a way to grow and cook a message. Writing is a way to end up thinking something you couldn't have started thinking."

"Treat words as though they are potentially able to grow. Learn to stand out of the way and provide the energy or force the words need to find their growth process." - Peter Elbow

I'm currently reading Peter Elbow's Writing Without Teachers and part of the process to become a better writer is practicing free writing. For 10 minutes each day, I will write non-stop. I will not make any edits or corrections as I write. It may seem like garbage, but the exercise is to help me learn to write freely. When we edit and proof while we write, we stop the flow. Free writing practice will help loosen up and stretch out my writing muscle. 

I thought I would use my blog to free write and the following exercise is more for me than for you. If you want to read it, feel welcome to. Remember its my crazy brain spewing out of control though!

Free Writing exercise- day 1,  time 10 minutes

Knuckles cracked, here I go. be ready for tons of typos, I can't beleive I can't stop. This is going to be so difficult. Why is that kid watchign me do this> he wont' let me stop. Why did i tell him what I was goign to do? Pink domo staring at me, clock ticking behind me. my nose itches. birds just chirped, opps, i went back there. I bet this is easier if you are using a pencil or pen and paper, than tyring to type it. there i had to itch my nose. It was driving me crazy.  much like this exercise. I dont' want to use punctionation. it slows me down. deep breath in, deep breath out, i hate this so sunny outside but so cold. i froze my fingers off trying to gas up the car. i wonder what the ladies think of me at the piggly wiggly, i'm in there everyday buying grocories. That's the beauty of living so close to the store though. He's going downstaris. I guess watching me isn't entertaining enough anymore. tomorrow I hope to see my friends. i will have to ask them if they want to plant a live wreath with me. I saw how to make live wreaths using flowers and herbs in a magazine. I wish i could do more gardening. It looks like so much fun and i love getting my hands dirty. of course I find I have to wash my hands too often. I can't seem to have enough lotion on hand. Hand lotion, on hand, ahhhhhh i'm stopping and I can't! Must keep writing, must keep writing. nose itched again. domo still staring. I can hear them downstairs. I know they can't hear me. blah, blah, blah, I should just think of a topic and write about it rather than listening to the voices in my head and trying to keep up with them. lets see, topics, topics, I can't think of one that isn't a downer. Debbie Downer that's me. My family thinks I am too quick to point out bad news. I have to work on that. I am excited I found a group of beleivers like me. Christian universalists! I thought i was the only one. I want to order the book and really study up. I feel like i've been in the closet but finding this group makes me want to come out. I have to be able to defend my beleifs though and I dont' know if I'm ready for that. I suppose this is why I've stayed away from organized religion. Too many judges, judging me. Yumi is sleeping in her chair, i can't believe how much fur is flying from her. I brushed her this morning and it came off constantly. I should shave her but she'd freak out I'm sure. No wonder why her tummy hurts her. Too much fur in there. I let her play in the garage for a bit. Boy do we need to clean up in there. Winter's worth of clutter and garbage. We need for it to warm up. When its cold like today, all I want to do is sit inside and drink tea and watch cooking shows. OH! I saw a cool recipe for veggie pot pie. I must remember to go check that out when I finish with this exercise. She also made a butternut squash rosota that looked good.....

time's up

Boy that sucked!! Why did I decide to post these??? I hope after a few weeks, I can see progress in my writing. After reading the above I feel like a terrible writer!! That's part of the process though, getting rid of the garbage to free up your mind. Of course I believe the author intended for us to throw away our free writing. I'm posting it on my blog for all eternity!! LOL!!

McDonald's Filet O' Fish Commercial w/Talking Fish

We can't stop singing this song in our house. Curse you McDonalds!!!!

Emergen-C Blue

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

You all know I love the Tangerine flavor, but I saw this Blue flavor offered at Target. Since I'm such a berry fan, I thought what the heck, I'll give it a try.

It rocks!!! I swear its been Emergen-C that has helped keep me stay well this season. I usually drink one a day, and if I think I'm getting sick, I bump that up to 2-3 packets a day.

Cheap, Easy, Window Cleaner

I'm never buying window cleaner again. I just reused the old spray bottle and added the following;

2 cups water
3 TBS white, distilled vinegar
1/2 tsp dish detergent (liquid)

It worked as good as store bought expensive stuff. I also used old newspapers to wipe my windows dry. Cheaper than paper towels, and no streaks!

Weekend Update 3/9/09

My camera's not that good, and I still haven't figured out my computer's new photo editing software, but I love this shot. We started our weekend off at the zoo, and I got a kick out of these birds. I love how the middle bird is doing the splits, trying to claim perch possession of both branches!! I find it a perfect metaphor for greed.

After our super quick zoo visit, (forgot about winter hours still being in effect), we met DH for pizza. Shamefully we ate out way too much this weekend, but its sort of a last hurrah. Car payments begin this month!

Saturday DH & I had our date. We had Lupper out, (late lunch, early supper). It was suppose to be romantic. I wore a new purple top and was feeling pretty good until the hostess said to me, "All you need is a red hat." Way to deflate my balloon.  DH tried to help by telling me I looked good, but I was feeling old and gray at that point.

I think if the hostess would have been younger than me, I would have thought she was just a beeatch. I guess since she was older than me, she was just trying to acknowledge one of her own. I wanted to scream at her, "LOOK LADY! I'M 1O YEARS AWAY FROM BEING ELIBLE TO WEAR YOUR RED HAT!" I think my purple top is heading to Goodwill even though I've only worn it once.

After our meal, we decided to do books for dessert.  I was really discouraged to see prices on used books are up, but I suppose everyone is hurting. Why should I complain about spending $4.98 for a book that new cost $10.95? I'm still getting it for less than half price.

Maybe dumping all those classic children's books because of the fear of being prosecuted for selling items which may or may not contain lead in them has forced our used book sellers to increase their prices? But hey, I guess its now okay if I allow my 10 and 13 year old to lick and suck their reading materials!

Okay, off my soapbox.

The book I did pick up for $4.95 was Writing Without Teachers by Peter Elbow. Yes, being an unschooler I was sucked in by the title. I'm still on the first chapter but his thoughts on free writing seem dead on. Schools have taught us to edit while we write, being aware of spelling and grammar. We also edit our unacceptable thoughts and feelings while writing.

"The habit of compulsive, premature editing doesn't just make writing hard. It also makes writing dead. Your voice is damped out by all the interruptions, changes, and hesitations between the consciousness and the page." - Peter Elbow.

My goal is to exercise my free writing. Editing comes later, but the idea is to become used to allowing whatever needs to come out, come out. Let go of restrictions and loosen it up- Next time blogger's block rolls around, I may even free write a post. Want to join me?

Moving forward...

I ripped this from a comment posted on my friend's Facebook page. I liked it so much, I wanted to keep it somewhere I could go back and re-read it as needed.

Why we need to always remember to move forward-

"Our eyes see forward, our ears are tuned forward, our arms reach forward, our legs walk forward. The only thing that comes from behind us is, well..."

Now its too nice outside to be on the computer. Stay positive, keep moving forward and have a great weekend!

My A, B, Cs ( I'm procrastinating this morning.)

Give it a try, but you have to do it right. Copy this whole thing, go to your profile/notes/new note, right click and paste, put the subject back in the title line.
Then comes the hard part. Replace my answers with your own!
Come on, you're already here, what else have you got to do? :)

A
- Available: off the market since 1986
- Age: Four Tea
- Annoyance: A- hole drivers
- Animal: Yumi (Cats rule, dogs drool)

B
- Beer: No thanks
- Birthday: August - the month with no holidays!
- Best Friend: husband
- Blind or Deaf: I'm already losing my hearing, so I'll say deaf.
- Best weather: Fog, not too thick though. I need to see Mr. Darcy walking towards me.
- Been in Love: Yes
- Believe in Magic: Only the kind we can create ourselves
- Believe in Santa: He always scared me. I prefer Tomten.

C
- Candy: Right now: chocolate covered dried cranberries!!!!
- Color: Indigo
- Chocolate/Vanilla: BOTH! I'll have a Zebra twist cone please!
- Chinese/Mexican Food: Mexican!!! Its the guacamole that determined this answer!
- Cake or pie: cake
- Continent to visit: North America would do it for me- I'd like to see mountains, the canyon, the forests, the deserts, the oceans. There is so much of my continent I've only seen in photos.
- Cheese: cheddar

D
- Day or Night: Either works for me. I just don't like 4:00pm.
- Dancing in the rain: OH YEAH!! Throw in some mud too. I'm a hippie chickie melon head!

E
- Eyes: gray blue
- Everyone's got: to laugh
- Ever failed a class: I must have, but I don't remember because I probably didn't care about it in the first place.

F
- First thoughts waking up: Please let this not be a sinus headache. I don't want to be sick today.
- Food: Berries, berries, berries

G
- Greatest Fear: Death of my family
- Goals: to de-clutter my nest & grow stuff
- Gum: My teeth don't like it anymore
- Get along with your parents: yes

H
- Hair Color: don't know what to call it, light brown,"real" blond, gray
- Height: 5’5”
- Happy: Most days
- Holiday: Christmas
- How do you want to die: In my sleep - When my family no longer needs me.

I
- Ice Cream: Fox Fudge Freak Out
- Instrument: a little bit of piano left. We should get a keyboard so I can re-learn it.

J
- Jewelry: The one piece that never comes off is a gold ring in my left ear. DH and I got them when we were 17 and we've never taken them off.
- Job: home schooling mom, part-time administrator at a swimming pool

K
- Kids: I have two here with me now. Wish I could have shared my life with 2 more, but it wasn't meant to be.
- Kickboxing or karate: Karate
- Keep a journal: Blogging

L
- Love: Is what its all about.
- Laughed so hard you cried: I can't remember the movie. Probably because I was laughing so hard, I couldn't breathe, and the lack of oxygen killed those brain cells that would have remembered what movie I was watching.

M
- Milk: vanilla soy
- Movies: I love everything except torture movies. DH and DS can watch Saw without me!
- Motion sickness: Only when I was preggers
- McD’s or BK: NOODLES! Pesto Cavatappi noodles rock.

N
- Number: 22 - I've always liked this number.

O
- One wish: to be healthy

P
- Pepsi/Coke: - Tea, iced or hot, sweet or not!
- Perfect Pizza: Thin crust from Pizza Oven or Kaiser's- Pizza crust needs to be cracker thin and crispy, bubbles are a bonus!
- Piercings: My ears only. If I had the body, I would definitely have my navel pierced.

Q
- Quail: ???? What about it? Its a bird. Would I eat it? Probably not. Do I like them? Ehh... its a bird but its not a crane.

R
- Reality T.V.:I think my husband would rock on Survivor! Project Runway makes me want to sew.
- Radio Station: WXRT in Chicago, perhaps the one and only reason I could be convinced to move back to flatland.
- Roll your tongue in a circle: Yes
- Ring size: When I married, I told the woman I wanted a 7. She insisted I was a 6.5. Years later, pregnant, I couldn't wear my wedding band. I took it off before my midwife warned it may have to be cut off, but then tragically, I lost it!! DH ended up buying me a new one, along with two special thin gold bands to wear alongside of it, one from each son. I plan on giving those thin gold rings to my future daughter in laws.

S
- Song: Its always a Blind Melon song, today its Soul One
- Shoe size: left foot 9, right foot 8.5
- Salad Dressing: I made a blackberry one to die for. Blend a pint of Blackberries with 1/4 C of Red wine vinegar and 1/4 cup olive oil. Add a spoonful of sugar if needed. SO GOOD!!!
- Sushi: Its on my 40 firsts list, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I had fake sushi in high school.
- Shower: A morning must! I don't know how people can stand not showering in the morning. I feel like I can't get grooving without one.
- Strawberries/Blueberries: Blueberries- buckets of them!!!!

T
- Tattoos: Not yet, but I haven't ruled them out. I wish they weren't so permanent. Maybe henna is a better option for me.
- Time for bed: When I'm sleepy.
- Thunderstorms: Few and far between. I love thunderstorms but hate tornadoes.

U
-Unpredictable: What to make for supper.

V
- Vacation spot(s): Anything having to do with nature is fine with me. Someday I do hope to see Sequoia trees.

W
- Weakness: I worry too much.
- Which one of your friends acts the most like you: Only my imaginary one
- Worst feeling: When I can't take care of those I love.
- Worst Weather: Death cold

X
- X-Rays: I'm sure they'll give me cancer one day.

Y
-Year it is now:2009
-Yellow: my living room

Z
- Zoo animal: I wish large animals didn't have to live in them, buy my favorite is the tiger.

Feeling Much Better Today....

It worked. I stopped worrying and started focusing on being engaged. Worry seems to be a character flaw of mine, but I'm evolving.

Since physical digging was an impossibility, I dug head first into gardening books. I discovered the names of two perennials in my yard, and how I can spread them. One of them is Tickweed, pictured. I started my garden plan notebook and am researching how I can start plants indoors.

I've read somewhere that our children are so nature deprived, they don't even know the names of the plants in their own yards. I'm guilty of this myself, so my goal is to learn what is growing in my yard, and pass on that info. Last year the boys seem to enjoy helping out our neighbor with her garden, and I hope we can cultivate our own plot this year. Growing suburban grass is not that thrilling after all. (Hey! I don't even know the name of the grass species under that snow!)

As for connecting with the boys, DS13 and I have been playing Scrabble with each other and our extended family through Facebook. (Man that is addicting!!) We're also loving Pathwords and Scramble. Need to waste time, open up a Facebook account! LOL! (Actually, the word games aren't a waste of time. Its one way how unschoolers learn language arts.)

We made Mancakes together. Make the biggest pancake that will fit in your pan and that's a "mancake." Of course mine was more of a "womancake", loaded with fresh sliced strawberries.

We had a great discussion about rabies. (Yes, I just transitioned from pancakes to a hideous disease.)  We may have gotten a little too into it, because we began to spook DS10. I think he has my worry gene.

Today may prove to be another stressful one for me.  I have to work more hours away from our Sleepyhouse, but I'm more calm knowing this is temporary.
 

I tripped up....

I should be calm, at peace but I'm not. I don't feel focused. Am I still going through post traumatic car buying stress? Is it the constant doom and gloom news thrown in our faces, or has my brain finally succumbed to the freezing temperatures?

I know I'm having one of those, "Am I doing the best by my children" modes. It began with a conversation with my husband about stuff happening at my work. DH feels I have the expertise and talent to really make a difference if only I could work full time. DS10 over heard us and misinterpreted this to mean I was going back to work full time, meaning he would then have to go to school. I had to assure him I wasn't leaving him. Family is my first priority and allowing my children the freedom to learn and grow in their own way goes along with that.

I tried to explain to him that I would always be around when he needed me, but that someday, he would be older and wouldn't need me as much. This seemed to calm him down, but for some reason, the whole thing really shook me.

I guess I was upset that we upset him, but I also felt the event hatched a little worry bug. Am I doing everything I should to prepare them for THAT day?

Now I've learned, when I start doubting the unschooling process, its really about me not fostering my own learning. (Thomas Jefferson Education taught me that.) I am a mentor and if they aren't able to witness me learning and growing, they won't be inspired to learn and grow. I've lost sight of this recently, probably due to stress.

I'm sure its also because I feel out of touch with them. I've been busy with other crap, and I haven't been able to share in their daily lives as much. If I would have, I'm sure I would see they are learning and growing.

I did trip up and started asking them, "Are you guys bored? Do we need to start doing something else? Should we make some goals? Take some trips? Get out of this Sleepyhouse?" I need to remember the look on their faces. Silence speaks.

My kids never use the B word. Boredom is an affliction that rarely visits here. Its more about Mom's insecurities fueling these questions.

I regret it today. It didn't take long before DS13 began to say things like, "I guess I should study medicine so I could always have being a doctor as my fall back."

WHAT HAVE I DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lord, help me to not screw them up!!!! Bring me back to focus and help me relax. I need to remember my passions and take time to share theirs as well. Unschooling does work if I don't allow stress to get in the way of your plan!

First Road Trip With The New Car

Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we went. DH had to work half the weekend away, but we managed to stretch our new car's wheels and took a road trip to Kenosha yesterday.

After enjoying real thin crust ZA, only found in K-town, we stopped at Tenuta's Deli. This is another reason why I can't live in Kenosha. Too many yummy foods!

DH has not so fond memories of having to go into Tenuta's as a child. He's told us it was then a very smelly place, probably from all of the stinky cheeses. Now it has expanded to a fine specialty store with not only cheeses and meats, but all kinds of ethnic baking goodies.

Their chocolate covered candy collection is to die for. No where else have I discovered a chocolate covered almond covered in as much chocolate goodness as at Tenuta's. Don't get me started on the chocolate covered dried cranberries! (Seriously, don't get me started because I won't stop.)

The boys got a kick out of discovering cans of sliced octopus and conch. Hmmm.. Christmas stocking stuffers? LOL! Actually DS13 has requested a huge block of white chocolate for his stocking this year. What is it about bulk food that is so appealing?