Friday, April 30, 2010
Food Diary- Thursday 4/29/10
Breakfast- Didn't eat one. :( Was too busy. I did drink some tea.
Lunch- 1/2 tuna sub on whole wheat, picked beets, diluted lemonade
Pitiful chocolate break- I licked the brownie batter from my Swedish whisk (homeschool posse ate all the brownies and I didn't get one, but that's a good thing.)
Supper- at work- the second 1/2 of my whole wheat tuna sub from lunch, Diet Rite
Snack at 9:30- Cookies and cream ice cream
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Its Thursday Isn't It....
13.....
1. Waiting for our homeschool posse to arrive. The brownies are cooling.
2. Can't wait to visit DMIL tomorrow on our K-town mini road trip. I'm predicting pizza will be consumed.
3. This photo food diary thing is working very well. I do think before I eat something, and I am noticing more when I'm actually hungry and when I'm not.
4. I think Yumi is watching what she eats too. She went from chowing down every last kibble to actually leaving bits between feedings. Maybe its the warmer temperatures?
5. My neighbor called and told me to keep our cars out of our driveway today. He said someone is coming with a "delivery" but he wouldn't tell me what it is. I think he is gifting us some glorious garden dirt, but I shouldn't get my hopes up.
6. This morning I realized my son is learning quite a bit from watching old 70's game shows.
7. I have not carved a single new stamp yet. The workshop is in 9 days. Guess what I'll be doing Saturday and Sunday!
8. I saw a lady selling little cakes out of her van. I have no idea what she was asking for them, but again I had the thought- WHY CAN'T I COME UP WITH A GREAT BUSINESS IDEA!
9. DH has been applying to everything, even stuff outside of his field. Why isn't the phone ringing?
10. Why are birds so messy?
11. The new show I'm fascinated with- 6 By Design - How on earth can a family of 7 children live in Manhattan and move so frequently? If they can run a business with all that chaos, surely we could too?
12. I want my husband to create more of his artwork. I think it could be the answer we need.
13. The phone just rang! It was not a job offer, but it is confirmed, glorious garden dirt is on its way to our driveway courtesy the best neighbors in the world!
1. Waiting for our homeschool posse to arrive. The brownies are cooling.
2. Can't wait to visit DMIL tomorrow on our K-town mini road trip. I'm predicting pizza will be consumed.
3. This photo food diary thing is working very well. I do think before I eat something, and I am noticing more when I'm actually hungry and when I'm not.
4. I think Yumi is watching what she eats too. She went from chowing down every last kibble to actually leaving bits between feedings. Maybe its the warmer temperatures?
5. My neighbor called and told me to keep our cars out of our driveway today. He said someone is coming with a "delivery" but he wouldn't tell me what it is. I think he is gifting us some glorious garden dirt, but I shouldn't get my hopes up.
6. This morning I realized my son is learning quite a bit from watching old 70's game shows.
7. I have not carved a single new stamp yet. The workshop is in 9 days. Guess what I'll be doing Saturday and Sunday!
8. I saw a lady selling little cakes out of her van. I have no idea what she was asking for them, but again I had the thought- WHY CAN'T I COME UP WITH A GREAT BUSINESS IDEA!
9. DH has been applying to everything, even stuff outside of his field. Why isn't the phone ringing?
10. Why are birds so messy?
11. The new show I'm fascinated with- 6 By Design - How on earth can a family of 7 children live in Manhattan and move so frequently? If they can run a business with all that chaos, surely we could too?
12. I want my husband to create more of his artwork. I think it could be the answer we need.
13. The phone just rang! It was not a job offer, but it is confirmed, glorious garden dirt is on its way to our driveway courtesy the best neighbors in the world!
Food Diary- Wed 4/28/10
Lunch - black bean veggie wrap, Diet Rite
Chocolate break - semi-sweet chips
Commute to work - Dandy Blend & almond milk homemade frap, light whipped cream
Supper to eat at work - sweet potato & cream cheese spinach roll up
Night snack - homemade corn muffins, smart balance, OJ w/calcium
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Food Diary- Tuesday 4/27/10
Breakfast- 8:30 am after dropping off the car for an oil change, egg McMuffin- without the oink, sweet tea
Lunch- 12:00pm Italian seasoned No Yolks noodles with chicken breast, oven roasted sweet potato fries, diluted lemonade
2:00pm - That's not coffee! Dandy blend & cocoa powder, light whip cream, 2 Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Mint UFOs
7:30pm - At work, after being yelled at by customer, ants on boats, Emergen-C
Food Diary- Monday 4/25/10
6:00am Breakfast at work - 1 cup non fat plain yogurt, 1 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup granola, diluted OJ, Emergen-C with water later
11:30am snack on the drive home - carrot stickies
12:30 lunch at home - veggie & chicken wrap, Diet soda
3:15pm CHOCOLATE BREAK! Two Trader Joe Dark Chocolate Mint UFOs
6:00pm Supper at home - burger, broccoli, hash browns cooked in olive oil, diluted Kool Aid
8:00pm snack at home - 1/2 mug of almond milk and grahams with Nutella & peanut butter
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Wants or Needs...
So much to do... so little time to do it...
Do I tend to the wants or the needs?
WANT - To purge and organize the nest. The other day the boys suddenly decided to clean up their room on their own because they wanted to organize things. I love doing this and being able to do this with them would have been so much fun for me! Unfortunately, I had to leave for work and the next day, they weren't in the mood to play "Clean House". :(
NEED - My kitchen floor needs TLC, only I can't bring myself to do it. I tell my boys often, when you find a woman you love, make sure the kitchen floor you give her is not white.
WANT/NEED ? - I'm running out of time to get all our seedlings started indoors. Soon the calender will dictate we might as well plant directly into the garden. The time crunch is taking the fun out of it. I have to trust the unschooly, go with the flow, garden method. Last year we didn't seed start and we still ended up with fresh veg. There is no need for perfection when it comes to the art of gardening.
NEED - I have to carve stamps, lots of them! Our Letterboxing workshop is coming up and usually by now, I'm much more prepared. Thankfully DH has helped me in the design department, even sketching them in Autocad for me! All I'll have to do is trace and carve.
WANT - To make some ATC's. Actually this could be a NEED. I should have some ready to trade.
NEED - To clean and purge our bedroom of dust and clutter.
WANT - To paint and redecorate our love nest. Unfortunately we can't do this without first checking off the NEED to clean it.
NEED - To menu plan. I hate to admit it, but with our busy lives, we're ending up doing too many sandwich, fend for yourself, suppers. Its just such a challenge to find something everyone will eat that is healthy. Plus we all don't get hungry at the same time. The sleeping teenager is expecting breakfast, when we're ready for lunch.
WANT - To get back to exercising and actually enjoy it. It shouldn't feel like a NEED to do it, but a WANT to do it.
WANT - To study frogs. I find them very interesting these days.
NEED - To learn what I can about business marketing even though its not a passion of mine. This Autodidact needs to learn to push her comfort level past safe boundaries.
WANT - A family business that supports us where we only have to work 3-4 days a week, enabling us to enjoy spending the rest of our week free to explore our interests. It is important to keep dreaming, and someday I will figure out how to make this a reality.
Do I tend to the wants or the needs?
WANT - To purge and organize the nest. The other day the boys suddenly decided to clean up their room on their own because they wanted to organize things. I love doing this and being able to do this with them would have been so much fun for me! Unfortunately, I had to leave for work and the next day, they weren't in the mood to play "Clean House". :(
NEED - My kitchen floor needs TLC, only I can't bring myself to do it. I tell my boys often, when you find a woman you love, make sure the kitchen floor you give her is not white.
WANT/NEED ? - I'm running out of time to get all our seedlings started indoors. Soon the calender will dictate we might as well plant directly into the garden. The time crunch is taking the fun out of it. I have to trust the unschooly, go with the flow, garden method. Last year we didn't seed start and we still ended up with fresh veg. There is no need for perfection when it comes to the art of gardening.
NEED - I have to carve stamps, lots of them! Our Letterboxing workshop is coming up and usually by now, I'm much more prepared. Thankfully DH has helped me in the design department, even sketching them in Autocad for me! All I'll have to do is trace and carve.
WANT - To make some ATC's. Actually this could be a NEED. I should have some ready to trade.
NEED - To clean and purge our bedroom of dust and clutter.
WANT - To paint and redecorate our love nest. Unfortunately we can't do this without first checking off the NEED to clean it.
NEED - To menu plan. I hate to admit it, but with our busy lives, we're ending up doing too many sandwich, fend for yourself, suppers. Its just such a challenge to find something everyone will eat that is healthy. Plus we all don't get hungry at the same time. The sleeping teenager is expecting breakfast, when we're ready for lunch.
WANT - To get back to exercising and actually enjoy it. It shouldn't feel like a NEED to do it, but a WANT to do it.
WANT - To study frogs. I find them very interesting these days.
NEED - To learn what I can about business marketing even though its not a passion of mine. This Autodidact needs to learn to push her comfort level past safe boundaries.
WANT - A family business that supports us where we only have to work 3-4 days a week, enabling us to enjoy spending the rest of our week free to explore our interests. It is important to keep dreaming, and someday I will figure out how to make this a reality.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
I Can't Think Of A Title- Does It Matter Anyway? I'm Just Going To Babble....
I'm fighting off a virus. I'm not sure which one. It could have been the sinus infection DH had a few weeks ago or the head colds the boys ended up with. With me though, my sinuses are fine, this virus has settled in my throat and chest. The nagging, scratchy cough is still hanging around, but thankfully I only had one day of complete shut down. All I could do yesterday was sleep and try not to move because every time I did it hurt. Every muscle ached and my skin felt like pins and needles.
I'm grateful my illness waited for my parents to leave. We had a nice visit with them, and hopefully we won't have to wait quite as long between visits.
We exposed my mom to movies she probably wouldn't have watched. One night, I think she didn't know how to turn the channel and she watched Wrong Turn. Although she raised me with classic monster movies on Saturday afternoons, she doesn't enjoy gore. I also got a kick out of watching her watching Fido, a humorous zombie movie on any zombie fan's must see list.
My mom did enjoy our visit to a high end nursery near us. She bought several herb plants and we all enjoyed the flowers and gardening toys. I have no money to spend on plants and flowers, but it was still fun to browse. The nursery has a huge indoor greenhouse with patio furniture and a Koi pond. They also serve free coffee and don't mind if you simply hang out, enjoying the fish. I found myself wandering around, checking out the variety of plants and asking questions whenever a salesperson asked if I needed help. I figure I could browse there on a regular basis and end up learning quite a bit! How long though before they recognize I'm the woman who never buys anything?! :)
I am having garden envy. I was all excited because we have the materials to set up two more raised beds in addition to the one we built last season. Then I saw a house down the block with 6 such raised beds. Sigh.....One day at a time. This unemployment mode can't last forever right?
Three more bags of clothes made it to Goodwill. I got tired of seeing the boys wear their old, worn out clothes. DMIL has blessed them with so many nice new shirts and pairs of shorts I couldn't understand why they were wearing the old, worn out stuff. Turns out their dresser drawers were so full, the new stuff was buried under the old. They would always just grab the top clean shirt. So out with the old, in with the new and hopefully we'll figure out a way to rotate the wardrobe better.
I have to start carving stamps. I'm way behind! I usually prepare for our homeschooling workshops months in advance, but somehow, its coming down to the last minute this year. The workshops we're hosting are repeats so at least we can re-use some of the materials. We do want to offer new stamps for the Letterboxing workshop and new hiding places. Its a favorite at the conference, and I think the returning families would appreciate new stamps.
I think we'll carve more puzzle themed stamps because its quick and easier to carve one big stamp and then chop it into pieces for separate Letterboxes. This way too, the finders can try to put the stamped pieces together to form the original carving. I also want to make Letterbox Trading Cards to leave in some of the boxes. It will go along with our Artist Trading Card Workshop.
As always I'm being over ambitious, but I've found its best to aim higher than you think you can. You end up accomplishing more that way.
I'm grateful my illness waited for my parents to leave. We had a nice visit with them, and hopefully we won't have to wait quite as long between visits.
We exposed my mom to movies she probably wouldn't have watched. One night, I think she didn't know how to turn the channel and she watched Wrong Turn. Although she raised me with classic monster movies on Saturday afternoons, she doesn't enjoy gore. I also got a kick out of watching her watching Fido, a humorous zombie movie on any zombie fan's must see list.
My mom did enjoy our visit to a high end nursery near us. She bought several herb plants and we all enjoyed the flowers and gardening toys. I have no money to spend on plants and flowers, but it was still fun to browse. The nursery has a huge indoor greenhouse with patio furniture and a Koi pond. They also serve free coffee and don't mind if you simply hang out, enjoying the fish. I found myself wandering around, checking out the variety of plants and asking questions whenever a salesperson asked if I needed help. I figure I could browse there on a regular basis and end up learning quite a bit! How long though before they recognize I'm the woman who never buys anything?! :)
I am having garden envy. I was all excited because we have the materials to set up two more raised beds in addition to the one we built last season. Then I saw a house down the block with 6 such raised beds. Sigh.....One day at a time. This unemployment mode can't last forever right?
Three more bags of clothes made it to Goodwill. I got tired of seeing the boys wear their old, worn out clothes. DMIL has blessed them with so many nice new shirts and pairs of shorts I couldn't understand why they were wearing the old, worn out stuff. Turns out their dresser drawers were so full, the new stuff was buried under the old. They would always just grab the top clean shirt. So out with the old, in with the new and hopefully we'll figure out a way to rotate the wardrobe better.
I have to start carving stamps. I'm way behind! I usually prepare for our homeschooling workshops months in advance, but somehow, its coming down to the last minute this year. The workshops we're hosting are repeats so at least we can re-use some of the materials. We do want to offer new stamps for the Letterboxing workshop and new hiding places. Its a favorite at the conference, and I think the returning families would appreciate new stamps.
I think we'll carve more puzzle themed stamps because its quick and easier to carve one big stamp and then chop it into pieces for separate Letterboxes. This way too, the finders can try to put the stamped pieces together to form the original carving. I also want to make Letterbox Trading Cards to leave in some of the boxes. It will go along with our Artist Trading Card Workshop.
As always I'm being over ambitious, but I've found its best to aim higher than you think you can. You end up accomplishing more that way.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Can You Hear Him Celebrating?
I've been told many others have had to use "cheaties" or action replay to achieve a Nidoran capture.
After the hoots and hollers, he ran in to wake the sleeping teenager. I held my breath, thinking this would not go well, but I was wrong. DS14 woke up and was happy for his little brother. Then he rolled right back over and drifted back to unconsciousness.
What a great way to start our fresh day!
"Human intelligence and reasoning reside in wisdom, not math. Wisdom is the ability to bring one's values, likes and dislikes, knowledge about other people and their likes and dislikes, and general knowledge of the world together in a manner that leads to workable solutions to the problems that confront us--solutions that promote our own and others' happiness and decrease our own and others' miseries." Peter Gray
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Such A Beautiful Day Spent Together...
Milton is a neat little Wisconsin town. The Milton House is there which is a historical monument. It was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Abraham Lincoln also was stationed near Milton and while there, someone stole his horse. He had to walk back to Chicago which blows my mind.
We stopped on the way home and treated ourselves to Wendy's for lunch. There was no chance we could have eaten al fresco. The wind was not blowing in a good direction. You could smell serious sewage or pig farm in most of Janesville today. We hid inside.
After lunch we stopped at one of the best libraries in our area, Hedberg Library in Janesville. The Hedberg family donated millions to this library and it shows. The collection is unbelievable. Although we can inter-library loan anything through our town's library, sometimes its just fun to go and browse because Hedberg has so much stuff. I came home with books on Gandhi, as I promised I would, and gardening books of course!
After the library we were glad the bad smell had finally blown away. We decided to check out the Rotary Gardens before they begin charging for the season. This used to be an amazing botanical garden and it used to be free. Then vandals did a great deal of damage and now the park is admission only during the prime growing season. We can't afford to pay what they're asking, so we try to go on free days. Its one of those things on my list when we win the lottery. Buy out the Rotary Gardens to make it free for all once again.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Another Proud Mama Moment....
Proud Mama Moment of the day.....
DS11 told me, yesterday he talked his older cousin out of doing something that would have been really wrong to do. I'm so proud!! To know he can withstand peer pressure and make the right choice, affirms to me that we're doing something right.
He knew it was important to be respectful of the neighbor's property. He used sound judgment and figured out the actions his cousin wanted to take would have gone against our teachings. He knew he needed to help his cousin understand the consequences that would follow if they went down that path. He stood up to his older cousin and prevented a bad situation.
Even though he may only be able to tell you right now Gandhi was "that Indian Guy," I know he has learned some very valuable lessons that will help him make wise decisions for his life. I can go to the library tomorrow and grab some Indian history and Gandhi biographies, but tonight I'm so happy my son understands right from wrong and how to stay out of trouble!
DS11 told me, yesterday he talked his older cousin out of doing something that would have been really wrong to do. I'm so proud!! To know he can withstand peer pressure and make the right choice, affirms to me that we're doing something right.
He knew it was important to be respectful of the neighbor's property. He used sound judgment and figured out the actions his cousin wanted to take would have gone against our teachings. He knew he needed to help his cousin understand the consequences that would follow if they went down that path. He stood up to his older cousin and prevented a bad situation.
Even though he may only be able to tell you right now Gandhi was "that Indian Guy," I know he has learned some very valuable lessons that will help him make wise decisions for his life. I can go to the library tomorrow and grab some Indian history and Gandhi biographies, but tonight I'm so happy my son understands right from wrong and how to stay out of trouble!
Why We Continue To Homeschool While DH's Unemployed
Home Education Magazine is preparing an article for their summer issue. A reader is questioning whether they should continue homeschooling after her husband was laid off. It inspired me to share our view on this subject.
Why do we continue to homeschool while going through unemployment stress?
1. Its a part of real life. We learn by living. Sometimes life is good, sometimes its not, but to quote my favorite band, "Everyday above ground is a good one." Life goes on.
2. Challenges often are opportunities for learning and growth. As baby eagles mature, their parents change the nest. They remove the warm, cushy nesting and expose more of the scratchy sticks. The discomfort helps motivate the baby eagles to fly free. This stressful time in our lives will strengthen us and lead us to a better place.
3. Support- Keeping our family together means we can support and lift up each other. Why would we want to separate when staying together during this difficult time can only strengthen our bond?
4. Normalcy- When stress bombs shake your footing, its good to still have something to cling to and bring you back to solid ground. If we were to send the boys away to school, after they have always learned at home, it would add to the stress level, not make things easier.
5. Homeschooling can be inexpensive, even less expensive than school. - We've never had to pay school fees or break the bank during back to school shopping. Being life learners (unschoolers), we've never purchased boxed curriculum. The library is and always will be, our best friend!
6. Flexibility- We are fortunate to live in a state where we have control over our home based private education. If we want our school hours to be the traditional 8:30-3:30, September through early June, or if we want to follow a different schedule, its our freedom to choose. This is partly why I can work the hours I do, opening some days and closing others. DH can job search and consider taking a first, second or even third shift position because he knows any of those schedules would still allow him time to spend with the boys because we can arrange our schedule to be what ever works for the family.
7. The timing. I can't help but think about how blessed we are to have had more access to DH now, when the boys are on the cusp of becoming young men. As they transition from boys to men, their father can be their role model. I also know I'm a better homeschooling mom because my husband has been given the chance to share our life learning opportunities these past 6 months.
8. I refuse to allow the Unemployment Monster to get my cubs! I will forever be in Mama Bear mode. I will never allow anything to get in the way of our ability to give our children the best. I know homeschooling is the best option for their education.
I know we still hope for the day when unemployment survival mode ends, and it will be difficult to not have him around so much, but I know this experience has strengthened us and our unschooling.
Why do we continue to homeschool while going through unemployment stress?
1. Its a part of real life. We learn by living. Sometimes life is good, sometimes its not, but to quote my favorite band, "Everyday above ground is a good one." Life goes on.
2. Challenges often are opportunities for learning and growth. As baby eagles mature, their parents change the nest. They remove the warm, cushy nesting and expose more of the scratchy sticks. The discomfort helps motivate the baby eagles to fly free. This stressful time in our lives will strengthen us and lead us to a better place.
3. Support- Keeping our family together means we can support and lift up each other. Why would we want to separate when staying together during this difficult time can only strengthen our bond?
4. Normalcy- When stress bombs shake your footing, its good to still have something to cling to and bring you back to solid ground. If we were to send the boys away to school, after they have always learned at home, it would add to the stress level, not make things easier.
5. Homeschooling can be inexpensive, even less expensive than school. - We've never had to pay school fees or break the bank during back to school shopping. Being life learners (unschoolers), we've never purchased boxed curriculum. The library is and always will be, our best friend!
6. Flexibility- We are fortunate to live in a state where we have control over our home based private education. If we want our school hours to be the traditional 8:30-3:30, September through early June, or if we want to follow a different schedule, its our freedom to choose. This is partly why I can work the hours I do, opening some days and closing others. DH can job search and consider taking a first, second or even third shift position because he knows any of those schedules would still allow him time to spend with the boys because we can arrange our schedule to be what ever works for the family.
7. The timing. I can't help but think about how blessed we are to have had more access to DH now, when the boys are on the cusp of becoming young men. As they transition from boys to men, their father can be their role model. I also know I'm a better homeschooling mom because my husband has been given the chance to share our life learning opportunities these past 6 months.
8. I refuse to allow the Unemployment Monster to get my cubs! I will forever be in Mama Bear mode. I will never allow anything to get in the way of our ability to give our children the best. I know homeschooling is the best option for their education.
I know we still hope for the day when unemployment survival mode ends, and it will be difficult to not have him around so much, but I know this experience has strengthened us and our unschooling.
I'm Not Wanted....
...For Jury Duty!
I showed up with several books, bottles of water and a PB&J sandwich tucked away in my bag. I felt like Allison in the Breakfast Club, "You never know when you have to jam..."
After making it past the security screening like a moron, (insert embarrassing purse search nightmare here later), I settled into Boredom room 220 with Everything Bad Is Good For You. I only got to read for 15 minutes.
We watched an introduction to jury duty video which included the stereotypical dumbing down, and then we were welcomed and thanked for our service.
With pumped up egos, we were walked into the court room, single file, ducks in a row. I was #8 with a welcomed back row, aisle seat. One by one we had to stand and introduce ourselves into a microphone with terrible feedback. For a random selection of the community, I couldn't help but notice, we were all white and over the age of 35. Guess its true we need more minorities and youth to vote.
The case involved a prisoner suing a prison guard, the prison nurse and the prison doctor. He attempted suicide with self inflicted wounds and apparently he didn't feel the prison staff did their job in caring for him. The cherry on top- the convict was representing himself.
I was actually really looking forward to hearing this case. I'm open minded. I knew the guard, nurse and doctor were innocent until proven guilty. I really wanted to hear how a convicted felon would prove to me, beyond a shadow of a doubt, he was neglected by the prison staff.
The judge promised this case would only take 1 or 2 days tops. I really wanted in. I think I was dismissed when I revealed I was a homeschooling mom and one of my hobbies was blogging. Dismissed with me were nurses or those who knew health care professionals, and a retired army man who said prisoners deserve to be punished. (Mr. Retired Army Man was also upset the security guards took away his pocket knife.) Kept on the jury was a man who's brother attempted suicide and a man who's brother was currently incarcerated. Interesting isn't it?
I still might be called to serve on a different case throughout the month of April. I feel better knowing this federal district court has a reputation for quick, speedy trials, usually not longer than a few days.
After having gone through the morning's uncertainly, I now feel safe to share, I had an irrational fear about setting foot into the federal courthouse building. Its April. Its a federal building. 15 years ago, I lost a co-worker and friend when McVeigh bombed the Murrah building in Oklahoma City.
I had that shadow on my mind and even going through tightened security to get into the building, I still felt vulnerable. Thankfully, the clerk in charge of welcoming us and answering our questions addressed my fears without me having to say a word.
She brought the subject up and assured us the building was surrounded with cameras. I realized that wouldn't really save us, but just knowing someone else was recognizing the anniversary of this tragic event helped.
I thought of my friend and how I can still remember her sweet, friendly southern drawl. She was taken from an 8 year old boy and husband who loved her. I'm grateful justice was served, but nothing could take away the pain and loss, felt by so many. Victoria would want me to do my civic duty, and I'm glad I did.
I showed up with several books, bottles of water and a PB&J sandwich tucked away in my bag. I felt like Allison in the Breakfast Club, "You never know when you have to jam..."
After making it past the security screening like a moron, (insert embarrassing purse search nightmare here later), I settled into Boredom room 220 with Everything Bad Is Good For You. I only got to read for 15 minutes.
We watched an introduction to jury duty video which included the stereotypical dumbing down, and then we were welcomed and thanked for our service.
With pumped up egos, we were walked into the court room, single file, ducks in a row. I was #8 with a welcomed back row, aisle seat. One by one we had to stand and introduce ourselves into a microphone with terrible feedback. For a random selection of the community, I couldn't help but notice, we were all white and over the age of 35. Guess its true we need more minorities and youth to vote.
The case involved a prisoner suing a prison guard, the prison nurse and the prison doctor. He attempted suicide with self inflicted wounds and apparently he didn't feel the prison staff did their job in caring for him. The cherry on top- the convict was representing himself.
I was actually really looking forward to hearing this case. I'm open minded. I knew the guard, nurse and doctor were innocent until proven guilty. I really wanted to hear how a convicted felon would prove to me, beyond a shadow of a doubt, he was neglected by the prison staff.
The judge promised this case would only take 1 or 2 days tops. I really wanted in. I think I was dismissed when I revealed I was a homeschooling mom and one of my hobbies was blogging. Dismissed with me were nurses or those who knew health care professionals, and a retired army man who said prisoners deserve to be punished. (Mr. Retired Army Man was also upset the security guards took away his pocket knife.) Kept on the jury was a man who's brother attempted suicide and a man who's brother was currently incarcerated. Interesting isn't it?
I still might be called to serve on a different case throughout the month of April. I feel better knowing this federal district court has a reputation for quick, speedy trials, usually not longer than a few days.
After having gone through the morning's uncertainly, I now feel safe to share, I had an irrational fear about setting foot into the federal courthouse building. Its April. Its a federal building. 15 years ago, I lost a co-worker and friend when McVeigh bombed the Murrah building in Oklahoma City.
I had that shadow on my mind and even going through tightened security to get into the building, I still felt vulnerable. Thankfully, the clerk in charge of welcoming us and answering our questions addressed my fears without me having to say a word.
She brought the subject up and assured us the building was surrounded with cameras. I realized that wouldn't really save us, but just knowing someone else was recognizing the anniversary of this tragic event helped.
I thought of my friend and how I can still remember her sweet, friendly southern drawl. She was taken from an 8 year old boy and husband who loved her. I'm grateful justice was served, but nothing could take away the pain and loss, felt by so many. Victoria would want me to do my civic duty, and I'm glad I did.
Friday, April 09, 2010
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
I'm So Proud Of My Yu-Gi-Oh Master!
Warning- Proud Mama Post!
Last night DS11 went to a Yu-Gi-Oh tournament at a game store. Last summer he wanted to sell all of his cards. Thankfully no one bought any, because now he's totally into the hobby again. When DS11 is interested in something, he is borderline obsessed with it.
He had been looking forward to checking out the tournament all week. I've been told DS11 was the youngest person there, with the next oldest being in high school. Most of the players were young adults. This didn't bother Jared though. Maybe its from being homeschooled, but he doesn't worry about age differences.
Once at a co-worker's birthday party, we had lost sight of then DS9 for a few minutes. We found him playing horseshoes with a group of adults. Later at that same party, the adults came looking for Jared to see if he wanted to play another round. (These were not creepy adults mind you.)
They arrived at the Yu-Gi-Oh tournament at 6:00pm. Frankly I thought after an hour, DS11 would be bored and ready to go home. I was wrong. They called me at work at 9:00pm saying they were just now leaving the tournament. I was amazed he sat there playing with strangers for 3 hours. When I was his age, I would have been too shy.
I don't get Yu-Gi-Oh. Every card seems to have a different rule. I know during their matches, they have to practice math, adding up and subtracting points, but how they keep track of all the rules is beyond me. I suppose it because he enjoys it so much, and that is why he can comprehend all the complicated rules.
DS11 is looking forward to going back to the game store to play again in a few weeks. While he was there, some of the experienced players coached him and that really encouraged him to learn more.
Its so awesome to witness this. As a home schooling parent, when we can't be the mentors our kids need, we can still facilitate that process and help them find what they are looking for. I think its awesome DS11 is reaching out to share and enjoy a hobby that brings him joy and satisfaction. Even if I don't get it. :)
Last night DS11 went to a Yu-Gi-Oh tournament at a game store. Last summer he wanted to sell all of his cards. Thankfully no one bought any, because now he's totally into the hobby again. When DS11 is interested in something, he is borderline obsessed with it.
He had been looking forward to checking out the tournament all week. I've been told DS11 was the youngest person there, with the next oldest being in high school. Most of the players were young adults. This didn't bother Jared though. Maybe its from being homeschooled, but he doesn't worry about age differences.
Once at a co-worker's birthday party, we had lost sight of then DS9 for a few minutes. We found him playing horseshoes with a group of adults. Later at that same party, the adults came looking for Jared to see if he wanted to play another round. (These were not creepy adults mind you.)
They arrived at the Yu-Gi-Oh tournament at 6:00pm. Frankly I thought after an hour, DS11 would be bored and ready to go home. I was wrong. They called me at work at 9:00pm saying they were just now leaving the tournament. I was amazed he sat there playing with strangers for 3 hours. When I was his age, I would have been too shy.
I don't get Yu-Gi-Oh. Every card seems to have a different rule. I know during their matches, they have to practice math, adding up and subtracting points, but how they keep track of all the rules is beyond me. I suppose it because he enjoys it so much, and that is why he can comprehend all the complicated rules.
DS11 is looking forward to going back to the game store to play again in a few weeks. While he was there, some of the experienced players coached him and that really encouraged him to learn more.
Its so awesome to witness this. As a home schooling parent, when we can't be the mentors our kids need, we can still facilitate that process and help them find what they are looking for. I think its awesome DS11 is reaching out to share and enjoy a hobby that brings him joy and satisfaction. Even if I don't get it. :)
Monday, April 05, 2010
I smell like earth and fresh rain....
We may have help in that department. While I was at work, the boys told me we had two stray dogs running circles around the house. Later they could see the dogs were chasing a rabbit.
I half expected to find rabbit chunks in the yard, but thankfully no carnage was found. In fact as I finished pushing in the seeds, I felt like I was being watched. I lifted my head and sure enough there was Peter R. eyeballing me! Looks like we'll have to put up the rabbit fence tomorrow.
After gardening, the boys played hoops with DH. It started to rain a little and it was so perfect! Even DS11 agreed saying, "This is exactly the kind of weather I'm ordering in heaven. Cool and rainy."
I enjoyed walking around the grass barefoot and feeling the cool light rain on my skin. Its the perfect weather to put a little chill in you and when you eventually head inside to put the kettle on, tea nirvana time!
Yesterday was almost perfect too. We spent Easter at G-Ma's. We had lots of yummy food, great weather for playing outside and if only DH was feeling better, it would have been a perfect day. He is still battling a wicked sinus infection. When will my family trust me and join me on the garlic side?
Tomorrow I need to get into cleaning mode. My parents arrive later this week and will spend the weekend with us. Time to clean the ceiling fan! :)
Other wishes for the week ahead....DH gets over his sinus infection...a job opportunity surfaces.....the cleaning gets done....more garden playtime... and another pass for jury duty next week.
Saturday, April 03, 2010
New Friends, A New Beginning.....
I went to the library this morning to consider joining a free weight loss support group. I was skeptical, but it turns out no one is trying to sell anything, and it really is what I could be looking for.
There were only two women there, a pretty poor turnout, but both these women were so friendly and willing to share such personal struggles. We decided our group is just for support, no weighing in, no required calorie counting or food logs. We'll meet twice a month, without agendas, to share our journeys, compare tips and support each other.
I hope our group can grow, as we shrink. I suppose the low turn out could have been because its Easter weekend and spring break for many. Our town certainly doesn't have a shortage of over weight people!
One of my new friends has asked me to bake her some bread and she'll pay me. I don't know what possessed me to say yes to this. I'm not a professional baker. I mentioned how sometimes I grind our own wheat for better whole grain nutrition, and she seemed so interested that I knew how to bake bread. I can't fathom why she wouldn't make it herself. She has a recipe for a rye she wants to try, and to me, baking bread seems easy. Why would someone pay me to bake their bread?
Perhaps this could lead me somewhere? I've had others suggest I sell my baked goods. I just don't think serious income could ever come from it.
Maybe its because spring has sprung and Easter is here. My spirit is open for anything. Making new friends this morning didn't seem scary at all. I'm feeling better in my imperfect body, in my imperfect world.
There's a Pearl Jam song, Amongst The Waves, that affirms what I've learned. I've been wounded, but have survived and now I'm stronger because of it. There is love in my life, coming from all directions, if I open myself to feeling it.
There were only two women there, a pretty poor turnout, but both these women were so friendly and willing to share such personal struggles. We decided our group is just for support, no weighing in, no required calorie counting or food logs. We'll meet twice a month, without agendas, to share our journeys, compare tips and support each other.
I hope our group can grow, as we shrink. I suppose the low turn out could have been because its Easter weekend and spring break for many. Our town certainly doesn't have a shortage of over weight people!
One of my new friends has asked me to bake her some bread and she'll pay me. I don't know what possessed me to say yes to this. I'm not a professional baker. I mentioned how sometimes I grind our own wheat for better whole grain nutrition, and she seemed so interested that I knew how to bake bread. I can't fathom why she wouldn't make it herself. She has a recipe for a rye she wants to try, and to me, baking bread seems easy. Why would someone pay me to bake their bread?
Perhaps this could lead me somewhere? I've had others suggest I sell my baked goods. I just don't think serious income could ever come from it.
Maybe its because spring has sprung and Easter is here. My spirit is open for anything. Making new friends this morning didn't seem scary at all. I'm feeling better in my imperfect body, in my imperfect world.
There's a Pearl Jam song, Amongst The Waves, that affirms what I've learned. I've been wounded, but have survived and now I'm stronger because of it. There is love in my life, coming from all directions, if I open myself to feeling it.
Friday, April 02, 2010
Tripping...
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Fridays Are Fresh Days...4/2/10
Random Friday Notes....
I can't believe its Good Friday already. I'm looking forward to Easter because I need to renew my spirit. I need a fresh start. Unemployment stress has kept this dark cloud over everything, and I'm tired of it. I'm ready for the sun to shine again in our world, and Easter will remind me of another Son who is always shining for us.
Easter also means our extended family with gather and that will lift me up. Sunday we'll be feasting in K-town and next weekend my side hopefully will repeat the experience.
I turned up our Square Foot Garden and she's ready for planting. I'm going to gamble and try some lettuces. We have makeshift cloches, so perhaps we'll get some leafy greens despite the rabbits and the threat of frost. If it doesn't work out, oh well. We'll sow again into the ground in May.
We're hoping to build a few more raised beds. We have to or all these seedlings we've started will have no where to go come May.
The big purge is on. Today we donated our 1993 Saturn SL. It had sat in our garage for over 5 years. It needed work and we ended up buying our Grandpa's Cavalier instead. I don't know why we just parked the Saturn in the garage and didn't try to get rid of it sooner. Maybe because it was our first car we bought together, as a newly married couple. We actually bought that car instead of taking a honeymoon.
Now that its gone, it feels great! We can clean up the garage and better utilize the space.
We finished season 2 of Dexter. BRILLIANT!!! Can't wait for season 3 to arrive from Netflix this Monday.
No jury duty next week! Boo Yah!! I have to call again next Tuesday to see if I'm wanted the following week.
I'm thinking of checking out a "free" weight loss group starting at our library. I want it to be a group of local people interested in supporting each other, but I'm skeptical. I hope it isn't someone trying to pitch a product. I can't afford Weight Watchers but the accountability of a bi-weekly group would be good for me. Online groups haven't worked for me.
We have an arrangement with the boys. If we go to a rock concert, they get to have a sleep over. Since DH & I saw STP last weekend, we're picking up pizzas and the man cave will turn into video game central tonight. All will go well unless we lose power!
It's Dandy Blend Chocolate Almond Frappuccino time. I blend together almond milk, Dandy Blend herbal coffee substitute, chocolate syrup and ice to make a healthier version of a Mocha Frap- No fat, no dairy, 130 calories of perfection!
I can't believe its Good Friday already. I'm looking forward to Easter because I need to renew my spirit. I need a fresh start. Unemployment stress has kept this dark cloud over everything, and I'm tired of it. I'm ready for the sun to shine again in our world, and Easter will remind me of another Son who is always shining for us.
Easter also means our extended family with gather and that will lift me up. Sunday we'll be feasting in K-town and next weekend my side hopefully will repeat the experience.
I turned up our Square Foot Garden and she's ready for planting. I'm going to gamble and try some lettuces. We have makeshift cloches, so perhaps we'll get some leafy greens despite the rabbits and the threat of frost. If it doesn't work out, oh well. We'll sow again into the ground in May.
We're hoping to build a few more raised beds. We have to or all these seedlings we've started will have no where to go come May.
The big purge is on. Today we donated our 1993 Saturn SL. It had sat in our garage for over 5 years. It needed work and we ended up buying our Grandpa's Cavalier instead. I don't know why we just parked the Saturn in the garage and didn't try to get rid of it sooner. Maybe because it was our first car we bought together, as a newly married couple. We actually bought that car instead of taking a honeymoon.
Now that its gone, it feels great! We can clean up the garage and better utilize the space.
We finished season 2 of Dexter. BRILLIANT!!! Can't wait for season 3 to arrive from Netflix this Monday.
No jury duty next week! Boo Yah!! I have to call again next Tuesday to see if I'm wanted the following week.
I'm thinking of checking out a "free" weight loss group starting at our library. I want it to be a group of local people interested in supporting each other, but I'm skeptical. I hope it isn't someone trying to pitch a product. I can't afford Weight Watchers but the accountability of a bi-weekly group would be good for me. Online groups haven't worked for me.
We have an arrangement with the boys. If we go to a rock concert, they get to have a sleep over. Since DH & I saw STP last weekend, we're picking up pizzas and the man cave will turn into video game central tonight. All will go well unless we lose power!
It's Dandy Blend Chocolate Almond Frappuccino time. I blend together almond milk, Dandy Blend herbal coffee substitute, chocolate syrup and ice to make a healthier version of a Mocha Frap- No fat, no dairy, 130 calories of perfection!
Labels:
babbling,
dandyblend,
gardening,
sleepover,
weekendfun
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)