Yes, it is Monday. Ours is going to be very rainy, and I'm going to have to shake off this serious case of blah.
I have a ticket to my nephew's heavy metal show tonight. I wish I was more psyched up to go. I'll meet my sister there after I finish working tonight, but I'm feeling guilty about not coming home after work like usual.
I found out yesterday DH preferred when I did not work Monday nights. I actually prefer working Mondays and having Thursdays off. The boys still ask me, "Do you have to work tonight, " more often than I'd like. I know my family would like me home more, but I have to stop feeling guilty. Financially, its not an option.
I think my strawberry smoothie is kicking in. I'm feeling a little less Monday blah now.
I should journal our past weekend. Friday night we grilled burgers at home and watched Quarantine 2: Terminal. It was bad. It had its entertaining moments, but over all a disappointment.
Saturday morning we slept in and hung out as a family, on the couches, chilling to Saturday morning TV.
Saturday afternoon, I covered for a co-worker so she could attend the Badger game. My men picked me up after my shift and took me out for Mexican. Yum! We hit the used book store afterward. I showed serious restraint and didn't buy anything for myself.
I did find a $2 book for DS12. Its a police exam guide. He wants to be a police officer one day and he enjoys reading these kinds of things. I had checked one out from the library once, but now he has his own to keep and enjoy. I love that he's only 12, but enjoying a book written for grown ups. That's unschooling.
Sunday DH and I ran a few errands, but for the most part, we stayed home, enjoying the nest. I began a few house repairs, we'll have to finish up this week, and we played cards. We had our family Sunday meal and watched some football. Their team won, not mine, but I did get to win our card game!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
NIGHTMARE!!!
A nightmare woke me early. It was impossible for me to go back to sleep afterward. I wanted to wake up my boys, but I showed some restraint.
In the dream, my children had become MORONS!!!! They had changed their personalities to try and fit in at.....SCHOOL!! GASP!!!
I'm so glad it was just a dream. My autodidacts are still free to be who they are!!
This isn't a slam on everyone who chooses to attend public instruction. I'm just grateful we have the opportunity to provide an environment for our boys where they feel safe to be themselves, free of judgment. They don't have to worry about being accepted because we love them unconditionally.
I know we've given them a solid foundation of self confidence. Both boys have experienced negative criticism from others, and I was proud of how they handled it. When one son was cyber bullied, he simply "unfriended" the offenders, and told me he wasn't going to let it bother him. My other son received negative remarks regarding his film making and he completely let it roll off his shoulders. He has too much fun creating movies, and he knows the people in his life that matter, that love him, appreciate his creativity.
I believe because we love and respect our boys so much, and because we give them so much freedom, they have become wonderful, generous young men. They are not morons.
They are funny, intelligent, creative, insightful and caring individuals. They aren't trying to be someone they're not. They inspire me everyday!
In the dream, my children had become MORONS!!!! They had changed their personalities to try and fit in at.....SCHOOL!! GASP!!!
I'm so glad it was just a dream. My autodidacts are still free to be who they are!!
This isn't a slam on everyone who chooses to attend public instruction. I'm just grateful we have the opportunity to provide an environment for our boys where they feel safe to be themselves, free of judgment. They don't have to worry about being accepted because we love them unconditionally.
I know we've given them a solid foundation of self confidence. Both boys have experienced negative criticism from others, and I was proud of how they handled it. When one son was cyber bullied, he simply "unfriended" the offenders, and told me he wasn't going to let it bother him. My other son received negative remarks regarding his film making and he completely let it roll off his shoulders. He has too much fun creating movies, and he knows the people in his life that matter, that love him, appreciate his creativity.
I believe because we love and respect our boys so much, and because we give them so much freedom, they have become wonderful, generous young men. They are not morons.
They are funny, intelligent, creative, insightful and caring individuals. They aren't trying to be someone they're not. They inspire me everyday! Wednesday, September 21, 2011
ICU 9/21/11
“This week we want to…”
Here's a few ideas - haircuts, help DS15 with his latest flick, yard/garden needs attention, yard sale, continue the great purge, rotate out seasonal clothing, shop for new clothing if needed, (they always seem to out grow winter gear so quickly), use our free movie tickets...
“The kids are…”
DS15 is beginning production of It Came From The VCR.
DS12 is coming to a cross roads. I can see he's looking for something new. I keep making suggestions and as we unschoolers call it, strewing, but he has yet to find a new center point for his main focus. This kid has always been one to pick one thing and go full speed at it.
These are the times when as an unschooler, you may become a little nervous, but I now understand the reason for these cool down periods. Reading James Sebastian Bach's book, Secrets Of A Buccaneer Scholar really helped me find peace with these transition periods.
“I am learning….”
To listen with greater attention.“I am struggling with…”
Having patience for people with negative attitudes. Life's too short. Is it really that difficult to choose a better frame of mind?
“This week is the first time….”
I'm going to consume chia. I've heard about the health benefits and my sister has given me some to try.
“I am grateful…”
I have a love nest sanctuary.
“My favorite season is…. BECAUSE…..”
If you make me choose, its autumn, hands down, but I do appreciate all of the seasons because I crave change. Autumn is the season where I'm most physically comfortable, but I don't want to give up sleepy, white winter or spring's new birth. Summer is rewarding to have green all around and growing things is very rewarding.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
A Beautiful Tuesday 9/20/11
Today is too beautiful of a day to do dishes, don't you think? We don't get very many of these in Wisconsin. You are required to take advantage of them.
We filled up the bike tires with fresh air and although DS12 took off pedaling, I really wanted to Wii it. You don't want to know the last day I was on Wii Fit, but its so funny the response you get when the game hasn't logged you for awhile. With windows, (and drapes), wide open, I was Wiiing away as the sidewalk walkers gazed in at me. I didn't care. The peepers just want to see my awesome, I understand.
After our workouts, we watched DS15 dissect a rat. Thankfully it was a virtual rat in a computer game. I don't think many people understand how many educational experiences game play offers.
We begin production on DS15's next mini-movie. We walked over to our cemetery to scout location shots and block scenes. Again I couldn't get over how perfect it is outside, warm, sunny, with a terrific breeze blowing.
I also marveled at how they just don't make headstones like they used to. So many of the older graves have amazing sculptures and monuments. The newer section was all grave markers that were designed to be easy to mow over. When we go back to shoot DS15's movie, I'll bring my camera and try to capture a few to show you.
The spiders allowed me to pick a few lovely pieces of Swiss Chard for our lunch. The leaves are so pretty to me, with the branching out veins running up and out from the stem. For today's harvest I chose all green leaves. I admit, some of the chard is so pretty I don't want to pick it!
I have to run. I'm being summoned to help the boys with a challenge. They're back to gaming this afternoon.
We filled up the bike tires with fresh air and although DS12 took off pedaling, I really wanted to Wii it. You don't want to know the last day I was on Wii Fit, but its so funny the response you get when the game hasn't logged you for awhile. With windows, (and drapes), wide open, I was Wiiing away as the sidewalk walkers gazed in at me. I didn't care. The peepers just want to see my awesome, I understand.
After our workouts, we watched DS15 dissect a rat. Thankfully it was a virtual rat in a computer game. I don't think many people understand how many educational experiences game play offers.
We begin production on DS15's next mini-movie. We walked over to our cemetery to scout location shots and block scenes. Again I couldn't get over how perfect it is outside, warm, sunny, with a terrific breeze blowing.
I also marveled at how they just don't make headstones like they used to. So many of the older graves have amazing sculptures and monuments. The newer section was all grave markers that were designed to be easy to mow over. When we go back to shoot DS15's movie, I'll bring my camera and try to capture a few to show you.
The spiders allowed me to pick a few lovely pieces of Swiss Chard for our lunch. The leaves are so pretty to me, with the branching out veins running up and out from the stem. For today's harvest I chose all green leaves. I admit, some of the chard is so pretty I don't want to pick it!
I have to run. I'm being summoned to help the boys with a challenge. They're back to gaming this afternoon.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Update 9/19/11
You can thank my cat for this update. I should get moving, but she is curled up on my lap, enjoying my warmth.
What's Up:
I'm shaking up the supper rut. We fell into a bad pattern of eating the same things, getting tired of eating the same things and resorting to eating out. I made a list of every possible meal we enjoy as a family, and its my goal to add at least one new recipe each week to this rotation.
DS15 is working on a new short film. Its a scary story this time. The working title is "It Came From The VCR!" I'm hoping he can finish it before Halloween, and maybe we could have a film screening party!
DS12 wants to make a Viking helmet. I'll help him research this, and we'll see if we can pull this off. A few weeks ago he said he wanted a sombrero. I saw one at Target, but he didn't want me to spend money on it. I guess he's into hats lately. Come to think of it, so am I. I want a 20's style cloche hat to wear.
I pulled over a dozen board games and puzzles from the game closet that I know we'll never play again. It barely made a dent. I have much more work to do in there. I've got piles to move but the difficult part is where to go with it. I may see if the consignment store will take it, but the boys talk about a garage sale or Craig's List. I know the objective is just to get rid of it, but its tempting to try and get a little money.
I need to find a recipe to try with green plum tomatoes. I don't want to fry them. I saw a recipe for green tomato bread, (think like zucchini), but after making the pumpkin banana bread and chocolate cake this past weekend, I'm baked out. I think I'll try using them on a pizza or making some kind of green sauce with them. I've only had green tomatoes fried.
Yumi is up now, meow chirping at the hummingbird at the feeder. I wonder how many more days we'll have before we don't see the hummers anymore. I actually thought they'd be gone by now.
Since I no longer have any excuse, I better get up and get moving. Have a great Monday!
What's Up:
I'm shaking up the supper rut. We fell into a bad pattern of eating the same things, getting tired of eating the same things and resorting to eating out. I made a list of every possible meal we enjoy as a family, and its my goal to add at least one new recipe each week to this rotation.
DS15 is working on a new short film. Its a scary story this time. The working title is "It Came From The VCR!" I'm hoping he can finish it before Halloween, and maybe we could have a film screening party!
DS12 wants to make a Viking helmet. I'll help him research this, and we'll see if we can pull this off. A few weeks ago he said he wanted a sombrero. I saw one at Target, but he didn't want me to spend money on it. I guess he's into hats lately. Come to think of it, so am I. I want a 20's style cloche hat to wear.
I pulled over a dozen board games and puzzles from the game closet that I know we'll never play again. It barely made a dent. I have much more work to do in there. I've got piles to move but the difficult part is where to go with it. I may see if the consignment store will take it, but the boys talk about a garage sale or Craig's List. I know the objective is just to get rid of it, but its tempting to try and get a little money.
I need to find a recipe to try with green plum tomatoes. I don't want to fry them. I saw a recipe for green tomato bread, (think like zucchini), but after making the pumpkin banana bread and chocolate cake this past weekend, I'm baked out. I think I'll try using them on a pizza or making some kind of green sauce with them. I've only had green tomatoes fried.
Yumi is up now, meow chirping at the hummingbird at the feeder. I wonder how many more days we'll have before we don't see the hummers anymore. I actually thought they'd be gone by now.
Since I no longer have any excuse, I better get up and get moving. Have a great Monday!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Pumpkin Banana Bread
Description:
I had some left over canned pumpkin to use, and I thought it would taste good in banana bread. It tastes very yummy, and I may just always use pumpkin now when I'm baking banana bread.
Instead of oil I used applesauce and instead of sugar, I used honey. I also used whole wheat flour to make this a more healthy treat option.
Ingredients:
2 bananas, mashed
1 1/3 C canned pumpkin
1/2 C applesauce
2 Large eggs
1/2 C honey
2 1/2 C whole wheat flour
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
3 t cinnamon
1/2 C walnuts, chopped
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Spray a 9 x 5 loaf pan with non-stick spray or grease.
Mix the bananas, pumpkin, applesauce, honey and eggs together in a large bowl.
Mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and walnuts in a separate large bowl.
Mix together the banana mixture and the flour mixture just until the flour is incorporated.
Scrape the dough into the loaf and pan and bake for 45 minutes.
Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the loaf pan on a wire rack.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Almond Vanilla Granola
Description:
This is going to be my new go to recipe for granola. It was very easy and came out great. You can add dried fruit before serving, but its best to store this granola in an airtight container without the fruit to maintain crunchiness.
Ingredients:
4 C old fashioned oats
1 C chopped almonds
2/3 C honey
4 T butter, melted ~ I used Light Smart Balance with Omega 3 instead
2 t vanilla extract
1/2 C ground flax seed
Directions:
Preheat over to 350. Spread the oats on two jelly roll pans and roast for 10 minutes. Stir the oats and switch the pans on different oven racks, (top to bottom, bottom to top). Roast for 10 more minutes.
In a large bowl mix the chopped almonds, honey, melted butter, vanilla and flax meal. Stir in the toasted oats.
Spray your jelly roll cookie sheets with non stick spray. Add the oat mixture and bake for another 7 minutes. Stir the granola and switch the cookie sheets, (top to bottom, bottom to top), bake for another 7 minutes.
Cool the granola in the pans on wire racks completely before storing in air tight containers.
Friday, September 09, 2011
ICU 9/9/11
I was suppose to write this Wednesday. It is now 2:30am Friday. Unable to sleep, this could get interesting....
“This week we want to…”
“This week we want to…”
Me - I want to buy pajamas and garlic bulbs.
DS12 - Find a way to complete his Wacky Package Series 8 collection by constantly asking me what jobs he can do for cash.
DS15 - I'm sure his answer would be something related to working on his movie, "Soda Popper."
DH - The man doesn't make goals. I think he just wants to find a way to chill after working so hard all week.
“The kids are…”
DS12 - Has logged over 100 miles on his bike. He's also been doodling another series of Wacky Packages now that series 8 is out and he's back into collecting cards.
DS15 - I believe I saw a script re-write, and I know he's been editing on the computer quite a bit.
“I am learning….”
I'm not that predictable. There's a randomness to me that I need to accept and embrace.
“I am struggling with…”
Flies ~ This time of year they always seem to find their way indoors. I usually don't kill things, but...
“This week is the first time….”
I threw my jaw out. I think I did it screaming my head off at the Blind Melon concert. I didn't notice the pain until a day later, and I've noticed I can't connect my back teeth like I used to be able to. Its kind of freaky. A few days later here, the pain isn't as bad and I think my teeth are starting to come back together, but I'm not sure. If this is still like this in a few weeks, I'll see a chiropractor and maybe they can snap my jaw back into place. This creeps me out though!
“I am grateful…”
That even if others don't appreciate my awesome, I know its still there. I read a blog about how we all are born with our awesome and somewhere along the way, we allow others to take it away from us. I've reclaimed my awesome, and I'm not giving it up ever again. Click here for inspiration to reclaim your own awesome.
“My dream is…..”
Finding the time, inspiration and resources to create something wonderful.Monday, September 05, 2011
BEST DATE EVAARR!
September 4, 2011 ~ I'm setting the DeLorean to this date and hitting 88 MPH.
My Soul One and I road tripped down to the Metro in Chicago to see Blind Melon. I'm recording the details here since my car is really only a Pontiac Vibe, without a flux capacitor.
After feeding our young men McDonald's, we left them home to enjoy their parent free, game playing all night marathon. We packed the kazoo, the Illinois troll transponder and hit the road.
I grew up in the Chicago area and during my high school days, I saw plenty of shows at the Metro, but here it was, probably almost 20 some years since I'd been down there. (We did not go see Blind Melon back in 1995, before Shannon passed, because I was preggers with DS#1.) I remember it being a fairly decent place to see a show.
We found a parking spot on a deserted street. Turns out parking was prohibited due to the Cubs game. We pulled up just as that parking restriction was no longer in effect. SCORE! It was only 1 block away.
We ended up being around 25th in line. I had given up the hope of being in the front. When the doors opened, for some reason, everyone swarmed one entry point. I saw the Metro guy free and walked over. Since we already had tickets, we were able to walk right in and guess where we planted our feet? Stage front, in the middle once again, I couldn't believe how fortunate we were.
The first opening act, The Train Company, was pretty good. The second act, The Katz Company we didn't enjoy as much.
When our boys took the stage we were so excited. The crowd was a great blend of new and old fans and the energy was amazing. Complete Melon Love Fest!
Feeding off our vibe, Blind Melon was completely into it, delivering such an intense, connected performance. They all seemed to really be having a wonderful time playing together, playing for us. Travis surfed the crowd, hundreds of Melonheads buzzing their kazoos, even the Bee Girl was there!
After the show, the bassist Brad specifically handed his set list directly to DH. I know the band recognizes us and appreciates our support. All the band members jumped down to shake our hands.
We left the show Blind Melon buzzed, to a cool, just rained outside, midnight. We broke our pre-concert liquid fast, (no drinking before the show to avoid needing to use the facilities and miss the show), at the 24 hour White Castle. That Diet Coke and chocolate shake tasted so good!
While driving home with our cotton ears, we saw a shooting star. Could this night get anymore perfect?
I hope one day we can repeat this experience, but I know the band doesn't have any future dates on the schedule. The band members all have separate projects they are working on, but I'm hopeful the experience we all shared September 4, 2011, will motivate them to come together once again to relive and recreate this wonderful night.
My Soul One and I road tripped down to the Metro in Chicago to see Blind Melon. I'm recording the details here since my car is really only a Pontiac Vibe, without a flux capacitor.
After feeding our young men McDonald's, we left them home to enjoy their parent free, game playing all night marathon. We packed the kazoo, the Illinois troll transponder and hit the road.
I grew up in the Chicago area and during my high school days, I saw plenty of shows at the Metro, but here it was, probably almost 20 some years since I'd been down there. (We did not go see Blind Melon back in 1995, before Shannon passed, because I was preggers with DS#1.) I remember it being a fairly decent place to see a show.
We found a parking spot on a deserted street. Turns out parking was prohibited due to the Cubs game. We pulled up just as that parking restriction was no longer in effect. SCORE! It was only 1 block away.
We ended up being around 25th in line. I had given up the hope of being in the front. When the doors opened, for some reason, everyone swarmed one entry point. I saw the Metro guy free and walked over. Since we already had tickets, we were able to walk right in and guess where we planted our feet? Stage front, in the middle once again, I couldn't believe how fortunate we were.
The first opening act, The Train Company, was pretty good. The second act, The Katz Company we didn't enjoy as much.
When our boys took the stage we were so excited. The crowd was a great blend of new and old fans and the energy was amazing. Complete Melon Love Fest!
Feeding off our vibe, Blind Melon was completely into it, delivering such an intense, connected performance. They all seemed to really be having a wonderful time playing together, playing for us. Travis surfed the crowd, hundreds of Melonheads buzzing their kazoos, even the Bee Girl was there!
After the show, the bassist Brad specifically handed his set list directly to DH. I know the band recognizes us and appreciates our support. All the band members jumped down to shake our hands.
We left the show Blind Melon buzzed, to a cool, just rained outside, midnight. We broke our pre-concert liquid fast, (no drinking before the show to avoid needing to use the facilities and miss the show), at the 24 hour White Castle. That Diet Coke and chocolate shake tasted so good!
While driving home with our cotton ears, we saw a shooting star. Could this night get anymore perfect?
I hope one day we can repeat this experience, but I know the band doesn't have any future dates on the schedule. The band members all have separate projects they are working on, but I'm hopeful the experience we all shared September 4, 2011, will motivate them to come together once again to relive and recreate this wonderful night.
Friday, September 02, 2011
Playing In Mi Cocina
DH thought I was trying to decorate the kitchen. I'm just trying to find places to dry out peppers. I really don't know how to tie a ristra, but everything I've read online about air drying peppers suggests keeping the peppers from touching one another. The Jalapenos I'm not sure about either because their skin may be too thick. I did slice slits in the jalapenos so I'm hopeful they will dry out like the other peppers. I could freeze them, but honestly, freezer space is a challenge. I love how much color this experiment is adding to my kitchen! I made another batch of marinara sauce yesterday, and this batch actually came out red, not orange! After reading about a new friend's slow cooker technique to making sauce, I thought since its crazy hot outside, I would give this a try rather than using my stove top. I had several Romas that were on the smaller side that I didn't want to peel either. I simply washed the tomatoes, sliced them into chunks and loaded up my slow cooker. I added a few onions, garlic and Italian seasonings and set it to low.
Around lunchtime, after speaking with DH, I decided to add his turkey sausages into the sauce. I cooked them on the stove top for 5 minutes each side, and then threw them into the slow cooker with the sauce.
By supper time, the Sleepyhouse smelled AA-MAZZ-ING!! I removed the sausages and pureed the sauce. It was a bit too watery even though I did not add any. I suppose the water from the tomatoes couldn't escape as steam from the slow cooker. We ate it anyway with pasta, but the rest of the batch, I moved to a stove top pot to cook down. An hour later, it was perfect!!
This is my new way to make marinara. I don't know why all of my previous marinara attempts with Roma tomatoes have always ended up more orange than red, but the slow cooker method left this batch definitely red not orange.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Our Not Back To School Photos
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