Long update- grab a cup of tea....

Homeschooling conference

Picking up from where I left off, I made it down to the homeschooling conference. I was really glad I did even though my sleep is still being disturbed by a nagging cough. I'm pumped up again, and it was the shot in the arm I needed. I really enjoyed Ren Allen's workshops, but I also scored in a workshop by David McKnight, "A Thomas Jefferson Education."

I had never heard of this approach before.It sounds very similar to unschooling in many ways. I ended up buying the book A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver Van DeMille. What really struck me is Key #7 - "You, not them." The idea is, if you educate yourself, you will inspire your children.

I had been questioning whether we could continue unschooling through the teen years. It has worked beautifully so far, but I am forever deschooling myself. I now realize that my doubts are mine, not their's. I have seen how natural it is to learn. One of the benefits of being a homeschooling parent is you have the oportunity to explore the world right alongside your children. I now get that I must allow my passions to push me further in my own education and naturally I will inspire my children to follow their own.

Wonder Of Physics Show

Yesterday I dragged the family to the Wonder Of Physics Show.(What did I just say above about following your own passions? LOL!) Actually I had scored the hot tickets and told them in advance, since I would be away all day on Saturday, it would nice if we could go to the show on Sunday afternoon.

The Wonder Of Physics show has been running for 25 seasons and is presented by Professor Clint Sprott of the UW Madison. We saw multiple demonstrations on motion, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism and light. Being the pyro I guess I am, my favorites were the "Fire Tornado" and "Whoosh Bottle". DS9 liked the "Jumping Rings" and DH and DS12 liked the "exploding soda bottle" best. The show does travel. If you get the chance, I highly recommend it.

Now I need to find a glass bottle with an opening slightly smaller than a hard boiled egg. DS12 wants to repeat the experiment where you drop a piece of burning paper into the bottle, using up the Oxygen, creating a pressure change, allowing for the egg to slip through the bottle neck. Its a classic.

Car repairs

The mechanic called this morning and our car may be ready by Tuesday! Yeah! The bill should be around $150. I feel like we have dodged a huge financial bullet, although there are no guarantees. They are replacing the thermostat because they couldn't see any other problems. I really hope this fixes it.

Painful Childhood moments

Last night DS9 asked what was the most painful moment of my childhood up to age 9. What popped into my head was my fear of night. I hated going to bed. I was full of fear of the dark, fear of things getting me in my sleep. I would cry and cry. To make matters worse, my parents would scream at me, "Stop crying or I'll give you something to cry about!" I would get spanked for being afraid of the dark. The people who should have been helping me feel safe and protected were only upset they were losing sleep. For some reason they thought more fear and intimidation would make me stop being afraid of the monsters under the bed. As a parent myself, I vowed never to spank my children and if they are fearful, they are more than welcome to sleep in my room. Once you get them settled in, everyone falls asleep. We all win!

After all this, DS9 proceeded to tell us what his most painful moment was. I braced myself to hear of some horrific parenting mistake I had made, but he instead said it was when he crashed on the driveway scraping away all of his fingernail down to the under skin. That was horrific! Funny how he was thinking physical pain and I was thinking emotional.

Young Entrepreneur

DS12 asked if we'd pay him for mowing the lawn once the grass starts growing again. I told him I didn't think so because I get can dad to mow the lawn for free. I suggested he try the neighbors.

I'm really trying to help him realize money doesn't come from your parents. You have to go out into the world and earn it yourself. This is partly why we stopped paying allowances. We also stopped because I wanted the boys to help out with chores simply because we all share this household together.

DS12 told me he doesn't think anyone will pay him because he's only 12. I told him plenty of kids make their own money, one way is a paper route. "Do you know any 12 year olds with a paper route?"  I guess he's looking for a mentor.  I told him even though I didn't know personally any 12 year paper kids, I know they exist. I suggested he offer to mow the neighbor's lawn a few times for free and see if they will give him a reference. With that reference, he could get other jobs that actually pay.

Eating Not Exercising

Speaking of the neighbors, the doorbell rings last night and its J from across the street with two giant loaves of cinnamon raisin bread with a jar full of icing to go with it. "We're just heading to the new gym to work out and thought we'd drop off some fresh bread. Its still warm!" Talk about ironic.

Well, I better get off my butt and get on the treadmill. I'm hoping this week it warms up enough to melt the ice and snow. I want to get back outdoors!

Counting my blessings...

If things went according to plan, I wouldn't be here typing this right now. I'd be in an artist workshop, but it wasn't meant to be.

On my way home from work the engine began to overheat in our "good" car. I pulled over and peaked under the hood. The only thing I could think to do was check to make sure my oil change guy remembered to put oil back in. Yup. There's oil in there.

I called DH and told him to head out towards me. The car was still moving but I wasn't sure I'd make it the last 10 miles into town. With flashers on, I crawled home trying to keep the engine from overheating. About 3 miles from the Chevy dealer, the "Trac Off" light came on. Dear Lord please help me get to the dealer!

I met DH at the dealer and dropped the keys in the after hours box. It smelled really bad and DH had fears our car would start on fire and then burn the other cars on the lot. Don't worry, Dear. We have insurance. We never did hear fire engines and now we're just waiting for the phone to ring with the expensive news.

I am so grateful this happened when it did. If the car would have waited until this morning, I would have been 2 hours south doing 65 on the Tollway. Of it could have happened before I made it to work. Calling in would have been stressful.

As it turns out, I'm missing a day of homeschooling workshops, but I also woke up with a really bad sinsus headache. If the car wouldn't have broken down, I would have felt the pressure to suck it up, take 2 Advil and get my butt down to the homeschooling conference. My new plan is to rest up today, wait for the shocking quote to fix the car, and use our other unreliable vehicle to travel south tomorrow. One day of workshops is better than none.

Its times like these when I wish we were wealthy. I don't need to be stinking rich, just enough to cover the cost of this pending phone call. I foresee tears making an appearance today. If you've never cried over car repairs, you just don't get it. I know there are many others worse off then us. We still have the option of adding to our never ending debt.

Its only money right. My kids are alive. We're relatively healthy. Spring is coming. I have to focus on the blessings around me. Does the box of Thin Mints I got from my boss count? I wonder if they are chilled yet. I put them in the fridge this morning.

I better not consider that alternative and go find healthy inspiration.  I think I do have english cucumbers that are already cold and a few grape tomatoes left. I'll be ok until the phone rings.

He wanted to try it...

"Mom, Why don't you make us Jello?"

"Because you won't eat it."

"We've never tried it!!"

Ok, fair enough. I bought him a box of  melon flavored Jello. He read the directions and made it himself. I think the pictures say the rest.

Today needs to be good...

Maybe it was because it was a Monday. Maybe it was because I was getting sick. Maybe I just need an unschooling mom day away. (Don't worry, its coming soon.) Maybe it was because someone knocked off my chain, and I chased my kids around because Karen Black wasn't available.

My throat started feeling sore on Sunday and by Monday it was confirmed. I had something brewing. Determined not to miss my upcoming unschooling Pow Wow, I began to load up on Emergen-C, lots of hot tea and fresh fruit and veg. I also decided I needed rest. This formula has worked for me all winter.

Most of the day went according to plan. Then the Rats came. I had told the boys perhaps we could skip friends today. After all, the rats were here on Saturday from 10:30-5:30 and on Sunday from 10:30-2:30. The boys assured me they would be quiet so I could rest.

I went to lay down at 3:00pm. I never fell asleep. First the phone rang off the hook. The boys never answered it. Then the doorbell was non-stop. The real problem was the vent near my bed is right over the Boycave. I could hear every scream.

I lost it. I went downstairs and yelled for friends to go home. I didn't speak again to my children until their father arrived home.

I was so angry I didn't know myself. Maybe it was because my throat hurt or maybe it was because the boys very rarely disappoint me like this. I could tell the boys wanted to apologize but I wasn't ready to hear it.

In my head I was saying, "You have no respect for me! You knew I was not feeling well and wanted to rest! You said you would answer the phone and the doorbell! You said you could play quietly! I give you too much freedom! You don't think about anyone but yourself! MAYBE I SHOULD SEND YOU TO SCHOOL!"

This last thought shook me. I needed to call Dad.

"Dear Lord, I can't do this anymore. They don't respect me. I can't keep it all together. I'm getting sick, and I hurt! What am I going to do? I don't really want to send them to school. Punishment is not the answer. Why did this happen?!"

"One simply answer- You need to forgive them. They are 12 &  9 and they made a mistake. You made some too. You need to forgive them that's all."

Wow! He was so right! I needed to let go of the anger, let go of the self pity and forgive them. Most of the time they are wonderful, caring, compassionate young men. I blew it big time with my mommy temper tantrum.

The boys were in tears before DH got home. Supper was awkward even after I had told the boys I forgave them. It had put a damper on the entire evening even though we said what we needed to say to each other. I will never get back those few hours I gave to Darkside Dawn, when I could have been a loving mother instead of an angry one.

I prayed before I fell asleep and gave my throat pain away. I gave away all the stress and decided to "Let It Be".

This morning my throat feels a bit better and the boys are back to their normal unschooly selves. I'm on my way back to being my normal self too. Yeah! Thanks God!

It wasn't me! I swear!!

Ok this has me a little freaked out. Do you realize how many books and other materials we check out and how often we are overdue!!! I better make sure I stay organized or its the big house for me!!

Rock County Woman Jailed For Overdue Library Books

Happy Leap Day!

So we've decided to create a Leap Day Time Capsule today. We can't really bury it because we still have piles of snow on top of frozen ground, but we will hide it in the basement. I just hope we remember to look for it February 29th, 2012!

We are going to interview each other asking questions like,"What is your favorite movie?", "What do you think you'll be doing 4 years from today?" etc. We also plan to take photos but we may just have to lock away the photos burned on CD or a memory card. DH doesn't want to wait for the photos to be printed. The Leap Day Time Capsule must be planted before midnight tonight! Maybe we'll print them out if our printer has enough ink.

DS9 has already made an ATC to go in. DS12 has thrown in a piece of his favorite gum. We plan on dining out tonight so I was hoping to include our bill and a menu. Tornado and Gust have each donated a feather and we may try to take Yumi's paw print.

I'm trying not to think about the fact I have to work tomorrow. I normally don't work on weekends, but our pool has a swim meet, and all staff are required to help. Thankfully these meets only happen a few times a year. I don't do crowds very well.

Besides working, I will probably try to get a jump on spring cleaning. Thrilling weekend I know, but I'd rather clean now and be able to spend time outside when spring really does arrive.

Last night DH and I stayed up late to watch "Michael Clayton." It wasn't what I expected. I actually enjoyed it! I was impressed with the writing only 5 minutes into it.

The rest of the movie stack for the weekend contains the following; Stand By Me, The Darjeeling Limited, Spaceballs, Fantastic 4, 30 Days of Night, Spacecamp, Requiem For a Dream and Escape from L.A. Once again its so obvious I'm not the one picking up the movies from Blockbuster. I'm sure I won't watch all of them. In fact, there are some I'm hoping get watched without me while I'm working!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Time to Flip Over

I know I can't remain on the dark side forever. I'm trying to flip back to the Jedi I know I am inside. Help me Obi Wan!

Last night a dad told me his son had an accident on the carpet. I grabbed the cleaner and towels and reminded him we have locker rooms for changing. (Its easier to hose down a locker room floor.)  I no sooner put away the Simple Green when he's back. "I'm sorry but now my daughter has also had an accident."  I handed him the bottle and towels. If he refuses to change his children in the locker room he can clean up his own kids' piss!

I decided to make Mile High pancakes this morning. Since I used whole wheat flour though, they weren't "Mile High." They still tasted yummy.

We headed out to the library and I had a moment of unschooling mom dread. The librarian wanted DS9 to write his name on the computer use contract. He had already printed it, but frankly, the kid doesn't know cursive. I had to explain to DS9 that a printed signature wasn't what the librarian wanted. I wrote his name in cursive and asked him to copy it. We both walked away feeling a little frustrated for various reasons. (I should have told him to "write" an "X".)

I'm very tempted to pull out a cursive workbook we have packed away in the deep dark basement. I bought it years ago when DS12 said he wanted to learn to read cursive. He never really wanted to write with it, but he wanted to know how to read it. DS12 practiced the proper way to write cursive, but then ended up making his own signature, attaching the letters in his own way. (Don't we all end up doing this anyway?) His writing is legible and that's all that I care about. I believe keyboarding is more important for him anyway since he has no interest in calligraphy.

I asked DS9 if he wanted to learn cursive and he answered with a very unenthusiastic, "I guess so." I really don't believe in making him do a workbook if he doesn't want to, and I'm not even sure his dexterity is ready yet. He gets practice holding pencils. Believe me. I have lots of colored pencils that need sharpening right now.

It wasn't all negative at the library. We ended up with some interesting books.

DS12 asked the other day if the Nazi's won the war. I answered, "Nien!" I told him next time we're at the library find a book on World War II. So today he checked out World War II by Louis Snyder. He's already told me the war lasted 6 years, and the Germans started the "lighting war."

What? Lighting war? Ohh. "Blitzkrieg!"  He hasn't gotten that far in the book yet to see who wins. When he finishes I'll have to share with him how my grandmother was left on the farm alone with 4 small children when Grandpa enlisted to fight the Germans. She was furious because her parents were from Germany.

We also checked out 7X9 = Trouble by Claudia Mills. I thought this would be a good one since we are having flash card wars with multiplication lately. Both boys want to be the first to answer and the rivalry is getting intense.

They also had George's Secret Key To The Universe by Lucy and Stephen Hawking. This one looks really good!

I also couldn't resist checking out Schooled by Gordon Korman. Its about a homeschooled boy that has to attend school after his hippie grandma falls out of a tree. The inside jacket says, " Capricorn (Cap) Anderson has never watched television.He's never tasted a pizza. Never even heard of a wedgie. Since he was little, his only experience has been living on a farm commune and being homeschooled by his hippie grandmother, Rain."  Hmmm... Will this book be filled with homeschooling sterotypes? I can't wait to find out!

Darkside Dawn is back...

Sorry I've been MIA. Its probably a good thing because I'm just in a whiny mood. Everything seems to be a struggle these days.

DS12 is watching "Star Wars The Legacy Revealed" on the History Channel this morning. Its really good! I never realized Darth Vader's helmet resembled the Nazi's.

DS9 is taking a break from making Poptart ATCs. Yesterday he told me he was running out of ideas for Poptart flavors. I guess its down time for his creativity until he recharges. Got any ideas for flavors of Poptarts you'd like to try?

Maybe I need recharging too. I'm generally dissatisfied with life these days. I know I need to count my blessings and get over it, but first get your cheese, I want to whine.

I have lost my patience for parents who don't parent! Why do so many people ignore their child's inappropriate behavior and fail to correct them?

I shouldn't be surprised. They aren't really parents but taxi drivers. They shuffle their kids from school, to swim lessons, then soccer, then karate, etc. They don't even pay attention to what their child is learning.

"I don't know what level my son swims at now. I don't know who his teacher is. I want to schedule lessons for spring but what level will he be in?"  Translation- I just pay for lessons. I don't watch him swim. You introduced me to his teacher weeks ago but I didn't care to learn her name. I don't ask him how he's doing. I certainly don't come back for family swim and swim with my child ever! We don't have time for that!

I have also lost faith in our DMV department for issuing driver's licenses. The past two nights I've had near misses.

I slowed down and signaled I was pulling over. I was dropping off my nephew in his driveway. The moron behind me doesn't slow down but honks his horn and flips me off. Nephew is in the van so I can't return the insult.

Last night I'm driven off the road because moron #2 wants to pass someone when it wasn't safe to do so. Never mind the fact that 200 yards further, the road opens up to 4 lanes. It was more important to threaten my life. 

If DS9 is serious about wanting to be a police officer, I can't wait for him to kick butt doing so! I can't tell you how many times I wish I had a dashboard camera!

I have to stop being Darkside Dawn. DS9 is playing a game where he has to spell words and he's asking for help. (Unschooling spelling lesson time)

Thanks for letting me vent. I'll turn back to my cookie baking self soon.

Weekend stuff

We visited Grandma yesterday and she took us to a dinosaur museum. It was difficult to take photos because the gallery was so dark. I liked this guy. I thought he was a cutie.

It felt so good to get out yesterday and enjoy a day trip. We've had a brutal winter. I wanted to go for a hike but everything is still ice covered or a melting mess.

DH is chopping the ice today on our driveway. I may head out to the store to pick up supplies to make us an Oscar night supper. We're not really looking forward to watching the Oscars like we have in the past. I don't know if its because we don't make it out to the movies as often or because there aren't that many good movies.

Last night we watched "Wind Chill" after we made it home from K-town. It was ok. It was scary enough, but I was disappointed with the ending and later I kept finding myself punching holes in the plot.

DS12 has been filling up his MP3 player with Linkin Park songs and now I feel like rocking out. I can't wait to take him to his first concert! I'll probably embarrass him though.

DS9 still has his Poptart obsession going strong. I'm thinking he may grow up and work for Kellogg's in marketing. On our last grocery store trip, he had to stop and read off all the different flavors. Its not that he wants to eat them. He actually only likes one flavor, Brown Sugar Cinnamon and he probably only eats one or two a week. He just wants to design flavors and draw up ATCs.

I stood there in the aisle and was a proud mom. (He can read!!) He was like a Poptart salesman. "Oooohh! Chocolate Vanilla! Strawberry cheesecake!" I'm sure the other shoppers thought we were nuts! LOL!  I really hope we hear back from Kelloggs. DS9 wrote them a letter about how its his dream to create a Poptart float for our 4th of July parade. He wants to be a Poptart mascot and hand out Poptart cards.

Well, I better get out and enjoy the sun while it lasts. Another winter storm is on the way for Monday night.

Hope you're having a great Sunday!

I need spring...

I'm tired of trying to function like an astronaut. I don't want to be bundled up anymore. You don't realize how wonderful manual dexterity is until you try to buckle your seatbelt wearing gloves. Dialing a cell phone is out of the question.

I think I may need a spring makeover. Last night a guest at the pool asked me if I remember when the Beatles made their U.S. debut. I admit my hair is going gray, but the Beatles were way before my time! I was screaming for Bono not Paul, George, Ringo or John.

I really don't want to color my hair again with chemicals. I did the bottle blond thing for years. DH says he likes the gray, but am I prepared for this aging gracefully thing?

I feel like giving away everything in my closet and starting over. Of course I don't have the money to do this. I have no sense of style either. I'll buy the same shirt in the same colors.

I told DS12 I was turning 40 this summer and he said to me, "You still have another 60 years left." I love his optimism! This is how I should look at this. I can get in shape and take care of my body and hopefully make it to 100! I did have a great aunt who reached 104. She said her secret was lots of sleep. Of course she never married or had children. Getting sleep would not have been a problem for her.

Its time I stop feeling so old and bundle up yet again. We're heading to the sledding hill for our need for speed. It will be great to feel like I'm 10 again, although something tells me the climb back up will remind me I'm not.

Have a great Friday!

Bored random narrative rant- Must be cabin fever

$2.50 can buy you a lizard army. Yesterday we met family at Rocky Rococo's to celebrate a cousin's birthday. I told the boys they could bring $2.50 from the spare change jar to use for games. DS9 used all his tickets to buy lizards.

The ride to the party was a death defying feat. The roads are still covered with layers of ice. We saw a Uhaul truck completely flipped over. I only hope they had completed their move and their valuables were not upside down!

I voted today. I know my guy has officially backed out, but his name was still on the ballot so I didn't have to write him in. I cherish my right to vote and to vote for who I want, not who the media says are front runners. We have below zero wind chills, the parking lot was a skating rink, but I found a way there and cast my ballot. I did it in remembrance of all the women past, present and future who didn't/don't have this right. Surprisingly, I was the youngest person I saw. Most of the other people voting were seniors who had shown up for the free community meal.

I'm so ready for spring! Even DS12 said to me yesterday, "I want to grow something." Maybe this will be the year we have a real garden. Maybe we'll look into starting baby plants indoors.

Our days have been off and I'm blaming the weather. DS12 has even watched "Becoming Jane" with me. How's that for a bored kid?!! He thought the movie was depressing. I could take it or leave it. I felt like I was watching a really bad remake of P&P. DS12 was surprised to learn during that time women hoped for a good marriage because supporting themselves was unheard of.

Last night I watched "The Nines" with DH. Maybe it was because I was tired but I didn't get it. I need the cliff notes for this movie.

Our movies weren't a total loss. I enjoyed "A Long Engagement" even though it had disturbing war stuff in it.

Well, my computer turn is up. DS9 wants to go back to Poptarts.com and see if anyone has beaten my top score on Breakfast Blast Off. I'm hoping no one has because then I'll be tempted to play again. :)

Iced in

My weekend's been a story of plans not going as expected, but I did enjoy this nice surprise. Salerno cookies are a favorite from my childhood. Of course back then I could actually fit the cookie on my finger! Wanting to share this experience with our boys, we've looked for these cookies in stores around us but up until now, we haven't found them.

Last night we were in the next town over, trying to find Haddock fish from Iceland, not China. You have to be careful because the Icelandic brand sells Haddock caught in China. Its less expensive but you get what you pay for. (Trust me, don't buy fish from China.) We found Haddock caught in Viking waters and as we made our way to the check out, we saw Salerno cookies!  DH was tempted to buy more than one box for fear we won't be able to find them again.

We were suppose to at a cousin's birthday party today but the rain is falling and freezing on the ground. Its suppose to change over to sleet and then snow. Our driveway is an ice rink and they are advising people to stay put. Our power keeps flicking on and off. (Ohh, I hope I don't lose this blog post!)

The Posse rats made it over. They wore their skateboard helmets after one of them fell on the ice and hit his head. His mother called and said, "He's still going to try to make it to your house. If he gets a headache, call us and we'll come and get him." Are you kidding me?!!! I wouldn't even allow DH out to pick up a Sunday paper.

I hit the kitchen and so far I've made potato onion soup, croutons, oatmeal bread and grilled cheese sandwiches. I guess I'm going a little stir crazy. I want to kick out the Posse Rats and play some Wii myself.

From the other men in my life....

This is the Valentine my boys gave me this morning. Isn't it cute!

We have an inside joke in our family. We always try to buy monkey cards. This started years ago when DS9 became obsessed with primates. When we shopped for greeting cards for family members, he would always pick the card with a chimpanzee dressed as a human doing something ridiculous. DH decided this would be our thing. If you get a birthday card from us, it probably will have a monkey on it. 

My Funny Valentine...

I'm crazy, silly, in L-O-V-E, love, with my husband!!! He gave me this Valentine this morning before he had to leave for work. I'm still cracking up!! There are several Teen Nick shows my family watches, and DH knows this one bothers me!

This is one of the many things I love about my husband. He knows how to make me laugh! Its a bonus he has green eyes and a hairy chest. LOL!

We met in high school in 1986. For years I had seen him around the halls, always assuming he was an upper classmen. Our school was so large, you pretty much only socialized with kids in your grade. I knew he wasn't in my year. When I began my senior year, he was still around. HE'S A JUNIOR?!

He hung out with the punk guy with the mohawk.  He looked too cool to be in high school.  He always had a 5:00 o'clock shadow by lunch time.

I discovered they worked at McDonalds. I started flirting with him when he would work. I remember the very first thing he gave me, a Happy Meal toy. I still have it!!

Taking inspiration from a Level 42 song, I wrote him a note that simply said, "There is something about you....". He asked my best friend for my phone number and the rest is history!

I've spent 21 out of my 39 years with him in my life.  I can't imagine not sharing a single day without him. This May it will be 22 years we've been together and 15 years being married. I'm so blessed to be his girl!

Plato quote

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

Do not train children to learning by force and harshness,
but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that
you may be better able to discover with accuracy the
peculiar bent of the genius of each.

Junk Drawer Doom

Somebody check my temperature. There is a 60% off the clearance price book sale, and I'm not going. I must be getting sick. Actually its too cold outside, zero as I type, and I want to fluff my nest.

I thought I was getting sick this weekend, but I think I've fought it off. (Are you tired of me plugging Emergen-C?) I skipped my hour on Saturday, but forced myself to do it yesterday even with my headache. I felt better afterwards, but the real plus was I found motivation after watching a show on decluttering your house.

I took this before shot of my junk drawer. I've decided we are no longer going to have a junk drawer. I'm going to dump everything on the table and sort through it. I'll have to post the after shot once I'm done. In the deep dark part of our basement there is a box labeled "junk drawer" from when we moved over 6 years ago. The box has never been opened. What does that tell you?! I may have to open the box after I finish today's junk drawer challenge. I bet it will be like a time capsule!

I'm off to tie the laces and send my blood cells on another 60 minute joy ride. Hope you have a great Monday!

Poptart Obsession II

This morning DS9 asked to use the camera. He wanted to show you his Poptart ATC collection to date. Some he made himself and some he traded for.

I swear to you, he hasn't eaten a real Poptart in weeks. He just loves the Poptart cartoon guys from the Poptarts.com website. His breakfast kick has been Eggo waffles. Ohh! That gives me an idea! I'll have to make him an Eggo guy ATC card!

COS Alert- (Child over shoulder) He is reading this as I type it.

He also wants you to know there are 29 cards, 5 rows of 5 and one row of 4 = 29. (Unschooling math)

He really wants to name them for you so here goes starting in the upper left:

Berry,Wildberry, Tomato, Lime, French Fry, Cookies and Cream, Smores, Brown Cinnamon Sugar, Sprinkles and Chocolate, Chocolate and Strawberry, Donut, French Toast, Strawberry Milkshake, Gingerbread, Scentedelic Sunday, Way Back Wednesday, Mint Chocolate Chip, Cake, Hamburger, Popsicle, Pizza, Funky Flava, Mystery, Chocolate, Double Berry, Doritos, Sprinkles and Strawberry, Chocolate Caramel, Chocolate Chip.

DS9 asks, "Wouldn't it be cool if Poptart guys were real! We could put them in the freezer. We could get one of those doctor things you listen to your heart with and put it up to the freezer door to listen to what they say!" 

I love this child so much I must squeeze him!!!

This blog has been proofed by DS9. (Unschooling language arts)

Thursday 13

Thirteen things I'm very thankful for:

1. We have a working snow thrower. The official total is 20 inches.

2. My family and I were safe at home. Over 900 vehicles were stranded on the Interstate for almost 12 hours.

3. My treadmill. As much as I complain about not being able to stroll outdoors, I love that I have this option at home.

4. BBC- My shows, How Clean Is Your House and You Are What You Eat make my hour walk go by quickly.

5. My legs work well. I may be overweight but I can still walk for an hour. Being able to move is a blessing!

6. I haven't gotten really sick in over a year, not even a bad cold. I've felt like one was starting, but thankfully what I'm putting into my body must be helping my immune system.

7. DH- He is the best! He called me at lunch just to chat! Maybe he was missing me after our extra day yesterday.

8. DS12- He is such a great kid! He tries to eat healthy with me and he's always willing to help me out.

9. DS9- Always gives me great big hugs and still allows me to sing his lullaby each night. I made up one especially for him when he was a baby. I've told him when he grows up and moves away, I will call him each night to sing it! LOL! He says he won't mind! Maybe his wife will though!

10. Apples- Strawberries may be my favorite fruit fresh from the patch, but apples rock too! I love how well they keep, how portable they are, how they keep my hunger in check, clean my teeth when I don't have a toothbrush, give me disease fighting fiber and even a splash of juice makes those 8-10 glasses of water go down much easier. I'm currently on a Jonagold kick.

11. My neighbors- J & D from across the street baked us two giant loaves of raisin bread. It's so good, but I have to get rid of it before I eat it all. It's coming to work with me tonight. Hungry college students are also a blessing!

12. Band-aids- It doesn't matter how much I use lotion or if I'm taking flax seed oil. My cuticles hate this time of year.

13. Tomorrow is Friday!! I'm hoping we'll watch Shrek 3 for Family Fun Night. DH picked it up for free when he bought our tax software.

Wednesday's White Out

What a wallop of a storm! We have around 17-19 inches and the blowing and drifting is really bad with 30 mph winds. The snow plows have been pulled from the roads until tomorrow morning. They are advising everyone stay put.

DH called in to work and I'm so grateful he did! He never would have made it home. My sister unfortunately is stuck at work. She tried to drive home and got stuck. She made it back to work so she's safe and warm, but she plans on working all night, graveyard style, since the plows are not out.

When I came home from work last night it was more of an ice rain, so underneath all this snow is ice. We closed the pool after lessons so I got a jump start on driving home. Today the pool was closed all day long. This is the second Wednesday in a row the pool closed down. Next Wednesday will be awful as people will expect not one but two makeup lessons!

Despite being snowed in, my day went really fast. I had bonus snuggle time with DH, watched him snow throw, did my hour on the treadmill, baked cookies and made it to the grocery store to buy milk, (its only a few blocks away.) I read more of Mommy Millionaire but didn't finish it like I thought I would. DH and I also watched the movie, Hatchet, while the Posse Rats who were able to make it to our house played video games with our boys in the basement. Of course I had to make the daily required ATC for DS9. I spent a good chunk of time on the phone with my stranded sister as well. I guess I've accomplished a lot but I wish I had time to do more.

Overall, I'm extremely grateful my family is safe and sound at home tonight. I'm going to get off the computer now and watch the rest of Bug's Life with them.

TTT - (stolen from Suey)

Ten Thoughts Tuesday

1. Oh no! We're going to get 10 inches of snow!

2. Driving home after my shift tonight will be stressful.

3. I'm a Princess. I should quit complaining. DH has to drive in the snow all the time.

4. I'm a nice Princess. I've already taken out the garbage for DH. It was gross too.

5. Where's my Burt Bee's?

6. That pink dress in the catalog I received today is really cute!

7. Where would I wear it? Realistically it would sit in my closet 364 days a year. It would make me feel like a Princess though.

8. I think I'll wear jeans to work tonight...and boots!

9. I wonder if I'll get to go home early after lessons are over?

10. I smell popcorn. What's DS9 doing?

Mardi Gras Milkshake

DS12 wanted one last milkshake before giving them up for Lent. I had him research online recipes for milkshakes and he ended up creating his own recipe.

Mardi Gras Milkshake

To a blender add:

3/4 C chocolate milk
1 C vanilla ice cream
1 t vanilla
1 t sugar
3 T chocolate syrup

Blend and enjoy!

It was really good! (I had just a taste I promise!)

Lentil veggie stew

(I adapted a recipe I saw in Good Housekeeping magazine.)

1 T olive oil
1 chopped onion
2 handfuls of baby carrots, chopped
1 15 oz can of no salt added tomatoes, cut into smaller pieces
1-2 C of water
1 1/2 C veggie broth
1 C of lentils
1 t cumin
1 t garlic powder
1/2 t pepper
Several handfuls of baby spinach

Cook the onion and carrots in the olive oil about 10 minutes.  Add the tomatoes, lentils, water and veggie broth. Season with cumin, pepper and garlic powder. Simmer another 10 minutes or until lentils are soft. Add the baby spinach and stir until wilted. Enjoy!

Cayce quote

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

Do not put off today that which will bring hope and help to the mind of another...Those things that make for the putting off become a joy never fulfilled. Use then the experiences from day to day as the basis and these will grow under thine very effort; surprising even to self as to the joy that comes from same, and gradually taking shape to become a joy to self and blessings to others.

Monday morning

Last night DS9 had going to bed anxieties so DH told him to look forward to making more ATCs in the morning. He requested DS9 make him a fish flavor Poptart card.  This morning before DS9 even had breakfast he picked up the colored pencils. He requested I take a picture to email to dad at work.

I'm always blue on Mondays because DH has to leave us. I plan on sinking my sorrows into a bowl of homemade lentil stew. Its going to be another snow/ice/rainy day and I know the stew will warm my bones and my soul. After I finish my treadmill time, I'll start chopping up the veg. Hopefully these activities will chase away my Monday blahs.

Time to tie my shoes and get moving.

Superbowl Sunday

If you know me, you know its the little things in life that please me most! I'm pumped up because I bought an expandable, portable file case.  I will no longer have paper mess on my kitchen counter because I don't have a real desk! There are over 24 slots, more than enough to hold 2 years' worth of bills and paperwork! I will never misplace a bill again! Yeah! Yes, I love being organized. Yes, I am a geek.

Our generous neighbors had us over for supper last night. I'm still stuffed! We had BLT salad, do it yourself pizzas, brownies and a 3 berry bread pudding-so yummy! No use getting on the scale tomorrow.

They are an older, empty nest couple. They sent us home with all the leftovers. AHHHH!!!!!!! On a positive note, I don't have to cook for awhile.

We introduced them to Apples to Apples and had a great time getting to know each other better. They asked about our homeschooling and not surprisingly we received a favorable response. Most people have no trouble understanding why we homeschool, but I'm sure they don't clearly understand how we homeschool. In any event, its comforting to know we have great neighbors who won't question why the boys don't board the bus each morning.

I've started an online nature journal for our family at enature.com . We started listing the birds we've spotted and every time we see a creature in person we'll add it to our list. DS12 wanted to add a Hammerhead shark, but since he's never actually seen one in person I said no. I did give him credit for the Stingray we petted last year.

DS9 and I have been busy making and trading ATCs every day. We've decided to commit to making at least one every day for each other.  I can't wait to fill up a binder with cards he's made! Years from now it will be fun to look back at his artwork. Still obsessed with Poptarts, he suggested we create our own flavors, so I made him a Pepperoni Pizza Poptart card, taking inspiration from last night's supper. He loved it. He proceeded to make crazy flavors, French Fry Poptart, Doritos Poptart. I guess it won't be too difficult to look back and remember what his favorite foods were when he was 9! 

I'm trying to be a supportive wife, but DH is in denial. He needs to wear his glasses. He can't read small print. Often when we dine out, I have to read the check for him. Today he didn't notice he was uploading tax software for 2006 rather than 2007. He was so upset. He had to spent a long time on hold waiting for someone to credit our card. Its been straightened out, but I think he is feeling badly for making this mistake, or he's realizing he needs to wear his glasses and this depresses him. I sent him out the door to get us Diet Cokes to relieve our stress. I hope he comes back in a better mood.

Speaking of Diet Coke, I think this is what I'll give up for Lent. I'm not Catholic, and I've never given up anything for Lent before, but this year I've decided to give it a try. I won't drink pop (soda, fizzy drink) after Tuesday.

Do you say pop or soda? Or maybe its fizzy drink? I grew up around Chicago and we said pop. When I lived in Minnesota, people called it soda. Here in southern Wisconsin I hear both pop and soda. After watching BBC America during every workout, I hear people in England say fizzy drink. I'm not adopting a British accent, but I like using the word fizzy drink! :) I caught myself saying "Loo" the other day too! :)

We're gearing up to watch the big game tonight. DS9 is going to cheer for the Patriots. I suppose I'll root for the Patriots as well, but I'm mostly going to watch the commercials!

My Diet Coke just walked in the door. Have a great SuperBowl Sunday!

Monthly quote from the cheesy calendar my insurance guy gave me

Rating:	★
Category:	Other

February- " AMBITION - Behind every achievement is someone who dared to try."

The photo for February is a sailboat.

Poptart Obsession

If I haven't been online as much its because I've been having to share the computer with DS9. He is obsessed with the Poptarts website, playing Poptart games. He saw me working on ATCs and then decided he wanted to make Poptart ATCs.

Starting at the top & then left to right; Strawberry Milkshake, Blueberry, French Toast, Cherry, Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Chocolate Caramel, Smores, Sprinkles with brown sugar cinnamon, Wild Berry, Chocolate cinnamon & sprinkles, Double Berry, Chocolate Chip, Hot Fudge Sundae.

I think they are cute! He's asked me to join his Poptart ATC club. I'll have to make some Poptart cards to trade with him.

I had a hilarious dream. I was working for Hugh Hefner. I was a Playmate, and I was making an appearance at a convention. At the same hotel there was a homeschooling conference going on. I was terrified people from my homeschooling circle would find out I was working for Playboy! Apparently my subconscious is struggling with my dual identify as homeschooling mother/sexy momma! LOL!

I want to spend money I don't have. I want to buy new spring clothes and new pjs. I had changed into floral flannels right after supper on Wednesday and DH said, "What's with the Granny pajamas?!" Hey, it was stupid cold outside and I wanted to hibernate, but after my Playboy gig, I'm thinking I deserve something nice.

I also feel like going crazy in a craft store. I want new papers. I want to make new cards and maybe even scrapbook. I haven't made a scrapbook page in forever. Last year I bought this pack of themed paper thinking I would at least make one page for every month of 2007. Well here we have one month down in 2008 and 11 to go.

Of course that means I should be taking photographs as well! I am so ashamed when I look at my pictures and realize I have nothing good. I think I'm too hyped up on having everything look perfect in a picture. I think I just should go for the candid look this year.

Maybe I'll sneak out of Family Fun movie night to go shopping. DH's weekly movie rental haul doesn't excite me; Saw IV, Dragon Wars, Hatchet, 13 Tzameti. He also picked up Bug's Life and Scooby Doo Zombie Island, but I've seen those.

Well, I better get moving here and stop babbling. Hope you have a great weekend!

Not going anywhere..

I'm too frozen to move. Its death cold out. The kind of cold where the second you inhale, your nose hairs freeze. I hate it! This one hurts more because we had such a drop in temperature. 

School was canceled which means I have rats. I'm very tempted to make chocolate chip cookies, but I shouldn't because I will eat them.

On a positive note, the pool is closed again tonight so I won't have to brave the icy roads. DH told me the highway leading from our town has at least an inch of ice on top. The salt they throw down does very little when its this cold out. I'm so ready for spring!! Or at least a temperature around 32.

I did my hour on the treadmill and drank my Emergen-C, but I'm still depressed. I ate some mango and that was the highlight of my day so far. How sad is that! I should be cleaning something but I don't want to. I should find a valuable way to spend my new spare time, but I just want to be a couch potato with Yumi.

I better get away from the computer. Its not helping just sitting here. I promise to be more sunshiny tomorrow.

He didn't get into trouble...

After I took this shot, I gave the camera to DS9. It kept him entertained and it really helped him look around noticing how beautiful our capitol building is. I asked him to remember 3 things to tell Dad tonight. Here's his list:

1. The golden lady on top is not solid gold, only the outside layer.

2. Her name is not "Forward" like everyone thinks. Its "Wisconsin." Forward is the state motto.

3. There's a ghost in the painting in the assembly room. (The artist was asked to paint a badger into the scene and he removed a civil war soldier to balance the painting. After the painting was cleaned, outlines of the image of the missing soldier reappeared.)

This was my first official tour as well. We sat in the Governor's conference room, the committee room, the assembly, the senate and the supreme court. I didn't realize how much artwork there was and how much stone! There are fossils all over the place. Its very cool.

He's going to cause trouble.

I told DS9 we are heading to our state capitol for a tour today. He groaned and said, "Mom, you know I'll be bored. I'll get loud and then get in trouble."

Trying not to laugh, I told him now that he is 9, I'm sure he'll figure out how not to cause trouble just because he's bored. I love his honesty.

I really want to get out of the house, even if it means the risk of DS9 testing to see if his voice echoes at the dome.

What I'm not looking forward to is driving to and from work tonight in the storm. Another arctic blast is headed our way. We are going from 40 degrees to -5 tonight, freezing rain to snow, 60 mph winds. I'm sure I won't be bored, but I may get loud and then cause trouble! :)

Quick and healthy

I used leftovers from our taco bar to whip up a healthy, quick lunch. I layered brown rice, mashed sweet potato, tomato salsa, green pepper, black beans, a little cheddar cheese and flavored with cumin and pepper. Nuked a minute and a half and wha-la... guilt free lunch!

Squeezing it all in- (a clog)

I thought this snap of Yumi helped sum up our weekend. We had a busy one but managed to cram it all together.

Thursday I was stressed. The owner of the pool I work at did something with a project I was working on that offended my manager. I was more upset because the manager I greatly respect and the owner were at odds. Its difficult being in a situation where you have no control and you watch people get hurt.

Friday went better. DS8 turned into DS9, and we took him out for dinner. He choose Red Lobster. He loved his cheesy cheddar biscuit rolls, but my tilapia looked suspicious. I poked at it with my fork and then DS9 said, "Its got Duct Tape in it?" I had been served trout instead of tilapia.

Saturday I picked up Dr. Wayne Dyer's book, Change Your Thoughts Change Your Life - Living the Wisdom Of The Tao. It was just what I needed. I stopped stressing about work.

Saturday night I baked more Domo birthday cake, made a spaghetti supper to enjoy with DMIL, and prepared food for our Sunday family party. We also watched a DVD DS9 had gotten for his birthday, Monster Squad.

Sunday morning, after dreaming about plane crashes all night, I headed into work for our administrative staff meeting. I was nervous about what the owner would say about what had happened on Thursday, but keeping Dr. Dyer's message in mind, I knew I could keep it together. The meeting went ok, but the owner pulled me into her office to apologize to me privately. It was somewhat awkward because I had to be leaving at that very moment to meet my family for DS9's mini-golf party. She was teary and I thought about hugging her, but decided against it because she's said she doesn't like to be touched.

Changing gears was strange. I made it down the road to the party and got everyone started mini-golfing. Everyone seemed to have a good time. DS12 had a hole in one at the black light hole and he ended up winning a free game at the last hole, "Plinko style."

We ended up back at our house pigging out on taco fixings and cake. DS9 loved his gifts and we felt blessed our family could share this day with us.

Through all of this, I still managed to find the time to walk for an hour each day. The last 7 days has proved to me its not impossible. Weekend workouts are a little more tricky but that's because DH is competing with me for the treadmill. He had gotten off and I thought he was done. He came right back after having used the bathroom. Fighting over the treadmill is a good problem to have in a marriage! :) We're going to ask DMIL if we can have her elliptical and then we can work out together. How romantic!!

Well, I have to get going. Our snow is melting fast and the boys want to go sledding before the rain starts. Tomorrow will be cruddy, ice rain with 60 mph winds. Oh joy.

You know you're a cat nut when....

You read a news report that a cougar may be in your area and you want to go look for it!!

http://www.channel3000.com/news/15113257/detail.html

My boys think I'm crazy, but I'm very excited to think cougars may be in our area of Wisconsin. I guess I really wouldn't want to meet one face to face on a hike, but I love cats and would love to see them able to return to wild living.

Staying well for DS8

Its pretty isn't it? I like the protein spikes. I don't want it in my body though.

I know my body is waging a war against the rhino. I'm drinking Emergen-C & tea like I'm an addict. There is always a warm mug in my hand. I'm shoving lots of fruit and veg down my throat and after I spend my hour on the treadmill, I'm taking it easy before I leave for work.

I'm so ready for Spring! My mood has seemed to turn on a dime. Days ago I was feeling it wasn't so bad. The arctic cold air seemed to be cleansing. When you are fighting the rhino though, the cold, dry air doesn't feel so therapeutic anymore.

I must stay well because in just days my DS8 will become my DS9!! I'm so excited for him! I used to feel regret that my babies were no longer babies, and now I'm going through my little boys are no longer little boys. I'm the mom of Tweens! How did that happen?

Today is my last day of obligation and then the fun can begin! Since I don't have to work tomorrow and DH will be out of town rocking it, I'm thinking of kick starting our birthday fun weekend by taking the boys out for Noodles. On Friday I'm sure DS9 will want to eat out at Red Lobster for his Birthday dinner. The only thing he eats there is the garlic cheddar rolls, but this is his favorite. Saturday Grandma arrives and Sunday is official party day.

Wow, I just realized I'll have major food choice challenges ahead of me! I better push away from the computer right now, turn on my favorite cleaning ladies from England and start walking on that treadmill.

Have a great Wednesday!

MLK

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Cabin fever?

I'm going a little crazy. I've been looking all day for my keys, and now I can't find the bird seed! I could have sworn I got a new silicon muffin pan for Christmas, but that too is hiding from me. I'm going to pounce on DH when he walks through the door tonight. Its all his fault right? :)

The snow is coming down big and fluffy. It would be fun if it wasn't so darn cold out! I'm thankful I don't have to work tonight. Good thing too because the key that locks up the pool is on my missing key chain! Grrrrr.....

I made banana bread instead of muffins. I used my mom's healthy recipe. I think I've posted it before, you roast the bananas to bring out more flavor without using fat. The house smells good, and I'm trying to relax with Joss Stone. The Posse is in the basement so I'm staying upstairs. I still don't understand why they have to be so loud. It think its a competitive thing to be heard in the group. Let me turn up Joss a bit more....

I've been reading Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter's book, Everything To Gain, and Barbara Rolls' book, The Volumetrics Eating Plan. Yes, I know these are non-fiction books and I said in 2008 I was going to read more fiction. Old habits die hard.

The Carters are helping me realize life can begin anew at any age, in any circumstance. I was naive thinking ex-Presidents had it made. Being a child at the time when Reagan came into office, I had no idea what the Carters went through. Its inspiring to learn what Jimmy and Rosalynn have done with their lives since leaving the White House! Did you know Presidents have to raise their own funds for their Presidential Libraries?

The Volumetrics book is inspiring me as well. Its basically the same thing you've all heard, eat more fruits and veggies. What I do like about the program is that you don't have to count calories really, if you follow the low energy dense food rule. You also don't have to go hungry.

I've just read everyone should be taking 10,000 steps a day or 5 miles. For kicks I decided to see if I could walk 5 miles on the treadmill. I didn't make it. I watched my favorite BBC America shows, walking for an hour, but I only logged 2.5 miles.  I guess I'll have to work at picking up my pace. I walk so much better outdoors.

I was happy to learn I can eat up to 1831 calories a day and lose weight. The book gives you a formula for figuring that out. Not that I want to count calories!! I did that once and ended up with an eating problem. I kept trying to eat less and less, until I was only eating around 500 a day. Sure I lost weight, but I also screwed up my metabolism, gaining back way more!

Well, I'm getting cold sitting by the window here. I should throw the laundry in, even if that means venturing into the boycave. I'll come back at tea time, with my whole wheat low fat banana bread, and check out everyone's pages.

Take care and hope you're staying warm!

p.s. My mom made me the felted hat. Its very warm and now that I've sewn in the hat band, not scratchy. :)

Warm and yummy!

I cooked up the Spicy Mole Oatmeal chili recipe from the Natural Health magazine. It's very yummy and very easy! No more excuses. I can't say I don't have time to make something healthy and comforting to eat. Here's the recipe:

Spicy Mole Oatmeal Chili

2 T olive oil
1 C chopped yellow onion (1 large one)
1/2 C diced carrots
pinch of sea salt
1 28 ounce can of diced tomatoes w/cilantro & lime or Basil & garlic (I went with Basil & garlic)
2 15.5 ounce cans of low sodium kidney beans, drain and rinse
1 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1-2 T chili powder (depends on how spicy you like it)
2 T chipotle sauce ( I didn't have this but used organic salsa.)
1 1/2 C rolled oats
about a cup of water

Heat the oil and cook onions, carrots and salt 3-5 minutes
Add tomatoes and beans
Add cocoa powder, chili powder and mix until incorporated
Add chipotle, oats and water- Go for a thick consistency
Cook 5-10 minutes to break down the oats

Optional- sprinkle cheddar cheese on top to serve- (I'm trying to avoid dairy.)

Calories- 243 makes 8-10 servings

* I thought the oats would be weird but they didn't really effect the taste or texture. The dish really filled me up.

Fluffing my nest

I took this photo of Houdini through the bars of the cage. I used my zoom and I was surprised it worked. He doesn't really stay still on command.

I was domestic goddess today. I scrubbed bathrooms, scaled the laundry mountain, restocked the nest with groceries, vacuumed, cleaned the kitchen and baked cookies. I also cleaned up Houdini and Tornado's nest too. I've been motivated by watching "How Clean Is Your House." I'm scared to death those ladies will jump across the pond and ring my doorbell!

The Posse Rats weren't so bad today. Maybe I was too busy to notice. I did hear they broke the Popsicle limit.

Work went much better last night and it helped to know my manager was having the same feelings I was. Sometimes that's all it takes. To know you're not the only one who's getting dumped on by the general public. Plus, I now have 4 days away, 2 nights on, and then 5 days away!

As long as the heat stays on, I'll be able to handle the arctic blast. I've got plenty of creature comforts and indoor activities to keep me busy. I hope everyone can stay warm and cozy this weekend.

I gotta run. DH just pulled up and Family Fun Night can now begin! Yeah!

Thursday 13... Counting my blessings...

I'm trying to get out of my crabby mood. I thought taking a moment to think of 13 things I'm grateful for will help.

13 Things I'm Grateful For

1. DH brought home movies for the weekend! Elephant, The Royal Tenebaums,High Tension, White Noise 2, Sunshine and Shoot 'Em Up - The movie with my green eyed hottie Clive Owen!!

2. My sister called to warn me-  There is no school Friday or Monday. Expect rats.

3. DS8 is feeling better.

4. The rhino hasn't caught me yet!

5. Trader Joe has a store brand of Emergen-C and its cheaper. My favorite right now is strawberry mixed with Diet 7-Up.

6. Natural Health Magazine - Tomorrow I'm going to try their recipe for Spicy Mole Oatmeal Chili. I've never had chili made with oats and cocoa powder. Sounds interesting! Thinks the rats will like it?

7. I have a 50% off coupon at Joann's! 

8. Tonight's my last night of work for the week!

9. Sunday Football  - I never thought I'd say it, but I'll be hoping the Packers win. (Da Bears are out of it.)

10. Peace and Calm essential oil blend- I use it before I go to bed, but perhaps I'll apply some before I leave for work.

11. Spring is 9 weeks from today!!

12. www.freerice.com  We can't stop playing! My personal best is 37, but I'm determined to reach 40!

13. My Cuddle Duds. Its going to be negative Fahrenheit this weekend. My duds will keep me toasty!

Darkside Dawn is here...

**Warning** This post is very negative. Don't waste your time reading it. It was more for me to vent!

I'm in a crabby mood. Parents at the pool are getting to me. You'd be amazed by the rudeness of people. Of course they're not all this way, but the few bad apples brought me down.

Last night, speaking of apples, there was a mother who insisted the owner of the pool granted a scholarship to her daughter's friend. The friend was not on the class list and the class was full. I apologized and said I would speak to the owner, but we have a ratio rule no more than 4 students per instructor. I kept telling her we would do what we could, but I also had to talk to the owner because she left no notes about this girl or a scholarship. She was angry and she kept slamming her fist on the desk until she hit my half eaten apple. I was so grossed out. Why did she have to touch my food?!!  Why was she leaning so far over the desk to be in my face?! Because she was a bitch who wanted to intimidate. It will be interesting to see what my boss decides to do. This isn't the first time people claim to have free lessons only to discover the boss never promised this. You wouldn't believe the people who try to take advantage.

There are several "creep me out" parents. One of them worked a back door deal with a now fired deck manager to bring his daughter in for lessons without paying. There's also another dad who keeps telling his boys, ages 5 & 7, that their teacher is "so hot." He stares at her in her swimsuit and its disgusting. Every week he brings his boys to the snack counter and then teases them. "Do you want Fruit Snacks?" "Yes!" "Well you can't have them! They are junk." He once tried to get me into a debate about how wrong it is to call them fruit snacks.  I keep all conversation with this creep-o to a minimum. For the record, we do sell real fruit. An apple only costs you .25 cents! Its the cheapest snack at the cabana! Of course he never buys his boys even apples.

I think my biggest pet peeve are the parents who just do not supervise their children. They're too busy on their cell phones or visiting with other parents. We actually had a request to remove toys from the waiting area. "Couldn't you just keep the videos going? I'd rather the kids just sit there staring at the TV."  We used to have a Lego table but we had to remove it because certain kids would take apart the table and use the legs as swords and bats.

Speaking of the waiting room, it smells like the locker rooms. Know why? People change their children in there and every night we have at least one accident on the carpet. We've posted signs and asked people to not change their children there. There are lockers rooms!! Its easier to hose down the floor in there then shampoo the carpet every night. Plus, we do have creep-os remember! Use the changing stalls and please don't expose your children!

The Creep-O numero uno is a mom who spanks her daughter's bare bottom. I watched in horror when this woman gave her 2 year old a red backside simply because she wouldn't put on her swimsuit. (Yes, she was also changing her in the waiting room.) I said to her, "Please stop! We can give you a family swim pass or a makeup date if she doesn't want to swim today!"  Now she takes her into the lobby restroom where I get to hear through the door the poor little girl screaming, "NO POTTY NO!! MOMMY NO!! I DON'T HAVE TO POTTY" followed by the sounds of slapping taking place. That little baby girl is going to grow up with the same problems of sexual abuse victims.

Spanking is sex abuse in my book. We tell our kids no one should touch you where your bathing suit touches you, but in our country (USA) spanking is legal?! I think it should be grounds for child abuse. No where in the Bible does it tell you to hit your children! There are so many better ways to teach your children respectful behavior than to smack them.

Is it legal to spank a woman who yells in your face and slams your healthy snack with her fist?! :) Of course not, I'd be arrested, so why are parents allowed to treat children this way? Why do we give adults more protection than children?

Thanks for letting me vent. If you've actually read this far, I'm sorry. I just had to get it out before I put Darkside Dawn back on her leash. Dawninger needs to have that smile back on her face soon.  Maybe I should work on a Thursday 13 Gratitude list......

Just rambling...

I'm want to be a couch potato. Yesterday we discovered on BBC America "How Clean Is Your House" and "You Are What You Eat". Maybe its because we've been trying to clean up our house and our bodies, but these TV shows have me hooked.

I also saw the LMN network is having a "Stay In Bed" weekend. That sounds good. I'd love to just stay under the covers this coming weekend and watch cheesy, dramatic movies. We have a winter storm moving through tonight and then the temperatures are going to drop way down. Its a good time to hibernate.

I really can't though. I have about a week to clean and prepare for DS8's 9th Birthday. I still can't believe my baby will be 9. We're going mini-golfing at an indoor course. He said he'd also like a bowl of mixed Cheetoes, Puffy and Crunchy styles. I think I'll do the taco bar menu again and allow people to feed themselves.

Today we're suppose to go to homeschool gym class, but DS8 still has a really bad cold. Yesterday he ate almost an entire cantaloupe by himself so hopefully his body is fighting back. He may be a really picky eater, but I love that he loves cantaloupe! I was a grown up before I enjoyed it.

I'm addicted to www.freerice.com (Thanks to Kerry). You must give it a try. I'm doing much better than I thought I would or I'm a good guesser.

Well, I better get my butt moving. Hope you have a great Wednesday!

I've got 4 out of 5 covered...

"Dangerous Things You Must Let Your Children Do"

Someone sent me this link to view Gesser Tulley's presentation. Although he isn't a parent, alot of what he says is true. Of course I still believe in being careful!

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/202

If you don't want to take the time to view his presentation, I'll cut to the chase. He lists 5 (really 6) dangerous things your kids should do.


1. PLAY WITH FIRE - We've started fires with magnifying lenses and burnt stuff in our campfire. It was an eye opener seeing how fast dried out Christmas tree branches ignite and burn!

2. OWN A POCKET KNIFE- DS12 actually has 3. Has he cut himself? Yes. Only once though and it was good First Aid practice!  DS8 will be given one as soon as he asks for one.  DS8 has used kitchen knives to cut into foods.

3. THROW A SPEAR- DS12 used his pocket knife and made homemade spears. He set up targets in the yard and had a great time throwing at them.

4. DECONSTRUCT APPLIANCES- I don't think I know any homeschoolers who haven't done this. I have an old toaster, printer and Beta machine waiting for the next urge to hit.

5. BREAK THE DIGITAL MEDIA COPYRIGHT ACT- Ahh.... I plead the 5th.

6. DRIVE A CAR- This is the one we haven't tried yet. If I lived on a farm, with an old truck that wouldn't go faster than 20 miles an hour, maybe we'd try this, but since we don't, I think I'll take the boys Go-Carting as soon as Spring arrives!

The point of his presentation is too often we allow fear to limit our learning. Of course common sense and safety need to be practiced, but sometimes you need to push the envelope.

What would you add to this list?

So Nasty!!

This is why there will be no video games or computer time in our house this week. I finished painting and DH moved the bunk beds into the boys' new room. All of this crap was under their bed!!!!!! I was horrified!!!

I had to leave the room before the nervous breakdown erupted. Once I settled down, rather than yell and scream, I informed them this is their project this coming week. They need to go through all this stuff, throwing away what they don't want and finding a place for the stuff they do. Out of sight, out of mind is not going to cut it.

Their old bedroom has to become the guest room. Once they clear out the junk, I can prime, paint and carpet shampoo, but for now, I have to focus on one room at a time.

Their new room rocks. The paint colors came out really nice and they have much more room. I didn't buy the $5 desks at S.W.A.P. because they were so beat up, but we may have enough room to move the computer desk from downstairs. But that's another project for another weekend.

I'm going to look for under the bed organizers with wheels. I'm not going to allow the frugal mom inside of me to hold back on that one. These kids need help staying organized! I'm also going to look for jungle vine. DS8 wanted a jungle room, but since the boys still want to share a room, I needed to come up with a compromise. I'm going to hang jungle vines around DS8's part of the bunk bed along with his long armed stuffed monkeys and lemurs. I'm also going to look for shelves I can install all along the top perimeter of the room. I'll have to take after pictures once its all completed.

It feels good to get this project going and to bring order to the chaos. There's a satisfaction that comes from fixing your nest and purging the clutter really helps me emotionally. I don't want to be a hoarder, and I don't want my children becoming hoarders either.

At our game day the moms were discussing how to purge toys. Many moms wait for their children to be out of the house so they don't have to deal with the tears, but one mom said she has her daughters right there so they will learn how to let things go. This is smart parenting! I can't wait to start making trips to Goodwill this week!

Friday Fun

We have plans to join our homeschooling friends for Game day. DS8 is hoping we can round up enough players for Apples to Apples.

When we get together for Game days, we also have "Open Mike" which is a sort of show and tell. The kids can share something, perform, bring something they've created, whatever they like. DS8 is thinking of introducing Domo and sharing his latest greatest homemade toy. He blew up the balloon he got from Trader Joes and added a Jelly Belly inside. We've been playing balloon volleyball, keep the balloon from hitting the floor, and making cool sounds as the Jelly Belly bounces around inside. Our favorite is when you get the bean spinning really good with centrifugal force. Who needs high tech?

For supper tonight they have requested we take dad to Taco Bell. Oh yeah! I'm all about that! Yo Quiero Taco Bell!

Hope your Friday is fun too! Have a great weekend!

Why I love my MIL!

(She sends me gems like these!! I loved this and hope you do too! I don't know who wrote it but to me, it sounds like something Erma Bombeck would have wrote? If you know who wrote this, please let me know. Enjoy! )


IF YOU DON'T READ THIS TO THE VERY END, YOU HAVE LOST A DAY IN YOUR LIFE. AND WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED, DO AS I AM DOING AND SEND IT ON.


Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

"How old are you?" "I'm four and a half!" You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

"How old are you?" "I'm gonna be 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life .. . You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.

But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.

You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; "I Was JUST 92."

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. "I'm 100 and a half!"
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them."

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle.. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge .

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is..

10.Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Capitol Building Field Trip

Start:	Jan 29, '08 10:00a
Location:	Downtown

touring the capitol building with our homeschool group
(Bonnie is the coordinator)

Easter

Start:

Mar 23, '08

Easter Sunday

WPA conference

Start:	May 2, '08
End:	May 3, '08
Location:	Oshkosh

Homeschooling conference

InHome Conference

Start:	Mar 7, '08
End:	Mar 8, '08
Location:	St Charles, Il

Homeschooling conference

Joe Jackson Concert

Start:

Apr 21, '08

Milwaukee

Welcome to my crazy.....

I have to paint the boys' new bedroom by this weekend. Problem is I can't pick colors. Don't tell me to ask my children. DS8 goes from bright orange to jungle green. I'm trying for something more neutral and will have longevity. So as you can see, I've got all these paint chips on the wall, and I can't make up my mind. DH suggested khaki and green so I'm trying to stay in that family.

Should I:

A.) Cut apart the swatches and throw them in a hat?

B) Throw darts?

C) Play pin the tale on the paint chip?

D) Go back to the hardware store for even more paint chips. Cut them all apart and start gluing them to the wall in a Seurat sort of way.

Can you see I'm losing my mind!

I also feel like there is so much to do and not enough time. The post holiday pace has actually increased. Plans are being laid forth, and I feel like more and more of my calendar is being filled up rather quickly. I have to trust that we'll get done what needs to get done. Its all about letting go and going with the flow.

DS8 quizzes me

DS8:  Mom, if there was a hole in the earth, do you think you would fall through to China?

Me:  I don't know DS8. We should look at our globe and see if China is on the other side.

DS8:  No Mom!! You would only make it to the middle and then gravity would be reversed! You can't fall to China!

You never know what they're thinking do you!

Another quote I like!

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

Too often we give children answers to remember rather than
problems to solve.

--Roger Lewin

Eating Elephant

Bite by bite......

Its got to be because for the past 9 years, we've unschooled. Most homeschoolers I know have too many books and not enough book shelves. We're no different. Today we began to change the guest bedroom into a new bedroom for the boys. The biggest challenge was moving the bookshelves. 

Our home is small. We don't have the luxury of a library room, and as much as I love books, I hate the cluttered look of book shelves. I really didn't want to move the bookcases into the main living areas of the house, so I settled on one in the hallway (photo) and for now, two in our bedroom. You see, I want easy access to our books. I don't want to shove them all down in the basement. I know I'm sacrificing my love nest for now, but after I finish redecorating the boys' new bedroom, perhaps there will be room in the new guest room.

We quickly ran out of boxes to store the books, and I resorted to making stacks in the kitchen. I knew this meant having to touch each book twice- an organizing no no- but I had no other option. Moving the 3 bookcases with the books on them was not going to work. I had to quickly go through and reshelve the books before DH decided to fill them with other stuff like DVDs and CDs. All those empty shelves were so inviting!

The book move took up most of my day, but I did manage to take down the wallpaper border and spackle holes. Tomorrow I will tape and prime.

I'm anxious to get their room done because then the purging can really begin. DS12 agrees with me, he has too much stuff. Their new room will have "a place for everything" and it will be easier for the boys to keep "everything in its place."  Right now you really can't hang out in their room because the floor space is taken up by boxes of toys, magazines and of course, clothes. I have to go through their dressers because they say they can't find room to put away their laundry. How can this be when they keep wearing the same outfits?!

Its overwhelming when I realize how much stuff I have to find places for. Even just finding space to put the stuff I'm purging is a challenge. I'd like to Freecycle it, but I don't want to have stacks piled up waiting to go. I'll probably just start loading up the van and stopping every day on my way to work at Goodwill drop boxes.

I'll keep telling myself "Take it one step at a time- Bite by bite!" 

I can't wait!

I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas. DH bought us Blind Melon tickets for March 18th in Milwaukee!! He promised to take me to more concerts this year after taking my niece to several Velvet Revolver shows last year.

He's really made good in my book! I love Blind Melon! Of course he's also planning on taking my niece to see Velvet Revolver, for a 4th time, in a few weeks in Chicago. I think if he didn't come through with my Blind Melon tickets, I would have poured the guilt on really thick.

March 18th is going to be so great! It will take me back to my B.C. days (Before Children). This is one date night that will rock! When DH and I began dating in high school, over 20 years ago, this is what we did. We went to concerts. We skipped prom to get tickets for the Amnesty International Concert in Chicago 1986, a decision I don't regret one bit. I saw my favorite band at the time, U2, but I also saw the Police reunite for that concert! It was amazing.

You know what else my DH did this weekend? He brought me red roses Friday night! He's so good to me! He knew I was feeling a little sad since DS12 wasn't going to be home for "Family Fun Night." DS12 spent the night at a Posse Rat's nest instead of mine. I know, I was shocked too. I'm thinking the other Mommy Rats are figuring it out.

Since it was only DS8, DH and myself, we asked DS8 what he'd like to do. He decided we should eat a family fry at Culvers. Of course we get there and the flavor of the day is Chocolate Oreo Volcano. Needless to say my diet plans didn't work out that night.

DS8 craves fries like I crave chocolate.  Its something we both have to work on. For his 18th birthday he has told us he plans to celebrate that milestone by ordering, eating and finishing a Family Fry Basket by himself at Culvers. So mark the date, January 25, 2017, DS(18) will consume the impossible. Of course he'll be full grown with the appetite of a teen aged boy. Maybe he will do it?

BLIND MELON CONCERT!!!!!!!!

Start:	Mar 18, '08
Location:	The Rave

OMG!!! OMG!!!! OMG!!!! I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DH is taking me to see BLIND MELON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rosy cheeks

We braved the negative wind chills to get our need for speed fix. We have a wonderful place to go sledding at our local golf course. We made it up and down only half a dozen times before we needed to get back to our warm home. We'll try to go again today since it should be a little warmer with a high of 32.

Crazy thing is by the end of the weekend, all our snow could melt as we reach almost 50 degrees! This has the boys worried their sledding days will be over, but I reminded them its still only January. We could still have blizzards through March in Wisconsin.

Before we go back to the hill today, I have to be a grown up and meet with our insurance agent for an insurance check up. Blah... I hate these kinds of things. I hope it doesn't take too long. I want to get back to having fun this Friday.

Greeting the New Year...

We had a great time visiting Great Grandma with Domo! For lunch we enjoyed one of the best K-town pizzas in awhile, and the snow held off for us to reach my brother's house for the evening.

We filled up again on fun food - Culvers, and then headed back to my brother's to watch the snow fall, play games and goof around. We decided to head home around 11:00pm. The roads were a little slippery but we made it home safe 2 hours later.

We figured out that we passed the "Clocktower" right at midnight! The Clocktower is a hotel resort in Rockford, Il. As we passed by the resort, the giant clock's hands were together at midnight position. We then saw fireworks go off and realized, we had just greeted 2008!

Today was our last day of holiday goodness. We hosted my parents and sister's family and feasted on taco bar fixings. I made 36 homemade tortillas! A record for me! It went very quick though and the "make your own" tacos, nachos and quesadillas went over really well. I'll have to remember to use this menu again for gatherings.

Tomorrow is back on track day, and I'm not just talking food here. I have been going through library withdrawal!!! I think I'll be there right when it opens, giant totes in hand. I'm going to do my happy, happy, joy, joy dance as the library will be empty except for us homeschooling souls and preschoolers. Maybe afterwards I'll take the boys to the sledding hill where we won't have to worry about running anyone over. I'm even looking forward to going back to work! How twisted is that!!