Cosco

Rating:	★
Category:	Other

Isn't there a negative star rating option?

A new Cosco opened up down the block from DH's office, and DH's boss bought Cosco memberships for everyone in the office. We decided to check it out last Saturday. I don't think I'll be going back anytime soon.

Like Sam's club, you have the annoying door checkers to make sure non-members don't get in and you don't leave with unpaid items. There is no variety really, you have to buy the brand they choose to carry. The prices are not a great savings, if they are a savings at all! You have to watch that!

But my biggest complaint about Cosco- THEY DON'T TAKE CASH! You have to pay with either an American Express or a debt card. What kind of store doesn't take cash!!??

I have a "debit" card which is really a check card, allowing Visa transactions to come out of our checking account. When I'm asked, "Debt or credit?", I usually respond "credit" because that way no one will see me using my pin # and did you know your financial institution may then charge your a transaction fee?

Our credit union does allow a certain number of "debit" transactions each month before they begin charging you, but I also know if I answer with "credit" the merchant pays the transaction fee, not me! It stills comes out of my checking account either way.

Costco doesn't give you the "credit" option unless you use an American Express Card, who, from my days in the credit card processing industry, I can tell you charges merchants 10% to process transactions. Merchants pass this 10% on to the consumer by raising their prices. Visa and Master card may be evil, but American Express is the worst of them all!

We had a coupon for a free deli roasted chicken and a case of bottled water. Yumi thought the chicken was good, but the humans in our family did not. I don't usually buy bottled water, but it was a free case. I placed it into the "emergency supplies" section of the basement.

I may go back around the holidays, to buy chocolate in bulk, but I don't think I'll be stopping by Costco on a regular basis, and I know we won't renew the membership.

I'm so excited!!

DH was thinking we should break down and buy the stupid $65 tickets, but we've since discovered Blind Melon will be playing for FREE, Friday night! East North Avenue will be blocked off and the street party will bring live music to the night.

I'm so glad we didn't buy tickets and I feel for those who did.

I'm so excited!! If you're in Milwaukee Friday night, you have to check it out! I'll try to bring my camera this time. 

FREE BLIND MELON CONCERT!!!

Start:	Aug 29, '08 9:00p
Location:	East North Ave, Milwaukee,WI

Friday night Milwaukee is the place to be! Blind Melon performs a free show at the East North Ave Street party!

Will it just rain already!!!!

Its driving me crazy. Its overcast, humid like the jungle and windy. It needs to rain. A really good thunderstorm would be so perfect right now, very chillaxing on a Friday afternoon. A few drops came down when I drove to my meeting this morning, but now its just a tease. Why aren't those clouds letting go?!!

Hey, I'm complaining its not raining. I AM A MELONHEAD!! 

Speaking of which it doesn't look like we'll be heading to Milwaukee for the show next weekend. I can't bring myself to pay the $65 a ticket price when for one, I can't guarantee I'll be able to take my chosen spot, directly in front of Rogers, and their set list will be shortened because they are one of several acts, playing on multiple stages for the 105th Harley Davidson party. If I could pay my $65 directly to the band and be assured I'd have my spot within inches of my favorite guitar player, I'd be there. I'm a selfish Melonhead. I want my band to play all their songs, all night long, just for me! I don't want to fight non-fans who are at the fest to drink beer and swap Hog riding stories. I'm going to bank on Mankato at the end of September. I'm hoping to get my fix then.

I've been knitting hats with my "Kniffy Knitter". I've made a couple of melon green ones of course and now I've made DH a red and black hat to go with his jacket. The boys have placed their orders for their favorite colors, and now I'm also thinking of making a "bee" style, yellow and black. I've got the glasses and the figure. I can be the "bee" girl at the next Blind Melon show! LOL! Actually I was thinking of making the band members hats to keep their noggins warm while they tour Canada. I'm crazy pyscho fan aren't I?

My mom had once showed me how to knit, but I always ended up dropping a stitch here and there. Plus she's a lefty who was taught by a lefty Swede herself, her mother. I guess there is an American way to knit and a European? Anyway, if push came to shove, I could knit and purl the real way but I'm much faster using the Kniffy Knitter circle loom. I can crank out a hat in an hour or so. I'm sure eventually, I'll tire of making only hats and move on to something else.

Well, the sun is now out. Great...now its hot, humid and sunny...a perfect miserable Trifecta. I'm off to do my rain dance or read Twilight some more. I know everyone says this book is so good, but I'm not there yet. Maybe I'm too difficult to please when it comes to vampire romance?

What will it be? Curtain # 1, #2, #3?

I feel like I'm playing Let's Make a Deal.

The only sad part of my current part-time job is the commute. I admit I was getting a little bored, but thankfully the owner gave me new projects that helped with that. The commute still hurt my gas tank so in order to worry less about the big financial picture, I began scoping out my other part-time work options.

The library aide position didn't pay enough.

I missed out on the hotel job, which in hindsight, I'm grateful for. Do I really want to work holidays and weekends? Not really.

I didn't even apply at the gas station because I have watched one too many surveillance videos! In my college days, I did work at a convenience store. I had my share of drunks but thankfully, no hold ups. Now that I'm a mom, I don't want to press my luck.

A friend's husband was looking for part-time help but after he hadn't returned my calls, I thought that ship had sailed.

I began to focus on trying to make financial changes at home, to make what we have go further. God reminded me to focus on the boys and how home schooling is where I'm needed most right now.

Well this week has brought unexpected changes. My friend's husband called and I have a meeting scheduled with him tomorrow. Two new jobs were posted in the local paper, one for part-time office help working with the elderly housing commission and the other as an assistant for someone disabled.

Just when I thought a job change would be in my future, my boss offered me a 15% raise!! 15%!!! I was stunned! I hadn't told her I was job hunting, but I suspect she knew. She once said to me, "You will tell me if the cost of gas gets too high for you won't you?" She has already lost employees who couldn't afford to commute anymore. I know she appreciates the work I do. She said, "I would offer to do a formal review but you're already doing such a fantastic job. There is nothing I could say except positive things." Wow! Its just become much easier to stay put and deal with the commute, 3 times a week.

But, I don't know really how much longer my van will hold up, and I have to ask myself, "Am I in a place where I'm growing?"

Change doesn't really spook me, but the unknown will make me pause. I can take forever just trying to decide what to order at a restaurant! I'm going to explore my options fully and do my best to see the positives rather than the negatives. I need to sit down and really think about where I want to go job wise.

As scary as looking at the checking balance is, I have learned that being here for my kids is first and foremost. And watching them learn and grow is motivation for me to learn and grow as well.

 

Results of the homemade laundry detergent test batch #1

No need to move on to batch #2. I love how batch #1 worked! The first load of clothes came out smelling and feeling clean and fresh.

When I checked on my homemade laundry detergent this morning, it had thicken up a little. I gave it a little stir and measured out about one cup. It smelled clean, not perfumy or chemically.

I began filling up the washing machine with cold water and added the detergent. I allowed the water level to rise before adding the clothes. There weren't many suds, which is good for the environment, and I believe good for front loading machines as well. Ours is a top loader though, and our water is on the hard side because we haven't added softener salt in forever.

I moved the wet clothes to the dryer without adding any fabric softener. I try not to use fabric softener because of the dangerous chemicals its made with. My mom uses special made dryer balls so she doesn't have to use softener either and they work great. I'm hoping to get some, but in the mean time, clean tennis balls are working great too.

The clothes came out without any static cling, and they smelled clean and fresh, even the unmentionables!

I'm sold on making my own laundry detergent using this recipe. I think using the Ivory bar of soap helped keep the liquid looking white, not a dyed color. I saw online someone who used Lever 2000 and his laundry detergent looked like green slime. Personally, I don't feel the need to add essential oils for scent, but I suppose you could. I liked the clean smell of the Ivory just fine.

I should mention our clothes were dirty but not stained. I may just continue to pre-treat with Shout when we have stains to deal with. Maybe my second laundry test should be to try and develop a cheap, natural stain remover?

Burger Bites

My family is going crazy for these lately. The boys have fun assembling them with their favorite toppings.  I use an indoor grill pan. They are probably too small for an outdoor grill.

Burger Bites

- 1 1/2 pounds ground meat or "not meat" of your choice

- garlic powder, pepper, sea salt, other seasonings you like

- 1/2 C or so of frozen chopped onion

- a frozen bag of Ore Ida Cottage Fries (we like to call them circle fries)

- toppings such as; lettuce, mustard, ketchup, sliced grape tomatoes, guacamole, ranch dressing, A-1 sauce etc.

Bake the Cottage Fries in a single layer on a cookie sheet according to the package instructions.

Mix together ground meat (veggie burger mix) with your choice of seasonings and form tiny patties, very flat, fitting in the palm of your hand.

Heat a grill pan to medium and cook the burger patties together with the frozen chopped onion.

Assemble the burger bites using the baked Cottage Fries instead of buns and add whatever toppings you like. We skip on cheese, but you could add cheese and use the broiler to melt it onto the burgers before you assemble them. These would make fun appetizers for a party too!

Homemade Laundry Detergent, Batch #1

After Googling around, I found several recipes and decided to try this one first. I had almost given up after I couldn't find Arm & Hammer Washing Soda - not Baking Soda - and Borax. I had driven to town to go to bigger stores, and it turns out my local Piggly Wiggly had it only 3 blocks away from me! (I still scored at the Goodwill store so the trip to town wasn't a total waste.)

You will need a 5 gallon bucket. I've picked these up for free from bakeries, and then purchased new lids at Home Depot. They also have the buckets too if you can't score a free bucket at the bakery.

Recipe:

- one bar of soap
- 1 quart of water
- 3 gallons of hot water
- 1 C of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (NOT BAKING SODA!!!)
- 1/2 C of Borax

On the stove top, as you heat 1 quart of water, grate the bar of soap into the water. I used Ivory and it dissolved very quickly.

Stir until the soap is dissolved.

Add 3 gallons of hot water to your 5 gallon bucket.

Add the soapy water to your 5 gallon bucket and stir.

Add 1 C of WASHING soda and 1/2 C of Borax to the mixture and stir.

Allow the mixture to cool overnight to thicken.

Now my local Piggly Wiggly isn't the cheapest place to buy things, but I paid $2.65 for the Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, $3.45 for the 21 Mule Team Borax and about .33 cents for the bar of Ivory soap. Using this recipe, a batch of laundry detergent, about 3 gallons, cost me $.89 cents. If I use about 1 C of the liquid detergent, that's about .02 cents a load.

I will test my first batch tomorrow and let you know how it works.

weekend clog....

Boy, the weekend went by fast. I hurt my back Friday bending, twisting, turning and lifting a case of Diet Coke into and out of my shopping cart. I knew I shouldn't have bought it, but I broke down, (and then broke down literally!) I hadn't had a Diet Coke in a long time, but someone had to mention it on her blog and it planted a seed in my mind. I won't make that mistake again. (The ice cold Diet Coke tasted so good though with my Advil!)

My MIL came for a visit. What a great reason to have Pizza Oven again!! Twice in one week! Whoo Hooo!  We enjoyed the world's best thin crust Za for lunch, and then headed to Olbrich Gardens in Madison. Regretably, I had forgotten my camera and so did my MIL.

We hit up the Super Target for a snacking, fend for yourself supper. I bought my favorite Archer Farms Black Bean and Jalapeno chips and some Wholly Guacamole! Yum! Wholly Guacamole doesn't have that bad taste store bought quac can have. It tastes fresh and the pouches it comes in keep it from getting brown. We also bought some really yummy whole wheat rolls and garlic herb cream cheese.

Sunday afternoon I had to cover a shift at the pool. It was a longer shift than I usually work, but it wasn't bad at all. Sundays the pool is only open for open swim, no lessons. It was dead, and I got a lot of work done without interruptions.

I'm excited about a bulletin board project my boss asked me to do. I guess she thinks because I'm a teacher of sorts, I'll do a good job designing and decorating our bulletin boards. I'm planning on revamping our staff board, designing a water safety board and a Swimmers Hall Of Fame board. I also thought it would be fun to create a flannel board with felt figures for the kids to play with on their level. This project has breathed new life into me work wise. I had hit a rut and the job search hasn't been going too well.

While I was at work, DH and the boys went to a cousin's birthday party. They brought me home a chocolate cup cake and a birthday present for myself from our cousins. I now have Twilight and will have to start reading Stephenie Meyer's series and see what the buzz is all about.

To end my weekend, DH gave me a back massage. I think he missed me while I was at work! It was perfect, and I may just have to throw my back out more often!

This morning, after I finish this blog post, the boys and I are heading into town. I'm on a shopping mission to find the ingrediants to make our own laundry soap. I'm tired of paying all that money for laundry soap and constantly having to buy it. They may say their smaller jug washes just as many loads, but why am I buying it more frequently now? I'm careful to measure it? I think its a scam. I found a recipe for homemade liquid detergent that costs .2 cents a load versus .25 a load using a commerically prepared detergent. I can't wait to try it! I'll let you know if it works.

Have a great Monday. I'm off like a Herd of Turtles!

Blog Action Day is coming...

Time to get ready friends. Blog Action Day is coming on October 15th! Blog Action Day seeks to unite bloggers from all over the world for one common cause, and this year its poverty.

Please join me in writing a blog, posted on October 15th, related to poverty. Together we can make a difference! 

For more information and to register your blog, http://blogactionday.org/ or click here.

Blog Action Day

Start:

Oct 15, '08

Blog Action Day is October 15th! Blog Action Day seeks to unite bloggers from all over the world for one common cause, and this year its poverty.

Please join me in writing a blog, posted on October 15th, related to poverty. Together we can make a difference!

For more information and to register your blog, http://blogactionday.org/ or click here.

Suey made me do it....

50 ODD things about me! If you opened this, FILL IT OUT and post it on your page! Learn 50 things about your friends, and let them learn 50 things about you! 

1) Do you like blue cheese?   Not on purpose

2) Have you ever smoked heroin? No!!!!!!!!!!! What kind of questions are these going to be?

3) Do you own guns?  Yes, glue and water

4) What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? There aren't any Sonics near us.

5) Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Always

6) What do you think of hot dogs? I don't really want to eat them.

7) Favorite Christmas song? What Child Is This.

8) What do you prefer to drink in the morning? fresh juice

 9) Can you do push ups?  According to my Wii Fit, no.

10) Can you do a chin up?   Never in my life, even as a child.

11) What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding band     

12) Favorite hobby?   Blogging

13) Ever been in a car wreck? I was rear ended but my car wasn't totalled.

14) Do you have A.D.D.?   No

15) What's one trait that you hate about yourself?   I wish I was thinner, but hate is a strong word. I don't hate any part of myself.

16) Middle name?  Inger, after my mom, who was named after a Swedish woman who helped rescue Jews during WWII

17) Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.

       1.  I need to brush my teeth. I have Total cereal stuck to them.

       2.  I should be exercising.

       3.  I want to throw away my couch.

18) Name 3 things you bought yesterday. 

       1.    Italian seasoning

       2.    soy milk
       3.    frozen pie crusts

19) Name 3 drinks you drink regularly?  water, tea, juice

 20) Current worry?  money

 21) Current hate right now? There's that word again. Ok, I hate having debt. I hate my couch because my cat peed on it and I can't get the smell out. I hate my commute to work.

22) Favorite book?  How can you choose just one!!!!???That's cruel.

23) How did you bring in the New Year? We stayed home to avoid the drunk drivers and had our own family celebration.

24) Where would you like to go?  On tour with Blind Melon!

25) Name three people who will complete this. Come on Maija, Ash and Mario4ever! Don't let me down!

26) Do you own slippers?   My parents give me a new pair every Christmas but they are lost in my closet.

27) What shirt are you wearing? A black t-shirt

28) Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?  I need 100% cotton or I'll get itchy.

29) Can you whistle?  One note only.

30) Ringer on your phone? It came with the phone

31) Would you be a pirate? I don't do violence, so probably not.

32) What songs do you sing in the shower?  Blind Melon songs! HELLO!

33) Favorite girl's name?  I like Jaden.

34) Favorite boy's name? If I was to have another boy, I'd name him Josef.

35) What's in your pocket? Nothing

36) Last thing that made you laugh.  My husband

37) Best bed sheets as a child.  I always had hand me down, flowered sheets. Boring.

38) Worst injury you've ever had. I fell on concrete steps last Map and slammed my knees really badly.

39) Do you love where you live?   Yes!

40) How many TVs do you have in your house?  This is embarrassing but trust me, they are all old models and mostly hand me downs. They aren't all hooked up to cable and many of them are only used for playing video games. Are you ready for the actual number? 7 What can I say. I live with men.

41) Who is your loudest friend?  I don't really have loud friends.

42) How many dogs do you have?  No dogs, but there's a cat, and 2 birds

43) Do you like sushi?  I don't think I've ever had real sushi. HEY! I'll add that to my 40 firsts!

44) Best friend in grade school? Her name was Lisa. We had a falling out in high school but years later she emailed me and now I'll hear from her every now and then.

45) What is your favorite song. At the moment, Tones of Home, but later I'll hear St. Andrew's Fall and decide that's my favorite.

46) Favorite candy?  Dove chocolate Promises these days

47) Favorite Sports Team?  Don't have one.

48) What song do you want played at your funeral?  I liked that Oboe song from the movie, The Mission. Its an instrumental, does that qualify?

49) What were you doing 12 AM last night?   I can't tell you! Lets just say, I'm a very happily married woman!

50) What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I don't want to go to work tonight. I had just had a work dream where I won't get into details.

Birthday blessings

I know how blessed I am to have my husband in my life. He brought home not one, but two dozen roses for my birthday! He romantically pointed out we've spent more than half our lives together rather than apart.

Its my birthday today so I'm reflecting on my life. In a way, it seems like my childhood was some other reality, like a dream I remember. However my time with my husband seems to have gone by so quickly!

I haven't really segmented my life according to years but rather changes. My time line looks like this: my childhood, the awkward time of leaving my parent's home (college), getting married and building a new life with DH, birth of my first son, birth of my second son, home schooling mom calling, and now, ??????????

As I age, so do my children and my responsibilities in life will shift as well. I don't know what changes await me, but I'm grateful for all I've been blessed with so far in life. I'm not mourning the past, but rather I realize there is so much more to come!

I also know that learning at home with my children has given me the desire to approach the coming years with curiosity and wonder. Maybe this is why mentally, I still feel like I'm 22!

Dawning's Page - Radical Unschoolers' Network

http://familyrun.ning.com/profile/Dawning
My other blog located at Family Radical Unschooling Network.

40 Firsts

Remember when I said I was going to do something wild and crazy I've never done before to celebrate my milestone birthday which is coming this Tuesday? Well, I've decided one wild and crazy thing isn't enough. Why not 40 fun things? It is the age I'm turning.

I will spend the next year trying 40 Firsts, before arriving on my 41st birthday next year! I've started a little early, but I've got #1 and #2 under my belt thanks to my big sister.

Saturday she took me to Silverado Day Spa. We began with "Trains" (#1) which are a blended iced coffee drink (shake). We ordered mocha flavored with whipped cream. It wasn't iced coffee. It was more like a milkshake. A few years ago she corrupted me with my first Starbucks. Now I'm going to be craving these "Trains".

Trains in hand, we headed to our pedicures (#2). I was nervous because I have very ticklish feet. It turned out to be fabulous, and I'm a believer now! You must have a pedicure at least once in your life! We sat in heated massage chairs that reclined back. Our feet were first placed in a heated, bubbling foot bath with scented aromatherapy. The actual pedicure wasn't ticklish at all, and I think its because I was so relaxed. My feet were pampered with exfoiliants, oils, massages and a shiny coat of pretty pink polish.

So now I'm brainstorming for #3. What I'm really hoping for is that as I reach 40, I will reclaim a desire to try new things and cast fears away.

Anderson Gardens

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Anderson Gardens is one of my favorite places on earth. It is an incredibly beautiful Japanese garden in Rockford, Illinois. It was once owned privately by the Anderson family and now its open to the public. If I lived in Rockford, I'd have a yearly pass and spend a little of every day there.

The garden features several ponds and multiple water fountains. There are too many Koi to count and its funny how they swim so close to the surface, following you around looking for food pellets.

Stone paths lead you through the peaceful garden, passing multiple water fountains. The Japanese style tea house and guest house are authentic, and the highlight of the garden is the man made waterfall.

If you ever visit Rockford, the Anderson Gardens is a must stop.
www.andersongardens.org

Trying to process it all at midnight....

I should be in bed, but I can't stop my head. Oh no, that just rythmed. I'm not in a poem writing mood. I just want to babble.

I've been away from my nest and I feel so unsettled. I left at 9:00am and returned at 9:00pm.

First up was the planning meeting for our homeschool group. As usual, I was the only unschooler there. I knew I was in trouble when the hosting mom told the kids to play outside and when us moms were finished, she'd ring the bell for them to come back in! She literally has a school bell that she uses to call her children in from outside!! EEEKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thankfully, my boys were actually hanging out elsewhere, keeping it real at our friends' house. I did get to share lunch with them, but then I was off again to another meeting this time for my part-time job.

I came away from that one with too much on my plate as well. Now I'm trying to organize all that has been asked of me for the next several months. I'm starting to freak a little.

My favorite part of the work meeting was when my boss, (the owner), decided to announce to everyone, "Dawn's having a big birthday on Tuesday! She's going to be 40!" I was sitting between two, twenty something, hot, lifeguard guys! I wanted to die. My boss, by the way, is 41. She's 41 and jealous I will always be younger than her! LOL!

I met my boys and DH at Noodles for a late din din thinking I could finally relax. I didn't. I was in after meeting shock. - Due to the work load ahead of me. I'm over the fact I'm old enough to mother those I work with.

We got home and the depression cloud covered me. Yumi had peed on our couch!!!!

DH freaks out at the smell of cat pee. We used to have a cat who would mark outside the box and the tension it created in our home was unbearable. The fact Yumi chose the couch is uber bad news.

DH locked her in the basement until he finally calmed down enough that I could plead her case. I have to wonder if she did this because we have been gone so much. We left her alone during our Blind Melon weekend, and then we were only home two days before we left her again for a week in Minnesota. We've been home 2 days from our Minnesota trip, but today we were gone again because of my crazy meeting schedule. She probably freaked thinking she was going to be left alone again.

I sprayed down the couch cushions with Spot Shot. (Please don't tell me to use those natural enzyme cleaners. They do not work. I've cleaned enough cat pee to know this.)  Tomorrow I will take the cushions out to bake in the sun. If it doesn't help, I may get my wish for new furniture, although DH will agrue that's a dangerous decision if Yumi is taking to couch peeing.

We bought this couch in 1994. I hate it. When you sit on it, you can feel the sofa bed bar. Even though we paid extra for the Scotch Guarding, it has several stains. You can't have raised boys for almost 13 years without having trashed furniture right?

Maybe Yumi was doing me a favor? Maybe she wants me to get furniture for my birthday?

We can't afford it though. I will have to make due with what we got. I wonder if I can hose soak these cushions and still be able to dry them before the mold sets in? Hmmmm... maybe lots of baking soda, hose spraying, baking soda, hose spraying and sun drying will help?

All I know is that tomorrow I'm calling a do over! Its be nice to me day or else!

If you've read this far, thanks! I needed to think this through and lately, I'm thinking better if I'm writing.  Otherwise I try to multi-task while thinking and I lose focus.

Nightie, night. Don't let the bed bugs bite.......

Thursday 13

13 decisions I have to make in my near future....

1. Should I make more chocolate chip bread? It disappeared in one day but I have a feeling it will show up elsewhere, in another form, for quite awhile longer. DH really liked it though.

2. MANKATO road trip?  Next Blind Melon concert? Must ask MIL if she can babysit again or maybe this time the boys will have to rock out with us.

3. Should I change jobs?

4. Am I really going to try a pedicure for the first time? My feet are so ticklish. 

5. Wii Fit or walk to the store to buy more whipping cream?

6. Start my music because its too quiet around here or let DS12 sleep some more?

7. Drive the boys back home after doctor's appointment or hang out in Madison, spending money?

8. Shampoo or baking soda with an apple cider vinegar rinse?

9. Pink or blue? Permanent or wash out?

10. Keep the book a few days longer and pay the fine, or return it now?

11. Blind Melon Tatoo?

12. Should I go Go-Karting on my birthday? I've never been before believe it or not. How did I get to be 40 and never have gone Go-Karting?

13. Smoothie or leftovers for lunch?

Rogers passes me his pick!!

Check it out! I'm on Youtube! Watch carefully and you'll see Rogers pass me his pick. Rogers is the guitarist farthest from the camera. After Travis (Lead Singer) turns his back and starts shaking, watch for the handoff! Its quick. I think it happens around the 40th second. I think I'm mostly blurry because I was moving so much.

DH's face is easier to make out. I'm the old women with glasses, wearing a red t-shirt, dancing like a total geek. I don't care. I TOTALLY LOVE BLIND MELON!!!! I WILL ALWAYS BE A MELONHEAD!!

Radical Unschoolers' Network

http://familyrun.ning.com/
I found a home away from home!

Because I'm too cheap to spend an extra .50 cents...

Let me put down my fork and tell you about the Chocolate Chip Whipped Cream bread I made today. It tastes really good, but I'm not pleased with my sinking chocolate chips. I did toss them with flour before adding them to the batter, but apparently, they still did a nose dive to the bottom.

The recipe called for mini chocolate chips, but I noticed at the grocery store, these chips were .50 more than the regular chocolate chips. Tightwad that I am, I couldn't bring myself to pay the extra .50 cents for the same amount of chocolate.

I used my stone 9 x 5 bread pan, but when I make this again, I'll use my silicon pan. I greased it, but the bread still stuck a little. I think it was all the chocolate chips at the bottom.

It still tastes super yum-o. I will have to wrap it up and hide it from myself or there won't be any left for DH to try.

Chocolate Chip Whipped Cream Loaf

1 1/2 C flour
1 C sugar
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 C heavy whipping cream
2 eggs
2 t vanilla
1/2 C mini chocolate chips ( or regular chips if you want all your chocolate at the bottom!)

Preheat oven to 350 F
-Grease a 9 x 5 loaf pan
-Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt
-Toss the chocolate chips into the flour mixture and set aside
-Beat cream on high until soft peaks form
-add eggs, vanilla
-Stir in the flour mixture

Bake for 55 minutes or until your knife comes out clean.

Bemidji Trip 2008

DS12 caught Uncle C's bass he had been trying to hook, using our cousin's borrowed Barbie pole. LOL!

A few snaps from our visit to the Grandparents.

We're back!

First off, I have to share this photo of my sister's furkids, Rose and Annie. Aren't they adorable! You don't know how difficult it was to get this shot. They are constantly in motion. My BIL is in the background on pooper scooper duty.

My sister has a lovely lake front home. DS9 loved swimming and DS12 caught a nice bass, right off the dock. We enjoyed a tasty dinner of fried Walleye from Canadian waters. YUM! We can't get good Canadian lake fish here in southern Wisconsin.

At my parent's home, we saw Blue jays, various woodpeckers and deer eating at Grandpa's apple tree. Half of their home is made up of two story windows so the view into the woods is beautiful. I also sat outside in the screen tent, listening to the wind rustle the leaves all day while DS12 was on Cloud 9 firing Grandpa's pellet gun. He has great aim, and he honored my request to shoot pop cans not squirrels or birds!

My one wildlife complaint is not actually about the mosquitoes. I had DEET to defend me. The real insect villain of the north are Deer Flies!!! Within seconds of exiting our car one flew up my shorts and bit the back of my leg. It felt like a bee sting and the pain wouldn't go away. I soaked in the cool waters of the lake and it felt a little better, but later the itch was insane. They also got my toe, (which now feels like it should be amputated) and my ankles, which are scratched raw. Deer Flies are another reason why I live in southern Wisconsin farmland and not the northern woods.

We had our share of leeches hitching a nutritious ride, but they aren't that bad. I'd take them over Deer Flies any day! They were small, not like Amazon jungle leeches or Humphrey Bogart leeches in the movie African Queen. Little lake leeches are harmless. You just have to check between your toes once you are done swimming! They make good bait too!

We spent a little time at the county fair. Personally, I see and smell enough Holsteins right here in Heavensville, but we did get to see furry chickens. I swear their white feathers looked just like fur. They resembled kittens more so than chickens. The "Dress a Goat" contest was fun and the boys climbed the fire tower with DH. (I can't make it past the tops of the trees before my fear of heights kicks in.)

My mom fattened me up with the best chocolaty brownies I've ever eaten, Swedish chocolate cookies, hash brown cheesy potato casserole, fresh made Belgian waffles every morning and ice cream cake. As I said goodbye this morning she handed me a chocolate bar for the road, I kid you not!  I won't tell you about the fry bread at the fair and my dad treating us to more fried Walleye at the bar down the road. I can't live there. Tomorrow morning its back to reality.

We saw Dragon Boat races, shopped sidewalk sales, watched Boomerang, climbed a fake giant boulder at the park, picked buckets of raspberries, saw the Mummy movie and taught Mormor how to blog on Multiply- HI MOM!

I'm ready for bed!

Coming home tomorrow....

I miss Yumi. I can't wait to come home and give her a good long cuddle.

I've missed blogging too. I can't wait to get caught up on all your pages.

It certainly is strange trying to work on someone else's computer isn't it? I guess I miss my old fart of a computer too!

I miss Southern Wisconsin water. Even with my parent's water softener, there's too much iron up here!

I miss my water tubes. (bed)

I miss my blankie.

I miss blasting my music. Maybe I need to hint I need an IPod for my birthday?

I'll have a nice long vacation clog to post after we get back.  Now its time to get back to scratching my bites.

Look out Mosquitos, here we come!

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

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

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

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

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

Have a great weekend!

Weed Schooling

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

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

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

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

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

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

Austin's Saloon

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

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

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

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

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

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

http://www.austinsaloon.com/

Blind Melon 2008 Tour

Signed and complete with ABC gum from Christopher!

Souvenirs from the concerts we've attended this year.

I am Queen Melon Head!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See you later....

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

China's Stolen Children

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Clogged head, clogged blog....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Homeschooling At The Speed Of Life

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Baby, is your throat sore?"

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

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

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

I CAN'T GET SICK!!!! 

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

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

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

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

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

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

OH!! EMERGEN-C DO YOUR MAGIC!!! 

I've come to realize....

(Stolen from Suey)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now YOU give it a go.