I Only Woke Up Once!!

I can actually remember dreaming. That's a good thing. I know I have finally benefited from serious sleep. The honey and apple cider trick really works better than cough meds.

I'm grateful to be coming off a great weekend, where my family took such great care of me. Even though I had to work a safety event yesterday, my husband took the time to chauffeur me and help me set up and take down. The event was actually kind of slow. I probably only spoke with a dozen families before it all came to an early end when a little boy was seriously injured. So much for it being a safety event!

It was the fault of the sports complex hosting the event. This gated doorway that fell off should not have in my opinion. The boy was naturally barefoot because his family was promoting martial arts. I certainly hope they do all they can for the family, especially since this boy's father was giving free seminars on Halloween safety.

We booked our room for the Kalahari Sandusky for the Unschoolers Gathering next May. We've always wanted to go, but years prior the event was held in February, which is unpredictable winter driving season. Knowing this will be during the later part of spring, I feel better planning for that drive. Although it is somewhat unpredictable if or where DH will be working then, we can't allow fear to lead us. We have plenty of time between now and next May to set aside money for the trip. I want to make memories and travel while our boys are still with us.

I became a Great Auntie yesterday! (How come we skip "grand" and go right to "great" when you're not the grandparent?) Its my sister's first grandchild and my parents first great grandchild. I can still remember being in high school when my mom called to inform me my nephew had been born. Now he's a daddy! It's amazing how fast times goes by.

I better get moving. I want to drop off my Kitchenaid for servicing. Its running but making noise, and I will need it working this coming holiday season. Have a great Monday!

I witnessed a horrific injury to a little boy's foot today. I held his hand waiting for the paramedics and couldn't believe how brave he was. If this had been my child, I would have passed out. I'm praying he's doing well in the ER and the memory of the pain fades for him.

Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar Cough medicine

Description:
I've been taking this instead of cough medicine. I gargle first and then swallow. I didn't have any cayenne pepper, but my first batch seems to be working well without it.

Ingredients:
1/4 t cayenne pepper
1/4 t powdered ginger
1 T honey
1 T apple cider vinegar
2 T water

Directions:
Add all the ingredients into a small jar with a lid and shake it.

Take a spoonful or two as needed to treat your cough.

Home-made cough medicine seems to be working. I actually got some sleep last night. Or maybe I'm feeling better because DH is home, taking care of me. :)

Zucchini Oat Bread

Description:
This came out very satisfying. I love quick breads. Its a "dessert" I feel less guilty about enjoying. I adapted a recipe from BH&G and next time I make this, I'll use two smaller loaf pans instead of the 9 x 5 x 3 pan they originally suggested. My bread expanded out and over the loaf pan. I did have a cookie sheet underneath so it didn't turn into an oven disaster.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 C sugar
2 1/2 t cinnamon
2 1/2 C flour
1 C oats
1 t baking powder
3/4 t baking soda
3 eggs
1 C applesauce
1/4 C butter melted
1 t vanilla
2 C shredded zucchini
1 C chopped walnuts
1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 and prepare your bread loaf pan(s)

In a small bowl, mix 1 T of sugar and 1/4 t cinnamon. This will be your topping.

In a medium bowl, mix flour, oats, baking powder,salt, baking soda and remaining cinnamon.

In a large bowl, beat eggs until foamy. Add the applesauce, melted butter, vanilla and remaining sugar.

Slowly add the flour mixture to the egg/applesauce mixture. Stir in zucchini, walnuts and chocolate chips.

Pour your batter into your loaf pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar prepared earlier.

Bake for 1 hour 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. I ended up baking my giant loaf for 1.5 hours. Your house will smell wonderful!

Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before popping the loaf out to cool completely on a wire rack.

I'm Ready For My Throat Transplant Now

I pulled an all nighter with Yumi watching her favorite scary movie, Sleepwalkers, among several others. After trying for 4 hours to fall asleep, I decided I've give DH a break and take my hacking elsewhere. I sat upright, sipping gallons and gallons of tea and water, hoping this dry cough would turn off. Now either from the mass consumption of beverages or the ab crunching coughing, it feels like my kidney stones want to know where the party is.

Contrary to the above opening paragraph, I actually am in good spirits. Your brain must trigger feel good hormones when you're lacking so much sleep. Or maybe its because I know there is nothing I have to do or anywhere I have to go. If I feel like attempting to sleep later, I can.

I should be cleaning because DMIL is coming tomorrow and being sick all this past week, you wouldn't believe how the dust bunnies have all come out to keep me company. I'll wait and see if I feel like it later or not. I'm telling you I have this C'est La Vie attitude today. Again, is it the sleep deprivation?

I did feel like I had hit the wall earlier and the little girl in me wanted her mommy. When she actually called me out of the blue, it was the power of Mommy Love, Man! Its amazing how somehow she knew to call me at that moment. I hope I have this with my kids.

Speaking of kids, mine are up now, so I'm off to see if I can score any "I'm sick, won't you hug me" points. Hope you have a great Friday and thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers for recovery! 

 

Thoughts For Thursday 10/21/10

Honestly I don't know how I'm managing to plow through these days and nights. I will admit, I have/had a virus. The coughing progressed and each new day when I had hoped to be back at 100%, a new symptom emerged. Yesterday it was a cramping stomach and when I attempted to speak more than a few sentences, uncontrollable dry coughing. This is not good when your job requires you to converse with the public.

Tuesday night I drugged, I mean dragged, myself to work thinking I shouldn't be there. Then when sweet little thing, after sweet little thing, stopped for their after lesson hand stamps, I realized why I was sick in the first place. Child after child, hacking away in my face, its amazing I hadn't become sick sooner. (I do still feel the propane exposure pushed me over the edge.)

Wednesday night I drove to work with severe stomach cramps. I almost called DH and said I can't drive, come get me, but I kept thinking about how continuing straight down the road, mile after mile, was bringing me closer to getting this night over with. I sipped tea and the distraction of work took my mind off my stomach. The worse of it was when I'd be on the phone trying to speak when all I wanted to do was hack. If all I had to do was smile and nod, I'd be set no problem.

Tonight I'll make it because its the last night of the week for me, and then I'll have two entire days where I get to decide what I choose to do. If I feel like laying around watching junk TV, so be it! 

Speaking of junk TV, I've been watching that Sister Wife show on TLC. Polygamy has always fascinated me. I can't fathom how anyone would want to share their spouse. I've always wondered why these woman settle for a part-time husband. To me that's not a true marriage.

I watched as wife #1 was trying to have a conversation with the husband, regarding her jealousy issues with wife#4 coming aboard. She asked him how he would feel if she was with another man. His response was very telling. He said his mind could not even fathom that because its "VULGAR" and against God. He also admitting saying this was hypocritical but he didn't care. He actually turned it back on her, saying she was the problem regarding the jealousy because it was her idea he hook up with wife #4.

I was disgusted. What a cruel, selfish man! He knows he is hurting wife #1, and probably #2 & #3 as well, but he doesn't care. His satisfaction comes first. He claims this is God's will, but I know God does not will for pain, jealousy and hurt for anyone.

I've always wondered why most of polygamy was so one sided, one man, many wives. Its just a way to put down women and create an artificial ego boost for the husband. Don't get me started on what I think it does to the children!  

The women on this show continue to claim how much they agree with this lifestyle, but you can't help but see their constant pain and wonder why are they choosing to live this way?!

Well, I better get off my soapbox and get ready for the rest of my day.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup - a quick, easy version

Description:
I was craving my mother in law's chicken pot pie soup but I couldn't find the recipe. I also am recovering from a cough cold so I didn't have a lot of energy to spend in the kitchen. I found a quick cheat recipe online and improvised. It came out tasty enough, although not as good as DMIL's, but what really impressed me, is how fast it all came together. It satisfies that craving for chicken pot pie without having to wait an hour or consume the extra fat and calories from the pie crust.

Ingredients:
1 can cream of chicken soup (I use the reduced fat version.)
1 can cream of potato soup
2 C skim milk
1 16 ounce bag of frozen veggies (I used peas, carrots, green beans & corn.)
2 C cut up leftover roasted chicken breast (I used a little less. We only had one good sized, cooked skinless, boneless chicken breast left in the fridge.)
Pepper and Garlic powder to taste

Directions:
In your soup pot, whisk together the condensed soups and milk over medium to high heat. Add in the frozen veggies and chicken. Season with pepper and garlic powder to taste. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently and reduce heat.

On The Mend

I must have over done it yesterday. By early evening I was running a fever. I went to bed early with chills and woke up several times during the night, once completely soaked in a cold sweat. I broke down and took two Advil, and that helped me stay asleep until morning. I'm now fever free.

I'm wondering if I've been fighting off a flu bug. At one point last night, it was so painful to move any of my muscles. This morning my cough is still here but my body isn't achy anymore. I must be on the mend.

I tend to stress over becoming sick, but when I look back, I heal rather quickly. I may start to get sick, but it disappears before I'm completely knocked off my feet. I just don't like having my plans come to a complete halt, and I stress over letting others down. This must be a mom thing.

There is so much going around. I know at work we're dropping like flies and every night so many families call in sick. My son's friend came over and said he had just recovered from a serious case of strep where he was almost hospitalized. I'm grateful I'm not that sick, and I seem to be fighting this off, if it is a virus and not the propane reaction I thought it was. Or maybe the propane exposure weakened my immune system, allowing the virus to start up? Either way, its great to be headed back uphill rather than down. 

I'm not going to be as ambitious today. I'll need the energy for work tonight. Thankfully my DMIL sent home several soups with DH on Sunday so that's my plan for today - to eat soup.  I probably will bake up some squash too. Half my battle is being able to listen to the needs of my body and not over due it. Yesterday my ambitions got the better of me. 

Monday's Mental Notes

Hot Toddies are on order today. My throat and chest still feel shredded from my grilling exposure Saturday. It's slowly getting better, but I still taste metal when I cough. I'll have to let my boss know, I can no longer be the Grill Master at work. At our last event, I can remember experiencing a similar effect, only it didn't last as long as this one is.

I feel badly I haven't been able to exercise. When I even try to climb our stairs, my asthma kicks in, and I end up coughing. I know its the grilling and it will eventually go away. I just hate that I've poisoned my body!

I tried to rest most of the day yesterday, but today there's too much I want to get done. I need to get my kitchen back in functioning order. Way back when, the pantry was organized but somehow it didn't manage to stay that way. Now when you open the door, you never know what's going to jump out at you. The same thing is happening in our refrigerator. I have become my mother!

This past weekend, we watched the end of the X-Games Movie. One of my favorite athletes, Bob Burnquist, who by the way, also suffers from asthma, said something that really motivated me. I may not be quoting this exactly as he said it, but it went something like, "Dream It. Believe It. Work hard at it, because you don't want it to come easy to you."

I love that!! I had forgotten to remember how important it is that what you desire should not come easily to you. Working for it makes it so much better! You're stronger and can appreciate it so much more, than if it was just given to you. I will have to focus on that. Going through the failure and disappointment while trying to reach my goals has a purpose. I shouldn't try to avoid the discomfort, but embrace it.

My family watches Survivor, and every season there is someone who wants to quit. They get rained on, they're cold and hungry and they want to go home. I've always thought - haven't they watched Survivor??!! Don't they KNOW going into it what's involved?! I suppose they may not be able to predict how they will react to those realities, however, I also wonder why can't they just accept them and let it be. Its raining, so let the rain hit you, get wet, be cold. Just let it be. Why think about how you could be warm and dry and fed? Doesn't that make it worse? Maybe one should allow their mind to accept the environment they're in and just let it be. Exist it in and know that it won't always be that way.

I think I'm going to try and apply that lesson to my own life, along with my decision to accept that nothing easily arrived is worth as much as something worked and waited for.

Tea kettle's calling my name. Have a great day!

Yumi's New Hutch

We had just moved in the new to us antique hutch we received from G-Ma, and while I was deciding on what to store in the hutch, Yumi decided she'd make the best accessory, claiming the space for herself. I guess I better fill it with cat treats and toys. 

Trying to heal my respiratory system today. Inhaled too much hot dog fumes and propane yesterday....Cough! Cough!!

Enjoyed a wonderful evening being unplugged. Our neighborhood had no power for several hours. My sister and nephew walked over and we talked and played cards by candlelight.

I'm A Sleepyhead Today...

I didn't sleep well. Lately I can't turn off my brain even though my body is fatigued. I have trouble falling asleep, and I wake up too early, when my eyes don't want to open because they haven't been closed long enough but my mind decides its time to race.

This morning at 4:00am, I made a cup of Sleepytime tea, and gave Yumi a warm lap to curl up on while I watched the end of Howard's End on cable. Of course when it was the time I really wake up and start my day, I finally wanted to fall back asleep. So I'm going through today with a serious case of brain cloud zombie head.

Cyst update- its much, much smaller, almost gone really, and isn't causing me any pain. Thanks for your prayers!

The dishwasher leak I believe is coming from the door seals being too old, but tomorrow I'll experiment a little more, removing the lower panel. I could see water dripping from the door, but not enough to soak the base boards along the cabinets. The toe boards on the cabinets are wasted, so I removed them. There is a little bit of water damage on the cabinets, but I'm hoping that dries out and we can install new toe boards before installing the kitchen floor. Of course the real challenge is finding the time! Our weekend is already booked.

I need to help DS11 put together his Halloween costume. He usually comes up with great ideas, (see my Halloween photo album). This year he wants to be something scary. At first he decided to be a zombie businessman, but now he's thinking scary clown. Either way, he understands I have no time to sew this year so we'll see what we can put together at Goodwill.

I better get moving and see if that wakes up my brain cells a bit. Have a great Thursday!

Food Diary- Wednesday 10/13/10

Breakfast- cereal w/almond milk

Lunch- Veggie sub from Subway, not pictured, cookie

Snack at work- more nibbles from my popcorn,walnut, dried cranberry snack mix- (previously pictured)

Supper- kamut yogurt pancakes

Thankful to have a home, even if that means something always breaks. Today I will learn about dishwasher repair and possibly even how to repair water damaged cabinets!! Also I'm thankful we hadn't installed the kitchen flooring yet.

Food Diary- Tuesday 10/12/10

Breakfast- raisin bran extra cereal w/almond milk

After workout craving- small spoonful of peanut butter- craving salt

Lunch- Left over spaghetti- Why does spaghetti always taste better re-heated?

Snack at work- walnuts, dried cranberries and popcorn- I nibbled on about 1/2 C and brought the rest home. Fuze Green Iced Tea w/honey- My latest vice!

Supper - I can has cheezeburger!! My version of the The Spot, cheese and ketchup only. I had to snap the pic quick or it would have been someone else's supper!

The Enemy Is Me

I'm being really hard on myself. I have no good reason to but I am.

Yesterday my head turned, and I looked in a direction I wasn't headed. I saw a sign which read, If you knew you couldn't fail, what would you do?

After that brief moment, I turned away and headed towards my responsibilities, but the question has stayed with me. I've stalled out in trying to make my dreams come true.

I can cite all matter of excuses for why I can't get to where I want to be, but that's my lack of maturity talking. This isn't suppose to be about instant gratification.

Yes, I'm confused. I don't know where to start, and I don't have a clear picture of what success will look like.

Am I up for all the falls I will have during the journey?

Can I keep life functioning and happy while trying to figure it out?

I've got to take a step, in ANY direction, and just start trying. Some people have it all mapped out, but I don't. Maybe in the long run, it won't matter. There's been plenty of people who have cut their own path.

I actually was most likely born to approach challenges this way. Its my true nature when I take off the mask others want to put on me. I have to stop worrying about not having all the answers, tell myself I'm an excellent autodidact, and just do it. 

Food Diary- Monday 10/11/10

Breakfast- cereal w/almond milk

After workout (lunch)- yogurt smoothie, banana, pineapple,blueberries, almond milk

Snack- The Honey Crisp apple I didn't eat on Sunday, shared with the boys since it was so big

Supper- spaghetti with my homemade sauce, ground beef, a slice of bread w/Smart Balance (not pictured)

Snack- Not pictured, 1% chocolate milk, light ice cream - I always crave ice cream or shakes after enjoying spaghetti or pizza. It must be something in the marinara sauce that triggers this craving for me.

Food Diary- Sunday 10/10/10

Breakfast not pictured- a glass of OJ- not much but I wasn't feeling hungry yet.

Lunch at work- thinly sliced chicken breast, farmer's cheese on rye bread, Sweet Tea, green pepper strips. I was too full to eat the apple.

Supper- take out at home- KFC grilled chicken breast and wing, popcorn chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, biscuit, not pictured- homemade strawberry jam for the biscuit

Snack for Dexter watching- almond milk hot cocoa, chocolate cats

Thinking About Food

Have I told you how wonderful our neighbors are? They dropped off delicious breast cancer awareness bagels. I will say all bagels should stop being round and start being ribbon shaped. It gives you more bagel to love! I enjoyed one and then froze the rest. If I didn't, I would have dangerously eaten them all!

I'm trying to come up with a better eating plan. I'm a creature of habit but this time of year always confuses me. The temperatures keep messing with my cravings. I definitely crave certain kinds of food in cold weather versus hot weather. The problem is, some days its cold and hot in the same day!

I completed a free metabolic nutritional typing test offered from Mercola.com but the results didn't impress me. It said I was a mixed type, rather than carb or protein type. I was hoping for better direction, but what else should I expect for free?

I think what's really bumming me is I'm missing the fresh summer fruits and veggies. I enjoy fall's harvest, but I guess I haven't been focusing on recipes that take advantage of them. I'll have to pull out my soup and stew recipes and make something inspirational this week.

I should get back to posting a food diary. I have a new to us camera now I'll have to use.

Thankful to be in my nest! Keeping my goals simple for today; drink 8-10, enjoy a lemon poppy seed muffin and later, tree time.

Can I Go To The Overlook Now?

I'm in a funk. I feel like running away to a place no one would want to venture to just to be alone with my thoughts, a place where maybe I could be the puppet master for awhile rather than feel the pull of these strings.

I don't need to pretend to write a novel or talk to the dead, but I need to feel I have a handle on things and right now I'm far from that mindset. When something trivial such as overdue library books begins to stress you out, its a warning sign.

Okay, it not really about library books. I have a lump where a woman doesn't want to find one, in October of all months. October, when I should be enjoying family celebrations and the coming of my favorite season. Its probably only a cyst, but do you know what's so crazy mental of me? I'm more worried about co-pays than about achieving peace of mind. 

Why can I be foolishly frugal, especially when it comes to spending money for my needs? Its not that we can't afford the co-pay right now, DH is working and for the time being we have health insurance. As much as I fear the big C, I really don't think this lump is it. I feel like I'd be wasting money only to find out its just a cyst. That's completely warped of me I know.

I just don't feel like being normal right now. I actually would prefer to live a homeschooling socialization myth. Can we shut ourselves out from the world with enough food and books to last the winter? The Overlook is inviting me.

I can feel change arriving as the geese leave over my head, and I want to take a moment to figure out where should I be redirecting my focus. Life's distractions are preventing me from this task.

I can't believe its been 15 years since I first became a mom. Thanks DS15, for changing my life for the better in so many wonderful ways!!!

Weekend Notes 10/2-10/3

We celebrated DS15's birthday this past weekend knowing on his actual birthday our family won't be able to share much together time. He wanted to go to Red Lobster for all you can eat shrimp. He enjoyed it very much as did the rest of us. We spoiled him with gifts and ended the weekend eating cake.

The living room floor is almost complete. We still need to attach quarter round trims, but for the most part it feels done because we've been able to move furniture back into the room. I almost didn't want to do this because it began to cover up all our work. :)

Before our first frosty nights arrived this weekend, we pulled up much of the garden and trimmed bushes. Our city is suppose to pick up brush collection this week, but I'm sure they will skip our neighborhood like usual. We'll end up having to bring it to our city's yard waste compost pile ourselves. Its actually just down the road so its not too much trouble.

We did not pick pumpkins or tag our Christmas tree yet. Maybe we'll do this next weekend? Its never long enough is it, the weekend?  

Hmmm...my lymph nodes are swollen but I have no other symptoms of illness. "That still means you can walk right?"- DS11. Yes, I suppose it does. Once I finish my water, I'll lace up my shoes dear boy.

Buttermilk "brownies" that really came out more like a chocolate cake

Description:
I had buttermilk to use up, and I came across a recipe for buttermilk brownies in a BHG cookbook from the 70's. I thought I'd replace the butter with Smart Balance, but other than that, I stayed pretty true to the recipe.

I was disappointed these were not what I would call a brownie, but rather a chocolate cake. Having said that, it was a very tasty chocolate cake, better than something you'd get from a boxed mix. If I have the need to bake up a chocolate cake, I'll use this recipe again. If I want real, chewy brownies, I'll try a different recipe.

I did use a 10 x 13 pan instead of a 15 X 10, or two 9 x 9 pans the recipe suggested. I don't think this changed the consistency though. I'm thinking the two eggs and amount of flour make this recipe more of a cake than a brownie. Its still a great, indulgent dessert.

Ingredients:
1 C Smart Balance Spread - (Its high in Omega 3s!)
1/2 C cocoa powder - (anti-oxidant power!)
1 C water
2 C flour- (you could use whole wheat)
2 C sugar -(This is where it gets bad, but oh, so good bad!)
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
2 slightly beaten eggs
1/2 C buttermilk
1 1/2 t vanilla

Your choice of chocolate frosting or icing.

Directions:
In a saucepan, melt the Smart Balance with the water and cocoa powder, stirring often. Bring to a boil and then remove from the heat.

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add in the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla.

Add about a cup of the chocolate mixture into the flour mixture and stir. Add a little more and then completely mix the chocolate mixture with the rest of your flour mixture. Doing this tempers the chocolate so you don't end up with scrambled egg pieces in your cake.

Pour the mixture into a 10 x 13 pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake for 30 minutes in a preheated 375 degree oven. When your toothpick comes out clean, its done. *The original recipe only baked this for 20 minutes, but my cake didn't set until 30 minutes.

Place the cake on a wire rack to cool. Spread your choice of chocolate frosting/icing over the warm cake and allow it to cool.

Super Quick Update...

I'm on my 5th load of laundry. How did that happen? We usually only average one a day.

Buttermilk brownies are cooling and being allowed to age before being tested. I'm trying a new recipe using Smart Balance instead of butter or oil. Plus I had buttermilk I had to use up.

Experimenting with buttermilk ice cubes- I'm hoping I can keep the cubes in a freezer bag and thaw as needed for recipes. We just don't go through that much buttermilk all at once, and the powdered instant buttermilk isn't as good.

DS14- soon to be DS15 - asked me to cut his hair. I offered to take him for a real, professional cut, but he said it didn't matter because soon it will be hat weather. I love that frugal boy!

Yumi is being really naughty. I can't figure out what's got her so ticked off. You should see DS11's feet!

I can't believe we're short about 4 feet of underlay in the hallway. I had really wanted to return that last $50 roll! Its seems to be a cruel joke I have to cut only 4 feet off of the 100 foot roll and be left with 96 feet. This confirms, we'll have to lay down laminate in the bedrooms one day to use it up.

Speaking of the flooring project, the living room is so close to being done. To our horror, we discovered our walls are not straight and now instead of that last row of planks fitting nicely, we are left with a small inch or so gap, too big for the quarter round to hide. Its only along half of the wall. We're thinking of cutting a sliver of laminate and gluing it in.

I've been taking magnesium pills. I didn't think I was low in magnesium, but I thought I'd try them and see what kind of results I ended up with. I had read magnesium helps with hypertension, nerve function and metabolism. Well, after a week, my RLS is gone and the scale is finally starting to move down! I'll have to re-test my blood pressure soon.

There goes the dryer buzzing at me. One quick fold and then I'm off to work. See ya later, gators!

I asked DS11 if he wanted to walk the long route or the short route. He chose the long one. I'm so proud of him!

The Last Harvest Of The 2010 Garden

We're putting our Sleepyhouse garden to bed for the winter. Except for plans to plant garlic bulbs in a few weeks, we'll be covering up the square foot garden beds. Today we picked the last of the produce, pulled up stakes and rolled up rabbit fencing.

The potato pot experiment did not yield us too many spuds, but the ones we did end up with are creamy white. Next year either we'll try the fabric pots designed for this purpose rather than using plastic pots, or we'll till potato hills. We did notice an abundance of worms in the pots, so they were happy.

I'm sorry to say it, but I think after two years of trying to grow melons, next year we'll scrap those plans. We just don't get a hot and humid enough summer in our zone.

We'll grow carrots again, but we'll be better at spreading them out. These carrots were designed to be short, but we over crowded them.

Along with the garlic, I want to grow onions. We made and canned some great salsa with our tomatoes, but I had to buy garlic and onions to add to the recipe.

The sugar snap peas were like candy. These will always have a place in our garden, although they are a spring and early fall crop only.

Our butternut squash did not do as well as last year when we grew them vertically. Next year, perhaps we'll try that technique once again.

I'll have to make room for zucchini and scrap plans for broccoli. Our broccoli never made it to the stage where we could actually harvest it.

I want to grow more medicinal herbs too.

One of the square foot beds must have been hit by my neighbor's riding lawn mower. Its off center and too heavy to move back into place. I'll just have to get over my symmetry hang up and live with it this way. We do plan on mulching around the beds rather than trying to keep up with mowing next year. I have a neighbor who did this and it does make your garden look much better.

Although it leaves me a little sad to see the end of the growing season, planning for next  year is fun!

Coming Off Of A Great Weekend

Running away helped.

Saturday we ditched the nest and took a mini-road trip. We drove to K-town to visit the always wonderful G-Ma. We enjoyed lunch together and afterward left the boys with G-Ma, while DH and I made a side trip to visit a high school chum for supper.

Driving down to the area near where I grew up, so much had changed, we got a little lost. Funny how landmarks can change leaving you feeling like you're traveling someplace new.

Our friend made us a wonderful supper and we enjoyed seeing her house and new car. I marveled at her garden, never having seen sweet pepper plants grow so big. She told me to pick all I wanted, and I kicked myself later after realizing I had forgotten my bag of picked peppers as we left. (Sorry Karen!) We won't allow so much time to pass again before our next visit.

The boys walked the lakefront with G-Ma and fed the seagulls and ducks. They also saw a loon which really surprised me. I've never seen a loon on Lake Michigan before. They returned to her house to watch their favorite cable channel which we are not privileged to get, the Chiller channel. They also watched Sharktopus on the SyFy channel. Gotta love those cheesy thrillers!

We drove home late rather than stay over because we wanted to get a jump on our flooring project the next morning. I'm very happy with how much progress we made! The first row took some time, but then we got moving much more quickly. Its a math thing. You have to stagger those seams, and we try our best to use as much square feet of each board, trying to eliminate waste. We only have 1.5 rows left to complete our living room area and all that will be left is the hallway and tricky angle transition between the living room and kitchen. Today I'll be picking up some mighty movers for our furniture to slide around on and ordering a Water Hog door mat. Its all starting to come together!

I'd predict we'd finish by this evening, but the dentist just called with a cancellation, and I scheduled DH in for his cleaning. Working on this floor, has taught me a new meaning of patience. It will be done, when it gets done. Life happens.

I'm running away today. The floor can wait until tomorrow.

From 86 degrees down to 56 in less than 24. What a difference! I've got the windows open and the Sleepyhouse is chilling out, literally and figuratively.

Floor Progess Moving Slowly

Yumi doesn't mind the furniture being turned over, but its starting to get to me.

I feel like I'm going through the motions, but not getting anywhere. I suppose its because our Sleepyhouse is still in disarray. The flooring project is taking longer than expected, due to the reality that living our lives has to continue throughout this process. We must work, learn, exercise, clean, eat, sleep. We can't be fixing the nest 24/7. I have to let go and go with the flow. I want this project finished though because I'm already planning others.

I am learning quite a bit working on this flooring project. Maybe I should focus on that rather than worrying about when the house will be back in order? Before we began, I admit I felt a bit overwhelmed. Once I began cutting and ripping up carpet, I could feel the fear leaving. With each carpet tack strip I destroyed, I knew there was no turning back. Seeing all the layers of dirt, pulling up each staple, I just knew this change was going to be for the better.

We're hitting speed bumps, but so far, we haven't come across any obstacles we haven't been able to overcome. I'm so thankful for the Internet!! Its come in so handy when we needed to research how to make two seams come together after that first row of planks went in. The manufacturer's DVD makes the installation process look so easy, but they don't show you how to lock two seams together at 90 degree angles after that first row. Hint, you can't knock those planks too hard with your mallet or you'll break off those tongues for your next row! You have to place some weight on the previous seam to prevent it from coming apart and gently wiggle and press until you find that sweet spot.

You may also not realize how much math goes into laying this floor. We are carefully trying to ensure the seams are properly staggered, at the same time trying not to waste too many boards. We have to calculate how long each board needs to be and exactly where the cut boards can be placed to best use them.

When its all finished, I know we're going to love it. Its going to be easier to keep clean and should help with our allergies.

Ouch! I think I have left too much DNA under our new flooring.

Laminate Project 9/10 Before and During

Here's a few before and during photos. Its moving along slower than I expected but we are taking our time and getting it right. Having an engineer for a husband means every board is being measured and those seams have to be perfect. :) I don't mind. I know when its all done, it will hold up nicely. I just hope our knees hold out!! I'll be sure to post after photos when we are finished. 

Quick lunch break update- carpet and pad is removed, along with a gazillion staples. Underlay and laminate goes down after lunch. Blood pressure this morning 124/78!! Oh Yeah!!!

I am now walking our fitness routes in my dreams. I guess I've reached the point where exercise is habitual. Last night's dream I wasn't satisfied with walking, and I began to run. Maybe someday, I can make that dream a reality.

Thoughts On This Thursday

The Sleepyhouse is quiet, the windows open, and I'm enjoying listening to the wind blow through the trees. I'm thankful for the rain which has finally made its way to us.

I woke up with a crink in my neck. It may sound crazy but I know exactly when I pulled my neck muscle in my sleep. I believe my body turned but my head did not and the pain woke me up. Now I can't turn my head very comfortably, but if I look ahead everything is fine. Its a perfect metaphor for me right now- look ahead, not behind.

The first book I read on blood pressure brought me down. The doctor who wrote it basically says once you are diagnosed with hypertension, you must take medications the rest of your life and you will never be cured of it. He also said if you have high blood pressure, you SHOULD NOT exercise until MEDICATION can bring your pressure down first.

The second book I'm reading, Lower Your Blood Pressure In Eight Weeks by Dr. Sinatra I'm liking better. I can understand how harmful hypertension can be, but the drugs scare me more. It seems crazy to think your doctor may put you on one drug, see if it works, if not, prescribe another, or even piggy back on top of another!

I'd like to keep trying diet and exercise first. I've been monitoring my pressure the past few days and I'm happy to report the highest reading I've had has been 140/89 and I've even had it down to 128/80. I know I'm taking the right steps, I just need to give it more time.

We started watching Survivor again. I don't know if I'll get attached to this season, but I am curious to see how far Jimmy Johnson makes it. I think we'll see how ugly people can get too, by how they treat the amputee. We think it would be fun if there were places you could go to try the Survivor challenges. They need to set up an Survivor amusement park!

I've begun clearing the living room out in preparation for the floor installation. Its making me realize I need to do something about the amount of books and magazines we end up keeping. I should have realized long ago, if we're going to homeschool, we need a room we can  designate as an official library. I like having reading material around, but I don't like how cluttered it can look. On the other hand, out of sight is out of mind. As an unschooler, strewing is my game!!

I better go put the kettle on and brew up some tea. I need to enjoy more stolen quiet moments until my personal trainer wakes up.

Blood Pressure Update

I have lots to do, but I need a little mental health blogging time. :)

My sister has loaned me her blood pressure wrist cuff. I am happy to report my pressure is not always as high as it was at the dentist last week. Although I'm not getting consistent good readings, I have noticed a difference in my pressure after exercising. A few times I have been able to get it down to a safer 124/70, but on average, I'm still hovering around the 140/90 mark.

As a show of support, DH is also keeping track of his bp, and together we both are committed to making improvements and bringing these numbers down. I'm discovering I have many family members who also are dealing with this.

I hit up the library yesterday for blood pressure related help books, and I'm going to get back to fresh juicing. I realized I have not been drinking water like I should be. I'm sure that is not helping.

I've been meaning to pick up a filter for our facet. We already use a Brita picture, but I'm concerned about all the chlorine our city puts in the water. I haven't been filtering our water for cooking and washing. When I canned salsa and tomatoes with my mom last Saturday, the jars all came out of the water bath and dried with a white powdery residue on them. I know inside the jars is nothing but organic veg, but it has me really concerned about our water supply. I know this is why I've been shying away from using our tap water, even with the Brita filter.

I'm feeling less stressed about the flooring project. What gets done, gets done. There really isn't any time table I need to be concerned with. Thanks for your thoughts on this. It really helped me put this in perspective.

I have to vote in our primary today. I'll try not to get depressed when my choices are not the majority, at least I know I'm using my right to vote. That's all I can do. I just wish people would think for themselves, not vote along party lines or base their vote on how many advertisements they saw.

I'm excited about a free resource available through our library, Mango. You can learn foreign languages online for free, using your library account!! I've previewed the Spanish and its pretty good. I'm hoping the boys are interested too.

Okay, drink break is over. I better get moving along. Take care!

Weekend Notes 9/10-9/12

Friday we spent the afternoon in the chemistry lab at Air Products. Our friend's dad works there as a chemist. We participated in different chemistry experiments and got to learn about industrial lab equipment. While we were on our field trip, the grandparents went shopping.

Saturday morning we took the grandparents to the famous farmer's market in Madison, meeting my sister and my nephew. We picked out organic veggies for making into salsa later.

We stopped at a snotty apple orchard on the way home, Epplegarten. I was yelled at for using my cell phone, and when my parents wanted to buy ten pounds of apples, they were told they had no choice but to pay for two 5 pound bags at the higher price because they currently did not have any 10 pound bags ready. I was using my phone, alone, away from everyone, but apparently they do not want cell phones used anywhere on their property. Its the last time we shop for apples there. I'll make the drive to our favorite orchard next time.

Saturday afternoon and into the evening we made salsa and canned tomatoes. My sister came over after soccer to continue visiting with our parents.

Sunday the grandparents headed home to Minnesota, while we relaxed and enjoyed the day watching football and having neighborhood friends over. We did a bit of walking and enjoyed making homemade tacos.

I'm trying not to focus on how much we have to get done this week ahead. I had trouble falling asleep last night just thinking of it. Next weekend we want to install our new flooring, but when I look around the room, it seems like we'll have so much to move out first. Plus ripping up the old, nasty carpet will probably take a good chunk of time. Why did we decide this was the right time to do this?

Unschoolers Waterpark Gathering

Start:	May 16, '11
End:	May 20, '11
Location:	Sandusky,OH

I can't wait for this! Every year I want to go and this year it looks better than ever. We will have to find a way to this event now that we won't have to worry about driving through snow and ice!

http://ugoevent.com/

I Too, Am Not Jello!!

I read a great article on Home Education Magazine's website, written by an unschooling mom. It was just what I needed this morning. Click here to check it out.

I found myself beginning to worry about yesterday's blood pressure reading, even after I told myself I wasn't going to. I woke up wishing I could just stay asleep and not face the day's reality. I pushed through promising myself I would continue to take steps towards health and not focus on the negative. Then I read Ms. Kilgore's article and found my moxie.

I am not Jello. I will never fit into anyone's mold. I am moving towards my goals, and I am enjoying the journey. That's what's important. Yesterday's speed bump may propel me in a different direction than I expected, but I can adapt and evolve. I'm not stuck in a mold I can't break out of.

Hours after being told by the dentist he had two baby molar teeth left, he plucked one out on his own. I'm expecting the second one to be yanked today. The tooth fairy will have to remove the Sleepyhouse from her GPS.

Yeah! No Cavities!

I'm so pleased with how well things went this morning visiting our new dentist. It was a much smaller office, and that has advantages, such as no waiting 9 months to get in for your 6 month check up. Plus, we were not separated by different floors, wondering where in the building we all were. This dentist is right in our hometown, so we didn't have to drive far either.

I called yesterday and scheduled 3 of us for today. Checking my calendar I could see it was almost a year ago since we'd last had a cleaning, but that was mostly because we did not have dental insurance during DH's layoff. I was expecting cavities but we all came out great!

The homeschool stigma wasn't too bad. "I thought your 14 year old son was so well spoken, and then he told me he homeschools, so I thought, ahhh.. that's why. Homeschoolers are around adults most of the time, so that is why they speak like them," I was told by our new dentist.

I explained how my boys actually have several friends who go to school and several who do not. Its true they have no difficulty speaking with grown ups, and I'm sure that is due to how they were always around people of different ages, not just a room full of peers, but I still cringe when I hear homeschooling stereotypes. I know homeschoolers who are shy and who are extroverted. Every person is different, with their own personality, whether you learn at home or at school.

The one thing that did not go too well this morning was my blood pressure check. I was stunned it was so high. I have been doing so much walking, and usually when I exercise it's always in the safe range. I suppose it could have been the fact I was at the DENTIST and I knew our insurance had a deductible and copay, but I'm alarmed it was up. I will have to schedule a doctor's appointment and make sure my bp is okay. Maybe it was the allergy medication I've been taking too? I have found in the past, OTC drugs have that kind of effect on me. I won't take the Loratadine for a few days and we'll see what my pressure is Monday.

Its frustrating to feel you have been taking steps, (literally), towards better health and then to hear the news your blood pressure is 160/102!! I want to scream, but I won't. Getting angry will only make it go up more. LOL! Seriously, I have taken salt out of my diet, I walk 3 miles a day and I eat my veg. It should be back at 120/70. I do not, do not, DO NOT, want to go on blood pressure meds.

Dentist appointments today- Still trying to get excited about that, but insurance, no insurance, its still the dentist.

Recovering From The Weekend....

Two days of parties, two days of family, it will take us a while to get back into the groove of things. The Sleepyhouse is full of left overs, but at least a good portion is veggies and fruit. I'll have no excuse not to bring healthy munchies with me to work this week.

The partying alone could have worn me out, but I've noticed my head feels thick, my throat and eyes scratchy. I think this is the first Fall season where I've noticed allergies. My sister told me Ragweed is off the charts, so maybe I do have Fall allergies? Spring didn't bother me this year, but I guess fall will.

I'm grateful this will be a short week, but on the other hand, that just means I have to cram more into 4 days instead of 5. I always seem to keep adding to my to do list before checking everything off.

Our new flooring is sitting in the garage. We wanted to buy it before the sale ended, but we won't have time to install it for a few weeks. We still need to self educate ourselves as to how we're installing it. We're receiving advice and opinions from everyone, even strangers in line at the home improvement store, but when it comes down to it, its our baby. I find it funny, the analogy. I had the excitement knowing it was coming, the worry, what will we do when we get it, and the realization, boy, this is going to be a time suck! LOL! I'm sure when it's all finished it will feel good and we'll move on to the next project.

I better get moving on my to do list today. I know this week will fly by.

I don't want to go for a walk. I want chocolate. Thankfully my 11 year old personal trainer will not take no for an answer this morning. Its been a crazy full weekend of eating and I need to get back on track.

High of 60F today. I can't believe I'm wearing jeans and a jacket, but it feels so good!!! I may even put on socks. :)

Our Not Back To School Day

Do you want to know what we autodidacts did on September 1st?

While our public school friends had to climb the bus, the boys at Sleepyhouse were still in dreamland. I recently read how vital it is for teenagers to get 8 hours of sleep. Those who do not, tend to eat more junk.

DS11 woke up around 8:00 and fed Tornado and Gust. He proceeded to get himself dressed and wake his brain with gaming.

About an hour later, I had finished my work at home, and the two of us went out for our aerobic daily exercise. I woke up DS14 to let him know we were leaving, but also because I knew he needed to start stirring or we'd miss our lunch date. On a "normal" day, I'd let him sleep until he wakes on his own, which is usually around 11:00am.

We returned from our walk to find DS14 on the computer, doing a bit of research. We showered and then left to pick up DH for lunch.

We enjoyed a special Not Back To School Day lunch with DH at our favorite Mexican restaurant, saving the leftovers for supper. It was something we hadn't done in a great while, meet dad for lunch during the workday. It was a perfect way to celebrate, not back to school.

After dropping DH back at work, I made a quick appearance at the pool and then we headed to Menards to research what we're going to need to complete our flooring project. I showed the boys how we will put the floor together. I still don't think they are excited yet to get to work. Maybe once I introduce them to a power saw it will peak their interest? :) For those of you worried we aren't learning anything, you should have been there with us as we tried to figure out square footage and exactly how many cartons of laminate and tile we'll need.

As we returned home, the mail carrier pulled up and dropped off a package DS11 had been waiting for. (See photo.) Needless to say he was very excited. He's worked hard to earn the money for this box of cards.

After the excitement wore down a little, we read books. I think I may have Metabolic Syndrome and will research that further.

Our friends got out of school and we stopped reading to hang out with them. 

I baked cookies while the boys visited with their friends, although at one point, DS11 did come back up from the Mancave wanting to play Uno with me.

DS11 managed to wait until DH got home and then he opened his Yu-Gi-Oh cards while DS14 filmed it. They sorted cards and reviewed values from their price guides. 

DS11 & DH went out for a Father-Son walk and although I couldn't encourage DS14 to do a Mother-Son walk, I did enjoy my solo walk. DS14 enjoyed more computer time.

After the walk, we snacked on lunch leftovers and watched a little TV. The boys went down to play more games while DH & I did some more reading and watching TV.

Everyone except DS14 went to bed around 10:00pm. DS14 stayed up another few hours reading his book.

"Learning can only happen when a child is interested. If he’s not interested, it’s like throwing marshmallows at his head and calling it eating.” ~ Katrina Gutleben

Chocolate Kamut Low Fat cookies

Description:
I experimented today with trying to make a low fat cookie, using whole grains. I ground up organic Kamut flour and rather than use butter or oil, I used non fat plain yogurt. They came out pretty good for a cookie that is healthier than most.

Kamut flour is an ancient wheat type grain that actually has a 40% higher protein content that regular wheat. Many people who can't tolerate wheat, can tolerate Kamut flour.

Ingredients:
1/4 C plain, non fat yogurt
1 C brown sugar
1 t vanilla
1 L egg
1/2 c almond milk

2 1/2 C Kamut flour
1/2 C cocoa powder
2 t baking powder


Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350.

Cream together the non-fat yogurt and brown sugar. Add in the vanilla, egg and milk.

In a separate bowl, stir together the Kamut flour, cocoa powder and baking powder.

Mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients until combined. Do not over mix.

Drop by cookie scoop spoonfuls onto a silicon lined or parchment paper lined cookie sheet. These cookies will not spread out so if you prefer, flatten the cookie balls a bit.

Bake for 7-8 minutes taking care not to over bake them. Allow to cool on a wire rack and enjoy.

Getting Ready For Changes In The Sleepyhouse

Today's the last day of freedom for our public school friends. My basement, ahem... I mean Mancave, is filled with boys, and I'm left to my own amusement. DS11 still walked with me this morning, but other than that, the boys' time has been occupied with their friends.

I've been working on cleaning and organizing my kitchen. I'm excited that soon we'll be replacing the flooring. For 9 years I've lived with the floor that originally came with this house, which is 15 years old now. The kitchen has a white vinyl floor. I've told my boys several times, when they are blessed with a wife, make sure her kitchen does not have a WHITE floor!! It is impossible to keep clean looking.

My new kitchen floor will be nothing fancy, vinyl again, only its a tile this time that looks like stone. Its a peel and stick that can go right over the existing white vinyl sheet flooring. I'm excited about that. Easy to install and I don't have to rip up the existing flooring.

This all came about because DH decided we need to get rid of the living room carpet. It too is 15 years old and its at the point where even shampooing can't help it. We're going to put in laminate flooring that will look like wood. I'm excited about doing this installation ourselves as a family. I'm hoping the boys learn quite a bit. (Learning through living!)

Our living room area flows through to our kitchen area, but we didn't want to put laminate in the kitchen because it really shouldn't get wet. Plus with wooden kitchen cabinets, a wood looking floor would be too much wood, in my opinion. I like the look of a stone floor better.

I'm looking forward to how much easier it will be to keep clean, free of cat hair and dander! Eventually, we'll probably do the same in our bedrooms, ripping out the carpet and putting in laminate and room sized rugs. It will be better for our allergies. 

I thought my week off would be a complete break from the pool, but I am working on projects at home, and I will have to go in to the pool to work this Friday. At least I'm able to enjoy suppertime with my family every night!

I'm trying to come up with something special to do tomorrow, our "not back to school" day. We won't see our homeschool posse until Thursday so we'll be on our own all day, or at least until after 3:00pm. :) When I ask the boys, they mention going to McDonald's. Blah! I want to do something better than that!

Maybe we'll go to the big library, which will now be empty, and load up our giant canvas bags with goodies. Or maybe we should try golfing, but of course its suppose to thunderstorm tomorrow. Hmm...maybe we should try the indoor mini-golf and then take DH out for lunch?

Well, I better get going. While I have one last afternoon of free time from boys and work, I think I'll take another walk and check out our town's Farmer's Market. Hopefully I'll be inspired to make something yummy for supper.

Beware Her Kitten Charms

Do I get upset the boys have yet to put away their laundry and sleeping bags?

Do I get upset they left the guest bedroom door open allowing a certain naughty kitty to enter?

No. She projects out her powers of cuteness, and all I can do is smile. So she can sneak a nap on their clean laundry for now, and hopefully she won't do anything naughty to make me regret my decision to let this one slide.

Me Time

Today starts the 1st day of my personal StayCation. I don't have to be back at the pool until after Labor Day as we transition from the summer session to the fall session. There is some work I should probably do at home, and I should try to make it in for a few hours next week to take care of a few things otherwise when I start back on the 7th, I'll be overloaded.

Every year I get this break and every year I tell myself I'm going to get stuff done around the house that I've been putting off, but the reality is, the week will go by pretty quickly, and I won't get it all done.

Walking with DS11 this morning, I was surprised when half way through, I took one step and felt instant shooting pain through my sciatic nerve. It caught me completely off guard and was very unexpected. We stopped at the library and I stretched best I could. I made it home and told myself I must buy new walking shoes pronto.

So the boys gave me some ME time this afternoon, while they offered to stay home and have friends over. They actually seemed anxious and pleased for me to leave. LOL! -Teen boys in a mancave without any parental authority. I said, "Make wise choices," as I headed out the door.

Two hours later I now own 4 pairs of shoes. If you know me, you know I am not a shoe person. I literally had one pair of athletic type sneakers over 2 years old and my Birkenstock sandals that I'd wear year round despite the weather. For me to go and buy 4 pair of shoes, it shocks me! They were cheap though. Being a penny pincher, that sheds some light on why I did what I did.

I bought two pair of walking shoes that supposedly are designed to make you strengthen your balance, improving your workout. They are sort of like those anti-gravity wedge type shoes, but instead they have two built in balls of support aligned over the middle of the ball of your foot and heal. They look like regular trainers. I tried on those rocker bottom/anti-gravity shoes, but those felt completely bizarre to me, and I knew I'd stumble in those shoes sooner or later.

I also bought two new cork sole, suede clogs, not Birkenstocks, but way cheaper. In fact all my shoes were buy one, get one half off. Can you guess where cheapskate me did her shopping today?!

I looked over a few other potential purchases but decided to confer with DH before giving up the cash. One item was a water filter for the tap.

This morning I forgot a pan of water I was boiling for hummingbird food. The pan boiled dry and I was horrified to discover so much chlorine powder. I know my city adds this to the water to make it more "safe" but the reality is chlorine is terrible for your body. We do fill a Brita pitcher with water for drinking, but we do use water directly from the tap for cooking. I want to pick up a filter now for the tap. 

I picked up a book from the library called, Grow Your Own Drugs by James Wong. My son was concerned I was considering growing something illegal, but I've explained to him its a book about growing legal plants you can use for medicinal purposes. LOL! I'm hoping to plow through it, pun intended, and start planning for next year's garden. 

Also on my autodidact list this next coming week, EFT tapping. I'm going to spend some time watching Brad Yates' videos on Youtube, and hopefully my family will join me. It can't hurt to try. 

I'm going to put my feet now, and dig in to some magazines I haven't yet gotten around to reading. Have a great weekend!

Today's Blah..Blah..Blah...Thoughts

I've been in a strange rhythm that doesn't feel quite right. Why is it I can be doing everything right yet, life feels so wrong?

I miss my husband. I'm thankful he's got work for the time being and ends are meeting, but I still miss him. I'm not the only one. The boys miss him too. Still, we're taking advantage of the time we get to spend together.

DH came home yesterday and announced we were going out for supper just because we could. After my day long headache, this was a wonderful surprise. Sometimes you need to break from the routine and treat yourself, even on a Monday night.

I'm back to walking everyday with DS11 but lately it doesn't give me the high it used to. Its not giving me that energy boost either.

My sleeping patterns are all out of whack too. Either I can't fall asleep or I'm ready for bed early. I'll wake before getting a solid 7-8 hours too. This morning my mind woke up at 4:30am even though my body wanted more sleep. Could this be hormones?

I think I'm ready for the end of summer. I know the cooler weather will re-charge me and give me that fresh start I need. I'm in the final week of my summer work schedule and soon it will be Labor Day weekend. That will help me transition my thinking.

I'll continue to go with the flow for now, and hope time brings changes.

"The world is our classroom. Life the lesson." Cherly Pitz - "There's nothing like staying at home for real comfort." Jane Austen - Two quotes I've read back to back on my Facebook page from Woman's Day magazine that really speak to my homeschooling heart.

Funny how even though I've seen the movie a thousand times before, when Pride and Prejudice is on, all of my other plans go out the window.

Yesterday we had two young hummers fighting over the feeder. They worked it out. As soon as one would fly away, the other would swoop in. I'm hoping we can pick up another feeder this weekend, one with wasp guards. It was interesting to see how at first, the young birds would be frightened away by the wasps, but now they are sticking around and having a sip. I'm still worried about getting stung every time I have to refill it with nectar.

Making Marinara

These Romas wouldn't wait any longer. I had to make sauce before they went bad. Most of these beauties came from my neighbor's garden. My tomato plants are pretty sad, but my green thumbed neighbors have grown plants that are as big as a human beings, I'm not kidding. I've never seen tomato plants taller than me before.

We've been taking care of their garden while they are on vacation, and they told us to eat whatever was ready. This batch we picked barely made a dent compared to what's still left. I will have to pick another bushel tomorrow. Our neighbor's didn't want the tomatoes going to waste.

I thought I would make up some sauce, even though I don't yet have my canning set. In a few weeks, my mom will visit and teach me all about canning. She's giving me my very own canning kettle and tools for my birthday. We'll probably make and can some applesauce, but if we still have tomatoes, I'll have to can some of those as well. 

I made a simple marinara. Just tomatoes, onions, garlic and celery with herbs. Except for the celery and olive oil, all the ingredients came from our gardens. I love how sweet those fresh tomatoes make it without having to add any sugar at all. My marinara comes out a little more orange than red, but I think that's because I add lots of onions. I almost forgot to snap the final photo before filling up all the jars, but I think you can see it made quite a bit of sauce.

Step 1-  Add enough olive oil to cover the bottom of your pot and sweat out chopped up onion, celery and garlic.

Step 2- Add in your peeled and seeded tomatoes and fresh or dried herbs. I used basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, pepper and a little bit of kosher salt.

Step 3- Simmer for at least an hour if not longer.

Step 4- Blend up your sauce for a smoother consistency, using a stick blender or careful process your sauce in smaller batches in your blender.

In January it will taste like sunshine to open a jar and pour it over fresh pasta. Store bought can't come close.

Very bizarre dream last night- I was babysitting a dozen or so kids in a haunted house. The ghosts kept turning my right foot into a magnet of sorts, on which various non metallic items would get stuck. Woke feeling frustrated.

I'm torn. I want to feed the humming birds, but I don't like the collection of wasps we now have. I can't easily grab the feeder to refill it without thinking I'll be stung. Humming bird watchers, I ask you, how do you manage this?

Our STP Concert Experience 8/16/10

My ears are still ringing, and I've only had 4 hours of sleep but it was so worth it!

We arrived in Milwaukee at 6:30pm, and were able to find our usual free parking spot when we attend concerts at The Rave. If we would have arrived any later, I think we would have had to pay for parking or hike a bit farther.

We found a rail spot, in front and to the left. It turned out to be perfect, no crowd surfers kicking me in the head, no mosh pit crushing my lungs and feet, and I had an unobstructed view of Rob. :) He has the best guitar rock stance! 

I decided to wear my Birkies this time and it paid off. We were on our feet for a total of about 6 hours, and I'm happy to report no Plantar Fasciitis this time around. When DS11 insisted we do our daily morning walk, I thought I would be hurting, but after that first 1/2 a mile, my feet felt better. Either they loosened up or my exercising kicked in those pain endorphins.

Unlike most concert participants, DH & I do not drink. We know this only leads to having to go to the bathroom which means losing your prime front spot concert real estate. So when the show wrapped after midnight, we were beyond thirsty, and not to mention hungry having skipped supper. We amazingly found a Wendy's open at 12:30am, and I think it was the best tasting Diet Coke I have ever had in my life. Today of course, it back off of soda and NutraSweet, but last night, it was so tasty!

The STP show had two opening acts who were pretty good, but I was more than ready for STP to begin their set. The band seemed very together this time around, no technically difficulties or personal difficulties either. It was a much better show than last March, a perfect date night, despite the cotton ears I am now suffering.

STP TONIGHT!!!!

Its date night and an exciting one at that. When DH gets home from work, we'll be heading to Milwaukee for the Stone Temple Pilots concert.

I should be more excited, but I just finished reading Fall To Pieces by Mary Forsberg Weiland and its left me with a lingering sadness. Mary is/was Scott's wife. Scott is the lead singer for STP. The book tells of their struggles with drug addiction and the breakup of their marriage.

One thing I'm taking away from reading her autobiography, I'm making sure my children have good nutrition. If we don't put into our bodies what our brains need to function the chemical imbalances can leave our brains damaged. Even before the drugs go in, prescribed or not, we should evaluate how whole, nutritious foods can help us first.

Reading about how drug addicts take prescribed drugs to keep them off of the illegal ones seems crazy to me. Take this drug because it will keep you from craving another. It doesn't make any sense! Isn't that trading one for the other? I'm sure the pharmaceutical companies are happy because they make the profit not the street dealers, but this answer doesn't really help the individual overcome their chemical imbalances.

In Mary's book she writes about how as a baby she was fed Carnation Evaporated milk, not breast milk or formula and how she had access to drink all the grape cough syrup she could get her hands on. I can't help but wonder if this damaged her brain development, leaving her prone to her mental illness.

I can understand how a person may need drugs for mental illness, perhaps for the rest of their lives if their brain is incapable of making the necessary chemicals and hormones on its own, but I have to wonder how many of these people suffering with mental illnesses could have been helped if they had healthy beginnings?

I'm going to make a larger effort to encourage my boys to eat more healthy. I did nurse them and when they were little guys, they ate fruits and veggies. Of course now that they are older they have more power to choose what's going in their mouths. Besides the usual broccoli, carrots, corn and apples, I'd like them to eat more a variety of fruits and veggies.

I'm going to ask them to become "garnish" chefs, having them be responsible for the veggie preparation for our meals. I'll bring in more different kinds of produce and tell them they have to at least try it once. I'll count this towards our "health and home economics" portion of our unschooling. :)

I better get chores done here and shower so I can be ready when DH arrives home.

My 11 year old personal trainer is pushing me today. I have a headache but he just said to me, "Alright. Let me know when you are ready to walk. I WOULD like to be home by 11:00am though." So I guess I have to ignore the headache and lace up the walking shoes.

Monkey Bars

Description:
If you like banana bread you'll like these bars. I used whole wheat pastry flour but you'd never guess these were whole wheat.

Ingredients:
4 large ripe bananas- mashed
3/4 C dark brown sugar
1/4 C olive oil or substitute apple sauce
1/4 C milk
2 large eggs
2 t vanilla extract
1 t baking soda
1 t cinnamon
1/4 t salt
1 3/4 C whole wheat pastry flour
1 C mini chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350.

Mix the mashed banana with the sugar, oil, milk, eggs and vanilla. Add in the baking soda, cinnamon, salt and flour. Add 1/2 C of chocolate chips.

Line your baking pan with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Add in the batter and sprinkle the other 1/2 C of chocolate chips on top.

Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a wire wrack in the pan.

Friday Five 8/13/10 - Scary Movies!

"Ooooooooh, scary!  For Friday the Thirteenth, tell us about your five favorite scary movies.  (Count a series as a single movie if you're going to play fair.)  And don't forget to come back and post your link."

1. The Exorcist (the original with Linda Blair)- No contest. This movie terrified me to my core. I foolishly watched it at age 12, with my best friend Lisa, while the two of us were ALONE in her house. I did not sleep for 2 weeks thinking I was going to become possessed by the devil. Years later I found out my husband had a similar experience with this movie, seeing it at the same age, only he was COMPLETELY alone while his mom was out of town on business.

2. Pulse - The Japanese version. I had to hold my son's hand while we watched this late one night. Japanese horror films have that extra element of creepy that I haven't found in American horror.

3. Suspiria - The Dario Argento classic. The first 5 minutes are genius, and the rest of the movie never disappoints.

4. Let The Right One In - I feel the need to have a vampire movie on this list, and this one is truly one of the best vampire movies ever made.

5. I'm at #5 already?? So many good films still to choose from.....Since its so hot and humid outside, I'll go with Stanley Kubrick's, The Shining. I could use a run through a frozen hedge maze right about now.

Join me in the Friday Five group - http://fridayfivegroup.multiply.com/

I'm complaining today - Where's the rain!!!! It seems to be all around us, but nothing is falling here, quenching our garden's thirst.

The boys are baking me a cake on their own. I can't wait to see how this turns out.

Birthday Thoughts....

I'm over the age thing. I greet 42 today with a thankful heart. I am blessed with family and friends who love me. I still feel not a day older than 22 in spirit, yet I do like the person I am today at 42. What the years have robbed me of physically, I have gained in strength tenfold emotionally and mentally. Actually, when I think about it, physically, I don't get sick nearly as often as I did years ago. My body may not be perfect, but my immune system seems stronger, so maybe physically I haven't been completely robbed.

I'm just so grateful to be able to celebrate 42 years. To quote a favorite artist of mine, "Everyday above ground is a good one." Its so true. Even in trying times, we are still left with choices to make to try and improve our lives. Everyday we are given a chance for a do over. Life is a wonderful journey not a destination.

My birthday wish is for continued strength and health to help me on my journey. There is so much out there to learn about and enjoy. There are so many opportunities to shine my light.

There will always be challenges but I bend, not break. I saw that on a sign yesterday, it is better to bend than break. It certainly is true. I'm bending my branches around these hardships and continuing to grow.

Me- Its too hot today to walk outside. DS11- Today is only here for today. If we don't do it today, we'll never be able to say we exercised for TODAY. We'll never get this day back. We should just do it. - How did this child of mine get so self disciplined and motivating? Anyone doubting out there, I have living proof unschooling works.

Barn Quilt Blocks

Through out our village, there is a barn quilt block movement. Barn quilt blocks are usually 8 feet x 8 feet quilt blocks painted and mounted onto the sides of barns. The artwork began a few years ago as a remembrance of a quilter's sister, and soon across rural America, the idea took off. Our county is putting them up not only on barns, but also smaller versions are going up on buildings in town.

DS11 & I have been walking through our village's downtown area nearly everyday now, and I've always meant to take photos of these barn quilts. Of course my camera's zoom lens is broken, but hopefully you'll see why I think they are so neat.

I'm not a quilter, but my mom is. I'm hoping to work with her and design our own quilt block. I'd love to paint a smaller version to go up on our Sleepyhouse.

Hmmm...Can't seem to add photos tonight to any albums. Good old reliable Multiply.

Weekend Notes 8/8/10

Friday morning DS11 & I saw these mushrooms while on our daily walk. They just sprang up in this family's yard over night. I'm jealous. Any mushroom spores who are looking for a place to land, my yard is open.

Our village had their garage sale weekend, and this year we decided to be bargain hunters rather than sellers. I'd rather just drop off our castoffs at Goodwill than deal with all the work that goes into having your own sale.

Thursday morning I woke the boys up early at 8:00am and taught them the meaning to the saying, "the early bird gets the worm. " In this case, it was the early teenagers get the Nerf guns. We found two awesome Nerf guns with original packaging and Nerf darts marked $8 a piece. We found a mini version of Uno, a few game guides and talked the sellers down to $15 for the lot. Not bad for our first sale of the weekend. One of the Nerf guns is going for $60 on the resell market, but we're just going to enjoy playing with it. I think its crazy how many attachments these guns have, and how you can reconfigure them.

Friday G-Ma arrived to continue garage sale-ing with us. We didn't find any great deals but enjoyed stretching our legs and adding a few more miles to our daily walking total.

Friday evening we had our cousins over to hang out after pizza supper and enjoyed brownies and scones.

Saturday morning DH, G-Ma and I hit up the other side of town to do more sale-ing. First stop was the library's used book sale where I picked up another Series Of Unfortunate Events book for my collect, a Wisconsin almanac and a favorite picture book we enjoyed when the boys were little.

We found a few more treasures including a box full of Yu-Gi-Oh cards for DS11 and a sword for DS14. Yes, a real sword. The handle appears to be silver and the blade stainless steel. We are trying to figure out what the letters inscribed on the handle mean. I can't yet identify what language it is. It could be Russian or eastern European. Both these finds were unbelievable bargains. That always adds to the fun.

We took a break from sale-ing, picked up the boys and went to lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Mi Cocina.

We ran some errands, picking up wall anchors for our window hardware. Yes, the drapes arrived on Friday and I love them. Hopefully once they are all hung, it will look great. They are light blocking and insulating, and we went with a dark brown suede. Once I get the Love Nest complete, I'll take pictures.

Saturday night the family got into a cut throat game of Monopoly with G-Ma. It had been quite awhile since we had played. I had forgotten how competitive my husband can get! DS14 won once we established a cut off time after playing for several hours.

Sunday woke us with thunderstorms, which would have been more enjoyable if it wasn't so hot and humid again. We had to close the house back up and put the air on. I feel a little less worried doing this after seeing our electric bill wasn't too high from last month's heat wave. I had DS11 open the bill and tell me what the damage was. I thought it would hurt less coming from him. :) I asked him, is the first number a 1, a 2 or a 3? Thankfully he said 1 and I breathed a sigh of relief.

I still hope August isn't as hot as July was, but it doesn't have that repetition, does it.

  

Since this cupcake craving has been with me now for over 24 hours, I'm baking a batch. Who wants one?

More garage sale-ing today. Yesterday we scored two huge Nerf guns. Let a certain brother be warned. My army's arsenal is growing. You're going down bro!

Feeling Blah...

As if my wonky camera wasn't enough, now the computer is giving me the business when it comes to uploading my photos. I'll have to put the food diary on hold. Ever since we hooked up an external back up drive, I'm having to adapt to doing things a bit differently.

I'm feeling down, and I don't know exactly why. Its probably a trifecta of heat, humidity and hormones. Of course maybe the bank account and messy house are not helping either.

We have this strange leak of some kind happening in our kitchen. Its really strange, as if I poured brown sugar on the floor and wet it down. I can't figure out what it is, or where it is coming from. The pipes do not seem to be leaking, but this tan, grainy substance is showing up along the baseboard in front of the kitchen sink. I suppose I'll have to take everything out from under the sink and really investigate it tomorrow, when I have more time.

I think the Japanese beetles are bringing me down too. Our birch tree is infested with thousands and I'm fearing the worse, we'll lose the tree. Its funny how certain plants and trees they ignore completely, but others they swarm on. I've read you can chemically treat your grass to kill the larva but complete elimination of the pests could take up to 5 years of applying these chemicals. As sad as I am to see my birch tree killed, I don't think I want to dump all those chemicals on the lawn.

The mulberry tree/bushes they seem to leave along. Maybe I should encourage more wild mulberries to grow around the yard instead of trying to fight the beetles? The problem with mulberry bushes, they grow almost too quickly and for a deciduous tree, their leaves come out later than others in the spring and drop off too quickly in the fall. 

We have a mulberry bush that grew wild near the corner of the house. I had DS11 chop it down to the ground last year but we did not remove the roots. This year the bush grew back huge. Its over 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide in this growing season alone. If only we could place these bushes around the perimeter of the yard rather than the house, we'd have lots of quick privacy for part of the year.

On a positive note, as I sit here and type this, I can hear the boys outside moving the rest of the dirt off the driveway and into the garden area. They are laughing and having a good time, which is pretty remarkable considering its hard labor in the 90 degree heat. They are shoveling the dirt onto a tarp, dragging the tarp over to the garden beds and dumping it.

This is just proving to me I need to stop worrying so much about them. They are capable of hard work, and they are capable of doing it without complaining about it. I found myself worrying the other day about SAT preparations and questioning what more should we be doing, yet if I'd only relax and take a closer look, they are proving to be fine young men.

I'll leave for work soon and hopefully this will distract me. I can only do what I'm capable of. I don't have to try and solve all my worries at once. The Japanese beetles, the mystery sugary goo, the messy house, the bills to pay, they can all wait for me or I can let them go, and just try redirecting my focus.

We're hoping to be able to see some northern lights tonight. Its on DS11's bucket list and this would save me a trip to Canada if we hopefully can capitalize on that recent sun explosion. The prediction was that people in the northern states would be able to see them. If those thunderstorms hold off, maybe we'll be able to!

Weekend Notes 8/2/10

We brought this back from K-town with us. It was a gift from my DMIL. DH and I are joking about how we can't break into it because we'll turn into piranhas. When Kringles are in our Sleepyhouse, they go uneaten until that first person cuts into one. Then we become like piranhas, drawn to an injured fish. Its just too easy to cut off an inch, walk by it again and cut another inch or two, find another reason to go into the kitchen and cut another inch while there, answer the phone and see there's a Kringle nearby waiting to be cut by another inch, etc. Before you know it, we've eaten an entire Kringle. I should just freeze it and forget about it until company is here to help us enjoy it.

We did spend a lovely Saturday in K-town visiting G-Ma (DMIL). We ate pizza of course and did a little garage sale-ing. G-Ma bought new running shoes for the boys which should help with our fitness goals. Their previous footwear was nothing but skateboard shoes, which aren't all that great for hiking.

Sunday we did a bit of yard work. We finally got around to building the last of our Square Foot Gardens. I figure we'll plant garlic in it this fall and maybe try to grow a last batch of baby spinach and lettuces. Our Romas have blight. I should never have bought those few nursery plants, but then again, blight is airborne. The Romas I started from seed are dying out.

We tried to save our birch tree from the Japanese beetles, but after pulling hundreds off, we realized there would be no way we could pick off the bugs on the higher branches. I just hope our tree doesn't die. They've already eaten so many of the leaves.

We enjoyed watching the X-Games. I'm amazed at the size of those vertical ramps. They make it look so easy, but can you imagine going 40 mph and jumping through the air with a board that is NOT attached to your feet?!

We're bird sitting Gilbert, our friend's parakeet. I'm hoping ours, Tornado and Gust, don't upset him too much. Our birds are loud and obnoxious, Gilbert is quiet and sweet.

Our friends are house hunting in Houston. We are sad to know they will most likely be moving away from us. We were so excited when they moved to our neighborhood a little over a year ago. Its been wonderful to have part of our homeschool posse so close by. Unfortunately, their dad has no choice but to look for a new job. We've become such close friends, we're really going to miss them.

I ordered curtains for our new Love Nest. I settled for a darker, chocolate brown and I'm trying not to worry about how brown my bedroom will be. The object was to find room darkening, insulated and washable curtains and I did it staying on budget. I ordered them on sale from Target with free shipping too. The last step in making over our room will be artwork, which I'm really hoping will help bring color and vitality to the neutral room.

I better get moving. DS11 is up and he's promised to walk up the library with me. I have a new summer read on hold for him, Big Nate In A Class By Himself.

Our mattress arrived and all is well. DH didn't freak out. Maybe it was because I started the conversation with, "Now, don't get mad and let this ruin your night but...." The bed was delivered while we watched the X-Games. The delivery guy used his own pickup, and had his young son in tow. Thankfully DH was home to help him unload and set up the mattress. After I had it all made up it felt great. It wasn't something we felt we had to get used to, like the rock slab we had used the past week. We'll have to adjust our headboard when we get the chance, but the mattress I think is going to work out great.

Friday Five- 7/30/10

I need to distract myself from my stress right now. This Friday 5 will relax me thinking of my garden.

"I've just been outside and picked a whole pail full of green beans!  This is the first crop and I know by the time the plants finally keel over we'll be sick and tired of them.....but for now, they are going to taste mighty fine!  So these green beans got me to thinking about all us human beans and the veggies we like to plant and how happy we are when we can harvest them.....and voila!  Another Friday 5 is born!  Give me a list of 5 garden fresh veggies you enjoy and how you like to prepare them.

Don't forget to leave your link so everyone can play along!  Happy Five-ing!"

1. Roma tomatoes - My favorite tomato because along with good raw eating, they make great sauce. I'm hoping this year's harvest is as big as last years so I can savor that sweet taste of fresh tomato sauce all winter long. There's nothing like opening a jar of homemade sauce in January and being able to taste summer like that. The sauce I make and freeze, tastes so much better than store bought.

2. Sugar Snap Peas - Otherwise known as candy from the garden. I'm having a little difficulty growing these this year, but we've enjoyed a few handfuls. I planted a second crop and oddly only half the seeds have sprouted. Next year hopefully I'll have better seed.

3. Butternut squash - I love how well these keep in a cool, dark place, all winter and spring long. I still have squash left to eat from last year that are still good. I love to make butternut squash soup with apples too. Last year we grew our Butternut squash vertically using a frame and old pantyhose slings. This year we're keeping the plants on the ground and hoping for the best.

4. Watermelon - We're Melonheads. Of course we always try to grow a few melons each season, although in our zone, this is a challenge. If I can ever find a clear, Plexiglas box, I'd love to try and grow square watermelon like they do for Japanese supermarkets.

5. Carrots - Our first time with carrots. They are a smaller variety but still make for good eating. They take too long to grow though.

Join me in the Friday Five. http://fridayfivegroup.multiply.com/

Our mattress saga continues. Today they are suppose to deliver the correct bed. I called to confirm this and was told the bed could not be delivered until Saturday. I told them this was unacceptable because we were promised a Friday delivery, and they had already screwed up with the first delivery by delivering the wrong mattress. He said they would deliver the bed this afternoon sometime between 2:00 and 6:00. So help them if this bed does not arrive today!!