Weekend Notes 11/22/10

We made this past weekend a full one, touching all the bases I had wanted to. The cleaning got started, and we finished the transition piecing over the stairs and between the living room and hallway. All that is officially left is to nail in the quarter round and we are done! We also feasted on bagels and cream cheese and saw the latest Harry Potter movie. Now I have to keep the momentum going.

I really don't like that its dark before 4:30pm, and I know it will only get worse. My body hasn't adjusted yet to it. It starts getting dark, and I start shutting down. If I plant roots on the couch, I'm done for. After Thanksgiving, I will have to light up the Christmas lights and candles and find the night owl within me.

We watched the documentary film, Best Worse Movie, which I found to be very interesting. Its the cast of Troll 2, twenty some years later, recalling what it was like to make this so bad its good movie. None of the actors knew they were making a bad movie at the time and now, years later, it's become a cult classic because it is so ridiculously bad. Of course the director still stands behind his work, not quite understanding the only reason why some people love it is because its so badly made and acted. He doesn't understand that sometimes in life, its worth it to laugh at yourself and admit you're not perfect.

I think we all need to do this more often. We're all designed to fail, in some instances through several attempts. Being able to not take it so seriously and find your sense of humor can mean the difference between stressing out or having fun while trying. I want to be the kind of person that laughs through life rather than be brought down by frustration.

Well, I better get moving and grooving and take advantage of another warmer day for walking. In only a few short days, I may be forced to make peace with the dreaded treadmill.

Today's agenda - clean and straighten up the Sleepyhouse, set out plates, platters, silverware and tablecloths for Thursday's feast.

Time to make room to defrost the bird in the fridgy.

Yeah! The weekend is here! I'm going to try and mix a little fun in with responsibility. On the agenda, cleaning, bagel run and Harry Potter, maybe not necessarily in that order. :)

I know its not considered healthy, but I so need a huge, Diet Coke right now. Why is it I can go a long time soda free but suddenly get that overwhelming urge for carbonated refreshment?

Friday Five 11/19/10

Good Morning Fivers!!! Our hostess is having a little surgery and she asked me to fill in this week ...so here we go...it's almost Turkey time for most of us here ...RU excited??? Gosh the holiday season is here....of course I kind of think it really starts with Halloween but when you go in the grocery store and start seeing big ol' displays of oil for frying turkeys and stacks of flour, sugar, and cake mixes..lol...you know it's getting close!! So this week fivers let's talk Turkey....tell us five of dishes that grace your table on Turkey day...past or present. Remember to post your link here so we can all have a look and see what's cooking at your house this year! Have a wonderful Friday ...happy Fiving...Be blessed...Loveyameanit..Queenie

1. Stuffing, known by some as "dressing" - To me this is the best dish on the table. This year I'm trying a recipe with dried cranberries and granny smith apples in it. How can it not be yummy?!

2. Sweet potatoes with pecan topping - A few years ago, my mother in law shared the best recipe for sweet potatoes with me. It has a corn flake, pecan and brown sugar topping that's way better than any marshmallow monstrosity. Its now become our traditional way we enjoy sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

3. Corn - Simple and sweet, we always use frozen, never canned.

4. Garlic mashed potatoes - I always leave the skins on for added nutrition.

5. Gravy - This is a must have on Thanksgiving. On the turkey, on the potatoes, on the stuffing, its all good!

What This Autodidact Has Been Up To....

I can make you like me in 90 seconds. I've been reading Nicholas Boothman's follow up book, Convince Them In 90 Seconds. Its really helping me come out of my marketing shell. I've never like salespeople, and as much as I hated to realize how we all must be salespeople in one way or another at certain times throughout life, I never could see myself as one. This book is my A-HA! I get it now.

I've also been researching Nordic Walking. For months now DS11 and I have been going on almost daily walks. Its definitely become a habit and way of life for me, and now I'm ready to amp it up. I want to be a CHICK WITH STICKS!

Nordic walking utilizes special walking poles, or if you're European, "sticks", to enhance your workout. You end up using 90% of your body rather than the usual 70% during normal walking. Regular hiking poles, or walking sticks are not the same as Nordic walking poles. Nordic walking poles are designed with special feet and quality poles remove the vibration from impact. They're on my Christmas list but I'm having a difficult time deciding whether I want wrist straps or not. There's pros and cons to both. Anyone ever try these?

We've managed to install the laminate flooring through the hallway, so this ongoing project continues forward. All that is left now is transitions and trim work. I wish we would have done this years ago. Laminate flooring is so much easier to keep clean. It feels great on my bare feet. I'm not finding it cold at all. I just wish we had the time and money to do all the floors in the Sleepyhouse this way.

I was so happy to hear DH is looking forward to Thanksgiving, and honestly, I am too. I'm looking forward to the entire holiday season. After spending last year in unemployment stress, it will be great to enjoy this year's holiday season without that dark cloud looming over us. Our free Piggly Wiggly turkey is in the freezer- note to self - MOVE TO FRIDGE ON SUNDAY!!

I'm planning on making the typical dishes my family enjoys at Thanksgiving, roasted turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, sweet corn, sweet potato casserole, sage stuffing/dressing, and Texas rolls. I'd also like to try and make my first pumpkin cheesecake with a gingersnap crust. I'm hoping to try and make everything more healthy this year, not using butter and using non-fat cream cheese. I hope everything turns out well. We'll have cousins joining us, along with G-Ma. The following day, we'll do it all over again at my brother's. Hmmm... maybe I'll be needing those Nordic Walking poles before Christmas?!

Speaking of walking, my trainer is up, fed and ready for me to lace up my shoes. Have a great Hump Day!

Caramel Chocolitas

Description:
This is a bar cookie to rule them all. Wait, who am I kidding. This isn't a bar COOKIE but rather a CANDY bar. Amazing bites of heaven await the person willing to try these. Cut into small pieces or risk sugar overload. They are more than worthy of the exercise it will take you to burn them off.

Ingredients:
2 C flour
1 3/4 C oats
1 1/2 C brown sugar
1 t baking soda
1/4 t salt ( I omitted this.)
1 C butter, melted
1 14 ounce package of caramels, unwrapped
1/3 C milk
2 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 C milk chocolate chips ( I used all semi-sweet and it still turned out great.)
1 C chopped pecans

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350

Line a 9 x 13 x 2 pan with foil and spray with non-stick spray

Mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt.

Add the melted butter and mix until crumbly

Reserve half of this mixture, about 2 1/2 cups

Press the remaining crumb mixture into your pan

Mix the chocolate chips and pecans and spread over the bottom crust

Melt the caramels and milk in the microwave on 50% power 4-6 minutes

Pour the caramel mixture over the chocolate chips and pecans

Top with the reserved crumb mixture

Bake for 20-25 minutes

Remove from the oven and cool in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out and cutting into bars.

Friday Five

"For this week I have been thinking...with all the holidays coming up, and just every day stress...what 5 things do you do JUST for you, to help you relax, unwind, destress when you have had enough tension and just need a break?" ~ Friday Five

 http://fridayfivegroup.multiply.com/

Here's my 5.

1. I day dream I'm in an alternative universe creating the perfect world for me. It helps me to think in another reality, I'm living stress free. :)

2. Chocolate - in any form

3. I open up a window to the world, otherwise known as an internet browser and satisfy my autodidact cravings.

4. I change the scenery. Either physically moving myself elsewhere, or moving what's around me.

5. I make him, make me laugh. Everyone needs a humor hero in their lives.

Just Get Me To The Weekend Please....

I'm officially riding the current now. The wind has left my sails.

Although it was great to see family at my uncle's funeral service, I know it was a very difficult day for many of them, saying goodbye.

I'm thinking about writing my own obituary. My uncle's pastor was newer to their church and although she did her best, listening to her I realized I want to write my own obituary so it includes more of a goodbye message to my loved ones. My obituary is also my last chance for ME to say who I was in this world, not necessary what others may have thought of me.

Of course now I'm thinking, why does my obituary have to be my defining moment? Shouldn't I be living my life right now in a way that everyone can see who I am and what they mean to me?

I'm coming away from my uncle's funeral realizing if I haven't already shared my love, my beliefs, my passions, my talents and laughter with the world before I leave, then I haven't really lived. If I can't leave my loved ones with an abundance of happy memories, no obituary, no funeral service, will ease their loss and help them remember who I really was.

I hope in the days to come, I can find my groove and get back to living my life with a celebratory spirit. Right now I do know its my husband and my children that create that spark in me when I'm feeling fizzled out. They are the inspiration that fuels my dreams. If I can make it to the weekend, spending time with them will recharge me.

Quick Note to Self- When I get the chance, start planning and creating our "Oasis Of Culture." Books, artwork, music, film, bring more into the nest. Remember how you imagined how your home would look Dawn? Too much is getting lost in the clutter. Too many resources are out of sight and out of mind. Its time to make this change.

Firsts

Stolen from Kelly- Its been awhile since I've done one of these.

1. Who was your FIRST prom date?  I did not go to prom. DH, then boyfriend, and I decided to spend our money on the Amnesty International Concert. It was amazing!! 

2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love?  Yes, everyday.

3. What was your first alcoholic drink? I'm taking this to mean a drink all to myself, not just a sip of my dad's beer- a Whiskey Sour at a cousin's wedding.  

4. What was your FIRST job? I babysat and cleaned up at a commercial bakery, but my first official job was in a jewelry store. 

5. What was your FIRST car?  A green buick, LeSabre I think. It was a boat, from my Godfather. 

6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today?  I don't text. Seriously.

7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? My husband

8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher? Mrs. Keveko- She was really scary!! Thankfully she hurt her back and a good part of the year I had a substitute, sweet as can be. Interesting bit of gossip, Mrs. Keveko's husband left her for my hair dresser and together they began Gloria Jean's Coffee before selling the chain to become millionaires.

9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane?  Florida.  

10. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk? Lisa. We email/facebook every now and then.

11. Where was your FIRST sleep over? Lisa's. I practically lived there. 

12. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today? I said, "I love you. Drive careful," as DH woke me before he left for work.

13. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time? My sister's. Too old to be a flower girl, too young to be a bridesmaid, I was a "junior bride". Embarrassing preteen nightmare

14. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? kiss that same guy I didn't go to prom with

15. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? U2  

16. What was the FIRST record/tape/CD you bought?  U2 Unforgettable Fire

17. FIRST hospitalization? C-section for my oldest 

18. FIRST foreign country you've been to? I've never been out! HELP!

19. FIRST movie you remember seeing? The Wizard Of Oz was burned into my brain. I'm still traumatized by the Wicked Witch. First movie I remember seeing in a movie theater, I can't remember? Maybe Coal Miner's Daughter with my parents?

20. When was your FIRST detention? I never had detention really. There may have been one of those times the entire class was punished for the behavior of a select few, but I remember being able to get out of it to go help another teacher. 

21. What did you do with your FIRST paycheck? Saved it.  

22. Your FIRST social networking site? Yahoo 360.

23. Who FIRST invited you to Multiply? Most of my 360 friends moved here, ironically, not many of them stayed. 

Requests have come in for pancakes, banana bread and lemon poppy seed muffins. I also wanted to make caramel chocolitas. Looks like I'll be spending quite a bit of time today in the kitchen.

Although I'm happy to see the scale go down and be able to buy a smaller size, it doesn't seem fair I'm burning less calories because I weigh less. I'm still doing the same work!

I've Already Lost That Hour

I've just looked at the clock, expecting it to be earlier than it is. This means, when you consider we've just pushed back the clock, I've really lost track of time!

We've had a great weekend. My parents came down for a visit and it was fun sharing the weekend with them. I didn't make any progress on the home improvement front, but it was still a great weekend. They've headed off this morning, to make the rest of the family stops on their tour. I'll see them again Wednesday, at my Uncle's funeral.

We watched some fun TV, Sharktopus on SyFy and the Simpson's Treehouse Of Horror. Now I can put away the Halloween decorations and get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I have an idea for a home business the boys and I can work on together, but its going to take an investment of a few hundred dollars of equipment. I'm going to start saving for video transfer equipment. I found our old 8mm camcorder tapes, and I really want to save them to DVD, along with moving our wedding VHS tapes to DVD. I started thinking about how since the boys enjoy everything computer or video related, they may enjoy learning about this and helping me with this project. Then I started wondering if others would pay us to move their videos and photos to DVD as well! We'll have a lot to learn, but even if this never turns into a business, it will be great to preserve our family's memories on DVD. I'm also hoping its a way to foster along my son's interest in video production.

I had a strange stress dream about work. I had piles of work to do and I was running out of time. I kept wanting to escape away from the desk to the pool deck, but every time I did, I would trip and fall. Once I almost fell into the pool. I think this was my sub-subconscious keeping me on task on the desk! LOL!

At the end of the dream, a co-worker was driving me and Mr. Grumpus home. Mr. Grumpus is a grumpy old man who swim regularly at the pool. He lives up to his hidden nickname 100%. In the dream, Mr. Grumpus told my co-worker and I he loved us, (in a brotherly way, not romantic.) It has me thinking this morning, maybe I shouldn't think so negatively of Mr. Grumpus. He's probably grumpy because he doesn't feel loved.

I'm so blessed to have a loving and supportive family. The weekend went by too quickly and now I miss them. DH will have to work late tonight too. :(

I suppose I should stop feeling sorry for myself and get my walk in before I look again at the clock and wonder where the day went.

Thinking About Tea & Exercise Planning

Yumi thought you may be interested in how I store so much tea in my pantry. I use a cardboard flat to hold the boxes and when a box gets low, I move the few remaining tea bags to this plastic shoe box. These sit nicely on the top shelf in my pantry and I can slide them out when I want to rummage for a tea fix.

I need this Friday. I have a few errands to run, but other than that, I'm planning on recharging today. My to do list for this weekend is stacked.

I was tempted by the Tread Climber, until I saw the price. We already have a treadmill, but I find it boring. I'm sure if we did purchase a tread climber, I would eventually grow bored with it as well.

My problem is, winter is coming, and I know the day will come when I can't walk outside. I have to think of something to keep my workouts going. Mall walking won't work because I'd have to drive 20 miles one way, to the nearest mall each day. Maybe I'll buy ice grippers for my winter boots. That's my main worry about walking in winter, slipping on ice.

I should start swimming again, but to be honest, do I want to drive in to work on the days I'm not scheduled just to work out? The commute time is equivalent to the exercise time. I don't think I'd stick with it, having to give up so much of my free time.

I'm just going to have to put myself on a schedule, make myself walk the treadmill while watching TV and maybe mix it up with Wii Fit and maybe as much outdoor activity as I can manage.

I just realized I'm a tea hoarder. I have 47 different kinds of tea in my pantry, and I don't dare admit how many servings I actually have on hand at the moment of those 47 flavors!

Thoughts On Parenting

I've been witness to too many instances of improper parenting lately. It floors me how some "grown ups" abuse the emotional trust of their children.

I know I've made mistakes, but overall, I try to give my children love and guidance without judgment. I've also been able to raise respectable, young gentlemen without having to hit them or yell at them, except for that one day my voice reached an unimaginable decibel level as I saw my son about to be squashed flat by an oncoming car. Fear and danger will bring out Mama Lion's roar. Needless to say, they never again tried to lay on their skateboards and street luge.

I've had a learning curve. With the first born, we did the "time out" technique, but soon discovered being a first born, he had a natural desire to please us. To this day I still have to watch my powers of guilt, so instilled in me from my parents.

My second born, thankfully, was given to me with a strong will. The very few times we tried "time out" with him didn't work. After much prayer I figured out what he needed was for me to trust him with responsibility. Getting into mischief was only a sign he needed a project he could take ownership of and develop his self esteem. His transformation from terrible two taught me so much about respect and what I should expect from my children.

I learned how to really think about what their needs were. Hungry, thirsty, tired, sick, lonely, these can all bring out the worse in someone. When I could stay in tune with their needs, harmony was easy. I don't know that I could have achieved this without being a hands on parent.

I had to respect and honor the person they were born to be, not the person I thought they should become. The only way I could teach them how to love and respect others was if I modeled that myself. I couldn't beat, yell, or shame that into them without being a complete hypocrite.

Now that the boys are in or approaching their teens, I'm realizing how wonderful the payoff is. Honestly, there has not been one temper tantrum in our house for over a decade. I'm finding my boys are not moody or temperamental. There is no teen rebellion. We aren't even seeing any sibling rivalry.

Maybe this is because we've always respected them and given them the freedom they needed. They've demonstrated to us how they are more than capable of making wise decisions when it comes to honoring and respecting others.

I can remember how my relationship with my parents had to reach a breaking point before they began to treat me as an adult. Its unfortunate we had to say hurtful words to each other through this process. We have a wonderful relationship now. Love and forgiveness really do bring healing.

I'm sure one day, more of my parenting faults will surface, but overall I know we've built a strong family, who will always be there for one another. I'm very grateful we've found our way here, perhaps because we chose an uncommon path.

Our Halloween Night

Here's our Businessman Zombie. Before he got dressed, he looked very creepy staring at us from the dark hallway. He hauled in quite a stash of treats, and all the walking he's been doing helped him cruise through the neighborhood in record time this year.

DS15 stayed home with friends in the Mancave playing games. I was on doorbell duty while DH and DS11 were out. It started out slow but really picked up. I was glad we had picked up extra candy because we ended up with about 200 trick or treaters.

After Trick or Treating, we watched The Walking Dead. So far, it seems interesting, although fairly obvious they are proud of their special effect makeup. I was surprised by the amount of graphic violence, (head shots) on regular TV, but maybe AMC isn't considered regular TV?

Happy Halloween!!

The boys carved their pumpkins last night. I'm still getting used to our new camera. Sometimes it seems to focus, other times it doesn't. I like the "orbs" in this shot. Very fitting for Halloween.

We went to see Paranormal Activity 2 yesterday. I think I liked it better than the first one, but that was because much of the film is shot from home security cameras, meaning there's less hurky jerky camera movements. The story ties into the original rather nicely, and there are a few good, jump from your seat moments.

At home we watched The Crazies, (the remake). We all enjoyed this movie too, although its more of a thriller than chiller.

Tonight I'm excited to check out The Walking Dead on AMC. This will be after my own zombie finishes trick or treating. He's going to be a businessman zombie. I just need to figure out how to layer him up since its going to be 29 degrees tonight.

The timer's going off so I have to run. After soaking them all night in salty water, I'm roasting the unborn.

Friday Five - Halloween Costumes

"So! Let's go! This week's challenge is to list 5 of your favorite ways to dress up for Halloween. You could list your favorite costumes from when you were a trick-or-treater, or you could list ways you would like to dress up today (if you didn't think the little brat from next door would laugh at you). In either case, have fun!"

1. I remember my mother loved to make costumes out of felt. One year I was a caterpillar and  won a costume contest.

2. My mom once tried to make me a tomato, but the left over red fabric she used had little tiny white dots on it. Everyone thought I was more of a strawberry. I remember being self conscious anyway because the costume was stuffed to plumb me out.

3. I did the 80's punk rock look with my best friend. Trick or treating in heels I can't recommend.

4. Hobo- Doesn't every kid trick or treat in this costume at least once? Its the classic, I want candy, but I don't want to put together a costume trick.

5. Princess - This was the store bought costume I just had to have one year. For some twisted reason, it came with a plastic mask, fully decked out with makeup and fake blond hair and tiara. Common sense would be to apply real makeup to your child, but instead this came with a fake princess face. I remember the mask getting bumped on my head while trying to go through a haunted house. I couldn't see a thing.

My Kitchen Aid is ready now!! I wasn't expecting to pick it up before next Monday. I think this is a sign I must bake something yummy very soon!

Tuesday Thoughts 10/26/10

I dreamed of my garden. I was picking peppers and cucumbers which in real life I hadn't grown this past season. I remember being pleasantly surprised and thinking, wow, we have peppers and cukes!!! I will have to plan a spot for these next year.

Maybe I dreamed about produce because I cleaned our refrigerator's veggie bin last night. :)

For the record, I'm also planning on adding spaghetti squash next year. I've been hooked ever since my friend shared one from her garden with me several weeks ago.

I have all the longer pieces of quarter round trim installed in the living room. I still have to work on cutting the smaller lengths and working the corners. If you ever install quarter round and you have access to an automatic hammer, I suggest you use it. I'm doing this by hand and its tricky trying not to bang the trim up. We're still working on the transition from the living area to the kitchen. We noticed a bump last night so we may just take the floor up in that area and see if we can level the floor better.

I'm going through baking withdrawal. I dropped my Kitchen Aid off for a tune up and oil change. With the holidays coming, I needed to get this done sooner rather than later. Of course after I dropped it off, I had the urge to bake something. It won't be ready until next Monday.

I saw a soup commercial where this woman is happy she fits into her wedding dress. This inspired me. I still have my dress, cleaned and box sealed. I had kept it thinking I'd have daughters one day, but that wasn't meant to be. Now I should make it my goal to get back into it and have an anniversary portrait done. I'm about 4 sizes away from this and it will probably take me a year or two, but its a goal I will have to visualize to help me get there.

More nostalgia, I found our 8mm camcorder and several tapes from when the boys were little guys. Its bitter sweet. I wish I would have recorded way more, especially of son #2. I'm the baby of my family, and I always had noticed there wasn't many photos of me. You would think I would have known better and taped more of DS11. Now the goal is to get what footage we do have onto the computer so we can burn discs. The old camcorder is on its last leg.

I think I'm going to love this windy day. The sky show is amazing this morning. The clouds are blowing north so quickly and the sunrise keeps trying to poke through. We will have quite a bit of yard clean up to do when its over though.

Our Pumpkins For 2010

We picked out pumpkins along with two gourds. Don't they look like fruit? The smaller gourd is an Apple gourd but if you ask me, it resembles a watermelon. The larger one is an African Kettle Gourd. We loved how it was pear shaped. We hope to dry the gourds and use them for art projects next year. The boys will probably carve their pumpkins later this week. 

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.