Let the cat collecting begin!

Call me crazy. Or maybe its just because I have a heart for poor, cold, starving kitties that walk to my window while I'm on the computer and meow at me.

Yesterday I'm sitting here catching up on all your posts, when this black and white bloke walks up to our front window. Too small to be a cow, I recognize that this is the same cat we saw last week hanging around. He makes eye contact with me and meows.

Without a thought, I go to the door and he kitty head butts my legs and reaches up with his paws conveying, "Pick me up! Pick me up!" in kitty body language. He is thin but oh so affectionate. He's definitely not feral.

We put him in our cat carrier and Yumi picks up his scent. She is furious. She puts on quite the show, growling and hissing.

A few years ago there was a black and white kitty the boys nicknamed, Woc, (cow backwards) that ended up belonging to a family down the street. I headed that direction and knocked on doors, but no one claimed him yesterday. I don't think this kitty is Woc. His fur seems to be longer and he seems younger.

We brought him home for the night and set up the basement for kitty bed and breakfast. Yumi continues to growl and hiss, but they are separated for now.

He used the cat box with duel success! He's eating Yumi's Taste Of The Wild, grain free dry kibble, like there's no tomorrow. Later this morning I'll bring him to the vet for a chip check. I know chances are low he is microchipped, but its worth a try.

I suppose we'll then make flyers, but I highly doubt anyone will come forward. I really think he's a house kitty, not a feral, and perhaps someone couldn't afford to keep him any longer.

We would love to keep him but there's two big reservations, Yumi being one of them. I just don't know if she'll warm up to him. The second big problem is I'm allergic to him. He loves to head butt you, and his kitty kisses make my neck itch. I think its just dog and cat saliva that I'm allergic to. My breathing hasn't been affected. Yumi doesn't kiss or lick so she doesn't bother me.

I suppose there is a third reservation as well, the cost. I can provide shelter and food and basic vet care, but when our cats get really sick, it breaks my heart we can't spend what ever is needed. You may recall Yumi became ill a few months back, and the vet suggested surgery. We can't afford big things like this and would have to unfortunately go the euthanasia route. Yumi was blessed it turned out to be a food allergy, but I would have felt terrible if it would have been something more serious we couldn't afford to treat her for.

I know if I end up bringing this cutie pie to the shelter, his odds are grim. Shelters are being filled with surrenders these days. Is it ethical for us to keep him and do the best we can, but if something big happens, it happens?

For now I'm telling myself not to worry about these things. God's blessed us before when things have stressed me out. The basement is cozy enough for a kitty hostel. He'll be fed and loved, even though it means I need to wash up every time he kisses me. Maybe Yumi will settle down or maybe he does have a chip and a home waiting for his return?

Hybernation

Christmas arrived and I just crashed. Maybe it was all the prep or maybe it was the stress of DS9 being sick. I have been down for the count.

We brought DS back to the doctor's yesterday for yet another measurement of his infected lymph node. Thankfully, the swelling continues to decrease so no surgery in sight! YEAH! We're through with $35 co-pay, daily doctor visits until after DS finishes his medicine. Speaking of which, because he's on such a strong antibiotic, the doctor wanted him taking a probiotic.

Eating yogurt wasn't good enough. I had to buy a bottle of Probiotic Acidophilus. I promised DS we'd all take it with him. Each spoonful of what looks like baby spit up, contains billions of "good guy" bacteria which is suppose to be good for you. It tastes like really sour yogurt, but then the after taste hits and vomit comes to mind. I ran out and bought some Activia for DS, but since I've spent $12 on the bottle of vomit yogurt cultures, I will be trying to use it up myself, gagging spoonful after gagging spoonful.

Another reason I think I'm falling into sleep mode is the fact the Christmas clutter is overwhelming me. I really can't have clutter around me or I get tense. Of course isn't Christmas suppose to be this way, toys and packaging laying all around? Its easier to hide away under the covers, while my family enjoys the post Christmas bliss of having all their gifts strewn about. I'm going to try and remain calm and wait for New Year's to start the clean up.

For now, its been great to catch up on rest while the boys entertain themselves with their Christmas bounty.

Christmas 2008

Darkside Dawn returns....

I know I shouldn't complain. Its a blessing we have health insurance and the ability to pay co-pays. I guess I'm just really ticked off at the level of service. Here's the reason why Darkside Dawn is around.

Sunday- DS9 has a temp of 102 and a really swollen lymph node coming out of his neck. DH rushes him to the urgent care center in Madison. They are seen within the hour and DS9's temp is now at 103. They draw blood to test for meningitis and do a culture for strep. The rapid test comes back negative but his white cell count is through the roof. Dr. Quack for some reason ops for an antibiotic shot and write two prescriptions for pain killers. DS did not complain of pain at all. Dr. Quack tells DH the pain killers are to be taken together, and that DS MUST be seen by his regular doctor on Monday.

The pharmacist corrects the pain killer instructions for DH and suggests we only administer one of the two if needed. Later that night DS's temp is 102 and he pukes up the pain killer. Cost- $70 co-pay visit, $10 plus in co-pay for meds.

Monday- Our regular Dr K is reading over the notes. He is stunned to see the incorrect dosage was given to DS at the clinic. They gave him 125 mg of the antibiotic when what he really needed was 1500 mg!! Our doctor also wondered why they hadn't prescribed an antibiotic to continue at home, and he would not have ordered the prescriptions for pain, since DS didn't have any. Dr K checks the lymph node and is very concerned at its size. He tells us we must return Tuesday and DS may need surgery to drain it. He orders an injection of 1500 mg of antibiotic and writes a prescription for a powerful 10 day hit of more.

The nurse from hell enters with an incorrect dosage of antibiotic!! I correct her before she shoots him up and she doesn't return for 45 minutes. When she does, she has two more nurses from hell with her. They bulldoze DS and tell him they are going to hold him down, each taking a leg and arm so they can inject two needles into his legs.

I try to tell DS it will only hurt for a minute and then the pain will end, just like the shot on Sunday.

Nurse from Hell immediately replies, "OH, IT STINGS! IT REALLY HURTS!"

Sidekick Nurse from Hell Jr. ,"Ya, it really does."  These women are lucky my arms are short or they would be sporting rosy cheeks!!

The anxiety level in my son is skyrocketing. Darkside Dawn erupts. I yell at the nurses and they tone down. The guttural, animal scream doesn't come from DS until its all over. He's held it all along and just couldn't take it anymore. Later he told me getting the shots reminded him of the Stephen King story, Misery, when Annie hobbles the writer.

Monday's copays- $35 office visit, $40 antibiotic (original cost $ 224.89) DS, like me, is allergic to penicillin. When we get sick, they have to bring out the obscure drugs.

Tuesday- As soon as I finish this, I'll be driving through the snow storm to bring DS back to Dr. K. (another $35 copay). He needs to measure the lymph node and decide if surgery is needed today. I'm praying we not only make it across the icy roads, but that there's no need for surgery just days before Christmas! 

The diagnosis is Lymphadenitis, an infection of the lymph node. Surgery may be required to drain the lymph node if the swelling doesn't go down because this swelling lies near a major artery in his neck.

Darkside Dawn is going to get through this and then drop down for the count! She has already paid $4 to the swear jar for the language that erupted from her lips upon learning he was given incorrect dosages, incorrect prescriptions and incompetent nurses!

Bittersweet Sunday

Only half our family was able to join the Christmas party today, myself and DS13. DH and DS9 went to Urgent Care.

My little man hasn't been feeling well for a week or so now. He seemed to be recovering, but then turned south again. A few days ago, he had a sore throat, but he didn't have a temperature. This morning he was 102 and he complained his neck hurt. About an hour later at the urgent care clinic, his temp was up to 103!

They gave him an antibiotic shot in the rump and took blood to check for meningitis. They also did a strep test, but that came back negative. His white blood cell count is through the roof.

The doctor wrote two prescriptions for pain, and I'm a little peeved a doctor would do this. She actually told DH it was safe to give DS9 both medicines at the same time, but the pharmacist warned DH not to do this! For the most part, regular dye free Motrin was working to relieve his discomfort, but apparently after two doctor's felt his uber swollen lymph node, they felt he must need something stronger.

We tried to give him the prescription acetaminophen with codeine and he threw it up. I'm not comfortable with trying the Naproxen either after reading all the side effects. Plus both these medicines are colored. DS9 doesn't tolerate dyes very well when he's ill.

Why must medicines be pretty!!!! Its a nightmare for those allergic. They do make a dye free Motrin now, and I'd like to think its because of all the letter writing I did when DS9 was younger.  

Once DS9 broke out due to the dye in an antibiotic. The doctor recommended Benedrill. Guess what stupid color it was!!! I was so angry. Talk about a catch 22, give more medicine that also has red dye in it!!! Crazy town!!!!!

DS9 is resting now. When I last checked his fever was 102 so I suppose perhaps the shot they gave him is working. We have been told we absolutely must bring him in to see his doctor in the morning and if he's not available, go back to urgent care. He needs to be seen within another 24 hours.

No one has said whether he has meningitis, but they tested to rule it out. I'm thinking they wouldn't have allowed DH to bring DS home if it was meningitis right? They told DH they thought it may be a bacterial infection of some kind. Hopefully they can tell us more in the morning.

Needless to say, I'm not getting any sleep tonight. I freak out when my babies are sick. The worry wart comes out, and I always think the worst. DH is more level headed and thankfully he was the one who took DS in to the urgent care clinic today.

I'll pray my little man improves. I'll be heartbroken if he has to be sick on Christmas.

It should be me not him!!

We're Almost Ready to Par- Tay!

Our shopping went so well this morning, almost stress free. We got stuck in a little traffic jam, but we were able to duck away from the worst of it. We picked up the last minute essentials for my side's Christmas party, and then headed to Taco Bell for lunch. YUM!

This afternoon I finished up the Ginger Domos and wrapped gifts. My sweet potatoes are baked and the brown sugar, corn flake, pecan topping is ready.

I'm having a liquid supper, sipping hot teas, and Emergen-C. The back of my throat feels a little suspicious. I can't tell if its from breathing in the arctic air or if the rhino is moving in.

I really feel like weather wise, we are being punished. Last Christmas our gathering was canceled due to snow storms and tomorrow is still in question. Why must we get not only loads of snow, but stupid frigid temperatures as well? Snow may trap you at home because driving becomes impossible, but dangerous, below zero, Fahrenheit temperatures physically hurt.

You step outside because you can't stand being stuck inside all day, and instantly you feel like your eyeballs are freezing over with a layer of ice. You try to breathe and your nose hairs freeze stiff! Any exposed skin tightens and you literally feel like you're being freeze dried alive! Its hard to move, you just want to stay huddled, out of the wind. Your shoulders tense up as you try to pull your neck in like a turtle. You move in slow motion because you don't want to slip. You become aware your gloves are useless as your fingers go numb and you can't seem to wear enough pairs of socks.

What purpose could this ridiculous cold serve except to thin the herd? When the wind chills go this low, I get the feeling the planet doesn't want us to be here. Does extreme cold kill harmful viruses? Does it somehow clean the air? Why God? I want to know!

I so need to surround myself with the warmth of family tomorrow. If it has to be dark and cold as we officially begin winter, at least I'm going to party!

Our snow day....

By Friday morning, the snow was falling fast and furious. The plows hadn't come by and our street was completely snow drifted in. Thankfully DH decided not to drive to work and took the day off. He spent a great deal of it just snow blowing driveways.

I stayed in baking bread, cookies, knitting, and listening to Christmas tunes.

The boys played out in the snow until their clothes were drenched. They spent the afternoon playing video games with the Posse.

By afternoon the snow had stopped and our street was finally plowed. I don't know what our official total was, but with the plowing and drifting its almost up to our mailbox. I'm sure during the next couple of days the boys will be able to dig cool tunnels in it.

Our wonderful neighbors across the street gave us tickets to the Christmas Carol. We had never seen the stage production before. We all really enjoyed it.

I'm regretting not bringing my camera though. I didn't think taking photos would be allowed so I left it home. While sitting waiting for the show to begin, in walks this guy wearing a Santa hat and Christmas lights strung through his beard!! Around his neck he wore a garland string of tiny presents. He did turn off the beard once the show began.

On an interesting unschooling note, the woman who played the Ghost of Christmas Past, Georgina McKee, was an Unschooler! Her mom is Alison McKee, author of  Homeschooling Our Children, Unschooling Ourselves.

Today we are heading out to finish up Christmas shopping. I'll have to start wrapping tonight or I'll be overwhelmed.

Trying to stay calm before the storm....

My parents slipped down through the storms. We had a really quick visit with them before they headed a little further south, trying to get settled in before the storm blows in later today.

Mom and Dad said I could open my Christmas gift early since I'd probably like to use it now. I have always loved these kinds of Swedish candle holders. My sisters all got red ones years ago, and I've always been jealous. Mom always thought she had given me one as well, but I probably didn't have my own home when she gifted these many Christmases ago, so I didn't score one. Although mine isn't red, I still love it. I suppose I could keep it out all year long.

I'm really trying hard not to sweat the small stuff these days. Its so easy for me to stress out, and I know this will only lead to me getting sick. I really want to be well on Christmas since more often than not, I end up sick that day.

My boss said she'd cover for me tonight at the pool. I was stressing over having to drive home and slide off the road. Now that I hear the weather may not get bad until later, I'm feeling a little guilty about this, but it could still ice rain where I live before the snow starts. I can't win. I feel guilty if I don't go in, and I feel stressed if I do and the weather hits.

The angel on my shoulder is saying, "Take care of yourself," and the other angel is saying, "Guilt doesn't serve a purpose here, so drop it." Yes, I have two angels on my shoulders. The devil's not welcome to hang out on my shoulder! LOL!

A few days ago, I did something really stupid. It was crazy cold outside and DH didn't feel well. I offered to take the garbage out and run to the Pig for cold medicine for him. I should have reversed that order of events. Backing out of the driveway, I steered to avoid hitting the trash and recycle bins. I had forgotten about the basketball pole! I put a huge dent near the driver's side front wheel.

I was really beating up on myself, wondering how I could have been so stupid. Why can't I have eyes like a gecko? How are you suppose to watch what's behind you and also what's happening in front or on the side? (Think of how you back out of a tight parking spot at crowded Target.)

DH told me it was ok. Our van is older than dirt. We can still drive it. "We'll get some anti-rust paint and who cares if we have a pink patch." 

I was just beginning to chill out about it, when we discovered the headlight is loose. Thank God it still worked because I hadn't realized driving home in Tuesday's storm the other headlight was out. I had the bulb replaced and the dealer gave us an estimate for fixing the loose light. $300. I don't think the van is worth it. I'm wondering if I could make our van even more ghetto fabulous using duct tape? At least the basketball pole is still standing.

I'm off to practice more positive thinking. I'll leave you with one of my favorite all time fortune cookie fortunes, "Worry is today's mouse stealing tomorrow's cheese."

Christmas meme from Debbi's

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay,
here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just
copy (not forward) this and paste into a new message that you
can post. Change all the answers so that they  apply to you...Tis the Season to be NICE!  HO HO  HO



1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? both

2. Real tree or Artificial? real- I've done the artificial thing and nothing beats chopping down a fresh tree. Its a renewal resource and totally biodegradable, plus I enjoy supporting small family farms.

3. When do you put up the tree? day after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down?  middle of January- one year it made it to the end of January (water, water, water everyday!)

5. Do you like eggnog? I now prefer to blend a frozen banana with light vanilla soy milk and add a dash of cinnamon. So much more healthy and just as satisfying.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Maybe my Barbie head where you could do her hair and makeup, or the baby doll that sneezed when you squeezed her tummy. I still have the doll!

7. Hardest person to buy for? DH

8. Do you have a nativity scene? just a small one of only Mary, Josef and Jesus

9. Mail or email Christmas cards? I actually got around to mailing a few today!

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? strep throat

11. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story-even if its on 24 hours straight, I will never tire of this movie.

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?  YES! Its called White Elephant giving.

14.  Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? cookies

15.  Lights on the tree? White. This way when one strand finally goes, its easy to buy another string of white rather than try to match colored bulbs.

16. Favorite Christmas song? It a tie. What Child Is This, Silent Night 

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home?  both

18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?  nope, Tomten bring presents and they only need one goat to do it.

19. Angel on the tree top or a star? A golden star with light shining through it

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or  Christmas day? both

21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? driving on snow and ice

22. Favorite ornament theme or color? All the handmade ones, some of which have been made with hands I can no longer hold.

23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Smorgasbord!! Its all good!

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? My family around me. (Of course plane tickets to Detroit MI, a limo ride to Dearborn,MI, a paid hotel room suite, and tickets to the Blind Melon New Year' Eve show would be nice too!)

Our weekend

It went too quickly. Saturday I spent time with my Diva sisters while the rest of my household had boys' night. It worked out well for all, I got in my girly time, (loving those pomegranate martinis) and the boys feasted like men at Burger King.

Sunday we tried to translate family time into Christmas shopping. I was expecting it to go much worse because none of us are shoppers at heart. We all did pretty good though. Lunch at Laredos helped, (love that tortilla soup!)

We watched the Survivor finale and it was a great teachable moment. Mean people are so very wounded deep down inside. Corrine (spell?) who was always the nastiest girl, took it to a new low at the final tribal council where she tried to viciously hurt Sugar emotionally by mentioning Sugar's deceased father. Corrine is trying to play up wanting to be known as the big bad bitch, but you just know is all a front. She is jealous of Sugar, a genuinely nice person. Corrine claims nice people are boring and the only way to be an interesting person is to be a bitch. We wish we could point out to Corrine being filled with so much hate does make people interested in you but that's because they feel sorry for you. Is it easier to be nasty and claim you want people to hate you rather than admit rejection? Negative attention is better than no attention when you're that insecure I guess.

Randy the Racist seemed toned down compared to Corrine, and it was another great teachable moment when at the reunion show he admitted he didn't have friends or family to invite so he gave away his tickets to 6 complete strangers! He said his dog has been his best friend for the past 15 years. Apparently Randy hasn't always been this way, but somewhere along the line he was hurt by those he loved and now it was easier to distance himself.

So as a family we had a great discussion about the importance of being a loving, forgiving person, even when others are mean and cruel to you.

Speaking of cruel, yesterday it was around 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Today its single digits with a 35 mph wind making it feel below zero, negative digits, stupid cold! We were worried the down pouring rain would instantly freeze over creating an all over skating rink, but we were blessed that didn't happen here. ITS STILL STUPID COLD THOUGH!

Our plans today including lots of baking, including bread, which is too expensive to keep buying in the stores. I have the flour grinder, I should be baking bread at home more often. It will help warm up the house too.

We've almost polished off another batch of soft gingerbread because I never got batch #2 into the freezer either! Next year I'm saving baking for the week before Christmas, not the 3 weeks before. The peanut butter Hershey Kiss cookies will also be baked, along with the chocolate cake balls. I promise to freeze them for sure!!

Blind Melon is apparently reuniting just for the New Year's Eve Concert. Their future plans only include, "making plans to make plans." I guess I have to live with this for now.

If Yumi gets off my lap, I'll wrap presents today and finish up the cards. I'm actually surprised we seem to be ahead of the game. I think it doesn't feel like we're scrambling, because we're accepting that it is what it is or what it can be. For example, we never got around to taking a family photo or writing a family newsletter, but we still can send out a cute card with wishes for a Merry Christmas filled with peace and joy. A gingerbread house may be more traditional, but our easy soft gingerbreads are maybe even more satisfying. Less can be so much more when you make peace with it.

I have one more comment this morning and then I'll shut up. (Cocoa mug is empty too.)

 HE SURE CAN DODGE A SHOE CAN'T HE!!!!

I'm going to remember that image when ever I need a smile to come to my face! Hope you have a great Monday!  

Too busy hitting refresh....

Haven't been hanging around Multiply because I'm too busy hitting the refresh button at the Blind Melon forum site! There's a rumor Travis is back with the band!! I'm trying to not get my hopes up, but if this is true, its one terrific Christmas present!

According to Travis' Myspace, he's going to perform with the band on New Years. He doesn't exactly say he's reunited for good.

The band's Myspace page says nothing. I won't believe its official until I read something directly from one of the remaining band members. Someone could have hacked into Travis' Myspace and this could be a hoax.

I really, really, really wish we could make the trip to Dearborn, MI on New Years to see the show, but its just a little too far of a drive, on a possible snowy night. Plus it would be the most expensive show yet, with tickets around $40 each. Plus we'd probably have to do the hotel stay rather than marathon driving.

The nail on the coffin is also the fact its on New Years Eve. It would feel bittersweet not being able to spend New Year's with the boys. Traditionally our family has always been together on New Year's Eve. I can't imagine beginning 2009 without them. 

I really hope Travis is back to sing for Blind Melon permanently and come spring/summer they will be back in the Midwest touring.

Sharing our Christmas Traditions

My friend Tiina Maija shared how Christmas is celebrated in Finland, and it's inspired me to share how our family celebrates.

Growing up with a Swedish mother, Saint Lucia Day, kicked off the beginning of our Christmas season. Now that I have a family of my own, we begin right after Thanksgiving.

We usually chop down our Christmas tree from a local Christmas tree farm the day after Thanksgiving. My husband's family used to do the crazy waking up at 4:00am to go shopping thing, but now the day after Thanksgiving is more a day of bringing out Christmas decorations and hanging out with family.

Our decorations are mostly Swedish. We make Julgranskorg and Julgranskaramels which are hung on the tree or given away with presents.

The Jul Tomte also appears! He expects a bowl of rice pudding on the porch on Christmas Eve and riding his Julbock, a straw goat, he'll deliver Christmas presents. Tomten are sort of the Santa equivalent and my grandmother left me many handmade dolls we display at Christmas time.

We treat ourselves to certain favorite foods like Swedish meatballs, rice pudding- (single girls, find the almond and you're the next to marry), Glogg- a homemade fruity spiced wine you drink warm, and my husband will make "The Dip", a secret family recipe. Our food is usually casual with finger foods or sandwiches, Smorgasbord style. DMIL will bring Chick-Fil-A nuggets and of course we'll have cookies.

Our family usually has to have soft gingerbread, pecan fingers, spritz, peppar kakor, sugar cookie cut outs, and peanut butter with the Hershey kiss on top! We've also added another tradition of eating tiny powdered sugared donuts Christmas morning.

This began when Jared was still a toddler. He had this adorable powdered white sugar mustache in all of the opening of the present photos because the first thing he did Christmas morning was grab for the mini donuts. So now you must first eat a mini powdered sugared donut so your lips are covered in white while you open gifts! 

We usually spend Christmas Eve with extended family, and Christmas day its just us with Grandma. We exchange our gifts Christmas morning or occasionally on Christmas Eve.

The boys like to watch The Polar Express and A Christmas Story. We usually watch a few other movies since DVDs are a typical Christmas gift we give each other.

One of my favorite things to do at Christmas is light candles. Advent candles are lit, one each Sunday during the 4 Sunday's leading up to Christmas. There is something so relaxing about candle light.

We usually also set out a jigsaw puzzle for everyone in the household to work on. We'll also play card games and trivia games.

Christmas Day is the ultimate day of relaxing in our house. How do you celebrate?

Snow Day

(Yes, our Sleepyhouse is yellow! We're going to work on creating a sign for the front porch with our home's new name.)

Its not feeling so Sleepy today. School was canceled due to the snow, so the phone's been ringing off the hook.

I'm fighting off a brain cloud headache. That's what I call a headache that's not bad enough to make me run away from the world, but I have the feeling if I could only grab a nap it would blow away. No such luck though with a basement full of Posse Rats.

What's a headache girl to do on a day like this? Bake cookies of course. I made peanut butter whole wheat with half the batch getting chips. I'm probably going to re-make the soft ginger bread cookies since the last batch mutated on me.

I did try to accomplish my photo walk but my fingers were getting frostbite after only half a dozen shots. Plus the layer of ice under the snow made it very difficult to stay upright.

Jakob and I had a great discussion on censorship. I don't remember if I mentioned it, but he recently experienced censorship first hand. He worked very hard creating a game level for Little Big Planet. He titled it "Church In Trouble" and the level had a mischievous sack boy you had to try and stop before he wrecked the church. His level was banned and he received a warning notice from Playstation.

We think his level was pulled because of the title. He was quite upset and he wanted to know why his level was banned while others are out there that are actually more violent. I told him I think its because of the word "church". He then mentioned the game designers actually had religious icons you can choose when creating your world. One such icon was actually a cross made out of skulls although he didn't use it when he built his level. He thought the building he had built looked like an old church and that's why he named it Church In Trouble. It doesn't actually have any religious icons in it.

We found a great website that lists banned books. Jakob was surprised to see many of the books on the list he's read himself. For example, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and James and The Giant Peach have been banned from certain school libraries. He doesn't feel its right for anyone to tell you what you can and can't read. (I'm so proud!) He asked me to bookmark the site. I think he wants to go back and read more banned books! YES!!

Sleepyhouse

I'm renaming my blog and our home school to Sleepyhouse. Of course I was influenced by Blind Melon in doing so, and my Unschooling heart can easily interpret the band's song to our Unschooling way of life. It's been a wonderful thing to Unschool the way we do, in our little yellow Sleepyhouse here in "Heavensville", Wisconsin.

The boys and I are free to learn what we want, when we want to. We definitely don't feel we are missing out living free the way we do. In many ways, I feel like being able to Unschool now is helping me catch up on all the "sleep" I lost being publicly educated. In our Sleepyhouse we're free to dream often, and we take that inspiration and apply it to learning by living.

Notes:
The Sleepyhouse is what the band named the house they lived in prior to recording Blind Melon in 1991.  It was in Durham, North Carolina.

Shannon: It meant more for us to have a group that had unity and people to lean on if you were f***king up.  We established it there in North Carolina, which is priceless.  We caught up on all that sleep we lost in L.A.

Rogers: Staying up all night, then sleeping half the day away then getting up then you hear someone start playing then you move down to the living room then everybody congregates for a few hours on end. It gets to be really productive.  There's nothing in Durham so we got a lot done.

Christopher: Living in that house for months was like being in a band for five years.

Lyrics:
No time frame, for what I need to do today
Here at the yellow house. I think I’m gonna play
With free livin’ lads down the street aways away
As I feel the moon rise
The time that all feels is the right time
Here in our sleepy house
As I wipe eye bugs away, the candle flickers at me to say
And in my head I sometimes pray
Hey aren’t ya feeling fine
As I was as a little child
And I’m feeling better when I’m high
With a red light shinning on a little unity
The mistakes that I’ve made
No they don’t seem to bother me
I sure as hell don’t feel like
I missed any kind of train
If I could only show you how I feel
Then you wouldn’t bother me
And then maybe you’d see why we
Don’t mind being blind
As I was as a little child
And I’m feeling better when I’m high
With a red light shinning on a little unity
I’ll probably be in a little while
 

Busy Babble

I really don't feel like I have the time to blog, but I want to be able to look back and see what we were up to.

My van turned over 200,000!! Whoo Hoo!!!! I only hope it makes it to 300,000. Can't afford a new or even used new car right now. Yes, I was driving when I took this snap. I was even speeding, going 26 in a 25!!! Oooooh!!! I'm so bad!!

DH turned 40 and we celebrated with a rare supper out at Outback. What was that I was just saying about going veg and meaning it? There is something in their steak rub. It tastes so good especially when you first swirl your fork in garlic mashed potatoes before stabbing the tines into that delicious juicy bite of mammal flesh.

I did go back to veg after Friday night. Saturday we drove over the river and through the woods and welcomed Grandma back from Arizona. We celebrated DH's birthday again with pizza at Kaisers. I went with thin, crusty, cheese goodness with a side of fried green beans. SO YUMMY! Its a good thing I can only get fried green beans in Kenosha or I would eat them way too often.

I tried to do some Christmas shopping yesterday and it depressed the hell out of me. I was so uptight and tense by the time I hit the sheets. I just am not a shopper. Never have been. Even shopping online drove me batty. I have this thing about getting the least expensive price and I don't want to pay for shipping. I have too high of standards too. Everything looks like crap to me.

My one glorious moment of retail bliss was the box of sunshine spheres from Spain I bought from the Wiggler. Can a person OD on Clementines? I may be the first. I picked up a crate for only $3.99. Why did I worry about buying two and having them go to waste? I'm already almost half way through the box. The $3.99 price was a weekend special only. I'll have to go back to paying $8.00 now that I'm hooked on a Clementine high.

I haven't finished decorating for Christmas yet. I'm very tempted to call it done and put the storage bin away. Less is more right? So why do I feel I'm emotionally letting down my family if my house isn't transformed into Santa's cottage workshop?

Tomorrow we are suppose to be hit with a few inches of ice with a few more inches of snow on top. The boys are stoked but the adults who have to drive in it, are not too excited. Maybe I need to think sled dog team instead of worrying about how our next vehicle will materialize?

Have you heard of photo walking? Its simply taking a walk and snapping photos as you go. Often there are groups that do it together. I'm thinking of trying this. My camera is crippled, but what have I got to lose? If I can stay upright during the ice storm tomorrow, I'll try my first photo walk and I'll let you know how it goes.

Well, I better get to chores. Our bikes need to trade places with the sleds and hang from the garage ceiling. I'm sure DH will want to pull the car into the garage tonight too.

The 99 list stolen from Suey and Paige

Things I've done in RED.

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars- (I'm assuming this means without anything over my head such as a tent.)

3. Played in a band- (I'm assuming one practice with the Jr. High band doesn't count.)

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower.

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped- Never going to happen!

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty 

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train -Its not as romantic as you'd think.

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill- Only at my corporate job years ago, although it could have been referred to as a mental health day!

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset- just yesterday as a matter of fact!

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise-Never going to happen!

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person- This one is on my bucket list!

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community- No but I have had Amish visit my home.

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing - Not with ropes and equipment, but I have climbed Devil's Lake in Wisconsin.

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight Nope- DH hates sand.

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted 

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business 

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies 

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood - I've also donated platelets. 

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter - Never going to happen unless I'm unconscious on Med-Flight

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job - Does a lay off count?

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London 

77. Broken a bone - I have no recollection of doing it, but according to an x-ray, I have a piece of vertebrae that broke and never healed. The bone piece is floating around not connected anymore.

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - In my youth I fantasized about doing this but now I'm too afraid of becoming street pizza. 

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car - Instead of taking a honeymoon. It was a Saturn.

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House - back in the day when you actually could go inside!

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life - assuming saving someone from choking counts

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby -I've had two, both ways!

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake 

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee - once while riding my bike- I can still see the scar, and once I thought a leaf was stuck in my hair. I pulled it out only to see a nasty black wasp stinging my fingertip! 

I Am Woman Hear Me Roar!!!

Thank you dad, for having that Helen Reddy album which I listened to constantly when I was 11. Every time I pick up a power tool or start up an engine, I can't help but sing that song in my head.

We've been hit with more snow. This time I'm guessing around 4-6 inches. Thankfully, I found someone to cover for me at work so I didn't have to drive in. I live about 30 miles from work and those country roads can really be a nightmare when the snow drifts and blows.

I was able to start the snow thrower, (best present I ever bought DH!) and I cleaned off the driveway, sidewalks and my neighbor's. I think she felt badly I was snow blowing her driveway, but I assured her it wasn't difficult. Our snow thrower propels itself. You just have to steer. And why should the guys have all the fun?!

I tried to make soft gingerbread reindeer. The first two cookie sheets came out ok, but when I baked that last batch, they mutated! (I'll take a picture.) I don't know if I didn't mix the dough well enough or what. I'm going to have to try again. I did make some Domo Gingerbread men, but I still need to make white icing for Domo's teeth.

DH's big 4-0 is this Friday and I don't yet have that wow present. He'd tell me not to fuss, but I feel bad. How can I be with someone over 22 years and not know what to get him?!

I took the time to watch the sunset today. Its so beautiful this time of year. The past few nights the sky has been partly cloudy and the sun's rays bounce off in orange and purple hues. It doesn't last long enough. Usually I'm driving to work around this time so I can't really stop and watch it.

Although the first words out of Jared's mouth this morning were, "Medicine! Medicine!" he does seem to be doing better today. He hasn't asked for more Motrin this afternoon so I think he's turned the corner. There is a faint trace of ouchie in the back of my throat, but I keep telling myself I'm winning the battle. Emergen-C I'd be lost without you!

Well, I think I'm warmed back up from playing in the snow. I should get supper going. Take care and be safe!

Wall E

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Animation

The boys had seen this movie without DH and I. (We were rocking out with Blind Melon.) They had said it was a good movie, but DS9 curiously refused to watch it again. He said it makes him cry.

Now from the preview, I didn't think it would be any good, but since DS13 wanted to watch it again, I sat down with him so he wouldn't have to watch it alone. DS9 preferred hanging out with dad.

I was pleasantly surprised at how good this movie was! I thought it was going to be depressing, a lonely robot in a garbage filled world. Plus, its Disney, a company who seems to make a ton of movies where children are orphaned, families separated, etc. This story however, doesn't linger in the sadness very long and it has a great message.

DS9 would tell you though, its no fun seeing robots get beaten up!

Tuesday's 10 (babble style)

1. I'm thinking of going vegetarian again, and this time I mean it.

2. Biology lessons and Thanksgiving day go hand and hand don't they?

3. I really missed my MIL on Thanksgiving. Will I ever be able to pick meat off of bones as good as she does?

4. Last night, I'm grilling burgers and Jared asks me, "What's that red stuff coming out of the burgers." I can remember asking that same question when I was a kid. I was told it was "meat juice" but I thought to myself, its blood.

5. I'm reading a great book, The Rules Of Normal Eating by Karen Koenig. It's really opening up my eyes as to how I eat. I'm beginning to understand how I've been trying to "plant my garden in a toxic waste dump."

6. Jared is sick. His throat hurts enough that he's been asking for Motrin. I don't think its strep because he doesn't have a fever and he still has an appetite. Even after watching the burgers bleed!

7. I'm doing the Emergen-C thing. I have a scratchy, not yet sore, throat and I'm run down. I know my body is trying to fight it off.

8. This week's cookie project is Reindeer cookies. They are soft ginger bread with M&M eyes and pretzel antlers. Each week we plan on baking a different cookie and freezing a dozen for Christmas. Next, we'll make those peanut butter cookies with the Hershey kiss on top. If we're going to have Christmas cookies in the house, they should be our favorites.

9.  Estate Of Panic- Have you seen this show? I know its going to have a short shelf life, but for now its a guilty pleasure. I know the contestants must certainly be actors. They are deliciously bad actors too!

10. Way to go mom for winning another 2 pound of pecans! This is her third time having one of her recipes accepted by Surratt Farms. She made a fruit and pecan sweetbread. Yum!

IKEA boycott

If you need another reason to not shop IKEA, here you go.

click here.

I can't help but think my friend is being discriminated against because they homeschool.