Too Much...oh, Whatever

Every post out to be titled Too Much Life. I can't even think of all the things I need to do. This morning, I worked on the craft room, which is now 3/4 storage room. What a mess. Fortunately, Lily took a long nap while I worked on it. She slept 2 1/2 hours, which is unheard of for her. I actually woke her up after 2 1/2 hours when it dawned on me she hit her head pretty hard this morning. Head injury, long nap, YIKES! She is fine--has even knocked her head two more times since she got up.

Anyway, worked in the craft room and then organized my seeds. Learned that if you put them in jars and add a moisture absorber package and stick them in the freezer, the should last a long, long time. So, got that done and then Addie ad I planted carrot seeds in pots on the porch. My carrots all disappeared and then the new ones I planted never sprouted, so I thought if I started them and than put them in the garden after they were bigger, I might have a chance of having carrots. Also started some delphiniums, just because I had the seeds. Need to go attend to plant

Dan and Alec hunted for wild hogs this morning, but saw none. The neighbor said they could come again whenever, so this might be their Saturday morning hobby for awhile. They chopped up a few trees and are working on the treehouse.

I am looking for a cake idea to make for Lily's first birthday, which is July 22. Thinking flowers.

Oh, the Joyful Sound...

Of a baby who woke up too soon from a nap. She screamed at me all through dinner, but afterward I put her back to bed. Not a happy baby. Yowzer.

Today is Ian's 12th birthday. He gained 16 pounds and 4 inches this year. His feet are as big as mine. He is only five feet tall, but I am sure he will be passing me before I know it. He mentioned he was amazed that in three years he could get his learner's permit. Oh, we laughed over that. We explained that as long as he has swords fight with himself with the knives while emptying the dishwasher, he is never driving or hunting or mowing the lawn or anything fun. Ya know what I'm saying??

He got the steel toed work boots he wanted and a new camera (his third--I explained if he would quit breaking them, he'd be able to get something else neat for a gift!!). Few other things. We went to a beach about 40 minutes away. He got to use the kayak he won at a Pheasants Forever kids' day a few years ago. First time we got it in a lake for him. They all took turns and had a good time. I got a little baby inner tube for Lily, which she enjoyed. It was a fun time. We all like the beach.

The played Wii in the afternoon. I made him a Baked Alaska for his cake. It was OK. Not great, but it worked. My timing was off while putting it together, which is pretty typical of me lately.

Tomorrow is just another day. Garden tending, etc.

Signing Off

I have too many unknown followers so I'm moving to another blog. If you didn't get my email with the new one, let me know.

Spring???

It is supposed to be 88 today. It is 60 now, before 6 a.m. That is not spring. That is summer. I do not want summer right now. Please come back for a visit, spring.

Up early to get school graded and prepare for the week. Didn't go to the gym, but realized I actually could have. I figured I'd be too sore, but I feel ok. We hiked about five hours yesterday to a waterfall. It was a nice one. The best ones are the ones where you can wade around in the water, which we could do at this one. Thankfully, since our feet were ready for a break when we got there. I told Evan I was so proud of him because he never complained. He told me, "You didn't hear me talking about the terrain." Funny to hear a six year old say "terrain."

I still have rosemary and several HUGE lavender plants to get in the ground. We will switch morning and afternoon schedules so we can work in the morning. Will do our school time together and then when Lil naps, we will work outside and then do individual school later, when it is 88 degrees outside. ADDENDUM--it is already over 90 at 12:40.

Didn't go to church yesterday. Still looking. Easter is like Christmas for me--not any holier than any other day. It is funny to think about the Catholic traditions that Christians eschew and then the other ones they follow without question.

Plans?

I am terrible at planning. Things always seem to change. Today, we had planned to work on the treehouse and the chicken tractor and plants fruit trees. Well, nutty friend came over yesterday and offered me some plants she wanted to get out of her yard. I will almost always take free plants, so I agreed to come over this morning and get them.

Alec, Adam and I went over while Ian baby sat Lily and Evan helped Dan plant fruit trees. We dug up two huge bushes, a crepe myrtle tree, a bajillion bulbs and some other bushes. I can't believe she just gave them to me. Well, I do know what it is like when you just want something out. I need to think of something to do to thank her.

She told me she wanted to come and help me decide where to plant it. She has studied landscaping. She every pointed out some nice plants I had that had been long neglected and told me what to do to them. Adam helped her plant a bunch of bulbs.

As wonderful as all this was, may I just say I am so unbelievably tired and sore I would not mind croaking. Wow. Also, there is still a fruit tree to plant and the other stuff never got done. Not even close. Still a good day.

I think we might go to a waterfall tomorrow.

Take Two

So, last Friday, the lasagna dinner never came. Finally called the gal and she said she had planned for the following Friday. OK, so fine, kind of annoying and embarrassing and funny all at once, but she got super defensive and started claiming I said things I hadn't said that proved it only made sense she meant the following Friday. That got annoying but I did my dernest to be gracious. So, I ended up telling her I didn't need dinner but just come over for tea. She is supposed to be calling me soon to tell me she is on her way over. Actually, she is supposed to have called and actually be here by now, but that is neither here nor there. No, I'm not annoyed.

Hip is less painful but I am going to the chiropractor later. Also promised a library trip. They have these things there called Playbacks. It is a an audio book in a little MP3 sized dealie that you just plug your headphones into. Adam walks around all day with one on his head.

Tomorrow they are working on the treehouse and the chicken tractor. Any maybe planting the fruit trees.

Learning Painful Lessons

So, I have been thinking a lot lately about learning through the difficulties of life. Because God didn't put them there to torture us, but to teach us. Today, I woke up in horrible pain. The pain I woke up with yesterday, that I think went away finally after some pain pills and moving, was back and unbelievable. Then, it kind of moved. Really. It moved from the front of my lower left belly to the back of the left side, by my pelvis. And everything hurt. Moving, not moving, breathing. Everything made it worse. I took some pain meds, put Unker's on it and a Thermacare wrap. It feels ok now, but for a couple of hours, it was horrible.

Instead of going into catastrophe mode, I thought about how to get through the next few minutes best and why God let me have this. Had to really focus on not losing my temper with the kids. But I did it. That for sure takes practice. Thought a lot about Ruby and her hip and how bad it must have felt to have the hip replacement surgery, knowing that it was risky. Seriously, I would have had major surgery to make that pain go away this morning. And I thought about how tiring it can be to hear people complain about their pain and yet, when you are in pain, it helps to talk about it and have someone give a rip. Not trying to be deep, just sharing my morning.

I had just told the boys last night, that after thinking long and hard, we would switch our morning and afternoon routines so we could do outside work before it got too hot. But, there was no way I could even imagine walking out back, so that didn't happen.

Lily just about stood up from sitting all by herself today. She is moving along. I tried to give her a bottle because I have been taking Advil to get through this pain. She would not have it. Could I have just one kid who was not strong willed? Guess not.

School got completed today but my bed is still not made.

Oh Happy Day

Not really. Lil was up at 3:00 FOR A LONG TIME. It is nice and sunny, though, so I imagine the day will be nice. I pulled something in my mid left section of personhood. I can't believe I went to the gym. Guess I was too tired to think straight. Couldn't do much but I was there, darn it!

I have five artichokes plants coming up. Won't tell you how many of them I started from seed and planted last year, but five plants will be grand. Started more of them from seed last week. Spring is such an exciting and busy time.

I have my feet up on an ottoman and Lily keeps coming over and trying to chew on my toes. Funny, funny baby.

Ongoing Issues

#1--Evan's belly. I told him yesterday afternoon to go to bed until his stomach felt better. It is so frustrating when they have a problem but also are using it to get out of things they don't like. Grrrr.

#2--To go gray or not. Seriously, this is driving me crazy. The reason this is driving me nuts is there isn't a best answer. I generally go for the best answer. This is just a choice. One of these days I am just going to the store and doing it before I know what I am doing. Doesn't it seem weird to be gray and have a baby? In the church nursery I was in Sunday, I met a woman with a baby older than Lily. The woman was a year younger than me and I found out she was holding her granddaughter. We both laughed about it.

#3--Making the gym work. I have been going in the evening after dinner. Adam misses me a lot when I am gone and I am not getting everything done I need to in a day. SO, this morning, I left at 4:30 to get to the gym at 5:00. Do I hate that? YES. Will it make the rest of the day go better? Yes, unless I fall asleep doing something important.

Super Duper Doctor Mom

Last night, both Evan and Ian came to me with fevers just before bed. SERIOUSLY?? Sunday night and fevers? I gave them both immunitizers and some liquid chlorophyll (I have had that stuff forever but hardly ever use it because it stains everything close to it). Both slept well and woke up fine. YEAH. Evan said his stomach hurt. In this case, his stomach hurt because he didn't want to wake up and was hoping to be sent back to bed. Instead, he was told to put his sheets in the washer.

On advice from FFN, I am giving him kefir. Seems to me kefir is more for stomach and yogurt is more for guts. Giving him acidophilus, also. Trying the chlorophyll for awhile with both Evan and Ian. Ian is very gassy. Ginger helps him a little with it, but maybe this will help, also. This prescription doesn't seem to be helping Evan at all. I will keep giving it to him for the rest of the month and make an effort to figure this out myself. I think he is having some stomach issue but I think at least half of it is not real. And I might completely change my mind on that within the hour.

Lily is standing all by herself. Not standing up but letting go of her support and staying balanced.

Bought fruit trees last night. Bought Adam a Red Delicious apple tree because he loves them. He gave me a big, sincere hug--it was sweet. He was so happy I bought him a tree.

Kissy?

Lily is giving me those big open mouth kisses. Man, I love that. I ask for a kiss and she opens her mouth and leans toward me. Today, she did it on her own. LOVE THAT.

Yesterday, Dan fixed the riding lawn mower that was in terrible shape and I gardened with Alec. We amended some of the soil and then put cardboard down, with just tiny rows for seeds. Adam put the seeds down. Cilantro, carrot and spinach. Never got around to the lettuce. Also, put down onions. Hopefully this garden will be a success. You might remember last year's disaster and the year before we didn't have one because of the move. It is time for a garden.

We also put created a herb garden. Bought the plants and put down the huge pieces of cardboard that my painting came in from my cousin. Just cut hole big enough for the plants and then mulched around it. Ian is expecting pesto this fall, so here's hoping. Also planted a nice rhubarb plant, but they don't do well down here, so that might not work out. But I get an "A" for effort. It won't be because the soil isn't perfect or it had to compete with weeds. No sireebob.

Needless to say, I am very red, and very sore. Went to the gym yesterday morning, so it is a toss up as to what caused the upper back pain.

What's Wrong?

Lily finally slept all night. I kept waking up thinking something was wrong with her. Mothers are odd ducks.

Giving a teenager an American History test right now.

Someone reminded me to tweet. It suits my personality. @dairael

There are days I can't get anyone to do their hair.

Lasagna dinner coming at 11:00. Making them tea and muffins. Hoping the chickens will spit out a couple more eggs so I can double the batch.

Low on eggs because I made bacon and eggs on asparagus last night. VERY good.

Thinking in sound bites today.

Blasted Couponing

Had our grocery run tonight. This couponing is driving me nuts. You would not believe the money I save. Amazingly unbelievable shocking amount of money, but good grief, it takes a lot of time and brain power and I am lacking in both. I mean a six pack of good paper towels and a bag of Dove chocolate for just over $1, but it took three transactions and about eight coupons in those three transactions to get me there.

Someone is bringing me food for dinner Friday. Just to be nice because of Ruby's death. Isn't that nice?

Bought Dan pickled herring tonight that was not on sale. Just saying. I want points for that.

Miss Lil's top two teeth are coming in. Did I mention that? Did I mention she was up at 4:00 this morning? And did not want to go back to sleep? Not good. Not good at all.

Evan still says his stomach hurts all the time. I don't know. I asked him if he was really sure it hurt so much and he said, "Well, you know I have reflux." I had to explain that we don't KNOW it and the pills cost a lot and if they don't make it all better, we should stop taking them. I am trying to trick him in case he is fibbing. I am like that.

Hey, remember back in January when the house was done and I was so organized all of a sudden and life was working so much better. It stopped. Working. Too much life and too many trips. I need it back.

Just found out Alec can get his permit to drive in July. Wow.

Young Mr. Evan

Took the little man to the doctor yesterday. She thinks he has reflux. Her son has the same thing. She told us to try prevacid. She said the prescription ones dissolve in his mouth and might be easier. With our insurance, they cost about the same as the OTC kind (about $1 a pill--are you kidding me??). Without the insurance, it would have been $180 for 30. Yeah, I think the government is going to totally screw up health care but it sure is in bad shape already. Glad I'm not in charge of it. It just leaves me thinking about how important it is to take charge of your own health. I am already looking into alternative things for reflux.

We gave him one pill yesterday, but after dinner he said he he lay down at all he felt like he had to throw up. That was after the pill. It isn't supposed to work that way.

Alec has yet another orthodontist appt. If I could just get him and Adam on the same schedule, it would help but they go in at different intervals.

Giving Alec a government test right now. Good times. Lily is cutting her upper front teeth. Again, fun, fun, fun.

Second to last bowling today. Cold here. Need warm back. We started some seeds in the garage last night, even though I said I wasn't going to. Just a few. Really.

Have grand plans for the spring. Will tell you all about it at a later date.

SPRING!

It is 76 degrees at 11:40. And I am dressed. I could not say that at 11:00. Well, it might have been 76, but that other thing hadn't happened yet. That is the laziest I have been in a good long time.


OK, now it is two hours later. Lily slept for a few minutes after crying for many minutes. HOW CAN SHE NOT NEED SLEEP?? She is driving me nuts. It is like she is trying to cement her place as my LAST child. heehee.


Then men enjoyed their stay with CM's family. They are at the Minnesota History Museum or some such place today.

Ok, now it is two days later. Can't seem to get this posted. Got the guys at about 11:00 Saturday night and all were in bed by 2:00 am. Seemed crazy but it saved us $400 one way to go that late.

Was all excited about all things spring but yesterday was cool and rainy. Hung my grandmother's painting in the stairwell. Went to the gym for the first time in three weeks. That was about it for Sunday.

This morning started with Evan's stomach hurting. He is wrenching at the potty without much success. He has complained of a stomach ache for weeks. Whenever I ask, he says his stomach hurts. I don't know what to do with him. Increased fiber. I don't know. Taking him to the doc later this morning.

Dealing with an attitude in the blonde kid. Had to reschedule Al's ortho appt for later today. Trying to make decisions about Alec's math. Lily is having such a hard time right now. Really fussy. Sleeping poorly. Dan is asleep at the wheel of life. Not digging what is on my plate right now.

Working Together

It is amazing how well children can work together to clean a kitchen when you tell them that they can't do Wii until it is done and if they fight there will be NO Wii. Amazing. Wish it didn't take that. I made homemade mac and cheese where you cook the noodles in milk and then just add cheese. They did not love it.

Alec got to shovel dirt into Grandma's grave. This has been a good trip for him. I think he learned things on this trip he will keep with him. Like having an extra handkerchief to offer to blubbering females. The guys Dan lunched with talked about taking a trip together. That would be good for them. I hope they follow through. You know how men are.

I swore I was done buying diapers. I have a ton and decided to work on infant potty training. Well, today, I got four $3 off coupons for huggies and then had a $10 off a $20 purchase at Kmart. I could have just bought three, I guess. If I had done that, it would have been $11 for three packs of diapers, or 3.66 a pack. I have a tower of diapers in Lil's closet. Speaking of her closet, I just pulled out her 12 month clothes. My baby can wear 12 month clothes! I think I hit it correctly. I bought 18 month summer clothes. And then light knit long clothes for 24 months. I think that will work.

It was 75 degrees here today! The kids complained it was too hot! Yikes. I have been outside so much more than normal, I have lists and lists of chores.

Rough Night

Ian had a hard night--he dreamt that Alec died. I think he felt better talking to him this morning.

Lily was up a couple of times. There were coyotes close with their freaky whine and the dogs were going nuts. Evan was sleeping in my bed (they are taking turns while Dan is gone) and he started yelling at one point. I told him to stop and he said, "Yes, mom." This morning he thought it was so funny that he talked to me in his sleep.

I gave Lily something called a yogurt melt this morning. It is a baby food that is supposed to dissolve easily. Poor thing--it got stuck on her tongue and just gagged her. I guess we stick to purees for awhile longer.

The men are staying at Crazy Margie's house tonight. They leave at 7:00 tomorrow night and get to Atlanta at 10:30. That means at bedtime, we will be leaving for Atlanta. And getting home about 1 a.m. or so. Yuck. Will be so nice to have them home. Sunday will be a day of recovery. Then we will start thinking about all the spring chores.

While I was reading though the Erickson Family Times, I was struck by how close I seemed to be with Ruby during that time. I don't really remember it that way but we were very involved in each other's lives. I think you all know about how we had invited her to live with us when she could no longer live in her home and how she agreed and then changed her mind after three frantic weeks of getting ready for her and how she had someone else call to tell us and how she blamed it on me. Yeah. Things were very different after that and it is a shame but that is how I will remember her.

The guys are going to the cemetery today while they bury her.

That's Why You Don't Look at My Screen

I get after Ian about coming over to my computer when I am on it and looking at what I'm doing. That is rude. Tonight, I was on the phone and looking at pictures the guys sent me. When I realized he was looking, I tried to change the picture but he saw one of Ruby in her casket. He got so upset seeing Ruby's mom's body at her funeral. And he got really upset again. He finally went downstairs after he seemed calmed down, but I heard him sobbing. I am going to give him a few minutes and check him. I guess he really got hit with the fact Grandma is gone. He loved her. He has a soft heart.

They said the funeral went well. Lots of people and lots of stories about her. Her nephew drove 19 hours straight and then turned around and drove back, but his father (her only sibling) didn't go. Dan and Alec were both satisfied with their parts. Dan's three best pals from high school were there and they are going to lunch tomorrow. I told Alec to take their pictures--DON'T FORGET! I have one of them in high school and one about ten years later and now this is about 25 years later. Man, they are old.

Dan and I talked about how so many people at the funeral were older than Ruby and so much healthier. Her health has directly related to her lifestyle. We talked about making better choices and not ending up like her. The funny part was the boys and I were making raised doughnuts right then! They begged!! So, ummm....right after we eat up those doughnuts.

Going to go check my boy.

The Funeral...

...is today. They sound ready. Will report back.

Every week in 2004 and 2005, we made Ruby a four page newsletter, called "Erickson Family Times." How original, huh? I would write a letter and add pictures and then the older two would each write something that I would scan and add and then Adam would scribble on the back page. He was a toddler back then.

Someone gave Ruby a 3 ring binder and page protectors and she saved most of them. I brought them home and was going through them last night. Journals are a good thing. I read so many things in there I did not remember at all and saw pictures that never made it into our photo albums. I am copying and pasting the blog posts into a word document and will print them out at some point. There can be such a difference in remembering something and reading what you thought right at the time.

Took school off yesterday to catch up on some life. Schooling today and tomorrow. Told them we might even do it Saturday, but I doubt it.

One More Day Down

Mimsi, the turkey, seems ok and is setting on the eggs. The three eggs I left her when I assumed her death was imminent. Nobody was sitting on the eggs in the hen house. My good setter is being mama to a little chick, so someone else would have to be in the mood. This does not thrill my heart, but I am glad Mimsi is still alive.

I ordered baby chickens and turkeys to come this summer. I am helping a bowling mom get started with chickens. I told her I'd order with her and keep her few with mine until they are bigger. We decided to increase the flock and sell eggs to cover the cost of their feed. I ordered, once again, several special kinds I have struggled with keeping alive to adulthood. Buff Laced Polish, Blue Andalusians, Lakenvelders and Egyptian Fayoumis are some of them. Also ordered more Bourbon Red and Royal Palm Turkeys. Going to try to raise up more turkey girls. As far as meat goes, I would much rather butcher small turkeys than chickens. More meat for the work.

The men up north went to Betty's Pies for dinner. They wrapped up some odds and ends and Alec worked on school. Dan is giving the eulogy tomorrow and Alec is reading a bible passage--not sure what, exactly. They are setting things up tonight. Visitation starts at 1:00 Duluth time. They went in to the Lutheran church Dan's parents were married at earlier tonight. A beautiful old church downtown. The woman who was there knew Ruby, which was interesting considering they didn't go to that church. I guess living in Duluth for 70 years, lots of people are going to know you.

Crazy Margie was telling me about her eldest daughter's recent hospital stay for an appendectomy. There were two incidents with medications that would make you never want to get sick again. Yikes. She also told me I sounded so flighty she thought I was drinking. HaHa--drunk with together time with children. Making me loooooony.

Three more days to go.

Ruby's Obit

Here is Ruby's Obituary.

Oh Good, New Day

I keep thinking about how every difficulty I face is one God decided I could handle. So, I keep trying to handle. Because God thinks I can.

We were outside yesterday when I noticed my girl turkey, Mimsi was limping. On further inspection, her wing was sort of hanging low. We finally caught her and realized she had a major injury. I looked like something slashed at her. Or maybe her wing got caught in something and she pulled it away. She has a gaping wound. I really didn't think she could survive it--looked terrible. I left her some eggs and took some to the hen house, in hopes someone will set on them. Just went out to check her and she is setting on the ones I left. She seems alert. She was eating yesterday. I don't know. Hope she makes it but I don't think there is anything to do to help her.

Later, when we went out to do chores, we could not find Salami. Turned out he was hiding or stuck between the tarps inside their shelter. That was a tense few minutes.

Alec's eye is swollen. Did I mention that? I hope it goes away before the funeral. Which is Thursday, did I mention that?

Bowling this afternoon and then we are going to Ev's bowling buddy's house (the Lutherans, if your keeping denominational track). We will have dinner there. She knows I am struggling. I called her before I told the kids about grandma. I told her I needed her to pray for me. Right now. And she did. Good friend.

No Bang or Bust

Mondays usually start one way or the other. Today, we are just rambling along. Trying to remember our normal routine. The kids usually do better at that than me. Evan is slow as molasses but he eventually gets it done.

Dan said Alec has a swollen eye. He has had this a few times before. I think he gets pollen underneath his eye lid. Told him to stick his face in a sink full of water and blink. That seems to cure a lot of eye issues.

Started giving Lily some finger food. Just some baby cereal. She has absolutely no interest in it. She still needs things to be perfectly smooth or it gags her. I remember Evan being like that for a long, long time.

I am having a hard time screwing my head on straight. Seems like things are a mess and I can't seem to get them straight. I know I should give myself a break with life being as it is, but it seems like the more normal I keep it the better.

Kid Funny

Adam and Ian made pancakes today since Dan is gone. As Ian was grinding the grain, he said, "Hey mom, did you know they actually sell pancake mixes?" as if that was a wild, novel thing. He wasn't complaining; he just didn't know I had heard about them.

Single Parent Sunday

Wow, I was so tired last night. We went to bed early and slept as long as I could get away with this morning. Can't remember the time because I am thinking about the old time and then the daylight savings time and then the time Dan is on so I am all messed up. Still haven't changed most of the clocks. That is something Dan usually does.

I am missing many gym visits from last week and this week. I took the kids to a track by a school this afternoon to at least get a little walking in. I look forward to the boringness of normal life.

Dan has countless people to meet with tomorrow. He has to so work on Ruby's 2009 taxes with her CPA and talk to her lawyer and her pastor. Also the funeral home folks. Alec brought up his science and math so he won't fall behind.

Lily gets "No." I don't think anyone else had it down this well this young. If I tell her no, she will immediately stop touching whatever I want her to stop touching or will stop going in the direction she was going. Love that.

Normal school day tomorrow. Guess I ought to grade Friday's school before then.

The Long Week Starts

We left the house before 6:00 to get Dan and Alec to the Atlanta airport for their flight out to Minneapolis. We tried to get them on later flights but couldn't get them both on. The Atlanta airport seemed huge to me and so crowded. There were lines everywhere, but somehow the places we needed to be didn't have long lines. The person checking bags let up weigh Lily--17 pounds, which seems high to me. It was hard to leave Alec. He is almost always with me and it will be a long week with them gone.

The funeral will be Wednesday or Thursday, which would mean they won't be home until Thursday at the earliest.

We went to IKEA in downtown Atlanta afterwards and then home. They were in Minneapolis before we were even home.

Baby Salami is so darn cute. I am starting to think the other goat might be pregnant. Dan was going to work on a milk stand today. We are going to be so out of whack after this week, it will take a month to get back on track.

Two friends from school are talking about meeting down here and staying with us next fall. That would be fun to host them.

I am worn out. We already did animal chores and the kids are playing Wii. Early bed time for all. Someone tell Lil, ok? She is starting to stand without holding on to anything.

March 12th

Ruby already died. She died on her birthday. My mother also died on March 12th. That is weird. Dan and Alec are flying up tomorrow.

Ruby

The decision was made today to stop Ruby's dialysis. She is expected to pass within the week. Dan is getting ready to fly back up to Duluth.

HOME Rocks

Wow, as much as I do not love where I life, I was so glad to get back to it. We rolled in the drive at exactly midnight, on the dot. And we were in bed at 12:15.

We had a good time at the Creation Museum. Got to do some dinosaur building with Buddy Davis and his wife and talk to him a little. He is the one who had gone up to our old house for a concert last summer. Headed home about 3:00. Made it back in one piece, except we lost Evan's bag with his camera and wallet. He does not seemed bothered by this at all. He was in tears this afternoon because he could not juggle after trying for two minutes but losing all his spending money and his camera did not really bother him. The mind of a six year old...

The baby goat is just precious. And Sally is such a good mama.

Before I go further, may I say I have feel as if I will never be caught up again, which i know is not true and yet it feels like it, all the same.

We are back to school tomorrow, even though we did not get all the laundry done, nor everything put away. Why did we not get everything put away, you ask?

Ian ended up slicing his finger with a knife we had gotten at Ruby's. It was a super sharp steak knife. He was taking the cardboard cover off it and he REALLY got himself good. So, off to the E.R. we went. Also, had to go get milk. And we went to the chiropractor. And I have this baby.

I sorted through all the pictures we took from Ruby's. I have seven people I made stacks for. Need to get them sent off and be done with it. There weren't too many I was unfamiliar with but there was a neat one of Dan's dad as a baby.

On a side note, nutella on banana bread is REALLY good.

Heading Home

My head is spinning from the last few days. The first day in Duluth, that would be Friday, Dan worked on financial stuff for his mother. The boys swam in the waterpark of the hotel we were at in the morning and then we drove up the north shore. We ate at Betty's pies. I am so glad there is a major portion of the country between us and Betty's pies. It was so good I would be there every day. We played on the shore and went to Gooseberry Falls and to Split Rock Light house. Ate dinner at Sammy's Pizza, which was what we always ate when we visited Grandma. Saturday, we went to bring portraits from Ruby's apartment to her nursing home room. She had boxes and boxes and a bunch of albums of pictures. I took them to sort out an redistribute to various relatives. Our van was so jammed, we could hardly move on the three hours down to Boyceville.


Yesterday, we saw pert near everyone we knew in the Boyceville area. It was great. Wonderful. Went to one church in the morning and another in the evening. Visited our old neighbors, who fed us lunch and made me a b-day cake. Went up the hill to the old place. While in the goat pen looking at FFN's goats that she keeps up there, the woman taking care of our animals called to say our goat Sally had her baby! We were shocked. We didn't think she was close to delivery. Just talked to the woman and she said she'd email us pictures tonight. She said they seem to be doing well.

I was so tired by the time we ate dinner, I was absolutely giddy. I taught B how to make those fabulous no-knead baguettes I posted a while back. She is in love with them and was on the phone with her sister early this morning when I woke up telling her about them.

We are about to get to Urbana to have dinner with my pal, Debbie. Then to the hotel in Indianapolis.

Day Two

Hey Kids. Day one of the trip went well and we still have as many kids as we left with. Got to my cousin's house at 5:55. Told him we'd shoot for 6:00. THAT is good timing.

We left our house at 6:00 but had to go back to get something we forgot and then we had to stop because being in the car for 30 minutes was too much for Ev and he threw up. He's been fine since. Lily is in the third seat between two boys and it is working out great!! Having two people in her face has kept her happy. We stop every few hours to feed her and change diapers. We did just realize all the diapers we have left are in the carrier on top of the van and not close to the opening. Bum-mer.

My cousin had lots of pictures to show us. Saw pictures of his boys (3) growing up. He had several of my father before my parents made the awful mistake of getting married. He also had many of me as a baby. He is copying one for me that was of me and my great-grandmother Jennie (she is cousin Carl's maternal grandmother).

There was a very, very, very exciting point of the evening. They have a huge painting my grandmother painted and gave to Carl's mom (her sister). It is of a bouquet of flowers. They are giving it to me! They are going to ship it to me. I can't believe how gracious that was of them. I know right were it is going to go in my house. That makes me very happy.

We left their house about 7:30. The GPS says we'll get to Duluth at 5:36. We already gained an hour crossing into Illinois. With our stops, it will be more like 7:00.

There Will be a Test

Are you keeping this whole trip thing straight? Not me! Just talked to my friend in Urbana, IL--well emailed. We will meet her on the way home. We will have dinner with her and then head to Indianapolis. Then, the next morning, we will drive to the Creation Museum and head home--that will be eight hours. Oh my, I am not up for all this driving!!!

I am quite sure I have never seen this many loved ones on one trip ever. My head is spinning. I think everything is pretty much packed except clothes. Somebody quiz me and see if I forgot anything.

Pre Birthday

That is what my people keep calling today. We decided to celebrate my birthday today since I will be spending my real birthday in a van for 12 hours. Yuck.

The boys got me such nice gifts. Yankee candles from the younger two. Alec got me nice salt and pepper grinders. I have some fancy black salt I love but it is in big chunks. I need to be able to grind them. Ian gave me a hand mixer--I haven't had one for years. He remembered when I need to mix something while it was on a double boiler and I couldn't figure out how to do it. It was thoughtful of him to think of that. Alec and Ian made me a Tres Leche Cake. It was a nice day.

Our turkey girl is up to 8 eggs and she seemed to be setting today. So excited about her hatching out chicks. Are turkey babies called chicks? Speaking of chicks, they are hatching today. Only one was out when we checked--hopefully there will be more. This mama is so calm--she never pecks when we reach under her.

We washed snow clothes to pack today. I wish we didn't have to bring it all, just because it takes up so much space. Tomorrow, we will pack everything other than clothes and then Tuesday, we'll wash and pack clothes. And then get up at an obscene hour Wednesday to leave. Ok. Got it? Got it.

Not Up for This

Can't believe the trip I have ahead of me next week. I think it is better to have so little time to prepare. Thinking about it wears me out. Thinking about the kids losing their only grandparent stinks. I know that is God's choice for my kids. I need to hang on to that. Because, otherwise, how can that not make you sad? Lily will never know a grandparent. Evan will hardly remember her. Ian is going to take this hard. He is a softy.

And it is so weird to mix that with all the joy of seeing friends and having my kids meet our cousin (he would be their first cousin, twice removed, to be exact). We're going to a water park and the Creation Museum. We might even get to go sledding.

Wears me out just thinking about it all.

Oops

I realized my birthday is actually Monday, not Tuesday. March 8th. It's Dan's fault. He told me it was on a Tuesday. That means I get to spend my birthday in a van. Great.

More Trip Stuff

I am so excited. I got a hold of my cousin in Indiana and he even invited us to stay with him! He gets our Christmas card picture, so he knows how many kids we have! I haven't seen him since I was a kid. I get all giddy thinking about it.

Talked to B up in Boyceville to tell her we were coming. She invited us to stay at her house for the two nights we will be in her area. That was gracious of her--we have been pretty rocky since I moved.

The hotel in Duluth with the waterpark was actually the cheapest hotel I could find. I can't believe how expensive the hotels were in Duluth, Minnesota in March. That is still the dead of winter up there.

Today, we are going to the library and I need to start making my lists of what we need to do, get and pack.

At bible study last night I got to thinking about what this means to my kids to be seeing their only grandparent for the last time. Came very close to losing it in front of the Lutheran ladies.

Humungous Change of Plans

Last night, Dan's least crazy sister called to say the doctor told her their mother, Ruby, would not be able to ever go back to her apartment. Let me go back a bit--she had her hip replaced a few weeks back and isn't doing well from the surgery. She also has diabetes, heart issues and is on dialysis. The doctor told his sister he wished he had not done the surgery. She was, however in constant pain from the hip. May I just toss in that I think getting old seems really not fun.

His sister said she was going up next week to clean out Ruby's apartment and get her papers in order. She told Dan she and her family are moving to Tennessee in June (from Indiana) and she planned to move Ruby to a nursing home down there. It does not escape me that we were told Ruby decided to not live with us a few years back because she feared I would get tired of caring for her (isn't that sweet?) and leave her in a nursing home down by us where we would be the only people she knew. So now, his sister plans to do that and apparently it isn't so bad. Bitter? No, not me.

The thing is, she isn't sure Ruby will even live that long. Of course, if she does, I bet moving several states away will do her a world of good--not.

Dan and I decided we should take the kids up to see her and have Dan help his sister clean out her stuff and put her affairs in order. I can't even remember if they are co-executors or what. They need to get Ruby's crazy cousin off her checking account too. Good times that will be, huh?

We are waiting to talk to the woman who took care of our animals when we went to Charleston. I have told Alec what is up but not the little boys. The tentative plan it to leave next Wednesday morning. I am trying to get ahold of a cousin I haven't seen in forever who lives in Indiana. He is about at our halfway point so I was hoping we might be able to see him.

We would get to Duluth Friday and they would do what they need to do Friday and Saturday. Sunday, we were hoping to be in Boyceville and see as many people there as we could. I was hoping we could go to the Assemblies of God church that morning and then visit our old neighbors that afternoon and the Baptist church that evening. Hopefully. Then we'll drive to Cincinnati Monday and spend my birthday, Tuesday, at the Creation Museum (not that I really want to spend my birthday there--maybe at the Creation Spa!!). Then home by Wednesday at some point. Yuck. Hate long car rides. Need to get organized--at least I have almost a week to get ready.

So, that's the deal.

From Wednesday

Blogger is in a bad mood, so I will type this and paste it as soon as it lets me. The Publix Ad came out today. Publix is the higher end store down here. Overall, it is the priciest, but it also has a ton of great buy one, get one free items every week. I can always find coupons for the stuff so I get it really cheap. At some point I am going to have to stop couponing for awhile because we are running out of places to put all these grand deals. We will use it, don't worry. Today, I will buy eight Right Guard deodorants for about .30 each. That's why I am buying eight. But it will take us awhile to use eight, so I need to store a bunch of cheap deo. Underneath my bed is already full. It was empty before I started couponing.

If all the coupon talk has you wondering if you should give it a try, let me tell you one thing: IT TAKES FOREVER!!! I spent an hour and a half today putting together the publix list and gathering the coupons. The reason had as much to do with Miss Lil as anything but, still. And that was with the help of the Southern Savers website. There is no way I could pull this off without her help.

MONDAY?!?! Are you Kidding Me?

Good grief, I was so not ready for today. Yesterday, we went to church, came home and ate lunch and went to a waterfall--pictures on Facebook. Three hour drive, round trip. Then home and dinner and we worked on coupons--cutting out a ton, organizing them and getting Wednesday's shopping trip ready--everyone assisted. By then it was bedtime. Woke up today and realized I forgot to grade school and finish Treasure Island. Not a good feeling at 5:30 am. Graded school but will have to work on the book at some (??) point. Alec told me how it ended and we started him on his essay. Done with morning school so am typing the last few recipe I have in here. Three of the kids saw the chocolate cheesecake recipe in the trash (I tossed it after I typed it in here) and freaked out!

Yesterday's waterfall trip was exciting. The path we were supposed to go on (up a hill) had a tree down in it and we didn't think that was the right path. We ended up on a steep hill going over and under downed trees and through mud and over loose rocks. It was something. I can't believe I agreed to do it, but I was so proud that we all made it in one piece. I could tell going to the gym is helping. It was certainly our most adventurous trip yet.

Went to a used clothing sale Saturday. Bought Lily summer clothes. Hope I got the right size. Saw the nutty homebirthing midwife I had gone to way back when and avoided her. There are a few more of those sales coming up and I will be at them!

Addie sees the orthodontist this afternoon.

Day Off

Not really, but Friday is our different day. No regular school and we do field trips or projects. Today was not quite that, though. We went to the library and a few thrift stores. The two by me are terrible. I am going to have to branch out. The Goodwill was selling jeans for $7.25!! I can buy them at Walmart for $8, new. And some of the used ones were Walmart brands. I did find Adam one pair of jeans for $3 at the other store, but that was it.

Last night, however, I hit thrift store heaven. I was at a make-up bible study (with two women who hate Beth Moore and griped about her the whole time) and my friend who leads it mentioned they were having a thrift sale at the church this weekend and I could look around. ARE YOU KIDDING?! Talk about a pre-sale. It was all for me! I got a couple of lovely green bowls. Outfit for Lily. A Kenneth Cole purse that I love, a bunch of DK Eyewitness books. A popover pan for Dan who, for some weird reason, loves popovers. Do you know how expensive a popover pan is? Box of canning jars. Pretty light blue sweater for me. Three pairs of shorts for some lucky kid. A necklace for myself even though I never wear them. A Boppy for Lil. Copy of The Screwtape Letters and some other books. Water bottle for the gym. Can't even remember what else, but that was all for $14.

My friend thought she locked her keys in the church so I took her home. Turned out she dropped them in one of my bags she helped me carry out and I figured it out after I got home. Bummer. Will drop them off tonight, as Lil and I are going to a potluck at someone's house tonight. We will be discussing sprouting for health. Probably. I am bringing baguettes and honey butter. Dan is taking the males to the Planetarium. No idea of what is for dinner but popovers are for dessert.

Latest coupon score was a bunch of dollar off coupons for Stoneyfield yogurt that is a dollar at Walmart. Let me save you the math--that makes it free.

Shopping Report

Evan didn't finish his supper in time to go shopping with me and Adam. Am actually kind of relieved. Adam is such a great helper, but if Evan went, a lot of my attention would have gone into keeping track of him. He is like the nutty professor--really really smart, but really really clueless. Anyhoo, Adam was great--at CVS a lady dropped some change and he ran to help her pick it up, but then he stopped for a second to look at me to make sure it was ok to do so. Was so proud of him to first think to help and then to think to make sure it was ok--the woman gave him two quarters. He was really tickled.

We actually had fun. With two people both interested in what they are doing and feeling like they are getting great deals and accomplishing something, shopping is actually kind of fun. Can't believe I just said that.

After getting home, there was a great time of bragging on the great deals. I have so much cheap (REALLY cheap) cereal in the house, we are going to need to find a new place to store it.

Just Popping In

I keep meaning to blog, but there seem to be so many things to talk about, I can't decide where to begin.

Well, our turkey laid her first egg. We are just tickled about this. The thought of being able to hatch out our own turkeys is awesome. So much more bang for the buck meat-wise than chickens. I think we also decided to increase our chicken flock this year so we can sell enough eggs to cover our feed bill for them. I think that is what we decided.

Adam and Evan are trying to see how high a tower they can build with their Jinga game. And they are working together. Beautifully. Taking turns. No fussing. Oh my--it is music to my ears. Too rarely heard.

Alec asked me to buy buckwheat so he can make his own malt. We do weird stuff.

Tonight is shopping night. I am going to three drug stores and three grocery stores. At one store, I have $25 worth of coupons, most of which are being stacked with buy one, get one deals. Yesterday, I bought five packs of diapers online (free shipping) for half of what they'd have cost at Walmart. It took a coupon, a code and a rebate to get it, though. That was a $25 savings--the savings are great but the time spent is nuts. I am getting it so much more than I did just last week and I am sure I will get my groove down soon. But still.

Lil has had two horrible nights. Teething. Joy.

Alec has been building a shelter outdoors out of branches. He wants to go camping and build his own shleter. Dan is SOOO excited. Not. I told Alec he needs to practice a lot at home first.

Snowy Saturday

Yes, I know nobody reading this is excited about snow anymore, but we got the most lovely snowfall last night. Maybe two inches of wet, snowball making stuff. It clung to the trees and was so pretty. It is probably 40 right now and very sunny. I am sure it won't last long. Ian and Adam are building a snowman and trying to sled on big bin lids. Dan took Alec and Evan to the mountains to tube. They were supposed to go two weeks ago, but that was when the ice storm hit. My biannual homeschool group meeting was supposed to be that day, also, and then was moved to today. It got cancelled again. The planetarium trip got cancelled last night too. People do not DO winter here.

Dan told me that this was the first time he replaced an alternator and he was really nervous. He said it was easier than he expected. THIS IS WHY WE LIVE THIS WAY. I want the boys to not be scared to just do something themselves. It saves money. It saves the time of finding someone else to do it and dealing with them doing a poor job or not showing up when they said they would, etc. Of course, there are times when we flub things up, but so do the professionals. My van would have been at the shop for at least a day for something that would have taken an hour to do. I'm just sayin'.

On a totally different note, I have been thinking about how parents like to say that you have to leave kids alone work things out amongst themselves so they learn how to do so. It just dawned on me how dumb that is. What other things in life do you just leave a kid alone to figure out themselves? Math? Driving? Potty Training? You guide them through those things until they can do it alone. But people leave kids on their own to deal with bullies and bossy friends and mean girls. That is lame. That is why kids become bullies or victims or mean girls. Thank you for letting me get that off my chest.

The plan is to work on recipes today. Between all the other stuff. I hate how when a mom has some free alone time, the first thought is about which chore they should work on. Hate that.

Hey Kids

Long time no see. Have had some interesting days. Too busy, but I have seen God working in my life like crazy. Showing me stuff. Testing me. It has been tiring but fun. Actually, it is 7:00 and I am about to go to bed because I am plum worn out.

I have been having a problem with my belly. Nausea coming out of nowhere (and no I'm not you-know-what). Had to stop exercising last night, it was so strong.

Yesterday, Alec scratched himself good with some barbed wire he was taking down so today we took him in for a tetanus shot. On the way there my radio went off and said low battery. Then other electronic things started going crazy. Van was dead after the doc appt. Dan came to save us--the funny thing was I had to stand in the parking spot next to us to save it for him so he could jump me. Lily insisted on being held so we just stood out in the (relative) cold until he came. He replaced the alternator tonight. It cost $200--can you imagine if we had to pay someone else to do it??

Manly Art

I like the blog The Art of Manliness. Not all of it, but I like that they seem to be reaching out to men who were raised more by MTV than their fathers. I like the posts telling people to just MAN UP. The post today on "hustling" was great.

Speaking of which, I have a ton to do before I leave for the gym in an hour. Bye Bye.

Sunday, it is--is there a Ball Game On?

What a funny day. Full of things that made me know God was working on me. We went to the church Ron Hamilton goes to. He is Patch the Pirate. My kids have gone to bed listening to him for years.

Got there and had to find the nursery because Lily had pooped. If there was ever a church that needed to either build or split in half, it was this one. Packed full of folks. OK, so find my way to the nursery and change her, except between diapers being under she SHE PEED ALL OVER HER VERY VERY CUTE DRESS, STOCKINGS AND BLOOMERS. And onesie. I keep the diaper bag out in the van. So I ask the very nice ladies to hold my now naked besides her diaper baby. I was laughing like a loon because it was so funny and I felt like such a dork. Found Dan and he ran out and got the change of clothes for her.

The service was great--the music was unbelievable. It was beautiful and Mr. Hamilton (who is the music leader) was so excited and joyful about it. Oh, it was just wonderful. We met him afterwards--he was so gracious and patient. It was just wonderful. We might go back in two weeks when the pastor finishes the message he started (it was called "Stuff about Satan"--funny name, but it was good). The church is 45 minutes away--we have to try harder to find a closer church first.

After church we went to the home of a crazy gal I scrapbook with. She invited some other folks too and it was a lot of fun. Another mom who had five kids (three boys and then two girls) and is in my lame home school group and then another scrap booker. Very nice ladies. The mom was a couponer and was trying to explain some things to me. I can't believe I would try this now, but I found such a good website to help me and I am going to give it a try. I can't believe how much money I save when I do it. I am just trying to start slow. Anyhoo, we had a great meal and good conversation.

Home and Alec and I went out to get a paper and go my CVS shopping. I will spare you the details, but it was a comedy of errors. After such a nice day I came home so stressed out and irked. Trying to chill back into happy land and get a good night's sleep so I can hit the ground running. We have something happening every night this week. And Saturday--sometimes more than one thing. I hate that!!!!

Hope you have a lovely week.

Worthy of a Standing O

Miss Lil just pulled herself up to stand all by herself. The boys gathered round and gave her a standing ovation.

Okey Doke

After school, Dan took a half day off and drove me to the ER to get an xray. No bone break, so I got a funky shoe and came home. I am quite sure I have never hurt BOTH feet at the same time. Talk about feeling silly. I can waddle, but it ain't fun. I am resting tomorrow and scrapbooking Saturday, so those are my two day or rest and then it better be better. Because, you know, I gotta get on with life. And stop feeling sorry for myself.

ouch

Well, here's the stupid story: I sat for too long on a leg. I got up and started to walk. The leg was asleep from the knee down. It didn't dawn on me it wouldn't work. If my hand falls asleep, the fingers still wiggle and work. But I took a step and it was like jelly. So, the smart thing to do was take another step, right? Down the old girl went. It hurt!! I twisted the ankle. The problem is, I did something to the other foot. Between the big toe and the next toe it is swollen and bruised. So, here I sit. Still have school to do. Still have a baby.

Of course, if it was a kid, we'd go to the doc to be safe. But it is mom. Life just keeps putzing along.

And the Results Are...

A foreign object in the ear. Apparently, at some point in time, Adam stuck part of one of those jelly type things kids use to hold their pencils correctly in his ear. And, last night, when he used his Q-Tip, it pushed it in and hurt. I am not sure if he even remembered the thing he stuck in there. I am not sure because he lied at the doc about putting something in there and now I am not all together sure what is true. I even told the doc that there were some kids of mine I would not believe but I was pretty sure if Ad told me he didn't stick something in his ear, he didn't. Then she pulled out this thing. Love being humbled.

The ear drum so fine. The thing was a translucent yellow, which is what I saw last night, I had no clue it was thing. I thought it was ear goo.

Betty White Says...

Do you remember the old Q-Tips ads with Betty White telling you to never stick anything in your ear? Apparently, Adam hasn't seen those. He stuck one in too far and said it really hurt. I checked his ear with the otoscope (which I have always been terrible at using to diagnose anything) and that side looks much different from the other side. I couldn't find a good picture online of a perforated ear drum, but I am concerned he might have one, so off to the doctor we will go this morning.

What's for Dinner?

The other thing I am working on this month (well, February) is organizing recipes. I prefer to shop to fill the pantry and be able to choose what to eat daily instead of making a plan for a week. The problem is I can't think of anything to make half the time. I have an index card that reminds me in the morning to decide what is for dinner and I write it up on my kitchen chalkboard. I just have a terrible time thinking up something.

The idea I came up with morphed from something I read at a blog called Like Mother, Like Daughter. What I am doing is making up a list of all the meals we ever, ever eat and typing them out on an full sheet of paper for each one and then putting it in a plastic protector in a 3 ring notebook. I'll also put side dish ideas on the page. Even things like hot dogs--I'll list everything I need for them and side ideas. Then I can just flip through that for inspiration. Also, that should help me keep the freezer and pantry stocked well. At least that is the plan. I have a list of about 75 meals so far and am going to start typing them into the computer. I would like to have about 100 dinner ideas. That shouldn't be too hard. I want a variety so I can work with whatever meat I happen to have in the freezer.

So, there you have what will be keeping me busy in February.

To Coupon Or Not to Coupon

Somehow I ended up on a blog yesterday called Southern Savers. The woman teaches you how to use coupons along with grocery store loss leaders and the whole drug store cash back hoopla to save crazy money. I have always avoided this lunacy by saying that shopping at walmart is the most economical way to balance time and money. Running all over town to save a few bucks just seemed not worth it to me, since at this point in my life I have more money than time.


The two things about this site that pulled me in are that it is free and she types out lists of everything worthwhile in all the local store ads (and then gives links for additional printable coupons). Then you can just check off the things you want at each store and it will print a grocery list for you of just what you want to get. This makes it very easy to get a list together.


Alec and I went out to give this rewards dollars stuff at Walgreen's and CVS a try. I was REALLY confused and it will clearly require me to be more organized than I normally am, but I suppose it is worth it. The biggest problem goes back to time. I have been going to the gym Saturday morning and then stopping at Walmart to shop for the week. It is a pain, but at least I get it all done at once. If I am going to stop at several different stores every week, I need to have a regular time to do so, so that I am not neglecting other responsibilities because I need to go buy cheap hamburger (are you hearing this, you know who??)

Keep On Keepin' On

The house is done. The schedule is just about as perfect as it can be. Hitting the gym 4-5 times a week. Oatmeal every morning. Green smoothie as a snack. Getting enough protein. Lily sleeps through the night. Can someone explain to me why I still feel like taking a nap within an hour of getting up and why the feeling rarely leaves me all day? Good grief. My arms are also killing me. My hands and wrists and elbows just ache all the time. Getting old stinks. I saw a picture of myself when I was about 23, the other day. I wish I had appreciated how pretty I was and enjoyed it. Feel like a very old lady right now. A grumpy old lady.

Lily and eating--let me tell you about that. She generally screams as soon as you put her in the chair. She screams while you feed her. She screams after you feed her. It doesn't matter if she isn't hungry at all, a little hungry or really hungry. She just screams all through it. This morning it won her some special "me" time in her room.

Friday, I am taking the boys to a speech and debate competition. Mostly because it is in my town and it is so cool to find something close to go to. Today, I do my and Dan's laundry and take Alec to the orthodontist. And hope for a nap.

Two Very Unrelated Things

#1, if you read my blog and there are major mistakes, will send please shoot me an email? I keep seeing hulatious errors in the posts. How embarrassing.

#2, go look at this TV entertainment center made into a kids' kitchen. It is awesome.

I Own a Lot of Index Cards

Have to leave in a minute to take Addie to the ortho. Watched that dumb football game last night. I hate football. I hate how I get caught up in it. Hate that.

I told you about Ev's chore cards. I have chore cards, too, but they are in a recipe box. I have a daily tab, one for every day of the week, one for each week of the month and then one for each month. I have every chore I could think of in there so I don't actually have to think about when I need to dust this or clean out that. Then, I just pull out the cards for the day and don't put them away until they are done. I really, really like it.

Ran out of time--back from ortho now. They changed how the wire is in his mouth so it should stay better.

Anyhoo, gym is going well. I go Monday through Thursday after dinner and then Saturday morning.

Have a lovely week.

Sunday, Post-Church

OK, the second week with the Presbyterians was too much. Nice folks, but there is just too much we don't agree with. So, we came home and, with everyone, we made a list of things we really need a church to be and then the things we'd like a church to be. And now we are going to start in our town and exhaust the churches before going anywhere else. At least that is the plan. Subject to change, but this seems like the most obvious, logical way to handle this.

Dan took the middle kids two hours north to tube on man made snow. Next week, he'll take the other two. The remaining squirts and I went to a meat goat farm for a 4-h meeting. We aren't joining but enjoyed touching base with other goat-types. Too bad it was 35 miles away. Man, it would be nice to find something close. Anything close.

Adam's wire came out of his braces, so I guess we are fixing that tomorrow. Lily has a doc appt. and Alec has an ortho appt. later this week. Bowling Tuesday. Dan is taking them to the planetarium Friday night. Fun never ends.

Friday--Everybody say "Yippee!!"

I don't know why things suddenly came together so well. It is like someone God really really likes prayed for me. The house being done, the schedule getting tweaked, chores cards being implemented--it just all came together and is working great. Between that and exercising, my mood has changed, greatly. I didn't realize what a dark cloud I had over me until it lifted. I was laughing with Ian yesterday and I realized I was genuinely laughing and not laughing because I was in a situation where laughing would be the appropriate response. I don't feel rushed. I can't believe how I was always in this mode of feeling like I had to hurry up and do whatever. Always felt stressed driving. Didn't just chill and enjoy what I was doing.

Let me tell you about chore cards. The Maxwells have a book called "Managers of Their Chores." They have plastic name tag holders with clips on them. You fill them with chores--not too many at a time. For Evan, who gets sidetracked so easily, I have a before breakfast bunch (go to the bathroom, make bed, get dressed, get out napkins) and an after breakfast bunch (put dishes in dishwasher, throw away napkin, brush teeth, empty trash). That worked so well, I came up with a lunch time one and need to get a dinner one. It saves me from ever saying, "Did you put your napkin away?" I don't want to spend so much time moving everyone along. I want them to be self sufficient.

Lily's pictures went ok. Found really cute dresses, but as soon at the photographer talked to her, she started crying. She needs to be held by someone other than her family now and then.

We are going to Anderson to get church clothes this morning. Hadn't gone to a church for about six weeks and people outgrew stuff already!! Then, home for lunch and to the zoo. Our membership expires next week.

Reading a Don Miller book. The one about writing a screenpplay. He talks about living life like writing a movie. I love this idea. Instead of telling the kids, "Be good while I am gone," I've been saying, "When I get home I want your brtohers to be able to say "Adam was a great helper while you were gone and didn't argue at all.' " Like I am telling them how I want to tell the story of their life and then they live it that way. I think I am on to something.

Happy Monday

Wow, has life been better with the house done and a good schedule. Being organized makes life so much easier and more fun. You get to be in the moment more, because you don't have to think about all the other things you need to be doing.

Have a few minutes before I start school with Adam. He reads to me from his Rod and Staff reader. He is in the third grade one. I can't remember what it is called. He is doing R & S second grade English, too. We do those two things together.

It rained yesterday so we didn't make it to a waterfall. We went to a Presbyterian church (a conservative one, or course) yesterday. Dan work with a gal who goes-it is actually close to us. Lots of homeschoolers. It is hard for me, though, to handle staunch Calvinists. I can't believe I even agreed to go. We will go for awhile to see if it might ever work. The problem we have is when we find people we agree with doctrinally, we don't like the people personally!! What's up with that??

Bowling starts tomorrow. I have to arrange the teams--pray for me. I can see this getting complicated. Thursday Miss Lil gets her six month pictures taken.

Food for Thought. Or Not.

Been thinking a lot about Pat Robertson's recent comments. Been thinking about a lot of things--can't put them together in a blog post just yet. However, I just read something in a comment on a blog I just found. It added to the thinking I have been doing. Please don't be offended. Just think about it. Or not. Its ok. You don't have to. It was written by a woman who grew up in a very conservative Christian family. Its this:

"I thought that people could either be Christians OR emotionally healthy, but not both."

Long Lost Strangers

Made some copies of family stuff for the cousin. Posted pictures for him on facebook. Looked up some other cousins I don't know. Do you want to hear the story of these people? Here we go:

My Grandma Peggy was adopted in Boston in 1908. She got married at 16 or 17 because her mom liked the guy (that is how she told it). She had a stillborn baby and then when she was 18, she had Francis. She left her husband and after ten years, she met my grandfather, Lionel, and divorced #1 and married #2. They had four kids: Lionel, Karol, Fredrick and Antonio. Now just to confuse things, the kids were actually called Dan, John, Anne, Pete and Mike. Mike later became known and Tony. Tony the 2nd. Except his dad wasn't named Tony. Work with me.

Peggy and Lionel were drunks and the kids got taken away (have I told this story before? Having deja vu). Only know where my mother was sent--the Belisle family took her in. I know the mom was named Sadie. I grew up hearing about Aunt Sadie, but never knew who she was. Then I knew my mother went to a French Catholic boarding school in New York. She always made is sound like it was some high falutin' place, but she was a ward of the court and that was where they sent her.

Antonio/Mike/Tony didn't go back to the family. I don't know anything about his life, but I found he had a garage in Vermont and I sent him a letter about five years ago. His wife emailed me once and never wrote again. I just found that email and sent off another one. Not sure why.

Frederick/Pete was in the Navy (Francis was a career Navy guy--John was in it too). Afterwards he got married and had two kids. Aunt Marie told me they had money problems. He ended up sitting in the garage with his car running and killed himself when he kids were really young. My mother had always told me the Navy had him killed because he knew too many secrets. Isn't that silly? That is totally my mother. Marie told me the Navy didn't consider it a suicide so his wife could get benefits.

Lionel/ John married a woman named Jean, who had a son. They had four more kids. In the mid 70's Jean and the kids were in a car accident and Jean and two sons and a daughter died. I remember when we got that phone call. The youngest was named Lisa--she was my pal. It was weird to think she was dead. Jean came out for my mother's funeral, but a few years later she stopped responding to my letters. She had two kids. I just found a picture of her boys and found one of them on facebook. Wrote him a note. Bruce, had a substance abuse issue. He called me once, drunk as a skunk. He had a baby who died of SIDS. ARE YOU DEPRESSED YET?

Tim, the cousin I found is the son of the uncle who killed himself. So, that is how we are related. I am too depressed writing this. All for now.

Snow

And very little of it. Not even covering the ground. Should be gone soon. Still fun to see.

The cousin lives in Augusta, Georgia, which is three hours from me. We will get together at some point.

Dan drove to the other side of town to the Lowe's that had the bathroom stuff. They had three of the mirrors in stock. Two were broke. Really.

This bible study I am doing is kind of funny. In a not funny way. Have you seen Beth Moore? She is very thin with mildly poofy blond hair and dresses trendy. Modest but trendy. And she moves around constantly while she is talking. And is a Texan. Good gracious, women get all in a tither about her. The bible study was a make-up session. I just wanted to watch the video again because it was so good. Talked about fear. There were only two other women there and they went on and on about her. Just ripping her look apart. And griping that she talks too loud. Women are so mean to each other. Moms are mean to each other. Tires me.

Feeling Better

Man, don't know why I got emotional this morning whist blogging. Also, I don't know why it put such big gaps between paragraphs sometimes. Also, I don't know why my computer acts like I am pressing control sometimes so every time I type U it starts underlining, etc. Lot of things that I don't get.

The cousin wrote back and decided I was legit and asked me about the family. He has done some genealogy. My expectations are very low, but I wrote him back and maybe we can get to know each other a little.

We have really had a hard time during this home redo with buying things form Lowe's that were returns and are broken. Happened with the mirror AND cabinet for the bathroom. Dan has to go to the other side of town tomorrow to find replacements. So annoying.

Finally talked to FFN tonight. Haven't talked to her forever. She keep reminding me a house she knows I like down the road from her is still for sale.

Four Day to Go?

I don't know. We are shooting for being done by the end of this weekend. Four days doesn't seem like much. I think the bathroom vanity should go in tonight. Then I can start putting stuff back in there. He is working on the ceiling in our room. It is a mess. I don't know.



Met with a trainer last night--you get two sessions with one when you join the gym. I thought it was to just show you how to use equipment, but she made a routine for me that she said I should change every so often, which would require me to pay more. Ha. As if. We just worked on my tummy and lower portions. Tomorrow we will work on my arms. I am going to try to get over there today because she said if I did the treadmill or some other cardio thing, I might not be as sore tomorrow morning. Because you know two days after is when it really hits. Scary. Took advil last night. Actually feel fine today, which is weird because I really "felt the burn" working out. Felt the burn. That is funny.



Today, I get to take the older two to close and open accounts. Joy. I need to get to the gym and get milk. Also have bible study tonight. That's all.



The Where Stuff Is notebook reminded me I hate having so much stuff. It is almost like recording everything you eat. There are some things it is hard to see in black and white.



On a totally different note: My mother had a brother who killed himself years ago. I think before I was born. He had two kids. We never had contact with his wife or kids. I had wondered about them. Aunt Marie gave me the addresses of the kids a few years back. I wrote them both. No response. Decided to look for them on Facebook. The son is on there. I am sure it is him. Right age, grew up in Vermont, retired Army. So, I sent him a note explaining briefly who I was and how we were related. He wrote back and said, "OK, just how are we related?" Well, JUST LIKE I SAID. Your father. My mother. Siblings. Duh. Pretty sure that relationship isn't going anywhere. Don't know why I try.



Well, yeah, I do. We have so little extended family. I feel bad the kids don't have that. And we are outside the close circle with any of them. You know, like Aunt Marie--the kids love her and we would have a closer relationship with her, but she has her kids and grand kids who are her close family. We are outside of that. Her energy goes into those relationships. We don't get invited to family things. Holidays. We're extended extended family. It's nobody fault. It just is what it is. Hopefully, it will be different with the next generation. I just remember when we were visiting Aunt Marie. She was very mother-y to me while we were there. Now, it drove her daughter crazy when she did it to her, but I thought it was grand. I'm not used to that feeling, and frankly, it was nice.



Have I whined about that before? Because this whine seems familiar. I know finding some long long cousin isn't going to change things. I should let it go. I think that is why I get into genealogy. Like I am saying, SEE?? We have family. See?? Look at all those names. They belong to us. Silly. Silly, Silly, Rena.

On with the day.... Good luck out there.

Where Stuff Is

Today, Alec and I are going to work on the "Where Stuff Is" notebook. I, for one, do not find it endearing to be asked constantly, "Where do we keep......." It drive me nuts. And with seven people and homeschooling and all these animals, we have a LOT of stuff. So, I decided it was necessary to be uber-organized. In all the closets and cabinets, I used my little label maker and labeled where everything goes. Now, we are going through with a notebook with a letter at the top of each page and listing where stuff is. I know it is overkill, but life is too big these days to not know where stuff is. I don't like being so necessary. I want the house to run in a way that if I am not here, it can still work. I had a friend whose husband would starve at home because she was out and couldn't make him a sandwich. Seriously. I don't get that.

Lily has this new thing. She rubs and rubs her face on her bed sheet. A lot. Thus, she has a red nose and cheeks. She is getting her six month picture taken this month. That is not going to look pretty.

Have a date with the trainer at the gym at 6:00 tonight.

Maybe Hope For 2010

Wow, this was a day. My friend Debbie in WI became a grandma for the first time. How cool is that? Her D-I-L was in labor all night and into the day. Yowzer. Facebook was all jammed up from everyone waiting to hear. Cool beans.

Dan and I opened a checking account. I am telling it took two hours from the time we left home until we were home again. Goodness. Alec actually had to change a poopy diaper! His first one. Bless his heart.

Then Addie had to go to the ortho. Praise God, I don't have to turn his expander anymore. They put a new wire on the top four teeth and it already has pulled the front teeth together that the expander separated. Freaky. He teeth were sore. I was back there with him but as she was putting on the new wire I left to go check on Evan in the waiting room. Ad comes out with bright red wire in his teeth. I don't think so. I made it very clear in a very nice way to all concerned we weren't having colored wires again. I don't care if I am the anti-fun mom. So there.

Took Lily and the two little boys to close their five savings accounts, collectively, and then open five accounts at the new bank. Good golly Miss Molly, that was a long time. Then to the grocery store to get Adam soup and pick up Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Evan said watching it made his tummy hurt. Really. They watched it tonight while I was at the gym. Yup. Joined Gold's Gym. They have a room just for women to work out. Rock on.

Had a complicated in the bathroom. Dan had to move some pipes. More drywall to fix. Bummer.

SERIOUSLY?

The lack of awesomeness continued into the third day of 2010. This isn't looking good. That's all I'm sayin'.

Yuck, Yuck, Yuck

Where is the awesomeness 2010 was going to bring? I didn't not care for day 2 at all. The scrapbook day got switched, but I was somehow not in the loop about it. Just found out this morning. Bum-mer. Then I went to the bank and dealt with the dumbest woman ever employed in the banking industry. Our bank has been such a pain in the neck. You know, there are places you do business with and you know they appreciate you. And there are other places where you not only think they don't care if you do business with them, but it seems they actually wish you wouldn't. That would be my bank. It is such a pain to switch banks but we need to do so. THANKS 2010! Expected more out of you.

The boys are watching the last Lord of the Rings movie, which Ian gave Alec yesterday. Yuck. I do not get it.

New Plan

OK, I was bummed we weren't going to complete the house before school started. Because, once school starts, things move very slowly. Dan is busy with school and the like after work and doesn't have time to do things. We talked tonight and agreed it would be better to put school off another week. Hate to do it, but glad we can. Also, he is going to see how much work he can take off next week and will do so. There. That makes me feel better.

First Day of the Decade

Making people have some quiet time right now. Do not mix young children, a Wii and little sleep together. It is NOT pretty.

The gift exchange went well. Each boy got a gift for every other person, so there were a lot of gifts. I got several Yankee candles,a digital picture frame and a photo converter, so I can put my old pictures on the computer. Got some comfy socks.

The big thing we gave Dan was a personal safety calendar. You know how 3M had the safety calendar contest and Alec and Adam's pictures got into it? We got to having such fun making up funny safety calendar ideas, I decided to make Dan his own personal one. Each boy made three pictures and I added silly things on the calendar (national potato week type stuff, along with several reminders to buy me flowers). Put a picture of Lily on each month.

Told Alec for his next birthday, I am not giving him any books. I bought him about 10 books. One was a set of several outdoor survival books and then some other books he requested and also Alton Brown's Good Eats book. I buy too many books. Am on a total book buying fast for a long time. Amazon will miss me greatly.

Tomorrow I scrapbook and Dan puts in the shower and toilet.