I've been shot!

Flu shot that is.






I'm glad I had them give it to me in the left arm. It's a little sore. It did give me a chance to set and example for the kids who are getting their tomorrow.

When I was a kid we never took flu shots. I started taking them 5 years ago when I was pregnant with Jackson and it was recommended with the twins at 6 months old. So we've continued on since then. The twins (like Jackson and V were) are behind on their vaccinations, This is the only shot they get on time. It's not because I delay them on a schedule, my kids are just always behind 6 months to a year on shots and are usually caught up between 4 and 5 years old. Knowing that some of my friends delay on purpose makes me feel pretty good about just being behind.

Success will come tonight!

Okay, so the laundry is still winning, but we have made a great improvement. I am down to less than 1/2 of the hang up stuff (not quite 1 basket full) and towels and sheets. Everything else it put away.

I still don't know how my mother did/does it. She always has her stuff put away and she actually takes the time and irons EVERYTHING that needs ironed. I haven't ironed in a long time. I live in the world of tossing it in the dryer with a damp washcloth if it's too bad and I only give in to ironing when I have to. Well at least I can find the clothes I need now.

MIA

No, I haven't been hiding or sulking over the election. Life here just keeps running and I've been getting behind. Here are some highlights of the last week:

• Election results coming in at our house is like football for others. We had beer, pizza and one of us on the computer checking for ALL analysis and results.
• Homeschool swimming and AWANA Wednesday after being sleep deprived.
• Laundry overload.
• Date night for Jonathan and Victoria (glow in the dark mini golf).
• A day working on the farm.
• Prepping a presentation on Mid-India Christian Mission and Sunset Bible Camp for mission emphasis month at church.
• A birthday party.
• Usual church activities.
• Kids up all night coughing with no other symptoms.
• starting a 4 gallon batch of persimmon wine.
• Jonathan found out he's going to China in December for work.

No, it wasn't too much for my sanity, but blogging went to the back burner. By the way the laundry is still winning the fight. We should have it beaten back into submission by tomorrow. It's just cold upstairs so we don't go up and forget about it. Our house is 108 years old and we have central heat and air down stairs and even though heat rises, it doesn't seem like it does, even with 2 sets of stairs.

Amazing

A SLATE article I can agree with completely. This is rare. This is worth the read for the truth, regardless of who wins, of the misconceptions people have of what will happen post election.

This is an relatively straight forward and unslanted piece. I see very few of these anywhere anymore (from either side).

We are off to the polls in the next 30 minutes. We'll walk. Our polling place in less then 2 blocks away. Since we're going at 9:30 most of the before work rush will be over. They are always quick in our precinct and they have tons of "booths" so they can take care of quite a few. This isn't our first vote here, but it is our first Presidential election since we moved here. I checked with one of my neighbors to see if it takes much longer for Presidential elections and she said it didn't (she had opted to vote early, so I was checking).

HAPPY VOTING!

What happened?

Friday night was a wonderful night. The weather was perfect. We set up a portable projector screen and the projector and watched Scooby Doo on the front porch while kids Trick or Treated.

The funny thing was we had cartoons and sound, but no porch light (except for the HUGE video), so some people just walked past. After some of the neighbor kids finished their rounds they converged on our yard and watched and ate candy until about 9pm.


One of my sisters and my mom came to town Friday with some costume stuff, which made for fun times in the afternoon.

Owen wanted everything.

Jackson as a white haired Indian fairy, with Xander the one who screamed when you put things on him, watching from behind.

Owen feeling pretty with Ann Dee.


Jackson was Indian Jones, he's only seen 1 I.J. movie and I don't intend to show him others until he is much older (he is easily freaked). Victoria was going to resurrect her punk rocker from 2 years ago while the skort still fit, but my sister brought white wings and I have a white wig and she became some kind of goth looking fairy (and she looked about 16 which really bothers me, she shouldn't be able to look that old). The twins just hung out. I have no intention dressing them up until they care and aren't going to cry about it. They get to eat the candy...so what else matters.

After the kids were done and watching the movie, V removed her jacket and wings and climbed our Rain Tree, which rattles and was shaking it from over kids heads to freak them out as they walked under. Yep, she was dressed like that climbing a tree, that's my kid.

The Doctor

David Tennent is leaving the BBC's Doctor Who. I really like him. Bummer.

Making hooch.

I don't know that I've mentioned, but after a summer of picking, eating and selling blackberries, we are using the over ripes and culls to make wine.

We have bottled 55-60 bottles so far and we have a couple of others to be bottled in November (about 5-6 bottles per batch). We also just started a big batch of blackberry champagne.

We have the weirdest experiments at our house.

I never said Obama wasn't a Christian.

This is in reference to a comment on the Reagan post.

I didn't say he wasn't a Christian, just that he isn't like Reagan.

His politics do not line up with many tenants of the Christian faith and principles America was founded on.

The beliefs that Reagan and Obama hold/held and how they applied them to government are different. You can't deny that. Being a Christian in no way makes them the same or even similar.

Allow me to give one basic assessment. People believe abortion is about women's right. This isn't correct. It is about Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness which can not be had if you are not given a chance at the first...LIFE. This is a guaranteed right of Americans, but we deny it to many. This is just one issue that Reagan and Obama are polar opposites. I see the unborn as the least of these and for them having no voice, I see abortion as a trump (as babystepper put it).

I've read Reagan autobiography and I've read parts of Obama's...using the word Christian as a comparison point would be like saying Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin are alike, because they are women.

I've known too many people who call themselves Christian's, but it means nothing. I'm not saying his faith means nothing, but his application is vastly different from Reagan's.

WWRD? WHAT WOULD REAGAN DO?

This is a repost from February 2006.



Whether you love him or not, I love Ronald Reagan (heck that’s why Jackson’s middle name is Reagan). Thanks Pam for sending me these great quotes in an e-mail. I thought I’d share them with the rest of you. The man had a way with words that I really enjoy, and that is hard to say in regard to politicians. His autobiography is a great read that I highly recommend it.




"Here's my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose."



"The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help."



"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so."



"Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong."



"I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress."



"The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination."



"Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other."



"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."



"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program."



"I've laid down the law, though, to everyone from now on about anything that happens: no matter what time it is, wake me, even if it's in the middle of a Cabinet meeting."



"It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first."



"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."



"Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book."



"No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. - Ronald Reagan

ADDITION-ON ANOTHER NOTE, NO ONE CAN HONSTLY TELL ME THAT OBAMA AND REAGAN ARE ANYTHING ALIKE. THE COMPARISSON IS IGNORANT.

THIS MAN WAS AN EXAMPLE OF THE 3 C'S: CHRISTIAN, CAPITOLIST, CONSERVATIVE.

Pardon me... (UPDATED)

...but WHAT THE HELL! Oh, yes I'm mad. (UPDATE) I didn't explain, the link is about the government eyeing taking our 401K's.

Also, Allen Greenspan expressing shock and disbelief, because capitalist system failed us? WRONG! Too, damn much government intervention into the capitalist system is the problem. You trace it back and that is the problem. If you say it isn't you're in denial or stupid. Don't even try to argue it with me, you will lose.

AAAARRRGGGHHH!

The stupidity of it all is enough to make me nuts. Why have so many people become so easily led and stupid...this is one reason I home educate my child...so she can read between the lines of the ignorant drivel, that so many people are buying.

Christian Bale

I rarely mention where I live, but since I haven't gotten a stalker yet I will disclose an interesting fact.

Christian Bale (star of the Dark Knight), stayed 7 blocks from my house at the Price Tower this week. You can see it from our front porch and we walk by it frequently.

No, I didn't stake out the Tower, I don't care that much, but it's still neat.

If you could be President

Thanks Jeremy for posting this and allowing me to share! This is too funny and a glimmer of the difference between Republicans and Democrats.- - - - -

If You Could be President What Would You Do?

It's so easy even a child can understand!

I was talking to a friend's little girl, and she said she wanted to be President some day.

Both of her parents, liberal Democrats, were standing there, so I asked her,

'If you were to be the President, what's the first thing you would do?'

She replied, 'I'd give food and houses to all the homeless people.

''Wow - what a worthy goal.' I told her, 'You don't have to wait until you're President to do that.

You can come over to my house and mow the grass, pull weeds, and sweep my yard, and I'll pay you $50. Then I'll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out, and you can give him the $50 to use toward food or a new house.'

She thought that over for a few seconds, 'cause she's only 6.

And while her Mom glared at me, the little girl looked me straight in the eye and asked, 'Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work, and you can just pay him the $50?'

And I said, 'Welcome to the Republican Party.'

Her folks still aren't talking to me.

Some food for thought.- - - - -

What if this is true?

I've checked it on snopes, and it is classified as false, but I am uncertain if their information is accurate from a legal perspective. I'm not a lawyer and an I don't intend to research this far enough, I'll leave it to the court system. Interesting though.

It's amazing...

...how much someone can talk, without saying a thing.

OBAMA THAT MEANS YOU!

Can you tell I'm tired of the election season?

I wore this shirt today.

I wish I lived in a swing state so I felt I could make a bigger impact. 20 Days until this is over. Thankfully.

To homechool or not to homeschool...

...that is the question. It's up to each parent to answer that question. Most choose not to.



I don't know that I've ever given a lot of information about homeschooling. I've loaned, books and I've carried on conversations, but I've never really written anything down. My dad e-mailed me asking what we use and for some information for someone interested in homeschooling. It wasn't as in depth as if I was having a conversation, but it was full of information. I thought I'd share excerpts here.

WARNING-this has been modified from a perosnal e-mail. There are tons of grammer mistakes as I made changes and didn't proof read and I'm not going to fix them.

Here is a brief over view if you have ever concidered how we started out and where we are now.





Find you states homeschool organization. For Oklahoma it's OCHEC. Each May OCHEC has a convention and curriculum sale. We didn't attend before we started, but now we attend every year. Through OCHEC you can find a starting off points and support groups.



You may want to consider joining HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association). They are an organization dedicated to protecting the right to homeschool across the country.



These are the books I used to make determinations before we started (in order of personal preference):
Homeschooling Your Child Step-By-Step
This discusses state by state pros and cons, grades the legal ease, and gives you information on doing it.
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum
This offers learning and teaching style information, curriculum reviews and information on curriculum's that you can use for multiple ages ranges. Most are Christian based curriculum's.
Homeschooling for Dummies
A basic dummies book with decent starting info.



For Oklahoma I use a scope and sequence for Oklahoma, so I know I've covered (more then) all of the bases the school system covers. We currently use:
My Father's Word for Bible, history, geography, science, music and art (it's all included with great lesson plans already ready) and in the past we have used there Language Art with Spelling Power and other books. I skip some of the Bible stuff, b/c she is attending AWANA at church and I don't think she needs as much, b/c of that.
Singapore Math (in the US called Primary Mathematics) this is used in several school systems. Taking their placement test is recommended, b/c those using other curriculum's usually test a grade below Singapore.
Sing, Spell, Read, Write for Language Arts. We had previously used the items used by My Father's World, but our daughter is battling dyslexia, so we are taking a different approach.



We usually try to keep our curriculum spending below $400 (since we'll use it for all 4 kids at some point we think its reasonable), this year by adding S,S,R,W we ended up closer to $600 or $650. You can do it for much cheaper (lots of library and Internet resources and your own lesson plans) or you can spend thousands (DVD's usually).



For High school (6 years down the line for us) we might do the University of Oklahoma Online High School and concurrent enrollment.



If you choose not to use an accredited program for high school you have the option to have your child take the GED and you supply a transcript to the colleges. They scramble to take homeshooled kids, b/c the one on one teaching process produces exceptional results most of the time.



There is a lot of information to digest, but it's not as difficult as it first seems if you choose systems with lessen plans already ready. We eased some of the burden of organization and planning by buying a copy machine at an OSU surplus auction for $65 (it's a $450) copy machine that the staple light won't go off on. It works fine and eases up my preparation and works much faster the a bubble jet desktop copier.

Basically your possibilities are endless, do whatever works best for your family. No two function the same, even using the same curricula. The number of curriculum's available is astounding. Let me know what other information I might be able to offer.

TAG-Your it!

If you read this and have a blog, feel free to join in. If you don't feel free to post in the comment section. I was tagged by the one and only Babystepper.

Here are the instructions -
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 56.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next two to five sentences in your journal/blog along with these instructions.
5. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST.
6. Tag five other people to do the same.

Mine is going to be wierd. You've been warned. I'm doing a math reiew with V right now, so page 56 is a practice problem page on writing fractions from a Primary Mathematics (aka Singapore textbook).

4. What fraction of each shape is colored?
(a) *drawing of a triangle divided into 8ths with 4/8 or 1/2 colored
(b) *drawing of a 6 pointed star divided into 6ths with 4/6 or 2/3 colored
(c) *drawing of a square divided into 8ths with 3/8 colored
(d) *drawing of a stair shape divided into 10th with 7/10 colored

Wasn't that nice and weird...

If you want to, you're it!

Dislikes

I don't like to write large quantities...it makes my hand hurt.

I don't like to type...I'm not very fast.

I don't like mice...they are gross, disease ridden, vermin.

What do these 3 things have in common?

There was a mouse in my recipe drawer, leaving treats and chewing holes in recipes I've written or printed. I have to touch those to use them. Say it with me now...GROSS!

I have emptied my drawer of everything but my cookbooks (and cleaned it) and I am currently moving all of my recipe cards to 8 1/2" x 11" pages. Since I don't like to write I am typing 2-3 recipes per page and I have filled 5 pages. At this rate I may finish before Halloween.

My plan to foil any new rodents (as I'm out to get any who may enter my domain), is to put each page in a page protector in a 3 ring binder. I can simply Clorox wipe or take soap on a rag to a page before I use it, just in case. I'm a little grossed out can you tell.

The page protectors should also help with those nasty spills and smudges I get on my recipes. I've needed to do the type ups for a while some of my newer, written recipes ended up on the backs of envelopes and on post it notes.

Ax Murderer

I was looking down at the picture of Owen and the marinara sauce and I was thinking, my son looks like a cannibal/ax murderer covered in blood and licking it off his hands. The appearance is disturbing.

Engineer of the Year

Monday was Engineering Day for Jonathan's company, followed by a dinner with guest that evening. I am pleased to announce that my darling husband was named Engineer of the Year for the INS division. The award is exciting, but I think it's even cooler since this is only the 3rd year that they've done this awards and Jonathan has only been there 3 years. The past gentlemen who've won have been there a long time and their are a lot of guys who have been there longer then him. I had a feeling that he would win, so I made him put my camera in his suit pocket. Here is a picture of Jonathan and his boss with is award.

The dinner was at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and we couldn't resist taking picture in the jet.

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, my hair is very short and it's white blond.

Little Rock (UPDATED)

Jonathan is on his longest business trip ever...4 days...ya, he'll be back soon. As he got ready to leave and we woke the kids this morning Jackson threw up. Later this morning Owen pulled last night pizza box down and covered his white onesie, himself and the couch in red sauce. I took pictures. I called Jonathan to laugh and warn him I could be in a straight jacket by Friday. I'll dump my camera and post the pictures later.

I promise, I'm not worried or complaining, it's just funny how weird things get when I'm on my own.



UPDATE

Jackson at his peak was running 104.2 last night. He's normal this morning...correction his temperature is normal. He's my kid, normal is not normal to us.



Without further ado here is "Little Red."

Yes, he's sucking on his fingers while I hold his wrists.

53

Days until the election is over.

Are they honestly implying...

...the Sarah Palin is going to crucify Obama or that Obama is like Jesus? This is just taking the stupidity of this election too far.

Here is the quote, "Jesus was a community organizer, Pontius Pilate was a governor. "

Last time I checked that wasn't Christ's job title. I thought it was son of God, King of kings, Lord of lords, Savior, Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. That isn't my description of Obama or community organizer.

More then one democrat has said that. What in the world does this have to do with the election. This isn't intelligent discussion or debate. This is just ignorant.

If you don't believe that quote can be found here and here and even though I heard the quote from Donna Brazile on Wolf Blitzer's Late Edition I can't find a transcript of it.

For a party that bashes people for "clinging to their guns and religion" I don't they they should start spouting about things they obviously don't understand and make it a talking point.

When will this election end...crap not until Novemeber4th.

Always proof read.

I don't like reading a post I made day before. I promise I proof read. Sometimes I don't notice my redundancy and stupid (unnecessary) grammar and spelling mistakes.

I promise I does talk gooder then I right blogs...sorry I couldn't help it.

Lincoln Chafee

It's no wonder he wasn't re-elected. If all he can really say about Sarah Palin is that she's a "cocky wacko" I'm not surprised. I wouldn't call Chafee relative in the current political climate.

Of course I love politics. I have a sick fascination, heck I nearly ran for office when we lived in OKC (we lived there 1 month to short of being able to file). Right now November 4th can't come soon enough. I'm ready for it to be over. Maybe it's because it seems like the race started 10 years ago. Okay, so maybe not that long, but it feels like it. Let the count down begin.

I made her cry.

Today during V's homeschool Bible lessons we were discussing other religions. Since we are doing world geography and cultures as our emphasis this year it's part of the conversation. We did 3 days worth of work. We discussed Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. After discussing Islam I thought of how the book didn't mention jihad. So we touched briefly on the topic. Then I realized it was 9/11. I decided it was an appropriate time to show her the video of what she saw at the age of 1. We watch the 2nd plane hit. We watch the towers fall. We cried. We cried for the many innocent who died and those brave firefighters and police officers who risked and gave up their lives. The lesson about jihad turned to a lesson of sacrifice. I've only seen the towers fall once in the last 7 years (not counting the first few days after it happened). It was as emotionally wrenching today as it was then. It broke her little heart and we called it a day for school. Most of the most impacting lessons aren't found in a text book, they are found in the lives, examples and experiences we see. I hope my life, Christian faith, and example will have a great impact on my children's life and education like the sacrifices they see in history.

Cold Turkey

These are my friends.




I've never been what I would call a caffeine addict. The things that ramp people up, don't affect me much (B Vitamins, caffeine, energy drinks). I still consume them on occasion, but not for a "high". I've been known to go months without any. As of late I have noticed a large spike in my caffeine consumption and an over all increase in fatigue. I have 3 ideas as to what is wrong. Either I'm drinking way too much caffeine (yesterday 3 DP's, 2 cups of coffee and 2 rounds of an energy spray), or my thyroid is jacked again, or both. I've never been more then a 1-2 caffeinated beverages a day type person (when I have it at all). I'm not sure what's up. While I was pregnant with Jackson I had hyperthyroidism and was diagnosed with Graves Disease. It's been in remission since he was born. I'm off for my physical an yearly blood work up Friday. Hopefully if the problem is larger like my thyroid we'll find out. Regardless, I'm giving up the caffeine cold turkey for at least a month.

It's a shame, I have a new container of coffee and almost a full 24 pack of Dr. Pepper. *Sigh* It will be torment.

Okay, my over emotional rantings are over.

Back to your regularly scheduled program.



Okay, here's the current run down. We went to the optometrist yesterday. Her first 3 issues are that she is far sighted, has tracking issues on top of the spacial issues. Glasses are on order. Friday we begin a 10 week therapy with Debbie, Jackson's speech therapist, who had a severely dyslexic son. I also ordered a new curriculum for 1st grade for my 3rd grader for Language Arts only. Things aren't moving as fast as I would like, but the answers are coming.



This book has been great and I like this method of treatment.

Feelings of Failure (UPDATED)

I love my kids, they are bright, energetic and funny. Right now I'm feeling like I've failed V. I have suspected for a little over a year that she might be dyslexic. I thought I would give it one more year (2nd grade) and I would see what I could do. The results were nothing. I had a friend who teaches come over and run a reading assessment with her yesterday and it really looks like she may be. It wasn't complete enough to be conclusive for that, but it was for her reading level (early 1st grade). This girl is a math wiz and she can't read. I have to help her read her word problems and then read them aloud for her to comprehend.



Why did I wait another year? So I could drill Sargent the right skills into her? So I could prove it was just inattentiveness?



I need to start a new school year and I'm not even sure what to do for her. I'm waiting on a call from the pediatrician for where to take her for a full evaluation. I just hope I don't screw this up too. I'm scared.

(UPDATE)

I was very emotional when I first wrote this. I'm still feeling emotional, those feelings are very real and clear. I just don't like being emotional. I must admit that I envy some of the genetic make-up of men. For the most part (there are always exceptions) men are logical as opposed to the emotional female (also exceptions are found). These are generalizations some people don't like, but it's life.

Right now I just don't have enough information. The calls I've made aren't producing fast enough solutions or information. Basically I'm in limbo and I'm wanting to act on the problem and I have no idea how. I don't know the severity of the problem. It's just enough to make me a basket case when I mix it with the mess that the house is in and the things I have to do.

I'll be back to my perky obnoxious self soon, right now I just need clarity.

I'm home.

It's like we just moved again. There is much to unpack and be done. Our A/C was out so it was 90 degrees in the house when we got home. It was better the the 106 in the field. It was fixed yesterday (Thanks Pam!). I have much to say and not nearly enough pictures.

Alas, I have work to do so a bigger post must wait.

I Life on the farm.

We've moved (temporarily-4 to 5 weeks) to the blackberry farm 1 1/2 hours away. I will be home on the weekends to do laundry, mow and be the farmers market wench (that's my title-sad yes). I'll be back with tales from the farm (and maybe a bit of a tan).

Fair warning, there may be much discussion of sweat, blackberry kisses on my shorts from the twins, along with the fun of family dysfunction.

Stay tuned.

Bundles of joy!

I may slap whoever called children a bundle of joy. I think I'll come up with my own.

• Bundle of destruction.
• Bundle of back talk.
• Bundle of messiness.
• Bundle of superiority
• Bundle of deafness.
• Bundle on inattentiveness.
• Bundle of...well you get the picture.

God made them precious when they sleep so we forget the issues of the day and honestly think they are sweet angels, otherwise we might kill them.

DANCE!

I stumbled across this video and I was amazed.



Here is Matt's site.

I also enjoyed this one. I will have to try this the next time I am in a 2 story mall.



I want to make one of these!




Find more weird videos here.

Have a great day!

BTW Owen and Alex are 2 today. Pictures to come, I'll be honest I have no real party plans.

If this blog were my child...

...DHS would have taken it away for neglect.



Life around here is wild. I honestly know that I need to get back on the FLY Wagon. I need to prioritize how I accomplish things. I'm amazed at how far behind I have become. I'm frustrated and seeking peace, but calm is no where in sight. Life isn't bad, just full.



June began with V having tennis lessons at the Country Club. She followed that up with a week at Grandma's, her 8th birthday (yes you read that right, my baby is 8), her 8th birthday party and now church camp. Her mini golf party was changed to a bowling party, b/c of rain (that didn't come). She got a Wii, and is kicking my butt at bowling. She's been spoiled by my mom and my sisters and is driving me crazy (that's not new). She's flown the nest twice this month.



I'm not sure where the time has gone, but I'd like to know. How can this child that evokes such a broad range of strong emotions in me be so much the same and so different from the day she was born? When J was in college he would sit cross legged on the floor and she would sleep in his lap while he leaned over her doing his school work. She lived a college students life under the age of 2. Wal-Mart trips in the middle of the night, sleeping in university buildings while dad worked on projects, and sleeping the weird schedule of somewhere in the middle of the night until noon. Now she's tall (to me short to a lot her age), skinny, beautiful (that she has always been) and very emotional. I fear for the encroaching teenage years. Where has my baby gone and how did she get replaced by this young lady?

This picture was taken in March, she looks totally different now.

Jackson may be the death of me. I've called poison control twice in the last week. Once for drinking Benedryl, the other for eating chewable Tylenol. I left the Benedryl in the cabinet. That is my fault. The Tylenol, he climbed for. He cut a power supply this week (while it was plugged in). I received the technical description of, "It sparked and went boom." I've busted him lighting matches (thankfully it was just to blow them out). I've had to go as far as keep him strapped to me and I've had to confine him to his room for a few hours.

The babies turn 2 Friday. Ya, you don't have to tell me, they can't be that old. That's been my thought, but I'm wrong, they can be. We moved them to a bed this week. The transition has been good. This is really late for us to change from a crib to a twin bed (the others were moved to twin beds at 18 months). They are more like little men every day. They speak more, but usually to each other in twin talk (their own language) every once in a while I pick up a work or two, but that's it.

I know long in the past I mentioned the blackberries. Well, the crop is ripe and I start working at the Farmer's market Saturday morning. Last night was the 1st market where we have sold and they sold 55 quarts. Every single bit of blackberry ripe in the field.

I hope this finds you all well, have a great week.

Why can't I find what I want at my price?

Why?

It's not life or death, but I'm picky and that is causing a problem. I haven't played much tennis since I quit the team in high school. My dad bought my racquet for me and it wasn't what I was comfortable playing with (110" over-sized, 4 1/4" grip, titanium, by Wilson). At practice the coach and I both discussed the racquet and she had an extra I used when I could (95-100", 4 5/8" grip). That racquet was heavier, but more comfortable. I still have my old 110 and I don't play, because the grip is small and makes for sloppiness and I have an accurate hit so the over-sized head just seems clumsy.

V is taking tennis lessons at a friends invitation at the Country Club (I've never been to a Country Club in my life). She's excited. I'm excited. The bad thing is I got my racquet down and dusted it off and now I really want to replace it. I received it for my 15th birthday almost 15 years ago. I feel like it's time to get what I'm comfortable with, but here is the delima. I'm just not comfortable with the prices. If I was going to play weekly or was on a tennis team the expense would be no big deal. I just want the size I am comfortable with at the "Wal-Mart - Target" price. Do they have what I want? No, I can't even find above a 4 1/2" grip even in men's racquets. All racquets are over-sized or are lacking in details of length, weight and size.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I did think to look at used racquets on ebay. I picked one that had no bids and started at $.99. It was a used 95 and it went for $124. Ouch! My birthday is in August, but I was really wanting to buy the start up kit to do stained glass and that's a chunk of change.

Who says bribery is all bad?

Okay, as I posted last week nothing was broken. He didn't really walk until yesterday (if a Tiny Tim hobble can be called a walk). His range of motion is fine with his leg, it's just putting weight on it that is a problem. Since his range of motion is fine it's not a soft tissue injury (or at least not a major one). If he didn't walk they probably would have called for an MRI, so I used bribery yesterday and offered him a toy if he would try walking without holding onto anything. He did and he got a water gun. Ya, it's a bad example to set, but I didn't want to pay for an MRI that wasn't needed.

We went back to the doctor yesterday. He watched him walk and checked everything, there has been no swelling. His diagnosis was that we probably have a bone bruise. This can be found on an MRI, but nothing can be done for it, except to wait for it to heal. He said to let him crawl, scoot or hobble however he wants, but if he isn't better in 2 weeks (3 weeks from the injury) to come back in.

We are very thankful and we appreciate your prayers.

The first casualty

We had the first major injury on the trampoline Monday night. Jackson got bounced very high and landed bad. He hasn't walked since. We've been to the ER and the pediatrician, there have been 4 x-rays, and a lot of ice cream involved. If he doesn't try to bear weight by Thursday and Friday I have to take him back. He either pulled something really bad or tweaked his knee. I'll keep you posted. My guess will be that our next option is an MRI. I hope he walks soon. His attempt last night involved him crumbled on the floor of the bathroom crying. He is carried, pushed in the stroller or he scoots on his rear end. He is going to attempt swimming today at the Y.

Shock to the system

My recent post on change came to mind again Friday.

Our family was headed to Norman. J and I were dropping the kids off at mom's to go to the OCHEC Convention in OKC to buy next years homeschooling curriculum. Traffic was backed up on I-35, so we decided to go west just north of the zoo and to make a detour by our old house , which we hadn't done in over a year. As we approached our house on NW 15th St. we saw a blue port-a-potty in the yard.

As we rolled past we saw that the house was gutted to the studs. We looped back and pulled into the drive. We asked the men working on it if we could step in and that we had lived there. The only thing left was the stair banister and stud walls. Our gorgeous burled oak floors were gone.

There had been an electrical fire in the kitchen this winter. My mom had said there was a fire on our old street, but she said it was the house on the corner that resembled ours. She was wrong it was ours. It was hard to see. We didn't let V in, we knew she would cry. We opted not to take pictures, the images are etched in our brains.

It was sad to see our work gone, but we know they will have a house that is just what they want.

I don't watch TV much...

... I haven't watched AI more then twice since season 1, but last night...

...NEIL DIAMOND...

...was on the show.

Yep, I've been warped by my mother, I really do like his music. He may not have the greatest voice, but his music is infectious and his band is great.

I wish I'd watched last night. When I called to tell Jonathan what we missed (he's a closet fan), he told me that ND would be in concert in Tulsa in October. Sadly I won't be going at $100-$600 a ticket my frugleness takes over. Bummer.

Why is change so hard?

I know we live in an instant gratification society. We all want it like Burger King (our way) and we all want it now. I'll be honest there are many things I would like to change about myself, unfortunately I'm a little too Scarlet O'Hara (Gone With the Wind), and I'll think about it tomorrow.

Change comes in many forms and for many reasons. There is the sudden change. Often it comes unexpectedly. There is no preparation, just BAM! There you have it. We have to adjust and attempt to reconcile what has happened and move on immediately.

There is uncertain change. You have several avenues with which your life can travel. There is time and thought and a process. The outcome still has the unexpected, but it's the process of getting to the outcome that seems to be the hardest.

Long term change requires perseverance and time. The outcome is kind of known, but whether we stay the course is the uncertain part.

This has been on my mind for a little while. I've been thinking of the many faces of change. Changes I've wanted that have never come. Changes I question.

Reading Tiffany's blog and then thinking of the fire scares in my own neighborhood this week really brought sudden change to my mind. As I sat in my house without power I thought of things, like what do I take if there is a fire? My mind came up with nothing, except my kids, my camera, my car keys and the dog. Then what? I don't know, I hope I never do.

These past couple of months have been weird at J's office. Changes people "knew" would happen did and didn't happen. More changes will happen. Then what? I'm not sure and I'm not going into anymore detail until that time. Right now I just wish I knew. If life is going to take a different direction I just would like to know what it is, so we can get on with it. I'm sooo impatient.

My thought on long term change are simple. Why am I so lazy that I never change? I've been blessed in many ways. I've broken habits, but I've held on to many. I fortunately don't have to try to have the figure I have, but I feel unhealthy (sluggish, cranky, tired). My attitude stinks, my prayer time is unfocused, I have an Internet addiction (ya, so why am I on here). I lack consistency. I'm afraid to fail. If I don't see that I will succeed I just roll over before I begin.

The one thing that I know is constant in the face of all change is God. I've got to step up to the plate and make the change to hand my uncertainties over to him. Will I do it? In this situation I can honestly say, "God only knows." Yep, he's the only one who knows what changes abound in my life.

I just wish change was easier.

Alone

It is 8:20PM (ish) and I am alone downstairs. I have had a day, not good or bad, just a day. Mildly frustrating and mildly joyful until the last 30 minutes. I finally snapped and sent the older 2 kids to bed, at the same time as the twins, for just not following directions and arguing with me. J is on his way home from the blackberries. I decide I needed a break and bedtime was it.

I am now relishing the peace and quiet. I'm having a late dinner alone and a small glass of wine.

Watch out there may be more thoughts to come in the silence.

1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500

This will be Jonathan's car for driving to work and to the acre of blackberries we have 1 1/2 hours away. He made 2 trip to his parents land, to the berries, and I made one trip to Norman and our auto gas budget increased waaaay too much. This vehicle gets about 30 mpg.

We bought it off of ebay from a guy in T-town. He was working on it and has all of the parts (several newly machined) it just requires final assembly, it also has a hardtop that needs new seals. J's mom has a Spitfire also, so he's used to working on them. It's definitely easier then the Lincoln. This car will also retain some value (unlike most other cars we've had) and it's cheap to fix.

Jonathan feels like he's starting a classic car collection, because he already has a 1954 Pontiac Chieftain.

The auction was exciting, we had power issues on our street yesterday (blown transformers, 3 fire tucks, neighbors trees being cut down by PSO, calling neighbors at work to give messages from firefighters). I had power in spite of the issues in the alley, until 10 minutes before the auction ended. The power company cut it all off and I had to call Jonathan at work to finish the auction. My heart was pounding.

After the auction ended I was shutting breakers off at neighbors houses. The Art Gallery across the street had all of it's wiring fried and had smoke, but no fire damage. The firefighters were afraid when the power company turned the power back on that we may have more of that happen. I was supplying what I could when the power came back up to help them cover the gallery door. They had to bust out the glass, so I was running my extension cord and drill over to help them get the plywood on to cover it.

About 3:15pm I was walking out of my neighbors house when their 12 year old walked up. His dad told me where the spare key was and I unplugged their TV and computer and I turned their power off. I had just finished slowly turning their power back on (and going over and doing a smell and fire detector check). The funny thing was his lack of concern of me coming out of the house. He was totally disappointment he missed the fire trucks. I guess even 6th grade boys like fire trucks and excitement.

Check out Jonathan's new (used) car.

We get it this weekend. Awwww, YEAH!

BTW

I cut off my hair. I know what you're thinking..."What hair?" Well, chin length is long for me and I've been good and It's been longer then that for over 4 years. Tuesday it left. I forgot how much I missed short (really short) hair. Since just before Easter weekend I have cut Jackson, V's and the twins (for the first time).

Jennifer you're right I need more pictures. I will try to remedy that soon. Unfortunately I'm too busy (or lazy) to right now. Actually right now it is busy, most days it's lazy though.

I did the great meat buy yesterday, so I have to prep and freeze it all and make a birthday cake for a friend. The cake will be eaten here after a trip into T-town to the Olive Garden, so we have to clean (I'm in big trouble). I also am putting the final coat of varnish on V's floor today (so J can finish her walls and I can paint). I'm the lighting designer for an event called The Show of Hands (sign language to Broadway songs). Dress rehearsal is tonight with a show Saturday night (after Olive Garden) and Sunday afternoon.

No, I'm not normally this busy, I'm just in that moment that hits every so often right now.

I must renew my library books now and get back to work.

Have a great weekend!

Auditions

Okay, so V's music showed up Monday...late. She spent Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday learning her song. She sang "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" from ANNIE. She could sing and act and smile as long as she didn't have the music on. Once she had the music her timing was good if she didn't smile or move. If I told her to smile it looked like she was smelling socks or she sang too fast.

Some how in spite of that she got a call back Saturday. She must have gotten into her groove under pressure. I wasn't in her audition, I don't know.

V, the twins and I missed the auction and she was at call backs for over 3 hours Saturday afternoon. After, we went to Yale to pick up Jonathan and Jackson (they went to the auction and took his parents Tahoe back).

We waited until Monday for the cast list to post and....she didn't make the show.

I was more nervous then she was. She was not at all bummed. She had fun auditioning and doing call backs and that was enough (she's a bigger person then I am). Jonathan didn't want her to get into the show and then he was bummed she didn't make it.

I'm just really proud of her hard work and good attitude.

So, I've been in hidding.

Not really, but I'm a bit behind on my posts.

Jonathan turned the big 3-1 today. I made steak, scalloped potatoes and New York Style cheesecake to soften the blow.

We went to Norman (Friday through Sunday) to visit family and we went to Bristow Wednesday to visit friends.

V is auditioning for High School Musical tomorrow.

I got new glasses (red horn rimmed, so groovy) last Monday.

V's floor is almost done. I bought bedding, now I need to make or buy curtains. Then we are down to paint and trim. YIPEE!!

Both babies are fussy (I blame more teeth or allergies).

We are going to the OSU surplus auction Saturday morning.

I've also tired to figure out how to start making stained glass "art". I'm not artistic, but I have a need for a few pieces and I think I can do it (there are tons of books with patterns). We'll see.

I also messed up or pulled something in my back. I'm a little sore during the day (no big deal), but it hurts beyond belief at night and it's making sleep hard (I pulled off the bottom sheet I tossed so much last night). Feeling like I can function during the day has made me think I don't need to go to the doctor. It's been about a week, I hope it goes away on its own soon.

So, how are you?

The New England Primer and Teachers Unions

Terry in response to what you said about teachers unions, I totally understand and agree. That is the reason my father-in-law "retired" from teaching. He wouldn't join the union and his contract wasn't renewed, I think about 11 years ago. He's the kind of teacher you would love to have, full of knowledgeable, fun, funny, and interesting. My husband has been blessed with some of his gifts and can explain anything, so anyone can understand it. That helps when I can't.

As for curriculum it may not be the New England Primer and it's just for English, but Victoria's current English book is from around 1900. It's called Primary Language Lessons. I've been more impressed with the selections that come from my curriculum provider, then any others I've looked at. It uses a lot of real books and some of them are pretty old. It's good stuff.

Reunions

This past June was my 10 year high school reunion. Did I go? No. Did I care? No. Since that time I've done a lot of thinking about my 4-H friends. These are the people who mattered to me and had a greater impact in shaping me. I've made attempts at finding and contacting old friends, but when you want to reunite from an orginazation and not a school it's harder to find those people.

I posted a letter to my 4-H friends on facebook and I plan to do the same on myspace later today or tomorrow.

Any suggestions as I begin a greater search?

HEY BUDDY!

My little buddy Xander (that's what we call Alex now) says that all the time now and Owen mimics the Empirors March from Star Wars. I'm so proud of my little geeks!

The tall and SHORT of it. (UPDATED)

Short women may live longer.

Yeah, for me I'm only 5'2".

(UPDATED)
I can verify we are meaner.

This could spell trouble.

You can read it here, or you can get the RD (Readers Digest) version from me. In the 2nd Appellate Court in Los Angeles it has been ruled that you can't home educate your children without teaching credentials.

As most of you know we homeschool in Oklahoma. Whether you agree with that or not doesn't matter to me. I have my reasons, just as others have their reason for sending their kids to public or private school. I don't have credentials (I was working toward my BS in Aerospace Engineering), but I do have the help and support of both of my in-laws who are credentialed and a friend who is a retired school teacher for support. My curriculum is sound and and developed by credentialed individuals. My children are also VERY socialized (I honestly think I run around more homeschooling then if I didn't).

Most people who are against homeschooling have little understanding of it. My usual gripe that I get deals with them being involved with other kids. We belong to a group called BCHEF (B'ville Christian Home Educators Fellowship-you don't even have to be Christian to join-one family was Hindi). My children have church, 4-H, P.E., swimming lessons, holiday parties, field trips, sports and V even attends an enrichment program one day a week with other kids (for music, P.E, science, art-things that are more fun in a group). We also have the only trampoline in the neighborhood and we have a handful of kids in our backyard whenever the weather is good.

If testing is the issue people have, a private school here in town will allow us to let our children sit for standardized testing for $20. Some think hoemschooling isn't regulated enough, but why is that an issue when in Oklahoma homeschooled children are winning the robots competitions, spelling bees, geography bees and they are begin heavily courted by universities.

Credentials mean very little to me in the realm of education. I've had my fair share of credentialed "teachers" who were narrow minded, poor educators who had a pitiful grasp of the subject matter, and should never be allowed to be around children or teens.

My husband and I are both smart people who were never challenged in school. We received good grades for minimal effort. We want our children to have a challenge. Educators will tell you that 1 on 1 education is the most effective. I love that she can accelerate at what she is good at and that we can pull back and work longer on the things she struggles with. My daughter is like me, independent and she is just as content to be alone as she is in a group. I want her to remain her own person, not turn in to societies Lindsey Lohan/Paris Hilton knock offs (I'm giving Brit a break here).

I can site friends who were homeschool, that are well rounded, "normal" individuals. The best example I can site here is my friend Jeremy, who's blog is listed in my links. I understand the reasons people don't homeschool, I respect their decisions. I just wish more people would respect ours.

Getting back to normal.

If you read this post, things are getting better. I'm on a roll, I've been up before 8am (before 7 Sunday and Monday) for 4 whole days now. Ya, it's not much, but it's all I've got.

The caffeine consumption is still way too high, but I'll work my way back down.

I think everyone is better finally. We did have some puke Sunday and yesterday, but it was minimal and short lived (and Sunday I was singing in the first service when it hit) and I haven't had to clean much up.

How inconvenient.

Well, changes have happened in J's office. We were blessed for a period with him working 4-10 hour days and having 3 days off most weekends (he did have to work a few Friday's). Well, changes have occurred in his division and they now have a new GM and have been moved back to 5-8's.

I'll be honest I'm not to happy. Our spring weekend plans will have to be reevaluated, b/c they will require vacation time. Maybe they will change it back someday. Right now I can only hope.

Both Grandpa's are at the hospital (UPDATED)

Okay, the Grandpa from yesterday has a little blockage behind a stint, but they will probably let him go around 5 and they will schedule a stress test to see if they need to do more to fix it.


I just got a call that my other grandfather passed out and was in the ER at Norman. The guess is that his blood pressure meds made his blood pressure to low and he passed out. I'm not sure.

UPDATE

Grandpa T (the one who passed out) was almost kept, his sodium was a little low. When his doctor was contacted he said to release him and that he'd take care of it. Grandpa T went home, changed clothes and went to El Chico. Mexican food-a good source of sodium. I wish we had an El Chico here.

Grandpa O should be out of the hospital in the next hour and a half.

R.I.P. Bill Buckley Jr.

I was first exposed to Bill Buckley in college. He was mediating a debate that was telecast to the Oklahoma State campus. Even as a mediator he was more interesting and intelligent then either of the debaters.

He was a man of the type intellect that you honestly don't see very often. Whether you agree or disagree with his politics (even I don't always), if you ever have the opportunity to see any talk he has given it is worth the time just to hear is gift of the English language.

He will be missed.

Prayer Request

My grandfather was taken to Norman Regional Hospital. I'm not sure what is wrong. They thought it was a heart attack, but the EKG wasn't showing anything (I think). This is all I know from my dad, so if you can throw a prayer up for my Grandpa O.

For love of Scrabble.

Okay, so I'm a geek. I love me some Scrabble. I play on Facebook, so I play a game virtually for about a week before it ends, but I never play my husband. We have good reason, he won't play me online and we have 4 kids and 2 under the age of 2. Imagine the mess of tiles from a well played game. I know it couldn't be left for a moment, or all would be lost. I needed a solution.

I found a bought the solution.

We went to bed the other night and played on the bed laughing. We come up with some pretty stupid stuff. We can close the game and save it for later. It's just SCRABBULOUS!

I love politics,...

...but this election season is getting on my nerves. I usually love the election season (maybe it's just been going on too long). I guess this goes to remind me that it is the politics and issues I love not the people. Maybe I'm not into it, because there is no one who really stirs a fire in me. I'll be glad when November is here and we can have the election behind us and get back into policy. I'm just tired of listening to them slam each other, as they don't really say much about their plans and policy ideas. I need more then catch phrases, rhetoric, vagueness and dirt. I'm just needing some depth and more substance.

Blogger Spell Check

Did anyone else have issues with blogger's spell check not working lately?

It's up and running again.

Ya, I'm glad.

I lucked out.

Jonathan was supposed to be gone overnight last night. He went to Wichita to meet with Cessna. He finished up about 4 o'clock , so he drove a little over 2 hours to come home last night and drove out again this morning.

I can handle the kids when he's away, but it is just so nice to have back up at night. I'm so thankful he came home.

Ha! Ha! Ha! (UPDATED)

Babystepper just posted this comment under my Um ya... post:

"No wonder you've been a away for a bit! You have always had amazing amounts of energy."

I'm sorry Babystepper I laughed. The only reason I'm functioning lately is the kids are sleeping until 9 and I'm being lazy and sleeping until then too. Yes, I am sleeping 9-11 hours a night, because I am absolutely wiped out. I also went from drinking very little caffeine to consuming 2-5 Dr. Pepper's or cups of coffee a day. I've hit the wall.

UPDATE

For the record this sleep pattern has only been going on since everyone has been sick. I honestly think it's what has kept me from catching the crud.

When I grow up I want to be...

... a carbon copy of what I see in women's magazines.

Scratch that I want to be me and comfortable in my own skin.

My friend/family over in the Babystepper household had a great post today. Go ahead...read it...I'll be waiting here when your done.

She's an excellent writer and makes great points, but this one is one that has struck home with me around Christmas and it's nice to know I'm not the only one.

I rarely buy a magazine outside of Family Fun (for some random craft or an easy pirate ship cake) or recipes from Rachel Ray. I found I don't have time to read them and I’m not going to execute most of the ideas and suggestions they had. They aren't me, they don't fit my budget and I have better things to do.

Reading about the article that frustrated Babystepper reminded me of a conversation Jonathan and I had about V before Christmas. Jonathan had taken V to Toys R Us to look and give ideas of what she would like. Every "girly" thing she looked at she expressed interest in and then thought about it and said, "That's neat, but I really don't think I'd play with it." V did not request a Barbie, a baby doll, kitchen stuff, or dress up clothes. The one thing she really wanted was a lightsaber. Needless to say Jonathan got bummed. He thought he was losing his little girl.

I had to explain a few things to him. I asked these questions and I answered them for him:

"What are girls expected to play? House, dress up/princess, dolls/mommy"

"What do I do everyday? Clean house, cook, and take care of babies/kids, married (to my prince)"

"Those imagination play things are the daily activity in our house and she's bored with it. She knows it's not all fun and games. Let her go beyond and be an astronaut, a pirate, or buy her some K'nex to build what she imagines. Let her not be conventional, because she's not. Neither was I at her age. At 7 all I wanted were Transformers and G.I. Joes (I only got 1)."

This brings me to what Babystepper was talking about. I am a person who is content to be alone. I have few female friends, but we are all unconventional in what we find fun and funny. Going to the garden center with goody bags would just be weird. Normal for us would be karaoke, working on a musical or play, inflicting pain on each other at the YMCA, or being messy and helping paint a room. Spontaneity reins supreme and it's just doing what we like and acting like big kids (who can have an intelligent conversation) together.

I want my daughter to know that different is good, life can have its conventional (wife, mother, student), but you still get to be whoever and whatever God made you to be.

I like to embrace my weirdness and I hope V will too.

America's Next Top Model

I really don't watch TV so I haven't seen this show, but a girl from where I currently live in on the show. Out of curiosity I looked at the web site to see her picture. She looks like Mila Jovovich.

Wow!

I admit it I love Daimond.

Neil Diamond that is.

Yes, it's hard to admit, but my mother is a huge fan and has past it down to me (I'm the only 1 of her 3 who is). It's strange element in my music style. I like rock, alternative and metal as my standard (I like most stuff in some form). Right now I really want my mom's old records and a record player for a little Neil. Maybe it's because I have so much house work to do (because I'm lazy, people have been sick and home renovations), it seemed to be the standard stuff mom played while we worked. It was peppy and made for some silly dancing on mom's part as we worked.

Ya, maybe I need to go to Hastings and see what they have.

I smell poop!

I hope this makes you laugh. If it makes you ill I'm sorry.

O and A are both cutting teeth. They are usually normal babies having 1-2 BM's a day. Right now they are teething and we have increased to 5-8 a day. All doctors will tell you teething doesn't cause diarrhea, but it's happened with all 4 of my kids EVERY time they cut teeth (even 6 year old molars-sorry V). I would love to be believed by a doctor, but this proves my point, they call it medical practice, because if they knew what they were doing they'd call it something else.

I usually buy a big box of diapers every 2 weeks, but I've had to buy 1 box a week for the last 2 weeks. That's 94 diapers, that is almost 7 diapers per kid per day. That's like the number you go through with a newborn. I just want it to stop.

Also be warned 100% grape juice and diarrhea stains their rear end. It's like perminent marker. You have to scrub and scrub.

Now that I've grossed you out, have a great day. I just had to share a mommy moment.

Is it bad...

...that I could care less about Valentine's Day. My primary love language is acts of service. Going out for an over priced meal and getting more "stuff", because it is certain day doesn't do anything for me.

Don't get me wrong I enjoy being treated and appreciated and I like a good gift, but I like for it to be J's idea. I'm not anti-Valentine's Day for everyone, just me. I like making cards for the kids Victoria knows, with her (it makes a fun art lesson), and I enjoy an excuse to buy a little candy.

When I knew Jonathan was looking on the computer to buy me a gift I told him, "Buy me a gift and I'll punch you in the throat. If you feel the desire that you must do something, bring home dinner so I don't have to cook." It's a wonder I ever got married with my attitude at times.

I can skip Valentine's Day I will take a random act of service done in love any day.

In other news J has no desire to eat he’s so sick. He ate ¼ of a Caesar wrap from Camille’s and is in bed in a sweatshirt, bundled up and chilling. He missed work Monday and was going to make it up tomorrow and I told him if he felt bad at all he wasn’t allowed to go in. He must feel bad, because he didn’t argue.

Um ya...

...so it's been a while. Jackson didn't get a "My baby turned 4 post". Life happens. The babies, though normally easy to care for and good natured, have started channeling the devil (not really, but we've had ear infections for a month). I also noticed they were each cutting at least 2 teeth. As it stands I am the last man standing at home. I'm the only one not sick and I hope to stay that way.

The babies have hit climbing mode (no not stairs, that’s old news and normal). I don’t remember this with V and J, but O and A climb tables, cabinets…whatever. Nothing is sacred. I have had at least 1 new full box of Cheerio’s dumped and a full pitcher of Kool-Aid. V’s home school assignments have been written on. I left briefly one night and Jonathan left them alone for 3 minutes. I came in and busted them on the kitchen table with V’s markers (washable) writing on things and each other. Say it with me class…FUN!

Here we go on the Jackson front. His 4th birthday my mom, sister's, Michelle's boyfriend and J's parents came to B'ville. We ate pizza at a place that no one can argue has the best pizza...period...no you can't argue until you've tried it...stop now...you can't convince me. Then we unloaded "THE GIFT" (a SQUARE 13 foot trampoline). Michelle and Steve picked it up at Sam's. It was in 2 HUGE boxes (I think coffins are smaller) and it was heavy. I used to sell appliances at Lowe's (I've loaded refrigerators with no issue and these boxes I thought had anvils in them). If you look at the box for the enclosure and trampoline (14’ round) at Wal-Mart those 2 boxes together are smaller then 1 of these.

The boxes were set in the kitchen and we brought Jackson in. He looked and said, "I wanted a robot!" Hmmm, we didn't think about the fact that he'd never been on a trampoline before. My mom did buy him a Transformer, so we were saved. It was very cold out so I threw on my coveralls and we assembled it. Did I mention this detail...it was cold. He now loves it.

We have been very busy since we got the trampoline. Other neighbors have the swing sets with the forts and play houses, but we have the ONLY trampoline. We are very popular now. The boy next door (Matthew, he's 12) likes to play with V and J. We know some of his friends (they wanted to help when we moved in) and he's brought them over to see if they can play. It's been fun, but busy.

Other recent activities have included, a foot of snow (a huge fort and snowman) Jackson started speech therapy and we gutted V's bedroom down to the studs and are in the process of remodeling it. We've been busy.

So far in V's room we have removed over 2000lbs of plaster, and unknown amount of lathe and trim. We have rewired which required some attic tear up (we still had a little knob and tube wiring), we have insulated the dinning room downstairs with blown insulation from her room and we've added rolled insulation to her room. Her room has been sheet rocked, taped and had a coating of joint compound put on. 2 more coats of joint compound sanding and sanding will leave the walls ready for me to paint. We also have patched her closet floor, now we need to sand and varnish. Then it will be down to the details like trim (which J builds) and me finding what I want for curtain material so I can make them. V is sleeping in the laundry room (no it isn’t as weird as it sounds).

There is your update from the land of the R family. I hope this finds you well, warm and not windblown.

"I don't know how you do it."

"Your kids are so well behaved. I'm just amazed, especially with twins. I couldn't do it."

I hear the above...a lot. No, my children aren't angels, they have fits, they talk to strangers about their diarrhea or any taboo financial figure I've given them when they ask. My kids are better then some and over all they are pretty easy to take care of. That statement comes with an exception if you weren't noticing (here it comes).

Right now I'm a little frazzled. Jackson is a turning 4 (Saturday) and in his search for Independence he is throwing fits and getting spanked more then I would like. V was doing so much better at focusing and listening and now she has hit a "cloud" and all things I say are lost in the fog. I'm tired of repeating myself once, twice, three times or more. Owen and Alexander regardless of being really good have pink eye and double ear infections (I'm not sure if they got sick from Wal-Mart shopping carts, childcare at the YMCA or if it's just bad luck). They are both crying and needy and holding 2 isn't as easy anymore, especially when they want down and then right back up. I will survive, but I'm definitely tired. I've still got my smile, but I would love a nap.

Homeschool work is taking a slide this week as we prep for family to converge on our house Saturday. Thankfully that is one less thing on my plate.

I'm off to clean the kitchen and fix dinner and then I'm off to the Y (since I can't take them to childcare) after J is home.

Right now I don't know how I'm going to do it.

Spell Check

It's a wonderful invention, it's too bad it doesn't catch everything. I'm not terrible at spelling and grammar. Typing that's another story, most of the time I just type and go and I don't proof read and check my work. I think much faster than I type and errors pop up.

Today I noticed an error in my header on the blog (which has bee there for a long time). I had spelled the word correctly, but I had typed the wrong word. I had typed your instead of you're. These error make me feel silly for the short amount of time it takes to proof the blog stuff.

Please, laugh at my silliness. It's like typing loose when I mean lose. I just have to remember to go back and check, so I don't embarrass myself.

Did you know...

...that January 1st has kicked off the New Year in English speaking countries since the adoption of the British Calendar At of 1751? Prior to that, the New year began on March 25th.

Yes, I am a fountain of useless knowledge.

I have no resolutions, I change my way of doing things all the time. I don't need today to make me do it. Persevering through the changes I make year round, that's another story. Ya, I still have work to do. I'm not nearly as groovy as you all thought. Oh, wait...you don't think I'm that cool? I'm not surprised. ;-P

Have a great day! I'm off to take down Christmas decorations and watch football (maybe).

Number 9...Number 9...

...is one of my least favorite Beatles songs, but today number 9 is different.

I married Jonathan 9 years ago today!

We have no plans, the kids have had an over load of travel and conflicting discipline for the holidays. We need to get them back in our routine before subjecting some poor babysitter to our 4. I have plans for fixing a nice dinner and we are going to rearrange for new toys (and remove more even though I did it a couple of weeks ago) and for the start of renovating V's room. It may not be an anniversary of fun activities, but it is a reminder of the adventures we always have and there is always fun involved in our own warped way, that most may not see.

Have a great day!

DANG!

They've got skills. You have to watch the whole thing, it gets better as it goes on.

Rush Limbaugh (updated again)

I was the first caller on Rush today! I picked on him for rooting for Missouri.

Ha! Ha! Ha!

(update 1)
Terry,

I read you comment after I posted this and laughed hard.

(update 2)
He even linked the conversation on the website on the front page (look in the left column), here's the direct link. I'm such a giddy little dork. I will pull and save the mp3 of this show.

Personal Foul

BOOMER SOONER!

OU just won the Big 12 Championship against #1 Missouri.

I predicted it (at least on my pick 'em group, I'm ranked #2).

Here is the football question to ponder. If you tackle a guy and your butt is right next to his head and you fart on purpose, could that be a personal foul? Sorry, I started laughing during the game while thinking about that.

Ya, I know that was just bad.

Wait Wai

There's no need to eat your hat (made of turkey) unless your just hungry right now. The women were all in the kitchen and were around as the turkey was put in the roaster oven and prepared. The discussion had already occurred as to how to brine soak the turkey and what I put in the soak. They asked before they ate it.

The guys on the other hand cared not. It was food and it was good, they ate it. Then they all retreated to their respective chairs or outside to throw the football around with the kids and that was about the extent of what we got out of them.

19 people satisfied, I finally put my few left overs in the freezer.

Recap

I had a successful Thanksgiving in spite of Murphy's law.

Jonathan was off all last week (thankful).

We got a lot of work and organization done on the house (thankful).

Jonathan decided we needed to go to the zoo Tuesday and showed up over an hour after we did when I should have been working on the house because people were coming Wednesday night (thankful and then not thankful).

My turkey turned out pretty good (thanks Wai for the soak instructions they were great), it got cooked after it popped to try and get it to brown more and is wasn't as moist as it would have been (still thankful).

Jackson started throwing up at 1am Thanksgiving-he ate 5 crackers all day and threw up on my bed twice and on me twice (not thankful).

My in-laws stayed to care of the other kids while we took Jackson to the ER Thursday night (thankful).

No one else has gotten sick...yet (thankful).

I got the tree up and the house decorated Friday. It's nice and festive (thankful).

Jonathan had to go back to work Monday (not thankful and yet thankful-we have to have money to live).

These are just a few things from last week. I have much more to be thankful for, this is just a high and low light recap of last week. I hope you had a happy and blessed Thanksgiving and I hope you have a wonderful transition to Christmas!

I am the Queen...

...Nerd Queen that is.

Eat, drink and be merry!

Okay, so maybe all I put here are things to eat and be merry. If you want the drink I'm of no help here. This is a modified version of a post I made last November. It's still the same 5 recipes.

1. I’ve posted about this one before, this is a Rachel Ray 30 minute meal (it takes me closer to 45 without a helper for me). The chicken lettuce wraps are a lot like the ones at Pei Wei and P. F. Chang’s. I even use it as a salad topping with no dressing instead of making wraps sometimes.

2. It is a simple homemade Vegetable beef soup. This one requires no measuring and minimal prep. Just brown some ground beef (you choose the amount). Get a large pot and dump a can or 2 of Veg-All, a can or 2 of sliced new potatoes, a can of whole green beans, 3 beef bullion cubes and some seasoned salt and pepper. Add whatever amount of water you desire. Bring it to a boil; reduce it to a simmer for 15 minutes (or how ever long you feel, simmer longer and just keep checking the water level). This is good reheated and even my kids eat it. In one pan you have multiple veggies, meat, and starch, I love one pot meals and soup on cold days.

3. I made this pumpkin swirl cheesecake three times last year. For Thanksgiving and Christmas I cheated and didn’t swirl it. I just made it strait up pumpkin; this was a nice change to the usual holiday desserts. The ginger snap crust is so good. If you’ve never made a cheesecake before the videos on the page were very helpful. I’d never used a spring form pan before either.

4 & 5. 2 recipes for the price of 1. This is the recipe for the rolls I blogged about before. This is a super simple and delicious dough. It is knead free and takes about 10 minutes to mix up. The time is mostly in letting the stuff rise, but it is well worth it. I usually make a double batch and make one batch of cinnamon and one batch of dinner rolls. By doing this you have breakfast on the go and rolls for your holiday dinner or whenever you want. Both freeze and reheat very well. I’ve been known to freeze meal size quantities of dinner rolls, so we don’t eat them, and I just pull them from our deep freeze with our dinner meat when I need them.

Cinnamon/Dinner Roll Dough

1 cake of yeast
3 tbsp warm water
Dissolve yeast in water (to check yeast activation add a very small pinch of sugar and stir in, if it begins to bubble yeast is activated).

2 eggs beaten
½ c Crisco
1 tsp salt
½ c sugar
1 c warm water
Mix together well and add yeast. Gradually stir in 4 c of flour. Cover bowl with a dish towel, if used the same day allow to rise 2-3 hours (may be stored in the refrigerator over night).

Cinnamon Rolls

After rising, divide in half. Roll on floured counter into a rectangle with dough about ¼” thick. Melt a stick of butter or margarine and brush onto the dough all the way to the edges. In a container with a lid combine ½ c dark brown sugar, ½ c white sugar and ground cinnamon, shake until well mixed. Shake ½ of the mixture onto the dough (don’t apply to the last inch on the 1 of the long edges) spread evenly and smoothly with hand. Roll like a jellyroll from the long edge that has cinnamon. Cut into 1” rolls with dental floss or a piece of string. Place in a greased pan, but not too closely. Let rise 2 hours.Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.Glaze with ¼ c butter or margarine, ½ c of powdered sugar and 2 tsp milk. Soften butter at room temperature and use a fork to combine butter and powdered sugar, add milk and heat for about 30 seconds on medium in the microwave. Mix well and spoon over hot rolls.

Dinner Rolls

Divide into 4ths and roll into circles about ¼” thick. Brush with melted butter and cut into wedges. Roll from edge to point. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Let rise 2-3 hours.Bake 6-10 minutes at 425 degrees. Time varies upon cookie sheet and oven and desired doneness.I use airbake pans and a temp closer to 450 degrees for 10 minutes, on the lower middle rack.

I hope someone can use these for some holiday help. Enjoy!

Check this out.

This may be the colest car I've ever seen in modern history. Wow!