Things I want to try, so I don't have to track the link back down later:
prayer notebook
rockin green laundry detergent
saving on hand soap with a rubber band
blogging tips
Webkinz (not that I need a Webkinz commercial, but I like her points)
duct cleaning. My allergies have been going non-stop for over a year now. I'm desperate, desperate for some clean air.
homemade laundry detergent... this is always a question of time vs expense....I like that she has a price breakdown on her ingredients and how much it made for her.
ooo...and a free ebook on homemade laundry soap
just say yes to sleepovers
book titled the house that cleans itself
leftover buns cause I hate throwing them away after they've gone stale and moldy on top of the fridge
for Vaya in a year or so... glad place mats
mmmm....frozen hot chocolate
garage cleaning and organizing
classroom teacher gift ideas. This doesn't apply to me, but she hit the nail on the head, so I have to link her.
child boogie labor on floors
reusable bags for library books.
Kid Vantage club....WOW! Check this out!!! (The Jedi says, very matter of factly, "they are going to take a bath on that.")
Listerine bugspray
organizing little girl pretties. Not that my girl is little or uses these sorts of things. But I can pretend that it might pertain.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
WFMW: Chores and Routines
A couple thoughts of note before the nitty gritty.
One, I just noticed I haven't posted to my blog since the last Works for Me Wednesday...and even then, my last entry was links of some ideas I wanted to try. Which really means I haven't actually sat down to blog in over a week. Bad me.
Two, not having blogged in over a week means that I have a lot of extra words stored up and ready to dump bless others with. Nevertheless, I shall try to be direct and to the point. You can stop laughing now.
Works for Me Wednesday
Chores and Daily Routines
Why is "chores" such a dreaded word? I've pretty much banned it from my vocabulary. Call it what you will, but no one likes doing those regular, day to day, housekeeping type tasks. And yet, the garbage needs taken out, the table needs wiped off, the garden needs watered, the beds need made, etc, etc, etc.
Oh sure, you can make a blanket rule of getting chores done before school or getting afternoon chores done before free time. And I highly recommend both of those rules. I have these sorts of rules in place myself. But, to quote Mary Poppins, a teaspoon of sugar helps the medicine go down.
Here's my teaspoon of sugar when it comes to our daily chore lists. It adds an element of fun to getting our lists done.
Each child has a list of chores, morning and afternoon, posted on the refrigerator. Though the chores are different, each child has the same number of chores. I didn't do this out of a sense of "fairness", but because its an important part of the game. Beside each chore, is a space for each day of the week. Our list is saved in a computer file, so I just print a new list each week. (That makes it easy to change the list if I need to add, subtract, or substitute a task.) At the end of the week, the lists go to our scrap paper file, and the backs either get used for grocery lists or get drawn on by my 6-year-old. So, I don't feel like I'm wasting paper to print a new list every week.
Yes, yes, well and good, you are thinking, but tell about the game. I mentioned a game, and a little bit of fun in getting chores done. So far a printed list isn't sounding like much fun, is it?
Well, here's the fun part. As each child completes their list, they use a colored highlighter to mark each chore done each day. At the end of the week, we count up how many colored dots each child has. The child with the most dots gets to pick a fun family activity that we all do together. (As long as the activity is free, or close to free, and its one that everyone in the family can do.)
Here's why this works so well for us:
--Everyone loves to feel special. Being the one who gets to pick the family activity during the weekend is an extra special treat.
--Everyone participates in the family activity, so everyone benefits from the game. --Even if one child doesn't have as much points as the other child, everyone gets to watch the movie and have popcorn, or go to the park, or play Wii....or whatever the selected activity is. So its a win-win situation for everyone.
--If the children tie (or even come within one or two points of each other), they BOTH get to pick an activity, and we have TWO fun, child-selected, family activities that weekend. So, there's a great incentive to get all the chores done every day...and even an incentive to perhaps co-operate instead of compete. If they co-operate and help each other complete tasks, its double the fun on the weekend.
Here's what the game isn't:
--It isn't optional. The lists have to be completed anyway. You can't decide, "I don't care what we do" and just select not to do your chores. The morning list has to be completed before nine on a school morning. Anything not done by nine has to be finished up during our lunch break, before any kind of playtime happens. Likewise, the afternoon list has to be finished before free playtime as well. Getting the dots for the game just helps make it a little more fun.
--It isn't a mean competition. There isn't a "loser" and there isn't any teasing (or comments) about who has more points than who. My kids know that if I overhear a comment of that nature, Mommy will start taking points away from the offender.
--It isn't a bribe. There is no "if you do x, Mommy will give you an extra point". We all get our lists done because those things need done every day. We're a family, and we help each other out. We don't pitch in just to see what we can get out of it.
Here's other ways in which we use the points:
--When I was in college, doing student practicum, I heard of a system called "caught being good." A teacher could reward "tickets" to a child when she caught him or her going out of their way to do something especially nice or helpful. In this case, the child put their name on the ticket, put the ticket in a jar on the teacher's desk, and then the teacher drew out a few tickets every week for an extra treat. Our points work as a "caught being good." Sometimes, when I notice someone being especially helpful without being asked, I say, "good job, go give yourself an extra point." HOWEVER, this does not work if the child ASKS for the point. If the child asks for a point, the answer is no. We help each other to be helpful, not to get something in return. Mommy rewarding an extra point is just an extra occasional treat, not a payment. (Sweetling is reading over my shoulder and comments, "A good deed is its own reward.")
--Points can be lost for irresponsibility. I don't use this often, because I don't want our point system to be a reward and punishment system. But I have found it helpful when there is an ongoing pattern of "forgetful" behavior that is bugging the snot out of me (like forgetting to flush the toilet, leaving the tv on after you've left the room to do something else, etc.) After calling the child back into the room, again and again, to take care of the same forgotten thing day after day, I finally say, "The next time you forget to do Z, you must go cross off one of your dots." That's usually the end of the forgetting. I don't ever, ever, use this as a punishment for a mess or spill or other accident. Messes and spills just get cleaned up. That's just part of life. I make messes and spills too, and then I just clean up after myself.
Other tips about THE GAME.
--The lists aren't in effect over the weekend. This is a Monday through Friday deal only. But Saturday is a day of rest. On Sunday, I print a new list, and Sunday has its own set of chores that need done. Plus, if Daddy is home from work on a vacation day, that's a vacation day. No list needs done. (of course, an ambitious child is always welcome to do the chores anyway, and award themselves the dots.)
--Each child has one "pass" a week that can be used on the afternoon lists only on any day they choose. I put that in because there are days that I don't feel like doing anything either. We're all human.
--Monday is our pj day. Getting dressed in the morning is on the kids' morning lists, but they can skip this on Monday morning. Why? Because :)
--We decorate our fridge with a "theme" and change our theme every other month or so. (The kids tell me when its time to change the theme.) We've had a space theme, a 911 theme, a Mario theme, etc. The kids pick the theme and make the decorations for the fridge (a couple of pieces of art). Then I change the font and title of our lists to match the theme. Currently, we have a Mario Party theme, so Sweetling morning list says "SuperSweetlings Mini-Game Tent", her afternoon list is "Bonus Mini-Games" and her Sunday list is "Sunday Star Battle". Having a theme that the kids choose, make, and control gives them more ownership over the list and helps hold their interest. (We also have a paper calendar on our fridge, and the kids also make event decorations to mark special days on the calendar. This is done by tracing a milk jug lid, drawing an icon in the circle, coloring it, cutting it out, and taping it to the appropriate day.)
I asked Sweetling if there was anything else I wanted to say about this. She adds that this system is "expert-approved." So there you have it.
We have been using this system for over a year now, and it really, really works for us. I've tweaked it along so that it fits our family and our needs. I hope you find something useful in it for your family.
(In case you're wondering, here are the lists I expect my children to get done each day.)
Sweetling (age 11)
Morning:
Make bed
Feed fish
Vitamins and devotions
Brush teeth
Brush hair and get dressed
Clean off bedroom desk
Renew library books (thursday only)
Done by 9am (extra dot)
After lunch:
Brush teeth with blue rinse (before recess timer goes off)--3 points each day
Afternoon:
Clean floor of bedroom
Pick up living room and any "projects"
Clean off schoolroom desk
Take out compost and wash hands
Take lids and tubes to school supply bucket and put on hand lotion
Refill and refreeze waterbottles, unpack if needed
Check tomorrow's schedule and pack anything needed for any outings
Water garden (not on Thursday)
Handwriting
Put away laundry (Tuesday only)
Sunday:
Pick up schoolroom
Change bedroom trash
Sort laundry
Pick up bedroom
Toa of Boy (age 6)
Morning:
Make bed
Clean off white table in living room
Vitamins and Calendar
Brush teeth
Get dressed
Devotions with Mommy
Clean off bedroom desk
Water Garden
Done by 9 am (extra dot)
After lunch:
Brush teeth with blue rinse (before recess timer goes off)--3 points each day
Afternoon:
Pick up Bedroom
Pick up living room and any "projects"
Clean off schoolroom desk
Take recyclables to bin
Refill and refreeze waterbottles, unpack if needed
Check tomorrow's schedule and pack anything needed for any outings
Handwriting
Water garden (Thursdays only)
Put away laundry (Tuesday only)
Sunday:
Pick up schoolroom
Change bedroom trash
Sort laundry
Pick up bedroom
Check out more great ideas at We Are THAT Family.
One, I just noticed I haven't posted to my blog since the last Works for Me Wednesday...and even then, my last entry was links of some ideas I wanted to try. Which really means I haven't actually sat down to blog in over a week. Bad me.
Two, not having blogged in over a week means that I have a lot of extra words stored up and ready to dump bless others with. Nevertheless, I shall try to be direct and to the point. You can stop laughing now.
Works for Me Wednesday
Chores and Daily Routines
Why is "chores" such a dreaded word? I've pretty much banned it from my vocabulary. Call it what you will, but no one likes doing those regular, day to day, housekeeping type tasks. And yet, the garbage needs taken out, the table needs wiped off, the garden needs watered, the beds need made, etc, etc, etc.
Oh sure, you can make a blanket rule of getting chores done before school or getting afternoon chores done before free time. And I highly recommend both of those rules. I have these sorts of rules in place myself. But, to quote Mary Poppins, a teaspoon of sugar helps the medicine go down.
Here's my teaspoon of sugar when it comes to our daily chore lists. It adds an element of fun to getting our lists done.
Each child has a list of chores, morning and afternoon, posted on the refrigerator. Though the chores are different, each child has the same number of chores. I didn't do this out of a sense of "fairness", but because its an important part of the game. Beside each chore, is a space for each day of the week. Our list is saved in a computer file, so I just print a new list each week. (That makes it easy to change the list if I need to add, subtract, or substitute a task.) At the end of the week, the lists go to our scrap paper file, and the backs either get used for grocery lists or get drawn on by my 6-year-old. So, I don't feel like I'm wasting paper to print a new list every week.
Yes, yes, well and good, you are thinking, but tell about the game. I mentioned a game, and a little bit of fun in getting chores done. So far a printed list isn't sounding like much fun, is it?
Well, here's the fun part. As each child completes their list, they use a colored highlighter to mark each chore done each day. At the end of the week, we count up how many colored dots each child has. The child with the most dots gets to pick a fun family activity that we all do together. (As long as the activity is free, or close to free, and its one that everyone in the family can do.)
Here's why this works so well for us:
--Everyone loves to feel special. Being the one who gets to pick the family activity during the weekend is an extra special treat.
--Everyone participates in the family activity, so everyone benefits from the game. --Even if one child doesn't have as much points as the other child, everyone gets to watch the movie and have popcorn, or go to the park, or play Wii....or whatever the selected activity is. So its a win-win situation for everyone.
--If the children tie (or even come within one or two points of each other), they BOTH get to pick an activity, and we have TWO fun, child-selected, family activities that weekend. So, there's a great incentive to get all the chores done every day...and even an incentive to perhaps co-operate instead of compete. If they co-operate and help each other complete tasks, its double the fun on the weekend.
Here's what the game isn't:
--It isn't optional. The lists have to be completed anyway. You can't decide, "I don't care what we do" and just select not to do your chores. The morning list has to be completed before nine on a school morning. Anything not done by nine has to be finished up during our lunch break, before any kind of playtime happens. Likewise, the afternoon list has to be finished before free playtime as well. Getting the dots for the game just helps make it a little more fun.
--It isn't a mean competition. There isn't a "loser" and there isn't any teasing (or comments) about who has more points than who. My kids know that if I overhear a comment of that nature, Mommy will start taking points away from the offender.
--It isn't a bribe. There is no "if you do x, Mommy will give you an extra point". We all get our lists done because those things need done every day. We're a family, and we help each other out. We don't pitch in just to see what we can get out of it.
Here's other ways in which we use the points:
--When I was in college, doing student practicum, I heard of a system called "caught being good." A teacher could reward "tickets" to a child when she caught him or her going out of their way to do something especially nice or helpful. In this case, the child put their name on the ticket, put the ticket in a jar on the teacher's desk, and then the teacher drew out a few tickets every week for an extra treat. Our points work as a "caught being good." Sometimes, when I notice someone being especially helpful without being asked, I say, "good job, go give yourself an extra point." HOWEVER, this does not work if the child ASKS for the point. If the child asks for a point, the answer is no. We help each other to be helpful, not to get something in return. Mommy rewarding an extra point is just an extra occasional treat, not a payment. (Sweetling is reading over my shoulder and comments, "A good deed is its own reward.")
--Points can be lost for irresponsibility. I don't use this often, because I don't want our point system to be a reward and punishment system. But I have found it helpful when there is an ongoing pattern of "forgetful" behavior that is bugging the snot out of me (like forgetting to flush the toilet, leaving the tv on after you've left the room to do something else, etc.) After calling the child back into the room, again and again, to take care of the same forgotten thing day after day, I finally say, "The next time you forget to do Z, you must go cross off one of your dots." That's usually the end of the forgetting. I don't ever, ever, use this as a punishment for a mess or spill or other accident. Messes and spills just get cleaned up. That's just part of life. I make messes and spills too, and then I just clean up after myself.
Other tips about THE GAME.
--The lists aren't in effect over the weekend. This is a Monday through Friday deal only. But Saturday is a day of rest. On Sunday, I print a new list, and Sunday has its own set of chores that need done. Plus, if Daddy is home from work on a vacation day, that's a vacation day. No list needs done. (of course, an ambitious child is always welcome to do the chores anyway, and award themselves the dots.)
--Each child has one "pass" a week that can be used on the afternoon lists only on any day they choose. I put that in because there are days that I don't feel like doing anything either. We're all human.
--Monday is our pj day. Getting dressed in the morning is on the kids' morning lists, but they can skip this on Monday morning. Why? Because :)
--We decorate our fridge with a "theme" and change our theme every other month or so. (The kids tell me when its time to change the theme.) We've had a space theme, a 911 theme, a Mario theme, etc. The kids pick the theme and make the decorations for the fridge (a couple of pieces of art). Then I change the font and title of our lists to match the theme. Currently, we have a Mario Party theme, so Sweetling morning list says "SuperSweetlings Mini-Game Tent", her afternoon list is "Bonus Mini-Games" and her Sunday list is "Sunday Star Battle". Having a theme that the kids choose, make, and control gives them more ownership over the list and helps hold their interest. (We also have a paper calendar on our fridge, and the kids also make event decorations to mark special days on the calendar. This is done by tracing a milk jug lid, drawing an icon in the circle, coloring it, cutting it out, and taping it to the appropriate day.)
I asked Sweetling if there was anything else I wanted to say about this. She adds that this system is "expert-approved." So there you have it.
We have been using this system for over a year now, and it really, really works for us. I've tweaked it along so that it fits our family and our needs. I hope you find something useful in it for your family.
(In case you're wondering, here are the lists I expect my children to get done each day.)
Sweetling (age 11)
Morning:
Make bed
Feed fish
Vitamins and devotions
Brush teeth
Brush hair and get dressed
Clean off bedroom desk
Renew library books (thursday only)
Done by 9am (extra dot)
After lunch:
Brush teeth with blue rinse (before recess timer goes off)--3 points each day
Afternoon:
Clean floor of bedroom
Pick up living room and any "projects"
Clean off schoolroom desk
Take out compost and wash hands
Take lids and tubes to school supply bucket and put on hand lotion
Refill and refreeze waterbottles, unpack if needed
Check tomorrow's schedule and pack anything needed for any outings
Water garden (not on Thursday)
Handwriting
Put away laundry (Tuesday only)
Sunday:
Pick up schoolroom
Change bedroom trash
Sort laundry
Pick up bedroom
Toa of Boy (age 6)
Morning:
Make bed
Clean off white table in living room
Vitamins and Calendar
Brush teeth
Get dressed
Devotions with Mommy
Clean off bedroom desk
Water Garden
Done by 9 am (extra dot)
After lunch:
Brush teeth with blue rinse (before recess timer goes off)--3 points each day
Afternoon:
Pick up Bedroom
Pick up living room and any "projects"
Clean off schoolroom desk
Take recyclables to bin
Refill and refreeze waterbottles, unpack if needed
Check tomorrow's schedule and pack anything needed for any outings
Handwriting
Water garden (Thursdays only)
Put away laundry (Tuesday only)
Sunday:
Pick up schoolroom
Change bedroom trash
Sort laundry
Pick up bedroom
Check out more great ideas at We Are THAT Family.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
works for me wednesday links
This is my bookmark of ideas:
library books, asked a question
carpet cleaning
clothes line art display
clutter catcher baskets
hotel travel
coupon organizer
school binders
one hour clean sweep
For the full list, visit We Are THAT Family
library books, asked a question
carpet cleaning
clothes line art display
clutter catcher baskets
hotel travel
coupon organizer
school binders
one hour clean sweep
For the full list, visit We Are THAT Family
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Co-op Composition Class
I'm teaching composition again at co-op this year. Now, we need to "cover" the units in the k-12 curriculum...since our co-op is formed of families all using the same curriculum.
Here's the curriculum's list of topics:
Introduction to the Paragraph
Personal Narrative
Compare and Contrast Essay
Persuasive Essay
Research Report
How-to Essay
Advertisements
Book Review
Not only are none of these units "fun" or creative, but many of these units are the same as what we did last year. I know if we just do *another* compare-contrast essay, there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Including mine. I'm also not very fond of doing a big research paper every year.
I'm thinking of changing some of the units in the following ways...
Compare and Contrast Essay. Last year, I had them pick two figures from American history to compare and contrast. Everyone did it and did a great job. No one liked it. It was, in fact, universally the least liked writing assignment. This year, I want to shake it up some. I could give the students the choice of picking two similar fictional characters OR of picking a movie based on a book to compare/contrast. Last year, our focus was on the organization of the compare/contrast essay. This year, I think our focus will be on how the differences are significant. Why did the movie differ from the book? What purpose did that accomplish? Did it add to or detract from the story? Did it change your perception of the main character?
Research Paper, Persuasive Essay, and Advertisement. Strange as it may sound, I think we're going to combine these three units. We're going to do a version of a "million dollar project". Suppose you had the opportunity to be awarded a million dollar grant, with the condition that the money be used on a project that would help others or make our country, state, or community a better place. Your assignment, identify and research a need. Demonstrate your understanding of the need by writing a brief essay about it. Then, write a brief proposal of how your project would address that need. Research how much the project would cost to implement, and include specific figures and data to back up your figures. (Print real estate listing from the internet, cut out price of furniture from store adds, etc.) Finally, put together a display board and brief "pitch" to present your proposal to others. That's a lot of work. Parents may lynch me.
<< edit to add: I had Sweetling read my blog. She's nixing this idea. I'm writing an alternate proposal down below.
>>
Book Review. Again, we did these last year. We did them at the very end of the year, and I let the kids write a single paragraph on a book they would recommend to their peers for summer reading. Then each student got a copy of each paragraph, and I had them glue it in their summer journal as a "suggested summer reading" list. We *could* do the same this year. It was a nice, easy, year-end assignment.
How-to Essay. I want them to have the option of picking something fun for this. How to Raise and Keep a Dragon pops instantly to mind. Hmmmm...How to Attract Beneficial Fairies to Your Garden. How to Locate and Positively Identify a Forest Gnome Community. How to Contact and Communicate with Aliens. Or more realistic, but kid-friendly topics. How to Build an Awesome Fort. How to Predict the Weather. How to Pull Off the Best April Fool's Day Pranks Ever. Yeah, yeah, we can totally do this unit.
Personal Narrative. I think I'll leave this one alone as well. It's good to have the opportunity to relate the details of your life in written form. Just look at the proliferation of personal blogs all over the internet. At best, I'll introduce two new styles and let them pick a genre to do their writing in. Standard narrative form, free-floating verse (think Out of the Dust), or dairy/journal entry format.
<< edit to add ...>>
New proposal for the...
Research Paper, Persuasive Essay, and Advertisement
Suppose your family is one of a few final contestants in a contest to win two thousand dollars per family member to spend on a vacation or a trip. The prize money will be awarded by a national magazine based on which family can put together the most memorable and educational family vacation with the money. You, as well as any older siblings you might have, get to help your family compete in the last stages of the contest by writing about where you should go and how you should spend the trip money.
First, research a location, or a route for a possible trip. Learn about educational opportunities presented there, historical sites, local national monuments, etc. Write a brief article (to submit to the magazine) about your destination. You should include the history of the destination, important facts, as well as the points of interest you researched. Put together a trip itinerary and a budget detailing how your family would spend the money. (Use the internet to research prices or write state travel agencies for travel brochures.)
Second, write a persuasive essay about why your family's proposed vacation would make a great series of articles for the magazine. Include how it would be educational for both your family as well as the magazine readers. Or how it would teach about important character values and be a good example to others. What would make it different from any other family vacation?
Last, put together a winning "front page" for the magazine's feature article about your. Use pictures, a catchy title for the article, and a sentence or two that will really grab the readers' interest (and make them want to buy the magazine to read about your trip.)
Here's the curriculum's list of topics:
Introduction to the Paragraph
Personal Narrative
Compare and Contrast Essay
Persuasive Essay
Research Report
How-to Essay
Advertisements
Book Review
Not only are none of these units "fun" or creative, but many of these units are the same as what we did last year. I know if we just do *another* compare-contrast essay, there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Including mine. I'm also not very fond of doing a big research paper every year.
I'm thinking of changing some of the units in the following ways...
Compare and Contrast Essay. Last year, I had them pick two figures from American history to compare and contrast. Everyone did it and did a great job. No one liked it. It was, in fact, universally the least liked writing assignment. This year, I want to shake it up some. I could give the students the choice of picking two similar fictional characters OR of picking a movie based on a book to compare/contrast. Last year, our focus was on the organization of the compare/contrast essay. This year, I think our focus will be on how the differences are significant. Why did the movie differ from the book? What purpose did that accomplish? Did it add to or detract from the story? Did it change your perception of the main character?
Research Paper, Persuasive Essay, and Advertisement. Strange as it may sound, I think we're going to combine these three units. We're going to do a version of a "million dollar project". Suppose you had the opportunity to be awarded a million dollar grant, with the condition that the money be used on a project that would help others or make our country, state, or community a better place. Your assignment, identify and research a need. Demonstrate your understanding of the need by writing a brief essay about it. Then, write a brief proposal of how your project would address that need. Research how much the project would cost to implement, and include specific figures and data to back up your figures. (Print real estate listing from the internet, cut out price of furniture from store adds, etc.) Finally, put together a display board and brief "pitch" to present your proposal to others. That's a lot of work. Parents may lynch me.
<< edit to add: I had Sweetling read my blog. She's nixing this idea. I'm writing an alternate proposal down below.
>>
Book Review. Again, we did these last year. We did them at the very end of the year, and I let the kids write a single paragraph on a book they would recommend to their peers for summer reading. Then each student got a copy of each paragraph, and I had them glue it in their summer journal as a "suggested summer reading" list. We *could* do the same this year. It was a nice, easy, year-end assignment.
How-to Essay. I want them to have the option of picking something fun for this. How to Raise and Keep a Dragon pops instantly to mind. Hmmmm...How to Attract Beneficial Fairies to Your Garden. How to Locate and Positively Identify a Forest Gnome Community. How to Contact and Communicate with Aliens. Or more realistic, but kid-friendly topics. How to Build an Awesome Fort. How to Predict the Weather. How to Pull Off the Best April Fool's Day Pranks Ever. Yeah, yeah, we can totally do this unit.
Personal Narrative. I think I'll leave this one alone as well. It's good to have the opportunity to relate the details of your life in written form. Just look at the proliferation of personal blogs all over the internet. At best, I'll introduce two new styles and let them pick a genre to do their writing in. Standard narrative form, free-floating verse (think Out of the Dust), or dairy/journal entry format.
<< edit to add ...>>
New proposal for the...
Research Paper, Persuasive Essay, and Advertisement
Suppose your family is one of a few final contestants in a contest to win two thousand dollars per family member to spend on a vacation or a trip. The prize money will be awarded by a national magazine based on which family can put together the most memorable and educational family vacation with the money. You, as well as any older siblings you might have, get to help your family compete in the last stages of the contest by writing about where you should go and how you should spend the trip money.
First, research a location, or a route for a possible trip. Learn about educational opportunities presented there, historical sites, local national monuments, etc. Write a brief article (to submit to the magazine) about your destination. You should include the history of the destination, important facts, as well as the points of interest you researched. Put together a trip itinerary and a budget detailing how your family would spend the money. (Use the internet to research prices or write state travel agencies for travel brochures.)
Second, write a persuasive essay about why your family's proposed vacation would make a great series of articles for the magazine. Include how it would be educational for both your family as well as the magazine readers. Or how it would teach about important character values and be a good example to others. What would make it different from any other family vacation?
Last, put together a winning "front page" for the magazine's feature article about your. Use pictures, a catchy title for the article, and a sentence or two that will really grab the readers' interest (and make them want to buy the magazine to read about your trip.)
Monday, July 20, 2009
What Sweetling Wrote (subtitled, Look What I Found)
Let's Cook!
sing to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It"
Feel the love with me.
sing to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It"
If you want to cook a batch of brownies you need sugar.
Then just mix it up with bubblegum and some sprinkles.
When it all begins to poison you,
then you know it's time to throw up,
When you serve it to your gaming group,
they'll say, "Blech!"
Feel the love with me.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
The Boxes Go Marching One by One....
Hoorah, Hoorah!
I currently have 12 boxes full of school stuff, some upstairs and some downstairs. Two more large boxes on my enclosed porch, full of stuff that needs returned to k-12. Three empty boxes that the Jedi just took out to the garage....which I think I need back so that I can use the cardboard for painting frogs for VBS decorations. AND, one LARGE box (that held a water purification system) which has been transformed into Toa of Boy's clubhouse. Toa of Boy has already asked if he can do his school work in his clubhouse. I think I'm going to have a cardboard clubhouse in the middle of my living room for a couple months to come. Other women have coffee tables, flower arrangements, and ottomans. I have a trampoline and a cardboard clubhouse.
However, lest the above paragraph sound like whining, I am happy. Delightedly giddily happy. The Jedi, who hasn't had a free night in well over a week, spent Friday night moving bookcases and furniture for me. My desk and my computer are now in the corner by the patio window. The Jedi also spent a chunk of time getting my computer back on the network. Sometime after midnight on Friday we managed to clear a path from our bed through the demolished family room/school room for middle of the night bathroom trips. (Which was all for me, since I'm the one who needs to make middle of the night bathroom trips.) I woke up at 4am and couldn't get back to sleep because I was still rearranging furniture in my head.
Friday morning, yes, yes, time jump with me. Friday morning we had a box opening party to explore the new curriculum books which have been sitting by the door for nearly a week now. Friday afternoon we spent 4 hours shopping the deals for school supplies and a few things to decorate and brighten up the school room. I only went $2.50 over budget. Before we went shopping, I swung through the ATM and got cash out to give to Sweetling. She had a list of everything she would need for the year, and had already spent time deciding what she had from last year which could be reused. At each of the six stores we went to, Sweetling got her own cart, took her list, and was in charge of her own shopping and her own budget. She got all the supplies she needed, plus supplies to donate to our church's school supply drive, plus a cute T to wear to her first night at youth group. Go Sweetling :)
So, skipping through time again, Saturday morning was belt testing for the Jedi and me. I was showering after the test and realizing that I was pretty tired and felt really sore. I felt, in fact, like I was a little beat up. Oh yeah, I realized, that would be because I just got home from being a little beat up. I have a bruise on my arm, a bruise on my shin (despite the shin guards) and my ankle got scraped up when I put my foot through a board. But I broke all three of my boards. Reverse side kick, first try. Cross behind sidekick, second try. Elbow, first try. And I sparred against the Jedi, against the winner of first place at nationals, and against a high red testing for his junior black belt. (The Jedi broke two boards at a time for a total of six boards. He sparred against the high red, me, and then the high red again, and then me AND the high red against the Jedi. And the Jedi has a sprained wrist and forgot to wear his wrist brace to testing.)
Saturday afternoon, we headed out to the Dayton Air Show. THAT was so very cool. We walked up inside a C-17 Globemaster and got to see the monster of a plane that was the C-5 Galaxy. We got to watch them close up the nose cone of the Galaxy. We also watched the USAF Thunderbirds perform. They were absolutely incredible. At one point, one of the soloists buzzed the audience. It was completely unannounced and unexpected. The air just split apart. I remember trying to reach for Sweetling to cover her sensitive ears, but before my hands could get there, every ligament and tendon in my knees detached themselves from my bones. I found myself sinking to the ground without any conscious choice. Apparently, though I don't remember this part, the tendons and muscles in my upper spine also went on strike. The next thing I do remember, when the roar of Armageddon had begun to recede, was looking up from the cowering heap on the grass where the kids and I had collapsed and discovering that nearly everyone of the hundreds of people packed around us had had a similar, involuntary reaction. All around us people were shakily regaining their feet. Even those stalwart few who had managed to remain on their feet, like the Jedi, had still instinctively ducked. Strangers stared at each other, stunned. Then, as we realized we were still alive and understood what had just happened, dazed smiles began to spread across faces. A gasp of wonder and amazement could be heard even above the distant jet-thunder.
Sweetling summed up the Thunderbirds with the simple and accurate description, "They are awesome, Mommy!" Toa of Boy stood perfectly still on the grass, concentrating intently on his little hands as he tried to twist and turn his hands to recreate the aerial dynamics of the jets. Later, Toa of Boy scoured the venders' tents looking for a red and white toy jet that resembled the Thunderbirds. He spent every dollar in his wallet to bring a that little jet home with him.
After the air show, the Jedi stopped at LaRosa's on the way home for a surprise pizza dinner treat. So, aces for Saturday all around. Sunday was a great day too with church, the annual Tae Kwon Do picnic, family TV time watching a couple episodes of The Muppet Show, season one, and then a MarioKart coin runner battle. (We raced on the same team and won three in a row. This victory was followed by a loss to the computer at a Mario Party mini-game challenge. But we had a great time with both activities, and that's what counts.)
Air show pics, cause I'm too lazy to put them in the middle of my post:
C-17 Globemaster
Sweetling and the Globemaster
Toa and the Globemaster
Sweetling (in the orange hat) and I in front of the maw of the C-5 Galaxy
I currently have 12 boxes full of school stuff, some upstairs and some downstairs. Two more large boxes on my enclosed porch, full of stuff that needs returned to k-12. Three empty boxes that the Jedi just took out to the garage....which I think I need back so that I can use the cardboard for painting frogs for VBS decorations. AND, one LARGE box (that held a water purification system) which has been transformed into Toa of Boy's clubhouse. Toa of Boy has already asked if he can do his school work in his clubhouse. I think I'm going to have a cardboard clubhouse in the middle of my living room for a couple months to come. Other women have coffee tables, flower arrangements, and ottomans. I have a trampoline and a cardboard clubhouse.
However, lest the above paragraph sound like whining, I am happy. Delightedly giddily happy. The Jedi, who hasn't had a free night in well over a week, spent Friday night moving bookcases and furniture for me. My desk and my computer are now in the corner by the patio window. The Jedi also spent a chunk of time getting my computer back on the network. Sometime after midnight on Friday we managed to clear a path from our bed through the demolished family room/school room for middle of the night bathroom trips. (Which was all for me, since I'm the one who needs to make middle of the night bathroom trips.) I woke up at 4am and couldn't get back to sleep because I was still rearranging furniture in my head.
Friday morning, yes, yes, time jump with me. Friday morning we had a box opening party to explore the new curriculum books which have been sitting by the door for nearly a week now. Friday afternoon we spent 4 hours shopping the deals for school supplies and a few things to decorate and brighten up the school room. I only went $2.50 over budget. Before we went shopping, I swung through the ATM and got cash out to give to Sweetling. She had a list of everything she would need for the year, and had already spent time deciding what she had from last year which could be reused. At each of the six stores we went to, Sweetling got her own cart, took her list, and was in charge of her own shopping and her own budget. She got all the supplies she needed, plus supplies to donate to our church's school supply drive, plus a cute T to wear to her first night at youth group. Go Sweetling :)
So, skipping through time again, Saturday morning was belt testing for the Jedi and me. I was showering after the test and realizing that I was pretty tired and felt really sore. I felt, in fact, like I was a little beat up. Oh yeah, I realized, that would be because I just got home from being a little beat up. I have a bruise on my arm, a bruise on my shin (despite the shin guards) and my ankle got scraped up when I put my foot through a board. But I broke all three of my boards. Reverse side kick, first try. Cross behind sidekick, second try. Elbow, first try. And I sparred against the Jedi, against the winner of first place at nationals, and against a high red testing for his junior black belt. (The Jedi broke two boards at a time for a total of six boards. He sparred against the high red, me, and then the high red again, and then me AND the high red against the Jedi. And the Jedi has a sprained wrist and forgot to wear his wrist brace to testing.)
Saturday afternoon, we headed out to the Dayton Air Show. THAT was so very cool. We walked up inside a C-17 Globemaster and got to see the monster of a plane that was the C-5 Galaxy. We got to watch them close up the nose cone of the Galaxy. We also watched the USAF Thunderbirds perform. They were absolutely incredible. At one point, one of the soloists buzzed the audience. It was completely unannounced and unexpected. The air just split apart. I remember trying to reach for Sweetling to cover her sensitive ears, but before my hands could get there, every ligament and tendon in my knees detached themselves from my bones. I found myself sinking to the ground without any conscious choice. Apparently, though I don't remember this part, the tendons and muscles in my upper spine also went on strike. The next thing I do remember, when the roar of Armageddon had begun to recede, was looking up from the cowering heap on the grass where the kids and I had collapsed and discovering that nearly everyone of the hundreds of people packed around us had had a similar, involuntary reaction. All around us people were shakily regaining their feet. Even those stalwart few who had managed to remain on their feet, like the Jedi, had still instinctively ducked. Strangers stared at each other, stunned. Then, as we realized we were still alive and understood what had just happened, dazed smiles began to spread across faces. A gasp of wonder and amazement could be heard even above the distant jet-thunder.
Sweetling summed up the Thunderbirds with the simple and accurate description, "They are awesome, Mommy!" Toa of Boy stood perfectly still on the grass, concentrating intently on his little hands as he tried to twist and turn his hands to recreate the aerial dynamics of the jets. Later, Toa of Boy scoured the venders' tents looking for a red and white toy jet that resembled the Thunderbirds. He spent every dollar in his wallet to bring a that little jet home with him.
After the air show, the Jedi stopped at LaRosa's on the way home for a surprise pizza dinner treat. So, aces for Saturday all around. Sunday was a great day too with church, the annual Tae Kwon Do picnic, family TV time watching a couple episodes of The Muppet Show, season one, and then a MarioKart coin runner battle. (We raced on the same team and won three in a row. This victory was followed by a loss to the computer at a Mario Party mini-game challenge. But we had a great time with both activities, and that's what counts.)
Air show pics, cause I'm too lazy to put them in the middle of my post:
C-17 Globemaster
Sweetling and the Globemaster
Toa and the Globemaster
Sweetling (in the orange hat) and I in front of the maw of the C-5 Galaxy
Monday, July 13, 2009
Simple Woman's Daybook, July 13th
FOR TODAY (Monday, July 13th, 11:43 am)...
Outside my window...Sweetling, Pinkie, and Toa of Boy are playing on the swingset. The sand box has become a weed box. The 6 foot tall (no joke) orange tiger lilies have finished blooming and now their stalks are beginning to dry and will soon need pulled up.
I am thinking...of rearranging the school room. The main purpose behind this is to move my desk so that I am sitting right beside the window. Last winter, I didn't use the school room at all through the months of January and February, because it just felt too dark and cold. Granted, moving the desk beside the patio doors wont make the area any warmer, but I think with a space heater I should be fine, as long as I'm sitting in sunlight. The catch in this plan is that I think the computer network jacks are in the absolute opposite corner from the corner I'd like my desk to sit in. So, while I say *I* would like to rearrange the furniture, really, what it will come down to is the Jedi reconfiguring the computer set up.
I am thankful for...how much the Jedi appreciates me and how often he expresses that appreciation.
From the learning rooms...the boxes of curriculum started to arrive on Thursday. I don't have the school room ready for the new curriculum to go on the shelves, so the boxes are stacked beside the front door for now. In the school room, I have no less than 6 other boxes in which I am "in the process" of packing away last years books and papers. Some books get shipped back to k12. Some go to the garage for storage to be dumped on my poor children when they reach adulthood and have a house of their own. Some are 'portfolio' quality and need to be put in a three ring binder/portfolio.
From the kitchen...Sweetling and Pinkie made French Toast all by themselves this morning. I didn't even go upstairs to check on them. They also, so I've been told, completely cleaned up the dishes and the pans that they used.
I am wearing...one of the new outfits I bought last month shopping with Telephone and her daughter. Its a white sleeveless top with little wooden beads sewn around the neckline. The short skirt is white with a brown, tan, and grey flower print on three tears of ruffles.
I am creating...a cool learning environment. Well, I will be, as soon as I get these boxes out of here. If the budget will allow it, I'd like to get some cans of silver spray paint to cover the short black school shelves. We have several placemat sized world maps and US maps that could be fixed to the top of one of the shelves as a neat top surface. Then, since I'm crazy, I'm thinking of doing a paper mache project to make the planets in the solar system to hang from the ceiling.
Other than that, I'm creating a lot of dirty tissues cause my allergies are just driving me crazy today.
I am going...to Boonshoft Museum of Discovery on Wednesday with Vaya. And if I could come up with a way to tag a couple more short prepositional phrases onto that sentence, I would. Just to do it.
I am reading...The Surrendered Wife by Laura Doyle, which I picked up a few weeks ago at a library used book sale. Also, the Jedi and I are leading a Sunday school class for couples using the books For Men Only and For Women Only.
I am hoping...that my school desk really can go in the corner by the patio door.
I am hearing...the washer and dryer, the faint hum of the fan at the top of the stairs, the fainter music of DragonTales in the livingroom (Toa of Boy came in from playing after he dropped a large rock on his foot. I put a bandage over the scrape, and now he's watching PBSkids.) Outside, I can just hear the birds chirping and the cicadas cycling and Sweetling's voice directing her and Pinkie's imaginary play.
Around the house...boxes. More boxes. Bags of clothes to give away. Bags of clothes given to us. Clean laundry on my bed and dirty laundry in baskets.
One of my favorite things...summer. Despite the fact that I'm still working on decluttering and organizing my house. Despite the fact that I didn't get any scrapbooking done this summer. Despite the fact that nearly every weekend has been super busy. Despite the fact that we start school in two-and-a-half weeks, summer is still one of my all time favorite things. The long, warm, sunny, unscheduled days of summer are an absolute delight.
A few plans for the rest of the week:
Monday:
I'm going to carry boxes out to the garage today and look through my binders to see if I have any on hand which can be portfolios. I'm going to (shudder) try to straighten out the school supplies on shelves under the stairs and in plastic drawers under my desk so that I can make a list of what we need for next year. There's an elder's meeting tonight that the Jedi will be attending, so the kids and I will head to blockbusters to pick out a movie.
Tuesday:
Speech, grocery shopping, and Tae Kwon Do.
Wednesday:
Boonshoft Discovery Museum with Vaya. We're packing lunches for a picnic on the grounds. Maybe the Jedi can move my computer desk that evening.
Thursday:
Speech and dentist appointments and Tae Kwon Do.
Friday:
Rearranging the rest of the school room furniture and unpacking the boxes sitting by the door.
Saturday:
Tae Kwon Do belt testing. Maybe the Dayton Air Show, depending on what time we get done with . The Jedi and I both donated blood this past Saturday so we could each get two free tickets.
Sunday:
Either the annual Tae Kwon Do picnic OR the Dayton Air Show.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
No picture thoughts. The memory card in my camera died and I lost the pictures of our expedition to pig island.
But check out this cool youtube video.
And, cool resource to keep in mind....Nature Journals.
Outside my window...Sweetling, Pinkie, and Toa of Boy are playing on the swingset. The sand box has become a weed box. The 6 foot tall (no joke) orange tiger lilies have finished blooming and now their stalks are beginning to dry and will soon need pulled up.
I am thinking...of rearranging the school room. The main purpose behind this is to move my desk so that I am sitting right beside the window. Last winter, I didn't use the school room at all through the months of January and February, because it just felt too dark and cold. Granted, moving the desk beside the patio doors wont make the area any warmer, but I think with a space heater I should be fine, as long as I'm sitting in sunlight. The catch in this plan is that I think the computer network jacks are in the absolute opposite corner from the corner I'd like my desk to sit in. So, while I say *I* would like to rearrange the furniture, really, what it will come down to is the Jedi reconfiguring the computer set up.
I am thankful for...how much the Jedi appreciates me and how often he expresses that appreciation.
From the learning rooms...the boxes of curriculum started to arrive on Thursday. I don't have the school room ready for the new curriculum to go on the shelves, so the boxes are stacked beside the front door for now. In the school room, I have no less than 6 other boxes in which I am "in the process" of packing away last years books and papers. Some books get shipped back to k12. Some go to the garage for storage to be dumped on my poor children when they reach adulthood and have a house of their own. Some are 'portfolio' quality and need to be put in a three ring binder/portfolio.
From the kitchen...Sweetling and Pinkie made French Toast all by themselves this morning. I didn't even go upstairs to check on them. They also, so I've been told, completely cleaned up the dishes and the pans that they used.
I am wearing...one of the new outfits I bought last month shopping with Telephone and her daughter. Its a white sleeveless top with little wooden beads sewn around the neckline. The short skirt is white with a brown, tan, and grey flower print on three tears of ruffles.
I am creating...a cool learning environment. Well, I will be, as soon as I get these boxes out of here. If the budget will allow it, I'd like to get some cans of silver spray paint to cover the short black school shelves. We have several placemat sized world maps and US maps that could be fixed to the top of one of the shelves as a neat top surface. Then, since I'm crazy, I'm thinking of doing a paper mache project to make the planets in the solar system to hang from the ceiling.
Other than that, I'm creating a lot of dirty tissues cause my allergies are just driving me crazy today.
I am going...to Boonshoft Museum of Discovery on Wednesday with Vaya. And if I could come up with a way to tag a couple more short prepositional phrases onto that sentence, I would. Just to do it.
I am reading...The Surrendered Wife by Laura Doyle, which I picked up a few weeks ago at a library used book sale. Also, the Jedi and I are leading a Sunday school class for couples using the books For Men Only and For Women Only.
I am hoping...that my school desk really can go in the corner by the patio door.
I am hearing...the washer and dryer, the faint hum of the fan at the top of the stairs, the fainter music of DragonTales in the livingroom (Toa of Boy came in from playing after he dropped a large rock on his foot. I put a bandage over the scrape, and now he's watching PBSkids.) Outside, I can just hear the birds chirping and the cicadas cycling and Sweetling's voice directing her and Pinkie's imaginary play.
Around the house...boxes. More boxes. Bags of clothes to give away. Bags of clothes given to us. Clean laundry on my bed and dirty laundry in baskets.
One of my favorite things...summer. Despite the fact that I'm still working on decluttering and organizing my house. Despite the fact that I didn't get any scrapbooking done this summer. Despite the fact that nearly every weekend has been super busy. Despite the fact that we start school in two-and-a-half weeks, summer is still one of my all time favorite things. The long, warm, sunny, unscheduled days of summer are an absolute delight.
A few plans for the rest of the week:
Monday:
I'm going to carry boxes out to the garage today and look through my binders to see if I have any on hand which can be portfolios. I'm going to (shudder) try to straighten out the school supplies on shelves under the stairs and in plastic drawers under my desk so that I can make a list of what we need for next year. There's an elder's meeting tonight that the Jedi will be attending, so the kids and I will head to blockbusters to pick out a movie.
Tuesday:
Speech, grocery shopping, and Tae Kwon Do.
Wednesday:
Boonshoft Discovery Museum with Vaya. We're packing lunches for a picnic on the grounds. Maybe the Jedi can move my computer desk that evening.
Thursday:
Speech and dentist appointments and Tae Kwon Do.
Friday:
Rearranging the rest of the school room furniture and unpacking the boxes sitting by the door.
Saturday:
Tae Kwon Do belt testing. Maybe the Dayton Air Show, depending on what time we get done with . The Jedi and I both donated blood this past Saturday so we could each get two free tickets.
Sunday:
Either the annual Tae Kwon Do picnic OR the Dayton Air Show.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
No picture thoughts. The memory card in my camera died and I lost the pictures of our expedition to pig island.
But check out this cool youtube video.
And, cool resource to keep in mind....Nature Journals.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Works for Me Wednesday: Easy "Company" Dinner
On Monday, I *might* have had family coming to dinner. So, there *might* have been eight people for dinner. Or, since this is my family we're talking about, maybe not...in which case there would be just four, the Jedi and the kids and me. If my family came, they could be dropping in anytime between 5pm and 9pm. (See, I come by the randomness honestly.)
So, the question is, what do I fix for dinner? Plus, I only knew about this possibility after 9pm on Sunday night...so what could I fix for dinner with the ingredients I had on hand?
What I came up with was easy and delicious. I'm not at all gifted in the kitchen, so I was really, really pleased with the results, and I'm sharing them here. (Everyone loved it, including the Jedi...who doesn't like white rice, bell peppers, or sweet and sour dishes.)
This menu co-stars Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb blend, because my mother has high blood pressure, so I try to keep dishes she's eating low-sodium. The Seasoned Rice can be kept warm in the pot until your tardy company finally shows up, if they do. Likewise, the roast can be kept warm in the crock pot and the sauce easily reheated in the sauce pan. You want to cook your vegetables when your company arrives, because they must be served immediately to be yummmy. (The Jedi the kids and I ate our dinner at 5:30, because we were hungry. I made just enough veggies for my immediate family, with the intention of making more veggies when the rest of my family showed up, if they ever did. They didn't, but the dinner makes for delicious leftovers, so no worries.)
Here are my recipes.
(The original recipe can be found here. I had to modify it to suit what I had on hand.)
Season pork roast with Mrs. Dash garlic and herb blend. Brown roast on all sides or place under broiler for 15 to 20 minutes to remove some fat. Place onion in bottom of slow cooker insert; top with the pork roast. Combine all else, except last four ingredients. Cover and cook on LOW for 9 to 11 hours. (I didn't have that amount of time. I cooked it on high for two hours, then on low for 5-6 hours.) About 1 hour before done, add sliced bell peppers and pineapple chunks.
To thicken gravy, blend 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water. Pour liquid from crock pot into sauce pan. Add cornstarch mixture while stirring. Bring to low boil and cook and stir for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Serve in a gravy boat (if you have picky eaters). Remove roast from pot, and arrange with the cooked peppers and pineapples in a serving dish. (If you do not have picky eaters, more power to you; you can pour the thickened sauce back over the roast on the serving dish.)
Serves 6 to 8.
Measure out water, rice, and margarine according to amount on rice bag for desired serving size. Substitute Mrs Dash Garlic and Herb blend for salt amount given on bag. Add 1-2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules and a dash or two of ginger. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer covered according to time given on rice bag.
Saute vegetables in oil for 1-2 minutes. Add all seasonings and stir-fry for another minute. Serve immediately.
So, the question is, what do I fix for dinner? Plus, I only knew about this possibility after 9pm on Sunday night...so what could I fix for dinner with the ingredients I had on hand?
What I came up with was easy and delicious. I'm not at all gifted in the kitchen, so I was really, really pleased with the results, and I'm sharing them here. (Everyone loved it, including the Jedi...who doesn't like white rice, bell peppers, or sweet and sour dishes.)
My Menu:
South Pacific Pork Loin Roast (done in the crockpot)
Seasoned Rice
Stir-Fry Sugar Snap Pea Blend
This menu co-stars Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb blend, because my mother has high blood pressure, so I try to keep dishes she's eating low-sodium. The Seasoned Rice can be kept warm in the pot until your tardy company finally shows up, if they do. Likewise, the roast can be kept warm in the crock pot and the sauce easily reheated in the sauce pan. You want to cook your vegetables when your company arrives, because they must be served immediately to be yummmy. (The Jedi the kids and I ate our dinner at 5:30, because we were hungry. I made just enough veggies for my immediate family, with the intention of making more veggies when the rest of my family showed up, if they ever did. They didn't, but the dinner makes for delicious leftovers, so no worries.)
Here are my recipes.
South Pacific Pork Loin Roast
* pork loin roast, boneless, about 3 to 4 pounds
* Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb blend
* 1 large onion, sliced
* 1/4 cup sugar
* 3/4 cup hot water
* 2 tablespoons soy sauce
* 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
* 2 teaspoons maple syrup
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
* 1 tablespoon ketchup or tomato paste
* 1 red bell pepper, sliced
* 1 can [8 ounces] pineapple chunks, drained, save the juice
* 2 tablespoons corn starch
* 2 tablespoons cold water
(The original recipe can be found here. I had to modify it to suit what I had on hand.)
Season pork roast with Mrs. Dash garlic and herb blend. Brown roast on all sides or place under broiler for 15 to 20 minutes to remove some fat. Place onion in bottom of slow cooker insert; top with the pork roast. Combine all else, except last four ingredients. Cover and cook on LOW for 9 to 11 hours. (I didn't have that amount of time. I cooked it on high for two hours, then on low for 5-6 hours.) About 1 hour before done, add sliced bell peppers and pineapple chunks.
To thicken gravy, blend 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water. Pour liquid from crock pot into sauce pan. Add cornstarch mixture while stirring. Bring to low boil and cook and stir for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Serve in a gravy boat (if you have picky eaters). Remove roast from pot, and arrange with the cooked peppers and pineapples in a serving dish. (If you do not have picky eaters, more power to you; you can pour the thickened sauce back over the roast on the serving dish.)
Serves 6 to 8.
Seasoned Rice
*long grain white rice
*water
*margarine
*Mrs Dash Garlic and Herb blend
*1-2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
*dash of ginger
Measure out water, rice, and margarine according to amount on rice bag for desired serving size. Substitute Mrs Dash Garlic and Herb blend for salt amount given on bag. Add 1-2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules and a dash or two of ginger. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer covered according to time given on rice bag.
Stir Fry Sugar Snap Pea Blend
*bagged frozen vegetable blend of choice
*1/2 teaspoon sugar
* 1-2 teaspoons pineapple juice
* Mrs. Dash garlic and herb blend
* dash ginger
*2 tablespoons oil
Saute vegetables in oil for 1-2 minutes. Add all seasonings and stir-fry for another minute. Serve immediately.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Four Hours
This post is boring. I wouldn't recommend reading it.
First, the AC people had a four hour service window. They never showed. I'm not too pleased.
But, to keep myself from thinking I've just wasted four hours of a beautiful summer day, I'm listing what I got done. (Hence the boring part.)
1. Slept in.
2. Discovered that my cell phone alarm had been going off for at least an hour before giving up on me and shutting up.
3. Got dressed without a shower in case the AC people showed at the beginning of that four hour window.
4. Checked phone messages and cell phone to make sure I hadn't missed a call from them.
5. Made mom breakfast.
6. Made me breakfast.
7. Had my devotions.
8. Sweetling staggered out of bed at 9:15 and immediately asked if Pinkie could come over.
9. Facebooked Pinkie's mom about a playdate.
10. Put waffles in the toaster oven for Toa of Boy.
11. Put dinner in the crock pot, accompanied by a few whiny facebook updates.
12. Made Sweetling and Pinkie sit down and eat breakfast.
13. Cleaned the kitchen...unloaded and loaded dishwasher, cleaned table, counters stove top.
14. Did devotions with Toa of Boy.
15. Helped Toa of Boy water the pumpkins.
16. Cleaned the bathroom.
17. Took out all the trash.
18. Swept the front porch.
19. Swept and mopped the kitchen floor.
20. Transferred laundry twice and got the last load in the washer.
21. Researched a new wii game Sweetling wants to buy.
22. Whined on facebook some more.
23. Curled my hair.
24. Picked up and dusted the living room.
23. Emailed the Jedi.
24. Wrote this crappy list.
25. Once again, failed in my ability to properly number a list.
Now, I have about an hour worth of laundry to fold and hang. Later I'll need to make a run to the store for milk. What else do I want to do with my day?
First, the AC people had a four hour service window. They never showed. I'm not too pleased.
But, to keep myself from thinking I've just wasted four hours of a beautiful summer day, I'm listing what I got done. (Hence the boring part.)
1. Slept in.
2. Discovered that my cell phone alarm had been going off for at least an hour before giving up on me and shutting up.
3. Got dressed without a shower in case the AC people showed at the beginning of that four hour window.
4. Checked phone messages and cell phone to make sure I hadn't missed a call from them.
5. Made mom breakfast.
6. Made me breakfast.
7. Had my devotions.
8. Sweetling staggered out of bed at 9:15 and immediately asked if Pinkie could come over.
9. Facebooked Pinkie's mom about a playdate.
10. Put waffles in the toaster oven for Toa of Boy.
11. Put dinner in the crock pot, accompanied by a few whiny facebook updates.
12. Made Sweetling and Pinkie sit down and eat breakfast.
13. Cleaned the kitchen...unloaded and loaded dishwasher, cleaned table, counters stove top.
14. Did devotions with Toa of Boy.
15. Helped Toa of Boy water the pumpkins.
16. Cleaned the bathroom.
17. Took out all the trash.
18. Swept the front porch.
19. Swept and mopped the kitchen floor.
20. Transferred laundry twice and got the last load in the washer.
21. Researched a new wii game Sweetling wants to buy.
22. Whined on facebook some more.
23. Curled my hair.
24. Picked up and dusted the living room.
23. Emailed the Jedi.
24. Wrote this crappy list.
25. Once again, failed in my ability to properly number a list.
Now, I have about an hour worth of laundry to fold and hang. Later I'll need to make a run to the store for milk. What else do I want to do with my day?
Saturday, July 04, 2009
No Lying
Pinkie's Mom, who still doesn't have her own blog name, tagged me.
Can you fill this out without lying?... As long as sarcasm doesn't count as lying, sure.
What was the last thing you put in your mouth?... water
Have you ever kissed anyone named Matthew?... I don't *think* so.
Where was your default picture taken?... at church. (Edit...oh wait, my facebook default picture? That was taken at Lake Erie when we went north three years ago to escape the cicada invasion in Cincinnati. The family portrait on my blog was taken at church.)
Last person you rode in a car with under the age of 20?... Sweetling and Toa of Boy of course
Can you play guitar hero?.....I only tried it once at Telephone's house. I learned not to quit my day job to pursue a life as a rock musician.
Name someone that made you laugh today?.....the Jedi with comments about a chicken conspiracy
How late did you stay up last night and why?.....after midnight? watching tv with the Jedi
If you could move somewhere else, would you?.....if "somewhere else" means a different city, no.
Ever been kissed under fireworks?... not that I'm remembering
Which of your friends lives closest to you?... Have to go with the Pinkie's Mom's response. The Jedi is my best friend :)
Do you believe ex's can be friends?... Maybe in theory, but personally, no, all my breakups were messy.
Calling or texting? .... Emailing.
How do u feel about Dr Pepper?... yucky, but with a cool old theme song
When was the last time you cried really hard?... I don't remember, it's been a long, long time since I've been that sad.
Where is your biological father right now?... not a clue
Where are you at right now?... sitting at my messy desk in the school room while the Jedi plays Diablo, Toa plays SuperSmash Bros and Sweetling is slowly, slowly, slowly getting ready for a bath.
What bed did you sleep in last night?... mine of course.
What was the last thing someone bought for you?... Outdoor Challenge for the Wii :) The Jedi came home from work with it on Thursday. It is fun and very, very active.
Who was the last person you took a picture of?... does the tv screen count? I took pictures of the game screen when Sweetling and I got 100% on the teamwork minecart challenge, and again when Toa of Boy and I got our 100%.
Was yesterday better than today?... Both are good, relaxing, stay home and do anything you want to kind of days. However, since today is Independence Day, it has to win the contest by virtue of celebrating freedom and democracy.
Can you live a day without TV?... yes, as long as we still have computers :)
Are you mad about anything?... Nope.
Do you think relationships are ever really worth it? .... Absolutely :)
When was the last time you were extremely disappointed?... *Extremely* disappointed? I haven't been *extremely* disappointed in a long, long time. Maybe last year when the Children's Pastor resigned. A little tiny bit disappointed? Last night when the chicken almost but not quite fit in the deep fryer. Mama left the room to go pray for my safety. The Jedi left the room with the comment, "remember, the fire extinguisher is over the sink." I cooked the bottom half of the chicken, pried it out, flipped it over, and cooked the top half. The hot oil got spilled all over the counter and the floor. The chicken did cook and it was alright, but it wasn't the delicious deep-fried chicken I was hoping for.
Are you a bad influence?...I can be.
Night out or night in?... In, I'm an old woman now. I like sitting in the comfort of my living room, stretched out with my legs across the Jedi's lap, sipping hot chocolate and watching something together.
What items could you not go without during the day?... chocolate and my cool phone
Would you share a drink with a stranger?.... No
Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?... I took Christopher Robin to the ER when she tripped taking the trash out and twisted her ankle, does that count?
How do you feel about your life right now? .....I shall do THE DANCE :)
Do you hate anyone?... no
If we were to look in your inbox, what would we find? ... lots of unopened messages from the library, from church, from the coop, etc. The key being, unopened.
Can you easily tell if someones fake?... See, this is a trick question. I think I can tell when someone is fake, but if someone is faking and I buy it, then how am I supposed to know?
Say you were given a drug test right now, Would you pass?... yes
Has anyone ever called you perfect before?... Yes :) Mango's blog name for me is Marry Poppins, cause I'm practically perfect in every way :)
What song is stuck in your head?... Come Sail Away
Someone knocks on your window at 2am, who do you want it to be?... Publisher's Clearing house. If I'm getting out of bed at 2am, it better be to receive a lot of money.
Wanna have kids before you’re 30?... Sweetling at 28
Name something you have to do tomorrow?... church picnic!
Can you whistle?... yes, but slightly off key
Do you sleep on your side, stomach, or back?... my right side...unless i'm cold, then I sleep on my left side so I can snuggle the Jedi and steal his body heat.
Do you think too much or too little?... Well, thought before actions, probably too little. Thought after actions, just about right. Daydreams, way too much.
Do you smile a lot?... YES
Who was your last missed call on your Mobile phone?... Mango, and she whined about it too.
Whens the next time you will see the person you like?... I can see him right now :)
Can you handle the truth?... Is it boring? Then no. Is it unpleasant? Then no. Is it happy and fun? Then bring it on!
What was the last book you read?... Search the Dark, a mystery I picked up at the library on Thursday. It was alright, but I had ruled out one of the characters as a murder suspect because I thought the plot would be way too much "Of Mice and Men" if that character was a suspect. It turns out it was just like "Of Mice and Men". Plus, I have to ask the Jedi to verify some of the historical details. BUT, the main detective was *really* interesting and had a nice twist to his character.
Do you hate the last guy/girl you had a conversation with?... Why would I talk to someone I hated? I think a teenager wrote these questions.
Is there something you always wear?......um...underwear?
What were you doing 30 minutes ago?...getting Toa of Boy out of the bathtub
Honestly, who was the last person to tell you that they love you?... the Jedi :)
Did you have an exciting last weekend?... Yes! I love weekends! Saturday was a great family day, and Sunday I did facepainting at the children's heart transplant patient picnic :)
Can you fill this out without lying?... As long as sarcasm doesn't count as lying, sure.
What was the last thing you put in your mouth?... water
Have you ever kissed anyone named Matthew?... I don't *think* so.
Where was your default picture taken?... at church. (Edit...oh wait, my facebook default picture? That was taken at Lake Erie when we went north three years ago to escape the cicada invasion in Cincinnati. The family portrait on my blog was taken at church.)
Last person you rode in a car with under the age of 20?... Sweetling and Toa of Boy of course
Can you play guitar hero?.....I only tried it once at Telephone's house. I learned not to quit my day job to pursue a life as a rock musician.
Name someone that made you laugh today?.....the Jedi with comments about a chicken conspiracy
How late did you stay up last night and why?.....after midnight? watching tv with the Jedi
If you could move somewhere else, would you?.....if "somewhere else" means a different city, no.
Ever been kissed under fireworks?... not that I'm remembering
Which of your friends lives closest to you?... Have to go with the Pinkie's Mom's response. The Jedi is my best friend :)
Do you believe ex's can be friends?... Maybe in theory, but personally, no, all my breakups were messy.
Calling or texting? .... Emailing.
How do u feel about Dr Pepper?... yucky, but with a cool old theme song
When was the last time you cried really hard?... I don't remember, it's been a long, long time since I've been that sad.
Where is your biological father right now?... not a clue
Where are you at right now?... sitting at my messy desk in the school room while the Jedi plays Diablo, Toa plays SuperSmash Bros and Sweetling is slowly, slowly, slowly getting ready for a bath.
What bed did you sleep in last night?... mine of course.
What was the last thing someone bought for you?... Outdoor Challenge for the Wii :) The Jedi came home from work with it on Thursday. It is fun and very, very active.
Who was the last person you took a picture of?... does the tv screen count? I took pictures of the game screen when Sweetling and I got 100% on the teamwork minecart challenge, and again when Toa of Boy and I got our 100%.
Was yesterday better than today?... Both are good, relaxing, stay home and do anything you want to kind of days. However, since today is Independence Day, it has to win the contest by virtue of celebrating freedom and democracy.
Can you live a day without TV?... yes, as long as we still have computers :)
Are you mad about anything?... Nope.
Do you think relationships are ever really worth it? .... Absolutely :)
When was the last time you were extremely disappointed?... *Extremely* disappointed? I haven't been *extremely* disappointed in a long, long time. Maybe last year when the Children's Pastor resigned. A little tiny bit disappointed? Last night when the chicken almost but not quite fit in the deep fryer. Mama left the room to go pray for my safety. The Jedi left the room with the comment, "remember, the fire extinguisher is over the sink." I cooked the bottom half of the chicken, pried it out, flipped it over, and cooked the top half. The hot oil got spilled all over the counter and the floor. The chicken did cook and it was alright, but it wasn't the delicious deep-fried chicken I was hoping for.
Are you a bad influence?...I can be.
Night out or night in?... In, I'm an old woman now. I like sitting in the comfort of my living room, stretched out with my legs across the Jedi's lap, sipping hot chocolate and watching something together.
What items could you not go without during the day?... chocolate and my cool phone
Would you share a drink with a stranger?.... No
Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?... I took Christopher Robin to the ER when she tripped taking the trash out and twisted her ankle, does that count?
How do you feel about your life right now? .....I shall do THE DANCE :)
Do you hate anyone?... no
If we were to look in your inbox, what would we find? ... lots of unopened messages from the library, from church, from the coop, etc. The key being, unopened.
Can you easily tell if someones fake?... See, this is a trick question. I think I can tell when someone is fake, but if someone is faking and I buy it, then how am I supposed to know?
Say you were given a drug test right now, Would you pass?... yes
Has anyone ever called you perfect before?... Yes :) Mango's blog name for me is Marry Poppins, cause I'm practically perfect in every way :)
What song is stuck in your head?... Come Sail Away
Someone knocks on your window at 2am, who do you want it to be?... Publisher's Clearing house. If I'm getting out of bed at 2am, it better be to receive a lot of money.
Wanna have kids before you’re 30?... Sweetling at 28
Name something you have to do tomorrow?... church picnic!
Can you whistle?... yes, but slightly off key
Do you sleep on your side, stomach, or back?... my right side...unless i'm cold, then I sleep on my left side so I can snuggle the Jedi and steal his body heat.
Do you think too much or too little?... Well, thought before actions, probably too little. Thought after actions, just about right. Daydreams, way too much.
Do you smile a lot?... YES
Who was your last missed call on your Mobile phone?... Mango, and she whined about it too.
Whens the next time you will see the person you like?... I can see him right now :)
Can you handle the truth?... Is it boring? Then no. Is it unpleasant? Then no. Is it happy and fun? Then bring it on!
What was the last book you read?... Search the Dark, a mystery I picked up at the library on Thursday. It was alright, but I had ruled out one of the characters as a murder suspect because I thought the plot would be way too much "Of Mice and Men" if that character was a suspect. It turns out it was just like "Of Mice and Men". Plus, I have to ask the Jedi to verify some of the historical details. BUT, the main detective was *really* interesting and had a nice twist to his character.
Do you hate the last guy/girl you had a conversation with?... Why would I talk to someone I hated? I think a teenager wrote these questions.
Is there something you always wear?......um...underwear?
What were you doing 30 minutes ago?...getting Toa of Boy out of the bathtub
Honestly, who was the last person to tell you that they love you?... the Jedi :)
Did you have an exciting last weekend?... Yes! I love weekends! Saturday was a great family day, and Sunday I did facepainting at the children's heart transplant patient picnic :)
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Week in Review, Attempt Number Two
At Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers, they do a thing called week in review. From what I've seen, most moms post a sentence or two about the more interesting lessons and projects they did on each day. I started a post like this last week, but mine became a boring, overly detailed account of each and every little thing we did each and every day. So I scrapped it.
This week, I'm trying again. But, I'm going to do something I rarely ever do, and depart from the established format. (yes, yes, that was an attempt at sarcasm.)
So, in no particular order, here were the things I liked about this week.
Toa: Where we going, Mommy?
Me: To the store.
Toa: How many stores we going to?
Me: Just one. We're just going to Meijer today.
Toa: Mommy, Mommy, we have noodles for chicken alfredo tonight?
Me: No, but we're going to get some at Meijer.
Toa: Meijer has noodles?!?! Crazy!
There is no Tae Kwon Do this week, because Master Watson is in Florida with the tournament team, which is competing in nationals. Sweetling decided she would practice her highest form some during the off week. We have no place in our house big enough, so she went out to the driveway to practice. I kept an eye on her through the kitchen window. There was Sweetling, running through a complex martial arts form, and there was her Webkinz of the day, carefully seated on the landscaping bricks so that he could watch.
We went to the Gorge Trail in Sharon Woods park. It was a beautiful day, with a high in the low 70s. The trail is a 1.4 mile round trip. The trail sign claimed it would take about 35 minutes to walk. The trail sign was not written with inquisitive children in mind.
Nearly 45 minutes later, we had reached the halfway point. Not because the walk was that long, but because we had done a lot of exploring and looking and discussing along the way. The trail had started at the small dam on Sharon Lake and it followed the gorge and the stream flowing from the lake. At the far end of the trail, the stream let out into another small lake or large pond. We stood there, looking at where the quickly moving stream fed into the still, almost brackish pond waters. The transition seemed to abrupt to be real.
"Hey Sweetling," says I. "That looks like a little island down there."
"Is it an island or a pennisula?" asks Sweetling.
"I don't know. We'd have to go down there to investigate."
Now, at this point, I should point out that before we went on the trail, I had stressed the importance of staying on the marked trail. And we had done so. All of our exploring and investigating had been done while on the marked trail.
"You know," I add, "visiting a deserted island is in your 101 Places You Gotta See book."
Silent pause.
"Let's see if we can find a way down there," I suggest.
We stashed our water bottles at the top of the steep slope, concealing them behind a tree, and began scrambling down. Toa of Boy, of course, was the first to descend. He accomplished this in large part by sitting on his bottom and mostly sliding down. Upon reaching the bottom, he seemed disappointed that the ride was over, cause I caught him scrambling partly back up the slope to repeat the experience. Sweetling reached the bottom shortly after he did, and Mommy was the last down. Pictures were taken before we ducked under the low hanging branches to begin our stream crossing.
"Don't get wet," I cautioned as Sweetling began leading the way from stepping stone to stepping stone. I repeated this phrase many times. Eventually I changed it to, "Don't get drenched." Because, inevitably, feet slipped off the stepping stones to splash into the stream.
("If you are going to be explorers," said Sweetling, "then sometimes you have to take a little risk.")
We discovered that the little island was a true island when the waters were a little higher, and an "almost" island when the stream ran a little lower. Sweetling promptly named it "Pig Island" from the Sandra Boynton song. I argued for Squirrel Island, because I thought it should be named after the inhabitant that came to greet us. We debated Squig Island and Pigrel Island as compromises, but it remained Pig Island.
A return trip is being planned for the fall, when we can make and bring a Pig Island sign and Sweetling can give a speech as part of an official naming ceremony. We're debating whether or not Pig Island would be a good location to build fairy houses.
This week, I'm trying again. But, I'm going to do something I rarely ever do, and depart from the established format. (yes, yes, that was an attempt at sarcasm.)
So, in no particular order, here were the things I liked about this week.
Conversation with Toa of Boy
Toa: Where we going, Mommy?
Me: To the store.
Toa: How many stores we going to?
Me: Just one. We're just going to Meijer today.
Toa: Mommy, Mommy, we have noodles for chicken alfredo tonight?
Me: No, but we're going to get some at Meijer.
Toa: Meijer has noodles?!?! Crazy!
Forms by Sweetling
There is no Tae Kwon Do this week, because Master Watson is in Florida with the tournament team, which is competing in nationals. Sweetling decided she would practice her highest form some during the off week. We have no place in our house big enough, so she went out to the driveway to practice. I kept an eye on her through the kitchen window. There was Sweetling, running through a complex martial arts form, and there was her Webkinz of the day, carefully seated on the landscaping bricks so that he could watch.
Pig Island
We went to the Gorge Trail in Sharon Woods park. It was a beautiful day, with a high in the low 70s. The trail is a 1.4 mile round trip. The trail sign claimed it would take about 35 minutes to walk. The trail sign was not written with inquisitive children in mind.
Nearly 45 minutes later, we had reached the halfway point. Not because the walk was that long, but because we had done a lot of exploring and looking and discussing along the way. The trail had started at the small dam on Sharon Lake and it followed the gorge and the stream flowing from the lake. At the far end of the trail, the stream let out into another small lake or large pond. We stood there, looking at where the quickly moving stream fed into the still, almost brackish pond waters. The transition seemed to abrupt to be real.
"Hey Sweetling," says I. "That looks like a little island down there."
"Is it an island or a pennisula?" asks Sweetling.
"I don't know. We'd have to go down there to investigate."
Now, at this point, I should point out that before we went on the trail, I had stressed the importance of staying on the marked trail. And we had done so. All of our exploring and investigating had been done while on the marked trail.
"You know," I add, "visiting a deserted island is in your 101 Places You Gotta See book."
Silent pause.
"Let's see if we can find a way down there," I suggest.
We stashed our water bottles at the top of the steep slope, concealing them behind a tree, and began scrambling down. Toa of Boy, of course, was the first to descend. He accomplished this in large part by sitting on his bottom and mostly sliding down. Upon reaching the bottom, he seemed disappointed that the ride was over, cause I caught him scrambling partly back up the slope to repeat the experience. Sweetling reached the bottom shortly after he did, and Mommy was the last down. Pictures were taken before we ducked under the low hanging branches to begin our stream crossing.
"Don't get wet," I cautioned as Sweetling began leading the way from stepping stone to stepping stone. I repeated this phrase many times. Eventually I changed it to, "Don't get drenched." Because, inevitably, feet slipped off the stepping stones to splash into the stream.
("If you are going to be explorers," said Sweetling, "then sometimes you have to take a little risk.")
We discovered that the little island was a true island when the waters were a little higher, and an "almost" island when the stream ran a little lower. Sweetling promptly named it "Pig Island" from the Sandra Boynton song. I argued for Squirrel Island, because I thought it should be named after the inhabitant that came to greet us. We debated Squig Island and Pigrel Island as compromises, but it remained Pig Island.
A return trip is being planned for the fall, when we can make and bring a Pig Island sign and Sweetling can give a speech as part of an official naming ceremony. We're debating whether or not Pig Island would be a good location to build fairy houses.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Seven Vices
I've been tagged by Nora. Just for you, Nora, I'll even make an effort to follow the directions. I'm not promising anything, but I will make the effort.
Pride -- What is your biggest contribution to the world?
My superior leadership and organizational skills. People really count on me to see a complex project through to completion.
Envy -- What do your coworkers have that you wish was yours?
More bathrooms than they have people living in their home. I have always wanted a deluxe mansion as the proper canvas on which to display my Martha Stewart level housekeeping abilities.
Gluttony -- What did you eat last night?
A feast that would make a vegan drool. I love harvesting my own vegetables, or buying organic those few things that I don't grow myself. I cook everything from scratch and always avoid those nasty, processed, pre-prepared foods.
Lust -- What really lights your fire?
Favio. The long hair, the overdone muscles, the oiled skin. The LOOK.
Anger -- What is the last thing that really ticked you off?
Tardiness. I abhor people who aren't punctual.
Greed -- Name something you hoard and keep from others.
Housework. I have a very particular way of doing things and really don't want my family pitching in.
Sloth -- What’s the laziest thing you ever did?
Booked a complete spa weekend so I could leave my family and devote myself to make-up and beauty treatments.
I tag the following bloggers -
Holly. She needs help exercising her ability to, um, distort the truth.
Christopher Robin. I haven't had a good eye-roll in a while.
the Maven. I love her whispering sweet words of nothing in my ear.
Kelly???--she's, sadly, taking a blogging break though, and might not answer.
Sinful Nature
"Sometimes you can learn more about a person by what they don’t tell you. Sometimes you can learn a lot from the things they just make up. If you are tagged with this Meme, lie to me. Then tag 7 other folks (one for each deadly sin) and hope they can lie."
Pride -- What is your biggest contribution to the world?
My superior leadership and organizational skills. People really count on me to see a complex project through to completion.
Envy -- What do your coworkers have that you wish was yours?
More bathrooms than they have people living in their home. I have always wanted a deluxe mansion as the proper canvas on which to display my Martha Stewart level housekeeping abilities.
Gluttony -- What did you eat last night?
A feast that would make a vegan drool. I love harvesting my own vegetables, or buying organic those few things that I don't grow myself. I cook everything from scratch and always avoid those nasty, processed, pre-prepared foods.
Lust -- What really lights your fire?
Favio. The long hair, the overdone muscles, the oiled skin. The LOOK.
Anger -- What is the last thing that really ticked you off?
Tardiness. I abhor people who aren't punctual.
Greed -- Name something you hoard and keep from others.
Housework. I have a very particular way of doing things and really don't want my family pitching in.
Sloth -- What’s the laziest thing you ever did?
Booked a complete spa weekend so I could leave my family and devote myself to make-up and beauty treatments.
I tag the following bloggers -
Holly. She needs help exercising her ability to, um, distort the truth.
Christopher Robin. I haven't had a good eye-roll in a while.
the Maven. I love her whispering sweet words of nothing in my ear.
Kelly???--she's, sadly, taking a blogging break though, and might not answer.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Mango Lessons
Tidbits I discovered at Mango's house today....
Homemade salad dressing is absolutely delicious.
"Blackened" chicken is apparently made blackened by its spices...not by being forgotten in the grill while two friends make homemade Greek salad dressing.
Putting a FlyLady clingie on the wall immediately above the kitchen sink doesn't keep your sink magically clear of dirty dishes.
Two ENFPs getting together to help each other clean out and declutter closets would not make for a productive morning.
Boys produce noise just as naturally, and as often, as they produce carbon dioxide.
Girls can easily have four different outfit changes in the course of a single play date.
Summer is my favorite season and yet it is all too fleeting.
Homemade salad dressing is absolutely delicious.
"Blackened" chicken is apparently made blackened by its spices...not by being forgotten in the grill while two friends make homemade Greek salad dressing.
Putting a FlyLady clingie on the wall immediately above the kitchen sink doesn't keep your sink magically clear of dirty dishes.
Two ENFPs getting together to help each other clean out and declutter closets would not make for a productive morning.
Boys produce noise just as naturally, and as often, as they produce carbon dioxide.
Girls can easily have four different outfit changes in the course of a single play date.
Summer is my favorite season and yet it is all too fleeting.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The Cat Came Back
I'm in a state of despair over this cat. I love this cat (don't tell the Jedi.) I don't want to keep this cat, but this cat is breaking my heart. She so obviously wants to be adopted into the family (don't tell the Jedi), and she so obviously can't be. But I want this kitty cat to have a lovely home somewhere. She's beautiful and sweet and wants to be loved and to belong. I'd tried to talk Miss Tammy into taking her home with her. Miss Tammy said her mom would kill her if she brought home another cat. (Miss Tammy has three already.)
I'm not sure what it says about my spiritual life that the most fervent praying I've been doing over the past few days has been about a cat.
I'm not sure what it says about my spiritual life that the most fervent praying I've been doing over the past few days has been about a cat.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Two Cute Sweetling Stories, co-starring Toa of Boy
Vignette Number One
I was in the living room. Maybe dusting. Maybe not. I hear Sweetling in the kitchen saying, "Are you ready for the biggest super-jump of all time?"
"Ready," says an eager Toa of Boy.
Crash. Thud.
Sweetling, "Ok, maybe no more super-jumps."
Vignette Number Two
I was, this time, in the kitchen. Sweetling and Toa of Boy were doing their afternoon lists. I heard this little meowing sound in a sweet little voice that vaguely resembled Sweetling's voice. "Sweetling," I asked, "are you meowing?"
Toa of Boy ran to check to see if Sweetling was, in fact, meowing at us for some reason. (She could have been; this wasn't a far-fetched theory.)
"Mommy!" calls Toa, "There's a cat!"
Ah. Of course. There must be a cat in the backyard that I'm hearing through the open living room windows. I walk into the living room so that Toa can point out the cat, in the backyard, which he has spotted.
No. The cat isn't in my backyard. The cat is in my living room. She walks around meowing plaintively. Brain numb for a moment, I walk past the cat to head downstairs to discover how the cat got in. The cat follows me, mewing. Toa of Boy also follows us. I am the pied piper of a rather unusual procession. Fortunately, my brain clicks back on and I have the presence of mind to close the laundry room door and to send Toa, who has barreled past us, to close my bedroom door.
Sensing a set up, the cat halts on the stairs. I try coaxing her into following me again. Mango, who was on the phone with me when the escapade started, tells me to just pick the cat up. I tell Mango I don't want to pick the cat up. Fleas, poison ivy, and claws are all distinctly possible outcomes of attempting to pick this cat up. Yet, in the end, when the cat has decided perhaps she'll go back upstairs after all, I pick the cat up and carry her through the wide open screen door.
The screen door has, of course, been left wide open by Sweetling, who is outside dutifully checking on her garden plants. (The few veggie plants that the rabbits haven't eaten, that is.)
Now I'm standing on the patio staring at the cat and the cat is standing on the patio staring at me, and mewing. "Maybe she's hungry," I tell Mango.
"Is she thin?" asks Mango.
"No," I say. "She seemed pretty healthy when I was carrying her. Her ears aren't too dirty or buggy. Her coat could use some brushing, but she doesn't look like she's been neglected. Should I feed her? What could I feed her?"
"If you feed her," says Sweetling, "she'll just keep coming back."
Now, during this whole process Sweetling has been oblivious to the fact that the screen door was wide open, despite how many other days I've thrown a little fairy fit about the screen door being left open. Sweetling has been seemingly oblivious to the fact that another human being and a vocal cat has suddenly appeared on the patio with her. But which part of the proceedings does she tune into? The part where she gets to pipe up with the same practical comment the Jedi would make.
(For those of you concerned about the cat, the cat was not hungry or thirsty. I offered both food and water to her. I double checked her ears and did a quick check for fleas, and she seemed ok on both those counts. She just seemed to want attention. She definitely seemed to act like a house cat, and not a stray. I'll keep my eyes out for her and ask the neighbors when I see them to determine if she has a home.)
Lastly
My Camp GonnaWannaFly plan worked really well for me yesterday. I got a ton of cleaning done, and the living room and entry way looks much better for it. Plus, I still had time for some personal writing, phonics with Toa of Boy, chatting with friends on the phone. All in all, an awesome day. I'm going to try the same format today, focusing on the kitchen. Today is also a grocery shopping day.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Camp GonnaWannaFly
Good Morning, Campers :)
I have a new plan. (ta da da da daaaa!) A new *brilliant* plan. (ta da da da DAAAAA!) For getting my house in order.
Let me explain.
Over the weekend I found myself wishing, if I had oh, two hundred dollars, I could pay someone to come over and clean my house from top to bottom. Then I thought, no, really it needs more than that. It needs clutter cleared away and closets cleaned out and shelves and drawers organized. How much would it cost me to pay someone to do that? Hundreds and hundreds of dollars.
Yes, yes it would. That's how pathetic things have gotten here. (And I have to fight off adding, "pathetic and hopeless.") Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not in danger of child protective services coming knocking at my door. And I can still watch Clean House and be slightly comforted that it could be worse. But it is enough that I think about all that needs done, and I feel overwhelmed, and I don't even want to start.
Now, FlyLady would say, "You aren't behind, just jump in where you are." And she would say, "You can do anything for 15 minutes." And I considered trying to get back on the FlyWagon. I even went to her website last week to see what the zone missions were. I put "declutter for 15 minutes" on my daily top ten list.
But, I have the attention span of a squirrel and the patience of a toddler, and I want my house clean NOW. I don't want to spend all summer with the decluttering projects looming over my head. And after doing a few 15 minute stints, they seem like a drop in the bucket.
So, new plan.
Camp GonnaWannaFly.
Here's how Camp GonnaWannaFly works. (And yes, I stole the name from FlyLady.) Every day for a week, I spend an hour or two decluttering flat surfaces, corners, and edges of rooms. I'll take a different room in the house each day. By the end of the week, each room should be looking pretty good when I walk into it, and that will give me a lot of steam and encouragement to start....
Week Two. Now I spend two hours each day, while the kids are at VBS, to do some serious decluttering. I'll start with the hall closet, and work my way around the closets of the house. I won't get it all done in a week, but I'll get some real ground gained.
Week Three will be a fun week of daytrips and playdates and swimming if we can beg our way into anyone's pool.
And I haven't figured out the other three weeks of summer yet. One of those weeks needs dedicated to Sweetling's room.
Here's what my Week One will look like:
Monday: the front porch, the entry, the living room.
Tuesday: the kitchen
Wednesday: the school room
Thursday: my bedroom
Friday: fun day. order May photos and birthday photos to start scrapbooking next week.
Now, the goal each day is to spend just an hour or so in each room in the morning and so still have the afternoon free to play, watch a movie, go to the library, or go grocery shopping. So, my daily schedule for week one, hopefully, will go like this:
7am--up, stretch, dishes
7:30--breakfast and devotions
8--get kids breakfast
8:30 shower
9--devotions and phonics with Toa of Boy
10--cleaning
11--on Tuesday and Thursday--leave for Toa of Boy's speech therapy
12--(or when we get home) lunch
Anyone want to go to camp with me? I could use a little support and accountability.
And my daily top ten list--
1. Up-yes.
2. Stretch. No, I blogged instead.
3. Weigh 120.8
3a. ha ha
4. Dishes-not yet. I was still blogging.
5. Devotions and breakfast--
6. exercise--
7. Declutter--
8. glasses of water--
9. No-S--
10. Evening--
I have a new plan. (ta da da da daaaa!) A new *brilliant* plan. (ta da da da DAAAAA!) For getting my house in order.
Let me explain.
Over the weekend I found myself wishing, if I had oh, two hundred dollars, I could pay someone to come over and clean my house from top to bottom. Then I thought, no, really it needs more than that. It needs clutter cleared away and closets cleaned out and shelves and drawers organized. How much would it cost me to pay someone to do that? Hundreds and hundreds of dollars.
Yes, yes it would. That's how pathetic things have gotten here. (And I have to fight off adding, "pathetic and hopeless.") Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not in danger of child protective services coming knocking at my door. And I can still watch Clean House and be slightly comforted that it could be worse. But it is enough that I think about all that needs done, and I feel overwhelmed, and I don't even want to start.
Now, FlyLady would say, "You aren't behind, just jump in where you are." And she would say, "You can do anything for 15 minutes." And I considered trying to get back on the FlyWagon. I even went to her website last week to see what the zone missions were. I put "declutter for 15 minutes" on my daily top ten list.
But, I have the attention span of a squirrel and the patience of a toddler, and I want my house clean NOW. I don't want to spend all summer with the decluttering projects looming over my head. And after doing a few 15 minute stints, they seem like a drop in the bucket.
So, new plan.
Camp GonnaWannaFly.
Here's how Camp GonnaWannaFly works. (And yes, I stole the name from FlyLady.) Every day for a week, I spend an hour or two decluttering flat surfaces, corners, and edges of rooms. I'll take a different room in the house each day. By the end of the week, each room should be looking pretty good when I walk into it, and that will give me a lot of steam and encouragement to start....
Week Two. Now I spend two hours each day, while the kids are at VBS, to do some serious decluttering. I'll start with the hall closet, and work my way around the closets of the house. I won't get it all done in a week, but I'll get some real ground gained.
Week Three will be a fun week of daytrips and playdates and swimming if we can beg our way into anyone's pool.
And I haven't figured out the other three weeks of summer yet. One of those weeks needs dedicated to Sweetling's room.
Here's what my Week One will look like:
Monday: the front porch, the entry, the living room.
Tuesday: the kitchen
Wednesday: the school room
Thursday: my bedroom
Friday: fun day. order May photos and birthday photos to start scrapbooking next week.
Now, the goal each day is to spend just an hour or so in each room in the morning and so still have the afternoon free to play, watch a movie, go to the library, or go grocery shopping. So, my daily schedule for week one, hopefully, will go like this:
7am--up, stretch, dishes
7:30--breakfast and devotions
8--get kids breakfast
8:30 shower
9--devotions and phonics with Toa of Boy
10--cleaning
11--on Tuesday and Thursday--leave for Toa of Boy's speech therapy
12--(or when we get home) lunch
Anyone want to go to camp with me? I could use a little support and accountability.
And my daily top ten list--
1. Up-yes.
2. Stretch. No, I blogged instead.
3. Weigh 120.8
3a. ha ha
4. Dishes-not yet. I was still blogging.
5. Devotions and breakfast--
6. exercise--
7. Declutter--
8. glasses of water--
9. No-S--
10. Evening--
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Just for Holly
When I'm completely stuck (or completely overwhelmed) on what to write, sometimes I'll do a Friday Fill-In. I don't do them every week, cause I don't do anything that regularly. But they're good for a writing quickie.
But seriously, don't feel bad about not blogging. Or at least, don't feel guilty. The blog is supposed to be, ta da, for *you*. If what you need right now is just to sit and read while you're nursing a little one, then do that. But if you *want* to blog, and just don't have time to write "perfectly", then give yourself permission to write "badly". OR (and this is what I've thought about my blog in the past) if you feel that you have to wait till you can write a long, extensive, explanation about why you haven't been blogging, cut it out.
Your blog. Not ours. You don't owe us anything. In fact, I think you should stick your tongue out at the monitor right now and blow a raspberry at us.
There. Feel better?
So, here's my Friday Fill-In. (The prompts are in regular font and my answers are in bold.)
1. I grew up thinking _I could be anything I wanted to be__.
2. _Facebook_ was the last website I was at before coming here.
3. Why don't you _hmmm...I already suggested blowing a raspberry at the computer...so, why don't you write the last nice thing you did for yourself_?
4. _Hot chocolate_ helps me relax.
5. Thanks for the _clothes and ice cream, Telephone!_.
6. _____ very off-putting.
7. And as for the weekend, Friday I'm NOT looking forward to _gaming. Someone "doesn't know" what she wants to do. (And no, for once I'm NOT that someone._
Saturday my plans included _going clothes shopping (for me! wheee!) and out to Graeter's ice cream with Telephone and Tall Girl._
And Sunday, I want to _make Cincinnati Style Chili_!
If you don't want to do the Fill In, Holly, do number 3 :)
Take Care, Take Care.
I feel like a Munchkin now. "Good bye, good bye...."
But seriously, don't feel bad about not blogging. Or at least, don't feel guilty. The blog is supposed to be, ta da, for *you*. If what you need right now is just to sit and read while you're nursing a little one, then do that. But if you *want* to blog, and just don't have time to write "perfectly", then give yourself permission to write "badly". OR (and this is what I've thought about my blog in the past) if you feel that you have to wait till you can write a long, extensive, explanation about why you haven't been blogging, cut it out.
Your blog. Not ours. You don't owe us anything. In fact, I think you should stick your tongue out at the monitor right now and blow a raspberry at us.
There. Feel better?
So, here's my Friday Fill-In. (The prompts are in regular font and my answers are in bold.)
1. I grew up thinking _I could be anything I wanted to be__.
2. _Facebook_ was the last website I was at before coming here.
3. Why don't you _hmmm...I already suggested blowing a raspberry at the computer...so, why don't you write the last nice thing you did for yourself_?
4. _Hot chocolate_ helps me relax.
5. Thanks for the _clothes and ice cream, Telephone!_.
6. _____ very off-putting.
7. And as for the weekend, Friday I'm NOT looking forward to _gaming. Someone "doesn't know" what she wants to do. (And no, for once I'm NOT that someone._
Saturday my plans included _going clothes shopping (for me! wheee!) and out to Graeter's ice cream with Telephone and Tall Girl._
And Sunday, I want to _make Cincinnati Style Chili_!
If you don't want to do the Fill In, Holly, do number 3 :)
Take Care, Take Care.
I feel like a Munchkin now. "Good bye, good bye...."
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Weight Loss
In response to concerned friends, let me explain why I'm saying I'd like to lose 10 lbs. First of all, I'm a tiny person. Its true. I think I might just be half-elven. I'm 5' 3 1/2", which isn't too short, but I have the tiniest skeletal frame imaginable. My wrist is 5 1/2" around. So, take a piece of yarn, cut off five and a half inches of it. Hold it in a little loop, there you have my wrist. Tiny.
From the ages of 19 onward, until I got pregnant, I weighed 98 lbs. I didn't diet, in fact, I lived on sweets and junk food until I got married, when the Jedi's more responsible habits and ability to cook ensured me at least one healthy meal each day. I didn't exercise, but I was active. While I was in college I didn't own a car so I did a great deal of walking. After college I worked as a preschool teacher, which also kept me active. I wasn't anorexic or bulimic or even concerned with my weight. But everytime I was weighed, I came in at 98.
When I was expecting, I changed my eating habits. Gone were the chocolates and the sweets and the junk food. Instead I really focused on eating a healthy, balanced diet for the baby. I gained a goodly amount of weight, and looked like someone had stuffed a beach ball up my dress. Observe....
And that's still with a month to go before I delivered.
I nursed Sweetling for a year, and continued my healthy eating, though a bit less stringently. About 2 years after Sweetling was born, I was in for a check-up, and low and behold, I weighed 102. Did I diet to get there? Nope. Did I even worry about my weight up until that point? Nope. Did my stomach look like a piece of dead elephant hide rudely grafted to my skinny little body? You betcha.
Now, Sweetling is 11 and I weigh 120. Don't get me wrong, 120 is not a bad weight for my height. And I don't think anyone would call me chunky. (And if they did, I've got a pretty mean round-house kick now.) But, I still have this ponchy belly gut that I don't like. And year of Tae Kwon Do, complete with stomach crunches and sit ups and the like hasn't changed that any. So, I don't think stomach "flattening" exercises are going to fix it. The only thing I think might have at least a little impact is perhaps some weight loss.
Mathematically, 120 is a nearly 20% increase over what I weighed 2 years after childbirth. It has to be on my body somewhere. Seeing myself in profile leads me to suspect at least a good portion of this additional mass might be hanging out just below my belly button. A few kind friends have reminded me that muscle weighs more than fat, or some such thing. Cause I'm so buff now, apparently.
And even if I don't lose any weight, being mindful of not eating junk food or excess sweets can't be bad for me. And my heart could certainly benefit from a little bit of activity on a daily basis. So, I think my plan is a reasonable one from a health stand point.
I did do a quick google search for other ways of looking at a body's proportion. I'm not quite sure what this one is...but I'm posting it here anyway.
Hip, Waist, Chest Ratio Calculator
Here be my measurements, I think, and their ratios. According to the brief paragraph of explanation on the site,
hips 38
waist 30
chest 35
wth .79
wtc .86
cth .92
And my ten point check list for the day...which I'll update as I go along.
1. Up-yes. Thanks to the Jedi :)
2. Stretch. Yes.
3. Weigh 121.2 So motivational. :(
3a. ha ha
4. Dishes-yes
5. Devotions and breakfast--yes
6. exercise--wii olympics (and TKD this evening)
7. Declutter--cleared some things off the kitchen counters and table
8. glasses of water--6
9. No-S--one oreo. only one. but that one was just irresistible.
10. Evening--only 6 ounces of hot chocolate and no jelly on my english muffin.
(ps---Holly!!!! Its so good to hear from you again! How are you doing?? What are you doing? How have you been?)
From the ages of 19 onward, until I got pregnant, I weighed 98 lbs. I didn't diet, in fact, I lived on sweets and junk food until I got married, when the Jedi's more responsible habits and ability to cook ensured me at least one healthy meal each day. I didn't exercise, but I was active. While I was in college I didn't own a car so I did a great deal of walking. After college I worked as a preschool teacher, which also kept me active. I wasn't anorexic or bulimic or even concerned with my weight. But everytime I was weighed, I came in at 98.
When I was expecting, I changed my eating habits. Gone were the chocolates and the sweets and the junk food. Instead I really focused on eating a healthy, balanced diet for the baby. I gained a goodly amount of weight, and looked like someone had stuffed a beach ball up my dress. Observe....
And that's still with a month to go before I delivered.
I nursed Sweetling for a year, and continued my healthy eating, though a bit less stringently. About 2 years after Sweetling was born, I was in for a check-up, and low and behold, I weighed 102. Did I diet to get there? Nope. Did I even worry about my weight up until that point? Nope. Did my stomach look like a piece of dead elephant hide rudely grafted to my skinny little body? You betcha.
Now, Sweetling is 11 and I weigh 120. Don't get me wrong, 120 is not a bad weight for my height. And I don't think anyone would call me chunky. (And if they did, I've got a pretty mean round-house kick now.) But, I still have this ponchy belly gut that I don't like. And year of Tae Kwon Do, complete with stomach crunches and sit ups and the like hasn't changed that any. So, I don't think stomach "flattening" exercises are going to fix it. The only thing I think might have at least a little impact is perhaps some weight loss.
Mathematically, 120 is a nearly 20% increase over what I weighed 2 years after childbirth. It has to be on my body somewhere. Seeing myself in profile leads me to suspect at least a good portion of this additional mass might be hanging out just below my belly button. A few kind friends have reminded me that muscle weighs more than fat, or some such thing. Cause I'm so buff now, apparently.
And even if I don't lose any weight, being mindful of not eating junk food or excess sweets can't be bad for me. And my heart could certainly benefit from a little bit of activity on a daily basis. So, I think my plan is a reasonable one from a health stand point.
I did do a quick google search for other ways of looking at a body's proportion. I'm not quite sure what this one is...but I'm posting it here anyway.
Hip, Waist, Chest Ratio Calculator
Here be my measurements, I think, and their ratios. According to the brief paragraph of explanation on the site,
"Published data suggests that a WHR (waist to hips ratio) of 0.7 for women and 0.9 for men have been shown to correlate strongly with general health and fertility. Women within the 0.7 range have optimal levels of estrogen and are less susceptible to major diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and ovarian cancers. Men with WHRs around 0.9, similarly, have been shown to be more healthy and fertile with less prostate and testicular cancer. A CHR (chest to hips ratio) of less that .8 suggests the possibility of poor circulation and poor exercise habits. A CWR of greater than 1.1 also indicates poor exercise habits and suggests dietary evaluation."
hips 38
waist 30
chest 35
wth .79
wtc .86
cth .92
And my ten point check list for the day...which I'll update as I go along.
1. Up-yes. Thanks to the Jedi :)
2. Stretch. Yes.
3. Weigh 121.2 So motivational. :(
3a. ha ha
4. Dishes-yes
5. Devotions and breakfast--yes
6. exercise--wii olympics (and TKD this evening)
7. Declutter--cleared some things off the kitchen counters and table
8. glasses of water--6
9. No-S--one oreo. only one. but that one was just irresistible.
10. Evening--only 6 ounces of hot chocolate and no jelly on my english muffin.
(ps---Holly!!!! Its so good to hear from you again! How are you doing?? What are you doing? How have you been?)
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