Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

In light of the first word REDUCE, I’m trying something new – a shorter blog post with reduced text.

I found a cool idea on a website for a fun advent calendar. I have several advent calendars and haven’t had the need to make one. But this was too fun and loved the idea of reusing and recycling. I wasn’t sure how on earth to fit it in with everything else going on but somehow squeezed it between other activities (minus putting #'s for each day yet) and the kids help cut the square pictures out of old Christmas cards for our Monday night Family Home Evening activity. I simplified the holder for each square a bit and would be glad to provide info on how I made them out of lunch sack bottoms if anyone is interested. The kids LOVE it!

All in a day

Today’s task list:

Paint hall bathroom

Cook dinner for missionaries

Cut boys hair and a bunch of misc. things.

Today’s events:

Raw egg flying around the kitchen while bowl flips out of hand making a huge mess. Didn’t know one raw egg could cover so much space and in so many places.

I Realized I didn’t have all ingredients to make dinner so great husband offers to go to the store for me (I HATE shopping on Saturdays). However, the 48oz glass bottle of salsa that I left in the back of the car, along with other things I picked up at Sam’s Club yesterday, rolled forward during a turn and smashed into the metal of the middle seat and spilled its guts all over the car and into the little well of the seat connector.

Sam was also swinging in his hammock and managed to do what we knew he would eventually and put a hole in the wall. We have been trying to come up with a solution for this but now we really have to before the hole gets bigger. Anyone know of a good place to get a padded mat with hefty solid backing?

In the middle of this we were taping and prepping the hall bathroom for paint, did the primer and then made some progress on the paint. I was also preparing some pulled BBQ pork, cole slaw, fresh pineapple and grapes and baked beans. The crowning piece was a lemon cheesecake, my first ever attempt to make real cheesecake! It turned out great (ignore the grand canyon in the middle) and is so smooth. The recipe will be posted on Facebook or can be requested.

Overall it was a good day, just frustrating in parts. OH and I did get the boys hair all cut as well (all 3 boys). Yeah!

Halloween 2009 Recap

I have been given a strong urging by my husband to NOT go to church today and to use that time to get some extra rest. I have been fighting off a chest cold and haven’t had much time to rest and after a chilly breezy time outside for trick or treating I really began to feel awful last night. I’m sure I will end up at the Dr tomorrow but rest is always good. However, I promised that I would not sit at the computer during that time but would actually rest. Therefore I’m trying to write this blog before church starts so I can keep my word. OK I didn't quite make it but close.

I wanted to give a Trick or Treating recap. Of course although not trick or treating directly, we have to begin the day before Halloween. Sam’s school has a traditional dress up parade. It has become an anticipated event to find out what the entire staff dresses up as. Last year the principal and secretary were Mini and Mickey mouse with all of the staff as Mouseketeers. I think it was one of my favorites. Although I must say this year still gave me great entertainment. The principal, he dressed up at Snow White and the secretary, she was dressed as the wicked witch. All of the teachers were dressed as the 7 dwarfs but of course more than 7 of them, just lots of duplicates. Still, very cute. Because the parade was indoors and I have yet to find a good setting for a good picture inside at a distance I don’t have much to show for this event. However, I did help in Sam's classroom for their class party. They packed in 7 different activities or crafts in a short time along with lots of goodies.

Dan’s school doesn’t have a parade but they were supposed to parade to areas relatively close to the school to visit some care centers. However, due to the flu concerns here that was cancelled for them to simply have some class parties. Just as well considering we had 4” of rain that day (see picture of neighbors back yard).

This year we only had Sam with us for trick or treating. Dan went with his friend Andrew around Andrew’s neighborhood. We have had a 3 yr tradition now of meeting up with our friends the MacKenzie’s to go around their neighborhood. The kids were off like lightning. Again my favorite stop is at the home of therapy dogs Boomer, Baxter and Murphy. Their neighborhood gets crazy busy and reminded me last night that just because its Halloween doesn’t mean rules of the road don’t apply anymore. Signaling ones intent would be particularly helpful to navigate the cars stopped in all parts of the road for who knows how long as well as people crossing in and out without much regard to these large heavy motorized vehicles that could cause great damage even at extreme low speed. We also all went to a club house where a group of Senior’s gather to enjoy the fun. The kids are to parade in front of them and then there are little bags of goodies for the kids. After this we hung out with our friends the Lowrances where they had the perfect little spread of veggies and dip and my favorite tortilla chips and warm cheese dip. That hit the spot. Yeah for something that didn’t have sugar in it. They also had fun things for the kids including this funky little brain. It’s not edible and maybe the size of a large rat brain? But it’s kind of sticky and Sam took his out after we got home. Bindy, the Lowarnces dog was staying at our house so she didn’t have anxiety over the door activity. Well, she looked pretty cute with Sam’s little sticky brain stuck to her, nestled into her long hair. A very good Halloween look and too bad I didn’t get a picture.

Before we headed home we then went to pick up Dan and see what kind of fun he had. Now the neighborhood he had fun in I guess is well known for the loot you get. His bag weighed 4 pounds and this of course after I’m sure much was enjoyed. There were plenty of empty wrappers in there too. But the biggest surprise of the night was his news about one of the more lucrative stops. The story goes that the guy was handing out envelopes with money in them. They were told to pick an envelope and that there were $1, $5, $10, $20 and $50 bills and that one envelope had $100. When they got back from gathering their loot and opened the envelopes Dan once again proved that he has better luck than anyone in this house. He had a $20. What kid goes out trick or treating and not only comes home with 4 pounds of candy but $20 cash as well? I guess someone probably came home with $100 or a $50 but the $20 Dan got will long be remembered around here! I’m sure this guy will have plenty of people knocking on his door next year. The question, will he do the same?

I Love My Husband!

I know that I have a great husband but sometimes things happen to remind you just how great a person is. So this week has been a little rough for me. You would think it would have been great but for some reason it just didn’t work out that way for me. Tuesday afternoon I get a call from Sam’s teacher between school letting out and the bus arriving home, warning me that school had been closed until this coming Monday due to the high absentee rate. Of course it is being assumed as H1N1. (Note: we were just one of maybe 10 or so districts in the area to close at some point last week) Anyway, Sam was really upset about it and his teacher was worried and wanted me to have a heads up. Turned out OK, he must have let it soak in on the short bus ride. That was the first cancellation in a series of additional cancellations and changes in expectations that continued through the week. I began to dwell on what could have been with a completely open 5 day weekend, even though I didn’t learn until 2 ½ days into it that it could have in fact been completely open. I couldn’t help but think of the lost potential to take off and visit my mom who is now doing so much better from her broken neck injury from June. That among other little things just seemed to get to me more than I expected. The week should have been full of energy and productivity. But I found myself more and more tired. On Thursday I found myself so tired by later afternoon that I actually sent Nick an email at 5:15 pm and said “I’m exhausted and I’m going to take a nap, wake me up when dinner is ready”. I really didn’t expect him to do what I was asking but guess what, he came home and did just that. His sweet and sour pork from scratch was is a favorite and I really enjoyed it!

Then today I spent several hours at The Story Festival on campus where we had a museum presence. I was able to help since our other event for today at Make A Difference Day was cancelled due to its highly hands on nature with so many children. During those several hours I felt I had made some great contacts and the time was well spent. But my feet were tired and I just wanted to sit down and relax for a bit. Arriving home I open the door to the house and what do I smell by a lovely wafting of fresh homemade bread. Sure enough Nick was baking two loaves of French bread. He found this recipe a couple of weeks ago and it is AMAZING. Of course he let us try some when it was hot out of the oven – the BEST I have ever had. He usually makes dinner on Saturdays but again, a lovely meal is waiting for me and we are having fresh homemade bread with it. What a guy - I love my husband!

A Birthday Drive

Inspired by the latest “Pure Michigan” travel ads (see all four of my personal favorites here-1, here-2, here-3 and here-4 but don't forget to pres the BACK arrow to get back to the blog after viewing) I had one big wish for my birthday. I wanted to take in a bit of Pure Michigan. I knew the best I could likely do is take a drive somewhere but not too far. I fall asleep too quickly when I’m driving - especially when I’m on my own and since the family would all be in school or work I knew it would I would have to stay close. I tried keep the day unscheduled so I could not feel guilty and give myself permission to do any of those things that I normally feel guilty for, if I take time during other days. Among other things this would include leisure reading and shopping for myself. Although the day filled up with some fun and not so fun morning activities I still had the afternoon to spend as I wished. The drive was top priority. It was a perfect fall day as well, crisp and a bit overcast. I took the camera and got in the car with little plan other than to explore. I admit I didn’t get too far from home as time was a small issue. But I had a lot of fun paying attention to the fun scenery. I took pictures that journaled (is that a word?) the variety of things I saw of interest. My pictures might not be nearly as moving as my favorite Pure Michigan ads. But sit back, turn up the volume (if you didn't already to that to view the links above) and enjoy my birthday drive by following the link below. However first I will add an apology as to view the slide show it requires an account on Snapfish (which you can setup for free if you don't have one). It was what I had at the time and will try to make a different slide show but not sure how soon. I will post pictures on my shutterfly photo album. Sorry to be so complicated.

My Birthday Drive

FYI - the pictures were of whatever I happened to notice and although rough roads in need of repair aren't particularly lovely I couldn't help but make you all think that all roads in Michigan look like the one I showed you. I'm thinking that this might be why we have so many dirt roads, they are often in much better shape than those that have been patched 10 times and are still in bad shape!

Inner Beauty

Tree update 10/12/09, the tree that was blooming color from inside first is now so beautiful on the outside (see picture on right).

The leaves are changing which just puts me in the best mood. Not far from home is a tree that has been fascinating to me. I drive by it multiple times a day. It has become a reminder to me of things we should not forget. Normally it seems that the cold air creates leaf changes beginning with an outer branch here and there and then the color works its way through the whole tree. Well the tree I have been admiring this year (so far) worked slightly different. The color started from inside the very center closest to the trunk and has been slowly working its way out. The affect is lovely, definitely inner beauty. I wish my photograph did it better justice but it was kind of gray and misty out the day I took this.

Yesterday I went to the farmers market and bought a bunch of peaches to freeze. I love peaches and although hated the fuzzy outer skin as a kid I have grown to like it too. But for freezing I of course did not want peach skins left on. So I was going through the process of blanching the peaches and then pealing back the skin. I love when it just falls off. Anyway, each peach was this gorgeous reminder once again about inner beauty. Have you looked at the colors of a freshly pealed peach lately? The colors are so rich and blend in and out of these beautiful hues of yellow, orange and red. These aren’t even my favorite colors but I couldn’t help but marvel at how beautiful these colors were when blended together like that.

At least 2 frogs have taken up residence on our front porch. They come and go but when they come I find myself really wondering just why they picked that spot to sit all day! One frog is smaller than the other and is more green. The other is a bit more gray. They each have their own spot, not even near each other. They are curious little guys. I was beginning to wonder if I needed to find an inner beauty story from them as well. Hmmm still thinking and I don’t think my 8th grade dissecting experience counts! Is anyone looking for a prince charming? Maybe he is waiting on my front porch for you.

NOTE: The smaller, slightly more green frog has the bubbles on him. Think of it as a bubble bath. Sam had his bubble blower out and thought it would be fun to blow bubbles onto the frog.

It’s just a pair of glasses…

First day of school: I forgot to be sure that Sam had his glasses

Second day of school: Remembered the glasses and they were still on him, albeit quite dirty, when he got off the bus! But, still just so happy to see them!

Third day of school: Emptying backpack, realized he wasn’t wearing the glasses (or had his lunch box) when I saw the glasses in his outer pocket. OH are these his glasses they look different. Yup, no lenses (they were in the pocket too – just loose) and the frames, well they have seen better days…and worse. Although not sure both lenses have been popped out. It is hard to tell from the picture but the oval part of the frame is actually not true to its proper shape. Also if you look closely at the bridge one lense is pushed back further than the other.

Fourth day of school: Do I send the expensive pair of glasses on him or not…..?

UPDATE: Took glasses to WalMart today. They took one look at where the lenses are supposed to fit. You can't tell in a picture but in person - its really not true at all. He said "um WHAT HAPPENED?!" I simply pointed to Sam and said - who knows, I have heard three stories. I have seen them in worse condition but the lenses were still in tact. He pulled off a new pair of frames to match and simply replaced them under warranty! On a saturday afternoon I was in and out with a new pair of glasses, free in less than 15 min! I give WalMart a bad rap for MANY reasons. But honestly I didn't pay for a warranty, this is just their standard service. Darn you WalMart, you are making me have to appreciate you - but thanks! Ahh, next week its back to Pearle to get his first pair refitted so they are backup. They were lots more expensive and so we don't use them as much. But the warranty I have on those were well worth it as well. I have lost track of how many times we have had both pairs repaired so far this year.