Thrilling Thursday???

So it was our 3rd day of school. It was also gorgeous outside! And we all know that pretty soon it won't be gorgeous and nobody will want to go outside for months and months!

So Isaac and Allen finished their math and science in record time! I cut some watermelon, made a salad, and had the boys load up the fishing stuff and weed eater and we were off for the lake!

Jordan stayed home because he had to work before we'd be home.

We had a beautiful day at the lake. Isaac spent much time fishing in his little boat. They mowed the lawn. We had pizza. I knit for hours and hours and also took a nap. It was so nice.

We left about 8:15 and stopped by Wal-Mart on the way home. Not my favorite place to shop! I'm on the lookout for a wireless card for our Compaq laptop. I was utterly confused and walked out without that, but with lots of other stuff.

Got home and cleaned the bathroom and picked Jordan up from work at 10. Then I stayed up WAY too late playing Scrabble at Scrabulous.com! Have ya'll seen that site?? Oh my am I addicted LOL.

Today we're wrapping up our first week of school! I'm glad it's over! I'm equally glad we only have 3 days of school next week :::snort::: School is getting in the way of my life this year LOL.......

Day 2 is going much better :) Now instead of bickering, they are goofing off! I'd prefer they sit and do their work quietly! Gee, wonder if that will EVER happen during our hs'ing career ::snort::

Allen is always the one to get up and do what he is supposed to do and start school early! So he was finished early. Remember, we are only doing math and science, his 2 great loves!

So after his schoolwork, he rummaged through the old science supplies and fiddled around.

He made this little light bulb light up with wire and a battery. Can you see it? It is really tiny!

The other two were working hard at the table! This ABeka Consumer Math has a LOT of busy work in it! Did any of ya'll use it? Did you assign ever problem every day? It is taking him 1 1/2 hours! a day to do this stuff! And he's using a calculator! Lots of work!


We had French toast for breakfast. I've cleaned that up and cycled 2 loads of laundry (guess I should go for #3, eh?) and am getting ready to heat up the grill and turn on the oven for dinner.

I liked eating at noon when Doug was on afternoons, so most days we eat at noon, especially if Jordan is working.

I love not really having to do anything after school and eating. The evenings are much more relaxed when they are just grabbing whatever they can fix themselves for dinner, like we used to do for lunch.

Yeast Pancakes (or Belgian type waffles)

4 c. flour
1 T yeast
2 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. salt
3 c. warm milk
2 eggs
1/4 c. butter, melted

Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Melt butter in a pan, pour in milk and heat to about 115*. Beat eggs in a small dish.

Pour butter, milk and egg over dry ingredients and stir until combined. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.

Cover with a cloth and let stand 30-45 min., until bubbly.

Pour by 1/4 cupfuls on hot, greased griddle OR pour into hot, buttered waffle iron.

This whole recipe is 55 WW points. So depending on how many pancakes or waffles you make, just divide for individual servings. My Belgian waffle maker gives me about 10 waffles.

Some first day of school pictures, in no particular order:)

Jordan working on his math.

Lilly enjoyed her first day of school! She's curled up in Allen's school basket!
Allen did NOT want his picture taken!
I took it anyway.........
Doing a science experiment! He did a great job on it and the lab sheet is fabulous!
Our "official" first day of school picture :::Snort:::
Isaac poses with his science book.......

We had an OK day. Tensions were running high. Much bickering between the kids and Jordan refused to finish his science assignment! I only assigned math and science this week. He "only" had to read for an hour and write a few paragraphs about what he read.....it's going to be a long year UGH.

So we got up and I made waffles. The kids started working on math. I helped with science experiments and showed Allen how to fill out the lab sheet. I made pizza dough and they had inidividual pizzas for lunch.

While their pizzas were cooking, I ran to Sam's and completely forgot the main thing I was going for LOL. Then I went to Curves, but not to work out, but buy progesterone cream. I must be nice next week, right?? LOL......

I came home and cleaned a bunch of lettuce and had a huge salad and 4c. watermelon for lunch. Note, do NOT eat 4 c. watermelon and then try to take a nap! I was up every 15 min. going to the bathroom :::snort:::

I took Jordan to work at 3:30. This was the most productive part of the day for me because the other two bicker much less when Jordan is gone.

They did I don't know what, but it wasn't allowed to be electric :)

I made 24 bacon, egg and cheese English muffin sandwiches for the freezer and also 18 stuffed pepper halves for the freezer. I baked some salmon and sauteed some veggies for dinner.

I knit for about an hour, visited with my Gramma for a bit and then Isaac and I took Tucker for a 2 mile walk.

I went and got Jordan from work. Everybody had to go to bed early because of bad attitudes. Sounds good to me! They are up there reading and it is quiet down here. I took chicken out to thaw and poured in the marinade for tomorrow's dinner (at noon again........)

I called an internet friend that lives in Washington so she could explain Write Shop I to me. I feel much less overwhelmed about that now :) Thanks Jan!

So that was our first day. I am officially exhausted!

Starting school today.......

Not sure whether to be excited or sad. I am so sad summer is over. I am excited to be starting our 11th year hs'ing. We only have 5 years before everybody is graduated! The years are flying by, but the days are dragging on :::snort:::

So this week we're starting with just science and math. We'll add in something every week and by Oct. will be going full schedule.

I'm rather overwhelmed with the thought of adding school into my already exhausting life. Doug isn't home much at all, and well, I'm sure it will be OK once we get going, right?

Everybody is up and doing chores. I'm about to make them breakfast. Yeasty Waffles and I'll post the recipe later on.

Goals for today:

~Breakfast
~School
~Laundry
~Make pizza dough
~Run to Curves and Sam's Club
~Sleep
~Take Jordan to work, then to the church, then home
~Collapse into bed :)

How was your holiday?

We had a busy, busy holiday weekend. It was lots of fun, but very busy.

Friday Doug came home from work early :) He and I went to the fair for a date. We were there about 2 1/2 hours, ate too much food, and came home to have a fire with the boys.

Saturday Doug took the boys to breakfast. They came home and did some lawn work, washed the van inside and out and tidied the garage a bit! Jordan had to work and that evening Doug and I went dancing.

Sunday was church and then a picnic with our prayer group. We were there alllll day. Jordan had to work again, so he missed 1/2 the picnic.

Monday I slept in. Doug prepped all his food for the week. What a great guy! We went to my inlaws for a picnic, went to Staples for school stuff and then came home. I was exhausted and slept for about 3 hours. The kids had to go to bed early (starting school today) and we went to bed early.

How was your holiday??

Knitting!

I'm finally knitting something other than dishcloths and furry scarves :)

For as long as I can remember, my mom has knitted and crocheted. I've crocheted for years, and have dabbled in knitting. I've decided to do more than dabble.

Here's a picture of what I have done so far on a baby bunting. My little sister is having a baby the end of Oct. and this will be her gift, I HOPE! It is much slower going than crocheting is LOL...... But so far I am really enjoying myself!

Hopefully I'll have updated photos to post in a timely manner :)

A New 'Do

I've been growing my hair since January. I told Doug I'd grow my hair for a year if he'd lose weight. Well, he wasn't holding up his end of the bargain LOL......

My hair is fine textured and rather thin. Once it gets past my shoulders, it starts to look limp and flat, even with layers.

So about 3 weeks ago I had my stylist cut 4" off the back and layer it. But it wasn't quite right. It looked the same, but shorter.

So today I went back and had her cut some more layers and make it more flippy and cute! I told her I wanted to love my hair and feel good about it. I'm not feeling good about my body right now. I've gained 50# since June of 2006, and I cannot figure out why! I am sure it has to do with my health problems, but I am just feeling fat, frumpy and ugly. So I got a cute new 'do to hopefully boost my spirits some. I'm looking forward to styling it myself tomorrow.

I do not think Doug will like it! It is not long. Allen told me I look like a boy! What is it with men and long hair anyway???

Gearing up for school!

I spent yesterday working on the boys' assignment books. I still do the old fashioned way of paper and pencil. I use the home school high school journal that you can get for less than $8 at Rock Solid I have everything ready to go EXCEPT for Write Shop. I've never used it before and am feeling a little overwhelmed!

We are starting our 11th year of hs'ing. I've always, always just jumped in with a full work load. This year we are doing it differently. We'll start with math and science next week, the following week add in history, and the week after that language arts. Not sure why I'm feeling freaked out about that :::snort:::: I just don't do change well, kwim?

One of the reasons for starting out slowly is we want to have our afternoons free to go to the lake and fish some more. I'd like to go as much as possible through Sept. and Oct. if the weather is nice. I am NOT looking forward to the long, dreary winter months this year!

Another reason is I do not want to start school at all this year. I am sure once we get started, it will be OK. But with Doug only home on weekends, I am not looking forward to having another thing that is solely my responsibilities. I miss my honey!

Week in Review

I went to work with Doug on Sunday and came home Tuesday afternoon. It wa fun! It was exhausting! I was in tremendous pain when I got back home.

Here's my honey as he gets ready to start the day Tuesday morning.

Here's his bunk. He thought it would be "cozy" for us to sleep together in it. It is a SINGLE bed! It was cozy for all of 2 minutes LOL....then I told him it wasn't going to work.....so he slept in the seats with the cooler between them. I am sure he was uncomfortable!
By Tuesday I was exhausted! We got to Solon to unload. Doug said they are slow, so I decided to lie down for a bit. I feel asleep. He unloaded Solon, drove to Mentor, unloaded and reloaded there and then started driving again before I woke up!

I had a massage on Tuesday evening. I am starting massage therapy for fibromyalgia. I don't know what I was expecting, but it was not excruciating pain! I'm not sure why not, since it hurts to wear clothes some days :::snort::: Yesterday was worse and today I am still very sore. She told me by Friday I should be feeling better. I'm hopeful! Doug and I are going to the fair on Friday and dancing on Saturday. I want to be able to function, kwim? I go for another massage on Wednesday. I'll give it a good 6 weeks and see if it helps!

The festival was FABULOUS!!!

We had an awesome weekend. I cannot wait to share the details, but.....

I am about to run out. I'm going to work with Doug. I'll be back in a couple days. I've a lot to share :)

Fabulous, Fabulous day today!!

I've been rather silent about Doug's new job schedule. He started a job in May that has him away from home a lot! He's mostly home on the weekends only. I keep thinking I shouldn't blog about that, but if De'Etta can blog her dh's deployment, and she has a much larger readership than I do, then I can blog this I guess.

So today he came home early :) He has tomorrow off. Our friends are putting on a HUGE Christian music festival called Collide Fest. So Doug took the day off tomorrow so he could also volunteer.

He got home early today. Busted his hiney so he could get all his stops off early and get home. So we went to the lake to fish and mow.

Now he's picking Jordan up from work. Then he's running the older two to the fairgrounds. They are staying tonight through Sunday. They are working the Youth Stage, load in and band changes. They are SO excited! They will get to meet all the youth stage bands.

I plan to stay far, far away from the youth stage. I'm going to keep myself busy working in the merchandise tent and then will catch Michael W. Smith, Cademon's Call, Jars of Clay and Point of Grace!

So that was our day. I'm trying to get back into the blogging routine :)

I talked my mom into starting a blog. So she did.

Here's a link to my mom's Knitting Blog. Check it out if you get a chance.

My mom has taught me to crochet and I've been doing it for years and years. She's also taught me to knit, and I am just starting to get into making things other than scarves.

Baby blanket I am knitting right now

Snowman afghan I crocheted last spring

Today I put the blanket on hold and started knitting a baby bunting on circular needles! I am having SO much fun! Now I just need to get it finished before Oct. 7th for my sister's shower!

I made this for dinner yesterday and it was SO good! Quick and easy, too :)

Black Beans & Rice

1/2 a large sweet onion, chopped
1 small bell pepper, any color
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
1T olive oil
2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 c. salsa (I used fresh from Sam's Club)
Salt, pepper, and cumin to taste
Hot cooked brown rice
Garnishes: Shredded cheddar, black olives, sour cream, anything you like on yours :)

In a large skillet, saute onion, pepper and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Add black beans and cook until moisture mostly evaporates. Add salsa and head through. Serve over hot rice and with whatever garnishes you choose.

1/2 c. brown rice = 2 WW points
1 c. black beans = 4 WW points
Garnishes extra :)

Summer Reading Challenge update!

I have been busy, busy reading. I read a lot while I was on vacation and since the, too :)

In the past month I've read
Pretend You Don't See Her by Mary Higgins Clark
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich
The 5th Horseman by James Patterson
Kiss the Girls by James Patterson
The Midnight Club by James Patterson
Jack & Jill by James Patterson

I'm reading Cat & Mouse, again, by James Patterson ::snort:: And I'll read The 6th Target, I believe it's called, after this. I am stuck on these Patterson series right now ::snort::

So while I've not read all the books on my LIST, I have added on MANY books! I think I've read 26+ books since the challenge began.

Final wrap up of vacation.

We had a fabulous time. It went way too quickly. It was such a blessing to have Doug home for almost a week.

Friday we got up there, unpacked, settled in and fished. Doug and I went for a boat ride, sat in the middle of the lake and watched the sunset! It was gorgeous and peaceful and wonderful.

Saturday we wondered what the heck was wrong with Allen. It was HOT! We kinda laid low for a while. The boys mowed the lawns. We fished and relaxed and read books.

Sunday Allen went to Urgent Care and we discovered it was chicken pox. Jordan broke out with them, too, on Sunday.

Monday morning Doug took the boys golfing.

The rest of the week pretty much was getting up and making a big breakfast, everybody doing whatever ourside before it was too hot, Isaac fishing ALL DAY LONG, the pox people slept most days, we played lots of cards and fished a lot.

It was lovely! I have some scenery pictures I'll post shortly.

Still vacation :)

Isaac pretty much had a vacation to himself! Jordan only felt like fishing in the evening. Here are some assorted Isaac pictures with various fish :) Isaac on the boat.
Catfish
Some kind of bass
The only picture I have of Doug! It was HOT and he didn't wear a shirt most of the week. He hates me to post pictures of him with no shirt. So this is it lol.

More vacation pictures :) Allen playing cards. We did a lot of card playing with the POX boys!

Jordan Playing Cards
I take my card playing seriously!!!
Napping. The POX take it out of you!
More Napping!

More pictures! Now if I can figure out how to get the captions to line up with the pictures lol.

Our Vacation at the Lake!

We left on Friday for the lake. Allen woke up Thursday am with a horrible headache and vomiting. He has migrains sometimes, so that is what I chalked it up to.

Friday he was still feeling yucky, but better, so we left as planned.

Here he is fishing Friday evening. We all had a great time fishing!

Also Jordan out in the boat on Friday evening.

Saturday morning Allen woke up with a STRANGE rash all over his back and stomach. We thought Chicken Pox, but it didn't look like anything I googled. Sunday he still had this strange rash, and since we had a family picnic to go to and my pregnant sister would be there, and we had no idea what this weird rash was, we took him to Urgent Care. Chicken Pox! Very strange! He was NOT itchy at all.

Doug and Allen get home from the UC and we discover Jordan also has chicken pox! Poor kids. They volunteered at VBS 2 1/2 weeks before, so I am sure that is where they got them.

So their vacation was spent with the POX! They were NOT itchy though, so that was a blessing. It was incredibly hot and humid. High 90s and equally high humidity. We were all hot and miserable. But mornings and evenings were cool and wonderful. So they enjoyed the outdoors then and took naps all the hot afternoon. They were exhausted with the POX!

Here are some pictures in no particular order of days or activities ::snort::

Jordan on the boat Dad bought them
Me on the pontoon with Doug. We took many sunsetboat rides with no kids! It was lovely!

Tiny catfish I caught in the middle of the week. Little tiny perch I caught the first night.

I'm a BAD Blogger!

I've been silent for almost a month! Can you imagine ::snort:: We've been busy, busy here. I'll give a quick recap and then post some individual posts.

July was simply gorgeous here. Sunny, dry and HOT! We spent time at the lake, went to the beach with my inlaws and nieces and spent a week on vacation at the lake. Jordan and Allen came down with chicken pox while we were on vacation! More on that later....

We came home the beginning of Aug. Spent a few more days in CP quarantine. Isaac never did get them! It was HOT the first week of Aug. and has rained pretty much ever since! We went to the waterpark with my inlaws, SIL and nieces last week. I went to my Mom's to swim today. My sister and her kids were there. It was a great visit!

I'm taking up knitting again. I've read a LOT of books! I'll post about those separately!

We're gearing up to help our friends with the Collide Festival. They are putting on a HUGE Christian Music festiavl this weekend at the fairgrounds. If you live in NE Ohio or Western PA, you cannot miss this! They have over 47 bands. Michael W. Smith, Jars of Clay, Point of Grace and Cademon's Call are the ones I'd like to see.

OK, off to post some pictures and individual posts. I wonder if I'll even have any readers left after being gone so long?? Is anybody out there wondering about me :)