You know it's spring when you head to the lake!!!

We had a gorgeous week last week. Monday started out in the 50s with sunshine and we had sunshine SIX DAYS in a row and it climbed up ti 80 degrees on Friday YAAHOO!!!!

The boys were hired to put in docks. I did not get down there in time to get their picture putting them in though.

Jordan and Isaac headed to the lake about 10. I went to pick Doug up from work, do a few errands, get Allen and do another errands and we got up there about 1:30.

It was BEAUTIFUL!!! Not a cloud in the sky! I LOVE spring at the lake. I love any day at the lake :)

So Isaac and Jordan did 3 of the 4 docks they were hired to do. They will do the other in two weeks or so; probably the same day they do Dad's.

Doug and Allen raked leaves........
And raked some more.........
Oops, I forgot to go take pictures of them working! I snapped this one of Jordan. He is quite happy to be done, but still wearing his waders. What a handsome young man he is! It was amazing to watch them swinging the sledgehammer and carrying dock pieces. They are quite strong with muscular arms. I am glad no girls were there :::snort::: Doug was amazed at Jordan's arms! It showed off his tattoo nicely, too LOL.
Allen was not happy to be raking and took a rest.........

Switched to the blower. But work is work and it wasn't fun either way LOL.
All right! Docks DONE! Let's clean the boat. Isaac cleaned their little boat while Jordan went for a fishing license. Isaac won't need one until the end of Sept. when he is 16.
Still cleaning........
They decided to lift it into the back of Jordan's little pickup and drive it to the lake. They needed Dad's help for that!
Isaac sat in the back to make sure it didn't fall out. They didn't have to drive far. The lake is 3 houses down :)

Isaac fishing on Bob's dock..........
Allen and Isaac fishing.........
Jordan trying his luck in he boat! Nobody caught anything though.
I sat on the swing and read a book and knit a little. This was my view while everybody slaved away. So peaceful and beautiful!
So spring is here and we are thrilled! The weather is turning ick again next week with rain and cooler weather. Hopefully it warms back up again and is dry. I hope to spend 1 night each week through the end of the school year at the cottage. It is SO much easier now that Jordan drives and can get himself to-from work and church activities and then come up afterwards :)

Quick Black Bean Chili

This is a recipe I adapted from a Pampered Chef recipe card. It is quick and very yummy, filling and WW friendly :)

Quick Black Bean Chili

1 c. chopped onion
1 c. chopped bell pepper
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 T olive oilo
2 cans organic black beans (15 oz. each)
16 vegetarian refried beans
14 oz. organic vegetable stock
1 T lime juice
Salt
Pepper
Cumin all to taste
14 oz. can diced tomatoes with jalepanos

Sautee peppers, onions and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until soft. Add the rest of the ingredients. Simmer until warmed through, about 20 min.

YIELD: About 3 qts. 1 C = 2 WW points

Fibro Clinic Update

Thursday I had my first appointment at the Fibro Clinic (FFC). It went really well.

First we met with a nurse. She spent about 20 min. with me listening to my concerns and marking my chart.

Then the doctor met with us for about 1 hour and 20 min. He was SO thorough. Answered all my questions and listened to all of my concerns. He explained everything he wants to do in a step-by-step process. He addressed all of my questions and concerns. It was very good.

I had ALL of my blood work drawn, instead of splitting it up between the first 2 visits, because I will not have insurance the next time I go. The clinic is a holistic alternative medicine clinic, so I have to pay most things out of pocket, but not labs. They drew 34 vials of blood!

I had to list the top 5 things I'd like to work on first. Pain and fatigue were the top 2, and that is where they will start. Also foggy brain, weight gain issues and a personal issue were the next 3. He will start with the first two and await blood work results.

The most important thing is sleep. The body cannot repair and heal itself without going into deep sleep. Well, I never sleep more than 1 or 1 1/2 hours without waking up, so my body is not restoring and healing itself.

He gave me a natural supplement called Rest and Restore to take at bedtime. I am taking 2 right now but can take up to 6. It has melatonin and valerian root in it. He also gave me a script for Ambien. I am to start with 1/2 and take 1 whole tablet at bedtime if needed. I have reservations about sleeping meds, but am willing to do what it takes to be better. Last night is the first night I slept 8 solid hours in years and years! It was lovely.

He also gave me a script for pain, and I am having some side effect issues from it. Mostly dizziness. I am not sure if it is a temporary issue or not. I have a call into the doctor and they are checking on it for me.

I am also taking some other supplements. In Harmony, which has some Bs, St. John's Wart and 5-HTP. I did start taking SAM-e 2 months ago, and he wanted me to continue that also. I am not willing to take scripts for depression because the side effects are not worth it, so we're going the natural route for this.

I'm taking a powdered vitamin supplement since it is more easily absorbable. And a couple things for energy and to help with the pain and fatigue.

He was very happy with my diet. I had to take a food journal with me. He sees no reason why I should not be losing weight and thinks it is most likely my hormones and will be waitingfor thyroid tests to come back. He also thinks my adrenal and reproductive hormones are out of what. If that is the case, they will be treating them with bio identical hormone therapy.

I go back in May.

I am almost over the respitory thing. Gram, that is why I haven't called. I've not had a voice for days!

There is more happening in my life than kittens. But they are just so darn cute so you have to put up with just one more picture :) They are 3 1/2 weeks old now. From left to right we have Leroy, Newman (the only girl) and Shadow! In other news, Doug started a new job yesterday. He will still have the same type of work schedule, but that is OK. After 10 months I am starting to adjust.

Between jobs we enjoyed 10 1/2 days of him being home :) He had vacation to use up. We had a plan to work the first part of vacation and play the second.

We got a LOT of work done. Doug painted the woodwork, ceilings and walls of the stairway and upstairs hallways. We cleaned the linen closet. The boys cleaned their bedrooms and closets. We took about 15 loads of linens, blankets and afghans to the laundomat. No, I do not normally wash all of the linens in my house at once. But before painting the woodwork, we were stripping/sanding (it turned into WAY more work than we were up for) and there was SO much dust in the linen closet! So Doug and I made a date out of the laundromat. It was fun.

We cleaned and organized the school room and closet. I decluttered the built-in bookcases in the upstairs hallway and the 3 in the living room.

So we got all the work done AND THEN Doug and I were both sick with upper respitory things. It kinda inhibited our play, but we pushed through.

Tuesday Doug took Jordan and Isaac to Wheeling, WV to shop at Cabelas. We have serious spring fever/wish it were time to open the cabin going on here.

Friday we all went to Bob Evans for breakfast. That was TONS of fun! Then Doug and the boys went bowling while I slept. I was seriously sick by this time.

Thursday Doug took me to the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Treatment Center. I'll blog a separate post for that.

Saturday we had a date night at Panera Bread and then drove around and talked. Neither of us were up for going dancing. Although we did go dancing the first weekend he was home.

I just enjoyed having him home so much and him being here when I went to bed at night and when I got up in the morning. I enjoyed cooking meals for him. I really enjoyed letting him make all parental decisions :::snort:::

So now we are back to life as we know it. Trying to wrap up school by the end of May. Planning for next year. Having baby kitties learn to climb out of the box YIKES!!!!! And longing for spring and nice weather :)

Cuteness Alert!!!!

The babies are 2 weeks old today. What is NOT to love about little balls of fluffy cuteness?

Leroy is a whopping 13 oz., Shadow weighs in a 12 oz, and the little girlm Newman, is the smallest at 11 oz. Their eyes are opening and they are just so DARN CUTE! They try to stand up, but wobble and fall over. They are so fun to snuggle. I hold Newman while reading aloud. She snuggles up under my chin and sleeps :)

Newman sleeping

LeRoy and his deep blue eyes!
Newman snuggling with Isaac
Shadow! His eyes almost match his fur. He's so darn cute!

IT'S BABY DAY!!!!!

I put food beside the nesting box. Lilly would not go into the kitchen to eat LOL. But she will jump out for a couple minutes and growl the entire time she is eating LOL. So I quickly snapped this picture of the babies. They are just SO adorable!

We have been anxiously awaiting Lilly's day of delivery for a couple weeks now. I wasn't quite sure when she became "with kitten", because I do not even remember her being in heat.

She LOVES to be at my feet while I'm on the computer. So we put a nesting box under the computer a couple weeks ago so she could get used to it. She pretty much ignored it LOL.

Last night she started going in and out of it a lot. So I figured we were getting close. Her tummy was rolling like a choppy sea, and that was fun to watch. I figured she'd have her babies while we were in bed.

But she waited for us. I woke up to icky stuff all over the bathroom sink (she sleeps in there at night?!?!?!) and on the kitchen floor, so really knew it was close. Nobody wanted to do school, but we couldn't just sit and stare at her LOL. So we read aloud on the couch and then they were on the living room floor doing school, or at least putting in the appearance of school LOL.

We have 3 sweet little babes. They look just like her. Two are dark gray and one is light gray. It is hard to see them, but they are in the pictures :)

Just minutes after the first one was born. She was cleaning it up.

Resting with the 3 of them. See how they kinda just blend in??
This would have been a PERFECT shot, but at the last

second she put her paw over the babe's head!

A clearer shot.
Tucker is quite interested in the little mewing sounds. And he wants to sniff them up. But he hasn't gotten too close, or Lilly isn't afraid of him LOL. Buddy, the other cat, seems miffed!

So that is our sweet news of the day :)

Woo Hoo!!!

Jordan passed his driver's test today! He is now a licensed driver :) :) :) He proudly drove his brother and himself to youth group tonight.

Doug is having a much harder time with this than I am. He called me when they left. Ten minutes later he called Jordan (church is 6 min. away). He called me back LOL.

I am thrilled that I do NOT have to taxi him everywhere. It was getting exhausting and annoying to be the sole responsible person all week.

Way To Go Jordan !!!!!

Who wouldn't want hair like this?

Today Isaac asked me if I would flat iron his hair for church. He has thick, thick, curly hair. He washed it this morning so it would be dry, but it was still damp. Oh to have 1/3 of his hair!

This is 1/2 done. He wanted to see the contrast in length of curly/straight. 40 MINUTES later! The back is SO long! Lucky duck :)
Isn't he quite handsome??
He wouldn't let me take pictures with it sectioned and clipped on his head:::snort:::

I've been tagged!!

De'Etta tagged me the other day. I'm finally getting around to doing it.

Right behind the computer we have 8 bookshelves that house our SL books and various other school books. I just grabbed one from the top of the pile :)

The Rules:

~Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages

~Open the book to p. 123 and find the 5th sentence

~Post the next 3 sentences

~ Tag 5 people

I grabbed The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.

Sentences 6-9 on p. 123 are this:

For the first time the man's eyes met mine.
"I'll never forget this," he said.
The amount was more than we had at the Beje so I sent Toos to the bank with instructions to hand the man money, but not to volunteer any information.

I have no idea who to tag:

1. Mom
2-5. Everybody who reads my blog :) Just leave me a comment so I can come and read your tag!

Some before and after pictures!!!

Allen and I went for haircuts today. At first Allen thought he would get his hair cut short! But then he changed his mind and got a trim. Sara said that my boys definately get their hair from their dad! Yep, lucky them! All 4 guys in my family have fabulous, thick, wonderful hair!!!!

I've been feeling old, fat and ugly. So I told Sara I wanted to change my color and get bangs. I had no idea what color I wanted. I told her I totally trust her judgement and do whatever. I love it! It is quite different and Doug won't recognize me when he comes home. But it feels rich and shiney. LOVE it! I think it really brings out my blue eyes.

Allen before

Allen after
Me a couple weeks ago
Me today with my new 'do.
Profile! Taking your own picture from the side is NOT easy LOL.

Sunday Fried Chicken

My MIL gave me this recipe. It is so good and easy, too :) It is a homemade shake and bake kind of thing!

Sunday Fried Chicken

2 c. flour
1/2 c. cornmeal
2 T salt
2 T ground mustard
2T paprika
2 T garlic salt
1 T celery salt
1 T pepper
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. dried oregano

Bone-in chicken pieces OR boneless/skinless chicken pieces

Combine the first 11 ingredients. Place about 1 c. flour mixture in a large resealable plastic bag. Add a few chicken pieces to the bag at a time; shake to coat.

Heat a couple tablespoons of oil in a large skillet. Brown chicken on all sides; transfer to an ungreased baking pan.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 45-55 minutes (less for bl/sl) or until juice run clear.

Recipe makes enough coating for 3 whole chickens. Store unused mixture in airtight container.

Random pictures from the week!

It is amazing the things you find on the camera when boys play around with it!

Me doing what my kids think I do best..........cooking!

Lilly, who may or may not be pregnant!
Allen making a DNA strand as part of Apologia general science.
My flooded back yard! We have had TONS of rain and THUNDERSTORMS (IN FEB.!!) since yesterday!
Saturday Isaac and Jordan were finally able to burn boxes from Christmas!
Jordan taking an Abeka consumer math test.
This is how he really feels about math!
It's been a long week, and it's only Wednesday! Some weeks are longer than others. Last week and this one have been exceptionally long.............

You Make My Day!

My Mom honored me with this award :) My Mom is the greatest mom ever! I don't get to see her as often as I'd like. We are both so busy, but I love her more than anything and am so thankful for her!

The rules say to bestow this on 10 more bloggers. Let me see if I can think of 10!

1. De'Etta ~ Her blog always makes me smile. I love her outlook on life, her pictures and her big family!

2. Cynthia ~ She always has such fun pictures! I'm not sure if she likes links shared, so Cynthia, I didn't post it.

3. Food For Thought ~ I'm not sure if Sarah would like her link shared, either. Sarah encourages me in to eat more raw. Sarah is a 100% low fat, high fruit vegan. I have learned so much fromher!

4. Merry from SL ~ She makes me smile. She has such a sweet heart!

5. Making Home ~ Jess usually gives me something to think about. I love her heart for women and marriag!

6. Leisl ~ She makes me laugh!

7. Angi (JaJireh from SL) ~ She cracks me up, makes me think and takes the most adorable pictures!

8. Kris (mommytobees from SL) ~ I love to gaze at her pictures. She is quite talented!

9. Mandi (Family news and other nonsense from SL) ~ I like seeing life in a home with 3 little girls :)

10. Anybody else that reads my blog. I love having visitors and commentors. Feel free to snag this award :)

Happy February!!!

Can you believe it??? January kind of flew by.

I'm trying to get back into a good school routine. We do it, but I don't want to. This is the worst year I've ever had. But we just keep on keeping on. If my kids were younger I'd be sorely tempted to be lazy and lax. But they are jr. and sr. high and we must push forward.

I turn 39 this month! Really :::snort::: I am sad that Doug won't be home. We were hoping he'd take a vacation day and we would go to a hotel and swim and see a movie or something with the boys. But with the accident taking money we didn't even have, we no longer are planning the fun overnight trip :(

We have a snow warning tonight. It snowed a little and then had freezing rain on top! It looks messy outside. I wonder if Jordan's driver ed teacher will cancel his driving today. He needs 4 more hours behind the wheel with an instructor. She has cancelled on us twice already, but not for weather. I'd rather he were home and safe than out driving, but I am ready for him to haev his license!

Sorry I've not blogged more frequently. It just seems redundent to post:

Got up
Did chores and breakfast
Did school
Took a nap
Took kids places
Feel icky today
Went to bed

Very boring LOL...........