A Homemaking Journey

I can't tell you how many times I set new goals, draw up plans, schedules, and organize a space because TODAY is the day we start a new habit, or routine, or just something NEEDS to change, so here's where we start. Last month I tried a new chore system. Someone said to try anything for a month before abandoning it. Well, it's been abandoned. I was going to try doing "jurisdictions" (if this sounds familiar, it was an idea taken from the Duggars). Well, the jurisdictions involved two chores each for three kids for one month. That didn't work. What did work, and still does work, is our ABC chores. I posted them on the closet door. These change every day, and they are things like Meal Helper, Dishes, Feeding and Care of Pets, Help with Laundry. So, we are back to a more peaceful home now that we are all doing a chore system that was working and are motivating for the kids to do because they aren't in one area for too long.
Then, there's school. Ugh. Sometimes I have to say that homeschooling gets a little overwhelming and once we get a break, it's very difficult to get started again. I decided to start doing school all year round, with a month or so of a break in between topics (planning to do 2-3 a year). Unfortunately, lately, it seems life is taking over and I cannot get back onto our school schedule. We have family coming in this week, so I've put it on hold again.
Next up is sleeping. I don't have an infant that wakes up two times a night anymore, so I shouldn't be having sleep deprivation issues, but I do, because I choose to stay up until midnight when a tornado watch expires, or I'm reading a good book, or I'm blog surfing. Once I don't get enough sleep, now our routine is off, the house gets trashed out and now the whole day feels like it's falling apart before it has even started.
I suppose some people would say this is life. I have such a hard time not being an over achiever, it's difficult to accept this excuse. I've heard it takes an average of 21 days to start a new habit, and just a couple of days to break that new habit. Falling on and off the wagon of whatever resolution you've made for yourself gets really stressful, not to mention, brings you down too. As mothers, I can't say how many times I've said: Today I will: read my scriptures, pray, exercise, not eat any cookies, walk the dog, play with the kids, do school with the kids, clean my house, scrub my floor, call my friend, talk to my husband about IMPORTANT things (not Joshua ate half a loaf of bread), take a meal to someone in need, read that book I borrowed, and run these 13 errands. Well, who wouldn't fail with those expectations?
Isn't there a name for this kind of thing...ah, yes...Supermom Syndrome. I have a bad case of it. And, with it comes a nice heaping dose of guilt. The gift that keeps on giving.
On the days that have gone really well, I notice it is when the routine has been simplified and I've done a few things in preparation. Reading scriptures, walking the dog, praying, then coming home and showering and getting breakfast ready for the kids seems to be the best way to start our day. After that, it seems things fall into place: school, cleaning, playing, naps, early dinner, baths, bedtime. That's not to say we don't have squabbles and crying and hectic moments, but it's easier to handle when I'm prepared for the day. One of the funniest things that I've noticed for myself is that I have to wear shoes. If I wear my shoes, then I'm motivated to do stuff. If I'm barefoot, I'm more likely to be lazy and let things slide. I think this stems back to getting ready in the morning to take the dogs out for their walk. I remember Justin, my german shepherd mix, happy, tail wagging and anxious to get out the door the moment he saw me get my shoes. If we could all meet the day that way, like Justin did, with excitement and energy, we'd probably be able to get that whole Supermom list done. Ok, realistically, maybe only half of it.

A Word About Routines

The U.S.Constitution for Everyone (Perigee Book)

by Jerome B. Agel, Mort Gerberg

History comes alive-in this illustrated guide to the Constitution and all 27 Amendments.

¥ Which state refused to send a delegation to the Constitutional Convention?
¥ Why was the Convention held in secret, with sentries at the door?
¥ What are the 27 Amendments?

The U.S. Constitution for Everyone relates how the "traitorous" Founding Fathers wrote the nation's supreme laws and how the thirteen Disunited States became a more perfect Union. A must for students of American history and for everyone who'd like to know more about the supreme laws of our nation.


My Opinion:

This book made the Constitution more interesting, a little more easily understood and gave important history surrounding the constitution and the amendments.


Common Sense

by Thomas Paine

"These are the times that try men's souls," begins Thomas Paine's first Crisis paper, the impassioned pamphlet that helped ignite the American Revolution. Published in Philadelphia in January of 1776, Common Sense sold 150,000 copies almost immediately. A powerful piece of propaganda, it attacked the idea of a hereditary monarchy, dismissed the chance for reconciliation with England, and outlined the economic benefits of independence while espousing equality of rights among citizens. Paine fanned a flame that was already burning, but many historians argue that his work unified dissenting voices and persuaded patriots that the American Revolution was not only necessary, but an epochal step in world history.


My Opinion:

After reading 1776 Thomas Paine became a real person to me. I really enjoyed this as it brought me to these times. I saw a very close correlation between England at that time and the US Government now and how we need to develop the passion for the Constitution like our forefathers developed then.

2 Statesmen Book Reviews

I'd have to say this is me some days...

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Hmmm....

Its that time of year again: Garage Sale season! I've always loved garage sales, but Nebraska residents take it to a whole new level it seems. Since we only have them about 4 months out of the year, we have to fit a whole year's worth of fanatical garage sale-ing into a short time. I suppose most northern states are like this, whereas southern states are afforded a longer, warmer season and therefore, can stay open for neighborly business a little longer.

An impromptu garage sale was decided upon last night and this morning, I dragged out the contents of the shed, my linen closet, and school cabinet to get rid of our clutter. As I was reminded a few weeks ago: if you don't love it, get rid of it! So, that's what I'm doing. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll make enough money to replace my beloved rose furniture that someone stabbed about 50 times with a screw driver. Rather than spend the money to replace the furniture (because it's really comfortable), I thought I could recover the furniture. However, this is proving a little more difficult than I expected. And, I'm waffling over Hannah's queen size bed. I don't know if I should get rid of it or keep it. It's too big for our rooms here, but what if we move again?

I get such a laugh out of some of things I find at garage sales. Things that are put out that I'm sure makes one think "why did I ever buy that?" Like my shiny gold curtains with stripy sheers sewn to the back of them. They are so shiny, they look like, well, this:

My favorites are the sales with the old appliances. They look like something familiar, but you aren't sure what they are. They look like shiny bombs of some kind. I really actually wish I could find some pressure cooker, but they get snapped up pretty quick around here.

The one buy I regret I didn't get was an old neck massager. It had balls that moved inside something that looked like a lumpy pillow. A friend had one that we tried out at work, like 15 years ago. I found one just like it, for cheap, and I didn't snatch it up.

My very last regret item that I didn't buy was an antique Swedish waffle ice cream cone maker. I just don't think my kitchen could reach it's full potential self without this object! The picture below does not do what I left behind justice. The one I saw had all kinds of little delicate tools to go with it. I'm just sure I would have used this item EVERY SINGLE DAY! Alas...we were just not meant to be together.


What's been your weird finds at a garage sale or regret you didn't buy at a garage sale? Please share!! Happy Garage Sale-ing!

Garage Sale!

June 18, 2009

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW: We've had rain almost every day, but I particularly like the short summer storms that come up, rain, and move on. Resume your normal programming....

I AM THANKFUL FOR: A long walk with a good dog.

FROM THE KITCHEN: Spaghetti, disguised as Piccolini Dinner. Just sounds better. Tomorrow will be Mexican food.

I AM READING: Debra Macomber's Blossom Street series.

I AM HEARING: Hannah and Isaac arguing over who Ms. Jingle Bells is and if I think the Jonas Brothers are hot. Why am I even listening? I'm actually more anxious for them to go to bed...just hurry up already.

I AM CREATING: A garage sale pile.

I AM GOING: Survivor night on Saturday! I cannot wait for this. I'll post all about the night on Sunday.

I AM HOPING: We can get the house cleaned up for family coming in next weekend.

AROUND THE HOUSE: We need to fix little things, like some broken peel and stick tiles in the kitchen, and the replace the padded toilet seat that got ripped, and wash the windows. And wipe the black handprint of something off the wall.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: Laying in bed reading...if only I could stay awake to read more than two pages at a time.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK: Prepping for a garage sale, cleaning, prepping for Survivor night, cleaning, cooking, making a menu and weeding the garden. I'm exhausted just writing that list.

A PICTURE THOUGHT FOR YOU:
Shiloah came to visit 1 year ago this month. I wish we were closer!

A Homemaker's Day Book

Disclaimer: This post is more of a rant than your normal average blog post.

We live in a community with a community center that has a gym, pool, movie room, basketball court, etc. One feature they advertise is to "come to the community center and have a cookie." For a year now I've been going to the gym on a regular basis and on the days the kids come with me they go and get a cookie. It is the highlight of their day. We've made friends with all the ladies in the office and it is a nice experience. Even the maintenance man likes the kids and sometimes will bring them milk. Yesterday he allowed my son to help him paint the gym wall.

Last month, they hired a new secretary. (Insert scary music.) She wears an attitude on her face. Her face is all tight and contorted. She is as nasty as the look on her face. We have had several incidences with her rude attitude and so have many of my friends who live in the community.

Yesterday, my son came up to me and told me that he asked for cookies and the "woman" would not give them any cookies and told him that once a week was sufficient. I had had it. Enough of this nastiness! We pay a lot of money to live here and what does a cookie cost compared to what we pay? I jumped off the treadmill and went to the office.

She greeted me with her usual tight, fake smile and "Hi, how are you?"

I answered her cordially and then asked, "Can my kids have some cookies?"

She looked like a deer in the headlights and swallowed hard. She could tell I wasn't happy.

"Well, it's not fair to the other kids if they are eating a bunch of cookies at time. He asked for 9 cookies."

"I have SEVEN kids and there are other kids in the nursery. My kids don't come here to eat a ton of cookies each. They each get one."

"Well, M--- (The manager who is as nasty as she is but no longer messes with me after I confronted him in front of his boss.) has been asking about it."

I said, "So?? We've been coming here for a year and getting one cookie per kid whenever they do come in and now you come marching in here and telling me we can't have a cookie?"

"Well, I'm not going to argue with you, Ma'am. How many cookies do you need?"

"I don't freaking know."

"Your son said nine."

"Then that is how many they need."

She left to get the cookies and I look over at the other lady there who gave me the thumbs up sign. I smiled but I was livid.

Cookie Nazi came back with a bag full of cookies and said, "Oh, and here are some napkins for you too."

hmmmm

Cookie Nazi

When you don't know what to wear and you are tired of your everyday wardrobe, why not create your own? With a few rolls of duct tape and a creative mind, you'll be ready to go rock the town! Yes, all these fashions were made of duct tape...










Want more, click here....

Duct Tape Fashions

June 14, 2009

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW: Children playing in the sprinkler in the fresh carpet of grass. My planters with boxwood bushes that I plan to shape into topiaries when they get a little bigger. The boxwood's are surrounded by flowers.

I AM THANKFUL FOR: A faithful, good looking husband and seven wonderful and amazing children.

FROM THE KITCHEN: Sticky floors, oh wait, I'm guessing you want an idea of what's cooking? Potato soup.

I AM READING: Don Quioxote by Cervantes

I AM HEARING: The spoiled toddler crying about everything and Harry Connick, Jr. Drown her screams out, Harry.......

I AM CREATING: Crafts for a craft book coming up first weekend in July.

I AM GOING: To my fourth child's baptism on Sunday.

I AM HOPING: The house stays this clean.

AROUND THE HOUSE: Need to organized the kid's bookshelf, but why bother?

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: Starbucks hot chocolate...mmmmm

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK: Babysitting two extra children for two days, an appointment for me, seeing my awesome chiropractor, homeschool field trip, oh and the gym everyday because I'm participating in the Juneathon.

A PICTURE THOUGHT FOR YOU:

A beautiful view around Raleigh, North Carolina.

A Homemaker's Day Book

I worked for 13 years in the military in various service related jobs (fitness center, lodging, mortuary, food warehouse, etc.) but my main job, and one that I always reverted to for deployments and initial assignments at new bases, was Food Service. The Dining Facilities in the military are much like any other cafeteria style restaurants. You cook the food that waits on a line to be served, refilling them as needed, and we worked a short order grill for all the meals: eggs and pancakes at breakfast, burgers at lunch, and sometimes steaks for dinner. As with any food service jobs, you have your gross things, rude people, and sometimes things just do not work right. I have great sympathy and respect for food service workers.

Compliment the Cooks
My favorite job was bakery. I loved working the night shift, alone with my cookies and decorative pie tops. My least favorite meal was lunch, since that seemed to be when the rudest people were line. The one job that I actually came to love was working the grill. I was so proud of myself when I'd have five omlettes lined up to be served. Unfortunately for these types of jobs, compliments are few and far between. We usually had limited things for food, and we also had to follow Healthy Heart recipes, and so we were limited with spices and other ingredients that made it difficult to make it as tasty as we would if we were in our home kitchens. I watched one cook work all day long perfecting a BBQ sauce that tasted like a dream! That night it was served, hardly anyone ordered it unless she forced it on someone.

WHAT NOT TO DO:
Do not sneer at your food as it's handed to you. If you didn't want that dish, then don't order it.
Do not come in ready to find as many things wrong as possible. You could eat Ramen at home if it's that disgusting. For that matter, if you are THAT picky, why are you eating there in the first place?
Do not place your order, watch it be cooked, sit down to eat it and return 5 minutes later and complain that it is cold because you also had to chat with your friend, make your toast, and run out to your car for something. (One dude did this several times for one meal).
WHAT TO DO:
Multitask gathering your food if it's allowable. If you are waiting on eggs to cook, get your toast and juice.
Be patient with the cook. It takes some coordination to run a grill with multiple orders.
If your plate is dirty, they stuck their thumb or fingers in your food (they should be handling only the bottom of the plate), politely ask for it to be re-served.

No Tolerance
I do have to say I never saw any of the other cooks, including myself, ever do "something" to food because they were upset with the customer. I have seen gross, unprofessional and rudeness exuded from customers though. Some examples: The girl with long blond hair who showed up with a brush in her hand and proceeded to brush her hair over the salad bar while she decided on her next topping. Grilled onions were a rarity on the short order line, but on the busiest day of the year (we were serving an extra 400 people that day) insisted on having grilled onions for his sandwich. I sent him to the back of line until I could get time to do them. By that point, after others seeing the onions, they all wanted onions, and this slowed the line to a snail paced crawl. Then he was nasty with me for taking so long. This was a favorite of ours during the midnight meal: Friday night after party munchies hit, so they came to the dining hall, drop dead drunk. One girl loudly announced she had just been raped (we weren't sure what to do for her...we were Food Service, not the police), another guy insisted on cheese (cheethe is how he pronounced it)on everything, and we had some come in and stumble around while trying to get their toast out of the toaster with a fork (anyone up for a shock?). I have a previous post on here about my sister's experience as a waitress for Olive Garden where she experienced some less than desirable behaviors as well.

WHAT NOT TO DO:
Do not order "over easy eggs" and then return them when you cut into them and the yolk is runny. Know your terms, or at least ask what the term means.
Do not groom yourself over or near food.
Do not get nasty with cooks or servers. It won't be them that looks like a jerk, you will.
If you are drunk, maybe it would be safer to eat at a sit down restaurant where they take your order and serve you.
Do not sample foods off the line.
WHAT TO DO:
Be prepared to wait in line, especially if it is rush hour. Plan accordingly.
Point out to managers things you see happen that could get others sick, like little kids licking all the spoons at the dessert bar and putting them back in the container.
On that note, supervise small children.
If you are at an All You Can Eat buffet, take small servings, or even just a tablespoon of a serving if you wish to sample something you aren't sure you will like.

Your Health
I was at a dining facility for a two week tour one summer, when they brought out pork chops for lunch. I smelled them before they opened the box. For whatever reason, the pork chops had gone bad, and even had green fuzz growing on them. The shift manager instructed them to just rinse the chops off, "they'll be fine". I don't know if their cook could understand us, but we all protested that this was not right. They didn't have anything else they could serve, was their excuse, and so the pork chops got fried up and sent out. Three of us volunteered to run the line that day, and every time someone ordered a pork chop, we stopped them.
This was the conversation:
"Yes, I'll have a pork chop and..."
"No you won't."
"A pork chop. I'll take a pork chop..."
"No, you don't want the pork chop. How about spaghetti or a burger from the short order line?"
"What? No, I want a pork chop!"
"No. You. Don't. Trust us. You do not want a pork chop." Then we gave them "the look"...I think it got across then.
"You know what? I think I WILL have the spaghetti instead."
The guy left the line with a sort of wild eyed look, but I slept easy that night knowing we spared him of a horrible case of food poisoning. It was hard not to snicker when the cooks came out and commented that the pork chops just weren't selling that day.

Have any of you watched Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares? I cringe every time that show comes on. Its not the discontent they show between the staff members that gets to me, but rather, what's wrong in the kitchen when he does his inspection. Sadly, we've all probably eaten in places like that and paid the price. Most cooks do not set out to revengefully get you sick. For them to work with food, they have to pass a food handler's safety course. Of course, this doesn't help you if the cook slept through the course.

Two of the grossest things I've ever seen and heard of: cockroaches falling into the food and being served (in a submarine galley) and a half-dead fly laying on top of a piece of cake (in a Chinese restaurant...it's little legs were still kicking). One time a co-worker dumped soup in to the pot, soup can lid included, and then later it was served to a customer. One of the worst experiences I had in the kitchen was a combat school field cooking exercise. I loved to make the creamed beef recipe. It was easy and you could add spices and other ingredients that really made it your own specialty. On this particular day, the lid of the pepper fell off and a whole can of pepper fell into the pot before I could stop it. I scooped out as much as I could, but obviously couldn't get it all. Of course, you always have to taste your dishes, and that stuff was on fire from all the pepper. I went out to the dining room to get a drink of milk, and the milk was sour! So, not only is my mouth on fire, the milk was sour on top of that and nothing was cutting the burn or the taste. What I really felt bad about was that I had been instructed to not make the creamed beef too spice, as they had a complaint the day before that it was just too spicy. To warn people, we wrote up on our menu that the creamed beef was "Cajun Style" and HOT. I actually got a lot of compliments that day. Oh, and no milk was served that day either. All of it had gone sour.

WHAT NOT TO DO:
Do not eat all your food, and then complain it was awful.
Do not make an order so complicated it would be impossible for it to come back without some kind of mistake. (Example: I want my eggs over easy, with no brown on them, my water filled at all times, my bacon lightly crispy, butter on the side and not on my pancakes, and can you dim the lights in here just a tad?) (Yes, I've been out with someone who ordered just like this).
WHAT TO DO:
Send your food back if it is cold, tastes off, or has undesirable items in it.
Do a customer critique. Both if you had a good experience or bad experience. It's good for restaurants to get feedback.
If you happen to get sick and can for sure say that it was a certain food from a particular restaurant, call to let them know.

Probably more information that you ever wanted to know, but thought I would share this. Have you had any good or bad experiences in food service?

Confessions of a Line Cook

One of my favorite times of the year is summer. My favorite holiday is the fourth of July- Independence Day. I grew up in a strongly patriotic father who was a helicopter pilot in the Army. My husband has spent 12 years of his life in the army.

One of my favorite things about summer, aside from the obvious pool, sun-bathing, and vacations, is the thunder storms we get in North Carolina. Nothing excited me like the thrill of the weather.



Last year we had a storm that was right on top of us. There were not even split seconds between the lightening and the thunder. I was lying in my bed hearing the sound of ripping trees and rain beating down on the roof. I just prayed our house didn't get struck. It was pretty exciting. The next morning we discovered that the sidewalk at the end of our street- two houses down had been hit by lightening and the sidewalk was torn up and burned with a hole! We were fascinated with the fury of nature.

My eldest daughter is inlove with weather. We keep the Weatherbug on on the computer and she checks it throughout the day. She's been known to call her grandma about what the weather is doing during a storm when were out and about and the National Weather alerts aren't coming up fast enough for her. Her grandma also has a passion for weather.

Last night, we had a book group at our house and got on the subject of weather which excited her. We were told of the first time they captured a tornado on film turned sideways so the scientists could see inside. See this film:



Don't forget to follow Vortex2 on facebook for all of their updates. Vortex2 for those who don't know VORTEX2 is the largest tornado field experiment in history. Dorothy, we're not in Kansas anymore!

One with Nature: Storm Nut

June 12, 2009

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW: Clouds and rain. It's been raining for 10 days and it's expected to keep raining for another 10 days. Noah?

I AM THANKFUL FOR:

FROM THE KITCHEN: Corn Chowder and garlic buttered biscuits. Tonight will be BBQ chicken pizza.

I AM READING: The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas. I'm onto 20 Wishes by Debbie Macomber.

I AM HEARING: When I started this, most of the kids were down for naps, but they have all woken up, started a movie, escaped downstairs, dumped water on themselves, and gotten into a fight. And I'm hearing dishes being done verrrryyy slowwwwwwlllly.

I AM CREATING: Nothing right now. A clean house? Does that count?

I AM GOING: Grocery shopping tomorrow. Butter is on sale for 1.00 a pound!!!

I AM HOPING: Ok, enough with the rain. I'm ready for summer to start...any day now.....the pool is open but no one can swim because it's just too cold.

AROUND THE HOUSE: I've been contemplating painting the house. Outside and inside. What's a good color to go with 1950's style/color of woodwork? It's got that mahogany color to it.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: Watching Joshua (3) and Simeon (5) cater to Ammon (1). "Ammon, here's your toys!", or hugging Ammon when he's gotten hurt, or now including him in their play by giving him a car to play on the rug with, or a blanket to play tent with. And while I'm on the subject of Ammon, he's gotten so animated in the last few months. He walks and climbs and plays all day long. He wants to sleep with a boppy now that he used when he was nursing. I cover it up by another blanket because I thought it would be more cozy. No, he prefers the blanket off because then he can see the little animals on the cover. How cute is that!?

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK: School with the kids. Working on the blog with Shiloah. Preparing for a Survivor Night at church that I'm heading up (share more on that later). Training a puppy. Doing a paper route. Trying to fit some kind of exercise in there somewhere.

A PICTURE THOUGHT FOR YOU: How things work.

Pencil Sharpener


Leaf Rubbings


This is the moon behind some trees during a lightening storm. Not the best picture, but trying to figure out how to work this fancy camera.


This is Simeon learning how to measure, with the help of his friend Cody.

A Homemaker's Day Book

With seven children accidents tend to happen more often that in a house with say...one child. We've seen more than our fair share of wear and tear on houses and have learned many tricks of the trade for cleaning up messes that seem impossible to clean. I'm talented like that. (Just kidding- I should say I'm stressed out like that. LOL)

We recently moved (again). We are a military family with two pairs of gypsy feet that get restless after 10 months in one house, state, country.... During the last move we were working hard to get the carpets and walls clean, pack our stuff and move it into the next house. I had my son and my eleven year old daughter working in the kitchen cleaning the last few dishes and packing up the dry ones. They decided to get goofy and my son took an ink pen apart and got a feather from one of our parakeets and made a "quill" to write on some paper. Ingenious. What he didn't know was that the ink spilled onto the floor, he stepped in it and smeared it all over the linoleum. When I discovered it I immediately put them both to work cleaning it up. None of it came up. We tried 409 and rubbing alcohol.

We had a carpet cleaner here at the time and he was boiling away a chemical color combination on the stove because he was doing a color restoration on the carpet. To be nice, he said he had something that might get it off. An hour later I came back and he told me the bad and good news. The bad news was he couldn't get it off. The good news was he had a recipe that would.

Here it is:

4 scoops oxyclean
2-4 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol

Make a paste and scrub with a toothbrush.

It worked!!!

He said we can use the same recipe on carpet, just leave it to sit (do the same on the floor) and it will help lift it out.

Getting Ink Out

Once again, I acted too impulsively and now have another dog, Cookie. Even though I said it 500 times that we would NEVER have another puppy, Cookie is only 4 months old. She's a basset hound and Shar-Pei mix, however, she really looks more like border collie or lab. She is a goofy dog, but she's got a good personality and she's been training well on everything but house training. The kids adore her. I like her. She's been getting attached to everyone in the family.

We took her from an elderly guy on our paper route. Isaac saw her one day we delivered the paper and she like him and wouldn't leave her alone. However, her owner was frustrated. He was going to dialysis twice a week and he was having trouble walking, and then Cookie kept getting out and running off if he wasn't fast enough to get her on the leash. He offered her to the kids, and I resisted, until one day he called us and asked if we would please take her since she had tripped him and sent him to the ER after the fall, not once, but twice! So, we bundled her up and took her home.

Anyone remember Bella, the Pappillon we took in in February? She's seven years old and I figured, she's an older dog, she should be settled down now, obedient, and have some kind of house training. I remember specifically asking the previous owners if she was a runner: did she run off without a leash? Was she snappy? No, they said. Yes, she's house trained, they said. Mmm-hhhmmm.



If the door is opened 3 inches, Bella is out like a rocket. She will not respond to commands, whistling, slapping your leg, or hand signals. I cannot tell you how many times she's taken off, my kids have ran off after her, and are never able to catch her except to hopefully herd her back home. Do you know that Pappillons have been known to beat Border Collies in timed trials for speed? And let's not count the number of times she's almost been run over by a car, or my kids, because they are trying to catch her. And this isn't just my kids chasing her down either, it's me too. (Imagine what kind of circus we look like with me running down a dog, 6 kids running behind me, and we're all crowded into someone's yard yelling for the dog to "COME HERE", while we just barely get near her and she's off like a rocket again. I'm sure my neighbors are very entertained.) One day Bella shot out the door and tried to attack the UPS guy. Now she's starting to snap at the kids. And, forget house training. She runs down to the basement to poop in the storage room. At least it's a concrete floor. To cure this, we thought we would crate her at night, or when we left. Big mistake! She made such a huge mess in the crate (pooping and peeing until it was filled almost to the brim of the door ledge), we now just block her in the kitchen with baby gates when we leave. She proved tonight she could jump the gates. Makes me wonder how many times she's done that, but we've always found her back in the kitchen, and no accidents. She also forgets we have a cat that has claimed our room as her territory and Bella forgets Missy sleeps in there, so almost every night we are woken up with Bella snarling and growling at the cat. The previous owners said she was from a Rescue Mission, and it makes me wonder what horrible things she endured in previous homes, and it makes me feel bad for her, but glad she's in a home that is not abusive or neglectful. However, I don't think Bella is a good fit for our family anymore, unfortunately. I'm not sure what to do with her now. Between this and Cookie's puppiness, I'm more inclined to deal with Cookie!

I was crying to Curtis tonight that I really wish we another dog like Justin, my heeler/German Shepherd mix, that died 3 years ago. I see some of his traits in Cookie, and maybe that's why I feel better about Cookie than I do Bella, but still, it's just not the same. Regardless, Cookie needs some intense puppy training and we are working on that every day.

So, I don't have any direction right now on what do for the dogs. I hate "collecting" them and then giving them away, however Cookie, did come in at first to be a foster dog. I did try to find her another home, and am still trying to do so, but haven't had any takers yet. The longer she is here, the more attached we get! Bella, however, I think needs to go to another home without so much chaos. I know its not safe for her to just charge out the door and run all over the neighborhood. Its still so heartbreaking to have to do that though.

Cookie and Bella: The Choice Between Two Evils

10. Their mother is a safety freak. I was once so adventurous! Bounding out of the house at 7 a.m. into miles of a wildlife refuge without so much as a bottle of water or sunscreen on, rowing across lakes in wind advisories and no cares in the world of stepping on a rattle snake. This is my thought pattern now: "I don't know...that grass is really tall. OMG! What if there's snakes in there!? or They're so short...what if I loose them in the grass?! or AAAHHH!! A mud puddle! They might drown if they fall in! One day Isaac told me that if he joined the Boy Scouts I would have to be okay that they would be doing some dangerous things, like hiking. There could be rocks on the trail and they could trip on them! That's a good boy. Safety, Pumpkin, safety.

9. Their mother looses precious things, like Box Turtles in a mud puddle. Last summer the kids were given a box turtle by our next door neighbor. He creeped around the backyard until we got the bright idea to let him swim in our huge mudpuddle at the bottom of the drive way. The kids had him swimming down there a couple times, but when I decided to do it, well, Snappy never swam back out and then, as we left to pick up Curtis, I had to drive through the puddle...and drove over something like a large lump. *gulp* It turned out to be a rock, but Snappy laid in wait and then crawled out into the ditch, never to be seen again. I still hear about this.

8. Their mother's warped sense of humor. When Joshua was born in April 2006, all the kids (except Simeon) fell in love with him. He was cute in all the right ways, and then we noticed his little ears that were pointed like elves. In all seriousness, I told them we were going to have to turn Joshua over to Santa Claus and his elves because he had elf ears. They all started crying (except Simeon, who was probably jumping for joy since he absolutely refused to have anything to do with Joshua). When I started laughing, they cried even harder, until I admitted it was just a joke. Sheesh.

7. Their father's warped sense of humor. Curtis made a joke about selling the kids to the Children's Exhibit at the Omaha Zoo. The boys were terrified they were leaving, but Hannah had her bags packed and announced several times she was moving into the Kids Exhibit at the Zoo. Even Grandma believed Curtis!

6. Their mother cannot, CANNOT, keep a straight face during serious times (except when tornado sirens are going off). We had to give a basic 'birds and the bees' talk to the boys and I giggled all the way through it. My face was red and I was suffocating, the boys were crying, and Curtis was glaring at me because I couldn't be serious. I'm glad I have 5 boys and Curtis gets to have this talk at least 3 more times...I get off the hook with just one with Hannah. And, she'll probably get the nervous giggly talk too.

5. On Sunday, Isaac got up in church to bear his testimony. We were encouraging and smiling about it, sure he was going to share a missionary moment with a friend of his. Instead, he says this: "I had this friend and he moved away. I really liked his family, except his parents were cussers." Again, mother with the seriousness issues, starts shaking with laughter. Isaac sees this and stutters a bit, then finishes with "I learned that some people that drink and smoke and cuss can be really nice people." What does the message of his mother laughing in the back row send to him? It's okay to laugh at funerals? Fart in public?
*When we got home, I was reminded we had had a discussion about loving a person, but not the sin, and this is where his comments must have come from. It took a lot of reassurance on our part to let him know we weren't laughing at him, or disapproving in any way. We just didn't expect him to say something like that.

4. They must match their clothes before leaving the house. We cannot leave the house with them looking like peanut butter faced ragamuffins. Mismatched socks, shoes on the wrong feet, shorts in the witner, long sleeves in the summer (even though these are packed away, they still come out), and over grown or stringy hair. I'm sure there is a revolt coming as soon as they leave home. "I'm outside and my clothes don't match!!!"

3. Mother of Satan has arrived. I cannot tell you how many times all 6 kids are screaming and crying, the house is an obstacle course, the dogs have gotten loose, the toilet is peed on, (not in), and we cannot find a shoe when we have to be leaving NOW, when Satan's Mother shows up, just on time. I'm surprised my eyes aren't glowing red and my voice could rival bass singers. Why!? Why?! I shake my fists and ask the sky...Why can't we leave in an organized fashion ONE day!?!?

2. They won't be able to multitask in any shape, form, or fashion because their mother broke the mechanism. Instead of asking them to do one task, wait for them to do it, report back to me and assign another task, I ramble off 6 diffrent things that all need to be done NOW. Or better yet, yesterday. Since they can't figure out what is the most important task, they run around in circles or hide in an obscure closet.

1. They sleep in terror of a dying in an emergency/house fire/tornado drill/ because their mother has threatened them with sudden death if we trip and die on all the stuff laying on their bedroom floors trying to rescue them. Hmm...something is sounding familiar here....ah, yes...because my own mother threatened the same thing! One day they will outgrow such gullibility, but probably grow up to be a little OCD because of threats their mother made.

Therapy...it's a wonderful thing. ;)

10 Reasons My Kids Will Need Therapy When They Grow Up

This eCookbook is a compilation of all the yummy recipes featured in our first year of our homemaking newsletter.



We love to cook for our families and try new and exciting recipes. We include our tried and true recipes from our kitchens to yours! Many delicious recipes in this cookbook includes: Pumpkin cheesecake, easy Baklava, Fiesta Lime Chicken, Mexican rice, spoon bread, baked beans, Runza, Fried Green Tomatoes, Supreme Apple Pie, and so much more!






Buy today for only $3.25 and receive this cookbook as an email download after purchase.

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Includes how to install a clothesline, the money you can save, and how to hang clothes. (with pictures)

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How to make an inexpensive clothespin holder to hang on your line. (with picture)
-by: Shiloah Baker


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With the economy being what it is and well,I just never have a good excuse except that I have a lot of kids I need my food bill to stretch to feed us all, I thought I would share some things I do that helps to keep us in a budget and still tastes good.

WHIPPED SOFT BUTTER
1 lb. butter
1/2 c. room temperature water
1/2 c. olive oil

Mix the butter until it's soft and creamy, then add the water and oil. It will splatter quite a bit, so take precautions. You should end up with about 3 1/2 cups of butter when it's all done. Store half in a freezer container until you are ready to use it.


INDIAN FRY BREAD
We started doing these instead of buying tortillas. This makes a large batch, so you can use the left overs as snacks/desert with honey and butter.

4 c. flour
2 T. baking powder
2 T. sugar
1/2 t. salt
2 T. olive oil
1 c. milk
little bit of water

Mix all the ingredients and mix well, using your hands if necessary. I use a dough hook on my kitchen aid. I add a little bit of water in until the mixture comes together and cleans the bowl. Roll out, make a slit in the middle and fry in 1/2 inch of moderately hot oil. Brown on both sides.


BREAD
I started making my own bread rather than buying it in the store. I can make it cheaper than what's in the store, although I'm sure you could get some better deals at a Day Old Breadstore (but I don't have that option out here).

Dissolve 2 T. east in 1/2 c. warm water (105-115 degrees).

Heat 4 c. milk for 3 minutes in microwave.
Add 1 stick of butter or 1/2 c. oil
3/4 c. honey
2 T. salt
2 eggs

Mix those until the honey and butter have dissolved and cooled the milk down some.

Add yeast mix in.
Add 4-5 cups of flour until well mixed, then start adding up to 4 more cups until you can knead the dough and it cleans the bowl. Let rise for 2 hours, divide into 4 loaf pans and let rise until it touches the rim of the pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or so.

I also make Runzas out of the bread:
Brown up some ground beef, onions, garlic and mushrooms. Grate 1/2 lb. swiss cheese. Roll out the equivalent of two loaves of bread and divide them into 8 sections. Place a spoon of meat mix in the center, sprinkle cheese over the top and fold the dough over to make a sealed up pocket. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until bread is browned and done, but not burnt. You can also add some cabbage to your meat mixture too.

SCONES
I had one of these from Starbucks one time, a pumpkin one, and it was as hard and heavy as a rock. I thought scones were supposed to be light and fluffy, like half biscuit, half cookie? So, when I came across this recipe, and tried it out, I was so surprised and happy with it, I make them a couple times a month. One time we had them for a tea party when "Abigail Adams" came to visit our homeschool.

Freeze your butter the night before so it's ready when you are.

4 c. flour
2/3 c. sugar
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 c. butter, frozen
1 c. sour cream
2 large eggs

Adjust oven rack to lower bottom level. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix your dry ingredients together in a bowl. Grate the butter and sprinkle into the flour mixture. Mixture should resemble course meal.

In a small bowl, whisk the eggs and sour cream together until smooth. Using a fork, mix the sour cream and eggs into the flour until large clumps form. Continue to mix with hands until it comes together. It may not seem as if it will, but as you press, it will.

Place on a lightly floured surface and roll out into a 7-8 inch circle 3/4 inch thick. Sprinkle with a teaspoon of sugar. Using a pizza cutter or knife, cut into 8 triangles and place on a cookie sheet (preferably lined with parchment paper) about one inch apart. Bake until golden about 15-17 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes and serve warm.

We serve it with frozen strawberries or mixed berries and whipped cream. They are good by themselves too.

I feel bad this is all carbohydrates so here's some vegetable recipes.

Creamed Corn
2 c. frozen corn or 3 cans drained corn
1 pkg. cream cheese
1/4 c. butter
3 T. milk
2 T. sugar

Mix altogether in a skillet until cream cheese and butter are melted. I have this as a starch for breakfast sometimes. Very filling....also really good with grilled steak.

Baby Lima Beans
1 pkg lima beans, boiled
2 T. butter
1/2 t. thyme leaves

Once the beans are boiled and drained, add the butter and thyme and mix till butter is dissolved. Good with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

Cauliflower Salad
1 fresh head of cauliflower, cut
2 c. shredded lettuce
Crumbled bacon
1 c. mayonnaise
1/3 c. sugar
2 T. vinegar
1 T. lemon juice

Cut cauliflower into florets, shred lettuce and mix together. Brown bacon and crumble into vegetable mixture. Mix mayo, sugar, vinegar and lemon juice until well dissolved. Pour over salad. Cover and refrigerate until chilled through.

Food Stretching Recipes

I don't know how much I've talked out it here, but I've lost 45 pounds in less than a year and losing 20 more before the end of the year. I keep a blog about what I'm doing here...

I can across this blog post about Skinny Songs and thought it was cheesy but fun at the same time. I actually like some of them...you may like them too! Here's the post and here is the youtube:

Skinny Songs