So PROUD!!!

Cassie’s time volunteering for the summer zoo program has officially come to an end.  The CZA’s ZooAide program came to a close this evening with a banquet to honor and thank the over 300 ZooAide volunteers (13-17 year olds who gave their time over the summer). 

Cassie volunteered for 137.2 hours of the 81,000+ hours accumulated by the ZooAide volunteers.  Nice job ZooAides!!  A huge shout out & thanks to the program leaders, directors, supervisors, etc. and to the zoo for giving these youth such an awesome opportunity.

Cassie – we are very proud of you and your commitment!!!  WAY to GO!!!  Each year you have surpassed your previous number of volunteered hours. 

One more HUGE Thank You . . . to my in-laws that provided room and board and transportation for the summer!  Thank you & I love you guys so much for helping make her summer so  awesome and memorable!!!

I feel so bad . . .

The kids had a great time today playing in the hose.  Unfortunately, NONE of us thought about sunscreen until it was WAAAAAYYYY too late!!!

Poor poor Zack is soooooooooo burnt!!  He is so fair skinned unlike Mackenzie who tans instantly.  Tonight Jay lathered him up with aloe and I medicated him with Ibuprofen to hopefully ease the pain.

These picture just don’t show how red he is, but I think you get the idea.

Beating the heat

Today was another hot one here up north.  We have reached the high 90’s two days in a row, 95 yesterday and 99 today.  It’s not one of those muggy unbearable heats, it’s just plain old HOT! 

So yesterday the kids went out and played in the hose for about half an hour and today I said they could do it again.  However, I lost track of time – busy packing and getting ready for our transition to Ohio – and they kids were out playing in the water for almost two hours. 

They had a great time!!

I’m glad they had a great time! 

Getting ready for our trip

In anticipation of our upcoming trip, the kids spent quite a bit of time cleaning our van.  Not just picking up trash or taking their belongings out.  The cleaned it completely out – leaving no toys, trash or personal belongings. 

Then they vacuumed and took cleaning wipes and wiped down every nook and cranny.  The detailed the van!! 

This was earlier this week.  Then when they were down they wanted to start loading some of their things.  Can you tell they are excited for our trip back home?

Make room, get good deals & make $

There is still time.  Time for what you might ask . . .

Well, since the kids are growing out of their clothes faster than the money tree in our back yard is growing, I need to find a way to have some quick easy cash to buy some much needed items for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. 

Last time we were home, Karen & I checked out this huge consignment sale in the Columbus area that a family friend started.  We were amazed!! 

Well, since I am going back to Ohio for a while I decided to sort through those out grown clothes and try to make some money at the Three Bags Full sale Sept. 10-11.  Not only will I hopefully make some money, but I am hoping to find some reasonable deals at the sale for the kids.

I have spent the last couple of days entering my 100 item inventory of clothes, books, and shoes (two boxes that will fit just fine in the trailer we’re renting) into their system.  I am looking forward to being able to keep track of what sells and how much I make. 

Check out this link to find out how to clear out some gently used clothes, toys, baby items, etc., make a little cash, and find some great deals of your own. 

There are four upcoming sales between September and October, so you still have time!!!

An Academic Vacation

Yesterday we started packing – for what you might ask.  We have decided to make a family trip out of a journey to Ohio.  This is one of the main reasons we love our lifestyle as a single income homeschool family.  We are not restricted to the traditional academic calendar, our schooling can go where we go, and we have to only work around one work schedule.  Plus, when life happens we can make what adjustments we need to flow with it.

Cassie has been in Ohio with family since the beginning of May and we’ve been trying to figure out the best way and time to get her back.  One plan would change to another to another and to yet another.  But finally we have our current plan to finally meet up with her.

We’ve made the adjustments to make our life accommodating.  We’re going to leave here on vacation together, but only one will return.  We are fortunate enough to have the flexibility in our schedule to be where we need to be. 

While we are home we will be able to help with family, reconnect with a homeschool community, and fulfill many things.  We will miss being with Jay but for right now this is what needs to be done.

We are looking forward to being able to help family with their needs but also to fulfill some of our needs too.  I have to be honest, the kids and I really feel disconnected.  We are so use to having weekly activities with other homeschoolers, taking enrichment classes at co-op, going on field trips, monthly tween gatherings and utilizing various resources available to homeschoolers – to just name a few.  Unfortunately, we have not been able to tie into any such resources since our move.  The homeschool pool where we live now is much much smaller, not as structured, and doesn’t offer a variety of opportunities – academically or socially.

I remember the resistance we got when we started homeschooling.  Some family members were supportive and some were skeptic.  Those that were skeptic were skeptic because . . .

I think those who were a little leery about our choice, including the kids’ pediatrician, were stereotyping, which is unfortunately what most do when they think of homeschoolers.  The encounters we have had with people outside our inner circle are shocked when they find out we are a homeschool family.  They refer to us as being ‘normal.’  What does normal mean???

As I’ve explained, we do not homeschool our children to shelter them, and we definitely do not home school for religious reasons.  Please understand everyone makes this choice for their own personal reasons and one’s reason is not wrong.  For us, we started homeschooling for academic reasons seven and one-half years ago and now it is a lifestyle we have all come to love.  I remember when we moved to town and Cassie started taking private flute lessons, her teacher wished us luck because she said the majority of the homeschool families around here do it for the reasons we said we do not do it.

With that said, I have to be honest – this past academic year was nothing like any of our previous.  It was restricted to book learning in the confines of our four walled house with no continuous hands-on outside activity with other homeschoolers.  With a harsh winter and the lack of resources to take our learning out into the real world, it was a very boring school year!  We did get to partake in a couple of field trips, but no weekly classes or monthly socials with other homeschoolers. It’s hard to connect with a community that is not accepting of all and requires you to sign a statement of faith to be a member in their group. 

So, while we will remain in Ohio for some time, I will help family where needed and the kids will enjoy some much needed socialization!!  We will reconnect with our old co-op and we will definitely utilize some wonderful resources to make the first part of our academic year more worthy and fun.  The kids are looking forward to taking an anatomy class, a sewing class, and choir to just name a few during our academic vacation in Ohio.

thankful thursday & our countdown . . .

Well, the countdown has begun!!  In 18 days we will finally get to see- well, more than see, we’ll get to touch, hug, and kiss Cassie.  When we finally see her on Sept. 6th, it will have been 157 days since Jay has been in her physical presence and 127 days since Zack, Mackenzie & I have been in her physical presence. 

The last time Jay got to hug his oldest daughter was on April 2nd and the kids and I last hugged her on May 2nd.  We are so thankful for Skype because we have been able to see her every day and multiple times a day.  I’m sure had we not had that technology available to us, this would have been a little more miserable for us – all of us!! 

I don’t blame her for not being homesick and not wanting to leave.  She  has been busy volunteering at the zoo, hanging out with neighbor friends, making new friends, reconnecting with home school friends, and helping with her younger cousins. 

We have missed her tremendously, but I am truly thankful that she has had the best summer of her life.  Being a teenager is hard enough and that is why I am so thankful for family and friends opening their hearts and homes to her so she could have a very memorable summer. 

Mackenzie’s music box

Mackenzie was one of several students that continued to take violin lessons over eight weeks of summer break.  Mrs. Person, their teacher, challenged them to see who would practice the most summer hours. 

I explained that it probably wasn’t a fair competition to include Mackenzie because we school year round and part of the school day includes practicing.  She said that it was fair and that each student could decide to do the same and practice through out the summer. 

Well, Mackenzie racked up over twenty-two hours to tally in the most practice time.  There was a first place winner and a second place winner.  Mackenzie, the first place winner, won this . . .

She loves this little music box piano.  Most of all, she loves Mrs. Person.  She has really learned a lot from her and has enjoyed taking lessons from her.  It would seem that Mrs. Person has enjoyed having Mackenzie too.  She continues to challenge Mackenzie with pieces not normally introduced so early.  Apparently, Mackenzie is always up to the challenge.  Best part – I love listening to Mackenzie play!!!!

A visitor

Well, when Jay walked outside this morning with his cup of coffee to make a phone call, he stepped right back in and told me to grab my camera.

This little guy was hanging out on our sidewalk just in front of the steps of the front door.

I took a few pictures before we called for the kids because I knew they’d try to get up close and personal.  Sure enough they did . . .

and this little fellow scurried down to try and find a hiding place. 

We hovered around him a bit and watched, but then the kids decided they wanted to catch him.  He wasn’t too fond of the idea, he scurried back up along the house and found a hole near the base of the front step that led right into the garage.  YIKES.  Okay, I was okay with him out in the yard but not too keen on the idea of him being right inside the garage.  So, Zack and Kenzie with Jay’s help caught him.

They both took turns holding him.  He was pretty long, probably a little over two feet long.  After they checked him out, Zack released him into our side pasture – not the one with the horses.

Thank Goodness

Today was a much better day! I slept just fine last night with my post op shoe to keep my toe protected.  When I woke up and checked out my toe it looked way better than initially after yesterday’s mishap.  I had no problems showering and dressing – the pain, well what pain –was pretty nonexistent.  The only reminisce of my broken pinky toes was the bruising at the base of the toe.  I told Jay I was so hoping since the toe seemed to move back to its normal position maybe they wouldn’t have to put a pin in it or do anything at all to it.

Today’s visit to the podiatrist was very successful!!  Of course, the doctor had to tease me and call me ‘Grace,’ but when it was all said and done, he didn’t have to put a pin in it. 

He blew up the x-ray image and showed me the oblique break.  To put it simply without being too grotesque, the bone is broke with a 2-3 mm opening at the widest point of the break on the right side of the bone, but it is still connected on the left side of the bone which is why it didn’t require a pin.  He said in order to get a referral for a broken pinky toe I must have done a doozey on it.  He concurred, but said it was not the worst he has seen. 

So his nurse placed a foam splint between the broken toe and its neighbor and then buddy taped them.  I will have to do this every day for the next two weeks.  I go back two weeks from today – the day before we leave for our trip to Ohio – for a follow up x-ray.  Hopefully everything will be a-okay and I pass with flying colors.  Because vacay – Ohio- here we come!! 

You have go to be kidding . . .

I just want to go back to bed and start this day over!!

I got up had my coffee and breakfast.  Good.  Graded Cassie’s geography and science tests and she got good grades on both.  Good.  Now she’s on break till mid Sept. when we are back together.  Good.  Was having a pleasant morning conversation on the phone with my mom.  Good.

Then it happened.

I was talking with my mom when Jay made a bizarre comment that grabbed my attention . . .

“They even pee together.” He was referring to how the horses seem to do everything together. 

As I got up from my chair at the kitchen table and turned to see what he was referring to outside I jammed my toe into the chair next to me. 

My mom was telling  me something – which to be honest I have no clue what she was telling me because I was silently screaming.  The kids were watching me hobble around, eyes tearing up, and still silently screaming as they kept asking me if I was okay.  I was nodding them off and then finally I verbally said ‘yes.’  About the time my mom asked what was going on and I made the outloud statement, “I think I broke my toe.”  She asked me what was going on and I briefly explained that I thought I jammed my toe but it was no longer parallel with my other toes so I was pretty sure I broke it.

I got off the phone quickly.  Showered and got ready faster than I ever have. Then Jay took me to the walk-in clinic where the doctor confirmed I have broken my pinky toe. 

Here is my new footwear because I broke my toe at such an angel the regular doctor could not just set it and tape it to the other toes.

These pictures show it somewhat.  If you notice my toes on my right foot are all closely nestled together which is how the toes on my left foot were prior to this morning’s accident.  Now my pinky on my left foot is “hanging out in left field” as the doctor so kindly put it.  Which is why Jay & I thought it was just dislocated.  However, it is so broke I have been referred to a podiatrist because it will more than likely have to be surgically pinned to set it.

Now do you see why I would like to go back to bed and start this day over?!?!?!?! 

Oh well, for now I will sit around with my foot elevated and iced.  I am scheduled to go to the podiatrist tomorrow morning and the doctor from today’s visit has advised me to fast tonight just in case the podiatrist can do the surgery tomorrow.  I sure hope they can so I can get it over with!!!

What is that . . .

Yesterday, my cousin arrived on her way home from Montana.  Since she was passing through we invited her to break her trip up and stay with us.  No since in driving 15 hours to her next stop – stop and enjoy some time with family!!

Well, while she was in Montana she acquired a new pet . . . a kitty named Astronaut Mike Dexter – named from a character on “30 Rock” – but she calls him Dex or Dexter.  He is the cutest and very playful critter we’ve had around here in a while. 

The kids were excited and enjoyed entertaining him BUT we had one family member that wasn’t too sure about him.

When he arrived, Chloe was in the basement and she kept barking (she won’t come up the steps – we have to walk her around from the walkout basement).  Finally, Jay brought her up and she was more excited about  Jackie and hadn’t realized there was something/someone strange in her house. 

As you can see in the picture above, Chloe was actually hanging out with Jackie when Dex came out from cover.  Believe it or not our HUGE dog stood up, backed away from the kitty, and whined and whimpered because of Dex.  She was SCARED of him!  LOL!!!

She kept close to the kids, even sitting on the couch for security.

Finally, she got up close while Dex wasn’t looking. 

But once he realized she was close he was making sure she knew he wasn’t to be bothered!!  Eventually, Chloe would just stay away and Dex made himself at home . . .

Moon Sand Fun

A few years ago Mackenzie got some Moon Sand and it’s amazing that it is still good.  She doesn’t play with it like she did a few years ago, but it is still as soft as it was then.  The best part is how easy it is to clean up!!!

From the garden . . .

not mine!!!  A while back a church member offered to come over and till a garden spot for us.  I would have loved to have a garden, BUT I have no idea what to plant, when to plant, or how to care for a garden.  So, I thanked her and declined the offer. 

That is one of many things I have truly missed from home.  My mother-in-law always has such a wonderful garden full of tomatoes, peppers, squash, pickles, lettuce, and eggplant.  For years we’d go to her brother’s and pick from his thousands of acres of tomatoes because once they’d turn red he couldn’t use/sell them with the companies he was contracted with.

The first time I picked with them I was pregnant with Cassie.  It was a neat experience for me because I didn’t grow up on a farm or have family that had a working farm.  I remember just eating the things off the vines out in the field and riding in the back of the truck on the tailgate.

Over the years we took the kids and went with Jay’s parents so they got the experience of picking tomatoes, shucking hundreds of years of corn, and riding in HUGE tractors.  Even the summer they went and stayed with Grandma & Grandpa for two weeks while we lived in Colorado, they still got to go to Uncle Ken’s farm.  And Cassie is going tomorrow to Uncle Ken’s with family to shuck hundreds of ears of corn to bring back for Grandma to prep to be eaten over the next year. 

Anyway, I don’t have a garden, but that wonderful individual that offered to till us a garden spot has graciously shared her bounty . . .

look at those beautiful squash, peppers, cucumbers, beets, and red potatoes!!  I can’t wait to enjoy their wholesome goodness!!! 

Check out the size of that pepper.  Thank you Kathy – I am sooo looking forward to those fresh garden flavors those tasty things will add to our meals.

Selling Curriculum

It’s that time of year – when we begin switching out old grade levels for new.  As our youngest completes a subject I need to clear it out – number one to make room and number two to make a little cash to help buy what is needed for the new school year. 

I have listed several 4th grade things and a couple of 9th grade things on Ebay.  If you check out this listing you can get to my other items for sale too.  Maybe you don’t need these but know someone who could use them.  Please share and pass along – it will also be a big help to me.

Tasty Tuesday

Baked Potato Soup has become one of our favorites.  We had tried some in a tub one day at Sam’s Club, but that one little tub had a small amount of servings for the price.  I can make a batch of soup with twice as much for about half the price. 

Ingredients:

5 medium red skinned potatoes; scrubbed & diced into 1” cubes

5-6 slices of bacon, chopped/crumbled

1 onion

5 T butter

¼ c. flour

Salt & Pepper to taste

1 -2 tsp. crushed red pepper (optional – to your taste buds)

1 ½ c. reserved potato water

1 c. Whipping Cream (for a healthier version, substitute this with 1 - 12 oz. can of evaporated milk)

3 c. milk or 1 c. half n half & 2 c. milk

1 10 oz. can Cheddar cheese soup (can substitute can of cream of chicken but add one additional cup of cheddar cheese)

1 c. shredded cheddar

DIRECTIONS:

Put potatoes in stock pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, 6-10 min. (will depend on the size/thickness of potatoes) – do not over cook. Drain BUT reserve 1 ½ c. of the water and set the potatoes to the side. In the same pot, cook the 5-6 slices of bacon until crisp (TIP: I cut my bacon up into the pan with kitchen shears and then fry); remove and place bacon on a paper towel to soak up some of the fat/grease and drain (you could leave some drippings in the pot for added flavor). Now add the butter and melt, once it is melted, add the onions and cook until tender. Add flour, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper and cook for 3-4 min. to infuse the flavors. Add the 1 ½ c. reserved potato water whisking in slowly to prevent lumps; cook and let bubble for 3 min. Then add milk, can of soup, and shredded cheese until melted and blended. Then add the potatoes and use a hand masher to give texture (we don’t want mashed potatoes) to the soup. Now add the chopped/crumbled bacon and cook/simmer 15-20 minutes.

 

Now, this last time I combined the bacon and onion and cooked off together.  Then I added the butter, flour, crushed pepper, etc. and cooked for a few minutes.

This is what it looks like after adding the reserved potato starch water and before adding the milk (I had already dropped the soup into the top of the pot).

Not a very good picture of the soup because of the light.  But it still is very tasty!