Tired

I am tired. I have not felt like writing in a while, so I haven't. But I thought since I had a few moments tonight I would catch you up.

Two Saturdays ago, we did yard work. We moved a bush, moved some bulbs, cleaned out some leaves, and rototilled the garden. After that we inventoried our seeds. Again. We made final decisions on what to plant, went to buy a hoe and the seeds we didn't have yet, and got to work planting. Ellie requested cauliflower and planted it herself. The rest of the list includes tomatoes, peppers, peas, green and wax beans, Lima beans, lettuce, carrots, onions, garlic, butternut squash, yellow squash, cucumbers. We also are growing mint, basil, dill, oregano, rosemary, thyme, savory, stevia, and possibly lemon basil. Gary planted the herbs, and although it's on my list, I don't know if he planted that one, since we have regular basil. Can't wait to eat this stuff. Well, most of it anyway.

It's been one week, and I see a few shoots.

This past Saturday found us hauling bins of children's clothes, toys and stuff and other sundry things we could find to sell to the dining and living rooms. We joined the neighborhood in a yard sale fundraiser for the local elementary school. All week I have been moving stuff around and getting it ready. Our dining and living rooms were packed full of stuff.

I am glad to say we did well. But after hauling all that didn't sell back into the house, one might guess that we didn't yet have the yard sale. Gary even took a load to the local thrift shop. We are going to try consignment with the spring/summer clothes, but probably won't store the fall/winter clothes, since stores only want spring/summer right now. Our attic is considerably more empty. (Though Gary's Legos do take up quite a bit of space.)

Well, after a day of heat, shopping, mothering and all, I am worn out. I am going to go sit, listen to my Phillies and read. Maybe have some ice cream or a hard lemonade. Or both. Maybe some popcorn, too. Maybe after a couple of innings, I'll get back to sorting through the clothes and pulling out all the spring/summer stuff. Or it could wait until tomorrow.

Values

Yesterday at MOPS, we talked about our values. Although it wasn't a sit back and listen meeting, which this busy mom enjoys, it was very helpful to think about my values, go through and identify them, and consider if I am living them.

During group discussion, I decided several things. I am living what I value. What I value is what I want to value. As a mom of two preschoolers, I can't currently live everything I value.

This last thought was brought to me by a mom who has had to re-evaluate her values since she was diagnosed with stage four cancer. She had her pre-child values, pre-cancer values, and her current values. And her hope is to have post-cancer values, where she can once again live values she has had to put on hold.

For some reason, I hadn't thought that even though I could not necessarily live out certain values I hold, they were not less important to me now.

Top Ten Reasons Why it Costs More to Get Your Dog Groomed that Your Own Hair Cut

10. Your hairdresser doesn't wash and clean your rear end.
9. You don't go for eight or ten weeks without washing or brushing your hair.
8. Your hairdresser doesn't give you a sanitary trim.
7. Your hairdresser doesn't clean your ears.
6. Your hairdresser doesn't remove the boogies from your eyes.
5. You sit still for your hairdresser.
4. Your haircut doesn't include a manicure and a pedicure.
3. Your hairdresser only washes and cuts the hair on your head.
2. You don't bite or scratch (or in Hunter's case, bark your fool head off at) your hairdresser.
1. The likelihood of you pooping on your hairdresser is pretty slim.

While I was waiting to pick up Hunter at the groomer, I found a slip of paper with this list. I thought I'd share it with you.

New Growth

I recently discovered that a Poinsettia plant we had from Christmas, that I had "let go," has some new tiny leaves on it. It seems it does not want me to compost it just yet. I hadn't watered it in some time and thought it was done for, but apparently even without the benefit of water the thing has held on. I looked closely at the stems and, surprise, it has new buds. So I commenced watering again.

Gary discovered another bit of new growth in a lilac bush we thought was dead. Gary's step-mom, Judy, dug up a shoot off of her lilac for us. I planted it and didn't water it enough (my problem with plants.) It's leaves shriveled and fell off. All we had left was a few twigs. We didn't bother removing it, though. But alas, Gary pointed out to me this very day, that there are tiny new green buds on it.

Two plants I thought were finished have proved me wrong and shown new growth.

A Man Well Remembered - Daniel C. Haviland

Gary's step-dad died Tuesday, March 31st.


May the road rise with you
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God keep you in the hollow of his hand.
~An Irish Blessing


We will miss you Dan!

Healthier and tasty too!

I have been trying to make healthier desserts that taste good and came across these treats. They are low fat and low cholesterol. And very tasty! Enjoy!

Chocolate Cake
1 1/2 cups flour
3 TBSP cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBSP vinegar
5 TBSP oil
1 TBSP vanilla
1 cup water

Preheat oven 350°.
Mix wet and dry ingredients separately. Combine and stir until smooth. Immediately pour into a greased and floured 9x9 pan, a round pan, or cupcake pan.
Bake 35 min. for cake or 20 min. for cupcakes.

Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 TBSP molasses
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup oil
2 egg whites, beaten
2 TBSP water
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cups raisins

Preheat oven 350°.
In a medium-size bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add sugar, stir in oats. Make a well in the center; add oil, egg whites, water, vanilla and raisins. Stir vigorously until dry ingredients are moistened. Drop onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until done. Yield: 2 1/2 to 3 dozen cookies.