Made to clean

Ellie, Josh and Hunter have been very helpful. They have motivated me to clean. But the words "Mom, you take such good care of the house. You make it sparkle. I love having a clean floor. Thank you so much for loving us by cleaning up after us." are not words I hear from them. Their motivation comes in the form of messes.

The upstairs got a vacuum, because the kids poured their cereal into bowls. We let them have dry cereal in the morning while we are getting ready. Usually we pour the cereal. But this day they did, and of course it was an almost empty box that became a completely empty box on Josh's floor. So out came the vacuum, and the entire upstairs was dirt and dust free by 8:00 am.

Today Hunter thought he'd help motivate me to mop, by pooping then walking in it on the kitchen floor. He apparently didn't get it all out a half hour before, when he pooped in the hall upstairs. He's been having issues lately. So out came the mop and the kitchen floor fairly shines.

Last night Ellie didn't make it to the potty in time, and the floor in front of the commode needed to be cleaned. Gary cleaned that one up. I wonder if I had cleaned it up, if I would have done the entire bathroom floor. I will probably have another opportunity to find out.

Aren't my bunch so thoughtful to make sure I get the cleaning done? And right now it is eerily quiet, so I might be blessed with another mess and an opportunity to clean something up. I wish I always looked at messes as blessings and an opportunity to show love.

Cable like TV - Here we come

Well, what do you know. My parents came over tonight, and we got to talking about the digital cable box of ours that's not working. My dad asked how it was connected. We have it connected right. He asked if we programmed the channels. We asked "Programmed it?" We turned the box on, and he talked us through the process, and what do you know? We now have digital TV, and cable-like reception. We've never had TV so good or as many channels. I think we've doubled them.

Silly me. If only I looked at the book that came with the box.

The pool and swim lessons

We decided Ellie is going to take swim lessons. Last night we signed up for pool membership, and this morning we all had high hopes for Ellie signing up for swim lessons. I envisioned my darling daughter would gracefully enter the water. She would look at the life guards, smile brightly, and show them how well she handles the water. It didn't quite go like that.

First we took care of business, payment. Then we walked toward the pools. A life guard took her to the kiddie pool, which is small and only 3 feet deep with a ramp going into it. She had Ellie go down the ramp and at the bottom asked Ellie to dip her shoulders in the water. She refused. Another life guard got in with her, and still she refused. She also refused to let go of the railing. She even tried climbing it - which is a no no. She then climbed out of the pool and ran across the pool deck. She was told by several life guards not to run, and she referred unkindly to the one particular life guard who stopped her from running. More life guards got in with her as she went back down the ramp and again refused several more times to dip her shoulders, no matter what ploys the six life guards tried. I tried talking with her twice, to no avail. I finally took her out of the pool, and she started having a fit. I couldn't even dry her off, with all her fussing. I put her in a football hold and hauled her out to the car, kicking, hitting, and crying.

The life guard wisely enrolled Ellie in the beginner class, and Gary picked a swim lesson time.

Oops

Forgot to mention that the other part of our seeds not growing could possibly have been the lack of water they received. That might be something they need. But unfortunately, I'm not one for the work of watering. My house plants can attest to that.

But this time around, I laid out a soaker hose along the rows, and I have it attached to a regular hose that I simply attach to the outside spigot when it's time to water. Much simpler and easier than standing there forever holding the hose and spraying the garden by hand or trying to set up the sprinkler.

And, of course, I always welcome God watering the garden.

Our Garden - Take 2

Here are the photos from working the garden the first time. Now the only thing that came up from the planting of vegetables we did on April 27th are 6 tomato plants and possibly a melon of some sort. If you remember from that post I said we planted tomatoes, peppers, peas, green and wax beans, Lima beans, lettuce, carrots, onions, garlic, butternut squash, yellow squash, cucumbers, mint, basil, dill, oregano, rosemary, thyme, savory, and stevia. And the only thing that came
up are 6 tomato plants, a melon plant and maybe some stevia (I don't really know what stevia looks like, so I don't know if the plant growing there is it.) Part of the problem, I know, is that most of the seeds were too old. We were hoping that they would grow anyway. But not so much happened.

We also had some volunteers. At least 10 tomato plants have come up that we didn't plant. They are scattered throughout the garden and along the property fence. I plan to move them to the tomato rows when they get big enough. Now, I am not sure if we planted that melon plant or not, because I can't remember what we planted where on that side of the garden, and I can't find the paper on which I wrote it. I tend to think it came up on it's own.




When we returned from our anniversary weekend, we had a nice green garden - of weeds. I got to work Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday to set the garden to rights. Lest you think I did a whole lot of work, I only was able to garden during nap time, which is why it took so long. I weeded, hoed, reworked the rows (the correct way this time,) bought new vegetable and herb plants and new seeds, bought another soaker hose, planted the plants and seeds, laid out the soaker hose, and took pictures. Ellie again planted cauliflower seeds. She is very excited to grow that vegetable. I hope she is as excited about it when its sitting on her plate.

This time the garden will hopefully give us a bounty of tomatoes, peppers, green beans, peas, Lima beans, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, spinach, butternut squash, cantaloupe, yellow squash, zucchini, stevia, dill, basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, and mint. [The mint actually came up in a flower pot I had stashed away.]























I am more confident in the garden this time around. I also am hopeful that weed control will go better as well.

Our long weekend away

Gary and I left early on Thursday morning to drive to Tennessee for our anniversary. Here are some photos from our trip to Great Smokey Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park.






Sunset from the deck of our cabin.












Ray and Nannette
Gary and me

On the deck of our cabin








Great Smokey Mountains National Park






Gary and me at the Morton Overlook













I believe this is the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River











Noah "Bud" Ogle's cabin














Roaring Fork











Shenandoah National Park






A bear (the black blob in the center of the photo.)












On of the overlooks at the north end of the park. I liked the wisp of a cloud.













Moss dripping water.












Sunset over the South Fork of the Shenandoah River.

Shortened

The kids and I had haircuts today.


Before













After












My friend Nicki did a beautiful job.

I have two ponytails to donate to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. I figure if I want it long again, I can just grow it. Some women can't.

Werth stealing four

During Tuesday's Phillies game, Jayson Werth stole four bases. Stealing home base was the best. I still shake my head in wonderment when I watch the video. You can too.

Ellie likes to type and likes the color pink

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A Beautiful Day

Ellie had beach day today at school. She was so excited. She got to wear her swimsuit (she is still wearing it) and take her beach towel. They had ice cream for snack and had some fun and games outside. The weather cooperated with a beautiful day.

I got to hang out my laundry. Josh and I played outside some. We had lunch outside as well. We sat on a blanket under our maple tree. It is a great shade tree. The stinkers I call my children finally ate their dinner from last night. They were served it for breakfast, but chose to wait until lunch to finish it. They did get to munch on some cheese, animal crackers, and apples once they ate the leftovers.

After lunch we played monster tag. I was the monster that chased them around the yard. Neither of them wanted to be the monster so it was more like a monster tickle game. Then they took turns getting pulled in the wagon. Ellie let Josh go first.

I had a really great afternoon with my children.

Biking it

I broke out the bike pod (the name for the child trailer we have.) I biked with the kids in tow to church for MOPS. They are heavy to pull when the road isn't precisely flat. It is surprising how much I slow down when the road has the littlest hint of a hill. They enjoyed the ride far more then I did. And Ellie had the nerve to comment from her highness's carriage, that I was going too slow. I told her she could walk if she wanted.

In our hopes of some exercise and not using a gas-drinking-carbon-monoxide-emitting hunk of metal, we are going to try to use the bikes more. Ellie and Josh are all for that idea. They love being squished in the pod. But pulling them is challenge for me if hills are involved. If it's a family event, Gary pulls them.

Gary has biked to work. It's 3 miles and not to hard of a ride. Though he does look completely worn out when he gets home. Perhaps that will get better as he does it more often.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Woo hoo! I had a Mother's Day motorcycle ride. Gary's dad has two motorcycles, and today I requested a ride. It is such a thrill be going so fast and to feel the wind blowing and to not be surrounded by a vehicle.

I do have a note to self - Wear a bandanna to hold back hair.

I had a great day on Saturday spent with my family, my mom and sister, and Gary's mom yesterday at a Phillies game. The Phillies didn't win for us though. And I had a fun day at Gary's dad and step-mom's house today. And I had fun with the two reasons I'm a mom, Ellie and Josh.

Gary made our sandwiches for the game yesterday, and he made the burgers tonight, and his dad grilled them. Gary tried a new recipe for turkey burgers. It was very tasty.

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.

Another Record

I am quite surprised at my shopping speed today. In the two and a half hours I have while Ellie is at school, I managed to visit Giant, Wal-Mart, Aldi's, and Holly Hill Heath Food. I really don't know how I accomplished all my shopping and even arrived early to Ellie's school. Josh had time to play a little on the school playground before picking up Ellie.

Usually I make it to only two stores.

A Kulp Record

Generally Ellie and Josh's bedtime routine lasts about an hour. Even when we try to be speedy.

Tonight the kids were on our nerves. Actually it's been all day. They weren't really naughty, just very active and boisterous. So, we decided that bedtime was going to happen soon and quickly. Gary says it was 25 minutes tonight, but I'll be generous with 30 minutes. They each had spankings to start with, then baths (no play time,) teeth brushing, hair brushing, pajamas and diapers, rocking and prayers.

And here we sit with so much time, we don't know what to do with ourselves.

We could admire our handiwork of the day. Gary handily installed a new outlet in our kitchen. Now we have 7. Our previous ones weren't the best placed things in the kitchen. Well actually maybe not much is well placed in the kitchen. The main outlets that we had access to from the counter are in one corner. The other two are near the switch for the kitchen light, but you have to go through or around a book shelf to reach it from the counter. Not very convenient. We also have tile around the kitchen, which doesn't lend for easy installation of outlets. We decided to move the microwave to a corner of the kitchen that was more out of the way, but it had no outlets. We discovered there was no tile on that wall, and there was a space to feed wire. So Gary went to work, and there you have it. A new outlet. And no extra trips to the hardware store. Everything actually went as planned. An uncommon occurrence here in our house.

While Gary worked on that project, I shopped. For food and household accessories. I found Yoder's Farm Market, which has nicely prices and naturally raised chicken eggs and beef, which I purchased for our eating pleasure. The beef I found at another place a while ago was so not economical.

At another farm market (both of these places are just really privately owned stores with the name "farm market." And I make this distinction, because when I think of a farm market, I see rows of tables and lots of farmers and their wares.) I found reasonably priced unbleached flour and whole wheat flour. I am going to try making bread more often and thought more flour to be helpful.

Then lastly I made my way to Impact thrift stores. I found a glass baking dish for all the bread I will be making, another small cheese grater for all the cheese we grate, some plastic bowls for the kids to use, and two clothing items for me, and yes, they are "household accessories."

I also remembered that I wanted to fix our dustbuster. Which I was able to accomplish once I got the thing open.