My gear

I went to the local Harley-Davidson store today. I found my helmet. It's a Scorpion EXO-700 Black Dahlia. It is also expensive. There is even matching clothing. Also expensive.

I saw some gloves and boots I liked. Again expensive.

And I saw that Kohl's is hiring.


We received an email concerning what is required in clothing for the course. Over-the-ankle boots, full-fingered gloves, long pants and long sleeve shirt or jacket, eye protection, and a helmet. Of these things, I have the pants and jacket. Maybe my gloves will be acceptable. I may still have skiing goggles. They do provide helmets. And motorcycles.

Gary is not too pleased to have to buy stuff for this class. I don't mind.

He Passed!

Gary passed his test and has his learner's permit for a motorcycle. We are now signed up for the safety course.

Gary's mom thinks we're crazy. Who's going to take care of the kids when we die in a crash, she asks. My parents don't have much to say about it. Gary's dad and Judy are rooting us on. It scares me a little thinking about riding, but it scares me even more to try to learn without this class. I want to ride. But I also want to be a safe rider. So take this class, I shall.

Our second week

Our second week went as well as the first when you take out the Mom buying factor. Gary's mom made some purchases our first week, and our sales the second week were down by the amount she bought. There were also less people the second week, but we sold almost as much. We were in a different location, but I forgot the camera to document.

We will not be there this weekend, since we will be at the shore relaxing and eating some Mack and Manco's pizza.

We placed another order and will hopefully have more to offer next time.

Farmer's Market

It went much better than we thought. We went through most of the coffee and over half the cider. We sold out of the pumpkin spice and sold more vanilla than we thought. Apparently no one is seasoning any poultry yet or doing any pickling. But people are flavoring soups and such with bay leaves and basil.

We had many people comment it was nice to see a spice place again, since the local spice store closed. Some said they'd be back next week. We had three people requests, but no actual orders. We are going to be placing another order and will probably include them since they aren't obscure items and others probably would buy them.

We plan to continue up until Thanksgiving, when the market closed until next year. Than what? We don't know.

We had some good advice from several people, too. And some repeat business on the coffee. Gary made his pumpkin spice coffee and mulled the cider using the spices we were selling.

Myrtle admonished me to take the camera so I could document our big day. Gary's mom was a big help in packaging spices last night, and she packed us a treasure trove lunch. He had forgotten about eating lunch, so she surprised us with food. My parents took the kids for the night and watched them until the market was closed.




Here is the background for our labels. I took some cinnamon sticks and some white paper and took a photo. It looks nice as a watermark background with our name Kulp's Spices in brown lettering. I am hoping to get a sign with it as background for our stand, as you could see in the photo we haven't any identification of who we are in big letters.

Help please

Well the novelty has worn off. Monday and today were awful for Ellie getting on the bus. Monday, she and Gary walked nicely to the bus. Once the bus came and her friend wasn't there, Gary had to put her on the bus crying and protesting greatly. Tuesday she was better. Her friend was there, and even though she still didn't want to go, she got on the bus with minimal protests and tears. Today, her protests started before leaving the house, though she went without force. Unfortunately again no friend, and Gary than had to physically move her to the bus, weeping and wailing and great protests. There seems to be no problems with the afternoon bus ride.

Do we continue to make her ride the bus in the morning, or do I drive her to school? If I drive her, we feel like we're giving in to her, if we make her take the bus, we feel like we're being mean. Either way, we feel like everyone loses. Is she just not ready for that morning bus ride?

Please give us some advice.

I passed!

I got to the licensing center a little later than planned. I waited in line, several times, took my test, and passed. I had four wrong answerd, the highest amount allowed to still pass. One more and done for. I waited in line again and walked away with the little paper that says I may drive a motorcycle in practice for my license. I am quite pleased and a little scared. Motorcycles are powerful little machines and a bit intimidating to drive by myself.

Corn, corn and more corn

I have in my freezer over two hundred ears of corn. My parents bought a hundred ears on Thursday, and my mom and I husked, blanched, decobbed and froze it on Friday. And Gary and I bought a hundred ears on Saturday, and my mom and I processed it today. If you're talking corn, we are set for the winter.

Unfortunately and quite sadly for me, I do not have in my hot little hand a learner's permit for riding a motorcycle. We failed to notice that cash is not accepted for payment at the testing center. And of course when we left the house yesterday, we had not taken the check book with us. So we had to leave after realizing that cash or credit was not an option. I never made it back. It was lunch than nap time. Gary went back, because he has less time during the week to go. But he didn't pass. So we both have to go back anyway. I plan to be there first thing Tuesday morning.

The Bus - part 2

Ellie's school day is 8:30 to 11:30 am. Today she arrived home at 12:55 pm. She should arrive home around 11:50 am. Even though her principal called the bus company once and her mother called the bus company not once, not twice, but thrice, she was somehow still not on the schedule for the afternoon bus run. She sat around at her school for an hour waiting. She apparently has not changed her opinion of buses, though. When First Student finally brought her home, she was happily sitting in her seat, enjoying the ride and having the "bus" to herself. [It was a student van that brought her home.]

I, on the other hand, was a bit annoyed. I was not, however, concerned about her whereabouts, because I actually didn't expected them to pick her up. I somehow knew they would not have her on the schedule, but also thought that maybe since they picked her up, they'd bring her home.

Her school did called to say that she wasn't picked up, and that they called First Student. And that someone was one their way to pick her up and bring her home.

I will be giving First Student another call.

The Bus - part 1

Ellie has been excited to take the bus. Her parents don't share her enthusiasm. But we put her on this morning, none the less. It was a bit hectic getting ready, and our procedure needs some work, but she was at her stop on time. Or at least a stop. Gary and she headed out but were soon back when Gary saw bus #20 drive right on by. So we got in the car to try to catch it at another stop. As we drove I could see people still standing at the stop after Ellie's. So I drove to that stop, we recognized the pastor from Grace Mennonite and his kids. Gary got out to talk to them. It turns out that they take the same bus, and Ellie didn't miss it. Gary had failed to realize that the bus he saw was a North Penn School District bus and Ellie's bus is First Student.

So, now Gary will walk to the stop where our friends are every morning and then walk to his bus stop. I am very glad Ellie knows other children on her bus.

Ellie was quite content sitting in her bus seat, waving as the bus rolled away.

Motorcycle safety course

Yep, you read correctly. Gary and I are signing up to learn how to drive a motorcycles. First we need to take a test and get our permits. I am very excited. After we complete the class we will have our motorcycle license. Then we can drive Gary's dad's motorcycles, because we won't have funds of our own to purchase any motorized two wheeled vehicle for a long while.

We're on

Well, Gary is anyway, for the Farmer's Market here in Lansdale. He is going to try his hand at roasting, brewing, and flavoring his own coffee, selling mulling cider, selling his homemade vanilla, our home grown tomatoes and herbs, and if they still have nice flowers, our neighbor will be cutting some fresh flower bouquets.

I am not so sure we really fit into the farmer's market catagory, but they are letting us have a table for one day, so Gary's going to try it. We'll see.

Ellie's first day

Here's Ellie on her first day of kindergarten.

I think she had a good day. All I could get out of her were yes and no answers. She says she doesn't want to talk about her day. But she wants to go back, so that's a good thing.




P.S. I added another post on August 29th about our vacation. It was added after the one about orientation but the date places it before it, so you might have missed it.

Orientation

She's oriented. Ellie enjoyed her hour today at school. She made a sunflower, drew a picture of herself (complete with teeth,) and decorated a large manila envelope with traces of her hands. She has a cubby for her supplies and a hook for her coat and bag. She took her new bike helmet for her show and tell about summer. Ellie also got to use the potty and was excited to see that there was an Ellie size sink available for her use. We read a story waiting for everyone to arrive (somehow we managed to arrive first,) and she played kitchen while we waited for everyone to finish their three projects. The teacher ended the hour with a story - The Night Before Kindergarten. She also reminded parents to send a healthy snack (you know, no sugary stuff) each day, than offered the children a piece of candy before they left, and informed them that they could have one each day when they left to go home. A little contradictory if you ask me. I made sure to let Ellie know she would not be getting a piece of candy everyday.

I think I feel more confident about letting Ellie ride the bus both ways sooner than I previously thought. Now I need to contact First Student about adding her to the bus route, since they haven't contacted me yet.

Josh's day wasn't so pleasant. He was in need of 6 non-regular diaper changes and a sore belly. He is currently napping and hasn't needed a change since around 2:00 pm. His little bottom is sore and needing a break. He also wanted much Mommy time and many hugs.

Gary had jury summons today but wasn't called for jury duty. He did however become more informed about household things. His reading material while waiting today - Mere Christianity, a word search book, and Heloise's Housekeeping Hints. Gary pointed out a way to make meals for a week to me already.

Vacation

Last week we went to the cabin for the week with my parents. It was a great time away. Gary and my dad, however, didn't have so much as a vacation as a work week. You see, the outside cabin steps, being over thirty years old, have rotted. They needed to be replaced. So while the women and Josh relaxed, the men worked.

Mom and I, with a little help from the kids, painted the front window, twice. The twice should have been once, but since the cabin is part of an association and white is not an allowed window color any longer, the white we painted the window was in violation. We had to change it. We got paint chips, picked a color, got it approved and repainted.

Gary took Ellie on her first fishing trip. My dad got the poles ready and informed Gary how to use them since he hasn't been fishing either. Although he took a bucket and a fish chain, he really really hoped not to catch anything. Not to worry, they only used lures and didn't let them get too deep. But she had a grand time. We met up with them after a couple of hours and had a picnic lunch and a swim.

We didn't have much use of the computer. We had low signal strength. Couldn't really do much, so we didn't really try. One might wonder why we took the laptop at all, but I was hoping to blog, and we had a bill to pay. Got the bill paid, but that was about it.

One thing I did get to do was read. I started again on The New Strong-Willed Child. For some reason I stopped reading after a short time. I have found my sanity again. Dobson talks as though he's met Ellie. I am loving reading this book. Over and over I relate. I hardly related to stories in Tedd Tripp's book. [No way my child stands still and takes her spankings.] Though his principles are excellent, I didn't know how to apply it in my situation. I also got some reading in on When Sinners Say "I do."

In all, it was a relaxing week.

Words, words and more words

My little guy's vocabulary has exploded. He just keeps saying new words. They just keep coming out. It's great to hear him use new words. He is growing up so fast. And he has finally said "Ellie." He doesn't often speak on command, though. It starts acting goofy when asked to way a word.

Bittersweet

My girl starts kindergarten next week. My emotions are going up and down.

We decided to put her in private kindergarten, since we found a school that had a half off discount for first time students and has a great program. Next year she will be in public school - either first grade or have her do another year of kindergarten if we think she needs it.

Tomorrow we are going shopping. For school supplies and some new clothes (she's sprouting like a weed and wearing through stuff.) We are also going to have lunch and go for a bike ride together. It's a mommy - Ellie day!

She also has the opportunity to take the school bus but for now that's too much for us. My little baby is not taking a bus yet. Maybe in a few weeks or months. It works out for me to take her, since Gary works on the way, and we only have one car. I'll be the bus driver and take Gary to work and Ellie to school. Josh gets to go along for the ride. In a few weeks once she's used to school, we'll let Ellie take the bus home. After a while she can take the school bus both ways.

My little baby is going to school.

My Life as a Rock Star

I live the life of a rock star. It’s true! I have wild hair and make-up with frequent costume changes.

Everywhere I go I have an entourage. People are constantly yelling my name. I look out into the crowd and they’re actually crying for me, reaching for me.

I have no privacy. I’m watched when I shower, when I’m cooking, even when I use the restroom . . . for my own protection, I’m sure.

When I go places I must do so quickly before my fans get out of control and start a riot. Every night a different (fan) wants to sleep with me. Each of them seems genuinely hurt when I turn him (or her) away.

Occasionally I get dirty undergarments whirled at me with a whoop and a smile. It’s even hard sometimes to walk through my own home without someone spotting me and trying to grab my legs or my clothing.

Oh, and don’t forget about the stalkers! You know those crazed fans that follow you everywhere? Why I can’t even talk on the phone in the pantry without an eye peeping in at me.

Yes it’s true – I live the life of a rock star. And this goes out to my (two) biggest fans – (Elisabeth and Joshua) – thanks for making my debut so special.

I read the above article by Melinda Coats in MomSense, a magazine I get from being part of MOPS. I found it to be humorous and rather accurate for my life as well.

I figured out my problem

Yes, I figured it out. I am a sinner. I know, astonishing but true. And even though I knew this fact, it was made much clearer (and humbling) in my reading of a little jewel of a book called When Sinners Say "I Do," by Dave Harvey.

I especially like the author's illustration about sin in our hearts: a hot engine and oil. He had a live experience with this when his son had started the lawnmower up with the oil cap loose. After the engine heated up, he had an oil geyser. "Original sin filled the "engine" of our hearts with the "oil" of depravity - dark, greasy, and staining everything it touches. Circumstances come along and heat the engine. When the engine is hot - when events in our lives test out hearts by stirring anger, lust, greed, etc. - whatever is in the engine spews out. The heat (circumstances) did not fill the engine with oil, it simply revealed what was in the engine." When Jesus, out best example, was heated up, love, mercy, compassion, kindness spilled out. What comes out when you're heated?

One thing I also like about the book is that even though it is written for married folks, the basis of the book applies to all people. Because married or not, we are all sinners and have relationships of all kinds that would do better when we remember we are the biggest sinner of them all.

Prayers for your day

Yesterday, as I read in the Daily Prayer of the Lutheran Service Book, I came upon this little phrase: "on this day when the work of our calling begins anew." It brought me to tears. As I am sure you are well aware, I struggle with being a mom once in a while. Those words brought a sense of purpose and renewed strength.

Today I read through the Daily Prayer again and caught the rest of the prayer. [Yesterday my focus was on the phrase above.]
"Almighty Father, merciful God, who created and completed all things, on this day when the work of our calling begins anew, we implore You to create its beginning, direct its continuance, and bless its end, that our doings may be preserved from sin, our like sanctified, and our work this day be well pleasing to You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen."

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend my myself, my body and soul, and all things (children.) Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen"

Another scare

At 7:13 this morning I was concerned that my sister might have been killed. I heard a report on the news that a women jogger was killed when a tree branch fell on her. My brain started thinking. Jess has jogged in the past. [Never mind that I can't recall the last time she actually went jogging, nor that she would go early in the morning.] I was concerned. The report came again, this time with a description. The women was in her twenties maybe early thirties, with short brown, curly hair. She was listening to her iPod, so probably didn't hear the branch falling. OK, I thought, that describes Jess. [Never mind that it also describes over 100 other women.] I started crying, visibly upset. I get up and grab the phone to call Jess. Reason sets in, and I put it down. But I'm still upset - what if? Gary says to call. So at 7:17 I call my sister. Of course she answers, alive and well, and still in bed. After an explanation for my call, she says "I'm going back to sleep now."

I love you, Jess!