Posted in Rambles

It's now 2009. Wow. Oh, Joy. (Sarcasm)
I actually missed the clock turning along with my extra second because I was reading some articles online while watching Barrett-Jackson with my hubbs.
No bother, its not that big of a deal. Tonight was an ordinary night with an excuse to stay up.

Posted in Rambles

Tonight as the New Year approaches I want to reflect a bit on 2008. I'll leave resolutions for tomorrow, that is, IF I make any.

January 2008 - My husband was in Germany for six weeks. I survived six weeks, non-stop with my precious children. I survived having my brother stay with us while my hubbs was away. I love my brother - he is a lot of fun, my kids love him and he cooks WONDERFUL food! I enjoyed not having to cook all the time.
While my hubbs was away I made up my mind to work through chronic back pain and get my body moving again. I lost nine pounds while he was gone. (Yes, I'm still losing)

February 2008 - Hubby came back home from Germany mid month. Having him away for six months was a blessing. I mean that in a good way. Even though it was hard having him away it was also nice to be thankful and grateful for what he does around the home. Thankfully, I can be handy when I need to, but I prefer my man doing it.

March 2008 - We had our 15th Wedding Anniversary. We also bought a new vehicle for our family, as well as paying my hubbs car off.

April 2008 - I don't quite remember what all happened this month... but, I'm sure I was looking forward to spring run-off so I could go gold prospecting.

May 2008 - I volunteered at Territory Day's with the Gold Prospector's of Colorado.

June 2008 - After coming back from Breckenridge, Colorado for Kingdom Day's my hubbs told me that he wanted to go to Arizona for a week or two to see his dad who was off work the first week of July. This meant I could see my dad, step-mom and my grandpa.
This was a huge blessing because I had been wanting to see my grandpa. He was not in good health and I knew I had to see him. We gritted our teeth at the gas prices ($4.00 a gallon) and left Colorado for Mayor, Arizona.
After two days with hubbs parents we drove to Bullhead City to see my parents and my grandpa. After spending five days with my parents we headed back to Mayor and spent another two days before coming  home.

July 2008 - Camping, hiking, gold panning and helping GPOC.

August 2008 - I volunteered and had a bunch of fun at the Colorado Gold Panning Championships. I competed in Teams, Women's and State.
 My hubbs went on a three week trip for work so the kids and I camped for a week with my mom.
On August 27th my grandfather passed away. Grandpa didn't want a memorial service, but instead wanted us to celebrate his life in our own way. That night my hubbs, my brother and I grilled burgers and drank beer (ales) in his honor. Grandpa loved his beer. It was a great time.. I know my grandpa would be smiling at us.

September 2008 - We attended our church's annual retreat. It was nice, but I enjoyed the time my family and I spent in Rocky Mountain National Park more.
My kids, my mom and I also helped the BLM and GPOC clear trees at Cache Creek and then spent the rest of that afternoon gold panning. Found some real nice pickers!

October 2008 - More hikes, rockhounding and gold panning.

November 2008 - New "school" year began.

December 2008 - Well, it's not over yet. It was a good month.

Posted in Rambles

I was chatting with my friend Christa the other night in the new home for The Christian Homeschool Corner. We did some catching up with each other about our lives. I keep up with her blog via my feed reader. She hasn't been able to keep up with me because I hadn't been blogging like I used to. I told her it was because of my busy and somewhat hectic summer... life happens. Anyway, she said typed with a hint of sarcasm (at least I think it was sarcasm... it's hard to tell in chat.) that with 5 children I should be blogging more.

Christa, that has stuck! See, you have now gotten me to think 'outside of the box.' *giggle*

 I am thankful that I have five wonderful children that do keep me away from blogging, but on the other hand I should have TONS of material to blog about! Seriously, when I sit here and attempt to compose a post I dilly dally, I change my mind on what to write and then I just end up leaving and not posting.  I used to sit, compose an entry with no problems and move on. I want that back again. I think I just needed some "oomph!"

Thank you, Christa for inspiring me. I can now reach down into the depths of my heart and find new material to blog about. Translation - all I have to do is step on a lego and, Viola! Insipiration!

Posted in Rambles

I voted earlier this week. One less thing to do for Novemeber.  Boy, am I glad that I have that done and out of the way! I admit, I was tempted to check "other" and write in my name!

I am working on:

- Ways to keep our home warmer during the winter.

- A new home for The Christian Homeschool Corner.

- Going through all the clothes that don't fit my children anymore.

- Decluttering. (Does that ever end?)

- New lesson plans and unit study ideas for November.

I am thinking about:

- Flannel sheets! They are wonderful during the winter!

Posted in Rambles

I had a wonderful day. I taught some kids the basics about rocks and minerals then showed them how to gold pan. Each of the children went home with 10 to 12 nice flakes of gold. I also gave each child a piece of scoria basalt.

Now I am tired! After playing with rocks and then making water dance with gold pans I had to run to the grocery store. I dislike shopping... bleah... but, it has to be done. Too bad I can't snap my fingers and everything I need suddenly appears.

Tonight I am thinking about crochet projects. I've crocheted a few neat glow-in-the-dark snowflakes, but I need to make more. Christmas is quickly approaching. I need some quick, fun crochet ideas to give as gifts. For more information on glow-in-the-dark yarn you can go to the Bernat website.

Family movie night is about to start. Have a great weekend!

Posted in Rambles

Today was such an off day for me. My hubby and 4 of my children all have the sickies. I've been taking care of them today. I'm grateful that I have a hubby and wonderful children to take care of, I just wish they all weren't feeling so bad.

I still managed to get some exercise in.

At the grocery store I parked at the end of the parking lot and walked as quickly as I could to and from the store. There was a slight hill which was nice.

I also did 2 minutes of step-ups. (SP challenge to see how many we can do in a minute.)

Then I did:

15 minutes CONTINUOUS CIRCUIT (no stopping!) of: 10 Cruches, 20 Squats, 10 push-ups. Wait 5 minutes. Repeat the 15 minute continuous circuit. Wait 5 minutes. Repeat circuits for 5 minutes. Rest. (This is also part of SP challenge.) I will do this again on Monday and Wednesday of next week.

 

Posted in Rambles

I forgot in my previous post that the reasons why I was so distracted was because my hubby was in Germany for 6 weeks. It's funny... I'm still pretty distracted. I wonder why?

I also had a Birthday on Tuesday. I'm figuring out what to do with the money that was given to me. So far, I have bought myself some dumbells and some Norwegian Salmon. (Boy, was the salmon good!) When I was buying my salmon at a local organic store I noticed the crab cakes and mentioned they looked good. Then the lady behind the counter asked if I needed help yet and I said, "I'm just figuring out what I want to make for my Birthday dinner. Salmon or Halibut." As I was looking at all the goodies (fish) the lady handed me a package and told me it was on the house, "Happy Birthday." They gave me a free crab cake! Boy, was it delish! (Those crab cakes were $7 a piece!) I admit, I was feeling pretty special.

I've been having to ponder again as to what to do for our learning stuff. We've been a bit lax since my hubby has been back home. I received a new Learning Through History Magazine which is on American Indians, in which my children are excited about learning.

I also have a Barnes and Noble gift card. I think I'll browse online first and then to get out of the house I'll go B&N later so I can get any books I want and a green tea frap!

 Oh! I almost forgot! Thank you for the award, Nikowa, I am honored. I will post about it more as time allows. (I hope this weekend!)

Posted in Rambles

Boy, I tell you it feels good to be a witness to someone trying to steal something in a super-duper-huge-buy-all-your-stuff-store!

I had just checked out and was on my way out the door. I hear the alarm beeping. You know, the one that goes off when DVD's, CD's or other type merchandise that is magnetized. I see this older man with an oversized light blue suit jacket come around the corner and take a yellow-ish CD out from his shirt and quickly hid it in the styrofoam coolers that was next to the ice freezer. The door greeter then came around the corner. At this moment I am pushing my cart towards the older man. I then proceded to point at him and said he took a yellow CD from his shirt and put it in the coolers. The old man then started to deny it, but I kept standing there staring at him. The guy finally admitted to his wrong doing and showed the guy the CD he tried to steal.

I don't know what happened after that. I did talk to another manager and told him what I saw. I was given a few thank you's and was sent on my way. I only hope that they took some action against the man, but  I have worked in one of those big-super-duper-spend-all-your-moola-at-one-place stores before. Unless he had other items he was trying to steal on his person, they might not have done anything.

At any rate, it still feels good to be a witness and to see the person admit that he did it.

Posted in Rambles

What a wonderful Wednesday! All our basic learning is done for the day.

My boys are cleaning their room and they are getting along while doing it. I'm totaly flabbergasted at this.

My daughter is busy sewing on her sewing machine. She is making pillows for her friends. If I put a table in her room with her machine I would never see her again! She loves to sew. (Unlike me) She started a quilt the other day. (Yes, I will get pictures)

I am also almost done crocheting my comfort pack. I just have the button holes and the buttons to make.

Have a blessed day!

 

Posted in Rambles

Besides a fear of small cockroaches, I fear those biscuit cans! They are not really cans, but exploding scary things! When I was a kid I used to love opening those things for my mom. I loved how they "exploded" when I peeled the paper far enough. Until one day it exploded and cut my finger.

Over the years I have dreaded opening those things because one almost cut my finger off.. well, it just made it bleed pretty good! I have always had my hubby open those things for me, but when he is not around I wear oven mits to open them and I hold it as far from me as I can. It's quite an ordeal ya know. I really hate it too when I peel off all the paper and doesn't don't blow up so I have to hit the end on the counter. Eeeek!  

Doesn't this just seem silly? (I think so too, but I hate those things!)

Today, my hubby was not able to open one for me. I had my oven mits on and I started to peel the paper. Only a tiny bit of paper came off. I was frustrated. I took off an oven mit and carefully tried to get more paper  to come off because I only peeled about 2 inches. It exploded! I screamed.

Thankfully, I didn't get cut... but the tip of my thumb is bruised!!!!!

All for the love of the once in a while homestyle buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy.

My thumb hurts! It was almost worth it though. I make a mean sausage gravy!

Posted in Rambles

It was a very hectic, stressful, emotional week. I am going to rest, rest and rest some more today.

This will be one of those disorganized meandering type posts. I have absolutely no idea what to write about. I really don't want to talk about politics. I don't need to get huffy and spoil my Saturday with that stuff.

Ooh, I know... gold! Gold has shot up the past few weeks, have you been watching? It's at $895.00. I'm in the mood for some gold prospecting - I'm just bummed that all my favorite places to find gold are snow packed. I'm looking forward to spring run-off.. mean more gold will be deposited.

This green tea with pomogranite is really good! Nothin' like a good cup of tea in the morning... afternoon and evening. =) I also enjoy my peppermint tea - it helps my tummy relax. Do you have a favorite tea? I don't... yet.

I'm slowly working on my huge-o list. I'm almost done with the comfort pack that I am crocheting. Crocheting lately has become aid in getting myself to relax.

Have a blessed weekend!

Posted in Rambles

Well... I did have a great post. Then I accidently hit the delete button rather than the 'copy' button.

I'll try to re-write it again later. =)

Posted in Rambles

I feel jumbled. There is so much that needs to be done, but yet I feel unmotiveated to put the muddled mass of thoughts and tasks in order. Ever feel that way? Many of my cluttered thoughts have been well worth blogging about, but time eludes me. My unmotivation is quite anomalous for me. I'm sure I'll get to the bottom of why I have been feeling this way. I really need to do something about it soon before it becomes so abnormal that it causes an avalanche of  mind-boggling proportions. I think some sort of filing system would work, and maybe a bunch more rubbermaid totes. Train of thought in one file, emotions in another. It might work. I think I'll go the easy route and let Christ deal with it. It is only through His strength. Thank you, Lord. Christ is the only one that can organize my disorganized-ness.

I have recipes to share. Meandering about this and that. Learning ideas. Oh, and all the crocheting I've been doing. I am also thrilled to be part of Ravelry.com. I was invited this morning. Oh what fun that place will be! God check it out... get on the waiting list! It's well worth the wait!

 

 

 

 

Posted in Rambles

Oh Boy! I've been glancing over my blog... boy do I need to update some things on my sidebar. I'll get there, eventually. Presently I am feeling stressed and overwhelmed. My sidebar will have to wait. (I did add my myspace link though. =)

I think that I have been trying to do to many things at once and it is starting to effect me. Ever get that way?

I am so glad that I have Christ who through His strength can get me over this bump. Refresh me, Lord.

 

Posted in Rambles

I am just getting a kick out of this!

I say, stike for years!!! Maybe more people will get outside, open a book , pick up knitting needles or a crochet hook once they get tired of seeing all of the re-runs.

 

 

Posted in Rambles

I have been feeling so lazy this past week. I think I am feeling drained from all the things happening. Toes breaking, car going caput, tired. My baby (14 mos) is cutting her 2 bottom and her 2 top teeth all at the same time. Sleep has been rare in the past 3 days. Blogging has been put on the back burner as well.

Learning wise I have been unmotivated to get anything done. I haven't had the energy to make sure the kids do a math page or write in their journals. Praisefully, they like to read and are self starters on projects. We've also been working on character again too. (Character training never stops, agree?)

I'm looking forward to the weekend. Hopefully I can take some naps and get refreshed.

 

Posted in Rambles

This is crazy! A stranger security guard asking girls Inappropriate Female Questions.

I am so thankful that I can keep my children at home. Those questions are between my daughters and me, not with some stranger!

Posted in Rambles

I have caught a nasty bug this morning... I think we've all had it before at some point or another. It's the "Clutter Bug!"  It is a nasty virus that attacks and causes you to throw stuff away, give stuff away, re-arrange stuff. The only way to cure this "Bug" is to "work your rear end off" (Hopefully literally too with the exercise you get!) It is highly important to drink plenty of fluids while fighting the bug. Chocolate between sweeps and vacuuming also helps!

Posted in Rambles

I often get inspired to blog about something, but then I sit here at the keyboard and I go blank. I figured it was writers block. I don't think that is what it is at all. Before we moved the computer to this spot I didn't have a problem with writing because the computer was in our living room. Our living room has cathedral ceilings and windows. It is open.

Now the computer is the dining room, in a corner. No windows to provide good lighting. I face a wall and not a window. There is nothing around me to inspire me or to get my creativity going. It is dull here, it is dark, closed in and boring.

I remember listening to some sort of news program a while back and they talked about different jobs. Creative people that were in jobs that demanded their creativity are able to concentrate better in open spaces, whereas people that have detail oriented jobs need smaller spaces to keep their focus. Interesting huh? It really does make sense.

I love places or rooms with high ceilings, and with a lot of large windows. The best place is outdoors of course. I feel closed in and sometimes freak out when I'm in tight places, no windows, short ceilings and dark.

Now I just need to figure out how I can get the computer back upstairs... hmmmmm. Guess I should go think up there about it. =)

 

Posted in Rambles

I had a lovely Mother's Day. My children blessed me with all sorts of handmade things and some pre-made. My hubby bought me the set of Indian Jones movies and a Butterfinger. He's the greatest hubby!

I did something different this Mother's Day. I wouldn't be a mother if it wasn't for my hubby, so I bought him a little something to give him. I bought him a key chain. It is a small wrench and has Proverbs 20:7 inscribed on it - "The just man walketh in his integrity."