Today is Saturday March 6th . The third month of the year already . My sister is up visiting for the weekend  a mini Vacation . We are off to the Canton Museum of Art today to see  the kimono exhibit .

http://www.kimonoexhibit.com/exhibit.htm

I think it will be really cool  . if we are allowed to take pictures I will post some when we get home .

Wow

sorry to be gone so Long but our house has been under quarentine ! ( Not really but) We have all been sick and it has kept us down since about the 8th of Feb. this has been a nasty flu season .  We have had a little excitement around here we have broken down and finally ordered cable  tv . 200 + chanels of some days nothing. I am finding the History ,Discovery and FIt channels okay

I so enjoy being a mom, wife and Helpmate. It is cold and blustery outside yet I am quite content in my home with my stack of laundry I need to get done and my sink full of dirty dishes waiting on me   I am human after all not Super Mom . I have just put the finishing touches on dinner .We are having Beef and noodles. It smells yummy and entices warm thoughts of family and fills your tummy quite nicely.

I started with 1 ½ lbs cubed beef

2 large onions cut in quarters

A large soup pot

1/3 cup dry onion soup mix

1/3 cup dry mushroom soup mix

1/3 cup flour

1 2/3 -2 cups milk

1 package egg noodles

Salt & pepper to taste

Heat soup pot over med-high heat brown beef cubes until just pink add in quartered onions and cook until translucent.  Once beef and onions are cooked add enough water to fill soup pot half full and bring to boil cook for about 10-15 minutes   turn down heat cover and let simmer. In a bowl or large measuring cup mix dry ingredients mix until well combined then slowly add milk to dry mix with Wisk blend milk and dry ingredients until a thick not paste but not watery consistency.  Remove lid from beef and slowly mix in milk mixture stirring constantly to assure not lumps turn heat back up and bring to rolling boil. Once it is boiling add egg noodles lower heat and return cover. Let cook for 20-30 minutes   make sure it doesn’t boil over.  Serve in bowls you can top with sour cream if so desired but creamy sauce is usually good enough for us. This is a good winter warm up meal sometimes some nice warm rolls go really well with it with or with out butter but sometimes it just seems like too much starch. A nice veggie side is good to.  Hope your family enjoys it as much as mine does!

Today I am content. As I sit here in my reading chair with my cup of tea and a good book I am calm quiet and generally happy. I am sitting reading yet I stop to look outside and see the beauty of the snow falling the sky has a cast of white like a permanent cloud hanging around mid level. The dogs are playing in the snow. My mind wonders from here to there and rests pleasantly on my blessings. I Thank GOD for all he has given us and all he has brought me through. I here in my little room have more physical things than my parents ever owned at one time  three couches a loveseat and a chair  a rocking chair and three different side tables the entertainment center ,TV and the storage table . I was one of 4 children so a family of six. We have but 1 child, so why do I, we need all this stuff?  to entertain when the family comes up to visit .That was my original thought when I furnished the house but they haven't visited much in the 10 yrs we've been here we have had more visits from my side than my hubbys (Sorry if I offend anyone but it is true) And Steve's excuse is well they are getting older true but still (again no offence just truth) my family is older than his and they still have made the trek up here more than his family.  Anyway being content in my reading room I am wondering yet again if we have too much stuff. Oh I know there is lots of things we have that we don't use anymore things If I just took the time to remove them donate them give them up we would have more room ,or would we ? Would we just end up with more new stuff to fill the space? Some things it is alright to hold onto. But at sometime you need to let go and wonder if it just a fire hazard to keep it all.Today's closet held an unopened HULK kite and a nerf football any takers?  Email me and it is yours .

What a difference a day makes ………..

Yesterday I was up early and ready to take on the world, today well the title says it all. I was awoke at 6 am the dogs were going nuts sounding like they were going to tear someone apart rip them to shreds right in my kitchen. I fumbled for my robe and stumbled down the stairs to find my two lovelies dancing with glee to see mommy we gotta go pee mom we gotta go pee well at least they let me know. I checked my mail while they were outside doing their thing. I let them in and they wanted breakfast I wanted to snuggle back in bed, they won breakfast it was. So while they fought over whose bowl was whose I finished reading the book I started yesterday (Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton a “Charming” (pun intended) romance story about a Sorceress with no powers in a quaint Vermont town where her ancestors spell protects the town full of Ghosts, Vampires Silkies and other Fanciful creatures from human evil until a woman is murdered in their town and an outsider cop is called in to solve the murder. A good quick fun read) Anyway dogs eat I read dogs finish breakfast, boy got up I went back to bed. husband was up and getting ready for work I am almost asleep when he comes in from the shower and flips on the light only to be scared by my nearly sleeping form in our bed so much for saying I am beautiful even early in the morning. Try as I might after the light had been switched on I couldn’t get back to sleep so I yell down to the boy I am getting a shower I need to take the car for an oil change if you haven’t eaten yet (teen boy not eat food what are the chances this morning I was surprised) go with me bring Biology and we’ll work on it over breakfast at McDonalds. The car is over due for an oil change my hubby is driving to Mi. for work tomorrow night taking my car and spending Friday night with his sister in Ann Arbor so I had to get the oil changed I knew we might need a new air filter so I had them change that too 50-75$ for everything I told them we’d be back were walking to McD.  I waited for well over the hour I was told it would take as we approach the mechanics I can see my car is still inside oh crap that isn’t good slipped through my lips before I could stop it what mom what isn’t good they just don’t want your car to get wet did I mention it had started misting snow rain mixed into a light mist. We go in I have him sit and I get the rundown of well we normally rotate tires for free But her it came I could see it we had just had one tire replace in January due to a bad flat if I “needed “ another tire why didn’t the place I got that one suggest it ? well I NEEDED another tire because the other back tire was completely BALD okay new tire definitely need that to let hubby drive to Mi and your chain that drives your power steering and this & this has several REALLY bad cracks in it is still the originally one that came on the car and you have 90K if that goes out you won’t be able to drive the car anywhere. Okay I gotta get that fixed too it has to be done do it God will provide somehow it will get paid for even if it is on a credit card. The total for everything $330 not bad but not extra I have lying around. So they drove us home. I send D up stairs to work on his computer work , I start cleaning out my desk to find the tax papers so I can get to work on the taxes and maybe get our refund back quicker  to help pay off the debts . The kitten and the dogs are playing together they are trying to eat her and she is trying to not be eaten I turn to tell them to stop just as I hear a horrible RIP my floor to ceiling curtains which they were playing around were tearing down from the rod and the rod was falling from the wall ripped clean out of the wall I was annoyed to say the least. Three times it took three times to get it Nailed back into the wall. So  then I decided to check my bank account to see if some miracle may have happened and I have an extra 300 $ I forgot about  no such luck but as I was online  and I had bills that needed paid I’d just pop the in the bill pay  which I set up only 2 months ago and have been using every 2 weeks when my hubby gets paid  I click playbills and I get this cute notice sign up for bill pay  how cute I think  I click bill pay and the same notice pops up on the screen  by this point I am in a panic  all my bills were set up on bill pay everything was set as an e bill  I have no more paper copies I am trying to be a good green warrior I am going paperless to save me from having to shred everything and it was gone all gone . I called the bank  a credit union really in Cincinnati  while I am in Cleveland  only 5 ½ hrs and over 200 miles away  thinking it is just a glitch in the web site  It couldn’t really be gone  not this wasn’t possible  this is the age of computers this just doesn’t happen . OOPS you must have accidentally got deleted someone must have entered your number in by mistake your information is gone. You’ll need to go back in and re enter every thing  I’m sorry about that  I just don’t know how it could of happened …… as she was catching her breath from that quaint little explanation I Exploded in Tears, anger ,frustration and a myriad of other emotions too many to list . So in Essence I am sitting here at home waiting on my car to get fixed not knowing how I’ll pay for it if I can not access my money in my account at the bank . And I still need to Clean my closet for today do laundry, wash the dishes cook dinner and finish school . By the Way  yesterdays closet gave up most  the things I listed in the post . up for grabs is the Ab Roller  and a never worn Bass Pro baseball hat  if you want either  email me . Joyce

Well I am up and ready to start a new day. The boy is in the shower getting ready to start school. I have cooked breakfast salsa tortias and orange juice for my men, cleaned the breakfast dishes, fed the big dogs, walked the big dogs, and fed the rabbit& rat. Drank my cup of Hot coco , called the insurance company over a coverage dispute who then referred me to my hubby's hr person; who I left a msg for .I have responded to e mails and am ready to tackle cleaning my first closet . All this after having only gotten 5 hrs of sleep this morning thanks to cricket boy (cricky,cricky) That and I suppose my body is still rebelling from having been sick .(I still am sick just now I can retain awareness for more than a five minute stretch at a time) I have always though  if I was sick my body knows best how to fight it so sleeping for 3 days straight seemed like a good plan  but if my body is now going to retaliate and stay up for 3 days we will have a problem . I mean I am usually pretty good weather it be morning ,day or late night  I am not a specific time person but a no sleep person  run for the hills boys she’s gonna explode ! Ah I hear the beast upstairs rummaging around for clothes he must be clean. My time here will be soon cut short then off to start school. Once I drop him off for his college class I will clean the closet. I have decided to clean the living room closet today ,it is stuffed full of fun things such as coats all sizes and seasons sports gear baseballs and gloves there might even be a bat ,football doorknocker ,fishing rods and tackle, tennis racquets, and my favorite the never used AB ROLLER  as seen on TV. I’ll post what I am getting rid of  as I said if you want something just can’t live without it feel to e mail me and it is yours! I’ll even pay the shipping (continental us only) Have a great one see you soon  

So it is that time of year again SPRING CLEANING the phrase that strikes fear in the hearts of people (and stuff) everywhere. Several years ago I had a Basement cleaning party. I invited a few of my fellow HS moms and their kids to come help me clean my basement. I know it sounds bad but it wasn’t it was a blast! The kids  stayed up stairs played games board& video ate Pizza ( that we made)  and we (the moms) cleaned and cleared out a bunch of stuff that needed to go either to the trash or to donate  and if there was something there my helpers wanted and (I didn’t need or wasn’t a family heirloom) they took it . We had fun we had a chance to get a bigger than one person job done the kids and we had a day off.  So now it is spring? (I ask as I watch the snow pile up) I am going to tackle the Closets and have a Closet Clearance I figure since it is just me it will take me a week to get through all the closets in the house so everyday I am going to post something out of my closet here on my Blog if there is something you want send me an e mail and it is yours. So I am off to Clean See you tomorrow .

I had an epiphany this morning while shoveling the driveway in -4 temps so my DH could get in his car to go to work. To earn money for our family so I don’t have to work outside of the home. As I am shoveling snow I am looking at our little street of maybe 20 houses and thinking of our neighbors and their snow blowers and me and my shovel. I have seen them team up and use 2 snow blowers on one driveway to clear it faster I have seen them walk their blowers from one end of the street to the other to help out another neighbor who is stuck in the snow passing us by as our tires spin in the snow they turn their heads so as not to see us. I have helped dig out  neighbors with my little shovel  when they have a snow blower and aren’t suppose to use it ( he had had a heart attack ) and his own daughter wouldn’t help him  and she and her 2 children (who could have helped him) live with him after her nasty divorce .  And yet do you think even they would help us out with their snow blower? No. In fact even after I have helped this family with several things and been nothing but kind to them they have called and reported us to the city for not cutting our grass in the summer one week.  We have been reported for our dogs barking, that we don’t clean up our yard of doggie doo (my son had something to say about that he is the main one who does it.) Although I will admit it is kind of hard to clean up doggie poo in the winter when it is snowed on and lost in drifts until the spring thaw. We have had to involve the police when the rest of the neighborhood kids tried to beat up my son in a group thrashing and even tried to slip a noose around his neck and choke him.(and people wonder why we home school)  They look at us differently because we home school .they look at us differently because we work together as a team to get things done around our home  yes my hubby provides for us and I cook and clean but together we clean the yard and do yard work and house work . I am much smaller than either my hubby or son so I climb the ladder while they hold it to clean the gutters or clear off ice and snow from the roof. I walk my hubby to his car every morning to kiss him good bye before he leaves for work or like this morning -4 I walk him to the door and watch as he leaves. In the summer I wait for him on our front porch steps to come home so I greet him with a kiss after a hard day at work.  I am his helpmate! We are a team and we love each other they don’t get it!  I finally got it this morning (after 10 years on this street I finally understood) they can not understand us and the fact we LOVE each other and want what is best for each other. Many of them are divorced and have multiple children whom are set to raise their siblings because mom and dad are too busy dong other things and not loving each other as they should . They don’t get us. To some extent I think they are afraid of us. Now this thought of mine has been slowly coming around to understanding because several days ago again while shoveling snow  I thought  I had wanted to be like them but I looked at their families  children undisciplined  running around all hours of the day and night ( and most of these kids are under 13) drugs, drink, sex, divorced . Hmmmm love comport stability. I think I’ll stay where we are our side of the street has the greener grass.

I Thank God for all he has given us and all he has promised to give us in the future .

Blessings  Joyce

I just had to pass this info on who doesn't like free?

The 4^th Annual Say What You Mean Convention is just about here!  Mark your calendars for February 4-6^th!  It's a free three day online event in honor of The Great Communicator, Ronald Reagan, whose humor, positive Christian outlook and ability to connect with people through communication skills changed the world.  We, at Art of Eloquence, believe the Lord wants the same for each of His children.  So each year around this time, we hold a huge online convention with three full days of fun seminars, interactive workshops, contests with prizes and freebies to download.  This year's theme is HOMESCHOOLING!  The schedule is up on the site and you can check out each day's keynote speakers:

Kids Day: Jeannie Fulbright, author of elementary Apologia Science texts.  Seminar: "How to Fall Off a Cliff"

Moms Day: Lorrie Flem, publisher of TEACH Magazine. Seminar: "Finding Joy in the MOMent"

Independence Day: Karen Braun of Spunky Homeschool fame. Seminar: "Learning to Let Go" Aside from learning at the feet of all of our fabulous speakers this year, you and your children will learn more about the importance of good communication skills for Christians in the world today and you will also learn tips and techniques for better communication in your own life as it relates to your homeschool.  Each day is packed with events and goodies and our pre-registration form is now available with even more free gifts for you!  It will only be available for a short time so get yours now!  You do not need to pre-register for the convention in order to attend, but if you do, you will receive even more free gifts and be alerted to the current and future Say What You Mean Convention events so you don't miss out on any of the activities and contests! Join us for all the live seminars, workshops and chats each day and please invite your homeschool and Christian friends.  The Lord speaks about communication skills HUNDREDS of times in His Word!  Come learn why it is so vital for Christian homeschoolers!

When: February 4-6^th

Where: Right from the comfort of your own home!

http://www.SayWhatYouMeanConvention.com

Times: See our Schedule of Events page for details

http://saywhatyoumeanconvention.com/2008/?page_id=5

 Pssst!  Pass it on!

So I found this on another Blog and thought what a wonderful idea SO I am paying it forward

and offering a love gift made by my own little hands each one different and unique just like me and you . So Read on to see how this works ...

Here’s how it works:

How does it work?

• First, announce this in a post on my blog! Posted
• Commit to making 3 handmade items and ship to 3 special readers.

  I agree

• There is NO $ amount–It’s the personal time and love that make the difference!
• The 1st 3 commentators who agree to also “Pay it Forward” will receive a Handmade gift in the mail from me.
• I have 365 days to make/ship my handmade goodie!  
• The 3 commentators then post this challenge on their blog and we keep the “Pay it Forward” blessing going and going and going!

So now is the part that is up to you  Leave me a post saying you will pay it forward  post it on your blog and offer to pay it forward .  I will contact the first three who agree to pay it forward so I can get their address info to recieve their handmade goodie.

Pass it on keep the Blessings rolling .

Joyce

I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust" (Psalm 91:2, AMP).

this was passed on to me via e mail  I thought it worthy of sharing and with all going on in my life right now good advice  enjoy

 I have a new recipe  to pass on I "created" this  last night 1-27-09 and it turned out really well so I thought I'd share

Mexican Bake

preheat oven to 450

1 lb ground meat (I used turkey)

1 package taco seasonings

1 cup salsa

1 can Tomato soup

1 package Stove top or stove top like stuffing mix

1 can corn  drained

1 can black beans  drained

1 can diced tomatoes & chilies

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup water

2/3 cup shredded cheese

brown ground meat add taco seasonings as package directions say

once "taco " meat is ready add salsa continue to cook on low

add in can of corn ,black beans ,diced tomatoes& chilies mix well and simmer

add stuffing mix  milk and water mix well . don't let it dry out 

put everything in a 11x14 greased baking dish   cover with cheese

and cook for 20-30 minutes long enough to firm  up stuffing mixture and to melt cheese

let set for 5-10 minutes  serve enjoy

Hope your family likes it as well as mine did.

Joyce

Well sorry to be so long in posting .We are being hit by a lovely little snow storm and more Artic air.

It will all be right as rain in a few days and only a memory in a week or two so no harm done .School goes on and so does life .Last Christmas (07) My BIL & his wife got us a game for Christmas it is a DVD game of Planet Earth that goes along with the BBC production of the Nature show of the same title

Planet Earth. If you have not seen It I highly suggest it we borrowed it from our local library earlier this year. We borrowed the original BBC production with David Attenborough as the Narrator there is an "Americanized" version with Sigourney Weaver as the Narrator  but I just couldn't justify her with a BBC production so when we purchased it this weekend on Blue ray I made sure it was the original  It lists New for 99.00 (Blue ray ) and 79.00 new for just standard  DVD If you have the blue ray player spend the extra it is worth it .I however found it on sale and after discounts and gift cards ended up only paying 39.00 in "real" money . Now with all the lovely snow and ice outside I can sit in front of our large flat screen HD tv  and watch Warm Places and wild animals for a little while and feel as if I am truly there.

See you in a day or two .

As I sit here thinking of the future I am sad confused and a bit hopeful. Recently my DH has brought it to my attention that since our son is now enrolled in dual enrollment High school/college his last two years of HS will mostly be at the local Community college. While somewhere in the depths of my mind I had realized this I still had thoughts of teaching him 11&12 grade English, Civics, a few extra classes you know electives. So with this new realization dawning more and more in my brain I sit and wonder what exactly I will do in 1 1/2 yrs when he starts full time at the college. I DON'T want to go back to work I have only just recently been set free from the confines of working outside the home. We don't have another human children (I say human as I have lots of small furry children) Adoption is always an option However I am not sure where we will get the funds for that (I know if it is meant to be GOD will provide it) sometimes I think God wouldn't it just be simpler to leave the baby in a basket on my front step it still hasn't happened so I guess he isn't too fond of that idea. I have knocked around the idea of writing curriculum you know lap books and unit studies like there aren't enough choices out there. I could do a book on field trips, and unit studies to go along with them. Hmm that is a thought. I’ll keep thinking and praying about it. In the mean time pray for me. Shoot me some suggestions. I truly don’t know what I want to be when I grow up I really don’t want to grow up because isn’t that when you get old?  And I don’t want to get old.

 I can hardly believe this month is already half over it is rolling by things are getting done bills are getting paid school is being taught and retained . It is a good Day . Today of course is when the new President is swarn in, so I visited currclick yesterday for my freebies on the president and even got a great copy work book on the presidents for .50  That’s all I have to say about today . Just wanna get it over with so the News will go back to the news and my regular programs will be back on.

see you tomorrow .....

 Okay so the games are over they get a two week break and the two teams I thought would win won ! Yeah  The Cardinals deserved to win they needed to break the 61 yr loosing tradition  first time ever to a super bowl  Way to go ,however I am afraid Pittsburg may cream them at the game . I TRUELY want Pittsburg to win however I think it would be a heck of an upset if Az won. I know what does this have to do with home school right? well there is math and science in football wind pressure /speed can change the progress of the ball if it is passed or kicked . Also there is the PE side of it (if you play of course) and then there is the History  such as the above stated Cardinals 61 yrs of Never having made it to a super bowl  plus you can learn Geography  not every state has a team  some have 2-3  (why is that?)  I must admit I have not ALWAYS liked football I have for the most part  grumbled when my hubby wanted to watch it after he PROMISED me when we first got married" Honey I don't watch football I'll Never make you sit through a game" Then we moved to Cleveland  well I don't know what you know about Cleveland but for the most part once it gets cool out  it gets COLD and there isn't much to do or that you want to do in the COLD  but watch football and dream of the Warm places they are playing a game . So necessity  want of being warm (snuggling up together) and Boredom  dove us to football. That gave me an appreciation for football and (heaven forbid she read this ) My sister came up to visit this summer and insisted we drive to Canton to the Football hall of fame .  yes it was interesting . Yes I did learn some things Please don't ever tell her I said that .  I will see if I can find some of the pictures from that trip and post them here. any way The Super bowl party is at our House this year  so Bring a 2 liter of pop and a snaky food and come-on by . Me I got to get back to school  See you tomorrow

these are the helmets over the years

Hall of fame

shoes over the years

This week has been something else . Duncan's first week of college classes , Steve's Birthday ,Temps below 0 ,Snow ,Artic winds , Two Flat tires same side of the car same day heck same time due to the snow below 0 weather and artic winds it has been fun . Next week I'll tell more . Today I am watching football with Steve making brownies doing dishes folding laundry and trying to relax some . Go Pittsburgh ! Go Cardinals ! BTW the Super bowl party is at my house this year  just bring snaky food and a 2 liter of pop and your welcome to join us . See you tomorrow .

Well it is here Duncan's first day of early enrollment in the Community College . I want to take pictures I want to walk him to class I don't want to embarrass him so no pictures no walking him to class I don't want to cry after all isn't this what I have been working for isn't this what the ultimate goal is  to make sure my son has the BEST possible education he can have ? Then why am I ready to burst into tears ? He is my BABY that’s why my one and only baby and he is growing up and it is tearing me to shreds I know he is only 15 (soon enough to call him15 ) but as he gets older he gets closer to his father which is great but MOMMY is getting left in the dust kicked to the curb  old news . We have not had a Mommy Duncan day in months not that I can think of anything he'd like to do with mom because apparently it is uncool to be seen with your Mother (since when) yes he will make a wonderful Artist  he is dark and brooding like all "famous artists" are described. I will be the proud Mama no matter what he does in life (unless he turns out like Mansion I'd have to disown him if he turned out like Mansion ) I Love him and want the best for him . Good Luck today Duncan I know you will do great . Mommy Loves you and will be right here if you need her.