Dec. 6, 2009 - My birthday

The Colts won, so I guess you could say that I had a nice birthday!  And when you add that New England and the Steelers both got beat, it makes it an even nicer birthday! 

Dh went to Sunday school w/dd and me.  We came home to lunch being all ready since I used the crock pot.  Dh cleaned up all the dirty dishes for me.

I washed two loads of laundry and took a nap during the second half of the Colts game.  I've not been feeling too well today.  I've been nauseated all day long.  (No, there isn't a chance that I'm pregnant).  I'm trying not to be fearful of what could be up with my symptoms.  Please pray that it's nothing serious (or expensive), since we have no insurance.

I just went in and made my own birthday cake.  Now, before any of you wonder why dh didn't buy/make me a cake, I specifically told him not to do that since I am allergic to milk and eggs.  However, I found a substitute for using eggs in recipes, so I decided now was the perfect time to try it!  LOL!  I'll post the substitution for the eggs in an upcoming Tightwad Tuesday. 

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Saturday, December 5, 2009 - Webcam Willies

Do you know what this is?  It belongs to my daughter.  It is your window into my world.  My un-styled hair, my un-made-up face, the piles on my desk, the mess in my family room, the squabble between sisters in the room beyond.  It is the reason why we are now moving the furniture. 

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Dec. 5, 2009 - Potatoes Deluxe

Potatoes Deluxe

• 2 lbs. frozen hash browns, drained
• 1 c. diced onion
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 16 oz. sour cream
• 1 stick margarine
• 8 oz. sharp, grated cheddar cheese
• crushed potato chips (for top)

1. Mix all ingredients except for the potato chips.  Add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Put in a greased 9x13 pan.
3. Sprinkle 1 c. crushed potato chips over the top.
4. Bake for 1 hour at 375 degrees.

You can easily divide this recipe in 1/2 and freeze.

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Dec. 4, 2009 - Weekly Wrap Up

Visit www.homeschoolblogger.com/threelittleladies for more wrap ups. 

 From the Heart:

I'm looking forward to having the weekend off since my  is Sunday.  We don't have anything super special planned, but it will be nice to be able to attend Sunday school again.  I absolutely love that class!  (And so does dd.) 

On the Homefront:

I didn't accomplish a whole lot this week because I stayed home from work two days due to illness.  Thankfully, it wasn't anything terribly bad.  The first day I dealt with nausea, dry heaves, and a head-banging headache.  The second day, I mainly rested to recuperate my strength because every time I would get up, I would get really and break out in a sweat.  Now I mainly have a nasty head cold. 

I will try to stay up to watch the season finale of White Collar.  That is the only other show I like to watch besides Monk.  It will be hard to stay up until 11:00 since I'm usually in bed by 7:30 or 8:00.  I can't record it because the new DVD/VCR that we got will not record from the TV unless we have a cable box (which we don't).    Needless to say, we took it back because it isn't worth spending $70+ on something that we can only use to watch a few VHS tapes that we have here.

 

I took some time last night to write in the journal I started for dd.  You can read about it here: http://babyloveletters.typepad.com/baby_love_letters/.

 

 In the School Room:

Dd took the day off for a field trip to a local mansion that was decorated for Christmas.

 

While I was home sick, she needed me to help her with vocabulary.  She was doing the section on analogies.    I hated doing those when I was in high school, and I still hate doing them.  Nevertheless, I helped her with it, but by the time she was done, I was  and needing another .  And that was after having just been asleep for four hours! 

 

 On the work front:

Thankfully, since I have some time built up at work, I will be able to use PTO for the time I was off for being sick.  It's nice to know my paycheck won't be short for the days I missed. 

 

In the Kitchen:

Since getting off work at 3:00 today, I have:

• gotten groceries
• made supper
• made laundry soap
• made cornbread mix
• made a base-mix for snack cakes
• washed all the silverware
• washed out the plastic silverware holder
• washed blankets
• figured out a gift to use in a white elephant gift exchange for next week
• gotten this blog entry typed and posted
• planned what I still need to accomplish tomorrow

To do:

• make bbq sauce
• cook Italian sausage to get ready for the crock pot for Saturday evening
• make molasses muffins (decided against this one since there isn't enough room in the freezer to store them)
• type a couple of recipes on my menu blog
• take a few things to the attic
• wrap a few gifts
• plan clothing for next week
• get church clothes ready

 To our health:

One thing I discovered this week:  If you feel like you are getting a sore throat, gargle with some apple cider vinegar and warm water.  When I came home Tuesday evening, I could see several white spots in my throat, and my throat really hurt.  After gargling with that mixture, my throat didn't hurt any longer. 

 

Another thing I figured out:  While I was sick, I didn't eat much.  And guess what???

I didn't need to use my inhalers as much either.  Which means that I likely have a lot more food allergies than I originally thought. 

 

I figured out this week that I am allergic to eggs.  No more  scrambled eggs for me.  (And that is just the beginning of things that I will miss out on.)  But at least I'm figuring out more triggers, and that is a good thing.    (This may be the first  where I actually lose weight since I'll have to be extremely careful about what I eat.)

  Refreshing my spirit:

I took my Phillips translation NT to work with me.  I enjoyed some time reading that.  I also read some Proverbs from the Amplified Bible while using the steam inhaler when I was home sick.  One thing that really stuck out to me was when it talked about walking in truth.  It expounds upon that word, adding that truth is not having any falsehood or hypocrisy in you.  It made me think of the many times we try to impress others when we are out in public, at church, in home school settings, etc.  Yet the Word tells us not to pretend to be something we are not because that is hypocrisy.  It definitely gave me some food for thought. 

 

 In the Literary Scene:

I finally finished reading Passionate Housewives Desperate for God.  I started reading a book by Stormie O'Martian that is about praying God's will for your life.

 

 for stopping by!  I hope you return soon.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you.

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Friday, December 4, 2009 - November in Review

You all know we live near Oatman, an old gold mining ghost town.  Oatman is right on Route 66, which has a cult following that I don't understand, and there are touristy-type businesses there -- leatherwear shops for motorcycle dudes (and dudesses), junk souvenir shops, old timey general store, etc.  Some you don't want your kids going into. Clark Gable and Carol Lombard spent their honeymoon in the local motel, which now boasts a "real" ghost.  Behind Oatman is a big quartz rock called the Elephant's Tooth, which was a sure sign to those old gold and silver miners that there was "gold in them thar hills". (And there was!  Lots of it!  There probably still is.)

Down the hill from Oatman is the home of some good homeschooling friends.  They have all sorts of knowledge about fossils, rocks, dinosaur bones, and other interesting inanimate objects, and we were invited to come out and explore the desert floor for quartz crystals (probably the babies of the Elephant's Tooth) and other treasures. Wish I'd taken some photos of the crystals.  The "keepers" are cool -- clear hexagonal finger-like things.  Word has it that there are also opals and other gemstones, but we only know what they look like in their polished forms.  Gemstone identification books aren't too helpful that way.

The girls watched some Moody science DVD's.  (Please Mom?  They're educational!)  We aren't big on movies, but we have a select few: Picture Proverbs, The  Lone Ranger, and just recently, Time Changer.  That's a good one!  A long while ago I ordered the VHS format Moody science series from LES, because they were so cheap -- $2 each! -- I could not pass them up.  Even though we don't have a TV or a video-tape player.  Was that a dumb impulse buy or what?  Could you pass them up for that price?  These DVD's were on loan from a generous friend.

We were invited to a Pampered Chef party.  I coveted, but I didn't buy anything.  I had to go for two reasons: one, because I love my friend who held the party.  And two, because Amy loves anything to do with cooking!  She got to try her hand at making baklava.  It turned out soooo good!   Thanks, Sarah!

We acquired some tennis racquets and hit some balls.  (Look at that.  Try using two "cqu" words in the same sentence!  Am I a homeschooler or what?)

Amy got up at dawn to photograph the sunrise, and settled for the moon-set instead.

We ate some really good food!

The girls made some beautiful music.  Alison practices, but the rest of them don't.  Amy plays, but she doesn't practice.  I would say she fiddles around, but that would be a better pun for a violin player, hee hee.  Just think what she could do if she would work at it!  Actually, these are Alie's hands.  I don't have any pics of her this month.  She must have been busy with NaNo.

I sewed a wild nightie for Amy.

We played in the park with some fun cousins.

We had a fun family Thanksgiving with more cousins, and pasta in the park.  (It's a lot easier to do than a turkey!)   We got home on Thursday, but my turkey was still frozen.  So we had our own immediate family celebration on Friday.  We keep a book of remembrance, in which we write each year the things we are thankful for during the previous year.  My devotional reading that day had to do with the nine lepers who didn't return to thank the Lord Jesus for healing them, and I realized I am like them! I  sure do enjoy the blessings of the Lord, as I am sure those lepers enjoyed their new cleanness.  I even remember to mention them in our book.  But did I actually thank the Lord for those blessings?  Ah, yet another revelation of my own shortcomings.  Thanking God (literally) for his longsuffering.

Monocogman climbed the mountain.  Here is a little piece of his artwork.

Kind of makes me think of this:

Kind of creepy, don't you think?  *shudders*

Otherwise this month it was school as usual... on the days we did school... why don't I just officially declare myself an unschooler and be done with the pressure?  lol!  PlainJane introduced us to Your Business Math Series, which has been a very nice break in the math routine for my two hands-on kids.  We have a book store and a pet store, both of which are making a nice profit for their student owners.  Also, finally admitting to myself that I am NOT organized enough at this time in my life to put together my own first grade curriculum for Emily, I ordered math, reading, social studies, and science Light Units from CLP.  MUCH better.  She also acquired a new tutor, her big sister, Alison.  Emily has decided school is fun after all.  Thank the Lord for sweet big sisters and for CLP!

I was asked to write a review for SpellQuizzer, which I am currently testing on Emily.  She loves it.  That review will be forthcoming.

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Dec. 3, 2009 - Pizza Potatoes

Pizza Potatoes

• 1/3 c. chopped onion
• 6 c. thinly sliced potatoes
• 3 T. margarine
• 3 T. flour
• 16 oz. can tomatoes
• 2-3 oz. sliced pepperoni (I use more)
• 1 c. Mozzerella cheese
• 1 t. salt
• 1/4 t. pepper
• 1/8 t. garlic powder
• 1 c. milk (I use soy milk due to milk allergies)
• 1/2 t. oregano
• 1/2 lb. Italian sausage  (I use 1# pork sausage)

1. Layer potatoes in greased 9x13 pan.
2. Melt margarine and saute onion.
3. Add flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
4. Stir to smooth paste.
5. Add milk.
6. Boil until it thickens.
7. Gradually add tomatoes and oregano. 
8. Continue cooking and stirring until hot.
9. Pour over potatoes.
10. Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes.
11. Place pepperoni and fried sausage over potatoes. 
12. Add cheese.
13. Continue to bake 10-15 minutes.

Serves 6-8.

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Monday, November 30, 2009 - Simple Pleasures

(Translate: cheap amusements)

Two kids, six feet of space, one broken window shade, a few blocks, and a few dozen marbles. One point for each marble you roll into your opponent's box.

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Monday, November 30, 2009 - The 12 Days of Christmas is coming!!!!

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... SHMILY STYLE! is coming SOON!

Now, for those of you who may be unfamiliar with this SHMILY Time tradition, The "Twelve Days of Christmas" isn't talkin' about "A Partridge in a Pear Tree.  It's a twist that I'm sure your husband will enjoy!

It all started because my husband and I would wind up arguing during the holidays EVERY YEAR because it was so stressful.  Spending time and money on friends and family seemed to get out of control no matter how much we tried to "get better" each year and would result in some sort of argument, so A few years ago, I decided I would something different... Twelve days before Christmas just happens to be my husband's birthday, so I surprised him each day, and got us all the way to Christmas day without an argument!   I found it really hard to get angry with someone that I was so focused on loving and praying for!

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... SHMILY STYLE revolves around the act of love and anything leading up to it.  Now, I know this "strikes a chord" with some of you and  I know that sex is not the only thing that makes a marriage good...  so please don't send me emails or leave comments telling me this.  (In fact, if sex is the only thing good in a marriage that's not healthy either.)  What I've found to be true however, is how "taboo" sex is, especially in Christian marriages.  We don't talk about it or even acknowledge it's importance in our marriages, when the fact is... God created it... and it was His intention that it is good.  I understand that we, as a society have ruined that in so many ways, on so many levels... but THAT is not God's fault, nor does it change what He intended for beautiful and fulfilling and to make a husband and wife as one.  Because of what sex has become because of premarital sex, pornography, adultry and the like, we have somehow become "scared" to talk about sex in a Christian marriage as if it's "dirty".

Unfortunately, sex is also one of the first things we "take away" or avoid when things get rough in our marriage as well.  Let's face it, when you're arguing with your spouse, do you feel like making love?... probably not... and when that happens, the enemy begins his work at destroying our marriage...  Think back to when you were falling in love with your spouse... at some point in time, there was a physical attraction... and chances are good it was pretty "intense".  Just because you may have been married for awhile, that does not mean that your love making should get boring, or non-existent.  It doesn't matter what stage (or state) your marriage is in right now bring the spark back to your marriage, and start with THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!

Note:  If you are in a process of healing in your marriage, or there is a hurt that hasn't been dealth with or forgiven, then please take a moment to pray the SHMILY PRAYER.  I realize that some hurts and problems need more time to heal, and so this year may not be the time for THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... instead, you may want to tuck this idea away and continue to pray for God to restore your marriage, including the act of love making.  (The Power of a Praying Wife is also an excellent book to begin praying every day for your husband.)

With ALL that being said, THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS involves some planning, so take some time to be thinking about what you can do to begin a year that will hopefully start a life long tradition! 

• It begins on December 14th (12 days before Christmas)... and is for 12 DAYS... 12 consecutive days (or nights)! This is especially fun because most people's traveling and visiting relatives is during these days (keeping in mind that this would be especially fun while visiting relatives  because only you and husband will know what's going on...) 
  

• This involves an investment in your "drawer of many blessings" drawer as well... and yes, you SHOULD have one of these drawers, so make room (throw out some clothes if you have to... your hubby would rather see you in these anyway!)  Start saving money and get your drawer stocked up!  You'll be able to "recycle" here so the money you spend here is worth it in the end.  You're investing in your marriage and that is never money wasted.  (Your size is NOT an excuse either!   Please read, "He loves you... quit hiding!" if you're  struggling with your outer appearance.   Have all your "little blessings" bought by 14th and plan for each day's surprise, along with any evening you might be able to get a sitter and go out (with your "little blessing" on to tell him about over dinner), or a friend to watch the kids so you can stay in (and put your "gift" to use)! 

• Make or get a card to give to your husband on the 13th.  An idea would be:
  

  • "To celebrate the next twelve days of Christmas I have planned a special "gift" for you each day with only you in mind!  Anticipate what each will bring as we celebrate the next twelve days of Christmas... twelve you're sure not to forget!" (Don't forget to sign it, SHMILY!)

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Dec. 4, 2009 - Liberals and Conservatives

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Nov. 28, 2009 - Activities For December ~ Ongoing

Here's one for December 1st ~ Rosa Parks Day

Rosa Parks was a pioneer for Civil rights in America

Read more at this informative website!

http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/par0bio-1

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