Real Napkins... Green??!

I guess this is green!?! Green has been my daughters favorite color for years but is being replaced by pink, I think!! I do not aim to be green and I'm not opposed to green. I've even been known to hate green as a child. I cannot even wear green without that jaundice look. Yet, when it fits... great... when not... no biggie...

Paper napkins are a privilege. They are not required. They are not green. Weeks ago we actually ran out of paper napkins. Ack! We used paper towels for a space, but I really did not want to use them all. So real napkins?!?

I knew where the real napkins are... they are in a drawer with dish towels. I've owned them with no intent to use them. Now, I appreciate them. We are using real napkins for every meal. The girls set the table beautifully. Each of us has one cloth napkin assigned to our place. After a meal we fold them neatly for the next occasion. Soon with a spill all goes in the washer for another round!!

Now this more of a stewardship decision!! and btw it is definitely green!!!

Grace! ss

How much does the Flu cost??

So what does it cost to be sick with the flu??? This is our total for our family of 4.

Tamiflu $40 @4 = $160
Ear Dropx Rx $5
Amoxicillin $5
Cough med $5
Other Rx $4

Rx Total $179

3 Dr Appts! We'll find the cost of these after the insurance shake out... We'll probably have full cost since we've not met deductibles... I wish we had a copay... I'll guess $100 each...

3 Drs @ 100 = $300

Over the counter meds... some of these we had onhand...

ClaritinD
Mucinex $18
Kids Mucinex $7 @2 = $14
Tylonol
Reg Tylonol for the girls... $9
Delsymn $8

Over the counter Meds Total $49

Out of Pocket:

• Rx $179
• Drs $300
• Meds $49
• Flu Total $528

Hubbie lost 3 days of work... Monday to Wednesday... He was burdened by the projects that needed him. He even tried to work a bit from here. I think he was glad to get back at work. There I think many avoided him like the plague!!

The girls missed 2 full days of school and 1/2 day on Wednesday because mama's voice gave out. I'm thankful yet again we homeschool because we can take the time to recover!!

We were prepared with meals in the freeze thanks to my cooking a few weeks ago. We've kept hydrated with cranberry water.

We're on day 5 and Lovebug does not yet feel good. She yet coughs and sniffles. Even so we are mending!!! The rain today makes a good day to snuggle on the couch with our schooling!!

All in all we've gotten off well. This did not run the long 10 days and we've barely hit 5 days. We've heard a friends son at 17 had a temp of 106°. That's scary!! I'm thankful to our Great Physician Jesus!!

Grace! ss

The Flu... What's my temp?

Oh! We've been checking temps for days now... it is officially day 4... I'm glad to be on the other side. We have all had the flu. This is past tense!! The official test was Type A but that's aka swine flu.

Our symptoms included fevers, occasionally up to 100°, body aches, hot/cold flashes, and normal cold runny noses, and a but of running off... tmi!!! We ran fevers Sunday, Monday & Tuesday... and not much more...

Once hubbie was diagnosed w/ tried to all get on Tamiflu. We've taken ClaritinD days, Mucinex nights, tylonol. Girls have also taken tylonol & kids mucinex, along with Rxs.

The flu is know for complications... and we had ours... With tears and writhing, Lovebug had an ear infection.... oh, her pain made us all hurt. We expected to be up all that night in excruciating pain. Oh, praise!! The night nurse called in the beloved Rx of ear drops and sleep was precious. We think she ended up with a double ear infection!! She's on Amoxcillin capsules!! She can swallow the pills now!! Upgrade! She also has a mean cough and got a Rx syrup.

At this point I think I've avoided a sinus infection!! This is HUGE!! I'm eating much different and maybe that's helping!! But that's another post.

We've taking our temps hundreds of times... What do bigger families use???
Here's the 4 methods we've used to take our temps...

First and foremost is my "13 Butterfly" fast digital thermometer. This makes all others slow as Christmas!! We've used covers for it but with taking temps over and over our 2 boxes of covers ran low.

Secondly, we have a temporal scanner. We had little faith in the accuracy of this digital device. We pulled it from the archives and acquired it when the girls were tiny. We did find the Dr. office used this same thing!! It did give a clue of temps...

Thirdly and recommended, we used this new niffty Fever Reader. It is a temperature strip you just hold to the forehead. Cool!! This is my favorite. It is quick easy and everybody can use it. I may have to carry it with me!!! It gives and indicator of fevers...


Finally, we broke out the "Planet Mercury" thermometer according to Ladybug. The traditional mercury in the bulb very slow and very accurate temp taker. The girls thought it was cool. They were even patient waiting on it... you can tell they were better by this time!!

Today I think we are all past fevers. Hubbie is back at work. I pray he does not labor too hard! The girls and I are back at school and thinking of Saturday school to stay on track. Lovebug voted more for night school. We'll keep it low key till coughs are waning. I think we'll easily be out this weekend.

The best upside is no Flu Shot!!! We'll not need it now!!! We did hear that many who had the shot are yet coming down with the flu. We hope you don't!! We can say we've not exposed you!!!

A HUGE thanks to friends for help this week!! Kathy for eggs & cod live oil (how do you handle that stuff??). Carol & Ben for the soup & pear crisp, yum!! Diane for the Little House series which we are soooo enjoying and only on show #3. Jolene for the movies, Ladybug is smitten by cars. Molly thanks for chasing the cows for us!! Cheryl big thanks for bring our milk this way. Aimee for more eggs!! We are blessed with a great cloud of friends and offers for help!!! Thank You!!!!

Grace! ss

btw The tent is yet in the garage. I think it is now dry.

From my hammock.. our poor tent...

I'm in my hammock Looking out on a sparkling Lake O'the Pines. This weekend is the pefect for camping. We r camping on the spur of a beautiful morn.
There r only a handful of Tenters with us and no one in our circle. We've biked the park without traffic. Fun.

We prepared in merely 2.5 hrs. We arrived n the dark even so set up n dinner over the fire went very well.

Last night a first.... The girls turned to each other "are you ready for bed yet?" soon they agreed and off they went. They even shared an air mattress. Amazing. I guess they we tired. It was 11:55!

We've listened to & watched a blue heron.

Maple stole bread and later meat n cheese to complete her lunch. Lovebug was not laughing with us after being told she was too close to Maple.

Sent from my wandering iTouch

Alas, from that point on we've gleaned camping lessons...

• Don't forget Dramamine needed from watching the waves
• Remember a book & knitting & cards for games

Lovebug and I headed home on the first sprinkles after a few chapters of Little House on the Prairie.

Where did this rain come from??? And when will it stop.

Hubbie and the little one bedded down... to awaken near midnight with water collecting on the tent.

Evacuated. We've left the tent in the rain... and hubbie & Ladybug got home about 1:30.

Today we must got get our poor wet tent. With what looked like 200# of water one of the poles has buckled... Oh, poor tent... now we're challenged to get it ready to camp again this month.

How do you dry a tent??!?? Oh, where's the lovely sunshine??

Grace! ss

Just a Battery, Thankful

I'm thankful.

I'm thankful I was at Hometown Hardware when my car died today. The guys there are heroes... and assisted me by cleaning the battery terminals... and persisting until my car started... in the heat of the evening sun...

I'm thankful I was not.. in Shreveport... taking care of my auto registration... or at the library... or at the car wash... all of the places I've been today....

God put me just where a couple gents could help. God is good.

I feel weak and weary. I'm frustrated and aggravated. I'm tired.
Yet, I want to choose to be thankful! I am thankful!!!

Thankful Thankful Thankful.
Home by God's Grace! ss

Too Early

I must say 4 a.m. is a good time to see stars!! We saw Orion's belt!! But it is definitely a zap to the day!!

We headed toward the sunrise and even had to wait for Cracker Barrel to open!!! I've never done that before!!

All are tired! Lovebug & I rested arriving home at 8:30!! Ladybug has been holding out... she may yet fall out this afternoon!!

We've schooled in the midst. Yet somehow it is very difficult to learn to read on days like these!! Studying animals and reading Robinson Crusoe have been much more enjoyed!!

Grace! ss

4Some Done & Freezer Full 1

We had a good cook!!


We bought chicken by the case from Sams!! 4 cases at 1.79#... That's like 300 chicken breasts!! Wow!!


Two newbies joined us this round. It's been months since we cooked last... January. Kim & Kara did great! They were fast & completed their meals keeping up with Angela & I!


Here's a run down of our cook!! Our goal is to prepare and bag the meals... to be thawed and cooked!!

Maw-Maw’s Chicken Pie – bag 5x FBC
Monterrey Chicken - Bag
Sunshine Chicken - Bag
Onion Burgers - Bag
Beef Pot Roast au Jus (crock) for Sandwiches – Bag
Cajun Chops -Bag

Maw-Maw’s Chicken Pie - bag

3 c Chicken **chopped cooked
1 c mixed frozen veg
1 soup cream chicken
1.5 c Chicken Broth
2T Cornstarch
1.5 c self-rising flour
1 c buttermilk
.5 c butter melted

Mix chicken, broth, soup, cornstarch
Whisk flour, buttermilk, melted butter & spoon evenly over chicken mixture.
Bake 400° for 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Monterrey Chicken

8 Chicken Breast
2 can green chillies
8 oz Monterrey cheese slices
Fajita seasonings

Arrange chicken in baking dish & cover with chillies & Bake 30 minutes at 350°. Then add cheese & bake til bubbly

Sunshine Chicken

8 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
.5c Mustard
.5 c Pineapple Juice
2 T Brown Sugar

Grill 10-20 minutes turning frequently & basting with sauce

Onion Burgers

2# Ground Beef
1 Onion Soup Mix
½ c Water
Wax paper or Foil

Grill & Add Hamburger buns, lettuce, tomato, cheese! Grill veggies too!!



Beef Pot Roast au Jus crock for Sandwiches1 to 1½ cups beef broth¼ cup red wine 1/8 tsp salt ½ tsp ground black pepper ½ tsp dried oregano ½ tsp dried basil ½ tsp dried parsley ½ tsp garlic powder 1 bay leaf 1 onion, sliced1 clove garlic, chopped1 (7 oz) pkg dry Italian-style salad dressing mix 2 lbs rump roast
Place roast in slow cooker. Cover, and cook on Low for 10 to 12 hours, or on High for 4 to 5 hours. When done, remove bay leaf, and shred meat with a fork or cut into thin slices. Return shredded/sliced meat to the sauce and simmer for 1 hour.Serve over mashed potatoes or on toasted crusty rolls, topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions, provolone or mozzarella cheese, roasted sweet peppers or hot peppers.

Cajun Chops

2 T paprika
2t season salt
2t rubbed sage
1t cayenne pepper
1t black pepper
1t garlic powder
8 (1/2” thick) boneless pork chops
4T butter

Combine seasonings & cover chops.
Heat butter just until starts to brown
Reduce heat to med & fry both sides til dark, 8-10 min
Cook to 160 degree

Count to 72

That's 72 Carbs?! What is a carb anyway?

We've eliminated Sonic and happy hour is no longer an option.

We're determined to change the way we eat. Our plan is to loose some weight and make some new habits.

We count all carbs... bread n sweetness.... we even watch or avoid the corn n potatoes....

Grace! ss

1.25.10 Along the way I think I'm allergic to wheat... at least is messes with my sinus. I've lost a bit of weight and at the dr this week I'm under the pre Christmas weight... so I know we've made some progress....

4th Grade n 2nd

Let's start school!!!


The girls pushed us to starting a week early!!! Now we are 3 weeks into the school year and over due on a post.


4th Grade!

This year is a jump! We are into real plays with Shakespeare. Plutarch lives will be part of our world. Latin and Spanish both have a part to play.


Shakespeare! 12 weeks in the term to study a single play. I've already blogged that plan!! A04 Shakespeare


Plutarch was a Greek historian writing in the 1st century... We have some great study guides in AO!!!


Spelling! We are into the Phonetic Zoo with IEW. The independence with this program is amazing. Lovebug studies the words and learns the associated rule. The program is all audio. She listens and has a spelling test. The in audio as well they give correct spelling so that she can self check. Wow!!! We are on week 2 the rule I before E except after C is her challenge point right now...

Late for a College Fund... Utah?!

Girs grow quick! Yikes 9 & 7!!!
Even so, we may have a late start but we'll at least make a start!!

College Funds!

Here's my rambling as we research and make a path... while I agree it builds character for the child to save on their own... I do want a strong encouragement to head to college... and a fund in place may hold sway...

ESA or a 529?
An ESA is owned by the child. A 529 is owned by the adult and designated to the child... Dave Ramsey recommends the ESA... while the ELP has said go w/ a 529.

Which 529? There is a plethora of options... too many to even count... in state, out of state, that has left me spinning without clear direction.

I've finally found heads up and determined our look into this arena.

My first resource is the College info Sound Mind Investing... they have been a great resource in the financial waters... I've a membership with 'em and think this is in their public pages!!! (As a member if you join them reference me!!)

Next I looked over Morningstar.com The Best and Worst 529 College Savings Plans
I thought this was a good analysis between 529 plans. I made notes of the best and worst plans.

I compared that list on the ratings at SavingforCollege.com Here's there Top 10 Performing Plans 10.

Finally, that takes us to Utah. Their plan is in the top on both the Morningstar and #3 in the 5 year outlook with SavingforCollege. So I'm confident in our direction. Since Texas has no state income tax the instate appeal is lacking.

Here's the Utah Educational Savings Plan.

All in all I'm hearing a consistent perspective on education that has bent my scope. The specific college does not hold sway... the education is what matters.. not where is takes place... and the higher the cost does not increase the value of the education...

I pray God to lead and guide my girls... and pray we are wise stewards encouraging their future education!! All the while I'm covered up in their current education!! Grace! ss

Memom's Dijon Dressing

Tonight we ate all our salad!! That is highly unusual!!!
I have a new salad dressing... Thanks to mom!!

Memom's Dijon Dressing

1/2 c Olive Oil
1/8 c Red Wine Vinegar
1/4 t Oregano
Salt & Pepper
Garlic
1 t Dijon Mustard

Blend & the Dijon really combines the dressing!! Dress the salad & serve!! I've made it just as I've made the salad. I've also used other vinegars for fun...

I'm yet in the organic coop! Only now I've going for 1/2 price... and splitting the goods!

Enjoy!!! Grace! ss

Wow... Shazam... Only 3 more months and 21 days til Christmas

This past month cruised by... did I tell you it cruised by?

I got home from a business trip late Wednesday and I realized that I have missed the 4 month countdown dooflachee that I typically send out to all those who I like to keep up dated.

Last night one of my daughters came in and looked at me and said "Dad, you are getting a lot of grey hairs!" I told her that is what happens when you get older. She said she does not want me to get older. I told her I did not think I could stop it without other undesireable results. All that said... Shazam... this month disappeared FAST and I am getting older much quicker than I used to! Some of you on here probably have no clue where "Shazam" came from so you will have to look it up.

I have spent a lot of time on the road this month traveling over to one of our power plants near Waco doing training and start-up testing so not being home has been tough. On this last trip my company rented me a full size F150 truck (2009) and it has been great. Last Friday night I got back about 6:30pm and when we were done eating I told Stephanie to load up the girls we were heading up to Lake Bob Sandlin and we were going to lay in the back of the truck and watch the stars until we fell asleep.
We loaded up blankets, a great big rug to lay on, pillows, water, fresh baked cookies, popsicles, and headed out. We got to Lake Bob Sandlin around 9:00pm and we all hopped in the back of the truck and watched the stars. It just happend to be a new moon so there was no moon, the sky was clear as the ocean in the Bahamas and we could see Jazillions of stars, including the milky way. We lay there for two hours and we saw multiple shooting stars each and they had super duper long tails... it was COOL! We didn't fall asleep there but we got back home around 12:30am and had a bunch of fun.

Don't forget that Jesus made all those stars and his birthday is like almost here.

Save me some red M&M's.

TTFN,
KjS

A New Co-op... Fruits & Veggies

OOOoooooo I'm in another Co-op!! This is our all new area Organic Fruits & Veggies Co-op. They company is out of Dallas... Your Health Source...

Here's the list: 2 romaine lettuce, 4 corn on cob, potatoes, 3 onions, 3 peaches, 3 nectarines, 4 plums, 2 mango, 6 zucchini, 7 yellow squash, 2 garlic, 3 cucumbers, and a bag of green beans!!!

I'm thrilled with the variety. I better use it all! I'm not sure it is a fit since it has blown our budget!! Yikes!! The box ran $50!! The co-op runs every other week!! And I've signed up for next week and we'll see how well this goes...

I'm still in the fresh milk coop and every week I'm making yogurt!!

Does it sound too expensive to you??? hmmm... pondering & calculating...

Grace!! ss

5 more months...

Ok here is the monthly reminder that time is growing short. No I did not forget on Saturday that I needed to send this out... I just decided it would need to be after the weekend since things were running crazy.

This month has been a great month... it all started with L's birthday on the 3rd, then the 4th of July and off to the beach for a week's vacation. I am not going to make this one long to make up for the extra minutes that you burned last month reading my novel.

For the 3rd we went to see the grandparents in Beaumont for L's birthday (see attached photo).

Then we went to the beach for a week you can see our beach "cabin" (attached) and threw in a day at the Schliterbaun for good measure. The day at the Schliterbaun was the most eventful as L and I got separated and that was not a pretty scene. Then that night we went to the beach area in Galveston and ate at Fishtales (where we normally eat). L told me that she was not paying attention when she stepped off the top flight of stairs and tumbled head over heels down one flight of stairs. We ended up in the ER in Galveston, it is still tore up from the hurricane but it is still pretty top rated. She was complaining that her back hurt and she was not walking very well. When we got to the ER she needed a bathroom and since I could not go in there she walked in without too much trouble so we left without seeing anyone... she was fine by the time we got to the ferry.

My brother-in-law and I went fishing the next evening and night. You can see his catch, (Eric by himself), and my catch, (both of us attached too). We caught lots of crabs too. We caught them right where everyone was swimming, nice huh?

Here's to hoping for a nice time tomorrow at Six Flags over Texas...

I have taken a bunch of time off this month and it has been great.

Don't forget that Jesus said we are to be fishers of men... and His birthday is coming up!

TTFN,
KjS

AO4 Shakespeare

School is officially out for the summer!!! I have immediately delved into the coming year with schedules and plans for the fall.

Today Ladybug declared to Daddy "I want to school but Mama doesn't let me!" WHAT?!!! This is the girls who merely days ago finished 1st grade!!! I love it!

Today I am trying to chart our Shakespeare study. Now we've studied Shakespeare for years now, yet this is the first time we will be studying the real in all the old English plays in AO4. How do you study such a creature!?

Generally you read first and watch a movie after. This has been a hard fast rule. Shakespeare is the exception. Now we are looking for approved movies to watch before we head into the plays!! The AO site links a list of movies...

Second we will read Lamb's...Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare is a book Lovebug has read before as we studied plays. Now it will be her into to the real thing.

Extra we will look at a fun book... (at this very moment my girls have swiped my book!!! I'm glad they are eager!!! Yet these books are off limits for now!!!) Williams' Tales from Shakespeare is a cartoon cartoon version of six plays. (She was reading Hamlet!) Another option is the illustrated plays by Bruce Coville.

Third, finally we'll hit the true plays. Right now I'm looking for audio unedited versions of the plays. I've started with Librivox. They have our term 1 play, A Midsummer Night's Dream and I've downloaded it. The other plays for the year are in their work in process. Maybe they will finish before we jump into the real plays.

Forth I understand it is helpful to act out the play!! Where are my other AOers?? We are going to need our own Shakespeare troupe!!! Any takers??? Even if you are not an AOer... want to work on a play??

That sounds to be a far stretch. Time will tell an we'll see how Shakespeare goes. This is my first punt at the playing field. We'll yet see if it is caught!!

Grace!
ss

btw blogging just has not happened!! Birthdays Beach, Anniversary, Plays have yet to hit the blog! Hummmm life goes on!! To catch up... or just get back in stride?? Alas, I know not!

A Lovely Birthday

Yesterday was wonderful!! The best birthday!!!

I shared the best breakfast with Hubbie. We then packed a lunch and headed with the girls to Daingerfield State Park to hit their bike trails.

What a ride!!! We hit the easy loop to start! We lerned to avoid the sand bogs. Then we hit the A Trail.

We started down hill... that was fun and fast. As we had to head back up Ladybug was ready to tun back. She was done!

With a big rest off the path, we started again with a big dose of encouragement. "You can do it." "Walk if you need too." "I can do all things thru Him who gives me strength." "To go back the way we've come is all up hill." "You're doing good." "We're almost to the top of the hill." It was hard!

You can see Ladybugs face all flushed. We were all hot and downing the water.

We completed the trail and we were glad to get in the car for the A/C!!! We drove around the park and headed home. We'd thought to stay the day but the heat drove us home.

I'm so ready to go back!! My bike's tires are slashed from the rocks on the path and it has flats too. That's a bit of recover but I hope to go back soon!!! Maybe the girls will swim.

Once home we cleaned up to get out for dinner. We enjoyed Texas Roadhouse!! A treat for sure!!!

It was a best birthday ever!!! Filled with family and fun!!! The Facebook notes were great too!!!

Thank you Husband for a wonderful birthday!!!

ss

Phone Squelch

Yesterday I bought 2 of the LG600 Tracfone. Today I returned them both. After they said NO to the return... they did take them back! Thankfully!

After calling to cancel Sprint, we've worked out a psudo plan. Alas, my phone & Hubbies have been totally squelched. All we can do now is call... and text. I'd wanted and iPhone! Ha! "I'm cutting bills!!!"

I cannot count the times I've tried to use the phone to catch up on email... or read the news. Now with a blocker on the phone there's no service... and no extra charges. "I'm cutting bills!"

So, bottom line I've cut my Sprint bill from $110 to something like $30.
We have 350 minutes... no roam... Sprint calls free, and any 5 #s free... and 100 text. That may be a test... without the accessories I'm finding using the texting more... "Yet cutting bills!"

As long as my phone works... today I'm with Sprint. I'll not commit to any years so there's no breaks in phone prices. In the store they actually told me to hit ebay!!! Hummm.... Anybody have an good used phone???

Cutting bills!!!
Grace! ss

Blueberry Festival Countdown

This is the weekend!!! It IS Blueberry Festival time!!

In 2007, I think, we actually camped at Palistine's Railraod Park to catch the blueberries. We all enjoyed the pancakes!! Yumm....

Here's the official site for the Texas Blueberry Festival!!!
Here's a news blast on it...

Oh!! The Great Texas Balloon Race is just around the corner!!!

Grace! ss

A new kid...

We have a new kid on the block...

She and Maple are not getting along well... Maple want to herd her and runs endless circles around the kid.

The girls are thrilled! Hubbies made a table for the kid to climb on! They were all eager to have her here. Hope the neighbors feel the same!!

We are borrowing the goat for a month... if we can keep her contained that long. For now she's in a harness and tethered. That required a new tether to keep Maple from herding.

We have bleating at night and she woke the fam this morning before 7a. She quiets when the girls are out to play.

She's a sweet blue eyed kid... baaaabaaaa...

Grace! ss

Daddy

What are Daddy's made of?
Snakes & Nails & Alligator Tails!!

Love you Hubbie!! Grace! 123