Daybook August 25, 2008 - Maui Edition

FOR TODAY... August 25, 2008

• Outside My Window... a beautiful screen patio that is calling me to sit outside.

• I am thinking... I should wake up Surferman from his nap and that we should go do something.

• I am thankful for... my parents who are camping with Grom while I am blessed to be on (or is it in, or...) Maui with Surferman.

• From the kitchen... last night we grilled corn and salmon and had green salad. Tonight we are going out.

• I am wearing... my new bathing suit and hawaiian cover up (I refuse to say I'm wearing a mumu). No shoes. I left them at the front door - Hawaiian style. Wish I could make that fly at home.
  

• I am creating... sweet memories.

• I am going... to Haleakala State Park (the high spot of Maui) to watch the sunrise tomorrow. We have to leave at 3 am. yikes!

• I am reading... Hudson Taylor, Fool's Puzzle by Earlene Fowler (a mystery with quilts) and my pile of neglected magazines.

• I am hoping... that this week goes reeeeaaaallllllly sloooooooow.

• I am hearing...the gentle hum of an air conditioner and the even breaths of Surferman.

• Around the house... ask Jason the housesitter.

• One of my favorite things... The Maui Guest House

• A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... dinner at The Melting Pot (mmm... fondue), Attacking the Road to Hana, some snorkeling, a swap meet, a goat dairy and cheese factory, lots of laying on beaches, some swimming, church at Hope Chapel, lots of good things to eat.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Me and Surferman under the Banyan Tree in Lahaina.

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

Biopsy Results

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Mohs Micrographic Surgery

September 25, 2008

"Five-year cure rates exceed 99 percent for new cancers"

I am done with Google.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 26:3 KJV

Please pass the SPF.

Way Back Photo #7

I saved the best for last.



This is my favorite picture of Beth and me. It was taken in San Franciso in front of a flower stand. Whenever we would go to the City we would (and still do - if she's with us) buy her a gardenia corsage.

I love the colorful flowers and the smirk on Beth's face.

I hope you've enjoyed my photo jaunt down memory lane.

Way Back Photo #6

Camping.

My hair is still unruly.

Way Back Photo #5

Our mom made these dresses.

What's for Dinner - Week of August 18th

Tuesday
Shrimp and Cucumber Salad
didn't make this last week
Crackers

Wednesday
Crustless Zucchini Pie
didn't make last week either
Green Salad
Fruit

Thursday
Cheese Rosti
didn't make this last week either
I wonder what we did eat?
Green Salad

Friday
Tofurky and Veggie Sandos for the road
Fruit
Cheese Puffs

Saturday and beyond

Publish Post

Gone to Maui!

For more interesting menus from people who actually cook what they plan, head on over to Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday Extravaganza.

Daybook August 18, 2008

FOR TODAY August 18, 2008...

• Outside My Window... dark, dark, dark. I'm burning the candle at both ends again.

• I am thinking... about the things I need to do, want to do and should do before we leave for Maui!

• I am thankful for... Erika. I've had the opportunity to spend more time with her this summer and she is one awesome (I'm trying to think of the word that would be most flattering to her...) child of God (that's what I came up with - better than... gal, woman, chick.) She's creative, funny and tells it how God sees it (she knows her Word).
  

• From the kitchen... I made the yummiest green pasta sauce tonight with spinach and ricotta cheese. Even Grom liked it. He knew what was in it, and tried hard not to like it, but he couldn't resist it's deliciousness.

• I am wearing... the usual. Black capri, Black croc flip flops and a t-shirt (blue)

• I am creating... t-shirts. I'm trying to salvage a couple of t-shirts that I got bleach on while doing laundry. I cut stencils tonight and as soon as I can do the rest I'll post pictures.

• I am going... to MAUI in 3 days, 0 hours, 29 minutes and 10 seconds - give or take.

• I am reading... Hudson Taylor still. Hudson gets to go to Maui too. I'm looking for some other fun reads. Got any suggestions?

• I am hoping... to hear results of my biospsy soon.

• I am hearing... the tick tock of my clock.

• Around the house... the schoolroom is done. I'll post pictures later this week or soon.

• One of my favorite things... cheese. Cheese puffs, Mac and Cheese, Cheese pizza, Cheese you name it.

• A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: work, pack, sleep, play, drive, fly, relax

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Last Friday, Grom's buddy spent the day with us. They had smiley face breakfasts complete with tiny swords to stab the blueberries with. It was hit. Too many blueberries. I washed the left over blueberries and froze them. Grom later enjoyed them for a snack. Frugal or gross? Let me know.

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

Tales from the CSA box- August 18

photo by rjs1322 licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

Today I filled out the paperwork to continue receiving lovely organic vegetables until March 2009.

We have really enjoyed getting our goodie box every week. It has been a challenge and sometimes a project, but I believe we are eating more veggies and organic ones to boot. I have been able to keep our grocery budget the same. It has been a success.

I was going to post my last full set of photos tonight. The battery in my camera is dead. I tried to get some with my camera phone, but they were b.a.d. bad. In case your wondering, it was a typical box of variety. Lots of peppers this week and a handful of tomatoes. I have decided that they throw in one special treat every week. This week it's the cutest little nectarines you've ever seen.

I'll write about the oddities we receive each week. And maybe take a picture of a beautiful vegetable here and there.

Way Back Photo #4 - Caption Contest

Here is my sister and me in matching outfits. Matching outfits were very common. Beth and I are 18 1/2 months apart. Think about poor Beth and how long she got to wear that outfit. She got all my hand-me-downs.

I think this photo is worthy of a caption contest. Leave you best caption in the comments. I'll find a prize for the winner.

Way Back Photo #3

Introducing the Polyester Family.

We thought we were so cool with our platform sandals. And yes, that's my dad in a leisure suit.

In our defense, this was our Easter photo, so it's ok to look like eggs.

Way Back Photo #2

Here's me, my dad and my sister. It was taken in the front yard of our house on Haven Ave.

Isn't that a nice name for a street to grow up on?

Way Back Photo #1

I was going through photos tonight. I found this one to share of my mom, me and my sister. I'm in the middle.

Animals should definitely not wear clothing.

...because it might make life hard for a hen

This picture totally cracked me up. It was in a book I checked out of the libray for Grom. He doesn't find it amusing at all. He wants it returned to libary ASAP.

The book is "Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing" by Judy Barrett and illustrated by Ron Barrett.

I had to share.

Did you know that one of my dreams is to own chickens? And now I know that they won't need pants.

The Big Green Pocketbook

Grom and I had fun with our book this week.

We read some great books that somehow tied in.

• Next Stop by Sarah Ellis
• Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes (also book on tape)
• When Dinosaurs Came With Everything by Elise Broach
• My Backpack by Eve Bunting
• The Bag I'm Taking to Grandma's by Shirley Neitzel
• Bunny Money by Rosemary Wells

I bought the Fold And Learn from FIAR Digital and also used some materials from Homeschool Share for our project folder. I think this is like what people call a lapbook or a notebook. Doesn't matter what it's called, it was fun. Grom balked a bit at some of the coloring projects, but when I pulled out the colored glue paint markers he jumped right in. I'm going to have to remember that. I'm not sure I'd invest in the Fold and Learn again. I'm going to do our next book without buying the kit and see what I come up with.



We worked with money - counting, sorting, recognizing. It was a good start.

I wanted to take a bus trip and run some errands. It didn't happen this week, but that doesn't mean it won't... someday.

Farmer's Market

Most Thursday nights you can find us at Farmer's Market. We have a secret parking place. It's close to the market, free and there is always a spot. Don't ask, I won't tell you where it is.

Our first task is always food. Surferman loves ribs and has a connection (he used to work there) with a local restaurant. It's been at least 15 years since he worked there, but he's still remembered and still treated well. We never know what we're going to get no matter what we order. Always so much food. We try to figure out what to order so that we don't get too much food but it never works. It's less of a concern now with Grom being the rib lover that he is. He ate 2 whole beef ribs today.

After we eat, Grom gets some time in the bounce house. It's terribly boring for me. I itch to keep moving, but the joy on his face and his laughter slows me down.


Then we are off to get a cookie; a really BIG cookie. We eat the cookie as we browse the offerings of the local vendors and farmers. Sometimes we pick up some fruit, or some veggies and sometimes I score and get flowers. Tonight the tuberose were sweetly scenting the air.

We swing into Starbucks, get a cup of something and use the potty before the walk back to the car.

Edited to add:
I just found out that Kerry is hosting a Farmer's Market Report. I'm submitting this post, however in full disclosure I have to admit that no produce was purchased on this particular outing. Lot's of fun was had, but no produce.

To read reports of Farmer's Markets around the country, skip on over to Kerry's To Every Meal There is a Season.

My pursuit of... wordle

This is beautiful. It's what I blog about. It's my wordle.

It looks kinda like a fish.

Let me know if you make your own wordle.

Every last glob

Daybook August 11, 2008

FOR TODAY August 11, 2008...

• Outside My Window... it's dark. It has been a long and busy day. I still have a lot to do. It's time to prioritize and leave the rest for later.

• I am thinking... that I might stop doing The Simple Woman's Daybook and instead write my own weekly update questions. I started doing this so that I could look back and get a glimpse of my life. Sometimes the writing prompts provided with this Daybook are awkward for me. What questions do you think would be good prompts?
  

• I am thankful for... my parents who watched Grom tonight to give Surferman and me sometime alone - even if we used the time to go shopping.

• From the kitchen... lots of fruits and veggies.

• I am wearing... blue pants, orange t-shirt, black croc flip flops

• I am creating... my time is being spent organizing so that I can be creative.

• I am going... to finish organizing and decorating our school room and then I'll post some pictures.

• I am reading... Hudson Taylor still.
  

• I am hoping... I can figure out what is going on with my Delicious bookmarks when I try to post them to my blog feed. I'm getting bookmarks I didn't save. So far nothing bad / objectionable has come through, but I'm afraid it might. Ugh, technology...
  

• I am hearing... Men's Olympics on the TV.

• Around the house... lots of runny allergy noses.

• One of my favorite things... getting a good deal. I bought some frames at Michael's last week. This week they were on sale. I got +$16 back for speaking up.

• A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Grom has swimming lessons. 2 lunches to "cater" at church. I have Grom's buddy E all day on Friday. Grom is so excited. Worship Bonfire Friday night - what a way to start a weekend - Worshiping the Lord with friends, fellowship on the beach and SMORES!

• Here is picture thought I am sharing...Grom's ducks and frogs waiting for a swim in the hot tub.

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

Tales from the CSA box - August 11

Wheat Bread! We got a beautiful loaf of wheat bread in our box this week. Our CSA is offering a bread subscription in the fall. It's $5/week. I think I need to dig out our bread machine.

Here's our veggies for the week...


Have you seen cas' armenian cucumber?

What's for Dinner - Week of August 11th

I've decided to work on using up my stockpile of food. I'm trying to plan around what I already have and keep the grocery budget for Maui and Disneyland (in September!). So here's my menu...

Monday
Shopping Date Night
Panda Express (Coupon)

Tuesday
Shrimp & Cucumber Salad
from last week
Crackers
Fruit

Wednesday
Pasta with Greens (Kale) & Ricotta
Green Salad
Garlic Wheat Bread

Thursday
Crustless Zucchini Pie
Green Salad
Fruit

Friday
BONFIRE! Worship Night!
Egg Salad Sandwiches
Pirates Booty
Fruit
Take: ??? Cookies

Saturday
Cheese Rosti
Salad

Sunday
Family Dinner

Hope you have a yummy week! Check out more menus at Menu Plan Monday hosted by Organizing Junkie.

Rules are good.

This morning as Grom and I were getting read for church, he came in and told me about a new rule he was making.

"Don't bomp girls on the bottom unless you know their names"

So that you don't think he came up with this out of no where...

Last week, Grom excitedly bomped (kinda a loving push) one of our high school girls at church. She was great about telling him that it wasn't ok to do such a thing. I reinforced her correction.

Fast forward to today...

I'm trying hard not to laugh, but also feel like his new rule needs some clarification, so I ask him if it would be okay to bomp his favorite Sunday School teacher on the bottom.

He thought for a moment.

"Don't bomp girls on the bottom unless you know their names and they're in your family"

Rules are good.

At least I got a "deal"...

A local quilt shop is going out of business. Everything is 50% off. I went today and picked out these pretties. I don't know exactly what I'm going to do with them.

I see this one in by bedroom in some form. Maybe a new quilt?

On most of the craft and sewing blogs I read they always know the designer of their fabrics. Sorry, can't help you. I tried to remember, but there are more important things for my brain to retain.

A bag?

Another bag?

An apron?

I found this great Car Organizer pattern and might take it on with these beauties.

I also bought a really cute fabric with little fishes on it to make Grom an apron and chef's hat. He grabbed it and ran. I didn't get a picture before it disappeared.

I hope to post some pictures of finished projects soon.

I had a biopsy today.

I could've gone my whole life without saying those words.

I have had a "spot" above my right eye brow. For a long time I thought it was the remnants of a bad eyebrow waxing job; that my face was paying for my vanity.

However... it didn't go away. It didn't get better. It turned into a source of denial.

And then it started hurting occasionally.

My doctor didn't like the way it looked and referred me to a dermatologist. Two and a half months later I got to see a Nurse Practitioner at a dermatology practice. She was very nice until she started saying words like biopsy and cancer and using initials that some might not know, but that I do know.

Now I wait for a pathology report. And pray that I will be peaceful, no matter what (join me please). And wear a hat. And sunscreen.

My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26 NKJV

photo by Allison (bratty_alli) Flickr

My kid cracks me up

Both Grom and I are dealing with allergies right now. Don't know what causes them but we both have runny noses and sore throats.

Before bedtime I was giving him a dose of benadryl for his runny nose when he said something about his sore throat. I should've known his throat was hurting, he's been running around the house sounding like an 80 year old man.

I told him to stay still and I'd be back with some tylenol (it really helps me).

When I got back he told me with all seriousness, "Allergies don't make throats sore"

Playing along I asked what did.

"Swallowing swords and knives"

That explains it!

What's for Dinner - Week of August 4th

We're trying to eat healthier / lighter and use up the veggies from our CSA Box. Here's my plan for this week. And a couple of new recipes.

Monday
French Bread Pizza
salami, pepperoni & cheese
Green Salad
Watermelon

Tuesday
Vegan Nicoise Salad
we'll add hardboiled eggs and maybe some tuna
Watermelon

Wednesday
4WD Club Meeting
eat at Pizza Parlor

Thursday
Shrimp and Cucumber Salad
Bread

Friday
???
Grilled Veggies
corn, squash, and ?

Saturday
Date Night?

Sunday
Family Dinner

Check out Menu Plan Monday hosted by Organizing Junkie for more meal ideas.

Daybook August 4, 2008

FOR TODAY August 8, 2008...

Outside My Window... It's summer. I see families of tourists carrying their beach gear down the street to the beach. I am blessed to live where people want to vacation.

I am thinking... about how lame my excuses are. Boy do I have a lot of excuses.

I am thankful for... Princess Maggie is home! Hospitalized friends are doing well after their respective surgeries. School with Grom - we have so much fun.

From the kitchen... French Bread Pizza (bread was free for doing a survey from the market), organic green salad and yummy watermelon.

I am wearing... Blue capri pants, new white t-shirt that has some beautiful embroidered detailing at the neck (not my usual plain tee), bronze crocs sandals - definitely not frumpy.

I am creating... I'm playing some with Photoshop.

I am going... to MAUI in 17 days, 3 hours, 44 minutes and some odd seconds.

I am reading... more Hudson Taylor. I'm gathering my book list for vacation.

I am hoping... Grom will have great swimming lessons this week and next.

I am hearing... crickets and someone scrounging around in the kitchen.

Around the house... I'm trying to slay the clutter monster, 15 minutes at a time.

One of my favorite things... staying up really, really, really late and getting things done.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Grom has swim lessons, lunch with the ladies, Women's Ministry Ice Cream Social, Tech Team Work Day... pheew.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...N0, it's not a lemon bar covered with caraway seeds. This is Grom's take home from Sunday School last week. It's a sponge with grass seed on top. If we water it and pray (HARD, I'm guessing) it will sprout. I'm not sure what the lesson was - but faith the size of a mustard seed would work. I hope to share a picture of a lawn covered sponge very soon.

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

Tales from the CSA box - August 4

I decided to get artsy with this weeks box contents. Here's my still life of Veggies.

• butter crunch lettuce
• romaine lettuce
• spring mix lettuce (not pictured)
• summer squash
• corn (not organic)
• cilantro
• lemon cucumbers
• green beans
• potatoes
• peppers
• raspberries

And here's proof that this stuff is organic. Only an organic farmer would send something like this along and count it a cucumber. I can hardly wait to see what/who is living in the end of it.
Watch for my menu plan where I try to use up all these lovely veggies feeding my family.

A Construction Birthday Party

We celebrated Grom's 4th birthday by setting up a construction zone in the front yard and inviting a great crew of workers.

This year Grom wanted 3 year olds invited to his party. He likes to lead and has figured out that younger kids are generally better followers. Good thing his best buddy is 3. I subscribe to the "you can invite the number of kids you are old" guest list idea except that we add "plus one" because someone always seems to be unable to come and when you're little that can be devastating to the festivities. This year our party was an opportunity to invite some kids that we don't know so well.

Surferman was supposed to make another bean bag toss game. It just didn't happen.

I read the book "Trucks at Work"

We had a sandbox and diggers so the workers could dig for treasures from Grom's potty prize basket (one of my many attempts to bribe him to potty train that didn't work).

There was a string maze with a nut that each worker treaded along the route. When the got done they had to find a bolt that their nut fit onto.

Cupcakes (of course) stood in for the traditional birthday cake. I made them to look like rocks and stacked them up in a dump truck for presentation.

I didn't get many pictures. Our guests arrived early and I was a bit pushed from the start. It all worked out and was a very nice afternoon.

The ABC Bunny

Here's our next Before Five in a Row book. The ABC Bunny by Wanda Ga'g.

I added the following stuff to the curriculum ideas...

Read-A-Longs
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr, John Archambault and Lois Ehlert (illustrator) - I found video of this book as well as a CD with a song version of the story.
Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells
1 is One by Tasha Tudor

For Bible we made this creation folder

We did this ABC Bunny Activity Card

We made some more animal classification cards.

I made these leaf letters that we put in order.
I'm sharing my files if you'd like to print and make your own.