Minneso tah?

Apparently I have been relocated to Minneso tah without my consent or knowledge. It is like -15 below outside with windchils into the-thirties. (Or something like that. It's so cold that watching the weather is depressing so I just don't.) We got another 3-4 inches of snow on top of the 12 inches we had before. But the wind has been so crazy with both storms that we've ended up with crazy tall drifts. Our backyard has some that are probably 4 foot. Other places have had drifts up to their eaves. D has no school again tomorrow for the third day in a row. In less than a month, he has had 5 snow days. (And most of that month includes the Christmas break.) We got snowed in at my folks' so we couldn't do Christmas with D's family as planned and had scheduled it for this weekend. Except now most of the roads around Norfolk are closed. (Not just yucky to travel on; they're closed.)

Oohftah! Once I finally get out of my house, I think I'll be checking the road signs just to see how far away International Falls is.

I am!

Kenson's newest favorite phrase is ...I am!

It's just funny to hear him use such gramatically charged words. And it's funny because he uses them even when he should use something different.

"Are you watching horses on tv?" "I am!"

"Do you have something in your cubby?" "I am!"

"Do you want to take a bath?" "I am!"

The other day I asked him something and he replied, "I am." Then he quickly said "No different one." In other words, "it's not supposed to be I am but I don't know what to say."

I'm guessing he says it no less than ten times a day. So cute to hear the little voice...I am!

Ohhh...I think I figured out where it came from. We've been reading Green Eggs and Ham a lot lately. He knows the whole story really well. "Not in a house. Not with a mouse. Not in a box. Not with a fox." He'll just start saying the nots. And today at supper he said, "You let me be!" I'm guessing that's where the I am business came from, Mr. Sam I Am.

Weekend reviews

The last few weeks have been crazy around here, especially the weekends.

Going backwards...

This weekend...
Went to Lincoln and truck shopped since D's truck is out of commission (Anyone want a '96 Chevy S-10 with transmission issues? It's priced really cheap. And not only is it a bit of a beater, it does have a heater which makes it a beater with a heater!) Didn't find a truck though. Kenson is now playing "broken truck" which consists of some version of him getting the toy pick up truck out and telling me it's broken.

Last weekend...
Real estate agent calls at 6 p.m. on Friday, wants to show house on Saturday morning. Frantic cleaning. Saturday was my grandma's estate auction in Atlantic. Bought nothing I needed but did get some good primitives like two cut out brickabrac shelves, an enamel tea kettle, and a painted plant stand. Then we trucked shopped along the way as we headed to Norfolk where we watched the Nebraska football game with D's dad. Spent the night there, then lunch with D's grandma and home.

The weekend before that...
Halloween and the church festival. My folks came on late that night and stayed until Sunday. They stayed with Kenson while D and I went to Omaha to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert, per the recommendation of my brother in law.

Colors of the past few days

Brown...cinnamony brown carpet that is. We just put in new carpet in our living room and my sewing room. Hopefully, this will help our house sell better. Our old carpet was really yucky but I didn't want to replace it and then spill on it before our house sold. Our realtor actually suggested not replacing it so we just decided to sell the house with a monetary carpet allowance. But since we haven't had any real serious lookers yet, we thought maybe new carpet would help with the impression our house was giving people. I really like the carpet we put in and at our open house yesterday, a woman who was looking ended up calling her husband to come look at the house too because she really liked it. That's the most promising response we've had yet so maybe the carpet did the trick.

White...snow white flakes on both Saturday and Sunday. It's the middle of October. The grass is still green, the leaves still on the trees, it's just weird.

Black...and blue...and purple...and maybe yellow...the color of my toe. I stubbed it on the baby gate yesterday morning. I don't think it's broken but it sure hurts and has swelled and turned some funny colors. I also managed to hit it hard enough to basically loose my toenail. Nice! Why stubbing your toe hurts like the dickens, I'll never know.

Green...a lovely sage green. Several new hats that I just finished and posted on etsy are that color. I have basically been selling hats as soon as I put them on and have taken a couple of custom orders.

Red...cherries in the cherry bars I made for women's ministry tonight. The women's ministry has chosen the topic "The Seasons of Life" and has asked church women in all stages of life to share on certain topics each week. This week is young children. Last week was parenting teenagers. The week before that was taking on a caretaker role with parents. Other topics include Christ centered marriage, balancing work and family, postive relationships, and taking care of you. I kind of like the format as it's a nice departure from a book based study. If you're from the area and want more details, shoot me an email and I'll give the details. (Easiest cherry bars ever...mix up a yellow cake mix, add some almond extract. Pour into a 10 x 15 jelly roll pan. Drop spoonfuls of cherry pie filling randomly over the top. Bake. When cool, drizzle with your favorite frosting/glaze.)

Another week, gone by

Friday-I'm not sure what we're going to do today. It's been a long couple of weeks at home. Even though we've been out and about, I'm still going a little stir crazy. This afternoon, we are going to town to look at two houses that are for sale. Maybe we'll get groceries after that.

Thursday-homemade applesauce in the crock pot, yum! I made two batches for D to take to school with him for a staff breakfast on Friday. One was apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. The other was apples, pears, white sugar, ginger, and vanilla. Use quartered apples, add a bit of water (just enough to cover the bottom of the slow cooker), and cook on low for 4-6 hours. When the apples are tender, mash with a potato masher or blend with a blender.

Wednesday-worked on some cute satin lined fleece hats. I'm hoping they are perfect for curly hair and that the satin lining will help keep frizzies away. At any rate, they are turning out darling with ribbons and buttons and appliques. When I get a few more done, I'll post pictures. Small group church in the evening.

Tuesday-Had to use my Walgreens coupons by today so off to Lincoln we went. Needed some more fish oil capsules so we went to Red Clover heath food store. Found some Hansen's Nectar Smoothies on sale. Mmmm...awesome juice. Worth the money. I also met with a small group of ladies from school; chit chat and craft type stuff.

Monday-I honestly don't remember what I did this day. The women's ministry at church kicked off it's fall schedule on Monday night so I know I went to that but I'm totally at a loss for the rest of the day. I'm guessing laundry and dishes were involved.

Yummo!

No sub calls this week or last so I decided to get some things ready for the Junk Jaunt, a 300 plus mile garage sale along Nebraska's highway 92. Last year, my aunt made a few goodies like cookies and jelly but she's not doing it this year. I had some produce I needed to use and cookies are always easy. In the last two days, I've made Autumn Cran-Pear Jelly, Apple Preserves, Watermelon Jelly, Maple Nut Scones, Pumpkin Spice Scones, Peanut Butter Cookies with Honey, Gingersnaps, and Fall Vanilla Cookies with Chocolate Frosting. I think I'm going to make some Cranberry Scones too. I already have Strawberry Cranberry Jam and some Jalepeno Cucumber Relish made so I'm going to take a few jars of those things. Can you say "Yummo?"

On any given Sunday...

there is the opportunity for chaos and mayhem. Today was such a day.


Our realtor scheduled an open house for this afternoon and of course, we were still cleaning and straightening this morning before church. Then D decided he was going to go to an auction instead of church. So Kenson and I headed to church and D headed to the auction.


And church is where the drama begins. The two of us head in and sit towards the back. Kenson is a bit loud and just kind of testing the limits. After a bit of this and then a yank on my earring, I hauled him out of the sanctuary and headed to the car with threats of violence. (Okay not really but we did head to the car and I was a bit cranky.) After a quick conversation, he assured me he would obey. (Ha!)

When we get back in to the santuary, another family had arrived and unintentionally sat in our seats. So I had to ask them to pass me my things and then find a new seat in a packed santuary with a child who is saying pretty loudly, "My spot!" Of course, the front rows have some open space so that's where we head. We sit down, worship continues, Kenson plays appropriately for a few minutes and then needs to go to the bathroom. So out we go.

Back in, all the way back to the front, and then we sit for a few more minutes until Kenson starts playing way too loudly. He won't stop and so I ask him to scoot over closer to me, hoping proximity will make him more mindful. He refuses and moves away from me. I move to pick him up and move him closer and he starts screaming no. So back out we go, into the foyer. (Trip number 3 out in about a 15 minute timespan.)


Now what to do? Sitting in the foyer seems a bit of a reward for bad behavior, especially since we've already discussed/prayed over disobedience. He can't stay in the sanctuary because he's being loud and disobedient.


The other kiddos his age are upstairs but that presents a problem as well. Kenson has been doing great in the nursery and Sunday school rooms but now that school has started back up, all the classrooms have changed. Kenson is now 3 so he is supposed to go to Kids Club during the sermon instead of nursery. Kids Club is for 3-6 year olds and has a new teacher every week. He has not done well with it. He wants to go back to the way things were. And I really would have no problem letting him but due to the way the ages break down, his old nursery room is no more. There was a big group of 3 year olds who moved up and no 2 year olds so his old classroom is now empty.

That means he can go to the new nursery with the babies, go to Kids Club, or stay with us in church. The last 3 weeks, I have gone to Kids Club with him as he was not wanting to stay and started throwing a huge fit if I left. (When I say huge, I mean huge. We are experiencing more tantrums at home too so I'm not surprised. He has been such a complient kiddo but now he is testing and pushing, trying to see if we will relent if he flails, hits, or yells.) So I can take him up there but I will be forced to stay or forced to leave him tantruming.


We sit quietly for a while, kind of in time out. And then we talk about going upstairs. I go over all the basics of going upstairs. Mama will be down here. It's a little scary I know. Your friends will be upstairs. And Kenson affirms that he will not get mad or cry.

Up the stairs, in the door, and...the tears start. No, Mama! I tried to pry him off of me and hand him over to the high school aged helper. He is not ungluing himself from me at all. He's getting louder and more flailing and desperate. The adult leader stops everything, instructs the high schooler to take him, and I exit, with tears in my eyes. I know he is okay, that he knows I'm coming back. I know that he is anxious because of the different teachers, the number of kids, the older kids, and the new classroom. I know some of his behavior is related to his desire to control the situation, to keep me next to him. So I leave, and pray that the screaming, flailing, and tears will stop. All the other kids are looking at him as I leave. I'm feeling terrible for leaving the teacher with an emotional mess. I head to the church library and wait. (With a Kleenex in hand.) I hear screaming and loudness for about 5 minutes. And then it stops. Hallelujah! The rest of the time (remainder of Kids Club and then transitioning to Sunday school) is easy.

Too much craziness today. Quicky cleaning, a sick and semi absent husband, lots on my mental plate, a cranky and disobedient kid, too many trips out of the church sanctuary, too much craziness. Hoping next Sunday is less eventful.

Weekend Recap

Wow! What a weekend! We were busy all weekend. It made for one cranky little boy but he is now in bed and will hopefully awake tomorrow morning with a new personality, a personality that hopefully departs from the churlish and generally ill tempered.

Friday was the first varsity high school football game of the year. It was the first time Kenson had been to a football game. He was amazed at all of it. When we got there, the football teams were still warming up and he was so excited to see them catching, throwing, and kicking the ball. Then the band starting playing and he just wanted "Somebody hit drum." Then the cheerleaders and the bird mascot came out. And it was all over. He loved the bird. 'Where birdie at?" "Find the bird." We heard that for the remainder of the night. We left before the game ended but it was still a late night.

Saturday was the first Husker game of the year. It was a pay-per-view event on tv so I ordered if for D's birthday. My mom and dad stopped over and our friends, Lisa and Daniel, and their baby came as well. Lisa made us homemade ice cream which was delicious! Kenson did manage to learn to say "Go big red!" But he really would have rather played with the baby. He loves babies. Always has. He just hasn't quite figured out that babies aren't the same as toddlers. He's a little rough with them. As in let me throw the ball at your head and hope you catch it rough. He's getting better though. Again, another late night since the game didn't start until 6 pm plus Grandma and Grandpa were there so we had to stay up to see them.

Today, we had church. Then we went to a wedding reception for D's assistant soccer coach who got married in California a while back. They had the reception on a farm with tractors and a huge swing set. Kenson did not want to leave. But we decided that after the crabbiness and tears over every single thing that an on time bedtime was a must. So now we're home. And he's in bed. And I'm hoping that the I'm-3-and-I'll-cry-and-and-yell-and-whine-if-I-want-to tears are behind us. At least for a few days.

7-10 Days in Numbers

1...soccer game this week. Doane vs. Jamestown. D and Kenson went together. Doane's mascot is a tiger so D said everytime the announcer would say anything about the Tigers, Kenson would roar. Nice...

3...is the times I have attempted to stretch a quilt top. 3 is the number of times I have failed and ended up with all sorts of puckers and bumps. I'm almost at my wit's end with it.

4...more weeks was the verdict on D's cast, down to 3 now.

30...pre-schoolers in the class I subbed for on Friday. Felt more like 300. There were 15 in the morning and 15 in the afternoon so thankfully I didn't have 30 all at once. But wow! Subbing in preschool is hard for me anyway and subbing during the first few weeks of school when the kids are still crying for their parents and have no idea about the rules or procedures is sheer insanity. I didn't shake or injure any children so we'll count that as a success!

150..is probably the number of single twists I put in Kenson's hair on Wednesday. I didn't count them as I was going but I'm estimating now. If things go well with them, I think we'll let them loc. I'll post pictures of our progress if that's what we decide.

More than 200...dollars was the cost of fixing our brakes this week. I hate car repairs but the alternative of no brakes isn't very appealing.

My day in pictures

I actually went to school and worked today! (For the first time since Kenson came home.) Today, I helped administer reading tests. Just for a few hours. Tomorrow, same thing. I am hoping to sub a few days a week throughout the year so this has been a good time to break in my friend, Heather, who is going to be watching Kenson when I'm working. She has two twin boys who are a week older than Kenson which means 3 3 year old boys. She said she's up to the challenge and if anyone is, it's her. She's laid back and calm, all about letting kids be kids while following common practices of decency and courtesy. Kenson has now stayed with her twice while I went other places and has loved each experience. They live on a farm so there's dirt and swings and a trampoline and goats and corn and farm equipment and all sorts of things that little boys love.

Apples. Currently, the bane of my existance! Not really but when we were home last weekend, Kenson and my dad picked a five gallon bucket full of apples for us to take home. I was very excited about it. And then the apples came home. And I realized I would have to do something with them. Applesauce was on my list but I don't have an apple peeler so I have to do all of them by hand and I don't think my wrist and fingers can manage all of them by myself. I did get about 1/4 of the way through the bucket and got 4 jars of yummy cinnamon applesauce canned today. I was planning to freeze a lot of them but my mom said they were kind of soft for pies/apple crisp which is what I would freeze them for. So I'm not sure what I'll do with the rest.

Getting my needle and thread ready to go. A few ladies from school are starting a sewing group and I am excited to go! We're meeting in the home of one of the ladies tomorrow night for the first time. I have so many projects that need worked on. And I get to get out and chit chat with some lovely girls. I probably sound like an overeager teenager but in the last 6 months my opportunities for girl time have been limited. So tonight, I need to plan what I'm going to take to work on. So many unfinished projects, so little time.

Images from http://www.smusd.org/kh/lib/kh/School_House.jpg ,

http://www.avarella.com/illustration/food/softsoap-apples.jpg

thefreedictionary.com

Crazy Long Short Week

The last week has seemed like it has taken a month to go by. But then it also seems like it has just raced away. I don't know. Just a crazy out of sorts week.

Last weekend, D and I attend a Coaches Marriage Enrichment Weekend put on by the Nebraska Fellowship of Christian Athletes. We were gone Friday afternoon, all day Saturday, and until noon on Sunday. My mom came and stayed with Kenson all by herself the whole time. I was a little worried about leaving, especially since Kenson has not been doing well at separating from us during Sunday school at church. He did great! A few sad eyes and tears when we left but no tears any other time. He was happy to see us again and we had no major behavior problems when we got back that might indicate he was/had been anxious about our being gone. D and I stayed in a luxury hotel, had all of our meals paid for, got to listen to speakers and do worship without being interupted by a toddler, and enjoyed adult conversation.

Monday we had a house inspection for a house we have been thinking about buying. It was such an interesting event I won't share the details right now. We're still processing what it all means. We also showed our house to a prospective buyer on Monday.

I helped in the nursery doing child care Monday through Thursday while our church had Vacation Bible School. It was a good reminder that child care/nursery duty is not my giftedness. I will serve if that is what is needed but man, am I out of my comfort zone in doing so.

Kenson was sick Monday-Tuesday with a fairly high fever but no other symptoms.

Friday was my cousin's wedding in Omaha so we spent the evening there and got back late. We did get to see a good portion of my family and visit/play with them.

This weekend is Cornhusker State Games, an Olympic style gaming event with contests in everything from volleyball to racewalking to horsehoes. Of course, there is soccer. D's boys have a team so we went today to watch them play 2 games. D isn't coaching so we had no responsibilities; we just got to sit and watch. Tomorrow, they play at 9 but I think just D is going to make the trip to Lincoln.

I think next week is going to feel much the same. We have several things during the week and are possibly going to visit D's grandma sometime during the week as well.

A Wrecked Uranus

D played soccer with his boys on tonight. Try to act shocked but there was horseplay and rough housing involved. Someone's bottom got smacked. The words, "He got hit on his rectum" were said. And someone else said, "Isn't that a planet?"

(If that makes no sense to you, say all the names of the planets and see if you come up with one that sounds like another name for body part located in your netheregions and then you'll get it.)

Sadly, the boy who made this comment was serious. (And a junior!)

Image taken from http://www.elite-view.com/art/Education/Astronomy/1354~Planets-Montage-Posters_TH.jpg

THE House?

We've looked at a lot of houses that are for sale over the last month. None have been what we've wanted. Too pricey, too small of lots, not enough space, poorly laid out, just not us. There have just not been any houses on the market that have fit our needs/wants. Today, we looked at a house that may be THE house. It is a foreclosure so it is priced really reasonably. It needs some work but at the price it is listed at, the work is doable. And most of the work is on the outside; the inside is very livable as is. It has a great large lot, tons of charm, and enough square footage.It has amazing details including a glass tile fireplace, original light fixtures, open staircase with bench, and several built in cabinets. We don't really foresee us trying to juggle two mortage payments while we wait for our current house to sell so we'll have to see if we can get our house sold so we can make an offer on this new house. Hoping that this is the house and that the timing and finances will work out, believing that regardless God has a plan for us...

Here's a few photos just because the house is awesome!

For Sale

The listing papers have been signed and the for sale sign stuck in the yard. We are officially throwing our hats into the uncertain real estate market and trying to sell our house.

We love our house. When we bought it, it was in need of major updating. Good bones but awful face! Okay, the siding/shape of the house was cute but the yard had ill planned landscaping and the inside had just survived the 80's country blue and peach. (Nevermind that we purchased it in the 90's.)

We have updated every room. We've done plumbing and wallpaper and flooring on our own, for the very first time. We've called my dad lots, asking for advice. We've waited for our kids in this house. We've spent most of our married lives in this house.

Our listing is finally up on the website and the sign is in the yard, both things that are kind of hard to see. But we're choosing to believe God has a great house for us in our new location, just a few miles down the road but closer to work and church and school. It's one of those let go of something sure to gain something better. So if you know someone looking for a house, send an email my way. I'll hook you up! (Or if you just want a link to photos, I can do that too.)

A Boy & His Stick Cow

For the longest time, Kenson has gotten horses and cows mixed up. He wants to call them all cows. We've tried hard to convince him they are not the same animal. He'll say cow. Then we'll say horse. And he'll shake his head and tell us "no cow." It goes on like that for a while until we give up.

That said, his preference for labeling all large, 4 legged animals as cows makes for interesting conversations when he gets ahold of a broom.

We are quite possible the only family around whose child rides not a stick horse, but a stick cow. Giddy up!

Wouldn't be a real cowboy without some boots...

Where Are You?

Kenson has recently started using this phrase. Except it sounds more like "wuh are you?" And it is always followed by a noun. Whatever it is he is wanting at that moment. Looking for his drink? "Wuh are you, dwink?" Looking for his Little People toys? "Wuh are you, peeeple?" Looking for his shoes? "Wuh are you, thoos?" If only life were that easy. Just say the name of what you wanted or needed and it magically appeared. (Okay, maybe I wouldn't really want that. Flashbacks of the King Midas story have suddenly started within my head.)

Cinnamon Roll Recipe

Per my friend's request, this link is for the bread machine cinnamon rolls I made a while back. While anything made with sugar and butter is good, they weren't stellar so I didn't put the recipe on when I posted my photos. However, someone else may think differently.

I also didn't use gluten which may have made a difference. I thought mine were kind of heavy and not as light as I would have liked so it may have been the gluten. To make rolls that need shaped (or any thing that you don't want to bake in your bread machine) just use the dough setting on your bread machine. It will mix everything up and keep it nice and warm for the first rise. Then you turn the dough out on a greased or floured surface, let it rest, and do the rest of the recipe. (Shaping into a loaf, rolling into cinnamon rolls, etc..) Let rise a second time as instructed by your recipe and bake in the oven. My aunt, Sheree, is really the champion of this business. She ought to be the one giving you recipes on bread. She uses her bread machine like this and bakes with yeast often.

Kitchen Counter Clutter Winners

Okay, the votes are in and have been tabulated. But before we get to the crazy fun prizes, let's travel back a bit in time. Thoughts that I had following everyone's responses:

I'm glad I am not the only person who sticks things on her counters and then just leaves them there for all of eternity.

Mary and her stick crack me up. It's the wonder of it all! Where did THAT come from? (I also chuckled at how my post resulted in the consumption of extra calories on her part.)

Those of you who wondered about why on five items...well, I had to pick a stopping point. I WISH my counters only had five things on them.

And on to the winners...Jen and her farmer/rancher boy husband win top prize with their castrating tools. (I'm just wondering where the after effects of these tools are. No rocky mountain oysters laying in a bowl instead of apples?) In second place, homeschooling Mama Sherri with the molds of her kids teeth. The thought of freshly imprinted teeth reminds me of a Hollywood prop studio mixed with The Adams Family, specifically Thing. Frankly, it's a little creepy.

To claim your prizes, post your mailing address in the comments section of this post along with your choice of prize. (Don't worry; I moderate my comments and will not post your address on line.) What have you won, you might ask? Your choice of 1. jalepeno jelly (totally delicous when served over cream cheese with Ritz crackers) or 2. homemade cookies (Gingersnaps, peanut butter chocolate chip or peanut butter banana).

What's on your kitchen counter?

In the spirit of randomness (and a slovenly wife who is avoiding housekeeping) answer that question: what is on your kitchen counter? No cheating and straightening up first. List five things that are currently on your counter. Most original, random, or unique wins something yummy from my kitchen: homemade cookies or jelly.

Here's my list:
1. A bag of sugar and a bag of flour which need to go into the appropriate canister but which have instead been sitting on the counter, untouched for at least a week.
2. 3 plants (Gerber daisies from my MOPS engagement, a marigold Kenson planted at library, and some sedum that I need to find a home for)
3. Medicine dispensers for Kenson, even though he hasn't really been taking any medicines
4. A canister of pretzels for snacks
5. A bag of tortilla chips which are unopened and too big to fit into my cupboard

Boys, Boys, Boys

Yesterday, D found out that last weekend, his soccer boys had planned to come camp out on our lawn. Unfortunately for them, it rained. Too funny! When we were in college, D's soccer team once pulled the same prank on the college president. The thought of the soccer boys on my lawn sure brought back some interesting memories of our friend, Marshall Hardy!