coping skills

What a week! Sweet Man has been away on business - 5 days. It used to be easier for me to parent on my own, but this trip threw me for a loop. That safety net of support in Licking County was so important to me. I thought about running "home" for a few days, but logistically, it didn't make sense. We stayed put in Dayton.

Sam and I had a horrendous school day Monday. Four hours of work became 8 hours. Fourth grade's no joke, but a day's work should never take him that long. He found constant sources of distraction - the dog, a toy, a snack, a piece of paper...I don't know...I was busy distracting myself.

I finally chased him out of the house to the park because I could not bear to fight about it any more. And took away screen time for 4 days. (Just who am I punishing. I didn't think that through, did I?)

Josie needed me more than I could satisfy...mostly as a playmate.

Our neighbors here, who have befriended us, are moving to a new town this week.  During any other week, I would probably be bummed to say goodbye.

But this week that fact sent me over the edge into a very real fear, right into feeling very lonely and sorry for myself. Those thoughts spun me up right quick and I was close to holing up in a closet and going to sleep for the week.

But of course, hiding was not going to fly. I have these precious people with me. I needed a plan to cope, so I did my best. I'm not suggesting that your plan would be the same...but mine worked for the night.

I prayed...and asked others to pray for us.
I hugged the kids and sent them to bed.
I enjoyed a glass of wine and a few too many cheap, store-bought cookies.
I watched "Call the Midwife" on Netflix.
I made a plan for the next day.
I let the dog out one last time.
I checked the locks.
I slept finally.

Tuesday was different, thank God!

Sam and I used a timer to stay on task. We didn't fight. I didn't yell or speak in a condescending voice. We ate good food: fresh eggs and oatmeal for breakfast, veggies at lunch. We took frequent chicken chasing breaks. Josie did her schoolwork quickly and well and found independent entertainment.

School was finished by 1pm! And that victory meant we could spend our afternoon at a park where the Dayton Parks Dept had organized a kayaking event. Local outfitters were there and let us take their kayaks out for a spin. So fun! {We're in the picture somewhere!}

Remind me next time I start sinking: GO OUTSIDE, AMY! Vitamin D and fresh air will do you well!

So we will survive...already halfway through the week. And Friday will be a piece of pie as we are at school all day and Sam goes to his Lego League meeting in the evening. I'll have my partner back by dinnertime and that will make all the difference.


{This clip helped cheer me up, too:}

first day of school

we prayed, pledged, read, & snuggled

we discussed the fruits of the spirit while noshing on fruity kabobs

we counted, practiced our phone number and address, wrote compound words

we cut, identified letter sounds, subtracted 9's

we stayed on schedule {huzzah!} thanks to Bug

we marked the day with a pose

{moments before this, Bean had a beaming smile on her face as she wore her floor length velvet skirt and high heeled patent pumps...I asked her to dress for first day pictures, after all. I offered 3 optional more casual skirts to change into and she begrudgingly did so. She made sure I didn't forget she was not happy about the wardrobe change.}

we celebrated our day with a new board game {a total blast...} and banana splits for dinner {perhaps, not such a good idea}

and just before drifting off tonight, she asked do we get to do school again tomorrow?

de-funk-ify

Friends, this is not going to be pretty. It has been a whinefest in my head and now it's here in in black & white. Some of you have endured my other fits, and you're still here? Wonders never cease.

Living this nomadic life for two+ years has at least afforded me a little warning, so I've anticipated the creeping, sucking funk. And I am very aware of my propensity to hibernate. But it usually hits about three weeks into a trip. The snow and cold has me feeling particularly trapped, so it's early. Call it cabin fever...I don't really know what to call it, but it smacks of the depression I felt after my mom died.

I feel disconnected. We're here, alone. My kids are sick of me...they need their buddies. I miss you at home, but don't feel really part of that world either, because we're gone often enough. And in a week, when we are back, I will be a single momma again, leaving Sweet Man here. Those are the choices, right now. {We chose this, I know...y'all have been mighty gracious, never saying that to my face.}

What I know is that the tension of this life has me frayed, yet again. Stretched beyond. I'm speaking of the tension that we all live with...Romans 7 stuff...I want to do what I should not and can't muster the strength to do the things I should. I can't hold ends together for my kids. I'm tired of fighting it...tired of meal planning, picking up, untangling hair and fights...finding engaging, healthy, creative ways to spend our time. 

I gotta get out of this place.

In fair weather, we do just that...spend hours at the playground, ride bikes on the trail, fly a kite, something. But I'm out of ideas...we've played Uno and Go Fish, been to the museum {& going back Thursday,} been thrifting and grocery shopping, made valentines. I'm thinking about hitting the gym with a day pass, but I don't know what the childcare sitch is at the gyms in town and don't have the energy to find out. Don't know if we I can endure the 0 degrees to go play in the snow. We've been swimming enough that everything {and everyone} has a slight bouquet of chlorine.

Today, I want to give in to every whim, theirs or mine. Yes, you can eat M & M's for breakfast...sure, let's watch another episode of Zach and Cody, even though we've seen this one 3 times already...no, *sigh* we don't have to do school today...of course, you can tear the room apart, walk barefoot to the car, tackle your brother...shoot the balloons with your fake bow and arrow, in your underwear {you look like Cupid}...go for it. {Post edit: They didn't have m&m's for breakfast, we did indeed have school, etc. I'm just getting worn out from the negotiations.}

Every day there are parts of me that compel me to just check out, drive through Krispy Kreme {have I told you there's one so close that I could spit and hit it?} and sack out in front of the TV. {Haven't done it...yet.} 

That damn screen...it's so easy...and we have many tempting versions...cable, laptops, smart phones...and now, a DSi. {Thank you, Sweet Man. It's a problem...I may have mentioned...the number one argument between us. How much screen time is okay? What habits do we want our kids to cultivate? What is real...on a screen, in a book, in life?} Sometimes I wish we were a TV free house...and am very aware that we could be, especially when Sweet Man is away. Maybe. I want my kids to love books and learning...hiking and the outdoors...healthy, safe relationships...good nourishing food. Using the bodies and minds and hearts God gave them...not numbing them with the anesthesia of technology. 

But today, I want to give in and slip into that slumber. {Is this a struggle just for me?} 

Because I know my body tricks me and signals that it wants something that will not do me any good in the long run, I'm reigning in my sugar, carbs, and caffeine...getting plenty of sleep...I hope my adrenal system will thank me, soon. That could be a good part of this equation.

And a good dose of service would help, causing us to look beyond the walls of this hotel and beyond ourselves. Haven't figured that out yet...visits to nursing homes? volunteering at the church pantry?

And maybe a kid-free break...that would be good...maybe. Sweet Man will let me go get a cup of decaf, sans enfants...maybe.

Well, I've put on my favorite sweater and my pink chucks. I'm listening to my incredible kids play Simon Says and talk about puppies nervous pee-ing. Maybe we'll go visit the meerkats {indoors} at the zoo.  Then to the library. Maybe I'm starting to smile.

{Post edit: The zoo was fun...we went from warm building to warm building and sat and watched the the meerkats, a Sumatran tiger, the gibbons, and the lemurs...spending enough time that we did not make it to the library...but there are 9+ hours to fill tomorrow. AND...Sweet Man said, of course, go find a Starbucks or a bookstore. Get out for a while. Wonderful man. Wonderful kids.}

Yarn Along

I'm joining Ginny at small things to celebrate the loves of reading and knitting. 

A friend {with birthday upon us,} will be receiving this mitten {and its mate, if I can get my act together.} She knows already...I slid a prototype on her hand last week. Nope, no surprises for her.

{blurry pic, sorry}

I'm going to give this new book a go. The same friend had a post-holiday, book-swap, girls' night...really fun idea. I couldn't make it, but she swapped this book in my stead. I'll let you know what I think.

And currently, our bedtime {or anytime} reading is Alice in Wonderland. I wasn't sure if B & B would  appreciate the absurdity and silliness...but they seem to. They still giggle about the tea party scene in which a watch and then the dormouse were each dipped into cups of tea. Silliness. And Bug had already begun to learn this poem for school, so when it came up in the story, he, too, had gently smiling jaws.

How Doth the Little Crocodile

by Lewis Carroll

How doth the little crocodile

Improve his shining tail,

And pour the waters of the Nile

On every shining scale!

How cheerfully he seems to grin, 

How neatly spreads his claws,

And welcomes little fishes in 

With gently smiling jaws.

We're laying low today. Bean has a fever and sore throat. She's sleeping in front of the fire to get those germs out of her little body. Poor thing. I'll knit when I'm not busy cuddling.

And in case I don't get back here for a few days, the kids and I are hitting the road again soon. Need to get my act together for that, too. Lists, laundry, and packing. We'll be celebrating Bug's birthday in Illinois with Sweet Daddy. More on that later. 

North America

Not officially being on the road, we received an intriguing exploration offer last week. 

My Aunt Mary Ann has worked at a private Montessori school in town for 25+ years. For a long time she administrated the preschool and now teaches the primary class.  I had the opportunity to work with her doing after school care there while I was in college. Truth be told, she trained me in many of my first jobs...at our family swimming pool as a snack bar worker, as an office clerk, and as a lifeguard. I owe lots of my work ethic to her...{not that you would know much about my work ethic in my current...position.}  

The school is such a neat place and develops individuals for life-long learning. {Montessori and Classical education {the educational philosophy we use} have some similarities ie: the multi-age, ungraded classroom and the study of history vs. social studies.}

Each year, the school creates an environment that focuses on a continent. Each class takes responsibility for a region or era in the continent's history and develops a way to experience part of that culture or history with an interactive display. And she invited us to come and experience it. 

the girls grinding corn

Bug inside a pueblo

drum circle by our hosts

a ride in the Model T

This year's focus was North America. The display included a "Detroit" motorworks with assembly line, a Plains Indians area, a civil war encampment, a pioneer homestead, a Pueblo Indian dwelling, and an exhibit displaying the traditional art of Huichol people from the Mexican mountains. The display was open to invited visitors, but the best part was watching classes spend their free play times experiencing what they had worked so very hard to build. Very cool.

Double whammy

He complained of a sore throat last night. And again this morning. Surely, a good momma would have known when he uncharacteristically, almost fell asleep on the couch. And there was the not getting into trouble all day. But it took a trip to buy a thermometer for me to confirm what I should have already known...Bug has a fever. 

And Sweet Daddy left this morning. {It feels so good to be in our house, I didn't want to go back, just yet.}

After a sweet week with Sweet Man {ahem, no big projects...just fun} and a fantastic Thanksgiving weekend, sickness is probably just what we need to slow down. And I apologize in advance to anyone we saw this weekend...and hugged...and kissed. Yes, indeed, that's what friends are for...keeping the contagions spinning.

I have a couple of projects in the works: Christmas cards to order, Christmas bins to unpack, and that big stack of books still to work through. Plenty to do.We'll be okay...right?

This isn't an SOS call...though if someone swung by with a load of some fresh fruit and veggies...produce that has actually grown on a tree or in the dirt...I wouldn't kick you off my porch...'cause we're out of that stuff. And since you're going anyway, we need ice cream...yeah, ice cream would be good....and....

{UPDATE: Fever's gone, he's back...peace out.}

Home again, home again

We're here, friends. And it's good. And decidedly boring. No big outings...just reading in front of the fireplace, watching a little PBS.

Coming home, I confess that I shed a few tears when I opened my silverware drawer and saw the knives for which I registered lo these 11 years ago. Silly, I know...I didn't expect to have that reaction. But after 2+ months in spaces owned by others, I'm sinking back in to this house and enjoying using our things.  I still don't understand why it's important for me to be in my own space, but I guess it is. It must be part of the American dream v. kingdom of God struggle I have. 

We haven't been without a little distress...Bug and I were sick as of Wednesday. He, with a little stomach bug and me, with a sinus infection. He was fine the next day. And at the first hint of my sore throat, I sucked down Emer-gen-C and oscillococcinum...love that stuff. By yesterday, I was back to normal. 

Thursday, my sly friend asked me to watch her kiddos while she went to an appointment. I asked if when she came back, I could go to the grocery to do my big shop sans enfants. But then she canceled her appointment, and still granted me an hour and half of kidsitting. Very sneaky, sweet friend! Thank you and I owe you!

Stocked up are we. I can barely close my freezer. I've decided I'm done with the I'm out of a couple things, we need to run to the store nonsense...especially when I'm a single mom. I bought 3 of anything non-perishable and 2 of perishables. Totally went over our grocery budget for the month. Speaking of which, we are an all cash household! No more credit card purchases except to gain points or order something from afar. The monkey is off our back and it feels so good.

Friday, we shared lunchtime with other dear friends and made a trip to the library and a little thrifting.

Saturday, we had brunch at Opa and Anne's house. They had built a huge leaf pile {Mount Leafmore} and the dogs and kids rolled around in it...I think there were some adults in on the action, too. It was a lovely afternoon, sitting on the porch, knitting and visiting with Anne. We were able to catch up with the neighbors a little, too. Heading home after a while, we had de-leafing showers and attended a great Saturday night church service.

Sunday, I indulged my crunchy tendencies...a batch of granola for my favorite breakfast, a batch of granola bars for my boy. Cooking up a storm. Yesterday, a meal for my friend who just had a baby and some Corndog Muffins for the kids. I'm thinking about whipping up some sourdough starter...never done that before.

So fun being able to catch up with friends and family. To shop in our familiar aisles and go to our library and get too many books. The library cracked open its borrowing policy like I was Aladdin at the mouth of the cave. I uttered the magic words...I'm a teacher. Bingo, bango...6 weeks of time with these tomes...and we may need every bit of that to get through this stack. Bug has recently discovered Encyclopedia Brown  and Judy Blume {don't worry, just the Fudge books...not the other ones ;) }

Sweet Man returns home this Friday for 10 days. He thinks he will tackle getting our back fence up and building bunk beds for the babes. You go, babe.

this and that

Okay, back to the frivolities of life, shall we?

It's a cold, rainy day here. We may venture out later 

but for now we're enjoying a cozy school morning.

Here are the haps ~

~ we decorated yesterday

~ a wedding for the happy dolphin couple, Squirtle & Hannah

~ playing a little Set

you can play, too

{Hannah beat the tail off of Squirtle, by the way.}

 ~ making Great Pumpkin cookies on which to snack 

while we watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" tonight, 

you blockheads!

cRaZY about these people

Faced with another rainy day in this hotel room, I assessed my choices...

#1. Hide in the tiny closet, curled up, sucking my thumb, waiting for the sound of Sweet Daddy's key in the door.

#2. Make a run for it...while the kiddos are lulled unawares by PBS and their crackling rice krispies...leave...them here.

#3. Road trip! Drive 75 miles to the greatest mall evah! Well, at least, in Iowa. Okay, the best in this Cedar Rapids part of Iowa.

Aren't you glad I chose....

{wait for it...}

...#3? We got outta Dodge! {Good call, momma.}

No sense keeping this gripe-fest to ourselves. Let's squabble out in the world! Funny thing is...as soon as we leave the confines of our home or vehicle they begin to behave...some don't quite believe that they can be punks. But some of you have had front-row seats to their mischief, so you believe me, don't you?

{Head's up:: lots of embedded links coming. Just click on them.}

We had a fun day. We're weren't going to just any mall...it is a mall that houses the Iowa Children's Museum and it just may be my favorite kid's museum. Believe me, I've been to plenty...just counting 2009 excursions alone. Remember...see here...my addiction is full-blown.

Some exhibits were similar to some we've seen at The Works, COSI, or other museums. {Sidenote: Licking County peeps:: The Works and Dawes Arboretum are treasures...enjoy them, support them if you can.} Many were  very original and fun. There was a whole aviation room where we built airplanes and rockets out of paper and launched them. We probably spent the most time there and in The Notion of Motion room. ABC Forest was cute. There was a LEGO room...Bug wasn't interested today...which kind of surprised me.

A whole City Works space had an ambulance, doctor's office, dentist's office, radiology room complete with lab coats, stethescopes, crutches, etc. and a grocery store, pizzeria, post office, and TV station. Bean kept wanting to revisit the grocery store, of course. I confess, I found a bench and my knitting on our third go 'round.

And in the mall, there was...{trumpet fanfare}...a Chik-fil-A! We walked out of the museum, turned right, past the open-year-round ice rink {told ya it was the greatest mall, evah!}...had lunch and waddled back into the museum.

The kids would not allow me to go to Eddie Bauer...yea, what up with that? who's in charge here?...but maybe there'll be a next time.

Maybe tomorrow.

Naptime Giveaway

Don't expect anything much out of me today...

rain + hotel + hormones +squirrelly, squabbling siblings + Bug lost all screen time privileges by 8:30 am = rough morning & looooong day

But Naptime always delivers and makes me smile. She's giving away a $50 gift to Initials Inc. Cute stuff...go see her.

I think I'll watch that "Gift of an Ordinary Day" video again....

Freedom flying

\

*from a beautiful day, a couple weeks ago...kids played, wise women spoke...I tried to soak it all up*

The end of the Pax Johnsona

It's happened...Sweet Man has been assigned. He got the call, for reals, this time. Off to Iowa...he's already there. Thus ends our 2 months of intact-nuclear-family-frequently-staying-in-our-own-home-two-fulltime-parents bliss (sorry, that's pushing the hyphen limit.) I lamented to friends today that I was just getting into a real schedule groove...efficiently erranding and consistently exercising...as the babes were in my capable husband's hands. And he, in turn, had his own groove going...a balance of time with us and time off doin' what he do. 

I was awake off and on last night in anticipation of solo parenting and was fairly strung out after a pre-dawn trip to the airport. I downshifted into survival mode and just planned to get through the day. Shocker:: we had a fantastic day with a mega-playdate, chocolate chip banana bread, and a great trip to the library. 

Off the subject: my boy reads! It continues to surprise....he reads something well and I kind of tell myself it's a fluke and then I forget. But then he reads something else...with more challenging words. We read as a family all the time...for school and bed, but we don't work the phonics intensely or challenge him to read aloud all that much. Reading is just evolving. So tonight at the library, I let him loose and he picked out some really funny books that he can totally read. He read to us tonight at bedtime. And fell asleep reading. Very cool.

One last thing, we haven't decided if we will join SM in Iowa. He thinks he may be there as little as three weeks and all four of us would be a squeeze in his hotel room. But his birthday is the 23rd and I want to do something special for him, even if it is from afar. We are both terrible at giving each other gifts and have resigned ourselves to just picking out something for ourselves and calling it a "gift." So I need help...suggestions, ideas, schemes...send 'em my way. I've removed him from the feedburner, so he won't even see this...as if he read the posts anyway. 

And now for something completely different

Thanks for reading (if you did) yesterday. Transparency...I need it.

Anywho, we are heading to Cincy again today. Actually we meant to get there last night, but there was too much to do. Sweet Daddy is already there. We will join him this evening and stay until Friday or Saturday.

Today we pack...this trip is shorter, therefore packing is easy peasy. The kids each have their own suitcases and we use these handy-dandy laminated packing lists to help them be a bit more independent. That is the goal, is it not? To raise adults. To work myself out of a job.

I cannot take credit for this...I snagged the idea from house on hill road....

We pack for trips often. For each trip, we determine what each child needs to bring and fill in the amounts. I've already filled out Bean's and Bug will fill in his during school time ;) I didn't include books and toys on our lists because we pack those separately. And we have toothbrushes stashed everywhere: our house, my shower kit, the camping box, each grandparents' house, and the car. We're not always brushing; it's just that I have forgotten toothbrushes too many times.

By the by, do you local peeps know that we have a gem at our branch of OSU?  The Educational Resource Center has laminating and Ellison machines to use for free or cheap. They also have a pretty neat library. It's located in Hopewell Hall.

When life gives you apples

I feel like every day is an effort to get back to normal. Will it ever be normal again? I think I know the answer to that.

So with the resolve to be normal, we had a normal day on Wednesday. We went to the dentist, did school, shopped for groceries, made some applesauce, and fished with Sweet Daddy (yup, he's still here and we are loving being normal together.)

No secret to the applesauce...pick apples at Mimi and Opa's house, peel and chop, add water, apple juice, a little sugar and lemon juice and cook the snot out of them. All day. Enjoy the scent. Let babes stir and mash. But leave it a little chunky. Can as the babes are going to sleep and the moon rises. (Update: Anyone who receives this applesauce should consider adding a little water to it before eating; it is rich!)

Makeover madness

When I was four, my mom trimmed my long blonde hair in preparation for an Olan Mills picture session. Don't remember much about getting my picture taken, but I do remember coming home and seeing scissors left on the back of the toilet, gleaming in the glow of the nightlight. Mom was busy making fried rice in her electric skillet. Our Irish setter, Bridget, was napping under the table. I grabbed my brother and we joined her. And I brought the scissors. I cut his hair, the hair above my right ear, and the hair on Bridget's left flank. My mom lifted the tablecloth and found us. She called, "John!" and began to cry.

Fast forward, 33 years...this morning, I french-braided my Bug's hair into two braids.

Then, fateful mistake...Sweet Man and I were napping (I know~I already feel guilty,) kids were playing. Bug walked into our room, complaining about wanting to take her braids out. I could see little wisps of hair as she struggled with a comb. I thought, "Ahhh, I thought those braids would at least last the day." I began to undo her braids, but hair was coming out in my hands. And then I looked closer...the wisps were not escaped hairs, they were cut hairs....AAAAAACCCCCKKKKK! The scissors were still in her hand.

The little imp had the forethought to bring the scissors (which she had to climb on a stool to reach) and the wastebasket from the downstairs bathroom, upstairs into her room. I found it with clumps of hair in it. And that's when I cried. And so did she.

With his wits about him, Sweet Man retrieved his clippers and a stool and was ready on the porch to finish her job.

She thinks she looks like her Mimi. I think Mimi would like this new do.

Big things

are happening here....

And I am beginning to understand what shutterbugs mean by "catching the light." The weather has been glorious today...and it supposed to be just as beautiful through the long weekend.

Where is this girl's momma? How come her hair is always wild?

Semblance of normal

We're not gonna put it off anymore. Today was the first day of Kindergarten! It's official, year 1 of 12/13 has begun. Eeeek! We're homeschooling...in a loose sort of way. I have wonderful, wise friends who are ahead of me on the path, helping me navigate...I bug them periodically with probing questions. And I consult this website often...here ya go, sweet friend, RTS.

While not exactly trembling, there is a level of trepidation...remember, I'm not comfortable with complete and total responsibility. So, let's just say, as I was waking up, I was feeling the pressure. But if today is any indication, I think we will both be fine.

We did our usual couch time, break, then table time. There was not much whining on either of our parts and we finished everything I had planned++++ in under 2 hrs. The efficiency of it makes so much sense to me. We even made bread and began to get organized for our maybe camping trip this weekend...still awaiting information on Sweet Man's next assignment. Now they're outside playing with most of the day ahead of us. And "cheers" to doing school with bedhead - 'cuz who cares!

Sweet Man told me yesterday that he has overheard Bean several times telling people, "My mom is my bwothuh's teachuh." She kept wondering today when she is going to start school. Not yet, dahling.

Ooooo, and we bought a s-weet new camera. It has certainly raised the bar on my photog ski-zills. I'm actually reading the manual...gasp. Get ready for a ker-squillion pictures of my babes. Just what you want to see....

There's Bean in her ubiquitous brown dress...eating Cheez-Its off the floor like a kitty. She does a great job entertaining herself.

Here's hoping your having a close to normal day.

Pickin' and Grinnin'

It's that too short time of year...black raspberry season (not to be confused with blackberries...those are larger and ripen later in the summer.) The hunt is on. If I am outside, I can never quite concentrate on the task at hand...because I am scanning the bushes looking for those jewels.

Grandpa J picked a quart yesterday and I promptly commandeered them and made a cobbler with Granny's recipe. I doubled it and then didn't bake it enough...and was disappointed. I've been messing up most of the little bit of cooking I've done in the last month. At my MinL's suggestion, I baked it a bit more and now it is delicious. I try to walk past the dish without taking a bite...tough. And to think I was going to rein my eating in this week after Creation's camp food gluttony. Not this week...ha!

I've been to 2 stretches of the Kokosing Gap trail in the last 24 hours and have scoped out the harvest. And there are more here around the spring (not the season...a water source spring). Thursday or Friday will be the best days to pick, I think. I'll suit up against the bugs and poison ivy, but the potential itching is worth the taste of the berries. I'm greedy; it's difficult for me to stop...I know there are always more perfect ones hiding from me.

Here's Granny's recipe...feel free to tweak it...it is pretty forgiving. You're gonna have to pick your own berries, though.... ;) Proceed with caution...this is a "get a spouse" recipe. Oh, the power of butter and sugar.

Fruit Cobbler

1/2 c. butter

1 c. flour

1 c. sugar

1/2 t. salt

2 t. baking powder

1 c. milk

Oven 350 degrees. Melt butter in a smallish baking dish. Mix flour and other ingredients with a whisk to make batter.

1 1/2 c. fruit (berries work best, but you can do peaches or plums)

2/3 c. sugar (optional...tweak away)

You can cook the fruit and sugar or just weep the fruit.

Pour batter into dish with melted butter. Drop fruit on top of batter. Bake for 45 minutes until the top is golden and the cobbler doesn't jiggle too much (my mistake last night.)

I suggest refrigerating it overnight and eating it for breakfast...decadent.

Assurance

Yesterday, I sort of checked out...it was a "no shower for Momma, too much screen time" kinda day. 

But this morning confirms again why I am a blessed momma.

It started as a rainy morning here in the Valley. We were snuggling, watching news and discussing plans for the day. Bug cozied up to me and said,"Mom, can we finish the Charlie book?" We've been reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and as of last night we had 3 chapters left. All the rascals had been picked off and only Charlie and Grandpa Joe remained with Mr. Wonka. How could we stop there, you ask? It was 9:30, Bean wasn't paying a lick of attention, and I was drifting off to Sleepytown ( ;), MLG.) 

So, snuggling to finish a great book is my idea of a fantastic morning...yes, Bug, we shall finish the book and we did. Oh, I do hope he is becoming hooked on reading.

After a few rounds of Hi-Ho Cherry-O (my least favorite boardgame ever, ugh...,) I went outside to retrieve something from the van...I make endless trips out there, especially now that I am "packed" to hit the road...and discovered this little guy. 

A rescue mission ensued, mostly to protect him from Bean...she's like that Looney Tunes character who loves creatures 'til they hurt. We got our boots on and made a trip to the spring and let "Sally the Salamander" go back to his family.

The sun made its appearance. A little further down stream we played with sticks and "seaweed" and sang "Do, a Deer." My kind of morning...we're in a beautiful place with wonderful people taking care of us. 

Grandpa J just got back from turkey hunting and brought back...mushrooms...Grandma J is smiling.

I'm heading to see my momma today...to get some more news and see if I can start "shoveling" a bit. I may even see my little brother and a few good friends.

I love my life...can I start to love the challenges..? Maybe. God is good, all the time. No matter what. I can be sure.

In the Valley

We've been spending much time at Sweet Man's parents' house. They take good care of us there.

We interrupt their usually quiet days with laughing, cartoons, cap guns, and tantrums. Sometimes we chase the noise outside or to the big basement. They say they don't mind the busy-ness of us...I'm trusting them to tell us when it's too much.

When I go to a home with a beautiful view, I want to make a cozy nest and spend the day staring...the Valley has that kind of view. I can see a worn red barn surrounded by green winter wheat fields and a creek that is in no hurry to get anywhere. Yes, I could sit a while with a cup of coffee, but that would mean someone else taking care of my babes and that happens enough anyway.

My day begins as I hear footsteps in the loft above my room. Grandpa opens the gate...yes, really, I barricade my children at night...and makes chocolate milk and coffee for us. I can't vouch for the milk, but the coffee is fantastic. Bean usually stomps down the stairs, across the living room, and into the room to jump up on Grammy's bed...SLAM! Good morning, Bean....

Fox News, breakfast, my shower and getting dressed all happen...and the day unfolds...

We often do school in the basement or hang out in Grandma's office watching Noggin. Sometimes we throw a little housework in, but never enough to earn our keep. Bug might help Grandpa outside in the shop. Bean helps Grandma in the kitchen and may share her warm yummies with the boys in the shop. Grandma always has yummy meals for us...mostly I try to stay out of her way.

The Amish store is a fun trip down the road. Much Word Twist is played on Facebook...no names, thank you. There is a nearby pool house for swims. There is the spring and the creek to plunk rocks and play Pooh Sticks (thank you, friends...now I understand the magic of Pooh sticks.) Keen eyes are always spotting wildlife - deer, turkey, groundhogs - and the field glasses are passed around.  Walks and naps take place in the afternoon. And then evening...dinner, little TV, few games. And maybe best of all, I have my own room - aaaahhh. I let Sweet Man share it with me when he's home, of course.

All in all, it's a great place to be.

I need to do a better job taking pictures. But here are some.  

Going to a Tea Party today...stay tuned for political ranting....