iHave no Expectations

Outside my Window:  We have been having the most wonderful weather lately, warm but not miserable, mixed with some cooler days that start you off with sweatshirts in the morning but by 11a it's t-shirt and shorts all the way.  The activity around the Buddliea bushes in the Gramma Garden has been crazy, very hard to capture these busy creatures on film.

What's on my Mind:  Mental health, forgiveness, family.  I just finished reading the book "Silver Linings Playbook" for our next book club meeting.  I had seen the movie in theaters but it had been enough time that I could forget what I saw and really get into the characters as written.  It really made me think more about the influence of family and relationships; when you need to forgive, let go and keep connection; and when you need to completely release any contact for the sake of your mental well-being.  It's a very fine line and a tricky road to cross. 

Thankful for:  A great first cross country meet at Croswell-Lexington High School this morning.  The weather was perfect, we had the biggest team since my boys have been involved, and Fox had his old mojo back, having fun with his running buddies and taking it all in stride.  Coach wasn't pushing anybody, this was an invitational meet and the goal was just to get a baseline time set to work off of for the rest of the season.

Creative Endeavors:  Putting together a Fundraising Packet for the Lapeer County Concert Choir 2013-14 campaign.  Rearranging perennials from various garden areas.

Latest Project:  Getting the donations to the 4H Feeds Families Committe delivered and/or stored until the organizations can use it.  Since there was so much meat donated I had to get resourceful and got a freezer donated from the Habitat for Humanity Restore.  We gave some to House of Hope which prepares hot meals weekly at various locations, some to North Branch Emergency Aid which distributes weekly food boxes, and some to the United Methodist Women for their shut-in meals that they prepare and deliver to the elderly in the community.

My 3 Sons:  Getting put to work around the property quite a bit, luggin tree limbs, raking grass clipping, push mowing, cleaning out and rearranging the back of the garage.  Still to come, closing down the piggie pen and making modifications for next time.  Went to Junior orientation with Fox this week and got his schedule. These his classes for the entire year:
AP Prep English, Pre-Calc, AP US Government, Economics, Physics, Drafting, 3D Design, Intro Stats, Current Events, You and the Law

Middle School open house is coming up this week for Ben and Ethan although they've already gone online and peeked at their classes.  E wanted to find out if he made it into PreAlgebra....he did!  He's also got Drama class for first trimester and Ben will be in the S.T.E.M. class again which he loved.

I've also asked all the boys to find a non-sport actvity or club to do during the winter months.  Ethan is going to try Forensics, Fox is thinking about Model U.N. and/or Legislative Debate, Ben is not sure what he'll do yet.  We talked about maybe trying F.F.A. (Future Farmer of America) but he's not that convinced.

The first Born:  Putting in applications EVERYWHERE, finally started getting calls for interviews.  Had a job offer today to start training next week.  Has another 2nd interview tomorrow and is hoping to be able to work at both places since they've been talking to her about different shifts.  Both are far closer to home so gas expenses will be extremely less plus no more BK drama.  You go girl!

Employment News:  Did my renewal tutorials for subbing but have also been putting in online applications looking for a regular secretarial or administrative assistant job in the area.  Also going to be working weekends at Honeyflow.

Hoping to Improve:  I've begun reading a very disconcerting book "Pandora's Lunchbox: How Processed Food Took Over the American Meal" by Melanie Warner.  My crusade to cut out processed food began awhile back, this information will certainly propel me to stay on track.  These food scientists are so proud of their preserving accomplishments but what has transpired in the meantime is not even close to real food any more, it's really just food representation.

Food for Thought:  Since our employment change we have been blessed with donations from neighbors' gardens and freezers plus our garden is coming in nicely.  It has been a joy to cook for my men regularly again with locally grown/raised produce/livestock. I've also been working on freezing zucchini, swiss chard, and apples.  From garden to bowl....quick and easy coleslaw!

Last Words: 

Life is 10% what you make it

and 90% how you take it.

~Irving Berlin



iWent to the Fair



Outside my Window: Now it is dark since I've been trying to complete this post for the past couple days and Blogger is being stupid.  When I began there were blue skies, little white clouds, slight breezes, sun, and an empty pig pen.

What's on my Mind:  Raising boys and the stupid things they do that blow my mind.  You think you know a kid's character and then a behavior arises that you never expected.  Not saying girls aren't like that too, but right now I'm dealing with boys.

Thankful for: A great week at the Eastern Michigan State Fair.  The weather was fantastic with just a little bit of rain one evening and for a while one morning other than that the temperatures were tolerable which is not always the case with Fair week.  Ethan did well in his first year showing rabbits, he needs to work on his showmanship (5th in age group) but his animals all placed well.  His meat pen weighed in at 20.10 pounds and he got $9 per pound at the auction, donating $10 of his earnings to the 4H Feeds Families Committee.  We have an appointment this week to take them in for processing, with small animals the sellers take care of the processing and deliver them to the buyer.

Ben did not get any ribbons this year, he was one out for placing in his showmanship age group and in his weight class.  No worries, he's got a plan for next year and is looking forward to having another chance at it next year.  I must admit it can be hard to compete against kids who come from large working farms.  Zelda weighed in at 275 pounds and he got $2 per pound again at auction from the same buyer as last year.  Fox held his own amongst some pretty seasoned showman but did not place, nor did he expect to.  His pig Dagney received a 4th Place in her weight class, tipping the scale at 286 pounds and bringing in $2.20 per pound at auction.  He donated $35 of his earnings to the 4H Camp Scholarship fund, which made me quite proud.  I give Fox credit for stepping up and trying pig raising and showing to support his younger brother who did not want to be in the project alone but understand that it is not his "thing" and he will refrain from showing again.  He is however going to apply to work at the Fairgrounds next summer since he'll be old enough. 

Also, Ethan got the prize for getting the most sponsorships for the Swine Department for the second year in a row.... a nice fresh Benjamin!  Cha-ching!  He's already planning to go for it again next year.

Creative Endeavors: This photo I took in Italy got 1st Place for Phototgraphy-Architectural.

My three Handicrafts-Paper Goods entries were the only ones in the category!  My Wildflower Arrangement and Perennial Arrangement both got 2nd Place.

But these two Handicrafts-Other made from scrap tile and molding that I spent the most time and thought on didn't get anything.  I was quite proud of how these turned out.  Go figure.

Latest Project:  Got the flashdrive of pictures from Ben's Space Academy week, put together a couple collages from the hundreds and hundreds of photos that their sponsor and the camp staff took.  Very, very cool.

My 3 Sons: High School Football starts this week for Fox.  Middle School Cross Country begins the last week of the month for Ben and Ethan.

The first Born: Officially engaged.

Employment News: Applied for another position in the Lapeer 4H Extension office, already spoke with the county coordinator, hoping to get a call for an official interview this week.  Also going to be helping a friend out, well we're helping each other out, at his vineyard and honeybee farm during the fall picking season.  Robert is also seeking employment after a devastating turn of events at his place of work.  Yes, the fun never ends.

Hoping to Improve: My resourcefulness.....

Food for Thought: Dr. Miracle's approach was much less confrontational and more civilized. According to him, there are two selves in each of us: the one who wants to be slim and healthy and the on who wants something else.  One sees the big picture -- well-being, self-esteem, fitting into the lastest fashions. The other wants pleasures aplenty, and now.  One is Narcissus leaning over his pool; the other is Pantagruel leaning over his table.  The key, he said, was not to conquer the second, but to broker a rapprochement: make friends of your two selves and be the master of both your willpower and your pleasures.  That was the French way.  ~French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure by Mireille Guiliano

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