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



iHave a Dream

Halfway through the month and all is well.  Just logged a bit over 40 miles running which I feel is a pretty notable accomplishment for someone who flatly stated they "couldn't" and "would never" run.  Just made an investment in a pair of proper running shoes, figure if I'm going to do it I should do it right.  Rehearsals for my Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr. production are going well however I have yet to get all players there, seems there's always been one or two missing for some reason or another.  Next week begins crunch time and all hands MUST be on deck!

Outside my Window:  After a brief warm spell we are back to a light covering of white and below freezing temperatures and it doesn't look pretty.

What's on my Mind: Keeping all my volunteer projects moving in a forward motion plus earning money as well.  I am on the board of the Lapeer County Concert Choir and will be putting together a grant proposal to help extend our audience base for our spring concert.  Working on how to word things to make the endeavor seem even more amazing than it truely is.

Thankful for: All the ladies that I've come to know and consider friends since I've moved into the area.  Women who are smart, faithful, funny, encouraging, interesting, motivated, and inspirational to me.  They come from a variety of areas: church, choir, 4H, homeschool, public school, the community at large.  Their down-to-earth, unpretentious nature, and ecclectic interests are very important to me.

Creative Endeavors: Choreographing and making props for the SHR production.  Preparing for the fourth year of After School Choir, getting music chosen and ordered.

Latest Project: Just got the preliminary paperwork filled out for the 4H Feeds Families Committee which I will be the Leader/President of.  I did not come up with the original idea mind you.  Our 4H club did entrepreneurship as their educational focus last year using the Project Clover idea from another county.  The kids raised funds and got donations from various organizations to purchase several animals at the auction, get them processed then donate the food to area soup kitchens.  I volunteered to keep the concept going and broaden it to involve all the livestock areas.  It's a really cool thing.

My 3 Sons:  XBox 360 obssession.  They got one for Christmas, it's been a bit ridiculous, but this two shall pass.  We've also been discussing how to proceed in regards to purchasing animals to raise for the 4H Fair, last year we raised three hogs, two got auctioned and one went into our freezer.  I'm not feeling like I want to have another one for us yet, we just don't eat that much pork.  Ben would like to raise one again though and Fox was interested in giving it a go as well.  Ethan can take it or leave it.  Whatever we decide it needs to be soon so we can put in our order with the breeder.  Ben also wants to raise some sheep however we'd just do it for freezer meat not for 4H.

The first Born: Feeling the shock of having insurance premiums deducted from her paycheck but happy to have coverage so she can go to the doctor and dentist again.  Ah, the joys of being a grown-up.

Employment News: Nothing new.  But I've been asked to be in on some brainstorming sessions for activities that could lead to something in the future.  Story of my life.

Hoping to Improve:  Staying positive even around naysayers.  Not trying to prove anything to other people that may judge my life choices and just be secure in the work that I do whether it's paid or not.

Food for Thought: All of us were born to be healthy and naturally slim. The fact that you are not slim and healthy now merely means you have walked, perhaps for many years, away from your natural instincts.  ~from Ten Habits of Naturally Slim People

Last Words: Well every person you can know and any place that you can go and any thing that you can show, you know they're nouns. A noun's a special kind of word, it's any name you've every heard. I find it quite interesting a noun's a person, place, or thing.  Yes, I am obssessed and will be until the production goes up February 1, 2, and 3.  

So Long, Farewell 2012

This will more than likely be my last post of the year.  I hope it finds everyone grateful for what has transpired this past year and looking forward to the opportunities in store for the next.  Alexandra and I sang together with the Lapeer County Concert Choir for the Christmas concert the first weekend of the month.  It has been nice to have her be a part of it and for her to be singing with a group once again.  We had a decent size audience on Friday and a packed house at the Sunday performance.  She is planning to sing with us again for the spring concert as well.  Sweet!

I met the challenge and completed 50,206 words of a novel in November but continued to work on it adding about another 3,000 since the end of the month.  In fact I'm so geeked about it I'd like to continue to edit it and possibly format it to sell as an ebook.  Alex has agreed to be my editing partner, reading it when I'm ready and giving me some feedback for tweaking.

Fox has continued to train with the North Branch Community Run Club twice a week that is organized by the cross country coach plus runs 6 miles on Kings Mill, which is filled with several killer hills, twice a week.  He has noticed a marked improvement in his 5K times due to this.  Ethan has been staying after once a week for the Ruth Fox Run Club and does 4 or 5 miles there.  Last week he ran his first 5K at the Santa Shuffle in Lapeer.  Below is our Bronco group that participated in the Shuffle, picture is a bit blurry but it doesn't lessen the fun.  I have also begun a running regimen, going out every other day, started the weekend after Thanksgiving, going twice around the loop on the property, six times around is a mile, and adding on in small increments.  This week I am now at 1.5 miles.  Benjamin usually comes out and runs with me when he's home.  My goal is to run the North Branch Spring Fitness 5K in April.

Got Fox's first trimester report card: Accounting I - A-, Algebra II - A-, AP Prep English - A, AP Psychology - B, AP World History - A-, Seasonal Activities - A.  Nice job.  We had a meeting with the principal about amending a couple bummer grades from last year to help keep his GPA in check plus inquired about dual enrollment and some virtual classes for his Junior and Senior year.  Mr. H was most accommodating and encouraging and I very much appreciate that.

Had auditions for a production I am directing at the Pix Theater for Schoolhouse Rock Live!  The group I had is made up of many kids I've worked with before in either the schools or drama classes but with a few new faces thrown in.  Still need to recruit a young adult to play the teacher but have a couple prospects in mind.  Ethan is going to be in the show and I'm trying to get Ben to be in it too since he is such a good singer and memorizes things easily but he is not budging at this point.  Ugh.

Saturday Ben, Ethan and I helped with other folks from our 4H Swine Club at the Holiday Depot pick-up in our community.  This is a great service project and it is always a good time to be a part of it.  When we homeschooled we would go and help them get the boxes of food items packed up for the families but now the process is streamlined and the boxes are prepared elsewhere so we just help carrying things out to people's car for them.

I've also been making final preparations for the fourth year of After School Choir which will start when we come back from the Christmas break.  I'm doing two groups again, 2nd to 4th graders in one, and 5th to 8th in the other, hopefully we'll have a good turnout and the kids will like the songs I've got planned.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. 

Mine will begin with a New Year's Resolution 5K Walk while Fox does his first 8K Run. 

Giddyup Broncos!