Last May Fill-In

1. Birthdays are inevitable.

2. Fall is my favorite season because of the colors, harvest, & weather.

3. I feel my best when everything goes my way.

4. Homemade ravioli is my favorite food!

5. First impressions are forever.

6. The best piece of advice I ever received was “don’t sweat the small stuff (and its all small stuff).”

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to Ethan’s baseball game, tomorrow my plans include my cousin Vince’s wedding and Sunday, I want to have a great outreach to Bolton Brook Manor with the kids from church!

Other updates: The kids have been enjoying all the parties and end of the year surprises. Four and a half days to go before school is out. Alexandra got her work permit and other pertinent information turned in to Burger King now we're just waiting for the 'uniform.' Fox is going to be doing Cross-Country next year so we need to get him in for his physical over the next few weeks. I am still decluttering and looking forward to taking all these boxes and bags of toys, clothes, and other household items to our church "Care & Share" which is coming up June 4, 5, 6. Ben has his last soccer game tomorrow. I was originally thinking to get the boys each in some type of day camp this summer but as I looked into options and considered my summer schedule I decided against it. For the first time in several years we really don't have any major commitments during June, July, and August and I'm going to keep things open ended. The boys will be going on their annual camping trip to Port Austin with Gramma and Grandpa and we're going to do swim lessons at the Imlay City Pool again but that's about it. I just watched another disc of "Living with Ed" shows and its been making me long to get more house projects done and make things more energy efficient around here. Perhaps the fates will work with us.

Humpty meme

My friend Penny had this on her blog and I haven't done a Meme since the first one I did so here I go with a hump day meme:

1. What are your current obsessions? Recycling, getting the house organized/decluttered, and trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up

2. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often? The comfy stuff, sweats and t-shirts

3. What was your favorite childhood meal? Tacos with homemade shells & fresh fruit salad on the side

4. Last thing you bought? Besides groceries? – I splurged on some make-up, storage boxes, and my passport.

5. What are you listening to? Bullfrogs, birds, and bugs outside my window

6. If you were a god/goddess who would you be? No one, to much responsibility for me, besides I don’t want to be put on a pedestal high enough for people to see up my dress

7. Favorite holiday spots? I only tolerate holidays and none would fall under the favorite category

8. Reading right now? Love Child by Allegra Huston and various books about recycling and other green efforts

9. Four words to describe you? Creative, Divergent, Explosive, Vertically-Challenged

10. Guilty pleasure? My ‘smut’ magazines: InTouch, People, Us Weekly

11. Who or what makes you laugh until you’re weak? Usually something dorky that the kids or animals do or some off-handed joke

12. Favorite thing to do? Using my artistic wiles and getting kids to sing or dance

13. Planning to travel to next? Nothing planned at the moment but hoping to have a chance to use my passport soon

14. Best thing you ate or drank lately? Had some perfect pasta salad on Monday, noodles cooked just right, good add-ins, and not too much dressing (Shout out to June!)

15. When did you last get tipsy? none-yuz!

16. Favorite ever film? To Kill a Mockingbird



17. Care to share some wisdom? Don’t put metal in the microwave!

18. Song you can’t get out of your head? “I’ve Been Redeemed” & “I Feel Good”

19. What one object would you save from a house fire? I don’t know if there is an object I would really care about, maybe pictures. I’d just want my family safe.

20. What is your aim in life? Live long, live free, keep peace

Ben had a soccer game last night, it had been over a week since the team played and a little longer than that for Ben since he missed because of the Chess Tournament. They won that one 3-1 I think. The sky was relatively sunny when we arrived but got it got gloomier and colder as the game went on. Overall everyone played pretty well, Ben got in for part of the first half. Gramma and Grandpa Parton surprised us and showed up for the game. Silly me, I should have took a picture of them! Our goalie wasn't quite up to snuf and let two in although the defenders were trying to do their job. The Lapeer goalie was pretty good and didn't let much past him, but we managed to sneak in two and end with a tie score. Last game on Saturday and its an early one!

What a Weekend!

The weekend didn't exactly pan out the way I had expected since Friday afternoon Alex had another car breakdown (this time the Neon) on her way to Burger King for her interview. So, instead of working on the deck project as planned Rob had to replace the fuel pump on the car. Thankfully, we had fundage and it was a fairly simple repair (easy for me to say, right honey). Fox helped with some mowing and I got my small garden plots rototillered up and ready for planting, now I just wait for things to go on sale, then it's planting time!


On Monday, the kids and I headed down to my Dad's house for some BBQ and games while Rob got the garage cleaned up, and did some resting himself. It was a wonderful surprise to see my sister Colette there too; home from New York City for the week since my cousin is getting married on Saturday. After a fabulous meal we all walked over to the neighborhood playscape, then around the 'hood.' We had lots of giggles, drama, play wars, photography sessions, and just an all-around good time being in the summer sun. But probably one of the most exciting announcements is ....

drum roll please.......

Alex got a job at the Lapeer Burger King so she'll be making sure you "Have It Your Way" and get some hot fries with your shake as soon as her work clothes arrive and they put her on the schedule, probably sometime next week.

Fill-In - Recycle Center

1. The last meal I had at a restaurant was chicken alfredo at Max & Erma’s on Mother’s Day.

2. Excessive cell phone usage is something I intensely dislike.

3. The full moon can cause some pretty strange happenings.

4. ‘Go Broncos!’ is one of my favorite local expressions.

5. Sometimes it's best to just smile and nod.

6. The Soloist is the best movie I've seen so far this year! (Robert Downy Jr. & Jamie Foxx are fabulous!)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to going nowhere, tomorrow my plans include deck project, yard work and writing more entries and Sunday, I want to prepare for our next Seeds of Jesus outreach with the kids!

Here is how I have my recycling organized for the moment. All types of plastic bags go in the top drawer, flattened product boxes go in the bottom drawer. Small paper scraps and food packaging go in the plastic basket to mix into compost. Items that our recycling takes go in the paper bag to be taken out to the garage for sorting (boys' job), the blue plastic basket makes for easier carrying and allows the paper bag to last longer. 4/5/6 plastics are in the recepticle behind, these are usually smaller, tops mostly and some containers. For food waste there are two levels, one for scraps the chickens can eat, basically anything except meat, pits, and bones. Then the other is for mostly meat scraps, bones, rinds, thick stalks, and pits.

The most challenging thing now is to get the family trained. For the past couple weeks I started reminding the kids that more things can go in recycling but I still 'rescued' a lot of things. They are getting better. This week I made the bold move and "took away" the main garbage. Rather I moved it to a different location so you have to think before you throw away and see if it can go in one of these other categories first. I also reused a large dog food bag in the 'not recyclable' garbage. My cousin (Shout out to Megan!) has been an inspiration to me by not buying regular garbage bags AT ALL. She only reuses store bags and large bags from purchased products. So there you have the basics for now, I have more to comment but must run to get ready for sub-teaching today.

Happy Memorial Weekend All!

Concert - Rocket - Interview

Tuesday evening we had the pleasure of attending Fox's first band concert with the 5th and 6th graders playing four selections each. Our favorites were the Popcorn Song that the 5th graders did with each section "popping" up to play their parts and the final song by the 6th grade "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown."

Alexandra hung out with Ethan at his ball game Tuesday night since both events were at the same time. Ray C's team lost again but at least they brought in 4 runs this time. Forgot to mentioned that Saturday I took the boys up to Independence Bank in North Branch so they could all open their own saving account. Hopefully this will cut down on the mysterious disappearing funds from around the house. Another project Fox has been working on is a bottle rocket that they will be shooting off on a fun day during the last week of school. Here are some pictures of his Eagle Rocket. I asked him to smile but he said he didn't want to because he's trying to look distinguished.


Alex worked at the Frontslide Youth Annual Golf Fundraiser Saturday and is delighted to be going in for an interview at Burger King tomorrow afternoon. Say a prayer that she receives divine favor as she is hoping to start earning toward her college tuition.


Got Benjamin signed up to play AYSO Soccer starting next Fall and then spring. I really liked the lady who is the current registrar and was excited to learn I also already know her replacement (Shout out to Lisa!). Since each parent is requested to volunteer I signed up to learn how to referee (this should be a hoot) and also to help with the newsletter if needed. No, I'm not going to be in charge, just helping! Today I subbed for half a day in a regular 6th grade class (Yikes!) and tomorrow I will sub for one of the band teachers again.

Trippin' the Light Fantastic

Well Friday night was rather fun. Ethan had his second baseball game they got clombered again but did manage to bring in one run. Ethan batted 1000 getting on base everytime up so Coach Jeff gave him the game ball. Very exciting.

But the real fun was when we returned home, Alex had gone out for a walk while we were at the game and found a morrell mushroom. Rob noticed it sitting on the kitchen counter and asked where she found it. Well, where there's one there is always more and this is the season. He and the kids threw on some shoes, coats, grabbed a plastic grocery bag, and headed out to hunt. They returned with good bagful which were quickly washed in salt water, sauteed in butter, season just so, and happily eaten by all. Yum!

Chess News & Fill-In

Our second adventure with the Chatfield Checkmate Challenge was terrific. It was fun to see friends from homeschool and also from public school. Fox's friend and fiercest competititor during Choice Time Chess, Austin was also there. Ben hung with Jeremy who he knows from church and homeschool. Fox had some tough opponents at the start and lost his first three matches but redeemed things the final two. Ben swept it and received his first trophy for chess! He was beyond excited.

Friday Fill-In
1. I believe whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

2. If you're good at something, then go for it.

3. Why so glum chum.

4. Something is out there, it's just around the bend.

5. If my life were a sitcom, it would be titled No, Really!?.

6. Sitting on my back porch (right now square o’ deck) I see major grass that needs to be cut.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to Ethan’s baseball game, tomorrow my plans include hopefully family work day around the yard and Sunday, I want to be refreshed!

* I love this variety of lilac that was in front of the Chatfield School. Their gardens are beautiful.

Baseball Opener

We had a lovely Tuesday evening for our season opener. The sun was so bright even sunglasses weren't enough. Ethan is playing on the 6-8 y.o. Ray C's Orange team this year. He did that baseball clinic a few weeks back and I could really see a maturity in his playing, his batting stance is better, he stays focused in the field (no dandelion picking), and he is understanding more where to make the play. Call it first game jitters but our guys weren't really getting the hits off. Ethan did however get a couple out there and got on base, nobody brought him in though. He played 2nd base for most of the game then tried catcher for the last inning. The blue team had some serious hitters and brought in 12 runs total. Next game, Friday.

Mom Day Walk & Meal

Today I woke at my regular weekday time (6:15am), caught Rob on his second cup of coffee, and asked if he wanted to go out for a quick early morning 'stroll' around the grounds. We both put some java in a travel mug and headed back. We wore boots to muck around in the back swamp where some awesome flowers are blooming. I love the color on this early blooming tree and I wish I could 'smell-a-blog' the crab apple trees by my chicken coop. They are so fragrant it blows you away. When we arrived back at the house the boys were all up, showered, had the table set and were working on making breakfast. I jumped in the shower while they finished cooking, opened my gifts, then sat down for a fabulous meal of ham and eggs, hash browns, and toast. Then we loaded up to go to church.

All wilst the teenager slept....

And the Winner is...

What a wonderful job they did with Friday's Assembly. Kudos to Literacy Specialist Amber White for planning this 'red carpet' event. In culmination of their writing unit they had an awards night to honor those excelling in illustration (Caldecott Awards), unique topic choices (Newberry), and best of class chosen by their peers. Teachers dressed up in their best bride's maid and prom dresses while others appeared as celebrity presenters: Edward & Bella from 'Twilight,' Clint Black & Taylor Swift, plus the Jonas Brothers! The Queen was even there for the auspicious occasion (aka Principal Wood). The kids really got a kick out of the whole affair and it was fun to see the staff honoring their students in this way. It was also sweet that Fox chose to sit with me instead of his class. His book dedication: This book is dedicated to my mother who has homeschooled me and encouraged both my reading and writing skills. Awww. These are the things that are very challenging to 're-create' as a homeschooler.

Today we did a divide and conquer. Rob took Benny to his soccer game and then went to Home Depot to do some pricing for our up-coming roof project. Ben played for about half the game and "was more aggressive this time." The team won against the Lapeer Swordfish 3-2 giving them a 3-1 record so far. I took Ethan up to North Branch for his baseball pictures and was happily surprised that they went with a local photographer mom to do the shots this year and her pricing was incredibly low! Finally got the game schedule, their Opener will be this Tuesday @ 6:30pm and since there are only six teams we really have no 'byes' except for the Friday before Memorial Day. So every Tuesday and Friday until June 23rd you know where we'll be!

Fantastic Friday!

1. On my laziest day I like to wander and ponder!

2. Having laundry put away and the kitchen clean makes me feel like I'm being productive.

3. I love little kisses and big hugs.

4. This summer I want to not be in charge of anything!

5. Michelle P. made me start my blog. (with brut force & perilous torture!)

6. Red apples and orange melons.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to seeing ‘Bedtime Stories’ up at the school movie night, tomorrow my plans include soccer game + baseball pics and Sunday, I want to go to dinner and a movie with my mom!

Other Stuff: Didn’t post much this week. Was enjoying decluttering inside the house and putzing outside with mowing, raking, and weeding. Also I finally applied for my Passport which I’ve been threatening to do for the last two years. Maybe I’ll get a chance to use it before the year is out! Got my first check from substitute teaching!!

Ben was awarded a prize of no homework for the week because he got the Super Reader Award for April since he read the most pages out of the entire class- 1,571 total! Had a soccer game Tuesday after school but again he barely played. They lost 2-0 against a Lapeer team. He has been really bugging me to get a bank account lately. His class did a unit on economics and the kids were given a certificate from Independence Bank that if they open an account the bank will give them $5. That was all Ben needed to hear!

Ethan’s spelling grades have been rising, he got an A one week, then a C, prior to that all his marks were E. He starting to excel with the Rocket Math and his reading is fabulous, he’s already moved up a group. His journal writing is greatly improved as well although he informs me she never actually looks at their journal notebooks. Next week baseball games will start.

Fox is working diligently to keep his work organized and had to check the “No Name Box” for a few papers that he didn’t get grades on. It still amazes him how repelled the public school kids are about reading. In his opinion homeschoolers definitely enjoy reading more. The class had a goal to reach 31 AR points before the end of the year and some haven’t done it yet. Fox already has almost twice that and he’s been in not even a whole trimester! I asked him how he feels about getting grades, he said he likes it and wants to gets all high marks. He likes to see where he stands compared to the other students. Socially speaking he says he’s been fine, fits in with the other kids, no weirdness, shyness, or thoughts of being an outcast. In fact he has received some attention from the fantasy story he wrote. They voted on the best four stories of the class and he was one of them. I also got a phone call from the Literacy Specialist asking if they could film Fox reading his story and use it on a friend's website about writing with boys. She also told me that Fox will be receiving a trophy this afternoon during Assembly since his class voted his story the best! (He doesn't know this yet.) She said the kids were very impressed with his writing and storytelling (he used all his character voices when he read the tale aloud to the class). The artwork to the left is a dragon he made during their Cinco de Mayo celebration on Tuesday.

Alex had an orthodontist appointment this week and was excited that the doctor thinks she is ahead of schedule. We’re hoping she can do Senior Pictures sans the braces. We’ll know better in a couple more appointments. Last Friday was Prom. I’m still waiting to see pictures! They had fun but she said overall is was really sort of dumb. And I correct myself; it wasn’t on a boat but rather at a golf course. Oooo, that was worth driving to Port Huron for since we don’t have any around here….. ?? Last night was the Forensic Club "Night of the Stars" and I finally got to see her piece she's been using all year. It was good, emotional, but good. She earned her Letter in Forensics too, not sure if she is into getting a Varsity jacket or not yet. Goal for next year...make it to States! Below is a picture of most of the North Branch Forensics Team for Year 4. Sorry so small, the camera has been weird lately and the pictures have been coming out blurry.

Make your Friday fantastic!!

Tough Times

Cats are soooo dramatic!

Garden Tour May 2009

1) Benny’s handiwork: getting this vegetable plot weeded. I left the fence up from last year. We had pole beans on it; on one end I threw in some snow pea seeds I found around here, not sure how old they are or if they will grow. I’m thinking of trying Luffa Gourds again on the other end.
2) Remember that picture of the chives just popping up after a long winter, well here’s Mama Chive and a couple chivettes!
3) The Hosta section I got cleaned up and added some Astilbes to.
4) Ironically the other Hosta section that I was able to put landscape material and mulch down around last year is not emerging as quickly as the other plot.
5) These plants are barely poking up, perhaps because they were newly transferred last season.
6) Massive Mound of Tarragon
7) Lilacs waiting to bloom
8) I love these spring perennials, although the name escapes me at the moment.
9) A young Lupine, just planted last year, hoping it will flower this summer.
10) Our swamp pond is experiencing some major flooding; I don’t ever remember the water being up this high into the yard before.

I love seeing which perennials are going to spring up each year, since I am a perennial collector of sorts, rarely buying them unless for a fundraiser or crazy markdown-can’t-resist-sale. Whenever I see them leafing up or in full bloom it reminds of the people and places where I acquired the plants from, many have come from aunts, parents, friends, schools, churches, and a few roadsides. Several times when people have moved I was invited to come over and pull whatever I wanted from their garden before the new people came in. I miss those people and visiting their houses but all have moved on to better situations in their lives; a refreshing and comforting recollection.

May your Monday be Merry!

First Saturday in May

It was another glorious day, weather-wise, for a soccer game although the field was a bit squishy. Ben was in to start but then got pulled after a short while, the coach was so busy following the action of the game he lost track of time was not very effective in rotating players, at one point Ben was literally begging to be put back in the game. He finally went in for the very last moments. They played a good game, North Branch won. We had a brief word with the coach after, he was appologetic and not offended. He is new at coaching and still learning the ropes himself but his partner had already discussed with him about changing a player every 5 minutes or so. After the game Rob, Ben and I stopped by Walmart so Rob could get some new jeans.

Back at the house the boys did some work for hire: cleaning out the chicken coop they all helped with, Fox did some grass mowing, Ben weeded one of the vegetable plots, Ethan loaded up the weed piles in the wheelbarrow, and Rob worked on the Saturn some more. Me I putzed around with some weeding and am still working on organizing my office. The entire desk/counter of my office is nice and cleared off but now I have to deal with all the piles of junk that are sitting on the office floor!

Alex headed out to pick up her friend and go over another friend's to get ready for Prom. A group of girls are going, out of the six of them only two have dates and they are riding together in two cars, Alex being the driver of one vehicle. The dance is in Port Huron on a boat so she'll be on the freeway and returning at night, but before midnight because neither of the drivers is cleared to be on the road after midnight. She has been instructed to check in at certain points. Lord give me strength and don't let them do any of the stupid crap I did!

Friday Fill-In & Trash Talk

1. Idle hands are not recommended.
2. I love hot water in the shower.
3. My favorite time of the day is from sun-up to sundown.
4. The last tea I drank was Celestial Seasoning's Tension Tamer.
5. I like to trail ride and garden in the Summer.
6. My mother always said a lot of things I never really took to heart.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to having Rob return safely from his weeklong extravaganza to Canada, tomorrow my plans include soccer, gardening, Prom for Alexandra and Sunday, I want to call it all good!

Trash Talk: I have been revamping my garbage separation. We are still on the same main trash bag as last week since I have been setting aside all food boxes (cereal, mac&cheese, etc.), as well as packaging bags from produce, frozen foods, and the like. I found out my mom's recycling does take these so I'll just bring a bunch down whenever I head that way. I have also been more conciencious of the packaging I buy so there aren't as many "don't know what I'll do with that" things. And yesterday night I did some grocery shopping and remember to bring three of my own canvas bags, man you sure can fit a lot more stuff in them than in the plastic bags they put two to four items each in. I'll post a photo of my new recycling area once it's finalized.

Have a fabulous weekend!