National Poem Month

In the spirit of April being national poem month(found this out at the library), we have some work to share with you. Enjoy!

Bacon

Bacon is a delicious treat.

A food that tastes so sweet.

Can beat all other meats.

Only one way to see if it is the best meat.

Now try it with your feet!

Bacon

I love Bacon in a bowl

Absolutely delectable!

With a Camel

and some Oil

in a Net!

BACON

Bacon is good to eat.

A slice of Bacon comes from a pig.

Considering bacon for lunch.

On a plate?

Not my head!

Bacon

Bacon, bacon in the makin'

Achin', achin', sides full of bacon

Cakin', cakin' on that bacon

Oh boy, Oh boy, too much bacon!

Nappin', Nappin' after all that bacon.

After MONTHS of searching, we found 2 cars that were pretty much what we were looking for. One was more expensive, but had a little more wiggle room. However, the smaller van got better gas mileage. What to do? So I insisted on test driving them with all the kids to see how the clambering in and out would work. Of course, it was pouring down rain that day! We went with the smaller van, and it IS tight, but the savings in gas mileage was necessary!

We still have not sold the bus, so if you know anyone in the market for a 15 passenger van, please let us know.

P.S. I have a CD player now, but my CDs are YEARS old. Which is great when it is Rich Mullins. Any suggestions(and of course donations) are welcome!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!

Vote for the "funkiest"outfit!

SO, I had these great plans to have Joel, Ben and Ivy make dinner while I had the other children at soccer practice. I got a curveball when the mom who usually transports one of my children to the next site had altered the arrangement. Then, when I called home to give further instructions, my children informed me that our home was without power. Hmm. Well, it HAS happened a couple of times before, usually not for long. I called back three times, and finally figured out that the reason they would only answer cell phones was that our home phone is cordless! I am quick, you know. As I left the practice fields at 6:40, I was informed that there was STILL no power. No power, NO dinner. Mike was in class. I debated my options. Go to Walmart and pick up roasted chicken and sides(presuming there are any there at this hour), drive through, tell the kids to cook on the grill in the fast falling dusk, eat pb and j. What to do. I was completely befuddled. I really WANTED to have a solution that we could survive without power, but you know, I had not planned for it like we have for a hurricane or typhoon. I was so disappointed with myself when I finally chose to drive through. I just wanted to get home before dark and feed the kids before 7.
I lit the one pillar candle we had and the two tiny tealights to eat by. You may have noticed that I am not a big candle person. All those children and fire, I just don't think it is a good mix. It was kind of funny what the kids chose to do with themselves. Trinity was bored and wanted to watch TV. Could not grasp why I said NO. Jeanette read a book with a flashlight. Ivy and Anna organized all the flashlights and found out which batteries we needed. Ben and Joel were outside, but then I sent them to the store for candles and batteries(only 2 flashlights actually came on!) At 8 :15 I called a friend who camps to see if she had lanterns I could borrow so Ben could do his homework. Now you know that 5 minutes later the power came on!
I felt oddly upset with myself that I had not organized a cozy story time, or a fun game to play in the absence of electricity. It is not like I have never come up against something like this before. It has just been a long time. IS it just me, or are we SO dependent on modern life that we do not know what to do with ourselves when presented with down time like this.
Just some random thoughts in the dark.

Ivy Qualified for STATE!

This past weekend, Regional qualifiers were held and she ran 3000 m(3K)(1.9 miles) in 11.41 minutes! This is about a 40 second improvement over last year. Go Ivy!

Joel also participated, but has not discovered his best event yet. Good job Joel for going out giving it your best!

Look at that hair fly!

Ben is too much of a distance runner to make it out of districts to regionals, but he loves running anyway. His best time for 3200m this year was 10.32.

Sorry if you are bored with runner speak.

Hop-a-Long Trinity

Two weeks ago Trinity sprained her ankle and after 5 days, I took her in because it was still hurting her. This is a "partial cast" for 10 days. It is really cramping her style. And mine, to tell the truth. She is sleeping on the floor(as opposed to her top bunk), and having to shower on a little stool with her leg wrapped in grocery bags. It was especially sad for her because after weeks of practice, she missed her first soccer game. The team is made up of mostly tiny 4 year olds and super agressive Trini-chan. We go back Monday.

Friday Funny

Last night Ben decided to make a milkshake. He was peeling a banana to put in when he suddenly hollered and shot the banana across the room. A startled Joel received this explanation, "Fruit Fly." He thought it was a rather reaching joke until he realized Ben did not mean it as a joke, he literally had gotten a fruit fly in the eye! They were chortling about it the whole time they made milkshakes.

The answer to yesterday's crossword is: Anna-Laura, Jeanette, and of course, Liz! Congratulations to Melinda who got them all! But equal kudos to Jennifer and Alex(can't believe you missed Liz, Alex!) for getting everybody but Liz. The question WAS subjective, it is kind of up to the individual whether Liz is missing, since I did not give birth to her!

Wordless Wednesday

Yes, I am aware it is not Wednesday anymore, but I have been saving this picture all week and cannot pass up the opportunity to put up the silly crossword that was made by Trinity(with help from an unnamed third party) In case you are wondering, we ran out of blocks to spell the names of the remaining people. You can win the special bonus of an email from Trinity by commenting on the names of those who are missing. You must get them all to win!

For all you homeschoolers, and homeschool wannabes, homeschool usedtobes, and just happy there are homeschooler tobes:



The HSB Front Porch is having a contest and you can win a $50 gift certificate just for blogging about The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Spring Promo before midnight April 30, 2008. Subscribe now to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and receive 25 BONUS gifts valued at over $550! The Winter Promo sold out, don't miss out on the free gifts this time!They are also giving away a $150 gift certificate to the Schoolhouse Store. All print subscribers (new or renewing) between April 3 - 30, 2008 will be automatically entered into a drawing. No purchase neccessary to win. To enter without subscribing, please send a postcard with your name, address, telephone number, and email address to:The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Spring Promo ContestPO BOX 8426Gray, TN 37615



My friend Nancy bought this magazine for me in Okinawa, of all places. I just loved it. I have been a subscriber for over 3 years now. Just when I think, ok, I am NOT doing this anymore, or(heaven forbid) After 15+ years, what can they possibly say that I don't already know (Let me tell you, LOTS!!!) there is EXACTLY the encouragement I need. For instance, this year I started a whole new spelling program, and it came from their store with a free book about Dyslexia. I learned tons, and the light went on for one of my kids who just NEVER got spelling. This magazine is NOT fluff, it is real people. Consider this a personal endorsement from me!

There is supposed to be an image on here, linking you to a page about the magazine and prizes you receive, but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to attach.

About a BLOG

I noticed one of those "buttons" on a blog where you can check the readability of your blog. A couple of the blogs I read announced their status as "college-level" readability. Not that only college educated people were able to read it, just that their writing was on that level. Was it vanity that made me enter my blog? I was horrified to receive an "elementary"level. My children tried to console me, saying that it was great that all levels of folks could read my blog. But, at a deeper level, I felt absolutely upset. After all, how many elementary students know the word "erstwhile", I ask you? I railed at the computer, much to the amusement of my small child filled audience. Somehow, wanting to vindicate my report, I entered Savannah's photography business page. I sat there dumbfounded as the diagnostic proclaimed her blog to be on "Genius" level! Am I a blog-writing snob?
Once upon a time, my husband would shout out "ching! 25 cent word!" when I used a long word in a sentence. For a few weeks, I used smaller words, wanting to avoid this particular form of announcement. Then I decided that using smaller words meant that I assumed the person I was talking to was not as smart as I was. That was not right either! Finally I just decided to be myself, and my dh has stopped giving my words money designations.
For a time, we had a single friend who would actually whip out a notebook and write down my "vocabulary" words. Let me tell you, that will give you a bit of false pride! One day, a group of us were discussing the tomato, is it a fruit or vegetable? When I said, "Horticulturally speaking, the tomato is a fruit." Someone on the other side of the room burst out laughing, "Did you just say horticulturally speaking?" "Now I have heard everything!" I'm fairly certain he was being sarcastic!
I want to be clear in my writing, but also not ramble on. Most mistakes I make are usually typing errors, but I am not the most articulate, either. I guess my feelings were a little hurt. By a computer program. Who knows what criteria it is set up to judge? Boy, do I need to get over myself or what? Another little lesson on pride for yours truly!

Easter Pictures This is the best shot I could get!
Trinity
Didn't my mother-in-law pick the dresses that just perfectly suit the girls'personalities?

Grant doing his dance routine

Anna-Laura

Ivy

Joel, hope he doesn't shoot me for this picture. He is all about the hair right now, and the wind was really blowing.

I LOVE this pic, well, except for the dried snot!

Bennie

He is not REALLY trying to be cool, the sun was in his eyes.

Jeanette, and don't worry we have since located a more appropriate sweater.

Birthday girls! Kristin and Jeanette, 24 and 8!

We celebrated at TGI Fridays. Some of us are Food Network addicts, and we were excited to see the food offerings from the show where real people compete to have their recipes at Fridays. I have forgotten what it is called. Anyhow, Ben and Joel tried the plaintain steak sandwich. It was great ! Now every time we drive by a TGI Fridays in town Grant cheers, " Yay! Kristin's Birthday party!" It made for a late night before Easter, but we were in town for Ben's track meet anyway. We HAD to continue the tradition. Eight years of joint birthdays demand an obligation.

Happy really late Birthday Jeanette!

Jeanette reigns as resident princess in our very common household. Until she was born, I did not realize that being a princess was a personality trait! She even came with a special "voice" that we call the "munchkin" speech. In a world of "I can do it myself" attitude, she can be hesitant and dainty, but never shy.

We considered naming her "Jillian" because we just liked it. But how do you go about explaining to your children the process of naming them after much-loved relatives and people of the Bible, that each name has great meaning and significance, and then tell the SEVENTH one that you just liked it. Plus, the meaning of Jillian was less than stellar. It means hairy one!

I always liked the name Jeanette, but steered away from it because, as a child, I had named my favorite baby doll that name. In fact, we STILL own that doll. However, the name Jeanette means "gift of God", and it is a form of John. John was Michael's brother and passed away in 1995. Her middle name is ALMOST the name of her grandmother. Wynne is just missing the "G" and means pure. In an interesting turn of events, when she gets really high pitched and "munchkiny" we call her Jeanette Whiny and tell her that is her name, after all. Please know it is a family joke, and in no way mean.

For her birthday, we held a quiet "Pink and Purple" Party where we colored princess pictures, answered Princess questions and got pedicures.

Howdy! I have a friend who greets me this way via email. It is always a fun way to say hello. I like to say "ALOHA!" when I answer the phone because my children are supposed to say a predetermined greeting, and that way callers SHOULD know it is me. However, even my husband has asked, "Where is your mom?" Of course, I say, "In Tennessee, I believe, but I can check on that if you like!"

In any case, consider yourself welcome back to my erstwhile neglected blog. Lots has gone on, and then, not so much. Mostly, I have just not felt inclined to chain myself to the computer for the block of time it would take to type and read blogs. It was spring break, and the first one in years when we have not gone anywhere, even on day trips. We had a good week, but I felt mildly discombobulated at not having a PLAN! Our friend Mike once jokingly called me a control freak. I have been informed that there is a hint of truth in eveything that is said. There IS some truth in that, I believe, if only a need for order.

Another issue with me getting back to being online was the start of a garden of sorts. My mother-in-law helped us choose some plants and we got started planting them in containers and existing beds that needed TLC. In chopping the ground vigorously, I was subjected to an especially severe episode of carpal tunnel. I had enjoyed nearly a year and a half of minmal discomfort, but this time the pain was not fun, to say the least. Who wants to type with all that going on?

Next I plan to do Jeanette's birthday post(it will be two weeks late by then), then on to other news. Also, my memory card in my camera died and the one we had on hand does not hold much! So pix will be few and far between. Thanks to those who said they missed me, nothing could have made me feel more loved and appreciated!