Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
I'm a happy ewe today. It is now 2:50p.m. It's been snowing since around 10:30 this morning. There is now about 3 inches covering the ground. It's a beautiful thing. At one point, the flakes were nearly as big as a cotton bolls.
The lambies all bundled up in snow suits and boots and played outside a couple hours. I sent Lioness out with some cocoa to warm everyone up a bit. One of the neighbor kids came over to throw snowballs. Finally, everyone had enough for today and came inside.
Lioness mixed up some gingerbread dough, so they're rolling out gingerbread men.
Yup. Life is good.
Gotta run...there's a puddle at the back door that needs some attention.
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Just What I Needed This Morning
Hello, F.O.T.E.s!
It is a glorious day shaping up here in the Midwest. From my computer I'm watching the sun creep up from behind the roofs of these cozy, warm houses here in my subdivision. What a blessing to have a warm place to be on these chilly nights.
You know, I have made peace with The Big City. I have found that, though I still prefer country life, God has provided lovely things no matter where you are. I have learned to "bloom where I'm planted" and enjoy the life God has for me here. No matter that we may be moving at any time--wherever The Ram's job leads us--this is "the day that the Lord has made!"
I was already thinking about this before I read the article I'm linking to below. I'm going to share it with you, with the warning that everything on the website won't apply to everyone, nor will everyone agree w/ everything on the site. (How's that for a disclaimer? LOL)
Without further adieu or caveat:
http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/Biblical_Womanhood_and_Christian_Living_14/The_Danger_of_Self-Pity1002959.shtml
That convicted me. That encouraged me. I needed that. :-) I'm off to "embrace motherhood!"
Hey, by the way--
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
It is a glorious day shaping up here in the Midwest. From my computer I'm watching the sun creep up from behind the roofs of these cozy, warm houses here in my subdivision. What a blessing to have a warm place to be on these chilly nights.
You know, I have made peace with The Big City. I have found that, though I still prefer country life, God has provided lovely things no matter where you are. I have learned to "bloom where I'm planted" and enjoy the life God has for me here. No matter that we may be moving at any time--wherever The Ram's job leads us--this is "the day that the Lord has made!"
I was already thinking about this before I read the article I'm linking to below. I'm going to share it with you, with the warning that everything on the website won't apply to everyone, nor will everyone agree w/ everything on the site. (How's that for a disclaimer? LOL)
Without further adieu or caveat:
http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/Biblical_Womanhood_and_Christian_Living_14/The_Danger_of_Self-Pity1002959.shtml
That convicted me. That encouraged me. I needed that. :-) I'm off to "embrace motherhood!"
Hey, by the way--
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
Friday, October 26, 2007
Quick Quote
Hey there...I've just got a second...
"Mommy, I wanted to marry you when I growed up. But Daddy just growed faster than me."
--Tater Tot
Whadda sweetie. :-)
The Ewe
"Mommy, I wanted to marry you when I growed up. But Daddy just growed faster than me."
--Tater Tot
Whadda sweetie. :-)
The Ewe
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Rheumy Rooms 'Round About
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
My mama used to use the term "rheumy" when someone had watery eyes and a sniffly nose. I hadn't thought of that word in a long time, but Lil Miss H's face last night reminded me. :-( Yup. The whole Flock--minus Lovable and The Ram--is sick. I'm assuming it's the flu. (no, we don't "do" flu shots ;-) Anyway, whatever IT was, IT took me down Monday. UGH! Life stinks when Mama's sick, no? The Lambies were great at taking care of me--so sweet. Still, the work Mama does tends to accumulate while Mama's lying in bed, feverish. Tuesday, I was able to get out of bed, but I was pretty weak. Today--Wed--I'm feeling stronger, but my body is in a major "expulsion" mode--expelling the remnants of IT. Yuk.
Tater still has a cough...poor boy.
Musical is hoarse.
Lioness is achy.
And Lil Miss H... aww...she's miserable. This is the first time she's been sick. She is still nursing, so I'm trying to get her to nurse as much as possible, to get those good antibodies I'm making. God is sooo smart! He designed one terrific feeding system for our babies. :-)
Well, I'm going to skedaddle and try to get some more antibodies into my lil Lamby.
Y'all keep your wool dry...but mosturized!
The Ewe
My mama used to use the term "rheumy" when someone had watery eyes and a sniffly nose. I hadn't thought of that word in a long time, but Lil Miss H's face last night reminded me. :-( Yup. The whole Flock--minus Lovable and The Ram--is sick. I'm assuming it's the flu. (no, we don't "do" flu shots ;-) Anyway, whatever IT was, IT took me down Monday. UGH! Life stinks when Mama's sick, no? The Lambies were great at taking care of me--so sweet. Still, the work Mama does tends to accumulate while Mama's lying in bed, feverish. Tuesday, I was able to get out of bed, but I was pretty weak. Today--Wed--I'm feeling stronger, but my body is in a major "expulsion" mode--expelling the remnants of IT. Yuk.
Tater still has a cough...poor boy.
Musical is hoarse.
Lioness is achy.
And Lil Miss H... aww...she's miserable. This is the first time she's been sick. She is still nursing, so I'm trying to get her to nurse as much as possible, to get those good antibodies I'm making. God is sooo smart! He designed one terrific feeding system for our babies. :-)
Well, I'm going to skedaddle and try to get some more antibodies into my lil Lamby.
Y'all keep your wool dry...but mosturized!
The Ewe
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Caught!
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
Well, no culinary disasters to tell you about today. I played it safe last night and just popped some frozen chicken breasts (pre-cooked!) in the oven. No fancy moves. Just a hunk of meat. No problems. :-)
I discovered last night that my children have observed (and been kind enough not to comment on) a strange habit I have.
You see, my mother had a deep wrinkle between her eyebrows--that "knitted brow" look. In the last few years, I have developed my *own* Knitted Brow Wrinkle. It is an annoyance.
So, in a futile, and rather pathetic, attempt to expel that wrinkle, I have gotten into the (odd) habit of raising and stretching apart my eyebrows with my fingers. To my knowledge, I generally only indulge in this strange habit when no one else is around. At least, I *thought* no one else was around.
It was revealed last night that, at a minimum, Lioness and Lovable have observed this little ritual. They confessed to having noticed me doing it, wondering "Why?" and deciding not to ask and risk embarrassing their ol' mother.
LOL We all enjoyed a hearty laugh and I explained my odd behavior.
I think the girls were relieved.
"Oh...it's just a WRINKLE THING! Oh, OK...good!"
Sigh...My eyesight's getting weird, too...but I'll save the bifocal talk for another post.
Hey, y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
Well, no culinary disasters to tell you about today. I played it safe last night and just popped some frozen chicken breasts (pre-cooked!) in the oven. No fancy moves. Just a hunk of meat. No problems. :-)
I discovered last night that my children have observed (and been kind enough not to comment on) a strange habit I have.
You see, my mother had a deep wrinkle between her eyebrows--that "knitted brow" look. In the last few years, I have developed my *own* Knitted Brow Wrinkle. It is an annoyance.
So, in a futile, and rather pathetic, attempt to expel that wrinkle, I have gotten into the (odd) habit of raising and stretching apart my eyebrows with my fingers. To my knowledge, I generally only indulge in this strange habit when no one else is around. At least, I *thought* no one else was around.
It was revealed last night that, at a minimum, Lioness and Lovable have observed this little ritual. They confessed to having noticed me doing it, wondering "Why?" and deciding not to ask and risk embarrassing their ol' mother.
LOL We all enjoyed a hearty laugh and I explained my odd behavior.
I think the girls were relieved.
"Oh...it's just a WRINKLE THING! Oh, OK...good!"
Sigh...My eyesight's getting weird, too...but I'll save the bifocal talk for another post.
Hey, y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Revenge of the Tuesdays
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
Happy Wednesday!
Well, Tuesday made another joust at my cooking last night. My chicken and rice--which I've made countless times--was not cooked through by supper time. I have not had that problem before. I put it in the oven in plenty of time. Got the table set, drinks poured...then, unveiled the chicken and...
uncooked rice! GRRRRR!!!
I didn't let it get me down, though. I wouldn't give Tuesday the satisfaction. :-) I cooked up a couple frozen pizzas, put the casserole *back* in the oven...and went on with life. The rice was ready at about bedtime. I boxed it up and put it in the freezer for The Ram's lunches. Aha! Take *that,* Tuesday!
I'm considering moving my kitchen calendar to a wall that the stove can't see...
Gotta run...
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Happy Wednesday!
Well, Tuesday made another joust at my cooking last night. My chicken and rice--which I've made countless times--was not cooked through by supper time. I have not had that problem before. I put it in the oven in plenty of time. Got the table set, drinks poured...then, unveiled the chicken and...
uncooked rice! GRRRRR!!!
I didn't let it get me down, though. I wouldn't give Tuesday the satisfaction. :-) I cooked up a couple frozen pizzas, put the casserole *back* in the oven...and went on with life. The rice was ready at about bedtime. I boxed it up and put it in the freezer for The Ram's lunches. Aha! Take *that,* Tuesday!
I'm considering moving my kitchen calendar to a wall that the stove can't see...
Gotta run...
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
GRRRRR!!! Tuesdays
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
I'm just so aggravated. Those pesky Tuesdays! While everyone is on the lookout for Mondays, Tuesdays just sneak up and pow you! For months now, when something unpleasant has happened around here, it's been on a Tuesday. I won't go into all those other things, but tonight was just almost funny.
I have made pot roast countless times over the years. Juicy, yummy, tender pot roast. Why, oh why, did I get a wild notion today to "try it a new way" today? ACK! I'd forgotten it was TUESDAY (cue eerie music).
I won't bore you with all the sordid details, but suffice it to say that I *won't* be trying that "new way" again. Yup. I'm sticking w/ the Old Way.
You remember Yosemite Sam in the cartoon, and the way he'd get all riled up and start shooting his pistols while they were still in the holsters? And it would make him fly up in the air, muttering G-rated expletives? Yeah, well, if I'd had a couple pistols today...
I was just mad enough to spit nails when I came to the table. I was so mad, I decided I would sprinkle brown sugar on my baked sweet potato. I usually just use some cinnamon, but tonight, I decided my disposition needed a little sweetenin' up.
At one point, after we'd gotten our meat, but before anyone asked for a sweet potato, I just looked around that pitiful table. Everyone had a mouthful of meat and they were just chomping, chomping, chomping, trying to chew it up enough to swallow. We looked like a bunch of wolves, just tearing at a carcass. The more I looked around, the funnier things got. The kids were all being very positive, "Oh, Mama, but it has a good *flavor*!" The Ram threw in his affirmations, "It's ok, Honey... Babe Ruth didn't always hit a home run...he struck out alot!"
I decided the memory was worth some tough pot roast.
Then, I grabbed a sweet potato.
The silly thing was hard as a rock!!!! Ok, that was just the *last straw.* I choked down my last bite of meat and went to the kitchen to get a bowl of cereal.
I was mad again.
Then, The Ram admitted, "I was thinking about doing that myself." (getting some cereal)
ROTFLOL
Oh, well.
I'll be looking out for Tuesday next week. No fancy new moves.
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
I'm just so aggravated. Those pesky Tuesdays! While everyone is on the lookout for Mondays, Tuesdays just sneak up and pow you! For months now, when something unpleasant has happened around here, it's been on a Tuesday. I won't go into all those other things, but tonight was just almost funny.
I have made pot roast countless times over the years. Juicy, yummy, tender pot roast. Why, oh why, did I get a wild notion today to "try it a new way" today? ACK! I'd forgotten it was TUESDAY (cue eerie music).
I won't bore you with all the sordid details, but suffice it to say that I *won't* be trying that "new way" again. Yup. I'm sticking w/ the Old Way.
You remember Yosemite Sam in the cartoon, and the way he'd get all riled up and start shooting his pistols while they were still in the holsters? And it would make him fly up in the air, muttering G-rated expletives? Yeah, well, if I'd had a couple pistols today...
I was just mad enough to spit nails when I came to the table. I was so mad, I decided I would sprinkle brown sugar on my baked sweet potato. I usually just use some cinnamon, but tonight, I decided my disposition needed a little sweetenin' up.
At one point, after we'd gotten our meat, but before anyone asked for a sweet potato, I just looked around that pitiful table. Everyone had a mouthful of meat and they were just chomping, chomping, chomping, trying to chew it up enough to swallow. We looked like a bunch of wolves, just tearing at a carcass. The more I looked around, the funnier things got. The kids were all being very positive, "Oh, Mama, but it has a good *flavor*!" The Ram threw in his affirmations, "It's ok, Honey... Babe Ruth didn't always hit a home run...he struck out alot!"
I decided the memory was worth some tough pot roast.
Then, I grabbed a sweet potato.
The silly thing was hard as a rock!!!! Ok, that was just the *last straw.* I choked down my last bite of meat and went to the kitchen to get a bowl of cereal.
I was mad again.
Then, The Ram admitted, "I was thinking about doing that myself." (getting some cereal)
ROTFLOL
Oh, well.
I'll be looking out for Tuesday next week. No fancy new moves.
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Hello, From The Fold
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
My, my...I can't believe so many days have passed since I blogged. It's been that kind of month, lol. September is the "End of Fiscal Year" for The Ram. Kinda like March and April are for accountants. We've been gritting our teeth and plunging forward like a running back with the ball, at 3rd and Goal. LOL Whew...C'MON OCTOBER!!!
The pressure on The Ram is always worst this time of year. Me, I keep busy baking him brownies to take in to the office. No, The Ram isn't so hooked on brownies, but the gals who work in his office *are* and they really count on the chocolate high to get them through, LOL.
We are all looking forward to the first weekend and last weekend of Oct. The first weekend, we'll be celebrating Lovable's Double Digit Birthday. Yup...she's adding a digit to her age. Possibly the last time she'll ever do that, though I wish for her to make it to 100. :-)
I expected her to want a Tea Party, like Lioness did this year. She surprised me, though, and asked to go camping. Go figure. Oh, but keep in mind, she wants to camp in a cabin. LOL So, we'll be pulling up stakes next weekend and setting up camp over in KS in a cute little cabin at a state park.
Now, at the end of the month, we're planning a trip Down South to visit the GrandRams and EweDaddy. So exciting! Oh, and, by the way, EweDaddy will be turning 80! We're planning on celebrating with him while we're down there.
Oops...the Lambies are streaming inside after a romp in the yard. I've gotta rush off to let them know those brownies in the kitchen are NOT for THEM! :-)
Hey, y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Quote of the Day: "You can do it! You can do it! You can! You can!" Ravi Zacharias, preacher on the radio
My, my...I can't believe so many days have passed since I blogged. It's been that kind of month, lol. September is the "End of Fiscal Year" for The Ram. Kinda like March and April are for accountants. We've been gritting our teeth and plunging forward like a running back with the ball, at 3rd and Goal. LOL Whew...C'MON OCTOBER!!!
The pressure on The Ram is always worst this time of year. Me, I keep busy baking him brownies to take in to the office. No, The Ram isn't so hooked on brownies, but the gals who work in his office *are* and they really count on the chocolate high to get them through, LOL.
We are all looking forward to the first weekend and last weekend of Oct. The first weekend, we'll be celebrating Lovable's Double Digit Birthday. Yup...she's adding a digit to her age. Possibly the last time she'll ever do that, though I wish for her to make it to 100. :-)
I expected her to want a Tea Party, like Lioness did this year. She surprised me, though, and asked to go camping. Go figure. Oh, but keep in mind, she wants to camp in a cabin. LOL So, we'll be pulling up stakes next weekend and setting up camp over in KS in a cute little cabin at a state park.
Now, at the end of the month, we're planning a trip Down South to visit the GrandRams and EweDaddy. So exciting! Oh, and, by the way, EweDaddy will be turning 80! We're planning on celebrating with him while we're down there.
Oops...the Lambies are streaming inside after a romp in the yard. I've gotta rush off to let them know those brownies in the kitchen are NOT for THEM! :-)
Hey, y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Quote of the Day: "You can do it! You can do it! You can! You can!" Ravi Zacharias, preacher on the radio
Saturday, September 15, 2007
The Story of the Nuclear Chicken
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
Well, it seems The Weather has a calendar, here in the Midwest, as the temperatures have become quite Fallish and Wonderful! The Ram was shocked a few days ago to come home from work and find me *outside*!! "Ah," he said, "fall must be here! The Ewe is out of hibernation!" LOL Indeed, I'm loving the cool weather.
A question posed to an e-list I'm on reminded me of a story that I must tell you.
Many years ago, I was making a chicken broccoli casserole.
The recipe called for a tablespoon of lemon juice, which I didn't have. "Hmmm.....what to do?"
Inspiration!! I had an envelope of lemon-lime Koolaid...that would give a lemonish flavor, no?
So...I sprinkled some Koolaid mix into the casserole and it immediately turned the whole thing neon green! Chicken and all.
I stood over the dish, gazing into it... "Hmmm...Maybe The Ram won't notice." LOL
My wonderful husband, who suffered through the early years of our marriage while I desperately learned how to cook; the poor man who patiently went to the door on more than one occasion and convinced the firefighters that, "Really, there's no fire--it's just smoke!"
This wonderful man, who had choked down every other suspicious meal I'd put on the table for years...Could NOT force himself to eat Neon Green Chicken Casserole.
Sigh...I'll tell you what, though, I treasure that memory. I have since learned to "hold my own" in the cooking department, but the family LOVES to remind me of the Lime Green Chicken. ROTFLOL
Well, gotta run...I've got an experiment going in the oven I'd better go check on. Watch out for the mushroom cloud.
Hey, y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Well, it seems The Weather has a calendar, here in the Midwest, as the temperatures have become quite Fallish and Wonderful! The Ram was shocked a few days ago to come home from work and find me *outside*!! "Ah," he said, "fall must be here! The Ewe is out of hibernation!" LOL Indeed, I'm loving the cool weather.
A question posed to an e-list I'm on reminded me of a story that I must tell you.
Many years ago, I was making a chicken broccoli casserole.
The recipe called for a tablespoon of lemon juice, which I didn't have. "Hmmm.....what to do?"
Inspiration!! I had an envelope of lemon-lime Koolaid...that would give a lemonish flavor, no?
So...I sprinkled some Koolaid mix into the casserole and it immediately turned the whole thing neon green! Chicken and all.
I stood over the dish, gazing into it... "Hmmm...Maybe The Ram won't notice." LOL
My wonderful husband, who suffered through the early years of our marriage while I desperately learned how to cook; the poor man who patiently went to the door on more than one occasion and convinced the firefighters that, "Really, there's no fire--it's just smoke!"
This wonderful man, who had choked down every other suspicious meal I'd put on the table for years...Could NOT force himself to eat Neon Green Chicken Casserole.
Sigh...I'll tell you what, though, I treasure that memory. I have since learned to "hold my own" in the cooking department, but the family LOVES to remind me of the Lime Green Chicken. ROTFLOL
Well, gotta run...I've got an experiment going in the oven I'd better go check on. Watch out for the mushroom cloud.
Hey, y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Monday, September 10, 2007
Brownie Recipe and Comments Problem
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
I'm having a problem with the comments section, and I can't reply to your comments...boo hoo! Anyway, I *am* reading them, though, and I guess I'll "comment" here. :-)
As for the brownies, I thought about it...and decided I *would* share the recipe. LOL (had thought about keeping it a secret...NAH!)
Ok...here goes:
Mrs. H's Fudgy Brownies
3 squares (1 oz each) baking chocolate, chopped coarsely
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chocolate chips
Prepare 8X8 pan by lining w/ foil and spraying (I like Baker's Joy). Preheat oven to 350. Stir flour and soda together in small bowl.
Melt butter and chocolate on LOW (very important to be on low), stirring occasionally.
When chocolate's melted, remove from heat and stir in sugar. Once sugar is dissolved, beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Stir in vanilla. Stir in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.
Spread in pan and bake for 33 minutes (or so).
This makes about 16 brownies.
Now, that is my recipe. It's only won a blue ribbon. L.L.'s is a two time reserve champion. I'll let her post hers on her blog. :-)
Ok...that's all for today.
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
I'm having a problem with the comments section, and I can't reply to your comments...boo hoo! Anyway, I *am* reading them, though, and I guess I'll "comment" here. :-)
As for the brownies, I thought about it...and decided I *would* share the recipe. LOL (had thought about keeping it a secret...NAH!)
Ok...here goes:
Mrs. H's Fudgy Brownies
3 squares (1 oz each) baking chocolate, chopped coarsely
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chocolate chips
Prepare 8X8 pan by lining w/ foil and spraying (I like Baker's Joy). Preheat oven to 350. Stir flour and soda together in small bowl.
Melt butter and chocolate on LOW (very important to be on low), stirring occasionally.
When chocolate's melted, remove from heat and stir in sugar. Once sugar is dissolved, beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Stir in vanilla. Stir in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.
Spread in pan and bake for 33 minutes (or so).
This makes about 16 brownies.
Now, that is my recipe. It's only won a blue ribbon. L.L.'s is a two time reserve champion. I'll let her post hers on her blog. :-)
Ok...that's all for today.
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Brownie Bonanza Results
Hey there,
We visited the Fair today and dropped by to see the results of the baking contest. Thought I'd let you know...
My brownies got a blue ribbon, as did Musical's. Lovable was awarded a red ribbon. And (drum roll, please) Lioness got not only a blue ribbon, but was named the Junior Baking Reserve Grand Champion. YAY!!! (I'm guessing that if the Grand Champion shows up hot for steroids or something, Lioness will get her crown. ;-) This mint brownie recipe of L.L.'s has now won two baking awards...This current one, and the second place in our church's Brownie Bake Off.
I've said for some time now that my girls will surpass me in the cooking department. I fully expect and promote that. I didn't get started until I was already married--our girls have a head start!
;-)
Well, must run...laundry beckons.
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
We visited the Fair today and dropped by to see the results of the baking contest. Thought I'd let you know...
My brownies got a blue ribbon, as did Musical's. Lovable was awarded a red ribbon. And (drum roll, please) Lioness got not only a blue ribbon, but was named the Junior Baking Reserve Grand Champion. YAY!!! (I'm guessing that if the Grand Champion shows up hot for steroids or something, Lioness will get her crown. ;-) This mint brownie recipe of L.L.'s has now won two baking awards...This current one, and the second place in our church's Brownie Bake Off.
I've said for some time now that my girls will surpass me in the cooking department. I fully expect and promote that. I didn't get started until I was already married--our girls have a head start!
;-)
Well, must run...laundry beckons.
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Friday, September 07, 2007
Brownie Bonanza
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
I've just got a quick minute to tell you what's happening at The Fold today.
Lioness, Lovable, Musical and I are about to head out to the local country fair. (I know...it's strange--a country fair here in the city...well, here in the suburbs...)
We are each entering our brownies in the baking contest. Mine are the classic, fudgy sort...Lioness has developed her very own chocolate mint...Lovable chose a peanut butter chip...Musical whipped up some with white chocolate.
After sampling a nibble of each (!) pan...I feel as if I never care to eat another brownie...ever. YUK!
I can't imagine the judges liking any of these! LOL
Well, we'll see what happens. Maybe next year we ought to diversify a bit. :-)
Anyway, y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
I've just got a quick minute to tell you what's happening at The Fold today.
Lioness, Lovable, Musical and I are about to head out to the local country fair. (I know...it's strange--a country fair here in the city...well, here in the suburbs...)
We are each entering our brownies in the baking contest. Mine are the classic, fudgy sort...Lioness has developed her very own chocolate mint...Lovable chose a peanut butter chip...Musical whipped up some with white chocolate.
After sampling a nibble of each (!) pan...I feel as if I never care to eat another brownie...ever. YUK!
I can't imagine the judges liking any of these! LOL
Well, we'll see what happens. Maybe next year we ought to diversify a bit. :-)
Anyway, y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The Terrifying Teen Brain
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
As if on cue, I received a homeschooling magazine yesterday, with the cover story entitled, "The Myth of the Teen Brain." It was a very interesting read, especially since we've just become parents of a "teen." :-) I'm hoping the link will work, if it doesn't, please copy and paste the URL into your browser and take a look at this article.
http://drrobertepstein.com/pdf/Epstein%20-%20THE%20MYTH%20OF%20THE%20TEEN%20BRAIN%20-%20Scientific%20American%20Mind%20-%204-8-07.pdf
You could also go to http://www.thecaseagainstadolescence.com and click on the link to "The Myth of the Teen Brain."
I thought especially interesting was the study of Inuits in Canada. It showed a link between teen behavior and television viewing.
Ok...gotta run...
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
As if on cue, I received a homeschooling magazine yesterday, with the cover story entitled, "The Myth of the Teen Brain." It was a very interesting read, especially since we've just become parents of a "teen." :-) I'm hoping the link will work, if it doesn't, please copy and paste the URL into your browser and take a look at this article.
http://drrobertepstein.com/pdf/Epstein%20-%20THE%20MYTH%20OF%20THE%20TEEN%20BRAIN%20-%20Scientific%20American%20Mind%20-%204-8-07.pdf
You could also go to http://www.thecaseagainstadolescence.com and click on the link to "The Myth of the Teen Brain."
I thought especially interesting was the study of Inuits in Canada. It showed a link between teen behavior and television viewing.
Ok...gotta run...
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Monday, August 20, 2007
Just the Quote, Ma'am
Tater Tot: "A mer-man teached me how to jump on one foot!"
This exclaimed as we were putting on his pants, and he discovered we had accidentally put both feet through the same leg. :-)
This exclaimed as we were putting on his pants, and he discovered we had accidentally put both feet through the same leg. :-)
Oh, the Fearsome Fangs!!!
Just a quick news flash:
"Little Miss H Has Erupted!"
two teeth...both on the bottom middle...happened overnight.
:-)
She's nearly 9 mo...definitely the latest any of our lambies got their first teeth. So far, she hasn't bitten me. :-)
Ok...carry on...
The Ewe
"Little Miss H Has Erupted!"
two teeth...both on the bottom middle...happened overnight.
:-)
She's nearly 9 mo...definitely the latest any of our lambies got their first teeth. So far, she hasn't bitten me. :-)
Ok...carry on...
The Ewe
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Happy Birthday, Lioness!
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
Ok, so, Lioness' birthday was actually nearly a month ago, but I am having a hard time getting to sleep...so I decided I'd tell you about L.L's Big Day.
Indeed, L.L. has turned 13. So far, the walls have not caved in. ;-) For the last couple years, we've heard tales of doom and gloom about The Day You Discover a TEENAGER in Your Home. LOL Obviously, we still have plenty of time left in the "teen years" (lol) but I refuse to roll over on my back and believe that my daughter has lost her mind for the next 7 years. No, I'm going to claim that she has been given a "spirit of power, a spirit of love and a sound mind." :-) (I know you're rolling your eyes at me, lol.)
Anyway, L.L. had wanted us to have a "Tea" for her new friends here in the Big City. So, we pulled out the hand crocheted table topper that my mother had done years ago, several China pieces that seldom see the light of day (yes, I *know* I ought to use them...just haven't gotten into the habit yet), and all the cookbooks, looking for dainty appetizers.
We took a trip to Hobby Lobby and Old Time Pottery to buy up a bunch of lacy doo dads and a punch bowl. Gotta have a punch bowl!!
Lovable worked our "tablescape" for us--she's got quite an eye for flower arranging.
Musical perfected her punch serving technique.
We all scurried around scrubbing this and that, shining the other.
The day of the Tea, The Ram took Tater out to The Farm to pick corn. They had a great time--found a tiny frog sitting on the leaf of a squash plant...and a rotten raccoon carcass at the end of a corn row. I'm told the stench was nearly overpowering. LOL
Anyway, back at The Fold, our guests arrived and snacked. The girls all played (I believe I counted 19 girls here!?) We Mamas chatted like crazy and sipped punch. (It was too hot outside--no one wanted tea, unless it was iced.)
We had requested on the invitations that no one bring gifts--it somehow seemed to me that gifts might "cheapen" a party like that, and could cause awkward moments...so, we asked each family to bring a recipe written out for L.L. to put into her scrapbook. Those are very special recipes to her. :-)
I gave her a "recipe journal" that we had found a couple months ago. It is blank, but I am systematically writing in it. I tell about a particular recipe--where I found it, etc--then write out the recipe. I have learned that handwritten recipes, all spattered and worn, are a real treasure.
Anyway, it was a beautiful day and I believe Lioness felt honored. Sure hope so. :-) If the walls start giving way, I'll try to shoot out a blog post to let you know what's going on. ;-)
Well, (yawn), the old brain's shutting down. Better haul myself into bed before I fall asleep here at the keyboard.
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Ok, so, Lioness' birthday was actually nearly a month ago, but I am having a hard time getting to sleep...so I decided I'd tell you about L.L's Big Day.
Indeed, L.L. has turned 13. So far, the walls have not caved in. ;-) For the last couple years, we've heard tales of doom and gloom about The Day You Discover a TEENAGER in Your Home. LOL Obviously, we still have plenty of time left in the "teen years" (lol) but I refuse to roll over on my back and believe that my daughter has lost her mind for the next 7 years. No, I'm going to claim that she has been given a "spirit of power, a spirit of love and a sound mind." :-) (I know you're rolling your eyes at me, lol.)
Anyway, L.L. had wanted us to have a "Tea" for her new friends here in the Big City. So, we pulled out the hand crocheted table topper that my mother had done years ago, several China pieces that seldom see the light of day (yes, I *know* I ought to use them...just haven't gotten into the habit yet), and all the cookbooks, looking for dainty appetizers.
We took a trip to Hobby Lobby and Old Time Pottery to buy up a bunch of lacy doo dads and a punch bowl. Gotta have a punch bowl!!
Lovable worked our "tablescape" for us--she's got quite an eye for flower arranging.
Musical perfected her punch serving technique.
We all scurried around scrubbing this and that, shining the other.
The day of the Tea, The Ram took Tater out to The Farm to pick corn. They had a great time--found a tiny frog sitting on the leaf of a squash plant...and a rotten raccoon carcass at the end of a corn row. I'm told the stench was nearly overpowering. LOL
Anyway, back at The Fold, our guests arrived and snacked. The girls all played (I believe I counted 19 girls here!?) We Mamas chatted like crazy and sipped punch. (It was too hot outside--no one wanted tea, unless it was iced.)
We had requested on the invitations that no one bring gifts--it somehow seemed to me that gifts might "cheapen" a party like that, and could cause awkward moments...so, we asked each family to bring a recipe written out for L.L. to put into her scrapbook. Those are very special recipes to her. :-)
I gave her a "recipe journal" that we had found a couple months ago. It is blank, but I am systematically writing in it. I tell about a particular recipe--where I found it, etc--then write out the recipe. I have learned that handwritten recipes, all spattered and worn, are a real treasure.
Anyway, it was a beautiful day and I believe Lioness felt honored. Sure hope so. :-) If the walls start giving way, I'll try to shoot out a blog post to let you know what's going on. ;-)
Well, (yawn), the old brain's shutting down. Better haul myself into bed before I fall asleep here at the keyboard.
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
The (Little) King and I
I've only got a minute...but I didn't want to forget this...
"We can't go to the beach...
'Cuz we're stuck...
In a hole...
In the middle of a desert island."
These are the lyrics that Tater Tot is singing, Bob Dylan style, while he strums the little child's guitar we found in the garage.
Also, this morning,
Tater: "Morgan, why don't you like the crust?"
Morgan: (nothing but silence)
Tater: "ANSWER IN MY HOUSE!!!!" yelled in King of Siam style
I could hardly believe he was being so rude! I fussed at him for being ugly to our guest. As he hugged me around the legs he sobbed, "But we DO have ants in our house!!!"
OOPS!!!!LOL
Email me if you don't get that. ;-)
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
"We can't go to the beach...
'Cuz we're stuck...
In a hole...
In the middle of a desert island."
These are the lyrics that Tater Tot is singing, Bob Dylan style, while he strums the little child's guitar we found in the garage.
Also, this morning,
Tater: "Morgan, why don't you like the crust?"
Morgan: (nothing but silence)
Tater: "ANSWER IN MY HOUSE!!!!" yelled in King of Siam style
I could hardly believe he was being so rude! I fussed at him for being ugly to our guest. As he hugged me around the legs he sobbed, "But we DO have ants in our house!!!"
OOPS!!!!LOL
Email me if you don't get that. ;-)
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Longing for 'Laska
Hello, FOTE's,
I'm a heat wimp. We're expecting another day with temps in the 100's, heat index around 110. ACK!!! I don't handle this well. I get testy. I hibernate. Ok, I'm just griping now--ignore me...
Hey! Guess what! We bought a DEhumidifier for our basement last weekend. I am astounded at how much water is in the air down there! We're emptying the tank on that thing (maybe a couple gallons?) every few hours. It's kind of unsettling to know we've been breathing that. LOL Of course, in the winter, we do all we can to put moisture *into* the air. Guess we're like cats--always on the wrong side of the door. :-)
The Amazing Miss H still has no teeth. She's 8 mo. She does like veggies and fruits, though. She just gums them to a pulp, lol. She has learned to clap her hands and we all enjoy watching that. Her mohawk (!) is growing out, so her hair is beginning to lie down...a bit. She's cruising around furniture and anything that will sit still long enough, including siblings. A couple of times she has stood, no hands, for a microsecond before falling down and hopping off. (She doesn't crawl--she hops like a frog.)
Tater spends his days foraging for food and transforming into "Scott the Dog." You never know when Scott will show up. At church Sunday, I turned around to discover Tater was gone and Scott was there. The Ram told Scott that if he (Scott) wanted to walk with him (The Ram) he (Scott) was going to have to walk on his hind legs.
Lovable is working on a new quilt. She's on the square-cutting-out phase.
Musical is really starting to read a lot. In family devotions last night, she impressed us all by reading the word "acknowledging." :-)
Lioness is tending a couple pots of turnips and broccoli on the back deck. She is collecting the worms that get on them for her Daddy. Ram plans on using the worm carcasses to create a spray to put on the plants to scare off any new worms. We're hoping the new ones "smell death."
Ok, well, the Lambs are beginning to rouse for the day. I need to gear up to "run herd."
Y'all keep your wool dry, (cool?)
The Ewe
I'm a heat wimp. We're expecting another day with temps in the 100's, heat index around 110. ACK!!! I don't handle this well. I get testy. I hibernate. Ok, I'm just griping now--ignore me...
Hey! Guess what! We bought a DEhumidifier for our basement last weekend. I am astounded at how much water is in the air down there! We're emptying the tank on that thing (maybe a couple gallons?) every few hours. It's kind of unsettling to know we've been breathing that. LOL Of course, in the winter, we do all we can to put moisture *into* the air. Guess we're like cats--always on the wrong side of the door. :-)
The Amazing Miss H still has no teeth. She's 8 mo. She does like veggies and fruits, though. She just gums them to a pulp, lol. She has learned to clap her hands and we all enjoy watching that. Her mohawk (!) is growing out, so her hair is beginning to lie down...a bit. She's cruising around furniture and anything that will sit still long enough, including siblings. A couple of times she has stood, no hands, for a microsecond before falling down and hopping off. (She doesn't crawl--she hops like a frog.)
Tater spends his days foraging for food and transforming into "Scott the Dog." You never know when Scott will show up. At church Sunday, I turned around to discover Tater was gone and Scott was there. The Ram told Scott that if he (Scott) wanted to walk with him (The Ram) he (Scott) was going to have to walk on his hind legs.
Lovable is working on a new quilt. She's on the square-cutting-out phase.
Musical is really starting to read a lot. In family devotions last night, she impressed us all by reading the word "acknowledging." :-)
Lioness is tending a couple pots of turnips and broccoli on the back deck. She is collecting the worms that get on them for her Daddy. Ram plans on using the worm carcasses to create a spray to put on the plants to scare off any new worms. We're hoping the new ones "smell death."
Ok, well, the Lambs are beginning to rouse for the day. I need to gear up to "run herd."
Y'all keep your wool dry, (cool?)
The Ewe
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Lost Teeth, Pulling Up, Update
Really quick update...
Let's see...last Sat, Lil Miss H pulled up on her own. It was on the couch. She did it to better reach the contents of Mama's purse. Most household items are moving up the walls. (email if you don't "get" that ;-)
Last Sun, both Musical and Lovable lost teeth. No, the Tooth Fairy has not yet visited, as I... I mean *she* has to repair her tutu. I...I mean, she, has only a few bits left to fix, then she will take her "midnight ride." Musical asks each night, with a twinkling eye, "Is she coming tonight?" I answer, "She will come when you least expect it." LOL I love this job.
Well, I need to go so I can...umm...do some...errr...ummm..SEWING...so I need to fly...er...run.
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Let's see...last Sat, Lil Miss H pulled up on her own. It was on the couch. She did it to better reach the contents of Mama's purse. Most household items are moving up the walls. (email if you don't "get" that ;-)
Last Sun, both Musical and Lovable lost teeth. No, the Tooth Fairy has not yet visited, as I...
Well, I need to go so I can...umm...do some...errr...ummm..SEWING...so I need to fly...er...run.
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Have a Glorious 4th!
I was lying down with Tater Tot tonight, trying to help him relax and go to sleep. All of a sudden, we heard a loud BANG! T.T. said, "Is that a thunderstorm?" I said, "No. That was fireworks." T.T. coiled himself to sprrrrrringggg out of bed. It wasn't even dark outside, so I knew he wouldn't be able to see anything...(Plus, eek! I'd just gotten him to bed. If he hopped up then, no telling how long it would be to wind him down again!)
I knew I needed to rephrase my answer..."It wasn't fireworks really, just a firecracker." He relaxed back on the bed. "Oh," he said nonchalantly, "Is that why they don't eat them? Because there's fire?"
Oooooh!!! Aaaahhhh!!! OOooohhh!
Ahem. :-)
Y'all keep your wool dry, and away from open fire...
The Ewe
I knew I needed to rephrase my answer..."It wasn't fireworks really, just a firecracker." He relaxed back on the bed. "Oh," he said nonchalantly, "Is that why they don't eat them? Because there's fire?"
Oooooh!!! Aaaahhhh!!! OOooohhh!
Ahem. :-)
Y'all keep your wool dry, and away from open fire...
The Ewe
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Yummy to the Tummy!
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
We just finished off a batch of an old family recipe. Growing up, one of the biggest delights was Mama and Daddy whipping up a canister of banana ice cream. MMMMMmmm! Mama always liked her ice cream *icy* not *creamy*. LOL So, I grew up thinking that expensive gourmet stuff was GROSS!! It wasn't cold enough...too soft. :-) So, really, I guess what Mama made was more ice milk than ice cream. Whatever it was, it was GOOD!
Anyway, today I noticed the bananas I bought last week were getting overripe. I knew it'd been a long time since we made ice cream (the youngest children didn't even remember!)...and we had all the ingredients, including the bagged ice and rock salt...I knew where the ice cream freezer was...soooo....
The rest is history. It was all slurped up in a hurry, except for about 2 cups of the stuff that we put in a storage box and slid into the freezer. I imagine it will incite rioting in the future. LOL
The recipe is one Mama got from the Farm Bureau, I believe. She used it since she first got married. I'll include it below, with my modifications:
'Nanner Cream'
2 qts milk
3 cups sugar (I just had a bit over 2 cups...it tasted fine, I thought)
4 eggs, well beaten (I only had 3, so that's what I used)
can of evaporated milk (Mama called it 'Milnot')
2 t vanilla extract
1 t salt
Mix all up in medium sized saucepan. Cook on medium, stirring constantly until mixture steams, about 20 minutes. Cool in fridge. Mash (or process) 2-3 bananas and add to mixture. Freeze in freezer.
Now, Mama never did the "cool in fridge" part--took too long. LOL I do that part, because usually I have to do things in stages anyway.
The 4th of July is coming up, so this might be a fun way to celebrate. :-)
Gotta run...
Y'all keep your wool dry (and un-sticky!)
The Ewe
We just finished off a batch of an old family recipe. Growing up, one of the biggest delights was Mama and Daddy whipping up a canister of banana ice cream. MMMMMmmm! Mama always liked her ice cream *icy* not *creamy*. LOL So, I grew up thinking that expensive gourmet stuff was GROSS!! It wasn't cold enough...too soft. :-) So, really, I guess what Mama made was more ice milk than ice cream. Whatever it was, it was GOOD!
Anyway, today I noticed the bananas I bought last week were getting overripe. I knew it'd been a long time since we made ice cream (the youngest children didn't even remember!)...and we had all the ingredients, including the bagged ice and rock salt...I knew where the ice cream freezer was...soooo....
The rest is history. It was all slurped up in a hurry, except for about 2 cups of the stuff that we put in a storage box and slid into the freezer. I imagine it will incite rioting in the future. LOL
The recipe is one Mama got from the Farm Bureau, I believe. She used it since she first got married. I'll include it below, with my modifications:
'Nanner Cream'
2 qts milk
3 cups sugar (I just had a bit over 2 cups...it tasted fine, I thought)
4 eggs, well beaten (I only had 3, so that's what I used)
can of evaporated milk (Mama called it 'Milnot')
2 t vanilla extract
1 t salt
Mix all up in medium sized saucepan. Cook on medium, stirring constantly until mixture steams, about 20 minutes. Cool in fridge. Mash (or process) 2-3 bananas and add to mixture. Freeze in freezer.
Now, Mama never did the "cool in fridge" part--took too long. LOL I do that part, because usually I have to do things in stages anyway.
The 4th of July is coming up, so this might be a fun way to celebrate. :-)
Gotta run...
Y'all keep your wool dry (and un-sticky!)
The Ewe
Friday, June 22, 2007
I Ain't Skeered (or) Naughty and Nice
Just a quick funny:
Tater Tot, waxing eloquent:
"It's naughty to spit on people...Nice people don't skeer babies...So do I not."
:-)
Tater Tot, waxing eloquent:
"It's naughty to spit on people...Nice people don't skeer babies...So do I not."
:-)
Immodest Garden?
Hello F.O.T.E.s,
We're busy, busy, busy around here, but I wanted to share something with you before I forgot...
Remember we visited the GrandRams last week (or was that 2 weeks ago??)? Anyway, GrandRaMama and GrandRam have a nifty little garden. The lambies look forward each visit to seeing how the different plants have grown.
Last visit, I was sitting in the house w/ Lil Miss H, when Musical came tearing in through the door. She was so excited!!
"Mama! GrandRaMama has *BIKINIS* growing in her garden!!!"
:-)
Yum, yum! I *love* bikini bread. Hardly tastes like a vegetable at all...
Hey, y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
We're busy, busy, busy around here, but I wanted to share something with you before I forgot...
Remember we visited the GrandRams last week (or was that 2 weeks ago??)? Anyway, GrandRaMama and GrandRam have a nifty little garden. The lambies look forward each visit to seeing how the different plants have grown.
Last visit, I was sitting in the house w/ Lil Miss H, when Musical came tearing in through the door. She was so excited!!
"Mama! GrandRaMama has *BIKINIS* growing in her garden!!!"
:-)
Yum, yum! I *love* bikini bread. Hardly tastes like a vegetable at all...
Hey, y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Anybody for a Snow Cup?
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
I've just gotta take a minute to brag on my Lambies. Lioness, Lovable and Musical...and Tater Tot (to the best of his ability) are running a shaved ice stand in our driveway. GrandRam built them a big ol' sign out of dry erase board and they have a utility table set up. They've been freezing ice for days, lol.
We told them at the beginning they would have to pay for their overhead, namely, the sign GrandRam built for them. The Ram, though, offered them a D.B.A. grant (similar to the Small Business Administration, but meaning DADDY Business Administration...akin to the 401Dad)
They have paid us now for the sign (we'll send you the check, GrandRam ;-) and are now in the black. They are handing out flyers announcing the Grand Opening this Sat., complete with giveaways, games and free popcorn. :-)
Something funny happened yesterday--a neighborhood boy came by wanting a Snow Cup, but all he had was a $20 bill. Lioness didn't have change for that--the Snow Cups only cost 50 cents, lol. So, the kid asked if she'd just take the $20 and give him a Snow Cup! She told him, "No, that would be IMMORAL!!!"
:-)
I advised her that, in the interest of good P.R., it would be best to just give him a Snow Cup. She did and he promised to "tell all his friends." Yay!
Well, gotta run. Need to go check on the lil entrepreneurs. :-)
Y'all keep your wool dry...and EAT SNOW CUPS!!!
The Ewe
I've just gotta take a minute to brag on my Lambies. Lioness, Lovable and Musical...and Tater Tot (to the best of his ability) are running a shaved ice stand in our driveway. GrandRam built them a big ol' sign out of dry erase board and they have a utility table set up. They've been freezing ice for days, lol.
We told them at the beginning they would have to pay for their overhead, namely, the sign GrandRam built for them. The Ram, though, offered them a D.B.A. grant (similar to the Small Business Administration, but meaning DADDY Business Administration...akin to the 401Dad)
They have paid us now for the sign (we'll send you the check, GrandRam ;-) and are now in the black. They are handing out flyers announcing the Grand Opening this Sat., complete with giveaways, games and free popcorn. :-)
Something funny happened yesterday--a neighborhood boy came by wanting a Snow Cup, but all he had was a $20 bill. Lioness didn't have change for that--the Snow Cups only cost 50 cents, lol. So, the kid asked if she'd just take the $20 and give him a Snow Cup! She told him, "No, that would be IMMORAL!!!"
:-)
I advised her that, in the interest of good P.R., it would be best to just give him a Snow Cup. She did and he promised to "tell all his friends." Yay!
Well, gotta run. Need to go check on the lil entrepreneurs. :-)
Y'all keep your wool dry...and EAT SNOW CUPS!!!
The Ewe
Monday, June 18, 2007
Don't Tell Him I Laughed...
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
You know, it really irritates me to be so caught off guard by one of my children, that I laugh at something I'm going to have to discipline them for...so, note that the child in the following anecdote *was* corrected for a bad attitude and actions, and further note that I did *not* laugh at what I'm about to tell you until after said correction *and* out of sight of the offending child. Whew...with that disclaimer out of the way, lol ;-) ...
Last week, Tater Tot was having a bad morning. With The Ram out of town our schedule was off and T.T. hadn't gotten enough sleep. So, he was being just a lil stinker and having a hard time getting along with people. So, I led him back to the bedroom to help him reset his attitude. I started by saying, "T.T., you were acting ugly in there..."
Without a trace of a smile on his scowling face and glaring through narrowed eyes, he stated coldly...
"I *wasn't acting*!!"
Sigh...I must admit, there are days I'm not just acting, too. :-) My attitude needs adjusting sometimes. May the Good Lord help us all not just *act* like we should act, but also *be* like we should be. And by the way, Tater came to me later, hugged my neck and apologized for his earlier behavior. He really is a sweet kid.
Now, don't y'all act up... ;-)
AND...
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
You know, it really irritates me to be so caught off guard by one of my children, that I laugh at something I'm going to have to discipline them for...so, note that the child in the following anecdote *was* corrected for a bad attitude and actions, and further note that I did *not* laugh at what I'm about to tell you until after said correction *and* out of sight of the offending child. Whew...with that disclaimer out of the way, lol ;-) ...
Last week, Tater Tot was having a bad morning. With The Ram out of town our schedule was off and T.T. hadn't gotten enough sleep. So, he was being just a lil stinker and having a hard time getting along with people. So, I led him back to the bedroom to help him reset his attitude. I started by saying, "T.T., you were acting ugly in there..."
Without a trace of a smile on his scowling face and glaring through narrowed eyes, he stated coldly...
"I *wasn't acting*!!"
Sigh...I must admit, there are days I'm not just acting, too. :-) My attitude needs adjusting sometimes. May the Good Lord help us all not just *act* like we should act, but also *be* like we should be. And by the way, Tater came to me later, hugged my neck and apologized for his earlier behavior. He really is a sweet kid.
Now, don't y'all act up... ;-)
AND...
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Sunday, June 17, 2007
On the Shoulders of Giants
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s!
Well, today is Father's Day. I got to visit both my daddy and father-in-law last week--what a blessing!
On the way back home d-r-i-v-i-n-g (a)looooong, we listened to a preacher on the radio, delivering his Father's Day sermon. He was talking about honoring our dads and though we always hope to reach higher than our forebears, we are, indeed, "standing on the shoulders of giants." I started thinking about what great men The Ram and I each have for fathers. They are very, very different, and those differences are the very things that make each of them great. Truly, The Ram and I were both so blessed to have grown up under the care of our respective fathers. I cherish them both.
From the GrandRam's moral courage and respected leadership skills to EweDaddy's compassion and his penchant for quiet sweetness--I definitely know The Ram and I stand on the shoulders of Giants.
Let us all find ways today to encourage our dads. :-)
and also,
Y'all keep your wool dry!!
The Ewe
Well, today is Father's Day. I got to visit both my daddy and father-in-law last week--what a blessing!
On the way back home d-r-i-v-i-n-g (a)looooong, we listened to a preacher on the radio, delivering his Father's Day sermon. He was talking about honoring our dads and though we always hope to reach higher than our forebears, we are, indeed, "standing on the shoulders of giants." I started thinking about what great men The Ram and I each have for fathers. They are very, very different, and those differences are the very things that make each of them great. Truly, The Ram and I were both so blessed to have grown up under the care of our respective fathers. I cherish them both.
From the GrandRam's moral courage and respected leadership skills to EweDaddy's compassion and his penchant for quiet sweetness--I definitely know The Ram and I stand on the shoulders of Giants.
Let us all find ways today to encourage our dads. :-)
and also,
Y'all keep your wool dry!!
The Ewe
Friday, June 15, 2007
A Quiet Hero
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
I've just read a news story about the passing of Ruth Bell Graham, Rev. Billy Graham's wife. The article pointed out that as a young lady, she had wanted to be a missionary to Tibet. The Lord had different plans for her, though, and she chose the way of being a wife to Billy Graham. Of course, at that time, he wasn't BILLY GRAHAM. :-)
Anyway, if she had gone w/ her plan, becoming a missionary, I wonder if we'd ever have heard the names "Ruth Bell" or "Billy Graham." You know the saying, "Behind every great man is a great woman." I do believe that is true.
Certainly, seeking notoriety is *not* to be our goal in this life, but in the Grahams' case, it pleased God.
I was already praying this week, asking the Lord to show me how to better promote and support my husband, my beloved Ram. I firmly believe that the fulfillment I now enjoy in this life is well worth any earlier plans I may have "given up."
Gotta run...The Ram returns home tonight after a two week school in OH. I've got some business to take care of so that we can enjoy the homecoming this weekend. :-)
Hey, y'all keep your wool dry!!
The Ewe
I've just read a news story about the passing of Ruth Bell Graham, Rev. Billy Graham's wife. The article pointed out that as a young lady, she had wanted to be a missionary to Tibet. The Lord had different plans for her, though, and she chose the way of being a wife to Billy Graham. Of course, at that time, he wasn't BILLY GRAHAM. :-)
Anyway, if she had gone w/ her plan, becoming a missionary, I wonder if we'd ever have heard the names "Ruth Bell" or "Billy Graham." You know the saying, "Behind every great man is a great woman." I do believe that is true.
Certainly, seeking notoriety is *not* to be our goal in this life, but in the Grahams' case, it pleased God.
I was already praying this week, asking the Lord to show me how to better promote and support my husband, my beloved Ram. I firmly believe that the fulfillment I now enjoy in this life is well worth any earlier plans I may have "given up."
Gotta run...The Ram returns home tonight after a two week school in OH. I've got some business to take care of so that we can enjoy the homecoming this weekend. :-)
Hey, y'all keep your wool dry!!
The Ewe
Friday, May 18, 2007
Howdy, Mother's Day, Grieving
Hi F.O.T.E's,
The following lines were written, golly...a month ago, I guess. Life called, and I had to save the post as a draft. Yeah--you know, *draft,* those things that get set aside to "come back to later." LOL...With The Ewe, it ends up being *much* later...anyway, without further ado...
How are ya? I can hardly believe the way time slips away from me between posts. I'll see if I can't remember what's been going on around here...
We've moved up in vehicle size...bought a 15-passenger van a few weeks ago. I immediately thought of it as The Jolly Green Giant, but The Ram and littles liked Maewyn Succat--St. Patrick's real name. We also considered The Incredible Hulk, but decided something honoring St. Patrick might be nicer. :-) I know you're wondering, "Is it safe to be on the road with her out driving that thing?" Well, so far, I haven't run over anything I shouldn't. I do still approach the van w/ a bit of fear and trembling and drive very cautiously. :-)
We took our first big trip in Maewyn last week--drove down to see my dad and family. Everything went great and driving through St. Louis was not the trial I expected.
(The rest of the post, I wrote today, June 13, 2007...)
It was great being at my dad's house the week before Mother's Day. We spent a couple nights, so I actually got to poke around in some of Mom's stuff...Don't worry, Daddy invited me to do that, lol.
It seems I hardly knew Mama. So many of her things I'd never laid eyes on. A real treasure Daddy showed me was a tea set that was Mama's when she was a little girl. Daddy pulled out a neat little cardboard box that had Mama's unmistakable handwriting on top. (Mama had the most beautiful handwriting until her illnesses stole it away.) Mama had written that the tea set had been given to her by her older brother Oscar before he had been killed by a drunk driver. (He was much older than Mama, who was the baby of 11 children.) We pulled out the glistening little pieces and I wondered why Mama had never shown the set to me before. I imagine "life called" and she just never got around to it. Also, tucked down in the drawer with that tea set was my little set that Mama gave me as a child. I thought it was beautiful--white with the blue delft pattern. I was never allowed to play with it, lol. Mama said I could have it when I was "old enough not to break it." ROTFLOL That just cracks me up. I never did get old enough. :-)
Even in the company of all those irreplaceable china pieces, the thing I treasured most about that discovery was Mama's beautiful handwriting on the top of the box. She penned those words during a time before disease began eating away at her body, while her fingers were nimble and her mind sharp.
Alongside the tea sets were several fetching sweaters that had never been worn. Mama had crocheted those, I think. I imagine she intended to gift someone with them, but on second thought deemed them "not perfect enough." LOL Any of us would have loved them, just because she had made them...Which is not to say that they looked substandard--*I* could not spot an imperfection.
Driving back from that trip, I kept thinking about Mama and this being my first Mother's Day without her. I remember buying her Mother's Day gift last year--some citrusy, yummy smelling hand soap that now sits beside Daddy's kitchen sink. I bought that last year, not knowing that would be the last Mother's Day gift I would ever buy Mama.
I think I'm finally beginning to really grieve. It's not a racking, painful thing, but rather a gentle ache. Looking through Mama's crocheted afghans, knowing her hands formed those very loops, it felt as if she hadn't gone anywhere. Like she might walk in at any time. I'm sad that I never knew her very well. I don't want to leave my children behind one day and have them say, "I never really knew Mama very well."
That all encouraged me to tell my children about my childhood, my dreams, my failings...I don't someday want their grief to be from a sense of missing out on really knowing me.
ARGHH!!!
I've got a bushel load of other things to tell you about, but life's calling again...this time it's a matter about peanut butter balls. I'm kinda afraid to go look at the kitchen...Hey, remind me next time to tell you about the Kirby man. LOL
Y'all keep your wool dry!!!
The Ewe
Quote of the Day: "It's more important to do the right thing, than to make the right plan."
--The Ram (ain't he smart??? I just love him!)
The following lines were written, golly...a month ago, I guess. Life called, and I had to save the post as a draft. Yeah--you know, *draft,* those things that get set aside to "come back to later." LOL...With The Ewe, it ends up being *much* later...anyway, without further ado...
How are ya? I can hardly believe the way time slips away from me between posts. I'll see if I can't remember what's been going on around here...
We've moved up in vehicle size...bought a 15-passenger van a few weeks ago. I immediately thought of it as The Jolly Green Giant, but The Ram and littles liked Maewyn Succat--St. Patrick's real name. We also considered The Incredible Hulk, but decided something honoring St. Patrick might be nicer. :-) I know you're wondering, "Is it safe to be on the road with her out driving that thing?" Well, so far, I haven't run over anything I shouldn't. I do still approach the van w/ a bit of fear and trembling and drive very cautiously. :-)
We took our first big trip in Maewyn last week--drove down to see my dad and family. Everything went great and driving through St. Louis was not the trial I expected.
(The rest of the post, I wrote today, June 13, 2007...)
It was great being at my dad's house the week before Mother's Day. We spent a couple nights, so I actually got to poke around in some of Mom's stuff...Don't worry, Daddy invited me to do that, lol.
It seems I hardly knew Mama. So many of her things I'd never laid eyes on. A real treasure Daddy showed me was a tea set that was Mama's when she was a little girl. Daddy pulled out a neat little cardboard box that had Mama's unmistakable handwriting on top. (Mama had the most beautiful handwriting until her illnesses stole it away.) Mama had written that the tea set had been given to her by her older brother Oscar before he had been killed by a drunk driver. (He was much older than Mama, who was the baby of 11 children.) We pulled out the glistening little pieces and I wondered why Mama had never shown the set to me before. I imagine "life called" and she just never got around to it. Also, tucked down in the drawer with that tea set was my little set that Mama gave me as a child. I thought it was beautiful--white with the blue delft pattern. I was never allowed to play with it, lol. Mama said I could have it when I was "old enough not to break it." ROTFLOL That just cracks me up. I never did get old enough. :-)
Even in the company of all those irreplaceable china pieces, the thing I treasured most about that discovery was Mama's beautiful handwriting on the top of the box. She penned those words during a time before disease began eating away at her body, while her fingers were nimble and her mind sharp.
Alongside the tea sets were several fetching sweaters that had never been worn. Mama had crocheted those, I think. I imagine she intended to gift someone with them, but on second thought deemed them "not perfect enough." LOL Any of us would have loved them, just because she had made them...Which is not to say that they looked substandard--*I* could not spot an imperfection.
Driving back from that trip, I kept thinking about Mama and this being my first Mother's Day without her. I remember buying her Mother's Day gift last year--some citrusy, yummy smelling hand soap that now sits beside Daddy's kitchen sink. I bought that last year, not knowing that would be the last Mother's Day gift I would ever buy Mama.
I think I'm finally beginning to really grieve. It's not a racking, painful thing, but rather a gentle ache. Looking through Mama's crocheted afghans, knowing her hands formed those very loops, it felt as if she hadn't gone anywhere. Like she might walk in at any time. I'm sad that I never knew her very well. I don't want to leave my children behind one day and have them say, "I never really knew Mama very well."
That all encouraged me to tell my children about my childhood, my dreams, my failings...I don't someday want their grief to be from a sense of missing out on really knowing me.
ARGHH!!!
I've got a bushel load of other things to tell you about, but life's calling again...this time it's a matter about peanut butter balls. I'm kinda afraid to go look at the kitchen...Hey, remind me next time to tell you about the Kirby man. LOL
Y'all keep your wool dry!!!
The Ewe
Quote of the Day: "It's more important to do the right thing, than to make the right plan."
--The Ram (ain't he smart??? I just love him!)
Monday, May 07, 2007
Extra! Extra!! The Incredible Miss H Amazes Her Friends!
I'm about to run "re-boot" the laundry, but had to write this down before I forgot to do it...
April 1, 2007: Miss H rolls from back to stomach...Friends and family watch in amazement...
May 5, 2007: Miss H, now 5 mo old, sits! At first, uses hands on floor to prop herself, then raises hands and balances on her round rump. Friends and family watch in amazement...
Ok...that's all for now. Thanks to you F.O.T.E.'s who have asked about how we've fared in all the weather...We are fine here...nothing much has happened in our little town except a bunch of water...
Though I know it's hard,
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
April 1, 2007: Miss H rolls from back to stomach...Friends and family watch in amazement...
May 5, 2007: Miss H, now 5 mo old, sits! At first, uses hands on floor to prop herself, then raises hands and balances on her round rump. Friends and family watch in amazement...
Ok...that's all for now. Thanks to you F.O.T.E.'s who have asked about how we've fared in all the weather...We are fine here...nothing much has happened in our little town except a bunch of water...
Though I know it's hard,
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
Monday, April 30, 2007
Potty Humor
Hey, Y'all,
I can't stay long, but I wanted to pop in and write this down before I forgot it...
I was picking up Lil Miss H this afternoon (she'd been in the bouncy seat) and I stuck my hand on some gooey, yellow stuff on her outfit.
I looked at her awfully messy dress and exclaimed,
"Miss H!!!! What have you done?!?!"
Tater didn't even look up from his Hot Wheels car...
"I know what she done. She POOPED!!!"
That's muh boy...
:-)
Gotta skeedaddle...Miss H is crying. Hope she ain't "DONE" it again, lol
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Quote of the Day: (see above) :-)
I can't stay long, but I wanted to pop in and write this down before I forgot it...
I was picking up Lil Miss H this afternoon (she'd been in the bouncy seat) and I stuck my hand on some gooey, yellow stuff on her outfit.
I looked at her awfully messy dress and exclaimed,
"Miss H!!!! What have you done?!?!"
Tater didn't even look up from his Hot Wheels car...
"I know what she done. She POOPED!!!"
That's muh boy...
:-)
Gotta skeedaddle...Miss H is crying. Hope she ain't "DONE" it again, lol
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Quote of the Day: (see above) :-)
Friday, April 27, 2007
Very Quick "Howdy"
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s!
Yes, The Ewe is alive and kicking...we've had a lot going on lately.
Indeed, around the first of April, The Flock all moved back to the Big City. I was figuratively "punched in the gut" when I saw our belongings all laid out in the garage, drying out from the Great Flood. Somehow, I wasn't prepared for that and I ended up taking to bed a couple days, depressed and overwhelmed. Then, I says to myself, "Self! This ain't gettin' nuttin' done!" so I pulls myself outta bed and...Well, I'm still only chipping away at stuff...very slowly...but at least I'm not despairing about it all. lol
Let's see....we're in the process of buying a 15 passenger van. Our minivan still holds everyone, but it's a verrrrry tight squeeze. If there's any amount of cargo, it's pretty close. So, we're hoping to acquire a lil "elbow room."
Weather here has been wet the last week, but we've been spared any severe weather--I know some in the Midwest can not say that.
A couple Saturdays ago we attended a Family Meeting for Alexandra's House. That's the "perinatal hospice" for families of babies with life threatening birth defects. I'll tell you, I didn't think my blue mood that's hung around for weeks had anything to do with Charity's passing, but after attending that meeting, I realized that it *did*. It helped a lot going to meet with those other sweet mamas and daddies, even though I didn't really want to go. I decided, though, that I don't avoid thinking/talking about any of my other children, so I didn't need to avoid thinking/talking about my Sweet Charity. Anyway, it was good and I have been in a much better emotional state since the meeting.
Ok...I've really gotta run...I'll try, try, try to update you good people more often.
Love ya!
Hey, Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
Yes, The Ewe is alive and kicking...we've had a lot going on lately.
Indeed, around the first of April, The Flock all moved back to the Big City. I was figuratively "punched in the gut" when I saw our belongings all laid out in the garage, drying out from the Great Flood. Somehow, I wasn't prepared for that and I ended up taking to bed a couple days, depressed and overwhelmed. Then, I says to myself, "Self! This ain't gettin' nuttin' done!" so I pulls myself outta bed and...Well, I'm still only chipping away at stuff...very slowly...but at least I'm not despairing about it all. lol
Let's see....we're in the process of buying a 15 passenger van. Our minivan still holds everyone, but it's a verrrrry tight squeeze. If there's any amount of cargo, it's pretty close. So, we're hoping to acquire a lil "elbow room."
Weather here has been wet the last week, but we've been spared any severe weather--I know some in the Midwest can not say that.
A couple Saturdays ago we attended a Family Meeting for Alexandra's House. That's the "perinatal hospice" for families of babies with life threatening birth defects. I'll tell you, I didn't think my blue mood that's hung around for weeks had anything to do with Charity's passing, but after attending that meeting, I realized that it *did*. It helped a lot going to meet with those other sweet mamas and daddies, even though I didn't really want to go. I decided, though, that I don't avoid thinking/talking about any of my other children, so I didn't need to avoid thinking/talking about my Sweet Charity. Anyway, it was good and I have been in a much better emotional state since the meeting.
Ok...I've really gotta run...I'll try, try, try to update you good people more often.
Love ya!
Hey, Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
How a Preschooler Repairs the Moon
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
I'm feeling fine. Our apartment is wall-to-wall tidiness. Ah, like "Brigadoon." Once every 100 years, LOL...I once saw a plaque that read, "My house was clean yesterday. Sorry you missed it." Now, I've caught flak for thinking that was funny. After all, our house should stay tidy all the time, no? I promise you, Friends, I do my best. Anyway, the (apartment) complex management came today to each apartment to treat for pests and check the smoke detectors. I've been sweating bullets for the last few days--cleaning closets, pulling out the couches, tables...vacuuming under there. (I found some treasures from the last occupants, LOL. Made me feel better.) So, while the Lambs and I were eating lunch...knock, knock, knock...
There were 3 men (from the management). They were in and out in under 30 seconds. I felt like yelling, "Hey, come back!!!! Don't you wanna look behind the sofa???" ROTFLOL
Well, we'll be leaving here next week to go back home to Big City. Gotta admit, there is much to love about the South...Still, it'll be good to get back to our new normal, up in MO.
We visited The Ram's Grandparents Waaaay Down South last weekend. It was such a nice time. Ram's Grandma can grow *anything.* It ain't just her thumb, what's green. ;-)
I guess you're wondering about the title. Let me tell you about something Tater said really early one morning last weekend...He woke up first and had something to say:
"Mommy, did you know the moon melts?"
Mommy, sleepily: "No. Really?"
"Yup."
Mommy, still sleepy: "That's neat."
"Yeah, and do you know how you fix the moon?"
Mommy opens one eye, slightly interested: "No, how?"
"You gather up lots of clouds to make the moon back."
Mommy sits up, "Wow, that's something."
"Yeah, you go up in a flying car [airplane] and gather up all the clouds to make the moon back."
Smile.
"When I grow up, I'll fly the car and you can sit beside me. "
Isn't that sweet? His mom is his co-pilot. :-) (Never did like that saying, "God is my co-pilot." If that's true, you better switch seats ;-) Anyhoo...
Well, gotta go...I feel the Tidiness slipping away..."Must clean....must clean....must cle..."
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
I'm feeling fine. Our apartment is wall-to-wall tidiness. Ah, like "Brigadoon." Once every 100 years, LOL...I once saw a plaque that read, "My house was clean yesterday. Sorry you missed it." Now, I've caught flak for thinking that was funny. After all, our house should stay tidy all the time, no? I promise you, Friends, I do my best. Anyway, the (apartment) complex management came today to each apartment to treat for pests and check the smoke detectors. I've been sweating bullets for the last few days--cleaning closets, pulling out the couches, tables...vacuuming under there. (I found some treasures from the last occupants, LOL. Made me feel better.) So, while the Lambs and I were eating lunch...knock, knock, knock...
There were 3 men (from the management). They were in and out in under 30 seconds. I felt like yelling, "Hey, come back!!!! Don't you wanna look behind the sofa???" ROTFLOL
Well, we'll be leaving here next week to go back home to Big City. Gotta admit, there is much to love about the South...Still, it'll be good to get back to our new normal, up in MO.
We visited The Ram's Grandparents Waaaay Down South last weekend. It was such a nice time. Ram's Grandma can grow *anything.* It ain't just her thumb, what's green. ;-)
I guess you're wondering about the title. Let me tell you about something Tater said really early one morning last weekend...He woke up first and had something to say:
"Mommy, did you know the moon melts?"
Mommy, sleepily: "No. Really?"
"Yup."
Mommy, still sleepy: "That's neat."
"Yeah, and do you know how you fix the moon?"
Mommy opens one eye, slightly interested: "No, how?"
"You gather up lots of clouds to make the moon back."
Mommy sits up, "Wow, that's something."
"Yeah, you go up in a flying car [airplane] and gather up all the clouds to make the moon back."
Smile.
"When I grow up, I'll fly the car and you can sit beside me. "
Isn't that sweet? His mom is his co-pilot. :-) (Never did like that saying, "God is my co-pilot." If that's true, you better switch seats ;-) Anyhoo...
Well, gotta go...I feel the Tidiness slipping away..."Must clean....must clean....must cle..."
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe
Monday, March 12, 2007
Hello, I'm The Ewe and I'm a...
Hello, F.O.T.E's,
I have an alarming confession to make. A few seconds ago, I was viewing a (brace yourselves) webpage devoted entirely to (are you ready?) doing laundry.
Now, as disturbing as *that* is, that's not even my confession. While I was viewing that page outlining One Gal's Way (to do her family's wash), I noticed my pulse racing. My palms were getting damp. Then, in a moment of self-awareness, I knew it was true...I suffer from Colorcodiphobia.
Those of you who know me well will not be surprised by this admission. The Ram and I have been married 16 years, so far. For the past 16 years I have struggled mightily to learn to keep house--let alone Make a Home. I have a picture/idea in my mind how I want the house to look. That would be, basically, tidy. I'm not shooting for a magazine cover (stop laughing), just tidiness.
In this quest, I have read many books, articles, etc on how to improve myself in this area. None of them has fit exactly right for me, but I have definitely improved. The biggest, most helpful thing that I/we did was to get rid of tons of unneeded treasures. (I was tempted to say "junk," but some of it was actually useful!) Just paring down like that has eased our cleaning load considerably, especially in the laundry department...which brings me back to today....
Yup. Looking at the One Gal's Way of doing laundry, with all her neat white boxes with labels--correction--Color Coded labels, made me realize how panicked I feel when faced with color- coded anything. I break out in a sweat. I feel like I'm about to take an exam.
Now, don't get me wrong...I think being organized is really important. I *believe* in it. And, like I said, as poor as I am at it, I *have* improved in this area. I've gotten a tiny bit better with each child. (survival!) Still, I admit, it's my handicap. We all have our challenges, no? :-)
I realized a few minutes ago, my Colorcodiphobia is not limited to laundry. Any time, under any circumstance I can think of, trying to keep things color-coded stresses me out. When organizing gurus start out by introducing you to their great system--complete with "color codes"--I immediately feel alienated by them. I think, "Oh. You're one of *them." You could never understand me." I like the organizing folks who start out by saying, "Before I developed this routine, my house was a wreck." *That* I can identify with! Sigh...LOL
Well, I hope you won't hold this painful admission against me. I *am* tilting at this windmill! LOL I guess for me it's a "line upon line, precept upon precept" growth process. Ah, well. Progress, not perfection, right? :-)
So, I'll keep plugging away. I want my children to have more of a clue than me...we're kinda learning together. :-) But please, if you send me organization advice, don't start out by saying, "OK, this color means..."
tee hee
Hey here's *my* advice--Y'all keep your wool dry!!! :-)
The Ewe
I have an alarming confession to make. A few seconds ago, I was viewing a (brace yourselves) webpage devoted entirely to (are you ready?) doing laundry.
Now, as disturbing as *that* is, that's not even my confession. While I was viewing that page outlining One Gal's Way (to do her family's wash), I noticed my pulse racing. My palms were getting damp. Then, in a moment of self-awareness, I knew it was true...I suffer from Colorcodiphobia.
Those of you who know me well will not be surprised by this admission. The Ram and I have been married 16 years, so far. For the past 16 years I have struggled mightily to learn to keep house--let alone Make a Home. I have a picture/idea in my mind how I want the house to look. That would be, basically, tidy. I'm not shooting for a magazine cover (stop laughing), just tidiness.
In this quest, I have read many books, articles, etc on how to improve myself in this area. None of them has fit exactly right for me, but I have definitely improved. The biggest, most helpful thing that I/we did was to get rid of tons of unneeded treasures. (I was tempted to say "junk," but some of it was actually useful!) Just paring down like that has eased our cleaning load considerably, especially in the laundry department...which brings me back to today....
Yup. Looking at the One Gal's Way of doing laundry, with all her neat white boxes with labels--correction--Color Coded labels, made me realize how panicked I feel when faced with color- coded anything. I break out in a sweat. I feel like I'm about to take an exam.
Now, don't get me wrong...I think being organized is really important. I *believe* in it. And, like I said, as poor as I am at it, I *have* improved in this area. I've gotten a tiny bit better with each child. (survival!) Still, I admit, it's my handicap. We all have our challenges, no? :-)
I realized a few minutes ago, my Colorcodiphobia is not limited to laundry. Any time, under any circumstance I can think of, trying to keep things color-coded stresses me out. When organizing gurus start out by introducing you to their great system--complete with "color codes"--I immediately feel alienated by them. I think, "Oh. You're one of *them." You could never understand me." I like the organizing folks who start out by saying, "Before I developed this routine, my house was a wreck." *That* I can identify with! Sigh...LOL
Well, I hope you won't hold this painful admission against me. I *am* tilting at this windmill! LOL I guess for me it's a "line upon line, precept upon precept" growth process. Ah, well. Progress, not perfection, right? :-)
So, I'll keep plugging away. I want my children to have more of a clue than me...we're kinda learning together. :-) But please, if you send me organization advice, don't start out by saying, "OK, this color means..."
tee hee
Hey here's *my* advice--Y'all keep your wool dry!!! :-)
The Ewe
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Catchin' Up and New Ewe-manitarian Award
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s!
The Ram and I were sooo blessed last week to run into Alipurr and family. It's been years! They are such a dear, dear family. :-)
Let's seee...since we last talked the Ram Fam has had another "event." I really don't *try* to have a life full of drama, but it seems like Drama often finds us. LOL
I was sitting here, Way Down South, minding my own business, when I got a call from the water dept. up in Big City. They were letting me know that part of our house was flooded!!!! EEK! Seems the furnace on our rental house gave out during all the sub-zero weather up there, and...well, you can guess...
I cried buckets the first day, but then woke up the next day and the clouds were gone and I felt much better about life. The thing is, welll...
Remember last year when we were planning a move to Europe? So, I called Goodwill and they brought their big moving truck out *3* (count 'em) times to pick up most of our worldly possessions? So, basically all we had left was stuff we "couldn't live without" (HAH!) and stuff that was powerful sentimental. Remember? So, last summer, when we moved to Big City, most of what was left was stuff we really wanted to keep. We had everything put away and boxes unpacked except for one corner of our basement. Wanna make a guess at where the pipe burst and water came spurting out? Yup. THAT corner of the basement. *Now* I can LOL!
Wanna know the funniest part? I had stored that stuff in the basement so it wouldn't get carried off by a twister. ROTFLOL!!!! ARGH!!!!
Anyway, The Ram and GrandRam spent a couple days in Big City, airing stuff out. Most things were salvaged, though some were ruined. We're getting new carpet out of it--which is good. (We had had an unfortunate purple grape juice incident right in that spot. :-)
Now, the Ewe-manitarian Award...
It goes to The R Family for their tremendous amount of labor in moving our wet boxes, furniture, etc and also providing yummy meals and hospitality for The Ram and GrandRam while those two were working. I'll tell you, The R's have been very kind to us. Quite a blessing. THANK YOU, R Fam!!
Well, gotta go put on the soup pot. We're having Potato Soup tonight--gotta use up some spuds before they look back at me.
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
P.S. I've got no Quote today, but a funny thing did happen. This morning, Tater *bit* Musical! GASP! His transgression was dealt with and apologies said. The episode was forgotten for a while, until Mr. Rogers came on t.v. He was about to go to the dentist and made a comment about it being wrongity-wrong for someone to bite someone else. From the beginning of the program, T.T. had been very interested in what Mr. R was saying, but when he mentioned biting, T.T. sat up and took notice. Tater looked stricken. I imagined him thinking, "Wow. That Mr. Rogers knows *EVERYTHING!*) LOL
The Ram and I were sooo blessed last week to run into Alipurr and family. It's been years! They are such a dear, dear family. :-)
Let's seee...since we last talked the Ram Fam has had another "event." I really don't *try* to have a life full of drama, but it seems like Drama often finds us. LOL
I was sitting here, Way Down South, minding my own business, when I got a call from the water dept. up in Big City. They were letting me know that part of our house was flooded!!!! EEK! Seems the furnace on our rental house gave out during all the sub-zero weather up there, and...well, you can guess...
I cried buckets the first day, but then woke up the next day and the clouds were gone and I felt much better about life. The thing is, welll...
Remember last year when we were planning a move to Europe? So, I called Goodwill and they brought their big moving truck out *3* (count 'em) times to pick up most of our worldly possessions? So, basically all we had left was stuff we "couldn't live without" (HAH!) and stuff that was powerful sentimental. Remember? So, last summer, when we moved to Big City, most of what was left was stuff we really wanted to keep. We had everything put away and boxes unpacked except for one corner of our basement. Wanna make a guess at where the pipe burst and water came spurting out? Yup. THAT corner of the basement. *Now* I can LOL!
Wanna know the funniest part? I had stored that stuff in the basement so it wouldn't get carried off by a twister. ROTFLOL!!!! ARGH!!!!
Anyway, The Ram and GrandRam spent a couple days in Big City, airing stuff out. Most things were salvaged, though some were ruined. We're getting new carpet out of it--which is good. (We had had an unfortunate purple grape juice incident right in that spot. :-)
Now, the Ewe-manitarian Award...
It goes to The R Family for their tremendous amount of labor in moving our wet boxes, furniture, etc and also providing yummy meals and hospitality for The Ram and GrandRam while those two were working. I'll tell you, The R's have been very kind to us. Quite a blessing. THANK YOU, R Fam!!
Well, gotta go put on the soup pot. We're having Potato Soup tonight--gotta use up some spuds before they look back at me.
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
P.S. I've got no Quote today, but a funny thing did happen. This morning, Tater *bit* Musical! GASP! His transgression was dealt with and apologies said. The episode was forgotten for a while, until Mr. Rogers came on t.v. He was about to go to the dentist and made a comment about it being wrongity-wrong for someone to bite someone else. From the beginning of the program, T.T. had been very interested in what Mr. R was saying, but when he mentioned biting, T.T. sat up and took notice. Tater looked stricken. I imagined him thinking, "Wow. That Mr. Rogers knows *EVERYTHING!*) LOL
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Rambling Toddler Thoughts
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
Happy St. Valentine's Day! The Ram awakened us with a huge balloon bouquet, oodles of chocolate hearts, and a big bunch of roses. He said he always gets funny looks when he shops for Valentine's Day, LOL. What a blessed man, to have sooo many "Valentines." We enjoy this day and love our DaddyRam. :-)
I thought I'd share with you a little giggle from a couple nights ago...
I was lying with Tater, settling him in for the night. He was quite drowsy, so I didn't think much of it when he stated, "I like bamboo." I didn't even open my eyes as I said, "Hmm...You do?"
"Yeah. He's my favorite reindeer," said Tater.
I still didn't open my eyes, but started thinking, "Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen..." Nope. No Bamboo. I still wasn't too concerned--we don't "do" Santa around here, though we talk about St. Nicholas...who didn't have any flying reindeer. Oh well. One can't always understand Toddler Logic. I nestled down and prepared to go to sleep. But T.T. wasn't finished...
I suddenly understood what he was talking about when he declared, "Yeah. Bamboo is the one in that movie who says, 'Watch what *I* can do!!'"
Though it was actually Thumper who said it, T.T.'s statement got the point across.
Well, must run. Need to go wipe a sticky mouth before it gets wiped on the sofa...
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
P.S. Email me if you need an explanation of the above. :-)
Happy St. Valentine's Day! The Ram awakened us with a huge balloon bouquet, oodles of chocolate hearts, and a big bunch of roses. He said he always gets funny looks when he shops for Valentine's Day, LOL. What a blessed man, to have sooo many "Valentines." We enjoy this day and love our DaddyRam. :-)
I thought I'd share with you a little giggle from a couple nights ago...
I was lying with Tater, settling him in for the night. He was quite drowsy, so I didn't think much of it when he stated, "I like bamboo." I didn't even open my eyes as I said, "Hmm...You do?"
"Yeah. He's my favorite reindeer," said Tater.
I still didn't open my eyes, but started thinking, "Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen..." Nope. No Bamboo. I still wasn't too concerned--we don't "do" Santa around here, though we talk about St. Nicholas...who didn't have any flying reindeer. Oh well. One can't always understand Toddler Logic. I nestled down and prepared to go to sleep. But T.T. wasn't finished...
I suddenly understood what he was talking about when he declared, "Yeah. Bamboo is the one in that movie who says, 'Watch what *I* can do!!'"
Though it was actually Thumper who said it, T.T.'s statement got the point across.
Well, must run. Need to go wipe a sticky mouth before it gets wiped on the sofa...
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
P.S. Email me if you need an explanation of the above. :-)
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Update on the Flock
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
Thought I'd post a quick update on us.
We are Down South now, at the GrandRam's house. In a few days, there will be an apartment available for us where The Ram is taking his class--Down South-er. :-) We are really looking forward to being with him every day. We are blessed to be able to go with him this time.
The Ram and I have been married 16 years now and he's periodically had to go off for a few months. This is the first time we've been able to go with him. The Lord is good. He knew I needed my husband right now.
Lil Miss H is doing great. Over 12 pounds at our check up a few weeks ago. I'm still not quite right, physically, from the birth. I guess with twins, it takes a while for all the parts to readjust. LOL At least, that's what I'm telling myself--don't want to blame AGE for anything. Still, it seems that when I started this 13 years ago, my body was more forgiving. Ah, but God has given me lots of great lil helpers, so I can't complain.
Oops...Miss H *can* complain and is doing it as we speak. I'd better go see what the matter is.
Blessings to you all...
Hey, by the way:
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
Thought I'd post a quick update on us.
We are Down South now, at the GrandRam's house. In a few days, there will be an apartment available for us where The Ram is taking his class--Down South-er. :-) We are really looking forward to being with him every day. We are blessed to be able to go with him this time.
The Ram and I have been married 16 years now and he's periodically had to go off for a few months. This is the first time we've been able to go with him. The Lord is good. He knew I needed my husband right now.
Lil Miss H is doing great. Over 12 pounds at our check up a few weeks ago. I'm still not quite right, physically, from the birth. I guess with twins, it takes a while for all the parts to readjust. LOL At least, that's what I'm telling myself--don't want to blame AGE for anything. Still, it seems that when I started this 13 years ago, my body was more forgiving. Ah, but God has given me lots of great lil helpers, so I can't complain.
Oops...Miss H *can* complain and is doing it as we speak. I'd better go see what the matter is.
Blessings to you all...
Hey, by the way:
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
K-O-L-D!!!!
Hello F.O.T.E.'s,
Only have a second, but I just had to say...
"IT'S KOLD!!!!"
I'm sure you didn't know this, but in the RamFam, we have, "cold, colder, coldest..." then, on the very rare occasion: "KOLD!!!"
I just checked the temp (outside ;-) and it's 2 degrees with a wind chill of -8 !! Yowza!
Think I'm going to ask the kids to go lick the mailbox post...heh, heh, heh...
JUST KIDDIN'!
Alrighty...gotta run...
Y'all keep your wool dry...AND WARM!
The Ewe
P.S. Happy Birthday, Mama
Only have a second, but I just had to say...
"IT'S KOLD!!!!"
I'm sure you didn't know this, but in the RamFam, we have, "cold, colder, coldest..." then, on the very rare occasion: "KOLD!!!"
I just checked the temp (outside ;-) and it's 2 degrees with a wind chill of -8 !! Yowza!
Think I'm going to ask the kids to go lick the mailbox post...heh, heh, heh...
JUST KIDDIN'!
Alrighty...gotta run...
Y'all keep your wool dry...AND WARM!
The Ewe
P.S. Happy Birthday, Mama
Saturday, January 13, 2007
John Wayne Theology? or We Have Some 'Splaining to Do
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
Well, it's icy here. Nothing like going to sleep to the sound of sleet hitting the windows! The bad weather here in the midwest caused the airline to cancel The Ram's flight last night. He's off for a few months for some training Down South and had leave for this weekend. They say they'll try flying again today. I just want him to be safe!
You know, I think some people believe that soldier's homes are filled to the brim with weapons of all kinds. I don't know about any other soldier's houses, but the most vicious weapon we have here is a paint gun and a baseball bat. (and the hairy stuff in the refrigerator's crisper--more of a biological weapon ;-) Anyway, I want to dispel the idea that all soldiers are always aggressive and violent.
We are careful about the media our children are exposed to and discourage violent play outside of the chivalrous "knight-saving-the-princess" variety.
So, am I sounding defensive? A bit guilt-ridden? Sigh. Try to keep an open mind as you read the exchange below...
Tater Tot: "Mommy, bad people aren't nice."
The Ewe: "No, but even bad people need Jesus. We should pray for the bad people to come to know Jesus."
Tater Tot: "Yeah... Jesus has a GUN!"
Would you consider that a "come to Jesus meeting?" ;-)
Well, I'm off to read the Bible to Tater Tot. Y'all keep your wool dry...
The Ewe
Well, it's icy here. Nothing like going to sleep to the sound of sleet hitting the windows! The bad weather here in the midwest caused the airline to cancel The Ram's flight last night. He's off for a few months for some training Down South and had leave for this weekend. They say they'll try flying again today. I just want him to be safe!
You know, I think some people believe that soldier's homes are filled to the brim with weapons of all kinds. I don't know about any other soldier's houses, but the most vicious weapon we have here is a paint gun and a baseball bat. (and the hairy stuff in the refrigerator's crisper--more of a biological weapon ;-) Anyway, I want to dispel the idea that all soldiers are always aggressive and violent.
We are careful about the media our children are exposed to and discourage violent play outside of the chivalrous "knight-saving-the-princess" variety.
So, am I sounding defensive? A bit guilt-ridden? Sigh. Try to keep an open mind as you read the exchange below...
Tater Tot: "Mommy, bad people aren't nice."
The Ewe: "No, but even bad people need Jesus. We should pray for the bad people to come to know Jesus."
Tater Tot: "Yeah... Jesus has a GUN!"
Would you consider that a "come to Jesus meeting?" ;-)
Well, I'm off to read the Bible to Tater Tot. Y'all keep your wool dry...
The Ewe
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Please Don't Call PETA
Hello, F.O.T.E.'s!
How is 2007 treating you so far? The Flock is doing great. Lil' Miss H has had a few fussy days of late. I think she's hitting that second growth spurt--she'll be 6 weeks old in a few days!! I can hardly believe it. The other lambies are just crazy about her. So much so, that we've started calling her "Ivory Soap." The others act like she's going to get "used up" by their siblings, when it isn't Said Child's turn to hold the baby. LOL
Well, I guess I'll explain the title now...
On New Year's Day I was busy eavesdropping on The Ram's phone conversation with the GrandRam when Tater Tot came up to me, chattering. He was wanting me to join him in his pretending. I smiled at him and "Yes, Dear"-ed and "ooh"-ed and "ahh"-ed at how clever he was, but, in reality, I was ignoring him. (None of y'all have ever done that, right? ;-) Anyway, when T.T. stuck his hand out toward me with some imaginary offering, I assumed we were engaged in another pretend tea party. I absentmindedly accepted what I assumed to be an invisible petit-four or scone or cookie and popped it into my mouth.
I quickly made the obligatory, "Mmm!!! Yummy!!!" sounds, complete with cartoonish, raised eyebrows and vigorously nodded head.
I immediately noticed Tater Tot's confused and slightly horrified face.
I nearly choked when he blurted out, "You ate the BABY LION!!!"
I fear my son may never invite me to play "Zoo Keeper" with him again.
Must run...veggie soup's on the menu tonight...but not if I don't shake a leg. Blessings to all of you.
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
Quote of the Day: "Honey, you make a man feel funny." The Ram
(So, is that "funny like a clown?" lol)
How is 2007 treating you so far? The Flock is doing great. Lil' Miss H has had a few fussy days of late. I think she's hitting that second growth spurt--she'll be 6 weeks old in a few days!! I can hardly believe it. The other lambies are just crazy about her. So much so, that we've started calling her "Ivory Soap." The others act like she's going to get "used up" by their siblings, when it isn't Said Child's turn to hold the baby. LOL
Well, I guess I'll explain the title now...
On New Year's Day I was busy eavesdropping on The Ram's phone conversation with the GrandRam when Tater Tot came up to me, chattering. He was wanting me to join him in his pretending. I smiled at him and "Yes, Dear"-ed and "ooh"-ed and "ahh"-ed at how clever he was, but, in reality, I was ignoring him. (None of y'all have ever done that, right? ;-) Anyway, when T.T. stuck his hand out toward me with some imaginary offering, I assumed we were engaged in another pretend tea party. I absentmindedly accepted what I assumed to be an invisible petit-four or scone or cookie and popped it into my mouth.
I quickly made the obligatory, "Mmm!!! Yummy!!!" sounds, complete with cartoonish, raised eyebrows and vigorously nodded head.
I immediately noticed Tater Tot's confused and slightly horrified face.
I nearly choked when he blurted out, "You ate the BABY LION!!!"
I fear my son may never invite me to play "Zoo Keeper" with him again.
Must run...veggie soup's on the menu tonight...but not if I don't shake a leg. Blessings to all of you.
Y'all keep your wool dry!
The Ewe
Quote of the Day: "Honey, you make a man feel funny." The Ram
(So, is that "funny like a clown?" lol)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)