Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Shoulda Seen It Comin'

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,


Boy, oh, boy...it was 60 degrees here yesterday. Today, the wind chill was -8 around noon. Brr! We got a dusting of snow, but most of it just blew away. The wind has been fierce here the last couple days.


Let me share something with you...


We were *supposed* to have bean enchiladas tonight for dinner. (as per my menu plan) Well, at 4:00 p.m., when I typically go to the kitchen to begin dinner preparations, I discovered we are out of chili powder. Hmmm...that's the main ingredient in my red sauce. The heat on The Ark is out, and I *didn't* want to brave subzero temps just to get chili powder. So, I improvised. (shudder) I was desperate. I do *not* improvise well. I approach cooking very scientifically, reading reviews for a half dozen recipes for the same dish, dissecting every angle to choose The Perfect Recipe. Then, I execute. Usually, the food turns out fairly good. I don't mind eating it. ;-) Now, *why* do I go to all that trouble??? Because when I *don't* disasters happen like what did tonight.


Lioness, good sport that she is, agreed to taste the red sauce first. The first 3 seconds the look on her face was pleased. Then, suddenly, her eyes widened, she grabbed her throat and ran for the fridge. Her voice was raspy as she choked out, "Ouch!!" She repeated that a couple times. Then I made out another phrase, "Liquid fire." Her eyes were watering...


Hmmm...too much red pepper, I guess.


We deemed the sauce unuseable. Frustration. Then, Understanding!! Oh, yeah!! It's TUESDAY!!! Well, of course!

Ah. There's always cereal.



Y'all keep your wool dry,

The Ewe





Quote of the Day: "Bulgarians are people who don't eat meat." --T.T.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Keeping the Plates Spinning

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
Well, the snow is gone. It was actually around 60 degrees here today. ! So, the snow melted. But, no worries! It's supposed to snow tomorrow! Yay, new snow! (did you hear the sarcasm?) I was getting tired of the old snow, anyway. LOL I do love snow, but once the temp hits 60, Spring Fever sets in for me...but, it's only January...
Hey, rejoice with me! This is the (count 'em) second night I've gone to bed with all the dishes washed--even the hand wash stuff! Yay for me! I guess I should say, all the dishes *I know of*. There are always a few hiding in cracks or crevices, avoiding the rigors of the dishwasher. You know the ones, when you find them you say to yourself, "Why was *that* *here*?" Anyway, someone call the FlyLady, quick!!! (Don't tell her, though, that I've stopped wearing shoes in the house. I find that the kitchen floor is swept and mopped much, much more frequently when I go barefoot. ICK! lol)
I announced to The Flock last night (after the last dish was washed) that we were no longer going to be eating or drinking. I acquiesced today, though, and allowed them to drink by holding their hands into little cup shapes. That doesn't work well for the soup, though--too hot. Ah well, the battle against grime must go on.
Maybe tomorrow I'll let them use the dishes again. ;-)
Must run...that rooster'll crow too soon.
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe

P.S. No children or husbands were harmed during the drafting of this post.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Update on Last Post

Ok...
Got up this morning and the temp was -1 with a wind chill of -16. BRRRRR!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Cold, Very Cold

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
You know, I use this blog not only to tell friends and family some of the goings-on at The Fold, but also to kind of journal the mundane so that our descendants can look back and know a bit of what it was like "back then." That's why I'm telling you,

"It's cold!" Tonight, the low is supposed to be 1 degree with a windchill of -12 (stop laughing, SRF!) I looked out of the window today and realized that I don't remember when the snow that is on the ground, fell. It's been there so long, I just don't remember. Freaky. Kinda like the grass down South in the summer--"When did it grow there?" "Dunno...been there a long time."
Boy...sure is a good thing I like winter. :-) LOL
Y'all keep your wool dry, er...warm,
The Ewe

Saturday, January 19, 2008

A Needed Encouragement

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
Well, it's ZERO degrees here...with a wind chill of between -10 and -14. WAHOOO!!! (wry laugh) I'm rethinking my attraction to Alaska. (Sorry, S.R.F.) The heat in The Ark went out last week (grrrr...uh, no..."BRRR!"). We had a frosty ride home from church last night. I'm preparing to hole up here at The Fold so The Ram can take The Ark to The Mechanic. Such irony--year before last I was yearning for air conditioning in the van...LOL
Let me tell you about a book I recently read...It's called _Passionate Housewives, Desperate for God_. It was a real encouragement to me. I've been a stay-at-home mom for 13+ years now, and after years of being told (by society) I'm throwing my life down a rat hole, wasting my intelligence and education by withering away here at home, it was so refreshing to read a book that succinctly reminds me of *why* I'm doing all this and *how* all this really matters. Ah, balm to my soul!
I'm sure some can take exception with some of the ideas in the book (isn't that always true?), but for at-home Mamas who could use a lift--it might be just what the Dr. ordered. ;-)
Well, must run...Lil Miss H just toddled in here, needing some Mama time. I'm thinking things might be a little damp "Down South." ;-)
Hey...stay warm and...
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Another "Failure to Communicate"

Hi again, F.O.T.E.'s,
I'm going to try to type fast and quietly, as I'm the only one still awake here...(shhh...)
Lioness mentioned in a comment on the last post about "open." Reminded me I need to tell you about that episode...
You see, two of the Lambs were sick last week--Lioness had been sick two weeks...Lil Miss H had a *nasty* looking eye. (poor babe) Finally, I saw that they weren't getting better on their own, so I did something drastic. I took them to the doctor. (gasp) Those who know me well know that I resist going to the dr. and resist taking the littles unless absolutely necessary. Ram and I agreed last week--those two had to go.
So, I loaded the whole Flock into the Ark and went to the physician. Lovable was left in charge of Musical and Tater Tot in the waiting room (UGH---GERMS!) while I went back with Lioness and LMH.
Did I mention we don't often go to the doctor?
Dr. G was examining Lioness. Dr. went to Lioness' good ear and looked in. Lioness informed her that *that* wasn't the sore ear. Doc stated, "Yes. I know that. But I want to look at the *good ear* to see how bad the *bad ear* is." chuckle chuckle (Dr. G is very good natured and funny.)
Doc then looked up Lioness' nose. Ick.
Doc then told Lioness, "Open."
Lioness stared at Doc.
Doc again instructed, "Open!"
Lioness stared hard at Doc and even leaned forward a bit. I was thinking it was an "Alpha Dog Showdown" with them both pushing forward toward each other. I also thought Lioness better shape up or she was going to have an "attitude adjustment" when we got home.
When Doc commanded "OPEN your MOUTH!!" we realized that Lioness had thought Doc meant "Open your eyes." Thus the eye-bulging stare.
ROTFLOL
Oh me. We all got a good laugh out of that.
After the exam, we dismissed to the waiting room to collect the others. The receptionist raved to me about what wonderful children I have (blush). It's always nice for folks to brag on your kids, no?
I praised everyone for their cooperation on the way home and hoped that that was the last doctor's visit for a while.
The next day, Lovable came up to me...
"Mom. My throat hurts."
ARGH!!! Waiting room germs!!!

Oops, there's Lil Miss H...gotta run...
The Ewe

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Failure to Communicate

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
You know, in college I majored in journalism. My studies were all about communicating clearly. I felt like I did pretty well at it. My instructors did, too...as did my employers at various radio and television stations. I carried no noticeable accent (of course my college was in the South, so take that for what's it worth) and could generally find just the word I wanted to use.
Now, however, I sometimes struggle to get my point across. After a few years living in TN, I now have a draaawll. Oh well. Southern Drawl is a creature more pervasive than kudzu. Fight as you will, you will probably pick it up.
A few minutes ago, Tater and I had a "failure to communicate."


He walked up to me and said: "Mama, would you make me some cereal?"
I replied: "Yesterday you made your own cereal."
He answered: "Yeah, but I want more."


I got so tickled. You know, I think communicating with adults is a whole other animal than communicating with children. It really stretches the mind...

Must run. We're having "soul food" tonight--pinto beans and collard greens with cornbread and cheese. (YUM) Time to go make the "sweet tea." :-)
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe


Wednesday, January 09, 2008

My Beautiful Tulips

Aren't these lovely? They bloomed around New Year's. Sadly, they are all dead now.
The Ewe

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Happy New Year from the Flock!

Hello, F.O.T.E.'s,
We are putting away Christmas things and trying to get back to the routine around here. I really enjoy the holidays, but I'm ready to get back to the "same ol', same ol'."
I'm initiating (another) all out war on clutter. I've discovered that the Clutter War is never over, you just fight different battles. My two main weapons are the trash can and a Goodwill bag. I like the FlyLady approach and maybe one day I will succeed at actually *doing* it. lol For now, though, I'll just draw inspiration from her and fill up those two recepticals.
We are also trying to iron out any family health issues. I'm seeing a new doctor who is actually listening to me about my thyroid problems. She thinks we may try some antithyroid medication to see if that helps. I am hoping for an end to the Endless Summer that only I experience. lol
We'll be trying out a new dentist soon, too. All the children are due for check ups and Musical has a stubborn baby tooth that is all too content to abide in front of her adult tooth. We tease her about being a shark.
I guess that's all for now. The Lambs are waking up and I imagine they will expect to be fed. (smile)
Y'all keep your wool dry,
The Ewe