mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Aug 5, 2011 11:31:39 GMT -5
Oh muttley- That's great! If it's any consolation, when I was between 12-24 months, I barely talked at all, but could sing anything. My not-so-dear-and-darling father was convinced they were going to come back and say there was something wrong with me eventually. I was just not a talker. I would still rather sing than talk.
DM mother has been told by Doc to lose weight or plan funeral. Back up in 230s. And Doc told her to stop trying to sabotage my weight loss and diet plans.
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DVM gone riding
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Post by DVM gone riding on Aug 5, 2011 11:42:32 GMT -5
I am in!! I am going to do better at keeping track this month. Got a bunch of sharpies and a calender to mark on
Goal: 10nsd/6csd proud of myself just so I could report it here I didn't go and grab dinner last night I came home and made myself make something I already had! So I have 2nsd for the week.
Everyone have a wonderful safe weekend and a happy friday happy hour!
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azmom
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Post by azmom on Aug 5, 2011 11:52:18 GMT -5
2 NSD! DS survived his first week of football practice. On Monday he will be in pads, which means full contact! My lil guy is only 1 of 4 seven year olds on his team of mostly eight and nine year olds, fifteen of which are return players from last year (same team) and more who have played before! He has his work cut out for him if he wants more than his mandatory 8 plays. We did tell him this is his learning year. I LOVE watching him play with such reckless abandoned (in a good way). He is a competitor for sure but the nicest guy after the whistle blows SS: I made myself coffee at 4p yesterday. At that moment I knew I was not the smart thing to do but it was necessary to get through the rest of the day. I was up passed midnight. How I Met Your Mother anyone? Since I was up late, I watched an episode of this show. I love this show, a true guilty pleasure I only get to watch when there are no kids around (translation rarely) Anyhow, I laughed so hard last night. It was the episode when Barney ran the NYC marathon easily but then couldn't stand up while riding the subway later. I guess having run a marathon myself,it made it that much funnier! Hilarious episode! DVM: Sharpies and Calender...You mean business AWESOME! Yippee for eating dinner at home.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Aug 5, 2011 12:31:43 GMT -5
Yay for little victories, dvm!
azmom: Love HIMYM. I think I've seen almost every episode. The marathon one is definitely funny, especially all the people who want him to give up his seat on the subway. And also the fact that it turns out, you can't blame other people for things that go wrong in your life. In the end, its your decisions that matter, not theirs.
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MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Aug 5, 2011 13:33:27 GMT -5
shanendoah: I e-mailed you July's numbers
Start: I can't have any coffee after 1pm or Iwill be up all night. Now I can drink as much tea as I want.....
Recipes are up on the blog!
DS#1 is doing great at swim lessons.
DF is working both temp jobs. The one at BILs company is only 8-12 hours total right now. But it may lead to something more and if nothing else gets him more exposure in the field he wants to be in.
DD is being a terror as is DSS, although I did need him today as I found out at the last minute DSIS and DNiece weren't going to swimming so I had to get him out of bed to watch DS#2. DSS goes back to his mom's house today. I had to text her to get the info, the first time I have had any contact with her since last Halloween.
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dakota4600
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Post by dakota4600 on Aug 5, 2011 13:51:26 GMT -5
Woot. I joined a restaurant's e-mail club yesterday and today they sent me a buy one entree & 2 drinks and the 2nd entree half price coupon. We were planning on eating there tonight anyway. Also I think I can get the play tickets BOGO at 3pm today. One TV station puts them on sale on the web 50% off at 3pm, since we usually just buy the tickets when we get there this will save us even more.
MK- Glad DF is working!
Muttley- Yeah on a good checkup! Every kid develops differently, his speech will come along. One day he'll surprise you with full sentences. Did you teach him signs? I know mini-D used the signs instead of words, even after he started talking.
DVM- It is the little victories that add up!
AZmom- HIMYM I love that show. I don't remember that episode, but I've only been watching it a couple years.
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azmom
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Post by azmom on Aug 5, 2011 14:19:45 GMT -5
Ladies: Thank you for all of your cooking inspirations. Honey-You AMAZE me. I will be using all of those recipes over the course of this next month...Shanen DH will be so happy when I try your dishes! SS:Thanks for the a new source of ideas! BUT I think I am going to go with this..I know it is very simple and maybe not to fancy but I think I can pull it off and make it look pretty and fancy: For Apps: I plan on making Homemade Pizza and/or Chicken Cheese Balls This for a salad: savorysweetlife.com/2011/07/watermelon-feta-mixed-greens-salad/#more-8697This for the main course: savorysweetlife.com/2011/04/the-pioneer-womans-black-heels-to-tractor-wheels-and-asian-inspired-flat-iron-steak-recipe/I am not sure yet on the sides or the dessert but I am working on it. AS you can tell I don't like to do a traditional pairing of foods. I am after all the girl who orders cat fish and pancakes at Cracker Barrel. I love having a variety of foods at one meal! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Aug 5, 2011 15:03:18 GMT -5
I'll get the numbers up later tonight. I'm about to head out of the office for the day and get in the little bit of shopping I need to do before hading home.
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mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Aug 5, 2011 15:07:03 GMT -5
3NS/1S/1CS
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Aug 5, 2011 15:15:00 GMT -5
dakota - We tried signing, but he just isn't that interested in it. We should probably try again to see.
So my boss has been gone for less than 5 hours and I am already going crazy. I have loads of meetings next week. I have deadlines. I have things that I don't have information from my surveyors or our soil scientist and I have to wait on that. The phone is going to be ringing off the hook because of a neighborhood meeting for a rezoning coming up when the boss man gets back and all those questions are going to come to me. I have an 8.5X11 sheet of paper full of information on it on all the projects that are getting started and heading my way. I told my office manager that I was going to need a vacation when the boss got back.
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Aug 5, 2011 16:08:22 GMT -5
5 NSD/CSD, 0 EOD, 0 SD. Doing okay but DS didn't get as much on his paycheck as he thought he was going to. I told him, for my check anyway, I take 23.25 % off for taxes and that includes the privilege tax we have here. It is a privilege to work in our town so they tax us. Since he has been self employed, and only paid taxes at the end of the year, he didn't know all this stuff.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Aug 5, 2011 18:48:52 GMT -5
4 NSD/CSD 2 EOD (my boss and I go out to lunch a lot and he left town today for 10 days, so we had to have a farewell lunch! But damn I am kicking myself for spending $17 on a damn bacon cheeseburger. Gonna have to get him to start liking cheaper places or paying my way ) Total monthly spending is $1261, which includes the mortgage. Goal is to keep it under $3K this month - I'm working on getting the food budget down, I think we can do better than $400/month.
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spruby
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Post by spruby on Aug 5, 2011 19:53:40 GMT -5
Note to self - don't come back from vacation late on a Sunday w/o a fully stocked closet of clothes and refrigerator of food. Neither of which we had. Playing catch up all week at work (they shut down my email for a little bit at one point because I exceeded the mailbox limit!) and in the house. Plus a friend was in town unexpectedly and we met for dinner. Too many early mornings/long days/late nights!
We've scrapped up some meals - so I am 5 CS/3 NEO for the week (yeah us!).
Hubby front-loaded the max 401k contribution this year and that finally finished - so it was like getting a raise this paycheck. We'll use that for the next two trips and then start throwing part at taxes and the rest in savings.
Everything is going up these days it seems - a smidge here and a nickel there. I've been comparing grocery bills and the same "basket" of basic purchases has gone up about 10%. Sheesh.
Interesting news on the job front. Heard back from TX person - as I thought - the positions he has don't pay anywhere near what I would want/need (he could tell by reading the resume) - but he was still interested in finding opportunities to work with me and asked his HR group to call me. So that is more alive then I thought - considering he is the #2 guy in the business line - I expect HR *will* call. AND at my current job I was talking to the #2 person in our department who asked me what I wanted to do and suggested after we talk that I put it in writing and if I did they would support it. It would get me dedicated staff, move me out of "doing" the work to "directing" the work and still let me cherry pick new/interesting/high profile projects (the reason I was given the job I have). So interesting things - keep up the good karma thoughts for me!
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Aug 5, 2011 20:45:54 GMT -5
Update: 3NS days and 1CS day
Was doing well this week until the dreaded sinus condition started up again. Quick visit to the doctor resulted in two shots, antibiotics and other medication. Feeling much better than a few days ago but definitely not in the plans. Not the way to begin the new school year. Will be on the medication for a few days and I hope that one batch of the medication will solve the problem.
First week of activities is finished. Next week is all meetings. With the exception of the above mentioned day and one quick lunch I have been doing well toward my goals. Tomorrow will be a spend day -- it is the annual teacher sale day at OD and I have my list made out for the few items I need. While I am out I have several other places to stop and I know that my list is incomplete so I fully expect it to be a spend.
With the heat index over 100+ each day, I have not been running any extra errands. I hope to finish everything tomorrow before noon in an effort to avoid the heat as much as possible.
Azmom -- I love your "Back to School" tradition. Muttley -- I can't believe that your DS is so big already. I remember when we were awaiting his arrival. MK -- thanks for all you do.
I am sure I forgot several things I wanted to mention. Have a good night all.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 6, 2011 11:40:25 GMT -5
Still at: 1 NSD 1 CSD so far this month. I went to Ikea last night and picked up the bookshelf I've been planning to buy. Now all of my DVDs fit on those bookshelves instead of stacked on the floor. As much as the puppy chews things I knew it was a good purchase. I also finally purchased my new business cards! Woot! So excited to have them for the conference. I fixed the tag line, created my new email address and the backside has my photography. They were spendy but for 200 cards I should have enough for the rest of the year AND it's a business write off. Dad didn't end up driving here last night, he was too tired from his commute. Probably a good thing since I slept in past 9 am I guess I was catching up on sleep from Thurs night! Now time to tackle my to do list and get moving.
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mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Aug 6, 2011 12:08:01 GMT -5
3NS/2S/1CS
Tonight is the first talent show. It may storm... I hope not. I am excited. I am going to sing Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man"
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Aug 6, 2011 15:01:56 GMT -5
I don't know if I've had a Startsmart day or maybe an azmom day. DH is working today. So, DS and I went out for breakfast and then we went grocery shopping (the whole point of going out to breakfast was that we had minimal food in the house). We came home and got everything put up and DS got a snack. I folded his clothes and put up his diapers. THen he went down for his nap and I did my good clothes (DH did everything else yesterday). Worked out 30 min on the my ellipitical, picked corn for tomorrow (probably the only 2 ears we will get this year), cooked Mediterrenean chicken for lunch, and cleaned the kitchen. I have to wake DS up from his nap here in a minute (he was fighting going down for it) and then after DS has some lunch we are going to the pool. I also read up on how to use my breadmaker. I've had it nearly 6 years and I have never used, but thought I should try. money - I know he is getting so big! He walked all the way across the Walmart parking lot today holding my hand so nicely! It was unusually quiet there and he was just such a big boy. I don't want him to go back to being a baby, but this whole growing up thing can slow down a bit.
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dakota4600
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Post by dakota4600 on Aug 6, 2011 22:50:54 GMT -5
UGggghhh. I just lost my big long post.
Recap
Fun date night with DH. Got to sleep in. Picked up milk for 1.99 a gallon and saved 60% at another grocery store on sale ads.
Have my DN tonight again. The boys were together last night at my parents and I think they are on overload of being together. They were incredibly crazy today.
Frozen sopapillia dough tastes really good but isn't as light and airy as it was fresh.
Tomorrow we are going to the botanical gardens to see the Jurassic exhibit.
Muttley- Yes they grow up so fast. I still remember when I could hold mini-d in my arms. Now he is so tall that if his head is on my shoulder his feet are below my knees.
Moneysquirrel- Hope you feel better.
MizBear- Good Luck tonight!
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 7, 2011 1:04:48 GMT -5
super productive day with Dad although I didn't eat until we stopped for dinner at 5pm. Oops. Also held strong on no spending until I picked up plants at the store. Gah.
tomorrow is a challenging day, I feel as though I have 100 important things to do.
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reeneejune
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Post by reeneejune on Aug 7, 2011 16:15:51 GMT -5
0 NSDs, but I'm still keeping track! This weeks goal: continue tracking and get at least 1 NSD. Thursday I had a fun, almost free day. After work I went out to dinner with Mom, she paid. Then I went to a free concert in the park to see the country artist that sings "my" song with my BFF and my sorta-nephew. We didn't stay too long because the park was packed, but I did hear my song and pick up a CD. Then I went on a first date which went very well. Busy, busy evening. I also (finally!) got my vacuum back from BFF after a month without it. Except when I fired it up yesterday to attack the disaster formerly known as my carpet, it wouldn't suck! Upon closer inspection, I found that the belt was broken, there was a CD wrapper clogging the hose, and there was about a kitten worth of hairballs wrapped around the roller. Apparently BFF's DH used it last. We'll be having a discussion about the correct way to use a vacuum the next time I see him. So today I need to get that torn apart and see if a new belt and some scissors will correct the problem. If not, he'll be buying me a new vacuum! Even if it does, he's going to owe me at least an hour of heavy lifting. My other irritation this week... I keep a box fan in my bedroom window and leave it on at night to keep the temp reasonable. I haven't had any problems with doing that all summer. Last night, I swear someone was standing under my window smoking. Ugh, with my allergy problems, I felt like someone was smothering me in my sleep! Sorry, just had to whine about that. Split days off this week, so I'd better get off the netz and get some stuff accomplished.
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MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Aug 7, 2011 18:22:09 GMT -5
Reenee: I SO hate it when you loan an item to someone and it comes back broken. I always try to return things in better shape then when I had it. I HATE to borrow things.
Busy Busy Day. Still need to make my bed with the clean sheets (man I hate it when I forget until it is time to go to bed!) and give kids baths. This is going to be a busy week also.
Monday: Swimming lessons, take kids to used bookstore that is closing, check on my DOD's cats, Aldi's and if it works out karate for DS#1
Tuesday: Swimming lessons, go to Fort Snelling with kids and DSIS and DNiece. Then we will hike along Fort Snelling State Park paths and show the kids what we did when we were kids.
Weds: Swimming Lessons then ?
Thursday: Swimming Lessons, Then the crew to the zoo. Dniece is spending the night.
Friday: Last day of swimming lessons, YIPPEE
One of the nights DS#1 is staying at my sister's also. Then it will be getting ready for Family camp the following Thursday.
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Aug 7, 2011 21:08:47 GMT -5
Evening all, I spend both days this weekend. I think I have everything I need to get the school year started in the line of basic supplies. Tomorrow begins a week of meetings. The medication is beginning to really take effect. I am feeling so much better. Coughing is no longer as bad as it was. I tried to rest as much as I could this weekend -- only did the basics. Afternoon naps also helped. Hope all are doing okay. Will check in as time permits.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Aug 8, 2011 9:34:50 GMT -5
Update: 4 NS + 3 CS = 7 of 26 Sorry I didn't get to the numbers this weekend. Will get them done and up this morning. DH is back tonight. The puppies and I will all be much happier.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Aug 8, 2011 9:47:03 GMT -5
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dakota4600
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Post by dakota4600 on Aug 8, 2011 9:47:41 GMT -5
4 NS, 1 CS & 5NEO
Yesterday was a spend and an EO, but is was a good family day. We went to the botanical gardens, they had a butterfly festival and a dinosaur exhibit. Mini-D liked both, but liked the butterflies better than the dinos. They put mesh tents over several butterfly gardens and you could walk in and see tons of butterflies, caterpillars and chrysalis.
Anyone have a food dehydrator? I got one this weekend and am planning on trying to dry cherries and apples to start with. I'm going to start with a small batch of each and if it works well then I'll move on to bigger qtys. I just think dried fruit is so expensive, that even if I only use it a few times a year it is a worth while purchase, especially when I can buy the fruit really inexpensively in season. Plus when I have a surplus of herbs I'll be able to dry them as well. Any ideas on storing what I dry?
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azmom
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Post by azmom on Aug 8, 2011 11:26:22 GMT -5
Good Morning! I survived our Back to School Dinner. It wasn't as fancy or organized as years passed but it served its purpose. You can see our menu here : anotherhousewife.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/fancy-back-to-school-dinner/I went with Teriyaki Salmon it was quick easy and I knew everyone loved it. HONEY: I am making the pork chops this week. I have not stopped thinking about them since your post. Also, I will be giving the chicken and Barley a whirl soon. I have to confess I had not idea what barley was I saw the pearl barley at the grocery store yesterday and was stoked! I have dinner in the crock pot. We have meet the teacher tonight and football practice. I am hoping to get two meals out of this roast...pulled beef sandwiches tonight and tacos tomorrow. ALL: Happy No Spending
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 8, 2011 11:29:17 GMT -5
dakota- there should be lots of good recipes online for dried fruit, off the top of my head I would look for: strawberries, apricots, banana chips, kale chips, sliced apples, pineapple and, if you're really ambitious even beef jerkey! Most recipes will tell you how to store and how long it's good but I would think Mason jars or tupperware would work just fine. I'm very jealous, I can just see a row of dehydrated food snacks in my pantry!
Also, consider cutting some of the larger pieces up into bite size chunks for a very healthy trail mix. You could add peanuts, m&ms or anything you like!
I'm feeling sick since last night when I couldn't sleep again. Was up until 2am and now I'm just tired. Work calls and prep today for the radio show tomorrow. How did I get roped into producing a radio show? how?!
Also, got details on the coaching day I'm attending in November so I'm trying not to get sucked into planning that just yet. It'll be 3 days off work/in New York but at least I have an extra $500 to pay for the trip. Looks like flights will be around $300 so if I can get two nights in the hotel for under $200 the rest will be easy peasy.
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mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Aug 8, 2011 11:36:46 GMT -5
5NS/2S/1CS
Missed placing in talent show by one point.
I had a food dehydrator and loved it. Someone fel in the box when I moved to my DGMs years ago after my divorce and killed it.
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reeneejune
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Post by reeneejune on Aug 8, 2011 12:33:30 GMT -5
dakota - anything that seals tight is good for storing dehydrated foods. Ziploc would work fine.
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Honeylioness
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Post by Honeylioness on Aug 8, 2011 13:38:34 GMT -5
My goal this month is 25 CS days and 28 NEO. I apologize in advance for this long rambling and geeky post. Well, I FINALLY have the first confirmed date and flight information for one of my girls this year - August 24th around noon time I will be at the airport picking up the girl from Ecuador. YIKES .... time to be "mom" again, where has the summer gone? I had a mini-startsmart weekend, and while I am tired today I am glad I got these things done: * Cleaned out, washed and re-filled both cat boxes * Washed front hall floor * Scrubbed laundry room floor * Did laundry (A necessity when you realize you are all out of undies!) * Ironed at least seven tablecloths, about a dozen shirts, various other linens, skirts, pants and at least one dress * Picked 15 pounds of blueberries. Froze two cookie sheets worth, prepped the rest for jam or syrup next month. * Went to the Farmer's Market. Got several bunches of basil (made pesto and dried some), Fennel (dried the fronds for later, saving stalks for seafood stock) and 8-10 pounds of tomatoes. * Made and canned five quarts of tomato sauce * Did a quick cleaning of the kitchen So here is the thing about the tomatoes. There is this older man who runs a small farm about 20 miles away and he travels around to most of the farmer's markets in various cities. So last year he and I were talking about how too many people expect their produce to look picture perfect when in reality things split, grow odd shapes and don't look like the magazines say they should. Out of that we came to a deal. I go see him every other week. He keeps a box in the refrigerated section of his produce truck to toss in less than ideal tomatoes. The ones that have a split, or are getting too soft on one side, or have brown spots, or someone put their thumb through pressing too hard. They are usually destined for his compost heap. Instead, he saves them for me - and inevitably also throws in three or four of the "nicer" ones after he has weighed the others. I get for them $1.50/lb - which is a steal considering most vendors sell the big tomatoes for $2 each. So I take them home and make sauce. Sometimes I will go just as they are closing on Saturday in the town next door and make an offer for some of the sadder looking produce. I know they will not have another market for at least three days, these items won't last that long and they have to pick fresh anyway. So rather then have it dumped into compost - they can make a bit off what would not have sold otherwise. I have snagged some good deals in the past this way on herbs, pickling cukes, chard and green beans. mizbear - So sorry to hear that you missed the show by one point - bummer. dakota - I don't have a dehydrator, though I have considered it in the past. I dry things either in the oven or by hanging. This weekend it was fresh basil and fennel from the weekly Farmer's Market. When storing dried items the thing to keep in mind is trying to keep moisture out of the finished items. Some people use a vacuum sealer for large quantities of dried fruits, placing them into small servicing. However I have used canning jars for years with no issues. In my pantry are jars with dried herbs, tomatoes, peppers, roasted leeks, grains and other seasonings. You can buy them new in most grocery stores or at Walmart - especially at this time of year they are easier to locate. I use new and vintage/recycled ones. I often get them really cheap by the box at church and rummage sales. Just be sure you clean them well before use, and for your purposes that they are completely dry. Also use NEW rubber rings or jar lids - not used ones. Properly stored in a dark cabinet - not atop upper cabinets or in a window - most items should last a year or more. Herbs can loose some of their flavor after a while - I just use more. And just to add one more geeky tip - now is the time of year you start to see fresh basil in the farmer's markets for very reasonable prices. If you like pesto here is a way to have it all year: Make a big batch of pesto - there are recipes online - then pour the sauce into ice cube trays and freeze. Once they are completely hardened, pop them out into freezer bags, or layer them in a plastic container with waxed paper. They will keep for up to two years, and when you want pesto for a quick pasta dinner, or to add to a soup, you just grab one or a few "cubes". The heat of the soup or pasta will melt them quickly, or you can microwave them for a minute or two. Child Development - I feel as though I should preface this section with a disclaimer: No, I have not had biological children of my own, nor have a raised an infant or toddler full time. Having said that I do have a question for the group. I understand the concept of keeping track of a child's development milestones - such as first words, steps, spatial awareness, gross and fine motor skills. However, and this is where I brace myself for the "feed back" - does anyone else think this often gets out of control? One of my nieces is in the 98% range for height, but only the 40% range for weight. She is a long tall drink of water to be sure who eats like a horse and prefers grains, vegetables and fruit over meats. She is also in the top 3% of her class so I don't think it is hurting her mental skills at all. But someone in her pediatricians office made a comment that if she didn't put on more weight they might have to report it to Child Welfare to make sure she is not being neglected. HUH? A woman in my office took her 2 year old in for a check up. And because the little girl did not speak the maximum number of words the "guides" said she should - the mom now has the kid in speech therapy AND working with a child psychologist to offset the toddler's potential negative self image about her lack of verbal skills. *Bangs my head on my desk until it is bloody*This just makes me NUTS. Each kid develops at his own pace. YES you should be alert for potential serious learning challenges or symptoms of an underlying medical condition. But really folks - putting pressure on a TWO YEAR OLD because she has to speak more words because the book says so? What is this doing to a lot of our kids? What does it tell a child at a deep level that they are not "performing" as they should at age 2, 3 or 4? Some kids never crawl and go straight to walking, some don't speak more than 10 words at a time until they hit kindergarten, then you can't shut them up. Some have limited spatial ability (that's me with my astigmatism) and others have no sense of time. Isn't it more important that our kids learn how to deal with others, have manners, be respectful, learn how to trust and love and fail? What ever happened to failing? And the idea that it's okay you didn't get a ribbon or trophy. Aren't we doing a disservice to them but thinking all they have to do is "show up" to win? Trust me, I don't get a paycheck just for "showing up". I think you learn more about yourself and how to try harder and stay self motivated if you DO fail at things. You learn that it's okay that you will never play tennis or golf because of your depth perception or lack there of (that's me - I can field but put anything between my hand and the object and I am swinging at nothin').
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