Pampered Chef anyone?

I am hosting an online party from Sept 25 to Sept 29. Anyone who would like an invitation, please email or IM me.

Otherwise you can look at their catalog to see what they have to offer.
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/donnaharpe?page=home

Wait is a verb.

Did you realize that? I never even thought about it until today. Wait to me means, to sit, to watch, anything but be active.

I have found a church that keeps me engaged completely. I'm even enjoying Sunday School. Every week that we are there I find it harder and harder to not pay attention. We had stress last weekend and didn't go..one reason was waking up late and the sermon was about Time. I didn't even hear the sermon and knew that's one I should have went to, even if we were late. Its amazing how when your heart is ready how easy it is to just sit and soak it all in.

So anyway.

Today's sermon was about Wait. We were reading Acts about the many times Jesus came to the apostles during the 40 days after he was crucified. He said to them, wait, and you will be babtised in teh Holy Spirit. They asked about when the kingdom would be given back to Israel, and he said, wait, only the Father knows the time and day. As he descended into Heaven in Acts 1:9 two angels appeared and asked them why they were standing there, looking into the sky. The answer was, Jesus said to wait. So they waited.
Our form of time and waiting is not the same as God's. The apostles didn't understand that wait didn't mean, just a second let me finish my sandwich and I'll get back to you. The pastor asked us what we were doing while we waited for Jesus's return. Are we making an impact in lives of those around us? Are we learning and studying and trying to improve? Or are we standing still watching the sky?
He also talked about, how he believes God will keep us waiting until he breaks us, for those of us that are too stubborn to follow God's lead.
How many times have we been waiting for years and years for something to happen...to improve or to flourish only to see that improvement only after we *finally* let God take the reins and steer the cart? Even if the route God chose for us didn't match the plan we so carefully laid out?
Wait, is a good thing. In the process of wait, we should be doing. While we are in college waiting for that dream job that will enable you to retire at 55 with full benefits and a paid for house, we learn patience and financial responsibility. While we wait for our children learn to walk and talk we learn about our own faults as we see a little mirror right in front of us. As we wait, we learn, grow, give and receive blessings. The pastor showed us a heart care commercial with two people on an escalator when it stops working..and they just stood there looking up yelling for help. They were waiting for someone to come fix the problem, instead of simply walking up the stairs. Who does that? Wait on a stalled escalator? In real life, when the chips are down, do we just sit there and wait for our ship to come in and bail us out or do we start digging with shovels blessed by God? While we wait for Jesus, what are we doing? Are you riding a stalled escalator or are you digging?

Really great ideas

Lets make a list of really great ideas. See how many you didn't think of until you needed it, and feel free to share!

Labeling the breaker box.
Finding your keys before you lock the front door behind you.
Setting your glass on a table that does NOT have a computer(or any other electronic device).
Cleaning up the yard before you mow.
Grippy socks on a wood floor.
Moving all electrical cords and headphones away from a puppy's reach.
Wearing knee pads when you remove wall to wall carpeting.

Just a few things that I have observed that might be really great tips if you haven't thought of them yourself!

In the kitchen

My kitchen is the only room in the house with adequate storage. Some of that storage I need to use a ladder to get to, but it is storage nonetheless. So the problem is...the kitchen has turned into a lazy Susan of sorts. For those of you who are not from the Midwest, a lazy Susan is a round thing that rotates and you stick it on your table. You fill it up with food at mealtime and when you want something you twirl it around. What happens is that once it gets sat there people start to fill it up with junk that doesn't belong there.

When you want something in my house its always in the kitchen. Food, of coarse. But what else do you want?
Your winter coat? light jacket?
The kitchen.
Medication? First aid kit? Latex free band aids?
The kitchen.(its the only cabinet in the house that locks)
Candles? Batteries? Wine glasses from some anniversary so long ago you cant remember? Hot Glue gun? Bicycle helmet? Cedar shavings for an animal you no longer have?
Kitchen. Kitchen, kitchen.
Lamp oil? Baby box full of newborn items for your 7 and 8 year old? Hairbrush? Dog brush? Laundry? 2 ft tall ceramic basset hound? Cooler? Scissors? Paper bags?

Kitchen kitchen kitchen. Oh, and Kitchen.

See what I mean? Its always in the kitchen.


My kitchen needs a serious overhaul. I suspect it will take a solid week just to unload it. I suspect more than half will be sent off to the yard sale then gifted to a thrift store.(You really think my stuff will sell? No, I don't either.) And then? We might actually eat in there. What a concept, eating in the room you prepare food in. I hear that's the next "big thing". If I had a rolling eye smiley, I would insert it here. Next thing they'll say couches are not for sleeping. You watch, it'll happen.

Nice quiet house

Kids in bed, dogs resting from a full day romping in the grass. Dh on his computer and me on mine. Headphones in our ears, surfing the net. When I was younger this kind of night would have been a nightmare. Ahh how life changes.

I'm feeling better, thanks for all who asked. The Ibuprofen worked so much better and I only had to take it once. Those type of headaches just grab ahold of me and shake me like a dog. It's not much fun. I'll try Ibuprofen first next time.

Gas went down! Dh is working across the state line and its down to $3.89! whooohooo! Isn't it sad that we are excited for it to be that high? I just wonder what will happen to gas prices as the election comes closer. Who takes credit for it, who promises to keep it that low if we just elect them. I have given up stuff I really don't want to because of this recent economy adventure. Its not going to get much better, so we may as all get used to it. For the same reson they flavor kid's medicine, this stuff is hard to swallow.

How have you been today?

Isnt it funny

.....when you come face to face with a developmental disability you start to see it in other people? After our son was dx'd with Autism we started doing research and one day I realized I could trace autism like traits back 4 generations in my mothers family. I started coming to grips with the genetic form of autism long before some medical report came out to say hey look was we found. If you think about it, we all have one trait or another. I can remember being the awkward kid in class, not having the ability to make friends or understand social cues, not fitting into a mold and not being one of those follow the crowd kind of kids. But back then, that was just the *awkward preteen* stage. It didn't make it any easier to deal with.

Now brother bear has some very dominant traits, whereas his sister has some very passive ones. So passive that she has control of most of them, and we can talk her thru the rest. Its so odd that if you carry something in your genes and only a select few are passed down. Why is Nicole so higher functioning and Hunter is not? Why did God choose things the way they are? Only time will tell.

I have such a huge headache today its hard to think. I just finished a round of ZPac so I can't get another one for 2 weeks. I just took some Ibuprofen because the Excedrin Sinus Headache wore off too quick. the only thing that helps is lay down very still and since the kids are up and moving I don't think that's a good idea.

Well. You all have a nice day! I really need to get moving.

My settings are off

Again.

There are a couple places where I change my settings every time I reboot because they go back to default or something. I really need to change them permanently because these settings don't allow me to go into a couple boards I frequent. Its driving me crazy.

The weather cooled off really nice. I don't know how long it will last but I am glad to not be sticky with sweat and have irritable children to boot.

Speaking of children, today is their first official day of summer vacation. It actually feels like Saturday, we haven't gotten used to the time off yet. Already sister bear is finding brother bear's triggers and picking a fight. Its not even noon for pete's sake. We are taking this week to unwind and gear up for a yard sale...next week starts the official summer routine. I'll let you know what that is soon as I make a list.

Daily pet peeve.

Well they sent a robot to Mars. While I know how important it is, it seems like a waste right now. Think about it for just a second. Gas is over $4 a gallon. We have families going without decent food, schools who can't pay their teachers living wages and families without medical insurance. The government is putting a lot of money into the Space program, how many families could get insurance for an 1/3 of that money? Right now schools are getting out for the summer, and for many of those kids the school breakfast/lunch program is the only regular meals they get. What are they doing over the summer?
Now there's an argument about the parents/guardians should just get a job. There was a report on the news about our high number or out of work teenagers because laid off adults are taking all the jobs. Our minimum wage goes to $6.55 in July, it won't even be $7 until next summer. Can you imagine paying your bills and feeding your family on less than $7 an hour? I know it can be done, however with the housing market in the pits, adults having to take huge pay cuts and even teenagers not able to work spending money to visit Mars seems a bit excessive.
Taking classes to better yourself is an option. If you're lucky(and smart, and get financial aid) you can get out of community college in 3 semesters or less, but then you still have to find a job. However in the meantime, things need taking care of.

Yes the world is a mess. I can't say its a surprise tho, people have been predicting stuff like this for a while now. Its just getting used to the way things are getting our butts in gear and making permanent changes. But that whole Mars thing just rubs me raw when there are so many other important things.

Last day of school

I'm so excited! I like having my kids home with me and summer vacation just started today at 1:00 technically, but we had an IEP so we didn't get out till 2:30. It seems they *finally* agree with me, and think brother bear is stressed out at *that* school and its not my fault. Moms always get blamed don't they? Well guess what happened? He came into the local school for visits and had no issues adjusting whatsoever. I'm really hoping this placement works out because our other two options are not so appealing.

Sister bear got Honor Roll again! We're so proud of her. She fell behind this year because her classroom was just too loud. She can't keep up in a crowded noisy environment. I didn't realize the other class was the polar opposite or I would have moved her. Next year I'll keep better tabs, now that we know what works and what doesn't. She gave up a few recesses(working while it was quiet) to catch up and then got a bug keeping her out of school. So, she was behind again two weeks before school was out. She did catch up, and her lowest grade is a B-. She can work hard when she needs to.

Weather guy says its supposed to thunderstorm tonight, but we'll see. They have been wrong before(often) and anymore its all a big guess. Until the town storm siren goes off I don't take anything to heart.

Plans for the summer? We don't have any. Outside of therapy for brother bear in the next town, possibly swimming lessons if we can swing it, its all bikes, park and library time. All things we can do in town. Gas is $4.02 a gallon and I'm saving it for dire emergencies. Now that school is out we can do more walking, and be out later in the evening because they don't have to be up at 6:30 again until August. Woo Hoo!

Where have I been

...I can't believe I have ignored this for so long. Sorry about that. We have been busy with this or that, and for the most part, I have been lazy.:)

Right now were doing end of the school year stuff, including a Spring concert for dd and IEP meetings and visits to a new school for ds. Sweet girl was so cute, I sat down in front on the floor to get a good picture and she wouldn't smile so I started making faces at her...yes she smiled...and eventually wouldn't look at me at all.:) When they are on stage they aren't supposed to wave or talk to the audience...just smile. So I did what I do best...aggravate her. She told me later she thought it was funny.
Ds has his case conference. I'm not a happy momma. We want him removed from this school and go to the local school and they are trying to make it difficult. The school they suggested I visit uses restraint and a "time out room" for discipline. That is wrong on so many levels. Thankfully ds's Behavioral Therapist agrees with my concerns and ds won't be attending there.

Earthquakes!

We have had something like 26 tremors. I think that's what the paper said. Anyway a couple weeks back we had a huge 5 pointer. It shook the house and dh and I were nervous Nelly's for a couple days. Most of the tremors are 2 and 3 point somethings and eventually no one felt them, or they were in the middle of the night and we all slept thru them. The base is the New Madrid fault, over in Ill. We have towns near by with 100-ish yr old buildings and they saw some damage. This has become active, the scientist are telling us, and now the media is telling us that "the big one" is in the works. Could be tomorrow, could be next week, or in 60 years. Don't you just love the drama? I mean really?!!? Just inform people of the risks, teach them what they need to know and leave it alone already. They can't be predicted in enough time to do anything anyway. I think the news said it took less than 5 seconds from the quake in the fault to reach us in Indiana.


Well. Life has been so busy the last week that I'm behind on housework. That and my computer died, so dh and FIL created one for me. Its a different laptop where the monitor doesn't work, hooked into a table top monitor(emachine, TV size, LOL). I don't care, long as it works.:)

That's about it for now, I'm off to tackle Mt Laundry. Have a good Sunday!!

While the house is quiet

I am at my dh's computer blogging. The boy is playing games on my computer quietly, dh is snoring on the couch and dd is still in bed.

We change our clocks today. I forgot. I was filling the crock, saw the clock on the microwave, then came in here to sit only to see the computer clock had jumped ahead an hour. I thought to myself, how long was I in the kitchen anyway, and then I remembered. OY. Its too early.
Mandy the beagle is sick. We really don't know what is wrong with her but if it continues she'll be at the vet. She is a very sweet girl, we would hate to loose her. We might need to change her food. She is acting like she has a cold. Sneezing and throwing up(not constant, but enough). Her nose was warm yesterday, haven't checked her today.She is eating and drinking so, that's a plus.

We are going to work on the kid's rooms today. Its not pretty, LOL. Dd's is almost done and then we need to start on his. This all next week, I'm going to be culling toys and organizing what we keep. Then maybe next week? I'm going to empty the room and strip out his carpet. The house has wood floors, and even unfinished the wood looks better than carpet. The plan is to get a small carpet for there...prolly at Target. (I love Target). The room is small and there is very little floor space so a small rug will cover it.

Dd's room needs serious intervention. Theres going to be insulation and a new roof just over her room, paint and wall to wall carpet, because her room is actually on a slab foundation.

Dinner(or maybe lunch?) is going to be pepper steak. I found a recipe once and dh said he loved it. SO I had all the ingredients, and decided to make it again.

Pepper steak:
2 green peppers
2 red peppers
deer steak(1 pkg, about 4 single servings)
1 jar Ragu meat flavored sauce
pasta or rice


Spray your crock with non stick spray. Chop peppers and onions, place in crock. Slice steak into strips, small enough to bite. Place in crock. Cover with Ragu, stir to combine. Cook on high for about 4 hours or low about 6-7 hours, or until meat and vegies are done. Serve over your favorite pasta or rice.


I'm going to watch this to see if I need to add more sauce. I have some WW Penne, that should be good with it. Ragu is pretty good for you now. The jar says it has a 1/3 cup vegies in every serving. My dd will try new foods, where as ds won't usually. For a kid who has sensory issues new foods pretty much make him gag. This sauce is a lifesaver, getting vegies in him.

In my cleaning binge the other day I threw away my grill. I had a Hamilton Beach. It was one where you could enclose the food or open it all the way and cook on both sides. The hinge on one end broke years ago, and the cover for the timer light disappeared somewhere in the back of the cabinet I'm sure. When I got it out to use it, it refused to heat. It hit the trash can quick before I could talk myself into asking my SIL to fix it. We got our money out of it, it was a smart purchase.

Well the dryer is done, and I need to think about breakfast. I can smell the peppers cooking away, YUM! The dogs should be wanting out, and the house should start to make noise again soon. Have a good Sunday everyone!

It feels like March

Just like its supposed to. :) We're looking at some cold weather, which is normal. It's nice to be normal. You think we will actually get the snow? The alleged snow is due sometime before Sunday. They keep saying its starting tonight, but then they say a lot of things. We have had some serious weather issues the last couple of years and I think this attitude of being hyper sensitive when the wind blows is almost justified.
Speaking of weather, did you practice the state wide tornado drill yesterday? Our siren went off twice. Once in the morning and once in the evening. I understand the need for it, however, I have one little bear who doesn't understand "practice". This drill upset him a great deal. Its for the greater good of the people in general. So that's a plus, and I'm glad the sirens work. They go off every Friday at noon for "practice" so the bears are used to that. Spring in Indiana means sirens. *Maybe one day*, weather won't bother him so much.

I deleted that post

Because I felt it had been there long enough. If I have to address it again I will. For now I am just going to move on.

Creepy kids movies, itchy eyes and Barbies I hate

I watched Narnia the other day. Never read the book. (I guess maybe I should have first.)

Its the first one, the one that came out a couple years ago. I finally got around to watching it with Mike and Nicole sitting near by. Hunter really wasn't interested. So it begins with the war in Europe with underground bunkers and the time they sent off all the children to the countryside for their protection. I remember learning about that, and so did he so that was neat. They had my attention. Fast forward to where the youngest finds the cupboard in an empty room after she convinces her brothers and sister to play hide and seek. She opens the door and gets in, backs up to what she believes is the back and walks into a snowy forest. It was beautiful, as snowy forest goes, and then there's the street light. Its all very strange even for a child's fantasy movie. Then the part comes up that made my skin crawl. The fawn, half man half deer, is startled by her appearance. They hide from each other and then the girl walks up to him and talks to him. See here's the creepy part. He makes her feel comfortable, convinces her to follow him, brings her inside, locks the door and hides the key, gives her a drink and she falls asleep. I understand the point of the story that there is a evil witch lurking in the forest, but that was creepy. I was about ready to turn it off and start on the kids about how wrong it was to follow strangers home, (especially bare chested men who act child like) take any food from people they don't know and walk off from whomever is in charge of them is a huge, gigantic, awful bad idea.
But we watched it, the kids loosing interest here and there, and every time that creepy fawn appeared he would make my skin crawl. It was a good movie overall, minus the fawn. My alternative ending would involve a muzzle loader or a magic spell to return him to a whole fawn so that creepy look he got would now be bear bait.

My kid's eyes are irritated. Hunter's been trying to get sick, and he woke up with horrible red eyes and a but of crust. I made an appt for them both today, and if its not pink eye he might be allergic to something. Because now his eyes are much much better with only a hint of red, strangely enough. They are still going in to get looked at. Eye Dr this time, not family Dr.

So you have heard of Baby wiggles and squirt and the puppy who lifts its leg and you need a puppy pad. Ick. Have you heard about the Barbie who has a dog, who eats pellets, then "deposits" them, only to be placed in the food bag again to be "food"? Yeah that one. Its beyond gross and guess what Nicole got from one of the grandma's?
SO anyway its too cold for the dogs to go outside and they are in here, under my feet. Reba the basset got a hold of that Barbie, striped off her pants and shoes(don't ask me how, Reba's head is bigger than my foot and I have no idea how she managed it), chewed both feet and one shoe before I caught her. I guess she doesn't like poop eating dogs either.