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!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
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!!
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!!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
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!
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!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Points list
So far these are our favorite brands and a couple new ones we haven't tried. I'm using the points calculator mentioned earlier. I'll be adding to this list, as I go thru the cabinet. I don't have a WW book. All I have is the net and a few online friends who are more expierenced than me. I will add to this list as I get more items.
Using this calculator http://www.webmilhouse.com/pointcalc.php this is what I found:
Chunky Ragu, Super Vege Primavera....2 pts per serving
Old World Style Ragu Traditional...........1 pt per serving
Pace Pcante Sauce, MILD........................0 pts per serving
Jif Creamy Peanut Butter........................5 pts per serving(think I'll be skipping this)
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Wide Noodles........3 pts per serving
Ronzoni Smart Taste Rotini and Elbow Pasta.........3 pts per serving
Musselman's Home Style Apple sauce....1 pt per serving
Maruchan Ramen Noodles, Chicken Flavor...4 pts per serving
Crystal Wedding Oats...............................2 pts per serving
Prairie Farms Cottage Cheese................3 pts per serving
Bunny Bread, Whole Grain White..........2 pts per serving(2 slices =1 serving)
Stove Top, Chicken Flavor.......................2 pts per serving
Quaker Medium Pearled Barley..............3 pts per serving
Creamette Brand Enriched Spaghetti.....4 pts per serving
Libby's 100% Pure Pumkin(not Pumkin Pie mix)........0 pts per serving
Halstead Acres Chili Hot Beans in sauce....1 pt per serving
Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Chicken Soup....2 pts per serving
Hunt's Sloppy Joe Sauce(not including meat)...0 pts per serving
Wish Bone Ranch Dressing..........................4 pts per serving(ouch!)
Campbell's Onion Soup Mix........................0 pts per serving
Miracle Whip Dressing.....................................1 pt per serving
Brummel & Brown Vegetable Oil Spread made w/Yogurt...1pt per serving
Lay's Creamy Ranch Dip...........................2 pts per serving
Smucker's Grape Jelly..............................1 pt serving
Grade A Large Brown Eggs........................2 pts per serving
Bar S brand Balogna................................3 pts per serving
Buena Vida Fat Free Flour Tortillas.......2 pts per serving
Deer Meat................................................4 pts per serving
Using this calculator http://www.webmilhouse.com/pointcalc.php this is what I found:
Chunky Ragu, Super Vege Primavera....2 pts per serving
Old World Style Ragu Traditional...........1 pt per serving
Pace Pcante Sauce, MILD........................0 pts per serving
Jif Creamy Peanut Butter........................5 pts per serving(think I'll be skipping this)
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Wide Noodles........3 pts per serving
Ronzoni Smart Taste Rotini and Elbow Pasta.........3 pts per serving
Musselman's Home Style Apple sauce....1 pt per serving
Maruchan Ramen Noodles, Chicken Flavor...4 pts per serving
Crystal Wedding Oats...............................2 pts per serving
Prairie Farms Cottage Cheese................3 pts per serving
Bunny Bread, Whole Grain White..........2 pts per serving(2 slices =1 serving)
Stove Top, Chicken Flavor.......................2 pts per serving
Quaker Medium Pearled Barley..............3 pts per serving
Creamette Brand Enriched Spaghetti.....4 pts per serving
Libby's 100% Pure Pumkin(not Pumkin Pie mix)........0 pts per serving
Halstead Acres Chili Hot Beans in sauce....1 pt per serving
Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Chicken Soup....2 pts per serving
Hunt's Sloppy Joe Sauce(not including meat)...0 pts per serving
Wish Bone Ranch Dressing..........................4 pts per serving(ouch!)
Campbell's Onion Soup Mix........................0 pts per serving
Miracle Whip Dressing.....................................1 pt per serving
Brummel & Brown Vegetable Oil Spread made w/Yogurt...1pt per serving
Lay's Creamy Ranch Dip...........................2 pts per serving
Smucker's Grape Jelly..............................1 pt serving
Grade A Large Brown Eggs........................2 pts per serving
Bar S brand Balogna................................3 pts per serving
Buena Vida Fat Free Flour Tortillas.......2 pts per serving
Deer Meat................................................4 pts per serving
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