Sharing a childhood memory and recipe with the kids!

"When the bough breaks...has a new meaning for us!"

Yesterday afternoon, we went to pick up Ash from school and came home to this! The tree in our backyard came down during the wind gusts right on our house! Praise the Lord! there is no damage on the interior of the house...the damage to the roof remains to be seen. A couple of pictures were crooked and the door of my curio cabinet open...so I imagine the impact was enough to give Chevy a good scare! He was safe in his cage and didn't seem to be upset! The tree removal is scheduled for today and the adjuster will be out tomorrow morning to survey the damage. We are thankful for God's timing and His protection!

Sooo many choices...

1st through 3rd Choir sings "Young Abe Lincoln"

K5 Sings "Yankee Doodle"

A Special Program for Special Americans!

Sorry...wrong setting on camera...this is Alisa'a class with the K4ers.
The 1st through 3rd grade choir.

This morning the girls sang with their classes in a special Veteran's Day Program...the music was beautiful and very patriotic! Daddy was able to sneak away and Grammy was able to come (no school for her!)

How big and bright do road construction signs need to be?

It is wonderful thing that my husband owns...manages an automotive service center...because there are alot of people in our town driving around that are going to need him!

Today, on our way to school, we passed an accident at the second major stoplight we pass...guy in a business suit and a station wagon (no one we knew). My guess...someone was in a hurry and tried to beat the other for their turn onto the other road...wham! It made me even more aware of what was going on around me...which was good because some lady had hear head in the clouds or ear on the phone or something because she didn't pay attention to the *two big, bright orange road construction signs telling her to get over (the signs have been there for a few days!) She started coming over...right into us...I wish my horn was louder!!! And now my kids will call each other (or others) "just a plain idiot" and I will hear them say "how could you not see that!?" You see, it makes me angry because we are not in a hurry...we are not speeding or driving erratically...because we leave the house with plenty of time...my husband should be proud! It is not my fault that they are running late and not paying attention or feeling the need to run stoplights "because they don't have time"! (And I am not being an aggravation to them by driving slow on purpose...we go with the flow of traffic.)

Well, intelligent drivers of our city...how much time did you spend waiting for the emergency crews this morning? Police to write up the report (and hopefully issue tickets)? Doctors and nurses to check out injuries?

Really...the signs and lights are bright enough...it is just the people, who try to beat them or ignore them, are not!

*in addition: After driving the route for the K5 run, I was reminded...there is a flashing arrow too!!!

How long is a week...really?

The four walls are seeming to close in on me and it is only Wednesday!
I guess after being "stuck in the house" for a week with one outing to get groceries and another to church Sunday morning isn't enough when dealing with sick kids!
Pity the fact it is only the first part of November and snow hasn't made an appearance! Maybe it is the germs that spread this kind of helpless feeling to mothers...or maybe I am getting what the kids have had...oh joy!
It was exciting to make the school run today...first time in a week! Thanks to Grandma!!! The stop for a DD coffee helped a little and the donuts seemed to have some "feel better magic" in them...it is nice that places like that have drive-thrus for Moms and kids that are still in pjs and they don't care if you have make-up on or not...they still smile and say "have a nice day!" (Or... maybe...it was a look of pity by the gal that always waits on me...often looking a little more put together than today!)
Children crying over the slightest problem seems to be on the top of their list today...Teddy because his train batteries are low and his train won't go right, Alisa because her sister took her button collection (all 4), and Ashlynn because I made them all lay down and rest...yep, we're sick and tired of being sick and tired!
I wonder if whining and crying are helping each body to recuperate...maybe if I start with that, I can set up the perfect defense against the unwanted sick germs and another long day!

It was a blustery fall day...

Teddy watched the leaves blowing across the yards and streets, "Look, Mom, the leaves are running...oop, now they are walking."
It is a nice day to be stuck inside! Nice and cozy and time for a warm treat...hmmm...what shall we make?!

Are there germs in outer space?

Well...round two has started. Alisa was burning up this morning and has taken a nose dive this afternoon! So...we will be homebound again this week! I'm thinking of sending Teddy to outer space...maybe he won't get this bug!? He is already starting the coughing phase...maybe Mommy should go to the moon! (Really, I may be ready for the trip by Tuesday!) I hope you all are staying germ free...

November...

is a time to enjoy the smell of fallen leaves, the furnace's first cycle, the aroma of coffee, a new Yankee candle, fresh baked cookies or banana bread...our favorite flavors these last few days!
is a time to start planning for the first holiday gathering...I bought our turkey today and tucked it carefully away in the freezer...all almost 20 pounds of it!
is a time to start playing Christmas music...it fits with the cozy feel of the house!
is a time to turn your clock back...now a week later!?
is a time to wear fuzzy, warm socks and sweatshirts...all wrapped up in a blanket to watch TV or read a good book!
is a time to reflect on all the blessings that God has sent our way...I am grateful every day, but when I stop to think back about the whole year...I can't help but say... "Great Is Your Faithfulness...summer and winter, springtime and harvest!"

"Maybe you'll get dressed today!?"hinted dear husband.

And maybe not! At least not in "going out clothes"! Why not be comfortable in your own home when you are taking care of a sick child? I took my shower and made my bed and put clean clothes on...they just happen to be very comfortable pj pants and a sweatshirt! What is wrong with that, I ask you?! I have the opportunity to work all day in my pj pants...so why not?! No one has to be impressed...and maybe I will even fix my hair and add make-up...later!
I have to admit...after several days of running and project-ing...it is nice to "have to stay home"! I feel so bad when my kids are sick...but I think they enjoy the extra fussing and the unlimited movie and cartoon time on the couch...AND it isn't just the regular couch...it is the "sick couch" complete with a soft sheet, squishy pillow covered by a towel, and a warm blanket to snuggle under...with a bucket! Unlimited popsicles to soothe a sore throat, Sprite or ice water to sip, and anything to eat that sounds good in order to coax the sickie to eat...toast? cereal? applesauce?
If only I could turn the volume down on the two that don't feel sick...they have made enough noise to give anyone a headache!
But I know their time is coming...sooner or later...all will feel the comforts of Mommy's fussing over them...because we all know that that is what really makes them feel better!