The last seven days have been so crazy, busy, fun, hard, happy and sad. We finished yearbook by staying up all night several nights. After 45 min sleep Thursday night I left at 5:30 am for St. Louis with Ava and the orchestra. It was a hectic schedule with another 5 am wake up call, a symphony performance, a competition, Six Flags, the zoo, and The City Museum. While I was gone and as Elise was in Dayton we received word that a sweet friend was nearing the end of her battle with cancer. A couple of hours after getting off the bus coming home we went to the visitation to love on Elise's friends. Today was Elise's birthday and she went to the funeral and then I took her to lunch and to buy her birthday present. Then we went to get her passport (this was the first appointment we could get). Then we went to get baby chicks. I'll post a photo of them tomorrow. After all of that it was time for birthday dinner. Come home for cake. Throw the dishes in the dishwasher and fall in the bed. Yes, it has been a crazy time but I I will keep on keeping on. Praying for those sweet friends of Elise's and then going to sleepZ

Yesterday we had another meeting of the Sagacious Activistic Secret Society of Youthful Women (SASSY) and I have to say I am blessed to know such as these. These are women that are real, not catty (except when called for!) not fake, not snooty, but real fleshed and blood people. We eat and laugh and talk and laugh and commiserate. How did I stumble upon such awesome women that give me the time of day? They must be Heaven sent.

This is pretty much how my kids are raised. People always got upset over co-sleeping but I never listened. Others rant that the playground is dangerous and I'm mystified. One day my kids will be without me and I need to know that they will be okay so that's how I raised them. They can cook, change cat litter, wash clothes, and many other things. If you don't know how, then try is what I say. http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3202328

That "fat boy" you are sniggering about? He's on steroids for a rare disease. That lady with weird hair? She rushed out without brushing her hair because she's on the way to the hospital to see her child (where she's spend the last 48 hours) and just stopped to get a cup of coffee to keep her going. That old man that is taking so long at the cash register, the one that you want to shout HURRY UP to? He fought for our country and the clerk is helping him since he lost his hand. That girl wearing too much eyeliner and tight jeans? She's has body issues for a long time and it trying to hide it. STOP JUDGING!!! START LOVING!! And the greatest of these is LOVE ONE ANOTHER!! STOP SEEING EARTHLY BODIES AND SEE SOULS!!



http://www.lifewiththefrog.com/2015/09/before-after-portrait-of-child-before.html


http://thebodyimageproject.blogspot.com/

http://theveteranssite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/vet/articles/Notes-from-a-Veteran

One more band kid

So I wish that I had had at least three more kids. Then I would be guaranteed one more band kid, right? Maybe even one that plays an instrument!! Elise, my gorgeous color guard and weapons girls makes me cry with each performance. Ava was in the middle school (that junior high to us old folks) and was VERY good but says she won't do it next year. She is strong and lovely and graceful but wants to pursue her viola more and possibly trap (that's shooting a gun, folks) team. Ella is only in 4th--hey, going into 5th now but says she won't do band. I think because she sees my cry when Elise performs? Is she sensing future embarrassment? But if I had three more kids one of them would be up for band, right? Can I adopt your band kid? :)

WOW, while I have been away many things have been blowing up my phone. Germantown Municipal Schools, Obamacare, and STUFF. This year has been full of a change about to come. I can only hope this change will be for the better. The change has already come for some, but bigger change is coming. For instance, the teachers here struggle with the new system thrust upon them by the new school board before the NEW new school board takes over. They say it is bad and I believe them!

Many people I know have insurance premiums that are going up....us, too. Grrrrr! I have heard it will get worse!

In the midst of all of this birthdays still come, holidays still come and children still need to be cared for, loved and provided for. This is hard with all this negativity swirling around our heads. So, take a minute for yourself, take a break from the political ocean that threatens to catch you in it's riptide and have a cup of coffee or if it's suitable a glass of wine while just clearing your mind. Don't think about anything. Just be still. When thoughts come up, tie them to balloons and let them drift away and.... just....be...still.

Photos I find

There are many photos I find on any given device in my house that puzzle me. Why is this dress Justin Beiber game with him in his underwear photographed, then framed with a Disney frame and saved? Which Disney loving,Beiber fevered, pervy child o' mine took that and saved it? Then we have the photo booth photos that have distorted faces. If you come over we MUST photograph you, preferably with some form of photo booth deformity. Check these out. I guess my kids get their love of photography and techno from me. But they are so much weirder than me. Right?

What is this crap? First the freezer went out and it took forever to get fixed. I had to clean it and that took HOURS. It had molded inside and I thought I would never get it clean. Don't mention my shower. You can't use it, the walls are still torn out. Looks like a war zone in there. Now the dishwasher is acting up. Guess what? The warranty expired two months ago. I'm getting email after email that the cat's microchip service is expiring and must be paid now. Cat, dishwasher.....hmmmmmm.
The bank is calling because Frank forgot to pay the house payment when he deposited his check. How do you forget?? Then they sent me an overdraft notice. Had to deal with that. Then Ava's lunch account send me an overdraft notice. Had to deal with that. Spin the wheel MLGW and see if you get paid. So glad more work days got added to my calendar so I can try to make up for the losses but it won't cover them. We will be in the hole $600. Again. Plus any food we have to have before then! Better lick that plate clean!

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My mantra has become Faith. My aunt posted this photo: Faith is the bridge that gets you from where you are to where God wants you to be. I need to go on over that bridge. I have been painting and painting.

 Hopefully I can sell some of it this weekend and then put the rest on Etsy. My Burlee Partner has been SO busy. She is awesome. So time ticks on while I try to get all this done before the weekend. Then cookie booths start...three girls and 6 booths. Whew. Soccer starts next week! Thank goodness mom paid for that. It's good to have them running like gazelles in the grass, running, running, whoops! Crashed into the goal. So better luck next month Comcast.  You lost the spin this month.

CROCK POT INDIAN VEGETABLE Chicken CURRY

CROCK POT INDIAN VEGETABLE Chicken CURRY

Take a couple o breast o chicken, sear them in a skillet. Remove and slice (yes, I know they are still raw, you can cook them more if it bothers you) then throw in the pot. 

 

3 potatoes, chopped
1 cauliflower, chopped
1 1/2 cups green peas
3 tomatoes, chopped
3/4 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp curry
1 cup water

Place all ingredients in a crock pot or slow cooker. Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours.

CHERRY CRUMBLE from Mark Lipinski's FB fan page

6 tablespoons butter, y'all
1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
6 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Melt butter or margarine in a large saucepan. Remove pan from heat; stir in oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt until a dry, crumbly dough forms. Press about 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of 9 inch square pan, making a firm even layer.

Spread cherry pie filling in the crust, and sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until top is lightly browned. Serve warm or at room temperature.

CILANTRO SHRIMP from Mark Lipinski's Fan Page!

CILANTRO SHRIMP

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons of all purpose flour
1/4 cup finely diced onions
1/4 cup finely diced celery
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 cup fish stock or clam juice
3 tablespoons minced cilantro
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 pounds of shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, celery and garlic along with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook over medium heat until softened, stirring often.

When the vegetables have softened, add the flour, cooking and stirring for about 3 minutes, or until the flour-butter paste is a light golden brown. What you have just made is called a roux, or a mixture of cooked fat and flour. Normally a roux is not made with vegetables in it at the beginning, but to me, this is a great way to add flavor.

Whisk in the cold stock or clam juice. Make sure the liquid is cold. The rule for roux is to add cold liquid to a hot roux or hot liquid to a cold roux, otherwise, your sauce will be lumpy.

When well blended, add the cilantro and taste for seasoning. Add a pinch more salt and/or pepper, if necessary.

Cook for 3 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more fish stock or clam juice.

Add the shrimp. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until sauce is thick and flavors are blended.

Add lime juice just before serving.

Serve over rice or pasta, and garnish each serving with a some fresh cilantro.