Kath's Korner

Homemakers Challenge Day 13 Fighting Fatigue...well HELLO?!?!? (31 Days to Clean)

2011-09-19T12:15:00.002-05:00

Seriously, Day 13 Fighting Fatigue? It is a grey and gloomy day here in Northeast Ohio where we have entered the gloomy zone. That would be the zone between the end of September and beginning of May when we often go stretches without seeing the sun. Sometimes this really, ok a LOT of times this really, affects me, especially at the beginning of the season of gloom. I need natural light and therefore I don't adjust well for awhile to not having it. So, add that into the fact that this weekend I went to bed at 12:30 or after every night, and due to other obligations played the part of single parent all weekend, so today I'm feeling extremely fatigued. God in His great wisdom did not have a sub job come my way this morning so I was able to meet my best friend for a mocha, conversation and prayer. As I was waiting for her to arrive I thought I'd read today's Homemakers Challenge and BAM the topic as you can tell smacked me in the face.

YES I wanted to yell, simply by reading the title alone I am fighting fatigue. YES I know I am not alone, but why are so many of us continually fighting it. The answer? We don't ask God for help. We seek Him in the big things, health issues, financial struggles but we think we can handle the daily stuff. The laundry that is piled up again, 2 loads to fold myself right now, the dishes that seem to never get done the things that weigh us down.

He tells us "come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I WILL give you rest" Matthew 11:28-30 I personally don't see anywhere in the scriptures where it says we can't be heaven laden with taking simply by taking care of the things in life. In fact I know it says to consider it pure joy when we face trials of any kind, not IF we face trials, which means WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TRIALS! The problem is, we, in our human nature, put everything on a scale. Person A is dealing with health issues, that's not as bad as me dealing with being over committed so I should just suck it up and deal with it. NO, I should go to God and ask for His guidance to deal with my issues too. Yes, for us over committed types we are going to have to learn from Him that we can say No (practice it now...NNNNOOOO) We are going to need to seek Him to prioritize our days and to truly become the givers of life to our homes that he wants us to be.

We need to lay our lives at His feet, daily, hourly, moment to moment. We are told to pray without ceasing, which I believe means to be in continual communication with God. Thanking Him for the time with my girlfriend, and the mocha (which he allowed someone to create, that helps with the tired feeling too!), but also thanking Him that when there when there is the time in the day to spend with her and have a mocha and when there is NO time in the day period, He is still there.

In 31 Days to clean she gives some helpful hints for fighting fatigue, have a snack, get moving, get the rest you need but not too much, and indulge in caffeine! (love that one) I would add drink water. Read at the dentist once that as Americans we are often dehydrated which can lead to feeling tired.

Mary Challenge: try some of the suggestions for a week. ( I can live with that) and see how you feel.

Martha Challenge: steam clean the carpets in your Living Room. Adding that one to the sometime this fall list : )

Homemakers Challenge Day 8-12 (31 Days to Clean)

2011-09-15T12:34:00.005-05:00

Wow! I know I seem like I'm playing catch up. Truth is I've been reading and following the steps in 31 Days to Clean but have found NO time to blog, as I've also been back to work this week! Yea! So one giant blog is going to have to do, and I'm going to have to train myself to be ok with that as being a type A person, I feel like I've let myself down for not blogging each day.

The first day this week was Day 8 Overcoming the Curse. How do we do that. I think the key is to figure out why we are doing something. I know I keep going back to those silly lunches I hate to pack, but why am I packing them? When I switch my focus to the kids, and my love for them I suddenly think about the importance of them and not the task at hand. We can use this time of challenge in repeating tasks to seek God and realize what He has for us each day. In James we are told to consider it pure joy when we face trials of any kind. So from now on I'm going to try and look for the joy in the laundry, dishes and the silly lunches. It may be the joy of being able to provide clothes for the family and food to eat, or it may go deeper. I'm sure it will depend on the day and the way the rest of the week is going, but that is the plan.

Mary Challenge: Think back to a time when God refined your character through difficult circumstances. One time comes to mind instantly and I am choosing not to write it down for privacy reasons. But God really taught me to be consistent in who I am for Him. When I do that others will see my true character.

Martha Challenge: clean out and organize the kitchen drawers. Yea for me, did that when I did the cupboards!

Day 9 Confronting Laziness

Too tired, too busy, too crazy I think should have been added to that too. It is really hard to be motivated to get anything done when we are too busy to get the whole job done. There are just not enough hours in some days. Just the same God wanted this many hours so there must be enough to get done what should be done today. The problem is our lack of purpose, self control and motivation. Where am I in the struggle of these problems. Usually I have a purpose, but sometimes if I haven't looked at my list in a while, or gone through and made a new list for those extra things I need to do, I can easily do a bit of this and a bit of that and never really get anything completely accomplished. For me it's about making the list and then training myself to be ok with only getting a few things done. Some tasks take longer then others, and if they got accomplished it's one less thing to do tomorrow, and one less thing is ONE LESS THING.

Self control is a hard one. We have so much technology pulling on us every day. I'll just check FB, twitter and my email, but then I've lost a few hours of time! So, make a plan and try to stick to it. Only check what you can in 5 minutes every hour, or after a task is completed allow yourself some time. Guess what, the world will not self destruct if you didn't check FB or Twitter today!

Managing our time is a self control issue, but so is getting to a point in your day where you decide I'm not getting anything done so I might as well get nothing else done. We need to be persistent in seeking our goal. Some days we might trudge along, but overall we need to keep moving forward. Satan likes to tell us we'll never get anything accomplished, and on days like that we need to look back and take 5 minutes to write down everything we have done in that day. Very rarely do we get truly nothing done.

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly as though you were working for your real master and not merely for humans. Amen! Do it for a reason, and do the job well the first time. Even if it means getting a little less done, do it right. BUT don't go to the extreme and demand absolute perfection. Doing the best you can is all that should be asked of you.

Mary Challenge: Anytime you say "I will do it later" stop and pray to God for diligence then go to work. Love it, now need to do it!

Martha Challenge: Sweep, vacuum and mop kitchen floors and add some flowers to brighten the day. Oops, it's day 12+ weekend and I need to still do this!

Day 10 Feeling Overwhelmed (oh how we can relate to this one!)
Sometimes it seems like we just finished something an have to start again. I agree with Sarah Mae in 31 Days to Clean, when the house is a mess start in one area and work until that area is done before you move on. Then you can feel a sense of accomplishment. This works with purging too. Do one room at a time, and then at the end of every day just walk through the completed rooms and quickly pick anything up that is in the wrong place. Lots less to do when you've gone through a room thoroughly to begin with.
One of my favorite books of all times that I still refer back to often is The 15 Minute Organizer by Emilee Barnes. Great tip, and usually we can find 15 minutes to do something.

Mary Challenge: Light a candle and consider your home and what you want it to be, and then talk to God about where you are and what you need help with.

Martha Challenge: Living Room - clean window treatments and wash the inside of the windows. Still need to do this too : ) but it is now on the list!

Day 11 Limitations (Life is Hard)
I love the Mother in law game idea! 15 minutes before someone is due to come over what would you clean! Go...for me it would be straighten every room and wipe up the baths. Some things would just need to not be done.
I also really agree with Sarah Mae, sometimes life is hard. Days don't always go as planned. As a very type A organized person I've had to learn to go with the flow. Decide what has to get done no matter what and what can wait. Usually, if you really look at the list, it all could wait if it had to with no guilt. Letting go and letting God's grace be enough for today is not easy, but it is sometimes the best place to be at.

Mary Challenge: His grace is sufficient! AMEN!

Martha Challenge: wash the walls and ceilings...ummm have you seen my walls and ceilings in my living room? I'll have to think on that one, or find a really big ladder!

Day 12: The think We all Have in Common-Imperfection
Love this quote "when you aim for perfection you discover it's a moving target" George Fisher.
Should we try, absolutely, but if we miss we need to just keep going.
Like this whole challenge thing. I wish I could say everything was done on the right day and all jobs were done because that would make me feel so good, but...truth is I worked this week on top of dealing with hockey stuff, gymnastics stuff, pta stuff and family stuff so... this did not get done and you know what. That is OK. I'll do the best I can and keep on moving on.

Mary Challenge: Think on areas in your life where you are striving to be perfect, then give theses areas to God.

Martha Challenge: Living room- clean and organize shelves and electronics. Shine wood furniture. Also on the list!

Homemakers Challenge Day 7 (31 Days to Clean)

2011-09-09T09:59:00.002-05:00

The Curse! Ah ha! It all makes sense now, why the laundry never really gets done, the dishes continue to need to be washed as well and the kids still think that any table surface is where they should leave their stuff. Because of the fall we have been cursed with toiling the ground (or our area of work). OH! So the house, my main area of work, will continue to cause me to toil, and thorns (laundry) and thistles (dishes, dust,...you get the picture) will continue to grow. And who says the Bible isn't relevant to our lives today?! Boy are they wrong! It is so true, the things we have to take care of are never truly taken care of the list is never truly done, and yet we're are continually surprised by this. If only we would stop, breath and trust in God for His help and guidance to endure the circumstances we are in and help us to find JOY in those circumstances. So often we think of trusting Him only for the big things, health issues, life changes, but HE doesn't see our problems as little or big, He doesn't see our sins on a scale either. Sin is sin, problems are problems. Run to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I WILL give you rest. Are we weary and heavy laden with laundry? dishes? keeping the house running? Life in general? Yes. Part of that is our fault for taking on to much or not delegating, but still He wants in.
Truth be told I decided to try the Homemakers Challenge/31 Days to Clean, not because I thought it would draw me closer to God. I was drawn in to try it because I am an organizational nut always looking for ways to make my crazy life easier. DUH, come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden! Yeah, I know I can think recite it but doesn't mean I always do it. I'm on day 7 now, yes things are cleaner, I discovered the awesomeness of baking soda, but more importantly, and I praying this continues into the future, I've drawn near to God and He, as promised, is drawing nearer to me. There has been more peace in our home in the last 7 days, because the "I have to get it all done..." feeling is slowly leaving.

So, how do we live in with the Curse. "work is not the Curse; unproductive work is the Curse" (31 Days to Clean). We have to learn to be more productive. I could read every word of every organizational, cleaning book out there and apply it all to my life and boom I'd be fixed. NO! That's the trap, we need to go to Him, ask Him to help guides us and show us what works for us. These books are filled with GREAT ideas, and plans and thoughts. Many God inspired, but not everything works for every person. Just like not every parenting book will work for you. One of my favorite openings for a book is from Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel, it goes something like this "if you bought this book thinking it would fix all your problems return it now". Basically, read it, glean some new ideas, find the ones that work and get rid of the ones that don't. Love it. So, I'm not making myself crazy doing everything that is suggested but I'm trying to see what will work for me. Trying to be more productive.

So far what's working, list of 6 or sometimes 10, doing one load of laundry a day, keeping a master list of jobs that should typically be done each day, keeping a list for jobs in the volunteer areas of my life and tackling 1 item from that group of lists a day, keeping a to do file on my desk and reviewing it daily. Sounds overwhelming, but it is working for me and that is helping our family.

Today's challenge from the Homemakers Challenge, Organizing one spot maybe a month that would help make your life and family run more smoothly...being the organization junkie that I am I can check that off my list as I'm working a little each day on reviewing my house and seeing what needs to be handled to make it run more smoothly.

31 Days to Clean

Mary Challenge: Romans 8:20-21 The hope from the Curse is eventually we will be released into Glorious Times ahead! AMEN!

Martha Challenge: Clean out the pantry! YEAH, it's already done! God is so good.

Homemakers Challenge Day 6 (31 Days to Clean)

2011-09-08T10:25:00.002-05:00

Six simple steps that's all you need six simple steps then you'll succeed! Sorry but the Agent Oso song 3 Simple Steps is running through my head this morning as I read today's message. You Tube it, I guarantee you'll start singing it too. Regardless, today's message on the Six List is so true. I love lists, can't really live without them. In fact when I'm on vacation and haven't made a list in awhile I get kind of crazy. I to, like the example in the challenge today put things for me on my my list otherwise, honestly it would never get done. I used to make huge lists, and go through the day like a crazy person trying to get it all done and then the guilt when I didn't get it done was insane. Then I read somewhere that you really can't be expected to accomplish more then 10 things a day. Obviously, the size of those items can make the list of things to be accomplished go up and down, and some days it's more then 10 and others it's way less. Generally, though 10 is a good rule, which makes 6 and even better rule!
We put so much pressure on ourselves to get things done. While some pressure is good too much makes us crazy people. I started using Wunderlist.com. It's a list system that I can use on my phone and also quickly type up from a computer and then access it on my phone. I have lists for all the things I'm involved in...PTA, Hockey Board, Creative Memories, Home Life etc. I also keep a list for each day of the week and the chores that should be accomplished that day. It sounds confusing but it really isn't. At the end of the day I add no more then 10 (now it will be 6) things to the list for tomorrow. The next morning I have my new "today" list ready to go. I also give myself permission to move something from today to tomorrow if it isn't going to get done. There is such freedom in the list.
I don't know that I will write it on the Six List paper, but I certainly will keep doing what I'm doing, because it makes me less crazy and the important things get done each day. Ok, most days.

Off to do today's Martha Challenge and clean out the kitchen cabinets. Also a good time to listen to my chronological bible on YouVersion Bible App. Multitasking is awesome!

Homemakers Challenge Day 5 (31 Days to Clean)

2011-09-07T10:00:00.003-05:00

Today's topic Priorities!
That's one of the things in life that can so easily get out of whack. I try to have at least a mental list of my priorities, God, Husband, Children, Friends/Family, Work, ...myself. Yet so often one priority tries to take over the top three and then you wind up stressed and grumpy. The question is why does that happen. I think for me the answer is I have a hard time saying no to other things, as I don't want to let anyone down. The truth is though when we say yes to things sometimes it means others aren't getting the opportunity to say yes and we are letting family down by being over committed. Last night was a good example. I was asked to go to a PTA district meeting as I'm on the PTA board at our school. We had nothing on the calendar so I said yes, don't want the other PTA moms to think I'm not doing my share, however Katie really needs one on one time. She thrives on quality time and feels unloved, and not cared for when she doesn't get it. Tonight I have to be gone from 5:15 to bedtime, tomorrow night I have an obligation as well and Friday she and I are going somewhere with a friend and her daughter, but that won't be alone time. Solution, I emailed and cancelled out of the PTA meeting. While PTA is a good thing, the best thing for my daughter was for me to be home, to bake cookies with her, play a game, supervise homework and have time to read. By the time she went to bed she was in her snuggley, you're the best mom, mood. Which if I had gone to the PTA meeting she wouldn't have been in, and I would have missed out on a great opportunity to speak words of encouragement to her, and have quality time with her. So glad I stopped and figured out what mattered.
It's a work in progress though, so what is the next step? Each day finding time to spend with Jesus first will help focus and get me on the right track. Also, getting into a routine so that I can get as much done on days I don't get called into work as possible is essential for our families well being. I'm not perfect, but I'm going to run the race God has called for me to run, even if it is at a turtles pace.

Martha's challenge for the day: cleaning the kitchen window treatments and windows. After yesterdays miracle work on the stove, today will seem like a piece of cake.

Homemakers Challenge Day 3 and 4

2011-09-06T10:45:00.003-05:00

So it was a holiday weekend. Does anyone really know why we celebrate Labor Day? I honestly don't. I'm sure there is a good reason, besides the end of the summer cookouts, but just the same I don't know what it is. Regardless, we spent the weekend both relaxing and then laboring to get the house put back together after having it waterproofed. I was reminded again and again this weekend how amazing it is to have a husband who is willing to see what needs done and then help do it. That as crazy as it sounds, used to really bother me. It used to make me feel like I wasn't getting done what I should and so he felt he needed to help. When really what he's been saying is "I love you, so let me share the load!" I love that man!!!

Anyway, with the holiday on a Monday I didn't start Day 3 until today. Here is what I learned. I need to choose Joy. I again think I know this in my relationships, and in my life but somehow life and taking care of the home seem like two entirely separate things. The challenge today included verses from John 15:11 telling us how God wants our joy to be complete. Not our joy to be when we are away from the laundry and the dishes and the PACKING lunches (it's getting better!), but to be complete. All the time. No life is not going to suddenly be perfect, or suddenly always be happy. Just the same we can have joy in knowing that He is with us always.
"The fruit of joy is cultivated only to the degree that I am connected to Jesus"
Am I connecting to Him? Am I taking the time I need to focus on God, to pray for my family, my day, to let Him in first before the "DAY" takes over. God wants us to abide in Him because He knows only when we abide in Him will we be able to see the joy and peace through our circumstances. Some of us have harder circumstances then others, but God sees our burdens as burdens whether they are the laundry or something way more serious and He wants us to go to Him with them. It's a choice, we need to Choose Joy, and Choose to be with Him daily.

Day 3 Thoughts from 31 Days to Clean
Clutter causes stress...I knew it, which is why I go nuts when the house is a mess.
Our homes also reflect our mental/emotional/spiritual health. How true this is, when I've taken time to be with God, and stay in tune with Him things get done. Not perfectly, but I make progress and I feel more at peace so I'm nicer to be around. Funny how it all ties back to Him. You'd think we'd get it, hopefully I can learn quicker than the Israelites did! Don't want to wander around this desert for 40 years!

Day 4
Today's questions are How do I invite people to put their feet up and how do my family to enjoy our home?
Hmm, I hope I do these things by allowing our door to be open to the kids friends pretty much anytime and our friends as well. It is usually clean around here in a visual sense even if it's not completely dust free. By keeping things picked up I feel more able to say come on over. I know people come to see us and not the home, but it helps me to feel able to let people in when things are picked up. I guess also trying to have spaces for everyone to relax both around the house and in their own rooms helps as well.

Making a house a home takes more than furniture polish and windex. It takes love, unconditionally, and freedom to make mistakes. Freedom to be who we are and who we are trying to become. Only through God's grace can we really find that kind of love.

31 Days to Clean- day one...and two

2011-09-02T08:14:00.002-05:00

Here I am again trying to blog consistently. We'll see how that goes. More importantly is I'm trying to really seek out what God has to say about being a wife, mother and homemaker. I am crazy about organizational tips and books. I enjoy finding ways to make life run more smoothly. Yet I never really thought about why I wanted to do that.
What was my motivation, to have the appearance of a clean house, to keep order, to make people conform. No, as I thought about it the realization hit that it is to bring order and peace. When things are where they need to be there is no longer the stress of trying to find them, there is no longer the need to try and figure out what we will have for dinner or if the right supplies are in the house. There is also less of a financial burden as things aren't bought until they are truly needed. So my over all motivation is to keep things running smoothly. I'm also motivated not to make everyone crazy while I do that.
Day One HW-

My 'why' list:
peaceful feeling, health, less chaos, shows I care about my family, desire to be a Proverbs 31 women able to take care of many things.

My Motivation:
Biblically it seems that we are called to be responsibly for the home. To create an environment of safety, peace and love. We are also called to work cheerfully as unto the Lord. (dishes and packing lunches do not make me very cheerful!)

My Mission Statement:
My mission is to run my household as though working for God. It is to do the best I can at any task, enlisting my family members to come along side and work with me. It is to establish a peaceful, healthy environment where everyone feels welcome. It is to establish routines that will allow this to happen more easily so that we can spend quality time together.

Day 2 Created to give life. Wow! I never really thought about the fact that the way I run my house also fuels life. I know being peaceful is important, but do my kids and husband see me working cheerfully even if it is doing something like packing lunches (which I can't stand). Or do they see my working cheerfully only at tasks I enjoy like reorganizing something? How can I teach my son and daughter to work cheerfully at things if I grumble and complain. I'm not saying I'm going to start acting like the 7 Dwarfs and happily go about everything, but with a different attitude and my mind set on serving my family by taking care of them the grumbling should become less.

Questions for the day:
Am I cultivating the seeds of life for my husband and children, or am I bringing death? Am I actively seeking to grow in the fruit of the Spirit, or am I gratifying the desires of the flesh?

Profound that when it comes to running a house these questions do fall into play. I think so often I think these things are in my attitude towards my family members. Am I building up, am I supporting them. Yet they are also in the way I clean, and bring life to the home by taking care of it. Am I practicing peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, love, joy and self control today as I care for my family? The fruits of the spirit are not just about how we treat others, needs to be about how I treat my home as well, and how I am in my life 100% of the time, not just in one little compartment. I AM NOT PERFECT! Yet, my goal should be to improve.

Day Three- Monday, June 20 Destination Badlands, Wall Drug and Mount Rushmore

2011-07-13T11:11:00.003-05:00

Waking up on Day Three was an adventure in itself. I love camping, although I have to say if there is one thing I don't really care for (aside from bugs), it would be the fact that you have to leave the warmth of your sleeping bag, and tent (or in this case covered wagon) and walk sometimes quite a distance to the bathroom. So on this particular morning I had begun waking up around 5am as the wind and thunder were making it harder to sleep. I laid there for a bit thinking, maybe I can just fall back to sleep and not worry about having to go down a hill, and across the prairie a little bit to the restrooms. Then at 6am Zach woke me up. He also had been hearing the thunder and had decided to make the trek to the bathrooms, but wanted me to know where he was going. At this point I needed to get up too, but unfortunately it was now not just windy and thundery (is that even a word?) it was also pouring! When you need to go, you need to go, so we grabbed umbrellas and headed out door of the covered wagon with a huge bang as it almost flew off the hinges. We were no sooner out the door then we realized the umbrellas were not going to do us any good and we were soaked! By the time we got back to the covered wagon from our journey we no longer needed showers at all. As I stood there dripping wet I began to think about Pa, and getting caught in a blizzard on the prairie. I realize this was rain, but if snow was falling and whipping around the prairie I could understand how someone could get disoriented and loose their way back home in such a storm.
The plan had been to cook up some pancakes (flapjacks) and bacon on the prairie as that would have been a somewhat common meal for the Ingalls family, but with the rain we decided to pack up the van and head out for the Badlands. It took a few hours to drive across the state to the Badlands National Park. It was a cold, wet day and while we did have moments of clearing as we entered the Badlands we decided to mainly just drive through, instead of doing any hiking. The last time I had been in the Badlands though was during a tornado when my father had just come up to the gate, found no one there and just drove on through, so I figured we were doing much better if this time we were only dealing with rain and wind!
The Badlands are breathtakingly beautiful, as we rounded each corner of the windy road it was hard to not stop and take another dozen pictures. The various colors of the stone against the grey sky were stunning. Luckily, as we drove through the rain began to slow down and by the end we were able to take pictures from the windows without trying to keep the cameras dry. One of our favorite places in the Badlands was Robert's Prairie Dog Town. In this area the prairie grass just has mound after mound of prairie dog homes in in. We watched for several minutes, and even with the rain were able to capture these cute creatures.
Leaving the Badlands we headed to Wall Drug. This tourist trap, is something you just have to stop at! We didn't stay very long, simply walked through 5 gift stores, but it would be easy to spend hours wandering through the stores inside this building. After picking up a few things we hit the road again hoping to make it to Mount Rushmore before dinner.
Mount Rushmore is up a windy road with needle like trees on either side. The drive up itself is beautiful. As you round the corner and see it for the first time you can't help but think about how much work went in to creating this sculpture in the store surface. We had purchased a National Parks pass at the Badlands gate, which did not cover the parking fee at Mount Rushmore. We were both shocked that they will also only accept cash for the parking area. Luckily, we had planned ahead, but I can only imagine how many people don't have cash when they get to the gate. We spent a couple of hours at Mount Rushmore, taking photos and walking the mile long Presidential path. The path had quite a few stone steps and we ended up hot and tired by the time we finished hiking it. It was still chilly out, with a forecast for more thunderstorms so after leaving Mount Rushmore we headed to the Custer Crazy Horse Campground to stay in a cabin for the evening. While I'm glad were were in a cabin, which I'm sure kept us warmer then a tent in 40* and wind would have, I wish we had camped at Custer State Park, which we would head to the next morning.
The sights of the day were beautiful, from God made to man made. Falling asleep in the cabin after a full day of driving and sight seeing we prayed that the weather and temps would improve and for another fun filled day to follow.

Day Two- Sunday, June 19th Destination Ingalls Homestead, De Smet, South Dakota

2011-07-12T19:59:00.006-05:00

Headed to the Little House on the Prairie!

Day Two started at 6 am. Vacations are meant to be a time to relax and sleep in, but when you have at least 6 hours to go before your next destination it becomes necessary to get up and get moving. It was hard to pull away from the Fisher's house. Seems that we let too much time pass before talking to each other, each with our own lives and schedules and then visits are also too far apart. We had a wonderful evening catching up and now we were off again. Our plan had been to go up the western side of Iowa into South Dakota, but we were alerted to the fact that several places along the highway we would have needed to travel were flooded so instead we headed north into Minnesota and then west to South Dakota.
The morning started off with a very heavy fog. Once the fog was lifted and we were in Minnesota we saw mile after mile of wind farms. I know that people say they are ugly, but there is something almost majestic about these towering windmills along the highway. They are peaceful and against the farm land even beautiful. Not only did we see the windmills we also saw a lot of flooded farm land. In one place, after crossing into South Dakota we even saw an area of road that appeared to be raised up between two small lakes. The only problem was that they were not two small lakes but rather fields that were simply under water. It brings to mind all the people that depend on farming for their livelihood and how weather certainly effects them.
The other thing you begin to see as you are traveling into South Dakota are signs for Wall Drug. They have many different messages and were quite interesting to read as we went along. Around 1 pm, after a picnic lunch stop in Minnesota, we arrived in De Smet, South Dakota home of the Ingalls family. If you are familiar with the books at all it is in De Smet that they spent the long winter in the Surveyor's house when Pa had gone west to work on with the railroad. The Surveyor's house is still there and we were able to tour it as well as a replica of the school Laura would have first taught in, and the actual school where Carrie got in trouble for rocking the bench. We also went through the family's home. Hearing about the family first hand, and what really happened in their lives was intriguing. I'm interested in seeing if I can find any more of the books about the family, the Caroline years as well as the Rose years from the library. I always loved the television show, so knowing that life wasn't quite like that is always a bit hard to understand. Having read the books though, as a family, we realized that many of the things that happen on the show were added to make a good television series and not because they were true to life.
After visiting the museum and house tour we continued to the grave sites of Ma, Pa, Mary, Laura and Almanzo, Carrie and Grace and their spouses. It was sad to think about the fact that the family line ended there in De Smet with no one left to carry on the Ingalls name. A short ways away from the grave site we arrived at the site of the original house on the prairie. It is now the Ingalls Homestead and offers camping, in either tents, their bunk house or in covered wagons. This tip I had gotten from our good friends the Perry's and so I had secretly reserved a covered wagon for the night. The kids were so excited! It was a really neat experience to be out on the prairie in a covered wagon for the night.
The Ingalls Homestead http://www.ingallshomestead.com/information.html, is a neat place to visit. The kids were able to ride miniature horses, and in a buggy, make corn cob dolls, rope, and do laundry with wash tub and ringer. As a family we were able to explore a dug out home, a barn, and a replica of the house they would have lived in. We also took a covered wagon ride across the prairie and visited a school. In the school the kids dressed up and the teacher led them through a sample lesson. Katie absolutely loved the horses! I know she would like to have one someday, but I don't foresee that happening! The main area of the Ingalls homestead is open to 6pm and while we did see the majority of the things we had wanted to we had not had a chance to look through the house before that time. Just the same the lady who was dressed as Ma, stayed an extra hour to show us around the house and teach the kids about life on the prairie. While we cooked our dinner the kids had a chance to try to wash clothes again and then we settled in for an evening on the prairie. The wind was whipping around so shortly after dinner, and of course some smores, we settled into our covered wagon for the evening. It had been another long day, as we had gotten up at 6am and it was now close to 10pm.
The prairie was beautiful, the prairie grass swaying in the wind, the birds and crickets chirping. As I cooked dinner I could hear cows mooing in the distance, and you could just feel the vastness of the space around you. The sky was huge. Clouds were starting to roll in and as we drifted off to sleep it was hard not to think about Laura and her family and all they went through living out in this area.

Day One- Saturday, June 18th

2011-07-02T15:47:00.004-05:00

Day One- Destination Johnston, Iowa and the Fisher Family

The journey started at 4 am this morning. In actuality it stated much before that. Really it began when our good friends Amy and Ted told us about their adventure in following the Louis and Clark trail a while back. From there we began thinking about how neat it would be to travel to the Laura Ingalls Homestead in De Smet, South Dakota. Of course when you begin to think about driving all the way to De Smet, you begin to realize that if you're going to go that far, you might as well go to the Badlands, and Mount Rushmore. From there you realize that if you've already traveled that distance the Rocky Mountains are beautiful as well, and what about the Grand Canyon? Suddenly, you realize you've created a whirlwind trip and wonder if it is even possible.

After much discussion we decided that driving and camping on a two week adventure was feasible and so the planning began. We created a list of places we wanted to see and then determined, thanks to randmcnally.com what order to visit these places. Lists were made, just part of who I am I guess. Supplies were gathered, and the van was packed. Everyone went to bed early on the night of the 17th, and so when the alarm went off at 3 in the morning on the 18th we were mostly awake and definitely excited to get going.

At 3:30 am we woke the kids, gathered the last items out of the house, locked the doors and headed off. Praying in the car before the journey we asked for traveling mercies, for everyone to get along and for an exciting time. At 4:15am we approached a rest stop along the Ohio turnpike. What a welcome site to find that Starbucks was already opened. We grabbed peppermint mocha's to go with the muffins we had made at home and continued on our journey. The rest of the day was spent driving from Ohio across the I's. Indiana, Illinois and finally into Iowa! Drive was the word of the day. We tried to make our stops as quick as possible and after 11 hours and one lost hour due to a time change, we arrived at the home of the Fisher Family!

We were so excited to see them, as it had been 2 years since the last time we were able to be together. We spent the rest of the day catching up with their family, and also took a run over to the home gym of Olympic Gymnast Shawn Johnson.
While we missed her that day, we did get a few pictures of Katie in front of the gym.

Following our run to the gym we picked up some very yummy bbq for dinner as well as a giant ice cream cake to celebrate Father's Day. It was a great visit, and while we certainly wished we could stay up all night catching up we knew that the next day we had more driving to do before arriving at the next location. We headed to bed around midnight, which was really 1 am for those of us that had woken up in the Eastern time zone at 3 am! The next day was on the horizon so we tried to get to sleep as quick as we could. If we could do this leg of the trip over again we'd try and plan a bit more time in Iowa. Seeing the Fisher's every 2 years just isn't enough!

Randolph Family Out West Adventure- opening log

2011-07-02T15:43:00.004-05:00

5063 miles and 14 days later I find myself sitting in my office reflecting on the Randolph Family Out West Adventure. It was a journey, perhaps of a lifetime. It was filled with incredible moments, and to be honest moments where we needed to exert our parental controls with a firm voice, but non the less it was filled with MEMORIES. The saying goes Life is not about the destination it is about the journey, so now at the end of the journey I find the need to go back and journal the trip and reflect on the time spent with the family.

Book #5 and Book #6

2011-03-22T13:49:00.002-05:00

I like to read books that have more than one book in the series. It allows the story to continue when you get to the end of the book, without it just being in your mind. This latest series was suggested by a parent on my son's hockey team, whose son was reading it for school. The book is called City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. Apparently, it is also a movie, but I have not seen that yet, and I'm not sure I will since I really enjoyed the book.
It is an easy read, being a juvenile series, but just the same it is very captivating.
Book 1- City of Ember takes place in the underground city of Ember. Although at the time the inhabitants don't know that the city is underground. What they do know is that their city is no longer working right. Power is going out, supplies are running low. At the age of 12 the citizens must take on jobs in the city. Lina and Doon, have just turned 12 and as fate happens are also reconnecting with each other as friends. Doon is sure the city is doomed, and is desperate to fix it. Lina, only begins to realize the problem when she discovers a mystery letter. Will they get out in time? Only by reading it will you find out.

Of course, that's not entirely true since I also read book 2 The People of Sparks. Sparks is an above ground city. In this city the people are learning to live again after war, and disease has destroyed so much of their world. They are on the very of finally having enough when 400 new people show up. Should they take them in? If they do, should they help them forever or just for a little while? What if their food runs low, or they don't get along? The people are not sure what to make of the strange visitors, and not sure how to best help them. Of course everyone is feelng the stress of the living situations and when stress rises so do tempers. What will happen to the people of Sparks and their visitors? Who will be able to stop the inevitable downfall of the people?

Time to check these 2 books out to find out!

Book #4 Unlocked

2011-03-22T13:44:00.004-05:00

Book #4 is Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury

This is the story of a young man who is locked behind the wall of autism. The onset of his autism happened around age 3. At that time his Mom became his primary caregiver, and after trying desperately to unlock his son his father left the area to battle the seas of Alaska as a fisherman. His mom not only lost her husband to Alaska, but her best friend as well, who didn't know how to deal with this precious little boy changing and being locked inside his own world.
Fast forward to high school and suddenly Holden, who is very interested in music is fascinated by Ella Reynolds who has been cast as the lead in Beauty and the Beast. Life at the high school is not an easy thing. The football players rule the school and they don't like kids like Holden who are different. Will the bullying continue, what will the cost of it be? Who will take a stand?
The story unfolds to show us that we are all locked up in some way. Some of us are locked up emotionally, some of us are locked into who we are seen by others to be. Hardly, any of us know how to deal with everything going on around us. Will that change?
I could tell you more details of the book, but really you just have to read it to find out!

Book #3 Made to Crave

2011-03-07T10:26:00.002-05:00

I've been doing an online Bible study called Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst. It's a really good book that has given me some valuable insight into eating better, and why I should even bother. The bible tells us that everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. 1 Corinthians 10:23. Yes, I can have fries, and a burger and a pop. Will it fuel my body and help me to run the race that life has in front of me. Maybe briefly. But there are better choices that will fuel my body for longer. It doesn't mean I can't ever eat those things, but for my life I need to avoid them as much as possible.
We spend so much time thinking about "have to" I have to do this, I have to do that. That sometimes we've missed out on the want to. Want to's don't have to be selfish. I want to take care of my family and create a smoothly run home. I want to have less stress so that my family does not feel as stressed. Those are good want tos that will find me making sacrifices such as doing laundry a little everyday, or reorganizing the cupboard or getting up early to make things run more smoothly. Having a want to attitude can help change how we focus on food and exercise as well. I want to get in better shape so I'm going to sacrifice time I could be watching tv to walk or run on the treadmill. I'm going to sacrifice time to make myself lunch instead of run though the drivethru. It's not always an easy choice, but the more the have to changes to a want to the more driven I am to do what I should.
If you're looking for a Bible study that will draw you closer to God and help motivate you to eat healthier this is a good one to look into.

Book #2 Reshaping It All

2011-03-07T10:15:00.002-05:00

Reshaping it All by Candace Cameron Bure is an amazing book. Yes, I started to become interested in it simply because I followed her when she played DJ Tanner on Full House. Then I started following her on Twitter and watched how even with her busy "actress" schedule she always was talking about her family, and her beliefs. Not many Hollywood people do that. In fact, most talk only about themselves. Seeing how I've decided to make 2011 about getting back in shape and healthy it seemed like a good time to pick up her book. Which, was a reward to myself for losing my first 15lbs!
The book isn't about "look what I did" it's about look what God has allowed to happen in my life, the path He has led me on, and what I can do because of Him. It's about living the way God intended us to live. Do we all need to be a size 2, no, but we should all strive to life a life pleasing to God and the holy temple that is inside of us when we have Him in our lives. Satan wants us to look at ourselves and say "guess I might as well give up since I've been like this for so long", but God wants us to pursue Him, and in the process we will most likely crave wanting to be more then we are.
She gave recipes, and insight to what has worked for her in her battle with eating well and food. She talked about choices and how what we choose reflects back on God. Whether it is a food choice, a work choice or how we raise our kids. The book talks about nothing being forbidden in terms of food, but that we need to make the choice of what is best for our bodies. Yes, you can have the brownie in moderation, but a pan of them is not good for you. It touched on the fact that our culture is supersized. That we eat more then we should, because portions are just out of control and that we need to learn to stop when we are satisfied, not when we are full. That is truly a difficult process.
Perhaps my favorite thing I've taken away from the book is whether or not the sacrifice I make today is worth it. If it's not fine, don't sacrifice, but if taking time to work out, or eat healthy is a sacrifice I'm willing to make I might miss out, in the world's terms, on something, but I will gain so much more in God's terms. Which do I want to live by God's or the world's?
I highly recommend this book. Even if weight and working out isn't a struggle for you. Maybe there is some other area that you just need to reshape, and start fresh with.

Book #1 The House that Cleans Itself

2011-02-03T18:46:00.003-05:00

Book #1 of 2011 is finally finished. It was a great book, but self-help type books just take longer to read. I'm always drawn to the organizing section of the book store, ask my best friend! Just the same you could also ask her and she'd tell you for the most part it's not something I really need help with, at least to the normal observer. To me, it's always something I can improve.
The House that Cleans Itself by Mindy Starns Clark was a book that I picked up because I knew it would help me improve in some way. It is a great book of ideas, and for some I'm sure the ideas and steps are intended to be followed step by step. For me, I felt I just needed to pick and choose my way through the book and pull out things that would help me. I was happy to know some of the suggestions I already use. For instance, not putting the mail down without doing a quick sort. I have been doing this consistently. As I walk in from getting the mail I put the things I need on the top and the things I don't need on the bottom. I walk straight to my desk and dump the junk mail in my recycling bin. Then sort the rest of the mail. If it is bills they go in my financial folder, the other items that need to be taken care of immediately go in my to do file on my desk. It keeps my desk neat and also helps things get into the right spot.
Another suggestion was finding the room that you feel horrible about when it is a mess. For me it's the front hall closet, my office and the kitchen sink. When those things are picked up and neat the rest of the house doesn't seem so bad. I've made it a point this year to reorganize the hall closet so it works for our family, and when hanging up my coat straightening it quickly at that point. I've made sure that each night before going to bed my office is picked up, supplies back where they go and if piles of projects are needed they are stacked neatly on my craft desk so I don't feel overwhelmed when I look at it. Lastly, either last thing at night or first thing in the morning I tackle any dishes left in the sink. That way I don't feel like they are staring at me during the day. There were lots of other great suggestions in the book, and I'm sure I will be refering back to it occasionally as I continue to improve the "mess" of our lives and reorganize the house to my standards.
I'd mark it as - great book, definitely needed for the person who wants to become, or stay more organized.

Next book- (can't wait to read!!!) Reshaping it All by Candace Cameron Bure

New Year Book 1- The House That Cleans Itself

2011-01-10T18:37:00.001-05:00

Book 1 for the new year is the House that Cleans Itself by Mindy Starns Clark. So far it has some good ideas, about 1/2 way done though so check back for the final report!

It's a New Day Challenge/Week 2

2011-01-10T18:33:00.003-05:00

Made it a whole week without one single can of pop! Not only that, haven't had a sip of soda since the 1st and you know what, I don't miss it! Can't believe it since so many times in my life I have felt like I can't live without it. Feels good. I've had more veggies and fruit and less sugary stuff this week then anytime I can even remember. It's been amazing! I feel good, not as tired, and to add to it all lost 6 lbs this week! Huh, I wonder if I keep doing what I did and start exercising more what will happen next week. Can't wait to find out!
This weeks challenge though isn't about exercising, it's about shopping once and cooking for a week. This one is easy for me. I've been planning menus out for years, and then hitting the store once. Not only does it help with eating issues to not wonder what is for dinner, it helps with budget and busy schedules. Tonight we did try a new type of premade frozen chicken noodle soup mix. Added water and some chicken (only 4 pts a serving) and it was awesome! Tomorrow, a found a cool new zucchini recipe to try. Kids won't like it, but oh well!

It's a New Day Challenge/ New Year

2011-01-03T17:24:00.003-05:00

Just read the new day challenge for the day from Weight Watchers. This week it's to try a food I've never tried before. I've chosen to try whole wheat spaghetti. We'll see if the family likes it. They weren't all crazy about tonight's dinner which was mainly vegetables! Oh, well. It's a new year and a new day. One step forward and not looking back.

Book 44 The Way to A Man's Heart

2010-12-06T22:43:00.002-05:00

This is book three in the Miller Family Series by Mary Ellis. All three books were very well written. They are about Amish women and the struggles they face with determining the true path for their lives. The stories were all very nicely done and seemed very accurate. Is Leah old enough to stand on her own and make wise decisions, or is she too naive to understand the world around her? The characters are so real you find yourself really wanting them to succeed at what they are doing. Or, yelling at them when the mess up!

Definitely, a good series to read.

Not sure if I'll manage to finish another book before the end of the year. I had decided to read 12 novels this year, one per month. So far, at least by the ones I remembered to blog, I've read 44! Not bad. Guess next year I'll have to see if I can beat it! Happy Reading. Pick up a book, it will take you someplace you never imagined you would go.

Book 43 Happy Ever After

2010-12-06T22:40:00.002-05:00

The final book in the Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts was Happy Ever After. It was a great end to the series, although to be honest 1/2 way through book 2 I think I could have named who would end up with who. Just the same, it was a quick read filled with love and friendship and trials. Will they work it out and make it to the end of the aisle, or will they determine they are not meant to be? Guess based on the title, you could pick which it will be, but getting there is over 1/2 the story. Still would recommend the whole series.

Book 42 Running Out of Time

2010-12-02T08:21:00.002-05:00

Book 42 is Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix. This book, once you start reading is really hard to put down. The primary audience is young adults, and the book is only 184 pages, but it is full of twists and turns. In the story there is a community that believes it is 1840, the problem is it is really 1996. Some of the people in the community know that they are not living in the right time, as it was set up to be a sample of life in the 1840's for tourists to see. The problem is to begin with the people were still getting 20th century medical care and now when things are not going well that medical care is no where to be found. Seeing no other way Jessie, a 13 year old girl, that only knows life in the 1800's is sent out of the community secretly to get help. Will she succeed? Only through reading it can you find out.

This author also wrote the book Among the Hidden, which having read out loud to 5th graders through the course of subbing I highly recommend too!

The Lost Hero Book 41

2010-11-14T22:15:00.002-05:00

Sometimes reading books written for the tweens is not such a bad thing! Since last September I have read the entire Harry Potter series, the Percy Jackson Series and most of the Artemis Fowl books. All have been wonderful. This new book The Lost Hero by Ric Riordan is a new book in a series that deals with the Heroes of Olympus. It has some characters from the Percy Jackson series but also introduces a whole different group of characters.
I had a hard time putting down this action pack, twist and turn filled book. Will they follow the quest that their friends at Half Blood Hill think they are on, or will they listen to the dreams that beg them to do something different. Who is on which side, who will betray who, who will win in the end? These questions keep the book interesting and hold the reader spell bound. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the next thing happened and threw my prediction off. Zach just started reading it today, wonder what he will think is happening. He has already made guesses, similar to what I thought, only to discover that some of what he thinks is true, and some of what he thinks is not!
Great series, great author. Now if he could just hurry up and get the next book out that would be great! Unfortunately, book 2 is not due out until next fall!

Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony Book 40

2010-11-14T22:12:00.002-05:00

Ok, yes I'm possibly addicted to this series. They are fairly quick reads, and I like to know I've read every book in a series. It's a challenge I guess. Of course I've read every book Karen Kingsbury, the previous reviews author has ever written, also a challenge I suppose.

This book by Eoin Colfer introduces a new female counterpart to Artemis. She is equally smart and also knows about the fairy people. She has even discovered the demons and when they will appear in the human world. She takes a chance and actually beats him to capturing one which creates a new contest. Not only does Artemis have to figure out how to get the demons back from her, he also must do so while saving the demon world, the fairy peoples privacy and protecting the humans. The adventure is full of surprises. With more books in the series there were certainly be more reviews to come.

Take Four- Book 39

2010-11-14T22:06:00.002-05:00

Love Karen Kingsbury books! Love the fact that the characters grow and change in each book and that you really don't lose the characters when you go into a different book by her. Instead you are reading about a whole community and how the people interact with each other.

Take Four was no exception. In this book you get to follow Andi, and her decision on whether or not to keep her baby. Will Bailey and Cody finally get and stay together. Who will make the next movie? All these questions get answered as the story evolves. Of course some are also left unanswered giving you the desire to read Leaving, a story about Bailey that will be out in March of 2011.

These books are full of faith, family and friends and the trials that come and go in life. She is a must read author.

Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception Book 38

2010-11-14T21:58:00.002-05:00

Haven't had much time to get up on my book blogs lately so I've fallen a bit behind. I actually read this book back in September, but here's the review:

In this book Artemis Fowl has had his memory wiped by the LEP (Fairy police) for the other times he has infiltrated the fairy people. Of course Artemis, being who he is, knew that they were going to wipe his mind and Butler's so he made preparations for such an occasion. Also, in the previous book Opal has been taken down in her plot to overthrow the fairy people. Of course she, also being incredibly clever, has developed a plan to fool the people into thinking that she is in a coma and trying once again to take over the world. Holly, Captain Short, Foaly, Butler and Artemis are brought back together to save not only the people but the Mud men (humans) as well. Will it be enough? Will they be able to stop Opal's Deception.

Guess you'll have to read it to find out!

More books!! book 37?!

2010-09-22T17:15:00.002-05:00

Realized as I was writing on the blog today that I never posted a review on Bed of Roses or Savor the Moment book 2 an 3 in the Bridal Quartet Series by Nora Roberts. Actually, read them this summer, but since I am keeping track I'll call them books 37 and 38! (think I went well above the 12 I was planning on reading this year!)

Bed of Roses is the story of the florist in the Bridal series. Emma, is a true beauty who men swarm around, but she hasn't been able to find the right one. In this book she realizes that sometimes you have to look close to home to really find happiness.

Savor the Moment is book 3 in the series. In this book pastry chef Laural finally realizes her dream of knowing true love. She has perfected her world of pastry can she perfect and keep a relationship alive.

Both books were great romance stories. Looking forward to Happily Ever After which is set to be released in November of this year.

Choosing to See ( Book 35)

2010-09-22T10:14:00.004-05:00

It's hard to even start this review. Book 35 was Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman. Wow, doesn't even begin to describe the life she has lived especially these past several years. As long as I can remember I have been a fan of Steven Curtis Chapman's music. So in May of 2008 when I heard the crushing news that his daughter had been killed in a car accident I felt compelled as so many across the world did to pray for his family. At the time I had just purchased a CD of his with the song Cinderella on it. It's a song about how quickly little ones grow up, and that before you know it they are ready to be on their own and gone. For days after the accident the radio stations would play the song and I'd have to shut it off, sick over what had happened to their family and wondering why God would allow this to happen to a man who had spent his adult life telling the world about God through his music.

When I heard Mary Beth Chapman was writing a book about what God has taught her over the years I knew I had to read it. Part of me was curious, would she say what really happened, at the time of the accident there were only sketchy details, would she talk about how she simply trusted God and moved on? While she did tell of the accident, and her life before and after the book was so much more about journeying with God. Yes, she absolutely trusted God, before, during and after the accident. But at the same time she trusted Him with her heart, and her family, she struggled with, and most likely still does struggle with questions that may never be answered this side of heaven. She poured her life out on the pages of the book. At times I'd find myself laughing over different stories she was telling, and the next I was brought to tears.

Real. That is what she allowed herself to be for everyone through this book. She shared with honesty her struggles, her questions, her trials. Yet, as she did I found myself drawn to the fact that regardless of the storms life may be throwing at her she was going to hang on, if only by a thread to the fact that God is in control, that His love is real, and that He will never leave us. We might not feel His presence at times, we might wonder why He would allow something to happen, and we might honestly scream out to him in anger. Yet, He knows how we feel, He has felt our pain, and He alone will be with us no matter what. I don't often buy books, but this one I knew I had to purchase. Not so it will sit on my shelf for years to come, but so that I can pass it on to someone else to read. Perhaps her story will help someone find the peace, the hope and the joy that comes from knowing the Lord. That they too will choose to see God, perhaps for the first time.

The Chapman family is till in my prayers. I pray for them as they live without their precious daughter, and as they continue to show others what it means to really walk by faith.

Books 33, 34, and 36.

2010-09-22T09:48:00.003-05:00

It's been awhile since I've taken the time to update my blog book reviews. I have been reading, in fact I read books 33 and 34 back in August, followed by an attempt at 2 different books that I just couldn't get into. Book 35 deserves it's own entry, so for this post I've included the books on either side of it.

Book 33 Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson. It is book 1 of a set of 9 books that focus on Betsy, who has turned into a vampire. Now if you like the Twilight series or the Vampire Diaries you might not find this book to your taste. In fact, it's not one you can really sink your teeth into. It's more of a snack. (I know enough with the Vampire analogies) This book was a fairly quick read, and despite the fact the lead character has turned into a vampire, it is a pretty light hearted book. The main character knows she died, but can't figure out why she is still alive. It takes a bit to determine why when she was killed in an accident she comes back to life. Her family and friends have to learn how to deal with this new part of her life, will they stand by her or turn away? Of course there is also the problem that she is being hunted by a group of vampires who feel that she is unworthy of the status that she has earned. Will she be able to save the vampire world from destruction? To answer these questions you'll have to pick up the book and read it. It was a fun book to read, not sure I'll read the rest of the series or not. I'm not addicted to vampires so I could take it or leave it. Guess I'll have to see what other books cross by path first.

I guess on that note I have to say that if you are really into vampires you might like the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I started book one, and was told ahead of time that it was pretty edgy. I thought I'd give it a try, as it was recommended, I made it to page 100. At that point I decided it just wasn't for me.

Book 34 Artemis Fowl and the Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer
This series is one I keep returning to. I guess mainly to see what more trouble Artemis can get into. In this book he has stolen Fairy technology that he has decided to sell. Of course that doesn't go the way he has planned and requires Fairy intervention to help him escape a bad situation. This character is like James Bond/Sydney Bristow meeting a 6th grader. It's quick, funny, and intriguing as to what could possibly happen next. I have the next book The Opal Deception in my teaching bag ready for down time. This series is perfect for your late elementary school student too, although mine is currently reading about 5 different novels depending on which one he picks up at any given moment!

Before reading book 35 and 36 I did attempt to read Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. It was a good book, I just couldn't quite get into it. I don't know if it's because at the time so much else was going on that I never found time to really read for long enough periods. I may go back to it again sometime. It's the story of friendship, love and relationships.

Book 36 UnBridaled by Eileen Rendhl
To be honest I picked up this book because I found the cover amusing. After reading the back of the book, it reminded me of the Julia Roberts movie Runaway Bride, which was pretty funny, so I decided to read the book. It was just a light, quick, read that didn't require much thinking. Sometimes, I don't want to have to spend hours contemplating the world and the relationships of people. It just unfolded. Chloe the main character leaves her husband to be at the alter. What happens next is a tale of realizing that life doesn't always happen the way we expect it, but the way it should. She does have other books with similar titles, may or may not read them. It will depend on recommendations, or other books that just leap off the shelf at me between now and then.

The Red Pyramid #32

2010-08-01T14:54:00.002-05:00

32 books this year?! Wow! The crazy thing is I have two more at home already set to read and two at the library waiting to pick up. Truly, I am not spending all my time reading either, it's crazy!!

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan was wonderful! The books target audience is about 4th grade and up, and my 5th grader loved it too. This book is the first in the Kane Chronicles which will follow Carter and Sadie Kane, children of parents who made it their life work to study Egyptian artifacts and mythology. Through the story you discover that Mom and Dad were more then just interested in Egypt as a career, they were interested as it was a part of their lives from the time they were born. Which in turn has now made it a part of their children's lives.

Dad finds himself opening a portal and allowing multiple Egyptian gods loose. Of course in the process the evil god Set captures Dad and now Carter and Sadie find themselves on an adventure to stop Set before he destroys North America. The story has many twists and turns that keep you guessing until the end. The book being based on Egyptian mythology helps you to understand their philosophy in how things were built and what their belief system taught them.

While the book was good and both Zach and I look forward to the next book in the series, I did notice that Disney was on the spine of the book. With the very remote chance that they would ever see my blog... "PLEASE FOLLOW THE BOOK IF YOU INTEND TO CREATE A MOVIE AS YOU SCREWED UP PERCY JACKSON FOR LOTS OF READERS!" Just thought I'd let them know.

(by the way, the Percy Jackson movie is good, if you don't read the book, but since Zach and I like to read...we didn't like the movie all that much!)

Sisters Book #31

2010-07-29T12:53:00.003-05:00

I haven't been reading Danielle Steel for quite awhile now. Mainly because she started to go way beyond what I wanted to read in a romance novel. This book however was completely different. I picked it up mainly because of the title Sisters, which caught my attention having just read a few books by Nancy Thayer about sister and their relationships with each other. Danielle's book was just as good as those, this time.
This book explores the lives of the Adams sisters. All four are different, their is a lawyer, a producer, a model and an artist. They are all incredibly close to their parents and head home for the 4th of July celebration when tragedy strikes. How will they deal with the difficult situation that lays before them is the tale that fills the rest of the book. The sisters show you a side of love that you wish every family would find. You want to laugh with them, cry with them and smack at least one of them around a bit. Much like real family life. In the end you want to be like them, and have the relationship with your siblings that they have with theirs. A great quick read!

Sarah Palin's Going Rouge An American Life Book #30

2010-07-29T12:46:00.002-05:00

I know this post will generate several opinions. You either like Sarah or hate her, and I can deal with that. Personally, she intrigued me. Not because she was the best politician ever, but because she seemed to want to tell it like it was. This book, written by her, is a way of understanding where she came from, what she wanted to do and where she was going. Did she succeed. Not really, but not necessarily because she wasn't the trained speaker that other candidates were, but rather because she was made to be a scapegoat for failure. She prided herself on being her own person, and making decisions based on what was best for the people she was serving. She didn't care if she was a Republican by voting status or if she was siding with the Democrats. She cared about her city, her state, and her country. The Republican election committee made her say, act and be someone she wasn't and when she bucked the system she was considered to be "going rogue". I don't know that she would have been the best person to be elected, maybe she'll run again on her own terms and we'll find out. What I do know is having read this book, I feel even more strongly about how the true picture of who the candidates really are is something that we very rarely ever see. We see who they want us to believe them to be, or who the press wants us to see. And if the press doesn't like you or agree with you LOOK OUT! I respect Sarah for writing this book and at least to those who read it exposing the truth of the situation. Maybe if a few more American Politicians decide to Go Rouge, we might actually have a fighting chance of getting the country back to the Glory Days. You Go Sarah!

Artemis Fowl: Arctic Incident Book 29

2010-07-29T12:40:00.003-05:00

The book Artemis Fowl: Arctic Incident is book two in the Artemis Fowl series. It can be found in most young adult sections of the library and is a great read. My son really likes the series, and honestly so do I. In this book young Artemis discovers that his father may actually have survived the destruction of his ship, from book one, and is possibly being held captive by the Russians. While attempting to discover if this is true, he is once again caught up in the Fairy World when the take him captive to accuse him of sabotaging their world. Did he do it, or is it someone else?
As Captain Holly investigates she learns that working with Artemis might be the only way to discover the truth. The story is filled with spy like action, twists and turns. Definitely, a good series to be reading through. I've already reserved book 3, of course it's on a list behind 4 more books I would like to read!

Summer Hours Book 28

2010-07-09T15:03:00.002-05:00

Summer House was the 28th book I've read this year! It took awhile for me to get into the story, perhaps as I was laying on a beach in 98* weather and it was hard to concentrate. Once the characters began to unfold it was hard to put the book down.
The story, by Nancy Thayer, follows the lives of the Wheelwright family. This family is rooted on tradition, and banking, but one of Nona's sons children are not the "respectable" family members that her daughter's family thinks they should be. The family conflict is real, and reminds you of the shortcomings that all families have. Will they learn to love and support each other in the end, no matter what it takes to get there, or will they tear each other apart?
Another book that I would recommend for light summer reading, on a beach or a hammock, it was a story that pulled you into another place and found you fighting for the characters that you felt were right.

Moon Shell Beach book 27

2010-07-09T14:58:00.002-05:00

Summer reading should be fun and light. Something that can transport you to a dreamy vacation spot or catch you up in the tale of friendship and love. Moon Shell Beach by Nancy Thayer was just that. This book follows the lives of 2 friends Lexi and Clare as they move from childhood to adulthood. Will their friendship survive the challenges that teenage and young adult years bring? Will they learn from their mistakes what it takes to keep a friendship alive? Can they restart from where they left off? All these questions run through the book, as the tale of true friendship unfolds.
Friendship isn't just a day to day thing, when it is a good friend. Rather it is a lifelong learning process of building and learning to trust enough in a relationship to make it last. This book as the jacket on it says, makes you want to grab your best friend and walk on the beach with her.

Beachcombers- Book 26

2010-06-29T19:25:00.003-05:00

Beachcombers by Nancy Thayer is a magnificent summer read. The story is about sisters, and the sibling/friend relationship and the complications and blessings it brings. The sisters are all back in Nantucket for the summer, trying to help the one overcome her loss of job and finance. In the meantime, their father is falling in love after being alone for over 10 years since the time of his wife's death. Summer is the perfect time for romance, and for friends. The girls truly learn what it means to be friends as adults and how to help each other through the difficult patches in life. It was a quick and easy read, and I would highly recommend it.

Artemis Fowl- Book 25

2010-06-29T19:19:00.002-05:00

Artemis Fowl is a book series by Eoin Colfer. In this series Artemis, a pre-teen age boy, finds himself as the head of his criminal family after his father's ship is destroyed. His father, at least in book one, is presumed dead. (Haven't gotten past the first book so that may change!) Artemis decides to try and capture the one treasure that he feels has eluded the criminal world, fairy gold. He succeeds in finding out how to capture and keep a fairy, in fact he thinks he has it all figured out. In the end though he realizes that while he may be richer, he had to compromise on things he wasn't quite ready to compromise on. This book, while written for the tween audience, is captivating. I found myself wanting to turn the next page just to see who would win out. He is super spy bad guy, it's almost like reading a Harry Potter book, but focusing on the evil world of Slytherin! Worth the read. I'm taking a break before reading the second book in the series, but I do plan on getting back to it at some point.

Books 22, 23, and 24!

2010-06-17T08:23:00.002-05:00

Book 22 Southern Storm book 2 in the Cape Refuge series by Terri Blackstock. Police Chief Matthew Cade is patrolling the island during a bad storm when a man walks out in front of his patrol car. The man ends up dying, leaving Cade feeling guilty for what has happened in this unbelievable accident. During the autopsy they discover evidence that makes it seem as though he was going to die anyway. Will the Chief be cleared, will the real murderer be found. And what of the widow of the man, what will she do in response. I'd tell you more but then the story would be wrecked. The twists and turns of this book led me to read it in 2 days! Great story.

Book 23 River's Edge book 3 in the Cape Refuge series. Again a book that only took 2 days to read (mind you that is between doing laundry and remembering to take care of the other things I have to do each day!) This book too is filled with twists and turns. Just when you think you have it all figured out you find out you are wrong! 3 men are running for Mayor to fill the gap left by the jailing of the previous Mayor for the murder of Morgan and Blair's parents. Suddenly, one of the candidates wives ends up dead. Who did it? Was it the husband who seems to have been having an affair or one of the other candidates, or the fertility Dr? Only by reading the book will you be able to figure it out. Again, telling you to much will spoil the book.

Finally, book 24 Breaker's Reef the final book in the Cape Refuge series. This was by far the book I knew I had figured out from about the 4th chapter. Only later did I find out I was WRONG! It wasn't until the final chapter that the true murderer was revealed, and I was shocked that it was not who I thought it would be. In this story young girls are turning up missing and dead. What is the connection, who is doing it, why does it resemble the murders in a mystery writers books and why is the Chief once again being blamed? Wonderful, intriguing stories that you just can't put down! Great summer reading. I can't wait to read some more of her books. Now if the library would just hurry up and get them in!

In the meantime I'm reading Artemis Fowl, a book my son picked up. It's interesting...you'll have to come back to read the review later.

Cape Refuge (Book 21)

2010-06-05T14:34:00.002-05:00

Wow! This was a really good book. I thought I had it figured out early on, but then the twists and turns led me in a whole different direction.
The story is about 2 sisters whose parents are murdered. The family runs a house on Cape Refuge that takes in people trying to restart their lives after tragedy or jail time. Who could kill such nice people? Why would someone do such a thing? Could their son-in-law really be guilty of the crime? All these questions run through your mind as you try to solve the case before the local law enforcement agent does. It will keep you twisting and turning right until the end!
I can hardly wait for the next book in this series by Terri Blackstock...the library just called, I think my book might be in. Got to run!!!!

Addicted to Reading books 18,19 and 20!

2010-05-30T12:08:00.003-05:00

I guess I have to come clean. I'm addicted to reading. I don't know how or when it started, but when I find a book I enjoy, I can't put it down. My goal this year was to read 12 novels, that's it 12. Well, it's not even June 1st and I've read 20! 3 of which I read in the last 3 days! It's not like I'm sitting around reading either. I've weeded, trimmed bushes, done dishes, laundry...etc. I'm just finding that I'm becoming more productive in my work time so that I can take a 15 minute break to read.
I started reading what I thought was going to be book 18 two weeks ago, before realizing it was too much for me. It was good book, and I would recommend it to anyone who really likes Historical Fiction. It is by Bodie and Brock Thoene and called First Light. It is the story of Jerusalem and Jesus' arrival there. The history of what was going on at the time was fascinating and I'm sure the author checked in to Hebrew spellings of names. I couldn't read it quickly as I had to keep stopping my mind so that I could read Jerusalem, when it was spelled Yerusalem and Jesus as Yeshua. There were other examples but those are the ones that stuck out to me. The overall story was good, but considering I usually read in 15 minute increments I want to feel like I've gotten somewhere in the book.
I mentioned to Zach's teacher that I enjoy reading and was looking for a new author having read all of Karen Kingsbury. She suggested Terri Blackstock. I picked up the book Miracles at the library the next day. It is 2 novels in one, The Listener and The Gifted. It was FABULOUS! The characters were real, and the situations were ones that you felt drawn into. The stories both unfolded with Christians that had lost their passion for following Christ. They thought they were doing the right thing, but it took miracles by God to help them see that they could do more. Both stories were easy to read and enjoy. I'm going to read her Cape Refuge series next. This is a series of mysteries she has written. Can't wait!
But...before I start the Cape Refuge series I found the book Plain Jayne by Hillary Manton Lodge. I love reading about the Amish, and the simplicity of their lives. This book I stumbled upon as it was in the New Book section at our library! It too was a wonderful book. The main character Jayne Tate is a reporter who has lost her edge and is sent off on a three week vacation. She decides to story hunt instead and finds herself in Amish country. While there she learns that the life she thought she enjoyed was really not what it should be. So she begins to make changes to make her life what she wants it to be. The characters are fascinating and the book was hard to put down. Just when I thought it was wrapping up another twist was thrown in. I loved it. The next story is Simple Sara, which I'm really disappointed won't be out until September! Guess I'll just have to wait.
Until then HAPPY READING!

Take Three by Karen Kingsbury Book 17!

2010-05-15T18:56:00.002-05:00

Karen Kingsbury is one of my favorite authors. I love reading a series of books as it is almost like creating an entire TV series with your brain. It gives you time to get to know the characters, and feel like you are almost a part of their lives. Take Three is Book Three in the Above the Line Series. Being that it is book three I'd definitely recommend reading Books 1 and 2 prior to this book just so you have the background for the continuation of this story. This story has several story lines running through it. First, will Keith and Chase continue to produce successful faith based films, will their friendship last when changes occur, will their marriages survive the changes? Then there is Andi, Keith's daughter, will she confess the choices she's made and learn to live with her decisions or will she continue to hide herself away and hope that things will just take care of themselves. What about Bailey, will she stay with Tim or realize that she should move on and be with Cody? If all those story lines aren't enough there is also Dayne and Katy to think about and Luke and Regan and ...
Regardless, of the story line Karen touches your heart with her faith based writing. She allows the characters to learn from each others pasts, and guides them in a direction of truth. Wonderful author, wonderful book!

Spring Break for Flat Stanley

2010-05-12T16:15:00.005-05:00

Flat Stanley arrived home just in time to head off on a Spring Break adventure to Columbus, Ohio. He was a little nervous when he saw the Titanic at the museum. He was relieved when we said it was just a model and that we weren't going on a boat ride. The first stop found us at COSI, one of Columbus's best known museums. This museum is all about hands on Science. Our favorite part was Grossology, and walking through a Black Hole!Flat Stanley thought traveling by train may be safer then going into space!
After our visit to COSI we headed south to Chillicothe. We lived there for 4 years up until the time Zach was born. Flat Stanley enjoyed visiting with the Perry family and stopping by the Indian Burial Mounds.
Our final stop took us to Fort Rapids, Waterpark in Columbus. Flat decided he wasn't in the mood to go swimming so he just hung out in the hotel room. He figured he needed to get some rest before he heads off on another adventure.

Flat Stanley returns to the States

2010-05-12T13:43:00.004-05:00

Flat Stanley returned to the States from his trip to England just in time to head out again with Katie's Daddy on a business trip.

This trip took him through Chicago's O'Hare airport and then onto Seattle, Washington.
He enjoyed many of the sites while in Seattle, of course visiting the Microsoft Corporate Headquarters was one of his favorites.
He even had time to come up with the idea for Windows 7 (the commercials are all wrong, it was really Flat's idea!)
Flat Stanley had a wonderful time on the trip, but he was excited to know that when he got home he'd be headed off on Spring Break with Katie and her family.

Fact or Fiction- Book 16

2010-05-12T12:58:00.002-05:00

The latest book on my list was The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. This is the story of the life of Dinah, daughter of Leah and Jacob. Jacob is most often remembered as the Father of Joseph (aka Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dream Coat) In the Bible Jacob and Leah do have a daughter named Dinah. A daughter who is taken by a man of great wealth who after sleeping with her wishes to claim her as his wife. Her brothers, 2 in particular, are outraged that he would disgrace her is this way and request that her Father along with the dowry request that the men be circumcised. The man loves her so much that he agrees, and all the men of the city are commanded to do this as well. The Bible then goes on to tell us that her brothers take further action against the men and that Dinah leaves the city and lives the rest of her days with her brother Judah and his family. That is the Bible, the truth of the story.

This story is based on characters of the Bible, but then greatly deviates into a fictional world. It is important to realize this because unfortunately many people read fiction based on the Bible and then believe the Bible to be to also be fiction. It is not. It is God's Word, that has stood the test of time and will continue to do so. This story is a good story, it takes known characters and gives them a life outside of what is read in the Bible. It gives us a picture of life in biblical times, that revolve around the Red Tent or the tent where the women would go during their monthly cycle when they were considered unclean and needed to be set apart. It was an entertaining story, that for me made me go back and read the parts in the Bible discussing these people to see what is real and what is fictional. Even the author states that the book is NOT a translation but a work of fiction. It is a book about the relationships of the females during this time period, their relationship with the men in their lives, the complications of multiple wives and raising of the children. In the reading group guide at the end of the book the author states that she felt the story of Dinah needed an explanation so "I decided to imagine one"
If you want a captivating story, with names you may be well aware of from reading the Bible this is a good story to read. Just be aware that it is FICTION, God's truth and his word is real, and this book may be confusing for someone who is not fully aware of the actual account in the Bible.

Capturing Romance Book 15!

2010-05-07T11:37:00.003-05:00

Pictures catch our attention and for me, that is what drew me to book 15 (and soon to follow book 16) of this year. The newest novel I just finished is Vision in White by Nora Roberts. In this book 4 friends who played wedding over and over again as children have found themselves working together as adults to run their business Vows, a wedding planning company. Book 1 of this 4 part series is about Mackensie, the photographer of the business who has the view that true love can not be found. That she can not afford to give her heart away because it won't last. The reason she is a photographer is even based on the fact that we need to capture those happy moments due to the fact that in her life she knows they never stay happy.
Her business leads her to Carter the brother of the latest bride to walk through the doors for their services. Carter and Mac went to high school briefly together, and he always dreamed back then of them being together. Now when they are on the verge of finding happiness together they discover that perhaps their worlds, that are so different, will not allow them to be together in the end. You'll have to read the book to find out if love wins out...just a hint, she does help run a wedding business!

Need a Whole Box of Kleenex for book 14

2010-05-07T11:30:00.003-05:00

You'll need a WHOLE box of Kleenex if you decide to read The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. This is the 14th novel I've read this year and is not just a tear jerker, it is a sob fest waiting to happen. So if you need a good cry...it is the book for you.
This story is about a young girl on the verge of turning 18, a girl who is rebelling against her parents as she tries to understand how her father could have left her family just 3 years earlier. Her mother is forcing her to go away for the summer with her 10 year old brother to stay with the father that she hasn't spoken too in those 3 years. From New York City to the small beachfront town of Wrightsville, where she finds life to move at a much different pace. She knows she will hate life there, it is after all so different from what she knows. After meeting potential friends her first night there she begins to find out who she really is, and who she wants to be. She finds love and acceptance from a father that she is trying to continue to rebel against, and she comes to find that being who she is is not who she wants to be.
When faced with multiple problems she is forced to make a decision to stand and fight or once again to run away. What will she choose? To find out you'll have to read the book, just be sure to have those kleenex handy. You might want to explain to anyone who will be in listening distance why you will be suddenly sobbing too!

Book Review- Though Waters Roar

2010-04-29T19:30:00.003-05:00

Just finished book 13 for the year, this time it was Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin. This book is historical fiction taking place in both the time period of the Civil War through Women winning the right to vote. The main character finds herself in jail, and then begins to recount stories of her Grandma Bebe and the trials and events that took place in her life. You instantly get wrapped up into the story of the Grandma when suddenly it switches back to the Granddaughter's time period, then just when you are absorbed into what is happening with her it switches back again. This back and forth storytelling captivates your attention and keeps you interested in both characters and the lives they are living.
I would recommend this story and plan on reading other books by Lynn Austin in the future. For more on Lynn Austins books go to.

http://www.lynnaustin.org/ME2/Sites/Default.asp

Book Review- Never Far From Home

2010-04-21T08:24:00.003-05:00

To be Amish or not to be Amish, that really was the question. Falling in love sometimes leaves you with the desire to follow your heart even if it means forsaking everything else you've ever been taught. For Emma Miller the choice she was facing was difficult. An Englisher would never become Amish for you, but could she forsake what she had known, the family that loved her and the world that she was used to for him?
The book Never Far From Home by Mary Ellis leaves you in a world of wondering what if, could it work, what will happen? It winds the family characters together helping you to see what life is like in both worlds and wondering which world will win out.
It is an easy read, and very enjoyable. Of course you may end up walking around say jah instead of yes, but it is definitely worth that risk. This book and the previous selection A Widows Hope get 2 thumbs up!

Count since the start of 2010, by goal to reach 12 novels by 2011 has been reached! Now to see if I can double that.

Book Review of A Widow's Hope

2010-04-13T12:26:00.003-05:00

Just finished reading A Widow's Hope by Mary Ellis last evening. It was a wonderful story. The characters were developed in a way that you felt like you honestly knew them and could feel there lives unfolding around you. The story involved several people, but the main characters Hannah and Seth and two people that find themselves living alone after they have lost their spouses. They have their share of difficulties and find themselves wondering if they are destined to be alone. The Amish traditions, and lifestyle are also a large part of the story. How the families work together through joyous and tragic times teaches a valuable lesson that we really should be paying attention to in our lives today.
I would definitely recommend this book. I'm about to pick up the second story in the Miller Series entitled Never Far From Home. The continuation of the first book. This time the story revolves around Emma, Hannah's niece.

Crossing the Atlantic

2010-04-11T20:13:00.004-05:00

Flat Stanley having visited Washington DC has still been thinking about politics. He loved seeing the museums while in the DC area, so he decided that perhaps he should experience the Nation that many of our original settlers came from. Here is the email we received when he arrived on the other side of the Atlantic.

Dear Katelyn,

Flat Stanley here,

I've made it to England via the Royal Mail! After a brief stop at Buckingham Palace to visit the queen, where I received my new palace guard outfit, I took the Royal Mail Express and I reached my final destination, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Stead. While there, I visited Mow Cop, which is the remains of an old castle that was built in 1754! I've also been to the Tunstall town square, and had the opportunity to taste the local dish, Oatcakes!

Mr. and Mrs. Stead are very active and took me to the gym to work out. Even though I'm flat, it's important to stay healthy and fit.

My visit here is coming to an end soon and I'll be on my way back to see you. Until then, take care!

Love,

Flat Stanley

Slacking on Book Reviews

2010-04-10T20:22:00.002-05:00

Since my last book review post I've done quite a bit of reading.

First, I finished Night Fall the final book in the Vampire Diaries. It was interesting. It did not turn out how I expected, which is unusual as I am typically pretty good at picking the way a book will end about half way through. It was a decent book. Although, perhaps it is because I read it first, I still prefer the Twilight Series. Both books are very similar, but the Twilight series seems a bit more believable at times, if that is possible for such a fantasy type series.

Next I read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series. http://www.percyjacksonbooks.com/
This book series by Rick Riordan was wonderful. I started the series as my fourth grade son was reading it at school and I wanted to see what it was like. It was light hearted, adventurous and engaging. It was easier to read and understand then the Harry Potter series and definitely geared towards a younger generation. Each book builds the foundation for the next book so it would be best to read them in order. That order being Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief, Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, Battle of the Labyrinth and finally the Last Olympian. My favorite of the series was the final book. Which in all honesty has left me wanting there to be another book added to the series.

The only problem with the series is the recent movie that has come out. While it is wonderful movie on it's own, full of adventure and amazing computer graphics it has only 3 things in common with the book. First, the main character is Percy Jackson, second he is the son of Poseidon and finally he has to retrieve the Lightening Bolt. That is where the movie and the book stop being the same. I took my 4th grader to see the movie and he was so excited because he had read the book series based on a 6th grade boy. Hollywood of course had to make the movie based on a High School boy. Again, it is not that the movie is bad, we really enjoyed it. But it did make my son no longer interested in reading the books because it changed the way he visualized the characters. Thanks Hollywood!

The best advice is read all the books, enjoy them all and then see the Movie OR see the movie and think of it as just another film and not based on any book.

I believe my goal of 1 book a month is up to 10 books read so far in 2010, and I've just begun a new book called Widow's Hope by Mary Ellis. It is book one of the Miller Family series. I'm only on chapter 3, but already really enjoying the characters and especially the times where the characters speak in the actual language used by many Amish people. Come back soon to find out what I really think about the book.

Aspiring Politician or Tourist?

2010-04-03T11:38:00.008-05:00

Flat Stanley dreamed of taking political office while he was visiting Iowa. He thought maybe he could change the world, so he headed to Washington D.C. where he was able to stay with friends Sean and Colette Burgess and their family in Maryland. Sean let him go into DC with him on the Metro. It was fascinating to figure out all the stops on the map and he even found time to read a book while riding into the Nation's Capital.
Once he arrived in D.C. though, he discovered that not only do the politicians gather here, but there are many museums.
In lieu of going into political office he decided to take the opportunity to check out the museums. He visited several in the Smithsonian area. He also got to see the Washington Monument.
Maybe someday he'll consider political office again, but for now he's headed back to the Burgess' home for a home cooked meal. Sean is a wonderful cook, so Flat Stanley is not sure he will ever leave!

Thank you Burgess Family for letting Flat Stanley come to visit! Wonder where he will show up next???

Injured Flat Stanley Considers Public Office

2010-04-02T12:45:00.009-05:00

Flat Stanley is off enjoying quite a trip. Unfortunately, his last location started off with quite a bit of commotion. He was happily playing with two of the most amazing 5 year olds in the world in Johnston, Iowa (just outside of Des Moines). They were all laughing and having a good time, when he forgot to use his safety rules and let go of the swing.
He had take a ride in an ambulance and visit the Emergency room. Once he got to the hospital he rode in a wheel chair. Lucky for him the boys father is a Doctor and was able to take care of him. He and one of the nurses checked on Flat, and then had 2 other nurses check out his heart. Once he passed all the examinations he was allowed to return home.
The next day Flat Stanley visited with Keith and Luke's Aunt Susan at the Iowa Capitol. He was lucky enough to sit in the chair in the front of the Senate House and the House of Representatives. He is even considering running for public office someday. (It might be safer then playing on the swings!) He ended his day with a ride on a Green Tractor and lunch at the Machine Shed. No trip to Iowa would be complete with out doing that!Thank you Dr Fisher, Mrs. Fisher and Keith and Luke for letting Flat Stanley visit! He's glad he got experience so many neat things in Iowa!

Flat Stanley Showcases His Musical Talent

2010-03-25T15:30:00.004-05:00

When Flat Stanley left for Austin, Texas we had no idea that he had musical ability. While visiting with Amanda he went to NXNW (North by Northwest) and listened to Sound of A.M. Apparently, a visit to Austin isn't complete without live music! While there he was asked to play and sing with the band!
After the gig he was presented with his very own guitar and microphone.
His adventure in Austin has come to an end and he will be returning to Cleveland soon, but since he is FLAT he has also taken a trip through the photocopier and will be heading somewhere else exciting too!
Thank you Amanda for letting him visit you and for sending him off on another adventure.

Flat has now been seen in Austin, Texas!!!!

2010-03-23T21:55:00.004-05:00

Flat Stanley has amazing ability to get from one place to the next! Now he is visiting with Amanda and her family in Austin, Texas!

He even took a minute to write Katelyn a letter.

Hi Katelyn,
Flat Stanley here. Just sending you a quick email to let you know I arrived safely in Austin, Texas. The weather here is wonderful!
The first thing I did when I got here was to get decked out in some Texas clothes. As you can see from my attached pictures I got new cowboy boots, a Texas hat and a Longhorn belt buckle! I've made a new friend here, named Trent. This evening we are going to play together.
I've attached a picture of me at the Texas State Capitol building.
Hope you're having a fun day at school.

Your friend,
Flat Stanley

To read more about his visit in Austin, you can visit http://brianandmandie.blogspot.com/2010/03/flat-stanleys-visit-to-texas.html

Flat Stanley stops in Northwest Ohio

2010-03-23T21:36:00.007-05:00

Flat Stanley (while having been spotted in Champaign, Illinois) apparently took time to visit Northwest Ohio and our good friend Dan Boyle. While staying in Whitehouse, he attended church with Dan. He was able to study the bulletin, read the Scripture lesson for the day as well as play the piano, organ and keyboard. Flat also hung out with the choir. Joey, Dan's son, taught him all about tractors on his Grandparents farm, and since they were visiting Joey's Grandparents for a haircut he took the opportunity to get a few hairs trimmed as well.Flat was thrilled to get the opportunity to work for FedEx for the day. He was listed as driver number 2 for his journey. He drove the truck, got to steer, talk on the CB and look out the window. Crazy Flat also climbed out onto the grill and the sideview mirror. He was so worn out from his adventure he had to come back in and take a nap in the bunk. He loved his visit with Dan and his family. Hope you enjoy following along with the pictures!

Flat Stanley has been spotted!

2010-03-20T14:34:00.002-05:00

Flat Stanley has been spotted in Champaign, Illinois! Wonder what he is up to there? Can't wait to hear.

Flat Stanley is on the Move AGAIN!

2010-03-16T20:52:00.002-05:00

Two years have passed since Flat Stanley has ventured out, but he is once again on the move. Flat Stanley is a character from a book by Jeff Brown. In the book Stanley Lambchop gets flattened by a bulletin board and through the story they family decides that because he is flat he can be sent by mail to visit a friend in California. Two years ago Zachary sent a Flat Stanley out, he ended up in Egypt, New Zealand, Australia, California and many other fascinating places. Now it is Katelyn's turn to send him out on an adventure. He left by mail this morning...come back soon to find out where he is and what he has been up to!

One Clear Moment

2010-01-18T21:09:00.004-05:00

There are so many times in life when you find yourself questioning if you are doing the right thing, saying the right thing, and living the right way. As a parent I find those moments seem to come more and more often. I find myself saying things that I hated being told when I was a kid, mainly because they are things that need to be said. "stop fighting with your sister or brother, listen when I'm talking to you, be respectful to your teacher, coach, or any other adult we come in contact with..." I know, like many, I say at least once a day "Are you listening to me?" so often thinking that nothing I say is making any difference.

Lately, I've been praying for the right words to encourage and discipline my suddenly emotional, almost 10 year old. Wondering how I can raise him to be a man of integrity in a world that seems to think that is unneeded. Trying to show him how to control his emotions that seem to be on the edge of his sleeve whether he is standing in our kitchen or on a sheet of ice playing the game he has come to love. I've heard his hockey coach say a few times how hockey taught him so much about life, and I find myself wondering if my son is learning a message that will last beyond his hockey playing days.

Before every game and most practices we tend to have a conversation in the car that goes something like this..."remember to focus on what your coaches are saying, skate hard, and do your best. Back check, go to the net, and pass if you can, if you get knocked down get up quick and let the refs make the calls" This weekend I added a new one to the usual conversation. He got a necklace from us for Christmas that as a hockey skate, puck and stick on the front with the words, integrity, strength, and perseverance on the front and on the back says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". So before every game this weekend I pulled him aside and reminded him that Jesus was in the game with him, that he needed to play like He was watching. It's these life lessons of listen, play fair, and work together that I knew we've tried to drill home to him over the last 3 years that he's played hockey. This weekend, in a hotel room, at 10:30 pm, I realized even more clearly that hockey has been a way for us to teach our son even more about life.

As we laid in beds separated by darkness and the night stand we began to talk about the game that had just taken place earlier that evening. "How did you feel the game went?" I asked, expecting the normal "good, or fine" response. Instead I got to see for One Clear Moment that what we've tried to teach our son has gotten into his heart..

"Mom, I wish I could give someone else credit for my goals tonight"

"Why?"

With a quiver in his voice he said "Because I don't want them, I don't want to have any more points this season, I have too many and I don't want people to think I want all the goals"

"No one is really keeping track of who has how many goals. Daddy keeps track of yours because you've always liked numbers, not because he's going around saying to anyone how many goals you have."

"But he tells people when I get a goal."

"Yes, but he also celebrates if your team mate has the goal."

"I don't want it to be about me, it's about the team."

The lump forms in my throat and I find myself saying "Z people know that, they know that you are not the type of player who thinks 'I'm the only one who can score', they know that you are going to shoot if you can shoot, and pass if you can pass. They know that the other kids on your team are doing the same thing."

"I don't like when they say 'good job' all the time to me, or nice play, or talk about how I got a goal."

"Being humble Zach is wonderful. It's about realizing that the game is not all about you. It's also being willing to accept compliments and point out others successes. When you get a goal and someone starts to tell you about how great it was, what do you usually do? You usually start to tell them how if so and so didn't pass it to you, you wouldn't have been able to get the shot. Or if another player on your team didn't take the shot you couldn't have gotten the rebound. That's being humble and playing a team sport. "

"I just don't want people telling you how I'm doing something good all the time, other kids are too"

I had told him on the way back to the hotel how another parent had told me how they loved what he'd been doing in a game earlier in the weekend.

"The people who say good things about you, don't say them in front of others, they pulled me aside to tell me. Just as they pull other team mates parents aside to tell them good things too"

He got really quiet for a minute and then said he wanted to stop talking and get to sleep because he had a big game tomorrow.

I laid there in the dark thinking...that was one clear moment. One clear moment when I could see the foundation that has been laid in his life for being humble. A quality that shows the character he is developing and life lessons that he is already learning from hockey. Making the trip worth the drive.

The Powers That Be

2010-01-12T18:27:00.003-05:00

In September I subbed for a Preschool teacher who was out for a few days. I got to know the aides in the classroom and they seemed to like me, and suggested that I could maybe take over a maternity leave for another Preschool teacher in the fall. I told them that from what I understood about the No Child Left Behind Act, to sub long term you have to be in your exact field. I wasn't sure if that extended down to preschool or not, but I told them my certifications, and that I had a sub license and they passed the info on.
The next week I talked to the teacher, and told her as well what I was qualified for, and that I would love to take it but wasn't sure if The Powers That Be would approve it. She said she'd check. Which she did, and explained she'd like me to teach for her, but could they check if that was possible. So the waiting began....
In December, after not hearing anything I checked with her and we both agreed if they could tell us firmly "no, won't work" that would be better then not knowing, but The Powers That Be couldn't give us an answer. Before Christmas break, she checked one more time and it sounded like it might be a "no" because of my Special Ed certification, but not Early Ed...but still not a definite answer.
Today, I was in the building where she teaches, and we talked again. Still no answer from The Powers That Be, and she is due any day. So...her boss decided to go around the Powers That Be. Mainly, because I have the one certification, have lots of experience in the second certification, I'm willing to do it and quite frankly, she could go into labor tonight and The Powers That Be could be stuck with no one.
I love our district, I think they make some great decisions but this time they really dropped the ball. Sometimes The Powers That Be, need to make a decision with enough time to make arrangements so that everyone is where they need to be in the time they need to be there.
Tomorrow, I start a new job...guess I should be glad that the Boss decided it was time to go around some of those powers!

Finished the Book- Book Review

2010-01-11T10:45:00.002-05:00

Finished the Vampire Diaries books I've been reading this weekend. I had previously read The Awakening, and The Struggle. The book I just read through contained The Fury and Dark Reunion. What I did enjoy about the books were that they didn't quite end the way you would expect. I am usually pretty good about figuring out what is happening and who is doing what. A few times with all of these stories I was surprised.
I also felt more like I was reading a Murder Mystery then another Vampire story. There was still the element of fantasy and Vampires but there was more too it then that. If you are looking for something quick, and light to read that will capture your attention I would suggest these books. If you want to read more about real life, well...Vampires won't do that for you! I just checked on Amazon and apparently there is another book that came out this fall call Return:Nightfall, guess it's time to order that from the library.

Got to Try It!!!

2010-01-10T16:22:00.002-05:00

Wow am I wiped out! Danced on the Wii this afternoon for 30 minutes to some great 80's hits. Okay, not necessarily my all time favorite hits, but just the same some fun tunes. All four of us could grab a remote and dance together which made it even more fun. Just Dance is a hit, I'm glad I bought it. I even would go so far as to say it can be added to my exercise rotation. I get so bored if I do the same thing everyday.
My goal this year is 15 or more minutes a day so, think Just Dance will fit in great! Can't wait to get back to Eye of the Tiger!!

Why is it??

2010-01-05T13:16:00.002-05:00

Why is it that putting Christmas Decorations away is so depressing? Could it be beacause...when you put them up your so excited about the season, the Christmas music is playing everyone is helping out. Then comes the time when you decide it's January and time to put them away. No one is around, the music isn't playing and you realize that for a month you haven't dusted the dresser where the tree has been or around the nativity on top of the piano, so now on top of putting away the decorations you need to clean!

I've been working on it since 9:45 this morning. First had to dig the boxes out of the attic as I forgot to ask Phil to do that last night, then finish gathering it all up. This year I decided to weed some stuff out as I was putting it away, so now the one side of my laundry sink tub is filled with stuff to get rid of. (add that to the list) Finally, I got started. Finished my room, but realized I needed to rearrange a few things on the dresser and also that the room really needs dusted. Decided to let that go so I can get the rest of the decorations away. It is now 1:20, need to be ready to get dinner together in an hour, and head up to school for the Brownie meeting today. So the real question is, with one hour left can I take down 2 trees, get out of the grubby clothes, put dinner together and get up to school.

Why is it that sometimes being a Mom takes super hero strength??? If I had one super power I think I'd want it to be the ability to freeze time!

Time to Get Organized...AGAIN!

2010-01-04T12:06:00.002-05:00

People who know me would say that I am one of the most organized people they know. I keep things neat in the house (or at least the parts of the house they can see), and I'm always jotting down a note or writing things in my calendar but...

If truth be told, I don't think I'm very organized. So, here I go again as it is 2010 and start to reclaim my spaces. Today's project the dreaded linen cabinet, and 1 of my daughters dresser drawers. More then one of her drawers and I'd have to be committed to a mental institution. Also, going to tackle the holiday decoration drawers in the attic. Off to a good start so far. Went through the towels this morning, and realized that nothing in our bathroom decor matches forest green anymore so bye bye towels. They will find a good home with the next group that calls me offering to pick up household items. This afternoon it's on to the sheets. Guess my almost 10 year old is probably past using the little truck sheets that are still in the cabinet. Will have to ask him about those after school.

The other goal when it comes to dealing with this mess is to clean up one before starting the next. I tend to start something and that reminds me I needed to do something else. This year it's one thing at a time, guess I better go move the towels to the dryer, oh I mean pick up this Christmas decoration and put it in the pile to go away, or check my email, wait the bathroom needs cleaned...oh yeah I was headed for the dryer. Don't laugh, it happens to you to I bet!

Time to Read- Book Review

2010-01-03T16:21:00.002-05:00

Trying to keep my brain fresh this year so I've decided that I'd like to read 1 novel a month, or more if possible. At my sisters urging last summer I read the Twilight series and I have to say I was surprised, but I did really enjoy it. I'm not a vampire junkie now, but once again was discussing with my sister that I needed something to read and she suggested the Vampire Diaries.

The Vampire Diaries were written by L.J. Smith and although I didn't check it out for myself, my sister told me they were written prior to the Twilight series. So far I've read 2 of the books, The Awakening, and The Struggle (already plus 2 on novels and it's only the 3rd! Although I did start the first one on the 29th) The book is about a high school girl who falls for a Vampire boy. Where did I read that before? The fact that this was written first is kind of weird because my mind kept comparing it to Twilight not the other way around. Anyway, the first 2 books were quick reads and pretty good. It was more of a mystery type book as there is of course murder and the characters in the book need to figure out who did it. There is a lot more super powers, and superstitious type things in these books. The action comes more to life then the characters. The first and second book both seem to end abruptly, but that is probably because the author knew they were writing more books. I would recommend them as a casual, quick read that you don't want to think much about. If you have to pick between the 2 series Vampire Diaries or Twilight I, at this point would pick the latter. I've still got to more books in the Vampire Diaries to go, and will probably read them, but overall I think the Twilight books were better.

Starting off 2010

2010-01-01T21:05:00.003-05:00

2010 has arrived and with it a desire to reclaim my life. Reclaim the organization of things, reclaim the clutter, reclaim healthier habits. Will that be easier this year? Will those resolutions that I've made in my mind at least be fulfilled by the end of the year?

It's hard to say. At this point I feel good about moving forward. So far today, I've read my bible, exercised, drank more water, read a few chapters in a novel, worked on photos, spent time with my kids and cleaned out the upstairs medicine cabinet, my bathroom drawer and the fridge! Off to a good start I would say. Tomorrow is another day, another challenge to see what I can accomplish. The main resolution for this year is this...let nothing go to tomorrow that could be done today, but in doing that stop stressing about what needs to be done and take it one step at a time. Live life, enjoy life, and capture it one photo at a time of course! Stay a list maker and don't get distracted by the form of adult attention deficit disorder that Moms in general are so prone to get distracted by. Finish one job, find time to relax and move forward. Don't regret the past, learn from it and be better today because of it.

Happy 2010! Look out, it's another year, and another chance to make it real!

Working Out

2009-09-17T08:25:00.003-05:00

Staying healthy is not easy. We've decided to try and start working out as a family to some extent. The kids are both involved in sports where gaining more muscle would be a good thing for their performance and endurance. Phil just recently completed a couch to 5K program and now is starting it with Zach, who has greatly enjoyed his time running with Daddy. For a year now Phil has also been doing a 100 push up workout. I've been trying off and on to get on course with the 200 sit ups program. SO...now we're all doing the push ups and sit ups and the boys are doing the running. I'm trying to walk everyday too, but with my schedule it isn't always easy to fit that it.

Today though I have managed a walk, and push ups 8, 10, 7, 7, and 20 and then sit ups (crunches) 15, 18, 10, 10 and 30! Now off to the rest of the day. (with my arms still burning!)

Back to the World of Blogging

2009-09-15T08:47:00.002-05:00

Seems like with all the technology we have everything seems to just ad one more thing for us to do. Blogging has done that for me in the recent months. Once summer hit, all sense of schedule was out the door as I was trying to spend every moment I could soaking in time with the kids and the sun. Now it's fall and I find myself once more ready to set out on the adventure of blogging about life, Creative Memories, and of course hockey!

Life is good. Yes, we're busy and sometimes feel like the walls are shutting in as we're running this race that we call life, but overall it is good. Today for instance, I could choose to be upset that I didn't get a teaching job or choose to embrace what I have been given today, which is time to get some jobs that I keep pushing off to the back burner done. So, I'm choosing, the second one. Why go through life being upset! Besides, with the lack of a job today I was able to go for a walk, run the dishwasher, get cards made for my cousins new baby and thank yous done and still have time to meet a friend to work on a project at church, which will lead to Chipotle for lunch!! On top of that I'm going to be able to stop and get some new shoes and pick up some gifts that are needed for the weekend.

With working sometimes now during the days I'm finding taking the time I have to do what needs to get done is so important. Like preparing 4 dinners while making dinner Sunday evening. Now, I have at least 4 days I don't have to worry about what to do. It's all ready to go. Tonight, since I didn't have to teach today I plan on getting a couple more dinners ready at dinner. Life is good, it's what we make of it, and how we choose to live. I want to live it to the fullest!

Washington DC on a Budget!

2009-09-03T13:24:00.008-05:00

Have you ever though it would be nice to visit the Nation's Capital, but I certainly can't afford to do that? Have you wondered how you could afford to go to some of the Nation's Best Museums? We managed a trip for 4 days, and 3 nights to our Nation's Capital this August for only $561.19! How you might ask?

First of all, yes, you have to be willing to rough it a little. We didn't stay at a 4 star hotel, we stayed at a million star vista. Greenbelt National Park http://www.nps.gov/gree/index.htm. We registered online at the link above for only $16 a night! So for 4 nights we paid $64 that's it!!! It is a very private campground. Accommodations are not glamorous, the bathrooms could have been better, but they certainly were not the worst bathrooms we've ever seen while camping. There were flush toilets, and showers, but there were also cobwebs and a few spiders. You can only have tents and small campers at the location and there is not any electric or water hook ups. As far as activities at the camp site, there was only hiking. We were only there to sleep and cook our meals, so we didn't really need a pool or other things to keep us entertained.

Traveling around town is also an issue in DC. We drove 5 minutes down the road to the Greenbelt Metro stop. The Metro is really the only way to get around DC. The cost was $4.75 a day to park, but on weekends it's free! We did buy the all day passes on the weekends as well as on the Monday we went into town. The all day passes run $7.80 but allow you to get on and off the trains at any location all day long. The only catch is on Monday-Friday the passes are not good until after 9:30 am. Regardless, these passes allowed us to move freely around the city and take in many sites without having to walk all the way back to the stop we had gotten off at to begin with. Total cost for 3 days use of the Metro $97.85.

So how about tours? We took this trip with our 7 and 9 year old children. The main thing they were interested in seeing was the things that were shown in the Night At the Museum Battle of the Smithsonian Movie. That meant the FREE museums! They also wanted to see the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and of course the White House. We wanted to at least stand in the street and yell at the Capital building as Josh Lyman does on the West Wing. http://westwingonline.net/. All of which cost us nothing. We thought about going on a tour before we went, but we weren't sure which day we'd want to go, and we definitely didn't want to pay a ton of money for a tour and have the kids not get anything out of it. In looking up info on the DC area I came across the DC by Foot tours. These tours are FREE! http://dcbyfoot.com/ They include info on the White House, Capital, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, WWII Memorial, Vietnam Wall, and the Lincoln Memorial. They are full of interesting facts that keep all ages engaged. They meet on the Corner of 15th and Constitution and then walk with you to the different venues ending at the Lincoln Memorial. At the end they accept tips. I'm sure you could get away with paying nothing, we did give $10.00, which really $2.50 a person is a steal! It is a walk, but if you were going to see those sites anyway why not do it with a tour guide for little to no cost. Our guide was wonderful! He was a retired teacher/principal and our son quickly became his little shadow for the whole tour. He didn't seem to mind at all, and answered all of his questions as we went along.

We also took in the National Air and Space Museum, the Natural History Museum, the American History Museum, the Portrait Gallery and the National Zoo. All for FREE!! Don't forget if you are going to DC to head to the Old Post Office for the best views of the city with the shortest lines! Again it's...FREE!

Eating is always a concern when you are out and about in a different city. We decided to go as cheap as we could in this department too. The first day we ate breakfast on the road at McDonald's. We had coupons so this cost only $11.93 for four of us. We ate a picnic lunch half way to DC and then ate Skyline Chili, and Hot Dogs for dinner. We of course also enjoyed bear claws and smores around the campfire. The next morning we ate muffins at the campsite, headed in to DC with back packs with various snacks and 2 bottles of waters. We did splurge on a coke at the Portrait Gallery for $3.00. We then enjoyed an amazing dinner at our friends house in Maryland. Sunday morning we again had breakfast at the campsite, packed up a few more snacks and headed back into DC. This is the day we did the DC by Foot tour and we were so hot we had to have an ice cold water and the kids wanted Popsicles. This ran $9.00 from a street vendor. In addition to the $2.00 coke we bought earlier in the day so we'd have change for the tip at the end of our tour. We did decide to splurge once again on lunch at the National Air and Space Museum's McDonald's. Of course this ran $23.95! We did discover that we could keep the 2 pop cups and store them in our backpack, empty of course without being crushed by slipping our water bottles into them. We were then able to come back and refill our drinks and enjoy them several times while we were in the museum. This defiantly saved us several dollars! We headed back to the campsite in time for a dinner of taco helper. On Monday we also packed snacks and water. Again we bought a drink at the American History Museum. We saved our cup from the $3.00 drink, and refilled it 3 times in the American History Museum and 3 times in the Natural History Museum. We ended the day on Monday at the campsite with leftovers from the previous meals. On Tuesday we headed home stopping at Atlanta Bread Company for breakfast, Subway for lunch and then home for pizza at Georgio's. The cost for these three meals combined was $34.32. Adding in about $75.00 in groceries an additional $19.84 for ice brings the food grand total to $182.84.

We spent $91.89 on gas for the trip, and feeling like we had kept under our budget amount allowed for souvenirs to be purchased totaling $74.61. I also spent an additional $40 on photo processing and album supplies from Creative Memories of course! And 1 week after the trip had a beautiful album complete and ready to remind us of the great time we had.

This brings the grand total to $561.19! I'm not sure you could plan to see as much as we did in 3 days with four people anywhere else for as cheap! Going to Washington DC in August was a lot of fun. The only thing we'd do differently is pick a different time of year, simply as August is perhaps one of the hottest months to visit the Nation's Capital. Will we go back again, definitely there is still so much to see.

Just Ducky!

2009-05-21T20:40:00.002-05:00

Well if this isn't just Ducky. Out mowing the lawn tonight when I realize there is a Duck in our front yard. It was just sitting there.

I mowed somewhat close to it thinking...it will fly away! Of course, it just quacked at me, or whatever it is that ducks actually do as my third grader told me "Mom, they don't really say that!" (ok, so now I have a duck in my yard and feel betrayed by all the people that taught me that a duck says quack, quack!") Really, what do you do with a duck in the yard?

Phil tried the Sean Connery move from Indiana Jones III, "Ah, I suddenly remembered my Charlemagne "

It didn't work! So instead we, of course encouraged by our children, shooed the Duck to the backyard so it could swim in the pond we just put in. Mind you 2 days ago we put 10 goldfish in the pond. Not sure they'll be there tomorrow. Did I mention the duck kept running into things and we think it might be blind??

SO now we have Anaheim the Duck in the pond with the goldfish. Tomorrow we're calling the Nature Rescue people to come remove Anaheim. She really can't stay here...after all we're Detroit Fans! Do things like this happen to anyone else??

Hey Refs...You Missed a CALL!

2009-05-13T12:33:00.002-05:00

Do you have your cell phone handy? You might need it again on Thursday night as the Detroit Red Wings face the Anaheim Ducks for game 7. Why do you need your cell phone?? That's really simple, so you can hold it up and yell at the TV "Hey Refs, you missed a call!" or "Hey Refs, you dropped the call!" Whichever you prefer.

Now I realize there are possibly Duck fans out there somewhere, can't say I've found too many, but perhaps somewhere out there there are some. And with that in mind I'm sure they feel there were calls in last nights game that were missed for there team as well. Just the same I'm a Wings fan, and will always be a Wings fan, and therefore I would love someone to explain to me how tackling a player and sitting on him during the middle of a play when he didn't even have the puck is a legal play. OR, how is climbing on a guys back legal? Did those plays led to us losing last nights game? Who knows, they could have created power play time that may have led to a different goal scenario, we may have scored we may not have. Regardless, "Refs....YOU MISSED THE CALL!"

With that said...Come on Wings, we're not ready for the season to be over! Fight, Win, and advance!

Two Hunderd Sit Up Challenge Day 1 Week 4 REDO

2009-05-13T12:31:00.002-05:00

Ok, it's been a few weeks. Guess that's what happens when you get sick, and then hurt your back. With that in mind I decided to restart on week 4.
Today's totals: 32, 38, 32, 32, and 100!!! Feels good at the moment, not sure how it will be feeling later.

Two Hundred Sit Up Challenge Week 4 day 1

2009-04-30T08:51:00.001-05:00

Actually, did this on Monday...okay except for the last set that I've been trying to find time to do since Monday so maybe it's cheating but I just did them now.
32, 28, 32, 32 and 58...moving on to Week 4 Day 2 in a few minutes.

Two Hundred Sit Up Challenge Week 3 day 3 (only a few days late on posting it!)

2009-04-30T08:48:00.001-05:00

Made it through week 3
33, 42, 30, 30 and 64. Moving on to Week 4!

Two Hundred Sit Up Challege Week 3 Day 2

2009-04-22T14:25:00.001-05:00

The count jumped quite a bit today. Glad yesterday was a day off.
Today's totals, 30, 38, 23, 23, an 64!

Two Hundred Sit up Challege Week 3

2009-04-20T10:27:00.002-05:00

Week 3, day one
21, 27, 21, 21 and 40 in the final set. That after doing 50 in the test to determine which column to follow in week 3. Wow! That's quite a few sit ups.

Two Hundred Situp Challenge

2009-04-19T19:32:00.002-05:00

Day 2 (4/17)
26, 26, 18, 18 and a final set of 42! Not bad, but definitely know why they suggest waiting a day between sessions.

Day 3 (4/19)
24, 25, 21, 21 and a final set of 50!!!! Feels pretty good to be doing the ab workout. Might have to consider adding in the push ups someday...ok that must be an adrenaline thing working on my brain. Week 2 wasn't to bad (started on week 2 because of my initial test). Looking forward to starting week 3 and moving forward.

Anyone up for the challenge just check out Twohundredsitups.com

Two Hundred Sit Up Challenge Day 1

2009-04-17T11:04:00.000-05:00

Week 2 Day 1
2009-04-16
32 total crunches after sets of 21, 21, 15 and 15.
This wasn't as hard as I thought it might be, at least so far. Happy that I'm not even sore the next day.

Two Hundred Sit Up Challenge

2009-04-16T08:35:00.002-05:00

Phil's been doing this 100 pushup challenge for over a year, so I decided to look into the situp/crunch version of the program. http://www.twohundredsitups.com/logger.html
So...I did the initial test and qualified for week 3. Feeling pretty good about testing into week 3, although I'm going to take Phil's advice and start with week 2. We'll see how it goes.
I'll plan on tracking each day, so keep a watch. Want to join me check out the website above and let me know.

Working With What You Have

2009-04-15T13:02:00.002-05:00

The house is in a continual state of progress. Whose isn't really. Today I decided that it is time to work a little each day on different areas. I already have the Master To Do List. (I'm a list maker what can I say). Now the goal is to start working with what I have.

The list includes things like sort through areas, that simply need de cluttered, or things we are done with. Cross the one cabinet off the list today!!! Yeehaw! Got rid of 4 puzzles and some kind of McDonald's toy that I'm sure the kids don't even know they had. Found some new space, that currently I think we're going to leave EMPTY! Now there is a thought.

Second, broke out the white paint that has been sitting by the back door in the garage for 4 months. Put the 2nd and 3rd coat on the bathroom door, as well as the cabinet in the bathroom and the moldings. Now just need to touch up the main color, painted it originally in Oct! The bathroom still needs a few new towels as they go on sale and of course the cabinets need to be sorted in there as well. It's getting done though. Best thing, other then the towels that we still need, a new toilet seat cover and a new door knob there is no more cost to the update. Added some bobble heads to the top of the cabinet (it's an extension of our Red Wings hockey room) and it's done!

Now about the gray touch up paint....

It's been awhile, time to ramble.

2009-04-14T08:51:00.002-05:00

Life just flies by and the things that have to get done do and the rest...well not so much.
Today I was hoping to be working as a sub in our school district, but did not get called. So...instead I'm going to catch up on the things on my desk and get some other things done around the house.

In the meantime, also getting set for this Thursday when the Wings open the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Blue Jackets. Can't wait to watch. The big question is whether to skip the PTA meeting so we can watch it in real time, or dvr it and watch it later...ugh decisions decisions.

Regardless...LET'S GO WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Time to change the laundry. Working from home is so great. If it wasn't raining I think I might even decide to do some yard work. We'll see.

Redoing old albums

2009-03-11T11:18:00.002-05:00

Yes, I hate to admit it I have old albums in my possession. Prior to 2000 all my albums were non Creative Memories, and while documented in a scrapbook type method were not at all photo safe. My goal for this year is to start doing something about those albums!
This past week I pulled a 7x7 chocolate love album off of my shelf that I have had sitting there for almost 2 years. It already had the paper in it, and was ready for pictures. I pulled apart our honeymoon album and a day later have an album that I know will keep our pictures safe for years to come. The honeymoon album is only 13 years old. Yet, it was already yellowing, and looking bad as it was in one of those stick the picture in on the page and cover it with the piece of plastic albums. We haven't looked at it in years, but now that it is in a photo safe album, we've put it out again and the kids have already looked through it several times.
I have other supplies on my shelf so next I think I will tackle the album covering our first year, and first house. The kids are going to love seeing those pictures again, and I'm going to love knowing that they are now photo safe!
Thank you Creative Memories

New Baby

2009-03-09T14:49:00.002-05:00

Creative Memories just launched a brand new line of baby products. They are so cute. The color combinations are beautiful. With the baby girl colors of soft pinks, greens and browns and yellows. Boy colors of browns, blues, greens and yellows. The paper and embellishments almost make me wish I hadn't completed my children's baby albums. There are so many great products. On top of the traditional papers and stickers there is a whole matching line of digital paper and stickers. Want something even quicker??? How about the new baby boy and baby girl quick kits. Complete an entire baby album in 1 2-3 hour sitting!!! It's amazing! Creative Memories is doing such a great job at thinking about peoples lives and time challenges and has created something truly for everyone!
http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/kropwithkathy/catalog-index?ts=1236628679049&event=showmenu&categoryIdParm=170172&pageTitle=New%20Baby&selectedCategory=172&eventId=172&productGroupId=13565

Did anyone else just blink?

2009-02-25T08:56:00.002-05:00

It is February 25th. How did that happen? I'm trying to get ready for a big convention this weekend with Creative Memories. I usually look ahead and find out what I need to have done so that Monday won't be as hard. Suddenly I realized the end of the month finance stuff needs done, the calendars need updated and wow it's going to be March. Guess I better add birthday shopping for my brother in law on the list. Time just keeps speeding up as I get older, and life just keeps moving on. Happy March!

Just Do It

2009-02-23T11:26:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I think Nike has it right. We make our list of things to do, and then we look at it. Sometimes we need to JUST DO IT. I think the part that is the most frustrating is some of the jobs never seem to go away. Laundry, dishes, laundry, dishes...bathrooms need cleaned...etc. Today I'm going to try and adapt a new mind frame about these things. Today I'm going to be thankful that we have clothes to wear, a washer and dryer right in the other room, clean water, beds to sleep in and food to eat. I'm going to remember to pray for my family as I do the jobs that simply need to get done. There is no sense in complaining about them, we all have them. I just need to do it!

What's Next?

2009-02-20T10:40:00.002-05:00

Ever find yourself completing one thing only to wonder...what's next? Sometimes it seems like that is how life is lived. We get through with one thing and immediately need to know what's next? Right now I have several projects going. In my mind I'm trying to get all the details together and somehow I keep coming back to what I'll need to do when this next thing gets done. I guess the thing is sometimes it's fun to have nothing that's next. Just enjoy the day and not worry about where you have to go, or what you have to do. With that in mind...time to go clean the house and set up for tomorrows Creative Memories event and then get ready for World Friendship Day on Sunday. After that it's getting ready for Regional Convention...that's What's Next!

Preserving the Past

2009-02-19T10:36:00.002-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about preserving the past lately. For Christmas I made albums for the both the kids featuring the 8x10's from birth until their current age as well as snapshots during that time. I also have been trying to go back and redo albums that are not in safe materials so they will be preserved as well. While this takes time and effort I have learned that it also helps me remember the good times, and why I feel the way I do about people, places and events.
It is stress relief in the simplest form. I don't need to leave the house, although large group crops are great. I just can focus for even as little as 15 minutes on a project and get a sense of accomplishment in it moving forward. I realize not everyone is a scrapbooker, but working with pictures is good for the soul regardless.

All Thrown Off

2009-02-18T10:39:00.002-05:00

Have you ever noticed that when things stray from your normal routine everything gets completely thrown off? Friday and Monday the kids had off from school. We had a great time, went to the pool and the mall, played some wii games, and spent time together. Monday Phil also had off which made that day even nicer. Tuesday came and I was lost. Half of the day I thought it was Monday, aside from bible study, Daisy scouts, gymnastics, and hockey that is. Just the same it is now Wednesday and I'm still trying to get the grocery list together and get to the store, normally a Monday or Tuesday task. Get laundry caught up and balance the checkbook. Sometime this month I'd like to finish the taxes but with all the days off here and there it just doesn't seem to get done.
It's not really that I don't like having the extra people home. We've really enjoyed each others company and spent time together. I just wish I wasn't such a creature of habit as when things get out of wack it takes me a few days to recover. That and this weather is giving me a migraine! Oh, well... off to switch laundry and hopefully get back on track.

Did you know?

2009-02-12T09:21:00.002-05:00

Did you know that 60* days are only to make you think more about spring and appreciate winter less?

Did you know that 90% of Americans don't sleep well because we are overdosed on caffeine during the day?

Did you know that taking time for yourself everyday only seems selfish if it's all day everyday and really makes you a better person to be around?

Did you know that Casting Crowns and Stephen Curtis Chapman are awesome?

Did you know that facebook can suck the time away from your day if you don't limit yourself?

Did you know that working with photos is actually a great stress reliever?

Did you know that the Wings are going to win the Cup again?

Did you know that this is a really lame excuse for a post but I've committed to trying to post 5 days a week and this is the best I can do?

Did you know that laundry and dishes always pile up, but we should be praising God that we have clothes to wear and have had food to eat?

Did you know that the to do list will never get done, so it's best to do the hardest jobs first?

Did you know that this is the last did you know?

Digital or Traditional?

2009-02-11T09:53:00.003-05:00

The question for 2009 has been digital or traditional? This is the year I want to stay on top of my pictures. With that in mind I really need to get started scrapping my 2009 photos. The biggest question is digital or traditional? Do I print them out and scrap them, or do I create page prints and just slide them into an album.....I just can't decide. Perhaps that's why I've put it off to this point.
Digital is a lot of fun. It's quick, and comes back to you bound and finished. Somehow journaling is even easier with digital as it's a typed format.
Traditional is great too. I love the cutting, the arranging. It is incredible. So what to do!?

I'd love input so if anyone wants to vote on what I should do let me know.

Weather Change Mayhem

2009-02-10T10:53:00.002-05:00

Every time the weather changes drastically I get to feeling wiped out. Not sure why, always attributed it to my blood not thickening or thinning as quick as the temps do around here. Now I'm noticing it's effecting my kids as well. Both have been fighting headaches as the temps have been rising and the weather is changing so much. I would rather it be 50 than 20 any day, but the fact that it will most likely dip back down makes me nuts. In the last 2 days Z has even visited the school nurse twice. Once for a stomach ache, related to sinus issues I'm sure and once for an itchy red eye...once again related to his allergies bothering him. I'm beginning to think I need to be a walking pharmacy of headache and eye relief. Or, maybe we should just move. Nah, guess I'll stop at the drugstore before I head up to school this afternoon, my heads throbbing as it is, I can only imagine that Katie's is as well.
At least the sun is shinning a wee little bit!

Facebook

2009-02-09T15:38:00.002-05:00

Decided at the beginning of the year to see what the big deal about facebook was all about. Truth is I had mixed feelings going in. I know several people that absolutely love it, but also take a ton of time with it. Others who like reconnecting with people and have managed to limit their time on it.

I think that is truly the key. It is a cool thing to find out what people you haven't thought about in years are doing. It's fun to shoot a message to their wall, and maybe exchange a few stories. It's fun to see what others are doing when you read the updated status info. I can say it's been kind of neat to simply state " I'm working on Creative Memories albums" and know that now a whole group of people see I'm a consultant. It could be potentially good for business I would think. Yet, it can also be a HUGE time waster. It would be easy to sit on facebook for hours and play various games, search endlessly for lost friends, and join a million groups.

Just the same, if you can have self control and not spend time you need to be doing something else on it. I would say it's a good thing. It's a way to connect with people, share ideas, and network for work as well. I'm glad I'm on it. In fact, need to jump on it now to find out if things are still set with our babysitter tonight!

Another Weekend...don't blink!

2009-02-06T15:29:00.002-05:00

Another weekend is about to be here. I know technically that Friday is the start of the weekend, but really it doesn't officially start for most people until they are home from work or school. In this case I have about 10 more minutes of weekday to deal with before the kids get off the bus.
What is in store for this weekend...if you ever read my blog or facebook entries you'd know there is one word that will appear in this weekends activities for sure..
HOCKEY!

The boys will be starting the weekend off with leaving for Youngstown at 5AM for a scrimmage. Upon their sleepy return we will do normal Saturday stuff. The evening holds a movie night for the kids with Grandparents, while I host my next Creative Memories workshop. Sunday, church and another hockey game. The kids are excited though because Sunday night we will be watching Extreme Home Makeover (sorry Phil) as Creative Memories has donated items to the girls room.

Hope everyone has a good weekend...I'm down to 7 minutes left of the week, got to run!

Enough already!

2009-02-05T12:45:00.003-05:00

ENOUGH ALREADY! Yes, this is a pic of Katie and Zach standing on the sidewalk in front of our house while waiting for the bus this morning. It is not a trick. Simply by standing on the sidewalk they are barely able to be seen over the snowbanks. Now I realize that some of it is due to blowing the snow off of the driveway, but still. It's a little deep around here.

Is it pretty? Well, ok as the sunlight (which we usually don't see in these parts this time of year) streaks across the white frozen tundra we call our front yard the sparkles shining do make a pretty picture. Perhaps if we had known yesterdays 13+ inches were coming it would have made it even prettier, but we were told 1-3 inch accumulation yesterday. Maybe it was just a misprint on the weatherman's script and really said 13 inches to begin with. Regardless, life went on. School took place and we as only people from this part can do just kept going.

Do we enjoy it. Sometimes, but mostly this year we're done. Done of the day long storms and the snow that you can't see around at any given corner. All we could hope for is a gradual warming and melting process. Look out Southern Ohio, the snow is predicted to start melting this weekend when the rain moves in. You might want to get a jump start on those boats!

Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow

2009-02-04T10:27:00.003-05:00

Do you know the song Let it snow Let it snow Let it snow? Here's the new version.

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
and the fire is gas so we don't light it.
Since it's northeast Ohio we just go
On the roads let it snow let it snow

Oh it doesn't show signs of stopping
The weathermen said only 3 inches would be the topping
The only job where you can always be wrong
Let it snow tends to be our song

When the kiddos get out of school
I'll have to go and pick them up
Or on the bus they'd be till tomorrow
Especially if it doesn't let up

It's better to be in school when it's 15*
In the summer we'd just be iching
Oh, well at least there's work to do
Both at home and in school.

Now the day is slowly fading
It's to cold to be outside playing
But it's pretty just the same
And for the next 2 months there will be more of the same.

Maybe Now I'll Remember

2009-02-03T13:46:00.002-05:00

Found a new product today that I'm hoping will help my mind. It's a cleaner for the dry erase board and a squeegee to help clean it off. We used to be good about adding things we needed to do or get from the store on our board in the kitchen. BUT then it got dirty so as I was struggling to remember what I wanted to get at the store or had forgotten at the store yesterday in the aisle of Target I saw the solution. Bought it, brought it home and IT WORKS! The board is clean and ready to jot down info on. Now next time we go out we can glance at the board, grab a post it note and not have to struggle with remembering it completely on our own. Which reminds me... forgot the hot chocolate, guess I better go write that down.

Just Another Manic Monday

2009-02-02T16:03:00.004-05:00

Another week has started and already I'm feeling the pull of having so much to do and not much time to do it. Not sure how that happens so fast. I think I have it all organized and then suddenly, the day is off and things are not going as planned. Oh, well maybe my version of the song would go like this

To the tune of Manic Monday
Got to get the kids on the bus
got have friends kids to school by 9
If I got out of bed early
I'd still be running short on time.

Cuz it takes so long to get the kids to get dressed and preparred
I'll get the kids off to school then figure out what's next to do.

Just another Manic Monday oh oh
Yesterday was superbowl Sunday
oh oh
Don't really care who won oh oh
Wings play Blues tonight looking for a hockey fight.

Ok, I'm to tired to really make the song work but at least I feel like I had one moment to myself. Got to run...kids are wanting more snack, go figure!

Car Seat Confusion

2009-01-30T09:26:00.002-05:00

Apparently as of 4/6/09 the State of Ohio is changing their car seat law. The new law, as I'm reading it states that children under 8, AND under 80 lbs, AND under 4 feet 9 inches need to be in a booster seat. I have 2 kids. Both have been out of car seats. One for 4 years, and the other for over a year. One is about to be 9 years old, but does not weigh 80lbs and is not 4 feet 9. (My Mom incidentally is just over 4 feet 9- so how will this effect adults???). My other child is 6 and doesn't meet the other criteria. SO...as law abiding citizens what do we do??? Naturally, we got rid of the car seats with the exception of one that we keep for my friends 2 year old. So now what???
I'm actually on hold with the pediatrician at the moment scheduling a well check and they don't even know what to say about it. I'm thinking this would be a good use of the grandfather law thing. I think safety is important. My kids have to wear seat belts, but with the new law it looks like I'll be shopping again for car seats.

Pediatrician is going to call me back...they aren't sure either and agree that with the height requirement what will happen to adults not the right height. Guess we'll see what they say too.

They really should have a gage!

2009-01-29T12:48:00.002-05:00

Kids really should come with a gage. It could say "full" when they are babies and you aren't sure if they have gotten enough to eat, and "sick take to Dr", if they need antibiotics, or "sick, but they'll make it" when it's just a cold or something.
Today we're in the "sick, but really didn't need to go to the Dr mode". Of course I know that because we went to the Dr. Zach woke up not feeling good again today. He's said that off and on this week, and I've told him each time that since he doesn't have a fever I think he can make it. But today was different. He didn't feel well and when he climbed in bed with me this morning he slept for 45 more minutes. Not a normal thing. He felt warm, looked tired and said his throat and head and stomach hurt. Which for those of you who don't know is classic strep signs, even without the sore throat. So...what to do as he had 3 tests at school today.
Now I know it could be that he wanted to avoid the tests, but he felt ready for them so I was pretty sure that wasn't it. Called the dr, got him a 10:30 appointment, then called his teacher who understanding the situation asked if he could come and take his tests first thing in the morning. So that is what we did. Of course then we headed to the dr who says he has a very stuffy nose and probably due to the weather is feeling the other symptoms but it is not strep. Now, I don't really want my kids on antibiotics unless they need them, but as a Mom trying to determine if they should go to school or not I'd rather hear it is strep so we know what we are dealing with. Thus the reason...kids really need gages!

Snow Fun

2009-01-28T21:00:00.003-05:00

A picture from this past weekend. It was cold there, but not as cold and snowy as it is here!

Another cold wintery day here. Kids were thrilled not to have to go to school. All in all the day was pretty fun. If you can count laundry, and studying for test with your kids fun. We did get a chance to play out in the snow and even spent some time playing board games tonight. It is nice to have a stay at home day every so often. Now if we could prevent the fights over who had more popcorn and who was annoying who I would have been all set. Guess there is always tomorrow for that.