Down Mulberry Lane

Homeschool Record Keeping

I have been at this 10 years now?  And each year or every 6 months or so, I find something new to keep my progress recorded.  I do really REALLY love Homeschool Tracker, as I've stated on my homeschool blog, but in the current arrangement in the house, my computer is upstairs and we do most of our school downstairs.  I went back to paper record keeping.  I will use my Homeschool Tracker by recording our grades in that, so I can make up a transcript, quick and easy like, when the time comes. 

I was trying to find the perfect tool to record and to plan and I realized that what worked for some, didn't work for all classes.  I also had two notebooks and two children with two notebooks and it was getting to be a handful to carry around all these books.  I tried combining my record keeping with my home management binder, but I found I didn't use it at all because it was HUGE and cumbersome!   However, today, I decided just to put our study courses in a 3 ring binder.  I have dividers separating the different courses, and I made copies of one simple master sheet that works well.  The sheet is simple enough that I can modify it for both kids if they are studying the same material.  I can also add a column for listing grades on some assignments, when necessary. 

I like pretty.  I like unique and creative forms.  But when it really comes right down to it... I SOOOO love simple! Simple works.  Simple can be easily modified and still look uncluttered.  I've realized that I don't need fancy record keeping books.  But I do need to have records.  So, simple just seems to work all around. 

My plans are usually made on loose leaf paper, so sliding that in the appropriate course worked really well.  I've tried other planners, I actually like the CLASS record planner book and I like Rod and Staff's simple record keeping book, but with both books, I tend to get ahead in a subject or two and pretty soon I am flipping pages trying to keep track of a full day's work.  I've also tried a ring bound notebook or a ring bound project notebook.  Those work better, but when we change directions, it is hard to reorganize a ring bound plan.  I realized I needed a different system that worked with our style of learning. 

I like several things about the new record keeping book.  I have both students in ONE book.  Everything is clean, simple and clutter free; I have what I need and nothing more.  It is only the study subjects, so once books are put away, I put the record book away and it slides away in a drawer.  It is a small handy binder, only 1/2 inch wide.  I can see it will make school so much easier.  AND, I even allowed for some creativity.  I used a 1/2 inch 3 ring binder with the clear plastic pockets on the outside, so I can decorate and redecorate as I desire. 

I used it the first time today and my oh my did things run smoother and better.  I wasn't fumbling for a different book for a different subject.  When the girls asked a question, the book was handy for both of them.  If I was working on one subject and another came in to ask a question about another subject... I had the information right there...(each divider has the needed sheets filed with finished items filed to the back... so no flipping through all the pages to find the information I needed)... SOOOO NICE!  

I know it is hard to believe that I may have stumbled upon something that works, finally, especially since I've only used it one day.  But I have a hope and a peace about this that is different than other tries before.  Before I wanted something pretty, or something educational looking, something that was like what everyone else was using, or something that made me look intelligent if someone happened to snoop upon it.  LOL.  All the other ideas were motivated by selfish thoughts in some way or another.   I realized that isn't what I needed.  I simply needed a way to record our happenings that had some ability to shift and change when I did.  I was excited this morning to discover that something so simple can work. 

Now parts of my book are parts of systems that I have used in the past... the ones I tend to fall back on when I LOSE my book and when life is busy and I don't have time to fill in all the blank spots in the other planners and record keeping books.  That is likely the key to finding success in my record keeping system. They are tools I have used before, but ones I kept running away from because something new caught my eye!  When time was scrunched these simple pages worked.  When I misplaced my book, or my kids misplaced my book, I could grab a sheet and still work on some planning and add it to the notebook another time.  No more running to and fro looking for something better... may my heart be satisfied with simple! 

I'd post a picture, but thought that perhaps that wasn't best, afterall, what worked for me was finding those things that I needed to use for my specific area, for my specific family.  If you are searching for that perfect tool, consider the fact that perhaps, just perhaps you already have the materials to make your own simple record/planner book.  I just used the word processor on my computer to create a simple table that I could print out.  It included the items that I needed, period.  I placed it into a 3 ring binder, which worked best for me... what I discovered was that the size really made a difference.  I've used 1 inch, 1.5 inches, 2 inches, and even a 3 inch binder... but wow a small 1/2 inch binder feels JUST right for me!   May you find what works just right for YOU! 

Warmly, ~Melissa

Just checking in...

Tonight is a quiet night at home.  It is raining and I hear the pattering of drops on the roof above me.  The wood stove is keeping us warm.   I'm not posting much, but I am trying to keep up with all my blog reading.  I am trying to reevaluate how I spend my time so that I get done what I want to get done and limit my time doing that which later appears to have been a waste of time.

Warmly, ~Melissa 

Lots of blowing snow here!

Yesterday we were going to try and go out and get a couple nice pictures in the lightly falling snow, but by the time we were ready to do that, the winds started howling and the opportunity was gone.  We stayed in yesterday from church because of the huge possibility of us being stuck out or in the drive.  Dh had the 4-wheel drive truck and we've been stuck in the lane our fair share of times and we just didn't want to test the lane with our lifeless vehicles and below freezing temperatures! 

Last night I made some almond cookies.  They are a new recipe.  I thought they were ok, but I made them with margarine instead of butter and I think that changed the texture a bit.  I may try again with real butter.  I think they would be good dipped in a warm drink like cocoa, a tea, or my favorite... warmed almond milk with a touch of Roma. 

Today, our plans for the week are getting settled.  We're getting meals planned, our shopping plans made (this is the worst week for shopping, isn't it?... but I need groceries!)  We're making our Baking list so we can share with others some cookies and bread.  I'd like to try brown bread this year, but I need to find a recipe.  A friend of mine used to make several batches of this and put it into tin cans to bake.  Very authentic and fun to share! 

Our Christmas plans are dwindling a bit.  We usually share it with extended family, but travel, work, and distance has put some changes to our normal celebrations.  That is ok, it gives us more a chance to focus on others than trying to prepare for guests and huge meals!   Our Christmas plans are to enjoy a nice meal together and likely open our gifts on Christmas Eve.  Dh has to work on Christmas day.  On Christmas day we will go over to my sister's house if her plans fall through (we're back up plans *grin*), if her original plans work out, we will just stay home and enjoy a quiet day together, although we may visit the Fire Station and drop off some Baklava and a couple funny gifts. 

My husband and another guy at work really enjoy each other's friendship and in about two weeks, they are changing all the staff to different shifts and he is getting split up from his friend.  I found at the mall some marshmallow shooters that I can get for $5 each and a bag of marshmallows for a dollar.  I thought they could enjoy their last week together shooting marshmallows at each other (on their break time, of course!).  Now my challenge is to figure out how to get those gifts down to the station without it looking like "we" brought them.  This friend of Dh's pranked him on his birthday last month with a over the hill basket... as he hit 40yo.  Black balloons, old people stuff (depends, enemas, prunes, and lots more...).   They share a love of sheep and both work together with their farms, but being on different shifts makes that extremely hard and they've been together for one year and have so enjoyed doing stuff together again, they went to Maryland to a sheep convention together, went to North Dakota to a sheep convention together as well.  They are both a bit bummed that this time is just about over.  So the funny gift of marshmallow shooters might just raise their spirits this last week or so together. 

So, I better get back to my lists and on to my baking.  We're gonna make some baskets for some of the shut-ins we know. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

The Holiday Season...

In past years, I haven't struggled so much with the holiday season.  I've had plans for the kids and kept them enticed with activities and projects that pointed them to Christ.  We've done Advent readings, been involved at church with Christmas programs, had baking projects (to bless others), we write a newsletter in December for school, etc.  But this year, we haven't done any of it. 

I have struggled in small ways with my daughter Chelsea (who will be 17yo TOMORROW).   Her birthday is on the 13th of December.  Some years she likes Christmas, other years she hates that it takes away from her birthday.  This year... is a good year, she is looking forward to her birthday and Christmas. 

For some reason this year is the first year that I realized that after her birthday we have 12 days to Christmas (the 12th being Christmas Day).  I had heard the song the 12 days of Christmas had something to do with persecuted Christians being able to share their faith in a type of "clothed" language....but snopes says it isn't true.   It has put my mind to thinking about the 12 days of Christmas and seems that maybe this year might be a year that I might use it for a theme this year.  I haven't gotten any details worked out, other than checking a book that I like to read out of called the Messiah and I counted 12 readings and in those 12 readings... I make it through the birth of Christ. All in all, I have 12 days that I'd like to plan some things around.  If I figure it out, I'll post what we plan to do.  Although, I highly doubt it will revolve around the song the 12 days of Christmas.  *grin*

The ages of my children span quite a ways.  From 19yo to 3yo.  So various activities are needed to turn their hearts to Jesus during this season.  The TV and the programs are so quick to steal the real joy of the season away from us and it seems I work harder this very month to show a different side.  I'll admit this year, I haven't done "much" in the way of projecting joy at home.  High School doesn't allow for many hands on projects and with my last two in high school, I feel that sometimes doing the extra stuff bogs them down even more with accomplishing any school.  So up against me are many challenges and it just made this year seem a bigger hill to climb than I was wanting. 

However, I was reading blogs and remembering why we celebrate Christmas and started praying about putting my head on straight.  LOL.  (Sometimes I have to snap myself out of my pity parties that I tend to take when life gets too big for me!)  We celebrate Christmas not because we believe that December 25th was the day Jesus was born, but because it is an accepted holiday that we remember this fact on.  We also are able to do more service projects and touch others with simple acts of kindness during this season than we are almost the entire rest of the year.  Our Christianity can shine during this season of hustling and bustling and more people are willing to accept our acts of kindness and they are more willing to hear about Jesus. 

Also, I recall memories of Christmas that brings my mind of family, of fellowship, of once a year visits to some that we don't see all year long.    I don't recall much of the gifts, but more of the anticipation of being with family, meeting cousins once again, and going to church programs not only at our church, but others as well.  Talking of God was accepted and normal and a big part of Christmas.  While I have tried to instill that this can be normal all year long to my own children, Christmas time we find more openness of others.  My Dad who rarely talks of church, come Christmas would take us to a church program and get quite sentimental.  I treasured that.  My grandfather, I remember him watching "church" more often on tv during December than I remember him watching the ball games that were always on his TV.  Something about this season tugs at our hearts.  Memories for many have religious roots and even those that don't often live an outward walk with Christ will turn to him come Christmas.  Their hearts are open yet tender towards the expectations of the season... what opportunity we have to share if we only take that opportunity.  To share may cause them to try to bring these thoughts into their lives more than just at Christmas.  

I've tossed around my mind the idea of not celebrating, but when I look at Old Testament festivals and holidays... they were celebrating events that happened or ones that were to come.  Christmas is an opportunity to celebrate with many and share about Jesus coming to earth and His plan of salvation.  Yes there is much commercialism during this season.  Yes there is much to avoid.  Perhaps this Christmas season makes it more apparent, this conflict between Satan and Christ.  Where worldly values and our religious values can clash on a daily or even hourly basis during the Christmas season, we are reminded that our choices... what we decide is precious.  Do we take for granted the opportunities to witness?  Do we take for granted the opportunity to choose right each day?  Do we take for granted the opportunities to serve others?

Ultimately our children relish the season, don't they?  You cannot escape it.  It is in every store.  It is in so many of the houses on the streets.  Greetings of strangers even share the famed "Merry Christmas".  To hide doesn't seem an option... you can't not celebrate this season without choosing to make a difference in our children.  A trip to the grocery store may mean explanations of why Santa is on so many foods.  How we decide to counteract this worldliness will make an impression on our children.  Are we ugly with strangers that share something we don't believe in?  Are we ugly with those that don't believe the same?  Or do we accept where they are at and enjoy the heart felt expressions of the season that they are trying to share and in turn share some with them as well? 

As I remember Christmas pasts and even ponder the ones to come... I pray that I will make right choices.  I pray that the things I tell my children will be cherished in their hearts.  I pray that the people I meet on the street or at the stores, will see my Jesus just a bit more than they did the day before.   I pray that my life will glorify God in all that I do, even during the Christmas season.  The way we have celebrated hasn't always been the same.  There is growth in our ideals, in our expecations, and in how we touch others.  I suspect that this will not be the last year for change because as we grow closer to Christ, we simply make changes as we reflect more of Him. 

No matter what happens in the stores, no matter how others may celebrate, no matter how worldly the holiday becomes to others... To me, Christmas is a reminder of my dear Jesus coming to share His love with ME and anyone else who will accept it.  My heart is looking forward to something this season that will be a blessing in our home.  Perhaps it is how we touch someone else's life.  Perhaps it is a child whose wonder brings hope to the entire family.  Whatever it is... I plan to cherish it as this year's Christmas gift. 

Now, to get on the ball with those traditions that make this season so special for my family.... as I know they enjoy this season of remembering how Jesus came down to earth to share His love with us.

Warmly, ~Melissa

I learned how to clean from my daughter...

Our Christmas tree is finally decorated.  We put the tree up last week, but no one wanted to put lights on the tree.  But yesterday, my Megan decided she would do that.  She was quite the busy bee yesterday.  We finished up some odds and ends from school that we hadn't gotten done last week, then we cleaned up from the past couple days of comings and goings. 

After watching Megan clean and get much of it done in such a quick fashion... I mean she really buzzed the house, I realized I have some stuff to learn from her!  I am such a perfectionist that I would take me all day to clean one room to my satisfaction... taking an hour to dust a piece, as I would then take all the drawers out and clean them one by one and then sort all the stuff in that drawer... I just get carried away and then it takes FOREVER to get the entire house done... but Megan just went to work, vacumned, swept, piled items to destinations and then dropped them off and it all looked very nice.  Her goal was to pick up... to clean the major messes (like fuzzed up carpet, dirty wood floors, etc.)  She didn't linger on the minor details (that's where I get lost!)  I looked in the bathroom... sink was clean, floor swept and it looked quite nice and I looked and saw she didn't empty the dirty laundry, just made sure it was all in the basket for when I do laundry next time.  Funny how just seeing that step averted... made me think... why do I think that every time I clean a room, I have to completely take it apart and clean it with a toothbrush?  Why can't I save dusting... for another time and do all my dusting at the same time?  Why not leave the laundry in the bathroom basket until I'm ready to do the laundry?  I began to realize that I often add steps to my day's work that are not needed and likely cause me to lose alot of time.  I deviate from the task of Picking up... to one of detailed cleaning! 

Well, I've got much to ponder on how to incorporate this into my life... How do I accomplish the task at hand?  How do I pick up with out getting carried away in the silverware drawer once again!  I realized I am fanatical about my kitchen organization... when the kids put things away in a wrong drawer... it literally drives me nuts!  I will spend an hour cleaning the kitchen reorganizing it to my specific needs before making a meal, even... no wonder my meals are NEVER on time!  Oh to let loose of these details without losing my mind! 

What a wonder that God will use our own children to show us our own weaknesses, yet within that I was given the power to change!  God is good!  I pray that God will give me the strength to change in this area that He has led my heart to change. 

Warmly, ~Melissa 

Happy and Content...

On Thanksgiving I was blessed not to have to cook.  It was a nice meal that my MIL had prepared.  My husband's nephew and his (nephew's) girlfriend came up to visit from Colorade.  It was really nice to see them.  They are nice kids... can I say that???  LOL... they are younger than me!  LOL. 

Last night I picked up my nephew and he spent the night with us, wanting to share in the Friday morning sales.  This has been a tradition for us, although it is becoming apparent that a NEW tradition may need to be started.  We only needed "two" things this year and so we got up early (3:30 am) and went to get the items.  We had to hit 4 stores to try to get the best price, so we split up... my daughter taking another daughter and I took my nephew and another daughter.  By 9 am we were done shopping... really didn't have anything we wanted... so we went out for breakfast... the funnest part of the tradition, I guess... the kids enjoy getting together and when we eat out, somehow we can eat what we like and my nephew what he likes and everyone is happy.  (and I don't have to do dishes or cook!) 

Since we were done with early bird sales, I went to Menards to get some room paint for my kids' rooms.  After the rebate we'll pay about $3.50 per gallon of paint.  I got 4 gallons of paint and that is enough to do 3 bedrooms!  They needed painting so the paint rebate sale was a blessing for us!  That wasn't an early bird special... just a sale that we happened to want to hit.  I also hit a Friday sale at JoAnn Fabrics.  Our family tradition is to get new pajamas each year.  Looking at the prices, I just sighed... I opted instead to buy some fabric on sale and make our own.  Flannel was on sale for $1.49 a yard and I figured I could make a pair of pajamas for  between $3 and $6 each. 

My girls happened to be tired of shopping and opted to go home while I ran some needed errands.  I stopped by the  bank, filled up the car with gas and that is then when I stopped at the fabric store and enjoyed a peaceful time of looking at material and patterns without a little one trying to steal my attention.  I arrived home to a clean house.. the girls cleaned the house and even mopped the floors. 

I am tired tonight.  From being up so early, I imagine.  That is Okay.  After watching so many people today... I have been pondering much about my interactions, our traditions, etc.  I long for the quiet and some time to think.  After each store we retreated to our car which played softly playing Christmas music.  It was soothing.   Our favorite part of the day was simply just eating and talking together.  My kids have enjoyed this 5AM tradition of shopping (I got up at 3:30 simply because that's when I woke up).  I realized they just enjoy getting together with their cousin and spending time together.  They don't have much in common with him, so the "Shopping" was a way to connect.  But today they found they connected by just eating together and making conversation.   Perhaps God is leading our hearts to change!  Perhaps it is time for traditions to change. I saw my nephew open up today.  My youngest, Paige, cried when I picked her up at 7:45 am so Dad could go to work.  She wanted to be with Daddy.  My nephew quietly watched her cry (and I noticed a sympathetic expression in his manners) ...I simply kissed her and said... I like being with Daddy, too.  It was enough... Enough to have someone understand her little heartache.  That heartache, however is a longing with my nephew that he just doesn't talk about at all to us.  His Dad has never been around for him since birth.  He talked to him a couple times on the phone, but to my knowledge has never met his Dad.  When my sister came to pick him up, they talked a bit and she shared that her other son was visiting his Dad and she was upset that he wasn't a good role model and my nephew just simply said... at least he has a Dad, I'd give anything to spend time with my Dad.  My sister just pushed that aside and changed the conversation.   I just was amazed that my nephew said that outloud.  He has often shut down, cried but would never open up...(not even to his Mom and especially not us) and to have him open up today... was quite amazing.  It had to be God working in his heart!  So tradition is good in the sense that it got us getting my nephew comfortable with going shopping together for 3 -4 years now... and I'm hoping that with him feeling able to open up a bit, that perhaps we can connect on a different level than "shopping".    Much to think about and ponder!

For now, I am content and happy.  

Warmly, ~Melissa

A restful day...

Well, Dh came up today and said he liked my haircut this way.  This is not like him at all.  He rarely takes notice of any outward appearances of mine, so for him to mention my haircut twice... I'm thinking it must really be something he likes.  I tried blowdrying it one day as it was cold and when I dry it, my curls go to frizz, so I just try to brush it straight, and he didn't like that, said it was still tooo poooofy.  My hair straight is poofy, and I laughed at the sight of it.  My kids thought it was funny that my hair would poof so much... I hadn't blow dried my hair in a long time so they probably don't recall seeing what that does to my hair!   Dh just said, please don't blow dry your hair... I like your curls.  LOL

~~~~~~~~~anyways...

We had a nice potluck after church.  Two soups to choose from.  I choose the vegan creamy tomato soup.  I had that before and I enjoyed it.  I like a bowl of it from time to time.  I made the recipe myself, once, and it is too much for me to eat it all week long.  I was happy it was at potluck so I could enjoy a bowl again.   We had sandwiches to go with and some side dishes as well.  We enjoyed some good conversation.  My daughter's friend from college had come to church to visit.  We enjoyed getting to know her.  She is a nice girl, quiet, much like my daughter. 

This afternoon we taught a couple girls at church "Silent Night" in sign language.  They enjoyed learning and singing.  We took some time for them to also learn singing harmony as a group.  We plan to present this to the adult SS around Christmas time.   The girls are all excited as well. 

I enjoyed a quiet evening tonight at home as well.  My older girls went to vespers with some others from church and then planned to go bowling with a friend from church who's grandchildren were visiting for the weekend.  Because of that, I was able to have a quiet house.  I made fried potatoes (with a few thrown in veggies) for supper for Dh and me.  Not much else to say... I just really enjoy the quiet some days! 

Our sermon today was about faith.  Well sort of.  LOL.  The sermon itself had a different route than where my thoughts were taking me.  I ended up getting the faith message from the texts shared today.  That has been on my heart today as I've enjoyed the quiet.... Faith. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

Progress still being made...debt free journey update...

We paid the bills the other night and found we are having enough to pay the bills, however my grocery money was a little short this month due to all the car repairs.  I told everyone that we will just have to wait until Dh gets paid until buying some more food. 

This really isn't a problem at all.  I have a good stockpile of the basics... whole grain for breads (and all the other bread staples), dried beans and basic herbs and spices, rice and pasta, canned tomatoes and other sauces, cashews and peppers for my "cheesy sauce", some rice and almond milk in their vacumn sealed boxes... basically everything we need to survive except DAIRY!  LOL.  I even have plenty of fruits and veggies.

So we are again dairy free for another week as a family, together!  *grin*  God is so good to me.  My family is supportive again this week because we are out of cheese, milk, etc... due to money shortages.  I get a short breather for me to catch my breath and be ready for the holidays without dairy. 

I've noticed the last two weeks the attitudes around the house are more selfish in nature and I haven't been quite able to figure out what to do about it as of yet.  I never really noticed, but tonight, I went to church to hold our monthly health meeting and I asked my girls if they'd come with and help and not one was willing to go.  This is really odd... they've always been willing... then one of my daughters pipes up with ... what will you give me?  I looked at her questioningly and she replies... will you take me out to eat?  I said, we're serving dinner at the health meeting, why would we go out to eat and then she said... no, I'm not going. 

I was just stunned, I've not ever really encountered them rejecting an opportunity for service at church.  In fact, they have always LOVED helping in the kitchen and I was floored by the reaction.  Oh my kids have had days of not helping from time to time, but usually in coincided with "something" going on in their lives... but this... I don't know... I think it is more heart issues I am dealing with.  Perhaps my dairy free break is not only for me, but for them to have to give of themselves.   I will have to do some praying this week to see if further direction is needed.  Now that I am aware of this, I'll likely need to pay attention to what is ruling their lives... self or Christ.  I know many times I do not notice myself when I stray from what is right and sometimes redirection is needed.  God seems to find a way to wake me up and get my attention.  It seems that now is a time for my girls to "see" what I have seen today.  May God give me wisdom that I can do it in a loving and non-critical way so that they might be open to change. 

My computer time is about done for today.  Time for a quick pick up before bed.

Warmly, ~Melissa 

Still trying new recipes and more of my life...

Today, I tried a sweet'n sour stir fry.  I really tried hard to eat it, but it was so yucky!  It was way too much tomato flavor than what I was expecting.  I ate about half, but then I couldn't eat anymore.  I like stir-frys in general, but this one wasn't to my liking.  I couldn't fall back on the family meal, because my daughter made the potatoes, with cheese and sour cream in them, and the loaf had cheese in it.  I guess I could have eaten corn and WW bread.  Actually, I did eat some bread, cuz I was so hungry. 

Today I spent a good portion of the day arranging paperwork for our Living Well meetings at church.  I put together a notebook with monthly dividers so we can plan ahead.  I typed up some recipes.  I hole punched our planning pages and inserted them into the binder.  I addressed some postcards and will mail those out tomorrow morning, I hope! 

My van got fixed.  My brakes have been squeaking each time it rains, likely because we live on gravel and the dirt just makes for nice squeaks.  But as of lately, they sounded different, although, I didn't think they acted different.  Well, we had put every other vehicle in for something or other in the last couple months that it seemed time to check the van.  Dh actually wanted to fix my doors as the lock/unlock button never opened any doors and I had to do them manually, but they were often stuck in locked position or open position.  Two doors wouldn't even open with the door latch.  He figured it was just from living on the gravel because this was a sporadic problem, although it had worsened considerably the past couple months.  I guess something was broken in the doors... they all had to be replaced... and Dh also fixed the door open light/alarm as that was always on and dinging even when every door was shut.  He just mentioned for them to check the brakes cuz I had said something recently and they found the back brakes to be broken, the lines were even broken... so those were completely replaced... the front were fine.  Well, nearly $1000 later, my van works!  UGH... Dh thought maybe $300-500 tops but almost $1000.... he gave up his bale spear money so my van doors would work.  It was frustrating to run out in the rain and stand there and manually open one door, then crawl in and HOPE you could get a door open for the rest of the family.  I am sure the girls will appreciate this fix so much.  My car now smells of cigarettes from the shop, but it works. 

I got a hair cut.  The day after Dh's birthday, I decided to cut my hair.  My daughter had an orthodontist appointment, so she had to sit and wait for me.  They cut off 6 inches... I didn't realize it had gotten that long.  I am trying to cut the "color" out of my hair.  The trial of coloring my hair wasn't good.  My head itched all the time and I didn't "love" the color... I feel more comfortable just being "me".  Cutting off the colored hair will take time, but it will grow back soon enough.  As for my hair cut... I'd show a picture, but wouldn't ya know that the very day after I got it cut, I got this HUGE ZIT on my nose!  Since I do not know how to photo edit, you will have to wait to see it.  It is just above my shoulders, the back is layered with long layers... just the bottom 2 inches or so.  The sides she layered up to my bangs... so it is still the length of the back, but with shorter layers.  Everyone says they like it... it's different from the one length haircuts I've had for many years.  I am finding it a bit harder to care for.  My hair is curly and after lying on it... it goes flat.  I tend to sleep either on my back or my side and I wake up to one side curly and one side wavy/long/flat... really, it looks longer than the other side until it is washed and it curls back up.  So, no waking up and heading out the door on the run... I definately will argue for a shower as my new DOOO does not sleep well.  I think it is too short to pull back at the moment (I could with a pony tail and some barrettes), but Dh is glad for that.  He likes my hair down and says he likes this hairdo.  It looks best Moused... but of course... my skin breaks out from mouse... so yah, I think that is the reason for the HUGE zit on my nose and on my cheeks and all over!  I woke up the day after with half of my face bright red... it was just beginning to break out when I awoke and each hour I could feel more and more eruptions coming to my face.  ARGH!  I should have told the gal NO mouse, but I was too polite and just let her fix my hair... cuz I was shopping afterwards and I knew the hair without some help at that moment would not look good walking around.  Hopefully I will find a happy medium... with getting my curly hair to cooperate without adding too much goo and heat styling products.  My hair is dry (curly hair is always dry), and using irons or dryers causes split ends within a few uses. 

Well, that's catching up for now.  I need to work on the checkbook and do some bills.

Warmly, ~Melissa

My Life: Friday

Today, I awoke with a start, thought I heard my phone going off, but nooo... just my imagination.  I crawled in bed for a few minutes, reminded Dh to get to his dentist appointment and waited for the shower. 

We had pancakes, eggs and corn beef hash.  Request of Paige.  She likes the square potatoes of the hash, but won't eat the meat.  I don't eat it either.  But the others like it. 

We worked on cleaning the house and I was up on facebook a bit this morning.  I found a few people that I know on there, so it was kinda fun to see that they had sent messages this morning.  I am finding it hard to find "girl" friends on there.  I realize it is likely because they all got married and changed their names, but STILL!  LOL  I got on facebook to "watch" my kids' activities... and who'da thought I'd find friends myself?  Too fun!  It's a great way to encourage the kids coming up as well.  I found many youth in our church that we know and I send them little notes every so often asking how college is, or school, whatever and they all seem to appreciate the interest in their lives.  I also did bills this morning. 

For lunch, the kids had macaroni and cheese.  I couldn't eat.  I was upset and I didn't really know why.  I didn't eat lunch for one, because there was dairy in it, but also just the thought of cooking an entire second meal just sort of hit me wrong today.  It likely was a pity party on my part, but I just am frustrated and overwhelmed with cooking two separate meals each night.  If I cook just the one (non-dairy) part of the family just is making sure I know that it is no longer to their liking.  If I cook just their meal, than I am short changed as well... like for lunch... I could have sat and ate peas and applesauce, but the two together without any mac and cheese didn't look very appealing.  I don't mind making a meal for myself, but the recipes fit a family and then I end up eating the entire meal for a week.  Like the corn chowder.  I have eaten that every day this week and two days I had it for a second meal.  I wonder if that's how it's gonna be.... make myself a meal and plan on eating it for a week straight?  UGH!   If my freezers weren't full, I would consider freezing some of the meals so that I wasn't overwhelming myself with the same meal for the entire week.  At the moment it is not an option. 

I opted for a walk during the meal.  It helped clear my head and gave me time to pray.  I know God knows I am frustrated.  But as I walked, I thought of some blessings.  My oldest has  quit drinking milk for health reasons and also she never really liked it.  She finds the soy milk or almond milk an alternative for her cereal that she likes just as well if not better.  She has bucked up, so to say, in this fight with Paige's food intolerances and has been my backbone.  I have prayed for direction and try to follow that direction, but when I get weary, she picks me up with her support, her strong stand on "no, we aren't going to eat this..."  I thank God for that.  I have another daughter who loves her cheese and such, but is trying very hard to accept new meals.  When others at the table fuss over the food, she will eat without complaining.  She will even purposely make comments... this was very good mom, I could eat this again... making sure that I know she is willing to eat it again.  If a food is something she doesn't like, she eats politely but will say, later that she prefers something different.  She is holding an honest approach, but one where she is trying to be encouraging.  When I look at where we are at with our journey... we've discovered chocolate is a definate NO.  Soy, is a food to avoid as much as possible, but a little affects my daughter more with skin irritations and rashes than with outbursts and potty messes.  So, soy is tolerated a wee bit.... meaning if she reaches out for gluten with soy in them... we allow it, she usually doesn't eat enough to bother her.  But if she reaches for soy sour cream... we find something else... the larger concentration of soy seems to be a problem for her.  And dairy... this is an unending controversy.  We've slipped into allowing small amounts and as long as it is small amounts, it doesn't affect the toilet troubles or make her upset.  But if she has milk on her cereal or more than a sprinkle of cheese on her food, she has trouble with wetting.  I hope to at some point get it/dairy out of the house, but Dh told me that he gave it a month and is tired of feeling like he walks away from the meal unsatisfied.  I can deal with it.  A month is all I asked and the month gave me a few options, a few ideas, and some eye opening experiences. 

At the moment, I am dairy-free...totally and no chocolate.  Paige is largely dairy free, soy free, and chocolate free and limited food colorings.  This totally knocks the candy out the window!  I am allowing her sprinkles of cheese on some things, but the girls have learned how to apply it to her plate... so she thinks she is getting more than she really is.  I make alot of her meals at the counter onto the plate, so she doesn't realize cheese is missing from many of those meals where cheese is just a regular part of it.  The rest are allowed to eat, but have limited access to some of their foods.  I buy milk by the half gallon, so it is used mostly for cereal (which is once a week) or Dad's morning glass of milk.  Even with allowing dairy back in the house, I am able to get through a week with a half gallon to 3/4 gallon a week.  The rice, almond or soy milks are accepted substitutes and allows me to make more "common" foods for all.  I've also decreased the cheese intake tremendously... we are using less than one pound of cheese a week, vs the 3-4 pounds that we used to  consume, for a family of 6).   Basically they try to limit the cheese to 4 oz a meal or less (for the whole family). 

Our potty messes are decreased quite a bit.  And if I can eliminate dairy for a day, we have a great "next" day.  If she gets a sprinkle of cheese on a plate, we may have one or two messes during the day.  If we have cereal with cows milk for breakfast, mac and cheese, and something with cheese for supper... I'm up to 5-8 messes a day.  But this is greatly reduced from chocolate which caused up to 20 messes a day, from bladder spasms.  Seeing the cause and effect has surely increased my awareness in my menu planning.  However, that still needs work to keep Dh satisfied and yet keep Paige limited on the dairy. 

My next project for dairy free is to find a cheese alternative I can shred.  If I can find one I like, I may conquer pizza, tacos, burritos, haystacks, and a few other cheese topped meals.  Soy cheeses on the market still contain dairy, so we don't use them.  I am making my own cashew cheese sauce, which works fine for baked potatoes and some other dishes, but for my 3yo, if I had a shredded cheese for her... I would really have her dairy free completely and it wouldn't be a fight at the table watching some use cheese and her NOT... she'd have her own cheese.   I think next week, I will be trying several new recipes for nut cheeses that you can make that will gel up so you can shred them. 

Well, after my sad walk time, I felt better.  I came home to begin supper and I immediately was upset again... working in the kitchen... knowing I was again going to make two sauces and OH it is so easy to grumble!  But I took a deep breath and just began the bread for supper.  I then made some cookies to cheer myself up... that worked.  In fact, everyone loved the new "soft ginger cookies".  Megan ate 3 cookies... and they were large cookies!  Paige took a bite, but didn't want anymore and I was a bit frustrated as I am trying to find a "treat" that is chocolate free that she will be happy with.  She came back later and tried it again and finished the cookie.  I think because they were brown, she thought they should taste like chocolate and they didn't.  But she did like the cookies and after supper asked for her second cookie.  (She hasn't asked for seconds on oatmeal or sugar cookies or snicker doodles or sandies... nothing)... so for her to ask for a second cookie... I think we found a treat we can occasionally have that "everyone" likes.  update:  Paige stole a third cookie from the box and brought me another one so I wouldn't take hers away!  LOL.  I guess they are a hit!

Supper was Spaghetti with salad and french bread.  I also had as a "try" a cashew alfredo sauce and it was good.  I had some basil in it and it was quite tasty, however once put on pasta, it needed more salt.  Which we can do that next time.  Two of the girls said it was good, and tasted just like a dairy alfredo sauce we had tried before.  A third said it was ok.  Dh just shrugged... said it wasn't bad... but he was in the mood for red sauce tonight, which was fine and why I made two sauces. 

Tomorrow is potluck at church.  I have one last chocolate item left in the cupboards and it will get made up for that.  Then... no more chocolate other than some milk chocolate chips that I have... which I may give away cuz no one eats them.  I used to make candy with them and it was quite tasty mixed with other chocolates, but alone, the family isn't a milk chocolate fanned family. 

That was my day and my thoughts today.  Hoping for better tomorrow! 

Warmly, ~Melissa