Moving Day

So many things to post, too tired. The month of December appears to be another busy one for our family. We are on the move, my hubby's big plans have finally come into fruition so there will be post of home repair, renovation, new scary neighbor(hood)s, and very frugal living. Missed typing so welcome to our new normal.

Monday Monday

Monday's are an interesting day.  I usually view them with so much hope and anticipation.  There is a list of activities, events, books, and crafts to complete.  But since this is also life there are meals, bills, appointments, errands oh yeah and cleaning.  So there is a zeal and determination that I meet each new Monday with. 

Right around noon on Monday all I can muster up is a no, I can't nap yet, is this the baby boy's poop or the cat's, I don't care go ahead and eat the cake for lunch.  Shortly before I settle deep into piles of laundry, 2:30pm rolls around.  Time to dance. 

This event is met with its own chaos of hair, clothes, water bottles, and oh you expect to eat again-before I leave.  But what does this mama good is the walk.  We live well within walking distance to the dance studio; a 15-20 leisure stroll or the more frequent 10 minute power walk because I couldn't find my keys. 

I appreciate this walk, the sights the sounds.  I love the brightness of the sun shining over downtown shortly before sunset begins.  I appeciate the air the beautiful chill of Autumn inhaling deeply into my lungs.  I enjoy the changes nature is sharing as it prepares for a long winter's sleep.  I work on my connection with the kids taking turns of who will come along and giving them undivided attention. 

I really enjoy the 60 minute of quiet time that I might get while class goes on.  Mom of 8, out of the home worker,  Hubby's side job assistant, kids home full time, married means very little alone quiet time.  Normally I would never say I need or want that time.  I covet this time.  I feel refreshed and awake as I return to the other 9 and all the demands that I wholeheartedly accept. 

You might have to check back with me as our Indian summer turns to blistery frozen winter and we move out of walking distance...but for now it is this simple thing that makes my Monday.

What's Cooking

Cooking Light, has to be one of my all time favorite magazines. I find so many inspirations and recipes to add to our family cookbook. I appreciate the "transitional phase" it gives many items. I don't have to go all vegan or all pastured raised beef, this magazines allows me to pick and choose which also helps my budget.

Here is our attempt at the above recipe. The ingredients:


We used a cheese we have not previously had, it was a nice touch. The recipe also called for fingerling potatoes something we had not had previously, but fortunately we were able to find them at our local store. This is how ours looked at completion.


The kids were frowning a bit while I was making it. But everyone loved loved loved it. I had to snatch Daddy's serving out before it was all gone. Even the little ones devoured their rainbow chard. Good times.

Wordless Wednesday

We decided to walk to the store....not ride






Some were pushed....



Some skipped...


Some were daring....


There were adventures


One even drug something home


We decided to walk to the store not ride,
I am glad we did

Menu

This was supposed to posted yesterday, but alas.....

Everyone at sometime or another begins to look or take a second look at their diet. I do the same. I evaluate how much we are spending, how healthy we are eating, reading the list and checking it twice. I am constantly attempting to judge how much organic/natural foods we purchase. These items are not cheap and with a large family on an almost non existent budget it can become quite a juggling act to include these items in menu planning. I generally believe in the "hype" of an organic mostly vegetable (if not raw) lifestyle. I also know that Jesus stated did not want us to worry undully about tomorrow, and we were to sick the will of the Father first and foremost. Matthew 6:33-34. This allows me to have a fairly balance and open view of eating. I don't beat myself too much if I have to grab that sack of white flour off the shelf instead of my preferred unbromated unbleached flour.

I had noticed, probably due to my mood, that I was not fixing dinners. The kids had become accustomed to grazing. Eight kids eating all day is not a good thing. Of course all this last meeting eating also led to packaged foods, sweets, etc. So I had to check myself. We also have been watching those documentaries. You know Food Inc., Food Matters, Tapped and the like. Of course I walk away going I need to make some changes. I tweaked our menu. I have created a 5 week menu this way I don't need to worry about creating a new menu each week, which sometimes can be a task. Anyway in most families, certain items become favorites and most of us shuffle through several dozen recipes. I decided to cut down on some of our meat consumption. So we are going down to meat two days a week, this probably does not include our homemade pizza nights. I want to make our plates more colorful, making sure we partake of fruits and vegetables at each meal not just grains. Lastly I would like our morning and afternoon meals to composed of mostly raw fruits or vegetables.

Here is what I came up with:
5 Week Menu Plan


I love reading about cooking and attempting new recipes. I absolutely love my Cooking Light magazine. So you'll find the bottom non-colored row is what we are currently doing. I'll think I will use my menu as a jumping off point. I will adjust taking advantage of seasonal items, sales and recipes we want to try.

Things I know

Cover via AmazonI am joining in at Yay for Home, won't you

the soundtrack to Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Sound of Music, make me very happy and we go days playing them everywhere than they disappear for months only to return again sometime in the future

if springs doesn't not hurry its little tail along I'm going to go bonkers!

I am done with procrastination, it is causes so much drama over here...so maybe tomorrow I'll ....finish what I should be doing today...

somebody's feet, or legs, or arms are always growing

I enjoy turning up the music and dancing until I sweat with my kids so much more than I ever did in "da club"

What did you learn this week....link up at Yay for Home

Moving Away From Consumerisum

Image via WikipediaThis is a post and hopefully a series of post directed by bloggy friend over at Simple Single Mom she is most definitely an inspiration. The idea is to be conscious of what we buy and why we buy, to live within our means, and even more to consciously purchase.

The week of April 3rd:

Purchase of $11.99 Tea Tree Oil, we make most of our own cleaning supplies. So this item is indeed a house item, a consumable. I don't tend buy organic simply because of price. The same size bottle organic would cost $29.99. Now that I think of it we make ALL of our cleaning supplies except laundry and cloth diapering soaps.

Image via WikipediaPurchaesd of $53.46 for Legos. This were individual blocks purchased either through Lego directly or through ebay. These are for a Lego Club through Currclick. This month's class will be about building simply machines.

Purchase of $31.45 for math books. We school all year round and main subject items are purchased as needed.

While the last two items are necessary for the learning at home family. I still want to create a budget for these items. I want to have the money actually on hand, a line item budget item. I am not there yet but I hope to be by June.

I'll need to check with our dear leader in this matter as to if we should post all things we purchase or just the extras...hmm

Wordless Wednesday

----------------
Now playing: Karen O And The Kids - Animal
via FoxyTunes
Loving diaper butts, baby legs, wool balls, and a curious kid

Join Triple Duty Momma and The Adventures of a Curly Tot, they're some of the best busy moms and they are hosting this party hop!!

Monday, Monday

Today was kind of like that Mamma & Papa's Song, or even the Bangles. While Monday morning it not the beginning of my workweek, I do get off of work at 7am. It was overcast, a chilled wind blew off of the lake and with the smell of rain in the air their was the constant threat of a downpour. It felt like a day that should be experienced in bed 3 feed deep under comforters.

However 7 kids begin to think the sofa was some sort of launching pad. A robotic launching pad for cannon balls, I mean 7 kids, as a nearby Lego village needed completed destruction.
Soooo I knew I had to get moving. Image via Wikipedia







I didn't think my mood could take too many melt downs and brick walls so I thought we would go a little light on the subject matter. So after circle time, I thought we would focus on spring. Why? Because I wish it was here already! I didn't want to venture out of the house so we took advantage of our many window views, since we are on the 2nd floor. Children to various spots in different windows and began to draw what they thought were signs of spring. This was a nice quiet activity, maybe a couple more zzzz's for mom. But wait, what is in those buds? and where do they come from? Questions began to flow. Out came the botany books, the x-acto knife, magnifying glasses, and in came a few branches, pods, pine cones, and acorns. Before it was all said and done, we had disccested seeds and beans, planted sunflowers, tomatoes, and sprouts. We munched on a cake that we decorated to look like a garden. (I'll share pics later.)

All this flower activity lead to a discussion on the earth's rotation, and what is the weather like in Australia. What happened to a light load!

Though I started Monday morning with one idea my title as a Homeschool Parent lead me down another. This is part of the sweet joys of learning in freedom. While I had no frowny faces because someone still couldn't remember their fact families and another didn't want to complete the last two stanzas of that dreaded poem, we did complete fractions, and spelling, worked on vocabulary, and generally had a good day all without kids and mommy even knowing what was happening.

Things I Have Read

I read this post over at Mama-graphy. The blog is by a very thoughtful and wonderful spirited mom of some very busy adorable little ones. This particular post was entitled "Where are all the Black Kids?" Please read the post yourself, because I do a horrible job of paraphrasing.

I don't watch the news much. Of course in these days of internet, smart phones, who needs to. There is a reason why newspapers are folding all across America. But the reason I swore off news shows, for the most part,was I began to feel as if the majority of their segments were just nonsense, sensationalized, fear inciting, attention grabbing gunk. The eptimone of this feeling came when a segment on a channel came on releasing the latest results of the local public school standardized tests. The reporter spend about 3 minutes informing all of us that blacks still are far behind white in just about every subject. And that was it. I thought, was that necessary. Why did I need to know that information. Would it make a mother choose to read to child who normally didn't. Would it encourage a teacher to implement a new strategy? What was the information given? I could not find a good reason for it, but old fashioned attention grabbing smut.

So needles to say I don't by into or believe the hype. This is why I found this post so very interesting. The mother was wondering out loud as to why there not more (or in this case any)blacks in the extra curricular activities she has her children involved in, and than further was this telling of our expectation of our children and why it seems black children are failing.

My response:


I wonder if we are over simplifying a very complex and personal problem. AAs make up only 12.6% of the population. So, when we choose to do an activity that is a smaller % partakes in say homeschooling or summer camps, isn't it only normal that AA will than be a smaller, if not smallest slice of that pie. . So all those black kids are probably at home playing their video games like all the other white kids.

Your post was barely 24 hour old and yet you have had responses for at least 2 other mothers of color who are doing very similar things with their children as you are. I too am a homeschooling momma of 8. I began over 9 years ago as a single mom, working out side of the home full-time. I am now married and I continue to work outside of the home. If it wasn't for our geographical differences it appears you might have several more children of color in the class. So already your question has been answered, we are here! We are different parts of this city, county, state, and country doing the same thing you are. Let's get a cruise together and we can all meet up.

I don't believe there is an education gap. {{gasp goes the crowd}}My black boys can learn, has learned, and will continue to learn at the same rate as his white counter parts. There are some subjects my children excel and others they do not. My black girls enjoy math, and except for attempting to cut up the pig, absolutely love science. Especially because it helps them so much in their baking. Personally, I don't allow the amount of money (I don't make lol) or my marital status or where I live define who they will become or who I am. I believe when we take responsibility for ourselves and our family and we begin to fully understand that every aspect of these children's live depends on what we do than maybe others will likely become more involved in their children's education. I don't educate to a test. You can believe in an education gap I know what my children are capable and I never allow some outsider to limit it.

There is a huge issues of class that your are speaking to. There are still children who may still be 1st generation high school graduates. For those parents all they may see is that huge accomplishment of getting them out of high school. While for you and others high school may be a given, a non speaking point, you are looking further. Oprah said something once (of course more than once the lady is always talking). Being raised by her southern grandma, she said many times that her grandmother's biggest wish for her was to find some "good" white people to work for. Oprah laughed and said I wonder how her grandmother would feel if she knew I have a few good white people working FOR me. So many parents are living a very different life. A life that we may have worked hard to leave behind or separate from. But for these families they struggle with just wanting their children to graduate without babies, keeping their boys off the street and out of jail. I will not say that this are indeed accomplishment for these families. But as I have told my daughter, that is not MY defining goal for her. I don't plan on lowering my standards for my family. However I understand that for this family it is all they can see. Personally, I have silly ideas of world travel, higher education, missionary service, no sex before marriage, no dating until ready for marriage....some of these may not be your goals and that is okay.

I wonder if media plays a part in this distortion. I was raised with 2 parents, they worked, we went to libraries, museums, I played ball in the backyard with my dad and my siblings. And until I was almost 13 and ALL my experience were with other AA families that looked, walked, talked just like mine. There was no drinking, no smoking. It wasn't perfect , no family is, but this was normal to me. Around 13, I remember when I began to meet other families that were single parent, or earned much less than my family an they had a different story. Trust me I was shocked to know that they never went pumpkin picking outside of their kindergarten class. What do you mean you don't spend hours at the library? Your parents didn't take you on a college tour? Most of the remarks I said to myself. Normally our family would just enjoy allowing said child/family participate with us on this new adventure. I learned to see them and accept them and learn from them.

And from there my last point. What is so wrong about not gaining a college degree. Are we saying a happy life is only attained in a mini mansion, 2 cars and take out? What about those who want to make sure there children are doing something they love, not just following a paycheck? One can live very happy on very little money, with no debt, if they chose a simple lifestyle. If one of my sons wanted to become a carpenter, great (as long as he built me a house..okay or at least a kitchen) if he enjoyed it I would love it. If a child, graduates from high school, has a pretty good personality, awesome etiquette, is productive and law abiding will I whine that said child just made the % of blacks not going off to higher education larger...no.

There are choices. One of my jobs as a parent is to show them their many choices and the potential results of them. I don't follow statistics, they may have me give up my boys too soon, or force a non traditional learner into a college setting that not do they hate but fail in. I don't care what the tests say. I am here for MY child. I can't lay came to anyone else's. I also won't fool them into believing that a piece of paper is what will define them and foretell their future..(the Governor of my state can back that one up.)

I am always a little saddened about being the only or the few. The only black homeschooling family. The only large black family. The only home cooked meal family, the only non broadcast TV family, but all of these were my choice. So while I dream of one day finding a family (maybe yours) that I can intertwine my journey with, I choose to stay the course. I choose to laugh at the test results, the statistics, and standards because well we don't fit ANY of them. But than again that's the home birthing, extended breastfeeding, co sleeping, attached parenting, home cooking, submissive wife, gospel spreading, only girl, blacksheep, kind of freak that I am.

Friday Five Fact

It's time again. Time to reveal 5 little known facts about you, your family, maybe your job, your childhood, whatever you may see fit. This little ditty was started over at Simple City Life, please join in.

#Many people feel that my religion does not believe in Jesus. We certainly do believe in Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior.

#After being thoroughly planted and raised in one house, one city, for over twenty years, I cut loose and have spent time in AZ, CO, MN, and CA.

Image via Wikipedia#Pepsi is my crutch. After watching the movie "Tapped" I was thoroughly enraged and determined to boycott Pepsi....that lasted all of 19 hours 33 minutes. I'll try again next week.

#I have worked 3rd shift for over 10 years and it has now become part of my fiber and personality.

#When I was younger, I would dream of my future family. It was made of 12 children, which were all twins, 6 sets, a boy and a girl in each set and for some strange reason...there was always a red head in there.

Go check Simple City Life's Facts and let's hear yours..

Things I Know

or as I feel today, things I am pretty darn sure about...

I love these posts. I see the funny, the frustrating, and what is important. I see how we are all very similar. I enjoy smiling to myself as I read through the post. Please join Yah for Home, it's her idea and just a follower....

I still get butterflies when I see my husband's profile and I really know what large closets are for

diversity mean inclusion, I laugh, learn and have empathy because my friends are different from me in age, race, class, family status, and oh boy moral stature. It's not enough to be want diversity or to tolerate diversity we must BE diverse.

my kids are going to be some kind of wacko crunchy opinionated bugaboos....all we watch is documentaries and read articles, they even request them. Mom we are not going to THAT store are we you know they.....oh just shut up and come on

crockpot crockpot crockpot....next week I will know how to make 3 square meals @ day from the most remarkable, time saving , saving grace peace equipment that a working homeschooling momma of 8 could have

Wordless Wednesday

Link up! hosted by Triple Duty Momma and The Adventures of Curly Tot

A little sadness

I was reading this postBeautopotamus: I'm having a crisis and I started to thing of how I was feeling about age, growing older, wider , lol.

The last week or so I have been blue. I thought it could be winter, dragging on, it's enough to drive anyone insane, especially with bouts of sunshine and 60 degree only to see clouds and 20 the next. I also thought maybe it is the onset of one of my episodes, I do have clinical depression. Trickle, trickle, a weird feeling came over me, went to the bathroom, oh, oh it's y period. Explains it right.

Don't think I am too loopy, I have not had a period in maybe 3 years or more, I have breastfed my last 4 children, continually until another bump began showing. So I forgot what changes and mood swings my body goes through.

This time around the sadness is a little deeper. This monthly flow, and maybe every monthly flow afterward is a remainder that I will never carry a baby in my belly, as the youngest kids say, again. My DH and I decided that eight was enough. I am filled with a sadness and a slight empty feeling hard to explain.

I don't WANT another baby. I am more than happy with our wonderful family. I guess it is just a woman thing. I enjoy being a mom, I enjoy carrying life, I enjoy nourishing life. I also enjoy nurturing life.

I there also is a renewed desire to cherish the babies around me. Never again will I have a 9 month old, a 2 year old, 4 year old, 6 year old, 9 year old, 11 year old, 14 year old and a 17 year old. I will enjoy their smiles and laughter a bit more. I want to kiss each bruise and fall with new vigor. I want to be fully present for them.

In the end this is why we chose to stop, so we could completely embrace the ones that are here. I will have time and energy for each of their requests, antics, and needs. I love them. I love being their mommy. This was our choice, not influenced by family, society, religion. Just a mom and a dad trying to figure out what is best. While I miss what could have been, what has passed, I am grateful for a husband who worked with me. I am grateful for children who embraced each and every new gift. I am grateful for the few friends that did not judge or scoff. I will feel and embrace this sadness, but use that emotion to love the ones that are right here.

Basic Chateuse Recycled Wool Slippers, sz 1824m

Basic Chateuse Recycled Wool Slippers, sz 1824m:

I have quietly mentioned trying to get a handle on clothing purchases. We don't spend a lot of money on clothes. We shop thrift, hand-me downs, and sales. I am looking to try and get away from that hurried someone needs something and they need it right now, kind of thing we have going on right now. I want to can create a budget and remain within it. I also want to begin to plan for the season ahead, not the current one. We have four definite seasons and we have to dress for each one. Buy scouring sales I hope by the end of this summer to be fully prepared for the fall, maybe even the winter.

So on this journey, I wanted to purchase good quality soft sole shoes for DS4. Purchasing quality items = good green choice + longevity. Now either may not always hold true, but I'm making an effort to purchase quality in less quanity. Trying to have a minimalist thinking. If good pair of shoes is better than four lesser quality ones better for your feet, last longer so maybe less money in the long run. I'm trying to figure that out.

Enter Woolly Bottoms. While learning about cloth diapering, I discovered the wonders of wool. I noticed her slippers and liked them. I bought a pair for DS3 and they are great quality, warm, easy to care for and she makes them herself. I wanted to purchase a pair for DS4, after that everyone would have their inside shoes and I could focus on summer shoes. But with their slippers you have to grab them quick. It took 3 months.

Finally I nabbed them. I had to wait around, keep my trigger finger ready and than type like a mad woman.
-"notice the sold out sign, is because of me :)

Baby Boy has his slippers, now we are all set.

What!? DS1 just showed me his slippers, they have a hole, a huge hole on the bottom of the sole! Okay, now I'm saving my pennies for some Smartwool sippers for the one who believes he can't pick up his feet but drags them. Or maybe I'll just purchase some quick drying cement.

Excuse me while I cry in defeat.

Friday Five

Okay okay I almost forgot about the fact. Please join Simple Life and let us know 5 facts about you too.

I hate peas, I love pods, the casing around the peas makes me gag, the casing around beans makes me gag, but if they are smooched they are divine

I want to be a morning person, I am so NOT a morning person

I am a closet hermit. I want nothing more than to be a vagabond, maybe later, for now I raise the kiddos and try really hard to be sociable...how am I doing :)

My dh is 8 years my junior. There I said it. He is my young stud, love keeping him happy. I feel as though I dreamed him, as if all those times as when I thought of my prince it was he. Except when I want to let out a pack of wild dogs to chase him away, that doesn't happen too many times.

Head on over to Simple Life and join in...

Things I Know

From Yah For Home!

I need to be more careful with that chat widget inside of gmail, because for the 2nd time I have told someone I never met and only emailed 2x that I love them more than anything (thought I clicked on my husband's icon).

Dinner needs to begin at 330pm no later or there won't be any dinner.

children love routines, and I need to work on mine.

doing this natural parenting things usually means going it alone for me.

I love the time I have at home

God does not judge me for the food I eat, toys I buy, all thing in moderation

God gave me a brain and free will to make decisions that impact my family

God does not send me specific signs, like parting the cereal aisle and only leaving HIS choice standing, and so I bounce back and forth, organic, natural, cheapest, grab what my PMS demands

I had great plans to blog and do a little cleaning/organizing but a 2 year old is calling my name and if I don't get moving it will turn to a blood screeching scream shortly.

Wordless Wednesday

>Shh, we trying to get some sleep

Spring has arrived.....WHAT

(sounds of screeching tires)
That is sound going off in my head right now. I had planned to a post on spring, and to post it on Monday. But all my plans, smiles, and ideas came to a screeching halt.

I think everyone, around this time of year, begins to feel a little anxious. Most are eager to spend more time outdoors, gardening, sprucing up the house. I am waiting for the smell of cut grass, sounds of the ice cream truck, and the warmth of sun drying clothes on an outside line. So on our morning walks, the kids and I have been looking for signs. Buds on trees, green foliage, jackets instead of parkas and of course our dear state bird the robin.

We have been enjoying our walks. The children using their logic and reasoning skills explaining why they focused on one item or another. I purchased a curriculum specific for outdoor nature work. People-- I was gearing up for a good ole time. Summer is around the corner, oh happy days. This is where sound of those tires come in.

We have had 3 days of torrential rains and just so you know I am not lying here is a look at my upcoming forecast.

How could I forget! How can I not remember where I live! While March 21st may be the first day of spring on the calendar, around here we wear parkas until May. I forgot I live in Wisconsin. The state synonymous with words like glaciers, frozen tundra, blizzards, 12" snow drifts, and the oh so popular what no -5 degrees does not constitute a snow day. I became a little more than bummed. Thoughts of frolicking babies, and carefree outdoor lessons was snatched from me like a thief in the night.

During this turn in weather we had errands to run. When we finally made it home we were completely soaked and cold. Chilled to the bone, shaking. So everyone needed to change, after warm baths, we all donned fleece pj's, wool slippers, and our plush terry robes. We all chatted over some hot chocolate and than spent the evening cuddled in bed reading to each other.

Okay....as long as I am surrounded by their wonderful faces and a few small comforts, I guess I can wait for old man winter finally looses his grip on this state. Without further ado, our first signs of spring:

Friday Five

Image by Steve Kay via FlickrA magnificent person over at Simple City Life does random facts about her life/family on Fridays. Simple City Life: {Friday Five}: "
I love her idea so I would like to tag along:

1. The sun makes me smile, always. I love to feel it. I love to see it. It is inspirational when it comes from out behind a cloud. If every I am in a bad mood. Find the nearest sunny spot and sit me in it, for about 10 minutes, I'll come back a new woman.

2. I hate bedtime. No I like to sleep, but I have not got any rhythm set up for the kids. I am either so tired that by 8 830 I am like go you to bed, vanish now, or because I work 3rd shift I am so focused on what I need to get done so I can get out of the house. So sorry kids. I am really working on it.

3. I love jelly beans. Well honestly I love Brach's Jelly Beans which only come out during this time of the year. So I just recently sent my husband to the store at 10:50pm to begin my stockpile.

4. I have to do laundry everyday. It begins to look like a blob, or the thing, or it, something, something smelly. I also have no room for piles of clothes to hang around. So I do roughly 3-4 loads each and everyday. Of course that includes cloth diapers.

5. Blogging frightens me. I am not that interesting, I'm pretty pathetic, I am a complete mess, I have so much to work on, and by putting my ideas and thoughts in black and white, you just might find that out to.

What's are some facts about you?

Clothes for 10

Image via Wikipedia The most frequent question I get when people see/hear of how many children I have is "How do you do it?" Of course, I usually respond with a blank stare....Well this is an all encompassing question. What do you mean? How do we get around? How do we feed all 8 kids? How my husband and I ever get "me" time? Or how come you're not locked in a closet crying right now?


This is really an all encompassing question. Though I know most people look at the financial aspect of a larger than normal family.

I read, follow, many blogs, most of which involve some level of frugal, cheap, buy it for less type thinking. I am not a coupon queen, not in the least. It is actually an area in which I know I could grow in. However, I still find my share of deals. I constantly sign up for the frequent buyer cards, member cards, get on email/mailing list of stores I frequent. I usually check clearance areas first and most importantly I am a lover of all things used!

I am working on getting a season ahead. Meaning, buying next year's winter clothes around this time. I'm not there yet. This shopping trip detailed below got me a lot closer to that goal.



I receive daily emails from Land's End announcing sales and new arrivals. This was a recent sale. 25% off anything plus free shipping - no minimum. Our toddler was in need of some shoes. So I purchased these shoes which are regularly $34.50. I purchased them from their Overstock section, applied the coupon and the total, including tax and shipping was $7.45.







The other store I shopped at (via computer of course) was Famous Footwear. I am part of their members program. This programs keeps tally of points. I earn 1.5 points for every dollar I spend, once I reach 100 points they send out coupons worth a certain dollar value quarterly. My family shops here about twice a year. We will gather summer shoes and maybe winter boots. That is about it. I have fallen behind on how we usually do things, so this time around I was looking for just said toddler again. Well here I purchased a pair of sandals and some tennis shoes, used our $25 coupon and a 15% + free shipping promo code that was active for that weekend. Total cost for those shoes including shipping was $15.37, it should have been $40.39 plus shipping.

That means I spent roughly $7.73 on each pair of shoe. Not too shabby. I wonder what I may accomplish if I try a little harder. Better get my scissors sharpened. What tricks of the trade do you use?

In the Kitchen

My kids love to be in the kitchen. I don't necessarily love it. I have a large family so to feed them in the most economical and nutrious way, I choose to find ways to become excited by it. Through trial and error our family has developed some pretty tasty recipes. I make awesome soups, the kids make banging chili, and we put together some mean roasts in our crock-pot.

There are several items that have eluded me. Most are in the backing category. So I am so grateful to PBS Parents over @ Twitter, who posted this scrumdiliuptious (not a word I know stop hate'n) recipe for soft pretzels. Who doesn't love soft pretzels!!??? I don't care that you don't you don't count!

I have a hard time finding good one. I don't like any of those franchise ones you can find at the mall, too soft and wet for me. But I can't wait until State Fair to have my tummy tickled. Here is the recipe they posted. It turned out so well. I mean good. We have tried several times before all were fails. This recipe was super easy to follow. Try it, they are also having a giveway for a pack of gourmet pretzels, mmm. If you don't enter, better for me.

I would share but they are all gone

Really......just a personal issue

----------------
Now playing: Mary J. Blige - Just Fine (Main)
via FoxyTunes
Ok, so here I go.

Have you seen this photo.
Isn't she just too cute. She is the spitting image of her very elegant mom. I am so jealous :). She IS a style icon already. The world was abuzz by this photo. The question was, is this little girl too old to be hanging on to a pacifier.

Ok just to cut to the chase. Who really cares and is it any of our business. Ooops did I say something wrong. No seriously this is what is so wrong with women in general. I mean really if Suri's teeth come in crooked due to extended pacifier use, I think they might be able to get to the orthodontist to get her fixed up. Who knows they probably already has the world's best lined up. But most importantly when whatever happens, will I be there to hold her hand, will I open the bill, will I have to nag her to keep her retainer in. Not in the slightest. So why do some many people care, because some of us women love to judge.

It is this right to a quick judgment that keeps me from playgroups, mom's meetings, breastfeeding support groups, and general society interactions. It is because of this mindset I will drive, walk, bus, out of my way to get my kids to a playground where there is no one. I don't want this same lash of criticism. If one of my children's hair is not combed. Someone's jeans are ripped, or if we wore no shoes. I could give you a milion and one reason why this may occur, all which most of you as mothers would understand. But why should I have to. Hey, you're a mom can't you dream some up. Why do you suppose that if my child's shirt is dirty, or hair is out of place, or I look run over, we feel that explains my class, culture, mother capabilities and generally whether I am worthy or not.

I usually don't say this out loud. I usually leave my antisocial behavior to me just being some type of misfit. A wonderful open blogger posted about her hermit like behaviors, and wondered why others may or may not be.

This is a large reason why I am a hermit. I never feel like I fit in. I don't fit any stereotype, genre, location, or graph. And because a certain behavior, style, or allowance of mine may overstep the boundaries of your box, I will be judged.

Me, I look at it like this. A pacifier for many older children are a security item. I am sure if she could or would have ever experienced it she would prefer her mom's bosom. Maybe she dislikes all her handlers and wishes she could just hold her mom's hand. Maybe she is frightened by all clicks and flashes she sees every time she steps out. Maybe her ears hurt her from people yelling her parents names. Maybe she wishes for longer snuggle time or co sleeping where her Mom and Dad lay in bed with her so she can feel their warmth and listen to their heartbeat and know all is well in her world. And maybe she needs an extra level of comfort before stepping out into a world that more resembles the floor of the stock exchange than a walk through central park.

These are my eyes. I wonder if the homeless lady in the tattered wool blanket who is standing in the middle of the street yelling obscenities, has family, or does she have a diagnosed mental oddity, does she love her mom, what was her childhood like.

I would do this for you as well. When your little one decides it is great timing to pitch a fit in the checkout lane of the busy grocery store, and there is no bagger in sight, and you forgot to grab that $50 your husband left on the table for you and now you are counting the change out of the bottom of your purse, of course that you have to dump out and all the contents spill loudly to the floor. I will help you pick them up. I will instruct my children to the same (all 8 of them, think of how fast it would all pick up). I would give you an understanding smile. Most of all, I would never repeat the story to anyone. What so my "friends" could laugh at how obviously disorganized, without the ability to control their child, probably on some type of assitance or fixed income, mother you are. No I wouldn't do it.

Would you do the same for me? Suri is a cutie pie, enough said.

You've Got Mail

Here is my 1st copy of the O Magazine Subscription. Thanks to Groupon, I was able to get a year subscription for $10! We shall see if I have time to write it.

Gracias to my Kiddos

Thanks guys for helping Dad and I get through the day. Somedays it seems like we are just coming and going. I appreciate your help. I enjoy who you are individually and am amazed at what you can do collectively.

It was with your encouragement and assistance we made it to the meeting. Thanks

A long song to let you know how I feel each day that I get to wake up and be your mother.

Yesterday was better

than today.


Our dryer has gone out. Broken fan. This is not good in anyone's home. Of course we just compound the problem by cloth diapering 2 kiddos and have 10 beings running around here. Laundry piles up easily and very quickly. I hate seeing dirty laundry. Maybe because it is a never ending task. Don't worry there will be three loads to greet you in the morning, regardless of what you get done the night before.

I just quit a part time job. I did find something to replace with it. But of course the chaos I was attempting to leave is still nipping at my heels. The silly company has not paid me my last paycheck. Of course I get the proverbial "the checks in the mail".

The other parts of my day went well. I had the energy to smile and engage with the kids. Teeth brushed, hair combed, dressed and the little ones were off. The older children were great helpers to me. Toward the evening I was just wiped out.

My former midwife, soon to be preceptor stopped by for a chat. It was great talking with her. I am such a hermit I may go literally months without talking to a girlfriend "really talking" and than when I finally get to sit and chat I feel like I missed it.

Hubby made it through 2 jobs today. I was able to see him briefly in between. I hope he is able to sleep well tonight. I hope I am as I have a double myself to look forward to.

So it Begins

This may be some sort of beginning. It may some sort of end. It could be really good. I know there will be some bad.

My husband will embark on a quest to work 80 hours a week for a sustained period. I already work about 55 hours each week. My dear dear hubby has many aspirations, purchasing a home, a reliable car, emergency fund. Nothing too extravagant but things that, after almost a year of unemployment is not so quickly attained. He has finally, with much input from me, come to see that no amount of quick fast cash or dreams will remedy his cravings. One thing and one thing alone will get him to his goals, his finish line...hard work.



I will assist my wonderful partner in the many ways I can, and you dear reader will be able to laugh as I fall, become annoyed, complete a challenge and scrap the whole darn thing and start over again. See, we have 8 children, yes 8. So this has to be a well oiled machine. Uh, and I am not well at anything. But if nothing else has this is a push, a kick to get back to full time home cooked meals, regular cleaning schedule, lesson planning, family study and game nights.

So this is how it goes.