Family Life in Colorado

Book Review: Patriots by James Rawles

2009-12-19T14:10:00.002-07:00

I have to say that I was excited to finally have the opportunity to read the book. I read www.survivalblog.com regularly and had heard much. Boy, was I disappointed.

Did it bother anyone else that Dan Fong was usually referred to as Dan Fong, and not just Dan? What did the new moms use for diaper rash? Or women use for monthlies? Or men use to shave? When they bugged out to the woods, what did they eat without cooking (the fires during daylight only would have had smoke give away their position, right?) and how did they clean their clothes? The toilet paper issue would have been a good idea to bring up in the book IF it had actually been mentioned again after 3, 4, 5 years after the crash, uh, Crunch. Almost everyone had the same voice (talked the same way), and most people don't have the financial means to do that much prepping, so how many people, really, can this book help? Introduction of new characters would give a huge backstory and very rarely speak again. As for the religion being crammed down readers' throats... 'nuf said.

I found this book to be good with basic info, but a huge pain to read. No one seemed real, and the first rule of fiction writing is to help the reader "suspend disbelief" - or make it feel real.

This book should have been just a non-fiction manual, and never been attempted as a novel. Where was the editor during the publishing process (first or last times?). No character development or plot. Very little actual setting. Internal conflict? Points of view? Geez, from a literary standpoint, this book was NOT a novel.

I realize Mr. Rawles has a huge following and is supposed to be one of the most knowledgeable and followed survivalists. That's fine. This is not an attack on him, but just a humble opinion about this book. I read it in a bookstore, over the course of several days. I'm very glad I didn't buy it. I am sorry that I wasted my time.

I have a lot of non-fiction books on many topics, from gardening to fishing to defense to survival to history to science experience to ... well, just about everything. I also have access to the web. Get the info from this book online (now, while there still is an internet), visit thrift stores and yard sales for inexpensive reference books.

Don't waste your money on this book.

Just my 2 cents worth...

Neighbor Problems CO Lic Plate 644-HCF

2009-11-24T14:31:00.002-07:00

Have you ever had a neighbor who did things on purpose to make the lives of the people around them miserable? Noise. Destruction of property. Harrassment. And those same people, no matter what law enforcement arrives at their door step, lie about everything and get out of it?

The people who go with this license plate (I think I wrote it down right) are just such people. Sure would be nice if these people got a taste of their own medicine.

Maybe karma will bite them in the ass.

Anxiety About Our Future

2009-11-13T15:11:00.004-07:00

Part of this is the swine flu. Part is noisy neighbors. The biggest part is that we're so ready to get our next (and last) homestead, and still have to wait another few days before we're "well-enough" to be with other people. Meanwhile, properties I had my eye on are being snatched up, and our savings is dwindling (medical costs, new brakes on the Bronco, etc.).

And I have too many blogs. So... do I combine them? Redirect to one? If so, which one? We're preparing to follow our hearts to be as self-sufficient as possible, which means a lot of gardening (ok, LOTS of trees, and some veggie gardening), taking care of animals, preserving what we get from them and living more off of what we create on that land or bartering as opposed to spending money and using depleting resources.

So... advice?

Labor Ready Charges

2009-11-09T23:17:00.000-07:00

I've used local Labor Ready offices for "muscle" when I have things to move, and am usually pretty satisfied with them. Sometimes, when more than one person is hired, they sometimes have personality differences that makes me intervene, but for the most part, they do the job pretty well.

As to the offices, they send paperwork with the workers for me to sign, giving a range of funds they can charge, in case it goes over. One particular office never seems to get the charges correct, and often 2, 3, and even 4 weeks later, they charge extra. Even tho I last used this office, Thornton, at the end of September, an additional charge just hit me, that put my account in the negative. Gee! Thanks for giving me the heads up and saying "Look, we didn't charge enough for service date whatever, and we need to charge an additional whatever on this date." Did we get this call? No! So, gee, thanks Labor Ready for putting my account in the negative, and charging whatever you feel like, whenever you feel like.

Per my phone call today, even tho I'm hoarse and very sick with the swine flu, I expect an accounting of the entire process in the mail as soon as possible. I think your office had already charged everything correctly, and you messed it up like you did about a year ago.

Note to people reading this: do NOT sign that "blanket" form that you don't get to keep a copy of, and if you choose to use Labor Ready, I suggest you request an invoice no later than a week after service date. Examine it. Make sure they don't overcharge.

Hit by Swine Flu again.

2009-11-08T16:07:00.002-07:00

I woke up Saturday, coughing and wheezing. By early afternoon, Hubby convinced me to take my temp (elevated almost 2 degrees) then to the doctor's. He said I have the flu, most possibly the swine flu, and started me on Tamiflu.

My whole bod aches, my head is pounding, my chest throbs from the coughing, my temp is still on the rise, and I just wanna sleep.

It's obvious that even tho I was taking preventative measures, my compromised immune system got me anyway. Thanksfully, Hubby and Kid are still pretty healthy and haven't come down with this.

Yuck.

Happy Birthday, my boy

2009-11-05T03:41:00.001-07:00

Today my child turns 13. A teenager. I've been a mess for at least a week... the little bitty thing I held in my arms 13 years ago with strawberry blond hair and dimple in a tiny chin is now taller than I am, with deep bronze hair. As strong a personality as 13 years ago.

Happy Birthday, Squeezy.

Val Vigil Blows Leafs, Doesn't Sweep

2009-10-30T16:50:00.004-06:00

Politician, Real-Estate Broker, Accountant, and just an all-around busy person, is running for City Council. I already did a post on that (at: http://thorntonwilliamsfamily.blogspot.com/2009/09/dont-vote-for-val-vigil-for-thornton.html ), and why he should NOT be elected.

I'm finally getting around to posting a video I took on September 17 2009 ... of Val leaf-blowing the sidewalk in front of his house. I thought it was funny and really sad because of several reasons: (1) he claims to be environmentally minded, (2) in the 1 1/2 years I lived across the street from him, he NEVER used a broom to do this, and (3) well, it's obvious that he's banking on people not finding out that he isn't what he claims.

I'm not a bitter person. He did make our lives hell while we lived there, but we're now gone (thank goodness!) and it's time people found out that the sweet concerned man people THINK they are electing.... well, really isn't.

Here's the link to his contributions: http://www.cityofthornton.net/cclk/Election/Reports/Val_Vigil.pdf ... wow, $250 then another $300 from Jared Polis. Well, I guess since Val helped to get Jared elected... one hand washes the other. But ... where are the contributions from his neighbors? And how come the balance remaining in his election fund for reporting on Friday, October 30 2009 (10/9 thru 10/25) is $4,585.62? Was it all spent these last few days? What did it go for?

Anyway... here's the video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D_rgTva3IU

Vote for Ralph Moore. I met him, and chatted with him for a while. Twice! He's a good man who is very concerned about the Thornton community. Elect Ralph this November 3 2009 election day.

Keywords: election, City Council, Val Vigil, Ralph Moore, Thornton, politics, state representative, revitalization, RTD, property rights, environmentalism, carbon footprint, rules, regulations, neighbors helping neighbors, lies, community, meticulous, leaf blower, laziness, broom, recycling, respect, candidate, contributions, vote, November 3 2009

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Update: Unfortunately Val won. Sorry Thornton. You made a baaaddd choice! Nov 5 2009

DTV still doesn't work for us. You?

2009-10-06T11:26:00.002-06:00

No matter what room of the house we're in, or what converter box or antenna we hook up, we still have to constantly adjust the antenna. It depends on the time of day, the station, the weather, location of people in the room, etc.

We're too cheap to get cable or direct TV or satellite, so that is out of the question. We priced a better antenna last weekend, and practically walked away while gagging. Big rip-off.

This digital TV was a really bad idea to do. The bandwidth problem could have been solved another way. This just shows yet again legislation that was made without the People's ok.

Anyone else having troubles?

Don't vote for Val Vigil for Thornton City Council 2009

2009-09-07T18:21:00.007-06:00

Mr. Val Vigil is running for Thornton City Council, Ward 2, in Thornton, Colorado.

I currently live across the street from Mr. Vigil, and have since January 2008. Thank goodness we're moving. If we were to continue living here, I'd campaign hard for his opponent.

Mr. Vigil was a State Representative at the State Capitol from 1999-2006 (8 years) but lost his bid for re-election. According to: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1686944/posts , he "blames racism for his loss", oh, and "fears about illegal immigration". Hmmm.

As a Thornton Representative in 2005, according to: http://www.nataliementen.com/index.php?dex=15 , he sponsored Senate Bill 05-182, allowing RTD (bus service) to take away property rights (from what I understand).

He is a member of the Thornton Revitalization Task Force (http://www.cityofthornton.net/Neighbor/RevitalizationTaskForce/Documents/TaskForceMinutesApril2.pdf ) - now, this explains a lot. If you read this blog, you know how Thornton has so many stupid rules and regulations (yes, my opinion). Well, I won't get into any details other than to say that maybe parts of Thornton need help, but suburbs don't.

Now, in 2009, his elect-me page (at http://www.voteforval.com/ ) says he believes in "neighbors helping neighbors" but I've never seen this. He criticized us (my little family) for not watering our lawn often enough. He didn't pick up the apples and plums that fell from his trees to the sidewalk and street outside his fence and rotted (yes, he gave us a few apples but we gave him a big bag of fresh home-grown tomatoes). He says he believes in "giving back to your community" but doesn't do anything in this little area of our suburb except keep his lawn meticulously.

According to: http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/527/colorado_chiropractic_pac.asp - he received $500 for his "Committee to Elect Val Vigil" from Colorado Chiropractic PAC "527"

His facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/people/Val-Vigil/1270587535 - check him out there and here: http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Vigil_Valerie_1043443611.aspx .

More on a personal note, living across the street from him, I've noticed that:

In 2008 and 2009 he did NOT turn off his lights of during the Lights Out, which indicates to ME that he isn't environmentally minded. Lights Out is when people (and businesses) turn out their lights and as many electrical items as possible for an entire hour to help reduce our carbon footprint.
He has two trash cans but no green recycling cans. The City of Thornton provides these as part of the sewer/water/trash service, and yet I've never seen one of these green cans on his property, or put out for trash/recycling day. Again, environmentally minded?
I've never seen him use a broom to sweep his driveway. Instead, he uses what looks to be a leaf blower. Huh? Yep, you read right. (Oh, and when I went over at 7:15 a.m. to ask him to wait another 45 minutes or so before running it, he basically told me he didn't have to do any such thing, then turned it back on and ignored me. I have insomnia and other sleep issues, and unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident.

I'm sure he is well loved by his friends and family, but I haven't talked to a neighbor who really respects him. Perhaps I just haven't connected with the right people.

I'm not doing this to hurt him. All of this is either my observation and opinion, or what I've read online (and thus, noted the source). I just feel he is NOT the best candidate to work in government - not even local. I ask you to please NOT vote for Val, and instead, give your vote to Ralph W. Moore.

Sorry, Val.

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Disclaimer: This is only what I've read online, and from my personal experience. To verify any of this, please do your own research, and come to your own conclusions.

Rant About Dr. Phil and housework

2009-09-02T15:32:00.004-06:00

I was watching Dr. Phil today, while I'm anxiously awaiting results from mammogram (found lump in underarm), when I got ticked off at the almighty guru.

The topic is supposedly women who have become breadwinners in this economy, and their spouses who resent it. Now, while I haven't watched the entire program (on phone with real estate agent, hubby, and there's a roofer making repairs above my head), I'm fuming about the little I've seen.

A couple was on, where the woman works full time and the hubby doesn't work, and he doesn't do much housework at all. He appears to have "health issues" and resents being "required" to do housework. She doesn't like coming home to find even more stuff to do. And from the part I saw, Dr. Phil took his side! She could give in a little. Not be so picky. Don't care what your neighbors say. Don't worry about dust bunnies. Or do it herself and give him some slack.

What?

Excuse me... but any adult who doesn't pick up around the house needs to get a reality check. Why should she have to work a full-time job then come home and spent another couple of hours doing housework?

Now I will say that her expectation of him to do 2 hours of housework a day is ridiculous. We have a 4 bedroom tri-level house (1400 square feet) and the three of us can clean this houses top to bottom in about 3 hours. Less if we pick up as we go along.

If the house is too big to do 30 minutes of housework a day to get it done, then the house needs to go. Do vacuuming 3 times a week. Do the bathrooms 2 times a week. Dishes after dinner. Dust and dust mop 1 time a week. I mean, come on! If someone is sitting at home all day, getting up to go to the fridge or bathroom or check the mail once or twice a day, while he's up he can put a load of laundry in the wash, or swipe with a dust cloth, or load the dishwasher.

Shame on you, Dr. Phil. I saw the episode where you tried to do Robin's job, and you failed. You and Robin sugarcoated it, but you failed at doing daily chores. Man up yourself!

House Still Ours

2009-08-06T09:50:00.001-06:00

The contract on our house fell through. We're showing again, and our lives are in total upheaval.

I'll be glad when this is done.

We have an offer?!

2009-07-17T06:13:00.002-06:00

The house was only on the market for 6 days, and we got an offer. It's a tad lower than what we need so we're sending a counteroffer today.

Still... just goes to show you... we did a great job (1) getting this house ready for the market, and (2) promoting this house, with a new craigslist ad every other day (delete old, add new), and our blog.

Yippee!!

Showing Our House

2009-07-15T18:12:00.002-06:00

I hate this part of selling a house. Not that I've ever done it before. But when I get a call that someone wants to look at our house from [time] to [time], we have to vacate for that time period. And leave the house looking spotless, staged and everything in its place.

And then we have to find something to do.

Today we had 2 scheduled for 3-5 p.m. and one for 6-7:30 p.m.

So, here I am, typing this entry, while sitting in a nearby Village Inn Restaurant. We've been here for almost 2 hours, eating an early dinner while catching up on e-mails and reading blogs. I intended to type entries into some of our other blogs, but this restaurant is very cold and my kid wants to leave.

Off to Barnes and Nobles. Where I couldn't find a place to plug in the computer.

Oh well. Guess I'll read until 7:30, then we'll go home and end our day.

Argh.

How to Sell Your Home

2009-07-15T07:58:00.004-06:00

Getting our house here in Thornton, Colorado ready to sell has been horrible, time-consuming, money-intensive, and just plain hard work. I threw my back out many times, sweated buckets, lost feeling in my left leg, and much more.

It's not that we had major repairs or anything, but we needed to pack up stuff, change our some decorations, store some thing tht we didn't want to have "disappear", and a big intensive cleaning.

So... how to sell your home:

Um... Don't sell!

No, really, we're buying only ONE more house. This time, we won't settle. We have made our list of what we want in a home that will be the final home we'll ever live in (well, at least for Hubby and I). No more compromises. And if we don't find our perfect home for what we can afford, we'll move into an apartment for 6 months while we find the perfect home.

Alright, here's a short list of what I've learned:

Do all repairs necessary, except those that aren't cost effective. For instance, we need to replace most of our fence but can't afford to. We priced our home a little more than what we want so we can "give" in to that for fence repair.

Is your house cluttered? Have lots of stuff? Lots of furniture? Personal pictures on the walls? Sorry, but you need to store most of it (we use http://www.smartboxusa.com/ instead of PODs because smartbox is cheaper!). Keep out only the bare minimum furniture/furnishings.

Take almost all decorations off the walls. Fill in nail holes. Paint so that the filler doesn't show.

Make the entire house "vanilla". Don't let anything stand out. You want people to see the house, not the decorations. So paint "eggshell-white" or beige over that bright red wall!

Keep watering, trimming and mowing the lawn/landscape. Brown grass is a big turn-off; your potential buyers might just keep driving, not even stopping in for a scheduled appointment.

Keep your kitchen clean. That may mean no cooking. Good idea anyway, because you don't want a vegetarian walking into your house smelling pot roast, or, god forbid, fish.

Empty ALL of your trash cans daily.

Vacuum regularly.

Collect the business cards left by Agents during showings.

Deoderize sinks by sprinkling a little baking soda down the sink and rinsing. Daily.

Shower at night. Hang the towels to dry. In the morning, when re-staging the house, fold the towels and put them away. Don't use the towels you've staged in your bathroom for "decoration".

Lend your pets to someone for the duration of your house being shown to sell. You DON't want the pet hair and smell and food and excrement to turn off a potential buyer. Plus, you might get an allergic person looking at your house.

If you have kids, like we do, you'll have to bite the bullet, and pack away most of their stuff. My son's room has only his bed and his desk. He has 4 tubs of toys in his closet, which can be put away at a moment's notice. His schoolwork is on a shelf in the family room. His clothes are immediately put away after laundry-time. Depending on the age of your kids, you have to talk about this, and why it's important to keep EVERYTHING picked up.

Have a house with no a/c? Get fans and portable air conditioners, and make sure they are turned on at least 1 hour before a scheduled showing. We keep the fans on all day.

Our house has been on the market for 4.5 days and already we've had 5 showings. No offers yet but our real estate agent is optimistic.

I'm sure I missed something. Comments?

PETA and the Fly VERSUS Prez Obama

2009-06-18T06:45:00.004-06:00

Have you heard the latest criticism of President Obama? He was being pestered by an ordinary housefly while being interviewed. He tried to shoo it away, and it just wouldn't go. So he swatted and killed it.

Now PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is getting involved. Boy, are they ticked. They say he should have kept shooing it away, or had someone else try to catch it and move it.

HE WAS DOING AN INTERVIEW!!!

Maybe he should have paused the televised interview with CNBC correspondent John Harwood?

"Excuse me, could someone get over here and remove this fly? I don't CARE if there's a deadline for this interview's completion! This is a living creature that must be taken care of. Much more important than the American Citizens I'm working to help."

Come on! If a fly is ok, then is a mosquito? They are about the same size. Both are irritating and carry diseases, but yes, mosquitos could possibly give Prez Obama the West Nile Virus.

What about slugs in the garden? Does PETA allow the chickens to eat flies and gnats and slugs and tomato hornworms? If hornworms are allowed to live, they WILL find and eat their fill of corn and tomatoes until humans have nothing to eat. So... how is letting the chicken do IT's thing any different that a human taking care of them?

IT'S A BUG!

Has PETA set a limit for their "beliefs"? Unbelievable controversy when there are so many more things to think about.

I checked out PETA's website (http://blog.peta.org/archives/2009/06/obama_and_the_f.php). It sounds like they are using this to further their cause and sell some bug catcher thing.

Ridiculous.

Prep and Funnel Clouds

2009-06-09T17:35:00.004-06:00

Tween and I had a busy day today. We worked on the "pink" bedroom, getting stuff out, rearranging the furniture, changing out the curtains, etc. I took Tween out to eat as a thanks for his hard work, and he got sick. Damn restaurants! We need more restaurants that serve organic gluten-free foods.

But that's neither here nor there.

By the time I got him up, in the bathroom to hug the toilet, his bed ready and fan on, and him into bed, I got a call that we had a tornado warning near us. I threw some clothes back on him, we grabbed some stuff and headed to the basement office. He curled up on the floor with a pillow and a blanket that I had just washed last weekend. We were only there for 20 minutes or so, but it was a LONG 20 minutes. He's terrified of tornadoes. That's a big factor in the next house we buy ... needs a bigger basement.

I think we made enough headway to stop today. He's resting in bed, with the fan on, holding his little tummy (can you tell I'm a mom?) and reading a book about dumb criminals. I'm gonna prep for tomorrow: handyman expected to make some minor repairs, and so is the guy to replace our garage door. Fun.

Short Man Equals Big Jerk?

2009-06-01T07:16:00.006-06:00

Can't help it. Our neighbor irks me. (Disclaimer ... pic to the right just depicts his stature but is not actually him.)

I'm 5'7" and have to look down at, well, we'll call him Sal Sigil. He must be about 5'5", and has the attitude and personality of a short man who feels he needs to compensate for his height.

He has a huge white king cab long bed pickup truck that he never uses to haul anything. It's diesel, and I can hear him start it at 6:30 in the morning, behind closed windows, idling for a minimum of 10 minutes no matter what time of year.

From what I understand back when we first moved here and he talked a whole 5 minutes to us (before he discovered that we're not "keep-up-with-the-Joneses" type people: he was a city representative in congress (or senate?) for several years, and believes he wasn't reelected because he's hispanic. He's never made us feel welcome to the neighborhood, and has been obvious in his distaste for our old vehicles and casual attitude towards life and money and family and fun. He even (allegedly) thought we were too poor for our house because we ELECT to use a human-powered push mower instead of a gas-eating lawn mower.

This is the man who "allegedly" turned us in to the city authorities because we didn't water our grass often enough for him.

This is the man who let all of the plums and apples from his tree drop onto the sidewalk and just stay there to rot and stain and let kids pick them up and get sick.

This is the man who came over and grabbed a person from my yard to take something from his during the big annual spring bulk giveaway.

This is the man who made his wife shovel snow this year while he was inside possibly dealing with clients or eating a Big Mac.

This is the man who woke me up a week or so ago at 7:20 (after a night of insomnia and I'd just gotten to sleep) using his leaf blower because he's too lazy to sweep, and when i asked him to wait at least until 8 a.m., he basically blew me off... no pun intended.

This is the man who NEVER puts out a recycling can because he doesn't even have one ... never mind that the trash pickup company gives them out for free ... he just doesn't believe in conservation.

This is the man who NEVER participates in the Lights Out ... you know, that night once a year when we all turn out our lights for an hour to help save the Earth.

This is the man who "allegedly" reported me to the city for not moving my car often enough to suit him.

He's at it again this morning. I'll be glad to move away for him. He's made us absolutely miserable here, including our 12 year old. Anybody want to buy our house?!?!

p.s. I intend for this to be my last rant about this neighbor. Afterall, we need to sell this house!

It Rained ... Finally!

2009-05-26T08:34:00.003-06:00

The Denver, Colorado area finally not only got a good bit of rain, but hail and flash-flooding. We had just finished doing about 3 hours worth of work in our container garden, planting all but 3 blueberry bushes, 2 raspberry bushes, and 2 blackberry bushes. The tomatoes, etc. were finished. We put away our tools, covered the left-over potting soil, and came inside to take our showers (hot hot hot = sweat sweat sweat). By within minutes of the last of us showering, the rain started. Barely a drizzle for less than 5 minutes, followed by 45 minutes of pounding hail, followed by another day and a half of light to medium rain.

Luckily, the spot we chose for our container garden was the south side of the house, well protected from the hail but not from the rain. Everything got drenched, and it looks like everything survived. Yippee!

Kinda a good thing that the dogs don't live here anymore. The massive amounts of mud, the intense work to our house, both inside and out... we're better off.

Dogs Leaving

2009-05-19T15:34:00.002-06:00

We just can't take care of the animals any more. Besides the cost and having to get ready to sell the house and try to get a business off the ground and home-schoolwork and Hubby not being here during the week, they have to go. Hubby is taking them to a no-kill shelter in a few moments.

Updated May 20 at 9:20 a.m.: The chihuahua had a heat stroke yesterday before Hubby even got here to take the dogs. We rushed her to the vet where he filled her will subcutaneous fluid (via I.V.), and she was up and walking again this morning. Hubby has now taken them. This is very difficult for us.

It's hot hot hot hot hot!

2009-05-19T10:44:00.005-06:00

Pic to right: Hubby and Tween in 2007 at a pool.

I hate being hot. Always have. Sisters would lay out in the sun, one would turn blonder and red, and the other would turn into a "little brown bear" which is what we called her. Me? I would lay out but hated it. Got little reddish spots all over me, then burn and peel.

Even when I lived in Tampa, Florida and then Houston, Texas, I hated being hot. So when I had the change to move to Colorado where it at least gets a little cold for 6 months of the year, I jumped at the chance.

Now that I'm here, the weather isn't cooperating. This past Winter (2008/09) we barely had any cold days, barely any snow, and I'm frustrated as hell. Now it's supposedly Spring, and yesterday our high was in the 90's. Today it's supposed to break records by being in the 90's again.

Hello? Mother Earth? Excuse me but ... it's NOT SUMMER YET!!

I got out the swamp cooler, filled it up, turned it on and yes, while it's providing a bit of coolness, it's leaking. Oh great.

Pic to right: Sparky the horse-puppy getting cool in front of the leaking swamp cooler.

Up in the bedrooms, the temp last night at 10 p.m. was 87. That's WITH a swamp cooler going on up there for an hour.

Can't wait until we get the house cleared out to stage to sell so that we can move the office down the basement. It's a little bit cooler than the rest of house. Heck, I might sleep down there during the week (while Hubby is gone).

Someone pass me a pool, please?

Puppy Catches Ball!

2009-05-14T07:24:00.003-06:00

Couldn't resist ... we catch our puppy's FIRST attempt at catching a ball on video .. how lucky was that!?

Video - Click Here

A Neighbor Strikes Again

2009-05-10T19:23:00.002-06:00

We spent a lot of time planting our garden this weekend: asparagus, strawberries, okra, lettuce, carrots, etc. Luckily we had a little bit of a sprinkle last night which helped set the plants and seeds.

After going out to lunch for mother's day, and then seeing Hubby off for another week, I got the dogs ready for the night ... one at a time outside. It was then that I noticed the asparagus bed. Someone had dug up the asparagus roots, refilled the hole, replaced the marker, and placed the asparagus root on top of where they'd been buried. All of them. It had to have been a human, because animals can't and wouldn't do that. Then I look to the other raised bed where the seeds had been planted - it's all been dug up and moved around too.

Had to have been a neighbor, waiting for us to leave the house for mother's day, because we didn't hear the puppy, and he usually whines and growls when people come too close to our house.

So... neighbors beware. I'm rigging something up tomorrow and trespassers will be sorry.

Back to the Thief Neighbor

2009-05-08T08:34:00.003-06:00

We have such wonderful neighbors, here in Thornton. Uh, NOT. Thankfully, our fence saga has been resolved with THAT neighbor, Ben, to our somewhat satisfaction.

Now back to the neighbor across the street. The very short man who drives a huge diesel white truck even though he never uses the truck part for anything. The one who pulled people away from our yard (click here for that posting). The one who reported my car not being driven enough (click here). The one who reported our lawn not being green enough. The one who thinks we are stupid for using a human-run push mower (while he uses diesel gas for his truck, a huge mower for his little yard, and never participates in the "lights out" to save energy).

Tween only slept a little, and I didn't sleep at all last night. I'm sick, and our dogs wouldn't shut up, so I'm up most of the night. Finally get to sleep around 7:00, and our not-so-wonderful neighbor, VAL, decides to run his leaf blower at 7:40. I get up, throw my clothes on, and go over to talk to him. He refuses to stop, saying basically that he has people coming at 8, and he doesn't need to listen to me. Started it back up again, turned his back to me and ignored me. Big bully. Inconsiderate jerk.

According to city code, he can make noise from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Not a damn thing we can do. Except. according to Officer Sherie, next time he comes over, we can tell him to get the hell off our property and don't come back.

Val used to be a Rep for this area in the House of Representatives, voted out in 2006. He's a bully, and he's more than convinced us that we absolutely do NOT want to live near him. I hope the next owners of this house fare better.

Who MultiTasks in YOUR Household?

2009-05-06T09:36:00.004-06:00

Here's a question: why is it that the woman of the household is usually the only person (adult or child) that HAS to notice what needs to be done in the house, and then is the only person to do something about those things?

Like...

who is the person to notice the trash needs to be taken out?
who has to not only cook but also do all of the cleaning? I mean, couldn't someone else at least clean the counters?
who either puts the groceries away, or has to tell someone to do it?
who walks by a piece of paper lying on the floor in hopes that someone other than her will notice it, and after a day of constant family traffic, just gives in and picks it up?
who goes into the bathroom to find that the last person used the last of the toilet paper and didn't bother to think about getting another roll for the next person?
who notices all of the dog hair on the living room floor and has to either pull out the vacuum cleaner or tell someone to do it?
who has to bug the kid every 15 minutes to do schoolwork, even tho he's already been warned he's about to lose TV time or all other priviledges? Why can't the kid just do it?!?!
who notices that the grass trimming needs to be done, and although it's not her job to do yard work, after weeks of bringing it up, just finally takes out clippers and does it herself?
who gets up at 7 or so on weekends to get the chores and stuff started, even tho she'd like to sleep in like the rest of the family? And no one but her feels guilty about sleeping in?
who stays up late to write and to work on getting extra money so the family can buy a house more suited to their needs?
who practically holds the family together... paying bills, refilling soap dispensers, cooking, cleaning, etc. ... and NEVER gets a thank you and very rarely gets any help?

Sometimes, I just want to give up. (Sorry, I had to vent.)

Fence Saga Ends

2009-05-04T15:46:00.002-06:00

We awoke to hammering at 8 or so Saturday morning. The neighbor was hammering replacement slats for those his car wiped out. He didn't replace the crossbeam, or replace the entire section, or even apologize.

I guess it's over.

Kentucky Grilled - ha! - Chicken

2009-04-30T20:31:00.006-06:00

I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and often went to the Colonel's Lady (Claudia Sanders) restaurant over in Shelbyville, KY. I love their biscuits, their homecooked serving-tray lunches, and the only cooked spinach I will ever eat is served as creamed spinach there at that restaurant. My family would get KY-Fried once every couple of months when I was going out, and it was always a real treat.

So... I was elated when Kentucky Fried Chicken came out with grilled chicken this past Monday. My Tween son has a huge adverse reaction to wheat so we like finding grilled chicken we can get as fast food. Tween got so excited, now that he could have KY-Fried/Grilled! So, because he was being so very wonderful today, did all of his schoolwork in a timely manner, and helped with chores, I said we could go for a late lunch. We left around 2 p.m. and stopped in at the Northglenn (CO - on Washington) where we used to go about once every 2 months or so.

Up to the counter I strode. "Excuse me", I said to Angie the counter girl, "could you please tell me if your new grilled chicken has wheat in it?"

"No." She turned away.

"Uh, excuse me, but I need to know for the health of my son here."

"No. How should I know?"

Needless to say, this ninny was being a complete jerk. I said a bit more strongly, "My son would like the grilled chicken but I need to know if it has wheat in it ... first!"

"Go get a pamphlet." She pointed in the general direction (towards the back of the store!), turned away again and pretended to clean a counter.

I was pretty ticked by this time, but went to the back and picked up the pamphlet, where, to my complete non-surprise, gave no ingredient information, just calories, protein, etc. I went back to the counter. "Excuse me", I said in a very syrupy almost-had-enough voice, "it doesn't give any ingredient information. Would you please look?"

She looked straight at me. "No."

Okay, I needed to cool down, so we left, went to the post office and came back. I requested Tween to stay in the car this time, and marched back into the KFC, where that little ninny rolled her eyes when she saw me coming. I said, "I've been thinking, and your response is completely unacceptable. I want to talk with a manager." "Who?" "Any manager."

She turned, giggling almost, and in a sing-song voice, called "Sa-ra!" Sara, a manager, came over, listened to my calm rant, apologized for the Angie twit (my words, not hers) and went in the back to get a box that had the ingredients listed on a label. Wheat was on there. Lots of it. I thank her, she apologized for Angie again, and we left.

That's all I wanted.... information.

What is wrong with people? That girl Angie should have apologized, not the manager. Doesn't anybody care about manners or customer service any more?

p.s. Wouldn't you think that a grilled chicken patty would be gluten-free? No wheat? Hmmm...

More about Our Fence Saga

2009-04-28T20:39:00.004-06:00

This pic just represents what this might come to!

We've confronted our neighbor yet again, and still, even tho Ben has promised he'll get to the fence repairs that he caused, they are still not done as of tonight. Hubby and I examined the fence carefully, and he caused more damage than we thought: an entire section of the fence will need to be replaced because when he rammed our fence with his car, he splintered the cross support beam, and dislocated a vertical post.

If it's not fixed by next weekend, we're going to get an estimate, and present it to him (again, with my video camera running). Then we'll give him another week, after which, we'll contact Hubby's lawyer. Time he earned his retainer!

Another Video by Tween

2009-04-22T21:43:00.002-06:00

From now on, we'll be posting all of Tween's videos on this blog: http://www.kid-whispers.blogspot.com/ where they will count towards his speaking requirements for this State. I hope you bookmark/follow that website so you can keep up with him!

Here's today's video on the schoolwork website - it's about Earth Day - just uploaded it at 9:55 p.m. Oh, and here's the link to the same vid on youtube so you can watch it there and leave a comment!

Weslee's Vid: Blue Moon

2009-04-20T16:18:00.004-06:00

Here's Weslee's 3rd video - this time a tiny bit about Blue Moon. Be sure to use this link ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0MQBuZSbtA ) to go to youtube and leave a comment. This is sooo good for his self-confidence!

Easter Day Video

2009-04-20T15:38:00.005-06:00

Here's a little video from our 2009 Easter. Hubby's mom, Helen, was over for dinner (roasted asparagus, baked ham, sweet potatoes, salad and rolls). She brought her dog over and, as you can see, the three dogs had a time of it!

Please ignore the background mess!

Weslee's Vid: Blue Machine

2009-04-17T13:07:00.005-06:00

Here's Weslee's second "Weslee's World" video - this time about his favorite drink. It's "Blue Machine" from Naked Juice. Here's his youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8GXuvZTqa4 - be sure to go there, watch the vid and leave a comment. Pass the link around too! That will be a big boost to his self-confidence.

Presenting... from our living room and for your viewing pleasure, is his take on Blue Machine:

Video of Fav Breakfast

2009-04-15T10:23:00.005-06:00

Son decided to start making videos - mostly to get over his shyness, his stuttering, his nervous habits, and to provide clarity of thinking. This is his first! Be sure to leave a comment at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNtIH9I9EQ4. Thanks!

Our 2nd Anniversary

2009-04-13T20:23:00.003-06:00

After we finished the taxes, we took a little time today (Monday) to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. Two years ago, on Friday, April 13 2007, my son and I married Hubby. It was a small wedding, with only a few family and friends there. We didn't go anywhere for a honeymoon (who can afford it!), but we enjoyed our time together (Son spent a few days with his new grandma!).

This is how our 2nd anniversary went: we dropped off our taxes at the post office, bought a brush at the Family Dollar store, bought some supplies to keep better tack of our expenses, then the three of us had lunch at Red Robin (very expensive and not really worth the money). Afterwards, we saw the moving "Knowing" at a local cinema. Big mistake. It was way way WAY too graphic for Son - he ended up sitting in the hallway, sobbing. Can't trust the rating system any more.

After the movie, we came home, packed up Hubby's car, fixed dinner, and he left again until Friday. We forgot to break open the bottle of honey mead. We didn't have enough time together.

I'm gonna miss him.

Taxes are Done!

2009-04-13T20:16:00.003-06:00

Major accomplishment: our 2008 taxes are now on the way to the IRS, including the payment. Ugh. Plus we amended/re-filed year 2007 taxes because we made a mistake. Now that we spent our anniversary weekend working with receipts, making calculations, and pretty much tearing out hair out... SOOOOO glad it's over!

For now.

Broken Fence

2009-04-07T16:51:00.003-06:00

Our puppy started growling suddenly this afternoon. He wouldn't stop, and wanted to go out back. I thought he just had business to do, but he growled all the way down the stairs and out the door. Turns out he heard a patch of our backyard's fence fall over. I sent him inside immediately and brought out my Tween.

A horizontal support beam had cracked, and 4-5 slats had fallen outwards. Hmmm..not a bit of wind, other than a light breeze. Suspiciously the neighbor's brats, er, I mean, children, were playing right in that area and were looking through the hole in the fence when I noticed it.

I got some wood and nails and boarded it up to the best of my ability. Good enough so that the dogs won't escape, but still... we want to sell this house soon, without spending a lot of money but looks like we'll need to replace almost an entire section on the south side of the property. Unbelievable!

Neighbors Who Are Thieves

2009-04-06T20:15:00.002-06:00

One of the really cool things about this neighborhood, this town, is that every Spring, there is an annual bulk pickup. A day or two before their assigned pick-up day, people put things on their curbs that don't normally get hauled away. Other people drive around and take what they want. Last year we hauled away a lot of boards that we used to make raised beds for our garden, and a couple kiddie pools for same.

This year, since we're moving, we have to plant a smaller garden. We used a lot of tires last year (gotten free from Big O Tire) to hold soil or keep pots from tumping over in the wind. Since we can't use them this year, we put them and some other things out to the curb. Several things were taken, but.... well, this is the part that flabbergasts me.

Our across-the-street neighbor, Val, is not a friendly man at all. He's the one (we assume but pretty much know) who reported us last year about not having a green-enough lawn. And about me not moving my car often enough. This is a man who couldn't be more than 5'5", quite "portly", and drives a huge diesel truck that he never hauls anything in. We think he's compensating. :)

This afternoon I'm sitting at my desk, working, and from time to time looking out our front window. I see a truck stop at our tires, get out and start to haul them into their truck. Val comes running out of his house, motions for them to stop, and pretty much drags them to his back yard where he has them take away a desk. Once they get that in their truck, there's no room for our tires. They drove away.

Son of a witch stole our ... person... whatever!

Jerk.

Jay Cutler got traded. Big whoop.

2009-04-03T07:08:00.002-06:00

I'm so tired of hearing about the big baby of the Denver Bronco's... Jay Cutler. He threw a tantrum, secretly knowing if he raises a big enough fuss, he'll get traded. Hopefully for more money. Well, as of yesterday, he's been traded to the Chicago Bears. Yeah! Alright!

Can he get over himself now? He gets paid a huge amount of money for being a big ole baby, and people, who work hard all year to afford Bronco's tickets and the mortgage, are SICK OF IT! We're losing our jobs and our houses, worrying about providing for our families, but you have never learned to be an adult.

Grow up, Baby Jay.

Denver, let's get back to the business of living in this economy. Cutler's Chicago's problem now.

Frustration with McDonald's

2009-04-01T15:13:00.004-06:00

McDonald's employees are untrained and misinformed, in my opinion. There's a particular McDonald's in the Wal-Mart where we do a lot of our shopping. The address is: 98TH & GRANT (WALMART #1231)THORNTON, CO 80229(303)451-8658.

At almost every McDonald's we go to, we have to check our order before stepping out before about 50% of the time, it's wrong.

Except the above mentioned Mickey-D's. Approximately 95% of the time, the employees at this McDonald's get our order wrong. Yes, that's almost 100%. They put cheese on my husband's food when he specifically requests no cheese. One time I got a big mac with no meat on it! We've gotten fish sandwiches with tartar sauce slathered on them and we've requested none. It goes on and on and on.

Today, they were just plain lazy.

See, as you know, our Tween can't have gluten. We've gotten to where we order a grilled chicken patty by itself for him, then he slathers ketchup on it. We had been paying for the whole sandwich because we kept being told we couldn't order just the patty. Two weeks ago, Hubby discovered that some McDonald's only charge from $1.22 to $1.39 for just the patty, as opposed to charging $4.?? for the entire sandwich. He's been in this Wal-Mart McDonald's 2 or 3 times since he discovered this little tidbit and has come home paying just $1.?? for the patty, so I know they can do it, and have done it.

We were in the above Mickey D's and I wanted to get Very Hungry Tween Son a grilled chicken patty. I walk up and ask for it. Said there's a special button for it, as told to Hubby the last 2-3 times he went and asked for it. This doofus started charging for the full sandwich. I said, no, just the patty. "Well, I have to charge for the whole sandwich." "No, you don't. My husband's been through this before. You have a special way on your machine to charge for just the grilled chicken patty." He pretended to search, pushing buttons, and sighing exaggeratedly. After he hemmed and hawed for several minutes, I asked for a manager. Not one person in that place had a clue about it! They tried to tell me there was no way they could charge for less than the sandwich. I grabbed my purse and my kid and stormed out of there.

We got a grilled chicken patty at Sonic's drivethrough on the way home. The cost of the wacky pack kid's meal with the grilled chicken patty, apple dippers, apple juice and then a chicken finger sandwich for me was $4.37. Not bad, and not much of an argument.

I hate McDonald's.

Update April 30 2009: I wonder if they have wheat on their grilled chicken patty just like Kentucky Fried Chicken does? He does seem to have a reaction when he eats their patty! Hmm... need to find out.

Lights Out

2009-03-30T11:15:00.005-06:00

We participated in the Earth Hour / Lights Out thing on Saturday, March 28.

The dogs got prepped for bed early. Tween got ready too, and I last-minute finished a blog entry by 8:28 p.m. Hubby turned off the light just as I powered down the computer. I lit a candle to take my blood pressure medication, then the three of us piled into our kind size bed.

We spent the hour telling stories, talking about life, and enjoying the darkness (even tho Tween is still somewhat afraid of the dark). We didn't have even one argument, which, if you knew our family, you'd know is unusual.

Perhaps next year, we'll have a little party and tell stories then too. Sounds good.

It's Snowing!

2009-03-26T06:33:00.002-06:00

Finally. Now that "Spring" is here... "Winter" takes it place. We're expecting our first decent blizzard today, and is, in fact, already snowing. My camera couldn't capture it quite yet (too dark) but here's a picture of what we MIGHT expect.

Oooh.. maybe we'll get to go out and play in the snow tomorrow! With the doggies!

Wheee!

Fun With The Dogs!

2009-03-21T16:24:00.006-06:00

Can resist downloading this video for your enjoyment! We were getting the backyard ready for Spring planting. You'll see the raised beds and containers in the background (had lots of peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, okra, etc. last year!). The two swimming pools, one with a tire, were planted with cold crops (broccoli, etc.) and lettuce, carrots and radishes. The tires in the background grew the pumpkin and watermelon vines. Yummy.

Anyway.. we were just funning around and thought we'd place the 4 year old Chihuahua in the wheelbarrow. The 3 month old puppy looks like he's confused but having fun. (3 months old and weighs 30 pounds! What a horse for a dalmation-rottweiler-alaskan malamute!) Note both tails are wagging. The red-arm is our 12 yr old boy. I did the filming. Enjoy!

Puppy Gain!

2009-03-04T09:54:00.002-07:00

Just took the puppy (and the chihuahua) to the vet where he weighed in at 25.2 pounds - a gain of a little over 4 pounds in two weeks! He's learning so fast - getting kinda ok with sit, come, when to go out, and to sit patiently and wait for water after coming back in.

He's still a major handful - sometimes just plops down on the chihuahua when he's tired and if she's not quick enough, she gets squished.

Sparky's getting to where he doesn't want a mid-day meal so we're going to go to twice a day puppy chow feedings. He loves his training treats tho!

Night times have definitely gotten quieter. We still have to put him in his crate because we need to make sure he holds his bladder, but we've put the chihuahua's crate right next to his, so we think they whisper all night. No more whining or barking at night. They go in, gnaw on their bones until they go to sleep, and are ready to go when they hear Hubby in the shower at 4:44 A.M. THEN they want me downstairs to let them outside.

Yup, he's working out just fine.

A New Member to our Family

2009-02-20T19:29:00.005-07:00

Above is a picture of our newest member, Sparky. This was taken the day we brought him home, February 16 2009, when he was 10 weeks old and weighed (per the Vet the next day) 21.2 pounds. He's part Malamute, part Rottweiler and part Dalmatian. He's gonna be huge!

Above is our little family ... our boy holding Sparky, and Hubby holding Spirit the Chihuahua. Look how much bigger the puppy is already! Thank goodness they are starting to get along already.

These are their pillows in our living room. The little pink one for Spirit and the big blue one for Sparky. Half the time they just flop down where they want to.

What cuties!

Puppies

2009-02-17T08:04:00.002-07:00

We got a 10 week old puppy yesterday. Part Dalmation, part Rottweiler, part Alaskan Malamute. Already past 20 pounds - twice the size of our Chihuahua. No shots or vet examination. Had never had on a collar or leash. Had never been away from his littermates or his home or had met many people, so he whined and barked all night, except for the 2-3 hours we played after we got home.

We're trying to get him a vet appointment for this afternoon.

Sparky, as he's now called, is to be raised to be our 12 year old's best friend, playmate and protector. This will be interesting.

Another Rant: Rachel Ray

2009-02-12T08:51:00.003-07:00

I used to love watching "30-minute meals" with Rachel Ray on the Food Network. I used to like watching her new show on CBS because it still talked about food, and budgeting and meal planning, and so forth.

The other day, I turn on her show, and it has a dance contest! There are episodes with barely any discussion about food-related topics. She has on celebrity guests and don't talk about food. Weddings, hair styles, human labs (again, non-food-related) and so on. When she does her food segments, they are usually not all that healthy, or are misguided. Kids eating cooked veggies willingly? Not the usual thing. And the budget meals are still $20 or so for a meal for 4-6 people. Not really in touch with people's budgets, is she?

I don't watch the Rachel Ray Show any more.

And why do I keep getting google ads for the "rachel ray diet" on every one of our blogs? She doesn't talk on her show about a special diet she created. And the meals she prepares aren't usually healthy. Salt and pepper in everything. Pasta, bread. I admit some of her recipes look good and healthy, but those are few and far between.

I just had to rant.

Octoplet Mom - Rant

2009-02-11T10:48:00.004-07:00

I'm so tired of hearing about this woman who had another 8 children after already having 6. But here... I'm gonna add my 2-cents worth.

What on earth was going through the mind of the embryiologist when she said - "just implant all of them! I love babies!"
Where did she get the money for the latest procedure? Already on food stamps and SSI for three of her 6 children, that's not something that Kaiser should have okayed. I mean.. they won't even pay for my fertility treatments, and I am married with a child!
She plans to still live with her parents, who completely disagree with what she did!?! Why is she subjecting these grandparents to raising 14 young children? They already did their time! Grow up!
I've heard that the diaper and baby food companies that usually donate lots of stuff to families of multiples aren't stepping up this time. I've also heard it's because they aren't sure she will use the supplies or money wisely. But she does need them. But why didn't she start saving when she found out that the 6 embryos took, and that two of them split into twins? But she does need them. But...
I've also heard that she's negotiating movie and book rights. These poor kids - did she have them just to make money and become famous?
And what's this about how she might have had plastic surgery to look like Angelina Jolie?! Isn't that yet another indication that she's mentally unstable? Especially if she wants to emulate such a person!
I've also heard that the people of nearly-bankrupt California are asking Gov Schwartz to require Social Services to look into this. No one woman can take care of 14 children of those ages by herself. Instead of subsidying this baby-manufacturing-woman, it's highly possible the children will be split into many foster or adoptive homes. QUESTION: if that happens, how can we stop her from having more children?

Someone needs to tie her tubes!

John Ziegler and Sarah Palin - The View

2009-02-02T10:57:00.003-07:00

I wish someone would explain this John Ziegler guy to me. I just watched him on "The View" and he's adamant that not only did the media crucify Sarah Palin but they were the cause of her ruined reputation and the election of Barack Obama. From what I understood watching him (and Elizabeth Thing) trying to defend Sarah and how she's really smart and didn't do anything wrong. The media set her up. No one let her talk, or misinterpreted what she said.

Poor Joy couldn't get a word in edgewise, and Whoopi had to raise her hand to speak. Barbara Walters almost poked Ziegler in the chest trying to get him to admit he's wrong. Sherry nearly gave up, she was so upset.

Huh?

Of course, since I don't have permission to post the above photo, I'll probably get in trouble, but I'll keep it up while I can.

Happy Birthday, Mother

2009-02-01T18:41:00.003-07:00

A belated happy birthday to you, Mother. I realize you don't get on the internet but maybe someone in the family will tell you ... we still haven't sent off Christmas presents. Hopefully... next week. V

Our Chihuahua Took A Shower

2009-02-01T18:39:00.002-07:00

Our Chihuahua took a shower this morning. She has been showing interest for a while, so finally, we turned on the water and let her in. It's like she's a lab - a water dog! We gave a much-needed scrubbing, towel-dried her, and gave her a treat. What an odd dog.

Our Weather

2009-01-30T09:41:00.002-07:00

The snow finally started to melt. Our prissy little dog doesn't like to get her feet, er, paws, wet so it wasn't until we swept enough snow from the grass that she would do her business. Today we're supposed to get up around 56 degrees. About time. It's been in the teens and 20's ... but we've had to keep the thermostat down to 60 degrees in the house because our last utility bill was double what we budgeted. Not good.

Blizzard in Town

2009-01-26T19:36:00.003-07:00

We got hit today, hard. Started snowing last night. Woke up to 8 degrees F., and just a bit of snow. By the time Hubby left for work, it had really picked up. Now, by 7:30 p.m., we got about 4 inches here in town.

Poor little Son... tried to shovel but practically froze. Hubby had to help when he came home from work.

Note:
We're really behind updating this blog. So busy, with writing, blogging, inventing new recipes, working with a dog with arthritis and knees that pop out, looking for a new home. Please be patient.

P.S.
Check out the weather map we installed to the right. Love it! Now family can keep track of what the weather is doing here.

A New Beginning

2009-01-20T12:27:00.001-07:00

Congratulations, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. On behalf of the American People, don't mess it up.

Burglar or the Wind?

2009-01-19T16:36:00.006-07:00

The wind picked up around lunch time today. Weather.com says the wind is gusting from 16 to 29 mph. Whistling through cracks in the house. Blowing trash cans down the street. Creaking our house and rustling trees.

I needed to let the dog out the back yard - she hadn't been out since 5 a.m., so about an hour ago, I walked down to the family room, and unlocked and opened the sliding glass door. As I waited on the porch for her to do her business, I happened to look to the right. Our backyard, where we grew tomatoes and blackberry bushes last Summer, had been violated.

See, we don't have a cover on our window-well to the basement, so we had placed quite a few things in the way to block access. Lattice. Garden box frames. Bags of rock. And two kiddie pools we plan to use for next year's garden, weighted down by more garden box frames.

Someone tried to access our basement by that window-well. It wasn't the wind - too neat. The culprit(s) moved the pools away and laid them against our back fence. The garden boxes were stacked neatly, but someone had gone through our blackberry brambles and ripped part out (is it horrible to hope they got a thorn?). It's obvious someone climbed into our window-well, and once there, realized we have too much stored in that room to get the window open, not to mention make a path through the room to the door.

I guess they gave up.

This had to have happened this afternoon. I worked in the yard a little this morning, and the pools hadn't been moved yet. We have a new neighbor across the street who bought the foreclosed house and has had a work crew there for at least a week. Perhaps they came over? They have been taking water from our faucet (though we can't prove this).

Not going to call the police. They care more about parking and code enforcement than being nice and helpful to homeowners.

We re-stacked everything against the window-well, and further fortified not only that basement window, but all of our other windows. Unbelievable. We never thought someone would try to steal from an obviously poor family, especially since my car stays parked out front, and there are nicer homes, landscaping, and lawn ornaments across and down the street.

Family is more important than possessions. So, be it known, that if an intruder successfully enters our house without our permission, he/she will pay dearly. We are prepared.

Can't be to careful.

Unbelievable.

Our Town is a Police State

2009-01-07T02:00:00.002-07:00

Here I was, yesterday, minding my own business, trying to catch up on correspondence, blogging, and writing when I looked out the window. Our town's code enforcement truck pulls up along side my vehicle, stays there for about 15 minutes, looking at our yard, my car, etc. Finally, she gets out, examines my car from top to bottom, pulls out a pad and writes down my VIN. I send my son out to get the piece of paper she leaves on my car.

Violation Warning: This car has not been moved for 10 days or more. It must be driven every 10 days or stored in an enclosed facility.

Huh?

I drove my car last week to the grocery. Now, I try not to drive my car regularly to save on gas and help the environment, so I'm wondering (1) did they think I didn't drive often because I always park in the same place; and (2) do they think that they can control residents behavior to that extent?

Yep, we're moving. We need a farm in an unincorporated area of Colorado. This town is beyond ridiculous.

p.s. We're 90% sure that our not-so-wonderful neighbor, VAL, reported it. He's a bully, and has been quite intent (and unfortunately successful) in making our lives here at our house, miserable. I'm glad he wasn't re-elected in 2006 - we don't need any more bullies in our government.

To Read or Not To Read

2009-01-07T01:00:00.000-07:00

"Thursday, January 8, 2009 turn off your computer and read.
Then on Friday, January 9th, write a bit about what you read."

Read the whole posting at http://denyingsoccermom.blogspot.com/2008/12/day-to-read-2009.html. Meanwhile, even though there will be postings on our blogs, we will do it ahead of time. Be sure to take January 8 off from your computer. Save the electricity. Save your eyes. Save a book.

Hubby, Wife and Son (and Chihuahua)

Digital TV is a JOKE!

2009-01-05T14:52:00.003-07:00

I'm sure we've written about this before, but come on.... have you thought about it? We're being forced by the government to participate in yet another act against our will. IF we want to continue watching "free" television channels and programs, we have to pay to attach a (suspicious) box to each television. Or get cable TV. Or digital/satellite service.

We attached one box to one television. MOST of the time, it doesn't work. No matter how we reposition the rabbit ears or boost the signal, most of these channels don't come in. Or the signal gets dropped during storms.

Did we, the American People, vote on this? I understand the purpose behind the change, but there had to have been a better solution that this! And really, what exactly is in that special box? Tracking programs we're watching? Or is it ONLY signal conversion?

Yeah, right.

Police state, here we come.

Why Our Family Prepares for Emergencies

2009-01-05T02:00:00.002-07:00

Have we explained why we store food, garden, and work to increase our know-how on all things disaster and survival? No? Ok, here goes MY point of view:

First, the easy one: We garden because we love it! Seeing a little seed change to a big food-producing plant. Tasting a real tomato that ripens on the vine. Pulling a green stem attached to a long beautiful orange carrot. Guiding long, winding pumpkin vines across the back yard. Chasing birds away from the sunflowers. Yes, those reasons, plus gardening to produce healthy uncontaminated food for us for months and months.

Second, we store food because, as individuals in this family, we've known scarcity. It's hard looking in for a can of fruit for your hungry child, or going to a food bank for a couple loaves of bread and rotting fruit. Never again. We store food to make sure we can always have healthy balanced meals and never go without.

Third, we work to increase our knowledge of all-things disaster preparedness because we live in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Example: Hubby and I got engaged Thanksgiving 2006, and planned to spend Christmas together at his home, an hour away from mine. Several hours before Hubby planned to drive down to pick us (me and Son) up, he called my cell phone and said that a blizzard was headed our way. He wanted to come down NOW to get us. We rushed to pack as he headed our way. By the time he picked us up and we headed for Denver, snow had begun to swirl around us. Heavier and heavier. We barely got to his apartment. We unloaded our stuff and settled in. We woke the next morning to snow drifts and a city stopped in its tracks. Unfortunately, Hubby hadn't stocked up any food, so we trudged across the street several times over the next week to gather eats and firewood. When the power went out, we lit candles and logs in the fireplace. Drank hot tea and talked about the wedding and our future together.

We didn't have anything for Christmas dinner, so we bundled up and got in the 4-wheel drive Ford to search out a restaurant. Search. Search. Finally, after driving through for an hour through a closed-down city filled with tall snow drifts, we found an I-HOP that was actually open. (No, not even McDonalds!).

We didn't let the lack of supplies bother us then (throes of new love and all that), but not being stocked up hasn't happened again. And it won't. We are now prepared for almost any emergency: the recent tornadoes just a few miles north this past Summer, another blizzard, anarchy, breakdown of the country's financial systems... yep, almost anything.

However, we're not 100% yet. That's why we're working so hard to get a farm where we can live with another family or two, raising livestock and fresh fruits/veggies, fresh air and room to play, and peace of mind.

The First Two Days of 2009

2009-01-02T08:24:00.004-07:00

For the first time in a LOOONG time, Hubby and I stayed up with Son until after midnight. I didn't want to. I was so tired, since I get very little sleep anyway (I have multiple sleep disorders), but lost the fight to kid who needed monitoring.

I was up with the sunrise on Thursday, January 1 2009. Made breakfast according to our new Grain Rotation Diet schedule (grits and eggs). Then Hubby got down to work. Literally. He had brought home his work computer because he had end-of-the-year reports to prepare, and they HAD to be done on the first. He was at it all day. Not fun. We didn't go anywhere. Didn't play any games. Didn't even take a walk. We had a tiny bit of excitement when Son noticed Chihuahua's front paw was bleeding (so she's had a bandage on her paw since - cause unknown).

(I hope Hubby's boss realizes he gave up his holiday to do work, and appropriate appreciates him.)

Today I got up at 4:30 a.m. to let the dog out the back door and prepare Hubby's lunch. Then we listened to the weather while he got ready. So much for the predicted warm weekend: today's high will be 61 degrees (yes, here in the Colorado Rocky Mountains), but we're getting a snow storm this weekend! Unbelievable. No wonder everyone is getting sick.

Well, that's ok. I've been "predicting" an odd Winter for months, and guess I'm getting it. I also feel strongly that we're going to have a huge snow storm before Spring, so it's a good thing we're preparing.

We have big plans for this year. Hope to get the farm and our animals. Hope Son catches up on math (that really confuses him). Hope to get along better as a family. Hope to either get pregnant or adopt. So much for this year.

It's almost 9 a.m. Thinking I'll go sit on the front porch and enjoy the warm weather while the dishwasher runs and Son eats breakfast. Enjoy your day!

Resolutions

2008-12-31T12:25:00.003-07:00

We've been thinking for months about changing our lives: eating healthier, working with our money better, growing more of our own food, being a happier more content family. We decided to post our "resolutions" on the top of this blog so we can see it every time we access it.

What about you?

Family Fun Time: Walks, Games, Dog-Time

2008-12-30T02:00:00.002-07:00

Even though we can't get to Family Fun Time every evening, we do what we can.

We've starting taking a walk after dinner, three humans and one chihuahua. We walk around the block, looking at the lights, listening to the area's dog barking at ours. Enjoying the frigid air and brisk conversation.

The other day, we had a Yahtzee competition - and all of us won at one time or another. We also love playing Uno, Battleship, and other games we've suddenly stocked up on. We have lots more than we haven't even begun to open!

Sometimes we don't have time, but we do hugs and kisses almost every night.

It's so important for us to have our Fun Time - Son depends on it. Actually, craves it.

That's ok. We like it too.

Today's Moment: Health

2008-12-29T02:00:00.000-07:00

Today's Moment is: Health

How's your health? Feeling ok? Eat healthy? Get enough (or any) exercise? Fight off infections and colds and viruses? Ears clean? Eyes clear? Breathing easy?

It's almost the new year, but don't make a resolution. We humans tend to think a resolution = depravation so instead of resolving to get healthy, just change one part of your life today. Replace sodas with water. Walk up that one flight of stairs instead of taking the elevator. Use your glasses when you're supposed to. Replace the word "diet" in your vocabulary with "change" or "health".

What will you do about your health.... today?

Today's Moment: Friendship

2008-12-28T02:00:00.000-07:00

Today's Moment is: Friendship

What is a friend? Someone to listen when you just need to talk? To give advice? To hug when you're sad? To laugh at your dumb jokes? To watch sports or TV shows with?

How do you define friendship?

Today's Moment: Pollution

2008-12-27T02:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the cold temperatures push the air pollution away, enabling us to see the city below us. The Summer heat and haze stops it cold; our visibility diminishes to maybe a mile.

We're working to change our lives to help reduce pollution (our carbon footprint). We try to walk and bike more, we've reduced driving as much as we can for now (Wife drives maybe once a week). We consolidate errand trips. We have our thermostat on 60 degrees, only raising it for showers in the morning.

What are YOU doing to reduce the air pollution?

How we spent our Christmas Day....

2008-12-26T09:36:00.003-07:00

We tried to sleep in late, but about 7:30 we woke up and remembered that we hadn't wrapped any of Son's gifts. We let the dog out the back and on our way back to the bedroom, Son woke up. "Five more minutes". "Uh, honey, it's Christmas." He shot up in bed, ready for the day. After his trip to the bathroom, we explained that we hadn't wrapped anything.

The three of us decided he's sit on the bed in our bedroom, facing away from the closet where the presents were, and he would cover his face and close his eyes. That's how he got his gifts this year. Started with the not-so-great like two toothbrushes, toe-socks, and ended with eye clops night vision goggles. Guess which was his favorite! Thanks to Grandma/Grandpa for the huge set of legos and to Aunt Suzi for the hoodie!

Then we ate leftover cake for breakfast (I know, bad parents) then went down to the living room to play Yahtzee. We had fun for hours, from playing games to taking a walk to taking a nap (us adults, at least). We had to run out for batteries and sinus medication (forgot one, and ran out of the other) - found one store open but was closing 13 minutes after we got there. Yep, we ran.

It was a nice quiet day. We had thought to sing karoake but didn't get around to it. Wife got violently sick, so laid in bed for a while.

Still, it was a good holiday for our little family. Hey family .... how was yours?

Family at Christmas

2008-12-25T02:00:00.001-07:00

I hadn't really realized how old I am. My dad turned 70-something yesterday, my mother is 5 years older, 3 of my 4 grandparents are gone, my sister has a grandchild, and my own son is old enough to have a deep voice. Somewhere along the line, we got old.

When we were kids, Mother, Dad, my older Sis and younger Sis - we five would go to the Grandparents for Holidays. It's so long ago, I can't remember what order they went in, but ...

Mother's parents. They're both gone.

Pap-pa died many years ago from Parkinson's. He smelled of smoke and old, and his hands shook the last several years. He was a quiet man, and took good care of his family. I loved him so much.

Nana (nanny) was really the rock of the family. She made a great cheeseball, filled her home with plants, crocheted almost every day, and was ready with a strong hug. So small of a woman, so immense with love. She always made a lemon cake - we kidded her that leftovers were put away until the next special occasion. She made brandied fruit, sewed my wedding dress and quilts, crocheted afghans and pillows. That side of the family pretty much fell apart after she died. I was inconsolable for weeks after her death.

Dad's parents: One of two are gone.

Grandfather was kinda like Pap-pa - strong and somewhat quiet. At least, that's what I remember. Grandmother is of strong will and voice, meticulous and powerful. Grandfather passed when my son was just a baby. Grandmother is still alive, but she doesn't hold much for family any more. Still, I miss her.

I miss them.

Actually, I miss all of our family, and the memories of my youth. Hanging the stockings by the fireplace - made by Mother for each of us girls. Dad smoking his pipe in the living room (I can still smell it). Cookies and fruitcake. Baking goodies. Decorating the tree and the house. Special ceramics Mother made and brought back out each year. The three sisters hunting for and finding our presents (most years). Playing Clue and Easy-Bake-Oven, and watching Christmas TV specials (hiding my eyes from the abominable snowman). Burning the wrapping paper in a roaring fire. Reading the books of Christmas stories that only saw the light of day once a year.

Happy Holidays, Family.

Happy Birthday, Dad

2008-12-24T02:00:00.002-07:00

I know you read this blog from time to time, so I wanted to take this time to wish you a wonderful **rd birthday on this Christmas Eve Day.

You mean a lot to me, more than I can say:

I remember you piling fresh cold snow on my face right after I sledded into that tree - remember that? So many years ago.

I remember you grilling outside, or getting a bucket of chicken from your new pal, the Colonel.

I remember you playing classical music in the car and giving us info about the composer or the piece.

I remember so much about you, and your love, and your great patience with me.

Thanks for being a great Dad. I love you.

Your daughter in Colorado

It's a Late Christmas...

2008-12-23T14:46:00.002-07:00

We made our plans. Planned our purchases. Purchased when we could. And still, we're late. Haven't even started wrapping the gifts we've bought. Haven't finished the homemade gifts. Can't find the tree, ornaments, stockings, or any other decorations. We put a few solar-powered lights on a bush outside, and maybe, just maybe, we'll decorate the mailbox tomorrow.

The gifts aren't big this year. Nothing to write home about. But they are from the heart. However...

they are still here. In our house. Er, we think.

So... sorry friends and family - gifts will be mailed NEXT WEEK.

Us, in Colorado

Isn't paying on Student Loans ever so much Fun???

2008-12-22T15:44:00.002-07:00

No. We don't like sending this check every month, but we do it. And do it. And do it. And the balance never seems to go down.

Direct Loans
U.S.Department of Education
P O Box 530260
Atlanta, GA 30353-0260

Wasn't getting a student loan supposed to make our lives easier? Get an education, put that education to work while paying off the loan? It isn't working that way. We try to pay double the minimum due, and for some reason, the principal balance isn't going down, the minimum due is going up, and the interest due is never at a $0 balance, even when payments are applied.

We can't even get them to help us make the payment online. Waiting periods, and all that.

It just seems to us that whoever is running the above "company" is taking the taxpayer/student for a ride, and no one seems to care. They can get away with it because supposedly they are part of the government.

Anyone else have similar problems?

Bitter Cold in Colorado

2008-12-21T14:15:00.002-07:00

We've had major ups and downs recently here in Colorado. Days ranging from 8 degrees F to 59 degrees F. There was a night when it was negative 15 degrees F. It's hard to make a Chihuahua go outside to do her business when her breath freezes before it gets out of her mouth, and her little paws get stuck to the ice on the porch.

Another storm is expected today. Great, isn't it? We have to leave in a couple of hours for Mother-In-Law's birthday dessert, and it's going to be frigid and possibly snowing/icing by the time we leave there tonight.

However, we're a prepared family. So, just in case we get stuck, we'll take a special bag with blankets, water, snack bars, toilet paper, candles and matches, etc. There's kitty litter in the back for weight and traction, and we're taking the Chihuahua so we'll include a little dog food and a bowl for her to drink/eat out of.

Happy Birthday, Mom-in-Law

We love you.

Today's Moment: Near Death

2008-12-17T10:39:00.003-07:00

Here is Today's Moment for your Consideration: Near Death

I almost died last night.

Or thought it.

All three of us (Hubby, me and Son) had had a reasonably-good day yesterday. Stressed about money, health, the weather, and did I say money? but still we were looking forward to another Family Fun Time after dinner. As we ate, we were laughing and joking about our next (and our last) house that we need to start searching for soon. Giggling and laughing and having fun.

I must have inhaled some dinner instead of swallowing; that part is fuzzy. Suddenly, I couldn't breathe. Hubby and Son continued making jokes as I struggled to get a cough out. Success but only out. I couldn't inhale. Another cough out. And another. They got concerned but I couldn't say anything. I didn't even have the presence of mind to give the sign for "choking" (hands cross over throat). The thoughts that went through my head: "I can't leave my baby - he's too young" and "no sense for Hubby to look for a new house" and "what did I inhale - a baseball?". I grabbed my napkin as I felt my stomach contents try to push the particle aside. Still couldn't inhale as I made my way to the kitchen (why? I don't know). Finally, as a yellow cloud started to envelope me, the particle came up and I breathed. Again. And again. I finally got enough air, in between more coughing to get my respiratory system going again.

The particle was about the size of a pinto bean.

Nobody ever discusses how choking makes one feel afterwards. I sat on the couch, unable to move except for coughing a couple of times a minute. It finally slowed down to where I could hold a conversation. But didn't want to. Unbelievable pain. My neck and collar bones hurt from the coughing. The back bottom part of my head felt like it would split, as well as the front and temples. I felt like I'd been beaten up.

I dragged myself up the stairs. Literally. I was on my hands and knees, with Hubby following. I crawled into bed, turned out the lights, and lay there with the Chihuahua snuggled against me. "Isn't it funny how dogs can sense things?" After Hubby tucked me in then put my dinner away and joined Son downstairs for a while, Hubby brought the rest of his dinner up to the bedroom while Son got ready for bed. Hubby finished eating while Son lay beside me, telling me stories to help me calm down. Then Hubby "sandwiched" me, until Son got up to finish brushing his teeth, and went to his room to read.

Once I could swallow again, I took three pain killers, and an hour or so later, another two. I cuddled the dog and later, Hubby as we tried to sleep. He slept. Dog and I didn't. The night was long in passing, but when morning came, I felt a little better.

I probably wasn't very close to an actual near-death experience, but as I was going through the moment, it felt very real. Gave me a chance to be thankful for living.

Today's Moment: Tag! You're It!

2008-12-16T02:00:00.005-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Tag.... You're It!!

We've been tagged! Here's our list of seven little-known facts about our lives:

Hubby and Wife met through Wife's personal ad on Craiglist.com, got engaged one month after their first face-to-face meeting, married 5 months later, and here they are, happily married 1 1/2 years later.
Hubby has one sister, and Wife has 3. Son has one half-brother, and a half-sister who passed a long time ago.
Sometimes when we hear a good song on the radio, TV or karoake, we three get up and dance around. We act silly and goofy, and sing to the top of our lungs while we boogie down. Quite a picture.
Hubby loves blue, Wife loves purple, and Son loves - well, it changes from day to day.
We want a home mostly underground BECAUSE Son is terrified of tonadoes taking our house away, because Wife constantly has migraines and hot flashes and needs the dark coolness, and because Hubby is wonderfully tolerant of his family.
We take a lot of supplements... vitamins, minerals, herbs, fish oil, and more. Son has the best immune system, followed closely by Hubby. Wife's immune system is majorly compromised but the supplements prevent her from being bed-ridden.
We believe in a bright future, full of love, laughter, fun, family, and joy.

Now you.... post here as a comment, or on your own website or blog.

Weather in Colorado

2008-12-15T09:00:00.003-07:00

Yes, it's cold. By 9 p.m. last night, the outside temperature was -9 degrees F.! Yes, that's a negative. It dipped further and by the time Hubby left the house this morning, it was -14 degrees. That's not the worst of it - his car wouldn't start! So he took my 24 year old car which didn't want to wake up, but did.

It's so cold that the Chihuahua doesn't want to leave her comfort of the bed, and when MADE to go outside, does her business quickly and heads back for the door. Little priss.

I realize that we're a lot luckier than most people hit by this storm. We still have all of our utilities, and our pantry is well-stocked. Many people are without a heat source, and didn't stock up on edibles as well as necessities like toilet paper.

We're having a tough time, financially, like everyone else, but we're still blessed.

Happy Birthday, Sue

2008-12-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

Sue:

I've forgotten your birthday for years now, and want to publicly apologize for that, while wishing you a major HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

You've been so much like a mother to me, and a friend. You were there for me when I needed you most, and so supportive of many of my stupid and brave actions.

Thank you. Have a wonderful day, today. I'll try to call later.

Me in Colorado

Today's Moment: Survival and Disaster Preparedness

2008-12-14T02:00:00.005-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Survival

Ugh. Survival. So many people think a survivalist is a person who believes the end of the world is coming, and wants to be ready to kill anyone who takes away his store of beans and ammo.

According to Wikipedia, "Survivalism is a commonly used term for the preparedness strategy and subculture of individuals or groups anticipating and making preparations for future possible disruptions in local, regional or worldwide social or political order. Survivalists often prepare for this anticipated disruption by learning skills (e.g., emergency medical training), stockpiling food and water, preparing for self-defense and self-sufficiency, and/or building structures that will help them to survive or "disappear" (e.g., a survival retreat or underground shelter). " (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivalism).

In our opinion, a Survivalist is someone who prepares for the worst and hopes for the best.

Please continue reading all of our blogs... we are putting together lots of tips about lots of things! Meanwhile, pick up a big bag of rice and some honey next time you go to Sam's or Costco.

Family Fun Time at a Winterfest

2008-12-13T16:49:00.004-07:00

We had a spur-of-the-moment deviation from our plans today. We had turned on the TV this morning to check the news (big cold front coming in) and saw where a near-by town was having their WinterFest today and tomorrow. Since the cold front will be here this afternoon/tonight, we packed up us and the dog, and headed to the Festival.

The Chihuahua wore her new red shirt that says "Speak to the Paw". I wore bell earrings. Son wore a green shirt and red socks. We were quite the festive bunch.

Son wanted to try the ice skating first. He'd never been on skates and was very nervous. He brushed it aside, and for $2, rented a pair of skates. Hubby helped him hit the ice. Or plastic. Whatever. It wasn't an actual ice rink but made out of some kind of plastic that no one knew anything about. Believe me, Hubby tried to find out.

We were so proud of Son. After about 5 minutes of barely moving and falling down several times, he finally got the hang of "walking". He made a new friend. Got up more quickly after falling down. And really enjoyed himself. He'd had enough after about 20 minutes but definitely wants to do it again. We'll see if we can find a nearby rink and somehow find the money for lessons. Maybe.

Then, after walking around for a bit, we froze. The winds came. We grabbed a bit to eat, and by the time we were done, all four of us were cold. Hubby and Son went back to the car for our coats while Chihuahua and I shivered at the picnic table. We walked around a little more, admired the decorated Christmas trees, saw "elves" hard at work painting toys, and enjoyed the warmth of a fire circle.

Quite the day. Glad we went. Glad to be back home.

Maybe we'll push game time to tomorrow, along with maybe decorating our mail box and wrapping up presents. And recipe experimenting (pizza crust from potatoes and one from rice - interesting, huh?). Meanwhile, I'm bushed, with the beginning of a migraine. Gonna take a nap with the already-asleep Chihuahua.

Today's Moment: Favorite Food

2008-12-13T02:00:00.002-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Favorite Food

What is your absolute, must-have, favorite food? Chocolate? Pizza? Burgers? Carrot Cake? Fish and Chips? Hot Dogs? Turkey and Dressing? Chicken Nuggets? Sodas and Shakes? Ice Cream?

Why did you choose this as your favorite food? Comfort? Memories? Taste? Additives? Convenience?

If your favorite food isn't healthy, what can we do about it? First, we need to understand that health is wealth in this world. If we are healthy, we can work, and will spend less time at the doctors and less money at the pharmacy. Don't care much for healthy foods? Retrain your palate. That's we're planning to do in the year 2009. Nutrient-dense food feels so satisfying and leaves us feeling full. Junk food makes us crave more junk food.

Plan your schedule around eating. Eat about the same time every day, making sure to ingest something (including snacks) every 3 hours or so. Focus on non-processed foods (unless you've done the processing yourself). Snack on nuts, seeds, fruits and veggies. Eat beans/peas/lentils at least 4-5 times a week.

Give it a try. In 2-3 months, could you answer "what is your favorite food" differently that you did today?

Today's Moment: Pandemic

2008-12-12T10:06:00.003-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Pandemic

According to Wikipedia, "A pandemic (from Greek παν pan all + δήμος demos people) is an epidemic of infectious disease that spreads through populations across a large region; for instance a continent, or even worldwide." (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandemic )

While some people believe that a pandemic is very long overdue, others believe it's all nonsense, or fate or coincidence. No matter what you believe, the fact remains that History is filled with times of diseases that travel great distances and hurt/sicken/maime/kill people everywhere.

Don't take a chance. Boost your immune system. Exercise. Eat healthy. Store medical supplies as well as food, fuel, water and clothing.

You know.... just in case.

Family Fun Time #2: X-Mas Karoake & Battleship

2008-12-12T07:12:00.003-07:00

Last night was our 2nd night of our new reward system. Son had his schoolwork done before the deadline so after dinner and chores, we got out the Christmas Karoke disks and sang along with them. I almost have my voice back! Then, while I cloved oranges, Hubby and Son played their first ever Battleship game. Hubby won, but Son will probably next time, now that he understands the game.

It was a pretty good night.

Today's Moment: Milk

2008-12-11T04:00:00.001-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Milk

It's true that milk provides our human bodies with the calcium needed for our bones and teeth, but why are we the only mammals who continue drinking milk beyond the baby stage? Milk from cows is better suited for calves who have more than one stomach to digest the proteins. Milk from goats is a little closer to what we need for human digestion. Rice milk, soy milk, almond milk, etc. is better for us, unless you happen to be allergic to those products.

Once you pass the baby stage, can you live without milk? Absolutely.

Can you live without calcium? Not very well. Think about getting your calcium from other sources, including... spinach, soybeans, spinach, kale and broccoli.

Milk.... does it really do a body good?

Today's Moment: Budget

2008-12-10T04:00:00.000-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Budget

With today's economy, if you haven't planned a budget or even thought about it, make that your new year's resolution. We created a spread sheet in Excel that indicates every payday and each bill and when they are due. Every time Wife gets on the computer, she checks it to see if any are due that day. If any are, she checks the bank account to make sure there's money to cover it, and either pays the bill online or sends a check.

Also, each regular check received immediately gets divided - first to savings, part to each of our personal accounts, and the majority to the joint account for bills.

We don't have much extra, especially in this economy, but at least the mortgage is being paid every month. Is yours?

Today's Moment: Environment

2008-12-09T13:03:00.002-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": The Environment

As we drove home from shopping a few days ago, we noticed the city of Denver had a blue/gray haze over it. Even with low temperatures, and snow on the ground, it was quite obvious that pollution plays a big role in not only scenery, but also health. We're sick. Many people are sick. Is it just a new strain of respiratory illness/the flu or is it because the healthy rays of the sun can't come through and we're trapped in a bubble of smog and carbon emissions?

I hate to think that our Son will be growing up with this type of environment. Clear cutting. Disappearing rain forests. Endangered animals extinct. Peak oil and peak food.

We are working on this end to help our environment... are you?

Busy Busy Busy with Recipe Creating

2008-12-09T12:53:00.002-07:00

We've been so hard at work creating 365 days of grain-rotating menus and recipes that we've let other things fall behind. Hoping we'll catch up this week since Hubby is off work. Of course, he has a long honey-do list to work through, like working on the essentials-replacement list, pollinate our indoor tomato plants, take care of our hydroponic greenhouses, clean up the backyard, shovel the snow (that was today - about 4-6 inches) from the sidewalks/porch/stairs/driveway, and clean the carpet.

Son has lots of schoolwork to do, even though somehow between last Thursday and today, he's lost his language arts workbook. Interesting, huh?

And I have more work to do on the 365 rotation diet, and recipe experimentation.

And we all still have the flu. Fun fun.

Happy Birthday, Sister

2008-12-08T19:34:00.003-07:00

To My Older Sister:

You turned 48 today. God, I feel old. Like I told you yestserday on the phone, it seems like only yesterday I helped my wonderful older nephew make gummy worms and spiders, and help you treat his asthma. Now he's on leave from Iraq and the father of a 15-month old little girl. Amazing.

It's been so long since we were little girls, the three of us. Swimming in the Summer. Trudging through the snow to buy bread and milk, then stopping at the library. Making homemade cinnamon rolls and candles. Playing Clue. Music lessons. Junior Art Gallery. You remember Polly, the dog? We had her how long.... 2-3 weeks?

It's been forever since we had a good talk. About family. The past. The future. Our illnesses, and overall health. About our parents, and our children. About Nana and Pap-pa. Grandmother and Grandfather.

I miss you, and hope you and your family are doing well. We intend to visit "home" next Fall, maybe October. Meanwhile, hope your birthday today was wonderful.

Your Sis

Today's Moment: Chores

2008-12-07T05:00:00.002-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Chores

If you can move, pick up things, or talk, you can handle a chore or two. My Son matched up clean socks as soon as he knew his colors. He also helped to move the laundry from the washer into the dryer, and set the table. Now that he's 12 years old, he empties the dishwasher every time it's done cleaning, he sets the tables, he cleans his room, cleans his bathroom, helps with gardening, waters the indoor plants, helps to harvest, takes his laundry to the basement, brings up clean laundry to fold, empties trash cans, takes out the trash and recycling, takes the trash and recycling bins to the curb on appropriate days, and vacuums as necessary. He also does other things as needed. He has almost always helped with chores (especially since Mom is disabled) and doesn't complain. Ok, much.

Whereas many kids his age don't have chores. Why? Everyone needs to learn responsibility and self-sufficiency. NO EXCEPTION.

Today's Moment: Procrastination

2008-12-06T05:00:00.002-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Procrastination

I'll write this later.

Just teasing. However, I have often been referred to as the "queen of procrastination", and Hubby is now the "king". Bad habits. Now being picked up by Son. Why do we put things off? Sometimes, er, no, usually, it's better to just get things done and out of the way. Why do we wait until we feel better, and maybe have a little more time? Or sometimes, things don't get done at all because we wait and wait and wait, then it's just too late.

Take Son. He knows his schoolworks needs to be done by a certain time, but he prefers to dilly-dally, pace, sing songs, play in the bathroom, and who-knows-what-else. When I start counting down to time left, he might scramble to start his work, but usually gets side-tracked again, and thinks he has plenty of time. Then, an hour or two is left to do 4 or 5 assignments, and it's the real scramble time, mixed with begging for more time and dealing like "tell you what, if you give me another two hours, I'll finish it up by then".

Procrastination. Why?

Today's Moment: Adoption

2008-12-05T05:00:00.003-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Adoption

Not something we think about on a regular basis, but it's a very real situation. There are many children in the foster situation who need you. A parent, or two. A home. Security. Love. People who believe in them. Not just babies, but children up to 18, and older if they are special needs.

Will you give a child a chance?

We want to adopt. Do we have enough money? Are we a good enough family? Do we have enough love? Will our Son get along with other kids, and willing to share our love, home and toys? Are we acceptable to the agencies and social workers and government? And to the child/ren?

What do you think?

AutoMakers Bailout

2008-12-04T18:47:00.001-07:00

We read these links today:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081204/ap_on_go_co/congress_autos
http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/04/news/companies/senate_hearing/index.htm
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/

Are they kidding us? Just because the Big 3 went back to Washington in their hybrid cars instead of their personal jets, means we should now trust them? And Ford doesn't actually need the money, that it's "just in case"?

If we ran our business like them, would we get a bailout? NO. Mom and Pop stores, necessary for local small-town economies, are going out of business but can't qualify for a bailout. Hell, they can't even get a call returned.

We realize that the auto-makers have a lot of people depending on them: factory workers, parts suppliers, auto dealers, etc. But we, the taxpayers of the good ole US of A didn't mis-manage the businesses. THEY DID.

We are surprised at how our government is acting. Its socialism for the wealthy and capitalism for the general public. This bailout and these banks, insurance giants and and now automakers are making this out to be a joke, using our hard-earned taxpayer dollars to give false-props to bad business models.

Listen here, you elected people in Washington, you want to bail them out? Do this...

If you give them any money, take complete control in how it's spent.
Request the top 10 people in each 3 companies step down, with no bonus or payoff or severence, etc.
Require a complete disclosure of their books over the past 5 years, to be reviewed by an upstanding accounting firm and made public.
Require a management consultant team to oversee retooling the plants and complete operations. Give Frank Cogswell in Louisville, KY a try. He might come out of retirement.
See that their offers to reduce pay to $1 a year is followed through. Or if the top execs are replaced, make sure the replacements take only $1 a year.

That's how we feel.

Stop wasting our money and time. Focus on fixing this country and our economy, not placating old-town political supports who screw up again and again and again and....

You get the picture.

Oh, and once again, we plead for the termination of Paulson from his position. Really, get someone in that position who doesn't have people in his pockets or a political agenda.

Today's Moment: Economy and Gift-Giving

2008-12-04T05:00:00.006-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Economy and Gift-Giving

Today is the day we shop for Christmas presents. We don't have much this year; nearly every penny is going to the mortgage and basic bills. But Son has a bit of money of his own so it will go directly to getting things he's requested. And he's been asked to give up a gift or two for the good of the family.

So besides the night vision goggles and microscope he's requested, he/we are also getting RootVue gardens to grow our favorite carrots (red, purple and white) in the windowsills. And for every 5 books he gets at the thrift store, we'll get 1 for the family. Then we'll also spend some of his Christmas money on his favorite dried fruits from our favorite online store: http://www.justtomatoes.com/. (See the pictures to the right: peas, blackberries, mano and blueberries - his favorites!)

This economy has helped Hubby and I decide that this year, our 2nd as husband and wife, we won't buy gifts for each other. We're writing each other love letters. (I know, how romantic.) And if we're lucky enough for Hubby to get a Christmas bonus, we'll put it towards bills and hopefully our new home.

With this economy, many people can't afford a huge holiday celebration. How about your ask your own kids to give up one or two presents for the good of the family? Or if your kids are grown, just give to the grandkids, or just small homemade gifts, like ornaments, baked goodies, or a basket with baking supplies like spices, flour, cocoa powder, etc.

Put a little more thought into your gift-giving this holiday season.

Dinner Experiment with Lentils

2008-12-03T19:07:00.001-07:00

We've never cooked lentils before. But since they are high in protein and good for us, we thought we'd give them a try. So Wifey cooked them with a little onion powder, drained off the extra water, then added them to our green salad, kinda like people do with chickpeas. Made Son promise to eat at least a teaspoon of the lentils. Added a few carrots from our garden, and bran muffins (cranberry-orange for Wifey and Hubby, and Son got plain). Simple but healthy dinner. We try.

Today's Moment: Gardening

2008-12-03T05:00:00.002-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Gardening

Hubby and I both grew up with fathers who did a little backyard gardening from time to time. For the most part, though, we ate produce from the grocery store, and maybe jams our grandparents "put up".

We've been married now for 1 1/2 years, and last January bought our first house together. By the time Spring came around, we had purchased our seeds, and made plans for our first garden. We sowed seeds into little peat pellets, watered and waited. We researched companion planting, pests and diseases. We discovered we had almost no usable soil (mostly sand over clay), bought potting soil, and arranged tires and wooden frames we made ourselves. We got our hands dirty. We grew corn, pumpkins, several squashes, beans, berries, carrots, greens, eggplant, and much more. We made lots of mistakes, but also lots of right moves. And the coming of Autumn didn't stop that. After harvesting, we moved several plants indoors under grow lights (mostly tomatoes and berries), plus started some hydroponics mini-greenhouses.

The feeling of complete satisfaction embraced our little 3-person family. We looked at our tiny cornfield, our gourd vines, our tomato plants, our friendly corn-field frog, and our stocked freezer, and felt good at being able to provide healthy food for our family.

Try it. Even if it's just growing lettuce in your windowsill, give it a shot. Listen to the satisfaction you feel.

Today's Moment: Children

2008-12-02T05:00:00.002-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Children

I made a vow long ago that I didn't want children. I spoiled my sister's kid, but generally thought kids were misbehaving selfish brats. Noisy. Snotty. Sometimes brought laughter to my heart, but I wasn't ready to be unselfish myself.

Then my Son came along (protection is NOT 100% preventative).

I knew the moment of conception. Within moments, I began throwing up and didn't stop for 4 months. The stirring of little gas bubbles turned out to be a little being moving around, trying to get comfortable. The strawberry-blond head, round at birth, framed by the swaddling. Tiny toes and fingers. A different cry for each need. A required surgery at 9 months. My boy made me love him from the first millisecond, and while our road has been very difficult, it's been worth it.

Hubby has always wanted children but never had the opportunity. He missed out on rubbing a pregnant belly, the swollen feet, the cravings, and the blessings of a first smile and magnificant gurgle. We're trying to conceive together, but we're both old. Meanwhile he's finding out what love and a family means.

I almost missed this. Being a mom, I mean. Because I thought most children were brats, and the products of bad parenting.

Give thanks for a child in your life. And if you have none...

why?

Obama's choice of Clinton

2008-12-01T10:59:00.003-07:00

Congratulations to Hillary Clinton for being chosen as the next Secretary of State. President-Elect Obama - good choice. She's saavy, smart, and completely right for the job.

Today's Moment: Bread

2008-12-01T05:00:00.004-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Bread

We're so used to the spongy squishy soft bread available at the stores. You know the kind - the plastic wrap has colored circles on it, or a Roman gladiator on the package. It's stays fresh for a few days, and freezes well. It's evenly sliced for uniform sandwiches. And it rarely goes on sale for less than a dollar.

When was the last time you ate home-baked bread? From stone- or hand-ground wheat? The bread that dense, dark and filling? Or from grains other than wheat, like spelt, rice or bean flour?

Not that we eat much bread, but I've been experimenting lately with making our bread ourselves. Since we're starting a rotational diet in January, our bread-making and bread-eating will be even less - only one day a week. So, when I say bread, what grain comes to YOUR mind?

Snow in Denver, and Spirit the Chihuahua

2008-11-30T08:17:00.003-07:00

We awoke yesterday morning to a couple inches of snow on the ground. Our dog, Spirit, must never have encountered the white stuff before because when I let her out of the back door, she looked puzzled. You could almost hear her thinking: "Where is all the grass and porch, and what is this white stuff?". I encouraged her to walk out (ok, her butt got a little push with my food - just a little nudge). She walked into the 2-inches of snow and a look of complete shock held her face. "This is COLD!" It took me walking around, making a path for her before she would pee.

Then this morning, it was actually still snowing when we went outside. Spirit was hesitant at first because I'm sure she was remembering yesterday morning. But I went out first, then she followed. She started to turn back but I closed the door. It didn't take as much encouragement today because some of yesterday's snow had melted, revealing dead grass.

What a quandry! What will she do when we've gotten a foot or two of snow, which is completely likely, given where we live? Guess we'll have to make sure most of her walks are in the backyard, or get a litter box or something. After all, she's only 10 pounds. And very stubborn.

Today's Moment: Hair

2008-11-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Hair (?)

Yes, take a moment today to think about hair. Do you have any left? What color was it? Texture? Problems?

Did you ever notice there as many variations of brown hair as there are people? Or black, blond or red? My hair is brunette, sprinkle with gray and red. It hangs down past my waist, which means I can either sit on it or remember to move it to the side. Most often I put it in a bun or braid, to keep it somewhat out of my face.

Hubby likes my hair, and decided to grow his long. It's about 4 inches down his back now. I put it in a pony tail for him on work-days so he can keep his job. His brown hair is different than mine, and has a white streak along the side that's been there for many years.

Son was born with strawberry-red hair, eyelashes, eyebrows... the works. By the time he was a toddler, it had deepened to a copper color. I tried desparately to come up with a name for his haircolor, but exhausted the crayon box and haircolors in the store. I just call it copper or bronze, depending on if he's in sunshine or not. He had little "Shirley Temple" ringlets until he hit 10 years old or so; now he prefers a buzz-cut.

What about the hair of your family members?

Our Thanksgiving: Food, Family and Fun

2008-11-29T07:21:00.005-07:00

I realize it's Saturday morning, but we're still fighting this flu and it's hanging on. So here's a bit about our Thanksgiving:

Hubby had work off, so the three of us (plus dog) played and enjoyed being a family. Around 11 a.m., Hubby started his shower, Son finished his schoolwork (yes, on Thanksgiving), and I started the food. By the time we left at 12:30, all three of us were showered and cleaned up, the food for Picky-Eater-Son was prepared, and the green-bean cassarole (our assigned dish) was cooked and in a towel-packed box, ready for transportation.

We got to Cousin-Ellen's house a bit early, but that gave us a chance to chill with family, and for me to get to know them a little better (after all, I'd only met them twice: once at our wedding April 2007 and again last Thanksgiving). The rest of the family started to arrive, and soon, the house was full with kids and parents, with the loud greetings and delicious smells. Dave said grace after a moment of silence, then we ate: turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, my green-beans, Dave's odd but yummy stuffing, rolls and herbed butter, Mo's corn bake, green salad, squash and rice dish, homemade gravy, and Floyd and Helen brought pumpkin and pecan pies. Everyone ate until full. The kids watched Willy Wonka upstairs then went to a nearby park. It was an enjoyable time, and I appreciated the chance to get to know more of Hubby's family. Son enjoyed playing with other kids, and Hubby seemed somewhat relaxed. A good Thanksgiving.

What is our little family of 3 thankful for? A roof over our heads, clothes, food, love, friendship, laughter, conversations, books, fun. Even though the economy is tight, we have just enough to pay the mortgage and other basic bills. And even though our attempts to get pregnant haven't worked, we have healthy, fast-growing and fun Son. We believe this family is blessed, even in this hard time.

Thank you.

Today's Moment: Art

2008-11-29T07:17:00.002-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Art

When was the last time you were artistic or even looked at something called "Art"? Art, besides the obvious canvas or sculpture, can be a pile of colored socks, a fluffy white cloud backed with a yellow and orange horizon, or the face of a sleeping baby. Take a look around you and find the beauty of display. What did you find?

Today's Moment: Listen

2008-11-28T05:00:00.002-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Listen

Did you listen to the people around you yesterday? What did you hear? Were people thankful for the things they have, or complaining about the economy and politics? Did you hear pleasure and hope, or despair and depression.

Did you listen at all?

Apple Recipes

2008-11-27T09:59:00.002-07:00

How exciting! While I'm waiting for Hubby to finish shaving and showering and getting ready for our big day, and Son is doing schoolwork (yes, even on a Holiday!), I'm working on our recipes for apples.

We decided to come up with lots of e-books for recipes, and are separating them out by main ingredient. Thought we'd start with apples (we recently picked a whole tub full). This morning, Hubby gathered all of our cookbooks and my special recipe files. I'm going through them, looking at my notes and pulling cards. I've already come up with 27 apple recipes, and still have to finish going through our family's cookbooks.

Then... we'll spend the next week making delicious apple goodies... from Waldorf Salad to Apple Brown Betty to Ambrosia and Apple Cake. Some are lactose-free, some are gluten-free, some are heart-healthy, and some use stored foods. Some are all of them! And ALL are delicious! Most will even pass my Son-Test.

Ok, it's my turn for the shower, and then I need to get the green bean cassarole in the oven. Son is done with schoolwork (finally) and needs to walk the dog before taking his own shower. Wonder if I should curl my hair?

Happy Thanksgiving, EVERYONE!

(Also posted this at www.survival-cooking.blogspot.com)

Today's Moment: Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T05:00:00.001-07:00

Here's today's "Take a Moment": Give Thanks

Today is Thanksgiving. We'll be spending it as a family with new Hubby's extended family. We're taking the requested green-bean cassarole, and a plate for our picky-eater kid.

But before we go, we'll sit down in the living room, with Chihuahua dog Spirit, and talk about what we're thankful for. In our first house. For our second Thanksgiving as a family. With our first pet.

What do you have planned? Did you enjoy yourself? Do or eat anything new? What are you thankful for this year?