secondary infection...

Well, with a month-long illness my immune system was bound to be compromised.  Now I've got the dreaded secondary infections:  a sinus infection.  I'm using my neti pot, eucalyptus oil, warm baths, steam treatments, anti-inflammatory/pain meds....need to check on decongestants & zinc treatments.  I'm also sipping red tea (antioxidants) and trying to rest (ya right).  I'm gonna skip the doc & more antibiotics until we see if I can handle this at home.  My body does NOT need more antibiotics - I'm sure that would send my body out of whack and would probably lead to more thrush issues (I am *NOT* doing that again).

I ordered my SuperMom vitamins from Beeyoutiful, Wednesday evening ~ they are on their way.  It may not clear up my current issues, but hopefully I can get my body back to normal and build up my immune system again.  I've also been told to buy the "green" drinks (superfood type stuff) that you can find in the grocery store.  They taste like fruit drinks, yet also have TONS of veggies and green foods in them.  This is one way many people build up their immune systems ~ I don't want to go through *this* again.  I'm completely SOLD on preventative measures whenever possible!!

So sorry, no more current blogging.  Someday I'll be back.....someday......

apparently....

I appear to be taking a blogging break.

I didn't *mean* to.  I just got sick (hmmm.....could it be H1N1??.....cue scary music....duhn, duhn, duhn) and it seemed to drag on and on and on.  I'm still coughing, although not NEAR as bad.  Now I'm just draining all my sinusy gunk away (gross, I know), so hopefully I'm at the end of this all.  Then I am *definitely* jumping back on the vitamin bandwagon (SuperMom Vitamins here I come!).

Just to catch you up with what's happening around here...um, not much.

No, seriously though, this bug wiped me out.  The kids and I have S L O W L Y been working our way through a unit study on Charlotte's Web (review to follow for my favorite *instant* curriculum site:  CurrClick).  [Hey, Charlotte's Web?  Wilbur?!  Swine Flu?!?  It's all connected ~ man, when we do a unit study, we really go *all out*, eh??!]  We're also still working our way through their Lifepac Math books (10 workbooks per year) - each child is going at his  or her own pace and lovin' it! (loving math, you woulda thunk it?!).  Tali is working on her letters (learning to write them and what sound they make) although we're not doing anything formal - just livin' life and a worksheet here or there whenever she wants to sit down and "do school" with the big'uns.

I've also reading my way through a book on UN-schooling.  I'm not up for actually unschooling my children as their sole education - yet I enjoy learning how these families live their lives in such an educationally-rich environment.  I would love to add some of these "ideas" into our day to day lives, just normal living, plus some of our more structured curriculum.  I'm not willing to give up our math workbooks, nor our copywork or unit studies (which are totally fun anyways) - plus, as the kids get older, their school becomes a bit more structured anyways (a lot done on the computer) - that's the plan anyways.   You know the saying.....well laid plans and all......;)  It's fun to read and experiment with different ideas anyway~

We've also got Trunk-or-Treat happening at our church soon.  The kids expressed an interest for our family to actually have a decorated "trunk" this year to pass out candy.  The idea is for them all to be Wizard of Oz characters (Isaac-Tinman, Selah-Scarecrow, Tali-Dorothy, Elijah-lion, Micah-Toto) and the van to be decorated with simple scenes from the movie (twister, emerald city, forest, yellow brick road, rainbow).  I think I can pull most of this off with cardboard, paint, markers, scissors and glue - I think.  I would also have to come up with my own costume.  The wicked witch of the east would be easiest (I have a long black dress, could get a cape and pointy hat)......but do pastor's wives DO wicked witches??  Is that a problem??  Everyone watches The Wizard of Oz.....hmmm.....still debating.....

Lastly, the work should be starting soon on our downstairs (my parents future living space) ~ that outta be interesting.  It'll sure be educational, that's for sure.  I'm guessing we'll be doing a bunch of learning focused on plumbing, floorplans, electricians, drywall, "green" products, etc......we could have our very own Remodeling/Construction Unit Study!!

I'm starting to feel the beginnings of a sinus migraine....the weather is changing a bit and some rain is coming.  Added in with my stuffed up head.....well, let's just say I need to take a few Excedrin.  Then I'm off to crochet some Christmas presents.  Fun stuff~

Later my faithful friends (and thanks for sticking around during my LONG absence),

~our techie kids~

**I found this over at Kidspace Blog from Trinity Church in TX, I believe.  Not sure if it's from one of their curriculum pages or a parent or what.....but I thought it was hilarious!!  That is *so* my children, or will be very soon ~ they are going to surpass my tech knowledge before I even know what's going on!

I don't get it?!?

Ok, well, we can never move south, that's for sure!!

Actually, we're *never moving again* - yet by the actions of my children, they will never be able to live in a southern climate, let me tell you!!

Give us a good, bright, warm, sunny day.....my kiddos are inside.  I ask 'em if they want to go play.  I try to bribe them outdoors (so I can have some quiet).  I DEMAND they go outdoors.right.now.

Whines, moans, ah, please, Momma, it's *hot*, it's too bright, I'm all sweaty......ugh.


Yet today, in the 50's, very cloudy, it's been spittin' rain here & there, windy, plain ol' chilly......they LOVE IT!  They've been outdoors all afternoon.  I can't keep Tali's shoes on her bare feet.  I *made* them put on sweatshirts.  They've been chasing the next door neighbor's cat (I think) around the yard (feeding it, I might add...oh great) - trying to get a hold of the duck that's taken up our pond as his new home - and sticking their arms through the fence to pet the farm dogs next door (yes, I've told them not to do this....I've told them they might get bitten.....no one really seems to care).

Isaac is running up and down the driveway, with handfuls of leaves, letting them go - one by one - to watch them fly in the wind (did I mention it was really windy today?).

What is with my children??
I'm just wondering....;)



p.s.  it just started POURING down rain!  I ran to the back deck, looking for the kiddos, then yelled "Isaac, Selah, Talitha!!!"  They popped their little heads out from under the slide....all smiling!?!  I yelled, "GET IN HERE".  Okay, Momma.  Weird children...

uh-oh

Remember the ninjas??

Well, apparently, Isaac's father told him that there are no scary-ninjas in Michigan.  Whew.....

But there *are* those red-necks.....




uh-oh

~Momma's Chili~

I *love* this time of year!

Seriously, I can start dinner ANY time of day, then just let it simmer on the stove until Dean gets home.  Talk about working into my schedule - this is awesome!!

And you NEED to try this chili recipe.  Yes, I know, everyone has their own chili recipe and they are all FABULOUS.  But really, *try this one* - just for a change of pace, if nothing else.  It's a bit sweet, a bit spicy and it tastes so amazing you don't even need all those "normal" chili extras (i.e. crackers, shredded cheese, sour cream, etc.).  Although I have been known to take leftovers and pour it over some corn chips.  Or maybe over some spaghetti noodles...mmmm, that would be delish!!  Or mac-n-cheese - hey, CHILI-MAC.  Oh. my. goodness.  Make a big ol' batch of this and you'll have delicious, interesting leftovers the kids will actually eat!

*drooling*

Ok, here's the recipe:

Saute:
3 lbs. (I use 2) hamburger (I have used bulk sausage too)
1 gr. pepper, diced
1 red pepper, diced (I've used yellow/orange)
1 med. onion
salt & pepper to taste
garlic powder (I use minced garlic sometimes, whatever)


Dump into large pot and add:
5-6 Tbl. chili powder (this scared me at first, but it's good)
1 3/4 c. ketchup
3 Tbl. lime juice *a must*
4-6 Tbl. brown sugar (I go with 6)
1 Tbl. worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. mustard (I've used honey mustard before)
1 1/2 Tbl. cumin
3 c. tomato juice (I usually use tom. sauce - today I used some tomato soup as well)
1 (16oz) can kidney beans; drained (today I used a can of red & a can of white)
1 (14oz) can stewed tomatoes (today I used diced tomatoes w/ jalepenos in them)
1 c. beef bouillon (I use 1 c. hot water w/ 1 tsp. beef base mixed in)
salt & pepper & garlic to taste, if needed (I never do)


Stir altogether ~ bring *just* to a low simmer.  Reduce to very low, cook for 1-2 hours.

As long as you keep the sweet & spicy, the vinegar, the mustard, the ketchup, the basics the same - you can play around with this recipe to use what you have on hand.  Any kind of tomato products will work.  Only have a big ol' jar of diced tomatoes?  Fine.  Squish 'em up a bit and you're set - maybe just add some water.  Use whatever ground meat you want to - there's enough spices and taste in here for turkey...hey, maybe some venison!?!   Yum.  Don't have enough meat - stretch it out with more beans, more tomatoes, more veggies...

ENJOY!!

hanging in there

Just wanted to let you know that I haven't completely gone AWOL.....

I am still quite sick.  I have a wicked cough and a weird neck pain that I'm hoping is related to weeks of sickness and coughing (cause I don't want to think about what else it could be).

I did see the doc on Saturday, have been on antibiotics since then, plus an inhaler.  Today, my dh will bring home some cough syrup - you know, the *good* stuff (at least that's what the doc said).

Once I am feeling a bit better - and not ready to pass out from exhaustion just doing the basics - I will be back with lots to share and talk about......I know, I know, you're waiting on the edge of your seat, aren't you!?!  Ha!

Later, my friends,


p.s.  I've been looking at working my way through a book called Thin Within.  Any thoughts??