Kay- I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved grandmother. It's hard saying goodbye even though you know they will no longer be suffering and in pain. ((big hug))
K2-I don't know what stash tea is either, tea sounds good though right now.
Ohara- I hope your DH's interview went well Friday. Lots of well wishes.
Sparkle- It's still cold here even though we are in Spring. Seems winter doesn't want to say goodbye even though the calander is telling me it's time for it to leave. ~ I hope your family is all feeling better. Pneumonia is so painful.
Juju- How are you and the new baby doing? How is the family adjusting to having baby #4 home. Congrats again.
Everyone else I hope you are having a great day.
Tonight was soup with sandwiches and crackers.
Yesterday was Ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn casserole, spinach casserole, oriental salad, green beans, baked beans, rolls and a few other items. Pineapple cake and 7 layer bars were dessert.
I didn't make anything since we got in from Florida at 9am Easter morning. DH drove straight through and I stayed up with him so we were both exhausted.
It was a fun trip. The kids didn't want to leave. We spent 2 days at Sea World, one day at Disney in the Magic Kingdom (would have done another day but our legs were so sore and the kids were exhausted) 2 days at the Kennedy Space center along with Cocoa beach and Clearwater beach on those same days. I really would love to have spent another 3 days there but it was time to come home and get back to the real world (plus our wallets needed a break). Whenever I get the pics downloaded into my computer I'll email a few of them to you all.
We ate so much junk food I can't even list it all.....all I know is I've gotten fatter and was only gone a week so that should tell you all how healthy we ate 
We are doing great.
Yesterday we had: Smoked ham, pork tenderloin, and chicken with mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, cottage cheese, deviled eggs, rolls, and I don't remember what else...there was a lot of food.
This week the homeschool group I belong to is bringing us supper. Tonight was chicken casserole, cheesy mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, salad, and carrot cake.
butterflyjuju~ I plan on homeschooling my daughter for atleast kindergarten. Would you be willing to share some advice/pointers/experience? I was even thinking of opening a thread for homeschooling parent discussions/support.? How is it working out for you and your family?
K2cakes--I don't really have much advice or experience yet. My oldest is only in first grade. Right now we are behind because of the pregnancy and birth of Meredyth. We have just started getting back into the swing of things.
K2....check out this newer thread:
http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-626253.html
Thought you all might want to use these. I do and it helps save money, plus no more nasty chemicals to smell.
Window cleaner
* 1 cup white vinegar
* 3 cups water
Directions
Mix both together in a bowl.
Transfer into a spray bottle.
Shake well, then spray onto dirty glass and wipe off with a crumbled up newspaper to get sparkling clean windows!
Homemade furniture polish
* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* 1 tablespoon lime juice
Directions
Put the ingredients in a bowl.
Mix well.
With a soft cloth, apply this on your furniture.
Immediately wipe off with a dry soft cloth.
Lo and behold- your furniture will shine like new!
Repeat as much as you like, for all your furniture.
Fruit and vegetable wash recipe
* 1 cup water
* 1 cup vinegar
* 1 tablespoon baking soda
* 20 drops grapefruit seed extract (you can find this in your healthy food store, natural antibacterial) (optional)
Directions
Mix all ingredients together in a DEEP pitcher. See note above!
Pour into a spray bottle.
Spray on fruits and or vegetables and allow to sit for 5 or 10 minutes before rinsing.
another fruit and vegetable wash/preserve recipe
SPRAY
* 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
* 1 tablespoon baking soda
* 1 cup water
SOAK
* 1/4 cup vinegar
* 2 tablespoons salt
Directions
For the spray; put all ingredients into a spray bottle (be careful as it will foam up) shake gently to mix, then spray on veggies or fruit allow to sit for about 2-5 minutes then rinse under cold water.
For soak; fill a clean sink or a large basin with cold water; add in vinegar and salt, then swish around with hands (you may also do this in a large bowl).
Place the fruit and/or veggies in and allow to sit for 25-30 minutes although I have even left soaking for over an hour (this will not effect the flavor at all, the vinegar cleans and the salt draws out any little bugs, dirt and other small unwanted things, it also will remove some of the wax.
Rinse under cold water and dry.
Tonight dinner was whole wheat pancakes drizzled in honey. We also had banana vanilla yogurt smoothies and small egg - ham and cheese on tiny little bagels. I told my DH to think of them as breakfast sliders.
I hope to have time to also make candied pineapple tonight.
Have a goodnight everyone.
Tonight they brought us a macaroni bake (like spaghetti but with elbow noodles), corn with cream cheese, and french bread.
OMG I don't know what I'm going to do with all the leftovers. They are bringing enough for a larger family...lol.
Melissa~ How was the vacation to Florida? I lOVE vinegar and water for cleaner! It's all I'll use for my own family. (when I'm not baking and following code for customers w/bleach) 
Kay~ I'm sorry about your grandmother passing. My thoughts are with you.
Ohara~ I'm crossing my fingers and toes for you and your family. 
Sparkle~ Stash tea? www.stashtea.com (it's about the BEST loose (and bag) tea available in my opinion). We order it online twice a year in bulk and it's a fair price. I'm big on green teas (not blacks, too much caffeine), but they have flavored infusions, everything. It keeps me sane... and is my one real luxury. I don't drink or smoke, so gotta have my loose tea ritual. 
Butterflyjuju~ I hope you and the baby are feeling well and getting plenty of rest.
Janine ~ I miss you. Hope to chat soon.
Tonight was~
vegan buffalo wings (no wings involved)
brown rice with soy marg. and nutritional yeast (cheesy flavor)
steamed green peas
Well, my business is finally starting to pick up, even if it's small orders... I think the big orders are still intimidating with my lack of kitchen space, etc. This isn't what I want to do in the long run, but it's a way to make money at home and remain creative. I'd like to be doing sculpture fulltime eventually ~ have a great studio space.
My sculptural will be in an art exhibit in May (also shown online) if anyone is interested in seeing what kind of art I make. I can PM the link to anyone who's interested (Melissa?) when the time comes. My work isn't everyone's cup of tea, so I completely understand if not.
Have a great week everyone~
"GLAVEN..." Funny.....I have seen this on all the news channels... people have sent me the link several times today. I have watched it over and over. I have enjoyed it each and every time I have watched it. What an amazing talent! I think everyone is sharing this link because we all need to feel better about our world, and this does just that!!!!
Your right Melissa.....don't judge a book by it's cover.
Tonight we were brought spaghetti, green beans, salad, and french bread.
Check this out. Never judge a book by it's cover.
(hope the link works)
I just listened to her, and I immediately BURST into tears. 
(I'm mean after TWO words!) ... so few people have the gift to move others emotionally with just their voice. I'm not sure if it's the frequency of her voice, or that I just really needed a good cry, but I am just flooded with memories and emotions I can't explain.
Thank you Melissa.
Tonight was southern BBQ beef tips over red skinned smashed potatoes, carrots with a honey-cinnamon glaze and baked red skinned potatoes that were crispy (DH couldn't make his mind up about the potatoes so I just made both.) Dessert was brownies.
I just made some vanilla sugar and vanilla extract. I'll have to wait at least 2 weeks for the sugar and around 4 or more months for the extract. I hope I can wait that long, I really want to try it now and I just made it. 
The sump pump in my parents basement went out after a rain storm. YIKES! 4-6 inches of water in their entire basement. They were still cleaning it 12 hours later.
We were brought tater tot casserole and strawberry shortcake.
Good morning ladies.
Last night was chicken, risotto, sweet peas, cottage cheese and french bread.
Tonight I am grilling a pork loin, and we are having hash brown casserole, and some kind of veggie.
Mkolmar....I love vinegar. I use so much of it that I buy it in the big jugs a Sam's club. I use it a lot in my laundry. Thanks for posting the cleaner recipes. Glad to hear that your vacation was good! How is your sons sunburn?
K2.... yes..I'd like to see your art as well!
Juju...sounds like your getting fed pretty well. How is the baby doing? How are the other kids doing with her? Are you getting any sleep?
Kay...(((HUGS)))) I hope things are looking up for you. When you get a chance let us know how you are.
Janine and Sparkle.....missing you both. Hope things are good in your parts of the world.
The weather is beautiful here today, so I'm hoping to get to be outside for a while! Have a good day ladies!
Oh man where is the time going, I thought I'd only posted the other day but it's been a bit longer 
. So I want to know who is stealing all the hours in the day 
In the age of modern technology dishwashers, washing machines etc how come it still takes forever to clean the house?
Ahh I feel better now after having that little rant .
I've just finished a 2 tier black and white wedding cake which I'll upload into my photos when my daughter brings the camera back home. Now I'm working on a show cake, how stupid am I?
We are in the middle of Easter holidays here and the kids are all home. My youngest DS just got braces on and has to have a tooth extraction and exposure after his pneumonia completely clears from his lungs as it's a operation. Ahh what's money?
K2 so it's a brand of tea, don't think we get it here I thought it was a flavour like Earl Grey or similar. So I'm curious about your sculptures would love to have a sticky beak.
mkolmar have you made the vanilla extract before? I've heard it's really nice but wonder if it's worth it. I'll probably forget I made it if I have to wait 4 months.
Ohara hope everything is going well for you during this trying time. I've been through my DH was out of work for quite a while and it wasn't easy, we're still trying to catch up. Good luck.
Hope everyone else is doing well.
Ohara- My son's sunburn is getting a lot better to where I'm not going to take him to the doctor. It still looks really odd though. He has a slight fever today probably from one of the kids he was playing with a few days ago. How is your DH's job hunt going?
Today we celebrated my BIL's b-day. My MIL made breaded chicken, breaded fish, and beef with a brown mushroom sauce, green beans with slivered almonds, carrots with asparagus, red skinned potatoes, sweet potatoes, rolls, brownies with ice cream and carrot cake.
Once again though she forgot I'm allergic to oranges and put orange zest grated to where you couldn't see it in the icing. UGG, after a few wonderful bites my throat started getting scratchy and I started coughing. So I had to quit eating it. Still a great meal though!
My mom and dad watched the kids last night so DH and I got some alone time. YEAH!
Sparkle- This is the first time I've ever made the vanilla extract. I have it in my cupboard that I use through out the day up front and center so I don't forget about it. If somehow it gets pushed into the back of the cupboard I'll find it eventually, but it will just be more steeped and full of flavor. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. HA! How is your son doing? Poor guy has a lot going on right now.
K2- what's the name of the vegan cheese that's yummy and melts? I'd like to try it out for my MIL.
Everyone else...I hope you are all eating and not starving to death, I'll make sure to try and keep your places clean.
Today was lots of cleaning to have my kids come home and destroy it all within minutes. I love them, but some days I wonder if they are not children but pigs in disguise.
dinner was breakfast food. eggs, whole wheat pancakes and banana yogurt smoothies.
DH had cheese pizza.
I ate basically a bowl of veggies. I'm still hungry.
We had grilled chicken, baby carrots raw, and cheese fries. I cut my chicken up and put it on a bed of salad.
Well I am here. It has been a few weird weeks.. I hadn't gotten the emails and trying to play catch up with life it has been crazy. Parent teacher conferences and everything else..
Ok what have we eaten.
Sunday tuna noodle casserole
Monday sloppy joes and fries, corn and peas
Tuesday Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, pork n beans
Kay....glad to see you checking in! You have been missed!!
Mkolmar....it is so frustrating to know that when they walk in the door....all your hard work goes out the window. lol I try to remind my self that under all the "mess" it's clean.
Juju...how are you feeling? How's the baby doing?
Sparkle...thanks for the good thoughts.
K2 your pizza sounds good. I love pizza (ok...I love food)
Janine.....we are keeping your seat all cleaned off waiting for you...
My husband has done 3 interviews for the same job in the last 7-10days. We were hoping to hear something yesterday or the day before.....but nothing yet! I see how depressed it is making him. This job is the only real lead right now.....and he is a good match. They did tell him on his first interview that over 100 people applied for this position.
I keep telling him if it is God's will he will get this job. But if it's not....then we will wait to see what God has in store for us! Sometimes much easier said than done!
Monday we had bbq pork sandwichs, baked steak fries, sweet corn and cottage cheese
Tuesday was oven fried chicken, green beans, little red potatoes, and french bread
Have a great day ladies.
Sparkle~ (I'm a day late) BUT here goes: 
"Ahem... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU... HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SPARKLE.....(((( long vibrato ))))) HAPPY BIRTHDAAAAAAAY TOOOOOOO.... (())) YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUuuuuuu((((( fades ))))).... YEAH!"
Melissa~ How do you make vanilla extract?
Janine~ thinking of you.
Last night was:
home made tofu burgers w/ basil, mushrooms, garlic, sage and bay.
brown rice w/ sauted spinach and bella mushrooms.
I wonder if there may be room for one more at this big table?
I have a ham in the oven as we speak. My local Martins had $25 hams on sale for $5 right before Easter and I bought 4. Sadly, the thermostat just went out of my fridge and everything is thawing out so ham it is! lol I am not wasting that sucker. I can get 4 or 5 meals out of that thing!
I had the repair guy here this am and the part is only $48. The labor to spend 20 minutes to replace it is $250. I paid the guy $65 for coming to my house and bid him a good day! lol I can get a basic brand new fridge for under $400 at Lowe's! Of course after some consideration, I decided I really love my big huge fridge and got brave and ordered the part myself. It should be here tomorrow and I WILL FIX IT (trying to convince myself). I did the same thing when the motor went out of my dryer and it took me like 5 hours but I fixed that, how hard can a fridge be? We shall see! Plus, I was looking over his shoulder as he was taking it apart so I have a general idea of where it goes. He was like 23. How hard can it be? 
As long as my hubby doesn't touch it we should be ok! lol He is good at fixing cars but I am not letting him touch the appliances!
So today has been eventful to say the least. My 5 year old son was scheduled for an EEG (where they put all the wires on your head and measure your brain waves) this morning and he had to go to sleep for it. We have been up all night roaming WalMart amidst dirty looks from people who must have been wondering why I had my kid out in the middle of the night (on a school night no less) to go shopping at WalMart. We also had a wonderful breakfast at 5am at Denny's this morning. He did fairly well at the test. I had to hold him still (him screaming and breaking my heart) while they put the wires on but he finally sobbed himself to sleep and they were able to get the test done. Now we are on to the neurologist and geneticist in July and then we should know for certain if he is ADHD, ODD or Autistic and how best to help him. This poor kid has been through the wringer. Five surgeries (3x's eyes, mouth and internal) and he is still a happy kid just trying to give his mom as much gray hair as he can! Hopefully we can get a diagnosis before school starts and we can get things in gear to get him a personal assistant in the classroom as first grade has only one teacher for 30 kids. As his teacher this year said, he is just going to get lost.
Ohara: That was going to be a horrible job and he was going to hate it there. God knew that and is going to get him something so much better! Everything happens for a reason. Keep your head up. This too shall pass.
Thanks everyone for letting me vent. I feel 10 pounds lighter already! I look forward to getting to know you guys better!
jimandmollie ....of course there's room at this table for you! Glad you found your way here. Thanks for the words of encouragement!
I feel for you, I've had to hold a little one while they stuck all those leads to her head. We at least had a night time appointment.
My youngest has Aspergers a form of Autism, and is also ADD. They often go together, so I've been told. I hope you all get some answers.
Again welcome to the table.
Tonight was chicken spaghetti with, peppers, onions, peas, squash and zucchini.
Ohara-Sorry your DH didn't get the job, that stinks. Of course, God just has bigger plans for him and only he knows them so be patient. It may be a while before they are shown.
K2- I took 6 vanilla beans and 2 cups of vodka (next time I'm using Brandy) put it in a steralized (sp?) mason jar and am letting it sit for at least 4-6 months before using it. Boy, check out that run-on sentence. HEE HEE (sinister laugh)
Kay- Do you ever get to rest? You make Wonder Woman look like a lazy bum.
Sparkle--Happy Birthday!!!!!! I hope it was fabulous and you were spoiled rotten!
jimandmollie--Welcome to the table, there is always room for more. My oldest son has Aspergers and he is 7. That test wasn't fun for him but he was only about 2 when he had it done. My oldest daughter has ADD. Just found out this year after extensive testing done by her school to try to figure out what was going on.
Tonight was sliced peaches, spinach salad, tomato soup and mac n' cheese. I also made a mistake on a recipe and tried to fix it. Imagine my surprise when my 3 year old ate a few of them. It was suppose to be feta puffs (feta with other ingredients put into a puff pastry cut to look like pizza rolls) I messed up and put in too much egg and the feta mixture came out runny. I ended up putting the puff pastry into little muffin cups and filling it and baking it. Still turned out alright, but next time I'll pay more attention to what I'm doing and follow the recipe.
Odd dinner night, but DH is working late again and I don't feel like cooking huge when he's not here.
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