Back on Earth

And it came with a rather hard thump, this morning. By that I mean another massive, morning to-do with He-who-shall-not-be-named. I knew that spate of decent behavior was too good to last.

But the day ended up more or less OK as long as you don't count the additional material accrued for PTSD.

(wow...this is really hard to blog while listening to Beatles' lyrics)

The biggest news of the day, however, is my newly assembled computer. The fact that I was using Loren's travel laptop only added incentive for him to finish my new set-up. I'm back to a regular case on the floor and have kept my same LCD monitor.

Unfortunately for Loren, things turned quite ugly after the easy addition of extra memory. Something to do with XP not being able to be copied over to the different hard drive (it might have been something completely different, but I do remember those words being used so I figure I could be half right by just randomly throwing them together as the reason for the laborious struggle).

I'm sure one of these days an upgrade will go through problem-free. Like, when pigs fly. I did manage to keep Jason filled in on up-to-the minute exclamations from his father, via Google Plus. It was quite entertaining and brought back many fine memories to the oldest son.

Still to be figured out by me: how to adjust the settings on my monitor since the new video card has made everything bright and washed-out. I'm certain that will come in another year or two.

In other news, I got Trevor and Nolan through the last half of the practice ITBS test. We worked through most of the practice sections and section tests. At the end of the book is a full out test. Their first session for real should be on Thursday.

Speaking of tests, Carolyn registered for the ACT in April. Happens to be on the very same day as the River City Chorus concert up in Mason City. Should be a big day! (by the way, Loren, I want to get tickets for that...)

Something else probably happened but I can't remember what...just happy to have survived the day with only one meltdown.
 

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Greetings, Earthlings

I come in peace.

My former computer has been disassembled for purposes update-ical and I now blog from Loren's "loaner."

Indeed, it is his travel laptop, complete with all of his own bookmarks.

I have been very good, however, and not investigated anything previously unknown to me.

I have been SO good, in fact, that I have not even bookmarked my own favorite sites.

Who said I have no self-control?
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Into today's happenings we shall now delve.

A most auspicious occurrence for Trevor, in that he received from his beloved sister in Des Moines, the highly favored treasure of a Slinky, for his birthday.

And by "highly favored" I mean that Nolan wanted it, and wanted it quite badly. Not that he wanted to keep it, but more to have a turn with it.

My standard practice in these matters is that the birthday child does not have to share his new toys for the first day. Particularly when someone else is insisting, "He is so SELFISH! He should be sharing it with me!"

Trevor, however, had determined that a turn would be given. After lunch.

This did not bode well with Nolan, who immediately set to wheedle, cajole, and bargain his way to an earlier turn. Even when presented with the prospect of losing computer game time, he persisted in his single-minded quest to "make Trevor share."

In the end, he got his turn but lost all game time for the day. And now, it is almost bedtime and it cannot come too soon, as far as I am concerned.

The Slinky rests safely on my desk overnight, behind my monitor, where it is hoped that prying hands and toyful lust will not molest.

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In other news, we burned up the awful blue couches this evening, right around dusk. Dusk is the best time to view flames that reach almost 30 feet into the sky.

The semi-dark also helps to hide the billowing, black clouds. I think it was the foam cushions. But tomorrow's rain should help to rinse the sky of microscopic pieces of furniture.
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Time passeth and the three youngest are now in bed. All I want to do is crash on the (new) couch for a while, vegging out with the TV, before I crash into bed for the night.

 

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In Which Ma Meets an Old Acquaintance

Wowee...can you ever get tired of the majestic appearance of a Bald Eagle?

I can't. That's why I was so ticked when I missed a photo opportunity heading to town, this afternoon. It was probably this same fellow, sitting in a tree by a creek. And I could not get myself aware and positioned before it flew away.

Thankfully I saw another (or the same one) on the way back home.

"Hmmm...what's this?"



"Let's try a bite..."



"Mmmmmm...TASTE-y!"


The encounter did much to alleviate the day's earlier frustrations.

And here's a link to keep up with the Eagle Cam in Decorah...as of today there are three eggs.
 

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More Sickie Reportage

Not that new people are sick.

But yesterday I took a good look at Ethan and Carolyn, trying to do schoolwork at their respective places on the couch....they looked barely conscious.

"Alright. Just pack it up. Grab yourself a couch and lay down for the rest of the day."

They were still very weak and it didn't look like many brain cells were available for Calculus or Algebra 2.

That left them out of commission for the Great Computer Monitor Changeover. But Loren put Nolan and Trevor to work and the boys were plenty glad to help bring about their updgrades (I should get a picture but somehow I'm losing my desire to capture all these moments).

Today has been better, in that Ethan and Carolyn had more strength and were able to do most of their school. Still feeling weak so I made the bread for them, but they're both back to their evening dish washing chore. Saves my hands. I have several splits near the fingernails due to a couple of days doing EVERY-one's dishes, and a couple more doing Carolyn and Ethan's.
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I heard there was another debate tonight but I guess that doesn't quite qualify as part of the sick report...or maybe it does.

If I were a debate moderator I sure would be sick of hearing these guys go at it...again.
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The diet report is not going to be good, this week. In fact, I don't think I'll bother to weigh myself. Something about people getting sick and change of plans over the weekend, as well as nibbling on chocolate chips....plus, Nolan had several relapses in behavior...suddenly I'm off track. But maybe I'll wake up tomorrow get lucky and find out a comet has hit the earth and I don't have to worry about losing weight anymore.

 

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The Sickie Report

The onslaught of a stomach virus brought a little excitement into our weekend. And by excitement, I mean barfability.

What is usually a relaxing Saturday evening for Carolyn, Ethan and I--watching Brit-coms and The Red Green Show--turned into a rather nasty competition between the two teenagers.

Carolyn scored points for most horrific one-time session, but Ethan garnered just as much status with repeated episodes every two hours, all night long.

Thankfully, the worst symptoms didn't pan out for Loren and I and the youngest two.....yet.

Ethan and Carolyn ended up trying to sleep on the couches, nearer to the "facilities" than their bedrooms. I lay awake upstairs, trying not to think about my stomach and listening half the night for "coughing" from the other people.

We all stayed home from church, keeping to short (or no) rations and making good use of all couches and a number of DVD's.

People are still washed out, with Ethan and Carolyn both having elevated and weird heart rates. I thought I was feeling fairly well but walking on the treadmill this evening was hard going. I only got in 4.5 miles today, at a slower pace and stopping earlier than intended due to that woozy, week feeling.

Hopefully we'll be in finer fettle, tomorrow.
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I did manage to get the boys through their math and start with the test practice books. And I can see that normal school is going to be compromised for next two weeks to get through the prep.
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In other news, Loren is switching over to LCD monitors for everyone...says it will save a lot on electricity. So there are big plans to clean up and switch things around in the computer room, tomorrow. Hopefully people will be up to the rigors, since some of us were fairly "bleah" today.

I figure that activity will probably coincide with my nap time.

I mean....with the proper amount of foresight and planning, it will.
 

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The Diet Report - Week 6

Forgot to report in, last week. It would have only been half a pound, anyway.

But here we are at 6 weeks and we have new data!

A total of 7.5 pounds lost, so far.

Not spectacular, but definite progress, albeit slow. I could scrape more calories off the regimen, but I'm not sure if I want to, badly enough. Fairly certain I'm exceeding 1500 per day at the moment. The 7+ miles per day on the treadmill seem to be doing their thing, thankfully.
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In other news, the boys have been doing very well with their schoolwork since I implemented "Operation Crackdown." In fact, it's almost scarey. I'm just waiting for something to burst my happy little morning bubble.

I may have to join a support group for nagging withdrawal.

Come to think of it, they are both outside, having finished their independent work, which means I should not be sitting here at the computer...
 

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Day Two of Bad Ma

This has nothing to do with hormones; I've been the model of self-control...most of the time.

No, this concerns my new policies of school, behavior and staying out of prison trouble.

And it doesn't even involve shooting laptops with handguns.

(way to act like an adult, fellah....NOT!)

But back to my kids.

I laid down a new law, yesterday morning.

There had been weeks of ridiculous procrastination. A typical example had me returning from two miles on the treadmill only to discover the shirkers had done ZERO math problems.

It's barely possible someone said, "I am killing myself down there and you guys are up here doing nothing !"

It was then that they made their fatal mistake.

On a morning filled with uncharacteristic zeal, both boys finished their math lessons before I ate breakfast.

What was the motivating factor, you ask?

Excitement, born from the knowledge of a special outing, later that day.

When broached with this inexplicable behavior Trevor breezily replied, "You should give us something really special every day, Mommy! Then we would finish our school, fast."

Naturally I crushed those hopes in a thrice, with some no nonsense stuff about "the real world," and "people have to get used to working without rewards every time they add or round a number."

Just as naturally, that nugget of wisdom was lost on them, but it got the wheels turning in my mind. Those wheels that turn despite no immediate reward.

Clearly it was time for a New World Order.

The PTI (Power That Is) went into action, laying down a new law, the following morning.

Instead of the nagging with little to no results, the cold hard facts of computer game-time loss was put forth, clearly and succinctly.

Do your work in a timely manner, you'll get some game time after lunch.

Go through the rest of the day behaving properly and not mouthing off (applies most often to one person) and you'll probably get the second round of the newly divided game time.

Today and yesterday have been fairly normal. The work got done. Hardly any whining or excuses. I didn't have to intervene for totally inane issues. Too often.

A person might even get to where they don't dread getting out of bed each morning.
 

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Another Morning of Momentous Decisions and Razor Sharp Management

I don't like to brag, but sometimes a day comes along that amazes even lil' ol' moi.

Today I made the following decisions:

1) who would get the mail this morning

2) who would get the mail tomorrow

3) verified who was scheduled to do the breakfast dishes

4) made them do the breakfast dishes

5) asked a kajillion times how many problems they'd finished in math

6) assigned activities to take them through the afternoon (one video and computer game time)

But that's not ALL.

In a few brief moments I shall leave for the weekly shopping, where it is rumored I'll be making life and death decisions concerning broccoli or cauliflower, noodles or spaghetti, and most importantly, how many fractional bits of meat to give the illusion of protein in casseroles.

But it's all in a day's work.

It's nothing I can't handle, for I am Ma,

Queen of Minutia.
 

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Ma Joke # 6

Picture a small and very traditional, conservative church, somewhere in the Midwest.

Picture a missionary presentation; a missionary who lives within a large Mormon community, describing a new ministry endeavor.

After a brief time in the Word and a slide show, there is time for questions.

Picture men asking most of the questions and immediately setting off on topics related to Mormon doctrine.

Picture two women finally asking one question each concerning the actual ministry endeavor.

What's wrong with this picture?

*quiet laughter*
 

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We Done Been to Mayo

For the sake of informing the four people who still read this blog I would like to confirm our continued existence.

This week was "special" in that Loren had an appointment up at Mayo requiring an overnight stay and someone not under the influence of anesthesia to drive him back home.

Can you say, "Colonoscopy?" (seriously, the spell-check should know that word)

It's something they have their transplant patients undergo every five years. Just because they care, I guess.

Of course, we've all heard of the intense prep that takes place. This year they had some modifications. The drink was slightly less vile and you only have to chug around a gallon as opposed to the vast quantities required previously.

However, of even greater import than liquid roto-rooter was, "What should we do with the kids?"

But for he-who-shall-not-be-named, I would have felt quite comfortable leaving them overnight and going up alone with Loren so that I could drive him back the next day.

Given that certain someone's reputation--which was not enhanced when he filched my cell phone and spent 30 dollars downloading games earlier in the week--it seemed prudent to pursue other options.

We ended up taking Nolan and Trevor with us and booking a room with two beds.

Of course the excitement of staying in a motel was enough to thrill them down to their toenails, but I made sure to mention certain perks like "cable TV", their very own bed, and oh yes....CABLE TV.

They were somewhat concerned at potentially missing their two afternoon episodes of The Rifleman but then again, there would be CABLE TELEVISION.

It ended up being somewhat taxing but we did achieve the desired results of getting Loren up and back within 28 hours and keeping our little corner of Iowa safe.

Carolyn and Ethan quite enjoyed themselves at home, basking in the luxury of eating whenever and whatever they desired, and working on their schooling in blissful peace and quiet.

I had to really hoof it on the treadmill to put in extra miles for my time of absence. By the Thursday's afternoon's time of departure I was ahead seven miles.

To give a proper report I may have to issue several installments, but for the overview, though somewhat exhausting, we survived fairly well with the added bonus of having seen Sponge Bob Square Pants for the very first time in our lives.

I guess I can die happy, now.
 

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Never an un-Dull Moment in the Boring Life of Ma

Having another funno dayo, here, and by that I mean constantly having to keep at the two youngest to stay on task.

*break*

(Ooo, sorry. Just had to give someone an extra 12 math problems in the back of the book for smarting off to me)

But where were we? Oh yes, the joys of homeschooling.

Hmmm, the mind is blanking out, here. Better move on to lesser things.

I did the shopping yesterday and checked through a few clothes racks at Goodwill. Haven't done that in quite a while (with serious intent) and was quite pleased to come away with two completely new sweaters, whose tags read $39.50 and $54.00, respectively.

Hot buys for Ma!

Also received a call from the local school district concerning the testing dates for Nolan and Trevor. The fateful days are coming up more quickly, this year, set for early March.

Time to order practice booklets and start prepping, methinks.

Just when one major stress had eased a bit, another swings into view. Well, when the going gets tough, the tough take naps and eat more chocolate, I always say.

In the weather news, there is none.

Rather, no winter weather to speak of; none of the white stuff, unless you count fog.

Surely this will not be a one-snow winter...?

Last year this time I was putting off pruning the apple trees due to excessive snow on the ground. Now I have no such excuse. If we get another warm snap I shall have no alternative, I suppose. Warm snap meaning around 50 or more. We've had quite a few days in the low 40's. I wouldn't be surprised if things come out of dormancy early, this spring.

Well, that about as much excitement as I can dredge up for writing. Now it's off to the thrills of checking math lessons and reading about Queen Hatshepsut to Trevor.
 

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It Goes On

Life is pretty much a matter of making it through the school week after which it becomes a matter of making it through the weekend, ha ha.

But lessons are on the back burner, the Internet works, and Andrea Bocelli is aria-ting through my earphones :-)

Oh hey....we're enjoying a nice addition to our weekend with Kendra driving up last night!

She came bearing cheesecake.

And movies (this is probably why she came up...for our weekly home cinema). We ended up seeing Bourne Supremacy and Bourne Ultimatum. Helps to get the flow of a totally implausible scenario by watching sequels back to back. Quite a contrast to last week's Pride and Prejudice, the LONG version.

The three youngest just went up to the computer room for Saturday game time. They would have gone earlier but I insisted on the breakfast dishes being washed, their laundry folded, teeth brushed, and Ethan getting the bread started.

It was almost more than He-who-shall-not-be-named could bear. Quite the bad attitude and cantankerous remarks. And finally,

"Why can't we have servants?"

Wow.

*sigh*

We eventually made it through a long spate of unreasonableness and then the switch flipped back to "good" and he was nice again.

This week's Diet Report is a day late but I have good news: down 2 more pounds so that makes it 6 pounds lost in 4 weeks. Not stunning, but neither is it pathetic. I'll take it!

Once we get past the Superbowl with its obligatory meat and bean dip, dessert, etc. I should have less temptation until Trevor's birthday on the 26th.

Now I'd best get going. We've been asked to do special music in a couple of weeks and I want to finish working on something we might sing.

Besides, I haven't brushed my teeth yet, but don't tell the kids...
 

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Still here!

I feel as though half the blogposts of late begin with an apology for not posting more often.

The scarcity can largely be attributed three things:

1) nothing new happening
2) Picasa's new format being unwieldy for picture editing (therefore less pictures)
3) 2 to 2.5 hours spent each day on the treadmill (gotta keep Type 2 at bay!)

At any rate, we'll see if we can dredge up some-thing for today...

On the political scene--and speaking for myself--I'm quite content that Newt Gingrich lost Florida. He seems to display an unsteady temperament, coupled with a surplus of grandiosity that manifests itself not in large ideas, but vain attempts to draw the attention of unwitting devotees.

But at least Newt has the actor picked out to play him in a movie.

That's Ma's commentary for the day, and not necessarily the views of the management.

In food news, we had a small breakthrough last evening. While scraping the dusty corners of my mind for a supper idea, I came up with something to jazz up an old standby, scrambled eggs.

There were leftover canned peaches that needed usin' and I decided, "Why not a touch of peach cobbler for supper?" Double as fruit and dessert components.

Sounded like a plan. When Ethan and Trevor discovered the plan however, the plea went up from both, "Can we skip that?"

Yes, I guess it sounded pretty horrible to have hot-out-of-the-oven peach cobbler with their choice of either vanilla ice cream or cold milk.

I blame their taste buds on the deprivation of peach cobbler in their toddler years.

In the end, it was not nearly as bad as anticipated. Nolan took seconds.

And I have a couple of "I was right" cards to play in the future :-)
 

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