August 31, 2013

Saturday

The day started with a quick trip to a busy Winn Dixie for almond milk. Then I woke up the band to get ready for their gig. I actually wasn't the first one up. Tom, Garrett, Tommy, and Aaron and Alissa got up before me and went to the car wash at church.

After the band was on their way, I ate my granola and worked more on the wedding dress I am altering. Charlie had a friend over. Tom went to a memorial service. I coached Garrett along on his 2nd try at making bread. Pretty soon he won't need any help from me. Maybe he should go to cooking school. :0)

We got to visit with a friend for a few minutes before leaving to meet the band at their 2nd gig at Schooner Wharf. It was a comfortable night, the humidity has dropped a little. I got to take a short walk. Saw some friends we haven't seen in a while. Then I left early (10:40 PM) with the younger boys to go home.  I have to set my alarm for 6:30 tomorrow morning. I'm helping with food at church. I made them go straight to bed.

August 30, 2013

Tom and I took out the kayaks this morning, for about two hours. Then we took a drive on Middle Torch. When we got home, Charlie was picked up for his fiddle lesson. I showered and made vegan chili and cornbread. Tommy and Garrett did their schoolwork and I corrected Tommy's math. 

Charlie was invited to stay over at a friend's house so I told him he could have the night off. He's always telling me I never give him a night off. 

We played at Schooner Wharf tonight. Rob came but I'm afraid he was really bored because he didn't  stay very long. I took a walk to Kilwins and bought some chocolatey treats for Doerfels, Newtons, and a few favorite Schooner employees.

We got home about 1:30 AM. 

August 29, 2013

Thursday 

This morning Tom dropped Joe and I off at the hospital in Key West for Joe's EEG. It went faster than I thought. I hope the doctor learns something from it because it was very expensive. I guess they want us to feel thankful, they gave us a 65% discount since Joe has no insurance. It was still way to expensive.  Joe still has had no seizures or glitches (jerks) since he started the meds 2 weeks ago. Yeah!

We came home afterwards and I had the kids do all their independent work while I made coconut milk yogurt and ground wheat berries for tomorrow's bread making. Garrett's friend Jonathan helped with the dishes. Ed made a salad and I made coconut black beans to eat on the ride to Sloppy Joes. 

We dropped off the trailer and the kids at the gig and drove to CW Colt's  to return his keyboard, then went back to Sloppy's. Sharlyn sang two songs with the band. She did great.

Rob came and we got away for a few minutes to eat tacos. Aaron and Tommy took Sharlyn to Mallory Square. She leaves tomorrow morning. :0(

I forgot to mention that Kurt forgot his cymbals and had to borrow some. Thank you Drummer Dave. So Kurt missed most of the first set. Tom also forgot things: his wallet, iPad, and the cd change. 

We stopped at Winn Dixie for Popsicles for you know who and munches for the rest of them. When we got home at 11,  I let the little boys play video games for half an hour. I watered my plants and started dishes. I had Garrett finish them. I read to Charlie and went to bed.

August 28, 2013

Wednesday

I had a normal morning, walked, and did chores and school. The school boys wore me out and when we finished at 3:30 I was ready to escape. I took the wedding dress I am altering and sewing supplies and went to Kim's house. Kim helped me and we got a lot done. Then we both went to Bible study at church.

When I got home, the kids made popcorn and watched a movie. I watched a little but was too tired and I went to bed.

August 27, 2013

Joe and I left at 8:30 AM for his EEG appointment in Key West. We got there 10 minutes early to find out we needed to pre-register. There were many people in the waiting room and I was intimidated by the girl waiting on people. We were taken ahead of people because the EEG people called looking for us. The woman was super nice to us, but when she asked for the script from the doctor I realized I had forgotten it. She was still very friendly to us. She called the doctor to have them fax it but no one answered the phone. She did get him pre-registered though, and we paid for it, and rescheduled for Thursday.

We drove home and were there for an hour. We went to gym class in Marathon, came home again, then Alice picked me up for Tai Chi. When that was over, Alice was very kind and took me to pick up our produce. Once home, I raced upstairs to get dressed for Rob's wedding. Angelica had the younger boys dressed and we rode with her. The band had left earlier for a benefit they were playing on Stock Island.

The wedding was at Rob's house, about 3 feet from the ocean. Tom met us there. Charlie was the best man, Jake the ring bearer, and Callie and another little girl flower girls, and one of Anastasia's friends was there too. It was pretty, and simple, and fun. Rob and Anastasia fed us a yummy Italian supper and we had ice cream and coffee for dessert, all sitting out by the ocean. We were treated to a rainbow and a pink sky.

When we got home at 10:30 PM,  I picked up and did the dishes that Garrett was supposed to do. I got the younger boys to bed and read a few pages in Kurt's science book, and then called it a day.

August 26, 2013

Monday

This morning I walked in the rain. Ed, Ben, and Nina went to the airport to pick up a friend. Kurt was still in KW. Tom went to work in the other direction, Key Largo. We did a few chores, and joe helped me change some light bulbs that had gone out.

We did school for 4 hours, till we needed to get ready to go to Sloppy's. I had packed dinner from the leftovers last night, so that helped. I made hummus so we would have a snack when we got home tonight.

We had a bit of a crisis when it was time to leave. Ben took the GMC to the airport, and it had the ball on it to tow our trailer. I think Tom tried the neighbors for help, and we were finally able to tow it with TJ's truck and Joe and I took dad's car.

Sloppy's was very slow the first two sets. Charlie was pretty naughty. Not listening and starting fights with Jake. They wore me out. Tom suggested I leave early, and I was going to, but Ben wanted them to stay and sing, so we stayed. 

We got home at 11, ate our snack of hummus, carrots, and crackers. I gave them an hour to vedge and sent them to bed at midnight.

I cleaned my bathroom and watered my plants in the bathroom. I have an African violet that has bloomed continually for two years. That's the one in the pic. I have another one that hasn't bloomed since I got it.

August 25, 2013

Sunday

I had a great day today, till the end of the day. First church. Then went to a baby shower for our friends Hanrow and Sophia. We picked up Charlie from a friend's house. Tom dropped me off at church for the evening service, dropped Charlie off at home and came back to church. The older boys went to KW to play hockey. The younger boys, Tom, and Rob went to the park in Big Pine to play. I went to Winn Dixie to get food for supper and fruit for breakfast. Made supper, started dishes, put away the leftovers, did some paperwork, and read to Charlie, Ian, and Ariel.

I'm mad at Ben and Ed right now. They are very judgmental, cocky, acting like they are so mature and know so much more than everyone else. They also 'forgot' to pick up Kurt on their way home from Key West so Kurt won't be able to get his schoolwork done tomorrow.

I didn't get to everything I needed to get done and am up too late. I need to get up early. :0(

August 24, 2013

This morning i took the younger boys to a beach baptism at Bahia Honda. I'm so glad we went. I didn't go to the beach once all summer and today was my chance. Kim was there playing her fiddle. The band and Tom went to a gig in KW.

When it was time to leave the beach, I left Charlie with friends who stayed longer, and took the other boys home. I showered and then met Tommy's friend's mom halfway so he could go to his friend's house. On my way home I stopped at Walgreens. I bought a few more school supplies and purple nail polish. :0)

Once home, I made myself some food, teriyaki chickpeas with pineapple on steamed kale. I wasn't crazy about the kale, but I ate it. It wasn't so bad after the first 3 or 4 bites. It was bitter though.

Angelica came up with the kids and worked on a sleeve of the smocked dress she is trying to finish. I did some hand sewing, finishing touches on a present for a baby shower I'm going to tomorrow. 

At 5:00 I left for Hogfish. I had to bring an acoustic guitar that had been forgotten. It was a fun night. Rob and Anastasia came. The band was really rockin'. I got some good pics. I even managed to do a few French knots on my embroidery. The only bad thing that happened was I ordered fish tacos and Kurt ate my food. He ordered a burger, so I ended up eating his burger. I hope it doesn't make me feel sick. I haven't eaten a burger in about a year. It did taste good though. The food at Hogfish is lush.

When the gig was over Tom and I left in his car and picked up Tommy. No reading tonight. I'm tired. That was a long but good day.

August 23, 2013

I didn't set my alarm last night. I knew I needed to slow down a little after pushing hard all week. I was going to go to Blue Heaven with TJ, Ang, Ed, and Nina, but before I went to bed last night I decided not to go. It was just too crazy.  

So this morning I slept in and went walking late. Charlie was up so he went with me. I pushed him in the stroller. 

We did school from 12-5. I made granola and scraped together leftovers for supper. It wasn't really what I had in mind. Tonight was a rare Friday night with no gig. I was hoping for a date but Tom didn't want to go anywhere. When we were first dating I invited him to my senior prom. He wouldn't take me so I went with my old boyfriend. That was a disappointment and so was tonight. 

A friend stopped by and gave us The movie "The Incredibles," so we watched it. TJ brought the kids up because Ang wasn't feeling well and they watched too. I did some needle tatting while while watching the movie.

I made a 'to do' list for tomorrow and hit the hay. That's from my farm girl days in East Eden. I can smell the hay drying in the sun. They can probably smell the grapes in the air there now too.

Here's an example of Charlie's school work today. :0)

August 22, 2013

Thursday 

I turned off my alarm this morning and fell back asleep. That put me an hour behind today. But I was able to adjust. I skipped my walk and decided to go to the aerobics class later at church.

It was a full school day. The three younger boys finished everything, and Kurt had a meltdown because he doesn't want to do the science experiments. Blah blah blah. I'm sticking to my guns. We're doing them. 

I made spicy black bean soup for lunch. Their taste buds are changing. They ate it and liked it. Back in the old days I could never get them to eat soup, except chicken noodle.

Right when we finished school, TJ brought up the grandkids for me to watch so they could go to their gig at Blue Heaven. I tried clearing off the kitchen table and then got Ben and Joe to watch the kids so I could go to the aerobics class. It took 40 minutes. I left there and hurried to Winn Dixie for some groceries. I was out of there in 28 minutes.

At home the boys were getting ready for hockey. Rob was here. I carried all the groceries up the stairs and put it away while starting supper and clearing messes. I made spinach spaghetti noodles, marinara sauce with broccoli in it, a salad, and cut up a watermelon. Tommy and Charlie had gone to a friend's house but we had two hockey guests. 

While doing the dishes Callie started hanging on my leg so I knew she was ready for bed. I took her downstairs and sat with her in my lap on the rocking chair and she quickly fell asleep. I was going to read some of Kurt's science but TJ and Ang got home and I went upstairs. The Zack Brown band was at their gig. 

The science books are back at my feet. I don't think I'll get to them tonight. Maybe tomorrow.

August 21, 2013

Wednesday:

I went walking, and then woke everyone up a little earlier than normal because today was our first day of school! We ran out of granola so I made quinoa with fruit and milk. There were only 4 kids home. Ed, Ben, and Kurt had spent the night in Key West. So my chore helpers were at a limited supply. I had two of the boys pick up the living room and two do dishes.

Our school day went well. We didn't get to everything but that's normal for the first few days. When we finished our work, I scrambled to make some supper for Ed, Tom, and I. I made some tacos with sweet potato, black beans, lettuce, and tomato. Then we hurried over to church for Bible study.

After church I worked at organizing and putting some things away. Each day for the last week I haven't gotten to everything I needed to. I need to get just a few more things done everyday. But before I knew it, it was time for bed. I read to Charlie and the day was done.

August 20, 2013

Tuesday

I walked this morning. I had debated when to start school and thought of starting today, but I also wanted to weave over at Kim's. TJ and Ang decided to take the boys to a water park and that worked out perfect for me. Then I could start school tomorrow. 

Before I could leave for Kim's, TJ called to say that the water park was closed until Thursday. That made us all sad. Joe and I went over to Kim's and TJ and Ang were trying to figure out what to do instead.

I wove for about two hours and then we came home. I made lunch and then then made a new batch of yogurt. I had told Alice, Kim's mother-law, that I wanted to go to the Tai Chi class at church but was chicken to go alone and she said she'd go with me. So after the yogurt was done I got ready to go and she picked me up. 

The class was great and I loved it. I can't wait to go again next week, but I've forgotten pretty much everything we did. Next time I will video it so I can practice.

The rest of my evening I was stuck in the kitchen. I made whole wheat pizza dough, ordered 4 pizzas, cut up veggies for the healthy pizza, made a salad, and cut up a cantaloupe. TJ picked up my produce for me so I had to put it all away. 

The boys played hockey, came home, and ate. Rob and Anastasia drove up. Anastasia brought her wedding dress. I'm going to do a few alterations.

I read to Charlie and went to bed.

August 19, 2013

Monday

I got up at 7:30, drank my water, and made coffee. I did my devos and went walking. I woke up Joe and gave him his yogurt. Showered and ate my granola and fruit. Then at 10:30 I went to Kim's studio to work on my scarf. I finally started weaving today. There is 1 threading error but it doesn't bother me a bit. Adds interest I say. :0)

At 12:30 I had to move along and go to Winn Dixie for produce and fruit. Then I stopped at Walgreens for notebooks. When I got home I had about five minutes to sit and drink some water, then had to start food prep. 

I made my curry chicken salad (with chickpeas instead of chicken) and my coconut yogurt instead of mayo. Yum!! I had to chop up more salad greens and cucumbers. Fed Joe some of it. Tommy and Charlie had chicken noodle soup. I packed salads and chickpea salad for Ed, Tom, and I. 

We left at 3:40 for Sloppy's. It was a good night. I took the boys for gelato. Garrett bought a longboard. Jake came with us to the show. Charlie was a bit naughty, complaining and whining. I was tired by the last set. 

We stopped at Winn Dixie on our way home. When we got home at 11, Joe, Charlie, and I had some banana bread. The boys played with Lego for

a little bit and I sent them to bed. 

August 18, 2013

Went to church this morning. The kids  played in the worship band. Joey had 3 or 4 glitches, or jerks, which I didn't see, and then he fell down on his butt. :0( He fell backwards and the drum shield caught him. He didn't get hurt, but was upset.

When we got home, we had a call from a friend of Tommy's, inviting him over. His mom is Joe's doctor. So we took Tommy there to drop him off and we talked a few minutes to his mom. We decided to start Joe on his meds tonight and see what happens. I need to think positive.

Tom and I had Charlie with us. We stopped at Byron and Ida's to go swimming. TJ met us there with the grandkids. We swam and visited with Byron and Ida a little. Then it was time to go home so the band could leave for Schooner Wharf.

They left and I got to stay home for an hour longer. I took a shower and made a salad and ate. Then it was time to leave. We picked up Tommy and went to Schooner.

Rob was there when we got there and we went for a walk to Mallory Square. I hadn't been there in a long time. We ate some tacos and Key Lime pie and then walked back to Schooner so Charlie could sing. Tommy had stayed at Schooner the whole time. He had a stomach ache. 

Nina played with the band and her siblings and her dad. It is always fun to watch and listen to them. We stayed till 10:00 and I drove home. The band played till 11.

August 17, 2013

I packed Joe's cooler and the band headed off to Sunset Pier. I planned on going to Walgreens for a few last minute school supplies but never went. I washed the sheets on my bed. I always think of a line from the movie "The Help" when she says "change the d... sheets day. " I changed Ben's sheets too and made his bed with his super cool tractor quilt that Grandma Fran made.

I paid bills and did about three hours of bookkeeping. Then it was time to go to Salty's in Marathon. It was hot but I'm glad to be in the heat. It's summer! 

A few home school moms came and we hung out in the back. We sat at a table in the back and then had to move because it was reserved. So we moved. Then the people who reserved it divided they wanted to sit somewhere else, so we moved back. A few minutes later the waiter told us that they changed their minds again and did want the table. This time we moved far, far away. I couldn't help notice that later in the night they moved again. Silly people. :0)

Afterwards, when we got home the boys had a half hour turn on the video games and then it was lights out.

August 16, 2013

After devos, I went for my walk. That's the normal routine, unless I come up with an excuse not to walk. The rest of our school books came this morning. That was exciting. 

After I ate my granola I taught Garrett how to make bread. I'm thinking that I won't have as much time to get things done once school starts, and I'll need some help. Delegate. That's my motto. Next I'll teach someone how to make yogurt, that will be Joe. And someone needs to start making the salads, hmmm.... I wonder if I could get Kurt to do that.

I put the books in their proper places on the shelves and did some bookkeeping, and before I knew it, it was time to pack my supper to eat on the way to Sloppy's.

I took some video of our grandson, Jake (3), TJ's boy, at our gig tonight. Here's the link:

http://youtu.be/JaTF62rF6YQ

He was rockin' up a storm.

When we got home at 11 PM, I spent an hour on the computer looking up embroidery stuff for crazy quilting. I'm not interested in a whole quilt, just a wild 6 to 8 inch block. I took my embroidery to Sloppy's tonight but it's just too dark in there.

I forgot to mention yesterday that I refilled the peanut butter jars, and I showed Garrett how to do it. I took a picture.

It was just after midnight when I had the little boys get ready for bed. It was too late to read to Charlie so I told him we could read after breakfast. He asked if after "Captain Underpants" we could read "She'll be Comin' Round the Mountain." That's one of my favorites. I also like "Sweet Betsy from Pike."

August 15, 2013

I went walking and then had to go to Winn Dixie to buy milk for my granola. Joe went with me and we bought a few more things. I had to take the 15 passenger van and I don't like taking that to WD because it's sometimes hard to park. It does not fit in a space.

I feel like I spent the whole day in the kitchen, other than moving the laundry. I made yogurt and ground wheat berries to make bread tomorrow. I cooked chickpeas and marinated them, then cooked them with mango, pineapple, and red onion. I made a giant salad and cut up a watermelon, and made brown rice.The boys really like watermelon after hockey. 

Rob came up for hockey and I got to do a little embroidery after supper. I had Garrett do dishes, read to Charlie through my eyelids, and went to bed.

August 14, 2013

I had to get moving this morning. We went to the culvert on Middle Torch with the home schoolers. It's a spot on the Gulf side where pipes go under the road, and the water shoots you through the pipes. The kids had a blast, and only Tommy got a sunburned face. He wouldn't let me put sunscreen on him. Anyways, I took Garrett, Tommy, Charlie, Ian, and Ariel. They all did it. Not me, though. I was chicken. The pipes weren't filled with water. Your head could stay out of the water and you could see through to the other side.

Afterwards, we all went to one of the families house. We all ate. The moms chatted and the kids played. I almost didn't go but went at the last second. I'm glad I went.

We went to church for dinner and Bible study. After church, Ed took the Newtons home and spent the night. I sat out in my hammock chair for a while, then read to Charlie. I woke up during the night because it was pouring. Then I had a hard time falling back asleep.

August 13, 2013

Tuesday

I went to Kim's studio this morning and finished threading my heddles. Then Kim and I met Doug and Joe for lunch. 

I got home to a crazy house. So I put mine and Charlie's swim suits in a back pack and snuck out to go swimming. I would have liked to take everyone, but they were fighting and arguing and they would have kept it up at Ida's. I needed some peace and relaxation .

On our way home we stopped at Walgreens and picked up Joe's prescription. At home, the little ones were still bouncing off the walls. Nina took the littlest ones outside to the swing and I had the other ones pick up the living room. I made pizza dough and did the dishes. Tom and all the kids went to the park to play hockey. TJ and Ang went out on a date and Nina babysat.  

I made a salad and homemade baked beans, finished the veggie pizza, and cut up watermelon. I also put out a giant bowl of grapes and ordered 4 pizzas. We ended up with 10 extra kids here, and somehow there was enough food.

 Feeling a little like the old woman in the shoe. :0)

August 12, 2013

Went walking this morning. I spun some straw into gold, I mean wool into yarn. It has gold sparkles in it.

The younger boys are doing a lot of bugging each other, fighting, arguing. Oh, and don't forget farting on each other. I can't wait to start school. I  am going to keep them so busy they won't know what hit them.

We went to our gig at Sloppy's. Jake came today. He hasn't come to a gig in quite a while. He hardly knew what to do on stage. It was a little sad. They are moving to CA in a few weeks.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig. We read and I think they are finally all in bed at 1:09 AM.

August 11, 2013

Sunday

I volunteered to help with food this morning at church. I had to be there at 7 AM. I was a little nervous but all went smoothly. I went home at 10 and woke up the few who were still home. Then we went to the 11 o'clock service. 

After church Kim came over and we went through fabric bins. I had 5 boxes, now i have only 4. id still like to get rid of another box or two. There just isn't room to store things in our house. I did a little embroidery and lots of dishes. Tom and I went to the 6:30 service, and after that the boys played hockey, the big kids in Key West, the younger ones in Big Pine. A little after nine I went to Winn Dixie to buy fruit and lettuce. I came home, read to Charlie, and went to bed.