October 31, 2013

Walked and did school. Didn't have enough time to go to Kim's to weave. The big kids had a vocal lesson at the studio. The younger kids went to a friends and then trick-or-treating.

We watched The Nightmare Before Christmas. I made 3 bowls of popcorn and we ate too much Halloween candy. I threw out a ton of tootsie rolls. And more candy will be disappearing into the garbage can tomorrow. I think Garrett has eaten enough candy for a year. 

Anyways, after the movie I folded laundry, and then folded laundry, and then folded laundry. I made everyone get their clothes from my bed and put them away, but they didn't take them all. So what they didn't take I put in a bag for Salvation Army. They did this the last two times I folded, and I ended up putting folded clothes in baskets in the hallway. No one ever claimed the clothes and just messed them up. Two baskets full. Tomorrow they will be gone.

I had Joe close the windows and turn on the air. I was so hot and sticky. I'm starting to cool off now that it's 1 AM.

Tom and I are supposed to go kayaking tomorrow. Right now I don't want to do anything. 

I'm planning on taking a day or two off school next week, maybe three. But only if the boys help with the jobs that need to get done. Take out some bunks from their room (there's 2 triple bunks and a double) in exchange for two nicer ones. Their room stinks and is gross. Also, it's time to clean out kitchen cupboards and closets. Fall cleaning I guess. This happens every year. After nine weeks of homeschooling, we need to take time off to get things back in order. Get rid of clutter.

We have the next three Fridays off. That's never happened before, 3 in a row. Vacation time? Eh? I'd like to go to the beach by myself but something always gets in the way. Not enough time.

October 30, 2013

Wednesday

I walked, made banana muffins, and had the kids pick chores. We did school till 3. Tommy, Charlie, and Aaron went to an art class at the Big Pine Park and I went to Kim's. For two hours I threaded the reed on the loom.

I came home and made supper, steamed broccoli, leftover salad and black beans, and I cut up a pineapple for on top. I packed it up an took it to church for Tom, Ed, and I. The rest of the kids ate at church.

The big kids stayed at church after Bible study, to record. I went to Winn Dixie for bananas, lettuce, apples, and yeast. When I got home I made popcorn and we watched the movie, "The Story of Bees."  It kind of makes me wish I lived in an old farmhouse. Wait...I did that already, and everything was broken and old.

Then we all took turns in the bathroom and went to bed.

October 29, 2013

Tuesday

Here's my recipe for Donna :0)

Coconut Black Beans

Sauté in water to cover:

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, chopped

2 jalapeño peppers, chopped

2 tsp cumin

Add and cook 10 to 15 minutes longer:

1 can coconut milk

4 cups cooked black beans

1 bay leaf 

Remove bay leaf. Serve over brown rice. Or my favorite-serve over chopped romaine lettuce with chopped mango and watermelon on top of the beans.

We were out too late last night and I slept in this morning. I went for my walk and decided to take another day off school. 

Ben needed me to go to the DMV with him to get his motorcycle license, so I went. Turns out he didn't need me, but it all worked out.

My friend Helena offered to take the boys to gym class today. Yay!!! I had the afternoon off and felt revived. I took care of a few small things but didn't take on any big projects. 

Just before 4, I started to walk to Tai Chi. The 15 passenger van was attached to the trailer and all the other vehicles were gone. As I walked down our road, Ben came riding along on the Harley. Guess how I got to Tai Chi? It was my first ride on the motorcycle. I'm a scaredy cat. Slow down, too fast. But he did great and got me there in one piece.

After class, I walked home. I did one of Kurt's Great Books' lessons. Then took about a half hour to do one algebra problem.  The younger kids all went to the park to go through the haunted house there. I made pizza dough, ordered pizzas, chopped veggies for the homemade pizza, and made a salad. I then settled down at the kitchen table and took care of some hand sewing on a baby dress. I'm ready for this one to be done. 

I think I will leave the dishes for some lucky person's morning chores. I'm tired.

October 28, 2013

Monday

I had a new spark in my walk this morning. I decided to let everyone sleep in and slow down a little. No school today. When they were all awake we picked chores. 

I made coconut black beans to eat on the way to Sloppy Joes. And then I had to go to Winn Dixie for lettuce, watermelon, and mango. When I got home I had to hurry to make the salad. I put the beans, mango, and watermelon on top of the salad. I packed some for me, Tom, Ed, and Nina. It was delicious!

There were many fans at our show tonight. There were people from our hometown of Springville, NY, and from Sunset Bay in NY, where Tom's grandparents lived.

The music was just too loud for me though. I was over stimulated.  I just want to sit quietly somewhere and smell the flowers,  like Ferdinand the Bull.

October 27, 2013

Sunday

I woke up to my alarm at 6 AM. Whenever I have to get up early I wake up all night long and that is what happened. 

I did my devos and got ready for the 5k run/walk. Ben left for the 2nd day of his motorcycle class and I went over to church for the race. I was a little nervous, not knowing what to expect, but all went well. Very well, in fact. I got 2nd place in my category.

Then I went home for a shower, woke up Tom, Tommy, and Charlie, ate my oatmeal, and went back to church.

After church I attached a skirt to the bodice of a baby dress and did some tatting for the same dress. At 4:30 we left for our gig at Schooner. I worked on my tatting in the dark with the candlelight from our table. It was a long night. I left at 10:45 pm for home with Tommy and Charlie and the band got home about a half hour after me.

October 26, 2013

Saturday

Went for my walk and woke the boys up at 10:30. Ben left earlier for a motorcycle license class in Marathon. The rest of the band went to the gig at Sunset Pier. I stayed home and did a make up school day with Garrett and Tommy.

I went to Kim's and wove from 2-4 PM, then headed home to pick up the younger boys and go to a homeschool Halloween party. We were about 3 minutes down the road when Garrett texted me and said that he wanted to go. I asked him why he wasn't in the van if he wanted to go. I bet I waited for them for a half hour in the van before we actually left. Grrrrr. So I turned around and picked him up. I had Garrett, Tommy, Charlie, Aaron, and Ian. But I really wanted to just stay home.

The party was wonderful. I am glad that we went. The kids had a terrific time. There were games and lots of food. Garrett and Aaron played pool. I got to hang out with moms.  

We had to leave just as they were starting to make s'mores. We had to join the band at the second gig of the day at Salty's.

More homeschoolers were at the gig and I stayed a little longer than I planned. I also ate too much at the party and had a piece of pizza at the gig. I needed to get home and go to bed because I needed to get up early for my very first 5K run/walk the next morning.  

October 26, 2013

I walked and we did school. Garrett had to leave early to help Ed with the light show. I watered my plants and made a vegetable and bean soup. I ate and then packed some to take to church for Kim and Ed.

Ben, Kurt, and Nina played this morning at Blue Heaven. I would have gone but today was too crazy. Charlie was supposed to have a fiddle lesson, but his teacher had to cancel. 

I took the younger boys to church for the Fall Festival early, about 5:00. The rest of the kids were already there. Tom was there too.

The kids had a blast. Tons of candy and games. The band was dressed up like the Avengers and put on an awesome concert with a light show. It was very exciting!

Afterwards, Tom and I went to eat with Rob and Anastasia. We went to Springer's. Then I dropped Tom off at church to help the boys pack up. I went home and did the dishes. I also put the younger boys candy way up high so they couldn't over do it.

October 24, 2013

Thursday

I made it out for my walk this morning. A cold front has moved in. It's dropped to the low 80s during the day and 70s at night. The humidity is low, and it felt like rain all day but never rained. It felt kind of like WNY. We even turned off the AC and opened the windows.

Again, we did school till 2:30. Then I went to Kim's. We've got another wrap on the loom and Kim started weaving on it. 

When I got home, the younger boys were at their friend's house, a few kids went to a gig at Blue Heaven, and Ed and Garrett were at church, still working on the light show. I hung out with them for a while, then came home.

Tom and I were going to go to Goldwing's last show but Ben called and said that something was wrong with Ed's van. Luckily, they made it to the gig. So Tom headed to KW and dropped me off at Goldwing's show, just two blocks from our house.

I had a good time hanging out with the Goldwing girls. Tom had to call Triple A and have the van towed home. When I got home from the show, I practiced my flute. It was about 10:30 PM.  Then Tom and I dropped Garrett off at church again, to help Ed some more, and we went to pick up Tommy and Charlie. 

When we got home, I made a salad with grapes and quinoa for Ed. I hope he is done soon. He doesn't do well without enough sleep and not eating right. He gets headaches.

Oh, I almost forgot about Garrett. First thing this morning I had Ben cut his hair. What do you think?

October 23, 2013

 

I went for my walk and woke boys up at 10. We did our schoolwork till 3:00 and then I went to Kim's to help get the next projects going. The big kids spent the day at the church, practicing and setting up lights for the fall festival. 

Just before 6, Kim and the baby, and I picked up 3 dinners to go from Coco's and met Doug at church for Bible study.

While I was at Kim's, Garrett and his friend Jonathan bleached their hair. Garrett told me he wanted to spray his hair white for Halloween. I told him that was ok. But CVS didn't have any, so they went a different route. Bad move.

Afterwards, Tom and I went to Springer's to catch the 2nd half of Goldwing's show. It started to rain during the last song and they had to quit. 

I've bumped bedtime up to 11:00 for the younger boys. Charlie thinks that's unheard of.

And Garrett, tomorrow I am having Ben cut his hair nice and short.

October 22, 2013

Went walking, we did chores, and started school. We only had an hour and a half of schoolwork and then went to gym class. I didn't want to go, but I knew the kids would be crybabies if we didn't go. It was good to visit with the other moms though. 

We came home and I hurried to Tai Chi. A part of me didn't want to go to that either, but sometimes I'm the only student who shows up, and I hate the thought of the teacher going and no one showing up. I really do like going, so I went.

When that was over I went to Winn Dixie. I bought spaghetti fixin's and ingredients to make 2 peanut butter chocolate pies for Tommy's birthday party tonight. Then I stopped to pick up my produce.

I had a hard time planning anything for tonight. I had already decided to have the party tonight, but the big kids decided to go to youth group in KW. Rob said he would come, Tom got home at 7:30 from work but went to the rink to skate. Kim came over so we (me, Charlie, Ailsa, Shannon, and Bobby) sang to Tommy. We ate one pie and he opened his presents, Lego chess and a slingshot.

Tom and Rob came in after Kim left. I didn't even know Rob had come. They were able to eat and have pie. 

I did the mega dishes. The big boys came home. I watered my inside plants, read to Charlie, and went to bed.

October 21, 2013

Monday

Too spent from yesterday's festivities to walk, so I didn't. I did all the dishes from Saturday and Sunday. I had the kids do chores and then work on their schoolwork. Meanwhile, I got the lovely job of folding laundry. It was horrible! Not my job. It's ben's job.

I'm looking forward to opening the windows and turning off the air, but today it was 90. 

The band and Goldwing went to their gig in marathon. Some homeschooling friends stopped in and we all had a great time. 

Tom and Sean went for a motorcycle ride about 11 PM. They are also taking Naomi home.

October 20, 2013

Tommy's 12th birthday today!! We will celebrate on Tuesday.

I took the day off from walking today. Went to church. After church, hurried home to get ready for the Zombie bike ride in Key West. We got there about 3:30, me, Tommy, Charlie, and Joe. Tommy got tired of waiting and we traded him for Naomi and Aaron showed up too.

As soon as we were off, I got separated from the group. There were so many bikes. I was on Garrett's bike, too tall for me. I sometimes had to walk because it was so slow going. It was hard to get on and off, and my skirt kept getting caught. Then it got dark. I saw a little boy laying on the side of the road as an ambulance pulled up, and I saw another guy plow into the side of a van. It was very stressful and I was so glad to finally get to Sloppy Joes, where our friends' band was playing.

I got my favorite gelato/expresso drink and we went home. I showered and drank a giant glass of water. My eyes are still bugging me. I'll call the Dr's office tomorrow. I know what's wrong, but I'll have to pay for a Dr. visit AND the prescription. It's all about the money, not about getting people better. Oh well, I am thankful that I can get medicine to help my eyes.

Till tomorrow :0)

October 19, 2013

I went for my walk. I've finished listening to two books, " The Wedding Gift," and "The Secret Life of Bees." I enjoyed both of them very much. Today I started "Heaven is for Real."

My plans for today were totally changed. My plan was a little schoolwork and weaving with Kim, and then Schooner. We got a call this morning from some friends, Goldwing Express, a family band from MO, that were coming into town today. They were supposed to stay on their bus, but it had caught fire and they had to leave it in St. Louis. So they called this morning from Miami on their way here needing a place to stay. We offered them TJ and Ang's apartment.

So our band left at 11 am for their first gig, and Garrett and Jonathan helped me finish cleaning the apartment. 

Fran had some bunk beds for us, where his sister is trying to move in, so today was the day to get them. Me, Jonathan, and Garrett took the last of TJ's stuff to Salvation Army. Then we went to pick up the beds.

Before we left I had Garrett bring down the top of Nina's bunk bed. It was hard to get it out the door but they finally got It out. Once we got to Fran's sister's, we found out there were two bunk beds, matching, so we didn't need to bring down Nina's after all. Garrett had to take it back upstairs.

The house where we had to pick up the bunk beds was way out at the end of Key Deer Blvd. First we brought back the 4 mattresses. Next trip the beds would not fit in the van. I called Doug and he came over with his truck. He was able to move them in two trips.

Then I went to Winn Dixie to stock the fridge downstairs with some food, and to Bealls for pillows and bedding. I put all the food away and made the beds.  I finished about 6 o'clock. 

At 7, I took Tommy and Charlie and we stopped at Boondocks to see the beginning of Goldwing's show. Then we continued on our way to Schooner Wharf.

When we arrived one of the first people I saw was Dancing Kevin. He has been coming to our shows since we started coming to the Keys, and he always makes me smile. That, and some favorite servers made my night. 

On a down note, both my eyes started bothering me this afternoon. I think I've got pink eye again.

October 16, 2013

Wednesday

I've started setting my alarm again and I'm getting up at 7:30. I went walking, took a quick shower, and then drove Garrett and Jonathan to work helping our friends to gut/remodel their house. 

I did school with Tommy till 3 PM, and then went to Kim's to help weave. The next couple of wraps are more colorful and I like that. 

I hurried home from there to chop up some romaine lettuce for supper. I put quinoa on top of it with some left over teriyaki sauce. It was pretty good.

I met the rest of the crew at church. Kurt didn't go. He was trying to get his schoolwork done. They recorded earlier in the day and then helped someone from church wax their RV.

After church, I came home and did a lesson from Kurt's Omnibus class. I am just one lesson behind him. I read to Charlie and we watched some Michael Jackson videos on youtube. We also watched some learn-the-Thriller dance videos, also on youtube.

October 15, 2013

Tuesday 

I went for a walk and woke up the boys. After I ate breakfast, I went to Kim's to help her wind a wrap onto the back beam. Then I came back home and picked up the boys and we went to gym class. The weather has been less humid. It's been gorgeous outside. I took my lunch and ate it during gym. When we got home I did the dishes and went to Tai Chi. Then went to Winn Dixie for groceries. I came home and made supper. The boys all went to hockey. I also made an apple cake.

The yarn I spun yesterday was dry. Here it is.

October 14, 2013

Monday

I woke up early and got my walk in early. I even went an extra lap. I thought we would get lots of schooling done today, but the government schools had the day off so there were friends over. Chores were slow going, so I gave up and sat in my room spinning and listening to a good book. At 2:30 I came out and made lunch to take to Sloppy's. I also watered my plants. They were drooping. 

Sloppy's was fun tonight. There was a big crowd and Charlie sang a new song, "I Love Rock and Roll." 

Ed and Nina bought me spinach dumplings from The Cafe to eat on the drive home.

While we were driving home, TJ and Ang announced that they are expecting. The kids had a fun group text going on of names for the baby. Mostly hockey names. And Ben came up with Anna Thor Doerfel. Very clever Ben. :0/

October 13, 2013

Sunday

The kids led worship this morning. After church, I spent the day at home. I really needed the down time. I embroidered on a baby dress and spun at my spinning wheel while listening to a book.

Nina's band played at Sunset Pier. When they got home, Ed and Nina went out to eat. I had them pick me up some watermelon on their way home. All the boys went to the park to play hockey. I made corn chowder, a salad, and cut up the watermelon. 

Kurt showed up about 10:00 with some friends who spent the night. The kids watched a movie but I went to bed.

October 12, 2013

Saturday

I planned on catching up on chores today but it didn't happen. I went with Tom and the band to their first gig at Sunset Pier. I was able to sit by the water and embroider. Very nice.

Tom's cousin and her husband joined us. When the gig was over, the band headed to their 2nd gig at the Hogfish and we headed over to Gale and Kelly's boat for a sunset cruise. That was relaxing, and great to hang out with Gale and Kelly. We haven't been able to do that for a long time. Charlie went with Tom and me.

We went from there to the Hogfish. The band had about an hour left to play. We ate, took Peggy and Bruce back to their B & B, and then drove home. I was so exhausted I could hardly stay awake on the ride home. I went straight to bed when I got home. Charlie was super sad because I wouldn't read to him.