August 30, 2014

Saturday

I slept in till 9:30. That felt good, but it shortened my day. The band went to their gig at Sunset Pier. Tommy went with them. I watered my plants and sewed. 

I'm still trying to get caught up with laundry. On Tuesday the boys cleaned out their room. It was really bad in there. I should have taken a pic. We had two sets of triple bunks, and another bunk with a full on the bottom and a twin on the top. They took out a triple and opened up the middle of the room. They kept a mattress that slides under one of the beds for when someone sleeps over. Ed and Garrett are sleeping on a bunk in a spot that we used to call "the computer nook." It would have made a great schoolroom, but there's no windows and I would hate being in there all day. Anyways,  all that bedding and dirty clothes from the floor, backed up the laundry big time.

I went over and hung out with Ang and the kids a little, then went to the studio and wove with Kim for 2 hours. While I was gone, Bobby picked up Charlie and they went to the KOA to go swimming. I went home, got some money, and went to WInn Dixie for groceries. It was going on 9:00 when I got home. I started supper while putting groceries away, cut up two watermelon, made the salad. I made Pad Thai. The boys had gone to the park to play hockey and they came back while I was still making supper. We ate, but it was late. Tommy and Garrett did dishes. 

Tj is letting me borrow Angelica's banjo. They are thinking of selling it. It's a Nechville open back banjo. Really pretty. I want it, but whenever I practice I never get any better. I'll keep trying though, if I can squeeze in some practice time. At about 1 AM I played it. I was tired, but all day I wanted to play it, so I finally did before going to bed, and of course, when I finally got to bed, I couldn't fall asleep.

Oh, I forgot to mention, Ed set a bug killing bomb off in our van last night. This morning when they went to leave they had to get a broom to sweep out the dead cockroaches! Disgusting! Gross! I can't believe we were riding around in it with all those cockroaches. Creepy! Ugh!!!!!!!!

August 29, 2014

Friday

I almost didn't walk, but then I went. I woke up Tommy and Garrett at 9, that's the new routine, and we started school at 10. Did that till 4. Practiced with Charlie again. 

I thought I was going to stay home during tonight's gig at Tarpon Creek in Marathon, but Tom wanted me to go. I'm glad I went. It was beautiful out tonight, breezy and comfy. I wish I could sleep outside in a hammock tonight.

I watched Charlie swim while the band played. I did some hand sewing too. I had a good, relaxing evening. 

Here's a pic of Kurt breaking down after the gig.  

(On the way home from the gig we stopped for gas and there was a cockroach in the van. A few of us jumped out and Tom got it out. The guy in the car next to us must have thought we were wacky. I'm mad that no one put a bomb off in the van. I bought them. Grrrr!!!)

August 28, 2014

Thursday

I went walking. There is finally a breeze. Then I took a quick trip to Winn Dixie and bought coffee creamer for TJ and bananas for us. Then I dropped off the creamer. 

We did school from 10-4. I even practiced fiddle with Charlie and gave him a piano lesson. The big kids spent most of the day at church, setting up and practicing for youth group. Charlie spent the evening at Bobby's. 

I stayed home in the evening and sewed. I didn't make any supper, so after youth group Ed ordered us Chinese and we had a feast.

August 27, 2014

Wednesday

I set my alarm for 7 and went walking. I told Garrett he couldn't go to the park today if he wasn't at school on time, so he was finally on time. I told Tommy that if he wasn't on time he could miss gym class. He made it to school on time too.

I finished making some vegan cheese. It's been in the making for a week atleast. I'm hopeful that it tastes good.

We started school at 10 and did it till 5. Garrett took his first history test and got a 90! Yes!! I've been working him hard. :0)

Joe folded laundry today, good thing too. It's really backed up. No time for anything till school falls into a routine and the boys quit wasting time. This is our third week.

So, I moved the laundry along, then rested for 15 minutes. Then it was time to go to church for supper and Bible study. After that I came home and did the dishes. I spent a half hour or so reading the next chapter of history. I made some outlines on the first chapter that were extremely helpful. I plan to do it on the next one too.

Bobby stopped by for a few minutes. I read "Little House in the Big Woods" to Charlie and Tommy. Then we went to bed. Joe was the only big kids home. The rest were still at church, practicing or setting up for youth group tomorrow is my guess. 

August 25, 2014

Monday

I need to get back in my walking routine, but it's sooo hot. I didn't go. I made banana muffins for breakfast for everyone but I ate oatmeal. We did school. We are reading a book about the Donner party right now.  Charlie was rotten, so I finally quit doing school with him and cut his hair instead. He was pretty shaggy.

Nobody did the dishes so at about 2:30 I did them, very grumpily I must admit. Then we left for Sloppy Joes. 

Rob came and we took the little kids for a walk to Mallory during our second set. We watched the Cat Man and the kids got balloons. Later I bought a chocolate chip cookie and enjoyed it with a cup of coffee. 

On the way home Joe crushed a cockroach in our van. Gross! Disgusting!! Ewe!! Get me outta here!!

August 24, 2014

Sunday

Went to church. The kids led worship with Kim and Doug. After church Tom and TJ took the kids swimming at Ida's. Angelica came over and we stayed in the AC and sewed. I worked on Violet's dress and Ang quilted. 

The time went too fast. The kids came back. Tom and I went to church. After church he met the older boys at the rink and I went grocery shopping, just for Sunday night supper. 

I came home and made stuffed shells,

a salad, and cut up 2 watermelons. We ate about 10 PM, not the best time to eat, but I didn't have much of a choice. I put the leftovers away and left the dirty dishes for the morning. There were no volunteers. I'm tired of making everyone help. 

August 23, 1014

Saturday

TJ rode his bike over with Jake, and the band went to Sunset Pier. I did some school with Garrett, Tommy, Charlie, just a few things we didn't finish. At 3:30 I took Jake and the boys to meet the band at Sloppy Joes. It was an ordinary day. I did a little embroidery at the gig. It got too dark for me to do any more. 

August 22, 2014

Friday

It poured this morning. I wished it would pour all day, but it didn't last 15 minutes and it was gone. Going to bed an hour earlier didn't make it any easier for Garrett and Tommy to get out of bed.  I outlined a chapter of history while waiting for them. I also made peaches and cream oatmeal again. I even like it, which is impressive because I  don't really like oatmeal.  I put blueberries in it too. 

I want to homeschool, but today was a lousy homeschooling day, even though we got a lot done. Garrett and Tommy were bickering and could not keep their mouths shut. I think I was interrupted every 30 seconds by one of the kids or Tom. And Garrett's Grammar text (he is enrolled in a school and I send all his tests in for grading), the textbook is horrible, so boring. Luckily, it's just half the year.  We did school till we left for Sloppy's at 3:30.

 The gig went fine. A man gave me his card, Willie J. Clarke. It wasn't actually him who gave me the card. I'm assuming the man worked for or with him.  I googled him. Pretty interesting story.  A movie was made about him. I think NPR bought it, and it was supposed to be out in the spring of 2014.

August 21, 2014

Thursday

Garrett and Tommy are still having a hard time getting up in the morning. It makes me crabby and it's a horrible way to start the day. We finally started about 11. Tommy had a guitar lesson at 12:45. The older boys were going to the church so they gave him a ride. 

We did school till 4:30 when Garrett and Tommy went to the church for youth group. Charlie was horrible all day, not listening to me, so I didn't let him go to Bobby's.

I made chickpea chickenless salad and I had a green salad leftover for supper. TJ had dropped off Jake and Callie while he worked at church. I had them from 5-8. After they left I played "Trouble" with Charlie. Rob came up to skate and Tom met him at the park. Then they came back to the house about 9:30 and ate.

I started reading "Little House in the Big Woods" with Charlie, then sent Garrett, Tommy, and Charlie to bed at 10. Charlie asked me if we could live in a little house in the big woods. 

August 19, 2014

Tuesday

I went walking this morning. No breeze and hot. I made peaches and cream oatmeal for breakfast, from scratch of course, using applesauce to sweeten it.

I had to wake Garrett up many times so we had a late start for school. I dropped Charlie off at his fiddle lesson and then took Joe to Radio Shack to activate his new used phone. We went back home and did more schoolwork. 

We finished school at 5:30 because Tommy had to go to work at church. I dropped him off, and then went grocery shopping. I made supper, Pad Thai, watermelon, and salad, while putting groceries away. The boys all went to the park for hockey, Rob too. Angelica and Violet stayed with me and we quilted on Angelica's quilt. We reminisced about all the bluegrass festivals that Angelica worked on that quilt. The pattern is "Trip around the World" and it's been all over the east coast. 

I did dishes, lots of dishes. Tom got mad because Garrett's friend,  Jonathan, didn't leave with Rob and then 15 minutes later needed a ride home. Ben drove him home. 

Tom grounded Kurt from driving for a week. He wasn't keeping up with a class and was acting inconsiderate, not wanting to help with chores.

August 17, 2014

Sunday

Went to church. Nina's band had a gig at Sunset Pier. Then Joe and Ed met them later to play at a benefit.  I spent about 2 hours sewing on sweet baby Violet's dress. I ordered lace for it. 

Charlie spent last night at Bobby's. He fell asleep during his Sunday school class. When we got home from church I sent him to bed and he slept all day. I woke him at 8 PM. I guess he doesn't need to sleep at Bobby's for a while.

Tom and I went to church in the evening.

Then Tom met Rob at the park to skate. While they were gone, I made a salad and cut up a watermelon. That was supper. I just had no other plans and didn't feel like cooking.

Tom left at 10 PM to work with Fran all night. Ed, Nina, and Ben stayed in Key West after the benefit and went to see a movie, "The Giver." I saw a trailer for it and it looks like it deviates too much from the book. I love the book. 

August 16, 2014

Saturday

We did school today to make up for Tuesday. The boys were kind of grumpy about it but I want next summer off. I want a vacation!!

Angelica and the kids stopped by for a couple hours. Her sewing machine was acting up and she needed to finish making a birthday present.  They were going to a birthday party across the street from our house.

All the big kids were gone at a gig, Sunset Pier. It was hot, heat index of 104. Then they went to Schooner Wharf for their second gig. Doubles are hard, especially in the heat. Tom said it poured, but not long, and at the end of the night it was packed. The manager asked them to play longer so they did. 

At home I had the boys do dishes and pick up the living room. Charlie went to Shannon's to sleep over. I went to Winn Dixie and bought frozen pizzas and chocolate cake for supper. After we ate I folded four loads of wash, cleaned my bathroom, straightened up my closet that was starting to get cluttered, and swept. That left me about 5 minutes to embroider before going to bed at 1 AM.

August 15, 2014

Friday

It was so hard to get up today, but I did it. I went for my walk too. The kitchen was a mess, but when I got back from my walk Garrett was loading the dishwasher.

We started school a few minutes after 10, and the day went better. It's a lot of work. Hopefully we will fall into a routine and the boys will get the hang of it. 

At 4:30 we left for Schooner Wharf. I  outlined a chapter of the boys' grammer book during the drive, to help them study. Bob, Shannon, and Aylsa met us there. That was enjoyable because we don't hang out with them a lot. It was hot, but comfortable after 9. It's our longest gig, 5 hours, so everyone was tired by the end. Joe started feeling sick towards the end. He laid down for a few minutes in the van. Nina has been sick for 10 days. She's getting better now but has a cough. 

It takes us almost an hour to drive home from Key West. That puts us home a little after 2 AM. The kids have a double tomorrow.

August 14, 2014

Thursday

So tired this morning. Tommy and Garrett couldn't get up either. I woke them up so many times I was mad. I don't like starting the day mad. I made pancakes for breakfast. That didn't hurry anyone along.  We finally started school 2 hours late. :0( Grrrrrrrr!!!! I had to do the dishes and there were a lot because the big kids took off to the studio.

Jake and Callie came over for about an hour. That was fun. Then the boys all went to youth group. I did some bookkeeping. That was hard. Then I just sat for about an hour doing nothing, feeling kind of grumpy.

Rob showed up for hockey. When they left I went to Winn Dixie for spaghetti fixings and fruit. Hurried home, carried it upstairs, and started cooking. I cut up watermelon and made a salad. I'm loving TVP (textured vegetable protein). I make a no-beef broth that tastes like beef broth and mix it with the TVP and add it to the sauce. It makes you think there is ground beef in the sauce.

The kids better clean up. I'm going to bed.

August 13, 2014

Wednesday

I got up at 7 again. Devos, then walked at 8. I am running for 3 minutes in the middle. I will go back to my old routine of raising it 30 seconds each week. It's a big deal for me. I am not a runner.

I showered and dragged kids out of bed. Garrett made us start school 35 minutes late. We did school from 10:30-5:30. That's when Garrett and Tommy had to leave to work at church. 

Ed ran to the store for me and bought almond milk and peanut butter. I made supper for Charlie, Ed, and I, the only ones home. Then we went to Bible study at church.

I had planned to go grocery shopping after church but didn't go. TJ stopped in for a haircut from Ben so Ang and the kids were over too. Forget grocery shopping. :0) I'll try to go tomorrow after school, while the kids are at youth group maybe.

Tommy finished his math and we corrected it. Nobody did chores today. I loaded the dishwasher  but never had time to do the rest of the dishes. The boys have to do chores tomorrow before they leave.

I read for a few minutes and went to bed.

Summer in paradise. It's hot!!  

August 12, 2014

Tuesday

We were invited to a friends/fans house today for fun in the sun/pool/ocean. TJ, Ang, and Joe played this morning at Blue Heaven, then met us at the party. We had a great day of relaxing, swimming, tubing, and snorkeling. Great food too! Thank you so much!! We needed it!!

August 11, 2014

Monday

I got up at 7. Devos. Walked. Showered. Started to wake up the boys for our first day of school for the new year. We got a lot done, even our science. Joe folded laundry. Ed and Ben went to the studio. Kurt was at Luke's house in Key West.

At 3 o'clock I packed salad and leftover coconut beans for Tom, Ed, and me. I ate on the way to Sloppy Joes.

Charlie and I took a walk during the 1st break. We finally found The Spice and Tea Exchange. It's set back and hidden between some other stores. I bought  some spices and tea. We also bought a little cookies and cream fudge. Charlie shared that with Joe.

The boys' friends, River and Tiger, came and played a few songs with the band. That made the evening more exciting. I haven't heard them play and sing in quite a while. 

On the way home we picked up some food from The Cafe, then we stopped at Winn Dixie. Now I am soooo tired. I tried a cup of my new tea and went to bed. 

August 10, 2014

Sunday

I woke up early and had time to read and do embroidery before church. Went to church. Our good friend Serban was there. So excited to see him.

After church I did paperwork and a little more embroidery. Charlie went to the KOA with Bobby. Nina's band had a gig at Sunset Pier.

I pulled out my classical guitar and practiced a little. I would love to find time for that again. When evening came, Tom and I went to church. Then he met all the boys at the park for hockey. I came home and made supper, coconut black beans, rice, salad, and grapes. 

Rob took some Newtons and Jonathan home, and I got kids and me to bed by 11. I'm starting the new school year tomorrow.

August 9, 2014

Saturday

I picked up Garrett from camp this morning. He loved it!! Sailing, snorkeling, swam with sharks, went out to the reef, wind surfing, that kind of stuff.

Tom went with Charlie to a friend's house to help fix something. I did stuff around the house, then embroidered for a while before leaving for our gig at Sloppy's.

Went to the gig. During the first break I hurried to Fresh Produce and bought 3 dresses. During the second break I took the little boys to Duetto's for gelato. 

The place was packed the first and third sets. Jake was awesome on his hockey stick guitar.

August 8, 2014

Friday

I woke to a text from Charlie asking if he needed to be home for anything. Yes, he did. Bobby must have been running a little late because he didn't bring Charlie home like he normally does. So I got up, grabbed Charlie's fiddle stuff, and picked him up. I dropped him off at his fiddle lesson. Georgina said she'd bring him home. When I got home Kim said she was going to the studio so I went over too. I wove 3 more feet. Tom brought Charlie over towards the end.

I went home and made a late lunch/early supper. The boys got ready to leave for their gig in Marathon at Tarpon Creek. I was getting ready too, but then Tom said I didn't have to go. He took the little boys so they could swim. I was home alone, kind of. Nina stayed home too because she was sick.

I sold two baby dresses this afternoon. That encouraged me to start making some more. I cut out a dress for Violet and started embroidering it. I couldn't find the pattern I usually use, so I ordered another one.

I took a break and went to Winn Dixie for some supper food. I enjoyed my evening.

August 7, 2014

Thursday 

I woke up before 6 because I was sweating. Too hot. I went walking and ran for 3 whole minutes, up from 2 minutes last week.  It is sooo hot out. When I got back I started cutting down some long bambooish looking grass that's growing around a palm tree. I'm trying to clean up the yard.  

I did school with Tommy and Charlie, then went to the post office and mailed the evaluations I got ready yesterday. I stopped at TJ's and dropped off a package for Ang that was delivered to our house. I held Violet for a few minutes, then went home. 

Bobby picked up Charlie. The other boys went to the park to play ultimate frisbie with the youth group. I went to Kim's and wove for 2 hours. I wove 3 feet. I might go back tomorrow.

I stopped at Winn Dixie's on my way home. I made Pad Thai for supper and had leftover watermelon, salad, and chili. I bought lots of grapes too and put them out.  

Everybody loved the Pad Thai. We watched an Indiana Jones movie because Tommy wanted to see it so bad. I had Ben do the dishes. It's time for me to start getting to bed earlier.

August 6, 2014

Wednesday

I printed the home school evaluations and got them addressed and ready to mail. Finished some more school prep. I did Omnibus and math with Tommy. I also worked on fixing Jake's quilt. A dog chewed a hole in it, so Ida's an octopus to cover up the hole.

Ed and Nina spent the day in Key West. I asked them to go to Pier 1 and buy me pillows for the couch. 

Tom worked at the church, breaking up tile. At 4:30 we left for Schooner Wharf. I took Charlie for a walk to Kilwin's, then ate supper with Rob. Watched the band till about 10, then left early with TJ, Tommy, and Charlie. I can't wait to see the pillows.

August 5, 2014

Tuesday

I went walking today. Since I was already sweaty when I got back, I weeded along the whole side of the house, by the swings. It looks great now. I had Joe move a big fern off the porch to down there. Then he moved a chair where the fern was. If it ever cools off we will be able to sit out there.

At 11:30 we had a call from the teacher who did our homeschool evaluation. She spoke with me and the boys, then it was done. 

I started Tommy in his Omnibus class today. Then I ended up cleaning up the garbage mess that Garrett left. He didn't put lids on the garbage cans, so they were filled with rainwater and garbage. I had to dump them, let the water drain out of the garbage, then put the garbage back in he cans. What a mess. I dragged it all out to the street, and then picked up all the palm fronds from the yard, cut them into thirds, and filled up another garbage can. 

I went with Charlie to Winn Dixie for groceries, came home and put most of it away while making supper, salad, watermelon, and vegan chili. I picked and cut up the pineapple I grew.  We had way less people tonight and too much food. No Garrett. No Kurt. No kids' friends. Stayed up too late cleaning it all up. Atleast I'll have leftovers. :0)

August 4, 2014

Monday 

Rainy, thunderstorm day. I met with Georgina and gave her a bunch of first grade homeschooling books. Then she took Charlie and I to lunch at Boondocks.

Got home with a half hour to get ready for Sloppy Joes. I packed a salad for Tom, Ed, and I. During the second set, Rob and I took the boys, Ian, and Ariel for a walk to Mallory Square. We drank from coconuts, ate coconut, and watched the unicyler/juggler guy. I bought Charlie Dominoes to play with at Sloppy's.

August 3, 2014

Sunday

I set my alarm to get up at 7:30 am to make sure Garrett and Tommy got up to work at church before 8. Tommy was pokey and I had to drive him to church. Normally he rides his bike. 

Went to church at 11. Nina's band played at Sunset Pier. It was a cloudy, gray, thunderstorm day. Ida and Byron invited us, TJ and Ang, and another mom with 3 little kids, to come over for pizza and swimming, so we did. I didn't swim, but everyone else did. I stayed inside in the AC. 

At 2:30 I had to leave to take Garrett to Sea Camp. We had to stop at CVS to buy him deodorant. I know he is going to have a great time at camp. It's a great camp. Then I went back to Ida's. We stayed until it was time to go to church. 

Tom and I went to church, then afterwards I dropped him off at the park to join the others for hockey and I went home. I was gone all day, it was 8 PM, and I had no plans for supper, so I didn't make anything. But at 9 they all came back from the park. Rob brought some food, so I made a salad and pulled out a bag of grapes.

There was a huge thunderstorm and it poured cats and dogs. During the downpour, about 10 PM. Ed, Nina, and a few other big kids decided to go to Winn Dixie for pasta and spaghetti sauce ingredients. Then they stayed up even later watching something on the projector. I went to bed about 1 am.

August 2, 2014

Saturday

I didn't write Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. I had good days, a little slower. I enjoyed getting up early and taking Tommy to camp and picking him up. I also worked at getting the boys portfolios for last years' school done and in the mail. I did planning for the upcoming school year, and cleaned off bookshelves. 

Thursday Tommy brought home a friend from camp.  We took him back to camp that night for a campfire. Rob joined us there. Tom, Charlie, and I went with Tommy. They did skits and we made S'mores. It was a fun night.

Friday I cleaned off my big bookshelves. I only got rid of two bags of books, one for Salvation Army and the other for the garbage. I still need to get rid of more. The band went to the Hurricane, and Garrett went with TJ and Ang to another gig at the Marathon Yacht Club. Garrett went to watch Violet. I stayed home with Tommy and Charlie and I watched Jake and Callie. Rob came up and made supper. 

Saturday morning Tommy went to the baptism at Bahia Honda. I was planning on going but it was just too hot. I stayed home. Kim and Doug took Tommy. I took Garrett to Bealls for shorts and a swimsuit for camp, then stopped at Winn Dixie and Walgreens. Then at home I just took care of little, piddly things all day. I sent Garrett to the dive shop to get water shoes and two water shirts and he came home with snorkeling gear, so I had to go back and return it and get the right stuff. He was a pain today. He's leaving for camp tomorrow and stays there till next Saturday. After that I went with Nina to Salvation Army. I found a really pretty dress. 

The band left at 11 AM for their first gig, stopped at home for an hour or so, then headed off to the Hurricane again. Charlie and I went to Kim's studio from 7-9 pm.  I wove about three feet. I came home, did more school prep, made blueberry muffins, cleared the table, did dishes, and went to bed.