Word Salad

Heee Heeee

Our entire family has decided that we are going to learn a foreign language together. (not sure how that will actually work, but we are working on it.) Not being very language savvy myself, I have always struggled, and really never possessed the desire to learn another language. But yesterday, while watching an older episode of Boston Legal) I decided that I am going make Word Salad my foreign language!

What is word salad, you ask? (Does it come with a side of ranch?) Well, if you believe everything you see on TV (and don't we all) it is where you think one thing, and nonsense, mixed up words come out of your mouth. For instance, if I wanted to say, "Good morning teacher. How was your weekend," what might come out instead is, "Frog legs piggy bank. Books and teapots eat away my lifeline."

Now, wouldn't that be fun to mess with my kids? And neighbors. And friends. he he he he.....

I got a job offer ...

You gotta love it when a job offer comes your way without even really searching for it. Yea, I have been doing little volunteer things with the intent of networking and such for when I am actually looking for a job, but this one kinda fell into my lap.

The position is through Gleaner's Food Bank, and their Operation Front Line program. I have volunteered to help run a 6-week program teaching food cooking, nutrition, shopping etc. to various groups. I love the class and program, and am excited to bring it to our county here. So, when I found out that they needed someone to help run this satellite office/program I was excited. Originally I was told it would be one day a week - sweet! I can handle that; and even in the summer one day of day care for the kids will not be a problem. But, it turns out that this job is a grand 30 hrs a week, and only until Aug. 25th. Sigh. This is more than I am willing to take on for the summer months, combined with watching Isaac one to two days a week too.

So right now I am trying to see if I can swing a "job share" program with another person. They would probably rather not deal with TWO people in the position .... and all the extra headaches that comes with multiple people. So, I do not hold much hope now. One day a week, for a much longer time sounded much much nicer than 30hrs a week for the entire summer, and then no more work once the summer is over. Especially since both kids will be in school full time starting in Sept.

So, I'll keep a look out for another part time job in the fall. Maybe. Maybe this part time temporary job will pan out. I hate turning down a good thing, but ....

Don't you hate it when a good things suddenly turns out to have a few twists and clouds?

Birthday Loot, and Mom's Day Too

I enjoyed a decent birthday last week. Well OK, actually the girls were overtired and cranky - especially Annika. And as we all know by now, cranky kid equals cranky parents. So I was rather cranky by the end of the evening. Annika and I kept butting heads, and for those who know me, the more I but heads with someone, the more I dig in my heals and refuse to budge. Not a great trait to have when it comes to young kids. But it is mine, so I make the best of it ... whatever that means!

But, I did have a decent morning, and the girls were SO excited to make me my cake and to

give me their gifts.We always make a cake with the girls for birthdays. Sometimes it turns out better than others, (this wasn't one of those times) but this is one of our traditions, and the girls absolutely love it! This time they actually set their alarms and woke us up at 7am, bouncing off the walls with excitement. I think I remember Annika being the most excited too. I think - It was early, and a whole week ago now!

Earlier in the week Bill took them out shopping for my gifts. Bill made me a bluebird house, something I thought would be nice to have and to attract a pretty songbird. Annika insisted on giving me this hummingbird garden ornament thingy. And Lauren chose a rain gauge that rests in a ceramic toad. We've name him Toad the Wet Sprocket, or Sprocket for short. So now when it rains, which it has finally done twice since my birthday, we check Sprocket for the rain totals. (So far we have had just under 1/2" and then yesterday 5/8", in case you were wondering) I also received a very nice bowl-type humming bird feeder. And some money to go shopping. I see some bento boxes and produce bags in my future!

For Mother's Day I finally got a good broom! YEA! I swept this evening and it actually looks as if I had swept afterwards - hallelujah!! The girls gave me some really cute hand made gifts, so I am happy. It was a good day, and I feel well loved by all.

Still waiting on my sink drain plug and eco-gear. Guess I'll have to get that myself. I think Bill got me the broom more so because it was a funny gift. Yea, I'm strange, what can I say.

I laughed and cackled and rode around my broom for effects.

I Survived!

Does anyone else have Gloria Gaynor singing in the background? ...for as long as I know how to love I know I'll stay alive ....

But the true story is that I, and my entire family, survived the entire month of April with only 8 unecessary purchases. And some of these are borderline necessary. Borderline - I know we could have gotten along without any of them, if we truely HAD too. But the bigger victory, for me .... I exposed many other people to the idea of actually thinking of not consumming oh so much stuff all the time. I had a few positive responses to this idea, and unfortunatly more than a few, "You are nuts!" comments. But, one step at a time, right? And everyone kept asking me how I was doing, so a good dialogue was opened up here. I am sure that as soon as I left there was quite a bit of behind-my-back chatter, but I'm ok with that! Everyone here thinks I am nuts, and I know that! :)

Failure 6, 7 & 8 in the Buy Nothing Month

Last week it was 75 degrees most days, if not warmer. I had to break out the summer clothes for the girls, as long sleeve shirts and thick heavy pants were causing them to faint from heat exposure. Lauren has grown so much this winter that all of last years clothes are way too small! Yes, she can still squeeze into them, but I am not keen on 6yr olds running around in skin tight belly shirts worn with skirts so short you can see their cheeks! Which is what we have in this house!

So I visited out local used clothing store. The first thing we see is a frog raincoat. Annika runs up to it and declares it hers! In her defence, we have been looking for a raincoat for both girls, and it does match her frog rain boots, that she wears EVERYWHERE! So I had to purchase the raincoat. I also found a shirt, skort, and cool dress for Lauren. She now has a few items to wear and not be expelled from 1st grade for obscene dress.

On Saturday Lauren's Brownie troop had a special surprise event to help celebrate their year of Brownie-hood. So, off to the Mall to the Build-A-Bear store we went. Lauren had never been in the store, and was in a bit of consumerism overwhelm! I was looking at all the really cute stuff you could purchase (for a rather large sum, I might add!) and Lauren said to me, "Too bad you can't buy anything this month." That's my daughter!! She had a great time making her bear, complete with a Brownie uniform and patches for her and the bear. We did not actually purchase this item, but I count it on my list of failures, because it was a new item, total and complete consumerism if ever there was such a thing, that entered our house this month.

And finally, yesterday I bought a bunch of zip lock bags. I started out this month with one or two bags, and almost had to borrow some from a friend the other day when Lauren had a field trip and was required to bring a (gasp) completely disposable lunch. But I dug up some reused bags and made due. We do not use plastic bags very often, but occasionally we do, and I just happened to be out of all but the gallon bag size. So I bought something I could have done without. My rationale: I would have bought them in May anyway. Holding off on this purchase was just postponing the eventual. I figured what difference does two days make, when the point of this challenge is to make me rethink what I am purchasing, and find alternatives. I have a whole cupboard of alternatives, but there are times when a bag is what I really prefer to use. Although, I have seriously considered freezer paper over the past few weeks while I postponed this purchase. So I may pick-up some freezer paper (I have to see if it is recyclable) next month. See, I did use my brain before I just went out and bought plastic items!!

Two Days Till May and ....

I have been contemplating the latest Crunchy Chicken challenges and keep going back and forth over which part, if any, I am going to participate in. Sigh - I feel so "wrong" for even thinking of not participating in them! UG! The rules clearly state no Halvesies; you go all the way or nothing. However, my brain thinks a minor tweak here and there is better than avoiding it altogether! My neighbors and school moms pretty much think I am crazy to contemplate any of these ideas ... one even said she had to buy something new every day! Reaks of hidden issues if you as me, but ....

So, here I sit, just two days away from the first day of May, (and a few days from my, gulp, 42nd birthday ... when did I get so old? I don't feel that age.) and I have not committed to anything. Yes, this is a huge commitment, but it something I wholeheartedly believe in, so what is keeping me from doing it? The lack of ease? The desire to just go with the flow? The lack of much true support in this endeavor? Some combination of all of these, I'd say.

No paper, with the exception of no TP, would be the easiest. Except Annika and her obsession with coloring and cutting printouts from the internet would be a major challenge. This particular challenge was not made for parents of preschoolers! I guess for that week we get out our white board and chalk board!

Well, more food for thought (but only if it is locally grown food, packaged in glass or cloth, that I bring home on my bicycle, and then do not need to refrigerate it, bc I have turned off my electricity!)

yea, I am insane for thinking about this. So, what week is best for this challenge, I ask myself. We'll just have to see!

My Version of a Bento Lunch

For those who are wondering, this is my version of the Japeneese Bento style lunch. I made this for Annika to eat at home; no traveling was going to take place with this box. I would love to have little containers with lids to put ranch dressing, yogurt, or other wet ingredients into, as they leak in my container.