my odd bird

I have an odd bird.  She's 9.  And she's my kid.  This leads to some unfortunate issues.  Like making friends.  Its not that she's unfriendly or mean.  She's too smart for her own good.  We've always exposed her to things not in her age range.  When she was 1-2, we exposed her to the Muppet Show and Doctor Who.  Because of this, she now loves Alice Cooper and will scream "DON'T BLINK" when we drive by statues.

We also exposed her to a lot of animal documentaries and science shows (Yes, Mythbusters was a must for us).  So because of this, the questions she asks on field trips and in the classroom will often catch the adults off guard and make the kids look at her funny.   She loves to go to museums.  She loves hands on experiments.  We took a group of her friends to our Science Museum for the CSI exhibit and it really seemed that E was the only one really into it.  She had to help some of the Older girls.  I was shocked and proud at the same time.

This leads us to why she doesn't get along with kids her own age.  I was the same way.  I hung around with adults more than kids.  She does too.  My friends are a lot of geekiness through and through.  From Teachers, to IT folk to you name it.  But this lends it self to a whole set of issues.  Her friends don't get her. My friends do.  The kids poke fun at her because she likes to talk to the teacher.  E gets super frustrated with her peer group when they just don't see it her way or how they just don't know something so basic to her.  Its no one's fault - the kids just haven't been exposed to the same things she has.  Try explaining that to a 9 year old who was determined to make her school project Catapult shoot marshmallows as far as possible so it went through a redesign phase.

My odd bird was asked yesterday why she was wearing "funny clothes".  She was trying on some Medieval based garb for a fundraiser we are doing this weekend.  Our hobby is medieval living history (the SCA).  She loves it.  So when challenged with this question, she answered the same way I do.  The girls who asked it gave her a funny look.  Then I stepped in and repeated what E said and the girls were understanding.  Coming from an adult, it makes sense.  From a 9 year old.. she's off her rocker??

I know I'm not alone in this.  Some of my close friends who have kids are challenged with the same thing.  Kids too smart for their own good.  So I'll keep re-enforcing that 1) Science and Math are cool 2)Always ask questions 3)explore 4)the friends you have now are not the ones you'll have when you are older and 5) Don't Blink.

learning why a huge marble sphere can spin super fast with water flow at the Botanical Gardens

Easy isn't better sometimes

I just read this article from the Mirror.  And I have to say.. it makes sense.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/women-are-fatter-because-they-do-less-housework-846757

We have SOOO many modern conveniences.  Dishwashers, washers and dryers.  Toss stuff in and its done.  Propelled lawn mowers and snow blowers.  Spray and leave cleaning solutions where scrubbing isn't needed.  The desire to make it easier for women and men has left us bigger. On top of the modern home conveniences, we have tons of fast food options to make it easier for us.  It reminds me the passengers in WALL-E.  Always on the go.  

When was the last time you heard that someone did their laundry by hand? or scrubbed their floors once a week or more? Or used a push mower (no gas or electric here kids, just pure muscle power)?  I remember using a push mower at the cemetery and it was hard.  I used one when we first moved in since the lawn mower we had died.  It was hard.  But it felt good.  I often opt to shovel instead of snowblow .. (I hate dealing with her. she only likes Tim and not me).  Its hard!  Especially when the snow is wet and heavy.

I noticed when I was on a cleaning rampage, my spent calories was way up.  Somewhere between 700 and 1000 for the day.  That's a lot!

So think about it.  Modern cleaning conveniences, fast food and a busy schedule = thicker middle and spending extra money to try to get rid of it.

Doing chores the old fashion way (elbow grease) + ditching the fast food = me loosing a few inches.  I know it works.  I did it.

Go ahead..  bring on the arguments that the new vacuum cleaners, washers, dryers and so on are great time savers freeing up time to do other family things.  There is nothing like a good dance while I hang laundry with Erin.  Or a talk with Tim while we do the dishes.  Or the smiles I get when we tell Tim Erin helped cook dinner.  Now granted, I won't give up the lawn mower or snowblower.  Those are Tim's toys.  And no, you can't have my new washing machine and dryer.  Just move a little more, scrub instead of spray n'leave and skip the drive thru.  That's my plan.

HULK Smash!

for those that follow me on facebook, you know we've had issue with a girl down the street.  Erin has been very brave about this whole thing.  And today, some words against me were spoken by said girl and well, Erin had enough.  She ended it and there were tears and more words.

In the end, I ended up at this girls house  to talk to the mom.  She in fact was not told the whole story and I played the message for her.  She was shocked and embarrassed by what her daughter did.

As we talked like moms, I was told the girl has ADHD and ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder).  It made sense. She was clear it wasn't an excuse for what the girl did.  And I believed her.  And it really sounds like this girl has a learning disorder on top of things.  I'm not a clinician... but from everything I have read, its a possibility.  ODD paired with ADHD is hard.  Now that we know it, we can work with that.  But I called a time out for a month.  When school is out, we can re-group and try again.

So now we have to teach Erin how to deal with ODD and ADHD.  This is something that isn't in the Mom Handbook.  There is no chapter on "How to deal with my ODD friends".  I have books on how to deal with "difficult" kids.  They came in handy with Erin when she was little - simple tricks on how to defuse the situation.  But how can a 9 year old be asked to do that?  I told Erin the honest truth about ODD.  She wants to give it a try.  She wants to try again with this girl knowing that the ODD is out in the open and there ways to stop the conflict. She wants to help.  I think I did something right with Erin.

still here

I am still here.  Just off doing other things.  Its crunch time for the kiddo's dance school.  Not to mention exams for school.  So life has taken the front seat.  But its calming down now so I thought I'd get this in while I can.

We took a trip to Rochester to the Strong Museum of Play.  A friend of Tim was part of the Super Hero exhibit so we stopped by to see it.  They had a video game up in that section.. yes.. my loves together playing a video game

There is a full Video game room as well.  We turned the kid on to Gauntlet.  YES!  3 is way better than 2 when you are playing that game.

And of course, she had to ride the Merry Go Round... but she opted to sit with 2 little kids in the round spinny seat.  She wanted to make sure they were ok.  

She  struck up a conversation with kids and made sure she sat by the door.  So they wouldn't fall out.  I must have done something right with this kid.

picture perfect

Wouldn't you love to live here??  Sigh.. planning my next trip already




(I just really like these photos.. the lighting and color was perfect)

notions

I love to sew.  My closet in my dining room proves it.  I have fabric and notions all over the place.  But look at this:



And this




How awesome is that?!  Pardon me while I drool..

I love this Kitchen

SAM_1761
Originally uploaded by melblackrose

This is from the Octogon house located at Genesee Country Museum. Circa late 1800s. The crocks on the floor, the open layout and the tile floor. Love it!

Is it time yet?

I know I have to wait a bit longer to get the garden going.. but I need to behave.  Made a stop at Home Depot today to pick up a plant for a teacher gift.  I know, I know.. Support the local grower.  I will.  But Home Depot was there and I had time while Erin was in Dance.

The herbs and some veggies are out on display.  Lemon Verbana smells soo good.  But what the hell do I use it with?  I want more Rosemary, Basil, Mint and Thyme.. stuff I use all the time.  A tomato plant for Tim and lettuce for Erin.  My strawberries need to be moved into a bigger pot and I'm thinking of blueberries so I can freeze them.  I'd like to plant some carrots in pots so they have room to grow.

And the flowers...  oh I really need to get into my garden. It needs to be weeded and expanded and fenced...  Oh! Maybe corn....  that would be interesting... Corn.

One week to go....

In one week, Erin makes her First Holy Communion.  This is HUGE for her.  Dress, Party, no longer missing out on the whole Mass.  The kids had retreat today then Rehearsal after.  Some 25 kids.. that's a lot.  In fact, each kid has its own WHOLE PEW.  The kids and those family members that can fit in the pew make up more than HALF the church.  That's a lot of kids.  She didn't get selected for May Crowning (boooo) but she was OK with it.

Now on to the taste test of the Host. HAHAHHAHAH!  They were given an unconsecrated host to practice with and she did not like the taste.

So next weekend..  this will be my little girl.

So long hedges!

We have these privacy hedges that border our front yard. For the last few weeks, I have cutting them down to chest height (my chest, not Tim's).  Today, I am pleased to announce IT IS DONE!!  My hands are numb from using the hedge trimmer for the last 2 hrs to finish off the last big section but IT IS DONE!!

I just hope there is no karmic backlash for hacking off a foot or more of the hedges... that would really suck.

And they call it... Puppy love....

I just dropped the kid off at a friend's house (not the nasty one down the street who was extra nice to me today after she apologized for hanging up on me).  They got a new puppy - 8 week old lab boy.  SO STINKING CUTE!!

I got some puppy kisses and snuggles in... my day got better.

There is something to be said when an animal snuggles with you..  especially when its a puppy...

Mother Nature is a fickle bitch

Well.. she is.  I love Mother Nature.  I get 4 wonderful seasons.  But this 80 degree temps in March and 30 degree/snow combo when its almost May has got to stop.  Get your Daily Planner in order woman.  I wear flip flops on day and the next I'm bundled up in my winter coat and boots.  Does that seem normal to you?

It is currently 34 degrees and it was snowing as we waited for the bus.  There is a FREEZE warning issued (because of the crops, no other reason.  If you are home gardener and already planted your garden you are nuts.  This is Buffalo remember..  ).  The temps should be rising this week and settle in around 50-60 or so.. that is NORMAL SPRING WEATHER.

I'm going to go hide under my blanket until this gets straightened out.

Kids Today....

We've entered into the realm of BFFs...  and cat fights.. and phone calls.. and tears.  SHE'S NINE!  When I was nine, I was still playing with my Smurf figures and Barbies.  I had a curfew, I had a bedtime.  I had RULES that I needed to follow or there would be hell to pay.  We all knew it.  That is just how it was.

I am raising my kid the same way.  In before its dark (7:30pm now -  as the sun stays up longer, we adjust it).  Bedtime on school nights in 9pm.  Dinner is at around 5:30pm. If its nice out, get out of the house and go play.  There is no sleeping over on school nights.  If I say its time to go home, that means it is time to go home.  Somehow, I am the only mom in the neighborhood that has set these kinds of basic rules.   Yes.. I am that mom who .. enforces the rules.   Most of the girls the kid hangs out with have no bedtime.  I see one drag her sorry butt to the bus stop every morning.  She's out of school more than she is in.. or she's late. One other girl asked Erin to "beg" me to let her go and play when we got home from Dance.  Homework wasn't done, she needed a shower and it was dark already.  It was PAST CURFEW.  She wanted Erin to BREAK THE RULES.  Not to mention this girl was pissed when she called Erin to come over and Erin was out.  Its like "how dare she go play with someone else".. really?  And when she called, it was at 5:20pm.. on normal days, that's dinner time.  Thursdays its time to leave to for Dance.  Did she not understand that Erin couldn't come out to play?  And she called my cell phone 10 times.  And to boot, she never left a message.  Not one.  Do these kids not know phone etiquette? Leave me a freaking message!!

This drama should be occurring in a few years.  Not now.  I am proud of my kid too.  She refused to break the rules. She knew if she did, there would be consequences.  She voiced her opinion too to this one girl on how she saw the situation and how she was being treated (the 3rd wheel in most cases.  ignored).  Golden Rule Kids.... Treat others as you would want to be treated.  This is something these kids don't do.  Its all about 1)who has the most Monster High Dolls.
2) who has the newest MH doll
3) who can spend the night the most
4) who has a cell phone

As a mom, I look at what is going on and have to make a decision.  Do I butt in? Do I rescue her?  Do I let it play out?   I hope I have armed her with enough common sense to do the right thing.  I need to make sure there is chocolate in the house to help mend some wounds.

Spring as Sprung.. sort of

Spring Flower show Tulips
Originally uploaded by melblackrose

I've been off in real life of late. Work, Ice Dragon, getting ready for first Communion, Confirmation... so the blog took a back seat. There really hasn't been much to blog about anyways.. nothing over the top funny or worthy of going "Hey, did you hear about the time... "

We just got off of spring break at for the kiddo and we made a trip (down the street) to the Botanical Gardens. I love to go there. Especially during the Spring Flower Show. I love the colors and smells.  There were a ton of different flowers this year.




See.. pretty!    But I think this guy is my favorite:




It is a HOSTA BONSAI!!!!!!  I didn't even know they had them!  I need them....   I HAVE TO HAVE IT!!  I do love my hostas..

But today, I sit in the house, buried in my blanket fort because we got a Nor'easter and its cold.. and wet..  and was hailing..  we did have 80 degree weather last week.   I love my blanket.

9th Birthday Salon Party

She's 9 years old. 9!!! Can you believe it? In short, we survived the Salon party and sleepover. I'm still running on very little sleep from the girls midnight chattering and musical sleeping spots. But the Salon visit was a blast. The girls (6 of them) got their hair, nails and eyes done. They all looked beautiful! The salon is actually Continental School of Beauty.. a long standing beauty school who offers Birthday parties! How cool is that! Each of our girls had 1-2 students working on them. We get service, they get lessons. Its a win-win if you ask me.





And here is the cookie Cake I made.. with the Monster High symbol on it.

Enough is enough

My girly girl celebrates her 9th birthday this week. To celebrate, she is having like 8 girls of her choice to join her at the salon school for a makeover and then a slumber party.  Some girls are upset because they were not invited.  I can understand them being upset but that is no reason to get into my kid's face about it and tell her to uninvite someone so they can go.

This whole popularity contest with the girls in her grade is getting out of hand.  There are 15 girls and 2 boys in her class.  So you can imagine the spats and bickering that goes on.  Petty issues get blown out of proportion beyond all belief. I feel sad for her teacher.  And most of the Erin's friends are in the 4th grade.  This makes matters worse.  Even if we give out invites out of school, the girls all talk... "are you going to Erin's party??"... We can not simply please all the girls!!

Lord knows that Erin hasn't been invited to parties.  At first she was hurt then after having to go through the whole thing herself, she totally understands you can't have everyone over.  Space and cost.... 2 factors we can't get over.

The moral of the story..... Suck it up buttercup.  You can't win them all and you won't be invited to every party.

No Tofu Fun

I tried the fried Tofu today.  It was ok. Not great, but ok.  But one hour after eating, I was itchy.  My cheeks were red and itching.  Then my neck and scalp.  Then my legs.  DAMN!

Can you say allergy?

So now I am on benadryl.  There are no hives, just warm and itchy.  I'm going to go whine in a corner and try to not scratch my legs raw.

Tofu Fun!

First and foremost, No.  I am not any type of Vegetarian.  Nope.  Never.  I love bacon and steak and meat wayyyyyy to much to give that up.  But I am bored with some of the standard sides I have been making.  Potatoes or plain rice are boring. Not to mention meat can be crazy expensive.  So can a metric ton of veggies during the off season.

Today I try Tofu.  Its something I have wanted to try for a long time and I'm willing to NOT SUBJECT the Husband and Kid to it for a full meal.  Some of my friends say stay away from it.  Others offered some wonderful ideas.  I've only had Tofu cleverly disguised as Chocolate Cheesecake and I ate it.  I completely understand the magical properties of Tofu where its all about the flavor.   There is a brick of the Wegmans Extra Firm tofu sitting in my fridge.  I will fry some and bake some.  An open mind is what I really need right now.  I had tried Quinoa and it was ok.  I love Hummus and some veggie spring rolls are really good.  So my taste pallet is going to expand damn it.  I will learn to like More food.

Veggie Yumminess

I don't care if Yumminess isn't a word.  It is now.  I made myself lunch today consisting of veggies.

Carrots. Red and Green Pepper. Potato. Zucchini.  Toss it in a bit a olive oil and add Penzey's Sandwich Sprinkle (it has everything I love so its my go to).  Roast for about 20 min at 425 degrees.

YUM! Freaking YUM!  The carrots were way sweeter than I thought they would be nothing was over or undercooked.   I'd say this was about 2 cups of veggies.

See Mom! I Ate my Veggies!!

Pin It

OMG!!!

We made the trek to David's Bridal today to see about a Communion Dress.  We tried JCPennys and that was a failure.  So it was David's as we thought the dresses would be truer to size.

The Dress Gods were with us!!  Right off the rack... an Ivory dress with rum Pink accents.  Her size and ON SALE!!  BAM!  Off the dressing room.  She put it on and was glowing. No joke.  She was grinning from ear to ear.  And the most wonderfulest part... we didn't need to buy a crown and veil.  My wedding dress just happens be .. Ivory and Rum pink.

It SOOOOO needs to be made shorter and that will be accomplished soon enough.  But the veil is just the right length!!!!  BONUS!!!  So instead of her wearing my 1st communion headpiece, she is wearing my wedding one.  Win Win!

Lent

Lent is a time of sacrifice and reflection.  We give up something that we probably shouldn't be doing in the first place.   For me, it's Sugar.  Mostly chocolate and candy.  But I'm giving up excess sugar in my coffee and limiting what I eat that has sugar in it.   Do I need it? no.  Do I really want it?  yes... Its an addiction.  Time to break the habit and go cold turkey.

No if you will excuse me, I need throw out a piece of cake and some ice cream that is just way too freaking tempting.  Damn temptation...  

stinky

Kisses
Originally uploaded by melblackrose

We met a growing up milestone today. My little baby girl..... is now wearing deodorant. She's not a baby anymore...

Buh Bye Sugar

We (Tim and I) always give up Chocolate and candy like snack things for Lent.  We do it too.  Now, its not been an issue the last few years as I don't tend to keep Candy in the house - except for the bucket of sweets Erin gets from parties, Halloween, Valentine's Day, Easter..  we are usually munching on Halloween candy well into the fall.

Well this year I'm taking it one step further.  No Sugar (Working on refined white sugar first).  So no sugar in Coffee. No Candy. No Chocolate.  The issue is with coffee creamer.  I use various ones that tend to have the sweeteners in it (come on, its Hazelnut).  Nope.. they must go.  I need keep on hand 2% milk.. Skim doesn't cut it for coffee.  

The other issue issue is with all the High Fructose additive that gets added to just about everything.  I started reading labels over the last few months and I was floored.  No wonder good high quality natural food taste "different".  

I've taken some steps already. I've decreased the amount of sugar in my coffee (some days I don't put any in).  Tea is being made and I'm working to use no sugar at all - the German Rock Sugar is used but just a smidge to sweeten it a bit.  I found a wonderful Acai Blueberry Green tea at RiteAid of all places.  and I drink it Hot too!! I know!! ODD!!

I know some of you are asking why (Mom, I know.. I know).  The reason - just cause. Sure, there are all the reports of how Sugar should be regulated like alcohol, but that won't happen.  I just want to see if I can do it.   Tim and Erin's birthday will be interesting but I'll manage.  

Birthday Cake Attempt = HELL YA!

It's Tim's  birthday today.  So as a treat, I made him his favorite dinner - Irish Chicken.  Cooked Chicken over noodles with a Mushroom Bailey's sauce.  

I found the recipe a few years back and I make it for special occasions.  Not to mention it is SUPER easy to make.  If you like mushrooms and Irish Cream, its a hit.

Erin on the other hand didn't like it at all so she had plain chicken. 

But the kicker of the day was the Cake.  BOSTON CREAM CAKE.  Yes, you read that right.   

Again.  Easy to do.  All you need is a boxed Yellow cake mix. When its done and cool, cut it in half to do a layer cake. 

Then, make Vanilla pudding.  When its good and chilled, use that as your filling.  Be careful to not go overboard or it will spill out the sides when  you put the top layer on.  

The Chocolate Glaze is last.  Its butter, vanilla, chocolate chips and Corn Syrup.  Melted it in the Micro and poured it over the cake.  Chilled for a bit and WHAM!!  Cake!!  So freaking good. 

Happy Birthday My Love..   enjoy the Cake!!!

More bread

The kid just pounced on me asking me "How do you do it?!!"

She was referring to the bread.  I made another load of the No Knead bread and this time it worked (the trick, use the Kid's room to let the bread rise).  I just made it this morning.  Its already gone.  3 slices are for dinner, 2 slices I used for a sandwich.  I had to taste it this morning..  and E just decided she needed a piece.  That leaves one little piece left.

What have I done?  I need more flour.  The recipe is so freaking simple that I have no issue making it.  The only issue is that it is gone the minute I make it.  I'm just happy it does get eaten..

We LIVE Hockey.. its Buffalo!!

Me and the girl child at a Sabre's hockey game.  This is something I am very fortunate to be able to do for her. I won the tickets and when I can win them, I take her.  I never went to a hockey game as a kid because the tickets were so expensive.  So are these ones.  There is NO WAY I'd buy tickets to see a game in the seats we have (they are really nice seats... just about center ice).  

But what kills me is the price of the food.  $4 for just about all the food and pop.  $4 for a freaking bottle of pop.  Really?  But hey..  I take her maybe once or twice a season so I will splurge on it.  But anyone who has season tickets...  how the heck can you afford to eat there?

And parking????  $15 -$20 for parking right near the arena.  You can chance it by parking near the arena on the side streets but with the recent snow, that was going to be a challenge.  So our other option was to park further North near the convention center and either park free on the street on in the ramp. We had to go with the ramp because all the free parking was taken (Auto show was going on too!).  $5 for parking isn't so bad.  And we got to take the train down which is always an adventure for the kiddo.  

All in all, we had a good night.  Girls night at the Hockey game.  Now, we defrost. Its cold out there!

Bread!!!

Bread!!! Look! I made Bread!!

Its the No Knead Recipe and I've made this before. So yummy and easy. I want it.. now. But no.. Its too hot to eat. Drat.

maybe?

We are looking for a dog.  Why?  It's time.  And we found a little guy who melted our hearts.  His name is Barley.  He's a pup still so size is a question.  He won't be huge, but its a mystery still.  Now..  we don't have him.  There is a process we have to follow but we were lucky to meet him in person.  He gave the sweetest puppy kisses.  And how could you abandon this?

People amaze me as to how stupid they can be.

Regardless... Erin is in love with him and is really trying to grasp we MAY NOT be the right fit for Barley.  Trying to get her to understand we have to do what is best for the dog is a challenge.  She wanted to take him home last Saturday and was ready to cry when someone else was looking at him.  We have talked to her and she "says" she understands and there will be a dog out there for us.  But she wants him.

The cats know something is afoot.  We cleared out a spot next to my chair and placed a blanket with some dog toys.  They sniffed.. but left it alone.  The funny thing was were petting a bunch of dogs on Saturday and when we came home... the cats insisted on laying on us.  Reclaiming us apparently.

If this little guy does join our family, we'll be very happy and lucky.  But if its not a good fit, I really hope he finds a good forever home.  

happy new year

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball. Every year for the last say 6 years we have celebrated New Years with Tim's Sister and the family.  Now, everyone needs a year off so we're on our own this year.  Not a problem in the slightest. 

We originally were going to see friends this year.  Notice the past tense.  I have a sinus infection that has moved to my chest.  My head is killing me and my throat is screaming.  But I have the bestest Husband in the universe.  He got us seafood for dinner. And summer sausage.  He's the best. 

So its movie night for us and i'm sure Tim will be taking bets to see how long I last.  

Happy New Year everyone.  Stay safe... 

grand

I just love this shot of her in the Poinsettia room. The colors were fantastic.

different

I opted to do something differnet this year. For the last 10 years or so, I have made a Polish Coffee cake for every sibling family on my husbands side.. and then some. Thats a lot of coffee cake if you know our family. Well, this year I couldn't do it. I have been seeing the salt dough ornaments all over the internets (yeah, thank you Pintrest) and I thought "Why not?".

Oddly, it's harder than it looks. The dough was sticky. It didn't roll right and drove me batty.

But I managed to make it work somehow. I have 3 designs overall (the last batch I had the worst time with so I got creative).

#1 is a Celtic Cross
#2 is a Celtic square
#3 is a dove of peace with a star.
I didn't count how many I cut, stamped, dryed and modpodged. But they are done.

Here's the recipe I used
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water

Mix together. Roll out as best you can. I did it on parchment paper first then switched to wax when I ran out and knew the oven wouldn't be an option to dry them. You can toss them in the over for a couple of hours (depending on thickness) at around 200 degrees F once you have the cut out, stamped, whatever. Make sure you put a hole in it so you can run string or a ribbon through it.

I did use ink for my stamped ones. I had a nice black in that worked the best. I tried red and green - horrible. The cheap gold one I had worked ok too. In a different batch, erin and i painted them with water color after they dried.

Overall, I like them. I think I need a different mixture. I just hope the family likes them. Erin and I worked hard on them.
anyways.. Merry Christmas kids...

a year in the making

I started this quilt last November..as in 201o. I was almost done with it by Christmas 201o. All that needed to be done was the binding. It was bought and I started pinning it. And there it sat. Until this past week. I finished the bloody thing finally. Its really simple. 12 flats connected. Thats it. Nothing fancy. I wanted to see if I could do it. And I did. It sure does add color to the room. I made a pillow as well from the sheets I used to make curtains (flannel snowflakes - red and blue). I am pleased with it. Its not perfect but thats ok. It will keep us warm none the less.

Poinsettia

SAM_1314
Originally uploaded by melblackrose

I took the girls to the Botanical Gardens.. really it was for me. I wanted a nice shot of the Poinsettia plants they have. I have never seen the display there. It was so pretty. I need to keep it in mind next year when I want to take a family photo.

Our Tree

Erin picks the tree out every year.. just because she's really good at it.

stress during the holidays? Noooooo

I'm lying of course.  I had promised myself this year I wouldn't let the normal Holiday stress get to me.  With 2 families, a group of friends and a strict budget, things have been .. well.. stressful.
1) I lost a good 10 days due to a commitment with my hobby.  I'm not saying its bad, but I used those 10 days for that and not baking or making gifts thus putting me behind
2) With as big as a family as we have on my husband's side, there is bound to be some clashing of will and expectations and fighting.  Every year I have made a Polish Coffee cake to give to each family.  I have done this for 10 years.  I am not doing it this year.  Oh, fear not those family members who read my blog.  I will make one for Mom's house so we can enjoy it then.  But no family Placzeks this year my darlins. I expect to get backlash for not doing that this year.
3) We needed to introduce Krampus into the mix this year.  Apparently coal in the stocking didn't shock her enough to staighten her up from this past week attitude fest.  I have known about Krampus for years and I was holding back on it.. now granted there were a few years he could have easily made an appearence but didn't.  Well, this year, I have placed the fear of hell into her.  I know, I know.  But this is a bigger issue with Kids today.. they don't understand that actions have consequences and big ones sometimes.  I grew up knowing that if I messed up, God would be pissed and I was going to Hell.  You do not piss off the Big guy.  So Old School it is...
4) It doesn't LOOK like Chirstmas.  Yes yes, its not about the Snow.. but it makes everything look clean.
5) Back on the family thing - big family = tension.  So many freaking people in one place.  I love that family but boy, its loud and hot and I'll be drinking for sure to keep me sane (mental note - get wine).

On a good note,  I made cookies and fudge.  The cookies came out AWESOME (here's round 1).  I keep making trips to the kitchen and grabbing one.  That has become my breakfast and lunch.  Diet? Yeah, my doctor just needs to understand this is a minor setback.  Its Christmas for Christ's Sake!

So this weekend is the push to finish a surprise present and make the family gifts.  And find my dining room after the laundry room adventure.  That's a blog another day.  As soon as I charge my camera, i'll show you my new ...oops OUR new toys.

wait for it........

The kid's hives didn't let up all weekend.  Off the doctor's office today to find out ... she has.... wait for it.. hives.

When will they let up?  eventually.
What is the cause?  Dunno.  Could be anything but its likely the Soy milk.
Keep doing what we have been and yes, she can go back to school.

Sleep dep.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

yeah.. so more lack of sleep.  Erin was up most of the night again but at least she threw up finally.  My money is a viral thing which with her would be no surprise.  Some of the kids at school have been sick and Erin volunteered to take a friend's homework home this past week (she lives on the next street over) who has the flu.

Gatorade has been made.... Disney is on. She seems to be in ok spirits but is complaining her stomach hurts.  The hives are calming down so we'll be vegging and napping today.

all nighter

Yep.  awake.  I've been awake on and off all night.  Funny story - 1:40am Erin comes into my room and needs her meds or something.  Tim was still up... on his PC...  she totally walked by him.  To wake me up.

Let the battle begin

Even though she slept most of the afternoon, the hives came back.  Different spots.  And to male matters worse, she's panicking. Knowing what I know about hives, it could a few hours to a few days.  Her stress level is what is causing the repeat bout I think.

So how do you calm an 8 year old?  Not a clue.  

The movie THOR seemed to help (she has a crush on him) and now CAPTAIN AMERICA is in and she fell asleep after her last dose.

Now we plan for a week of sleeping and doses and sleeping.  As long as I get a nap too, I'll be happy.

can't catch a break

the 8 year old is going through a rough bout of life.  First, she's lactose intolerant.  so we constantly have to watch ingredients for milk.  we are learning what she can and can not have and its a hard learning process for her.  repeated trips to the bathroom is not fun.

next, she had her foot stepped on last night by her musical teacher.  that hurt.  then she couldn't sing her favorite christmas song.  she came home in tears.

so we were up most of the night - the complaint of a pulled muscle in her ab (totally possible as she had gym and dance in one day)....  and then the issue to top all others.....  hives.  this is new for us.  she had some breakfast (cheese and pretzels) and broke out into hives.  a quick call to the doctor's office and some benedryl later.. she's asleep. hives are going down. my poor girl.

apples

Every year, Erin and I go to Blackman Homestead Farms in Cambria.  And every year, I take a picture of Erin picking and eating an apple.

How stinking cute is she!!!!!!

sounds

Now that I'm working from home, I have a distraction.  The window.  I used to have a window in my old office downtown where we'd keep them open (we weren't supposed to) and let the lake breeze into the office.  I had a wonderful view of City Hall and river.  I could watch some of the ships and barges come through.  We'd watch the storms roll in off the lake.  When the fog would roll in it was horror movie.  The sounds of city were my background noise.



When we moved to the Larkin building, the windows were sealed shut.  I'd get up occasionally and look out.  Just look.  On a windy day, all we could do is watch.

Next me now is the office window.  Quite often there is a cat in it.  Today, its open.  The breeze is coming in and its cool.  Fall cool with a hint of moisture.  There is rain coming.  The chorus of crickets is still singing.  The birds stop by and squabble for a bit then off they fly.  The murder comes and goes.  And I know I'm safe when I hear Burt barking next door.  I know when the kids are home from school when the yelling and games begin.

Its calming to hear the sounds of the neighborhood while I work.  And its nice to breath in normal air.  It may be filled with pollen but I don't care.

Back to work.  The squirrel is yelling at me again.  He's such a task master.

week one.. DONE!!

I survived!  Working from home is... different.  I start at the same time I did in the office but I some how work longer...  and I still eat lunch in front of the PC...  I really need to stop that.

So this coming week I get the phone installed and along with that a cable upgrade.  I can't wait.   With Halloween coming up, I get to watch the Chiller Channel and Travel Channel....  And SyFy,  WOOOOHOO!

Such a small bit of happiness.  Now for a kid's birthday party and then jaunt to Bemus Point for an event.  Time to get my butt in gear! 

Day 3

I have survived day 3.  I think its the silence that got to me yesterday.  There wasn't enough background noise.  I am so used to Matt randomly talking to me, I needed something more.  So I plugged in my netbook and played some tunes and had Hulu going in the background.  That worked.

Its odd working from home..  Its totally doable, but weird.

new adventures

Today is the first day of the rest of my work life.  I start working from home.  HOME!  Due to a very large space and not enough bodies, options were weighed and decisions were made.  We are remote now with a collaboration space so we can meet if we need to.

I'm excited.  I don't have to worry about driving in crappy weather or rushing home to make sure I get Erin in time.  Tim helped me with my setup and I am ready to go.  All I need is to get the kiddo on the bus.  Here I come!!

taste test Oat Revolution

I love to try new products.. especially food.  Well, anything really.

Better Oats has a line of oatmeal out that is cool.  I have tried the Maple and Brown Sugar Oat Revolution...  and its yummy. Sweet, which is what I like.  Its not so much the taste I love but the packaging.

The oatmeal bag itself is is measured to 2/3 cup.  THE BAG!!  Pour the oats into a bowl.  Measure the water in the oat bag.  Nuke for 90 seconds.  DONE!  NO MEASURING CUP NEEDED!

How neat is this for the office?  I took a measuring cup in specifically because during the winter I'll bring in oatmeal.

Lets review the taste now.  I just finished my bowl and it was good.  Its better oats and... heartier.  The odd texture to me was the addition of the Flax seed.  You get used to it.    Overall, I'd get this again.  Thank you Better Oats...

We were walking along the river last Friday night and Erin was in charge of taking pictures. Tim and I were holding hands while we walked and Erin was prancing ahead of us and getting in between us. She snapped this picture after some careful posing.

sunset on the lake

took these... One reason why I won't move out of the area. The lake, as mean as she can be during the winter, is our saving grace in the summer. The breeze off the lake is best treatment for a hot humid day.

I turned on the Sunset feature on my camera for these next 2. What a different effect.