OK, here's what really happened today.
Homeschool done - check. Spent quality time with Matthew on his algebra. I'm astonished at what I retain from those classes years and years ago.
Cleaning done - mostly. I need a bigger house or less 'stuff'. I know, the books could go, but what we do? Every book is special to someone here.
Exercise - well....does 30 minutes on the treadmill count? Next week I begin a 12 week program that can be done at home - but will keep me busy in my spare time.
Mark has been chopping wood. Matthew splitting and the girls stacking. Mark tried to empty the burn barrel (where the non-recyclables, non-compostables are burned), but it is frozen to the ground. Plan B - haven't got a clue as to what that is.
Our weekend is, of course, quite busy. Church events, a birthday party at the bowling alley and a baby shower. Who says that people that live on the farm don't do anything besides watch the corn grow?
Happy weekend to you.
Oh yes - almost forgot. There are lots of folks who I want to wish a happy birthday, first names only, please - Jana, Dana, Elizabeth, Clarice, Dan, Bob, Kaylee, Elliot, John II, Laura, Natalija and Steve. That covers February.
2/25/2005
Today
Today should be relatively uneventful. Homeschooling, cleaning and exercising - probably in that order. We went to two libraries yesterday (following dental appointments for the kids) so there are books everywhere. The books need to be corralled into a laundry basket - or two. At any given moment, we have approximately 100 books checked out of area libraries - we go to three. If each child checks out ten at each library - we are up to 90 right there. Yes, they do read most of them.
We have tried to instill a love of reading in the kids and it seems to have worked! I smile as I used to clear library shelves when I was a child (I still do when there is time). My mother worked on the bookmobile at the city library, so after school we would wait for her to return from the day's run, and we would all head home. While we waited, the four of us (I have 3 younger brothers), would do our homework and then would inhale our favorite author's work. Our limit (to check-out) was 10 books each. The pick-up truck cab got pretty crowded with four kids, lunch boxes, homework, snowsuits and 40 library books. We also did not have a television and that contributed greatly to our reading. All stories for another day. Can you tell I am stalling? The day must go on.
We have tried to instill a love of reading in the kids and it seems to have worked! I smile as I used to clear library shelves when I was a child (I still do when there is time). My mother worked on the bookmobile at the city library, so after school we would wait for her to return from the day's run, and we would all head home. While we waited, the four of us (I have 3 younger brothers), would do our homework and then would inhale our favorite author's work. Our limit (to check-out) was 10 books each. The pick-up truck cab got pretty crowded with four kids, lunch boxes, homework, snowsuits and 40 library books. We also did not have a television and that contributed greatly to our reading. All stories for another day. Can you tell I am stalling? The day must go on.
Livestock Report
We visited my parent's house last weekend. The animals are all wintered at their house (aside from barn cats). We load everything up in the late fall and send it to my parent's house. My Dad loves to purchase and accumulate hay, we have grass for pasture. He doesn't seem to mind doing chores in the winter, I abhore winter chores.
The sheep are looking good. They are heavy with lamb. Polka Dot (yes, that is her name) is still limping from her many leaps over the fence last fall. For some reason she decided that the grass was greener on the other side of the fence and checked often to see if the theory was true. She developed a limp - nothing was broken. The weight of the developing lamb has accentuated her limp, but she can still manage to climb into the hay feeder so she isn't doing too badly.
We (Dad and I) need to talk about shearing. Sometimes we shear before lambing, but that sometimes causes early labor. The downside of not shearing in advance is that the mothers are not cold because of their thick woolly coats, but the babies are. Mom forgets that her little one is cold and goes tromping about in all sorts of weather. There is also the problem of cutting away wool tags from around the udder so that the baby nurses on the right thing. The wool tags are really hard on a good pair of scissors and the sheep isn't too wild about having someone cutting around her udder and just doesn't hold still for the haircut.
The horses look great as well. The kids sat on their favorites - and got all hairy from the horses winter coats. Ginger (the pony) has a stubborn nature and is Matthew's favorite to ride. I think he likes the challenge. Ginger's contrariness seems to keep Matthew jumping back on her whenever she pitches him into the grass. I don't think that will be too often this year as Matthew's legs nearly touch the ground. Don't worry, he isn't hurting her. My Dad said that ponies like Ginger used to be used for pulling carts of coal out of mines and she can handle a lot more than the 100+ lbs. that Matthew puts on her back. Katelyn sat on Sassy - her favorite. We continue to discuss breeding Sassy. Motherhood might help to settle her down. She has a bit of a flighty nature, but loves Katelyn. Alyssa was pitched off Ginger a few too many times last summer. One time I was informed that "she knocked the air out of me" so Alyssa prefers to bring the horses carrots until she grows a bit more. I think a really old mare would be good for her - a horse that would go around in circles no matter what Alyssa did.
The calves are really friendly. They are only summer visitors to be fattened up and sold in the fall. I think we should call them Heckle and Jeckle because they are mostly black. The kids have no idea who I am talking about as they don't watch cartoons - and the talking black birds may no longer make the cut for today's "discerning" children.
Chickens - chickens. Yes, we have roosters and chickens. Last fall several of our hens thought it was spring and hid themselves while hatching large batches of chicks. One mother came up to the barn with 14 little ones following her. The fall baby boom resulted in many, many little roosters who fill the barn (at my Dad's house) with their attempts at perfecting their crow. I will have to tell you how we got the chickens there - look for an entry entitled "chicken transport" in the future. Anyway, egg production is up - nearly one dozen a day. The eggs are wonderful. The yolks are startlingly yellow - due to the kitchen scraps they eat - and in the summer because they are free range chickens. Mark wants me to make sure that the rooster that is his nemesis does not return. One rooster seemed to think it was his job to get Mark out of bed all summer long. The rooster would crow, underneath our window, at anywhere from 3:30 A.M. to 5:00 A.M. Mark tried in vain to catch the thing, but was quite embarrassed to be outsmarted by poultry!
That's all the livestock that will be coming to our house in a few weeks. The alpaca stays at my parent's house, along with any goats Dad decides to purchase. We just don't learn - baby goats are SO cute and we are often sucked into buying one or two. Goats really test the fence. Sometime I will have to tell you about Parsley, Sage and Rosemary (we didn't have Thyme! - ha, ha).
The sheep are looking good. They are heavy with lamb. Polka Dot (yes, that is her name) is still limping from her many leaps over the fence last fall. For some reason she decided that the grass was greener on the other side of the fence and checked often to see if the theory was true. She developed a limp - nothing was broken. The weight of the developing lamb has accentuated her limp, but she can still manage to climb into the hay feeder so she isn't doing too badly.
We (Dad and I) need to talk about shearing. Sometimes we shear before lambing, but that sometimes causes early labor. The downside of not shearing in advance is that the mothers are not cold because of their thick woolly coats, but the babies are. Mom forgets that her little one is cold and goes tromping about in all sorts of weather. There is also the problem of cutting away wool tags from around the udder so that the baby nurses on the right thing. The wool tags are really hard on a good pair of scissors and the sheep isn't too wild about having someone cutting around her udder and just doesn't hold still for the haircut.
The horses look great as well. The kids sat on their favorites - and got all hairy from the horses winter coats. Ginger (the pony) has a stubborn nature and is Matthew's favorite to ride. I think he likes the challenge. Ginger's contrariness seems to keep Matthew jumping back on her whenever she pitches him into the grass. I don't think that will be too often this year as Matthew's legs nearly touch the ground. Don't worry, he isn't hurting her. My Dad said that ponies like Ginger used to be used for pulling carts of coal out of mines and she can handle a lot more than the 100+ lbs. that Matthew puts on her back. Katelyn sat on Sassy - her favorite. We continue to discuss breeding Sassy. Motherhood might help to settle her down. She has a bit of a flighty nature, but loves Katelyn. Alyssa was pitched off Ginger a few too many times last summer. One time I was informed that "she knocked the air out of me" so Alyssa prefers to bring the horses carrots until she grows a bit more. I think a really old mare would be good for her - a horse that would go around in circles no matter what Alyssa did.
The calves are really friendly. They are only summer visitors to be fattened up and sold in the fall. I think we should call them Heckle and Jeckle because they are mostly black. The kids have no idea who I am talking about as they don't watch cartoons - and the talking black birds may no longer make the cut for today's "discerning" children.
Chickens - chickens. Yes, we have roosters and chickens. Last fall several of our hens thought it was spring and hid themselves while hatching large batches of chicks. One mother came up to the barn with 14 little ones following her. The fall baby boom resulted in many, many little roosters who fill the barn (at my Dad's house) with their attempts at perfecting their crow. I will have to tell you how we got the chickens there - look for an entry entitled "chicken transport" in the future. Anyway, egg production is up - nearly one dozen a day. The eggs are wonderful. The yolks are startlingly yellow - due to the kitchen scraps they eat - and in the summer because they are free range chickens. Mark wants me to make sure that the rooster that is his nemesis does not return. One rooster seemed to think it was his job to get Mark out of bed all summer long. The rooster would crow, underneath our window, at anywhere from 3:30 A.M. to 5:00 A.M. Mark tried in vain to catch the thing, but was quite embarrassed to be outsmarted by poultry!
That's all the livestock that will be coming to our house in a few weeks. The alpaca stays at my parent's house, along with any goats Dad decides to purchase. We just don't learn - baby goats are SO cute and we are often sucked into buying one or two. Goats really test the fence. Sometime I will have to tell you about Parsley, Sage and Rosemary (we didn't have Thyme! - ha, ha).
2/24/2005
Cats
The word is out - we have Fleet Farm cat food in our barn. Cats have been coming from miles around - or so it seems as the feeder seems to allow 25# bags of food to evaporate in a week.
We do have our share of cats. Every spring there are a few more born. The kids really delight in naming the kittens. The theme this spring was Lewis and Clark.
Two orange - named Lewis and Clark. The friendlier one is named for the one of the explorers who didn't have depression problems (can't recall which).
One black - York of course!
One tiger striped - Charbonneau - although it turns out that Charbonneau is a girl so try to make a feminine version of the name
One beautiful tortoise-shell female - Sacagawea
A very small kitten - Sacagawea's baby, Pomp
We do have more on the way - there are always plenty of mice to eat - in addition to the tasty, generic, Fleet Farm food. Want a cat? Choose your color.
We do have our share of cats. Every spring there are a few more born. The kids really delight in naming the kittens. The theme this spring was Lewis and Clark.
Two orange - named Lewis and Clark. The friendlier one is named for the one of the explorers who didn't have depression problems (can't recall which).
One black - York of course!
One tiger striped - Charbonneau - although it turns out that Charbonneau is a girl so try to make a feminine version of the name
One beautiful tortoise-shell female - Sacagawea
A very small kitten - Sacagawea's baby, Pomp
We do have more on the way - there are always plenty of mice to eat - in addition to the tasty, generic, Fleet Farm food. Want a cat? Choose your color.
Where Have You Been?
Wow! It's been a huge week. I'm not the bearer of fun, interesting news. More introspection. We had two funerals to attend this week.
The first funeral was my mother's cousin's 26 year old son. He was very ill and had spent 5 months in the hospital. Although I didn't know him, it seemed, from what was said at the funeral, that he allowed his illness to be a ministry to his family.
The second funeral was for a 61 year old friend of our family. He had a brain tumor that he thought was licked, but wasn't. His life was one that was longer, and affected many people. He remained positive and was an incredible influence on his children and those around him. His son gave an incredible eulogy. I can only hope that our children will have some of the same to say about us.
That's where we have been - among doing income tax, shopping for jeans for Matthew (nothing seems to fit as he grows during the night) and more.
4" of snow yesterday.
The first funeral was my mother's cousin's 26 year old son. He was very ill and had spent 5 months in the hospital. Although I didn't know him, it seemed, from what was said at the funeral, that he allowed his illness to be a ministry to his family.
The second funeral was for a 61 year old friend of our family. He had a brain tumor that he thought was licked, but wasn't. His life was one that was longer, and affected many people. He remained positive and was an incredible influence on his children and those around him. His son gave an incredible eulogy. I can only hope that our children will have some of the same to say about us.
That's where we have been - among doing income tax, shopping for jeans for Matthew (nothing seems to fit as he grows during the night) and more.
4" of snow yesterday.
2/17/2005
Welcome Home
North Dakota is pleased to be welcoming home members of the 141st National Guard unit. The airport at Fargo was so crowded with family members and friends that they could barely move (according to news reports that cut into all regular daytime programming). Four members of the unit will not be coming home. They were remembered, even in the chaos.
Welcome home- we have our own special hometown heroes.
Welcome home- we have our own special hometown heroes.
It's BAACK
Yes, use that weird voice from whatever that movie was - IT'S BAAACK. What? The snow! We had almost no snow thanks to our wonderful 40+ degree weather. I woke up this morning to see the ground just covered with the fluffy white stuff. It was too good to last - I know we have another two (or more) months of winter, but it was really nice to see the ground again.
2/16/2005
ND Expressions #1
I have noticed that there are some very unique expressions used here in ND (as in any part of the country). One of my favorites is "a guy oughtta." Generally this statement is used in a group of men, but can be utilized in a conversation with just two men as well.
Some background. People in this part of the US are very polite and do not wish to offend. There is a distinct difference between someone from, say NY and someone from ND. A New Yorker is very direct, will say what they think whether or not you will be taken aback by what they have said - they don't seem to care. A North Dakotan generally takes great care not to be offensive to others in their speech.
Here are several examples:
1) A group of farmers is standing around in another farmer's yard. They might notice that the fence where the bull is kept is looking a bit weak in one area, possibly permitting the bull to escape if he were so inclined. Without looking at the offending area of the fence, one farmer might say "a guy oughtta have a look at that fence over in the west corner." Another might chime in (none of the speakers are the owner of the farm), "yeah, a guy might want add a strand of wire and maybe a board to the top of the spot over there." Man #3, "the bull might think about getting out if a guy didn't get to that sometime this spring." Topic over - the farmer who owns the place might acknowledge their suggestions or the conversation may move right on to the weather.
2) Two men are looking at the roof where a satellite dish needs to be placed (I observed this happening this week). Man #1 "a guy could put the dish over in that spot." Man #2 "well, a guy could get it up over there and it would be easier." Notice that neither one is the acknowledged "guy" but they both expressed their opinion without using the words "I think we should, or I think you should."
Well, a guy oughtta get her kids some lunch so they don't start chewing on the tablecloth (it just doesn't work in the feminine). More later.
Some background. People in this part of the US are very polite and do not wish to offend. There is a distinct difference between someone from, say NY and someone from ND. A New Yorker is very direct, will say what they think whether or not you will be taken aback by what they have said - they don't seem to care. A North Dakotan generally takes great care not to be offensive to others in their speech.
Here are several examples:
1) A group of farmers is standing around in another farmer's yard. They might notice that the fence where the bull is kept is looking a bit weak in one area, possibly permitting the bull to escape if he were so inclined. Without looking at the offending area of the fence, one farmer might say "a guy oughtta have a look at that fence over in the west corner." Another might chime in (none of the speakers are the owner of the farm), "yeah, a guy might want add a strand of wire and maybe a board to the top of the spot over there." Man #3, "the bull might think about getting out if a guy didn't get to that sometime this spring." Topic over - the farmer who owns the place might acknowledge their suggestions or the conversation may move right on to the weather.
2) Two men are looking at the roof where a satellite dish needs to be placed (I observed this happening this week). Man #1 "a guy could put the dish over in that spot." Man #2 "well, a guy could get it up over there and it would be easier." Notice that neither one is the acknowledged "guy" but they both expressed their opinion without using the words "I think we should, or I think you should."
Well, a guy oughtta get her kids some lunch so they don't start chewing on the tablecloth (it just doesn't work in the feminine). More later.
2/15/2005
What's up?
Happy Valentine's Day - one day late.
We had a crazy weekend at our house. The two oldest kids had an overnight "campout" at the church with their youth group. We had a nice visit with one of my brothers, who was visiting from the west coast. AND the youngest child's church group had a fund raiser on Sunday afternoon. These events kept us going from 8AM on Saturday morning until 9:30PM on Sunday night.
The fund raiser was quite amazing. One of the mothers coordinated and planned the entire event - a hot cocoa fund raiser. We didn't just have real hot cocoa. We had.... hot chocolate, Mayan hot chocolate, vegan hot chocolate, hot carob drink and chai tea. To eat you could choose a slice of freshly baked whole wheat bread, a scone (naturally with clotted cream), a vegan scone (no dairy products in vegan items), biscotti, and a stroop waffle. That's not all - you could add any number of syrups to your drink to flavor it to be a peppermint/hot chocolate, raspberry, etc. The kids had coordinated activities that focused on Valentine's Day and giving. Wow - I'm tired just writing this. Oh, and I'm forgetting the homemade marshmallows. I made two pans of the marshmallows - pure sugar folks - not much else.
After cleaning up until quite late, we crept home where I rested my weary bones (I helped serve the food/beverages). Yesterday was a restful day. Today, back into the fray.
The weather has been amazing - it was 40 degrees in Fargo - in February. Not unheard of, not record breaking, but very wonderful. We are heading back toward normal this week.
Enjoy your week!
We had a crazy weekend at our house. The two oldest kids had an overnight "campout" at the church with their youth group. We had a nice visit with one of my brothers, who was visiting from the west coast. AND the youngest child's church group had a fund raiser on Sunday afternoon. These events kept us going from 8AM on Saturday morning until 9:30PM on Sunday night.
The fund raiser was quite amazing. One of the mothers coordinated and planned the entire event - a hot cocoa fund raiser. We didn't just have real hot cocoa. We had.... hot chocolate, Mayan hot chocolate, vegan hot chocolate, hot carob drink and chai tea. To eat you could choose a slice of freshly baked whole wheat bread, a scone (naturally with clotted cream), a vegan scone (no dairy products in vegan items), biscotti, and a stroop waffle. That's not all - you could add any number of syrups to your drink to flavor it to be a peppermint/hot chocolate, raspberry, etc. The kids had coordinated activities that focused on Valentine's Day and giving. Wow - I'm tired just writing this. Oh, and I'm forgetting the homemade marshmallows. I made two pans of the marshmallows - pure sugar folks - not much else.
After cleaning up until quite late, we crept home where I rested my weary bones (I helped serve the food/beverages). Yesterday was a restful day. Today, back into the fray.
The weather has been amazing - it was 40 degrees in Fargo - in February. Not unheard of, not record breaking, but very wonderful. We are heading back toward normal this week.
Enjoy your week!
Oil vs. Pantyhose
We change our own oil in the cars at our house. I'm using the figurative "we" - this process doesn't involve me, except in the purchase of items needed to perform the procedure.
My rant is about buying motor oil. Have you ever tried to do this, successfully? I am often unsuccessful and need to go back to get the RIGHT kind of oil. Yes, I can read. Yes, I write down what I am supposed to purchase. There are just so many variables. There is, of course, the brand; the weight; the type (synthetic, non-synthetic, synthetic blend, etc.) and so much more - or so it seems to me.
After the most recent oil shopping excursion, I have decided that I am going to send my husband to purchase a pair of pantyhose for me. Brand, control top/not, color, reinforced toe/sheer toe, size. I think we would be even!
My rant is about buying motor oil. Have you ever tried to do this, successfully? I am often unsuccessful and need to go back to get the RIGHT kind of oil. Yes, I can read. Yes, I write down what I am supposed to purchase. There are just so many variables. There is, of course, the brand; the weight; the type (synthetic, non-synthetic, synthetic blend, etc.) and so much more - or so it seems to me.
After the most recent oil shopping excursion, I have decided that I am going to send my husband to purchase a pair of pantyhose for me. Brand, control top/not, color, reinforced toe/sheer toe, size. I think we would be even!
2/07/2005
What do you do?/My In-Box used to be empty
I was making a series of telephone calls today when confronted with a question - "Mrs. M, what do you do?" My immediate, flippant, answer is "I'm retired." BUT, when I take a few moments to examine the question, I begin to ask myself, "What DO I do?".
Backing up a few years. I used to "work." I was a "working mother" for about five years. I thought that I worked hard - and I did - but I was able to empty my in-box at work. I received performance appraisals and raises. There was a sense of having completed a job.
NOW...the small results of my work are seen on a daily basis, but the most important work that I am doing won't be seen for a few years. How will these kids turn out??
The poor man tried to rephrase the question - "Do you work outside of the home?" Yes, I work outside of the home (hanging out laundry, feeding the sheep, collecting eggs, weeding the garden - well, looking at the weeds, mowing the lawn, grocery shopping, fixing fence, painting buildings). I also work inside of the home (laundry, cooking, laundry, cleaning, laundry, paying the bills, laundry, refereeing, homeschooling). He then tried to find out who I worked for - I told him "my children." The gentleman gave up - I think he put down something like "domestic goddess" or something equally applicable.
Next time I'm going to say I'm a teacher/cook/accountant/housekeeper/chauffer/rancher/gardener (that's stretching it)/is the blank filled yet?
Backing up a few years. I used to "work." I was a "working mother" for about five years. I thought that I worked hard - and I did - but I was able to empty my in-box at work. I received performance appraisals and raises. There was a sense of having completed a job.
NOW...the small results of my work are seen on a daily basis, but the most important work that I am doing won't be seen for a few years. How will these kids turn out??
The poor man tried to rephrase the question - "Do you work outside of the home?" Yes, I work outside of the home (hanging out laundry, feeding the sheep, collecting eggs, weeding the garden - well, looking at the weeds, mowing the lawn, grocery shopping, fixing fence, painting buildings). I also work inside of the home (laundry, cooking, laundry, cleaning, laundry, paying the bills, laundry, refereeing, homeschooling). He then tried to find out who I worked for - I told him "my children." The gentleman gave up - I think he put down something like "domestic goddess" or something equally applicable.
Next time I'm going to say I'm a teacher/cook/accountant/housekeeper/chauffer/rancher/gardener (that's stretching it)/is the blank filled yet?
Ring Around the Pool
Another warning - family story ahead.
We (my brothers and I) were fortunate to be able to spend portions of our summers in Minot, ND at our maternal Grandmother's house. Maybe you have had a similar experience, but probably not - our mothers were quite inventive.
Grandma's house was really small - two bedrooms, one bath, a very small dining area. What to do when four daughers (our mothers) and their 11 children descend every summer? Where do you have all of those kids sleep, where do you feed them, how can you bathe all of them after a hot, sticky summer day and not have the water bill equal a significant portion of the national debt? Our mothers were creative.
Here is what transpired the last summer that I remember spending with the clan (keep in mind that I was 12):
The first thing that happened, following arrival, was that we had to surrender our swimming suit to an aunt or our mother and a pool pass would be sewn on (I hear that some poor family in town claimed to have 11+ children). After that we were supposed to set up our tent. You are reading correctly, a tent.
My mother borrowed pup tents from the church youth group and rolled them out in the backyard. Thus the birth of a mini boot camp. Oh yes, the boys were all excited - "whoo whee, we get to sleep in tents!" I was less than thrilled - remember, I was quite cool, or trying to be that way. I am the next to the oldest cousin. Tracy is two months older than I am so there were two of us who had hit puberty and really preferred the comfort of a real bed, showers and somewhere to glob on that make-up that we were trying to figure out how to use. How do you impress that cute guy across the street when you have to crawl into your tent at night? It gets better.
Grandma's table couldn't accommodate 11 kids - not unless each meal would last several hours so our mothers put their heads together once again (do you see a trend here?). The picnic table! Perfect. Why let those smelly, dirty children into the house when we can just throw their food onto the picnic table? No mess, no dishes if you use paper products. We were only allowed inside the house to use the bathroom (not the shower). Breakfast at a picnic table is less than desirable. I will review the "surprise lunches" another day.
Now on to bathing. Well, lovely reader, you may be way ahead of me. Remember the pool pass? We were required to go the pool every day ("take shampoo and soap along and make sure your brothers bathe in the shower!") while our mothers went and did something fun. Yes, ring around the pool. I'm surprised the life guards let us in every day.
Our mothers left us there until the pool closed for the supper hour every night. Our skin wrinkled like raisins, we would be sitting on the swings in the adjacent park waiting for someone to pull up in the station wagon and beep for us all to pile in. While waiting we mused as to whether or not our moms had forgotten us, did anyone know the way back to Grandma's if we had to walk and did anyone bring any money so we could pool our funds for a soda from the machine among ten kids.
Why dividing one can only among ten? The youngest cousin was considered too small (and she was) to join us in the backyard fun. But, she wasn't above sticking her head out of the window and telling us about the great breakfast that was being served inside the house or how much fun her bubble bath had been.
Now some may call this child abuse, but it created character in us. It also brought us closer together (literally) and makes family reunions so much fun!
We (my brothers and I) were fortunate to be able to spend portions of our summers in Minot, ND at our maternal Grandmother's house. Maybe you have had a similar experience, but probably not - our mothers were quite inventive.
Grandma's house was really small - two bedrooms, one bath, a very small dining area. What to do when four daughers (our mothers) and their 11 children descend every summer? Where do you have all of those kids sleep, where do you feed them, how can you bathe all of them after a hot, sticky summer day and not have the water bill equal a significant portion of the national debt? Our mothers were creative.
Here is what transpired the last summer that I remember spending with the clan (keep in mind that I was 12):
The first thing that happened, following arrival, was that we had to surrender our swimming suit to an aunt or our mother and a pool pass would be sewn on (I hear that some poor family in town claimed to have 11+ children). After that we were supposed to set up our tent. You are reading correctly, a tent.
My mother borrowed pup tents from the church youth group and rolled them out in the backyard. Thus the birth of a mini boot camp. Oh yes, the boys were all excited - "whoo whee, we get to sleep in tents!" I was less than thrilled - remember, I was quite cool, or trying to be that way. I am the next to the oldest cousin. Tracy is two months older than I am so there were two of us who had hit puberty and really preferred the comfort of a real bed, showers and somewhere to glob on that make-up that we were trying to figure out how to use. How do you impress that cute guy across the street when you have to crawl into your tent at night? It gets better.
Grandma's table couldn't accommodate 11 kids - not unless each meal would last several hours so our mothers put their heads together once again (do you see a trend here?). The picnic table! Perfect. Why let those smelly, dirty children into the house when we can just throw their food onto the picnic table? No mess, no dishes if you use paper products. We were only allowed inside the house to use the bathroom (not the shower). Breakfast at a picnic table is less than desirable. I will review the "surprise lunches" another day.
Now on to bathing. Well, lovely reader, you may be way ahead of me. Remember the pool pass? We were required to go the pool every day ("take shampoo and soap along and make sure your brothers bathe in the shower!") while our mothers went and did something fun. Yes, ring around the pool. I'm surprised the life guards let us in every day.
Our mothers left us there until the pool closed for the supper hour every night. Our skin wrinkled like raisins, we would be sitting on the swings in the adjacent park waiting for someone to pull up in the station wagon and beep for us all to pile in. While waiting we mused as to whether or not our moms had forgotten us, did anyone know the way back to Grandma's if we had to walk and did anyone bring any money so we could pool our funds for a soda from the machine among ten kids.
Why dividing one can only among ten? The youngest cousin was considered too small (and she was) to join us in the backyard fun. But, she wasn't above sticking her head out of the window and telling us about the great breakfast that was being served inside the house or how much fun her bubble bath had been.
Now some may call this child abuse, but it created character in us. It also brought us closer together (literally) and makes family reunions so much fun!
We missed the MAN event!
No, it's not a typo. We missed the ultimate MAN event - the Super Bowl! I didn't even realize it was happening - isn't it usually in January?
Well, my husband was all over the day. He had finished his work, showered, cleared his favorite chair and hit the button on the remote. Hit the button on the remote, hit the button on the remote. NO, the remote wasn't broken, the TV wasn't broken - FOX just wasn't coming in.
Our television reception is always troublesome at best. NBC usually is fine; PBS is good; ABC is fuzzy; CBS sometimes has a picture, sometimes sound, rarely both; but FOX is the most sporadic. Some nights the reception is great, other times it's just the fuzz race across the screen. That was the case last night. My poor husband nearly cried.
He tried all kinds of remedies - no go. The snacks just weren't the same when watching a video and knowing that the ultimate MAN show was happening on another channel. Fortunately he is manly enough and doesn't NEED the testosterone boost, but it was a difficult night.
Who won anyway? More important, were the Vikings or the Bears playing?
Well, my husband was all over the day. He had finished his work, showered, cleared his favorite chair and hit the button on the remote. Hit the button on the remote, hit the button on the remote. NO, the remote wasn't broken, the TV wasn't broken - FOX just wasn't coming in.
Our television reception is always troublesome at best. NBC usually is fine; PBS is good; ABC is fuzzy; CBS sometimes has a picture, sometimes sound, rarely both; but FOX is the most sporadic. Some nights the reception is great, other times it's just the fuzz race across the screen. That was the case last night. My poor husband nearly cried.
He tried all kinds of remedies - no go. The snacks just weren't the same when watching a video and knowing that the ultimate MAN show was happening on another channel. Fortunately he is manly enough and doesn't NEED the testosterone boost, but it was a difficult night.
Who won anyway? More important, were the Vikings or the Bears playing?
Do you PLAN to recycle?
Warning - serious topic ahead.
I am here to dispell the myth that has been spread by some people that I know -who say that they heard it on the radio, or heard it from a friend of a friend, etc.
The rumor/myth/mis-information? That the family who gives permission for their loved one's tissues to be donated are charged for having this done. I know people who have chosen to take the "x" off of the donor box on their driver's license based upon this false information.
Why do I know or care about this? Well, my husband has the honor of harvesting tissues. It takes a special kind of person to do this job and, even more important, a very special family of the donor who are willing to make hard decisions during a very difficult time.
Those who have chosen to help others in a time of personal tragedy are doing the ultimate recycling. I am not saying that sarcastically - I am totally serious.
Check the box on your driver's license. Tell your family of your wishes. There are so many that can be helped and you won't need the parts.
I am here to dispell the myth that has been spread by some people that I know -who say that they heard it on the radio, or heard it from a friend of a friend, etc.
The rumor/myth/mis-information? That the family who gives permission for their loved one's tissues to be donated are charged for having this done. I know people who have chosen to take the "x" off of the donor box on their driver's license based upon this false information.
Why do I know or care about this? Well, my husband has the honor of harvesting tissues. It takes a special kind of person to do this job and, even more important, a very special family of the donor who are willing to make hard decisions during a very difficult time.
Those who have chosen to help others in a time of personal tragedy are doing the ultimate recycling. I am not saying that sarcastically - I am totally serious.
Check the box on your driver's license. Tell your family of your wishes. There are so many that can be helped and you won't need the parts.
2/05/2005
Snowballs Thrown, Police Called, No Arrests
A brief update on President Bush's visit to Fargo, ND on Thursday. The entire family took the day off as a field trip.
We listened to the radio on the way to Fargo - got the play-by-play update as to who was where, when the plane was due into Hector Airport, roads blocked, etc.
The car was parked and we waited on the 12th Avenue Bridge - Air Force One came right over the bridge when the President came in for his previous visit. Well, not this time. The plane came in from the north. Everyone back to the car.
My husband drove up as close as he could get to the Bison Sport's Arena (THE venue). The kids and I jumped out - hoping for a glimpse of a car, SUV or whatever was being used for transport. No such luck, but we did get a great look at various individuals exercising their first amendment rights - freedom of speech. Wow - probably my favorite was a hippy-era woman carrying a sign with a hand-drawn cannabis plant and text that said something like "at least I don't smoke cocaine." No, she doesn't (according to her hand-written testimony), but she appeared to have utilized the depicted plant. The kids were troubled by the protestors' shouting, but we are studying the constitution in our homeschool and I reminded them that it was everyone's right to say what they wished, as long as it doesn't harm others.
OK, back to the race to see SOMETHING. To the car - oh yeah, this entire time I was in contact with my Dad, who was inside the arena - we couldn't get tickets, only 7,000 available. We zoomed up to the airport and saw where the plane was parked - TOO COOL! It sure beats George Washington's first official vehicle (can you tell that we are studying early American history?). He had a canary yellow carriage drawn by white horses that were brushed with marble dust, hooves blacked, and their teeth cleaned before every outing - George might have had a tooth fetish.
We were able to get a great view of Air Force One taking off. No matter your political affiliation - we still had the privilege of seeing the President of the United States come to Fargo, ND.
Oh yes - the title of this entry. Well, on the 5 o'clock news we watched the blow-by-blow coverage. It turns out that as the attendees were leaving the arena there was a scuffle between the various protestors and supporters. No one is sure who started it, but people started shouting at one other (still freedom of speech) but then it went bad. To paraphrase the newspaper (The Forum) and the television coverage - snowballs were thrown, the police were called, but no arrests were made. BIG NEWS, thank you very much, for Fargo.
Before you start making fun - think about what horrifying crime led your newscast on Friday evening and then know why we are thankful for the tame (usually), but amusing headlines here.
We listened to the radio on the way to Fargo - got the play-by-play update as to who was where, when the plane was due into Hector Airport, roads blocked, etc.
The car was parked and we waited on the 12th Avenue Bridge - Air Force One came right over the bridge when the President came in for his previous visit. Well, not this time. The plane came in from the north. Everyone back to the car.
My husband drove up as close as he could get to the Bison Sport's Arena (THE venue). The kids and I jumped out - hoping for a glimpse of a car, SUV or whatever was being used for transport. No such luck, but we did get a great look at various individuals exercising their first amendment rights - freedom of speech. Wow - probably my favorite was a hippy-era woman carrying a sign with a hand-drawn cannabis plant and text that said something like "at least I don't smoke cocaine." No, she doesn't (according to her hand-written testimony), but she appeared to have utilized the depicted plant. The kids were troubled by the protestors' shouting, but we are studying the constitution in our homeschool and I reminded them that it was everyone's right to say what they wished, as long as it doesn't harm others.
OK, back to the race to see SOMETHING. To the car - oh yeah, this entire time I was in contact with my Dad, who was inside the arena - we couldn't get tickets, only 7,000 available. We zoomed up to the airport and saw where the plane was parked - TOO COOL! It sure beats George Washington's first official vehicle (can you tell that we are studying early American history?). He had a canary yellow carriage drawn by white horses that were brushed with marble dust, hooves blacked, and their teeth cleaned before every outing - George might have had a tooth fetish.
We were able to get a great view of Air Force One taking off. No matter your political affiliation - we still had the privilege of seeing the President of the United States come to Fargo, ND.
Oh yes - the title of this entry. Well, on the 5 o'clock news we watched the blow-by-blow coverage. It turns out that as the attendees were leaving the arena there was a scuffle between the various protestors and supporters. No one is sure who started it, but people started shouting at one other (still freedom of speech) but then it went bad. To paraphrase the newspaper (The Forum) and the television coverage - snowballs were thrown, the police were called, but no arrests were made. BIG NEWS, thank you very much, for Fargo.
Before you start making fun - think about what horrifying crime led your newscast on Friday evening and then know why we are thankful for the tame (usually), but amusing headlines here.
2/01/2005
Seriously...
A few serious things:
1. I am excited to hear that an early Alzheimer's test is being developed. My Grandmother died (Mom's Mom) of Alzheimer's related complications so this is near and dear to my heart.
It was gut-wrenching to see a vibrant and independent woman deteriorate, need to be removed from her home so that she could be cared for appropriately, and have the simplest of life skills slip away.
If you have a family member suffering from a memory-robbing disease, know that we understand. A tip - try singing with them. When my Grandma couldn't remember names, faces, names of common things such as a fork, hairbrush, etc. she could remember songs. The last interactive time that I saw my Mom spend with my Grandma is when they were singing hymns together. On that day my Grandma didn't know who we were (she knew my Mom, but not the kids or myself) she sat with my Mom and sang hymns, in some cases all three or four verses. Amazing.
2. Take your kids to nursing homes. Ask if you can help with the activity time. Oh yes, your kids are going to be uncomfortable, it won't be fun the first time, but persist. The elderly is a growing population that deserves a great deal of respect. Think about the things that that generation has seen change - airplanes, computers, money from a machine, space travel and so much more - and in most cases, they have adjusted marvelously.
When my Grandma and great-Aunt were in the nursing home, we spent a significant amount of time in those places. My kids would get tired of waiting for me and would go to the lobby or group activity room. I would find them with the residents tossing a ball back and forth or helping with a puzzle.
OK, off the soap box.
1. I am excited to hear that an early Alzheimer's test is being developed. My Grandmother died (Mom's Mom) of Alzheimer's related complications so this is near and dear to my heart.
It was gut-wrenching to see a vibrant and independent woman deteriorate, need to be removed from her home so that she could be cared for appropriately, and have the simplest of life skills slip away.
If you have a family member suffering from a memory-robbing disease, know that we understand. A tip - try singing with them. When my Grandma couldn't remember names, faces, names of common things such as a fork, hairbrush, etc. she could remember songs. The last interactive time that I saw my Mom spend with my Grandma is when they were singing hymns together. On that day my Grandma didn't know who we were (she knew my Mom, but not the kids or myself) she sat with my Mom and sang hymns, in some cases all three or four verses. Amazing.
2. Take your kids to nursing homes. Ask if you can help with the activity time. Oh yes, your kids are going to be uncomfortable, it won't be fun the first time, but persist. The elderly is a growing population that deserves a great deal of respect. Think about the things that that generation has seen change - airplanes, computers, money from a machine, space travel and so much more - and in most cases, they have adjusted marvelously.
When my Grandma and great-Aunt were in the nursing home, we spent a significant amount of time in those places. My kids would get tired of waiting for me and would go to the lobby or group activity room. I would find them with the residents tossing a ball back and forth or helping with a puzzle.
OK, off the soap box.
We are Family
My husband has decided that ND was settled by one German family and one Norwegian family and that my family is then related to everyone (my Mom is the Norwegian, my father the German - mixed marriage, you know).
My husband is not a native North Dakotan (I had to bring in someone in from outside of the state - read on, you'll know why) and first experienced being in the state after his formative years - don't worry, he is OK.
The first time he came to ND, he came with my Dad. Had I been a little mouse in the car on their road trip, I am sure I would have heard my Dad tell him stories about all the places we lived, where all of our relatives lived, the cars he had owned, the tractors, etc. My husband was impressed, but didn't really believe (you know, like Santa Claus) until they had stopped at a rest area and my Dad came walking out of the men's room talking to a guy that was introduced as a cousin (AND HE WAS!). My husband then became a believer and has since seen this proven over and over. People come to church, they are related. We see someone in the grocery store, they are related. We go to a public event, we can almost always find a relative.
Some of you more sarcastic people might say that is because there are so few people in the state, but whatever the reason, it's actually quite fun. The kids sometimes ask, when we attend a public event, "who are you related to here, Mom?".
Yes, we are family.....Oh yeah, the reason for an out-of-state husband? New blood!
My husband is not a native North Dakotan (I had to bring in someone in from outside of the state - read on, you'll know why) and first experienced being in the state after his formative years - don't worry, he is OK.
The first time he came to ND, he came with my Dad. Had I been a little mouse in the car on their road trip, I am sure I would have heard my Dad tell him stories about all the places we lived, where all of our relatives lived, the cars he had owned, the tractors, etc. My husband was impressed, but didn't really believe (you know, like Santa Claus) until they had stopped at a rest area and my Dad came walking out of the men's room talking to a guy that was introduced as a cousin (AND HE WAS!). My husband then became a believer and has since seen this proven over and over. People come to church, they are related. We see someone in the grocery store, they are related. We go to a public event, we can almost always find a relative.
Some of you more sarcastic people might say that is because there are so few people in the state, but whatever the reason, it's actually quite fun. The kids sometimes ask, when we attend a public event, "who are you related to here, Mom?".
Yes, we are family.....Oh yeah, the reason for an out-of-state husband? New blood!
Happy February!
Isn't this awesome - winter is nearly 1/2 over?! We have six months (or so) of winter here in sunny ND. You can count on snow by Halloween and the last snow is usually gone in May. We count winter as being November-April. Half on, half off! I smiled this year when Alyssa looked at the calendar (in December, isn't it?) and said "it's the first day of winter." Well, technically speaking it was, but hey, we had been having winter-like conditions all autumn if we are going to be technical!
With the approach of spring, gardening catalogues begin arriving in the mail. I love reading, looking at the pictures and dreaming about the incredible garden that we are going to have. Well, I love reading, looking at the pictures and dreaming, but that is about as far as it gets. Successful Gardening is something that has eluded me, thus far. I know it's in my gene pool. My Grandma and Grandpa had great gardens. I have a great-Aunt who grows enough vegetables to feed the nearby small town (it is a HUGE garden - acres - it used to be plowed by a tractor every spring, forget the puny rototiller). My mother used to garden in a big way. I just haven't gotten my rhythmn yet. Yeah, that's it.
I have decided that my nemesis that keeps my garden from flourishing (or growing at all) at this farm is the wind. It blows from the north and then switches to blow from the west - and it doesn't stop. Remember the tree post? We value every tree? That is because we don't have many. My garden is sheltered on the east side and the south side (not by trees). This year I am seriously considering wrapping a big sheet of plastic around the north and west sides.
I checked quite a few books out from the library about fruits/berries/fruit trees and the home gardener. I have dreams of an apple orchard. My husband and I are debating where it should go. He doesn't want "the view" blocked. Hey, we can see half-way across the state out of any of our windows - we are going to have to block some of the view if we ever want to have a windbreak and cut down on the fuel bill. Wait, I'm way off the subject. Maybe I'll start with two apple trees - cross-pollination, hey, I've been reading!
Our frost-free date is the end of May so I have lots of time to dream.
OK, projects for this week:
1. I plan to call up some local spinners to see what kind of wool they prefer. I believe we are missing a part of the market with our sheep by not selling the fleeces in the spring. Anyone have a spinning wheel out there that they want to send my way? It looks like fun!
2. My husband has begun work on the 2nd bathroom upstairs. I've tried to be patient and put up with the fun of having construction in the house.
3. Wednesday school - the subject is the first 4th of July so we are having an indoor picnic. The kids are confused as we have told them we are celebrating the 4th of July in February. Use your imagination!
4. We may take the kids to see President Bush in Fargo. Hey, it's not every day (or once a year, or once a presidential term) that the President comes to ND. ND has such a low # of electoral votes, we are barely thought of during the election process - a story for another day. I hear there are only 7,000 tickets available so, maybe.
5. Keeping it going - laundry, dishes, cleaning, schoolwork - you get where I'm going!
Have a great day!
P.S. What is your favorite gardening catalogue?
With the approach of spring, gardening catalogues begin arriving in the mail. I love reading, looking at the pictures and dreaming about the incredible garden that we are going to have. Well, I love reading, looking at the pictures and dreaming, but that is about as far as it gets. Successful Gardening is something that has eluded me, thus far. I know it's in my gene pool. My Grandma and Grandpa had great gardens. I have a great-Aunt who grows enough vegetables to feed the nearby small town (it is a HUGE garden - acres - it used to be plowed by a tractor every spring, forget the puny rototiller). My mother used to garden in a big way. I just haven't gotten my rhythmn yet. Yeah, that's it.
I have decided that my nemesis that keeps my garden from flourishing (or growing at all) at this farm is the wind. It blows from the north and then switches to blow from the west - and it doesn't stop. Remember the tree post? We value every tree? That is because we don't have many. My garden is sheltered on the east side and the south side (not by trees). This year I am seriously considering wrapping a big sheet of plastic around the north and west sides.
I checked quite a few books out from the library about fruits/berries/fruit trees and the home gardener. I have dreams of an apple orchard. My husband and I are debating where it should go. He doesn't want "the view" blocked. Hey, we can see half-way across the state out of any of our windows - we are going to have to block some of the view if we ever want to have a windbreak and cut down on the fuel bill. Wait, I'm way off the subject. Maybe I'll start with two apple trees - cross-pollination, hey, I've been reading!
Our frost-free date is the end of May so I have lots of time to dream.
OK, projects for this week:
1. I plan to call up some local spinners to see what kind of wool they prefer. I believe we are missing a part of the market with our sheep by not selling the fleeces in the spring. Anyone have a spinning wheel out there that they want to send my way? It looks like fun!
2. My husband has begun work on the 2nd bathroom upstairs. I've tried to be patient and put up with the fun of having construction in the house.
3. Wednesday school - the subject is the first 4th of July so we are having an indoor picnic. The kids are confused as we have told them we are celebrating the 4th of July in February. Use your imagination!
4. We may take the kids to see President Bush in Fargo. Hey, it's not every day (or once a year, or once a presidential term) that the President comes to ND. ND has such a low # of electoral votes, we are barely thought of during the election process - a story for another day. I hear there are only 7,000 tickets available so, maybe.
5. Keeping it going - laundry, dishes, cleaning, schoolwork - you get where I'm going!
Have a great day!
P.S. What is your favorite gardening catalogue?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)