Vegmom Moments

WERE THEY INSIDE OUT?

Veg walked in on me while I was getting dressed this morning and although I was covered with under garments at least..its still an awkward moment.  I noticed he was looking at the top most portion of my body as he was talking... This is the point in a Mommy Moment where you have to think quick!  Do you scream "GET OUT" like I wanted to do...

Nope, I stayed calm... collected...  and continued getting dressed.... Until my sweet boy comes up, before I had a chance to say anything (they move quick those buggers), and he pokes the left lump...

And says "Mom, what did these look like while I was in your tummy"

(me thinking--------well lets see, they were huge, hard as rocks, pointed to the trees instead of the grass, and were quite happy.... shall I go on....------- 

"Why do you ask?"  was my real reply

And he says...

"Because if I was in your tummy and you had to feed me from those things, then they must have been inside out.. right"

<No they weren't inside out> (trying not to laugh at the visual he must have had in his head)

"Well then how did I get your milk"

<While inside my tummy, you got all your nutrition from the Umbilical cord, when you came out side of my tummy, then you drank my milk>

He ponders he thinks, he pokes one more time on his way out of the room to be sure they were still there and then says.....

"Oh I get it... The milk transported from those things down through your esophagus, past your intestines then dumped in to the umbilical cord then poured in to my belly button.  Then when Daddy cut the cord, all the milk just went "Shwoop" back up in to your breasteses for me to drink"

He was satisfied with his conclusion and quickly left the bedroom....  Case closed!  IN his mind he had solved the mystery.  In my mind, I just wanted to finish getting dressed and leave the house!!!

WHAT DOES SHE USE PART 2

I still plan to do an updated pic of our non-medicine cabinet... But that will be a weekend project.  Here are the items in my "feel better bag "that I carry in my back pack...  A Mom can never be too prepared for Owies!

 

Burts Bees Hand Sanitizer...Smells better, does't burn and much more mild then its counterpart.  Burts Bees ResQ ointment.  We use for everything from scrapes, scratches, bumps, paper cuts to bug bites...  Stops the hurt, the itch and the tears in my house!   My Veg calls it his "Feel Better tin"

The Burts Bees outdoor stick was purchased for bug bites, but I'm still liking the ResQ ointment better (as does Veg) 

Tom's of Main Floss, you never know when you'll get something stuck in your teeth..

Some Latex free bandages.

And lastly the tea bags!!!

Seriously!!  These have been amazing!! I'm so glad my friend told me about these.. The Tummy Time one has helped us out of 2 near disasters while out for the day....I think almost all Mom's can relate to being an hour away from home and you hear suddenly "My Tummy hurts"...... and the Cold Time tea pack has helped us with an onset of sniffles as well...  And because they are tea bags, they fit easily in to the back pack and you can find hot water almost anywhere.

Recently this same friend told me about the Throat Care one!  Guess I'll be adding that to my bag soon ~wink~

WHAT DOES SHE USE PART 1

I've had a lot of questions lately from friends and local Mom's about what natural products I use and where I find them... And so I thought I'd start a series on here with pictures of products that we use.  As for where I find them... Natural food stores, Target and Kroger are usually my friends in shopping land... Always check for yourself if something is right for you, as I only purchase stuff that I feel is right for our family.

I've added a category called "WHAT DOES SHE USE" for easy reference later in the archives.....  Today in the interest of time I've started with the shower... How exciting is that??   NOT!!  ha ha...

Kiss My face Cold and Flu Stuff (big bottle toward the front) is my new favorite during cold or sinus season.  It is refreshing, and head clearing and mild enough for Veg to use.  There are two bars of soap, one is just Lemon Glycerin and the other is a Tea Tree therapy with Eucalyptus..

The Two Ketchup looking bottles are my No Shampoo Bottles... I use one for Baking soda and water.  The other for Apple Cider Vinegar and Water....

The other bottles are Tea Tree Triple Treat and Smooth as Silk from Giavanni  And California Baby (also used for shower toys when bottle is empty)

If there is a product you like in a category that I'm talking about that day (or not) feel free to add your recomendations.  (PS. ignore the dirty shower and ugly decor)

HOW DID THAT GET THERE

During the kids run on Saturday, my sweet friend took a few pictures, which she sent for my viewing pleasure last night.

One of them was of Veg and I running through the finish line. She was behind us, so the picture was of our back sides..because the finish sign was only facing that direction. So its actually a really cool shot.

However, Seeing my backside in pictures is quite disturbing. I've decided God put it in the back for a reason.

So I didn't have to look at its ever growing status.

But while viewing the picture I had to ask "where the heck did that come from"

Somewhere on this side of 30 I've grown another bottom. And not just a little one either.. No not just some fluff! I'm talking an entire pillow stuck in my pants.

Where did that come from? Who put that there? If its a down pillow then I'm allergic and I would choose to avoid it.
But I wasn't given the option.

How rude is that.. I wasn't even given a choice! Just whammy.. Look in a picture some day and there it is.

Just like my Mom and Grandma before me..genetics is a funny thing...some are avoidable and other things, not so much!

And so I shall embrace the extra insulation. Can't be all bad, at least when the clumsy's set in, I'll have my own rescue cushion. Heck, I could probably jump out a 5 story window and land comfortably on this hiney!

MONTESSORI PART 2

Another rendition of why I Love Montessori..

I noticed a sign posted this morning about an Elementary Meeting. This is the meeting where they convince parents to stay on past kindergarten and share the benefits of a long term Montessori program.

Because my decision is already made, I have no need to attend the meeting. However, that sign prompted my need to ask a few questions this morning.

I know that before the end of the year the rising elementary students begin to transition to the "older kids" class so its not such a hard "change" after summer break.

But I wasn't sure when.. And so I asked.. Thinking I would need to prepare him. (He doesn't normally like change)

To my surprise, I discovered my Vegman already chooses lessons from the elementary room and spends quite a bit of time over there.

I already new he spent time on the playground with them and the after school program is all ages. But I didn't realize he was choosing work from there during the day.

I was so excited to hear that news this morning! Not only does this mean socially he is comfortable enough to work in that classroom with the 6-10 year olds. But that the transition next year won't be hard at all.

And what other program allows a 5 year old to move on to 6-10 year old work as their skills request? I just love Montessori!!

The teacher also told me that around May, he will spend a few full days over there allowing him to adjust to the full elementary rountine..

Did I mention, I love his school!

THINKING OUT LOUD

Haven't  thought out loud in a while, so here it goes:

Why are those toilet seat covers in public restrooms made to barely cover the seat?  What is the point?

Why are they called Laptops when you rarely set them on your lap.. Without a table, they over heat... But then I guess "Table Top" wouldn't work.

Whose bright idea was it to put computer chips in Printer Cartridges??  "You are out of ink"... NO I'M NOT.... "Yes you are, buy now"... Am I really out of ink?  NO... but because the chip says so, my printer refuses to print... And what do I do??? Buy Ink!!  Mean Ol' Chip!

I was looking at the map for my 1/2 marathon and the trail doesn't loop....  I go over 13 miles in one direction and then it stops... What the Heck kind of sick joke is that?  Am I supposed to walk 13 miles back to my car?  Surely not....  Maybe I will be able to radio that Helicopter to drop me the basket.... A hover craft would be nice too.

How is it possible that I've been typing posts on this blog for 3 years now????? 

Where does the time go?

GETTING THINGS DONE

At the beginning of this month, I stated that this was the year to "Get things done"  Meet goals, and feel good about Accomplishments.... 

Work wise, I'm already getting Pooped out!  But we have accomplished so much, Something that we originally quoted would be done over a 6 month time frame, is now half complete in less then a month.

After this week we will have 7 of 13 projects done.  I'm so proud of the people I work with.  As for my self... Just Pooped!    But the faster we get done, the faster we can take a break.  OK NOT really, but I'm pretending as it makes me feel better!  (Not to mention we don't really have a choice to finish early, and so we will be done early...as in 4 months ahead of plan)

I got both my big closets, craft and toy areas cleaned out, and am 1/2 way to my 13 mile goal, by getting in 7 miles already... Veg completed his first 1 mile race and is totally pumped now to do activity every day for his Exercise Log.

We are finishing our first month of using no credit or debit cards, and cash only with our envelope system. Because of the accountability of cash, we've been able to sock a little away in our first month.  So I can see a light at the end of our Credit tunnel.

Veg has decided that he is more interested in reading then math (he made that decision on Wednesday of last week) since then he's put the math a side (his teachers call that being saturated with a subject and naturally moving to the next) And has moved up 3 steps in the reading cabinet in 3 days.  To many kids this is no big deal.. But to my Vegman who sometimes sees letters backwards or out of sequence, this is a HUGE deal...  

So many exciting accomplishments, in such a short time, I'm looking forward to more posts like this... Sometimes things get so negative, it is great to look at the positive!

3 HOURS OF ALONE'NESS

Hubby and Veg went out this morning allowing me 3 hours of just being with me...  What would you do with 3 hours of non-planned Alone time?

The possibilities were endless... Clean house, Sleep, Exercise, Sleep, Eat, Sleep, Clean house????

Well I couldn't decide!  So I did a little bit of all.... Slept in  while they got ready and left, then began the house chores... I actually got tons done... Before they came home I escaped for my run. 

Got in a little over 4 miles... Almost quit at two miles though, I felt like Veg whining to myself while the other side of me was saying "KEEP GOING YOU WIMP" just then a 60+ Man came happily running by me in his little spandex pants....

Instead of cursing the smiling nice man, I decided to channel his energy.... If he could do this, so can I... And so I ran.... And I Passed him....  OK Not really... he turned around to go back and passed me....How sad is that?? 

Just when I thought my humiliation was over and I was ready to just call a helicopter to drop a basket and carry me home... Here comes Mr. Fancy Spandex Pants again....  Smirking this time he says "Your doing good"  as if he new I needed encouragement and really that I was doing horrible...  While his 60+ year old Spandex Butt, was lapping me on the straight aways.

Did I mention, that I'm not made for running?? 

Alas... my 3 hours alone was quite eventful and I got lots done....  I heard the boys say they were doing the same next Sunday!  Woooohoooo!!  Not that I don't LOVE being with my two favorite people, but sometimes I won't complain to get some "uninterrupted get stuff done" time either!!

RUNNING A MILE

Our town has a great event for kids that allows them to walk a mile at the zoo... Then they log each future run/walk or physical activity on to a sheet getting them to 25 miles worth of activity over 2 months... Then the day before my 1/2 marathon, Veg will run/walk a mile in the final leg of the kids marathon reaching a total of 26 miles worth of activity.... Today was his first Mile...  And we went with a friend.

We had such a great day, after the "race" we all went to eat and then to the park!   So much fun! 

Mr (or Miss) Cheetah watched us run past.  Had to stop to take this photo, one because Veg was whining to stop at this point, and two because we have NEVER seen this cheetah. 

The enclosure is HUGE as in Acres it seems, and the Cheetahs don't usually come close enough for anyone to see them.  One time we saw one lying down and then take off running.  But way way way in the distance... 

This guy, came right up to the window... Wonder what he was thinking? 

"YOU FOOLS THINK YOUR RUNNING, I'LL SHOW YOU SOME RUNNING"    OK, maybe he was thinking, "Excuse me, can one of you get me out of here, please"

Soo Pretty!!   And as much as I love seeing their beauty, I can't stand to see them behind glass... All the animals deserve so much more.

The Boys!  This way, No this way, No that way....

Crossing through the finish line!! 

I was so proud of him for finishing, he got quite fussy going up the last hill and was mad at me for "making" him keep walking.... and then suddenly he ran with all his might... 

When he was done, he walked up to a local television talent and said "I saw you on TV" and started talking to her as if he hadn't a care in the world.  She gave him a high five for finishing the event, and I think that meant WAY MORE then I could have said.

LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!!

BYE BYE RECEIPTS

Because I'm quite anal about our finances, I always make sure each debit card receipt makes it in to our check book registry... This takes me A LONG time some months, when I put it off and postpone and end up with a huge pile...

But this was my LAST pile... because now that we are paying cash for everything, I have given myself at least 6 hrs a month back to my life.  How exciting??  Now what shall I do with that 6 hrs?  Hmmmm??

And to those of you that know me???  Don't worry, I'll still be keeping all the reciepts sorted by category for taxes and because I'm incapable of throwing a reciept away...  Not sure why, but I'm pretty sure it has something to do with me having a wire crossed in my brain... that definitely has something to do with it...

WIFE PLUMBING TIP #203

Me on Friday--- "Think I'm going to call a plumber on Monday since the kitchen sink is still leaking"

Hubby ---- "You won't call a plumber, I can fix it"

Me ---- "OK, but if its too much trouble, I can call a plumber"

------Saturday------SINK FIXED!  *wink*

MORE K'NEX CREATIONS

K'NEX from the snow day.... What my Vegman will do if allowed some "quiet" time:

Also not pictured, a Castle, a Swing, and A very silly looking man...

Have I mentioned this week that I LOVE K'NEX!!!

And check out this guys pics (scroll down to the truck and titanic)... MOLY COWS!!! ... Thanks for the Comment K'nex Man.   Very cool stuff you have!

BROCCOLI AND SOY DOGS

My kid is loving his greens lately, and especially when I use this little blue muffin maker that we don't use for muffins... It seems he will ask for more and more...... instead of hearing "No, I'm not eating that" 

Its funny how display can make all the difference.

Try it I dare ya!!

VEGGIE STUFFED PEPPER

Does anyone else out there go through their cabinets and open the fridge, then freezer, like 10 times in synchronous  motion expecting something NEW to appear and pop out at you, when your just too hungry and there is nothing that looks good?  Or is that just me??

Probably just me... well earlier this week, I had one of those moments.. and then I saw this 3/4 pepper that popped out at me... It had to be used or it would shrivel and be no more... I had to do something with it, but what??  Hmmm...

Then I noticed a 1/2 open container of Veggie Crumbles (ground beef alternative) and realized I could concoct a stuffed pepper...  I'm not sure what they are supposed to contain, as I've never wanted or created such a thing... But I new there was a bunch of stuff lying around...  So I continued on my No Recipe trend and came up with this..

I put in some veggie crumbles, sprinkled with onions and cut up broccoli pieces, spaghetti sauce, Agave Nectar and some spices that I like, some tiny bits of a garlic clove sprinkled on top with Italian Bread crumbs..

Put this in a little pan and baked at about 350 till it started to brown a bit and then took it out for eating...

SOO EASY!  When hubby and Veg got a whiff of my masterpiece they came in and each devoured my stuff pepper... I only got a corner, but it was a VERY good corner!

Needless to say, I've added this to my list of making again some time.  I'm really liking the idea of not using recipes lately!  Coming up with good things, that all use my favorite ingredients so I can't go wrong!  *smile*

INAUGURATION VEG STYLE

When school is closed, the snow is melting, I have work to do, and we have no TV Channels on our normal size television...  This little emergency TV comes in quite handy for the learning experience of watching the Inauguration...

Surprisingly my little Vegman has been quite interested...  He has watched and asked about each president.. Knowing this was the 44th, there are at least 43 others he said....  Guess I better brush up on my President knowledge base... Because outside of Bush Clinton Bush... I don't know a whole lot... 

SNOW DAY IN A DOG WAY

Don't you just want to kiss this nose!!   Poor guy thinks he's a husky but his skin without fur cover thinks very differently...

A SNOW DAY

I remember being a kid and waiting by the radio to hear if my school was closed.... Even after they got past the Alphabet, I would listen again hoping there was a mistake... But nope!  My school district could have 8 inches and still no closure.  I believe the rule was a foot of snow in one dump, or we had class.

Now it is the same for Veg.  Because he is in a private school, they haven't closed their doors in at least 4 years, every district will be closed but not his... Today even they are closed!!! 

School is closed today everywhere!!!   At our house though we only got a 1/2 inch fall over night.  It sure is pretty!!!  But sadly I have lots of work to do, so our Vegman is going to be an unhappy camper today!

Don't fret though, we will get out soon for a break after I get some work done!!  Not sure who will need the "break" more.  Me or him!  *smile*

SNOWY DAY TAKE 2

Veg's lesson of the day.......What can you do with less then a 1/4 inch of snow:

Look at pretty trees:

Do Cartwheels:

Make your Mom pull you down a hill... over and over and over again:

Shovel the entire yard, in order to get a enough of a pile for an Octopus:

(yes, really, its an Octopus, I promise!)

And just have some all around fun doing what ever  your heart desires when the snow falls!

WE GOT SNOW....

OK, Maybe its a flurry, Maybe its just a dusting.... But if there is enough for a snowball, we shall play!

MY ANGEL

LOOK OUT!!

I LOVE THIS NOSE.. EVEN WITH SNOW ON IT!!

AND HE LOVES THE SNOW!  In fact he ate so much, I think his belly will float away.

AND THE CUTEST SNOWMAN EVER!

ANOTHER SHOT IN CASE YOU DIDN'T GET ENOUGH OF HIS CUTENESS

AND THE BEST PART OF PLAYING IN THE SNOW?? 
COMING IN FOR SOME HOT CHOCOLATE!  OF COURSE

LIFE IS GOOD!

WAFFLES AND THE APPLE SAUCE FACE

When you just feel like making something easy!  The smile is made out of cinnamon.

VEGAN GARLIC BUTTER AND BROWNIES

I posted a while back about making Vegan Garlic Butter to match what we've had before at a local restaurant (only vegan'ise it)

Sorry, no pictures, but I finally came up with the perfect mix:

1 part veggie non-hydrogenated butter
1 part tofutti cream cheese
1 or 2 garlic cloves
Season Salt to taste
Garlic Salt to taste
Italian Seasoning and basil to taste

Put in a Magic bullet or food processor and mix mix chop chop....

Store in covered container in the Fridge and pull out when ever your ready.

We've used it with baked bread and also on crackers.  

Above I say "1 part" that means if you are making a small batch and want 2 Tablespoons of the butter, then you use 2 Tablespoons of the cream cheese.  If you want a big batch (like my last one) then I used 1/2 cup of each.  Then it stored in the fridge for a week, we had it with each meal during the week, and it got better tasting each day!

Now to the Brownies.... We all wanted something chocolaty but I didn't feel like baking anything else...  So I pulled out this box of yummy mix... CHEATING at its finest!

DELICIOUS:

VEGAN ARTICHOKE CAKES

I'm really getting in to trying new things at home.. Thinking of things we used to like and then Vegan'ising them.  Or in the last two cases, eating something at a Restaurant and practicing with ingredients until I come up with something similar only Vegan.  No recipes, No pictures, No standard of performance.... Just Me, a Kitchen and seeing what I come up with.  If it is bad, then who cares.  If it is good, then I add it to my Recipe book.

Today's adventure came out Delicious... While attending our weekend outing yesterday Hubby ordered some Fried Artichoke Cakes, Veg was sad that he couldn't eat them (contained cheese) and said

"Mom, I wish you could make these at home, only Vegan so I can have some"

Well... when the boy asks, the boy receives! 

I started with 3 little ones in case it didn't come out good, I wouldn't waste all the ingredients.  Instead, they were so good that we made 4 more big ones.  YUM!

Sorry, as always, I don't have exact amounts as I don't measure...

The Filling - goal is to make it thick and slightly creamy, so add as much ingredients as you need to succeed...

1 Small Jar Marinated Artichokes - Drained and chopped real good
a tiny bit of chopped onion
Tofutti Cream Cheese (as much as you need to make it on the thick side after mixing. at least 1/2 container)
Garlic Salt to taste
Italian Seasoning to taste
Basil to taste
Season's Salt (natural kind)
Dash of Agave Nectar (or honey)
Dash of lemon juice

Mix real good:

The Breading:

Italian Bread Crumbs
Flour
Garlic Salt
Basil
Italian Seasoning
**Parmesan (if you don't want it Vegan, but tastes good without)

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.

Then form little cake rounds with the creamy mixture, and coat really really good with the breading mixture. 

Would have worked great in a Fry Daddy type thing, but we didn't have one... So Hubby chipped in with the Skillet Frying.. It worked much easier with two people, as the first batch slightly burned when I didn't have help. The second batch came out great because I had the extra hands..  We used Canola Oil to fry with, not sure that was best or not, as I've never fried anything like this before.

And Hubby kept them moving in the skillet to keep them from burning.  Took only a couple minutes to cook and about 20 minutes to prepare.

The almost finished product:

Yum!!! Seriously they were so good, I don't think we will even get them at the Restaurant again!  Hubby requested I figured out what was in their dipping sauce.  So, my next plan is to make a creamy horseradish sauce and see what I come up with.

Delicious as NeeNee would say!

A FLEA IN WINTER?

 

 My old girl dog has been acting funny (more then normal) pacing, scratching,  panting... all together not happy all day...(Fyi - the picture to the left is from her younger happier days, isn't she cute?)

When she laid down in front of me, I found a bug crawling on her back... A closer look revealed a FLEA, yes A FLEA...

A creepy crawly on my dog in the middle of winter... The coldest its been since anyone can remember... its freakin' 9 degrees... Why are their fleas?   She doesnt' get fleas when it is 80 degrees and sunny... so why now... 

Well I stomped the creepy crawly... he is no longer, and I shall hope there are no more... But she'll get a bath tomorrow just in case.  

Most bugs that enter our home unintentionally, I am kind too... Catch and release...  one, because I don't have the ability to kill and two because the crunch of a critter makes my stomach turn.. Just got chills typing that sentence...There was a time, where a bug would sit in side a cup until my Hubby got home to do something about it.  I will NOT handle the crunch!

But when it comes to fleas and/or Mosquitoes... there is no mercy!   They must go!  And I just mentioned to Veg that I'm liking this super cold weather because it will kill off some of the bugs before Spring... But not so much... The bugs are smarter... they just come in doors away from the freeze, and then exit when spring comes. 

That must be their plan... BUT NO, I will not be a bug motel..  Sorry creepy crawlies, but you must let nature do its thing.  And that means some of you FREEZE in the winter!

(and by the way, if any of you bugs are reading this.... leave my dogs alone)

MUFFIN TIN SATURDAY AND A PIZZA BUN

OK, its not really a tin... And I don't actually use this for Muffins... Something about silicone baking in my food doesn't appeal to me.  BUT, I thought it was cute for Muffin Tin meals... And tonight at dinner was one of those times.

Baked Potato Chunks, Asparagus (which he asked for seconds), Pineapples, Corn Chips w/ Hummus and Strawberries (Veg stole a strawberry before taking the picture...)

And because he was REALLY Hungry.... I made something else... one of those quick on my toes actions...

Dilemma----- BOY WANTS PIZZA, Mom has no Pizza Crust... Mom doesn't want to make pizza crust.... Insert Hot Dog Bun..... 

See!  Its a Pizza Dog, or a Bun Pizza, what ever you want to call it, but it was good!!  Trick is, to put olive oil on under the sauce to keep it from all absorbing... layer with toppings and stick in the toaster.  EASY PLEASY, unless you don't know where the toaster is.... *smile* 

Mission Complete!

WHY I LOVE K'NEX

I'm so glad NeeNee decided to purchase that amazingly cheap first set of K'nex for our Vegman.  Granted they are not cheep normally and you get sucked in to the GIANT bucket to find that it only has an 1/8th of the bucket filled with tiny little pieces... 

But you can build things like this... that really move... that can be played with and don't break apart (if used correctly) and they keep a Veg Boy's interest for HOURS!!!  Hubby, helped him make a more durable hand crank, and they had this thing spinning so fast that you couldn't see the people.

Now the K'nex didn't come with people... but they raided the Lego People bucket, and filled up each cart on the ferris wheel...A Good thing we found out today is that the blocks in K'nex sets fit with Lego Pieces...  Talk about Convenient... 

And I love that my almost 6 year old can build this stuff all by himself... and that I am INCAPABLE of building SQUAT, in fact I broke one of his pieces... how sad is that??  I have been the Lego building Master.... We've put ships together and entire cities... But the K'nex I can't do... the diagrams are 3 dimensional.  My brain doesn't work that way.  Veg says "Mom, your just not mechanical" and he is right!

So he does them by himself.  Today he built a frog, a rocket ship, hot air balloon ALL BY HIMSELF... seriously HOURS of enjoyment.  And when he can't do it by himself, then he asks his Daddy!!!  So this is the ONE thing in our house that they will do together, play nice, and not have a video game controller in their hands... And its the one thing in our house that I know I won't hear... "MOOOOMMMM" 500 times... It is ALL DAD!

And that is why I REALLY Love K'nex... And by the way, they are made in the USA!  Double bonus!

STORES CATERING TO PEOPLE LIKE ME

We went to a popular toy store today that we haven't been to in at least a year. I noticed they had all kinds of "green" toys. Including tea sets made out recycled milk jugs.
But the biggest surprise was walking up to an entire section filled with organic and veg friendly snacks. They had all my favorite brands...AT THE TOY STORE!

Then I turned my head to notice a pets area with organic all 100% cotton toys for dogs. AT THE TOY STORE!

It was just Odd! A welcome change, but ODD! It does show that my type of Demographic is a growing part of the shopping force, or a chain store of that size wouldn't change their offerings in such a big way..

So for that I'm happy!! Even if I'm still considered a fruit loop, at least I must not be alone.

MONTESSORI

Have I mentioned lately on here that I LOVE Montessori??  Each week I get a little sheet that shows what Veg is working on so I get to feel involved... even when he doesn't want to tell me because he says its none of my business.  *smile*

A couple things on his list this week would make most people think?  And why would they do that in school?  For example..  Walking on a line while holding a shallow bowl full of water without spilling....  Or sitting still and having "peace" while waiting for the hour glass to empty....

However I think these are AWESOME things for him to do at school.  Not only helping with balance, but self discipline and stopping for a moment and being still and learning patience...  The practical life lessons are some of the best I think...  What other environment would offer a child to just sit and have peace if they choose.

But he's also been learning how to sew on buttons this past week. And mind you they use real needles.  He came home with a band aid to show for it the first day, but mastered it with NO boo boos the rest of the week.  And tonight he told me he's been working hard to learn cross stitch so he can help me with my Dolphin Project...  He said that they have to stay on the "cross" lines and as soon as they can do it correctly, they can go on to the next level.  Well today he got to go onto the next level.  I'm looking forward to the day I can hand him that dolphin that is still not done after 8 years.

Then there is science, He did the penny experiment, but is also working hard on the Planaria Life Cycle and matching tracks to animals. 

In the Math Cabinets he is now unlimited (past the 4768+3267= stuff) and is working on counting Money..  He always chooses math lessons.  Like his Uncle J he LOVES Math....  But unlike his Uncle J, he will not get bored at his school because the possibilities are endless.

For fun, he was able to observe some of the older kids playing Chess today and said he learned some really cool moves.

But his biggest interest this week was working on Reading and language... Word Lists, Vowels, Booklets, etc.  He still struggles with letters seeming backwards to him, but his teachers have made AMAZING progress helping him to see the letters in the right direction. 

And each day he writes more at home too.  He is getting all the letter sounds in the correct order, even if he doesn't spell something correctly.  But had it not been for these great teachers (he has 4 in his class) taking the time to help him, who knows how frustrated he would be at this point.  They said he will continue to write, and soon the reading will click... Then the correct spelling will come.  But he already knows, nouns vs. verbs etc.  Things I didn't know until I was in High school I think..

So once the letters are all the right direction in his head, he will already have the fundamentals of makings sentences and a good story, It will just all click.  Then who knows how far his imagination will take him...

I can't wait to see!!!  I love Montessori!

A PENNY AND THE LEMON

Veg brought home two pennies today.  A clean one and a dirty one.  He said they did a science experiment in class, and this is what they discovered:

Real Lemon Juice will clean a penny, but Fake Lemon Juice will make a penny dirty.... It was a great chance for him to see the difference between "Fake and Real" stuff that we may see at the grocery store. And he was proud to tell his teacher that his Mommy only gets the Real Lemon Juice.  I'm hoping over time it will click and stick in his brain the benefits of "real" foods.

However.... Kinda freaky that Lemon juice will clean a penny, and so we tried it... And yes it is true!!

We found the dirtiest penny in the house and put it in a cup.  Poured enough lemon juice just to cover the penny and let it sit for 15 minutes.... Out came the cleanest penny in all the land.  Shiny and pretty.

Hmmm, wonder what else you can clean with real lemon juice?

9 DEGREES

I LIKE THE COLD!  I REALLY DO!!  I look forward to snow every year, I enjoy cuddling up under a giant blanket and feeling snuggly warm with it being slightly cold in the house.

But when my car says 9 Degrees out side and there is still no snow, that is when I have a problem.  If it is going to be that cold, I think snow is just a requirement?  And they say wind chill brings it down to 1 degree or something? 

What is up with the "Wind Chill"  Its either cold or really really cold?  Why bother with the wind chill...  If it "feels like" 2 degrees, then why don't they just say it is 2 degrees... Do they think they are tricking us by announcing it is 12 but feels like 2? 

LUNCH BREAK UPDATE

EDIT - Not really lunch anymore... this is what happens when my day happens....Work goes on, hours go by, and here I am... but will finish my "lunch" now to complete this post.

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Because I know you have all just been dying to find out how I'm doing with my 1/2 Marathon Training, No Shampoo Mission and Starbucks denial.... Along with many more things, I decided to take a quick lunch break and give a shout out.... (P.S.  I know that no one really cares about this, but it makes me feel better to keep a log.. so just humor me.. and go to the next post if you choose)

The No Shampoo Thing - Well.. I hit the detox stumbling block where my hair went from great to not so great and so I started adding new things to the mix.  Including honey etc.  I read that if you can make it through hair detox period then it is smooth sailing from there.  But I couldn't take it... I caved...

In theory, you've used shampoo all your life and stripped all natural oils... So you have to give your head time to re-adjust.  Mine was GREAT for a couple weeks...Then there is a step where it is midstream and your hair goes crazy...  But when I used shampoo, I got white flakes and break outs again, so I'd lost my happy medium...  I switched shampoo, and no good came of it... 

Finally I went back to my Baking Soda Water rinse.... And my hair was happy again.... Then I use my Tea Tree Conditioner, and my Hair is Super Happy Again....  I save the Apple Cider vinegar rinse for only once a week.... So there you are!  I'm back to Shampoo Free and Happy!  With a little natural conditioner thrown in.  And my Hair is Happy Too!

Denying my Body the goodness of Starbucks- Well this one is a little shaky... Some weeks all is well, and I get by with Tea or Soymilk and tiny bits of Coffee.  Other times like yesterday when a Coworker twisted my arm to the point of breaking and even offered to pay, I ended up with a Yummy Delicious Chocolaty Frozen caffeinated beverage delivered to my desk... I HAD TO DRINK IT!!  I was forced to... I had no choice.... (come on...seriously.. Free and good and caffeine after getting no sleep for 2 weeks, who would say no?)

1/2 Marathon Training - I made it to 7 miles... I got past all goals I had set for myself.  All was good... Then not so much... I haven't done more then a mile in 2 weeks.  I need motivation... I have to get back at it!  I'm determined and I will finish every bit of those 13 miles... You mark my words...

OK don't mark them because then your monitor will be filled with ink.  Why do people say that anyway?  "Mark my words?"  What does that mean?  ....  Sorry, got carried away there!   Hoping for good news to report this weekend on running progress.  A Co-Worker has been sending me motivational links, and that has inspired me to not stop totally.... Stay tuned!

Natural Remedies - Well this is my long term quest that will not stop amazing me... From Garlic to Aloe, Lysine to Tea Tree....  A total lifestyle change.  So many things that make such a difference.  We have gone 18 months with out any medical intervention (except when I thought I broke my foot but thats another story)  and only one over the counter med (motrin), which is now also out of the picture.  I won't jinx it by saying we have no problems. Because we do get sick bugs.  In fact there was one day last weekend that I felt like the flu had taken me over... But it was ONE DAY!  got rid of it and I was fine.  I didn't  actually got sick, and didn't get weeks of cough or sniffles, or sinus infections like years past.  I just needed sleep and some garlic and oregano...Then it was over.

Also Veg has had two bouts of sick this year, and one was pretty miserable, but he refused to take my stuff.  On day 3 he took it, and was fine by day 4 and all better on Day 5.

NOW - On this subject, I've had some people try the same tricks and they work, I've seen others try and they don't.  I've seen some that will do everything possible to DEBUNK my attempts at Natural'ish living, however I must say.....  Just throwing on some salve or taking a remedy isn't going to fix everything. 

Its a life style change.  Ridding the house of toxic cleaners, Getting off the antibiotic roller coaster, Boosting our immune systems.  Staying away from meats and dairy products (especially during sick times)  Avoiding Mucous causing foods and things to enter the bod.... Not being around Smoking...Also not taking any over the counter meds at every sign of a cold.  Not tricking the body (that doesn't work by the way) by taking cough meds.  Exercising and Smiling (yes both make a difference) Eating natural and organic food where possible. Sleep when needed.. Eat when needed....Then using natural resources to help the body rid itself of bad things.

I'm not a Hypocrite nor am I an idiot.  I know that some day, there will be medical intervention.  I know that some day I could need real medicine in a life or death situation.  I know that some day my body will grow old and laugh at me....  I know that I will have to do what is best for my child in the event care is needed and that he will come in contact with every sick bug and probably get several of them each year...

I also know that I've done my absolute best to give us an environment where we feel good most of the time, and where sick bugs don't last most of the time.  From there it is out of my hands, and I can only hope for the best.

So for those that think it is all placebo, Yeah, it might be, but I don't care.  I know that I haven't had a single fever blister in over a year (used to get them every month) thanks to Lysine ointment, and if that is a placebo, I'll buy it all day.  And if I get a fever blister because I just typed that, then so be it... I still haven't had one in over a year.  HUGE Difference!  Talking swollen lips to where I can't eat.... ALL GONE!

And to those that try something and it doesn't work, so they won't even consider the idea of making a change...  Well for 1, they just aren't ready to make a change, and for 2 just because one thing doesn't work doesn't mean others won't.  Just like it took me years to find out that Advil was the only cold medicine that I liked, and then another bunch of years to realize I didn't need it at all.  Just like you may like one brand of chips but not another.  You have to be willing to try things and listen to your body to find what works for you.  Every one is different and what works for me won't work for everyone.  And because I'm not a professional, I wouldn't tell someone to do anything I do.  I can only say what works for us.

Now to The Budget -  Finishing week two Debit and Credit card free!!  How cool is that??  Will be some time before we are Credit free, but working on it.

Homemade Deoderant -  Still LOVE IT! No smell at all.  I do get some redness after a good exercise though, and so there are a couple days a week I don't use it to allow the red and sore spot to go away.  Next time I won't use as much baking soda and corn starch and that should fix that problem.  But for now, I shall finish the batch happily, while using my other natural stuff that I don't like as well on the sore days.

Think that is everything on my updates... So if you read this far... I hope your eyes are still in tact.. And assuming my mom is the only one that read this far... Hi Mom, I love ya!

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