Vegmom Moments

Small Hiatus

Quickie, last minute, unplanned, road trip.....  Will post if I can, otherwise I'll see you again next year! 

Happy Happy Last Week of 2011

The Day After Christmas

My kid doesn't usually ask for gifts.  Maybe a game here or there that he tells a Grandparent to get him, but mostly he just doesn't ask.  

In fact the Dentist asked what he wanted for Christmas just last week.  And the Vegkid said:

"I'm sure there are a lot of things I want, but I don't know what they are"  *smile*

So over the past year, I took down notes of things that either troubled him and needed resolution (like a way to measure the rain with out running out every five minutes with a measure stick) or things he asked for in a store (like a Mario Bros. Chess set) but didn't have enough money to purchase, or things I knew he wanted (like a real camera)  So when Christmas arrived, for the first time EVER, I was prepared!  

His facial expressions were priceless.   I thought he was going to lose his breath and pass out when opening a weather station. 

While opening the camera he jumped up and down and said:

"Mom, are you really going to trust me with this much responsibility?"  OF COURSE!!!

The list went on.  Between all the grandparents and our gifts to him, he even said at one point:

"There are too many gifts, this is ridiculous"  

Yes, Yes it is!!!

BUT by the day after Christmas I had learned a couple of things:

A Simple Snack

Peel, chop, Eat!

Now that is Easy!!

Sometimes, ya just gotta go back to basics!

 

Vegan Christmas Eve Plate

Hubs and I had some raw and some cooked vegan goodness for Dinner.  But my Vegkid needed something special.. It is Christmas Eve after all, and I haven't made any food shapes in a while, so why not tonight?

Two pieces of bread make the tree, with Vegan cream cheese spread to hold them together.  The green garland is Celery, and the star is Kiwi.  Of course the ornaments are Pomegranate seeds (Yum).. 

As for the presents under the tree, those are little peanut butter and jelly covered bread chunks with strings of celery for the ribbons.

I'm pretty sure the Vegkid is getting too old for this stuff, but I'm thinking I never will be THAT old.. For now he humors me and says "Mom, you are so weird but I love you"

And I'll take that!

Merry Christmas to All and to All a GOOD NIGHT!

Lighted Christmas Tree Craft

I was inspired by this ikat bag post and couldn't resist giving it a try (Thank you ikat)!  

Yes, I know it is supposed to be for kids, but no one would play with me today, sooo here is the result of my craftiness:

What an Awesome center peace for our Christmas Eve Table!!

Merry Christmas Eve Everyone.....

Pick Up a Nail Save a Tire

Every time I go for a run or walk where this is any stretch of road or side street, nails find me.  I don't mean to say that I find them, because I don't. 

I don't look for them, I don't search out nails, and yet they find me.  A couple years ago, when I found one, I'd pick it up and bring it home to be disposed of properly.  Being that I make up songs in my head, I would quietly sing..

"Pick up a nail save a tire"

If I see a nail in front of me and walk past it, I'm drawn to go back and get it.  I PHYSICALLY can't NOT leave a nail where it lies.  In my mind, I think of the tire that could be ruined because of that nail, the landfill that will rise because of that tire, and the family that could be stranded on the side of the road for Christmas.

I think about the Cost that a family could endure to replace the tire when they may not have the funds, or the Bike rider that has to walk the rest of the way home because their tire is ruined, or the little child that could find the nail and hurt themselves, or dog that could jet out in to the road and take the nail in his paw, or Squirrel or chipmunk, OH, you get the idea!!!

Time and time again, I pick up those stinkin nails and carry them home.  I do not know where they come from, sometimes I think there is a Nail fairy that drops them in the middle of a street then sits back to laugh at me when I stop my run mid-stride to grab it.

Sometimes I think that I'm walking/running on that road at that exact moment to be the person that finds the nail to help a family from dismay.  But regardless of the thoughts in my head, I stop, EVERY SINGLE TIME!!

Fast forward to today:

I was running along my merrily way, jogging off some steam, minding my own business, when I saw a rusty nail under my foot.  

"NO" I said... You are not stopping.. I yelled at myself.. "Don't Do it.. just keep running just keep running"

I was determined to put the nail out of my head and keep with my stride for the first time in several years, I was NOT going to stop.  No rusty nails in the palm of my hand...Then the thoughts, the nagging feelings, I couldn't take it.  Guilt started to set in.

IT IS CHRISTMAS EVE of all days... I had to do the right thing, what was I thinking??? 

So I went back to get the nail, when I realized it had multiplied.

There beside Mr. Rusty Nail was his Friend, Rusty Nail #2.. And in front of Rusty Nail #2..   A few more steps I found screw/nail #3 and while taking off, I found two more at the end of the road.

Now my stride was totally blown, there would be no more running, because I couldn't let these guys poke me.  Rusty nails and pokes are probably a bad thing!

So I walked the rest of the way home caring my bounty safely, humming that little song in my head.. "Pick up a Nail, Save a Tire, Pick up a Nail, Save a Tire"

I decided since we are so close to the New year, I would put these guys in a jar, and start a collection.

Lets see how many nails I find (that find me) in 2012!!

Pick up a Nail, Save a Tire!  It could be a campaign??  

Does anyone else find nails when walking, or does the Nail fairy only strike my noggin?

 

Crafts and Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Hubs asked for Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Bars for his birthday.  But when his Birthday came, he ordered a cupcake instead.  

A few days later, he reminded me that I neglected to make the Choco Peanut Butter Bars. 

And far be it from me to turn down Chocolate:

Here is the recipe I use, but Veganised.  I've seen many more similar recipes since, but that is the one I wrote down long ago, and have continued to use.

While the family was chowing on this Chocolate Peanutty Goodness, I was busy grabbing them to help me with crafts.

Lots of Cards were made and a calendar was completed, see here!

Hubs made me these shorts from an old T-Shirt:

This mess had to be cleaned:

It was a week full of Chocolate and Crafts, aka FUN... I'm not complaining.

Happy Herbivore In The House

Between these two books I have officially made over 30 HH Recipes:

And this week was no exception:

Carrot Cake Pancakes with Maple Syrup Drizzle for the kiddo;

Cauliflower Hash for me:

Fried Bananas for all of us:

More Chickpeas for Me (but I shared with Hubby)

Pinto Bean Patties for everyone (except mine was without the bread)

And Raw Sweet Potato Soup for the Kiddo (but he shared with me)

It has been a Happy Herbivore Cookbook kind of a week and I'm not complaining one bit!

PS.  The Raw Sweet Potato Soup was my new Raw try of the week, so I mastered two tasks with the work of one!!

P.S.S  The Sweet Potato Soup is not listed as raw, but I made it in the Vita-Mix per a "chef's note" and it turned out rather raw but warm and delicious.  I will go lighter on the Ginger next time but otherwise.. Oh My Yum!

P.S.S.S  The Chef's Notes in HH Books, are so absolutely awesome. Be sure to read them or you can miss out on something really tasty!

Christmas Week Update

What a great week this has been. Sorry for the lack of posts, but it has been great and Busy!!!

Some highlights:

• Registered for a nutrition program (sooo excited about this and diving in with every free hour)
• Took a couple days off, and was way too productive.
• VegKid got another great check up (and cleaning) at the dentist
• I found 4 more Persimmons at the store
• Husband and I worked out a plan to start liking each other again.  (Hey don't laugh, after 20+ years, you just gotta do this sometimes)
• Husband and I went for a walk today and happened across a puppy in the street about to be hit by a big ol' truck.   We (as in I) saved little puppy and We (as in I) wanted to keep him, but we found his home instead.
• Went to Veg's holiday open house where he showed us a bunch of his work that we haven't seen before.
• Got to take a nap.. do love those!!
• Some Awesome food
• More Card Crafting (sorry Mom, your calendar isn't done yet)
• VegKid made some awesome original art work and helped with my card making.
• Kid Chess Club Meeting went well
• Found out the Basketball teams were full this year so Veg didn't get in. (Is it wrong that I'm really excited about that?)
• Christmas Decorating (a little late, but better than not at all)
• All Christmas presents purchased, shipped and most cards sent with time to spare

Lastly, I will not confirm or deny, but I may or may not have purchased myself a Christmas present because I may or may not have found it on sale and couldn't pass it up.  Husband will be wrapping the present he may or may not have gotten from me for me, so I'll have something to open Christmas morn and Save the grief of the Vegkid not having me something to open.

P.S. Did you know that Foodsaver now has BPA free bags...  (that may or may not be a hint of what hubby may or may not have gotten for me)

Check out some of these great Gadget Gifts many on sale (as of this post) from Amazon:

 

Happy Happy Christmas Week!!

That Time of Year Again

It is that time of year again, when visions of Sugar Plums start dancing, bells start jingling, people start caroling and my husband starts saying things like this:

"Were not really getting each other anything this year, right?" (Translation - I got you nothing, have no plans to do so and really hope you didn't get me anything so I don't look like an idiot)

Then this:

"Even if I were going to get you something, you already have everything you want, right?" (Translation -  after 20years of marriage I still have no clue what to get you)

And my Favorite:

"I tried to find you something at Target, but they don't carry it.  Can you just go on Amazon and order yourself one"  (no translation needed)

In case you were wondering, OF Course I got him something, My Goodness!!   One of these years, I'm really not going to.  Yup, you mark my words.  

And by the way, Who really has visions of Sugar Plums Dancing?  I'm just sayin!

 

 

My First Persimmon Try

Getting back to my New Raw Food Tries, this one was super easy because it required no preparing (except washing and cutting) but OH WAS IT GOOD!!!

I have never in my life (that I know of) consumed a Persimmon:

Vegkid calls them "Percinnamons"  for no reason except that is how it rolled off his tongue.  Hubs calls them "Papples" because he thought it tasted like a mix of pear and apple.

I just call them Tasty!  Because, well, they are Tasty!

It looks like an Orange Tomato.  So I thought it was an Orange tomato with a fancy name.  But when I cut into it, the consistency was certainly not tomato'ish.  It was sort of Mango'ish texture.  We just cut chunks and ate!

Anyway, we all liked it and fought for the last bite.  

Must - Get - More - Persimmons!

Have you had them?  Like dislike?

 

 

12 Days of Changes - Day 12 The End!

While the 12 Days of Changes have reached their 12th day, I don't consider this the end.  I have learned so much about myself the past couple weeks.  When you take time to look at what you don't like, it provides the opportunity to change.  When you take the opportunity to look at what you do like, it provides the opportunity to do more of it.

Several things I chose to change for a day, will become long term objectives.  Some may fall off, but what I learned most of all is that every day is a new beginning.  And if I didn't like something the day before, it is up to me to change it.  

Recap of the last 11 days:

1. No Coffee For A Day - This one only lasted a DAY (but hey I met the challenge right?)
2. Fire Safety - This one is ongoing.  I still need to find a place to put second fire extinguisher & think more about document storage
3. Exercise -  This is still a struggle because of less day light.   But that day of getting out made me want to do more.  So tomorrow I'll be going for another run.  And hopefully several days a week going forward.
4. Crafting - Challenging myself to easy crafting, was so much fun, that I made a few more cards.  Including a Birthday Card for Hubby.  I hope this trend continues.
5. Being responsible for my own Moods - This one is really great.  Day 5 Helped me to rethink who makes me happy.  The fact is - Its Me!!  I can make myself happy or make myself gloomy.  The moods of others should not affect my own.  Period!!  And I have since found that to be useful the past couple of days.
6. Being Conscious of my words -  Woah!  This one is hard.  I'm not talking about being mean with my words or anything, just watching what I say and remembering that silence can be better sometimes. (yes really really really hard for me)  <no comment mother>
7. Not arguing with the child - This one came in quite handy today actually.  Having that reminder by doing this challenge was a great help.   Amazing how often they try to push your buttons.  Even the best of children.
8. Reusable Bags - My plan was to immediately put the bags in the car.  But I went to sleep instead.  I MUST do this before heading to the store tomorrow. (update, I remembered them before heading to the store)
9. Sleep a full 8 hrs. - This is the only one from that challenge that did NOT happen.  Not sure who (canine or human) but someone had me up at 5am.  Always another day to try though, I won't give up trying for this one.
10. Trying new Raw Foods Again - This is one of my favorite things to do.  While there is not a 100% raw food diet in my near future, I do LOVE trying new raw foods.  The more I try, the more I can incorporate, the better I feel and the easier eating this way becomes.  A work in progress, for certain.  I tried 3 new things this week... OH MY YUM!
11. Coupons - I have to stop getting mad at myself for forgetting the coupons and just start taking them.  Goodness!  It paid off this week, and I hope to remember each week from now on.

NOW for #12 The Grand Finale -------  This one is a Doozy and goes closely with #5...  I can't believe I'm actually typing it.. but here it goes:

Thinking of the Positive in every situation, even when people are being negative around me.  Tonight, I almost caught myself engaging in a conversation with someone that was being negative toward me.  

Something in that moment struck me loud and clear.  "Be positive even when they are not"

I quickly ended my portion of the conversation, went on with my chores after a long days work, then broke out in song!

My song went like this, as I was doing laundry, making dinner and cleaning up the kitchen:

(yes, I made this song up, I know you can't tell by looking at it) hahaha!

"Think-ing of the pos-i-tive, Think-ing of the pos-i-tive - I have Dishes to clean - food to cook, laundry to wash and a happy outlook.  Mouths to feed, safe and sound, no one can say anything to get me Down"

Then I would dance around with my Thinking of the Positive chorus!  It was a site I tell you!

Mr. Negative Pants, gave me the rolled eyes look and said "What are you doing?"  As I shimmied across the kitchen singing my song, exercising and cleaning.... I looked right back at him to answer his question with this:

"I'm Thinking of the Positive of course"  And continued with my song.

He shook his head and went down stairs.  Guess he just couldn't join me!  And you know what?  That is OK!

I'm realizing more and more, that I have to make my own happy.  If people want to join me, all the better.  If not, I can't let them get me down.  By Golly By Gosh, I have too much to be happy about!

Now Join me.... 

Thinking of the Positive, Thinking of the Positive......

*Smile*  

Do you let other people get you down?

 

 

12 Days of Changes - Day 11

My Change for today was:

Drum Roll please....

This one is simple!  Remember to use my coupons!!  Yes coupons!   I've been getting so mad at myself for forgetting them, so to keep with the theme of not getting mad at myself and doing something about it.. I remembered my coupons!

Saved over $10 at the health food store by remembering, and then they gave me a Senior Citizen's discount..

Still not sure how to take that by the way!

Do you print/clip coupons?  Do you remember to use them?

Feel Better Sludge

We have used Garlic and Onion for several years here in the Vegmom house.  Everything from helping earaches or colds, to getting rid of strange skin infections and of course tasty additions to foods.  

But let me tell you, NEVER have I experienced the healing power of this Feel Better Sludge until I hinted about it yesterday.

Citrus, Garlic, and Onion all in the power of a drinkable concoction:

Drinkable I say with a puckered scrunched up face, that is!   And enough garlic that the vampires will stay away from me for a life time.  Luckily my meetings today allowed me to sit in the back of the room (a full table away from people).

First let me set the scene..

Kids at Veg's school have Pnuemonia, three of them to be exact.  Several have the flu too.   I've been around at least 10 people in the past week that are either sick or have a sick family member.  Every where we go there are people sneezing, coughing and talking about there month long sick bugs.

Hubs is on his 4th week of a cough (he went the medical route), Vegkid finally got it, and we nipped it in 5 days (naturally no medicine).  So when I woke up yesterday with the sniffles, as in stuffy head all over, I knew that the yuck was pending.  In fact I only lasted at work for a couple hours and had to come home. 

I arrived home with a full head, clogged sinuses, uncomfortable, unable to sleep and beginning to cough.  I took all my normal natural stuff to get me comfortable (including a garlic capsule) and settled in to the fact that this would be a doozy, but I would kick it fast.  Figured a couple days Max!

Then I remembered this recipe..    I immediately whipped up a batch and thought "What in the world am I doing"  The smell alone was enough to send me running.  But I knew this HAD to go down the hatch!  It would work, I could feel it in my natural bones.

TBS 1 went down the hatch.  Surprisingly, it stayed down, and it seemed to settle in my belly OK.  I noticed after the second dose that I was drying up quickly.  My head no longer stuffy and I was able to rest.  In fact I fell asleep, for 3hrs!   Really!!

Before the night was Over, I had a couple more doses and FELT great!  Slept better last night (as in deep dreamy sleep) then I have in years!!!  

I woke up with out even a thought of a sniffle, had a clear head, tons of energy and ready to face the day.  I've felt great all day! Even did a workout.  (although did take a couple more TBS just in case)..  

No cough, no sniffles, no headache, no clogged sinuses, no sinus pressure... Gone Gone Gone!!!

TAKE THAT YOU SICK BUGS!    Less than 18hrs and you are Squashed!!!  

As my Mom would say "I don't want any of your business"

 

This Raw Vegan Sludge may taste nastier then anything I have ever experienced, but you won't hear me complain!

Nope, not one single bit!!

 

12 Days of Changes - Day 10

Sorry for skipping a day.. I actually have photos and everything for this one but don't feel like posting them, so it will have to wait. I woke up this morning feeling the sniffles.. and as you know, this just won't do!!!

I've been showering extra today for skin re-hydration, steam and eucalyptus oil.. I've been drinking lots of water, taking Garlic, rubbing garlic on my sinuses, swigging the ACV and spritzing my face with cold aloe juice.. ah feels so good!

I've been downing extra green goodness, some Echinacea/Goldenseal, and a couple drops of Oregano Oil under the tongue.  I'm not sure if any of that really works, but it sure does make me feel better fast!

But that is not what my change for today is about!  

My Change for today, is to start my "Raw Food Tries of The week" again!  I miss doing that, and trying one new raw recipe a week always gets me motivated to do more.  It also expands my collection of delicious and nutritious foods that my belly can tolerate.

Today's raw try was NOT the delicious food variety.. no no no, it was a healing one to kick these sniffles before they turn in to anything else.  

This Nature's Penicillin post caught my eye a few days ago and I saved it just in case.  Today was the day I gave it a try, and WOW!!!!

The post says to use a TBS through out the day until you have reached a CUP, that is like 15 TBS.   And NO!  Not happening... I was lucky to suck down a single TBS but did force myself to do a couple more.  My head is totally clear now and sniffles are gone!  

But people and vampires will likely not want to come near me for several days.  Just Sayin!

Take that little Sniffles Bug... I'm not having any of that nonsense!!!  

Soon however, I will share, the new tasty Goodies I've tried this week.  Including some Raw Sweet Potato Soup from the Everyday Happy Herbivore, a Raw Persimmon inspired by a Tweet I saw last week and raw baklava from a recipe app that was sooo good!

Sorry for the absolutely long and boring posts lately, but it has been fun to get my thoughts out in preperation for the new year and all the possibilities.

2012, here I come!  *smile*

 

 

12 Days of Changes - Recap & Day 9

This 12 Days of changes has been quite fun.  Forcing me each day to think of one thing I would do different from the day before.  I'm planning that 2012 will be the year for taking control of my own happiness.  I can't change people, I can only change myself.  

Ending 2011 with figuring out how I do that has been an enjoyable challenge.  12 Days of finding my best me.  I know it sounds corny, but If I can't change from something I learned the day before, then I didn't learn anything at all!

I hear the saying all the time that people aren't perfect.   And while that is super true, I feel that we each have it in us to do better.  And if we don't at least try, then saying we aren't perfect becomes an excuse instead of a motivator.  

I'll choose the Motivator!   So here is where I stand with the last 8 days of this challenge:

Recap of the last 8 days:

1. No Coffee For A Day - This one only lasted a DAY (but hey I met the challenge right?)
2. Fire Safety - This one is ongoing.  I still need to find a place to put second fire extinguisher & think more about document storage
3. Exercise -  This is still a struggle because of less day light.   But that day of getting out made me want to do more.  So tomorrow I'll be going for another run.  And hopefully several days a week going forward.
4. Crafting - Challenging myself to easy crafting, was so much fun, that I made a few more cards.  Including a Birthday Card for Hubby.  I hope this trend continues.
5. Being responsible for my own Moods - This one is really great.  Day 5 Helped me to rethink who makes me happy.  The fact is - Its Me!!  I can make myself happy or make myself gloomy.  The moods of others should not affect my own.  Period!!  And I have since found that to be useful the past couple of days.
6. Being Conscious of my words -  Woah!  This one is hard.  I'm not talking about being mean with my words or anything, just watching what I say and remembering that silence can be better sometimes. (yes really really really hard for me)  <no comment mother>
7. Not arguing with the child - This one came in quite handy today actually.  Having that reminder by doing this challenge was a great help.   Amazing how often they try to push your buttons.  Even the best of children.
8. Reusable Bags - My plan was to immediately put the bags in the car.  But I went to sleep instead.  I MUST do this before heading to the store tomorrow.

 

And now for #9:

SLEEP.... my Change for today, will be trying for a full 8hrs of sleep!   CAN SHE DO IT???

12 Days of Changes - Day 8

This one will be quick...

I forgot to put my reusable bags back in the car and had to use Paper at the store...  so my mission to improve today was to put all my bags BACK in the car!!   I have a TON of bags.  I get them from festivals, and when I travel I pick up new ones at each new health store that I try.  So my stash has grown.

Which makes it very silly when I don't have one with me.

Paper, Plastic, No Thank You!!

My favorite bags lately are the Reusable Chico Bags.   They are easy to store, hold a lot, durable, washable, and when I don't want them for groceries any more, they make great camping/swimming/shoe/travel/dirty clothes bags for the kiddo.

But These Organic Cotton Bags look really cool too...  I may have to try them when a re-stock is necessary.  

Which won't be for a VERY long time, as long as I remember to USE what I have that is!

Concerned Over Nothing

We had a very challenging morning, I won't get in to details but trust me... The boy was challenging.

All day long I was worried about how he did at school.   The morning went all awry over Jelly, as in peanut butter and Jelly.  Don't get me started!

But I thought if he was so "off" over Jelly, then what other things would prove to be difficult today.  On our way to school, I thought "This is really not about the jelly"  And wondered what else could be bothering him?  

So all day I was concerned....  Then I picked him up.. All smiles, hugs and lots of this:

"Ummm, what is on all this graph paper?"   I asked..

He says "They are factor trees Mom, and so much fun, I love these.  Lets do them when we get home, I'll show you how, ok?"

That is when I realized it was silly to be concerned about his day.  I'm thinking he had a fine day.  And he worked on factor trees!  

Who wouldn't have a fine day when they get to work on Factor trees?

 

12 Days of Changes - Day 7

Yesterday I mentioned trying to do better at being conscious of what I say before I say it.  And today I did a lot better at that.  

So my Change for Day 7 is to take that one step further.  I plan NOT to argue with my 8 Yr Old.  

You see, he can be the sweetest, kindest most intense little person I have EVER met.  And yet he can be equally as stubborn and challenging and argumentative.   (not sure WHERE he gets that from)

Yes Mom, I know.. Paybacks!!!

But what I have learned lately by reading about parenting smarty pants kids and  watching he and his father argue until they don't even remember what they are arguing about, is that I don't need to engage in that behavior.

WHY in the world would I argue with an 8 Year Old?  Hellloooo!   While I DO listen to the child, allow his opinions to be heard and his choices to be his own.  I will not engage in an argument with him.

At least for this Day 7 Challenge... I'll keep you posted!  *wink*

PS, if you want to track the 12 Days of changes, you can find the last 6 days here!

 

My Latest List of Favorite Things

Playing around on Amazon, I made a list of all my latest favorite things.  I know it is supposed to be a side bar widget but I'm trying it in a post.  Hopefully it will play nice.

Guess what I just added to the list??   Everyday Happy Herbivore  Oh Yeah, she has ANOTHER book, and it is out, and I'm excited.  My copies came in the mail the other day.  I say "copies" as in plural because I got some for other people.  

Vegkid grabbed the book before I could, and started documenting what he will have.  I will say that he did not like our first try, which was the grilled cheese but LOVED the pinto bean burgers and has already asked for more of those.  That is as far as we have gotten so far.

So what is different about this book from the last one?  

It is still vegan, still low fat, still has an awesome pantry list, still amazing pictures and easy to read instructions.  But this time it is all about 30 minute or less meals, some one pot meals, make ahead meals, AND more single serving goodies which I love. 

But I'll fill you in on a little secret.  My most FAVORITE part??  

It is full of Chickpea Goodness (My new addiction)  I mean even Cocoa Chickpea Puffs are found in this book!  Really, how much better can it get?  Chocolate and chickpeas in one bite!  Enough said!

 

12 Days of Changes - Day 6

Looking back at yesterday, the only thing I could find that I wanted to improve upon today was trying to be more conscious of my words.

Yesterday I had the ol' insert foot in mouth syndrome, and looking back I could have done better with my words.  So today, I was more conscious of what I said and when.

Problem was, I still inserted foot.   I was just more conscious of it!  haha..  So tomorrow, I'll really really really try harder!

Ok so regarding the whole foot in mouth phrase?   Why not elbow or knee camp.  Where did the foot come from?

 

12 Days of Changes - Day 5

Yesterday I let the moods of others bother mine, and today I decided my change for day 5 would be to control my own moods.

If Others want to go visit Crabby Land, that doesn't mean I have to.  

Today I stayed right here in my happy place!  Thank You Very much!  

I'm really liking this series.  *smile*

Oh Is He Busted!!

A certain someone or something continues to be taking things off of the Kitchen table.  It is a sudden phenomenon, and not something that has always occurred.   I knew it could NOT be the dog because he is too old to jump and can't see or hear that well. (she says sarcastically)

But If it wasn't me, the kid or the hubs, there is either a Kitchen Gremlin or a DOG that is not really as decrepit as he acts.

 

I'll give you ONE Hint.......

I heard a noise in the kitchen, grabbed my camera and thought "I'm going to Catch this Gremlin"

Or DOG as the case may be!

Then he just sat there frozen, didn't even move his paw as if his little mind was thinking:

"If I freeze she won't see me"

Oh, but I saw you my little troublemaker!!!

 

Happy To Clean

Something about seeing men walk around downtown Friday with their only possessions in a Garbage bag, and watching someones house burn to the ground recently, makes me extra happy to be cleaning mine today.  

Having a home to clean is a blessing, no more complaining about that!!

Just Sayin!!

 

 

Running at Sunset

My favorite time of day to go for a run!

If only it lasted a little longer I could go a little further:

Its certainly not safe to run alone especially in the dark.  

But to sprint as fast as I can before dark and see this beautiful sky is not so bad.

Not to mention the cool air is so refreshing!

12 Days of Changes - Day 4

I used to enjoy crafting.  It was my outlet, my peace among chaos, my joy among loneliness and a time to reflect.  By working on a Scrapbook Page, I was reliving the events of those pictures.

But not just scrapbooks, looking back I did a WHOLE lot of crafting.  From Cross Stitch to painting to Silly stuff with my kiddo but at some point, lugging everything out became a chore.

I don't know when it happened really.   But one day.. It had to be just one, because I don't remember multiple days.. but one day, I just stopped.  

Until my Change for Today....  I realized that I don't have to sit for 6hrs through the night when everyone is sleeping just to work on crafts.  Or that I have to to do everything from scratch or make things complicated.  I realized it doesn't have to be a chore.  I could make crafting fun again.

Then I made a stop in to Hobby Lobby for a couple of supplies... WOAH!!  Big Mistake.. I didn't even know where to begin.  I saw sooooo much stuff.  But I kept my purchasing simple.  Things that would make my crafting life easier.

Like THIS 12x12 Calendar Kit for a certain someone that gets a calendar each year.

It has all the colors I love, themes I could relate too, and absolutely EVERYTHING you could possibly need to complete the calendar all in one handy package.  (except family pictures of course)

So my Change for Day 4 is to do something Crafty.    No more wishing I did, but actually DOING it!

As for the other Changes...so far:

Day 1 = Avoid coffee for a day (done)

Day 2 = Check house for Fire Safety (done)

Day 3 = Exercise (done)

This is kind of fun.. I should make this longer than 12 days.  Heck, it could be 365 days.   Who doesn't find one thing each day they want to do different or more of.  That is what Growth is all about, right?

It all comes down to this...

If you don't do something about it, then you got nothing to complain about!  (or so that is what I tell myself when i'm complaining)

 **Update**  I made some cards.. lots of cards.. crafting bug is back!!

Aren't these guys cute:

 

A Real Tree House

Veg went to a birthday party today.  When they gave us directions, he mentioned they lived in a log cabin.

Really?  Like a real Log Cabin?  I've known this family for at least 4yrs and had no idea where they lived.  Thankfully we were able to follow some other cars as I would have likely fallen off the side of a mountain before reaching the Log house.

Let me tell you that 3 miles going UP a narrow trail, is very different than 3 miles on a normal road.   When we reached the house, I couldn't believe the beauty though.  

The front of the house looks like a normal log cabin.. he was right!  They do in fact live in a log cabin.  But what I didn't know until we walked around the side, was it is also a Tree House.

They built this bad boy AROUND the trees!  Not sure you can see from this phone pic, but if you look through the deck area there is a GIGANTIC tree.

Anyway, Vegkid had a great time.  All the kids had a great time.  And we did NOT drive off the side of the mountain, so that is a super bonus.

Now I can say that I have officially been inside a Tree house. 

12 Days of Changes - Day 3

Today's Change will be More Exercise:

I haven't been able to do as much as I would like so why not do more today??

Especially with those awesome Shoes shown above!

 

12 Days of Changes - Day 2

This one is a little more serious!  And something I hope everyone will think about!!!

I had the opportunity to talk to someone today after they just lost their home, pets and vehicle in a fire.   The more I listened, the more I thought of our own situation and became a little freaked out.  His second floor began to cave in before the fire alarms went off upstairs.  And he didn't have a fire extinguisher to stop that initial spark.  They got out by jumping and because they were awake they knew what had to be done.  But had it happened an hour later while they were sleeping, the outcome would have been much different.

So I immediately started thinking:

• Do our Fire Extinguishers work?  Do we know where they are?  Do we still have any?   Are they placed Strategically?
• Could we get out of the house if we were in the room with no windows?
• If we are upstairs and sleeping, could we hear the fire alarms in the basement in time to get out before the floor caves in?
• Do we know whats in our wallets if we had to replace them?
• Does our safety box have everything it needs in it to be able to rebuild our lives and restore our identity?

To think that in a flash, you could have no Drivers License, Debit card, bank card, insurance cards, birth certificates, social security cards... No Identity at all.  Not to mention the loss of all personal belongings, pictures and a roof over your head.

So I panicked and decided my Change for the day will be to not Panic.  Find comfort that I have protected us the best I can and the rest is not up to me.  

Make sure we have a fire plan!

I forced Hubs to humor me, and we tested the garage fire alarms.  (they are place by vents so we will hear them upstairs)

We checked the Fire Extinguishers, and they are Good!  But discovered we had two, and they were both in the same cabinet... Not so Strategically placed.  One of them will be moved.

We have 2 Fire ladders that ARE strategically placed so we could get out of a second story window and hopefully not break any body parts.

Then the Husband gave me a lesson on the fire extinguishers from his Navy Fire Learning Days.  How to use them and which to use when.  They are different ya no!!   We talked about what to do if the curtains caught fire from a spark vs. the stove catching fire while cooking.  I think I understand.. just hope I never have to find out if I understood correctly!

Lastly, I've updated the documents for our safety box to make me feel a little better. 

I'm not sure you can ever be truly prepared or know how you would react in a situation where you look up to find flames all around.   And I'm sure if that ever happened to me, I would still panic.

But at least I know the fire alarms would wake me up, the ladders could help us down, and a fire extinguisher could put out something small before it got to that point.

What about you?  Do you have a fire plan, working alarms and extinguishers?  Do your kids know where to go and what to do if they had to escape?

-----NeeNee, I'm pointing my finger at you right now-----

That is my Day 2 Change... feel comfortable with the resources I have in the house for emergencies, and if I don't have the right ones, GET THEM!!!

Anyone need to join me for this one?