Moooooooooving
Posted by: Missi
I moved!
No, not like that. I moved the blog.
I think I finally found my groove. It's still being all set up and stuff transferred over, but all new blogs will be posted at....
DRUM ROLL, PLEASE...
www.audacitermatris.com
You'll have to click over to find out what the heck that even means. ;)
No, not like that. I moved the blog.
I think I finally found my groove. It's still being all set up and stuff transferred over, but all new blogs will be posted at....
DRUM ROLL, PLEASE...
www.audacitermatris.com
You'll have to click over to find out what the heck that even means. ;)
Where there's a will...
Posted by: Missi
Living in an abandoned subdivision has it's perks. One that we have exploited fully is the warehouse of building supplies just tossed out there in that wilderness. We happen to know that our builder went bankrupt and there are no plans to continue building. This stuff is totally going to waste out there!
Last year I started taking the kids for walks and toting back wagon-fulls of cultured stone, to create a flower bed border around the house. It's taken a lot of trips and I think I'm about 3/4 of the way done! Yesterday Brent came along on one such walk, and the goal was also to bring home a load of red bricks as well. (I'm using them for my vegetable garden and also hoping to correct that bad area of soil erosion/natural waterfall we've got back there.) These bricks go for $.39/ea I've noticed, and there are STACKS of them out there! =D
Whilst we were foraging for non broken bricks, we noticed this giant box just sitting there. It is made from those wooden pallets, with some sort of compressed wood making up the sides of it. We decided it would make an excellent compost bin. My big hunk of man went back to the house for his car and parked it on the street. Then he rolled this bad boy through the mud and we hoisted it up onto the back of his car, like this:
I drove slowly, with all the kids in the car, and Brent trotted along behind, keeping the box from falling off. And THAT folks, is how ya get er dun!
Once we made it back to the house, we lowered it and Brent rolled it to the back and there it sits, next to remnants of our old compost...uhh.. thing.
We plan to put a divider in it, so as to have a sort of two box set up for turning the compost in and stuff. I'll keep you all posted. ;)
The kids and I built a little round box out of some of the bricks for the zucchini plant to go into, in between the rose bushes/diaper line.
Which they promptly climbed into.
And just because you need to understand that Charis is not posing, and simply has this expression on her face most of the time...
Slowly but surely, we are going to make our house a home. Keeping a tight budget (which is often $0) just means that we have to be a little more creative, and hopefully our neighbors will be patient with us!
Last year I started taking the kids for walks and toting back wagon-fulls of cultured stone, to create a flower bed border around the house. It's taken a lot of trips and I think I'm about 3/4 of the way done! Yesterday Brent came along on one such walk, and the goal was also to bring home a load of red bricks as well. (I'm using them for my vegetable garden and also hoping to correct that bad area of soil erosion/natural waterfall we've got back there.) These bricks go for $.39/ea I've noticed, and there are STACKS of them out there! =D
Whilst we were foraging for non broken bricks, we noticed this giant box just sitting there. It is made from those wooden pallets, with some sort of compressed wood making up the sides of it. We decided it would make an excellent compost bin. My big hunk of man went back to the house for his car and parked it on the street. Then he rolled this bad boy through the mud and we hoisted it up onto the back of his car, like this:
I drove slowly, with all the kids in the car, and Brent trotted along behind, keeping the box from falling off. And THAT folks, is how ya get er dun!
Once we made it back to the house, we lowered it and Brent rolled it to the back and there it sits, next to remnants of our old compost...uhh.. thing.
We plan to put a divider in it, so as to have a sort of two box set up for turning the compost in and stuff. I'll keep you all posted. ;)
The kids and I built a little round box out of some of the bricks for the zucchini plant to go into, in between the rose bushes/diaper line.
Which they promptly climbed into.
And just because you need to understand that Charis is not posing, and simply has this expression on her face most of the time...
Slowly but surely, we are going to make our house a home. Keeping a tight budget (which is often $0) just means that we have to be a little more creative, and hopefully our neighbors will be patient with us!
Would you like fries with that?
Posted by: Missi
Brent and I have been on about four dates by ourselves since Arwen was born.
We planned a weekend getaway for last weekend, which has never happened, and probably never will!
Brent wanted to whisk me away to Gatlinburg, TN for three days and leave the kids with my parents for the weekend. I've never left them for more than 8 hours, and even then they were safe at home with their daddy. Don't get me wrong, my parent's house is very safe... and really clean. After visiting for a few days it became clear that Ezra was going to drive them up the walls, and possibly destroy their house in the process. So, literally, right before we were to head out the door, I grabbed my boy up and took him with me.
I only took two pictures of our "romantic getaway" and here they are. I'll leave you to judge for yourself how "romantic" it was:
This was at Calhoun's- eating a fancy ribs dinner by fireside.
During a quiet evening stroll, we happened across a big rocking chair.
So, I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed that we had to take him with us. It was really the best choice. Really. But Brent and I really needed some time. He works hard and is gone a lot, and I wanted a little break (mainly, from Ezra- he's my highest needs child right now). It didn't happen, and truly, it is probably really unreasonable for us to think that we could leave our small children for three whole days.
Things almost seemed worse when we got back home. Then something magical happened.
Brent had to work as closing manager last night, which meant he wouldn't get off until around midnight sometime. I have trouble sleeping when he's not here, so we were just chatting away on the phone and both discovered we were hungry. Brent tossed out a totally random idea and it sounded good to me.
So, at 12:30 this morning, we snacked on Double Cheeseburgers, Fries, and Wine. And it was great. It was better than any of the fancy restaurants he vainly took me to in Gatlinburg. It was better than a weekend away. It was McD's (which you should know that I NEVER eat!), and it was cheap mountain wine, but it was sweet and wonderful.
The wine (and the time) made us so drowsy, we promptly passed out, without even brushing our teeth!
It was the most simple thing that Brent could have done to show that he cared, and it was all that I needed.
Today has been wonderful. I find it so much easier to be patient and loving with my kids when I know that my husband cares for me. I work harder, I smile more, and I talk softer.
Love the one your with!
We planned a weekend getaway for last weekend, which has never happened, and probably never will!
Brent wanted to whisk me away to Gatlinburg, TN for three days and leave the kids with my parents for the weekend. I've never left them for more than 8 hours, and even then they were safe at home with their daddy. Don't get me wrong, my parent's house is very safe... and really clean. After visiting for a few days it became clear that Ezra was going to drive them up the walls, and possibly destroy their house in the process. So, literally, right before we were to head out the door, I grabbed my boy up and took him with me.
I only took two pictures of our "romantic getaway" and here they are. I'll leave you to judge for yourself how "romantic" it was:
This was at Calhoun's- eating a fancy ribs dinner by fireside.
During a quiet evening stroll, we happened across a big rocking chair.
So, I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed that we had to take him with us. It was really the best choice. Really. But Brent and I really needed some time. He works hard and is gone a lot, and I wanted a little break (mainly, from Ezra- he's my highest needs child right now). It didn't happen, and truly, it is probably really unreasonable for us to think that we could leave our small children for three whole days.
Things almost seemed worse when we got back home. Then something magical happened.
Brent had to work as closing manager last night, which meant he wouldn't get off until around midnight sometime. I have trouble sleeping when he's not here, so we were just chatting away on the phone and both discovered we were hungry. Brent tossed out a totally random idea and it sounded good to me.
So, at 12:30 this morning, we snacked on Double Cheeseburgers, Fries, and Wine. And it was great. It was better than any of the fancy restaurants he vainly took me to in Gatlinburg. It was better than a weekend away. It was McD's (which you should know that I NEVER eat!), and it was cheap mountain wine, but it was sweet and wonderful.
The wine (and the time) made us so drowsy, we promptly passed out, without even brushing our teeth!
It was the most simple thing that Brent could have done to show that he cared, and it was all that I needed.
Today has been wonderful. I find it so much easier to be patient and loving with my kids when I know that my husband cares for me. I work harder, I smile more, and I talk softer.
Love the one your with!
Happy Garden Days-4/08/09
Posted by: Missi
My tomato and broccoli seedlings are just flourishing and I'm so thrilled. Already, I'm light years ahead of last year's garden disaster.
The broccoli seedlings needed to be transferred to bigger containers, so once again I'm using these little paper pots that my essential oils get delivered in. So thrifty nifty of me, if I do say so myself!
The spinach I planted is still taking some time to grow, but they aren't dead, so I'm hopeful. I planted a little late, so we'll just have to see how it goes.
Today, I started new seeds. I found more seeds from last year and got really excited!
In the egg crate in the back are Zinnias (flowers), the two pots in the middle are one zucchini and one watermelon, and the tray in the front is lavender seeds. The lavender seeds didn't do squat last year, but I probably planted them somewhere stupid. We'll see how these fair. =)
Just a couple more weeks and I'll be able to start sticking more seeds in my boxes and transplanting (hopefully) happy healthy plants that have already been started!
The broccoli seedlings needed to be transferred to bigger containers, so once again I'm using these little paper pots that my essential oils get delivered in. So thrifty nifty of me, if I do say so myself!
The spinach I planted is still taking some time to grow, but they aren't dead, so I'm hopeful. I planted a little late, so we'll just have to see how it goes.
Today, I started new seeds. I found more seeds from last year and got really excited!
In the egg crate in the back are Zinnias (flowers), the two pots in the middle are one zucchini and one watermelon, and the tray in the front is lavender seeds. The lavender seeds didn't do squat last year, but I probably planted them somewhere stupid. We'll see how these fair. =)
Just a couple more weeks and I'll be able to start sticking more seeds in my boxes and transplanting (hopefully) happy healthy plants that have already been started!
Must be all that protein I eat...
Posted by: Missi
Alright, how bout we discuss something a little less heavy while my kids destroy my upstairs bathroom?
My parents were in the middle of renovating their home and decided it was a good time to invite me and the kids over. In case you missed it, my kid's ages are 4 (going on 30), 3, and 17 months. It's every bit as fun as it sounds.
When we got there, none of my family was actually home, but the painter and the guy in charge (Mr. B) were there. Conveniently they were just getting to one of the lower walls in the most high traffic area of my parent's house. I really wish I had a picture so you could... well, get the picture, but just work with me.
Before we could leave the house, that wall only got touched about three times, brushed up against once or twice, and only about 19 close calls that left me stammering. At one point Arwen looked like she'd been finger painting in it, but proudly stated that "She didn't get much on her hands." Great!
Thankfully, both these men had small children at home and were very patient. However, I still caught some sideways glances that communicated to me that their kids are not as...unique...as mine. Oh, those whacky home school kids! =)
On day two, Arwen had practically made best friends with Mr. B and came bounding down the stairs up his arrival to exclaim, "I have had so much protein today that my brain is working really well!"
Now, statements like this get tossed around all day long at our home. Arwen asks questions, and I answer... ALL DAY. She is a very informed child, well versed on food types and ingredients.
Mr. B was quite taken aback at this announcement, and before he could even respond, Arwen went on to explain that she was still needing to "find some bread that didn't have any wheat in it". At this point it got fascinating to watch.
Mr. B grinned and said, "Well, all bread has wheat in it, silly."
Arwen looked at him as if he'd just said that everyone had 12 fingers or something. "Uuuuhhhh. No. It doesn't."
Now it was Mr. B's turn to look confused so I thought I'd explain. Somehow this lead to an explanation of where wheat came from, how it was made into flour, and how you could basically grind all sorts of things to make wheat free flour (other grains, rice, corn, beans, nuts, etc.).
Mr. B just stood there with his mouth open. "Your brain, like, works really well, doesn't it?" he said, waving his hands around his head.
I guess it's all that protein I eat!
Three days into our stay, they managed to finish up their work, despite our interruptions, and the house looked great! (Walls and floors intact.)
My parents were in the middle of renovating their home and decided it was a good time to invite me and the kids over. In case you missed it, my kid's ages are 4 (going on 30), 3, and 17 months. It's every bit as fun as it sounds.
When we got there, none of my family was actually home, but the painter and the guy in charge (Mr. B) were there. Conveniently they were just getting to one of the lower walls in the most high traffic area of my parent's house. I really wish I had a picture so you could... well, get the picture, but just work with me.
Before we could leave the house, that wall only got touched about three times, brushed up against once or twice, and only about 19 close calls that left me stammering. At one point Arwen looked like she'd been finger painting in it, but proudly stated that "She didn't get much on her hands." Great!
Thankfully, both these men had small children at home and were very patient. However, I still caught some sideways glances that communicated to me that their kids are not as...unique...as mine. Oh, those whacky home school kids! =)
On day two, Arwen had practically made best friends with Mr. B and came bounding down the stairs up his arrival to exclaim, "I have had so much protein today that my brain is working really well!"
Now, statements like this get tossed around all day long at our home. Arwen asks questions, and I answer... ALL DAY. She is a very informed child, well versed on food types and ingredients.
Mr. B was quite taken aback at this announcement, and before he could even respond, Arwen went on to explain that she was still needing to "find some bread that didn't have any wheat in it". At this point it got fascinating to watch.
Mr. B grinned and said, "Well, all bread has wheat in it, silly."
Arwen looked at him as if he'd just said that everyone had 12 fingers or something. "Uuuuhhhh. No. It doesn't."
Now it was Mr. B's turn to look confused so I thought I'd explain. Somehow this lead to an explanation of where wheat came from, how it was made into flour, and how you could basically grind all sorts of things to make wheat free flour (other grains, rice, corn, beans, nuts, etc.).
Mr. B just stood there with his mouth open. "Your brain, like, works really well, doesn't it?" he said, waving his hands around his head.
I guess it's all that protein I eat!
Three days into our stay, they managed to finish up their work, despite our interruptions, and the house looked great! (Walls and floors intact.)
Menu- Pregnancy Week # 13
Posted by: Missi
M- Salmon & Spinach
T- Homemade Hamburger Helper
W- Beans and Rice
Th- Turkey Burger & Sweet Potato
Fr- Chicken and something else
Sa- Beans and Rice
Sun- Slow Cooker Beef and Veggie Soup
Produce:
grapes
fruit on sale
bananas, bananas, bananas, and more bananas for the resident monkey (Ezra)
okra
spinach
salmon
Dairy:
eggs- 18
butter
large cottage cheese
1/2 gal milk
Grocery:
cashews
raisins
honey
olive oil
jelly
spiral noodles (amaranth)
oats
crushed tomatoes
Frozen:
bagels-sprouted
mix veggies
Meat/Cheese:
2 block mozzarella
1 block cheddar
hot dogs
chicken
ground turkey
ground beef
Bakery:
WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER
T- Homemade Hamburger Helper
W- Beans and Rice
Th- Turkey Burger & Sweet Potato
Fr- Chicken and something else
Sa- Beans and Rice
Sun- Slow Cooker Beef and Veggie Soup
Produce:
grapes
fruit on sale
bananas, bananas, bananas, and more bananas for the resident monkey (Ezra)
okra
spinach
salmon
Dairy:
eggs- 18
butter
large cottage cheese
1/2 gal milk
Grocery:
cashews
raisins
honey
olive oil
jelly
spiral noodles (amaranth)
oats
crushed tomatoes
Frozen:
bagels-sprouted
mix veggies
Meat/Cheese:
2 block mozzarella
1 block cheddar
hot dogs
chicken
ground turkey
ground beef
Bakery:
WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER
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