2 Years in the Planning...

For 43 years, the descendants of my great grandmother Julia and great grandfather Andrew Fleming have gathered every year around the time of the 4th of July and spent 3 days connecting and reconnecting to family.  In 1973, I was the youngest at the reunion and that was my first reunion.  Like most of those early reunions, it was at Camp Joy and there was no pool, only a creek; there was no air conditioning (except in the chapel), only screened cabins and lots of fans in the dining hall.  There was nothing to keep snakes and wasps out of the shower house, and we thought the camp was great because the toilets flushed.  However, we also thought the Camp Joy was great because it reflected our family values.  It had a chapel, a horseshoe pit and lots of great outdoors to explore with cousins...all the stuff you need to make great memories.

So 2 years ago, I was elected to be Secretary for this year's Family Reunion.  I was excited to get to help plan it because planning is what I do EVERYDAY at home and at work.  However, I was also nervous because I knew our family's reunion expectations had outgrown just "a chapel, a horseshoe pit and lots of great outdoors."  People now expected air conditioning, who am I kidding, I expect air conditioning!  As family members have aged, people now need sidewalks, ramps, wider doorways, grab bars and shorter walking distances too to name a few issues.  Once again these are all things that I can appreciate too, especially with my family.

2011 Invite Cover

The planning started with preparing an invite with large print (14 font or bigger) on most major sections.  Then continued to preparing a menu that could allow diets choices for diabetics, no glutin, low cards, low salt and low fat diets and that kids would eat too...that was as easy as it sounds.  Compromises had to be ultimately made but most meals met my goals through offering variety.  Then the planning unfortunately had to include finding a camp as our usual camp had double booked our weekend.  I looked at 8 camps.  I saw neat ideas and terrible set ups; high price$ AND  lots of hills, steps, walking, gravel and little air conditioning.  Finally we found a camp in Niangua, Missouri that had a chapel, place to put horseshoes (the official "sport" of the family), and lots of great outdoors; but it also had sidewalks, curbless showers, grab bars, and LOTS of GREAT air conditioning.  (When we rented they also had a pool, but it ended up being torn out before our visit.)



Judging the pie contest.

Attendance was down this year in part to all the flooding along the Missouri River that has I-29 underwater and in part to gas prices, but we had 104 family members attend the reunion with some even driving around all the closed flooded roads to join us.  I think everyone had a good time, and I know the 12.5%, of the crowd that are my immediate family, LOVED it!  However, David says he's only going next year if his cousin Evan is there.

The last month has incuded all the final preparations and my front foyer became completely filled with food, paper products, games, prizes, etc. Now the reunion is over and my foyer is empty and I've enjoyed a nice long post reunion nap and I'm taking comfort in knowing the family rules say there has to be 6 years between being asked to serve again.  So now I have video and photos to turn into a DVD for everyone who attended and the minutes to type up and then my reunion work will be done.

2011 Bumper Sticker

Jon & Milk



Being in this leg brace position 24/7 for
6 to 8 weeks, it is wearing on Jon.



Jon has been having a rough time since surgery.  About 10 days ago, he started having some skin breakdown from his brace rubbing when he has muscle spasms.  Then over the weekend before last, 4 of the 6 areas became full-blown, open, nasty, pressure sores.  Since then we have had the area cultured and Jon has been on several antibiotics.  I am pleased to report that all the original spots are showing signs for improvement and healing, but now he has 2 newer spots trying to form.  Jon is finally getting more comfortable, but he is still in a lot of pain and especially at night.  Last nights thunder storms had his muscles tense and spasming and he slept very little.  Thankfully so far tonight, he is sleeping well.  Please continue to pray for Jon.

Someone my mom knows blessed us with lots of milk the last couple weeks.  It is lactose-free milk, but our kids cannot taste the difference.  I've lost count, but I think we have been given 9 to 12 gallons.  It was close to the expiration date so I froze it.  The kids think it is awesome to have so much milk and they have been devouring it!  Honestly, it goes so fast that I haven't even tried it.  I'm constantly amazed at God's provisions that just shows-up...like the bags of clothes in our garage last week...what a blessing!

"Thank you Lord for leading people our way with supplies that we can use.  We appreciate the gift, the giver and Your guidance in getting the items we need to us. Amen"

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them

shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Matthew 10:29-30

Jon's Surgery

Jon had this picture taken by Anita
in May.  She does such a good job.

Jon's surgery was a week ago Monday and at first he was doing really well.  However, the past few days have been hard and he has been especially uncomfortable.  Pain control has been more spotty and an hour or more before it is time for more medication, Jon is in pain.  Of all our children, Jon is the hardest for me to see in pain.  Especially now, when there is little that I can do to offer relief.  Please keep Jon in your thoughts and prayers.  I talk to the nurse in St. Louis again on Monday and hopefully she can offer some new options for pain control.

Blessings

I do an aweful job blogging the "stuff" that falls out of heaven and into our home just when we need it and I need to get better at documenting it because the volume of "stuff" is simply....unbelieveable.  This week we were given 11 cases of pediasure through a friend of a former William Woods University student.  We usually use 150 cans a month and I have been paying $50 per case....so yes, we were given $550 worth of Pediasure, which will last us two months!  BIG thank you to my NEW favorite former student and her daughters who even delivered it!  Plus this week, we were given 18 quarts of lactose free milk from a friend of my mom. 

I went grocery shopping last night and spent $695.60 (and I forgot hot dog buns)!  So far with grocery prices on the rise, I've been able to hold to our budgeted $1000 per month, but even with coupons and using price matches, it couldn't be done without the "stuff" that finds its way to bless us and our home.

But my God shall supply all your need

according to his riches in glory by

Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:19

Info on Helping Joplin

Many people have been contacting me to see how to help the people of Joplin who have lost so much in the tornado.  I have been working with several groups and here are the things that I can tell you.

DONATIONS OF "STUFF"
With the exception of plus size clothing for men and women, there is SO much!  Churches and other help groups are currently struggling to manage/organize all the generous gifts.  Please wait to bring furniture or send a list with photos first and let it be matched with a need so the items can go directly to the persons new temporary home.  Send items like hand soap, diapers, BABY WIPES, big trash bags, plastic tubs with lids (to put found items like photos in, especially since it keeps raining) and work gloves.  There are several places to take these including the following:

• Missouri Southern State University,
• Forest Park Baptist Church/Samaritan's Purse,  
• College Heights Church,
• Mystery Church on 5th and Main (call them for specific needs list), and
• New Creation Church on 19th and Conner (needs volunteers to help organize donations).   

DONATIONS OF TIME
There are two main areas of need: clean-up and organizing/sorting donations.  College Heights & Forest Park/Samaritan's Purse sends out groups all day.  MSSU can only send out groups at 8am each morning.  MSSU and New Creation Church needs help sorting, but there are numerous others.  If you know when you want to come to the area, let me know and I can probably link you to a specific project.  For example, today our pediatrician's office needed help painting their new temporary location so they could move in faster.

DONATIONS OF MONEY
 Everyone is collecting funds and lots of funds will be needed.  However I recommend "Angels Over Joplin".  100% of the proceeds will go directly and quickly to storm victims.  It has been set up by volunteers and there is no administration fees.  Right now, the Schroeder family will match all donations up to $50,000. Their companies lost their headquarters & 300 apartments, BUT they are still giving generously during this time of need. I'm really impressed by their actions. I've worked for them on projects since 1996 and I've always liked what I see and hear at their low income housing properties. HOWEVER, their own loss is TREMENDOUS so this matching gift really makes me proud to be affiliated with their companies!



Senior Apartment residents of this property on
Rex Street will benefit from "Angels Over Joplin".

If you would like to be an Angel over Joplin, please send your donation to Arvest Bank of Joplin at 701 S. Main St., Joplin, MO 64801, Attn: Jackie Schell. Please make checks payable to "Angels Over Joplin", a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation, making your donation tax deductible. At least 50% of the funds will go to those who lost their apartments, of which most are low income and many are seniors.  It is my understanding that FEMA provides very little for those who lived in rented apartments. 

And do not forget to do good and to share

 with others, for with such sacrifices

God is pleased.--Hebrews 13:16

Jon & Blogging



Our Pediatrician's office (top floor) in Joplin.  They will have
a temporary office next week.  I cannot find a picture of
my doctor's office as there doesn't seem to be anything
left.  Our eye doctor's office is gone too.



Jon's hip surgery on Monday went well and he has only had one set back.  Today they had to give him a blood transfusion due to his blood count falling and his heart racing.  Originally Jon was expected to be in the hospital until Monday, but yesterday the doctors in St. Louis wanted him to come home and be monitored by our pediatrician. However, with the tornado damage in Joplin, we advocated for them to keep him and get him in a more stable condition.  We explained that our doctor's office doesn't exist anymore; she is working out of the Memorial Hall (a civic center) and the only hospital has enough to handle.  Daddy is with him this week and I'm ready for Jon and Daddy to be home, but I want Jon's pain to be controlled and for it to be safe for him to be here.

I have a general policy, not to blog unless I'm "basically" caught up on my "real" jobs....of course, I NEVER really feel caught up, but this month has been exceptionally bad.  I have overdue post-placement reports, invites to the family reunion that are still being returned to me, and more new work pouring in than I have time for AND then there was a tornado in Joplin....you may have heard about it :) We did not have any storm damage other than some water that got into the basement so we are very thankful.  However, just 11 miles north, there are so many needs, so much saddness and so much hope.....SO...I apologize for my blog absence this month, but maybe this weekend will help me "get on top of all my many irons sitting in the fire".  Please keep our family & our community in your prayers.  Pray that the Lord will guide us and allow us to be a real help to those in need around us.  

"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom:

She and her daughters were arrogant,

overfed and unconcerned;

they did not help the poor and needy."

~Ezekiel 16:49

Busy Week Ahead

This week is going to be a busy one and based on the price of gas, an expensive one!

Today, Nate has a check-up this afternoon and then I head to Branson to teach.  Before, I get to Branson, I have to grade some student  research papers and make final correction on the test that I'm giving them.  I'll get home around midnight, and at 7am I'll be on the road to St. Louis Children's for Jon.  My mom is coming to stay so Corrine can get to violin this evening and tomorrow.  Plus the boys can get their therapies.



A cute picture of the twins hugging taken by Anita at
In His Image Photography



Wednesday, I go see the attorney on adoption stuff and hopefully get a good nap.  I need to get three survey reports written as soon as possible.  Then Thursday is Grace's orthodontist appt in Springfield, but so far that is ALL that day.  Friday is the BIG day....4 eye doctor appointments, followed by a meeting for Hannah and a check-up for Corrine.

This weekend Mr. Workman has a debate tounament so it will seem like a long weekend for me.  Then next Monday is 3 eye doctor appointments and teaching in Branson again; followed by an early morning departure for Nate and I to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock.  Nate has an audiology and ENT appointment to see about getting a sleep study done.  THEN life settles down to its usual pace of teaching, a couple appointments per week, 3 therapists here on 4 days a week until May 23rd which is Jon's hip surgery.  Please keep Jon in your thoughts and prayers as this will be a tough surgery.

Many are emailing & asking:  Ecomom is working on the judging so no news there.  There were so many compeling entries that I expect it might take the judges a while to decide.  We appreciate your thought and prayers of support!

Awesome Friends

Today was such a nice relaxing, yet productive day!  My friends and their friends provided some wonderful amusement as they worked to get us votes in the Ecomom Facebook competition!  And as a BONUS everyone leaving comments made me feel even more overly BLESSED!

PRODUCTIVITY
I was able to finish a "bunch" of stuff for the Family Reunion since I was at the computer today.  I got invitations, check lists, and maps finished.  I finished adoption post placement reports on 7 kids AND had time to visit through instant messenger!  And if my Monday night students are reading this....yes, I finished writing your test...I know you are relieved that it will be ready. ;)

AMUSEMENTS
Friends provided much amusement today as they worked to get Facebook friends to vote for us.  Glenda sat the Allan children on the task and they take tasks VERY seriously!  I don't think it was accidental that we moved from 4th to 3rd place within an hour or so of their being on the job, but when your family runs an orphanage in rural Ecuador on a tight & creative budget, well...let's just say those kids have the skills to do any job!


Doesn't he look great without his Oxygen?
We want more "cordless" time than just pictures.
We're hoping a healthier home can help.



Other friends went above and beyond with emails, tweets and phone calls to friends.  A cousin (who has replaced her dad as "My Favorite Cousin") had it put in her church's youth announcements AND assured me that I am not old, just because I can only handle one instant message conversation at a time. 

However, my favorite message of the day said, "I'm having trouble voting, my wife says I have to be your friend."  Luckily, after he became my friend he was able to follow the link and vote.  I better enjoy having him as a friend now because he'll probably unfriend me on Monday! ;)

Truly I feel wonderful knowing so many people care about our family.

LEAVING COMMENTS
Also so many have said such nice things about our family when they voted, but I am most proud of the TYPES of comments everyone is leaving.  All of the comments are about our family's love, care & awesomeness!  NO ONE has hit my pet peeve by talking about what our family is "missing".  As you know, some folks in this world see our family and think things OR even SAY things like "That poor woman in a wheelchair and then to have all those kids with problems".  Of course, nothing sets me off more than pity!  My kids do not have problems!  My kids have diverse abilities and are perfectly beautiful children in every way!  BUT the impressive thing is that ALL my friend and family "get it" and shared it in their comments and in their Facebook statuses.

I would argue with everyone saying we "deserve" this, but I'm feeling so extra blessed that people feel we are doing a good job with what the Lord has already blessed us with!  There are SO many deserving families asking for votes and we have been blessed with such a lovely home and such amazing kids that I feel selfish asking to make it better!  I must say, no matter if we win or not, this experience has been such a blessing and a boost!  Thank you to EVERYONE!  Have a HAPPY and blessed Easter!  Please vote for us one last time and enjoy a great day with your family!

We are in 6th place!!!!!

Some people are having trouble voting or think they voted and were't logged into facebook so it did not count their vote.  Please make sure your vote counted by following the link again to make sure it says "I Voted", where it did have the "Vote" link on the lower right side.

The link is below.  People can vote daily, but it ends Monday at 3am!


http://apps.facebook.com/ecomomcontest/contests/107279/voteable_entries/19488337?ogn=facebook
 
Of course, feel free to "friend-me" on facebook and you can go to my wall for the link!
 
Thank YOU for VOTING!!!!!  This is AMAZING!

Problems voting from blog

Some people who have voted from te blog link do not have their votes being counted!  Please sign into facebook before voting.  On facebook you can go to my wall or to ECOMOM for the link to vote. Thanks!!!!

I stand...ummm sit....ummm U know what I mean...AMAZED!!!



Okay as of midnight, we are in 7th place, which is unreal! 

I cannot believe the number of people who have responded to requests to vote for us! 

We are truly blessed with supportive friends and family! 



Nate who would benefit the most.



So we need to stay in the top 10

until Sunday night when the

contest ends for a chance to win. 

I would say, "impossible", BUT

after going from 15th to 12th

to 7th place in 48 hours...

well, I'm not making any limiting judgements about our friends, our family or our God! 

REMEMBER:  EVERYONE with Facebook can VOTE every 24 hours. 

The link is below. 

12th Place!

For those of you who haven't heard, right now

we are in 12th place for a $75,000 healthy home makeover! 

The winner will be selected from the top 10 places and the voting ends Easter Sunday night.  I CANNOT believe that we are THIS close to qualifying as finalist!  Our friends, family and their friends are amazing me!  I feel so blessed just seeing such an outpouring of support!

As the contest goes on, we have learned more about the types of things that are included such as all new Bosch appliances (& some of you know how I LOVE my Bosch washer/dryer!), new dust mite resistant mattresses, the latest in allergy free flooring, and so much technology/advancements that we had never even heard of or dreamed existed.  Truly, not just Nate could breathe easier, BUT it would improve all our allergy and sensitivity issues.  Of course, we haven't qualified yet, but just the update information that we have received from Ecomom's has been VERY helpful in rethinking how to improve the air quality and overall healthiness in our home. 

So if you are a Facebook user and get a chance please go to Ecomom and vote for our family. When you click on the Ecomom link in my blog, it will take you right to our entry. You scroll down and clink on the vote link on the right side.  It is very easy!  Plus you can vote everyday through Sunday!

If you have not already, please consider posting this so your friends can vote for us too.  If you have Easter dinner guest invite them to log onto Facebook and vote....is that going too far?  Badgering Easter guest?  Probably, but this is an amazing situation...I NEVER dreamed we would be this close to qualifying...THIS IS REALLY EXCITING!

Contests & Cookie Sheets

Okay, I'm in a bit of a dilemma...I like to focus on being content and happy, not just with people, but with things too.  For example, just because I have only one old cookie sheet I don't go buy another because my bottom oven rack burns cookies and I can only have one cookie sheet in the oven at one time anyway.  I try to focus on repairing, not replacing and limiting expenses for things that I think are pretty or fashionable.  I figure that I have the prettiest of all fashion and decorations, in my ever-changing, growing children, AND nothing is more beautiful than them!

So when someone told me about a contest on FB to win $75,000 healthy home makeover, well, I just did what I usually do and said to myself, "Oh that's nice."  BUT then I started thinking about all the "stuff" on my wish list and all the good stuff it could do for my kids AND oh, I was so tempted to enter!  BUT I think contests make people--or at least me, discontent--I think it makes us change our priorities and we start thinking we "deserve" something....BUT oh, how wonderful it would be...SO I CAVED!  I entered. 

The contest only goes until April 24th and we only have a chance to win if we are in the top 10 for receiving the most votes on facebook so yes it is highly unlikely we will win.  Considering that I already CAVED, if you are on facebook and have a few minutes drop by this link:  Ecomom and vote for us.

This is our wish list if we win:

• New heating and air unit-The one we have now is too small for our house because when the previous owns built on, they did not increase the size of the heating and air unit.  The a/c freezes up about 4 times per summer and always on the hottest days.  Since Nate cannot handle the heat well, we retreat to the mall, the (non-smoking) bowling alley or other air conditioned family friendly places until it thaws several hours later.  Plus Grace's room is never as warm or cool as it should be so this would end her needing extra fan/heater.  (The heater always makes me nervous.)  We had priced fixing this before and it was $14,000.
• Air filtration system to improve breathing for Nate.  Others like Jon, Hannah and myself with allergies will benefit too, but Nate will notice this one the most! We price this before and it was $2800.
• Water filtration system would end our purchasing water for Nate.  We think this would be around $1000.
• Remove carpeting from the downstairs and replace with a dust free option.  We think $6500.
• Add a second w/d that is energy efficient.
• Enlarge my raised bed garden.
• Install a roll-in shower for Jon in the downstairs bathroom so he can get a "real" bath easier.  Right now he gets bed baths and a real bath 2x a month. We had gotten a price on this before and it was $5000.)*
• Install a lift between the upstairs and the downstairs.  This will make it much easier to get Jon, Vanessa, laundry & myself up/down.  (Varies $12,000 & up)*

*We don't know if they will consider these within the guideline, but these were already on our future expenses list anyway so I'm putting it on this list!

So now I just have to avoid the daily articles that Ecomom sends me on "stuff" that I "need" for my home until April 24th AND if I get too discontent, then I guess I can splurge and get myself a cookie sheet at a yard sale!  (Oh, see there...this is why I hate contests and sweepstakes...already has me thinking about another cookie sheet!)

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.--Psalms 23:1

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned,

in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. --Philippians 4:11

Pain

Pain is a topic that most people do not want to hear about and it is a topic that only the most socially inept discuss at any length.  In fact we all frequently say, "How are you?".  But what we mean is tell me everything is fine, and rarely do we challenge a person for more details. 

So today's blog is about my pain so if you're asking "how am I?" well the answer lately is "not fine".  Since November, my artritis pain and joint swelling has been at an all time high.  I've caved into taking more than trusty Mega Red Krill Oil (which in my opinion is the best natural arthritist pain remedy in the world) and I'm popping a pain pill daily and sometime twice daily.  Yet the pain continues.  My hand, my foot, my hips, my tailbone and my stump.....yes, even my stump!  I cannot believe the "dumb luck" of having my foot amputated and having the doctor leave just enough of the joint to be able to have arthritis and swelling! So needless to say I've been to the doctor and I'm getting set up with a new arthritis specialist, but they cannot get me in until July. Hopefully, the new specialist will have an answer that I can live with and which I am willing to take.  The last specialist a number of years ago, gave me a drug previously used for chemo therapy which turned out to zap my energy and caused some dangerous side effects.

I have always had pain in my "bad" hip, and if that pain disappeared I'd probably panic and think I had died.  I'm not sure exactly why my "bad" hip always hurts, but it can probably be best explained by the fact that my hip was a playground for various "practicing" surgeons while I was younger.  HOWEVER, I'd definately be pinching myself if it stopping hurting.  I've frequently had pains in my hand and foot too, BUT  the "new" pain is a problem because it causes swelling, reducing my flexibility.  I hate to reach down to the floor.  I hate to stand or hop on my foot.  I hate to get on the floor, because I KNOW I'll have to get up.  THESE are all REGULAR stuff that I have ALWAYS done and suddenly I avoid them.  Needless to say, I've gained weight because I'm moving less SO I'm determined to find time to get some stretching in each day and maybe even some aquatherapy. However finding time with 10 kids is going to be tricky, but it has to happen!

Please keep me and my new aches, pains and swollen joints in your prayers.  I miss getting on the floor to play with the boys and I REALLY miss being able to ignore the pain, which was previously only my reminder and assurance that I was alive.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches,

in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake:

for when I am weak, then am I strong. --2 Corinthians 12:10

Blessings (Check-in)

Well, its been three months since the New Year and I blogged about our budget.  I talked about our hopes and our plans for the funds God gives us this year.  You may remember that our goals were the following:

1. to help us quickly pay off the $4500 in medical bills we accumulated in October 2010 (deductible & co-insurance time)
2. to put braces on Corrine's teeth
3. to pay into our emergency fund to bring it back up where it was when the boys arrived
4. to finish fencing the back yard and pouring a concrete patio
5. to install a new deck with a ramp into the backyard
6. and if all this is accomplished...then saving to fund our emergency fund by an extra 50%
7. and if God REALLY blesses, then a second washer and dryer hook-up and a super large capacity washer and dryer

I happy to report that the pay off on our original medical is down to $1,100.  Arkansas Children's Hospital gave us a Charity Grant for $2,025.  Then St. John's agreed to accept 65% on a $675 bill, and of course we've been making payments.  Since January 1st we also received an 80% discount from St. Louis Children's on the private pay portion of Vanessa's care.  With Vanessa having hip surgery, this is very important to help avoid new medical debt!

Number 1, 2 and some of 3 should be accomplished when our tax return finally arrives.  Oddly enough, we made progress on #7 because my cousin Brenda gave us a dryer.  I don't have a hook-up for it yet, but the dryer is here and ready! (I am so excited and thankful to Brenda!)

Food expenses have been on the rise (in case you haven't noticed!) and my goal of $1000 per month for all household (food, diaper, formula, cleaning supplies, clothes, gifts and shoes) has been reachable with the help of  ad matches and coupons.  Our family has 5 birthdays in April and May so there are some soup bean dinners in our future this month and next.  Sometimes I wonder how it is that our kids don't seem to notice that more beans, more pancakes, more grilled cheese sandwiches, more spaghetti, and more creative uses of tuna ALWAYS precedes holidays and birthdays!

I'm super thankful that we are only about 6 to 8 weeks away from getting to eat out of our garden (and our friends' and family's gardens).  With prices increasing, I cannot believe more people aren't planting gardens this year!  I had already planned herbs, lettuce, spinach and radishes.  Today David and I planted 8 tomato plants.  Tomorrow I'm hoping to get some green beans and peas out.

Dishwasher Soap & other failures

I have been trying since New Year's to perfect a homemade dishwasher soap (liquid or powder).  So far each batch is an improvement, but I'm still not yet pleased with any of them.  This last batch reminded me of the Palmolive Eco Friendly stuff at the store.  My dishes got clean, but some plastics had a filmy white coat on them.  I didn't like it when I bought it at the store and don't like it even when I can make 7 times as much for the price at home.  However, my search will continue and I'll keep you posted if I find an affordable alternative to Finish (R) dishwasher detergents.

In my quest for dishwasher soap, I discovered an old soap called Kirk's Castile Soap.  It's been on the market since 1839 and it is for hard water.  Plus its hypo-allergenic, all-vegetable based and it has amazing lather.  Its clean feeling like Ivory, but it is less drying.  I think someone with dry skin (like my younger kids) would still find it too drying, but normal to oil skin would enjoy this fresh clean soap.  The soap is very hard and it does not melt away if left on the ledge of the tub in a puddle of water by a spouse, for a tested example.  The link to buy Kirk's from Amazon is on my picks at the lower left of this page.  I think you will be impressed.

Now I must confess that there are homemade products out there that I love, like those I've shared this month, but there are others that unlike dishwasher soap, did not result in even finding a new, fabulous bath bar.  For example, making baby wipes is not for everyone.  I got icky, soggy, slimy, wet paper towels when I first tried it.  Plus in order for my "homemade" wipes to work, I had to use top of the line Bounty so 400 wipes cost me $3.50.  I can do almost as well with coupons and sales on brand name baby wipes so the budget is going to need to get tighter before I start making our own slimy baby wipes.

I must ALSO confess that I have some "dream" make-at-home-for-less recipes that I have not yet been able to find....things like scrubbing bubbles bathroom cleaner, disposable diapers, trash bags with the drawstring, tissue paper (Kleenex), and infants Tylenol....although I did make aspirin in Chemistry lab in college (BUT I wouldn't have tried it, even for bunches of money)....HOWEVER, if there was something that I could spin straw into, it would NOT be gold.  It would be Angel Soft Toilet Paper.  We use shocking amounts per month and I still have 4 in diapers full time!  This month I tracked our usage and this morning I put out double rolls 72, 73, and 74!  I am officially on a campaign to educate my family on how much toilet paper is actually needed to do the job.  If education cannot reduce usage of TP, then Plan B may be to encourage the family to use the restroom at school, church, friend's houses and not so much at home...if we lived closer to a city park, I'd close the home bathrooms from dawn to dusk! (Joking!...Sort of...NO, no, what am I thinking...well, its a good thing the park is a long ways away!  I don't have to be tempted! ) My husband is doubting that my efforts to conserve and shift costs will work so he is praying for a stock-up sale price tip from the Crazy Coupon Lady.  I, on the other hand, am hoping for a an April Fools morning with toilet paper still on the roll and with my Kirk's Castile Soap on dry "land" in the shower...I guess a wife and mom can dream! 

But who may abide the day of his coming?

and who shall stand when he appeareth?

for he [is] like a refiner's fire,

and like fullers' soap --Malachi 3:2

Carla's Recipes

My cousin Carla always had a new recipe to try out on us at family gatherings.  From her teen years (my earliest memories), I remember her always bringing a new recipe to reunions or when just visiting.  It was usually dessert and it was usually, unusual but delicious!  As a small tribute to Carla I am going to share a few of my favorite Carla recipes.  And yes, they are all desserts!

Apple Pie

Kneed together:

1/2 cup Butter

1 cup Flour 

And pat out in the pie pan.  (This is the bottom crust.)

Mix 6 cups sliced fresh apples, 1 1/2 cup sugar, 3 T. Flour & 1 t. cinnamon.

This is the filling.  Put it in the pie pan.

Mix 1 cup melted butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1 cup flour. 

Pat out by hand and lay on top of the apples in the pie pan. 

(I pat it out on wax paper and then put it on top.)

Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown. (About 35-45 minutes)

Zucchini Bread

3 cups raw grated, unpeeled zucchini

1 cup oil

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar (1 brown & 1 white)

1 t. salt

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. baking soda

1 t. baking powder

1 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts)

1 1/2 cup coconut

3 eggs

2 t. vanilla  

Mix together.  For variations, add canned fruit or raisins. 

(I sometimes omit the nuts.) Put in small loaf pans.

Cook at 325 degrees for 60 to 90 minutes depending on the size of the loafs.

This is a VERY moist bread and freezes well.

Zucchini Brownies

Cream together:

1/2 c oleo

 1 1/2 c sugar

 2 eggs

Mix in 2 c flour

1 t baking soda

 1/2 tsp cinnamon

2 T. cocoa

Then stir in 2 c grated zucchini

1 c chocolate chips

and chopped nuts if desired

Bake at 350 degrees in 9X13 greased and

floured pan for 40-45 minutes. Frost if desired or eat as is. 

My kids like it with Hershey syrup drizzled over it.

Freezes well unfrosted.



Photo from 2009:  Grace & David eating strawberries
dipped  in sour cream and brown sugar.  Carla, Corrine
& Grandma are visiting in the background. 



Carla and our cousin Brenda taught my kids the "only" way to eat strawberries.  Hold on to your hats because this is weird and even weirder is the fact that ALL my kids like it.  Dip a fresh strawberry in sour cream and then in brown sugar and enjoy!  I don't agree with my kids about it being the "only" way, but it is a very delicious way to enjoy fresh strawberries!

What a week!

It all started Monday morning and the week has done its best to roll right over me.  So when I was trying to figure our what I made this week...well the only answer that came to mind was ..... MESSES!  Yep, it was that "good" of week! 


Pre-inflating the new MicKey button
to make sure it didn't leak before
putting it in Nate's side.



Monday morning 5am Mr. Workman went to connect Nate to his feeding tube while I was showering.  He soon discovered Nate's Mic-Key button (which is the part that goes through Nate's side and into his stomach) laying on the bed next to Nate.  It was dry so it had been out for awhile.  The hole for a feeding tube closes quickly, if the tube comes out...so needless to say PANIC ensued after this discovery.  We had some spare part such as a variety of sized catheters left from Jon's problems with his button, and we were able to get a smaller sized catheter in the hole to keep in from closing up more.  However, due to the awkwardness of the catheter and limits of what tape can hold, Nate kept pulling out the catheters!  Very stressful morning!  PLUS Ed's car was in the shop so he HAD to take a sick day so I would have a car to get Nate's new button.

So Monday was a wreck of a day,  Mr Workman and I got to put in Nate's new button ourselves at 2:30pm when the supplier finally found it.  We immediately hooked a VERY grouchy Nate to eat and he went to sleep.  We assumed our excitement for the week was over, but it was just starting!

To fast forward through the highlights, that evening we went to get the Prius from the garage and they would not accept our check because the check number was not printed in magnetic ink at the bottom of the check near the routing and account number.  The bank was already closed so we couldn't just go get cash.  No car until Wednesday afternoon!  Grace has the National Christian HomeSchool Basketball Championships playoffs in Springfield this week so I took her to grandma's before coming home and crashing in bed.



Anita at In His Image did take some
awesome new photos of Nate this week.



Tuesday:   Grace's team lost their first game of the Championship and the orthodontist found a cavity at her appointment today. Our babysitter for Wednesday had to cancel at the last minute.  A BIG thank you to Layna who agreed to babysit with less than 10 hours notice!  Saddest part of the day was my cousin Carla was transferred to the Hospice House in Omaha.  This is Mr. Workman's long day with college class so when he got home at 10pm, I was exhausted.

Wednesday:  Was THE immigration appointment for Nate.  It went well, but no answers were reached so time continues to tick on when we could be forced to return him to Haiti.  Everyone tells us not to worry because its being worked on, but nothing seems to be happening!  As a cherry on the top of the day, Mr. Workman messed up his substitute plans for the day!  I knew I had let home stresses get to him to have something like this happen!  BUT we did get our car from the garage with cash and Grace's team WON their game today.



Carla & I around 1975



Thursday:  My cousin Carla passed away.  When you have a large family, you have members who everyone knows because they are a friend to everyone, they value family connections and they are at reunions and gatherings.  Then you have others that only their immediate family know.  Carla is one that everyone in our large family knew and loved.  Her obituary written by her nieces does a great job of explaining the wonderful life Carla lived.  The sadness is overwhelming...  (Grace got her cavity filled today and her team WON again.  Mr. Workman had parent teacher conferences tonight & it was a half day at school AND 6 months ago I agreed to speak at a Springfield HR group luncheon today.  I ran behind all day, but got it all done thanks to Sis. Anderson's help with my kiddos.  Finally, got the kids to bed and worked on taxes until Mr. Workman got home.  Not my best work today, but the day is done and sometimes that has to be good enough.)

Friday:  The kids are out of school and I was exhausted already.  I made spaghetti & meatballs for lunch in hopes of leftovers for supper....wrong!  The kids ate 60 of 64 meatballs and 4 of the 5 pounds of pasta for lunch!  Overall fun day with the kids.  We played, but they also entertained each other so I could get some of my work caught up.  They were SO good overall.

Today:  This morning we learned that Hannah's special education teacher, Bonnie Gary, had a brain tumor discovered yesterday and it is being removed today.  We are asking friends to add her to their personal & church prayer lists.

For this God is our God for ever and ever:

he will be our guide even unto death.--Psalms 48:14

My Crock Pot Favorites!

I love my crock pots! Yes I said pots. Plural. It is not uncommon for us to eat 3 or 4 meals a week out of the crock pot. A couple years ago, after the tornado, I used a crock pot daily and our construction workers would say the delicious smells were very distracting. One worker said that he never let his wife cook in a crock pot because it all tastes the same. A bowl of roast & veggies later, and he was asking for some recipes to take home along with the crock pot that he said he would be picking up on the way home! It made me feel good to know that it wasn't just my imagination that crock pot meals are super flavorful.

Italian Chicken

4-6 chicken breast (frozen or thawed)

1 cup chicken broth or other liquid

1 block of cream cheese

1 packet of Italian Dressing Seasoning Mix

Toss all this in the crock pot in the order listed. Put on the lid and place on low for 4-5 hours if thawed OR 5-6 hours if frozen. Stir in some cheese (such as 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of parmesan) and serve over pasta or rice. I sometimes add broccoli and/or slice mushrooms or carrots to the pot at the beginning for variety. It’s ALL good!

Okay so the next 2 recipes involve cooking wine (salted) and
I know this is not acceptable for some people so a possible
substitute is chicken broth with meat tenderizer added.
Red cooking wine is found near vinegar in most stores.

Slow Cooked Beef Roast

6 or 7 celery stalks trimmed

3 to 5 lb. beef roast (thawed)

1 to 2 cup(s) of red cooking wine depending on roast size
1 can Campbell's Select Harvest French Onion Soup
1 can Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom*
1/2 to 1 lbs. of carrots**
2 to 3 lbs. of sliced or cubed potatoes**
5 to 8 sliced or quartered mushrooms**

Place a single layer of celery on the bottom of the crock pot like a grate to keep the meat off the heat at the bottom. Add the ingredients in the order above. Put the lid on and set the crock pot on low for 8 to 10 hours (depending on the size of the roast). Stir before serving.

*Brand doesn't matter, unless you want it to be MSG-Free.

**Optional.  I rarely add the extra mushrooms.

Beef Stroganoff

2 lbs lean stew meat

1 lb mushrooms (washed & quartered)

1 cup red cooking wine

1 onion (chopped)

1 clove of garlic (optional)

1 bay leaf (optional)

1 t. cracked pepper

At the end:

    2 T. cornstarch

    2 T. Dijon mustard 

    1/2 cup of sour cream

Put all the ingredients in a crock pot and stir. Set on low and cook for 8-9 hours. After 8-9 hours, you need to thicken the juices and add two final ingredients. In a microwave safe dish, combine 2 T of cornstarch with 2 T of water and stir together. Then ladle off 1 cup of broth from the crock pot into the cornstarch mixture. Stir and microwave 30-45 seconds at a time. Stirring each time the microwave stops until the mixture boils. Then stir this thickened liquid into the crock pot and stir. Finally turn off the crock pot and stir in the mustard and sour cream. (I like to mix some dill weed into the sour cream before adding it.) Then serve over egg noodles. We especially like it with a slice of crusty hot French bread on the side.

Cake That Won't Make It to the Church Dinner

This past Sunday was our Pastor's Anniversary of 19 years of service to the Lord at our church.  I was intending to bring a dessert that is a crowd pleasing favorite, but as usual my crowd at home got to it first.  The cake is called Mexican Chocolate Cake and my Aunt Treva gave us the recipe years ago.  It is great for church dinners or other large groups because it bakes in a flat "cookie" sheet (mine is 12x17x1) so when serving a big crowd it makes at least 24 servings (20-3x3 pieces and 4-2x3).

When I was in college, a small Italian restaurant had a very similar cake that they sold for $2 per piece and they called it Texas cake.  It wasn't as good as my aunt's recipe, but it would help satisfy the craving (especially since this is not a cake to be baked and left sitting in an apartment with 1 or 2 people to be tempted to eat it all). 

Mexican Chocolate Cake

1 stick butter

1/2 C. vegetable oil

2 squares unsweetned chocolate OR 4 T cocoa

1 C. water

2 C. flour

1 t. baking soda

2 C. sugar

1/2 C. sour milk* 

2 eggs

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. vanilla

*Add 1 1/2 t. vinegar to "sour" the milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine butter, oil, chocolate, and water in a sauce pan.  Heat on medium low until fairly smooth.  Remove from heat.

Combine flour, baking soda, sugar, milk, eggs,  and cinnamon in a bowl.  Add the first mixture and stir.  Put the mixture in a cookie sheet (no oil, spray, etc) and bake until done (about 35 minutes in my oven).  Test doneness with a tooth pick.  Let cool for about 20-30 minutes and add the icing while the cake is still warm. 

Icing

1 stick butter

4 T. cocoa

6 T. milk

1 pound powdered sugar

1 t. vanilla

1/2 c. chopped nuts such as pecans (optional)

Combine butter, chocolate and milk in a saucepan and stir over medium low heat until smooth.  Remove from hear and stir in powdered sugar and vanilla.  Ice the cake while the cake is still warm.  After it cools, garnish with pecans or other nut, if desired. 

AND last but not least, find a safe hiding spot for the cake until you're ready to serve it.

Laundry Soap Savings

With gas prices on the rise, I am sure we are all looking for co$t saving ideas.  So with my blog theme this month being "Made in March", I'm going to start the month with a new favorite inspired by Marie at Cottage Homestead.  About 2 months ago, I made my first batch of liquid laundry soap and I've perfected it now to the point that it is my FAVORITE fresh clean laundry smell.  Plus it only cost $.86 per 64 loads!  Yes, I'm sure I did the math right, and this meets the h.e. requirements for energy efficient front loaders!  I have featured the ingredients on the margin of my blog through Amazon, if you have trouble finding anything in your area.

You will need:

1 bar of Fels-Naptha Soap (if you don't have heavy stains, Ivory works fine)
1 1/2 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (NOT Baking Soda)
3/4 Cup Borax
Lemongrass or other Essential oil (optional)

It is also VERY helpful to have a funnel and a slotted spoon.

Pre-fill 5 one-gallon jugs 1/2 full of water. (I use distilled or pre-boiled water to prevent bacteria growth...most people use tap water.) If you are going to add an essential oil, then put about 5 drops in each jug with the water. I use lemongrass oil for a wonderful clean smell and it is an antimicrobal so it helps kill stuff like ringworm, athletes foot, etc.

Next grate the bar of Soap (I use a cheese grater). Put in a pan with 8 cups of water. Warm over medium heat until completely dissolved.  Turn down the heat if it starts to boil. (This is where the slotted spoon is helpful because the water gets really milky and its hard to tell when its melted. I always let it go a couple minutes extra after I think it is melted.)  

Remove from heat and make sure it is not boiling.  (It will look like the picture above.)  Stir in the Washing Soda and Borax. Add 2 gallons of water & stir some more. (I use distilled or pre-boiled water to prevent bacteria growth.) Then top off each 1/2 filled gallon jug. Put the lid on & shake.

Use 1/4 to 1/3 cup per load. (We have very hard water.) Shake the jug before each use & I usually shake each gallon once a week so the gel doesn't get thicker at the bottom.


BTW-It will gel, but not always to the same thickness. Using distilled water increases the thickness of the gel.

SAFETY NOTE:  Since you may be reusing milk jugs, apple juice containers, or other already labeled containers, it is important that kids know it is NOT food.  For a free sheet of Mr. Yuk stickers, go the the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for the address and directions.