Vision's of Autumn

It's that time of year again here in the North East. Leaves are changing colors, pumpkins grow ripe for the picking, corn mazes are all the rage. As I drive home today from picking up Miniman from Preschool I see the grey pregnant clouds quietly rolling in. Another fall of rain is probably in the mix for the day, if not tomorrow. My three mess makers are some-what quietly coloring in the dining room. Three pumpkins have already been carved, leaving only mine and Hubby's to be dismembered for the sake of a bit of time which we can let the kids hidden so well away inside ourselves out to play.  I can't resist looking outside at the marvel of colors that exploit themselves this time of the year. There are tree's that turn red as cranberries, others make the tree they are on for a time look as if it harbors lemons and limes. There are a few sparsely mixed throughout that are naked baring themselves ready for the coming cold. The evergreens are staggered about, in bushes and trees. Making others jealous of their year round splendor only to be scoffed or looked at with sorrow when a branch breaks under the weight of both nettles and snow.
I have come to appreciate orange. It's many different hues are the palate of Autumn. You can see it best in the pumpkins. The jack-o-lantern size have a range of their own. From burnt orange to school bus orange-yellow. Pie pumpkins which are mistakenly called "baby pumpkins" are really the only edible ones. They have a sweet taste to them and when roasted with just a pinch of sugar and salt they are truly a delight. There are some who go around looking for the most grotesque of pumpkins for their fall decorations. Sadly there are other's who will look at the many pumpkins in disbelief as they think they will never own one of their own. Some growers humbly let their small crops go for free on the side of the road while others charge a dollar or two a pound. The E.R. will have it's share of patients, if they haven't started seeing them already. There are thumbs that will need to be re-attached and gashes stitched back together. All in the name of fun, and some mayhem of course. But back to the splendor of the season. Children have decided by now what they want to dress-up as for Beggar's night.  But over all the grass is still mostly green, some trees are hesitant to release their leaves, and parents are once again looking for longer sleeves to add as layers under the shorter sleeves that were purchased for spring and summer. Well my dear readers.. the mess makers are no longer coloring so alas my time has come to a close for now. I will try to write again later! Be blessed!!

Letter of Resignation??

Dear house~ I have given up on keeping you clean. Every time I try to clean you one of my mess makers do their job. The laundry gets piled to precarious heights whether it is clean or dirty so that said mess makers can play in them. Toys~ I really wish you would keep out from under my feet, as you either hurt said feet or throw my back out. Dishes~ since my electronic washer broke and I have since had to switch to manual cleaning, you may or may not be in bigger stacks depending on the day. Bathrooms~ previous occupants caused one of you to reek in the worst way, only ripping you out would help.With the other two.. lets just say I wish you were self-cleaning. Kitchen~ I wish you were a little more cook friendly. An island would be nice, just saying. Floors~ oh that you were not all laminate.. I sweep, sweep, sweep to no avail. The dust bunnies only scamper away taunting me with their eyeless faces. I resign.. no more for me. I want to be done. Not just for today, for a long time.  Sincerely, This Housewife 

I like many other housewives, I am sure, grow tired of cleaning. It never seems like it stays done, wait.. if I clean it all before I go to bed then it will stay clean over night. Just how exactly do you do it all?? I am baffled. Between my part-time job, the kids, Hubby working all the time and the various activities we have involved ourselves in. I really do wish the house would clean it's self.  There is a line in a song from Le Miserables it translates something like this : "At the end of the day your another day older, and that's all you can say for the life of the poor. It's a struggle it's a war and there is nothing that any one's giving one more day standing about what is it for". Well if I could take some artistic license ( which I will) I would say the housewife song would start something like this ( in the same tune and key of course): " At the end of the day your another day older, and that's all you can say for the life of a Mom, it's a struggle it's a war and there is nothing that any one's giving, one more day holding it all together what is it for?" . Some of you may or may not find the humor in my little spunky tune.  With carpel tunnel setting into both my hands, tendinitis joining along for the ride and the all around sense that my body though not looking it's age is slowly falling apart. My eyes have been going for years and now my hair is starting to come out in gobs as I rinse it in the shower. I think I am starting to feel my age. My temperament has also changed a bit. Where I could be patient for a while.. now I am finding myself saying that " I just can't do it today".
I must admit that I started reading a book called The Way Of The Master it is quite good and I agree with the author on many points already and I am only at the start of the sixth chapter. I am also doing a few Bible studies. Momology, Revelations and my daily readings are keeping me involved. There is at times a feeling of being overwhelmed. The kids are going more then a little crazy, the house is a wreck ( no matter how many times I go after them cleaning it up) and I grow weary. In the movie Robots the father figure is putting himself back together with ductape because he can't find replacement parts. I am not saying that ductape is holding me together. But I am saying that it is something stronger then I am on my own. I gave some advice to a soon to be mom the other day it was this: " You will have good day's and bad, there will be times you question your sanity and God would entrust you with someone you feel so ill equipped to care for. But take heart, he knew what he was doing and there is no better Momma for your child then you." I have to remind myself of that sometimes. Someday's it is multiple times during that day. My kids make me insanely happy. At times it is only the latter part but over all happy. The house can wait. The phone can ring, the laundry will maybe one day care for it's self. I want to enjoy them now. It is a limited time offer this childhood, take advantage of it while you can! Until next time dear readers.. be Blessed.

November Meal Plan

It's that time again. I have my calender ready and my meal planning hat on, November we are celebrating Thanksgiving here in the states so the menu may or may not look a little different. Be sure to check your dry and frozen pantries before shopping!  The only thing not on here is GE as I do not know what there sales are yet. Also I am going to start using Market Day, as it is a way to earn money for Goosie's school by getting things I would anyway ( namely food). So with out further ado here it is:

Nov. 1~ Tamales, Spanish Rice and Cheese Quesadilla's
Nov. 2 ~ Chinese Rice with diced Ham and Egg Rolls
Nov. 3~ your on your own
Nov. 4 ~ Chicken breasts, Rice pilaf and mixed veggies
Nov. 5~ Pizza
Nov. 6~ Soup and sandwiches
Nov. 7~ Pot Roast, oven roasted potatoes with carrots and steamed veggies
Nov. 8~ Spaghetti, flat bread and green beans
Nov. 9~ Chicken Barley Chili with cornbread
Nov.10~ your on your own
Nov. 11~ Chicken breasts, Potatoes, green beans
Nov. 12~ Pizza
Nov.13~ Soup and Sandwiches
Nov. 14~ Baked Orange Ruffin , rice pilaf and steamed veggies
Nov.15~ Tamales, Spanish Rice and cheese quesadillas
Nov.16~ Baked Ziti, flat bread and mixed veggies
Nov.17~ on your own
Nov.18~ Chicken pot pie
Nov.19~ Pizza
Nov.20~ Soup and Sandwiches
Nov.21~ Pot roast, oven roasted potatoes
Nov. 22~ Meatloaf, Au gratin potatoes, mixed veggies
Nov. 23~ Stuffed bell peppers
Nov. 24~ on your own
Nov. 25~ Thanksgiving ( will post recipes)
Nov. 26~ Pizza
Nov.27~ Soup and Sandwiches
Nov.28~ Chicken Lo Mien and egg rolls
Nov.29~ Spaghetti, flat bread and steamed veggies
Nov.30~ Pizza


Market Day~
 Egg Rolls with sauce  (24 rolls/3sauce pks)
Chicken and Dumpling Soup ( makes 64oz)
                                                                                   total~ $23.98


Schwan's~
Mixed Veggies 4.99
Chicken Bites 29.98 (2)
Boneless Chicken Breasts 13.99
Tamales 9.99
Cheese Pizza 31.96 (4)
Au gratin Potatoes 10.99
Sweet Potato Fries 6.99
Sausage Breakfast Bagels 8.99
Chocolate Chip Muffin Pucks 8.99
                                                                    total with discounts $118.47


I will post more on the meal plan for the November month soon!! Until then.. be blessed!

Oct. 28th update:
I changed up my schwan's order a bit and have a shopping list ready for G.E. so here is the rest. I will post my go to recipies in another blog entry..

G.E.~
10 for $10
Barilla Pasta; GE canned tomatoes (mix and match)
5 for $10
Dole Fruit Jars
4 for $10
GM Cereal
Klondike Bars
3 for $10
GE Ice Cream
4 for $9
GE Chunk Cheese
3 for $9
Tropicana Orange Juice
2 for $7
Hillshire Farm Cocktails
Lunchmeat
GE Frozen Pasta
2 for $6
Pomagranate Juice
2 for $5
International Delight Coffee Creamer
Granola Bars
2 for $1
Campbells Tomato and Chicken Noodle Soup (4 each)
1.99
Poptarts
 Non-Sale Items
Milk
Eggs
Rice
Bread
Vanilla
Sea Salt Grinder
Pizza Crust Mix
Cornbread mix (or cornmeal if making from scratch)
Carrots (baby or bunch)
Tomato Sauce and Paste (8ct each)
Campbells Chicken and Herb condensed cooking soup (4ct)
Soft Taco Shells (whole grain, 2 ct)
Slivered Almonds (maybe)
Grapes (until the 3rd) 99/lb
Pie Pumpkins (until 3rd) 89/lb
Nesquick (2 of the 72 serving size)
Bell Peppers (after the 15th)
Baby Fresh Leaf Spinich

~~ On a side note, breakfast and lunch are cheaper when made and brought from home. I make Goosie's lunch's three day's a week and she buy's lunch the other two (she is learning responsability). Hubby takes his lunch to work and mostly has been skipping breakfast. The breakfast items you see (muffins and bagels) are for him. Also some of the dinners are a quick and easy fix so Hubby doesn't have to worry much when I am working. A healthy family is a happy family and a well balanced diet is a good place to start. Good luck shopping and as always check your frozen/dry and refigerated pantries before shopping!

Goosie

This morning was very exciting. Hubby was nervous, Goose has been talking for a week and literally counting down the days.. and this morning she was baptised. Like the lame mushy Momma I can be.. I forgot to press record. So long story short.. no video post. But I will try my hardest to describe the event all all that lead up to it.
About two weeks ago we were on our way to church, Hubby and I were discussing our daily reading passage which covered when John the Baptist baptised Jesus. From the back of the big black truck we hear Goosie's voice say " Mommy, Daddy I want to get baptised". Quizzical looks passed between Hubby and I, then Hubby said that he thought it would be a good idea for her to talk to the Children's Ministry leader Mr. B . So while at the church the next day after dropping of Miniman to his preschool I went to the church office and asked to speak to Mr B; upon meeting with Mr B I shared with him Goosie's request and set up a time for Goosie to come and answer some questions to see if she understood what baptism meant. The meeting would be in a few days.  Goosie was excited and couldn't wait for the meeting with Mr B. So on the appointed day I ushered Goosie into a conferance room, and proceeded just to listen. Goosie is very bright indeed and after it was all over Mr B said that he was confidant that Goosie knows what she is asking for and that now we just needed to set up a time/day when to do it. After service the next Sunday, Hubby surprised me. We were sharing with Pastor Z what all was happening when Z looked at Hubby and asked if Hubby would like to baptise Goosie. As many of you know.. I cried.
The date was set for today, during the second service at our local church. Goosie bubbled with excitement and understandably had many questions the night before. I explained to her that when you are baptised you are re-born into God's family. That before you accept Christ as your Savior and are baptised you are not a part of God's family. But that since you can't go back into Mommy's belly, Jesus told us a way to show everyone that we are being re-born into the family of God and that he is adopting us as his child. Goosie understands birth and adoption because we had covered these subjects before. Hubby and I also presented Goosie with a new Bible. An Adventure Bible, she is already reading it and enjoys telling us what it says. I digress.. back to this morning. The sanctuary is quite full and there are only a few seats if you ask people to scoot in a little closer (lol). I am at the front, camera charged and in hand. The choir has finished their last selection and the lights are dimming. Hubby steps into the baptismal pool, which has been lit up, with Goosie in his arms. He then says something like this: Today I am gong to baptise my daughter Goosie. Goosie means a lot to us and after accepting Christ in her heart she now wants to be baptised. Hubby then turns to Goosie (who now upon seeing all the congregation is shy) and asks her to repeat after him; her declaration of faith. I can't remember all of it and Goosie was hard to hear as at first we in the congregate could see her lips move and then not much of anything as she was repeating everything into Hubby's arm pit. Hubby then tells Goosie to hold her nose, and as he starts to dunk her.. the congregate chuckles a little as her arms are flailing just a bit. Goosie comes up out of the water, there is a big grin on her face..Hubby is teary eyed as am I. Hubby then carries her out of the baptismal pool as the congregate is still applauding.
Goosie still can't stop talking about it, and Hubby mentioned on the way home that he couldn't understand why other's in the congregate were tearing up. So I tried to explain it all to him. There are many things that people see in a church. One of the more powerfully charged emotional ones is when a Father carries his role with dignity and pride, then takes a further step towards spiritually leading his family, by public affirmation of  his children's faith and supporting them in their decision.
There has been much that has been happening to my big little family as we live in the house on the hill. I would have to start a whole other entry. This is just a peek at all the good things that have been happening. Some would say it is about time for us and others would say (with warning) don't put that armor away just yet. While the blessings flow there will be a time of trial still to come. Thank you Lord that you see my big little family, and that you carry us through so much. Well dear readers, as I wipe yet more tears streaming from my eyes.. I will close this entry and wish you all Blessings.

Alive ( a poem by J. Rosener)

Alive


by Jeffrey Rosener



As I approach the pearly gates, I stop to remember when,

the time that I felt most alive, where boys were forced to be men.

...My hands begin to tremble, so I light myself a smoke.

Reliving all the sad times, laughing at the jokes.

As I continue walking, I see St Peters' face.

Friends and family all behind him, angels sing amazing grace.

I stand tall before him, and render a salute,

St. Peter looks me up and down, and even at my boots!

He said "your boots are muddy son! Your uniform's not clean.

You haven't seen a shave in weeks. Your teeth are O.D green!"



I smile into his steely eyes and lower my salute,

and stare down at my grimy hands, and at my worn out boots.

Recalling what these hands have done, and where these boots have tread,

I say "I want to feel the way, that I did back then!"



"The time that I felt most alive, the time that rung my bell,

is when I walked amongst HERO'S... through the streets of HELL!"

"Men of such great stature, stories never could explain,

Their courage under fire, and all lives that were gave."



"Our minds as sharp as razors, and our hands as cold as steel.

We'd tread as light as feathers, and Death we'd often deal.

Although we did see terror. It kept our senses keen.

We were rough around the edges, but our HONOR still kept clean."



"My brothers, we shared everything. Even our darkest fears,

but together we overcame them, with our blood, sweat, and tears."

"Together we cried mournfully, for the hero's that were lost,

but continued on, and fought the fight, we knew freedom was their cost!



St. Peter I've seen wonders, thought my eyes would never see.

But no love for me was greater, than the blood shed for me."



St. Peter raised his hand and put it in my greasy hair,

and in the softest voice he spoke, " You've bore your cross to bear!

And as for the terrors that were fought, and the horrors that were seen.

Just know that angels covered you, with outstretched golden wings."



"Every prayer for you was answered, from you family and friends

and also the ones from you to us, to keep an eye on them!

So enter now, your chin held high, walk peacefully through our streets.

I know that you'll appreciate it, more than most men that I meet!"



St. Peter said... "remember son, you've paid your price to pay!

You carried that with you throughout your life, until your dying day.

You fought hard for home and hearth, and served your country well,

So rest at ease, you've made your peace,

your demons are in HELL!!!
 
 
 
I found this poem on facebook, it was posted on a paged dedicated to a recently fallen solider. Needless to say it moved me to tears and I wanted to share.