I hate it when people call early in the morning. If you call before 8am it had better be an emergency, Before 10am and I am still a little grouchy.
That said...
I get a call this morning at 6:30am from the VA hospital in Bemidji. Yazvan had a doctors appointment scheduled for 12:30pm today and his doctor called in sick. Not an emergency, could have waited until 8am I think. Thankfully this canceled appointment means that Yaz could get into this morning's orientation at Polaris in Roseau. That's right, he got a job instead of playing stay at home dad and collecting unemployment until December. Polaris is a temp job, $11 an hour, 10 hour days, at least 5 days a week. December is when the temp job is suppose to end. I guess he figures that if he does not get extended into a permanent job, he will be able to collect unemployment for a couple of months while the weather is bad. We still do not know what his start date is, although I am guessing that it will be in the next week.
I have already told my big boss man that when Yaz gets the job I will only be able to work Sundays for sure. This brings me to my second phone call this morning at 9am. My boss, or at least one of them. She called to see if I could work tomorrow. I told her that I am not sure because Yaz is off at his orientation and I am not sure when his start date is. I explain that I have already told this to my other boss(her son). She told me I would have to call to let her know and then said she would see me tomorrow....Ya... she is one of those who assumes she is going to get her way regardless of the facts or what is said. I am also scheduled to work on at least Thursday this week so apperently my conversation to big boss man did not make it to his mother who does the scheduling. Sucks for her if Yaz starts before Monday because I don't have a babysitter that can watch Wyatt during the morning.
Wyatt's video
I had to share this. It is not the best quality video because i took it on my blackberry. But it makes me smile everytime I watch. This is Wyatt singing his little heart out with a guitar toy.
The Typhoid Puppy
Posted in
Life
Well our puppy, Kiba, has been a real hit with the kids. Even the cat is getting use to him hanging around. We have allowed him to sleep inside the house at night due to his injured leg and he has only had 1 accident inside. We have, however, run into a problem. I have at least.
The dog is currently playing the part of typhoid Mary. 2 weeks ago he came up for a little puppy love. He sat between my legs and got his head and hears scratched for a while. The next morning I wake up to poison ivy rash all down my inner thighs. This is the first time I have ever had poison ivy. Luckily it was not a bad enough reaction to go to the doctor for but over the next week it increased in size and depth due to my pant fabric rubbing the area raw and breaking all the blisters. It got to the point that I was walking around work as bow legged as a cowboy to avoid my legs touching the fabric or my other leg. When after a week it finally dried up enough that I felt it was actually healing, Typhoid Mary strikes again.
Tuesday before bed the dog goes down the stairs and lays in my bed. I grab him and carry him to his blanket on the floor and jump into bed. When I awake the next morning my back is covered from bra line to the back of my leg. Even covering my entire backside! Thankfully it is no where near as bad as my legs were the week before. The back of my knees, however, swell up whenever I spend any amount of time on my feet. A small amount of time to do some housework and sit back down was fine and produced only a small amount of swelling. 6 hours at work every day has been leaving my legs unable to bend all the way and in terrible pain. I have been getting home from work and immediatly laying on my bed with an icepack behind both knees.
Before you ask. Yes, the dog did get a bath after the first contact. But he is an outside dog. Now he is an outside dog exclusively until the frost kills all the Ivy. Then a bath and we will consider allowing him back in the house at night.
I did learn a thing or 2 about Poison Ivy.
1. poison ivy rash is caused by the oil of the poison ivy or oak plant
2. Some people are immune to the oil's effects, but not all people stay that way
3. once you get poison ivy rash it will be easier for you to get it again.
4. the blister fluid from poison ivy rash does not spread the rash. I repeat. Blister fluid from poison ivy rash is not contagious!
5. nothing relieves the pain and itching more than peppermint oil and an icepack. Or just peppermint oil and an electric fan. (but that is just my opinion)
The dog is currently playing the part of typhoid Mary. 2 weeks ago he came up for a little puppy love. He sat between my legs and got his head and hears scratched for a while. The next morning I wake up to poison ivy rash all down my inner thighs. This is the first time I have ever had poison ivy. Luckily it was not a bad enough reaction to go to the doctor for but over the next week it increased in size and depth due to my pant fabric rubbing the area raw and breaking all the blisters. It got to the point that I was walking around work as bow legged as a cowboy to avoid my legs touching the fabric or my other leg. When after a week it finally dried up enough that I felt it was actually healing, Typhoid Mary strikes again.
Tuesday before bed the dog goes down the stairs and lays in my bed. I grab him and carry him to his blanket on the floor and jump into bed. When I awake the next morning my back is covered from bra line to the back of my leg. Even covering my entire backside! Thankfully it is no where near as bad as my legs were the week before. The back of my knees, however, swell up whenever I spend any amount of time on my feet. A small amount of time to do some housework and sit back down was fine and produced only a small amount of swelling. 6 hours at work every day has been leaving my legs unable to bend all the way and in terrible pain. I have been getting home from work and immediatly laying on my bed with an icepack behind both knees.
Before you ask. Yes, the dog did get a bath after the first contact. But he is an outside dog. Now he is an outside dog exclusively until the frost kills all the Ivy. Then a bath and we will consider allowing him back in the house at night.
I did learn a thing or 2 about Poison Ivy.
1. poison ivy rash is caused by the oil of the poison ivy or oak plant
2. Some people are immune to the oil's effects, but not all people stay that way
3. once you get poison ivy rash it will be easier for you to get it again.
4. the blister fluid from poison ivy rash does not spread the rash. I repeat. Blister fluid from poison ivy rash is not contagious!
5. nothing relieves the pain and itching more than peppermint oil and an icepack. Or just peppermint oil and an electric fan. (but that is just my opinion)
Eat better. Save money.
On my path to better nutritional health I am slowly moving away from prepackaged foods. By doing this I have started saving money and I believe that the food I cook is more nutritious than much of the food I could buy in the box.
I cook whole turkey and chicken in the crock pot with a bit of salt and garlic. When finished I de-skin and de-bone the bird. I then partially shred the meat into smaller chunks. I personally mix the white and dark meat together for a bit of variety in my meals to come. I then package loosely in cottage cheese containers. This amount is perfect for the size of meals that I cook for my family. I can usually get about 2 containers of meat from a chicken and about 3 out of a young turkey. (my husband always steals at least 1 leg when I am not looking) Any juices I leave in the crock with any left over meat and make a chicken and dumplings or I freeze it in ice tray for later use.
Speaking of dumplings, I make those from scratch as well. I use a basic egg noodle recipe and make many batches in one day the lazy way. I use a bread machine. 2 actually. I put the ingredients in the pan, set it to the dough cycle, and start her up. It takes about 2 hours to finish, but at least I am not stuck in the kitchen all day making noodles. I freeze the dough that I am not going to use immediately and can usually sick it in the refrigerator the day before and have it thawed before dinner. I still keep a bag or box of dried pasta around for any "oops i forgot" moments. One alteration I do make to the noodle recipe is that I use V8 juice, left over spaghetti sauce or even veggie soups that I get on sale in place of the milk in this recipe. You can not taste it, it makes the pasta pretty colors for the kids, and I like to believe that it adds a little healthy to meal that the kids dont eww about.
I love my bread machine. I have successfully made noodle dough, bread, and even used it to make the dough for my breads that I bake in the oven. I tend to like the oven bread the best because it does not stale as easy and it is also a more convenient size for sandwiches. My family will go through a loaf of store bread in 2 days, OR I can make loafs of bread at dinner time. 1 for dinner and 1 for lunch the next day. I usually have enough left over to cook only 1 loaf on the third day.
This may seem like a lot of work for not so much money spent. But so far I have been choosing things that do not take that much time and effort. Plus it TASTES better and I feel better knowing what goes into my food.
I cook whole turkey and chicken in the crock pot with a bit of salt and garlic. When finished I de-skin and de-bone the bird. I then partially shred the meat into smaller chunks. I personally mix the white and dark meat together for a bit of variety in my meals to come. I then package loosely in cottage cheese containers. This amount is perfect for the size of meals that I cook for my family. I can usually get about 2 containers of meat from a chicken and about 3 out of a young turkey. (my husband always steals at least 1 leg when I am not looking) Any juices I leave in the crock with any left over meat and make a chicken and dumplings or I freeze it in ice tray for later use.
Speaking of dumplings, I make those from scratch as well. I use a basic egg noodle recipe and make many batches in one day the lazy way. I use a bread machine. 2 actually. I put the ingredients in the pan, set it to the dough cycle, and start her up. It takes about 2 hours to finish, but at least I am not stuck in the kitchen all day making noodles. I freeze the dough that I am not going to use immediately and can usually sick it in the refrigerator the day before and have it thawed before dinner. I still keep a bag or box of dried pasta around for any "oops i forgot" moments. One alteration I do make to the noodle recipe is that I use V8 juice, left over spaghetti sauce or even veggie soups that I get on sale in place of the milk in this recipe. You can not taste it, it makes the pasta pretty colors for the kids, and I like to believe that it adds a little healthy to meal that the kids dont eww about.
I love my bread machine. I have successfully made noodle dough, bread, and even used it to make the dough for my breads that I bake in the oven. I tend to like the oven bread the best because it does not stale as easy and it is also a more convenient size for sandwiches. My family will go through a loaf of store bread in 2 days, OR I can make loafs of bread at dinner time. 1 for dinner and 1 for lunch the next day. I usually have enough left over to cook only 1 loaf on the third day.
This may seem like a lot of work for not so much money spent. But so far I have been choosing things that do not take that much time and effort. Plus it TASTES better and I feel better knowing what goes into my food.
Talon begins his new school
The day started out very good for Talon. He woke up and was dressed before I even woke up this morning. I gave him his half loaf of Cherry Bread for breakfast and a glass of milk. He finished up eating about 7:10, got his teeth brushed and fed his dog. Then he was sitting there playing his gameboy when I decided he didnt need to get into that habit before school and got Wyatt ready to go outside. We got outside just after 7:30 and the kids played for about 15 min and then we walked up to the road to wait.
We waited until 8:15 and no bus, so I ran down the drive, grabbed the van and loaded the kids off. I got to the school parking lot at 8:20 just as the late bell was wringing. The office apologized and we walked down to Talon's classroom.
Back in the office we tried to figure out why we were forgotten. She said there were a couple of kids that got missed and that it sometimes happens on the first day. She pulled out the bus schedule and.....
The bus gets to our house at 7:26. We had just missed it, if it showed up at all. But, now we know and I will set his school alarm for 7:20 so that gives him plenty of time to get out the door and make it down the driveway to catch the bus.
We waited until 8:15 and no bus, so I ran down the drive, grabbed the van and loaded the kids off. I got to the school parking lot at 8:20 just as the late bell was wringing. The office apologized and we walked down to Talon's classroom.
Back in the office we tried to figure out why we were forgotten. She said there were a couple of kids that got missed and that it sometimes happens on the first day. She pulled out the bus schedule and.....
The bus gets to our house at 7:26. We had just missed it, if it showed up at all. But, now we know and I will set his school alarm for 7:20 so that gives him plenty of time to get out the door and make it down the driveway to catch the bus.
Cherry Breakfast Bread
Posted in
Recipe
With my son starting his school year tomorrow I would like for him to have something that resembles healthy before he runs off into the world. I have decided that unless I can pick up a cerial for under $2, we don't need it. And pop tarts I am almost refusing to buy at all. I have, however, promised that if there is some amazing deal on even the off brand pop tarts that I would pick them up. I think the family will change their tune a bit when they start eating REAL food in the morning instead of the food substitute that they have been getting. I am so glad that I am learning how to cook so that I can provide them with a healthier, less costly meal option.
I promised my son Banana Nut Bread but forgot to buy Bananas last week. I did, however had a can of cherry pie filling that has worked out nicely. (although tomorrow it is too the store to pick up banana's for next week, and possibly some cans of other pie fillings to try them out with this recipe.)
I have a bread maker so I let it do all the work for me. I added all the ingredients in the order listed above, set my bread maker to the "dough" setting and waited.
Spoon into your prepared loaf pan or pans and place in the oven to cook. (I was able to fill 5 small pans half way) Bake approximately 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans. It is easier to cut the bread when it is cool, but it taste wonderful warm.
I promised my son Banana Nut Bread but forgot to buy Bananas last week. I did, however had a can of cherry pie filling that has worked out nicely. (although tomorrow it is too the store to pick up banana's for next week, and possibly some cans of other pie fillings to try them out with this recipe.)
Cherry Breakfast Bread
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 1/2 cups cherry pie filling
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
I have a bread maker so I let it do all the work for me. I added all the ingredients in the order listed above, set my bread maker to the "dough" setting and waited.
Spoon into your prepared loaf pan or pans and place in the oven to cook. (I was able to fill 5 small pans half way) Bake approximately 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans. It is easier to cut the bread when it is cool, but it taste wonderful warm.
Makes approximately 10 slices of about 1-inch thick.
This is an adapted recipe from a Banana Nut Bread recipe that I found online. To see the original recipe and many others that I plan on trying out please visit http://whatscookingamerica.net/CynthiaPineda/BananaBread.htm
Turkey Stove top Casserole
Posted in
Recipe
I have spent my day watching Alton Brown's Good Eats on Youtube. This show always makes me want to cook things differently. So for dinner tonight I put a small spin on my normal pot pie filling to make a stove top casserole.
Turkey Stove top Casserole
2 cups shredded turkey
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can turkey gravy
1 cup of milk
2 cups frozen mixed veggies (or 1 can mix veggies will do)
bag of egg noodles
Cook noodles as normal in a larger pot. While noodles are cooking, in other pot mix your turkey, cream of celery, gravy, milk and veggies. I brought this to simmer, then set the burner on low and covered. When noodles are finished cooking, drain and return to large pot. Then simply dump in your gravy mixture and stir until noodles are fully coated.
My kids enjoyed it, and my husband tolerated it (he does not like casseroles in general). You may want to add salt or pepper to taste, I thought that there was enough salt in cream of celery and gravy to flavor nicely.
links
Good Eats
Alton Brown Website
YouTube videos
Turkey Stove top Casserole
2 cups shredded turkey
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can turkey gravy
1 cup of milk
2 cups frozen mixed veggies (or 1 can mix veggies will do)
bag of egg noodles
Cook noodles as normal in a larger pot. While noodles are cooking, in other pot mix your turkey, cream of celery, gravy, milk and veggies. I brought this to simmer, then set the burner on low and covered. When noodles are finished cooking, drain and return to large pot. Then simply dump in your gravy mixture and stir until noodles are fully coated.
My kids enjoyed it, and my husband tolerated it (he does not like casseroles in general). You may want to add salt or pepper to taste, I thought that there was enough salt in cream of celery and gravy to flavor nicely.
links
Good Eats
Alton Brown Website
YouTube videos
What a better way to start the day?
My husband and I take turns waking up god awful early in the morning with the kids. Ok, 6 and 7 am isn't way to early for normal people but when you dont go to bed until 1am it is still a rough start.
ANYWAY...
I was my turn to sleep in today and I was happy because Sunday was a rough day at work and left me exhausted. I even went to bed early that night at about 11pm. The entire family came to wake me up and then Yaz went to smoke a cancer stick outside and Talon went to do... something. Wyatt stayed in the room snuggling with me. When he had enough snuggle time he took my hand and tried to pull me out of bed.
I said "Oh hunny, Mommy isn't quite awake yet. Why don't you go upstairs and play while I wake up some more."
He pulled another couple of times on my arms and went on upstairs. As I am laying in bed thinking of what I was needing to do today I hear him coming back down the stairs. (my headboard is along the side of the steps so I could not see him). Next thing I know a cup of something very cold and wet is on my pillow and hair. I yell, grab the cup and run after the little shit who was in the kitchen before I could get up the stairs. I yelled about spilling the drink on mommy, gave him 3 swats on the diaper (yes I am one of the moms that believes that spanking your child is fine) and went back to my room to change my clothes.
As I start to dry off my hair I realize that Wyatt did not pour water on me, it was milk. So as well as changing my clothes, I had to strip the bedding (2 pillows, a quilt and the fitted sheet) and take my shower a bit earlier that I had planned. And it didn't help having Yaz almost rolling on the floor because he was laughing so hard at me.
ANYWAY...
I was my turn to sleep in today and I was happy because Sunday was a rough day at work and left me exhausted. I even went to bed early that night at about 11pm. The entire family came to wake me up and then Yaz went to smoke a cancer stick outside and Talon went to do... something. Wyatt stayed in the room snuggling with me. When he had enough snuggle time he took my hand and tried to pull me out of bed.
I said "Oh hunny, Mommy isn't quite awake yet. Why don't you go upstairs and play while I wake up some more."
He pulled another couple of times on my arms and went on upstairs. As I am laying in bed thinking of what I was needing to do today I hear him coming back down the stairs. (my headboard is along the side of the steps so I could not see him). Next thing I know a cup of something very cold and wet is on my pillow and hair. I yell, grab the cup and run after the little shit who was in the kitchen before I could get up the stairs. I yelled about spilling the drink on mommy, gave him 3 swats on the diaper (yes I am one of the moms that believes that spanking your child is fine) and went back to my room to change my clothes.
As I start to dry off my hair I realize that Wyatt did not pour water on me, it was milk. So as well as changing my clothes, I had to strip the bedding (2 pillows, a quilt and the fitted sheet) and take my shower a bit earlier that I had planned. And it didn't help having Yaz almost rolling on the floor because he was laughing so hard at me.
Catchup
Posted in
Life
I have been so busy lately I have been neglecting my poor little blog. Well now it is time to play catch up.
I got a job. Not a good job, but it is something. I am making $7.75 an hour housekeeping at the AmericInn in Roseau, Mn. Nice place, nice people, but the pay and amount of ours leaves something to be desired.
I am officially a massage therapist in MN! I have my national certification and liability insurance through the AMTA. I have even put in my resume at a chiropractor's office in Thief River Falls. But now is the time to polish my resume and start wall papering the surrounding area with it.
We picked up a puppy for the kids. He is a 4 month old Shepherd-Collie-Husky mix. He is a bit damaged at the moment. I guess he got hit by a car about a month ago and broke his left front leg and chewed the brace off after only a week. 3 weeks later he is getting around great but still favors the leg a lot. We are calling the vet tomorrow just to be on the safe side. We named him Kiba(pronounced Key-ba) because I love the Wolf's Rain Anime show. Kiba means Fang I guess.
"Schools out for the summer!" Well, not really. I just finished up my final projects in my ethics and nutrition classes and don't have any more classes until September 16. Then I start Psychology and Capstone classes. I should have my Associates in Interdisciplinary studies by the end of the year. I am taking a term off and then planning on enrolling at Clayton College of Natural Health and starting work on my Bachelor of Science in Natural Health.
Well, I think that about catches us up to date. Lots of fabulous information about what I have been up to and quite a few links too! I have about 2 weeks of mostly stress free time to clean the house, catch up on my shows via surfthechannel.com
I got a job. Not a good job, but it is something. I am making $7.75 an hour housekeeping at the AmericInn in Roseau, Mn. Nice place, nice people, but the pay and amount of ours leaves something to be desired.
I am officially a massage therapist in MN! I have my national certification and liability insurance through the AMTA. I have even put in my resume at a chiropractor's office in Thief River Falls. But now is the time to polish my resume and start wall papering the surrounding area with it.
We picked up a puppy for the kids. He is a 4 month old Shepherd-Collie-Husky mix. He is a bit damaged at the moment. I guess he got hit by a car about a month ago and broke his left front leg and chewed the brace off after only a week. 3 weeks later he is getting around great but still favors the leg a lot. We are calling the vet tomorrow just to be on the safe side. We named him Kiba(pronounced Key-ba) because I love the Wolf's Rain Anime show. Kiba means Fang I guess.
"Schools out for the summer!" Well, not really. I just finished up my final projects in my ethics and nutrition classes and don't have any more classes until September 16. Then I start Psychology and Capstone classes. I should have my Associates in Interdisciplinary studies by the end of the year. I am taking a term off and then planning on enrolling at Clayton College of Natural Health and starting work on my Bachelor of Science in Natural Health.
Well, I think that about catches us up to date. Lots of fabulous information about what I have been up to and quite a few links too! I have about 2 weeks of mostly stress free time to clean the house, catch up on my shows via surfthechannel.com
Yumma-Zetta
Posted in
Recipe
I found this recipe and tried a half recipe out on the family tonight. It seems to be a winner and i am putting together the second half of the casserole and freezing it for a quick fix dinner later.
Yumma-Zetta
3 pounds Hamburger (fried)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 12 ounce package of noodles (cooked)
1 cup chopped celery
1 pound Velveeta cheese
Put in layers in casserole dish. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.
I just happened to have Velveeta on hand because it was on sale, i think this dish would taste just fine if you used any kind of shredded cheese.
Yumma-Zetta
3 pounds Hamburger (fried)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 12 ounce package of noodles (cooked)
1 cup chopped celery
1 pound Velveeta cheese
Put in layers in casserole dish. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.
I just happened to have Velveeta on hand because it was on sale, i think this dish would taste just fine if you used any kind of shredded cheese.
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