Being Sick... And Wet!

No, the two are not directly connected but more consequential of each other.

My kids have been sick; first it was J-Pony, then I-Dude a little bit. Then L-Infinity and her friend Kila. Now it's I-Dude again. It's been exhausting in so many levels. Between Mr. Man's new Houston shift and these "way too often" rainy/stormy days here in our area, I am really at the edge of my seat from going nuts! Plus complicate that with the "99.5F fever" minimum by the school district rule of keeping kids home. When all the kids are home during the weekends, it's like dodging a mine field. Coughing, spitting, sniffling and temp checks. Soups, sandwiches, medicines and time tables- aaaaahhhhh!!!

Facebook, unfortunately, no longer enough to kill brain cells to keep me from screaming, but at the same time, I'm glad that my kids know they can feel comfortable staying home when they are sick and that they'll be cared for. Talking to Kila, L-Infinity's friend and now staying with us, she revealed how her mom just hands her stuff when she gets sick. She didn't even know what they were! I had to have her call and verify before we headed out to CVS. It turned out to be just Nyquil and Aspirin but the horror of not knowing what she's been taking really got me.

I'm the kind of mom who pesters doctors with what works with my children, what each medication really does and remembers what medications do/not do for my children. I'm a stickler for medication schedule so not to overdose. I can't imagine my beloved ones just taking whatever out there to get rid of a cough or a cold when they couldn't take it anymore. Or the possibility of being left alone until they felt better.

Going off to a subject close to my heart, I know most in our society are still conflicted on having women stay home and be domestic especially the last century, but for me, there was no contest. I wanted to stay home to be with my children as long as we can afford to. How blessed and grateful I am to have found a husband who feels the same way and works with me now more than ever to continue this decision.

People I knew before I was LDS (Mormon) used to say, "Mr. Man must make a lot to keep you at home." And when I tell them otherwise, it's almost an unbelievable concept to them. Even my own family thought that I'm being naive by not going back to work. I'm not naive; far from it. This was a decision that we made even before we wed and one that is fulfilling to me, despite all the normal hassles and what others deem as hampering to my potential. I will go back to work someday, but not now. Not when my children rely on hearing my voice when they come home and have grown up not needing an extra key when school's in session.

I highly respect working moms; I used to be a working single mom myself and worked part time before I was pregnant with J-Pony, but this is where I belong for now and I couldn't be more satisfied. There's no other opportunity for me where I would have had more time to: read both for myself and to my children, keep up with their progress in all areas, learn to bake, indulge in my love of table top designs, cook, learn to do crafts, learn more about Excel, go back to college and learn how to entertain and be a great hostess. So I guess you can say, I learned more the last 12 years, than I ever did working. I'm speaking for myself and I couldn't more pleased...

What Calling?!

... Is exactly what Mr. Man and I are asking ourselves lately. One of the Bishop's counselors came by to give our daughter, L-Infinity, a new calling- Laurel's 1st Counselor. Then when that was done, I was told that the Bishopric has been thinking about our family and several callings that we can serve in, but which one, only Heavenly Father knows...

Well... at least for Mr. Man, they have him for 3 months guaranteed. After that, it depends on what Southwest Airlines will afford him for new days off. As for me, I really hope that they don't find anything new until almost Thanksgiving; I'll be done with this semester by then and I can honestly say that I'll have more mind power and devotion for whatever lies ahead. Whatever the callings may be, I know that it's been impressed to our leaders that my husband and I can measure up to our potential to fulfill the necessary tasks of the calling. What a humbling experience to have one of our leaders take the time to grace our home with his sweet spirit doing the Lord's errands...

I also do have the last General Conference to be grateful for... All of the speakers, especially the First Presidency, spoke of looking inwards to bring out the best person to emulate Christ in efforts of service and practice of our religion. What a marvelous and timely counsel to all of today's souls who are quick to be trapped by modern conveniences and technologically advanced toys. Yesterday, as I kneaded the dough to make french breads, I couldn't be more grateful for my two hands, willing to be dirtied to bring forth food to the table. I was humbled by the fact that when our Savior Jesus Christ was on the earth, he didn't choose to reveal His full magnificence that His two hands can bestow; that He trusted us enough to find our way back to Him and His father's kingdom.

I testify of His divinity and unconditional love for all of us. Eternal life and happiness, His constant promise if we but to have willing hearts and opened eyes to be more like Him... In his name, I leave these thoughts with you, Amen.

Too Many Things

Get in the way of just enjoying mundane moments...

If you've been on Facebook lately, all I've been managing to do to relax and exhale is to play there. Wasting some braincells. Or trying to recover some. In between that, family, all three levels of school (elementary, highschool, college)

I did say back then that we're only going to be here, at least in this unit, for 2 years. Well, that was back in June 2009. We're still here... That's all about to change!

From now until December 31st, we are focusing on:
- New church callings
- New work schedule
- College applications and letters of recommendation
- Holidays
- Packing

From Jan to Sep:
- New work schedule
- New church callings
- New church time
- Packing extra stuff
- Looking for a house to either rent or buy
- Prom or No Prom decision
- Waiting for college acceptance letters
- Graduation (5th grade and highschool)
- Becoming 11
- Middle school and college dorms
- Packing everything else
- Trip to either California or Utah (Stanford or BYU)
- Moving

But until the big wave of changes hit this Monday, we are just enjoying Fall and being together...

Hug a teen...

Because you never know which ones are hurting inside...

Teen Suicide- Prevent it with a simple hug

Go on... find one to hug and let them know you care.

Daily Posting, What's That?: A Week in Review

Sorry Lara, I tried, I really tried... But I just couldn't do it- daily posting... ;-)

How last week fared:

(Heart-pounding beauty; I had a window seat)

Sunday- church; come home, eat, fly to Reno to pick up BFF Sheila (Charlie sent her an expired Buddy Pass and it was cheaper (FREE) for me to deliver it in person.) Two hours before I leave, L-Infinity gets a call and asks if we can let her school friend Kila bunk with us for a while. Nodded yes, packed, waited for Mr. Man, left and on the plane for 6-7 hours. Had late dinner with BFF at the Pepper Mill. Took a tour of Virginia Street. Got 1 hour of sleep.

(After dinner tour)

Monday- Woke up at 4am; go to Sheila's work (Harrah's) to catch the shuttle to the airport. First ones there. Too sleepy to have any cohesive conversation with Sheila. *zzz...*Got in to Dallas at 4pm; Costco run for dinner and boxes for Kila's things. Made dinner and sped to L-Infinity's School Open House. Sheila is in for a long week! And me... *sigh*

(In Cobb Switch)

Tuesday-Errand day!!! Picked up J-Pony from school (scratchy throat, dizziness). Cleaned up house, laundry and Walmart and Albertson's trips. Mr. Man and I took Sheila out to lunch at Cobb Switch. Yummy! FHE with the whole family dinner focused on educating Kila on the house rules. "Family first right along with the Gospel" and utmost respect for food and dining (No lewd topics!)

(At Cici's with the kiddos; L was at her AC DEC obligation)

Wednesday- More errands! Sheila and I took Charlie to the airport. Got Sheila started on FB FarmVille. Instant addiction! LOL Went to Cici's for the kiddos fundraising dinner.

Thursday- Woke up at 7am, rushed the kids out. L and Kila missed the bus. Sheila and I dropped them off and picked up J again (throat & tummy). Remedied with breakfast and Halls, but kept her home for further observation. Kohl's and Walmart, twice (left two bags behind).

(See, isn't that a big goose egg?)

Friday- Kohl's, practice run to Dallas, Lewisville and Irving. Picked up I-Dude from school. He was accidentally pushed from behind and he fell on the gym floor, forehead first. BIIIIIG goose egg! Good thing, his doctor, "Dr. Sis." Fowers examined him thoroughly and gave him an all-clear. Back to icing the "egg". Nurse at his school, O-V-E-R-W-H-E-L-M-E-D! Squeezed in some mall time.

(Sheila shopping for "Texas" souvenirs)

Saturday- Woke up at 4am again. Sheila's time to go home, She drove the van and texted me at every leg of her journey. Talked to her about 7-10 times. *breathing better* Got back to Reno safely. Finished 3 Advanced Excel homeworks and a quiz plus a Sociology essay on Religious and Women As Minorities- challenges and observations (had a week to finish them, but only a day to spare). *maximum sighing occured*

I feel so bad she didn't get to see north Texas but from the van or inside common stores. I can't wait to have a less hectic schedule, bigger space, and a house!

Hope you all had a better week than I did!

Tonight, it was nice to actually play in FB just to zone out...

Quiz Interrupted

Sounds like a movie title, huh? LOL

No really! I had an essay and quiz due today but for some odd reason, I kept getting interrupted. Valid ones, too. No sleep, neighbors, kids, teenage social life, three meals, other people's problems, etc., etc.

I feel so relieved that my essay was mainly done last night and I just had to polish it off but my quiz alone, which my instructor thought an hour would be enough, certainly didn't account for my scenario tonight. While doing my quiz, I was and had to be pulled away not three, not four, not even five, but seven different times!

Between multiple phonecalls, texting necessities, neighbor interaction/mediation, a possibly lost teenager, plus a needed-to-be-solved flight dilemmas, I managed to finish it with only one missed question. Whew! And turn in my essay with at least two hours to spare. *woot woot*

Oh yeah, and I now need to go to Reno tomorrow to solve the flight dilemma. Wow, one crazy day and "poof!" You're booking a flight to Reno. ;-)

More on this dilemma later, I've got to sleep. Church tomorrow.

Backache... Ouch...

Well, since Sunday I've had these progressive backaches that just wouldn't completely go away. I've tried sitting, standing, stretching, walking it off and finally Excedrin but it still came back. To top it off, I'm battling this "almost" headache that can't quite make up its mind if it's going to make me suffer or not! It just makes my head heavy and woozy. Oh, man!

A Lot for A Little

J-Pony found this great breakfast recipe for Labor Day in Sandra Lee's heavily sponsored cookbook where the dishes are kid friendly. So, with my coupons and ad, we hit Albertson's!

These are what I got:

• 3 lbs of large shrimp (21-25)- $15.98 each
  
• 1 Tombstone pizza- $3.50
  
• 1 5-pk of Kraft Mac-n-Cheese- $3.99
  
• 2 cantaloupes- $1.50 each
  
• 1 pkg. seedless grapes- .88/lb
  
• 1 bag hash browns- $2.39
  
• 2 Velveeta Shells and Cheese Cup- $1.19 each
  
• 2 large red onions- .99/lb.
  

But between my ad and mfg coupons, raincheck voucher and the week's deals, I paid ONLY $27!

I-Dude just loved this "big guy" so he made sure we took his picture next to it. Can't deny where we are now, huh? LOL

L-Infinity wanted pizza for dinner so we popped the Tombstone Pep & Sau in the oven, but ate AFTER we gave it Emeril's "bam!" factor with some fresh basil and parsley. Wow in your mouth!

Hope you had a great Saturday! I'm off to finish my other homework...

One Dish Can Do What?

Did you know that your style and preference in cooking say a lot about who you are and what makes you tick?

This is my signature tomato-based dish. I love tomatoes, and this dish looks COMPLICATED BUT deliciously SIMPLE to make. And yields a GENEROUS portion in every pot while NOT being FRIVOLOUS in its ingredients. It boasts of MYSTERY while being CLEAR IN INTENT- to please any palette...

(taken with cell phone)

CHICKEN A LA CAROLYN

1. 1 lb of boned chicken pieces (thighs, drumstick, etc)
2. 1 can cut tomatoes
3. 1 small onion, sliced
4. 3 bay leaves
5. 1 tsp. each S&P
6. 1 T soy sauce
7. 5 cups water
8. 1 tsp garlic powder or 3 cloves, mashed
9. 1 T parsley, fresh or dry
10. 1 cup peas, frozen
11. 1 lb red potatoes, halved
12. 1 can tomato sauce, small
13. 7-10 leaves basil, fresh and torn
14. 1 tsp paprika
15. 2 tsp canola oil
16. 1 yellow bell pepper, cubed big
    

It seems daunting already huh, but it's like a casserole on your stove top. Just layer slowly and let simmer to let each TALENTED flavor to mesh and GROW into the dish and create a UNIQUE AND BRAVE character that makes the dish, FRIENDLY TO ALL palettes. (unless of course you're allergic to any of the ingredients). And because there are such a variety of ingredients, it is FLEXIBLE AND UNDERSTANDING of its consumers that the dish is customizable, MOLDABLE.

Rinse and pat dry each chicken piece. Rub on garlic, S&P and paprika. Set aside in fridge for 10-15 minutes. In a deep soup pot, heat up oil in med high.
Brown each chicken piece on all sides. Set aside.
Saute the onions; add in the potatoes and bay leaves.
Add in the chicken, the tomatoes, tomato sauce and water. Simmer for 10 minutes on med high.
Add in all the veggies and the rest of the seasoning, except the basil and the peas. Simmer for another 30 minutes on medium heat.
Add in the peas and stir into the pot.
Layer the basil leaves on top of each other and rip in half. Add in and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Kill the heat and leave covered for another 10 minutes before serving on top of steamed rice or pasta.

It reminds of Italy's Cacciatore, has the air of American casseroles and stews, but the soy sauce definitely brings out its Asian roots and adds that finishing touch.

I hope you'll try it and enjoy the complexity of this dish and you may just discover just how easy it is to do if you just take the time... And take a look at that, you got to know me just a little bit better... Now that's delicious!

(Ok, I'm hungry for some now; bye!)

Homeworks Galore...

From my own Advanced Excel assessment to Sociology in three areas to signing off Permission forms for the kids to help out afterschool, I have homeworks! And while still a zombie, I don't want to do them! *wahhhh!*