Wanted to bring some attention to a website called Healing, Health and Hope. You can find it here.
Healing, Health and Hope is a volunteer group of doctors who travel to underdeveloped countries performing (free) surgery for cleft palates and facial deformities. The people living in these areas know when the doctors will be there. The patients will get up early and start walking to the hospital just so they can get a place in line. There is usually a long line when the doctors and nurses arrive.
This is all volunteer. The doctors and nurses do not get paid.
If you want and can help out, the information is on their website. I am not getting paid to write about this organization. I like when people have certain talents and are able to use them to help others. The doctors and nurses that volunteer are doing just that: Healing, making sure the patient is in good Health and giving them Hope.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Vegetarian Diaries
Still hanging in there.
It was difficult while on vacation. Some restaurants do not offer a vegetarian dish. Some have salad. Of course, the kids picked Culvers on the way up to Door County. Luckily they had Minestrone soup. On the way back, they didn't have a vegetable soup so I had a grilled cheese (kids size). (which was more than enough) < I could probably talk about portion size at restaurants, too, but, I won't now.
We did find a few restaurants that had vegetarian meals (and they were good, too). Unfortunately I didn't know if a restaurant would have a vegetarian choice for a meal. Some places are nice and if you ask them they will hold the meat from the meal. And I found that some places will still charge you the full price even when you take off the meat from the meal.
At our block party a couple weeks ago I mentioned to a few people that I was a new vegetarian. One woman overheard and said that she tried it for a month and then went back to meat. Another woman said she tried it for 3 months and found it too difficult, especially when eating out. She also said she was sick of salads. I did get some words of encouragement. It was also nice to know that others had the same obstacles to overcome.
I should mention that one person said, after I said that I was a vegetarian, "Why? What's wrong with you?" I think she meant physically, not mentally. (or maybe she really did think it was mentally?) She did say that she thought there was a medical condition that required me to eat vegetarian.
I did learn a touch about tofu and that grilled tofu tastes good (I haven't tested this, but, will let you know if I try it)
It was difficult while on vacation. Some restaurants do not offer a vegetarian dish. Some have salad. Of course, the kids picked Culvers on the way up to Door County. Luckily they had Minestrone soup. On the way back, they didn't have a vegetable soup so I had a grilled cheese (kids size). (which was more than enough) < I could probably talk about portion size at restaurants, too, but, I won't now.
We did find a few restaurants that had vegetarian meals (and they were good, too). Unfortunately I didn't know if a restaurant would have a vegetarian choice for a meal. Some places are nice and if you ask them they will hold the meat from the meal. And I found that some places will still charge you the full price even when you take off the meat from the meal.
At our block party a couple weeks ago I mentioned to a few people that I was a new vegetarian. One woman overheard and said that she tried it for a month and then went back to meat. Another woman said she tried it for 3 months and found it too difficult, especially when eating out. She also said she was sick of salads. I did get some words of encouragement. It was also nice to know that others had the same obstacles to overcome.
I should mention that one person said, after I said that I was a vegetarian, "Why? What's wrong with you?" I think she meant physically, not mentally. (or maybe she really did think it was mentally?) She did say that she thought there was a medical condition that required me to eat vegetarian.
I did learn a touch about tofu and that grilled tofu tastes good (I haven't tested this, but, will let you know if I try it)
Meet Pippen
I know what you're thinking. "Here we go, the crazy lady and another one of her carpenter ant pets."
Hey, Arthur was.....different. Special. I think he might have gotten into some ant poison or something that made him crazy (lost, confused). I felt bad because the last 12 hours of his life he spent walking around in circles. I wonder how far he would have walked if he was walking in a straight line? (maybe to Tennessee?)
Well, he's gone.
This Pippen guy is different.
He's really cute.
Soft.
Curious.
Very loveable.
Take a look.
Alex and Bella have been helping a lot with Pippen. It's good to see them playing with him and trying to train him. Bella is really lovin' the puppy. I think he's going to be her puppy.
We thought Pippen would help keep Newton young. Getting him to run around a little more. Right now, Newton is ignoring Pippen (which is normal) and Pippen is giving us all a good workout. He's pretty skinny and can fit through the slats of our fence. He has escaped a few times. Luckily we have a camera out there so we can keep an eye on him. We've had to run out there and get him. (I should say, RT has had to run out there) At least someone is getting exercise. (RT has now fixed it so Pippen can not squeeze through)
So, that's the craziness that's happening over here. It's hard when you haven't had a puppy for awhile (Newton is 10). It's like having a baby. Luckily this one sleeps through the night.
I'm sure things will settle down.
I hope.
Hey, Arthur was.....different. Special. I think he might have gotten into some ant poison or something that made him crazy (lost, confused). I felt bad because the last 12 hours of his life he spent walking around in circles. I wonder how far he would have walked if he was walking in a straight line? (maybe to Tennessee?)
Well, he's gone.
This Pippen guy is different.
He's really cute.
Soft.
Curious.
Very loveable.
Take a look.
He looks a little scared in this picture
When I take a picture, he walks toward me.
I have to sneak in a picture when I can
Pippen is a rescued pup from Joplin, MO. He has been in Illinois for about a week now. We don't know much about his past (he's about 5 months old). He gets a little scared when he hears loud sounds and he doesn't like cars. Well, he doesn't mind once he is in the car, but, walking by or near a car scares him.
on the car ride home
Newton was not a happy camper in the car. Of course it didn't help that I had Pippen in my lap. (Newton is a Momma's boy) Newton is trying to get used to his new sibling. It might be a long process.
Holding Pippen on the way home
Alex and Bella have been helping a lot with Pippen. It's good to see them playing with him and trying to train him. Bella is really lovin' the puppy. I think he's going to be her puppy.
Kisses from Pippen
We thought Pippen would help keep Newton young. Getting him to run around a little more. Right now, Newton is ignoring Pippen (which is normal) and Pippen is giving us all a good workout. He's pretty skinny and can fit through the slats of our fence. He has escaped a few times. Luckily we have a camera out there so we can keep an eye on him. We've had to run out there and get him. (I should say, RT has had to run out there) At least someone is getting exercise. (RT has now fixed it so Pippen can not squeeze through)
So, that's the craziness that's happening over here. It's hard when you haven't had a puppy for awhile (Newton is 10). It's like having a baby. Luckily this one sleeps through the night.
I'm sure things will settle down.
I hope.
A girl and her puppy
(my favorite picture)
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Meet Arthur
We have discovered a few carpenter ants entering the house. Not a good sign. The last time this happened we had to tear down and rebuild a deck. We are thinking this batch is living in our fence. Hard to get rid of the fence because of Newton. We are on the hunt for the nest.
One ant was visiting this morning. He was walking in circles. Bella and I watched him for about 10 minutes. Alex came down and we pointed him out. Alex said the ant was probably nervous becaused he new he was going to die. I told him to keep an eye on him. So, for another 20 minutes the ant traveled in circles (in the same spot). Alex asked if we can keep him as a pet. I said, sure, we can keep Arthur. I'll sign him up for school and you can walk him to his bus stop.
I went for a walk after getting Bella on the bus. I walk in and RT is in the kitchen. He says, "Guess what?" I said, "You didn't kill Arthur, did you?" He gave me a strange look and said, "You named it?"
Arthur was still going around in circles. He moved his circles over a little bit. The rest of the day I would check on him. I ran some errands, came home and couldn't find him. Luckily RT found him. He moved a little closer to the stairs. I had a little talk with him and decided he was a little "special."
Forgot about him again and he was in the living room for awhile.
I am sad to announce that Arthur will not be circling anymore. He will be making big circles in the sky. (well, in the dirt in the backyard) No, I didn't bury him. Just tossed him outside.
Here he is in his happier moments:
One ant was visiting this morning. He was walking in circles. Bella and I watched him for about 10 minutes. Alex came down and we pointed him out. Alex said the ant was probably nervous becaused he new he was going to die. I told him to keep an eye on him. So, for another 20 minutes the ant traveled in circles (in the same spot). Alex asked if we can keep him as a pet. I said, sure, we can keep Arthur. I'll sign him up for school and you can walk him to his bus stop.
I went for a walk after getting Bella on the bus. I walk in and RT is in the kitchen. He says, "Guess what?" I said, "You didn't kill Arthur, did you?" He gave me a strange look and said, "You named it?"
Arthur was still going around in circles. He moved his circles over a little bit. The rest of the day I would check on him. I ran some errands, came home and couldn't find him. Luckily RT found him. He moved a little closer to the stairs. I had a little talk with him and decided he was a little "special."
Forgot about him again and he was in the living room for awhile.
I am sad to announce that Arthur will not be circling anymore. He will be making big circles in the sky. (well, in the dirt in the backyard) No, I didn't bury him. Just tossed him outside.
Here he is in his happier moments:
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Lunch Notes
Bella is in first grade this year and gets to eat lunch at school. She likes it, but, tells me she still wants to be home eating lunch with me. (aww, isn't she sweet?)
The first day she came home to tell me that her friend's mom puts notes in her lunch. That was a hint for me to start writing little notes and putting them in with her lunch.
I write the note after Bella goes to bed and place it in her lunch bag, along with the rest of the goodies she will eat the next day. Every morning Bella hops out of bed and runs down to the kitchen, opens the refrigerator pulls out her lunch bag and checks to see if the note is there. She also reads the note at this time.
I did this note writing for a couple of days, only to be informed that this "friend's mom" now writes jokes on her napkin (we use disposable napkins, so, it would be the same note every time). So, there I was searching for a good kids joke to write for her. I also asked her to wait until lunch time to read it so she will have something to look forward to.
I have been enjoying the little notes. She loves telling me all about it after school. So sweet.
I better enjoy it now. I'm sure in a few days I will be notified that the "friends mom" is now writing dissertations and somehow I will have to compete.
The first day she came home to tell me that her friend's mom puts notes in her lunch. That was a hint for me to start writing little notes and putting them in with her lunch.
I write the note after Bella goes to bed and place it in her lunch bag, along with the rest of the goodies she will eat the next day. Every morning Bella hops out of bed and runs down to the kitchen, opens the refrigerator pulls out her lunch bag and checks to see if the note is there. She also reads the note at this time.
I did this note writing for a couple of days, only to be informed that this "friend's mom" now writes jokes on her napkin (we use disposable napkins, so, it would be the same note every time). So, there I was searching for a good kids joke to write for her. I also asked her to wait until lunch time to read it so she will have something to look forward to.
I have been enjoying the little notes. She loves telling me all about it after school. So sweet.
I better enjoy it now. I'm sure in a few days I will be notified that the "friends mom" is now writing dissertations and somehow I will have to compete.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
The Bus
Another title can be "The thorn in my side."
I have no problems with the bus for the elementary school. Our bus driver is great. He is always on time. Very dependable.
Then there is the high school bus driver.
Never sure when they are going to pick up in the morning, or if they are going to change the pickup time and not inform the students (or parents).
Will there be enough room on the bus for those big high school kids and their back packs or will they have to sit on the floor of the bus? (it has happened, twice)
And, expecting three students to fit in one seat? Yes, I know they think that three adults fit in one bus seat. I'm not sure if there is a size on these adults? Are they three skinny petite women? Or three large football players? That's a good idea! Let's try putting three large football players in a bus seat and see if they fit.
The bus is the one thing that really gets me all riled up, can you tell?
Today they were doubling up routes (apparently our bus driver didn't show up and the bus company didn't think to get a sub). Nick came home at 7:10am (30 minutes after his bus is to pick him up). His bus never showed. A quick call to the bus company and I am told they will be there any minute. Nick told me that one of the kids called someone at the first pickup and they were still there waiting. Everyone else at his stop scattered to find rides to school.
I ended up driving him to school. If he waited, he would be late for school.
Driving a child to school was not exactly on my list of things to do this morning. When I call the bus company, the person answering the calls always sounds irritated. Well, getting calls from complaining parents can't be quite pleasant. Maybe if they took these calls and tried to figure out how they can reduce the complaints (and fix problems?) it would reduce the number of phone calls. This wasn't a fun way to start the morning. I have 2 other children who need some supervision in the morning because they have to get ready and go to school. Lucky RT was home to make sure things ran smoothly.
Hopefully this was the first and last incident for this school year.
I have no problems with the bus for the elementary school. Our bus driver is great. He is always on time. Very dependable.
Then there is the high school bus driver.
Never sure when they are going to pick up in the morning, or if they are going to change the pickup time and not inform the students (or parents).
Will there be enough room on the bus for those big high school kids and their back packs or will they have to sit on the floor of the bus? (it has happened, twice)
And, expecting three students to fit in one seat? Yes, I know they think that three adults fit in one bus seat. I'm not sure if there is a size on these adults? Are they three skinny petite women? Or three large football players? That's a good idea! Let's try putting three large football players in a bus seat and see if they fit.
The bus is the one thing that really gets me all riled up, can you tell?
Today they were doubling up routes (apparently our bus driver didn't show up and the bus company didn't think to get a sub). Nick came home at 7:10am (30 minutes after his bus is to pick him up). His bus never showed. A quick call to the bus company and I am told they will be there any minute. Nick told me that one of the kids called someone at the first pickup and they were still there waiting. Everyone else at his stop scattered to find rides to school.
I ended up driving him to school. If he waited, he would be late for school.
Driving a child to school was not exactly on my list of things to do this morning. When I call the bus company, the person answering the calls always sounds irritated. Well, getting calls from complaining parents can't be quite pleasant. Maybe if they took these calls and tried to figure out how they can reduce the complaints (and fix problems?) it would reduce the number of phone calls. This wasn't a fun way to start the morning. I have 2 other children who need some supervision in the morning because they have to get ready and go to school. Lucky RT was home to make sure things ran smoothly.
Hopefully this was the first and last incident for this school year.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Busy Days
It's nice having the kids back in school. I can actually get something done. I can clean and it stays clean (at least until the kids get home).
Today RT and I were doing some chores around the house. RT was practicing his breaking and entering skills for his future life of crime (he was removing some broken glass from a window that apparently no one knows how it broke). All was going well until he broke the window going into the house. (double pane window, only one was broken)
I attempted to clean Alex's bed room (a major undertaking). His room needs to be painted. He still has the baby border up in his room. He used to be our neat, organized child. Not exactly sure what happened. I did some clean up, removing of books that should be passed down, clothing that doesn't fit, etc. Barely scraped the surface. Alex came in and said it looks great and that he's going to keep it that way. (I'll believe that when I see it) (and, I'm not even done)
RT was out organizing the garage a bit. I went out to ask him something when a metal shelf twisted and dumped everything that was on it. (he wasn't having a good day today)
Hope tomorrow is as productive as today.
And hope nothing breaks or gets damaged in the process.
Today RT and I were doing some chores around the house. RT was practicing his breaking and entering skills for his future life of crime (he was removing some broken glass from a window that apparently no one knows how it broke). All was going well until he broke the window going into the house. (double pane window, only one was broken)
I attempted to clean Alex's bed room (a major undertaking). His room needs to be painted. He still has the baby border up in his room. He used to be our neat, organized child. Not exactly sure what happened. I did some clean up, removing of books that should be passed down, clothing that doesn't fit, etc. Barely scraped the surface. Alex came in and said it looks great and that he's going to keep it that way. (I'll believe that when I see it) (and, I'm not even done)
RT was out organizing the garage a bit. I went out to ask him something when a metal shelf twisted and dumped everything that was on it. (he wasn't having a good day today)
Hope tomorrow is as productive as today.
And hope nothing breaks or gets damaged in the process.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)