IEP, Aldi's, and the Red Baron!!!

Wow, 2015 already.

Life has really changed.  I work outside of the house now.  Not my favorite job but I love most of the people and it is good for me to get out.

Jordan is becoming the boy that I knew he could become.  We just had his yearly IEP and he has progressed enough to be removed from speech.  He is happy because now he doesn't have to give up his library time.  He is ridiculously tall for his age.  5'10"   His older brother is not happy about it.  The biggest issue I have with his height is how people look at him.  He still carries a toy into stores and has no filter on what he says.  I am working on that.  He says the same thing a five year old would say and not be considered rude but I get to apologize a lot.  He is trying to not hurt peoples feelings but things just pop out sometimes.  example:  last week we were at Aldi's and we got in line behind some women who didn't have enough money on their link card and had to put items back.  I was sadly not surprised by the items they returned.  They put back the meat and veggies but kept the 4 12 packs of soda and donuts.  Well anyways they kept roaming while the cashier was trying to help.  We even had to go get one lady out of the bathroom.  Who goes to the bathroom during checkout?  Jordan very loudly, cause he is always loud, says "what in the world is taking sooooo long?  I have to get home to see ________  (some TV show)"  I agreed but politely said sorry and then booked it out of their before those women.

The boys still have their Wednesday paper route.  I need to take a camera.  Last week Jordan was dressed as the Red Baron.  He had his aviator hat on and glasses.  He was walking kinda funny so I asked him what was wrong his reply "These glasses are hard to see out of.  No wonder so many pilots were shot down."  In Jordan's world everything is matter of fact.  Over Christmas he wore his Spiderman hoodie.  Of course he had to walk like Spiderman also.  I never thought we were going to finish.

Yesterday I arrived home from work to a snowman (kinda) in my driveway.  The snow wasn't the correct kind.  They dug a blob out and put his frosty hat and corncob pipe on.  The snowman originally had shoes but their papa came by and stole them.  Jordan was not happy and made me drive him to his house to get them back..

Jeffrey is excelling in High School.  He has all A's except for math which is a high B.  He is trying I am so proud of him.  We are looking into drivers Ed.  Wow not cheap.  I need $500 for this.

Jonna the Happy Medium

Well we went to see a Medium yesterday.  I have been wanting to do this for a long time. 

The first thing she honed in on was my health.  She pointed out that I need to get it under control.  I know and hopefully this is the kick I need to get a move on it.  I have POS  which totally makes sense.

Secondly she said my quitting daycare with no real plan is going to turn out alright.

Third she said that I am going to get remarried again.  Yuck or yippee we will have to wait and see. 

It was interesting to see what she had to say and in another year I am going back to recheck.   She managed to sense my brother and she said he believed he was invincible and gets it now that he wasn't.  He has visited me before which I knew and visits my mom alot.  way cool.  Grandma was also there surrounded by roses, not sure what that means but maybe it will come to me in the future.

on my way

I have several exciting changes happening. 

• First I am giving up on being 100% gluten free.  My son just started only eating gluten free substitues of the same non nutritional foods.  I am still being gluten free as much as possible.
• Next I am learning chartucerie.  I am getting a whole pig and learning from there.
• I am expanding my jam and jelly business to Etsy
• I am finishing my degree in holistic nutritional consultation
• I am working hard on losing weight, both myself and my boys
• Learning more gardening skills and hoping to expand into a summer business
• I am going to learn how to build something...anything
• Last but not least I am getting rid of 50% of the STUFF in my house

This is kinda like my New Years resolutions but they are really just goals.

snowapalooza

This post is a little slow but I was busy shoveling and then forgot.  We ended up with 14 inches in 10 hours.  The best part was my kids knew there would be no school so they stayed at grandmas.  It was like a mini vacation in the middle of the week.

My poor dog wanted to go out but could not figure out how.


Next I need to feed my rabbits.  First I have to find them.  They were covered extra well and had extra straw for a nest but I still wasn't sure what I would find.  Of course Jordan thought he would help so I am glad they were all alive.

Next I needed some walkways.  To the rabbits, for the dog, and to the neighbors.

When I was done it looked like hamster trail but for people.

I found the whole event entertaining.  I did hire someone, or I should say my parents did, to come and plow our driveways because the snow was taller than my snowblower.  I am forever grateful but I still got a really good workout.

birthday time

Easiest cake ever.  I did this one for their joint party.

He will make me a carpenter yet!

My brother is helping me redo my house in his spare time.  I have weird and crazy ideas stuck in my brain and somehow he turns them into reality.

Since I am getting away from anything in a bag or a box I store in glass jars.  I believe the contents are pretty so I wanted them on display for aesthetics and convenience.

This is what I started with.  An empty corner in my kitchen.

This is what I ended up with

It is beautiful isn't it.  I spend most of my time in this room and I am so happy to be able to have something more modern than my 60's kitchen cabinets.

We started with a sheet of plywood and designed from there.  On one wall we made it deeper because I wanted to put 1/2 gallon jars. That cabinet holds 16 1/2 gal and 4 quarts

I love the look of the dowel rods.

Now to figure out how to do the big shelf.  I got a little sidetracked by a fly.  Where has he been hiding all winter.

We used a little child labor for muscle.  See I knew you kids would come in handy.

Jordan had the camera so see if you can find Wall-e

  I am so happy with how this turned out.  I still need to stain it.  Now TIM onto the next project!!!!

Where have I been?

I wondered where I have been lately.  I am so behind on posts.  I will be updating my blog in the next couple of weeks.

back yard garden

Ok last time was my front yard here is my backyard.

raspberry bushes originally planted to keep Jordan from escaping over the fence

ok this bed really doesn't look that great everything is falling over

anyways LtoR:

garlic, cilantro/coriander, thyme, rosemary, sorrel, tarragon, parsley, lemon balm

L to R:

oregano. dill, daffodil, parsley

aloe plant, cherry tomato

strawberry bed with asparagus and echinacea

blueberry bushes (kinda it is really a squirrel buffet)

apple trees  (more squirrel food)

rabbits

momma rabbit under the lilac tree

my actual garden space

this year I only planted tomatoes in this space I have 33 plants

they are much taller now and it looks like a good crop

especially exciting since last year the blight and cold weather took all toms.

compost barrels are hidden under the lilac bushes

now you have seen the edges now lets see what is in the middle

ok that is it for now.  I have another garden space at my neighbors that is full of green beans

and another plot at a farm 12 minutes away

Front yard gardening

I have several gardens this year.  Here are the ones in my front yard.


This is the salad garden:  chiogga beets, european spicy mesclun, salad burnet, arugula, salad bowl(green and red), romaine(cos) and assorted flowers.
                              

Here is my bird bath.  It is surrounded by Yarrow(makes great tea), kale (flowering and regular), red cabbage, borage, and a blue flower.

Next is my strawberry tower.  This was in my brain and my brother helped me build it.  This would work better but the squirrels seem to enjoy sitting in it and digging.

Next is my 2 planters on either side of the garage.  They each hold a sweet potato plant and a habanero plant.

Next is what the neighbors probably call a mess but it is one of my 3 herb gardens.

Left to right

chives, red cabbage, catnip, borage, lovage(6+ feet tall), sweet woodruff, chocolate mint, hyssop, sage

There is another mint bed squeezed in front of the garage this one holds orange mint and clematis

I have some planters one each step and several lining the driveway but no pictures yet.  I only wish my neighbors would cut down their huge annoying and ugly pine tree so that I could use more of my front yard.  I have a full front yard and almost everything is edible but it doesn't look like it would be.

I am one PROUD mama!!!!

Today my little boy graduated primary school.  He is going on to 5th grade and a new school next year. 
The school had an award ceremony today.  My sons (notice plural) both received Eagle pride awards which is for a student who excels in a variety of skills.  They do their best academically, socially, and are kind and compassionate.  I am so proud out of approx 30 winners from the entire school both my boys were winners.

Jeffrey also was a top reader.  He ranked #5 out of all 4th graders.  He read an amazing 234 books in 4 years.  Four of the books were Harry Potter.  Are you impressed ......well..you should be.

They both came home with more awards from their teacher .  Jordan received an extra effort award and perfect attendence for 4th quarter.  He would have got one for the year but we went on a cruise.  Jeffrey also received one for honor roll., one for perfect attendence 4th quarter, and one for citizenship.

I LOVE MY BOYS AND I AM ONE PROUD MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jordan's party

Jordan had an early birthday party so he could invite his school friends.  We had his party at Open Bible play area.  I love that place it is like a secret.  It was a small party he had 4 friend his brother and two cousins.  One boy A. was out of control.  His mom didn't do anything about it either.  The bright part was N. who is one of Jordan's favorite friends.

OK can anyone guess what the cake was?   Anyone?    Really you can't guess!  Take a look

You got it right it is a gluten free spiderman cake.  I have to admit I am getting good at it.

The party was fun.  Now about Jordan's friend N.  He was the most caring 7/8 year old I have met.  My son was buried in the balls because he likes the feel of it but his friend was concerned that the boys were being to loud.  I am almost positive that if Jordan said yes N. would have made everyone be quiet.  Another impressive incident was when 3 boys were playing catch Jordan so they could throw him in the ball pit and A. joined in and upset Jordan.  He was giving him a wedgie.  The other boys let go except A. because they could see Jordan had enough.  N. grabbed A's arm and said "Leave him alone he can only take so much."  I love that little boy.  He protected my son in first grade from a bully and he always acknowledges my son when he sees him in public.   Jordan's aid also showed for the party and N. ran up to him to inform her that Jordan was playing with him.  I hope next year that Jordan gets to keep both Mrs. Cline and N. in his class.

Now lets eat cake!!!!