Oct 19, 2002 UNSTOPPABLE...

[Denine]

Sandy: Enjoy your time with the grandkids!

This is my last home school update.
Today we went to Yorktown. We took a 2 hour tour of the Continental Army encampment, 1780's farm and museum. At the encampment, Kaleigh got to learn about camp cooking, how they slept, what happend if they were sick or injured and other stuff. Then we went to the farm and learned about a middling farmer, (not the richest or poorest). We learned how they cooked and what crops they grew (tobacco) and how it was sold. We learned about the animals on the farm. Turkeys were kept not for meat, but because the ate the hornworms off the tobacco leaves. We also learned how they lived. Again, I loved the kitchen demonstrations.
Then we checked out the museum. It was very informative.
After the tour we went back to the encampment and looked in all the tents and I took pictures of Kaleigh. Then we went back to the farm and took more pictures. We looked around the museum a bit more and watched the movie.
Then it was time for Kaleigh's class on colonial life. There were only 4 kids in the class! They all got to try on colonial clothes and try out stuff and look at stuff. Again, very informative. I bought a couple of small books, 1 on herbs and Ben Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac. They were both inexpensive.
Now we are here in Richmond. We come home on Sunday.

The kitty I really wanted at the shelter was adopted. I had decided that if he was still around when we got back, then he was meant to be ours. If not, we weren't meant to have him.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Denine, why am I not surprised you liked the cooking part? LOL Not to be mean, but it's a good thing that the kitty was adopted. Now, DON'T look online anymore!!

My day was great yesterday. The kids were good. Tyler ate everything up so that was good. Med time went easy. Only bad part was that I talked to Stacey and they were in the truck coming home. She made a crock pot meal for all of us including them when they got home. Well, I didn't know it but they stopped for dinner. I was so scared when they didn't get home when they should have. I kept looking out the window and finally Joey asked "Grandma, why do you keep looking out the window?". I was upset when they got home and I found out that they stopped for dinner. The least they could have done was call me to tell me so I wouldn't worry. Hope they are kinder to Heidi as her day will be longer than mine.

 

[Denine]

Sandy: Glad you had a good day. You're right, they should have called.

Too late, I have already looked at other kitties.

Having a nice, relaxing day today. I had Kaleigh do her practice test for the CAT. If she does as well on the CAT as she did on the practice test, she will do very well again. The practice test did not include science or social studies though and those were included on the CAT.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Denine, shame on you!!!

 

[wildernessgirl]

Denine, shame on you!!!

Sandy, you should know by now, that's Denine ...when she wants something... she'll get it. We figured over here that she would have adopted the "original kitty" before she left.... BUT we knew that she had others picked out IF the original was adopted.

The past few days here have been BEAUTIFUL!! Sunny, hardly any wind and in the 50's/upper 40's. We took the dog and the rest of the family for our 5 mile walk today. It was a taste of spring around this part of the woods!

Sandy, glad you had a great time with the grandchildren. I sure bet they love their grandma and grandpa!! Thank your for those WW recipes! I loved them! Garry is down +40lbs and I'm down 18lbs since we started in Nov. It's been tough, but I'm doing OK with it.

Heidi, I hope you had a great day with Joey and Tyler too! I'm sure Auntie Heidi doesn't spoil them at all!

Denine, do you take Kaleigh somewhere to have her take the CAT or do you administer it yourself and then mail in the results? If you guys liked Williamsburg so much, you guys should take Kaleigh to Hale Farm and Village. They have some of those same activities there. Makenzie is going with her class at the end of the month. They do candle dipping, and cooking demo's there too along with other activities. When Garry and I went there several years ago, they had a civil war re-enactment going on for the entire weekend..NOW that was really neat. They cooked out over the open flames, and made the "lovely" civil war meals...., slept in tents, the women all wore the big colonial dresses.... etc... that was very interesting! we are planning on going again.

At the end of the month, we are going to Buffalo to spend the night on WWII battleship with the cub scouts. We get to eat in the ships mess hall, sleep in the ships bunks and tour several more ships from the war at the navel shipyard up there. It should be lots of fun and very interesting......


Susan, I'm so glad to hear that everything was OK with your tests! It's such a relief to those words... "everything is fine".


Hi Barb! How are things going with you?

Well, gonna go. Just thought I would pop in to see what was going on with everyone! Be back later!

TTFN

 

[Denine]

Julie: Your trip to Buffalo sounds like fun! You know the weather there gets better when we leave! You're right, we should take Kaleigh to Hale Farm. It has been several years since we have been there.

If we get another kitty, we won't be taking it to the vet all the time. Hera doesn't go and she is fine.

Going home tomorrow.

 

[Schrolls]

I'm in Raleigh with Paul and Turner. Turner had a hockey game tonight and one tomorrow. They lost tonight 5-2. They play at 11:15 tomorrow. The winner of that game goes to Nationals in April. We've got to win!!!

It was a hard decision to go that far away from Dad but it's only today and tomorrow. Hopefully all is well. I stayed with him last night and Paul and Turner picked me up on the way today. He was very restless last night and hallucinating a little. I can't believe how swollen his face and head keep getting. It is sooooo sad.

I'll check back in tomorrow evening and let you know the hockey results.

Love to all!!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

The weather is soooo beautiful but I know it won't last. After all it's March.

Denine, you crack me up.

Julie, we have a working farm that I bet is like the one you are talking about. It has two different time periods. It use to be (not sure if it still is) where kids would go for a " camp" like thing and wear time clothing and work the farm. It is open to the public. It was sooo cool to go to. I just need kids again. Barb, if you are interested for Ethan, it's called Littleton Historical Museum. Your cub scout trip should be a blast. Congrats on the weight loss.

Susan, glad you got away. You need some "down" time. Pixie dust to Turner. I hope they win!

 

[wildernessgirl]

Susan, glad you gave us an update on your dad. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you guys can get a win tomorrow! Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers!

 

[wildernessgirl]

I just need kids again.

I can send you mine for a few days!!! I bet they'd LOVE Auntie Sandy!!!!!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Sure Julie, we could have some fun! Here's another recipe that WW just sent me. I haven't tried it. Any typos are not mine. I just copied and pasted. To lazy to correct.

Bella Braised Chicken
Serves 6 and its 5 points

1 tablespoon unsalted stick margarine
2onions, chopped
2 celery stalks, diced
1 carrot, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepperjj
six 4-ounce skinless boneless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
One 14 1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes (no salt added)
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons minced parsely, plus more for a garnish
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

Preheat the oven to 325
In a large nonstikc skillen, melt the margarine. Add the oinons, celery,k carrot and garlic; cook, stirring as needed, until softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to a 3 quart Dutch oven or casserole.
IKn a gallon-size sealable plastic bag, combine the flour and pepper. Add the chicken; shake to coat.
In the same skillet, heat the oil. Add the chicken and brown 2 minutes on each side. Arrange the chicken on the top of the vegetables. Return the skillet to the heat; add the tomatoes, broth, wine, parsley and thyme. cook, scraping up the browned bits form teh bottom of the skillet, until the liquied comes to a boil; pour over the chicken. Bake, covered, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, about 1 hours. Serve sprinkled iwth the additional minced parsley (we generally skip this).

Per serving: 232 Calories, 6 g Total Fat 1 g Sat Fat, 66 mg chol, 121 mg sodium 12 g total carb 2 g dietary fiber, 29 g protein, 61 mg calcium.

 

[Schrolls]

BAck home from Raleigh. They didn't win this weekend. They played hard and needed a tie this morning but lost by one point. The tie would have given them the overall edge to go to Nationals. They were so disappointed. I am glad I was there for the end of season games. I am so proud of them.

Now a week off and the high school hockey starts. At least it is all local and no overnight travel. I should be able to make these games. I was worried about my Dad all weekend. Stopped in to see him on the way home. His girlfriend told me to go home and be with Turner and she would stay tonight. I plan to go up in the morning to relieve her.

Funny story, may have told you all years ago...
Turner had an overnight fieldtrip to what it called Earth Shine. They live in the 1800's time period and make their own food, etc. They fished, made apple pie, stew, milked cows, etc. The counselor had them all in a big circle to show them how to gut a fish. Paul was a chaperone and on the opposite side of the circle. As the counselor shoed the gutted fish to Turner Paul had to take off running to catch Turner as he passed out. The chain reaction of puking that followed was unbelieveable. First the kids, then a counselor. She said she had never gotten sick before but seeing all the kids get sick mader her get sick. But it all started when Turner passed out!

Anyway, they had a great trip and learned alot about how people had to do things just to stay alive. Gut the fish or there wouldn't be dinner that night!!!

They all ended up gutting a fish, even Turner!!

Everyone have a great week.

Love you guys!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

OMG Susan. I LOVED that story. That is one that will stay with all involved for the rest of their lives. HOW FUNNY! Poor Turner. Sorry for the loss. Wow, another team right after another. Amazing. Go Turner! I'm glad that you and your dad's girlfriend get along so well. That sure helps with what all of you are going through. Not all are that lucky. Saying prayers for your dad. Hugs.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I went back and read all the posts and am now caught up!

Susan - What a bummer they lost this weekend but they should be so proud with how good they played. Turner really lives and breathes hockey!!!! Does he ever get burned out? My cousin was just like Turner, only he played baseball. That is such a funny story about Turner. I would have thrown up too!

Julie - That sounds like a fun trip with the Boy Scouts. How far away is Buffalo from you? Congrats again on yours and Gary's weightloss, that is awesome!!! I am so proud of you for keeping up on it.

Mom - I Love the Littleton Historical Museum. We still take the girls there sometimes so next time we will invite you along. We usually go for their Fall Festival and pick some pumpkins.

Denine - I hope you made it home okay yesterday. Sounded like a great time.

Barb - Where are you?

 

[Denine]

We are home safe and sound. I was exhausted. I hadn't had a decent nights sleep in over a week. Both Kaleigh and Jerry kept snoring! It was good to be home in m y humidified house!
Still too much snow on the ground, but the sun is out and it is supposed to be in the upper 40's, so more should melt.

Susan: I LOVED that story! Keeping you all in my prayers. Too bad Turner's team lost.

Hera actually missed us! She didn't come to greet us at the door, but she has been pretty much by my side this morning wanting to get petted. I still want another kitty though.

Kaleigh syas she doesn't feel well this morning, but I think it is more let down from the trip than anything else.

Julie: I forgt to answer your question about the CAT. I order it and then administer it and then send it back for scoring. Congrats on the amazing weight loss!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

WOW, that's beautiful. Thank you!!! I'm proud of our 35 years together! I guess it was true love!

Welcome home Denine.

It's going to be a wet week. More rain, less snow. But.....Stacey will get snow today. Bad me!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Heidi, any interest in going to the party store with me to help pick out decorations for Sam? It's a BIG birthday and I want to decorate. For everyone else, Sam is my "stepdad" and we are having a surprise 90th birthday party for him.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Mom - Yes, I would love to go with you and look at decorations. Do you want to do it before Survivor on Thursday?

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I thought you would enjoy it! Sure, before Survivor is perfect! BTW, Cody and Cris might not make it

BARB, where are you???