Oct 19, 2002 UNSTOPPABLE...

[jiminyC_fan]

Oh my goodness Susan. What more? Hugs, prayers and pixie dust for your mammogram. Hopefully, it's just a scare. I had one of those and I know how nervous it makes a person. You need CALGON! It's funny how families are all different!

 

[Denine]

Susan: I know all about suspicious mammograms! I kept having to go back every 3 months for a while until they were satisfied it was just scar tissue from my breast reduction surgery back in 2000. Glad to hear Paul's mom is improving.

We had a beautiful day today. It was a bonus day really. Our Williamsburg tickets weren't to start until tomorrow so we didn't think we could pick them up until then, but Jerry went to find out and we got them today! So we got to go tour the Governor's Palace, kitchen and grounds. We also went into the Apothecary shop. We had ham biscuits at the Raleigh Tavern Bakery and just enjoyed what to us was a beautiful spring day. It was sunny and low
50's We even saw crocus in bloom!
We are going to get an early start tomorrow. They have 1 building set up for just home school activities all week. Wednesday we go to Jamestown and Friday is Yorktown.
We saw that 1 day tickets, just to the historic area were $28 each for adults and $14 for kids. We paid $11 each for a 5 day pass! We got a special price.

 

[Schrolls]

Planning to watch USA win GOLD in Men's Hockey then head to my Dad's for the night. He slept most of the time I was there yesterday. Turner and Hailey came to visit and he woke up for about 20 minutes even though they stayed for 2 hours.

I've been working on laundry all morning and I'll have dinner with the boys before I leave.

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Love you guys!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Denine, what a deal. BTW, I'm jealous. You are doing things that I would absolutely love.

Susan, you are soooo correct. WE WILL WIN THE GOLD!

Waiting for the snow to kick in this afternoon. Maybe 2-4". No biggie. It's weird though. It's the fourth Sunday storm in a row.

 

[Denine]

Just saw Canada win the gold. Bummer.

We had another wonderful day! SUnny. Nice, but not warm, chilly at times with the wind in the shade. Tomorrow is supposed to be the nicest day.

This is our 3rd night and 3rd hotel. We are here for 4 nights though.

Today we saw the Capitol and Kaleigh got to play some learning games that kids of the time period would have played at the Powell House. This is where the homeschool stuff takes place. We also checked out a lot of trades today and ate lunch at the Kings Arms Tavern.
Kaleigh made friends with another little girl with red hair who is also homeschooled. We kept running into them all day. They live in South Carolina. We got Kaleigh a Felicity doll on e-bay for Christmas, so she is carrying her around. Everyone here knows Felicity. We got Kaleigh 2 new Felicity books while here.
We wanted to take a carriage ride around town, but that was just too expensive; almost $40 for the 3 of us for 20 minutes! We are however, going to rent a costume tomorrow for Kaleigh to wear. That is only $20 for the whole day. She will LOVE it. She saw other girls in colonial dresses today.

It is so nice to not be questioned about why we homeschool, but to have it embraced. There were no schools at this time. The kids were taught at home by parents, nannies, governesses or tutors.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

We watched it, too, Denine. Sad but as Ted puts it, someone has to lose. I'm kind of embarrassed watching them get their silver medal. Some of the guys look sad, mad and whatever. I just wish they could put on a better front. Good grief. They got a silver medal. They aren't coming home empty handed. I wish I was there with you . You are living my dream. I think it's cute that you rented her a costume. Take a picture for me, ok?
ICKY, Oh Canada is playing now. That song is soooo boring to me., .

Denine, Quick question, do all states have some sort of testing to insure the kids are at grade level? We were watching Wife Swap and a boy was way behind in math and writing. He lives in CA. I told Ted that Kaleigh has to be tested.

Big tv night for me.....Amazing Race and Undercover Boss. Love them both.

Weight Watcher soup for dinner. Julie, I haven't forgotten some recipes.

 

[Denine]

Sandy: You could come to Williamsburg instead of Mexico. Can you trade into Ford's Colony? Not all states have the same requirement for testing. I don't have to have Kaleigh tested. I could have a written narrative from a certified teacher. I choose to have independent testing done to assure ourselves that we are doing a good job.

I forgot to say that Kaleigh got to try out a real harpsichord today.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Denine - Your trip sounds like a lot of fun. I loved Williamsburg when we went there for a day while I was at Virginia Beach for a class for work. I think it is a good idea that you get Kaleigh tested just to make sure she is advancing and is on target.

Susan -Geez, when it rains it pours. You are going through so much right now. I hope your follow-up appointment goes better. Hugs to you. We love you.

I watched the hockey game too and was disappointed. The last goal the USA scored in the regular game gave me hope that they might get gold, but they didn't do so well in OT! It was still a good game, pretty rough game though! I guess I didn't see the USA team as disappointment just exhausted but then again I didn't watch them hand out all the medals.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I guess I didn't see the USA team as disappointment just exhausted but then again I didn't watch them hand out all the medals.

Excellent point Shame on me!!!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Ok, here's more WW recipes.

Unbelievably good:
Black Bean Brownies
16 brownies 2 points each
1 can black beans
1 box any brownie mix
Puree beans in juice (do not drain) until smooth mix in brownie mix and cook according to package directions.

Ted and I have had this several times:
Beef Doritos Casserole

Recipe By : Teresa
Serving Size : 6 6 points

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
6 ounces Velveeta Light
2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
10 3/4 ounces cream of chicken soup -- 98% fat-free
11 ounces tomatoes with green chilies -- Rotel
6 ounces Doritos, baked -- Nacho Cheese
8 ounces lean ground beef -- 95%

Cook meat, drain and add taco seasoning. Mix the tomatoes and soup together. Then, layer meat, soup mixture, crushed Doritos, and cheese. Keep layering until done. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

NOTES/Teresa's: You can also substitute Cream of Mushroom for the cream of chicken and add 1 can corn and 1 can cream of corn to the Rotel/mushroom mixture. My mom makes this with corn chips instead of Doritos. It is heaven.... I am going home tonight to make this with Doritos and Boca crumbles!

Zero point soup
Ingredients

2 medium garlic clove(s), minced

1 medium onion(s), diced

2 medium carrot(s), diced

1 medium sweet red pepper(s), diced

1 medium stalk(s) celery, diced

2 small zucchini, diced

2 cup(s) green cabbage, shredded

2 cup(s) Swiss chard, chopped

2 cup(s) cauliflower, small florets

2 cup(s) broccoli, small florets
2 tsp thyme, fresh, chopped

6 cup(s) vegetable broth
2 Tbsp parsley, or chives, fresh, chopped
1/2 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, optional
Instructions
• Put garlic, vegetables, thyme and broth into a large soup pot. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low and simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in parsley or chives; season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Yields about 1 cup per serving.
Notes
• If you like thick soups, consider pureeing this recipe in the pot with an immersion blender.

There are so many variations on this recipe. Add or leave out vegetables to suit your taste.

Save time by using frozen vegetables instead of fresh ones (though the texture of the soup might change a bit). You can also buy small amounts of pre-cut vegetables from your super market's salad bar.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Mom - I guess you are not the only one that thought that. One of my coworkers was talking about it today at lunch and saying how disappointed they looked and how some of the players looked mad.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Thanks Heidi. I was beginning to think that I was becoming a big huge grump!

 

[Denine]

Hello again from another gorgeous day in Williamsburg. It was nice, but chilly again when the wind was blowing. Kaleigh had a lot of fun today. We surprised her with the costume rental and we bought a little cap to go with it. So, she gets to keep the cap. We started out the morning at the Powell House again where Kaleigh learned how to clean windows, wash up at a washstand, make a huge feather bed, including plumping up the feather mattress. She also dusted with a feather duster. Then we moved on to dance lessons. We all learned a country dance. People of society or the gentry class need to know some 60 dances! The Middling Sort only need to know about half that! We now know 1! We toured so many buildings today that I can't remember them all! We went back to the Powell House in the afternoon to meet Mrs. Powell. Kaleigh also learned how to set a "good" table and learned what foods may be on that table. Then we went on to learn how to serve and take tea. We spent the whole day there again.
When we left, we went to the Yankee Candle Village. I think they had every scent of candle they have ever made! They had 2 scents for 25% off and I bought those. One, I already have at home.
We go back again tomorrow. It is only supposed to be 44 and cloudy though.

There is just so much to see and learn!

Wednesday we go to Jamestown, but it is supposed to be snow/rain that day.

I hope everyone is well!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Denine, I pray you are taking pictures...lots and lots of them. I know you don't post them here (I don't know how either) but it's so easy on Facebook. I would love to see a bunch. It sounds soooooooooooo cool. You are very lucky you live as close as you do. Home schoolers here don't have that opportunity. I'm enjoying reading your posts.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Denine - Who new learning could be so much fun! Sounds like your trip has been a lot of fun, Kaleigh has learned a lot of new things there. I can't wait to see your pics.

Nothing much going on here.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Yay, I heard from Susan. Her mammogram was ok. She will have a recheck in six months.

Waiting for Tyler and Stacey. He has a doctor appt and then we will have lunch and runt to Sam's Club.

Denine and Julie, our news showed the police officer almost getting hit with your slick roads. That was crazy. Glad they ALL made it out ok.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Yay, glad Susan's appointment went well. Finally some good news for her!

Mom - have fun at lunch.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

It was a TERRIFIC day. Tyler is officially off oxygen. Wow, what a difference a week makes! He was talking a lot. He ate his entire lunch without us begging him to eat. He made me a picture and that is rare in itself as he doesn't like to do things like that.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I have to add that Tyler kept saying he wanted to go home and see Joey. I thought that was soooo cool. He truly loves his sister. He made sure that he got two stickers for Joey at the doctor's. His final diagnosis was a rare form of RSV and pneumonia, both.

 

[Denine]

First, I am glad to hear Susan's mammo was fine! I saw on the weather channel that it was snowing in Charlotte.

Sandy: So glad to hear Tyler is off O2 and doing well.

I will try to have Jerry put some photos on FB. My camera or something was not cooperating the last time we tried to put the pictures on it.

Today was gray and chilly. Only in the low 40's. At least it wasn't windy, so it wasn't too bad. We came back earlier today than the last few days. We made sandwiches again, but ate them here in the hotel. We are at a Residence Inn and tonight they had a small dinner buffet.

Today we went back to the Powell House. Kaleigh learned about how they would weigh silver for money and how they would cut it and weigh it for change. She also learned more about apprenticeships and had to fill out a contract. The she learned more about chores that would be done in the morning. She got to help make that feather bed again. We all got a chance to lay on it. Very fluffy! I can see how it would be very warm in the winter. The she learned more games that kids would play in the 18th century.
We wanted to see a court trial today, but we just m issed it. At this time of year, they are only offering a trial once a day. You can still see the courthouse and learn about it though, so we did that too. We also went into the Peyton Randolph House. All very interesting! We went into the Charlton Coffee HOuse. It is a new building constructed on an original foundation. They were still working on it the last time we were here. The Coffee House is where gentlemen would go to play games, drink coffee, etc. and learn the news and talk politics. At the end, we all got to try a sample of either coffee, tea or chocolate from the 18th century. Kaleigh and Jerry had the chocolate. Kaleigh didn't like it. It had cinnamon and other stuff in it, plus it was dark chocolate. I had the tea.
We went back to the Palace kitchen where they were making chocolate today. They roasted and chopped up the cocoa beans before we got there. They were heating and pressing the beans into chocolate when we got there. Very interesting!
The place was nearly deserted today. There were a few older couples and pretty much the rest of us were home schoolers. It shows on the ticket we have to wear.

It is currently raining.

We go to Jamestown tomorrow. We go back in time another 150 years or so to 1607. I hope the weather isn't too crummy. Kaleigh has a classroom experience in the morning and we have the family tour in the afternoon.