Age Old Question

I ran into an acquaintance the other day who, upon discovering that all three children were now in school, asked me the age old, slightly infuriating, question..

What do you do with all your free time now? 

Since school started 3.5 weeks ago, I have only had one day - correction - one school day, meaning only 7.5 hours to do something of my own choosing.  Even then things like laundry, dishes, recycling, surface cleaning the house is intertwined as I move about.  On all the other days, if I do find I have 30 minutes of "free time", I quickly change my clothes and head out to the park to get some exercising in.  In fact, tonights exercising only happened in the short span between dropping kids off to church and having to pick them back up.   

I know, or hope, that schedules will calm down as the school year progresses and maybe I'll find more 'me' time.  But as a stay-at-home-mom, it is my job to keep everything running smoothly.  From holidays to cleaning to bills to sports to daily schedules the weight is mine.  I have no problem bearing it as long as my Keurig is working, but please, don't confuse a quieter house with having more free time.  I am just able to move faster and get more done in a day now.  

Figment

One little spark, of inspiration.

Is at the heart, of all creation.

Right at the start, of everything that's new.

One little spark, lights up for you.

We all have sparks, imaginations.

That's how our minds, create creations.

For they can make, our wildest dreams come true.

Those magic sparks, in me and you.

Up and Down

The school year is gearing up.

The Fair season is winding down.  

We are hoping for a financially awesome year as being able to book our Disney vacation relies on how well the fair season did.

Belated

My mom's birthday always falls during Fair season.  I usually make it a point to go visit for a while on her birthday but bigger family celebrations - like a front porch BBQ - have to be fit in when there is time.    

Somehow, in all the last minute planning, we forgot to bring a candle for the cake.  No biggie.  In a pinch, use a toothpick.  I'm sure it has no effect on the wish.

Happy 73rd Birthday, Mom.

Traveling

Today's soccer match took us to Liberty Benton.  Although the game did not end so well for our team, we as a family decided to make the best of the day.  

While in the area, we stopped into Van Buren State Park.  We've driven by it numerous times in our travels down I-75 and Jim would always talk about camping adventures there as a kid.  It was about time to see what all the fuss was about.   

As is normally the case, the campground has changed. However, this change is drastic to the point of the campground being relocated.  One of the few locations that remained the same from Jim's childhood days was a place him and his brother would go to throw rocks....

My mama's heart was not doing so well as three of us were in flip flops trying to maneuver over the ties and stones and down a steep slope. 

In their younger years, Jim and his brother would set up pop cans at the bottom of the dam and then climb up to the railroad tracks to throw rocks down at their target.  Pure and simple fun for kids back in the day, ya know?    

This view made my heart stop in terror....

This view made my heart stop in awe of God's beauty....

After taking this picture, I turned and slowly started walking back the way we came, looking for rocks that need to be painted.  Somewhere, maybe in my subconsciousness, I heard a noise and looked up.  The railroad signal in front of me was blaring red, something I had not noticed before.  I immediately turned around and what to my wondering eyes should appear?  But a train barreling down the tracks at us!!!  At that moment 'Fried Green Tomatoes' played through my head scene by scene and I might have panicked in getting everyone away from that area.  Once we were all safe, Jim claims that of all the years doing this as a kid, he never remembers a train going through.  Maybe Jim should stick to story telling and not sight seeing.

Dual Purpose

I have a hunch that with soccer games being scheduled until October 27th it might get a bit chilly outside.  Time to make ourselves a school color blanket for warmth.  And when its wrestling season we have the perfect way to save seats and our rumps on those bleachers.  

Go Big Red!!

Excitement

We officially have a band student this year!  

With much excitement and enthusiasm, Bree decided to take up the clarinet in the band.  And with even more excitement and enthusiasm, she came running home with paperwork to sign up for 3-4 shifts at the (music booster's) donut booth during the County Fair!!!   I'm just hoping she can keep up this excitement and enthusiasm when it come to actually practicing the instrument!

Prisoner

Fair time is done (for me) which officially makes it glorious, glorious FALL in this house!   In fact, this morning I got dressed in a cozy sweater, dug out my slippers, AND applied make-up just to take the kids to school all in celebration of the best season dawning.  However, there is one teeny-tiny yet massive thing I very much dislike about this time of year.

I become a prisoner in my house!!

Outside Every. Single. Door.  And window. are these beasts!!

In fact, my front door has TWO major webs with their owners blocking my way out.  Can you spot them both? 

I clean them off, do a weird ninja dance just in case they have jumped on me and am now covered with these 8-legged creatures, leading me to drop the broom and run inside, and randomly spending the rest of the day slapping my head - my arms - my sides due to phantom spider crawling feelings.  At least I don't have to decorate for Halloween.

Working Hard for the Money

Junior Fair Day - 

An extra day off school that you can..

A.) Have a chance to work in the family business learning how to interact with a wide variety of people, how to speak clearly and thank people who buy your product, and work on money skills no longer taught in schools.

Or....

B.) Use the day to sit around and eat loads of fair food while playing slots.

Elephant Ears

I love Elephant Ears.

Love.  Love. Love. Love. LOVE THEM!!!

I love them so much that I choose to not get them because eating one only makes me want to eat another and another and another.   So today for the first time in roughly 12 years I got me an elephant ear.... and dang it was good. 

Delivery

Pizza was a rarity when I was growing up.  Or at least it felt that way.  I have fond memories of ordering pizza on a Friday night while listening to the local football game on INTV and I still remember what we'd get on the 'My Three Sons' deal from Tiny's Pizza.  Even though this Italian food is regularly in the meal rotation, my children do still get excited about it.  But the rarity in this house is also the one thing my kids long for...

Delivery.

Equipped

A few years ago we made the decision to keep Bree home from the lake to help work our booth at the county fair.  Yes, she has her whole life ahead of her to work and be responsible and maybe she should be allowed to be a carefree kid while she can.  Maybe.  On the other hand, we feel that these few days of working long hours at the fair are laying the foundation for a greater work ethic that will come into play in just a few short years.  Instead of being thrown into and blindsided by the demands of a real job, Bree, and eventually the other two, will more easily be able to make the transition into paying jobs with success because they will be equipped to handle it.  And they will get there one Fair at a time.

Point of View

The grand Fulton County Fair is here and this is my view for the weekend:

While my view is quite yummy, the smells surrounding me are equally as exquisite.  Auntie Anne's pretzels blowing in from the South.  Steak tip dinners with onions and mushrooms blowing in from the North.  Ma & Pa's Kettle Corn swirling in from all directions.  People walking by with deep fried goodness that I can't identify....

I am in sensory overload and I love it!   

Benefits

The benefit of having an older sibling is getting to play 'Lemonade Stand' on their Chromebook.  

I have never played nor watched someone play 'Lemonade Stand' but judging by the smiles and laughter happening here, it must be one fun game.

Meal Planning

Soccer practice.  Soccer games.  Band concerts.  Volleyball.  Wrestling.  Math - Reading - Family fun nights.  Homework.  Holidays.  

Meal planning season is upon us.   One easy meal a week that started out of poor timing/planning is Wednesday Night Breakfast for Dinner.  Any combination of eggs, sausage, potatoes, and cinnamon rolls is a win for a quick meal and satisfied bellies.

Back to Work

Back to school mean back to work for me.  But I'm not complaining!  I was given $1,000 to spend on new books for the school library and I spent every last cent.  Now the fun of processing begins!

Practicing

After a grueling and devastatingly brutal soccer tournament, some of our weaknesses have been brought to light.  

Time to start practicing.  

And practicing.

And practicing. 

And practicing.

Tournament 2

Soccer tournament Day 2.

To say we were under-prepared yesterday is an understatement.  We needed a cooler on wheels, more comfortable chairs, definitely more sunscreen, and a wagon to haul it all.  Thank goodness for all those items still being in stores and clearanced out at that!

   And now we are headed back out, barely before the sun rise, to sit through another day of games.  Yesterday was a real eye-opener for our team.  Bigger boys, teams that have played together longer, and a lot of crazy talent.  This is the beginning of an intense soccer season.

Tournament

We are packed, but not so ready, for our first all day - all weekend soccer tournament.  

 

Simpleton

Ahh Kindergarten.  The simple days of coloring, matching, and being rewarded with scratch and sniff stickers!