December arrives tomorrow.
Our children have been in school for 3 months. Report cards were mailed from the middle school two weeks ago. Our daughter was anxious to receive her grades. WOW! I don’t think she had any issues with adjusting to a new school and schedule. Her lowest grade was an A- and she is on the high honor roll. She has taken full responsibility for her assignments. Every night I ask her about her assignments, reading and if she has any tests. She has been very mature about time management and getting her assignments done. Yes, rarely I have to get after her but 99% of the time, she is doing what needs to be done.
I am not really surprised at her grades. She has always enjoyed school and done very well. She applies herself, is not afraid to ask questions and participates in discussions. She is an active student. We even received a nice note from one of her teachers earlier this year complimenting her on her work, politeness and study habits.
This Friday, I am going to her school as we, her parents, were invited to a breakfast. This breakfast is to honor students for their academic achievements. So here, I step up and brag.
Our studious daughter was awarded the November Student of the Month- Scholarship award! What an honor and a job well done! We are so proud of you.
The reports from the elementary school are just as wonderful. Our son, a first grader, had an excellent report. I had to meet with his teacher to discuss their curriculum, his progress and any areas that we would need to help him with. Well, the first thing the teacher said was, “The only problem I have with your son is there are three boys that want to be just like him and they want to sit next to him when we have group time.” That may be a problem for her but not for us! He was given excellent remarks and his reading level is above where he is expected to be. His teacher has set a goal to have him at an M or N reading level by the end of the year. I can help with that. He brings home great books from the library that he reads and I have been reserving him books from the village library. He found a good author and he likes the books so I reserved all of them. He was thrilled and has read all but two. We will soon be looking for another author and good books. His teacher also said he is a leader, a quiet leader but a leader. He is a great “teacher” as they have buddy time where they met with their reading buddy and read. He is very patient and asks his buddy to re-read a sentence if it is not read correctly the first time and if needed, he will read the sentence to his buddy by saying, “That was good, but this is what the words say.”
Our time and involvement has definitely built a strong foundation for their learning. I’m not going to stop being involved either. I have found some wonderful mind games for gifts this season!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Making and Baking
Sunday was a day to bake. I made blueberry muffins for my husband. He asked me to make something with blueberries in them since we have over 20 pounds in our freezer and because they are so delicious! So I found a new recipe to try and boy, the muffins are scrumptious. I have a new recipe to add to my ever-growing collection.
I also wanted to make some bread, after all it is fall and that is the best season to bake and bread is one item that always gets eaten quickly in our home. With buttermilk available, I browsed through a bread cookbook and found a buttermilk bread recipe. Perfect! So I asked if anyone wanted to help make a loaf of bread and our son said he wanted to help. So we mixed up a half a batch (I should have mixed up the whole batch). Put it in a warm oven to rise and focused on other kitchen duties – mainly washing dishes.
Our daughter wanted to make black and whites (half moons) so we emptied the dish drainer and mixed up a batch. We needed to fill the cookie jar for the week anyway. I checked out some wonderful cookbooks by Carole Walter from our local library. Great cookies. Coffeecakes. Sticky buns. Muffins and more. Plus pies and tarts.
Have I captured your attention?
I’ll tell you, we have been pouring over these books. I’m definitely going to purchase one of her books and after further review and recipe testing (pies and tarts and coffeecakes, sticky buns, muffins and more), I might be adding three cookbooks to my collection.
Tip: Take a trip to your local library and check them out! You won’t be disappointed.
We always have fun in the kitchen and the results from our Sunday baking were…oh so good! The bread was perfect with dinner and the cookies, very delicious and you only need one to satisfy any and all cravings. The kids took a poll: Which glaze is your favorite? Results - three to one. Three of us prefer the white glaze; odd person out, was the Big Guy (my chocoholic).
I have two great assistants. Next time, I think I’ll assist and they can bake (and clean up)!
I also wanted to make some bread, after all it is fall and that is the best season to bake and bread is one item that always gets eaten quickly in our home. With buttermilk available, I browsed through a bread cookbook and found a buttermilk bread recipe. Perfect! So I asked if anyone wanted to help make a loaf of bread and our son said he wanted to help. So we mixed up a half a batch (I should have mixed up the whole batch). Put it in a warm oven to rise and focused on other kitchen duties – mainly washing dishes.
Our daughter wanted to make black and whites (half moons) so we emptied the dish drainer and mixed up a batch. We needed to fill the cookie jar for the week anyway. I checked out some wonderful cookbooks by Carole Walter from our local library. Great cookies. Coffeecakes. Sticky buns. Muffins and more. Plus pies and tarts.
Have I captured your attention?
I’ll tell you, we have been pouring over these books. I’m definitely going to purchase one of her books and after further review and recipe testing (pies and tarts and coffeecakes, sticky buns, muffins and more), I might be adding three cookbooks to my collection.
Tip: Take a trip to your local library and check them out! You won’t be disappointed.
We always have fun in the kitchen and the results from our Sunday baking were…oh so good! The bread was perfect with dinner and the cookies, very delicious and you only need one to satisfy any and all cravings. The kids took a poll: Which glaze is your favorite? Results - three to one. Three of us prefer the white glaze; odd person out, was the Big Guy (my chocoholic).
I have two great assistants. Next time, I think I’ll assist and they can bake (and clean up)!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Veteran's Day
JUST A COMMON SOLDIER
(A Soldier Died Today)
by A. Lawrence Vaincourt
He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.
And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?
A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.
It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?
He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.
© 1987 A. Lawrence Vaincourt
To all past, current and future service men and women - thank you for all your sacrifices so I and all those I love, can live with freedoms and rights that we take for granted every day. Thank you for your service. Your sacrifices. Thank you for giving us your all. God Bless America and all those true Americans that beleive and fight for the fundamental beliefs and rights that this great country was built on.
Charlie, this is for you. Love me
(A Soldier Died Today)
by A. Lawrence Vaincourt
He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.
And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?
A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.
It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?
He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.
© 1987 A. Lawrence Vaincourt
To all past, current and future service men and women - thank you for all your sacrifices so I and all those I love, can live with freedoms and rights that we take for granted every day. Thank you for your service. Your sacrifices. Thank you for giving us your all. God Bless America and all those true Americans that beleive and fight for the fundamental beliefs and rights that this great country was built on.
Charlie, this is for you. Love me
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Friends
A friend is one who walks in when others walk out-Walter Winchell
This quote hit me hard. It is so true. Honestly true. I have been contemplating it for a long time. How should I write about this without getting angry? Without stirring up emotions that bring tears to my eyes? How do I write something meaningful?
How many friends do you have? Real friends?
I would like to think I have many, many friends but over the years I realize that friends come and go. You have probably received that email that talks about seasons. How some people pass through your life for a reason, how some people fade out of your life and how other people, friends, are there every day. They are a constant in this ever-changing world.
It is hard for me to let people go. I don’t like change. I don’t like losing a friend relationship. I have cried over this many times over the years. I have struggled with understanding people and their messages that they no longer find our once friendship important anymore. They have moved on, let our friendship die and I struggle with coming to their terms. I have to accept their decision. No discussion. Just action. I try repeatedly to open that door that they closed and I find nothing. I have learned to walk away from shut doors over the years and not without emotion. Strong emotions. As I walked away, I realized we are at different stages in our lives. We have little or nothing in common. Thus the closed door.
Does it have to close?
I think in any relationship, like a marriage, one has to work at it. You can’t just expect it to last forever. You grow and change and this affects who you are and all relationships you have.
In todays’ hi-tech world where one has no excuse not to maintain contact and build stronger relationships, we are experiencing even more erosion of communication. Young people today don’t know how to have an actual conversation face-to-face. They don’t know how to spell or speak proper English because they text using abbreviations. They can’t enjoy any sort of social event because everyone has a cell phone in hand.
Hey father, did you just see that great play your son made? No, too busy making that call on family time.
There is light within this heartache of mine. I have some dear, true friends that “talk” to me regularly. In fact, almost every day. I am lucky to have them in my life.
You know who you are. With hugs full of love - This quote is for you!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Seconds
I have finished my second pair of socks! I knitted the first sock without any issues. No dropped stitches! I even figured out how to pickup stitches. I read the pattern directions and the light went off. I don’t know why I didn't understand the directions when I knitted the first pair, but I guess there is a learning curve to everything you do.
The second sock started off well, but I had an extra stitch that I had to knit away and then as I was sewing the toe up, I noticed a dropped stitch. I was so disappointed but I managed to pick it up and fix it. No one will know the difference - except me and I am not telling.
So, these socks were snatched up last night by my daughter as she has been patiently waiting for me to finish them.
The second sock started off well, but I had an extra stitch that I had to knit away and then as I was sewing the toe up, I noticed a dropped stitch. I was so disappointed but I managed to pick it up and fix it. No one will know the difference - except me and I am not telling.
So, these socks were snatched up last night by my daughter as she has been patiently waiting for me to finish them.
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