5QF 6-24-11

1. What is your current favorite tv show?

I can honestly say that I don't have any current favorite tv shows.  I am not really impressed with  the new shows, but do enjoy watching some of the older ones that are rerunning on a couple of the older channels.  We are enjoying Everyone Loves Raymond, The Nanny, Bewitched, Cosby Show, Our House and Highway To Heaven.  Why can't they put on more family friendly shows?
2. What's the worst haircut you ever got?
I honestly can't think of anything for this question.  Of course, I can say that I don't like my hair and would love to find something new that also looks nice, but is easy to care for.  I don't want to take the time to use a curling iron.
3. What was something that you did as a child that you thought you were so cool for doing?Boy I must live a really dull life, because I can't think of an answer to this question either.  Don't recall doing anything that was considered "cool" or that I thought I was cool for.  Of course I do remember being afraid to do much because of the fear I had of my dad and how he would disciple. 
4. Do you have any GREAT frugal family fun tips?
Get activity tickets and spend time at your local high school and their athletic and activity events.  Many schools now have a family pass, then the entire family can get in to most events.  Much cheaper than professional sporting events or the theater and concerts.  Plus the kids really do a great job and need the encouragement.  Just make sure that you feed the kiddo's before hand and then set a limit on concession stand food, or bring in your own snacks.
5. Would you drive across country if you had the money to fly?
I would if it was for a vacation and we were going to take our time and do some sightseeing.  Many landmarks, historical places, and other things I would love to see and expose my children to.  If I had to be someplace for a meeting and didn't have time to spend, then yes, I would fly.

5QF 6-17-11

Before I start with today's post, a simple shout out to my Husband of 22 years.  Thanks for the past 22 years.

Now on to the topic at hand

1. What is your favorite summer time activity? 

 I guess I would have to say county fair and when we can make it The Iowa State Fair.  I have been going to the county fair since I was a little tyke, then became involved in 4-H which meant going to the fair for the full 10 days.  Now my girls are involved in 4-H, I am a leader, and am also on the Creative Arts committee.

2. Do you have one laundry soap you stick to, or do you buy whatever's on sale?

My husband does the laundry and he likes Era, so that is what I stick with.

3. What is your favorite dinner to make in the summer?

My girls say it needs to be fajitas.  When I make them I prepare both steak and chicken, plus a vegie side that includes sweet peppers (as many different colors as I can get), onions, and tomatoes.  My youngest surprised us and loves just having the vegetable fajita.  I would say anything that is done on the grill so it doesn't heat up the house.

4. Do you have any talents?

I use to play the clarinet and alto clarinet in band.  Now my oldest plays my clarinet.  I enjoy sewing, but wouldn't say that I am an expert at it.

5. If you could instantly be an expert in something, what would it be? Why?

Since I teach high school and have a high school student in my house, but a middle school student in my house, I would say that I would love to be an expert on dealing with teenagers.

5QF 6-10-11

Found a new idea, think I will give it a try.  It is called 5 question Friday.  Each week there will be five different questions asked.  You post those questions on your blog, answer them and link up to this blog.

So here are the questions for this week and my answers:

1. How close to your childhood dreams is your life now?
I would say that I am fairly close.  I dreamed of being a teacher my entire life.  Yes, I am teach English/Language Arts and At-risk classes for a local school district.  As a child I knew I wanted to teach and then as I progressed through the school systems I couldn't decide between English and Science for a subject area.  I ended up choosing English because of my love of books.  At the time, I had never heard of at-risk, but found that I had a desire to help those who needed a little more assistance, so the at-risk became a natural extension for me.


2. What is one must have item for the summer?
I am not sure about this one, except maybe for shorts.  I stop wearing pants the day the school year ends (students, not teachers) no matter what the temperature and I don't put them on again until the first day of classes.  Of course, lately there have been these wonderful things called capri's so I am able to put of pants longer in the fall. I will wear them on the weekends as long as possible.
3. Do you have your kids stay up on school stuff during summer vacation? (Or, if you don't have kiddos, did your parents make you keep up on school stuff during summer?)
I have found other ways to keep their minds sharp during the summer.  We are actively involved in 4-H.  The girls are 4th generation members, so summer is a time of learning still, we just learn different things.  The girls carry such projects as sewing, clothing, food & nutrition, music, leadership, health, pets, computers, music, child development, home improvement, etc.  After the projects are completed the girls need to write about their projects so this keeps their writing skills intact also.  I also try to encourage them to read, but have found that is a losing battle.  Believe me it is really disappointing to be such an avid/lover of reading and teach language arts, and then produce children who don't enjoy reading. 
4. Do you can or freeze fresh produce?
I don't.  As a girl we had a huge garden and would always can and freeze fresh produce and other goodies, such as our own tomato sauces, pickles, jellies, etc.  While I don't miss the work of the garden, I really miss the fresh food and having the produce all winter.  If I could find a CSA or some other arrangement so that I could get plenty of fruits or vegies, I would enjoy canning/freezing them.  I can taste those homemade pickles, jellies, and frozen vegies now. 
5. Do you get ready for the day first thing in the morning?
Yes, I am one of those people that need to get up and get moving right away.  I have discovered that I am a morning person.  I can get tons of stuff done in the morning, but once I take a break, it is hard to get moving again.  Maybe that is why I get to school a half hour earlier than I need to in the morning.

Why I haven't blogged in forever

 It has been a long time since I have blogged and I thought that maybe I should do an update.  Figured the best way was to show you why I haven't blogged in forever.  The following pictures and video are from my weekend.
This weekend Sarah was in the pit for the high school musical.  We haven't seen much of her the past month, between cheerleading, pit rehearsal and work she has been a busy girl.  Friday night we went to see "The Music Man" at Clinton High school.  The kids did a great job.

On Saturday, not only did Sarah have another performance, but Kristen was competing in the Awana Games held over in Moline, Illinois.  This group of girls did really well and it was fun to watch them compete.  Learned that Kristen is a speedy little girl.  Time to look into a pair of spikes for her maybe?  She was paired up with another girl for the three legged race.  Those two were awesome and  lapped the other teams. 

The Clinton team came in second place.  They lost by only two points.  They were DQ at one point and had a couple of other things that kept them from scoring.  When a team is tagged from behind as they are being lapped that team is supposed to leave so that the other team can keep going.  The team that Clinton tagged didn't get out of the way and kept the other teams from passing them.  Way to go Kristen.

Finally on Sunday, while Sarah was busy performing at the Music Man, Kristen was showing off her musical skills also.  Kristen's piano teacher was holding her annual piano recital  She holds the recital at a local assisted living home in their chapel.  Many of the residents look forward to this every year.  I even heard a couple of them talking this year about how fun it has been to watch musicians grow and progress.  This year Kristen not only played the piano but also shared her first public performance on the flute.











Here is a video of her flute solo



And a video of Kristen's piano solo,

Sorry it is crooked at the beginning, I have been taking photos with a vertical tilt and flipped the camera out of habit.

Reading Challenge for the year

Do you love to read books about the Amish?  I know that I do, so was excited to see this challenge.  Come join me with this challenge.

21 days to organize challenge

as part of goal to get more organized and purge stuff that we don't really need I am going to try and participate in this challenge.  Yesterday's assignment was to clean out your junk drawer and then organize it. I was supposed to take a picture of my drawer before it was organized, but I forgot.  So instead I took a picture of all of the stuff that I pulled out of the drawer.   Can't believe I had that much stuff  in the drawer. 
The bottom picture is of the drawer after everything was straightened out and organized. This will make it much easier to find items.  Now if only the rest of the house (or at least the two girls) will actually take the time to put things back away in the right spot. That is what usually keeps me from getting and keeping things organized. 

Book Blast Event

I just heard about a book blast event that will be taking place on another blog.  As an English teacher I am always up for hearing about more good books.  Of course my beliefs surrounding books is too many good books not enough time. 
Any way head on over and check it out.  I can't wait to see what new books I am going to want to add to my list.


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