The Sinister Scribe

We survived our first day back to school. Ok, I should say I survived it. I was even quite bouncy considering I went to bed at 1:30 AM this morning. LOL!

Today I tried staggering the kids quiet times. While Sam read about the universe, Jessie and I painted and then read some books. While Jessie played quietly in her room, I worked with Sam on Astronomy and Japanese. The upside is that each kid gets a dedicated hour there. The downside is that mommy doesn’t get a break. From time to time, I’ll make it at the same time but today I enjoyed spending that one-on-one time with them.

This picture shows the beginnings of our “bulletin board.” Sam wanted to have the day’s agenda posted. I wanted to post samples of the kids work, pics of art/composers/artists that we’re currently working on.

I’ll make another post (or perhaps page) of what we ended up using (or starting with) this year. The only things I haven’t really firmed up is Drawing and Nature Study. I know what I want to do, just haven’t wrapped my brain completely around the HOW. So perhaps once everything else is running smoothly we’ll get going with those. For now, we’ll just keep those areas loose.

I did get my (used) copy of “Handbook of Nature Study” today. Woot! I’ve wanted that book for so long! I know you can get it for free online but I didn’t want to print it out (in non waterproof inks) or read it online. I tried it for a while but I guess I’m just old fashioned in that I like to hold the book in my hands.

I’m off to find a frog craft for Jessie tomorrow. Then bed. Got an early date with the treadmill in the morning. Didn’t get a run in today.

supposed to be “a charm” right?

Well, on the first working day of the new school year for us, I am nervous and not as prepared as I’d hoped I would be. And maybe that is the reason. *shrug*

I’m going to post the days assignments/activities/chores on the wall in the toy room. (that’s where the computer is) and we’ll go over it each morning for a while. Eventually I will also put up pictures and information on our artist and composer of the week (which will correspond to history studies).

Sam got himself up this morning. So that is good. Gotta go get Jess up now.

We did it! The three of us ran our first races. More pictures start here.

Jessie had a bit of trouble at the start, but she finished in the end. Sam finished with a smile. I started out too fast (as Bob said would happen) and I even slowed down. When I got to the first mile mark and the lady called out nine-oh-five I thought “Uh-oh!” The end of this is going to be ugly. It was uphill too. I kept telling myself “I’m not gonna walk, I’m not gonna walk.” I didn’t but it mighta been faster if I did. LOL! Anyhoo. As the pictures can attest, I finished with a smile. How could I not with such a great support crew. Can’t wait to do this again!

It was hot but we had fun! I want to get the kids medals framed with this picture or something like that and hang it somewhere so they can see how proud I am of them.

Tomorrow morning, bright and (kinda) early, I run my first 5K; Sam runs the 1 mile fun run and Jessie is doing the 150 yard tot trot. Squeeee!

We’ve all got our clothes set out. Waffle mix is all ready to go. My victory dance is keeping cool in the fridge (a Guiness… for afterwards ).

I am more excited that I really want to admit. Can ya tell?

After this, I promise to get back to posting more.

A snipped of conversation with my 4yo whilst she bathed:

J: Mom, do you know what it means to be grown up?

M: ummm, no… what does it mean?

J: It means that you can go places by yourself. Just you… mom and dad… and no brother.

LOL! Perhaps some J time with mom and dad is in order.

As of Thursday last week, Bob and I have been married (very happily) for 16 years. Squeeeeeeeeee! Bob wrote the most wonderful post about our celebration, which was on Saturday. Is he the greatest or what!?! Thank you honey! I can’t wait until our next run!

After our run, we stumbled upon an Asian bistro for lunch. A better time could not be had… running outside with my best friend and true love and………. SUUUUUUUUSHIIIIIIIIII!

Love you honey! Safe trip! We miss you!

How would you feel if a new child moved into your neighbourhood?

i’d feel happy to hopefully make a new friend. i’d go over and introduce myself and then ask him/her for his/her name, age, and what he/she likes.

Finally made an appointment to see a doctor about this food allergy I seem to have.

The visit went well, the (oh-my-gosh when did they get so young) doctor was attentive and asked lots of questions. She ordered a blood test for food allergies and the “Missouri allergen panel…” since we were there. I am not sure what type of blood test it was… RAST… MAST… forgot to ask, dernit. Anyway, it will take a couple of weeks to get it back. Until then she said… “keep doing what you’re doing.” Sigh.

I’m really not sure what I hope to see from the blood test. I’ve read (yes, hon, I know) they’re not always conclusive but I’ll worry about that when I get there. Depending upon the results she’ll mail me or call me in.

Oh, I did come away with one thing… a mamogram appt. :\ Oh. Yip E.

Off to breakfast… tapioca waffles.

Wow. This morning’s speed work run felt better than great. Did all 3 fast segments at a 10 minute mile pace and feel like I could do more. Weird. Really weird. But great too.

I am dripping with sweat though. Even with the AC on the humidity is just about unbearable. But I feel fantastic. Started last night… just feeling really great. Bouncy great. Mentally unfogged. Even at 8pm when I’m usually ready to collapse in bed.

In light of Monday’s outbreak after dinner, this seems really weird. I don’t know what caused it. The only thing new I ate yesterday was some greek yogurt. And I felt really lethargic afterwards. Then after dinner my mouth just about blistered! Grrr! Hmmm… I did have lunch meat Monday but the ingredients didn’t list wheat. Sigh. What ever it is, I have a DR visit on Monday. I just hope that will shed some light on things. Either way, the wheat free eating continues.

We’re all itchy eyed here. Sam and Bob have been the worst. Even had to get some serious allergy medicine for Sam. AFter a 10 minute walk last week Sam could barely see through completely bloodshot and swollen eyes. Poor Kiddo. I’m not really comfortable giving it to him, it being Veramyst, but then neither was I comfortable watching him suffer so.

Well, on with the day. We’re reviewing and in some cases testing where I see Sam has mastered the information. And I’ve got to clean a bit (ok more than a bit). My mom will be here on Saturday!

First the baking (fun) part of this post…

Made my first attempt at wheat-free bread last week. This is the loaf. It fell during baking but is quite edible. Maybe add a little more flour next time? The recipe (found here) calls for a lot of ingredients that I’m not used to putting into bread. LOL! Like gelatin. I think I’ll try it again with just a little more flour (or less liquid, next time)

This morning, I made Raspberry Buckwheat Waffles (recipe found here). They were yummy and crispy… if a bit hard to pry off the waffle iron. I didn’t have buckwheat flour so I used sorghum (I think, my collection of “flours” is getting hard to remember).

Today I baked a loaf of Multi-Grain Artisan-Style Bread (found here). It is yummy. Lots of flavor but rather dense. Very filling! I don’t have a picture of it though.

I *thought* I had this allergy thing under wraps. (I hear you laughing. Stop it.) Weeeeeelllll, today after dinner, I broke out in a rash all around my mouth. GrrrrrrRRRrrrr!

There was also nothing with wheat in it. The only difference between this week and last is that I cooked dinner today. It wasn’t from a box labeled “wheat free.” Egads! Do I have to replace all my cookware? The waffle iron is probably a biggie. I almost went out and bought a new one today (will do tomorrow). But what about the glass casserole dish the bread and then the chicken was cooked in?!

Last week I did bake those cookies and muffins… muffin tins, cookie sheet and spatula are all old ones and I didn’t have a reaction. I did grind the sweet rice for the bread, but the coffee/herb/grain mill has never been used for wheat. Oats yes, but not wheat.

No, I haven’t tested oats yet.

On a lighter note… I ran nearly 5 miles on Sunday. Go me! 4.75 to be exact. Took me 52 minutes exactly. Not great but not bad. Paid for it for the rest of the day. I was really tired!

*sigh* Back to year end test preparation…