Frogguruami Chasing Chickens

Have I found the motivation yet?

2010-04-01T10:05:00.002-04:00

I have been trying to find the motivation to start working out again ever since I moved. I have started a couple of times and it never lasted more than a workout or two. Well, today I am trying again. My equipment is much more limited than it was in the past. I pretty much have a few kettlebells and a couple of fixed dumbbells. No more adjustable dumbbells, no more barbells and no more fancy cardio equipment (not that I used those torture devices anyways!). But kettlebells are amazingly versatile so I should be fine for a while.

Now I just need to maintain the motivation!

Today's workout consisted of KB swings (double and alternating), KB snatches, renegade rows and sun salutations. Now I need a nap!

Tangerine Honey Wine Experiment

2010-02-06T15:22:00.003-05:00

What do you do when you don't have enough tangerines to make a batch of wine and you are too poor to buy honey to make a batch of mead?? You combine the two and make a tangerine honey wine.

I stared with 6 lbs of honey, 3 lbs of sugar and just shy of 2 and 1/2 gallons of fresh squeezed tangerine juice. I took the zest from 8 of the larger and sweeter tangerings and threw it all together in a carboy. Topped it off with water and pitched my ole stand by, Cuvee yeast. This was on Friday the 29th. By Saturday I was wiping tangerine pulp off the walls from 4 or 5 separte blow offs. Needless to say the yeast was happy. It has continued to ferment hard since then and today the gravity had dropped from 1090 to 1016. It is still quite sweet but I threw in some potassium sorbate today to stop the fermentation. Once it clears up a little I will rack it to a secondary and throw in a healthy dose of mulling spices.

This should make for a nice fall/winter drink. That's the plan at least!!!

Beloved did not make the cut....

2010-02-04T10:47:00.003-05:00

I know a few of you are shock right now but it is true. Beloved is up for sale. It is time to expand the drum collection and in order to do that I must first pare down. So if anyone knows someone interested in a Djembe please send them my way.

Beloved has a fiberglass body by Toca and 14 inch head. She has been painted black and new non skid tread has been put on her. Her head is not the original thin Toca goat skin. It has been replaced with a thicker, unbleached West African goat skin. The skin was shaved after it was put on the drum so there is still a ring of hair around the outside. There is also some blue ink artwork in a vine motif on the head. She comes with a tuning wrench and a drum bag. Deep bass, high tones and crisp slaps!

I am asking $150.

Another Meme, It's been awhile so I'll bite...

2009-12-28T21:47:00.002-05:00

What are your top 3 favorite foods?
Really good chocolate, good quality cheese and fresh baked bread

What was the last book you read and would you recommend it?
Sourcery by Terry Pratchett, yes I would recommend it.

What are your top 3 favorite places?
Oak Creek Canyon, AZ

Hana, Maui, Hawaii

Austin, TX

What are your favorite 3 sports (to watch or participate in)?
I'm not really much into sports but I love to watch hockey and shoot archery.

What was the last movie you watched and would you recommend it?
The last movie I watched was a Mel Brooks movie, either Silent Movie or the Producers and it was obviously so memorable I can't remember which it was!!

List 3 things you can see outside of the nearest window.
All of my windows have the curtains closed and the one in front of me has a big bush growing in front of it so all I would be able to see are leaves.

Where was the last place you went?
The homebrewers meeting at Abbey yesterday.

What are your top 3 favorite “good causes” or charities?
Deltona Community Life Center

Gateway Center for the Arts

Habitat for Humanity

What was the last thing you did for someone else?
Made dinner and cleaned the kitchen for my family.

Name 3 places you have never been that you want to visit.
Ireland, Scotland, Easter Island

What was the last thing you threw in the garbage/recycling?
tea bags

Name 3 things on your bedside table.
book, lamp, alarm clock (wow aren't I exciting)

Describe or name the last piece of art you looked at.
Does my own count? I have been working on a computer drawn 'colored pencil' rendering of Drake. If my stuff doesn't count then it would be the Michael Parkes picture I got for Christmas. The name of which is escaping me!

What are the top 3 things that your job requires you to think about?
Not telling people where to go, not telling people to shut the hell up and listen, and not telling people how stupid they are.

What was the last musical or theatrical event that you attended?
The Nutcracker

What are the first 3 things you would do if you won the lottery?
Depends on how much! For the sake of argument I am sure the question is assuming a large sum. 1. By a round of drinks, 2. Pay off all debts, 3. Take a REAL vacation!

Describe or name the last serious injury or illness you had?
I seem to have a fondness for Bronchitis and Walking Pneumonia. A few years ago was the worst and I had that for 2 1/2 months. Then there was the time that I broke my ankle but didn't go to the doctor for it until 6 months later. Have I mentioned I am stubborn!?

What are the top 3 things that you wish you could do?
Support myself and my children without trying so hard, make a living off of my art, and travel extensively

WTF is going on????

2009-12-28T21:19:00.003-05:00

I know there are a number of people out there that are feeling a little out of the loop. Don't worry, you are not alone. Some of you have figured it out, others are still scratching their heads. For those of you still scratching your heads here's the skinny:

My husband and I are getting a divorce. If you don't already know why then you probably don't need to know. If you feel you do need to know then call me.

I have gone back to work for West at Home so I will still be at home with the boys and we will still be homeschooling. "Home", as of January 15th will be in Downtown Deland which is perfect for us since we spend much of our time right now driving back and forth between Deltona and Deland for play dates, club meetings, lessons, etc. We are within walking distance to everything in Downtown Deland and the library is across the street from us. We are significantly downsizing (going from 1600sqft to 800sqft) which is something I am really looking forward to. Although it is a daunting task since I have spent the last 8 years in this house and have a lot of crap to show for it! What that means for all you people locally is, CURRICULUM SALE!

So there it is in a nut shell. Now you don't have to feel out of the loop anymore!

WOW, REALLY??

2009-11-11T15:35:00.003-05:00

Today I went and took the Census Bureau test to be an Enumerator when the 2010 census is taken. After I finished the test 18 minutes early, I sat back and thought to myself, "Wow, I can't imagine anyone doing poorly on this!" Eighteen minutes later the proctor called time and everyone put their pencil down. I am still wondering if what I heard next actually happened. The two people a few seats over from me had this mini conversation:

Woman in ripped up jeans: "Wow, 30 minutes goes by fast."

Man in old t-shirt and cargo shorts: "I know! Twenty eight questions in 30 minutes! That's less than a minute per question!!"

Woman in ripped up jeans: "I KNOW!!"

WOW REALLY??? I don't think they did well on the math part of the test!!! The sad thing is after picking my jaw up off the floor I actually thought about the math because I figured there was no way anyone was that stupid and I must have heard them wrong or transposed a number in my head. Unfortunately, that was not the case!!!

Orange City Invocation for November

2009-11-10T11:37:00.000-05:00

Let us learn peace

Peace is more than the absence of worry. It is the creation of a safe haven for all; it is the building of security for everyone; it is the forgiveness of self, as well as the forgiveness of one who would harm you.

Let us seek contentment; let us learn peace.

Peace is more than the absence of discordance. It is the intent listening to diverse points of view; it is the intentional speaking of all voices, one at a time; it is the tension within silence that welcomes all thoughts.

Let us seek harmony; let us learn peace.

Peace is more than the absence of tension. It is studying the hard lesson of letting go; it is breathing through the pain into tranquility; it is forming friendship out of enmity.

Let us seek serenity; let us learn peace.

Let peace flow into you. Let it calm your troubled self, heal your needy self, help your angry self to remember to listen – fully and compassionately – to one another.

Let peace flow around you, until you walk with peace and speak words of peace and reflect all the radiance of this beautiful world.

Let peace flow through you and beyond you. Let peace guide you and fill you with wisdom. Let it be the bridge that connects you, not just with people of good will but also with people whose hearts are centered in their own needs and desires, who are not yet free to bring peace into their own hearts.

Let peace fill the world. Let it begin now. Here. Today.

We ask this in the name of that power that dwells within us and beyond us; a power called by many names, in many times and in many places, but whose universal name is Love.
So Be It. Namaste. Amen.

Is it really that time of year???

2009-11-09T16:26:00.002-05:00

Yes folks, the holiday season is upon us. Last year I went for a "frugal hand made" Yule and for the most part we did well. This year we are going for "the economy is even worse than last year and most of my clients have gone out of business so I am screwed" Yule.

So what is the plan??? I think I will make a few batches of various beverages and get everyone plastered!! That way no one will notice that they didn't get a real present and won't care that our economy has tanked.

As for the children, well, I am still working on that.....

November is INSANE!!!!

2009-11-02T19:24:00.002-05:00

Between now and Thanksgiving I have the following big events on my calendar:

EPCOT Food and Wine
Lady of the Lakes Ren Fair
Deland Veteran's Day Parade
Private Hula Hooping Party
Orlando Pow Wow
(so far that is just this week BTW)
Orange City City Council Invocation
Sunshine Challenge
GCA Holiday Boutique (which I am not sure I am participating in)
Deland Music Fest
SLC Pot Luck
Flute Building Workshop
Deland Fall Festival of the Arts (2 days)

That is all BEFORE Thanksgiving and that list doesn't even include any drum circles or drum lessons!!!

It is crazy! What is it with November this year? Now, don't get me wrong! November is always insane but not usually like this!!

On top of all that I am beginning to feel the pressure to figure out what the heck we are going to do for Yule this year. Wonder if I can get away with throwing one big party and calling it done??? Hmmmm???

Tick Tock

2009-11-01T12:37:00.003-05:00

It is November 1st so that means the race is on for the Deland Fall Festival of the Arts. The entry deadline for the West Volusia Homeschool Exhibit is just 9 days away! There are no restrictions on medium or style. The topic is simply "Deland". Your students are encouraged to interpret or topic anyway they please.

I will be accepting 2D and 3D works. If there are special display needs (over sized, over weight, unique hanging needs, etc.) please give me advance notice so I can plan the display accordingly.

The 17th Annual Deland Fall Festival of the Arts will be held on November 21st and 22nd. In past years, the Artisan has hosted the Youth Art Exhibit. This year we have a new display space in the Thomas C. Kelly Administrative Center on Indiana. Youth Art will be displayed in the Rotunda of the Administrative Center and will provide us with more space, better light and better air conditioning!

Get your students working on these projects and contact me for pick-up/drop-off arrangements.

November Drum Circles

2009-10-22T08:59:00.003-04:00

Be sure to call and verify those closer to Thanksgiving...

6th - Ormond First Friday at the Casements (7:00)
7th - Merlin's in Deland (7:00)
7th - Orlando Brewery (8:00)
13th - Flagler Beach Fire Circle (7:00)
14th - Deland Music Fest (starts at 1:00, runs every hour all night)
14th - Merlin's in Deland (7:00)
20th - Ocean View Yoga in NSB (7:30)
20th - Melbourne Friday Fest
21st - Merlin's in Deland (7:00)
28th - Merlin's in Deland (7:00)
28th - 10,000 Villages in WP (7:30)

Merlin's Merchantile in Palm Coast is Every Wednesday

Turning Point

2009-10-20T17:54:00.005-04:00

Have you ever reached a point in your life when you look to the future and you don't like what you see? Then you look back and wonder where you took the wrong turn that lead you down this path? I discovered a while ago that I had somehow ended up on a path that I didn't really want to be on. Not that the path is bad. It just isn't leading me where I want to go. How did I get here?

There has been much introspection in the past few months to determine what I need to change to get back to a path that leads towards a future I know is possible. What I have come to realize is that I can't do and be everything, I can't expect any one else to do and be everything and I can't allow any one to expect me to do and be everything. To expect such things only sets everyone involved up for failure and disappointment. Life has far to many wonderful things to experience to be bogged down in disappointment. Disappointment, anger, guilt, frustration, they have their place. They are not inherently bad. They give us information. They tell us that something is not right; that there is something we need to change. They become a problem when we choose to hold onto them. Then they only divert our attention from the truly amazing things the universe has to offer.

So I have chosen to release the disappointment, the anger, the frustration and the guilt. I will open my eyes and allow myself to be fulfilled and happy. I will allow the universe to give me the things, experiences and people I need. I will happily accept them, be grateful every day for them and appreciate each day that I do not allow disappointment and anger to keep me from the happiness I deserve.

When I look towards the future I can now see many paths. Who knows which one I will take. Who knows where it will lead. What I do know is that I can now see the possibility of a future that will be truly magical.

Camping with kids....

2009-10-09T09:57:00.002-04:00

Gone are the days of packing everything I need for 4 days in the woods in a single pack. I swear these kids require too much crap! I suppose it has more to do with camping in an actual camping area instead of back in a canyon somewhere. When I did that we didn't use tents, we didn't cook food and we certainly didn't haul drums!

I am entering new territory here. I have never taken the boys camping before. Not to mention camping at a drum festival! But being the blind optimist that I am, I am sure it will all work out beautifully!! :)

Now just to figure out how to get this stuff AND the children in the car....

Just puttin' this here for safe keeping...

2009-09-21T19:18:00.001-04:00

October Drum Circles

2009-09-20T09:33:00.003-04:00

2nd - Casements in Ormond 7pm
3rd - Merlin's (call store for details)
3rd - O-Town at the Brewery 8pm
4th - St Augustine Pier 8pm
4th - Eustis Sunset Drummers 5:30
7th - Palm Coast, Merlin's Mercantile 8pm
9th - Flagler Beach Pier 6:30pm
9th - Melbourne Friday Fest
10th - Merlin's (call store for details)
14th - Palm Coast, Merlin's Mercantile 8pm
16th - Paralounge
16th - Ocean View Yoga in NSB 7:30
17th - Paralounge
18th - Paralounge
18th - Eustis Sunset Drummers 5:30
21st - Autumn Meet Begins
21st - Palm Coast, Merlin's Mercantile 8pm
24th - Debary Coffee Shop (TBD)
24th - Merlin's (call store for details)
28th - Palm Coast, Merlin's Mercantile 8pm
30th - Ten Thousand Villages
31st - Merlin's (call store for details)

I feel like I am forgetting one or two!! :)

No such thing as a stupid question...

2009-09-17T14:25:00.004-04:00

The person who came up with that saying was the person asking the stupid questions. The questions that are stupid are the ones people ask that have a logical answer if one were simply think about it.

Old Guy at the Park: "What school do you go to?" (asked after he got his a$$ kicked in chess by someone a quarter of his age!)

Very bright and well studied HS'd young man: "I am homeschooled. We all are." (motioning to the dozen school aged children playing chess in the middle of the typical school day.)

Old Guy: "What does that mean?" (This is not the stupid question I am referring to.)

HS'd young man: "It means we do school at home." (I was impressed that he said it without a hint of sarcasm in his voice!)

WAIT FOR IT..... Here comes the stupid question....

Old Guy: "Is that LEGAL?"

I know! Every homeschooler has been asked this question before. In certain circumstances I can see this PERHAPS not being an entirely stupid question. But as a general rule, when people are breaking the law they tend not to do it openly, obviously and proudly. Seriously, if we were breaking the law by homeschooling our children would we be gathering our school aged children at noon on a school day in a public park???

I promise people!! THINKING DOES NOT HURT!!!!!!

Free to good home, or any home for that matter...

2009-09-16T14:59:00.003-04:00

Up for grabs - Small rat with black stripe. But this isn't just any rat!!!! This rat has the ability to hypnotize. This amazing creature has the ability to convince not one, BUT TWO hungry snakes that instead of eating it they should curl up with it and keep it cozy and warm until the crazy blonde chic on the other side of the glass decides to make it a pet!

Better yet!

Come one, come all! Step right up and see George, The Amazing Hypnotic Rat! One ticket and you too can lay eyes on this amazing creature. Don't look too long though or there is no telling what George might hypnotize you into doing. For two tickets you can have the honor of hand feeding the smelly little rodent! Who is going to be the first to experience this marvel of the animal world?? How 'bout you young man? Little lady? What about you madam? Now now, no pushing there is plenty of room for everyone! No flash photography, please!

All I'm sayin' is there are going to be some damn hungry snakes in this house until one of them decides George is lookin' tasty!!!

Sugar Plum Fairy - They need your help!

2009-09-14T11:53:00.004-04:00

I know it seems a little early but it is time to start planning for Holiday Parties and such.

As many of you know I work with HAYGD during the holiday season to help them pull off their annual Sugar Plum Fairy party which is a holiday party for under privileged children in West Volusia County. A few weeks ago we got the sad news that the party would not be held this year because the grants and donations that normally fund it were not available this year! This week HAYGD was blessed by the amazing people in the community with the donation of a wonderful space to hold the event and the commitment of people to help pull off the logistics of feeding 100 to 150 children ages 0 to 16, their parents and the volunteers.

Bubbles (that's me) will be there to bring balloon animal choas to the event! (Although I will likely need to find new suckers, umm I mean voluteers, to help with Super Mouse races after last year!!!)

The Sugar Plum Fairy has been booked and will bring her wonderful stories and magical fairy dust.

And Santa will make a appearance. (played by someone new this year) What they need now is gifts. Many of the children that attend the Sugar Plum Party receive their ONLY holiday gift when they visit with Santa at the party.

I know times are tough right now but if you are able to help please contact Margot over at HAYGD or send me an email.

HAYGD Hispanic Heritage Gallery Opening

2009-09-14T11:46:00.003-04:00

This is just a small part of an amazing sculpture by Luis Soto. The exhibit is phenomenal. Go see it!!!!

Deland Chess Park

2009-09-10T14:56:00.003-04:00

We spent the lunch hour at the chess park in Deland today. It is a beautiful little space. It has around a dozen chess tables; all you have to provide is the pieces. (There is a rumor that the Beacon across the street has pieces but I didn't confrim that!) There is a great shade tree and a wonder waterfall that masks the typical sounds of Downtown Deland. There is even a large board built into the brick work near the entrance to the park. It would be perfect for a over-sized game of checkers.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from today...

I adore this picture but it didn't come out very crisp. I may need to borrow someone's toddler and stage this picture so I can retake it!!

Some of the action! :)

He looks really shocked and amazed doesn't he?? I think he was yawning! LOL

Poi at Flagler Beach

2009-09-03T20:11:00.003-04:00

Don't mind the wonky video. This what happens when you let the ADHD 8yo use the camera!

Idiots

2009-09-01T14:11:00.003-04:00

I am trying to figure out what part of me feels the need to interact with idiots. I will be the first person to tell my fellow homeschoolers not to feed the animals!!! Don't engage naysayers, don't allow debate. Stand your ground. Your children, your choice! Plain and simple. Yet I still, every once in a while open myself up for a debate. Most of the time it is with people who are just curious or are truely interested in understanding why I would choose to homeschool my children. Then there is that one person....

Today I found myself in a debate with a person that still lives firmly in the 1960's. Someone who is completely clueless about the decline in the public education system. Someone who still believes that homeschooling is illegal and only done by society fearing fundies that lock their children in the basement and drill Bible verses into their heads so they can go forth and save the masses when they get older.

This was probably not the best day to engage me in a philosophical debate or question my parenting choices. Regardless I tried to remain calm and the only person who caught the two sarcastic remarks that slipped past my bleeding tongue was the cashier who was unfortunate to witness the event.

FTR, all 70 year old recently retired school prinipals should probably avoid me the rest of the week!!!

Deland Fall Festival of Art

2009-08-31T09:02:00.002-04:00

I know it seems early but the beginning of the school year means that it is once again planning time for the Youth Art Exhibit at the Deland Fall Festival of Art. If you wish to get in on the planning please head over to our discussion board and join in! This will be the fourth year West Volusia Homeschoolers have displayed in the show. The past two years one of our students have placed!

The Youth Art Exhibit is a juried show with four judging categories. (K through 2nd, 3rd through 5th, 6th through 8th and 9th through 12th) Entry in the West Volusia Homeschooers exhibit is due to me in mid November and must meet the theme and size requirements that will be decided on at a later date. Pre-jurying will only take place if space on the display is an issue. Entry is only open to WEST Volusia students of LEGAL SCHOOL age. Grade level is to be determined based on the traditional school track. (What grade they would be in if they were in PS) If you are unsure what constitutes WEST Volusia or LEGAL SCHOOL age please contact me and I will help you figure it out.

The themes being considered for this year's exhibit are:

Works in Clay
Deland in Pictures
Recycled Mosaics

To get in on the decision process head over to the discussion board! Please pass this information along to any homeschoolers that might be interested in participating!!

Fire Poi Photos From Last Night

2009-08-27T10:09:00.006-04:00

Fire Poi 8-26-09 :)

2009-08-27T01:34:00.002-04:00

Fire Poi 8-26-09

2009-08-27T01:11:00.003-04:00

September Drum Circles

2009-08-23T18:32:00.004-04:00

2nd - Palm Coast, Merlin's Mercantile 8pm
3rd - St.Augustine Pier, 8pm
4th - Ormond First Friday's at the Casements, 7pm
5th - NSB 27th Ave, 5pm
5th - Merlin's in Deland, 7pm
5th - O-Town at Orlando Brewing, 8pm
9th - Palm Coast, Merlin's Mercantile 8pm
10th - Sanford Alive After Five, 7pm
11th - Flagler Sunset Drumming at Flagler Pier, 6:30pm
11th - Melborne Friday Fest
12th - Merlin's in Deland, 7pm
13th - Debary, TBD
16th - Palm Coast, Merlin's Mercantile 8pm
18th - Ocean View Yoga, 7:30
19th - Merlin's in Deland, 7pm
23rd - Palm Coast, Merlin's Mercantile 8pm
26th - Merlin's in Deland, 7pm
26th - 10,000 Villages in Winter Park, 7:30
30th - Palm Coast, Merlin's Mercantile 8pm

Flag Poi

2009-08-21T15:03:00.003-04:00

Don't mind the kid behind the camera!! He is a little off-center!

Just for you Carey

2009-08-21T09:20:00.003-04:00

Carey requested a side by side comparison of Ky and myself. Here it is!

Look what I found...

2009-08-20T22:33:00.002-04:00

How cute am I??? What the heck happened??!! :) I am guessing I am 4 or 5 in this picture. I am not sure who to blame for that shirt but I am still holding a grudge!!

Oh my, look how skinny I was!!! This was right before highschool graduation!

You Know You're a Homeschooler is going global...

2009-08-20T16:23:00.002-04:00

Okay, well maybe not global but it is getting it's own little piece of the Blogosphere. What's more? It's looking for contributors.

I am sure everyone knows what I am talking about but for those who just stumbled onto my humble blog, I am talking about my series "You Know You're a Homeschooler When...". Come on over and show the world what it really means to be a homeschooler! Juggling, Petri Dishes, Chicken Mummies and all!

Send me an email or post in the comments if you are interested in contributing.

The Sweet Smell of Porter

2009-08-19T14:39:00.003-04:00

I walked in this afternoon and the glorious smell of a Porter-in-the-making was wafting through the air. Sweet, malty and heavy on the ginger.... It was quickly followed by the distinctive 'bloop' of another air bubble escaping the airlock. Those who brew out there know what I am talking about.

That is always a very welcomed sound but today it was even more welcoming since we seem to be off to a slow start! I wonder if it has anything to do with the chocolate. I read chocolate causes a slow start to fermentation. Not that that was the case for the Chocolate Mead I just made. I probably could have launched a rocket with that one!!

Anyways, last night I got the crazy desire to brew, so off to the home brew store I went and picked up supplies for a wild and crazy Porter.

The transfer to the fermenter went quite well except for about a dozen small splatters. What is truly amazing is how pervasive a dozen small splatters of syrupy wort can be. After wiping down the floor with a cloth and then mopping the floor is STILL sticky!!! I will probably get it all cleaned up about the time I brew again. When I design my own kitchen I am installing a central drain in the floor so I can just hose everything down!!

Yule Gift Ideas - Paper

2009-08-14T15:15:00.002-04:00

You know me, I love my paper crafts!!

Paper Roses

Paper Lilies

Flower Box

White Flower Bouquet

Pinwheels

Prayer for the City Council

2009-08-12T09:14:00.001-04:00

Let us be
Let us be together
Let us be together in love
In respect
In honor
In appreciation
In wonder
In joy
Let us be together in harmony

Let us be together with unity
With peace
With hope
With charity
With compassion
With justice
With mercy
Let us be together with gladness for all that makes us human, striving to be and become more than we are, to become more human, more merciful, justice-seeking, and loving.

Fill us with the spirit of all heroes and heroines, saints and saviors, named and unnamed. Fill us with the spirit of love, of hope, of justice.

Enable us to desire rightly and to be of use in the service of others. Be with this assembly in its work tonight. Grant them the wisdom to create what is essential for the common good. Keep within each of their hearts a love for the cause of community welfare and a dedication to enrich the lives of all in our community.

Let us be
Let us be together this day and all days to come.

So Be It, Namaste, Amen.

Yule Gift Ideas - Photography

2009-08-11T10:30:00.002-04:00

Magnetic Photo Bookmarks

Photo Pencil Covers

Wine Glass Photo Frames

Coloring Books from Photos

Photo Cube

Mailable Mosaic

Shrinky Dink Jewelry

Photo Puzzle Blocks

Facebook takes over

2009-08-09T10:28:00.003-04:00

Has Facebook ruined blogging?? I think it has for me. It wasn't long ago that my loyal readers could pop in and expect to find some highly opinionated rant or rave from yours truly. Now you are all probably wondering if I am even still alive!!!

I guess you all have two options: 1) come find me on Facebook or 2) hold your breath and hope I get my act together. I promised I will try to do the later but the former might be a safer bet right now!!!!

It's a new year...

2009-08-06T19:53:00.002-04:00

...school year that is!

We are not changing from our ultra relaxed style but I do have a few things that we will work through as the year progresses.

Math - The boys are working through some Spectrum books just to solidify the skills they are picking up as they go along. Drake will start the Life of Fred series as soon as he gets long division!

Reading - Drake has just begun reading Harry Potter so that should keep him busy for a while. Who knows what Kyllian will pick up. I am hoping to get him reading some fiction this year but I am afraid he takes after me and doesn't care for much fiction!

Writing - I am starting Kyllian working through some Spectrum books for writing. Mainly because the kid's never puts pen to paper. Drake does all sorts of writing at the moment. I may start him on a research project after the first of the year depending on what he is interested in at the time.

Art - We will work through Artistic Pursuits (famous last words) this year. I may try to set up a mini co-op with a couple of families (anyone interested?).

Music - You know us. There is no shortage of music around here.

Science and Social Studies - We are doing the Florida Fun Literature Unit Study this year which has a science and social studies component. The SS component looks pretty strong but the science is a little candy coated so we will expand on that for sure as the need and desire arises. I am also planning 4 big field trips to go along with this program. Should be tons of fun!

Hello, My name is Ann-Marie....

2009-07-27T11:38:00.001-04:00

...and I am addicted to PaperBackSwap.

It all started when someone on MDC mentioned free books. I had always been interested in books, so the thought of free books was very inviting. Then I had to part with some of my old books in order to get free books. But, still, parting with my old used up books to get some fresh new books was very difficult to resist.

Then I discovered book credits. I started just using a book credit occasionally, just when I needed something. Then I began using book credits more often, a couple times a week.

Then the books credits became too tempting but they gave me great comfort. I knew I could always rely on my book credits to fill that literary gap that Barnes N Noble had failed to. I bought book credits in large numbers and used them daily, sometimes two or three a day.

My mailman was the first to notice my problem. He expressed his concern for my growing book credit habit by mutilating the occasional book that didn't fit properly into my mailbox. My children were the next to notice. "Mommy, you got another book today. That will make one for everyday this week!!"

My name is Ann-Marie and it has been 9 hours and 14 minutes since I used a book credit!

August Drum Circles

2009-07-26T11:56:00.002-04:00

1st - Merlin's from 7-9pm (Deland)
1st - O-Town from 8-? (Orlando)
7th - Ormond First Fridays from 7-9 (Ormond Beach)
8th - Merlin's from 7-9pm (Deland)
8th - Daytona Yoga Center from 7-9 (Daytona)
9th - Debary second Sundays (time and location TBD)
13th - Sanford Street Fest starts at 7 (Sanford)
14th - Flagler Sunset Drum Circle from 6:30 to sunset (Flagler Beach)
14th - Melbourne Friday Fest
15th - Merlin's from 7-9pm (Deland)
21st - Ocean View Yoga from 7:30-9 (NSB)
22nd - Merlin's from 7-9pm (Deland)
29th - Merlin's from 7-9pm (Deland)
29th - Ten Thousand Villages 7:30-8:30 (Winter Park)

Peanut Butter Coconut Candies

2009-07-21T09:28:00.001-04:00

For low carbers with a sweet tooth.

1/2 cup Peanut Butter
1/2 cup Coconut Oil (room temp)
1 Tablespoon Dark Cocoa Powder
1 Tablespoon Splenda
2/3 cup finely shredded Unsweentened Coconut Flakes
2/3 cup finely chopped nuts and seeds

Mix all together and spread into a silicone ice cube mold.

Place in freezer until hardened.

Low Carb Eggy Coconut Bread

2009-07-21T09:26:00.002-04:00

I am still trying to figure out a dairy replacement in this since I am trying to cut back on the dairy. I may play around with this today and see what I can come up with. This is very reminiscent of corn bread.

6 eggs
1/2 cup melted butter
2 Tbsp Splenda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup sifted coconut flour
1 tsp baking powder

Mix well, pour into buttered loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

This is similar to cornbread, though not sweet. I can't vouch for the nutritional info so double check if you track things closely.

This was a bit dry but great with a little butter. Hubby had his with honey and really liked it. It doesn't taste a thing like coconut.

8 servings

Calories: 739 total, 93 per slice
Fat: 48 total, 6 per slice
Fiber: 54 total, 6.75 per slice
Carbs: 66 total, 8.25 per slice
Net carbs: 1.5g per slice
Protein: 61 total, 7.5 per slice

Low Carb "Rice"

2009-07-21T09:24:00.001-04:00

1 head of cauliflower
1/2 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 Tbsp olive oil

Sauté the garlic and onions in the oil until soft. You can add any seasonings that you want. I used a little kosher salt.

Grate the head of cauliflower on the large side of a box grater or large cheese grater.

Add the cauliflower to the pan and sauté until tender. This doesn't really take long.

Hubby is a cauliflower hater but loved this and didn't even know it was cauliflower until I told him. Frozen works also. Pulse it still frozen in the food processor until is has crumbed.

Gluten Free Almond Crackers

2009-07-21T09:20:00.002-04:00

A gluten free and low carb cracker solution. These are very tasty and they can be sweet or savory depending on the seasonings you choose. They are not as sturdy as a regular cracker however!

1 cup almond meal
1 egg
seasonings of choice (sweet or savory!)

Combine meal and seasonings in a bowl using a fork. Break up any clumps in the almond meal. Crack egg directly into the bowl and mix well will fork. It will make a crumby dough.

Roll a teaspoons worth of dough into a ball. Place it on a foil lined sheet pan and cover with a small square of parchment. Use a can with a shallow lip and flatten the ball into a thin disk. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Bake at 325 until they begin to brown.

52 in 52 Update

2009-07-06T15:04:00.004-04:00

Now that we have reached the halfway point of the year I figured it was a good of time as any to see where I stood on my 52 in 52 commitment. If you don't know what 52 in 52 is, read up on it here.

These are in no particular order since I tend to read multiple books at a time.

1. Spirit Healing by Mary Dean Atwood
2. Shamanism: A Beginner's Guide by Dolfyn
3. Spirit Song by Mary Summer Rain
4. Indigo Children by Lee Carroll
5. How to Meet and Work with Spirit Guides by Ted Andrews
6. Spirit Guides by Iris Belhays
7. Spiritual Journeys along the Yellow Brick Road by Darren John Main
8. The Wisdom of Oz by Gita Dorothy Morena
9. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum
10. The Zen of Oz by Joey Green
11. Crystal Enlightenment by Katrina Raphaell
12. The Care and Feeding of Indigo Children by Doreen Virtue
13. Crystal Healing by Phyllis Galde
14. The Crystal Children by Doreen Virtue
15. Stone Power by Dorothee Mella
16. Animal Speak by Ted Andrews
17. Spirits of the Earth by Bobby Lake-Thom
18. Totems by Brad Steiger
19. The Dancing Healers by Carl A Hammerslag
20. Shamanic Journeying by Sandra Ingerman
21. Mother Earth Spirituality by Ed McGaa
22. The Complete Book of Tarot Spreads by Evelin Burger
23. The Heart of Healing by IONS
24. Sacred Drumming by Steve Ash
25. Ceremonial Circle by Sedonia Cahill

The Books I am in the process of reading:

26. Urban Shaman by Serge Kahili King
27. The New Complete Joy of Home Brewing by Charlie Papazian
28. The Chakra Workbook by Anna Voigt
29. The Complete Meadmaker by Ken Schramm
30. The Way of the Shaman by Michael Harner (not sure I should count this one since I have read this book 5 or 6 times already!)
31. Tasting Beer by Randy Mosher

On the TBRN pile:

The Shamanic Way of the Bee by Simon Buxton
In the Shadow of the Shaman by Amber Wolfe
Phoenix Rising by Mary Summer Rain
By Oak, Ash and Thorn by DJ Conway

And here I thought I was behind in my reading. Who knew??

You Know You're a Homeschooler When (Part 10)

2009-07-06T11:33:00.001-04:00

…your children no longer understand the excitement of summer break.

…you 8 year old critiques your photography and uses the words ‘exposure’, ‘aperture’ and ‘shutter speed’ correctly.

…you have friends that collect strange bugs for fun.

…the mail man is met with squeals of delight after delivering ANOTHER Greek mythology book.

…your children can’t wait until the public school year begins so the parks and the beach won’t be as crowded.

View parts 1 through 9 here

Six Months are Up!

2009-07-06T10:25:00.002-04:00

Back in January I decided that I was not going to actively try to lose any more weight for six months. I was getting really burnt out on the process after a year and a half and felt I needed a break. After losing over 100 pounds my body probably needed a break as well! So I decided to maintain my current weight and step back my workouts considerably for six months. So for the last six months I have been following an expanded IF program (12/12) and maintained an active lifestyle through hooping and poi.

So six months have past. I have successfully maintained my weight although I think I have lost a little LBM, but not much. AND, it was really easy to do. So now the question remains. How much do I still want to lose and how do I want to go about doing it?

According to those pesky government endorsed BMI charts I still need to loose 45 pounds to be in the mid range of "normal". Honestly, I'm not sure I want to lose 45 pounds. I don't think I want to be that skinny! Twenty-six pounds will put me at the top range of normal so I think I will shoot for that and go from there. Not that I am caught up with BMI charts. I think they are ridiculous and don't take very important factors into account, namely existing lean body mass. But number are easy to measure so I will take them for what they are worth (not much) and use them as I see fit...

I will be moving back to an 8/16 IF regime and steping up my workouts. I won't be working out to the extent I was before. Right now I am looking at continuing my daily Sun Salutations but slowing them down considerably (it really is amazing how much harder they are REALLY slow) and incorporating kettlebells back into the mix! Of course I will keep up with the hooping and poi and my general active lifestyle.

July's Drum Circle Round-up

2009-06-27T09:08:00.003-04:00

Every Wednesday - Seabreeze Coffee Connection 8ish to ?? (Daytona)

Every Saturday - Merlin's Vision 7 to 9 (Deland)

July 7 - Dandelion Cafe 7 to 10 (No Djembes) (Orlando)

July 7 - St Augustine Pier Pavilion 8 to ?? (St.Augustine)

July 10 - Melbourne Friday Fest 7 to 10 (Melbourne)

July 11 - Daytona Yoga Center 7 to 9 (Daytona)

July 11 - O-Town Drum Down at Orlando Brewery 8 to ?? (Orlando)

July 17 - Ocean View Yoga 7:30 to 9 (NSB)

July 18 - Primal Drumming (Casselberry)

July 21 - Dandelion Cafe 7 to 10 (No Djembes) (Orlando)

July 25 - Ten Thousand Villiages 7:30 to 8:30 (Winter Park)

Aug 1 - O-Town Drum Down at Orlando Brewery 8 to ?? (Orlando)

Confessions of a Lazy Brewer...

2009-06-19T10:24:00.002-04:00

I admit it. I am a lazy brewer. I have never before kept a brewing log. Sure I write down my gravities and dates, sometimes. But for the most part I don't keep track of anything. I have always relied on my memory to keep track, which I'll admit is pretty good. But as I get older the ol' photographic memory is beginning to yellow. I have also been doing significantly more brewing then before. In the past I would do a batch of wine every couple months, taking the recipe out of my trusty recipe book. Now I am venturing into new territory and making my own recipes or significantly tweaking others and brewing 2 or three batches at once.

What is the latest happening that has caused me to admit my laziness?? That would be the 'mystery wine' that ROCKS but I can't for the life of me remember the technique or yeast I used to brew it. Not to mention, I am unsure if I followed the recipe in the book or fucked with it like I usually do! Then of course there is the 'Christmas in a Bottle' that I have people emailing me wanting to buy. Do I remember what yeast I used? Did I measure the amount of spice I put into it? Hell no! Why would I do something silly like that!!!

So, last night I sat down and started a brewing log. I went back and pulled all the dates for the Maple Mead I have going right now, wrote down the yeast and techniques used, logged racking dates, the whole nine yards. I also wrote down the next 3 recipes that I want to do. Instead of having them float around in my sometimes spacey blonde head, they are now officially on paper filed behind the "To Be Brewed" tab.

I suppose the trick now is to keep it up. I don't think that will be hard since I finally started it! Here's hopin'

Total Slacker

2009-06-09T10:42:00.002-04:00

I have been completely neglecting my blog lately so let's see if I can give a "brief" synopsis of what's been going on in our little world.

Homeschooling - Going as well as ever. Kyllian is studying reptiles and Drake is working on a Mythological Creatures lapbook and reading up on Norse Mythology. They both have technically completed the school year but since we unschool there really isn't a beginning or end to our year.

Drake - My teeny premie turned 10 in April. You would never know he was ever as teeny as he was considering he is almost as tall as I am now. He definitely inherited my daddy's height! He is a brilliant young man if not a bit of a smart ass. (I wonder where he gets that from!!??)

Kyllian - Kyllian is doing well. We are reaching a point where we will need to do some med modification again since he has grown so much. It can be very frustrating but we have a wonderful Psych now. I am so glad we kicked Thebaud to the curb!!!!

The Floating Circle - I have been toying with the idea of putting together a community group and I finally took the plunge last month. Floating Circle's goal is to form a community of people that spin. Whether it be hula hoops, poi or any other form of spinning. So far our group has 8 members and our first community spin is June 27th!! Check us out on Meet-Up or visit our website. It is still a work in progress. We are hoping to get in some community events so if you know of any in the area please send the info my way!

Perspectives In Blue - I have had this website FOREVER and never really had much on it. I decided to give it a COMPLETE overhaul including the logo. I have an all new layout and some fresh art work up.

Spinning - I have been quite busy with spinning. I recently picked up poi and have been in love since!!! Don't worry! I haven't abandonded my hoop!!! I will be doing a hula hooping workshop all summer for GCA and will hopefully be doing a hooping workshop during FPG in November.

Mosaic - I recently did a presentation on the Wizard of OZ for Mosaic and was asked to give it again at a few other places. So I will be working on that a little more trying to improve on those areas that I felt needed more. And tonight I will be giving the invocation for Orange City.

Brewing - I took some mead to the most recent beer fest and got a RAVE reviews. That was awesome. It is always nice when other people like your stuff. Especially when they are willing to buy it!!! Right now I have several one gallon batches in secondaries (watermelon wine, blueberry wine, barley wine and raisin sherry) and I have a 5 gallon batch of Maple Mead in a primary. That is a batch for competition. As soon as that goes into a secondary I will start antoher batch of Christmas in a Bottle (Metheglyn with Mulling Spice).

Music - For a while there, a lot of our regualr drum circles had ended. It was sad!! BUT there have been some new ones pop up so I am happy. I had to branch out from my normal haunts to fill the void!! LOL You know me, I get twitchy if I don't have a drum circle at least once a week. I have to admit to negecting my flute. I think I will pull it out today and try to make amends! :) We have been hitting the parks once a week or so and just drumming for the heck of it!

Misc. - My uncle will be in town in a few weeks. I don't remember when the last time was that I saw him. My mother took that opportunity to invite me to a family gathering. It is good to know I still rate as "family" to her. I was then guilted into attending. I really don't want to go and I am very happy there is a drum circle I can go to afterwards because I will NEED to destress!! I might go get drunk too!

Okay, I think that is all for now. If anyone can think of anything I missed just let me know! :)

Your Drum Circle Round Up

2009-05-25T23:11:00.003-04:00

Every Saturday Night - Merlin's Vision in Downtown Deland from 7-9

Every Wednesday Night - Seabreeze Coffee Connection in Daytona from 8 til ?

Every Full Moon - St Augustine Beach Pier from 7 til ?

Friday May 29th - Ten Thousand Villages in Winter Park from 7:30 to 8:30

Friday June 5th - Edgewater DC, Culturally Yours from 7:30 to 9

Friday June 5th - Edgewater Library 7:00pm

Saturday June 6th - Dandy (NO DJEMBES)

Friday June 12th - Palm Coast DC, brand new - email me if you want details

Friday June 12th - Melbourne Friday Fest

Saturday June 13th - Daytona Yoga Center, Children's Circle 4 to 5, Adult Circle 7 to 9

Sunday June 21st - Summer Solstice at Dandy (NO DJEMBES!!)

Friday June 26th - Ten Thousand Villages in Winter Park from 7:30 to 8:30

Reasons Why the English Language is so Hard to Learn

2009-05-17T13:12:00.002-04:00

....from May 17th's service....

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to
present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail
18) After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat.

Quicksand works slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig. And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend. If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it? Is it an
odd, or an end?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell? How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man
and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which, an alarm goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

Hooping Costume for the Fringe Festival

2009-05-15T11:36:00.000-04:00

More Pics of Bubbles the Balloon Babe...

2009-05-04T12:31:00.001-04:00

Thanks Jan for the great pictures!

The Elusive Trick

2009-04-28T21:52:00.001-04:00

May you Rest In Peace

2009-04-24T15:55:00.002-04:00

I just managed to break ANOTHER pencil sharpener. Seriously, there has to be an electric pencil sharpener on this planet that I can't break!! There really has to be. The technology must exist! Isn't there a geek among us that can whip me up a pencil sharpener with a heavy duty motor and a cooling fan???? I feel a trip to SkyCraft coming on. Now where did I put my soldering iron???

I am proud to say that this is the first one I broke this year. (I also still haven't broken my shredder! ) I am secretly hoping that it will start working again after it cools down!!!

Yes, I managed to overheat my pencil sharpener!!!!! Hence the need for a cooling fan. One of the little mini computer models should do the trick!

You Know You're a Homeschooler When... (Part 9)

2009-04-22T16:16:00.001-04:00

…you spend you Friday night researching snail copulation. (This one is courtesy of the Davis Clan. Y’all need to get out more!!!! Oh, and when is that co-op being scheduled!)

…your ten year old explains that his room is not dirty. He is simply running a basic psychology maze experiment on his brother.

…you have to make a rule that specifically says that you may not do psychological experiments on your brother.

…your ten year old has reached the point that when people ask him about school, he rolls his eyes and says, “I really need to develop a new line of T-shirts, then all I would have to do is point!”

…your children understand the inner workings of product development based on online games.

…your 8 year old builds replicas of medieval weaponry out of legos (do you remember the cross bow) and can accurately name the parts.

A Little Medically Induced Rant for Your Friday Reading Pleasure...

2009-04-17T14:23:00.002-04:00

Why is it that if I am 2 hours late for a doctor's appointment I would be considered a no show, YET the doctor can make me wait 2 hours before even acknowledging me!!!??

Don't worry, I am not delusional enough, even in my sickened state (no comments) to expect anyone to be able to answer that question.

Then I get in there and my blood pressure is a bit higher than it should be. Lecture begins.... Well let's see...I have a UTI from HELL, I woke up with a migraine and I just sat for two hours waiting to pee in a cup...YOU FREAKING THINK!!!!!! Write me my bloody prescription so I can get the hell out of here!!!!

But the day wouldn't be complete without a stern talking to about my weight. Are you kidding me??? After I proceeded to tell her that I have lost 100 pounds in the last year and a half, knocked 20 percentage points off my body fat percentage, gone from a 56 inch hip to a 43 inch hip and a 49 inch waist to a 38 inch waist, dropped 9 dress sizes and normalized all of my blood levels including my Rhematoid Factor she dropped the subject!! I guess her soap box was feeling a bit shaky! lol

And then to top everything off, Publix is so understaffed that it is taking them 4 hours to fill a prescription today!! Woo Hoo!!

April measurements

2009-04-13T09:44:00.003-04:00

My last measurements were on Jan 29th.

Waist 37
Hip 43 1/4
Bust 41
Chest 34
Thigh L&R 22 1/2
Calf L&R 13 1/2
Upperarm L&R 14 1/2
Forearm L&R 11
Wrist 6 1/4
Neck 14

BF% 33
Weight 183

Most of my measurements have gone up and considering the way I have been eating I am not surprised!!! LOL

April 13, 2009

Waist 37
Hip 44.5 (+1.25)
Bust 42 (+1)
Chest 34.5 (+.5)
Thigh L 23.5 (+1) &R 23.75 (+1.25)
Calf L&R 13.75 (+.5)
Upperarm L&R 14 1/2 (unchanged)
Forearm L&R 11.25 (+.5)
Wrist 6 1/4
Neck 14

BF% 33.8 (+.8)
Weight 185 (+2)

Break time is over...

2009-04-13T09:14:00.003-04:00

I have been taking a little diet break since the beginning of the year. I hit a size 12 around then and over all very happy where I was. I still am very happy where I am but I think it is time to get back in the groove and set my next goal.

My BMI is currently at a 29 and I would like to see it come down to a 25. Now no one out there go thinking that I suddenly have some new found love for BMI charts. I still think they are the most ridiculous and damaging things to come out of government health initiatives since the food pyramid. (Yeah, I think that sucks too!) However, goals need numbers and instead of pulling something out of my ass I am going to use something that people can relate too.

At a BMI of 25 I will still be considered overweight. I am a size 12 now. I imagine I will be a size 8 25 pounds lighter. Although I hope not. I really don't think my frame can support a size 8. We will have to see.

Today I am back to my tried and true LC/IF combination. I always feel great and am super productive on this plan so what's to loose!! Well, except the obvious! The difference this time around will be the workout. I am really over the whole hypertrophy type plans. This time I am keeping it short and sweet. Push-ups and kettlebells. Not working out for more than 15 minutes a day. Then on top of that, my hula hooping will add that extra cardio and core component.

My biggest challenge over the next few weeks will be my camping trip at the end of the month. LC is really hard to do with no refrigeration! Luckily the IF component allows me some leeway and I will be drumming and hooping all weekend so there will be plenty of calories burned! LOL Maybe I will take a kettlebell too!

OK, I am off to take measurements. I haven't doen that in a while. I know a few have gone up but I will be interested to see which!!

PaperBackSwap Anonymous (PBSA)

2009-03-29T18:36:00.003-04:00

Many of you may remember my heart felt PBSA introduction a while back.

Well, according to Library Thing I have more than topped the 800 book count mark again. I blame the kids!! (OK, I really can't blame the kids. No wait! Yes I can....)

I think it is time to purge. Or maybe I will just raise the book count limit!!! Yeah, I like that idea better! HEHEHE

Curriculum Recommendations from Your's Truely....

2009-03-26T13:29:00.008-04:00

(FTR, If anyone chose to make a donation to my personal library of any of the books listed below I would not deny you of your good deed!)

Science

Cartoon Guide Series

Coloring Book Series

Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments
Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders
Unofficial Lego Builder’s Guide
MooCow Fan Club Magazine

History

Cartoon Guide Series

Coloring Book Series

Geography

Learning Through History Magazine
Historically accurate RPGs
MooCow Fan Club Magazine

Math

Life of Fred
Living Math
C artoon Guide to Statistics

Art

Artistic Pursuits
Unofficial Lego Builder’s Guide
Dover Coloring Books

Music

Drum Circle ;)
9-Note Recorder Method
Mel Bay Teach Yourself Series

Language Arts

Sequential Spelling
Starting from Square One (Phonics from AVKO)
Simply Grammar
Whatever their little hearts want to read

Foreign Language

Rosetta Stone
ASL

LED Hooping

2009-03-25T20:29:00.003-04:00

Blog Forgotten

2009-03-25T12:25:00.002-04:00

Well, I guess it hasn't been totally forgotten. The Project 365 stuff is still up to date but that is about it lately.

I have had a lot going on in the last few weeks. A few big events have passed and the boy's birthday is coming up in about a week. A few new opportunities have presented themselves lately and I am trying to decide what stays and what goes because I can't do it all!!!

I am way behind in my reading, although not as far behind as my 52 in 52 posts would indicate!!! My TBR shelf is growing by the day. (Of course if I would lay off the PaperBackSwap I might be able to catch up eventually. OK, maybe not but it is a nice thought.)

We are also reaching the end of the school year and this is when my unschooling heart starts to battle with my structured brain and I start to freak out!!! Drake is working through his math book and will be putting together everything he has learned this year on Greek Mythology into a lapbook. He will also be adding things about Ancient Greece in there along the way! It's going to be a BIG lapbook! Hopefully after this we can move onto a new topic. Although he has hinted that he wants to study metalurgy! I'm not sure I'm up for that.

Kyllian will hopefully be moving into a phase where he can actually do something that resembles school work. At least in my eyes. We are going to work through some small chapter books hopefully and I am trying to get him involved in some art classes.

Last but CERTAINLY not least, if I don't figure out where the tiny squeak in my desk is coming from I am going to LOSE MY FREAKING MIND!!!!!!

You Know You're a Homeschooler When... (Part 8)

2009-03-15T23:07:00.001-04:00

…the neighborhood kids come over after school and your 4th grader teaches them all how to play chess because he is tired of losing to mom.

…your 4th grader describes video game scenery by saying “there is a distinct transition from a forest habitat to grassland.” Where does he learn this stuff??

…instead of cartoons, your children begin their day by watching 'How It’s Made' on the Discovery Channel.

…your children try to convince you that the toy they want for their birthday holds educational value by designing their own science lesson around it. I’ve got to admit I was almost sold…

…your 4th grader is willing to do extra chores to get the really expensive out of print Greek mythology book he is dying to read.

…Cyberchase counts as math class, Mythbusters counts as science class and drum circles count as music class.

Bubbles in action

2009-03-15T21:35:00.000-04:00

Your Drum Circle Round up for March and April

2009-03-12T23:12:00.003-04:00

March 20 - Mosaic UU, 7-9, instruments provided

March 26 - New Moon Circle at Dandelion, 7-10, bring instrument and chair

March 27 - Ten Thousand Villages, 7 - 8, bring instrument

March 28 - Gateway RMM, 1-3, bring a chair, instruments provided

April 4 - Three8Six.com Fire circle on the beach 6-11, bring a chair, some instruments are provided (ADULTS ONLY)

April 9 - Full Moon Circle at Dandelion, 7-10, bring instrument and chair

April 10 - NSB Drum Circle, bring chair, instruments provided

April 11 - Daytona Yoga Center, instruments provided

April 18 - Ripley's Believe It or Not in St Augustine, Drum4Wellness

April 22 - Earth Day Drum Circle at Dandelion, 7-10, bring instrument and chair

April 25 - Gateway RMM, 1-3, bring a chair, instruments provided

April25 - New Moon Circle at Dandelion, 7-10, bring instrument and chair

WOW, it's enough to make this hippie girl......umm never mind!

Creativity

2009-03-09T19:07:00.003-04:00

Today's philosophical thought is short and sweet...

Every person is born with the ability to be creative. Our potential to create is what makes us human. Our creativity can fall dormant if it is not nurtured. It is never lost. It is always there waiting to be re-awakened.

Youth Celebration of the Arts

2009-03-08T21:38:00.002-04:00

I will be making balloon animals all day on Saturday so come out and say hi!

March 13th, 14th and 15th at the new Gateway Center for the Arts in Debary's Gateway Park.

On Friday evening, 6-9PM there will be a Martial Arts exhibition in the auditorium by the following schools: Extreme Shaolin, American White Lion Tai Kwon Do, Premier Martial Arts, All American Kempo Karate. Event is free, $5 parking fee at center.

Saturday YCA, 10AM to 4PM, performing arts in the Center Auditorium all day provided by Volusia County Schools. At the park, Hands on art activities, Paint stations, sculpture, face painters, historic booths – DeBary Hall, Pioneer Settlement, Inflatable games and more. Event is free, $5 parking fee at center, shuttle buss at K-Mart $1- round trip, K-Mart is walking distance with sidewalk – no fee.

Sunday Afternoon, 1:-4PM, modern dance, jazz, ballet and folk dancing. Event is free, $5 parking fee at center.

52 in 52 - Book 7

2009-03-04T00:32:00.003-05:00

Spiritual Journeys along the Yellow Brick Road by Darren John Main

This is one of a few books on this topic I am reading for research for a service I am leading at the end of May.

Very interesting book. I can't wait to watch the movie again now that I have read this.

Random Monday Ramblings

2009-02-23T15:55:00.002-05:00

I can break just about anything if I put my mind to it! I managed to break the beaker I use to test my wine today when the Hydrometer slipped out of my wet hand and cracked the bottom of the beaker. In turn, sending 100ml of Mead all over my freshly cleaned kitchen! I love mopping so much that I wanted to do it twice today!!! Luckily the Hydrometer didn't break. Which reminds me, I really need to get a back up!

I tasted some of the Mead I racked last week. I believe it has an %ABV equivalent to that of rocket fuel! We will be sitting on that a while!!!

I am completely over scheduled this week. More than usual. I am not sure how, but I managed to fit giving 1 presentation, teaching 2 classes, doing taxes for 2 people, watching a friend's children, getting my insurance estimate, attending a photography round table and 1 drum circle into the first FOUR days of this week. The weekend is busy too! I do enjoy everything I am doing (well, except for the insurance stuff) but....I am tired just looking at my planner!

It is amazing how TRASHED your house can get all because you buy a new TV. The new TV sits on a higher table so the picture above the TV had to be taken down. Since that is one of K's babies it had to find a new, prominent, home. Which meant something else had to come down. This basically led to me taking down ALL the art in the house and rehanging everything. If you have ever been here you know what kind of feat that was!! The stuff that got axed is still sitting on the dining room table. (Those aren't really meant for eating on like people keep telling me they are, right?) Then there is the box that is big enough for both children to stand up in that has been sitting in the livingroom for a week and the boxes for the new table and audio tower for the new monster TV..... You get the idea. I got a little medieval with a box cutter earlier and we now have a nice compact bundle of cardboard instead of the forest of boxes.

The condition of my desk has deteriorated to the point that I can no longer find ANYTHING. Must do something about that soon!

I just finished putting together the invitations for the boys birthday party and I am such a sap that I cried while doing it. (How girly is that! lol) My sweet little premie, who incidently I was never supposed to be able to have, is turning 10! T.E.N. When the hell did he turn 9 or 8 or 7??? And then there is my other darling little premie that will be turning 8. Maybe this will be the year he grows out of the terrible twos! LOL It is a little too much to comprehend at times!!!

I am working on a service for church that will take place in May on the wisdom and spirituality in the Wizard of Oz. I am really shocked by the number a books out there on this subject. I am in the process of reading a few. Quite interesting. It should be a great service, a bit unorthodox, but aren't they all when I lead! LOL And to think they still let me behind the podium!

OK, that's it for today...I must get back to work. Unless someone wants to call and distract me! LOL Just kidding (not really, please distract me. I don't want to mop up Mead!!!!!)

Journey for the Planet - Week 4

2009-02-23T12:44:00.002-05:00

It was just brought to my attention that I never posted Week 4 stuff. Sorry, I am a slacker having an extended blonde moment!!

The Journey of a Peanut and Jelly Sandwich
Peanut Butter

- 60% of all peanuts used to make peanut butter are grown in Georgia, Florida and Alabama, with 50% of the entire peanut crop being grown in Georgia.

- The largest peanut butter manufacturing plant in the world is Smucker's in Lexington, KY. (approx. 383 miles from Atlanta, GA)

- Once made and jarred in Lexington, KY, the peanut butter then travels to the super market in Lake Mary, FL (approx. 838 miles)

and Jelly

- The largest maker of grape Jelly in the US is Welches. They have manufacturing plants in New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Washington and their corporate head quarters is in Concord, MA. (We will use the Lawton, MI location.)

- Welches uses two types for grapes. Concord Grapes are grown in Concord, MA (approx. 879 miles from Lawton, MI) and Niagara Grapes are grown in and around Niagara Canada. (approx. 411 miles from Lawton, MI)

- Once jarred in Lawton, MI, the jelly then travels to the super market in Lake Mary, FL (approx. 1191 miles)

Sandwich

- Grain is grown in the US in the Great Plains States. (We will use Omaha, NE for measurement purposes) Grain is also imported from China, Greece and Turkey among other countries. (We will use China for measurement purposes)

- Grain grown in the Great Plains and grain grown in China are both shipped to the baker in Orlando. (1428 miles from Omaha, NE and 6257 ocean miles from China to a port in Los Angeles, CA and another 2513 miles from LA to Orlando)

************************************************************************

So in total, the ingredients for our Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich have traveled 13, 900 miles. Not including the gas used for the cargo ship (I couldn't find info on that) and based on the average semi truck getting 6.5 MPG, our PB&J has used 1176 gallons of fuel. That is equivalent to 78.5 tanks of gas in the average American car (average gas tank holds 15 gallons).

Volunteer Substitutes

2009-02-21T18:29:00.003-05:00

I am going to keep this rant short and sweet as to not make my blood pressure go too high...

ARE YOU FREAKING SERIOUS!!!!!!

On one hand the idea of volunteer subs for the schools sounds like a good solution to the ever increasing financial problems in the Volusia County School System. I am sure that the vast majority of the volunteers will do a great job and they will have to go through the normal background screening, which I might add will come out of their own pocket.

On the other hand, do we value our children so little that we can't find the money to employ the professionals they freaking deserve?? The volunteers are only required to have a high school diploma and one day of training. Not that I am one to place a lot of importance on a silly piece of paper, but there is a lot of important things about managing a class room that simply can't be taught in one day! ONE DAY!!!! Not to mention the whole issue of actually TEACHING them something!!

I can not even begin to imagine how pissed off I would be if my children were enrolled in the public school system.

For the record, it is not that I think the volunteers will do a bad job. It is the fact that our government does not place enough importance on our children to pay professionals what they deserve to do a very important job.

What's next? Sharing textbooks? Oh wait, they already do that... Cutting extracurricular activities? Oh wait, they did that too... Doubling class sizes? Yeah, you guessed it... Four day school week? Being discussed... Extending walk zone to 3 miles? Also being discussed...

These are just some of the reasons I am amazed when people ask me why I homeschool!!!

Scream!!!!

2009-02-21T15:52:00.004-05:00

Does anyone out there have a large poster or even a decent sized book containing Edvard Munch's Scream?? (Out of all my books I only have one picture of it and it is smaller than I would like!!)

This would be an excellent example of why one should not put off the planning of major workshops to the last minute. I need this by Wednesday!!!!!!

Vulnerability

2009-02-18T18:47:00.001-05:00

Vulnerability is commonly viewed as something negative. No one wants to be vulnerable! I think that is a shame. In society’s attempt to be completely invulnerable to any hardship or heartache it has separated itself from itself. No one takes chances unless the odds are in their favor. Some don’t take chances at all. This may very well be one of the root problems in our world today.

Being invulnerable creates a barrier - a barrier to new experiences, a barrier to new love, a barrier to new ways of thinking. Stick with the tried and true is the battle cry! Disconnectedness, depression, lack of compassion, intolerance are what results.

Rev. Jack Ford said “You can be comfortable or you can have an adventure.”

You can be comfortable, never allowing yourself to be at risk for hardship, never allowing people into your life that might disappoint you or hurt you, never stepping outside of your comfort level, never allowing yourself to be vulnerable.

Or you can open up your life to the possibility of heartache and in turn, for allowing yourself to become vulnerable, have a grand adventure. An adventure that will take you to places, experiences and people that you never dreamed of while you were behind your wall of invulnerability.

The Universe has so much to offer us. Experience, enlightenment, connectedness, companionship, knowledge, the list could go on and on. But one thing is asked in return…to be open, to be vulnerable in order to experience these things fully and completely. If we always follow the sure thing, the safe path, the socially appropriate action in an effort to avoid negativity we will never know the vastness of the opportunities there are to be experienced. We will never see the full beauty of the Universe.

Without grief, there is no love. Without sadness, there is no joy. Without injustice there is no compassion. Without vulnerability, there is no adventure.

The Hunger Strike has Ended

2009-02-18T17:28:00.002-05:00

I gave in and feed sweet Dionysus a live rat today. He ate it with no problem! I could have done without the squealing of the poor thing but.....

Now if Nagini would come around I would be a very happy....I think he is still holding a grudge over getting a roommate instead of a girl friend! LOL (No 'alternative lifestyle' comments from you Carey!)

Happy National Pluto Day

2009-02-18T09:29:00.001-05:00

February 18th is National Pluto Day.

You'll always be a planet to me Pluto!!!!!!!!!

(Yes, I'm a geek! But you knew that already!)

Today was not the most productive....

2009-02-17T22:06:00.002-05:00

I started my day WAAAYYY to early. (I know most of you out there are just feelin' for me right now!) I had an appointment with the insurance estimator at Toyota today. I made this appointment on Sunday, told the service rep what happened, he told me to come in between 9 and 9:30 Tuesday morning. The process would only take 15 or 20 minutes and they would get the paper work started if I needed to file an insurance claim. Great! Swell!! Excellent!! NOT!!! I get there at 9:15 and tell the service department processor that I need to see . Great, let me go get her for you....

Thirty minutes later he comes out and tells me that she isn't there. According to her calendar she won't be in until noon. Huh?? Would have been an excellent bit of info to have on Sunday. So then we start talking. I tell him I really just want to know if I should file a claim and that I was guessing that I probably would need too considering the mechanical damage.. Oh! She only estimates body work. A service tech will have to look at it to give you an estimate on mechanical work. Huh?? Another bit of info that would have been nice to have on Sunday!!!

So, I guess he felt sorry for me, or prehaps recognized that angering a caffine deprived woman that had the opportunity to sleep in today instead of standing in the cold waiting for noone to do nothing was a very bad move so early in the day!!! He went and grabbed a mechanic off the floor and asked him to do a quick accessment. He popped the hood, looked under the car, asked me how fast I was going and then asked me what my deductable was. To which he replied "Ewww, yeah! File a claim!" Excellent! So at least I got the info I SORTA wanted. He also told me that he was really surprised that the airbag didn't go off. Swell!

So now off I go. My next stop was GCA but it was still way too early to head that way. So I decided to stop at Boston's and get a much needed cup of coffee. While I was there I called my insurance company only to find that their computers were down and they were taking claims by hand. Isn't technology great!? Now my claim is filed, sort of, but I have no claim number and probably won't until the morning. Since I can't make any appointments to get my car fixed until then I have no choice but to wait. Joy! At least the weather is nice this week! (Did I mention that my AC doesn't work?)

The meeting at GCA didn't really get much accomplished either. I still don't haev the schedule for the website. The site layout wasn't finalized so all I can make is the map of the grounds. I can't put anything ON it. So I am no further along there.

I did get my tax refund today so at least I can PAY my insurance deductable!

Tomorrow is a new day and it will be productive! Damn it!!! LOL

Now I must put away my artwork and get moving on "the dreaded project"!!!

ASL Curriculum online

2009-02-16T22:28:00.002-05:00

http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/lessons/lessons.htm

I have postde this before on my old blog. Just putting it here for safe keeping.

Back to Keto

2009-02-16T10:47:00.002-05:00

This new diet is not working out for me. I simply can not eat this way and feel well. I have felt like total ASS this whole weekend. I know some of that has to do with Friday but if my diet was in order it shouldn't take me this long to recover. This really is ridiculous.

So I am going back to my tried and true keto. I am sticking with my workout as is but skipping the recommended carb levels. I just can't manage that many carbs and feel well.

Embrace the Now

2009-02-15T22:42:00.002-05:00

If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be?

It’s an interesting question. Would it be a bad relationship, a decision that caused someone great pain, maybe a bad business decision?

My answer is nothing. I would change nothing from my past. Now, that is not to say that there is nothing in my past that I regret. There are plenty of things I regret happening. However I recognize these things as steps along the path. (I know, there goes the path analogy again!)

I have some wonderful things in my life. Would I have those things if I changed the past?

Much of who I am today developed during the time I spent living in Arizona. I was exposed to many experiences, cultures, people and religion that I would not have had anywhere else in the world. If I chose to change my past to eliminate my first marriage, I would also have to give up all the experiences that resulted from that event. I likely would never have ended up in Arizona, much less spent 7 years there. Would I still resonate so strongly with the cultures of the Southwest? Would I have ever done the work that I did with the disabled? Would I truly know what miracles my children are?

Sure, it is possible that the universe would have provided me with those experiences anyways but I think it is far more likely that my other decisions would have led me to different experiences that would have shaped me differently. I would be a different person. Maybe I would be a better person, maybe a worse, but I do know that I would not be ME if it wasn’t for each and every decision, be it good or bad, that I made up until this point.

Just as a weaver does not unravel an entire tapestry because of a single mistake, I choose to leave my decisions as they are and embrace who I am and who I will become.

Embrace the now and do not dwell on the past.

What about you? If you could change one thing from your past what would it be??

A Collection of Quotes for Sunday's service...

2009-02-12T17:22:00.001-05:00

Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.
~Oscar Wilde

If you wait to do everything until you're sure it's right, you'll probably never do much of anything.
~Win Borden

For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.
~Flora Whittemore

One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching.

Perhaps our eyes need to be washed by our tears once in a while, so that we can see Life with a clearer view again.
~Alex Tan

The most important things in life aren't things.
~Anthony J. D'Angelo

Never waste a minute of your precious life by squandering it thinking about people you don't like.

Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us.
~John N. Mitchell

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
~Anne Frank

Look at life through the windshield, not the rear-view mirror.
~Byrd Baggett

Carpe diem! Rejoice while you are alive; enjoy the day; live life to the fullest; make the most of what you have. It is later than you think.
~Horace

When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.
~Peter Marshall

Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.
~John W. Gardner

Don't worry about life, you're not going to survive it anyway.

12 Levels of Hell - Level 2

2009-02-11T20:25:00.002-05:00

I completely wimped out on my lower body today. That probably has something to do with the insane amount furniture i moved around today. Oh and the mopping and the....You get the idea!

Upper Body:

incline bench - 20# each (increase 5lbs. next time)
bent row - 57# (increase 5lbs. next time)
shoulder press - 15# KB (increase to 20# KB next time)
pullover - 25# KB (stay the same)
diamond push-ups (I SUCK at these)
high pull - 25# KB (that is the heaviest KB I have so this will have to stay the same for the time being)

Lower Body: (I only made it through 3 sets of these today!)

A2G front squats - 15# KB (increase to 20# next time)
deadlift - 112# (stay the same)

Semantics!!

2009-02-11T15:16:00.002-05:00

Why do people get so worked up over words? Perhaps it is just a bit of my naivete showing, but I seriously do not understand why people take words so personally. Why can't I call my MALE letter carrier a mailman? 'Mailman' describes what he does. It does not make me anti-feminist anymore than calling him a 'letter carrier' makes me a feminist.

I am growing tired of the gender, age and racial neutral society we live in. Why is neutralizing everything seen as a positive thing. Man, woman, young, old, Greek, Hispanic, green, purple, short, tall, all contribute to the diversity of our world. I don't want to live in a gray world. Can't we all just be who we are, hold hands and sing Kum Ba Ya. (Dang it!, there is that 'idealistic hippie' in me coming out!)

It's all just SEMANTICS people!!!!!!!

12 Levels of Hell - Level 1

2009-02-08T15:09:00.003-05:00

Wondering what the 12 levels of hell are?? That would be the 12 block hypertrophy program I just started. DAMN I am sore. Good thing I like a little pain and think lift heavy is fun!!!

Here are my stats for block 1:

Upper Body:
DB incline bench press - 20lb DBs (weight is good, will increase in block 3)
Bent BB row - 52lb (increase weight 5lbs next time)
DB shoulder press - 15lb DBs (weight limited by lower back, no increase)
Pullover - 20lb KB (increase to 25lb KB next time)
Bench - 40lb (increase 5lbs next time, lack of spotter is going to become an issue real quick!)
high pull - 52lb (weight was too high and my boobs get in the way, next time I am switching to single arm high pulls with 25lb KB)

Lower Body:
A2G Front Squat - 15lb KB (weight is good, need to concentrate on not GMing out of the bottom)
Deadlift - 1RM 127lb (that weight SUCKS but I will get it back up!), 112lbs (weight good, increase in block 3)

On a positive note..

2009-02-07T01:01:00.002-05:00

I am no longer obese.

How screwed up are the BMI charts that at 5'7 and a size 12 and am JUST 6 pounds shy of being considered obese? And still considered quite over weight!! No wonder people have screwed up body image!!!!!

For a little perspective... In high school I was 130 pounds and a size 10. That gave me a BMI of 20.4. That is on the low to mid end of the Healthy BMI range. Now, just ONE dress size bigger I have a BMI of 28.7. SERIOUSLY!?!?!?!?!

Where O where to go next???

2009-02-07T00:34:00.003-05:00

I haven't been blogging much about fitness lately and there is a not so good reason. I am wandering aimlessly trying to figure out where to go next.

On one hand I am still considered over weight. Between 23 and 55 pounds depending on what chart you look at. On the other hand I have reached my goal. My goal was always a size 12. I was a size 10 in high school and I was a scrawny little thing. I figured 12 with better body composition would be perfect. The thing is, I figured a size 12 would put me in the 140ish range. So do I keep on the weight loss road or do I step off and venture to more sports specific stuff, strength, hypertrophy, yogi????

The problem with the weight loss road is that I truly don't think I want to lose another 40 pounds. How tiny would I be? I am a tall girl. I carry my weight well. I don't think I want to get any smaller. But body composition??.......

What I would like is to be able to see the muscles that I have. Which means a fat loss program. The next problem is, I don't want to do a fat loss program. I already do LC and IF. Fat loss is sort of a given. I think that is pretty evident in the fact that I have only lost 10 pounds since Thanksgiving but I have gone from a 16 to a 12. Fat loss programs are hard on me. My body does not like them! Touch finish!! (That's 'been there, done that' to those of you that aren't up on your ASL idioms!)

So that leaves me with sports specific, strength and hypertrophy.

Since I need overall strength, sport specific isn't really an option.

Between strength and hypertrophy, I choose hypertrophy. It boils down to me liking the program better. The only problem I see with hypertrophy is eating. I am not a big eater. I have to make myself eat most days. That is part of the reason I like the LC and IF combo. I eat one or two meals a day of seriously calorie dense foods. I average around 1600 calories a day. I suppose by adding a high cal protein shake on workout days will solve that problem.

So I guess this long rambly post (I seem to have a lot of those lately) has lead me to the following decision...

Start a hypertrophy program, continuing my current LC/IF diet to continue fat loss and adding a calorie dense protein shake on workout days to address the extra calorie needs. My goals are not to loose weight. I am in maintenance/muscle building mode.

As for the specific hypertrophy program, I am doing a basic 5X5 hypertrophy program with a Upper/Lower Body split. AND, I am not interested in ANY well meaning 'fitness experts' telling me that upper/lower splits are stupid.

I am an atheist! (or so I'm told)

2009-02-06T19:45:00.003-05:00

So after I dealt with my little bank dilemma, I finish flipping through my email and come across an email from someone who assumed I was an atheist. A couple of things first off:

1. Gross generalizations are always stupid...

2. Don't assume. It's bad practice...

3. I have nothing against atheism. I am Unitarian Universalist. I firmly believe that each person is entitled to the pursuit of the spirituality that fits them best. I don't push my beliefs on other people and I expect the same respect from them. (Why do I set myself up for disappointment?!)

4. I am not atheist. I am probably about as far from atheist as you can get.

So, you ask, why has someone assumed I am atheist? Well, this is where the gross generalization comes in.

I think creationism is a crock of poorly written mythology.

This, evidently, makes me an atheist. Personally I feel that my belief in the Universe as a guiding force and my personification of Mother Earth and Father Sky really preclude me from being an atheist. And I'm going out on a limb here but I am pretty sure most, if not ALL atheists out there would agree with me on that!!!

So out of respect for all the REAL atheists out there let me state that I am not an atheist. Please do not think that any of my spiritual beliefs in any way represents the atheist community.

And lastly, despite not being an atheist, I do believe that creationism IS a crock of poorly written mythology. This doesn't make me an atheist. This make me logical!

Luckily my heart is working just fine....

2009-02-06T19:30:00.002-05:00

So after my long day, I come home to a reasonably small amount of email to filter through. Only 70 or 80! So I am scrolling through the list to see if anything "important" jumps out at me before delving into the list of various musings, complaints, etc. The "You have reached your thresh hold limit" jumps out at me. See, I have my bank account set to notify me if my account ever drops below $100. This, of course, catches my eye considering it is merely the 6th of the month. The next email on the list is my daily balance statement which informs me I am over drawn by almost $200. WHAT THE $%^!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After I get my panic attack under control, I log on to the bank and find my account in perfect working order with the correct amount of money exactly where it is supposed to be. No crazy pending transactions, no charges being returned, nothing. All is well and good. I immediately go back and check out the email. Looks fine, doesn't look like a phishing email, looks exactly like every other daily balance notification I get.

I call the CSR for my bank. She can't figure out why I got the email. She gets her supervisor on the phone. She can't figure out why I got the email. I am transfered to the security and fraud department. They verify the email. It was, indeed, sent to me from Regions. THEY can't figure out why I got the email.

So my bank had a good laugh on me playing "Ha, ha! Made ya look..."

Now, three hours later, my headache from my blood pressure jumping a good 30 points in a mater of a second and a half, is finally going away. I still need a glass of wine and now I am paranoid about my bank account. Maybe I need some of my son's meds!!! LOL

Cold Weather and Home Brewing

2009-02-05T13:46:00.004-05:00

Seriously??? I live in Florida and should not have to worry about this stuff. I started 3 batches of various meads and melomels on Tuesday. Today? NOTHING!!! Thinking that I must have added the yeast too early or that it was bad to begin with, off I went to the home brew store to buy more so I didn't lose all three batches. Of course, half way there it dawns on me that it is FREAKING cold out.

Thinking back, I don't think I have ever started any wine during the winter months. That is usually a spring activity. I live in Florida, monitoring room temperature is not usually an issue in the spring!!

Since I am already half way to Daytona at this point I figure it wouldn't hurt to have some back up yeast and I was almost out of acid blend anyways. Besides I hadn't been to the Daytona store yet and that is just a travesty!!!

So after discussing my 'lack o fermentation' problem with the guy at Homebrew Emporium, we concluded that it is more likely that the fermentors are too cold and not murder on my part.

He then asks me if I know how a sweat lodge is built. Umm, interesting question. Even more interesting (and surprising to him I think) is that I do, indeed, know how because I built a few in college. So, he tells me to apply the same concept to the fermentors to get everything going. Brilliant idea!!! I think I am going to market and patent it!!!

So I came home and built a sweat lodge for my mead! LOL It only took 5 minutes for the blueberry port in the secondary to become active again so I am hopeful for the mead. And if it does turn out that I murdered 100 billion innocent yeast cells, I have more... (Can you murder yeast, the aren't technically animals are they?? Where is my biology book...)

52 in 52 - Book 6

2009-02-04T21:03:00.003-05:00

Spirit Guides by Iris Belhayes

I just recommended this book and now I am taking it back. I read this book years ago and obviously remembered it being better than it really is. The symbolism she chooses of everything in our world being a game is really hard to read through. So, never mind, don't read Iris Belhayes. LOL She does put an interesting twist on the philosophy I subscribe to but the way she explained it was down right odd and off putting.

Peter Schilling - Major Tom (vollig Losgelost) Lyrics

2009-02-03T18:43:00.000-05:00

Gründlich durchgecheckt
steht sie da
und wartet auf den Start. -
Alles klar.

Experten streiten sich
um ein paar Daten -
Die Crew hat dann noch
ein paar Fragen, doch
der Countdown läuft.

Effektivität
bestimmt das Handeln
Man verlässt sich blind
auf den andern.

Jeder weiss genau
was von ihm abhängt,
jeder ist im Stress,
doch Major Tom
macht einen Scherz.

Dann hebt er ab und!...

Ref:
...Völlig losgelöst
von der Erde
schwebt das Raumschiff
völlig schwerelos.

Die Erdanziehungskraft
ist überwunden,
Alles läuft perfekt -
schon seit Stunden.

Wissenschaftliche
Experimente,
doch was nützen die
am Ende
denkt sich Major Tom.

Im Kontrollzentrum
da wird man panisch.
Der Kurs der Kapsel der
stimmt ja gar nicht.

"Hallo Major Tom,
können Sie hören,
woll'n Sie das Projekt
denn so zerstören?",
doch, er kann nichts hörn'.
Er schwebt weiter...

Ref:
...Völlig losgelöst
von der Erde
schwebt das Raumschiff
völlig schwerelos.

Die Erde schimmert blau
Sein letzter Funk kommt:
"Grüsst mir meine Frau!"
Und er verstummt.

Unten trauern noch
die Egoisten,
Major Tom denkt sich
"wenn die wüssten -,
mich führt hier ein Licht
durch das All,
das kennt ihr noch nicht,
ich komme bald
Mir wird kalt."

Ref:
Völlig losgelöst
von der Erde
schwebt das Raumschiff...

Mercury and CF Lightbulbs

2009-02-02T17:56:00.001-05:00

Dear EarthTalk: I've heard that compact fluorescent light bulbs, known for their long life and low energy consumption, contain toxic mercury. Is this true and, if so, what precautions should I take when disposing of them?

—Greg Newswanger, Freedland, MD

Compact fluorescent light bulbs do contain small amounts of mercury vapor, which, when catalyzed by voltage, give off ultraviolet energy, the key building block for generating light. When these bulbs burn out or break, they need to be discarded responsibly so as to avoid unleashing mercury into the environment and food chain.

Mercury—a toxic metal known to cause brain, spinal cord, kidney and liver damage in humans—does not break down easily and, once airborne, often finds its way into groundwater, rivers and the sea, where it can cause a host of contamination issues for wildlife and people alike.

The first thing to do when a compact fluorescent bulb breaks is to open all the windows to disperse any mercury vapor that may have escaped. Then put on gloves, sweep up the fragments, and wipe the area with a disposable paper towel. Using a vacuum is a bad idea, as it will only stir up any lingering airborne mercury. Lastly, the fragments should be sealed into a plastic bag and recycled or disposed of.

The best way to dispose of burned-out or broken compact fluorescent bulbs is to take or mail them (in the sealed plastic bag) to a mercury recycling facility. The website of the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers provides contact information for locating such facilities state by state. If mercury recycling is not an option in your area, the bulb or fragments should be placed in sealed plastic bags and disposed of at your local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection site.

Ironically, compact fluorescent bulbs are responsible for less mercury contamination than the incandescent bulbs they replaced, even though incandescents don't contain any mercury. The highest source of mercury in America’s air and water results from the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, at utilities that supply electricity. Since a compact fluorescent bulb uses 75 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb, and lasts at least six times longer, it is responsible for far less mercury pollution in the long run. A coal-burning power plant will emit four times more mercury to produce the electricity for an incandescent bulb than for a compact fluorescent.

CONTACTS: Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers, www.almr.org; Earth911.org; EPA Household Hazardous Waste Page, www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/hhw.htm; EPA Fact Sheet: Mercury in Compact Fluorescent Lamps, www.nema.org/lamprecycle/epafactsheet-cfl.pdf

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EARTHTALK, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit your question at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk.html; or e-mail us at: earthtalk@emagazine.com.

Solar Cooking

2009-02-02T17:55:00.001-05:00

CooKit Instructions

Pizza Box Solar Oven

Solar Cooking.org

Solar Cooker Plans

Recipes for your Solar Cooker

Parvati Solar Cooker

Solar Stoves

Solar Funnel Cooker

Journey for the Planet - Week 3

2009-02-02T17:44:00.002-05:00

Getting a Charge out of Saving Electricity

A Bright Idea - Turning out lights when you leave the room is an easy way to save electricity. If you have a problem area like a hallway or closet consider switching out your light fixture for one with a built in motion sensor.

Chill Out in Your Room - Check windows, doors and switch plates to make sure they aren't leaking cool air. Weather striping and plate insulators are available at Home Depot. For windows that let in just a bit too much heat add heavy drapery to block the sun. If you still want the light but not the radiant heat then consider installing a radiant film on your windows. They can block as much as 70% of the sun's radiant heat in the summer time. This is also available at Home Depot.

Look into carbon free ways to generate and save electricity in your home. Consider installing a solar hot water heater or solar panel, use you bike to get to the store, car pool when possible, combine errands to save on gas, etc.

Journal Questions:
1. How could your family and friends work together to car-pool more?

2. How will life be different when we run out of fossil fuels? How would life be different if fossil fuels never existed?

3. Research one kind of alternative energy source.

Our Current Cocktail

2009-02-01T16:48:00.003-05:00

We are making the switch from Geodone back to Risperdol. Geodone was working great but the cost was out of control. So we are back to Risperdol. The only problem we had with Risperdol was weight gain. Hopefully this time around the appetite suppressant effect of the Straterra will balance the appetite stimulant effect of the Risperdol. The Buspar also went up and I am noticing the difference. The Buspar has always helped!! (Heck I think I need soem of it sometimes!!!!) The stims I noticed starting with the Straterra have gone away.

One of these days I might be totally okay with the med juggle but I am not holding my breath that it will be anytime soon.

Several things have lead me to the realization that we still have a ways to go before we figure everything out. I don't really have any choice but to be okay with it but that still doesn't make me any less impatient!!!! LOL

52 in 52 - Book 5

2009-01-31T19:53:00.004-05:00

How to: Meet and Work with Spirit Guides by Ted Andrews

A friend gave me this book and I did not like this book at all. Everything seemed sugar coated.

Health and Fitness

2009-01-29T09:52:00.003-05:00

I seem to be neglecting the Health and Fitness side of my blogging since the switch over. So today I am going to go back to the basics and post a training log and a food diary. I have hesitated to jump on the photo food diary bandwagon. Mainly because I hate bandwagons!!! Not to mention it seems that everyone is doing one but I am going to bore you with one for a couple of days or until I get bored with it.

I figure today is as good a time as any since I am switching back to a more strength oriented exercise program. I have been in fat loss and flexibility mode for a while but I can never stay there too long.

Now for the boring measurements:

Waist 37
Hip 43 1/4
Bust 41
Chest 34
Thigh L&R 22 1/2
Calf L&R 13 1/2
Upperarm L&R 14 1/2
Forearm L&R 11
Wrist 6 1/4
Neck 14

BF% 33
Weight 183

Now for the fun part, the workout:

I am going back to a strength program but I am going to keep it wicked basic. Squats, Deads, Push-ups and Kettlebell Snatches.

Because of my knee issues I will keep squats to body weight only but will do full range of motion. I will keep my stance slightly wider than is considered 'correct'. I have found that to be the best stance for my knees and considering I am a woman with wide hips it makes sense. At least to me!! LOL

Deads will be regular ole deadlift, none of those weird varitions.

Push-ups will be incline. I had worked up to regulation push-ups but my shoulder did not like that. So for the sake of not breaking myself I am going to work on incline for now. I will probably do a set or two of renegade rows to make up for the abs!

KB snatches will be with my heaviest bell which, at the moment, is 25 pounds. I am hoping to be able to afford a heavier one soon. Man those things are expensive!!!

So there is is folks. Plain and simple!

Clearing the Clutter - Hall Closet

2009-01-28T13:56:00.004-05:00

Or if we are truly going to call a spade, a spade....The Closet O' Crap!

There was a little kitchen stuff, a little hardware stuff, a little recreation stuff, a little pharmaceutical stuff... You get the idea.

There simply are things that have to go in that closet because it is one of two in the entire house (except the clothes closets of course). We do not have a linen closet, a pantry, a utility closet. Though we have a lovely teeny tiny coat closet in the living room! This is FLORIDA people!!! We don't need coat closets!!!

In the before photos you won't see much of anything because there is TOO MUCH CRAP IN THE WAY!!!! I moved any food items to the kitchen (or trash can in several cases) and all the candles went over to my altar area. Yoga mats went into the exercise room. (Does anyone know why I have 4 yoga mats???) Most of the hanging items are still hanging but on a much lower hook so I can actually access the closet!!

Here are the after photos. There actually is a closet there. What I really needed was a brewing space. So I removed one of the shelved and moved things around a bit. The primary fermentors won't fit in there but they need daily attention anyways. But there is now room for 6 secondaries!! Before they wouldn't fit on the shelf with the airlock in place because they were too tall. All of the empty bottles are on the top shelf instead of being everywhere. Cooking dishes had to stay in here but they have been organized and consolidated and now fit on one shelf instead of two.

The door organizer is now organized! Imagine that!! All of the various brewing paraphinalia are on two of the shelves so I no longer have to go digging for stuff!

Clearing the Clutter - FL Room

2009-01-28T13:47:00.005-05:00

Our Florida Room has been everything! A sitting room (how quaint), A craft room (how industrious), a school room (how optimistic), an exercise room (how sweaty) and a combination of the last three (how chaotic)!!!! Oh, I forgot to mention a dumping ground (oh, my!)!!!

I forgot to take before pictures of this room but it essentially boils down to crap on the tables, crap on the floor and broken bits of toys that the dog has chewed up.

The after pics still show some clutter, mostly on the table. I am still looking for homes for those items! It is still technically a craft/school/exercise room but it is a bit more organized! And all those curtains are coming down. I don't know what is going in their place but it won't be fabric!

How freaking awesome is this?

2009-01-26T17:05:00.004-05:00

(insert sarcastic eyeroll here)
The genius that I hired to install the door in the Fl room screwed the frame into my curtain hardware instead of the studs. Gee?? I wonder if that is why the damn thing won't stay plum. Why didn't I just do it myself??? Oh! I remember... I HATE HANGING DOORS!!!!!!