Posting Tomorrow

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Prayer Request

My friend Ruth Janna, John Osmolski's older sister, is down from Virginia for the memorial service this weekend. She flew in yesterday, 9 months pregnant and you guessed it she is in labor. Her water broke this morning at 5 am, so we will have a baby by tonight hopefully. Anyway she is 3 1/2 weeks early so please pray for them both. Luckily the midwives were able to take over her care at Waterman.

We Are Back From Arlington

Ok, a total of 32 hours on a bus in 3 days is way too much for me. I am so glad to be HOME!! John's funeral was beautiful and his troop was able to attend since they were all back in the states. Veteran bikers came and guarded the church and escorted the procession to make sure protesters would not interrupt. And the local army moms catered all the food and receptions. So anyway there was alot of support for the family. About 36 of us went up on a donated Mears bus so it was a comfortable ride.

That is until the stomach bug hit the bus!! Yes we were driving with puking and diarrhea for 16 hours.... Mike was completely unscathed (please refer to the post about his super immune system) and I fought nausea the ride home. So I guess we did better than most.

Well I just wanted to say we were home.

Oh MY Miss Betsy, It's ETSY

Have you all met ETSY?? A complete online handmade shopping experience rivaling ebay in size. It is a handmade shopping community. http://www.etsy.com/
Patterns, quilts, clothes, blankets, paintings, pottery, jewelery...and on and on
Also you can sell on etsy for pennies!! compared to ebay




Here is a little sampling (the designers names are beside the pic)






justkiddin
sewlouloudesigns
Quiltville
pattern shop

$$$ Money, Money, Money $$$$

Ok, so I have been trying to get into the fiscally responsible, a recession is coming, groove. I decided to take a pantry challenge and not grocery shop until I absolutely, the children stomachs' are bloated, the cat is catching it's own dinner, had to shop. Is that a completely made up sentence structure, or what?? Anyway, that day ended up being yesterday, for two reasons actually. 1. We are leaving town, friends and family are watching the kids, and we were out of, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, wetwipes(eww), milk, cheese, bread, cereal, and FOOD in general... And secondly, Maddy asked in the car yesterday, "Are we dirt poor?" Would our children even know what dirt poor is? I think NOT, as she is playing with her Nintendo DS.....

Just because I cut Chick-fil-A out of our monthly budget (yes it had it's own category), Maddy thinks we will be living under a bridge soon.



Anyway last night I decided yes, we MUST grocery shop, and once again I became task oriented and must shop NOW! Unfortunately I had not had the TV or radio on, and did not realize until after I had all 3 kids in the car that the weather was a little inclement. As in tornado watch, inclement. Ok, well it didn't seem too bad, just a little wind, and publix isn't too far away.. So we persevered and I dragged 3 wet bedraggled children down each aisle.

After saying NO to every prepackaged junk item, Valentines day balloon, Dora Valentines book, Hairbands, Lunchables, and Shining Stars Pets I turned around and said, "Do you want that toy, or do you want to EAT???" A startled hush fell on the whole aisle as people turned around to see who was yelling at such sweet cherubs. Cherubs who should be home eating dinner watching the storm reports on TV, and getting ready for bed.

After checking out, and still not where I wanted to be in my budget ~~ugh~~ I pulled through Chick-fil-A for dinner!!

Part of my new budget awareness came in the form of last months power bill. Let me just say the first number on my bill was a 4 (ouch). Once I revived my husband, I vowed I would try my best to be more electrically responsible. So, out I drag the Amish laundry line we purchased this summer. It was so quaint, and in Lancaster, PA who can resist the thought of, hanging laundry, baking bread and sewing clothes??? Mike dug the holes and set the post, and then proceeded to attach the pulleys to each post. I am pretty sure that the Amish men DO NOT swear while installing their laundry lines... Anyway about 2 hours later I have a genuine pulley clothesline. It is a huge novelty right now. The kids are looking for things to wash so they can hang out the clothes. I wonder if they will be that eager in the dead of summer...hmm..

We placed it right beside the pool cage so it is not visible to either neighbors except the neighbors who built their 2 story home behind us. But since they bought the home knowing it looked into our yard, our pool, and our living room, I figure that seeing my flapping underwear in the breeze is their just desserts!

Well I have blogged too much, and need to go pack. Mike and I are going to Arlington, VA tomorrow for John's funeral. We should be back late Saturday night.

Blogger Pep Talk

Ok Bloggers I need some updates... And a little more comments, that is what makes checking them fun...I know Steph is working a deadline but just throw us some scraps....So get busy!!

Ebay Queen

I am doing my annual ebay selling. So take a peak. Homeschool discount 10% and free shipping ;0)


http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZmaddy*n*olivia*smom

2 new blogs

I created 2 new blogs that I am just toying around with to see if I want to combine topics and try new layouts...

http://berrypatchgirl.blogspot.com/

http://customjunkie.blogspot.com/

Newspaper Article from Fayetteville

82nd Paratrooper killed in Iraq
Sgt. John C. Osmolski, 23, of Eustis, Fla., was one of two soldiers killed when an IED detonated during combat operations in the vicinity of Al Muqdadiyah, Iraq Tuesday, the Army has announced.
From the press release:
Osmolski was a combat engineer with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team Special Troops Battalion, 82nd Abn. Div. He had one previous combat deployment with the 1st Bn., 325thAirborne Infantry Regiment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom fromJuly 2005 to November 2005.
“He was an adopted brother to the platoon,” said 1st Lt. Andres Donoso.“Everyone loved him.”
Osmolski’s awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal withone oak leaf cluster, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, theNational Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the IraqCampaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the ArmyService Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge,and the Parachutist’s Badge.
Osmolski is survived by his mother, Ruth E. Osmolski, of Powhatan, Va.

Testing the Pic Size

WAH I want my old blog back

I can't find a color scheme or template that I LOVE!!!
And I can't remember what my first blog choice was, can you say early onset ahlzheimers???


In my dream world I want a blog that looks like one of these
http://thevintagepearl.blogspot.com/ HOW DOES SHE GET HER PHOTOS THAT BIG?

http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/

http://portabellopixie.typepad.com/portabellopixie/portabellopixie_boutique_patterns/index.html

A New day

Today while cleaning up the schoolroom I ran across one of Madeleine's 3x5 memory verse cards. It read
"I will thank the Lord in all times. My lips will always praise him."
Psalms 34:1

It is so what I needed today. I woke well rested, Ethan slept well and woke feeling much better. He is back asleep and probably just needs to catch up on his sleep. The shock of John's death is wearing off and just a weary sadness is setting in. John's mother is an amazing woman and I thought I might share her story.

Eileen was married with two preschool children and 8 months pregnant with twins when her husband was killed in a motor vehicle accident. (This was 28 years ago her eldest child is a year or two younger than me) Friends and church members helped support Eileen so that she could stay home primarily and raise and homeschool her four children. She also used her talents to create a home business as a caterer (she is a TDF cook) She is a strong and biblical woman and an amazing example of God being the husband to the widow. Her children are grown. John joined the army and was finishing up his second tour in Iraq. We had been specifically praying for protection of his heart, because of all the trauma he had witnessed in the field. He had been struggling with the realities of war. Please be in prayer for his brother, twin sister and older sister as they grieve the loss of their brother. And pray for Eileen that God would once again comfort her and protect her. John was a devoted christian and is now in the presence of God, our grief is for the ones left behind.

My friends little girl reminded me and offered alot of comfort yesterday when she asked her mommy, "John gets to his daddy now, right?" The wisdom of a child.... John's dad died before he was born and yes, John got to see his earthly dad, and his heavenly father on Tuesday...........Praying for comfort for the ones left behind...

What A Day

On top of all the sadness with John Osmolski, Ethan has become even clingier and is not sleeping. I was pretty much sure he had an ear infection and he was pitifully crying tonight at 9pm. I called my friend Caryn, who's husband is a PA in our local ER and she graciously said to come over. I cannot even explain how much this meant to me, it has been a rough week and a really tough day and I just felt unsure and a little helpless with Ethan. My other option was to drive to the peds nite lite clinic in Sanford and that was about the last thing I wanted to do. Well David after working all day was great with Ethan and diagnosed a left ear infection. So, it is 10:35 and Ethan I are getting ready for bed and he has had his first dose of antibiotic. It is really good to live so close to such great friends. Thank You, sniff..here I go crying again.....I am going to bed and praying for a better day tomorrow....

A Sad Day

Today has been a really sad day for our church family. A family I grew up in the church with has lost their son in Iraq. John C, 23, was due home February 16th from his second and last tour of duty. He died yesterday in Iraq. We do not know any details, or when he will be brought home. He is one of four children and a twin. I am emotionally drained and cannot even type anymore. Please keep this family in your prayers.

Snow in FL

This picture was so cool I had to pass it on. My friends little boy was in the kitchen cooking with his mom when he decided for it to snow (flour) on his webkins on the floor. And then what do you do in snow??? Make snow angels!!! You Rock Julie, what a cool mom....I must not let my urchins see this or I will have a flour blizzard....

P.S. He also vacuumed up his mess when he was done =0)

A Kinder Gentler Post

Okay after reading my last 2 posts I realize the kind sweet mother I am is not coming across real strong. Believe me Ethan is being carried, toted, snuggled and loved. Some of the words from my previous post were, held down, shoved, left, ...(sounds kind of rough, huh!) Anyway he is doing better, and napping as I type. Maybe we are on the down hill slide. I have a funny husband post that I will share tonight...if he lives that long

FLU???

I thought we would have a better day today. Ethan has been fever free since midnight and he slept pretty sound all night tucked between us. Mike got up and got Liv ready and out the door while Ethan and I slept in. Well he woke up crying and calling me. I picked him up and brought him to the kitchen for oatmeal and chocolate milk. He refused screaming for pop tarts. We have not had pop tarts in over a month??? Anyway I left him in the kitchen screeching at the top of his lungs. Finally I went back told him to quit cying and carried him back to my bed. He then put his head under the pillow and cried for about 20 minutes. Finally he let me rock him, and once again I held him down and shoved ibuprofen down his throat, and then rocked him some more. So my question is, is this flu? He has had fevers since Friday 102-103, he complains about hurting which I assume is achiness from the fever. He has touched his ear here and there but has not consistently complained about it. No cough, minimal runny nose here and there...So I am assuming it is viral...He just seems miserable, and now has become a little tyrant he is refusing to walk, he wants me to carry him to choo-choo (train table), or to see "sister"...I have been accomodating so far but some of it seems a little demanding.. I know my husband who NEVER gets sick (I could spit in his mouth while infected with Ebola and he still wouldn't get sick..) is a terrible patient. So are boys just wimpier than girls??? Never mind I know the answer to that one ;0) Anyway I am in day 4 1/2, pray for Ethan, and his mommy!!!

Weekend Catch Up

Okay well I went to the annual library sale in Mount Dora and picked up a box full of books that will probably sit on my shelf unused until I decide to yard sale it next year. Too bad you don't learn through osmosis. I have soo many books that are great, I just need to open them... Then I went to breakfast with some girlfriends all by myself with NO kids!! Little did I know that I would be attached to a sick baby for the next 3 days and counting.. I would have savored the freedom a little bit more. Ethan has had a fever for 3 days with no other symptoms other than the fever. He is cranky and whining and not sleeping and generally making us all miserable. I do feel sorry for him and have been holding him for the last 3 days, but come on.. I do have to get up and put him down sometime. He is throwing a fit and demands that Maddy or I hold him. I even got out my Mei Tai sling out of desperation today. So not only am I sleep deprived but now the chiropractor and I are going to have a date this week ;0)


Well in the midst of all this I decided I MUST organize all my sewing gear, and return my dining room to normalcy. Now I have a funny sense of priorities. If I get it in my head that something needs organizing, I cannot do anything else until it is complete (hence slinging my toddler). I can't focus on school or laundry because the disorganized area or project is eating away at me. So off Mike went to Ikea to find this super tall bookcase that would fit beside my buffet to hold all of my soon to be color/season/coded sewing stuff. Mike returned victorious with a long flat box that was soon to transform my dining room into organized bliss (chills). After telling me I was NEVER allowed to go to Ikea (He was scared for his wallet) we put the bookcase together. Well he put it together and I supervised from the LaZBoy. Here is a pic

Let me remind you what the before looked like




Well Ethan was up all night just achey, and fighting me everytime it was time for medicine. There is nothing like holding down a 36lb determined toddler and trying to shove medicine down his throat. I especially love when he spits it back out while making raspberries. It splatters all over you, nice and sticky. Well I fixed him. I gave him a fever all suppository. It was amazing how this morning he was willing to take his medicine by mouth when I said I would have to put it in his bottom again (ouch)!


Well Saturday was the Art Festival and Maddy & Olivia ran a lemonade stand with some friends who had a house in town. They really raked in. They made 41.00, so next year I think I am going to run a stand... This was Liv's stand she set up in the garage while I was painting.


I started to paint a particleboard bookshelf however I am not sure if I like how it is turning out at the moment. It is harder to distress than regular wood, so we will see what I am going to do with it. I still have not found the perfect turquoise paint color...





My garden is ripe at the moment. I planted way too much lettuce so there will be salad for the next few weeks. My onions only made it to the green onion stage, not sure what happened. My brocoli was eaten by something? The bib lettuce, leaf lettuce, green onions and kale turned out. My strawberries never had any fruit. My blueberry bushes have a few berries (yeah





Oh and on my way in from the garden I walked pass my outside Full garbage cans and thought I heard my cell phone ringing. Confused I called it and heard it ringing from one of the cans..Well after digging through a weekend's worth of superbowl chicken wings and pizza I found it at the very bottom. My dear sweet Maddy who was given the task yesterday of cleaning out Mommy's car just scooped everything up on the floorboards and toseed it....grrrrr

Well part of my meal planning this week is to try and eat out of the pantry and freezer and not go to the store. Well I didn't thaw out anything so I was a little challenged by the thought of dinner. And since my family would not appreciate a lettuce, green onion and kale dinner I had to come up with something else. Well I decided on tuna casserole and salad. I have never made this for my kids, and boy are they spoiled!! I remember this being on the menus almost weekly when I was a kid. Liv and Maddy turned up their noses like I was serving purina (well it did kind of resemble purina) but it was good. I bet they would appreciate it more if I pulled out the Kale salad instead...



Projects for this week include, serious meal planning, listing a ton of clothes on ebay, organizing the school room, catching up last weeks laundry, finish the bench and bookcase, think about painting the back porch ceiling, keeping up a full week of school...

Well Ethan looks tired so we are off to bed, hopefully for a FULL nights sleep

Ok, I have not found the blog colors I Like yet, so I am still playing with it

I finished my decoupage jean set