Wandering Yearning Seeking

2009-08-28T10:41:00.000-07:00

You know I love to move. So, this time I'm moving my blogs. I've been cleaning and post-nesting..lol. My blogs have been moved to a new address.

Our Homeschool blog has moved to Oak Blossoms Academy
My Personal Blog has moved to Oak Blossoms

2009-05-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

I don't think this would work well in Washington State. But, what a ingenious thought especially for sunny low-economic areas. I wish I could talk someone into giving it a go.

Green Rabbits

2009-03-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

Once in awhile I check to see what new books are in/on order for our library system. I noticed Peter Rabbit "The Green edition". I had to go searching because I had some inner worry that someone had changed the book. Come to find out it's the entire product line.

Interesting tidbit. And, yes I did know how interested she was in the environment and the Lake District.

It is a girl!!!

2009-03-17T15:30:00.000-07:00

I made the doctor tell me three times. The third time he got a really good shot of her parts and gave me a nice scientific in detail description of what everything was and will be.

Ultrasound is coming..

2009-03-09T18:46:00.000-07:00

So, tomorrow is the ultrasound. All my boys are coming, so I hope all is well in there. I just started worrying about what if there was bad news and my boys had to be there for it. Ugh.

Also, got my directions for the next appointment and my Gestational Diabetes test. My last pregnancy I had it and I had to fast for the 1 hour. I'm curious how it will go this time. I haven't been feeling so hot unless I keep my protein up. This means I've been eating cheese, cottage cheese, eggs, fish, and chicken. I've had red meat twice, but boy is it difficult. I'm terrified of mad cow disease. I'm normally a vegetarian, so it's a bit much some times. I definitely feel the dairy stuffiness that I grew up with. But, feeling better is worth it, even if I'm stuffy. I'm jealous of all those Vegan and Vegetarian moms.

I'm just a gypsy married to a displaced surfer boy

2009-03-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

Being that it's still winter in Washington I'm craving a move to California. My poor Californian husband is molding something terrible. We are so sorry we left. For some reason it makes me feel better thinking about living in little spaces and enjoying some sun again. Come this summer I know we will feel better.

Green Kitchen's cute little cabin
The cute little kitchen in Delights former apartment.
A rustic kitchen.

A salvaged kitchen.

I look at other people's blogs and they are making so much of their lives. They are sharing all the sweet little things. You probably think I dress in black and cry my day away. I don't. I love my family. I'm happy with my life. I don't think it's a the grass is greener syndrome. I just enjoy the change & challenge.

2009-02-24T14:42:00.000-08:00

Sharing the Harvest: A Guide to Community Supported Agriculture by Elizabeth Henderson

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I'm really enjoying this book so far. I just picked it up because I've been interested in CSA's the last few years. This book talks about the use of an account for CSA to allow those on foodstamps (which is now on a debit like card) to access CSA's. So, I guess I'll start searching for one that might possible accept my card. I would love to see some of my food money go somewhere better. The town we live in now is just not as supportive of an organic lifestyle.

View all my reviews.

An article to about being a CSA and how to accept food stamps/ebt cards.

As part of my search I found that a local group is trying to come up with some wise shopping alternatives to what is available at the moment. The Tacoma Food Coop is working on forming, but they have been working since 2006. Oh I hope there is a turn in the road soon for this. This area is definitely a low income area of Washington. Yet our housing prices are ridiculously high. I think growing and supporting our local farms is a movement for the people not just some luxury.

Planting Grass inside

2009-02-23T12:28:00.000-08:00

I'm always looking for ways to bring the outdoors in. My husband and I are summer people. We just cannot wait for summer and right now we are just pushing through Winter.

I love the idea of planting grass in pots inside. I've seen wheat grass for cats and juicers, but I think I might just have to plant some for beauty. Imagine that. I mean how hard can it be to grow a pot of grass.

Here are some more links:

Growing Grass Indoors
Apartment Therapy Indoor Grass and Troubleshooting
Grow a grass houseplant
Greensun sustainable Easter Basket

2009-02-21T16:23:00.000-08:00

I just changed this photo a bit. I then realized I haven't really been taking photos at all since I've been sick. Ugh. I'm going to start carrying my camera around again. Honestly we just don't get out much here because we have to drive. I don't mind driving. It's that we use to go for walks to get out and there was so much to see. Not really much to see around here but a neighborhood and if you leave the neighborhood you better keep an eye on where you are walking so you don't get run over (no side walk).

Not quite 20 weeks (had to come back and update this one!)

2009-02-20T18:20:00.000-08:00

I'm wearing a Bella Band with my pants in this one, so it looks really round.

Here you can see where the top of my uterus is at. Right down that middle line.

2009-02-19T09:58:00.001-08:00

Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul by John Eldredge

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I must note that I tried to read this book once before. I felt the same way many of the reviewers have. It's fluff. And, I have to admit I still don't like the writing style much. There are a lot of quotes and poor placement of the quotes. But, I might be too picky on that. The writing style is the reason I gave it a 4 and not a 5.

But, honestly I think I just needed to wait for a better time in my life. I'm a lot closer to God at this point. I have had some huge heart changes in my life. I never see myself as I long haired dress wearing girl. So, if you think I've gone to that side you would be mistaken. I'm still a short haired, jean, and converse wearing kind of girl. I'm still mistaken as a sister and not a mother of my children. I still have that kiss of youth.

I don't know how much this book is helping me personally. But, it really has helped me to look at the women around me and see where their pain is. I don't always know how to relate to women are at different places in their lives, who have made different choices. This has helped me see them in a different life, so that I can be a better friend.

I grew up with mostly guy friends and have always had difficulties with having girlfriends. But, this is really opening my eyes and my hearts to the relationships I do have know and how I can help improve them...because I am at a point in my life where I desire deeper relationships with women. I'm married and relationships with men just don't fulfill me anymore. I have my husband and I just don't need to be that close to other men.

View all my reviews.

2009-02-16T15:11:00.000-08:00

What will I do...the library catalog is not working today?

I want to see if they have books with the illustrator Alison Jay, Plain and Simple (it's about the Amish), and the creative family.

2009-02-12T09:31:00.001-08:00

Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food by Gene Baur

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was an interesting History about Farm Sanctuary. It's always fascinating to read about how something develops out of nothing but a dream or even a passing thought.

View all my reviews.

Waste, Websites, Soymilk boxes

2009-01-20T11:49:00.000-08:00

I've had enough energy to sit at the computer lately. I miss my little iBook and staying in bed when I don't feel well. (I know how many times does she have to tell us this?), so I thought I would share some new places I've found instead of just writing run on sentences and adding them to my reader....

My Zero Waste
is a well put together site. They say it's just a blog, but wow blow my socks right off. I enjoy putting out little waste from our house. We haven't been as good since I'm doing none of the shopping. But, my mom did point out that we hardly ever use that second trash can that she pays for each month. I told her we put out very little garbage. We live with my parents and grandmother, but it's my parents house and it's actually divided into a duplex. We do have an inside entrance so the boys can bug my parents just enough to not forget they have grandchildren living downstairs.

Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op
is a next mish mash of writers who write on a variety of topics. It's nice to read through because it melds well, yet it's a change of pace to hear from different writers.

We don't drink dairy milk. We usually buy the big box of aseptic boxed soymilk at Costco. They don't recycle those here. They did in our last city. But, not here. It's probably the thing that fills up our trash can now. So, I'm thinking of just purchasing a soymilk maker, probably the Soyajoy when we have more money in the summer. I've read you can make other milks, too. I would love to make Almond milk and I'm curious if I could make hemp. I haven't read anything reliable on that yet. I love the hemp milk. But, the cheapest I've found it is $31 US dollars per case from Azure. I can't justify that.

Cleaning up my reading list...

2009-01-18T14:36:00.000-08:00

I just went to clean up my reading list. I can't believe how little we have been reading. I just couldn't read at all while I was sick. I'm still struggling to retain information. I think I'm just that tired. I did start Farm Sanctuary and it's been really interesting and a good read so far. I was worried I couldn't stomach it, but maybe I needed something more technical to chew on. I don't know, but it seems to be working. I think Monday I'll get back to reading aloud to the boys. I think we could all really use that, but that's a different blog now isn't this. This is my blog.

While at goodreads (where I keep my reading list) I realized how much those lists are like my life. I have a bunch of lists on there and they aren't really doing much. I expected way too much reading for all of this for the year. With three boys it's just makes no sense to separate them for reading. There is a good middle ground for all of them. I guess I'll just leave those lists there until I wake up and realize I don't want them hanging over me.

I felt like I had done really well to simplify and get into a certain groove. And, then my life took another sudden turn and here I am. Moved, pregnant, sick, a new home, a new church, a not so new town. I felt so settled in Seattle and honestly my parents town, where I live now, is a really wonderful town. Full of wonderful people. But, they just aren't as hippy, dippy, crunchy as we are.

But, this is Washington State and I know they must be out there. There must be someone who still wears Birkenstocks and socks!!!

Big Businesses, Christmas Memories

2009-01-09T11:11:00.000-08:00

Looking at this map of the Growth of Walmart brought on some Christmas memories for me. I think because my dh family is really into Black Friday and they all go bonkers and buy a ton of stuff. My dh and I don't see the point. I don't want a present just so I can open something. We did get some really thoughtful presents this year. A nice framed picture of our boys and a framed silhouette of each boy.

But, I realized this Christmas that since becoming a family our favorite Christmases have been the ones where we lived out of state. My favorite was Southern California when I wore shorts and a tank top and we went looking for a place open for Breakfast. Our tree was maybe a foot high and that was all we could fit in our 400 sq ft cabin. But, it was lovely and sweet and meaningful.

We have had very little money these last few months, so we did not get our children presents. But, many other people did. We still ended up opening presents 3 times. My parents did tone it down this year and yet my children were still happy...surprise. The most used gifts so far have been the board games. I went shopping with my mom and we decided to get board games so we could go upstairs and have game and pizza nights. The boys love them!

I like spending time with family (we live with my parents and Grandmother) and my husband's family. It's so nice to have this time with them again, especially my Grandma whom I spent a lot of time with as a young child. But, sometimes I realize how truly different my husband and I can be from our own families. How we have melded together and formed our own little definition of family. I hope I can respect that as my own children grow and join their wives.

Having snow in Washington State was lovely for the boys. My parents have a huge hill for sledding and we got snowed in a few days.

I hope I don't sound cynical about Christmas or Holidays in general. I do love Holidays. I just don't want to be another family celebrating presents and giving. I want to celebrate Christmas and be thankful for the birth of Christ.

Bump, Bump, Bump

2009-01-09T11:08:00.000-08:00

Literally, I have a big bump growing on my belly.

We are expecting our 4th child in June!!! I made an announcement on my other blog already, but then I got really sick and haven't been doing anything. Well, I've been vomiting, loosing weight, and sleeping...but that is about it.

I feel so much better this week though. So, I think I'm ready to start enjoying the growth of my baby.

What is a good day?

2008-10-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

My husband and I are trying to get on track. We flounder around. We know we need a better routine for our boys. They are so much happier when they know what is expected and I am so much happier when I get a chance for a break during the day.

We took away video games during the week. So, very helpful. They were getting into the habit of only doing work so they could play video games. They get more and more manipulative. I just can't stand that. I want to enjoy our time together and not just rush through it so we can retreat to separate corners of the house.

When should we do chores?

School doesn't really take much time once they get started. I really want to get some more of our chores done in the morning and I'm thinking perhaps I should get them done before I start schooling.

My boys do not do school when left alone. I think they should be able to handle it at this point. It's frustrating and I run out of patience and time every night. I end up fixing too many lunches and getting sidetracked with vacuuming or dog brushing or window washing or toilet scrubbing. I go to help someone wash their hands and realize their toilet is filthy and their laundry basket is full.

Boundaries and Expectations

I think if we can keep being firm with our boundaries and expectations of the boys our life will run a little smoother. I hope then I'll be able to leave them alone and they will actually complete what I give them to do.

Dresses

2008-10-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

Here are ten reasons skirts are better than pants. It caught my eye because I've been thinking about wearing skirts again. I went to unpack some winter clothes and I have only one skirt left. I actually like wearing skirts in the winter because you can layer so much under them. I am always cold. Under a pair of pants I might be able to get a tight pair of long handled-underwear or long johns or thermals...whatever you call them. Yes my family always called them long handled...
Under a dress I can fit a pair of wool socks and cropped yoga pants. If I'm really cold I can add that layer of long handled underwear or tights. I'm short and this is a good way to stay warm without looking like a beach ball.

New European Car seat for the larger family...

2008-09-06T14:22:00.000-07:00

The Europeans have done it again. Did they try to make a larger vehicle? No...they made a carseat that fits in a smaller vehicle and it fits up to 4 children! It's not all that pretty, but so very practical. It probably wouldn't be legal in the United States. At the moment we have a Volvo and normally we have some sort of VW bus.

This carseat would allow me to safely transport our children in the Volvo or the Volkswagen and I could even have another. My problem with the VW bus is that it's hard to put carseats in safely. Plus, one child has to sit rear facing in the jumpseat (or whatever it's called).

Grieving, Mourning...and moving on...

2008-09-05T10:52:00.000-07:00

A sad thing happened shortly after my birthday.

Seattle and I have broken up. Sure I'll see her as I arrive by Ferry. Sure I'll get to ride public transit to visit the Zoo.

But, alas I've moved. Whilst cleaning my little City home, I cried till I got a migraine. I will admit to drinking too many beers to get through my cleaning date. I'm sad, really, really sad.

I've moved to my hometown (well my parents live here...so I guess it's my hometown). I don't feel at home. I feel uprooted. I feel naked. Heck I feel like someone chopped my roots off with a cleaver.

It's quiet here. There are more cats, chickens, sheep, a small horse, a pond, ducks, a rabbit and five acres for three little boys and their Border Collie to roam. Apples have been picked and pies and cider made. They all seem happy thus far.

Still riding my bike...

2008-07-25T10:52:00.000-07:00

I'm still riding my bike. But, last night I wanted to go to the store & so did my 5 year old son. But, I can't ride the bike with him. That's fine because the dog needed a walk. He is a Border Collie...thus he always needs a walk. So, does my 5 year old come to think of it. 9 at night and he was running around the store attracting positive attention as usual. A man was looking at the bin of prebagged and netted pistachios. Escher ran up and put his hand on each bag.

So no bike ride last night for me. I used to prefer to walk even if it's was a long distance. But, I'm starting to find the riding easier. I still haven't ventured out of the safety of my neighborhood yet. But, what started this? Oh yes. My 5 year old cannot ride anywhere with me & he doesn't fit in a *seat (see explanation below) & I hate bike trailers. So, I went lusting after and Xtracycle again and found a local couple who I think I'll lust after, too. Is that ok? I mean I'm just lusting after their biking, not them as individuals. I promise not to hunt them down or anything either.

I once, and only once, had a child's seat on the back of my bike. I'm not sure if I'm too short or what. But, every time I came to a stop my giant child & bike came crashing down to the side. Try as I might to keep the bike upright it's just horrifying to me. Well, perhaps it's not horrifying, just horribly embarrassing and a blow to my tough I know I'm short but I can do what I want spirit.

Summer with a Bike for Groceries

2008-06-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

I have lived in places previously...in places with my bike. A sweet little GT boys bike with a little basket on the back. I've dragged it from home to home. But, this is the first home where my little GT feels loved. Because a bike was meant to be ridden.

It's wonderful to ride my bike with my oldest son. I enjoyed his little years. But, this is new. He is becoming a little man. He is becoming more friend than son. And, it's strange, but fun.

When you haven't ridden a bike in years you have to limit the amount of groceries that you can place in those little baskets. Good for the budget and really good for the bum!

We spent $20 and have dinner tonight with leftovers for lunch tomorrow, coffee & sugar, cat food, and sandalwood soap.

What drives me crazy is my will power. I do not save money when I shop at Costco. I actually hate having extra food around the house. I wish I could replace our fridge with a mini-fridge. It's insane with 5 people in our house. It feels so wrong yet so right. We don't need all that food. I love being challenged to figure out what to make out of leftovers and frozen bits of veggies. I don't like trying to have willpower against that giant box of low fat ice cream bars my children talk me into.

When I sat down to post to my blog the first thing I remembered was Rebecca's Eating Organic on a Budget. It seems impossible to live that with a family. But, it is plausible. It is nice to occasionally get a trip to Costco (I do sometimes send the husband on his way home from work), but it isn't necessary. You can teach your children to enjoy simple food. You don't have to stock up or rely on hamburger to be thrifty.

The Year of Living Biblically

2008-06-23T10:28:00.000-07:00

Wow, this finally came in from the library. I was well over 100 in the waiting list. So, far it's hilarious and insightful. It's a good look at how those from the outside often see "us". By us I mean those who identify as believers in a Judeo-Christian God.

Charlotte Mason in Modern English

2008-06-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

I know I said I wouldn't be talking about homeschooling over here. Well, if you take that literally you are very, very silly indeed. What I really meant was I wouldn't be sharing all my children's achievements.

I'm not going to stop learning myself. I believe a homeschooling parent should keep ahead of their children. This week though my oldest read the Sutcliff version of The Iliad and the Odyssey. Asking for a narration was informative because I haven't read any version of it yet. Intended for it to be a read aloud to last the summer but you can see how he took over at our homeschool blog.

I digress....back to the subject...(and all those darn little dots...)

I'm reading the Modern English version so generously put together by The Lovely Leslie I read most of it a few years ago. Then within a few months I was accepted to a large university. A large university which has somehow managed to suck a few years off my life. (Let's not go there too deeply yet. I have until the fall to decide if I'm officially on another break from Higher Education).

Mancala Math & Lullabies

2007-10-22T11:10:00.000-07:00

Posted by shangrilewis on 22 October, 2007

I admit there are times we worry about our youngest. No one can understand him because of his speech “delays”. His last therapist always did this slow talking thing and he adapted that. It makes him sound slow.

But, what if we didn’t see him as a problem or as delayed?

He is loving Mancala. We count as we put stones in each section. He put one in his Mancala and showed me how he had four with his fingers and that if he has one more (he showed me his thumb) he would have a full hand! Yeah…that’s Math.

Tonight I sang him Hush little Baby.

He’s heard this so many times through the years.

But, tonight he told me

it was so beautiful

and then he sang me a song.

His car song he called it.

But, for me it’s heaven…

pure and beautiful heaven.