Miskers

So here I am, putting myself out on the Internet. Putting out my creation for all to see.... It is kind of terrifying. Okay, REALLY terrifying, but I am doing this because I cannot put it off any longer.

This is Miskers. He is a kitty, a young kitty. He and his friends, Raspberry, Tiger and Crayon, have normal kitty adventures together. They play, they go to school, they learn lessons, etc.... And they are going to be in books. My books. Eeep!

So I have started a Facebook page. I would love it if my friends would like it and if you want, share it to people you think might like it. I would really appreciate it. But no pressure, really. Our friendship will not be at stake if you do not like it or share it, worry not. https://www.facebook.com/Miskers-853042704809943/timeline/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Something so wonderfully strange.

We had an amazing experience today. Down at the Capitol Mall was “Armed Forces Day”. They had tons of military vehicles even helicopters. The boys got to look at and even hold some of the guns, helmets, packs and a practice grenade.

My Dad was awesome and bought us Micky D's for lunch and went around with us for an hour. And Mom came and met us just in time for the big guns and the fly over. REALLY loud, especially when you are sitting 15-20 feet behind the guns!

But the most amazing moment came towards the end. I had to go move my car and when I got back there was a solider (I did not catch his rank, but I DO know his name, I am not saying it because I don't know if he wants to be publicized, I want to respect his privacy) sitting on one of the vehicles with Vinny. He was chatting with my mom and Vin (and Will when he wasn't being a nut) and from what I heard as I walked up I knew that Vinny had been talking to him about PTSD.

As I came into the convo we found out that the solider was involved with the Albany Veteran's Day Parade every year, and we talked about how both he and his sister have served and are serving.

He then described the patches on his uniform, stating that there are 2 patches you might see on someone who has actually seen action, one means you've been shot AT, the other (he pointed to the one he wore) “Unfortunately means you have been the one shooting” Not said with shame or anything, just the reality that you don't WANT to have to do that.

We talked a little longer and at the end he stopped and said, “You know what?” and he pulled off one patch, handing it to Will. “This is for you.” Then he pulled off the other side (2 patches for Airborne) and put them on Vinny's sleeve. “These are for you.”

I was at a loss for words. My little nut Vinny had managed to connect with that man because he cared. His strange and wonderful hobby of reading National Geographic led to him reading multiple articles about PTSD and soldiers' lives, and his beautifully empathetic spirit let him connect to someone years older and wiser, who has seen and done things I cannot imagine. And I am so very proud of him.

Back to School

It's also time for school to start (Tuesday for my monkeys)! I am so happy, because back to school means back to learning, which I am VERY blessed to have children to love to learn. It also means fall is just around the corner and I could not be more excited by that.

September is prep month for me, get my holiday plans in order as best I can (living in the same city as both sides of the family means we have to plan well, and early). I figure out Halloween costumes, start planning Christmas gift list and meals, and list out what events I want to be sure to attend.

Then comes October and I start singing, "It's the most wonderful time of the year! There is pumpkin for eating and people for visiting and so much to do! It's best time of of the year, through and through!" And from October 1st to January 1st I am in seasonal heaven!

So much to do, to love, to see, to participate in, to enjoy and to share! Summer is fun and offers camping and outdoors with the kids, but it's too hot and too busy all the time. Fall has a smell, a taste and feel. It filters through the air and settles on you like a drifting crimson leaf!
ACK!!! I cannot wait!

Cleaning up the house.

So, for those who know me, or have been to my house, you will know I am not a natural housekeeper, but any stretch of the imagination. The only people who would enter my house and think it was organized are hoarders. But that is something I want to change.

 (Not my house, but very similar)

 I have tried before, time and time again to be a better housekeeper. And I have failed, time and time again. It never seems to stick, and I never get the whole house clean. It's frustrating, and terrifying. Looking at the mess ahead is daunting and drains me.

 But this year I am trying something different. Something that I hope will make things easier, and so far it has.

 Instead of making big long lists of what I need to do that make my want to cry, I am taking it one room at a time.

 Starting the first week of January, I picked one room a week, scheduled them ahead of time, then broke down the individual rooms into 5 tasks, one per week day. This takes them one at a time, leaves time each day for fun, other chores and sleep. And it is working!

 Week One was our office, and it's filled chest high closet. Now done and stayed clean for 3 weeks!

 Week Two was our bedroom, which gets messy easily, but with the cleaning up work I did, I can get it picture perfect within 5 minutes.

 Week 3 is our front room/dinning room and little hall, which is well on it's way to being done.  Major changes, it;s working so well.

 I also took care of our bathroom right after Christmas in a one day push. That means I have the kitchen, laundry room/half bath, kids room and the shed outside to finish up, then, by the end of February the house should be done. That way I can spend spring doing the same with my disaster of a yard.

 I think this is really going to work, I am energized and excited to get the work done. There is no overwhelming weight when I think about it! I can't wait to have a home that looks like the middle class version of Home and Garden! :)

Recipie One: Belvita-Like Breakfast Cookies

Sorry, I know this was supposed to come last week but things got a little busy and I could not post it. But I have decided what I want to post first.

 So, I got a coupon awhile back for Belvita Breakfast Biscuits, they were AMAZING! But too expensive. I want to try to make something on my own. So after scouting a few recipes on-line and do a little altering I settles on this one!

Now this pic is much prettier than mine turned out, but I wanted a nice neat pic, not a "my kids helped themselves" pic.

 What you need:

2 cups Flour
1 Cup Sugar
2 Cups Oats
1 1/2 Cup Greek Yogurt
8 T. (1 stick) Butter or Margerine
1 T. Honey (or Golden Syrup if you have European foods)
1 T. HOT water
1/2 t. Baking Soda
1 t. Cinnamon
1/2 t. Ginger


Preheat your oven to 350 Degrees F.

 Mix water, honey, butter and yogurt in a sauce pan, melt together on low to medium heat, add baking soda once melted, stir.  Mix remaining dry ingredients in separate bowl, added melted mixture and stir.

 Make small balls (it's kind of sticky) and place 1 inch apart on a greased cookie sheet, flatten with a fork. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. (They come out a little soft but settle up while cooling)

 They are really tasty with tea (I like to do herbals, especially Blueberry), or other warm breakfasty drinks.

 So there it is, you might need to alter it to your tastes, but as they are they were a big hit in our house. The yogurt adds protein and the oats of course are very filling. It's a great pre-prepped meal for on the go or sitting at home.

I love to cook

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to cook,  I am one of those people who tosses in this and that and makes it all work out. Not to sound pompous, but it seems to work extremely well as a lot of people seem to like what I make.

So I have decided to start posting some of my favorite recipes on my blog for others to enjoy. So starting some time this week I will be posting weekly recipes, but I want to know what you guys want me to share, steak, biscuits, my award winning (no kidding) chilli, stew, roast, mashed or roast potatoes, chicken soup, ham soup, meatballs and gravy, etc..

So please let me know and I will get it posted for you guys!

Thankgiving, Christmas and everything else

So, I am writing this is response to a couple of friends who have posted their anti-Christmas music/shopping/spirit posts today and yesterday :P

 So I want to stand up for a different view point on the holiday jumble that comes this time each year.

 I am one of those who will be listening to Christmas music starting today. I am one who will be shopping as well. But let me explain why...

 I LOVE this time of year. Starting October 1st I am singing  "Most wonderful time of the year!" because it is! 3 months of awesomeness, good food, family time, awesome events, new experiences and just plain happy feelings.

 So yes, I listen to Christmas music come November 1st, not because I ignore Thanksgiving, it is one of my favorite holidays. It's because I LOVE Christmas music and would listen to it all year if I could, but Dan says no. It makes me happy, it inspires me. I have so many good memories connected to those songs, so many times with my family, all things I love to think on, and I want to create those same things for my kids. And to be honest, there is not enough time in 25 days to do that. So I take 55.

I shop now because I want to be doing the fun things in December. I want to go to parades and music programs. I want to watch the Star Trees light up and listen to carols, not slog through 30 minute lines for some toy that will be seeing Goodwill by next year. I shop now because I want to go pick and decorate my tree in December, I want to go for chilly walks to see the lights with my boys. I want to see their eyes light up with wonder, not space out do to boredom in the store.

 We celebrate Thanksgiving all through this, but the big day is the most important. We write what we are thankful for, we make turkeys and cook together, we laugh and play. We enjoy our time together. I don't do Black Friday or weekend, I don't like that level of commercialization. I spend it with the people I love. But I cannot do that if I leave my shopping and plans until December 1st. I am also one of the least stressed out people I know around the holidays, because I do what I love and don't try to do what everyone else is doing or saying they do.

 So the point to all this ranting? This November, when you hear someone listening to Christmas music, or gleefully singing along in the store, don't sigh or roll your eyes. They may just be like me, loving every last moment and getting as much as they can while they can. There are 310 other days in the year, less than 1/6th seems like very little to me.