Oh boy. I have not been feeling "great" the last few days. I decided this is probably a UTI. Tried the home remedies, then some commercial ones. With a trip on the horizon, I couldn't face a 13+ hour drive feeling like this.
So, $130.+ in Doc fees plus $20+ in antibiotics... I am waiting to feel better.
I have, as I said, not been feeling great. But grand daughter and I went to the library yesterday (Tuesday) none-the-less. Summer reading program. Afterward, I got her an ice cream cone at Sonic. (Didn't think to ask about what the Library SRP snack had been.)
Once home, I had *intended* to have grilled burgers for supper. But at the time to start the grill, we had some severe weather come through. Mr C called about then, so I asked him to bring home something else for supper. He did. We had fried chicken, and some "Becky's Green Beans".
Nickole gobbled up a chicken strip, and asked for more. I said Yes, as soon as she finished her green beans. (She had about 6). Half an hour later, I set the dreadful TIMER... finish your food in ___ (20) minutes or get MORE of what you're trying to avoid eating. (I felt 20 minutes was completely reasonable to eat 6 green beans.)
Green beans were eaten in the time limit, and seconds on chicken were ALLOWED (not forced). Three bites in, and she wanted to be done. I was unreasonable. Nope... if you want seconds, you should eat them and not waste them. (Or not take them at all, as I had pointed out when she wanted more). She finished the chicken. But then, the dilemma.
She wanted ice cream for dessert. I said, "Later" as she was obviously full. (She'd taken the better part of an hour on six green beans and two chicken strips). About 25 minutes later, she came and again asked for ice cream.
I was agreeable. Since she'd already had a cone earlier, and had been reluctant to eat supper... I gave her a small amount of ice cream. Adequate for a taste of dessert- not stingy. She GLARED at me, and asked "What's THIS?" in her imperious tone. She told me she should get "at LEAST two scoops- one for every hour she had to wait after supper before I gave her ice cream!"
This did NOT set well with CowGranny. I snatched back her bowl of ice cream, and the dog had a nice treat.
Mr. C felt I was mean and unreasonable. He was outside during the high decibel screeching and raving that went on. Since Mr C thought I was unfair, I have been questioning myself and my motives. I know I would of reacted the same way had any of my kids or other grands behaved like that... and maybe added immediate bedtime or a spanking. Mr C says I ought to have handled it differently. I ask you... what should I have done? I don't want to cater to a sense of entitlement. I'm not asking her to bow down and beg for every morsel she gets. Where is the course of action?
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Thursday, June 21, 2018
First (official) Day of Summer!
 |
| No, we cannot "be done" picking berries. We have only been out here for 10 minutes. |
I was looking for a recipe to use up onions, as we pulled ours from the garden this week, getting the final pile from the garden this morning. I had expected the ones in the garden to stay in the ground several more weeks, but they are DONE growing and were declining. This unexpected harvesting took place a few days after I purchased a case of Vidalia onions from the grocery store clearance. I have dried onions, had onion rings, fresh onion, cooked onion, and today I am making French Onion Chicken Stew for supper. It featured thyme as the primary seasoning herb. Hence, the shot of Nickole with "Thyme on her Hands"!
We are just picking 'first fruits' of tomatoes... I bring them in before they are 100% ripe, to finish up out of harm's way indoors. Seems like leaving them on the vines until perfect means that critters get our wonderful tomatoes. I can hardly wait to taste them!
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Perking Right Along
We are into week two of Nickole's visit. She is still stuck on math- I think I have it narrowed to just a couple of things. She needs to have that instant recall of her basic math facts drilled into her head. And she needs to stop hurrying to guess an answer. She knows how to arrive at the correct answer. But then she writes down something other than what she has already (correctly) stated the answer to be. Pay attention to the details!
We are at our local public library for their Summer reading program. I'm not sure how much longer we will have Nickole, but we are trying to do fun (free!) things. We can't be running to town every day, so there is a lot we are doing at home. I had planned some berry picking for this morning, but we had early storms come through. I don't mind exchanging a few pints of jelly for some much needed rain!
The garden is doing great. In a few days, we will be harvesting squash. I put a batch of Thai basil into the dehydrator this morning, so the crop can keep growing. I have been craving some of the Thai Basil Chicken that Tommy (Stephen!) made for us when he visited last month. The deer have enjoyed our beans and beets- we got none for ourselves! They discovered my freshly bloomed and tasty cucumbers and ate those all up this week. The tomato plants are certainly heavily laden! I can hardly wait to start canning.
Mr C has "dispatched" FIVE raccoons over the past 3 days, trying to get to my chickens. They could LIVE out in the woods, eating all the bounty God provides. We wouldn't bother them at all. But when they mess with my chickens... they don't get to live.
I got my hair cut Saturday, at the salon where Nickole was having her acrylic nails removed. (This is my first professional hair cut since October of 2011. It is a longish layer cut. Still plenty of hair to ponytail, but I am able to brush it out myself.)
The manicurist took her time with Nickole's nails, gently filing off the acrylic nails. She didn't use the power tools. It took just short of 4 hours to get them all off, as they weren't the type that can be "soaked off" with chemicals. Nickole was a trooper, and made fast friends with the salon owner. The nails aren't permanently damaged, but the damages done in installing the acrylic nails will take several months to heal. DO NOT put acrylic nails on young children. To prepare a person's nails for the acrylic ones, a power grinder (like a Dremel (r)) is used to remove all but a thin layer of the natural nail. Sometimes, too much is removed. The acrylic is laid (glued) to the living "quick" of the nail bed. In a growing child, permanent damage can be done.
The manicurist says even gel polish is bad at this age- stick with the simple stuff.
(If you ever are in Siloam Springs and need your hair or nails done, call Studio 108!)
Nickole tried salmon last night, and said she liked it. She was unwilling to even give it a taste at first... but mean old CowGranny set a timer! Once tasted... the timer wasn't even necessary! (Tom grilled it with lemon pepper, and a squirt of fresh lime juice.) Her "pizza squash" was eaten without complaint, and she endured eating her coleslaw for the reward of ice cream for dessert. (I added the seasonings and parmesan one would find in pizza sauce to sliced zucchini, and grilled it along with the salmon.)
We are at our local public library for their Summer reading program. I'm not sure how much longer we will have Nickole, but we are trying to do fun (free!) things. We can't be running to town every day, so there is a lot we are doing at home. I had planned some berry picking for this morning, but we had early storms come through. I don't mind exchanging a few pints of jelly for some much needed rain!
The garden is doing great. In a few days, we will be harvesting squash. I put a batch of Thai basil into the dehydrator this morning, so the crop can keep growing. I have been craving some of the Thai Basil Chicken that Tommy (Stephen!) made for us when he visited last month. The deer have enjoyed our beans and beets- we got none for ourselves! They discovered my freshly bloomed and tasty cucumbers and ate those all up this week. The tomato plants are certainly heavily laden! I can hardly wait to start canning.
Mr C has "dispatched" FIVE raccoons over the past 3 days, trying to get to my chickens. They could LIVE out in the woods, eating all the bounty God provides. We wouldn't bother them at all. But when they mess with my chickens... they don't get to live.
I got my hair cut Saturday, at the salon where Nickole was having her acrylic nails removed. (This is my first professional hair cut since October of 2011. It is a longish layer cut. Still plenty of hair to ponytail, but I am able to brush it out myself.)
The manicurist took her time with Nickole's nails, gently filing off the acrylic nails. She didn't use the power tools. It took just short of 4 hours to get them all off, as they weren't the type that can be "soaked off" with chemicals. Nickole was a trooper, and made fast friends with the salon owner. The nails aren't permanently damaged, but the damages done in installing the acrylic nails will take several months to heal. DO NOT put acrylic nails on young children. To prepare a person's nails for the acrylic ones, a power grinder (like a Dremel (r)) is used to remove all but a thin layer of the natural nail. Sometimes, too much is removed. The acrylic is laid (glued) to the living "quick" of the nail bed. In a growing child, permanent damage can be done.
The manicurist says even gel polish is bad at this age- stick with the simple stuff.
(If you ever are in Siloam Springs and need your hair or nails done, call Studio 108!)
Nickole tried salmon last night, and said she liked it. She was unwilling to even give it a taste at first... but mean old CowGranny set a timer! Once tasted... the timer wasn't even necessary! (Tom grilled it with lemon pepper, and a squirt of fresh lime juice.) Her "pizza squash" was eaten without complaint, and she endured eating her coleslaw for the reward of ice cream for dessert. (I added the seasonings and parmesan one would find in pizza sauce to sliced zucchini, and grilled it along with the salmon.)
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Homesick and/ or Bored
Today, Nickole and I drove Alana back home. Nickole informed Alana that she was leaving this weekend.
Which was news to me... Because, we have made zero arrangements to either take her back, or meet anywhere. In fact, Nickole actually has a salon appointment Saturday to have her artificial nails removed. I was told (by Nickole) they are "tips", and I thought they could be trimmed off. Actually, they are full acrylic nails with "french tip" paint. (Alana had to explain that to me!) I had asked for information on trimming the nails.
I learned that these have to be professionally trimmed. Or "filled in". Or removed. I called the salon recommended by a local person who keeps her nails done professionally. The manicurist I spoke to told me she will NOT put these nails on a child and strongly cautions parents against having it done at all. But she can take them off, so we have an appointment Saturday. ($40!!!) (Who can afford these things?)
Nickole doesn't want to learn her math, and told me "it doesn't matter, as (she) will have a new teacher for 4th grade and the new teacher will be teaching different math".
I have explained repeatedly, she HAS TO learn the basic math skills. The foundation skills of adding and subtracting- all the "different math" is based on being able to add and subtract. Two (or three) (and counting) meltdowns later, she wanted to call her Mom. Alas, her phone is out of data. So I called and spoke to her Mom. I said we COULD bring her back, but strongly suggest that she leave her here to learn the math. Nickole talked to Mommy. Much begging and crying later ....She's staying awhile yet. ( I think she was surprised her crying didn't get her her own way). She's happy as a clam at the moment. Cowgranny ignores the tears and lets her wear herself out- tears and fit throwing simply do NOT work on Cowgranny or Umpaw.
We are grilling salmon for supper tonight. There were only 4 pieces in the package, so my plan is to let Nickole have a (kosher) grilled beef hot dog and Mac and cheese, and fresh fruit (on a lettuce leaf). Then most everyone will have a nice meal. (The rest of us will have potatoes and salad with ours.)
Which was news to me... Because, we have made zero arrangements to either take her back, or meet anywhere. In fact, Nickole actually has a salon appointment Saturday to have her artificial nails removed. I was told (by Nickole) they are "tips", and I thought they could be trimmed off. Actually, they are full acrylic nails with "french tip" paint. (Alana had to explain that to me!) I had asked for information on trimming the nails.
Nickole doesn't want to learn her math, and told me "it doesn't matter, as (she) will have a new teacher for 4th grade and the new teacher will be teaching different math".
I have explained repeatedly, she HAS TO learn the basic math skills. The foundation skills of adding and subtracting- all the "different math" is based on being able to add and subtract. Two (or three) (and counting) meltdowns later, she wanted to call her Mom. Alas, her phone is out of data. So I called and spoke to her Mom. I said we COULD bring her back, but strongly suggest that she leave her here to learn the math. Nickole talked to Mommy. Much begging and crying later ....She's staying awhile yet. ( I think she was surprised her crying didn't get her her own way). She's happy as a clam at the moment. Cowgranny ignores the tears and lets her wear herself out- tears and fit throwing simply do NOT work on Cowgranny or Umpaw.
We are grilling salmon for supper tonight. There were only 4 pieces in the package, so my plan is to let Nickole have a (kosher) grilled beef hot dog and Mac and cheese, and fresh fruit (on a lettuce leaf). Then most everyone will have a nice meal. (The rest of us will have potatoes and salad with ours.)
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
A few updates from our house
Good morning... (or whatever greeting is suitable for your time frame!)
First off, Thank you for the prayers! Dad is out of the hospital and doing well. I haven't blogged in a few days. During the time Dad was hospitalized, my (step) Mom Kathie got very sick and was also hospitalized. Dad was actually released a couple of days before Kathie. She is now home as well. I am shocked to learn Dad is actually back to driving!
Yesterday, we went and got Alana for a visit. Her summer is so packed, there wasn't many opportunities for her to get to come. I am thinking she and Nickole and I may do an art project today, and a field trip tomorrow. We have to take Alana back Thursday.
*Sigh*
I posted a packing list for the kids to bring to visit. I failed to make clear a few things, I guess. For one thing, it would be helpful if the clothes actually fit the child.
Secondly, the clothes should be seasonally appropriate. A winter skirt of heavyweight material isn't comfortable when the temperatures are in the 90*'s and higher. I know I specified bringing one long sleeved shirt or light jacket. To bring mostly long sleeved tops for a summer visit wasn't what I envisioned.
"Mom's friend's dress" really didn't need to come. Two pair of shoes (of four brought) do not fit. ("But they ARE cute! Don't you think they are cute, Cowgranny?")
Three pair of shorts that are too small to pull up are not helpful.
I've got two large drawers crammed full of clothes, and a child who basically has nothing to wear.
We have been having a pretty good visit. Smore's over the grill. Hula hoops and bubbles. Art projects. Wading in the creek. (And of course, some "summer school" to bring up failing math grades!)
The wild blackberries are not *quite* ripe. The local fruit orchard was hit too hard by the late frosts, and won't have any peaches this year, but may have other fruits in July.
First off, Thank you for the prayers! Dad is out of the hospital and doing well. I haven't blogged in a few days. During the time Dad was hospitalized, my (step) Mom Kathie got very sick and was also hospitalized. Dad was actually released a couple of days before Kathie. She is now home as well. I am shocked to learn Dad is actually back to driving!
Yesterday, we went and got Alana for a visit. Her summer is so packed, there wasn't many opportunities for her to get to come. I am thinking she and Nickole and I may do an art project today, and a field trip tomorrow. We have to take Alana back Thursday.
*Sigh*
I posted a packing list for the kids to bring to visit. I failed to make clear a few things, I guess. For one thing, it would be helpful if the clothes actually fit the child.
Secondly, the clothes should be seasonally appropriate. A winter skirt of heavyweight material isn't comfortable when the temperatures are in the 90*'s and higher. I know I specified bringing one long sleeved shirt or light jacket. To bring mostly long sleeved tops for a summer visit wasn't what I envisioned.
"Mom's friend's dress" really didn't need to come. Two pair of shoes (of four brought) do not fit. ("But they ARE cute! Don't you think they are cute, Cowgranny?")
Three pair of shorts that are too small to pull up are not helpful.
I've got two large drawers crammed full of clothes, and a child who basically has nothing to wear.
We have been having a pretty good visit. Smore's over the grill. Hula hoops and bubbles. Art projects. Wading in the creek. (And of course, some "summer school" to bring up failing math grades!)
The wild blackberries are not *quite* ripe. The local fruit orchard was hit too hard by the late frosts, and won't have any peaches this year, but may have other fruits in July.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)