WASHOUT WEEK

What happens when you've had a really crazy-busy week with hardly any down time?

Apparently, you get sick.  Not entirely my fault, Analiese was catching something last Friday and I didn't have the heart to tell her no Rabbit Show.  But by the end of the show, she was losing her voice and didn't make it to church on Sunday.

Then it spread.  To me, to Jonathan.  Sore throats, coughs, etc.  And then a dusty house-shaking wind picked up.  Thus blossomed sinus infections.  When I get a sinus infection, everything just shuts down, including my brain.  And I still don't know why I've never taken stock in Kleenex.  We certainly go through that product!

So, no daily blow-by-blow.

Did things happen?  Yes.  We've been weaning the babies off of Fluffernutter.  Four are outside in her cage (the bigger ones) and the three smallest are still in with her, but will be removed soon.  I also called Atwoods.  They're taking the babies the end of next week.  We are sad, but I'm also relieved.  Zookeeper duty is almost over!

I had lots of visitors this week.  The RS Pres and one of her counselors were shopping at United and decided to stop in to a) see the babies and b) see my garden box.  My VTs came to see me, commiserating over my sneezy, coughy, miserable state.  HTs came to visit (they actually made it together) and we tried to convince them to take a bunny or two home with them.

Saturday, getting ready for our weekly dinner with the missionaries, I get a call from a sister who's in the hospital, apparently.  We live only a few blocks away from the hospital (Walnut actually dead-ends at the east into the hospital).  Anyway, she lives in Snyder (halfway between here and Lawton) and needed someone to go to her house, get her keys and cell phone charger, and put out dog beds on her back porch for her pets.  I was feeling still stuffy and a little light-headed (I've been trying to blow my brains out for the last few days y'know), but Ken had to stay and be with the missionaries.  I went, and it was an adventure on it's own, but now I know where Snyder is.  Small, not much, apparently no hospital, and 5 miles off the main highway.  30 minutes up, 30 minutes back.  I dropped her stuff off at the hospital (she was asleep, so I didn't stay) and I went home to collapse.

I'm still stuffy this morning (Sunday) and really feel like being in bed.  Jonathan is still not totally with it, either (Analiese has been up and jumpy since Tuesday).  I'd like to stay home, but there's church and it's accompanying responsibilities.  And the Linger Longer (meal) after the meetings, which I signed up for.  Luckily, I had another quiche in my freezer...guess what I'm taking?  At least I don't have to make a big effort.  That would not have happened otherwise.

No pictures. Sorry.

CRAZY WEEK

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2014

I just noticed that I forgot to add Sunday to last week's blog.  So here's the rundown:

Went to church - was a 3-meetings/3-responsibilities again.  Chorister - SS Class Pres - RS Pianist.  Same old.  No, really, church was nice.  Had great discussions in Sunday School and RS.

Had Eagle Court of Honor photos done this evening.  Took about 2 hours to get the stuff set up, the three boys cooperating, and all said and done.  Got home, ignored the dishes in the sink, and went to bed.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Wal-Mart fun experience today was a lesson in parking in the snow.  Not for me, I tend to go to a spot wherein lies no ice nor snow (that could turn into ice).  Nope, saw a pickup that some guy (I only assume it was a guy because it seems like a dumb thing a guy would do) decided to park up a snow pile in the Wal-Mart parking lot.  Here it is:

I wondered if he'd be able to get off it.  But apparently he had no problems, because afterward my shopping excursion the pile was truck-less.  Must have had 4-wheel drive.  Still, I would have thought it  a gamble.

I attempted to poison my daughter tonight at dinner.  But she bravely resisted all attempts to ingest it and valiantly defended her position, crying and loudly denouncing my wicked ways when she was banished to her bed.  Apparently an hour is not enough time for her to "get up her courage" and eat a teensy strawberry and a minuscule blackberry.  Foul things, those!  

She never even got to dinner, which was a ham & asparagus quiche.  Bountiful Baskets gave me two bunches of asparagus, so I actually made TWO quiches, and just froze one.  I am not a big asparagus fan, but it was good!  Here's the recipe:

http://weelicious.com/2012/05/14/ham-and-asparagus-quiche-a-simple-savory-pie/#_a5y_p=1146668

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Let's just say Analiese was VERY hungry this morning.  I believe she had a good breakfast.  She's complaining of a sore throat, though.  I hope it's not trying to develop into anything that's going around.

I thought you'd all like to see how my typical weekday day schedule goes, for the most part:

Get Up, get showered, get dressed

Wake up Analiese (if she's not up already)

Breakfast, check the weather, today's schedule, email

DEAR (Drop Everything And Read - personal scripture study time) and Devotional

Flag Salute, Family Hug (ask how much Jonathan likes that!)

Read to Analiese (currently "Little Men") - Jonathan has a tendency to listen in

Computer Study time for kids (Writing, Spelling, Grammar, Science, ACT - Jonathan)

Zookeeper duties (sweep, mop, refill food & water in bunny bathroom)

Clear dish drainer, do morning dishes

Help Analiese with lessons (History, Spanish, Math)

Work on needful projects (like today, making freezer chicken meals, dividing shredded cheese for freezer)

Lunch for kids (they really do their own), grab a bite to eat

Take Jonathan to airport for Aviation Mechanics

Errands as needed

Work with Analiese more

Home chores, dinner prep

Pick Up Jonathan

More dinner prep

MWF - Water Aerobics

Dinner, dishes

Whatever evening stuff I have to deal with (Yoga, Scouts, 4H, Mom & Me Time, etc.)

Get ready for bed (you know that's not a quick deal)

Lay in bed and try to sleep

Did I say I was lazy?

Oh, and tonight I worked at the 4H concession stand at the city basketball games.  Till 10 p.m.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

I came to the conclusion today that the second week of every month is Crazy Week.  Why?  Because there are three 4H activities that always fall on this week (Sewing, Rabbits, Robotics/Legos), the monthly Relief Society Activity (on Thursday), and Garden Club (on Saturday).  This week is particularly crazy because we've had 4H concessions to run and the Rabbit Show is on Saturday.  I've also now made a mandate: no extra scheduling on Crazy Week.  No doctor's appointments, no VT, no other obligations...PERIOD.

Because what happens when I become overscheduled and overstressed?  I forget things: like my chiro appointment yesterday (which from now on cannot be on Crazy Week).  I hurt myself: I stubbed my left big toe and bent the nail back nearly half-way down (nail was too long, anyway, because I hadn't found time yet to get a pedicure).  And I am generally stupid: which I will not relate because it gets embarrassing.  Oh, and I get so, so tired and never seem to catch up.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Another day, another wound. Putting away the food processor, I ran my middle finger of my right hand (guess which hand I use most?) along the sharp blade.  Not straight, no!  Zig zag!  Deep enough to bleed enough to make a mess.  Going through bandaids, here!

I had to make cookies today for sale at the concession stand at the Rabbit Show on Saturday.  Yes, I cleaned my wound and wore a bandaid!  I made peanut butter chocolate chip toffee cookies (Pinterest!)   Here's the recipe!  

http://backforsecondsblog.com/2014/02/soft-chewy-peanut-butter-toffee-cookies/

Friday, February 14, 2014

My hubby and my kids gave me cut flowers and a pot of yellow tulips for Valentine's Day (I'd said no candy), and a card.  I gave my hubby some cookies I'd saved over and a card.  Analiese got a pretty heart necklace & earrings and a card.  Jonathan got a t-shirt with a Marvel character on it that hed'd wanted...and a card.  Actually, I really liked the card I'd found for him.

This was true craziness, because I knew I'd be at the Expo Center all day tomorrow for the rabbit show.  I had to get everything done, including prep work for dinner with the missionaries, because they come every Saturday!

And we (stupidly) ask them if there is anything they want (or not).  One of the new elders asked for gumbo.  Gumbo!?!  Does he think we live in the deep south or something?  Besides, I'm from So. Cal., NOT Gumboland.  I really don't like Southern Cooking...things that should have flavor, don't and things that do are too spicy.  Plus, they either fry things or cook things to death.  Nasty!

But, I found a recipe (on Pinterest, of course) for a sausage and chicken gumbo - no shrimp, no okra (shrimp costs $ and has tons of cholesterol; okra is just plain disgusting - unfortunately it grows VERY well here).  I cut up all the veggies and meat for the morrow because, gratefully, this recipe is also a crockpot one!

I also had the dubious pleasure of cleaning up Alice.  Her pretty white head was a grungy yellow, having been "tainted" by the neighbor in the next cage, Twilight.  I will leave that your imagination.  Still, it wasn't pleasant to try and get all that gunk off her head and trim her nails in anticipation of the show tomorrow.

We were supposed to help set up tonight for the Rabbit Show tomorrow, so the kids and I headed out for the Expo Center at 4 p.m.  They'd already set up!  Oh well, at least we could register Analiese's rabbit early instead of tomorrow morning with the rest of the craziness.  I remembered (that I'd forgot) that I needed to bring nacho cheese sauce for the concession stand (I did remember my cookies), so I asked Ken to pick a can up from Walmart that night when he went to work.

We got to go home early and Ken brought us pizza home for dinner.  So nice to not have to cook!  For me, it was a fairly relaxing evening.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Ken got my basket for me while I prepared the roux and the gumbo for the crockpot.  Because I'd doubled it (the missionaries EAT), my crockpot was full to near over-flowing.  I don't think you're supposed to do that.  Still, what choice did I have?

Off to the show!  Because we'd preregistered, we didn't have to be there until 10:30.  We had a great time, seeing all the different rabbits, talking with friends, and exchanging what we knew.  Analiese started off with completing a quiz about rabbits.  No joke, it's a pretty tough one; you have to know about body parts, breeds, breeding, etc.  She won third place in the junior division for her quiz!

They then had a showmanship workshop.   This is where they show the kids how to "show" their rabbit.  Showmanship is more about the presenter than the animal.  They have to be able to show that they know how to check on it's health and identify it's parts, and talk about the breed and what makes it special.  Then each child presented their animal to the judge.  Analiese did for the first time, and really enjoyed it.  The judge was pleased that she knew the correct term for her rabbit's body shape (cylindrical).  She didn't place, but is looking forward to doing better the next time.

During lunch break, they raffled off prizes.  I generally don't do raffles, but since the proceeds go to our club, I put in $10 for 25 tickets.  I gave the kids 5 each to put somewhere, and I put the last two into drawings for movie tickets & a butcher's shop GC.  Jonathan wanted to put his tickets in for a Flemish Giant rabbit (real) they were giving away, but I put my foot down.  I have all the bunnies I can handle.  Besides, these things are as big as most dogs and eat tons!  However, we did very well on our raffle winnings.  We won both the GC and the tickets, and Analiese won an M&M nutcracker (she likes nutcrackers).  It was $10 well spent! 

The afternoon was spent judging rabbits by breed.  We saw some really neat breeds that we hadn't enountered before, like Lion's Mane and Tan.  There were lots of babies to hold, too, which was fun.  We sat with the Dosher's so we got to see some of their babies again!

When the Himilayans came up, Analiese took Alice to be judged.  For the black-eared does, she won first place!  The judge said she had beautiful color and her shape was very good (those are the two things they look for in Himilayans).  Then they took all of the first place Himilayan bucks and does and judged them for best of breed.  A male one that, but tradition holds with awarding a 2nd place to one of the opposite sex - best of opposite.  Alice won best of opposite!  The best of breed goes on to be judged with all the other best of breeds (different types of rabbits) for best of show, so we didn't have to do that.  Still, Alice got a blue ribbon for first place black doe and a big purple and black ribbon for best of opposite.

By the way, dinner went fine.  The elders enjoyed their rice and gumbo.  I lucked out, finding a way to cook a large amount of rice in the oven, and had come home from the show with enough time to make an apple crisp (I had a lot of Granny Smith's in last and this weeks' baskets).  

Gumbo recipe: http://www.allthecooks.com/chicken--sausage-gumbo-crockpot.html

I stayed up late.  You could say, "naughty girl," but really I was up watching a webinar on garden planning to feed your family.   Tonight was the last night available to view it, so it was now or never.   It was important enough, but boy, did I pay the price!

Sunday, February 16, 2014

So, I was rather drowsy in church, sacrament meeting being the most difficult, even with the excellent speakers.  At least I didn't have any excess responsibilities.  I did, however, take a nap when I got home.  

Analiese stayed home today.  She was losing her voice and coughing yesterday, but did not want to miss the show.  Today, her voice gone and not feeling great, we had her stay home and rest.  I think it may be spreading, though, because Jonathan is sneezing, snuffling, and says his throat hurts.  We tried to miss it, but it caught us anyway!

SPECIAL EDITION: THE BUNNY BRIGADE

It's hard to tell them all apart when they're clumped together, but I thought you'd like a close-up of each and I'll give you a little background on each one.

1. BROWNIE

She's my favorite, to be honest.  Her coloring is much like her mom, Fluffernutter.  She's got a perfect shape, too, and just looks like the perfect bunny.  She is a sweetheart, friendly and loving.  I can always count on a little lick (bunny kiss) from her.

2. BRUISER

Here he is chewing on my shoe.  They are all fascinated by my green crocs; maybe they think they're some sort of rubbery vegetable.  Anyway, Bruiser is named for his size; for the longest time he was the biggest.  Brownie and George are rapidly catching up to him, though.  He likes to follow his mom around; I think he's looking for a little extra milk!

3. CRACKIN'

Weird name, I know, but the kids gave it to him because of the white crack on his face.  He has fur more like his daddy, Twilight, dense and velvety.  He is the second smallest and is our shyest fellow.  Still, he can be so sweet and we try hard to let him know we love him!

4. GEORGE

His color is closest to Brownie.  He's called George for a reason - he is very curious!  And he gets into trouble.  His latest trick is jumping into the bathtub - Yes!  He can get himself out, too.  This morning I saw him sitting on the edge of the tub looking at the gate.  I know he's gauging whether or not he could clear it.  Heaven help us!

5. LOCKHEED

Another rabbit with a name to explain, he's named after a Marvel comics character's pet dragon, because the marking on his head looks like a dragon.  So my kids say.  He's darling and was a bit shy for a while, but has of late really warmed up to us.  He binkies (jumps around happily) a lot and is an earnest digger, trying to dig through the tile, the towels I put down, and my clothing.

6. PIPSQUEAK 

Here's our tiniest, yet spunkiest little rabbit.  Pip is fearless and jumps amazingly.  The first day they figured out how to get out of the nesting box, he didn't just climb over the edge, he cleared it with a big jump!  He, too, has daddy's fur, and was the one we worried over most as a baby.  He holds his own, now, and is a lot of fun to have climb on you!

7. TUX

He was called Tuxedo, or "Tux" for short, in the beginning because his skin was darker than the rest when they were born and his underbelly was light, like a tuxedo.  When his fur came in, the name had stuck and we just haven't  thought to call him anything else.  He's a fun binky-er, too, and likes to hop and jump around.

EXPERIMENTS

Monday, February 3, 2014

The snow is rapidly melting.  So, much to the sorrow of my son, classes were not cancelled for today.  Driving wasn't bad either, because the streets were fairly clear.  And I don't know what it is, some freak of nature, but the roads running east and west are clear and the north and south are slushy.  Some great mystery, here.

I had to get more bunny food today.  Those cute little fluffy guys...they eat a lot.  But I did talk to Atwoods (that's the farm/ranch/home store that I get my rabbit stuff from) and they will take my bunnies in a month when they're weaned and sell them for me.  Ken is relieved because they are going through food fast.  Me, I'm relieved because then my term as a zookeeper will have come to an end and Fluffer can go back outside.   I sweep up that bathroom every morning, if I didn't we'd be knee-deep in bunny poops!

Please note that not all Pinterest items are truthful or accurate or tasty.  I realized this afternoon that I had forgotten to purchase flour tortillas earlier in the day and we were going to have tacos for dinner.  Being too reticent (and lazy) to go walk across the street and get some, I decided to try my hand at making them, from a recipe off of Pinterest.  I followed the instructions (they said to follow precisely), but the dough wouldn't form a ball in my food processor. So I added a little more water until it did.  Then, it said I'd need to cook them for only 20-40 seconds on each side.  They lied.  It took more like two or more minutes on each side.  By the time I got all sixteen done, it was later than I wanted.  And they were not soft, like the recipe said.  They also claimed that these would be better than store-bought.  Not true.  Rather bland and chewy.  Pin busted!

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

I have yet to decide if I am an overachiever, a masochist, or an idiot (or some bizarre combination of two or more of these).  Apparently the tortilla smack-down did not phase me (enough) and I wanted to try making my own granola.  I'd found - on Pinterest, of course - a simple recipe involved only peanut butter, honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract and oats.  It smelled really good while baking and crisped up nicely whilst cooling.  Determination wins out - success!  This cheap and I can make a lot (the recipe was small) and my family all liked it so it will make a good cereal to start the day (though Analiese though it would make a great snack).

Flush with the victory behind me, I also decided to try a soup recipe for tonight's dinner.  This was a creamy chicken noodle soup, with butter and cheese in with some veggies.  It took me a bit to coordinate it (it made a lot - used 12 cups of water!), but when the kids sat down to eat it, they heartily approved!  So two successes and one failure in two days is not bad at all.  Take that, tortillas!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

I need to announce this: I AM PROUD OF MY SON.  It's a hard course, and he's not as experienced as most of the other guys in class, but he is at the near top of his class and holding his own in Aviation Mechanics.  The head of the program had him in his office today.  There's been rumors (apparently true) that they will not be including high schoolers in the program next year because they really need adults to go and get through the program (more quickly than the high schoolers do) because the need for aviation mechanics is great.  Having said that...the head of the program told Jonathan that he was doing so well and they were so impressed with his progress, that he would be allowed to continue the program next year, even though that took a place an adult could fill.  The head also told Jonathan that he and all of the instructors would be working closely with him to see that he not only got through the program, but succeeded. Hopefully even getting him a place on the presitigious "A" team of mechanics at the AFB.  This has been quite a challenge for my son, but he's stuck with it and studied hard and I has so grateful to see that all his work has been recognized.   I know the Lord has opened up these opportunities for him, and has guided him to where he is now.  This is where he is supposed to be, doing what he's supposed to be doing.

Tonight I was with the Young Women teaching them a little yoga.  We had five (?) girls and their leaders sprawled out on the floor.  It was really funny, because they giggled a our stretches and some of my comments. (Hey!  It's true that your balance goes off as a young woman when you start developing in front!  I didn't make that up!)  Okay, I encouraged some of it - horse pose & lion face, any one?  But I think they enjoyed it and I got a good stretch out of it. 

Thursday, February 6, 2014

More snow last night, but it's sugar snow.  The other stuff from Sunday melted quickly and caused no problems.  However, our temps are down really low, like in the single digits or lower from the wind chill factor, and so now we have ice.  I can handle snow; I do NOT like ice.  But I only slid a teensy bit once taking Jonathan to school.

The bunnies are five weeks old today.  I won't include a picture here, because I am going to do a separate blog parading them individually so you can see and get a good idea of them.  I will, however, post here a picture of the horrific (and embarassing) mess I face every morning that I "get" to clean up.  This is why I feel like a zookeeper (and no pity from Ken, he says it's my fault falling for helpless little bunnies):

Ken drove us all over to Lawton this evening for our monthly work & family shopping.  I have yet to convince Analiese (of all people!) that she needs to layer clothing to keep warm.  And I still reminder her to wear a hat, gloves & scarf.  Her excuse?  "I'm from Southern California!"  Really?  You'd think she'd layer more, not less.  Do not blame me if the kid comes down with pnemonia.

Friday, February 7, 2014

The strip of road right in front of our house clears of ice and snow quickly; more so than the others in the neighborhood.  Why?  Because the other side of the road is the back of United Grocery Store and the big trucks come through constantly for deliveries (well, mainly in the morning).  It's not a pretty sight, but I don't mind the cleared road at all!

Today officially qualifies as "Winter Sucks Day."  I do not generally use such language, but I really had it up to that (or down to that) level.  First, my brand-new (as of June last year) washing machine decided not to work.  It may be the pipes and the cold.  It had better be (That's a dire warning to Sears).  Then, going to Wal-mart I noticed that THEIR water machines were out of order due to frozen pipes (United's  has been out for the same thing for weeks).  Where, pray tell, am I supposed to fill my water jugs?  Yes, Altus water is so bad that nobody drinks it.  I know there's a machine on base, but, in case you hadn't noticed, I don't have access to the base.  Plus, I hear theirs goes down often for the same reason.  Freezing cold temps in the daytime, an uncooperative washer, an unexpected trip to the laundromat, and no water at Walmart.  Gee, I wonder why my head hurts this evening?

Saturday, February  8, 2014

Early wakeup (well, for a Saturday) at 7:00 a.m. so I could get a shower before driving out to Duke for my basket.  Don't ask why, it's a really dumb reason that might reduce me in your estimation.  But it meant for a new adventure in a new direction in a different town.  I took Jonathan with me for support and because he's handy and strong enough carry my basket.  15 miles out and back, a little foggy, but the roads were clear.  We got our basket quickly and made our way home.  Actually, it was a fun little trip because Jonathan can be entertaining when he wants.

Got home to take care of my basket (no more brussel sprouts, but I do have leeks and asparagus to figure out this week).  My breakfast included a lovely ruby red grapefruit we got - it was SO good!  Then I rushed to get the dishes sorted and the lettuce soaked (to get the dirt off) and spun and I ran to get in church dress for a 10 a.m. baptism, where I played the piano.

Are we done yet?  Nay, nay!  Run home to change again and to heat up some extra of that creamy chicken noodle soup for the Garden Club potluck.  Then I went to that meeting, where I stayed until about 1:00 p.m.

Yet?  Nope.  More cleaning up, getting lasagna ready for dinner and - a grave miscalculation or dishonesty in advertising.  I thought I'd make some french bread for dinner.  It would be cheaper (true) and easier (doubtful) than running across the street to buy some rolls.  In fact, my cookbook read "Quick & Easy French Bread."  I was all gung-ho, we'd get this done in no time.  First rise, 1 hour, punch down & rest for 10 minutes, shape and...oh no!  Another rising for 1 1/2 hours!  Quick?  Did you say this was quick?  I hadn't figured into things that timing (the moral of the story here is to read through your recipes all the way first, which I apparently don't do), so they sat resting on my bedroom floor by the space heater to rise (hey, warmest place in the house), while I ran to the store to get rolls.  Which in the end tasted nasty and my kids complained about them, because they are spoiled by homemade bread.  I am not sure that they believe me, but they are pretty lucky kids.  Many have never had homemade bread at all!

The day is over.  Dinner is over.  Ken is mercifully washing the dishes.  I am going to bed.