Friday Recipe - Hot Apple Cider

This is perfect for a cold night! My neighbor made this for a party she had last year and it is SO good. I have been using her recipe ever since!

Hot Apple Cider
INGREDIENTS:
6 cups apple cider
1/4 cup real maple syrup
2 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
6 whole allspice berries
1 orange peel, cut into strips
1 lemon peel, cut into strips

Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan.

Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel and lemon peel in the center of a washed square of cheesecloth; fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with a length of kitchen string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture.

Place the saucepan over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cider is very hot but not boiling.

Remove the cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle. Ladle the cider into big cups or mugs, adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving if desired.

**NOTE: If you don't have cheesecloth, you can also put spices directly in pan. After the cider is very warm you will need to strain off the spices before serving.**

We mix this up and then put it in a Crock-pot to keep it warm. It also makes the house smell so yummy!

Funny Pumpkin Story...

We were going through some old (old as in 7-8 years ago old) and found some Halloween pictures when the boys were about 2 and 3 years old. Spirit was probably 3, almost 4. He was dressed up like a big fluffy pumpkin. He was so stinkin' cute. I remember when we got the costume, I asked him and asked him if he was sure that was the one he wanted. He was certain. He was so sure he wanted it we couldn't get it off him for days. He slept in it and everything. So anyway, there we were looking at these pictures and here is the conversation that followed:

Spirit: "Mooooommmmmm! WHY did you dress me up like a dorky pumpkin."

Me: "You asked for that costume."

Spirit: "Why did I want that one?"

Me: "Because you were 3. You liked it. You liked it so much you even slept in it. We went to the pumpkin patch and you insisted on wearing it to the pumpkin patch too."

Spirit: "Oh mooooommmm. You did NOT let me wear it to the pumpkin patch."

Me: "Yesssss, I did. You were cute. Honey, you were only 3. It was cute."

Spirit: *Rolling his eyes and shaking his head*

Me: "it wouldn't be so cute if you did it NOW, but it was cute then."

Spirit: "I still can't believe you did that to me."

Did any of you catch that I did not DO this to him?? He chose that costume. Ugh. Typical male, doesn't listen to anything I say.

Fall Break

Seems like the kids just started the school year and here we are already taking a week off for "Fall Break". It technically has been 9 weeks since they started the school year, but it still seems too soon for a week long vacation!

Mr. Man (who gets 3 weeks paid vacation per year!) took this whole week off to be with the boys. Lady Bug still has school and I still have to work so the boys (all 3 of them!) headed out yesterday to go camping...not sure you can really call it "Camping", however, because they are in a trailer that has a propane stove, a microwave, a TV and a DVD player, plus running water and heat. They took their bikes and fishing poles. They should have a good time. Lady Bug and I plan to have a good time too. Last night she got to watch all the princess movies she wanted!!

After work tonight I will go pick up Lady Bug from school and we are planning a trip to the craft store to get a few things. Then we will go home, start the fire, eat some dinner and craft our little hearts out! I can't wait!

Friday recipe - Pumpkin Pinwheels

This is a favorite in our house this time of year. I think this year I might make some as gifts for neighbors. They are pretty and yummy to boot!!!

Pumpkin Pinwheels
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 c flour
1 c white sugar
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 c pumpkin puree
3 eggs
1 tsp lemon juice
2 Tbls powdered sugar

FILLING:
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1/4 c butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch jelly roll pan or cookie sheet.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda and pumpkin pie spice. Stir in pumpkin puree, eggs and lemon juice. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Spread mixture evenly.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Lay a damp linen towel on counter, sprinkle with confectioners sugar and turn cake onto the towel. Carefully roll up the towel (lengthwise) with cake in it. Place cake-in-towel on a cooling rack and let it cool 20 minutes.

Make the filling: Blend cream cheese, butter, vanilla and sugar with a wooden spoon or electric mixer.

When cake has cooled 20 minutes, unroll it and spread filling onto it. Immediately re-roll (not in the towel this time) and wrap with plastic wrap. Keep cake in the refrigerator (or freeze for up to 2 weeks in aluminum foil). Cut the cake in slices just before serving.

My little author

Our oldest, Spirit, who is 8 years old is not the greatest artist. The things that come home from art class are sad little critters, but of course that doesn't stop him from trying.

He is, however, quite creative in many other areas. For instance, some of his favorite things to do are crocheting, he loves to build with Legos and Knex, and his most recent passion is writing. I was reading some short stories he is writing and they are really put together well. His thoughts are well organized and the story flows. Now keep in mind he is only 8 so the stories are very near and dear to an 8 year old boy's heart and not necessarily to that of a 36 year old mom.

Here is one of his short stories:

Jeff the Turtle
Once there was a turtle named Jeff. One day he was walking on the shore when somebody called him weird, slow and stupid. He went in the sea to cry. When he came out of the sea the same person was there and it was a baby. He knocked over the baby because he was raging mad. The baby's dad got so mad he shot the turtle. And that is how turtles got endangered. The End.

And another short story:

Larry the Lizard
Once there was a lizard named Larry. He was a very lazy lizard so his price was only 1 cent. He always laid down in his log and sometimes under his lamp. He was always grumpy too so nobody bought him. Since nobody bought him he started biting now this is a sad story. Because he bit, nobody fed him, so a few days later he died of starvation.

Right now Spirit is working on a "chapter book". The story is about a family whose house gets struck by lightening, but they survive.

Re-purposing a stained t-shirt

I'm sure my kids are the only ones that stain their shirts.... yes? no?

So, whether or not you have a stained shirt to work with or not, here is a cute, fun way that I have found to "hide" the stains so the child can still wear the shirt. However, this only works on little girls, I have yet to figure out what design would work for a boy. Any ideas??

First I took the shirt, you can see in this first picture some blue ink stains I couldn't get out.



Then I penciled in a circle in the middle to create the middle of the flower. I then penciled in some petals for the flower (sorry for the bad picture, I am not good at picture taking anyway, but pencil marks on a pink shirt were hard to capture!) Then I cut out the petals (and also cut out the ink stains!).


I have her wear the shirt with a long sleeve underneath. When I first made these my husband said he was afraid I wouldn't be able to wash them. I can assure you I have washed them and they come out just fine. I haven't had them ravel or anything.


The white shirt has 3 smaller flowers (that don't have a circle in the center) and then I put an "L" in the center (for Lady Bug). The pink shirt just has one big flower. With the white one I have had her wear a white shirt underneath, a black one, a purple one, so it really mixes up the outfit a bit. I love it!

I am pleased with these because she is still able to wear the shirt and the stains are gone (or almost anyway!)


Click here for more DIY tips. Click here for more Works For Me Wednesday tips.

**UPDATE**

I am working on downloading some pictures, so while I do that I thought I would post a quick update on the bank deposit situation...

After numerous calls yesterday I finally called the banker that we opened our account with 4 or 5 years ago. I explained the situation and my concerns to him that the bank was being so nonchalant about my missing deposit. I explained I had a daycare payment due yesterday that now I would incur a $20 late fee, I explained our cell phone bill being due, and a car payment. So he got into our account and he said it looked like 3 supervisors were in my account at that moment. He asked if he could call me back, he was going to call one of those supervisors. He called me back about an hour later and told me that the supervisor was going to give me a "provisional credit" in my account so I could pay bills while they researched this. I asked if they knew what happened and he all he would say was "yes, they do." when I asked if they lost it he said no and when I asked if it went into someone else's account he choked on his words but wouldn't really say yes or no. Which I figured is my answer! This morning however, the bank called me to say they have credited the deposit to my account. I plan to submit my late fees to them and see if they will reimburse me those amounts. I am still upset over the situation, but at least now (4 days later) I have my money!

For those inquiring minds... the bank rhymes with FACE. :-)

Weekend in review...

The weather here was gorgeous this weekend! Friday night we went to the boys' school for "Storybook Ball" where the kids can dress up as their favorite storybook character, there is food, snacks, music, games, raffles and trinkets the kids can buy. It was a good time! My kids bought way too many trinkets and of course they were junk.....each boy bought a mechanical pencil, which is already broken. All 3 kids bought a pen that has this fuzzy animal head on top of it .... the pen doesn't write worth poo. So it frustrates them which in turn frustrates me.
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Saturday was spent with me on the phone from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm trying to track down a deposit (my paycheck) I made to the bank on Thursday and no one seems to know where it is. Finally at 11:55 am the answer I finally got from "customer service" was that "This isn't a business day and there isn't anything I can do. You will need to call back Monday."

Seriously? Seriously.

So in all my anger I decided to take it out on my house and I cleaned. I cleaned out closets. I took the vacuum to every nook and cranny in the house. I re-organized things. I did a deep clean to two of the three kids' rooms. So all-in-all I guess it was a good thing the bank lost my deposit.... well, no it isn't but the house looks good anyway.
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Sunday after church we went to lunch then home to change clothes. Lady Bug and I went grocery shopping while the boys and Mr. Man went for a bike ride. Very good day!
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So as of 9:40 am this morning (Monday) still no one at the bank can find my deposit. They are "researching it" and assure me it will be credited to my account by the end of the business day today. Why don't I believe that???

**Picture taken by Mr. Man while hiking a few weeks ago**

Friday Recipe - Orange Chicken

I tried this recipe about 2 weeks ago. Mr. Man, who doesn't care for orange chicken at restaurants, said this was the best he's ever had and has requested it again!

I tried this recipe from here. Click on over to see their pictures and recipe. I am also posting the recipe here to with some of my notes.

Orange Chicken
From Sisters Stuff
INGREDIENTS:
12 Chicken tenders (**Note: I used 2 small chicken breasts and cut them into bite size pieces)
3 eggs, beaten
½ c corn starch
½ c flour
dash of garlic salt
Oil

¼ c chicken broth
½ c vinegar
¾ c sugar
1 Tbls soy sauce
4 Tbls ketchup

Mix together corn starch, flour and garlic salt in a pie dish. Dip the chicken pieces in egg and then in corn starch mixture. I put the chicken in the fridge to chill, and rest, for 15 minutes after I coated each one. Then I put them in hot oil to fry. Fry chicken in the oil until crisp about 5-6 minutes. Put fried chicken pieces in a baking dish.

Boil broth, vinegar, soy sauce and ketchup. Pour sauce over chicken, making sure each piece is covered. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes to an hour. (Mine cooked in just under 45 minutes)

For the love of Autumn

The boys and two neighbor kids were over the other day. It was a chilly afternoon. Super chilly! So while I was inside reading a book by the cozy fire slaving over laundry and cleaning the house, the boys were outside raking leaves to create a fort.

This is their creation!





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REMEMBER THAT TODAY IS PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS REMEMBRANCE DAY.

October 15th is the National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Light a candle today at 7:00 pm.

Click here for more information.

80 years and still going strong

I met a man 12 or 13 years ago who I thought was such a genuine and sincere man. He was extremely down to earth and such a gentle person. He was the preacher at the church I was attending at that time. I soon met his son and would later marry his son. Today my father-in-law turns 80. He is just as genuine today as he was that day.

Over the years I have heard stories of when he was young and growing up. I have heard stories of how he worked with his dad at the gas station. I have heard stories of how he drove 130 miles from his small home town so he could preach and then driving the 130 miles back home again. I have heard numerous times the story about the day he married my mother-in-law almost 60 years ago, how he had preached that day and on his way home he stopped at a dime store and bought her a bible, which she carried down the aisle with her (and which ultimately her 4 daughters, her grandchildren and myself all carried with us as well on our wedding day). I have heard about what a good father he was to his 4 daughters and 1 son. I have heard about what a hard worker he was when the kids were growing up. I have heard of the countless Sunday morning phone calls he made to pray with his son who had moved miles away. I have watched this man in prayer, no doubt praying for his family and seeking God's guidance. I have watched him hug his wife, as I am sure he does every day, with such love for her and only her. I have watched him teach at the bible college he started some 40 years ago and watched the men he has taught go off to become and do great things.

One story I have heard over and over was when the family had gone out on a lake and the boat engine wouldn't start. Instead of working on the engine, he turned to his wife and children and said "Let's have family devotions." He pulled out his Bible to read to them. My husband remembers thinking "READ the Bible?? ummmm, dad we are on a lake. Way out here. No boat engine." He knows now that his dad knew the boat engine had a better chance of starting if it sat for a moment, but the kids didn't know that and they were petrified!

This man has raised 5 great children who all have gone off and are doing amazing things in this world. Each child is married to a great person and has had children of their own making this man a grandpa 18 times. Those grandkids are having kids of their own making this man a great-grandpa 22 times so far. There are preachers, police officers, pilots, contractors, teachers, funeral directors, paralegals, and the list goes on. That is quite the legacy this man has!

I am now married to this man's one and only son who is the greatest husband and father to our children. From the things my husband tells me he had the perfect role model watching his dad be a wonderful father to his family and an equally wonderful husband to my mother in law.

Happy Birthday to a great man. A man who, despite whether or not everyone agrees with his every belief, has lived his convictions and beliefs to the fullest. You are an inspiration to many and have a great legacy behind you. So, not just today, but each and every day I want you to know you are loved, you are thought of and I don't think that I could have asked for a better father in law!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DON!

Cooling down

This cooler downright cold fall weather we are having really makes me wish I was home and not at work. I want to be home baking, or maybe sitting by the fireplace reading, or even soaking in a nice hot bath. Anything but here at this cold office. I work with 3 men, none of which are ever cold. So I sit here with my thick sweaters on and sometimes even with my cold too, while they walk around here in short sleeves. My dear friend brought me a pumpkin spice latte from SB today....that'll help keep me warm!
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Does anyone else feel like Christmas is gonna sneak up on them? I was feeling ready to have all my gifts bought and wrapped and shipped and today I am feeling like I won't be able to pull it off. I know it is only October, but for some reason I am in panic mode today. I think that may have something to do with feeling like I won't be able to financially do all the things I had hoped for. We are doing more handmade things this year and that may or may not help.
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The boys had a fundraiser at school and the money was due today. Spirit was short 2 items to get this silly "racing pig" he wanted so Mr. Man ordered 2 items. Lefty really, really wanted a Dippin Dots maker but didn't sell 75 items, he only sold 13. He is very bummed. I hate the fundraisers because they pump those kids up to sell, sell, sell and then they are disappointed in themselves when they don't sell much. Last year the only fundraiser I let them participate in was the chocolate candy bar sales. It is so much work for the parents too. Plus, I feel like every other week they come home with something to sell. I can't hit up my friends every other week! Sheesh!!!
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If you have made to the end of this post...you must be bored. I had nothing of value to write today! hee hee. Tomorrow I am doing a tribute to my father in law for his 80th birthday and then Thursday I have some fun pictures to post.

Thanks for staying tuned as long as you did! :-)

Resignation

No, not mine! Lady Bug's. She resigned from preschool on Friday!

I showed up at the school to pick her up and the teacher came over with a very concerned look on her face and asked to speak with me. She ushered me aside from the hustle and bustle of the classroom. She informed me that Lady Bug had told her she would not be coming back to school. I looked somewhat confused. She went on to say that Lady Bug told her that this was her last week and that after this weekend she would not be back to school there.

I couldn't think what Lady Bug would have been talking about, but assured the teacher that she was in fact returning to school on Monday. About this time, Lady Bug came pouncing over from where she was and said "I am going to kindergarten at the boys' school."

I leaned down to her and said that would be NEXT year. She piped up "Noooooo, that's next weekend." So I told her again that she would have to wait until next year to go to kindergarten at the boys' school.

I then looked back at the teacher and assured her that Lady Bug would be returning to school and would not be leaving until next year when she starts kindergarten!

The teacher was relieved and said "She was so serious when she told me that I really believed her, but knew I should double check with you first."

Friday Recipe - Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

I found this recipe a couple weeks ago here and decided to make it over the weekend for my neighbor. She shared a piece with me while we chatted one afternoon. This is such a yummy cake and was easy to make. It doesn't need frosting, just a simple dusting of powdered sugar. Spirit, who doesn't really care for chocolate *gasp* (he can't be my child!), had a bite and said it was actually pretty good.

CHOCOLATE CHIP POUND CAKE
from Imparting Grace
INGREDIENTS:

1 box of devil's food cake mix
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 (3.4 oz) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 heaping cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a Bundt pan or just spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Place cream cheese in mixer bowl. Beat cream cheese a bit to soften. Add cake mix; beat a bit to combine with cream cheese. Scrape sides of bowl. Add oil, water, and vanilla; beat well. Scrape sides of bowl again. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in pudding mix; beat until well combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

Pour/spoon batter into prepared pan. Note: the batter will be very, very thick. Bake at 325 degrees for one hour, not a moment more. Remove from oven and cool on a cooling rack for 10-15 minutes. Remove cake from pan.

Click here to go over and see her pictures of this glorious cake!

It's a new day

Thanks for all the kind words from yesterday's post. It made me feel very loved! The cry on Monday night was definitely healing! Yesterday proved to be a much better day - all of your comments sure helped!

Today is a brand new day! My house is slowly getting back in order (other than the leaking washer still needs fixed or replaced), my boss is in trial out of state and so I am working on getting caught up at work. Although he gave me a new, big project before he left, I still am cruising right along and should be close to caught up by the end of the week! What a good feeling that is!

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Kind of a funny story....at least it's funny now, it wasn't when it first happened.

Last week when I was working from home and Spirit was on the couch asleep beside me with his fever (poor kid). I was so busy and focused I didn't notice the dog had disappeared from sight. She is a sneaky little 2 year old dog and if we don't keep an eye on her she will get into trouble. So anyway, I get up to go look for her. I call her name and here she comes from the sunroom and she looks a tad bit guilty. So I decide to investigate the sunroom. There I found 3 pairs of my underwear and a dishcloth that she has pulled from the dirty laundry and has chewed into a million pieces.

Later that evening we are sitting in the sunroom eating and she starts to barf by the back door...I jump up to shove her outside and she barfed up some of my panties on the back porch. I didn't find it humorous at all until later. Now I chuckle everytime I think about it. Not sure why it's funny now, but it is!

Momma had a meltdown

With the stresses I have been under lately starting with me being sick and falling behind at work and with household stuff too, then with the boys getting sick causing me to miss more work and fall further behind both at home and work, then with the stress of possible layoffs at Mr. Man's job my mind and body had finally had enough last night.

First thing, I was told by all the teachers (all three of them) that we needed to replenish some supplies (kleenex, disinfectant wipes, pencils, glue... just to name a few). So I stopped in Target by office on my way to work and spent $50.00. FIFTY DOLLARS on supplies.

Then get to work and all that work I did Saturday...down the tubes. My boss tore it all apart. Why? Don't know and not sure he knows either. After putting all those notebooks back together, I worked hard trying to dig out of all the stacks and stacks on my desk at work and all the unanswered emails and phone calls. I got out of the office a tad bit late, to jump into traffic that isn't moving because apparently no one knows how to drive in the rain. As a result end up getting to Lady Bug's school with about 30 seconds to spare before I get charged that high priced late fee. I bumped into a chatty teacher who kept us there for 15 minutes talking. I was very polite, but I kept saying "well, we better let you get home. It's late." Her response? "It's ok. I don't have anyone to go home to tonight." Hmmmmm, well WE DO! I, of course did not say that! So I get home to pass Mr. Man as he heads out to a meeting and I fix dinner. The kids were all in rare form. Arguing with each other over every.little.thing. Lady Bug was whinier than usual. After dinner I head upstairs to change clothes and there is liquid antibacterial soap all over the bathroom counter. Come to find out that Spirit accidentally dropped our cute little lion soap dispenser and it broke (although he didn't know it broke at the time). As I am attempting to clean up the mess, the soap is going everywhere. It got on my new shirt, it got on my cell phone (don't ask why I insisted the cell phone be with me anyway, but it just was!), it dribbled on the floor. It was a disasterous mess! As I head down to throw the towels and rags in the washing machine I noticed the washer is leaking. NICE.

I sat down and cried. My poor kids just stared at me. Lefty finally leans over to Spirit and whispers "I know why she is crying. It's just because she does this all the time. I think it is a girl thing or something."

A-hem. I do NOT do THIS all the time..... well ok. Maybe more often than I'd like to admit! Certainly not ALL THE TIME, however!

It sure felt good to cry though. I slept really well and woke up fully refreshed and ready to start the day over again! Sometimes all I need is a good hearty cry (sometimes...not all the time as some would like to have you believe!)

It's Monday already??? - UPDATED

Well, everyone went to school today. Yesterday Spirit was definitely feeling himself. I wouldn't let him play outside all day, I didn't want to take any chances since it was a little cold here. He coughed a little bit when he woke up, but not too bad. I told him to take it easy today, especially on recess. *fingers crossed he makes it a full day*

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Mr. Man got a call yesterday afternoon that he needed to attend a mandatory meeting at 8:00 am today. Talk was of possible layoffs. I am waiting to hear from him still to know how the meeting went. I should re-word that and say I am on pins and needles waiting to hear from him.
UPDATED TO ADD: As of 4:00 pm today, there have been no layoffs. Managers didn't even show up for the meeting (that was supposed to start at 8:00 am) until after noon.
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Due to be being out with sick kids last week, I ended up working Saturday, almost a full day too. I don't like doing that because then I feel like I didn't really get a weekend. I didn't get all my weekend "chores" done for sure! So, here we are back at Monday. Good news is that my boss has trial out of state and leaves tomorrow so I can do some catch-up work later this week, I hope anyway.

HAPPY MONDAY TO YOU ALL!

Friday Recipe - Broccoli Cheese Soup

I love this soup and the family does too. Tastes great with sourdough bread rolls or serve this up in bread bowls. mmm, mmm, mmm delicious!

Broccoli Cheese Soup
INGREDIENTS:
5 Tbls butter
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
2-4 medium carrots, shredded
2 crowns of broccoli, chopped
1/2 c flour
2 Tbls cornstarch
4 c chicken broth
4 c milk
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp ground mustard
1 lb shredded sharp cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Add vegetables to large stock pot with just enough water to cover them. Cook for 3-5 minutes until vegetables are tender. In a separate pan, melt butter and then stir in flour and cornstarch. Stir constantly for about one minute and then add in chicken broth. Continue stirring until slightly thickened. Stir into vegetables. Add in milk and spices and heat until very warm. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese a little at a time, stirring well after each addition. This is important to keep the cheese from curdling. Season with salt and pepper.

**TO REHEAT: microwave for 30 seconds. Stir then continue microwaving at 30 second intervals until the soup is warm. Using this method to reheat the soup will keep the cheese from curdling.

We are coming out of it

Spirit is feeling better but still has a slight fever and lots of coughing. He is home from school again today. I am actually doing work from home today (which I could get used to!) So far Lady Bug isn't showing any signs of getting this nasty virus. *fingers crossed*

I am very lucky that I have a boss who is sympathetic and understanding of family issues. I have had some not-so-understanding bosses in the past and it is so nice to be able to call my boss and not worry I could lose my job over it. When I called my boss this morning I told him my son was still sick and I would need to stay home with him again, I offered to come in this evening but he said "I am so sorry he is still sick. Let me take a look at our projects and see what I might need you to do, if anything. I would hate for you to be away from your family tonight." Pretty soon he called me back and said "If I email you some things could you work on them and just email me back by the end of the day?" I am so lucky to have such a good boss. I try to be a good employee to him as well and never take advantage of him.

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Just a funny story:

After seeing Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs the boys were telling Mr. Man about the movie and then Lefty says "At the end of the movie they kiss. It was gross."

Spirit: "Yes it was SO gross. I'm not ever getting married."

Me: "You know that mom and dad are married. We enjoy it. What's wrong with being married?"

Lefty and Spirit (almost in unison): "Because you have to kiss. Ick."

It just made me laugh how grossed out they were over kissing.