Minivan Moments

It's easy for some to know what their God-given gifts are. My husband has a computer for a brain, so he is fantastic with computers. {grin} For me, i have struggled. Over the years i have been told my gifts are in working with children. Ehh... not so much lately. I have also been told i should open a restaurant. Umm... i'm too lazy/picky/chicken/pick one. Then, there's the writing. I've been told i should write children's books. Yeah, well, they're only as good as the illustrator, and that's not my thing, so.... I used to write the newsletter for my small church and they loved it, but it has since closed its doors, so that's that. Well, so i have this blog. I love to write. (You didn't know that, did you?) I have a lot of opinions. (Kept that a secret, didn't i?) And, i'm starved for an intellectual outlet as a stay-at-home mother of three. If you put all that together, you MIGHT get one of my God-given gifts: writing... about/for/to be...

I have days when i wonder what i'm doing homeschooling.  Okay, i can't lie, i have weeks like this.  They are scattered about hither and yon, they scurry into hiding places when i try to meet them head-on, they jump out and take me by surprise when i'm not paying attention, but mostly, they make me feel like a failure. Who do i think i am, teaching these kids? What makes me think i can accomplish such a lofty goal when i have dozens of unfinished projects laying about? Why would i add to my already-heaping plate such a tremendous task (times 3!)? Well, today i got the reminder, the answer to all those questions and more. My eldest had 'a morning' (she's 11 - use your imagination). My son required constant reminders (he's 8, so he still loves to play). My youngest was in 'a mood' (she's 4 and a bit emotional, so...). We had an extra child today, and she was apparently feeding on our moods (yay: sharing!). After a lengthy (and exhaus...

Generally, yes. Until recently, that is. You see, all my adult life, i have suffered from sensitive skin, so not only was shaving cream necessary to a good shave (yes, THAT kind of cream), but specifically the kind for sensitive skin to ease my pain. Apparently, i have a skin condition that causes aggravation of the hair follicles, and shaving makes this worse.  So, i have vacillated between intermittent shaving and complete boycott of the practice.  Generally, the boycott takes place in the winter, so no need to be alarmed. Well, on our recent vacation, i forgot to pack my razor.  It was still winter, so no biggie.  Oh, except for the fact that i was traveling to FLORIDA.  Yeah, um, gonna need that razor after all!  Off to the store i went... where there was a ridiculously pitiful selection (i discovered after i returned that Publix doesn't stock razors in the health and beauty aisle, but keep in mind that i didn't know this during that visit) which ...

Some of my blogging friends are doing a series called "Tasty Tuesday" in which we share recipes with our readers.  Since i LOVE to cook, it seemed like something i should take time to do... but which recipe?? Hmmm. Okay, here's a simple one for those of you who have dairy troubles like we do, and it involves YOUR family favorites! Chicken Pot Pie Ingredients : Canned or cooked chunked chicken Chicken broth of choice Cornstarch Canned and drained or frozen and thawed mixed veggies Biscuit dough or recipe of choice (quantities are left out because this is so easy to adjust to your family's size) So, taking all your favorites (mine are canned chicken from Costco, Organic Better Than Bouillon Chicken Flavor, canned veggies, and homemade biscuits from America's Test Kitchen Cookbook), you assemble this simple meal in a cast-iron skillet (or deep 12-inch skillet with lid) and dinner is served in under an hour (half an hour if you're really efficient in the kitch...