Playing Curious George

You know that Curious George book where he puts dish soap into the dishwasher and suds fill up the house???



(YUP, YOU'RE GUESSING CORRECTLY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT...)



but there was no-one to blame except myself...



It started out honestly (seriously, I've known since I was a tiny child to not put regular dish soap into a dishwasher!!) -- cleaning out the dishwasher--there are a few spots where  gunky soap scummy greasy stuff collects, and if I don't clean it out periodically it is disgusting.  SO -- I took the relevant parts out yesterday and because some of the stuff was quite greasy, I reached for what I use to clean any grease with -- dish soap.  Cleaned it all up nicely, looked and smelled good...then turned on the (empty) dishwasher to rinse everything out...



And you know what comes next!



I looked over and there were huge clouds of soap bubbles billowing out of the dishwasher and onto the floor :)  One look and I knew what had happened...and boy was I glad my husband was at work hahahaha!! :)  So basically I scooped out as much as I could (filled both sinks with bubbles) and then just let the rest of it work its way out!  What a mess, but so funny!!!!!

I didn't think to take pictures till we were through the worst of it, so you'll have to use your imagination on that part, but our dishwasher (and the floor in front of it!) looks and smells beautiful now!

Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker -- my REVIEW

Have you ever read a book and wanted to be best friends with the author?  After reading this book I would love to have Jen Hatmaker in my life. I have SO enjoyed this book that I didn't want it to come to an end! :)

This book, Of Mess and Moxie, is a wonderful book for women to read :)  I am 47 and have 3 kids--I felt like this book reflected or maybe even validated parts of my life. It is a hilarious read, a touching read, a thought-provoking read.  From when I started it and read the introduction (in my car in a parking lot, waiting for a child) -- which made me tear up at points-- to parts that I read on an airplane and couldn't keep from laughing out loud!

The book's chapter titles give you an idea of the contents...from "Beauty, Food, Fun, and Naps," to "Sanctuary" to "Doldrums" to "My Soul Mate Netflix"-- it is entertaining, thoughtful, and just plain fun to read!

Oohh, "forgiveness school" -- who doesn't need those good reminders? And oh so much more.  The book is sprinkled with hilarious lists, such as "How to find a missing child: 1)Prepare to take a shower or go to the bathroom 2)Shut door"  or "How to make your house look clean while you have been watching netflix all day, because you really, really neded to finish the series you're locked into" or "How to survive a public restroom with your preschooler" and more and more and more!  So many times while reading this book I was laughing out loud and reading these lists to anyone around me!  Several times, also, my eyes inadvertently were cloudy with tears (and I'm not a crying-type person!)

I really recommend this book.  Buy it for moms you know!  I have bought it for both of my sisters.  I will share my book with friends.  I will read it again (and I'm not a re-reader!)  Read it!!!  Buy it!!!  Enjoy it!!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Bartering!

Oh how I love to barter!! :)  For me, this is a great time of  year to barter, as one of my specialties is mittens (see this post!) and in this cold time of the year, there are lots of people looking for warm hands! :)  Check out these delicious home-made chocolates and candies that I got through bartering! We're saving those to eat on Christmas day.  Oh, and the box-of-beef? Yes!  Another trade--working/helping/occasional chores for a farmer friend.  Yes, I do understand the value and importance of money (the orthodontist won't take mittens as payment!), but when given the chance, I love to offer to barter, and to take others up on their offers!!

Fudge :)

I'm not much of a candy maker, but the Christmas season is the time for making fudge around here :) Over the years we've tried many different recipes, but always come back to the one on the back of the Fluff container! Nothing is quite as good, quite as consistent, or quite as easy! Yummmm!!

How about you? Any favorite fudge recipes? Or do you use the Fluff recipe too?

:)

Frustration and flexibility

 Frustration and flexibility.  Quite opposites!  I have been trying to teach my children to look for opportunities to be flexible when they encounter frustration. . .it's difficult, isn't it?  However, a planned approach might help, or at least a mindfulness.

This is something that not only my kids need to work on. I am also working on this :) The way my brain works, I can usually recognize that I am getting frustrated and stop for a moment to make a conscious decision of how I'll proceed (yes, I know that I'm weird that way.  I'm not really a person driven by emotions).  This verse is a good one for me to remember in my quest for flexibility rather than frustration:

Deuteronomy 31:8

8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

A lot of frustration is rooted in fear or anxiety, this verse reminds us that when we have the Lord with and for us, we do not need these responses.  It's by HIS help, not my own doing. 

To see more blogs by homeschool families, please check them out here!

Christmastime -- focus

I know I posted this before, but I am really struck by the song "Would I Miss the Miracle".  This December, with one child at community college, two being homeschooled, braces for me on the horizon, and other medical things going on in our family . . . we need to try hard to really focus on the reason for Christmas and be thankful for what God has done for us.  Here's a link to listen to it :)
Enjoy and remember why we are so thankful for Christ's coming to earth as a baby, to die on the cross to pay for our sins to redeem us and take us to heaven when we die!