Pasta Sauce!

With a huge thanks to neighbors for providing me with the tomatoes and green peppers.    My mom and I canned 48 pints and 4 quarts of pasta sauce.  My mom stayed long enough to help blanch the tomatoes and put them through the blender.  That was enough for a day for her.  After boiling  the puree,  adding the paste, oil, and spices  and boiling again. I filled the jars.

I think I have enough tomatoes for one more batch tomorrow afternoon.  When the "boys" were still home I would can 100 quarts each year.  I would add different ingredients to use it for sloppy joes,  spaghetti sauce,  hot dishes, and more.

Next Saturday will be applesauce day!

Tonight I plan to work on another table runner for a Christmas/ Birthday gift ,

Sometimes Simple is Relaxing!

 

Sometimes it is easier to do something simple when I just need to take my mind off of everything else.  Last weekend I had picked up  a "Pieced Tree"pattern card.    I saw a finished runner thinking it looked quick and easy. It IS!!

Last night I cut one--put it together and finished it all except sewing the binding handwork.  Then I still had the energy to  keep going, so I cut out the other one.  Tonight I finished it.  I still have the handsewing to finish on the binding. 

It did the trick.  I have regrouped and ready to face a new school day in the morning.   My principal is still looking for options to find additional aide assistance in my classroom.  I have one full time aide and need at least a half time additional aide time. 

It is really helping that I have "good" kids.  No major behavior problem at this time.  In some ways it makes it more difficult because I want to be able to work with all of them and give them what each needs. 

This posting came across my facebook tonight-- I thought I would share it with you:  " Children with special  needs do not have an illness. It's not contagious. They only want what we all want: to be accepted.  It is Special Education Week, and this is in honor...for...all...children...who need a little extra help ♥... ♥ ♥."  

That is why I do what I do.  I advocate for my students and try to teach, guide, encourage, and help them to know they are important!!

I am feeling like a duck!

 

The past couple  of weeks I have felt like this little duck! 

Looking like I am smoothly sailing across the pond.

  While in reality I am padding like crazy just to stay afloat!

With no immediate relief in sight!!!!

I am hoping to spend some time at my sewing machine tonight-

maybe that will help !!

A Pat on the Back!!

I really did it!  After a LONG day at school today I went home-changed into my clothes for Curves and drove 6 miles to workout!!!!  I knew I had to start and couldn't not go just because I forgot to take my clothes with me this morning!!!   (Oh--by no stretch is this me!! Only in my dreams!!!!-) 

Joining Curves was one of my Charming Girls Club July/ August Self-Care goals.  I am continuing that goal.  I need to exercise to lose weight,  become healthier, and feel better about myself.

Tomorrow morning I am going to meet with my Sp.Ed. director and hopefully with my principal to explain my caseload, daily schedule and the need for an additional 1/2  time para in my classroom. It isn't fair to the students or to myself and my current para.   I usually just tell them that I will "make it work".  This year I am letting them know immediately the situation.  I told a few of the gen. ed teachers this afternoon that if I am not able to have additional help I will need to reconvene all 17 IEP meetings to reduce the number of minutes the students will be pullout out.  The teachers don't like that idea because then the students will be in the gen. ed classrooms.   WOW!! I am actually planning to be assertive!!!

Now to relax I am going to go find some fabric that I will cut to make a table topper for a friend's birthday later this month!

The Seasons Are Changing

The view from my kitchen window shows the seasons are changing.  There is a hint of red, yellow, and orange to the leaves of the trees across the field.

The soybeans are starting to turn from green to yellow to brown.  The leaves will dry up and fall off leaving the bean pods to finish drying before they are combined.

I have finished the wedding gift for Travis and Becky.  The wedding is about three hours away next Saturday.  DS-2 is a groomsman for the couple.  DS-2 is considered another son to Travis' family-and we feel the same way about him. 

Today DIL-1 had to work.  She works as an assistant director/ caseworker supervisor at a residential treatment center for male teenagers/ young adults who have been court ordered or placed by parents.  She doesn't mind working today because county social workers across the state don't work today so she is able to do a great deal of paperwork.  She didn't have day care so Cole and Kasey spent the day with me. 

Cole usually is smiling and had been just before I took the picture. He is 4 1/2 months and recognizes us when they come over.  The apple and chime ball are left overs from when my boys were babies.

When Kasey came in she said she had two holes in her blankie that needed more patches.  We found my squares and she selected a purple with white flowers and bright pink polka dots.  She still likes to "help" me sew.   She often becomes very involved and intense in what she is doing.

School is in full gear ahead tomorrow.  The students started last Wednesday.  I am still working on the schedule and trying to work out how I will teach four levels of reading to four third graders at the same time at 8:30 tomorrow morning.  My para will have three students for math at two grade levels.  That leaves four more students I need to have independent work to do during the first hour.  Anybody have an idea how I could clone myself during the school day???

 

Charming Girls August Christmas Sewing Party & Self Care Goal Report

 

This afternoon I was home alone!  I have "almost" finished my August Christmas Sew In Project. All that is left is to hand sew the binding and the label.  As far as I know now there are no more wedding in the near future that will require a  special wedding gift.  

I had run out of the multi color thread I was using for the machine quilting.  After searching Walmart and the internet,  I found it on Hancock Fabric's website.  I ordered it hoping it would arrive soon!!!!  This afternoon  I stopped at a local little variety store where they carry some thread, some fabric, and some craft items.  Thereit was--I bought both spools they had in stock.  Came home and finished the quilting and sewing on the binding.  Both daughters in law have been looking at the tree skirts to decide what color scheme and pattern they would like.

The reason I'm home alone is the DH had the chance to go the the BIG Farm Progress Show at Boone, Iowa.  DS-1 needed to go as part of his job at Tractor Central-the large John Deere dealerships in Northern & West Central Wisconsin. 

 So after attending a funeral this morning and looking for the thread. I also stopped at the local Curves and rejoined.  I belonged a couple of years ago--I like the work out.  When we were still milking cows I would come home from school and head to the barn.    As much as I enjoy having the dairy cows gone.  I did lose the two hours of physical work/ exercise that I had each night.  So starting Thursday night--I will go up at least three times a week.  Hopefully, I will lose weight, lose inches, and feel better!!

 

 Charming Girls Goal Report!

1.  Take time for myself.   I didn't do real well on this--but I am making progress.  I have continued my reading and studying of Beth Moore's "Breaking Free."  You could follow that journey on my Faith and Friends blog.

2.  Walk or other exercise at least three times a week-   I didn't do very well with this goal.  My joining Curves will take care of this!!

3.  Eat more nutritiously and not let my frustrations or stress control my eating habits.This I have worked on!  It must be working--my clothes are fitting better.  My Beth Moore study is helping with my frustrations and stress. 

Needs to be accomplished: 

1. Complete the wedding gifts for Dawn & Jason, and Becky & Travis.  Dawn & Jason's was given to them.  Today I have finished all the machine work on Becky & Travis'.

2.  Spend time preparing my stories/ object lessons for VBS.  It was a great week.  Lots of hours of prep--but was good!

3.   Work on cleaning out cupboards upstairs to use for my sewing/quilting  I didn't get to do this--I had the grandkids more than I expected--but I did love the time the kids were with me!

School starts for the Students in the morning!  I guess I am ready.

Family Day

Today was devoted to family!  This morning was Cole's dedication.  In our church we dedicate babies.  It is the same principal as baptism.  The parents are presenting the child to the Lord and promising to bring them up in knowledge of the Lord. The pastor's message to them was based on Proverbs 22:6  "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." 

After church DS & DIL-1 hosted a brunch for family and close friends.  We have a great group of friends that meet for brunch  most Sundays after church  at a local grocery store deli.  Most of them were able to join us today.  This picture shows Cole's 5 great grandparents. One more great grandmother is in a nursing home.  My mom is on the far right.

 

 This is DIL-1's immediate family. Her parents, DB & SIL, her grandparents, an uncle, aunt and 4 cousins drove from the Albert Lea, MN area. Her sister was unable to be here.  She has accepted a teaching position and is the volleyball coach in Laurens, IA.  

 

Our family!  We are so blessed and thankful!

Have a great week. 

Update on Christmas In August Sewing Party!

I didn't finish the tree skirt--But!! I did make great progress.  It is all together and I almost finished the machine quilting. All that is left is where you see the pins.  I need to pick up more multi-colored thread to finish the quilting.  The binding is sewn together ready to be added as soon as I finish the quilting. 

I listened/ watched the "Christmas Box" while I was basting the top and then listened to Michael W. Smith's "Christmas Time" CD while I was quilting.

 Tomorrow our grandson, Cole is being dedicated at church.  We were invited over to DS-1's house tonight for pizza to see DIL-1's two sets of grandparents and her parents who are here for the dedication.   I decided that took priority over more sewing!

I'm anxious to see the projects you worked on during our Virtual Sewing Party!

Charming Girls Christmas in August Sewing Party!

Tomorrow  (Saturday) is Charming Girls Christmas in August Sewing Party!  The directions are to work on a Christmas project,  have Christmas DVD's and plenty of Chocolate ready! 

This is a "dual" purpose gift.  It is a Christmas Tree Skirt that I am making for a wedding gift.  It is for DS-2's former college roommate and his current coworker.   They have a long history they didn't know about.  When DS-2 was a baby, I did a long term sub job for Travis' mother when Travis was born.  The "boys" met in college never knowing the connection our families already had.  Travis was a groomsmen in DS-2's wedding and now  DS-2 is standing up in Travis' wedding.

I have the flimsy ready for basting and quilting.  I hope to finish it tomorrow.   I have the morning and evening to sew.  I need to pick up two grandkids at 12:30 for the afternoon.  If I finish I have another tree skirt and table runner to start work on.

Merry Christmas!

The Creation of a Teacher

A friend sent this--I thought you may enjoy it also!

THE CREATION OF THE TEACHER
Author Unknown

The Good Lord was creating teachers. It was His sixth day of 'overtime' and He knew that this was a tremendous responsibility for teachers would touch the lives of so many impressionable young children. An angel appeared to Him and said, "You are taking a long time to figure this one out."

"Yes," said the Lord, " but have you read the specs on this order?"

TEACHER:

…must stand above all students, yet be on their level
... must be able to do 180 things not connected with the subject being taught
... must run on coffee and leftovers,
... must communicate vital knowledge to all students daily and be right most of the time
... must have more time for others than for herself/himself
... must have a smile that can endure through pay cuts, problematic children, and worried parents
... must go on teaching when parents question every move and others are not supportive
... must have 6 pair of hands.

"Six pair of hands, " said the angel, "that's impossible"
"Well, " said the Lord, " it is not the hands that are the problem.  It is the three pairs of eyes that are presenting the most difficulty!"

The angel looked incredulous, " Three pairs of eyes...on a standard model?"

The Lord nodded His head, " One pair can see a student for what he is and not what others have labeled him as. Another pair of eyes is in the back of the teacher's head to see what should not be seen, but what must be known. The eyes in the front are only to look at the child as he/she 'acts out' in order to reflect, " I understand and I still believe in you", without so much as saying a word to the child."

"Lord, " said the angel, " this is a very large project and I think you should work on it tomorrow".

"I can't," said the Lord, " for I have come very close to creating something much like Myself. I have one that comes to work when he/she is sick.....teaches a class of children that do not want to learn....has a special place in his/her heart for children who are not his/her own.....understands the struggles of those who have difficulty....never takes the students for granted..."

The angel looked closely at the model the Lord was creating.
"It is too soft-hearted, " said the angel.

"Yes," said the Lord, " but also tough, You can not imagine what this teacher can endure or do, if necessary".

"Can this teacher think?" asked the angel.

"Not only think," said the Lord,. "but reason and compromise."

The angel came closer to have a better look at the model and ran his finger  over the teacher's cheek.

"Well, Lord, " said the angel, your job looks fine but there is a leak. I told you that you were putting too much into this model.  You can not imagine the stress that will be placed upon the teacher."

The Lord moved in closer and lifted the drop of moisture from the teacher's cheek.  It shone and glistened in the light.

"It is not a leak," He said, "It is a tear."

"A tear? What is that?" asked the angel, "What is a tear for?"

The Lord replied with great thought, " It is for the joy and pride of seeing a child accomplish even the smallest task. It is for the loneliness of children who have a hard time to fit in and it is for compassion for the feelings of their parents. It comes from the pain of not being able to reach some children and the disappointment those children feel in themselves. It comes often when a teacher has been with a class for a year and must say good-bye to those students and get ready to welcome a new class."

"My, " said the angel, " The tear thing is a great idea...You are a genius!!"
The Lord looked somber, "I didn't put it there."

Don't forget to vote for Stitchin' Mission at http://tinyurl.com/vote4SM

---

Stitchin' Mission-A chance for us to help others!!

As bloggers we are great at telling each other of contests and giveaways where we enter to win something for ourselves.  We have a great opportunity to help with a project that provides quilts for children around the world.  The program also teaches beginning quilting to gals like us!

Recently I found the blog site of Linda from Iowa.  She has an awesome ministry called, "Stitchin'Mission."  You can read about it here.   She found a site where they offer grants for people you are working with projects that help others.  She has written the grant and needs us to vote each day through the end of August.   There are great possibilities to reach out to many new quilters and to make quilts for others around the world.  Check it out!!

We are able to cast one vote every day!

You can vote directly by going to: http://tinyurl.com/vote4SM


Thank you!!!!

Finished just in time!

The wedding gift for Jason & Dawn was finished yesterday!  They opened their gifts this morning at a brunch for friends and family.  She was thrilled with the Christmas Tree Skirt and commented how perfectly it will fit into the decor of the home they will be living.

A beautiful wedding with an awesome ceremony.  Our pastor talked about them not being teenagers or even twenty something.  But, as being mid 30's and how waiting for the right person has made the wedding even more special.  They are both 36--first marriage for each and they are thrilled.

So between the ceremony yesterday afternoon, with dinner at 5:00, dance at 8:00 and brunch this morning it was a full weekend.

Saturday morning my mom, DIL-1,  Princess Kasey and myself froze 25 more quarts of sweet corn for DIL to take home.   I think I am going to quit freezing corn for this year.

Thank you for all the great suggestions for my wooden spools!!!  Now I will have to look for just the right jar/ lamp to display them in.  I like the idea of making a mini Christmas tree and using them for decorations!!!!


I have teacher's inservice on Thursday, Friday, and Monday with the students starting on Wednesday, Sept 1. Where did the summer go!!!!


One project that must be completed yet is the tree skirt for Travis and Becky's wedding on Sept. 11.  Same pattern different fabric line.