Decisions... (and a recipe!)

After much debate... and a few discussions... Stacy and I decided it would be best to put Courtney's surgery off.  The final "straw" is the fact that she is now fighting a head cold.  But other factors really weighed our decision... like the fact that their is a real job waiting for her to start, we put off driving lessons for her, I dont want her to fall behind in school, she is starting to branch out and volunteer for different things, and there is an open house/tour of the HGA Center in October.
Soooo... I am thinking the surgery can wait until spring.  I want to see Courtney make some progress in her life skills and not be pushed back by this surgery.  I think we can time it right to have it done at the end of the school year and have her healed up by the Fall semester at HGA!  :-)
I am sure we will get a bunch of shit for the decision... but I think it is in the best interest for Courtney.

Stacy and I also decided that our Fall Harvest Gathering is a GO!  We picked a date... and invites will be going out!  I have also already got a good handle on our menu of harvest deserts... which is the whole reason for our gathering!
The hot tub will be open also!
We are pretty excited!!

Ellie and pups are doing well!!  I can not believe how much they have grown in only a few days!!!  It amazing the hell out of me!!  We are starting to take Ellie out a little more now... giving her time away from her babies... but she doesnt really appreciate it when we handle and move them to change their towels.  It isnt that they really need changed, she keeps everyone clean... but it just makes me feel better to wash them up every other day.
Stacy was loving up on the pups last night... Once they got put back with Ellie she licked them all clean!!!  LOL!!  I cant wait to see what they end up looking like!!!

Stacy will be taking the pool down again this year.  He wants to move it.  He cant get the tractor around it, and that isnt flying with him.  So, "someone" has to get it in... now that it is below 40 degrees at night... to pull the inside drain plug!  LMBO!!!  Yeah, he can have fun with that task!!!
This year I will be MAKING SURE that once he has it down... that it will be rolled up and stored properly!!!  No starting this and never finishing it... like he did last year!!!

I got to work some in my garden yesterday.  Still producing peppers and tomatoes!!  Well, until I pulled the last 2 tomato plants yesterday!  I seriously DO NOT need any more tomatoes!!  I have been supplying the guys Stacy works with with tomatoes and peppers for a few weeks now!  LOL
I need to tame back the raspberry plants today... If I can find the time. 
Tuesday's are pretty busy for me.  Courtney has group, and will need picked up at 4:30.  I have just enough time to pick her up, run her home... then head out with Brittany for an evening of gymnastics!  I am hoping to finish up a crochet project I need to complete, while I am watching Britt practice.  Then I can hunt down my next yarn craft!  :-)

I want to take a minute to express just how THANKFUL I am.  I may have been blessed with "special needs" kids... but I have ALWAYS been on top of their needs and searching out the services required to help them.  I have NEVER waited, or left things get so over the top bad.
Since moving up Upper Dauphin Co... I have been constantly amazed at how lucky we are to be tucked away up here.  There is no major wait for services... we have our own "hub" right here, just for us... It is NOTHING like being in the Harrisburg area... or in other counties.
I thank God for giving me a good head on my shoulders... and awesome priorities!!  I will always do whatever it takes to make sure my kids succeed... even if that means added work on my part, or changing how I live my day to day life. 
I am so GRATEFUL for my amazing hubby... who makes it possible for me to be home, teaching my kids... There is NOTHING I would rather be doing with my time or my life.

OK... The recipe I will share today---

Crispy Herb-Baked Chicken Tenders

1.5lb chicken tenders
2 Tblspn Dried Italian Seasoning
1 Teaspn Garlic Salt
1/2 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
1/2 Cup instant mashed potato flakes (DRY)
1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste.

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9 X 13 pan with cooking spray.
2.  In medium bowl, combine Italian seasoning, garlic salt, parmesan cheese, and potato flakes.  Brush chicken tenders with olive oil and roll in potato flake mixture. (Chicken should be heavily coated with mixture)
3.  Place chicken in a single layer in 9 X 13 pan.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is tender and golden, turning once during baking.

Of course, I made some variations due to our diet... and I dont EVER use "cooking spray".
This was a nice, quick meal... that everyone seemed to enjoy!

Our weekend...

I think we are all pretty much caught up on sleep... from Ellie's ordeal Friday night.  I have to admit, we were in bed before 8pm again last night... and it feels GREAT!!!
Ellie is settling into motherhood rather nicely now that she is free from all of the anesthesia.  She had me pretty worried during those first hours though!!  Now, her babies rarely get out a squeak before she is tending to them.  My only worry now... is Ellie getting all that she needs.  I spend quite a bit of time making sure she is eating, she wont walk away from her babies long enough to really eat very much... so I hold her dish next to her, so she doesnt have to leave them.  LOL
But, 2 days into this... all is good!

Yesterday Stacy, Britt and I went for a hike/off roading adventure!  Exactly what I needed!!  We had a boatload of fun!!!  I, of course, ended up hurting my back and can barely walk today... but I dont care.  I hate all that I have had to give up because of my back... sometimes I get to the point where I will just take the pain and suffering in order to have some fun.  And believe me... today is going to SUCK!

I am so glad that Stacy and I still enjoy our "adventures" together.  I am glad we can get in my truck... and head off road.  Stacy LOVES testing the limits of my truck... me, not so much... LOL
An eventful "off road adventure" is in the planning stages... I CAN NOT WAIT!!
I also think the Graff brothers should team up together, get some cars, and participate in the Figure 8 races at Gratz next year!!  Stacy was talking about how they have done that in the past together... yesterday while we were out and about.  I told him I would be all for it!  Who knows if  he will run with it or not.

The kids are entering an upcoming art show.  Which is why Brittany has been manning my camera lately.  She already has the picture she wants to enter in mind...but wants to keep her eyes open for another photo op.  She will also be entering a drawing, and a poem. 
Nathan will be entering a drawing or 2.
Courtney, of course, will be entering a drawing.
I LOVE that my  kids are artsy!!!!

Brittany is also joining the Art Club with the school.  I am not real sure what club Nathan will choose yet.

It is OBVIOUS that Nathan spent Saturday night with Debbie!!  OMG... he is miserable.  I can only imagine what he ate.  I can guarantee one thing... I am NOT putting up with the crap today!  Sitting in this chair is KILLER on my back... his ass better straighten up and quick! 
I hope he soon realizes that THIS is not something I do for ME... I do it all for HIM!  A little appreciation would be nice.
I really wish people would LISTEN to the instructions I give them regarding MY kids.  It pisses me off when ppl ignore me, like I wont be able to tell.  DUH!

Needless to say... I did NOT get to start my container gardening this weekend.  BUT, I havent given up on it.  I am hoping to get my stuff together today... and get some seeds started.
I have so much to get done in my garden yet... I am feeling a little behind all of a sudden.  I guess when I read the word "snow" on FB this morning it loaded me with anxiety!  LOL!!  UGH... I cant even think about snow yet.
Soooo I WONT!  LOL!!  I already have my laundry hung out today!  It is beautiful out!!  I need to start looking for a new laundry basket cart... that I put my laundry basket on... so I dont have to bend down.  Mine is literally falling apart.  Nathan had to hunt down the missing nuts and bolts for me this morning, and then put it back together... which turned into a big ordeal.  It may be easier to just take out a hamper with me... and set the basket on that.  ;-)

I think that is all I have for now.  I do have a new, yummy recipe to share too!  I hope to get it posted this evening!!

Eventful!!

Well... We have had an event night and day!!!

Here is the short and sweet version... since I have been up for about 36 hours now!

Thursday night we noticed Ellie's temperature dropped... which is a sign of her getting close to having her puppies!!
Friday morning, we got up, took Ellie's temp again (still low), but she ate like a horse... So I felt ok with leaving her for a few hours for us to take our hike.
Once we were home from our hike... we noticed Ellie starting to act a bit 'weird'. 
OF COURSE, she was basically fine UNTIL we headed to bed!!! 
Stacy and I stayed up watching movies... keeping an eye on Ellie.  Things got pretty serious around midnight.  By 3pm there were some signs that Ellie wasnt going to be able to have her pups on her own... So we called the ER Vet... and headed to Watsontown to have her seen.  The Vet quickly assessed Ellie, did an Xray and said they were sure she wouldnt be able to have her pups on her own... soooo, after a quick chit chat, Stacy and I knew we had to "OK" a C-section.

I wont even get into the cost for that... but it made me ill.

Anyway... We were sent home with a VERY groggy Ellie and 2 healthy pups... both girls!!
Ellie wanted no part of her pups until later this afternoon... which had me pretty worried for awhile!!!  But, now she is doing a GREAT job being a mom... and Stacy and I are hoping to get some sleep tonite!

Once I can keep thoughts straight in my mind... I will blog again.  Until then, enjoy some pics from our eventful night!
Stacy keeping an eye on Ellie early on in the evening-

After waiting in the waiting room for well over an hour (for a surgery that was to take less than 45 minutes)... even the resident cat was looking worried!!!

Hubby trying to occupy himself... as we continue to wait-

2 hours into our wait... he was sound asleep!!  --

We watched the sun come up... it was VERY pretty!!-

FINALLY heading home.  Poor Ellie was sooooo out of it, and wanted NO part of her puppies!

Ok... that is all for now... I have to make sure Ellie eats and drinks a bit AND make sure her pups have full bellies and potty... THEN, I am going to BED!!!!!!!!! 

GoodNight!

We have been crazy busy this week! 
Nathan is hard at work... trying all sorts of different writing!!  I am super proud of his eagerness to write... and his ability to adapt from one assignment to the next.  It is crazy, that in his almost 11 yrs of life... he has TONS of things in his own life to write about!!
Yesterday he had to write a "thank you" letter.  He chose to thank me and Stacy for letting him go to the Gratz Fair Wednesday night with his friends.  Yea, it's crazy... my kids have friends!!  I know we get the stereo type shit... that home schooled kids dont know how to socialize... BUT THEY DO!!  Their friends come from the different activities we do... not a school building!!  Which, if you ask me... is a better way to find like-minded friends!

We went to the Fair yesterday, as a family.  OMGoodness... we had sooo much fun!!!  Nathan, Brittany and Stacy all tried to climb the "hard" side of the rock wall... in an attempt to win $100.  I was impressed in how far they all made it... but none of them made it to the top.  :-(  The guy running it was GREAT!  He offered them all awesome advise and step by step guidance.
The kids decided to make their attempt in their bare feet... they wanted to use those monkey toes!  LOL
Nathan getting suited up for his climb-

They guy said their was an 8 yr old that made it... he showed us the pics on his phone!  He also made sure to tell us (joking, of course) that our $10 each will be going to his new pair of high end sunglasses!!  LOL!!
Nathan-

Stacy-

Brittany-

Some other good memories from the fair...  Bumper cars!!!  Nathan's FAVORITE!!!

FarisWheel-

Nathan jumping-

We had some an awesome evening!!  The BEST part.... THE DEMO DERBY!!!  I havent been to a demo in YEARS.  I havent been to anything fun like that in YEARS!!  That went bye bye with my "previous" life. 
I am trying to talk Stacy into letting me enter a car next year... he wont let me.  Damn broken back!!!!  I told him HE should enter a car... he says he doesnt know.  My hubby can be kinda "boring" sometimes!  If only I could get him to have some fun.
He really enjoyed cheering on the "little escorts"... LMBO.  He is damn funny!!!  He had the kids cheering on escorts too!

 I started getting serious about ripping out the garden... gotta get it ready for winter.  Nathan and I pulled out the corn stalks yesterday.  Boy, that was an adventure!  LOL!!  Those things really hang on.  We were just learning about the roots of corn this week too... and how they grow "weird" to hold up the tall, narrow stalks!  I LOVE when we get to experience things we are learning about!  I LOVE being a part of my kid's education!!!  :-) 
I even pulled out some of the beat looking bean plants.  This weekend I am going to get some of my container garden planted.  It will be exciting to have fresh veggies in the winter... if it all works out.

Today, since Stacy was off, we took the kids hiking.  We also took Gunner and Kanga with us.
We headed up to Swatara State Park.  It was a BEAUTIFUL 4 mile hike.  The trail was narrow in some spots... and it made it confusing for the dogs to stay at our left side... but they did pretty good!!
Gunner was NON reactive more then he was reactive... which is a HUGE improvement!!!  It seems that he had more of an issue when ppl had dogs.  He completely ignored at least 4 or 5 ppl on bikes that went by us.  IMPRESSIVE!!!  I am sooo happy that things are getting better with his aggression.
Kanga did really well too.  She just sometimes gives us the finger and doesnt do what she knows how to do, when we want her to do it!  THEN plays the "I'm scared" card!  FRUSTRATING!
Bonus... they BOTH wore hiking packs!!!  ;-)
Me and my Gunner man during our hike today-

Stacy and Kanga-

I guess that is all I have for now.  I feel like crap!  My Fibro is really kicking my ass lately... I am about sick of dealing with it!!!  But I REFUSE to let it get me down!!!! 

Rough road ahead

Yesterday was a rough day... and I am thinking that if I dont just throw in the towel... things are bound to get a bit rougher.

I am so excited to take our Shepherds to training... now, to be real honest, the thought makes me want to puke.
It was a real eye opener... that is for sure!!
I was never in denial of the problems we have with Gunner.  I knew that my way of training was NOT addressing the issues we were/are having.  Which is why I called on people more knowledgeable of the breed.
EVERYTHING they said and explained to me makes COMPLETE sense!!  (I sure as hell wouldnt want to paint an entire room for one piece of chocolate!!!)
The hard part...  re-training my brain to follow through with a new way of doing things!  Then I need to get myself to a point where I can re-train my dogs, and not screw it all up...without screwing up my dogs!!  NO PRESSURE!!  Yea, right.
I dont know if I can do it.

Realizing that I, indeed, have a dangerous dog... was painful.  I always the knew the potential was there.  I always made sure to control the situations we put Gunner in.  I never gave him the opportunity to do anything other than bark.
Well, last night (when I was least expecting it), Gunner reacted and bit one of the trainers.  He was laying down, calm.  I was calm.  Tim walked over and asked for Gunner's leash... and Gunner just went for him.  I was totally blind sided by the whole thing.  I left my guard down.
Now I can never say my dog has never bitten anyone.  PERFECT.

Thank goodness Tim didnt get seriously hurt.  Gunner didnt break skin.  BUT... it really drove the point home... I walk weapon.  LOVELY!

OK... so I spent last evening depressed.  (Yesterday ended up being a 2 Icee day!!!)  I told my husband I wanted to get rid of ALL of our dogs. 
This morning I am still a bit depressed.  I am  not finding new homes for our dogs though.... I am working on a solution to our problem!!  I will be running to TSC for some new "gear" (collars)... then if the weather cooperates, I will be working Gunner while Brittany is at gymnastics this evening.

Kanga is a different story.... same issue.  Another "dangerous dog".   I have to make it unacceptable for her to be afraid and act the way she does.

The even harder part out of all of this.... I must STOP 'humanizing' these dogs.  They are NOT my babies... they are my DOGS.  I can love them to hell and back... but at the end of the day, they are still animals.

Going back

 I did away with the first blog I wrote yesterday... it wasnt very "positive" or "uplifting".  After much thought... here is what I have come up with instead.

There are soooo many things I deeply miss about my "previous" life.  Dont get me wrong... I LOVE my husband, and wouldnt give up what I have for anything!! 
But still... my life has changed so much over the past 5 yrs.  I have gained A LOT of new POSITIVES.  I have a whole new perspective on life.  I am able to be someone I always wanted to be... stay at home mom, homeschooling mom, gardening guru... etc!  ;-)
There are somethings that have taken a back seat over time... and I am feeling the need to bring them back to my life. 
The teachings my life has been lacking lately... its time to dig them back up, remember and live them... every day.  More POSITIVE changes are coming!!!
Little by little... I will share the here.

The 3 Truths-

1. Nothing is lost in the universe
Matter turns into energy, energy turns into matter. A dead leaf turns into soil. A seed sprouts and becomes a new plant. Old solar systems disintegrate and turn into cosmic rays. We are born of our parents, our children are born of us.
We are the same as plants, as trees, as other people, as the rain that falls. We consist of that which is around us, we are the same as everything. If we destroy something around us, we destroy ourselves. If we cheat another, we cheat ourselves.
2. Everything Changes
Life is like a river flowing on and on, ever-changing. Sometimes it flows slowly and sometimes swiftly. It is smooth and gentle in some places, but later on snags and rocks crop up out of nowhere. As soon as we think we are safe, something unexpected happens.
Once dinosaurs, mammoths, and saber-toothed tigers roamed this earth. They all died out, yet this was not the end of life. Other life forms like smaller mammals appeared, and eventually humans, too. Now we can even see the Earth from space and understand the changes that have taken place on this planet. Our ideas about life also change. People once believed that the world was flat, but now we know that it is round.
3. Law of Cause and Effect

The law of cause and effect is known as karma. Nothing ever happens to us unless we deserves it. We receive exactly what we earn, whether it is good or bad. We are the way we are now due to the things we have done in the past. Our thoughts and actions determine the kind of life we can have. If we do good things, in the future good things will happen to us. If we do bad things, in the future bad things will happen to us. Every moment we create new karma by what we say, do, and think. If we understand this, we do not need to fear karma. It becomes our friend. It teaches us to create a bright future.



The Buddha said,
"The kind of seed sown
 will produce that kind of fruit.
 Those who do good will reap good results.
 Those who do evil will reap evil results.
 If you carefully plant a good seed,
 You will joyfully gather good fruit."
                                    Dhammapada

A day to myself

Today was one of those rare days... where there was NO ONE in the house.  Well, except ME and the dogs!
I turned up my music... and danced and sang my way through the house... cleaning!!  Oh yes, my life is just THAT exciting!!!  Actually... it was exactly what I needed!

I scrubbed the living room floor... moved the furniture, straightened out the area rug and vacuumed it.  I am still working on my 40 bags and moving right along with the progress.  I also dusted then organized my "control binders".  I went through the school binders and made sure we have everything we need for the upcoming week... since this week will be SUPER hectic.

Nathan has one more beginning of the year assessment to complete.  We have a TON of vocabulary words to get to know.  And some art to finish up.
I cant really complain about the start of this year... it has been going far smoother than I had thought it would.  I think Nathan has matured quite a bit over the summer... and as long as we still to the diet, things go really well... actually fun!!

The kids started their "Fantasy Art" lessons at the Art Assoc of Harrisburg today.  They all seemed to enjoy it... I think they hoped to jump into creativity on the first day... but the instructor took it slow today.  All three of them are excited about next week... so that is a good sign!

Tomorrow I take Gunner and Kanga to be evaluated for training!  I am nervous and excited all at the same time!!  I am anxious to see what they think. 
I think we finally got to a point where Kanga has leveled out.  It has been days since she has latched her teeth onto me... for that I am thankful.  I really wasnt sure how much longer I could tolerate that crap!  Most of my bruises are fading too!!  The crazy things I get excited about!  LOL
We took Kanga yardsaling with us Saturday...  she didnt like it when Stacy got out of the truck without her!!  She whined and cried and watched him like a hawk!--

Stacy and  I got to spend the entire day together yesterday!!  We spent about 5 hours on the bike... LOVED IT!!!  Yesterday was perfect riding weather!!!  Yea, we need a few more days like yesterday!  We went out for a nice dinner, where we both ordered breakfast.  We also went for dessert... at DQ, of course!  Just an awesome day.
Oh, Stacy got to test drive a Fiat... he has been itching to do that for awhile now.  We talked about buying one... but it just isnt going to happen right now!  He just got a brand new car last year, which he loves... I just got my truck last year, and I WILL be buried in that truck... and I am sure as hell NOT giving up my 100% paid for, fun to drive, fast, little CRX!!  I think it would be retarded to add another car payment when the need just isnt there.  Although... I really did like the color...but only because it reminds me of my truck!  LOL
They call it "expresso"--

My happy hubby, during our test drive--

Gratz Fair is this week.  Trying to figure out where we will be scheduling that in during our busy week.  I think Stacy will be taking Nathan Tuesday night for the truck demo event.  I will be taking Brittany to gymnastics.

I spent some time working in the garden this evening. Time to start preparing for winter.  I will be taking my gardening indoors... in containers!!  So I have to start planning for that. I cant wait to share my progress with container gardening with everyone! 
OHHHH... we have hops!!!  Exciting!!

I think we are all ready for Ellie to have her puppies.  My new thermometer should be here tomorrow... so I can start taking her temp, and waiting for it to drop!  THEN I will know I cant venture too far from her... because puppies will be making an appearance within 24 hours!
Her whelping box is all ready... and she is getting use to it. 
She is starting to have trouble jumping up on the couch now... poor little thing.

I think that is all I have for now.
Time to go sit back and relax... and mentally prepare for the week ahead!