A day out with my kid

It included lunch out at a new little Vietnamese dive, where he had Banh Mi. I tried the Noodle Bowl, which was okay and I'm glad I was able to try it (and taste test it for Robert!), but I'll have the Banh Mi next time too.

My Finger!!!

Seriously.

Why does anyone trust me with a knife? Cutting mushrooms, finger got in the way.  That little flap was like a cap that moved up and down on my finger.

In extreme pain, would not stop bleeding.  Slapped neosporin and bandaids on it for two weeks.  Made typing tough, not conducive to training at work.  And not good for any kind of food prep, washing dishes, etc.  After it healed, the edges curled up, peeled away, and it was like a callous until the whole thing grew out.

And then they let me have knives again, so I don't know what to think.

Trevor practices kicking

Trevor's been visiting the nearby soccer fields to continue practicing and perfecting his kicking.  Sometimes I have to chase the balls, but I don't mind much.  In fact, I kind of like it; his enthusiasm is contagious!

Back to school

Holly's dorm entrance

A beautiful drive, a great day, taking Holly back to school after her birthday.  We spent time at the mall shopping, ate lunch at Q-Doba, and ran errands on campus.  Fall is gorgeous up at Mason!

Holly's birthday, Part 2, and Mom and Mike's visit, Part 3

I am terribly behind on blogging and am backdating posts to get photos up.

Following Trevor's soccer game on Friday, Mom and Mike took us to Cheddar's to celebrate Holly's birthday. It was a delicious dinner and a lovely time. We stopped on the way home and got her cake, but we were far too stuffed to eat it and saved it until the next night!

Mom and Mike came over on Saturday, and I guess mostly hung out. Grandma braved Walmart with me and Holly to stock up on food and other supplies for Holly to take back to school. At Holly's request, Robert made chile rellanos for dinner, and we finally got to eat birthday cake!

A wonderful visit with everyone, such perfect timing that worked out so that all of us could be here together. I know that won't always be the case in the future, and I'm grateful for these times.

Mom and Mike's visit, Part 2, and Holly's Birthday, Part 1

Holly was excused from her Friday class, so Robert picked her up Thursday after Chinese while I was at work.

Soooo wonderful for me to wake up Friday morning, knowing both of my kids were asleep in the house!  I can't describe it, and I certainly don't actively think about it--but just a different sort of peaceful feeling that my friends in similar situations also understand.

Friday was also Holly's birthday, and Mom and Mike caught up with us mid-afternoon.  We headed out to Trevor's soccer game.

We've had a great season, undefeated at this game (although I'm typing this a few weeks later).

Trevor kicking the ball away; 

not quite sure of the dance our goalie, Carson, is doing!

 

Looks like a pro to me!

Sunsets

A couple of sunsets from a few weeks ago.

After a rainy start to the summer, the month of September was especially appreciated.

Mom and Mike's visit, Part 1

They flew right into Roanoke. I love our airport; it's the size of a large Sam's Club, and it's prettier and easier to park.  We didn't leave home until 10-15 minutes before they landed. 

Their first MUST STOP was across the road from the airport to the mall for dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings. Delicious food and even more delicious company! Trevor and I have been wanting to try fried pickles for a few years; this was our chance.

I did a lousy job of taking pictures.  Mike left his camera behind, so when we finally send it to him, hopefully he'll send me some of his photos.  I think all of these were with my phone, leaving much to be desired.

Mike, Rob, Trevor, Mom

The weather was 10 degrees above normal--perfect.  We went Sunday to the Wine Festival at Smith Mountain Lake.  I figured their bracelets would get them a handful of tastings, but they could taste at any and all of the three dozen wineries represented!

Looks like the lens on my phone was smeared.  (eye roll)

 They had a few dozen craft booths, live music, lots of food. It was nice to get out and do something different than our usual.

Robert and Mike

 They stayed at a nearby hotel.  Before they'd come out to visit, they made Trevor promise to make them eggs benedict, complete with his incredible, homemade hollandaise sauce.  He did not disappoint! It was, as usual, AMAZING.  I could eat it with a spoon, all by itself.

We toured Roanoke on Monday, and they left to spend the week at Smith Mountain Lake, right on the water.  Part 2 coming up soon.

Mexican Day!

Yesterday, our work team of ten had a Mexican Day to celebrate a job promotion within our group. These people go ALL OUT. A couple spent the evening before making giant paper flowers and coming in early to decorate our conference room. Check out this picture--painted chiles on our windows, printed placemats, place setting decorations. The radio hidden in the centerpiece played Mexican music.  The left side of the photo shows just half of the food table, which was laden with beef or shrimp taco and taco salad fixings, homemade chicken enchiladas, rice casserole, 7 layer dip, salsas, cheese sauce, guacamole, and more.  The back table (with the green cloth) is the dessert table--faux fried ice cream (with homemade cinnamon sugar tortilla bowls), and my sopapilla cheesecake. 

It was all pretty amazing and delicious and even fun.

I brought Pioneer Woman's 7 Layer Dip recipe. It received a great response, and Robert and Trevor gave the highest praise for the one I kept for home.  This recipe is definitely a keeper:

7 LAYER DIP

1 can refried beans
hot sauce to taste
1 can diced green chiles, undrained
ground cumin to taste (I used about 1/4 t.)
3/4 c. shredded cheese
1 c. sour cream
1-2 avocados
3/4 c. shredded cheese (yes, in addition to the above cheese)
1/2 can black olives, chopped
 1 c. pico de gallo (recipe below)

Mix beans with green chiles, hot sauce, and cumin.  Spread evenly in bottom of 8" square or similar sized serving dish.  (I used a pretty glass pie plate.)  Sprinkle with first 3/4 c. cheese. This works best if you try to spread everything evenly.  Carefully top cheese with a layer of sour cream.  At this point, you can cover and refrigerate until ready to use or overnight.

Just before serving, cube avocado/s and sprinkle over sour cream.  Sprinkle the second measurement of cheese, then black olives, and then pico de gallo.  I served mine with a big spoon to make it easier for people to serve themselves. (Scooping chips into the dish makes it messy and ugly very quickly.)

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Despite my heavily bandaged finger (upcoming post), I spent quite a bit of time chopping things to make my own pico de gallo. The secret appears to be in using similar amounts of tomato and onion.

PICO DE GALLO

1 red onion
4 Roma tomatoes (slightly underripe is fine)
1/2 c. fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1 small jalapeno (I used jarred)
lime juice
salt

Dice up equal quantities of onion and tomato.  Roughly chop the cilantro. Finely dice the jalapeno--you want a hint of hot, no burning.  Mix all in bowl.  Sprinkle 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of lime juice over all, along with 1/4 t. salt. Stir together until combined.  Taste and adjust seasonings.  You can make this the night before.

Makes about 2 cups.

Original PW recipes can be found here and here.

Trevor the nerd

Oh my gosh.  This kid has made us laugh since he was little.  He's always been the family clown, cracking jokes, instantly punning, making the most hilarious comments, or mimicking others' voices--endlessly entertaining.

He pushed his hair off of his face, donned Rob's reading glasses, doctored up this picture, and sent it to Holly, all in an effort to continue to amuse her.

Yes, it worked.  And it's still working for me.

Morning

"The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning. It's time to sing Your song again."

Cloudy skies, hiding the blue, sun rises, full of the promise of a new day!

Time marches on

My teenaged son begins sprouting facial hair at the same time I do.

I buy hair mascara to cover my gray, darken my light.  At the same time, I'm buying a frosting kit to bleach out my kid's hair, and lighten his dark.

On the plus side, he just called me "the coolest mom ever."  I'll take that!

Curriculum

It's probably time I do at least a short curriculum list, particularly considering that I don't think I did one last year.

My Father's World was such a big hit last year.  After making the initial decision to go with MFW, I began to believe that I was setting us up for a very hard time.  It was a huge jump from the middle school work Trevor was doing.  It involved a lot of reading, intense reading, along with demanding writing projects. It was written for the student to be almost entirely independent.  Trevor jumped right in and embraced all of it.  While I continued to meet with him several times a week, he was very diligent at completing the work as scheduled.  He completely stepped up to the challenge and really impressed me.  Among other things, his books included Beowulf, The Iliad, and The Odyssey.

It was an easy choice to continue MFW this year.  He'll earn a credit in world history, English/literature, and Bible.  We'll deviate a bit with writing. The curriculum uses one book for writing instruction, and I prefer using something else.  I'll also switch out some of the lit books, choosing material that Trevor prefers. He's already requested to read more Shakespeare (in the original writing), and it's easy for me to use some of what Holly's Shakespeare choices for high school.

Trevor started the year taking an online geometry class with his algebra teacher from last year. It was not working, not for him, nor for me--not the least of which problems included the 11 paragraph explanation I finally received this week, detailing how to manage each week's homework (what to print, what was required, what videos to watch-or-not-watch, when to look in the text, and what was --sometimes--optional-but-not-always).  It was the straw that convinced me to drop the class and pick up Jacob's, which is what Holly used a few years ago.  We'll be supplementing with a Great Course video on high school geometery.

He's been taking chemistry through Virtual Homeschool Support Group, which uses Apologia.  The class meets three mornings a week, and while he was not thrilled with that idea when we registered, so far, he's totally loving the class and the teacher. I also purchased a lab kit so he'll get the lab credit.

We decided also that Trevor would take an introductory economics course, using Uncle Eric's Whatever Happened to Penny Candy, along with the Bluestocking Guide to Economics.  That's just a semester course.

He'll continue to be active with TeenPact (but may not attend state or NC this year), and piece together a gastronomy course.

We continue to look toward the following two years, when he'll start taking classes at Virginia Western.  That was such a good experience for Holly, and I am expecting it will be an advantage for Trevor also.

Driving me crazy

Thursday. Left Kroger, opened my car door, stopped and realized that IT WASN'T MY CAR! I have a radio key, which stays in my purse but unlocks my door and starts my car.  Obviously, this person didn't lock their car!

On a positive note, I was struck by how much nicer my car looks on the inside.  I just passed 90,000 miles, and it still looks brand new inside.

Friday. The business adjacent to the soccer fields has closed off its parking this season.  Seriously?  The business is closed when we are there.  If they don't want us parking there, maybe charge us $2 to park.  We'd gladly pay it. They'd make money, and it'd be worth it to compensate for the person they have sitting in front of their lot to make sure we don't move the barriers.  The police are there too, preventing people from parking along one side of the little dead end street that leads to the park.  It's crazy, and it's pointless.

I dropped off Robert and Trevor at the end of the street and then drove off in search of a spot--which could literally be half a mile away.  But I scored!!!  There was parking along another street, and I PARALLEL PARKED!!  Momentous, really, as it's only the second--no, the third!--time I've ever done this successfully!

Yes, yes, there's a bit of space there, but that's beside the point.  I DID IT!  And I only had to walk 2/10 of a mile, much more reasonable!

After the rain

Rainy all day, clearing at sunset.  I loved seeing the clouds reflected on the wet driveway.

Pumpkin heart

We know that Holly is absolutely first in her heart.

But Pumpkin's finally seeking us out instead of the other way around (but usually in the kitchen/family room!).

Makes me happy to know that Holly's baby is adjusting, just like the rest of us!

Greek Festival

It was drizzly and threatened to rain, but Trevor and I took the chance to go to the Greek Festival with Judy, Kurt, and Emily.

We toured the indoor shopping a bit, then sat outside under the big tent, ate Greek deliciousness, and listened to the music.

A gyro makes any day just a little bit better.

Play ball!

Last month, Trevor and I took advantage of the end of summer evenings and went to a Salem Red Sox game with friends.

Fun night, sat with a group of other people that we knew, and saw lots of others.  We'd specifically chosen a fireworks game, and we were not disappointed.

 

A good time with my boy!

My new job

I've been in intensive training for weeks.  That's been good. The trainer is wonderful, and I'm with two new employees from our office, along with two from other counties who are joining in.

My posters have come s-l-o-w-l-y in the mail, and my office finally has some decorations. I'm not done yet!

I continue to get that I am on the BEST team in the office (out of four teams made up of ten people each). Yay me!  We work and eat. And eat. And eat.  And then we work and eat, eat, eat some more. Surprisingly, no one is really overweight.

The week that this photo was taken, my team went out to lunch one afternoon to celebrate a birthday and as a welcome for me. We also had a breakfast potluck for our team to say goodbye to someone who is moving away.  That same afternoon, we hosted a "Desserting Party" (a play on deserting/desserting) for our office of 90. It was an incredible spread, and the party lasted most of the afternoon, with people coming in and out.  And lucky me--my office is right across the hall from the main conference room of the entire five story building.

This is what I ended up taking home, a sampling of leftovers.

The following week, I missed a staff meeting, and my lead went over the notes with me.

"Will you be here on the 7th?  We'll be going out to lunch to welcome Brenda to our team, and to celebrate my birthday."

"How about the 18th?  We're taking Joanna out to lunch for Boss's Day."

"Oh, did you see the email about the breakfast they will have for us on October 1st with all of the new Medicaid rules going in to effect?"

And she doesn't know that we're having a "Mexican Day" on the 11th to celebrate her new promotion.  I also marked down a Halloween Breakfast scheduled for the 31st.

I get that management does what it can to boost morale.  I get that it's working.  So far, so good! But I've started using the back staircase instead of the elevator.  That, and I think I'll stop eating at home.

Revisiting college tours

Trevor and I took a trip with friends to tour Virginia Tech last month.  Trevor's not particularly interested in Tech, but he knows it's good to know what's out there, to compare, and that he doesn't yet know God's plan.

This time around, I was much more relaxed.  Touring with Holly, I was more quiet, did not want to draw any attention to us.  Now I feel like I've been there, done that, and done that WELL.  No reason to be quite so reserved anymore!

We started out at the new Visitor's Center with an information meeting then were bussed over to begin a walking tour.

We had what I think was the best tour guide ever!  Although I think he was new, he was entertaining without being too corny, friendly not only to us but to students he saw on the way, knowledgeable, and perhaps best of all, he was LOUD.  I didn't have to keep up with the front of the pack to hear him.

The campus is pretty. And old. The dorm rooms are small, and let's face it, the one we saw was pretty yukky with its linoleum floor.  (Holly's room is really so very nice, new and big!)  Even worse, personally, are the tiny, old public bathrooms.  I'm pretty sure this is why they moved the visitor center to a new building. They were probably scaring away a lot of moms.

Just as I felt with Holly, this didn't seem to be a place to consider for Trevor.  But that kind of clarity, at least for now, is a good thing.

After our tour, we stopped by the Geoscience Museum.  It's housed in a classroom (also old and small), and it was deserted, but it was a pleasant way to end our afternoon.

Trevor said absolutely, no pictures, no way, no how.  I tried.

This was a fun time to get out with my kid.  Although he's only beginning 10th grade, he's had the advantage of several college tours already, joining Holly a few times.  Although we were with other people, I really enjoy touring schools with my kids!