The school year is winding down

That means busy days!  Tomorrow is Erica's last day before finals.  She doesn't have to go to finals with her grades and attendance so she won't go back until Wednesday.  That is the true last day and optional in my book since there is nothing going on.  But she is going to go ahead and go mostly to socialize.  She has been an honors student all year again this year and has managed perfect attendance!  She makes us very proud.

Tomorrow I am taking Erica to school in the morning to go to her awards ceremony.  Since it is right after school starts we are taking all of her teachers and her principal flowers.  We went to the thrift store tonight and picked up several pretty drinking glasses to use as vases.  Also when we bought the flowers they gave us enough of the !foam sheets and bags to hold water on the flowers when we broke them up.  If you have flowers to give check for the nice glasses.  They are often cheaper than vases and a small bouquet fits nicely in them.  For tonight the small bouquets are made and sitting in their foam wraps in large vases.  In the morning we will put the plastic bags on them, grab the vases and be ready to go.  One other thing we did tonight since they never give enough is make our own flower fresh.  I use 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of sugar per quart of water.  This helps flowers last longer, because tap water is not acidic enough for cut flowers.  It makes a huge difference in how long they last.  Erica doesn't know it yet, but a dozen roses and some carnations are set back in a vase for the office to deliver special to her tomorrow.  I hope she loves them.  She has earned a treat!

So spring has finally sprung I think

The weather is finally warming up.  With tons of help from the family, the garden is mostly planted.  I am so lucky that we consider working together an important value, because there is no way with my Fibromyalgia that I could do it myself.  The only thing left to plant is the carrots, and those will be going in within the next few days.   The radishes have already popped up and the spinach is trying.  All of the other stuff we planted from starts and they are doing well.  We can't wait to have some yummy salads and stir frys!

This Sunday we are taking Erica to the Reds game.  This is the one for which she was awarded two free tickets for her grades and any others at half price.  We only bought one extra ticket this year, as it is only Erica, Beloved and I going.  She is really looking forward to it.  She is also counting down the days until school is out.  She really only has a short time left.  She only has two weeks after this week, but one of those weeks she won't go most of the week as her grades and attendance allow her to opt out of finals.  She has worked hard to get 100% attendance this year and has achieved it.  There were a couple of days I know she would have liked to stay at home and rest, but since she was never really sick this year I allowed her to choose to go.  She has done so well this year at setting a goal and sticking to it.  She is also counting down to church camp.  The first three weeks are in June and will be the weeks she is working.  She is still looking forward to it, as she enjoys just being there and doesn't really care what she is doing!  I know though that even with working there will be some time for fun for her.

More good news for Beloved

Well we think so anyway.  He has been driving the "big truck" for a year and a half now.  He was recently moved into a new truck.  Today he was asked to be a trainer for newbies!  He is a little bit unsure of it, he really doesn't want his truck damaged and that could happen as some of these new drivers have just gotten their CDL.  It is also a huge responsibility guiding new drivers and doing his best to tell the bosses how they are doing.  Beloved is very fair, but also very compassionate so if he has to tell the bosses that someone just can't cut it, that will be a struggle for him because he knows it is someones paycheck.  Beloved does not take such things lightly.  Everyone that he "trains" will have passed all the tests and have their CDL, but many will have no experience past the schooling to get the license.   When Beloved was at that stage, he would tell everyone he knew "just enough to be dangerous".  Add to that any truck driver who is opposed to taking direction or advice from an "old timer" or someone who has been doing it longer then they have really probably shouldn't be in the truck. 

Trucking is a tough job, with a very high turnover rate.  Many just can't take being away from their families so long and for good reason, it is hard.  It is hard on the driver and spouse.  It is hard on the children.  Schedules are loose and change constantly.  The family of a truck driver is constantly changing schedules to meet the schedules of the driver in the family.  It can be frustrating to trainers to train people and see them gone in weeks or a few months.  Beloveds trainer was surprised Beloved made it past the first year, because it is just such a huge adjustment when you have a family.

On my side of things, I am trying to remember when Beloved started.  His trainer was so great with him.  Money was tight because beloved had been unemployed and although he didn't have money to spare, he had fuel points and wouldn't allow Beloved to be hungry.  He allowed Beloved to use his fridge and microwave in the truck when needed.  I as a wife going through this plan to try to pass on the kindness.  I often cook "planned overs" for Beloved to take on the road.  When Beloved tells me that his trainee is having tough financial times, I may cook enough "planned overs" for two.  We learned when we did foster care that it doesn't take that much more to cook for one more.  I like to think that being able to put an extra plate at the table is a skill I have refined well in our home.  Even if that plate is the next night in the Semi. 

I am asking for prayers for Beloved on his new endeavor.  I know he has his reservations, but I also know he will be a wonderful trainer. 

Home canning baked beans

I tried a new first the other day.  I home canned baked beans the other day.  I had never done it before, but in the summer we love to have things on hand to just grill a quick something to eat.  Baked beans fit the bill well because they can be eaten warmed up or cold.  Often in the summer one can get baked beans on sale pretty reasonable and even pork and beans sometimes.  The pork and beans, we like when I put them in a pan and warm them up with some homemade BBQ sauce.  So trying to can my own may be cheaper and easier.  I did six quarts the other day with four pounds of great northern beans.  I am not however thrilled with the recipe I used.  They taste like they still need something.  For that reason I am not going to share the recipe yet.  I will share one, but only after it has passed the taste test for our family.  Of course everyone has slightly different tastes, but I only like to share the recipes we really like.

Hubby is getting all set up into yet another new semi.  He got it last weekend and is still working on getting things arranged.  It is a much newer one than he has had before, and it had a brand new engine put in it just before he got it.  It has low miles for a semi at only 197000 miles.  Not many really considering many of these trucks put on a million or more miles their lifetime.  He loves the smoother ride in his new truck!  It also has a built in fridge so he didn't have to put his in there.  He now only turns on the inverter in the evenings when he is ready to turn on the microwave and the television.  The fridge doesn't run down the battery over just his 34 hour restart, so he is able to leave groceries in it instead of pulling them all out and putting them back in every time he parks the truck and isn't with it. 

What a whrilwind lately!

I have been running like crazy it seems.  Spring has spring, and it is about time!  I thought it would never get here.  Although I hear we may have another cold front coming our way.  Not what I wanted to hear.  Beloved just has not had time at home to till up the garden.  I began to think that it wouldn't dry up enough to get it done and when it did, I began to think I couldn't find anyone who wanted the job.  I finally posted a notice at the small local grocery store that I was look for someone and within two days I had someone here to do it at a very fair price.  Now I just need time when my chronic pain is not so bad to actually get things lined up and get some planting done.

Erica's passport came but there was an error on it so it had to be sent back to be fixed.  Glad we applied for it plenty early!  It could have been very disappointing otherwise.  However at the camp on a retreat last Saturday they informed me the rules had changed and she could go without one, but I feel better this way knowing there will be no issues.

I had a great time at the women's retreat.  It was only 24 hours, but it was a great time with other women.  We had great meals and great speakers and just some great fellowship time together.  It is the first time I have ever gone, and am looking forward to going again. 

An easy yummy dinner!

Bzz agent sent us coupons for another campaign.  It was for a Kroger dinner. We had pork tenderloin, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and crescent rolls.  We also had chocolate cake for dessert.  They were all Kroger brand.  The mashed potatoes and the mac and cheese were very easy just heat them up in the microwave.  The pork tenderloin, I browned on all sides in my big cast iron skillet, rolled it in ground up stuffing mix and back into the skillet in the oven it went for half an hour or so until it was done.  Overall, the dinner was very yummy.  I thought the potatoes had to much butter but the rest of the family didn't think so.  I normally would not purchase the pre-made potatoes and macaroni, but it was a blessing the other night since I am having a bad fibro flare and the pain has been relentless.  Given that I was very blessed to have such an easy dinner to make that night.  I would buy these items again as the flavor was good and it was so easy.  Great for a busy night or just a night when mom needs a break.  We of course tried the items free since it was a Bzzcampaign.

 

A free ebook to offer you!

I have not read this book yet, however it is free for Kindle on Amazon.  I have downloaded it.  I may start reading it later tonight.   If you have another devise you may want to check to see if it is free for you.  The link here is for Kindle, the paperback is $6.00 but the ebook is free.