Spring Sports have started!

Track meets have started. My oldest son, Lucas, throws the shotput and discus. This is a picture of him getting ready to throw the discus. He threw 100 yards, which I thought was pretty good since this is his first year of competition and he's still learning. The *best* kid throwing discus on their team threw a 140 yesterday! WOW!!! He's really good and got first place.

You can't tell, but it was like 30 degrees yesterday and we were freezing cold. All the parents standing to the side were buttoned up tight in winter coats.

Tonight is the first baseball practice for my youngest son, Michael. There's been some changes on his team and with his coaches, so it will be interesting to see how they do this season. He's excited, though and ready to start.

My Silly Cat

Somehow a ladybug got into our house yesterday and "settled" in near the ceiling. Our cat, Chuck Norris, jumped up on the ledge and sat looking up at the ladybug for more than 30 minutes. Even when I was getting the picture, he barely moved.

He didn't try to jump, which was good, because the other side of the ledge drops about a story down to the front hallway and if he lost his footing, he'd be one hurt cat. But - he sure wasn't going to miss the chance to get the ladybug should it move.

The ladybug isn't there this morning and I don't know if it got away or if Chuck finally got it.

Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings

The March newsletter of our catering business is now out! In addition to a short "I want spring to get here"plea, I've also decided to add in a recipe for good old fashioned apple dumplings.

These are wonderful and sweet and ooh so tasty when served with ice cream or warm maple syrup. Yummy - I may just go apple shopping soon.

Recipe Box - Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 cups water
2 tbsp butter
2 1/2 cups flour
4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup shortening
scant 3/4 cup milk
apples - sliced small


Directions:
Make thing syrup by mixing sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, water and butter for 5 minutes
Keep warm
Cut shortening into sifted flour, baking powder and salt until fine as cornmeal. Stir in just enough milk to make soft dough.
Roll out on floured board to 1/4" thickness in rectangular form
Spread with melted butter, filled with apples
Sprinkle apples with sugar and cinamon
Roll as for a jelly roll and slice 3/4" thick
Place in large pan - pour syrup over apple roll slices
Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until light brown on top.

Time Marches On

Eeeek! I can't believe it's March already. Life has been so hectic at times that I can't believe that it's already 2008. I still remember all the Y2K panic as if it were last year.

Just last month, our oldest son turned 15. Less than a year to drive!Less than 3 years to leave for collegeLess than 3 years from being "draftable" into the military

As frustrating as teenagers can be, I'm not sure I'm ready for him to really grow up to be on his own. I can't imagine a home without him in it. I know I'm probably jumping the gun, but I can't help being the emotional sappy mother right now....

But - I still thought I'd share this beautiful picture to get ya'll ready for spring......

Beautiful *COLD* picture

I went for a walk today at Cowans Gap State Park. The view was beautiful - the lake was frozen and the mountains were shrouded in clouds...... The cold is great because it makes me walk faster - LOL

Multiple Myeloma - Cancer of the Plasma Cell

My father-in-law's cancer has come out of remission and he is now back on chemotherapy. He has multiple myeloma - a cancer of the plasma cell. It is a disease that can never be cured - at least not today! At best - it can be put into remission, but the chances of staying remission free for any length of time is slim to none.

Prayers are welcome! What's so sad is that many Americans can relate my family's situation. A whopping 23% of all deaths in the US are attributed to cancer, which is only second to heart disease. Unfortunately, the most current statistics state that 1 in 3 Americans will develop some type of cancer over their lifetime, with five year survival rates jumping from an average of 50% to 66% in about 20 years. ** So - at one time or another, we will all be touched with the disease, the treatment and the prayers for survival.

And - for anyone who wishes to actually put some sweat, tears or money into eradicating cancer - some good links are listed below:

The 3 Day Race for the Cure - Breast Cancer - Can YOU walk 60 miles in 3 days?? Absolutely! Get in shape, raise some money and share with your friends.

MD Anderson Cancer Center - A top-notch research hospital dedicated to putting themselves out of work due to lack of need. My husband was treated at the hospital in Houston many years ago for his cancer and I can state from experience exactly how wonderful these people are.

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation: A great source of information for families with MM and an organization dedicated to finding a cure! I refer to them quite often.

American Cancer Society: A great place for information and one of the most well known organizations. They have programs that provide information on just about any topic, the most up to date research and have programs to help you find local resources and support groups.

* My statistics are from the American Cancer Society.

Thanks for prayers and thoughts....

My youngest child is driving me nuts!

He's 10 years old and I love him dearly! He's been sick lately and has spent several days home with me. We're watching American Idol together just like we did last night. Some lady tried to emulate Janis Jopline and now he's singing "Oh Lord Won't You Buy Me A Mercedes Benz". No - he doesn't come close to being in tune. I think I could cry.

In the past three days, he's

• Had hour long discussions with the dog about when to bare his teeth and when not to. The dog has fallen asleep on him
• Nitpicked with me on whether the weather outside was in the 30's or 40's because 30's mean snow and 40's doesn't.
• Asked me ten million questions and then told me my answer was wrong no matter what I said. Including why soda is not nutritious (per me) or has redeeming qualities (per him)
• Dragged the cat around like a child and told me over and over again how the cat likes him best because he feeds the cat.
• Dug into his 10 year old mushy brain for every question he's ever wanted to ask me and posed them in questions such as "Do you remember 7 years ago we were standing on the side of the road and that red car passed us and you said, 'that's cool?' - What were you talking about?"
• Randomly pops out comments when we're alone and the TV is off. They are along the lines of "I thought it was supposed to go left" or "Hey - there was no plate there" leaving me to wonder just what in the world he's talking about.

My parental patience is about at its limit as my child is bored stiff and driving me absolutely crazy! I'm so glad his fever broke because I'm ready to break him - ha ha - just kidding. Actually - I was thinking of duct tape or super glue for the his mouth or pitching a tent in the backyard for me. I decided the tent gave me more options.