Lifestyle of Learning 2015 Edition: Volume Thirteen

May 10-16

This beautiful week began with Mother's Day.  The boys and I had lunch at Chili's then went to pick out some flowers for one of my flower beds.  The boys were allowed to pick anything they wanted and will help me get the bed in shape and looking pretty.  The plan was to go home and work on the bed but the weather turned nasty and the gardening had to be delayed.  But aren't the flowers beautiful?

I began my day with a phone call from Christian and ended it with a special delivery from Keegan.

Aren't I a blessed mama?

Maceo ended his day by going to Springfield Contemporary Theatre for their Sunday's Songbook where the performer did the entire score of Little Shop of Horrors by himself.  Totally entertaining.  I on the other hand watched Jane Eyre.  Love it why haven't I read it?

Monday began with Bishop and I going to Gailey's, a sweet little downtown diner, then Brick City for student art exhibition.

A friend of mine created these masterpieces.

After returning from the art exhibition we began to work on the yard.  Bishop trimmed a bush for me and helped me dig bushes and such from the flower bed that we are redoing.  Maceo kept me well supplied with iced tea and bagged up all the yard waste.  We are making progress!

Maceo had no rehearsal but Bishop did have scouts.  One of the goals he has for his patrol is to build a cook box for his patrol to use on camping trips so this evening the boys discussed and began designing cook boxes, in addition to completing the menus and duty roster for the upcoming camping trip.  In the near future he plans on having his patrol make models of the cook box designs using foam board.

Tuesday was a full day for Maceo.  First, the touring company met at Panera to recognize an actors birthday before going to an elementary school for their final performance of Flat Stanley.  Maceo played several roles and, man, is he funny.  I was brought to tears because I was laughing so hard.  I have included a lot of pictures in hopes that you might get an idea as to just how funny he is and this show was.

And he was like a superstar to the kids who watched him perform.  He gave high five after high five.  I overheard one girl tell her friend, "I gave him TWO high fives!"

Afterwards, we gathered at one very gracious family's home for a cast party then he rushed off to two hours of youth performance troupe.  The evening, however, was relaxed as Maceo had no rehearsal and pottery was cancelled due to the studio flooding.

Wednesday would typically include vocal instruction for Maceo but it was cancelled due to the instructor having medical concerns.  He did do his mentorship with the elementary school performance troupe.  I have known for quite some time that the parents of the elementary and middle school aged kids that Maceo mentors like him; however, this week I have learned just how respected by these parents he is.  It warms my heart!
It also warms my heart to see my other young man be part of a color guard and conduct his duties in a courteous and reverent fashion.  This time the Rotary Club asked our boy scout troop to present the colors at the luncheon.  I love these opportunities to interface with the community and my chest puffs with pride when I see these young men step up.

Afterwards several scouting families went out to lunch for all-you-can-eat ribs and good company.
I made progress with the flowerbed.  I need to buy two more edge stones but otherwise edging is done.  I need to turn the soil one last time and then we get to plant.  Yay!

Maceo had breakfast with some friends at the aforementioned quaint downtown diner Gailey's.  He then went to a nearby used bookstore and scored a new script to read.  Bishop and I, on the other hand, worked on a scouting display for the homeschool convention.   We also checked out the food truck court and had lunch at London Calling.  Pasty's and Shepherd's Pie - YUM!

That evening Maceo had three hours of rehearsal for "Annie Get Your Gun."

Friday was really super cool.  The homeschool convention began and Bishop and I are both worked at vendors booths.  I worked at a scout related table and Bishop worked at the booth of his pottery instructor.  He demonstrated throwing pottery on the wheel for two days.  It was a great experience for him and others found it very intriguing.

They made this cool poster from a photo that I took of Bishop throwing pottery!!!

Bishop and I had lunch with friends at a diner that has been around since the forties that we had never gone to before.  It was delightful!  Maceo, on the other hand, stayed at home and prepared his own meals.  He also had three hours of rehearsal for "Annie Get your Gun" and then hung out with friends for several days.

Bishop and I went to the convention again.  Bishop again did demonstrations.  He did four hours of demonstrations.  After I was done working my table I did a little shopping.  I got some really cool geology related resources.  I think we will be having some rockhounding fun in the very near future (in fact, two families have already said that they want to join us on our geological adventures).

After the convention Bishop and I went to our favorite Chinese restaurant, Creasian, to try some new dishes.  We were surprised to see that they had changed the menu.  We were disappointed to find that they longer offered dimsum but they do now have hot pot which we will partake in soon.  We did try some new items including a lamb dish and have tried 1/4 of all the dishes on the authentic Chinese menu.

That evening Maceo went to view Spring Awakening at a local community theatre while I attended a homeschool graduation.  Then Maceo went to a friends graduation par-tay!

This has been a full week with unique opportunities.  Bishop put himself in a vulnerable position by doing the pottery demonstrations, particularly after having only three months of lessons.  Also, he learned a bit about marketing a business.  I love that my boys are doing real work that is of value to the community - the business marketing, the color guard for the Rotary Club, the touring company and being a student teacher and mentor.  These are not only experiences that will prepare them for adulthood but are of immediate, intrinsic value.
And how about all that socialization?

Lifestyle of Learning 2015 Edition: Volume Twelve

May 3-9
This has been one of those weeks that was so very busy in all the right ways, in an exciting and rejuvenating way.

The week began with Artsfest.  As is usual the Springfield Little Theatre's Performance Troupes performed.
The little ones in the first three photos are students that Maceo has mentored this year.
They were fantastic!

Maceo's troupe also performed.  Maceo even had a solo - the opening of the Journey medley.
Although none of the pictures below highlight Maceo particularly well they do illustrate how delightfully entertaining these performances are!

Afterwards Maceo and I visited with friends and examined the art on display.

On Monday Bishop attended scouts and conducted his first patrol meeting as patrol leader.  Afterwards, Bishop and I had extensive conversation about leadership.

Tuesday Bishop and I participated in the warbler walk at the Nature Center.  An ornithologist presented information about warblers then led us on a walk helping us to identify birds that we might find, warblers and otherwise.
We observed the Prothonotary Warbler, Yellow Throated Warbler, Indigo Bunting (both male and female), Great Crested Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Bluebird, American Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, Turkey, and Red Shouldered Hawk.  We heard but were unable to find the Blue Winged Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Northern Parula, Red Eyed Vireo,  Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, Rose Breasted Grosbeak and Northern Cardinal.

Looking for the Prothonotary Warbler.

That Prothonotary Warbler put on quite a show for us!

If you look real hard you will find a Prothonotary Warbler perched in this tree.

And here you will find a indigo bunting!

Maceo had vocal instruction, troupe mentorship and Annie Get Your Gun rehearsal.  He also had three performances of Flat Stanley with the touring company and attended a production of Tuna Does Vegas.

On Thursday Bishop attended a robotics class and on Friday the Outdoor Learning Fair.

Just a little fun!

Bishop being the teachers aide.

Paper making demonstration.

The Japanese Stroll Garden.

Abandoned Canada Goose eggs.

Tree climbing!

Attending school.

On Saturday Maceo, Bishop and I went to a performance of The Fiddler on a Roof as performed by a homeschooled theatre program.  We greatly enjoyed it!

Despite a busy week Maceo still found the energy to finish off his week by attending a student drama showcase.
What a great week!

Steps Toward Financial Fitness (Last Weeks or More Frugal Accomplishments) Volume Ten

I know that I have been a slacker as of late.  I have been working on another project and it seems as if I have difficulty focusing on more then one thing at a time.  Remember the goal that I have to sort, purge and clean every nook and cranny of my property?  Well, I have been hyper-focused on that specific goal and I have been documenting the process and my progress.  I have created a blog for it but I have not made the blog public yet.  In fact, I may not ever make it public as it seems to be very personal.  I know, I know...I share details of my life with you guys all of the time from how much money I am spending on eating out to what the kiddos and I are occupying ourselves with.  Somehow, though, I feel vulnerable when I think about sharing with you all my process of wrestling with all of my stuff.  Maybe one day.
In the meantime I would like to try to figure out how to continue with that project while still focusing on financial fitness and lifestyle of learning and just sharing what we have been up to.
So in an effort to get back on track I present to you some of my financial fitness successes.

-I have taken another two bags of items to the thrift store receiving a receipt for my donations.  This receipt will be filed with my 2015 tax information so that I can take the deduction.
-I am organizing some books that I am ready to part with.  Some are put in the donation bags others are to be taken to a couple of used book stores to see if I can receive a little cash for them.  I imagine I will take them in this next week.
-Bishop and I enjoyed some truly frugal recreation.  We, along with some of his fellow scouts, went camping and hiking.  We went to a nearby state park where the camping permits are free.  We kept food costs to a minimum.  We completed a 5-mile hike and enjoyed each others company.  Frugal and fun!
-I purchased 8 dozen eggs - some for .99 and others for .88 per dozen.
-I also purchased a case of butter at under $2 per pound.
-Herb finished the taxes last night - always excited to be done with that task!
-I printed pictures for Bishop's boy scout bulletin board using a 50% off coupon.
-Easter was a financial success.  I sent Easter baskets to Christian and Keegan and, other then shipping, there was no out-of-pocket expenses.  I made chocolate-covered pretzels and sugar cookies.  I shared some of my stash of hot chocolate and gold presidential dollar coins to tuck in among other things.  Other then the hot chocolate, I gave Maceo and Bishop the same items.  I had vowed to do their baskets a little differently then in years past.  I didn't want to put in as much candy as I usually do.  The boys just don't eat it the way that they used to.  I wanted to utilize resources that I had on hand to create treats for them and I wanted to include a couple of really meaningful items as well.  Weeks ago I purchased bottles of lotion that Maceo loves yet has been discontinued.  I included one of these bottles of lotion and some Listerine strips (He loves those things) in his basket.

 For Bishop's basket I included a portfolio and a drawing mannequin.  I utilized 40% off coupons when purchasing these items.  Bishop's basket also had a custom dog tag for Ladybird that I got free from Shutterfly.  I did end up including some purchased Reese's in their baskets as Easter was rapidly approaching and I had not made the caramels and toffee that I had planned on and when purchasing the candy while buying eggs reduced the price of the eggs to .88 per dozen.  I couldn't get to their Easter baskets readily (this is due to the closet projects that I have been working on) so I had to come up with an alternative.  I ended up using small silver trays with "nests" made by crimping the edges of spring colored tissue paper.  I am pleased with my resourcefulness.

-The Easter dinner was also a financial success despite the fact that I lost my Easter planning file with all of my traditional recipes and I lost track of time.  I had that weird discombobulation that comes from somehow losing track of time while simultaneously knowing that Easter is impending.  The last time that I went to Aldi I did purchase a ham at .99 per pound and some highly discounted asparagus.  I didn't think further about the menu until the day before Easter when I was completely lacking in desire to go to the store.  So I made a menu using only what I had available.  It took creativity but I made a fantastic frugal delicious meal.  I made ham with a glaze of brown sugar, dijon mustard and root beer.  The remainder of the root beer was served as the beverage in place of the sparkling cider that we traditionally serve.  I made asparagus, deviled eggs, and macaroni and cheese; I used penne instead of macaroni because that is all I had on hand.  I think the penne might have been tastier then then the macaroni would have been.  I also served homemade rolls and while making the rolls I made a loaf of cinnamon bread for our Easter breakfast.  For dessert I almost resorted to pumpkin pie but I came up with other ideas instead.  I served the angel food cake leftover from fondue night alongside sweetened strawberries and whipped cream that I found in the freezer.  If I hadn't found whipped cream in the freezer I would have made some using the heavy whipping cream that I have in the refrigerator.  I also made Granny's cream cheese pie with a homemade graham cracker crust.  (Note: I used brown sugar in place of the granulated sugar that the recipe called for.  I must do that again).  It was such a satisfying meal that earned a giant thumbs up from the family.

-I received $15 in rewards from Kohl's.  I coupled that with a 15% off coupon to purchase bedding that was on sale.  I also earned $80 in Kohl's cash.  I took the boys shopping and let them pick out some clothing items.  They are definitely developing their own sense of style.  It is now time to help them sort through their wardrobe, to cull the items that they no longer use.  The project 333-inspired wardrobe is working for me and I hope to help them do the same.
-I brought forsythia and daffodils in to decorate the Easter table.

-I have been enjoying the blooming tulips and violets.  My backyard is virtually covered with violets.  I must get some of them harvested so as to make violet jelly.


Christmas Jar of Change:  The previous balance was $75.58.  I will add $18.73 to it for a new balance of $94.31.
Home Emergency Fund:  Previous balance was $80.  I must admit that this is now at $0.  I have allowed the boys to use the cash here and there when they needed cash and I was unable or unwilling to go to the ATM.  I will start rebuilding it this next pay period.
52 Week Savings Plan:  The previous balance was $206.  I have actually failed to deposit anything into this account.  It is one of those things that I lost track of as I began to focus on other things.  I WILL get back on track.