Yum, it's pumpkin time!

I am NOT a morning person.  I have been habitually late this summer to work, yet Friday I learned why it may be nice to be on-time.  I raced Abby to school, we barely made it, but we did.  After I dropped her off, I looked at my clock and I still had 10 minutes to get to work.  Since I only work 3 minutes from Abby's school, I decided to go and get some breakfast.  I splurged on an Einstein bagel.  It was pumpkin.  As I bit into it, I felt the heavens open and angels singing "Ahhhhhhhhhhh".  Yes it was THAT good.  Once again I am benefiting from my favorite part of the year, fall.  I know, I know, yesterday was 98 degrees, today won't be any cooler but in the retail world, it's officially fall!  The pumpkin cavalry has come to save the day!  The pumpkin shakes, pumpkin rolls, pumpkin pie, pumpkin chai, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, and pumpkin cheesecake will carry me through the rest of the summer, where soon I will be able to walk outside and feel the crispness of the air on my cheeks and layer my clothing to my hearts content!

Here is one of my favorite pumpkin recipes:

Libby's® Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Filling

By: Libby's® 

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (optional)

Directions 

PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle towel with powdered sugar.

1. COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.
2. BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.
3. BEAT cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake; remove towel. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

A Sigh of Relief!

I will tell you, I was worried!  Last year during Abby's IEP meeting, it was determined by the "experts" that she should take kindergarten over.  I didn't like that at all, their reason was even though she was the highest achieving student in the USDB kindergarten program (Utah School for the Deaf and Blind) at Mill Creek Elementary, they thought she was a bit immature and young to move up.  (She missed the cut-off date by two days)  We agreed that she would go to kindergarten in the morning and 1st grade in the afternoon. 

Two weeks before school started, I went into Abby's school to confirm the prior meeting's agenda for her.  I spoke with the new principal who did not attend the meeting in May.  She sounded like it was a go but had to check with Student Services before moving forward.  To make a long story short, Abby was placed in 1st grade.

Here comes the apprehension...  In my conversations with neighbors, other teachers, and family they all expressed concern that she was moving forward and not ready to be main-streamed.  My reasoning was that I wanted her challenged and not feeling bored at school.  She had friends going to kindergarten AND 1st grade so I wasn't worried that way.  I feel like Abby's challenge is expressing herself.  She still is hard to understand at times and worried that meeting new friends would be a struggle.

Last night we went to "Parent Teacher Night".  I had requested Mrs Zakowski because neighbors said she was the best.  She told us that Abby is fitting in beautifully.  She is academically where she needs to be and hasn't had problems finding friends in class.  We also found out that she has a sister who is deaf.  Finding people who know the deaf world and their hardships are rare.  Mrs Z knows first hand all about it!

Mrs Z told a funny story about Abby; Wednesday morning she dressed in a skirt and top.  She accessoried with a fur vest.  The classroom was very warm (no air).  Abby took it off during class.  In the afternoon, the warmest part of the day, Abby was asked to stand and read in front of the class.  The story was cowboy themed.  Before Abby read the page, she asked Mrs. Z if she should put the vest on (because it was western looking?)  Mrs. Z said she was very cute and animated in everything she does. 

Yes, it's going to be a great year!

1st Day of 1st Grade

Look how huge that back-pack is!  I'm not sure if it's extra big or she is extra small.  Someone got the proportions wrong.

This is my favorite picture of today.  She is telling me that we need to get in the car.  I guess she wanted to be there EXTRA early.  For the record, I was 15 minutes early to school today (miracle).  I wanted to make sure I didn't rush her and stress her out.

I couldn't leave out Alex.  Aren't they cute!  They were excited they were at the same school.

Abby and her 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Z.  She impressed Abby.  On our way home Abby told me she was SOOO nice.  They were on-top of Abby's hearing, before I could get into the class they were already hooking her headset up so Mrs. Z could talk into Abby's hearing aids.

Looks like another great year!

Only a penny?

I am a "reformed" (self-induced) addicted shopper.  Can I say self-induced if my husband and I sat down on Sunday and had our own "coming to Jesus budget-meeting?"  Okay, okay I'm feeling kindof guilty, but I've got cool stuff!  Where am I going with this, you ask???


So I was on Amazon.com (my new fav...  okay, I've liked the site for quite a while, but now I truly appreciate it!)  Flirting with the devil, you might say...  I think I can look, just can't touch, right?  Ok, I did more than look...   Well, I was looking up all sorts of things.  Low and behold you can buy makeup for 1 cent.  I thought it was a hoax but then, it's just one penny (shipping was $3.99).  So I placed an order.  A couple days later I received this: tinted moisturizer!  Even with the shipping it was much cheaper than in the store.

I'm pretty proud of my purchase; however, I did confess to Mike....  maybe I'm still on the first step of recovery! 


BTW, DO NOT GOOGLE FOR A PICTURE OF "PENNY!"  I didn't realize so many naked women were named "Penny."

My Dear Son, Levi

Tomorrow is my beautiful baby boy's birthday.  Not a day has gone by without thinking of him.  Levi's birth was a special day and a wonderful memory. I cherish every pregnancy kick I felt and every second I held him in my arms.

Happy birthday my little one, mommy loves you.

My best friend

 

I hope everyone has one of these.   This is my friend Kris (nickname).  I have known her since, I don't know when, it's been that long....  Nearest we can tell our mom's were visiting teachers when my family moved to Washington in 1976 or soon after.

Every-time we talk it's just like old times.  I doesn't matter that I haven't seen her in years, or that we have husbands, children, obligations...  We can still sing the old songs, laugh at the funny stories, and reminisce.  

Kris, I just want you to know that I appreciated you coming to my dad's viewing and even though it was sad, it was SO good to see you.  Thank you for another memory!

My Dad

My first memory of my dad was riding the potato truck.  It was a REAL treat.  I remember climbing up the big truck and being not really able to see out of the windshield.  One afternoon we even picked up a hitchhiker and I listened to him and my dad visit.

I remember spending many Sunday's at my grandparents home in Othello.  We would leave for home at dusk, so the ride back would be in the dark.  We would all sleep and my mom and dad would visit in the car, but many times my dad would turn up the music and I would hear him sing along.  I still have a special place for the Statler Brothers, Eddie Arnold, and Marty Robbins.

My dad was very playful.  As my mom was trying to put us all to bed, he would tease us and say, "When you go to bed, that's when we get out all the good stuff."  My mom would be so irritated because it would get us all riled up.

I remember his sweaty, earthy smell when he came in from the fields.

I remember the feel of his cheek when I would kiss him.

I remember the smell of the aftershave he wore when he and my mom would go out for the evening.

My dad was very generous.  What ever he had and you asked, he would share.  He found out I collected little tourist spoons.  Where ever he went, even the next town over, he would ask if I had THAT spoon.

My dad was patient, my dad was even tempered.  My dad was humble.  My dad was strong.  My dad had a testimony of Jesus Christ.  My dad was wise.  My dad loved me.  My dad was proud of me.

When my son died, I wanted my dad to come and dedicate his grave.  I knew my dad didn't have lots of vacation time but I knew I didn't have to get a second choice because my dad wanted to do it.  He drove all day just to be there for me.

On Memorial Day, my dad was diagnosed with Cancer.  The cancer was aggressive and took my dad June 14th.  Five days earlier, we found out it was stage 4, pancreatic.  I was lucky enough to be there when he passed and will always be grateful.

After his passing, I learned so much about him.  My dad's brothers and friends shared stories I had never heard before.  My dad was truly a good man.

I love my dad, I am so glad that I am in an Eternal Family.  My son is so lucky to have my dad with him.  There has always been a part of me that has been afraid to die, but since my dad has passed, I know what it feels like not to be afraid.

I had a great dad and I will miss him very much.