Hey Internets!

Its my birthday, stop lurking and wish me a good one!! :)

Photo Hunters-Smelly

mmmm one of my favorite smells, Melting Pot. This is a picture of our celebration dinner when Schmoop got his job up in NJ

Cute little pumpkin girl

So
Twinkies is running a fall photo contest so I decided to enter my sweet little pumpkin girl.
Check it out and vote for my sweet little Meggie!
Well,when voting starts vote for my sweet Meggie! :)

Interesting

So Schmoop and I don't have any kids but I'm a chronic overplanner. I try to have things established in my head well before it even becomes a possibility. So I have been thinking of what we would do with our kids when it comes to school. I am a product of private schools from pre-k up to high school and Schmoop has a mixture of public, home schooled and private. I had alot of positive exposure to home schooling because my best friend was home schooled and I have a huge network of friends that were homeschooled. Whereas Schmoops experiences were less than ideal. This study is very interesting though, just reinforces that socio-economic profiling occurs in the schools and greatly affects the abilities of our kids. While I'm aware this is just one study it does enforce in my mind my desire to home school our kids when the time comes.

Home schooling improves academic performance and reduces impact of socio-economic factors

TORONTO, ON—Home schooling appears to improve the academic performance of children from families with low levels of education, according to a report on home schooling released today by independent research organization The Fraser Institute.

…

“The research shows that the level of education of a child’s parents, gender of the child, and income of family has less to do with a child’s academic achievement than it does in public schools.”

The study also reports that students educated at home outperform their peers on most academic tests and are involved in a broad mix of social activities outside the home.

Research shows that almost 25 per cent of home schooled students in the United States perform one or more grades above their age-level peers in public and private schools. Grades 1 to 4 home school students perform one grade level higher than their public- and private-school peers. By Grade 8, the average home schooled student performs four grade levels above the national average.

Hepburn said a growing body of new research also calls into question the belief that home schooled children are not adequately socialized.

“The average Canadian home schooled student is regularly involved in eight social activities outside the home. Canadian home schooled children watch less television than other children, and they show significantly fewer problems than public school children when observed in free play,” she said.

Wordless Wednesday-Self Portrait of a baby

Taken by Meggie and Dirkey of Meggie on 10/6/07

Sweating Pumpkins

So Schmoop and I took Meggie and Gracie pumpkin picking with my parents this weekend and it was freaking hot. Seriously ridiculously hot. I wanted to be wearing a sweatshirt and a scarf but I was sweating in a tshirt and shorts. The girls had a good time despite the heat. They are from the city so it was fun watching them play on the farm. They also got seriously dirty because we are having drought like conditions so the dust was sticking to the sweat.. yum, I know.. I did get some good pics of them and they had a good time so it was definitely worth it!

such a cutie

So excited!

loving the hayride

too big??

nah she's pretty strong.

pumpkin loving


touch my doughnut and I can't be held responsible for my actions old man...

Non-Commercial

So I'm really getting into not needing all the commercial and consumer hype in my life. I made deals with my friends for Christmas that everything we get for each other should be $5 or less and has to be either homemade or bought second hand. I figure this will help decrease the crap level of my house and do some good against making Christmas less a commercial holiday, at least in my life. I think this will do wonders for my mood this holiday as I won't be buying expensive crap for people and wondering if they will even like it. It will cut out the whole line of thinking "am I spending all this money for something this person won't even want/need" or "in five months will this person finally put this out to the curb because it had its run"
This being said my birthdays next Sunday and if you want to buy me something my amazon wish list is on the side bar. :)

What a paradox....

Home Improvement

So yeah, Schmoop and I have this house..
and when we bought it there were some things that I just couldn't take. Namely the overabundance of pastel pink and green. We have slowly been irradicating this from our house, starting with the carpets, then the bedrooms, now finally the family room.
It started out with pink carpets, pink built in bookcases,

dirty white walls

pink and green wallpaper border

and the Most ridiculous pink and green "window" treatment I've ever seen in my life.

The family room has now become this...
Schmoop painted the floor a nice nuetral shade, we got berber carpet, installed French Doors, refinished the bookcase, and GOT NEW WINDOW TREATMENTS!

I'd like to thank....

I'd like to thank all the little people who helped me to get this award.. Ok maybe not the little people but one of my favorite people, Trace for nominating me for this, my first, bloggy award. Trace is a sweetie and I would go ahead and send her one back but she's got her one (you should check out her blog if you haven't already). She's one of my first internet friends, you know the type, you've never met them in person but you still feel like you know them. We'll we've talking about getting together cause she's lives kind of closeish and near where my Schmoop works; and also she likes wine and Melting Pot (what more do you need in a friend!). Anyway, thanks Trace!!

So I'd like to nominate Mama K for the award as well! She's a fun mom to a little peanut, she's in the midst of starting something big so keep an eye on her!

Photo Hunters Original

I love looking at baby's and seeing all their little pieces (ears, fingers, toes, etc), it amazes me how unique (or ORIGNAL) they all are.
This little guy is kitten mom's new little sweetie Drew, taken when he was a couple of days old.

Wordless Wednesday-Break it Down

Oh I feel like crap

I've been sick all weekend and I don't feel good. Please send vegan chicken soup vibes my way that I might feel better soon. I found a book at the thrift store "The Natural Doctor", I learned that cutting an onion and putting it next to my bed at night might help. We'll see, I'll let you know if it works or not. At least Schmoop won't have to worry about any guys hitting on me tomorrow either way.

I've been interviewed by type (little) a

Of course I asked her to. LOL Check her out here.

The rules: Leave me a comment saying “Interview me.” I will respond by emailing you or leaving a comment with five questions. I get to pick the questions. If you don’t have a valid email address on your blog, please provide one. You will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.



1) What did you want to be when you grew up? How close/far is it from what you do now?

When I was little I wanted to be a pediatrician but then I realized that I would have to see sick kids and changed my mind. Then I wanted to be a marine biologist, I don't remember why I changed my mind on that. I am a box office manager for Come Alive International, I love my job so I'm so happy I'm not a pediatrician or a marine biologist.

2) Crocs. Spectacular or stupid?

I don't understand why they are so popular. they are rubber.. shoes... people aren't this excited about rubber sheets why would shoes be different. Also I think they would make your feet sweaty. And the stories you hear about escalaters, gross.. no thanks. I'm a hater.

3) What keeps you up at night?

Schmoop, wink wink, nod nod.. you know what I'm talking about..
besides that not much I'm a championship sleeper.

4) Are you passionate about anything?

I'm passionate about most things in my life. I analize everything and generally have an opinion on most things anything I have an opinion on I am passionate about. I have to stop myself from telling people how to live thier lives, sometimes I'm not so good at this.

5) What do you like on your hamburger?

ha ha not much since i'm a vegan now. (sunday completely didn't count!)
I made portobella burgers before and they were soo good. I grilled up the portabella's and topped them with carmalized onions with capers and reconstituted sundried tomatoes. Soooo yummie!!

I've been a very bad Vegan

So we took Gracie to her first Mets game, we went up since it was Phillies vs Mets at Shea Stadium. Gracie LOVES the mets and will sing you every Mets song known to man. It was awesome watching the game, Gracie had an amazing time. I think the happiest I've ever seen her was when David Wright (her favorite player) scored a home run. After the game they let all the kids run the bases and she started dancing with Mr. Met. The Phillies ended up winning which made Schmoop very happy but at least Gracie was oblivious to her favorite team losing. Schmoop was talking to her after the game and this is thier conversation:
Me: What was your favorite part of the game?

Gracie: Dancing with David Wright.

Schmoop: Did you dance with David or Mr Met?

G: Mr. Met.

S: Did you enjoy David Wright’s home run?

G: Yeah

S: Did the Phillies get any home runs?

G: Nah.

I think she missed the Phillies Grand Slam :)

So about the bad Vegan part, so we were at a baseball game so you know while your there you have to have a hot dog. Its kind of like a crime against the United States if you don't partake in at least one hot dog when visiting one of the nations finest baseball stadiums. So halfway through the $5 hot dog I realized that it probably wasn't the best idea. So what will make me feel better, why an Italian hoagie of course! We were driving through Hoboken on the way home so we stopped for a real hoagie. Needless to say my stomach wasn't too happy with the drastic one day change in diet and Schmoop and I are determined to be much better with our Veganocity. I feel like a cold is coming on now, and I've been coughing alot so of course I'm blaming it on our one day foray into the world of meats and cheeses.

Photo Hunters-Plastic

This was taken last July on our trip to Memphis. We took a romantic carriage ride through town and there was a whole lot of plastic going on behind us.

Best Google Search that takes you to this site

The biggest douche

On Kathy Griffin's Emmy Speach

So I couldn't really understand the whole hubbub with what Kathy Griffin said at the Emmies, from what I understand this is what she said:
"A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus."
I can understand what she's saying she's a shock commedian, if you base it on the W.W.J.D. (what would Jesus do) she won the award by doing the opposite. Mocking people, insulting, whatever, thats her game thats how she butters her bread. She never claimed to be a Christian so why would you expect anything else out of her. Honestly I found it kind of refreshing to hear, it bothers me that people will go up and receive awards and the first thing out of their mouth, "I'd like to thank God for this" then the next day you hear they get arrested for DUI later that night. Not saying that I don't screw up or that I always act like the perfect Christian, I'm screwed up like the rest of us but I seek after God, he knew I wasn't perfect to begin with.

The rest of Kathy's statement goes like this:

"Suck it, Jesus. This award is my God now."
I found this pretty extreme but you know it just made me feel bad for her. Makes me think of all the unimportant things that we give such a high place in our life. Awards, jobs, money, cars, clothes, etc; what does it all mean. Nothing really its just stuff to fill us up, but you know it never does so what do you do then; when you have everything that you've ever wanted and your not complete. Must stink. So I feel bad for her cause even if she goes home to an Emmy every night she also lives with an emptiness that I'll never know.

Wordless Wednesday-First Day Of School

My Gracie's first day of school, taken by her mommy and sent to me, her auntie.

Mmmm Vegan Brownies

So last night I cooked one of my favorites, Broccoli and Mushroom Quiche made with tofu and tahini instead of eggs and cheese. Its soo good, and even better as a leftover. Its from Cooking the Whole Foods Way by Christina Pirello.

After I finished making dinner I figured I needed to give a little sweet cooking to my man for all his hard work this weekend. While I was upstairs cleaning he was painting the family room, mowing the lawn and vacuuming the pool. Is he not just wonderful.
So I found a recipe for Brownies that called for
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cups cocoa powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup oil
1/4 cup water.
You mix all those bad boys together and bake. You don't even need to worry about licking the spoon because there are no eggs to get saminella from! The one modification I will make next time is to sub 1/2 c applesauce 1/2 cup oil instead of the whole shebang in oil. Also I have to play around with my natural sweetners to see if I can lessen the amount of sugar (or remove it all together!).

Cheapest and Best Bathroom Cleaner in the World!

So since moving in here I had yet to do the big clean on the bathroom (after the initial sanitization). Oh sure I had done a little here and a little there but didn't really get into the nitty gritty. Needless to say after 6 months it needed to be SCRUBBED! I have always subscribed to the school of thought that you need a special cleaner for every room in your house. Not really for any reason other than that they sell a different cleaner for every room in the house. Well since starting this Vegan/Organic thing I've also started thinking about all the chemicals I'm using around my house that are probably not so good to me. So I did a little google search and found this site, Clean and Green.
Holy cow if it didn't blow my house cleaning brain. I went to town yesterday with just some vinegar, baking soda, oil (for my wooden furniture). I cleaned my whole upstairs top to bottom (I'm talking scrubbing freaking baseboards) with only these things. Which didn't really suprise me till I got to the bathroom.
Our bathtub was in a sorry state. There was soap scum, the tub had stains in it that I couldn't get out with all the chemicals in my formal arsenal. So I took my vinegar and sprayed the whole thing down and let it sit. Then after awhile I put some baking soda on my scrub brush and gave it a fresh spray of vinegar and went to town. It sparkles like crazy now. Everything came off soo easy!!!!
Dude our Grandmothers had something going, no wonder why thier houses were so clean they didn't have all these crappy cleaners like we do.