Happenings around here

I know you are all dieing to know what the heck is going on over here in Granger... so I thought I would send out an update to the world.

Top Ten:

1. I made beef jerky for the first time ever. (Organic, all good ingredients, used a dehydrator). It actually is pretty good. It'll get better with practice.

2. I made really yummy organic raw salsa, like tons of it, and I'm making more tomorrow.

3. I haven't worked out very much or very hard for about 3 weeks now... and it doesn't really bother me. (For reason why see #4)

4. I have had at least one sick child for the past 3 weeks. It has been so unusual, and it isn't the normal cold or flu, so it's really altered my schedule, and I'm okay with that, I just want them better, it's hard to watch them day after day feel so yucky!

5. I am so loving having our CSA (Crop Share) this summer. We joined a crop share with our local Amish farmer (whom I love). We already bought our milk, eggs, meat, and cheese from him, and now for like 16 weeks (June - September) we get a basketful of vegetables and fruits every week. And it is a organic, locally grown, and it's whatever is in season that week, so it varies from week to week. I haven't had to buy really any fruit or vegys from anywhere else. I would recommend it to everyone!!! You pay one flat fee in April when you sign up, and then you just pick up each week!

6. I spent over an hour cleaning out my van yesterday. It was 95 degrees outside, so in the garage it was 105, and I was in the van vacuuming and scrubbing, as drops of sweat ran off my nose constantly. I actually liked it, it was like getting a good work-out in or sitting in a sauna for an hour. But the best thing about cleaning out the van... see #7.

7. I fixed our broken stand-up freezer in the garage! Yes, before we went on vacation I discovered all my strawberries partially unthawed in the "new" freezer we bought for $50 from craigslist. The freezer wasn't working... we were leaving for vacation in 6 hours, and I just figured I'd worry about it later. Well, here we are 3 weeks later... I go to vacuum the van, and the vacuum won't work either... ah duh.. the electricity isn't working... so I go to the basement, flip a switch. Tahda!! The freezer is fixed!

8. My sweet in-laws had planned to take the 3 kids on a trip for 3 days, we scheduled it in early July so I was looking forward to 3 days alone, and time with Justin when he wasn't at work. It was a pretty big deal, well, it happened to fall in the 3 week sickness time-frame... so Miah had to stay home with me. I felt so bad for her, she was crushed. 2 years ago when they did the same thing, Miah was too young to go, and this time she was sick. We made the best of it, and she slept so much of the time, that I still got a few things done.

9. We are all ready for school to start. I am so excited for Miah to finally get to go to school. Mainly because I know she is hungry to learn and she is very social, and because she is the youngest, she has been wishing she could go to school like her big brothers. So although it is bittersweet, (my baby is off to school), I think it is going to be a great experience and a great year for all of us.

10. Justin's TRI-ATHALON is in about a week. I am excited for him. He's been swimming alot and loving it. He hasn't been running or biking much, but he has fallen in love with the 'swim'.

11. I have a new bff. I like to call him "Johnny Jumper". Most people know him as Jump Box, but him and I have gotten close over the past month, so he is Johnny Jumper to me. My van has battery/electrical issues and without my bff, we'd be stuck (literally).