We're having chicken, dressing, salad, and this for dinner;

Oatmeal Cake with Broiled Topping  ~ Charlotte Bower

combine

1 cup oats

11/4 boiling water let stand 20 minutes

Sift together

11/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Salt

Beat together

1/2 cup softened marg

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

Stir in oat mixture, stir in flour mixture.  Pour in greased 9" square pan bake 30 minutes at 350

Topping;

3/4 cup flaked coconut

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup nuts

1/4 cucp melted margarine

3 Tbs milk or cream

Mix together spread on top of cake after cooked and broil for 5 minutes.

The topping is what makes this special.  Its actually reasonably healthy considering the amount of oats in it.  And besides that its nummy.  Its my moms recipe, and I've been craving it for about a week.  My new lifestyle allows me to bake without guilt...as long as I reserve it for my binge meal of the day.  Besides Zeria and I have been having a lot of fun cooking.  She's learning about fractions, and reading recipes.  The other kiddos get to watch, but Zeria's getting one on one mommy time.  And she's learning fast. 

Math problem solved.

Whenever my kiddos and I hit an impasse I try to take at least a twenty-four period off to rethink it.  As you know on Tuesday we hit a mind-block in less then.

They matched numbers up.  They could answer who had more and translate it into a written word problem.  They could not translate who had less.  We were using plastic teddy bears, dinosaurs, and farm animals--our Manipulatives that come with the math program.

So, after Ladybag's suggestion of eating less food.  I got sneaky and bought a big family size bag of M&M's.  Today they got it in spades.  The kid that had only four m&M's was immediately aware of who had less, and how much less.  BWAHAHAHA

Even Jeremiah wanted to do Math today.  *giggles*  So, success.  And somehow I don't think they'll ever forget that lesson

Okies so I found a new toy after following a link on Flute's site.  Points up.  Enjoy.  *Snigger* 

Oh and while your here be sure and check my side module and get your fortune cookie.  Their calorie free. 

Good afternoon.

Its been a non-productive quiet kind of day.  But that's okay.  I need those kind of days sometimes.  And it helps me gear up for Awana tonight. 

We did go play on the beach today, and added another "favorite" beach LOL.

The highway that goes past our house goes for 17 miles of beach about a mile past our house.  So, we keep exploring.  This is actually BIG huge sedimentary rock/boulders.  They are piled up, and have sand underneath them.  They are great for kids to climb, and jump, and they also have awesome caverns to explore.  (Okay their tunnels that only kids can fit in, but Samuel calls them caverns.  snicker)   They also have a "secret" passage way that allows you to slip between two big rocks into another part of the beach.  We were trying to give it a name, as it felt like it deserved one.  The

This is Zeria climbing, jumping on the rocks.

We didn't stay long as it was FREEZING cold.  But we will go back when mommy and daddy can sit in the sand, and the kids can climb and explore to their hearts content.

Its actually at the far end of our already favorite beach, so we could be all day there and never get bored.  And btw Ocean Mama I live in NOrthwestern Washington.  Northwestern corner of the Olympic Peninsula.

Rainee didn't have a coat, so ended up all bundled up in my flannel shirt.  It wasn't great, and was one of the other reasons we didn't

I actually took a bunch of fun pictures, but I'm almost out of time to share them as I have to head to Awana, so I'll have to do some more tomorrow.

A doubt myself moment.

Personally I think the math problem is stupid.  Its just not math that kids are going to think in.

You have 9 cars You have 4 school buses.  How many more cars?

The kids can do that--its logical.   And human kind is greedy--they always want to know who has more.  ROFL

You have 9 yellow cubes.  You have 7 blue cubes How many fewer blue cubes.   Kids can't do that.  "I don't get it."  And blank stares.  Cause human kind never wants to know who has less, only more.  LOL  

They can do 9-7 have been able to for a long time.  But learning this concept is frying their brain cells, and clogging mine up.     Being able to do it, and being able to explain it are two different things.   Wommie?  HELP?   

I have a little boy who likes to throw things....and this cartoon is just sooooooooooooooooooooo applicabble.  Rob found it at work, and so I had to go find it online and share.  Just Jeremiah.  LOL

We have to get the red van to the shop this morning, and do school.  Other then that, I keep hoping it will be warmer today, so I can go hang outside.  I did the grocery shopping yesterday afternoon, as I'd firmly planted it in my head that payday was today.  LOL  It went well, and my kids were complimented again for their behavior.  Which is always nice.

My muse has absolutely flown the coop.  I can't seem to wake her up, for more then one or two posts.   I started up writing last night, and then wham all gone.  And I'm starting to hold people up, which I never do.  *growls*

One of our coworkers, was one of the recipients of the picnic tables.  She was so greatful she gave Rob a gift certificate for a fruit tree last night.  I think we will get another apple, as I only planted one of those last time.  Other then that just life.

Yesterday we had a special drive out to the Hoh Rain Forest.  Its a rather eery place, and the only temperate rain forest in the Continental U.S.  It was also raining.  So the standing joke was it was raining on Rainee in the rain forest.  *snicker*

We did a mile and 1/4 hike exploring the moss, and trail.  The kids were troopers, and Jer hiked almost 3/4's of it which delighted us.  I was also rather appauled at all the trees that bit the dust this winter. 

It was a good adventure, even if it was a bit wet.  Mile wise its not that far from our house.  Drivewise it took about a hour and a half to get there.   We didn't get home 'til 6:30 in the evening. 

There were all kinds of pretty green places, and it was beautiful.   I want to go back in a month or so when all the leaves are open which will make it even prettier.

The kids were hysterical and kept bugging to have their pictures taken here, and here, and here and here.

I figured we should join them, so Zeria took this.   

I was particularly pleased today when I woke up and realized I had no hurting body parts after having hiked that much.  

Some of my pictures turned out a bit fuzzy, I'm not sure why.  It might have been the rain, I'm a bit frustrated by it.  My only other thought is I put it on scenery a couples time, and might not have switched it back for people pictures.  *shrugs*   Oh well, next time.  LOL

And then I have this video to share of Jer hiking, and Rainee jabbering. 

Grumpy Today Not sure why.

Woke up in the night with two or three anxiety attacks.

Kinda achey all over.    Just a Ugh morning LOL

I need to eat that will help, I also need to find a piece of missing paperwork.   Anyone seen the van title laying around?

*growls*

Isn't this an edifying blog this morning?  LOL

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have a major beef going on in my head.  I am so so very sick of people crying hypocrite.   I see it in many genre's, and many arenas.  Its irritating how few people allow people failure, or the right to apologize, and be forgiven.  

This isn't in regards to anything specific, just a general frustration.  If someone arround me admits they screwed up in regards to anything, I forgive and move on.  In too many other areas, forgiveness is a concept people don't even grasp, and its grudges that are the line of the day.  Its...exhausting.

My mermaid is being brought back out for writing by *gasp* request.  I finally found her a real life avatar, and had to share how she turned out.  I think she's just beautiful.

And man I'm so happy.  I typed in Forks Homeschool groups, and found a local homeschool group that is active.  They have the kinds of activities I'm looking for.  A park day, a pool day, and a spring banquet, etc.   Just fellowship with homeschool moms.  *cheers*  I e-mailed the addy this morning, and got a response within an hour. 

So so very happy.

As I mentioned multiple times this place was set up to be a campground.  Complete with a campground check-in station.  It was a majorly over engineered little spot, that had a big piece of gray painted board for campground notices.  I had NO idea what to do with it.

Recently Rob and I concluded we will "never" run this as a campground, its not our dream.  So I was eyeing it as to what to do with it.  The result--its just become a rather ingenious little gazebo for our two swinging hammock chairs.  One can even sneak out there to use it when its raining, as its well roofed.  As long as its not side-ways winter rain.

I thought it turned out quite nice.  I had no idea both of them would be able to fit.  I'm thoroughly looking forward to going and watching the stars in those with my husband on a clear night....

And its located so I can see the swing set to the right, and the kids "rock climbing hill"  to the far left.  And most of where they like to bike most.  I have a definite new favorite spot. 

I've managed to stay on my diet for 5 whole days.  And I feel so good on it.  More energy.     I weigh myself daily, and at the end of the week I will average myself and come up with a base weight.  This is their recommendation.  My first goal is to get below 300.  Yes, that's what I said.  *sigh*  I got over it while pregnant with Jeremiah.  Its a very doable goal, as I'm not a lot over it--somewhere between 6-9 pounds.  

Rob is a nurse who has extremely practical, and realistic goals as to where/how I should do this.  The diet I'm using says you should never loose more then 2.5 pounds in one week as your body flips into starvation mode.  So Rob says my end-goal should be 225.  Which is still overweight, but way healthier.

I am 5'7, and extremely big boned, so its not as terrible as one would think.  My personal goal would be 199.   Okay actually I'd be absolutely THRILLED with 180.  And pass out of shock if I could get to 165--what I was in highschool/college.

So, we shall see.  First to get to below 300.

And yes, I'm being intensely honest here.  But, I gotta start somewhere.