750 Words

Image: freedigitalphotos.net

750 Words is a site use often, nearly every day, to help clear my mind and jumpstart the writing process. It is a simple site that allows the writer to set up their own account. After writing it provides an analysis of the writing that is interesting.

There are other features that are interesting and fun as well. There are fun badges - badges for writing a certain number of days in row, badges for speed of typing, badges for number of words written. There is a monthly challenge, and ways to connect with others if desired.

The idea for 750 Words came from the idea of Morning Pages, which is writing three pages each morning on whatever ideas come to mind to write about. It's a kind of mind clearing process and a way to begin the creative process.

So if you are looking for a place to write just for the fun of writing you may want to check out 750 Words.

Mornings . . . . Should Be Outlawed

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos by Carlos Portos

Or least come equipped with coffee IVs.

 Just sayin`

Daily Journal Tuesday December 28, 2010

Today we were definitely back into routine. Lots of kids, lots of action, lots of chaos fun.  

Bu I did have to have a conversation with Amanda about when it is and is not okay to text people with her new phone. We tend to have a later schedule than a lot of people. In fact three evenings a week we do schoolwork for 9:00 to 10:00PM. Then I let Austin and Amanda sleep in until 8:00AM every morning while I am busy with the daycare. Anyway, this leads to my kids being awake later at night than a lot of kids. Apparently Amanda was texting a friend at 11:00PM, and the phone was in her mother's room and woke her mother. Oops!

Last week Michael managed to break two of our baby gates and then today L. knocked over a small bookcase and broke off some of the supports for the shelves. So this afternoon Doug fixed one of the gates and the book shelves. 

And my brain seems to be completely fried tonight so I better stop before I start typing gibberish.

Daily Journal Monday December 27, 2010

The three day Christmas vacation was wonderful and went by very quickly. Way too quickly.

On Friday, Christmas Eve, we went to Covington, Va to have our Christmas celebration with Doug's parents and brother. It was a fun and relaxing day filled with good conversation and good food. We had originally planned to go down on Christmas day but with snow in the forecast here and even more snow in the forecast there and a mountain between us, we decided to go a day early.

Christmas morning we awoke to snow. Although there was very little accumulation during the day it was nice to watch it snow. There was the usual flurry of opening presents. Austin and Amanda were absolutely delighted with their cell phones. This is the first time they've had their own phones although they've been wanting them for some time now. As they are getting older and going more places without me I feel more comfortable knowing they have an easy way to get in contact with me or Doug if they need too. Michael was very excited to have his first bike that is all his own.

Midmorning the kids went down to visit my parents (walking distance from where we live) and were gone the rest of the day. So Doug and I had a very quiet day at home. Part of the time it was just me because he ran a call with the rescue squad. I soaked up the peace and quiet like a sponge. That in itself was like a Christmas present to me. Austin ended up staying the night there but Amanda and Michael decided to come on home for the night.

Sunday morning we woke up to more snow. I had thought that since Michael had gone to bed two hours later than his normal bedtime the night before that maybe he would sleep late, but he didn't. I got up with him and then when Doug got up I went back to bed and didn't get up until almost noon. It was wonderful, absolutely wonderful!

The rest of Sunday was pretty quiet as well. Amanda and Michael went back to Grandma's for a couple hours. Later in the evening Doug had his normal Sunday evening shift at the Rescue Squad. Actually, he normally gets off at 9:45 but this time he stayed on duty all night since he didn't have to go to work Monday morning.

Today we eased back into the normal daily routine. We will have off again on Friday and Saturday and then it will back to regularly scheduled programming.

Opinion Outpost

I have tried a variety of online survey sites and Opinion Outpost has by far been my favorite. While certainly not a way to get rich, I have found it rewarding to earn a little money, whether in the form of Amazon or Citi gift cards or a check. I normally do these surveys during what would otherwise be down time for me - while the kids are happy playing but still need me to supervise or while watching movies with my family.

Many of the surveys offered for me to try I end up not being able to finish because I do not qualify for some reason. But I am able to complete and be rewarded for enough of them to keep me coming back.

For other reviews of this site check out these links

SurveyPolice.com

MySurvey123.com - Opinion Outpost

Daily Daycare Schedule and Menu Saturday January 8, 2011

6:30 - Breakfast - Cereal, Milk, Juice

7:00 - Cooking with Kids - Homemade Pizza, Peanut Butter and Jelly Oat Bars, Cheesy Ranch Chex Mix (Practical Life Skills)

7:40 - Practical Life Skills - Kitchen Clean Up

8:00 - Free Time - Gears, Puzzles, Mosaics, Lacing Buttons and Cards, Books, Housekeeping, Wooden Blocks, Cars and Trucks, Animal Playset, Art Supplies

9:00- Circle Time

9:15 - Worksheets - Trace & Color Train Rectangles

9:30 - Snack - Grapes, Milk

9:45 - Table Time - Winter Bingo

10:15 - Free Play - see 8AM

10:45 - Outdoor Play or Alphabet Action Cards and Free Play

11:30 - Clean up Playroom and Wash for Lunch

11:45 - Lunch - Homemade Pizza, Pineapple, Milk

12:10 - Practical Life Skills - Laundry

12:30 - Quiet Time w/Books and Music

12:45 - Story Time

1:00 - Naptime

2:30 - Wake Up, Snack - Peanut Butter and Jelly Oat Bars, Milk

3:00 - Outdoor Play or Alphabet Action Cards and Free Play

4:00- Free Play

5:00 - Clean Up Playroom and Wash for Dinner

5:15 - Dinner - Hot Dogs, Buns, Baked Beans, French Fries,  Milk

5:45 - Circle Time

6:00 - Worksheets - Itsy Bitsy Rectangle Books

6:15 - Practical Life Skills - Make Fingerpaint

6:45 - Table Time - Fan Paper Peacock Craft

7:15 - Snack - Cheesy Ranch Chex Mix, Milk

7:30 - Storytime

7:45 - Clean Up Playroom and Get Ready for Bed

8:00 - Bedtime

Daily Daycare Schedule and Menu Friday January 7, 2011

6:30 - Breakfast

7:00 - Cooking with Kids - Mix Pudding, Make Deviled Eggs, Mix Soup (Practical Life Skills)

7:40 - Practical Life Skills - Kitchen Clean Up

8:00 - Free Play - Gears, Puzzles, Mosaics, Lacing Buttons and Cards, BLooks Housekeeping, Wooden Blucks,  Toy Cars and Trucks, Animal Playset, Playdough

9:00 - Circle Time

9:15 - Worksheets - Blue Itsy Bitsy Book

9:30 - Snack - Pudding, Graham Crackers

9:45 - Table Time - Peacock Coloring Pages

10:15 - Free Time - see 8AM

10:45 - Outdoor Play or Alphabet Action Cards and Free Time

11:30 - Pick Up Playroom and Wash for Lunch

11:45 - Lunch - Vegetable Soup, Crackers, Deviled Eggs, Bananas, Milk

12:10 - Practical Life Skills - Clean Under and Behind Furniture in Playroom

12:30 - Quiet Time w/Books and Music

12:45 - Storytime

1:00 - Naptime

2:30 - Wake Up, Snack - Animal Crackers, Juice

3:00 - Outdoor Play or Alphabet Action Cards and Free Play

4:00 - Free Play - see 8AM

5:00 - Clean up Playroom and Wash for Dinner

5:15 - Dinner - Egg Casserole, Bananas, Strawberries, Toast, Milk

5:45 - Cirlce Time

6:00 - Worksheets - Fingerpaint Rectangle Worksheet

6:15 - Practical Life Skills - Laundry

6:45 - Table Time - Winter Bingo

7:15 - Snack - Popcorn, Milk

7:30 - Storytime

7:45 - Pick Up Playroom and Get Ready for Bed

8:00 - Bedtime

Daily Daycare Scheudule and Menu Thursday January 6, 2010

6:30 - Breakfast - Cereal, Milk, Juice

7:00 - Cooking with Kids - Salad, Apricot Cake (Practical Life Skills)

7:40 - Practical Life Skills - Clean Kitchen

8:00 - Free Play - Gears, Puzzles, Mosaics, Lacing Buttons and Cards, Wooden Blocks, Books, Housekeeping, Cars and Trucks, Animal Playset, Art

9:00 - Circle Time

9:15 - Worksheets - Color Buddies Blue Worksheet

9:30 - Snack - Toast, Juice

9:45 - Table Time - Winter Bingo

10:15 - Free Time - see 8AM


10:45 - Outdoor Play or Alphabet Action Cards and Free Play

11:30 - Pick Up Playroom, Wash for Lunch

11:45 - Lunch - Chicken Nuggets, French Fries, Salad, Bread, Apricot Cake

12:10 - Practical Life Skills -  Laundry

12:30 - Quiet Time w/Books and Music

12:45 - Storytime

1:00 - Naptime

2:30 - Wake Up, Snack - Peaches, Milk

3:00 - Outdoor Play or Alphabet Action Cards and Free Play

4:00 - Free Play - see 8AM

5:00 - Pick Up Playroom, Wash for Dinner

5:15 - Dinner -  Slow 'N' Easy Chili, Buttery Corn Bread, Applesauce, Apricot Cake, Milk

5:45 - Circle Time

6:00 - Worksheets - Fingerpaint Color Buddies Blue Coloring Page


6:15 - Practical Life Skills -  Make Playdough

6:45 - Table Time - Peacock Paper Plate Craft

7:15 - Snack - Graham Crackers, Milk

7:30 - Storytime

7:45 - Pick Up Playroom, Get Ready for Bed

8:00 - Bedtime

Daily Daycare Schedule and Menu - Wednesday January 5, 2011

6:30 - Breakfast - Cereal, Milk, Juice

7:00 - Cooking with Kids - Easy Cookies, Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Tomato Soup, Wash Grapes (Practical Life Skills)

7:40 - Practical Life Skills - Kitchen Clean Up

8:00 - Free Play - Gears, Puzzles, Mosaics, Lacing Buttons and Cards, Books, Housekeeping, Wooden Blocks, Cars and Trucks, Animal Figures, Playdough

9:00 - Circle Time

9:15 - Worksheet - Fingerpaint Letter Pp Worksheet

9:30 - Snack - Easy Cookies, Milk

9:45 - Table Time - Letter Pp MiniBook

10:15 - Free Time - See 8AM

10:45 - Outdoor Play or Alphabet Action Cards and Free Play

11:30 - Clean Up Playroom, Wash For Lunch

11:45 - Lunch - Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Tomato Soup, Grapes, Milk

12:10 - Practical Life Skills - Dust Playroom and Wash Windows

12:30 - Quiet Time w/Books and Music

12:45 - Storytime

1:00 - Naptime

2:30 -Wake Up,  Snack - Bananas, Milk

3:00 - Outdoor Play or Alphabet Action Cards and Free Time

4:00 - Free Time - See 8AM

5:00 - Clean Up Playroom, Wash for Dinner

5:15 - Dinner - Macaroni and Cheese, Peas, Peaches, Milk

5:45 - Circle Time

6:00 - Worksheets - Fingerpaint Number 3 Template

6:15 - Practical Life Skills - Laundry

6:45 - Table Time - Winter Bingo

7:15 - Snack - Popcorn, Milk

7:30 - Storytime

7:45 - Clean Up Playroom, Get Ready for Bed

8:00 - Bedtime

Daily Daycare Schedule and Menu, Tuesday January 4, 2011

6:30 - Breakfast - Cereal, Milk, Juice

7:00 - Cooking with Kids - Graham Crackers w/Icing, Green Bean Casserole, Ham Cheddar Biscuits (Practical Life Skills)

7:40 - Practical Life Skills - Kitchen Clean Up

8:00 - Free Play - Gears, Puzzles, Mosaics, Lacing Buttons and Cards, Books, Housekeeping, Wooden Blocks, Cars and Trucks, Animal Playset, Art

9:00 - Circle Time

9:15 - Pp is for Pie

9:30 - Snack - Graham Cracker/Icing Sandwiches, Milk

9:45 - Games - Winter Bingo

10:15 - Free Play - see 8AM

10:45 - Outdoor Play or Alphabet Action Cards and Free Play

11:30 - Inside: Clean up Playroom, Wash for Lunch

11:45 - Lunch - Green Bean Casserole, Ham Cheddar Biscuits, Applesauce, Milk

12:10 - Practical Life Skills - Laundry

12:30 - Quiet Time w/Books and Music

12:45 - Storytime

1:00 - Naptime

2:30 - Wake Up, Snack - Oyster Snack Crackers,
Juice
3:00 - Outdoor Play or Alphabet Action Cards and Free Time

4:00 - Free Time - See 8AM

5:00 - Pick Up in Playroom, Wash for Dinner

5:15 - Dinner - Chicken, Bean, and Rice Stir Fry, Lettuce/Tomato Salad, Milk

5:45 - Circle Time

6:00 - Worksheets - Pp is for Pig

6:15 - Free Play - See 8AM

6:45 - Table Time - Parrot Coloring Pages

7:15 - Snack - Applesauce Bread, Milk

7:30 - Storytime

7:45 - Pick Up Playroom, Get Ready for Bed

8:00 - Bedtime

Daily Daycare Schedule and Menu Monday January 3, 2011

6:30 - Breakfast - Cereal, Milk, Juice

7:00 - Kids Cooking - Oyster Snack Crackers, Applesauce Bread, Roast Beef Sandwiches (Practical Life Skills)

7:40 - Practical Life Skills - Kitchen Clean Up

8:00 - Free Play - Gears Building Sets, Puzzles, Mosaics, Lacing Buttons and Beads, Books, Housekeeping, Cars and Trucks, Animal Playset, Playdough

9:00 - Circle Time

9:15 - Worksheets - Fingerpaint Letter Pp Template

9:30 - Snack - Oyster Snack Crackers, Juice

9:45  - Table Time - Parrot Craft

10:15 - Free Play - See 8AM

10:45 - Outdoor Play or Alphabet Action Cards and Free Play

11:30 - Inside - Clean up playroom and wash for lunch

11:45 - Lunch - Roast Beef Sandwiches, Buttered Potatoes, Corn, Milk

12:10 - Practical Life Skills - Pickup and Dust Living Room, Wash Windows

12:30 - Quiet Time w/Books and Music

12:45 - Storytime

1:00 - Naptime

2:30 - Wake Up, Snack - Applesauce Bread, Milk

3:00 - Outdoor Play or Alphabet Action Cards and Free Play

4:00 - Free Play - See 8AM

5:00 - Clean Up Playroom, Wash for Dinner

5:15 - Dinner - Baked Taco Chicken, Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes, Green Beans, Cottage Cheese Bread,  Milk

5:45 - Circle Time

6:00 - Worksheets - Pp is for Parrot

6:15 - Practical Life Skills - Laundry

6:45 - Table Time - Winter Bingo

7:15 - Snack - Graham Crackers, Milk

7:30 - Storytime

7:45 - Clean up Playroom and Get Ready for Bed

8:00 - Bedtime

Oyster Snack Crackers

 3 (10 -12 ounce) packages oyster crackers         
2 (1 ounce) packages Ranch style dressing mix
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

Mix Ranch dressing mix, dill weed, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder and vegetable oil. Add oyster crackers, coating evenly. Spread on a baking sheet.

Bake for 15 -20 minutes, stirring gently halfway through.

Remove from oven. Cool.

Enjoy