MPG Game ~ Update!!!

WooHoo!!
I have reached 19.3 mpg . . !
I will say our move to the mobile homestead is directly attributable to this. The peace I've found in our new life has me driving much more slowly (ask my new neighbors who think our country road is a road rage breeding race track). I now breathe deeply and it shows in my mpg . . .

MPG Game ~ Update!!

Hey there!! How are you doing with this game? (Please, please leave your progress in the comments below)
My MPG has improved dramatically. I have found that Not watching the "instant MPG" reading has actually helped. But, more importantly, our recent move has seriously reduced my stress level. The new sense of calm has slowed my driving . . . less rushing and more slow happy driving!!
Now, I must say that those driving near me are Way more stressed . . . . the fact that I flat out refuse to go over the speed limit, I begin to stop when I see a yellow light and I stop at all railroad crossings to look both ways has made me less than popular on the roadways . . . And helped my MPG . . .
And . . . I am loving this new MPG!!!

MPG Game

Hi! Wanted to give you a quick update on my progress . . well, at this point, lack thereof  . . I've been super focused on getting so many things done at once that I haven't been concentrating on MPG at all . ..
I'm now trying to watch it more closely as every penny saved counts!!!!

MPG Game . .

Hey there! Thought I'd snap a quick photo before I ran into work . . last night I was up to 18.4 MPG, but that was before Matt and I drove around talking . . looks like I had a lead foot last night!  :(

MPG Game ~ Improvements . .

Well, I've been able to increase my MPG a bit . . .
Up to 17.0 MPG so far . . .

MPG Game

Hi! Look what I have accomplished after only three (3) days with this feature reset!!  Now, I can't say I am completely thrilled with this reading, but I'm trying to keep in mind that I have 0% engine oil life left . . I know that has to be negatively affecting my MPG . . tomorrow morning is my oil change . . we'll see what happens after that!!!

MPG Game

Hey there!!
I finally found a way to reset my MPG on my 2008 Impala and I can tell you I am happy!
Ok, so I reset the goofy thing while I was was sitting at a stop light  . . this starts me back off at zero (0) MPG . . you can see I am working my way up from there . . slowly it's rising . . . seeing as I have less than 3% oil life left this slow increase isn't bad . . .
I'll keep you posted . . .

Free Range Children

Hi! Welcome back!
I'd like to tell you about something we're trying at home. Actually, this is pretty how I was raised and so is simply getting back to basics and the solid old standards.
Free Range Children
Yes, children, not chickens!!
For years I have kept Matt close to home as he had a tendency to wander off and, being autistic, this was a concern. I was just at the point of getting a tracking bracelet when he outgrew it!
So . . Two (2) weeks ago I informed him that he was to take his aluminum and walk to Berlinsky's Recycling to cash in, then stop at Derald's Flea Market and see what they have. Matt looked at me like I'd completely lost it! Was I really going to send my (13-year-old) baby to walk three (3) blocks carrying his own recycling??!
Yup!!! It was time for him to be a teenager ....
And, as recycling is a business he runs on his own, I decided it was time for him to take responsibility for getting all the crushed beer and pop cans (he has many kind folks who give him all their cans regularly) to Berlinsky's on his own!! I told him to call periodically and let me know where he was, but, please, go be a teen. He did ask if he could take a friend along (yeah, he's been home too too long!!), and, of course I said yes, go be a teenager!!!
So . . .
He gathered all his bags of aluminum (5) and picked up a buddy, then they walked to Berlinsky's ($9) and Derald's (he bought gummy worms). He called me to ask if he could go to his friend's grandpa's then the friend's mom was going to give them a ride to/from McDonald's. Then they sat in our yard and talked a while.
I would say this went really well, although he did call a lot to check in. It was really good for him to get out and just be a teenager. We have taken this on as a new lifestyle/ returned to the way I was raised.
Have you tried Free Range Children with your family??

Sent from my T-Mobile Android device

MPG Game~ 2008 Chevy Impala

Well, 21.8 MPG in the city is way better than what I was getting with the Jeep, but I know I can do way better! Time to slow down and be more aware of my MPG.

Sent from my Cricket mobile device

MPG Game

Too much idling and stop/ start driving... Ugh!

Sent from my Cricket mobile device

Joy Dare~ September 2012

17th~ 3 gifts Ugly-Beautiful~ nuts laying in layers of weeds and dirt and leaves; laundry water washing all over the floor; cleaning and the look in his eyes

18th~ a gift fixed, folded, freckled~ two hearts filled with love and trust and hope and plans for the future; piles of sorted laundry; dew on morning grass
19th~ 3 gifts in conversation~ the friend I woke this morning who chatted for hours; the friend who pushed me to not allow it to happen again; the friend who called to encourage me in Christ
20th~ 3 gifts in salvation~ His love, patience and understanding through all things
21st~ 3 gifts in information~ www.preparingtosurvive.com; Bible;WBGL
22nd~ a gift rattling, receding, reclaiming~ my brain in my skull; those unhealthy for me; Him pulling me back to Him
23rd~ 3 gifts quiet~ small voices sharing during Sunday school
24th~ 3 gifts funny~ those who have walked away and made room for me to grow in Him
25th~ 3 gifts finished~ being a doormat; trying to dress to please others; relying on man for my future 
26th~ 3 gifts flourishing~ Matt; new friendships; my prayer life
27th~ a gift unexpected, uneven, unpopular~ being able to drive to Chicago; friendships; wet bed
28th~ 3 gifts shy~ uncertain letter written; smile; young friend   
29th~ 3 gifts shelved~ relationships
30th~ 3 gifts shining~ His love; our Pastor's ability to peach the word with insight; light of hope He gives those who believe

Scout Sunday?

Good afternoon all! 

I'm glad to see you today. 

Happy Scout Sunday to you!!!

How was your church service this morning? 

Yes, I'm sincerely hoping you attended your worship service this morning. 

Matt and I attended service at a local Baptist church. 

I was amazed the Matt was the only boy there in full class A uniform.

He was the only boy I saw in uniform at all. 

How sad that was.

How sad that there was no mention of scouting during service.

I would not want scouting to be more important than worshiping our Lord, but I would like to see scouting encouraged more in churches. 

So, as we drove home, Matt and I chatted about the similarities between the contents of his Bible, his Sunday school Bible study book and his Webelos scout book. 

The 12 points of the Boy Scout Law are:

Trustworthy

Loyal

Helpful

Friendly

Courteous

Kind

Obedient

Cheerful

Thrifty

Brave

Clean

Reverent

Maybe I'm a bit confused, but aren't these things we are teaching and encouraging in church?

How wonderful it would be if all the boys could have the scouting opportunity! 

Sunday at Home

Good morning, dear friend! How is your morning going so far? Come on in, if you dare! Today Matt and I stayed home to rest and try to catch up on chores and family time... planning to be back in church next Sunday as my cold seems to have run it's course! This, of course, is my little wood stove... I'm afraid to admit the wood rack is indeed empty except for one small log I'm saving for tonight when the temps drop to a minus 35 wind chill... right now I'm burning scrap wood from a clean-up at work, including wood shingles... So far today we are toasty... Matt and I are watching "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" while doing laundry and brushing a freshly bathed Me McDoodle... Hope your day is blessed!

Johnny Cakes a la Matthew!

Well, good afternoon! You're just in time for lunch. Matt's making johnny cakes. Today's his first lesson on johnny cakes. For today's recipe he mixed a can of corn, 2 fresh eggs, a box of Jiffy corn bread mix and some milk. One recipe at a time Matt is learning to be a self-sufficient adult. The goal is to be able to completely care for himself by the time he is 18-years-old. We're off to a great start!

Our campsite @ Silver Cross Field

Tonight is Rainbow Council Jackhammers Overnight! 

Candace, Matthew, Aiden and I watched the game against Kansas City. 

It was the slowest, longest game ever (or so it seemed), but we won! 

 After the game Matt and I gathered our camping stuff from the Jeep and set up our camp. 

He and I decided to sleep under the stars like a Webelo as we can always use more practice, but we did bring the 2-man tent in case of rain. 

 Well, no stars in the sky, but no hint of rain either. 

The movie, "The Sandlot", is starting. 

I need to relax with the best son in the world in the outfield. 

Have a blessed night all!

Enjoying a Rainy Day at Work

It's so funny how a rainy day can cloud my mind. 
Today I would've loved to stay in bed and listen to the rain. 
Just roll over and go back to sleep. 
But, work was beckoning me from across our little valley that is downtown Joliet. 
And so we are all here at work. 
Matt playing computer games, Aiden napping, Candi in her office.
And me...? 
I'm sitting here thinking about the building. 
Who's behind on rent? 
What storage closets aren't rented? 
What condition are the empty units in? 
Wonder if I should inspect occupied units? 
Think I'll sit here a spell and rethink my game plan. 
Re prioritize my projects. 
Have a blessed day, all and enjoy the rain!

Precision Practice

Well, Matt's moved up to mowing between the headstones. 

Still missing some spots, but, overall, a good job! 

 He's learning teamwork vs. joyriding. 

He wants to be one of the guys, so he must learn the job. 

 And, Volunteering is What Scouts Do!

Time to Work

Hey! We're at Oakwood Cemetery so Matt can learn the proper way to mow a cemetery.

When You Give Unselfishly...

Welcome back. Today Matt is dropping food off at MorningStar Mission.
I can't begin to tell you how proud I am to see my 9-year-old son care enough about the wellbeing of others to take the time to do this. It's just beyond description.
He has set up a collection point at work and educated others as to the need.
It is a blessing to our entire family to give this way!

Homework & Hugs...

After a long day, Matt decided to pitch in on cleaning his room! Then he got a long hot bath and started his homework. He may get it all caught up yet!