That's what we had for supper today.

Basically a flour, egg and milk dough rolled into strips and deep fried. Not unlike a fritter I suppose.

I made one batch with regular white flour, and then half a batch with whole wheat flour.

I have a sneaking suspicion, though, that watermelon is on the "do not eat" list for those on diabetic alert.

It's just about the right time, (about an hour and a half since supper) and I'm feeling it.

Woo hoo.

Too much sweet watermelon, and too many roll kuchen-even if they were whole wheat!

Good thing it's the evening and I don't have to do any heavy thinking tonight.

I think I'll go wash the dishes for Thomas or something, to get moving...

Or it could just be "good night Irene" for this type 2 diabetic!

If Micah were to be assigned Johanna's chores, and should he conclude that as each sibling took their leave he would be the one picking up the slack...

Are there any "phobias" that he might be in danger of developing?

I googled "phobia" and found this list.

Intriguing.

We could, theoretically, bring about:

Eleutherophobia....................Fear of freedom.

Ergophobia....................Fear of work.

Hypengyophobia or Hypegiaphobia....................Fear of Responsibility.

Metathesiophobia....................Fear of changes.

Oikophobia....................Fear of home surroundings, house.

Ponophobia....................Fear of overworking or of pain.



I didn't know there were names for so many fears.

Does putting "phobia" on the end of your fear legitimize it?

Some of them made me chuckle:

Zemmiphobia: Fear of the great mole rat. (for even more fascination, google "great mole rat"!)

Phobophobia: Fear of phobias.

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia....


Fear of long words.

So, next time you need a chuckle, or a "reason" on your absentee form, an excuse to skip that family gathering, or a justification for your dislike of housework, check out the phobia list. It could be just what the doctor ordered!

Well

She's gone.

She caught the 7:15 bus to Minnedosa via Yorkton via Watson.

I'm still in a 5:3o alarm induced fog.

Micah's biggest concern?

Who will do Johanna's chores?

That, and if Johanna's bed is better than mine....

We could assign her Saturday chores to him.

Then she would most assuredly be missed!

I know the closet was my idea.

I still think it's a good idea.

I just need to keep my feet in line.

We moved the computer into the front closet.

Works well.

We have easy access to our internet radio, but we can close the door when company comes.

However...

It is MOST annoying



When you've just written a BRILLIANT post



To have your foot accidentally hit the power bar's off switch



And to hear the sickening sound



Of the computer decompressing



Into silence



Knowing that everything you've just written



Is lost.



AAARG!!!

I give you The Dress.

She did well.

I'm not sure about the whole "Grand March" thing though.

Kind of like a beauty pageant for academics.

And not so academics.

I thought they should have also had the swim suit competition.

Would have gone well with the hypnotist!

(I almost typed "hypnotits".

Must be time for bed, because I thought that was funny!)

So now the girl's off to the After Grad Drunk Fest.

We wouldn't buy her any alcohol tickets, much to her annoyance.

I told her we're responsible parents.

And the legal drinking age here is 19.

And she's not even 18 til September.

Safe Grad.

Don't get me started.

On a positive note, my husband bought me a .ca

Should that be said "dotka", or "dot-cee-ay"?

I like "dotka".

I don't know where "lauralea.ca" will come into play, but I'm it!

Ciao.

Finished.

Finished.

Finished.

Can you tell I'm relieved that the grad dress is done?

Husband asked How many times have you made that thing?

At least three.

But it's done.

The skirt is not the way she envisioned it.

But the Back is.

I'm encouraging myself that her strongest vision was for this particular style of back.

So, if nothing else, we nailed the back.

She will look beautiful.

I understand how she feels, at her lowest moments, though....

Seems like all her friends are getting their hair done, and their nails done, and will show up in $400 dresses.

On many levels it makes you feel less elegant to think of doing your own hair, and to have your own nails, and don't even think about a "homemade" dress!

She'll not be the only one in a custom designed dress, though. And I doubt any of the $400 dresses will look any better than hers.

I could remind her that at a fair rate for labour, her dress has probably become a dress worth in excess of $400. Probably closer to $500 or $600. (I don't think it took me any less than 50 hours to do it.)

Somewhere, probably on my husband's website, there WILL be a picture of this beautiful girl in that gorgeous dress. It's a sophisticated, svelte style in a highly complimentary shade of dark blue chiffon. Did I already say "Beautiful"?

And so the first of my chicks flexes her wings and gets ready to take a dive.

Out of the nest.

Into the great blue yonder.

Fly high, my love.

Fly far.

Fly home again, often.

I just took a message from the library for my husband.

It seems one of Thomas' friends has applied for a job there, and a character reference is required.

The boy has applied to be a "Page".

At the library.

I wonder if the first promotion is to "Chapter".

Maybe "Index".

It's Father's Day.

In church today we were to think about our Dad, and write down something that we appreciate about him.

I wrote

My Dad loves me.

My Dad grew up with an alcoholic father. I've never heard his whole story, but the bits I've been able to piece together indicate that he didn't have a great example of fatherly love. I don't think he ever learned how to express his love.

At least in words.

My Dad was always a hard worker.

He loved us by providing for us.

I don't think I've ever heard my Dad say I Love You.

The closest he's come, when I say, I love you, is Same here.

But, he says I love you with his eyes.

He says I love you with his hug.

He says I love you when he makes Mom phone to make sure we got home alright.

So, Happy Father's Day, Dad.

Thank you for giving me your ears.

Thank you for giving me your forehead and nose.

Thank you for giving me your sense of humour.

Thank you for giving me your love.

I love you back.

Ooh... that got your attention!

We were at a lovely wedding reception yesterday afternoon.

Two beautiful young people, head-over-heels in love.

A great way to spend a Saturday.

We were able to sit at a table with friends, which is always nice when you know the newly weds, but not their relatives!

At one point in the proceedings a couple of fellows at our table burst into a spontaneous rendition of "Afternoon Delight". (if you didn't grow up in the 70's, just look it up. Let me totally date myself by admitting that this was one of my favourite songs on the juke box in the common room when I was in grade 8. )

I gave Randall a poke and said... Hey, they're singing our song!

I was then able to share some matronly advice.

You see, L.T., one of the singers, is getting married in about 6 weeks, and his lovely bride- to- be is a young widow with 2 boys.

I joked that "Afternoon Delight" is a good thing- sometimes that's the only delight you can get! With older children, you have to grab the moments as they come... like when the kids are at school.

If you have to work during those delightful hours in the afternoon you should go with the "after dinner nap".

Now, the bride is half Mennonite, so her boys should be used to "meta schlope" (dinner nap, for the Menno-challenged)

You have to tell your kids that "we're really tired, and we're going to have a nap. We'll be REALLY annoyed if you wake us up."

Set them up with a movie, or their favourite show, or a long game...

Works every time.

(Just make sure the door is locked and the curtains are drawn, because they're bound to want to check if you're still "sleeping"!)

I found the wieners.

And a whole lot of buns.

I was able to get everything out of the bottom of that freezer.

That 3 foot freezer.

That deep, deep freezer.

With the help of some red handled tongs and Mrs. Dueck.

God bless the tall people.

Feels like I've been away for a long time.

My parents have been visiting.

Just a stop over, to bring graduation gifts.

(See, Mom, says Johanna, - you ARE supposed to get gifts for grad.)

It was good to visit again. I don't think we've seen them since before Christmas.

Too long.

Anyway, several good canasta games later, they're on their way to my sister in Swift Current.

I was surprised how much I missed my blog.

Just thought I'd check in before I head over to the elementary school to look for wieners in the freezer.

At the last Home And School meeting (like the PTA for all you Americans) I was nominated to go digging in the freezer to assess the condition of the leftover wieners for tomorrow's Play Day. (like Sport's Day, for all you people my age!)

I TOLD them that I couldn't do it.

I TOLD them that I can't reach the bottom of the freezer.

At my house, I told them, I have to wait til one of the tall people are there to get things from the bottom of the freezer.

But, they just laughed, and as they all have paying jobs, I was nominated, despite my protests.

So, it's on their heads if I fall on mine.

I can see the headlines....


Princess Margaret tragedy.

"The Princess Margaret school community is mourning the loss of one of their favourite parents today. Mrs. Lauralea Friesen, mother of Micah, passed away at the school Thursday morning. Her cold, frozen body was discovered in the kitchen freezer, where it was determined she had fallen in on her head in a vain attempt to dislodge leftover frankfurters for a school event. She will be missed. School principal, Dough Wallace, was heard to moan, 'No more buns... no more buns....'"

I took the Theological World View quiz.

I seem to have my world views backward from my husband, the pastor.

What do you think that means?

You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan. You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavily by John Wesley and the Methodists. Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 86% Emergent/Postmodern 71% Neo orthodox 64% Reformed Evangelical 54% Fundamentalist 50% Classical Liberal 50% Charismatic/Pentecostal 39% Modern Liberal 36% Roman Catholic 32% What's your theological worldview? created with QuizFarm.com

(That's supposed to be a "yodel")

Yup, I'm feeling like one of the old, old generation- those who's topics of conversation tend to revolve around their aging processes.

The aches and pains.

The new hip.

The meds.

On the positive side, I am hopeful that by the end of the week I'll feel much better.

I admitted defeat and crawled to a doctor today.

He prescribed:

Tylenol and Ibuprofin, together.

Antibacterial mouthwash, to be gargled after each meal, and sometimes in between.

Metronidazole 250 mg.

Sulfameth/Trimeth 800/160 mg.

For the pain.

For the swollen, inflamed throat.

For the inner ear and sinus infection.

I think that's why I haven't been writing much.

My brain function is in suspended animation.

Now I'll go type Thomas' English homework, and get ready for our overnight company tomorrow.

There are several places I go every day to visit. I added Dixie a while ago, but I've also been getting to know and appreciate Lynette (Lyn), Christy and Robin. I'm not good with computer language, but I'm crafty- (like a fox!) and I've found that if I add copying, cutting, pasting etc., to my one web-world skill of adding a link I am able to put these names on the side there. I looked for a crafty way to change the heading to "Places I go every day", but couldn't see it! I know Lyn and Christy have visited here, so maybe they'll be glad to know I visit them too.

Just a little update.

I added the chicken to the barbecue, so I'm going to check that now!

I believe question #1 is: How many books do you own?

This is a tricky question when you live in a household of more than yourself, so I defined "books that I own" as books that have only been read by me, were gifts to me, purchased by me, or that I would take out of the Salvation Army box after a purge. (assuming that my husband had done the purging!)

Grand total, as far as I can see: 126. This includes 72 cookbooks, of which- surprisingly- 30 are from the Company's Coming series. I also have about 10 craft/ knitting books and a set of 18 Nancy Drew mysteries from my adolescence.

Question #2: Last book bought?

I believe the last book I bought was a Splenda cookbook. The last 2 before that were War and Peace and George Eliot's Adam Bede.

Question #3: Latest book(s) you are reading?

I, like Linea who tagged me, tend to read more than one book at a time. I currently have dogged ears or book marks in : Adam Bede, The Price of a Princess (Historical novel about Mary Stewart of Scotland by Nigel Tranter), Crime Through Time II (a collection of original historical short mysteries) and The Black Arrow (by Robert L. Stevenson, which I'm reading out loud to Micah- with a beautiful English accent, Toni!)

Question #4: Last book I read (and have finished)?

The Bourne Identity, by Robert Ludlum

Question #5: Five books that mean a lot to me:

Although there are a few specifically "Christian" books that I've enjoyed the last few years- memorably "the Jesus I never knew" and "The Ragamuffin Gospel"... I am choosing to rephrase this question. If I were marooned on a desert Island, which five books would I wish I had with me? (and I will count a "box set" as one!)

I would wish for the Bible, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Harry Potter set, and I don't know if I could choose between my favorite mystery writers, so any anthology of Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie or, let's say, Ellis Peters.

Now I'm supposed to "Tag" five more. I'm guessing this means 5 (are there?!) people who read my blog and who are also bloggers. So, if you've already been tagged somewhere I guess you're off the hook!

Let's tag:

Lynette
Robyn
Dixie
Christy
Matthew

There. I think that's it for the book tag.

As you can see, I like to read. I like historical novels and mysteries. I read cookbooks. I believe I have cooked something out of every one of my 70+ cookbooks. I like old books. I don't buy a lot of books. I'm the skinflint you see at Coles with my paper and pencil out, writing down titles that look interesting for getting from the library.

I can also smell the potatoes on the barbecue, and as I'm at the other side of the house, that can't be a good thing.

I'm off.

Happy Counting!

It's 3:30 am.

It's 10:30 am in England.

The birds here wake up at 3:20 am.

They wake up very happy.

They wake up very loudly.











Stupid birds.

Seems there's a Blogger Book- Tag goin' on.

I've been tagged.

Does that make me it?

I've done T.V. tag, and Tree Tag... Frozen Tag, and Leap Frog Tag, but never Book Tag.

It seems to be about counting books, and making lists of your favorite books, and what you're reading....

Now, may I make my tag list first, and then do the counting, or do I have to do the counting and then make the list?

Is your list supposed to be made up of people who read your blog, or people who's blog you read, or people who you need to get back at for parking in your spot?

Just wondering.

...of how people have gotten rich.

Say it again.

"Strange ways of how people have gotten rich."

I read this.

It was the "info" on Oprah today.

Maybe I'm weird, but I see spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, awkward sentence structure...

Must be the editor coming out in me.

O.K.

The cruise is over.

The vacation has come to an end.

The holiday buck stops here.

It's Monday morning.

Alarms have rung.

Muffins are being baked.

Lunches need to be made.

I will NOT lose another day to feeling yuck.

I refuse to give in to the germs any more.

I am revolting.

On so many levels.

(If I brush my teeth and comb my hair and keep my nose wiped and don't let my eye get full of puss it's not SO bad!)

Actually, since I put the pink eye drops to work the eyes have it. (or don't as the case may be)

Nose is much better...

...Cough is still lingering, and throat glands still want to be sore and a bit swollen... but nothing a little decongestant and Tylenol can't fix.

So, as of NOW, the cruise ship stops here.

No more free ride.

Just don't tell the children. Let's ease back into it gently, shall we?

I'm sick.

The down-sides?

Pink Eye. Sore throat. Every gland and crevice north of my armpits swollen and full of mucus. Head ache from coughing. Whiplash neck ache from coughing. Stomach cramps from coughing.

The upsides?

Don't feel guilty about doing nothing. My friend brought supper just 'cause she loves me. Another friend fed me Fishermen's Friends (good cherry ones) at the band concert to combat the cough. Kind, concerned looks from the husband and kids.

Had to skip out of a meeting this afternoon. Will stay home from the talent assembly tomorrow morning. I DID go to the band concert tonight, but only because Husband had another meeting he had to be at.

Time to go finish my tea, take the extra strength Dimetapp and hit the elevated pillows.