Friday

Another day of resting. Efforts at eating were unsuccessful. Things just ran through. Applesauce and yogurt were my food choices. Until this evening. A bit of potato and sweet potato found lodging and have not yet departed. 

Once again the men had to fend for themselves, mostly. The men at work were fed by the main contractor's wife. She brought them some chili soup and bread pockets that contained meat. 

The men were helping to set a modular home here in the area. Thomas came home midday because he didn't feel well. Hopefully he won't get what I have! 

Again I had a food assignment to fulfill. Not quite so large an order this time. Three cherry pies for a food stand at an auction tomorrow. (The food stand is a fundraiser for Kid's Club.) I made the filling. Melvin made the crusts. Christopher rolled out the top crusts, doing the lattice work. They did a super job! The fluted edges were my work. They will get that yet, too, I'm sure. By the way, they came and offered their services. They enjoy it. 

No "picture perfect" photo here. 😉

All five of the boys went to school for program practice this morning. Grandpa took the younger ones again at 1 pm for P.E. The last time for this school year! Wow. 

The younger boys also did music lessons in their workbooks here. "School work" is minimal these days. They also worked on the laundry. That never ending job. 

Grandpas are busy preparing for their trip to Honduras. 

Today was actually a mostly sunny day. Beautiful! Only a little rain in the morning. We are very grateful for the rain but the sunshine is ever so welcome. 

Matthew grabbed the opportunity to mow the lawn. The lawn here is very large. It takes awhile even when using a large ZTR mower. 

It is time for Matthew to have a chance at working with Daddy once school is done. Sad day for me when I lose my trusty helper here. But that means the younger ones need to do more here if Matthew's gone. Melvin is learning to mow this year. He is quite happy about that. Boys and machines!

Christopher ended up having stomach pains this evening too. It would be bad if we all went down like dominoes. 😕 Let's hope not. 

Thomas spent the afternoon here getting one of the trailers fit for the road. Fixing wiring and lights, I believe he said. Austin and Melvin were helping him. 

Stephen wants to turn his bedroom into a studio. He was building shelves to set up speakers on. 

It is interesting to watch the boys and their interests develop. 

An eventful day to observe from my bed. 

Where did you spend your day?

Thursday

One plus (albeit small) of being sick is that one has time to write. My, I haven't been so sick in awhile. Fever and unstoppable diarrhea. Well, if you stop eating it almost stops. Talk about totally draining. Literally. 

On schedule for today was taking a meal to a family in church. The mother has been laid up with a broken foot. There was no way I had the strength to do anything so I lay abed and instructed my trusty boys. Matthew, Melvin and Christopher made the whole meal. Oven BBQ'd Chicken, mashed potatoes (with wells of brown butter), salad, homemade Ranch dressing and a pumpkin sheet cake with cream cheese frosting. They also made a simple supper of rice and chicken, corn and applesauce for our family. They were quite weary of the kitchen! But I was so proud of them! Grandma Schwartz took them and the food where it needed to go. 

Thomas, Stephen and Austin spent another long day in VA where they are doing the finishing on a couple of log homes. My poor men were having to do double duty today. 

Donna Goff has been doing some webinars that are helpful for home educators. I tried listening to the one on Power of an Hour today but slept through part of it. The power of an hour concept is really amazing. You can find her teachings at mentoringourown.com.  

Rain was falling again today. The other day at the thrift store the owner said she heard on radio that it had rained 14 days in a row. If that is so, this makes 17 days now. Not that it rains all day every day though. Thankfully, Thomas and the boys have work inside and out, there in VA. 

The girls from my class at Kid's Club were giving a program at their school this evening. A couple of my co-teachers went and I had planned to go with them. It was disappointing to miss it. 

My mama keeps working on the laundry piles in the house. Bless her! 

One thing that has given me a bit of strength today is homemade "Gatorade". A cup of water, tablespoon of lemon juice, teaspoon of Sucanat, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. That may not be exactly right but that's what I pulled out of my head for today. The cup of water was more like 12 oz. The boys took turns keeping me supplied with hydrating drinks. 

Mom Lapp stopped by with some freezer clean-out items. People know where food will disappear! My sister  once told someone (about our family), "They'll eat anything that bends." (That was back in the days when we readily consumed sugar and grains.) When I'm well I'll see what she brought us. It will surely be helpful. My freezer is nearly deplete of meat and I'm trying to figure out what to do about it. 

What did (or will) you have for supper/dinner? 

How do you economically keep men fed? (Mine need meat.)