For My Teacher Friends

I guess it is that time of year....SCHOOL!!!  Most of us spend out summer playing catch up on everything from sleep to home repairs.  No doubt it is a much needed break for everyone involved in education.  And we all know that when August rears its ugly head we still get those butterflies in our stomachs.  Not the bad kind but the exciting kind.  We may moan and groan about all the work and the EXTRA work that just keeps getting added to us, but we all love it! 

However, we do not love all the negative talk by others about schools and the teachers.  It really hurts.  I seriously put my heart and soul into my classroom and love each and every kid that walks through my door.  I am not saying I don't make mistakes because Lord only knows I do.  But, the bottom line is teachers make mistakes, teachers have pressure that no one understands, teachers work beyond 3:30, teachers are human, and teachers do the best they can.

So, teacher friends, keep your chins up.  We are in a thankless job being bad mouthed by those that have NEVER walked in our shoes.  We know we do it for the kids, not for the money, so take pride and peace in that.  Have a great school year, I am going to!!!

Grady

As I was reading a friends FB status today, I started thinking about our son, Grady.  He would be 15 years old this August.  Some days he seems like a dream.  Other days he seems to be so very real.  Today, I just need to talk about him.  For those of you that don't know the story here it is: 

In July of 1997, Lonnie was offered a job with the Extension Service.  We were living in Dublin on the Lee Campbell Hereford Ranch where Lonnie worked.  We loved the area and was so very happy with our lives, except his working hours.  God had blessed us with our beautiful son, Garrett, and I was pregnant for the first time and due at the end of August-first of September. That pregnancy had come as a complete shock because we had tried so long to have a baby and adopted Garrett in 1994.  So, our family was growing, a new career was coming into play, a new home, a new life.  Even though I seriously did not want to our friends in Stephenville and Dublin, it was what was best for our family and our future.   

We moved to Brownwood August 24 for Lonnie to be the Assistant County Extension Agent.  I had a doctor's appointment in Stephenville on Wednesday, August 27. Everything was fine.  Went home and by the next day I knew something wasn't right.  I called the doctor Friday morning August 29 and they said to come back to Stephenville.  Lonnie went on to work and my mom drove me over.  Straight from the doctor's office to the hospital we went.  I loved my doctor and he looked me in the eye with tears in his and told me that Grady was gone.  No reason.  I think back now and realize I was in shock because I didn't respond.  I just sat there.  Poor little Garrett was so confused and had been handed off to dear friends.  My mom was holding strong and the hard part was waiting on Lonnie.  The doctor waited on him at the hospital and told him before he came into the room.  The next few days were the worst of my life.  I delivered my son and buried him all within 24 hours. 

I think one of the hardest parts is that it is as if he never existed.  We didn't get a birth certificate, we didn't even get a death certificate.  According to laws and records, he never existed.  It is still hard on me to think that because he did not breathe a breath of air, he did not exist. I was 6 days from my due date but he didn't exist?  Not sure how to deal with that but he did exist and still does very dearly in my heart. 

As I look at taking Garrett to college and saying goodbye to him, I am just lost without my boys.  I know I will adjust and look forward to having time with Guthri but it is just hard on this mom. 

What I've Tried (so far)

The last six months or so I have been obsessed with making all my own cleaning supplies to save money and quite frankly I LOVE THEM!!!  I have had to tweak here and there and am still learning lots but makes me feel happy that I have saved (an estimate) well over $200!  Here are a few of them:

Laundry Detergent
1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Suds
1 cup Borax
1 bar Feldsnaptha, grated (I have even used Zest and it was great too!)
1/3 cup fragrance/softener pellets -Thank You Melissa!!  (I will use Purex-cheaper!)

Fill a large pot with water, add Suds, Borax and bar soap. Heat and let all dissolve.  With Feldsnaptha it takes a while to dissolve so be patient. After all has dissolved let cool for a while and divide into three 1 gallon jugs (I use old milk jugs). Fill each jug with water.  Use as you would store bought detergent.  Shake before using. And there you go!  About $2 and lasts my family about two months!!!!

Fabric Softener
6 cups of water
3 cups of white vinegar
2 cups hair conditioner (any brand, any fragrance...of course I use the cheapest!)
Mix all together.  Stir, not shake, and Woo Hoo!!!!! $1 and lasts for 40-50 loads!!!!
(If you are crazy about "fresh" smell then you will probably need to add Purex or Downy fragrance crystals to the wash. I have not tried the detergent with them yet so that might solve scent issues.)

OxiClean
1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide
1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Suds
Pour into the washer as it fills and let Suds dissolve.  Wash as usual.  If you have bad stains you will need to let clothes soak for 30 minutes or longer.  Works WONDERFUL on grease.  You can even mix up with water and let individual pieces soak or make a paste and put on individual stains.  About $4 for 20 loads.

409
2 Tbsp vinegar
1 Tbsp Borax
1/8 cup blue Dawn liquid
1 cup hot water
Pour vinegar, Borax, and hot water into a spray bottle (I used an old 409 bottle) and continue filling bottle with cool water.  Add Dawn (do not shake). Yep it is just the same, works great!!!  Less than 50 cents!!!!

Dishwasher Detergent
1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Suds
1 cup Borax
1/4 cup Kosher Salt
1/4 cup Fruit Fresh or 2 packs unsweetened lemonaid
Now I will be honest, if you have hard water you will need to adjust.  In my washer there are two cups for detergent.  I fill the prewash with this detergent and the other main wash cup with Lemi-Shine.  My dishes are great!!!  If you do not want to buy Lemi-shine or like the outcome of using it alone then try adding 3 drops of Dawn and 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar to each load.  However, you will go through vinegar like crazy!!!! This probably my least favorite "home-made" product I use.

BUT HERE IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!!

Tub and Shower Cleaner
1/2 cup vinegar, heated
1/2 cup blue Dawn
Mix together and spray on your tub or shower.  Let sit for 5 minutes and WOW oh WOW!  Just wipes right off.  I have a horrible, old tub and it has never shined no matter what I tried.  But it does now!!!  You must heat the vinegar so don't mix up a lot and let it sit.  You need to use it quickly.  About 20 cents!!!

I got most of my base recipes from Pinterest but have done some research and there are tons of websites that tell you all sorts of recipes for homemade products.  It really takes about 20 minutes tops to make them all so don't fool yourself into thinking "you don't have time". 

My next project is making all my own mixes.  I am excited to try my own Bisquick!  I will let you know how it goes....

In Three Weeks We....

Holy Smokes!  The past three weeks have seriously taken its toll on our family (mostly in a good way!).  They have been cram packed with activities, emotions, MILEAGE, and so much more.  The last week of school is a complete blur.  Who remembers where we were or what we did?  No one in this house. 

To start our 3 week chaos was Garrett's graduation.  I cried and I cried and I cried and I am still crying.  Not sure when it will stop.  Anyway, it was great that most of our family could be here and celebrate with him.  We all met for dinner and a small party beforehand and it was very busy so not a lot of time for emotion.  About 10 minutes before Garrett was to leave for the gym I looked at him and realized he hadn't shaven!  Seriously?  Didn't have a razor, cream, nothing.  So off to the Dollar Store he goes to get "supplies" and quickly returns.  I was fuming so made for some fun conversation in that little bathroom at the party.  Anyway, he took off and wasn't too late.  The ceremony was nice and I almost went to my knees when he brought me and Guthri a rose.  I think I saw a little tear in his eye but know he would never admit it so didn't say a word.  Love that hyper, smart-elic, 6'2" son of mine! 

Before we could breath it was time for PEACHES!!  Try running a peach stand, entertaining family, preparing meals, and enjoying yourself!  Ha, can't be done.  The weekend was great but probably the hardest I have had in a long time.  Nonstop!

I started Summer School that Monday so didn't even get a day off.  Garrett went to work full time that day too so no break for him either.  Guthri went home with grandparents and cousins expecting a two to three week "party".  But, bless her heart she got sick and wanted to come home in just 4 days.  We had to put her off for three more days because we just could not get there.  Got her home on Friday night and took her to the clinic Saturday morning.  All the while, Lonnie was doing PEACHES!  Had to pack for State 4-H Roundup and we were all nervous! By Monday at noon we would know Garrett's scholarship status and everyone was on edge. 

Up at 4:00 a.m. to head to Tech Monday morning.  Sat through a 2 1/2 hour presentation biting my nails.  You see 4-H likes the suspense so they start the presentations at 10 a.m. and start handing out scholarships one by one, starting with the smaller ones first.  Sounds horrible to say but you sit there thinking "please don't say his name, please don't say his name."  Sounds greedy I know but it is reality.  The longer we went the worse it became.  I kept thinking "he did it, he did it" but wouldn't let myself accept it until the last scholarships were being awarded.  Even then I kept thinking "they missed him."  When they said "Garrett Jenschke, $16,000 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship" I did not believe it.  I just sat there numb.  I could hear other parents crying, laughing, cheering for their kids and I just sat there.  Very surreal!  So happy for him. 

Guthri and I headed home that afternoon while Lonnie and Garrett stayed for the week's competitions.  Seems like every day after Summer School Guthri and I were swamped with errands, chores, must dos.  We couldn't get home before 3:00 no matter how hard we tried.  The highlight of the week was Wednesday at 11:55 a.m.  Got a text from Lonnie: "Soils Team won State". My Stars!!!!  This was an amazing week for Garrett.  Scholarship and won state all within three days!  Needless to say, he was on cloud 9 and loving life.  But before the week was over it was time for PEACHES again!!! 

Monday morning rolled around way too soon again and off to work we all go.  On Wednesday, Lonnie headed off for the District Horse Show in Vernon.  Long, hot, four days for him.  It was hard to talk to him every night and he sound so tired.  He was hot and tired and frustrated with people not doing their jobs.  Seems the harder you work, the more that is expected. Guess that is why I love him so much.  He may complain to me but no one else would ever know.  He just does it.  He walked the hotel room all Friday night because he had terrible cramps in his legs.  Poor guy!  With the help of Lonnie's dad and brother and my parents it was time again for PEACHES!! 

Garrett has been working 40+ hours a week since graduation and he is really not liking "adulthood".  Ha! 

Now that I write it all down it really doesn't sound like much but when I think about it, it is all a blur!  I am ready for some down time but not sure that is coming this summer!!!

Stock Shows

Wow! Just spent a week in Houston at the stock show. Nothing new for our family but have to say it was one of the most memorable weeks ever. To start out, it was Garrett's last stock show. :( Tears have fallen all week, every time he did something Lonnie and I just soaked it in. It has really been tough on Dad. Garrett has been his confidant, his helper, his right-hand-man. They work side by side without even talking, without even wondering what the other one was thinking. Very special to this mom!

Anyway, the most impressive thing has been the other families there. Yes, FAMILIES. Not just contestants and coaches or spectators and news teams. FAMILIES...working side by side, making decisions, talking together, playing, learning. I know it has gone on forever but I guess I just got to watch it because I had extra time this year. You didn't see one person telling everyone else what to do. Yes, there are county leaders that keep everything organized and offer advise, but as a whole parents and kids were making every decision for that animal. It was just refreshing to look all around me and see parents talking to their kids, explaining what was going on and then handing it over to their kids to do. I am sure there were some in the barn that did it all (and we know that is the case in many situations) but I didn't see it. I really can't think of any other activity or event that is truly 100% family oriented.

As we sat Thursday night about to watch the Champion Swine Drive, the judges offered comments on their philosophies of stock shows and the agriculture industry. They were truly class acts. When they talked about stock shows being the first step in awareness of the agriculture industry, I literally got chills. Of course I can't say it like they did but it was inspiring, eye opening and true. One statistic they gave was that in 50 years the U.S. will need to produce 100% more food than they do today on less acreage and with less animals. WOW! They explained how important it was that producers figure out how to get more meat on each and every animal so they do not need more animals to produce more food. They explained that farmers have to produce more grain, vegetables, etc....on less land than ever before. As our population grows, the need for land for housing grows and so does the need for food. Almost 50% of today's kids do not get enough food each day. Can you believe that? Obesity is not caused from too much food but by cheap food, processed food. (Yes, I already knew that but loved hearing someone else say it.) Kind of ironic, don't you think?

So, as those immediately involved in the agriculture industry, it is our job to speak up and let others know, to make them aware of the danger of losing our agriculture. In the end it could be catastrophic if not handled correctly. I don't know about you but for me it was a rude awakening. Some people think of agriculture as the migrant workers, those that live in trailers, and even cooperate America. Well, it is you and me, our neighbors, the guy the next county over. We are agriculture. Heavy load for so few to carry but it has to be done.