6 months

It has been 6 months since our crazy week that brought us here. Tracy just finished his 2nd quarter of grad-school, making him 1/3 of the way done with his Master's. It seems that time has gone by fast and slow at the same time. I'm still not in the habit of paying rent. Luckily we have a 5 day grace period and usually one of us remembers in that time. Going 2 years of not having a rent payment it is hard to get back into the habit of paying it. Then there is the utility bill, that one is easier for me to remember, I just dread opening the bill each month. I forgot how much electricity usage adds up. Again after not having to pay it for 2 years.

Any way, enough of the bills. We've all just keep busy doing our thing. Tracy is really enjoying school and doing his T.A. job. Even if it a bit time consuming at times and means a few late nights here and there. On top of school and work he's been applying for all kinds of grants for his summer research, so hopefully he'll get some good funding out of it. Then yesterday, he received the proof for his Tyrannosaur paper that has been in the works since he did a poster presentation on it in October 2010.  Once the corrections are made to a few minor things he and his co-authors have found, then it will be up to the editor of when it will be published. Gives me a whole new respect for writers, especially ones who write scientific papers, after seeing first hand the work and the process it take to get a paper published in a journal.

While Tracy is doing all his work, I'm home doing my work. James keeps me busy. If I'm not trying to get at least one room cleaned or my dishes done or the many other things that keeps a household running done. I'm trying to make sure he isn't going to injure himself by getting carried away in his rough housing. Or I'm busy trying to teach him to ask nicely for things and not yelling, demanding or whining to get what he wants. Or I'm busy having fun being silly and playing like a kid with him.  I have one crazy little boy.

We are all doing well and still enjoying our new home. And it seems crazy to think Tracy will be starting applications to get into a PhD. at the end of the year. But first we have to get through the next 6 months. :)

A very productive day

I've had a very productive day and it feels great. I think it helped that James woke up at his normal time and not an hour early like he's been doing for about a week now. I feel blah when I loose that hour of sleep.

Here's how my day went:
Started out with our usual morning cuddles and breakfast.
I cleaned both bedrooms and vacuumed the hall and stairs.
Started 2 loads of laundry.
Played outside at the playground.
Put laundry in dryer. Started 2 more loads of laundry.
Ate lunch out side.
Had my little quite time. Watched a couple of shows.
Cleaned litter boxes.
Made a Lemon Maringue Pie. Not only my first Lemon Maringe Pie from scratch, but my first pie from scratch ever.
Had a little family dinner.
Complete my brother in law's (who is on a mission) FAFSA application and sent him an email to let him know.
Put James to bed.
Ate some pie. Tasted good. Tracy said it didn't taste right. Guess I'll have to try again.
Now will enjoy some time with Tracy.

My Pie!

And thus ends my very productive day.

Orange Cookies

When your husband comes home with a 25 lb bag of oranges, what do you do with them? Juice them (used about half of the bag for juice), eat them (of course), share them (about once a month I'm going try to send some to a family member/friend). Then if you still have some left over, use them in your cooking.

Yesterday, I had a desire to bake something yummy. I didn't want to have go to the store to make something, so I went through my cookbooks to find a yummy treat to make with what I have on hand.  What did I discover Orange Cookies! Yummy, yummy Orange Cookies! Even Tracy liked them.

Orange Cookies
(Makes about 2 dozen)

• 2/3 c. shortening
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 c. orange juice
• 1 Tbsp. orange zest
• 2 c. flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Mix shortening, sugar and egg. Stir in juice and zest. Blend in dry ingredients. Drop onto cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Frosting:

• 2 c. powdered sugar
• 1/2 Tbsp. orange zest
• 2 Tbsp. butter, soften
• 2 Tbsp. orange juice

Mix all ingredients. Spread on cooled cookies.