Isabella looses another tooth! And Ellie is 23 months!

Isabella just lost her 3rd tooth! She was eating a yummy bowl of grits this morning and found something a bit larger and harder than one grit.It was one of the top ones this time..I think kids without their 2 front teeth are so cute! The other one is loose also and will be falling out soon...this is just one more thing that makes me feel old!

Miss Ellie was 23 months on the 27th, I'm a little late I know..but, I can't do these updates EVERY month. At what point do you stop!? I think 2 years is good :D. So next will be her 2 year update then maybe a 2.5 update..and so on. She's learned so much since I last wrote about her...I don't even remember when that was. Just in the last week her vocabulary has exploded. Isabella recently taught her to say 'yes' when you ask her a question that requires a yes or no answer. Like, " do you want to go jump Ellie?" "yes!" she says..its really cute. Its more of a 'yets!'. She also says things like bubble butts, papaws buts (bus), MINE!, NO!, sissa (for isabella), and 'i wanna go ome (home)'. "I wanna...." is her favorite. "I wan bora (dora)", "I wan sissa, I wan baby, I wan daddy, I wan jump (on the trampoline), I wan...(this or that)...". It's pretty darn cute. She also loves to give kisses and "hougs" in the morning..which I love of course. She loves to run with the big kids and LOVES dora. Or BORA as she calls her. Yesterday I bought her a Dora movie at Walleyworld and she was histerical! She wanted to go home right then and watch bora. She was all about it. Anything with bora on it she loves. We were shopping at Macy's one day and found a dora dress on the clearance rack, bonus! When she saw it she was histerical again! She began ripping her clothes off her body right then...she couldn't wait to get this bora dress on as soon as she could.
She's also sleeping much better..I'd say 5-6 nights out of the week she sleeps right thru. One thing that I think has helped is putting both the girls in the same room. One of us will go lay on Isabella's bed, Ellie will ask for your hand, and she'll hold it until she falls asleep! Which will only take about 15-25 minutes at the most. It's been great to sleep thru the night. Mostly anyway..I still wake wondering why one of them isn't up, but then I quickly fall back asleep.

Being home for the past 3 months has been awsome. I've loved every moment of it. Yes it's work...it is a job...but, it's worth it. I would trade this for anything, being home to watch them grow and learn..makes me sad to think about all that I've missed in the past years! But, I can't dwell on that now can I! Just have the future to look forward to..speaking of which we need to order Isabella's school books soon! We have a school year to 'plan' and get ready for.

A delicious new recipe!

PECAN - GRAPE CHICKEN SALAD

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast, grilled or broiled
1 can chicken broth
1 chicken bouillon cube
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh parsley, minced
1 1/2 c. sour cream1
1/2 c. mayonnaise
2 stalks celery, diced
1 lb. seedless green grapes
1 1/2 c. pecan halves
1 c. chopped dill
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. black pepper
2 bunches salad greens
Dill sprigs, optional garnish

Boil the chicken in the bouillon and garlic. Cube or shred the chicken (leftover chicken may also be used). In a large bowl mix sour cream, mayonnaise, diced celery. Stir in chicken, celery, grapes, pecans, dill, salt and pepper, to taste.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to blend flavors.
Serve chicken salad on a bed of greens; garnish with dill sprigs. Serve with fresh fruit and/or croissants.

Cooks Note: For extra texture and nutrition, sprinkle with roasted sunflower seeds, toasted sesame seeds or fresh alfalfa sprouts just before serving.

Fresh meat...I mean meal...

This may contain some sensitive material and pictures, so I forwarn you!

Yesterday was slaughter day for a couple of roosters. We have a total of 8, probably only need 1 or 2 for the 6 hens we have. Plus they are mean animals! They are very territorial, the second we walk into a certain part of the chicken yard they are all over you. And by all over I mean right up on your legs attacking, pecking at your feet and legs and chasing you away, literally. My nephew Vincent, who is 5, was chased from the chicken yard all the way up to the house, that rooster was right up on his legs the whole way! They also peck at eachother, I don't like being around them, you just don't know what they are going to do.

So we decided to have some friends over and make a real occasion of it. Chris' sisters family were all there watching and waiting.. we were all so curious how it all would happen. Chris caught the first one pretty quickly, we thought it would take a while, they are fast runners. He tied it's legs together with some rope and carried it back into the field to a log, where IT would happen. As soon as he carried it by the legs, upside down, it passed out.

When we got out into the field Chris laid its neck up on a log, it very calmly cooperated! I was so suprised I thought it would have been trying to get away..I didn't realize at the time that when you turn them upside down like that they pass out. With one chop of the hatchet it's head was pretty much off...but, it was enough to kill it. It didn't suffer! It's nerves were still going wild though..it's wings started flapping and it was spinning all around the place, I'll just say it's a good thing Chris wore old clothes becuase he had blood everywhere! It was rather nasty.

Next we tied it up in a tree to drain the blood, but most of it was out at that point. We walked back to the 'yard' to catch another. I think at this point they knew what was going on cause they didn't want to be caught! 4 of us atleast gathered in somewhat of a circle around them and selected one that would do. Each time we jumped for it though it took off! I finally grabbed one quick enough by its tail feathers, I had to hold it hard though because it was really flapping it's wings trying to get away from me. It was flying, or trying rather, while I was holding its tail. I was telling Chris to take it soon! It was hard to hold.
The second rooster killing went a bit faster. The head trimming was a little cleaner. Keegan (my nephew) did the second one, he did great. Blood didn't splatter with that one. And it was delayed in trying to get away..but it calmed down by the time we got it to the tree.
We had a pot of boiling water ready for the de-feathering stage. We carried them back to the house (outside of course!) and dunked them into the water quickly and the feathers came right out..it took a while to get them all out but, they pulled out easily. One rooster was the exact same color as one of those rubber chickens you can buy. It was really gross looking. The other Chris and our friend Jeremy skinned. It was still pretty gross looking. They seemed to get all the inards out rather easily. It was time consuming but not as hard as you would think. It was neat seeing all it's insides. I've never disected anything so I've never seen a heart, liver, intestings or stomach that up close. It wasn't as gross as you would think. The whole process, from catching -killing-putting in the oven was about 2 hours. About how long we estimated it to take.
I have to tell you though after seeing all that I wasn't too keen on eating it. For one thing it smelled REAL bad. The de-feathering process was nasty it smelled like really bad wet dog. And it still smelled that way when we put it in the oven, with spices and such on it. And you know for all that work there was hardly enough meat for the 6 of us and the meat was real tough. We know now that roosters are much more fit than hens. They are much more active, the hens barely get around because they are so fat! But the roosters are all over the place all the time.

We enjoyed our meal...which was almost completely organic. Fresh free range chicken, freshly picked green beans and potatoes from the garden. I only wish the corn was ready!

New rooms

Some of you may have seen on my Flickr accnt or on Facebook my post on our 'new kitchen. As you know we live in a basement apartment. We share a home with Chris' sister, she lives upstairs and we live downstairs. Each with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (well we have 1), we do (now) have a full kitchen and living room and sometime in the next year we will have an addition built on the back of the house with 2 more bedrooms each (top and bottom) with 1 bathroom each. Then we will have a TON of space! By living together we both save a TON of money and it allows me to stay home with the girls. Both of our spaces are nearly completely private and we each have our own driveways and entrances, which makes it great.

Up until about a month ago we had an apartment kitchen, a stove half the normal size as well as the refrigerator. The sink was also very small..and I had not much counter space or cabinets on the walls. We saved a bit of money and had a huge yard sale, then used that money to buy some gently used cabinets at a reuse center on the west side of Cincinnati. If you ever have the chance to visit it and enjoy bargain shopping this is the place for you..it's pretty awsome. Anyway we initially planned on just getting cabinets but then realized it would be nice and inexpensive to also get a used stove and dishwasher. (the fridge was given to us by my parents when they got a new one, thanks!). I painted the cabinets as you can see, white. They don't all match completely in style but they are all really close, I painted them white due to the small space and to make them look more uniform.

We found some counter tops we loved at Ikea, the backsplash also came from there..as well as the floor and lighting!

Oh did I mention the deal on the dishwasher? We bought it from a small business near downtown for $50, nearly brand spanking new...they barely used it. It still had the plastic film over the buttons on the front.

New deep sink! LOVE IT. I actually don't mind hand washing the dishes!

And our lovely floors! They are darker in person, the color is dark maple oak I believe..

This past week we also got new carpet in our family room, we shopped and shopped for the best deal..and while we found a great deal, it was a bit frustrating to deal with the people from who we bought it. (sorry for the runon sentence) We also painted the room 'Lion' green, a Behr color..in Glidden paint! -Because I like it so much better, and it's cheaper!

Here are some pictures of the living room..before and after

Angela Mclean

September 11, 1931-June 19, 2010

Wasn't she beautiful!?

Updates

This past month and a half has been busy...I thought staying home with the girls would allow more ME time for things like blogging, what was I thinking?! I'm sure some of it is my time management..that can be improved but, a lot of it is busyness too.



Last month my parents felt a strong sense from the One above that they should be in Florida, closer to my grandpa and for whatever other reasons God may have in store. By an act of God they found an incredible condo 10m from a beach and 15m from my grandpa, for an incredibly low price.
A bit of background information: My grandpa over the last several years has cared for my gma who has been battling parkinson's disease and a form of dementia. Over the last couple of years her condition has dwindled to the point of her not being able to do anything for herself. Grandpa cared for her in every way. He is the strongest person I know..and full of so much love and devotion. He vowed to never place her in a 'home' but all that he was doing for her wasn't enough and he could no longer do as much as she needed. He found a home down the street from him, practically in the same neighborhood, specializing in alzheimer's and dementia. I was amazed when we first visited her a couple of weeks ago, it was such an uplifting atmosphere...but then again that's their point! To better the lives and quality of living for those suffering with those diseases. They had meal plans, games, and activities daily...and they wern't allowed to sit in their rooms alone..they liked them out and about socializing (as well as they could) with their 'friends'. The nurses and staff there at Clare Bridge are awesome..they are all so sweet and kind, you can really tell that they care about the people there and what they do.


The girls and I stayed and visited for a week with my parents and my grandparents and went home relaxed. Grandma took a turn for the worse this past Sunday. She had been battling a stomach infection and they had a hard time getting her to take her medicine, they had to bribe her with candy :D.....but, the infection didn't go away. Saturday the 12th she was as fine as she could be, eating normal and able to swallow on her own, then something happened that night because on Sunday she got worse. She wasn't able to eat or drink...nor take her medication. The doctors thought she probably had a stroke or maybe even a seizure. Not being able to take her medication orally, led her to hospice that evening.
Something dreadful also happened that night....we're not sure of all the details, nor does it even matter I suppose. But my grandpa went to check on my uncle down the street because he wasn't answering his phone...and he found him unresponsive in his condo. My uncle, Bebo (a childhood nickname), died early that morning.


Not only is our family mourning the loss of a son, brother, father and uncle but we are also mourning the near end of the life of my grandma. It's hard to put into words exactly what this week has been like. A roller coaster of emotions and feelings.


One reason I know my parents were led to FL was to assist in my grandma's salvation on Tuesday morning of this week. We have prayed and prayed for years for them and I specifically prayed this past monday and tuesday for grandma to have some moments of clarity and Truth spoken to her....and she did! Mom said she said so clearly, "I love Jesus". And after that they prayed and she asked Jesus into her heart. Since then she has gone downhill..by they time my sister and I flew into Ft. Myers on Friday she hasn't been awake. During the week she was somewhat responsive to touch...but, Friday and Saturday she slept nonstop and her breathing started changing....

Saturday we had my uncles memorial service which was so nice. Hospice, where my gma is offered their chapel when they found out what had happened..it was a small service, but nice. My grandpa spoke for quite a while about the love he had for his son and how proud he was of him. A close friend spoke for a bit about the love he had for his long time friend...After the service we all shared a meal at The Metzaluna (an Italian place) on Sanibel. Despite the circumstances we all had a great meal together. My aunt Roseanne and my cousin Kate (my uncles daughter) we hadn't seen in atleast 20 years..it's been so great to see them again. It's been so great to catch up and talk about the years past.

After dinner we headed out to the lighthouse to spread some of my uncles ashes. My grandpa was driving in front of me and I noticed him swirve off the road a bit and quickly pull over. As I quickly parked the car near them I ran over to see what was going on. Hospice had called and let him know that grandma had died. I keep replaying the scene in my head....over and over again...how awful to get word that your wife has passed on the night of your sons funeral. It's just nothing but sad and emotionally draining to think about. And my poor mom lost her only brother and mother in the same week. It's the same for her. I keep replaying my sobbing grandpa in the driver seat...crying so hard he was loosing his breath. How sad to loose the love of your life, they had been married for more than 50 years! It's been such a hard week...emotionally draining and in times like these how can one not lean on their Father above? He is the only one getting us through this hard time...He is the ultimate comforter....

Visiting Florida in June

My mom and dad are renting a condo in Ft. Myers for a lot of the summer. Mostly to be closer to my grandma and grandpa Mclean. Grandpa recently put my grandma in an alzheimers and dementia home just down the street from him and as you can imagine this has been extremely tough oh him. Up until a couple of months ago he has been her primary caregiver and it quickly became too much for him. This was a pretty great trip as we got to spend time with them and with my parents. It was also some much needed relaxation. It's amazing what a little sunshine and beach can do for the soul isn't it? Some pictures at Bonita Beach...this was the first trip for me that we didn't visit Sanibel's beaches at all!

This little girl has no fear of the water at all....as you can tell.

Isabella getting braver!

Isabella getting much braver!



Eating lunch at a dive at the tip of Pine Island..I had delicious crab balls..YUM.



The birthday dinner papaw made for mom and Isabella. Moms

birthday is June 6th and Isabella's is June 9th. Papaw made

some delicous Lobster tail, twice baked potatoes and asparagus on the grill!

It was yummy...he's such a fantastic cook!

Visiting with grandma at Clare Bridge..there are 4 generations here...

my grandma, my mom, me and Isabella....(and ellie-so 5 !)

One afternoon we drove up towards Cape Coral where there is a Manatee Park..but, we say no Manatees. We found out when we got there that they only come to that area between November and March! BOO! The park is at a power plant where the Manatees like to swim in the warmer water that the power plant puts out...would have been cool to see!