Apple Picking at Larriland

We went apple picking at Larriland Farm in Woodbine, MD.  We picked Gala apples. I was a little disappointed because the apple trees actually looked more like apple bushes, but I guess that's how Gala apple "trees" look.  I will have to do some research on types of apples that grow on trees that are tall.

 
Their store is charming and the people are friendly and helpful.  If you're picking apples, they're on the opposite side of the street from the big red barn.  So, park across the street from the big red barn and then visit the barn before you go home.  That's where the store is located.  Near the store, there are 3 portable toilets, running water and soap for your hands.

Girlsports Kit

A picture is worth a thousand words.  I don't know what I was expecting to be in the Girlsports Kit, but it wasn't anything close to what I received.  The kit comes in two net bags and a large plastic foot locker. 

What's not pictured is the manual.  What's not in the manual is a lot of team building activities which is what I was expecting.  The activities are supposed to build confidence.  The only problem is the kit is designed for more than a month of meetings and you're only allowed to keep it for three weeks.  Our troop only meets twice a month, so there wasn't enough time for confidence building or skill building.  Overall it's a great kit if you want to plan a play day outside or if you meet in a gym or the cafetorium : -)

Girl Scout Camp Winona in Hughesville, MD

We went to Camp Winona for an Early Bird Registration Celebration for those who registered early.  The drive to the camp is very straight forward.  The trip is mostly on 301 and 5.  After being on 5 for about 10 miles, you're practically there.  On-line directions said that you have to make a U-turn, but it wasn't a u-turn.  It was actually two lefts and there's a sign that directs you to the street and then you're almost there.

It was a worthwhile trip.  My Junior had her first experience in a canoe and my Daisies had their first experience fishing.  Fish were actually caught, just not by my children.  They also had an opportunity to swim in the pool, not Trefoil Pond!  So, we had a great time!  It was an hour long drive.  I'd do it again.  Kudos to the Waldorf Office for a job well done!

The Six Flags List

I am not an amusement park kind of mom, but to appease my children - off we went to Six Flags.  I decided I would make the most of this outing by doing some research on the rides. (In retrospect, I wish I had also done some research on the park's hours - but I'll get to that later in this post.)   I have 4 children between the ages of 3 and 9.  It was important to me that all six of us (my wonderful husband went) rode as many rides together as possible and then I would relax as they splashed in the water rides section with me watching on. 

So, I went on the park's website to learn the height requirements for the various rides.  I measured all of my children and made a list.  I like making lists.  My husband on the other hand is not so much a fan of my lists.  So, when he thrice told me what a good idea it was to make a list of the rides and who could get on each one; I was surprised to say the least.  When I took my place on a bench for the last open hour of the park, he even asked to take my list with him as he took the children to ride rides until the park closed.

So, here's what the list/chart basically looked like:

LOCATION---RIDE-----RIDERS-TYPE
Nantucket --- Cyclone-------------ALL-spinning
Nantucket --- Shipwreck Falls --- ALL---Water raft
Olde Boston--Tea cups-------------ALL
Gotham city--Penguins Blizzard-ALL----inner tube/water slide
Skull Island --Pirates Flight-------Lyn,Ry,Mai
Skull Island---ROAR---------------Mai----Roller Coaster (RC)
Southwest----The Wild One------Mai-----RC


Water Section-Castaway Creek- ALL-river
Water Section - Calypso----------Mai-slide

Now, what wasn't on the list was the park hours!!!!
The water section of the park closed an HOUR before the park ANDDDDDD the park closes at 8pm on weekdays!!!  So, we missed the water section all together.  So, now you know or maybe I'm the last to know:

They close really early on the weekdays
AND
the water park always closes before the main park.

Oh, they also have rides that require an additional "nominal fee". 

FYI:  My favorite ride was the Penguins Blizzard!  I screamed all the way down.  I had a blast!

ALDI Rookie

So, I went to ALDI's.  I knew that I needed a quarter to borrow a shopping cart and my own bags for transporting my groceries.  Turns out that I had plenty of change, but no quarters.  The cashier politely gave me a quarter in exchange for twenty-five cents.  I picked up a few things. Tossed my reuseable grocery bags on the belt.   (I was proud of myself for remembering to bring them.)  When I paid for my purchases I pushed the shopping cart out and looked at my bill.  I spent about $30.  I was pleased.  What was funny was that the bag of bags were in the shopping cart just as I had placed them on the belt (empty bags in an empty bag).  So, when one goes to ALDI please know....

1 - Bring a quarter or case quarter as we used to say so that you may borrow a shopping cart.  You can have it back when you replace the shopping cart back where you took it from.
2-  Bring your own bags.
3- You will pack your own groceries in your own bags if you remember to bring them : -)

What I would buy again at ALDI (haven't tried everything):

French toast sticks
cucumbers

Mammogram First Timers 411

Well, I praise God that all is well with my ta-tas and that He kept me from hysteria while I waited for my "special view mammogram."  So, here's what "they" don't tell you.  Often, first time "mammogrammees" are called back because there is no reference point for your images.  I had a 3mm "dense-ness" - that's mm not cm.  You're then asked to come back in 6 months to see if what was SEEN is normal (has always been there or for a long time) for you and presents no growth.  So, hats off to the radiologists for being so thorough!  I just would have preferred a phone call  from the radiologist with details instead of a note in the mail that left far too many unanswered questions for this first timer with a very active imagination. 

First Mammogram

I recently had my first mammogram.  Yay, me!   Yes, I'm 40.  The pictures with the woman's exposed back to camera don't tell you anything!  Having a mammogram is like having a part of you put into a sandwich press/panini style.  It really wasn't THAT bad, but I had no idea that any amount of pressure would be used or that "flattening" was part of the process.    Bottom line: Get the mammography done!

I'm only writing about this because I received a very carefully/generic letter in the mail stating that I need to make an appointment for a special view evaluation!  The letter was perfectly written not to alarm me, but to encourage me make an appointment.  Of course, it didn't say not to be alarmed, so I was disturbed to say the least.  I made my appointment as soon as the office opened.  Thankfully, this "evaluation" will be done by a radiologist and I'll be able to ask questions and hopefully get answers.  Maybe, I'll share them and maybe I won't.

For now, I'm going to remain calm because I know the thoughts that God thinks towards me are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give me a future and a hope.  (Jeremiah 29:11)  So, I'm just thankful for another day with many blessings: my husband (a firefighter home safe), my children (happy & healthy), my mom (always committed to me), AND my health (priceless)!

Picture Source-The Inflammed Spleen

How to Rock the Mall GS Style

Well, it took some courage to mark off these prime spots and then leave, but I have to admit it was smart and building courage is part of the program.  So, good for those girls and their leaders.  I wish I had thought of doing this.  We arrived at 9am and my little Daisies were ready to go by 1pm.  So, next time we will be prepared with ribbon and a rotating air conditioning break schedule, too!

Ovarian Cancer Be Aware

I just learned that a neighbor that I was hoping and thinking about getting to know has "transitioned" (from this life to the next) as church people say - some church people.  I knew she was sick.  I saw her the day she came home from the hospital with the pink tub in hand.  She searched for something polite to say when I asked her how she was as she walked into her house holding on to her husband moving painfully slow.  I left her a poinsetta & a card at her door and began praying for her.  She moved here last summer from Florida with her husband and two young sons.  We'd always speak to one another in passing.  I planned to offer to babysit; take a welcome basket; even typed up a list of local places, etc.  So, today I met her mother-in-law by "chance" (not really).  I asked about Margot.  She looked at me as if I had said the wrong name and told me that she had been diagnosed with cancer in October and died in December. This is May.  I had been praying for someone who was already gone.  I offered to give the mother-in-law a "break" whenever she needed one.  She responded as if I might be an answer to one of her prayers.  She took my number and address.  I feel an odd sense of  something like loss.  I think about her boys mostly.  Leaving children motherless.  I want to be checked now.  The symptoms are so common.  I have some of them.  She seemed to be a homemaker like me, and was excited about possibly having someone to connect with close by, but when I learned she had boys and at a different school I was less excited and she seemed uninterested.  "Uninterested" was probably preoccupied.  I think about obedience and timing.  How I should have completed all the kind acts that God asked me to do before it was too late.  I have another chance, now.  She told me the boys call her Granny.  To be continued......


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ovarian-cancer/DS00293/DSECTION=symptoms

The symptoms of Ovarian Cancer:

Abdominal pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating

Pelvic discomfort or pain

Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea

Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation

Changes in bladder habits, including a frequent need to urinate

Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full

Increased abdominal girth or clothes fitting tighter around your waist

A persistent lack of energy

Low back pain

Friday, May 18, 2012
A lot of Daisy Scout Stuff:
Rock the Mall SWAPS
Cookie Money Fun Learning Activity
Golden Honey Bee Award Activity

I'm most excited about the Golden Honey Bee Award activity.  The local food pantry is allowing us to transplant our basil and arugula to one of their garden boxes!  I wish we had planted something a little more substantial, but we'll also take canned goods.