by Sarah | Aug 22, 2013 | All About Denver, All About Learning, Crap, Random
*Otherwise known as: I’ve gone the way of the dinosaurs.
First day of school always brings a mass of paperwork home (as does the last).
Forms to be signed. Permissions granted.
This time around Denver brought home a form to be signed and said he needed a 1G flash drive for a class.
“It’s for Mass Media.”
I was stymied for a moment, I mean I know what mass media is, but what?
Then I read the form. It dawned on me, “Oh, it’s journalism.”
“No, Mom. It’s not journalism anymore, it used to be, once upon a time.“
*Sidebar: I’ve gone the way of “Once Upon a Time.” Woe is me.
His first assignment?
A photo collage video.
Any subject he wants.
I’m proud to say he picked CF.
I think once the assignment is in and done you can expect a show and tell here.
by Sarah | Aug 16, 2013 | All About Denver, Crap, Cystic Fibrosis, Special Needs
It’s the third day of school.
1…2…3.
This morning I made the first sick call of the year.
In fairness, it’s been coming on for over a week.
Denver hasn’t been well.
We were told to keep an eye on it, and we have. For a few days we thought he might be doing better.
Not so much.
He has yet to attend a cross country practice (and he LOVES XC)
After school yesterday the kid slept.
And slept.
And his fever returned to spike up before dropping again.
So he gets to go in for a sick appointment today (it was that or the ER).
Where we go from here is an unknown.
Hopefully it’s home with meds…and not another stay.
Hopefully.
by Sarah | Aug 15, 2013 | All About Denver, All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Learning, All About Molly, All of Us
Yesterday I put the kids on the bus.
Denver is now a Sophomore. A Sophomore.
Molly is now in Third.
Kennedy in Second.
Shortly after I put them on the bus, in the midst of de-lousing my house (a favorite activity when I have quiet) I discovered some pictures from when Denver was little – as far back as minutes after he was born.
Now he’s learning to drive (I weep).
Molly has big dreams of being a model and a superhero (Because they live in NYC, you know).
Kennedy is determined to be a teacher (and an author, bless her heart).
They are big, independent, strong and beautiful little girls.
Denver is almost a man.
They’re slipping away.
And I’m so conflicted about it, I never know when to be proud, or cry.
by Sarah | Aug 9, 2013 | All About Indiana, Blogging Life, DigIN, Indiana Family of Farmers, The Reluctant Hoosier
Everyone in Indiana knows that DigIN is a great place to eat some marvelous food prepared by fabulous chefs, and get some locally brewed beer that’ll knock your socks off.
Did you know that it’s also a great place to meet the people behind those fabulous dishes? The men and women that grow the food, or raise the livestock to get that locally sourced food on your plate?
DigIN is about so much more than the people that cook the food. It’s about the people that provide the food.
I’m happy to once again be a part of getting the word out and telling you about this fabulous festival and encourage you all to go.
First I’ll give you the details, but then keep going for a GIVEAWAY 😀
What: DigIN – A Taste of Indiana
When: Sunday, August 25, 2013. 12-5PM
Where: White River State Park
Tickets: $40 General Admission ($60 gets you in an hour early); Children $10 (under 4 are free)
Indiana Family of Farmers is an amazing sponsor of the event and wants to give you TWO tickets to come see (and taste) the Heartland on August 25, 2013 at White River State Park.
I’m going to make it even easier than usual to win, just two ways to enter.
- Visit the DigIN site and leave a comment here telling me what part of the Event you’d like to “dig in” to.
- Tweet about my giveaway w/ a tag to me (@sadiecass) and leave a comment here saying you did so.
That’s it!
Giveaway ends on Tuesday, August 13 at 10:59PM. Winner will be contacted first thing August 14th & will have 24 hours to reply or I will pick another winner.
*~*
Dig IN, A Taste of Indiana 2013 RESTAURANTS, CHEFS and DISHES noted, as available (subject to change)
- 18 on the Square, Joseph Martin: Duck Gyro, Grilled Flat Bread, Relished Summer Vegetables, Daredevil Sauce (Protein provided by Maple Leaf Farms)
- Black Market, Micah Frank: Indiana Berry Shrub
- Brad Gates Catering, Brad Gates: Grilled Duck Breast & Poached Peach Salad
- Cerulean, Chase Hinton and Caleb France: Duck, Fennel, Sorrel, Cherries, Chilies
- Chef JJ’s Back Yard, Chef JJ Boston: Curried Pork and Lamb (Protein from Paul Russell’s Farm and Gunthrop Farms)
- Circle City Soups, Roger Hawkins, Indiana Gazpacho
- Circle City Sweets, Cindy Hawkins: Honey-Shagbark Granola with Yogurt
- Courses Restaurant, Joseph Davey: Albondigas (Protein from Keegan Poe’s Farm)
- Craig Baker, Craig Baker: Pork Country Style Torchon, House Pickled Seasonal Veg Salad, “Bloody Mary,” and Micro Herbs (Protein from Birkeys)
- Delicia, Ricardo Martinez: Spicy Beet Salad
- Fermenti Artisan, Mark Cox: Smoked Bison Shoulder and Curtido (Protein from Bison World)
- Goose the Market, Chris Eley: Meat on a Stick (Protein from Donnie Brewer’s Farm)
- Indiana Downs, Greg Schiesser (Protein from Dallas & Meggie Foster’s Farm)
- Joseph Decuis, Aaron Butts: Mini Wagyu Burgers with Spicy Tomato Jam and Bleu Cheese Mousse (Protein provided by Joseph Decuis Farm)
- Just Rennie’s Cookie Company, Chef Doug & Marla Rennie: Just Rennie’s Gourmet Cookies
- JW Marriott Indianapolis, Brendon Cheney: Indiana Pig: The Adventure Begins (Protein from Chris & Jent Campbell’s Farm)
- Kelly Ford, Jeff Ford: Duck Confit Egg Roll/Spring Roll with Pork Belly & Jalapeno “Duck” Sauce (Protein from Maple Leaf Farms)
- Lemleys’ Catering, Alexa Lemley: Chicken on a Grit Cake (Protein from Tyson)
- Meridian Restaurant and Bar, Layton Roberts: Faux Noodle (Protein from Matt Gibson’s Farm)
- Mesh on Mass, Mark Henrichs: Compressed Watermelon Salad
- Napolese, Tyler Herald: Focaccia Caprese Sandwich
- Northside Social, Nicole Oprisu: Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Protein from Tyner Pond)
- One World Catering, Corbin Morwick: Moroccan Lamb Meatballs (Protein from Keegan Poe’s Farm)
- R bistro, Regina Mehallick: Beans & Beef (Protein from Fischer Farms)
- Scratchtruck, Matt Kornmeyer: Bourbon Braised Brisket with Peach Bourbon Glaze (Protein from Fischer Farms)
- Severin Bar, Vincent Russo: Pulled Pork Sliders with Bourbon/Watermelon Slaw
- Spice Box, Nitin Naidu: Goat Channa (Protein from Gunthrop Farms)
- The Chef’s Academy, Anthony G Hanslits: Lamb Reuben + Napa Cabbage Slaw + Minted Mustard (Protein from Keegan Poe’s Farm)
- The Indigo Duck, Karen Hewett: Rabbit Sloppy Joe’s (Protein from Meat the Rabbit)
- The Loft Restaurant, Brandon Canfield: Grass-fed Beef
- The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Courtney Loyd (Protein from RDM Shrimp)
- Valley Kitchen & Bar, Cory Muro: Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps(Protein from Gunthrop Farms)
- Zest! Exciting Food Creations + Twist Lounge, Valerie Vanderpool: Elloté Salad with Cornmeal-Crusted Perch (Protein from Bell Aquaaculture)
INDIANA ARTISANS
- Best Boy & Co., Ft. Wayne/Roanoke: Caramel bourbon sauce and fudge sauces
- Burton’s Maplewood Farm, Medora: Maple syrup and infused syrups
- Capshew Cellars, Lanesville: Black cherry, pear and red wine vinegars
- Captain Jim’s Sauces, Indianapolis: Hot sauces made from naturally grown, sustainable peppers from a local farmer
- Chocolate for the Spirit, Shelbyville: Truffles and bon-bons
- Cornerstone Bread Co., Indianapolis: Vienna, Marble Rye and Cherry Chocolate breads, Scotch Ale rolls made with Sun King Brewing’s Wee Mac Brown Ale
- Frittle Candy, Indianapolis: Frittle, a cross between fudge and brittle
- Front Porch Pretzels, Kokomo: Small-batch, hand-poured jams featuring organic fruit
- Sweet Poppin’s, Kokomo: Gourmet flavored popcorn
FOOD TRUCKS/REFRESHMENTS
- Bee Coffee: Plum Buzz Iced Coffee
- Duos: Golden Chanterelle Vegetable Bisque
- Natural Born Juicers: Strawberry Smoothie
- Nicey Treat: Paletas, ice pops made with fresh fruit
- Scratchtruck
- Spice Box
*~*
*Disclaimer: As an Indiana Family of Farmers Ambassador I received two free tickets to DigIN. As always, all opinions and reluctance to be called a Hoosier are all mine.
by Sarah | Aug 8, 2013 | All of Us, Crap, Special Needs
Someone recently asked if I carry guilt.
Unwarranted guilt.
Two kids with CF.
One with Autism.
The truth of the matter is…
Yes.
Every day.
Most days I am able to ignore it.
Most days I’m able to ease Erik’s guilt over the wholething.
To continue forward and do what we must do. What we have to do. To live our lives.
Because I love them.
And wish I could take their challenges onto myself.
I try to never let them see it.
Or feel it.
I don’t know that it’s something we’ll ever shake. Or be able to fully let go of. There are risks in the future if they have kids. There are risks in the future of how their lives will turn out.
But I’d feel guiltier if they weren’t happy.
And I believe they are.
I hope they are.
I hope they always will be.
by Sarah | Aug 6, 2013 | All About Learning, All About Molly, Autism, IEP, Special Needs
Molly is entering 3rd grade.
It’s hard to believe that my little girl is in 3rd, and the baby is going into 2nd.
They start school in just over a week.
8 days.
Since mid-July I’ve been bracing for the upcoming struggle and battle.
Behaviors at home have gotten out of control again.
Anticipation always worsens the load for her.
I began in July.
I knew that it was on her IEP, but the school has convenient ways of forgetting these things during summer break.
I called the school office in July.
Voice mail told me the office was closed until August 1st.
But then July 31st we get the first official email from the principal. So I reply. I remind her of the IEP, and that Molly is to meet her teacher in advance.
And so, last week, Molly met her teacher. I met her teacher and was able to give a few ‘heads up’.
The school year hasn’t started, but I’ve prepped the field for battle.
I hate that I have to look at the start of every year this way, but I’m tired of her falling through the cracks and there being trouble because they don’t understand.
I’ve gone in guns blazing.
First battle is ours.
Now to finish picking up some sensory toys from Amazon. (Our favorites are the [amazon_link id=”B001EWC5M4″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Tangle[/amazon_link] and the [amazon_link id=”B00A8PS4NC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Stretch Balls[/amazon_link])
*Otherwise known as: I’ve gone the way of the dinosaurs. 
