Camp E

This is a rerun (posted elsewhere) but I am too tired to drum up new material.



What a Week: A Recap of Camp E

Another week done….

This was my 7th (and possibly final, though I am already rethinking that decision) year to serve as a counselor at a very special camp for children whose lives have been affected by cancer. Many of them are now healthy, typical kids. Some of them still bear the scars of their treatments, which may include physical scars, amputations, facial deformities, bone aches, limps, weight gain from steroids, stunted growth, hearing loss, and so forth. Others are still in treatment and dealing with what this brings them—low blood counts, no hair, easy bruising, lethargy, and emotional strains. Others who have come to camp healthy in the past are now a shell of what we remember them as, as they are facing the dreaded relapse—which often times means an even more difficult battle than the ones they have already faced. Counselors also learn that for many of these kids, cancer isn't the worse thing they've had to face. Yet, through all of their hardships, these kids come to a camp in the country (one girl called it creepy because it was in the woods) and find time to laugh, make new friends, fit in, and hopefully learn to be a kid again. How blessed am I to get to experience this awesome week yet again!

My cabin was made up of 6&7 year old girls (plus one 8 yo), and what a rainbow of diversity we had! Hispanic, Indian, African American, Nepalese, Polish, Caucasian, all living together for a week. The girls were the sweetest, most helpful, easy going bunch I think I've had yet. We had a little girl who had a brain tumor and radiation as an infant. We had been told she would require a lot of hands on. Well, how wrong the information was. Yes, her walking was unsteady. Yes, she had a hearing aid and cochlear implant and glasses. Yes, she wore braces on her feet. But most importantly, yes she was very intent and headstrong and insisted on taking care of herself to the fullest extent possible. She even fell down a time or two as she rushed to hold the door open for fellow campers. What a joy her sweet helpful (and stubborn) spirit is. We had a 3rd time camper in our cabin, who at 8 years old, acts like a little adult. She is already talking about how she wants to be a counselor when she grows up. I don't doubt that she will be a very good one. She was such a mother hen to the other girls, and a huge help to her 6 counselors.

I love that camp enables these kids to fit in. I love that the kids I have seen over the years—not always in a cabin with—have blossomed into young adults. There is the camp graduate (age 15) who is small for his age, has some facial deformities from radiation, who always wore sunglasses and a ball cap and never looked up. Last year, he participated in a skit. This year he did more and he also showed up to camp w/o the baseball cap. I talked to him a bit one night and got a hug. Chances are, I'll never see him again but will always remember the progression he made over the years, and I have to think camp had a lot to do with that.

Our little girl who I mentioned earlier brought with her a little stuffed animal. The animal was well known throughout camp by the week's end. We joked that if she was lost, camp would shut down and an all out search would go on. Fortunately, Pinky made it home, though she needed a bath. Anyhow, on the ropes course, we were unsure if little Miss Independent would participate. She got harnessed up and sat and watched her cabin mates go before her. One of the camp counselors who works summers there (a former camper himself) came up to her and said Pinky needed a harness as well. He proceeded to harness little Pinky up. Pinky went up the incline wall hooked onto a carabeener. She then went down the zip line with her owner. I really don't think that ride would have happened if Pinky would have stayed on the ground. We were all amazed and touched at the gesture shown by this young man.

Anyhow, another year has passed…camp was really great, though very hot. I enjoyed the time with my fellow counselors and the kids. I really don't think I'm ready to give this part of my life up; it's too rewarding, too fun, and a strong dose of perspective.

On another note, my first year at camp happened the week after Dakota died (more pictures here). I left for camp the day after his funeral. That first year is a blur—as it is for new counselors, but even more so for me. I had that heaviness over me. As the years have gone by, I always associate camp with Dakota. Just the timing…the healing. That first year I spent some early morning alone time at the chapel just thinking, reflecting. I managed to do that most years afterwards. Well, this year was the first time I didn't feel that connection. I realized on the last night that I hadn't thought of him all week. This at first made me sad, a bit guilty maybe. Then I realized that maybe for the first time I was completely "there" for my campers, without any personal issues lingering in the back of my mind. Anyhow. Camp truly is a healing place.

I'm back!

OK, so I think I may be ready to get back to this blogging business. I still have another blog for school related stuff--anonymous, so email me if you want the URL.
This blog will continue to be random musings--about life, love, the pursuit of happiness, and an occasional recipe or three. I still like to cook; it's just usually the sort of RANDOM throw something together with the ingredients I have on hand. See the random theme here?

So, my summer has flown by. I've volunteered at 3 camps--one for individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome, one for youth with disabilities, and one for kids with or in remission from cancer. The first two are at the same location here in OK. The last one is in TX (I've blogged about it previously). All were so much fun, but so different! I hope to continue to do all of them.

Let's see, in other news--I've moved schools. I'm going back to middle school and am SOOO excited. The people there have been so friendly and welcoming. I'll be the mild MR teacher. My caseload is about 10 students and I'll be teaching the four content areas--social studies, language arts, math, and science. I'll also have an advisory class full of typical 6th graders. I can't say how excited I am about my class!
To that end, I've spent several days cleaning out my classroom. I think I've eliminated enough stuff to fill a couple dumpsters. It seems like the wonderful teacher I am replacing (after 9 years!) was a pack rat. So, I've been unpacking. And unpacking. And so forth. Wow. I finally feel like I've made a dent in things. This evening, my roomie came up and helped me hang some fabric. It's a deep crimson color and looks great! I've taken some before pictures of the room; I'll take some more once it's all done.
I'm heading back up there tomorrow to continue going through all the books. I'm eliminating a lot of things. As a rule, anything that is older than me goes. Actually, anything from about when I graduated from HS and sooner goes. Anything that is redundant goes. Things that have yellowed paper are gone. Anything that has a substantial amount of missing parts-trash. I think I have all of my social studies/geography/map reading books in order. Tomorrow I'm going to work on the literature books.

That's all for now...it's been a long day.

Things I Learned

I had quite a weekend!
Here are some highlights.

1-It was easier to get into bunk beds when I was 11 or 12 than it is now.

2-It's really quite hilarious to be having a conversation with a young adult (23 years old) with exceptional needs about pooing. It is somewhat refreshing about how open and earnest she could be--"Oh no. I have the runnies. Ohhhh no."

3-Roasted marshmallows are as good as they were when I was 10.

4-When I get down from a bunk bed (record 8 times in a 15 minute span last night), it's kind of scary. And I almost hurt myself.
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I went to a camp up near Guthrie, OK called Making Promises Happen. I've been there briefly before, but this was my first time to be a counselor there. It was the young adult weekend--those from 17-25 or so with disabilities. I was paired with a 23 year old girl with cerebral palsy. She was a hoot! She kept me laughing most of the weekend. She had such a happy disposition most of the time. We had tough time after she almost fell going from the toilet to her wheelchair. She got really worked up and I had to put on my 'mean face' and tell her to get a grip and get back into her chair already! This was over a 15 minute span, and we were missing the dance! Once we got to the dance, she kept telling me, "Jennifer. I'm a little bit upset." She never said it was at me, but I still kept my distance for a while. Later she danced with me so it was all good!
I got yelled at pretty good (and hit some too) by a girl with some behavioral issues. I heard she was wishing death on me last night because I told her it was time to go to bed. Those are the people that I just want to crack--I want to figure her out so I don't spend 5 minutes or so trying to reason with someone you just can't reason with! I think she was OK with me today when I left because I let her have my chair at the talent show, and I smiled and said bye to her.
Oh, the talent show! It was something else. The kids loved it, and it was fun to see them all get up and strut their stuff. No shame in this bunch!

How things have changed

Well, after 4 1/2 days of mostly sleep, two trips to the doctor, and 2 new prescriptions (4 total), I am feeling almost back to normal, whatever normal is anyway. That's good, because tomorrow I report for new teacher induction.

Anyhow....every year at Camp Esperanza, we have to undergo a certain amount of training. We do a day a month before camp starts. Then, we all get there around 2 on a Saturday afternoon and have more training. Kids do not arrive until 3ish on Sunday. THat extra time is spent preparing, planning, and going through training sessions. The last couple of years, there has been more emphasis on child abuse. This year we watched a video and had a long talk about things that have happened, can happened, and how we as counselors need to procede. This year, it was gently suggested that there be no more lap sitting. So, I can't tell you how many times this week I had to tell a little 6 or 7 year old girl she could sit beside me, but not in my lap. Or, I would just gently lift her to the spot beside me. I hate that past abusers have made it to where it has to be this way now. These kids, some who are in the throngs of treatment, who are dealing with fighting for their lives, who are away from mom and dad for the first time, are not allowed to be comforted the way I was when I went to Girl Scout Camp as a child. We also have hug raids, but this year we were instructed to do 'side hugs'. Can't have any chest to chest contact, ya know. It just breaks my heart that the world we live in has come to this. That there are sickos out there who will (and have) take advantage of the situation to somehow abuse these kids. I know in the long run that this is the safest for both the campers and adults, but it really does break my heart. I wish I could say with more clarity what is on my mind--I'm always better at composing these things in my head than actually writing them.

Camp!

I spent last week at Camp Esperanza, a camp for children (6-15) with or in remission from cancer.
My favorite camp quote went something like this:
"I used to think that camp was just to sort of build up our egos again, make us feel like we used to. But it's so much more than that. It's more like a lifestyle."

I liked that--the lifestyle bit!

Until there's a cure . . . There's camp!

More to come later.

And I'm off...

I'm heading to Camp Esperanza in about 15 minutes! Woohoo!

I've spent 2 whole nights in my new house. Slept like a rock. So far, so good (except for that little issue with the air conditioner).

I'll be back next week with camp stories. As I'm in the youngest cabin (6-8), there should be some good ones!

Camp Esperanza Revisited

I returned home from the Camp Esperanza teen retreat today. This was a weekend to see some teens I havne't seen since last year (or longer), to get to know some new teens, and of course to see the ones I just saw last month.

Camp E. campers graduate from camp at age 15. They get to come to teen retreat until they are 17. So, we had another graduation last night of the 17 year olds. Two of them were in my cabin my first year at camp in 2002. How amazing to have seen them grow up from awkward, near bald 14 year olds to beautiful, confident, amazing 17 year olds! The hard part is knowing I will never see them again, unless I randomly run into them in at the mall or something.

As I watched the bus drive up the driveway this morning, I could only hope that the next year holds wonderful things for these awesome kids. I hope that the girl with the heavy class load does well and doesn't burn out, so that her dream of going to a top private college may be realized. I hope that the girl I've seen go from a shy, socially immature girl continues to shine. I hope that the beautiful girl who is still bald from the chemo continues to do well after her bone marrow transplant. I hope the sweet girl whose days on this earth are numbered continues to live each day she has left to the fullest. I hope that the sweetness and sparkle all of these kids have continues to touch others and make them shine.

OK, this IS my last camp post! And it's a humorous one!

Tsooner70's post regarding her boys and poop compelled me to share this picture.
At camp, we decorate cabins before the campers get there. THe girls spend lots of time thinking of fun themes and make nice elaborate signs to greet our girls when they arrive. The boys? Well, the Tonkawas (middle boys cabin, 11-12 year olds) always seem to have a poop related theme. Actually, it's the adults that make this stuff up. Anyhow, this was their creative sign that greeted their campers. They were proud. You may have to click the picture to be able to see the fine details.

Quotables, etc.

Some more quotables from the week at Camp E.:

Amidst all the tears after graduation (we had one of the most drama filled cabins), one little girls pipes out, "Sometimes bubble gum helps."

Said one girl on the last night: "Well, I'm ready to get back to the big city life."
(You'd probably have to know this girl to appreciate this comment. Funny thing is, I recall her saying the exact same thing 2 years ago during her first year of camp.)

Said several other counselors throughout the week, "Aaaghhhh! Spider!!! Jennifer, come get it!!!"
I was asked if this big 2 inch spider was a brown recluse. No, they're small. THat's a good spider. I rescused several from the cabin and put them outside where they could eat the bad bugs.

"What the ?"--Said a camper from a boy's cabin when they came to hug raid us and we were all hiding in the shower.

"Geronimo!" said a camper as she went off the diving board (again, you'd have to know her)

"Ohhhhh, I'm scared to dance in front of all these people. Oooohhh, booooohooooo", said the 7 year old boy camper I was dancing with. He was kidding. He was a hoot.

"I can't believe he lets his wife dress him. He's crazy!" said the young boy about the skit character out of Napoleon Dynamite. I was then treated to a running commentary of what was going on on the 'stage'. I was difficult to keep a straight face!

"I can't wait until I'm all better so I can go back to Mexico. I miss it there but I can't go back until I'm not sick anymore", said a little camper (my little swimmer) to me.

And then there was the story about the youngest girl cabin. One first time camper just took in camp with all she had. Homesick at first, she soon realized what a blast camp could be. One night during a group hug in her cabin, she got out of the shower to realize she was missing out. So, she took her nekked little self and joined in the group hug, sliming all over everyone. Note: This is secondhand. I didn't witness this one!

This same girl was talking to a fellow counselor about her port being sore. This counselor was smiling as she was listening, just to show that she was attentive. Well, 7 year olds aren't too in touch with non-verbal cues and such. She stopped what she was saying and asked, "Are you laughing at me? Because if you are, I'm going to have to kill you."

This same girl, bald from chemo, had little pipe cleaners tied on to the sides of her headband her cabin wore during skit night. She wanted ponytails like the other girls.

While at Children's on Monday night (my normal volunteer night), I saw some of the campers in my 'job' as a greeter. I was talking to the mom of a first year camper, asking her how her week was and telling her of my few encounters with her son. She said that he made it home w/ a pair of Sponge Bob underwear that weren't his. He said they were on his bed so he wore them, not realizing they weren't his! We were laughing at this, but he didn't think it was too funny. :)

OK, this is a quote from a previous year, but one Tuesday, a first time camper said, "Wow! It's only Tuesday and I've already done so many new things. I zipped down the zip line, jumped off a diving board, slept outside, and helped cook my meal over a campfire. I love this place!"

Finally, the last graduating senior to speak his words: I was doing fine, not getting teared up until this point. He proceeded to say what camp met to him, how much fun he had there, and then he thanked all of the counselors, that we might give up a week of our lives, away from families, work, etc. to come and help make this such a great week for the campers. He said he that meant alot to him that we would do that.
The point he missed was that it is an honor for us to be there. Spending a week with these kids helps all of us so much more. It gives us a break from the real world (not to imply that what these kids are going through isn't real). It gives us perspective. It makes us thankful for our own health. It makes the troubling things in our own lives much less so. We are the priveleged ones--to have this experience and to have our lives touched so dramatically by these kids and young adults. They are a blessing to us.

So, as another sun has set on a week of Camp Esperanza, I hope I've left any of you reading this a taste of what a special week this is. It's something that I find really hard to convey to friends--you just have to experience it yourself. Maybe one day some of you will!

Sunset

Taken from the Sports Barn
July 20, 2005

And another...

This will be short and quick...(so I said before I got off on a tangent. Or two.)

One of our graduating Seniors, I'll call him Alf, sang the following song at graduation. He's a great kid, not the best singer, but when you have the emotion behind the words that he did, who cares how one sings! He also played a pretty decent guitar.
I remember Alf from the past several years. He's grown up and matured--he even brought dress slacks and shoes for his graduation, to wear with his Dance Night T-shirt. How's that for a 15 year old?

A story about Alf. Last year, the camper I mention below that I just love was all upset about not having a 'date' for dance night. At Camp E., this is a big deal. This year, there was a date made within hours of the campers getting off the bus--these kids are serious about dates for the dance (The date was made by Alf, but I digress)!

So, back to my camper. It's the day of the dance, 2004. The previous year-her first year at camp, she had a date, but sort of got dumped at the ball and ended up in tears at the end of the night. This was devastating for me as well, because I hate to see my campers upset! I explained to her that at the ripe old age of 13, this would be the first of many heartbreaks (yeah, aren't I the sympathetic one?) and that while I knew it hurt, she'd be OK and have many more dances in front of her.

So, back to that day at dinner. She was interested in Alf and asked would I please ask him to the dance for her? I just love playing this role. So, I approached Alf and explained the situation. He said he had a few dates already (quite the player, this Alf) but when I found out that it was the nurses, I let him have it. Nicely. He decided that this girl should be properly asked and said he would ask her in a bit. I reminded him of what would happen if he broke her heart (not suitable for print here) and off I went. I told her and she was beaming. About that time, Alf came and went down on one knee and asked her to the dance. Of course she said yes! So, arrangements were made and he went back to his meal. My camper looked at me w/ tears in her eyes and a beautiful smile and said thanks. She was beaming. I might add that she was at an uncomfortable part of her treatment. While her hair was growing back, she was on steroids and had put on weight and stretchmarks. She wasn't happy w/ how she looked and needed a good confidence boost.

Alf was true to his word and treated her like a queen. He even gave her a corsage he made in the art barn! That night after the dance, she whispered to me that he kissed her. She again had tears in her eyes. I think this may have been her first kiss. I was happy to know that she would get back on that bus the next morning with some of her confidence restored and still with that huge beautiful smile on her face.(Disclaimer: we do keep a close eye on these kids--supervision at all times, but they can be sneaky when the sun goes down.)

This year, since Alf found another date, this camper said she didn't care about the dance. She wasn't all emotional. She just found herself another date, who is also handsome and a great kid! She also looks great--no more steroids! Next year she'll be a graduating camp senior and will be one of those who helps lead the younger ones. I'm proud to say that maybe I played just a teensy weensy part in helping her restore some of her lost confidence at a time when she really needed it. She's a beautiful girl inside and out and I think she's finally realizing that herself.

So, my short post that began about Alf turned into a novella about this special girl. I think she would also say she's had the Time of Her Life at Camp E. these past few summers.

Green Day
Time of Your Life
Another turning point;
a fork stuck in the road.

Time grabs you by the wrist;
directs you where to go.

So make the best of this test
and don't ask why.

It's not a question
but a lesson learned in time.

It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

So take the photographs
and still frames in your mind.

Hang it on a shelf
In good health and good time.

Tattoos of memories
and dead skin on trial.

For what it's worth,
it was worth all the while.

It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

(music break)

It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

Deep Thoughts and Other Comments

One of our camp features was "Deep Thoughts", written by a fellow counselor. The only one I can remember is: "A can't remember anything that happened yesterday. I do know what I ate. Corn."

I was getting near the last of my laundry out a bit ago. This load was mostly bandanas and scarves and such. I noticed a dried leaf among them sitting on top of the washer. Imagine my surprise when I reached for it only to find it was actually part of a dead baby lizard (gecko)! Ewwwwww. Poor thing.

Other camp highlights:
Getting dumped from my cozy kayak into the lake while playing the duct tape game. Twice. Five minutes apart. Yuummmmm, lake water! The lifeguard wasn't very happy with me and my enthusiastic camper.

Being part of the basketball team (Camp Esperanza Staff) that beat the Camp John Marc staff for something like the 15th time out of the last 16 years. CJM staff is made up of young college students. Camp E. staff is made up of mostly people a bit older, many dads, working people. I may be out-of-shape, but I can still play w/ the big guys. Defense, that is. I don't get much chance to shoot which is probably for the best.

After the lunch where the middle boy cabin "eats like pirates" (i.e. no hands, no utensils) I took a picture of one of the little girls who had to jump in. Her face was covered with lasagna sauce. Then one of her little friends walked by with a clean face. I asked her why she didn't eat like a pirate. "Because, it's not lady-like" was her answer. Too cute!

Campers get to choose a project that they do every day of the week. This can be something artsy like pottery or painting, or something outdoorsy like rappelling, outdoor experience, or horses. Counselors also get to choose and some of us are lucky enough to get a project that we like. For the 3rd year, I choose swim lessons. My little girl turned out to be quite a fish. It was quite amazing seeing her go from dog paddling on day one to free-styling on day four. Yes, this little 8-year-old learned how to freestyle in just four days! She was awesome, as was the whole class. The Camp Director, Vance, teaches the class with counselors as one-on-one helpers. Vance is nothing short of amazing. Some call him the Kid Whisperer, as he knows what to say to get the kids to react. He's also a huge OU fan, so he gets extra points from me for that.

The many hugs I received from new campers, returning campers, and counselors.

Hearing one of my campers volunteer to sing the National Anthem for our cabin. Three years with her and who knew she could sing? She is shy so we were all impressed with her volunteering and doing it.

Hearing another counselor belt out Amazing Grace for our cabin and a boy's cabin during a hug raid. She was amazing.

Kissing a fish for the first time. (Yes, I really did.) Unfortunately, the camper I was trying to get to do the same thing just looked at me like I was crazy and still didn't kiss the fish.

Seeing the compassion some of the healthy campers exhibit to those who are struggling. These kids never cease to amaze me.

Cancer

Rainbow at Camp Esperanza

The definition of cancer the disease is Any of various malignant neoplasms characterized by the proliferation of anaplastic cells that tend to invade surrounding tissue and metastasize to new body sites. However, I like this one better: A pernicious, spreading evil. It is evil, and that is probably too kind a word.

I just had the pleasure of spending the last week at a camp for kids with or in remission from cancer, ages 7-15 (Camp Esperanza--which is spanish for Hope). Many are healthy and doing well. Many are currently in treatment, as evidenced by their bald heads. Still many others are off of treatment, but will forever bear the effects of the treatment it took to hopefully heal them so that they can live long and productive lives.

Cancer is cruel. Why does any child have to deal with myriad needle pokes, treatments, physical scarring, stunted growth, and the many other side effects? One girl who I just love--she's been to camp for 3 years now and in my cabin for 2, will somday have to undergo a hip replacement. Athletic by nature, she can no longer particpate due to her hip problems from chemo. Thankfully, she is in remission. That is minor compared to the scars some of these kids have.

We remembered 4 campers who have passed away over the past year. One was in my cabin her last 2 years she attended camp. She was an awesome girl who will always hold a place in my heart. We called her counselor #7 because she kept us in line (there are 6 counselors per cabin). Her presence was missed. After our remembrance ceremony the first night of camp, we had some rain (first time in my 4 years of going here for camp that it has rained). Then there was the most beautiful rainbow (see picture above--it's faint but look closely and you will see). We took that as a sign from K. and the others that have passed on. They were most definitely with us at camp this week and wanted to let us know that.

Some of the best stories from the week at camp involve boys and bodily functions. Go figure.

--One of the younger boys (8 or so) was in the bathroom. He came out and asked his counselor for help. Turns out the boy, whose mother is apparantly obsessive-compulsive about the teeth he loses, was sitting on the pot playing with his lose tooth. Oops, out it came and into the toilet it went. Where he had just gone #2. Well, he asked his counselor if he would get it out. The counselor donned some rubber gloves (which are apparantly on the list of things to bring for the boy cabins. Thankfully that's not the case for the girls) and fished around and found the prized tooth. It was removed, lysoled, and put into a ziploc baggy. The boy was told that he better be sure it makes it home and that his mom knows what it took for that tooth to get home. I think that counselor should get counselor of the year!!

--One of the older graduating boys (15) has a history of finding other boys' cabins to do his #2 business in. Secretly. And enjoys leaving his mark. So, this year his target was the 2nd youngest boy cabin. One day during nap time, he snuck in while the boys were sleeping. One little boy heard him and notified the counselors, who were on the patio meeting. The counselors then ambushed the guilty party, who took off out of the cabin. He was chased by a counselor with a super sonic water gun. Said counselor wasn't about to let him get away and then realized he was chasing this camper in nothing but his boxers.

OK, so it's not just the boys!
--My cabin consisted of 13-14 year old girls. They are a hoot--boy crazy, obsessed with how they look, but not at all girly-girly. One night, the counselors were meeting on the breezeway that seperates the 2 sides of the cabin while the girls were getting ready for bed. One girls opens the door and asks if there is any air freshener beacuse "three of us just took a dump and it stinks bad."

--This same girl was with us in the band-aid box getting some medicine. As we were about to leave, she said "Hurry, let's go. I've gotta fart. Haha-just kidding. Oops, I did fart when I laughed. Let's get out of here!" This was said loud and clear for anyone to hear. No modesty in this girl!

As much as I love this week spent at camp--it is one of my favorite times of the year, I hope the day comes that there no longer needs to be a camp for kids with cancer. I hope that the cures for these kids will some day be much simpler, sparing them the effects that many now have to live with. I hope that next year we don't have a need for a remembrance ceremony. I hope.

On another sad note about the evils of cancer, my friend's FIL (see July 8th entry) passed away this past Wednesday from pancreatic cancer. Rest in peace, B.

Junk Food

Well, I've made 2 batches of Mixed-Nut Spiced Toffee and a double batch of Goalpost Crunch (Recipe follows) to take to Camp Esperanza on Saturday. The food there leaves much to be desired, and the counselors like to sit around and gourge ourselves after the young'uns go to bed. The Goalpost Crunch is a tradition. My cabin mates would probably kick me out if I didn't bring it! I generally only make the toffee at Christmas, but thought it sounded good so made some up.
This is also the only time of the year I allow myself to buy Oreos--the double stuff kind. Yum! They'll be gone by Monday night.

OK, sort of a funny story about the Goalpost Crunch. As I was buying the cereal, I noticed there was a new kind of Chex--whole wheat. You know, higher fiber, healthier, etc. So I got it. I noticed by the size/weight of the box that it was much more dense, and made a mental note that this is a good thing. So here I am planning on making this fat and calorie laden snack, and I'm concerned with getting the cereal with the hightest fiber. Well, I might add that for those of us adults at camp, fiber is an important thing. You know, you're eating food that you normally wouldn't touch, you're body is thrown into a funky schedule, you never have any private time-->it can really throw your body's natural cycle into disarray! Yep, fiber is good. Even if it comes amidst more sugar, butter, and salty pretzels than one normally eats.


So, with running around picking up last minute things, making the above, showing my house/dog sitters what to do when I'm gone, and catching up with a few long distance friends, I had no time to cook dinner. I splurged on an iFratelli's pizza. Yum.


Tomorrow is full of last minute errands, a $100 market research interview for an hour of my time, a back-to-school party at my principal's house (already???), and a visit with friends who recently had twin girls. Maybe I'll get to hold them this time!

Until next time...

Goalpost Crunch

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
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6 cups mini pretzels
6 cups Rice Chex® -- or Corn Chex, Crispix, etc.
1 cup pecan halves
1 cup brown sugar -- packed (I used light brown sugar)
1/2 cup butter -- no substitutes
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. Baking soda

Combine pretzels, cereal, and pecans in 4 qt. bowl and set aside.


In a 2 qt. Glass bowl (I used my Pyrex 4 cup measuring cup), mix together the brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup.
Microwave mixture on HIGH until mixture boils (about 3 minutes); stirring once to dissolve sugar. Microwave on 30% power for 4 minutes or until mixture is golden brown. (I did 2 min. on low and 2 min. on med-low)
Stir in vanilla and baking soda.


Pour over dry cereal/pretzel mixture. Toss to coat evenly. Microwave on HIGH uncovered 4 to 4-1/2 minutes, or until lightly glossed (don't over-cook or it will scorch). Stir twice. Spoon onto large cookie sheets that have been covered with greased foil or parchment paper. Cool and break into pieces or chunks. Store in airtight container.