Lazy July Daybook

This has been one of the most UNlazy weeks in a long time, but I am *feeling* lazy, so the title fits. :)


FOR TODAY

Outside my window... 
the unbearable heat and humidity has been replaced by only extreme heat and humidity. Actually, as it was overcast much of today, it wasn't bad. It's funny that people around here are talking about 89*F temps as if they are refreshing.

I'm loving how many bunnies we see on a regular basis. This usually means our resident suburban fox has found another hunting ground. I'm happy for that, too, although it was always a thrill to see Scratchy run through the backyard.  Lest you think we live on some awesome acreage in the country, it's more like .18 acres in suburbia. We're lucky to back to some trees, though, so we get some happy nature moments.

I am thinking...
of how hard it is to step out and be completely different from all the homeschoolers who have supported and taught me thus far, and by doing this becoming exactly what I had always (gently) made fun of.  

I am thankful...
for a good visit with the rheumatologist for Jeffrey. Seems his little pain relapse was probably only caused by his high fevers from the flu a few weeks ago, and he has apparently recovered nicely from it.

In the kitchen...
cinnamon toast for dinner. The kids came home from the doctor's and had leftovers at 3:30 PM as "snack" - so now we get to have snack for dinner. No one is complaining. (Editing to add: except me. Someone ate my toast while I was finishing up this post). :)

I am wearing...
Dh's T-shirt and jean capris. I actually looked put together a few hours ago to take Jeffrey to the doctor.

I am creating...
Plans for a new school year. Well, not so much creating. Just opening, lol.

I am going...
To our second attempt at vacation bible school. Luckily this week everyone is healthy. Last time 2 of the 3 attendees had 103 degree fevers most of the week and missed all but a day or so.  This was right before our big heat wave, so I kept thinking "fevers" when people were talking about outside temperature. "It's 101!" they would say, and I would immediately think,"That's nothing, last week Batty was 103.7!"

I am wondering...
what this new year will be like, and what kinds of fun things we can do to our house now that we have decided not to move.

I am reading...
Nothing at the moment (or I could quip, "this computer screen!" LOL) but I have our new shrink wrapped
Seton lesson plans sitting right next to me that I'm hoping to rip into soon!

I am hoping...
we have more deliveries tomorrow!  CHC, Rainbow Resource, and MyBinding.com all have boxes aimed at our house :)

I am looking forward to...
seeing the ocean (not very soon, but I couldn't think of anything else! Maybe this is my problem??)

Around the house...
Still not fully "dug out" from finishing off our only place of storage so the older girls could have their own bedroom. My closet looks like an episode of Hoarders, and there are various storage boxes and rubbermaid containers randomly throughout the house.  But I'm *excited* that dh has been seeing the house and our stuff with new eyes...seeing things he doesn't want around anymore. Anything to make some space for what we DO want!

A favorite quote for today...

Commit your life to the Lord,
trust in him and he will act,
so that your justice breaks forth like the light,
your cause like the noon-day sun.
Be still before the Lord and wait in patience;
do not fret at the man who prospers;
a man who makes evil plots
to bring down the needy and the poor.
Calm your anger and forget your rage;
do not fret, it only leads to evil.
For those who do evil shall perish;
the patient shall inherit the land.

(from today's Divine Office, Office of Readings, based closely on Psalm 37)

One of my favorite things...
When a box of new curriculum shows up on our doorstep!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
VBS and hopefully not much else. Picking up The Dyslexic Advantage from the library. Getting Rose to art camp.  Reading lesson plans and waiting impatiently for our other boxes. Maybe shoe and eyeglasses shopping. Not enough sleeping.

A peek into my day...

Skye got her shirt from Sky VBS (funny coincidence) and it was HUGE - she got the last one in the box and it was an adult 3X --she's a slim 12yo.   So I gave the girls a lesson in deconstructing a t-shirt. Now Rose is itching to attack all her shirts. :)   My shy Sky got a taste of being popular, too, as everyone at vbs loved it.

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Simple Woman's Daybook

 FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

the sun! the sun! O how I love the sun!

I am thinking... 

about houses, my parents, and vampires. There's a joke in there somewhere.

I am thankful... 

for my long suffering husband, the joy of friends with happy news, this version of the angelus that calms me down when I need centering.

In the kitchen... 

GLUTEN

 I am wearing... 

navy long sleeve T-shirt, black pants (ok, sweats)

 I am creating... 

 pot roast (love my crock pot!)

 I am going... 

to chill out for Lent.

 I am wondering... 

 about living with my parents, who are serious again about wanting to move in with us (if and when we get a bigger house). I have a feeling I know what is right and just in this situation, but I'm honestly not sure my sanity can survive it.

 I am reading... 

Dracula

I am hoping...
 That a statue I ordered comes soon, because they already charged my credit card even though it was back ordered, and I don't wanna deal with them...

 I am looking forward to...
 dh being home on my birthday, a huge consignment sale coming, and a rare outing with friends for our fake book club. We do typically read the book, but then we only talk about it for 10 minutes max and spend two hours chatting about whatever.

 We are learning ...
 Maybe this should be in the pondering section.  I miss the long ago when read alouds and discussion ruled our days. But with two distinct age groups of kids, including a preschooler and one with special educational needs (read: me facilitating her learning takes up gobs of my time), when are we going to read and discuss several different books at a time? And if I do, when am I going to help the others through all their other subjects? When am going to blog cook?  Read gratuitous novels clean?

 Around the house...
 presents and annoying mylar balloons. Happy birthday Grace! I can't believe she is NINE.  Nine! That makes me, like, old!

 I am pondering...
 changing my kids' blog names again. I've never resonated with these, even though the kids picked them themselves and should be happy with that. Maybe go back to my Little Women names or pick my favorite saints or something. Thoughts?

 A favorite quote for today...
from Dracula - parking it here to unravel it later:
(from the professional's notes about a man in an insane asylum)
"I presume that the sanguine temperament itself and the disturbing influence end in a mentally-accomplished finish, a possibly dangerous man, probably dangerous if unselfish. In selfish men caution is as secure an armour for their foes as for themselves. What I think of on this point is, when self is the fixed point the centripetal force is balanced with the centrifugal. When duty, a cause, etc., is the fixed point, the latter force is paramount, and only accident or a series of accidents can balance it."

 One of my favorite things...
the chocolate milk from the dairy that delivers to our house

 A few plans for the rest of the week:
 more dental work for the 6yo - she was SO great last week, the usually staid dentist was practically gushing about how well behaved she was (*fist pump for the mom*)

 A peek into my day...

 The necessities of math:  calculator, protractor, huge eraser, and mysterious red velvet cape and hood. :)

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Simple Woman's Daybook

 FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

it is crisp and blue and cold.  My favorite kind of January weather

I am thinking... 

about shopping, and reading, and cooking, and wishing it was all a little less complex

I am thankful... 

for calculators, and for the fact that in this day and age my dd can show how smart she is with accommodations like these

In the kitchen... 

so much gluten free flour I can't find space for it on the shelves, and a huge bag of kale I'm not sure what to do with . And thankful for these things as well.

 I am wearing... 

navy t-shirt, deep sky blue sweater, black sweatpants (it's a 'home' day)

 I am creating... 

seven healthy bodies. No, I'm not pregnant with septuplets, I'm just hoping all the diet changes I'm forcing encouraging will help my kids and dh (and me)

 I am going... 

to many doctor/dentist appointments in the next few weeks

 I am wondering... 

if going gluten free will be enough to help Jeffrey's arthritis, and whether he should give up other things or even go paleo. He can eat eggs/dairy/nuts so he's one of 2 kids in the family I feel I could do this for.  Unfortunately cooking eggs out in the open makes two others feel ill.  It's never easy around here.

 I am reading... 

Living Gluten Free For Dummies

Extreme Makeover: Women Transformed by Christ, Not Conformed to the Culture

I am hoping...
heh, just read this blog, it spills out all over every post

 I am looking forward to...
some treats in the mail - a statue of "Mary Undoer of Knots" and a vitamix(!)

 We are learning ...
to get back into the swing of things after too much time off. Hoping to create some good learning habits and explore new ideas like freewriting and more art.

 Around the house...
the Christmas stuff is put away,except for one lone wreath hanging from a window outside...I need to climb up on a top bunk to get it. Doing that next!

 I am pondering...
I am pondering how this question is different from the "I am wondering" above, lol.

 A favorite quote for today...
“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.” 

 One of my favorite things...
watching a show on Netflix with dh. We are about to finish "Jericho" and need another series. :)

 A few plans for the rest of the week:
rheumatologist for Jeffrey, meeting about high school classes at a co-op I'm not sure I want to drive to every week.  Both in the same day, both 1+ hours from here in the same direction, but so far apart in time I have to come home in between. :-P

 A peek into my day...

I wanted a scarf to dress up a very plain long sleeve t-shirt I was wearing, so I cut a strip off this old homemade ring sling:

Since I made it myself I never could have given it away or sold it for fear someone would get hurt with it, and we are way past baby carrying days here. It was just long enough to cut a scissors-wide strip off of and make this:

Keepin' it real with the mirror smudges.  This picture also makes me look thinner than I am, lol.

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...
rain! Glorious rain after weeks of 102* temps with 99% humidity. I do hope this can cool things off a bit, or at the very least water our dead lawn.

I am thinking...
only of today. Thinking of "tomorrow" is too stressful.

I am thankful...
for a patient husband

rain
a potential new home
a patient realtor (seriously)


From the learning rooms...
We are still doing our "summer school" of Elementary Spanish from Discovery Education Streaming, and math "upkeep".  Planning out the first few months of school that will begin in a few weeks!

In the kitchen...
Sloppy Toms and french fries.  Hoping to totally overhaul our menu soon.

I am wearing...
red t-shirt and this skirt in black

I am creating...
a contract on a new home. Well, *I'm* not creating it, but I'm helping read and edit it.  13yo dd is crocheting a blanket out of scraps though!  :)

I am going...
to the Rheumatologist with the 3yo.  It's been a month and he is still  limping and in pain all day.  Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis seems a distinct possibility, given our history of kids with auto-immune issues.  Of course I'm hoping it's something lesser and fixable, but I'm also preparing myself to deal with this possible reality.  

I am wondering...
No wondering allowed this week. I'm staying "in the moment."   Wondering has only lead to crying jags and a husband who looks at me with that deer in the headlights look, lol.



I am reading...
I have dropped reading this month for going nuts on Pinterest. :)  Just what this visual right-brainer needed.

I am hoping...
~that the new doctor is nice, and GOOD, and thorough, and on time

~that I can come up with a new set of healthy, allergen free, yummy menu plans soon.



I am looking forward to...
moving (if it happens)

heaven :)



I am hearing...
music of a Nancy Drew game my 11yo is playing, my 3yo whining to be carried upstairs, thunder



Around the house...
the scattered remains of a full life.

I am pondering...
*what God's will is, and why my whole family seems to be falling apart physically.

*how to put what I believe about schooling into practice with 5 *very* different (and needy) children

*how I can use my (few) semi-talents for God's glory AND a little spending money


One of my favorite things...
Pinterest.  Did I mention how much in love I am?



A few plans for the rest of the week:
Rheumatologist visit

meet with realtor (probably more than once)

depending on how that goes, either a) cry and carry on, or b) pack and paint.


Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

It's a rabbit version of Where's Waldo.  A few nights ago there were *four* bunnies on our lawn at the same time!  Ignore the humiliating dead side of our lawn.  The side not in the picture is much nicer looking. :)

For more daybooks, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook!


(forgive the crazy formatting of this post - I didn't do it, it seems to be changing itself!)

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Simple Woman's Daybook - PG-13 version ;-)

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window... it was almost warm today! Still snow in patches on the ground. We all laughed to watch two pigeons walking in circles on the roof of a diner while we stopped at a red light.  Then my oldest exclaims, "One is standing on top of the other!...ohhhhhh....mom, I think they are mating."  Science lesson for the day! :)

I am thinking... about wanting a home, a true home. A place I *want* to be, a place that is comfortable and welcoming for me and my family. How much I need this! I know I'm supposed to be content where I find myself, but for many reasons I feel I must heal and become "real" by making a decision, *choosing* my surroundings, being a grown up. :) 

I am thankful for... a good dentist report for all four girls.

I am wearing...  oh, can I just say what I was wearing earlier when I went out? Now it's sweat pants.   So much more comfortable for kid wrastlin' these days. 

I am remembering...  bad things. I need to STOP that!

I am going...  out with friends this weekend for our fake book club, Lord willing! Rare that I get out for a non-chore activity. It's a fake book club because we do read the book, but only talk about it for 5 minutes and spend the rest of the time catching up with each other!

I am currently reading... re-reading Covenanted Happiness for FBC (fake book club)

I am hoping... that no one else catches the slow moving stomach virus that has hit us, that I get another night of sleep! One was blessed but not enough.

On my mind... points, chores, tasks, rewards: we have instituted My Job Chart.  It has lit a fire under my kids... definitely a post coming on this in the near future.

From the learning rooms (i.e. the whole house)...
We've put the daily schoolwork on My Job Chart and it is getting done better than ever. Still need to convince certain children (a.k.a. all of them)  to get started and keep at it, but now they see some end to it and tangible rewards to boot.   I'm thinking much about my goals for these precious souls, and how to reach them.   Worrying about next year!  Wondering why one particular child can.not. keep focused on anything for more than a nano-second.

In the kitchen...  dishes need to be washed, floors need to be cleaned.  Nothing exciting for dinner, but last night was a yummy "clean out the fridge" soup:  homemade chicken broth, tiny pasta, diced turnips and cabbage, carrots, and celery.  

Around the house... the kids are doing well with their new chore system (see above) but I need a fire lit under ME.  *Seriously* thinking of using the point system in My Job Chart for MYSELF.    Obviously, having a clean house is not enough motivation, but if I can earn enough points (i.e. money) to donate to my favorite charity and or buy myself a camera, I think it might swing me into high gear. Maybe.  Possibly my gears have been broken for some time.

One of my favorite things...hearing my children all laughing together.

From my picture journal...

ugh, still no new pictures on this computer. See above note about "new camera"!

(I apologize for this unedited version - gotta run and won't post if I think about it too much!)

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...the little dusting of snow we got has melted, but the winds did knock down some tree branches. I'm always tempted to go out and cut them up for blocks to play with. Not like we need *more* stuff in the house.

I am thinking...that it's a good thing we got Wii Fit for this after holidays time! Although it's been kind of counter-productive to eat a cookie then burn off only 13 calories with an activity that totally kicked your behind and MUST have done more than that, right? I do feel the sorely needed endorphins though.

I am thankful for...
my patient and loving dh, Wii Fit

From the learning rooms... I didn't intend to take a break, but it seems like we are. I guess we all do need it. I'm excited to start back though...you know, that New Year's Resolution High.

From the kitchen... lots and lots of random leftovers. Anyone want 20 servings of squash?

I am wearing...clean-the-house-clothes: holey sweats and a t-shirt/button down denim shirt combo

I am creating...peace in my soul. I've got about 99.98 percent of the way to go! It's progress! :)

I am going...to do the dishes and put laundry away as soon as I hit post. Really.

I am reading...Adoptees Come of Age by Ronald Nydam. If you want to know what goes on in my head, read this book. Except for the chapter about s@xual attraction to your natural family. Eww. Although from reading the book I can understand why it would happen. But no.

I am hoping...to find a wee bit of motivation to clean

I am wondering...why Windows 7 keeps doing weird things, like making the text on the screen WAY big, or putting me in incognito mode when I haven't touched anything. I think I'm hitting the mousepad with my hands, apparently just at the right time to completely mess with my mind.

I am hearing...ticking. I think dd is playing Wii Music.

Around the house...post Christmas explosion. I have to at least clean up the kitchen before my parents come over tomorrow!

One of my favorite things... my new haircut! Dh did it yesterday, and boy did it need it. Every time I walk by I can tell he is proud of his work :)

A few plans for the rest of the week:
A date! A date! A date! (just one date)(God willing).
Ring re-sizing. My fingers have gotten fat.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
Sorry, no pictures on this laptop yet. Working on it!

For more daybooks, please visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook.

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...
we are just beginning to see the top of the slide on the swingset, as the snow melts down in the sun. Sadly, my girls are tiring of snow play. I still love the beauty of it all. I'd much rather have snow on the ground than just cold.  We need to learn to leave earlier for church though, as there are fewer available spots in the parking lot with huge plow drifts piled everywhichway.

I am thinking...
that I like Facebook much better than blogging.  I love READING blogs, but I never have more than a few blurbs to say worth reading. It's all been said before, and who am I to say anything with any authority?  Which makes Facebook perfect. I can say one little thing, like something cute my kids said or a question I have, and get someone to say something back.  Maybe even more than one person. Nice.  I do need to watch myself, because it can become a time drain.  I saw someone today calling it Crackbook, and it's true! Addicting.


I am thankful for...
My wonderful dh.  For helpfulness from a certain child.  A teeny dash of hope that we may move after all - possibly not something much bigger if it's around here, and a drain on dh if it's a few towns over due to a long commute, but I think we are going to have to make one sacrifice or the other (close and small, or bigger and long commute)

From the learning rooms...
Many days off this week while kids played and I recovered from shoveling
Journey North Mystery Class is underway
Much fun learning math facts on Arcademic Skill Builders

From the kitchen...same old same old, plus snow ice cream. ;-)

I am creating...
Knit squares which will hopefully, someday, be turned into a blanket.
A more decluttered home...someday I'll figure out just how many toys is "just right"

I am reading...
Feeling and Healing Your Emotions by Dr. Conrad Baars. Awesome book.  It sounds like it's some hokey new-agey feel good book, but actually it's written by a Catholic psychiatrist who believes in the power of the love of others in healing oneself (emotionally).  He references saints and talks about the will vs. emotions, etc.

I am hoping...
oh so many things!

I am hearing...
dh and Juliet making cookies! A rare treat.

A quote (in honor of Valentine's Day)...
"Is this a kissing book?"
I say this to dh when we kiss and the kids are watching.

Around the house...
Valentines!

One of my favorite things...
watching my children do nice things for each other (our Valentine's tradition - they do good deeds for their "secret valentine" and leave an anonymous valentine card in it's place)

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Grace's 7th birthday, I can't believe it!
Ash Wednesday
hopefully a few hours with friends

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Dh took this great shot of a cardinal - my favorite - in our pine tree. It's a little fuzzy because it was taken through a window, at a distance, in a blizzard. :)

For more daybooks, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook. ♥

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Simple Woman's Daybook

For today, December 7th

Outside my window...
It is crisp (read COLD) and partly cloudy, with some entertaining birds flying circles over the neighbor's house

I am thinking...
That my children talk entirely too much while attempting to do work. Here it is almost 4PM and my oldest JUST finished her work. Not because she has too much, but because they spend 15 minutes out of every 30 on conversational rabbit trails "inspired" by their work. For example, one dd had a math problem involving an invented "water chair" like a water bed. Her query of "What's a water bed, Mom?" led to 12yo and 10yo discussing all sorts of weird stuff..."what if it broke?" "you'd drown" "Ow, that would hurt" ad nauseum. Every few minutes someone says something that starts them down another path... *sigh* I'm trying to point out to them that they'd actually have free time in CHUNKS if they would just do work when it was work time, and chat later!

Is it ironic that this daybook section on "talking to much" is my longest one? Perhaps the nuts don't fall far from the tree...

I am thankful for...
My patient dh
my parents are taking an awkward situation well
the sun peeking out
two UPS deliveries
new curriculum
that we are actually getting some work done!

I am wearing...
My PMS clothes - comfy sweatpants and a nice, warm, dark sweater

I am remembering...
my grandmother
how much fun it is to learn a new language (or maybe I'm strange)

I am going...
to be very cold on Thursday. The power company is shutting down all power to our area for at least 6 hours. We'll see if they can pull it off in under a day!

I am currently reading...
The second edition of The Latin-Centered Curriculum
The teachers manuals for Latina Christiana and Classical Writing Aesop
Parenting From the Inside Out

I am hoping...
that I can remember all the little gift ideas that are popping into my head lately

On my mind...
Christmas!

From the learning rooms...
All our rooms are learning rooms. :) We are enjoying our new subjects, Latin and writing. Teaching DVDs are my friends.

Noticing that...
our "Advent Wreath" is pathetic. I put it in quotes because it's really nothing half resembling an advent wreath. I had no wreath, I had no appropriately colored candles, so we stuck 4 white tea candles on a plate in order to keep our children's tradition alive of singing O Come O Come Emmanuel while lighting the Advent candles.


Pondering these words...
You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow. Matt5:38-42

One of my favorite things...
quiet, and our new Wii that makes all the kids come running so I can sit in another room in peace for 10 minutes

For more daybooks, please visit Peggy!

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window...
it's a typical mid-september day around here, the sun is hot but there is a hint of a cool breeze. The lawn needs to be mowed, but it will have to wait until I have some time (ugh, that isn't until next weekend!!! I'd better buy some sheep)

I am thinking...about the house we *almost* put an offer on. Yes, after posting last night dh and I had another long talk, which involved tears and both of us saying the house is "logically" a good choice but neither of us had that "this is it!" feeling. So we are walking away. Part of me is thankful, the other part of me is wondering if we didn't just make the biggest mistake!!

I am thankful for...
an understanding dh, one who just wants me to be happy

I am wearing...
jeans and a (wrinkled) pink T-shirt


I am remembering...
nothing. After two weeks of sickness and several days in a row of little sleep, my mind is shot

I am creating...
still working on those chore charts. Now that we aren't moving out in a heartbeat, I can implement them

I am going...
to dream about taking a nap
out to eat with a friend or two to listen to a chiropractor give a talk about his practice

I am reading...
Beyond the Rainbow Bridge

I am hoping...
that my brother enjoyed his birthday
that I can get out soon for some other needed birthday presents
that we didn't just make a huge mistake by walking away from a big house

On my mind...
house hunting, darn it. This was supposed to be over. ;-P

From the learning rooms...
nothing too exciting, we are just plugging along bit by bit as we all try to feel better (the girls are 99% better, it's me that is slowing things down right now)

Noticing that...
Google reader has a feature where you can "follow" people's shared items. It's a great way to get some of the "best of the best" from seeing what your friends think is share-worthy, the only problem is that the people I'm following all have similar tastes and I'm getting certain posts mulitple times. :)


From the kitchen...crock pot chicken tonight!

Around the house...
it's clean! Dh was a little stressed last night and I misinterpreted something he said, which made me run around the house like a madwoman straightening up. It was just a misunderstanding so all is well AND the house looks nice! (just don't look at my garbage dump china cabinet)

One of my favorite things...
Jeffrey's laugh

A few plans for the rest of the week...
soccer practice, soccer games, the start of homeschool phys. ed. class and rollerskating, a birthday party.

From my picture journal...

Praying mantis (?) enjoying a minor league baseball game

For more daybooks, please visit Peggy!

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Post Labor Day-book

Not post labor, but post Labor Day. :) It's all on how you emPHAsize the right syLAbles, LOL

Hoping the daybook format will jumpstart my left brain...

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window...

it is cool for a change, and the clouds are obscuring all but a hint of the sun. The lonely few tomatoes are ripening, and our front garden seems to be gasping it's last breath. Since I planted only annuals, I'm not sure what to do next in this garden where everything dies. Possibly dig deep and replace old clay with fresh new dirt? Mary deserves a pretty place to watch over. (our statue is different but I don't have a picture on this computer)

I am thinking...

about dh's "joke" that he should retire and stay home and help raise the children. Wondering if there is really some way we could pull that off, or at least approximate it. Wishful thinking, I think.

I am thankful for...

having dh home for 3 days

From the learning rooms...

well....first there was our staycation, then everyone got the flu, this week everyone is still sick...not much is getting done.

From the kitchen...

nothing noteworthy from MY kitchen, but last night dh experimented with many different home made rubs on some chicken breasts he grilled. We had fun trying a little of each. The winner was a mustard/oregano/garlic combo.

I am wearing...

messy navy blue sweat pants and a dark purple t-shirt. Perfect for playing nurse to 5 sick kids

I am creating...

HOPEFULLY, healthy children. It seems to be slow going. Then there's the ever present, "do I take them to the doctor yet or not" debate that rages through my head. They seem to be getting better one minute and sicker the next.

A Google Calendar - there's no better way for me to make sure I can get 5 kids to 5 different events in one morning.

Also creating a new chore list. Maybe someday they'll be well enough to have a go at it.


I am going...

nowhere. yet. That is OK.

I am reading...

medschgoogling pages on the flu, Managers of their Chores (thanks Laura!)

I am hoping...

my kids recover completely soon

that I don't succumb to it (I'm fighting it hard, I can tell)

that dh doesn't either

...and praying fervently for all the needs of my family and friends


I am hearing...

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - we just got Netflix and are trying out the instant play feature :)

Around the house...

waiting impatiently for my new chalkboard. We're hanging it right in the diningroom (the heart of our house) for lack of anywhere else!



One of my favorite things...

sleep, and health. I miss both.



A few plans for the rest of the week...

maybe soccer, schooling, hopefully not the doctor!


Here is picture for thought I am sharing...


The last day of gymnastics, and Juliet tries to bend herself in half. :)



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The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window...
It's stifling hot. We are very thankful for air conditioning. More ripe tomatoes! The front Mary garden needs help.

I am thinking...
...about the Barretts and the Snows. It's hard to think of anything else.

...about my dh and some recent worrisome sypmtoms that are keeping him off his feet.

...about needing a 3 column template here. I know, it's such an inconsequential thing, but I'm trying to force myself to think about things that aren't sad/worrisome


I am thankful for...
my husband, my children, my friends online and off. Our house, our working cars. Air conditioning. My loving God who is showing me a peak of Himself after a looooong dark spell.

From the learning rooms...
Maggie is enjoying her workbooks. :)

From the kitchen...
Tonight will most likely be salmon salad sandwiches, roasted broccoli, sweet potatoes, a green salad (we have a lot of produce on it's last legs)

I am wearing...
long blue checked shorts and a light blue shirt that my dh likes because it makes my eyes look bluer

I am creating...
a cleaner house. Verrry, verrry slowly, lol.

I am going...
to go back to Whole Foods and buy Grace more So Delicious yogurt, ice cream, and kefir. Nice dose of dairy free healhty fats for my teeny girl!

I am reading...
Eat Fat, Lose Fat

I am praying...
For the Barretts, Snows, and all others grieving
For my dh and whatever it is he has
For my dd who has a fever and odd rash

I am hearing...
Juliet doing her math and explaining it to Jeffrey

Around the house...
I'm trying just to tread water, in grief, with all tasks falling to me

One of my favorite things...
When Jeffrey is being silly and cute, and when he is following us around wanting to do exactly what we are doing

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Hopefully my dh is planning on seeing a doctor. That may determine everything else! But we'll keep on doing school and dreaming about a vacation

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

None just yet, I'm on the wrong computer. :)

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY (tonight?)...

Outside my window...
it's dark. :) The sun has set on a very hot day for August - 92 degrees, in the shade, at 6+ PM. We have one ripe tomato and many wilting impatiens.

I am thinking...
about moving, but not some little move, some dh-gets-a-new-job-and-we-travel-FAR-FAR-AWAY-big-move. No plans yet, we're just musing.

I am thankful for...
my grandmother finding a nursing home to take her, my MIL not being hurt worse in a recent car accident

From the learning rooms...
Week five of Oak Meadow. Juliet is starting to study the anciet Isrealites, so this should be fun. I can bring the whole family into it and get to check off "religion" at the same time

From the kitchen...
dh grilled a huge chicken outside for the first time. One word: YUMMY!! He brined it first for about 6 hours then rubbed olive oil, tarragon, paprika, basil, salt and pepper over it. Everyone loved it, even the picky ones.

I am wearing...
pajamas: huge "local baseball team" T-shirt

I am creating...
a calm mind and a healthy body. This is day three (four?) of me trying to eat with less sugar and less flour in general, white flour in particular. I'm *also* trying to realize I'm human, I'm busy, I'm craving like crazy, and it's OK to not go cold turkey. I'm trying to easy on myself so this is successful.

I am going...
ummm, berserk? LOL, it's all I can think of after reading Hippos Go Berzerk 5 times in a row

I am reading...
Anti-Cancer: A New Way of Life

I am hoping...
we'll actually get to go on vacation before Christmas, this week doesn't hold any more bad news, that school gets accomplished, that I remember to call the girls' friend's mom to get our extra carseat and epi-pens back!

I am praying...
for my MIL who was in a serious car accident today, for my dh who needs to deal with it, for my SIL who just had a biopsy that doesn't look promising, for my grandmother as she adjusts to her new home


I am hearing...
Juliet arguing, Cake Challenge on in the background, the dishwasher humming, and lots of other quiet because 3/5 of the children are in bed.

Around the house...
we cleaned much of the weekend, but it doesn't show. Trying to detach from the need to have straightened rooms along with detatching from stuff

One of my favorite things...
chocolate, and I haven't indulged all day. I'm trying to think of a healthy, low sugar way to do so. I think I'll go to bed instead.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
absolutely everything is up in the air due to MIL, SIL, and grandmother. We'll hang out and do school until told otherwise

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


Maggie and Juliet during out recent Iron Chef competition.


...for more daybooks, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

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Memorial Day-Book

Outside my window...
It's partly cloudy, warm, good "first weekend of pool season" weather. In the garden I've torn out some broccoli that was past it's prime to put in a few heirloom tomatoes that I got from Walmart of all places.

I am thinking...
about summer, about some fun plans to focus on the littles in the coming months, about fixing up the house for sale (or stay)

From the learning rooms...
We have officially ended Sonlight's Core 4. I'm about to pack it away after I get off the computer. The only hint that we were studying that era now are the lingering picutre books about WWI and WWII and the Holocaust. Boxes for Katja is my favorite and makes me cry. As soon as I buy a few supplies (which may take me a looong time getting them at Michael's with 40% off coupons ;-P) we are going to start Along the Alphabet Path. But right now we are enjoying having Daddy home for a day, and taking a short "good weather" break school-wise.

I am thankful for...
A dh that is patient and forgiving, warm-but-not-too-hot weather, new birds at the feeder, new sandals and swimsuits for the girls.

From the kitchen...
Leftover pot roast, fresh garden salad

I am wearing...
long light blue/white checked shorts, light blue top, hair up in a headache inducing ponytail. I need my hair cut!

I am reading...
Serendipity's blog, and just started A Thomas Jefferson Education off my shelf

I am hoping...
my dh and kids are having fun at the pool...that the baby takes a good long nap but still goes to bed easily tonight

I am praying...
for wisdom...for my grandmother...for my family...for many intentions from around the internet

Around the house...
I'm about to put away last years books and pull out what we'll use next

One of my favorite things...
quiet. ahhhhhhhh...

A few plans for the rest of the week...
another trip to Michael's for more sketchbooks, putting away winter clothes and other things in my new bins

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
Whoops, no picture thoughts, wrong computer. :) Just imagine a tall girl in a new striped bathingsuit doing a cannonball. ;-)

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The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...

Outside my window... it's warm! Oldest dd just headed out for a walk. An empty garden holds lots of promise (just waiting for a break in sickness to do it!)

I am thinking... how I'm a little (OK, a lot) disappointed/sad that my favorite house got sold, but excited at the prospect of something perhaps even more perfect for us. I feel God is saying strongly, "Trust Me."

From the learning rooms... settling in to a semi-routine for dyslexia treatment. I'm still not getting done as much as I'd like to, but I have my daughter's (all of them!) emotional health to look out for too

I am thankful for... a dh who puts up with me and works so hard for us

From the kitchen... not sure yet. Something quick and easy since two sick littles aren't giving me much space for cooking

I am wearing... jeans, a tie dye t-shirt, an old sweater. Today's just a messy day

I am reading... my girls' Sonlight readers so we can better discuss in their new reading journals

I am hoping... the children will feel healthy very soon, that dh and I won't get it, that we can continue with house fix-up projects at a decent pace (next in line: painting over a poorly done mural in 11yo's room), that I'll know what to do regarding moving/purchasing when the time is right

I am creating... a new home, healthier kids

I am hearing... a Strawberry Shortcake video, the baby who just feel asleep on me struggling to breathe through his nose

Around the house... Monday always holds so much promise. A new week! Cool! (LOL, it's Tuesday I have trouble with..."gee, that 'new week' thing wasn't all it was cracked up to be") We'll probably paint a bit tonight. I'm guessing less than usual will get done by me today as I help wipe noses and oversee schooling

One of my favorite things... watching the sparrows come back to nest in our birdhouse and above our bay window. Chocolate chip pancakes, even straight out of the freezer. A dh who makes said pancakes most Sundays.

A few plans for the rest of the week... a pretty empty week for a change, busy in the million usual little ways but few big outings. Hopefully some walks, some cleaning, some house projects, and five healthy children and two healthy adults! :)


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