a {post Thanksgiving break} daybook

Last week our family took a break from school and enjoyed a Thanksgiving break.  The older boys spent the whole week with their grandparents.  The three little ones, David, and I headed down on Wednesday.  We “roughed it” in my parent’s RV and ate our fill of my Mom’s cooking.  It’s something we look forward to every year!

 Every morning during our RV stay, I was the first one to wake up.  I would sit by a window and read and watch the sun shine on these trees.  (And sometimes a cow or two would be in the scene.)  This particular morning, it was raining as I read there.  It was pure, cozy bliss!

 

Here is my {post Thanksgiving break} daybook:

Outside my window:::  beautiful foliage colors, comfortable temps, and a surprise rain that caught us off guard when David and the kids left to buy a Christmas tree tonight {they came back home soaking wet!}

I am thinking:::  about chocolate.  I could really use some right now. {smile} 

I am thankful for:::   the laughter I hear coming from my child who has been sick since Saturday.  It could be the Tylenol doing its work but I’m thankful that he is acting normal for the time being.  It breaks my heart when my kiddos are sick.

In the kitchen:::  we stretched a pork loin this week.  Tonight was the Tex-Mex nachos night.  It was yummy!

I am wearing:::   black t-shirt, teal cami, tan cardigan, and black yoga pants {not the holey ones though}…I had jeans and earrings on earlier but I got comfortable before my clean laundry folding marathon tonight.

I am creating:::   a new blog…hopefully to open this weekend.  I’m trying to do a little bit at a time. 

I am going:::   to keep the Christmas season as peaceful as possible this year.  At least that’s my plan.

I am wondering:::   what it is that we need to let go of and simplify this year so that the Christmas season is calm and as stress free as possible. 

I am reading:::   a Kindle download that has been sitting on my device for a while:  Hope for the Weary Mom.  It brought tears to my eyes this weekend.  And in a good way…in a God sent those words because it was exactly what I was thinking about and needed to hear way.  I’m also reading One Thousand Gifts.  Also shedding tears with that one. 

I am {still} hoping:::  to finish up the last few episodes of season 2 of Downton Abbey.  I just need to find the time!

I am looking forward to:::  Family night on Tuesday.  We are decorating the Christmas tree!

I am learning:::  to control my tongue when hurt, angry, etc.  Studying the book of James helps me to remember this.  I’m not there yet…and honestly don’t ever expect to be there but I’m giving it the best effort that I can.  {smile}

Around the house:::   fall cleaning, fall decorations put away, Christmas decorations coming out

 Thanksgiving break project:  newly organized closet {LOVE!}

I am pondering:::   how to reach out to an old high school friend.  We are connected now by Facebook.  My friend seems so angry and lives & thinks so very differently than I do.  He is on my mind a lot. 

A favorite quote for today:::   “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too?  I thought I was the only one.’” C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things:::  pecan pie  So not good for you but oh, so good!

A few plans for the rest of the week:::   Christmas tree decorating {family night}, church preschool nursery, choir & praise team practices {if my voice returns}, swim team practices, children’s choir performance preparation, {hopefully} some walks with my walking buddy, a store run for food & Christmas lights, new blog prep, gift shopping, maybe a date night with my husband this week too

To visit other daybooks, please visit:

an autumn daybook

Outside my window:::  It is dark.  Today was the first day after we turned the clocks back.  It takes me a few days to adjust to the early darkness.

I am thinking:::  I am tired.  And I am tired for the same reason as the previous few sentences:  the time change.

I am thankful:::  I love the month of November.  I strive to live a life of thankfulness always but November always forces me to really focus on the blessings in my life.  I’m recording my blessings daily on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter.  (See my Twitter link in the side bar if you’d like to check it out.)

In the kitchen:::  There’s a peck of peppers that need to be pickled.  I also am in the mood to start making homemade bread again.  yum…

I am wearing:::  those holey yoga pants and a cozy sweater.  The pants even have a brand new hole.  I just can’t throw them away yet! {smile}

I am creating:::  dishcloths with my new found hobby of knitting.  Love it!

I am going:::  to start running with my friend who said, and I quote, “I do not run unless something is chasing me.”  And it was her idea too!  She even said that maybe we will run a 5K one day.  I’m super excited!

I am wondering:::  how to get everything done on Monday that needs to be done.  Guess it will be a practice of eating that elephant one bite at a time. 

I am reading:::  Still reading Breathe.  I need to start rereading Not a Fan since my husband will be teaching a class centered around that book. 

I am hoping:::  that I can find a little time to finish watching season two of Downton Abbey on Hulu this week.  I need to know what happens! {ha!}

I am looking forward to:::  Tuesday’s presidential election.  I’m ready to hear and read about something else for a while. 

I am learning:::  That my style has changed as a homeschooler.  I’ve always been eclectic in my teaching philosophies but now I see I am leaning more towards Charlotte Mason and relaxed homeschooling.  I’m quite enjoying it too!

Around the house:::  Fall makes me want to tidy and ready the house.  It also makes me want to start big projects.  I’m eyeing paint colors and possible kitchen upgrades…not sure when the projects will be started but collecting ideas for the future. 

I am pondering:::  my mind keeps returning to the thoughts of how we humans can call something that is wrong, right and call something that is right, wrong.  It completely boggles my mind.  And I realize that this is all very vague.  I’m just not up for controversy right now so I’ll leave it vague. 

A favorite quote for today:::  “I’m tired of Bronco Bamma and Mitt Romney.”  {This totally cracked me up!  And just for explanation – what made me laugh was her calling the president Bronco Bamma…not her crying or all of the comments on that particular post.  For the most part, I ignored the comments.  I know who I am voting for and am trying to block out as much of the campaigning & yah-yahing as I can.}

One of my favorite things:::  cozy sweaters. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:::  a Sunday School party, voting for President of the United States, swim team practices, running with a friend, camping with a friend for one boy, church camp for one very excited little girl, and the birthday of my wonderful husband – a busy week! 

A peek into my day:::

The pictures are just snapshots of our days from my Instagram account.  If you have that app on your phone, I am adrianedw if you’d like to check out my pictures.  I also post these pictures to my Twitter account.  (See little link on the sidebar.)

 

To read other daybooks, be sure to visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook. 

a daybook entry

Since it has been ten days since I’ve last written a post, you might realize that those germs we were fighting around here…well, I guess we can say that they turned on me and decided to battle me for while.  Sometimes I find the easiest way to start blogging again is to write a daybook entry.  Not to mention that I love to read them on other blogs too! 

Outside my window

We have had a few dreary, rainy days.  I have said that  I will not complain about the rain especially after our drought this past summer.  I will say, however, that I am ready for some sunshine!

 

I am listening to

Quiet.  David took the kids out for a while tonight.   

 

I am so grateful

that my kids are feeling better.  Now we just need for David and I to kick this old crud out of our home!

 

I am pondering

some of our family dreams.  We had a discussion tonight during dinner with the kids about some of what we are planning for our family.  Lots to ponder right now.

I am reading

I just got three new books in the mail today.  I’ve decided to make a place on the blog to document all of our readings.  {coming soon}

 

I am thinking

about the garden, and the chickens, and the closets…basically everything that I’ve not been able to do because I’ve been sick

 

I am creating

plans.  But I had a strong urge to pull out my sewing machine yesterday.  I am just going to have to do it.  Soon.

 

the kids made dioramas of the African grasslands and animals last week while I was sick

 

In the school room

We’ve been hitting the basics these past few weeks and throwing in the extras when we feel up to it.  I’ve also been thinking on next year’s curriculum choices.

 

I am praying

I have so many friends battling cancer right now.  I pray over these people everyday.  Would you pray for them with me too?

• Tori (young child)
• David and Vicky (husband and wife both with cancer)
• Cathy (high school classmate)
• Virginia (school mate who had breast cancer and now diagnosed with colon cancer)

 

Around the house

I’ve been remodeling and updating our home in my head in hopes of selling it.  Maybe we can actually take the plans from my head and execute them now that we are feeling better.

In the garden

the peas are breaking through the ground.  Also seeing little lettuces and chard.  Need to do so much work out there.  I so need {and want} to be out there!

 

A few plans for the rest of the week

home school Valentine skating party

 

A picture that I’d like to share

I’d actually like to share a video of Tori, the little girl who is fighting brain cancer.  Tori’s Mom and I have been friends since high school.  I haven’t seen her in years or even met Tori but Penny (her mom) is one of my forever friends.  Tori is going through a difficult round of chemo and needs our prayers right now.  This video tells her story.

 

A daybook entry after the storm ~

Outside my window

A peaceful and calm night sky after last night’s tornadoes and high winds

 I am listening to

the dishwasher working and a very quiet house 

I am wearing

comfy jeans that need to go in the throw away pile, a shirt with little sequins on it, and my socks…I’m ready for my jammies…soon…

I am so grateful for

my parents’ safety after a tree fell on their house last night

I am pondering

giving myself a thought closet makeover because (read next entry)

I am reading

I am rereading Me,Myself, and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild

 

I am thinking

  about how busy I am.  I know all of us moms are pretty busy people but I just can’t seem to fit it all into a day anymore.  I’m thinking it’s time to simplify…again…time to say no and let go

I am creating

besides this blog post…nothing {smile}

In the school room

Working away on our studies and thinking about next year.  This week, we added Baby Boy to our school using resources from 1+1+1=1.  We have access to the members only area and can view the powerpoint videos.  Baby Boy LOVES his school! 

I am praying

• for Tori and her family
• for my Mom and Dad as they fix the damage to their home
• for the young family that lost a daddy this week
• for my Grandfather whom I met only a few years ago who has been diagnosed with cancer

Around the house

We did some major rearranging on our little house this past week.  So far this is my favorite lay out as we try to stretch this little house.   I hope to share more soon.

In the garden

Everything is growing, growing, and growing some more.  I am hoping to get more flowers in soon.  I love sprinkles of flowers in the garden.

From the kitchen

It’s time to make out the monthly menu for May.  Is it seriously almost May?  I’ve been wanting to make some pita bread to go with the fresh garden veggies and homemade salad dressing.  Maybe I can do that on Friday.  {smile}

On Losing Adriane

• lost a total of sixteen pounds so far
• had to buy new pants - a size smaller!!
• need to eat better, drink more water, and decrease (give up would be better) my soda habit
• walking with my walking buddy a few times a week (and really enjoying it too!)

 

One of my favorite things

Pecky the chicken who insists on sitting on my shoulder! 

A few plans for the rest of the week

clean out a closet, homeschool field day, and working on a chicken coop

A picture that I’d like to share

 

Animal loving Flower Girl and her baby chick, Gracie

I am linking this post to The Simple Woman’s Daybook.  Visit the link to view other daybooks. 

Daybook for early March ~

Outside my window

Sun shining, birds singing, blue skies, green buds emerging…how I love this time of year!

 I am listening to

A little boy who won’t take his nap and is playing in his room instead.  Oh wait, now he is up.  I think I may have lost this battle today.  {smile}

I am wearing

Jeans, a pink shirt, and my hair still needs to be straightened.  Soon I will be changing into my workout clothes and going to meet my walking buddy for our walk.

I am so grateful for

The saving grace of Jesus Christ and that my darling Flower Girl is now a believer & follower of our Savior!  {This makes my heart sing!}

I am pondering

“…I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”  Philippians 4:8

I am reading

I keep a stack of books close by my bed and grab one each night before bed to read.  I don’t know why I need to be reading so many books…maybe I have a short attention span.  ;)  Add to these books the Bible and gardening catalogs and that’s what I’ve been reading.

I am thinking

about birthdays…my twin nephews and then my two older boys…all with March birthdays.  Soon we will have a teenager in our house! 

I am creating

 Many plans for the yard.  Of course, I’ve been working on garden plans and now landscaping plans.  I hope to sew soon, if I can find the time!

In the school room

School has been great lately!  My three older children are doing really well with their work.  They are even being self-motivated and starting their work before I even ask.  I am amazed.  I’ve been thinking a lot about our upcoming year.  I’m on the fence as to whether to do Classical Conversations or not during the upcoming school year.  It seems like a great program but it is costly!

 

I am praying

• for our pastor and associate pastor, both whom are facing serious health issues
• David’s brother who is deployed
• an unspoken situation

Around the house

We’re in the middle of planning some major renovations on the little white house…more about that soon, I’m sure

In the garden

The early spring garden has been planted except for potatoes.  Those will go in soon along with some green beans.  I’ve been drawing plans for turning the drab corners of the yard into really peaceful and lush areas.  Soon we will be building more raised beds and a grape arbor.

From the kitchen

I am planning to sit down and make out a month long menu.  I need to have another kitchen day soon!

On Losing Adriane

• lost five pounds after a stomach bug
• gained back three of those five pounds when better
• have maintained a loss of fourteen pounds total
• walking three times a week with a new walking buddy
• have tons of energy from walking
• raked the entire backyard with all of the extra energy 

 

One of my favorite things

naps…especially when little boys take theirs  {wink}

A few plans for the rest of the week

• grocery shopping
• birthday party for our twin nephews/cousins
• singing a solo on Sunday (for the first time in over a year…I am very nervous)
• Emma’s baptism on Sunday night

A picture that I’d like to share

My sewing area (also where Grant does his schoolwork) faces a large tree in the front yard.  The other day, I called little man over to see our little visitor.  Can you see who came by for a visit?

We sat and watched the squirrel for the longest time!  He, of course, thought we couldn’t see him. 

A daybook for early February ~

 

Outside my window

COLD!  Yet on Saturday, it was in the seventies and I spent a large amount of time outside in the garden.  Today, a storm swept through and dropped the temperature by 30ish degrees.  It is COLD!  But I sure did enjoy that touch of spring in the middle of winter. 

 I am listening to

Three children who just surrounded me out of no where!  Now they are laughing because they are reading over my shoulder!  However, mostly I’m listening to coughing and the TV as we weather a flu virus in our home. 

I am wearing

 Jeans, two pairs of socks, a shirt, and a tan hoodie sweater.  I’m cold.  {smile}

I am so grateful for

~Restored energy and health as I’ve had a sick family to care for this past week.  I feel better than I have in months. 

~ That somehow, someway, my body has resisted this flu bug in our home.  I’m the only one who has been well this past week.  Thank you God for this blessing!

I am pondering

“in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”    I Thessalonians 5:3

I am reading

 ~reading through the Bible in 90 days even though I’m really far behind the schedule.

~rereading The Maker’s Diet.  I’m wondering if all of this illness is due to weakened immune systems due to our diet and environment. 

~rereading Educating the Wholehearted Child.  I need a little homeschool motivation as we approach the point of burnout in the school year.

I am thinking

 about how it has taken me almost two hours to write just this little bit of this blog post.  There have been stops for baths, temperature checks, pouring drinks, dispersing hugs, etc.  It’s hard to fit this blog into real life sometimes.

I am creating

 I’ve been working on some new cloth napkins.  Our old ones have seen better days.  Also I’ve been planning to sew some jumpers for my younger daughter for the spring and maybe a new dress for me.  I need to find some age appropriate dress or skirt patterns for my seven year old.

In the school room

 Honestly, school has been kind of quiet the last week as the kids have been in bed with the flu.  We have fit in some of our history readings about the Revolutionary War.  I’ve been reconsidering some of what we do in our school and how to make it more Charlotte Mason-like.

I am hoping

 that my kids feel better soon.  They are miserable.  I just tucked the three little ones into bed and almost cried as I looked into their little sick eyes.  Kids’ eyes always look so weak & lack-luster when they are sick.

I am praying

 ~for the health of my family.

~for my brother-in-law, Scott, and his family as he faces deployment soon.

Around the house

 There’s not a lot going on this week until the flu passes on by.  Mainly, I’ve just been trying to keep it as clean as possible while keeping the kiddos and David comfortable.  Oh, and there has been lots & lots of hand washing.  Flower Girl says that I’m germaphobic.  {smile}

From the kitchen

 We had a huge pot of chicken noodle soup with lots of immune-boosting garlic and cayenne pepper yesterday.  Today we had the leftovers for lunch.  For a little comfort for the family, I made some of their favorite rolls and cinnamon rolls too.  Tonight, David ordered some pizza so I could have the night off in the kitchen. 

One of my favorite things

 A cup of coffee with white chocolate mocha latte creamer.  It has been the bright point of these long days.  {smile}

A few plans for the rest of the week

 If Flower Girl feels better by Friday, she has a Girls’ Night at the church.  I hope she is better by then.   The first thing she said when she began to feel sick was, “Will I get to go to Girls’ Night?”  (They are going to be cake decorating and she does not want to miss it.)

Praise team practice for me and the scheduling of future dental appointments for everyone.  We are keeping it very simple this week. 

A picture that I’d like to share

 This is what my counter has looked like this last week:

Flower Girl brought the flowers in to me before she got sick while I was helping her two older brothers who were sick at the time.  I thought that if I placed the flowers in the midst of the sick-fighting tools that it would add a little beauty to such an ugly illness.  {smile}

The Simple Woman’s Daybook ~ The last day of August

FOR TODAY ~ August 30, 2010  (Is it seriously almost September?)

Outside my window...  it’s dark.  The days are still hot but not as hot.  Praying for rain soon.

I am thinking...    about everything that I need to do.

Tonight:  prepare for school tomorrow. 

This week:  learning music for the children’s choir class that I will be teaching soon.

I am thankful ...   for David’s promotion and pay raise.

From the learning rooms...   Native Americans, Christopher Columbus and other explorers.  We are loving Sonlight!  The Little ones are working on the letter L and “little” things.  You can visit our homeschool “room” by going here. 

From the kitchen...  I’ve not been very inspired in the kitchen lately.  I’ve made plans to visit Tammy’s Recipes this week and I hope that it inspires me a bit more.  

I am creating...  plans mainly… there’s not much time for crafting right now but I do have lots of UFOs (unfinished objects) floating around.   

In the garden…   Not much at all.  I had plans to  plant a fall garden this past weekend and I spent all day Saturday on the couch because I felt badly.  (allergies...)

I am reading...  Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Ted Tripp~ We are going through a video series at church by the author of this book.  Great parenting advice.

I am hoping... that I feel better soon, we get rain soon, and that I figure out a schedule for our school that will work with four grade levels going on at the same time!  Others do it so I know I can too…by the grace of God!

I am hearing...  the quiet of a house when the little ones are in bed. 

Around the house...  Piles of laundry to be folded and swept floors that need to be mopped…school has started so the house is not as neat as I’d like. 

One of my favorite things...  zinnias in the garden.  The butterflies and hummingbirds love them.  Last week on a particularly rough day, I sat on my swing and watched two butterflies fluttering around the pink zinnias.  We will most definitely plant them again next year.

A few plans for the rest of the week:   Missions begins at church tomorrow night.  I am going to go to choir even if I croak like a bullfrog with these silly allergies.  They may ask me to leave the soprano section and go to the bass section.  ;)  We are spending Labor Day weekend at home and will probably do some cooking out and swimming. 

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing…

A picture of our little athlete.  She is seriously one athletic little girl.  And did I mention that she is very girly too.  She had a blast playing basketball at the family reunion.

 

To visit other daybooks, please be sure to visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook.

Simple Woman’s Daybook ~

FOR TODAY ~ August 4, 2010

Outside my window...

Very, very, very hot temperatures.  It is so hot that our little pool feels like a bathtub.  We went for a swim yesterday and felt like we were in a hot tub and not a pool.  :)

I am thinking... 

 My thoughts today have been about a tragedy that our city has experienced.  On Monday, six teenagers drowned in a local river.  Three were brothers and the other three were a sister and two brothers.  My heart is so heavy for those two mothers.  Today as I read the paper, I realized that one of the boys was a former student of mine.  He was such a sweet boy in second grade.  I have been thinking and praying for these families all day today.

I am thankful ... 

that we will be beginning school soon and finding our routines again soon.  The hot temperatures are keeping us inside for the most part and my children are ready for some structured learning to help pass these too hot days. 

From the learning rooms... 

We  have totally rearranged our family room/school room.  Right now I am in the middle of organizing all of our school things and books.  Next week we will take a trip to the store for our school supply shopping trip and we plan to start school on August 16. 

From the kitchen...

 Not much going in the kitchen, to be honest.  It is too hot to fire up the oven for too long.  I’ve been trying to make meals that require minimal heating up of appliances. 

I am creating...

Most of my creating has been in my head lately.  I haven’t had much time for my creative outlets.  I do plan to make some banners for our school area and our new reading nook.  I’d like to include some pillows for our new reading area too.

In the garden…  

Oh, my poor, poor, neglected garden.  Most things are finishing up for the summer except for a few late tomato plants, peppers, and melons.  The sunflowers and wildflowers are still holding their own.  I’m planning to plant a few things for the fall and work on creating new raised beds for next year’s garden.  I’m going back to raised beds because they really are easier to maintain.

I am reading... 

I am rereading A Charlotte Mason Companion  by Karen Andreola.  I have some birthday money and am planning to order Real Learning by Elizabeth Foss  and A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays by Robin Sampson.

I am praying...

for the families affected by this tragedy in our city,

for the young man who was the only survivor of the teens who drowned on Monday,

and for friends who are carrying burdens right now. 

I am hearing...

Some of my children beginning to get a bit restless as we sit in the house trying to stay cool.  I am ready for this heat to give us a break so we can enjoy the outside again.  I’m thinking tomorrow may be a good day to visit the cool library and get out of the house for a while.

Around the house...

There has been a lot of decluttering going on.  Little houses require constant decluttering or it will overtake you!

One of my favorite things...

the air conditioner.  I am so very thankful for cool air especially right now!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

My birthday is Saturday and we will be spending some family time together.  Until then I am trying to get things ready for the weekend and the start of school.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing…

The pictures in this post are from our trip this past weekend to our parents’ houses.  Living in the city, I can not get enough of the unobstructed sky when we go south to visit.  I always take my camera and snap a lot of pictures!  I love wide open spaces!  (And you might notice some smudges and spots here & there.  It seems the windshield needs to be cleaned.  ;)

To visit other daybooks, please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook.

Daybook ~ The last day of August daybook

 

FOR TODAY ~ August 30, 2010  (Is it seriously almost September?)

Outside my window...  it’s dark.  The days are still hot but not as hot.  Praying for rain soon.

I am thinking...    about everything that I need to do.

Tonight:  prepare for school tomorrow. 

This week:  learning music for the children’s choir class that I will be teaching soon.

I am thankful ...   for David’s promotion and pay raise.

From the learning rooms...   Native Americans, Christopher Columbus and other explorers.  We are loving Sonlight!  The Little ones are working on the letter L and “little” things.  You can visit our homeschool “room” by going here. 

From the kitchen...  I’ve not been very inspired in the kitchen lately.  I’ve made plans to visit Tammy’s Recipes this week and I hope that it inspires me a bit more.  

I am creating...  plans mainly… there’s not much time for crafting right now but I do have lots of UFOs (unfinished objects) floating around.   

In the garden…   Not much at all.  I had plans to  plant a fall garden this past weekend and I spent all day Saturday on the couch because I felt badly.  (allergies...)

I am reading...  Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Ted Tripp~ We are going through a video series at church by the author of this book.  Great parenting advice.

I am hoping... that I feel better soon, we get rain soon, and that I figure out a schedule for our school that will work with four grade levels going on at the same time!  Others do it so I know I can too…by the grace of God!

I am hearing...  the quiet of a house when the little ones are in bed. 

Around the house...  Piles of laundry to be folded and swept floors that need to be mopped…school has started so the house is not as neat as I’d like. 

One of my favorite things...  zinnias in the garden.  The butterflies and hummingbirds love them.  Last week on a particularly rough day, I sat on my swing and watched two butterflies fluttering around the pink zinnias.  We will most definitely plant them again next year.

A few plans for the rest of the week:   Missions begins at church tomorrow night.  I am going to go to choir even if I croak like a bullfrog with these silly allergies.  They may ask me to leave the soprano section and go to the bass section.  ;)  We are spending Labor Day weekend at home and will probably do some cooking out and swimming. 

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing…

A picture of our little athlete.  She is seriously one athletic little girl.  And did I mention that she is very girly too.  She had a blast playing basketball at the family reunion.

 

To visit other daybooks, please be sure to visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook.

~Daybook~ April 27, 2010~

~I’ve haven’t participated in the Simple Woman’s Daybook for a while and I really love these.  It gives me time to reflect on my days when normally I am too busy to take notice. ~

FOR TODAY ~ April 27, 2010

Outside my window...  dark and raining after 3 days of absolute spring beauty around here.

I am thinking...   about how proud I am of my son who did something hard tonight that required integrity.  I love it when I see glimpses of the men that my sons will grow to be.

I am thankful for...  the blessings of a God who provides for us in times of need.  I am continually amazed at His provision.

From the learning rooms...  planning the next few weeks of learning, planning for next school year, trying to find the energy and strength to complete what has been the longest school year ever!

From the kitchen...  making changes towards a real food diet for our family.  I’m hoping to start my sourdough again this week.  It’s been a long time since I’ve had homemade sourdough bread.

I am creating...  plans ~ I’m a planner.  Right now ~ planning the garden and the new school year. 

I am going...  to continue to fight the pests that are trying to invade our garden.  The cabbage worms have almost been eradicated (a post to come soon, maybe).  Now, something is eating my little tender baby plants.  I will not go down without a fight!

 
I am reading...  We will begin reading The Swiss Family Robinson for our school read aloud tomorrow.  I am reading So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore.

I am hoping...  for an unspoken request.  Something dear to my heart that needs some prayer.

I am hearing...  quiet ~ the house is quiet ~ except for the little beep every once in a while from whatever electronic device that David is using right now.  I always smile about the men in my family and their love for electronics!

Around the house...  so much I want to do…painting…flower beds…rearranging…it’s just finding the time!

One of my favorite things...  my garden…I love to visit everyday and see what’s new. 

A few plans for the rest of the week: Trying to get on top of my to do list.  I need to finish so many things.  A busy weekend lies ahead too.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing…

My Baby Boy and the two things he loves:  books and trucks!

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Daybook ~ Spring is on its way

FOR TODAY
Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Outside my window... a rainy day but the spring planting has begun!  The tulips and pansies are in the ground.  Cabbage, broccoli, onions, sweet peas, radishes, and potatoes will all go in soon.

I am thinking... about my mom.  This Friday, March 12 would have been the 31st birthday of my brother who passed away 4 years ago.  Someone who also suffered a loss of her son whom my mom had been trying to help took her  life this weekend.  My mom is really very sad right now.

I am thankful for... my husband.  He is a great husband and father.  He is my best friend.  I am so thankful for him.

From the learning rooms... school was out unexpectedly on Monday for a maintenance day.  Basically, everything tried to fall apart around here on Monday and we had to take care of those things.  Today is back to work – pretty much doing the basics. 

From the kitchen... I spent hours a few weekends ago planning a menu for the month.  Then this week has kind of put all of that on hold because I’ve not been able to get to the store yet.  So we are eating out of our pantry and I’m flying by the seat of my pants.  I should mention that I don’t fly by the seat of my pants very well!  :0)

I am wearing... cropped yoga pants and a hot pink shirt.

I am creating... flower gardens and a vegetable garden.  We tilled this past weekend.  Now I need to find time to pull out the grass and make rows and raised beds.  Oh, and we’re putting a fence around it.

I am going... all over the place this week!  I really would rather be at home!

I am reading... The Beth Moore study of Daniel.  Very, very interesting.  Educating the Wholehearted Child by Sally Clarkson.  Hoping to read A Charlotte Mason Companion again soon.  I’m also looking to order the book Backyard Homestead(ing)

I am hoping... that Tuesday will be a better day than today was.  It was a rough Monday.

I am hearing... The TV that no one is watching.  I really should turn it off.  Ahhh, now I hear the rain outside.

Around the house... mainly working in the garden.  I put flowers in my flower bed outside of the kitchen which is our main entrance.  Well, I’m halfway done.  We will soon put a white picket fence around our garden and hopefully an arbor.  I also plan on painting the porch soon.  Then I’m on to painting the kids’ rooms and hopefully repainting my living room.  It is red and while I love red, I am tired of the red.  I think I need some yellow.

One of my favorite things... gardening.  I think that working in the dirt is the best therapy for me.

A few plans for the rest of the week: busy week:  I’m going to visit with some friends on Tuesday night; church on Wednesday and hopefully no one will be sick so I can go to choir, also park day for homeschoolers; Thursday is a dentist appointment for me and maybe a field trip that I haven’t decided upon yet; Friday – shopping; Saturday – parade of nations for the GAs ~ seems like I’m forgetting something…

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...   Hot Rod will be celebrating his 10th birthday on Monday.  He will hit the double digits!  This picture is from Memorial Day weekend of 2009. 

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The Simple Woman’s Daybook

FOR TODAY
Monday, January 25…

Outside my window... It is night time since I am writing this on Sunday night. The day started spring like and has gotten colder throughout the day.

I am thinking... about school this week. It is still in the planning stage. I will be right on it after I write this. :)

I am thankful for... a wonderful day at church today. I heard two very time appropriate (for me) sermons. I’m also thankful for friends who get me.

From the learning rooms... I’m still planning this week. The toddler will spend his time talking about the color blue and the season of winter. My preschooler will be doing “S is for snow” and all the fun stuff that goes with that. My older three will focus on Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. We will be learning about the elements in Chemistry and about Jamestown in History. We will continue reading Mr. Popper’s Penguins.

From the kitchen... I have not written a menu for this week. That is really odd for me because I don’t wing it very well. But since we have had financial changes due to job changes, I am having to buy first and plan later. We have food in our freezer and pantry but I haven’t had time to figure out what to do with it. I at least have Monday planned then I’ll figure out the rest of the week on Monday night.

I am wearing... cropped yoga pants, a grey tank under a hot pink shirt, my socks, and sporting my ponytail.

I am creating... a beautiful home. We have been rearranging things in an attempt to stretch this little house for our family. I’ve been a little bummed that I will not be able to buy a new, larger house right now so I had neglected decorations. But I really need beauty around me and I’ve been doing bits here and there. The family loves it.

I am going... to do better on my diet this week and include more exercise.

I am reading... My Bible, trying to read through the whole book this year. Also reading gardening and seed catalogs as I dream about my gardens this year. Also reading lots of children’s literature (to my children) which I happen to love.

I am hoping... and praying for our family as we continue to make changes that come with losing your source of income and adjusting to a new one.

I am hearing... The Discovery Channel in the background and the sleeping sounds of my husband and baby boy. It seems Dave fell asleep as he rocked the baby to sleep.

Around the house... decluttering here and there. In a small house, you must always stay on top of clutter. Goodwill will soon be getting a lot of stuff.

One of my favorite things... My baby boy looking at me with his hands in the air saying, “Hold me.”

A few plans for the rest of the week: out tomorrow for gymnastics and Boy Scouts, hoping to go to the library on Tuesday and church on Wednesday. Saturday is a deacons and deacon’s wives trip to another town to eat out. I’m hoping we can go if we can find a babysitter. The kids have a cousin’s birthday party on Saturday also.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...

Our pencil sharpener held together with duct (Duck) tape. We are so hard on pencil sharpeners. We have to replace them every year. Do any other home schoolers have that problem? I had the same problem when I taught school but that was 20ish children so you expect it. There’s only five here!

For other Simple Woman’s Daybooks, please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook.