Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... March 30, 2010
Outside my window... It is sunny and WARM, warm, WARM! High of 84 today with a nice little breeze and almost NO clouds...GLORIOUS!
I am thinking... That everyday should be as nice as today...nothing pressing, just a nice day at home with the kiddos
I am wearing... Lilac tee, brown capris and tennies
From the Learning Rooms... NO morning school as we were cleaning and then a short session this afternoon with Jodi and James. We are currently 'IN' France studying the people and culture.
From the kitchen... Split pea soup is simmering away...and boy does it smell GOOD!! Mmmm! For the rest of the week in no particular order~LOL!

• Beans with bacon, and buttered bread...simple and tasty!
  
• Split pea soup
  
• Breakfast for dinner
  
• White beans and Ham
  
• Mac and Cheese with veggie sticks
  
• Pizza
  
• Easter dinner with friends and family

I am creating... Not much right now except for emergency moving plans if the landlord wants us to move right away. Our lease is up on Thursday, yikes!
I am reading... Eat, Drink and Be From Mississippi, Who Do I Talk To ( a Yada Yada prayer group book) and homeschooling catalogs : )
I am remembering... that my daughter in love is one of my favorite people on the planet...how many people can say that??
I am pondering these words... Song of Solomon 6:5...6, 7:4 "Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Gilead,. Your teeth are like a flock of sheep coming up from the washing....Your neck is like an ivory tower.....your nose is like the tower of Lebanon." Just wondering...does anyone else ever snicker when they read the Bible?? And when did our perception of beauty change so drastically : )
I am hoping... That no one is offended by my precious answer.
I am hearing... The soup simmering and making the pot lid rattle, the boys chattering to each other, G-Force the movie, and the dryer tumbling.
A few plans for the rest of the week... Wrap up school for the week by Thursday afternoon, craft class on Friday, GAME NIGHT, working 3 nights this week, grocery shopping, Paper play day with Tracy....hopefully NOT moving this weekend : )
Around the house... it's generally tidy, but needs a quick once through before Dan gets home this evening.
One of my favorite things... My Hubby Dan. He's just the best. The end. Period!
From my picture journal... Our science experiment last week....How much weight will egg shells hold up?

Apparently, quite a LOT....40.5 pounds of books! Gives a whole new meaning to walking on eggshells, doesn't it??

If you like this post, check out the other day booking ladies posts on http://www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ You won't be sorry! : )

It's the Little Things

I've discovered as I make this journey through life, that it's not the HUGE things that make or break your day, week, month or LIFE....it's the little things. So in celebration of those little things, list a few things that made your day, week, month or LIFE sweeter or brighter.

• Dan went back to work again this week...thank you Jesus!
  
• The boys are getting better about their new chores, even though they still have to be reminded.
  
• I have friends and family to call upon should I need some help, or even some company while Dan is out of town. It's a nice feeling : )
  
• Jodi has spring break this week from work, so we have LOTS of time to work on catching up on some MFW schooling things. We are 'travelling' to Norway and then France. James got so excited about it, he packed a bag!
  
• My readily stocked pantry/freezer is feeding us for yet another week without grocery money, I call that a miracle. The only things I bought were some milk and fresh fruit. AMEN!
  
• I made a new recipe tonight and D and P liked it, and DT almost ate it...and that's HUGE at our house...to have a meal that EVERYONE likes. Coupled with some fresh french bread....black bean soup really hits the spot.
  
• I finally sat down and wrote to my pen pals, who have been kind enough not to ditch me even though I've been a LOUSY writer for the past few months. (Ladies, your letters went into the mail today!)
  
• I got my FREE Busy Mom's Bible today, and I get to dig into it and write a review. Have I mentioned that FREE is my favorite price?? : )
  
• As mentioned previously in other 'Little Things' posts...I am LOVING this skype thing. Getting to visit with my parent and sisters via a video call is just about the best thing ever!
  

I like the idea of this type of post. If you do too, post a few of YOUR little things. I'm making it a goal to be more positive this year...join me!

~K~

A video pic of my dad while we were talking last night....awww!

Catchin' Up with Us MeYeR's

Hey, there...one and all! It's been a week! Ups, downs, travelling, working, and schooling...just WOW!
First things first...Dan is working again!! Praise the LORD! It was for this week and this coming week and that's it, but we'll take it, with pleasure! He left Monday at 2 Am and arrived home about 11:30 pm Thursday night, having 45 hours in the middle. PHEW!
In the meantime, the boys and I were on our own. So we thought long and hard about going gangbusters on getting back to our regular schedule, whatever THAT is these days...and then just made a mess of it.
~Monday I decided that we were taking the day off because we just ran ALL last weekend...work, work, work, no fun, no relaxing, no family time. So we hung out all morning and watched movies all afternoon. No school, no chores, just chillin'! It was really nice!!
~Tuesday, I felt terrible with a pounding headache all day that would NOT ease up, so I left the boys in charge of each other and spent most of the day in bed. So obviously nothing got done that day either. David went to gymnastics practice and Lauren came over to watch the boys while I staggered off to work, bolstered by a handful of Ibuprofen and an iced coffee. Lauren and Josh kept the boys overnight and I was left completely ALONE in the house, with strict orders to sleep in and do NO HOUSEWORK, a charge I took seriously and by the time the boys were brought back, I had read an ENTIRE book! I sure do love mornings like that!
~Wednesday, I felt better so after Lauren brought the boys home, we did a bit of school and some house chores, then we had a picnic at the park and I went back to work. Karen watched the boys and it was an early night so we had a chance to visit. : )
~Thursday, we spent the whole morning cleaning and then the afternoon wasting time goofing off and such. We also spent some serious time reading. David went to the gym again, and then I went back to work, again! PHEW : ) Dan got back about 11:30, Lauren picked him up and I arrived home about midnight. It was so good to see him again, I sure did MISS him!
~Friday, Dan fought with unemployment AGAIN, and then he went to do some work for a friend while the boys and I put the house back together. Then, of course, we had pizza and games, but since we hadn't been sure if Dan would be home or not, we had cancelled game night. A few people knew he was back in town so we ended up having a few people over, and we had a good time.
~Today is Saturday...and Dan took Josh to a Union meeting, P and DT went to Tracy's for the morning, Dave and I went to the gym and worked. Now we are relaxing at home, waiting for Dan to arrive home from working at another friend's house. I'm writing this, then eating dinner, then catching up on a few bloggy friends and then I'm out the door to work again.
It's been a busy, full week, although not in the way we are used to around here. Anywho, it was a good week, all in all. Thanks for sharing in it with us!
Blessings,
Kristy and the Man Crew

A Few Fun Pics

For those of you on FB, these may be a bit redundant, but they are so cute, I just HAVE to share them here as well! Dan is trying out a new whisker configuration and it just has me tickled.

Dan is now wearing an old school 'Fu-Man-Choo' style...makes me giggle athough he manages to pull it off. He's enjoying the attention he's getting over it...ha ha ha!

David has hit the 'I'm almost a teen, don't take my picture ever again' stage...sigh! I wouldn't normally bother to post a picture like this, but I may not get a decent picture of him until he's 20- so this will have to do for now : )

Pat, has obviously NOT hit that stage and rushed the camera while I was trying to take his picture. Who wants to help me count those freckles??

That's it for now...just wanted to put those up for your viewing pleasure. ENJOY!!

~K~

Catchin' Up with Us MeYeR's

Well, so much for regular updates...life has been so full of craziness the past few weeks...just NUTS! As of early this morning (3AM) Dan is back at work, thank you LORD...so hopefully, our life will resume some sense of order. Which will hopefully translate into more regular blog updates. Sorry about the gaps, I'll just keep trying to get back on track. Just some bullet journalling to keep you up to date while I try to find my mind OR my schedule. I hope that finding ONE will lead me to the other : )

• As previously mentioned, Dan is back at work, but probably only for 2 weeks. He's away again, but it's work, so we aren't complaining : )
• I am working 4 nights this week, like I did last week...so by week's end, I should be about ready to collapse...yeah me!
• School was a bit topsy turvy last week with Dan's comings and goings, Jodi ending up caught up in things and not making T or TH for combined classes, so we focused on reading some classics and keeping up with our 3 Rs...Pat REQUESTED more copy work and I'm anxiously awaiting Dan's first paycheck so I can order and print out the book that Pat asked for. It happened over a week ago and I'm STILL in shock about it...LOL!
• Today, we spent the day watching movies and just relaxing. The past weekend was hectic and we just RAN, all weekend it seemed. Friday was game night and we had a great time, and company stayed until after midnight...then I had to be at work by 9am at the gym, then a quick respite at home and then a long night at Kohl's. TIME CHANGE, grr....then church on Sunday. Dan was notified that he was leaving for work in the EARLY AM (YEAH!!) Karen and Ty came to work out and visit, then Jodi came to visit, a quick trip to the grocery store, then Lauren over to hang out, dinner, baking cookies and eating cookie dough, Josh came over after work and we played games for a while. Then up at 2AM to take Dan to his drop off site...phew! No wonder I'm wiped out.
• Most of last week is a blur of exhaustion, trying to stay one step ahead of Dan and his comings and goings with working the side job and trying to fix the motorcycle yet again and trying to keep the house clean with all the coming and going. The boys were good most of the week and enjoyed the nice weather to score some extra outdoor time for their playing hours.
• I didn't take a single picture this week...or last. I can't remember the last time that has happened. WEIRD!
• Anywho, this was supposed to be brief, so I'm off to tuck in some little boys before I head to the couch to catch up on House episodes and HOPEFULLY have enough energy to watch 'Julie and Julia' before I crash out.
• Ooh, I just remembered. I hate sleeping alone...BOO!

Have a great week everyone!

Blessings,

Kristy and the Man Crew

It's the Little Things

I've discovered as I make this journey through life, that it's not the HUGE things that make or break your day, week, month or LIFE...it's the little things. So in celebration of those little things, list a few things that made your day, week, month or LIFE sweeter or brighter.

• Dan got his job back, at least temporarily. He's in Lovington, about 5 hours away this week doing some demo work.


• The boys have taken over the laundry, hallelujah! I'm doing the dishes again, and have discovered (as a shock to myself) that I would rather put away the dishes than fold clothes. WHO KNEW?? At any rate, they are doing well at it, and David is now responsible for the floors staying tidy and Pat is in charge of bathrooms...sigh, they are growing up!


• The new Skype thing is working out great! I've had several nice chats with Mom already, Dolli and I message back and forth often, I had a fun chat with Mom AND Kelly today, and Dad and Mom called on Friday to say hi to the game night crowd. I think next week I'm going to pull up a table to the computer desk and see if we can manage a game of Farkle via the Skype. I'll have to reposition the web cam, but that's no problem. : ) Interesting stuff, this technology!


• The boys rose to my challenge of reading "Around the World in 80 Days" before I would rent the movie for them. They read it in 2 afternoon sessions and a quick 30 minute session...and then they enjoyed the movie. The old version should be here in a few days and then we can compare and contrast...story lines, special effects, which one they liked better, all that good stuff! (I love it when school can be watching 2 movies...LOL)


• We enjoyed the new church again this week, and this time I managed NOT to get overwhelmed with homesickness for OUR church. Derek went to their children's church and once he got over it not being HIS teacher (LOL) he enjoyed it very much.


• Oh my, so much good stuff...God is so good to us, even (and especially) when we don't deserve it.

I like the idea of this kind of post. If you do too, then list YOUR little things. I'm making it a goal to be more positive this year...join me!

~K~

Simple Woman's Daybook~ Evening Edition

For Today... March 15, 2010

Outside my window... it is chilly and has rained and been sunny off and on all day.
I am thinking... that a day of movies and no chores was exactly what we needed after this hectic, crazy busy weekend.
I am thankful for... Dan working again...even if it means he is 5 hours away all week.
I am wearing... Monday 'clean the house' clothes...brown knit capris, a mint green tee and warm socks.
I am remembering.. that for ONCE I remembered the time change...I'm only 36, it's about time!
I am reading... Cassidy. Dan and I have been reading all over in our morning Bible readings, mostly Proverbs, Psalms and James this week. I've also still been pondering my way through Romans...but that has been going more slowly as I read more with Dan. This is still true this week...but I still need to do my reading for today.
I am hoping... that Dan is safe while he is gone this week, and that they will still have work for him next week.
On my mind... MY need for a routine, and a schedule. It's been a topsy turvy few weeks around here and I NEED to get back to my 'normal'...whatever that is. : )
Noticing that... Nothing smells better than fresh bread sitting on the counter. Mmmmm!
Pondering these words...Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. (Benjamin Franklin) OUCH!!
From the kitchen... Fresh bread, cookie dough and homemade popcorn...yummy! For meal plans...they are as follows;

• Monday~ Chicken Parmesan with Rotini
  
• Tuesday~Tilapia, Rice and Broccoli
  
• Wednesday~Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, and Salad
  
• Thursday~Chicken Breasts, the leftover rotini and more salad
  
• Friday~Pizza...and chips, veggies and dip
  
• Saturday~ Smoked sausage, mac and cheese, salad
  
• Sunday~ To Be Determined...it may just be a 'fend' dinner...whatever we can find : )

From the learning rooms... Back to our regularly scheduled learning. ABeka on M-TH mornings and then My Father's World on T and TH afternoons. No craft class this week so I might make up something myself. A trip to the park to play and do some nature study will be fun if the weather is good.
Around the house... It looks great! The kids and I worked hard this morning and over the weekend to put the house back in order, so it's just the basics...laundry, dishes and cooking.
One of my favorite things... A day that I don't feel bad about doing nothing. Of course, "nothing" has included writing this blog, baking bread, serving 3 meals, doing 4 loads of laundry, wrangling the kids, an hour of super FUN visiting with Kelly and Mom on Skype, reviewing Jodi's new website to check for mistakes and such, a lovely phone conversation with my Sister-Girl Karen, dropping Dan off for his ride at 3AM, and leading the charge in our hour long battle to get the LR put back together this afternoon! LOL...maybe I need a break from my day 'off' : )
From my picture journal.. A lovely sight on the way to SOMEWHERE here in NM...I just LOVE living here, it's like a postcard ALL the time

This post is in response to the call to simplicity by the delightful Miss Peggy over at http://www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ Come and join us!

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... March 8, 2010

Outside my window... it is WINDY...seriously breezy! I went to the mailbox today and I won't need micro-dermabrasion for quite some time now! On the upside, that sandblasting was for free : )
I am thinking... that I am not sure if I care for the Tuesday postings...I like the idea, but not the actuality of the process. I'm going to go back to posting on Monday and trying to catch up with the other post-ers later in the week. I completely missed last week and I feel out of the loop.
I am thankful for... more time spent with family this past week and this coming week as Dan is unemployed. It's been a time of refreshing and blessing...it's all good! We trust God to care for us during this time...and that's growth!
I am wearing... Monday 'clean the house' clothes...brown knit capris, a mint green tee and tennies
I am remembering.. the new church we attended for the first time yesterday. It was a blessing to hear the old hymns sung with fervor and heartfelt joy. What a blessing it was!
I am going... to work this T, W, Th, and Sat...but other than grocery shopping on Fri...hopefully nowhere else. I've already been to the library today and brought home my limit...LOL! I LOVE to read!
I am reading... 50 Dresses That Changed the World, A Quilters Holiday, and Becoming Lucy. Dan and I are reading here and there in our morning Bible readings, mostly Proverbs, Psalms and James this week. I've also still been pondering my way through Romans...but that has been going more slowly as I read more with Dan.
I am hoping... to get this house GOOD AND CLEAN this week as I take extra time each day in one room to get in the corners that never get dusted, straighten the shelves that never get attention and clean out drawers that never get opened...it's time to be paring down once again and we prepare to move (BOO to moving!)
On my mind... Dan's unemployment, the coming move, visitors from Minnesota, and homeschooling changes yet again.
Noticing that... The more things change, the more they stay the same. (Haven't decided if that a good thing or not...LOL)
Pondering these words... A face without freckles is like a night sky with no stars. (A sweet lady at the new church said that to David yesterday....and how I WISH someone had said that to me when I was a child!)
From the kitchen... Fresh bread, cookie dough and homemade popcorn...yummy! For meal plans...they are as follows;

• Monday~Sauteed shrimp, green beans and rice
• Tuesday~Chicken enchiladas and veggie tray
• Wednesday~Pork stir fry
• Thursday~Spaghetti, salad and garlic bread
• Friday~Pizza...and homemade again! I sure missed it last week. (Last week I had to work and since we didn't want to cancel game night, everyone brought a frozen pizza...it worked, but it wasn't that tasty...LOL)
• Saturday~ Smoked sausage, mac and cheese, salad
• Sunday~To be Determined later *Sunday dinners get booted most the time, so I'm just going to wing it this Sunday : ) *

From the learning rooms... Today...TONS of reading! For the rest of the week...back on a regular schedule of the 3 Rs in the morning, MFW 2 afternoons, a community service project one afternoon and Craft class on Friday.
Around the house... Mostly tidy, but some serious organizing needs to be done soon. I'm doing a deep clean one room per day this week, but it helps to start with a basically tidy house. So I'm there...just need to start that project. Hmmmm....maybe I should just start packing instead....
One of my favorite things... A quiet afternoon filled with boys spread all over the house reading classic novels like "Jo's Boys," "Little Men," "The 5 Little Peppers," "Black Stallion," "Around the World in 80 Days" and the like. (And on the carfty homeschooling side, I can tell the boys that when they get done reading some of those books, we can check out the movies from Netflix and see if they followed the storyline. I LOVE it when I can call watching a movie with the kids 'school'!!)
From my picture journal... Another one of my favorite things?? A date night with the handsome-est man I know...my hubby Dan! And, I got a pic before we left!

This post is in response to the call to simplicity by the delightful Miss Peggy over at http://www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ Come and join us!

It's the Little Things

I've discovered as I make this journey through life that it's not the HUGE things that make or break your day, week, month or LIFE...it's the little things. So in celebration of the little things, list a few things that made your day, week, month or life sweeter or brighter.

• I love, Love, LOVE making yogurt! I know that it's something really simple, but I've got a batch making right now and I'm already looking forward to my morning smoothie with fresh made yogurt in it.


• Dan is sitting behind me repairing his motorcycle...and I'm thankful for a man that is willing to put in some hours to save us some money, especially since that's more important than ever with Dan out of work *winks*


• My Sister-Girl Karen brought over lunch today and then did the dishes so Dan and I could spend some time together tonight...is she great or what?


• Charlie is here keeping Dan company while he works so hard on this engine...and that's a good thing since between the kids, the house, the phone and other such things, I tend to get distracted and wander off...oops! So, great friends are a blessing to all of us.


• We went to a different church this morning and it was almost like going to our home church in IL...in fact, during their special music I was almost overwhelmed by a wave of homesickness for "OUR" church...but it reminded me to be grateful for such a great church family...they are IMPOSSIBLE to replace.


• Having Dan home is forcing me to re-evaluate our schedule yet again...and to be more accountable for how I'm spending my days. And that's never a bad thing, although it certainly can be a humbling thing...eek!


• Last weekend, our dear friends each took a child and allowed Dan and I almost 24 hours of child free life...what an adventure we had! It was great to remember what it was like to get gussied up for a date and look forward to heading out on the town together. Thanks you guys!


• Wow, I'm kinda gushing here, aren't I?? Sorry, just feeling blessed beyond measure today, and that's what this post is all about, right?!?

I like the idea of this kind of post. If you do too, then post YOUR little things. I'm making it a goal to be more positive this year, join me!

~K~

Awwwww....how cute!!

Someday...in about 50 years, I hope I am still as vivacious and fun loving as this couple...check out the video!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtyAsiZWktY
Enjoy ~K~