Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today: November 12, 2016

Looking out my window: It is dark now, courtesy of last week's time change, but I don't mind. The moon is nearly full and the sky is cloudless so I can see it clearly. Lovely.

I am thinking: That the sound of my youngest son and hunky dunky hubby laughing over silly video clips is a wonderful sound in the mostly quiet house.

I am thankful: For an evening to rest and recuperate before another busy day dawns bright and clear.

One of my favorite things: Autumn's cooler weather and an excuse to pull out my long neglected favorite mug for some orange and spice tea.

I am creating: happy memories

I am wearing: jeans and my Mama K Gym Magic t-shirt

I am reading/watching/listening to: Confessions of a Prayer Slacker, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and my new Pandora Station based on Pentatonix

I am hoping: that this week is less hectic than the last few have been.

I am learning: that small bits of time, carefully used, can lead to great things. It's easy to overlook that in hustle and bustle of life.

In my kitchen: Meal Plans courtesy of Life As Mom (found here: http://lifeasmom.com/free-printable-meal-plans-grocery-lists)

In the school room: Reading Eggs, cooking, board games and spelling lists were all that happened this week. But, it's enough.

In my garden: nothing much, but I'm delighted that Dan ran out into the hailstorm of last week to rescue my pineapple plant and my ficus tree that were enjoying the last of the sunshine for the day.

Post Script: Life can be hard, and messy, and difficult. But it can also be sweet, and deep, and immeasurably wonderful. Don't let the scary parts keep you from enjoying the good stuff. 

Shared Quote: Government is not a solution to our problem government is the problem.”
― Ronald Reagan
A timely quote after this week's election.

If you enjoyed this post and would like to read others like it, head on over to Miss Peggy's Site, called www.thesimplewoman.blogspot.com Would love to see you there :)

November Goals Update: Mid-month

Anyone remember me posting my goals at the beginning of the month? If not, here they are again.
**Complete 3 weeks of school and take a one week break for Thanksgiving.
**Turn off my small/personal tech once DT goes to bed so I can spend uninterrupted time with Dan.
**Stop multi-tasking!
**Say NO to unnecessary crazy.

Mid-Month update: How am I doing?
**School has been hit or miss, and largely unschooling since we aren't getting to the MFW curriculum with all the extra boys so far this month. However, we're still getting things done and I"m not giving up.
**My personal tech has gone away every evening around 8:30 so I can enjoy some time with Dan. Good stuff!
**Giving up Multi-Tasking has been harder than I thought, but I"m loving it. I feel less scattered, more focused and less irritable.
**Well, 3 outta 4 ain't bad, right? Totally flunked this goal so far. Had Jodi's boys for 6 days straight, going to have them for at least another 4 next week, got company coming for Thanksgiving, already did the Ren Faire and the dance recital, still have Feed My Starving Children and the girls home meet to go. Been to a doctor appointment with my S-G and and now am considering an impromptu trip to Chicago to be with her for her upcoming surgery. Meh, life is demanding. All I can do is my best.

November Thankfulness: Day 12

I love Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 12:
     A quiet evening at home. It's 8pm. I've worked at the gym, shared a meal with my favorite boys during the dance recital at the gym, done a bit of grocery shopping, helped DT set up tanks for rearranging his pets, took Pat to Tyler's for an evening of junk food and video games and once DT heads off to bed in a few minutes, Dan and I can enjoy a movie without interruptions, something that happens very infrequently. I'm looking forward to it greatly and thankful for it already.

November Thankfulness: Day 11

I love Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 11:
     Veteran's Day. Bless all you who have served or are serving in our military, and those of you left behind while they serve.
     A day off, courtesy of BossMan who works for the gov't. I SO needed a day off. No rushing around. No schedule to be forever hurrying to meet. No alarms going off over 37 minutes to keep up on task. None of that. Praise the Lord. James went off to school, and the little boys and I spent the morning playing games, working on school, lounging and laughing. BEST. MEDICINE. EVER. The afternoon brought more school, some laundry, some more games and some more laughter. Music was enjoyed, fresh air was enjoyed, laundry was flipped and restarted and prep for Game Night was accomplished before the guests arrived. (whoever heard of such a thing?)
Jodi got home safely from Chicago, Game Night was fun, I had the first reasonable discussion about politics since the election on Tuesday, and I still got to bed at a reasonable hour.
Hooray for a day off!

November Thankfulness: Day 10

I love Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 10:
     I'm grateful (again) for our community group. Today pretty much ran me over, flipped me the bird, and then backed over me again to make sure I was down before it swerved back into traffic without using a signal. I spent most of the day in a stupor, just trying to survive the day. I strongly considered not attending the meeting, but since I was bringing some of the side dishes for the dinner (and I didn't have other meal plans) we dragged our tired and bedraggled selves there. Once we arrived, we were welcomed, loved, lifted in prayer, slapped on the back, complimented on our cooking, made to laugh like a pack of wild hyenas, fed delicious food and filled with the Word of God. Does it get any better than that? I don't think so.
Andazola/Howard Community Group, you guys rock! You turned my whole week around. I am humbled by your generosity and grace.

November Thankfulness: Day 9

I love Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 9:
     I'm grateful for Patrick, who watched a duo of small rambunctious boys this morning so I could go to a doctor appointment with my Sister-Girl, Karen. She was concerned that she wasn't asking the right questions of the specialist she was seeing so I gladly went with her. She got frightening news, so I was  grateful that I was there for emotional support. Helpful family is awesome sauce.
THANK YOU PATTY-CAKES!

November Thankfulness: Day 8

I love Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 8: 
     I'm grateful for meal plans and Crock Pots. They plain old save the day when life is hectic and dinner is the last thing on my mind. Tonight's beauty? Red beans and rice with smoked sausage. The recipe is below. You're welcome ;)


Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage:
~1 quart stock (chicken, pork or veggie)
~1 "loop" of smoked sausage chopped or diced
~1 large can of ranch style beans
~1 cup brown rice

Instructions:
 Chop or Dice sausage and place in crock. Add ranch beans and stock, stir to combine. Turn on high and cook for 1 hour, stir in rice and continue cooking for another 3 hours.
Dinner is done!
*You can also put the rice in at the same time if you won't be home to add it later. The rice will be softer, but still delicious.

November Thankfulness: Day 7

I love Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 7:
     I'm grateful for the flexibility of my job and the graciousness of BossMan and BossLady. James and Titus will be with me all week as Jodi is in Chicago on business. It's nice to be able to lend a hand with family while still upholding my commitment to work.

November Thankfulness: Day 6

I love Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 6:
     Our sermon series this year for our annual 40 Day Campaign is the best we've ever had. It's bigger and better in every way, like 50 days instead of 40, packing more meals for Feed My Starving Children and Pastor D is preaching so well I can hardly stand it! (sermons can be found on the website www.getrealchurch.org ) Every week is a new topic and the encouragement to love deeper, serve more, accept (and offer) more grace. It's humbling. I"m so blessed!

November Thankfulness: Day 5

I love Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 5:
     Sweet, sweet Saturday. This weekend is the annual Renaissance Faire, so I spent the afternoon stirring Dragon Soup while surrounded by other Team parents while we worked to raise money for Team activities. We had a blast! Laughing, stirring, telling funny stories, stirring, giving advice to newer-to-the-party parents, stirring, and eating. GOOD stuff! The soup AND the fellowship. I went home tired, but feeling accomplished.

November Thankfulness: Day 4

I love Autumn!

I'm working on gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I"m enjoying right now.

Day 4:
     I'm grateful for Game Nights. It is so wonderful to be surrounded by family and friends every week as we usher in the weekend with laughter, chips and dip, and games. It is something to look forward to each week as we work our way towards a day of rest.

November Thankfulness: Day 3

I'm thankful for Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 3:
I'm grateful for my Community Group from our church. (www.getrealchurch.org) Dan and I have been here in NM for 9+ years and it's taken us this long to find our niche. These people...I can't even tell you how wonderful it's been to be made welcome and loved and be part of the family for just being us. The Andazolas and the Howards have made our lives so much richer and fuller with their love. God is goooood! 

  

November Thankfulness: Day 2

I'm thankful for Autumn!

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 2:
I'm grateful for time spent with other mamas. Laughing, sharing, encouraging one another. We were made for this. And when we do it, we multiply the blessings, and divides our burdens. It's good. REAL good.

November Thankfulness: Day 1

I'm working on Gratitude this month. Seems reasonable with Thanksgiving just around the corner. (Where did this year go?) I want to post a little something each day that I'm enjoying right now.

Day 1:
    I'm grateful for the weather today (and this time of year in general) This is New Mexico, you guys. From May to early October, it's similar to living on the surface of the sun. The temps are often well into the triple digits for weeks and weeks, with almost no respite evening overnight. It's not unheard of for the overnight "lows" to still be in the high 80s or low 90s. So, when the temps finally start to cool, it's cause for celebration. Right now we are enjoying cool mornings and evenings (mid 50s) and sunny warm afternoons (mid 80s). Perfection.

November Goals

This year, I've been learning about goal setting and how to meet those goals. Today, I wanted to share my monthly goals so that I could (hopefully) inspire you to set some as well, and/or you can help keep me accountable on meeting this month's goals.
Here they are in no particular order:
**Complete 3 full weeks of school and take one week off for Thanksgiving. 
**Turn off my small/personal tech (phone, tablet, laptop) once DT goes to bed so that I can spend uninterrupted time with Dan, even if that means watching a movie with him.
**STOP MULTI-TASKING. Enjoy those around me, live in the moment and be more focused.
**Say NO to unnecessary crazy. No extra projects, no added disruptions, just say NO. Try to get back on an even keel before the holidays and gymnastics season begins. 

The End.

A weekend in Albuquerque- October 28-30th

This past weekend, DT and I went to Abq for a quick mini-vacation with the B-Bunch. After Trunk or Treat was over, we quickly put our decorations away and threw our backpacks in the back of the Buick and took off for the northern part of the state. We picked up Z along the way from New Mexico Tech College.
     We arrived early in the morning of Saturday and just collapsed on the first beds we stumbled into. Later that morning, we awoke full of wonder at what the day would hold. G shared a room with DT and myself so we went down to breakfast together and enjoyed the delicious full breakfast they offer at the Hyatt Place Hotel in downtown Abq. We toured the hotel, enjoyed the views, played some board games and just relaxed the morning away. (poor BossLady had a conference all day) When lunch time rolled around, we walked to a restaurant I haven't been to in a decade, called Buca Di Beppo. Ridiculously delicious Italian food, served family style. LOVE IT! After a brisk walk back to the hotel, we enjoyed several hours of naps, quiet, reading, movies and more quiet. PERFECTION.
     When BossLady returned from her conference, we kicked it into high gear and dressed for dinner and entertainment. We ate dinner at a Cuban place where the food was very authentic and so very good. After that, we hopped a bus to the play house and saw The Lion King. Oh my word...stunning! DT, who hadn't been too excited at the idea of a musical, nearly fell off the edge of his seat because he was straining to see every little detail. I was totally floored by the excellence of the production. There isn't a word great enough to describe it. I am hoping to be able to purchase tickets to the theater again during gymnastics season, since we will already be up there.
     Sunday morning we all slept in, enjoyed another fabulous breakfast, packed up and checked out of the hotel and went shopping. After a stroll through the Apple Store, the GAP, and the Teavana Tea Store, we stuffed the purchases in the back and headed over to the Abq Aquarium and Botanical Gardens. Lovely! We spent several hours there, amazed at God's beautiful and impressive creations and then loaded up for the trip home. We dropped Z back off at college and headed for the not-so-bright lights of Las Cruces. We arrived home late, tired, sore...and full of great new memories! 
     Thanks to the B-Bunch family who sponsored this whole trip and gave us memories that we couldn't have afforded ourselves.

Homeschooling 2016-2017

Yes, we're *those* people. The crazy ones that homeschool. On purpose. Because we want to. ;)
If you are interested in what we are using this year, you are in the right place. Here is an overview of what we are doing for the 2016-2017 school year.

David~ DONE for right now

• David is finished with his schooling at this time. He worked his way through High School using Blessed is the Man Curriculum, Progeny Press Literature Guides, Cordura Driving School and his library card.
• He is waiting for me to write him an English curriculum that focuses on composition so that he can get his diploma.

Patrick~ 12th Grade

• Patrick will be using Easy Peasy All in One High School for his last year of formal schooling, found here. We decided the go with it again, since he liked it so much and it offered him freedom from sitting with me all day. He is working their 12th grade recommendations and reading devotional materials provided by the youth pastor. He will need to do the composition class I write for David as well. We are going to work through an American Government online class together. He is also working at the church in the children's department a few times a week, and at the gym 2-3 days a week with David. He recently got his license and is spending many hours working on his 95 Honda Civic. (I can count that as shop class, right?)

Derek~ 5th Grade

• Derek is using My Father's World Exploring Countries and Cultures. You can find it here. It covers Bible, Art, History, Science, Geography and Music. Since it does not cover Language Arts and Math skills specifically, I am using the MFW suggested materials to cover Language Arts. They can be found here. We've added Reading Eggs after a free month long trial brought surprising results. For math, he is using Life of Fred.  He is taking online piano lessons at Hoffman Academy. We also have an educational video a few times a week. We've purchased all the episodes of Liberty Kids, all the Magic School Bus episodes, and have many  from Drive Thru History and Learn Our History DVDs. We enjoy the Video (and Quiz) of the Week from the BrainPop app on my Kindle. I also have a few DVDs from Izzit. That way, we can redeem some of the hours we spend in the car that day, and he can have a some extra education disguised as fun. We also enjoy a board/card/dice game each day to have some fun, work on sportsmanship, strategy, situational awareness and to take a break from book work. Current favorites include Ticket to Ride, King of Tokyo, Exploding Kittens, 7 Wonders, and One Night Ultimate Werewolf. We work hard 4 days a week and then have a light day to catch up on anything we missed, some life skills and perhaps even be social for a while.

ALL OF US

• We're all enjoying field trips, park days and other fun activities this school year. We head to the park once in a while on a Friday after a week of hitting the books to relax and enjoy some food and fellowship with other homeschoolers. On the other Fridays, we rotate between field trips, life lesson days and catch up days.
• We re-assumed a normal school schedule this year with A in 1st at the local Christian school, and G's online homeschooling schedule not being as flexible as we'd hoped. Hooray for US having the flexibility to adapt to their needed routines. (Please keep in mind that NORMAL is just a setting on your dryer and we don't do normal very well at the Man Crew House. LOL)
• We are working hard to not be controlled by the school calendar, the curriculum or other people's expectations of us. It's nice to put down the weight of other people's expectations of us and just do what works for us. It's been a much different school year. When Mama K isn't worrying about what other people think of her (*ahem*), it's been very freeing. 

I wish I'd thought to do this every year when I updated for the coming school year, but better late than never, right? 

A Grand Surprize!

Guess what?? Guess who is going to be a Grandma? GUESS?!?

>>This girl right here<<

Woohoo doesn't even begin to express it. SO stinkin' excited! Dan and I recently found out from our beloved 'Shua and Lauren that we were going to be joining the ranks of grandparent-hood. This post is long overdue, but we were asked to keep it quiet for a while until they were ready to share it with everyone. It was such a fun secret to cherish long before everyone else.
After MUCH deliberation, discussion, and trial and error, we decided on names that cover who we are without stepping on any of the other grandparents toes.  Dan shall be Poppy D, and I shall be {Grand}Mama K at the suggestion of Lauren, although the little one will just call me Mama K.
So, the countdown begins until our little one arrives. He/she is due on the 27th of February 2017. 

Congratulations to The Boy and our Darling Daughter in Love!

No Pants April: Day 30

No Pants April: Day 30

It's the last day, friends! Have you enjoyed it as much as I have? I'm always sorry to see it go, since it's fun to get out of the winter clothing rut and put on something fresh and pretty. However, this gal is also a creature of habit and from the time I was old enough to have an opinion about what I wore, I've been a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal. So it's a bittersweet farewell until next April, when I will don my skirts and pretties for another month. Join me, won't you?

Day 30: A decidedly easy No Pants April look. My long dark skirt and a Gym Magic tee.

PS. Yes, I'm aware that it's a terrible photo. But taking your own photo is harder than it looks.

No Pants April Day 28

No Pants April Day 28:
Long blue gypsy skirt and blue tee shirt. Easy breezy beautiful.

Feeling No Pants April fabulous as this month nears its end.

No Pants April Day 27

No Pants April Day 27:
Today kicked my butt...hard. DT and I toured the post office with our homeschooling friends, I donated blood and passed out for the first time in my life, crawled through work, finally made it home and then crawled into the recliner and didn't get out for the whole evening. Phew.

I may not be feeling No Pants April fabulous tonight, but at least I still looked good. That counts.

No Pants April Day 26

No Pants April Day 26:
Sunshine. ALLLLLL the sunshine! I love the NM sun, it's just glorious! (Yes, in a month, I"ll be whining that I live on the surface of the sun, but in the spring, it's simply amazing)

Soak it up. Soak is ALL up! No Pants April fabulous for sure!

No Pants April Day 25

No Pants April day 25, we're quickly approaching the end of No Pants April. Let's go out with a bang.

No Pants April fabulous indeed. My shirt says, "Most people wait a lifetime to meet their favorite athlete, I'm raising mine." I LOVE THIS OUTFIT! Comfy, cute and very nearly flattering! That's a win in my book.

No Pants April Day 24

No Pants April 24
Another repeat outfit, but that's ok, I like this one quite a bit.
Besides, I certainly can not go a full month without a repeat in my 'normal' wardrobe. I own 2 pair of jeans and 6 t shirts. That's a LOT of repeats per month. ;)

I'm feeling No Pants April fabulous, even in a repeat.

No Pants April Day 23

No Pants April day 23
Spent the day working the snack bar at the gym and came home for this excitement...

Every Saturday should end this well. Hello, No Pants April fabulous!

No Pants April Day 22

No Pants April Day 22 just happened to be the date of the Gymnastics End-Of-Season banquet so we canceled Game Night (I can hear your collective gasp of horror) and went to the the snooty-falooty golf course club house, which is every bit as fancy as it sounds.

I wore my regular Friday outfit for work and then changed when I got home into this schnazzy number.

I definitely felt No Pants April fabulous in this sweet little dress.

PS. For all of you whom are convinced that I have a nearly perfect little life, let me entertain you by letting you know that I gave some poor college kid either the thrill of his day or scarred him for life when I stepped out of the car and this dress betrayed me by blowing up straight over my head. Thank you New Mexico windy season. Thank the Lord for a mother that taught me to always wear a slip. ;)

No Pants April Day 21

No Pants April Day 21
A repeat, but still a good one!

No Pants April fabulous right here.

No Pants April Day 20

Day 20 of No Pants April already? This month is flying by! Today, I spent the whole day chauffeuring kiddos around and so instead of staging a photo, I just took a picture of real life, dirty feet and all. You're welcome!

I may be tired of being in the car, but I'm still feeling No Pants April fabulous!

No Pants April Day 19

DT and I were horsing around while G was riding.

Even as a shadow, you can bet I'm feeling No Pants April fabulous!

No Pants April Day 18

No Pants April Day 18:
Ok, here I am wearing this fun little number. The brown shirt is so much better than last year's sloppy white floral tee. Woot!

This skirt makes me feel easy breezy beautiful, which is another way to say No Pants April fabulous

No Pants April Day 17

No Pants April Day 17:
Cheater Pants...err skirt. I cleaned all day until I hosted a Mary Kay party, so I wore comfy lounge pants for most of the day. However, I did put on this sweet little number during the party. Officially since I didn't leave the house, I didn't break any rules, but being a spirit-of-the-law kinda gal, I still feel guilty. Anywho, I will probably wear this again tomorrow since I only wore it for two hours today.

Apparently my bed is feeling No Pants April fabulous today. :)

No Pants April Day 16

No Pants April Day 16:
I bought this dress a year ago with plans of using it as a swimsuit cover up and then I remembered that I don't swim and so there is nothing to cover up. It's a long sheath and since I have no waist, it's not attractive by itself. However, I did discover that it's cute as a skirt. So, viola!

Discovering a new outfit right in the middle of the month? No wonder I'm feeling No Pants April fabulous!

No Pants April Day 15

No Pants April Day 15:
It's Friday! And around the Man Crew House, that means patriotism and Game Night. And those things mean my Friday Flag shirt gets worn. Tonight, I tried to pose a cute photos with Thunder-kitty, but he wasn't having ANY of it. Especially not with Rocko helping. Oh my, welcome to my real life, folks. Ha ha haaaaa!

Happy Friday friends! Thunder sends his love. No wonder I feel No Pants April fabulous! Ha!

No Pants April Day 14

No Pants April Day 14:
I was having a tough time getting dressed this morning and eventually ended up with this ensemble. I don't care for it as the shirt I used to wear with the skirt had faded and doesn't match anymore, but it's a skirt and that's a win. Plus I am reading a funny book, which makes everything better.

Not quite No Pants April fabulous, but close enough for today. 

No Pants April Day 13

No Pants April Day 13:
Probably the best photo I've taken so far. Not bad for taking it myself with the timer on my iPhone. ;)
Aqua floral skirt, white tee (which I wore all day without ruining...a first) and roses.

No Pants April fabulous! Sunshine and roses, y'all.

No Pants April Day 12

No Pants April Day 12:
My favorite thrift store find from last year. Long green gypsy sparkly skirt. Life is good.

A pretty skirt and pretty tile work. Hello No Pants April fabulous!

No Pants April Day 11

No Pants April Day 11:
A blue jumper and a gray tee which aren't actually that flattering but somehow this picture makes it look darling. And I can live with that. LOL!

Blue makes me feel No Pants April fabulous!

No Pants April Day 10

No Pants April Day 10: Back at my beloved R2R church at the movies. Between our annual Easter gathering and gymnastics travel, it had been a few weeks. Felt so good to be back.

Feeling No Pants April fabulous at Reel to Real 

PS. I seem to have missed taking a picture on Saturday. I wore  gray knit skirt and my Mama K Gym Magic shirt. I worked at the gym, went grocery shopping, drove the Mama Taxi for several rounds and then collapsed in front of a movie with Dan, during which I promptly fell asleep. Perhaps that is why. ;)

No Pants April Day 8

No Pants April Day 8
Hands down, one of the best hand-me-down skirts I've ever been gifted. I always feel feminine and swirly in this sparkly crinkle skirt.

Feeling No Pants April fabulous! 

No Pants April: Day 7

Feeling fine on a day 7. This day I ended up running out the door before I was even awake in anticipation of a quick errand with Dan/impromptu date. So my Non-fashionable but very serviceable long black skirt was pressed into service much sooner than I had hoped, but since the date turned out to be at a auto body garage, I was pleased I hadn't worn anything too frilly or fussy.

I am but a shadow of my former glory. LOL!
Feeling No Pants April fabulous!

No Pants April: Day 6

No Pants April Day 6
This turned out to be far more flattering than I dared hope. I felt gorgeous all day long.

Mama K is feeling No Pants April fabulous today for sure!

No Pants April 2016: Day 5

Derek and I take G to the farm twice a week for horsing lessons. We spend our hours there petting the horses, playing with the barn cat and dog, enjoying the sunshine and sometimes even doing school in the Back of the Buick. It's not the most skirt friendly place, but we make do.  :)

Haaaaaaaay there friends! I'm feeling No Pants April fabulous. How about you?

No Pants April 2016: Day 4

No Pants April while at home? Who knew? LOL!
I was having a bad hair day (courtesy of all that traveling) so I'm a headless wonder today, but NPA calls, and I must answer. :)

I'm feeling No Pants April fabulous at home today!

No Pants April 2016: Day 3

Hi friends! I am chalking up a victory to surviving a three day road trip with the BIGS while wearing a skirt. I may not have been glamorous any of those days, but I was functional, comfortable and skirted. I will call that a win!

I am home, I  am bedraggled and I am tired, but I still feel No Pants April fabulous!

No Pants April 2016: Day 2

Welcome back, No Pants April! I think this year, I'm mostly going to post pictures and call it a day. I won't bore you with a story from each day...at least I think I won't. ;)
Today, David, Patrick and I were in Colorado Springs, CO for David's very last gymnastics competition. We started the morning in this fantastic, super hippy-dippy coffee shop full of peace and love. We relaxed for a bit before seeking more adventuresome entertainment.

Sunbeams, great coffee and peace. I'm feeling No Pants April fabulous for sure!

No Pants April 2016: Day 1

I will kick off the month with a disclaimer. I am road tripping with my two teenager boys, which does not lend itself to feeling pretty or feminine. My picture turned out rather poorly, but well, that's life. LOL!
I dressed for comfort today, not style, plus it is Friday so I 'needed' to wear my Friday Flag shirt. This is the result after 12 hours in the car with 2 of my favorite knuckleheads, checking into the scariest hotel ever, and a few hours at an arcade with the two crazies.
Oh. My. Word.

Mama K is feeling No Pants April fabulous!

No Pants April 2016 Kick Off

Hey friends, it's that time of year again. Time for No Pants April!
My friend Kimberly started this a few years back after a long and depressing winter, hoping to help herself get out of the winter  doldrums and ready for spring.
The rules are simply that whenever you leave the house during the month of April, you must wear a non-pants item to cover your lower half. That can be skirts, dresses, kilts, culottes, skorts, capris, or split skirts, and being the relaxed lady I am, even shorts count if you live in a warm region. Personally, I will be wearing all skirts and dresses, but please play along however it works best for you. The idea is to get out of the winter sweat pants and raggedy sweater you've been wearing for 5 months straight and embrace the thought of spring coming soon.
PS. If your work requires a uniform, then please allow common sense to prevail and don't get yourself fired. Just wear non-pants during your off hours.
If you choose to play along, and especially if you decide to post pictures somewhere on the Internet, please use hashtags #NPA2016 and #nopantsapril so we can enjoy them for years t come :)

PPS. This year I decided not to add make up and fancy hair to the challenge. Just clothes. It goes with my word of the year which is *Enough*

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 honor of the little things, list a few with me that made your day, week, month or life brighter or sweeter.

•  It's Dan being home for good!
• It's anticipating a family trip, even if it never comes to fruition
• It's playing along with No Pants April again this year 
• It's a day off of back-of-the-Buick school with DT
• It's sunshine and warm breezes
• It's a trusted friend telling you that your kids are turning out well
• It's being excited that your bestie and her family are coming to visit...after nearly 9 years! 
• It's Home Blessing Day
• It's getting back to blogging after an unexpected absence

I like the idea of this style of post. If you like it too, add your little things!  I'm making it a goal to focus on the positive this year...Join me!

Interview with Derek, age 10

 I asked these questions to Derek~10
1. What is something I always say to you? ~Go clean your room, and bring out your dirty clothes. Help me empty the dishwasher. This is not a show you can watch.
2. What makes me happy? ~Me listening, listening to Christmas carols at a Christmas. Your gospel music. Your favorite color, green. Oh, and spending time with Dad.
3. What makes me sad? ~When the tv or your kindle breaks.
4. How do I make you laugh? ~Mmmm, pretty much nothing.
5. What do you think I was like as a child? ~young, playing board games, hanging out with your parents.
6. How old am I? ~41
7. How tall am I? ~Uuuhhh, I can't seem to answer that
8. What is my favorite thing to do? ~play board games with the family
9. What do I do when you're not around? ~take a nap
10. If I become famous, what will it be for? ~an eating contest
11. What am I really good at? ~being bossy and mean, and a party pooper
12. What am I not really good at? ~being the fun parent, Dad already took that job. 
13. What is my job? ~babysitting A
14. What is my favorite food? ~salt
15. What makes you proud of me? ~I can't answer that
16. If I were a cartoon character, who would I be? ~Garfield
17. What do you and I do together? ~Ride around in smelly cars, do chores at home and play board games
18. How are we the same? ~we are blood related
19. How are you and I different? ~i am better at technology than you are
20. How do you know that I love you? You're my mom and you care about me
21. Where is my favorite place to go? ~home
22. What is my favorite thing about Dad? ~I don't know

Hmm, apparently in the past several years I've become quite the stick in the mud and am now no fun at all. Either that or Derek has no manners. Perhaps a little of both, but still an amusing read. To find David and Pat's answers, click here and here. 

The Most Perfect Sentence Ever Written

As a homeschooling mama, I try to keep things interesting for DT. This boy HATES to write, and so recently, we've been learning to type/keyboard. And to keep from typing A, A, A, B, B, B, etc, we've been using the same wonderful sentence that we use to practice handwriting, because it has every letter of the alphabet in it.
What is this magical, marvelous, mystical sentence, you ask?

The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog's back.


I typed it once for him and then he typed it twice. The first time took him quite a while, but already by the second time, he was moving faster. Go DEREK!

The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog's back. 
The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog's back.
 
The red letters are Derek's work. I"m so proud of him!