A Book a Week in 2015 Challenge

I challenged myself and a few friends to read a book a week this year (or a day, month, year, whatever you can do). Then I printed out the owl-so-cute printables found here  and made myself a 3 ring notebook with enough pages for a whole year. I'll update this as I read through the books. If you want, feel free to leave the books you're reading this year in the comments, and we can use them as recommendations for our next book to read.

Here's my list:  
   1. Say Goodbye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine~Rating: 5 stars
~Notes: An excellent read for the overworked, overtired, over-everything person in your life (like YOU). Full of practical hands-on advice, interesting anecdotes from herself and other readers of her blog, and questions to make you pause, reflect and then redirect your life. Superb.
   2. The Imposter Bride by Nancy Richler~ Rating 2.5 stars
~Notes: This book did not interest me at all, and I considered just quitting it about 17 times, but I'm not a quitter, and hope springs eternal that the book will get better. But it didn't, so this one was a complete bummer for me. I don't care for stories that are told 'inside out' where you're just kind of tossed into the story and have no idea what's going on for most of the book, but perhaps that is just my opinion and not a faulty writing style. It just never really seemed to get to the point of the book, or even let you know what the point WAS.
   3. Confessions for a Raging Perfectionist by Amanda Jenkins~ rating 4 stars
~Notes: This book came highly recommended to me by a friend who enjoyed it thoroughly. It is a good good, especially if you struggle with perfection-ism (which I obviously don't. If you don't believe me, come to my house and admire my dog hair tumbleweeds, my boys' clothing that doesn't match and the clutter around my house. LOL) This book is well written, thought provoking, full of scripture and even has a small group study guide included. 
   4. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline~ Rating: 4 stars
~Notes: Here's the review I posted on Amazon:
I don't normally care from books that jump back and forth in the time line and between storylines, but this one is done so skillfully and so artfully, that I could not put it down, and when I managed to put it down, I couldn't stop thinking about it, and what would happen next. Molly and Vivian's story is a fantastic piece of literature. A story of love, loss, redemption and the triumph of the human spirit. And a good amount of history thrown in for good measure. It even has questions at the end for a book club discussion. Read it. You won't regret it.
   5. A Hopeful Heart by Amy Clipston~ Rating 4.5 stars
~Notes: A delightful (if somewhat predictable) read. Amish woman meets English man, sparks fly and she has to choose between the life she's always known, and the possibilities of a new adventure. It's not too deep, not too complicated and it's a perfect book for some Sunday afternoon reading either on the porch swing in the sunshine, or curled up by the fireplace. Can't wait to read the next one in the series!
   6. Declutter: The Art Of Minimizing Your Mess (a Kindle QuickRead) by Daria Foster~ rating 4 stars
~Notes : Here's the review I posted on Amazon: This is a great reference for those just getting started on the decluttering journey, or someone who needs a reminder to stay the course down the road. It is well written, succinct, and touches on the most important topics without becoming bogged down with numerous details. I would recommend this to anyone thinking about downsizing, decluttering, or moving towards a simpler life.
   7. A Mother's Secret by Amy Clipston~ Rating 4.5 stars
~Notes: I said I couldn't wait to read the next one, and I meant it. :) Another lovely simple read about the Amish community. Amish woman with a secret meets confirmed bachelor Amish man. Sparks fly, but can she trust him with her secret...and her heart? Delightful. 
   8. 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker~ Rating 5 Stars
~I know I've read this before, but I can't stop reading it. It is reading perfection. It moves my heart every single time I read it. Funny, compelling, heart felt, and a call to live the Christian life the way Jesus meant it to be lived. It's so good, I've recommended it to everyone who will listen, I've read it aloud to Dan, I've quoted it on FB and in conversations, I've considered buying a case full and giving them as Christmas gifts, and I've read it nearly 20 times. Find it, buy it, read it repeatedly and be moved. It will change your life. I promise.

*update as of 3/18/15* It appears that I am about 3 books behind, but considering we are in the throes of gymnastics season and we are 6 weeks post-move, I'm going to call that a win. I'm hoping to be caught up by the end of screen free month. I'll keep you posted. 
     ~K~

 

A New 'Normal'

If you've been reading this blog for long, you KNOW that we just don't DO normal. It's sad, but true. In fact, we've started taking pride in the fact that we are the weirdest people we know. We are, in fact those crazy homeschooling people you always hear about, ha ha ha! David told me the other day that he needed a shirt that said, " My mom is the weirdest person on Earth." Oh dear. I hope they aren't permanently scarred. Anywho, all of that say that we are constantly in a state of chaos, travel, switching schedules, routines, and ever changing jobs and houses. Well that makes us sound unstable, doesn't it? I prefer to think of us as uber-flexible. *winks*
As I look into the future, I see us on a routine that allows for interruptions, emergencies or having unexpected company without throwing everything into a tailspin for the day. I found my old "Managers of Their Homes" schedule today and marvel that there was ever a time that we were that organized. Especially with 8 people in the house, including one infant. Slightly saddened as well that we've allowed ourselves to get so far from that good groove. I know, life changes, people change, circumstances change. However, I think I've been granting myself too much grace in certain areas. I've certainly not been being a very good steward of my time lately, spending too much time on FB, staring at the TV, and just frittering away time that could be used in a better fashion. Well, no more. Starting May 1st (that's tomorrow, people) Dan and I are starting Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. I WILL get my rear out of bed at a decent time, keep my house presentable, teach my boys each school day (even if we don't sit at the table 8 hours a day) cook a healthful family dinner for us to share, and greet my husband with joy and gladness when he arrives home. It's time to take responsibility for the time I spend, my attitude toward interruptions, delays and family emergencies that arise as part of daily life, and the example I set for my boys. Gym is over for the season. We have miles to go before getting out of school for the year (which is normal, we school all year anyway) so it's time to dig in and get to it. We are well settled in the new house and have no intentions of moving for a VERY long time. Dan is the only variable at this point, and I trust that he will be back at work soon. Until then, he can help by teaching shop class in the garage, take the boys on field trips, and by being the muscle behind my bossiness :)
So there it is, our new normal. Here I go....

Back to Normal?!?

LOL! Let's be honest here...anyone who knows me at all, knows that I'm not normal to start with, so it's pretty hard to get back to it...but I digress already, not a good sign ; ) Back to normal means getting the boys back to school, getting back to my regular schedule for cleaning (and goodness knows we need that!), me time and back to baking and cooking for the family. So it was with a smile on my face that I woke up this morning, ready to get back to my 'regular' life, and with a few new ideas to start trying as well. I'll share just a few of my goals for the year, but I promise not to bore you with all the details...hee hee! Here we go....

• Get school going again finish this school year by the time to start the next one...LOL! Also, next school year, start working with Derek 2x a week
  
• Lose 40 pounds...that's the obvious one (not only portion control and exercise, but more HEALTHFUL eating...Health food co-op, here we come)


• TV is officially an only AFTER school and chores thing, as of this morning...they were SOOOO pleased!


• We are upping our goal of dinner at the table 5 nights a week to 6, so only pizza night is front of the TV now and with the carpet still being brand new, that's not even happening...hurray for progress!


• Make a LONG AWAITED trip to Illinois to visit with my family and friends that are so dear to us all


• Date night is 2x a month...minimum!


• Family Game night is every week with a family outing once a month

Well, that's enough of that...now I have a zillion people to help hold me accountable...that May and May NOT be a good thing...LOL! As for the rest of my AB~normal life, I'm loving it and wish you all could be here with me all the time! Lost Boys, Mama K misses you all so much! Be blessed and joyous in this new year~

Blessings,

Kristy

Just a few snappies to get you caught up~

Can I hear a Zoom Zoom??

Ah, family~

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...January 5, 2009...when did THAT happen?!?

Outside my window...it is crisp and clear, no breeze is blowing and I THINK we almost had a frost last night...LOL!

I am thinking...that new Year's resolutions should wait until February...Jan 1st is too soon after the holidays, no one has any energy left

I am thankful for...peace and quiet and no visitors (as much as I love them!) and a return to my "normal' life

From the learning rooms...we are getting started again. Hurray for a schedule...but still no printer, so no worksheets today. We are also starting a 4 full days and a 1/2 day schedule to allow more time for life lessons

From the kitchen...I think I found my counters last night... I haven't seen them in weeks due to the Christmas goodies everywhere. I am going to be making Roast chicken with mashed potatoes and salad for dinner...anyone coming over?

I am wearing...Clean, unstained, unholy clothes...and I'm not even going anywhere! One of my many goals is to NOT look like I've been run over by the garbage truck when Dan comes home each day...LOL!

I am creating...a slimmer, more healthful me for the new year as part of my multi-faceted new year's goal plan...and leftover Christmas projects...oh well, some day I may catch up with myself

I am going...no where at least for today...and I'm grateful for that

I am reading...the Bible, A Woman After God's Own Heart, (yes, again, I'm rather hard headed) and many kiddie books with the boys...and I'm looking for the 3 cousin's detective books, anyone know where to find them??

I am hoping...to meet or exceed at least 1/2 of my goals for the year....I accomplished about 80% last year, not a bad percentage I think

I am hearing...David read to the little ones, Titus babbling in his jumperoo and Pat making silly growling noises to make him laugh....plus the dishwasher, clothes washer and the furnace keeping us warm

Around the house...Christmas is put away, the house is picked up and ready to be cleaned, just got to get to it. This week will bring filing cabinets out of retirement, kitchen cabinets reorganized, and a sorted pantry...as Jodi brought about 700 dollars worth of dry goods in the truck that got here a few days ago...Praise the LORD

One of my favorite things...a full pantry, meals planned out and a few hours to browse the health foods store. Also, a lit of goals to be working on...I love new ideas to try out

A few plans for the rest of the week: Just getting the ball rolling again. Trying to get school on track again, the house back in order and to make more efficient use of my time. I DON'T wish for more hours to fill up, just a better way to use the time I have.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...Family Togetherness...this is my Father Larry, my oldest half sister Karen, my niece Dolli and my great niece Ryan Elizabeth...so cute...Awwww~