Hello Oscar

Oscar shed this week and is feeling particularly handsome and majestic. He was sunning himself and thought you all might enjoy a peek at him.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY: March 18, 2015

Outside my window...it's a lovely spring day. Trees are budding, flowers are blooming and the birds are singing.

I am thinking...that a full morning to play with and update my blog is just shy of Heaven.

I am thankful...for a week off of work to regather the tattered remnants of my sanity, to soak up some quiet, to hang out with *just* my family, and to read read read.

In the kitchen...we are in the middle of a pantry challenge week and here's the line up:

•  Monday: leftover buffet which included milet mignon, grilled chicken and pork roast, seasoned rice pilaf, jello, mashed potato biscuits, fresh veggies, salad, 3 different soups, hard boiled eggs and no bake cookies. And one of my family members actually commented that there was nothing to eat. Craziness ;)
• Tuesday: Salad bar complete with mixed spring greens, spinach, croutons, cucumbers, shredded carrots, bacon bits, olives, 2 different cheeses, grape tomatoes and 3 dressing choices.
• Wednesday: Red beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage
• Hamburger Helper Stroganoff  (thank you, 10 for $10 sale) 
• Friday: Game Night Veggie Tray, with chips and dip
• Saturday: Homemade pizza and popcorn
• Sunday: On the road for a gymnastics meet 3.5 hours away

I am wearing...my pjs. At NOON :) Did I mention hurray for a week off?!

I am creating...this blog post, and then some lunch for my boys.

I am going...nowhere since David has borrowed the van. And I'm totally ok with that.

I am wondering...how a house can so quickly become HOME. We've lived here 7 weeks and there are only 2 boxes left, and it feels like we've been here forever already. It just feels right.

I am reading...nothing yet today, but I downloaded several goodies on my Kindle for this week and I'll be digging into them as soon as I eat lunch.

I am hoping...that my children have as fond memories of being at home as I do of having them at home.

I am looking forward to...the rest of this week off, Rachel's arrival tomorrow, a successful gymnastics meet for David on Sunday, and for an upcoming week of field trips during Rachel's stay with us.

I am learning...that I am much too hard oh myself and my children and not nearly hard enough on pretty much everyone else. I'm working on balance this year.

From the learning rooms...Not much yet this week, as we've been interrupted approximately eleventy billion times. But we've managed a BrainPop movie of the week, some reading aloud from Farmer Boy, several brain games and worked together in the kitchen inspecting the progress of our science experiments, cooking dinner and hosting company. I had intended to pull off a full week of school (including curriculum studies) but with the coming and going this week, it's just not happening, so I am adding a bit of educational content where I can and just being ok with that.

Around the house...there are many things to be done like dishes, organizing the bills and cleaning all 3 bathrooms, but I've claimed today as my do-what-I-want day, so I've been ignoring the chores while I've blogged all morning, and will read all afternoon and possibly even put DT to bed early and watch a movie BY MYSELF, uninterrupted while the BIGS and Dan are at church this evening. And the glory will roll. ;)

I am pondering...the contents of my drawers and closets. Much of doesn't fit well, and even more is unattractive, dated or shabby. It's time for a true purge and possibly a few new (to me) pieces that are more flattering.

A favorite quote for today...

“Jesus, may there be less of me and my junk and more of You and Your kingdom.” I will reduce, so He can increase.”
― Jen Hatmaker, 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess

One of my favorite things...My "Southern Gospel Greats" station on Pandora

A few plans for the rest of the week: Relaxing, visiting with Rachel, attending David's meet in Rio Rancho, reading, playing games with the family and enjoying Game Night.

A peek into my day... 

The delightful sting of stars that Dan hung up for me on the patio to enjoy late night chats.

If you've enjoyed this post, and you also enjoy the simple things, take a peek over here to see more daybook entries and to join the fun!

Simple Woman's Daybook~ Hello 2015 and We are MOVING edition

FOR TODAY: January 19, 2015

Outside my window...the breeze blows cool and the sun shines brightly to warm the earth. The predicted high today is 65* with a bit of clouds to decorate the sky.

I am thinking...that this year is starting off with a bang. We have changed from a nuclear family of 5 to a multi-generational family of 7 in the past 6 months. We've already celebrated one birthday this year, gymnastics season starts Saturday, we are buying a house this week and moving on Sunday. Phew!

I am thankful...for grace and strength, and mercy that comes new every morning. For patience gleaned from years of (semi) faithful practice. For boxes from friends and strangers alike. For quiet music to calm frantic thoughts.

In the kitchen...not much this week. After Eleventy billion moves (or so it seems) I may have actually accepted that I can't cook at both houses at once, that I should just accept that we will have to eat fast food a few times, and that even I, self proclaimed Do-It-All-Wonder, can't make everyone cooperate when it's time to feed the hungry bellies. Hercules wants the quickest things to eat when he is working so he doesn't lose momentum. To that end, this week's pitiful (but smart) meal plans:
M~HUGE batch of lasagna, salad and garlic bread *everyone likes it AND it reheats well
T~Leftovers
W~Fend for yourself night, since only 2 of the 7 will be home for dinner
Th~Fast Food at the new house (we sign this day)
F~Game Night at the new house (just snacks and drinks, no 'real' dinner on Fridays)
Sat~All Meals out (Dan, Pat and Jay will be moving while Mom, Derek, David and myself will be in ABQ for David's first meet of the season)
Sun~ MOVING DAY! B: donuts and coffee
                                    L: Pizza and drinks courtesy of a friend who wants to help, but is VERY pregnant
                                    D: Taco Soup, chips and drinks (hurray for the crock pot)

I am wearing...jeans, a flag t-shirt, socks and tennies.

I am creating...packed boxes. LOTS AND LOTS of packed boxes. And, my darling daughter in love's late Christmas gift. She knew it would be late when she requested it, and doesn't mind waiting, but I'm working on it as I can during this extra busy season we're in right now.

I am going...to pick up David from work later and that is it. I already ran a few errands this morning and I intend to enjoy the rest of my day at home.

I am wondering...If I will ever find everything again after this move. We are renting a storage unit for the first time in our marriage, and I'm wondering if that will make the garage so 'comfortable' that we never get rid of it.

I am reading...The Imposter Bride, which so far is painfully boring, and Confessions of a Raging Perfectionist, which thankfully is not. And my Bible. And 7, because I CAN. NOT. STOP. reading it. Over and over and over...

I am hoping...that when I look back at my life, I don't just see chaos, but the hand of God clearly leading me, and that I followed willingly, even if it looked like chaos from this end.

I am looking forward to...feeling really, truly, actually settled in at a house for the first time since we moved to the wilds of NM 7 years ago. Since then, we've lived in 5. And when you consider that we've lived in this house nearly 3 years, no wonder I was so sick of moving every 5 minutes for a few years. But this (barring God leading us elsewhere) is our forever home, so we are putting our stamp on it, and putting down roots. Woot!

I am learning...that grace is a marvelous thing. And that I don't extend it to others nearly often enough in this crazy beautiful difficult world we live in.

Around the house...Boxes. Did I mention we are moving in a few days? ;)

I am pondering...the contents of my pantry and freezer, and how they could possibly hold so many things yet, after 3 full weeks of pantry challenges. (yes, we bought things like dairy and produce, but have largely lived off of our excess for the past 3 weeks) Oh well, a reminder to keep doing pantry challenges monthly to use up the extras.

A favorite quote for today...

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

One of my favorite things..."The Sound of Music"

A few plans for the rest of the week: Packing, moving, not losing my mind, getting to David's meet and back safely.

A peek into my day...  A "Welcome home" card left for us by the previous owner. How incredibly thoughtful!

If you've enjoyed this post, and you also enjoy the simple things, take a peek over here to see more daybook entries and to join the fun!

Catching UP with Us MeYeR's

Catching up with the MeYeR family is a hard thing to do. Most of the time, we're so busy, we can't even catch up with ourselves. *sigh* (as Jen Hatmaker would say, "For the love of Barnum and Bailey!")
We are working on scaling back, but it's a challenge. I've read Jen Hatmaker's book "7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess" so many times that I nearly have it memorized, but putting it into practice in our hectic lives is proving to be more challenging than I had hoped. Sometimes I feel like Lucy from the Peanuts comic strip hollering, "Stop the world, I want to get off." And most days, I know that this is just a season of my life and that someday soon I'll be an empty nest-er, or only have 1 at home and I'll be so lonely and bored that I'll be longing for this insanity that is currently my life. But at this exact moment, I can't even imagine being lonely or bored, and quite frankly, the idea sounds lovely. So, we're continuing to work toward simplicity wherever possible and hanging on for dear life everywhere else. Mom has been great at helping not only pick up my slack (and there is plenty, I assure you) but in helping and encouraging me to find new ways to simplify.
~Less is more.
~Less is better.
~Less is of higher quality.
So we've been decluttering like our lives depended on it. We've packed the first several boxes for our upcoming move. (more on that in another post) And I'm feeling good about those changes. I've actually had time recently to even have a conversation or two with Handsome Hercules, without one or both of us running in opposite directions. We've got a good ways to go, but progress is always something to be appreciated and applauded. As we head into the 2 busiest seasons in our life (the holidays and gymnastics seasons) it is good that we've scaled back some. We're running the boys hither and yon less. With a few notable exceptions, my routine at work has calmed down. Mom has taken over the dinner shift, and while I miss cooking for the family everyday, I do enjoy eating at a reasonable time so that there is a little family time before DT gets shuttled off to bed. We're signing up for things at church and the gym that we can do as a family instead of one parent always being gone and the other at home with the kiddos.
Apparently the 2 hardest-headed people are finally learning a few things. Guess that means if we can do it, so can you. :) So hang in there friends, there IS light at the end of the tunnel, and it's NOT an oncoming train.
In other news,
~We are still house hunting, but have one picked out that should have an offer on it before the end of the week. We were hoping to pull off a move before Christmas, but that's not looking good, so possibly right after the new year rolls around.
~My nephew Jayson will be here by the week's end to stay with us for 6-8 months while he gets a job and saves money before his lovely lady can join him down here in the Land of Enchantment.
~We are rapidly approaching the 1 year anniversary of my dad's death, so if you have a minute, please say a prayer for my mama. She's a trooper but she still gets sad sometimes.
~Dan nearly lost his thumb in a work related accident a few weeks back and it is healing beautifully. He never even missed a day of work. Praise the LORD!
~Dan is currently between jobs. Looks like he will be going back to Wooten in just a few days, but if any of my local friends have a small job they need done this week, he's available.
I think that's all the big news right now. I'll keep you posted :)
     As always, thanks for reading this and sharing our journey. Lost Boys, Mama K misses you like crazy.
       ~K~

Random Recent Pictures

Since I've fallen so far behind in posting pics, I'm going to just post an assortment from the past few months and call it done. Hope that's OK with all of you. I'll label them, and offer some idea what is going on in them. Here we go...

Carissa loves her Nana Karen. The feeling is quite mutual, I assure you!

We hosted a Magic Tourney...and much hilarity ensued

Z sports a squid hat...

David is a cool Viking...

And Patrick is??? We're not sure. LOL!

Devin and Annabel came to visit from TX

Karen was especially delighted to see her "Sugarbaby"

Carissa kept getting cuter! Tyler is really coming into his own as a parent. I'm quite impressed

Karen and Charlie celebrated 40 years of friendship in Sept.

Carissa turned 1, and got cuter.

...And cuter still!

David turned 17 and even though he wouldn't let us sing Happy Birthday to him, he did accept a few presents. A cool new blade from Dad and a butterfly knife from Charlie being the favorites.

David worked up a new resume to pursue being a stunt double like Auntie Jodi, and in a rare splash of goodwill, allowed me to take pictures of him to add to his portfolio. I'll take it!

He even smiled. And what a sweet smile it is :)

And cuter still. Oooooooooooooooo, she is so adorable, I want to gobble her up

Simple Woman's Daybook: Hello Fall Edition

For Today
September 30th, 2014

Outside my window...the chimes clang merrily in the breeze as autumn weather FINALLY comes to Southern New Mexico.

I am thinking...that sometimes change isn't a bad thing in the long run, even if it is uncomfortable in the here and now.

I am thankful...that my job is so homeschool friendly. In fact, I've turned the BossMan's family to the dark side and one of their children has joined the ranks of the home educated.

I am wearing...Brown yoga pants, flag t-shirt and tennies.If clothes are an outward representation of ME: then apparently I am predictable, comfortable and loyal. I think I'm ok with that.

I am creating...a bit of fall enthusiasm around the house by decorating with leaves, pumpkins and other gourds, plus some glorious fall colors. And anticipation for our annual pumpkin patch trip coming up next week. It's my favorite time of year.

I am going... to visit my Sister-Girl Karen tonight, which is especially fun since we missed last week due to BossMan's travels, and BossLady's rounds at the hospital. Looking forward to a nice long chat. Without interruptions.

I am wondering...how to find the right house, for the right price, in the right time, and the right place, without losing my mind. It may already be too late ;)In YOUR time, Lord. Amen.

I am reading...True Wealth: How and Why Millions of Americans Are Creating a Time-Rich, Ecologically Light, Small-Scale, High-Satisfaction Economy by Juliet Schor
I am hoping...that I learn something fantastic from this book. I am ready for change.

I am learning...that being old and wise isn't as much fun as being young and dumb, but it is more rewarding. And less painful.

Around the house...boys are caring for chores, animals are being enjoyed, and school is about to start.
In the kitchen... dinner is ready, just needing to be heated once our walls are filled with hungry bodies. Banana bread on the counter. Freezer full of my mom's hard work. Dishes. Always dishes.
I am pondering... schedules, ever present changes and houses, houses, houses.

A favorite quote for today...
"There are only 24 hours in a day. We need to quit trying to be awesome and instead be wise."
Courtesy of Jen Hatmaker (smartest woman I know)

One of my favorite things...F-A-L-L! And everything pumpkin!

A peek into one of my days from this past week-end... our great niece Carissa turned one and we got to enjoy her party this weekend. After a while, you almost forget how entertaining a baby party can be.

If you enjoyed this post and want to share in the fun, head back to Miss Peggy's site for details and other women's day books.
http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

Stay-cation day 16: July 13, 2014

Stay-cation day 16: Officially this is no longer stay-cation as the B-Bunch is home again and I"m no longer house/pet sitting. However, it IS the last day off before returning to work. So I'm making the most of it. The family enjoyed a trip to R2R church this morning, followed by....wait for it....nothing. We went home, watched movies, I sorted school supplies and materials for the coming year, I piddled around in the kitchen, snoozed on the couch with Dan, chatted on the phone with my Sister-Girl Karen, hung out with extended family and enjoyed not having to be anywhere at any specific time. Glorious. 16 days in, and I think I may have finally remembered how to relax. LOL, took me long enough. Either I"m a slow learner or I'm just that high strung that it takes me 16 days to relax. I don't like either option. So, there will be some changes coming soon to the Man Crew House. Watch for updates to come. For now, I'm enjoying a leisurely afternoon with my family. Life is as it should be. Amen. It's about time.

Mustachioed Manly Men: aka: Fun with Cousins

Love is....Not Historical. Amen!

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-cation day 15: July 12, 2014

 Stay-cation day 15: Saturday. I never relax on Saturday. It's impossible. Between working at the gym, carting kiddos around, trying to get the weekly grocery shopping done, and still making it to church Saturday evening, I don't relax on Saturday. I run. And that's ok. Today, I'm just getting things done, and looking forward to tomorrow. Church was great, the gym is always a hoot with the little kiddos, and while I do more of it than I care for, spending time in the car with teenagers is generally the best way to have a decent conversation with them, so I"m not unhappy about that. A few pics and I"m headed to tomorrow :)

Kitty #2 Anxiously awaits G's arrival home

Our recently ordered Liberty's Kids DVD set has arrived!

Moonlight Magic in the B-Bunch front courtyard. *sigh of contentment*

Who is tired, sunburned, as close to being relaxed as she can get on a Saturday and stinks at taking selfies? This girl.

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-cation day 14: July 11, 2014

Stay-cation day 14: It's Friday. I can't remember a single thing I did. All. Day. Long. Must have been great :/ (getting old and forgetful is for the birds) At any rate, I apparently took no pictures, and did nothing memorable, so I'm going to assume that I drove the Mama Taxi, played with DT and read the day away, and then spent a fun evening with the Game Night Crowd. And that's close enough for this girl. Happy stay-cationing, my friends!

Even though we have an offer in on our wonderful, marvelous Gunsight house, we are still praying over this darling number, which isn't sure if it is ON or OFF the market. I could live my whole life on those porches. Pray with us please.

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-cation day 13: July 10, 2014

Stay-cation day 13: GUESS WHAT? I may finally be getting the hang of this relaxing thing! I spent most of the day at the B-Bunch house, just reading, hanging out with DT, playing with the critters and trying to figure out why the BossMan's pool was SO  green. We decided to brave the waters one more time, and Jody Stolp and her sweethearts came and joined DT and myself in the pool. We had a ball! I took no pictures but we had a wonderful time splashing around with a pool FULL of kiddos. Derek hasn't had this much fun in ages :)
In other news, we signed papers to put an offer in on our beloved Gunsight house, in the hopes that we won't have to move after all, and in the belief that God has been holding this house for us all along.

PS. Happy birthday Kelly!
*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-cation day 12: July 9, 2014

Stay-cation day 12: It's Wednesday and while the B-Bunch are out of town, that doesn't even slow down my insanity on this middl-est of middle day of the week. Well, maybe a little. Between taking D to work, picking him back up, taking him back again, fussing over what/when/where in regards to dinner, washing windows at the gym, gathering the right kiddos at the right time in order to arrive at youth group in a timely fashion, trying to get dinner on the table for Hercules, pretending to have time to clean SOMETHING/ANYTHING at my house, and then heading back to pick up the BIGS after open gym at Zero Gravity, it's all I can do to summon the strength to crawl to bed. And since the B-Bunch is gone, I made 4 trips back and forth to their house to care for critters. And that's without them in town. I must rethink Wednesdays. I must. I think it's safe to say no relaxing was done today. LOL! I can't even remember if I took a picture today. Let me see...

Oh yes, Kelly sent me a photo to remind me of my childhood nickname of Snicklefritz, which apparently means troublemaker. Ahem, I have no idea what she is talking about. Ahem again.

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-cation day 11: July 8, 2014

Stay-cation Day 11: I think it's become apparent that I don't relax very well. LOL! However, I did have time today to work on my project in the library, and I'm pretty content with the way it's coming together. I also did some cooking, some cleaning, spent some time in the Mama Taxi, and spent an enjoyable evening with my Sister-Girl Karen. I had time to start poring over my new Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine. I even managed to get to bed at a decent hour, only to be awakened by a text from the youth pastor about the departure time for the BIGS' water park adventure. LOL! Good times

— feeling blessed.

 

Much better than yesterday, that's for sure!

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :) 

Stay-cation Day 9: July 6, 2014

Stay-cation Day 9: A mostly regular Sunday. Reel 2 Real Church, lunch, house/pet sitting, cleaning, relaxing and hanging out. Derek and I went out for ice cream and a car wash. Charles Bruno came over for a while, and we played Phase 10 and ate homemade guacamole. Good times! 

CAR WASH! DT was thrilled!

Sweet Flowers outside of Sweet CeCe's

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-cation day 8: July 5, 2014

Stay-cation Day 8: Sweet, sweet Saturday! Worked at the gym, took the kiddos hither and yon, and then packed up for an evening of dirt track racing and fireworks at the Southern New Mexico Speedway. David spent his own money to take us to the track, since we all wanted to go so badly. Isn't he sweet?
As an aside, I've officially become a sentimental old sap. As the fireworks light up the sky and the music played in the background, I will admit to wiping away more than one patriotic inspired tear. *sigh* (Dan took most of the photos of fireworks with his phone. Once I get them from him, I will add some to this post)

— feeling even MORE Patriotic today

He falls alseep EVERY year. How does he do that?

Evidence of an evening well spent. ;)

This face. I love him!

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-Cation: Day 7 July 4, 2015

Stay-cation Day 7: Today is INDEPENDENCE DAY for America! I took care of the B-Bunch critters, picked up some last minute items at the store, and then hosted a gathering at The Man Crew House. Good times. We did our own little fireworks, courtesy of David. Thanks to everyone who came and made our day so pleasant. To everyone who missed it, we missed you! — feeling patriotic 

Karen and Charlie share a laugh while the Man Crew tries desperately to get the fireworks started.

VICTORY!

DT is still a bit too young to shoot fireworks. He's not happy about that. He'll thank me later when he still has all his fingers. I hope.

Dan, David and Eric work furiously to get everything going.

These were fun, but a bit intimidating.

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-cation Day 6: July 3, 2014

Stay-cation day 6: I didn't do anything new or exciting. And that's ok. For me, vacations are more about slowing down, sleeping more and enjoying life instead of rushing about trying to squeeze in 72 new activities before collapsing again at home. SO, with that in mind, here are a few things I did for Day 6. — feeling calm.

Red White and Blue Stars for Independence Day decorations

Paper City gets tiny and goes to Paris

And it all fits in an Altoids tin. *squeal*

Life As Mom has a plan designed for me :) She's a life-saver!

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-cation Day 5: July 2, 2014

 Stay-cation day 5: Just a super day! No flat tires, no fights with Hercules, no fussing-whining kids. I read books, played in the pool with DT, made some crafts, enjoyed nature's beauty, read for a long time, baked bread, decorated for summer (better late than never, right? RIGHT?!?) and helped Dan surprise the boys. *sigh* Now THIS is what vacation should feel like. I'm finally getting the hang of it.

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)