Posted in A Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, August 17, 2009.

Outside My Window... It is a day as clear as crystal, with no trace of clouds, no hint of a breeze, and the sun promising an unrelenting day of heat.

I am Thinking... Of the myriad of things that are vying for my undivided attention, among them being:  lesson planning, de-cluttering, home improvement projects, three birthdays this week, and the simple day-to-day chores that, when left undone or half-done, can make you so sorry you didn't put them first.

I am Thankful For... my husband.

From the Learning Rooms... there's comes a not-so-subtle shift in the way our learning takes place. I'm reaching back to find my Charlotte Mason roots, and giving the boys this week and next to relax once again before we begin our more gentle lessons anew.

From the Kitchen... Is simply the wonderful aroma of our morning coffee, but the kitchen holds the promise of delightful meals and treats that are on tap for this week.

I am Wearing... Tan capris, a soft blue polo shirt, bare feet, a white cardigan, and a twisty French braid.

I am Creating... Oh! So many things! Crocheting a Christmas gift, sewing an apron and bag holder for our trailer, cutting out/sewing a new robe for Jigger, and hopefully making myself a couple of new nightgowns shortly.

I am Going... Nowhere today, but many places tomorrow. Gifts to buy/send, food to be bought for our camping trip this weekend, and the library, just to name a few.

I am Reading... "The Friday Night Knitting Club," "A Charlotte Mason Companion," and several books that are under review for our next school year.

I am Hoping... To sail through the next two weeks with no complaints and only encouragement, kindness, and patience.

I am Hearing... The whine of lawnmowers and leaf blowers as the lawn service crew maintains the park across the street, the hum of the air conditioner, and my thoughts telling me to Hurry Up! Daylight's burning!

Around the House... There is much to be accomplished within the next two weeks:  home improvement projects, cleaning projects, de-cluttering projects... one almost doesn't know where to begin and so decides to sit down and enjoy blogging a post.... *grin*

One of my Favorite Things... Is getting up early on my own on the weekend, softly padding downstairs in my nightgown, making coffee, and having an hour or two to myself while the rest of the house and family slumber on.

A few Plans for the Week are... Planning hubby's birthday, ticking off things on my to-do list, lesson planning, and focusing.

Here is a Picture Thought I am Sharing... from a trip north in June:

To visit more daybook entries, or to take part yourself, please do go visit Peggy, our lovely hostess.

Posted in A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY, August 3, 2009...

Outside my window... thunder clouds are trying to push into the desert valley over the mountain, softening the effect of a high summer sunrise.

I am thinking... how very much I have missed blogging and visiting with my friends, and that I'm going to ease back into things slowly.  It's been a very emotionally charged summer, and I long for the comfort that is routine.

I am thankful for...  health and epiphanies.

From the learning rooms...  will once again come the sound of children turning pages, leather creaking as a boy wiggles during the "good parts," and the soft strains of classical music filling in the background.

From the kitchen... will come the sounds of a pantry being torn apart, decluttered, and reassembled, as well as the smells of dinner from the crock-pot.

I am wearing... a tan skirt, black T-shirt, and bare feet, with my hair styled in an up-do in preparation for a busy, satisfying, and comforting day.

I am creating... Christmas gifts.  I just began a new afghan last night.

I am going...  nowhere, for as long as I can get away with it this week.

I am reading...  an odd assortment of material, from "Break No Bones" by Kathy Reich to "Moving On" by Sarah ban Breathnach.  I feel scattered in my routine, daily life, and emotions, and it shows in my reading.

I am hoping... to find the "focus bug" this week so I can accomplish much.

I am hearing... the filling of a cycle in the washing machine and the hum of the air conditioning.

Around the house... there are many, many projects slated for completion this week, among them being:  decluttering, painting, installation of new light fixtures, and carpet cleaning.

One of my favorite things...  is a comforting routine.

A few plans for the rest of the week...  include crocheting, getting back into our interrupted schooling, disassembling the trampoline, packing, and dipping my toes back into the blogging world.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Posted in A Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...

Outside My Window... I hear birds chattering in the cooler morning air and the second wave of garbage trucks zipping through the neighborhood.

I am thinking... That I need to start focusing more and thinking less for awhile.

From the learning rooms... While most are wrapping up their school year, while we're still in full swing here.  I need to let housework go a little more and pick up more books with my kids.

I am thankful for... a husband who gets up and goes to work Every Day, whether he wants to or not, so that I can be at home and home educate our children.

From the kitchen... the seductive smell of French Roast coffee freshly brewed and the sound of a fridge screaming at me to be cleaned.

I am wearing... a tan skirt, black T-shirt, black flip flops, and my hair is pulled back in a barrette.

I am reading... several books, actually, among them being Rend Unto Caesar by Charles J. Chaput, Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich, Moving On by Sarah ban Breathnach, Freakonomics by Levitt and Dubner, and Boundaries: Face to Face by Cloud & Townsend.  Yep, pretty much all at the same time.

I am hoping... to make some serious headway on this house this week.

I am creating... lists of meals and chores for the week, lesson plans for Jigger this week, and a calmer me.

I am praying... for guidance and focus.

Around the house... serious de-cluttering is the word of the season.

One of my favorite things... unexpected road trips taken just for the sake of driving, like we took yesterday.

A few plans for the rest of the week... make a run to the library, get caught up in science with the boys, start planning for camping trip the following weekend, go through unused school books to sell and list them online.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

For other daybook entries, please go visit Peggy.

Posted in A Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...

Outside my Window... the clouds have all gone, and the sun is back full-force... I sure do miss the clouds.

I am thinking... that I would love to get my to-do list accomplished today so that I can have the rest of the week to myself.

I am thankful for... my health; it hasn't been so hot lately, but now that I've turned a corner I feel renewed.

From the kitchen... the smell of coffee wafts up the stairwell teasing me... but that's it; unusual for me, but a nice break.

I am creating... time for me; hopefully by getting done with my have-to's today will allow me to get to the want-to's:  putting up some jelly, making lesson plans for the upcoming school year, working on Christmas gifts, and enjoying some time to myself.

I am going... to thoroughly enjoy this week!!

I am wearing... black capris and a brown T-shirt, with my hair up in a pony tail and bare feet; it's cleaning day!!

I am reading... not a thing right now; I'm in between books, and don't want to pick up a page-turner, or else I'll get nothing done this week, lol!

I am hoping...  that the boys have a wonderful time with my parents this week on holiday.

I am hearing... the trash man driving by, reminding me that we haven't put the garbage can out yet, the washing machine as it hums through its second load of laundry already this morning, and the ever-present A/C unit running through a cycle.

Around the house...  I want/need to get the cleaning done this morning - with the boys gone all week, it's a gift to myself to clean once and then be able to concentrate on other things this week.

One of my favorite things... is peace and quiet!!

A Few Plans For the Rest of the Week... clean and grocery shop, make jelly, laundry, lesson plan, craft, and sort through the library (again!).

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... here is Piper on his way to his 8th grade graduation this past Friday. 

If you would like to join us for The Simple Woman's Daybook, please go visit Peggy.  Thank you, Peggy!

Posted in A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY, Monday, July 14, 2008

Outside my window... Is a sky filled with lovely, grey clouds, hopefully bringing some rain to my parched area of the desert.

I am thinking... about the fact that I have so much to do this week that I had better make a list or it won't all get done.

I am thankful for... cloudy skies and rain.

From the kitchen... all is silent, just waiting for me to begin the day.

I am creating... a poster for Piper, who needs it to display at his 8th grade graduation ceremony this Friday.

I am going...  out and about today; it is lessons and library day.

I am wearing...  pink and white plaid capri pajama bottoms and a pink T-shirt with white/tea rose patterned slippers.

I am reading... actually, nothing right now (gasp).

I am hoping... that the clouds and rain stay for awhile.

I am hearing... the current cycle of the air conditioner, the creak of my chair, and not much else.

Around the house... I hope to keep up on my cleaning/ de-cluttering, and get motivated to get back in the kitchen for at least one day this week; we are out of granola, bread, chocolate syrup, etc.

One of my favorite things... Are rainy, overcast days.  For this Midwestern Girl, endless sunshine in paradise is grossly overrated.

A Few Plans For The Rest of the Week... Bagpipe lessons and dance lessons today, returning books to two libraries, running by the post office, packing the boys for a week with my parents (they leave this weekend), readying everything for Piper's 8th grade graduation, and finishing our last week of this school year (yay!).

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... the elevators at one of our libraries (there's actually one more floor, but my camera cut it off):

If you would like to participate in The Simple Woman's Daybook, please go visit Peggy for more information.  Thank you, Peggy!

Posted in A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY, Monday, July 7, 2008

Outside my window... I hear the machinery of the landscapers across the street at the park; another day has dawned clear and sunny.

I am thinking... that I get a LARGE portion of my home educating supplies for next year today - yay!!

I am thankful for... another week without dance lessons; we all needed the break.

From the kitchen... I hear the soft whistling of the teakettle.

I am creating... lesson plans for next year, my first skirt, my home management companion, a home.

I am going...  to try to get back on my schedule - I get so much more done when I am.

I am wearing...  a long white tiered skirt and peach top twinset with my hair in a twisted-French braid-up-do and bare feet.

I am reading... apologetics books, school books for next year.

I am hoping... that we will get a day of rain soon.

I am hearing... the washing machine whirring with its first of many loads for the week and the shower with my eldest in it.

Around the house... I hope to get the downstairs clean again this week, lol!

One of my favorite things... are the Iced Mochas Sandpiper shared - yum!!!

A Few Plans For The Rest of the Week... Bagpipe lessons today, returning books to two libraries, running by the post office, dropping off the recyclables, and staying home from tomorrow until Saturday - yay!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... our youngest son at the 4th of July parade over the weekend:

If you would like to take part in The Simple Woman's Daybook, please go visit Peggy for more information.

Posted in A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY, Monday, June 30, 2008

Outside my window... is the sound of lawn and cleaning machines, as the landscapers tend to the neighborhood park and cleaners tend to the home for sale next door.

I am thinking... of the wonderful Catholic home educating conference my husband and I attended this past Saturday.

I am thankful for... wonderful friends, a solid family, the gift of home educating my children, and a husband who, no matter his frame of mind, gets up every morning and cheerfully heads off to work - for US.

From the kitchen... cries the breakfast dishes, moans the lunch waiting to be made, and sighs contentedly the dinner that is planned.

I am creating... Christmas gifts, bookmarks, and lists - I *love* lists!!

I am going... to take Piper and a friend to the church laser tag social tonight.

I am reading... the Tea Shop mysteries by Laura Childs, assorted biblical readings, and Catholic apologetics books by Patrick Madrid (a speaker at our conference over the weekend).

I am wearing... a lipstick pink skirt with white embroidery around the hem, a sleeveless, white eyelet shirt, my new white-with-pink-rosebuds slippers, and a brown barrette.

I am hoping... to get much accomplished this week!

I am hearing... Jigger practice his Irish dance along with a dance DVD workshop.

Around the house... I need to focus on cleaning and clearing out the accumulation that happened while I was lesson planning these last few weeks (that I finished last Friday, thank-you-very-much!).

One of my favorite things... is watching Jigger dance, and listening to Piper play.

A few plans for the rest of the week... take the boys to laser tag tonight, run to the library, attend a memorial service, celebrate the 4th of July with my men, and head north to cooler climes on Saturday so Piper can perform with his band in a parade.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Thank you to Peggy over at The Simple Woman.  If you would like to join us, please go visit her first.

Posted in A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY, June 23, 2008

Outside my window... the sun is up and out in it's full-summer-blast glory, there are less weeds in the backyard due to the diligence and dedication of two young men who were up at 6.30a to pull them, and the dry desert wind is picking up.

I am thinking... about the first Home Education Conference my wonderful husband and I will be going to this weekend, and how much we're going to enjoy the day!

One of my favorite things... is something that is in short supply where I live:  a whole day of grey skies and soft rain, which softens the world for a day.

 I am thankful for... my friend Robyn, who is so very generously taking my boys for the night so we can go the conference, and taking Jigger to his Saturday dance lesson.  Thank you, my friend!

From the kitchen... comes the smell of homemade wheat bread, homemade banana-chocolate chip muffins, coffee, and dinner in the crock-pot:  Crock-Pot Enchiladas.

I am wearing... a white tiered skirt, a soft pink tank top under a top of the same color, brown flip-flops, and a brown headband.

I am creating... Christmas presents, lists, chaos, and memories of slightly-scatter-brained mother.  Aaahhh, childhood.

I am going... crazy,courtesy of sonoranstamper.

I am reading... the Tea Shop Mystery series by Laura Childs, with curriculum catalogs, The Well Trained Mind, High School of Your Dreams, For the Love of Literature, and school websites (ad nauseum).

I am hoping... to stay focused this week, to get my errands done today, and to FINISH up school plans for next year!!

I am hearing... the typing of my friend's computer over the phone, my dryer running, my youngest son whispering to himself as does his lessons, my oldest son shifting on his bed as he does his lessons, the chiming of the clock as it sounds the hour, and closing of a kitchen cupboard.

A few plans for the rest of the week... finish school plans for next year, finish home management companion, catch up ironing, work on Christmas gifts, make welcome sign, enjoy my children.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... when it rains here, there is practically no place for the rain to go, so it just fills up whatever 'bowl' is lying around.  Across the street from our home is the neighborhood park with two such 'bowls' in them.  The one immediately across from us is at least 6 feet deep, and is about 50 ft across (?- I am SO bad at estimating distances).  The big bowl is where the kids play football, soccer, baseball, etc.  This is how it looked after a couple hours of rain, when the newly-formed lake meets the basketball court:

If you would like to participate in The Simple Woman's Daybook, please go visit Peggy at The Simple Woman to join us!

Posted in A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my Window...  I can hear the birds chattering amongst themselves very loudly.  Being this is the Sonoran Desert, they do their work and visiting in the morning and are quiet by afternoon.

I am thinking...  Constantly about a major decision hubby and I are pondering.  Also fighting for space in my mind are my school plans for next year, as well as many other minor things.

I am thankful for...  A 10 year old who finally learns that losing graciously can be as wonderful as winning.

From the kitchen...  I smell coffee.  I am eager to head downstairs to put the dishes away, make some no-bake cookies, and set some bread to rise.

I am creating...   A Home Companion Management book to help organize me and mine (see picture thought below).

I am wearing...  a long loose dress, sandals, and have my hair pulled back with two side twists into a French Braid.

I am going...  to the library and lessons today, and then am blessed to be able to stay home until Saturday.  I love being home!

I am reading...  home educating magazines, catalogs, and curricula still, but have finished two mysteries since last week.  I'm between books right now, but will remedy that with the visit to the library today.

I am hoping...  to be able to wrap up the oldest son's curriculum this week so that I can get back to de-cluttering in earnest.  Youngest son is done, yay!

I am hearing...  the soft snore of the dog as he lies close to me, the constant hum of the air conditioner, and little else, as the house sleeps on.

Around the house...  is the ever-present call to de-clutter, laundry to be tackled anew, dinner to be put into the crock-pot, and a bed to be made.

One of my favorite things...  are Sundays.  Home after church, with a day of lazing around entertaining family or playing games amongst ourselves.  An early and simple dinner, and lots of relaxing with my husband.

A few plans for the rest of the week...  After lessons today, it's a blessedly quiet week.  School to oversee, baking to do (in the early morning), laundry, lesson plans and de-cluttering.  Here in the desert, our summers are much like the East Coast winters:  a time of hibernation.  Today it is supposed to hit 111, so we rest a lot.  Work in the mornings, rest in the afternoons.  No special plans for the weekend, which means an unusually quiet, and greatly anticipated, week ahead.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Thank you to Peggy over at The Simple Woman for hosting The Simple Woman's Daybook.  If you would like to participate, head over and visit Peggy and she'll get you started.  Thanks for visiting with me today!

Posted in A Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, Monday, June 9, 2008...

Outside my window...  The sun is fully risen in the cloudless, endless stretch of blue.

I am thinking... That I need to make some yoghurt and whole wheat bread when I am finished here.

I am thankful for...   My love of rising early before the household.

From the kitchen...  There is silence, as the kitchen waits patiently for its mistress to come begin the day.

I am wearing...  A white tiered skirt and a soft green shirt with a half-collar and beautiful embroidery on the front.

I am creating...  A home each and every moment of each and every day; if only I could be aware of that more often.

I am going...  To take the children to our usual Monday haunts:  bagpipe and then Irish dance lessons.

I am reading...  Home Educating catalogs and books, as well as J.D. Robb's newest, "Stranger in Death," for when I just can't take another planning moment.

I am hoping...  To learn to be still more often, and truly listen to God.

I am hearing...  My husband sleepily moving around in the bedroom.

Around the house...  I am making much progress spring cleaning/ de-cluttering; only a few areas left to go.

One of my favorite things...  Is a quiet evening after dinner with the whole family comfortably engrossed in their books.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Make homemade cookies and cards for my dad's birthday tomorrow, oversee the boys' Father's Day gift for their father, order my dad's Father's Day gift, get the ironing caught up, de-clutter more, work on my MIL's Christmas present, and hopefully make a welcome sign for the foyer.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...  My husband and a friend (near the top) climbing in Red Rock Canyon outside of Las Vegas:

If you too would like to participate in The Simple Woman's Daybook, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more details.