Burning the Candle at Both Ends

Simple Woman

Outside my window it is warmer than usual and darker than usual for five o’clock

I am thinking I am in reach of completing some long overdue household projects in time for the holidays.

I am thankful for tamilflu and my niece’s quick recovery from Swine flu.

I am wearing jeans, comfy shoes and grey thermal henley.

I am going many places this week, but nowhere today.

I am reading Nancy Drew mysteries with Hannah.

From the learning rooms lots of reading with Thomas and Hannah and I am hopeful we will have our tree of thanks ready by Friday/

From the kitchen a pot of stew is simmering on the stove.

Around the house I have conquered some clutter hotspots and maintained them for a whole day.

A few plans for this week  include maintaining my progress around the house;  basketball for Thomas and Hannah; play practice; Memorial Mass for Ryan Barrett;  Ballet; maybe host our family Rosary group Friday night.

One of my favorite things is a day with nowhere to go.

A picture thought I am sharing:

 

My nephew, Brian, proudly holding his nephew

Read the other daybook entries at Peggy's .  And have yourself a great week!

 

 

 

 

Simple Woman

 

(Read the other daybook entries at The Simple Woman )

FOR TODAY May 18, 2009

Outside My Window...  Birds are singing, oblivious to the impending rain.

I am thinking... I need to figure out what to wear for a date with my hubby in the big city tonight!  A Monday night date… who would’ve thought???

I am thankful for... my wise husband who gives such wonderful counsel to our extended family.  He may have a second career ahead of him.  Ask anyone who knows him and they will tell you what a great listener he is and what sage advice he dishes out.

From the kitchen… I need to prepare dinner for the kids before I catch that train later. I’m thinking sautéed chicken breast because it is so simple and they all love it.

I am wearing... p.j.’s and robe, still.

I am creating... summer plans that are not too structured, yet structured enough that we don’t get bored! Does that make sense?

I am going... to starve myself all day. Tonight’s date will be to a BBQ restaurant in Manhattan. The meal, served family style, will consist of appetizers ( including something called Frito Pie, and Barbecued bacon chunks),  a sampling of various BBQ’d meats;  onion strings;  corn bread ; and other yummy-sounding  things too numerous to list; and for dessert a choice of bacon chocolate chip cookies  or fried Oreos. Since I can’t reconcile even saying bacon and chocolate in the same sentence, I may try the Oreo, but even that doesn’t sound appealing.  If the plaque in my arteries doesn’t increase threefold after this meal, I will report back on it sometime this week!  Wish me luck!

I am reading... A book by Dr. Peter Kreeft called How to Win the Culture War: A Christian Battle Plan for a Society in Crisis.  After hearing Dr. Kreeft speak at my son’s high school a few weeks ago I ordered this book immediately.  I can’t put it down!

I am hoping... my back continues to heal so I can get back to walking the dog.

I am hearing...  hardly anything except for my daughter’s alarm which she has just snoozed for the third time!

Around the house... much catching up to do. An unexpected bout with a bad back set me back with the housework, but I think I can begin to do some catching up today.

One of my favorite things...  the first time I serve baked beans and corn on the cob this time of year. It gets everyone excited for summer!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: track;  ballet; pre-cana couples here Thursday night;  a long five day weekend ahead for my two in school;  a wedding in Pennsylvania Saturday(what to wear???) 

Here is picture thought I am sharing...Ben is the frontrunner in the blue and gold. I love the look of determination on his face. He is a talented  long distance runner, who in spite of his asthma, competes in the 800m at most meets.

 

Simple Woman. Alliteratively Speaking.

 

(Read the other daybook entries at The Simple Woman )

 FOR TODAY May 4, 2009:

 

 Outside My Window...  Drizzling. Damp. Dreary. Depressing!

 

I am thinking...Lamenting  lots of long lists.

 

I am thankful for...  Happy home.  Health.  Handsome hubby.

 

From the kitchen… munching moist, mountains of muffins.

 

I am wearing...comfy cleaning clothes. 

 

I am creating... calmness out of chaos

 

I am going…   trucking tots to and fro

 

I am reading… big books, brainy books, bunches of boy books

 

I am hoping…  Someone sends sunshine soon!

 

I am hearing … Never-ending, numbing numbers from the nearby school table!

 

Around the house...  summer shorts, swimsuits , sandals.  Set to go.

 

One of my favorite things...  Baking … bread, biscuits, big batches of brownies, blueberry muffins.

 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Get going with the garden growing!!

 

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Lazy Luke lounging. 

 

Simple Woman

 

(Read the other daybook entries at The Simple Woman )

FOR TODAY April 13, 2009, 2009

 Outside My Window...  A pretty day… a bit chilly for this time of year.

I am thinking... I need to get on track in a few areas… mostly eating habits and home organization.

I am thankful for...  a wonderful Easter weekend spent with my brother and his family in Pennsylvania..

From the kitchen… chicken and broccoli alfredo for dinner tonight. .

I am wearing... jeans, brown zipper sweatshirt and butterfly t-shirt.  And I am wearing shoes which is an oddity for me, unless I am going out. As a matter of fact, the dog assumes if I am putting something on my feet it is to take him for a walk!

I am creating...   a plan for getting some medical testing done.

I am going…   to try and get my third quarter report done this week.. .I should have time since I am calling this week “spring break” and will try to keep schoolwork to a minimum.

I am reading… almost done with the dog- training books I was studying… want to finish Liberty and Tyranny this week.

I am hoping…for some decent weather this week since  have the kids don’t have school... maybe we can get outside a bit.

 I am hearing… the Beatles on my internet radio. 

Around the house...I have cleaned two junk drawers so far today and I’ve organized a dish closet.

One of my favorite things...  is enjoying my children spending time with their cousins.  Although they don’t get together nearly enough, they get along great and always have fun! 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Little Flowers, track practice, track meets, Defenders of the Faith, a show in the city with friends on Saturday night, spending time with the kids!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...   She turned fourteen on Easter Sunday.  I clearly remember bringing her to Easter morning mass  when she was all of three days old!  Where does the time go?  Happy Birthday Becky!

 

Simple Woman

 

(Read the other daybook entries at The Simple Woman )

FOR TODAY April 6, 2009

 Outside My Window...  Dark, dreary,  drenching rain

I am thinking... I may run out and pick up some Easter candy this afternoon

I am thankful for...  safe travel for Katie going out ot visit her future in-laws.

From the kitchen…  homemade pizza for dinner.

I am wearing... new favorite jeans and Henley t-shirt

I am creating...   Easter surprises for a big Easter egg hunt this weekend.

I am going…   to be spending  Easter weekend with family in Pennsylvania. It always makes me happy to see my brother’s boys and my own children having fun together.

I am reading… I am reading a few  different books, depending on my mood, but at the moment Mark Levin’s Liberty and Tyranny is at the top of my list.

I am hoping…for some good weather this week so I can do some planting.  Having grown up with the world’s best blueberry bush in my yard, I want my own children to have the same pleasure of growing, picking and cooking with freshly picked berries.. I am going to try raspberries, as well!

I am hearing… it’s pretty quiet here for late afternoon. Becky is playing with Thomas and Hannah nicely in the living room.

Around the house...the ants are marching two by two and we are doing our best to minimize the problem!  Ever since construction on our house three years ago, the problem has only gotten worse!!!.

One of my favorite things...  is lilacs! I see my lilac bushes waking up and I can’t wait to smell their beautiful aroma when I cut bunches of them for the house!

A Few Plans for The Rest Of The Week:  It is Holy Week and I am going to try and make it a truly “holy”week. The children’s activities are, for the most part, on a break and Dan may have off from work Thursday and Friday. The years that he has those days off it is easier to get to all the services of the Triduum, which really helps me enter into the mystery of Easter.

Here is picture thought I am sharing ...    this poor little robin crashed into our front bay window this afternoon. The thud shattered the relative silence in the house. As I got up to investigate, I actually saw the outline of his wings and head, in water, on the window!  We gingerly went out to investigate and he seemed OK, believe it or not; just stunned. He remained stunned long enough for me to get my camera and get this close-up shot. I am happy to report that tough little guy recovered and flew on his merry way!

  

Simple Woman

 

(Read the other daybook entries at The SimpleWoman )

 FOR TODAY March 30, 2009

 

 Outside My Window...  It is looking like a beautiful day lies ahead. I hear the birds waking up and the sun is beginning to brighten the yard.

I am thinking... I need to plan meals for this week as soon as my computer time is over.

I am thankful for… our Friday nights with our Rosary group and all the friendships that it is has fostered.

From the kitchen…. Last night I made baked tilapia with vegetables and it was well-received. I have wanted to add more fish into our meals and go a bit easier on the red meat.

I am wearing... blue fuzzy robe and p.j.'s

I am creating…  Easter plans. We will be spending it with family in Pennsylvania and since we only have Saturday and Sunday to be with them, I want to make the most of our time there.

I am going…   to the post office, Target and basketball tonight.

I am reading… Beverly Cleary books with Thomas

I am hoping…to get some yard work done today, but a slip down our back deck stairs has left my right shoulder quite sore, so we’ll see if I am up to it!

I am hearing… the beautiful sounds of the birds outside.

Around the house...we have begun something I’ve wanted to do for some time now…shopping at the Restaurant Depot, where you buy things in bulk at deep discounts. We share the food with another family if the packages are too large. I always get a feeling of comfort from my well-stocked pantry. We also finally bought a second, smaller refrigerator for the garage, so I can even stock up on eggs, produce and milk, if they have an expiration date that is far off enough.

One of my favorite things...  rainy Sundays with nowhere to go, except Mass!  Lots of things from the kitchen were created yesterday.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Science class, basketball, ballet, chorus, Defenders of the Faith club for Thomas, Lenten Soup Supper at our parish, a Pampered Chef party, two Masses in memory of my Dad. On Friday, our homeschool chorus is going to culminate their six-week program with a performance at our local nursing home. We are all looking forward to that. The children absolutely loved this singing group and we are looking into continuing it for another six weeks after Easter.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...   This is from last year, but I loved Hannahs curls that day! 

 

SimpleWoman

 

(Read the other daybook entries atThe Simple Woman )

FOR TODAY March 9, 2009

 Outside My Window...  It is still rather dark since the clocks got turned ahead this weekend. Seems like a dreary day out there.

I am thinking...of more ways our family can be better prepared for the uncertainty of the economy.  

I am thankful for...  my dear husband who works tirelessly to support this family all week and then continues to work here in the home for much of his weekend.

From the kitchen…  I need to get some baking done. I have gotten the family used to having my homemade granola bars as opposed to the packaged ones, so I need to keep those on hand.

I am wearing...blue fuzzy robe and pj’s, still. 

I am creating...  new and improved lesson plans for Thomas.

I am going…   to the local fruit market later today. I have no idea how they manage to keep their prices so low, but it is worth an extra trip out to take advantage of their prices!

I am reading… I picked up Mother Angelica’ book called Mother Angelica’s Private and Pithy Lessons from the Scriptures. If you’ve ever heard her speak, her writing style is exactly like her speaking style. It’s as if I can hear her speaking as I am reading.  She really has a gift for bringing the scriptures to life. She is so down-to-earth, which is something I really appreciate as a reader. Here is an example from her meditation on Ruth:

“Some of us think we have to like what we’re doing to be obedient.

You’re not being obedient until you do what you don’t like to do. If you

don’t believe me, ask Ruth.”

I am hoping… that my brother-in-law’s heart procedure goes smoothly tomorrow and that he continues on the way to good health.

 I am hearing… the sound of the dryer tumbling,

Around the house...today I must get to the upstairs. The upstairs is the hardest area for me to maintain, but so far it hasn’t turned into a disaster since I  last  spent time up there; so maintain, I will.

One of my favorite things...  is when the older children anticipate my needs. It gives me hope that I did something right in raising them. I had an unexpected pick-up to make at dinner time a few days ago and when I got home, dinner was ready to be served, the table was set, and all I had to do was sit down and enjoy!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  the usual activities. An extra basketball game is on the schedule tonight to make up for the snow day last Monday.  Jessie is leaving for Italy on Friday, so my thoughts are turning to her. She will definitely be missed! I am so excited that she is doing this, but the nervous Mom in me worries.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...  no homeschool education would be complete without erupting a homemade volcano on the kitchen table!

  

Simple Woman

 

(Read the other daybook entries at The Simple Woman )

FOR TODAY February16, 2009

 Outside My Window...  Snow! Snow! Snow! Maybe ten inches before it’s done!

I am thinking... it is great having all six of the kids home for a snow day.  

I am thankful for...  a warm home and able bodies to help with shoveling us out when it finally stops snowing this afternoon.

From the kitchen…  homemade pizza for dinner.

I am wearing... olive drab trousers and a striped hooded sweater. 

I am creating...   organization in my bedroom.

I am going…   to stay home and enjoy my kids and the snow outside the window.

I am reading… trying to finish up a book I started awhile ago:  Fast Food Nation

I am hoping…I gain some momentum with weight loss. The beginning of Lent was helpful for losing a couple of pounds..

I am hearing… Simon and Garfunkel on internet radio, Hannah jumping rope, Disney drivel on the DVD player

Around the house...Continuing to maintain progress and also hoping to confront a few more trouble spots…like my bedroom.

One of my favorite things...  snow days with nowhere to go!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Science class, basketball, ballet, chorus, more basketball, keyboard lessons,  Spring track sign-ups for Thomas and track tryouts for Ben and Becky.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Simple Woman's Daybook

 

 

(Read the other daybook entries at The Simple Woman )

FOR TODAY, Monday, February 9, 2009

Outside My Window...

Bright sunshine, pleasant (38) temperature, and lots of mud from this weekend’s spring like weather. Will I never get my kitchen floor  free from that grimy, grit which appears after muddy dog prints dry?

I am thinking...

We should make a Valentine’s mailbox for the family to exchange Valentines.

I am thankful for...

Prayers that can be moved from the prayer request list  to the prayers answered list. Particularly the birth of four babies we were praying for !

From the kitchen…

Pot roast in the crock pot. It is starting to fill the kitchen with a yummy smell! I think some homemade wheat bread will go nicely. Hoping I can get to it!

I am wearing...

Favorite jeans. I am so disappointed that the knee ripped out! I vowed since I am now a respectable mom of six, I should put aside childish things…  like wearing jeans with rips in them!

I am creating...

Menu plans, favors for the engagement party, a sign-in board for the party and many lists!

I am going...

To the bank, Costco, basketball, writing workshop, ballet, more basketball, pre-cana closing Mass, and ice skating.

I am reading...

Thomas and I are into The Spiderwick Chronicles. Reading this series with him has been the first time, since he’s been reading on his own that he is genuinely excited about reading.  After we finish, I am going to step it up a bit … maybe Chronicles of Narnia… haven’t decided yet.

I am hoping...

To get things in order for the coming weekend without falling too far behind with school stuff.  This week the emphasis is on the "home” part of homeschooling!

I am hearing...

A Bach violin concerto on my internet radio. No, I don’t really "know” classical music, but I am learning together with the kiddies!

Around the house...

All is quiet. Everyone except for Thomas, Hannah and me has left for their respective occupations.  Thomas is outside playing with Luke and Hannah is off to join them.

One of my favorite things...

I know I am deluding myself here… but being caught up with laundry.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Similar to last week… ballet, basketball, pre-cana, shopping , bank, ice skating.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing. I call it puddle skating!

 

Simple Woman

 

(Read the other daybook entries at The Simple Woman )

FOR TODAY January 26, 2009

 Outside My Window...  I must be getting a late start today because the sun is just coming up. It is a balmy 18 degrees outside, but a toasty 69 degrees in the kitchen thanks to my trusty Vermont Castings stove.

I am thinking... of what a wonderful weekend I had thanks to my dearest friend Mary Ellen bringing a new soul onto the world.

I am thankful for...  the new Barrett baby, Brendan Michael,  and the outpouring of support from the online world as well as our community here for Mary Ellen.

From the kitchen… I guess I should get working on those plans, huh?  Tonight looks like a chicken night to me, though.

   I am wearing... this morning calls for the big fuzzy blue robe. It’s not my favorite, but sometimes it is necessary.

I am creating...   a menu and plans for when we meet our daughter’s future in-laws over Valentine’s weekend. I’m thinking of some kind of Valentines treat for her future nephews who will be joining us then.

I am going... to the usual places this week… basketball, ballet, pre-cana, ice skating, creative writing workshop.

 I am reading...  pretty much the same things as last week.  Not much time for reading in the past week.

I am hoping...  that the music class/choral group that I have organized is successful. We start Friday morning and it should be fun!

I am hearing… hissing and crackling of the fire

Around the house... my lack of organization in a few areas is definitely haunting me, so I hope to get a handle on those things.

One of my favorite things...  I was going to say newborn babies sleeping in the nursery, but my MOST favorite thing would have to be holding a sleeping newborn, not just watching them through a glass!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  still didn’t get that haircut I was hoping for last week. 

Here is picture thought I am sharing...  that's right, Thomas is not wearing a coat. We did, however, convince him that boots were non-negotiable! THe child marches to the beat of a different drummer!