Kids are back at school and Steve is back to work. This morning started with a little bump as I needed to take my car in to get repaired. I had just had it repaired last week to the tune of $$$ and now my "check engine" light is back on. I realllllly don't like dealing with car repairs! I don't know what the outcome will be, but I have a rental car for the day as I need to pick up the kids from school and other errands that must be done.
The Christmas tree was finally put out to the curb this morning. It still smelled beautiful but it was dry as the desert floor. I just finished vacuuming all the stray needles and will get the living room back in order.
I'm looking forward to getting back into the routine of things. I almost feel like spring cleaning! Maybe I'll start now! I have lots of drawers and closets to sort through. I'm afraid to open some of them because they are crammed with so much stuff!
I recently went through my yarn stash and discovered that I have a few UFO's that need to be worked on. I still have Kathryn's Kindergarten afghan that I was working on (I know, it's a shame), I found some granny squares that I had been working on for a baby blanket (maybe when Ryan was a baby?), and I need to finish a Halloween blanket that I started this past Fall.
I made a New Year's resolution that I would finish these items by then end of the year and by golly I intend to do just that!!
I need to get to the grocery store and then pick up the kids
Have a great week, everyone!
Showing posts with label everyday life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label everyday life. Show all posts
Monday, January 11, 2010
Monday, August 3, 2009
A New Week
Ever since I quit working outside the home, I've come to enjoy Mondays. I get the feeling that it's a new beginning, a time to start over after my plans from the week before didn't quite work out. It's a time to pick myself up and begin again or to continue with what's been working.
This summer, the routines have flown out the window. After two kids with pneumonia, things were slightly askew, but everyone is better now and I look forward to planning things again and actually going through with them, God willing!
Today will be a busy day. I have some errands to do, then pay a visit to my mother, who I haven't seen in awhile. I have lots of tomatoes to give her. My tomato plant has really started producing. I've had to start picking them while they are slightly orange, almost red. When I wait for them to get a nice red color, they've already gotten a little soft and mushy on the the inside. But they are delicious. A wonderful aroma with a taste that's hard to get all the time from the grocery store.
My blog has been neglected lately and I really need to update my list of books read. I've been on a kick for reading Michael Connelly books. My sister-in-law let me borrow some of her books because she knew I liked the Jack Bauer character from "24". The main character from these books, Harry Bosch, is a lot like Jack Bauer. The ones I've read so far are really good. They are good who dunnit, crime fiction stories. There is a little swearing and some adult situations, ..ahem, but not an excessive amount, and well, they are crime stories.
Last night, I saw the movie The Pursuit of Happyness. I just loved it! What an inspiring story about a father doing everything he can to provide a better life for his son! I stayed up way too late to finish this one and by the end, I just had tears falling down. If you've never seen this movie, I'd recommend it if you don't mind shedding a few tears! There's not many movies I give 5 stars to on my Netflix queue, but this is one.
Well, I need to get going with the rest of my day. I hope you all have a blessed week!
This summer, the routines have flown out the window. After two kids with pneumonia, things were slightly askew, but everyone is better now and I look forward to planning things again and actually going through with them, God willing!
Today will be a busy day. I have some errands to do, then pay a visit to my mother, who I haven't seen in awhile. I have lots of tomatoes to give her. My tomato plant has really started producing. I've had to start picking them while they are slightly orange, almost red. When I wait for them to get a nice red color, they've already gotten a little soft and mushy on the the inside. But they are delicious. A wonderful aroma with a taste that's hard to get all the time from the grocery store.
My blog has been neglected lately and I really need to update my list of books read. I've been on a kick for reading Michael Connelly books. My sister-in-law let me borrow some of her books because she knew I liked the Jack Bauer character from "24". The main character from these books, Harry Bosch, is a lot like Jack Bauer. The ones I've read so far are really good. They are good who dunnit, crime fiction stories. There is a little swearing and some adult situations, ..ahem, but not an excessive amount, and well, they are crime stories.
Last night, I saw the movie The Pursuit of Happyness. I just loved it! What an inspiring story about a father doing everything he can to provide a better life for his son! I stayed up way too late to finish this one and by the end, I just had tears falling down. If you've never seen this movie, I'd recommend it if you don't mind shedding a few tears! There's not many movies I give 5 stars to on my Netflix queue, but this is one.
Well, I need to get going with the rest of my day. I hope you all have a blessed week!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
This Summer's Challenges
This has not been the summer I'd envisioned! It started out fine, but then the sickies started.
Kathryn started with a little cold. She got over that quickly without any disruption of any summer plans. Then Ryan got a cold, which turned into a cough, which turned into some upper respiratory infection. I held off going to the doctor thinking he would turn the corner any day. It never did, so we finally paid a visit to the dr. After his round of antibiotics, he's well. Thank the Lord. Now Emily has the cough and I have it as well! We've both been up the past two nights hacking away. Hopefully, it won't get worse.
Before the summer started, I bought four swim passes so we could hang out at the pool. Since people are getting sick, we haven't been able to use the passes as much I as thought we would. We haven't been sightseeing as much as I wanted to, but we are still managing to have some fun, even if its just playing around with sidewalk chalk, puttering in the garden, or just making up games.
Ah, such is life. It's what happens when we're busy making other plans.
During this busy time, I've been scarce in the blogosphere, but I hope I can catch up with all of you soon! I'm embarrassed to say my reader has over 500 posts and I may just have to press the dreaded, Mark All As Read!!
Kathryn started with a little cold. She got over that quickly without any disruption of any summer plans. Then Ryan got a cold, which turned into a cough, which turned into some upper respiratory infection. I held off going to the doctor thinking he would turn the corner any day. It never did, so we finally paid a visit to the dr. After his round of antibiotics, he's well. Thank the Lord. Now Emily has the cough and I have it as well! We've both been up the past two nights hacking away. Hopefully, it won't get worse.
Before the summer started, I bought four swim passes so we could hang out at the pool. Since people are getting sick, we haven't been able to use the passes as much I as thought we would. We haven't been sightseeing as much as I wanted to, but we are still managing to have some fun, even if its just playing around with sidewalk chalk, puttering in the garden, or just making up games.
Ah, such is life. It's what happens when we're busy making other plans.
During this busy time, I've been scarce in the blogosphere, but I hope I can catch up with all of you soon! I'm embarrassed to say my reader has over 500 posts and I may just have to press the dreaded, Mark All As Read!!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Thursday
Another week is flying by.
Monday, my friends came over to give me a hand in my kitchen. It's taken so long because I'm not working on it everyday. I try to do a little, but cooking, laundry, and other necessary cleaning throughout the house gets in the way, as well as errands I need to run. The update is, all the wallpaper as been stripped from the walls, peeling has been finished and primer has been placed on most of the walls and cabinets. I still need to sand some of the diamond window panes and then we can get going on that. There is light at the end of the tunnel!
Ryan played his last baseball game of the season. They lost their playoff game. But that's not the end of sports! He will be practicing in the summer for Fall Ball in September. Emily is playing T-Ball and taking a general sports class through Sports and Recreation. She just has three more weeks of that. Oh, then I can't forget swimming. She's signed up for a two week class. Kathryn will be taking a basketball class.
I had to do some major cleaning in my pantry. Let me just say, moths-dried goods, yuck! I threw out old food packages, old containers, and sorted through canned goods checking the expiration dates and whatnot. I scrubbed the shelves and bought new containers to use for all the new rice, pasta and flour I had to purchase. I vowed that I will go through my pantry more often and do a better job with my rotation of goods.
This morning I worked on dinner food prep. We are having jumbo shells stuffed with taco meat. I cooked the shells already and I would have cooked the meat, but I don't have enough ground beef. I need to stop at the store and pick up more. My salad is prepared.
I'm off to the grocery store now. Have a good day everyone!
Monday, my friends came over to give me a hand in my kitchen. It's taken so long because I'm not working on it everyday. I try to do a little, but cooking, laundry, and other necessary cleaning throughout the house gets in the way, as well as errands I need to run. The update is, all the wallpaper as been stripped from the walls, peeling has been finished and primer has been placed on most of the walls and cabinets. I still need to sand some of the diamond window panes and then we can get going on that. There is light at the end of the tunnel!
Ryan played his last baseball game of the season. They lost their playoff game. But that's not the end of sports! He will be practicing in the summer for Fall Ball in September. Emily is playing T-Ball and taking a general sports class through Sports and Recreation. She just has three more weeks of that. Oh, then I can't forget swimming. She's signed up for a two week class. Kathryn will be taking a basketball class.
I had to do some major cleaning in my pantry. Let me just say, moths-dried goods, yuck! I threw out old food packages, old containers, and sorted through canned goods checking the expiration dates and whatnot. I scrubbed the shelves and bought new containers to use for all the new rice, pasta and flour I had to purchase. I vowed that I will go through my pantry more often and do a better job with my rotation of goods.
This morning I worked on dinner food prep. We are having jumbo shells stuffed with taco meat. I cooked the shells already and I would have cooked the meat, but I don't have enough ground beef. I need to stop at the store and pick up more. My salad is prepared.
I'm off to the grocery store now. Have a good day everyone!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Swimming, Swimming, and More Swimming!
Gosh, I hadn't realized how long it had been since I last posted!
I've been consumed with the swimming pool! Ryan and Emily started swim lessons last week and since they were a little scared of doing some stuff in the water, I've been taking them to the pool at the park to get them used to the water a little more. Back floats and dunking their heads in the water have been their weak spots. I take them around the pool on my back and have them practice their kicking. That gets me a little tired after awhile. I try to help them with their back floating, but that's a little trickier. They both don't like to have the back of their heads in the water. But we do what's comfortable for them so they don't freak out. That would defeat the purpose. I'm trying to make everything fun while trying to practice what they need to be learning. And, little by little, they're making progress. They're not as afraid any more, and they're just now starting to dunk their heads all the way down!
So, I'm a little tuckered out right now. Along with the swimming, we still have basketball practices and games to go to. Luckily, this is the last week of swimming lessons. I wish basketball was over, but both Kathryn and Ryan's teams have playoffs. I don't know how the playoffs will work as this is our first year of basketball. I secretly hope our teams lose so we can be finished! I know that sounds awful, but Kathryn and Ryan are tired of it already, too!
I don't know how all you soccer moms out there do it. I get tired of all the running around. I guess by now, you're probably wondering why I sign up the kids for all these sports. Well, aside from the swimming, which was my idea, Steve is the one that enjoys all these sporting things and he signs them up. He loves doing this stuff with the kids and they enjoy it, too (most of the time)! I enjoy it, too, but up to a point. Once it starts to get me frazzled with the running around from place to place, I'm ready to hang it all up. That's where I'm at right now.
I haven't had a chance to upload some pictures lately, but I hope to get to it soon. I hope you all have a wonderful week. Sorry if this post sounded a little whiny. I do love my life and wouldn't trade it for anything!
I've been consumed with the swimming pool! Ryan and Emily started swim lessons last week and since they were a little scared of doing some stuff in the water, I've been taking them to the pool at the park to get them used to the water a little more. Back floats and dunking their heads in the water have been their weak spots. I take them around the pool on my back and have them practice their kicking. That gets me a little tired after awhile. I try to help them with their back floating, but that's a little trickier. They both don't like to have the back of their heads in the water. But we do what's comfortable for them so they don't freak out. That would defeat the purpose. I'm trying to make everything fun while trying to practice what they need to be learning. And, little by little, they're making progress. They're not as afraid any more, and they're just now starting to dunk their heads all the way down!
So, I'm a little tuckered out right now. Along with the swimming, we still have basketball practices and games to go to. Luckily, this is the last week of swimming lessons. I wish basketball was over, but both Kathryn and Ryan's teams have playoffs. I don't know how the playoffs will work as this is our first year of basketball. I secretly hope our teams lose so we can be finished! I know that sounds awful, but Kathryn and Ryan are tired of it already, too!
I don't know how all you soccer moms out there do it. I get tired of all the running around. I guess by now, you're probably wondering why I sign up the kids for all these sports. Well, aside from the swimming, which was my idea, Steve is the one that enjoys all these sporting things and he signs them up. He loves doing this stuff with the kids and they enjoy it, too (most of the time)! I enjoy it, too, but up to a point. Once it starts to get me frazzled with the running around from place to place, I'm ready to hang it all up. That's where I'm at right now.
I haven't had a chance to upload some pictures lately, but I hope to get to it soon. I hope you all have a wonderful week. Sorry if this post sounded a little whiny. I do love my life and wouldn't trade it for anything!
Friday, July 18, 2008
I Need New Glasses!!
I'm now starting to feel officially middle-aged. I desperately need bifocals!! When I had my eyes checked two or three years ago, the optometrist said I didn't need them yet, as my close-up vision was still pretty good (I'm near-sighted -- I can see things close-up without my glasses but not far away). I could read with or without my glasses. Now, it's gotten to the point where I can't read at all with my glasses. I have to put everything more than an arm's length away to see it! So, I just take off my glasses to read or do close-up work. My arms are getting a lot of exercise taking them on and off, on and off. If I were far-sighted it would be a little better because I could place the glasses on my nose, just so, and I could look above the glasses to see far away and through the glasses at my book, knitting, or whatever. But when you're near sighted, you don't have a place to put your glasses. Maybe paste them at the eyebrows so they'll be at eye level for far away stuff and just look down below the glasses for the close-up stuff. I know that doesn't make any sense, but since I am nearsighted, I understand myself! LOL! Maybe those of you who are also nearsighted can get what I'm trying to get across!! Main thing - I can't see close-up while wearing my glasses.
So, it's time to see the eye doctor. I first have to check on my insurance and refresh my memory about what's covered. If I remember correctly, it didn't cover much. It covered a very little amount for the glasses so I've ended up paying a whole lot.
I took Ryan and Kathryn to get a few uniform items for school. Kathryn needed a bigger size skirt and Ryan needed an extra pair of pants and shorts. Thankfully the uniform place was not crowded. I was afraid there would be a huge wait. Not good when I have Emily! So, we were there for a short time, then we met Steve at work and had some lunch. We always love meeting him for lunch.
Kathryn has basketball practice tonight. Let's hope that Emily can get through that time without falling down. My goodness, it seems like the last three times she's gone, she somehow falls down on the cement and scrapes her knees, elbows, hands, etc. One thing for sure, she lives hard!
I don't know why I hadn't thought of it before, but I need to get a first aid kit for the car. I have a few band-aids in my purse, but I need some in all shapes. I just bought some Neosporin to Go.
Now I'm off to clean out the refrigerator. That's my first step before making out my menu for the next week. I hope there's not too many science experiments in there!
Blessings, everyone!
So, it's time to see the eye doctor. I first have to check on my insurance and refresh my memory about what's covered. If I remember correctly, it didn't cover much. It covered a very little amount for the glasses so I've ended up paying a whole lot.
I took Ryan and Kathryn to get a few uniform items for school. Kathryn needed a bigger size skirt and Ryan needed an extra pair of pants and shorts. Thankfully the uniform place was not crowded. I was afraid there would be a huge wait. Not good when I have Emily! So, we were there for a short time, then we met Steve at work and had some lunch. We always love meeting him for lunch.
Kathryn has basketball practice tonight. Let's hope that Emily can get through that time without falling down. My goodness, it seems like the last three times she's gone, she somehow falls down on the cement and scrapes her knees, elbows, hands, etc. One thing for sure, she lives hard!
I don't know why I hadn't thought of it before, but I need to get a first aid kit for the car. I have a few band-aids in my purse, but I need some in all shapes. I just bought some Neosporin to Go.
Now I'm off to clean out the refrigerator. That's my first step before making out my menu for the next week. I hope there's not too many science experiments in there!
Blessings, everyone!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Random
The week so far has been spent doing lots of yard work, getting rid of overgrown plants and pulling weeds. Also, we're getting a new screen door for the front, so I cleaned the front porch area. I know entrances look nicer without one, but we love to have our front door open in the summer, especially in the evening time when the cool breezes come. But we don't want the mosquitoes and other bugs to come in with it!
I didn't get around to doing another menu plan this week because I'm still following the one from last week. The Chicken with Orzo came out great and so did the Pizza Noodle Bake. Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of them because I didn't think of it. I'm not used to taking pictures of my meals. I guess because everyone knows what chicken nuggets, spaghetti, and tacos look like (frequent meals around here)! LOL!
Summer vacation is right around the corner - next Tuesday as a matter of fact. I'm looking forward to getting to sleep in a little bit longer - not too much longer, though, as I like to start my day with some quiet time while everyone is still sleeping. Ryan and Kathryn have both started basketball this summer. I'm not too thrilled, but I won't get into that!:)
I got some gas this morning for 4.35 a gallon. That was the best I could find and that was at Costco. The lines there are so long, at times, six or seven deep! It reminds me of the lines back in the 70's (I know, I'm dating myself)! The gas station closest to me was already at 4.59! I don't know how much more of an increase we can take! I wish I had a smaller car but we need the space that my minivan offers.
Well, I think I'll take out my knitting and have a go at it!
I didn't get around to doing another menu plan this week because I'm still following the one from last week. The Chicken with Orzo came out great and so did the Pizza Noodle Bake. Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of them because I didn't think of it. I'm not used to taking pictures of my meals. I guess because everyone knows what chicken nuggets, spaghetti, and tacos look like (frequent meals around here)! LOL!
Summer vacation is right around the corner - next Tuesday as a matter of fact. I'm looking forward to getting to sleep in a little bit longer - not too much longer, though, as I like to start my day with some quiet time while everyone is still sleeping. Ryan and Kathryn have both started basketball this summer. I'm not too thrilled, but I won't get into that!:)
I got some gas this morning for 4.35 a gallon. That was the best I could find and that was at Costco. The lines there are so long, at times, six or seven deep! It reminds me of the lines back in the 70's (I know, I'm dating myself)! The gas station closest to me was already at 4.59! I don't know how much more of an increase we can take! I wish I had a smaller car but we need the space that my minivan offers.
Well, I think I'll take out my knitting and have a go at it!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Monday
I'm tired! I've been busy this weekend helping Kathryn with her California Mission project. Most every 4th grader in California has to do one of these projects so it's sort of a rite of passage in elementary school. She had her written report turned in a while ago, but tomorrow her mission model is due. Kathryn helped out some, but Steve and I did a lot of the work. Is that the way it ends up going? Some of these kids turn in beautiful, exact replicas of the missions. I don't see how they can do such precise work without lots of involvement from mom or dad. I wish I had my camera to take a picture of it, but I accidentally left it at my mom's house.
Emily had a dentist appointment today. She did very well with her cleaning. She just loves going there. The fist thing she said when she woke up this morning was, "Do I get to go to the dentist today?" Of course they just love her over there because she's so cooperative with them. When she was finished, she received her courtesy Cinderella toothbrush and a sticker. She was thrilled.
I'm so excited about the Pope's visit to our country tomorrow. I'm looking forward to hearing what he has to say to us. I pray that he can rekindle the fire for some lukewarm Catholics as well as for all the faithful flock. His theme is "Christ our Hope." You can watch complete coverage on EWTN. That would be better that watching the secular media. I'm sure they will be having commentary from priests and others who dissent from the truth of what the Church teaches.
Now that the mission work is completed, the rest of the week should be a little less hectic.
The main work will be cleaning up the house. It's a mess! I have laundry baskets full of clothes that need to be folded and put away, menus to plan for the rest of the week, and just general items to be put back in their proper places. Lots of the usual stuff. But I love it. That's my life right now, and I love it!
Emily had a dentist appointment today. She did very well with her cleaning. She just loves going there. The fist thing she said when she woke up this morning was, "Do I get to go to the dentist today?" Of course they just love her over there because she's so cooperative with them. When she was finished, she received her courtesy Cinderella toothbrush and a sticker. She was thrilled.
I'm so excited about the Pope's visit to our country tomorrow. I'm looking forward to hearing what he has to say to us. I pray that he can rekindle the fire for some lukewarm Catholics as well as for all the faithful flock. His theme is "Christ our Hope." You can watch complete coverage on EWTN. That would be better that watching the secular media. I'm sure they will be having commentary from priests and others who dissent from the truth of what the Church teaches.
Now that the mission work is completed, the rest of the week should be a little less hectic.
The main work will be cleaning up the house. It's a mess! I have laundry baskets full of clothes that need to be folded and put away, menus to plan for the rest of the week, and just general items to be put back in their proper places. Lots of the usual stuff. But I love it. That's my life right now, and I love it!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Weekend
Ryan and Kathryn both had games this weekend. Kathryn's team won 5-1. Yea! She's one of the older players on her team and enjoys her "leadership." For once she's not the littlest one wet behind the ears. At Ryan's level of play, they don't keep score so his team doesn't have wins or losses. He just has fun out there - as long as he's not playing at the pitcher's position. He doesn't like that at all.
We made a trip to the library this weekend. Lots of picture books for Emily and lots of readers for Ryan. One book that we've enjoyed so far is Bark, George by Jules Feiffer. The story is cute and the illustrations are hilarious. I'll have to check out some more by this author. I guess he's a famous cartoonist, but I'd never heard of him.
Worked some more with Kathryn on schoolwork. I mostly am trying to focus her and keep her from getting distracted. I plan on reading more with her to try to develop better comprehension.
Today, I went out to lunch with my good friends. We celebrate each other's birthdays by going out to lunch then a movie. This time, we skipped the movie and just window shopped. We don't need to have big celebrations. We just like to get together and have girlfriend time. All of us are so busy raising kids and whatnot that we don't get to see each other too often, but we talk on the phone more.
Tomorrow morning will interesting to see how easy or difficult it will be for the kids to wake up with this Daylight Savings Time. I tried to get them to bed earlier, but no one was really sleepy. I'm sure they'll feel sleepy when it's time to get up. I hope I can get up :)! I do like the sunlight being out a little longer. I can feel spring in the air. It was probably about 80 degrees today!
It was a nice weekend!
We made a trip to the library this weekend. Lots of picture books for Emily and lots of readers for Ryan. One book that we've enjoyed so far is Bark, George by Jules Feiffer. The story is cute and the illustrations are hilarious. I'll have to check out some more by this author. I guess he's a famous cartoonist, but I'd never heard of him.
Worked some more with Kathryn on schoolwork. I mostly am trying to focus her and keep her from getting distracted. I plan on reading more with her to try to develop better comprehension.
Today, I went out to lunch with my good friends. We celebrate each other's birthdays by going out to lunch then a movie. This time, we skipped the movie and just window shopped. We don't need to have big celebrations. We just like to get together and have girlfriend time. All of us are so busy raising kids and whatnot that we don't get to see each other too often, but we talk on the phone more.
Tomorrow morning will interesting to see how easy or difficult it will be for the kids to wake up with this Daylight Savings Time. I tried to get them to bed earlier, but no one was really sleepy. I'm sure they'll feel sleepy when it's time to get up. I hope I can get up :)! I do like the sunlight being out a little longer. I can feel spring in the air. It was probably about 80 degrees today!
It was a nice weekend!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Blogging Slump
I've been in a blogging slump. Not much inspirational thoughts going through my head, nothing exciting to share. Just my ordinary life, so I think I'll write about that.
I've been doing some reading from Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales. So far, it's been inspirational for me and I'm only in the first couple of chapters! These kinds of books I like to read a little slow so that I can absorb what it's saying to me. I wish I could leave a quote right now, but I can't seem to find the book right now. Gosh, I just have so many books laying around that it must be buried among a book pile! I'm sure I'll find it.
I don't know if I mentioned that I finished knitting a hat for Ryan. I also finished a pair of mittens for Kathryn. Next up are some scarves and some dishcloths.
Yesterday, I took Emily to the park to play and feed the ducks. She just loves the ducks. She wishes we could have a pet duck. I told her that would be cute, but I don't think they make good pets.
I also took Emily to storytime at the library. She/We made a cute Valentine's card. She was quite proud of herself. We enjoy our little outings to the library. Maybe she'll be my bookreader out of all my kids?!
I'm looking forward to this three day weekend. We will be busy. Ryan will be attending a birthday party for one of his school friends. We will also be going to the zoo.
This week has been quite ordinary, but it's been a blessing, too! The ordinariness of life is still an oportunity to live out my vocation, to guide my kids, to practice virtue. It can strengthen me when the not so ordinary times come. Those times when the kids are sick or bickering, the car breaks down, the money is not there for some needed expense, etc. Thank you, Lord for the ordinary times.
I've been doing some reading from Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales. So far, it's been inspirational for me and I'm only in the first couple of chapters! These kinds of books I like to read a little slow so that I can absorb what it's saying to me. I wish I could leave a quote right now, but I can't seem to find the book right now. Gosh, I just have so many books laying around that it must be buried among a book pile! I'm sure I'll find it.
I don't know if I mentioned that I finished knitting a hat for Ryan. I also finished a pair of mittens for Kathryn. Next up are some scarves and some dishcloths.
Yesterday, I took Emily to the park to play and feed the ducks. She just loves the ducks. She wishes we could have a pet duck. I told her that would be cute, but I don't think they make good pets.
I also took Emily to storytime at the library. She/We made a cute Valentine's card. She was quite proud of herself. We enjoy our little outings to the library. Maybe she'll be my bookreader out of all my kids?!
I'm looking forward to this three day weekend. We will be busy. Ryan will be attending a birthday party for one of his school friends. We will also be going to the zoo.
This week has been quite ordinary, but it's been a blessing, too! The ordinariness of life is still an oportunity to live out my vocation, to guide my kids, to practice virtue. It can strengthen me when the not so ordinary times come. Those times when the kids are sick or bickering, the car breaks down, the money is not there for some needed expense, etc. Thank you, Lord for the ordinary times.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
My Days
It's a good thing I've been tagged for all kinds of memes as I haven't had much to say. I've been doing the usual cleaning, running errands, dental visits, homework monitor, etc., etc.
Lent is coming up so I've been doing some thinking about what we can do as a family to make it personal. I'm still thinking/praying about what I can do. I've picked out a couple of books to read through. I also want to "do" something rather than just "give up" something like I usually do. I'll do another post about all that.
My days have been busy with duties that I haven't been able to read or knit as much as I'd like.
I have three movies waiting from Netflix that are going to have to wait a little longer. Waiting in the wings are Walk the Line, National Treasure, and Miss Potter.
One thing I've been waiting for has been the season premier of Lost. I just love that show! Tomorrow is the big day. I'll have to program the DVR just in case something interrupts me, things like children needing their mom, or a husband who needs to talk!
So, not much going on. But I love these kinds of days. I'm doing what I love to do. It can be tiring and draining, but I'm doing what I've been called to do.
Lent is coming up so I've been doing some thinking about what we can do as a family to make it personal. I'm still thinking/praying about what I can do. I've picked out a couple of books to read through. I also want to "do" something rather than just "give up" something like I usually do. I'll do another post about all that.
My days have been busy with duties that I haven't been able to read or knit as much as I'd like.
I have three movies waiting from Netflix that are going to have to wait a little longer. Waiting in the wings are Walk the Line, National Treasure, and Miss Potter.
One thing I've been waiting for has been the season premier of Lost. I just love that show! Tomorrow is the big day. I'll have to program the DVR just in case something interrupts me, things like children needing their mom, or a husband who needs to talk!
So, not much going on. But I love these kinds of days. I'm doing what I love to do. It can be tiring and draining, but I'm doing what I've been called to do.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Morning Routine
This past week was spent trying to get back into the daily routine. Having Steve and the kids home, Christmas, doing fun things was all great but now everyone is back to work and school.
My concentration has been on re-establishing my morning routine. My morning routine consists of:
Making the bed
Shower
Devotional time
Swish/Swipe bathrooms
Unload dishwasher
Reload dishwasher (if dishes were left from the previous night-has been happening way
too much!)
Get laundry going ( I do two loads a day)
Help Emily get dressed
Some dinner prep if needed
Go over to-do list
Do a 2 minute Hot Spot cleanup (per FlyLady)
Oh yeah, I eat breakfast somewhere in there!
If I can finish all that by 10:00 AM, I'm doing pretty well. That sets the tone for the rest of the day. Then I can get to the detailed cleaning items. I wish I could have most of it done prior to that, but it seems like the earlier I get up, Emily wakes up just as early. Plus, I have to make sure that laziness doesn't creep in. I can easily get distracted with the computer, a book, the newspaper, just about anything. It pretty much is a constant thinking on my part to say "yes" to the Lord's will for me - doing my duties. I recently ran across a quote from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. It said:
Holly Pierlot talks about that idea in her book, A Mother's Rule of Life. That's why I really like her book and would recommend it to anyone who's looking for meaning in doing their daily duties.
I think I got off on a tangent. Back to what I had been saying, I can get easily distracted from what I should be doing. So, for me, trying to get my morning routine down pat does a long way in getting much more done throughout the day!
Emily has been learning to be my helper. She helps me unload the dishwasher, load and unload the washing machine/dryer, and helps make the beds. I hope to train her better than I did with Kathryn and Ryan in doing chores.
This is planning to be a busy weekend. I'm taking Ryan to go shopping for a birthday present for a little friend of his. Tomorrow is the birthday party. He also has a baseball tryout tomorrow. I don't know why 6 year olds have to try out but that's the way it's done in this league. Also, Kathryn and Ryan's school is participating in a basketball tournament so everyone has been encouraged to attend and show school spirit. We like to show spirit so we'll be going.
If I have time (hahaha), I have some movies that I rented that I'd like to watch. One is St. Rita. I rented this from the church library and it looks good. I don't know about St. Rita, so it will be nice to see what's she's all about. My other movie is Eight Below. I must have heard something good about it at one time because I had it on my Netflix queue forever. Now that I'm reading the description about it, I don't know if I'll make it through the movie! It says that some Antarctic scientists have to leave their sled dogs behind amid a cruel winter to fend for themselves. I have a feeling I'll be crying and feeling so sad for these dogs! We'll see if I can watch it.
Well, for someone who doesn't have much time, I'd better end this post and get going!
My concentration has been on re-establishing my morning routine. My morning routine consists of:
Making the bed
Shower
Devotional time
Swish/Swipe bathrooms
Unload dishwasher
Reload dishwasher (if dishes were left from the previous night-has been happening way
too much!)
Get laundry going ( I do two loads a day)
Help Emily get dressed
Some dinner prep if needed
Go over to-do list
Do a 2 minute Hot Spot cleanup (per FlyLady)
Oh yeah, I eat breakfast somewhere in there!
If I can finish all that by 10:00 AM, I'm doing pretty well. That sets the tone for the rest of the day. Then I can get to the detailed cleaning items. I wish I could have most of it done prior to that, but it seems like the earlier I get up, Emily wakes up just as early. Plus, I have to make sure that laziness doesn't creep in. I can easily get distracted with the computer, a book, the newspaper, just about anything. It pretty much is a constant thinking on my part to say "yes" to the Lord's will for me - doing my duties. I recently ran across a quote from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. It said:
The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God,
secondly, to do it in the manner he wills it; and thirdly, to do it because it is his will.
Holly Pierlot talks about that idea in her book, A Mother's Rule of Life. That's why I really like her book and would recommend it to anyone who's looking for meaning in doing their daily duties.
I think I got off on a tangent. Back to what I had been saying, I can get easily distracted from what I should be doing. So, for me, trying to get my morning routine down pat does a long way in getting much more done throughout the day!
Emily has been learning to be my helper. She helps me unload the dishwasher, load and unload the washing machine/dryer, and helps make the beds. I hope to train her better than I did with Kathryn and Ryan in doing chores.
This is planning to be a busy weekend. I'm taking Ryan to go shopping for a birthday present for a little friend of his. Tomorrow is the birthday party. He also has a baseball tryout tomorrow. I don't know why 6 year olds have to try out but that's the way it's done in this league. Also, Kathryn and Ryan's school is participating in a basketball tournament so everyone has been encouraged to attend and show school spirit. We like to show spirit so we'll be going.
If I have time (hahaha), I have some movies that I rented that I'd like to watch. One is St. Rita. I rented this from the church library and it looks good. I don't know about St. Rita, so it will be nice to see what's she's all about. My other movie is Eight Below. I must have heard something good about it at one time because I had it on my Netflix queue forever. Now that I'm reading the description about it, I don't know if I'll make it through the movie! It says that some Antarctic scientists have to leave their sled dogs behind amid a cruel winter to fend for themselves. I have a feeling I'll be crying and feeling so sad for these dogs! We'll see if I can watch it.
Well, for someone who doesn't have much time, I'd better end this post and get going!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Christmas Memories
On Christmas Eve, we went to an early (4:00) Mass. We arrived a little bit late, but lucky for us, they were just opening an upstairs room so we were able to get seats and also had a wonderful view. Christmas masses are so crowded that our church opens up the hall. So for a few Mass times, Mass goes on in the church as well as the hall.
Upon arriving home, we made some gingerbread cookies for Santa. We watched a little of White Christmas and did the last minute wrapping. The kids were so excited that it wasn't so hard to get them to sleep. We reminded them that Santa doesn't come unless every one's asleep!
Christmas morning, we were awakened bright and early by the little ones. They were ready to see what Santa brought them. Before we started opening gifts, we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.
Here are a few things the kids got. Please don't look too closely at the iron and ironing board in the background - Hee Hee!
Upon arriving home, we made some gingerbread cookies for Santa. We watched a little of White Christmas and did the last minute wrapping. The kids were so excited that it wasn't so hard to get them to sleep. We reminded them that Santa doesn't come unless every one's asleep!
Christmas morning, we were awakened bright and early by the little ones. They were ready to see what Santa brought them. Before we started opening gifts, we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.
Here are a few things the kids got. Please don't look too closely at the iron and ironing board in the background - Hee Hee!
Emily and her My Little Pony Fashion Boutique
Ryan and some cars from Cars (the movie)
Kathryn and her "professional" Bingo kit
I didn't have my picture taken ( I didn't look too great), but I got some warm PJ's, two Christmas CD's (Josh Groban & Martina McBride), and a book (Clarence Thomas's new one).
After opening presents at home, we got ready to go to my mom's house for our get together with extended family. It was a full house with my brother and his wife, my sister, her husband, their kids and grandkids, spouses, etc, etc, and of course, the matriarch of the family, my mother. It was a crazy house, but we had lots of fun and food! Every year, my mother serves tamales, a traditional Mexican dish. We so look forward to eating this each year and she did not disappoint us! They were so good, I can taste them right now as I'm typing this. I say this every year, but I really do need her to teach me how to make them. I can always find them in the stores, but it's just not the same as eating homemade ones! My mother is getting along in years and no one else in the family knows how to make them. She adds her special touch!
Next up was to visit Steve's mom. Due to illness and advancing years, she's living in a private residential guest home. She enjoyed opening her gifts and visiting with all of us. She especially enjoys seeing the kids.
After all that, we were pooped and made it back home. But then there was more work to do! Time to untie all those twisters that come with children's toys! I don't know how many we untied but it was a lot! We played with moonsand and played a game of Mousetrap. By then, I needed to relax and it was time for bed.
So, that was it! It was an enjoyable day. I'm trying to remind the kids that even though Christmas Day is over, the Christmas season continues for a little while longer. We need to continue to ponder the wonderful gift that God bestowed on us in sending us His son.
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