~The Simple Woman's Daybook

~The Simple Woman's Daybook~
FOR TODAY
January 11, 2010...

Outside my window...The sun is shining and it's not below zero which is a rare combination up here in the winter.

I am thinking... Christmas break went way too fast and I should have spent more time planning our next semester of school.

I am thankful for... Children who wake up and do the tasks they are supposed to do upon awakening. It's been a long journey to get to this point.

From the learning rooms...We began our first day back after the break. The children are ready to begin again and are excited to start new things. I haven't broken it to them that I didn't plan much for this week.

From the kitchen... A roast is in the crockpot and the carrots and potatoes are cut up and ready to be put it a little later. I love it when I prepare dinner in the morning. Such a freeing feeling.

I am wearing... A long jean skirt with long johns to keep my legs warm, a black turtleneck sweater, and Christmas socks.

I am creating... My first "daybook" post. I've been meaning to do one for a long time.

I am going... To finish my daily chores, and work on being more joyful to my family and towards my work.

I am reading... "In Conversation With God: Ordinary Time Weeks 1-12", "The Soul of the Apostolate", "Day of War" (a book a friend of mine wrote which will be turned into a major motion picture soon)

I am hoping and praying... For a dear friend who is expecting, that she gets to welcome this child into her family here on earth instead of joining his/her 4 siblings in heavem.

I am hearing... A sleeping baby breathing while "finishing" her nap, and Gigi yelling at someone about something. Unfortunately the latter is not and unusual sound.

Around the house... Our house is feeling more and more like home especially now that we completed some projects that we had wanted to do since we moved in 2 1/2 years ago.

One of my favorite things... A fresh dusting of snow.

A few plans for the rest of the week: This week will be business as usual. Brett is back at work, but without students so hopefully we will ease into this semester. Our school routine is not demanding, but we will focus on sticking to it. I'm introducing a new history program this semester and we will begin that this week. Aidan also really wants to continue his science which was lost in the shuffle this first semester. Karate is back up and running. The weather is supposed to be beautiful this week so I hope to get out a bit.
picture here)

Sweet Moments

Old Card

I found an old picture card. I think it's the one that came with this camera so is probably from the first winter we lived here. I can't believe how big the kids have gotten.

My Secret Love

I'm not sure when it happened. High school probably. Sometime, longer ago than I would like to think, I fell in love with Dr.Pepper and Cherry Coke. I have no will power when the stuff is in my house. None whatsoever. The irony in all of this? I'm a label reader. I try with all of my might to avoid high fructose corn syrup. I feed my family (mostly) good wholesome foods. I shop the perimeter of the store (you know where all of the "good" stuff is). I do it all right. But, then that sparkly sweet goodness calls my name and I can't resist! Pathetic I know.

Pathetic no more! I have had my last! I've made the decision to not drink the stuff again. Really, truly. Why do I go to such extremes to avoid HFCS in my food and yet in one quick swig I ingest enough of the stuff for a lifetime, not to mention all of the other stuff in sodas? Sort of like the women who eat organic everything and don't want any hormones in their milk, but will have no scruples when it comes to putting hormones directly into their blood stream for the sake of "planning". Oh, but boy is that a post for another day! :-)

Anyway, if you see me shaking or biting my nails, don't fret. It's just withdrawl. I will get through. I will conquer this ridiculous obsession!

Christmas in Pictures

First things First

Before (the 2nd pic is with the furniture already shuffled around):

After:

No before picture for this one. All of the walls were "blechk white", and the molding was a pale white with the picture rail the same color as the wall.

Brett had already painted the walls, but this gives you an idea of the "before"

After

Mutiny

If you look close enough you can see it. You can see the evil plot that these two share. The plot to cast me off and strip away all authority. Yes, they may look sweet and precious, but I tell you if you knew them, really knew them, you'd see it too.

For instance, the baby signs "more" when she wants more food. This is how it goes:

Me- "Veronica, say more please (insert "more" sign)

Veronica- pound, pound, pound (on her high chair tray)

Me- "More...."

Veronica- pound, pound, pound, scream

Aidan- "Veronica, say more (enter "more" sign)

Veronica- "More (signing and smiling)"

See it? You see it now?

This girl cannot get out of my arms and into his fast enough when he walks in the room. She hangs on ever word he says. They play and play and play. It's a mutiny I tell you!

Do I really mind? Hardly.