The Simple Woman's Daybook

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FOR TODAY Monday, March 23, 2009 ...
Outside my window... Overcast, but it's still early, and this is New England, things can change!
I am thinking...about friendships, family and faith and what gives life meaning...very deep
I am thankful for...my very best friend whom I married
From the learning rooms...finish up Iditarod lapbook...yay, Lance Mackey won again...he was Sammy's pick, finish Call of the Wild, Lewis and Clark, more IEW's U.S. History based writing lessons, Teaching Textbooks Math
From the kitchen... it's looking like spaghetti tonight, but right now I smell coffee...
I am wearing... PJ's still
I am creating... I'm not really creating much right now, but lots of thoughts and ideas are swirling around in my head
I am going...to our homeschool co-op this morning, where I will teach composition
I am reading... In Conversation with God, The Dolorous Passion, Call of the Wild and The Captain's Dog (to the kids)
I am hoping... This virus leaves us once and for all and we all begin to feel healthy... at the same time!
I am hearing... my own typing and hubby getting ready for work
Around the house...The laundry pile is slowly shrinking. I need to keep plugging away at it, but the mudroom, oh my, needs a major purge!
One of my favorite things...alone time with Our Lord and a cup of coffee
A few plans for the rest of the week: a blessedly quiet week, especially now that teen boy has his license and can drive himself to baseball practice, a little cleaning, a little organizing, recuperating...and laundry, of course...
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

It's maple sugaring time here in New Hampshire, one of my favorite times of the year.

I like to picture God the Father, as He is creating a maple tree, chuckling to himself,
"Wait until they figure this out!"

Simple Woman's Daybook

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FOR TODAY March 16, 2009...
Outside my window... There is a bright, shining thing in the sky. I think it is called "the sun". It's still pretty cold, but will hopefully warm up and be beautiful like this weekend was. So very happy spring is on its way...
I am thinking... How difficult teenage boys are...sigh.....
I am thankful for... difficult teenage boys, college girls traveling Europe, little rambunctious boys and a sick little girl...and their daddy!
From the learning rooms...reading and maps about the Louisiana Purchase, Iditarod lapbook, St. Paul lapbook, Teaching Textbook math
Stories about St. Patrick and St. Joseph and more
From the kitchen...Faith & Family's "Bailey's Irish Cream cheesecake" for St. Paddy's Day
I am wearing...PJs still
I am going...to make a doctor appointment for little sick girl
I am reading...In Conversation with God, Magnificat Lenten supplement, The Mystery of Harry Potter by Nancy C. Brown (I want to figure this Potter thing out for myself!)
I am hoping... we all start feeling better soon
I am hearing... just the whirr of the computer, my sick little girl is being very quiet and the others are at co-op
Around the house...UGH. After a very busy weekend, this house is a wreck! Today needs to be a regrouping day...clean house, pay bills, write lesson plans. I have a hard time schooling and being productive when my surroundings are in a shambles.
One of my favorite things...Friday evening stations of the cross with our special candle ceremony
A few plans for the rest of the week: Doctor's appointment with little girl, doctor's appointment with hubby for his rheumatoid arthritis, shamrock shakes, corned beef and cabbage, the above mentioned cheesecake, cleaning, purging and organizing...
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

I miss her so much!!
Can't wait until May 1 when she comes home!

Simple Woman's Daybook

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FOR TODAY March 2, 2009...
Outside my window...very light snow
I am thinking... it will be a quiet day. Not only do we have a snow day, but Ethan and Sam are not feeling well.
I am thankful for...warm slippers and a day without basketball (shhh...don't tell the boys!)
From the learning rooms...Co-op is cancelled today and I don't have other schoolwork planned, so we will get caught up on some housework and paperwork.
From the kitchen...Coffee? I smell coffee...hope he brings me some!
I am wearing...pajamas and warm slippers
I am creating...a Lenten atmosphere in my home
I am going...to keep my Lenten sacrifices
I am reading...The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord by Anne Catherine Emmerich and The Privilege of Being a Woman by Alice von Hildebrand
I am hoping...the boys haven't caught anything more sinister than a common cold. One of my confirmation students has mono! Yikes!
I am hearing...hubby prowling about the house
Around the house...things are pretty tidy, but definitely could use vacuuming and dusting One of my favorite things...an empty laundry basket, and I am almost there!!!
A few plans for the rest of the week:basketball practice, basketball games, doctor's appointments for those boys' coughs, prayer, fasting, almsgiving...
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Ethan's 3/4th grade basketball team won the Cabin Fever Tournament!! Way to go, boys!! Now on to the next tournament:)

Simple Woman's Daybook

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FOR TODAY August 26, 2008....

Outside My Window... Sun is shining, dew on grass, looks like nice day I am thinking... it will be too bad to spend this nice day in the basement cleaning and sorting (and throwing out!) toys
I am thankful for... my husband's safe return from Steubenville, OH
From the kitchen...newly cleaned and fully stocked refrigerator...good feeling... For dinner...Mexican chicken and rice with a salad
From the learning room...all is in order, new books on shelves, binders organized, labeled, supplies purchased...all is ready, except LESSON PLANS...they still need fine-tuning (alot!)

I am wearing... shorts and t-shirt, barefeet
I am creating...lesson plans!
I am going... to get the toys organized
I am reading...mater et magistra magazine (great magazine)...just finished Haystack Full of Needles (excellent book)
I am hoping...for willing cooperation from my boys in the toy cleaning/organizing project
I am hearing... just the whirr of the computer and the clicking of the keyboard
Around the house...we are missing college girl, especially her two youngest siblings, who need to call and email her daily...
One of my favorite things...having all my children under one roof, which won't happen again until Thanksgiving.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: soccer practice, the toy organizing thing, meeting with insurance man (ugh), celebrating friends' 25th anniversary, and , of course, lesson plans.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Tired daddy from long trip (11 1/2 hours) home from Steubenville, OH...little girl happy that daddy is home.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Thank you to Peggy for sharing her Daybook.......

FOR TODAY July 28,2008
Outside My Window... it is cloudy and overcast, rain is likely
I am thinking... how quickly summer is passing, which means college girl leaves in a few weeks...
I am thankful for...my husband who has booked a family vacation at a nearby lake for some family togetherness before college girl leaves
From the kitchen... Wild Mountain Blueberry coffee from Green Mt. Roasters....I am not a fan of flavored cofffees, but this is delicious!
I am wearing... purple t-shirt and pajama pants
I am creating... order from chaos (trying)
I am going... to the local opera house to see the children's production of Cinderella with my younger ones this morning
I am reading... Wild at Heart by John Eldredge
I am hoping...my older son's graduation from his Dare to Care program goes smoothly and that the program gives him some insight as to whether the medical field is where he is called
I am hearing... kids yelling at hyper dog
Around the house... things are shaping up, organization-wise; we have a few more projects to tackle, and I still haven't gotten to those menus and shopping lists....
One of my favorite things... Order, peace and silence....Adoration fits the bill perfectly!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: soccer camp, soccer playoff game, Dare to Care graduation, 2 BBQ's, more de-cluttering and organizing....oh, and menus/grocery lists
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Our labradoodle before and after her clipping. Although it is hard to tell in the "after" picture (and my camera battery is charging, so I can't get a new one) she has a very poodlish build under all that hair. She looks very feminine and delicate...and she acts it too! Everyone has noticed that she is calmer and gentler since her clipping. I wonder if they gave us the wrong dog? Who could tell?

Simple Woman's Daybook

Thank you to Peggy for hosting the Simple Woman's Daybook.

FOR TODAY July 7, 2008
Outside My Window... it is gloomy and overcast
I am thinking... now that the quarterly reports are done, it's beginning to feel like summer
I am thankful for... a lovely birthday celebration and my family
From the kitchen... oldest son is trying to have ice cream for breakfast...not happening!
I am wearing... pajama pants and t shirt
I am creating... lesson plans
I am going... to tackle one organizing project per week
I am reading... "Lies Homeschooling Mothers Believe", a birthday gift from my sister and brother in law
I am hoping... to solidify morning routines...not working out so well right now
I am hearing... fans whirring and children arguing, oh dear...so early?
Around the house... we need to do a general clean-up after a busy weekend
One of my favorite things... homemade pizza which is on the menu for dinner tonight...healthy, lots of veggies, yum!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: soccer and baseball games, almost 3 year-old's birthday party, son off to Steubenville East Youth Conference, hopefully some swimming...
Here is picture thought I am sharing..

or two...three short years ago, little Annemarie entered our lives...here is our little ray of sunshine today. Happy Birthday, sweetie!

Simple Woman's Daybook

Thank you to Peggy for sharing her daybook.

FOR TODAY Monday, June 23, 2008
Outside My Window...it is wet and peaceful, the big thunderstorm that woke me up has ended, along with its accompanying deluge (where's Noah when you need him?)
I am thinking...about activities I want to do with my children to create summer memories...day trips, beach, maybe even camping!
I am thankful for...a roof that doesen't leak!
From the kitchen...for dinner it will be grilled chicken, potato salad and broccoli
I am wearing...shorts, tshirt, barefeet and frizzy hair from all the rain!
I am creating...order out of chaos (well...trying..)
I am going...to get very wet running all my errands today! It's raining again.
I am reading...Anatomy and Physiology for Dummies, previewing it for my soon-to-be 11th grader to use next fall.
I am hoping...potty training my soon-to-be 3 year old will be quick and easy (wishful thinking?)
I am hearing...the ever-present hum of the washer and dryer, rain pouring down on the roof, and the tinkle of legos as the boys and their sister dig and search through the bucket for just the right piece
Around the house...there is a lot of dust, which will be cleaned up today!
One of my favorite things...strawberries, which are ready to pick!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: soccer and Babe Ruth games, wisdom teeth extractions, lots of errands...
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Simple Woman's Daybook

Thank you to Peggy for sharing her Simple Woman's Daybook.

FOR TODAY June 16, 2008...
Outside My Window...it is cool, cloudy and threatening rain, oops, no more threatening, it's sprinkling
I am thinking... that I have fewer opinions than I thought I did when I started my blog, now that I have to come up with new blog posts!

I am thankful for... rain with no floods, fathers (human and divine) and our family's shared Faith
From the kitchen... an empty refrigerator begs to be refilled (and probably cleaned)
I am wearing... pajamas
I am creating... a "to do" list that needs to be completed before our homeschool co-op meeting on Thursday
I am going... to get that paperwork done this week!!!
I am reading...curriculum catalogs, lots of Amazon reviews and new curricula that has arrived!
I am hoping...my (almost)three year old wakes up in a better mood than she was in yesterday!!
I am hearing... my college girl's text message tone...must be her boyfriend....
Around the house...two are still asleep, the dryer hums and the shower awaits
One of my favorite things...planting flowers (see below)
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:my sister-in-law and I are going to swap kids twice this week to give each of us one day ALONE (!) to put together portfolios, sort through schoolwork, file, pack away books and generally put this school year "in the history books"
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Simple Woman's Daybook

Thank you to Peggy
for sharing her Simple Woman's Daybook!!

FOR TODAY Monday, June 9, 2008.....

Outside My Window... The sun is shining promising another hot day....

I am thinking... about my busy day ahead

I am thankful for... my family, who is the cause of my busy day ahead

From the kitchen... I hear a bowl of raisin bran calling my name

I am wearing... uninspired shorts and t-shirt

I am creating...lesson plans in my mind

I am going... to get caught up on my laundry!

I am reading..."I am the Holy Land ...and so are you" by Fr. Leo P. Maxfield and lots of homeschooling catalogs

I am hoping...to establish and persevere in new routines and disciplines for my children and myself this summer (understanding that disciplining myself is foundational to teaching my children discipline)

I am hearing... the whirr of fans in the bedrooms and my 9 year old son complaining about going to the dentist today

Around the house...morning sounds are beginning, spoons clinking against bowls, boy's voices, washer and dryer humming along and (uh-oh) a soccer ball bouncing off furniture and walls....

One of my favorite things... planning curriculum for next year--it all looks so good and orderly on paper!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: to catch up on paperwork, grading, putting portfolios and quarterly reports together, plant flowers and vegetables, finish shampooing carpets, taking pictures and making new summer memories with my family.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

mmmmm...ice cream weather