Daybook for March 4, 2013

FOR TODAY:

Outside my window It is the sunniest day we have had in a good while. The past week has been bitterly cold; Saturday we had almost constant snow flurries, although nothing accumulated. We will finally be getting temperatures back to the 60s this week. So ready for spring!

I am thinking about what projects I'd like to get done around the house: cleaning out and organizing bookshelves, purging closets, getting more pictures up on the walls...

I am thankful Joel is back at school. He spent all of last week at home with the flu. Physically, he felt better by Wednesday/Thursday, but doctor's orders were to keep him home till today. Praying he does well on the tests he missed while he was out.

In the kitchen are clean dishes waiting to be put away. I tried a new recipe yesterday that got a thumbs up from most everybody, Italian Chicken Casserole. Thinking about having some of the leftovers for lunch today.  This was a Pinterest find, and I am planning another Pinterest meal tonight. It's one I've made before: Crock Pot Pasta e Fagioli. Perfect for chilly days/evenings!

I am wearing grey pants, white top with grey polka dots, tennis shoes.

I am reading Luke chapter 8 this week with my Good Morning Girls group from church. It has been a wonderful study. I'm looking forward to the next one.  Still working through my Kindle; started a new young adult fiction book last night called The Misfortune Cookie.

I am looking forward to Spring Break. We don't  really have plans, but it will be nice to have some downtime with the kids. Maybe even more Cora time!

I am pondering how I can help my younger two achieve success with some of their extracurricular school endeavors. Joel is considering trying out for the middle school football team, and Halle is wanting to try out for the JV cheerleading squad.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Dental appointments today and tomorrow for the boys; allergy shot appointments for them on Wednesday. Friday is a teacher's workshop day, so no school!

Get your own daybook at http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/.

February 6, 2013 Daybook

FOR TODAY:

Outside my window it is dark and foggy. I have already received tweets regarding driving conditions in the fog, so I know I will need to be extra careful later when taking the kids to school. I like fog, though... I think it's pretty.

I am thinking about decluttering and reorganizing the kitchen and bathroom drawers. They get disorganized so fast! 

I am thankful to have Emily, Jake, and Cora nearby. Love spending time with them, watching Emily with Cora, and getting a little Cora time for myself. Was also fun last night to see Noah holding her. 

In the kitchen it's too early to have anything going on. It is mostly cleaned up from our dinner last night. For some reason, a clean kitchen helps the whole house feel more peaceful. Maybe it's because it is the first room we see when we come in from the garage, or because it is open to the family/TV room. At any rate, if no other room in the house gets clean, that is the one we try to keep up the most.

I am wearing navy blue pants and tunic top. Bare feet.

I am reading the first 8 chapters of Luke with a small group of ladies from Twickenham and the Good Morning Girls group online. It is my first experience using the SOAP method of study, and I feel like I am getting more from my Bible reading than I used to. On my KIndle, I am still working my way mostly chronologically through the books I've added (I have over 1200 books, the majority of which were ones offered free from Amazon at one time or another). I'm up to February 2012 and just started a short middle-grade novel called It's a Little Haywire, by Elle Strauss.

I am hoping I do more than just plan to get things done today, but actually do them. 

I am looking forward to ordering a glider/recliner for the family room. Found one I really like yesterday at a local baby store and we'll be ordering it later this month.

Around the house it is very quiet. Everyone else is sleeping, except for Brian, who left for work before I got up. 

I am pondering how much better I feel now that I am no longer taking Lexapro. It served its purpose for a time, but it's no longer necessary. I seem to be more in touch with my feelings now and it makes a huge difference to me.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Halle and I are taking a "cakeling" class from a local baker/cake decorator this Saturday. Heather at Slice at a Time is offering a class this Saturday where each person gets to make a mini fondant-covered cake in a Valentine's Day theme. Heather made the cakes for Emily's wedding reception last summer.  I'm looking forward to spending time with Halle learning something new.

A peek into my day: the latest Cora picture from Emily's Facebook page.

Explaining her nefarious scheme to overthrow the gov't.

Get your own daybook at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Milestones

So last weekend, the not-so-newlyweds took their 2 week-old daughter and moved into their own place. This grandma is glad that the new place is barely half a mile down the road. They found a 2BR apartment nearby with great amenities (washer and dryer in the apt., for one) and very reasonable rent. I am so glad they have a place of their own now, but it feels a little strange having them gone. I miss seeing Cora every day, but Emily does drop by every other day or two, so I'm still getting some snuggle time with her. Can't believe she is 3 weeks old today! I took this picture near the end of her visit today:

We finally got around to taking Noah to take his driver's exam this week. Now he has his license, so will be able to drive himself to work. This is a very good thing, especially since they like him to close (which means working till 1-2am). I believe we may be finding him a good used car this weekend. Let me rephrase that: I really hope we find him a car tomorrow. Sunday night he is scheduled to work very late... 9pm-3am.  I would be totally useless on Monday if I had to get up at 2:40 to pick him up. The chances of me getting good sleep after getting back home would be next to none.

Oh, and before I forget: I was blessed enough to get to hear Karen Kingsbury speak this past Thursday. My dear husband was thoughtful enough to buy us tickets for a scholarship fundraising luncheon at Samford University, where he teaches part-time in the fall. Afterwards, I was able to meet her. We had conversed briefly on Twitter the night before, so she knew I was going to be there. The photographic evidence is too blurry to post, but I do have her autograph inside my Bible study notebook. She is so down-to-earth... and lives less than 2 hours from here, outside of Nashville. Wish we could just plan to meet for lunch some day!

Winding down my computer time tonight... need to work on menu and grocery list for the next week. It will be interesting to see how our food bill changes now there are 2 less people in the house.

Call me Nana

Announcing Cora Jane Free, born yesterday, January 11, 2013 at 3:35 pm. 6 lb. 7 oz. and 20.5 in. long.

Mother and baby are doing great. Cora reminds me so much of Emily when she was a baby. So many similar mannerisms already. Emily is a natural mom. Looking forward to having them home tomorrow night!

Daybook for January 4, 2013

FOR TODAY:

Outside my window the sun is shining. You'd never know it's only 40 degrees out. After a few dreary, overcast days, it's a welcome site.

I am thinking about things that need doing. Seems I think a lot more than I do. If only I had a team of handy "doers" to direct.

I am thankful for my children. They are constant reminders of God's goodness to me. Plus, they keep me humble. :D

In the kitchen sits my new Keurig my husband gave me for Christmas. I am now drinking more fluids than I used to... mostly peppermint tea. Love it.

I am wearing comfy pants, t-shirt, and a fleece jacket. And tennis shoes, or my feet would be COLD.

I am creating nothing at the moment. My creativity battery is on low right now. Hopefully will get it recharged one of these days.

I am going to be a grandmother soon. My daughter texted me from her OB appointment a few minutes ago and told me if she does not go into labor before next week's appointment, they will induce her. (Her husband just found out his job is sending him out of town the first week of February, and she would like for the baby to be at least 3 weeks old before he leaves.)

I am wondering what kind of labor she will have. Hoping she has as easy of a time as I did with mine.

I am reading a book on my Kindle called The N00B Warriors, by Scott Douglas. It's hard to describe, but basically is set in the near future where the Forever War is going on. This war was started by some blog posts, but no one really knows why they are fighting. Kids are being schooled with educational video (war) games and have great difficulty understanding the difference between a game and the reality of war. There is a mandatory requirement to serve in the army that begins at age 13. It's an interesting read. Just found out there is a second book, so I guess I know now there won't be a real "end" to the story.

I am hoping Emily goes into labor on her own.

I am looking forward to being a grandmother. (No surprise there.) Hopefully I can be just the right blend of supportive, helpful, and hands-off. I don't want to butt in where I'm not needed/wanted, but I do want to help.

Around the house I can hear the vacuum cleaner being run in my bedroom. Today is one of the 2 days a month our housekeeper comes. She is a blessing. She leaves our home so tidy and peaceful.

Get your own daybook at http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/.