Outside My Window... the weather is cool right now. It will warm up today, though, probably one of the last days we will have such warm weather this year. It is supposed to be up near 80 degrees this afternoon. That's hard to believe as I sit here this morning with a turtleneck sweater on.
I am thinking... about how nice it was to have a day off yesterday. I slept in, took a bubble bath, did some housework, played a game with the kids, painted our nails, and took a walk. Often times even our "days off" are not really - running somewhere, taking care of something, grocery shopping, etc so it was nice to have a day just to relax.
I am thankful for...the long weekend we had. It was such a blessing to have a 3 day break from school. Sometimes it goes so quickly, its Monday before we know it.
From the kitchen...I am going to make breakfast for dinner tonight. DH really likes fried mush, and it's easy to make, but it takes a long time to fry and the mornings come much to early to start thinking about doing that sort of thing. So I thought I'd surprise him by having it for dinner, along with some sausage and maybe pancakes or french toast.
I am wearing... jeans and a red turteneck sweater. It is the most comfortable fall outfit I have, and l love it! I am sure I will be trading it in for shorts and a t shirt this afternoon, though.
I am creating... the Mom's Manual. I am still working on it. The thing I am enjoying most about it this time is that I am truly making it mine - making it work for me, instead of copying someone else's, or making it too full, so that I can't possible achieve it (or desire to).
I am going... to call and make arrangements to pick up our meat this week. It will be nice to have the freezer full again. We have 1/2 a beef and a whole pig wrapped and ready. One of the things I want to add to my binder is meal ideas for all the different kinds of meat I will have available in the freezer. When I ordered it, I got it cut in a few more ways than usual so that it should be easier to prepare. I got 1/3 of our ground beef shaped into hamburger patties, and I got some of the steaks cut into stir fry meat for fajitas or such.
I am reading...I got a book out of the library called Kingdom Come by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tm LaHaye. It's the very last book of the Left Behind series. I read the rest of the books about 2 years ago and they didn't have that one yet. They had a last book, but then they added this official last book. So far, I am having a hard time getting into it. I don't know if it's the book or just me since it's been so long since I've read the other ones.
I am hoping...the weather stays mild until after trick or treating is over. My sister is coming up to go with us, so that it will be nice to have someone to walk around with. Butterfly is going to be Hanna Montana, and Firefly is going to be a baby this year.
I am hearing... Firefly starting to get up and ready for the day. The dryer humming softly in the basement.
Around the house...we are adding lots of pumpkins to our fence for our Book! It tracking! Both girls have already passed their goals and we still have lots of days of October left.
One of my favorite things...is seeing the leaves change colors as we drive around. My favorites are the trees with red leaves - probably because that's the fewest we see. I also really like to see a patch of trees with orange, red and yellow, all together. That was the one thing I missed the most when we lived in IL, was that fall just wasn't the same.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: I have to pick up the meat from the butcher. It's pretty far away - about 2 hours one way I think. DH has a friend who is a farmer and the butcher is near his house. Then, on Saturday, we have American Girl club at the library.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
This is the wallpaper I have on my phone. I made it pink so it would match my phone.
Outside My Window... I pretty much do this at the same time each week, and it doesn't change much! I guess once the time changes it might be a little lighter out, but all I really see when I look out the window is darkness.
I am thinking... how blessed I am, and that today is going to be a great day!
I am thankful for...God's provisions. No matter what state our economy is in, He will take care of us!
From the kitchen...
Monday
B - Waffles
L - Chicken Noodle Soup, Sandwiches
D- Baked Tilapia, French Fries, Macaroni and cheese, Corn
Tuesday
B - Oatmeal
L - Tuna or PB Sandwich
D - Kielbasa Casserole, Broccoli with Cheese, Biscuits
Wednesday - Brownies
B - English Muffins
L - Hot pockets
D - Chicken Alfredo, Green Beans, Salad or Applesauce
Thursday - Juniors
B - Cereal
L - Hot Dogs
D - Chili, salad, cornbread (crockpot)
Friday
B - Bagel
L -Grilled Cheese
D - Spaghetti and Garlic bread
Saturday
B - Waffles
L- Macaroni & Cheese
D - TBA
I am wearing... Jeans and a turtleneck sweater and tennis shoes, even!
I am creating... a DO-ABLE Mom's manual
I am going... to do a frugal, at home makeover for myself the next few weeks.
I am reading...the Message Bible
I am hoping...I get this done before everyone starts coming downstairs.
I am hearing... Firefly's alarm clock
Around the house...Bills and papers need organized
One of my favorite things... is the online Family Feud game
Outside My Window... the air is cool, but not cold. It is still dark out as usual.
I am thinking... about how to revise my schedule so that it works better. I am adding the following to my morning routine:
Monday - clip coupons from paper
Tuesday - File bills and update checkbook
Wednesday -General Menu plan
Thursday - Grocery List
Friday - Update Checkbook and pay bills
I am thankful for...my family, good friends, and that God always provides our needs.
From the kitchen...
Today: Breakfast - Leftover muffins, Lunch - Chicken strips, Dinner - Hot smoked sausage sandwiches with peppers and onions & chips
Tuesday - B - Bagel with cream cheese, L - Hot Pockets, D - Loaded Baked Potatoes & Salad
Wednesday - B - Waffles, L- Ham Sandwiches, D-BBQ Chicken & Rice
Thursday - B-Oatmeal, L - Pot Pies, D - Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Sandwiches
Friday - B -Toaster Strudels, L - Tuna or PB sandwich, D - Spaghetti & Meatballs with Garlic breadsticks
I am wearing... Jeans and a Steelers t-shirt
I am creating... the kids and I are making JOY boxes for the Ukraine children this week.
I am going... to get everyone haircuts this week.
I am reading...the Message Bible. I am in the book of John.
I am hoping...that I do a better job of managing time this weekend. We did too much running around and I never really got a chance to relax. I am hoping to keep trips away from home to 2 per week (not including church) and having Sunday to rest.
I am hearing... the crazy ceiling fan in the Living Room. Also there is a fly buzzing around the light.
Around the house... there is some housework that needs to get caught up. Also, I have some phone calls to make this morning.
One of my favorite things... is sleeping in on Saturday morning.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Tonight the Steelers play on Monday Night Football so the in-laws will be here to watch the game and share a meal with us. Then,we have Homeschool skate this week. So far that's it. I will probably go grocery shopping on Saturday afternoon.
Outside My Window... it's still dark. The lawn really needs mowed, but I couldn't get the lawn mower to start yesterday. After starting school, and then being sick, it really is high, so I am hoping I can get it going and get it cut!
I am thinking... about how much dd8 likes bedtime stories. They are so precious to her. We had gotten away from it for a while and then she told me, "I heard on the news that a bedtime story helps children sleep better!" I took the hint and she gets so excited each night. We go up and lay on my bed and read. During the week, we practice spelling words then too.
I am thankful for...so many things! I am thankful for great friends. I am thankful that dd10 got invited to the gifted program in our cyber school again. I am thankful that my husband is supportive and helpful when I come up against a challenge in teaching the kids. I am thankful for my home and my family! I am thankful that all of our needs are always met.
From the kitchen...
Tonight - Taco Crescent Bake (from www.thehomeschoolmom.com, Bacon Ranch Green Beans (same site for recipe), Corn
Tuesday - Pot Pie
Wednesday - Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, chips, Apple slices
Friday - Spaghetti and meatballs, Italian bread, Salad
I am wearing... Pajamas
From the school room: we are finishing up our first composition papers of the year. We will begin a science unit about the oceans, and continue learning about vertebrates. dd10 will start her literature units from her "Classics for young Readers" books, and dd8 will finish up her animal stories units. In art, we will continue learning about Illuminated Manuscripts, and designing a dish like the early american Indians. In Math we are working on addition and multiplication.
I am going... to start keeping a more detailed record of the kid's learning this year. I want to keep track of their accomplishments, their struggles, what they like, what they don't, etc.
I am reading...a book about dinosaurs this week that a friend lent me about science and creation.
I am hoping...to have a really great week!
I am hearing... the fan buzzing over my head. Everything else is very quiet :) I love these few moments each morning when everyone is still sleeping. Then I am able to better enjoy those moments when the house becomes abuzz with noise and activity.
Around the house...the laundry needs done, the bathroom walls and ceiling needs scrubbed. Mostly during the week, I stick to the basics and then try to do a little extra cleaning on Saturday morning. It makes my week a little less hectic, and lets me focus on school during the week instead of running around back and forth between things. They say that women are great multi-taskers, but I don't think I am :)
One of my favorite things... is crime drama! I am looking forward to the season premier of a bunch of shows this week. CSI, CSI Miami, Criminal Minds, and a new show I can't remember the name of right now. It's about a detective who pays attention to details.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: dd10 starts her homeroom sessions today. They are once a week. She also has a few online meetings with teachers. On Wednesday, dd8 will have her first brownie meeting of the year. DH has 2 doctor appointments on Thursday. My sister has also moved back into the area with her 2 boys, so maybe next weekend we will go and visit them.
Outside My Window... it is sunny and warm. Last night thought it was extremely windy. I was shocked at how windy it was. I can only imagine what it must have been like for the folks down south.
I am thinking... about taking a nap before dinner.
I am thankful for...getting over this cold I have. I pretty much stayed home and slept all weekend and it really helped.
From the kitchen...we are having spaghetti with meatballs from the freezer and italian bread for dinner tonight.
I am wearing...jeans, a Steeler t-shirt and a sweatshirt
This week in school: We had a "back to school" picnic today. DD10 will be finishing up Anne of Green Gables this week. DD8 will be starting a unit about animals in science.
I am going... to have to invest stock in Kleenex at the rate we are going as a family :)
I am reading...Anne of Green Gables
I am hoping...that we are all completely healthy soon!
I am hearing... pages rustling as DD looks through her new American Girl catalog. Other than that it is pretty quiet.
Around the house...we are celebrating the Steelers victory!
One of my favorite things... is chocolate anything!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: No plans until Saturday.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
The birthplace of Thomas Edison. We stopped there on our way home from Cedar Point two summers ago.
