Medieval Times

Take a Chance Challenge #1--Random Book Selection

This challenge required me to go the bookstore or library and make up my own rules before I went in.  So, I went to the library of course--too cheap for the bookstore.  I walked to the fiction section and went in 3 rows, walked to the middle, went down 3 rows from the top and then 10 books over.  That lead me to "A Catskill Eagle" by Robert B. Parker.  This book (as I've mentioned a few times now) is not what I would normally enjoy reading but if I liked shoot-em-up and kill-em mysteries it would've been great.  The story line was good and mostly kept my interest.  I did enjoy reading something a little different but was glad to be done!

Suzy Homemaker I am NOT!

I just finished doing some cleaning.  I totally cleaned my kitchen--cleared and cleaned the counters, the stove, wiped down the fridge, swept and mopped the floor, and cleaned the sink.  I'm sure some of you out there do this regularly like once a week or if you are a real freak (I mean that in love) more than that.  But, for me, this only happens about once every 6 months.  I clean my sink, my stove, sweep, etc. more than every 6 months but only when it's gotten really gross and never all at the same time.  Every once in a while I get the cleaning bug and go crazy on one area and get it really clean.  Too bad I don't get that bug every day.  I've tried to be a really organized housekeeper and actually succeeded for a couple of years.  I used the flylady zone cleaning system and did a relatively good job of keeping my house in order (sort of).  I also had a Bible study that met in my house once a week and that helped.  And, although I had young kids they took naps and also we didn't leave the house nearly as much.  These days I waver between being frustrated with my lack of organization and accepting that this is a season in my life and someday my house will be relatively clean again.  It will never be crazy clean b/c that is just not me.  It took me years of owning my own home before I thought to wipe down a baseboard.  Right now I feel like I just put out fires--the bathroom starts to stink or grow mold in the shower and I clean it, the sink gets gross and I clean it, the foyer is starting to look like a sand box and I sweep it, and on it goes.  When there are no fires to put out you can find me on the couch with a book or on the computer or in the kitchen (I do spend half my life in the kitchen.).  So, I am trying to find the balance and a system that works for me without being overwhelming.  I know that this system needs to involve regular chores done by the kids just not sure how to pull it together.  I'm thinking baby steps--come up with one simple job per kid and then be consistent and slowly build on that.  Baby steps for me too, like a list of what I'd like to accomplish each week.  A basic list, if it's too long or ambitious I will not do it.  I could use some advice and suggestions about how to go about this.  Marissa has got a good thing going with her kids--now she just needs to blog about it!  

A Simple Woman's Daybook

A Simple Woman's Daybook for today...June 29, 2009
Outside my window...it's sunny and hot but also thundering so there's a storm close by. Welcome to a Central Florida afternoon!
I am thinking...about how unmotivated and disorganized I am and that it's okay because it's summer!
I am thankful...for the relaxed pace of summer, it has taken me weeks to embrace it and not continually feel like I have to be productive.
From the kitchen...I don't have much of a menu plan this week. Just eat what we have since we are going out of town this weekend. I'm trying to eat at least one if not two raw meals a day--salad or green smoothie or fruit and almond butter. Stuff like that.
From the learning rooms...Ollie did 7 science experiments on Saturday and I had Hannah do two weeks worth of reading for My Father's World but other than that not a whole lot. We are going to Medieval Times for dinner tomorrow night so we may do a crash course on knights and other medieval stuff before we go. I'll have to check the bookshelf and see what we've got.
I'm creating...a long list of "books I've read." I totally have the reading bug, in this heat what else is there to do?
I am wearing...a blue sundress that I haven't been able to fit into in two years!
I am reading...I finished my challenge book and it was a challenge to get through. It was "Catskill Eagle," by Robert Parker. It was a good book just not my thing. At the library today I picked up an odd, yet interesting assortment of books. I got "Every Day Deserves a Chance," by Max Lucado. He's a great christian author so hopefully this one won't disappoint. For fiction I got "The Friendship Test," by Elizabeth Noble. I'm not sure what it's really about, all I know is that I liked the cover and I know it's about 4 women who are very different but good friends. The next one is "In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms," by Laura Schelssinger. I'm not sure I'll actually read this one but I liked her book about marriage and I was curious about what she had to say about SAHMs. And finally, just for fun, "The Darwin Awards," by Wendy Northcutt. This is just a bunch of short stories about people who've done really dumb things that usually results in their death. The stories are from the website www.DarwinAwards.com. I hate to think of these poor people's families though who've lost a loved one and now that loved one is being made fun of. I probably shouldn't read it but I'm going to anyway. I'm a rebel like that.
I am hoping...for a big thunderstorm!
I am hearing...only the wind in the trees. Ollie is at work and the kids are at my aunt and uncle's.
Around the house...I was gone all day Saturday and barely got off the couch yesterday and haven't been home today so let's just say it looks lived in and slept in and eaten in.
One of my favorite things...a book, a couch, and a storm
I am going...to Nebraska for a family reunion on Thursday!
A few plans for the rest of the week...getting ready to go to Nebraska, Medieval Times for dinner tomorrow night to celebrate my birthday, spending the afternoon at a friend's house, finding the energy and motivation to clean my house (I'm thinking a tall glass of Thai tea might provide the energy), reading, time with the kids being a "focused mother."
A picture thought...If you want to participate in the daybook, see Peggy here.

Me, Bored? Never!

Today has been a weird day.  For one thing I've been gone almost all day and have not interacted with the fam at all.  I was out the door by 9 (supposed to have been 8:30), home at 3ish and I'm leaving again at about 5 and all I've done since I got home is eat and take a nap.  I did help Joe read a book while I got ready this morning and made the kids' breakfast so I guess I did something but still.  My days usually revolve around the fam and today it hasn't so it feels weird.  I went to a baby shower this morning and then a retirement party.  At the retirement party a woman who has been retired for a long time and lives far away from her kids mentioned that she is usually "miserably bored."  To which I quite callously replied--I'd pay money to be bored right  now.  Wasn't that sweet of me?  Bless my pea-pickin' self absorbed heart.  I apologized to her and explained that I have just lately been feeling like I will never have enough time to do all that I want and need to do.  She assured me that these years will fly by and before I know it I will have more time than I know what to do with.  Hard to believe but I know it's true.  However, I have to say that I don't see myself ever getting to a point that I would be bored.  I have way too many books I want to read, skills I want to learn, people out there that I haven't met.  I absolutely love to "over relate."  I LOVE meeting new people and getting to know all about their lives.  If I ever ask you what you had for breakfast be assured that I REALLY do want to know.  I remember asking my great grandmother, Bum Bum, one time, "don't you get bored?"  She lived in the mountains alone and that could only equal boredom to me.  Her answer--"Darlin' I have never been bored a day in my life!"  I was shocked then but I get it now.  

I'm going to see "My Sister's Keeper," with my book club tonight and I can't wait.  I've heard that they've changed the ending which is just plain stupid.  The ending is what MAKES that book what it is.  But, I'm excited to see the movie anyway and see how they've decided to end it "Hollywood Style."  If you've never read the book, skip the movie and read the book or at the very least read the book before seeing the movie.  You won't be disappointed.  

I'm working on the book for Challenge #1 and it's a rough one to get through.  It's a mystery with lots of killing and guns and men and stuff. Totally not my style of book but I will read it because it's the one I randomly chose and the challenge says I have to read it.  I'm legalistic about stuff like that.  It's helping me get to sleep at night and ensures a nap during the afternoon when I sit down to get some reading in.  Thanks Robert Parker.

At church I am in charge of finding replacements each week if the scheduled children's ministry workers can't serve.  This weekend has been almost ridiculous.  I think I've replaced almost every single scheduled worker.  I think I'm going to quit answering my phone.  

Well, it's time to go to the movie.  I'll let you know what I think, whether you want to know or not.

Take a Chance Challenge 4--Judge a Book by its Cover

I'm not doing these challenges in order...hope that's okay. Challenge 4 was to pick a book based solely on its cover and then blog about it. I was in the library the other day picking out a book for Challenge 1 and sitting on a random counter was a book that caught my eye. I love books that are paperback and have a flashy cover. This one had a woman and a computer and was titled, "SAHM I Am." I recognized SAHM as an acronym for "Stay at Home Mom," and that interested me as well as the flashy cover. I assumed it had something to do with being a mom and the computer or texting or some other techno thing. All of which caught my attention.
So, I read the book in less than 24 hours. I loved it! It turned out to be pretty much what I expected but I didn't expect it to be written as all e-mails. This book is about an e-mail loop of SAHM's who share their lives with each other. Since I am in a similar e-mail loop I found it to be quite funny in some parts. The book is written satirically and really makes fun of some over achieving SAHM's as well as some crazy situations moms can get themselves into. It was a very enjoyable read just like I thought it would be based on the cover.

The Power of a Focused Mother

Before you read this...I am so confused about whether to share this or not...it is not my intent to stress anyone out or lay a big guilt trip on anyone.  Goodness knows, we are all probably pretty good at doing that to ourselves.  But, this is some good food for thought and it really excited me about trying to change some bad habits and really be a focused mom.  So, read it if you are interested but feel free to skip this one too!  :0)

Okay, I know I won't do this topic justice but it has been requested that I blog about it so here goes.  I got a little pamphlet from www.homeschoolhowtos.com titled, "The Power of a Focused Mother."  It was just the thing I needed to hear.  These days I regularly complain about not ever having enough time to do all that I want and need to do.  I have a long list of things I want to do and not many of them include my kids or taking care of my home.  I have let the computer become a huge distraction in my life spending at the very least an hour a day reading and writing e-mail, reading and writing blogs, and checking Facebook continually.  Renee Ellison (wrote the pamphlet) calls this "over relating" and I think she hit the  nail on the head.  I really think if you are interested in this topic you should order her pamphlet, it's only $2.50 and you order it as an e-book and read it on the computer or print it out.  Super easy.  I'll use bullet points to tell the things that really got me personally--

• She started off talking about how important a mom is, even if you are a terrible mom, you are a mom and mean THE WORLD to your kid.  Just being there is huge for a child.  Then when you focus on being a mom and purposefully be a good mom and an involved mom--your power of influence over that child is out of this world. 

• There is much to "nobly" distract a mother these days but while she is unendingly preoccupied, her children are silently losing important pieces of thier childhood.
• We are trapped in externals--our looks, our house, living for happenings, movies, comings and goings, living for others outside the home, making $.  In the meantime, the days march inexorably onward.  Children grow up, day in and day out without a mother's loving, focused attention.
• If the enemy cannot physically remove a mother from her children, he will distract her and preoccupy her day after day until childhood is over (ouch!).
• Your little child's chatter about a pet frog today becomes more crucial conversations tomorrow.  If you don't care about the pet frog the child will assume you don't care about the other more crucial things as well.
• When you are always on the computer, on the phone, with other people, etc.  your child gets the message that everyone else is always more important.

• Focused motherhood means having a high view of your own God given worth and of the high role God gave you in your family.  As a mom, you just have to be there.  You have great value to your child.  Your existence makes his days go better.  Determine to BE their mother, don't be always somewhere else in your thought life or activities.  Be there!
• During your child's childhood you have the opportunity to fashion your own future best friend.  If you invest a great deal in your children, you will WANT them for your friend.
• Daily you choose whether you want to be onstage with your children, or lost in the audience somewhere, distracted, forever talking to a friend.
• You can't know how big an impact you will make on your kids, not until heaven but believe it because God tells you in His word to do it.  Begin to beam more and more love upon your children.
• Smile!  Smile at your children, a warm, endearing smile.  Smile in the middle of jobs, tasks, and undertakings.  Smile at your shy child, smile at your noisy child, smile even more at your most difficult child.  Each of your children know, deep down in their soul, that if they are not the apple of their mother's eye, they can't hope to mean much to anyone else.  
• Put on a caring attitude and cheerful spirit around your children.  Fake it at first if you have to.  
• Childhood is a hundred yard dash across time.  Their eyes are open and their hearts are open to you today, but for only one short chapter.  The time of influence is now.  Every day counts.
• Stop spreading yourself too thin.  Say no.  Superwoman myth is dead.

Those are the major things I highlighted.  There's a lot to think about.  I know that most of you if not all of you (not sure who all reads this) are already a focused mother and loving your kids by being home with them and spending your days with them.  For me this hit home because although I am here and with my kids all day I spend way too much time overrelating with the world via the computer and not enough time giving my kids my undivided attention.  This time with them is so short compared to my life span.  I have to remind myself that if the good Lord so desires to give me long life I will have more than enough time to do all that I want to do and more.  Now, I'm off to pick up the house so that I won't be preoccupied or distracted once the kids get home (Ollie took them to the library show and I have a blessed hour alone!!!).  

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A Fun Reading Challenge

I have decided to participate in the reading challenge that is being hosted at Find Your Next Book Here.  The details are below....

This challenge is all about taking chances in your reading. There are 10 tasks in all -- 7 involve finding a book to read in very random ways. The last three tasks are about taking chances as a writer as you are challenged to take on the role of short story writer, poet and movie/book reviewer. The challenge is meant to be fun and no pressure. Complete as many or a few of the 10 challenges as you want. However, the more you complete, the more chances you'll get to win the grand prize. Here are the details:

* The challenge will run from June 1, 2009 through November 30, 2009 (6 months)
* One winner will be drawn on December 1, 2009 and will receive a grand prize of $25 worth of books from Amazon (any books you choose!)
* Each completed task earns you one entry into the drawing for the grand prize.
* To earn an extra entry, blog or Tweet about this challenge and let me know in the comment section.
* To earn 5 extra entries, complete all 10 challenges.
* The total number of entries that can be earned is 16 (10 for each challenge, 5 for completing all tasks and 1 for blogging/tweeting about the challenge).
* You can join the challenge anytime before the November 30 deadline but only tasks completed by November 30, 2009 will be counted as entries.
* To have your entries count, you must publish them on your blog and leave a comment with a link to your entries in the comment section for this post.
* All participants must sign up in Mr. Linky below so I can keep track of everyone who is participating.

1. Random Book Selection. Go to the library. Position yourself in a section such as Fiction, Non-Fiction, Mystery, Children (whatever section you want). Then write down random directions for yourself (for example, third row, second shelf, fifth book from right). Follow your directions and see what book you find. Check that book out of the library, read it and then write about it. (If you prefer, you can do the same at a bookstore and buy the book!)

2. Random Word. Go to this random word generator and generate a random word. Find a book with this word in the title. Read the book and write about it.

3. Birth Year Book. Find a book that was published or copyrighted in the year of your birth. Read the book and write about it.

4. Judge A Book By Its Cover. Pick out a book based SOLELY on the cover. First, write about what you expect the book to be about based on the cover art. Then read the book and write about how the book was different from and/or similar to what the cover art led you to expect.

5. Phoning An Author. Pick a random last name out of the phone book. Find an author with the same last name and read a book by them. Write about it. (I'm flexible ... if the first random name you pick is Xprxyrsss, you can pick again!)

6. Public Spying. Find someone who is reading a book in public. Find out what book they are reading and then read the same book. Write about it.

7. Random Bestseller. Go to Random.org and, using the True Random Number Generator, enter the number 1950 for the min. and 2008 for the max. and then hit generate. Then go to this site and find the year that Random.org generated for you and click on it. Then find the bestseller list for the week that would contain your birthday for that year. Choose one of the bestsellers from the list that comes up, read it and write about it.

8. Lit Riff (inspired by the book Lit Riffs by Matthew Miele.) Choose a song and then write a brief story that is inspired by or further explains the lyrics of the song.

9. Poetic Review. Write a book review in three different forms of verse: haiku, limerick and free verse. (You can pick any book you want to write about.)

10. Movie/Book Comparison. Find a book that you haven't read that has a movie based on it that you haven't seen. Read the book and watch the movie within a few days of each other. Write about your reactions to both the book and the movie and compare the two.

The Peanut Butter

This is the most amazing peanut butter ever!  It will transform your idea of peanut butter toast or peanut butter and apples.  And, one of the coolest things is that it is fairly healthy.  It has not trans-fat and no high fructose corn syrup.  They also have other flavors--White Chocolate Wonder, and one with maple syrup and one with honey.  Run, don't walk to the nearest Wal-mart and get yourself some!

Pretty Cool

Just a little bit ago I was feeling discouraged because I have been full on back on my diet for two days and I was feeling like things were flaring slightly.  Then I remembered that I forgot to take my medicine this morning--the anti-inflammatory that I take every day.  I didn't realize I had forgotten until 5:00 this afternoon!  That means that things are definitely getting better.  I'm getting used to this diet too.  I've even had a bit of dark chocolate peanut butter every day.  That is my new favorite favorite thing.  It is the perfect healthy treat so I don't feel completely deprived.

Pictures!

The top two pictures are the kids having breakfast at VBS. They are so organized at getting all these kids fed! Below are pictures from the Father's Day picnic. It was blazing hot but a great time! Even with the heat some of the men and kids (us women were smart) played volleyball.

Tuesday Thoughts

I have been in a big ol' funk for the past 5 days but finally feel like I'm coming out of it today.  Praise God!  I don't get into funks very often but when I do, it ain't fun.  

• I am going to the library today for "Lunch with an Artist."  Basically it's a video from the Biography channel of a famous artist.  I'm just going so that I can get an extra entry in the box for the Ipod Nano.  Of course, I don't mind sitting in the a/c and watching a movie alone (well, with strangers) either.  

• Joe has decided that he loves polo style shirts.  He looks so handsome!  Too bad we only have three.  I think he'd wear them every day if he could.  He's such an opinionated little guy.  

• Reading Bingo is going really well, Joe has almost completed his whole card and the girls are steadily marking off squares.  I got way behind on the rewards while we had company so I'm working on those this week.  Yesterday, Hannah and Joe got a $1 and a trip to the convenience store for candy.  Grace got a pedicure.  Hannah got to spend an hour at a local cafe with me, we played Phase 10 and I whipped her butt.  She seldom loses because she is really good at games so it felt really good to beat her!  She also has "bake cookies" so we got a cookie cookbook at the library.  She has to decide what to make.  I still need to do an activity with Joe, a science experiment with Joe, get him a pack of gum, and let him choose dinner.  Then we will be all caught up!  Until someone else gets bingo...
• Sad to hear about Jon and Kate.  I wish they could make it work, I hurt for those kids.  
• I'm finally ready to jump into sprouting and getting back into healthy eating.  I kind of fell off the wagon with so much going on.  I am excited about some new things to try and getting into a healthier eating lifestyle.  
• On that note, for breakfast this morning I had a slice of toast (made from Ezekiel--sprouted grain- bread and a spread of Dark Chocolate Dreams peanut butter.  The peanut butter has no high fructose corn syrup, no trans fat, and very little sugar (and that is in the form of evaporated cane juice).  So, sorta healthy and wonderfully satisfying!  Believe me, there are a lot worse things that I could eat.  

Well, I better wrap this up and go do something important. 

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Feeling Much Better...

Well, it's just a few hours since I wrote that last post and I am already feeling significantly better.  I was even quite nice to the fam when they got home at about 9:45.  I was ready for them to be home, not that I won't be ready for them to go out again tomorrow afternoon...

I got myself a DVD--"New in Town," some mocha almond fudge soy ice cream and chilled by myself for the evening.  

Ollie took the kids bike riding at a bike trail and Joe learned to ride a bike!!!  Ollie caught it all on video so I didn't miss it completely, he was so cute!  I'm very proud of him.  

Keeping It Real

So, how are you on this HOT, steamy Friday afternoon.  Me?  Let's see...I'm grumpy, arbitrarily angry, seriously craving chocolate and Chick-fil-a, hormonal, and alone (just how I want to be).  Because I am a people pleaser to a tee and super social, having a guest for two weeks is super fun for me and super mentally taxing.  I expected that after Kayla left I would probably be a little stressed and need some time to "come down."  But, I didn't factor in a whopping case of PMS.  I pretty much begged Ollie to either go and take the kids somewhere or send me to a hotel for a few days where I could chill and collect myself.  I haven't wanted to be ALONE like this in a looong time.  Because of a few commitments and because of my top desire being the chance to be in my own home alone, Ollie has taken the kids out for the afternoon and evening and will do the same tomorrow.  Bless my dear husband!!!  I have had a nap and am already feeling a little more normal.  I am seriously battling the temptation to go to Chick-fil-a and use my calendar coupon to buy a value meal and get a kid's meal and eat all of it!  I love Chick-fil-a and have not gone there in well over a month.  I am trying desperately to stay on this diet, eat healthy, yada, yada, yada, yada.  I won this Chick-fil-a battle a couple of days ago and I have pretty much won it today too.  I have however had a piece of toast with "Dark Chocolate Dreams" peanut butter on it and another small spoonful of it.  That stuff is to die for!!!  And, it's halfway healthy.  Healthier than greasy fries at least.  I mean, dark chocolate is and anti-oxidant right?  It fights cancer doesn't it?  There may also be some coconut milk ice cream in my future after I make a short social call (I know, I said I wanted to be alone but it's a birthday thing for a good friend, so I think I can be nice for a little while).  Not healthy but not as bad as some other things I'm craving.  On a positive note, my two hours today was spent going through clothes for the kids.  I had gotten really lazy about this and had been throwing things up on the closet shelf that was winter clothes or too big or too small etc.  I found a bin in the garage full of summer clothes for Joe and Ollie helped him go through what fitted him and what to keep and what to give away.  His tastes have DEFINITELY changed.  He picked three polo style shirts and one button down hawaiian shirt.  A year ago he wouldn't wear any shirt that wasn't a t-shirt.  His love for everything camo hasn't waned at all...

Have a good evening...I am hopeful that mine will be good after a nap and some more alone time with just me and my book.  

Snorkeling pictures

What If...

What if I spent two hours a day (while my kids are at VBS) cleaning my house?  I bet within a week or less it would be pretty clean and I would feel a lot less stress about it and could relax and enjoy the rest of the summer.  Maintaining takes a lot less time and is much less intimidating.  After a very busy month finishing up school and having company I am feeling pretty disgusted and overwhelmed with my house.  It feels like there is soooo much to do that I couldn't possibly ever get it done.  I just had the thought though that if instead of looking at the whole I just took it on 2 hours at a time.  Next week my kids will be at VBS for 5 hours Monday thru Thursday.  If I used two of those hours every day to work I could still have almost 3 hours of R and R.  So, that's my plan, starting tonight.  I had a late nap and a little caffeine so I'm getting a head start tonight working on getting the living room decluttered and cleaned.  I just cleaned the dust off the books on one of my shelves and rediscovered some great books that I need to read and reread.  I have 4 by Edith Schaeffer that I just love.  She is the wife of Francis Schaeffer and together they ran L'Abri.  She is a very wise woman and writes about homemaking.  I also found the journals that I used to write in during my kids' baby years.  I think I'll add an entry to each of them this summer.  Well, I need to get back to cleaning.  Maybe in a week I will be sitting in a clean, halfway organized (who am I kidding?) house.  Think I can do it?

Random Tuesday Thoughts

I just finished up making lunch and dinner.  I don't plan to go back into the kitchen today unless it's to get a glass of water or make myself some iced tea.  I'm hoping beyond hope that Ollie will volunteer to do the dishes.  He probably will, he usually does.  I feel like I spend half my life in the kitchen.  Even more so now that we are working to eat really healthy.  I always have this sense of urgency about eating all the produce I buy quickly before it goes bad.  I especially feel this way every other week after picking up organic produce from the co-op.  It takes a lot of time to cook and process all that produce.  The other day I spent a few hours in the kitchen juicing apples, carrots, celery, and beets.  Cooking eggplant, brussel sprouts, squash and zucchini, making my own healthy version of eggplant parmesan, making ravioli for the kids and Kayla...It's just neverending and it's hot!  I finally sit down to dinner and I'm so sweaty I hardly even want to eat.  Today I got smart and planned ahead and used the "cooler" morning hours to make 4 quiches (should be lunch for today, and breakfast for a couple of days.  I also made 2 baguettes worth of sub sandwiches.  Those will be our two meals for the day.  I'm excited about the quiches.  I made one traditional ham and cheese, one green chile, ham, and cheese, one broccoli and cheese, and one with goat cheese and squash, zucc, and onions (leftover from last night).  I'm still mostly avoiding dairy so I made that last one with mostly almond milk until I ran out and had to add some regular milk.  Since you can't find pre-made pie crust without trans fat and I'm way too lazy to make my own pie crust--I made them all crustless.  I was able to use up some produce too.  Woohoo for me!  I even have lunch for tomorrow planned (chicken taco salad--my new favorite meal).  We will be switching to my summer schedule of our big meal of the day being lunch, this works great because Ollie is off for two weeks and then when he is working he's home by 2.  Enough talk about food...

I have heard two stories in the past two weeks of a man killing himself and his family.  It is so sad and devastating and you can only wonder what was so bad that would make someone do something so horrific.  I wonder if has anything to do with our economy and men losing their job, failing to provide for their family, etc.  

I have so much I want/need to do right now.  I have to continually remind myself to prioritize and not get overwhelmed.  I don't want to neglect my husband and family in favor of marking something off my to do list or my book list or whatever.  That is very easy for me to do, I can be so driven!  

Speaking of books--I am really excited about the adult summer reading program at our public library.  Every time you check out books you get to enter your name into a drawing for an Ipod Nano.  Considering I am in the library checking out books at least 2-3 times a week I think I can get my name in that box a whole lot!  Also, you can earn extra entries by attending these events on Tuesdays at noon called, "Lunch With an Artist."  You watch a biography about a famous artist and have dessert and tea.  I think I may be able to make it to at least a few of those.  Also, at a different library, you keep a reading log and take it in and get it stamped and earn entries into drawings that take place on July 23.  There will be all sorts of prizes there including gift certificates and literary themed prizes.  I would love an Ipod (to put books on of course) but not enough to buy one so maybe I can win one.  I am going to try to limit my computer time in order to spend more time reading.  I have quite a list of books that I want to read.  I also may do a fun reading challenge being hosted on another blog.  More about that if I decide to do it.

Well, my kids just got home from VBS (shout out to Julie for picking them up!!) and are clamoring for my attention so I best go and be a "focused mother."  Just read a very convicting pamphlet about that from Renee Ellison.  

Peace out peeps!  (am I cool or what?)

Picture Catch Up

I'm too tired and distracted to say much but I do have a lot of pictures to share so here goes...

A Simple Woman's Daybook

A Simple Woman's Daybook for today...June 15

Outside my window...it's bright and sunny and warm and it's only 7:45. It's sure to be another blazing hot day here in the Sunshine state.

I am thinking...that I have been doing this daybook for over a year and I think it is my favorite post of the week. I look forward to it every week.

I am thankful for...VBS!! My kids go this week and next--9 blessed mornings!! I love that while they are there they are learning about God and in an atmosphere where people are excited about worship and sharing their faith. We didn't get to go to any last year because of theatre camp so I'm especially excited about this year. I have a to do list a mile long!

From the kitchen...ravioli, squash and zucchini, and salad for dinner tonight, lots of fresh vegetables the rest of the week along with whatever else I can find, I'm not going to the store this week! We need to clean out the freezer and cabinets and fridge. Time for some creativity. I have tons of produce to get through and more coming today. I love having fresh produce but feel such an urgency to use it before it all goes bad which seems to happen all at once.

From the learning rooms...reading and I'd like to do some science experiments with Grace or get Ollie too. We have about 6 kits that need to be dug into and used. Summer is a good time.

I am creating...a photo book for March, April, and May. Free shipping ends on Sunday. I also plan to make a couple more on Artscow, where they are really cheap.

I am wearing...comfy pjs.

I am reading...I finished Healing Stones by Nancy Rue and some other guy this weekend--loved it! Now I'm reading Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker, it's good so far but I may have to take a break and read Riven by Jerry Jenkins. I think it's due at the library soon and I probably cannot renew it. Those are what I want to read but there are quite a few things I need to read and I hope to get started on those--Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends, the books about girls growing up that I bought at convention, How to Teach Your Child to Read With Children's books, and some pamphlets that I downloaded from Renee Ellison.

I am hoping...for a great last three days with Kayla--we've had a great visit so far, to get my priorities straight and make a dent in my HUGE to do list.

I am hearing...fans, fans, fans!

Around the house...to be honest it is not too bad but could use a good scrubbing, time to declutter again!

One of my favorite things...the trash omelet at a local cafe. I think I might have one this morning although I don't think Jordan Rubin (The Maker's Diet) would approve.

I am going...to take my kids to VBS, out to breakfast, and then I hope to keep the going to a minimum this week. There is certainly plenty to do at home!

A few plans for the rest of the week...get my wheat berries grind before Julie goes out of town, start some sprouts, eat healthy (after the trash burrito) with NO cheats--life is slowing down again so there are no excuses, make some skirts for theatre, watch some Tim Hawkins, read a lot, fulfill some Bingo prizes--they've been accumulating while we've had company, learn the Hannah Montana Hoedown Throwdown, have a quiet time every day, declutter, trip to the thrift store, is that a good start?

A picture thought...

Grace at the beach in Key Biscayne.

If you want to participate in the daybook, see Peggy here.

A Trip Down South

I don't think I've gone this long without blogging ever.  We just got back in town after a mini-vaca down in South Florida.  We were all geared up to head out early Friday morning and then found out that Kayla (the 16 year old girl visiting us) wasn't feeling well.  Her throat hurt really bad and considering Ollie had had strep earlier in the week we suspected that she had it too.  After a call to her momma on the west coast (very early for her), I decided to take her to the dr.  We ended up at the ER and her dad had to fax her insurance card as well as a letter giving the hospital permission to treat her.  We got to see our friend Dr. David who confirmed that she did indeed have strep.  So, we went home, ate lunch, and picked up her prescription and headed south.  We made it to the hotel around 6ish, Kayla decided to stay there and rest and the rest of us went to Bill Bagg State park where Ollie and the kids broke the rules by climbing over the sea wall and practicing snorkeling.  They saw some pretty cool things before we were asked to leave.  They were closing anyway but the ranger was truly shocked that they had gotten in the water right there.  In our defense there was nothing that said you could not swim there.  From there we found a Pollo Tropical and had some great cuban food and then back to the hotel.  While we were out I got a call from Kayla's mom that she might be having a reaction to her antibiotic.  She had some spots on her feet.  I had seen the spots and was pretty sure they were just skeeter bites.  But still picked up some Benadryl on the way home when we stopped to buy Joe shoes.  He had managed to leave the house for a two day trip with no shoes on.  Ugh!  We all got to bed very late and then woke up very early to drive to Pennikamp state park in Key Largo with the hopes of going snorkeling.  We were able to get on one of the first tours and were on the boat headed to the open ocean by 9 am.  I was pretty nervous, I am not a fan of swimming in the ocean when we were just at the beach.  Swimming in the open ocean? Scary.  We did it though.  All six of us.  We stopped at a place where there is supposedly a statue of Jesus underwater.  We didn't see it though.  We did see a lot of fish and coral though. AND--Grace and Ollie saw a shark!  Ollie said it was about 10 feet away from them.  I enjoyed the snorkeling more than I thought I would but if I do it again I'd like to go without four kids, one of them not mine!  The girls and I stuck together initially because Joe was having some issues with his snorkel and Ollie was helping him out.  We decided to swim out to where they said we could see the statue.  It was really hard!  There were small waves and I could only put my face in and swim a little ways before I popped up to count the girls around me and take a break from the snorkel.  It made me feel a little gaggy.  We went pretty far away from the boat before deciding to turn around.  The boat looked so far away and I thought we'd never make it back!  We were floating and resting when Ollie and Joe showed up.  I took Joe, Ollie took Grace and my group headed back to the boat.  On the way Hannah got saltwater in her eyes and had a mini freak out--in the open ocean, with me trying to keep up with Joe, Kayla, and her, with little swell after little swell causing some serious motion sickness for me.  It was a little crazy!  We finally made it back to the boat and I sat near the railing for the next ten minutes sure that I would be puking.  Everyone else got back on board and we headed for land, blessed land.  I didn't feel right the rest of the day but never did vomit.  It was an awesome experience and I'm so glad I did it.  I only have a few pics and I have to get them off of our video camera so I will share later.  I wish we had gotten an underwater camera although that would have been one more thing for me to juggle out there in the ocean.  After snorkeling, we spent some time on the beach and then out for lunch at Pollo Tropical again.  Then to the Fruit and Spice Park and then home!  We got in at about 10:30 last night.  Kayla's hives multiplied throughout the day and we will be picking up a new prescription for her this morning.  She was quite the trooper but I know she was glad to be "home."  Today, we go to church and rest!  Hopefully, I will get some pics posted from our adventures.

Works for me Wednesday

After spending the day at Disney yesterday and witnessing some of the tourists there I thought I would do a post about tips for a day at Disney with kids, particularly in the hot summer. For those of you locals who could probably write this post yourself...feel free to add your own advice in the comments.

• First of all--bring water!! They charge you about $2 or more for a bottle of water. With as much as you will be sweating you will need to rehydrate a lot and you don't want to spend all your money on water. At Publix I bought an 8 pack of small water bottles and we refilled them regularly. They weren't too heavy to haul around since they were small and I wasn't wasting my money on Disney water.
  
• Bring food! After paying $75 a ticket to get in the park I'm sure most families would like to limit their spending once they are in the park. We always bring lots of food and then spend our money on treats like ice cream or popcorn. The food is really overpriced and you can easily pay almost $10 for a chicken finger basket and fries or a burger. And--your kids are probably too distracted to eat anyway. We pack sandwiches (peanut butter and marshmallow fluff--a special treat), granola bars, pretzels (they don't get crushed in a backpack), trail mix, etc. We snack on that all day while waiting in line or just taking a short break. Then, I have the money to buy ice cream in the afternoon and maybe popcorn. Right outside of Disney just down the street from Downtown Disney is a McDonald's and we stop there on the way home if we are hungry and have a cheap meal. Doing this really stretches your money.
  
• GET FASTPASSES!! I talked to a lady yesterday who said that they waited in line for an hour to ride Splash Mountain because they didn't want to get Fastpasses and have to come back in two hours. That doesn't make a bit of sense! Two of the most popular rides--Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain regularly have lines that are at least an hour. Right when we got in the park yesterday, we got on the train and went to Frontierland and got fastpasses for Splash Mountain. You have to wait two hours before getting fastpasses again so we couldn't get passes for Thunder Mountain yet. But--when we came back to ride Splash Mountain, it had been over two hours so we then got our fastpasses for Thunder Mountain. We were able to do both rides without waiting an hour!
• During the middle of the day when the park is the most crowded do the less popular rides and the shows that seat a whole lot of people and allow you to sit and rest in AC (and have a snack). Later in the day the park clears out a little (not much but a little) and then you can do the popular rides with a half hour wait instead of an hour wait.
  
• Go see the characters in the tents after dinnertime. Most of the families with small children have gone home by then and the lines are a lot shorter.
  
• If you have small children and can do it, go back to your hotel and rest during the middle of the day and come back in the evening when a lot of people are going home. We left at 9:30 last night with half the park but the park didn't actually close until midnight. If I could have walked another mile I would've stayed because I bet we could have done a lot more with much shorter lines.
• Don't keep telling your kid to look at you and smile when he's trying to watch the Spectromagic parade and then fuss at him for not looking at the camera. He's TRYING to watch the parade!!! And, there's a lot to see! (witnessed this last night)
• Take the time to go into Innoventions at Epcot, it's air conditioned and there are some cool things in there!
• Bring sunscreen!
• Remember that even though you paid a lot of money to take your kids to Disney, you are not going to be able to do it all. It is overwhelming and overstimulating to kids to even be there and some of the simplest things are thrilling to them, they don't need to do it all. Take time to just sit and relax and do nothing but watch people. If your kid is melting down, find a quiet place to have some water, a snack, and just settle. You can ride the train in circles for a while to get away from the crowds and the sun. I saw so many kids pitching fits yesterday and I felt very bad for them and for their parents.
  

Okay, I can't think of anything else at this moment. Feel free to add your own advice in the comments.

A Day at Disney

We went to Disney yesterday and had a really good day in spite of the crowds and heat! We started in Epcot and went on "Soarin'," "The Land," tested all the cokes (that's soda pop for those of you not raised in GA, in GA we call anything with carbonation--coke), and did a Kim Possible mission in France. Then we headed over to the Magic Kingdom where we spent the rest of the day. We got to Epcot at 9:30 and left Disney at 9:30--made it a full 12 hours. My feet held up, they hurt but I never did get to the limping point and I'm not dying today. Maybe they are healing??? The kids were really good. I bribed them of course--Hannah started the day with lots of complaining and I had a little talk with her about choosing not to complain, to think of something positive to say and if she could do that all day she could pick a "prize" from our reading prize jar. I also did a little song and dance in the street in the UK while singing, "Do everything without complaining, do everything without arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God." She especially enjoyed that part of the lecture. Joe had to be cooperative all day in order to earn his prize and Grace had to have a good attitude and not continually argue over who was going to sit next to Kayla, walk next to Kayla, etc. All in all, it was a great day! Here are some pictures in no particular order.
These signs behind Joe and Hannah are Joe's favorite part of "It's a Small World." They all say goodbye in a different language. There are more on the other side. Yes, I have to read them ALL and tell him what language they are in if I know.

On "It's a Small World"

Right after getting splashed on Splash Mountain. Joe said that the water would be very refreshing and he was right, it was! He was using lots of big words for a 6 year old today. When we walked out of a really cold theatre he said, "this heat is such a relief." Relief, refreshing--just sounded like such adult choice of words...
This is in Minnie's backyard. Her house is always a favorite stop but not this time. It was really crowded and uncomfortably hot with all those bodies in a small space. I couldn't wait to get out of there and neither could Kayla.
We pack in all of our food so that we can spend our money on treats like an "Itzakadoozie."
You gotta take a picture in front of the castle!
Hannah eating our favorite Disney treat, fluffernutters! I use white bread and my little Pampered Chef thingy to make Uncrustables with peanut butter and marshmallow fluff. I made 2 1/2 loaves worth yesterday and they were gone! The only downside is the stickiness.
I have never seen this character--Marie from Aristocats. She was badly cross-eyed and I don't remember her being cross-eyed in the movie. Funny.
Above and below--we are doing a Kim Possible mission in France. Those are really cool. If you go to Epcot you HAVE to do it! It's really well done and the kids get to carry a cell phone so they feel especially cool.

A picture at the Kodak Picture spot in the UK.
A snack break and a very aggressive squirrel. You can't see the squirrel, he's under the bench but that squirrel was nosing around my backpack and almost ate Grace's sandwich out of her hand.