Life at Home

Just for Today-book

Outside my window...gray, gray, gray.  The snow is melting.  Madeline is hoping for a quick thaw so we can get on with spring.  I don't think we're quite to that point, but it's a nice wish, don't you think?

I am wearing...jeans and one of Rich's fleece sweatshirts.  I'm cozy. 

I am thankful for...a freshly washed and vacuumed minivan, courtesy of a thoughtful husband.  I don't know how he gets the carpets so clean, but I love the fact he put forth the effort, and the results.  

I am reading...lots.  Divine Intimacy, The Handbook for Catholic Moms by Lisa Hendey and Dancing with My Father by Sally Clarkson.   I have decided to change my daybook entries to reflect what I'm learning therein.  It's time to take their messages to heart.   

I am nurturing my heart...Rich and I are spending time each evening reading material related to a special intention we have for our family.  It's a long-term project, so this entry may be repeated for a while. 

I am nurturing my mind...(repeat entry)  by taking this month to consider my past creative outlets -- scrapbooking, photography -- and possible new ones -- knitting and any others.  Can I find the time to scrapbook? There are more options now through Creative Memories; should I avail myself of the new options?  This is an area I have let fall dormant in my life.  Is this the season to give it more attention, or am I setting myself up to fail?  Update:  deferred until swim team is over.  We have meets every weekend until mid-March.  There's simply no time.  I'm listening to The Life of Teresa of Jesus as time permits instead. 

I am nurturing my body...a constant struggle.  I updated Sparkpeople quite faithfully last week.  I plug away. 

I am nurturing my soul...by taking part in the Women of Grace study and praying the Divine Office podcast. 

I dance with my Father...Ann says, "If God makes a list of my laments, I will make a list of God's love. If God has a list of my pain, I will make a list of my praise. If God writes a list of my tears, I will write a list of my thanks...keeping the list of His love, keeps me in joy."  I will continue follow her example.   

I am holding in prayer...the boy, that this difficult swim team season will bear good fruit in the end.  My hubby, as busy season continues.  My brother and seestar een law, as they prepare for their move.  For homeschoolers, in this most challenging of months.  

We are learning...Madeline started her Art Fundamentals for Homeschoolers class this week.  It's a five week course in art fundamentals (imagine!).  We delegate art.  And music.  Because...well if you know me at all, you know why. 

Around the house...Forty Bags in Forty Days status:

Eight bags filled.  Mind you, these aren't garbage bags, but every little bit counts.

Thirty-two to go.

We celebrate the season...with mindful eating, lots of prayer and quiet kindness. 

From the kitchen...Rigatoni and Italian sausage tonight.  Wednesday:  Butterflied roast chicken, rubbed with Martha's All Purpose Rub.  Thursday:  Pepper-Corn Chowder (a BH&G tear-out recipe).  Friday:  Confetti-stuffed burritos (using up those sweet potatoes).  Saturday:  we'll be out at a baseball fundraiser.  Sunday:  Hubby's choice.

Activities for the rest of the week...swimming, swimming, swimming.  Ballet on Thursday.  Meet on Saturday.  Previously mentioned baseball fundraiser Saturday evening.  Swim team banquet on Sunday.  The season is almost over!

A picture thought to share...my snowshoes ride again!

Winter Sunshine

We spent an hour this afternoon walking around in the yard.  A beautiful sunny day today, warm enough to go without gloves and bright. 

Oh dear

Icicles are great run.  They look lovely and wintry on the house.  Until you realize what is lurking underneath.  The dreaded ice dam...when you heard the splat splat splat of water splashing on the floor.  Taking pictures to document the possible insurance claim...

1.  I have gone to bed before 11pm every day for the last week! 

2.  We've had more snow than we've ever had here, which has made shoveling the driveway a far more frequent necessary task than it has ever been.  Thinking my poor husband doesn't want that entire task to do when he gets home from the office at 8pm, I shoveled the driveway (partly) and didn't hurt myself.  Maybe this shouldn't be called a *small success...

3.  I've been faithful to Morning Prayer all week so far.  Baby steps!

Faith and Family Live says, "It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."  Go check it out!

Just for Today-book

Outside my window...low-lying clouds obscure the hills off in the distance.  We're supposed to get three to six more inches of snow this afternoon and tonight.  I wonder if the kids will get the snow day they've been waiting for all winter?  While we haven't had the abundance the East Coast has had, I think this is the snowiest winter we've ever experienced in Wooster.  I have so missed the snow!

I am wearing...jeans, a fuzzy gray sweater and Smartwool socks.  Why have I resisted the socks for so long?  Sooo comfy and warm, and so far they last very well, unlike most of my other socks. 

I am thankful for...a couple of days off school.  I need to reboot around the house, desperately, and am grateful for the time to do so. 

I am reading...lots.  Divine Intimacy.  The Handbook for Catholic Moms by Lisa Hendey and Dancing with My Father by Sally Clarkson.   I have decided to change my daybook entries to reflect what I'm learning therein.  It's time to take their messages to heart.   

I am nurturing my heart...Lisa recommends taking an inventory of your woman-friend relationships and finding ways to mindfully nurture them this week.  Sounds like a plan. 

I am nurturing my mind...by taking this month to consider my past creative outlets -- scrapbooking, photography -- and possible new ones -- knitting and any others.  Can I find the time to scrapbook? There are more options now through Creative Memories; should I avail myself of the new options?  This is an area I have let fall dormant in my life.  Is this the season to give it more attention, or am I setting myself up to fail?

I am nurturing my body...a constant struggle.  Back to Sparkpeople and planning for exercise, and praying for self-discipline.

I am nurturing my soul...by taking part in the Women of Grace study and praying the Divine Office podcast. 

I dance with my Father...Ann says, "If God makes a list of my laments, I will make a list of God's love. If God has a list of my pain, I will make a list of my praise. If God writes a list of my tears, I will write a list of my thanks...keeping the list of His love, keeps me in joy."  I will follow her example.   

I am holding in prayer...the boy, that this difficult swim team season will bear good fruit in the end.  My hubby, as busy season continues.  My brother and seestar een law, as they prepare for their move.  For homeschoolers, in this most challenging of months.  

We are learning...moving along on our World Tour.  We have been taking our time, and that's OK.  Last week was a challenging because of colds, but we're all doing better now. 

Around the house...maintenance is happening.  I'd love to work on the clutter monster.  40 Bags in 40 Days?  I probably have ten bags in the garage that have just been...sitting there.  That's a start.

We celebrate the season...with pancakes on Tuesday and ashes on Wednesday.  I'll be looking for fish and veggie recipes for Fridays and one other day of the week for Lent.  I've set out the Lenten Ark already.  We'll be considering other forms of prayer, fasting and almsgiving as times goes on.     

From the kitchen...today's project.  We've been focusing on using what we already have in the freezer.  Last summer's garden bounty beckons. 

Activities for the rest of the week...Swim, swim, swimming.  Ballet on Thursday.  No swim meet over the weekend next weekend.  Did you hear that sigh of relief?

A picture thought to share...

Winter wonderland

Small Successes

1.  We've had colds for what seems like weeks and I haven't run out of tissues!

2.  I dusted the great room today.  It really needed it.  Now for the kitchen floor...

3.  I've started thinking about Lent before it actually starts next Wednesday.  Now to have a plan...

Faith and Family Live says, "It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."  Go check it out!

Small Successes

1.  I dusted my bedroom this week.  Why is it that our room is the last room in the house to be cleaned?

2.  I put my swim suit on last night, and got in the water!  And I hope to do it again today. 

3.  We have eaten meals at home despite the fact I have not planned a single one of them.  It's busy season, and we spent the weekend away last weekend.  I'm not caught up.  This is about small successes, right?  Catching up would not qualify to be listed in this post.

Faith and Family Live says, "It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."  Go check it out!

Just for Today-book

Outside my window...foggy, misty over the hills in the distance.  The air looks cold.

I am thinking...about how to inject some life into our homeschooling during homeschooler burn-out month without, you know, burning myself out.  More.  ;-)  To this end I've been reading and searching Handbook of Nature Study and Harmony Art Mom for inspriration, and I bought her Winter Nature Study e-book, which combines nature study with art and music appreciation.  Now for the implemention part.  

I am wearing...jeans, a white mock turtleneck, a jumbo denim shirt and cotton ragg socks.  Not so fashionable, but I'm warm. 

I am hearing...the kids in the basement watching a movie.  Matthew is home today with a cold.  He even stayed home from swim team practice last night.  He never asks to stay home from swim team practice.  He must really not feel very well. 

I am thankful for...weekends away every once in a while.  We spent last weekend at a meet (shocking!  I know!) but the good part was we had a sleep over at Grammie and Poppy's, and Madeline got to play with her cousins for a whole afternoon!  Sometimes a change of scenery is a great, great thing.  

We are learning...how to adjust.  Madeline's friend who we have been sharing science learning  with has been enrolled in school, effective yesterday.  Madeline is sad she won't be able to see her as much, and she enjoyed the interaction of our small science co-op.    The good news is the Wayne Center for the Arts' "Art Appreciation for Homeschoolers" class will be starting at the end of the month, and a new session of ballet is starting on Thursday.  And if I can implement the Winter Nature Study e-book, I think we'll be in good shape.

From the kitchen...umm.  Need to figure that out.  Repeating myself from last week:  I have lost it in the food department.  

I am caring for the gift of my body...sigh.  I suppose it would help if I'd stop flogging myself about it, eh?

I am caring for the gift of my soul...by taking part in the Women of Grace study and praying the Divine Office podcast.  

I am holding in prayer...the boy, that he may recover from this cold before the first of the big meets this weekend.  My hubby, as busy season continues.  My brother and seestar een law, as they work toward closing on their new home.  My friend Tricia's father-in-law, who has been in the hospital with congestive heart failure.  For homeschoolers, in this most challenging of months.  

Around the house...we need a new routine.  Badly.

Activities for the rest of the week...Swim, swim, swimming, culminating this week in the first layer of championship meets.  Ballet starts again on Thursday.  I'm getting my hair cut today, yeah! 

A picture thought to share...a picture taken by Rich, in a warming tent on a mountain near Telluride.  It's just so them, together.  Warms a momma's heart.