First Day of School

Today was Jimmy's first day of school. It is hard to believe that the boy I gave birth to
5 1/2 years ago is big enough for school. I walked him down to his classroom. He was excited to see some kids from his preschool class last year. There were also several new kids for him to meet. He met his teacher. She was my music teacher 20 or so years ago when I was in school. Jimmy looked so big sitting at his table. He found his name on his seat, hung his coat up, put his backpack up, and went to circle time. I find the house strangely quiet without him. Bianca is here but she is quieter as well. I guess playing alone is less noisy than playing with your big brother.

For Monday June 21st...

Outside my window... it is summer! 

I am thinking... that I should be vacuuming.

I am thankful for... Jay getting our boat fixed!

From the kitchen... coffee and the kids are eating cantaloupe.  There will be salmon for dinner tonight.

I am wearing... capris and a magenta beaded t-shirt.

I am reading... a chapter on algebra, three chapters on American Government, and Full Tilt by Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes.

I am hoping... Jay can get started on a big tile job soon.  Just waiting on a tile choice from the home owner.

I am creating... a sanctuary.

I am hearing... Toot and Puddle.

Around the house... it is clean except for the vacuuming.

One of my favorite things... is playing outside with the kids.

A few plans for the rest of the week... going to story time at the library, seeing my rheumatologist, doing schoolwork, playing outside with the kids, & finding more things for a tag sale.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Happy Father's Day

I am so lucky to be married to an amazing dad!  He always takes the time to play with the kids, take them hiking  or fishing, spoil them both rotten, and just be an awesome dad.  In fact, little Bianca has him completely wrapped around her finger.  The other day while I was taking Jimmy to school,
Bianca asked Jay for some peaches.  Jay told her he would get them after he went to the bathroom and she said "Actually dad, you need to get me peaches first and then you can go to the bathroom."  Guess who got peaches first?

In this world where all you hear about are uninvolved and deadbeat dads, I am so thankful to have a husband that is a great partner and puts his children first (at least most of the time).  So if you have an awesome involved father or if you are married to one make sure you let them know how much they mean to you.

Contest!

Check out this cool contest for a Kitchenaid mixer.  Leanne over at Saving Dinner is giving it away.  You can also get some great kitchen and dinner tips.

http://savingdinner.com/contest/

For Monday June 14th...

Outside my window... it is cloudy and hot. 

I am thinking... that I really want a nap.

I am thankful for... Bianca getting a preschool spot!

From the kitchen... nothing right now but lemon pepper chicken for dinner.

I am wearing... capris and a yellow t-shirt.

I am reading... 161 pages about algebra for my math class.

I am hoping... that I did good on the classes that just ended.

I am creating... a peaceful home.

I am hearing... birds and cars on the road.

Around the house... it is clean.

One of my favorite things... is having some time to daydream.

A few plans for the rest of the week... getting stuff done for my new classes, an end of the year picnic at Jimmy's school, cleaning out the boat, and getting some of the storage area decluttered.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

A nice quiet weekend...

I have two classes that ended today.  Normally I would be panicking because two classes ending mean two final projects due.  This block I decided to do something different.  I decided to pretend I was organized and start on my final projects before they were due instead of waiting until the last minute (not that the last minute didn't work, I got As on all my final project so far).  I was hoping to avoid some stress.  I had both of my projects done and posted on Friday! Go me!!!

Except now I had a weekend with nothing to do but relax.  Jay takes over most of the kidlet duty on the weekends.  It was really nice but a bit boring.  I ended up downloading everything I need for my next block and starting on the reading.  I am glad I did.  I have 161 pages to read this week for algebra. How can there be this much reading for a math class?

For Tuesday June 8th...

Outside my window... it is sunny.

I am thinking... I should be working on my final project.

I am thankful for... my husband taking Jimmy fishing.

From the kitchen... steak for dinner.

I am wearing... capris and a t-shirt.

I am reading... An Intimate Deception by Catherine Coulter.

I am hoping... that Jay cleans the sink when he is done cleaning the trout.

I am creating... a home.

I am hearing... Dr. Phil.

Around the house... it is clean.

One of my favorite things... is Hell's Kitchen which is on tonight!

A few plans for the rest of the week... finishing up the final projects for my classes.  One is due Saturday and the other is due Sunday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

For Sunday June 6th...

Outside my window... it is rainy and damp.

I am thinking... I should get up and get around.

I am thankful for... Netflix on the Wii so the kids can watch movies in the playroom.

From the kitchen... nothing right now but there will be chicken parm for dinner.

I am wearing... track pants and a t-shirt.

I am reading... An Honorable Offer by Catherine Coulter.

I am hoping... that the rain clears up so we can go outside.

I am creating... a home.

I am hearing... the kids playing.

Around the house... it is clean.

One of my favorite things... is my husband.

A few plans for the rest of the week... finishing up the final projects for my classes.  One is due Saturday and the other is due Sunday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

For May 27th

Outside my window... it is hot and sunny still but not as hot as it was yesterday.

I am thinking... I really need a nap.

I am thankful for... my husband who is an awesome father.

From the kitchen... nothing right now. It is too hot to bake.

I am wearing... capris and a t-shirt.

I am reading... some magazines and a few chapters on biology for class.

I am hoping... that Anka gets into preschool.

I am creating... a home.

I am hearing... The People's Court on the TV.

Around the house... it is clean. I only have to fold clothes.

One of my favorite things... is my dog.

A few plans for the rest of the week... getting to the library to get the kids another Magic Tree House book, getting my homework done, taking a nap, and sewing a dress for Anka.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

For today: May 26th

Outside my window... it is hot and sunny!

I am thinking... that I need to start on my outline for class.

I am thankful for... my air conditioner that Jay put in yesterday.

From the kitchen... nothing right now but hamburger gravy and biscuits for dinner.

I am wearing... capris and a t-shirt.

I am reading... some magazines and a few chapters on biology for class.

I am hoping... that we can put together the bunkbed for the kids today.

I am creating... a home.

I am hearing... Days of Our Lives on the TV.

Around the house... it is clean. I only have to fold clothes.

One of my favorite things... flowers

A few plans for the rest of the week... getting to the library to get the kids another Magic Tree House book, getting my homework done, taking a nap, and sewing a dress for Anka.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Hot, hot, hot!

Summer has officially come to Vermont. I made Jay put the air conditioner in the window today. I am just glad that another winter is gone. I love summer. I can send Jimmy outside to play. We can all go out on the boat, ride bikes and four-wheelers, and just play in the sunshine.

Another staple of summer is the flea market. We went to the flea market this weekend. I was hoping to find some deals on cast iron but no luck there. I want a muffin tin, a dutch oven, a griddle, and a few more frying pans. I did get some books though. Those are handy when the kids want to play outside all afternoon but I don't want to take the computer out.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... is gray but at least it isn't raining today.

I am thinking... that I really need to do some reading for biology class.

I am thankful for... my husband quitting smoking!

From the kitchen... not much right now. We are having omelets for dinner & I am about to heat some soup for lunch.

I am wearing... jeans and a t-shirt.

I am reading... Bioinquiry: Making Connections in Biology & Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society. For fun I am reading A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K Hamilton.

I am hoping... that I can get my biology reading done & catch a nap.

I am creating... an inviting space for my family.

I am hearing... my dryer going & the Clifford movie that the kids are watching.

Around the house... is mostly clean. I just need to pick up some blankets from this morning cuddlefest.

One of my favorite things... is my new laptop.

A few plans for the rest of the week... schoolwork, storytime at the library, Earthday Celebration, & going outside with the kids since Jimmy has no school this week.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Getting back to normal

Well, life is starting to get back to normal around here. I don't know what it was but I have been in an awful slump. I just took two weeks off from classes and focused on getting out of this rut. I made some appointments that I have been avoiding, I got on some meds for my arthritis, and worked on some decluttering.

I go back to school tomorrow and I am feeling really good about it. There are a few little things I want to finish up today but I have gotten a lot accomplished. Now if my grant comes in soon so I can get a new laptop I will be all set.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... it is rainy and gray.

I am thinking... that I need a nap.

I am thankful for... my kids even if they are driving me crazy.

From the kitchen... nothing yet but I am making applesauce pork chops for dinner.

I am wearing... jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt.

I am reading... Creative Knitting magazine and I Thee Wed by Amanda Quick.

I am hoping... that the weather will be nice so we can grill on Friday.

I am creating... a home.

I am hearing... Jimmy crying because he is in a time out.

Around the house... is mostly tidy.

One of my favorite things... is quiet!

A few plans for the rest of the week... I am taking two weeks of school so mostly cleaning and relaxing.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

A Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... is gray and a little dreary.

I am thinking... that I really should write that paper that was due yesterday and start on my final projects.

I am thankful for... my kids and Jay.

From the kitchen... not much right now. Jay is making us pork loin for dinner.

I am wearing... jeans, a long sleeve t-shirt, and sneakers.

I am reading... Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

I am hoping... that my grant money comes in so I can get my new laptop.

I am creating... a few dish cloths.

I am hearing... the Pink Panther (Anka & Jay are watching it) & my noisy heater.

Around the house... is nice and clean thanks to FlyLady.

One of my favorite things... knitting

A few plans for the rest of the week... an appointment with a specialist about my rheumatoid arthritis and a meeting at school about early education plus 2 final project due for my classes on Sunday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Jimmy at almost 2 weeks old. He turned 5 on 3/9.

5 Years Ago

It is hard to believe that 5 years ago I was in the hospital giving birth to a beautiful baby boy.


Now he is so big. He knows the alphabet and how to write his name. He can do addition and build amazing Lego trucks and houses. Where did my baby go?

My Thankful List

I am thankful for my wonderful husband and children

I am thankful that Jimmy has school tomorrow.

I am thankful that spring is coming to VT.

I am thankful for my new spinning wheel (again awesome hubby!)

I am thankful for my doggy and kitties.

I am thankful for having pizza for dinner tonight so I don't have to cook.

I am thankful my classes are almost over so I can move onto new ones.

I am thankful for my new books.

I am thankful Jay's business is picking up again.

I am thankful we are getting our tax return soon.

I know there are many more things but those are the first ones that popped into my head.

Time

Time always seems to fly around the holidays. Everyone loved the gifts I knit for them. I definitely doing something similar next year! I am thinking socks though. Nothing like some nice hand knit socks to keep your feet comfortable.

The kids got completely spoiled. Bianca ended up with almost all the Strawberry Shortcake play sets and had played with nothing else. Jimmy got several cars and building block sets. He loves building things. He is really good at it too. He used some of my old Legos and made a really cool horse and cart from looking at a picture.

I got a nice locket from Jay and the kids, an ipod, a gift card for Applebees, and some new sheets and towels. Jay is also working on getting me a spinning wheel. I am super excited! I am already dreaming of spinning and dying some wool for socks.

Jimmy and I are both back to school Monday. It seems like these two weeks have flown. I am getting a head start on all my reading and assignments. Only 3 weeks left and then on to two new classes. I can't believe I am almost through a full year of school.