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.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... December 7th

Outside my window... is snow, snow and more snow

I am thinking... that I really need to work on my homework even if I don't want to do it.

I am thankful for... my heat working.

From the kitchen... not much since I just mopped and it is wet. We just had p&j for lunch. I am making pork mole for dinner. I may make banana bread.

I am wearing... jeans and a sweater.

I am reading... a history book, a book on American Education, "Lean Mean 13" by Janet Evanovich, and the Yarn Harlot's blog.

I am hoping... that Jay will fix my leaky sink and put up the new shelf like he promised today.

I am creating... several knit dishcloths for Christmas presents.

I am hearing... Anka singing about being a super hero and spinning, and Jimmy playing cowboy.

Around the house... it is clean. I only have to fold clothes when they get out of the dryer.

One of my favorite things... knitting, new yarn and pattern books.

A few plans for the rest of the week... hopefully getting a tree, more cleaning, lots of schoolwork, and shuttling Jimmy back and forth to school.

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


From The Simple Woman's Daybook

Drowning

I feel like I am drowning in school work. Every week I have at least one thousand word paper due plus several other projects. I also have to read around 150-200 pages a week for my classes. I cannot wait until the 21st when our 2 week break begins.

I am still working on my knitted gifts. I just finished a knit kitty dishcloth. I also got a bit of shopping done on Black Friday. I got Jay a TomTom for $59. Of course I had to give it to him right away. I also got myself a new sewing machine. It is Jay's gift to me. I got Bianca a huge Barbie. It is almost as big as she is. I got Jimmy a Madagascar racing game for the Wii. I have to get the kids some more things and I will be done with the shopping part of Christmas.

Here are the pictures of the kitty dishcloth. You can see my new sewing machine in the background. Also I haven't blocked the dishcloth yet so it is not square. It will be though when I am all done with it.

Progress

So project Knit Christmas is going fairly well. I am working on the Rachel's Knitting Room November dishcloth. She has some great monthly knit alongs. I think we are getting close to the end since I have decreased down to 11 stitches.



I also got one of the coffee cup dish cloths done. It is hard to see the image in the picture but it came out really cute.

Nail polish giveaway

Smoochiefrog over at Manicure Mamas is giving away a great OPI nail polish set. I am in love with the berry color. If you don't polish your nails it would make a great gift for someone who does.

Back to knitting

I have been feeling like something is missing lately. Just a vague, nagging feeling that something is not right. Then I realized I didn't have a project on my needles. It is either that or babyfever, but since Jay is not on board with one more yet I am going with the knitting.

I have decided to knit my way to Christmas. I have stocked up on a ton of cute cotton yarn, and everyone is getting a nice dishtowel/potholder and dish cloth set. I have an awesome pattern that is not too complicated but is visually interesting (Thanks to Rachel's November KAL). I will take some pictures as I go along.

If you are a family member you may be getting a sneak peek at your Christmas gift, so if you want a surprise don't read any future posts that have Christmas spoiler in the title.

I hate writing...

research papers! I hate them with a passion. I would rather fold 10,000 loads of laundry than right another research paper. I don't mind creative writing. I even like some of the shorter essays but research papers really suck. I try to be concise when I write. Why do I need to write 2500 when I can say the same thing fully documented in 1000 words? That is my mini-rant for the day.

Thankful for my children...

A girl I talk to just found out the child she is pregnant with has a birth defect that is incompatible with life. Things like this really make you stop and think about the blessings you have. I am so thankful I have two (mostly healthy) children.

It is so easy to take something for granted. I do it often. I will get upset at my kids and yell. I need to try to find more patience in my life and remember that some people are unable to have children. I have been given a gift from God.

Procrastination and whining

I have a 2500 word paper due in a few weeks. The thesis for it is due this week, the outline is due next week (in complete sentences), and I haven't even started. I have some of the research printed out, but I haven't even read it yet. I even picked a topic that interests me (health care reform) and I am passionate about, but I just can't motivate myself to work on it. I really need to get moving. I am just sick of research papers. I really hope my next English class is creative writing.

Long time no posts and swine flu

I have been really awful about keeping up with this blog. I have been keeping busy with schoolwork, cleaning, schoolwork, knitting, schoolwork, crochet, schoolwork, learning to coupon, and more schoolwork. My teachers this block are sadistic and think it is fun to have a 500-750 word paper due in both classes just about every week. I am coping, but when this block is over I will be breaking out the champagne.

School has started for Jimmy. He is loving it, but I am not loving having to be up at 7am. He is happy to see his friends again. School has been in session for 3 weeks. He had only gone 1 week. Then he brought home swine flu. First week Jimmy was sick. It wasn't too bad. He had a fever, cough, sore throat, and was bouncing off walls. Second week everyone else had it. Jay and I both had fevers for 2-3 days, cough, sore throat, and were exhausted. Bianca was coughing, had a fever and was bouncing off walls. Yeah, apparently the tired part only affects adults.

On the craft front I just finished crocheting a sunhat for Bianca. I will try to update with some pictures soon. I still need to finish the sweater I started for Jimmy in the spring. I am pulling that out next since the weather is getting cold again. Fall is officially here. I have a yard full of leaves I really need to rake up. Christmas is around the corner. I really need a ball or two of sock yarn to start some gifts. I am still hoping to get my sewing machine for my birthday and my spinning wheel for Christmas.

The weight loss project has stalled. I need to get better about exercising daily. I have the treadmill set up in a great spot but I need to start using it more. I have been pretty good about snacking though. I mostly stick to healthy snacks and have not been buying junk food.

My obsession with nail polish has dwindled some. Mostly because I started biting my nails again. I am trying not to though. It usually happens while reading my assignments for the week. I think I will wear gloves while I read them from now on.

I think that is all the news for now. I will try to update this more often in the future. I can't promise daily updates but I will try for at least a weekly one.

Rain, rain go away!

I am so sick of rain. It seems like it has been raining constantly this summer. We haven't had one good weekend yet. I was hoping to take the kids to the lake more this summer since we are 5 minutes away and they are old enough to enjoy it. Instead I have had to try and entertain them because all it does is rain. There is only so many times I can sing songs and play games. It also doesn't help that I have started college courses. I was planning on being able to take my laptop outside so the kids could play without bugging me but that hasn't worked either. I am so glad Jimmy will be back in preschool in a month. I am almost ready for winter.