The Homemaker's Diary 4/11/2011

Outside my window... it is SPRING!!!

I am thinking... that I need to do some schoolwork.

I am thankful for... my awesome, supportive husband.

From the kitchen... nothing right now but there will be steak, roasted potatoes, and broccoli.

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

I am reading... some chapters for history and sociology. I need to start a new book.

I am hoping... that my dog comes back soon. She has been missing since Saturday and there is no word on her yet.

I am creating...a restful home and some dresses for Bianca plus a no-sew tutu.

I am hearing... Strawberry Shortcake from the playroom and my husband.

Around the house... it is clean except the pile of donations for the thrift shop.

One of my favorite things... is having a few minutes to reflect.

A few plans for the rest of the week... drop donations off, deep clean the bathroom, write a paper for sociology, start on my final projects, and get a gift for my niece's birthday.

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

The week in review

So, week one of weight watchers went really well. I lost 4lbs. I have a ton of energy because I am eating healthier. I am hoping to drop quite a bit by the time we move. I just have to stick to the plan.

I ordered Bianca her Easter dress. It should be here today. I cannot wait to try it on her. This is the first Easter dress I bought her. Gram always bought her Easter and Christmas outfits. She loved to get things for the kids. Ordering it was bittersweet. I should also be getting  the material to make Bianca tutu. She is going to love it. I have been looking at pettieskirt material as well. I just don't have a lot of room for my sewing machine.

Jimmy has decided I cannot walk him up to school anymore. I have to drop him off at the bottom of the hill. He always looks back to make sure I am watching when he gets to the top. He isn't quite as big as he pretends to be.

Jay and I are starting to get ready for the move. He has a few jobs to finish up here but he should be heading down in May. I am nervous and excited all at once. I cannot wait to move but I am praying Jay finds a good job and apartment. I know that God will provide for us though. I just need to keep faith.

Weight Watchers

I started Weight Watchers yesterday. I have gotten to the point I cannot stand looking in the mirror. I need to lose at least 60lbs to be at a healthy weight and another 10lbs or so to be at my ideal weight. I have been doing well so far.  I have stayed within my points range and not been hungry. I am hoping to add some exercise to my plan soon.

I am in love!

My new Kitchenaid stand mixer arrived today. I had a Kitchenaid from the 1940s but the bowl broke in December. After searching everywhere for a new bowl, I broke down and bought a new mixer. This is what it looks like. The bayleaf color is even more amazing in person. It came with a flex edge beater as a bonus plus a $30 rebate and a year subscription to Martha Stewart Living. I made the most awesome brownies in it this afternoon. I am about to make some cookies as well. This mixer could be very bad for my diet. I cannot wait to make mashed potatoes with it. They will be so light and fluffy!

Sick

For the last two weeks everyone has been sick. Jimmy and I had the flu last week. Jay had a cold. Then on Wednesday I had to pick Jimmy up from school because he vomited. He was fine yesterday and went to school but last night Bianca vomited all night long. She is laying on the couch looking miserable right now. I am hoping the warmer weather that is supposed to be coming our way will perk us all up.

Quiet

My sister-in-law is leaving today. I will finally have my house back and some quiet. She came and stayed with us for five days about two weeks ago, flew out to Washington, and then returned here for two more days. I like B and love my niece and nephews but I am glad they are headed home. She has a 10 year old daughter M, a 7 year old son X, and a 3 year old son K. That means 5 kids plus 3 adults in my tiny apartment. To make it worse the kids spend all day fighting with each other and wreaking my house. I am a bit of a neat freak. I cannot stand messes and toys left everywhere. That is why the kids share a bedroom and have a playroom. The toys were everywhere. I couldn't walk without stepping on something or tripping over someone. And the volume level was insane. Screaming, crying, whining, and that was just the adults.


I have decided I am going to curl up with my Kindle and read or catch a few episodes of the office with Jay. I need some quiet time to recharge my battery. This makes me really hope we get the four bedroom house I fell in love with in LA. It is 4100+ sq. ft. and I could hide when people come to visit.

Simple Woman's Daybook for March 7, 2011

Outside my window... there is a mixture of freezing rain and snow.

I am thinking... about my new classes that started today.

I am thankful for... the tree branch not going through my roof when it fell on it this morning & the fact I am finished with my college art class.

From the kitchen... nothing this second but we are having yogurt for lunch and cajun chicken with rice and green beans for dinner.

I am wearing... jeans, sneakers, a long sleeved green striped shirt, and a hoodie.

I am reading... a chapter in my new sociology text and history text.

I am hoping... that it starts getting warmer soon so Jay can replace the muffler on my van.

I am creating... a peaceful, pleasant home.

I am hearing... the heater running, Jay typing up an assignment, and Bianca playing with her Polly Pockets and legos.

Around the house... is it mostly clean except for the laundry I need to fold.

One of my favorite things... is clean sheets!

A few plans for the rest of the week... getting some schoolwork done, dropping of the recycling, doing a deep clean of the kitchen, and decluttering.

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

Simple Woman's Daybook for February 28, 2011

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

I am thinking... that this headache needs to go away!

I am thankful for... Jimmy being at his best friend's b-day party so I can have some quiet.

From the kitchen... oatmeal chocolate chip muffins and garlic butter chicken for dinner.

I am wearing... jeans and a turtleneck.

I am reading... the new Family Circle and Woman's Day. I need to start a new book.

I am hoping... that I can get inspired to work on my final for art class.

I am creating... a peaceful refuge.

I am hearing... the dryer and Bianca playing quietly with her Polly Pockets.

Around the house... is clean. I just need to dust.

One of my favorite things... is to cuddle with Jay and watch Supernatural.

A few plans for the rest of the week... art final, math final, Jimmy back to school, get donations dropped off, drop of recycling, & go to the library.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Bianca at 6 days old.

Simple Woman's Monday February 21, 2011

Outside my window... it is snowing.

I am thinking... that I have a lot to do today.

I am thankful for... my family.

From the kitchen... nothing right now. I haven't even planned dinner yet. I am thinking chili.

I am wearing... jeans and a striped shirt.

I am reading... lots of stuff for Art History and math plus Living with the Dead by Kelley Armstrong. (Yes, I still need to finish this)

I am hoping... that it quiets down here soon.

I am creating... a peaceful haven.

I am hearing... kids, kids, and more kids. My sister-in-law is here with her three children.

Around the house... is a huge mess that is overwhelming me.

One of my favorite things... is finishing my to-do list.

A few plans for the rest of the week... working on my final project for art, getting the house back together, spending time with Jimmy since he is off from school, & dropping stuff off at Twice Blessed.

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

Simple Woman's Daybook for February 14th, 2010

Outside my window... it is warming up.

I am thinking... that I have a lot to do today.

I am thankful for... Jay.

From the kitchen... chocolate chip cookies and tonight will be meatloaf.

I am wearing... jeans and a striped turtleneck.

I am reading... lots of stuff for Art History and math plus Living with the Dead by Kelley Armstrong.

I am hoping... that we can get the house in Louisiana.

I am creating... an amazing family.

I am hearing... She-ra.

Around the house... is a bit of a mess.

One of my favorite things... is finishing my to-do list.

A few plans for the rest of the week... getting my desk up here and putting my office back together.

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

House Hunting part 1

It is official that we are moving. Now for the fun part: house hunting! I have found one that I like. It is cute, cheap, and good sized. It is also a complete PITA to house hunt from 26 hours away. How am I supposed to get a feel for the house when I cannot walk through it. I know it is early because we are not moving until June but I want this house. I want to get moving on the loan process. I wish we could move now instead of having to wait until the taxes come back and Jay gets work lined up. If only we were independently wealthy.

Simple Woman's Daybook for February 7, 2011

Outside my window... it is snowy.

I am thinking... that I can't wait for summer!

I am thankful for... Jay going back to school.

From the kitchen... nothing & I am not sure what is for dinner.

I am wearing... jeans, t-shirt, and a blue zip up hoodie.

I am reading... lots of stuff for Art History and math plus Living with the Dead by Kelley Armstrong.

I am hoping... that we can start getting things organized for our move.

I am creating... a safe place.

I am hearing... the kids playing.

Around the house... is a mess of toys.

One of my favorite things... is taking a nice nap.

A few plans for the rest of the week... getting things cleaned up and back on track.

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

Snow, snow go away!

After a long hiatus, I am back. This has been a difficult winter. We have been sick for months now. On top of that my beloved Gram passed away on December 31st. She was a great source of strength and inspiration and will be greatly missed. After talking about it, Jay and I have decided we are moving this summer. We will be relocating to northern Louisiana if all goes well. He will head down in May and get things ready for the rest of us.

Speaking of spring and summer, I am so done with snow! We have had one of the snowiest winters on record and it is only the beginning of February. Our roof is leaking in a dozen places, the heater can barely keep up with the cold, and I am sick of shoveling. That is one of our main reasons for moving south: NO SNOW. Or at least very little. Please send us some positive thoughts and prayers. I will try to post  more often especially about all the new changes. Let's see how this Yankee does in the south.

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...