Blogger Blahs

Four whole blogs in the entire month of February. What a pitiful blogger am I!

There are a couple factors to be considered. Philip and I took our weekend getaway at the end of January. I suppose that whatever voids existed in our communication were filled and I found myself with fewer daily needs to "express myself" verbally.

Also, during that weekend, we committed to spend more quality time in the evenings either as a couple or as a big fat family. Face-to-face quality time with real live, interactive humans apparently ebbs the hunger for virtual relationships.

Moreover, once the holiday/birthday/cold & flu/anniversary season had come to a close, I had to face the music coming from my 2009 calendar. Time's a-tickin'! With an impending birth, everything from home schooling to home improvement takes on a new sense of urgency. i.e. "I'd better hurry and get a grip on this house, these kids I got, and everything else I'm responsible for, so I can make sure not to lose my mind when the baby comes." I've read that women typically "process" by talking through their issues. Frankly, I was afraid to "process", and since adult conversation is scarce in my daily life, I was afraid to blog.

There you have it.

I have truly missed logging on to read the musings of my friends. There is definitely a comforting sense of community, here in Bloggerland. And I'm thankful for the encouragement. Grateful for the giggles. I'm looking forward to picking up the pace for a fresh new March through Spring.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Monday, February 16, 2009...

Outside my window... cold and dark.

I am thinking...that there is nothing of value on television. The house is empty (except for Mari sleeping) and I am finally free to watch whatever I wish. Seppin' thar ain't nothin' on! Good to know.

I am thankful for...my husband, my kids, my home, our food, and my car. I am a rich woman!

From the learning rooms...Ardyn struggled today with concentration. She didn't get to go to her brothers' baseball practice because she wasted her day away. She was literally in anguish as we drove away from the park. I'm hoping the tough lesson will manifest a fresh focus for tomorrow. The boys accomplished a huge load of work today. It's nice to be ahead of the eight ball for the rest of the week. Ashlin is diligently reading and writing better each day. Her lisp is fading as she regularly reads "Dick and Jane". Those books use so many s's! "See silly Sally. See Spot, Sally." Wonderful progress! Mari can sing her days of the week and she is consistently identifying her colors --correctly. And our littlest Johnson is developing motor skills daily -- as evidenced by the incessant kicks and jabs within my belly.

From the kitchen...We had leftovers for lunch AND dinner. Pretty lame, I know, but the kitchen is tidy! When JW brought the groceries in this afternoon, it might as well have been Christmas morning for Mari Alice. She unloaded each sack with pleasure and joy. "Yay Milk! Beans! Crackers! and Turrrrrkey, too!!" She is such a happy girl.

I am wearing...wind pants, tee shirt, and bare feet. But I wish I had socks on. It's getting pretty chilly in the house.

I am creating...next year's school calendar. We're hoping to get started in May and get the first few weeks in before the baby arrives. Then we'll take it slow until she sleeps through the night. Then we'll rev our well-rested engines and take it strong into the Fall.

I am going...to paint that last stupid door from the hall bathroom. There, I said it. It must be done.

I am reading..."Can We Talk?" by Priscilla Shirer, my Holman Bible in a Year, and Daughter of the Mountain to the kids after lunch. (and growing slightly weary on all counts...pray for me.)

I am hoping...to get our sheets out of the dryer and onto the bed before Philip gets home. He is irritated by VERY few things in life. Beds without bedding tops his short little list. It's the least I can do. And, my, how I love the scent of freshly laundered bedding. If I can hurry up and post this, happiness shall abound!

I am hearing...nothing. Mari is asleep, JW is at the movies, and Philip took the other 4 to a basketball game. It has been a LONG time since I was seemingly home alone. Blissful silence. Let's just soak it up for a moment.............................................................................
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.............isn't it grand?

Around the house...the rooms are playing charades. The living room is exhibiting "remains of the day", the bathroom - where 5 kids took 5 showers in 25 minutes - demonstrates "gorillas in the mist", and the laundry room jives to "Help! I need somebody. Help! Won't you PLEEEASE, please, help me? Help me!"

One of my favorite things...ice water. So often, I try to quench my thirst with a diet DP or lemonade. When what I truly need is a huge glass of iced, filtered water. There is no substitute.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Bible Study, Choir rehearsal, gymnastics, baseball, horseback riding, and we're driving down to Johnathan's first birthday party on Saturday. HUGE fun!

Here is picture thought I am sharing... How many years have we been "loving" baseball?? This photo is from the bygone era of "mommy has so much extra time, she can sew cheerleader uniforms from last year's jerseys!" Here's to a brand new season full of life lesson and street clothes.

To participate or simply enjoy more daybooks, visit The Simple Woman.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Monday, February 9, 2009...

Outside my window...cool and drizzly. Today was an "inside day".

I am thinking...about all that is going to happen in the next four months leading up to childbirth. Lots of things to do and plan that have nothing to do with the baby, and several things to consider and perhaps plan that involve our newest little blessing. PS. The sonogram indicated it is a girl. We haven't purchased paint yet...there are doubters in our midst.

I am thankful for...health. I've never been more grateful for good, strong health. Last week's upper respiratory dealie shut me down. I am feeling much better and am thankful!

From the learning rooms...we had a great start to today (aside from the very distracting notion that one of my lovelies had jelly on their right pinkie finger when they did their typing at my computer...every time I type a p or semi-colon, I am reminded that I am not alone)

From the kitchen...I am planning venison steak with salad for dinner. The guys are at baseball practice, so there's not really a rush. Otherwise, it needs a good mopping and possibly a coat of trim paint, but I'm only one woman. Let's see if we can get dinner cooked and served and then the floors MIGHT get mopped. Paint will wait.

I am wearing...Navy warm ups with hot pink v-neck...yesterday's hair and makeup. (This morning I felt strongly that sleep trumped hygiene.)

I am creating...valentine ideas with Ardyn. Read: I am minimizing all her extravagantly demonstrative ideas to bring them within the scope of realistic budget and time frame. You think I'm kidding? Her very sweet idea for her Sunday school teachers was handmade sock puppets with customized, hand-sewn dresses. Feelin' the love?

I am going...to the church house on Wednesday night, Longview on Thursday, and a Valentine Banquet with Philip on Friday night.

I am reading..."Can We Talk?" by Priscilla Shirer, my Holman Bible in a Year, and Daughter of the Mountain to the kids after lunch.

I am hoping...to walk more this week. (today's rain didn't exactly get me off to a great start) I feel so much better when I walk. I'm also hoping the MP3 concert comes together in my brain. I've been in a bit of a fog about it. The kids sang in church last night and did a super job. I love them! Only 4 more weeks of MP3 until the Fall.

I am hearing...baby names being theoretically announced in my mind. Like hearing the nurse call for the next patient: "Matthew Cameron?" "Catherine Anne?" "Andrew Lee?" "McKenna Jean?" Is the nurse smiling? Is she glancing back down at her clip boarded chart, as if to ask, "What kind of name is that???" This audition of sorts happens all day every day. Let's just decide. If I could, I would.

Around the house...Oscar is napping, the girls are finishing up their seat work while Mari catches the last episode of PBS kids. The other day she saw a green circle with a stick figure child in the middle. She exclaimed, "Look Mom! PBS Kids dot org!" When is national turn your tv off week???

One of my favorite things...is staying home. I take it for granted some times. I REALLY love the fact that more often than not, I am here. Free to do and be and grow exactly what I should in a place that is loving and warm and comfy.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Bible Study, home school valentine party, gymnastics, banquet, and basic abundant living.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
This was Ardyn's design for choir shirts. Love it.

To participate or simply enjoy more daybooks, visit The Simple Woman.

Sunday Lunch

Today's lunch was dreamy! I thought I'd share the recipe.

In a crock pot, place:
3 lbs of frozen, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 blocks of reduced fat cream cheese
2 cans of low fat cream of chicken soup
1 cup of Marsala cooking wine

Cook on High for one hour (while you're doing your hair/make-up) and then Low for three (while you're at church).

**I cut the chicken up and dumped it back in the sauce before serving over rice.
ENJOY!

While we're on the subject of creamy and dreamy...I must also mention Blue Bell's new (ingenious) flavor. JW brought some home the other day.
"Mocha Madness" is coffee ice cream with chocolate chips, caramel swirl, and chopped pecans. HELLO???

Friday Flashback Foto

Ardyn Grace turned 8 on Monday! She sort of got a raw deal because I was sick. She didn't get a dessert and not even an honorary blog. The travesty!

She ate enough Shipley's chocolate donuts to count as six desserts, and is excited about this picture being posted today. All is well.

This was taken on her first Christmas. I always had a huge bow in her hair (around her hairless head) for fear that someone might mistake her for a boy...even in her pj's. Eight years later, bow or no bow, she is undeniably ALL girl!

Happy birthday, Gracie-girl!