It is now 5 PM and I want to record the work B and I accomplished today.
Girls' room thouroughly picked up, vacuumed, and all laundry done. Check! These girls don't know it yet but it's going to cost them to have Mom and B clean their room so completely. All of the items left on the floor which were not trash (a full kitchen bag of it!) or laundry (we need that!) are going into a tub. They will have to pay $.25 per item to retrieve it from the box. Some of the things in that box are important, like a precious stuffed dog, school work, and someone's favorite boots. Other stuff will probably not be worth $.25 to them and I will have successfully decluttered their room. This will be a regular, unannounced procedure around her from now on.
All Christmas decorations packed neatly in Rubbermaid totes with labels. Check! Except for the tree which will be done by J this evening I hope.
Game closet sorted, boxes repaired and neatly stacked for future enjoyment. Check! All this holiday game playing left our closet in a shambles.
Girls' Laundry almost done. 4 loads down, 2 to go.
Upstairs hallway decluttered and vacuumed. Check!
The family is all home now so the productivity will slow down significantly but I do feel good.
Kitchen cleaned and dishwasher run. Check! That is one job that just never stays done, sigh.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Where to start?
I've been working all week a little each day to get the Christmas stuff put away. Today we need to finish the job. I have to go back to teaching on Tuesday so I need to have this job finished or else our tree will still be up at Valentine's.
I read a blog yesterday by another homeschooling mom of five. Her entry was about the importance of household management and her frustration at not being able to keep it all together. I have this as a lifelong struggle. I've read every book, bought every gadget Container Store has to offer and still my house is filled with clutter. It doesn't help that we save everything to "pass down". I promise I am getting better over the years but, doggonit, the job keeps getting bigger. I am finally going through and getting rid of preschool stuff we have had for 12 or more years since W is now 5 and we don't need it. I need to do that for so many things: clothes, books, toys. The girls have dumped two Rubbermaid totes in the bottom of their closet looking for pants. Nevermind that there are 12 pairs in various stages of wash or on their floor.
J took the 4 younger kids to a park in South Austin for the day to meet a friend. I am excited about the possibility of going through clutter and bagging it up without little hands to save it from being expelled from our household. The problem is I don't know where to start. Should I start with that mountain in the girls' closet? Or the two tubs my older son so kindly left for me to sort when he cleaned out his closet this week. (I didn't even tell him to do this. I need Container Store to send flyers to my house about once a month since that's what inspired him.) Maybe I should organize and toss the old games since they are now overflowing the closet they live in. I could spend hours in the schoolroom/sewing room sorting through mounds of mending which is probably too small to fit the intended wearer now anyway.
I need to go check out FlyLady.net and see what zone they are in. Whenever I fall off the wagon, she helps me get back on again. Then life gets in the way. There are just so many wonderful things to do besides clean and organize. The problem is that at some point my clutter-filled home does not allow us to live calmly and in harmony like I would envision.
New Year's Eve seems an appropriate time to put on the work gloves and plow through the piles in search of peace in my home. Happy New Year to you all.
I read a blog yesterday by another homeschooling mom of five. Her entry was about the importance of household management and her frustration at not being able to keep it all together. I have this as a lifelong struggle. I've read every book, bought every gadget Container Store has to offer and still my house is filled with clutter. It doesn't help that we save everything to "pass down". I promise I am getting better over the years but, doggonit, the job keeps getting bigger. I am finally going through and getting rid of preschool stuff we have had for 12 or more years since W is now 5 and we don't need it. I need to do that for so many things: clothes, books, toys. The girls have dumped two Rubbermaid totes in the bottom of their closet looking for pants. Nevermind that there are 12 pairs in various stages of wash or on their floor.
J took the 4 younger kids to a park in South Austin for the day to meet a friend. I am excited about the possibility of going through clutter and bagging it up without little hands to save it from being expelled from our household. The problem is I don't know where to start. Should I start with that mountain in the girls' closet? Or the two tubs my older son so kindly left for me to sort when he cleaned out his closet this week. (I didn't even tell him to do this. I need Container Store to send flyers to my house about once a month since that's what inspired him.) Maybe I should organize and toss the old games since they are now overflowing the closet they live in. I could spend hours in the schoolroom/sewing room sorting through mounds of mending which is probably too small to fit the intended wearer now anyway.
I need to go check out FlyLady.net and see what zone they are in. Whenever I fall off the wagon, she helps me get back on again. Then life gets in the way. There are just so many wonderful things to do besides clean and organize. The problem is that at some point my clutter-filled home does not allow us to live calmly and in harmony like I would envision.
New Year's Eve seems an appropriate time to put on the work gloves and plow through the piles in search of peace in my home. Happy New Year to you all.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Crafters Anonymous
Hi, my name is Kim and I am a craftaholic. For as long as I can remember I have enjoyed creating new things out of raw materials. I remember going to the old downtown public library as a kid and my first destination was the nonfiction section. Usually I'd stock up on craft books, how-to books, and a few Nancy Drew books. Then I'd come home and make a mess.
I think it is genetic. I remember my mom painting, making wreaths, and near the end of her life, rubber stamping. And I see it in two of my children. When B was only 2 she made a huge mess each and every day practicing cutting. There would be little paper scraps all over the living room table which I could only throw away after she went to bed because they were her "creations". She still does this but now we confine the mess to her own room.
I realized this week as I try to straighten up after the Christmas wrapping season that I have WAY TOO MANY craft supplies. I can't get rid of them though since they are all important. I have been sewing for over 20 years so much of it is fabric and notions. Over the years I have collected materials and tried my hand at calligraphy,macrame, leather work, cross stitch, quilting, flower arranging/wreathmaking, tie-dye, soap and candle making, candy molding, cake decorating, jewelry making, rubber stamping, and most currently, knitting and aromatherapy(the making of the homemade bath salts, etc.) I truly enjoy all of these and wish I had time to do them more.
I think it partially comes from a desire to be self-sufficient. If I can do it myself, I want to. The one thing I would like to do in that effort I still haven't done much of is gardening. I know it isn't crafting but to me it falls in the same arena of pursuing the pioneer spirit. Sometimes I think I was born about 200 years too late.
But then, they didn't have a glue gun on the prairie.
I think it is genetic. I remember my mom painting, making wreaths, and near the end of her life, rubber stamping. And I see it in two of my children. When B was only 2 she made a huge mess each and every day practicing cutting. There would be little paper scraps all over the living room table which I could only throw away after she went to bed because they were her "creations". She still does this but now we confine the mess to her own room.
I realized this week as I try to straighten up after the Christmas wrapping season that I have WAY TOO MANY craft supplies. I can't get rid of them though since they are all important. I have been sewing for over 20 years so much of it is fabric and notions. Over the years I have collected materials and tried my hand at calligraphy,macrame, leather work, cross stitch, quilting, flower arranging/wreathmaking, tie-dye, soap and candle making, candy molding, cake decorating, jewelry making, rubber stamping, and most currently, knitting and aromatherapy(the making of the homemade bath salts, etc.) I truly enjoy all of these and wish I had time to do them more.
I think it partially comes from a desire to be self-sufficient. If I can do it myself, I want to. The one thing I would like to do in that effort I still haven't done much of is gardening. I know it isn't crafting but to me it falls in the same arena of pursuing the pioneer spirit. Sometimes I think I was born about 200 years too late.
But then, they didn't have a glue gun on the prairie.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Surgery Update
Well, we are home and all are resting quietly so I thought I'd tell you all went well and she is on the road to recovery now. He said it was a quick process to pull the two that needed to come out but the one that was impacted was a bit trickier. It was right near the front so the bracket could go on the front of the tooth easily. This was good since otherwise they would have to put it on the back of the tooth and then move the bracket later once the tooth was down. The only detrimental thing he found was that due to the position of the impacted tooth growing against its neighbor, the neighboring tooth had lost 2-3 mm of bone, making it slightly lose. This is not a good thing but he thinks she is still young enough to have the bone grow back over time. I'll be pushing extra calcium for this child for a long while.
I was in a hurry this morning but when I posted I was thinking of a beautiful, if somewhat sappy, children's picture book called Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. It is about a mother's love for her son and later, his love for her. The recurring chorus throughout the story is "I'll love you forever, /I'll like you for always/ As long as I'm living/my baby you'll be". This is how I was feeling this morning. I teared up when she fought the anesthesia mightily. The doctor later told me that was a sign of how nervous she was feeling. Once her body was under the effect of the meds, she couldn't control her nervous system any longer and that's how her anxiety came out. As she came out of the anesthesia she reassumed her bravado, not wanting me to see how disjointed she felt. That age is tough one during which to be vulnerable. We're both glad it's all over.
The best part for her was the doctor-prescribed milk shake on the way home!
I was in a hurry this morning but when I posted I was thinking of a beautiful, if somewhat sappy, children's picture book called Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. It is about a mother's love for her son and later, his love for her. The recurring chorus throughout the story is "I'll love you forever, /I'll like you for always/ As long as I'm living/my baby you'll be". This is how I was feeling this morning. I teared up when she fought the anesthesia mightily. The doctor later told me that was a sign of how nervous she was feeling. Once her body was under the effect of the meds, she couldn't control her nervous system any longer and that's how her anxiety came out. As she came out of the anesthesia she reassumed her bravado, not wanting me to see how disjointed she felt. That age is tough one during which to be vulnerable. We're both glad it's all over.
The best part for her was the doctor-prescribed milk shake on the way home!
They'll always be my babies
As I prepare this morning to take my oldest into the doctor's office for outpatient oral surgery, I am a bit nervous. I know it is safe. I had it myself at one point. This is what needs to happen. The doctor explained it all clearly. But...she's still my baby. The last time I had this kind of feeling was about five years ago when my newest baby, W, was only 7 weeks old. He had a condition in which his stomach (pyloric valve) was closing off and he was getting no nutrition. THis required a trip to the emergency room and surgery the next day. That was an ordeal. THis is minor in comparison but I still feel wary. We should be home by noon, they tell us. And we'll need a liquid diet for a few days. If you're reading this Thursday morning, please pray all goes well. I'll try to update this evening.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
I feel it coming
You know that bone-tired, achy feeling you get before you get sick? Well, I'm feeling it. The kids have had a respiratory yuck for a few days and yesterday older son started complaining of a very sore throat. By the evening, I was feeling the same way. We made "Throat Comfort" tea and enjoyed it together before heading off to bed. I read for a while but drifted off before 10 PM. Today I've tried to drink lots of extra water and had smoothie for breakfast and salad for lunch trying to boost my natural vitamin intake. Tonight I fixed ds(dear son, for those new to 'net lingo) up with a Chamomile/Oatmeal bath and made extra for me. I plan to dose up on Echinacea and Vitamin C before hitting the pillow hard. Thursday, B has to have oral surgery which requires full anesthesia and I don't want to be miserable alongside her.
On the bright side, I did have a very enjoyable outing with H to the mall. One of the few things on her Christmas list was "a trip to the mall with mom to buy new church shoes". So we did that, stopping at Bath and Body Works to redeem a gift card I received and also finding a lovely dress to match her new church shoes. She doesn't ever remember a better trip to the mall. Neither do I :) Generally, I am not a shopper and I usually detest the mall. But this was so much fun I may have to see if my other daughters want similar presents.
On the bright side, I did have a very enjoyable outing with H to the mall. One of the few things on her Christmas list was "a trip to the mall with mom to buy new church shoes". So we did that, stopping at Bath and Body Works to redeem a gift card I received and also finding a lovely dress to match her new church shoes. She doesn't ever remember a better trip to the mall. Neither do I :) Generally, I am not a shopper and I usually detest the mall. But this was so much fun I may have to see if my other daughters want similar presents.
Monday, December 26, 2005
Christmas = Games
I come from a family that loved to play games. Some of my earliest Christmas memories involve listening to the adults playing Scrabble and laughing loudly late at night after we were supposed to be sleeping. My grandaddy spent hours at the kitchen table playing Solitaire while we looked on. During the day, my other grandfather, Papa, would play checkers with any of the grandchildren who asked. There were three gifts we were sure to find under the tree each and every year: A new pair of pajamas, an ornament, and a new game. The year I was a senior in high school I received Clue. We stayed up late into the night to figure out it was usually Mrs. Scarlet in the Lounge with the revolver.
I have carried this love of games into adulthood. I rarely have time to indulge in more than a quick game of Uno but at Christmas time, we play games for days. We started this year out with a game of Yahtzee for my 2nd grader's math during the last week we had school. That is one of the best math games for the budding arithmetist (I don't know if that is a word, but I like it!). Then, at our Sunday School party, we played Apples to Apples. If you haven't seen this, I think it is one of the best games for a mixed age group, especially if you can help the under-10 crowd with the cultural references they don't understand. At my Dad's we learned about Phase 10, a fancified form of Gin Rummy.
Then my brother came to visit. In one short weekend visit we played Chess, Mastermind, Scrabble, Apples to Apples, and the very same Clue game I got 20 yrs ago. Then for gifts this year, I looked to add to our collection of classic games. The new games for us this year were Phase 10, Hi-Q (a classic solitaire game), Redemption (a Biblical trading card game), Bible Mad Gab, and Operation. For the last 36 hours, there has been at least one game going somewhere in the house.
For this week at least there will be laughing and merriment. We'll have to put most of it away next week in favor of the books but they'll come out periodically throughout the year on rainy Saturdays. I'm so glad my children will have these memories to carry into their adulthood. It makes me glad I spent all those endless hours playing Candy Land when they were 2 and 3.
I have carried this love of games into adulthood. I rarely have time to indulge in more than a quick game of Uno but at Christmas time, we play games for days. We started this year out with a game of Yahtzee for my 2nd grader's math during the last week we had school. That is one of the best math games for the budding arithmetist (I don't know if that is a word, but I like it!). Then, at our Sunday School party, we played Apples to Apples. If you haven't seen this, I think it is one of the best games for a mixed age group, especially if you can help the under-10 crowd with the cultural references they don't understand. At my Dad's we learned about Phase 10, a fancified form of Gin Rummy.
Then my brother came to visit. In one short weekend visit we played Chess, Mastermind, Scrabble, Apples to Apples, and the very same Clue game I got 20 yrs ago. Then for gifts this year, I looked to add to our collection of classic games. The new games for us this year were Phase 10, Hi-Q (a classic solitaire game), Redemption (a Biblical trading card game), Bible Mad Gab, and Operation. For the last 36 hours, there has been at least one game going somewhere in the house.
For this week at least there will be laughing and merriment. We'll have to put most of it away next week in favor of the books but they'll come out periodically throughout the year on rainy Saturdays. I'm so glad my children will have these memories to carry into their adulthood. It makes me glad I spent all those endless hours playing Candy Land when they were 2 and 3.
Pampered Mom Day
Today is officially declared "Pampered Mom Day" in our household. I have been meaning to deep condition my hair for weeks since the winter air really dries it out and it gets static electricity like crazy. Today was the day. But I didn't just stop there. I did the full treatment of facial, hair repair, and shower. The recipe I have for deep hair conditioning is great so I'll share it. Juice one lemon. Mix the juice with 1/4 cup olive oil and 2 Tbsp. honey. This combination smells great and soaks right into dry hair for a luxurious shine. I leave it on under a shower cap for about 15-20 minutes while I steam my face and use a mask to deep clean the pores. Then I hop in a hot shower and wash everything off. This time I even had a lemon salt scrub as a gift from a student so I was truly enjoying the cleaning experience.
Once we got all dolled up, the girls and I headed out to Michael's and Target, our favorite duo of stores right next to each other. Michael's had some great sales, including 70% off fancy yarns. I got several types for fun projects. Target was a disappointment. Too crowded and no real good prices yet. I'll check back later in the week to see if they go to 90% off. The boys went to the store that sells Brio train accessories and found some treasures as well.
Once we got all dolled up, the girls and I headed out to Michael's and Target, our favorite duo of stores right next to each other. Michael's had some great sales, including 70% off fancy yarns. I got several types for fun projects. Target was a disappointment. Too crowded and no real good prices yet. I'll check back later in the week to see if they go to 90% off. The boys went to the store that sells Brio train accessories and found some treasures as well.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas
Well, it's finally here, that magical day of all days. One thing I wish we could recapture as we get older is that feeling of excitement on Christmas Eve about all the next day will hold. Now, I'm afraid I often think mostly of the work involved in getting all of the presents wrapped and under the tree. Add to that the baking which I love but always get in over my head about, and the meal for the day, and I'm pooped before the clock strikes midnight. This year was a little calmer since I had most presents taken care of by Wednesday and wrapped a little each day. I only had 4 or 5 left by last night. And we are home alone this year which leaves us feeling mixed emotions. Not as special as being with the extended family, but so much easier than the travel and planning that requires. We had a nice calm morning of ripping into paper and ribbons, followed by the traditional breakfast of little smokies and sausage-and-cheese-balls. I added an egg casserole to the menu this year but it met with mixed reviews so I'll probably stick with scrambled eggs next time.
Then we were able to make it to church by 9:30 for the service of lessons and carols, an English tradition adopted by many churches in the US. We had attended two services last night and sung dozens of carols but it was still special to do it on Christmas Day.
Speaking of Christmas Eve services, the first one we attended was the children's service where they have audience participation in the retelling of the Christmas Story with costumed angels, shepherds, and Kings. There were 996 children in attendance, I kid you not! This is often referred to as "bedlam in Bethlehem" and you can imagine why. I do it for the kids only when I have to :) Then we stayed for the next service where our junior high students were singing and I could actually enjoy the service.
Back to this morning--- We had had our extended family celebration with my family last week and I didn't really want a repeat of ham and sweet potatoes so I found some new recipes and thought I'd be adventurous. This was our menu: Roast pork loin with fresh Thyme and Rosemary(made easy with my new electronic oven thermometer-Thanks Dad and Janet!), Spinach and Artichoke au gratin, Baked creamed onions, Roasted winter vegetables, Sugar snap peas with shallots, and for dessert, Upside down Apple Gingerbread with vanilla ice cream. My favorites were the onions and the spinach casserole. I'm not sure about the roast vegetables' seasoning and you can't really mess up sugar snap peas. We are letting the gingerbread cool. I really do enjoy cooking and, given the time, I love to try new recipes. Five in one meal is a challenge but I think all went well enough. The hardest thing about this cooking is that all of the dishes needed slightly different cooking temps. I should really pick by oven temp next time. Life would be so much easier.
Among my Christmas presents was a digital camera so you can look forward to seeing some pics as I learn to operate it and post pictures with my blog posts. I hope all of my family and friends have a Blessed Christmas and the Happiest of New Years.
Then we were able to make it to church by 9:30 for the service of lessons and carols, an English tradition adopted by many churches in the US. We had attended two services last night and sung dozens of carols but it was still special to do it on Christmas Day.
Speaking of Christmas Eve services, the first one we attended was the children's service where they have audience participation in the retelling of the Christmas Story with costumed angels, shepherds, and Kings. There were 996 children in attendance, I kid you not! This is often referred to as "bedlam in Bethlehem" and you can imagine why. I do it for the kids only when I have to :) Then we stayed for the next service where our junior high students were singing and I could actually enjoy the service.
Back to this morning--- We had had our extended family celebration with my family last week and I didn't really want a repeat of ham and sweet potatoes so I found some new recipes and thought I'd be adventurous. This was our menu: Roast pork loin with fresh Thyme and Rosemary(made easy with my new electronic oven thermometer-Thanks Dad and Janet!), Spinach and Artichoke au gratin, Baked creamed onions, Roasted winter vegetables, Sugar snap peas with shallots, and for dessert, Upside down Apple Gingerbread with vanilla ice cream. My favorites were the onions and the spinach casserole. I'm not sure about the roast vegetables' seasoning and you can't really mess up sugar snap peas. We are letting the gingerbread cool. I really do enjoy cooking and, given the time, I love to try new recipes. Five in one meal is a challenge but I think all went well enough. The hardest thing about this cooking is that all of the dishes needed slightly different cooking temps. I should really pick by oven temp next time. Life would be so much easier.
Among my Christmas presents was a digital camera so you can look forward to seeing some pics as I learn to operate it and post pictures with my blog posts. I hope all of my family and friends have a Blessed Christmas and the Happiest of New Years.
Monday, December 19, 2005
There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays
Well, after much thought and discussion, we have decided to stay here for Christmas. There were several other factors we had not really considered and when we looked at the whole picture, we needed to just stay home. We'll need to try to find some new things to do to make it special even with no extended family.
We had a wonderful visit with my brother over the weekend. I haven't seen him since early in the year when he moved out of state and I've missed talking with him. We went to see the new Narnia movie. I highly recommend it if you are inclined towards C.S. Lewis, and maybe even if you aren't. I'm not a huge fan of fantasy but I really enjoyed this. We did a little shopping, a little eating, a lot of game playing, and lots of talking.
Tomorrow I'll be baking and making candies and treats. I started giving kitchen gifts during the years when money was tight. Now, I just enjoy giving something that is truly homemade and usually consumable so there is no new "junk" to keep up with. I make strawberry jam every spring from berries we pick ourselves and I always make plenty of small gift sizes for family and important adults in my kids' lives. The church choir teachers have come to expect my jam. This year I also added a few hand knitted gifts to the roster since I am learning this new skill.
We had a wonderful visit with my brother over the weekend. I haven't seen him since early in the year when he moved out of state and I've missed talking with him. We went to see the new Narnia movie. I highly recommend it if you are inclined towards C.S. Lewis, and maybe even if you aren't. I'm not a huge fan of fantasy but I really enjoyed this. We did a little shopping, a little eating, a lot of game playing, and lots of talking.
Tomorrow I'll be baking and making candies and treats. I started giving kitchen gifts during the years when money was tight. Now, I just enjoy giving something that is truly homemade and usually consumable so there is no new "junk" to keep up with. I make strawberry jam every spring from berries we pick ourselves and I always make plenty of small gift sizes for family and important adults in my kids' lives. The church choir teachers have come to expect my jam. This year I also added a few hand knitted gifts to the roster since I am learning this new skill.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
To Go or Not To Go, that is the question..
When two people get married, they have lots of things to consider in blending the two lives. Where will we live? Whose blender will we keep? Will we have children? When? Who will make the bed? Okay, so not all issues are as important as the others :) But one of the stickiest I have noticed is "Where will we spend the holidays?" In our case, one family lives relatively close, the other lives 1200 miles away. Early on, we decided we would alternate Christmas and try to visit his family at other times of the year on the off year. What has really happened has been almost every other Christmas up there and his mom comes here in between. Life happens, people move, jobs are lost, money gets tight. Some years we haven't had money for the hotel and gas involved, or haven't had the time off.
As we make plans for this year, other family members' plans are affecting the decision as well. I have two siblings and they can only be here for a few days the week before Christmas so that forces the issue of the "family celebration". This leaves us all alone for Christmas Day. After Thanksgiving, I really didn't want to do this again, it's just too lonely. We decided to make the trip to his family. Then an unexpected medical need came up with the children that needed not only money but recovery time best placed while school and activities are on hiatus. So we decided to stay home. Now, after talking to J's mom, she has offered to help with the trip home, and we are having second (or rather fifth) thoughts. Do we go up there to be with her, reschedule the surgery, and have not much time of break at home? Or do we stay home to take care of business and miss out on family for Christmas Day? J has 12 days off of work which is unprecedented. This was the other reason to go. What will happen next year we don't know.
I have a feeling if we stay here, we'll end up regretting it on Christmas Day. But the whole effort of a 20 hr road trip TWICE, leaving me very little time to recover for the new semester is overwhelming. I'll keep you posted.
As we make plans for this year, other family members' plans are affecting the decision as well. I have two siblings and they can only be here for a few days the week before Christmas so that forces the issue of the "family celebration". This leaves us all alone for Christmas Day. After Thanksgiving, I really didn't want to do this again, it's just too lonely. We decided to make the trip to his family. Then an unexpected medical need came up with the children that needed not only money but recovery time best placed while school and activities are on hiatus. So we decided to stay home. Now, after talking to J's mom, she has offered to help with the trip home, and we are having second (or rather fifth) thoughts. Do we go up there to be with her, reschedule the surgery, and have not much time of break at home? Or do we stay home to take care of business and miss out on family for Christmas Day? J has 12 days off of work which is unprecedented. This was the other reason to go. What will happen next year we don't know.
I have a feeling if we stay here, we'll end up regretting it on Christmas Day. But the whole effort of a 20 hr road trip TWICE, leaving me very little time to recover for the new semester is overwhelming. I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Mount Neverest
I am putting on my hiking boots to attack Mount Neverest, otherwise known as my utility room. Over the exciting party weekend, which turned out to have 4 parties, not just our two, I kind of let the laundry slide. Then I had the normal routine of Sunday activities and teaching on Monday and Tuesday. So now I have a huge task ahead of me to catch it all up. Poor W has been wearing whatever we could find clean in his drawers for two days, although I must say at least he matched and was clean. At this stage of the game, that's all I ask.
I have four loads folded on my bed ready to put away. I started using my bed rather than the couch a few years ago because if I used the couch, I let it sit for a few days before putting it away. This way, it has to be put away before I go to bed at night. That's the lazy woman's method of self discipline. Boy's laundry is humming away in both the washer and the dryer and by tomorrow morning I can sort through the girls' pile. Oldest dd, B, does all her own laundry on Mondays while I teach. She is so responsible. I appreciate all she does and now I just need to figure out how to instill that in the younger ones.
In the meantime, you'll find me buried somewhere between the lights and the reds. Someone throw me a clothesline, please!
I have four loads folded on my bed ready to put away. I started using my bed rather than the couch a few years ago because if I used the couch, I let it sit for a few days before putting it away. This way, it has to be put away before I go to bed at night. That's the lazy woman's method of self discipline. Boy's laundry is humming away in both the washer and the dryer and by tomorrow morning I can sort through the girls' pile. Oldest dd, B, does all her own laundry on Mondays while I teach. She is so responsible. I appreciate all she does and now I just need to figure out how to instill that in the younger ones.
In the meantime, you'll find me buried somewhere between the lights and the reds. Someone throw me a clothesline, please!
Friday, December 09, 2005
Two Party Weekend
I wrote several weeks ago that we don't entertain very often. That was then, this is now. We are having not one, but two parties this weekend. Our Sunday School class Christmas Party is here by default since no one else offered and I don't really mind. These are all friends who know my house is nothing from Better Homes and Gardens. They are truly coming for the fellowship and wouldn't even notice the stains in our carpets. I do have to get the tree up this morning and do a general house cleaning. But the house looks "okay" for a friendly visit. I plan to make a pot of chili to add to the warmth and get some fresh flowers.
Then tomorrow we are having a birthday party for W. We will probably meet at the park, but there is still a chance of cold sending us to our home for the first hour. The second hour will be at the fire station so that is no problem. I have the pinata; just need to fill it and make the cake. There will be a few games, so I had better get those planned today as well.
Add to this two more parties to attend, and we are full up! I do love the Christmas season.
Then tomorrow we are having a birthday party for W. We will probably meet at the park, but there is still a chance of cold sending us to our home for the first hour. The second hour will be at the fire station so that is no problem. I have the pinata; just need to fill it and make the cake. There will be a few games, so I had better get those planned today as well.
Add to this two more parties to attend, and we are full up! I do love the Christmas season.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful...
and the furnace is so delightful. It is 24 degrees in Central Texas tonight. The temperature has dropped all day and there is drizzle so the roads are a mess. That means church choir was cancelled tonight and we got to stay in. I love those unexpected nights with no activity. We made homemade hot chocolate and watched a movie all together. Tomorrow's tee ball practice is cancelled as well. I look forward to not leaving the house at all tomorrow since the temperature isn't expected to get much past 35. For us in Texas, this is a veritable deep freeze :)
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
May the force be with you...
Yesterday was my youngest child's birthday. He is turning 5, a real milestone for me as I have never had a child turn 5 without having at least one younger sibling. To have no baby in the house is a whole new world.
For some reason, this child has decided he loves Star Wars. No, he's never seen the movie. But swords that light up so you can fight are just way too cool for any true American boy NOT to love Star Wars. About two weeks ago, as we were driving home from church, W said to Dad, "It's just no fun without light sabers!"..."And I need two of them so I can fight someone". Then he went to several birthday parties in the last month where Star Wars was a factor.
Guess what W got for his birthday. Yep, not one but two real light sabers (or as real as Toys R Us gets). We turned out all the lights and they all took turns battling the evils of the world. Birthdays are great for kids. They get to be excited about the presents without feeling guilty. We celebrate their life and tell them how special they are. They say Christmas is for kids. The older I get, the more I see that birthdays are really for kids, too.
Wait until he sees the Darth Tater he's getting for Christmas. Mr Potato Head with an attitude! Watch out for the boy with the light saber.
For some reason, this child has decided he loves Star Wars. No, he's never seen the movie. But swords that light up so you can fight are just way too cool for any true American boy NOT to love Star Wars. About two weeks ago, as we were driving home from church, W said to Dad, "It's just no fun without light sabers!"..."And I need two of them so I can fight someone". Then he went to several birthday parties in the last month where Star Wars was a factor.
Guess what W got for his birthday. Yep, not one but two real light sabers (or as real as Toys R Us gets). We turned out all the lights and they all took turns battling the evils of the world. Birthdays are great for kids. They get to be excited about the presents without feeling guilty. We celebrate their life and tell them how special they are. They say Christmas is for kids. The older I get, the more I see that birthdays are really for kids, too.
Wait until he sees the Darth Tater he's getting for Christmas. Mr Potato Head with an attitude! Watch out for the boy with the light saber.
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Deck the Halls
Some people decorate all at once on Thanksgiving weekend. I prefer to stretch it out over the first few weeks of December. I really like to savor Thanksgiving and refuse to pull things out until at least Dec. 1. We have a tradition of helping my parents decorate their tree on Thanksgiving weekend. That really evolved out of sheer necessity since the kids were so busy on weekends that they were only free on the holiday weekend. So my parents would take them, bake cookies, string popcorn, and get in the Christmas spirit. But at our house it takes a little longer.
Today was the day. We started in the play room with a "Room Rescue" so I could have a space to bring the Christmas boxes out of the attic. We got the stockings hung, the Santas out (Grandma gave each child a beautiful Santa collectible on their first Christmas), and all the knick knacks set about. The children's nativities are out but my nice one will wait for tomorrow. Next weekend we'll have outdoor lights and a tree.
I stopped at Hobby Lobby this week for knitting needles and all of the Thanksgiving merchandise was 90% off! I had been wanting a nice fall wreath so I bought garlands, a form, and an adorable scarecrow to sit in it. I finished that up tonight with the exception of a bow. I made a gorgeous wreath for 10% of the original cost. I'm feeling pretty proud. Sometimes I think I could have a Martha-like show for tightwads. Martha makes fall wreaths during November. I do it the week after Thanksgiving.
Join us in January as we learn how to make lovely centerpieces for your holiday meal :)
Today was the day. We started in the play room with a "Room Rescue" so I could have a space to bring the Christmas boxes out of the attic. We got the stockings hung, the Santas out (Grandma gave each child a beautiful Santa collectible on their first Christmas), and all the knick knacks set about. The children's nativities are out but my nice one will wait for tomorrow. Next weekend we'll have outdoor lights and a tree.
I stopped at Hobby Lobby this week for knitting needles and all of the Thanksgiving merchandise was 90% off! I had been wanting a nice fall wreath so I bought garlands, a form, and an adorable scarecrow to sit in it. I finished that up tonight with the exception of a bow. I made a gorgeous wreath for 10% of the original cost. I'm feeling pretty proud. Sometimes I think I could have a Martha-like show for tightwads. Martha makes fall wreaths during November. I do it the week after Thanksgiving.
Join us in January as we learn how to make lovely centerpieces for your holiday meal :)
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Child's Play
I love to watch children playing. I don't mean playing a computer game, or Dodge Ball, or even Monopoly. I mean real honest-to-goodness imaginary play. We've had Robin Hood and Little John in our "forest" stealing from the rich. Our house has been cleaned in the manner of both Pippi Longstocking and Mary Poppins. More than one Goliath has been slayed in our very own playroom.
Tonight it was a dog show with the stuffed dogs. One of our traditions is watching the National Dog Show on Thanksgiving morning after the parade. Since we went to the church that day, I recorded it. Tonight was the first free night we've had so we decided to watch it. We loved watching all the top breeds win in their groups and cheered when it came time to pick Best in Show. We each had our favorite, none of whom won. Honestly, of all the pretty dogs, there they picked the ugly Colored Bull Terrier with the goofiest head you ever saw! As soon as it went off, they staged their own competition. Oldest daughter served as judge while the other leashed up their favorite. We had a golden retriever puppy, a very old and well loved hound dog, a floppy ?breed, and some kind of sled dog (Husky maybe?) They ran the circles, the judge felt their coats and looked at their teeth. Finally it was determined that we had four winners, each in their own right. What a wise judge.
I often get frustrated with children fussing and trying to find an activity that appeals to our wide age range. But every once in a while, they form such a cohesive unit in their play that I just sit back and smile. These are the best of times.
Tonight it was a dog show with the stuffed dogs. One of our traditions is watching the National Dog Show on Thanksgiving morning after the parade. Since we went to the church that day, I recorded it. Tonight was the first free night we've had so we decided to watch it. We loved watching all the top breeds win in their groups and cheered when it came time to pick Best in Show. We each had our favorite, none of whom won. Honestly, of all the pretty dogs, there they picked the ugly Colored Bull Terrier with the goofiest head you ever saw! As soon as it went off, they staged their own competition. Oldest daughter served as judge while the other leashed up their favorite. We had a golden retriever puppy, a very old and well loved hound dog, a floppy ?breed, and some kind of sled dog (Husky maybe?) They ran the circles, the judge felt their coats and looked at their teeth. Finally it was determined that we had four winners, each in their own right. What a wise judge.
I often get frustrated with children fussing and trying to find an activity that appeals to our wide age range. But every once in a while, they form such a cohesive unit in their play that I just sit back and smile. These are the best of times.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)