Monday Daylook - October 12

For Today: October 12, 2009


Looking out my back porch... well, there was no grass planted this fall.  Even though that's the one project I really wanted done last Spring, I'm okay with it now.  So, it's black dirt covered with a dusting of snow that fell last night, the tree rows (which grew very well in the weather we had this year) and the 'still' unharvested soybean field. 


I am thinking... one day at a time ... please let the harvest start and finish (the guys are going to 'try' combining this afternoon) before real snow flies and covers the ground ... and preferably before this baby is born.


I am thankful for... being one week closer to the end of the pregnancy and the prayers of a few good friends.


From the sewing/craft room… I purchased crosses last week for the three rosary books, so the books are completed and stored for Christmas gift-giving.


From the school room... both Angelina and Dash needed to re-work a couple writing assignments.  Directions are important!  I intentionally made this a lighter week because I don't want to be stressed (we have my brother's wedding in the cities this weekend), and I want the kids to get  assignments done on time and by Thursday morning. 

From the kitchen... finished up canning pear sauce, finally made the pear struesel pie, and canned a bit of salsa last week.  Of course, there are more tomatoes to be used, but at least they were all picked before the frost (every last one with a little bit of color)! 

I'm planning to make Chicken Potpie (a double recipe = one for the freezer) for supper tonight or tomorrow night, depending on the harvest schedule.  This is one dish that is frozen with raw pie crust and baked when you take it out of the freezer.  It doesn't taste like leftovers - although the leftovers are yummy, too -  ... and the whole family craves its creamy goodness.


I am reading... same books.  I've finished a few, though!  I finished up 'That's So You!'  I enjoyed the book, but am looking forward to using more of the information after pregnancy.  I think I do a pretty good job of choosing clothes in general (although looking back I have made plenty of fashion mistakes!).  I'm at a tough stage of dressing right now.  What were comfy pregnancy clothes are NOT comfortable and everything is too small in all the places you want a little more room.  Another tough time for me is right after pregnancy where I'm in-between my normal clothing and wearing what I call post-pregnancy clothes.  I don't really like many of my post-pregnancy clothes, but they are necessary for me!

Finished reading the first chapter for Women of Grace, but decided not to attend the meeting last Friday.  I also finished 'Vaccinations: Deception and Tragedy'.  Very interesting read.  Many statements I do agree with and I found the book to be well referenced to source texts.


I am hoping... the week goes smoothly.  We could use a couple weeks of warm weather to start/finish harvest and get the garage project underway - warm weather is at the top of the prayer list.


I am hearing... normal school day sounds:  math manipulatives, clicking of the computer keyboard, idle chit chat (that I'm trying to still!).

Later in the morning, hopefully there will be sounds of machinery.  Last week, work started on our detached garage.  Right now, the contractor and dirt hauler are hard at work with dirt.  The western side needs about 2-3 feet of extra dirt which means a lot of extra prep and a retaining type wall, but it's the best location.  Hopefully the weather will warm up enough to pour cement.  Otherwise the project will be held up until next Spring.


State of the house… the kids helped a lot last week, so the floors are clean.  That always makes me feel better ... can't see the dust on the wood laminate as I'm coming up the stairs from the basement!  Laundry is caught up and the kitchen is tidy enough. 

I believe the upstairs bathroom, which is shared by all the kids, is finally clean to my standards!  You see, I have a checklist for the kids to follow, but not all appreciate lists or the cleaner may not think certain steps are necessary.  This particular bathroom has been assigned to a particular child for the last week ... each day, because parts of the checklist weren't completed.  Today, all steps were completed!!!!! Hooray for one truly clean bathroom.

We'll be gone over the weekend, and I like to come home to a clean house.  We'll be entertaining visitors this coming Monday (Grandma and Grandpa Golden Acres and relatives from out of state), so we'll try very hard NOT to make messes and keep the house presentable.

A successful moment… did I mention that at least one bathroom is/was cleaned to my standards??  And, our outside winter prep is done. 


A few plans for the rest of the week…


Monday: Hopefully harvest will start.  I had hoped hubby would be able to drive Angelina to dance, but harvest is more important than a stay-at-home evening for me.


Tuesday: A free day???  Probably not.  We'll all do a little house cleaning, and as a carrot for helping clean and then keeping everything clean, maybe this craft for the kids.


Wednesday: Packing for the wedding weekend and maybe another craft - or I may just resort to a movie - to keep kids entertained and semi-quiet.


Thursday: I get to visit Jamie today!  I'm really looking forward to seeing her and her family (especially, Sweetie Pie).


Friday/Saturday/Sunday: Rehearsal, Groom's supper (at the Spaghetti Factory - yum!) and Wedding (at the Basilica) this weekend.  Eric is planning to take Angelina, Zeke and Graham to the Science Museum while Dash (I guess he'll be serving) and I (one very large and wide reader) are at rehearsal.  We are all looking forward to seeing family and friends.

A look at my day, in pictures...

Front cover of the Rosary Books - simple.

Creamy Chicken Potpie - scheduled for supper, either tonight OR tomorrow tonight!

The dusting of snow that arrived during the night.