Monday DayLook: March 20, 2014

Looking out from my back porch... the truth is it’s gloomy and cloudy.  Rain and snow are in the forecast this week.  Only a little longer!

I am thankful for... a warm home, good health, our Neato vacuums (one on main level and one in basement), warmer weather, Chai tea & rubber boots!

I am reading… ‘33 Days to Morning Glory’ thanks to my ‘old’ study group.  The current leader sent me an extra copy and I’ve finally found the impetus to just read it and not fret over starting on an odd day.  It is helping a LOT; it’s just what I needed. 

I’ve also been reading ‘Say Goodbye to Survival Mode’ by Crystal Paine.  Sarah at More Than Enough talked about this book and it sounded like a great fit for me and how I feel like I’ve been living…though that’s not how I’d like to be living. 

I am praying for... a young man from our community who is going through a difficult time.  Also, for the father of a good friend who has been in the hospital for going on three weeks.

I am hearing... Zeke just finished up practicing piano.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)…  a little bit of laundry, but absolutely no sewing.

From the School Room... so thankful that subjects are nearing an end for some of the kids.  Greg is doing better at keeping a good pace and checking off assignments.  I am constantly praying for focus for my children.

From the Kitchen... the grill was fired up this week for hamburgers (needed to clear snow and ice from the patio and the weather finally cooperated last week).  The first grilled hamburgers of the year tasted great!  There are some brown bananas that are just begging to be made into bread.  They may end up in the freezer…

From the FarmYard… the rabbits pens have been cleaned.  It’s time to start thinking about when we want baby bunnies – about 30 days gestation – so in time for Easter?? 

The chickens are off in their laying.  They haven’t been laying as many eggs this week and I’m not sure why.  Could be that they’re about a year old and it’s time for a molt.  It’s really not the greatest timing with egg demand increasing at this time of  year.

Also, it’s mud time around here.  The snow and ice have been melting.

A successful moment… Angelina and I are registered for the Minnesota Homeschool Conference…and rooms are reserved, too.  She’s coming along because I hope to drop her off at camp on Sunday evening.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: First Reconciliation for Graham, dance for Angelina, Golfing for Eric (all. week. in. AZ.)

Tuesday: wrestling tourney for Zeke & Graham

Wednesday: hopefully spend some time outside, dance rehearsal for Angelina, It’s a Solemnity!!

Thursday: wrestling for Zeke & Graham, dance for Angelina

Friday: ND Homeshcool Convention & Catholic homeschool gathering in the evening

Saturday/Sunday: wrestling for Zeke & Graham, rehearsal & dance recital for Angelina, Greg leaves for ND State FFA Crop Judging, Grandma & Grandpa Golden Acres plan to come for a visit.

A picture memory...

July 2010

Angelina and our God-daughter at the ND State Fair.  They were born in the same year, Angelina in June and our God-daughter in August.

Finished by Friday!

Remember I’m the type who likes lists and crossing off each item?  Well, this is a short list of what’s been accomplished in our household/homeschool this week.  If you care to share your list, I’d welcome inspiration!

1.  Fish aquarium cleaned …it really needed it this time.  Unfortunately, our Cory cat, which wasn’t doing well in the first place, died this week.  I tried my best to  keep him alive by adding stress coat & additional oxygen.  And a Danio that had ICK didn’t make it either because the other fish chased it around.  I should get an isolation tank to protect sick fish.

2. Patio is cleared of ice and snow – thanks to Zeke & Louis.

3. Recycling & aluminum can crushing done by Graham.

4. Zeke finished Math-U-See Zeta!

5. Greg turned in the final draft of a government paper.  After many drafts, it’s just wonderful to have it done.

6. About half of the remaining Christmas décor has been stored.  Slow and steady…it’ll get done by Easter!  Ridiculous, right?

Monday DayLook – March 10, 2014

Looking out from my back porch... the sun is shining and the back patio is slowly clearing of ice and snow!  (I’ve been working to lower the huge drift in front of the BBQ grill by shoveling and chipping away at the ice layer.)

I am thankful for... a warm home, good health, Lent, fresh eggs, Confession, my washer and dryer,

I am reading… ‘Froggy Gets Dressed’ is one of my favorite children’s books.  I also enjoy reading ‘Little Blue Truck’ to my boys.

I am praying for... Graham to have a memorable First Reconciliation later this month.

I am hearing... the neato vacuum taking care of my floors while I sit in the schoolroom supervising and helping with subjects.

I am wearing… a t-shirt and jeans.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… Greg and I purchased fabric for a tie and vest.  He was invited to prom by a homeschool friend in a nearby town and wanted to spruce up his suit a bit.  I told him if he was diligent in his schoolwork and helped keep his siblings occupied, I’d have time to sew these for him.

From the School Room... the kids are starting to finish up a few workbooks.  Greg had a great day on Thursday last week and finished assignments in each subject.

From the Kitchen... Angelina and a friend made chocolate chip cookies. 

From the FarmYard… the eggs are so dirty when they’re brought in from the coop because the hens have been scratching = dirty feet = dirt in next boxes = dirty eggs = more work to clean them up.  But, eggs are good!

A successful moment… Eric and I went through calendars.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: dance for Angelina

Tuesday: wrestling for Zeke & Graham

Wednesday: hopefully spend some time outside

Thursday: wrestling for Zeke & Graham, dance for Angelina

A picture memory...

Father’s Day in June 2011.

Finished by Friday!

Remember I’m the type who likes lists and crossing off each item?  Well, this is a short list of what’s been accomplished in our household/homeschool this week.  If you care to share your list, I’d like to be inspired!

1. Graham finished his Music workbook.

2. Last Crop Judging Meet for Zeke & Angelina today – ND State 4-H Crop Judging contest in Valley City during the Winter Show.

3. Greg’s Sr. year course of studies is finalized.

4. Sorted out and washed the next size up in clothes for Marcus – he’s been wearing high water pants for a few weeks.

5. Ordered a few necessary clothing items for Greg & Angelina.  I always have the goal of not ordering during Lent, but kids don’t choose when to grow out of clothes & they sure don’t remember to let me know in a timely manner!

Ash Wednesday

This is a favorite pic from Ash Wednesday Past.  I looked for another, but could not find it (my pics are filed by month & year only).

Marcus – Ash Wednesday 2013

Hope your Lent 2013 is off to a great beginning!

Lent 2014

Ash Wednesday is marked on the calendar, but I admit to being so engrossed in the day to day activities of this family, that I wouldn’t be prompted to think about Lent if I wasn’t reminded by Facebook statuses and my Feedly blog reader.  Thank goodness prepared friends and favorite bloggers have it together enough to keep us other (distracted) Catholics pointed toward Christ and the liturgical year.  In the last week, I’ve read two items that gave pause and interested me enough to share with friends and my own children.  Maybe you’ve already read/seen these, but if you haven’t, check out the links about Lenten preparation on Sarah’s great post or for your teen’s, check out this post from the LifeTeen.Com Blog.

So, here’s what I and my family are doing this year…

Just Suzie: 

(1)  Read ‘33 Days to Morning Glory’ by Fr. Michael Gaitley.  I’m trying not to worry about NOT starting on a recommended date. 

(2) Lenten Sunday Meditations …signed up at Bridegroom Press.

(3) The idea of ‘40 days and 40 bags’ to clean and de-clutter is on my heart, but since time is limited, I plan to do an act of cleaning/de-cluttering for 15 minutes in one of these three areas: upstairs laundry room, Marcus’ closet, or basement guest room.

As a Family: 

(1)  After talking about the suggestions, in the LifeTeen post, the kids really like the idea of giving up all electronics after supper. 

The kids will all do individual sacrifices and our family does at least one related to food or drink, as well.