7 Quick Takes

Seven Things I'm going to do This Weekend Edition

~1~

Listen to my little ones joyfully play with their big sister who came home for a couple of days for Fall Break.

I love those sounds!

~2~

Escort my High School Senior, Madden, onto the football field for Senior Night---his last home game.  The last game I will see him play since I'll miss next week's game.

Bittersweet, it will be.

~3~

Take TMax to his Fall Festival piano competition where we fully anticipate Excellent performances!  I only wish we could hear them!

~4~

Watch KT and the young-uns make Barbara's doughnuts/soul cakes for the All Saints Party Saturday night.  

Just watch.  Not help (I hope).  Not eat (I double-hope).

~5~

Escort St. Agnes (maybe), St. Maximilian Kolbe, and future St. TMax (he's going to be a helper and probably not dress up) to the All Saints Party.

Oh, and we'll have to say good-by to Katie before we go.

~6~

Sell Christmas Wreaths and greenery at Masses on Sunday to support American Heritage Girls.  

If you want to support my troop, too, you can!  They're shipped directly to your house, so you don't have to drive down here to pick them up!  Just email me.

~7~

Most of that was chronological, but the best thing I'll do all weekend is visit with my girl.  She'll probably sit in my lap, and I will love every minute of it!

~~~~~~

What are your plans for the weekend?

Oh, yeah, and trick-or-treating.

~~~~~

More Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

~6~

Rabbit Rain

Long-awaited pictures of bunnies.  Someone (Blogger or Apple) has finally gotten their act together and I've been able to post pictures twice now with no glitches!

Mopsy is, by far, the friendlier rabbit, as you can see by the lack of pics of Jasmine.

 We finally got our rabbit hutch built.  Don't criticize; we're total novices at woodworking skills!

Today, we finally put them outside in it to see how they like it.

They seemed very content with their environment, and then a huge thunderstorm started that I hadn't expected. 

 We put plywood over them while it was a light rain, but only one was staying inside the little box.  The kids couldn't stand it and went out in the driving rain to bring them back into the garage.

I don't think they minded getting completely soaked, though.

errr, the kids....or the rabbits.

October Daybook

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window...It's ridiculously warm---about 70 degrees this a.m.  But the sky is overcast and it's starting to drizzle.  I think the word of the day is "lowering".

I am thinking...about Christmas.  Can I get it all done before Advent, so as to enjoy the season?

I am thankful for...the simple pleasures in life.  Hugs from my children, especially the ones I don't see much of during the day; a 5-minute surprise visit from my husband in the middle of the day; unseasonably warm weather.

 
From the learning rooms kitchen table...The usual, but this week in religion we're focussing on All Hallows Eve:  where it came from and how we can remember importance of praying for the dead before we go trick-or-treating and when we return.

From the kitchen...No specialties on the menu this week.  Just simple meals, but we're looking forward to making soul cakes on Saturday for the homeschool All Saints Party.  We're going to use Barbara's recipe, because they're the best doughnuts I've ever made!

I am wearing...Brown.  Capris.  Tee. Shoes.  Unusual for me not to have some color on.

I am creating...Sweaters, socks, hats.  Still. (Still).

I am going...To stay home today until time to pick up TMax, stopping to get a new knitting needle on the way, just like last week.  I'm going to enjoy NOT having to take the young 'uns to play rehearsal today!

I am reading...Voyager.  The 3rd volume in the Outlander series.  What a love story! The Fiery Cross:  The 5th volume in the Outlander series!  A Breath of Snow and Ashes: The 6th volume in the Outlander series.  (one more after this!)

I am hoping and praying...for healing for lots of people with cancer, especially this little boy.  And for my brother's voice to return. He said on FB that people who don't know about his tumor think that he has throat cancer from years of smoking.  Well, he never smoked, and he doesn't sound like that because we know how that sounds, sadly.  I'm still not sure what else you might think he has if you didn't know his vocal chord was paralyzed.  He's hoarse and breathless.

I am hearing...Silence.  Does that mean my kids are working diligently?  Nah.  Probably not, just trying not to draw attention to the fact that they're not working!

Around the house...I have a strong desire to go through my house methodically to clean and de-clutter and reorganize.  I think that means that I have more energy than I have had in recent months!  This is why I want Christmas gifts out of the way before Advent, so I can clean! I like using Lent and Advent, the penitential seasons, for deep-cleaning the house.

One of my favorite things...Talking with my kids about stuff.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Choir, AHG, reading, knitting. That's the standard, but I'm looking forward to going to Mass and a little adoration while the kids are at rehearsal on Thursday. The same as usual, with a little Halloween and All Saints thrown in.  And, joy of joys, my little girl is coming home from college for a couple of days for part of her fall break!!  Too bad Hitch won't be coming with her; he's going to the Georgia-Florida game.

A Picture thought I'm sharing:

Tom's piano teacher took him and a few other students to a concert where they got to meet the star.

Tom with pianist/composer Jim Brickman

Have a beautiful, October day!

Sara

Mother Mary

I'm stealing this from Jen @ Conversion Diary today since, as usual, I don't have time for a long post.  

"Stealing" doesn't sound like something I should be doing if I love Jesus and His Blessed Mother, but you know what I mean, and I'm doing it anyway.  ;-)

Love for the Blessed Virgin was not one of things I had a problem with when I converted.  I very easily accepted the fact that she is special and deserves our love.  Not only that, but she loves us, too, and she wants to lead us to Her Son.  I just get chills when I think about all these parallels between the Old and the New Testaments.  

Watch the video!

Daybook

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window...It is bright and sunny.  75 degrees.  It's a lovely fall day, and since we just got home from rehearsal, the kids bolted outside to see their friends getting off the bus.  They'll be out all afternoon.  Love it!

I am thinking...about lots of things that need to be done, as usual.

I am thankful for...This gorgeous weather, my faith and my family (2 more things that I've been thinking  about.

 
From the learning rooms kitchen table...The usual:  math, religion, science, geography.  But there is sadly a large pile of tests that need to be entered into the computer!  (Last week's entry, except now we're not really at the kitchen table.  We're cozy in front of the fireplace.  It's 60 degrees in the house, and 70's outside, so we turn on the fire for a few hours in the a.m.)

From the kitchen...Last night it was spicy corn chowder, which leftovers will be good with quesadillas and chorizo sausage tonight.  Yum!

I am wearing...The Good Jeans with a navy v-neck and my favorite thrifted, green cardigan.

I am creating...Sweaters, socks, hats.  Still.

I am going...to pick up TMax in a little bit, with a stop on the way to pick up a new knitting needle for that hat.

I am reading...Voyager.  The 3rd volume in the Outlander series.  What a love story! The Fiery Cross:  The 5th volume in the Outlander series!

I am hoping and praying...for healing for lots of people with cancer, especially this little boy.  And for my brother's voice to return.

I am hearing...The house is silent except for the sound of SQPN's Catholic Weekend playing while I type.

Around the house...I have a strong desire to go through my house methodically to clean and de-clutter and reorganize.  I think that means that I have more energy than I have had in recent months!  

One of my favorite things...My new doctor who is quite the detective when it comes to finding out the root cause of my thyroid problems instead of just writing a prescription.  While we do more tests and wait, he has put me on an herbal supplement that has practically changed my life.  I didn't realize how much of myself I had lost.  I have energy again; I can make it through the day without collapsing periodically.  I'm sleeping better.  Life is good and he's my hero.  

Afew plans for the rest of the week:  Choir, AHG, reading, knitting. That's the standard, but I'm looking forward to going to Mass and a little adoration while the kids are at rehearsal on Thursday.

Beautiful Weekend

I'd like to say that I spent a lot of time outside in the gorgeous weather, but I really didn't.  Part of what made the weekend great was starting bright and early Saturday morning with Confession.

Thank you, God, for this wonderful sacrament!

We followed up with the traditional Krispy Kreme doughnuts.  Following Pavlov's theory, we want the kids to like going to confession!  I think I'm hooked on the sour cream doughnuts that I've just discovered recently.  We'll have to start going to confession weekly!

Then we spent a few hours cleaning house before we had to start dropping kids off at various places or going to different events.  Eventually, we got rid of all the kids before dinner and we had the house to ourselves!  Weird experience, that.  So we ate and went to Casino Night at the church.

Okay, so as I gave you the nitty-gritty on this weekend and it suddenly occurred to me that it was a very mundane weekend, with the exception of all the kids being gone Saturday night.  Having the house clean all day Saturday, having had more energy than usual with which to clean it, and having a date with my husband probably had something to do with the beautiful weekend.

Sunday morning, as I was kneeling at Mass, watching my boys serve at the altar, I was filled with gratitude for my blessings.  My wonderful children who are growing up way too fast.  My hard-working, sweet husband.  It was beautiful.

~~~~~~~

Last evening was another matter, however.  Everyone was home; the house was messy again; homework needed to be done; children were tired and cranky, although not sleepy, they said; there was an episode of biting (I thought we had outgrown that!) and its ensuing punishment, and Mom was definitely ready to have them in bed so she could go herself.

It was a beautiful weekend because I am blessed.  But it's also a Life, and that's a bit messy at times!

How was your weekend?  Exciting?  Busy?  Mundane?

Dear Blog,

Is it Thursday, already?  I had thought to spend more time with you this week....at least a couple of outings...but sadly it is not to be.  


We're busier than ever with 2 play rehearsals per week for Meg and Pip.  They're going to be in a show at our local community theater!  And then, yesterday, my brother came to visit for a couple of hours on his way to a business meeting in town.  Between cooking, cleaning, schooling, driving, and more driving, you've been sadly neglected.  So sorry!


Don't feel too badly, though. You're not the only one; my friend Mrs. Maytag is being neglected, too. We need to spend a whole day together, and bond, but it is not this day. Today we'll be doing our Starbucks school, meeting with Farmer Chad, a quick lunch at home, and then off to rehearsal, pick up TMax at some point, and then off to AHG in the evening.  Whew.  


The only ones who get any attention around here are Mrs. Sweater and Miss Sock, depending on whether I'm in the car or at home.


Maybe we'll have time for 7 Quickies tomorrow (wow, that sounds dirty!), but if not, don't forget me.


Love,
Sara

Columbus Day Off!

When you're a SAHM, Home-Schooling mom, Car-Pool Driving Mom, or Just a Mom, do you ever really have a day off?

Ahem.  That would be No.  Unless you take the time for yourself.

I was going to write a post about how offended I was recently when another mother said she doesn't have as much time as someone like me because she "has a full-time job".  Now, this woman gets off work at 2:30 p.m. and picks up her 2 children from school.

At 2:30, I'm still homeschooling my kids most of the time.  Hurrying to finish so I can go pick up another from school, and then.....Oh, you know the drill.

My point is that if you are a homeschooling mother, you have a full time job.  Don't ever let anyone tell you differently!  Even if its just a couple of small children with easy, elementary school subjects, you're still planning and executing lessons for them.  In addition to that, you're staying in your house making messes that wouldn't happen if you shuffled the kids out the door onto the bus in the a.m.

I thought life would be so much easier with yet another child out of the house and into a high school, so I just have the 2 at home.  It's not easier---although maybe slightly less complicated in terms of the one-room schoolhouse----because we still do school the same amount of time.  I've added 2 hours of driving to and from high school.  And I've added a volunteer commitment that takes a great deal of time.

So, no.  I don't have any more time than anyone else just because I stay home.  I was determined to get a lot of knitting and reading done today, but that's not going to happen because we're off to the Big Box Hardware store to by supplies to build a rabbit hutch, something we don't normally have time for!

Enjoy your day off---(if you have one.  TMax did have to go to school today!)---Take a little time for yourself.

Daybook

FOR TODAY...
Outside my window...Still dark.  Chilly temps at night, now.  It's what we like to call "great sleeping weather."

I am thinking...About American Heritage Girls board meeting tomorrow night.  AHG is what drives me out of bed most mornings.  That's not my favorite way to wake up, but it's a huge improvement over the back pain that used to have me near tears in the mornings!

I am thankful for...Audio books, ipods, knitting...all those things that make my daily drive bearable and productive.

From the learning rooms...The usual:  math, religion, science, geography.  But there is sadly a large pile of tests that need to be entered into the computer!

From the kitchen...Looks like a peach pie this afternoon with the peaches that no one wants to eat.  They weren't a great batch, a little late in the season, I guess.  I hope the pie is better.  I'll probably be the one who eats it---I'm not sure if anyone else actually likes peach pie!

I am wearing...Workout clothes (yay, me!), including my Mary Lou's Angels t-shirt that we had made for the walk for ALS a couple of years ago.  It has a beloved picture of my mom's angel painting on it.  

I am creating...Sweaters, socks, hats.

I am going...to choir tonight.  I think it's a quiet day today!

I am reading...Voyager.  The 3rd volume in the Outlander series.  What a love story!

I am hoping...That the Lord will answer some prayers that I have, especially regarding AHG.

I am hearing...Jenn Fulwiler talking about her conversion to pro-life.

Around the house...Never ending laundry and clutter patrol.

One of my favorite things...my husband.  And peach pie.

Afew plans for the rest of the week:  Choir, AHG, reading, knitting.  I think that should just be a standard response.  Nothing new cropping up this week.




More Daybooks here:  http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ 

The Agony and The Ecstasy

Saturday was an unusual day.  I had a special choir rehearsal all morning where we sang mostly Christmas music.  That was fun.  But TMax was at an Academic Team tournament  from which I had to pick him up
 whenever he was done.  Since I was in the area, I stopped at my LYS (Local Yarn Store, for the uninitiated); they had just moved to a bigger location.

Here's the Ecstasy part:

I spent a little over an hour walking past every.  single.  row. of shelves.  Full of yarn.

Gorgeous colorways that make me happy.

I felt most of them.  Should I not have done that?  Because that's the best part!

I found new yarns that I'd never heard of.  I found yarns that I have heard of and have been dying to use.  I thought of patterns that I have downloaded, that are waiting in my queue.

Here's the Agony part:

There are so many amazing yarns that feel so scrumptious!  There are so many patterns I'm longing to knit, both for myself and for others.

And there is so little time and so little money for all those things.  Since I knit fairly slowly, I can probably manage to scrounge up the money for the next project while I work on one.  But it's really hard to stay faithful to one wip at a time.  I like to have lots of things to choose from depending on my mood.

I wish someone would pay me to knit.

Tin Cups and Tinder

Alice Cantrell sent me a copy of her new book, Tin Cups and Tinder, to review for her.  I thought it would be right up my alley since I'm the mother of 4 Catholic boys.   Pip, the only little boy I have left, and I enjoyed looking through this lovely book.

The pictures are wonderful---both the photographs and Alice's little watercolor illustrations that adorn the pages.

It has stories about boy saints for inspiration, like St. John Bosco and St. Dominic Savio, as well as beautiful Bible verses.

This book seems to me a perfect balance of activities for boys so they can both learn new skills and equip themselves to go out and enjoy God's creation.   The sewing lessons will help them make their own haversack and their nature notebook, too.  While they're out in the wilderness, they can build a fire and feed themselves!

Pip found the book delightful and he was immediately inspired to make a fire pit in the back yard where we had a campfire that night and cooked bannocks on sticks.  We've since found out that fires are totally illegal here, so we won't be doing that again.  But it was fun while it lasted!

We're looking forward to creating fire-building kits, and first-aid kits, sewing, and learning to cook, and going out to explore.  We'll make sure to have a pocket shrine and rosary in that haversack, something that has been missing from my boys' scouting experiences!

I highly recommend Tin Cups & Tinder for younger boys, especially those who are not involved in Boy Scouts.  It's a great way to incorporate the Catholic faith into these valuable skills that every boy should know.