For Today... Monday, 1 June 09
Outside my window... all sun. It’s a cool day, but the hints of summer are on their way. Tomorrow it is supposed to be in the 90’s.
I am thinking... about motivation – trying to get going and energized about tacking some mountains that have started to just blend into the walls.
From the learning rooms... We are in the home stretch of kindergarten this week. I’m already excited about next year, which will start in late July.
I am thankful for... Sticker charts – It’s amazing how behavior can change when there is motivation (like getting to see the movie “Up” in the theaters).
From the kitchen... A mess of dishes that need to be handwashed. It’s also the beginning of grilling season.
I am wearing... Blue shorts and a deep red shirt.
I am reading... Finally Alive by John Piper and just finished Humility by CJ Mahaney.
I am hoping... for energy, wisdom, and a God-given heart.
I am creating... ???
I am hearing... silence. Did I just type that?
Around the house... Legos are the hottest thing. We went to the new Lego store at Crabtree on Friday and it was an instant hit. The kids haven’t stopped playing with their starter set since. I never knew that they would be so mesmerized by it.
One of my favorite things... Family time – something it seems has been sparse of late.
A few plans for the rest of the week... A pretty wide open week for us.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... A great pic of Em from Artsplosure.

Daybook - Mon, 4 May 09

My Simple Woman’s Daybook For Today… Monday, May 4, 2009

Outside my Window… A blissful gentle breeze. All the trees are done blooming and have now moved to their summer foliage. It really looks like the beginning of summer outside. There is also the trappings of the beginning of gardening in our yard. Dirt. Flower flats.
I am thinking… Why didn’t I get on a schedule sooner? I have gotten so much done today and it’s only 11:00am.
I am thankful for… The benefit of others (like those who write books) so that those of us ignorant, inexperienced ones can learn from them.
From the kitchen… soon to be fresh bread rising on the counter.
From the learning rooms… Butterflies. Butterflies. Butterflies. Hoping that the remaining caterpillar will make it to chrysalis stage.
I am wearing.. navy dress shorts and my favorite red knit short sleeve shirt. Praise God for being a good weight where I can wear these clothes!
I am reading… Managers of their Homes, Managers of their Chores (Maxwell)
I am hoping… for energy and hope.
I am hearing… the drilling sound of Logan’s toy and my kids peacefully playing together while I copy school handouts at the computer.
I am creating… a Mother’s Day project for my Mom. Also, a new house that is organized and orderly.
Around the house… the new sticky schedule. Productivity. Joy.
One of my favorite things… My sticky chart schedule which we are following today all the way!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week… School. Getting the garden up and running. Planning the summer.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you… A pic of Logan at the pet store helping to pick out our first family pet - Wilbur the Fish.

Simple Woman's Daybook - Mon, April 13th, 2009

Outside my Window… It’s a very cool, damp Spring morning here. All the flowers and trees are past their early budding and moving into the signs of summer – leaves are popping out all around.

I am thinking… that I love being at home with my kids and wonder why I don’t enjoy it more.

I am thankful for… hope that this difficult season will one day be a distant memory.

From the kitchen… hmmm... what should be cooking in the kitchen?

From the learning rooms… Still learning about elephants and starting to think about Math curriculum for next year.

I am wearing… my “big jeans” (size 16) with lots of room. Why don’t I buy a pair that are closer to my new size?

I am reading… “Finally Alive” by John Piper. It’s rocking my world.

I am hoping… that my husband and I will be able to work through our disagreements.

I am hearing… the gentle hum of the heater and the faint warble of Adventures in Odyssey in the next room.

I am creating… a new day to day schedule and trying it out today for the first time.

Around the house… We are still in the throes of decluttering and getting ready for a garage sale. Our “extra” bedroom is overrun to the rafters with “schtuff”.

One of my favorite things… The glimmer in my children’s eyes. Hearing the kids playing so well together. One zoomed by saying, “The zebra has food allergies and they are taking him to the doctor!” Too funny.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week… Solid progress on school. We took all of last week off unintentionally.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you… Logan celebrating his 3rd birthday with friends last weekend!

Daybook Entry - Mar 9, 2009

For Today... Monday, March 9th, 2009 (written some in AM, some in PM)

Outside my window... The windows are open from overnight. The birds are chirping. There is a hum of distant cars and the start of a new work week. The pear trees are just starting to burst their white blooms. Absolutely fabulous! Daffodils are in full bloom. Grass is sprouting. Feels like Spring!

I am thinking... about whether or not I am really getting over this cold that I’ve had for a week or if I should make an appointment with the doctor for this morning. (Note: Ended up going in this afternoon and getting prescription for a sinus infection.)

From the learning rooms... Last week was an “off week” with Nan’s arrival. This
week, we will pick back up again and continue our units on “Cows” and “Horses”. I am beginning to start to think about our summer schedule and what we will do for next year.

I am thankful for... Glorious weather that enlivens the winter weary soul!

From the kitchen... Need to start another batch of butter and bread for this week. Homemade is so much better! Tonight is gnocchi night. :)

I am wearing... PJ’s! and my daughter hanging out with me helping me write this early in the morning!

I am reading... Stayed up late reading What is a Reformed Church? (Smallman)

I am hoping... that this prescription will end up this sinus infection quickly and I can stop napping every afternoon.

I am creating... many plans in my head, but

I am hearing... birds are still chirping and the quiet of nap time.

Around the house... Things are in a bit of disarray as we have been rearranging and getting ready for a yard sale. We have sold some major furniture on Craig’s List as a start, so things are all over the place.

One of my favorite things... Warm weather. Open calendars. Drugs that work.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Nan leaves Tuesday night. Playdate on Thursday morning. Second to last Homeschool Co-op for the Spring on Friday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... This was last week at this time - snow falling. Today's high is 80 degrees and full sun. What a change!

What the World Eats, Part 1

Have you ever thought about what you eat as compared to other families around the world? Well, here in pictures is an eye opening pictorial project!

What the World Eats, Part 1

Free E-Book

Econobusters website is giving away a free menu-planning E-Book just for signing up for our weekly newsletter, A Minute With Molly. Each newsletter is packed with tutorials, tips, and recipes to help you organize and simplify your life while watching your budget.

Here's the link!

Daybook Entry - Monday, Mar 2nd, 2009

Editor-in-Chief: Meg Dreifuss

I am writing from: a wintry, Raleigh, NC
The clock says: 2:23pm

The weather outside is: cold, windy, and there's about 2" of snow on the ground. The sun has peaked out here and there today, but it's a beautifully crisp day full of white.

Little scraps from my desk: taxes, notes,

Blessings list: My husband has a job to go off to this afternoon (even with the weather delay), a warm, soft home to retreat to, fresh bread from Whole Foods

I am wearing: baggy jeans, long sleeve shirt, pull-over, tenni's

What's in the reading basket: Choosing Simplicity: Real People finding Peace and Fulfillment in a Complex World (Pierce)

Worthy to watch: The birds flittering between the snow covered branches.

About town: Town is pretty much shut down for the snow today. Some areas got up to 7", so schools are out and there's a forecast for ice and more cold.

Music to my ears: The hum of the heater. The coffee pot brewing another pot.

Steps towards simplicity: Starting this daybook journey

My idea corner: Can I really pull together a yard sale in a week? Do I want to pull together a yard sale in a week?

Kitchen journal: Joyfully finding ways each day to use the goodies from our Whole Foods trip last Thursday. Today was the pita bread that needs to get eaten. At lunch we dipped it in soup. Tonight we will use them to make mini pizzas with fresh organic salad.

A home comfort: Making chocolate and caramel snow with my children for a lunch time treat. We couldn't go out because everyone has mild colds, but we could still enjoy the weather a bit.

Nature notes: The daffodils have bloomed, but the Gerbers have not started to peek their leaves out yet. Debating about a garden.

Prayer tablet: Prayer for Amy Biedny, who is fighting brain cancer and her husband, Barry. Prayer for quick healing from these germs.

On my mind: Becoming the Mom that I want to be.

Pondering these words: Will have to bring words to ponder next week.

Family frolics: All sat together watching a show last night and the cuddling was fabulous.

My praise paper: I might be starting to get the whole workings of submission.

Bible notes:

In my creative nook: This Daybook! :)

A walk outdoors: Not today. All are sniffling.

Book report:

Calendar additions:

Parting words to the Society: Thanks for letting me join in!

Too good to be True?

So, I was at Weight Watchers this week and this lady piped up about what a great week she had. Besides following the plan, she also mentioned that she started drinking this Acai Berry drink from VitaminWorld. She said she heard about it on Oprah. The lady lost 11.2 lbs. in one week. We all decided to rent a bus and go next week to get some for ourselves.

From an Oprah segment, thoughts on the Acai Berry

Here's another tidbit from Oprah's website on the other side of the fence.

Have any of you tried this?

Used Children's Clothing

I was awestruck to find out about this new law that is going into effect Feb 10, 2009. It will, in essence, eliminate used children's clothing (bought on consignment, at Goodwill, charities, etc.).

Here is the article from the LA Times explaining more about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-thrift2-2009jan02,0,2083247.story

Stock up now!