Laid-up Woman's Daybook

Journal notes for Monday Night, 2/16/09...

The view from where I sit includes the following: a laptop on pillows, cords for keyboard and mouse lying haphazardly over my swollen ankles and puffy feet, a sleeping cat curled up by a 5th Grade Math book which was abandoned for video games by a little girl who just turned 10...

...a pile of paperwork, some scattered pens and mechanical pencils, clean sheets in a wrinkled pile on the floor - left untended, an old newspaper, forgotten in the corner, my husband's bath robe hanging over the iron bedpost, and my hospital bag - unzipped and still awaiting the last minute items to be thrown in when labor begins.

I have been tweeting more than posting these days. Seems that 140 characters is much easier than 140 words or more. Especially for those with pregnancy dementia. I did mention the Captain Crunch story in here, didn't I? My son is still traumatized that his mother stomped back to bed and cried because he ate the last bowl of my peanut butter cereal. Hormones are not your friend, people.

I can tell you that the Viking seems real healthy. I've been relocating his body parts by force with my thumbs when he gets out of line. Poor fella - there's just no more room inside the belly. You might as well call me a manatee at this point... I move about that slow and my belly is larger than life. I graze and rest... that's about the extent of it. It took me nearly 4 minutes to recover after carrying something up the stairs today. I could feel my heart beating in my EARS.

So here's your easy post for Monday... a quick daybook post. I think I can handle that.

Outside My Window... darkness and moisture. So glad it has rained on this parched land!

I am thinking... that tomorrow will be taxing since I have to drive the kids to choir and run errands - instead of keep my feet up like I have been. Hope the legs and feet don't revolt and swell back up again. I gained 5 lbs of water over last weekend!

I am thankful for... my husband - who worked all day, got groceries on his way home even though he hates to do that, bought me a cute espresso cup, cooked dinner for us tonight, and is exquisitely good-looking (even after 16+ years).

We are learning... about patience (and mom is trying not to complain while waiting), about blessings (God is so good), about martyrs in our devotional book, about lifeskills (since the kids have had to take on a lot more responsibility while mom is laid up in bed). Our next topic will be Ancient History. Looking forward to Egypt and hopefully going to see Tut in Dallas before they close up shop in May.

From the kitchen... Needing to make a menu, but tomorrow will most likely be Mexican.

I am wearing... (don't laugh) A bathing suit cover-up. If it weren't this, it would have to be a huge tablecloth or a moo-moo dress. I'm telling you people, I'm B I G.

I am creating... a new little people inside my belly.

I am going... on errands tomorrow... and hopefully to the labor and delivery wing at the hospital very soon!

I am reading... What to Expect When You're Expecting, The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach (Robin Sampson), and my Bible. And with the kids, I'm reading Shades of Grey (we'll be done in just a few chapters).

I am hoping... to finish my nesting projects before the baby comes, to get the bills paid, and to have a safe and uneventful labor and delivery in the next 4 weeks (painless would also be nice).

I am hearing... hubby and the kids play video games.

Around the house... there is evidence that mom has been in bed a lot lately.

One of my favorite things... my vanilla Softlips chapstick (feels like silk - I use it every day).

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Blog, pay bills, get our new authors at The Post set up to write, go to the OBGYN, mail my swap gift, grade papers, do school in bed with the kids ... and try to keep my feet up (without complaining) while I wait on this little babycake to get cooked.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


That's my belly - inside out. Naw, just kidding... it isn't THAT bad.



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The Back to Homeschool Woman's Daybook

I looked back on my blog to see when the last Simple Woman's Daybook got posted and was astonished to find that it was in MARCH of this year. Where has this year gone? I feel like I'm on Magic Mountain at Disney World, rocketing through the dark towards an unknown future. So many colors and tunnels ahead - but I know the Lord has me firmly secured on His track.

So today, I'm in that 'random thought' mode and a Simple Woman's Daybook sounded divine. Hope you don't mind me letting the brain dribble a bit...

The view from where I sit ... a very clean desk, portfolio binders lined up against the school room wall waiting to be put away after our two-day project last week where we hole punched and put away over a year's worth of school papers, the last sip of Gold Peak tea at the bottom of my Mason Jar, my open prayer journal with today's list of 'I hope to get done's, my new IKEA vase and red fake Gerber Daisy that I got this weekend for less than 3$, and a package of Italian software that needs to go to the post office today when we run our errands.

Outside My Window... Rooftops of suburbia. The window by my desk doesn't have the nicest view. It looks like a partly cloudy day out there - plenty of sunshine and probably very, very hot. It is Texas, after all. I CAN'T WAIT FOR WINTER.

I am thinking... of where we need to go today, what we need to do today, when I can find time to study more in my photography textbooks, and about friends who have lost loved ones or are going through hard times... my mind is always moving - even when I'm still.

I am thankful for... big kids who have the potential to shine today (praying the tween attitudes don't interfere with my hopes and plans for them), my washing machine and dryer, hopes that we can raise the money to attend Relevant on time - we are all so excited to have a family 'field trip' in the near future, God's amazing provision and the opportunities he has placed before me lately

We are learning... on Monday....
Mama is learning more about photography.

The kids are learning...
BIBLE/DEVO: starting Screwtape Letters (a little late, sorry, Alli!) and picking up reading through the Bible
MATH, GRAMMAR, SCIENCE, HEALTH: picking up where we left off a few weeks back
READING/HISTORY: Egyptian books... Mara, Daughter of the Nile is what we are currently in the middle of, next up is - The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw, Tales of Ancient Egypt by Roger Lancelyn Green, and then Shadow Hawk by Andre Norton.
LIFESKILLS: making our weekly menu and grocery list today, taking care of baby as always, pulling weeds in the garden once the sun sets (too hot outside now)
Some of our curriculum is in the mail still... so excited to start using Institute for Excellence in Writing's Student Writing Intensive. We're going to focus on writing more this year than ever before.

From the kitchen... We're probably going to eat lunch out today. I sense some fast food grease coming on. We have no groceries to speak of, unfortunately - and payday is still a week away. Here's hoping that the mail brings us a happy financial surprise today (forget the hope, let's make that a prayer - Amen).

I am wearing... my pajamas! However, I'm about to get up and go shower and get dressed before we go.

I am creating... order. I'm so happy that our piles of paperwork are finally gone, the kids' rooms are nearly cleaned out, and my desk is clean. I'm thrilled to use our new clear workboxes this year for school.

I am going... I found a wonderful place on Sunday to take my client for portraits this weekend. I'm planning to go there this week in the evening so I can get some test shots taken in the evening light and check my camera settings for the different spots I'll be working in.

I am reading... the Bible, Life Management for Busy Women - Elizabeth George, White Picket Fences - Susan Meissner (fiction!), and of course - all the books the kids are reading (listed above)

I am hoping... for another $1620 in sponsorship donations to come in by October 15th. Of course, we're putting our own money in to this pot, too. This past week I added my website ad money to the pot and raised it a bit. Every dollar counts. The kids are talking about selling lolly pops and drinks to raise extra funds.

I am hearing... Blues Clues

Around the house... things are slowly getting organized, but progress is certainly visible (that's a good thing)

One of my favorite things... my new prayer journal from Target (has an owl on it and uses recycled speckled paper with a date heading at the top where I can simply circle the month and day)... it makes me want to 'write pretty'

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Here's my list:
update my 'brain' binder and calendar, print new monthly inserts, clean out old stuff, update appointments
pick up the house, finish the kids closets and rooms final touches, get laundry done
put the portfolio binders away, finish filing the last school paper pile (my "to-do someday papers")
pair up the last 2 swappers for the Homeschool Post
send out PR kits to Hannah's vendor list she sent me for the Homeschool Blog Awards (to gather prizes)
make weekly menu, create grocery list, cook at home, dishes, clean out refrigerator drawers with wet rag
check the mail, take things to the post office
school supply closet organized
school planning and workbox schedule printed
blogging, facebook, twitter and insane amounts of email as able
read, study, plan and learn for weekend's photo shoot, take test shots on location, get print samples
consolidate sticky notes and to-do lists, retype school to-do list and print for binder
order trip brochures, make reservations for field trip tours, touch base with GM
doctor appointment for the pea in my pod - tomorrow

Here's a picture thought that I am sharing:



They are growing up.

Simple Woman's Daybook

 
In case you haven't seen this delightful meme, stop over at the link behind the graphic and find out what the rules are. Basically, you just follow a simple format and post your own answers to her questions. Not rocket science, and very enjoyable to just share your thoughts for the day. After you post, you stop over at her blog each Monday and include your link on her Simple Woman linky so you can share your thoughts with others. Here's mine for this evening (Wednesday night)...


Outside My Window... darkness after a pastel rainbow sunset

I am thinking... that I'm glad I'm not planning to be out tomorrow

I am thankful for... my husband who is never late to work and helps with laundry

From the kitchen... my mother is washing dishes

I am wearing... gray cotton shorts, gray cotton t-shirt, nasty old house shoes

I am creating... my final august calendar to file away in the day planner

I am going... to bed soon

I am reading... What to Expect When You're Expecting

I am hoping... that we get more school done tomorrow

I am hearing... Morgan singing a contemporary Christian song as she comes up the stairs

Around the house... the kids rooms need cleaning, laundry in the hallway

One of my favorite things... binders (we had fun filling some today in school)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Back to school co-op picnic
Need to get our refund from the college class hubby dropped
Homeschooling
Planning, organizing, paperwork, day planner, grading
Computer work for homeschool (forms/print-outs)
Konos co-op for States & Regions (Rocky Mountain States) Friday
Reviewing some neat computer programs
Cooking Lasagna Roll-ups and Stuffed Mushrooms for small group church Sunday

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

A Texas hill-country sunset. A picture just can't do it justice.

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The Postpartum Mother's Daybook

I looked back on my blog to see when the last Simple Woman's Daybook got posted and was astonished to find that it was in AUGUST of last year. Little Baby K number 2 was just a gummy-bear in his mama's tummy back then.

I thought I would catch up on my random blogging thread since I'm still in a baby fog. What better to do (when I could be tackling all my procrastination projects or the clean laundry pile - right)?

The view from where I sit ... A messy desk stacked with 'need to do's, Ann Voskamp's 'One Thousand Gifts', the 'Love Dare' that I started today and my prayer journal laid open for marking, my wallet stuffed with receipts to be entered in the digital checkbook (and the accountant - me - ignoring them), a brown Boppy cradling a nursing baby close - the smallest boy curved against his mama's chest.

Outside My Window... Night, the wind, and the train coming soon - I love to hear the train in the distance...

I am thinking... about how hard this new baby thing is on my Viking. Poor thing is having a rough time of it. Bedtime tonight was not a treat.

I am thankful for... my mother, my children, my husband, our health, all the friends who have blessed us with food - prayers - thoughts - gifts for the baby, ... for Ann's book and prayers yet unanswered like a wild quest for joy that I get to journey on.

We are learning... Patience


From the kitchen... silence - and the promise of eggs and bacon in the morning.

I am wearing... my firecracker pajama pants and the softest thrift store shirt

I am creating... a milk monster that won't go to sleep unless he's stuck to his mama.

I am going... crazy - from lack of sleep and guilt over undone things and loose ends.

I am reading... the Bible, Life Management for Busy Women - Elizabeth George, and the two books I listed above that are sitting on my desk.

I am hoping... we can find a groove together - with God's help - that works... melding all our needs and hopes in to a functioning organism, each of us as a member of one body in motion... not limping along, but walking - running - finishing the race set before us. No one left behind.

I am hearing... The whir of my laptop's fan and the click of my keyboard.

Around the house... everyone sleeping.

One of my favorite things... David Nevue's piano music, the new baby gate, wearing my pre-pregnancy clothes again, hot showers, extra large receiving blankets to wrap little restless limbs

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: read, check off my list as best I can, LOVE my husband and my kids in word and deed, send out thank-you cards, get organized

Here's a picture thought that I am sharing:

Simple Woman's Daybook 2

Journal notes for Sunday Night, 11/2/08...

The discussion in tonight's small group was very interesting. Candidates weren't really discussed, but politics were. It was good to hear from elders and peers our age to know what other people of faith in our local area had on their minds.

I managed to get my November calendar updated and my desk cleaned off Saturday. It looks like nearly every week is planned out from here until the first of January. I'm working on the December calendar now. I want to be ready when the emails and mail start coming with appointments and parties for the busiest month of the year.

I was really glad to find out that my friend in co-op who had surgery on her 14 week twins (14 weeks pregnant - not twins she has delivered yet) is getting good news on the babies. It seems their hearts are healing and the fluid has gone down. Imagine that! Open heart surgery on two babies no bigger than string beans! I can't wait to meet them in January.

My own little pea is doing well - I'm feeling him move now, though not as often as I would like. In two weeks we will have our full anatomy sonogram. After that, I'll give back the boxes of girl clothes in the garage.

Outside My Window... is a neglected garden and about 30 green tomatoes I need to pick and fry.

I am thinking... that this week will be really fun - we're learning about Texas, which is one of my favorite things. It's our last week of the States and Regions unit! Next week starts the Civil War.

I am thankful for... my homeschool blog friends, my new mechanical pencils, Jesus (certainly not in that order).

We are learning... about cooperation, about politics, about freedom, about state history, about geography, and about priorities. I'll be giving the kids a science test tomorrow, too.

From the kitchen... I think tomorrow's meal will be enchiladas, beans and rice. After that, I'll follow the menu that I'll be making tomorrow at lunch.

I am wearing... maternity clothes - very comfy.

I am creating... lesson plans first thing in the morning... and assignment sheets for the kids.

I am going... to some great field trips this month, Lord willing. And we're looking forward to Thanksgiving with family in a few weeks.

I am reading... What to Expect When You're Expecting, A Charlotte Mason Primer (Cindy Rushton), The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach (Robin Sampson), and my Bible. And with the kids, I'm reading a Little House novel.

I am hoping... to get my homeschool records digitized soon in a database, to get a copy of Photoshop someday, to stick to my school schedule this week so we can complete our unit, to pay off all our debt, for answered prayers about election day, that I won't gain more than 30 lbs. with this pregnancy... (I really shouldn't do this before bed when my brain is so random - hey, who am I kidding, my brain is always random).

I am hearing... the hum of my computer and the ceiling fan... the click of my fingers on the keyboard (everyone else is asleep).

Around the house... the dishes need doing and Kaden left his light on. Even the cats are asleep.

One of my favorite things... my camera.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Blog each day, Get polls up on The Post, put up a video on Tuesday, Dentist Thursday, field trip finale Friday, and the HSBA Swap Saturday... not to mention cooking at home all week, paying bills on payday, and getting my records entered in to my database... while homeschooling and keeping the laundry monster at bay.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


Bright shining autumn sunfaces in bloom - happy to start the homeschool week off with a smile.



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"I Wish Life Was Simple" Woman's Daybook

The last time I did a Simple Woman's Journal was a month before I delivered my son. I was huge and miserable! I got a kick out of going back through my answers on that day. Here are today's journal notes...

The view from where I sit ... a nursing baby on a boppy (love the little click of swallowed milk) whose fingernails need clipping, piles of paperwork on my desk - screaming at me without a sound, a cold mug of ice water, my digital Photoshop book by Scott Kelby (can't wait to read it), loads of laundry waiting for us to wash-dry-sort-fold and put away...

Outside My Window... Blue skies and blistering heat. Yesterday it was 105. I'm beginning to wonder if the rain will ever come. We are all certainly praying for it.

I am thinking... of all the gazillion things I have to get done if I want to start school this week. Which is why I'm blogging. I tend to blog and avoid starting a project when it overwhelms me. Maybe that's why I've been blogging for four years. Normal life overwhelms me. Ha!

I am thankful for... the freedom to homeschool, freedom of speech, the freedom to worship and pray without government sanctions or interference, the friends I've made online, air conditioning (can't live in Texas without it)...

We are learning... about taking care of a baby, mostly. The kids have gotten a hands-on education in the past few months. They are begging me to start school back up. Morgan actually cried this morning when I told her I wasn't ready!

From the kitchen... Needing to make a menu (as usual). We've been in a mesquite grilled fish mode lately (cooked it for friends last night). I have no idea what's for dinner... and hopefully that doesn't mean we're having fast food!

I am wearing... jeans and one of my two Old Navy striped shirts that I always wear (this one is greys and white, the other one is reds and oranges). I probably SHOULD be wearing my shoes, too. I've heard that it makes you get more work done (Flylady.net).

I am creating... a mural on the baby's and Morgan's wall. The only thing left to add is the owl.

I am going... crazy. My kids would tell you I've always been there.

I am reading... The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian, The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach (Robin Sampson), and my Bible.

As for homeschooling books... We're getting our book lists made for the school year and we'll be starting a new chapter book together for school soon. Not sure, but it might be The Cat of Bubastes by Henty, Mara Daughter of the Nile or The Golden Goblet - both by Eloise Jarvis McGraw (winner of the Newberry Honor).

I am hoping... that our financial stresses will melt away. I always get uptight on bill-paying day (which is why I'm in here blogging instead of doing the checkbook right now).

I am hearing... the washer, the dryer, the voices of unhappy children doing chores, and a babbling baby who's now chewing on his Cracker Barrel bunny in his play pen.

Around the house... there is much to be done and it doesn't seem like the kids are as anxious to get it done as I am. Clean houses are my favorite.

One of my favorite things... chocolate chip cookies (Morgan baked me some this morning). Mmmm! Chocolate chip cookies are my favorite!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Blog, pay bills, get school planned and started, tackle the to-do list, finish the mural, start learning how to Photoshop. Photoshop is my favorite.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


Sorry. Another iPhone pic. Man, I need to get the Canon out and go take some real pictures! This one was of me and my honey at Red Robin burgers on July 4th. Nothing says American like a cheeseburger. Cheeseburgers are my favorite.

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"Life's Not so Simple" Woman's Daybook

The last time I did a Simple Woman's Journal was July of 2009. We were just starting back to school (or so we thought). Our fun plans for 2009-2010 school year pretty much vanished in a puff of smoke. But the year has been far from unfruitful. Sibling adoration, babbling little brother - standing on his own now - and slobbery kisses... they are all worth schoolish detours the planet over. So as I said in my last post, we brave homeschooling adventurers are charting new territory - starting school over after Christmas (or winter, rather). Just in time for the green of spring... our year-round tribute to learning... after our year-past gift to a little man learning to become mobile in this bright, big, new world. I wouldn't trade our school schedule this year for all the money in Kuwait.

And now below is my semi-annual Woman's Daybook contribution. I love the mindless chatter of a good journal entry to start a week off right. Don't you?

The view from where I sit ... dining room table spread with piles of paperwork (there is no escape from paperwork), a stain on the carpet that appeared overnight (sometimes I hate my cats), the hole punch and a ton of school papers that the kids are going to put in binders today, a baby swing that I have listed on Craig's List, and my old Texaco thermal mug that I have had for nearly 17 years - full of sweet tea.

Outside My Window... Dreary gray and cold outside... trees dreaming of warm sunshine. It rained all night last night and I know the green is coming soon. We had a taste of the sunny weather that is in store for this coming season over the weekend. Already the buds are arriving.

I am thinking... "of all the gazillion things I have to get done if I want to start school this week." As always. And all of the upcoming events I have to add to my calendar - such as Kohen's first birthday that's only 16 days away.

I am thankful for... mechanical pencils, Sesame Street, helpful kids, income tax refunds and bonuses that are already spent

We are learning... on Monday....
DEVO time: how to be more orderly and organized
MATH time: about prime and composite numbers, prime factors for Morgan/fractions for Kaden
GRAMMAR time: capitalization, punctuation, interjections, pronouns, combining sentences
VOCABULARY time: matter, energy, mass, organic, inorganic, molecules, atoms, microscope, substance, composition, protons, neutrons, electrons, nucleus, subatomic, atomic number, atomic mass, quark, isotope, shell, spectrometer, ion, cations, anions
HEALTH time: about our skeletal system
MUSIC time: finding out what song they need to start learning for recital
READING/HISTORY time: finishing a book about Colonial Times, American History, and Bible History, and about learning about Egyptians and famous scientists of the past through researching online
SCIENCE time: about alchemy, Antoine Lavoisier, Add Leucippus, Democritus, Robert Boro, history of the microscope, about the Nobel Prize, John Dalton, J. J. Thomson, about isotopes, Earnest Rutherford, Niels Bohr, electrons and the Bohr Model
ART/CRAFT time: Science notebooks
WRITING time: catch up in poetry notebooks
LIFESKILLS time: caring for baby, chores, help with cooking and menu planning, kitchen inventory

From the kitchen... Today is menu day. We've been pretty good about eating at home lately. Daddy has been on a grill streak - hamburger patties this weekend and fish last week. I love his mesquite-grilled Tilapia.

I am wearing... Old Navy again... fuzzy pink sweatsuit with a zipper hoodie. And again, sorry about not having my shoes on, FlyLady. I'll go put my tennis shoes on after I post this.

I am creating... a monster.

I am going... in circles.

I am reading... all the same books that I was reading last year (they are the kind of books you never finish - like the Bible), and 'A Sane Woman's Guide to Raising a Large Family' by Mary Ostyn

As for homeschooling books... We're finishing up 3: Carry on Mr. Bowditch, The Light and the Glory, and Adam and His Kin

I am hoping... that the economy doesn't deflate our property value - since we refinanced our house early last year... my dreams of living in the country depend on not having a huge loss if and when we decide to sell

I am hearing... Yo Gabba Gabba (I'm such a bad mother)

Around the house... we're anxiously awaiting baby's nap time while my email boxes silently multiply to infinity

One of my favorite things... my homeschool-life-calendar-list 'day-planner' binder that my kids call my "brain" (which needs to be updated today)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Vote for conservatives in the Texas polls, learn with my kids, get caught up on grading/calendar/paperwork/bills/decluttering... and blog when I can find a free moment.

Here's a picture thought that I am sharing:


Life is fast. Free moments are fleeting. I better run...

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Randomness with a Plan: My Blog Calendar

I love the quote at the top of my October calendar...

"Warning: Dates on calendar are closer than they appear."

Ain't it the truth? Just look: October is already gone.

Lately the only thing standing between me and a missed blog deadline is a tall glass of tea or coffee... because mama is tired, and fat, and pregnant, and old. And allergic to caffeine because it makes my heart feel like it is going to explode and I can't catch my breath when I drink even the minute amount contained in DECAF.

FACT OF LIFE: Therefore - without caffeine - deadlines are going to get missed around here. Just like this baby is going to get here and disrupt our fledgling attempt at getting back in to a homeschool groove (which only took - what - 20 months after the last stork visit?).

So please take this advice with a grain of salt... and for you 'close pay-attentioners' (I'm tired, so I'm allowed to come up with new words on my own blog, right?)... there might be a few perks because I'm actually showing you the inner details of my November blog schedule. Technically that might mean you could just show back up for the give-aways and skip all the fluff... but I know you are bigger people than that. Good people. Maybe not so smart because you are reading my blog, but good for sure.

Now to get to the title of the post and help you figure out how to stay in the saddle when the month is galloping by at light speed...

Enter brilliant idea to stay on top of busy holiday posting schedules, etc: A blog calendar.

Well, not just a blog calendar, heavens! ANY sort of calendar is good during the holidays to keep yourself from rotating in a circle and asking yourself "what was I doing here?" A homeschool calendar is great (got one - which I'm working frantically on as I enter lesson plans for the entire rest of the year in to Homeschool Tracker for every subject so my kids won't be lost when their tiniest brother arrives on the scene). A menu plan calendar is necessary (totally under-rated... my menu planning - when we do it regularly and actually have money for groceries - is a life saver). A child's student planner might be very helpful for the older ones (big HINT to TOS that I'm ready to review these if you could just email me the PDF - please... so no one gets hurt).

Calendars are great... and if you try not to be such a blasted perfectionist and look at them as a guide rather than a strict do-or-die schedule, you'll find that they can hold your hand through the busy fog (I'm talking to all those adult ADD moms like me out there) and not slap you over the wrist with a ruler when you have to move a deadline out. Because there's only enough time in the day - especially when it is decaffeinated time... am I right?

OK, so here's what my very un-technical blog calendar for November looks like in a nut shell. I'm only showing you one of them - because I have 2 sites that I have been managing the calendars for (for about 5+ years): Sprittibee and The Homeschool Post. Obviously the Post has gotten most of my quality time for a few months... but that's going to change soon. I promise. Once the awards are over, you and me - me and you are going to be back on regular visitation. For better or for worse.

Without further ado...

Sprittibee's November Blog Calendar
11th : Randomness with a Plan (the blog calendar)
12th : Participate in A B See Photomeme (hosted at the Post)
13th : The Secret Weekend
14th : Geography on the Go
15th : Multitude Monday (hosted at A Holy Experience)
16th : Review of ... an awesome product you'll be jealous of me for getting. (P-Touch!)
17th : My Relevant Adventure Series... continues... (excuse to show more pix)
18th : Christian Music Artist Review (3 artists and possibly a give-away!)
19th : FTFF (resurrected original series: Field Trip Foto Friday - DC!)
20th : Link to www.hsbapost.com for the announcement of the blog award winners.
21st : Participate in A B See Photomeme (hosted at the Post)
22nd : Multitude Monday (hosted at A Holy Experience)
23rd : Sweetshot Tuesday (hosted at My 3 Boybarians) - Fall Themed
24th : Relevant Adventure Series... continues...
25th : Happy Turkey Day
26th : Movie Review and Movie/Popcorn Give Away
27th : Pick something from the review box... I'm leaning towards children's books!
28th : Guest Post or a day off to rest (I'll be lucky if I get half of this posted)
29th : Simple Woman Daybook (because these are so fun and easy)
30th : Learning Enrichment for my Homeschool Series (2007-8)
1st : Order of Operations Series... continues... Academics!
2nd : Planning Ahead for College (with some sponsor links)
3rd : FTFF - Pioneer Farms
4th : Pregnancy Update

OK, so now you can watch my blog calendar and know how far behind I am as the days pass with no posts. Maybe this way you can shoulder some of my stress for me so I know that's not the reason why I'm swelling up like a watermelon and look like I'm having triplets already. Or you could hold me accountable via email... and maybe dangle proverbial carrots at me (*like Starbucks gift cards*) if I actually get to my post each day in here.

We'll see how it goes. We're actually doing pretty good (praise God) lately in the homeschool arena. It appears that the kids needed some NEW life pumped in to them by thinner, more energetic teachers that aren't their boring, pregnant mom. Andrew Pudewa (on video) seems to have been the life support we needed to finally get two solid weeks of school done in a ROW. That's huge. Not having a baby in the hospital or our entire family in a hotel in DC has also helped. But I chalk it all up to fervent prayer - and maybe Daddy's threats that if they don't get in high gear, they'll be on a school bus come next September. That always works, too. Good thing our SCHOOL calendar goes on (and on, and on, and on...) until the end of August. For you anal types, that is exactly 180 days worth of school from this past Monday - including our scheduled holidays, of course.

For now, I'm basking in the homeschool groove and hoping I can revive my quiet little spot on the net and not spend so much time over at the Post (as wonderful as it is). Viva la homeschooling... and homeschool bloggers with blog calendars!

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Homeschool Links and Info for the Week

I missed out on Dana's Homeschool Talk yesterday. Did you know that if you want to catch previous episodes you can just hop over to the blog radio and replay them? I think it is great that she's doing this for the community. She's right on up there with Spunky Homeschool and Consent of the Governed on keeping homeschoolers up to date on the issues that are important to us. I hope you'll put a button on your blog's sidebar for her and link to the show. I'm working on getting that done here at Sprittibee.

This Friday at 9:15-10:15 AM is Dawn and my debut for the Homeschool Conference at HOTM, also. We'll be talking about Blogging for Dummies Friday and then "Surviving the Homeschool Fog: Destress Yourself" (better known as 'Burnout') on Sunday between 3:30pm and 4:30 pm. I hope you have paid for your tickets and can make it to chat with us in real time! The conference starts Wednesday and there is an excellent line-up of speakers, so if you don't get a ticket to talk with Dawn and me, you should get one for all the other wonderful people listed on the speaker roll.

Another thing that will be coming down the pipe soon is the Homeschool Blog Awards. This year we are starting nominations in October so that we miss the holiday season entirely. All awards will be given by November so that prizes can be sent by Christmas. With August nearly here, it will be coming up sooner than later. In the mean time, be jotting down your favorite blogs for the categories that we had last year... so you'll be ahead of the game when it comes time for nominating!

Here below are a few links for this week that I wanted to share with you:

Alltop Homeschooling (my little bee looks cute on their page)

Parent's Rights more Important than Dislike of Homeschooling (finally, I agree with Kelly!)

A Charlotte Mason Transition (interested in learning more about CM?)

Homeschool Buyers Co-op (they have field trip lists by state, too!)

My Chicken Taco, Guacamole, Corn Salsa, Refried Black Beans & Cilantro-Lime Rice Meal

Check out the Meme "The Simple Woman's Daybook" at the HSBA!

I'll be blogging around the blogosphere today, putting in a post at the HSBA, helping the kids add one to their pages, getting my monthly article over to HOTM and maybe even getting a recipe up at Gathering Manna if there is time. Did I ever give you the carrot cake recipe? If not, that is next on my list. I know I had a few people begging for it after I posted that decadent photo! I think I'll have to make it this week some time and try to recreate Aunt Mary's culinary bliss.

Hope you have a super week and are enjoying the last few sun rays of summer! It is a staggering 101 degrees here in Texasville. We're planning on staying inside today and watching the cucumbers grow through the windows!



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Just a Monday

It's been busy around the hive while we try and finish out our school year between now and the end of August. Our culture fair is this weekend, too - and my kids are preparing a report on India and China. Not a spare moment...

I'm popping in to share a few simple thoughts...

The view from where I sit ... papers, books, piles of school work awaiting motion and mind.

Outside My Window... Waving winds on the other side of the glass, bumping and blowing: "Come outside and play!"

I am thinking... that I need to hug on the kids and snuggle with my man on the couch tonight. We've got a movie from Netflix to watch.

I am thankful for... my family.

We are learning... about ancient history and Asian cultures, atoms and molecules, how to take better photographs, fractions, new songs on the piano for the upcoming May recital...

From the kitchen... Burgers tonight.

I am wearing... I'm always in jeans when I don't have my pajamas on... unless it's Sunday. My striped green shirt makes me look like "Steve".

I am creating... a menu for the month.

I am going... to Relevant in October. Would you like to sponsor me? It's a 24 hour drive (one way) and we're stopping in DC to 'field trip' on the way there. We have a cousin that lives in PA that we haven't seen in a few years that wants to meet up with us in Hershey. I've never been to Pennsylvania or Washington DC before.

I am reading... the same books that the kids are reading (loving the ancient history unit we are doing), and I'm going through my 100's of magazines one day at a time, tearing out the pages that I love, and putting them in folders by topic.

I am hoping... to find time to pay bills tomorrow.

I am hearing... Mrs. Piggy and Kermit in the living room (Daddy and the baby are in there), and scissors and the stapler in here at the dining table (the big kids are putting together some science books).

Around the house... there is one helium balloon left from Kohen's first birthday party and the carpet and bathrooms are in need of a good cleaning.

One of my favorite things... Kohen's curls when his hair gets moist from humidity or sweat... and the way it grew in like a rooster or Mohawk.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Homeschool, projects for the Culture Fair, cooking, cleaning, reading and resting in Him.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


Sweet pink of spring - the Red-bud trees are in bloom. If we weren't the allergy poster family, I'd bring in a branch and put them in a pretty vase on the table.

How about you? What are you up to today?



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Sooo Tired

Sorry, but I just can't muster a coherent post tonight. Between my 9 year old's estrogen-induced mood swings, the gummy bear I'm pregnant with, and the school planning... this day is SO over. I won't have trouble falling asleep!

I did have some reminders for you, though... here they are...

Sprittibee's Reminders:

1.If you have a back-to-school list (or just any cool list you want to share, please link it to my linky on my list post. Say that five times fast!

2. Tomorrow (Friday the 22nd) is the last day to comment and win a free subscription to Scholastic StudyJams! Hop over and tell me about your back to school plans in the comments for the contest post!

3. Ann's post today is food for the mother's soul. Don't miss it.

4. Friendly reminder of the HSBA Swap deadlines: You should have mailed your swap gift by Aug. 16th... You should have your post up by August 23rd... and by September 7th, you need to email me the url of your post! Our next swap is September 14th. Hope you'll join us! It was such a blast. A picture of my swap gift from Lori is already up.

5. There are several memes and carnivals that you might want to get in on:

Carnival of Homeschooling is accepting posts until Monday evening - go visit Henry's to find out how to submit your latest homeschool related posts.

The HSBA began Homeschool Memoirs this week - the first post is all about YOU.

The Simple Woman's Daybook is a delightful meme. I haven't done it yet, but it is on my list!

If you would like a list of memes, carnivals and contests that other blogging mamas are having fun with, check out the HSBA's Hottest Carnivals page. We update it weekly. You might add this link to your bookmarks!

Have a good night... and a fun weekend. See you tomorrow after I've had some time to rest!



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