Nothing terribly exciting today folks. Michael is off to work teaching his Sat class. While he's gone I need to go thru my nursing stuff and organize/prepare for that part of the new baby preparedness program. I would also like to start our taxes today.
It's 10:13am and I'm still in my jammies. But we've had breakfast and cleaned up, all the children have been bathed, and I made a giant batch of granola this morning as well. So here's my To Do list for the rest of the day:
1. Get dressed and org my nursing stuff, maybe even clean out and org my nightstand.
2. At least get TurboTax loaded onto the computer, if not actually spend an hour or so entering data.
3. Oh yes, I need to remind Michael to get his car smogged so I can send in the registration.
4. Lunch - probably leftovers with a side of PB&J sandwiches and fruit.
5. Google some recipes on porterhouse steaks. Michael brought home some organic beef from someone at work who went in on parts of a whole cow. I rarely buy beef, so I have no idea what a porterhouse is or what to do with it. But I took it out to thaw for dinner, so I have some exploring to do.
6. Spend some time knitting, reading to the children, and maybe even take a nap later this afternoon.
Showing posts with label stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stuff. Show all posts
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Thursdays
Whew! Thursdays are busy, busy for us. We have piano lessons from 9:30 to 10:30, then home for lunch and squeezing in some school, then off to art class. Back home about 2:30 to finish up whatever core subjects didn't get done in the morning and whatever household chores need finishing up. Thursdays are normally the day I clean the bathrooms.
Today I also had to make a call to our attorney about probate - they dropped the ball again, so now we wait another 2 or 3 weeks to get a court date. I'm am so frustrated with this attorney I could just cry. If this wasn't the last of an endless amount of steps in the process, I'd give them a piece of my mind and find another attorney. Grrrr! We can't list the Eureka house until probate is done. I figure we now have to wait another month before we can list it.
Well, I'd better go wake up Olivia. She's slept too long already - it'll be a pain to get her to sleep tonight. I still have 2 bathrooms to clean and dinner to make.
Thursdays are tough.
Today I also had to make a call to our attorney about probate - they dropped the ball again, so now we wait another 2 or 3 weeks to get a court date. I'm am so frustrated with this attorney I could just cry. If this wasn't the last of an endless amount of steps in the process, I'd give them a piece of my mind and find another attorney. Grrrr! We can't list the Eureka house until probate is done. I figure we now have to wait another month before we can list it.
Well, I'd better go wake up Olivia. She's slept too long already - it'll be a pain to get her to sleep tonight. I still have 2 bathrooms to clean and dinner to make.
Thursdays are tough.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Hanging in there...
My two bigs are still pretty sick today. Nathan is hoarse and raspy, Hannah is constantly sniffling and is tired. We didn't do school again today, but otherwise, I was pretty productive.
Laundry is done, dishes are going, dinner in the crockpot. I was able to write up instructions for How To Do Laundry. In our home, the resident 10 year old is in charge of laundry (at least colored things, not whites - children and bleach make me nervous). But baby will be coming 6 weeks or so before Hannah turns 10, and I wanted to have the directions made up and ready to go in case I need her to cover laundry for a few days. With 6 people (almost 7), we need to do a load of laundry every day.
I'm not sure yet where I want to post the instructions. If I leave it in the laundry room area, she will forget to do the gathering of stuff upstairs. I don't think it's wise to expect her to carry the directions around with her though. Hmm...I'll have to ponder that a bit more.
I'm feeling well still, but unusually tired today. I think that sick bug is trying to get me. I think I'll settle into the recliner with my knitting and some coffee for awhile, while the children are happily occupied. I'm teaching myself to knit socks (with the help of YouTube)!
Coming soon: I have had some thoughts on a few random topics that I want to share. My grandmother died in August, and it prompted me to think about how I would want my own funeral/memorial/whatever you call it done. I also have been pondering deeply the role of women as Christians. I have some thoughts, but I know they will be controversial and I'm not sure if I'm quite brave enough to post them here. I will keep thinking and praying on this one.
Laundry is done, dishes are going, dinner in the crockpot. I was able to write up instructions for How To Do Laundry. In our home, the resident 10 year old is in charge of laundry (at least colored things, not whites - children and bleach make me nervous). But baby will be coming 6 weeks or so before Hannah turns 10, and I wanted to have the directions made up and ready to go in case I need her to cover laundry for a few days. With 6 people (almost 7), we need to do a load of laundry every day.
I'm not sure yet where I want to post the instructions. If I leave it in the laundry room area, she will forget to do the gathering of stuff upstairs. I don't think it's wise to expect her to carry the directions around with her though. Hmm...I'll have to ponder that a bit more.
I'm feeling well still, but unusually tired today. I think that sick bug is trying to get me. I think I'll settle into the recliner with my knitting and some coffee for awhile, while the children are happily occupied. I'm teaching myself to knit socks (with the help of YouTube)!
Coming soon: I have had some thoughts on a few random topics that I want to share. My grandmother died in August, and it prompted me to think about how I would want my own funeral/memorial/whatever you call it done. I also have been pondering deeply the role of women as Christians. I have some thoughts, but I know they will be controversial and I'm not sure if I'm quite brave enough to post them here. I will keep thinking and praying on this one.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Early
The Lord and I have been having ongoing discussions on whether I will or will not be an early riser. So far, I married a man who rises early, 3 out of 4 children are early risers. If that fails to get me up by 6am, my Lord sends cheerful little birds who sing loudly outside my window.
I think He is winning.
I think He is winning.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Good day...
All is well here in Begleyland. We'll be starting school here shortly, then lunch and a couple quick errands before coming home and chores.
Found a fantastic contest! http://www.wellplannedday.com/contest01.php
Have a great day!
Found a fantastic contest! http://www.wellplannedday.com/contest01.php
Have a great day!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Time...
My days are slipping past me so quickly. Everyone up by 7am, breakfast at 7:30, then morning chores and settle down to 'school' by 8 - 8:15ish. Two hours of school, break for a snack and everyone does their 'household chore' for the day. Another hour of school, and break for lunch about 11:30 - 12. Run any errands that need doing, back home for another hour of school stuff. Then free time until late afternoon chores and dinner needs fixin'.
Busy days. We go merrily (and sometimes not so merrily) along through each season. We are really enjoying learning together. In my fourth month of pregnancy now, and expecting to feel great until January or so. There are so many things that I'd like to do...I need to finish knitting Nathan's blanket (maybe by Christmas?), then I'd love to start on one for our newest little one. It would be lovely to have one done by the time he or she arrives at the beginning of March. I've promised Hannah a knit 'thing' as well. And oh my, do the kitchen cabinets need to be scrubbed and oiled. Ah well. Each thing has it's season.
How are your lives bubbling along?
Busy days. We go merrily (and sometimes not so merrily) along through each season. We are really enjoying learning together. In my fourth month of pregnancy now, and expecting to feel great until January or so. There are so many things that I'd like to do...I need to finish knitting Nathan's blanket (maybe by Christmas?), then I'd love to start on one for our newest little one. It would be lovely to have one done by the time he or she arrives at the beginning of March. I've promised Hannah a knit 'thing' as well. And oh my, do the kitchen cabinets need to be scrubbed and oiled. Ah well. Each thing has it's season.
How are your lives bubbling along?
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
This and That
Well the Eureka trip was mostly successful. We only managed to get the kitchen floor done, but it was a huge job. You would not believe the amounts of glue that someone used when putting down the original floor. It looked like they had just poured a bucket over it. And it all had to be scraped off or sanded down before we could lay new stuff. And someone at some point past had let water sit, and a chunk of the floor had dry rotted, so that had to be replaced too. Oh well. It looks great now!
I'm having trouble with Blogger and loading pictures, so the above 'after' shot is all you get.
In other news, all is well with our family. Being pregnant changes so much about our daily routine. It's very frustrating to...well, everyone, I guess. I'm forgetful like you wouldn't believe. I write things down so I don't forget, then forget to look at my list. Since I don't feel well, I move much slower and get less done. No cravings yet, but nothing sounds good either. I have a hard time deciding what to make for dinner because everything sounds blah. The thought of going to the grocery store or the library or wherever sounds so laborious. I had to psych myself up to Safeway yesterday, then forgot several important items.
Hmmm...that sounds very whiny. Okay, let's turn this around. This icky feeling should only last another 4 weeks (!!!) or so. Second trimester I usually have lots of energy. So for now, when I drop the ball, I just take the hit. Suck it up, keep going. One foot in front of the other. Do the next thing.
We can do this.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Cast all thy cares upon Him...
We are doing family devotion in the mornings from James. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, we are far behind in the roof completion. Our reading today was James 5, and towards the end is the verse "Cast all thy cares upon Him, for He cares for you."
I asked the Lord to send some help.
About 11:30 this morning, Michael, John and I were up on the roof tearing off old wood shingles. We had about an eighth of the roof up. A neighbor stopped and offered advice on how to get them up quicker. Then he lent us his tool. Then he climbed the ladder and showed us the proper technique. Then he donated 2 hours of his time and blasted through the rest of the tear off. The front half of the roof is up, except for the garage. We have to pull up a ton of nails and do some reinforcing, but can probably get most of the plywood decking and tar paper done tomorrow.
Our Lord is so merciful. He indeed knows what we need before we ask. It is humbling that the omnipotent ruler of the universe would condescend to to help us with roofing.
It is supposed to rain here tomorrow afternoon. Please join us in asking the Lord for His mercies to hold off the rain until evening.
I asked the Lord to send some help.
About 11:30 this morning, Michael, John and I were up on the roof tearing off old wood shingles. We had about an eighth of the roof up. A neighbor stopped and offered advice on how to get them up quicker. Then he lent us his tool. Then he climbed the ladder and showed us the proper technique. Then he donated 2 hours of his time and blasted through the rest of the tear off. The front half of the roof is up, except for the garage. We have to pull up a ton of nails and do some reinforcing, but can probably get most of the plywood decking and tar paper done tomorrow.
Our Lord is so merciful. He indeed knows what we need before we ask. It is humbling that the omnipotent ruler of the universe would condescend to to help us with roofing.
It is supposed to rain here tomorrow afternoon. Please join us in asking the Lord for His mercies to hold off the rain until evening.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Underestimating...
The roof has been all consuming. We thought we'd have it done in about 4 days and move on to sanding floors, put in a new window, go to the beach.
Not hardly.
When this house was first built, they used wood shakes, but with no tar paper underneath them. Then someone re-roofed over the top of the shakes, but again with no tar paper. So 60 years of rain and salt air have so deteriorated the shingles that they are horribly difficult to get up. And a goodly portion of the rafters of the roof have deteriorated enough to need shoring up. It is Saturday night, and we have officially completed half of the roof. Including the garage, this house is only about 1400 square feet.
We wake up and have breakfast, roof for 4 hours, have lunch, roof for 4 hours, have dinner, roof for 2 hours, snack, some light dialogue, go to bed. Do over. Every day, for 6 days so far.
We are all tired. Tomorrow is Sunday. We are going to only work 4 hours, then go to the beach, do some sightseeing, go to dinner. We'll roof on Monday and Tuesday, and plan to come home Wednesday. I can't imagine we'll have it done by then, but we'll evaluate the possibilities then.
For now, I'm going to bed. Good night.
Not hardly.
When this house was first built, they used wood shakes, but with no tar paper underneath them. Then someone re-roofed over the top of the shakes, but again with no tar paper. So 60 years of rain and salt air have so deteriorated the shingles that they are horribly difficult to get up. And a goodly portion of the rafters of the roof have deteriorated enough to need shoring up. It is Saturday night, and we have officially completed half of the roof. Including the garage, this house is only about 1400 square feet.
We wake up and have breakfast, roof for 4 hours, have lunch, roof for 4 hours, have dinner, roof for 2 hours, snack, some light dialogue, go to bed. Do over. Every day, for 6 days so far.
We are all tired. Tomorrow is Sunday. We are going to only work 4 hours, then go to the beach, do some sightseeing, go to dinner. We'll roof on Monday and Tuesday, and plan to come home Wednesday. I can't imagine we'll have it done by then, but we'll evaluate the possibilities then.
For now, I'm going to bed. Good night.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Mother's Day
What a delightful Mother's Day we had here. My hubby and son planted eight 6-packs of pansies in the front planter box. Eight! And hubby has a bad back. He is so getting the Husband of the Year award!
We had a lovely family dinner for local family members. All told there were 12 people in attendance. A small gathering, true, but it seems the family is branching out in other directions. The cousins mostly all had their babies ages ago and those babies are all coming of age and doing things in other parts of the state. So the gatherings dwindle a bit each year.
But that's okay. In about 10-15 years, my little tribe will be branching out and those family gatherings will grow again. Exponentially! The thought gives me warm fuzzies.
So, now a few items for your reading pleasure:
1. I have decided to let my hair grow. Less work that way. Wash, towel dry, put up in a bun or braid, done. Someday when I have time again, I'll do the cut, style, dry, products, primp thing again.
2. The garden is planted. In pots. Romaine, tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber and basil. Salad at the Begley's!
3. One small flowerbed in the backyard is almost cleared of rocks and weeks. About 2/3 done. The done part is planted with impatiens and lobelia. Perhaps the other 1/3 will happen this week. Who knew rocks could reproduce?!
4. Planning a trip to Eureka next week. The house needs new carpet, new linoleum, refinishing 2 hardwood floors, a fan in the bathroom, insulation, a new roof and one more window. And if that doesn't keep us busy, we'll prep the outside for painting. Anyone have a random orbit sander we can borrow?
5. We finish our unit study of Australia this week. Next week there will be no school for the Eureka trip. Or rather, school will consist of learning 'life skills' like sanding, hammering, stripping old lino, etc. Then 3 more weeks of school, for an estimated finish around June 10th. Summer studies will consist of Ancient Egypt, various animals, and how to entertain a 16 month old while Mommy bakes bread...
We had a lovely family dinner for local family members. All told there were 12 people in attendance. A small gathering, true, but it seems the family is branching out in other directions. The cousins mostly all had their babies ages ago and those babies are all coming of age and doing things in other parts of the state. So the gatherings dwindle a bit each year.
But that's okay. In about 10-15 years, my little tribe will be branching out and those family gatherings will grow again. Exponentially! The thought gives me warm fuzzies.
So, now a few items for your reading pleasure:
1. I have decided to let my hair grow. Less work that way. Wash, towel dry, put up in a bun or braid, done. Someday when I have time again, I'll do the cut, style, dry, products, primp thing again.
2. The garden is planted. In pots. Romaine, tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber and basil. Salad at the Begley's!
3. One small flowerbed in the backyard is almost cleared of rocks and weeks. About 2/3 done. The done part is planted with impatiens and lobelia. Perhaps the other 1/3 will happen this week. Who knew rocks could reproduce?!
4. Planning a trip to Eureka next week. The house needs new carpet, new linoleum, refinishing 2 hardwood floors, a fan in the bathroom, insulation, a new roof and one more window. And if that doesn't keep us busy, we'll prep the outside for painting. Anyone have a random orbit sander we can borrow?
5. We finish our unit study of Australia this week. Next week there will be no school for the Eureka trip. Or rather, school will consist of learning 'life skills' like sanding, hammering, stripping old lino, etc. Then 3 more weeks of school, for an estimated finish around June 10th. Summer studies will consist of Ancient Egypt, various animals, and how to entertain a 16 month old while Mommy bakes bread...
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Busy week...
Sorry I haven't been posting much. With homeschooling 2 children at 2 grade levels, combined with a toddler and a baby who just started walking this week...YIKES!!!!
It seems I always have 17 other things that need to be done. I was very frustrated today because I so desperately want to get my front flower bed weeded and the soil turned so I can plant some flowers. But that takes time, and all my time right now is sucked up with laundry, grocery shopping, school, diaper changing, potty accidents and trying to figure out what to do with 4 little ones while my van gets smogged. Don't forget that Mother's Day is in 4 days and I haven't even thought about what I am going to do for those special people. I did volunteer to host the dinner at my house, but that might be as much as I can do. I can't even promise to get the bathrooms clean by then.
Sigh...I know this season is fleeting, but it's exhausting while it lasts.
It seems I always have 17 other things that need to be done. I was very frustrated today because I so desperately want to get my front flower bed weeded and the soil turned so I can plant some flowers. But that takes time, and all my time right now is sucked up with laundry, grocery shopping, school, diaper changing, potty accidents and trying to figure out what to do with 4 little ones while my van gets smogged. Don't forget that Mother's Day is in 4 days and I haven't even thought about what I am going to do for those special people. I did volunteer to host the dinner at my house, but that might be as much as I can do. I can't even promise to get the bathrooms clean by then.
Sigh...I know this season is fleeting, but it's exhausting while it lasts.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A good day?
It's 8:10am. The bathrooms are clean, everyone is fed and dressed, and morning chores are under way. I need to go to the grocery store and Home Depot, then back home for school. This afternoon will be a re-organize Nathan's room project.
I think it's going to be a good day.
I think it's going to be a good day.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
This and That
Mighty Man's new haircut. He wanted me to shave his head, but Daddy said no.
My garden. The long box is romaine, the terra cotta pot is a geranium, and the big grey pot is a tomato plant. See the snow?
It's fluff from our cottonwood trees! We get 'fluffy snow' every spring.
And this apricot confection is a skirt. I'm knitting like a crazy woman trying to get it done for Leah's birthday on the 24th. If I knit an inch a day, I think I can do it...Saturday, November 20, 2010
Saturday Night
It's raining. Pouring. I love to listen to rain. Everything is so warm and cozy. I am grateful to have a house to live in, food to eat, heat, good health.
God is good.
God is good.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Cute Kid Story
So, I'm in the shower when Bubba starts pounding on the door.
"Mom! I need you!"
"Bubba, can't it wait 5 minutes? I'm almost done."
"NO! It's important"
So I turn off the water and peek around the shower door. His eyes are wide and my heart rate picks up a bit as I imagine someone choking, or bleeding, or having left the house with a stranger. "Yes, Bubba? What is it?"
"Can I have some gum?"
"Mom! I need you!"
"Bubba, can't it wait 5 minutes? I'm almost done."
"NO! It's important"
So I turn off the water and peek around the shower door. His eyes are wide and my heart rate picks up a bit as I imagine someone choking, or bleeding, or having left the house with a stranger. "Yes, Bubba? What is it?"
"Can I have some gum?"
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Yawn....
It's only 12:30, and I am so tired. The children have not been sleeping well lately.
One must still inform me when they must potty, even when it's 1:14am.
Another seems to be having bad dreams and needs to come sleep on the floor in my room around 3am.
Baby nurses once a night, somewhere between 1am and 4am.
The last child is kinda random. Sometimes they wake and wish to be tucked in, sometimes they just lay in bed and groan loudly until I get up and commence tucking.
Yawn...
One must still inform me when they must potty, even when it's 1:14am.
Another seems to be having bad dreams and needs to come sleep on the floor in my room around 3am.
Baby nurses once a night, somewhere between 1am and 4am.
The last child is kinda random. Sometimes they wake and wish to be tucked in, sometimes they just lay in bed and groan loudly until I get up and commence tucking.
Yawn...
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Fun Stuff!
September was a fun month for us! We've had lots of new stuff going on! Observe...
Olivia's new digs...
The neighborhood cat that has been hanging around. Hannah named her Silky...
The car show we went to...
Olivia's new digs...
The neighborhood cat that has been hanging around. Hannah named her Silky...
The car show we went to...Friday, September 24, 2010
What is the moral?
A small firm calls a meeting of its leadership staff. The topic to be covered is leadership principles - how to be a leader, how to encourage leadership qualities in your staff, etc.
As the 4 staff members enter the small conference room and are seated, they see in the center of the table a pencil, a bell, and a small candy.
A man rings the bell, and is awarded his choice of the pencil or the candy as a prize for being 'such a leader' by the trainer. He picks the candy.
This irritates the woman next to him. She thought to ring the bell, but decided that hearing such a sharp tone in such a confined space might be annoying to the other people in the room. Does this mean she is not a leader?
She takes a multi-tool out of her purse (you know, the kind with 84 kinds of screwdrivers, hooks and such), dismantles the bell, and lays the parts in a nice, neat row up the middle of the table. She then takes the pencil, snaps it in half and gives one half to each of the two other managers in the room. She then sits back and waits to see what the trainers reaction is.
What is the moral of the story?
As the 4 staff members enter the small conference room and are seated, they see in the center of the table a pencil, a bell, and a small candy.
A man rings the bell, and is awarded his choice of the pencil or the candy as a prize for being 'such a leader' by the trainer. He picks the candy.
This irritates the woman next to him. She thought to ring the bell, but decided that hearing such a sharp tone in such a confined space might be annoying to the other people in the room. Does this mean she is not a leader?
She takes a multi-tool out of her purse (you know, the kind with 84 kinds of screwdrivers, hooks and such), dismantles the bell, and lays the parts in a nice, neat row up the middle of the table. She then takes the pencil, snaps it in half and gives one half to each of the two other managers in the room. She then sits back and waits to see what the trainers reaction is.
What is the moral of the story?
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Stuff
It has been a very productive day for me so far. I've swept & mopped, unloaded the dishwasher, gave Nathan a bath, did a load of laundry, cleaned out the fridge, made breakfast & lunch & dinner (in the crockpot).
Now I'm tired and it's only 1pm.
Now I'm tired and it's only 1pm.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The house situation
We have an offer on this house, in Auburn. It's a short sale though, so we won't know for awhile (a couple weeks, a couple months?).The back yard is a mess. Lots of mature shade trees, but it's been allowed to grow wild. There are stickers everywhere. And it is an uphill slope, which is less than desirable, but it does have one largish flat area, and places on the hill where you could make some smaller flat areas. With some work and some vision, it could be lovely.
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