Outside my window…
a cool day, thank goodness
I am thankful…
for religious freedom, which I think many of us are too complacent about
I am thinking…
about courtesies, etiquette, hospitality and kindness
Learning all the time…
back into the ‘full swing’, haven’t quite found a regular rhythm yet and struggling to ensure I spend time with each child daily, particularly the older children. I suspect the solution is to fit more studying time into our afternoons, now to gather all on board with that..
Celebrating the liturgical year……
attending a seminarian friend’s diaconate ordination next week, and the following night our Bishop is offering a Pontifical High Mass in our Cathedral. Needing to consider the logistics.
From the kitchen…
hearing the gasping death rattle of the freezer, so I could be quite busy…
I am creating…
a podcast sometime within the fortnight. I’m not nervous about being a guest, talking is never a problem for me but I am concerned about talking too fast. Many listeners are American and I understand Aussies talk too fast and don’t enunciate correctly, what if listeners don’t understand me. I think I’ll make a placard to remind myself “slow down, speak clearly”
I am working on…
being consistent with bedtimes. Scoring a ‘bullyseye’ with the younger boys:) which is fantastic as they weren’t getting enough sleep. Still not scoring a win with the teens, nor am I getting enough sleep, too many books to read;)
I am going…
to two nieces weddings in the space of three weeks next month! Both weddings will have the same guests. I really, really need to buy a formal dress/es. What do you think, is it acceptable to wear the same dress to each?
I am hoping…
that the weight keeps falling off me. I went gluten and dairy free just before Christmas, certainly saw some results in overall health and a little weight loss but nothing substantial. A week ago I ‘upped the ante’ went dairy, grain and sugar free and the weight is just falling off!! I’ve long known that grains aren’t really good for me, but once again I see that sugar is what keeps the weight on.
Sharing a Bass(3) funny: In an effort to have a treat on hand I’ve made homemade ice blocks: mango, strawberry, banana and coconut milk. Bass is crazy about ice blocks and was nagging me for a shop ice block from the freezer. I said ‘no’ but offered him one of mine. He wailed, “No they are sugar free!”
I am praying…
- for all suffering religious persecutions
- for religious freedom
- for our children’s various needs
- for our seminarian friend who is to be ordained next week
I am pondering….
healthy boundaries. One of the most pivotal books I ever read was Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How To Say No, made such a difference in my life, advice I continually touch base with. Sadly I long ago lost my copy when I lent it out but the knowledge stays with me
I am reading…
so much, an average of nearly fifteen books a month, writing a list was so helpful. The last fortnight I read:
Past Suspicion – Therese Heckenkamp – Young Catholic lit; Loved it!
In The Company of Others – Jan Karon – A Father Tim novel; Disappointingly boring
Light From Heaven – Jan Karon – A Mitford Years; Pleasant read
White Fire – Douglas Preston – Crime; A new genre for me, not pleasant but well written
Blue Labyrinth – Douglas Preston – Crime; sequel to the above, also well written, though I’m still mostly ‘in the dark’ re family relationships
Evergreen Falls – Kimberley Freeman – Australian history/romance lit; Mostly interesting, though skimmed a bit due to adult themes and it was a bit boring in parts
I am listening to……
a couple of podcasts, yes I’m a bit late to the party but thought if I’m going to be a guest I better check it all out. Rather relieved, I’ve just got to talk, that I can do;)
I am hearing…
children playing on their computers around me, minecraft is the game of the day
I am struggling…
to take one day at a time. Only February and I can already see commitments, organisation, planning, decisions etc rapidly building up. As always a juggle between focusing on the moment and starting a few plates spinning for when later arrives. Currently I’m kind of pretending my commitments don’t exist and if I ignore them they’ll go away, though I can’t do that for long..
Clicking around…
- just trying to keep up with my feedly, though it’s constantly changing, have found a few new Aussie blogs lately
- also spent time here trying to install a commenting system, tried disqus, tried livefryre, couldn’t get either to work, gave up and turned on threaded comments, not my favourite choice but the best I could manage
- needing to make a decision re daybook, thinking once a fortnight is too much, I’ll probably go back to only one a month, what do you think?
Around the house…
very satisfied with our big clean up outside on the weekend. The deck, verandahs and surrounding ground are looking good. We had so much rubbish we needed to borrow the neighbour’s bin, thankfully he’s happy for us to use his bin when needed.
One of my favorite things…
Our children, simply, our children. These years are rushing past and I’m treasuring the moments. I really, really understand now when you’re bailed up down the street and exhorted to “Treasure these years, they’re the best years and they go so fast” yep, I know
A few plans for this week…
swimming lessons twice a week for three children, dance lessons over three days each week for five children. Translating to three afternoons in town, pretty happy with that. We’re giving tap dancing a go and the children are very keen
A little peek at my day…
Tap lessons begin for the younger boys today, I’m certain they are going to love it:)