My Daybook: January 20th, 2015

Outside my window…
the sun is shining, though thankfully it’s far cooler today than recent days

I am thankful…
that a loved one’s health is improving.  It’s been a long road but the ‘light at the end of the tunnel grows brighter’ :):)

I am thinking…
about the direction for our local homeschool support group this year. I created a survey for our group and slowly forms are trickling in, first we need to know the needs of all and then we’ll tackle how to meet those needs. Collating the information tonight, and then taking it all to a planning meeting tomorrow.

Learning all the time…
the new school year begins for the local schools at the end of the month, but we started back last week.  We were craving routine and then last year’s Term 4’s academic achievements were on the ‘light side’. Off to a good start, eased back in last week with just maths and language arts, ‘upping the ante’ this week by adding in faith, history, science and geography.

Celebrating the liturgical year……
exciting news is…. I won Haley’s cookbook Feasts!! How exciting is that, gluten free, real foods to celebrate the liturgical year!:)

From the kitchen…
have slipped easily into a gluten and dairy free rhythm now. On my ‘to do’ list is to write a menu for my mum who wants needs to go grain, dairy and sugar free.  She is suffering badly with arthritis on her knee, she knows she needs this, it’s just where to start, and I get that, I do, hence my offer to write her a menu and a shopping list, so stay tuned.

I am creating…
spreadsheets to aid the children, and I, in knowing what they are to achieve each day lesson wise. Truth is though some children aren’t always consistent in noting work achieved on their checklists, I’m planning on filling their lists myself this Term in consultation with them, and I’m percolating what Sarah had to say about using a spiral notebook.

I am working on…
finding a comfortable rhythm with; lessons, housecleaning, cooking, bedtimes etc.  Starting back early before all extra-curricula lessons begin has been rather gentle.

I am going…
to make a few phone calls today lining up more extra-curricula activities for this Term.  Checking out dance, swimming and singing lessons, I’m a little nervous about taking on too much, planning on gathering info and then evaluate. When Einstein left home I lost one of my drivers and when Anna Maria leaves mid-term I’ll lose another, I’ve been rather spoilt the last year.

I am hoping…
still focused on having a Joyful year, but it’s been a conscious effort at times banishing thoughts that try to rob me of my Joy

I am praying…

• that Einstein finds work in the ‘Big Smoke’
• that our loved one’s health continues to improve
• for my Mum’s knee
• for our nieces who are both getting married in March
• for my brother who will be married next year
• for a loved couple who are mourning the lose of their unborn babe

I am pondering….
how to achieve excellent academic progress this year. I’m feeling confident this could be a good year for us.

I am reading…
many wonderful books, working my way through the list, hoping to share details soon, but for now the past fortnights reads:
Rescue, Raising Teens in a Drowning Culture – Candy Gibbs – Review
Stealing Jenny – Ellen Gable – loved it!
The Year of Miss Agnes – Hill Kirkpatrick – enjoyed
Erin’s Ring – Laura Pearl – loved, loved it!
Silver Lake – R M Ballantyne – enjoyed
Around the World in 80 Days – Jules Verne – boring
Home to Holly Springs – Jan Karon – enjoyed

Carpenter and his girlfriend:)

I am hearing…
Michelangelo just repeated to me an amusing conversation he overheard.
Jem(6) and Jack Jack were working on their lessons. JJ kept making noises, irritating and distracting his brother from his lesson. Jem said, “Be quiet I’m trying to Consecrate”! Too funny:)

I am struggling…
to keep my cool with the dramatics of teen and pre-teen girls


Clicking around…

• 30 Characteristics of a Modern Lady – At core the ‘rules’ don’t really change
• My Other Ex: Women’s True Stories of Leaving and Losing Friends – “…The life cycle is long, and many friendships will not last. Yet the end of something once powerful and important will bring sadness and grief, feelings that deserve to be acknowledged.” 
• Our Real Mommy Problem  – “But that’s an important point to remember; that my children are the fruit of – not the reason for – my marriage.”

Around the house…
changing cleaning rosters, that’s what happens when a child leaves home.  Trialing a few new ways, tweaking here and there

One of my favorite things…
my husband, love that man, still pinch myself everyday and wonder how I got so lucky


A few plans for this week…

• Local homeschool group’s planning meeting. Suspect I’ll have a few friends over for lunch after:)
• Orthodontist appointment for Jelly Bean. Note to self: DO NOT forget this appointment again!
• Attempting to manage a full lesson load this week

A little peek at my day…

• blog posts to write
• cleaning to do, nothing terribly exciting happening and that’s good:)