Outside my window::
dark. cold. Too cold too soon.
I am listening to::
stupid tv. Ummm, changing that right now to Pandora. Jason Mraz anyone? Now on to Taylor Swift.
And finishing up with Michael Buble.
I am wearing::
red plaid flannel jammies.
I am thankful for::
a closing date on our home!!! Tuesday is the magical day. I wanted to try to squeeze it in Monday because I'm so anxious to get it, but we settled for Tuesday. It will be here soon enough.
I am pondering::
Oh, lots of thoughts sneak in each day now, of where to put what in the new home, and decorating ideas. It just brings lots of smiles.
I am reading::
The Rhythm of Life by Matthew Kelly. Love it so far. It's very simple read, but the timing of it is perfect for me. I just love each chapter more than the next. Where was this book when I was 19! It's just great. Albeit, I'm not getting through it nearly fast enough.
From the kitchen::
A MEAL PLAN!!! This is the second week I've written down a meal plan...in over two years. Yeah, I've been winging it pretty much ever since Blaise was born! So nice to have it down in writing. So nice to know what's for dinner- sides and all. So tonight- Pork tenderloin smoked on the grill, and roasted root veggies. I even made chocolate drop cookies the other night- out of the blue. Fabulous.
I am creating::
Hmmm- nothing. Much to my dismay. My crafting bug is curling into a ball and atrophying due to lack of use. I long to touch fabric and hear the whir of my machine. I need to knit Joseph a stocking. The thought of home decorating is a newfound joy in life. Sigh. But none of that yet. No new halloween Costumes- just used what was in the bin. I think they looked pretty good anyway (Rose was in costume in this pic. She wanted so badly to be Black Widow, from the Avengers. I thought she did pretty good on the fly. We went out again tonight to Lorraine's house and she dressed up as last year's 'Tangled' Repunzel).
Pintrist. Very much liking wasting time on that. Mostly having to do with ideas for the new house.
Towards a real education::
Well, we are doing some school every day. Does that count? Sadly, I'd say we're doing what we might do in a couple days to stretch all week (we only do four days a week anyway). I guess it's not terrible, but it really wears on me.
Towards rhythm and beauty::
We were going to try a new routine this month with the packing and all. That all halted when the appraisal for the home came back low and things looked iffy. We went back to doing school. Trying to regain our 'normal' rhythm. Not doing well at achieving it with bathroom construction everywhere you look, and some packed boxes/empty boxes everywhere else. Beauty. A new bathroom. It and the kitchen are the only safe havens in the house (but the kitchen is iffy because it can get backlogged easily with laundry, etc.). But the bathroom. Ah, soooo nice. Nice new tile. Nice new tub and as of tonight- a shower! Nice new toilet. Nice new painted walls, and tonight- trim. Tomorrow- the sink and trim. Very beautiful.
I helped arrange the flowers for the altar for the feast of Christ the King this past Sunday. A great creative outlet for the lack of creativity in my life as mentioned above. I got to buy all the flowers with someone else's (the church's) money, arrange them all, and leave them, and the mess there ! (someone else cleaned up for me!) I might like that flower committee after all.
I am hoping and praying::
for the upcoming election. Praying Obama is defeated.
Praying for those that have left the faith or lost the faith. They weigh heavy on me sometimes. Rose and I talked a bit about this in her lesson today concerning the Mystical Body of Christ. Lots of good stuff. So cool to share it with her.
Hoping for a smooth closing on our house.
In the garden::
Ah, the garden. Last week, when it was thirty degrees warmer (yes, near 80), I decided to seize the day and we cleaned the front yard. Raked leaves, gathered sticks, and I cleaned my front beds. I raked them, and pruned the plants. I didn't do that last year, so I was happy to do it this year, leaving the whole thing looking so much neater. I wanted to do it to my herb garden and hosta garden in back, but I'm not so sure the weather will agree. Maybe Saturday. It's supposed to be near 50. I'm trying to plot how to kill two birds with one stone- thin my perennials...and take them with me to the new house!
Around the house::
Boxes, laundry baskets, shower doors, power tools, painting supplies, a shop vac. I think that covers it.
On keeping home::
Sigh. Just about impossible. This is extreme mothering. Bits of stuff everywhere with a crawling infant! We've gone to blocking the hallway so Joseph has to stay in the kitchen or living room. That has helped him to stay out of the bathroom construction.
One of my favorite things::
La la la la laaaaaa I love listening to Joseph at eight months. La la la...da da da...and most recently ga ga ga. He really works at that g sound. Sooo wonderful and adorable.
A few plans for the rest of the week::
All Saint's Day- here already!! Mass in the evening.
All Soul's Day- one of my new favorite days in the church. It will be very busy- Mass in the morning, church basement mopping, and, of course, a visit to and prayers at the cemetery. Maybe a lunch break at Panera. :)
Sat. our 11th wedding anniversary- Yeah! No set plans yet, but some ideas.
Sun. my birthday, and our church's All Saint's party. Hoping to find a bit of relaxation that day.
A few forgotten things I am thankful for::
God's presence in my life. When our bid on the house was accepted, I tried to go into some sort of organized packing mode. It only brought about much stress. Then the appraisal came back low and the deal looked shaky. It immediately made me stop in my packing tracks, and just be patient. Take it a day at a time and pray. Now- a closing on the horizon: less stress, more trust in Him. So we may move more gradually...into December. Not a concern. I'm ready for whatever. And it just is sooooo nice. To feel His presence. His guidance.
And don't know that I ever mentioned it before, but God sooo knew what he was doing when he gave us a baby this year. :) I can see how last year was so, out of sorts for me- all at once, on so many levels. And now- lots going on in life- always. And it's okay. And we have a delightful, smiley, squishy, happy baby to share it all with us! God is so good, all the time.
