Simple Woman's Daybook - April 27, 2009

FOR TODAY April 27th...

Outside my window...it's sunny and nice.

I am thinking...there's a ton on my plate to do today, but I'm having a really great day.

I am thankful for...passing my test this weekend and getting back on track with new weight loss results.

From the kitchen...I made an incredibly easy (and surprisingly low calorie) hamburger pie last night that was a HUGE hit with EVERY member of my family...a rare treat that at least one person didn't like it.

I am wearing...pjs, and yes I know it's almost 2pm, but I'm getting ready to change into workout clothes to run, so it's not as lazy as it sounds...okay, maybe a little.

I am creating...a new sense of confidence in myself.

I am going...to hopefully register for the 5k I want to run when registration opens up this week.

I am reading...blogs I enjoy, and homework.

I am hoping...to find some clear direction on some issues we need to decide on in the next month.

I am hearing...KW watching the movie Cars.

Around the house...it's a total shipwreck, but will be fixed tonight since I have training in the morning.

One of my favorite things...new accomplishments from the weekend that give me a whole new sense of joy & motivation to keep going.

A few plans for the rest of the week: the usual, never ending schoolwork, lots of kids activities, and hopefully registering for my 5k.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...well, here's a few of KW watching TV this morning and drumming on a chair with kitchen spatulas.

He woke up much earlier than normal this morning, so he grabbed a blanket and put himself down for a nap.

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Simple Woman's Daybook - April 20, 2009

FOR TODAY April 20th...

Outside my window...it was a gorgeous 85 degrees, a perfect summer type day and unfortunately my schedule was completely packed so I couldn't enjoy any of it. :o(

I am thinking...why on earth am I up really late cramming on a paper again?! Ugh, you'd think after all this time in school I'd finally learn something...or maybe that's the problem...I'm totally out of motivation because I'm incredibly ready to be done with school!

I am thankful for...hmmm, not sure why but this one's stumping me at the moment. It's not that I don't have a million things I'm thankful for, it's just nothing's really standing out at the moment because my mind is too preoccupied on other subjects, so today I guess I'm just thankful for everything.

From the kitchen...I'm really glad I bought that watermelon and package of popcycles on the way out of the grocery store last night because they were the perfect treats for dinner & dessert on such a hot sunny day like today.

I am wearing...pjs, hoping to wrap up this stupid paper soon so I can jump in bed like the rest of my family.

I am creating...way to much to fit into the amount of hours I have available in each day...every day's schedule lately seems to be way more than any single day can reasonably handle which leaves me feeling really frustrated that I'm not getting everything done I need and want to do.

I am going...to be tortured in the morning when S comes over now that I've changed my weekly sessions to eliminate many distractions the kids provide when they're home...I need to get some sleep soon!

I am reading...financial management and resource optimization stuff I really have no interest in these days, but that doesn't change the fact that my 3,000-4,500 word paper is due in 1 1/2 hours from now.

I am hoping...to find some time tomorrow to practice on my bike since my motorcycle skills retest is coming up on Sunday and I've had very few opportunities to practice the skills I need to perform in order to receive my endorsement...not that I'm very optimistic that I'll ever have time to ride my bike with my schedule these days.

I am hearing...sounds of lots of people sleeping, my loud keyboard as I type, and KW feeding bread to the dog.

Around the house...so much needs to be done and I'm dying to find more time to spend in the backyard to do some much needed spring cleaning & garden readiness.

One of my favorite things...finding new crochet patterns I'd love to try someday...not that I have any real expectations that I'll ever get to that someday when I actually have the time to sit down and crochet much more, but it's still fun to find beautiful new patterns.

A few plans for the rest of the week: continuing problems with UOP (I'm requesting a transfer to a different financial aid advisor), trying to find time for everything on my overloaded schedule, esp. practicing on my motorcycle.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...just in case I needed any more motivation to keep up with my fitness goals, I stumbled across this completely HIDEOUS photo of me from 2004. I was enormous! I looked awful, I felt awful!

Even though I know I've made a lot of progress the past few months sometimes I think it takes our brains a while longer to recognize our bodies in their new shapes...because many times I still see myself like this now, even though I know I weigh less and am working really hard to get in shape.

Overgrown hair, slouched shoulders, tight & uncomfortable "mom" jeans...bleck! Ugh! I will never look like this again! Looking at this makes me glad S is coming over in the morning to torture me...I think. (on a much lighter note, that's my baby girl LA all in pink next to me!).

To read more daybook entries, click here.

Simple Woman's Daybook - April 13, 2009

FOR TODAY April 13th...(well, it's actually Tues. the 14th now, because Monday was far too busy).

Outside my window...it looks really nice & sunny, but when you step outside it's very windy & cold.

I am thinking...While I know it will still be busy, I really hope this week will be much less stressful than last week was.

I am thankful for...not throwing up during my training session this morning when I really thought I was going to!

From the kitchen...lots of fun and delicious new crockpot recipes lately...such an awesome help for a really busy mom.

I am wearing...t-shirt and sweatshirt, and annoyingly bagging jeans since I can't find my belt.

I am creating...not much these days since my schedule's totally full with kids activities and school.

I am going...to take a break from schoolwork today after a very late night wrapping up a team assignment yesterday, do some much needed shopping, and enjoy going to Bible study tonight.

I am reading...lots of chapters on financial management and trying to catch up on blogs I enjoy.

I am hoping...to stay focused on my diet & exercises this week (I sort of ate way more Easter candy than I should have over the weekend).

I am hearing...the wind howling outside and KW playing quietly with cars in the living room.

Around the house...it's quiet, since all the other kids are at school and SD's at work. There's a pile of laundry that needs my attention so I'd better get some more laundry detergent soon!

One of my favorite things...without a doubt, my family...they're my whole world!

A few plans for the rest of the week: hoping the weather will warm up after tomorrow as the forecast stated, keeping up with daily exercises, lots more kids activities, and hopefully finding some more time to practice on my motorcycle this weekend.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...it's amazing how quickly so much time can pass since we had a family picture of all 6 of us. The last one was back in August, so thanks to Easter morning, here's an updated family shot. Even with heels on my son is still way taller than me.

To read more daybook entries, click here.

Simple Woman's Daybook - April 6, 2009

FOR TODAY April 6th...

Outside my window...well, since it's not exactly the 6th anymore, it's now totally dark outside because it's after midnight. I tried really hard to post this all day, but there was just too much in one day's schedule, oh well, close enough.

I am thinking...putting off my homework assignments until the last minute and then cramming tonight wasn't such a great idea. I'm tired.

I am thankful for...the gorgeous, warm sunshiny day we FINALLY had for a change today and the time I had to take my run outside in that weather this afternoon.

From the kitchen...some pretty holy cow amazing shredded pork we've been eating that tastes just as amazing as leftovers! (and that's huge considering my family doesn't usually eat leftovers...stay tuned for the recipe I'll post soon).

I am wearing...a t-shirt and my ugly cupcake pj pants. Not a sight that's meant for anything else but heading off to bed. But, here's me last night:

(so typical I was actually having a decent, I don't hate may hair moment when it was almost bedtime in this photo & we had nowhere to go. How come your hair always looks great when you stay home, but then when you actually have a specific reason to dress up, or go somewhere, or take special pictures, it always ends up being a totally craptastic hair day?).

I am creating...a plan of attack to manage the nightmarishly busy week we have ahead of us.

I am going...to do my best NOT to stay up this late next week turning in homework at the last minute.

I am reading...lots of stuff, little tidbits here and there from about 4 different books, plus financial chapters in my class, I'm kind of in the mood to read a lot of different things right now, not really sticking with anything in particular.

Although, I found the most completely hilarious and totally out of place sentence in my otherwise typically, incredibly boring financial chapters in my class today! This is not a joke, or a typo, it's a direct quote:

"Profits and Cash Flow: Now look back to Table 31.3, which shows sources and uses of cash.We want to register two warnings about the entry called cash from operations. It may not represent actual dollars - dollars you can buy beer with."

Ummm...yeah! Did you catch that last part? They not only ended the sentence really poorly with a preposition, but they made a completely out of context reference to buying beer?! I swear I'm not making this up!

I am hoping...I'll have another great fitness week.

I am hearing...total quiet, everyone's asleep, and it's a beautiful thing.

Around the house...hmmm, well...it's not so beautiful. In fact, it's like a tornado went off in here, which I totally don't understand since the whole house was completely clean on Sat. night.

One of my favorite things...having the endurance to run much longer & farther than I thought I could and surprising myself in the process.

A few plans for the rest of the week: wow, was isn't happening this week? Tons more soccer practices, tons of fitness training, tons of homework, tons of other projects around the house I'd MUCH rather be doing, looking forward to chaperoning a fieldtrip with EJ, and tickets to an amazing live performance musical with SD's brother as one of the main characters.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...my silly son is enjoying making tons of ridiculous faces these days whenever I tote around the camera...which in his defense, is pretty often. He wasn't in any kind of bad mood in this pic, just a little sunburned and drained from a very long Sat.

His exhausted expression perfectly depicts how I'm feeling right now...I'm off to bed!

To read more daybook entries, click here.

Simple Woman's Daybook - March 30, 2009

FOR TODAY March 30th...

Outside my window...sunny & windy, but by FAR better than yesterday's completely wild & AWFUL weather! Extreme winds and snow doesn't say spring.

I am thinking...how disappointed I am over the weekend turnout and continued problems with my bike.

I am thankful for...EJ coming home safely from her trip which she really enjoyed.

From the kitchen...simple spaghetti for the kids and Lean Cuisine for me.

I am wearing...a t-shirt, new jeans, and new riding boots.

I am creating...nothing much at the moment.

I am going...to begin a new class in the morning...goodbye spring break. :o(

I am reading...the new course syllabus, main forum instructions, etc. as I prepare for class.

I am hoping...the continued problems with my bike can be resolved soon, and that I'll find more time to practice and to build more confidence.

I am hearing...three of my children interrupting me eating dinner every 2 minutes to ask something new or tell on one of the others.

Around the house...the kids are making noise, but it's a welcome sound after a weekend without them here.

One of my favorite things...is how patient my husband has been as he's had to come rescue me 3 times recently (twice just today) due to my bike engine dying for some yet unknown reason.

A few plans for the rest of the week: preparing for a new class, lots of busy evenings now that spring soccer is underway, continuing to pursue corrections to SD's financial aid.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...here's two, my new bike and SD's. We've wanted to buy bikes for several years, but when you have 4 kids it takes a while to save up and to find some great deals.

SD's bike is a 2006 Suzuki M50 that only had 1700 miles on it...the previous owner almost never rode it. They added the windshield and small saddle bags and only wanted $5,000 for it, which is WAY under current market value.

And my new bike is a 2009 V-Star 250, black cherry color. It only had 43 miles on it and again we bought it for WAY under current value for only $3,200!

To read more daybook entries, click here.

Simple Woman's Daybook - March 23, 2009

FOR TODAY March 23rd...

Outside my window...it looks beautiful & sunny, but it's still very windy these days.

I am thinking...seriously, WHERE are my breasts? I swear that's the only place where I'm losing all this weight!

I am thankful for...my friend Linda, who was available & willing to attend a very important meeting today with my husband, providing support and encouragement through a rough time.

From the kitchen...not much going on in there right now, but here's another one of my favorite really low calorie and yummy snacks I keep in the pantry:

These bars are only 110 calories and taste very yummy, not dry or diet-ish at all. The chocolate delight and chocolate peanut butter flavors are the best and perfect for combating those chocolate cravings!

I am wearing...a sports bra and exercise shorts, since I just got off the treadmill and had my best 5k time yet! But today, KW had a FAR more interesting outfit...a combination of LA's vest and daddy's hat and shoes...no pants, of course.

I am creating...feelings of excitement and accomplishment as I keep working toward my fitness goals.

I am going...to spend some time on my elliptical bike as soon as I'm done here.

I am reading...a daily devotional I borrowed from my friend, Jen.

I am hoping...SD's meeting goes really well and restores not only some broken relationships but also his broken spirit, that EJ's trip this week goes really well and she returns safely with tons of fun stories and new best friends to tell me about, to find some time to work on LA's rag quilt, and to have the newest issues with SD's financial aid resolved soon!

I am hearing...LA and KW yelling and splashing around in the bathtub.

Around the house...it's fairly quiet and fairly clean...one of the other nice side benefits of having a personal trainer come to your house once per week is that it forces me to scrub the whole house top to bottom.

One of my favorite things...how beautiful my daughter, EJ, looks in her new glasses.

And my foam roll!!!!!!!!! This thing doesn't look like much, but it's seriously become my shins' new best friend!!!!!!!!!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week: remembering to water the plants we've started for this year's garden, working on LA's quilt, not missing a single workout this week, looking forward to EJ coming home from her trip, and a really fun class SD and I are taking this weekend!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...I know spring is officially here when my kids are addicted to making homemade popcicles. Of course, once KW realized I was taking their picture, he needed to share some "seafood" from the cracker he ate just before the popcicle.

To read more daybook entries, click here.

Simple Woman's Daybook - March 16, 2009

FOR TODAY March 16th...

Outside my window...windy again, although slightly warmer...there's tiny signs that spring will come soon (I hope).

I am thinking...how come I wasn't sore at all on Sunday morning, but by Sunday evening and today I'm practically dying & sore all over from Sat.'s training?

I am thankful for...loving friends in our small group.

From the kitchen...simple eggs & toast, and a cup of hot tea, for me and KW this morning.

I am wearing...pjs, planning to get my running in a little later this afternoon.

I am creating...plans for the next few weeks.

I am going...to pull my hair out if all the financial problems with SD's school aid aren't resolved soon.

I am reading...still slowly working on "The Sacred Marriage," by Gary Thomas. I've come across a few little points I liked, but still not as great as I expected the book to be...but I'm only about 1/2 through it, so we'll see.

I am hoping...breakthroughs with SD sharing at small group last night will follow through with actions to heal some old wounds he has and let him move on positively to regain his spirit.

I am hearing...KW watching his favorite show, Caillou.

Around the house...I'm amazed at how quickly my kids can demolish whole rooms that were completely clean on Sat. night.

One of my favorite things...collecting pictures of home decorating I'd love to do in my own house someday (see below).

A few plans for the rest of the week: continuing to work on resolving financial aid issues that seem to be getting worse, looking forward to my class being over at the end of today so I can pick up several projects I've been wanting to spend some time on.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...I came across this photo on another blog I enjoy reading, Simply Me, where you can find the most amazing home decor photos and ideas! I love what they did to decorate this little wall! It's so simple to do and makes such a difference.


To read more daybook entries, click here.

Simple Woman's Daybook - March 9, 2009

FOR TODAY March 9th...

Outside my window...sunny and cold. We received some new snow on Sat. forcing us to keep our coats on a little longer.

I am thinking...about how sore I am from Sat.'s training session.

I am thankful for...only 1 week left of my current class and then a glorious 2 week break!

From the kitchen...I made banana nut bread with the bread machine recipe today. It was good, but not nearly as good as my homemade recipe from my Popop, and not just because of the sentimental value.

I am wearing...jeans, brown striped shirt, brown boots.

I am creating...an opportunity for some good friends to go out on date night tonight. We babysat swapped this week with our date night last Fri. & now it's my turn to watch their kids. It's a really convenient swap, since they have 4 kids too, very close in ages to all of mine.

I am going...to keep up with the new strength training routine, even if it kills me...which could totally happen, considering how sore I am all the time.

I am reading..."The Sacred Marriage," by Gary Thomas. I've heard extremely awesome reviews of this book. So far I've read the first 5 chapters & I'm not that into it yet, so hopefully it'll get better.

I am hoping...another possible job opportunity and a new venture (not ready to discuss yet) will both work out for the best for our family.

I am hearing...my boys wrestling in the living room. I love that even though they're 10 years apart they still love each other so much!

Around the house...it's clean since we're expecting company any time now.

One of my favorite things...Tues. night women's Bible study! It's girls night out & time with God all in one.

A few plans for the rest of the week: incorporate new strength training exercises and longer run times, wrapping up the last week of my finance class, "Muffins with Mom" at LA's school.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...the lost little cutie we found in the front yard a couple of days ago. The number on his tag was expired, but we managed to find his owner living just 4 houses down. In the process of tracking down his owner, the kids had a great time playing with Mocha.

To read more daybook entries, click here.

Simple Woman's Daybook - March 2nd, 2009

Really? It's March already?

FOR TODAY March 2nd...

Outside my window...it's Sunny, but still a little cold & windy. Although hopefully not nearly as windy as the weekend was! Better yet, here's my outside:

I am thinking...I really need to clean my house today, but I also really need to write a paper that's due tonight, but I have no desire to do either, I'd rather be outside.

I am thankful for...the piece of the conversation I overheard my husband in last night. It's very cool to hear your spouse telling someone else how awesome your marriage is.

From the kitchen...I'm amazed the entire box of cookies vanished so quickly! I think my kids have been going through baking withdrawal since my mixer died.

I am wearing...my ugly pjs, and here's a brave thought, here's me exactly as I am right now, still in pjs, no contacts in yet, and my baby on my lap.

I am creating...a new me, thanks to my continued determination to get in shape, and it's awesome that my husband can already notice small differences!

I am going...to continue running outside, because now that I've had a taste of exercising outside, being inside just doesn't compare.

I am reading...blogs I enjoy catching up on, so exciting to see a lot of other people anxious for spring gardening too!

I am hoping...to hit my 2nd sugar sack milestone by the end of this week.

I am hearing...PBS.

Around the house...iKW is curled up in my lap watching his favorite show, Caillou, and giving me tons of kisses. Oh how I love spending my days with him!

One of my favorite things...are these 2 flavors of yogurt! Key Lime Pie and Apple Turnover...mmmm! I've tried a lot of the other flavors too, but these are by far my favorites. They're an amazing snack or part of my lunch each day at only 100 calories!

A few plans for the rest of the week: taking EJ to the eye doctor (this time I think she might actually need glasses), the last week of basketball games, possibly some new training this weekend.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...a few more fun shots of KW as he sat on my lap watching TV (just ignore the laundry pile on the floor I need to fold & put away, I told you I had tons of cleaning to do).

To read more daybook entries, click here.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

While enjoying some catching up on a few other blogs I like to read I stumbled across this nice little weekly update called The Simple Woman's Daybook, where you participate in a weekly reflection of some of the simple things, the small little daily tidbits and blessings in our lives.

I thought it was a great idea and decided to give it a shot. In today's economy where everyone's busy complaining all the time, we could all use a few more reminders of our daily blessings, right?

FOR TODAY February 23rd...

Outside my window...it's incredibly windy! I can hear the wind batting against the house every now and then and shaking the roof of the patio to make a loud rumbling noise.

I am thinking...I really need to find some motivation to finish my homework that's due today.

I am thankful for...my husband, who in his sleep this morning while I was getting the kids out the door to school said to me, "I love you, Karen." And then kept sleeping.

From the kitchen...I ate delicious pumpkin chocolate chip muffins with a cup of hot tea for breakfast...yummy!

I am wearing...my pjs, it was a late night and I don't want to get dressed until after I spend some time on the treadmill.

I am creating...more reasons to avoid doing homework by writing this list and finding new friends on Facebook.

I am going...to help EJ finish her posterboad project tonight if it kills me.

I am reading...tons of chapters on net present value, beta calculations, etc. Yeah, it's a finance class.

I am hoping...SD will take EJ to her orchestra concert tomorrow night so I won't have to miss Bible study, plus I've already been to several of her concerts this year.

I am hearing...KW playing quietly with toys next to me and SD waking up and laughing from the next room (he had a late night too, so good thing he's not working today).

Around the house...it's VERY clean, since we hosted a dinner for 20+ people last night.

One of my favorite things...today is a cut of really hot tea in the morning to combat the extreme sore throat I can't seem to get rid of.

A few plans for the rest of the week: wrapping up homework due today, starting a new week of class tomorrow, deciding what to give up for Lent, parent/teacher conferences.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...my beautiful neice, K, who will be 2 years old this week.

Happy Birthday K!!!!