Simple Woman's Daybook Early October

My Simple Woman's Daybook entry is inspired by this wonderful site.

FOR TODAY; October 6, 2010

Outside my window...
Is my weed ridden back yard. I would very much like to replace the weeds with grass in the near future. I had a contractor give my a bid but Ben thinks he can do the work for a whole lot less. I know he could, but will he? He's so busy. It's really hard for him to find time to do anything around the house.
I am thinking...
That I really need to find someplace to drop of Mag and Gar this afternoon. Uly has his appointment to get his cast on his broken arm and I don't want to bring all the kids. I am having a hard time finding someone. I could sure use Olea right about now! Oh well...
I am thankful for...
That Uly needs more fiber in his diet instead of an appendectomy. He woke up in major pain last night so I ended up taking him to the ER. Again. We did this back in December 2009. We thought it was probably the same thing, trapped gas, but there's always that slim chance that if you don't act then is turns out to be something serious. Grrrr. Three hours at the hospital in the middle of the night makes for a very tired momma!
From the learning rooms...
I am trying to fit Kindergarten worksheets into Gar's days. He loves doing them. I need to make them more of a priority. I am also trying to read with Uly more. He is such a good reader, it surprises me. I think he'll be reading chapter books by the end of the school year. I need to help him practice so we can reach that goal.
From the kitchen...
I was feeling bummed out yesterday morning so instead of doing something healthy or productive, I baked. I made a pumpkin spice cake. It was amazing. There is only a few pieces left. I can't do much with beef, chicken or pork, but I can sure spice up a cake!
I am wearing...
Sloppy pajama clothes. Ben's big In-n-Out t-shirt and some stretch pants. I am thinking I'll take a shower and get dressed here in a bit. I think I'll wear my maternity Gap jeans and one of the new blouses I bought at the Gap a few days ago. I'm a Gap billboard. I have to take in the shirts in the lower armscye and/or put a dart in the bust area. The fit is a little off but I think I can fix them so that they look OK and are comfortable still.
I am creating...
Halloween decorations. I have two ideas that I'm mulling around. A garland using halloween themes clip art from my new favorite graphics site, the Graphics Fairy. I also like these two ideas: Spirit Jugs and the House o'Lantern. Our house is set back from the road and I am thinking I need some kind of inviting project so that trick or treaters will know to come down our driveway. I also need to start thinking about and working on costumes for the kids.
I am going...
Crazy.
Today I am taking Uly to the orthopedic surgeon to get his cast on. This doctor seems to be much better than the one Gar and I went to. This is Dr. Callahan and he is actually doing something. Dr. MacArther didn't straighten Gar's arm and it is still a bit bent. He says that Gar will grow into it but I'm not sure. I feel like I paid a whole bunch of money for him to not do a thing.
I am reading...
Ulysses by James Joyce. After a while I feel like I finally got the hang of how it is written but it is still taking me a very long time to read. I am reading it in little nibbles. It's on my phone. I love being able to read books on my phone. It is very convenient. I really don't miss turning pages or holding the book. I love having my book with me at all times and not having to remember where an extra item is.
I am hoping...
That I can stay cheerful and happy with my kids today. I am also hoping I can find somewhere to dump my two craziest boys for a couple of hours. Maybe Kristina can help me. I hate to ask her. She has her hands full already. My babysitter girls are all busy tonight. Maybe my visiting teachers. I don't know. I wish my kids could just be well behaved so I didn't have to worry about this!
I am hearing...
Eva Marie grunting and making guttural noises at her fingers. She just sneezed. Cute little sneezes.
Around the house...
Things are mostly clean and mostly tidy. I feel like I'm doing a better job of being on top of that than I was. Some days are better than others.
The family room upstairs is littered in Kleenex. I don't want to see how bad it is. Mag grabbed a box of tissues and took it upstairs. Then he proceeded to pull many of them out and throw them around. He didn't make it through the whole box, thankfully.
One of my favorite things...
Is sitting on my bed and reading blogs that inspire me to make more projects. They also inspire me to blog more but I don't listen to that inspiration.
I have been thinking about blogging a lot lately. I loved working on MomShots but I can't make it fit into my life right now. It's kind of depressing. I had so many fantastic ideas for that site when I first started it but due to my lack of knowledge and lack of funds none of those ideas really got off the ground. Now there are other photography sites that have since sprung up that do exactly what I originally intended. It kind of leaves me feeling deflated and not inspired to work on MomShots. I really needed a partner for this project. I think it originally had a lot of potential. Now it's just tired. Another one of my projects uncompleted. Maybe it is complete. It is time to move on though, me thinks.
A few plans for the rest of the week:
Figure out some outfit for the kids to wear so I can take their picture for Christmas.
Work on Halloween costumes and decorations.
Get more exercise.
Smile more.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

I wish it were in more in focus. I really need to focus (pun intended) on that more.

The Simple Woman's Day Book: September 13, 2010

September 13, 2010.

Outside my window... Is a wonderful view of the mountains of Pleasant Grove. I can see the G monument on Little Mountain. We climbed the mountain yesterday and almost made it all the way to the top. It was a lot of fun but kind of scary coming down.
I am thinking... About trying to be organized and motivated. Trying to find the time to create, rest, clean and give all my babies the attention and love they need.
I am thankful for... A husband who follows his dreams. I am thankful for happy children.
From the learning rooms... We need to begin our preschool activities. I am going to try to help Gar with one workbook page today, read Gar and Mag a story and go for an exploring walk.
From the kitchen... We ate a couple of delicious peaches and one super yummy pear for breakfast. Mag and I picked them off the ground as we walked home from taking Uly to the bus stop. I am thinking of trying to germinate the seeds and put them in pots. They have to sit in the fridge for a few months so I don't know if I will remember or if I will lose interest. But oh so yummy! Also, Gar and Mag were pretending that they were frogs. They each had a bowl of flies in milk for breakfast (coco pebbles). It was fun. I love the imagination in these little heads!
I am wearing... Comfy clothes; maternity knit pants that I cut off the extra waist fabric, a magenta t-shirt (that was a long sleeve shirt yesterday until I cut of the long sleeves) and a magenta and red striped hoodie sweater. My Chocos too.
I am creating... I have a list of sewing projects that I want to complete this week. It includes three skirts and an apron with matching pot holders. I copied the pattern of Olea's Korean apron and am making it out of an old cream with red paisleys sheet. I want to make matching pot holders and give them to Olea for a house warming present. I also want to make a Halloween wreath for my front door or wall. You take a picture frame, put some dried twigs in it and paint it all black. Then hang it with a black ribbon. I need to make it. I have been thinking about it for about two weeks.
I am reading... The Art of Homemaking by Daryl V. Hoole. So good! So inspirational. I need to buy my own copy of this book so I can give it back to my sister in law, Katie.
I am hoping... To lose a few more pounds by the end of the week. I am planning on running every day this week and also punching the bag and doing some other exercises every day, Monday through Friday. I am almost out of this pants size and would like to just hurry up and cross over the size threshold!
I am hearing... SuperWhy on PBS. It's a great kids show. I like it and Gar and Mag seem to like it too.
Around the house... The house is mostly in order. I need to go around and pick things up, do the dishes and take care of a mountain of clean clothes. I love washing clothes but HATE folding and putting them away. It's so tedious.
One of my favorite things... Is snuggling with my new baby. Babies are the best snugglers in the world. It also helps that they are so cute!
A few plans for the rest of the week... Sewing. Folding. Exercising.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... These are pickles I made last week. I still need to figure out what to do with a giant zucchini I have. Should I make relish? Should I just grate up and freeze? Probably freeze. Maybe I will make half a batch of relish too. I don't know.