As I look outside my window: The sun is back after a hiatus for most of January. Arthur and I have been busy watching all the birds (hawks mostly) circle around the backyard and nature preserve beyond the fence.

Thinking and pondering: What I am willing to settle for house wise? We're looking to move closer to Palo Alto, but pickings are slim for our price and square footage requirements. I can sacrifice some things (big backyard), but am unwilling on others (large living room/kitchen/dining areas). It's hard! Real estate is insane in the Bay Area...

On my bedside table: I cleaned and dusted it, so nice and clean! I'm currently reading A Brief History of Time and The Seduction of the Crimson Rose which rounds out my chosen books for February. I'm sure I'll finish those two with days in the month to spare. I'm thinking about adding Coffee Nerd and You Did What to the table... Need another nonfiction to round out February.

On my tv this week: We finished Galavant (not as good as 1st season), watched multiple episodes of Limitless (really good now), and I enjoyed a few episodes of Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown (Tokyo was crazy!, Copenhagen was great!) and Week 4 of The Bachelor (watching it on free Hulu so a week behind)

Listening to:  More podcasts (One Bad Mother, Here to Make Friends [The Bachelor podcast] and The Beatles (all the songs!)

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Parmesan Crusted Tilapia, Rice side, Veggie
• Tuesday - Buffalo Chicken Sliders, Fries
• Wednesday - Tater Tot Casserole
• Thursday - BBQ Chicken Pizza
• Friday - PF Chang's Freezer Meal
• Saturday - Cookout! Brats and Hot Dogs on the Grill!
• Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: I'm slowly working my way through decluttering the house. This next week, I want to finish the upstairs and get a jump on the downstairs. The hardest area is definitely going to be the kitchen and craft areas. Saving those until last...

Happening this week:

• Monday - ??? Probably grocery/errands, maybe some park time.
• Tuesday - Possible card class. If no one has signed up by tonight, it's getting cancelled.
• Wednesday - Parent group Valentine's Day Party! We've got our Valentines ready to go. And we get to make Monster Valentine boxes at the party. I'm excited.
• Thursday - Charity drop-off. The president and I are dropping off the charity donations from the Winter Social.
• Friday - Coffee and playdate at my house. We'll see if anyone actually signs up...
• Saturday - Cookout at our house! Invited the parent group. So far, two other families are driving up.
• Sunday - Possible toddler birthday party. Hoping everyone stays healthy so we can go. It's being held at our local in door play space.

What I am creating: Trying to finish up some retreat crafts (one is almost done, the other I haven't even started), two more design team cards for February, January Project Life pages, and one more card (shaving cream technique!) and one 3D project for stamp club (Feb. 18th). Wrapping up those projects to focus on March!

My simple pleasures: Green tea with honey (only thing that helped me survive my nasty cold); Tagalong and Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies (a neighborhood girl takes orders online and delivers to my door, this may become a problem...); good books (always!)

Looking around the house: Crap is everywhere! Being sick really takes a toll on the general cleanliness of the house. Need to get back into the cleaning habit this week...

From the camera: Arthur and his early Valentine's Day present from Grandma Heidi and Papa Bill!