Life Right Now #9

As I look outside my window: It’s bright and sunny and the temps are going to be in the mid-60s today. So much better than the high of 10 on Thursday.

Right now I am: Ready to settle in with my current book

On my bedside table: Lots of Middle Grade Novels for the rest of March!

On my tv this week: We started watching two great shows, one hilarious and one very weird and serious but amazing: Our Flag Means Death and Severance.

Listening to: Just my usual podcasts. But I did find a new podcast called The Rise and Fall of Lularoe. Definitely starting this one next week!

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Honey Lime Jalapeño Chicken

• Tuesday - Coffee Rubbed Pork Loin

• Wednesday - Lemon Dill Capellini Salmon

• Thursday - Leftovers

• Friday - Jalapeño Popper Bacon Bean Soup

• Saturday - Grilled Cheese Night

• Sunday - Mosterdsoep

On my to do list: I need to put some random things away, finish the laundry, clean the kitchen

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home School Day

• Tuesday - Errands morning and then School Day

• Wednesday - Schramm Hike (trying again with a better forecast)

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Fire Station Tour; Lit Society

• Saturday - Home Day; D&D

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: I finished February’s Memory Planner pages yesterday. So that means that today I want to work on my birthday insert page.

My simple pleasures: Banana bread, reading a book in one sitting, a bit of quet

Looking around the house: I did a mad vacuum yesterday, but I would love f0r the kids to clean the playroom so that could get vacuumed.

From the camera: During our family game night, Arthur rolled 5 skulls! We were playing HeroQuest and with the wizard’s spell and five skulls, he immediately decimated the dread knight. Amazing!

Life Right Now #8

As I look outside my window: It’s still very overcast and cold out after yesterday’s storms. It’ll be cold for my birthday day out, but at least the rain stopped.

Right now I am: Getting ready to leave for my day out.

On my bedside table: Lore by Alexandra Bracken; Gilded by Marissa Meyer

On my tv this week: We’ve watched a few decent movies this past week and started Severance S1.

Listening to: Nothing much except for my usual podcasts.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Chicken and Noodles

• Tuesday - Ham and Cheese Croissants

• Wednesday - Jalapeño Popper Bacon and Bean Soup

• Thursday - Coffee-Rubbed Pork Loin

• Friday - Leftovers

• Saturday - Ranch Cheddar Chicken

• Sunday - Lemon Dill Capellini Salmon

On my to do list: I’m certain that I have a list, but I have completely forgotten what is on the list. Guess I need a refresher.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Regular School Day

• Tuesday - Dentist for kids; Park playdate

• Wednesday - Zoo Day

• Thursday - Regular School Day

• Friday - Schramm Hike Day

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home day

What I am creating: After a bit of a break, I’m back to working on my 2022 Memory Planner.

My simple pleasures: German Chocolate Cake, book shopping, a new puzzle

Looking around the house: I should really vacuum the downstairs tomorrow morning.

From the camera: Yummy birthday cake for me.

Life Right Now #7

As I look outside my window: It’s bright and sunny again, but still pretty cold. Much much warmer than earlier this week, but started off in the 30s this morning.

Right now I am: Sitting down with my new book to read. Here’s hoping it’s better than the last one.

On my bedside table: All the Bodies by Kendare Blake; The Apollo Murders by Chris Hadfield

On my tv this week: Wrapping up our movie month this past week, but we also watched a few episodes of Hustle, Resident Alien, and Last Week Tonight.

Listening to: All the news and politics podcasts.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Crab Coconut Curry

• Tuesday - Mosterdsoep

• Wednesday - Chicken and Noodles

• Thursday - Ranch Cheddar Chicken

• Friday - Leftovers

• Saturday - ????

• Sunday - ????

On my to do list: Set up student loan account (they sold my student loan yet again and I have to make a new account to access all the information; seriously student loans suck so much…), buy a bin to put away the in-between homeschool supplies (see the read alouds photos below), take care of some coop business, finalize my birthday day out plans

Happening this week:

• Monday - Zoo Day; Book Club

• Tuesday - Park Playdate Morning

• Wednesday - Home Day

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Home Day

• Saturday - My Birthday!

• Sunday - My Birthday Day Out!

What I am creating: Books lists and curriculum plans

My simple pleasures: Good coffee, a long stretch of reading, getting out all my frustrations in a word vomit (seriously it helps sometimes)

Looking around the house: Besides my craft room, the house is looking decent. I do need to put away clothes today, but that’s usual.

From the camera: I was getting so confused that I had to pull out all of our read alouds to see what we got. And now I’ve separated them into homeschool years (and a free read pile) creating our master read alouds lists. Feeling so better now that this is all organized. I do love a plan.

Life Right Now #6

As I look outside my window: Clear and bright. The temperature is supposed to top out at around 60 degrees, before steadily dropping over the next three days to a high of 12 degrees on Thursday. Fun times in the Midwest.

Right now I am: Scrambling to finish this post as I completely forgot about it last night (we had D&D) and was distracted this morning by curriculum and my puzzle.

On my bedside table: Girly Drinks by Mallory O’Meara; Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire

On my tv this week: We ended up watching a few movies, but took a few nights off from watching anything. I had two busy nights and we had D&D last night.

Listening to: Mostly podcasts, although I did download a new album by The Rumjacks; found them on Apple Music’s New Hard Rock playlist.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Balsamic Glazed Pork Roast

• Tuesday - Mosterdsoep and Ontbijkoek

• Wednesday - Prawn and Sweet Potato Curry (but switch to tofu)

• Thursday - Chicken and Noodles

• Friday - Leftovers

• Saturday - Mississippi Pot Roast

• Sunday - Crab Coconut Curry

On my to do list: Arthur scratched his glasses at the park so I need to attempt to get those fixed. I also need to create a new account as my student loans were just transferred to a different company (seriously hate this practice), and I have an anticipated big project documenting our homeschool read alouds.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Regular school day

• Tuesday - Regular school day; Lord of the Rings trivia at Edge of the Universe

• Wednesday - Regular school day

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Coop field trip to the planetarium

• Saturday - Home day?

• Sunday - Home day

What I am creating: I’m working on my 2022 Memory Planner, but took a break this week to deal with some big projects.

My simple pleasures: Earl Grey Tea Bread (didn’t over-bake it this time); Fun times at Music Bingo and D&D; quiet time at the park

Looking around the house: Having coop here the past two weeks means that the first floor is in decent shape right now.

From the camera: 90s Music Bingo! We didn’t win but it was still lots of fun.

Life Right Now #5

As I look outside my window: It’s fairly sunny out there right now, but pretty darn cold. Seems like the clouds will be rolling in later.

Right now I am: Contemplating making earl grey tea bread or muffins.

On my bedside table: Fuzz by Mary Roach; Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor (reread for book club)

On my tv this week: We’ve continued our movie month with The Godfather Part II, tick tick BOOM!, LOTR: The Two Towers, Bad Boys for Life (that was terrible), and LOTR: The Return of the King.

Listening to: Mostly podcasts, but I also cued up some Mike Shinoda and A Day to Remember this week.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Prawn and Sweet Potato Curry

• Tuesday - Green Chile Enchilada Soup

• Wednesday - Jalapeño Popper and Bean Soup

• Thursday - Sesame Chicken

• Friday - Leftovers

• Saturday - Mosterdsoep

• Sunday - Sweet Potato Nachos

On my to do list: I have a big ongoing list, but really this weekend I’m taking it a bit easier.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Regular home day

• Tuesday - Zoo day?; Coop Parent Meeting

• Wednesday - Coop Valentine’s Party; 90s Music Bingo

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Lit Society

• Saturday - D&D (it’s been a minute due to COVID and travel)

• Sunday - Home day

What I am creating: I started working on my 2022 Memory Planner and am attempting to finish my 2021 December Daily album.

My simple pleasures: A stop at my favorite panderia, exploring new areas of town, finding historical markers

Looking around the house: It’s in decent shape from my panicked cleaning before coop on Thursday. I do want to tackle a deep clean of all the kitchen counters and fridge today.

From the camera: We started playing HeroQuest for family game night. The boys are getting the hang of it.

Life Right Now #4

As I look outside my window: It’s gray, but fairly warm today.

Right now I am: Finishing How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith before starting brunch.

On my bedside table: An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole; Fuzz by Mary Roach

On my tv this week: It’s February Movie Month! We try to watch new-to-us (or at least haven’t seen in decades) movies instead of flipping over to television shows. So far, we watched some really good ones and J introduced me to The Godfather.

Listening to: Catching up on some podcasts. I also listened to both countdowns this week from Octane and Alt Nation. Trying to incorporate more music into my routine.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Firecracker Chicken

• Tuesday - Pork and Green Chile Stew

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Mosterdsoep (Dutch mustard soup)

• Friday - Sega Wat

• Saturday - Ranch Cheddar Chicken

• Sunday - Sloppy Joes

On my to do list: Can't remember what’s on my list right this second, but I did make a list on Friday. I know that I’ve checked off a few things already, but I’m sure there’s lots to do. I do know that I want to finish my current nonfiction read today or tomorrow (it’s due in 4 days) and a need to put away all the clothes. I also need to do a library run and a grocery store run today.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Normal School Day

• Tuesday - Fontenelle Forest Walk (it’s going to be 50 degrees)

• Wednesday - Normal School Day

• Thursday - Coop at our house

• Friday - Great Plains Black History Museum field trip

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Jane Austen Bowl at Edge of the Universe

What I am creating: I’m working on my 2021 December Daily album. I have about Falk of the pictures printed (need more photo paper) and most of the layout set. I need to start journaling and embellishing. And finish printing when my delivery arrives on Tuesday.

My simple pleasures: Not hurting, seriously my body has been in a lot of pain these past few days. I can hardly remember a time that it didn’t hurt, even though I know that was like Thursday. Hoping this flare up subsides soon.

Looking around the house: I really need to do a cleaning day. We’re hosting coop this week, so I need to get the first floor in decent shape at least.

From the camera: I actually finished my 2021 Memory Planner! I’m ready to start my 2022 album.

Life Right Now #3

On my bedside table: Enjoy the View by Sarah Morgenthaler; How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith

On my tv this week: We binged only Murders in the Building S1. Oh so good! Yesterday we started Resident Alien S2. it’s been a wild television show week.

Listening to: I completely caught up with the Maintenance Phase podcast so I started diving back into some other podcasts that I’ve gotten behind on.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Leftovers / Tobe out for dinner

• Tuesday - Maafe

• Wednesday - Spicy Shrimp Burrito Bowls

• Thursday - Jalapeño Popper Bacon and Bean Soup

• Friday - Baked Firecracker Chicken

• Saturday - Tuscan Kale and White bean Soup

• Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: I have a ton of school stuff to organize, a couple of craft projects to finish, and a kitchen pantry to inventory.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Morning walk at OPPD Arboretum; Book Club

• Tuesday - Virtual National Weather Service Tour; Trivia @ Edge of the Universe

• Wednesday - Home Day

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Home Day

• Saturday - Home Day; D&D

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Still working on my 2021 Memory Planner. I’ve completed through September. That’s means only two months to go.

My simple pleasures: Hot chocolate, nature walks, new puzzles

Looking around the house: Blergh. I should do some house work today.

From the camera: View of the wetlands at Heron Haven. Look at all those geese and ducks!

Life Right Now #2

As I look outside my window: It’s clear and bright, but probably very cold. I haven’t decided if I’m leaving the house today.

Right now I am: Getting ready to dive into my reading hour. I’ve got a graphic novel and a nonfiction business book sitting here ready for me to pick up.

On my bedside table: Enjoy the View by Sarah Morgenthaler; Far Sector by NK Jemisin

On my tv this week: Wr continued with The Witcher S2 and The Great S1. And we finally started watching The Righteous Gemstones.

Listening to: Lots of hard rock playlists. I’ve been mixing it up. Somehow the hard rock has been calming me done while I’ve been making dinner and doing house chores.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Sausage, Potato, Spinach Soup

• Tuesday - Chicken Shawarma Fries

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Jalapeño Popper and Bean Soup

• Friday - Peanut Sauce Chicken and Broccoli Bowls

• Saturday - Maafe

• Sunday - Italian Noodle Soup

On my to do list: Laundry, put away laundry, vacuum, make a cake, make dinner, prep dinner for tomorrow (chicken needs to marinate), print some photos, organize some photos, maybe do a library run

Happening this week:

• Monday - Winter walk at Heron Haven

• Tuesday - Playdate at Friend’s House; Book Club

• Wednesday - Regular Home Day

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Regular Home Day

• Saturday - Regular Home Day

• Sunday - Currently Reading Zoom

What I am creating: I’m still working through my 2021 Memory Planner. I’ve completed up through July and I just started at the new year. I’m hoping to be done by mid-February. I did hit an obstacle in that I didn’t clean out all the photos from our road trip in September. That’s going to take a minute.

My simple pleasures: Time with friends (even all masked up and cautious), continuing to be healthy, less headaches this week, reliving our road trip by cleaning out the pictures.

Looking around the house: J has been tackling some random projects including getting a bookcase for his books, removing some random old things (like the radio in the bathroom), and buying garage door insulating kits. Here’s hoping he can finish something today.

From the camera: We visited SAC Museum this week during a very cold day. We haven’t been in almost two years and it was nice to visit again.

Life Right Now #39

As I look outside my window: Bright and sunny although it is cold today.

Right now I am: Getting ready to dive into my next book, Miss Moriarty, I Presume? by Sherry Thomas. It’s the last book in the Lady Sherlock series and I am desperate to see how everything ends.

On my bedside table: A Season for Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss; lots of Kindle holiday romances

On my tv this week: We continued with the current seasons of It’s Always Sunny and Doctor Who. We watched a few more episodes of The Great S1 and started The Wticher S2.

Listening to: Mostly trying to catch up with my podcasts. Only 5 gazillion episodes left to go.

On the menu for this week: I have no idea. We’re leaving on Tuesday, so I don’t really have definitely plans made.

On my to do list: I need to finish packing obviously. I also have a few errands to run later today to prepare for travel. And I should really consult my giant break projects list to make a time blocking plan.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Coop Christmas Party

• Tuesday - Travel Day!

• Wednesday - Visit to the Botanical Gardens and stop to see the lights downtown

• Thursday - Fantasy of Lights

• Friday - Christmas Eve!

• Saturday - Christmas Day!

• Sunday - Christmas with other side of the family

What I am creating: Packing lists. I have about 60% of our stuff ready to be loaded into the van. But I still have that other 40% to take care of. Checking my packing lists again to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

My simple pleasures: D&D with friends, a nice cup of cocoa, good night’s rest.

Looking around the house: Whirlwind cleaning yesterday really helped lighten my mood. I like to leave the house for travel in a decent shape so when I come home, I’m not annoyed by the mess. J will still be here, but he’s much less messier than the kids.

From the camera: Thankful that the very scary storm on Wednesday produced some high winds in the area, but not much else. Still, it was a tense few hours spent in the basement just in case.

Life Right Now #38

As I look outside my window: Most of the snow from Friday night has melted, at least on the concrete. The boys wanted to build a snowman, but it’s too sparse and wet for that now. They were a bit disappointed.

Right now I am: Planning my experiments for circuits theme for coop on Thursday. We are going to make graphite circuits and a lemon battery.

Thinking and pondering: What all do I need to get done before traveling this Christmas? I swear my to-do is so scattered right now.

On my bedside table: Well Matched by Jen DeLuca; lots more holiday romances

On my tv this week: We watched a few movies and documentaries this week, plus we finally started The Great. Hilarious!

Listening to: Holly on Sirius XM all the time now! It’s officially Christmas music time.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Italian Beef Sandwiches

• Tuesday - Apple Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

• Wednesday - Pomegranate Chicken

• Thursday - Leftovers

• Friday - Mongolian Beef

• Saturday - Avocado, Bruschetta Chicken

• Sunday - Shrimp Scampi Pasta

On my to do list: Oh so many little things! But most of all, I need to clean off my desk and put away my Christmas card supplies.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Regular School Day

• Tuesday - Movie Afternoon (We’re going to see Encanto)

• Wednesday - Park Playdate Morning; Musicals Bingo

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Regular School Day

• Saturday - House Cleaning; D&D

• Sunday - More House Cleaning and Packing

What I am creating: I want to make about 4 more Christmas cards to have on hand for neighbors and such. Once that’s done (maybe this afternoon), I need to clean off my desk and get prepping for homeschool next semester. Or I might take a look at my memory planner first…

My simple pleasures: Good gatherings with friends. We had our book club book and bottle exchange last night and it was so lovely to hang out with people again. And I got a book that has been on my TBR list, so yeah me!

Looking around the house: Things are okay, but I do need to get the kitchen in order today and clear off the counter to prep for the coop holiday party on the 20th.

From the camera: I chopped my hair off this week! Feels so much better and it curls much easier now.

Life Right Now #37

As I look outside my window: The sun is shining, but it’s not very bright. We are definitely back to colder temperatures and weak light. Welcome to winter in the Midwest!

Right now I am: Fighting with my phone to charge correctly! The connection inside is having issues and it randomly will stop charging. Need to figure this out.

On my bedside table: All the holiday romances! I’m currently alternating between a historical and a contemporary.

On my tv this week: We finished both Hit Monkey and Cowboy Bebop. And we watched The Harder They Fall (So good!!!!).

Listening to: Just lots of podcasts. Not much else except for bickering children.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Prosciutto and Fig Pizza

• Tuesday - Leftovers

• Wednesday - Take out

• Thursday - Pomegranate Chicken

• Friday - Apple Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

• Saturday - Leftovers / Snack Dinner

• Sunday - Italian Beef Sandwiches

On my to do list: Doing a lot of prep for the rest of December (getting advent activities around, buying tickets for things like Christmas movies). I’ve also started to make my Christmas Break Project list and lay out Roam for all my forms and lists for next year.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Movie Afternoon

• Tuesday - Board Games with Coop

• Wednesday - Werner Park Lights

• Thursday - Coop; Haircut

• Friday - DoSpace Tour and Activity

• Saturday - Book Club Christmas Party

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Christmas cards! I’ve made over 40, but would like to knock out about 20 more this week to give to local people (book club, coop, etc). If I take one afternoon this week, I can accomplish that goal.

My simple pleasures: Chocolate truffle advent I bought myself, breezy holiday romances.

Looking around the house: I’m feeling much better after a whirlwind cleaning session yesterday. Really just having the living room all picked up and put together lifts my mood so much.

From the camera: Watching the fish at Cabela’s after see Santa

Life Right Now #36

As I look outside my window: It’’s bright and sun. After a very warm yesterday, the temperatures are going to drop a bit today, but not by much. A trip the library later will only require a light sweater.

Right now I am: Finally putting down my book for a bit. I got a late start to my Sunday morning reading due to kid sickness. Here’s hoping that it’s a passing thing.

Thinking and pondering: About my D&D character’s backstory. I think I need to flesh out my character a bit more before next session.

On my bedside table: The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss; The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

On my tv this week: We’ve been making our way through The Hobbit movies with the kids; finishing The Desolation of Smaug tonight. And J and I have been watching Cowboy Bebop and Hit Monkey.

Listening to: Mostly random podcasts, but this week hasn’t left much time for even those.

On the menu for this week: It’s a weird week due to medical stuff and book clubs…

• Monday - Out for book club

• Tuesday - J can’t eat (prepping for a minor medical procedure) and I have book club late, so maybe I grab something at the restaurant?

• Wednesday - Maafe

• Thursday - Fancy BLT Grilled Cheese

• Friday - Pomegranate Chicken

• Saturday - Homemade Pizza

• Sunday - Chicken and Corn Soup

On my to do list: I have some book and activity advent activities to finish prepping before Wednesday. Plus, I need to prep my circuits lesson for later in December. And I need to do some house tasks.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Normal School Day; Book Club

• Tuesday - Normal School Day; Other Book Club

• Wednesday - J’s Medical Procedure; Kids’ 2nd Vaccine Shots!

• Thursday - Coop; Groceries?

• Friday - Visit to See Santa!

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: I have made 46 Christmas cards and would like to make probably 14 more to make it an even 60. I’m rolling along with my creations and am just about done.

My simple pleasures: Good coffee, fun D&D adventures, and a good book.

Looking around the house: I’ve put out our meager Christmas decorations including some outside items. I’m sure that I will add a few more things before the end of this year. But as we aren’t going to be here for Christmas, I’m not putting up a tree.

From the camera: Day after Thanksgiving meal made of leftovers.

Life Right Now #35

As I look outside my window: It’s so weird to be able to see through our backyard tree again. It makes the lights from houses so much brighter at nighttime.

Right now I am: Finishing this post so I can dive into my Sunday reading time. I’m really digging all the essays included in The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green

On my bedside table: Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead and a ton of Holiday romances!

On my tv this week: We finished S1 of Foundation and I completely gutted at the end. Thank goodness they are making a second season. We also started Hit Monkey (very odd show) and Cowboy Bebop (I cannot contain my excitement about this one).

Listening to: Mostly hard rock mixes. Thank goodness Apple Music can create sound-alike playlists. I’ve been really digging the Black Veil Brides channel.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Tacos

• Tuesday - BBQ Chicken

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Friends-giving!

• Friday - Leftovers

• Saturday - Maafe (Senegalese Peanut Stew)

• Sunday - Fettuccini with Crab

On my to do list: I’ve got a big list of mostly small tasks to check out. I do want to get the Friends of the Coop Facebook group launched this week. I also need to organize my December planner pages, create a coop lesson for circuits (one week instead of the usual two), clean, and update a few spreadsheets (reading challenges, coop rotation, etc).

Happening this week:

• Monday - Normal School Day; Grocery run

• Tuesday - Normal School Day

• Wednesday - Cleaning and project day

• Thursday - Friends-giving!

• Friday - Project day

• Saturday - Home day

• Sunday - Library run

What I am creating: I got our advent activity calendar sorted and make progress on wrapping our book advent. I’m hoping that Wednesday, Friday, and this weekend can be dedicated to cleaning the house and then working on Christmas cards. I would like to make about 50 this year, but I haven’t even gotten started. I did pull out my box of Christmas supplies to get started when I have a free hour or two.

My simple pleasures: Chocolate cake, snuggly blankets, to do lists

Looking around the house: Things are good, but there are some Christmas stuff piles going on right now. I need to find a place for my next project to live. Maybe a specific cabinet in the kitchen or a shelf on a bookcase? I would just like to avoid the random pile.

From the camera: I got out to Music Bingo on Wednesday and I actually won, twice! In December, we are doing Musicals Music Bingo night. I can’t wait!

Life Right Now #34

On my bedside table: Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren; The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachie

On my tv this week: We continued with the MCU by watching Spiderman: Far From Home. J and caught up on Foundation and watched the new James Bond movie, No Time to Die, and Red Notice.

Listening to: Random podcasts. I just was very scatter-brained this past week.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Parmesan Tilapia

• Tuesday - Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash

• Wednesday - Pulled Pork Sandwiches

• Thursday - Pomegranate Chicken

• Friday - Leftovers

• Saturday - Sega Wat

• Sunday - Maafe

On my to do list: I would like to work on some homeschool curriculum this week. I’ve also got many odds and ends to do for coop.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home School Day

• Tuesday - Thinking about playing hooky from school and doing a park day

• Wednesday - Schramm Hike; Music Bingo

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Home School Day

• Saturday - ???

• Sunday - ???

What I am creating: Mostly piles, although I might actually get to Christmas cards later today.

My simple pleasures: Cookies and Cream Twix (very exciting find at 5 and Below), hot tea in the evening. finishing a brick of a book

Looking around the house: I’m finally getting my craft/library room organized and cleaned up. Things are looking much better here.

From the camera: We had our first proper Dungeons and Dragons session and almost got wiped out by a killer broom.

Life Right Now #33

As I look outside my window: The backyard tree is at is most brilliant color of fall, a beautiful red-orange color. It’s my favorite stage of the tree. But it also means that the leaves will be dropping very soon…

Right now I am: Sitting next to a giant stack of dinosaur books. I need to buckle down and plan the next three weeks of homeschool lessons. I always feel better when I have a basic plan for the month ahead. Time to do November and get a jump on December.

Thinking and pondering: Christmas wish lists. I need to update the kids’ lists and get lists for my nephews and niece.

On my bedside table: Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas (for me), Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead (friend book club), Landline by Rainbow Rowell (big book club)

On my tv this week: We caught up with Foundation (so freaking good! even if you haven’t read the books) and have continued with the MCU. We are finishing End Game tonight.

Listening to: Mostly trying to catch up with my favorite podcasts. I did manage to listen to the entirety of the new Black Veil Brides and Asking Alexandria albums.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - German Potato Soup with Sausage

• Tuesday - Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

• Wednesday - Teriyaki Chicken

• Thursday - Chicken and Noodles

• Friday - Leftovers

• Saturday - Sushi and Miso Soup

• Sunday - Parmesan Tilapia

On my to do list: I knocked a fair number of things off my to do list last week. I need to turn toward Christmas and bigger planning tasks.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home day

• Tuesday - Fire station tour with coop

• Wednesday - Kids get their first vaccine!!!!!

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Home day

• Saturday -D&D night

• Sunday - Home day

What I am creating: Plans for Christmas. I really need to get on some things ASAP. I have not made one Christmas card so far this year and I need to make probably 50. I also need to decide on an advent plan for the year. And I need to start thinking about packing and plans for when we are in Indiana.

My simple pleasures: Pumpkin cookies - soaking in the last of fall before we turn to Christmas stuff

Looking around the house: Having coop here the last two weeks really made me step up my cleaning game. The house is in really good shape. Now to fix my disaster of an office. We had to buy a new printer (I killed our old one) and the new one did not fit in the space that I had made for it. So we bought a simple corner desk and put it there along with our big plotter cutter. But that meant that the homeschool bookshelf got pushed out the room. I need to put that back together and clear off the floor. Lots of work to do.

From the camera: We had a great visit to Morrill Hall on Friday with coop friends and really dove into the dinosaurs on display. We finally identified this specimen as a Coelophysis. They really hid that plaque.

Life Right Now #32

As I look outside my window: It’s raining… a very dreary and cold day ahead of us. Perfect for reading a good book with a hot cup of tea and a cozy blanket.

Right now I am: Getting ready to pick up that book before I have to do house cleaning tasks.

Thinking and pondering: How has my task list grown so much in the past month? Blergh.

On my bedside table: A Spindle Splintered by Alix Harrow; Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon

On my tv this week: We caught up on some of our currently airing shows (What We Do in the Shadows), finishing a few seasons (Lower Decks, Ted Lasso).

Listening to: I’m hoping to get to Dungeons and Daddies today. I got distracted this week with the return of The Bachelorette.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Shrimp Burrito Bowls

• Tuesday - Out at Inner Rail

• Wednesday - Out at Spin Pizza

• Thursday - Smoked Sausage and Potatoes

• Friday - Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

• Saturday - Parmesan Tilpaia

• Sunday - Zimbabwe Peanut Stew

On my to do list: Oh so many things. But I really need to focus on some organizational tasks such as getting November and December’s lesson plans prepped and cleaning out my download folder. I also need to submit my hours and double check Alex’s financial aid package.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Schramm Field Trip; Bookworms Book Club

• Wednesday - Home Day; Friend Book Club

• Thursday - Coop about Dinosaurs

• Friday - Home Day

• Saturday - D&D (First Meeting!)

• Sunday - Halloween!

What I am creating: Nothing. I really should get moving on Christmas cards…

My simple pleasures: Good parties with good friends. A clean living room. Finding good documentaries.

Looking around the house: Yesterday, I got the first floor cleaned up. It’s amazing how better I feel when there aren’t piles of things laying around. I feel so much better.

From the camera: Boo at the Zoo! It was nice to experience this again.

Life Right Now #31

On my bedside table: Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn; The Haunting of Drearcliff Grange School by Kim Newman

On my tv this week: We’ve kept at our spooky movie month theme. This past week we watched both versions of Brazil and a few making of featurettes. Such different movies!

Listening to: Nothing really. Not much time for music or podcasts this week.

On the menu for this week: I’m at the point of the year that I hate meal planning… But I’m going to attempt some meals this week.

• Monday - Baked Potato Soup

• Tuesday - Out for me (not sure what the kids and J will eat)

• Wednesday - Tilapia and rice?

• Thursday - Probably about before the zoo

• Friday - Lemon Chicken Thighs with Potatoes

• Saturday - Halloween party cookout

• Sunday - Spicy Shrimp Burrito Bowls

On my to do list: The list is in shambles currently. I need to carve out about 30 minutes this afternoon to redo my list and get it organized…

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home day

• Tuesday - Last trip to Vala’s for the season; Trivia night for a friend’s birthday

• Wednesday - Dentist for Q and then Home day

• Thursday - Coop; Boo at the Zoo

• Friday - Home Day

• Saturday - Coop Halloween Party

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Nothing. I’m in a weird lull. I really should carve out some time to make some Christmas cards, but that would require cleaning my office. I should really do that this week.

My simple pleasures: Going to bed early, a nice hot cup of tea, wrapping up in a light but cozy sweater.

Looking around the house: I really need to get the boys to pick up their stuff. It has spread throughout the entirety of the downstairs and I’m a bit annoyed.

From the camera: Trying to capture a picture of the inside of this butterfly’s wings was very difficult. Almost 30 photos taken and this was the best one. I just love the irridescent purple on the inside. The outside is a very pretty brown pattern, but it’s the inside that stunned me.

Life Right Now #30

Right now I am: Relaxing after getting the kids put to bed.

On my bedside table: Malorie by Josh Malerman; Love Lettering by Kate Claybourne

On my tv this week: We’re deep into spooky movie month, so mostly movies this week.

Listening to: Mostly catching up on podcasts. Although I did make sure to listen to music while running around doing errands.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Pork and Green Chile Stew

• Tuesday - Vegetable Beef Stew

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Swahili Fish with Rice

• Friday - Baked Potato Soup

• Saturday - Spicy Thai Noodles

• Sunday - Parmesan Tilapia

On my to do list: Well, I did have flu shots on my list, but I just scheduled those for Wednesday afternoon. Guess I can cross that off my list. I do need to do some coop management tasks, submit my work hours, and deal with the meal plan. I should also take a look at my big list and maybe pick a small project to complete this week. Possibly dealing with the health insurance and appointments.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Normal day

• Tuesday - Arbor Day Farm field trip

• Wednesday - Normal morning; flu shots

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Durham Museum field trip

• Saturday - Normal day

• Sunday - Normal day

What I am creating: A giant dinosaur unit for homeschooling. This will be our science unit for the rest of October and most of November. We’re really diving deep!

My simple pleasures: A night alone without any interruptions. It happens so rarely, I have to take advantage of the time. Last night, J went to see a movie with a friend. I ended up watching a movie that I knew he didn’t care about and then read a ton of book. All in peace and quiet. It was glorious.

Looking around the house: Meh. Things are here…

From the camera: View of my reading nook. A bit messy right now, but I love the light!

Life Right Now #29

As I look outside my window: It’s bright and sunny with a decent breeze. I had a lovely morning read before it got too warm in the sun.

Right now I am: Making a grocery list. I really hate the part of returning from vacation and you realize that no one is going to make you food or acquire food or even tell you what there is to eat (because there’s nothing in the fridge at all). Guess I need to get working on that.

Thinking and pondering: Where should we go next year on our family road trip? And when? I’m thinking early May at least (fall is so busy around our house). Maybe west-ish?

On my bedside table: Foundation’s Edge by Isaac Asimov (the penultimate book in the big Foundation series) and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

On my tv this week: Nothing as we were away on our family road trip. I am hoping to catch up on Bachelor in Paradise this afternoon or tomorrow.

Listening to: We spent the road trip listening to an audio book and almost all of the second in the series. The kids really enjoyed it and I loved not listening to a movie they wanted to watch.

On the menu for this week: Crap. My family expects at least two meals a day…

• Monday - General Tso’s chicken with rice, edamame, and egg rolls

• Tuesday - Buffalo Chicken sandwiches and fries

• Wednesday - ???

• Thursday - ???

• Friday - ???

• Saturday - ???

• Sunday - ???

On my to do list: I have almost put the house back together after our trip. Now I need to check out my big to-do list and get it updated. I know that one of my next big things it sorting out Aetna and CHI to get well-check visits for the boys scheduled. I also want to get flu shots taken care of soon.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Picking up our glasses, Board Games playdate, groceries?

• Tuesday - Field Trip to the pedestrian bridge across the Missouri River

• Wednesday - Normal home day

• Thursday - Coop Day

• Friday - Home day

• Saturday - Home day

• Sunday - Home day

What I am creating: Working on a few small craft items fro the bookish retreat. I hope to finish at least one or those by Thursday.

My simple pleasures: Quiet on the back deck, my own bed (seriously hate hotel mattresses), clean laundry

Looking around the house: The kitchen is a bit of a mess after unloading the uneaten snacks, but everything else looks good.

From the camera: We love looking at fossils. We took a detour, but finally made it to Ashfall Fossil Beds to look at. the ancient rhinos in the volcanic ash. Very cool!

Life Right Now #28

As I look outside my window: The birds are very excited this morning. Lots of singing and fighting.

Right now I am: Doing the last load of laundry so I can pack my clothes for the road trip.

Thinking and pondering: What am I forgetting to take on the road trip There’s always something. I’m hoping that whatever I forget is easy to replace.

On my bedside table: The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren and Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay - two rereads for book club and a buddy read

On my tv this week: We finished S4 of AP Bio (love that show) and caught up with Rock and Morty, Lower Decks, and Archer.

Listening to: I’m been listening to the random favorites playlist on Apple Music this past week.

On the menu for this week: We’re heading out on our road trip, so no meal plan this week.

On my to do list: I need to make a few phones calls during the road trip. I hope I can sort out the health insurance and the issues with the school district’s food service department.

Happening this week: Road trip!

What I am creating: Nothing special. Although I do have a few lists for the bookish retreat started. I need to work on the book recommendations during the road trip.

My simple pleasures: A good historical romance, a cold shower, good conversations with new friends

Looking around the house: I am hoping to finish cleaning part of the house today so we can return to a clean house net week.

From the camera: Two happy kids running on an empty soccer field.