Life Right Now #29

As I look outside my window: Clear and bright again this Sunday. I might just go sit on the deck.

Right now I am: attempting to finish my current read before everyone else comes downstairs and bothers me.

Thinking and pondering: what is on my to-do list for today? I know torches and horses, but I feel like I’m forgetting something.

On my bedside table: Fledgling by Octavia Butler, The 1619 Project - both buddy reads with various Currently Reading Bookish Friends

On my tv this week: We finished out our music documentary month and am moving onto spooky movie month.

Listening to: Other than my regular podcasts, I’ve been putting my Apple Music on shuffle a lot lately. My music library is very eclectic. I never know what’s going to come up next.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Apple Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

• Tuesday - Beef Tips

• Wednesday - Peru and Venezuela Night

• Thursday - Leftovers

• Friday - Pizza Night

• Saturday - Birthday Party

• Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: I have a ton of birthday party crafts to make this week. And all the other prep that I need to do.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Vala’s Day

• Tuesday - Home Day

• Wednesday - Vala’s Day

• Thursday - Coop; Lit Society

• Friday - Home Day; Birthday Party Prep; Arthur Outschool

• Saturday - Birthday Party!

• Sunday - Coop Book Club

What I am creating: All the birthday party prep. I made all the potion vials last night and finished the rest of potions class prep. Guess I’ll be getting started on the jousting supplies.

My simple pleasures: A clean house, a few minutes of peace, a visit to the pumpkin patch.

Looking around the house: I have so much to put away and clean before the birthday party. The only way to do it is systematically.

From the camera: A trio of pie slices at Vala’s: cherry, monster cookie, and salted caramel apple.

Life Right Now #28

Right now I am: Making my plan for the day. I have a lot to squeeze in today.

Thinking and pondering: What do I need to put onto my shopping list? I have multiple places to go and things to acquire. Mostly for the birthday party.

On my bedside table: Ariadne by Jennifer Saint; The Girl and the Goddess by Nikita Gill

On my tv this week: We continued watching Sonic Highways and some of our currently airing shows (Archer, Lower Decks, Rick & Morty).

Listening to: The usual podcasts. Nothing too exciting this week.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Q’s Choice Charcuterie Board

• Tuesday - Out for Book Club

• Wednesday - BBQ Chicken

• Thursday - Chicken Parmesan

• Friday - Apple Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

• Saturday - Argentina Night

• Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: Lots of birthday party tasks, prepping for school for next week, making a grocery list

Happening this week:

• Monday - Quentin’s Birthday! We’re going to Vala’s for the day.

• Tuesday - Online Radio Station Tour with Coop; Book Club

• Wednesday - Coop Picture Day; Science

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Home Day

• Saturday - D&D

• Sunday - Home Day

From the camera: Arthur was so excited to find Jurassic World Trip cereal at Aldi’s. Definitely not on my list, but we bought it anyway.

Life Right Now #27

As I look outside my window: It’s a bit dreary out after last night’s storms.

Right now I am: Prepping to marinate the chicken for tonight’s Jamaican night: jerk chicken, coconut beans and rice, and banana punch.

Thinking and pondering: Why does my side hurt so much? Seriously it hurts to breathe sometimes. I think I pulled a muscle, but my goodness, it is painful.

On my bedside table: I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith; The Girl and the Goddess by Nikita Gill

On my tv this week: We’ve been continuing on with our music documentaries. I’m really digging Sonic Highways, made by Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters.

Listening to: I finally finished listening to Unobscured Season 3 all about the Whitechapel murders. It really went in depth about the area, the people, and the context for the murders. I think my favorite season so far is Season 2 about American Spiritualism, but this one was very interesting. Season 4 is all about Rasputin.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Broccoli Beef

• Tuesday - Ajiaco (Chicken and Corn Soup)

• Wednesday - Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus

• Thursday - Leftovers

• Friday - Chili

• Saturday - BBQ Chicken

• Sunday - Sloppy Joes

On my to do list: We are getting our flu shots today (and bivalent COVID boosters for J and me) to prep for the fall/winter. Beyond that, I need to put away all the clothes, finished prepping my planner, clean the kitchen, write out the parent meeting agenda and my thoughts, and work on the birthday party. I ordered a ton of supplies, but now I need to really write out the quest details. Busy busy busy today!

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Home Day

• Wednesday - Dentist (for me); Science with friends

• Thursday - Coop; Coop Parent Meeting

• Friday - Platte River State Park Hike (although the weather is looking very chilly and rainy for this day; chilly is fun, rain will cause a lot of muddy paths); Arthur Outschool Class

• Saturday - Home day

• Sunday - Nerdy Bookish Friends Zoom Discussion of Parable of the Sower

What I am creating: I’m working on laying out the birthday party quest and all the challenges. I always like to have a script for our birthday parties as there is so much happening.

My simple pleasures: Fun board games with friends (The Wood and Chuck Inn was particular genius on my part), hot coffee, a quiet moment to collect my thoughts.

Looking around the house: I already mentioned that I need to clean the kitchen. I’m also mentally decorating the house for the birthday party to understand where I need to move things.

From the camera: Pork Cubano, brown rice, and baked plantains for last night’s Cuba dinner. I also made a very yummy coconut rum cake for desert.

Life Right Now #26

As I look outside my window: It’s pretty windy outside which is different.

Right now I am: About to head out to the deck for my Sunday morning reading and coffee.

Thinking and pondering: What supplies am I forgetting for coop this week? I completely changed the plan and now I’m a bit adrift.

On my bedside table: The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin; Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren

On my tv this week: We finished this season of Only Murders in the Building S2 and The Outlaws S2. Lower Decks is back and we’re loving it!

Listening to: All my podcasts. I caught up on Maintenance Phase and have almost finished Mother Country Radicals.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Veg Edible Dinner Choice

• Tuesday - Veg Edible Dinner Choice

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Veg Edible Dinner Choice

• Friday - Veg Edible Dinner Choice

• Saturday - Pulled Pork Sandwiches

• Sunday - Seafood Night

On my to do list: I have some planning to do for our Des Moines trip and the boys’ birthday party,

Happening this week:

• Monday - Nebraska State Fair!

• Tuesday - Louisville State Recreation Area for swimming

• Wednesday - Science with Katy

• Thursday - Coop; Art Class

• Friday - Fontenelle Forest Field Trip

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Coop Book Club

What I am creating: I started working on August’s Memory Planner pages yesterday.

My simple pleasures:

Looking around the house:

From the camera: During our gaming session, we played this fun game. It’s kind of like Dominos. We’re going to have to pick this one up soon.

Life Right Now #25

As I look outside my window: Bright and sunny again after yesterday’s weirdly overcast day

Right now I am: Prepping a big to-do list for today and making breakfast.

On my bedside table: Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley (book club selection); Dark Wild Night by Christina Lauren

On my tv this week: We caught up with our currently airing shows (Loot, What We Do in the Shadows) and watched two movies this week. We’re formulating a plan for music movies/documentaries September. With the kids we started watching Ms. Marvel. Really digging the style choices.

Listening to: Mostly just podcasts this week. My satellite radio finally updated after our cancellation and so I am still figuring out the local radio channels. The commercials are killing me. Guess I need to queue up music on my phone more often.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Potato Soup with Sausage

• Tuesday - Out for trivia

• Wednesday - Canada Night (Maple Chicken, Wild Rice, Bannock Bread, Blueberry Crisp)

• Thursday - Fiesta Chicken and Rice Bowls

• Friday - Texas Cheese Fries

• Saturday - Steak on grill, sweet potatoes, broccoli, dinner rolls

• Sunday - Lemon Butter scallops, parmesan tilapia, clam dip

On my to do list: Amongst many other things, I do want to make eye appointments and booster appointments for the kids.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Durham Museum Visit

• Tuesday - Heron Haven Visit; Family Trivia Night

• Wednesday - Science

• Thursday - Coop; Art Class

• Friday - Gaming Open House

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - BC Zoom for The Left Hand of Darkness

What I am creating: Mostly just lists of what I need to accomplish in the next two months. We have a weekend trip to Des Moines and the boys’ birthday party to prep for.

My simple pleasures: Good dreams, overcast days, cleaning off my side table

Looking around the house: Meh. I’m okay with everything this weekend. Just want to do a sweep style pickup hour later this afternoon.

From the camera: I didn’t win at Music Bingo this week, but it’s always fun. Only two more weeks of the bar’s Luau Disco Queen theme before they repaint.

Life Right Now #24

Right now I am: Hoping to fit in some reading time this morning along with vacuuming and the laundry.

On my bedside table: The Palace Papers by Tina Brown; The Fervor by Alma Cats

On my tv this week: We’ve sped through The Sandman and it is just as glorious as I thought it would be. Just beautiful.

Listening to: Mostly just podcast, but I’ve also downloaded the new songs from Sleeping from Sirens. Absolutely loving it!

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Leftovers

• Tuesday - Potato Soup with Sausage

• Wednesday - Parmesan Tilapia

• Thursday - Black Bean Soup; Chicken Ranch Tacos

• Friday - Spinach and Artichoke Melts; Grilled Cheese

• Saturday - Apple-Cheddar Stuffed Chicken

• Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: I have some random tasks that need to get done as well as finalize the plan for this week’s coop and science experiments.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home school day

• Tuesday - Zoo Day; Grocery

• Wednesday - Science

• Thursday - Coop; Art Class

• Friday - Home school day

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Book Club Zoom

What I am creating: I finished June’s Memory Planner pages yesterday. Here’s hoping to be able to work on the July pages today.

My simple pleasures:

Looking around the house:

From the camera: Arthur made me take screenshots of his Minecraft zoo.

Life Right Now #23

As I look outside my window: The air is a bit hazy but not quite as bright as it was yesterday. It’s still going to be hot today but slightly less than the over 100 degree temperatures of yesterday.

Right now I am: Getting to breakfast and my book fairly late as I slept in a bit. Very tiring week!

Thinking and pondering: Do I have enough supplies for coop this week? We are having a great turnout for our free, open house meetings, but that also means more supplies. I think I have enough, but I did order more sand and lava rocks just in case. (We’re making sedimentary rocks as one of the activities for the geology unit.)

On my bedside table: Hide by Kiersten White (super excited by this one); Lore Olympus Vol. 2; The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

On my tv this week: J and I are finally getting through The Umbrella Academy S3 (two episodes left!) and keeping up with Loot and What We Do in the Shadows. On Friday, the family watched Lightyear for our pizza and movie night. It was a decent kids’ movie.

Listening to: Catching up on my currently publishing podcasts. We did listen to an Eons episode on the way to art class on Thursday afternoon. That may become a routine.

On the menu for this week: Goodness! My meal plan is all out of sorts for the week ahead. Guess I will be tackling that after brunch…

On my to do list: I’ve got a ton of little computer-based tasks to take care of. I imagine finding new doctor for the kids is going to be the long, complicated one to finish.

Happening this week:

• Monday - School Day

• Tuesday - Schramm Geologic Field Trip; Trivia Night

• Wednesday - School Day; Science Class

• Thursday - Coop; Art Class; Library Book Bash (virtual)

• Friday - School Day

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Currently Reading Zoom Discussion of The Lincoln Highway

What I am creating: Nothing much at the moment, although my June and July Memory Planner pages are on my desk waiting for me. If only it wasn’t so hot upstairs in the afternoon.

My simple pleasures: A cold shower (seriously, it’s so hot!), seeing friends, sorbet (for us lactose-challenged folks)

Looking around the house: Even with a full week of schooling, the house doesn’t look bad. I need to pick up the living room, but that’s mostly coop supplies that are being organized.

From the camera: Our apple taste test was a last minute change to the curriculum but definitely worthwhile. I liked the Cosmic Crisp, Arthur liked the Fuji, and Quentin like the Gala.

Life Right Now #22

On my bedside table: Hmm… I don’t know what I want to read next.

On my tv this week: I finally finished Stranger Things S4. My mom and I started watching Below Deck Down Under and I’m really enjoying that season. She also had me watch Southern Charm and Tall Girl randomly.

Listening to: I listened to an entire audiobook on the way to Indiana. I’ve got another one on tap for going back home. We’ll see how much I get read on the way.

On the menu for this week: We’re still gone through Wednesday, but then I’ll have to eventually make a meal plan.

On my to do list: I need to review my student loan settings and pick a new doctor. I hate dealing with loans and insurance. It’s the worst.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Indianapolis Children’s Museum (seriously that place is amazing!)

• Tuesday - Indianapolis Zoo

• Wednesday - Peoria Zoo; Drive home

• Thursday - Home recovery day

• Friday - Park day (I need to pick a place)

• Saturday - Friend’s Going Away Party

• Sunday - Currently Reading Zoom Book Club

What I am creating: I brought my Memory Planner pages to Indiana and hope to knock out April and May while I’m still traveling.

My simple pleasures: A few quiet moments

Looking around the house: Well, I’m not home, so no house issues for me.

From the camera: Enjoying the hotel pool

Life Right Now #21

As I look outside my window: Slightly cooler temps and a breeze are greatly appreciated.

Right now I am: Getting reading to sit down and finish my current read, The Minor Third by Neil Patrick Harris before I need to make brunch.

On my bedside table: So many choices! I’m actually trying to narrow down my stack for what I want to haul to Indiana with me on Monday. I’m thinking Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots, The Haunting of Blackwood House by Darcy Coates, 100 Essential American Poems edited by Leslie M. Pockell, The Electricity of Every Living Thing by Katherine May, and Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki. Plus I’ve got four audiobooks downloaded for driving time and I will take my iPad with all the Kindle books.

On my tv this week: We finished this season of The Boys and I’m a bit disappointed that they didn’t go where I thought they would. We have been getting through Stranger Things S4, but won’t be finished before I leave on Monday.

Listening to: Mostly a big shuffle of music from my Apple Music app.

On the menu for this week: No menu as we will be in Indiana all week.

On my to do list: After a quiet morning, I need to do one last library run before our trip. And my biggest to do is obviously to finish packing.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Travel Day

• Tuesday - Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City; Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan; Travel

• Wednesday - Sunday - Fort Wayne

What I am creating: Mostly piles for packing, but also some curriculum plans.

My simple pleasures: Good books, packing ahead of time

Looking around the house: It’s laundry day! To prepare for our trip tomorrow, I have four loads of laundry to do today. Then I get to pack all of our clothes. Fun fun.

From the camera: Seems like it was weeks ago, but we did have a lovely Fourth of July with friends this past Monday.

Life Right Now #20

As I look outside my window: It’s weird overcast outside Probably because of all the fireworks from last night.

Right now I am: Surveying the living room and mentally prepping for a whirlwind clean of the house.

Thinking and pondering: About a few potential issues in coop this fall. How exactly do I want to handle them?

On my bedside table: A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas; A Mirror Mended by Alix E. Harrow; Into the Windwracked Wilds by A. Deborah Baker (lots of fantasy reads for my July).

On my tv this week: Not much. I was gone multiple nights this past week. We did catch with The Boys and Loot.

Listening to: Lots of Motionless in White, Ice Nine Kills, Asking Alexandria, and Nothing More. Apparently I needed some metal in my life this week.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Cookout

• Tuesday - Orecchiette with Sundried Tomatoes and Broccoli

• Wednesday - Out to Dinner

• Thursday - Maple Bourbon Pecan Chicken

• Friday - Parmesan Tilapia

• Saturday - Mongolian Beef; Miso Soup

• Sunday - Bean and Cheese Taquitos

On my to do list: Obviously I need to clean the house. I also want to finish setting up coop stuff for the fall (planning to open enrollment on July 5th). I would love to make final Indiana plans or not.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Fourth of July with friends

• Tuesday - Groceries; Library; Possible Durham Visit

• Wednesday - Splash Pad Morning; Book Club

• Thursday - Library Book Sale; Lit Society

• Friday - Park Day?

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day; Zoom Book Club

What I am creating: Nothing currently, although I would love to get back into my MP pages. I do a little bit at the retreat, but did not finish May at all.

My simple pleasures: Cool breezes, hard seltzer, a decent night’s rest.

Looking around the house: Such a mess right now. The boys have a lot of picking up to do so I can vacuum and sweep.

From the camera: Somedays they actually like each other.

Life Right Now #19

As I look outside my window: It’s very hazy out right now. Hot and humid means that I’m not going to be reading outside this morning.

Right now I am: In between reading my book and getting back to lesson planning for August.

On my bedside table: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens; Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

On my tv this week: J and I have been watching Obi-Wan Kenobi as well as Haley Moley (our silly show). I am almost finished with S1 of Love Life and slowly working my way through S1 of Sex Education.

Listening to: Big shuffle of my Apple Music. Really I just love the random right now.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Chicken and Broccoli Rice Casserole

• Tuesday - Spicy Thai Noodles

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Sweet Potato, Black Bean, Quinoa, Shrimp Bowls

• Friday - Grilled Cheese with Tomato and Basil

• Saturday - Chicken Tortilla Soup

• Sunday - Mediterranean Orzo Salad

On my to do list: Today I need to to take care of the all the laundry as well as finishing up some retreat tasks. My big to-do is wrapping up most of the geology unit for August. It’s a big production to create a unit directly from scratch.

Happening this week: Arthur has camp at Metro every morning from 9-noon, so we need to drop him off and pick him up each day.

• Monday - Grocery

• Tuesday - Splash pad visit morning; Library Choose Your Own Adventure game

• Wednesday - Library

• Thursday - Splash pad visit afternoon

• Friday - Home day; Lit Society

• Saturday - Home day

• Sunday - Home day

What I am creating: I’m putting the finishing touches on the retreat itinerary and games.

My simple pleasures: Strong coffee, finishing a particularly hard puzzle

Looking around the house: Meh. I’m very ambivalent about the state of the house right now. I’m putting together a plan to redo the playroom to make it more of a homeschool space, so right now there’s stuff everywhere. Hopefully I can get that all done before leaving for Indiana in mid-July.

From the camera: Putting together our summer bucket list

Life Right Now #18

As I look outside my window: it’s bright and sunny this morning, but I know that the rains are going to roll in later

Right now I am: Taking a moment to read my book before we head out to the coop’s first book club meeting.

On my bedside table: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens; The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

On my tv this week: J and I started Obi-Wan Kenobi and continued watching S2 of The Great.

Listening to: Mostly just a big shuffle of all the songs in my Apple Music/

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Pizza Sliders

• Tuesday - Chicken Shawarma Fries

• Wednesday - Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowls

• Thursday - Leftovers

• Friday - Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

• Saturday - Artichoke Pasta

• Sunday - Chicken Pad Thai Nachos

On my to do list: While there are many things on my big list, I’m spending most of this week finalizing the retreat details.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Bellevue Berry Farm strawberry picking

• Tuesday - Home day; Library author zoom

• Wednesday - Zoo Day

• Thursday - Park playdate

• Friday - Home day

• Saturday - Home day; D&D

• Sunday - Home day

What I am creating: Beyond the retreat tasks, I’m not creating much of anything. I’m really hoping to get my Memory Planner pages started before leaving for the retreat.

My simple pleasures: Iced coffee, good puzzles, amazing books

Looking around the house: Meh. It’s not amazing, but not terrible right now.

From the camera: We took some time this weekend to puzzle. We finished this one and started another one.

Life Right Now #17

As I look outside my window: It’s oddly overcast but very hot today. Not fun at all.

Right now I am: Taking a break after running some errands and cleaning.

On my bedside table: Book Lovers by Emily Henry: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

On my tv this week: Not much. We haven’t down much TV this past week. We did start Hawkeye with the kids, but I haven’t watched much at all.

Listening to: Giant mixes for the win! I’m been just setting my Apple Music to shuffle a lot lately. Plus I’m loving the new Harry Styles album and My Chemical Romance single.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Blackened Salmon

• Tuesday - Chicken Pad Thai Nachos

• Wednesday - Crab and Asparagus Soup

• Thursday - Salsa Chicken

• Friday - Sweet Potato and Quinoa Bowls

• Saturday - Leftovers

• Sunday - Ring of Fire Chicken

On my to do list: I’ve got a list of random tasks to accomplish this next week, and a lot of it is organizational tasks. Plus I need to work on the retreat and my Indiana trip. Lots of organization and planning.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Nothing

• Tuesday - Park and splash pad day

• Wednesday - Nature hike maybe

• Thursday - Lit Society

• Friday - Underwater Party at the Library

• Saturday - Home day

• Sunday - Coop Book Club

What I am creating: I want to take some time and work on the retreat name tags this week. I’m itching to get back to some of my crafts. I also want to work on my April and May Memory Planner pages.

My simple pleasures: Iced coffee, park time with friends, being home after a trip

Looking around the house: J and I have been doing various cleaning and organization projects and I’ve seen a ton of improvement. Surfaces are being cleared off and cleaned. I love it! I did a power clean of the master bathroom this morning and it’s looking so good. I completely cleared off the counter and redid the closet.

From the camera: Quentin and a friend during our Sonic date.

Life Right Now #16

On my bedside table: The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan; The Minor Third by Neil Patrick Harris

On my tv this week: J and I ended up watching a great new movie, Operation Mincemeat, and started S2 of The Great.

Listening to: My Chemical Romance just dropped a new album! You better believe it’s on repeat!

On the menu for this week: We are leaving for our mini road trip on Wednesday which means that I don’t need to meal plan this week! Tomorrow we will b having any leftovers and Tuesday we are grabbing takeout before going to the trivia night.

On my to do list: I need to grab some snacks and other assorted items from Target and Trader Joe’s. We need to do a drop of the library books. And I should do a bit more curriculum sorting before we leave.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home day

• Tuesday - Last minute trip errands; Trivia night with the family

• Wednesday - Road trip time!

What I am creating: Nothing at the moment, although I’m think about retreat goodies.

My simple pleasures: Fun trivia games, getting a handle on curriculum plans, ice water

Looking around the house: I’ll be doing a whirlwind clean tomorrow and Tuesday to prep to leave. I always prefer coming home to a decently clean house.

From the camera: I didn’t win any round, but still I had fun at 90s Music Bingo on Tuesday. I even read a few chapters waiting for people to arrive.

Life Right Now #15

As I look outside my window: Storms rolled through last night and the remnants are hanging around today. It’s very overcast and wet out there. Guess J’s plan of working on the yard is not going to happen today.

On my bedside table: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel; The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

On my tv this week: Not a whole lot. We watched the season (series?) finale of Moon Knight and started the next season of Holes Moley. Last night we finally watched Rocketman.

Listening to: Mostly just my favorite playlist and the usual podcasts. I am going to dive into a contemporary romance audio novella in a few minutes.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Orecchiette with sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and lemon

• Tuesday - BBQ Chicken, Apple, Bacon, Cheddar Quesadillas

• Wednesday - Mongolian Beef

• Thursday - Leftovers

• Friday - ???

• Saturday - Texas Cheese Fries

• Sunday - Chicken and Dumplings

On my to do list: Beyond the house chores, I need to prep our house for the curriculum share and swap on Tuesday. That means I need to get the living room and breakfast rooms picked up and set up the folding table to hold curriculum.

Happening this week: It’s going to be very hot this week! Hopefully we can stay cool.

• Monday - Zoo Day

• Tuesday - Curriculum Share and Swap

• Wednesday - Dentist Appointment; 90s Music Bingo

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Park Playdate

• Saturday - D&D

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Mostly plans for the coming months. I spent a chunk yesterday writing posts for the proposed coop changes and plans. Today I need to work on curriculum plans and retreat plans. So many plans!

My simple pleasures: Listening to the rain, a cleaned out van, a fun romp of a book

Looking around the house: Today is vacuum, kitchen, and laundry day! Oh what fun…

From the camera: Fun art from our visit to the Nebraska History Museum

Life Right Now #14

As I look outside my window: Clear and bright out there but pretty chilly today (high of 50 degrees) and very very windy. Seriously, I would love it if the wind slowed down a bit. We even gotten a few roof shingles from the neighbor blown into our yard. So windy!

Right now I am: Enjoying a donut. I bought a few yesterday and we drilled it into the kids’ heads that they could have only one this morning. They actually listened so I get my donut.

On my bedside table: Anatomy by Dana Schwartz; A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

On my tv this week: J and I rewatched Loki S1 with the kids. They loved it of course. He and I then finished S1 of The Righteous Gemstones and Slow Horses.

Listening to: I’ve been doing a huge shuffle of the music on my Apple Music account. Very random and I love it.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Italian Beef Sandwiches

• Tuesday - Leftovers

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Swahili Fish Stew

• Friday - Orecchiette with Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

• Saturday - Bangkok Coconut Curry Noodles

• Sunday - Spicy Stuffed Black Bean Sweet Potatoes

On my to do list: Hmmm… I’m at a bit of a loss. I’ll need to check my big to-do list.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Standing Bear Lake Hike

• Tuesday - Giraffe’s Can’t Dance @ The Rose Theatre;; Bookworms Book Club

• Wednesday - Joslyn Art Museum; Friend Book Club

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Home Day

• Saturday - D&D

• Sunday - Currently Reading Zoom for Poetry Month

What I am creating: Nothing right this second, but I might work on my April Memory Planner pages later today.

My simple pleasures: Hot chocolate, warmer temperatures, an engrossing book

Looking around the house: Picking up and vacuuming the first floor yesterday has made me feel so much better. Today I need to work on the kitchen and breakfast area.

From the camera: We had a lovely week taking care of two baby chicks. We named them Sunshine and Shadow. We’re definitely doing this again next year.

Life Right Now #13

As I look outside my window: Um… it’s currently snowing on Easter in the middle of April. This weather is terrible. It was 90 degrees when we dropped J at the airport on Tuesday, but then dropped and has been hovering between 30 and 50 degrees since then. I do not like.

Right now I am: Ready to start dying some eggs and decorating cookies!

On my bedside table: The Pool of Fire by John Christopher; The Second Story by Neil Patrick Harris; Beautiful by Christina Lauren

On my tv this week: While J was gone, I finished Shadow and Bone S1 and Starstruck S1. I also started Minx S1 (my new favorite show) and started a rewatch of the original Are You Afraid of the Dark episodes.

Listening to: Mostly the usual podcasts. Nothing exciting this week at all.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - BBQ Pork Sandwiches

• Tuesday - Fancy BLT Grilled Cheese

• Wednesday - Cajun Stuffed Chicken

• Thursday - Bangkok Curry Noodles

• Friday - Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

• Saturday - Leftovers

• Sunday - Orecchiette with Sausage, Sun-dried Tomatoes, and Lemon

On my to do list: I finished my primary ballot but need to go drop it at the Election Commission this week. I also need to go inside Costco and cancel my membership (it’s a waste of money for us really). I also need to finish planning our Kansas trip and officially secure the retreat lodgings.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Dentist appointment (permanent crown!)

• Tuesday - Errands Day (grocery, pet store for crickets, library run)

• Wednesday - Home Day

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Earth Day Party with Coop Friends

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Nothing at the moment. I finished my March Memory Planner pages and have yet to start on April’s pages.

My simple pleasures: Laughing until I cry (seriously, who says “squabbing the deck”? All I can picture is someone scrubbing the deck with a defrosted plucked chicken. Too funny.

Looking around the house: Easter has exploded in the living room. Need to clean this up later… And the boys really need to finish cleaning their play room.

From the camera: We rented chicks for the week from a local farm. Shadow and Sunshine have been delightful so far! We are keeping track of their weight, giving them toys, and tempting them with different treats. Strawberries were not a hit, but popcorn and hard boiled eggs were.

Life Right Now #12

As I look outside my window: Finally! We have gotten to proper spring temperatures. It’s currently about 55 degrees.

Right now I am: Prepping to run some errands. I completely spaced Easter, so guess I need to go to Target or something and grab some supplies.

On my bedside table: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel; Beautiful Boss and Beautiful by Christina Lauren; Girly Drinks by Mallory O’Meara

On my tv this week: We completely finished Hustle, all 8 seasons, Once Upon a Time… Happily Never After, and S1 of Severance (that ending!). Guess it’s time to circle back to Star Trek and some other random shows.

Listening to: Nothing too exciting although I went on a weird side track and downloaded all the Jimmy Eat albums that I didn’t have on my phone.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Fish Chowder

• Tuesday - Take out

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Breakfast for Dinner

• Friday - Pizza

• Saturday - Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quinoa Bowls

• Sunday - Cajun Stuffed Chicken

On my to do list: I desperately need to put away all the clothes today. Beyond that, I probably should update all my ongoing projects (Kansas trip, retreat, Indiana trip) and do some coop planning.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Park Playdate

• Tuesday - Regular school day; Take J to airport

• Wednesday - Home day

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Lauritzen Garden Field Trip; Lit Society

• Saturday - Pick up our Rental Chicks!

• Sunday - Easter

What I am creating: Mostly just working on trip plans. I do want to spend an hour today working on my March Memory Planner, but that’s it.

My simple pleasures: Mild temperatures; movie out with friends

Looking around the house: Having coop here last week made sure that I picked things up. Now to maintain…

From the camera: Pony rides at the farm!

Life Right Now #11

On my bedside table: Tripod Trilogy by John Christopher; rest of the Beautiful series by Christina Lauren

On my tv this week: Continuing with Severance S1 with J. I binged Bridgerton S2.

Listening to: All the usual podcasts, including the new on PBS Eons: Mysteries of Deep Time

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Salmon (of some kind)

• Tuesday - Potato Leek Soup

• Wednesday - Apricot, Brie, and Bacon Grilled Cheese

• Thursday - Beef Tips

• Friday - Leftovers

• Saturday - Fish Chowder

• Sunday - Black Bean Soup; Chicken Ranch Tacos

On my to do list: I imagine that I have a few things, but mostly I need to work on coop matters.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Big dentist appointment for me

• Tuesday - Fontenelle Forest Backpack Hike

• Wednesday - Regular School Day

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Regular School Day

• Saturday - Gifford Farm Easter egg hunt

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Nothing much at the moment, but I do plan on working on my March Memory Planner pages this week.

My simple pleasures: Good book discussions; D&D fun; good mysteries

Looking around the house: We’re having coop at our house again this coming week. I should do a good cleaning sweep beforehand. The boys especially need to clean their playroom.

From the camera: D&D got a little strange this week.

Life Right Now #10

As I look outside my window: It’s bright and sunny, but pretty chilly today. The high is around 43 degrees.

Right now I am: Getting ready to start a new sci-fi book. Hope this one does not disappoint.

On my bedside table: A few more middle grade books; Tell Me an Ending by Jo Harkin

On my tv this week: J and I finished the S1 of Our Flag Means Death (love it!) and caught up with Jeff Goldblum’s show and Severance. I got to start Bridgerton S2, but I don’ have time to binge the entire thing quite yet. Taking it slow.

Listening to: I’ve been loving the Apple Musicals Playlist and Apple Favorite’s list. Lots of singing this week, much to the disappointment of Arthur and Quentin.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Tobe out for dinner (Book Club)

• Tuesday - Brie, Apricot, Bacon Grilled Cheese

• Wednesday - Garlic Shrimp Pasta

• Thursday - Leftovers

• Friday - Potato Leek Soup

• Saturday - ???

• Sunday - ???

On my to do list: I need to organize curriculum, pick up the living room, watch Bridgerton S2 (high priority!), and make a grocery list today.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Book Club for Cloud Cuckoo Land

• Tuesday - Park Playdate; Book Club for The Girls in the Stilt House

• Wednesday - Hair Appointment!

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Arbor Day Farm Field trip

• Saturday - D&D

• Sunday - Zoom Book Club for Just One Damned Thing After Another; Zoom Book Club for The War that Saved My Life

What I am creating: Mostly I’m just working on curriculum, although I do want to lay out my March MP pages as it’s the end of the month. I need to figure out what pictures to print.

My simple pleasures: Live theater! Cocktail with J out at a bar!

Looking around the house: I did a whirlwind clean yesterday and the kitchen looks amazing. It really needed a fully counter wipe down and organization. Plus I organized the laundry room. I do get all twitchy when I go in there anymore. Huzzah!

From the camera: Out to live theater for the first time since fall of 2019. J and I went to see Alton Brown. Absolutely hilarious!