Life Right Now #15

As I look outside my window:

Right now I am:

Thinking and pondering:

On my bedside table: I recently started two new books and a reread for this coming week

• I, Robot by Isaac Asimov, reread for my Nerdy Bookish friends grou

• Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal

• A Tempest at Sea by Sherry Thomas.

On my tv this week: J and I have been watching Ted Lasso, Citadel (not super impressed), The Great, and The Misfits.

Listening to: Mostly just podcasts that are currently airing. I also went back into the archives and have finished listening to the first 100 episodes of 99PI. Really enjoy that little podcast so much. Eventually I might even completely catch up to present day.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Peanut Noodles with Chicken

• Tuesday - Chicken Tortilla Soup

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Honey Lime Tilapia

• Friday - Lemon Ginger Turmeric Chicken and Rice Soup

• Saturday - Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

• Sunday - Tuscan Kale and White Bean Soup

On my to do list:

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Wildlife Safari Field Trip; Coop Happy Hour

• Wednesday - Science Class

• Thursday - Coop (last one for the year!)

• Friday - Lit Society

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Coop Book Club; Nerdy Bookish Friends Book Club

What I am creating:

My simple pleasures:

Looking around the house:

From the camera:

Life Right Now #14

On my bedside table: The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill; Crossings by Alex Landrigan

On my tv this week: We’ve watched a few movies lately (Ant-Man, Ghosted, The Portable Door) while also continuing our currently airing shows and back episodes of Misfits.

Listening to: All the podcasts! I’m finishing S3 of the Revolutions podcast about the French Revolution. I might move on to S4 about the Haitian Revolution or switch back over to 99PI. Slowly working through all these back episodes of podcasts that I really enjoy.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - White Chicken Chili

• Tuesday - Tobe Out for Book Club

• Wednesday - Grilled Cheese Night

• Thursday - Breakfast for Dinner

• Friday - Spicy Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

• Saturday - Fish Chowder

• Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: So many things, but focusing on working through my miscellaneous notes on my phone. So many random phrases all jumbled up together. I’m working to get them all organized and deleted.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Kids’ Dentist Appointments

• Tuesday - Arbor Day Farm Field Trip; Book Club

• Wednesday - Science Class

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Platte River State Park Hike

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Mostly I’m just working on organizing and clean various areas in the house. I’m apparently on a big cleanout kick. Hopefully I can get my office clean enough to work on my Memory Planner.

My simple pleasures: Lactose free ice cream - it has gotten so much better over the last few years. I can enjoy ice cream again without being in pain later. Very exciting for me!

Looking around the house: I finally sorted and cleaned the playroom and the Baker’s Rack full of homeschool crap. Wow! I feel so much better. We threw away random broken things and scraps and I have a whole pile of things to give away/sell. Removing the Baker’s Rack has really opened up on the breakfast nook. Replacing that with two rolling carts for homeschool stuff was the right choice.

From the camera: My current read for this weekend. Very very creepy. Just my type of horror.

Life Right Now #13

As I look outside my window: It’s cold, windy, cloudy, and rainy. After temps in the 80s this past week, we’ve dropped back to around 40 degrees for this weekend. Very dreary weather.

Right now I am: Surrounded by curriculum for the rest of the year. Thankfully, I only need to sort Quentin’s math and language arts and I’ll be done until I start planning next year’s curriculum.

On my bedside table: The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher; Crossings by Alex Landrigan

On my tv this week: We watched a few movies (The Portable Door was absolutely amazing!) and continued watching our currently airing shows (Schmicago, The Mandalorian, Ted Lasso).

Listening to: Still making my way through the Revolutions podcast season on the French Revolution.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Pork and Green Chile Stew

• Tuesday - Ham and Potato Soup

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Cheesy Bacon and Egg Hash

• Friday - White Chicken Chili

• Saturday - Beef Stew

• Sunday - Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

On my to do list: So much! But first priority is to cleanout my Notes app. I have so many little (and big) things listed in there. I need to organize my notes and get my brain dump list straight so I can know what I need to tackle first.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Crafting afternoon at the park (if the weather holds)

• Tuesday - Coop Earth Day Party

• Wednesday - Science Class

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Nature Explorers at Heron Haven; Lit Society

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: I want to work on my March Memory Planner pages this week. Maybe I can take them to the crafting day at the park on Monday.

My simple pleasures: Yogurt, organized curriculum, a good night’s sleep

Looking around the house: Meh. I need to do laundry today and really need to put away all the clothes. That would help make the house much cleaner.

From the camera: Making and breaking ciphers at coop book club.

Life Right Now #12

As I look outside my window: There are Easter Eggs all over our yard, just waiting for the boys to notice and go get them.

Right now I am: Getting ready to make some rhubarb bread for brunch. Very excited to eat it in about two hours.

On my bedside table: The Library of the Unwritten by AJ Hackwith; Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey

On my tv this week: We’ve continued to pick through The Misfits S2 and a few of our currently airing shows (The Mandalorian, Ted Lasso).

Listening to: Mostly just the shuffle of all the songs on my Apple Music account. I did catch up with a few podcasts (Currently Reading, If Books Could Kill, Pod Save America) and continued with some of the big podcasts I’m trying to listen to their backlists (Revolutions, 99PI).

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Sesame Chicken

• Tuesday - Leftovers

• Wednesday - Balsamic Pork Roast

• Thursday - Honey Lime Chicken with Asparagus

• Friday - Chicken Parmesan

• Saturday - Pork and Green Chili Stew

• Sunday - Texas Cheese Fries

On my to do list: I actually crossed off a ton of items from my last brain dump. Guess today is the day to make a new one. I definitely have a few coop and retreat tasks that I want to get to soon. But in general, I have cleared a lot of my plate.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Lauritzen Gardens Field Trip; Trivia at Edge of the Universe

• Wednesday - Science Class

• Thursday - Coop (I’m not teaching! Woohoo!)

• Friday - Nature Hike at Fontenelle

• Saturday - Coop Book Club

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Hopefully, I can find some time today to finish my March Memory Planner pages. I started on it, but I need concentrated two hours or so to finish.

My simple pleasures: Hot coffee, an engrossing book, comfy clothes

Looking around the house: After dropping the chicks back off at the farm, I cleaned the living room. it looks so nice!

From the camera: Being super silly at the Easter Egg hunt. Meet “Mr. Buckethead.”

Life Right Now #11

As I look outside my window:

Right now I am:

Thinking and pondering:

On my bedside table: I’m actually a bit between books right now. I might end up doing a book flight this week to decide on my next read.

On my tv this week: We finished the first season of The Misfits. Oh so good! We definitely need to finish that series.

Listening to: Very podcast heavy week, but I also downloaded some new-to-me albums from some favorite bands. I grabbed the new Miley Cyrus, Silversun Pickups, and Arctic Monkeys.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Out for book club

• Tuesday - Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quinoa Bowls

• Wednesday - Chicken and Broccoli Rice Casserole

• Thursday - Ham and Potato Soup

• Friday - Pizza Night

• Saturday - Pork and Green Chili Stew

• Sunday - Sesame Chicken

On my to do list: I made a brain dump list a while back. Currently actually checking things off my list. Very exciting!

Happening this week:

• Monday - Gifford Farm Public Days; Book Club

• Tuesday - Home Day

• Wednesday - Science Class

• Thursday - Coop; Lit Society

• Friday - Nature Explorers

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: I’m trying to work on my February Memory Planner this weekend.

My simple pleasures:

Looking around the house:

From the camera: Welcome Mustardseed and Peaseblossom to the house for the week.

Life Right Now #10

Right now I am: Needing to get brunch started soon. And I would like to work on my craft project before my zoom book club later today.

On my bedside table: The Other Half of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost; Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel; The Getaway by Lamar Giles

On my tv this week: We’ve kept up with Ted Lasso and The Mandalorian after finishing McMillion$.

Listening to: I started the Revolutions podcast season about the French Revolution. I’m only 1/3 of the way through the episodes. There are a lot.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - J’s Birthday Dinner

• Tuesday - Spicy Thai Noodles

• Wednesday - Cajun Stuffed Chicken Breast

• Thursday - Leftovers

• Friday - Ham and Potato Soup

• Saturday - Cheesy Bacon and Egg Hash

• Sunday - Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quinoa Bowls

On my to do list: The bees have been buzzing in my head all week, so I finally did a brain dump. Now I have a giant list of tasks to try and complete. Just the act of writing it all down helps me tame the bees. Now I need to start completing the tasks.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day; J’s Birthday

• Tuesday - Nat Geo: Rise of the T-Rex

• Wednesday - Science with friends

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Winter Hike at Walnut Creek Lake

• Saturday - Pick up our chicks for the week

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: I’m finally getting to February Memory Planner pages. I also cut out the bases for the Reading Retreat goody bag tags. Now I need to decide which to work on today.

My simple pleasures: Sunshine, Raspberry Lime Spindrift, a good walk

Looking around the house: I cleaned up the coop materials area and suddenly the house looks so much better. I’ll be glad to put it all away in two weeks when the Engineering Challenge season ends.

From the camera: Quentin found a big stick in the forest during Nature Explorers. It might have been too big for him…

Life Right Now #9

On my bedside table: My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey; Acid for the Children by Flea

On my tv this week: We started the new season of The Mandalorian and A History of the World Part II. I started S3 of Lego Masters and will be slowly working my way through the season over the next few weeks.

Listening to: Along with a mix of music and randomness, I’ve been focusing on very old episodes of 99PI. The earliest episodes are only about 6 minutes a piece. They’re easy to knock out while puzzling for a bit.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Baked Fish with Lemon Butter and Capers

• Tuesday - Chili and Cornbread

• Wednesday - Roast Pork Cubano

• Thursday - Monterrey Chicken Skillet

• Friday - Ham and Potato Soup

• Saturday - Leftovers

• Sunday - Teriyaki Chicken

On my to do list: Some medical appointments need to be made, plus I have a list of coop tasks to tackle this week.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Stinky Cheese Man @ The Rose; Drop Off Meals to a Friend

• Wednesday - Science Class

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Neale Woods Winter Hike; Lit Society

• Saturday - Homeschool Seminar

• Sunday - Currently Reading Zoom Discussion for Station Eternity

What I am creating: Nothing at the moment, but I do need to start working on my February Memory Planner pages.

My simple pleasures: Time with friends, puzzle time, good podcasts

Looking around the house: The boys cleaned up the playroom, so things are better looking. I should do a deep clean of the kitchen counters, but meh activities today may push that task to Monday.

From the camera: Can you spot Quentin in the woods?

Life Right Now #8

As I look outside my window: It’s bright and sunny and going to be in the low 60s today.

Right now I am: Grabbing my things to head out to my Birthday Day Out. First stop is Starbucks for my free birthday drink.

Thinking and pondering: Where exactly am I going to go today? I have a list of potentials and probables, but I try to just let the mood take me from place to place.

On my bedside table: The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald; VenCo by Cherie Dimaline

On my tv this week: We’re still making our way through Brave New World. There’s so much in each episode.

Listening to: I finally remembered to download the new Gorillaz album, Cracker Island. Oh so incredibly good. We listened to the entire album to and from our hike on Friday.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Spicy Shrimp Burrito Bowl

• Tuesday - Teriyaki Salmon

• Wednesday - Sesame Chicken

• Thursday - Sloppy Joes

• Friday - Leftovers

• Saturday - Chicken and Dumplings

• Sunday - Chicken Shawarma Fries

On my to do list: I’m taking the weekend off of to dos, but I imagine that I need to look at the list on Monday.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Grocery Run

• Tuesday - Home Day

• Wednesday - Science Class; Music Bingo

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Nature Explorers; Coop Happy Hour

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Coop Book Club

What I am creating: I want to start on my February Memory Planner pages this week. I also want to start pulling paper for the retreat name tags

My simple pleasures: A day out by myself is exactly what I needed right now.

From the camera: Happy Birthday dinner to me. This was actually supposed to be tonight, but I totally forgot to start the Crock Pot yesterday, so last night it was.

Life Right Now #7

As I look outside my window: Bright and sunny and just a bit chilly. Looks like a lovely day.

Right now I am: Making dinner, scones, and brunch. It’s a busy cooking morning.

Thinking and pondering: How many cardboard bases do I need to cut for engineering coop class? My brain does not want to do math this morning.

On my bedside table: The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi; The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler

On my tv this week: We’ve been watching a few series including Slow Horses and Brave New World.

Listening to: Not much of anything this week. I really need to incorporate more music back into my weekly routine.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Lemon Chicken with Potatoes

• Tuesday - Mississippi Pot Roast

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Bangkok Coconut Curry Noodles

• Friday - Pizza Night

• Saturday - Shrimp Burrito Bowls

• Sunday - Birthday Dinner Out

On my to do list: My two big tasks are to write discussion questions for Tuesday’s book club and prep supplies for Thursday’s engineering coop

Happening this week:

• Monday - Prehistoric Putt

• Tuesday - Zoo Day; Book Club

• Wednesday - Science Class

• Thursday - Coop; Lit Society

• Friday - Schramm Hike

• Saturday - Book Club

• Sunday - Birthday Day Out

What I am creating:

My simple pleasures:

Looking around the house: I need to do a general pickup today in preparation for the rest of the week. And the kitchen probably needs a big wipe down.

From the camera: The boys went to a birthday party last night at the play place. Lots of fun on the trampolines.

Life Right Now #6

As I look outside my window: It’s bright and sunny and going to get fairly warm today. All that snow we got on Thursday is quickly disappearing… I would have liked it to stay around for a just a bit longer.

Right now I am: Deciding what to make for brunch. I think we’re doing canned cinnamon rolls, sausage, and eggs. I don’t really feel like making anything homemade right now.

On my bedside table: I have a stack of library books to get to, but not exactly sure which one to pick up next.

On my tv this week: J and finished watching S2 of Clarkson’s Farm and moved on to some random movies.

Listening to: Mostly just the random podcasts that I listen to on a weekly basis. I should add some more music into my rotation.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Chicken and Corn Soup

• Tuesday - Mongolian Beef

• Wednesday - Pulled Pork Sandwiches

• Thursday - Leftovers

• Friday - Roasted Lemon Chicken Thighs

• Saturday - Chili Verde

• Sunday - Sausage, Potato and Spinach Soup

On my to do list: So many things probably. I should really check my big brain dump list.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Bowling

• Tuesday - Trivia Night

• Wednesday - Science Class

• Thursday - Coop; OPL Book Bash

• Friday - Nature Explorers

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Nerdy Bookish Friends Zoom

What I am creating: I actually finished with my December Daily album yesterday and started working on my January Memory Planner pages. I printed the pictures, but need to lay them out and get to journaling.

My simple pleasures: All the scones! Seriously, now that I have a new oven, I’m baking scones weekly. So good!

Looking around the house: I cleaned up yesterday for homeschool seminar that was then rescheduled. So, things are looking decent right now.

From the camera: We had a big snow storm that hit overnight on Wednesday. We had to cancel coop, but it was lovely to have a snow day.

Life Right Now #5

On my bedside table: Sweet Little Lies by Jill Shalvis; The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler

On my tv this week: We’ve been watching some random television shows including Killing it, Clarkson’s Farm, and Doctor Who (we’ve finally caught up). We also finished the follow-up to the Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed. I would have loved more sources from outside of the faith.

Listening to: I caught up on Pod Save America and made headway with Currently Reading.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Smothered Pork Chops

• Tuesday - Prawn and Sweet Potato Curry

• Wednesday - Apple Cheddar Stuffed Chicken

• Thursday - Leftovers

• Friday - Cheesy Artichoke Pasta

• Saturday - Firecracker Chicken

• Sunday - Chicken and Corn Soup

On my to do list: I still need to make some appointments…

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - SAC Museum Field Trip

• Wednesday - Science

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Heron Haven Hike; Lit Society

• Saturday - Homeschool Seminar

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: I still need to finish my December Daily album. Maybe next weekend?

My simple pleasures: Scones that bake properly!

Looking around the house: I should vacuum the first floor today. I also need to sweep the kitchen.

From the camera: Carnage on my island after a whirlwind morning of cooking for the week.

Life Right Now #4

Right now I am: Taking a moment before brunch and then heading out to the theatre with the family. We are going to see Dragons and Mythical Beasts at the Orpheum. Very excited for the show!

On my bedside table: Babel by R.F. Huang; Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

On my tv this week: We’re continuing our rewatch of His Dark Materials to get to season 3. In fact, we got to season 3 this week and it’s so so good! We should finish this week.

Listening to: Slowly slowly catching up on the Currently Reading podcast. I finally made it into 2023 with their episodes. Hoping to catch up by the end of the week.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Broccoli Beef

• Tuesday - Leftovers

• Wednesday - Buffalo Chicken Dip

• Thursday - Laksa Soup

• Friday - Coffee Rubbed Pork Loin

• Saturday - Apple Cheddar Stuffed Chicken

• Sunday - Firecracker Chicken

On my to do list: Coop tasks, retreat planning, homeschool planning, making all the appointments

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Haircut for me!

• Wednesday - Science

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Valentine’s Day Party

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Coop Book Club

What I am creating: Nothing really. I wanted to get to my December Daily album, but all I managed to do was print the photos.

My simple pleasures: A good book, extra tissues, a comfy pillow

Looking around the house: I made the boys do a big pick up yesterday, so it’s looking decent. My next house task is to remove the baker’s rack that’s currently being used as my homeschool supply storage area.

From the camera: We went to the Asian Market this week to try some snacks and ended up buying so many things! It’s probably good that I only go once every 4 months. My freezer and cabinets cannot handle the goodies. Those sesame balls were fresh and still warm when I bought them! So good!

Life Right Now #37

Right now I am: Reading a few comic trades before getting brunch ready.

On my bedside table: The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin; The Highlander’s Irish Bride by Vanessa Kelly

On my tv this week: We sped through Staged S3 and caught up on the Doctor Who specials that we somehow missed.

Listening to: I have been catching up on my favorite podcasts. I am still a few episodes behind on Currently Reading.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Chicken Cordon Bleu Dip

• Tuesday - Leftovers

• Wednesday - Travel Day

• Thursday - ???

• Friday - ???

• Saturday - ???

• Sunday - Appetizer Day

On my to do list: All the packing. Seriously, all I’m concentrating on is packing.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home day, packing

• Tuesday - Omaha Children’s Museum

• Wednesday - Travel Day

• Thursday - Fantasy of Lights

• Friday - Final shopping and prep

• Saturday - Christmas Eve

• Sunday - Christmas Day

What I am creating: Nothing at the moment. I am packing kits for December Daily and WITL to take with me to Indiana. Hopefully I will get a chance to work on them while there.

My simple pleasures: Cutout sugar cookies, a variety of teas, cozy sweatshirts

Looking around the house: So many piles of crap right now. I’m in the middle of packing for Indiana and organizing as I go.

From the camera: My Book Flood gift package came this week! I have already read Broken, but I had wanted a physical copy. The other book is one that I have never heard of. Very interested to read it.

Life Right Now #36

As I look outside my window: Bright and sunny, but pretty cold. At least it’s warmer than yesterday.

Right now I am: Going to take a few minutes to read before getting brunch started.

Thinking and pondering: I’m going to host a homeschool seminar for the coop in January. I’m thinking about how I want to structure it.

On my bedside table: You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky; Whiteout

On my tv this week: J and have watched a ton of Leverage: Redemption S1 this week. We’ve almost made it through the entire season.

Listening to: Mostly just the usual podcasts. I also added the Alternative Holiday playlist to my rotation this month.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - BBQ Chicken

• Tuesday - Leftovers

• Wednesday - Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken, Broccoli, and Bacon

• Thursday - Out

• Friday - Italian Beef Sandwiches

• Saturday - Leftovers

• Sunday - Fish and Chips

On my to do list: I’ve got a huge to-do list and am trying to pick off a few things every day. I’m currently working on lots of coop tasks.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Kid Doctor Appointments

• Tuesday - Coop Board Games; Coop Happy Hour

• Wednesday - Mammogram; Santa Visit; Science

• Thursday - Coop; Werner Park Lights

• Friday - CT Scan; Christmas at Arbor Day Lodge

• Saturday - Bookworms Book and Bottle Exchange

• Sunday - Coop Boo Club

What I am creating: I’ve been working on our spring curriculum plan lately. I’ve finished Arthur’s plan and am working on Quentin’s plan.

My simple pleasures: My new tea advent calendar is so exciting. I can’t wait to eventually try all of the flavors.

Looking around the house: Things are a bit all over the place. I need to do a whirlwind clean soon.

From the camera: Yummy cookies! The Andes Mint ones were the clear winner.

Life Right Now #35

Right now I am: Gathering my library books for a run to the closest branch once they open this afternoon. I’m also making our grocery list (never-ending).

Thinking and pondering: What exactly are we going to do for the coop Christmas party? I have hot chocolate tasting and cookie decorating. I need to think of a few games and fun.

On my bedside table: The Midwife’s Revolt by Jodi Daynard (book club is on the 30th!), Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert

On my tv this week: Not much. Before he left for a work trip, J and I watched a few movies. When he was gone, the kids and I watched a few movies. I spent most nights not watching television, instead reading or listening to a podcast.

Listening to: I finally dove back into Grim & Mild’s offerings with Grim & Mild Presents: Sideshow. I like the biweekly format even if I’m almost a year behind. I’ll binge listen probably driving to Indiana next month.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Ranch Cheddar Chicken

• Tuesday - Peanut Sauce Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice Bowls

• Wednesday - Pesto Stuffed Shells

• Thursday - Thanksgiving!

• Friday - Leftovers (of course)

• Saturday - Spinach and Blue Cheese Stuffed Chicken

• Sunday - Black Bean Soup, Tacos

On my to do list: I really need to do a brain dump today. I know that I have a ton of random little tasks to deal with, but right now, they’re all rattling around in my brain.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Possible Festival of Trees visit

• Tuesday - Zoo Day with coop friends

• Wednesday - Home Day / Thanksgiving prep

• Thursday - Thanksgiving!

• Friday - Home Day

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Nerdy Bookish Friends Zoom Chat about Fairy Tale by Stephen King

What I am creating: Nothing except big to do lists.

My simple pleasures: Cranberry orange scones, singing along at Music Bingo, snuggles with Q

Looking around the house: I did a whirlwind clean for coop on Thursday, so things are looking decent right now. I do want to vacuum at some point today and I know I have a load of laundry to do.

From the camera: I spent my Tuesday night getting my Alice inspired tattoo, finally!

Life Right Now #34

As I look outside my window: it look nice and sunny out, but

Right now I am: Eating a small breakfast before prepping for brunch and then my tattoo appointment.

On my bedside table: The Midwife’s Revolt by Jodi Daynard; Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

On my tv this week: J and I have been watching a lot of random and new movies and documentaries this week. Mostly very good viewing.

Listening to: Mostly podcast this week. I started listening to If Books Could Kill and am loving it so much. Check it out!

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Smoked Sausage and Potatoes

• Tuesday - Leftovers

• Wednesday - Out for Bingo

• Thursday - ???

• Friday - ???

• Saturday - Ranch Cheddar Chicken

• Sunday - Greek Night

On my to do list: Eye appointments are next on my list. I also should get a start on my Christmas present list.

Happening this week:

• Monday - SAC Museum

• Tuesday - Home Day

• Wednesday - Errands; Science; Music Bingo

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Outschool

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Nothing really… although I need to get Christmas cards started.

My simple pleasures: Brownies and hot tea, a good reread

Looking around the house: Things are decent looking right now. I should vacuum upstairs later today and probably clean the master bathroom.

From the camera: My tattoo idea board. Very excited to get it done today.

Life Right Now #33

On my bedside table: Comfort Me with Apples by Catherynne M. Valente; Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingersoll

On my tv this week: We’ve continued our movie month with a mix of action and adventure.

Listening to: I rediscovered my love of the band Heart so I decided to just do a register to all their albums. So good!

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Sesame Chicken

• Tuesday - Chicken Shawarma Fries

• Wednesday - German Night: Brats, Potato Salad, Apple Strudel

• Thursday - Leftovers

• Friday - Swedish Meatballs

• Saturday - Spaghetti and Meatballs

• Sunday - Sausage and Potatoes

On my to do list: I got doctor’s appointments set, so I guess that means that I need to make eye appointments next. I also need to do a bit of coop update

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Home Day (I know it’s Election Day, but I already voted by mail.)

• Wednesday - Science

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Tattoo Appointment (finally); Outschool Class

• Saturday - Playdate with a friend

• Sunday - Book Club Zoom

What I am creating: Absolutely nothing. I really need to get going on Christmas cards soon.

My simple pleasures: A pain-free (well almost) day. After all the flare-ups lately, it’s nice to have an almost pain-free day. I always have a bit of pain now, but no sharp pains today, so It’s a win.

Looking around the house: I started vacuuming yesterday. Today I should probably tidy up the kitchen and get some random things put away upstairs.

From the camera: The weather turned so it was time for my twine a year haircut! Loving how bouncy it is right now.

Life Right Now #32

Thinking and pondering: How much pain is too much? I’m glad that I have an appointment made for early December, but goodness I don’t know if I can make it that far. I’m having 4 pain days for every 3 good ones.

On my bedside table: Fairy Tale by Stephen King; Tunnel of Bones by VE Schwab

On my tv this week: We are continuing our spooky movie month with the rest of the Alien and Predator series.

Listening to: I finished S1 on Limetown and am ready to reading the prequel book before moving onto S2.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Charcuterie Board

• Tuesday - Chicken and Dumplings

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Swedish Night

• Friday - Pizza Night

• Saturday - England and Ireland Night

• Sunday - Teriyaki Shrimp

On my to do list: Beyond the house tasks below, I need to make eye appointments. I also need to make my November TBR pile I need to do some other long range planning for the rest of the semester.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Halloween! We have the coop party and then trick-or-treating.

• Tuesday - Coop Book Club

• Wednesday - Science

• Thursday - Coop; Lit Society

• Friday - Haircut for me; Outschool drawing class

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: I’m need to finish my October Memory Planner pages and I would like to think about Christmas cards.

My simple pleasures: One last visit to the pumpkin patch; warm chocolate chip cookies; horrifying books

Looking around the house: I really need to vacuum. I was going to do it yesterday, but I had a very bad pain day so no go. Maybe I can get it done today. I also need to do laundry and put away all those clothes.

From the camera: Book club by the fire pit. I love fall!

Life Right Now #31

Right now I am: Deciding what to make for brunch today…

Thinking and pondering: How many more books can I fit in this month? Or maybe I should just continue Spooky Book Month into November.

On my bedside table: Still Life with Crows by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Childs; Beastly Bones by William Ritter

On my tv this week: We are continuing Spooky Movie Month. We’re in the middle of watching the entire Alien and Predator series (in release date order).

Listening to: After listening to an episode of All Things Murderful with Meredith, I had to download and start listening to Limetown. I also requested the prequel book to read after listening to S1.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Fancy BLT Grilled Cheese

• Tuesday - Book Club

• Wednesday - Book Club

• Thursday - Lemon Ginger Turmeric Chicken and Rice Soup

• Friday - Swedish Meatballs

• Saturday - Smothered Pork Chops

• Sunday - Teriyaki Shrimp and Rice

On my to do list: I got a new PCP assigned to the boys and myself, but now I need to call the office and make appointments.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Vala’s Day (possibly the last visit of the season)

• Tuesday - Virtual Park Ranger Program; Book Club

• Wednesday - Science; Book Club

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Outschool Class; Kids’s COVID Boosters

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Working on a puzzle this weekend and my October Memory Planner pages.

My simple pleasures: Family time at the pumpkin patch; less pain; hot tea

Looking around the house: Apparently our patio furniture will just be staying int he living room for this winter Extra seating I guess.

From the camera: Beautiful sunset at the pumpkin patch and a view of one of the old barns.

Life Right Now #30

As I look outside my window:

Right now I am:

Thinking and pondering:

On my bedside table: The Wrong Girl by R.L. Stine

On my tv this week: We completed our rewatch of the Blade series. Turns out, I never actually watched number two, so it was a completely new experience for me. I’ve also been keeping up with Bachelor in Paradise, Below Deck Med, and The Great British Baking Show (Mexican week was in very bad taste).

Listening to: The usual podcasts. My brain has not been able to take much audio input this week, so not big music binges.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Baked Potato Soup

• Tuesday - Firecracker Chicken

• Wednesday - Leftovers (possibly out at Vala’s)

• Thursday - Blackened Salmon

• Friday - Beef Stew

• Saturday - Apple Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

• Sunday - Buffalo Chicken Nachos

On my to do list: Now that bivalent COVID boosters have been approved for kids, I’m waiting for the local pharmacies to change their policies so I can make the kids appointments. Beyond that, I need to take care of the dentist bill, prep curriculum for November, do my biweekly coop checks, switch out my summer/winter clothes, and set up some playdates.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Arbor Day Farm

• Wednesday - Kid Dentist Appointments; Vala’s

• Thursday - Coop

• Friday - Outschool Drawing Class

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Now that the party is over, I’m catching up on my Memory Planner pages. I also would love to maybe think about Christmas cards this month, but not sure if I will have the bandwidth for that.

My simple pleasures: Hot cup of coffee, uninterrupted reading time, a cozy blanket - I’m leaning hard into the fall vibes right now.

Looking around the house: I still have patio furniture in my living room (from the party last weekend) and it may just live here for the winter. Where I usually put it in the garage is full of other stuff now. I do need to get the boys to pick up some of their piles though and their room is a disaster.

From the camera: Loving the new drinks and decor at Edge of the Universe