Life Right Now #21

On my bedside table: I have a stack of library books that I need figure out which one to read first. And I have a few more manhwa volumes for my current series. But… I also have a few fan fiction stories lined up to read.

On my tv this week: All of our usual shows. Television viewing was down this week as I had a few days out and other days of being super tired.

Listening to: Stray Kids of course! But I also downloaded some aespa and ITZY to add to my K-Pop playlist.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Balsamic Caprese Chicken

• Tuesday - Grilled Cheese

• Wednesday - Spicy Thai Noodles

• Thursday - Lemon Sauce Fish

• Friday - Green Chile Enchilada Soup

• Saturday - Reuben Quesadillas

• Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: We are starting school this week, so I’ve purposely shortened by to do list to accomodate. Mostly I just need to double check admin tasks for co-op.

Happening this week:

• Monday - First Day of School!

• Tuesday - Pool Afternoon (last one!)

• Wednesday - Zoo Day

• Thursday - Enrichment Co-op

• Friday - Home Day

• Saturday - Book Club Pool Party; Potential Kid Birthday Party

• Sunday - Academic Co-op Informational Meeting

What I am creating: Nothing this week. Focused on prepping for the school year.

My simple pleasures: Satisfying fan fiction, Stray Kids videos, iced coffee

Looking around the house: I picked up most of the crap and feel like the house is in a decent place right now.

From the camera: From last week’s after Bingo visit to the Christmas Bar. It’s not actually called that, but it’s decorated like some grandma’s Christmas decorations threw up. I love it!

Life Right Now #20

Right now I am: Leaving for our Homeschool Co-op Steering Committee Meeting at a local coffeehouse. It shouldn’t be a long meeting, but we still have things to discuss.

Thinking and pondering: What else do I need to do to finish preparing for this next year’s homeschool plan? I feel like I am missing some things, but not sure what exactly.

On my bedside table: I have many choices from the library, but not really sure what to read next.

On my tv this week: We continued our currently airing shows and started the new season of Foundation. I also continued with Hometown Cha-cha-cha

Listening to: Mostly just K-Pop. ATEEZ dropped their new album and I am obsessed. So good!

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Lamb Kebab Sliders

• Tuesday - Shrimp Feta Pasta

• Wednesday - BBQ Pork Sandwiches

• Thursday - Cajun Stuffed Chicken

• Friday - BBQ Chicken, Apple, Cheddar Quesadillas

• Saturday - Fish and Chips

• Sunday - Chili Verde

On my to do list: After this meeting, I think that it’s time for a brain dump of to-do tasks. I’m not sure exactly what I need to add to do next.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home day

• Tuesday - Pool afternoon

• Wednesday - Pool afternoon

• Thursday - Enrichment co-op

• Friday - Pool party at a friend’s house

• Saturday - Home day

• Sunday - Home day

What I am creating: Nothing much. Maybe next weekend I can actually work on my Memory Planner pages.

My simple pleasures: Not being in pain, good fan fiction stories, laughing with friends (even when my depression has been creeping in)

Looking around the house: The boys need to sweep the floors and clean the bathroom while I am gone this morning. When I get back, I have laundry to do… so much laundry.

From the camera: I did not take a single photo this week. It was a weird week.

Life Right Now #19

As I look outside my window: Bright, sunny, and hot day. I am not a fan of this weather. The humidity was killing me.

Right now I am: Attempting to relax after a long day working on my to-do list.

On my bedside table: More manga of course. I also have Seoulmates, Feathers So Vicious, and Kill Creatures.

On my tv this week: We kept up with our currently airing shows. And we started The Sandman S2. I also started Hometown Cha-cha-cha for my lunch K-drama selection.

Listening to: All the K-Pop! Seungmin has a new song out and I am dying. Bang Chan wrote it for Seungmin to sing. I was almost in tears listening to it. I cannot wait for the songs written by HAN and Changbin to drop.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Sesame Chicken

• Tuesday - Snack Dinner

• Wednesday - Fancy Ramen

• Thursday - BLT Grilled Cheese

• Friday - Pizza Night

• Saturday - Kebab Sliders

• Sunday - Ginger Glazed Pork Chops

On my to do list: Oh so many things… I am deep into Homeschool planning for this coming year. I still have so many items to complete, but I’m finally making some progress.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Pool Day

• Wednesday - Grocery and errands

• Thursday - Enrichment Co-op

• Friday - Home Day

• Saturday - Co-op Book Club

• Sunday - Co-op Steering Committee Meeting

What I am creating: Nothing too exciting. I have to do a ton of regular to-do tasks. No time for creative fun.

My simple pleasures: Air conditioning (seriously my favorite right now), pool days, iced tea, baking disasters that actually work out okay.

Looking around the house: The kitchen is seriously bothering me right now. I think that tomorrow is going to be a kitchen cleanout day. My number one priority is getting things into a better place.

From the camera: Elephants! Somehow I only took photos at the zoo on Monday and nothing later. At least we got to see some cute elephant babies.

Life Right Now #18

As I look outside my window: It’s bright and sunny and going to be very hot today. I’m staying in doors.

Right now I am: Going to read a manga series or maybe watch some Stray Kids content. Not sure which…

Thinking and pondering: What am I completely forgetting about for the retreat?

On my bedside table: More manga; The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo; The Wedding People by Alison Espach

On my tv this week: Once I got back home, we restarted our currently airing shows. We also caught up to 2025 with Um Actually and finished S4 of Clarkson’s Farm.

Listening to: ATEEZ’s new EP Golden Hour Part 3 with “Lemon Drop” and desperate repeating Stray Kids’s new song “Hollow” awaiting the drop of the EP on Wednesday.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Pork and Green Chili Stew

• Tuesday - Honey Lime Tilapia

• Wednesday - Sloppy Joe’s

• Thursday - Retreat

• Friday - Retreat

• Saturday - Retreat

• Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: Mostly I’m just putting things away to get everything ready for me to leave on Thursday.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Swim Lessons; Dentist Appointment

• Tuesday - Swim Lessons; Pool Day

• Wednesday - Swim Lessons; Retreat Errands

• Thursday - Swim Lessons; Co-op; Retreat!

• Friday - Retreat!

• Saturday - Retreat!

• Sunday - Retreat!

What I am creating: I started working on the homeschool plan for next year. I got all the big pieces, I just need to start laying it all out.

My simple pleasures: Stray Kids concert clips. New music. The lazy river at the waterpark.

Looking around the house: I should vacuum I guess. And I would like to get the kitchen put away a little better before I leave.

From the camera: My reading material for the water park. Sad, but kept me entertained while taking a break from slides and the lazy river.

Life Right Now #17

On my bedside table: More manga (mix of horror and fantasy), new Emily Henry book, new Abby Jimenez book

On my tv this week: All of our usual shows. I also started the new season of Below Deck and continued with S1 of Goblin.

Listening to: Obviously I’m still obsessed with Stray Kids and K-Pop. I did put my music on shuffle the other day so we got a bit of everything.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Homemade pizza

• Tuesday - Nachoes

• Wednesday - Out (traveling home)

• Thursday - Chicken Cordon Bleu Dip

• Friday - Crab and Avocado Sandwiches

• Saturday - Honey Lime Tilapia

• Sunday - Broccoli Beef

On my to do list: I’m all about trip prep today. I need to pack my clothes. And I need to go buy the groceries for the trip. Otherwise, I just want to get some stuff put away before we leave tomorrow.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Iowa Trip

• Tuesday - Iowa Trip

• Wednesday - Iowa Trip

• Thursday - Enrichment Co-op

• Friday - Home Day

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Nothing much right now. I am right in the middle of big event ejects, so I’m focusing on those.

My simple pleasures: Support from friends, hazelnut latte, ice water, horror manga

Looking around the house: I should vacuum before we leave tomorrow and I should do some laundry. Otherwise, whatever, it’s good.

From the camera: Arthur working on his PI art project at co-op.

Life Right Now #16

As I look outside my window: Bright and sunny yet again. And the temperature is supposed to climb. I’m staying indoors today.

Right now I am: Figuring out what to make for brunch. I really have no idea. I was supposed to buy cinnamon rolls at the store and completely forgot. Guess I need a Plan B.

On my bedside table: Lots more manga; the new Abby Jimenez and the new Emily Henry.

On my tv this week: J and I have been watching our currently airing shows (Doctor Who, Welcome to Wrexham, Clarkson’s Farm). I also finished watching All of Us are Dead and this season of Below Deck: Down Under.

Listening to: All the Stray Kids music of course.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Out at Book Club

• Tuesday - Jerk Pork

• Wednesday - Firecracker Chicken

• Thursday - Chicken Tortilla Soup

• Friday - Pizza Night

• Saturday - Honey Lime Chicken

• Sunday - Gochujang Pasta Alfredo

On my to do list: I need to work on the Iowa trip plan. We’ve got some ideas, but need to finalize our itinerary.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Strawberry Picking; Book Club

• Tuesday - Home Day (We were supposed to have a pool day but the weather is going to be cold and rainy)

• Wednesday - Home Day

• Thursday - Enrichment Co-op

• Friday - Heron Haven Hike

• Saturday - Co-op Book Club

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Nothing much. Although maybe I can work on my Memory Planner today.

My simple pleasures: Music, silly videos, finishing a television series

Looking around the house: I did a quick pick up yesterday and feeling a lot better about the state of the house. I do want to vacuum the upstairs today and feel a bit better.

From the camera: Some pics from Thursday night. Drinks and beautiful weather at a local brewery while the boys were at the homeschool dance.

Life Right Now #15

As I look outside my window: It’s dreary today. Fits my mood I think.

Right now I am: Not wanting to make brunch. Maybe I will send J out for something…

On my bedside table: Mostly manga, although I did just get Emily Henry’s new book from the library. And I need to read the retreat book selection.

On my tv this week: J and I started watching S2 of Andor and S4 of Welcome to Wrexham and continued S1 of Murderbot along with some of our regular rotation shows. I started watching All of Us are Dead and Goblin with J was at a movie.

Listening to: K-pop all the time

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Ranch Cheddar Chicken

• Tuesday - Kimchi Jjigae

• Wednesday - Grill Night

• Thursday - Snack Dinner/Leftovers

• Friday - Firecracker Chicken

• Saturday - Spicy Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

• Sunday - Italian Beef Sandwiches?

On my to do list: Retreat tasks (finish some logistics, update grocery list, etc), Field Day tasks (make teams, write out instructions, check in with my cohost), Enrich Co-op tasks (update Session B registrants, finalize W9-10 lesson plans, brainstorm Session B lessons), Homeschool tasks (start planning out next year), Read my library book

Happening this week: A lighter week after a few busy ones.

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Home Day

• Wednesday - Park Playdate

• Thursday - Co-op Field Day; Homeschool Dance

• Friday - Co-op Parent Info Meeting

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: I want to work on my May Memory Planner today. At least I want to get the photos printed and staged.

My simple pleasures: Stray Kids, good books, good sleep, not 90 degree temperatures

Looking around the house: The retreat pile in my breakfast area is growing. Getting closer and closer and staging all our supplies makes a pile. Otherwise the house is in good shape this week.

From the camera: Baby pygmy hippo! She’s so cute!

Life Right Now #14

As I look outside my window: It’s bright and sunny although we are supposed to get rain later.

Right now I am: Smelling the banana bread that’s almost done baking.

Thinking and pondering: Why am I feeling so incredibly tired this week?

On my bedside table: Lots more horror manga, plus Water Moon and Enchantra.

On my tv this week: We started watching the new season of Wrexham and started Murderbot along with watching the usual shows.

Listening to: K-pop, what else?

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Pizza Pull Aparts

• Tuesday - Peanut Sauce Chicken, Broccoli, nd Rice

• Wednesday - Kimchi Jigae

• Thursday - Snack Dinner (Happy Hour)

• Friday - Spicy Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

• Saturday - Fettuccine Alfredo

• Sunday - Ranch Cheddar Chicken

On my to do list: Mostly just preparing for the week, but I do need to do a ton of laundry. It’s time to deep clean the towels and sheets…

Happening this week:

• Monday - Curriculum Swap

• Tuesday - Zoo Day

• Wednesday - Enrichment Parent Information Meeting

• Thursday - Enrichment Co-op; Co-op Happy Hour

• Friday - Home Day

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Enrichment Parent Information Meeting

What I am creating: I’m deep into retreat book recommendations. I’m hoping to finalize those today and then I can create the itinerary.

My simple pleasures: Fresh banana bread, soapy dramas that hit the spot, apple fritters, a good night’s sleep

Looking around the house: I need to pick up some random things on the main floor to prep for curriculum swap tomorrow. Otherwise, I’m okay with it.

From the camera: Hello Bison!

Life Right Now #13

Right now I am: Getting ready to make brunch. Before then, I am hoping to get a bit of reading in.

Thinking and pondering: When will people actually do what I requested? I would really love to get some retreat tasks taken care of, but I need their responses first.

On my bedside table: The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis; more manga

On my tv this week: Once we got back home, we restarted our currently airing shows. We watched some Doctor Who, Leverage, Last Week Tonight, Game Changer, and Mythic Quest. I also restarted my Stray Kids content.

Listening to: All the K-pop. Mostly Stray Kids and ATEEZ, but also some other bands.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Hawaiian Pulled Pork Nachoes

• Tuesday - Burritos

• Wednesday - BBQ Cheddar Meatloaf

• Thursday - Honey Lime Jalapeño Chicken

• Friday - Leftovers

• Saturday - Pizza Sliders

• Sunday - Beef Tips

On my to do list: Too many tasks I am sure. And yet, I need to do a brain dump today to help organize my thoughts.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Dropping the van off for work

• Tuesday - Fontenelle Forest Playdate

• Wednesday - Joslyn Art Explorer

• Thursday - Enrichment Co-op

• Friday - Wildlife Safari

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Nerdy Bookish Friends

What I am creating: I’m starting to put together the goody bags for the retreat.

My simple pleasures: K-pop, new Stray Kids music, tangerines, iced coffee

Looking around the house: I should probably vacuum upstairs today.

From the camera: Silly boys in the car.

Life Right Now #12

On my bedside table: The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis

On my tv this week: I’m slowly making my way through Crash Landing on You and it’s absolutely addictive.

Listening to: K-pop, all the K-pop

On the menu for this week: No idea. I do need to meal plan for May while here.

On my to do list: Taking a break while in Indiana. But I am trying to finish out some retreat tasks while here.

Happening this week: We will be in Indiana until Wednesday… not sure of the rest of our plans while here.

What I am creating: I brought my Memory Planner pages for April to work on while in Indiana. Hoping to find some time to get them done.

My simple pleasures: A good audiobook, an easy drive across country, margaritas

Looking around the house: We are currently not at home, but I hope that J actually cleans out the guest bedroom while I’m gone.

From the camera: Congrats to Alexander for graduating college!

Life Right Now #11

As I look outside my window: It’s a dreary day out there.

Right now I am: Making meatballs for tonight’s spaghetti.

Thinking and pondering: What clothes should I pack for me? The weather is going to be all over the place while we are in Indiana.

On my bedside table: I have a stack of Japanese horror manga just waiting to be read. Plus I have the retreat book selections ready to read next.

On my tv this week: Mostly a lot of Stray Kids content. J and I watched a few of our usual shows, but nothing overly exciting.

Listening to: Lots of KPop… that’s about it.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Teriyaki Chicken

• Tuesday - Blackened Salmon

• Wednesday - Travel Day

• Thursday - Travel Day

• Friday - Indiana

• Saturday - Indiana

• Sunday - Indiana

On my to do list: I need to finish packing for Indiana. Mostly I just need to do my clothes. I also want to vacuum the house and get some random piles picked up to leave the house in a decent shape.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Home Day

• Wednesday - Travel Day

• Thursday - Chicago Day

• Friday - Indiana

• Saturday - Alex’s Graduation

• Sunday - Indiana

What I am creating: Nothing right this second. I have to finish getting ready to travel to Indiana.

My simple pleasures: Stray Kids, New-to-me television shows, that after picking up a room feeling of peace

Looking around the house: Speaking of the house, I have a few tasks I want to finish before Wednesday so I can come home to a put together house.

From the camera: I found our wine (the club we have belonged to for over a decade) at Target the other day. Didn’t buy any because why would I? But it was still fun to see it outside of California.

Life Right Now #10

As I look outside my window: It’s fairly sunny outside but the wind is still pretty high.

Right now I am: Winding down the day… and deciding which television show to watch.

On my bedside table: All the manga still

On my tv this week: We watched a few movies and continued all our usual shows. For me, I am now in late 2019 with Stray Kids content. Making my way through all the shows.

Listening to: I’m still all about my Stray Kids, but have branched out to other Kpop artists. I downloaded a few girl groups like Blackpink, Babymonster, Twice, and Aespa. I’m enjoying the more edgy stuff and less the poppy stuff.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Chicken Tikka Masala

• Tuesday - Teriyaki Shrimp and Rice

• Wednesday - Apple Cheddar Stuffed Chicken

• Thursday - Green Chile and Pepper Jack Enchiladas

• Friday - Caribbean Salmon Quinoa Bowls

• Saturday - Garlic Shrimp Pasta

• Sunday - Bourbon Steak

On my to do list: I imagine that I have a ton of admin tasks for co-op. But the most pressing tasks are to finish planning our Indiana trip and planning the co-op Field Day.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Acorn Acres Playdate

• Wednesday - Joslyn Art Explorers

• Thursday - Enrichment Co-op

• Friday - Platte River State Park Hike

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: I want to finish my March Memory Planner pages and get started on the Retreat Nametags.

My simple pleasures: Coffee, sleep, Stray Kids

From the camera: Schramm looks very different right now with the tree thinning and restoration process. But it was still so beautiful.

Life Right Now #9

As I look outside my window: It’s chilly but sunny today. Unfortunately, I am absolutely exhausted.

Right now I am: Deep into Stray Kids content from 2018…

On my bedside table: All the manga still, plus Sweet Obsession, Kinky History, and Everything is Tuberculosis.

On my tv this week: Along with our regular television shows, I’ve been watching a ton of Stray Kids past content. I decided to go chronologically with my viewing. I’m nearing the end of the 2018…

Listening to: All the Stray Kids

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Chicken Ranch Tacos and Black Bean Soup

• Tuesday - Tuscan Kale and White Bean Soup

• Wednesday - Out for Book Club

• Thursday - Chicken Tikka Masala

• Friday - Chili Verde

• Saturday - Garlic Shrimp Pasta

• Sunday - Huevos Rancheros

On my to do list: I imagine a ton of things, but as I didn’t really sleep last night, I’m ignoring most of my tasks in favor of things that are going to make me happy: reading, Stray Kids, KPop, coffee, and maybe some crafting.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Zoo Day

• Wednesday - Book Club

• Thursday - Enrichment Co-op; Academic Co-op Debrief

• Friday - Schramm Hike

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Hopefully I can get to my March Memory Planner pages this afternoon. We’ll see where I get…

My simple pleasures: Sleep would be nice

Looking around the house: Meh it’s fine…

From the camera: My new keychain! Wolfchan wearing the God’s Menu outfit!

Life Right Now #8

As I look outside my window: Another pretty gloomy day…

Right now I am: Making my big brain dump to-do list. Haven’t done one of these for awhile.

Thinking and pondering: Which project should I work on today? Maybe the retreat tasks?

On my bedside table: All the manga. My reading is still a bit broken, so I’m focused on manga series to keep me going.

On my tv this week: Beyond finishing Dimension 20 S1 with J, I consumed a ton of Stray Kids content. I went and found the Survival Show and watched the entire thing.

Listening to: Stray Kids only

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Grilled Cheese

• Tuesday - Leftovers

• Wednesday - Cajun Stuffed Chicken

• Thursday - Garlic Shrimp Pasta

• Friday - Pizza Night

• Saturday - Crab Coconut Curry

• Sunday - Salmon

On my to do list: So many tasks, mostly admin task the homeschool groups and updating records and such. But I also need to just clean out some piles of random crap and get my April curriculum in a better order.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Lincoln Day

• Wednesday - Platte River State Park hike

• Thursday - Enrichment Co-op

• Friday - Home Day

• Saturday - Co-op Book Club

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Maybe name tags for the retreat…

My simple pleasures: Stray Kids everything, pumpkin spice faux lattes

Looking around the house: I took care of some random piles in the living room so that looks much nicer. And the laundry is put away, which means it’s time to do more laundry.

From the camera: I was terrible at taking photos this week. Thankfully Arthur grabbed some great shots at Heron Haven on Friday.

Life Right Now #7

As I look outside my window: We’re alternating between sunshine and clouds with a lot of wind. Just a normal spring day here in the Midwest.

Right now I am: Mentally preparing to go and make some scones.

On my bedside table: All the manga series I want to read/are reading… plus all my unread shelf books I guess.

On my tv this week: We’re mostly been watching Dimension 20, but also lots of Um Actually and a few episodes of Alice in Borderland.

Listening to: All Stray Kids all the time.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Parmesan Tilapia

• Tuesday - Me out at book club

• Wednesday - Cajun Chicken Alfredo

• Thursday - J’s birthday dinner

• Friday - Broccoli Beef

• Saturday - Kimchi Stew

• Sunday - Pot Roast

On my to do list: I have a ton of homeschool co-op admin tasks this week. I also want to finish planning our Indiana trip for the end of April. And I should probably catch up on my blog drafts.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Book Club

• Wednesday - Coffee with potential co-op member

• Thursday - Enrichment Kick-off Playdate; J’s Birthday

• Friday - Nature Hike

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: I should focus on my Memory Planner, but not sure when that’s going to happen.

My simple pleasures: A good night’s sleep, new Stray Kids music (seriously so excited! Escape is a masterpiece), new fun graphic tees

Looking around the house: I did a big pickup yesterday so we’re in good shape. I would like to work on the curriculum piles in my office, but not sure when that’s going to happen.

From the camera: Very few photos this week…

Life Right Now #6

As I look outside my window: It’s been a rainy weekend here. A storm rolled in on Friday night and the clouds stuck around. We definitely need the rain, but I could do without the high winds.

Right now I am: Deciding what to make for brunch. Maybe I’ll make scones… lemon poppy seed and/or ham and cheddar.

On my bedside table: All the manga! Seriously, I have most of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure and Jujutsu Kaisen sitting here. I’m missing a few volumes yet from the library and don’t want to dive in until I get them. So it looks like the second half of March will be all comics and manga.

On my tv this week: J and I watched multiple episodes of S1 of Dimension 20. We’re getting closer to the end of that campaign. I also caught up with my Below Deck and The Bachelor.

Listening to: All Stray Kids all the time!

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Parmesan Tilapia

• Tuesday - Lemon Ginger Turmeric Chicken Soup

• Wednesday - Me Out

• Thursday - Snack Dinner

• Friday - Buffalo Chicken Sliders

• Saturday - Cajun Chicken and Sausage Alfredo

• Sunday - Broccoli Beef

On my to do list: I have a ton of homeschool tasks for today. The biggest is making a video for the social co-op about our clarifying of expectations and rules.

Happening this week:

• Monday -

• Tuesday -

• Wednesday - Joslyn Art Museum; Book Club

• Thursday - Academic Co-op (Last Week!); Co-op Happy Hour

• Friday - Board Game Club

• Saturday - Cookout with Friends

• Sunday - Nerdy Bookish Friends Book Discussion

What I am creating: I would like to work on my February Memory Planner. And maybe start laying out the bookish retreat name tags.

My simple pleasures: Coffee, kids who listen to me, eating lunch outside

Looking around the house: I need to do a general pickup and I probably have a ton of laundry to do. But I’ll get there.

From the camera: Thursday we dropped the boys off at the homeschool dance and went to dinner! A proper adult dinner to celebrate both of our birthdays. It was so good! I got the duck and J got the salmon.

Life Right Now #5

On my bedside table: No idea yet… I’m currently reading five books, so I should finish those first. And I did start War and Peace, which will take me months to finish I imagine.

On my tv this week: We started watching Alice in Borderland. I finished the manga series last week, so it was finally time! We also just continued our usual shows.

Listening to: All the Stray Kids. It’s the only thing that making me happy right now.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Monterrey Chicken Skillet

• Tuesday - Chicken and Corn Stew

• Wednesday - Birthday Dinner Out

• Thursday - Fiesta Chicken and Rice

• Friday - Pizza Night

• Saturday - Shrimp Gumbo

• Sunday - Chili

On my to do list: Mostly I’m working on administrative tasks for co-op and the bookish retreat.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Parent Meeting

• Tuesday - Dentist Cleaning; Book Club

• Wednesday - Parent Meeting and My Birthday!

• Thursday - Academic Co-op

• Friday - Glacier Creek Hike

• Saturday - Secular Omaha Meeting

• Sunday - Birthday Day Out

What I am creating: Nothing much.

My simple pleasures: A good night’s sleep, a good song with a good beat, hazelnut lattes

Looking around the house: I managed to get most of our travel stuff put away. I still need to get my clothes situated, but that’s an ongoing task.

From the camera: Proof that we were actually at Great Wolf Lodge earlier this week. It was the only picture I took there…

Life Right Now #4

As I look outside my window: The snowfall from Wednesday has stuck around and the wind has kicked up. It’s beautiful if I don’t want to drive anywhere.

Right now I am: Deciding which quick bread I want to make for brunch today…

Thinking and pondering: What snacks and food do I want to buy for our trip.

On my bedside table: Rest of Alice in Borderland; The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan; Water Moon Samantha Sambao Yotto

On my tv this week: J and I have continued our currently airing shows. We also watched The Gorge for a monster filled Valentine’s Day movie. I kept up with Below Deck and The Bachelor. Plus I’ve watched a ton of Stray Kids music videos. Apparently it’s my new obsession.

Listening to: All the Stray Kids songs. Seriously, I put their entire catalog on shuffle and have been dancing along.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Chicken Cordon Bleu Dip

• Tuesday - Sesame Chicken

• Wednesday - Italian Beef Sandwiches

• Thursday - Fancy BLT Grilled Cheese

• Friday - Kansas City Trip

• Saturday - Kansas City Trip

• Sunday - Kansas City Trip

On my to do list: Mostly I just need to pack for our trip. We leave on Friday morning, and I currently have nothing packed. Today’s task is to finish the laundry and get the clothes sorted. From there, I can make my other packing list. Plus I need to finish my grocery list for Wednesday.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Dirty Book Month Book Club

• Wednesday - Joslyn Art Explorers; Book Club

• Thursday - Academic Co-op

• Friday - Kansas City Trip

• Saturday - Kansas City Trip

• Sunday - Kansas City Trip

What I am creating: Nothing too exciting this week. I had wanted to get my Memory Planner for February started this weekend, but that may not happen.

My simple pleasures: Watching the snow fall, hot tea, fun music

Looking around the house: I need to do a bit of random pickup and clean before Tuesday’s book club.

From the camera: Despite the cold, I do enjoy the snow.

Life Right Now #3

As I look outside my window: It’s alternating between cloudy and sunny, but it’s still very cold. Just another February day.

Right now I am: Finishing up some tasks before making brunch. Nothing too exciting.

Thinking and pondering: How exactly should we start our War and Peace podcast?

On my bedside table: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, Alice in Borderland, Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

On my tv this week: J and I are watching our just dropped/currently airing shows along with more Dropout shows from years past.

Listening to: In between all the other things, I’ve been binging the You’re Wrong About mini series about Princess Diana. Also, I just downloaded some new-to-me albums from bands old and new.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Sesame Chicken

• Tuesday - Snack Dinner

• Wednesday - Chicken Cordon Bleu Dip (with Buffalo Chicken Strips this time)

• Thursday - Shrimp Lo Mein

• Friday - Spaghetti

• Saturday - Chicken Tagine

• Sunday - Scallops Salad

On my to do list: I’m certain a lot, but right now I’m focused on finishing my Memory Planner for January and prepping for the coming week.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Kid Birthday Party

• Tuesday - Parent Info Meetings (lunch at the food court and evening at home)

• Wednesday - Home Day

• Thursday - Academic Co-op

• Friday - Bowling Party for Valentine’s Day

• Saturday - Home Day

• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: J and I had a plan to read War and Peace this year and then decided that we are going to make a podcast out of the project. So, I’m working on creating a background plan about the novel for our first episode and then to put in when relevant.

My simple pleasures: Not being sick, being able to eat on both sides of my mouth, simplified planner decor

Looking around the house: I need to do a bit of light cleaning in the living room and kitchen for this week. Mostly I just need to vacuum and put away some piles.

From the camera: Apparently I am terrible about taking photos this year so far…

Life Right Now #2

On my bedside table: I have the next three volumes of Alice and Borderland, a book about shipwrecks, and War and Peace (yes, War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy).

On my tv this week: J and I are in the middle of The Recruit S2, Severance S2, Shoresy S4, The Franchise S1, and Rivals S1. I’m watching Pantheon S1 and am absolutely hooked (J already watched it).

Listening to: I’ve been binging some Stray Kids, Bring Me the Horizon, The Warning, and Dead Poet Society this week

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Pulled Pork Sandwiches

• Tuesday - Baked Potato Soup

• Wednesday - Kimchi Stew with Tuna

• Thursday - Rueben Pigs in a Blanket

• Friday - Pizza Night

• Saturday - Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese

• Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: Mostly I just need to stay on top of the logistical tasks and homeschool planning

Happening this week:

• Monday - Home Day

• Tuesday - Zoo Day; Dentist Appt (my permanent crown)

• Wednesday - Luminarium visit (before our membership expires)

• Thursday - Academic Co-op

• Friday - Nature hike at OPPD Arboretum; playdate at a friend’s house

• Saturday - Parent Info Meeting

• Sunday - Co-op Book Club

What I am creating: Mostly I’m just making plans. I want to get to my Memory Planner for January, but that might wait until next weekend.

My simple pleasures: A good book, time to organize and decorate my planner, no urgent messages

Looking around the house: Things are decent. I should vacuum the playroom today, but that’s the most pressing need.

From the camera: Coffee and a book before my meeting this morning