Our new budding photographer

George decided to use his birthday money for a camera.




I was pleasantly surprised with his skills!

Daybook, July 26th 2009

outside my window: sunny and a bit warm. Still, for almost August, there are no complaints.

I am thinking......why am I sitting at the computer when my family room looks the way it does. Probably because it takes less energy to sit at the computer rather than clean a messy family room.

I am thankful . ..things seem to be coming together for Dyl's party. For my supportive husband who is off this week and my helpful relatives!! What would I do without them? I reflect on that daily!

From the schoolroom. . .not going to address this subject until next month. :) (DITTO)

From the kitchen ...well, there WILL be a lot of cooking later in the week for the party. Yesterday a blueberry pie was made. Delish!

I am wearing . .black and white floral skirt, turquoise t shirt and flip flops. Silver hoops.

I am reading and watching . .listening on cd "The Barchester Chronicles" by Anthony Trollope. Finished and enjoyed!

Barnaby Rudge, by Dickens. I had a bit of a hard time following this one. I think it was abridged.

reading: We Two and -

The Unhealthy Truth: Why our food is making us sick and what we can do about it.

I've no doubt this lady is passionate about what she is writing about. I've no doubt what she says is true, it just seems like she is one of those people who grab you by the collar and shout at you about any given subject she feels strongly about. :)

So, the book is a bit off-putting for me. I don't know that there is anything in there that hasn't already been discussed anyway. I'm going to keep trying. ( In her defense, I really liked her menu suggestions for kids....not perfection, but working towards it.)

Clover: Henry Adams wife. I gave up on listening to "The Education of Henry Adams" There was too much in there to read over and ponder, not easily done while listening. So, I found a book about his wife, which includes him, of course. Very interesting, so far. I need to find a hard copy of TEofHA.

Watched:

Frenchman's Creek ( by Daphne Du Marnier) I have a feeling there were some liberties taken with this one. It was a good story, though.

I am hearing . ."The battle is the Lord's........" Veggie Tales "Esther"

Around the house. ..I finally did a bit of weeding out front ( not all, of course) and tucking up of the plants. Still needs some bush trimming and new mulch. The rest of the house is not looking too spiffy and I can't imagine much about that will change this week. I spent about an hour in Neana's garden and have taken notice of other gardens, recently. There is such peace and beauty there. I just keep thinking if I would just do a little gardening here and there what a difference it would make, especially in the back yard ( UGH!)

One of my favorite things. ...COOL SUMMERS! Let's hope it stays that way!

What will we do this week. ...went to Ann Arbor Hand's On Museum today, and out to IKEA for lunch. The kids had a terrific time. I found some napkins at IKEA that inspired some party decor. :) Tim took Naomi and Jax for a tour of downtown Ann Arbor while we were in there.

Tomorrow we officially become members of St Cyril and Methodius. The rest of the week will be shopping, cooking and trying not to freak out about Dyl's party on Sunday. Oh, and we have another grad party to go to on Saturday! LOL!

Here’s a picture I am sharing. ....Some golden oldies of the man of the week. Dyl :)

Daybook July 19, 2009

Some deer seen on the way to the park.


Why the grimace, George?
Ninja moves at Del Taco. The food must be very inspiring.
Ditto from Manny
We're a cheerful bunch, are we not?! ;)


outside my window: sunny and cool

I am thinking......I'm glad I have nowhere to really go this week. Being out of the house for 4 or 5 hours everyday last week took it's toll. Hats off to working mothers! :)

I am thankful . ..Jackson had a good dr's appt on Friday. All is healing well, the stitches are out and he can swim and bathe AND use his hand in a limited manner ( ie: MATH!). No soccer, of course, which caused some despair. :(

From the schoolroom. . .not going to address this subject until next month. :)

From the kitchen ...this morning, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies and chicken Parmesan made yesterday for today's dinner.

I am wearing . .black knit capri's, gray print hoodie,

I am reading and watching . .listening on cd "The Barchester Chronicles" by Anthony Trollope

reading: We Two and -

The Unhealthy Truth: Why our food is making us sick and what we can do about it.

I've no doubt this lady is passionate about what she is writing about. I've no doubt what she says is true, it just seems like she is one of those people who grab you by the collar and shout at you about any given subject she feels strongly about. :)

So, the book is a bit off-putting for me. I don't know that there is anything in there that hasn't already been discussed anyway. I'm going to keep trying.

Watched: Northanger Abbey and started Dickens "David Copperfield"

both very good.

I am hearing . ..nothing at all. Manny is sitting very quietly on my lap. Gabriella is sleeping on the couch and Jed is off somewhere.

Around the house. ...it got the main points taken care of yesterday. Hopefully, the laundry room and some yardwork can be addressed tomorrow.

One of my favorite things. ...a long walk. This week I have decided to be a bit selfish and go walking by myself. I do like to include the kids in whatever activities I can, and walking always seemed to be one of them. Lately, though, there is just too much stopping and starting. Someone wants to walk, someone is tired, someone needs a drink, someone who wanted to ride the scooter decided he doesn't want to anymore....etc etc

Of course I will walk with them and call it a stroll but real exercise walking I've decided to do on my own. I pleased to say I've taken at least 5- 45minute to an hour walks this week.

What will we do this week. ... a quiet week, overall. Dyl's musical today, a pre-graduation party meeting later in the week with Neana, graduation party on Saturday and the kids and Tim will go to the Tiger game on Sunday. Oh, and dear Noah arrives home from camp tonight! Yay!

Here’s a picture I am sharing. ....some shots from our new camera Tim found at the thrift for $30! He took the kids out yesterday afternoon so I could have some time to myself......
dinner at Del Taco and the park :)

Daybook July 13, 2009

Outside my window: sunny and pleasantly cool. We've had some incredible weather, lately.

I am thinking.......about the changes in our family. AGAIN. Mostly as it concerns the children. I think this year has held the greatest number of changes we have experienced. Some new ones like one son going away for college and another moving out. More of the same for others like getting a driver's licence, a new job, wanting to be the usual teenage socialite :) or graduating from high school and embarking on a new, adult life.
I think what has made me reflect on this is that I am so often out and about with just the youngest 5 these days. And I know it won't be long until Naomi is subtracted from that number. It seems like just as quickly as they all came to us and we were grappling with a house full of little kids, they have collectively *grown* up and have started to move away from us.
I'll admit it does fill me with a bewildering panic at times. Maybe that's a little melodramatic :) I just want to say *WAIT*! Can't we have this is little increments as before?"
But you can't. Life moves along as it will, guided by the hand of Providence.
I hope it reminds me to embrace the time with the current batch of littles.

What I should be thinking about: Dylan's graduation party, which is coming upon us with stunning rapidity!

I am thankful . ..books on cd. They have revolutionized my life these past few weeks! :) A good book, listened to while doing a dreaded chore, makes the time pass pleasantly. ;)

From the schoolroom. . ..I know I should be starting to prepare for next year, but haven't gotten to that point yet.

From the kitchen ...blackberry pie, apple pie for George's birthday. A scrumptious Sunday dinner with a beef tenderloin as the main event. Lovely!

I am wearing . .white capri's, black tunic with red/black print cami under. Black flip flops.

I am creating . . .I found 4 chairs being tossed out while biking the other night. Noah and I went to get them.

I originally was just going to recover them, but in the end decided they needed a good coat of paint. So that was the main project this week. I hope to use them in the dining room as the *B* set. The kids love to do their schoolwork in there, but they are rough on my antique set (ie: at least 3 have bit the dust due to rocking motions while doing math). Problem solved. I hope.

I am reading and watching . . .Listening to "The Education of Henry Adams" on cd. Finished "Jane Boleyn" on cd.

Reading "We Two" and "

Henry Adams is the grandson of John Quincy Adams. He has some really compelling thoughts on educaiton, especially of boys. I've only listened to a couple chapters, but I think this is one I need a hard copy of to underline his many, pithy quotes.

Jane Boleyn

Was married to the brother of Anne Boleyn, the infamous English queen. While it touched on her (Jane's) life, it really was an in depth history lesson on what was going on then with King Henry (8th) her husband, the Church, English goverment , etc. etc. Of course, we all know the *stories* of King Henry, but listening again, it is incredible to ponder the machinations he went through to get what he wanted, most often against the hand of God......

and with sobering results. A cautionary tale.

Watched: "Little Dorrit" by Dickens....which was very long, but very, very good. It became an evening ritual for Naomi and I last week and I miss it. Haven't been able to watch a thing this weekend/week. :)

I am hearing . ..Manny making various hoots, hollerings and yells. Wow, is he loud this am!

Around the house. ..Well, it got a good spring cleaning due to the cooler temps and a scheduled bbq.

One of my favorite things. ...a day at the beach! We found a nice one in Pt Huron. The kids and I had a grand time and as an added bonus, saw many huge barges speeding accross the river/lake.

What will we do this week. .K 4 J VBS rules this week ( how is that for a bunch of acronyms?) Yesterday the saint of the day was Edmund Campion, which is who Jedidiah Campion is named after, so that was a nifty serindipity!. A visit with Aunt Lydia ( holding my breath on that one, it has been fraught with complications on this end, anyway :) Dyl's musical this weekend! He's so geeked about it, and it is very cute.

Here’s a picture I am sharing. Our birthday boy, George Augustine. 11 on 7-11!

4th of July

Celebrating the birth of our Country ( hoooo boy, our front yard looks like an overgrown jungle. The things you don't notice until viewing it in a picture. The story of my life lately ;)

The kids and I decorated their bikes for the neighborhood bike parade.

They participated for all of about 5 minutes, when.............


a certain young man came running into the house hollering. He fell off *his* bike.
The poor fella broke his wrist and had to have surgery to repair it. A 4th of July to remember, although perhaps not the way we might wish. :)

Daybook June 28th, 2009

Outside my window: Cloudy and cool. Was it just a week ago that we were sweltering?

I am thinking.......I'm having a hard time getting my motor running lately.

I am thankful . ...for so many things during the power outage. A cool headed babysitter, water that was still on, a little bit of power for a day, a willing sil and an empty freezer, my refrigerators and freezer getting a good cleaning, the same appliances not being filled from a recent grocery store trip, candles, flashlights, cool weather...

the list goes on and on. :)

From the schoolroom. . ..hmnmm. There has been a great buzz in blogland over a certain lady posting pictures of her newly organized school room. Yes, they were beautiful. And for a moment my mind was racing with ways to try and replicate her ideas. Then I came down to earth. That's the madness of blog surfing. Most of the time you are inspired, or get a laugh or are informed. Other times you feel very inadequate and discontent. I had to sit myself down and think seriously about the reasons my schoolroom will never look like hers. And it's OK.

From the kitchen ...blueberries rule! 2 Blueberry buckles and 2 dozen blueberry muffins made yesterday.

I am wearing . .black knit bermudas, gray print hoodie, gray tennis shoes. It's cold this morning.

I am creating . . .mostly just some sewing repair projects

I am reading and watching . . .read "Wicketts Remedy" by Myla Goldberg. I really enjoyed this one, as much as you can use the word *enjoy* about a very sad subject. I'll have to think about that. About a young women during the Spanish Flu outbreak who lost her husband and brother to it and then decided to become a nurse to help. I heard about it on NPR.

Listened on cd to "Resilience" I happen to see this at the library the night the power went out and thought it might be a good idea since we were without tv, internet or radio ( well, I did get batteries, eventually). I've always though Elizabeth Edwards was a decent sort of woman. She doesn't disappoint in this thought provoking work. I don't know if she wrote all this herself or with help ( didn't read the cover) but she has a very eleoquent way of describing her thoughts and emotions during the most difficult things she has faced ( and there have been many). I especially was moved by her journey after the death of her 16 yo son. Her voice is soft and raspy at times. You can tell she is not well ( she has terminal breast cancer). She doesn't claim to have all the answers, and you are left feeling she is still grappling with coming to terms with her cancer ( which I found very honest) still you can't help but be moved by her courage.

Naomi and I have been trying to watch "Our Mutual Friend" by Dickens. It sure is a long one. I keep dozing off. :) Not that it isn't interesting, I just can't seem to sit or lay on my bed motionless and not zonk out, which is why I usually iron or fold clothes or putter about when I am watching something, much to my husband's dismay.

I am hearing . ..Jed making "shhhhhhhhhewwwww" sounds. I don't know what he is playing in his mind.

Around the house. ...Going to keep hope alive that the garage WILL be cleaned today even though it is drippy and drizzly.

We did it! ( and I use the word *we* loosely ;)

You know, I had a hard time getting started, and there was lots of grumbling and exasperation in my head ( and probably visable at times) but with a little praise music on my cd player ( don't snicker, Sissy!) it was at once a religious experience and an energizer.

Did *some* painting repairs....but many more on the docket.

One of my favorite things. ...a clean garage. ;)

What will we do this week. . Monday we had dentist appointments and re-filling the refridge shopping. Tuesday we went to Pt Huron for a field trip at the Thomas Edison museum and a tour of a lighthouse ship called the *Huron* I think. Meeting for Dyl's Nicaragua trip that night. Not sure what we will do on the 4th, thinking about heading up to the thumb (Just seems too cool for that). There is a neighborhood bike parade that we went and got supplies to decorate the kids bikes for at the Dollar Store. :) Sunday, belated Father's day dinner with mom, dad and nan.

Here’s a picture I am sharing. Our little ham.