Lisa's Logbook - January 3

For 2010, I thought I'd shake things up just a little and change up my daybook. No longer is it the "Simple Woman's Daybook". I'm not really all that simple. I think I'm rather complex, actually. But I'll keep the logbook simple. lol

Outside: Frigid. Overcast. The kind of weather you don't want to go out in.

Sounds: An audiobook playing upstairs and the bumping around that I hope means they are straightening up their rooms.

Home: Took down the Christmas decorations yesterday.

Projects: Working on some writing. A New Year's letter should emerge soon. Lesson plans.

Pondering: this new Logbook format. Not sure if I like it. What do you think?

Teaching: Lessons are starting back up here tomorrow. Ready to get back into a routine! Also working on Spanish lesson plans.

Gratitude: I'm thankful for a warm place to live.

Recipes: Making a roast right now and going to use up several small boxes of sides that I have - garlic mashed taters, turkey stuffing, minute rice. Made some jello and going to serve the last of the Christmas cookies.

Duds: Yesterday's jeans, grey long-sleeved tee, grey sweatshirt, slippers, a bit of makeup

Reads: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (recommended by Darlene) and then A Bride in the Bargain by Deanne Gist. Last week, I read The Hunger Games which I recommend for teens and adults alike.

Vids: finished watching BBC Robin Hood Season 3; Adventureland, (500) Days of Summer, Julie & Julia, and Night at the Museum 2.

Hopes: That I can get the lesson plans done tonight and that the printer decides to co-operate.

Love: White chocolate covered Oreos. Yummy!

Plans: Eye doctor appointments for me and the kids this week, Bob has a dr appt. I have an interview on Wednesday morning. Kids have art class. Bob works 3 days only (M,W,Sa)

Pic:

I was asked for a pic of my room with the desk in it. So here you go.I am standing in the doorway with the camera. The white blurry thing is the doorframe in the lower right corner of the pic.The desk is immediately to the right. You can't see the chair in the pic. The bed is a queen and it fills the room pretty well. Before we had the head of the bed against the left-hand wall and there was only a small margin of space to walk in to get around it. This is actually better except I have to crawl in at the foot of the bed.

So there you have it. :::grins:::

Simple Woman's Daybook - December 27

For Today... December 27, 2009

Outside my window... Overcast with snow showers

I am thinking... about my son turning FIFTEEN this week. FIFTEEN!!! How is that possible?

From the learning rooms... This week we are not having lessons.

I am thankful for... so many Christmas blessings!

From the kitchen... a LOT of cookies and fudge - hanging on to it until New Year's.... Leftovers from Christmas Day are gone already. Will be making potato soup with the hambone this week. Tomorrow?

I am wearing... Favorite jeans, long sleeved black shirt, pink fuzzy hoodie, pink socks, slippers, hair in barrette, no makeup.

I am reading... U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton (I've read, and enjoyed, the entire Kinsey series - 21 books now!)

I've been watching... Babes in Toyland, The Polar Express, It's a Wonderful Life, SpongeBob SquarePants, City of Ember, 17 Again

I am hoping... the weather co-operates for two or three outdoor runs this week.

I am creating... GOTTA get some work done on that Egypt novel! TODAY it must happen!

I am hearing... happy sounds from upstairs

Around the house... I have a desk now! In my bedroom! And I can close (and lock!) the door!

One of my favorite things... Michael W. Smith's Christmastime album

A few plans for the rest of the week... Writing, celebrating my son's birthday, maybe getting together with friends?

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.
Christmas morning - my husband and my almost-15yo son

From 2009-12-25

Simple Woman's Daybook - December 20

For Today... December 20, 2009

Outside my window... Cold and grey, but dry.

I am thinking... about the Midwinter Homeschool Conference (Steve Demme and Sally Clarkson are the speakers!)

From the learning rooms... Continuing with Math, Literature, and Christmas "School"

I am thankful for... a wonderful family celebration this past weekend.

From the kitchen... The last few Christmas cookie recipes will be made this week and I have a ham for Christmas Day.

I am wearing... PJ's, robe, wool socks, and slippers. And a fluffy blanket on my lap.

I am reading... The Rough Guide to Running and Colonel Brandon's Diary by Amanda Grange

I've been watching... The Princess and the Frog, Encino Man, Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail, Scrooged, The Best of Mr. Bean, G.I. Joe, White Christmas

I am hoping... more of my stuff on Amazon.com sells.

I am creating... fiction

I am hearing... G.I. Joe on TV (OK that was two hours of my life I can't get back. Do not bother watching GI Joe!)

Around the house... Going to be doing some cleaning this week so we can enjoy our holiday

One of my favorite things... Spending time with family.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Lessons, writing, errands, cleaning, and then..... Christmas!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.

Simple Woman's Daybook - December 13

For Today... December 13, 2009

Outside my window... Overcast and drippy. There was freezing rain during the night.

I am thinking... about working on my Egyptian romance novella and expanding it to full-length

From the learning rooms... Lots of cookies

I am thankful for... for a great 5K race yesterday, even in the freezing temps!

From the kitchen... we had a premade sub sandwich for lunch which is always a big hit! lol

I am wearing... my 5K shirt from the Santa Shuffle yesterday, a tank top, a sweatshirt, black lounge pants, white shoes (since my slippers died.... pouting.....)

I am reading...Still plugging away slowly at unChristian (a book best digested in bits) and just starting The Rough Guide to Running. Have a couple Christmas novels to choose from too and a few other things including Ted Dekker's Green which I am going to read aloud to David

I've been watching... A Midsummer Night's Dream (LOVED IT!), Galaxy Quest, Elf

I am hoping... that there are actually people reading this. Sometimes it feels like no one is reading because so few people comment. (Yes, that's a shameless plea for comment love...)

I am creating... a Christmas letter

I am hearing... James practicing multiplication facts, the laptop fan humming, and the girls doing dishes (for the moment, they are happily working together)

Around the house... Bob is working slowly at getting the "new" larger fridge into the kitchen (since the old fridge seems to have gone off to Appliance Heaven)

One of my favorite things... borrowing magazines from the library. Currently I have copies of Health (Dec 09), Consumer Reports (Jan 2010), Ladies Home Journal (Dec 09/Jan 10), Redbook (Nov 09), Natural Solutions (Dec 09), Mother Earth News (Oct/Nov 09), and Martha Stewart Living (Dec 09).

A few plans for the rest of the week... Scrapping with friends on Monday, Christmas lessons all week, Christmas party with homeschool group, and family get-together over the weekend

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.

Simple Woman's Daybook - December 6

For Today... December 6, 2009

Outside my window... Dark. Today was sunny until late afternoon and then rather gray.

I am thinking... about these Spanish homework assignments that need correcting and that I have been procrastinating.

From the learning rooms... Our Christmas Study this year is from Teaching Mom. We are only picking and choosing parts of this. Will post about it this week.

I am thankful for... Geekstogo.com - The forums are great. One of the techs is walking me through the steps to clean a pesky recalcitrant virus off our desktop computer. It's FREE, did I mention?

From the kitchen... Christmas Cookies! I had the kids each pick two recipes they wanted to try this year. So we have a lot to attempt!

I am wearing... PJ's and a robe and I have a cozy blanket on my lap and over my feet.

I am reading... A Midsummer Night's Dream, yes, by the Bard of Avon, and also still plugging away slowly at unChristian (a book best digested in bits). I have a Francine Rivers book to read and am going to jump into a re-read of LOTR soon.

I've been watching... NCIS, Persuasion

I am hoping... I can come to terms with running in the cold. I do NOT like cold weather. Never have. I can remember crying from being SO cold when I was sledding, and everyone else was happily playing.

I am creating... CHRISTMAS COOKIES! I'll try to post the recipes as we go.

I am hearing... the furnace running, the clock ticking, the DVD player spinning since no one actually turned it off

Around the house... Setting up the Christmas tree and decorations.

One of my favorite things... Playing Minorca with my friends (even when I don't WIN!)

A few plans for the rest of the week... The last Spanish class of the year, going to see New Moon, running a 5K (brrr!) and my book club night!

Simple Woman's Daybook - November 29

For Today... November 29, 2009

Outside my window... Overcast and November-ish. Bleh and Brrrr.

I am thinking... about no-cost or low-cost gifts. Ideas are welcomed!

From the learning rooms... The last day of NaNoWriMo is tomorrow. Then we'll start "Christmas School" although I don't know quite what we'll do yet.

I am thankful for... getting healthy! Losing weight!

From the kitchen... Getting geared up for lots of Christmas cookie baking and candy making! (How that fits with the previous answer, I've not yet figured out.) Love getting the house all warm from the oven and smelling like Christmas baking.

I am wearing... My favorite jeans, a long-sleeved grey tee, and a grey Pistons hoodie. I just did my roots this morning and my hair isn't dry yet. No makeup.

I am reading... ECHO IN THE BONE (finally!!!) by Diana Gabaldon! Also A Midsummer Night's Dream, yes, by the Bard of Avon, and also still plugging away slowly at unChristian (a book best digested in bits).

I've been watching... Next, Matrix:Reloaded, Hancock, Men in Black

I am hoping... that I can remember how I created my writing website. I'd like to edit it but I am at a loss! ARGH!

I am creating... a suspenseful and satisfying ending to my novel. Hopefully.

I am hearing... Christmas music! (I avoid it until Thanksgiving, but begin listening to it that day and keep it up until Epiphany.)

Around the house... Bob is making some kind of an antenna booster for the TV

One of my favorite things... Winning NaNoWriMo!

A few plans for the rest of the week... my younger son turns TEN this week! Also David is going to a Star Wars viewing party and I get to go to a women's Christmas party. And our church is having a Living Nativity that we are helping with in some way. That all in addition to our normal stuff.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.
David's varsity letter for soccer (Faith Falcons)

Simple Woman's Daybook - November 22

For Today... November 22, 2009

Outside my window... Overcast.

I am thinking... about when I should go out and see New Moon

From the learning rooms... Trying to think about "Christmas School" for this year - maybe a Jesse tree again this year?

I am thankful for... warranties and techie teenage sons (ok, just one of those)

From the kitchen... a pumpkin roll with cream cheese filling. Well, I bought it, but it's in the kitchen and it's calling me.

I am wearing... Jeans, black top, hair in barrette

I am reading... listening to A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Disc 44 of 48) by Diana Gabaldon (#6 in Outlander series). Reading unChristian again. Hoping to finish soon. Read two or three other books this week.

I've been watching... Holes, National Treasure, Rollicking Movie Night Selections: The Accidental Husband, The Proposal, Much Ado About Nothing

I am hoping... to get caught up on my writing today. Or tomorrow.

I am creating... An amazingly lame adventure novel

I am hearing... previews on the DVD the kids are watching: Barbie and the Three Musketeers

Around the house... some big rotten pumpkins that need to be tossed in tomorrow's trash

One of my favorite things... NOT shopping on Black Friday. Anyone want to see New Moon then? Matinee?

A few plans for the rest of the week... Writing. Writing. And Thanksgiving.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.

Simple Woman's Daybook - November 15

For Today... November 15, 2009

Outside my window... Overcast. Amazing how that dampens my spirits. Hoping for sun later on.

I am thinking... that I need a part-time job or some money from all this time writing/blogging/thinking

From the learning rooms... More writing. Math, science and history continue.

I am thankful for... James feeling better and everyone else being healthy!

From the kitchen... snacks for one of my Spanish classes - it's their last week of the semester. Also the girls are making Snickerdoodles right now.

I am wearing... Jeans, black v-neck top and pink hoodie

I am reading... listening to A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Disc 39 of 48) by Diana Gabaldon (#6 in Outlander series). Reading The Murder of King Tut: The plot to kill the child king (A non-fiction thriller) by James Patterson

I've been watching... Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Be Kind Rewind, The Core

I am hoping... that preparing my Spanish lessons doesn't take too long today.

I am creating... A heartbreakingly-mediocre epic saga of ho-hum-ness

I am hearing... The Jonas Brothers?! A Camp Rock song came up in my Pandora station. Not a huge surprise since it's a High School Musical station and both are Disney productions. :-D Uh-oh, now it's Miley. How long can I stand it?

Around the house... Yesterday, we painted the dining room a sunny yellow and decluttered it when putting it back together. Also set up the "new" TV on a cabinet that we painted badly. lol

One of my favorite things... foamy soap in a pump

A few plans for the rest of the week... Writing. Writing. And maybe some more writing. Oh, yeah, life does go on - normal stuff like lessons and Spanish, too. Last week of one of my Spanish classes - at least until January.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.

Simple Woman's Daybook - November 8

For Today... November 8, 2009

Outside my window... Sunshine! And warm temps! Loving it!

I am thinking... that God always meets our needs and often grants our desires as well

From the learning rooms... NaNoWriMo goals

I am thankful for... my husband working 40 hours a week! (Even if it is minimum wage. May God multiply his wages to meet all our obligations.)

From the kitchen... NaNo snacks

I am wearing... flowered PJ pants, lavender sleep shirt, fleece robe and slippers

I am reading... listening to A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Disc 34 of 48) by Diana Gabaldon (#6 in Outlander series). Putting aside other fiction for NaNo and skimming a selection of books on writing. Also flipping through a number of magazines like Writer's Digest, O, Mary Jane's Farm, National Geographic, Better Homes and Gardens, Practical Homeschooling

I've been watching... Management (yes, again. Twice actually. Love that movie!),High School Musical 1 & 2 and Barbie Thumbelina (just parts of them while the kids were watching)

I am hoping... that skipping church two weeks in a row won't turn us into heathens (ok, I'm joking. Sort of.)

I am creating... An explosively sarcastic work of cutting-edge fiction - 13K so far

I am hearing... James walking back and forth. David eating cereal. A few minutes ago, I was listening to Pandora - a TobyMac station.

Around the house... a big TV we got off freecycle. It's 38 inches or something like that. We just need to figure out where to position it.

One of my favorite things... AUTUMN

A few plans for the rest of the week... Writing. Writing. And maybe some more writing. Oh, yeah, life does go on - normal stuff like lessons and Spanish, too. And I think we are going to a free movie on Wednesday. And if my writing goes well this week, I may be able to go scrapbooking next weekend.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.
James and his friend raking the yard.

Voluntarily.

They didn't want to pose, thus the blurry photo.

Simple Woman's Daybook - November 1

For Today... November 1, 2009

Outside my window... Sunshine, lots of greyish fluffy clouds, and many many leaves on the grass. Carved pumpkins on the neighbors' steps.

I am thinking... about narrow-mindedness.

From the learning rooms... NaNoWriMo goals

I am thankful for... the opportunity to hear (with my husband) Todd Wilson ('da Familyman) speak last week

From the kitchen... Leftovers for lunch and planning to stock up on easy meals for NaNo

I am wearing... Jeans, my 2008 NaNo shirt (that didn't fit when I bought it months ago, but fits now!), a white long-sleeved tee underneath, earrings, makeup, shoes! and hair straightened

I am reading... listening to A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Disc 30 of 48) by Diana Gabaldon (#6 in Outlander series). Putting aside other fiction for NaNo and reading a selection of books on writing.

I've been watching... Disturbia (not that great), The Proposal (quite funny, but not for the prudish), The Lord of the Rings trilogy (12 hours of fine filmmaking! Forgot how much I love those!)

I am hoping... that the Write-in I am going to this afternoon is both fun and productive

I am creating... An awesome work of death-defying fiction

I am hearing... Bob's breathing machine, the furnace, the clock ticking (ok, that was last night. Right now I hear James doing dishes, someone's lawn mower, and Bob talking.)

Around the house... an awful lot of CANDY

One of my favorite things... a bookstore. Even if I don't have any money. Which I don't.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Writing. Writing. And maybe some more writing.

Oh, yeah, life does go on - normal stuff like lessons and Spanish, too.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.