House of Estrogen

Simple Woman's Daybook, June 8, 2015

 

 

For Today...

 

Outside my window... it is hot, hot, hot!  I took Addie and two friends to the park today and nearly melted.
  

  I am thinking... about sleep. I need it.

  

 I am thankful... for my mom helping out with Addie this week.

 

 From the kitchen... Domino's. I had no energy.
   

 I am creating... nothing right now.

   

I am going... to buy new towels for our renovated bathroom. I just need to choose what color. The bathroom is all earth tones. I'm thinking either white or a beige/tan.

 

I am reading... Sycamore Row by John Grisham.

 

 I am hoping...  that Elise and Nina are having a fabulous time at camp this week!
   

I am hearing... Veep... this show cracks me up!
 

Around the house... clutter. Sigh. 

 

One of my favorite things... the camp website for the camp Elise and Nina are attending this week. The camp posts pictures and news from camp every night. I love catching a glimpse into their camp day. I saw a picture of Nina playing volleyball today, so I'm sure she is having fun! 

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... enjoy a quiet one child week with Addison.

 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... I didn't want to leave when we dropped off the girls at camp! It is so pretty up there!

 

 

 

 To read more Daybook posts or learn how to participate, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple Woman's Daybook, June 2, 2015

 

 

For Today...

 

Outside my window... a little rain. I'm hoping it will wipe out some of the humidity in the air. It may just go all sauna on us though.
  

  I am thinking... about the bazillion camp forms I need to fill out in the next week or so. In fact, there is one that needs to be filled out by tomorrow morning.

  

 I am thankful... for the last day of school today! Yea!  We are done with a year of seventh, fifth, and first grades today.

 

 From the kitchen... leftover pizza. I aim to please.
   

 I am creating... lots of vacation plans.

   

I am going... to head to bed in a bit.

 

I am reading... Sycamore Row by John Grisham. I started this a few weeks ago, didn't get very far into it, and picked up something else. I'm now giving it a second shot. I finished Me Before You by JoJo Moyes which was wonderful.

 

 I am hoping...  to get the girls mostly packed for camp tomorrow.
   

I am hearing... quiet.
 

Around the house... we are putting finishing touches on the renovated bathrooms. I hope to post pictures soon.

 

One of my favorite things... Sparkling ICE water... particularly the strawberry watermelon, and the pink grapefruit, and the kiwi strawberry.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... last-minute pre-camp physicals for the older girls, country club camp for Addie, new volleyball league starting up for Nina, TKD belt testing for Addie, jump rope performance for Elise, and driving the older two up to camp for a week in the mountains.

 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... my sweet Nina this morning before her elementary school graduation ceremony.

 

 

 

 To read more Daybook posts or learn how to participate, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple Woman's Daybook, May 11, 2015

 

 

For Today...

 

Outside my window... after loads of gloom and rain from Ana, the sun finally came out today.
  

  I am thinking... about Addison's best friend who had her first full day back at school today after her father's death. I hope she managed OK.

  

 I am thankful... for my new bathtub installation being complete! It took a big leak into the kitchen (onto the newly painted ceiling that had just been repaired from a shower leak), a hole cut in the kitchen ceiling, and much plumbing wizardry, but we now have a functioning tub that does not leak into the kitchen.

 

 From the kitchen... smoked pork chops on the grill, baked beans, scalloped potatoes, and slaw made from my best approximation of my grandmother's recipe. Her recipe was a pinch of this, splash of that, handful of the other. Mine is pretty tasty, but I don't think I've ever quite mastered hers.
   

 I am creating... just a blog post.

   

I am going... to soak in my new tub tonight!

 

I am reading... Me Before You by JoJo Moyes. I started it last week, and have read maybe 3 pages since then. Not much reading going on this week, apparently.

 

 I am hoping...  to get organized with some upcoming travel. Elise leaves for Costa Rica in June, and there are all sorts of odds and ends that need to be purchased and taken care of. We have a Southern California trip planned for September, and I need to nail down lodging.
   

I am hearing... Addie playing some game on my phone.
 

Around the house... lights, toilet, and tub have been installed in the master bathroom.

 

One of my favorite things... fresh strawberries. I wish we had gone strawberry picking yesterday but the forecast was calling for rain. The rain held off, so we should have gone anyway.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... middle school open house for Nina, reading to Addie's class, and Saturday school for all the kids (a snow make-up day). JC and I will have a nice quiet house to ourselves Saturday morning.

 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... Mother's Day selfie.

 

 

 

 To read more Daybook posts or learn how to participate, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple Woman's Daybook, Cinco de Mayo, 2015

 

 

For Today...

 

Outside my window... birds are chirping. It sounds like spring.
  

  I am thinking... about Addison's best friend whose father passed away suddenly this week. My heart is breaking for their family, and Addie is so worried about her friend. When her friend told Addie her father had died, Addie asked what happened, "if somebody shot him or something". The friend said, "No, he was just really old."  He was 39.  :(

  

 I am thankful... for my family's health and well-being today. That's exactly what I said last week, but with the string of bad news we've had lately from friends, coworkers, and neighbors, I'm even more thankful.

 

 From the kitchen... leftover BBQ pork going in Nina's lunchbox this morning.
   

 I am creating... not much.

   

I am going... to work.

 

I am reading... Me Before You by JoJo Moyes. I just started it. I finished The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. It was one of Elise's middle school reading assignments this year, and I like to read what they do occasionally. This was a great book! I wish my 7th grade reading assignments had been this good. We had to read Great Expectations in 7th grade. That was torture. The Outsiders was a West Side Story type storyline with gangs, deaths, friendship, and family. There was plenty of meat for discussion and analysis, but it was very readable, and more relatable to a middle schooler. Good stuff.

 

 I am hoping... Addie's friend's family continues to get support from friends and neighbors. They are from Greece and don't have any family in this country.
   

I am hearing... a quiet house. Elise has left for middle school, but the other two aren't up yet.
 

Around the house... grout in the master bathroom! Progress!

 

One of my favorite things... um... grout?  It means I'm one step closer to having a bathtub and toilet again. So for today, grout is one of my favorite things.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... lunch with a friend (I accidentally stood her up last week... hoping to do better this week), Girl Scout Progression Ceremony for Addison, and our neighborhood pool opening.

 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... we had a major league hail storm last week. I don't think I've ever seen hail pile up like this before.

 

 

 

 

 To read more Daybook posts or learn how to participate, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple Woman's Daybook, April 28, 2015

 

 

For Today...

 

Outside my window... we're having lovely spring days right now, not too hot, not too cold. I could do without quite so much rain, but I'm enjoying the temperature.
  

   I am thinking... about Baltimore. I'm so disgusted and horrified by all of it... Gray's death at the hands of police, the riots, the looting, the slow response by the mayor. Incidents like this highlight the worst side of humanity.  This Baltimore Sun article about other people who have ended up with serious spinal injuries after a "rough ride" handcuffed and unbuckled in Baltimore police vans makes me feel almost physically ill. From the article... "The most sensational case in Baltimore involved Johnson, a 43-year-old plumber who was arrested for public urination. He was handcuffed and placed in a transport van in good health. He emerged a quadriplegic." How can this kind of police behavior happen over and over again? While nothing justifies the riots, violence, fires, and looting, Gray's death certainly justifies a lot of anger toward police, questions that deserve answers, and serious consequences for the officers involved.

  

 I am thankful... for my family's health and well-being today. I've heard so much bad news today - the news out of Baltimore, a friend of a friend whose son died in a skateboarding accident this week, and a young father of four at work who died after being hit by a car while running with his wife. I feel so sad for all the families affected by these tragedies and at the same time, thankful that my little family is doing OK right now.

 

 From the kitchen... very little. Tonight was a Taekwondo, volleyball, jump rope night. Dinner was on the run.
   

 I am creating... a tidy, clean bonus room. We turned part of the bonus room into a closet. Now, all the crappola that was piled up in the bonus room making it look cluttered and messy can be tossed, taken to Goodwill, or stored in the new closet.  This room is getting quite a transformation. I'm kicking myself that I didn't take before pictures.

   

I am going... to relax and watch a little TV when I'm done with this post.

 

I am reading... nothing right now. I finished Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight this week. That was excellent... total page-turner.

 

 I am hoping... that Baltimore finds peace and answers.
   

I am hearing... the shower running.
 

Around the house... new paint in the hallway, stairwells, bonus room, and girls' bathroom! Yea!

 

One of my favorite things... the NY Times.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... book club for me (I didn't read the book this month, but I'm going for the "get out of the house and visit with friends" thing anyway), Elise doing a jump rope performance and workshop with special needs middle school students, and Addie's bridging to Brownies event. She is thrilled to get rid of the Daisy tunic and graduate to a Brownie vest. Who knew vests were so much cooler than tunics?

 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... the sweet fairy garden that Addison and my mom built over the weekend.  We are anticipating many visits from fairies!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 To read more Daybook posts or learn how to participate, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple Woman's Daybook, April 13, 2015

 

 

For Today...

 

Outside my window... the dogwoods are blooming.
  

   I am thinking... about poor sweet Addie lying at my feet wrapped up in a blanket shivering with chills from a fever.
  

 I am thankful... that my husband isn't sick yet. I have the flu. Addie has croup. Nina has a cold. Elise has laryngitis. He is holding the family together.

 

 From the kitchen... spicy chicken soup that my mom brought over that she said will clear my sinuses.
   

 I am creating... big piles of used tissues all over the house.

   

I am going... nowhere. I've been running a fever for five days now. I'd love to go somewhere. Anywhere. Sadly, I'm stuck here. I missed Nina's field trip to Old Salem and Elise's jump rope competition.

 

I am reading... Dark Chocolate Demise by Jenn McKinlay. A cozy mystery is about all my brain can handle right now.

 

 I am hoping... that we all start feeling better soon and that my aunt gets out of the hospital soon.
   

I am hearing... Addie whining and moaning, and JC cooking fish.
 

Around the house... germs.

 

One of my favorite things... Nyquil.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... I'm hoping Addie and I will both be well enough to go to her belt ceremony Wednesday night. She earned her level three green belt this weekend.

 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... Elise's single rope freestyle routine from competition this past weekend. JC and I both missed seeing her jump this since I was sick, and he was at Addie's belt testing. Fortunately, a friend sent me a video.

 

 

 

 To read more Daybook posts or learn how to participate, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple Woman's Daybook, April 7, 2015

 

 

For Today...

 

Outside my window... a fine coating of yellow pollen ev.er.y.where.
  

   I am thinking... apparently my poor mother-in-law is getting an earful from everybody in her little town that her slacker daughter-in-law has stopped updating this blog. I can't have that!  I need to get this little blog back on track. It is sort of like exercise... good for me, but if I get out of the habit, it is hard to get back into it. (I'm working on the exercise thing too, by the way.)
  

 I am thankful... for a great contractor who is doing wonderful things to my house!

 

 From the kitchen... too much Easter candy.
   

 I am creating... a patchwork quilt of 12 inch squares of sample paint across every wall in the house. We have major paint indecision issues.

   

I am going... to have a lovely new master bathroom at some point. Eventually. I hope. One day. In the future.

 

I am reading... nothing right now, but since my last SWD post (I know... it has been a while), I've read Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke, Ghost Boy: The Miraculous Escape of a Misdiagnosed Boy Trapped Inside His Own Body by Martin Pistorius, Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, and The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain.

 

 I am hoping... that Elise starts feeling better soon. Her poor body is under the perfect storm of a migraine, an asthma flare, a reflux flare, and a fever right now. She's just so pitiful. She has a big jump rope competition coming up Saturday, and I know she desperately wants to be back on her feet before then.
   

I am hearing... The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion show... good stuff!  Trash TV at its finest.
 

Around the house... where do I even start? All the playroom contents are in the dining room. All the bonus room furniture and contents are in the bedrooms. Addie's top bunk is full of books and computer equipment. There is a weight bench in Elise's bedroom and a bathtub in mine. A temporary office is set up in the family room. The bonus room is half painted. Our master bathroom is half-renovated. Paint chips are taped up everywhere. Home sweet chaos.

 

One of my favorite things... Instagram.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... a field trip to Old Salem with Nina's class, judging a jump rope competition all day Saturday, and Addison has belt testing Saturday.

 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... Easter goodies.

 

 

 

 To read more Daybook posts or learn how to participate, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple Woman's Daybook, January 19, 2014

 

 

For Today...

 

Outside my window... we finally have a beautiful sunny day!
  

   I am thinking... about Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I really want to make time to go see the movie Selma soon.
  

 I am thankful... for discovering the busted hot water heater before we had a garage full of flooded Girl Scout cookies.

 

 From the kitchen... hmm... this reminds me I was supposed to go to the grocery store today.
   

 I am creating... a grocery list?

   

I am going... to take the girls to see Paddington this afternoon.

 

I am reading... All the President's Menus by Julie Hyzy. I love it so far. I have enjoyed all the books in this series.

 

 I am hoping... to make final decisions on paint and faucets soon.
   

I am hearing... peace and quiet. JC has taken all three girls to sell Girl Scout cookies.
 

Around the house... our new bathtub for our master bath arrived today. It is gorgeous! I can't wait to get it installed and take my first soak.

 

One of my favorite things... Benjamin Moore paint.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... jump rope, count cookies, Taekwondo, sell cookies, sewing class, pick up more cookies, Girl Scout meetings, work cookie booths, blah, blah, blah.

 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... we went to the rodeo for my birthday Saturday night and had so much fun. It was JC and the girls' first rodeo ever. It took me back to my childhood at the Mesquite Rodeo in Texas and the Santa Fe Rodeo in New Mexico. Addison loved it the most. She and I stood in line for nearly an hour after it ended to get the cowboys' autographs and get her picture taken with her favorite cowgirl. The parking lot was deserted when we finally left, so a nice security guard in a golf cart drove us to the car where J.C., Elise, and Nina were waiting for us.

 

 

 

 

 To read more Daybook posts or learn how to participate, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple Woman's Daybook, January 12, 2015

 

 

For Today...

 

Outside my window... rain - will it ever stop raining? I need sunlight!
  

   I am thinking... about jump rope issues and Girl Scout cookie issues. I'm feeling a bit drained and overloaded right now.
  

 I am thankful... for my husband. He's a good egg.

 

 From the kitchen... peanut butter and jelly sandwiches... exciting life we live around here.
   

 I am creating... cookie spreadsheets, I suppose.

   

I am going... to bed.

 

I am reading... All the President's Menus by Julie Hyzy. I finished Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews and The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. I thoroughly enjoyed both, particularly the Storied Life - great book! I attempted to read American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History by Chris Kyle. I finally had to give up about 60% through it. It was just a really bad book - bad writing, bad grammar, bad attitude, disjointed story. I have no idea how it got past editors or how it ever made it to the New York Times bestseller list. I really gave it a good effort, but it is not a good book. I don't recommend it.

 

 I am hoping... to sleep tonight. I didn't sleep well last night.
   

I am hearing... a quiet house. Everyone is in bed.
 

Around the house... we are planning for some renovations. We have paint samples on walls and estimates from contractors.

 

One of my favorite things... Whole Foods lip balm. It is the only brand that doesn't give me an allergic reaction.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... Girl Scout cookie sales start. 'Nuff said.

 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... Nina hard at work on her new sewing machine.

 

 

 

 To read more Daybook posts or learn how to participate, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple Woman's Daybook, December 29, 2014

 

 

For Today...

 

Outside my window... rain, rain, and more rain. I miss the sun.
  

   I am thinking... about this poor, sad blog. I enjoy writing. I really do. I just seem to have lost my writing mojo lately, or my inspiration, or my ability to put thoughts to words. Or perhaps I've just been lazy. I hope to do better in the new year.
  

 I am thankful... for a fabulous Christmas... good food, good gifts, good times with family.

 

 From the kitchen... Christmas leftovers.
   

 I am creating... not much.

   

I am going... to hopefully go on a movie date with my husband this week.

 

I am reading... Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews. I finishedI Wish by Elizabeth Langston and enjoyed it a lot.

 

 I am hoping... to get a lot done around the house while we are home this week.
   

I am hearing... Nina playing something on the new Wii U and J.C. reading bedtime stories to Addie.
 

Around the house... all Christmas decorations and the trees have been taken down and put away. Yea!

 

One of my favorite things... leftover turkey, dressing, gravy, and cranberry sauce.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... a New Year's Eve sleepover here with 5-6 giggling, squealing thirteen year olds. Wish me luck!

 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... Christmas morning.

 

 

 To read more Daybook posts or learn how to participate, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.