Wow...over a week since I updated. I really haven't had anything to say (ok, you can stop laughing now) and there hasn't been much going on.
A's science fair project is being turned in today. She spent much of the 3-day weekend working on her display and getting everything done. It turned out so well -- she did a great job. Her color scheme this year is hot pink with black and white (zebra stripes) and it looks great. She worked so hard on it! We're really proud of her. She's decided that she wants to sing a solo in the school play (she has the leading role in the play) so we'll be working hard on that.
B is getting ready to do her presentation on Ireland for her gifted class tomorrow. I couldn't find her anything to wear (supposed to wear something that represents the country, but Ireland doesn't have a traditional dress/costume)...so I decided to be brave (and crazy) and made her a skirt and vest. I'm actually happy with how they turned out and she loves them. Now A wants me to make some skirts for her. It will probably be easier to make skirts for her than trying to find stuff in the stores that fit her without needing alternations and are long enough (wishful thinking). I'll be at B's school tomorrow morning to see her presentation. She is excited about it. It's so wonderful that both girls love school and that it comes so naturally and easily to them.
M spent most of yesterday working on one of our cars. Unfortunately it's an older car so it's hard to find parts for it. We love the car dearly (our little RX-7) but more and more things seem to be going wrong with it lately, even though we don't drive it much.
I got two quick scrapbook layouts done yesterday. It felt good to be creative, even if they were just quick and easy portrait layouts. One of my friends is coming over this weekend to help me work on cleaning out and reorganizing my scrapbooking room...I want to repaint it (the yellow just isn't working for me, and neither is the wallpaper border) and really make it a cozy place to work. I have missed scrapbooking so much and want to get back to it this year.
So no deep thoughts from me today...but a quick update letting you know that we're still here and doing well!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
The Weekend in Review
I love sleeping in on the weekends. It's so refreshing! This weekend was fairly uneventful. A and DH spent almost all day Saturday working on the experimentation phase of A's science fair project. It was a very time-intensive project. Who would have guessed that it would take so long to precisely measure about 400 pieces of duct tape, tape tissues securely to a wooden frame, test their tensile strength using an air compressor, then remove the tissue and start over? Wow. It really did take most of the day. But A got lots of great data and will be able to write her experimentation results paper this week. I believe the next big step will be to create her display board and work on her presentation.
A and B both got their report cards last week and both did very, very well. School comes so easily for both of them and they continue to learn and excel in their classes. I'm so glad they enjoy school (for the most part) and that they haven't had to struggle in any of their classes. Spanish is probably A's most challenging class, but she still does very well in it.
I continued my quest to concur clutter this weekend and organized another kitchen cupboard, pulling out a lot of stuff to donate. A worked on organizing the spice cupboard in the kitchen and it looks so much better. The girls have managed to keep their rooms clean and organized for an entire week, and even remembered to make their beds most mornings. I think this is a record! I have been making small inroads into conquering the clutter in my bedroom so maybe there is hope for us yet.
We went to see "Seussical" at one of the local high schools this weekend. The cast did a really great job -- I was impressed with how talented some of those kids are. We had a good time.
And I got a haircut this weekend...I was ready for a change and the girls had been encouraging me to be brave and really make a big change. I felt ready for it, so I did it. My hair is now back to its natural color (maybe a bit darker but it will fade some over the next few weeks) and is shorter. The cut is much more sleek (I really need to learn how to be effective with a straightening iron!). I think DH is still a bit shocked. The girls love it -- I do, too. But it does take some getting used to, when we're all so used to me being blonde. I think I really stunned some people at church with the new look (and at work, LOL!). I think change is good!
A and B both got their report cards last week and both did very, very well. School comes so easily for both of them and they continue to learn and excel in their classes. I'm so glad they enjoy school (for the most part) and that they haven't had to struggle in any of their classes. Spanish is probably A's most challenging class, but she still does very well in it.
I continued my quest to concur clutter this weekend and organized another kitchen cupboard, pulling out a lot of stuff to donate. A worked on organizing the spice cupboard in the kitchen and it looks so much better. The girls have managed to keep their rooms clean and organized for an entire week, and even remembered to make their beds most mornings. I think this is a record! I have been making small inroads into conquering the clutter in my bedroom so maybe there is hope for us yet.
We went to see "Seussical" at one of the local high schools this weekend. The cast did a really great job -- I was impressed with how talented some of those kids are. We had a good time.
And I got a haircut this weekend...I was ready for a change and the girls had been encouraging me to be brave and really make a big change. I felt ready for it, so I did it. My hair is now back to its natural color (maybe a bit darker but it will fade some over the next few weeks) and is shorter. The cut is much more sleek (I really need to learn how to be effective with a straightening iron!). I think DH is still a bit shocked. The girls love it -- I do, too. But it does take some getting used to, when we're all so used to me being blonde. I think I really stunned some people at church with the new look (and at work, LOL!). I think change is good!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The One Where I have Nothing to Say
I thought I would come do a quick blog post...logged on to my computer...got to my blog...signed in...and now I'm staring at the screen, trying to find something witty, intelligent, worthwhile, entertaining, or interesting to say.
I don't. Nothing. Nothing comes to mind. LOL
So instead, I'll tell you that both girls got their report cards yesterday and did great -- straight As for both of them. We're so proud of them. They both excel in school and are wonderful students.
DH's basketball team has won their first three games. That's always a good thing! He only has one game this weekend (last weekend he had three), and that's a good thing, too.
I've managed to clean out another kitchen cabinet this week, and make some minor inroads on cleaning out my closet. I find myself going through the house, looking for things I can set aside for friends, donate to Goodwill or other charities, or throw away. I feel almost a very compelling need to bring order to our home -- and that means some serious decluttering, getting rid of things, and deciding what we really want our home to be. I want it to be warm, inviting, peaceful, and a real retreat from the world. We have a long way to go, but I'm glad I have even felt like doing this -- it's something I have actively resisted in the past. I won't say I enjoy it, but there is something satisfying about seeing the end result. Speaking of which, the girls' rooms have stayed clean all week and they've even remembered (with only some reminding) to straighten their beds every morning.
Another small success is that we have had family scripture study every night this week. I have also felt a need to do this and make it part of our routine -- not a compelling need, but an urgent need. I don't understand it, but I know that it is very, very important and we have got to do this. I hope Heavenly Father isn't trying to prepare me for a massive trial...we don't need that! But I've noticed that the girls have gotten along better this week and there has been more peace in our home. That's a very good thing.
Hmmmmm...maybe I did have something to say, after all!
I don't. Nothing. Nothing comes to mind. LOL
So instead, I'll tell you that both girls got their report cards yesterday and did great -- straight As for both of them. We're so proud of them. They both excel in school and are wonderful students.
DH's basketball team has won their first three games. That's always a good thing! He only has one game this weekend (last weekend he had three), and that's a good thing, too.
I've managed to clean out another kitchen cabinet this week, and make some minor inroads on cleaning out my closet. I find myself going through the house, looking for things I can set aside for friends, donate to Goodwill or other charities, or throw away. I feel almost a very compelling need to bring order to our home -- and that means some serious decluttering, getting rid of things, and deciding what we really want our home to be. I want it to be warm, inviting, peaceful, and a real retreat from the world. We have a long way to go, but I'm glad I have even felt like doing this -- it's something I have actively resisted in the past. I won't say I enjoy it, but there is something satisfying about seeing the end result. Speaking of which, the girls' rooms have stayed clean all week and they've even remembered (with only some reminding) to straighten their beds every morning.
Another small success is that we have had family scripture study every night this week. I have also felt a need to do this and make it part of our routine -- not a compelling need, but an urgent need. I don't understand it, but I know that it is very, very important and we have got to do this. I hope Heavenly Father isn't trying to prepare me for a massive trial...we don't need that! But I've noticed that the girls have gotten along better this week and there has been more peace in our home. That's a very good thing.
Hmmmmm...maybe I did have something to say, after all!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
10:46 p.m., and Public Service Announcement
I have started referring to 10:46 pm as "the witching hour." For some strange reason, I end up awake, looking at the clock, at 10:46 p.m. every night. It's been going on for months. If I'm asleep, I wake up and look at the clock. If I'm awake, I manage to roll over and look at the clock. 10:46 p.m. Every single night.
It's getting old. I can't figure out why this is happening!!
Along other lines...a public service announcement.
One of my dear friends has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had surgery yesterday and it went well. I will not go into further details because I do not want to invade her privacy.
What I do want to do, and feel very strongly about today, is to encourage all of you to do your monthly self-exams. If you're supposed to be getting mammograms, get them. Now. Don't put it off. If you haven't seen your doctor in a while, make an appointment. Just do it. Your life and your health is too precious to gamble with...particularly when early detection is so crucial.
Do it for yourself, or your children, or your family, or your friends...but please, do it.
It's getting old. I can't figure out why this is happening!!
Along other lines...a public service announcement.
One of my dear friends has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had surgery yesterday and it went well. I will not go into further details because I do not want to invade her privacy.
What I do want to do, and feel very strongly about today, is to encourage all of you to do your monthly self-exams. If you're supposed to be getting mammograms, get them. Now. Don't put it off. If you haven't seen your doctor in a while, make an appointment. Just do it. Your life and your health is too precious to gamble with...particularly when early detection is so crucial.
Do it for yourself, or your children, or your family, or your friends...but please, do it.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Day 6 of the New Year...
And I'm already not doing well with my resolutions for this year! LOL We did make more progress on cleaning and organizing...I sorted my sweaters and am getting rid of a bunch of those, took a carload of stuff to Goodwill, and finished B's bedroom yesterday. It looks great. Both girls' bedrooms look great...now the challenge is to keep them that way. I need to decide what room will be next in my yearlong endeavor to conquer clutter.
We switch to the 1 p.m. schedule at church today. YEA! We all slept in this morning and it's so peaceful in our house right now with everyone able to take their time getting ready. I really prefer afternoon church.
M's basketball teams won their games this weekend, which is always a good thing.
I went back to work Friday after being off for 2 weeks. I usually dread going back to work after being off for a while, but I think that's because I don't usually feel rested and refreshed after my time off. I can't remember the last time I took 2 weeks off to just stay in town and hang out (usually if I take that much time off it's to go visit family). It was nice to feel like I was ready to go back. I enjoyed my time off but felt ready to get back to our (crazy) daily routines and schedules. Work is going to be really hectic for the next several months so I'll have to take advantage of any opportunity I get to take time off.
We received a Christmas card from the family of one of my former (and favorite) piano students. I love staying in touch with friends. They wrote such a sweet personal note in the card about Joanna still playing the piano (she's the pianist at church) and how she has overcome her nervousness at playing in public. It really made me feel good...for one of my many students, maybe I really made a difference and taught her something she can use and enjoy throughout her entire life. That's what I want my daughters to learn about music -- that it is something you can love and enjoy and continue doing (and learning) throughout your entire life.
We switch to the 1 p.m. schedule at church today. YEA! We all slept in this morning and it's so peaceful in our house right now with everyone able to take their time getting ready. I really prefer afternoon church.
M's basketball teams won their games this weekend, which is always a good thing.
I went back to work Friday after being off for 2 weeks. I usually dread going back to work after being off for a while, but I think that's because I don't usually feel rested and refreshed after my time off. I can't remember the last time I took 2 weeks off to just stay in town and hang out (usually if I take that much time off it's to go visit family). It was nice to feel like I was ready to go back. I enjoyed my time off but felt ready to get back to our (crazy) daily routines and schedules. Work is going to be really hectic for the next several months so I'll have to take advantage of any opportunity I get to take time off.
We received a Christmas card from the family of one of my former (and favorite) piano students. I love staying in touch with friends. They wrote such a sweet personal note in the card about Joanna still playing the piano (she's the pianist at church) and how she has overcome her nervousness at playing in public. It really made me feel good...for one of my many students, maybe I really made a difference and taught her something she can use and enjoy throughout her entire life. That's what I want my daughters to learn about music -- that it is something you can love and enjoy and continue doing (and learning) throughout your entire life.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Where Did it All Come From?
Over the last two days the girls and I have been cleaning their bedrooms. I cannot believe how much stuff was in those rooms and how much we are getting rid of. Yesterday A and I filled 4 trash bags (kitchen size bags), plus a pile of stuff for Goodwill, and another pile of clothes and things for friends whose kids will fit in those clothes. Today she finished up cleaning and organizing her desk and dresser and generated even more trash. We hung up some accent items in her room and rearranged the furniture. It looks so nice in there!
Today B and I have worked in her room. Again, mountains of trash. I can't believe how much! Another pile of things for Goodwill and for friends, and a stack of games for our nephew N. It feels good to be able to give things to people who will use them. I enjoy doing that. We have so much stuff and it makes me feel good when other people are able to benefit from it.
My friend Jamie made a good suggestion at lunch today -- if the girls spend 10 minutes each night picking up their bedrooms, the rooms will stay looking nice. I want to try to implement a bedtime routine that includes that and family scripture study, as well as picking up the living room quickly. It's amazing how fast the house falls apart when it isn't attended to on a regular basis. I've never been good at things like that, but I find that lately I don't like being in the house when it's messy, but it feels comfortable and good when it's picked up and neat. We haven't been really good about giving the girls regular chores and responsibilities around the house and they are most definitely old enough to help out more than they do. They won't like it, but if we are going to have any chance at conquering the clutter, the girls will have to help.
We'll see how it goes....
Today B and I have worked in her room. Again, mountains of trash. I can't believe how much! Another pile of things for Goodwill and for friends, and a stack of games for our nephew N. It feels good to be able to give things to people who will use them. I enjoy doing that. We have so much stuff and it makes me feel good when other people are able to benefit from it.
My friend Jamie made a good suggestion at lunch today -- if the girls spend 10 minutes each night picking up their bedrooms, the rooms will stay looking nice. I want to try to implement a bedtime routine that includes that and family scripture study, as well as picking up the living room quickly. It's amazing how fast the house falls apart when it isn't attended to on a regular basis. I've never been good at things like that, but I find that lately I don't like being in the house when it's messy, but it feels comfortable and good when it's picked up and neat. We haven't been really good about giving the girls regular chores and responsibilities around the house and they are most definitely old enough to help out more than they do. They won't like it, but if we are going to have any chance at conquering the clutter, the girls will have to help.
We'll see how it goes....
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year!
I had such big plans for blogging over the holidays...I was going to capture our daily activities, complete with pictures. And it didn't happen. Oh well...I have some pictures...but was too busy having fun with my family and managing daily life to blog.
I hope you all had a fun and safe New Year's Eve. When spent it with a few friends/families from church, having a game night. It was fun. I love playing board games. I made sweet and sour meatballs and 7-layer Mexican dip, both of which were well-received. Both girls managed to stay awake until midnight, although by 11 p.m. B was definitely wearing out. She fell asleep in the car on the way home and slept in a bit this morning.
And now it's 2008. I thought about posting something eloquent, philosophical, and poetic for you...but that's not gonna happen! LOL
So let me just say that I am looking forward to 2008 being a wonderful year. 2007 was a "growth year" for me and I'd really rather not have another one of those any time soon. Lots of growing pains in my life last year (sounds so strange to call yesterday "last year")...I probably just jinxed myself, didn't I? I should know better.
2008 promises to be busy, but every year is like that. Hopefully the chaos will be manageable.
I hope 2008 is a wonderful year for all of you!
I hope you all had a fun and safe New Year's Eve. When spent it with a few friends/families from church, having a game night. It was fun. I love playing board games. I made sweet and sour meatballs and 7-layer Mexican dip, both of which were well-received. Both girls managed to stay awake until midnight, although by 11 p.m. B was definitely wearing out. She fell asleep in the car on the way home and slept in a bit this morning.
And now it's 2008. I thought about posting something eloquent, philosophical, and poetic for you...but that's not gonna happen! LOL
So let me just say that I am looking forward to 2008 being a wonderful year. 2007 was a "growth year" for me and I'd really rather not have another one of those any time soon. Lots of growing pains in my life last year (sounds so strange to call yesterday "last year")...I probably just jinxed myself, didn't I? I should know better.
2008 promises to be busy, but every year is like that. Hopefully the chaos will be manageable.
I hope 2008 is a wonderful year for all of you!
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