Career Mom - Fashion

It's official. I am now a working mom...again. lol

I work the night audit at a Wingate by Wyndham hotel. It's brand spankin' new..as in...we just opened a few nights ago and about 80% of the beds have never been slept in. I am loving my surroundings. I'm still working for the same company as before. This transfer gave me a full-time position.

I'll still be homeschooling, leading the Cub Scout Pack, sitting on the Boy Scout Troop committee, and running my daughter to ballet a few times a week. Whew...

One of the things I like about my job, is the dressing up. I had to go shopping today for a few things to add to my wardrobe. My favorite store is Fashion Bug. They area always running specials and I can usually find a great coupon.



Today I picked up a nice top. I like the way it fits.



I was starting to give up on finding a pair of pants that fit me in length (didn't hang in a puddle around me feet). But I finally found my size in a petite. I may still have to bring them up an inch...or wear taller shoes. They are so comfortable...and that's what's really important here.



I layered it with a cardigan sweater.



Now, if I can only find a few pairs of comfortable black flats...

We've Been Dating for 12 Years Now

Leon and I celebrated the 12th anniversary of our very first date.

We spent the whole day bowling, shopping, and then went out to dinner.







We played 6 games and won 3/3. It was a great night. We felt like kids again. We both definitely agreed that we don't get out nearly enough.

The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down

"In rushing rising riv'lets. Till the river crept out of it's bed and crept right into Piglets." Some songs just live with you forever. :D

I love rain. I have loved rain since I was a little girl. Mom would open up the windows in the house and clean. She usually mopped the floors with Pine Sol in those days. The wind would blow through the windows, making the house cool and crisp. The smell of rain would mix with the clean smell of Pine Sol. Sometimes she'd play a record while she cleaned. She always turned the coffee table upside down on the couch. My brother and I would climb into it and pretend it was a boat. Such sweet memories. I clean with Pine Sol to invoke those memories.

So where was I? Oh I love rain. The sound of it is so soothing, most especially when it is thundering and lightening. There is nothing like stormy weather in the middle of the afternoon. I usually just stop and listen to it. Many times I'll go outside and just watch.

That's what I was doing in these pictures.

Just watching the rain soak the world around me, making everything clean.

MIA

I have slowed down in the blog world for the time being. We've been crazy busy with me working, gardening, homeschooling, and getting 4 kids in 3 different directions. I plan to resume my Friday's Homeschool Feature next week. I will be taking a break from Magnificent Monday's for a while.

I'm really hoping the dust all settles soon. I'm a creature that thrives on routine, balance, and order in my life. Chaos is for the birds, man.

What have you been up to? Any news or life changes! I'm hoping to catch up on all my favorite blogs soon! I've missed my friends. :D

A Trip to the Hair Salon

Leon sent me off to the hair salon today. He's been wanting me to go get a cut for a while. He's just sweet like that and wanted me to do something for myself.

So here is my before picture from last week.



I love my little town and it's been a little while since I last posted about it. Main Street is my favorite place. Today, I decided to venture out and try a new hair salon. I definitely knew I wanted to go to one here in town. There are actually a few to choose from...but The Beehive Salon has had my curiosity for a while now. It's in such a cute location. I love this building. It's one of my favorites on Main Street.



I really enjoyed my day! Meredith was an absolute gem and made me feel so comfortable. I also found out we are neighbors! Hooray!



I love my haircut! It feels so light and comfortable! I was starting to get headaches from the length and always pulling it back.



It's fun! I can do so much with it!

You can read more of my posts about my little town here: "Mayberry"

Rules

Don't Eat Cereals That Change the Colour of the Milk: Unlikely but Brilliantly Simple Rules That Will Change the Way You Eat



This is a British news site so the spelling might be colourfully different. The article is written by Michael Pollan who wrote In Defense of Food and his latest book, Food Rules. For the most part I agree with these "rules".





The whiter the bread the sooner you'll be dead. I've heard this one before and with all the information out there now about good carbs v/s bad carbs this one is a pretty obvious. I love my whole grain bread. I would love to start making my own bread one day. Ever since we switched from white bread to whole grain 5 years ago, I find white bread very unappealing.





Don't eat cereals that change the colour of the milk. I haven't tasted Fruity Pebbles in 7 maybe 8 years.



Avoid foods grandma wouldn't recognize. The list gets a little redundant with "don't eat processed foods." I get it. Fake food is bad for you. And my generation was conditioned to appreciate fake flavors in candy, drinks, cereal, and *shudder* imitation flavors used for baking.



Shop at the edges of a super market. I both agree and disagree with this statement. There are plenty of good whole staple foods in the center isles. But the ideal is the same as above. Avoid processed "quick" meals.  I cook from scratch as often as possible, including making my own cream of chicken soup for casseroles.



Include some pre-digest food. I do like yogurt and need to eat it more often.



Buy Smaller Plates and Glasses. Oh man. We do love our portions here. I've been working on eating NORMAL amounts of food. I've had to stop myself a few times and think about my portion sizes. Do I really need more than a cup of macaroni? Do I need to eat 2 hot dogs? Just because I can? Just because I want to feel full? Do I really need to eat dinner twice by going back for seconds?



Eat like the French, Japanese, Italians, or Greeks.  I read a book once: French Women Don't Get Fat. The book appealed to me. It was a very good read and one I think I'll pick up again very soon.





Try not to eat on your own. I am bad about this one. It's easier to get the kids fed and cleaned up before I fix my own plate. Leon is often home too late at night to wait dinner for him. Sometimes I wait to eat until he gets here so he doesn't have to eat alone. Many times I feed the kids. Have dinner myself. And then feed Leon when he gets home. I need to make a point of having dinner at one time or the other. Not by myself.



Finally, break the rules once in a while. Not a rule I struggle with, but one I like. ;-)



I have a ticker in the sidebar. I'm working very hard at limiting my portion sizes, walking, and drinking plenty of water. So far I'm having success.

School Week

We've taken a bit of a sabbatical from school. Last week we jumped back in full-swing and it's gone very well.



This week I need to accomplish:



Math



Joshua needs a "math meeting". He's almost done with his book. I have a few things to accomplish with him before graduating him to the next. There are a few concepts he needs to work on, otherwise he's moving along very quickly.



Kelsea and Ishmael both have 2 tests to take this week. The one we missed while we were sick, and the one that is coming up.



History: I've decided to take history one lesson at a time. I need to find us a sewing board to make a new timeline wall. We are in the 2nd quarter of our book and have a very large stack of people that need to be placed.



Science: We've been doing a lot of nature type of science. I would like to get into microbiology a bit with the kids. I might have to wait until the new year though.



Latin: We took some time off and did a lot of review. We went over regular verbs v/s irregular. This week we are ready to move on. The kids are getting really good at spotting derivatives.



Art: So far we have made a landscape, a simple creature drawing (bugs), went over the color wheel and mixed primary colors, and we've created with clay. This week we need to make a self portrait and maybe touch on some graphic design if I can find a good t-square.



Geography: We behind on labeling our map. I need to catch us up on that so we can read the next lesson.



Reading:

Jeremiah: Still reading Little Bear.



Kelsea: Still working her way through Jane Eyre. We did take a break to read Mrs. Mike. Loved that book. Now it's back to Jane Eyre with the "weird Mr. Rochester" as Kelsea calls him.



Ishmael: is between books right now. He reads anything he can get his hands on, though he prefers non-fiction. His favorite book is The Dangerous Book for Boys. He has practically memorized the book.



Joshua: is reading Henry and the Paper Route.

Manic Monday

I wish it were Sunday, cause that's my funday.



Latin: We are off to a good start for the week. We took last week off from Latin. This week we will jump back in gear.



Math: I have all the kids set, but Joshua. I need to have another math meeting with him today and review some concepts.



History: We are moving along right nicely. I still need to locate a copy of The Door in the Wall for our History related literature book.



Art: Last week we did some drawing. I did not have them do a self portrait, we just didn't have time. So this week I'll do two art projects with them.



Grammar: We are just a tad bit off schedule. If we pick our pace back up we can still finish on time.



Spelling: Going great. LOVE Sequential Spelling.



Reading: Still the same as last week. Kelsea and I are reading Jany Eyre. Ishmael and Joshua are reading Kenny and the Dragon. Jeremiah is reading The Little Bear Treasury.



Geography: is going quite well.

October Parent/Teacher Meeting (he-he)

{or otherwise title: Talking To Myself}



Art: It's one of those things I have to gear myself up for. I'm going to focus on art this month.

• This week penciled self portrait
  
  
• Week 2 still life in cray pas
• Week 3 landscape in water colors.
• Week 4 work with acrylic paint outside.
• Week 5 we'll do a painting using acrylic paint (I'm not brave enough to let them have at the oils)

I'm excited. This will be fun!



History: We're ready to move on from King Arthur.



Math: all but Ishmael have fallen a bit behind. I need to work in some one-on-one time with each kid.



Science:...isn't going so well. I'm going to have to buy a curriculum in January. We will focus on nature studies in the mean time.



Language Arts: going extremely well. All the kids are thriving.



Geography: was set aside for a time. We want to pick it back up this week, we shall see.



Latin: going very well for most. Joshua struggles with the grammar forms and spelling. I'm thinking 4th grade is a bit early for him. He does well with the vocabulary though so for now he'll just plug along. I plan to revisit this book with him again when Jeremiah does it.



Spanish: Jeremiah has a few cd's and workbooks. He's having fun with it. He can carry a light conversation and tell you that we keep the forks in the kitchen. lol



Reading/Literature: The boys are reading through Kenny and the Dragon together. It's a very fun book. They both read 2 chapters and then I read it aloud for Jeremiah.



Jeremiah is working through the Little Bear collection.



Kelsea and I are reading Jane Eyre together.

Going, going, going

I forget how busy we are in the fall until it's right on us and I realize I'm in over my head.



Kelsea is back in full swing with ballet. I'm adding her schedule to my calendar this morning.



The boys are busy with scouts. There is still so much to do. I'm adding a few more fall events to the calendar.



Leon and I have some personal goals we are trying to meet as a couple and as a family.



I need to start planning my Christmas gifts. I have a few things I'm experimenting with. If it works out then I will have all the children on my list taken care of.

October Half-Gone By???

I'm sitting here with my cup of hot coffee and my calendar, looking over the events of the next few weeks. So much to do. :D



I have to make sure everything is in order for my scouts. Still 1 more den meeting to work on showman.



I'm still waiting on confirmation for a few events.



Leon has date night all planned out for tonight...LOVE that man!



Looking forward to a great week next week!

Wishy Washy Washer-woman

We learned a new camp song for scouts. It's really hilarious to watch the boys sing this song. 



The Wishy Washy Washer-Woman



Waaaaayyyyy DOWN in the valley where nobody goes

There's a wishy washer washing woman washing her clothes...



So this wishy washy washer-woman has a long list of cleaning chores today.

• vacuum
• dust
• sort socks
• clean bunny cage
• spray off porch
• take kids outside with trash bags and pick up litter 
• go over kids chores with white gloves and a black light...okay not really, but I'll be doing my big inspections on Wednesdays. 
• clean off bookshelves and look for a missing book that Elijah left here
  
  

Making Plans

Calendar:



I'm sitting here with my calendar and a rather large delicious cup of hot coffee. The kids are watching Camelot while I contemplate our schedule. Weekend Plans: Tawna and her family are coming for a visit!



Projects: Currently I have a scarf on my knitting needles, a stuffed elephant on my crochet needle, and a stocking on my cross stitch hoop. Oy vey! I need to get these finished soon. I have been working on the scarf in the mornings, and the stocking in the evenings. My stuffed elephant is waiting on a few more supplies...Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat.

Science and HST

One of our biggest areas of weakness right now is science. We are doing very well at everything else. I've added our subjects in one at a time and things are going smoothly. Ishmael said to me the other day, "My favorite subject is science, but we never do it." So I'm guilted into doing science now. I've been waiting until I could buy curriculum. However, that might not be until spring at this point. So I chose biology as a subject. I'm going through the online library catalog and I will place a hold on some books and come up with a lesson plan. We'll start with the cell, I think. I have a great book on the anatomy of a cell. A friend shared a REALLY good idea of making a jello mold cell (one in a circle pan and one in a square pan) and adding in fruit for the different parts. We'll get right on that yumminess. Another thing I'm working on is making Homeschool Tracker Plus (HST) more Mandy-friendly. Right now we are still in the "getting to know you" stage of our relationship. I'm constantly rearranging his features...he doesn't like that and will often lose stuff on me. However, he wants to be helpful so if we could find a happy medium it will be a beautiful relationship.