Priorities

When getting ready to go on a little road trip in a few days, what is the most important thing I could be doing?  Well of course, making a spring bag and curtains for the bathroom must be done right now!  Also, since Kate was with me at the fabric store spending my gift certificate from my wonderful parents, she saw some fabric too and needed a bag too.  And maybe a skirt. 

This is the book Sew What You Love by Tanya Whelan.  I'm pretty sure this one will make it on my shelves eventually.  It has several purse patterns, some home and gift items and the big plus is big girl and little girl clothes.  It seems like most books only have one or the other.  The purse pattern was easy and fun to sew.

Kate's skirt.  Her bag is from the same fabric and is loosely patterned after the Mama's Bag directions in Handmade Home by Amanda Soule.  Kate picked out the fabric and the type of bag she wanted.

Never mind that the summer clothes have to be dealt with immediately because of this crazy weather, and laundry must be done and birthday gifts wrapped and packed.  Never mind that the bathroom walls are an absolute mess and there haven't been curtains in there for 5 1/2 years. 

Now, you won't even notice those awful walls because the equally awful mini blinds (which I detest) are gone and there are pretty curtains now hanging in both windows.   An annoying electric toothbrush is now permanently off of the counter and a pretty plant has taken its place.  Ah......can't you just imagine how much better it looks?  I tried to get a picture, but the light would not cooperate.

Now, I have a pretty spring bag that the girls think is totally cool.  That's always nice for a mama's self esteem and Kate has a new skirt and bag.  Don't worry about Callie, she got a new spring bag at a thrift store this weekend.  You'll see her coming a mile away! 

{This Moment}

One upside to Kate feeling poorly, she'll let Callie read to her more.

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This Week In March

We have been......

Pictures by Kate

to visit some brand new baby goats,  and......

Pictures by Kate

we saw some chickens and the girls helped gather eggs, and......

babysitter in training

we had a picnic at the park.  In March people!!  In flip flops!!  We could have worn shorts.  In all the years I have lived in Central Indiana, I cannot remember a warm, as in the high was almost 80 degrees, March.  In the six years that we have lived in the country, I can guarantee you there has not been a March where we even considered getting out the flip flops yet.  I'm usually ready to flee this state in March.

photo by Callie

Our daffodils are blooming beautifully and the windows that will, are open.

Today, after GF chocolate chip donuts, we were cleaning machines.  Callie was a big help and Kate mopped the bathroom floor all by herself.  You've gotta love a girl who still wants to mop even when she doesn't fell well.  She hasn't stopped sneezing, coughing and snorting since we left that barn on Tuesday.  I thought it was the goats and the barn, but maybe not, since she is still doing it two days later.

Giving Thanks

415.  God's care of even the smallest details

416.  God's provision of extra money and a great playmate for Kate

417.  The promise of an upcoming spring vacation

418.  Rest

419.  Our wonderful church family

420.  Sunshine.  There's been a lot of it this winter and it certainly keeps me more productive, even though I have missed the snuggling that a big snow storm brings.

421.  Blogs that are filled with good ideas and home school inspiration that don't make me feel like I have to "do more" or that I'm doing it "wrong", but simply inspire me to do better and persevere.

422.  Reminders of why I do what I do and remembering it's what I begged God for.   If I can only remember to think of housework this way every day!

423.  My Mother who always prays for me and is always willing to help and has put up with me for 41 years. 

424.  God's provision of food.  Seriously.  We don't think of it often, but there are many out there who have none or very little and no one who loves them to prepare it.  I reminded my daughters of this fact last week more than once.  Then I called my mother and apologized for every meal that I ever complained about!  That's no small apology.  There was a time in my life when if two food items touched, I would not eat the parts that touched.  I even remember having to go to bed without getting to watch The Waltons because of the way I acted over some meal.  How dare I grumble over something that she worked hard to prepare and plan.  It's no small task let me tell you!

425.  Rest.  I said that already didn't I?  Good night.  I'm going to bed!


P.S.  I apologize to all grandparents for the lack of pictures lately.  I've been too busy with this spring clean out!

Two Surprises

Yesterday I took a deep breath and started on the dining room closet.  I had a nice surprise.  It wasn't that bad!  I vaguely remember maybe cleaning it out sometime last year.  I did get rid of most of Callie's old workbooks like math and phonics.  This area was more a project of reorganizing than getting rid of.  The shelves have been cleared a bit and Kate's paperwork and memorabilia from China now has a better home than under my bed!  I didn't take any pictures.  I'm sure no one cares what the inside of my closet looks like.

I have gathered from various places another bag of paper and magazines to take to the recycling bin and a couple of odds and ends to go to Goodwill.

I've been determined to get rid of a small bookcase that has been downstairs.  One shelf is books, but the other is photo albums.  I've had a hard time finding a place for them, but I may have figured out a solution.  We'll see.

I was able to get this project finished with no interruptions!  How you ask?  We have started babysitting for a little boy who is four.  He and Kate got along marvelously!  I didn't expect it to go badly, but I was surprised at how well it did go.  He will be coming three days a week until the end of May.  I'm sure not every day will go as smoothly as yesterday, but he is a sweet little boy and Kate was thrilled to have him here. 

We've been plugging along with school and I'm starting to think about next year.  I will have a seventh grader and a first grader!  Oh my!!!

Room #2 and A Confession

Room number two is now finished.  Although, right now, you can't tell by looking that anything has been done.  Right now there is a bowl of popcorn, a plate of sushi, a stack of library books, a Barbie, Callie's camera, a Polly Pocket, a cloth napkin, a Bible, and a remote control all on the coffee table. :)  We are watching a movie and the girls and Cameron are having a snack.   There is folded laundry on the love seat that I will put away in a little bit.

However, what you won't see are two small bags of magazines that will be donated and a small bag of magazines and papers going to the recycle bin.  I am so proud of Cameron for getting rid of his "country life, farmer wanna be" magazines.  I really thought he would tell me to keep them.  Really though, you can find all of that stuff on the internet now or in books from the library.

Confession--I didn't even consider getting rid of any of my Martha Stewart Living magazines! LOL  Don't tell me that line about the internet.  It doesn't matter.

I have, well, never mind how many issues I have.  Let's just say a lot.  These magazines are just too good to get rid of.  Especially the old ones.  I don't subscribe anymore.  The newer ones just don't seem as good and if I need any inspiration I just go pull one out of my stash.  I buy one every once in a while if we are going on a road trip or if it looks just too good to pass up.  Yes, some things are not my style and I'm sure I'm not going to prepare a rack of lamb with mint sauce anytime soon, but at least I know where to turn if I wanted to.  And who else is going to tell me how to host a dinner party in a horse barn that is nicer than my house?