Coffee Talk 11.20.09

Good Morning, Ladies! I have some homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies to offer you this morning. That is about it. We are going out of town tomorrow so the cupboards are a little bare. But the cookies are delicious and if you wait around till this afternoon, you can indulge in some homemade fudge as well! The first batch of the holidays!

I hope this week has found everyone doing well. It has been a bit of a rough one for us. It started out with Baseball Boy being sick, now Dancer has it and Tigercub is showing signs. Not a great start for an out of town trip but we are hoping for a miracle!

Poor little Dancer has missed bunches this week. Dance class Tuesday, church Wednesday, her tutorial Thanksgiving party AND one of her best friends' birthday party and now it looks as if she will miss acrobats tonight...the whole reason we decided to wait to leave until tomorrow. I'm not sure if she feels worse because she is sick or because she keeps missing out on festivities.

Somehow today, I have to get the oil changed and tires rotated on my vehicle, get the boys' haircut and not expose the rest of the town to Dancer's germs.

In other goings on, Football boy had his "Rock Band" concert last night. After sitting through a recital of about 16 songs such has "Mary Had a Little Lamb", "Frere Jacques", and "Ode to Joy" from the students at the Music Store where he takes lessons, we were treated to two concerts. F.B.'s band played "Shake It Up" by the Cars, "Use Somebody" by someone, and "Beat It" by Michael Jackson. They were really good! Even Tigercub enjoyed it. He was as entertaining as the musicians! The last song before the bands came up was by a guitar student. Tigercub had started to slow down a bit, as it was an hour past his bedtime...then this boy came up and started playing "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath. Tigercub came alive. Apparently, he has a bit of Rock Star in him, cause the boy got down! He clapped and bounced and bobbed that head! during the break between bands my FIL got up for a little break. Tigerfan started waving and calling "Bye, Bye Papaw...Bye!" It is a good thing he is cute!

As for tasks this week. Rachel has been kind and simple! My phones are sparkling. My sock drawer is organized and my bedroom lamps have not a lick of dust. I know...you are thinking, wait, we were supposed to dust the lamps? The answer is no, no we weren't. HOWEVER, as I was cleaning my sock explosion, I happened to notice a little dust on the lamp. So I ran my hand across the base and thought, OH MY! So, I grabbed a nearby wet wipe and cleaned it up. Only as I worked up, I noticed all the dust on the shade. Well, I couldn't leave such a dusty shade on a sparkling base, so I began dusting that as well. OY...I don't know if I have ever cleaned those things! After working on that lamp, I noticed its dingy twin across the room and I couldn't leave it in dusty squalor so I had to give it the same treatment. Because really, I have nothing but time and dusty lampshades on my hands! Anyway...My room is probably much brighter, my sock drawer is nice and organized and the world has been made free of several pairs of tasteless holiday socks that NEVER should have made their way into a retail establishment!

I can only imagine what a few more days locked in the house with sick children could do!

Well, I need to go feed kids, pack, do school, change to oil....have a wonderful weekend and a FABULOUS Thanksgiving! and don't forget to check out Home Sanctuary for more Coffee Talk!

Simple Woman's Daybook 11.16.09

FOR TODAY11-16-09

Outside my window...I overslept this morning. So the sun has come up and it is peaceful and calm this morning. The ground around the pond is covered in autumn leaves and all the trees are reflected in the water. It is beautiful and calming. Nice to reflect on before the chaos of the week begins.

I am thinking...This week is not gonna be so simple. It is slam packed--the holiday season has officially begun.

I am thankful for...Good health. We have had two sick kids this weekend. But it has been mild. With all the awful cases of flu going around, we are blessed to just deal with a little fever virus!

From the learning rooms...Our own system of workboxes are set up and ready to go. We will be learning the basics and not a lot of extra. I am going to spend a little extra time with each of the children this week with math games and flashcards to reinforce our basic math skills, hoping that will make for smoother math lessons!

From the kitchen...Spaghetti, salad and bread tonight. I also need to make and freeze two lasagnas for a friend who has lots of company coming over the holiday. The rest of the week is going to be so crazy we may just have to bypass eating!

I am wearing...P.J.'s I really need to work on that. If I'm not going to exercise in the morning...I should really shower and dress before getting on this computer!

I am creating...Christmas ideas. Last year I loved my Teacher Christmas gifts and want to do something along the same lines only not exactly the same! So what do you think? Last year, I bought some really cute reusable grocery bags and made and froze meatballs. Then I put the meatballs, a jar of spaghetti sauce, noodles, bread and a homemade brownie mix in the bag. A little break from cooking over the holidays. The teachers loved them! This year I am trying to decide between a casserole (probably a pizza pasta) or doing a breakfast bag with homemade pancake mix, syrup, bacon, etc. What do you think? Any ideas or inspirations? I don't want to get too expensive.

I am going...to run around like a chicken with its head cut off this week!

I am reading...My Bible and was inspired by a fellow Daybooker to pull out my copy of "Power of a Positive Mom"...now I just have to find time to start reading.

I am hoping...For a smooth learning day, that the sickness in our house is both mild and short lived, and that this busy week is a peaceful week.

I am hearing...the sounds of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the T.V. because Dancer is laying on the couch not feeling too spiffy.

Around the house...The house is actually relatively in order. I must do the regular laundry today, scrub bathrooms and would love to vacuum. I also need to run to the grocery and pick up a few things that have been added to our list since I went grocery shopping last week.

One of my favorite things...Getting Christmas shopping DONE! We still have a bit to do but hoping it is wrapped up soon and I can enjoy the holiday season without having to shop!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Today will be a trip to the grocery and, if time, the library. Then the fun starts. Tuesday we have Tutorial, dance, guitar and an Upward meeting. Wednesday is handbells, choir and church, Thursday we have Tutorial, a football get together for the boys, a birthday party for dancer and a guitar concert. We also have special days at the Tutorial this week that require us to bring in canned or nonperishable items, find a pilgrim costume for Dancer and make cookies. Whew! Friday, a possible haircut for Dancer, school and dance. In the midst of that we must pack because Saturday morning we are leaving for a trip to W. VA and amish country! Mrs. Yoder...we are coming to get some fried chicken!!!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Okay...I realize this is weird. It is F.B's edible cell. Looks both delicious AND educational doesn't it!

I am reaching this week. I haven't downloaded the pictures from my camera lately and it is a major undertaking for a non techy like me!

So, I am resorting to school projects. Pray I download soon or next week you will be seeing pictures of B.B.'s bug collection!

For more Daybooks, go to The Simple Woman's Daybook. Have a great week!

Coffee Talk 11.13.09

Good Morning Ladies! Pull up a chair and grab your coffee (you'll have to bring your own) or a nice mug of hot chocolate which I will gladly provide! I also have some, just from the oven, pumpkin muffins and some nice, soft butter. Mmmmmmmm!

I hope the week has found everyone well! We have had a lovely week around here. We had a little day off from tutorial Tuesday because the Tennessee Baptist Convention was taking place in our church. It was such a wonderful thing for a die hard home body like myself. A whole extra day at home meant much less stress in our school days AND a much cleaner house! I even found a little extra help when Tigercub approached me one day saying something like, "Momma, I-an vshhhhhhhn". I obviously was somewhat confused and after having him repeat himself several times, he grabbed my hand and took me to the closed door of the laundry room. I opened the door and he immediately reached for the dust buster. He was saying, I want the vroom (vacuum)...man that kid is cute! And vacuum he did--I think we have found an outlet for this little power packed 2 year old bundle of energy!

It was an interesting week with points as well. First, we got rid of a "pesky annoyance". For me, that was the coupons that I had been piling up on my counter...for about a month! I finally got them clipped, filed AND went to the grocery store and saved over $60.00! YIPPEE!

Then there was the Toaster challenge. I must admit that I don't use my toaster really frequently but we do enjoy the occasional bagel or cinnamon toast. I don't even keep it out on the counter. It is just stored away until I need it. It has always been kind of a pet peeve that those little crumbs get EVERYWHERE! And then, Rachel gave us this job...and mentioned about the little hatch at the bottom of the toaster. People, I am embarrassed to tell you, I HAD NO IDEA! What a brilliant person to add that lovely little door to catch the crumbs. I went and checked mine out. And sure enough...the hatch was there and full of years worth of crumbs! I can't tell you how many times I have tipped and shaken that thing over the garbage trying to get out all the crumbs and wondering why on earth it isn't easier to clean this thing! What a revelation! (I totally realize most of you are reading this and shaking your heads at my ditzyness, but I tell you, I had no idea!)

And then, of course, there was the "Have fun with your man" opportunity. Now, let me say that when I told my hubby we had to have fun together, the first thing out of his mouth was, "Well I know ONE way we could have fun!" Ladies, I think we all know what that one way was. However, I was trying to be a little creative and began thinking of ways we could have fun. Monday night, we started exercising together. We are using Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred video (renamed by me as 30 days to a slow, painful death). I thought, that could be fun. It is NOT! It is AWFUL and PAINFUL and we are both walking slowly this week but it is not fun. I know, there are people out there that love to exercise. I am not one of those people. I do it because I have to. BUT I DO NOT LIKE IT!!!! Really, why is it fun to cause intentional pain, work yourself so hard your chest burns and you are gasping for air and then know it is going to be worse the next day...that is not fun, people!

Needless to say, I had to rethink the whole fun thing. Instead, we will be having fun tomorrow (hopefully) Christmas shopping together. We will begin by eating at Mrs. Winner's for breakfast with the kids. Then they will spend the day with Nana and Papaw while we shop till we drop! I have tried to be organized about it...something that does NOT come naturally to me! I have the lists, they are organized, I have coupons and by evening's end, I hope to have a plan. Minimizing the stress and optimizing the fun potential (I hope). Then we will wrap things up with cooking some hamburgers and hot dogs! AND IT WILL BE FUN!

Kind of like game night with the family last night was fun! You know, playing a game as the two year old destroys it, soothing tears of disappointment when 6 year olds don't win and gloating when the 9 year old does. And then the rolling eyes of the 12 year old who has MUCH more important things to do...like read a book. All while Daddy is distracted as he keeps seeing fuzz on the rug and, GASP, it is crooked as well and Mommy is ordering everyone to stop fussing, stop destroying stop whining and just have fun for goodness sake! Yes, family night is a joy!

Anyway, I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! To check out more Coffee talk, go to Home Sanctuary.

Even More About Me You Never Wanted to Know

Yesterday was a lovely stay home and get things done day. The kids had playmates and even let Tigercub hang out with them and I got a ton accomplished! My coupons are now all cut and sorted, the WHOLE house got vacuumed (which is unheard of around here), the weekend away laundry is all done and the shopping list has been started. If we want to eat today, the shopping is a priority this morning. I used to kind of like going to the grocery store. These days I would love to just send someone for me. In fact, I would like them to plan our meals, make the list, sort the coupons, and shop. I totally don't mind putting the groceries away. I enjoy watching the cabinets fill back up.

But, since I don't have a personal shopper and 4 hungry children and a hungry husband are hard to contend with, I guess I have to do it myself! In the mean time, my friend at CiCi's Corner did this a few days ago and it was fun to read and since I am always looking for an easy way out in terms of blogging inspiration, I decided to steal it!

A - Age: 37

B - Bed size: Queen, and wouldn't have it any other way...I'm such a rebel!

C - Chore you hate: Hmmm,I really don't hate chores...just have trouble getting to them. I dislike pulling wet clothes out of the dryer to hang dry, not sure why. And I really don't enjoy cleaning the boys bathroom because, well, they are boys...enough said!

D - Dog's name: Gracie

E - Essential start your day item: Breakfast and Bible

F - Favorite color: Well, in this house, I would be remiss not to say purple, but I am actually a girly girly pink girl!

G - Gold or Silver: Yes!!! Could you throw in a diamond or two as well?

H - Height: 5' 6"

I - I am: scattered. I really wish I were a put together,organized person...but alas, I am not!

J - Job: Mother, teacher, maid, cook, taxi driver, task master...the list goes on!

K - Kids: I have four children: a boy, 12; a boy, 9; a girl, 6; and a boy, almost 2

L - Living arrangements: We have lived in our little Salt Box style grey house for 6 years. Love our house and our property...hate all the home improvement issues that come with an older house.

M - Mom's name: Sherrie

N - Nicknames: Starlight. As a child: Luke Star Walker, Star Jay Walker and Rats (Star spelled backward) were among the favorites

O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: None, I'm a healthy little thing!

P - Pet Peeve: My middle son who keeps coming into my room in the middle of the night and sleeping on the floor. If we wake up and tell him to go back to bed, he does it...so he isn't scared or anything. Last night, I even hid the sleeping bags and blankets....HE FOUND THEM! I am not sure why this drives me crazy, but it does!

Q - Quote from a movie: "Sew, very old one, sew like the wind!" From Three Amigos...not sure why we used to love that show, but we did...and there are some classic lines people!

R - Right or left handed: Right.

S - Siblings: Two sisters, I am in the middle. I also have an unofficially adopted Japanese brother.

T - Time you wake up: 5:30, I should get up at 5 to exercise, but I just can't get myself out of bed these days!

U- Underwear: Yes, I wear them...every day!


V - Vegetable you dislike: There are many, although I have gotten better as I have aged. My most recent discovery is that I really dislike kale because I can't get past the bitterness.


W - Ways you run late: I hate being late, but with an OCD husband and four kids, I run late most of the time.

X - X-rays you've had: 5th grade when I broke my arm. That's about all I can think of.

Y - Yummy food you make: MMMMM, dessert! Usually with chocolate, or cheesecake. Although I like my chicken and dumplin's, too.

Z - Zoo Animal: Well, I often tell my children they belong in the zoo. But that is probably not the idea here. I guess one of my favorites are the meerkats I just love watching them "stand guard" and poke their little heads up out of the ground.

The Simple Woman's Daybook 11.09.09

FOR TODAYNovember 9, 2009



Outside my window...

The sun is rising on a beautiful, crisp morning. 55 degrees right now but the forecast is 75. Not very autumn, but definitely my kind of weather!



I am thinking...about the day ahead. We have been out of town for the weekend so there is lots of laundry and cleaning to be done. I am SO far behind and today need to start getting re-organized.



I am thankful for...a lovely weekend with friends and family and a few Christmas presents knocked out while there!



From the learning rooms...not much today. We are keeping a friends' children because they are out of school for the day. We will have to squeeze in a little tutorial work, but they have trouble concentrating under those circumstances.



From the kitchen...Probably breakfast for supper. One of my tutorial students brought me fresh eggs and we don't have much else. I have not been to the grocery in over two weeks and can't make it today because we will have extra kiddos here!



I am wearing...P.J.'s, but I will be shedding them soon to get a shower before the house is full!



I am creating...hopefully a clean, orderly home today!



I am going...to try to get all my coupons cut and organized, laundry done and the kitchen organized. Hopefully I will have time because with a houseful of kiddos, we won't be leaving the house!



I am reading...John 10:1-10



I am hoping...For a peaceful day and that I have enough food in the house to feed a houseful of children!



I am hearing...the computer hum



Around the house...So many things, laundry to be done, floors to vacuum, bathrooms to scrub!



One of my favorite things...Chocolate Halloween candy that the kids reject!



A few plans for the rest of the week: Cleaning, tutorial, dance, guitar



Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

This is total blackmail material when Tigercub gets a little older..He really does make a lovely princess though...don't ya think?

For more daybooks go to the Simple Woman's Daybook.

Coffee Talk 11/06/09

Good Morning Company Girls! You may notice the lack of the Company Girls Picture today. I am posting "remotely" from Louisiana and am not too familiar with this laptop. We will actually just be lucky if this actually posts!



It has been a busy week in the Tigerden (aren't they all). Nothing really special or exciting. Dentist appointments, church, tutorial, dance, guitar...all the usual.



We are still trying to implement the workbox system in our homeschool and it is going pretty well. I do like the system although we are still working out some kinks. However, I have discovered that it is not a cure all. I know you are all probably thinking that is obvious, but I think I was hoping that all our struggles would be over when we started this and that has certainly not happened. Kind of like the housekeeping fairy still hasn't shown up at my door yet. I keep waiting and watching, but I am just about to decide I am going to have to do it myself!



Now we are in LA for the weekend. We are excited to visit with family, take in a HS football game and work on a little Christmas surprise for the grandparents. Apparently we have just decided to go with a four day school week--which is a great idea when you are already behind and can't get the work done in 5 days.



The highlight of the week for me was, pitifully, the start of Priscilla Shirer's blog and our very own Rachel helping out with it. Really...how much better can the week get when you have Rachel, Priscilla, and even a little Lisa Whelchel thrown in. When I grow up...I am totally going to be a part of that little group. In fact, I wonder if Lifeway would just go on and hire me as a groupie or something.



I hope all you ladies have an incredible weekend. I hope to find time to visit some blogs...maybe travelling home Sunday. In the meantime, we will be soaking in this sunny LA weather and enjoying a little visit.



For more Coffee Talk, go to Home Sanctuary.

Seven Things You Never Wanted to Know

Thanks to Spesamor Academy for this sweet and quite undeserved award! She made my week! Really, how many people can get a creative blogger award for doing nothing but carnivals a whopping once or twice a week! Actually, she is a sweet, encouraging bloggy friend who is actually an organized and put together homeschooler with tons of fun ideas! Please check her out!

These are the rules:

1. Thank the person who gave this to you--Thanks!

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog--In a freakishly technological way,I actually accomplished this!

3. Link the person who nominated you--done!

4. Name 7 things about yourself that no one would really know

5. Nominate 7 other bloggers & let them know they are nominated.

Now, for the seven things part. Unfortunately, I am both incredibly boring and quite an open book so this is gonna be tough.

1. I HATE to be barefoot. I even sleep in socks. The only time I am without foot covering is in the shower or in the pool. I will never be a shoes off at the door person because I MUST WEAR SHOES!!!

2. I LOVE breakfast. I really don't even care what it is, a bowl of cereal is fine. I eat as soon as my feet hit the floor. But no coffee, please I can't stand that nasty stuff!

3. I asked Jesus into my heart when I was six years old. I don't remember a lot but I can still remember my Daddy preaching with tears running down his face as he portrayed a picture of himself begging Jesus not to die and Jesus lovingly telling him that he had to even if just for one person. It is so clearly imprinted in my mind that I can almost hear it every time I think of it.

4. I am the most insecure person I know. I know it is ridiculous and it makes me MAD! It is why I hate going to the dentist, because I know he is going to tell me what is wrong with my teeth. It is why I hate my kids to struggle with school, because I am afraid it is my fault. In my head, I know I just need to shake things off and realize they have no eternal value, but deep inside, it is a constant struggle.

5. I would really like to teach a women's Bible study but if you refer back to question 4, I can't bring myself to do it. I really just want someone to walk up to me, tell me I am Suzy Superchristian and ask me to teach, write a book and start my U.S. tour alongside Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, and Lisa Whelchel. Hey, it could happen.

6. I have absolutely no talent. I cannot play an instrument (okay, I played the flute back in the day, but I wasn't good and I sure couldn't play now), I cannot decorate, I am not crafty or creative. When I cook, I am a STRICT recipe follower. I am sure that I am SUPPOSED to have some sort of talent at something, but at 37, I have yet to figure out what it is!

7. I wish I could help Tigerfan out more financially. I do teach at tutorial but that pretty much just pays for my kids to go. I have thought of a million options but can never match them up with homeschooling/extracurricular scheduling. I have even considered home sales like Premier Jewelry or Southern Living at Home but always talk myself out of it because I figure I would never have customers and it would throw me into a deep #4 depression.

So, basically, what we have learned is, I am boring and need counseling!

I have now allowed my children to sleep 40 minutes late on the worst schooling day of the week. This is why I rarely blog anymore.

So, for the last requirement, The Nominees are (and I will be hard pressed to come up with seven because my bloggy activity has been slim recently):

Growing With It

The Mother Load

CiCi's Corner

Purple Diva's Diary (I am going to try to pull her out of retirement!)

This and That

and my two boys (to try to get them up and blogging again)

Fighting Tigers

LSU Tigertown

New Blog

Okay ladies, I totally am planning on posting for real today at some point. Right now, I must run because I am running late for tutorial. However, I simply HAD to tell you that there is a new blog in town that you need to check out!

Priscilla Shirer, an INCREDIBLE Bible Study teacher, daughter of Tony Evans, and awesome speaker has just started a blog on her website. You can find it here. Go check it out and add it to your followings or blog reader or whatever. It will bless you, I just KNOW it.

By the way, when I grow up...I want to be just like her or maybe her good friend, Rachel who runs the Home Sanctuary site, but I digress.

Simple Woman's Daybook 11.2.09

FOR TODAY, November 2, 2009...

Outside my window... a beautiful fall morning. The leaves on the trees around the pond are changing and they are just so pretty to look out. It is crisp and cool outside and we are actually predicted to have a dry week this week! Yay!

I am thinking...about the week, so much to do and I am so far behind. Doesn't that sound familiar, it is the story of my life!

I am thankful for...A fun weekend with the family. We were so busy all weekend, but enjoyed lots of family time. Tigerfan even took Friday off from work and we got some fall shopping done.

Also thankful for an answered thought. I know, that doesn't make sense. But we have had a situation around here that was stressing me out. It was one of those things that I felt bad praying for...I mean, we have shelter, a secure job, etc. we are really very blessed, but it was stressing us and while I thought about praying for/about it, I never did because I have a really out of control guilt complex. Anyway, God answered that thought in a far greater way than I ever would have imagined. He is so good! I did nothing to deserve such a blessing, and yet He delights in giving to His children!

From the learning rooms...still tweaking our workbox system. I think it will be a good fit for us once we get it all figured out. It would probably be easier if I had actually read the book, I do plan on asking for it for Christmas...but for now, we are winging it!

From the kitchen...Hopefully pork chops, although in my normal, spacey way, I forgot to take them out of the deep freeze last night!

I am wearing...P.J.'s, did you really need to ask?

I am creating...nothing, did you need to ask?

I am going...to the dentist, the post office and possibly the grocery store. And one day this week to the library. Our Language Arts teacher from tutorial keeps assigning us library assignments. I appreciate the thought, but my son knows how to use the library and taking Tigercub to the library two to three times a week is sort of like taking a bull into a china shop on a regular basis. I am pretty sure when they see my car pull up, they are going to start locking the doors!

I am reading...My Bible, oh for a nice piece of light enjoyment reading...

I am hoping...for a non eventful trip to the dentist. I am like a little child...I get so stressed out going there. I have terrible teeth and I dread what they might tell me.

I am hearing...silence, I should really get up and get busy!

Around the house...laundry and hopeful some Home Sanctuary stuff. I have been a bad little Company Girl the last few months and need to get back into it. Oh, to be a naturally organized, together person

One of my favorite things...A Huge bowl of chocolate ripe for the taking after Halloween. One of my least favorite things... the 10 pounds I will gain if I indulge!

A few plans for the rest of the week:A little trip to Louisiana the end of the week. Working on a little Christmas surprise for Nana And Papaw.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Two of our little Tiger fans at our Fall Fun Fest...what did you THINK our family would be dressed as?

The first ever carved pumpkin of my married life! Tigerfan was out of town this week so I bit the bullet and did something my kids have begged for always! We had so much fun carving this little guy...why didn't we do this before!

To read more Daybooks go to The Simple Woman's Daybook.