Good, clean fun

About a year ago, I was at HEB all by myself buying groceries.  I love my dear family, but it was good to have some time to myself.  I was checking off my list, and as I was standing in front of the laundry detergent, I discovered Shout Color Catchers.

Wowza, I thought, these are really great!  Because I've noticed my colors bleeding even though my mamma trained me well to separate my colors, and never - ever mix whites with anything.  Yes ma'am.

So anyways, the excitement that I felt over finding a new laundry product was...well, it was SAD!

I called my sister on my cell phone as I wheeled my buggy up to the front, and whined her "I HAVE to have something other than going to the grocery store for my fun night out.".

Of course she agreed.

She's a FABULOUS sister. 

In the past, I've gone scrapbooking.  Now, however, I'm 8 years behind on my 9-year-olds life, though, and the thought of dragging out all that self-condemnation just doesn't really motivate me. 

On our community website I saw a notice for a monthly womens Bunco night.  I sent off an email, and the Lord gave me wisdom to sign up only to be a substitute.  I didn't know any of the women, or what the group would be like. 

I had my first opportunity to sub last week.  I was encouraged as I saw ladies walking in, wearing big smiles and cute outfits.

A cute pair of flip-flops and fun jewelry with a friendly face is the ticket to my heart. 
The ladies were all friendly, and it was FUN!  No pressure except to enjoy drinks, snacks, and a great connecting point in our neighborhood.  I am so thankful that I found it, and that it worked out the way it did. 

FUN!  No angst over scrapbooking layouts, mourning as I look at pictures of our sweet 2-year-olds chubby hands.  Just FUN!

And I won't be the lady partying in the laundry aisle any more.

So glad I don't have to live in a box

I am so so grateful for summer!  O and I made a doll yesterday - hand stitched, and then I 'helped' her make a dress for it that does not fit at ALL!  A seamstress I am not! 

Other things I have time to do with her is sort out rocks and gems, and put them into labeled bags.  I offer choreographical suggestions for her 'movie songs', which are rarely used!.  Right now her favorite is 'You Belong With Me' and 'Cha Cha Slide'.  And then, of course, I watch and download her movies of herself performing these songs!  

O has tickets made for when my sister and her family come down this weekend.  Tickets for her piano performance, movie songs, and Empire Strikes Back movie.  Hope they bring enough quarters!!

Plus, I've done some much needed cleaning out - the bookcase in our bedroom looks much better, the freezer is cleaned out (there was orange gunk in there for the past two months from O's experiment gone bad), and all of the laundry is caught up - including organizing W's sock drawer.  

What is it about all these mundane accomplishments that are so satisifying?  For me, I think all these little things that I don't have make time for build up into a big pile of guilt.

Now my little sweetie is making gifts for her cousins, and she's learning the extremely varied musical preferences of her mama.  Love to hear singing "Grace, Grace, God's grace" and then "Stop! Cause I really love you.  Stop!". 

Why Don't We Just Dance - Josh Turner
Whip It - Devo
Sunglasses At Night - Corey Hart 
Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams 
The Power of Your Name - Lincoln Brewster 
Missing You - John Waite 
Melody - Kate Earl 
Love Will Keep Us Together - Captain & Tennille 

In the cool of the evening - Rosemary Clooney 

If This Is It - Huey Lewis & The News 

I Melt With You - Modern English
Heart of Rock-N-Roll - Huey Lewis & The News 
Grace That Is Greater - Bart Millard
Faithful God - Shannon Wexelberg
Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds  
Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John & Kiki Dee 

Cuts Like a Knife - Bryan Adams
All Your Promises Are True - Shannon Wexelberg 

Because I am an Overachiever

I've decided to have high aspirations for this summer.

I was reading the blog of a long-time friend last night, and she makes NOTEBOOKS for her children to write down their summer goals.

NOTEBOOKS.

What the heck is the schoolyear for?!!!

As a homeschooling mom, this is the only time that I truly get to only 'play' with my daughter - guilt free!

Clearly, a 3-ring-labeled binder is too much structure for me.

So here are my goals for the summer:






The End

Simple Pleasures

Leslie Sansone walking dvd's. I answer her questions out loud, laugh with her, and tell her that yes, I will see her tomorrow. And I know if I ever meet her in person, she will be absolutely happy with these facts!

Starbucks half-caff Americano with extra room for cream, please!

Best when with my wonderful husband and daughter, or mom, or sisters, or friends. Slatkin & Co candles. Any scent - they absolutely fill my house with deliciousness.

I love these witty signs for both the words, and the era they represent. And, this one is especially true, as sometimes when I go to bed, I am already looking forward to my morning coffee!

Bare Escentuals Buxom Lip Gloss. A-d-d-i-c-t-e-d

Love the smell, feel, and the trampy names!

The beach, and especially the beach with this puddin' pop! In love with Cape Cod, and north of Boston shore, and the Oregon coast. ahhhhh...

My mamma and puddin' pop enjoying an impromptu picnic at Revere Beach in Boston.

Love my mamma's love for people, her sense of adventure, and she is always ready to have fun! This was our best day ever together : ) We meandered up north of Boston, hitting Salem, Gloucester, and Rockport. And we happened upon Kelly's Roast Beef sandwiches, which were AMAZING!! So I love my mamma, and love exploring days that are full of fun surprises!

Art by Sally Huss.

Her paintings are full of bright colors, and wonderful words.

My list is not in order, it's just the way the photos uploaded, because my husband is the best happy I have! He is strong, protecting, wise, fun, and a wonderful expression of God's love for me.

Love taking walks. Some of my very best memories are being in the woods with my family at the cabin in southern Ohio, walking to the creek, walking in the snow with Warren at Highbanks Metro park, and of course, any walk/hike in the pacific northwest is always memorable. What a beautiful reflection of God's glory.

A few of my favorites!

Oh, how I love to read!



When I was young, I read and re-read all of the Little House books. Now I've read them to my daughter and love to share that world with her!



We read A LOT in our homeschooling. Here are some of my favorites from the last year that we've read together:



The 21 Balloons


Encyclopedia Brown books and Socks by Beverly Cleary


Any Hank the Cowdog book! I laugh so much reading these out loud!


Star of Light by Patricia St. John


Stepping Heavenward is one of my all-time favorites which I can't wait to read with Olivia when she is a few years older. I like to re-read it every couple of years. Such an encouragement to my heart.



I primarily read non-fiction. When I do read fiction, I really enjoy the Mitford books, All Creatures Great & Small series, and Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, and Persuasion by Jane Austen. And at Christmas time, I may or may not read those ridiculously predictable Christian Christmas romance books...



These are some of the non-fiction books that rotate on my nightstand:


Instructing a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp ~ this book is invaluable to us as we strive to raise our daughter with love and discipline.


Any book by Elisabeth Elliot. I read Passion & Purity in college, and have read and re-read all of her books continuously.


Having a Mary Heart in Martha World by Joanna Weaver

Lies Women Believe, and the Truth that Sets them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Becoming the Woman of His Dreams by Sharon Jaynes

I Truly Heart Lists

1. What was the last thing about which you procrastinated?

Cleaning out the pantry. There’s a stuffed giraffe from O’s Easter basket, an E-Z bake oven, and a tiered can shelf which I knew would solve all my pantry-organizational problems.

2. How long does it take you to fall asleep, and do you sleep through the night?

I wait to turn off the t.v. until I am positive I will fall asleep within ten minutes. I HATE to toss and turn. If I don't fall asleep right away, my mind starts reeling, and before I know it, I’m online at Mayo Clinic investigating the fatal disease I have now convinced myself that I have.

3. Which decade would you choose to exemplify your favorite fashion styles?

The 30’s. Give me a flapper dress, long necklace and sassy hair. Which is almost what I wore to a wedding on Saturday, minus the sassy hair.

4. What is your personal best dish to feed a crowd?

Braised short ribs, parmesan polenta, and tipsy tomatoes.

5. Are you an impulse shopper? What was the last thing you bought on impulse?

I love to impulse shop! Today I bought a bottle of Lauren Blue perfume at Wal-Mart, yes, Wal-Mart, for $6.00!! It’s a small sample size, which is perfect, because I’ve been wanting to try Lauren Blue.

Now, I only impulse shop for things under $20, though.

6. What is one wish you have for your own funeral?

That my daughter and grandchildren would be comforted by the fact that they’ll see me again!

7. If it's true that joy is in found in the simple things in life, what does your joy look like today?

Holding hands with my honey and daughter as walk around the neighborhood, talking to my mom on the phone while she is at Aunt Betty’s.

8. What is your favorite type of bread?

Crusty, artisan bread with kalamata olives.

9. What trait do you fear developing the most? (Laziness, greediness, grumpiness, etc.)

I battle laziness and grumpiness, so I guess greediness!

10. What trait would you like most to develop?

Persistence and consistency

11. Which room in your house best reflects your personality? Why?

Our bedroom – coral and pink florals, with a lilac print on the wall. My favorite thing is a silk scarf I have draped over a table which I bought at an antique store in Indiana. Love it!

12. How do you maintain balance in your life regarding, work, family, church, other organizations and activities, and blogging?

Keep the main things the main things. Each day my main priorities are time in the Word, exercise, homeschool, meals for the family, and maintaining the house (in the loosest sense of the word!).

Menu Plan Monday

Salmon with Roasted Asparagus with lemon caper sauce


Seafood Lasagna, steamed broccoli - this is a little extravagant for a weeknight meal, but I need some more 'go-to' meals for company.


Sausage and Tortellini Soup -


Broccoli and Roasted Red Pepper Pasta