Sunday, July 28, 2013

Simple Woman's Daybook Entry

 
 
Outside my window... It is overcast and the current temp is 59F.  Love it!  I've got every window open so I can air out the house.  It looks like we are going to have cooler temps for awhile - so unusual for Colorado this time of year.  I hate the heat, so I am loving this!  What I am not loving, however, is the humidity.  That is also unusual for Colorado.

I am thinking... about my husband Dean and oldest son Jordan, who are backpacking with 15 or so other scouts and adult leaders in the Mt. Holy Cross Wilderness this weekend.  I got a text from Dean yesterday that said, "Hello from 13,856 feet!".  The group was climbing Mt. Holy Cross (a 14'ner).  I was expecting that because you can always get a signal from a mountain peak.  What I was not expecting was a text at 6 a.m. this morning asking for the weather forecast for the day since they had been rained on since 3 a.m. and were holed up in their tents - they are to hike 6.5 miles today.  I looked it up and texted him back, but I haven't heard back from him.  I am amazed he got a signal at all...  Hope it isn't too miserable up there.  Backpacking in solid rain is nooo fun.  It's been 20+ years for me, but you don't forget!  ;)

I am thankful... as I said, for this cool weather, and for a nice relaxing week last week.  We celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, on Thursday a few of Rylan's fellow daisy scouts joined up for an outing up the Big Thompson Canyon at Vienstenz-Smith Park (such a pretty place), and then on Friday, after seeing the scouts off, I took the little kids to the zoo, along with my two nephews (13 and 11).  We had such a fun day - I liked getting to spend some time with them - such great boys!  Yesterday the kids and I went to a retirement party for our dentist.  I know that sounds weird, but this guy - Dr. Obermann, is such. a. great. guy.  After 30 years of practice and local philanthropy, he has amassed a huge following of children who don't really mind when he pokes in their mouth, because his great personality makes up for it.  He was my pediatric dentist too, long, long ago.  ;)  He held a huge carnival/picnic in the park yesterday, complete with bouncy houses, trampolines (the kind where you wear a harness), food, sno-cones, face painting and local youth bands played up on a stage.  We said our goodbyes and then met the new dentist that will be taking over.  His name is Dr. Owen, and my Owen was very happy to meet another 'Owen'.  It doesn't happen that often.  We rounded out the day with a bbq at my friend Kierra's house, who lives just down the street from me.  This has become an annual event (this was our third time), and their bbq sauce and ribs are out of this world!  I can't wait until next year! (And the peach sangria was amazing!!!)  The kids had tons of fun battling it out with foam weaponry of all sorts with the other kids who were there.  Despite that, I am NOT going to get them any for home.  They hit each other enough already...


From the Learning Rooms... Our official school year ends this coming week, and the next year technically starts Aug 1st.  This coming week is also our 'off week' (last week of the month).  I am pretty much set with curriculum and stuff, I just need to finalize my plans to use PLATO Science for Jordan and get him a subscription through the Homeschool Buyer's Co-op.  It will take some advanced planning on my part - I need to figure out what time slot of the day will work best (we won't go for 24 hr. access)  and how many modules we think he can do this year.


In the kitchen...  Out. of. food.  Need to shop today. 


I am wearing... t-shirt and robe.


I am creating... a music playlist for when I am out walking.  Still tinkering with it a bit.  I love love love Spotify. 

I am going... for a long walk as soon as the kids wake up and then we will go shopping.  Love a lazy day!


I am wondering... whether to have granola with blueberries or oatmeal with strawberries.  Yep.  Deep thoughts going on around here..

I am reading... I picked up Drums of Autumn again from Gabaldon's Outlander series last weekend,  and made it another 8 pages or so.  I don't know why I can't get absorbed into another novel... I need a good summer read!


In the garden...  Ginormous turnips!  I tried making turnip fries earlier this week, and they were bitter.  :(  A friend says to let them stay in the garden until after a hard freeze.  The freeze will boost the sugar content.  I will read up on that.  I just hope they aren't bitter because they got too big.  They totally got away from me - much like a zucchini.


I am hoping... This weather does truly last all week like the forecast says it will.


I am looking forward to... the end of swim lessons!  They will end on Friday of this coming week.  I am pleased with how much Rylan and Owen have progressed, but I will be so glad to get our mornings back - just in time for school to start.


I am learning...  about turnips, proper things to eat before walking/running, Brownie bridging ceremonies and how to create a workable playlist ranked by bpm.  (beats per minute)


I am hearing... a crow, the fish tank gurgling, the fridge humming, another crow answering and my chair squeaking as I fidget.


Around the house... We will be ready to paint the house at the end of next month, so we need to finalize our color choices and submit them to the HOA for approval.  We will also be replacing the front door and side lights and maybe even the outdoor lighting, and they will also need to be approved.  sigh.

I am pondering... strawberries vs. blueberries again.  (I'm hungry)


One of my favorite things...  Cool mornings.  I can't wait for fall!


A few plans for the rest of the week... Rylan's last violin lesson is tomorrow, then we take August off.  Swim lessons every morning.  Rylan has tumbling tomorrow and Jordan has scouts.  And that is it!!!  The week is full of opportunity...


Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...

 
Photo
Colin, Rylan and Owen enjoying sno-cones yesterday.




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