Ten Commandments for Children

I got to help teach Religious Education (PSR-when I was growing up-CCD) this year in Anna's class.  I really enjoyed it.

When we studied the Ten Commandments we used this list (I'm not sure where it came from) and I thought it was a wonderful adaptation for children,  so I thought I'd share (and write it down somewhere so I don't have to keep this piece of paper).

1.  I am the Lord your God.  Love nothing more than me.
2.  Use God's name with respect.
3.  Honor the Lord's Day.
4.  Honor your parents.
5.  Treat all human life with respect.
6.  Respect married life.
7.  Do not steal.
8.  Tell the truth.
9.  Respect your neighbors and friends.
10.  Be happy with what you have.

On my own Saturday

I slept until 10!  Lovely.  Then I got up and cleaned and cleaned and cleaned.  I didn't take before/after pictures of all of the carpet spots I scrubbed because they were embarrassingly bad before and, while much improved, are still bad.  My mom would clean up spots immediately after spills.  That was smart.  I am kind of lazy about that.  Which is evidenced on my carpet.  Anyhoo-cleaned carpets (emptied the vacuum twice!) until it was time to go meet Linda for lunch.

Then I took Abby shopping for a new Confirmation dress and she talked me into one which was too expensive and very pretty.  It was fun.  :)  And I bought the pink sweatpants I resisted three times before.  I've been living in them since.  So happy.

Then I tried to get another sno cone but they were closed.

I came home and finished the carpets and then finished Spencer's quilt top!

  

Then I got ready to start Levi's quilt, but got distracted looking at fabric and found some nice flannel I forgot about and then got inspired and made three baby blankets.  I'll post about those once I get them mailed out. It was my most favorite thing-using what I have, making gifts, using fabrics that I adore and tend to hoard-perfect.  

Then my sweet family came home.  Hugs and snuggles and I did their laundry straight out of the suitcases because I wasn't ready to part with my empty hamper joy.  

Home Alone Friday

I taught school and then zipped home to make my favorite lunch (almost).  Yellow squash and zucchini with a little garlic on wheat spaghetti with mozzarella.  I forgot the tomatoes.  Tomatoes make it perfect.  I threw in the leftover edamame from the night before-not perfect.  But still super yummy.  

I remembered to take a picture of the mantle-Thanks Dad-my Birthday pictures are perfect!

I took out all the trash and moved a bunch of stuff that was on the back porch into the shop.  I did most of the mudroom tidy a few weeks ago, but finally was able to finish so it's done and lovely.

My new expandable drying rack came and I hung it up myself.

I often wonder in the midst of projects like this if my absolute refusal to admit defeat is an asset or a liability. But it's up!  And plenty sturdy.  Surely.  

   

I finally put out my little figurines on the china hutch.  The top shelf had been bare since the Nativity Set came down in January.   My mom used to put these on top of the piano in the Spring because it was my Birthday season.  Most of them are from my Godmother, Aunt Irene.

I went to town and had dinner with Katrina!  And then we went shopping and looked at every single thing in Target.  It was really fun.  We didn't buy this Shinny Ball, but we did laugh about it a lot.

Then we sat outside her house and talked for another two hours, and then I came home and put things away and folded the last bits of laundry and then it was time for bed so I cleaned the bathrooms instead.  And then I went to bed.  

How to enjoy "free time"

1.  Come home and go straight to work on that paper you've been putting off.  Finish 3 hours later.
2.  Immediately switch the Internet radio from "Pachelbel" to "Julieta Venegas".
3.  Tidy the house and feel giddy that it'll stay tidy for days.

 4.  Make some Teacher Appreciation Banana Bread.
 5.  Go to town for the Retirement Reception for a dear colleague.  Try not to think about her really leaving.

 6.  Go to Goodwill!  Spot this trash can and spend 5 minutes debating (we already have a trash can in the mudroom, but this one is cuter...) in the aisle because there are no sweet girls climbing out of the cart.

7.  Decide to get it because it really does match the sign you have hanging in the mudroom.

 8.  Also spot 14 matching napkins for $3.50!

9.  And a bright vintage sheet!

10.  And two maternity skirts.  Decide to go wild and get both, because one looks nicer, but the other looks more worn, which probably means it's comfier.  Feel simultaneously guilty and gleeful for buying two skirts for a total of $5.50.

11.  Go to Dillons to buy home alone food!  Breakfast since my breakfast maker is out of town, and lots of fruit and veggies.  And a new kind of Pocky!

12.  Have dinner on the bed and watch a girly movie (28 days).  

 13.  Fold all the laundry in the house.  All clean.

 14.  Have some dessert.

15.  Sleep tight...  :)

Busy Busy

Another month!

But I finished and passed my portfolio, and I just turned in my final project for Sociolingüística (not my best work, but I think the class activities are really good, so it's just the paper part that's iffy-on the short side, but I honestly could not think of anything else rational or logical to add, and I'm not as good at fluffing things up in Spanish.  I don't have as many words.)

Matthew took Anna and Katie to Oklahoma this weekend, so now that I have my work done, I feel dizzy with possibilities.  Naps!  Sewing!  Pulling weeds!  Laundry!  I hardly know what to do with myself.

First, though, Tums.  As usual.

Spring 2012 List

Really? It's been a month since I posted anything? It felt busy, but I didn't know it had been THAT busy. I was thinking that I'd never posted a Spring List, and as I looked I noticed I never posted a Winter List either! So ALLLL the way back, here's what I wanted to do:
 Fall 2011 List:
1. Make things for Susu's wedding; Petticoat, veil, flowers, tablecloths; and have fun with sisters.   The wedding was lovely and wonderful and I even managed to have fun and enjoy the day.  Big success.
2. Finish MJL 12th anniversary present.  I haven't even looked at it.
3. Spencer Quilt  I'd say the blocks are 1/2 done.  And another nephew is graduating next month...eek.
4. Secret Sibling gift  Yes!  Some sweet little snowflakes and a sequined angel ornament.  
5. File the giant pile of papers.  Well, yes, but I have another one since then...
6. Finish Practicum. Again, yes...but now I have:  Finish Sociolingüística AND Portfolio-double eek
7. Get out Baby Toys.  Done! 
8. Lainey something with Abby.  Sigh-I would really love to do this-don't know where we'll find the time.  And another nephew got married in the meantime...  And the babies keep coming...
9. Chelsea Wedding Book.  I finished this last week!
10. Pull some of the giant weeds. On Friday!  But mostly sweet Matthew took care of this for me, much earlier in the year.  


And from lists much much earlier and never accomplished-I re-potted my poor sad root bound plants.  They now have more room to grow, which may or may not be good.  If you've visited my house and wondered when the plants would take over completely--they are now one step closer.  I stopped fertilizing them years ago-they're just very happy here.

And now for Spring 2012:

1.  Spencer Quilt
2.  Levi something
3.  Lainey  & Mark something Lainey says I already got something for her wedding.  That may be just her being nice.  I really can't remember. 
4.  Drew & Jenna something I just bought something.  Which is fine. 
5.  Finish Threesie's blanket
6.  Mulch the front bushes
7.  Fix the rose bush area by the back door.
8.  Plant some flowers on the porch.
9.  Finish Portfolio!!!!!!!
10.  Finish Sociolingüística
11.   Mail that pile of boxes!
12.  Make something to keep Anna school work-binder, digital album, something.
I sat thinking for a long time and nothing else came to mind-so though I'd like to have 12 things because it's 2012, I'm going to stop there. Thought of what the last one was last night. 

A Dictionary Story

I did a lesson with the kids last week on how to use a Spanish/English dictionary.  I used my old trusty dictionary as an example of how important it is.   As I was explaining, I had a memory all of a sudden.

 I got this dictionary right before I went to Mexico in the summer 1994.  There was this boy I liked on that trip, but, you know, I didn't know if he liked me back.  One afternoon I went to the corner to get a Coke with another boy on our team and the Mexican kids told me when I got back--"Mateo está celoso."  I had to look it up.

  Can you see it-second from the bottom?

"Matt is jealous"

It still makes me smile and blush a little.

Katie loves Jordy

Uncle Chris gave Katie an awesome birthday present.

 An Official Jordy Nelson Superbowl Bobble Head.

Katie loves Jordy.  It even has the date-her birthday!  on the back.  

Jordy and St. Rita, hanging out.   

Happy Birthday Oreo!

I heard on the radio this morning that today is Oreo's 100th birthday. 

I feel a little guilty that we didn't celebrate.

Isn't that an amazing thing to feel guilty about ?!?  Silly Mama.

I think next year will be a better year to celebrate anyway.  101-doesn't that look like a cookie with cream inside?

eh?  eh?  yeah...  So here's a little warning.  Let's do March 6th up big in 2013.

Hamartia

I've not been going to Goodwill as much, because I'm all into getting RID of things at the moment, instead of adding.

Because if I see a vintage sheet...

I just can't leave it there.

There is no way I have time in my life to use all of these beautiful sheets.  There's a whole blog for people like me.  The Vintage Sheet Blog  I took it off my reader to try and help myself...but I know it's there.  And someday...

Leap Day!

It's Leap Day!  I love Leap Day.  Unfortunately, we're booked solid with haircuts, dentist, chat for my class, and Church tonight, so we'll be leaping from one thing to the next.  But for some of you who did a better job of planning-here are a few fun ideas.  (So few!  I am very disappointed in the internet.)

9 Leap Year Party Games

A few more fun facts and activities.

Please have some fun and tell me about it!

Family Manifesto

Matthew says this is the silliest thing we've ever done.  I think that's amazing.  We do lots of silly things.

It's hanging in the kitchen, making me laugh, and hopefully inspiring us a little.  But mostly making us laugh.  Inspiration here.

Behind Drawer # Three...

My bottom kitchen drawer has been not QUITE shutting for over a year now.  It finally occurred to me to lift it off the rack and fix the problem.  After removing 2 dishtowels, 5 potholders, and 12 ziplocs ... works like a charm.

Breaking You-Audrey Assad

Just in case you don't love this album yet.  Audrey Assad  --  Heart

breaking you – lyrics

You’ve been let down, it’s true
Your pain is so easy to see
You’re hunted by your history
and it feels like you’ve got no escape

Your life left you high and dry
You used to be sure of yourself
But then your whole world went to hell
and tomorrow looks like just like today

So, you lie on your bed, you wont let the morning come in
And you hide in your room, feeding that fear and its killing you
don’t you know
that its killing me too, cause your heart break is breaking you

I miss the life in your eyes
the home that I found in your arms
and now you don’t know who you are
but I wont give up on you
on no

You lie on your bed, you wont let the morning come in
And you hide in your room, feeding that fear and its killing
don’t you know
that its killing me too, cause your heart break is breaking you

and you lost your fight
and your flame’s gone out
and your down on your knees
cause your life is not what you thought it would be
no,

lift up your head
help is on the way
and it wont pass you by
you just gotta reach out your hand
lift up your eyes
love is on the way
and it wont pass you by
you just gotta reach out your hand

go on and lift up your head
because love is on its way
and it wont pass you by
you’ve just gotta reach out your hand

February Craft

 I wanted to make a little something each month- so far so good!  (I'll show you January as soon as I get some tech things figured out.)

We each got one of these little lopsided hearts for Valentines Day.  I used this pattern.  Strangely, they got more lopsided the more I made...You'd think it would be the other way around...

Ash Wednesday

Lent 2012

I think for this year I'm going to try to pray the Rosary in the morning as I'm getting ready for school, and also give this 40 days, 40 bags a go.

Anyone else care to share their Lenten goals?

And, if the past weekend is any indication, we'll be listening to this CD a lot.  Audrey Assad-Heart.  Buy it.

Narnia numbering

Publication order	Chronological order
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe	The Magician's Nephew
Prince Caspian	The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader	The Horse and His Boy
The Silver Chair	Prince Caspian
The Horse and His Boy	The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Magician's Nephew	The Silver Chair
The Last Battle	The Last Battle

MJL and I prefer the publication order.  The new books are all printed in the chronological order.  Allegedly C.S. Lewis supported the chronological order, but he never asked anyone to change the way the books were being sold.

I think they're more fun to read in the publication order, because you find out different things at different times and I remember that being really fun and engaging for my imagination.

What do you lot think?

I know a spot that I love full well...

(From Aunt Carla this morning)

February 16, 1863, the Kansas Legislature accepted the

transfer of Bluemont College to the State of Kansas.  The money for what eventually became Kansas State University came from the sale of 90,000 acres of Kansas land at $1.25 
per acre made possible by the Morrill Act signed on July 2, 
1862 by President Lincoln.  Happy Birthday all you K-Stater's.  
(By the way the school's designated color is purple, interesting since that's February's birthstone color.)

Something new to put on the calendar!  Lots of things to celebrate in February.  

Spoiled Silly

Sweet sweet Matthew James.



They're heavenly soft, and then, when I look down, they're sparkly.  These are my dream shoes.

Coincidentally-today we've been together 17 years!  We passed my "together longer than not" day back on Christmas Day, but MJL's not quite there yet. And we're having another baby in August! lub lub.