Today November 13, 2009

FOR TODAY

11/13/2009

Dawn's Daybook


Outside my window...the weather is turning cold. There are still a few leaves on the tree, but most of the signs of Autumn are now on the ground.

I am thinking... what a great day to homeschool.

I am thankful for... my girls. They continually fill me with much joy.

I am wearing... grubbies today. Something about Friday, I think. Our Thursdays, we leave the house at 7:30 a.m. and get home about 5:45 p.m. It's such a long and exhausting day that Fridays are lazy.

I am remembering... 9/11/01 today. How can we not, when we are bringing the mastermind of the terrorism to America to stand in a much publicized trial.

I am going... to bed early tonight. I need to decide what to make for dinner first.

I am reading... "Here I stand" about Martin Luther, a messianic book on Holidays (to celebrate Hanukkah this year), and a book on education

I am hoping... that I can read all that I need to! It seems I always have three books going at a time.

On my mind... the future. It seems rather bleak with the decisions our government is making.

From the learning rooms... Montessori Math (the bank game), practicing letters, Story of the World (Christianity comes to Britain), matching letters game, Go fish using letter cards. Tonight we will read a bible story and whatever new book the girls want to start.

Noticing that... my children are full of energy on Fridays.

Pondering these words... "Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen" Martin Luther


From the kitchen... Drying veggies today to store for future soups.

Around the house... laundry. is it ever complete?

One of my favorite things... cloudy snowy days and sewing Christmas gifts with the kids.


From my picture journal...

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November 2, 2009

FOR TODAY

November 2, 2009

Dawn's Daybook


Outside my window...the weather is hazy, reflecting my mood today.

I am thinking... about how it will be possible for the will of 35% of our population to shove bills down the throat of the other 65%.

I am thankful for... my education today.

I am wearing... brown cords, pink shirt and a sweater

I am remembering... when things seemed more simple and I had my head buried in the sand. Ignorance IS bliss, but that's why we are in the position we are in.

I am going... nowhere today. I'm exhausted from the last three days.

I am reading... craft books and magazines for christmas gift ideas.

I am hoping... that our dollar doesn't tank, like we all know it will. We cannot continue to literally "make" dollars and believe nothing will happen. Every action as a reaction, but we seem to think we are immune to nature.

On my mind... our government today. The House Healthcare bill is 1990 pages! useThese will never be read by the House or Senate. Other bills have things completely unrelated in them: hate crimes in the defense bill, NEA funding up 30% (and we can afford that?! Apparently we can since the white house asked the NEA to create propaganda posters for his agenda (caught on audiotape).

From the learning rooms... quite day of Music Today.

Noticing that... most people don't care, neither do they wish to engage, in their government. Doesn't anyone question why the leader of SEIU--one of the biggest unions--has visited the white house 22 times in 6 months??!! Because the healthcare bill is about the unions, NOT people or health or care.

Pondering these words...

"Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in a lifetime;
therefore we must be saved by hope.
Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history;
therefore we must be saved by faith.
Nothing we do, however virtuous, could be accomplished alone;
therefore we must be saved by love."
No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the stand point of our friend or foe as it is from our own standpoint;
therefore we must be saved by the final form of love,
which is forgiveness.”

Reinhold Niebuhr, The Irony of American History

From the kitchen... French Toast, potatoes and eggs--breakfast for dinner

Around the house... lazy day, not feeling well.

One of my favorite things...A mid-day nap...something I haven't had in....years.


From my picture journal...

In honor of All Saints Day (All Souls Day) yesterday, I wanted to post a video of my Grandfather who passed two years ago:



And a picture of my grandmother, who passed away last year:

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October 30, 2009

FOR TODAY

October 30, 2009

Dawn's Daybook


Outside my window... Beautiful Snow.

I am thinking... about how easy it is to forget to just "play" and be with your own children.

I am thankful for... A warm home, warm clothes and crafts.

I am wearing... jeans, white t-shirt, button up shirt...cabin clothes. ;)

I am remembering... the stories I told my children last year about St. Nicholas, the meaning of Christmas, and family stories thanks to Karissa.

I am going... to finish one christmas gift today. The girls are also working on one.

I am reading... not much today. Mostly instructions for crafts. Tonight likely the Beginner's Guide to Constructing the Universe for our Math talk.

I am hoping... my husband stays warm and happy this weekend.

On my mind... the holidays.

From the learning rooms... Sewing today. Math at dinner: dyad. The number 2. Polarity. Light and Dark. Positive and Negative. Mobius strips after Dinner.

Noticing that... my 7 year old has a fantastic memory! She recited back the story of St. Nicholas (the real one) she learned last year in our studies during Advent.

Pondering these words...
Psalms 150
1
1 Hallelujah! 2 Praise God in his holy sanctuary; give praise in the mighty dome of heaven.
2
Give praise for his mighty deeds, praise him for his great majesty.
3
Give praise with blasts upon the horn, praise him with harp and lyre.
4
Give praise with tambourines and dance, praise him with flutes and strings.
5
Give praise with crashing cymbals, praise him with sounding cymbals.
6
Let everything that has breath give praise to the LORD! Hallelujah!


From the kitchen... Baked up a storm yesterday (4 lasagnas!) so we'll have leftovers for lunch. Not sure about dinner..

Around the house... It feels like the cozy holidays already.

One of my favorite things... crafting with my children.


From my picture journal...

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Snow Day! October 29th

We're having another snow day! Danny is off work again and is using the opportunity to get ready for his hunting trip. They'll be gone tomorrow through Tuesday, so let's pray we score a large Elk cow this year! I'm really hoping for a freezer full of meat.

We spent yesterday preparing food for his trip and playing outside:

The girls are getting a little stir crazy, though. We usually have Church Choir on Wednesday nights and ASLAND (our commonwealth) on Thursdays. The snow is still falling, so we're finding things to do indoors.

I am in the midst of my six month purge. On the top floor, I've gotten rid of four trash bags full of stuff (clothes, toys, misc). The first floor was only a bag full, but I work all year at keeping the clutter out. We are on our way to the basement today and through the weekend....cross your fingers!

Oh, and if you're really bored today, you can read the House Bill on Healthcare released today, all 1990 pages!
http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf

FOR TODAY

October 27th

Dawn's Daybook

Outside my window... SNOW! The drifts are up to two feet now.

I am thinking... about how purging the clutter in my home makes my entire life feel more in order.

I am thankful for... my husband who provides for us every day!

I am wearing... um...sweat pants again. Off to the basement to clean, so my good clothes are not to be worn today.

I am remembering... my grandmother. She passed away a year ago and this will be our second Christmas of not putting together a big package for her for the holidays.

I am going... to put the basement back in order if it's the last thing I do! LOL

I am reading... the healthcare bill from the House of Reps. Scary stuff!

I am hoping... my husband gets an Elk Cow for our family and to share with our friends that are going.

On my mind... having another baby. Still.

From the learning rooms... We are doing less formal learning today and more learning about home and clutter and how little "things" mean, especially in regards to our time and mental health.

Noticing that... my children are amazing people full of kindness!

Pondering these words...


From the kitchen... Home made Lasagne (traditional with Italian sausage and Quinoa lasagna for Juliet with her allergies) and Italian Flat bread (made with my 7 year old).

Around the house... Lots of cleaning and decluttering today.

One of my favorite things... The beautiful snow and how it makes me feel cozy in my home.

From my picture journal... see photos above

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October 27th

FOR TODAY

October 27th

Dawn's Daybook

Outside my window... the snow is falling and the leaves are blowing in the air.

I am thinking... about more recipes.

I am thankful for... educating my children at home.

I am wearing... um...sweat pants and a sweat shirt. Lots of baking and cooking today.

I am remembering... how different my life was three years ago and how much happier I am now with my friends and family.

I am going... to put the kids to bed in 15 minutes.

I am reading... The Real George Washington, Jane Eyre, and Bible Traditions.

I am hoping... the snowstorm hits hard and we get a cozy day as a family tomorrow at home.

On my mind... having another baby.

From the learning rooms... We talked about the number one and circles last night, as well as uniform outward expansion, energy waves (instead of water waves); today we carved pumpkins and saved the seeds for eating and planting next year.

Noticing that... my children learn much more than I ever teach them.

Pondering these words... "One of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the great struggle for independence." --American historian Charles A. Beard (1874-1948)Write something about yourself.


From the kitchen... Roast Chicken, Home made chicken soup, pumpkin puree, roasted veggies for a lasagne

Around the house... Lots of kitchen time today with the kids and preparing to make freeze ahead meals

One of my favorite things... The girls carving pumpkins mostly on their own, and their own creativity.

From my picture journal...

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