The Day I Became a Nag

You know sometimes you stay home all day and get school done?

And you know how you and the kids just camp out in the living room with school books scattered all around and maybe someone snacks on the box of Froot Loops during school and leaves them out and you also decide to be industrious and fold a load of clothes in the middle of the floor while your child reads to you?

And you know how the living room looks after several hours of that?

Yeah. Well.

Then suppose you remember you are supposed to take husband's clothes to the cleaners today so you round up the kids and get everyone in the car leaving the living room in it's current state?

Yeah.

And then you know, your house alarm goes off while you are gone but you don't hear the phone call on your cell phone so they call your dad down the street and he and a police officer come to the house and determine no foul play was at hand?

(How they determined that is beyond me because it LOOKED like a ransack, I'm telling 'ya.)

That's so embarrassing, isn't it?

Don't you just hate that?

Sigh. That's it. I'm a hardcore MOM NAG from now on. PUT THAT UP. ARE YOU FINISHED? WELL THEN? DO NOT DARE LEAVE THAT BOOK THERE. ARE THESE YOUR SHOES? WHO LEFT THIS OUT?

Good grief.

When Friday is Not Friday

It's actually Thursday around here. I say that because we are on day 4 of our Sonlight assignment sheets instead of day 5. This, of course, is because I took that teacher workday on Monday.

So....we will be having Saturday school. A first around here that I am NOT looking forward to! But that will make everything even and happy before Thanksgiving so that is a good thing. And I feel sure it won't last very long on Saturday. More than sure, actually.

Our fun, exciting, wondrous plans for the weekend include (school) and organizing the kitchen. The girls were not REAL enthusiastic about that, but what they don't know is that I am willing to pay them. I'll post pictures next week to inspire you.

I love how Sweetheart gets ready in the morning and then goes to her room to start school. She likes getting her independent stuff done and out of the way while I work with Little Bit. She loves having her desk and locker in her room. She independently, and without being reminded now, practices piano. Twelve is a really cool age so far.

And she just asked for a make-up kit for Christmas. This is the child who, in the past, would not comb her hair for a week if she were not made to. Growing up is so funny. By the way, the "make-up kit" had nail polish and lip gloss in it. I am fine with that. :)

But let's not talk about Christmas right now because I don't have one idea or gift purchased or anything thought out at all including where will we put a tree this year(?). Let's concentrate on Thanksgiving for now, OK?

Thanksgiving involves eating. This I can do.

Thanksgiving--a Week Early--and Some of My Friends

It's our homeschool group's Thanksgiving feast today. I love getting to eat yummy Thanksgiving food (most of which I didn't cook) a week early! I'm making mashed potatoes and so in a minute I have to go start peeling potatoes. Ug. I also signed up to bring 2 liters. Bread was already taken.

I'm all about the challenging cooking.

So we won't finish all our subjects today but that's OK. We're going to be more thankful today than productive.

The really good news is, since we had friends coming over last night, we actually cleaned the kitchen up after supper. (As opposed to the next morning--ahem.) It was a joy to walk into a clean kitchen this morning, let me tell you. Haven't done that in a while.

So this morning we're scrambling around trying to find good looking clothes to wear. It was in the 50s this morning, but will get up to 69 today and we will be helping set up and clean up from the feast so....how do you dress for that? I'm sure we'll all pull something together.

Two more things:

My friend's 1 year old baby had major (and very long) surgery yesterday to remove a tumor from behind her right ear. This is the second tumor. The first one was removed in May. She will be in the hospital for 8 days and will have another surgery in 4 days. I have felt very distracted thinking about them. When they get in a regular room, we can go see them. She has 5 other children who she had to place in public school for the time being and I just cannot imagine what all she is going through. If you think about it would you say a prayer for baby Marissa and her family?

On a happier note, another friend was nominated for best homeschool vlogger. She really is. Even if I am slightly upset when I see her gorgeous self (EVEN with no makeup) on the videos. Do you even want to know what I would look like if I were to video myself while driving? Dear me. Check her out here and go vote if you like!

The Pregnant Brain--Part1

Suddenly, having iced tea was more important than nearly anything.

So important, she heaved her tired self off the couch to make some.

And yes, the house needed picking up, and the laundry needed to be put away.

But...but...

ICED TEA.

MUST HAVE.

Who can explain it?

I Have a Plan

Sweetheart has been wanting so badly to be big and helpful lately. Yesterday we got home from the grocery store and I was so tired. She said she would unload the groceries for me. And she did--each time carrying more and more bags. (Which of course I bragged on her about.)

Then she asked if she could cook supper. Why, certainly!! I just happened to find a recipe yesterday that was very easy. And me sitting on the couch giving directions to Sweetheart in the kitchen was really nice and ALSO made me think about things in 6 months.

So, my plan is:
#1 Get a list of meals together that Sweetheart can make.
#2 Get some meals in the freezer. (I've been pinning freezer meal recipes.)

And, oh yeah, I also need to kind of organize the kitchen a bit better. It's gotten messy.

That's just the kitchen!!!! Sigh. There is so much to do!

Anyway, here's the recipe (any family bigger than mine will want to double it--I may double it next time so we will have leftovers.)

Tasty Taco Bake
Crush Doritoes in the bottom of an 8 inch casserole dish.
Combine chili with beans, green chilies, and a 1/2 cup of olives in a bowl. Spoon over the chips in the dish.
Spread sour cream over the top.
Sprinkle with cheese, mushrooms, green onions, more crushed chips, and olives.
Bake, uncovered, at 375 for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with shredded lettuce.

(We left out the green chilies, mushrooms, and olives. We're picky.)

Glad I have a plan for the kitchen--now I just need to implement it!