Today - January's Modified Present Participle List

Wow, its been 6 months since I've done an update - perhaps a modified list is in order.

Outside My Window: This winter cannot decide what it wants to do. Snow on Sunday and 55 degrees and windy today. It is either 10 degrees or 45 here this year!

Eating: Starting out the year pretty well. Five months of primal eating and feeling great. So many more veggies and rarely any grains or legumes.  Still #teamwhiterice in this family or I might get hung but everyone is adjusting pretty well to the meals I make as long as there is popcorn and wheat free cereal or oats in the pantry. Down 20 lbs. since August and my skin is clear and hair is thick.  Sleep is so much better too!

Reading:  So happy with my reading success last year. The digital selection from our library is really great and having book club every 2 months gives me a reason that I must read. This puts me into a habit so that I stay caught up which usually gets me an extra 2 books in before book club rolls around again. Plus, continuing to read with the boys regularly ensures that we have down time together.  Currently reading: My Life in France by Julia Child, The Blood of Olympus (#5), and Homespun Mom Comes Unraveled. Just finished Daring Greatly (a must read), The Look of Love by Sarah Jio (always love her books), and The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown which was a beautifully written book. As my mother in law says - "WWII and the Pacific NW, how can you go wrong?"

Working: Having such a hard time getting back into the groove of work after the holidays.  Glad I am doing Leadership Tri-Cities this year to help learn about our great community and do great things in it. I do feel like I need to work hard on my personal mission and figure out what I want to do with my life. Darn that economic security! I'd prefer to go back to school or drop out of the workforce completely and homestead but alas, neither is really an option without major risk taking. And those risks affect so many more than just me so I'll just continue to find the passion in the work that I do. So grateful that I CAN do that!

Listening: Haven't really fallen for any new music lately.  I've been listening to lots of podcasts and even an audiobook. Josh had a download that needed to be used so I bought Eat the Yolks by Liz Wolfe. Highly recommend (audiobook or real book) if you are interested in debunking the garbage science that we've been fed regarding our food (and its actually a light read).

Planning: Need a getaway with my hubby! Would love sunny, sandy trip somewhere to celebrate our 15th year of marriage.

Feeling: Like I'm getting to know myself this year. Enneagram, Meyers Brigg, monthly work for Leadership Tri-Cities, bi-annual counseling appointments, reading and exploration...its all contributing.

Today's Present Participle List

Outside My Window: It is HOT! It has been over 100 degrees for days now and will continue to be until the weekend!

Reading: The Bomb - with Josh and the kids. The first book we've all read together in a really long time. Brody is a little bored but he's tolerating it.  I'm really trying to get into this book since it was MY suggestion for book club. 

Making:  List after list because that is what I do. 

Working: Trying to get everything done so that I can be off for just over a week.  So looking forward to time away!

Listening: To a few new podcasts:  The Art of Simple and The Read Aloud Revival.  We (I) read aloud a lot with our boys and plan to continue to, it is a ritual that I can't imagine letting go of. 

Hoping: That I can get my butt in gear and start running again so that I can do a September 5k with Amy.  I really need to run but can't make myself get up in the morning...struggling with a little indulgence issue I think.

Planning:  Our back to back trips that start this week.  A very long weekend in Pacific City, Oregon with one group of friends followed up by another long weekend in Hood River with a different group.  Josh and I are finishing that my cashing in my Christmas White Water Rafting gift certificates.  So excited!

Wanting: To get caught up or at least restarted on my photo album/Project Life; or really even just blogging again. I feel the need to capture our memories and retain a little bit of who I am.

Loving:  My husband - that's not news I guess.  I'm just very happy with where we are and the work we put in to get here.  He's the best partner for me and father for our boys.

Wanting: Well not really wanting because its ridiculously priced but I'm admiring the new Fitbit Bracelet from Tory Burch. It's already gone from the Tory Burch site so I can't even link there.

Today

Outside My Window -There is snow everywhere.
 
I am Thinking - That it really is time to say goodbye to old Tug. Watching him in this cold is so sad.

I am Thankful - That I have a garage to park in this winter.

From the Kitchen - Not much of anything lately, its no fun to cook when Josh isn't around to enjoy it (or to help me make the boys eat it).

I am Wearing - Snow boots with wool socks and some CAbi clothes.

I am Creating - Space and order after Christmas. No new crafty projects at this time but I'm trying to take more photos again.

I am Going - No where in this weather if I can help it.

I am Reading - Finally started Harry Potter with the boys and I'm reading Sister: A Novel which is riveting.

I am Hoping - That Josh makes it home for his birthday on Thursday and that he doesn't try to come if it stays yucky.

I am Hearing - Grunts and groans from kids playing too many video games.

Around the House -I still need a dining table but it really looks like a home after being here a year.
 
One of my Favorite Things - The kids getting excited again about My Job Chart.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week - Dinner out for Josh's birthday - a much needed date night and maybe a movie too.

TODAY

Outside My Window -Concrete stain is being pressure washed away on my patio!
I am Thinking - That I really need more furniture.
I am Thankful - For all the space that that furniture will fill.
From the Kitchen - Blueberry coffee cake in the oven now.
I am Wearing - Jean, a long sleeve tee and slippers - can't wait for warmer weather!
I am Creating - Lists and lists and more lists (and food).
I am Going - To Raptor Reef for Brody's birthday next weekend.
I am Reading - Lots of short stories.
I am Hoping - That our trip to Costco doesn't break the bank.
I am Hearing - Tom Petty Concert on Josh's new live streaming find Wolfgang's Vault.
Around the House - Outside might be painted next week.
One of my Favorite Things - My Kitchen!
A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week - Costco Trip, a cousin's birthday party, treats for Brody's birthday. 

Today

• Was a day that our fish bowl was a little too small
• My cautious oldest told me as I was leaving the 5th wheel with two baskets of laundry - "Mama be so careful, remember Daddy said the steps were soooo icy!"
• I am doing ALL the laundry in the world
• Both my boys are really enjoying an episode of Sesame Street - even without baby Michael around
• I am going to pick out white paint for our cabinets and finally find the perfect blue for a few other spaces (I am stuck between Wythe and Thunderbird both of which are Benjamin Moore - which is further complicated by the fact that our painter is using Parker Paints).
• I have officially decided 4 days (and no photos) into December that there will be no Daily December photo series this year!
• I really want to run but am still scared of the ice.  Its been three weeks and I am cranky!  I am going to have to dig out the treadmill at the shop and find an outlet.

TODAY

Outside My Window - It is dark, they are all closed up in the evening since it is starting to get cool.

I am Thinking - That I really need to be better about recording everyday things.

I am Thankful - For my wonderful marriage.

From the Kitchen - Tonight was cinnamon raisin french toast, had to use up leftovers.

I am Wearing - A tank top and my new organic cotton shorts from REI, so excited to be able to fit into clothes from there and find them on clearance.

I am Creating - Organized files for my digital scrapping supplies.

I am Going - To Seattle on October 2nd to see "Wicked"

I am Reading - Still Dark Fever, haven't done much reading lately

I am Hoping - That my beautiful anniversary roses last through the weekend.

I am Hearing - Snoring Labs reminding me I need to go to sleep and two boys that are still awake at 10:30, are you kidding me?

Around the House - Is a crazy mess from being sick this week.

One of my Favorite Things - My mattress that is calling my name.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week - Soccer, football, and BBQ party at my sisters, gonna be a busy Saturday!

TODAY

July 14th, 2009

Outside my window...I hear Josh mowing our jungle! Weedeater has been broken and so all lawn mowing was delayed for awhile.

I am thinking...that I love my new Kirkland lip gloss from Costco.

I am thankful...for nights that my family has low expectations for dinner.

From the kitchen...cheddar brats and spicy dogs, maybe some granola as a second course.

I am wearing...well loved green shorts and my purple shirt from work today.

I am creating...visions in my head about quilts to make.

I am going...to bed after watching some True Blood on DVD. Nowhere to far away for a bit!

I am reading...Darkfever, a free download on the kindle, pretty good so far.

I am hoping...that I make my goal weight for the wedding on August 1st, only 4 pounds to go!

I am hearing...Brody work so hard now to say his Ls. Everything is so pronounced like llllego, lllion!

Around the house...things are pretty picked up thanks to Josh's help last night (except for the ace bandages and Tinker Toy crutches laying all over).

One of my favorite things...the top of my desk is neat, tidy, and clutter free for the 1st time in a bit.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Josh will be gone for the big Bachelor Party weekend in White Salmon and Portland. Trying to think of something for the boys and I to do, not sure their dad would be too happy if I took them to the "Pride" parade this weekend!

I love blogging this way when I can't think of anything important. Just another way to way to track memories of the everyday, mundane, wonderful, BIG life.

Today

TODAY
June 23rd, 2009

Outside my window... I am hoping I don't get any over spray from mosquito control.

I am thinking... about how I need to finish uploading my Maui photos so I can create my free

book on Shutterfly.

I am thankful for... little boys that love their daddy.

From the kitchen... smothered pork chops, red potatoes, peas and biscuits - yep low cal

tonight!

I am wearing... khaki shorts and a 99 cent shirt from Old Navy clearance.

I am creating... nothing, but I have crap all over my craft table from making cards on Saturday.

I am going... camping in just over a week, what?

I am reading... the latest Sookie Stackhouse book, on my kindle. Not getting very far!

I am hoping... that I finish my quilt this summer.

I am hearing... The Daily Show, love Jon Stewart!

Around the house... the couch has a suspicious amount of laundry laying on the back of it.

One of my favorite things...my healthier yellow dog snoring in the boys' bedroom.

A few plans for the rest of the week... pay some more bills, submit to my VEBA for reimbursement, finish photo book, make it through this work week and be ready for all of the changes coming in July.