Some first day of school pictures, in no particular order:)

Jordan working on his math.

Lilly enjoyed her first day of school! She's curled up in Allen's school basket!
Allen did NOT want his picture taken!
I took it anyway.........
Doing a science experiment! He did a great job on it and the lab sheet is fabulous!
Our "official" first day of school picture :::Snort:::
Isaac poses with his science book.......

We had an OK day. Tensions were running high. Much bickering between the kids and Jordan refused to finish his science assignment! I only assigned math and science this week. He "only" had to read for an hour and write a few paragraphs about what he read.....it's going to be a long year UGH.

So we got up and I made waffles. The kids started working on math. I helped with science experiments and showed Allen how to fill out the lab sheet. I made pizza dough and they had inidividual pizzas for lunch.

While their pizzas were cooking, I ran to Sam's and completely forgot the main thing I was going for LOL. Then I went to Curves, but not to work out, but buy progesterone cream. I must be nice next week, right?? LOL......

I came home and cleaned a bunch of lettuce and had a huge salad and 4c. watermelon for lunch. Note, do NOT eat 4 c. watermelon and then try to take a nap! I was up every 15 min. going to the bathroom :::snort:::

I took Jordan to work at 3:30. This was the most productive part of the day for me because the other two bicker much less when Jordan is gone.

They did I don't know what, but it wasn't allowed to be electric :)

I made 24 bacon, egg and cheese English muffin sandwiches for the freezer and also 18 stuffed pepper halves for the freezer. I baked some salmon and sauteed some veggies for dinner.

I knit for about an hour, visited with my Gramma for a bit and then Isaac and I took Tucker for a 2 mile walk.

I went and got Jordan from work. Everybody had to go to bed early because of bad attitudes. Sounds good to me! They are up there reading and it is quiet down here. I took chicken out to thaw and poured in the marinade for tomorrow's dinner (at noon again........)

I called an internet friend that lives in Washington so she could explain Write Shop I to me. I feel much less overwhelmed about that now :) Thanks Jan!

So that was our first day. I am officially exhausted!

Starting school today.......

Not sure whether to be excited or sad. I am so sad summer is over. I am excited to be starting our 11th year hs'ing. We only have 5 years before everybody is graduated! The years are flying by, but the days are dragging on :::snort:::

So this week we're starting with just science and math. We'll add in something every week and by Oct. will be going full schedule.

I'm rather overwhelmed with the thought of adding school into my already exhausting life. Doug isn't home much at all, and well, I'm sure it will be OK once we get going, right?

Everybody is up and doing chores. I'm about to make them breakfast. Yeasty Waffles and I'll post the recipe later on.

Goals for today:

~Breakfast
~School
~Laundry
~Make pizza dough
~Run to Curves and Sam's Club
~Sleep
~Take Jordan to work, then to the church, then home
~Collapse into bed :)

How was your holiday?

We had a busy, busy holiday weekend. It was lots of fun, but very busy.

Friday Doug came home from work early :) He and I went to the fair for a date. We were there about 2 1/2 hours, ate too much food, and came home to have a fire with the boys.

Saturday Doug took the boys to breakfast. They came home and did some lawn work, washed the van inside and out and tidied the garage a bit! Jordan had to work and that evening Doug and I went dancing.

Sunday was church and then a picnic with our prayer group. We were there alllll day. Jordan had to work again, so he missed 1/2 the picnic.

Monday I slept in. Doug prepped all his food for the week. What a great guy! We went to my inlaws for a picnic, went to Staples for school stuff and then came home. I was exhausted and slept for about 3 hours. The kids had to go to bed early (starting school today) and we went to bed early.

How was your holiday??

Knitting!

I'm finally knitting something other than dishcloths and furry scarves :)

For as long as I can remember, my mom has knitted and crocheted. I've crocheted for years, and have dabbled in knitting. I've decided to do more than dabble.

Here's a picture of what I have done so far on a baby bunting. My little sister is having a baby the end of Oct. and this will be her gift, I HOPE! It is much slower going than crocheting is LOL...... But so far I am really enjoying myself!

Hopefully I'll have updated photos to post in a timely manner :)

A New 'Do

I've been growing my hair since January. I told Doug I'd grow my hair for a year if he'd lose weight. Well, he wasn't holding up his end of the bargain LOL......

My hair is fine textured and rather thin. Once it gets past my shoulders, it starts to look limp and flat, even with layers.

So about 3 weeks ago I had my stylist cut 4" off the back and layer it. But it wasn't quite right. It looked the same, but shorter.

So today I went back and had her cut some more layers and make it more flippy and cute! I told her I wanted to love my hair and feel good about it. I'm not feeling good about my body right now. I've gained 50# since June of 2006, and I cannot figure out why! I am sure it has to do with my health problems, but I am just feeling fat, frumpy and ugly. So I got a cute new 'do to hopefully boost my spirits some. I'm looking forward to styling it myself tomorrow.

I do not think Doug will like it! It is not long. Allen told me I look like a boy! What is it with men and long hair anyway???

Gearing up for school!

I spent yesterday working on the boys' assignment books. I still do the old fashioned way of paper and pencil. I use the home school high school journal that you can get for less than $8 at Rock Solid I have everything ready to go EXCEPT for Write Shop. I've never used it before and am feeling a little overwhelmed!

We are starting our 11th year of hs'ing. I've always, always just jumped in with a full work load. This year we are doing it differently. We'll start with math and science next week, the following week add in history, and the week after that language arts. Not sure why I'm feeling freaked out about that :::snort:::: I just don't do change well, kwim?

One of the reasons for starting out slowly is we want to have our afternoons free to go to the lake and fish some more. I'd like to go as much as possible through Sept. and Oct. if the weather is nice. I am NOT looking forward to the long, dreary winter months this year!

Another reason is I do not want to start school at all this year. I am sure once we get started, it will be OK. But with Doug only home on weekends, I am not looking forward to having another thing that is solely my responsibilities. I miss my honey!

Week in Review

I went to work with Doug on Sunday and came home Tuesday afternoon. It wa fun! It was exhausting! I was in tremendous pain when I got back home.

Here's my honey as he gets ready to start the day Tuesday morning.

Here's his bunk. He thought it would be "cozy" for us to sleep together in it. It is a SINGLE bed! It was cozy for all of 2 minutes LOL....then I told him it wasn't going to work.....so he slept in the seats with the cooler between them. I am sure he was uncomfortable!
By Tuesday I was exhausted! We got to Solon to unload. Doug said they are slow, so I decided to lie down for a bit. I feel asleep. He unloaded Solon, drove to Mentor, unloaded and reloaded there and then started driving again before I woke up!

I had a massage on Tuesday evening. I am starting massage therapy for fibromyalgia. I don't know what I was expecting, but it was not excruciating pain! I'm not sure why not, since it hurts to wear clothes some days :::snort::: Yesterday was worse and today I am still very sore. She told me by Friday I should be feeling better. I'm hopeful! Doug and I are going to the fair on Friday and dancing on Saturday. I want to be able to function, kwim? I go for another massage on Wednesday. I'll give it a good 6 weeks and see if it helps!

The festival was FABULOUS!!!

We had an awesome weekend. I cannot wait to share the details, but.....

I am about to run out. I'm going to work with Doug. I'll be back in a couple days. I've a lot to share :)

Fabulous, Fabulous day today!!

I've been rather silent about Doug's new job schedule. He started a job in May that has him away from home a lot! He's mostly home on the weekends only. I keep thinking I shouldn't blog about that, but if De'Etta can blog her dh's deployment, and she has a much larger readership than I do, then I can blog this I guess.

So today he came home early :) He has tomorrow off. Our friends are putting on a HUGE Christian music festival called Collide Fest. So Doug took the day off tomorrow so he could also volunteer.

He got home early today. Busted his hiney so he could get all his stops off early and get home. So we went to the lake to fish and mow.

Now he's picking Jordan up from work. Then he's running the older two to the fairgrounds. They are staying tonight through Sunday. They are working the Youth Stage, load in and band changes. They are SO excited! They will get to meet all the youth stage bands.

I plan to stay far, far away from the youth stage. I'm going to keep myself busy working in the merchandise tent and then will catch Michael W. Smith, Cademon's Call, Jars of Clay and Point of Grace!

So that was our day. I'm trying to get back into the blogging routine :)

I talked my mom into starting a blog. So she did.

Here's a link to my mom's Knitting Blog. Check it out if you get a chance.

My mom has taught me to crochet and I've been doing it for years and years. She's also taught me to knit, and I am just starting to get into making things other than scarves.

Baby blanket I am knitting right now

Snowman afghan I crocheted last spring

Today I put the blanket on hold and started knitting a baby bunting on circular needles! I am having SO much fun! Now I just need to get it finished before Oct. 7th for my sister's shower!

I made this for dinner yesterday and it was SO good! Quick and easy, too :)

Black Beans & Rice

1/2 a large sweet onion, chopped
1 small bell pepper, any color
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
1T olive oil
2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 c. salsa (I used fresh from Sam's Club)
Salt, pepper, and cumin to taste
Hot cooked brown rice
Garnishes: Shredded cheddar, black olives, sour cream, anything you like on yours :)

In a large skillet, saute onion, pepper and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Add black beans and cook until moisture mostly evaporates. Add salsa and head through. Serve over hot rice and with whatever garnishes you choose.

1/2 c. brown rice = 2 WW points
1 c. black beans = 4 WW points
Garnishes extra :)

Summer Reading Challenge update!

I have been busy, busy reading. I read a lot while I was on vacation and since the, too :)

In the past month I've read
Pretend You Don't See Her by Mary Higgins Clark
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich
The 5th Horseman by James Patterson
Kiss the Girls by James Patterson
The Midnight Club by James Patterson
Jack & Jill by James Patterson

I'm reading Cat & Mouse, again, by James Patterson ::snort:: And I'll read The 6th Target, I believe it's called, after this. I am stuck on these Patterson series right now ::snort::

So while I've not read all the books on my LIST, I have added on MANY books! I think I've read 26+ books since the challenge began.

Final wrap up of vacation.

We had a fabulous time. It went way too quickly. It was such a blessing to have Doug home for almost a week.

Friday we got up there, unpacked, settled in and fished. Doug and I went for a boat ride, sat in the middle of the lake and watched the sunset! It was gorgeous and peaceful and wonderful.

Saturday we wondered what the heck was wrong with Allen. It was HOT! We kinda laid low for a while. The boys mowed the lawns. We fished and relaxed and read books.

Sunday Allen went to Urgent Care and we discovered it was chicken pox. Jordan broke out with them, too, on Sunday.

Monday morning Doug took the boys golfing.

The rest of the week pretty much was getting up and making a big breakfast, everybody doing whatever ourside before it was too hot, Isaac fishing ALL DAY LONG, the pox people slept most days, we played lots of cards and fished a lot.

It was lovely! I have some scenery pictures I'll post shortly.

Still vacation :)

Isaac pretty much had a vacation to himself! Jordan only felt like fishing in the evening. Here are some assorted Isaac pictures with various fish :) Isaac on the boat.
Catfish
Some kind of bass
The only picture I have of Doug! It was HOT and he didn't wear a shirt most of the week. He hates me to post pictures of him with no shirt. So this is it lol.

More vacation pictures :) Allen playing cards. We did a lot of card playing with the POX boys!

Jordan Playing Cards
I take my card playing seriously!!!
Napping. The POX take it out of you!
More Napping!

More pictures! Now if I can figure out how to get the captions to line up with the pictures lol.

Our Vacation at the Lake!

We left on Friday for the lake. Allen woke up Thursday am with a horrible headache and vomiting. He has migrains sometimes, so that is what I chalked it up to.

Friday he was still feeling yucky, but better, so we left as planned.

Here he is fishing Friday evening. We all had a great time fishing!

Also Jordan out in the boat on Friday evening.

Saturday morning Allen woke up with a STRANGE rash all over his back and stomach. We thought Chicken Pox, but it didn't look like anything I googled. Sunday he still had this strange rash, and since we had a family picnic to go to and my pregnant sister would be there, and we had no idea what this weird rash was, we took him to Urgent Care. Chicken Pox! Very strange! He was NOT itchy at all.

Doug and Allen get home from the UC and we discover Jordan also has chicken pox! Poor kids. They volunteered at VBS 2 1/2 weeks before, so I am sure that is where they got them.

So their vacation was spent with the POX! They were NOT itchy though, so that was a blessing. It was incredibly hot and humid. High 90s and equally high humidity. We were all hot and miserable. But mornings and evenings were cool and wonderful. So they enjoyed the outdoors then and took naps all the hot afternoon. They were exhausted with the POX!

Here are some pictures in no particular order of days or activities ::snort::

Jordan on the boat Dad bought them
Me on the pontoon with Doug. We took many sunsetboat rides with no kids! It was lovely!

Tiny catfish I caught in the middle of the week. Little tiny perch I caught the first night.

I'm a BAD Blogger!

I've been silent for almost a month! Can you imagine ::snort:: We've been busy, busy here. I'll give a quick recap and then post some individual posts.

July was simply gorgeous here. Sunny, dry and HOT! We spent time at the lake, went to the beach with my inlaws and nieces and spent a week on vacation at the lake. Jordan and Allen came down with chicken pox while we were on vacation! More on that later....

We came home the beginning of Aug. Spent a few more days in CP quarantine. Isaac never did get them! It was HOT the first week of Aug. and has rained pretty much ever since! We went to the waterpark with my inlaws, SIL and nieces last week. I went to my Mom's to swim today. My sister and her kids were there. It was a great visit!

I'm taking up knitting again. I've read a LOT of books! I'll post about those separately!

We're gearing up to help our friends with the Collide Festival. They are putting on a HUGE Christian Music festiavl this weekend at the fairgrounds. If you live in NE Ohio or Western PA, you cannot miss this! They have over 47 bands. Michael W. Smith, Jars of Clay, Point of Grace and Cademon's Call are the ones I'd like to see.

OK, off to post some pictures and individual posts. I wonder if I'll even have any readers left after being gone so long?? Is anybody out there wondering about me :)

Terrific Tuesday

We've had a laid back kind of day. Yesterday was very busy. Monday is weekly chore day, laundry day, get all the work done because we're relaxed and motivated from the weekend day :) Yesterday was also Jordan's first day of work at his new job! I cannot believe how fast they grow up! I'm so proud of him. It was bitter-sweet. Rather like his first day of kindergarten (He went to private K at the church before hs'ing ever since).

Today we woke up to rain. We were going to the lake to mow and fix, but the rain stopped those plans. Basically we've done nothing :) I folded some laundry and the kids did daily chores and put laundry away.

Allen and I ran to WalMart for some bird seed and a clock for his room. We had leftovers for lunch and then I took a nap :)

I ran Jordan to work.

The terrific part is Doug gets to come home tonight :) His first delivery tomorrow is the next town over. So I'll pick him up tonight and take him back tomorrow. I love this sweet surprise of him being home in the middle of the week :)

Tomorrow and Thursday will be spent getting ready for vacation. We're going to the lake for a week and are so looking forward to it!

I finished reading a couple books this week. The Edge of Winter by Luanne Rice and Along Came a Spider by James Patterson. I enjoyed both books. I am reading The Seven Pillars of Health right now.

We had a fabulous day on Saturday (the whole weekend actually). We got up Saturday morning and decided to head over to Cook Forest, PA for the day. We packed some food, some chairs and were off :)

We found a great table by the river with a grill. Doug grilled burgers and dogs. We sat around and enjoyed the wonderful smell of being in the forest. Jordan sat at the table reading while Isaac and Allen waded in the river. We watched everybody canoeing and tubing down the river. It was so nice.

After we ate and were cleaning up, we were just watching everybody in the river. About 5 yards up the river a church was holding a baptism service. It was such a beautiful place to be baptised. We just watched them. I was talking to a lady in the restroom before this and she told me her church was there doing a service. She was getting baptised and was SO excited! I was excited for her :)

Afterwards we went to play putt-putt and pet the horses at the stable. I can't believe I didn't take pictures of the horses.

We then drove up to Seneca point. It is SO gorgeous up there. Afterwards, Isaac and I walked a couple trails through the forest while Doug and Allen relaxed by the river. Jordan finished his book and was able to spend time with us after that :)

We went for ice cream, and then a drive around the river and the fire tower road looking at deer.

We stopped at Ridge Campground to use the bathroom before the drive home and ran into friends we haven't seen in 4 years. So we had a very nice visit with them before heading back home.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day! It was SO nice just to "be" as a family and not have to run here, there and everywhere else.

Here are some pictures in no particular order :)

Jordan reading while Doug grilled

Jordan sitting on a rock by Seneca Point parking lot. Wish we could see his eyes.
My guys at Seneca Point. Isn't the view behind them gorgeous?
The view from Seneca Point.
I love how the water sounds babbling over the rocks.

Doug and me at Seneca Point.

Isaac sitting on a rock. It's rather dark, sorry.
Allen and Isaac on the rock. Isaac is trying to push Allen off!
Allen and Isaac wading in the river while Doug cooks.
Isaac, Doug and Allen
Allen looking like Mr. Tough Guy!

We've had a lovely weekend!

Friday Doug was able to get home early, about 4 :) The boys had their last day of VBS volunteering, so we had a couple hours to ourselves. It was quite lovely! And, how did my kids all become old enough to VOLUNTEER at VBS? Weren't they all just so little and going to VBS and my youngest actually crying because he wasn't old enough to go with his brothers?? And now they are volunteering??? I am so glad they did though; it was good for them :)

Saturday was crazy/busy. Doug did errands in the am while I stayed home and made sauce/meatballs for Sunday's dinner.

After errands we had an open house.

When we got home, Doug took the boys to play putt-putt and I took a nap.

Saturday evening we just hung out around the house. It was nice. Neither Doug nor I felt like going dancing. It was nice just to "be".

Sunday was church (but I stayed home. I'm not sleeping well and just couldn't drag myself out of bed). While the guys were at church, I got dinner together and got Doug's food all ready for the week. I cut watermelon and pineapple for him and tossed him a salad.

Sunday afternoon Doug left for work and I packed the boys and dog up and headed to the lake. The boys mowed the lawns and then fished all evening. We stayed the night and most of the day Monday, getting home about 6:30.

We quickly unloaded the van, the boys put their things away and Allen put away the food, and I started a load of wash. Then I ran Jordan to his small group. My brain was fried from reading (2 books while at the lake!) so I:

~dusted/swept my bedroom; finished unpacking
~dusted the living room and dining room
~swept and swiffered the kitchen and back entryway
~swept the dining room
~cycled laundry

After picking Jordan up from small group I:

~scrubbed the bathroom
~soaked in the tub :)
~surfed the Sonlight forums
~talked to the boys
~they were tired and went to bed, on their own, at 9:30! Gotta love the lake! So I went to bed and read for too long.

Now I've been up since 4am and am not feeling very tired. It's 5:30. I'm going to head back to bed and see if I can sleep for a bit. I may finish Bye-Bye Black Sheep first :)

More reading......

OK, I am going a little ready crazy. I get a little OCD when I find a new series I like. I am REALLY enjoying the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. It is HILLARIOU! Grandma Mazur just cracks me up!! The are funny and light reading (I can crank one out in a day and still do my housework :) But there are some colorful characters, some swearing (some books more than others) and some inuendo. So I can't let Jordan read them because of that. Doug is listening to them in the truck though. He just finished his first one.

So since my last summer reading challenge post I've read: (now remember...OCD when reading a series....it's only been since last Wed. that I posted lol)

Seven Up: a Stephanie Plum novel ~ Janet Evanovich Read
Hard Eight: a Stephanie Plum novel ~ Janet Evanovich Read
To The Nines: a Stephanie Plum novel ~ Janet Evanovich Read
Ten Big Ones: a Stephanie Plum novel ~ Janet Evanovich Read
Eleven on Top: a Stephanie Plum novel ~ Janet Evanovich Read
Twelve Sharp: a Stephanie Plum novel ~ Janet Evanovich Read

I have requested #13 from the library. It is the latest one so I am waiting in line :)

I'm now reading Bye-Bye Black Sheep, the last Mommy track mystery book. I am really enjoying this book. I think it may be my favorite one in the series.

Then I plan to finish the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson. I have 2 left to go in that one.

I may read some Luanne Rice to get out of the suspense/mystery mode. We'll see.

I'm going to start in on the Alex Cross series, also by James Patterson. I may throw in a couple Nelson DeMille.

I really need to read something other than fluff I think!

So, now you see why I've not been blogging. I've been reading a LOT! But we've been hanging at the lake some and at the beach. So I can't be home puttering around. The kids are off doing their thing and I am reading, voraciously LOL.

What are we using for school next year??

I've finally had enough of a summer break that I can feel excited about planning school. I am not ready to START school (although the routine and schedule to our days that school brings would be nice), at least not the work of school lol....

Jordan will be 11th grade, Isaac 9th grade and Allen 8th grade. What happened to my little babies that were struggling to read?? They grow TOO fast (oops, I keep saying that, but it is SO true). I am looking forward to some of the things we're going to be doing. I'm also looking forward to having routine to our days again. Last year was hard with Doug on 2nd shift. Now he is gone all week, which is also hard, but we'll have routine to our days at least, right??

Jordan:

BJU English including grammar and composition and also literature
ABeka Consumer Math
ABeka Government
Forensic Science (thanks Chris Brock for those links :)
Music~Bass and electric guitar, he's in a weekly small group and also plays on the worship band for main service and also youth group as needed
Hopefully some woodworking with my FIL

Isaac:

Write Shop and Wordly Wise for LA (also SL literature)
Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra (OR MUS pre-algebra if the funds allow)
Sonlight Core 100 American History
Apologia Physical Science

Allen:

Write Shop and Wordly Wise for LA (and some remedial spelling work)
Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra
Not sure about history. In 8th grade I let them choose what they want to study before having to "get down to business on earning credits" in high school. We may not do history for him this year *gasp*
Apologia General Science

Sounds like a good year. I pray that Jordan will do his work and not argue with me. I really wanted to continue SL with him, but he wants "the least amount possible", and is wanting to go the textbook route. So.....we'll see how that works out :)

I've been such a bad blogger!

I'm so sorry to be neglecting my blog. Doug has a new work schedule and isn't home a whole lot. So I am solely in charge of running kids here, there and everywhere :)

Our schedule has been so irradic. I really need to get into a groove. Other than Mondays, there is no schedule to our days and it is making me kinda batty! I haven't been cooking for my kids, other than hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken on the grill if they are lucky, or some frozen pizza. I need to get back into preparing meals regularly. I've been eating about 90% raw, so a huge salad or a bowl of watermelon and I am good to go :)

Yesterday we went to the beach with my inlaws and 11 year old nieces. We had an awesome time! Jordan, Allen and my FIL sat in the shade and played cards for 4 hours. Did I mention it was HOT! About 97* with 90% humidity. My MIL and I alternated between sitting on the beach watching the kids and wading out into the lake up to our chests and talking out there. The water was SO nice! It had to have been 85*. It was lovely and I had a nice time fellowshipping with my sweet MIL.

The kids have been volunteering at VBS this week. It is SO strange that they are all old enough to volunteer. I remember when Allen cried because he wasn't old enough to go with his brothers. Oh...they grow up TOO fast!

I've been planning school and figuring out what curriculum to purchase. Now I just need God to supply the money. I'm trying not to get all freaked out! I know it will work out.

I'm excited about the things we'll be using. I think I'll blog about that next. Yep, the kids are at VBS right now and I've got some down time.

I was going over my list of books for the summer reading challenge and realize I've read 12 books and am working on #13! since June 5th! I just love summer when I have so much more time to read :) I need to take a break from the fluff and read something with some substance! But I'm in the middle of 3 series and I want to finish them all before school LOL......

OK...I'll post next about our curriculum.....

More books read :)

I finished Hot Six by Janet Evanovich and have also read Seven Up and Hard Eight. I am finding this series HILLARIOUS!! There is a little much s*x in it and some swearing. I would prefer that isn't there. It was be a funny series for my oldest to read. Doug is now listening to them on CD in the truck. He's on the first book. I'm reading the 8th one now.

I've also read The Craddle Robbers by Ayelet Waldman. I really enjoyed this one the best of the series. The authors lack of importance of mothering is not so strong in this book. It was a very quick read. Juliet is helping a prison inmate find her baby. She was incarcerated while pregnant and a social worker stole her baby. There were a lot of warm fuzzy moments in it with Juliet and her own 4 month old baby. One more book in the series and I'll be finished with it.

I returned some of the books on my list to the library unread. They were due back. I'm not sure if I'll read them since I am adding on so many other books. I have the next one in the Mommy Track series waiting for me and the next 4 in the Janet Evanovich series. There is one other one that just came out and I hope to read that, too. I am also hoping to finish the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson and start the Alex Cross series. I have a couple Luanne Rice books still. She is a nice read when I'm not in the mood for mystery or suspense.

Books I've Read

I've been busy reading. I'm not going to give reviews, I don't think, but I've read:

2nd Chance and 3rd Degree by James Patterson
Four to Score and High Five by Janet Evanovich
Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber

I think that is it! I am really enjoying the James Patterson and Janet Evanovich series. I'm going to finish out the JP one in July. I've got the next 3 JE ones from the library and am currently reading #6! They are hillarious!

Long Time No Blog!

I'm alive and kickin'. We've been busy doing nothing lol. It juse seems that I have the same ol', same ol' things happening and that gets a might boring. How many times do you want to hear of our fishing trip to the lake ?? lol....

Last week was very relaxing and different. Jordan and Isaac left on Tuesday, with friends of ours, to go to the Creation Music Festival in Mt. Union, PA. They had a fabulous time! One of them missed me ;)

Allen stayed with Gramma on Tues.-Thurs. so I had 48 hours of blessed quiet (Doug was working). What did I do, you wonder? Not much of anything :) I watched the Love Comes Softy movie collection, all 4 of them. I ate m&m's for dinner lol. I also watched Because I Said So with Diane Keaton. It was cute. Not something I'd let the boys watch though. I went to church, spent too much time online, made 4 or 5 phone calls to friends and chatted with them, read a book and slept. It was lovely.

Thursday Allen came home and we went to the lake to mow grass, came back home and just hung out at home.

Friday I took him to the movies and we saw Pirates 3. It was good.

Saturday Allen and Doug went golfing with my FIL and in the evening Doug and I went dancing.

Sunday was church and then we napped and picked up the boys and packed Doug's stuff for the week.

I love that the 4th is in the middle of the week, so he is coming home tonight and won't have to leave again until Thursday early am. \o/ I just love having my honey home.

So that's what we've been up to. Not much, but it feels so busy!

How about you? How is your summer going?

A Tour of Paradise!

It's ironic that Cynthia commented about if I've ever posted pictures of the cottage. I took pictures yesterday evening to give you a little tour. We call the cottage Paradise, because it is just so wonderful.

We are not roughing it by any stretch of the imagination. We have 3 bedrooms, a sleeping loft, a big kitchen, back room with sitting area and computer area, and 1 1/2 baths. There is satellite television and a computer with DSL internet. It really is wonderful!

Standing on the back dack looking into the back yard. We had a little fire last night and roasted hot dogs and made s'mores.
Standing in the back yard and looking towards the house. Behind the table area of the deck is the sitting room you'll see in the next picture. I guess I didn't upload the other side of the deck. It's where the swing is that I took a nap on. Behind that part of the deck is the computer area.


Sitting area. there is a wonderful view of the lake out those windows! On rainy mornings I sit in the loveseat and watch the lake.

Here's the dining/computer area. Go through that beaded doorway and there is a laundry room (no washer/dryer though) and to the left a 1/2 bath.
This part of the kitchen is behind the sitting area. See through that opening? That is where we sit and lounge.
The view from the kitchen sink. The door to the living room is to the left of the fridge. The door to the back room is to the right. It is a straight shot from the back door, through the sitting room, through the kitchen and into the living room.
Picture of the living room from the small hallway by the bedrooms. The wall opposite the fireplace is the stairway.
The master bedroom. Go through the living room and it is on the left. Behind the staircase.

The 2nd bedroom. This is to the right of the master. And the bathroom is right there, also. Really, really small hallway.
A view of the loft from the living room. There is a single bed up there.
Go up the steps and to the left is this bedroom. It is right above the master. The bed is to the left.
The sitting area is to the right.

So that is our little piece of paradise. I hope you enjoyed your visit.

Checking in from the lake!

I decided to bring the boys (and a friend) to the lake yesterday and spend the night. We had an awesome day yesterday!

~Fishing
~Swimming
~Rock skipping
~Lawn mowing
~Camp fire with roasting hot dogs and making s'mores
~I made 3 meals and cleaned the kitchen more times than I can count
~Took a nap
~Took a boat ride
~Read a book
~Boys had a PS2 challenge
~Not enough sleep lol

This morning I woke about 6:30. Everybody was sleeping (for 10 min. anywa). I am about to make some coffee, sit on the swing and watch the sun reflect off the lake.

The boys are carting down their boat. Thank God it will be docked today :) They are going to do some early (well it's 7 now so not quite so early) morning fishing.

I'll make pancakes, clean the kitchen yet again! And then get myself together, clean the cabin, load up all but the food and wait for Dad and Cay to come up. I'd like to visit with them a bit before heading home. Unless Doug is home early. Then I'll not wait for them. I am missing my honey! This week is better than last, but only because I ran myself ragged. I will not do that again!

What have you done this week?