The Daybook. 2011 Version.

I haven't done a daybook for awhile. Not since May 2010 . in fact. .

Where I was thinking about..." this article by Cardinal Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, on the dangers of pornography. Excellent article. "The claim that pornography "enriches" relationships mocks those whose marriages and families it has destroyed."

Mmm.

I have been flicking through the posts of The Daybook blog..and thought..yes. my blog is due...for another post...and another daybook.

One-liners.

If Possible.

Outside my window... Dark, almost midnight.

I am thinking... I'm going to be soo tired tomorrow!

I am thankful for... Facebook. Texts. Blogs. Hey, I know the dangers. But I see the connections, too,

I am wearing... A short black dress. What I wore to mass tonight . Gold sandals. Minimalist jewellery.

I am remembering... Friends. And how I have learned to let myself be vulnerable. Not the really Bad Thing I thought it would be.

I am going... To not worry about getting everything done on tomorrow's To Do list. It's not possible. Dear God, please help me do what is the most important. ( And urgent).

I am currently reading... "Winning After Losing...Keep Off the Weight You've Lost - Forever." by Stacey Halprin

I am hoping... For more time to read. And write.

On my mind... Mother Teresa. Read her journals.

Noticing that... ~We are back into the habit of doing our Kumon Maths. Daily. Regularly.

Pondering these words... Many people mistake our work for our vocation. Our vocation is the love of Jesus. (Mother Teresa)

In the kitchen... Leftovers. Planning a hot rum cheesecake for St Francis de Sales. Loving my tea and coffee and saints nook.

Around the house... Searching a rhythm for Daily Clean..amidst all my have-tos.

One of my favourite things ..Right now? Two things, okay? My Jillian Michaels workouts. And my Breviary.

Picture thought I am Sharing...The chocolate fondue with fresh fruit, I made this on Sunday.....

Daybook Autumn 2010

I haven't done a Daybook for a long while, but have enjoyed reading the Daybooks of others, on their blogs, so here goes....

One of my favourite things. . . my workouts. I am feeling better..so back to eating healthy and to tougher workouts to lose 5kg. What workouts? Jillian Michaels' ...especially her ones that are high impact, strength, interval, good for time crunched people. I love feeling better and pushing myself with puke-in-a-bucket workouts! What healthy eating? Rules (Secrets of a Former Fat Girl) and a "normal" eating plan ( The Ten Commandments of Losing Weight)

Outside my window. . .A sunny autumn day. Washing on the line. I can see the small green capsicums on the bush near the dining room window. On the weekend, I made home made pizza, with fresh herbs and capsicum picked from our little, little garden!

I am reading. . . Breath by Tim Winton, on loan..and The Associate by John Grisham. In my reading pile I also have The Cardinal, Lessons From Blackberry Inn, another book on loan from a friend ( the title currently eludes me), and the diet books above ( re-reading).

I am thinking. . .about this article by Cardinal Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, on the dangers of pornography. Excellent article. "The claim that pornography "enriches" relationships mocks those whose marriages and families it has destroyed."

I am thankful for. . . really nice weather. Cold mornings and evenings but pleasant, sunny days. Made our weekend, with my father in law visiting, a success. We didn't have to stand at the Welcome Wall in Darling Harbour , with umbrellas, in rain...

From the learning rooms. . . it is Harry Potter week! So, Anthony is writing a mini Harry Potter inspired essay... And I got my essay back, the one on Christian Leadership, the one I felt unsure about because I did it At The Last Minute and Late At Night. I received full marks. Woo hoo!

From the kitchen. . .Thomas is making cupcakes for Harry Potter week - we are decorating them with jelly beans..as in Bertie Bott's All Flavour Beans. I am going to put a split pea and vegetable soup in the crockpot for dinner, to have after work tonight. While watching last night's Dr Who.

I am wearing. . . well, I am still in the workout clothes I wore to 7am mass. After mass, I cleaned up my bedroom, re-organised a cupboard there, got breakfast for my father in law and, finally did a workout. Then went straight into my day ( yes, I ate breakfast at 9.30 am but I am really trying to get back into the habit of breakfast, no matter how late!). So, haven't got around to changing yet!

I am creating. . . our May bulletin board. Pics of Luke ( birthday May 21), an icon of Mary, Our Lady, for the month of May, and a Harry Potter poster. Of course.

I am going. . .to Melbourne for two days, in two weeks. Dh is in Melbourne for work; I am joining him for the last two days of his trip.

I am hearing. . .actually, the house is pretty quiet. Thomas is talking. Greg, Anthony and I are typing away at the computer. It is a quiet house and quiet morning today.

Around the house. . .I hope to find time on the weekend to clean exhaust fans and air conditioning vents. And to start tackling some of the re-organisation projects I have in mind. But time is precious and I get very few big bursts of time..so we will see!

I am praying for... priests, religious and for vocations. It was the first Sunday of the month yesterday and we have the first Thursday this week. Aiming to imitate the mothers of Lu and continue to dedicate prayers .

A few plans for the rest of the week. . . . Spanish class tomorrow..need to find a good resource! Work and more work. Helping a friend pack while kids play games. Watching Dr Who and Numbers and Harry Potter. Doctors' appointments. Maybe the hairdresser. First Friday mass and devotions. Eggs for dinner tomorrow night; Thai Vegetable Soup Wednesday night; who knows the rest of the week??

Here are some pictures that I am sharing..

Friday in the Octave of Easter

This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the head of the corner.And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4: 11-12

Here are some pictures that I am sharing..From Easter Sunday.

Outside my window. . The night. Dark. Cool. Quiet.

I am thinking. . . About the friends I have seen today. Really enjoyed our conversations. It is these little social interactions that make life pleasant.

I am thankful for. . .Friends!

From the learning rooms. . .Alexander worked on an Italian assignment and helped a friend with her Italian..Thomas did Kumon Maths, read about moral law, the old law and the new, from the Catechism and wrote a report...Anthony updated the Journey North project, read the St Joseph Catechism, discussed confession and typed up a report..Why is it we find more time to undertake formal work in official school holidays, in the octave of Easter, than we do in normal school terms?

From the kitchen. . . Well, I made pikelets for a late breakfast/morning tea with a visitor this morning after mass.. and a quiche to take to a friend's house for a birthday tea...and a salad to accompany Greg's spaghetti bolognaise .

I am wearing. . . A short dress, purple tights and a big black boofy jumper..I am cold! Autumnal cold.

I am creating. . .How I hate these creating links..I am so not creative..well, I am creating texts to friends and carrying on a texting conversation as I type..

I am going. . .To watch another episode of the Numbers TV series, with dh and the kids..I gave dh series five as part of his anniversary gift.

I am reading. . .The Acts of the Apostles, in Eastertide...The Power and the Glory by Grahame Greene, a book re-visit..also re-visiting Secrets of a Former Fat Girl by Lisa Delaney.

I am hoping. . .For discipline and joy...in several areas of my life..I think the two can go together, don't you?

I am hearing. . The drone of the dishwasher..the rhythm of the dryer..the kids talking in the garage about their military simulation game.

Around the house. . .Am caught up with laundry..bedrooms and clutter could do with an overhaul ...but I'll do a Scarlett O'Hara.

One of my favourite things. . .Coffee with friends...can you see a friends theme this Easter?

A few plans for the rest of the week. . . . Catching up with Kumon folders..planning for Teen Group..catching the movie Escape to Witch Mountain.

I am praying for...Vocations..

Daybook. 2009

Outside my window. . . It is dark. It has been hot. But I can feel a cooling breeze.

I am thinking. . . About many things. Too many things. My mind is scattered, worrying about this, pondering that, planning for those things, writing blogposts...

I am thankful for. . . TV and DVDs and computers and gaming systems! Great ways to veg out after work. The family that veges out together stays together. Or something like that.

From the learning rooms. . . Today we got back into a groove. I did Kumon. Kids did some Kumon maths and some Latin.

From the kitchen. . . Greg made a very nice chicken rice dish for dinner, while I was at work. I made a yummy bean and tomato salad, with garden fresh beans and tomatoes that were given to us.

I am wearing. . . No shoes! Kicked those off when I got home from work at 8.30 p.m. With a black skirt, black t shirt, purple swirly top. Earrings. Lots of bangles. Purple nail polish...

I am creating. . . Nothing. Pretty usual for me. Well, not completely true. I did create a clean and tidy Kumon Centre today, my first day back at work for 2009. Sorted through boxes. Threw stuff out. Feel organised.

I am going. . . Nowhere tonight. Nowhere in my life?... But off to the airport yet again tomorrow, as another son leaves for interstate after the Christmas break.

I am reading. . . The Epistle of St Paul to the Romans. Reading it aloud to the kids. But had to stop . Should've skipped a section. Too unsuitable for Anthony!

Ch 1 26 For this cause God delivered them up to shameful affections. For their women have changed the natural use into that use which is against nature. 27 And, in like manner, the men also, leaving the natural use of the women, have burned in their lusts one towards another, men with men working that which is filthy, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was due to their error. 28 And as they liked not to have God in their knowledge, God delivered them up to a reprobate sense, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all iniquity, malice, fornication, avarice, wickedness, full of envy,

I am hoping. . . That I will not feel too fat when I get on the scale tomorrw. One shouldn't fear the scale, should one?

I am hearing. . .The sound of guns. Fake guns. Thomas playing DOOM on the computer. Luke and Alexander playing KNIGHT OF THE UNDEAD on the Playstation. And I am hearing lots of talking about the game and the moves.

Around the house. . .We still have our Christmas decorations up. It is still Christmastide, right? Will probably take them down some time after January 6.

One of my favourite things. . . Right now? The summer mornings, blue skies, working out, hanging out laundry, talking to kids...

A few plans for the rest of the week. . . . Kumon and more Kumon stuff for work...Still looking for a missing photo and praying and praying to St. Anthony..Maybe the beach...Maybe coffee with a friend...maybe the movies...

I am praying for... A situation that is unpleasant and plain downright yucky. For all those involved. For a resolution .

Here are some pictures that I am sharing.. Doing push-ups with Anthony on their back..

2008. 2009.

That time of the year when one looks at the year in retrospect.

And thinks of plans or resolutions or mottoes or slogans for the forthcoming year.

Mary has a post about trying to synthesize our resolutions down to a word or two.

I like that. Simple. Maybe even do-able. Maybe I will defy the paradox of blogging by being able to blog about a resolution and then actually keep it.

So, when I read Mary's post, what word-instead-of-a-resolution popped into my mind?

LOVE.

I love my family and friends and others but don't always show it overtly. Or even express it overtly. I am a sarcastic b**ch.

This I want to work on...

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love....

Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love....

St Francis of Assisi

Okay, I have my word for the year. Better transfer it to my diary, along with my fitness goals. Blogged about these here and here.

But, as I said at Lean But Not Mean, the moment I set a challenge is the moment I start to panic. Think I will fail. Want to rebel.

....Reading Half-Assed but she seems so darn good all the time - always eating well and working out hard. Damn, that is how she lost 200 pounds whereas I am more of a bit here, a bit there person. Yes, I lost 80 pounds over a long-ish period but my biggest fear is ~ will I continue to stay there?? Will I get fat again?? Feel like there is a fat lazy person inside always struggling to get out...

Part of the resolution stage of 2009 is glancing back at 2008. What happened? What do I want to remember? What do I want to forget? Where can I improve?

Ack! Too much to look at. Too much to think about.

However, blogging helps here. See Willa's blog-in-review-2008 post.

Post the first sentence of your first blog post of each month. You can also add a picture from your blog for each month.

JANUARY As I mentioned at Lean But Not Mean, I don't do goals well. Or resolutions.I get stressed.Instead, I do mottoes and/or themes.

FEBRUARY CANDLEMAS..Or the Presentation of Our Lord.
Greg and I went to Mass this morning, brought home blessed candles for our table. I lit the candles and read of Candlemas to the kids...And we looked at the fresco for today in our Saints book.

MARCH Feast of St David of Wales.We read today that St David advised his followers to refrain from eating meat and drinking beer.Well, I don't really eat much meat or drink beer but I hope the Saint didn't mean that one should refrain from all alcohol! Shock.

APRIL My previous post , about attitudes and living by default, opened up a can of worms. For me.I realize that sometimes I unschool by default.

MAY Our parish has had, is still having a Mission this week. With a priest from the Fathers of Mercy. I have found the mission to be helpful for me, spiritually - a great week before my surgery next week.

JUNE Can you believe it is June already? I can't! lol! Each month we try to put things on the bulletin board, things that reflect that month's activities or focus. The liturgical year. Interests. Items to strew.It is a relaxed form of homechool/unschool planning, and of broadcasting to the family, and to others, our doings.

JULY St Thomas the Apostle. And son Thomas' feast day. We went to early Mass then breakfast out at McDonalds. And today was Homeschool Teen group, at Chinatown and Paddy's Markets. I bought a wig - feel very much like 99 from Get Smart! lol!

AUGUST MAKE YOUR OWN PIZZAS! This was our Homeschool Teen Group activity today. At my house. I am the "co-ordinator" of Teen Group, which meets every second Friday, the Friday we are not ice skating, and is open to homeschoolers age 13 and up and to their families and younger siblings....

SEPTEMBER Aren't you afraid that there will be gaps in your kids' knowledge?...I went to school. I was taught history, science, English and math. There are lots and lots of things I do not know about those subjects. Does that mean there are gaps in my knowledge? Or does it just mean that no one can know everything there is to know? Parenting a Free Child: An Unschooled Life by Rue KreamMy kids get asked questions all the time, especially by others who know they homeschool. That's okay. That's life. Life for unschoolers who are out there and open about our different educational lifestyle.Sometimes the kids know the answer to the question, to the educational quiz. Sometimes they don't. I usually just smile when their lack of an answer is pointed out to me.

OCTOBER Upon laying down of arms .If I were an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop was landed in my country,I never would lay down my arms o never o never o never!—Pitt,William, 1st Earl of Chatham known as the ElderIn my life, I can find it hard to lay down my arms. To surrender myself, my desires, particularly with regard to my vocation as a wife and mother. I tend to be like the first Earl of Chatham, mentally shouting never, never, never! Or, usually, in my mind, Sh*t, Sh*t, Sh*t! I am so holy.

NOVEMBER All Saints and All Souls. I love these days.... We remember the communion of saints, the Church Militant, Suffering and Triumphant.

DECEMBER Blessing of the Advent Wreath
This starts at the evening meal on the Saturday before the first Sunday in Advent with the blessing of the wreath. (One person is designated to say the prayers, following which various members of the family light the candles. )

There it is. A first blog post of the year, year review. Fun!

Daybook in Japan

Seeing....the Japanese Gardens at sunset, as the sun sets at 4.30 pm here in the Tokyo winter. Trees, water, the tea house and night lights and music and evening Christmas decorations gradually being added to the scene.

Hearing....people talking quietly in Japanese, the sing song almost musical sound of voices, surrounded by the gentle quiet tones of the music being played with the nght lights. Notes, not chords.

Wearing....my Pippi Longstocking tshirt and matching yellow stockings,bought in Japan, of course! With a black skirt and black converse...and a coat and hat ready to be rugged up for the cold outside.

Thinking about....returning to my family tomorrow..Yay! ..the conference - Kumon, borne out of the love of a afther for his child, how we try to nurture our students, to grow and learn and to build both academics and character....Tokyo, a city I find I love - the people, the clothes, the buildings, the shops, the trains, the bustle, the busyness, the gardens...Our Lady, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, finishing the novena, keeping Mary in my mind as a model for me, for me as a woman/wife/mother/teacher..Akihabara, Shinjuko, Shinagowa, Asakabasa, the Ginza shopping district, Shibuya, Ebisu, Rippongi and all the other places I`ve seen here in Tokyo...

Enjoying...the coffee and the cocktails here at the hotel...but better not look at the cost!...loving the shopping, too...

Reading....a guidebook about the history of Japan...a biography of Mary Makillop, with some interesting pics...information about helping children reach their potential with Kumon....

Working out with....the 10 Minute Solution Carb and Calorie Burner, using the laptop in my hotel room.....and lots of walking!

Some plans...Wollongong tomorrow and Wednesday...French and my Kumon centre Thursday..ice skating and grocery shopping Friday...and Mass...St Lucy!....Kumon lunch and work on the parish newsletter and do lolly bags for the Xmas Carols Saturday...Carols on Sunday!

Daybook Again

As suggested by Peggy. Want to participate, too?

I know I hardly am a simple woman or lead a simple life, but I like the idea of a daybook, occasionally, as a scrapbook of memories , a litany of what is happening.

Outside my Window... Rain. Isn't it lovely - we really need this rain! I loved hearing the rain during the night and now I love seeing the rain on the leaves of the plants outside the dining room window.

I am thinking... Thinking about watching what I eat and getting back into a regular routine of healthy meals. No mindless eating. No emotional eating. Less alcohol.

From the learning rooms...I've just made Thomas unhappy by asking him to do some Maths. "We are doing schoolwork today?" he asked, incredulously.. Yes. I am failing at unschooling...

I am thankful for..my workouts. They keep me sane, they keep me fit, they help me learn about myself, they make me happy. As Billy Blanks says, in one of his Taebo workouts, Learn something about yourself. Squeeze your butt! That line always cracks me up.

From the kitchen..Alexander just made me toast and Vegemite for breakfast. And Anthony just brought me a cup of tea with skim milk. Aren't they sweet? And we've been cooking ~ on Monday Thomas and Anthony did some baking; for dinner after work I made pasta and tomato sauce. Last night I made pea soup. Today, I'm cooking lunch - maybe some homemade quiches and homemade sausage rolls. Just call me Martha Stewart from now on!

I am wearing.. workout clothes. My standard morning apparel.

I am reading..Run by Ann Patchett; The Do-able Diet by Barbara Wimhurst; Secrets of a Former Fat Girl by Lisa Delaney.

I am hoping.. that everything goes well for Luke, as he moves back to Adelaide. Relationships suck sometimes, don't they?

I am creating..Memories , I hope. For the youngest four sons in any case. ...Freedom and flexibility within the natural boundaries of our life. It’s like the whole world is open to us and we pick and choose from the buffet. ...Like yesterday. After French class at our house, the kids played with foam dart guns and we mums talked and talked. And then ended up at Mc Donalds for lunch altogether. So, French class becomes French day – from 9.30 – 2.30 when we had to go our separate ways for different activities/have tos.If we were more structured, we wouldn’t feel the freedom to just drop everything and hang out, as we did yesterday. Yet, I see a real value in the kids building connections together and in creating memories and in valuing the freedom of childhood and of the teen years.

I am hearing.. Jonathon playing the guitar in the sitting room, playing and singing a song he wrote..And the hum of the dryer from the laundry..And Anthony's pen scratching on paper while he works on Kumon Maths ( Thomas hasn't started Maths. He's on the computer, playing games).

Around the house... We cleaned for the house inspection last week but have had many visitors ( as usual) so spend our time cleaning up, making messes, cleaning up! lol! I'm caught up on laundry. But need to vacuum again.

One of my favourite things...Today? The smell of toast cooking on a cool morning. Yum! And having people, a friar and one of the kids' friends, over today for lunch - I love having people over or catching up with people. I'm a social animal.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Kumon work, as always. Phone women re change of venue for the womens' group at church - it's gonna be here, at my house. Surfing for the kids on Friday. Finish off the tax stuff. Clean the cars. A farewell lunch for Luke . Watch Alias and The Brady Bunch Movie!!

Today..

What do you do all day?

We all know about Ferris and, no, I don't have a day like that planned.

But here is today, anyway....

A Daybook, courtesy of Peggy.

Outside my Window... Many birds, perching on the neighbour's roof. It is chilly but I expect it to turn out another warm spring day. Like yesterday.

I am thinking... Today is the anniversary of my dh's Confirmation. Unlike me, he was confirmed as a child, a twelve year old boy. I am thinking about a cake or dessert to buy or make, for dh, to mark this anniversary.

From the learning rooms...I have been doing some strewing of books - Dante's Divine Comedy, Jules Verne Journey to the Centre of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

I am thankful for..Anthony, youngest son, who is making a pot of tea right now!

From the kitchen..Nothing. Seriously. I have a busy day with work meetings, junk mail delivery with kids, going to a meeting at church, some of the kids are seeing movies with friends tonight. So, leftovers look like the thing..Or heat your own frozen meat pies and fruit/salad..

I am wearing..some old clothes ready for my workout..khaki board shorts, blue workout top, green hoodie, workout shoes and socks.

I am reading..that biography of Madonna ( see sidebar).

I am hoping.. that everything goes well this weekend, with the parish newsletter and twenty-fifth celebration...

I am creating..blogs! One for our Catholic homeschooling group ( Saintly Warriors); one for our email list Unschooling Catholics and, sometime this week, one for our French class ( stumped for a name,btw). Check my blog listings.

I am hearing.. the inane music of the Wii game Super Mario Galaxy..Thomas is playing the game while I sip tea and write.

Around the house...Well, it is pretty neat, pretty tidy-ish. Need to nag Thomas and Anthony about their room and , as usual, need to fold, wash, hang out, bring in laundry.

One of my favourite things...My morning prayer time. Really. I sound holy but, as you know, I am not. It is simply that I love starting the day with either Mass ( didn't make it this morning; a late night after a friend's son's birthday party) or with my morning novena books. St Anthony and St Joseph. A peaceful, quiet start, before the bombardment of kids and things-to-do. And blogging.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Kumon work tomorrow, coffee with Kumon Supervisors Friday and then shop for the parish BBQ, pick up and staple the newsletter, finish off the prayer booklet...Work on diet and exercise..Hang out with dh and the kids..maybe some summer clothes shopping...Work on that dreaded budget...parish working bee..finish sending out Kumon newsletters...pray the full Rosary more often, especially this week, with the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary .