Simple Woman's Daybook 8/21

Outside my Window: The Sun is brightly shining and the temp is just PERFECT! Looking forward to going for a walk with the boys in a bit.

I am thinking: I really hope the Drs. figure out what exactly is making my Dad's foot swell massively. He has been dealing with this since Mid-May and even spent 2 months in a rehab facility.

I am THANKFUL: My brother! He has been HOME for almost 2 weeks now after being away for 16yrs! He has a lot of adjusting to do, but he is adjusting quite well in these 2 short weeks! He is living with my parents and being of a help to them.

In the Kitchen: Tonight is Taco Tuesday night! See the rest of our menu for the week: Menu for 8/19-8/25

I am wearing: A pair of red cotton gym shorts and a black tank top. I will change to shorts and a t-shirt when the boys and I go for a walk.

I am creating: I am working on getting things in order for our 2012-2013 School Year. Lesson Plans, schedules, and printing a ton of stuff. This will be on-going all this week.

I am going: The boys and I have to take a walk to go get a few things and I will let them play in the park. I also have to go down to my parents place later today to fill in for my dad at his Tuesday night job. He works at a local neighborhood paper and is in charge of making sure his delivery staff is getting out on the streets for delivery. It is for a few hours!

I am wondering: How to get our family back on a better routine?? We have been soo busy all summer helping my parents out that our routine has been LONG gone! Need to fix this fast!

I am reading: I have a stack of books from the library, but haven't had any time to read lately. Hoping to get back into reading within the next week! I am an AVID reader and this year I haven't been able to get much reading done, except for book reviews. Been a very busy year!

I am hoping: The boys adjust to a routine soon and that they have better attitudes toward our Homeschool Curriculum and Homeschooling in general this coming year.

I am looking forward to: A WONDERFUL and Productive 2012-2013 Homeschool Year. We will begin on September 4th, the day after Labor Day.

In the Learning Room:  Nothing right now! We are finally getting a relaxing break after a long, busy summer.

Around the house: I have done a MAJOR declutter and cleaning of our entire apartment over the last week. I took 1 room a day and just went to town. I tend to be a "saver", packrat, and I actually threw a TON of stuff out this time! I have one more room to accomplish, which is the Kitchen. Hubby and I are going to tackle that room this weekend.

I am pondering: A LOT!! I have had a lot on my mind lately and my mind has been racing wtih lots of thoughts of different things.

A Favorite Quote for Today: I saw this quote online over the past couple of days and had to create a mini poster for myself. This is ohhh soo true in our household. Matter of fact, as I was creating it one of my boys came up to me and asked me to find their DSi.

One of my Favorite Things: PicMonkey  PicMonkey is still quite new, but I LOVE IT! I used to use Picnik, but Picnik was closed in April as it was purchased by Google products. PicMonkey was created by a few former employees of PicNik and I actually like it better then I ever did PicNik. Very user friendly, lots of different and fun features! A blogger that has some nice tutorials on using PicMonkey.

A few plans for the rest of the Week: Wednesday the boys and I are taking the van and going down to my parents to help my brother with a few things. We are also going to the Museum of Science and Industry. Thursday-Saturday we will stay close to home and depending on the weather those days we will go out to parks or stay in and get things done.

A picture to share: 

My New Smile from Full Mouth Dentures

Simple Woman's Daybook 8/21

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Menu Plan Monday 8/20

WOW, it has been about 4 months since I last did menu planning. I just haven't had to the time to do menu planning or very much of anything else. I have been taking care of both of my parents who had foot injuries. My parents are feeling better and for the past 2 weeks I haven't been so busy, except for catching up on things in my household. A Major Deep Cleaning/Decluttering happened last week and now this week is cathcing up on my blog and homeschooling planning! Here is our menu for this week: Weekly Menu Plan 8/19-8/25 For more weekly Menu Plans and Recipes visit:

 

Menu Plan Monday 8/20

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LitFuse Blog Tour: Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan by Melanie Dobson

About the Book:
As the Gilded Age comes to a close, Elena Bissette's once-wealthy family has nearly lost its fortune. The Bissettes still own a home on fashionable Mackinac Island, where they will spend one last summer in the hope of introducing Elena to a wealthy suitor. But Elena is repulsed by the idea of marrying for money.

Quickly tiring of the extravagant balls, Elena spends most evenings escaping back into Mackinac's rugged forest. There she meets Chase, a handsome laborer who shares her love for the night sky. The two begin to meet in secret at an abandoned lighthouse, where they work together to solve a mystery buried in the pages of a tattered diary.

As Elena falls in love with Chase, her mother relentlessly contrives to introduce her to Chester Darrington, the island's most eligible bachelor. Marriage to the elusive millionaire would solve the Bissettes' financial woes, and Elena is torn between duty and love.

 Buy the Book

About the Author: 
Melanie Dobson has written ten contemporary and historical novels including five releases in Summerside's Love Finds You series. In 2011, two of her releases won Carol Awards: Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa (for historical romance) and The Silent Order (for romantic suspense).

Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. Prior to her writing career, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and a publicist for The Family Channel. She later launched her own public relations company and worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for more than fifteen years.

Melanie and her family enjoy their home in the Pacific Northwest. The entire Dobson family loves to travel and hike in both the mountains and along the cliffs above the Pacific.

When Melanie isn't writing or playing with her family, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.

For more about Melanie Dobson and her books, visit Melanie Dobson.

My Thoughts and Review:

I LOVE Historical Fiction and this book was no exception! I am from the Midwest and although I have never been to Mackinac Island, I now feel that I have after reading this book. I really enjoyed the Storyline which is one that proves that the Characters are given tough choices and in the end make a choice of the heart rather one of greed and desire. The many twists and turns in this book really capture my attention and I couldn't put the book down.

I am so glad that this was part of my Summer Reading, seeing that I LOVE Summer and LOVE settings as are in this book! GREAT read! 4.5 stars out of 5!! I am now very interested in reading more of the Love Finds You series!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book as part of my participation in the LitFuse Blog Tour Program. I was only required to give an honest review. I received no other compensation and my opinions are my own.  

LitFuse Blog Tour: Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan by Melanie Dobson

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MOMumental by Jennifer Grant (Book Review and Giveaway)

Do you ever feel that you "HAVE" to be the Perfect Mom? Do you ever find yourself "trying to keep up with Joneses" in fear of being judged? Well, MOMumental- Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising a Family" by Jennifer Grant is a must read book for you!

I recently had the oppurtunity to read this book and I throughly enjoyed the book! The book is comprised of "real life" parenting situations from Mrs. Grant's family life and her experiences as a MOM. Jennifer tells of how growing up she dreamed of being a wife and mother and had the idea of a "perfect family and MOM". Jennifer soon realizes that God's plan for us is the better plan of trying to be the "PERFECT MOM". Jennifer's writing is humorous, encouraging and wonderful.

I know I struggle with "Doing things right" so that I am not judged by others, but I also know that I have not allow "standards" to rule me and my parenting style. I really enjoyed MOMumental, as it is a book that doesn't leave you feeling like you are doing everything wrong. I was actually able to relate to many of the stories and it left me encouraged and realizing that many families are just like my family, we all have our "moments" and though those times can try to create havoc, if we just sit back and relax it will all be fine. Even through all our "failures" parenthood also brings about many joys. The most important thing I took from reading MOMumental was that saying YES to our kids when we really want to say NO can actually build the family up and the family can enjoy fun times together! I give this book 5 out of 5 Stars!!

About the Author

Jennifer Grant is mother to four children and author of Love You More: The Divine Surprise of Adopting My Daughter (2011). For more than a decade she wrote for papers in the Sun-Times newsgroup. Currently she freelances for the Chicago Tribune and is a regular contributor to hermeneutics, Christianity Today magazine's blog for women. Grant is a Wheaton College graduate who received her master's in English and Creative Writing from Southern Methodist University. She lives outside of Chicago, IL.

You can read the first Chapter and see a glimpse of the great humor and candidness in the book: Chapter 1

MOMumental is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and wherever books are sold.

The publishing company, Worthy Publishing, has provided me with a copy of MOMumental to giveaway to one lucky blog reader. Here is your chance to enter a copy:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: I received a copy of this book FREE of charge from Worthy Publishing via HandleBar Marketing. I was only required to give an honest review. I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own.

MOMumental by Jennifer Grant (Book Review and Giveaway)

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Kregel Publications Blog Tour: Legacy Road by Graham Garrison

Publishers Description of the Book:

Wes Watkins’s journalism career took off  when he was asked to eulogize Michael Gavin, a stranger to Wes but a hometown hero to the humble folks of Talking Creek, Georgia. While researching Gavin’s life, Wes was confronted with an estranged relationship of his own that he wasn’t prepared to address, having ignored for years the occasional letters from his imprisoned father. Wes has chosen to focus instead on his growing career and his budding relationship with Emmy. His life is looking up . . . until his marriage proposal to Emmy goes south.

Left to wonder if he can reconcile with Emmy before she is deployed to Afghanistan, Wes can no longer avoid the other reconciliation that troubles him. But when Wes uncovers a painful truth about his parents’ past, patching things up with his father may prove impossible. Wes’s life is close to spiraling out of control. Will Wes learn to forgive? Or will the best year of his life turn into the worst?

Set against the haunting backdrop of several Civil War battlefields, Legacy Road is a grace-full exploration of hidden secrets—and what happens when they are revealed. Th rough the ups and downs of human relationships, of family ties lost and found, southern fi ction fans will ponder the age-old question: How do you forgive others—and release yourself—from a past that threatens to destroy you?

About the Author:

Graham Garrison is the author of Hero’s Tribute and has published articles in six newspapers and eight magazines, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, America’s Civil War, Georgia Physician, and Boating World.

Buy the Book: Legacy Road by Graham Garrison

My Thoughts and Review: 
Legacy of Road is the sequel to a Hero's Tribute. I did not read the first book, but I was able to enjoy this book alot! I really enjoyed the main characters and their interactions. Graham Garrison really bought up a good theme in this book and that is the forgiveness and also the bond between father and son. I was reading this book and it really "hit home" for me as my husband had a "rocky relationship" with his Dad and it wasn't until 5 months before my husband's dad passed away that there was forgivness and a small step in repairing a broken relationship. I am glad, that just like the book, my husband had the oppurtunity to forgive his dad! I think this book is a great book for all, but is especially good for men and boys to read. The Father/Son bond is one that I really think is missing in today's world and I think this book does a great job on stressing the importance of that bond. 

I must admit it did take me some time to really engulf this book, but once I got past the first couple of chapters, there was no stopping me!! I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars!


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book FREE of charge for my participation in the Kregel Publications Blog Tour Program. I was only required to give an honest review. I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own. 

Kregel Publications Blog Tour: Legacy Road by Graham Garrison

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Heat Wave = Blessing in Disguise

Chicago is beginning a 3 day heat wave today, including tomorrow when we could hit 100°, a very rare occurance in Chicago. I am truly seeing this 3 day Heat Wave in Chicago as a Blessing in a Disguise. I know that may seem crazy but this past month has been EXTREMELY busy for my boys and I and the hubby, that I am looking forward to being in the apartment and out of the heat.

My parents have been "nursing" foot injuries since late May, so the boys and I have been back and forth helping them out with different things. My mom had foot surgery in mid-May as she broke her foot in 6 places. My dad was doing what he could to help her, but 1 week after her surgery my dad ended up in the hospital with an open wound on the bottom of his foot. My dad has diabetes and kidney issues, so therefore he has to be under 24/7 care while the wound closes. He was in hospital for 3 days and then was transferred to a Nursing Home/Rehab Center. My parents are almost "mended" but still need some help. My dad will hopefully be coming home in the next week or so and my mom is almost near the point to being "released" by the Dr. post surgery. The boys and I have been going by mom and helping with laundry, cleaning and grocery shopping about 2x a week. Once a week we have been driving her to her Drs. appointment. Her Dr. is really close to my dad's rehab facility so we would visit him that day also. I have also been visiting my dad a couple other times a week and helping with his laundry also. I have also been substiting for my dad at his Tuesday evening job. He is Circulation Manager at a local neighborhood paper and he is in charge of making sure his delivery crew has their papers for their routes and that they are beginning their routes. I have been doing this on Tuesday evenings from 7-10pm. The boys and I, and sometimes my husband are really the ones available right now to be helping, so we have "stepped up to the plate".

I have also been helping a cousin of mine at a couple of local Fairs/Festivals at his Food Vendor booth. 2 weekends in a row I have helped him and it has been a LOT of fun! I really enjoy helping him as this kind of thing is what I am familiar with and it really is fun!

So needless to say this past month has been an extremely "busy season" in my life. I have been so busy with things outside of the home, that my apartment needs a good deep cleaning! I have been able to keep up with the day to day cleaning, but there are some things I really need to catch up on! I am going to use the next 3 days as a oppurtunity to catch up on cleaning and things inside my apartment.

The boys and I have a planning ahead for HOT weather routine when it comes to Heat Waves. I really have no reason to "whine and/or complain" when it comes to Heat Waves as there are things we can do to help ourselves and our families stay cool rather then "whine/complain", so I just set about "prepping" instead of "whining".  Joshua has asthma which is affected by the heat and humidity therefore on "ozone action days" we have to get outside before 11am or after 8:00pm. I went grocery shopping last night and early this morning for "cool and refreshing food and treats". We are stocked up on Fresh Fruit and Veggies, Cold Cuts, Summer Salads and more! We also made a trip to the library on Monday so we have plenty of books, DVDs and Wii games! The boys are not leaving the house until Saturday, unless it is cool enough after dinner to go outside to a park for an hour or so!

The extra income I have been getting lately from helping my dad and cousin is going to be put to good use later today. I am going to use a portion of the money to go to Bed, Bath, and Beyond to purchase a 2qt Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker. I have a 20% off coupon so that will save me quite a bit of money. I have had an Ice cream Maker on my wish list since last summer, but we just didn't have the funds to purchase one nor the freezer space for the bowl. We now have the funds and the freezer space, so I am purchasing one today!! YEAH!! I am looking forward to trying different varities and making not only homemade ice cream, but HomeMade Ice Cream Drumsticks and Homemade Ice Cream sandwiches. I can do a "day of ice cream making" and stock the freezer!!

I am praying for those who will be lacking means to stay cool during this heat wave, hoping they will seek help if needed and those who have to work outside. I am also praying for those in Colorado affected by the Wildfires and those working to put the fires out. Also, praying for those in Florida who have been affected by Tropical Storm Debby!

I am prasing God for giving my boys and I a much needed "Break" from "busy season" we are having right now and the blessings he has bestowed upon us due to our willingness to help others!

Heat Wave = Blessing in Disguise

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Simple Woman's Daybook 6/6/12

Outside my window... The Sun is shining beautifully and it is looking to be a gorgeous day!

I am thinking... about a freezer stocking shopping trip I need/want to do in the next few days.

I am thankful... for the blessings of "extra income" during a time when it is needed.

In the kitchen... making Pasta Salad for lunch and Tacos for dinner today. Also, going to make some deviled eggs for snack time.

I am wearing... a pair of gray shorts and a t shirt. My "indoor" clothes!

I am creating... a list of Summer Fun activities the boys and I can do and things we can do as a family!

I am going... taking the boys to the park today for a bit. No plans otherwise!

I am wondering... what the next step will be in my Dental Journey when I go back to the dentist on June 15th.

I am reading... lots of great books! Check out the right side bar for my list. I am currently reading MOMumental by Jennifer Grant.

I am hoping... that a check hubby is expecting arrives in the mail today.

I am looking forward to... getting outdoors and enjoying the summer. I LOVE summer time and park days and more!

I am learning... there are many things to explore in the Chicagoland area!! I am from the city, but live in the burbs now and there is so much to explore in the burbs also!

Around the house... Fold laundry and put it away. Clean the boys bedroom.

I am pondering... about missing the annual Illinois Christian Home Educators Convention this coming weekend. I have been going since '07 and am disappointed that I won't be there this year, but I will be back next year. I will be praying for those in attendance and all the speakers and convention workers!

A favorite quote for today...

One of my favorite things... Yonanas Machine!! I discovered One Ingredient Ice Cream a couple of years ago on a blog and have been making it in my blender every since. 9 months ago I saw the infomerical for Yonanas Machine and have been "wanting" it ever since. I was able to purchase it about a month ago with Gift Certificates I earned from a few online point earning sites. I LOVE this machine! It really has a great texture and really does taste and feel like soft serve ice cream. I love the healthy alternative to ice cream!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Go to a park with the boys today. Thursday: My boys and I have to take my mom to a Drs. appointment and then go visit my dad in the temporary rehab facility he is in for care on his foot. Friday: The oldest has a Drs. appointment and then we are planning on going downtown for the day for a "Fun Day". I am not sure what we have planned for the weekend yet! Hopefully some family fun activities!

A picture to share... 

  3 of the 5 boxes of Bananas 

I recently purchased for .99¢ a box

Simple Woman's Daybook 6/6/12

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