Outside my window….it is gloomy and misty. The sun must not feel like shining today. It is afterall the start of Holy Week so I suppose that the weather is appropriate.

I am thinking…..a bunch of jumbled up thoughts. I need to take some time today to get everything straight in my head and then write it all down.

I am thankful for……faith in God.  Without faith I don’t know how I would be able to bear with what is going on in my life. Without faith I don’t know how the faithless bear with the troubles that come into their lives.

From the schoolroom…..there is silence. I am between semesters and Matthew is taking Holy Week off.

From the kitchen……I don’t know yet.  I haven’t a plan nor do I have the energy to come up with one.  But I know that God is good and that in a pinch he always comes through, even with inspiration.

I am wearing…..jeans, red polo shirt, and my favorite sweater.  It is the sweater that I always wear when I want comfort. It reminds me of one that my father had when I was a kid that he wore when he was sick.

I am creating…….a christening set, a first communion dress, and shortening a wedding dress.

I am going…..to visit Grandma Teepell and bring her some cheering up.  Then later to the hospital to sit with Papa B. so that Mama can go home and get some rest.

I am reading…..nothing right now. No time between visits to sick people and sewing.

I am hoping…..that God gives strength to those who are going to need it in the next few weeks.

I am hearing…..the dryer running, the clock ticking, and a truck going by outside.

Around the house….Matthew and Doug have everything clean and neat with the laundry going.  What a good and loving bunch I have here.

One of my favorite things…..the hope that comes with the green of spring.

A few plans for the rest of the week….no specific plans. This is a week to take things day by day.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you…….

Mary-Kate coloring Easter eggs yesterday. 

Outside my window…….it is chilly but supposed to warm up again.  What a glorious week we had last week, perhaps this week will be the same.

I am thinking…..that I have a whole week of MK home to look forward to.

I am thankful for……family, friends, and good weather.

I am wearing…….blue long johns and a sweatshirt.  Later it will be jeans and a tee shirt.

I am going……MK, Melissa, and I are going shopping today.  A trip to the fabric store and to find spring shoes for MK will be a nice way to spend some time together.

I am reading…..still slogging my way through TOB.

From the schoolroom……Matthew is on his own today.  I have my math final this week then I am done with this semester.

From the kitchen……leftovers from this weekend and perhaps hamburgers on the grill to fill things in.

Around the house…….a bit of cleaning has to be done today and the laundry. 

One of my favorite things……the sun shining, the air smelling of springtime, and the sight of things greening up.

A few plans for the rest of the week…….I think we will take it by ear this week.  I have to spend some time with Grandma Teepell and Mr. B. this week.  We won’t be having them in our lives much longer so I want to soak in the time with them that I have.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you……

The official start of grilling season.  Melissa grilling burgers for our supper yesterday.

This past week a load of driveway stone came.  We spent the day spreading it out and making it look nice.  No more mud puddles!!!!!!!!

“The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.” – Cicero , 55 BC

quote that I copied from a friend.  Well worth ruminating on.  Very applicable to today’s world.

Caesar:
Who is it in the press that calls on me?
I hear a tongue shriller than all the music
Cry “Caesar!” Speak, Caesar is turn’d to hear.

Soothsayer:
Beware the ides of March.

Caesar:
What man is that?

Brutus:
A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare  Act 1 Scene 2

Outside my window……it is wet and gloomy.  It rained in the night and the last of the snow, at least around here, is melting.  I am endeavoring to keep my mind focused on the fact that over the weekend I saw small yellow flowers peeking out of the snow at church and I actually spied a robin here at the farm.

I am thinking…..that I really should be doing math instead of my daybook entry but it seems to be such a part of my Monday mornings that they don’t seem right without it.

I am thankful for……my family, friends, faith, the times that I get to spend with others.

I am wearing……navy blue sweatpants and sweatshirt.  It’s my Monday outfit.  I don’t have to go anywhere today so I just stay in my comfies all day long.

I am remembering…….another time and another place.

I am going…..nowhere outside of this farm today. As for the rest of the week, it can take care of itself.

I am currently reading……..Still working on Christopher West’s Explanation of the Theology of the Body.

I am hearing……Matthew doing his chemistry out loud.

From the kitchen…….as usual there will be leftovers on the menu since the laundry needs doing and the house needs cleaning.

Around the house…..It’s actually not too bad since we did try to keep up with things over the weekend.

I am creating…….an heirloom christening set for Melissa’s baby.

One of my favorite things……being proud of my children.

A few plans for the rest of the week…….holy hours on Tuesday and Friday.  Melissa has a sonogram on Thursday.  This is the last week of Math class for me.  Next week is the final and then I am done with math forever.  Better do a lot of studying.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you………

Matthew’s karate class had testing last week, then on Saturday they had promotions. 

Matthew was very shocked and surprised to find that not only was he being promoted but he was getting a double promotion. 

He has worked so hard that Shihan has promoted him up two levels.

His mother was so proud that the camera shook in my hand as I was taking these pictures.

Outside my window…….blessed and beautiful sunshine.  The weathermen say it is supposed to get up to 50 today.  Wouldn’t that be loverly!!!!!!  That inspires me to take Brutus for a walk and work on some more training.

I am thinking…….the smell of the mud and the earth peaking out through the snow is a good sign.  Perhaps spring will come after all.

I am thankful for……..the beautiful weekend that we all just shared.  Saturday and Sunday were both as lovely as today is looking.  We spent a lot of both days outside in the sun. 

From the kitchen…..leftovers from the birthday dinner that we shared yesterday.  We celebrated Ian’s birthday a bit early since he is working midnights this week.

I am wearing……jeans and a tee shirt.

I am creating…….an heirloom christening set for Melissa’s baby.

From the schoolroom…….silence right now.  Matthew is doing his schoolwork in the afternoons while Ian is on nights since Ian sleeps in the afternoon. 

I am going……to spend my morning studying and writing my paper.  This afternoon I think I will take Brutus out and work with him.  He needs to practice staying when I tell him.  He’s getting to be much better about the road and he is excellent with the loose lead.  Now if I can only desensitize him to other dogs he will be the perfect companion.

I am reading…….Christopher West’s explanation of A Theology of the Body.  Quite a heavy read.

I am hoping…….and praying that my papa, Mr. B., gets better.  They had to rush him to the hospital yesterday.

I am hearing…….the usual and very comforting Monday morning sounds, the dryer and washer running in the laundry room, the clock ticking in the kitchen, the sound of my fingers on the computer keyboard, Ian driving the tractor that he just rebuilt down the driveway, and Matthew moving around in his bedroom upstairs.

Around the house…..Doug and Melissa swept, dusted, and tidied everything before I could get a chance to help.  The place is clean and as neat as a pin.  I forgot what an eight month pregnant woman is like.  She is constantly cleaning and fussing and making everything nice.  I like having Melissa around.  After being the only adult female around here for so many years it is nice to have the company. 

One of my favorite things……the sights and sounds of my family yesterday.  Somehow Melissa got Jason to play the piano again after so many years of him not touching it.  I had a hard time holding back the tears.

A few plans for the rest of the week……..Melissa and I both have appointments on Wed., holy hour and karate on Tues., holy hour, pick up MK and stations on Friday and schoolwork.  Sounds like the same old same old.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you……

A very intense game of Scrabble was going on yesterday.  We played teams.  MK and Melissa.

Matthew and Brett.

Jason and Kim, and Doug and I.  Bet no one can guess who won.  Of course the parents won.  By a huge margin.

Jason playing the piano.  Even though our piano is on it’s last legs he sat down and played for quite awhile.  Then we went to a friend’s house and used their piano which is new and kept in tune.  He still gets his dreamy look and sticks out his tongue when he is getting into the tune that he is playing.  Melissa has my undying gratitude for getting him to play.

Sheesh, another two feet of snow.

Outside my window….the sun is actually peaking through and, believe it or not there is no snow falling from the sky.  I think this is the first time in about two weeks that is true. 

I am thinking…….it is really time for me to do something productive but this morning is a lazy morning, nowhere to go, it really is a waste to rush today.

I am thankful for…….family and friends and the terrific weekend that we just had.  Two whole days spent with family and friends.

From the schoolroom……nothing yet.  I don’t even know where Matthew is at present or what he is doing.

From the kitchen……lasagna.  I made an extra pan and so that is what is on the menu for today.

I am wearing…….jeans and a green t shirt.  Like I said, it is a school day with nowhere to go so it is a good day to stay comfy.

I am creating…….a paper for my English class on the origins of jazz.

I am going……to stay inside and stay warm and happy with my family here and get a lot of writing done today.

I am reading…….Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross.  Not a book that you rush through.

I am hoping……that Ian had a quiet night at work last night to offset all of the craziness that he has had the past couple of weeks.

I am hearing…….the dogs pattering about, the washer spinning, the clock ticking, and the sound of my fingers tapping on the keyboard.

Around the house……things are as cleaned up as they are going to get until I get some writing done this morning.

One of my favorite things……..playing scrabble with my husband and son last night and coming within three points of whupping them both.  Not bad boys, you must have been practicing.

A few plans for the rest of the week……..reading, writing, silence, two holy hours, no classes to teach since I cannot talk.  A very slow and sedate week ahead.  Sounds good to me.  Maybe Doug will let me go to stations of the cross on Friday.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you…….

My tall lanky 18 year-old sledding down our hill on Saturday.  He spent many an hour at that Saturday then yesterday Brett came over and the two of them went out again.  Does my heart good to see them enjoying such simple pleasures.