Praying for

• friends – who still need permanent work
• young friends – preparing to step out of their parents’ homes and head off to college
• The Architect – he has his first job interview ever this afternoon

• the safety of my parents, sister and nephews who live in Moore, Oklahoma

::healthy

Sleep continues to be a priority.  I can feel my stress levels dropping as my first day at the new job approaches. I’m so excited!

::pondering

Thinking about being a woman in a [still] male-dominated workplace, and the role that my faith plays there and how it influences the way I manage and lead. Reading the writing of Mary Wallace over at the Working Catholic Mom.

::creative

(Repeat) FINALLY selecting the paint color for the house trim.  I hereby announce to the world that I WILL slap those sample colors onto garage panels and pick one before this week is over.  Please hold me accountable if I don’t announce a selection by NEXT Monday.  In my own defense, it rained on the one free afternoon I had to slap paint. 

::delicious

• Chicken Enchiladas
• Shrimp Tacos with Bladk Beans
• Eighth Grade Dinner with DirtBike
• Beef Kabobs, Grilled Corn, Berries
• Dirty Rice and Green Beans
• BLTs
• Hot Dogs, Baked Beans and Tossed Salad

::fun

GRADUATION Week for DirtBike!  No, not high school – eighth grade.  It’s a big deal, as he and his friends have been together in school since they were in preschool. It’s our last year at St. Andrew Catholic School – we’ve been there for eighteen years. EIGHTEEN Years!

::looking ahead

Tomorrow is the eighth grade picnic at a local retreat/ranch.  I’m chaperoning, and this may or may not involve a turn on a zip line. And a round of paintball. 

New Glasses!  AND sunglasses!!  I haven’t been updated in several years.  I’m looking forward to some more stylish frames and stronger bifocals.

Linking up at Suscipio - come join us!

Dear Education Folks -  Can someone tell me why my kids check out of school  several weeks before it actually ends?  Is there a solution? I feel like I’m herding chickens trying to get them to focus on studying.  I’m considering adopting a blackout policy, where I cover every window in the house (think London during WWII) as well as the car windows. In the morning, I’ll shuffle the offspring into the car while the garage door is shut, then drop them right at the school door closest to their classrooms, and then go in reverse in the afternoon. I’ll disconnect all things electric except lights, and lock all the doors and windows.  Think it will work?

Dear Spring – We have certainly enjoyed your lengthy stay this year.  Summer is now shoving you on your way, so we’ll bid you adieu until next year and embrace the heat.

Dear Ride of Silence Organizers - This year’s ride was extremely short (thank you tornadoes) but still heartfelt.  Thank you for your efforts, and a huge hug to our fellow bikers who show up faithfully to help, marshal and show support by riding.  To my followers – watch out for cyclists on public roadways and give them room.

Dear Kasey -  I am officially changing your name to Houdini.  I have no idea how you are getting out of the back yard so you can go sit on the front porch.  Thank you for not wandering any further.

Linking up with the Ladies at Suscipio.

Praying for

• friends - as they navigate the uncertainty of unemployment, for the blessing of work
• my children – that they all embrace learning, especially DirtBike.  That he, with the help of the teachers and education specialists, learns new ways to stay focused and organized and that he truly learns to appreciate and enjoy school
• my parents – as they discern their life path heading into retirement
• my sister – for backbone and integrity, that she find the gumption to finish school, and the proper attitude to search for gainful employment that will support herself and her sons

• a new job
• my husband, kids, friends and extended family, all who have bolstered my spirits and held me up in prayer during the past six weeks of heartache and change
• A few weeks off until my new job begins, time to pray, regroup, get my house in order and enjoy my blessings

::healthy

Stress works as an effective diet tool, but it’s NOT a very healthy one. I’ve lost a considerable about of weight over the past six weeks from pure worry, and I’m feeling it.  My vain inner brat Olivia is turning cartwheels, but my rational grown up self knows that I have lost muscle tone, endurance and strength along with these pounds.  I’m focusing on eating well and getting plenty of rest for the next few weeks, as well as getting back to some regular exercise.

::pondering

Thinking about pride and humility.

::creative

Knitting like a crazed woman.  It’s been soothing to my anxious mind.  I’ve finished a blanket, two baby sweaters, and half of a summer sweater.  I’m going to teach Princess Pea how to knit this week.  She needs it, too.

Gardening.  Our yard and gardens have suffered mightily from the ongoing drought and extreme temperatures over the past many years.  It’s time to regroup, rethink and replace the 15-year old drip irrigation system. Lots of digging in my immediate future.  Can digging be creative?

FINALLY selecting the paint color for the house trim.  I hereby announce to the world that I WILL slap those sample colors onto garage panels and pick one before this week is over.  Please hold me accountable if I don’t announce a selection by next Monday.

::delicious

• Polynesian Chicken, Strawberry Shortcake
• Burgers with Mushrooms, Southwest Chopped Salad
• Asian Chicken Salad
• Fish Tacos, Black Beans
• Mufalettas
• Pizza Night!
• Beef Kabobs, Grilled Corn, Berries

::fun

It’s been conspicuously absent for what feels like forever, but Fun IS coming back to the Pea Home!  Fun this week includes a movie date with Cherry Ames and Princess Pea, roasting marshmallows after dinner, studying for finals.  Yes, studying for finals.  I’ve been telling The Architect and Dirtbike for years that studying is fun.  They still don’t buy it, silly boys.

::captured

Yes, that is my oldest son.  He made a boat out of cardboard, rowed it in a race and won for rowing the fastest and for having a beautiful boat. Amazing. I am a very proud Mama, and I’m also glad that our garage no longer smells like a chemical factory.  Have you ever tried to waterproof cardboard?  It takes several weeks of hauling the boat to and from school, conferring with the engineering and physics teachers, many hours researching and the application of multiple coats of multiple types of sealants. And lots of glue, paper tape and red spray paint.

Princess Pea, captured by The Architect.  My children know and use my camera better than I do!

::looking ahead

New beginnings. Hope.

Oil changes for all vehicles, taking The Architect to get his driver’s license,  new glasses with a stronger bifocal, a haircut, enjoying having the daughters home for a little while before summer classes start,

Linking up at Suscipio - come join us!