::faithful

Praying for

• Grandma Judy Darling – Chemo has begun
• friends and family in the northeast, as they clean up the mess, pick up the pieces and carry on
• Anthony, as he lost his mother this past weekend.

• seeing Cherry Ames and Princess Pea – two weekends in a row!!
• beautiful autumn weather
• Mom Pea’s safety during Hurricane Sandy

::healthy

Back at it.  I hit my scream weight last week, which means it’s time to buckle down and rein it in before it gets out of control.  Constant vigilance, my friends, constant vigilance!

::creative

Mom’s Pretty Knitted Thing is right where I left it a few weeks ago, more than half way finished.  I made a fluffy, curly scarf for my niece for her birthday.  I need to start another one for her younger sister ASAP, as she was eye-balling it and threatening to steal it the moment they got home.

::delicious

• Sliders, Tossed Salad
• Chicken Curry over Brown Rice, Peas
• Pizza, Tossed Salad
• Roasted Pork, Feta Slaw, Broccoli
• Beef and Bean Burritos
• Potato Soup, Spinach Salad
• Turkey Paninis, Celery and Carrot Sticks

I’m coming to the end of my stash of pre-assembled meals in the freezer, so it’s time to plan and restock.  It’s especially important to keep healthy meals on the table as we head into the germ infested craziness of late fall and winter.

::fun

Mountain Bike Trail Building!  Now this may not seem like fun to some, but for me and mine? A day of swinging tools and wielding chain saws = bliss.  Mostly because it burns off teen-boy energy in a major sort of way, which makes my day so much calmer.  That’s me, rolling up an abandoned barbed wire fence.

We did a quick ride on dirt this weekend – The Architect’s first dirt ride since the accident!  He did great and the leg appears to be recovering quite nicely.  We warned him to stick to the blue/green trails, no jumping obstacles and to keep the speed under 10 mph.

::looking ahead

History Fair Project completion, Mountain Bike club meeting, long walks at lunchtime to enjoy the spectacular weather.

Linking up at Suscipio – come join us!

::faithful

Praying for

• The Rotramel Family – Jen found her miracle in heaven Saturday.  Please pray for her family, for her husband Logan Ronhovde.  They are torn with grief today.

• a tuition exemption for Cherry Ames for her nursing school years, a surprise blessing resulting from my military service.
• the opportunity to teach at the college level
• flu shots

::healthy

I’m on hiatus this week, regrouping and making a plan to move forward and lose these last seven pounds that have been lingering on my frame for a year now.  Yes, exercise will be done, and calories will be accounted for.

::creative

Mom’s Pretty Knitted Thing is coming along, more than half way finished.

The only other creative thing that happened this past week was clearing out the craft cabinet, sorting, purging, and smiling at the re-found treasures in there.

::delicious

• Steak, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Spinach Salad
• Cilantro Chicken Wonton Soup
• Pizza, Tossed Salad
• Roasted Tilapia, Tomatoes and Cauliflower
• Garlic Lime Chicken, Mixed Veggies, Spinach Salad
• Two More Meals are up to the Guys, as I’ll be away on a business trip…that means they’ll be hitting up Jimmy John’s Subs and Kincaid’s Burgers!

::fun

Wrapping up research with DirtBike for History Fair project, helping The Architect build the trebuchet!

Last weekly ride with the Mayor for the season.  The Architect thinks he’ll be able to handle at least half at a slower pace.  We just can’t miss this one, as it involves dressing like a Zombie and riding with headlights.

::looking ahead

A trip to Austin for the Texas Society of Professional Engineers board meeting, followed by a quick dash over to Aggieland to see Princess Pea!!  I haven’t hugged her since August!  Pre-Construction meeting with the contractor for a street and waterline rehab, and health insurance renewal time.

Linking up at Suscipio – come join us!

::faithful

Praying for

• Mom Pea, as we make decisions regarding her living arrangements.
• my students, that they all find a last reserve of brain power to finish their last semesters of college, and that they find work as graduation approaches.
• a friend and her husband, as they battle the cancer dragon.
• for Jen, for recovery from this round of chemo and for relief from the pain from the surgery to drain fluids from her heart and lungs.  She’s fighting a tremendous battle, breath by breath.
• for Judy Darling – Please pray for Judy to bolster her courage as she marches forward into chemo.

• drop cloths and blue tape
• cooler mornings
• Princess Grace
• GORGEOUS days perfect for biking!

::healthy

Sleep will continue to be a priority this week, this time for Mr. Pea.  He needs some rest! Last week ended up CRAZY with meetings, school things and work, and menu plans went out the window in favor of soup and sandwiches.  This week I’m committed to relaxed family dinner time, a time to reconnect, laugh and plan together.

::creative

The Great Paint Toss was a SUCCESS!!  I was so skeptical, but willing to give Dirtbike leeway.  His older siblings all got to design their own ‘teen’ rooms, so I couldn’t deny him, other than to draw the line at painting the room black.

Before, with the Army themed walls. Then two hours of taping drop clothes in place and sealing off everything that wasn’t supposed to get splattered.

During.  DirtBike and the Bestie threw the paint.

None was spilt, and only a few drops got on the ceiling.

After.  I like it.

::delicious

• Beef and Bean Chili
• Ravioli with Roasted Butternut Squash (for real this week!)
• Chicken Curry
• Grilled Chicken, Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
• Hamburgers
• Cajun Shrimp with Garlic Grits and Spinach

::fun

DirtBike’s Birthday!  Paint Throwing! – See Above.  He’s happy and it looks super cool. I’m hoping it will inspire him to keep his room tidy.  Huh.  A Mom can dream, right?

The Architect’s stitches come out this week – yeah!  We’ll have a small bike ride with him, just to feel it out.  He’s already griping because I’ve told him he’ll have to take the clips off and put regular pedals on until he’s completely healed.  Can’t take a chance of more damage.

It’s Homecoming Week, which means major Mum Making time.  When the girls were home, we hosted a mum-making party every year, and I’d cover the pool table with the hard top and set up shop.  Always fun.  The Architect doesn’t have a date this year – he didn’t know if he’d be able to walk/dance by Homecoming.  There are still a few days left, so I’m geared up and ready to make a mum if necessary.  Fun!

Other fun – I’m starting on *shhhhh* Christmas!  Yup.  Extra freezer meals stashed, cookie dough mixed up and frozen and making lists and filling the calendar.

::looking ahead

Stitch removal for The Architect, volunteering at the concession stand with DirtBike for the volleyball tournament, a slower week!

Linking up at Suscipio – come join us!