I've lost it!

I went to 9 hours of professional meetings at the end of last week. So, here is what I learned. I am just not that into audiology anymore. There I have said it, and I feel better. Actually, maybe it was just the particular topics of this meeting- Tele-Health and Ethics. I really was fighting the urge to play with my iphone for much of the meeting. I loved my patients when I was working, and my friends at work were some of the best I have ever had, and I still like to hear how things are going in the workplace for them. I think I could even jump back into work at my former place of employment and enjoy it, but this meeting just didn't ignite that particular interest in me.

Now, if this meeting had been a homeschooling conference, I could have listened attentively for hours on how to help emergent readers. We have a new schedule this semester for dance, choir and my cooking co-op. I like the new schedule because I am at home for longer periods of the day before we venture out for said events. This means I get more done at home- cha ching!! I have started working out to some videos (Chalean Extreme) at home, too. One of my friends recently said of me that she would not be surprised to hear me comment that I had re-worked the new schedule so we never have to leave the house. Is it that obvious that I struggle with how to balance things?

I just love having blocks of time to accomplish things. How can you get things done if you are constantly running around? I guess I am just not wired that way. Well, I have more to say, but I am out of time.

New Year, New Habits!

In an effort to be more organized, I spent last week decluttering and organizing as many rooms as I could reasonably tackle. I am also borrowing several ideas from FLYLady.net for the new year. I am going to try zone cleaning. Basically, you break up your home into zones and focus on one area each week. For example, zone 1 is the entrance/dining room/porch, zone 2 is the kitchen, and zone 3 is bathroom/children's rooms/spare room or office, etc. In the beginning, you set your timer for 15 minutes and declutter (or clean) if you have already decluttered for the alloted time in the zone for the week. You do this for the week, and then move on to the next zone. She says in several months, your house stays cleaner this way. Oh, you also do some basic daily cleaning in the kitchen and bathrooms plus schedluled pick up times for "hot" spots in the house. I'm going to try it!

Above is a shelf in our pantry all organized. The pantry was a mess before, but I am proud to report it is still nice and neat 2-3 weeks later. Also, I have switched to a new planner (Beautiful Life Management) that has helpful cleaning hints for each day (the lady who designed them was a former FLY-baby herself). So far so good, but it does take time to make changes and planning to be organized is much harder now than it was when I was single.

I have always been good with time management, but organizing stuff is another story. Last week, we threw away A LOT of unused or broken stuff- shhh- Ed doesn't know becasue our neighbor let me put the trash in her can! I am also going to more diligent in having the girls help me each day, and I'm working on a chore system for them.

Now, for fun, I am beginning to sew my living room drapes as soon as the buckram arrives. I am ready for that room to be finished- maybe even by my birthday! So, if you are reading this here's to you in 2010! P.S. Maybe I'll even be better about posting on my blog.

Merry Christmas! This photo was taken last week at Ed's office Christmas party. I spent many hours last week finishing up the dresses for Ava & Jenna. I started them in a sewing class in September, and finished them the night before the party.

We are a little behind in other areas of Christmas at the Woody house, but finally, we are caught up. Many of you know, the girls and I have spent a lot of time out of town over the past several months. Some of these travels were to help my sister (who is going through an unexpected divorce). The blessing in all this is that we are continually amazed at God's provision in what is a very difficult situation. If you have been praying for her, please continue!

At our house, we finally put up some acceptable decorations outside today. Last weekend (our first one at home since before Thanksgiving), I came down with a cold bug that zapped my energy so nothing happened at home. Now, we at least have a few presents under the tree, but more importantly, we are together and KNOW the real spirit of Christmas does not rest in decorations or the right tree, but in that Christ came into the world to save us. And, saving we need-Saving from our own devices, tendencies and all the world has to offer. I am giving great thanks for my family and friends. Many of whom are facing serious and varying trials. I am tremendously blessed and encouraged by all the friends God has placed in my life.
Here is wishing you all a blessed Christmas knowing that God is working his purposes for those who love Him!

I hardly know what to say it has been SO long since my last post. I have been ON the road a lot, and obviously one of those trips was to Disney World! Our girls are five now, and I can hardly believe it.

We are winding up a 12 week semester with our Classical Conversations homeschool group and will be reviewing for the month of December as we eagerly get ready to celebrate the birth of Christ. The girls have a new endeavor in the apprentice choir of the Columbia Children's Choir. They do love music and to sing.

My sister has really been going through a difficult time, and my heart is really burdened for her. The Lord has given me great comfort through His word in Romans 12:3 " Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." How applicable this is to everyone in every situation!

Well, I know this is short, but my time is short right now. God bless you all!

Tired??

This is actually the third or fourth time I have attempted to make a new post, but each time I have been sidetracked for one reason or another. Ed and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary this week. We had a wonderful meal out, and we spent part of that time with some dear friends who were also celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary!

Life seems just plain full. I am feeling tired a lot and struggle to meet my daily goals for what I want to do around the house. I have not been consistently working out since May, and I can certainly tell in my waistline. I just have been unable to wake myself up at o' dark thirty to get any exercise. Well, except for last week one morning, and I was attacked by a dog during my walk. I do have some lovely bruises on my leg to show for it. Ed got me an iphone for our anniversary, and I am really enjoying the ipod feature- so much so that I was cleaning the kitchen listening to the ipod all the while Ed was locked out of the house and could not get my attention even by knocking or ringing the door bell.

I hope to catch up on some rest this week, and if not, I'll just pray and trust that God will meet me each day to accomplish what really needs to be done for His kingdom. I'd love to find someone to exercise, jog or walk with in our area just for some accountability. So, please put that in your prayers for me. Hope everyone has a blessed start to the week.

That's all for now. I'll try to get some new pics up soon.

The Big City

Our big weekend trip was to the big city of Atlanta. We went to see Nathan and Jessica's new (well, he is 6 months old now) baby, Wyatt. Let me just say how sweet it was to hold him. Both Wyatt and Hank are really great kids. I'm a little jealous because I've never seen them fussy. It seemed to me that my children were always fussy when they were young.

We had a wonderful time and great food at Chez Woody Atlanta. Of course, we had to go to the Flying biscuit for breakfast on Saturday. I can only think of one word- YUM. Ava & Jenna had SO much fun jamming in Nathan's basement. It's amazing how much Jenna liked the drums. We made it back home on Saturday evening so we could get to church on Sunday. The girls started cherub choir on Sunday evening, and I think they really liked it.

We did have a surprise upon our return. Our garage had been broken into. The only thing missing- Ed's bike. Guess it was a one man job because my bike is still there. The locksmith is supposed to be here today to fix the garage lock, but he hasn't called yet. That's all for now from the Little House

Where has September Gone?

Okay, wasn't it just September 1st a day or so ago? I know they say time speeds up as you get older but really I am not that old, and time is going by so quickly. So, if you are reading this you must want to know what is going on at our house. We were able to play rescue to a friend in need on Friday when her car broke down. She was never so happy to be friends with a homeschooling family because she dropped us back at home, and we let her have our car for the rest of the day. Saturday, our whole family went to the all local farmers market. I just love that place. Then, as a real treat, I went to see the Julie/Julia project with my friend Kristy. Maybe only the second or third time I have been to the theatre since the girls were born. It is a GREAT movie. I read the book and thought it was only okay, but the movie is four stars. I was totally fascinated by Julia Child's life. After the movie, our neighbors had us over for a cook out. Sunday, we returned the favor and had them over for lunch after church.

On Labor Day, we did a little bit of "school", and then went to the Zollers for some food and fun in the pool. It's midweek now, and I am trying not to be nervous about my new sewing class tonight. I'm not the type that usually gets intimidated, but for some reason, I think I might be. On the bright side, a dear friend, Tara is also in the class. Tara and I worked together for 4 years or so at CENTA. She is one of the friends who inspired me to take up sewing in the first place.

We spend Thursday back at Classical Conversations which again is such an inspiration for me. The girls are also living the material and school. They actually ask to do school a lot. I am taking this as a good sign. We are now on the 4th book in the Little House series- "On the Banks of Plum Creek", and the girls are still calling me Ma sometimes. I'm not so fond of this, but last time I asked Jenna not to call me Ma, she said, "okay, Jeannie".

So we do have fun weekend plans, but I don't want to give anything away. So, you will just have to check back next week.