Friday Fill-Ins #185

1. This is what life does. It lets you relax and then plunges you into a terrifying roller coaster ride of uncertainty.

2. Will I remember to appreciate the moment?

3. Upon reflection I'm thinking summer is overrated.

4. I've been married for quite a long time.

5. Later, you wake up wishing your child would let you sleep longer.

6. How I wish I could go across the far and boundless sea.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having dinner out with my husband and kids, tomorrow my plans include helping get the church ready for VBS (we're going to Egypt!) and Sunday, I want to hear some excellent music & preaching!

Friday Fill-Ins #183

1. When it's quiet I am very happy.
2. I will start my job in what seems like a month (because I do have professional development classes to attend in about a month).
3. My heart is thankful for the people I love.
4. My birthday is on the tenth of July.
5. In the town where I was born, my in-laws live--yet we never met when I went back to visit. I met my husband when he moved to our area.
6. His trustworthiness is something I really love about my significant other / friend.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having Justin get home before 8:30, tomorrow my plans include taking the kids to walk in a neighborhood parade and Sunday, I want to enjoy some good BBQ at my parents' house and end the day watching fireworks!

Friday Fill-Ins #177

Wow, I'm posting twice in the same calendar week! I really am planning to write more during the summer. We'll see how that works out, especially since I am the chauffeur who drives my children to their many social engagements during the summer. But I can't be any more worn down than I am now. It's definitely the end of the school year, and the students' behavior shows it. Ten more days!--wait, nine and a half (the last day is a half day.) Oh well, I still love teaching--but there's a REASON for that summer break.

I haven't done the Friday Fill-Ins in a while, so here we go...

1. My children's laughter never fails to make me smile.

2. I'm looking forward to sleeping in when school is out. (And by "sleeping in," I mean "later than 7:30 a.m.)

3. Guitar-heavy rock music from whatever show Justin's watching  is what I'm listening to right now. No, wait, he changed the channel. He changes it every few seconds, like a typical man.

4. Potato salad must have yellow mustard in it!

5. The chopped beef BBQ sandwich I had for dinner was the best thing I ate today. (Very easy, too--I chopped up leftover pot roast, mixed it with BBQ sauce, heated it up, and put it on buns. Easy peasy.)

6. Today was challenging because I am dealing with parents who are questioning my decisions in correcting their children's misbehavior. Sixth grade parents are not like parents of high schoolers.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to putting a check in the bank (finally!), tomorrow my plans include going to a cookout with the other volunteers who help with the kids' ministry at our church, and Sunday, I want to see my extended family!

Friday Fill-Ins #173

I haven't updated in a while because...well, I haven't actually been all that busy--in fact, I took two days off this week--but I just haven't had anything I felt was worth saying. But there comes a point when you just have to update, am I right?

We are all fine. Justin found another shop after the fire (did I already mention that he found another place? it's been two months, and it feels like two years, so I don't remember what I've written about it), and he still has plenty of work, so he is working hard (and late, some evenings) to get make the builders and our bank account happy. I'm proud of my hard-working husband.

I took the kids to the doctor last Friday for their well-child visits. Miss Pink is 48 pounds and 48 inches tall--around the 30th percentile. She is happy and healthy, with a gap-toothed grin from the teeth she's lost, and has just started reading chapter books on her own (I am so proud!) At the last conference with her teacher, she said Miss Pink is way ahead of their class goals in her schoolwork. She also loves school and I'm so glad for that.

Mr. Blue is 38 pounds and I forget how tall, but he's in the 60th percentile overall, which is surprising, because he looks just as slender as his sister to me. He's a monkey right now who does mischievous things and then tries to charm his way out of trouble, the little stinker. I love it when he says, "Mom, Mom, I have to tell you something, Mom," and then when I assure him I'm listening, he proceeds to tell me something totally random that he saw on TV or that another kid told him.

I'm getting tired, so I'm going to go ahead and do the Friday Fill-Ins, which I haven't been able to do in quite a while.

1. Where are my magical house-cleaning elves? I want some magical house-cleaning elves!

2. If wishes were horses then Miss Pink would definitely own a horse as she wants one SO bad!

3. I'd like to see my children and grandchildren have happy, fulfilling lives.

4. When I was a teen, I thought forty was old. As I get closer to it, I would like to revise that opinion!

5. One of my mother's favorite sayings was "You're the kind of girl guys want to marry." (She was right. I'm just glad I picked the right guy to marry.)

6. I'd have a hard time doing without my cell phone.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to seeing my aunt, my cousin, and my cousin's baby while they are in town, tomorrow my plans include scrapbooking, which I haven't done in two months and Sunday, I want to hang out with our friends while we practice a funny skit for a mother-daughter tea next month!

Cherishing Simple Days and Friday Fill-Ins #170

Tomorrow is Good Friday, of course, and it is a school holiday for me and Miss Pink. Normally I would keep Mr. Blue home too, but he has an Easter egg hunt at school tomorrow, so we will sleep in (hopefully) and take him to school around 10:00. It's supposed to be raining, so the egg hunt may have to be indoors, which will be interesting with the small classrooms at the daycare. Then Mr. Blue can stay at school for a special lunch, complete with treats, while Miss Pink and I leave to grab a bite of lunch and take a load of kid clothes to the resale shop.


Just a simple day. Funny how much I cherish them now that such days are the exception rather than the norm. Don't get me wrong on either side: I am so thankful I got to stay home with my children for a number of years, AND I love working now. It's just that a little break from the routine--a day which used to BE the routine--feels like pure luxury now.

And now for some Friday Fill-Ins!

1. All you need is love. Seriously, you can handle anything if you have love.
2. The silliness of my husband and kids fills me with laughter.
3. Each generation, as it grows up, rejects the ideas of the generation which came before.
4.Apathy is something I have a hard time dealing with (not in me, in others!)
5. A trip to a beach is what I need.
6. Give to God and you get back.
7. And as for the weekend, Friday night I'm looking forward to watching American Idol, Saturday my plans include planning the menu for next week and making gumbo for dinner and Sunday, I want to hide Easter eggs at my mom's house for the kids to find!

Friday Fill-Ins #169

1. "The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between the lightning and the lightning bug."--Mark Twain

2. Leave the bedroom when you wake up and shut the door quietly, please.

3. Up, up and away, in my beautiful balloon...

4. Probably at home is where you'll find me.

5. Ooh! What is that interesting-looking book I've been wanting to read?

6. Being organized is a good idea.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting a good night's sleep, tomorrow my plans include going to some friends' house to eat homemade chimichangas and Sunday, I want to celebrate Palm Sunday!

Friday Fill-Ins #167

1. I am so looking forward to sleeping in next week during Spring Break!
2. We are going out to eat later.
3. When you get grumpy, count your blessings.
4. My family is a big part of my life.
5. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask me.
6. I wish I was going on a trip.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching American Idol with Miss Pink, tomorrow my plans include getting my hair cut (finally!) and Sunday, I want to hang out with my mom and dad because they were out of town last weekend.

Friday Fill-Ins #164

 

1. Johnny Weir is someone I had to Google--and it turned out I'd heard of his costumes, I just didn't know his name.
2. Shamefully, I have not watched any of the 2010 Olympics (largely because my husband is not interested).
3. And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was overcome by the urgent need to earn a living.
4. Treat yourself to something nice if you get an urge.
5. Having sweet dreams is a lovely addition to a good night's sleep.
6. What does it take to keep going when you don't know where you're going to get enough energy to do everything that needs to be done?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to putting the kids to bed, tomorrow my plans include going to a baby shower and (later) a birthday dinner for my dad and Sunday, I want to get ready for my first day teaching 9th & 10th grade English!

More Friday Fill-ins here.

Friday Fill-Ins #161

Yay, it's Friday (or it will be by the time y'all read this!) Before I do the fill-in, here's some exciting news: I have an interview! No, it's not for a permanent job--but it may lead to one. It's a long-term sub job for 9th grade English, and getting experience at the high school will definitely improve my chances of getting a permanent gig when the new high school opens in the fall. Plus, it's 50% more pay (which is only fair since I'll be doing all the grading, lesson planning, paperwork, etc. that the regular teacher does). There are apparently a lot of people who try for these jobs and I'm lucky to get an interview. Please say a prayer, cross your fingers, chant or burn incense for me--but don't sacrifice any goats. Unless you need fresh goat meat. But don't make a big mess just for me, is what I'm saying.

Oh, shoot--if you think sacrificing a goat will guarantee me a job, go ahead and do it!

Here's the fill-in!

1. Wouldn't it be easy if kids listened and obeyed everything we said?
2. My marriage is better than ever!
3. I love the taste of salty and sweet things together--like chocolate-covered pretzels, or crispy fries dipped in a milkshake. Mmmm, now I'm getting hungry.
4. My husband is flipping through channels in the living room.
5. The first thing we're going to do is talk about everything we've got going on.
6. The rain outside goes drip, drip, drip; all night long. (it really is raining; hopefully it won't become ice by morning).
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to making the kids pick up all their toys so I don't have to look at them all over the floor, tomorrow my plans include getting some scrapbook pages done with my group and Sunday, I want to celebrate 10 people getting baptized at our church!

Happy weekend, everyone!

Friday Fill-ins #157

1. Last night we had appetizers for dinner, watched the movie Up and America's Funniest Home Videos and then watched the ball drop in New York and pretended it was midnight so the kids would go to sleep. Justin and I did stay up till midnight after they went to bed.
2. I am looking forward to making the most of this year.
3. The funniest thing is listening to my husband and children tease each other.
4. Here we stand at a crossroad...so where do we go from here?
5. He said tomAYto; she said tomAHto.
6. Every cloud has a silver lining and it's up to us to find it.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having takeout Chinese for dinner with my parents, tomorrow my plans include getting the house in shape before school starts on Monday and Sunday, I want to plan menus and get groceries for the week!

Friday Fill-Ins #155 (With an Explanation of Why I Haven't Been Online This Week)

Wow, a whole week without posting and now I hardly know where to start. Obviously I survived Miss Pink's slumber party. At 12:30 a.m. I finally got the girls bedded down and I read books to them--it was the only way I could think of to keep them still and quiet enough to let sleep overtake them. (Can you tell I am a substitute teacher? When all else fails, read them a story!) Eventually the last pair of eyes closed and I was able to call it a night.

This week was busy, but not impossibly so, because I only got to work two days. I used the other days to bake treats for teachers and finish Christmas shopping. Now I am done except for a gift card for a nephew. Today I went to Mr. Blue's school and took pictures of the Christmas party and then we picked up Miss Pink from school. On Wednesday I got to eat lunch with Miss Pink. I was glad to get to spend the time at their schools because I don't get to do that much anymore.

I had a tough week, though, with anxiety. I won't go into details, because with this type of anxiety, unlike "normal" worrying, the event that sets off the anxiety is not really the point. Once the panicky feelings start, they hang around like unwanted guests and I have to work hard to not let them affect everyone around me. I am determined not to let this control me. So please remember me in your thoughts and prayers. I know I have so much to be thankful for.

This week's Friday Fill-Ins:

1. No, we will NOT eat or drink anything potentially messy on the freshly cleaned living room carpet!
2. I used to do my homework at the old kitchen table.
3. I watched the steam rising from the hot cup of coffee (or tea) and thought: I'm going to burn my tongue on this like I always do.

4. This week my mantra is "It's all going to be okay." (Seriously, this is what I kept repeating to myself.)
5. I'll take Manhattan!
6. I have the best husband in the world, at least from my point of view.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to eating the sausage-corn chowder simmering on the stove, tomorrow my plans include doing some cleaning and present-wrapping and Sunday, I want to go to Pei Wei after church!

Friday Fill-Ins #154

1. Good times: listening to my children's laughter, when they get along (which doesn't last very long, these days.)

2. You are welcome in my home. (But please call first since I might need to throw a pile of junk in a closet straighten up.)

3. Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

4. It feels like my children are not staying little very long.

5. Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more. (That's Shakespeare, Henry V, as no one except me probably wants to know. I had to look it up or it would have bothered me all night.)

6. I wonder how my thirties will end?

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finishing cleaning the living room carpet, tomorrow my plans include hosting a slumber party for Miss Pink's 7th birthday and Sunday, I want to catch up on the sleep I'll miss Friday night!

Friday Fill-Ins #153

1. You get a stomach virus when you are in 1st grade and it is going around your class. (Poor Miss Pink!)

2. You gotta fight for your right to party. (Where in my brain did THAT come from?)

3. It's almost Christmastime.

4. I wish the attention-seeking people on "reality" TV shows knew they are ridiculous!

5. I feel more hopeful about my future teaching teenagers.

6. When it's 11:00...goodnight!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Miss Pink starting to feel better, tomorrow my plans include supporting my husband as he finishes scraping the walls of Miss Pink's room and Sunday, I want to see my friends and family at church!

Friday Fill-Ins #150

I took the day off today because Justin and I are going to a nice hotel this weekend for a romantic getaway. It's a hotel downtown in the nearest city, but whatever, at least we don't have to drive a long way to get there! Plus we are staying two nights for free (with a free breakfast!) because we got it through our bank's rewards program. Free is good.

Anyway, I didn't work so I wouldn't be tired when we get to the hotel, after we leave the kids with my parents. The plan was for me to hang out here and do some laundry and clean the house. After I took the kids to school, I lay down on the couch because I don't get to do that anymore. Just a little nap, I told myself as I snuggled under the blanket.

I woke up 2.5 hours later.

Oh well, at least I won't be falling asleep like I usually do on Friday night! That's why we don't see many movies--too tired to stay up. Any suggestions for a good date night movie?

Here are the Friday Fill-Ins!

1. The last band I saw live was hahahaha--I'm sorry, you wanted to know the last band I saw live? I don't even remember. We have a great band at church every Sunday, does that count?

2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is the dressing. Family, togetherness, yadda yadda yadda--I look forward to cornbread dressing all year long. And the desserts, too, of course.

3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is all in my head. I know some things I want to buy, but haven't actually bought anything besides a couple of stocking stuffers.

4. Thoughts of being alone with my husband without interruptions fill my head.

5. I wish I could wear skinny jeans.

6. Bagpipes always sound mournful to me.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending time with my honey, tomorrow my plans include sleeping in and maybe getting a pedicure and Sunday, I want to pick up my kiddos and hear about how much their grandparents spoiled them!

Friday Fill-Ins #149

1. Plans and schedules make me feel more secure.

2. I'm happy when things are peaceful.

3. The last thing I drank was a Coke.

4. One of the most valuable things in my life is the relationship I have with my family.

5. I like pepperoni on my pizza (but lately plain cheese has tasted just as good).

6. Dear November, please be gentle.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to eating some of the kids' Halloween candy after they go to bed, tomorrow my plans include attending (and volunteering at) the carnival at Miss Pink's school and Sunday, I want to enjoy praise & worship with the kids in their service--I like dancing to the music!

Posted by Janet at 7:40 AM

Friday Fill-Ins #147

Barely got this one in under the wire!

1. The crickets sing, and I wish they would stop so I could go back to sleep.

2. Make the world a better place, wherever you are.

3. I want to get far away from the daily grind for a relaxing time with my man.

4. I was not really unmarried and desperately looking for a husband; this was a dream from which I was grateful to awaken.

5. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).

6. I still live in the town which I come from. It has changed since I was a kid, though.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching The Soup with my husband to be astounded by the idiotic people on TV, tomorrow my plans include going to a scrapbooking session and Sunday, I want to see my parents who have been on vacation in northern California this week!

Friday Fill-Ins #146

Thank you all for those nice comments. You are sweet.

How about some Friday Fill-Ins?


1. So are we going to eat any time soon?

2. An exciting adventure is what's up ahead.

3. I love to cuddle with my children even though it's uncomfortable when they pile on top of me.

4. I need caffeine of some sort.

5. I walk a straight line.

6. Laughter is the true elixir of life!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to eating chicken shwarma, tomorrow my plans include taking Miss Pink to a pedicure birthday party and Sunday, I want to go to the women's class which is watching Beth Moore's "Believing God" Bible study!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Fill-Ins #144

I'm home this Friday so here is this week's Friday Fill-In.

1. I have a history of worrying too much.

2. Where I am going to teach next year is something I wish I knew.

3. I'm eating (or recently ate) microwave popcorn.

4. My husband is on the road to see his mom in the hospital.

5. So that's it, that's the difficult situation our family is in.

6. Having my husband leave this morning instead of last night is better than nothing!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chilling and watching something with the kids, tomorrow my plans include getting together with my parents if possible and Sunday, I want to go to the women's Bible study of Beth Moore's book Believing God!

Sorry this post was a little bit of a downer. We are hanging in there. Since my MIL is hospitalized in a city 2 hours from home (she chose to do her treatments where they had the newest technology and best doctors), Justin has to go and trade out with his sister. His mom developed pneumonia after the first chemo treatment and the CT scan showed her lungs are not clearing up after the antibiotics and breathing treatments. They took a sample of the fluid in her lungs yesterday, but we haven't heard the results yet.

At one point we thought his mom might be released this week, and we thought we might take the kids to Louisiana to welcome her home, but that couldn't happen. Another time. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

Friday Fill-Ins #141

1. That's a perfectly fine way to be.

2. Look by the computer; I'm over here!

3. The possibilities include: starting to sub next week. We'll see.

4. Chili is one of my favorite cool day recipes.

5. How will you know if he really loves you? (Sorry, couldn't resist an old Whitney Houston lyric.)

6. Sleepy weather and a stormy sky.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to taking the kids to the playground at the mall, tomorrow my plans include getting the family to help me clean up the house and Sunday, I want to teach an adult Sunday School class!

Friday Fill-Ins #140

1. I feel happy. Despite having to sleep in Miss Pink's twin bed with her for part of the night because she was scared of the thunderstorms.

2. Going to my book club (which I did last night) is always fun.

3. Right now, I can hear these things: a garbage truck going by; Mr. Blue playing with his toy cars and talking to them.

4. I'm going to get my fingerprinting done in a few minutes and I'm glad the process will finally be over and I can start subbing.

5. The last time I had a date night with my husband was last Friday night. We did NOT go to the bookstore! But we didn't have time to go to the movies. We had a yummy Italian dinner and then went shopping and I got some new clothes for work. Gotta love a man who doesn't mind shopping with his wife.

6. My husband is going to start modifying Miss Pink's closet this Labor day weekend.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending time relaxing with my husband and kids, tomorrow my plans include getting the car washed since Mr. Blue keeps begging me to (and it's raining so I can't today) and Sunday, I want to rest & relax after church!