Nicole's Daybook

Outside my window... It's going to be another scorcher, projected 108 degrees today! We did have a little rain shower sometime in the night, that was nice, because we are now on mandatory water rations and today is not my allowed watering day.

I am thinking... about a busy day ahead.

I am thankful ... that Rick is now at his new job!

I am wearing... pj's still.

I am planning... Brynne's birthday party, U.S. History curriculum (still), class subject binders, schedules, reproducibles file, lots of school stuff.

I am creating...  no actual creating right now, but lots of planning for upcoming creating.

I am going... to take my hard-working son to open his first savings account today. He has $500 that he earned this summer.

I am reading...  Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller, Seasons of a Mother's Heart by Sally Clarkson (homeschool play group moms book study), and More Faith in My Day by Emilie Barnes (daily devotional).

I am hoping... that my Aunt's recently diagnosed breast cancer is truly as in the early stages as they believe and that it will be able to be taken care of with radiation only. Please be praying for her. She is my favorite aunt and her name is Rhonda Hart.

From the learning rooms... We have started back to daily reading this week. Co-op activities are starting up and even Eli is joining the Boys' Club sponsored by our Co-op. We'll be going to his first meeting today.

Noticing that ... Christmas decorations are out in stores. Really? Good grief. It almost makes me mad to be so hot and to see Christmas stuff.

From the kitchen... I saw a Mexican fast food restaurant commercial that had a brisket soft taco, or something like it, that sparked my menu for this week. The brisket slow-cooked all day yesterday and is ready for us to eat tonight. Here is what else we are having:

Tuesday ~ BBQ beef brisket sandwiches with pasta salad
Wednesday ~ Fend for Yourself and Wine Wednesday
Thursday ~ Spaghetti and breadsticks
Friday ~ Brisket and cheddar roll-ups
Saturday ~ Burgers on the grill and jalapeno poppers
Sunday ~ Nothing planned, maybe some leftovers
Monday ~ Cheesey chicken and rice casserole

Around the house... it smells like apple spice. I have been using the little 99 cent Glade oil warmers from Wal-Mart and Aldi has a cheap refill ($1.67 each) that smells SO GOOD and after several weeks I still smell it all day long. I have had people tell me how good my house smells. And that's with four dogs! It's so much cheaper than the Febreze Noticeables and Bath and Body Works warmers that I have been using for years, and those lose their scent after a while.

One of my favorite things... watching my husband read a book, and be so into it! I've been using The Book Whisperer as a way to get my kids to want to read. Turns out the tactics have worked on my husband who claims to dislike reading. He can't seem to put his book down now.

A few plans for the rest of the week... I thought this week was going to be quiet and calm (and I guess after last week it is), but we do have lots going on. Today I need to run lots of errands (library, bank, recycling, post office, Walmart) and Eli is going to his first Boys' Club and then I have a Co-op Back-to-School Parent Support Meeting this evening. Tomorrow we have our Co-op Playgroup and then in the evening we are going to church to help get ready for the big Back-to-School Mission that is August 3rd. On Friday we are going bowling with our Co-op. And then the weekend is clear. I'm sure, for me, it will consist of cleaning house and working on school stuff.

From my picture journal.

Me and the Man I love. Soooo glad I got to spend a night away with him this past week.

Lots of women Daybook. See what they have to say at The Simple Woman's Daybook.