Free Valspar Paint

Do you have a paint project you would like to conquer? Valspar is having their Free Paint Sample offer again. All you have to do is go to the site, pick your color, and order it!

I have a small hutch that I would like to paint red, then black and then distress. I'm going to use my "Quite Red" paint to do that.

Thanks, Jen!

Winter Formal

Last night was Kyndal's Winter Formal. As usual, she was so beautiful! Drake's baseball game went a little long, so while we were waiting we went out to a nearby neighborhood lake and took some photos.

After our photo shoot (where she was freezing, by the way!) we ran by Starbucks and then to Drake's for some pictures with him.

The couple met up with some of their friends at a local restaurant for dinner before the dance.

Down in the Dumps to Dumpster Diving

The break we took yesterday was much-needed! I did get work done, but it was all from the comfort of my favorite chair while in my pjs. It made me stop and reflect on how I create my own situations of being overworked. I have a mental agenda of all I want to accomplish and I determine to complete that list at all costs! The typical costs? My exhaustion and Rick's inability to penetrate the vacuum I have created. There's typically no room for him, or for me, in my day.

So I decided yesterday that I definitely need to try to make room for myself in my week so that I have the energy to make room for him. I have decided to change up the way I do schooling during the week to include having the kids do primarily independent work on Thursdays that would allow me to veg out and take a break. Of course I will be here to help with whatever, and I am sure the day will include Brynne and I sitting in the chair reading quite a bit. But otherwise I intend to stay in my pjs, stay in my chair and "work" from it. Doing this will allow me to re-energize. I know that it certainly helped yesterday and today I woke up feeling much more refreshed!

While I was taking Eli to school today, I drove by a house that had just sold. They moved out yesterday and left some "trash" on the curb for Monday's pickup. I saw, what I thought were, some garden trellises. I have been wanting some for a few years, but never seem to get them purchased.

On the way back home I stopped and picked them up. What a find! I got two large trellises (that I am going to put on each side of our master bedroom windows), two smaller ones with adorable birds on top (that I will probably put in my vegetable garden), a shepard's hook (I almost bought one the other day) and another broken hook that I know I can attach something to.

Aren't they great?

I can't wait to see flowers growing up on them!!!

Under the Weather

School has been called off due to rain. Not the whole school system, but ours has. Kyndal was feeling really rough yesterday, probably sinuses but they caused her to have a bad sore throat. She didn't go to school today. I didn't sleep very well and just felt cruddy when I woke up this morning. Plus, it was pouring and thundering and lightening. Rick and I laid in bed and cuddled for a minute. I was just feeling exhausted and had a headache. He told me I should take it easy today. I told him I was tempted to not have school today, and to even keep Eli home. He said he thought that was a great idea. He slept a little longer and went into work a tad late. I slept until 9:30. When Eli and Brynne woke up I told them that we weren't going to have school today. They said, "Yes!" Brynne said, "Because it's raining, right?" I told them this was just a special day and not to ever ask mommy to cancel school.

Do you ever just call a Day Off? Do you ever just call a day "on account of rain"?

Sometimes we just need to.

Education is my Life

Education has become my life. Actually, I think it's always been destined to be my life. It's just that now the timing is right.

I'm sure eveyone who reads this blog knows that I homeschool kids 2 and 4, Dawson (8th grade) and Brynne (1st grade). I write about their educational experience at Journey to Excellence. Educating them has become so much of my life that the majority of my blogging seems to happen there these days. I am finding that I have less and less to blog about here on my personal blog.

When you are an educator, teachable moments tend to find their way into almost every situation. I am always looking for the educational side of things. I am always looking for new illustrations and lessons and books and topics and field trips. It's always on my mind, and in my heart.

Although we aren't "doing school" on the weekends, I am wrapping up the previous week and planning the next one. Not only am I planning the immediate next week, but I find myself looking at the weeks ahead so as to be prepared for them.

This sounds like a lot of work, like it has consumed me. And, in a way, it has. But I have never felt more joyful or inspired or sure of my purpose. And when I see one of my children "get" something, it makes all of the hard work totally worth it!

The hardest part of this journey is shutting off "teacher mode" to be Rick's wife and friend. That is something with which I constantly struggle, and of which I am always mindful. I really do try to shut myself down, although I don't feel as though I am very successful at it most times. I hope that Rick is patient with me.

And now, not only am I teaching my children, but I have taken on a contract job of teaching college students. And I am thoroughly enjoying it, too! It's actually my dream job! I am working from home, working around the needs of my family and getting paid to do it! I get to write ... one of my favorite things ... and plan ... another of my favorite things. And I get to use the legal career that I have always felt was such a waste. Without it I wouldn't have this opportunity. (Yes, I know that's God).

Anyway, I say all of this to explain where I am in my life right now and why you don't hear much from me here anymore. When I am not teaching in some capacity, I am cleaning house and trying to spend some much-needed time with my husband or collapsing on the couch.

But, I feel honored to be able to do what I am doing right now. I. absolutely. love. it.

My life is ever-changing. And I am ever-learning from it.

Nicole's Daybook

Outside my window... The sun is shining brightly, but ooooohhhhh it's cold out there!

I am thinking... about a recurring issue.

I am thankful ... for Springtime, not only in my environment but also in my heart and spirit.

I am wearing... a gold long-sleeved t-shirt, a blue-gold-white plaid button-up shirt, dark jeans and American Eagle white tennis shoes.

I am planning... travel plans for Pensacola IN THREE WEEKS!!

I am creating... the curriculum for an MBA Business Law course for a Christian university.

I am going... to devote some time to Kyndal at the end of this week to get her ready for her Winter formal on Saturday.

I am reading...  The craziness of my life has been interfering with my reading. I am still in the middle of Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner, and hope to finish it by the end of this weekend. I have another book in my bag waiting for me. I am still reading Stepping Heavenward by Mrs. E. Prentiss and the Book of Psalms (daily devotional). I finished A Room for Cathy by Catherine Woolley (my favorite book as a child, published in 1950), and we are still reading The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli (Dawson's read-aloud).

I am hoping... that warm weather is coming soon so that we can get that garden planted. I am so ready!

From the learning rooms... Brynne and I are studing "Observation" this week. We observed birds yesterday and will be observing the sun with a homemade sundial today (as well as the birds). Eli has a report due on a president. We He chose Theodore Roosevelt. He wrote his report and is now practicing it to present it in front of his class. It's going well! Dawson is studying The Middle Ages and Plant Science. We have herbs growing and are learning about the plant life cycle. He is also working on a great faux stained-glass project. Kyndal's main focus right now is baseball season, but seems to be "on top" of school. We She did a 3-D neuon project last night. (Maybe all the "we" things are why I haven't been reading as much as I want????)

Noticing that ... it's that time of year again .. time to shed a few winter pounds and start getting back into shape. I'm ready to start running again.

From the kitchen... I am fixing dinners based on ingredients we have on-hand. I have been able to skip a trip to the grocery store this week, probably due to all the stocking up in anticipation of the previous snow storms.

Around the house... are board games everywhere! I keep putting them in the game cabinet and Eli keeps getting them out to play them. There are three in the kitchen and two upstairs needing to be put away again.

One of my favorite things... was the picture of my Saturday this past week: I was on the couch in my comfy clothes, watching a Criminal Minds marathon, with my computer and a book, inputting grades and doing lesson plans, researching projects and writing curriculum for my job, surrounded by my puppies and the occasional kid and husband.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Not much actually, with the exception of Kyndal's Winter Formal this weekend. I really just need to do some housework.

From my picture journal.

Me and Brynne at Pops on Historic Route 66, with Brynne enjoying her apple soda.

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

Menu Plan Monday

Because of the craziness of last week, I declared myself "off duty" more nights than I would have liked. So there are some repeats this week.

Monday ~ Homemade chicken noodle soup (we ARE having this because the chicken is currently thawing!)

Tuesday ~ Popcorn chicken and homemade french fries

Wednesday ~ FFY

Thursday ~ Cheesy chicken and rice

Friday ~ Penne hamburger stroganoff

Saturday ~ Hamburgers and chips

Sunday ~ Spaghetti, homemade "Olive Garden" salad, and breadsticks

Have a great week!

Valentine's Day Recap

Valentine's Day was several days ago, but with my super-crazy week, this is the first chance I have had to sit down and post about it.

Rick and Dawson came home from their Tahoe trip on Monday afternoon. I had already given Brynne and Eli their Valentines and had gone to Eli's party at school.

We kept things really low-key that day, although when everybody got home the kids presented me with a card.

Drake and Kyndal exchanged their Valentines on Sunday. Kyndal got a Drew Brees t-shirt, roses, chocolate and a hand-made card. Kyndal had some personalized M&M's made and gave Drake a tiara, because she says he always acts like a princess.

On Tuesday night Rick and I went on a date to Fuji's Japanese Cuisine and Sushi Bar. We were home early, but enjoyed our dinner out together.

Tonight we are having Family Game Night 2. Eli loves when our family plays all of his board games in a family competition. We had our first Family Game Night on New Year's Eve. We'll have make-your-own mini pizzas and then get to the games!

Some New Favorites ~ Completely Random

I have a few new favorite things. And they are random, but here they are:

1. Fiber One 90 Calorie bars. First of all ... Yummy!! They are chocolately goodness! Second of all, they are only 1 Weight Watchers Point! Third, with 5 grams of fiber they are extremely filling!

I wish they didn't cost quite so much for five bars, but I'll just be on the lookout for coupons. And even without one, I will continue to buy them. That's saying a lot from this frugal gal!

2.  Harry's Law. When Rick and I saw the previews for this show, we were not optimistic. I honestly thought Kathy Bates had made a poor choice. But I should have known that the "King of Legal Shows", David E. Kelley, wouldn't make a dud. It is fantastic! I caught the tail end of the pilot and was immediately hooked! Kathy Bates is her usual amazing self! She is solid and whitty and hard and loveable all at the same time. This has become something Rick and I look forward to watching every week! It even seems to have taken the lofty place of Lie to Me in our hearts.

3. Lemi Shine. Told you this was random! Our dishwasher had gotten so grody! It had hard water stains and gunk all around the drain and our dishes were not getting clean! I hate unloading the dishwasher! I especially hate it when I have to rinse and dry every dish I take out of it after it's run through a full cycle! I took a chance on this product and it has worked wonders! Rick asked me if I wanted to take a before and after pic (good blogging husband), and I didn't do it. I sure wish I would have because the difference is amazing! Our dishwasher is sparkly clean and our dishes have been sparkly shiny ever since. It recommends using some in every load, but I have just been running an empty dishwasher with it once a week.

So, there are some new favorites of mine. Do you have any you want to share?

Some Light Reading

I haven't touched one of these in over 15 years! ... Yes, it's a Business Law textbook!

This is the textbook I will be using to write the curriculum I have been hired to write. So, this weekend I will be reading through this fun book! (Actually, I am looking forward to it.)

** Also, take a few minutes to head over to Journey to Excellence to read about the trip Brynne and I took to our state Capitol today. **

Nicole's Daybook

Outside my window... Soppy, wet, muddy yards from the mass exodus of snow melting, with increased temperatures.

I am thinking... about the date I have with a hottie tonight who called me this morning, asked if I was 'Nicole Taulman' and, when confirmed, told me to be ready to leave my house at 7:00 tonight and to dress nice.

I am thankful ... that my men are home from their trip to Tahoe and that no one has any broken bones.

I am wearing... a pair of gray sweats, a blue and gray 'Cayman Islands' baseball shirt and my slippers.

I am planning... the travel plans for our day trip to the Oklahoma City Capitol building.

I am creating... piles and piles and piles of folded laundry.

I am going... to go to Eli's Parent/Teacher Conference this afternoon so we can discuss his progress, weaknesses and preliminary plans for services for next year.

I am reading... Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner, Stepping Heavenward by Mrs. E. Prentiss and the Book of Psalms (daily devotional), A Room for Cathy by Catherine Woolley (my favorite book as a child, published in 1950),  The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli (Dawson's read-aloud).

I am hoping... that I always have a good "talking" relationship with my husband and kids.

Scripture I'm memorizing ... "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me ... Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me." ~ Psalm 51:10-11

From the learning rooms... We are back to school this week .... Yea!!!! Kyndal has had some friendship changes, so her schedule at school is a little different right now and she's back to riding the bus because of it. Eli had his Valentine's Day party yesterday so he was really excited to get back to school .. not so much this morning. Brynne got back to her studies yesterday and we have had a couple of really productive days, although she hasn't wanted to "do school" .. too many days off playing. And Dawson officially started back today, and has done well getting back into it. We have now moved on to The Middle Ages and plant science.

Noticing that ... duh, I feel so much better when I get, even minimal, exercise!

From the kitchen... I started fixing Rick breakfast this morning and packing him a lunch, instead of him skipping breakfast and going out to eat for lunch. He's hoping this will help him to lose some weight.

Around the house... are muddy little paw prints all over the stained concrete floors and the leather couch.

One of my favorite things... is taking care of my family and their needs.

A few plans for the rest of the week... P/T Conference today and then date night, going to OKC Thursday for Homeschool Day at the Capitol, going to Brynne's Coop Valentine party Friday and then grocery shopping and then taking it easy this weekend (or possibly writing the curriculum for the class I am writing, if my textbook comes in).

From my picture journal.

My man snowboarding in Lake Tahoe.

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

Menu Plan Monday ~ For the Sweets

Rick and Dawson get back from their Tahoe trip this afternoon. I am ready for them to come home! Today we are back at school, after 9 days off due to the snow. Brynne and I are trying to get everything done so we can go to Eli's Valentine party this afternoon.

Here's our meal plan for the next week ...

Valentine Monday ~ Chicken fettucine, brownies and sprinkled snow cream

Tuesday ~ Hot dogs and mac and cheese for the kids (Rick and I are going on our Valentine date)

Wednesday ~ FFY

Thursday ~ Cheesy chicken and rice

Friday ~ Tacos

Saturday ~ Mini pizzas for Family Game Night 2

Sunday ~ Homemade chicken noodle soup (didn't have last week)

Eli and Brynne would like to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day (and so would the rest of the family).

Clearing my head

With the snow rapidly melting, and the temps already climbing into the 60s (it will be in the 70s all week), I went out to stretch my legs and get some fresh air. Although I am a homebody, being in the house with not much to do for almost two weeks has taken its toll even on me. I needed to get out!

So, Crusoe and I took a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood. I even let him run without a leash so he could stretch his legs (he's a border collie, so he needs that!). He just ran and ran and ran.

It's amazing what a little fresh air, sunshine and exercise can do to your psyche! I was feeling  a little low and blah. But I'm feeling much better now!

So, get out for a few minutes today and take a walk, if you can! It will clear your head and get you ready to start a fresh, new week!

Book and Movie Reviews

When you are snowed in, you read a lot and watch movies to pretend you are somwhere else to pass the time.

So I thought I might as well give you some reviews of what I have read and watched.

First, I just finished the best series of books by Donna Ball called A Year on Ladybug Farm, At Home on Ladybug Farm and Love Letters from Ladybug Farm. I started reading them at the beginning of January and finished the third one last week. These books are the easiest read, and so engaging.

Their husbands were gone, their families were grown, and the future stretched out before them like an unfulfilled promise...

Tired of always dreaming and never doing, Cici, Lindsay, and Bridget make a life-altering decision. Uprooting themselves from their comfortable lives in the suburbs, the three friends buy a run-down mansion, nestled in the picturesque Shenandoah Valley. They christen their new home "Ladybug Farm," hoping that the name will bring them luck.

As the friends take on a home improvement challenge of epic proportions, they encounter disaster after disaster, from renegade sheep and garden thieves to a seemingly ghostly inhabitant. Over the course of a year, overwhelming obstacles make the three women question their decision, but they ultimately learn that sometimes the best things can happen when everything goes wrong...

 

When I finished the last book I felt like I had just driven out of the driveway away from my favorite place in the world, away from my three best friends and their families, and I would never see them again. I was sad. I felt like something had been taken away from me that I treasured.

I highly recommend these books!

Now on to the movies!

Based on the Novel "Secretariat: The Making of a Champion" By William Nack, Secretariat chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Housewife and mother Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) agrees to take over her ailing father's Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery-with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich)-manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and what may be the greatest racehorse of all time.

Based on the Novel "Secretariat: The Making of a Champion" By William Nack, Secretariat chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown...

This movie stars my favorite actress, Diane Lane (I want her to play me in my life story and Vin Diesel to play Rick, but I digress). This was an all-American feel good movie. I highly recommend it as a movie that the whole family will enjoy!

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Work causes a single mother to move to China with her young son; in his new home, the boy embraces kung fu, taught to him by a master.

If you grew up in the '80s, then this movie won't even begin to match up to the original. However, that Jaden Smith is the cutest kid in the world and a phenomenal actor (in my opinion). He's going to be huge! The movie had some good emotional parts and a triumphant ending. Eli and Brynne spent much of the rest of the evening in a Kung Fu match. I would recommend it as a good family movie.

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A couple find their routine date night becomes much more than just dinner and a movie.

A couple find their routine date night becomes much more than just dinner and a movie.

Rick asked me if I wrote the script to this movie. Phil and Claire's marriage was very reminiscent of what most marriages with kids look like. Although I am not a huge Steve Carell or Tina Fey fan, it was a pretty cute movie. I wouldn't personally run out and rent this movie, but Rick might disagree. He loves their humor! It certainly wasn't a waste of time, especially if you are a married couple and feel in a rut in your marriage. After watching this movie you might decide your rut is just fine!

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 In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind through dream invasion, a highly skilled thief is given a final chance at redemption which involves executing his toughest job to date: Inception.

Rick loved this movie! Through most of it I was saying, "huh?" Now, in my defense we did start watching it at 7:00 p.m. and my brain shuts completely down by 6:30 p.m. To me it kind of had a Matrix vibe to it. It had a really great ending. And then that night I had a dream within a dream, about snakes and an owl. Creepy! Would I recommend it? I think I would, to someone who likes these kinds of movies. They, honestly, require too much of me and I don't enjoy them quite as much.

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When a young owl is abducted by an evil Owl army, he must escape with newfound friends to seek out the legendary Guardians to stop the menace.

The graphics on this movie were amazing! Loved them! I honestly wasn't paying total attention to the movie. But Brynne was. And I did watch it closely enough to see that there are lots of heroes that defeat the bad owl army. If you love Happy Feet (which we do!), then you'll enjoy the Guardians, as well. I would recommend it.

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 A guy suffering from a midlife crisis takes in a dog that's crazier than he is.

I'll be honest. We rented this movie because that dog looks just like our border collie, Crusoe. Can't resist one of those movies! This was a wonderful movie of the power of love. However, it ended and we were, like, "That's it?" The movie had lots of Rising Action, no Climax, and then it was over. The message of the movie was, though, "Beginnings are the hard part." It was obviously a movie about new beginnings, for both the dog and his owner. It had some emotional parts. And, we cried and hugged our Crusoe while we watched it. I don't know if I would recommend it. If you want a similar movie that is so good, rent Hachi! And, get your tissues ready!

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 Juli Baker devoutly believes in three things: the sanctity of trees (especially her beloved sycamore), the wholesomeness of the eggs she collects from her backyard flock of chickens, and that someday she will kiss Bryce Loski. Ever since she saw Bryce's baby blues back in second grade, Juli has been smitten. Unfortunately, Bryce has never felt the same. Frankly, he thinks Juli Baker is a little weird--after all, what kind of freak raises chickens and sits in trees for fun? Then, in eighth grade, everything changes. Bryce begins to see that Juli's unusual interests and pride in her family are, well, kind of cool. And Juli starts to think that maybe Bryce's brilliant blue eyes are as empty as the rest of Bryce seems to be. After all, what kind of jerk doesn't care about other people's feelings about chickens and trees?

This was a sweet, sweet movie and is now one of Kyndal's favorites. It had a My Girl vibe to it. It moves a little slow, but the sweetness of the ending makes it all worth it!

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And yesterday we watched Karate Dog and Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Those don't really need reviews, do they?