Busy weekend, busy week journal

In the great outdoors...

...it is overcast today and we are expecting storms. My headache says we will definitely have them, though the weather channel gives it a 60% chance. When I wake up with a headache, it usually precipitates in one form or another. I think I have a better average than the weather men people.

I am thinking about...

...the end of the school year, and wondering whether or not the end is nigh. Will Noah have summer school; when will Faith finish? People keep asking her when her last day of school is, and I always reply, "On the day the last page of the last book is finished." I often get a look that says to me "well aren't you a meany," but I don't think I am. What do you think? If you homeschool, do you expect your students to finish the books?

I am wearing...

...a yellow floral skirt, white knit shirt and terra cotta colored sandals. I need to buy some sandals which have buckles across the top so I can loosen the left one -- the foot that is really swollen because two of the veins were ablated.  I think I am going to have to start wearing compression hose again. That thought makes me want to cry.

I am reading...

... Something Other than God and I am listening to The Brave on audiobook. I have only read one of Nicholas Evans' books -- The Horse Whisperer, so I'm not sure what to expect.

I am creating...

...a Confirmation rosary, a baby quilt, and some blouses for Faith. I made Doug's niece a dress and matching purse last week, for her birthday, as well as a new nightgown for Faith and for myself -- my favorite pattern and favorite summer nightgown fabric (pictured below). It was a busy sewing week. I wish there were more hours in a day, so I could create more.

a little wrinkled from being folded under the pillow sham -- is that where you keep your nightgown, too?

This is a cute, easy and versatile pattern. I use the two top pieces of the dress to make a long top. I made this same dress for Doug's niece, all in one fabric with a complimentary ruffle at the bottom. I can really wear a pattern out because once you make it a few times, you could sew it in your sleep.

I am going to attempt this quilt pattern. I am normally a random square girl, I like the "homey" look of it. But this one has that same sort of randomness with a little jazz. I am hoping it works out with all the triangle cutting to do.

At the school table...

...we are whittling down the subjects as we finish the books. I think this is the last week for spelling, and we finished maps last week. We can spend more time on the subjects which have more pages left to cover (because I am a meany).

On the table...

...I think tonight the menu will be eggs, whey pancakes (because I have a huge container of whey left from straining a batch of yogurt), and fruit salad. I am trying to create more meatless meals as the price of meat skyrockets.

I am going to...

...pick up some prescriptions and make a quick run to the grocery store today.

A few of my favorite things...

...family dinners for celebrating -- especially celebrating my son's college graduation! (Now prayers for a job.)

This envelope has been at my house for over a week. I was dying to steam it open, but I did not.

Geoffrey teased me, suggesting the envelope actually held a letter of consolation.

It was the real deal. A diploma...at long last.

It does have his last name on it, I just blurred it out for privacy. Anyone need an environmental policy specialist? I have just the guy.

We combined the graduation with my mom's 72nd birthday.

We sang "Happy Graduation" to Geoffrey. And "For he's a jolly good fellow."

...holidays, which I used for catching up on laundry and ironing after a too-busy weekend

...cute birthday cakes -- I saw this cake at Christine's blog and decided to copy it. Doug's niece, Olivia, found it cute, though what was most important was that inside the whipped cream frosting was a chocolate cake. We won't talk about the disaster that occurred when, on the way to the party, a squirrel ran in front of my car, couldn't decide which way he wanted to go and I had to slam on the brakes. Let's just say it was a good thing the cake was covered in plastic and the umbrellas were safely tucked aside. And we weren't too far from home so I could go back and fix it. After I fixed it, Faith held it in her lap for the 30-minute trip.

Before "the accident." Afterwards it wasn't too bad, though I had to use new bears and "floats."

Plans for the week...a lot of dance. We have dress rehearsals on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings, one recital on Saturday and two on Sunday. Whew! I think we'll be all danced out by 9 o'clock on Sunday.

Prayers sent heavenward for...

...my husband, as he transitions from job to job, and my children

...my youngest son, for whatever God's plan is for him and for Him to know what his part is, and especially now that he is driving...God help us
...our priests and religious, especially our parish priests, and Fr. Howe
...all the babies whose mothers are contemplating abortion this week, for a change of heart

Thought Quote for the day...

...this may be the most "blond" thing my daughter has ever said:

"Is the maple tree the one with the leaves that look like maple leaves?"

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