"A Great Day" Results ~ Friday

How did I do on my list today?

1. Run ~ Slept in.

2. Bible Before Blog ~ Read 1 Peter 3.

3. Blog ~ Yes.

4. Daily Household Chore ~ Swept the floors. Didn't get to the vacuuming. Got all laundry done and folded, but not put away.

5. Something meaningful with kids ~ Just hung out at home all day. Can't say I did anything meaningful with any of them.

6. Healthy meal ~ We were invited to a going away party for one of our neighbors, so we had chicken tacos and other mexican food.

7. Kids down by 9:00 p.m. ~ We didn't get home until about 9:45, but they were in bed by 9:46.

8. Time with Rick ~ He and I ended the evening in our office, each of us on our computers. Then we went to bed because he has an early tee time scheduled.

9. Healthy eating ~ Leftover spaghetti and meatballs for lunch. Lots of mexican food, and probably not real healthy !!

10. Time for myself ~ Went and got some groceries alone and then got my nails done.

Observations: Soooooo sluggish all day! Got my "to-do" list done, but just crawled through it. Didn't feel much purpose to my day and really wanted to just take a nap. Had a great time this evening with Rick and the kids and friends.

** Tomorrow I'll have my general observations from the week's experiment.

Rick Rocks ~ Because He's My Personal GPS

I don't have a GPS system in my 2003 Chevy Suburban.

But, I do have an RNT ... Richard Noel Taulman.

When I go to Tulsa, I get lost .. Every Time!!

Three days in a row this week I had to go to Tulsa. Rick received phone calls like this every single time ... "Hi honey. Could you tell me how to get [insert specific location here] from [enter where I was at the moment here]?" And he would navigate me where I needed to go.

Without him, I don't know where I would have ended up.

I feel that way about my life in general. Without Rick helping to navigate me, I would likely stay put and not go anywhere or I would take off in the wrong direction. Without Rick in my life I don't know where I would end up.

That's what so great about being with your soul mate .. the one whom God created for you. When you are lost, they help direct you where you should go. Of course this takes humbling yourself and making that call for 'help', which isn't always easy to do.

But, when you have a life partner who is patient with you (when you call again and again and again and again) then you are able to build the confidence that no matter how lost you are, you can always call him to help.

Without you Rick, I would be lost.

Rick Rocks ~ Because he's my personal GPS.

"A Great Day" Results ~ Thursday

[When we got home last night we had some electrical issues because of a storm, so our modem went out. Rick replaced it today, so my posting is a little late.]

How did I do on my list yesterday?

1. Run ~ Did my walking/running/walking interval.

2. Bible Before Blog ~ Finished 1 Peter 3.

3. Blog ~ Yes.

4. Daily Household Chore ~ Today was Tidy up Thursday, and I spent the whole day with the kids and then on a date night with Rick. So I did nothing.

5. Something meaningful with kids ~ Took all of the kids to Big Splash for the day.

6. Healthy meal ~ Made spaghetti, with homemade meatballs, and french bread for the kids.

7. Kids down by 9:00 p.m. ~ Kyndal was in charge of the kids while Rick and I went on a date night. We got home around 9:30 p.m. They were watching a movie, so went to bed around 10:00.

8. Time with Rick ~ Rick and I went to dinner and then a movie.

9. Healthy eating ~ Whole wheat english muffin with peanut butter and honey for breakfast, an everything bagel thin with an avocado and garlic salt and some cherry tomatoes for lunch, dinner out of some hummus and pita and a gyro with fries, milk duds at the movies.

10. Time for myself ~ Nope. All about everybody else on this day.

Observations: We had a great day and took on no responsibilities. I'm paying for it today, however, but that's okay.

M (ore) R (idiculous) I (rritation)

Kyndal has the second round of her MRIs today. I won't barf out the details of our ridiculous trip to the first one on Monday.

After we get her MRI we are going to spend our Heat Advisory day at Big Splash trying to stay cool.

Then Rick and I are planning a date night this evening.

Hope you have a great day!

"A Great Day" Results ~ Wednesday

How did I do on my list today?

1. Run ~ Walked a half mile, ran a mile, walked a half mile (had to stop briefly while a humongous dog tried to eat Crusoe ... scary moment!)

2. Bible Before Blog ~ Started to read 1 Peter 3 and stopped dead in my tracks at a verse. Meditated on it for some time and journaled about it, prayed about it.

3. Blog ~ Yes.

4. Daily Household Chore ~ Dusting complete.

5. Something meaningful with kids ~ Took Dawson to a museum to see an Ancient Egyptian exhibit and attend a program on mummies and went out to lunch. Watched a new Charlie Brown movie with Eli and Brynne. Watched a DVR'd show with Kyndal.

6. Healthy meal ~ Tonight is FFY (Fend for Yourself). I don't think there is any frozen, processed food that is healthy and that's what we eat on Wednesdays! :) Haven't cooked dinner on Wednesday nights in almost 10 years, don't intend to start now!!!

7. Kids down by 9:00 p.m. ~ Well, more like 9:15ish. We were watching So You Think You Can Dance and I got them all down after that.

8. Time with Rick ~ He played golf this evening and didn't come in the house until 9:30. We talked for a while about the day's events and some of his stresses about work and then he took a shower and we went to bed.

9. Healthy eating ~ Oatmeal for breakfast, 90 calorie granola bar for snack, Hideaway Pizza for lunch, bowl of bran cereal with some raisins for late snack.

10. Time for myself ~ After Kyndal got mad at me because I was short with her, and she stomped upstairs, everybody ended up upstairs and I put on my jammies at 6:00 and climbed into bed to rest with two of the puppies. But that only lasted about 10 minutes because Kyndal came back downstairs and insisted I come in and watch t.v. with her. That was all the me time I had today.

Observations: I was grouchy this evening. But, it could also be because of a particular time of the month that is upon me. I also didn't do my housework this morning because we were leaving for our museum trip, so I was trying to get it done around kids and dogs in the evening and I was annoyed. I'm finding that if it's on my list I feel like I have to get it done and if I don't, I'm aggravated. Think on that one, too. I'm started to form some general opinions about my feelings versus everyone else's in this little experiment I am doing.

It Happens in 3's

My bloggy friend Stef at Lexie Loo and Dylan Too did this post yesterday and I thought it was cute. So, here goes.

3 NAMES I GO BY:
Nicole
Nikki
Mom, Mommy, Mother, Madre (depends on which kid is talking to me)

3 PLACES I HAVE BEEN:
Bermuda
Hawaii
Caribbean

3 FAVORITE DRINKS:
Coffee
Coffee
Whiskey sour occasionally, or just give me some Coffee

3 JOBS I HAVE HAD:
Waitress
Flower shop clerk
Lawyer

3 TV SHOWS I WATCH:
The Young and the Restless
Parenthood
Lie to Me

3 PLACES I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT:
The New England Coast
Greece
Tuscany

3 FAVE RETRO TV SHOWS:
Knots Landing
Good Times
Little House on the Prairie
(I'm not sure if these are "retro" but they were three of my childhood faves)

3 FAVORITE DISHES:

Gyro sandwiches
Stuffed peppers
Stir fry

3 THINGS I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO:

Homeschooling
Retirement
Future vacations with Rick and/or the kids

"A Great Day" Results ~ Tuesday

How did I do on my list today?

1. Run ~ I did my street-to-street interval running this morning for 1.8 miles (walk to a street sign, run the next two, walk one, etc.)

2. Bible Before Blog ~ Read 1 Peter 2 and meditated and journaled on it.

3. Blog ~ Yes.

4. Daily Household Chore ~ Bathrooms cleaned.

5. Something meaningful with kids ~ Helped Eli and Brynne make a mini Wipeout Zone for their toys.

6. Healthy meal ~ Lasagna toasts (sliced french bread stacked with spaghetti sauce, lowfat cottage cheese, shredded mozz cheese, diced cucumbers and tomatoes from my garden, broiled and topped with shredded parmesan cheese).

7. Kids down by 9:00 p.m. ~ Didn't get the kids down until about 9:30 because Kyndal's boyfriend was over for the evening and he didn't leave until then.

8. Time with Rick ~ Yes. Once we got the kids to bed we retired for the evening together.

9. Healthy eating ~ Only coffee for breakfast, 93/7 lean turkey burger on a whole wheat sandwich thin with tomato from my garden and lettuce and 2% pepperjack cheese (YUM!) and a banana for lunch, 90 calorie granola bar and package cheese crackers for snacks, lasagna toasts for dinner.

10. Time for myself ~ I just had to work in some time while waiting for Kyndal at her MRI. Alone time is alone time, huh? I read my book.

Observations: I felt incredibly energized today! But then when we were going to her MRI we hit major traffic problems and were 45 minutes late. They could only do half of her MRIs and we had to reschedule the other half. I was agitated because my "schedule" was off. That's a big problem with me. To do everything above, I have to schedule very closely. When kinks get thrown in, I get thrown off. How do I do all of the things on my list without going nuts when it doesn't work out??? That is the question.

Nicole's Daybook

Outside my window... A sunny day following a few days of off and on rain.

I am thinking... about Rick's job situation and our future and how God has a plan for us that we are clueless to. It's confusing at times, and frustrating (more for Rick than for me). I just want us to be where we are supposed to be, and for Rick to have some fulfillment in his days when it comes to his career.

I am thankful ... that Kyndal's neck issues appear to not be too serious at this point, although an MRI will show us more. Hopefully she will get the go-ahead to start therapy and can get off her pain meds soon.

I am wearing... my running clothes. Had a good run this morning.

I am planning... to get together buckets and things this morning so Eli can make his own Wipeout Zone on our back patio for his toys to go through. Do your kids love this show as much as mine?

I am creating... I don't want to talk about what I haven't gotten done in the creating department.

I am going... to continue to enjoy this summer because it has been a really great one and it will be over so soon. I register the kids in just a couple of weeks!!!

I am reading... Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger (the author of The Time Traveler's Wife)

I am hoping... that we are able to see open and shut doors as God's best work in our lives.

On my mind... is how so many of our neighbors in our subdivision do not take care of their yards or garden areas. They create these garden areas with shrubs and such and then don't weed them or take care of them and it looks so trashy. It's frustrating to live in such a nice neighborhood but see such trashy yards here and there.

From the learning rooms... we still haven't gotten back into doing our Summer Bridge pages. I swear I blank out every day about doing them. I think Dawson has put a hex on me. But I will say, we have really spent a lot of time together learning fun life things. I don't think my kids are lacking education this summer.

Noticing that ... there are frogs everywhere right now, and unfortunately for many of them they are squished on the road or dead in the driveway. We are having a frog epidemic.

From the kitchen... is a cleaned out fridge and freezer. I can't believe how much frozen fruit and puree'd vegetables I had stashed in there. I have some cooking I can do!

Around the house... our yard looks so good! It's freshly mowed and trimmed, there's new fescue grass growing from the seed I threw a couple of weeks ago, the gardens looks nice, Rick's landscaping is awesome. I love our yard and how it is coming together.

One of my favorite things... is the steady stream of hummingbirds that come to our feeder outside our kitchen window. They are so cool!

A few plans for the rest of the week... Another busy week! Today, Kyndal has an MRI. We are planning to go to Chick-fil-a for ice cream this evening because they are having a Mad Science show from 6-8 p.m. Tomorrow we are starting Dawson's school year a little early with a trip to Philbrook Museum. They have an Egyptian exhibit right now and that is the first unit in our World of Adventure study. At noon they are having a presentation of "Gods, Mummies and Mortals". Then we are going to Kyndal's follow up appointment for her MRI. On Thursday we'll make a trip to the library. On Friday we are planning to go to Big Splash because it's supposed to be hot and sunny. The older kids are going with their dad this weekend, so the rest of us will likely just take it easy. I'd love to go into An Affair of the Heart on Saturday morning, but we'll have to see about that.

From my picture journal.


Finally the sunflowers that flank both ends of my vegetable garden are blooming. Beautiful!

"A Great Day" Results ~ Monday

How did I do on my list?

1. Run ~ I actually walked 2 miles this morning. I still have a nagging spot in my back and didn't want to aggravate it since I didn't exercise any this weekend. Hoping for a partial run tomorrow morning.

2. Bible Before Blog ~ Read 1 Peter 1 and meditated and journaled on it.

3. Blog ~ Yep.

4. Daily Household Chore ~ I got my laundry caught up and put away (big feat for me!). I actually did my floors yesterday as a way to dispel some anger I was experiencing. :)

5. Something meaningful with kids ~ Since Kyndal had a doctor's appointment and we spent a good part of the day alone together, we went and ate lunch together. That's something we don't get to do very often without others tagging along.

6. Healthy meal ~ Chicken and dumplings. Done by 5:30 p.m.

7. Kids down by 9:00 p.m. ~ I got Eli and Brynne bathed, starting at 7:00 p.m. I had their beds turned down, and them in it on time, and all my "nightly preparations for the next day" done, as well. I even made sure the older kids were upstairs for the night by 9:00 p.m. That took some preparation in the form of texting to Dawson who was at a neighborhood friend's house.

8. Time with Rick ~ Rick had gone to the driving range after dinner. I know he appreciated me having everything done so I could have uninterrupted time with him when he got home. We sat together and watched t.v. and had a snack.

9. Healthy eating ~ For breakfast I had oatmeal. For lunch I had a chicken teriyaki sandwich from Subway and some Baked Lays. For dinner I had some chicken and dumplings. And for a snack I had a bowl of bran cereal with fresh strawberries and blueberries.

10. Time for myself ~ I went out and took some pictures of my flowers blooming and cared for my azaleas. I also did some research on how to start some Rose of Sharon shoots from my existing bush. These things sooth me.

Observations: I wasted some late afternoon time blogging and surfing the net, so dinner got a little behind, but not too bad. I certainly felt more calm after dinner because I had the majority of my daily to-dos done early in the evening, even though I had been gone away from home several hours of the day for Kyndal's doctor appointment. I certainly had to stay "on task" to get things done when I wanted them done.

Menu Plan Monday

I love summer food! All the fresh veggies and fruits make every meal so yummy! And it's been even more satisfying having veggies from my own garden. I can't wait to expand it next year!

Here's what's for dinner this week:

Monday ~ Chicken and dumplings

Tuesday ~ Lasagna toast and salad

Wednesday ~ FFY

Thursday ~ Spaghetti and french bread

Friday ~ Grilled paninis, pasta salad

Saturday ~ Sub sandwiches and chips (leftover pasta salad and salad)

Sunday ~ Chicken quesadillas (didn't get to these a couple weeks ago)