Currently....4.18.17

It's been a bit quiet on the blog lately. As the co-chair of our post-prom things got pretty hectic for me. Then, once prom was over, I needed some recovery time. I did a lot of resting and finishing up some loose ends. All I have left to do is send out final thank yous and get the prom binder ready for the next group to take over. Post Prom was a huge success and I had such a great team working with me to make sure everything went off without an issue. It was a fun night. Here is our family with our handsome boys.

Now that prom is over, I feel like I can get back to reading and writing and I actually finished two books yesterday and am close to finishing a third. I am excited about the upcoming books on my to-read list and can't wait to get started.

I thought it would be fun to give you an update on what is happening around here. Thanks for sticking around even when I go quiet for awhile.

Currently, I am

Watching..........."Friends" on Netflix. It is my go-to show when I need to have something on in the background or while I'm doing dishes or folding laundry. I don't have to totally be tuned in because I practically know every episode by heart and they always make me laugh. For regular TV shows, all I am watching right now are "Dancing with the Stars" and "Survivor". They are the only two I make sure I watch on the DVR every week. I also try to catch up on "Fixer Upper" on the DVR when I can.

Reading................I have so many great books waiting to be read, but I've read a lot of heavy books lately, so I'm looking for something a little lighter and easier to read. I WILL ALWAYS WRITE BACK is one I just started and I'm loving it already. THE GARDEN OF SMALL BEGINNINGS has been getting a lot of buzz, Plus, I just love the cover! ONE MINUTE MENTORING is a short book and one I'm hoping will offer some new ideas for me in working at the school and with the various boards and committees I am on.

Listening to...........Laura Sullivan on piano. When I am working I really love to have piano music on in the background. It is calming and also helps me focus rather than listening to music with words. My favorites on her CD are Mountain Magic and Pachelbel for the Potomac.

Making...........banana bread. Our kids love this recipe.  I have a couple bunches of ripe bananas right now so I'll make up banana bread and put the rest of the bananas in individual baggies in the freezer for smoothies. I also have three cookbooks waiting to review so I'm looking forward to trying some recipes from each of them. Stay tuned.

Feeling.........emotional. Our son Patrick is 17 today. I feel like I blinked and he went from a one-year-old to a 17-year-old. Right now we are busy with track and he is having a great season so far. I can't even handle that we are talking college and future plans for him as well as senior pictures this summer. Slow. Down. Time. Please.

Planning.......... for two, weekend trips that I am taking in the next couple weeks. One is flying and one is driving. I'll be spending time with some of my favorite people that I don't get to see as often as I want so it'll be a great time. I'm also planning out what I need to read in the next several months. I am taking a trip with the school in June and then the rest of the summer is mine. I have really no obligations or commitments so I am planning lots of days reading on my porch. I can't wait!

What have you been up to lately?

 What are you reading and loving? 

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Currently...

I feel like I'm been a bit out of the blogging loop lately. Summer just disappeared before my eyes and our kids have been in school for a week already. Life just keeps moving and I feel like I'm hanging on for dear life to the caboose at the end of the train. So, to bring you up to date a little bit, I wanted to share what is currently going on in my corner of the world.

I'm currently.....

Reading: THE NEW TRAIL OF TEARS



I'm finding myself constantly shaking my head over the ridiculous government bureaucracy while reading this book. What is happening to the many generations of Native Americans in our country is a mess. Reading this book won't solve the big issues facing them, but it may get people talking about what is happening. Review coming later this week.

Drinking: WATER and lots more of it from my YETI

I love having ice cold water all the time. Keeping ice water in my Yeti makes me drink more water. I take it with me everywhere. Even on these hot days, I will still have cold water in my Yeti for hours whether I'm outside, in my car, or in the house.








Waiting: For our home construction to be complete

Construction started on our home the last week of May and we are getting very close to wrapping it all up. I'm just waiting for trim, carpet, countertops and kitchen sink. Then I can start putting everything back where it belongs and start the multiple-day cleaning process.

Cheering: on both of our sons in Cross County

Patrick has been in Cross Country since 7th grade and is now a Junior. But, Bennett decided to join the team this year as a Sophomore. It's been fun having both of them out there running. It's one of my favorite parts of the school year. Cross Country is unique in that everyone cheers for all the runners no matter what team they are on. It is such a supporting and fun atmosphere. I love our Cross Country family!

Nurturing: my new succulents

I found these adorable plant holders at an antique shop and knew they would be perfect for succulents. I haven't had the best of luck, so I'm hoping these survive for me!








Dreaming: of the beaches of Pensacola Beach

I'm always trying to find a way back to this area of our country. It is my happy place and I'm hoping to go back again before the year is out.









Listening: to Podcasts
I have some new favorite Podcasts that are keeping me entertained while driving or working around the house.
Ann Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy is on her 37th episode of WHAT SHOULD I READ NEXT where she offers book recommendations based on the guest's previous favorites and current reads. I've added way too many books to my to-read list because of this podcast.
I loved Mike Rowe in "Dirty Jobs" and now he has a podcast titled THE WAY I HEARD IT where he shares a quick story of a famous person with a back-story you would never expect. His episodes are short, usually 7-8 minutes and are always fascinating.

Anticipating: Fall TV

We haven't had a TV in our upstairs living area all summer due to construction. So all the TV I'm really watching lately is a bit of GMA in the morning, a few snippets of the Olympics, and the nightly local news. Lame! So, I'm anxious for these upcoming Fall TV Shows.
Survivor - I'm a total Survivor Geek and can't wait for the season to begin. I've seen them all and can't wait. This season begins on September 21, 2016, on CBS. Unfortunately, I have meetings nearly every Wednesday night, so I'll always have to watch it later.
Project Runway - I've watch sporadically over the years and want to tune in this season...maybe with our daughter who loves fashion. It begins on September 15, 2016, on Lifetime.
Speechless - I am extremely intrigued by this new show on ABC that debuts on September 21, 2016. My DVR will be busy as this it likely on during Survivor. Minnie Driver is the mom in this family sitcom who fights for her family including their son JJ, who has cerebral palsy.
This is Us - I really don't know what this new show on NBC is about, but the commercial trailers have definitely gotten my attention. It debuts on September 20, 2016.

Dealing with: Post Prom

I've taken on the coordination (with another mom friend) the task of planning for Post Prom at our school. It has been a huge time-sucker for me with some complications and lots of paperwork. I wasn't expecting all the details and time it would involve. This is one of the biggest reasons I have been so quiet around here. My one statement regarding this is:

If you are asked to volunteer at your child's school, sporting event, prom, etc...please do. 

The moms that coordinate these events are just as busy as you

 and are trying to raise money/provide a fun event/support programs 

that benefit YOUR kids and can't do it without your support. 

Catching up with: I'm still reading along with the Bible in 90 Days. I'm about 20 days behind and I'm working hard at finding pockets of time to read, even just one chapter to stay with it. I'd love prayers as I work through this challenge.

I hope this gives you a look into my world and what may be keeping me from writing in the space as often as I want to. I'm hoping to get back into a groove soon with school starting and construction wrapping up soon. Thanks for understanding and always reading!

A post from today, 6 years ago - God is So Good
A post from today, 4 years ago - It's Football Season
A post from today, 3 years ago - Three Weeks