This Week

*I'm having to remind myself of what day it is. This week is going so quickly but I'm getting nothing done!

*I started reading our book club pick Catcher in the Rye. I like how this book club (at our library) makes you read all types of books!

*I jinxed myself by saying that the kids haven't been sick all winter except for a slight cold once. Two of the kiddos awoke this morning with a runny nose and a bad attitude.

*I was about to throw this cute little blue bow away that was part of the packaging of a candle. I thought it too pretty so decided to attach a small amount of elastic on the back (which I had taken out of a pair of pj pants that were destined for the garbage last year and placed in my scrap pile). 

Now that is upcycling! #recyclingatitsbest!

*Amy is obsessed with watching Full House and screams "baby!" all day because she wants to watch it. As I watch it now as an adult I realize how it portrayed the kids as little snots who always get their way (don't want uncle Joey and uncle Jessie to work outside of the home?! Then they won't!) and that there is so much making out and dating on that show. Wow. Guess it went over my head as a kid but it just seems so odd for a "family show".
 

Brain Splat

*Last week we had such a nice little warm up (if 35 to 40 degrees can be considered warm, which in Iowa in January it can be!). We made the most of it and took daily walks and soaked in the sun. Maybe that can last us until Spring as winter has once again arrived, blanketing us in soft fluffy snow.

*I was amazed that Amy walked to and from downtown herself! She didn't seem to grow tired at all and loved the exercise. Bonus points for the deep sleep she had those nights! 

*In an unrelated note, I just had to buy this hat for Joe when he exclaimed, "I look like a butler!" That boy may have been watching too much Downton Abbey!

*Are there any other Downton Abbey fans here? What are you thinking so far of this season?

*I'm still keeping to my S.O.S challenge (Sick of Stuff). I donated a huge bag and giant box of items yesterday. I sent off a giant box to Swap, which I've had great success selling to (and buying from, oops!). I've taken some spring items into my aunt's consignment shop. I've sold some boutique clothing items on Facebook pages as well. I'd estimate that this month so far I have gotten rid of about 200 items, at least. Yay me! That's way more than the 5 items a day I've challenged myself to. So far so good! 

*I set my reading goal for Goodreads at 75 books for the year. How many books do you think you average a year? Excited to see if I reach my goal! I surpassed my goal last year of 50 books by more than double. So far, 22 days into the year, I am at 5 books. I love keeping track and having a "log" of all the books I read now.
 

This Week

*The kids have been picking and eating radishes out of the garden like demented little bunnies. They are loving them.

*The clothesline has been full. Today it was peaceful watching towels and blankets flap in the breeze while birds sang and puffy white clouds drifted through the clear blue sky. It felt like something out of a Disney movie.

*Books on my to-read list. Since signing up for the adult summer reading program I have been trying to get some serious reading time in; instead I'm only on my third book (the Mindy Kaling one above...it is hilarious!)