Tuesday: winter break

Today was winter break...and it was lovely.  I spent a few hours doing "fun" chores, did some quilting, and took a nap without an alarm.

I started by replacing our bidet/toilet seat.  The water hose was on pretty tightly and took a bit too get off, but I got it.

I worked on the storage room.  It is a lovely place to work because it is so easy to feel like I've gotten something done.  I went through about six boxes of text books and notes.  (So far we have about a half box to keep, although Ben still needs to look through his old stuff.)  I moved some boxes into their old location which was a minor thing but really added some walkway space.  I pulled out the extra carpet padding that came with the house.  I started working on a pile that was moved there from the other storage room.

The garbage can is full and I barely put anything in it today.  It is at least trash day so I will have an empty bin tomorrow, but it'll be full by the end of the day.  The kids are home Friday, my normal day to work on the storage room, but how much I do then may depend on how full the trash can is.

A few gems that I really just need to memorialize with pictures instead of keeping around...

and a CAPA set.

Joshua and I usually rock climb while Isaac does team on Tuesdays.  However, we don't climb the whole time.  I got a little bit more work done and Joshua found a nice reading perch.  (The gym was a bit busier than normal though, so he didn't get to stay all that long.)

Monday: mimcs

 I got this picture from Ben at lunch time.  He thought it looked like it was about to eat him.

A MIMIC!  Well, a second generation mimic.  They're my favorite monster.  A few years ago I read a book series where the main character had a funny fear of mimics, but then they kept showing up in my life.  They showed up in D&D, in a few movies, in a Lego set, in some Lego creations from the children.

Sunday: reminders

I think I need to make notes throughout the day of the interesting things that happen.  For example, let's rewind to Friday.  My morning devotions always end with the same prayer, and that prayer includes the phrase: "Jesus, help me give myself to others, being kind to everyone I meet."  However, since I was donating blood that day I laughed about the fact that I would be literally giving myself to others.

And I had completely forgotten about it.

Today we were watching Great British Bake Off and Noel made a comment that a contestant looked like a person from the game "Guess Who."  Ben and I cracked up because he was right on target with that statement.  Then we had explain why we were laughing.

Anyway, hopefully the notes will help make write more interesting blog posts.

Joshua: 93 to 99 months

Well, I still take monthly quilt pictures and have only missed a few months, but rarely post them.  Last time was in April 2022!  I always tell myself not to wait too long, but time just flies by.  I'm stuck in a waiting room right now though, so that I'd get a post started at least.  I might not get far, but it's a start.

(I obviously didn't finish in the waiting room.  But at least we got a bit farther.)

93 months:

94 months:

95 months: 

96 months (8 years!)

97 months

98 months

99 months

Saturday: ups and downs

I had a nice day today.  Legos, nap, games.  A few things got done too.

Isaac and Joshua mostly had a good day, but they got on each other's nerves more than normal.

Friday: blood donation

Today I had a power red blood donation.  (They take more blood but then give me some of my fluids back.)  I drank so much water this morning!  (Within safe levels, of course.)  I got there a there a little early, but then realized I was the first donor of the morning.  So I waited around a bit but because I was a power red donation I got to sign in first.  My iron was fine!  That's always a worry.  I moved to the table and they looked at my arms.  Normally around this time they look, do a lot of tapping, hem and haw, and then choose an arm.  The needle sometimes has a hard time going in.  This time they took a quick look, tapped for a second, and said, "this one".  The needle went right in.  There's a little bag that needs to fill up with power red before they get started and apparently mine filled up much faster than normal.  Must have been all the water!!  The donation otherwise went well and was one of the best I've had.

I was glad that I had my blanket with me.  The cold fluids made me cold.  I made it through the canteen but started shivering on my way out.  I easily made it home, had a small lunch, and then napped in my warm blanket.

As expected, I didn't get much of my normal work done today.  But Fridays are my O:CtH day.  I had about 25 minutes so I decided to work on it and ignore the other stuff I should be doing.  Ben and I decided that we really didn't need all of our college text books anymore.  (Although Isaac noted that we should keep some so that we have books to use as solid things to put under things.)  I pulled out two boxes of my old notes and course packets and decided I didn't need most of them.  I kept two out, but in hindsight I think I'll get rid of them too.  I also pulled out a box of books.  (There are still at least six boxes left.)

But there were some sentimental items.  I found two copies of a Maple guide....Ben and I took the same class!  

I had both general physics final exams...graded in Dad's handwriting.  I'm proud of the essay for the check+++, but we'll also keep in mind that several points were removed throughout the rest of the test.

Oh, I missed the units.  Do you know how many times I've written that on someone's assignment?  Or told Isaac he always has to include them?

Ben and I also found Tornado in the cats' new toy.  Joshua picked it out and we haven't seen cats go it in of their own volition.  

Thursday: band concert

 Isaac had his band concert tonight.  I couldn't see well but it went fine.

Tuesday Joshua and I did a take away.  He was pretty excited to get the final route.