BEING Robin 01.31.2012

THINKING: I'm really glad that January is over.  Not sure why exactly, just really looking forward to February.

DOING: We're off to Solvang this weekend to spend a little time with Surferman's mom and step-dad.  I'm excited for a mini getaway.  I've been thinking about Summer and vacation plans.  

COOKING: Still working on cleaning out the freezer and pantry.  I made a huge pot of chili with leftover pork for tonight, and a pot of split pea soup with ham for tomorrow night.  I felt like I was pulling something over on someone.  I cooked two dinners at once.  Ha!  Take that!

TEACHING: Grom and I have been having a lot of fun with money.  I grab a handful of change from the change mug and give it to him.  He tells me how much is there.  I make a record sheet with some questions, like "How much do you have left if you buy an ice cream for $.99?" and "How many nickels would that amount be?"  He keeps asking if he gets to keep the money when he's done.  Little does he know that the change mug money becomes my Starbucks money... don't see me giving it away anytime soon.

READING: I still haven't found a novel.  I'm half through with the "Night Circus".  I keep forgetting to put part 2 on my phone.

WATCHING:  I recorded a marathon of the "Love..." movies - can't remember the author, but the main characters all seem like they would've been friends with Laura Ingalls.  I've been totally sucked in.  I've watched 3 and have a bunch to go.  I like how they gently tie God into the plot lines.

CREATING: Restaurants.  Grom and I are engrossed in a silly iPad game.  It's a total time waster, but we are having a ball.

THANKING: Grom and I were able to spend a lot of time together this past weekend.  7 year old boys are awesome.

PRAYING: Wisdom in an interesting opportunity for Surferman, diligence in completing my organizing challenge, Grom's karate belt test on Saturday and a sweet visit with Surferman's parents this weekend.

STUDYING: One more week of Joseph for Kids Club.  I have been wanting to really dig into and pull apart a book of the Bible.  I'm stuck choosing which one.  What's your favorite epistle?

WORDING: quixotic (adj.) - exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical. I find I'm inundated with quixotic ideas for Valentine's Day.

So that's what it's like being Robin this week.

Looking for the Daybook?  I've moved on. I'm starting my own thing... BEING Robin.  You can join me if you want, but don't BE Robin.  Be yourself.  Let me know if you share your week, I'd love to read it.

BEING Robin 01.24.2012

THINKING: The parents group at Grom's school is organizing (still).  We have 56 students and only 11 parents moms showed up for the monthly meeting.  Why don't parents participate?  What would motivate them?

DOING: Our schedule is generally busy. This week is busy plus!  It seems like there is something extra at every turn.  It's all good stuff and nothing that can be eliminated.  Just... have... to... keep... moving.

COOKING:  Woo Hoo!  We have leftover spaghetti!  Spaghetti Pancakes this week for dinner.... YES!  I'm going to post my recipe after I make them this week.

TEACHING: Grom has no center time this week, so we are doing the independent study thing.  Grom has been great about getting his work done.  He learned about New York and chose New Mexico as his next state.  

READING: Still listening to "The NIght Circus" by Erin Morgenstern.  It's very interesting and I suspect it will make a beautiful movie.  Grom and I are listening to "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeline L'Engle.  They are reading it aloud at Grom's school so I'm glad we are reading it too.  I remember reading it as a kid, but don't remember how strange it is.


WATCHING: Ants crawl through their habitat.  It's amazing that they work so well together.

CREATING: Grom asked to do some art.  I saw a watercolor idea and set him loose.  When it's done, I'll share it.  It's cool.  It's fun to see him being artistic.

THANKING: Rooibos tea.  No caffeine and a warm smooth treat.

PRAYING: I'm starting a prayer journal.  At the beginning of the year, my pastor challenged us to pray for 12 things every day.  Easy enough right?  I'm ready to see what the Lords going to do.

STUDYING: I've had fun digging into the life of Joseph to teach Kids Club.  There are so many great lessons to learn from Jacob's boys.  Still plugging along with my reading plan.

So that's what it's like being Robin this week.

Looking for the Daybook?  I've moved on. I'm starting my own thing... BEING Robin.  You can join me if you want, but don't BE Robin.  Be yourself.  Let me know if you share your week, I'd love to read it.

BEING Robin 01.18.12

THINKING: About single moms.  Wow, what a tough job.  I can't imagine being the only or primary parent.  I'll be praying that the Lord show me ways to help.  
PLANNING: The teachers at Grom's school are throwing a pajama movie night.  They are raising money to go to the Montessori Convention. I think it's sad that they have to have a fundraiser, but that's another soapbox.  Grom really wants to go.  I need to find out what movie they're showing.  I hope it works out... DATE NIGHT!

DOING: I started Weight Watchers on Monday.  They have an app for my phone and it's like a game... as long as I have points left I can eat anything I want.  

COOKING: Buffalo Chicken Chili.  So yummy.  Next time I'd add more Frank's Red Hot Sauce (which is probably the best hot sauce EVER).  Just 4 points - 7 points with the blue cheese on top.  Yep... I'm counting points.

TEACHING: I missing my verve when it comes to Grom's schooling.  It's been a couple of hard weeks.  We have a new learning period starting on Monday.  It will get better when I have time to do some planning and organizing.

READING: I started listening to "The NIght Circus" by Erin Morgenstern.  I'm not very far in.  I also just got "10 Habits of Happy Mothers" by Meg Meeker from the library.  I only have 2 weeks to l iisten to it, so I think it's going on the front burner.  Still looking for something to read.

WATCHING: Top Chef.  Grom likes to watch it with me.  It's amazing what they can do with the challenges and amount of time they're given.  I'm rooting for Nyesha, who is actually currently eliminated, but has a chance to get back into it via Last Chance Kitchen.  

CREATING: I'm sewing the binding on a quilt.  I think sewing the binding is one of my favorite parts of quilting.  It's so relaxing and it means the quilt is done.

THANKING: I'm not a single mom.  Surferman... you rock!

PRAYING: Surferman's business, Grom's obedience and listening, my discipline in getting to bed at a decent time and getting to the gym in the morning.

STUDYING: I'm studying the life of Joseph for teaching at SKC.  I had a short stall with my Bible in a year.  I have a few days to make up, but I'm current and moving ahead.


WORDING: verve - vigor and spirit or enthusiasm.

So that's what it's like being Robin this week.

Looking for the Daybook?  I've moved on. I'm starting my own thing... BEING Robin.  You can join me if you want, but don't BE Robin.  Be yourself.  Let me know if you share your week, I'd love to read it.

BEING Robin 1.10.12

THINKING: I'm dumping the Daybook.  My sister and dad gave me a hard time about some of the sillier writing prompts from the Daybook.  Yes... it is most ALWAYS dark outside when I blog.  So I'm starting my own thing... BEING Robin.  You can join me if you want, but don't BE Robin.  Be yourself.

PLANNING: It's a pretty standard week.  So glad to have our routine back.  YAY school!  We are celebrating Christmas with my dad's family this weekend.  It will be great to spend time with them.

DOING: I got my haircut today.  My new hairdresser is great.

COOKING: I made the yummiest burritos for dinner tonight.  I cooked dried pinto beans in the crock-pot.  We stuffed them with the beans, rice, cheese and my secret ingredient... smashed cauliflower.  I snuck that veggie in and no one noticed.  Hot sauce and salsa added some zing.

TEACHING: Grom is back to school this week.  We went to the aquarium last Friday so we're focusing on fun things like jellyfish, octopus and sharks.  We gave Grom a Karyn Henley's Begin-To-Read Bible.  He's been reading it every day.

READING:  I'm not into anything right now.  I've tried a couple of books, but can't get involved in anything.  I need some suggestions, both for something to read and something to listen to.

WATCHING: Mr. Popper's Penguins.  Grom and I really enjoyed listening to the book and were really apprehensive.  I'm not the biggest Jim Carrey fan.  Well.. they didn't use any of the book, but it was a nice story.  A couple of scenes caused Grom and I to laugh uncontrollably.  We recommend the book first and then the movie.

CREATING: Pins on Boards.  I enjoy Pinterest.

THANKING: For opportunities to learn about God with Grom.  Right now he's memorizing Psalm 147:5.  "Great [is] our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding [is] infinite."  Infinite - without bounds or limits... WOW!

PRAYING: Surferman's business, Grom's obedience and listening, my discipline in getting to bed at a decent time.  Surferman and I have some reorganizing to do... unity in that project.

STUDYING: I started reading a One Year Bible on the 1st.  I'm clicking along... 10 days for 10 days.  I'm going to start co-teaching a women's Bible study.  I've only taught kids for a long time.  We are going through the Gospels.

WORDING: comport - to behave in a particular way.  At the aquarium, Grom comported himself with expected good manners.

So that's what it's like being Robin this week.

Books Read in 2011

Alicia Martin: Biografias - Cascade of books, originally uploaded by library_mistress.

Richard & Florence Atwater

Mr Popper's Penguins (unabridged audiobook)

Nicole Baart

After the Leaves Fall
Summer Snow (unabridged audiobook)
Beneath the Night Tree

Michael Baron

Spinning
Anything

L. Frank Baum

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (unabridged audiobook)

Melody Carlson

These Boots Weren't Made for Walking

Lewis Carroll

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (unabridged audiobook)

Francis Chan

Crazy Love (unabridged audiobook)

Amy Chua

Battle Hymm of the Tiger Mother (unabridged audiobook)

Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games (unabridged audiobook)
Catching Fire (unabridged audiobook)
Mockingjay (unabridged audiobook)

Cressida Cowell

How to Train Your Dragon (unabridged audiobook)

Kathryn Cushman

Leaving Yesterday

Roald Dahl

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (unabridged audiobook)
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (unabridged audiobook)

Diane Mott Davidson

Crunch Time (unabridged audiobook)

Joanne Fluke

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder

Melissa Ford

Life from Scratch

Rene Gutteridge

Scoop
Snitch

A.J. Jacobs

The Know-It-All (unabridged audiobook)

Neta Jackson

Who Is My Shelter?

Robin Gunn Jones

Sisterchicks On The Loose
Sisterchicks do the Hula!

Timothy Keller

Ministries of Mercy

Nancy Moser

Solemnly Swear

David Platt

Radical

Thomas Rockwell

How to Eat Fried Worms (unabridged audiobook)

Virginia Smith

Stuck in the Middle
Age Before Beauty
Third Times a Charm

Kathryn Stockett

The Help

Paco Underhill

Why We Buy (unabridged audiobook)

Alice J. Wisler

Rain Song

Sara Zarr

Sweethearts

It's 2 am, do you know where Robin is?

Wide awake in bed.

Yesterdays venti decaf iced americano with vanilla syrup and room for half and half was not decaf.

Thanks Starbucks guy.

Thursday's Top Ten 3.23.11

What are your top ten favorite animals?

(stuffed edition)

meerkats

Meerkat Manor anyone?

pigs

they make cute noises and bacon is tasty

turkeys

my birthday is often on Thanksgiving and for some reason I relate to turkeys

monkeys

Grom is my monkey boy

seahorses

they are a funny funny creature

robins

duh

lamb

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." John 10:11

bears

so cuddly when they are tearing the roof off your car looking for food

lions

because I couldn't find a cute stuffed caterpillar

crabs

besides being tasty, they are the coolest animal with an exoskeleton

Thursday's Top Ten 3.17.11

What are your Top Ten favorite things that are green?

(veggies! - no particular order)

avocado - plain or guacamoled... delicious

grapes - when I was a kid I used to see how many I could cram in my mouth

cucumber - so crisp and refreshing

zucchini - always a yummy choice - saute with garlic

lettuce - can't go wrong with a salad

green beans - I try to think of them as healthy french fries

brocolli - look at me I'm a giant gobbling trees

spinach - iron packed and tasty

snow peas - always good in a stir-fry

green apples - sour granny smiths are the best

they don't last long in our house

Thursday's Top Ten 3.10.11

What are your Top Ten favorite flowers?

(in no particular order)

snapdragon - if you pull off a bloom and pinch, it's a talking flower

anthurium - in my wedding bouquet

proteus - they last forever, are very unique

and Surferman has given them to me for our anniversary

dahlia - just gorgeous and they grow in our yard

tulip - I'm almost half Dutch... need I say more

cherry blossoms - who doesn't smile when the trees are in bloom?

daffodil - I used to be able to get them for $.99 a bunch at TJ's

tuberose - I wore tuberose in my hair when Surferman and I got married.

Very fragrant... one stalk and any room smells great.

gardenia - whenever we went into San Francisco

my dad, sister & I would buy my mom a gardenia corsage

gladiolus - tall, colorful and long lasting

if Surferman was a flower, he might be a gladiola.

What's your favorite flower?

My fortune

Could a weekend away with kids count? I think not.

I'm feeling a case of island fever coming on. Maui is calling me.

But then... I have a friend, who says that you should always add, "in Christ Jesus" to the end of your fortune.

Maybe that means I need a Sabbath Retreat... just me and my Bible.

Why not both!

Books Read in 2010

Alicia Martin: Biografias - Cascade of books, originally uploaded by library_mistress.

My reading list from 2010.

Lillian Jackson Braun
The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers (unabridged audiobook)

Jimmy Buffett
Swine Not (unabridged audiobook)
and again read aloud with Grom
I hope someone makes this one into a movie.

Jennifer Chiaverni
The Christmas Quilt

Charlotte Connors
How Dolly Parton Saved My Life

Diane Mott Davidson
Dark Tort (unabridged audiobook)
Sweet Revenge (unabridged audiobook)
Fatally Flaky (unabridged audiobook)

Ted Dekker
Green (abandoned - not my taste)

Gene Edwards
A Tale of Three Kings

Sue Grafton
U is for Undertow - content warning

Neta Jackson
Where do I go?
Who do I talk to?
Who do I lean on?

Kevin Leman
Have a New Kid by Friday
Sheet Music

Julie Powell
Julie & Julia (abridged audiobook) - extreme language warning

L.E. Romaine
Second

Lisa Samson
Apples of Gold

Tollipop's Hypothetical Friday

I've shared my admiration of Kristen and her Tollipop blog. Lately she has blogged about hypothetical questions that she shares with her daughters. She shared some with us today and they were so much fun that I had to answer. Her words are in italics.



1. Would you rather have a fantasy art studio stocked with every supply (in colors and mediums never before conceived!), lots of space, natural light, big tables, cozy chairs, and windows that look out on a beautiful scene, or would you rather have a fantasy atelier, with a magical sewing machine that could help you create every fashion you've ever wanted, in a fit that is perfect for you (or others, if you are sewing for someone else). The atelier comes stocked with wondrous fabrics, is also bright and spacious, with windows looking out on something that captures your imagination.
both - I maintain that a fantasy art studio with every supply would have to include fabrics and skill. And if it came with a clock that made time stand still... ahhh

2. Would you rather have a teacup rabbit or a tiny white owl?
a tiny white owl

3. Would you rather have the ability to summon an amazing bedtime story whenever you wanted to hear one, or would you rather summon a walk on a beautiful, secret path (with the weather and season of your choice) that always leaves you feeling better when you reach your destination?
I'd choose the walk. My first would be on a tropical beach. I'd have a flower in my hair.

4. If you could wish for something lovely to happen to someone this weekend, who would the lucky recipient be?
very hard to choose...
Tobi, because she's leaving the country soon,
Any of the moms of the 2009 crop of babies, because that first year is hard,
Surferman, because he rocks,
Erika, because she's Erika.
I pray lovely things for each and every one of them.

5. Would you rather be a crazy fast runner or a crazy fast swimmer?
crazy fast runner - I don't run.

6. Would you like the ability to have a wonderful, restful sleep each night, or would you like to have an Olympic hopeful metabolism that does a spectacular job of keeping up with all the yummy things there are to eat?
you have to ask? the metabolism of course. I'd eat chocolate and cheese puffs and steak and... everyday.

Wishing you a lovely weekend filled with good things to eat, people who love you, and that you see the moon hanging like a pearl from the sky...

I told you they were a fun bunch of questions.

Try Different

From Seth Godin's blog today...

The usual mantra is to 'try harder'. Trying harder is impossible when you're already trying as hard as you can.

But you can always try different. read more

It's time for me to try different. More tomorrow...

Don't you think I need these shoes?

I Like:

Ultimate 81® LE W by Onitsuka Tiger by Asics

Books Read in 2009

Alicia Martin: Biografias - Cascade of books, originally uploaded by library_mistress.

My reading list from 2009.

Jennifer Chiaverni
The Quilter's Apprentice
Round Robin
The Cross Country Quilters
The Runaway Quilt
The Quilter's Legacy

Diane Mott Davidson
Chopping Spree (unabridged audio book)
Double Shot (unabridged audio book)

Kim Edwards
The Memory Keeper's Daughter

Neta Jackson
Yada Yada #7

Karen Kingsbury
Between Sundays
A Time to Dance
A Time to Embrace

Charles Martin
Wrapped in Rain

Lisa Samson
Tiger Lillie
Embrace Me

Peter Walsh
It's All Too Much(skimmed)
Enough Already! (skimmed)
Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat? (skimmed)
How to Organize (Just About) Everything (skimmed)

If you want to know more about any of these books, feel free to ask. I haven't written a book report in quite some time, but I do have some opinions.

Unfortunately, my television list would be much longer. Maybe I should get some credit for all those books I read with Grom.

I hope to read more for me in 2010.

Less Robin

If you know me in real life, you know that I need to lose weight.

If you only know me through my blog, you might not realize how fat (there is no pretty word - my other choice would be morbidly obese) I am. I've been pretty good at not talking about it. It's laughable, but I've been in denial. I hope you understand and can forgive me.

A while back, I started another blog. It was called "Less Robin" and it was going to be about my pursuit of weight loss. I was careful to remove any link between here and there. I planned to blog for accountability, but then did my best to keep anyone from finding me. Like I said... denial.

Well... "Less Robin" is history. I'll be reposting most of what I wrote here over the next few days. You all can be my accountability and my cheerleaders and my prayer partners.

In other news, I started Medifast on November 5, 2009. It has a supportive online community that includes blogs. I've been blogging over there once a week on the day I weigh. I'll be double posting that blog here too.

I don't plan for this to turn into a weight loss blog. I'll just be adding another pursuit... health through weight loss and exercise.

Fabulous Fun Friday

I always look forward to Fridays.

It's the end of my week. It's the start of a weekend. And... it's Fabulous Fun Friday.

Grom and I spend the day with his "friend buddy" Elias and my "friend buddy" Stacey (Elias' mom). We've been doing this quite a while. It's about time I blogged about it.

Grom and I swing by their house and pick them up. I put the "Grom" playlist on my iPod and we're off. The boys yap in the back seat. The moms yap in the front seat.

We start with some grocery shopping. Always Trader Joe's, sometimes Von's or Foods For Less. We have even ventured all the way to the "Train Wreck Store" in Santa Maria.
Our local TJ's is great. They have the nicest women working there (especially on Friday mornings). They know our names and are always so good to the boys - special "snacks" just for the boys when they are sampling items for the adult pallet.

They also have a very lazy employee, Sally the Seal. She always finds somewhere to hide so she can slack off. When kids find her, they get a treasure from the barrel.
She hides really well. Sometimes we have to walk through the store twice. Sometimes the boys ask for hints. She turns up in the funniest places... with the bananas, by the ice cream, on top of signs... she gets around.
Here she's lounging amongst the TP. If it's not a prize from the barrel, it might be a balloon or stickers.
At least they aren't stuck all over the inside of my car windows. (I can't figure out why in the world parents let their kids do that.) Start paying attention, check out those minivans and SUVs... stickers! Crazy! Anyway back on topic...
Insulated totes are key to FFF and not having to run right home to put those groceries away. Check out those "green" bags. I have quite a collection. Most are from the last time we worried about the planet. I think we were trying to save trees then and do away with the paper bag. Ha! Now plastic bags are evil. Wow another rabbit trail... back on topic...
After the groceries are loaded, we head to Starbucks. Here's a shot of the boys sitting like proper gentlemen. Yep... that's Grom sitting on his head.
Stacey and I get a drink and we're off to gymnastics. My newest favorite is a Decaf Pike's Place Misto.
Gymnastics has been great for both of the boys. Grom has learned to listen and follow directions. Elias has learned to be more adventurous. It's a fantastic facility.From the Observation Deck, Stacey and I solve the world's problems while the boys run through their stations.
Here's Grom with strong arms on the parallel bar. You should see him flip.Here's Elias jumping so fast on the trampoline that he's blurry.
Here's Grom hamming for his mommy in the ball pit.
Here's Elias zooming down the slide.

After gymnastics, we usually get lunch from Panda Express. It's cheap and the boys like it and well... the moms like it too. We use coupons from the survey on the back of each receipt and get an even better deal.
We head to a park. After eating the boys play. Stacey and I work on the any world problems that we've left unsolved.

Getting my grocery shopping done is fun.
Watching the boys flip and balance and jump and laugh is fun.
Going out to lunch is fun.
Playing at the park is fun.

But the best part and what I really look forward to is spending time with my friend, Stacey. She is a blessing from God. We have a lot in common and there are a lot of ways that we are really different. It's an "iron sharpening iron" relationship. I learn from her and she learns from me.

She makes Fridays fabulous.