Eileen's Thankful List, Schedule, and Hobbies

 Eileen's Thankful List

1)  I am so grateful for my morning routine.  It has changed since I no longer have to care for my elderly mother.  I truly miss her.  I'm not used to being without her to care for her in my home.  Nevertheless, I am trying to keep busy and spend more time with the Lord.  I feel a stronger connection to my family members who have passed from this life.  Here are my current morning routine/schedule/hobbies:

Routine/Schedule

    - 6:30 am - Make coffee (important!) and then make my high school son's lunch

    - 6:40 am - Take meds and vitamins

    - 6:50 am - Let Lilo, our dog, out of her kennel - feed her and put her in yard

    - 7:10 am - Make bed

    - 7:20 am - Get ready for Mass and rosary

    - 8:30 am - Bring Lilo in house/kennel

    - 9:00 am - Go to Mass and rosary

    - On Call - Bring Eucharist to homebound

    - On Call - Gabriel Project: Angel Mom to young mothers

    - On Call - Substitute Teacher at St. Louis Catholic School

    - 5:00 pm - Thursday only - Tap Dance Class

    - 6:00 pm - Sunday only - Youth Group

Hobbies

    - Walking (nice days on path/cold or rainy days in mall)

    - Scrapbooking - One page a day (if possible)

    - Dancing - Practice at home (if possible)

    - Baking - Try bread loaf to give to someone once a week

    - Cooking (especially stir fries)

    - Blogging - At least one page per week (ordainedpraise-homeschoolmom.blogspot.com)

    - Support Group - Every 2nd Thursday at 7 pm at FCC

    

Eileen's Thankful List Made February 2022

 My Thankful List

1)  I am so grateful we made plans to go on our Get-a-Way weekend with two other couples in March. We always have such a good time with these friends.  They are like family to us. We've known them most of our lives.

2)  I am also thankful that we are going to have our daughter and her husband visit us in August from Denver.  We may be able to spend some time in Ocean City, Maryland at our beach house.

3)  I am so grateful that we can host the baby shower for our first grandchild.  It is so exciting.  I am looking forward to this joyous event!

4)  I am grateful that I don't worry about my tenth grader being on the computer too much anymore.  He is continuing to get good grades, and this gives me hope.  It is a rule now that if he stays home from school, he can't go on the computer.  This rule has enhanced his attendance at school.

He also seems to have a good head on his soldiers.  He is very logical and makes a lot of sense sometimes.  He told me, "I'm not going to grow up and stay in the basement on my computer the whole time."

5)  I'm grateful to find a mall to walk in on rainy and cold days.  I do five laps which takes about an hour.

6) I'm thankful that I only watch tv in the evenings now.  I sit in more silence to foster my faith and keep noise pollution out of my head. "I will not be afraid to be still. I will savor the refreshments of silence.  Perhaps the spirits of my loved ones will join me there."

7)  So thankful to meet a friend every Friday morning for coffee.  It is a nice break from noise and business.

8)  I am very grateful to be participating by zoom with a friend in another state in a book club.  This friend and I are also planning a trip to Shenandoah Valley.

9)  So thankful to recommend a monthly outing with my dh and tenth grader.  We missed last month so I have to keep reminding dh.  He won't make up for the month we missed either.  Dh seems to avoid talking about it or planning it.

10) We had a great Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday in 2021.  I was so bummed at Thanksgiving though because I put too much topping on my sweet potatoes.

11) I am very grateful to be able to bring the Eucharist to an elderly woman again.  I receive so much joy to bring comfort to the elderly.  When my wheel chair bound mother was living here with us, I thoroughly enjoyed taking care of her.  She passed on December 13th, 2021.  The whole family was present storming the gates of heaven with prayer and giving her comfort.

Eileen's Day Book - A Little Concerned this Week

 I am participating in a Eileen's Daybook for October 25th, 2020.

Outside my Window... It's 8 am in the morning.  It is slightly cloudy, and looks like autumn is rolling into Maryland.  I heard on the radio that we will have intermittent rain showers most of this week.  It will probably be the first week I'll have to wear a warm jacket outdoors every day. 

I am Thinking... my son, who is in 10th grade, is staying home from school today because he is sick.  This is the 5th time he will be missing school.  He is already on the computer playing games (which he is not supposed to be). When I ask him if he is allowed on the computer, he ignores me as he has his head phones on too.  Computer gaming is his first priority.  I don't know how to stop it.  I asked him questions about Halloween.  He ignored me for 5 minutes.  I sound like a broken record.  This disrespect hurts me so much.

I am Thankful... that we are able to go to our friend's mother's funeral today.  We are usually very busy, and we are in retirement years!  I am so grateful DH and my 10th grader went camping with the scouts this past weekend.  They had a good time.  Only they come home warn out and sick every time.  I was able to do a massive clean up while they were away.  I even cleaned my high schoolers room.  I can't vacuum though because our vacuum isn't working.  I might buy one myself soon.  I've been asking DH for a month now.  Our rugs are so dirty.  Between the dog, my mom, and cleaning - my weekend was full. 

I was so thankful for Youth Group. Fr. Stefan is really reaching these kids. Twenty-eight youth for adoration. It was beautiful. It's not too often a priest teaches Youth Group.

Our bible study DH and I are in is great. Only it is hard to get all the reading done.

In the Kitchen... I would be making a pumpkin roll for a friend who helped me get my 89 wheelchair bound mother up from the floor of the car when she slipped while I was trying to get her out to put her in the wheelchair.  She followed me home to make sure we could get Mama out of the car correctly. 

I can't use the kitchen yet because it's too cold in there.  DH has to fix the propane fireplace so it will work this winter.  It's funny how he waits until the last minute.  When we go to a hotel, he blasts the heat because he doesn't have to pay for it.  Not at home.  My daughter figured this out before I did. She knows him better than I do.

I am Wearing...black sweats with some white piping stripes with a puple tee, a light jacket, and a heavy robe on top.

I am Creating... a picture album of my 2 daughters.

I am Looking Forward to...going on a walk today, seeing our dog run around in the yard, and attending our good friend's mother's funeral.  We are so fortunate to have a fenced in yard now with our new dog, Lilo.  Our old pet who passed, Bella, never had this.  We had to put her on a chain. Bella was much more gentle than Lilo.  I wish Lilo didn't drool sometimes. She is cute though - a chocolate lab.

I am Hearing...my son typing on the computer and using his mouse on the computer to play his games.  DH and my mom are still sleeping.  I also hear my typing.

Around the House...I am grateful that I can take care of my mother still so she is not lonely in a nursing home. She had her stent exchange (in her ureter) this past Wednesday.  I am getting used to her temporary catheter. My older son, who is a nurse has helped me tremendously. 

I am Praying...for my son to put God first, family second, school third, friends fourth, and the computer last.  I help out at a Youth Group on Sunday evenings.  It is a gold mine for middle/high schoolers.  My son will not attend it.  He says he gets theology at school.  Yea, he doesn't even go to school half the time.  He says he is sick but he is laughing at his games on the computer as I type this.  He is supposed to be going to school.  He is not that sick if he can go on the computer. I can't get him off because I hate confrontations.  He always puts up a fight. He said he is allowed to go on the computer if it's before his online classes start.  I disagree with this.  If he stays home from school because he is sick, he should not be allowed to play computer games at all.  He doesn't care what I have to say about it.  Neither does DH. He changed this just now by saying there are no online classes. He changes his colors like a chameleon.  Just like politicians.

One of My Favorite Things...was talking to the headmaster of my son's school last month.  He said, "only let your son go on the computer during weekends, not during the school week."  I told DH but he does not care what professionals at my son's school say about gaming on the developing brain of kids.  I can't win this argument. My son and whole family say it is ok for him to be on the computer 90% of every day.

A Few Plans for Next Week...I am looking forward to Halloween. I always wonder why some moms make more of a big deal about Halloween than Thanksgiving and Christmas though.

Here are some recent pics of the family this week:

Camping Trip

Having gingerbread morning coffee in our orange coffee cups. Although we look like we really need it.

THANKFUL LIST

 1)  I am so grateful that the fam ate dinner and watched Matlock together on Sunday (White Chicken Chili). (Even Patrick) Also, thankful that DH made dinner himself for everyone.

2)  Grateful to say scriptural rosary together with grandma on Sunday.

3)  Grateful for Jacqueline (grandma's aid) to help at night.

4)  Grateful that Jacqueline saw Christmas tree.

5)  Grateful that DH drove Patrick to and from school on Monday (1/2 day).

6)  Grateful to find soup recipe (Instant Pot Keto Tuscan Soup).

7)  Grateful that I thanked DH for driving Patrick on Monday and cooking dinner on Sunday. 

8)  Grateful for KofC book.  Some quotes to remember:

        -  "The world treasures power, God treasures goodness. Authority in the biblical sense is not a power word but a goodness word.  It means right, not might."

        - " The Church no more wishes mankind to return to a Victorian form of the husband-wife, parent-child, or master-servant relationship than she wishes us to return to a medieval, monarchy ideal of statehood."

        -"To help someone get warm, don't light yourself on fire." (or something)

9)  I developed CODES for my calendar and occasionally my Wellness Journal:

            1)  OP - Order Prescriptions

            2)  Sh - Shopping

            3)  G - Groceries

            4)  L - Lorraine (bath and hair)

            5)  W - Wound Care Center

            6)  PT - Physical Therapy

            7)  M - Mail

            8)  F - Filing

            9)  CC - Comfort Care (ongoing)

            10)  C - Cleaning (ongoing)

            11)  PW - Paperwork

            12)  PC - Phone Calls

            13)  AT - Arrange Travel

            14)  HH - Happy Hour

            15)  WB - Work on Book

            16)  AA - Arrange Appointments

            17)  WB - Weights and Bike

            18)  PR - Pray and/or Read

            19)  O - Organize (ongoing)

            20)  OM - Order Medical Supplies

            21)  BB - Bake Bread

            22)  DW - Make Whole Dinner

            23)  DH - Make Half of Dinner

            24)  DMD - Didn't Make Dinner

            25)  WN - Wound Nurse

            26)  A - Adoration

            27)  WD - Wash Dishes

            28)  ML - Make Lunch for Grandma (every day action)

            29)  L - Laundry

            30)  O - Organizing (Ongoing)

            31)  FH - Fix Hair

            32)  ShShM - Shower, Shave, Moisturizer

            33)  Mau - Maureen

            34)  Nora - Psychiatrist

            35)  N - Nails

            36)  RG - Rosary with Grandma

            37)  DDD - Dale did Dishes

            38)  TV - Television

            39)  BT - Buffalo Trace!

            40)  PR - Pray Rosary  

            

                  

THANKFUL LIST

1)  Feeling positive about leaving hospital

2)  Feeling exuberant sense of joy w/ whole fam reaching out to help me - (Awesome forms to help track progress)

3)  DH bringing grandma's urine sample to lab just before closing

4)  DH make whole dinner one night (Roast Beef, Rice, Asparagus)

5)  DH taking computer screen from Patrick one day

6) Thankful for Jacqueline (grandma's aid) - we have fun every day!

7)  Thankful for Mass 1/1/21.

8)  Thankful for good CC for grandma

9)  Thankful to be able to wish Colin "happy birthday" on 1/2/21 (30 years old!)

10) Grateful to make Sweet Potato Salad with Orange Maple Dressing

Simple Woman - August 9th, 2020

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook for August 9th, 2020.

Outside my Window... the sun is out with a hint of white clouds in the sky

I am Thinking...this COVID19 thing is being carried too far!

I am Thankful... that my son's school may open and get back to normalcy in the fall.  Travis Gayles could not force private schools in Montgomery County to comply with his demands.  I am so grateful for this.

In the Kitchen...I am making Crispy Homemade Chicken Taquitos with Cilantro and Pepper-Jack Cheese for my son's Confirmation.  I will be able to freeze them until the celebration.

I am Wearing...black capries and a dressy shirt with red and gray flowers I bought from Walmart.  I am going to the 11:00 Mass this Sunday morning.

I am Creating...a picture album of my 2 daughters.

I am Looking Forward to...going on a walk today.  I'll probably bring the dog.

I am Hearing...my son typing on the computer and my mother watching EWTN Mass on t.v.  We can't seem to pull my son off the computer to play his games.

Around the House...I am grateful that I was able to help my mother get up and feed her breakfast with her medicines.  I was also able to make the beds and feed the dog.  I will be bringing her out in the yard soon.

I am Praying...for my mother's tumor in her ureter to go away.

One of My Favorite Things...my friend may be interested in becoming Catholic.  We are also reading a book together and getting together to discuss it.

A Few Plans for Next Week...I have to bring my mother to physical therapy and bring her to get her hair done.

Here are some recent pics of the family at Thanksgiving time and Christmas time:

Simple Woman's Daybook - December 2017

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook for December 2017.

Outside my Window... The weather was nice the first few days of Advent.  Hubby and I went on some walks at the beginning of Advent.  That's how nice it was in Maryland for December.  It must have been in the high 60's.  Our family lit the Advent wreath at the first Advent Mass and brought up the gifts.  We had three of our children with us and my son's fiancée.  Today, for Christmas day, it is quite cold.  It is sunny but there is a cold wind coming through our town.  No more walks outside.  Therefore, I went to walk on the treadmill at the gym after we all opened our presents.

I am Thinking...that I have five beautiful children that are all close and have kept the faith!

I am Thankful... for being able to go get our Christmas tree with hubby and two of the kids.  We played Christmas music and decorated it together.  It was a pretty sight to see this Christmas morn with all the gifts underneath it.

In the Kitchen...last night the girls made pizza after Christmas Eve Mass.  Tonight we're having beef tenderloin.  This morning the kids all made a Christmas breakfast.

I am Wearing...black sweats and a black warm up shirt.

I am Creating...a new Creation display for my dance and music homeschool classes.

I am Looking Forward to...Going to a spiritual mission at a local Church.  The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal were there and my son's spiritual director was there too.  It was nice to meet him.

I am Hearing... Christmas music is playing and everyone is on their devices.  

Around the House...We still have to find someone to buy our piano and to give away our couch.

I am Praying...for all my children.  

One of My Favorite Things...was having Thanksgiving with my family.  It was good to see my mom.  She is 85 years old. Also spending Christmas with the family.

A Few Plans for Next Week...going out to lunch with my friend, her daughter, and my daughter.

Here are some recent pics of the family at Thanksgiving time and Christmas time:

SOAP: Week 10 - Sirach

SOAP: Scripture verse, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

S - "My child, from your youth choose discipline; and when you have gray hair you will find wisdom.  As though plowing and sowing, draw close to her; then wait for her bountiful crops.  For in cultivating her you will work but little, and soon you will eat her fruit."  (Sirach 6: 18-19)

O - I have a very close relationship with a disciplined individual in my life...my husband.  I've seen him grow after his heart surgery.  He is very disciplined about what he eats and getting enough exercise now.  I wish I can be more like him.  My eating habits and exercise can both improve.  Not to mention, some bad habits I've picked up from my youth.  I also wish I could clean and purge clutter in my house better.  My hubby can sit down and read for lengths on end while I get distracted and side tracked.  That is the whole reason why I'm doing this SOAP meme for me to improve on my discipline skills.  I enjoy reading scripture and trying to apply it to my life.

A - This will be my application of discipline in my life if I want to lose weight and be healthy:

Prayer:  Say the devotion and decade of the rosary with my son every day.  Say the St. Michael's prayer on EWTN every day.  Go to adoration at least once a week and say rosary or read something spiritual.

Diet:  Eat no more than 300 calories per meal and no snacking until I reach my desired weight.

Exercise: At least three times a week at the gym and continue walks with hubby (I walk on the treadmill or ride the bike for 30 minutes at the gym.)  I also need to lift my hand weights at home twice a day.

Cleaning/Purging: Pick one small area every day to clean and purge (believe me...there is plenty around here to keep me busy.)  Also, to keep a clean sink.

Reading:  Do a SOAP meme every week, keep up on my son's homeschool grading, read at least 30 minutes to an hour per day, Write the Word from http://www.shop.cultivatewhatmatters.com every day.

Cooking:  Try at least one new recipe a week.

P - Dear Lord, please help mothers who have to manage their time on their own be able to meet the needs of their families with grace and discipline.

Simple Woman's Daybook - September 2017

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook for September 2017.

Outside my Window... The sun is shining and the sky is blue.  It is beautiful around 73 or so.

I am Thinking...that I'm glad that I was able to go to 5:00 p.m. Mass.  Everyone else went to 8:30 a.m. Mass.

I am Thankful... for the two homeschool coops we are in this year.

In the Kitchen...my son and his girlfriend are making us chicken, pasta, and asperigus

I am Wearing...Blue jean capris, purple and blue striped tee, grey and pink jacket, and flip flops.

I am Creating...a plan for my chemistry class to teach the kids about chemical bonds with legos, marshmallows, and toothpicks.

I am Looking Forward to...My turn in the coop when I'm not the lead teacher.  I am the lead teacher for the first three classes.

I am Hearing...  My son and his girlfriend and my daughter and her boyfriend all watching the Green Bay Packers game.

Around the House...We still have to find someone to buy our piano and to give away our couch.

I am Praying...for all my children.  

One of My Favorite Things...was tailgating at a new place the last Maryland game.

A Few Plans for Next Week... have my journal writing class tomorrow. 

Here are some recent pics of my sons camping trip: 

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Simple Woman's Daybook - July and August 2017

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook for July and August 2017.

Outside my Window... The sky is presently covered with misty white clouds in July and it feels like it is in the ninety's.  I think we may get an afternoon shower. It is humid. In August today, it is in the low eighties as a high and a beautiful sunny day.

I am Thinking...that I hope the Lord guides the progress of my children.  

Colin/26 - July: Defended his thesis today and was approved to receive his Ph.D. in Fire Protection Engineering.  I am so proud and amazed with this son of mine.  He will be heading up to Philly to meet my other son.  August: My son is getting ready to go live with some Franciscan monks in New York for a whole year.

Brandyn/25 - July: Just returned home for helping to lead young adults in a service project with the Church.  He is on his way to Philadelphia tonight to see his girlfriend. August: Spending time with a priest at University of Maryland with Colin today.

Kristen/21 - July:  Just returned from a trip to Bethany Beach and New York City with her boyfriend.  Her boyfriend picked her up after work and they went out to dinner. August: Just returned from a mission trip to Belize in Central America.

Claire/17 - July:  Just returned from the service project with the Church that my older son helped to lead.  She went out tonight with some friends to a local restaurant. August: Packing and doing last minute things before she heads off to University of Nebraska.

Patrick/10 - July:  He is spending his last night of camping with the boy scouts and his father this week.  They will be home tomorrow.  August: Playing with his neighborhood friends.

July:  I just returned from adoration to pray for my health and my children.  They all came home and they all left.  Things are happening so fast.  I really needed to spend time with the Lord tonight.  August: Colin and Claire are getting ready to travel to New York and Nebraska.

I am Thankful... In July, I was thankful for one of the moms in our homeschool coop who came over to help me out with a tricky experiment tonight.  We have to buy the right kind of LED to make batteries out of lemons. In August, I was thankful for a wonderful vacation with our family in Ocean City, Maryland.

In the Kitchen...In July, the kids seemed to eat and run tonight.  I'm glad a was able to buy Marie Calendars Chicken Pot Pies which Brandyn had to eat for dinner.  Claire made pasta and sausage. She made too many sausages so I helped eat the left over one. Kristen went out to dinner and Colin ate after his presentation on his thesis. In August, we are having grilled salmon, grilled asparagus, and corn on the cob.

I am Wearing...Black Blue jean shorts with a turquoise and blue top and flip flops.

I am Creating...In July, all the crafts for the journal writing class I'll be teaching in the fall.  I'm teaching eight classes for four to six year old's. I have completed making supplies for seven of the eight classes.  I can't wait because it is going to be fun.  The leader of the other coop in Knoxville suggested that no one teach religion lessons.  Therefore, I had to fix my Creation display and song.  I rewrote the song and changed one of the pictures on my display. In August, I'm working on teaching chemistry to the first through third graders at the coop.

I am Looking Forward to...In July, my husband and son to come home tomorrow.  In August, I'm looking forward to traveling to Nebraska to bring Claire to college with my husband.

I am Hearing... Just the other day in July, I was copying a book for my son who is giving his dissertation to get his Ph.D. in engineering on Friday (today).  Therefore, I hear the copier and some music my son is playing while he is on the computer. I can't wait to go and hear him on Friday. The book is written in French but the formulas are what he needs.  I've seen him writing all these complex mathematical formulas before.  I don't know how he reads them.

The dog just finished barking at our neighbor walking with her grandchild.  She was looking out the door.  I think her eyesight is getting bad. I took her to the vet today to get a blood test because she was acting funny yesterday.  Her tail was down and she was following me around and wasn't her perky self at all.  It is the second time it happened.  I don't know why she does this.  I think she has PTSD.

In August, I hear someone mowing their grass in the neighborhood and my daughter and her boyfriend talking in the living room.

Around the House...In July, even though we cleared out much of the basement, we still have to clear out the back room and the garage. We just got a new air conditioning unit in the attic.  The air conditioning enters our kitchen now.  It didn't before.  Now it is nice and cool.  My husband should be helping me clean out the back room and the garage rather than writing songs for the swim team.  It is not necessary that he do this and it takes tons of time.  He is not sitting on the couch with me for thirty minutes anymore either.  It is supposed to help my recovery from when I was hospitalized at the beginning of the summer.

In August, after we return from Nebraska...we will look into selling the piano, getting rid of a couch, and possibly buying another flat screen t.v. and area rug for the living room.  We still need to clear out the back room and the garage.  Dh finally sat on the couch with me last night.

I am Praying...for all my children.  Like I said, things are happening so fast now and they are all growing up.  I am so grateful for each of them.  They don't know how much I love them.

One of My Favorite Things...was seeing Dr. Colin Miller, Ph.D. defend his thesis and taking vacation with my family.

A Few Plans for Next Week...start physical therapy for my left hip.  I have to teach a dance and movement class in the fall.  I need my hip to stop hurting.

Here are some recent pics when we brought our daughter to University of Nebraska to share: