Robin's Nest

 For the past month we have been very lax with schoolwork. With the youngest grandchild here for babysitting purposes it was darn near impossible to get the big kids focused. Not to blame the kids totally, I was pulled from every task by the tiniest of voices, "Gamma pay wit me peas" was repeated over and over. Today we just have an extra dog not an extra kid. That should be easier to manage. I still plan to take time to declutter and get some hours in at work. Most importantly I intend to be purposeful with learning. There may not be much time for the blog. My plan was to go to once a week with it, sometimes there is more to tell. With that said this blog post may become more like a diary post before the end of the week. too cute to ignore  Dog yard is raked and mostly cleaned up. It got too windy, and the poo needed to be bagged and taken out. I did that task, the wind got to be too strong for me to take the cardboard out to the garden, so I will hold off on that till later...

 They had been forecasting this storm since the weekend, at first it seemed like another wasted snow day. As the day carried on the snow continued to fall but blowing sideways preventing much accumulation at our house. The youngest was determined we needed to go for a walk. She was barefoot, wearing thin spandex leggings, and a cotton t-shirt. I looked at her as she complained that I wasn't dressed for the weather. Up for the challenge I went and dressed for the weather and prompted her to do the same. I came back to a child still wearing the exact same thing and still thinking it would be fine. It was all of 13 degrees outside and the snow was blowing parallel to the ground.   lots of wind, little snow Little dogs playing snowplow  After forcing her to change pants, put on a winter coat, gloves, a beanie hat and zip her parka, we headed out into the wind with all four dogs. By the time we got to the north side of the house the two big dogs had run off to play in the...

 Yesterday was particularly hard on the oldest kiddo. She watches too many romances movies, but don't say that she very defensive of this. For days leading up to the "worst holiday ever" and yes that was a quote, she bemoaned the holiday, never complained about any particular boy or anything like that. I could tell she was really hoping for a phone call or text from any one of the boys she talks to regularly. No contact was made.  DH was out at the gym, so I sent him a list of things to pick up, the list included something for Valentine's Day for each girl. I explained where to find the items and in which store. Not all Walmart's are set up the same. Nonetheless he found something appropriate and returned with the treasures. That seemed to lighten her heart a bit. We were two pony races in, and it was time to go take the little one and her trusty steed home. Both horses were made of the same fabric except for the bridle and reins, I was out of white ribbon. that c...

 When we first moved back to the property, we purchased a full-size bunk bed for the girls off of Facebook Marketplace. That was almost three years ago. Last year we purchased a twin over full bunk for the basement "guest" room. No there isn't a guest room yet, but maybe someday. Move forward a year and now the bed is in the oldest child's room without the bottom bunk as a modified loft bed. The littlest decided she also, would like a loft bed, so I ordered one and have been attempting to clear her room in order to assemble it.  The box is finally in her room, and I think the full over full must come down for the other to go up. Originally, we had planned to put two loft beds in this room. This room is larger than the house in town's bedrooms, but less than half the size of the rooms in the house that burned down. Loft beds seemed like an answer. However, the full-size bunk that I ultimately purchased stole my thought process and indeed works, except that I am the...

 We have received our free sample of Winter and politely request that you cancel our subscription to the rest of this year's season. so pretty twinkling in the setting sun...and too cold!  It is decidedly cold this morning and I still haven't bought a winter coat. I know I will eventually buy one, just not sure when. I looked for a sweatshirt to improvise, but that turned up nothing. My daughter called and she decided that the littlest isn't quite ready to come over yet. That leaves me time to go get a coat... as soon as DH returns from his adventures. Well, that was yesterday, and I did go get a coat. I also took the time to get a different charger cord and some ink for one of the printers. After church I intend to get some things done for thanksgiving and hopefully make plans for the winter break travel. I am thinking Christmas on the coast. Just not sure which coast. I would like it to be a warmer coast, that much I know. As we downsize on "stuff" we also have ...

 Good afternoon! I took the girls out to find a gift for their "nieces" for Christmas. We thought we would check out the store "Five Below" I had heard that the items there were $5 and below. Some were but I am thinking the name will change to Ten Below at some point. Plenty of items fell into the 5 and below range. They did have difficulty finding something the older niece would like in that range. I did not limit them in that way, but they did truly try to find something that could fit the mold. Both girls picked out slime for the older girl. One bought a bucket full and the other a smaller package with add-ins. This corner of the store started the upward price change I think the highest price that I did see was $10 I can't say we will visit that store again anytime soon. But it was interesting to see what they had. I did purchase some LED puck lights for the pantry closet. Also, a pair of elf slippers that need some jingle bells added to them for the youngest...

  Snow has been elusive this year. So, to get a little is a treat! I mean that literally as I prepare to go scoop some to make snow ice cream. It is still coming down although, it is a finer, more sleet like version. It is welcome either way. Yesterday evening SIL had a complete break with reality, and I was thankful the facility did not send her to the hospital. If they were going to send her at any point, last night would have been justifiable. It took listening to her crying her eyes out for 45 minutes in order to finally convince her that we were not dead. Mind you I had just been there the day before to visit and pick up her glasses to take to the eye doctor. That, due to her perception of time, was months ago. The phone call ended with me ordering a pizza and a bottle of soda for her through delivery service. She, like us, has always lived outside of delivery pizza areas. She could not wrap her brain around the idea of the possibility. The reality occurred about 6ish hopefull...

 Thursday in the middle of the day the youngest and I decided to go for a walk in the snow. We were dressed warm enough for the beautiful sunshine. I did not take into account the brightness of the snow and the sun together. Fresh snow Only tracks to be seen It was pretty to see! It has been so long since we actually had a good snow. This snow was not record breaking but nice just the same. She had been out playing in the snow before I joined her for a walk. We headed out the driveway and down the road. On the road there were more tire tracks Now there would be more people tracks!  A little further done the road we stopped for a minute or so to make a snow angel! She had a blast! We walked a little further  It felt good to get out and get some fresh air and watch the young one work off some of her energy. It is now Friday night and Sundowner's has set in. SIL does not want to eat anything that is available. I offered pork chops, but that is not something that she normally...

Yay! Both baby and Gramma survived a half day of babysitting! Albeit was a long morning, we made it! All the way past lunchtime and I also made a trip to the store and a drive through to get drinks. Baby did not really let me do much but change her and her nap was all of 10 minutes long, it was still a success! Breakfast with the big kids I am sure she thinks they are weird After Breakfast she played with the girls in their room. Each time I peeked in to make sure they were okay she scowled at me. So I just left well enough alone. Once she started whining a lot I picked her and put her in the sling and pulled it snug. She then fell asleep. This was a very short nap! 10 minutes, I kid not! It was close to lunch time and the other kids were playing at the table so she joined in. First she laid claim to the pencils...it helps if you stand in the bucket so no one can take any Then just in case they put you in this thing put some of the pencils in there for later. More is better Now to play...