Currently (June)

Originally, I set out to write a "Currently" post every month in 2017, but after the first three, it began to feel monotonous and seemed that not much changed month to month. I decided that maybe writing one every couple of months would make more sense. My last one was in March and the beginning of June feels like a good time to share what's currently happening in life. 

So, currently, I'm  . . . . .  

Anticipating summer break! My oldest daughter finished her school year just before Memorial Day. My other two, however go trough June 7 (three more days!!!) and, y'all, I am SO DONE! I have ALL the symptoms of parental end-of-school-year-itis. I am ready to spend some lazy days sleeping in, sitting by the pool, NOT packing lunches, and NOT arguing about homework or bedtimes! 

Looking forward to Punta Cana!! Partially because my husband travel so much for work, my girls always want to travel and see new places. Recently, they have been desperately wanting to go somewhere outside the US, so, a few months ago, we got their passports and began thinking about a summer vacation. Of course, one wanted a beach, one did not want just a beach, and one didn't care. We were trying to figure in travel times, time changes, budget, and keeping everyone happy. Finally, we settled on an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic where there is a beautiful beach, but also lots of other things to do. 

I'm already there in my mind!

Reading The  Zookeepers Wife. It was one of the books I had on my lis of Books to Read in 2017. It's the fourth book from the list I've picked up. I read The Mountain Between Us and The Secret Life of Violet Grant. After those, I bought Small Great Things by Jodi Piccoult which had gotten rave reviews. However, I just couldn't get in to it. I read the first section of the book, then, put it on my nightstand and haven't picked it up since. I recently downloaded The Zookeeper's Wife on my iPad and, so far, it is not nearly as engaging as I had anticipated. The narrative skips around and I just finished a painfully slow chapter about some German zookeeper and reverse genetic engineering.  Plus, I remembered how much I dislike reading on a screen - I need to feel the pages between my fingers. I'm about ready to give up oaths one, too and move on to . . . . 

Compiling my list of books to read for the Summer!! Yes, I've only made a 4-book dent in my list of 10 books to read for the year, but summer reading is different, right?? It doesn't mean I'm giving up completely on my original list either, but there can never be too many books waiting to be read and the summer is the best time to read them (at least for me!). Look for that list soon and tell me what's on you summer reading list in the comments! 

Listening to pop music. My kids have recently declared their disdain for the country music I usually listen to and the novelty of show tunes has worn off. So, I've recently become quite familiar with Ed Sheeran, Chainsmokers, and someone named Alessia Cara. Perhaps more familiar than I intended to becasue, while I actually do enjoy most of their music, it seem that opt radio stations have a repertoire of about 6 songs, so anytime I tune in and hear that same 6 songs over and over and over again. 

Planning Vacation Bible School. It is one of my favorite parts of my job, but also one of the ones that takes the most work! Ours isn't until mid-July, but we try to get as much done as possible before people scatter for summer. It's been pretty all-consuming lately!

Feeling excited about the "This is Us" Facebook discussion group I am co-hosting! It is also through work and discussion will be faith based, but it gives me a great excuse to re-watch some of the episodes. Better yet - the group is open to anyone! First set of questions based on the pilot episode will go up tomorrow. If anyone is interested in joining, click the image HERE!  😊 

It's probably only taken me about an hour to write this post, but that hour was split up over three days and so many interruptions I lost count. The last one involved an 8:30pm urgent need for a yellow shirt to wear the next day for field day and the panicked believe that one could not participate if not wearing the appropriately colored shirt assigned to each grade level. Also? As I finally finish this just after 9:30pm on Sunday nigh, I have absolutely no idea what might end up in their lunch boxes tomorrow since I never made it to the grocery store this over the weekend! Seriously y'all, summer cannot get here fast enough! 

What's happening in your life currently?

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Currently . . . March 2017

It honestly feels like I JUST wrote one of these. Maybe that's because February was a short month and my "Currently" post was late last month, too. Here we are, though, at the second Monday in March and I was determined to stick to my original plan! :-) 

So, currently, I'm . . . . 

1) Listening to show tunes. Seriously. My youngest is fascinated with music from Hamilton and Wicked. We saw Wicked last summer when we took a family trip to NYC, but none of us have seen Hamilton. Every time we get in the car, though, they grab my phone, plug it in, and play some Broadway tunes! 



2) Adjusting to daylight savings time. Fortunately, the time changes have never really seemed to bother my kids much, but it will be a lot harder to get going in the morning when it's still dark outside and a lot harder to get them to come in and do homework when it still light in the evening! 

3) Juggling and feeling overwhelmed by crazy schedules! I wrote about all the miles and miles I've been putting on my minivan and it won't stop any time soon. My middle daughter is playing middle school soccer, so she has practice or a game every single day. My oldest has started volunteering at a place that offers therapeutic horseback riding to kids with special needs. It's only once a week, but it's pretty far out. Of course we still have our own horseback riding lessons, my youngest's piano lessons and girl scouts. Inevitably, at least two or three things always seem to be on the same day and I'm left trying to figure out how to clone myself so I can be in multiple places at once. If anyone else has that figured out yet, please let me know! 

4) Listing all the things I need to clean out over the summer. I swear every single closet and drawer in our house needs to be reorganized and pared down. I have this grand idea of making a list of each one and doing at least one a week during summer break. We'll see how that goes. If I'm going to try it, I should probably muster up a little more enthusiasm and determination for it! 

5)  Crying because this week will be the last new episode of This Is Us until the next season - and no idea when that will start. Of course, I'll probably be crying over the content of the episode, too. If you watch and you've seen the teasers, you know what I mean. But, I 'm also excited because I'm . . . .

6) Starting a This is Us Facebook discussion group!!! Ok,Ok. I'm doing it through work (my church) and the discussion will be faith based. Although, religion certainly isn't a big part of the show, there are tons of places where we see faith, grace, forgiveness, and trust. Even though I'm doing it through my church, the group will be open to others as well. I just wish the NBC "powers that be" would spill the beans on when Season 2 will be on air! 

7) Hoping that there is no more sickness in our house! Our middle daughter had the flu late last week. It wasn't too bad, but she missed two days of school - and the first two soccer games of the season that happened to be on those two days. The doctor gave her Tamiflu, but it upset her stomach, so she has just had to wait it out. As I type this (Sunday afternoon), I'm planning to send her back to school in the morning.

8) Making slime. First there was the bottle flipping craze and, now, there's slime. My middle and youngest have been bugging the heck out of me to buy them glue and slime ingredients. They tried it with glue and laundry detergent, but it didn't work. Then, I made slime with preschoolers for a story time activity at work. I brought home the leftover ingredients and they couldn't wait to make more! Want to know how??

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What are you CURRENTLY doing, reading, making, watching, or listening to?

Currently . . . February 2017

Well, y'all, there's nothing quite like falling off the wagon before you even get all the way up on it!

via GIPHY
Back at the beginning of January, I had this surge of writing inspiration and reinvigoration. I was on a roll! Then, February rolled in and life got crazy busy. I thought about blogging but haven't had two seconds in the last couple weeks to sit down with my computer and type something up. I had fully intended to write a "Currently" post and publish it on the second Monday of February as I said I would last month, but, obviously that didn't happen - until now! Oh well - better late than never, right?!?!

Currently, I'm . . . . . . 

Deciding  on a new vehicle. The lease on our minivan is up next month and we've got to decide what we are going to do. After three minivans over the past 12-ish years, I think we are ready to go the SUV route instead this time. However, we are still "shopping" and exploring the different options. What do you drive and do you love it?
Preparing for spring and summer - at least at work. Since I work at our church, I am in the midst of planning for Easter events and Vacation Bible School which will be in July. It is several months away, but takes a lot of planning! 
Reading . . well, I just finished The Secret Life Of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams. I gave it 2 stars. The book has a great story line which is what drew me to it in the first place. Vivian, a 1964 independent young woman full of sass receives an unexpected package and discovers that she has a long lost aunt, Violet, she never knew about. Being a reporter, Vivian is determined to uncover the mystery of her Aunt Violet. The book alternates back and forth between 1964 Vivian and 1914 Violet. So why just 2 stars? There's so much gratuitous sex in the book that it totally overshadows the actual story. The strong plot and the unexpected twists are the only thing that keep this book from being filed in the trashy romance category - which is fine if you like a trashy romance novel, but it's not my cup of tea.
Contemplating what to read next. I'm thinking about The Zookeeper's Wife, Swimming Lessons, The Memory of Us, or Commonwealth - which were all on my list of books tor read this year.  Have you read any of them?
Trying to wrap my head around the fact that, last week, I signed my oldest daughter up for Drivers Ed. 😳I can't decide if I'm looking forward to her getting her license (so I don't have to drive everywhere) or if it absolutely terrifies me - probably a little lot of both. She won't actually get her permit until August when she turns 15 and, then, of course, another year to get her full license. Even then, in North Carolina, it's a graduated license so they don't have full privileges immediately. Anyway, this seems like the first step to much bigger things.
Watching "This is Us." Do you watch this show? I don't watch much TV anymore, but this show has me hooked. Every single episode leaves me with my mouth hanging open anticipating the next one. 
via GIPHY Wondering daily what the weather will be. I've lived in north Carolina all my life and I know the weather here can be little nutty, but this winter has seemed to be the absolute most fluctuating and unpredictable. This week alone we have had temperatures all the way from 80's (Sunday afternoon) to 20's (Thursday morning). We've had rain, gusty winds, and blinding sunshine. It's just crazy! I like winter and I'm in no rush for spring and summer, but I do wish Mother Nature would make up her mind. 
Thinking about summer plans. Despite the weather, summer is coming and, while I hate the heat, I do love the lazy days and the chance to travel. I asked the girls the other night where they might like to go on vacation this summer. Their choices were, in this order, Bora Bora, Sydney Australia, or an African Safari! All excellent suggestions, but probably not in the budget in the near future! 😜 We'll have to keep giving it some thought and, hopefully, settle on a destination (or two) soon.
Anticipating turning 40, but I already wrote about all that! 
Eating Girl Scout cookies. This is the first year I've actually had a girl scout because my youngest decided this fall to give it a try and she loves it. So, we've been selling cookies and eating plenty. My favorites are the Caramel Delites which is good because nobody else in my family likes them, but also bad because that means there is no one else to eat them but me! Our other favorites are the Lemonades and Thin Mints. What is your favorite Girl Scout cookie flavor???
------------------------------------------------------------------ I'm still not sure if this will take off as a linkup - would probably help if I actually posted on the regularly scheduled date! I'll throw the linkup out one more time to see how many participate, so if you have a current currently post, feel free to add it or write one up! The linkup will be open for two weeks.

Currently - January 2017

I used to think of these "currently" posts as a bit of a cop out - just a way to write something when you couldn't think of anything else to write. Maybe they were. Maybe they still are, but, now, after a few months of really struggling to write, I don't see anything wrong with that. Sometimes, what you need to get back to writing is to JUST WRITE no matter what that looks like. 

This new year, after being away from this space much longer than I intended, I have had a burst of ideas and a stronger desire to write. However, I feel sure that will wain at some point and I fear getting "stuck" again, so I'm trying to pace myself. I think that giving myself something consistent, but "easy" will be beneficial in the future if I again find myself in a writing lull. 

Another thing - I really love when other bloggers do these posts. We often write about motherhood or share recipes and books reviews, but sometimes the posts about daily, mundane things are few and far between. I consider many of the bloggers I read to truly be my friends, but because we are spread out all over the country, it's not as if we can sit down together and catch up over a cup of coffee. These "currently" posts are kind of like doing that. So, instead of viewing this kind of post as a last ditch effort to just write anything, I'm viewing it as a chance to have coffee with friends and chat about what's going on in our lives. 

So, I'm currently . . . . . . 

Thinking about my "word of the year" for 2017. The word that keeps coming to mind is "CONTENT." At first, when I kept circling back to that word, I thought it wasn't a very good word to choose - it seemed too complacent. However, dictionary.com defines the word as "satisfied with what one has; not wanting more or anything else" and I think I'm okay with that. I've spent too much time thinking about how I should be (skinnier, more stylish, more social), how my house should be (more updated/renovated, cleaner, more organized), and what I should be doing (more traveling, more family time, more blogging). With my 40th birthday quickly approaching, I think it's time for me to stoping wanting more; wanting different. I think it's time for me to learn to be content with where I am, who I am, and what I have. I also think I'm a lot closer to being content than I have been in the past, so I'm going to strive to continue down that path this year. 

Reading - The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin. I've had it on my Goodreads list for a while, but recently found out that it will be made into a movie this year. In short, two strangers, Ashley ( a writer who is trying to get to her wedding) and Dr. Ben Payne (trying to get home from a conference), have their flights cancelled and share a small charter plane in a last ditch effort to get to their destinations. Inevitably, the plane crashes and the two are stranded in the wilderness. Injured and alone, they must depend on each other to survive. The main characters in the movie, set to be released on October,  will be played by Kate Winslet and Idris Elba.

Loving this new recipe I found for sausage and potatoes. It is so quick and easy, plus super delicious! Here's what you do:

Ingredients:

14-16 oz smoked sausage

1 large onion, chopped

1 small green pepper, chopped

3-5 potatoes, peeled and diced (or red potatoes quartered)

olive oil

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese.

Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice sausage and place in large bowl with chopped onion, chopped pepper, and diced potatoes. Pour in a couple tablespoons of olive oil and mix it all together well. (Add spices as desired - I just add a little salt and pepper.) Pour onto the cookie sheet and bake for about 40 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with cheese (which, of course, will melt.) Yum!!!

Enjoying winter. Yes, that's right, I like winter. We got our first snow of the season on Friday/Saturday (Jan. 6-7) and it was a doozy - almost 10 inches! That's a lot for North Carolina! The kids had so much fun playing in it and it was absolutely beautiful. My sister in law cam with her two little girls (because her hubby was stuck out of town on a business trip), and that made it even more fun. All three of my girls are out of school today. The two who attend a private school might go back tomorrow - definitely by Wednesday. I wouldn't be surprised if the oldest (who attends a special public high school program) doesn't go back until at least Wednesday, maybe Thursday. 

Listening to "Hallelujah" by Pentatonix. My youngest daughter is obsessed with Pentatonix and I think they are pretty amazing, too. This song was on their third Christmas album. I don't really think of it as a holiday song, though, so I'm still listening to it and it gives me chills every time. Check it out for yourself! 


Writing a lot more than I have been. It feels good to be back to blogging!

Compiling a list of words to use for "Currently" posts. Well, actually, I've already compiled a list and I thought I would share with all of you! 

Contemplating making this whole "currently" thing a monthly linkup. Would you link up? Very general guidelines- use any words you want; as many or as few as you want. Maybe the second Monday of every month??? I've added a linkup below. It will be open for two weeks (thru January 23), so if you would like to link up, please do. I'll see what kind of interest it gets and decide whether or not to make it a regular thing. 

I hope your 2017 is currently off to a great start!

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A "Currently" #TuesdayTen

Imim sitting here on a lazy, summer Sunday afternoon thinking that I need to get a jump on the #TuesdayTen post that's due this week and I'm becoming further convinced that my writing "mojo" may be gone for good. Then I remember that, at the beginning of the year, I had intentions of doing a "Currently" post every month. However, after doing a few of them, it felt like I was just repeating the same things and my writing mojo continued to wane. So, I haven't done a currently post since March, but, this week's #TuesdayTen seemed like a good time to give it another whirl. I chose 10 verbs from this great list. 

Currently I am . . . . . 

Reading - "What Alice Forgot" by Liane Moriarty. I'm about 1/3 through and I can't decide if I like it. The premise is that Alice has hit her head and lost her memory of the last 10 years of her life - including her kids, her divorce, etc. While part of me realizes it's fiction, part of me thinks it's just ridiculous. Is that kind of amnesia a real thing?? Anyway, lots of friends have loved it, so I'm going to keep going. I recently finished "Summer Sisters" by Judy Blume. It was pretty good - it was just hard for me to reconcile that it was written by the same lady who wrote a kids' book called "Freckle Juice" that my kids loved. 

Missing - My middle daughter who is away on a week long mission trip with our church youth group. It's her first time being away from home this long without me. I know she will be fine and have lots of fun, but it sure is quiet in our house without her!

Hoping - My husband's arm heals quickly. He had surgery on his elbow on July 6 to repair a pinched ulnar nerve. He is currently sporting a large bandage/soft cast from his wrist to his bicep. It is inconvenient to say the least. He's a good sport about it, though!

Wishing - Summer would last longer. It's only mid-July, but summer will (kind of) end early for us this year because my oldest daughter will be attending an accelerated high school/early college program this fall and her first day of school is AUGUST 3!!!!! We essentially have only three weeks of summer left! My other two don't go back until August 30, so that means most of August will be weird with one in school and two out. 

Frustrated - By blogging, the news, social media, all the "noise," and other little life irritations that probably shouldn't bother me as much as they do.

Stressing - About my daughter's online classes. That's right - in order to prepare for this accelerated high school program, she is taking two online courses this summer. I'm really not stressing out about the actual classes so much as I'm bothered by the fact that she has spent so much of her short summer working. There's definitely been some fun and relaxing, too, and she has been very responsible about getting her assignments done. I guess it's just part and parcel of watching her grow up and take on this next challenge - but it's a hard pill for this mama to swallow sometimes.

Preparing - For Vacation Bible School! I have lots of amazing help, but I am the church staff in charge of our VBS and it's next week. There's a lot of details and work that has to happen between now and next Monday!

Considering - Change. I've been contemplating home renovations (an ongoing campaign). I've even been thinking about changing my hair style which is BIG becasue I am totally chicken about my hair and I think I've had the same basic style since high school.

What do you think?

Or maybe a little Carrie Underwood???

Excited - About taking a family trip to New York! The girls have never been. It will only be four days, but it will be fun and a great chance for them to get their first taste of the Big Apple! Their top requests are The Statue of Liberty, The Empire State Building, Central Park, a Broadway show, and the youngest wants a trip to the American Girl Doll store. 

Scheduling - Birthday parties!!! My oldest daughter, my youngest daughter, and my husband all have birthdays within a 5 day span in August. Both girls have asked to have sleepovers. Between our trip to NYC and sleepover parties on two different weekends, I'm not sure when we're going to squeeze in a little celebration for hubby!

What's currently happening in your world?

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This post is part of the monthly Tuesday Ten Linkup! 

Want to participate? Link up your own post and join our Facebook group.

Your Tuesday Ten hostesses are:

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Currently . . . February 2016

 I have decided to try creating a "currently" post once a month in 2016. I think of it as a bit of a journal entry - an online diary, if you will. If you want to join me, you are welcome. I haven't made it a linkup or anything , but you can just copy the words I have used and fill in your own thoughts. You don't have to use all same the words I have used and/or you can substitute any others you choose! (Here is a great list.) 

Currently (5:00pm on Sunday, February 21, I am . . . .) 

• Enjoying - A few moments of quiet. I dropped my youngest off for an activity at our church (where I am also on staff part time). I had plans, but they were cancelled, so I am sitting in my office and there is no one around! 
• Feeling - Blah. I'm not sure if I have a case of the winter blues or what, but I'm just feeling kind of "meh" lately. Lots of life's little annoyances have gotten under my skin more than they should and I can't seem to shake the little gray cloud over my head.
• Reading - Before I Go To Sleep  by S.J. Watson. It was on my list of books to read in 2016. I've only read the first two chapters and I'm not fully "into it" yet, but it definitely has promise!
• Listening - The last song I downloaded was Hearbeat by Carrie Underwood. Her performance of it at the Grammys with Sam Hunt was amazing.

Wearing - Jeans and a sweatshirt which is a little much considering it is almost 70 degrees here in NC today, but it's still winter and I'm not ready for short sleeves year! Plus, it's will be back in the 40s by Tuesday.

Thinking - About blogging. A lot. In the last two weeks, I have posted one recipe. That's it. In the last few weeks, I've had the worst case of writer's block I've ever had. I want to write, but, mostly, I just sit and stare at a blank screen. I'm hoping that this week I can find some time to just sit and free write or maybe even re-invent some of my older posts. Fingers crossed for breaking the block.

Wishing- A lot of things; a lot of unspoken wishes.

Questioning - Why figuring out middle school and high school is like applying to college! Around here it is anyway. Last year, we made the difficult decision to move our two youngest daughters to a private school. (They are 3rd and 5th grade this year.) Now, we have to decide whether to leave our 5th grader there for middle school or send her to the same middle school our oldest has attended. Our oldest will be entering high school and has applied for a couple magnet programs. We are awaiting acceptance notifications (or not) and, then, will have to choose. It's insane! 

Eating - As little as possible! I'm kidding - kind of. Do you have a number you simply refuse to see on the scale? Or maybe I'm the only one who is that neurotic. Anyway, I have that number in my head and I saw it last week which means I have  gained a full 30 pounds in less than two years. I've joined a gym; I've had my thyroid tested twice; and I've had my hormone levels tested, too. Apparently I'm perfectly healthy - just fat. So, I'm officially on a diet. 

Worrying - About my kids and decisions. About myself and my blog. About taking my kids to the dentist on Monday afternoon. 

Wanting - To get out of this Blah rut I'm in. To make decisions confidently and move on. To write something amazing - or just something at all. To take a vacation. To laugh. To win the lottery. Or maybe to just go to bed (it's 9:00pm now).

Loving - My family. Sometimes, they are the source of my angst, but they are also the loves of my life and my whole heart. 

What's CURRENTLY happening in your life? What are you enjoying, thinking, and wishing? @TheGoldenSpoons #bloglife

Currently . . January 2016

Back in December (2015), I wrote a "Currently" post out of desperation because I had a One Word post that needed to be published, but it had been a difficult week. Despite the sadness  surrounding that post, it was something I enjoyed writing. I think of it as a bit of a journal entry - an online diary, if you will. So, I have decided to try and do a "currently" post once a month in 2016. If you want to join me, you are welcome. I haven't made it a linkup or anything (yet!), but you can just copy the words I have used and fill in your own thoughts. You don't have to use all the words I used and/or you can substitute any others you choose! (Here is a great list.) 

Currently (5:00pm on Sunday, January 24), I am . . . . 

• Enjoying - Some relaxing snow days at home. Thanks to Winter Storm Jonas, the kids were out of school on Friday and will be again on Monday. Some people dread snow days, but I love them. We've slept in, played board games, and just hung out together. It's been awesome and a wonderful change from how I was feeling about a week ago.
  
  
  
• Feeling - Happy, relaxed.
• Reading -The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. It is SO GOOD!!! It was recommended to me by many and I'm so glad I added it to my list of books to read in 2016.
• Listening - The last  song I downloaded are "Hello" by Adele. I'm also loving Ketih Urban's latest, "Break On Me" and Thomas Rhett's "Die A Happy Man."

• Wearing - Yoga pants and a sweatshirt with my hair in a ponytail and no makeup on. I haven't left the house in three days, y'all!
• Thinking - That Princess Sofia has and inordinately large head in proportion to the rest of her body.  Like I said, it's a lazy day and Emily is watching TV while I stir here typing. 
  
• Wishing- I had put something in the crock pot earlier today.
• Questioning - What I should make for dinner. I had planned to fix spaghetti, but I'm feeling lazy and thinking we might just do what I like to call a "Pantry Potpourri" in which everyone picks whatever can of soup or box of macaroni they want to fix themselves! 
• Eating - Comfort food. Friday night we had Chicken and Dumplings. Saturday night, we had my mother in law's chili and cornbread. For lunches we've had pizza, chicken tenders, and mozzarella sticks. Plus, Rachel made chocolate cupcakes! Needless to say, when we thaw out, I'm going to have to hit the gym!
• Worrying - About getting my daughter's high school applications submitted. It's crazy that going to high school is almost like going to college around here! She is applying to two different magnet high schools that require essays, transcripts, and recommendation letters!
• Wanting - To finish this post so I can get back to my book! :-) 
• Loving - Snow Days, snuggles, comfort food, and relaxing! 

Like I siad, I'm not making this monthly "Currently" posting a linkup (yet!), but would love for you to join me. If you write your own, leave me a link in the comments or on my Facebook Page.

What are you currently doing, thinking, feeling, or wishing? 

Currently . . .

It's 8:15 on Tuesday night and this post is supposed to go "live" at 6:00am tomorrow  (Wednesday) morning. In those 10 hours, I've got to pack lunches, fold laundry, put my daughters to bed, and put myself to bed.

I also have to finish this blog post, but, honestly y'all, my heart and mind are somewhere else tonight. 

Normally, I know the prompts for these posts well in advance (I make them up, after all), so I let them rattle around in my mind for a week or so until some inspiration hits and, then, I get the post written a couple days in advance. With the Thanksgiving holiday, though, that didn't happen this time. I thought that, when the kids were back in school on Monday, I would have time to work on this, but sometimes life throws you a curve ball.

I won't give specifics because they aren't mine to give. I will simply say that a student at the school my two youngest daughters attend passed away Monday night as the result of a car accident. The past two days have been full of questions, tears, hugs, sadness, and love. 

My heart is heavy for the student's family and the classmates, my children included, who now must find a way to cope with such an unthinkable loss. 

Needless to say, this post has not been at the top of my priority list, but sometimes, for me, writing helps. I can let myself get lost in the words and it somehow brings a little comfort. So, as the night winds down and my children sleep peacefully (because it's taken me nearly two hours to get this far), I'm falling back on an old blogging standby - the "Currently" post.  

Currently I am . . . . . . .

• Reading All The Light We Cannot See. Yes, I'm a little behind. I actually bought the book a few months ago with intentions of reading it during my many hours waiting in carpool lines, but didn't actually crack it open until a couple days ago.
• Planning for Christmas- shopping, events, food. Also, for Megan's 11th birthday party this weekend. 
• Stressing because I am so far behind on my Christmas shopping. I ordered a couple things on Cyber Monday and that's all I've done so far. I'm usually about half way finished by now. 
• Wishing that life and death were easy; that complicated explanations could be more simple; that children didn't have to die or grieve or hurt; that families were never broken or separated; that "tragedy" was not a word in our vocabulary.
• Feeling sad yet thankful. Thankful for a school community that has come together to support one another; thankful for friends and hugs; thankful that my girls are safe in bed at home tonight.
• Listening to the Pentatonix Christmas Album. It's amazing and music is comforting.

Thinking about going to bed and about how fragile life is; how quickly it can change. I'm also remembering a quote from an article about grief that a friend shared earlier today.

Loving extra cuddles and hugs.

Wearing pajamas - it's now 10:16pm

Hoping that people will remember to think of how their actions affect others. Sometimes, we make decisions without using our good, common sense and the consequences and be devastating. 

This post will certainly not go down in the history books as one of my greatest, but it is what it is - at 10:32 on a cold, rainy night after a very long day. 

As I told my best blogger friends in a Facebook message on Monday night, go hug your babies - even if they are aren't babies anymore. Always tell the people you love that you love them and be generous with your hugs. We never know if "this time" will be the last time. 

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This post was part of the One Word Blog Linkup hosted by, Janine of Confessions of a Mommyaholic and me! This week, the word prompt choices were Always, Simple, and Over. 

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A Fly on the Wall: A "CURRENTLY" Post

There are not many places I think I would really like to be a Fly on the Wall. I might like to be a fly on the wall inside my kids' minds so I could see what's going on in thier thoughts - but, then again, maybe not. Perhaps it would be interetsing to be a fly on the wall of thier classrooms at school. That way, I wouldn't have to ask "How was your day?" and "What did you do in school today?" every single day just to get the same "Ok" and "Not much" answers time after time. It might also be rather intriguing to be a fly on the wall of the White House. I'm pretty sure they don't tell the American public everything. Maybe, however, there's a reason for that and perhaps I'd be better off not knowing after all.

As I contemplated today's topic of 10 Places I'd Like To Be  A Fly On The Wall, those were the only three I could come up with - my kids' heads, my kids' classrooms, and the White House. Then, I was procrastinating doing research to come up with something better, I came across a couple of "currently" blog posts in which the bloggers list some things that are going on in their lives right now. I love the idea, so I decided to do my currently post and give you ten things you would see and hear if you were a fly on my wall at the moment! 

Currently I am . . . . . . .

• Reading Me Before You. It's great! It was one of the books on my original list of books I wanted to read this year. I've read two other books form the list as well as one other one that wasn't on the list!
• Planning for our trip to the beach! Every year we rent a big house and spend a week at the beach with David's whole family. This year there will be 13 of us and I cannot wait! 
• Stressing out about this week's insane schedule! It's the last week of school for my kiddos, so we have end of year parties & awards programs. Of course, they are taking place on the days I usually work, so I've had to change my schedule around completely.
• Wishing it wasn't going to be quite so hot this week. Yes, I know it's summer, but my two youngest both have end of year school parties at a park near their school and it is supposed to be in the 90's both days. I like the slower pace of summer, but I cant stand the heat! 
• Feeling relieved that, if we can get through this week, school will finally be out and our days being a little more relaxed! 
• Listening  to a new song called "Buy Me A Boat." It's a country song and, if you don't like country, you'll hate it. However, my middle daughter put it on my iPod and I think it's kind of funny. I need a few laughs to make it through this week! 
• Thinking about all the fun we are going to have this summer! I made a bucket list a couple weeks ago. It's a pretty relaxed list if things we would mostly do anyway, but I can't wait to get started! 
• Loving that my oldest daughter has written a novel!!! She's been working on it for almost a year. I can't wait to read it and see her creativity! 
• Wearing shorts, t-shirts, and flip flops because summer is here! 
• Hoping that i can come up with a better post for next week's #TuesdayTen! :-)

Where would you like to be a fly on the wall? What would I see if I was a fly on the wall in your house right now?

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Come link up again next Tuesday, June16! We'll be sharing ten things that are in our junk drawer! (C'mon - you know you have one!) Vlog it if you like! 

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