dreamy :: practical

Hooray for getting through another week!  Sorry to drone on about counting down the weeks of the school year.  I never used to do that.  My job is more stressful now than it used to be and I feel like getting through each week is a huge accomplishment.  I need the weekend to unwind!  Another thing that throws me for a loop each year is Back to School Night, which was Wednesday this week.  I commute to work, so staying late for BTSN means I can't go home in between.  These last couple BTSNs I decided just to crash at my parents' house on that night  to save commuting home late at night and then having to get up at 5 the next morning just to drive straight back.  I feel like I'm still recovering!

Are you ready for a dreamy/practical list?

Dreamy
:: throw a popsicle party in the back yard!  Ken has invited a million families as usual.  It should be wild!
:: eat toast with honey and drink tea.  The boys like drinking Bedtime Tea with me in the evenings now.  So cozy!
:: be entertained!  I always have this as a goal in the back of my mind, but we rarely get to watch a show or movie anymore.  By the time the boys crash, I am exhausted.  Nonetheless, I'd love to watch a show on Netflix or bring out the Jane Eyre movie I bought ages ago but haven't watched yet.  (Ken can't stand period pieces, but maybe Dieter will watch it with me.  He watched Pride and Prejudice with me over the summer and we had a blast).

Practical
:: throw a popsicle party.  Ugh.  I'm the hugest introvert, so these parties actually take a lot out of me.  (But the kids love them).  I need to make a couple cheese balls and some popsicles and buy some popsicles too.  (And I'm going to remember to "fake it 'til I make it!")
:: do my cleaning routines
:: wash the car Sunday morning with one of the boys
:: ready myself for another full week and get my head together.  Get back on track!








 Bye bye!

PS--I'd love to hear what you're up to this weekend!

dreamy :: practical

Hooray for making it through another week! This was our first "normal" 5 day week of the year. It was hectic, but it's done.  What are you up to this weekend?  I'm in the mood for another dreamy/practical list.

Dreamy
:: drink coffee with half and half in the morning and lots of cucumber water the rest of the day
:: go to Saturday morning yoga class
:: plant a calla lilly bulb with the boys (I bought a kit at Trader Joe's today)
:: make waffles
:: take a day trip to Santa Barbara (zoo?  natural history?  art museum?)
:: read my current book (I'm reading this and I'm really enjoying it)
:: give myself a home pedicure

Practical
:: do a big clean-out of the pantry.  I'm looking forward to this, actually.
:: car wash Sunday with Rainer.  It's our routine now, since I got the new car
:: laundry!
:: home routines.  This week's zone is the kitchen.

What's on your list?

dreamy/practical :: new school year edition

I just completed by first week back to work. SO glad to have that first week behind me. To tell you the truth, only Thursday and Friday were student days, but nonetheless the week felt intense. Opening school is hectic. I'm so glad to be off and running.

A dreamy/practical list feels appropriate.  Something I've been thinking about is approaching the weekends with more intention.  I'd like to plan a bit ahead, have something specific to look forward to during the week, and not let the precious weekend simply wash over me.  These two days each week are so valuable and I want to make them count.

So with that in mind, here is my list for this first weekend of the school year.

Dreamy

:: my mom turns 79 today!  We will go tomorrow and wish her happy birthday and sing to her and eat cake.
:: date night with Ken on Saturday night.  Hooray for Saturday date night!
:: Saturday morning yoga.  The summer was crazy and I barely made it to any yoga classes.  Sad!  And now I'm back at square one and 5 lbs heavier (at least).  It will feel good to get back into it.
:: and after yoga I want to lay out by the pool for one hour.  I think Ken and the boys will meet me there and maybe we will order lunch.
:: dream of recipes and cooking.  We've been getting a kitchen remodel this summer and I haven't had a kitchen for the past several weeks.  Two or so more weeks to go!  Can't wait to make poached eggs and family dinners.
:: on Sunday we want to have a little picnic in the park.

Practical

:: laundry is more challenging since the kitchen remodel means we also don't have a laundry room for now.  I've been doing laundry at my parents' house, but I may go quicker this weekend and use a laundromat.
:: wash the car Sunday morning with Dieter.  It's our little Sunday ritual.  He's a great helper and it's one of the few times we can have mother-son time (with just him and not his brother).
:: neaten up the house--pick up and swipe down the bathroom
:: set out clothes for Monday morning.

I'll be back later with my ideas and thoughts about starting the school year.  Happy Friday!

dreamy/practical

What are your plans this long weekend?  We really don't have many plans.  Mostly it's just exciting to be on the last 3 day weekend of the school year.  Summer is looming!  Here are my thoughts:

Dreamy

:: drink coffee with half and half and have a second cup.
:: watch an eye shadow tutorial and learn how to do the technique (I like Hot & Flashy's videos)
:: have a date night with Ken.  Any movie recommendations?
:: read a book.  I'm reading The Goldfinch but honestly haven't devoted much time to it.
:: have a little back yard barbeque with just the family.
:: head to the beach.  That photo above is making me long for the ocean!

Practical

:: do my Sunday routines with the boys--wash the car, get gas, stop by the local market.
:: laundry (that is always on my list).  My goal is to attack this early in the weekend.
:: cook (but that is sort of dreamy too, because I enjoy it).  I'm trying a new recipe for veggie enchiladas.
:: do a bit of cleaning.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone!

dreamy/practical

It's raining!  A cozy weekend with rain* is rare around here, especially these last few years.  There is rain right now and we are so grateful.   Thinking about for this weekend--

Dreamy
:: be cozy by the fire
:: drink coffee with half and half
:: go to a Saturday night movie with Ken
:: watch the Oscars!  My mom is having us over for a little "Oscar Party"!  I haven't watched the Oscars in years, and this year I've seen quite a few of the nominated movies, so it will be extra fun.  Can't wait!

Practical
:: do some key cleaning tasks I've been putting off.  It will feel good!
:: de-clutter.  I always feel like a million dollars after getting rid of stuff.
:: laundry--always!
:: the meal planning and grocery shopping are done for the week.  We have ingredients for cucumber-yogurt chicken, Summer's mustard-maple chicken (we're making this for the second time), and a simple beans and rice dish.

*with all the rain, I'm tempted to bake, but I'm also dieting!  Not sure if I should.  I'll try to resist.  Baking but not eating is not a reasonable option in my opinion!