Hello, and welcome to the Lounge! Today's theme stems from last night! I had plans of working on my herbalist certification course, but my plan included reading the printout dh was supposed to have for me. I asked for this five days ago. Up until yesterday, the excuse was he needed to buy a ream of paper for the copier at work due to the amount of pages I wanted him to print. Then yesterday it was that AND "I didn't have time." while all of that may be true it simply solidifies in my mind that we actually DO need a printer AT HOME. Anyway, I'm discombobulated because I couldn't work on it last night due to the fact that by 7 or 8pm at night, my eyes are really just too tired to deal with the backlighting of a computer screen, but are fine with actual paper. And now this morning, while I have worked on it a bit (on the computer), I just feel all out of sorts. Blah. Someone please pass the chocolate! What has you discombobulated today? Here: see above. What are you looking forward to this week? Here: believe it or not, my son's schooling! We've started a new curriculum this year and because it uses some older literature, I'm doing a lot of reading aloud so he can get the flow of the language. I love older English and I love learning so hopefully the attitude of this being fun will rub off on my son, as well! B-) Also, this Saturday I'm scheduled to be in the audience of a video Bible Study filming with Amberly Neese. That should be fun! Who has the chocolate?? Here: I have some dark chocolate chips. Talk to me! 🍫

Wow!

Glad to see you, prairiewindmomma! I understand getting things done while the kiddos are otherwise occupied! During our light month of school in August, I tried to get the living room in order for the full schooling schedule that starts this week - or is supposed to. I'm not quite as far along as I'd hoped. But since I didn't really have a PLAN - well, you know how that goes. However, I did manage to get a school corner set up. I should probably go clear off the flat spots now...

Oh, dear...I am SO sorry this has happened to you. I will pray for all of you as there is no easy way through this.

Good morning and welcome to the Lounge! You can blame the font color on my 15yo ds as he chose it! Today's theme should be obvious but if not: it is the day after Labor Day - and I'm not prepared! Are you? Are you prepared for this week? Here: somewhat but not fully. I know some events I'm going to and some school work my son needs to get done. But not nearly as prepared as I believed I wanted to be! Ah, well. Today is the only one we're promised, right? Focus on today and prep for a better tomorrow. If you haven't already started school, are you starting this week? Here: we had a light start last month and are supposed to start full schedule this month. Today may be light, though, with full starting tomorrow! What's your school year look like? Here: aiming for a set number of weeks but doing it via Terms now instead of semesters. We'll see how this goes! Talk to me! 🌽

Well, I went out, sans ds, and bought the food stuffs, plus the extras (plates, napkins, etc). I'm glad I did - I think that was weighing on me more than anything. Now I can focus on cleaning/straightening. The ever-growing-dude may just have to wait until after the party to go shopping. And I"m okay with that!

Taking a quick break from wiping down the stove and the microwave. Debating whether to do grocery errands (for the light snacks) now or wait until ds is awake as I need to take him to find long pants anyway. Hmm. Maybe I'll do a little bit more housecleaning and then wake him in an hour or so. that way we can at least go out before the FULL heat of the day hits!

Party in the House! Well, later this afternoon anyway. Today's theme stems from the fact that while my dd is turning 21 (!) on Saturday, we're hosting a Mocktail Party, open house style, for any of her underage friends who want to celebrate with her. Feel free to stop by! 😉 Mocktails served will be: Mules and Appletinis. Plus some light refreshments. So as soon as I'm done opening the Lounge I may have to skeedaddle just so I can finish cleaning/straightening the house! Celebrating anything today/this week/end? Here: see above! Plus, dd is having her BFF over on Saturday for some girls-only time and a sleepover. Headed out of town for the Labor Day weekend? Here: nope, although other members of my family are headed out to camp. Anyone want to help me clean my house? LOL. Here: I don't even want to do it! But I do want it somewhat presentable to whatever guests drop by! Talk to me! 🥳

Notice: I'll be in the corner of the Lounge (read: my dining room) clearing out all the junk that seems to have accumulated there. Just in case you come in and don't see me right away. 😉

"Harshing your mellow." Is that like wheezing the juice?

THIS

Morning and welcome to the Lounge! (could also be called the Lounge of Hormones today!) Notice I didn't say "good" morning. I'm still working on that. Menopause is not my friend right now but I'm working through it. This morning is particularly ferocious in hormone activity so I treated myself to Starbucks with soy! LOL Anyone else in this minefield with me? Between my hormonal 15 year old boy and mom being hormonal, I'm surprised anyone in this family still wants to come home at the end of the day! What's the adventure of the week for your family? Here: see above. Plus, I'm planning two events for towards the end of the week for the dd's bday and dh and ds are headed out to go camping this weekend so I'm sure there will be camping gear everywhere, as well! What's annoying you this week? here: EVERYthing! Hormones will do that to you. Now I know why my son gets irritated when I tell him, "You control/choose your attitude, no one else." Not so easily done when in the throes of Hormone Production Day! Possible, just not easily done. Have you seen/will you be seeing any movies recently? Here: dh and I went to see a free prescreening of Angel Has Fallen starring Gerard Butler and Morgan Freeman. Don't waste your money. Lots of f-bombs and not much story. I have yet to see the live version of The Lion King, although my son and his friends went. I did see Spider-Man Far From Home. Not stellar but very entertaining. However, Jake Gyllenhal has not yet have the chops to pull off being a villain. Talk to me! 🍌

I'm going to send you a private message.

fairfarmhand, is it that you have trouble falling asleep or trouble staying asleep?

Hello, all! Lovely to see you in the Lounge! Today's theme stems from the fact that this is the LAST WEEK OF AUGUST!!! How?? Good grief! Is your weather getting better, worse, or the same? Here: thought the mornings were getting cooler, like they usually do in September, but now they're muggy, like they often are in July. Phoenix is so confused weather-wise right now! What's on the schedule today? Here: debating whether or not to have a free day today, based on my current mood. Jury is still out. Have plans for Labor Day weekend this weekend? Here: part of our family will go camping, part will stay home so the girl can have her sleepover with her BFF. Who needs more coffee? Here: me! Talk to me!

Somebody turn off the outdoor heater!!! 🔥🔥🔥

Prairirewindmomma, I get it! I should probably get cracking on some elderberry syrup and more fire cider myself! I do have some tinctures macerating that will be strained the beginning of September. But the black salve, do you make that yourself?? Also, where are you living now that you're by the mountains and the sea?

Theme is self-explanatory! LOL Hello, and welcome to the Lounge! Pickings are sparse around here today as far as refreshments go. But coffee, tea, and water are always available! What's something new you've learned/are learning this week? Here: I'm working through some interesting things about life in general that I don't know how to explain to another person yet without them possibly thinking I'm "out there." When I figure out how to explain it in an understandable way, I'll let you know! Anyone incorporating some new subjects in schooling this year? Here: not yet, but soon we'll be doing nature study (beginning with cultivated crops) along with music and art appreciation. Who's gearing up to make things for a holiday bazaar? Here: maybe. I have the opportunity to contribute to a silent auction happening mid-September. I was writing out a list this morning of various herbal concoctions I could make for that. Talk to me! 👂 👂 Ear:

Moonhawk, where are you now? I'd love high temps in the 90s at this point! As for the monsoon, I heard of a newscaster who's calling this a non-soon, which seems about right. We've had, I think, two instances of spit, and one occasion of massive drool, as far as precipitation goes up here in North Phoenix. And nothing on the horizon. But maybe God will bless us this fall like He did last and we'll get rains in September and October instead. It sure has been a weird weather year here!

Chicken soup. A hot toddy before bed, or mid-day if you need it. Hydration! Alternate water with a good electrolyte drink. Sleep (the hot toddy may help with that). Epsom salt bath. Colloidal silver. ETA: you may find today or tomorrow being your WORST day, as often happens around the 7th day of a virus. Hunker down and rest, don't plan on doing anything else. In a few more days you'll begin to feel better because you WILL be getting better. Just don't over do it as your body begins to feel better. You don't want to land yourself back where you started! 😉

There seems to be a huge governmental push in the U.S. for kids to be in school at younger and younger ages. There.is.no.valid.reason.for.this. But if you dig deep into the reasoning behind compulsory eductation in the first place, it makes sense. Not that it makes sense to have kids so young in school (let alone having homework!) but it makes sense in why there's a push for it - whether we agree with it or not.

Everybody sleeping? or melting, if it's as hot as it is here! 107 for today, 115 for Wednesday!

I think I've been somewhat productive. Now to light a fire under the tush of my son!

Now time for Mom to gear up and be productive herself!

Morning and welcome to the Lounge! Today's refreshments include: coffee, tea, soda, gluten-free banana muffins, and possibly bacon! The theme stems from the fact that although we have already technically started back to school with a light schedule, we will now be gearing up towards our full schedule. I WAS going to wait and throw it all in on one day but because we're starting with a NEW curriculum AND a new method (Charlotte-Mason-style), etc, I've decided to introduce little bits at a time. So I'm introducing one or two books per week. This week's introduction: Mere Christianity by CS Lewis and a How to Read a Book. Sounds funny, I know, but it's actually quite practical! Who's gearing up this week? Here: slowly starting the ascent before the roller coaster ride fully engages! 😉 Anyone planning any trips? Here: my brother wants us to come south for the winter and visit him for Thanksgiving. Haven't told dh yet but I think I'm going to plan a drive with the kids to go do that. DH can drive with us, take a plane ride, or not come. Entirely up to him! Anyone's weather changing for the better? Here: sort of. Mornings are getting cooler, which is nice. Also strange as that usually doesn't happen until September. But I'll take it! Afternoons just seem to be getting hotter and hotter. Blah. Talk to me! 🌽