Doodle Acres » Books

Book Recommendation: I Love to Draw Horses by Jennifer Lipsey

Heather — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:51:28 +0000

I picked this book up for Lily (9) at the library. She has derived many hours of pleasure from this book and is reluctantly returning it to library after multiple renewals. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival (via interlibrary loan) of other drawing books in this series. I highly recommend this book for your budding artist. Enjoy!!!

2010 Simple Living Book Club

Heather — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:55:15 +0000

Check out the Simple Living Book Club over at SimpleMom.net. The first book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen Covey. I just got my copy and it looks like an interesting read. The folks over at SimpleMom.net have just opened up the Simple Living Book Club Forum . I hope you’ll join me!!!

Our Morning Basket

Heather — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:01:41 +0000

Well it has taken us a while to get back into our routine after the holidays. It’s been a particularly slow go due to illness. But inspired by Mary Ellen’s posts (here and here) that I had saved in Bloglines, we are back into our “morning basket routine”. This routine includes reading aloud to the three younger children while they draw, hand sew, etc. I’ve added a sidebar with our current reading selections which include poetry, religion (basic cathecism), saints, and literature. It is a great way to start our homeschooling day after breakfast, chores, and daily mass. If you have any book suggestions, I’d love to hear them.

Book Recommendation: The Power of Less by Leo Babauta

Heather — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:56:03 +0000

This is the time of year when I look to simplify and streamline my life. Of course I got a stack of this type of book out from our local library. Yes, that’s my personality… if one is good then twelve is better… at least when it comes to books.

Well this one was definitely the best of the bunch. So far, it has helped me to deal with my email inbox and organize my busy life a bit more. If you’d like a taste, you can check out his free ebook called, Thriving on Less. Enjoy!!!

Jumping into Advent… a bit late

Heather — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:18:30 +0000

I’ll admit it. I tend to have an “all or nothing” personality. So when Advent started on Sunday and I hadn’t gotten my rear in gear, I figured, “Ah well, there’s always next year!!!” Well a well-timed email from a blessed friend and mentor encouraged me to jump into Advent. She, of course, didn’t know about my delay, but her words roused me to start.

Another friend instigated me to “do” Advent for the sake of the little ones (Lily, 9 and Peter, almost 5). Because as she pointed out, the older ones have all these wonderful memories of Advents past (when I was enthusiastic), but really the little ones don’t. She told me of an Advent tradition in her home where she wraps up all their Advent/Christmas books. One child per day (starting with the youngest) gets to unwrap a book and it is read to all. This creates excitement and suspense AND pushes to make sure at least one book gets read aloud per day, which is challenging during this busy season. So our newly wrapped books in a basket are my first Advent activity and the littles did enjoy our first book together this evening. I hope that this will be the first of many memorable Advent activities…

So I say, jump into Advent. And no matter how little or much you do, enjoy the season!!!

The Catholic Woman’s Daily Planner

Len — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:14:33 +0000

I just love Michele’s planners. Check out her new ad:

And then get over there and buy one!!!

Update from Doodle Acres – July 15, 2009

Heather — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:50:20 +0000

I know, I know, it has been a long time since I have blogged. I didn’t start out taking a blogging break but somehow, I got out of the habit of posting. So anyway, for those couple of you who might still check this site, I thought I’d write a post about what we’ve been up to…

Well about me… I am happy to have this school year behind us and am enjoying some much needed time off from the usual rat race. This spring I let things get way too busy. Everything that we did was wonderful but I had trouble keeping up with the mayhem in a peaceful manner. Note to self: Don’t let that happen again!!!

About 16 months ago, I started a journey of trying to get my weight and my health into a better place. I began (and continue) that journey at a local Diet Center. I have lost 85 pounds thus far. That number seems surreal to me even as I type it but I am thrilled to be the thinnest I’ve been in nearly 20 years and 25 lbs. thinner than when I got pregnant with Hope almost 18 years ago.

I have learned many things at Diet Center. They have taught me that I cannot change my past mistakes. I can just start out right now, right this minute doing the next right thing. I don’t need to punish myself for a food faux pas. I just need to do that next right thing.

I go in to Diet Center about 3 times a week for 15 minutes or so for individual diet counselling. And the support of my counselors (Ellen and Meg) has meant the world to me. They have shared my triumphs and my falls. They have encouraged me to persevere when I wanted to quit. They have been there for me through everything. And I can’t thank them enough.

They even encouraged me to get off my lazy rear and get moving. Of course they put it in nicer words!!! With their encouragement, I have gone from a couch potato to somewhat of an athlete, who actually looks forward to exercising —well most of the time.

Last summer, I read a book called The Secrets of a Former Fat Girl by Lisa Delaney. The author talked about her own journey from fat girl to fit. She believes that in order to change the same old messages in her head, she had to change how she perceived herself. In a nutshell, she began running and started to think of herself as an “athlete” rather than as a “fat girl”.

When I read this book, I found her logic and her story inspiring. However, at my weight (even having lost 25 lbs at that point with Diet Center) I knew that my body wasn’t ready to run. So I started with “baby steps” (as Flylady would say) and began walking. I walked and walked and walked for months until finally I started to slowly begin to run.

I found a training plan online for transforming oneself from a couch potato to a 5K runner. It was late February when I began my running and slowly but surely I have been able to increase my running time up to 35 minutes straight plus warm-up and cool-down walks. I even joined the track club with my two middle children, Lenny and Lily. Who would have thunk it???

I am a slow runner but I am running nonetheless. And as Lisa Delaney predicted, it has helped me to start to change the way I view myself. It is only a beginning but I have high hopes of running my first 5K race this fall. I may very well be the last person to cross the finish line but who cares as long as I finish!!!

AND BEST OF ALL, I AM NO LONGER ON BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION!!! I had to write that in bold letters!!! I feel as if God has blessed me so greatly with all of the positive support he has brought into my path. God is indeed good!!!

Well I know that this update was all about me but it’s getting long and I’ll close for now. I’ll fill you in on the children and Len next time!!! Thanks for reading…

Oh one more thing, I am (reluctantly, sheepishly) posting these before and after pictures in hopes that it will encourage you in your journey towards health and fitness. I hope it helps to see how far I’ve come.

A New Year

Heather — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:01:30 +0000

“None of us knows what awaits us in this new year, but God knows. His will has already prepared our path; every detail of our life is already determined in His mind. Let us be ready to accept, or rather embrace with courage and readiness, everything that God wishes or permits, certain that in His holy will we shall find our peace and our sanctification.”Divine Intimacy by Father Gabriel of St. Magdalen, p. 107, “Octave of the Nativity of Our Lord”

Fix It and Forget It!!!

Heather — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:33:51 +0000

Who doesn’t enjoy a nice meal at dinner time? I can’t think of anyone!!! I’ve rediscovered my crock-pot recently. Getting dinner on the table had become a real chore of late. I was bored with my menus and uninspired to change things up. Then I stumbled onto Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook: Feasting with Your Slow Cooker. My family and I have been enjoying the recipes and I have been loving the freedom that the crock-pot affords me!!! Why not rediscover your crock-pot and check this wonderful cookbook out at the library!!!

When We Don’t Feel Like It!!!

Heather — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:49:27 +0000

The theological virtues are practiced essentially by the will. When they are accompanied by feeling, the practice of them is pleasant and consoling; but when the act must be made by the will alone, then this exercise is dry and cold, but is not for this reason of less merit; on the contrary, it is even more meritorious and therefore gives more glory to God.

-Divine Intimacy, Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, p. 742