Style N Season: Week in Recap: Ordinarily Great

Hello, Friends!

Looking back at my Instagram pictures of last week, I was hesitate to write this week in recap, because last week nothing really special happened! But then I thought, I always enjoy journaling in this recap, and I like reading what's going on in other blogger's life in similar recap, so here it is! I hope it's not too boring!

Last week was one of those days when nothing truly extraordinary happened, but everything was sailing smoothly, and everyone was in a happy and serene mood. It was lovely if ordinary. If last week were a necklace, then it would be the plain chain, not the fancy pendant. But hey, a pendant would be no use without the chain, rite!

Since Hubby and I already had our date night on Friday, we just went to watch the movie "Lucy" at a nearby mall on Saturday night after our son went to bed. I wore my mint green new sweater that I got at the bazaar, and it turned out to be very comfy and warm. The downside? It's too warm to wear to stroll the mall, it can only work once I get inside the freezing cold movie theater. Nevertheless, with a husband who loves movies, and me who cannot stand cold, I concluded that it was a good investment. Also, since the sweater is of good quality, it will last me for several years. Not to mention that the colors are so pretty!

We already went to mass on Saturday, so Sunday morning was free time. My Mom was leaving Jakarta, so Hubby, me and Michael escorted her to the airport. After that we ate noodle at a nearby shop and stopped by at a cute neighborhood coffeeshop called Bangi for some iced coffee and hot chocolate. I know we can make coffee and chocolate beverages at home for just as nice and much cheaper, but I also know that Hubby loves to hang out at places like these with his family, for a change of atmosphere.

My Mom bought Michael three pairs of pajamas: a blue one with reindeer on them, a green one with elephant and lion and monkey; and a grey and teal one with motorbikes. For some reason, Michael likes the reindeer one most, it becomes his favorite, and he refused to wear the other two. Grandma complied, so she just kept the other two in the drawer of unused clothing and re-washed and re-wear the reindeer pajamas everyday. I didn't say anything, because I know how grandparents love to spoil their grandchildren. It gives them such joy, and I will not take that smile away from my Mom's face, though I don't agree in complying to whatever the children wish. Beside, those are two brand new pajamas! Not to mention that the reindeer pajama already looked worn out after daily wash-and-wear for four weeks straight! Hence, once Mom is no longer in the house, I got out the two pajamas out of the drawer and determined to get Michael wearing them willingly.

How?

Story time! I told him stories about elephant and animals, and showed him storybook with elephant character on it, made funny faces and voices about Bon Bon The Elephant! I showed him the elephant pajama and said "See? This is your elephant pajama, just like Bon Bon here! Isn't he cute? And these are her friends, Lion and Monkey!" I consistently tried to make an impression that his elephant pajama is no less cute than the reindeer one, and by the bed time, he asked to wear the elephant pajama! Hurray!!

The nest evening, I made up another stories of motorbikes. To help him visualize, I showed him his favorite children song video "One One I Love Mommy" - which conveniently, has three children singers riding motorbikes with the parents! He danced around with joy, saying "Otobike! Otobike!" and by the end of the night, he was wearing these cool motorbike pajama. See that, Mom? I can make Michael wearing these, on his own will! Ha! ^__^

See how cool the motorbike pajama is? I love the grey and teal colors, which make them boyish and masculine yet cute and cheerful at the same time. The colorful tiny motorbike prints all over the pajama bottom are just adorable, as well. I love children's clothes to be happy and cheerful looking. Boys are not supposed to wear girlie colors like pinks, of course, but they can wear fun things, too!

My typical evenings are pretty much like this...

We got this red mini backpack for free from Michael's formula, and he loves it! I asked him, "Wow, do you want to go to school?" And he nodded and said yes. I'm not sure he knows what "school" means, but he looked so grown up already, I felt this hollow in my heart. And his Daddy feels the same way! We sure miss the sweet times having a tiny baby around the house. Michael is a toddler now, no longer a tiny baby!

One day I went to lunch with my coworkers at a nearby mall, and I noticed that the mall had a used-books stand. How I went wild! I told my husband that I would be going home an hour late that evening, and I spent the allocated time scouring the book shelves, digging like a mad woman. I love reading and collecting books, it's my number one hobby. I'm willing to pay a little bit more for new books, but as frugal as I am, I prefer used books if I can manage to find them! Used books stores are not pretty common in Indonesia, so are online used books seller. Hence, when I found one, I went crazy because used books stand usually don't stay around permanently. They will be there until the inventory goes down, then close.
These are some of what I ended up with... I'm such a happy camper, and cannot wait to read them all!

As you can see, I read practically everything. The Jackie Collins, of course, is my guilty pleasure. An easy read of glamorous and superficial world, like a glimpse into People magazine. Then the Wartime Nurse and Lizzie's War are more serious picks, especially the later one which I cannot wait to start reading, because it tells a story of what happened during the war but not in the battlefield, but in the home the soldiers left behind, how the women and children coped while the men were away at war. It would be an interesting reading, I bet! The Sacrifice is about the life of an Amish family, which I also curious about. The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency is another guilty pleasure. I like detective novels that also tells domestic life, and I've heard about these detective series for quite a while, but could not justify spending my money on a guilty pleasure that I'm not so sure about. With the heavily discounted price, now I allowed myself to finally purchase this book! The last one is devotion book for busy parents, which I snatched right away, because as a new parent, I think I need some guidance on how to include children into my appointment with God. I just learned to pray for my husband, and I want to seriously and conciously pray for my son, also.

You might think I'm a nerd, but I am a total bookworm and the acquisition of these books is downpat the highlight of my week! ^__^ To assuage the feeling that I bought too many, let me remind myself that in the evening of the same day I sold a cardboard box full of books I no longer want to have (nor read) to the used bookstore, so I guess I'm allowed to replace them with some new (used) ones!

Last week's to do list:

~~Read Chapter 19 of Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle": Hungry Month.~~
~~Read and contemplate on the Book of Proverbs Chapter 3.~~
~~Start the renovation project: taking down the existing roof, and pay down payment to contractor.~~
~~Declutter and organize my work desk, again.~~
~~Continue to organize property files online.~~
~~Pay local helps and discussing their payment scheme.~~
~~Fix refrigerator upstairs.~~
~~Grocery shopping.~~
~~Having massage.~~
~~Last appointment with my dermatologist.~~
~~Send gift to a friend out-of-town who is having a birthday.~~

This week's to do list:

Read Chapter 20 of Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle": Time Begins.
Read and contemplate on the Book of Proverbs Chapter 4.
Renovation project: laying down the foundation, week one of renovation permit.
Planning weekly menu.
Write post about my home working desk.
Change the living room seasonal decoration.
Work on family financial files: budget and renovation project spreadsheets.
Start toddler vitamin for Michael.
Shop online for new necklaces.
Motivate myself to dress up again.