Thoughtful Thursday

Hey there!  Remember me?  I've been gone for a while, I know.  Life gets busy.

Let's see, what new things have been going on?  Well, for one, school is out.  My son E got good grades this year.  C in science, B's in all his other subjects.  His rest this summer is well deserved, though it won't last forever.  I'm letting him get some video game time in, but he'll be reading soon.

My daughter has 2 new guitar students.  She started giving guitar lessons to a 6 year old girl from church, and now she has a couple of sisters who had started taking lessons with a friend of ours who can't continue to give lessons because of her work schedule.  I'm glad my daughter is getting to do this.  I think it's a great opportunity for her to share what she's learned and make some money while she's at it.

My oldest is still working at the grocery store, but is looking for full-time work.  Publix has been great, but they only give him part-time hours, which isn't enough to pay his bills.  I'm praying he can find something soon.

Our pastor is doing a series called Momentum, that is excellent and convicting at the same time.  I've been taking lots of notes and going over them.  I'm doing a personal study on the book of Revelation and end-time prophesies, but that's on my own.  VBS is next week, and I'll be preparing for that starting this Saturday.

As for blogging?  I've been taking a break.  I was spending a lot of time on my blog, on other people's blogs, on blog hops, and I realized that time could be better used in other areas of my life.  Not that I don't enjoy blogging, because I do.  Not that I don't love reading other blogs, because I definitely do.  Just that there's a time for everything, and blogging was taking away too much of my time.  I will come back and update whenever I can, but I won't be here as often as before.  Check up on me once in a while.  I'll do the same for you.  God bless.

Observing My Senses

For Today, June 1, 2013...

I am seeing...bright sunshine coming in extra strong now that my neighbors behind me cut down a bunch of their trees.  I don't know why they did it; the trees were different sorts of palm trees and they all looked healthy to me.  Still, it's their house, their choice.  But now the amount of sunlight coming in our windows has greatly increased.

I am feeling...thankful that my aunt, who had a hernia removed yesterday, is doing well.  She's 78 years old and a recent widow.  It's been hard enough without this, but praise God she is a strong and healthy woman for her age and we pray she will make a full recovery.

I am hearing...nothing.  It's really quiet.  My oldest son left for work in a huff this morning.  He was supposed to be at work at 6am.  He left the house at 7:30.  I guess his alarm clock didn't go off.  Hopefully his day won't be all bad after this not-so-pleasant start.

I am tasting...buttermilk pancakes, bacon and coffee.  I like making extra buttermilk pancakes from scratch, then putting them away to reheat the next couple of days.  My youngest son likes it too.  He loves pancakes.

I am smelling...breakfast smells.  I'm glad too, because after cutting the grass yesterday my allergies weren't helping my breathing or my smelling.  It's better today.  Unfortunately my elbows aren't.  Darn arthritis!

It just takes a moment to observe your surroundings.  Won't you join me?

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, May 28, 2013...

Outside my window...the clouds seem to indicate more rain is on the way.  It didn't rain nearly as much as the weatherman had originally said it would, but the day isn't over yet.

I am thinking...my son may not have field day this year.  It looks like we'll be getting rain daily.

I am thankful...for the rain, for the sunshine, for how pretty my flowers look thanks to both.

I am going...to take a shower soon.

I am wearing...a black top, black and white skirt, and black sandals.  With temps in the 80's it's necessary to dress light.

I am noticing...our dog Molly is eating less lately.  She still has lots of energy so I don't think she's sick.

In the kitchen...we had Cuban style steak sandwiches.  They were sooo good!

I am reading...I started reading Composing Amelia by Alison Strobel, but I haven't picked it up in days.  I need to make time to read.

I am hoping...to find plenty of fun and cheap things to do this summer with my son.

I am looking forward to...the school year ending.  Last day of school is June 7.

I am hearing...the television rambling and my son's occasional questions.

Around the house...I got plenty done yesterday and Saturday so I was able to take it easy today.  Good thing - rainy cloudy days make me feel lazy ;-)

A favorite quote of the day..."The problem with close-minded people is that their mouth is always open." - Unknown

One of my favorite things...not having to go anywhere on rainy days.

A few plans for the rest of the week...we had Awana awards last night so I may just go to our youth group this week.  They have study time along with massages and free manicures.

Wanna join in the fun?  Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook.  God bless.

Observing My Senses

For Today, May 25, 2013...

I am seeing...a clean kitchen, a newly redecorated living room (again), and darkness because it's the end of the day.

I am feeling...the Lord stir my heart for the lost.

I am hearing...music coming out of my daughter's room.  We just finished listening to Christine Caine doing an interview on the Joni Lamb Table Talk show.  Christine Caine runs the A21 Campaign which fights to stop human trafficking.  She is truly inspiring.

I am tasting...nothing.  Dinner was fish but that was several hours ago.

I am smelling...Lysol spray.  I keep the automatic dispenser going we don't have lingering food odors.

It just takes a moment to observe your surroundings.  Won't you join me?

Move It Mondays

Wow, I've really let this blog go!  I hate to admit it, but some days I just don't have anything new or particularly interesting to write about.  Life is busy and there's much to do, but it isn't anything out of the ordinary so I don't stop to blog about it.

For instance, I've been barbecuing more often now though today was definitely not a day to be outdoors.  It turned dark at about 11:00am but it didn't start raining until after 1:30pm.  I did my grocery shopping this morning and picked up some flowers for my backyard planters.  I'd planted petunias in the large brick planter but heavy rains destroyed them.  I planted vincas instead.

The white ones on either corner were already there, I just planted the ones in the center where the petunias once resided.

I also bought this torenia because the color fascinated me.  It's called Midnight Blue.

I think it's more of a deep purple, but either way it's stunning.

You might notice in the pictures that everything is wet.  Once the rain started, it meant to stick around.  It's now past 6pm and the rain is still falling.  Thankfully it isn't raining terribly hard.  It's just non-stop.

Our pastor is doing an amazing series called Momentum.  This Sunday he talked about what to do when the desires of our hearts are not fulfilled.  It has me thinking a lot about how things don't always turn out the way I expected.  It's not that God isn't listening, it's that His will is different from mine.  I have to find out what His will for my life is.  I'm gonna be praying about that.

We went bowling on Saturday.  Our local bowling alley has a really great deal:  $34.99 gets us 2 games per day for up to 4 people all summer long till September 2.  What's really nice is that it doesn't include my youngest son because he gets the games for free anyway!  Kids 15 and under can sign up for their Kids Summer Fun deal, 2 games per day for free.  I hope we can go at least a couple of times per week so we can be ready when my sister and brother-in-law come to visit.  My brother-in-law is a great bowler, so we have to be in tip top condition come December.  I printed off the free movie schedule from our local movie theater as well.  I try to find as many free or low cost entertainment for the summer as I possibly can so my son doesn't have to complain about not having anything to do.

The last day of school is June 6.  My son has field day this Thursday, so although he's in school he won't be going to any of his classes.  Next Monday is Memorial Day which means no school as well.  So officially he now has 11 days of school left.  There are no words to describe how happy he is that the year is almost over - he is ready for a vacation!

Speaking of endings, this Wednesday is our last day of Awana - awards night.  I'll be saying goodbye to my sweet third grade girls who will be moving up.  It's a joy to serve at Awana and see how God's word starts to penetrate into their little hearts.  Kids are kids for a very short time - use that time wisely!

Hmm, I guess I did have plenty to write about after all!  Have a wonderful week everybody!  God bless.

Observing My Senses

For Today, May 18, 2013...

I am seeing...a bright kitchen, which emphasizes the dog hair on the floor.  Again.

I am feeling...under-dressed.  Time to get out of my jammies and into everyday clothes. ;-)

I am hearing...my daughter tell me funny stories.

I am tasting...my morning coffee with honey wheat toast.

I am smelling...the comforting smells of breakfast, and lily's blooming in my living room.

It just takes a moment to observe your surroundings.  Won't you join me?

Observing My Senses

For today, May 11, 2013...

 I am seeing...pretty flowers blooming, a dog traipsing through the grass, a pile of laundry to be folded.

I am feeling...healthier.  And that's a good thing.

I am hearing...the dog.  She wants back in the house.

I am tasting...nothing yet.  Breakfast is on the stove.

I am smelling...the comforting smells of breakfast cooking in the kitchen.

It just takes a moment to observe your surroundings.  Won't you join me?