Surprise! More New Floors

Last year, I went to work painting the kid's rooms and took some pictures after all was done. Here you can just make out the floors, which were a light maple that matched the bedroom furniture. We had taken out the rugs a few years earlier and put in laminate floors in a color a little lighter than I'd hoped for, but it looked so much better than what was there before I didn't mind very much.

This is the boy's room now! This is what happened: When I measured the floors to figure out the square footage, I made sure I over-measured rather than under-measure. This would guarantee that I would purchase enough flooring and not have to run to the store to buy more. Then, as an additional precaution, I added 5% to my total for damages and scrap. I calculated that 42 boxes of flooring were needed, so I purchased 44 boxes. Just as my brother-in-law was finishing up, he measured and told me we would be short about 2 boxes. I was puzzled; I couldn't figure out where I'd gone wrong. The closets, maybe? Rather than double-check his measurements, I assumed he was right and purchased another 3 boxes (again figuring it better to buy more than less). As we neared the end, it was apparent that HIS measurements had been off - a total of 40 boxes of flooring were used. Now we had 7 boxes of flooring left over. My hubby asked if we had enough to do the kid's rooms. After measuring I told him we had enough to do one of the bedrooms. So the decision was made, and we went ahead and did the boy's room.


The reason we chose to do this, was because the flooring in the kid's rooms was of very poor quality, and it was badly scratched. I tried all kinds of products to get the scuff marks and scratches out, but laminate isn't like hardwood. The floors were only about 7 years old but they looked terrible, especially against the new shiny floors right outside the bedrooms. Since the flooring was still on sale, hubby decided we may as well do the whole job, so off I went and purchased an additional 7 boxes and did the daughter's room as well.

Of course the bedrooms aren't completed; we still need to get the baseboard installed and everything put away. God willing, that will be done tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy some pictures of the finished products in the rest of our living areas.

This is the formal living room (the view from the front door):

The formal living room (opposite view):

The dining room:

The family room:

As the work is completed, I'll have additional pictures. Meantime, I think I'll rest a bit today. It's been alot of work, but I'm enjoying the new look of my home very much! It's so warm and inviting; makes me wanna stick around for a long time!

Observing My Senses

For Today, February 27, 2010...

I am seeing...the mess in my boy's room. Once all the floors were laid we realized there was enough material left over to do one of the kid's bedrooms (not because I measured wrong; my brother-in-law said we wouldn't have enough and I bought more flooring. We ended up with 7 extra boxes). So we went ahead and did the boy's room yesterday and my daughter's room today.

I am hearing...the ceiling fan, and cartoons.

I am feeling...exhausted after 2 days of non-stop work. But it is SOOO worth it.

I am tasting...nothing at this point. It's 9:00pm. I don't eat this late.

I am smelling...Dove soap. Just got out of the shower a little while ago.

It just takes a moment to see what's going on around you. Won't you join me?

Thankful Thursdays

Today, I'm thankful because my husband's trip to the endocrinologist went well. The doctor didn't think the levels of my husband's blood sugar were too bad, and rather than prescribe medication he recommended a low carb 1,800 calorie diet. I can handle that! (Don't know if the hubby can, though). I'm gonna start looking into calorie counts and measuring, so that I can prepare my hunny the foods he likes while staying within the calorie limits. My hubby is exercising in the mornings so that's one point in his favor; now to get him on the track to healthiness. Thank God for His tender mercies, and for His healing grace.


Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

Psalm 42:11

Join in thankfulness to the Lord at Grace Alone. God bless.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, February 23, 2010...

Outside my window...the fog is lifting. Good thing too - it was plain white out there this morning. Not good driving conditions.

I am thinking...about all the furniture that needs to be moved today. The flooring project is almost complete; now the clean up starts.

I am thankful...for a God who provides. He is a generous Father who loves His children and wants nothing more than to see us prosper.

I am going...to take my hubby to the doctor this afternoon. His glucose tolerance test came back positive for hypoglycemia, so additional tests need to be done.

I am wearing...a lime green blouse, jeans, and brown flats. Had to go to the store for more baseboards early this morning. Half asleep. In the fog.

I am remembering...the day my oldest son was first placed in my arms. Thanks to some stuff they were saying on the radio, that's my happy thought for today :-).

I am creating...a new look in my home with awesome looking floors.

I am reading...Judges for morning devotions, John for SOAP devotions, Having a Mary Spirit for personal study.

I am hoping...to get this project finished and everything put away. Today. Okay, maybe by tomorrow.

On my mind...my hunny's health.

From the learning rooms...E continues to do well with math; long division seems to come easily to him. Getting his thoughts on paper is still a bit of a struggle, but I think he's starting to see it isn't so hard after all.

I am noticing that...my sister hasn't blogged in a while. I'm gonna have to give her a talking-to.

I am pondering these words..."Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.

From the kitchen today...I have no clue. I made no menu for the week because my every moment at home has been about moving furniture, cleaning, helping with the new floors, cleaning some more, putting stuff away, and getting a quick meal on the table in between it all.

Around the house...I will be busy for the next week at least. Can't wait till it's all organized and put away.

One of my favorite things...sandwiches. Quick on the go meals. What a concept!

A few plans for the rest of the week...find a place for everything, and put everything in its place.


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

Observing My Senses

For Today, February 20, 2010...

I am seeing...new floors in most of my home. Beautiful, rich, warm floors. Mmmm.

I am hearing...the whirr of the ceiling fan, and Phineas and Ferb in the next room.

I am feeling...very tired after a long day of work, but very satisfied with how much was done.

I am tasting...and seeing that the Lord is good, all the time.

I am smelling...wood. My house smells like Home Depot right about now.

It just takes a moment to see what's going on around you. Won't you join me?

Flooring Project - Work in Progress

Finally I have a chance to post some pictures of the floors and how they've progressed. And boy, have we progressed! It's been a very busy 3 days, and it looks like we'll be done sooner than I'd anticipated.

Here's the living room, with the first row of flooring installed. The baseboards have been ripped out, which took quite a bit of time.

The floor went in a straight line from the front door in the living room to the end of the dining room. It meant moving alot of furniture around.

The china cabinet was moved into the kitchen. Not very comfortable, since it was blocking the pantry and I still needed to cook.

The other furniture ended up in the family room, my daughter's room and our bedroom. There's one table in the garage, but that's all that fit in there. It was getting pretty cramped.

By the end of the day plenty of progress was made. Half the living room was installed...

...and about of a third of the dining room as well.

Of course it meant that the family room was a mess because so much of our furniture was stuffed in there.

Friday was a tough work day, because the mouldings around the doors had to be cut before the floor could be laid down. Once that was done, though, the linen closet floor was installed - a tight fit, to be sure.

The area in front of the bedrooms was finished and the new baseboards were installed today. What a difference the details make! Suddenly the floors look finished, even though there's so much still left to do.

The family room was started today. We're halfway done in there! I really didn't expect that much to get done. My hubby and his brother are burning through that floor!

The living room floor is done, and the baseboards have been installed, though not finished. Half the room needs to be caulked and then it'll be finished.

This is the view from the front door. The furniture has been moved into the living room, so that the family room can be worked on.

The dining room floor is also complete, as is most of the baseboard. We needed to put alot of the furniture in this room, which is why it looks so messy. The mess is the part I hate about home improvement projects.

The last room to be done will be the kitchen. Appliances need to be moved, so we'll need to make space in the other rooms for that to happen. Still, I think the amount of work that has been completed is astounding. We're approaching the finish line!

Stay tuned for more updates!

Flooring Project - Before pics

I believe it's customary to show before and after pictures of home improvement projects; otherwise how will anyone know there was any improvement? So here we go:

This is our formal living room, the first room you see upon entering the house. This was our family room furniture until after Christmas, when I decided a little experiment was in order and I switched out the two rooms. I'm happy with the result of the furniture, but we need to focus on the floors here. They're porcelain tile, and were very beautiful when we first moved into the house 10 years ago. They're a bit dull and worn now.

Here's a better view of the floor.

This is our formal dining room, directly after the living room. Same porcelain tile floors.

The family room, with what used to be the living room furniture. These sofas have been with us 11 years and still look like new. Not bad for a family of 5. Oh, and same floors. Notice also that the baseboards are actually the same tile, cut and attached to the wall. I'm dreading taking those out.

This is the family room just in front of the kitchen. There's a breakfast bar, and once again, same tile floor.

The kitchen. We renovated about 4 years ago, with new cabinets, hardware, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. We just kept the floors because, in case you haven't already noticed, they're throughout the main living area of the house which is open to every other room. If we changed the kitchen floor we had to do the rest of the floors also.

This is what I call the bedroom foyer. It's the area in front of all 3 bedrooms and one bathroom.

After looking at the pictures, some may wonder why we would want to change the floors out. In the pictures they seem to be in good condition. Guess again. The tiles have begun cracking in certain areas. Granted, they aren't as bad as some of my neighbor's tiles. Mine are hairline cracks. When tiles are laid on brand new construction floors, and the house begins to shift and settle, this is what happens:

The other thing that really bugs me is how easily these porcelain tiles crack and chip. With kids in the house someone is always dropping something, and this is what the family room floor looks like. The kitchen is worse, which is why I put an area rug in. I couldn't stand looking at it anymore.

The solution: Laminate wood flooring. I know, some people hate the idea of laminate and would not even consider it over hardwood. My reasons for laminate are simple: it's easier to install - we don't even have to remove the tile floors, just lay the laminate on top, saving lots of time. It's less expensive too - the floor we bought already has padding attached, and at $1.295 per square foot it's very economical. Then we have our state insect - the termite. Termites LOVE Florida. I, on the other hand, don't like termites. This floor is virtually indestructable - yet another plus. For my family and budget, it's the way to go.

And I absolutely love the color! They had Brazilian Cherry which is very popular, but to me it's just very dark. This flooring is called Harvest Oak, has alot of grain in it and is a medium toned wood which, in my opinion, goes with just about everything, including the furniture and fixtures we currently have.

The floor needs to acclimate for about 48 hours, which give us time to prep and remove the tile base board. I'll be posting pics as we go along , so be sure to stay tuned for more fun flooring updates!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, February 15, 2010...


Outside my window...it isn't as cold as I thought it would be, but it's still colder than normal for this time of year. We're usually in the high 60's in the mornings and 70's in the afternoons in February. This week we'll be in the 40's and 50's to start the day, and mid 60's throughout. It's like winter doesn't want to leave (guess the groundhog was right!).


I am thinking...of the wonderful time I had on Saturday with my high school classmate. I felt like a teenager all over again - the good parts, not the acne or stuff like that.


I am thankful...for my loving husband, who is more practical than romantic. Our wedding anniversary is on February 21, so as a combination Valentine's Day/anniversary present, he's putting in laminate wood floors throughout our living area. While many women would balk at a home improvement gift rather than something more "personal", I think of all the work he's gonna be putting into this just so the house will be more comfortable and easier to clean. That means more to me than flowers or candy. Thanks babe!


I am going...to Costco today to see the choices of flooring. They have laminate wood floors on sale. The price is great, plus I received my Costco credit card rebate to help pay for them. It will end up costing less than $1,000 to buy flooring for the kitchen, family room, dining room, living room, hallway and bedroom foyer. This bargain hunter is super excited!


I am wearing...okay, I'm still in my jammies I'm ashamed to say. There's no school today so the boys are home, and I enjoyed getting up later than usual. This is how I like starting Monday mornings.


I am remembering...my high school buddies. I graduated from high school in 1981. That's 29 years ago. Yet, it seems like yesterday I was running through the halls of the school, having lunch with some great girls, chit-chatting on the bus, with no cares in the world. What a sweet memory.


I am creating...a plan for how the floor project will go, as there will be alot of cleaning and moving of furniture involved.


I am reading...Joshua for morning devotions, John for SOAP devotions, Having a Mary Spirit for my personal study, and I need some additional reading material. I think I may re-read Emma. Such a funny story.


I am hoping...my sister has a good couple more weeks at work, then transitions well to homemaker status. She's leaving the work field after over 20 years. It's an adjustment, but one I think she'll fit right into.


On my mind...flooring. What did you expect? ;-)


From the learning rooms...E is home today, President's Day, but he still needs to do some studying. His math and reading exams are coming up. I'm thankful to the Lord that his reading has improved, and math still comes fairly easy to him.


I am noticing that...I keep starting to write 2009. I get to "200" then remember it's 2010. Isn't it amazing how quickly this first decade of the 21st century went by? At least to me it did.


I am pondering these words...which are perfect for Valentine's day: "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." - John 15:13.


From the kitchen today...burgers and fries. Homemade, not fast food.


Around the house...laundry (of course) and some tidying up, but mostly time with my boys.


One of my favorite things...eggs and bacon with honey wheat toast and coffee to start the day.


A few plans for the rest of the week...do I need to mention flooring again?


From my picture journal...my buddy and me. What a blessing to see her again.





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

Observing My Senses

For Today, February 13, 2010...

I am seeing...a warm, cozy home. My favorite place in the world.

I am hearing..."Penguins of Madagascar" in my bedroom.

I am feeling...so happy after meeting with a classmate from high school whom I hadn't seen in 29 years. She looks wonderful, has a great family, and loves the Lord. What a combination!

I am tasting...nothing. It's 8:20pm, and I don't eat after 7:00pm. Not good for the digestive system.

I am smelling...a clean home.

It just takes a moment to see what's going on around you. Won't you join me?

Thankful Thursdays

"I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth." - 3 John 4.

Yes, I know, I'm running late. I don't always get the computer long enough to actually post something. But I am still thankful.

Today (and yesterday too) I'm thankful that my son was able to take his Florida Writes test this week. Because of his dyslexia, he has trouble writing out his thoughts on paper. He can listen to someone describe something, repeat it verbally just fine, but if he has to write it out he gets flustered and doesn't know how or where to start. We've been praying for wisdom and a calm spirit so that he would know what to write when the time came. I told him not to be worried, God would be right there beside him. So on Tuesday afternoon when I picked him up, I asked how the test had gone. "I was able to fill up the whole first page and part of the 2nd!" I can't describe how excited and thankful I was to hear that. It was more than he's ever written before. I know where he got the confidence to put his ideas on paper, and I'm so very thankful.

Then yesterday afternoon, as we were driving home, he told me a little girl in his class had asked him to be her Valentine. He was kind of excited, since this is the first time that has happened. But to my surprise, he told me, "There's just one problem: 2 Corinthians says we aren't supposed to marry unbelievers, and I don't know if she's a believer." That was unexpected! I was glad, and thankful, that this lesson has taken root in his heart. I told him we needn't be thinking of marriage just yet (he's only 10!) but he could always invite her to church and see if she would be a believer. So this morning he took one of our church invitations to school so he can invite her to church this coming Sunday. I am so thankful for a child who understands who his priority is in his young life. May God always be number one in my son's life as well as mine.

Join in thankfulness to the Lord at Grace Alone. God bless.

Mothers Who Pray

I remember hearing this poem when we studied A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George for our women's small group. I typically don't like poetry but this one really impacted me, so I thought I'd share. Enjoy.

Some have had kings in their lineage,
Some to whom honor was paid.
Not blest of my ancestors - but,
I have a mother who prayed.

I have a mother who prays for me
And pleads with the Lord everyday for me
Oh what a difference it makes for me -
I have a mother who prays.

Some have worldly success
And trust in riches they’ve made -
This is my surest asset,
I have a mother who prays.

My mother’s prayer cannot save me,
Only mine can avail;
But mother introduced me to someone -
Someone who never could fail.

Oh yes... I have a mother who prays for me
And pleads with the Lord everyday for me.
Oh what a difference it makes for me -
I have a mother who prays.

(Unknown)

Are you a mother that prays?

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, February 8, 2010...

Outside my window...it's COLD! Again! I can't believe how cold this winter has been. It was 49 degrees this morning. Tomorrow is supposed to be the warmest day of the week, with morning temps in the upper 50's, then it'll be cold the rest of the week. My palm trees are suffering miserably.

I am thinking...about the front of the house, and how I'd like to plant some flowers there, only it's too cold right now. It's gonna have to wait till next month.

I am thankful...for my home. As a child we lived in tenement apartments in NY, many of them mouse and rat infested, and I dreamed of one day having a real house with a yard for my family. God has been so good in making a little girl's dream come true!

I am going...to tackle a truckload of laundry. Well, not a real truckload, but it sure does feel like it.

I am wearing...a long sleeve black velour tunic top, jeans and sneakers.

I am remembering...yesterday's bible study. We broke up into groups to study 2 Corinthians 1:1-7. It was great.

I am creating...well, don't know if creating is the right word, but I'm working on our income tax return, hoping for a good refund so that we can proceed with the home improvement project my hubby said yes to, once we get our income tax money. I'm so excited!

I am reading...Deuteronomy for morning devotions, John for SOAP devotions, just finished re-reading Pride and Prejudice, and the study guide Having a Mary Spirit.

I am hoping...to send in my income tax return this week. I'm almost done at this point, just need a few details which I'm waiting on my daughter for.

On my mind...my sister's visit. She and my brother-in-law will be coming down at the end of March, and I'm praying for a safe trip and some fun, relaxing time together with my bestest friend.

From the learning rooms...E has a pep rally today, and tomorrow he has his FCAT Writes exam. Please pray for my little boy. He gets so nervous when he has exams.

I am noticing that...we keep filling the garbage tank with palm fronds every week. Palm trees aren't accustomed to cold weather, and we've had lots of it this winter. R picked up a bunch of palm fronds on Saturday before cutting the grass. There's about 5 more down since, and they're big ones.

I am pondering these words..."Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." - Proverbs 16:18

From the kitchen today...oven baked pork chops with rice and beans.

Around the house...I'll be doing laundry all day long.

One of my favorite things...home improvement projects.

A few plans for the rest of the week...just the standard stuff, library, Awana, Boy Scouts.

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

Observing My Senses

For Today, February 6, 2010...

I am seeing...a bright, sunny day wind down. I absolutely love this weather!

I am hearing...the palm fronds swaying in the wind. It's very tranquil.

I am feeling...refreshed after my shower. We washed the cars so now they're sparkling clean, and so am I!

I am tasting...Famous Amos chocolate chip and pecan cookies that were on sale - buy one get one free.

I am smelling...hair dye. I colored my hair today also. Roots were out of control.

It just takes a moment to see what's going on around you. Won't you join me?

Thankful Thursdays

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children." - Titus 2:3-4

Today I am thankful to the Lord for the women He has placed in my life. I've been praying about a decision I need to make, asking God to guide me so that I do what He wants me to do. Last night we had Bible study at church, which my dear friend IR began attending with me a few months ago. I've known her for some time now and I trust her as a godly woman who fits the Titus 2 description very well, so I prayed and asked the Lord to speak to me through this friend and sister in Christ. When I began telling her what was going on, she listened, promised to pray for me, and gave me the encouragement I desperately needed. What's more, she confirmed what I believe God was saying to me all along, so that now I have peace. God didn't create us to be alone; He means for us to have fellowship, to minister to one another and encourage one another. I am so very thankful for the way God has created us, and for brothers and sisters in Christ who I can count on and who I hope will count on me!

Join in thankfulness to the Lord at Grace Alone. God bless.

The Merits of Crock Pot Cooking

I know what it's like to run around all day running errands. I know how it feels when there are a hundred things on that to-do list that you want to knock out. And I know that defeated feeling of coming home after a long, busy, hectic day, when I'm too tired to go into the kitchen and prepare my family a home cooked meal. So I stop off at some fast food place and feed them a plate brimming with calories and cholesterol. Regardless of all I may have accomplished that day, it seems like I've taken one step forward and two steps back if I have to sacrifice my family's health just to get things done.

That's why I can't praise the crock pot enough. Whoever invented this marvel of the kitchen, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!! It takes away the worry and instead fills me with the satisfaction of taking care of my family's needs.

I know there are myriads of blogs, websites, books and magazine articles that tell about all the conveniences a crock pot brings. I'm just gonna list the reasons why I like my crock pots (I've got two of them!). They're probably on a lot of people's lists, which goes to show I'm not alone in my love of this wonder appliance.

1. It's a time saver. Prepping a meal in the crock pot usually takes no more than 10 minutes, and most recipes take about 5. Who wouldn't make 5-10 minutes in the morning if it meant saving 45 minutes in the afternoon?
2. The food is healthier. There's a book out called Eat This Not That! which lists the calorie, salt and fat content, cholesterol, and other nastys found in fast foods and restaurants. Just looking at some of the statistics for fast food takes my appetite away. Why would I feed my children a meal that contains 2 days worth of calories? Enough salt to turn the Atlantic Ocean into the Dead Sea? Or enough fat to clog an entire families arteries? Since I'm preparing the food, I control what goes into the meal. When food is prepared in the crock pot the flavors are intensified, so less is more. I add very little salt in my crock pot recipes; some contain no added salt at all. I can prepare leaner cuts of meat without worrying about the food drying out, and without sacrificing taste.
3. It's economical. Since the crock pot is a slow cooker, a leaner and therefore tougher cut of meat becomes tender because it cooks for 5-8 hours. Those leaner cuts of meat are less expensive that the ones that are marbled with fat (and healthier too, don't forget). Also, the crock pot uses about the same amount of electricity as a 75 watt light bulb. That's a whole lot less than your stove or oven, and you don't have to worry about overheating the house in the summer.
4. It's a no brainer. Women who have never cooked in their lives can prepare a delicious meal in the crock pot on their first try. It is almost impossible to burn anything in the crock pot. Meats are juicy and flavorful, soups are thick and rich, and you don't need alot of ingredients to make something yummy.
5. Best of all, you can come home after a long day of work or running errands, and dinner is ready and waiting. It's like having a private chef in the house! Just recently, while my daughter was home from college, she and her best friend wanted me to take them shopping at a mall that's about 25 minutes from the house (they had gift certificates from Christmas that were burning holes in their pockets). This particular mall is huge, so I knew we'd be gone for a good part of the day. So that morning, I put a roast with onions in the crock pot and some rice in the rice cooker. When my husband came home for lunch, food was ready and waiting for him even though I wasn't. He appreciates this, because it means he doesn't have to eat on the go; he can sit down and have a home cooked meal that he enjoys. It's also great if you're running around with the kids and feel guilty because they're hungry. The first thought is to stop at some burger joint and get them a not-so-happy-for-Mom meal. Instead, when they say they want something to eat, you can say, "Dinner's waiting for us at home." And oh, what a wonderful feeling to walk into a house that smells like grandma's kitchen!

I would recommend to anyone who hasn't tried cooking with a crock pot, what are you waiting for?! You can get them at a very good price; a 5-6 quart model will run from $20-30, and trust me, it will pay for itself. Give it a go - you can thank me for it later ;-).

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, February 1, 2010...

Outside my window...it's raining. We're thankful for it, it was desperately needed. We should be getting rain for the next two days, then a weak cold front that'll bring the temps down to the 50's.

I am thinking...of projects to do around the house.

I am thankful for...a loving God who knows better than I do what's right for me and my life. I need to remember to trust in Him even when things don't seem to be going the way I expected.

I am going...nowhere today. My car needs a new sensor of some sort, and it's been giving me problems. I almost didn't get to church yesterday, but the enemy was defeated once more, praise the Lord!

I am wearing...a white tank top under a purple tank top, pink shorts and sandals. Yes, I know, it's the middle of winter. It's also 72 degrees outside.

I am remembering...how happy my son was this past Thursday when he got all his belt loops and badges at Cub Scouts.

I am creating...a budget for a home improvement project I hope to present to my hubby this week. It's something we've wanted to do for awhile, and the opportunity to get it done at a very economical price has arisen, but I still need to be sure we can afford to do it at this time. "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it — lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?" - Luke 14:28-30.

I am reading...Deuteronomy for morning devotions, John for SOAP devotions, Having a Mary Spirit for personal study, and Jane Austen: The Woman which I got from the library.

I am hoping...my car gets fixed today and it isn't too expensive and doesn't give me anymore trouble.

On my mind...pastors. They carry a very heavy load. Pray for them; they are human too, yet have a huge responsibility.

From the learning rooms...Florida Writes exams are this month; my son is very nervous, since writing is not his strength. On the upside, he is doing very well with multiplication and long division.

I am noticing that...it just started raining harder.

I am pondering these words...I saw my youngest son (10 yo) on his way to the bathroom with a book. Asking what he was up to, he answered, "I need to toss a few toys down the chimney." I don't remember the last time I laughed so hard.

From the kitchen today...steaks, I think. Haven't done my menu for the week. Shame on me.

Around the house...kitchen and family room today. Oh, and I've already started laundry.

One of my favorite things...is reading a good book when it's raining. Though I have to admit, my eyes have been bothering me lately when I read. I hope it's just allergies.

A few plans for the rest of the week: library, Awana, Bible study, Cub Scouts, the usual.

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