Five Question Friday

It's Friday!  Yay!  I'm so thankful the weekend is here.  We can kick back and relax - after I answer my five Friday questions, that is.  Here we go:

1. Do you apologize to your kids if you're wrong?
Yes.  My mom never used to, and it really bothered me.  I didn't ever want my kids to think that I'm above admitting I make mistakes.

2. Do you have a class ring, Letterman's jacket, or similar obscenely priced high school "must have"?
I had my senior class ring for years, but our apartment was broken into and it was stolen.  I wasn't wearing it because I was 8 months pregnant and I couldn't get it on.  I was heartbroken.

3. If you could be one age for the rest of your life, what age would you choose?
Twenty-two.  I looked really good when I was 22, and I had all the energy in the world.  Those were the good ole days.

4. What is your favorite (unused) baby name?
If my youngest son had been a girl I would have used the name Natalie.

5. If you could make your child like something what would it be?
Fruits and vegetables!  This child is a carnivore!  If he would also be a herbivore, I would be so thankful!

Now it's your turn.  Hop on over to Mama M's at My Little Life and answer your Friday five.  Then have yourself a blessed weekend.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, September 29, 2011...

Outside my window...it's a bit overcast, but I don't think it'll rain today.  Of course in Florida you never know.

I am thinking...about friendships.

I am thankful...for godly women who give godly advise with love at the right time.  You know who you are.

I am going...to the park in a few minutes with some friends.

I am wearing...a black top, grey skirt, and white flip-flops.

I am noticing...zits.  On my nose.  When is this puberty thing gonna end?!

I am pondering these words..."I find you when I fall apart." - Josh Wilson, Fall Apart.

I am praying...for several friends and their needs.

From the learning rooms...no school today!  It's a teacher's planning day.  That's what they call it, anyways.  We all know it's Rosh Hoshanah.

From the kitchen...Mama took the day off and we had Little Caesar's pizza.

I am reading...actually, I just finished reading The Swan House today.  What a great book!  If you like fictional novels that have historic elements in them, this is the book to read.  Now I have to go through my "arsenal" to see what I'll read next.

On my mind...it's almost October, and time for science projects.  Yuck.  I hate science projects.

Around the house...it's easier to keep up with chores now that there's only 3 of us in the house.  I don't like it.

One of my favorite things...heading out to the park and hanging out with friends.

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

Observing My Senses

For Today, September 24, 2011...

I am seeing...the clouds moving in.  It was supposed to rain yesterday.  It didn't.  It's supposed to rain today.  Let's see if it happens.

I am feeling...a bit under the weather.  I have a little tummy ache that has me visiting the bathroom more frequently than I'd like.

I am hearing...the neighbor's birds chirping.

I am tasting...nothing right now.  It's getting close to dinnertime, though.

I am smelling...a Tony's frozen pepperoni pizza that's in the oven.  Shouldn't be long now.

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

Five Question Friday

Good Friday afternoon everyone!  I'm so glad it's Friday!  It means I get to sleep in a little longer tomorrow morning!  It's another lovely South Florida day, I can see blue skies out one window and grey skies out the other.  We've been hearing thunder for the past hour, and it's supposed to rain, but so far nothing.  Let's hope we get something today.  The humidity's been a killer.

On to my Friday questions.  Real doosies, that's what today's questions are.

1. Dream job...realistic and completely unrealistic.
I'm sure I've answered this before, but I suppose it's worth repeating.  My dream job is being a stay at home mom, and God has blessed me with that position for the last 3 years.  My completely unrealistic job?  I've always enjoyed interior design, but I don't know that it qualifies for completely unrealistic.  I don't think I want to be anything that isn't realistic.  That's just not my personality.

2. Do you fart in front of your significant other?
Yep, and he lets them rip in front of me.  Is that gross?  I don't know.  But it is what it is.

3. What's the furthest you've ever traveled from home? How far and where was it?
The furthest I've traveled is to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, home of my ancestors, birthplace of my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, and where my best and favorite memories of childhood took place.  Whenever I think of it, I smile.

4. How do you celebrate birthday for your kids? Family only or friends? ... Alternate for those without kiddos: How did you celebrate birthdays as a kid?
When the children were smaller we had birthday parties for them.  It was harder for the two younger ones, since their birthdays are on December 27, but we purposed for them to have parties separate from the Christmas celebrations.  Now that they're all older, we typically go out to eat and Mom bakes a cake.  Sometimes we'll have cake with the family, sometimes just us at home.

5. Fave thing about fall?
The colors.  I absolutely love the greens, oranges, reds, golds...I love decorating for fall, and I love that Thanksgiving is in the fall and the Christmas season starts in the fall.  The humidity usually goes down, which is a bonus, but here it is the first day of fall and it's still pretty humid out.  Something to look forward to, I guess.

Now it's your turn.  Take a walk over to Mama M's at My Little Life and answer your own Friday 5 questions.  Then have yourself a great weekend.  God bless.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, September 20, 2011...

Outside my window...it's a pretty clear day, the sky is blue and all the clouds are puffy white ones.  We're not supposed to get any rain today.  We weren't supposed to get any yesterday but we did get a quick shower in the afternoon.  Florida weather is unpredictable.

I am thinking...of different ways to prepare chicken.  I like trying new things.

I am thankful...for my youngest son who got baptized this Sunday.  He told me he wanted to get baptized and talked to the pastor himself.  What a joy to see my son follow Jesus in believers baptism!

I am going...to wash my hair today.  It gets icky because it's so hot outside.  I wash it one day and it already feels sweaty the next.  I'm looking forward to less hot and humid days.

I am wearing...a teal top, brown and teal skirt and white flip flops.

I am noticing...lots of butterflies!  It must be butterfly season.  Lots of monarch butterflies in our neighborhood, and some pretty yellow ones that I have no idea what they're called but I love seeing them.

I am pondering these words..."Circumstances may appear to wreck our lives and God's plans, but God is not helpless among the ruins." - Olympic runner Eric Liddell.

I am praying...for clarity.  I want to see God's will for my life clearly.

From the learning rooms...E has lots more homework in the sixth grade than he's ever gotten.  About half of it is on the internet.  His science teacher mentioned that more and more of their work would be online in the next few years.  I guess a home computer won't be a luxury anymore.

From the kitchen...fish tacos today.  Boy, were they yummy!

I am reading...a great book my sister sent me, Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On by Stormie O'Martian. I'm doing a chapter a day and getting a lot out of it.  I started reading The Swan House again, since I'd started it then put it aside.  I got busy with school starting and all, but now I'm enjoying it more.  It's set in the 1960's in Atlanta Georgia.  Talks about segregation and the fight for civil rights for blacks.  A really good read so far.  I'm also reading a chapter of Psalms a day, and a verse from Proverbs with E.

On my mind...reducing recipes.  I've been used to cooking for 4 or 5, but now that my oldest kids are away it's just 3 of us to cook for.  Great for the budget, but I have to find ways to cook the stuff we like in smaller quantities.  Not always as easy at it sounds, especially since I love cooking in my big crockpot so much.

Around the house...I got 5 loads of laundry almost completed, and I scrubbed one bathroom today.  I buy a special cleaner from Lowe's for the travertine tiles, and it takes me a good part of the morning getting a bathroom clean, but it's worth it.  This product cleans and seals so the tiles look much nicer.

One of my favorite things...WOW cd's.  The newest one comes out next week, and it's got lots of great music.  I'm definitely getting it!

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

Five Question Friday

Welcome!  It's actually Saturday, but that's no surprise.  Fridays can be hectic around here.  But I say, better late than never!  Here are my Friday Five questions and answers for this week.


1. If you had a weekly newspaper column, what would you name it?
I guess I'd name it the same as my blog, Accepting Change.  It's what I identify with most.

 2. Who is your mentor/inspiration?
From the book of Ruth, her mother-in-law, Naomi.  The Bible tells us in chapter one, that when Naomi decided to go back home to Judah after her husband and sons had died, her daughters-in-law cried and begged to go back with her.  She must have been such an incredibly loving mother-in-law for these young women to want to stay with her.  Ruth even told her the only thing that would separate them would be death.  That's the kind of mother-in-law I hope to be one day.

 3. What is your wake up beverage of choice?
Coffee, with non-dairy creamer and sugar.  Nothing else does the trick.

4. Would you wear your mom's clothes?
No.  My mom has always been bigger than me, so her clothes never fit.  Her style has always been age appropriate too, which is fine for her but since she's 26 years older than me, what works for her won't work for me.

 5. When you were a kid, did you put posters on your wall? If so, what were they of?
Most definitely.  My favorite poster was of two horses in a wide open field.  Growing up in a high-rise in NYC, it wasn't something I was gonna see looking out of my window, but it was certainly something I dreamed of seeing one day.  I've come close:  behind our community is a dairy farm, and we drive by and see the cows.  Sadly, they're planning on opening a road there and building a strip mall and a couple of community centers.  I'm gonna miss the cows.

Now it's your turn.  Take a stroll over to Mama M's at My Little Life and post your Five Questions too.  Then have yourself a blessed weekend.

Observing My Senses

For Today, September 17, 2011...

I am seeing...the sun streaming through the blinds in my daughter's room, where my computer is now located.

I am feeling...thankful, because God is faithful.

I am hearing...our dog Molly snore.  It's so funny!

I am tasting...pancakes and Log Cabin syrup.

I am smelling...sausages, pancakes, and dog.  The first 2 will fade away.  The dog will need a bath.

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

Move It Mondays

Happy Monday everyone!  We're almost midway through September, and the weather here is still scorching.  Our church had a beautiful service for 9/11, held outdoors, and the heat was the only thing that was difficult to deal with.  Thankfully it didn't rain, but I'm so anxious for the humidity to end and some cooler breezes to take its place!

I've got plenty to do today, starting with floors.  They need to be vacuumed and mopped.  I also need to dust the furniture, fold and put away some laundry, and if time permits clean the bathrooms.  More than likely that'll wait till tomorrow, partly because of time and partly because it's my least favorite chore :P.  Still, it needs to get done, so I'll try and get as much done today as possible.

Hope everyone has a pleasant and productive week!

Words to Live By

"It's a more certain proposition to follow the Lord, not knowing where you're going, than to think you know where you're going and you're not following the Lord." - Pastor Jack Hayford, Pursuing the Will of God.

Observing My Senses

For Today, September 10, 2011...

I am seeing...blue skies, white puffy clouds, and no threat of rain...yet.  It's probably a good time to give Molly a bath, before the afternoon showers.

I am feeling...thankful to have my daughter home this weekend, and sad because a dear friend just said goodbye to her daughter who is going away to college.  Been there, done that, know the feeling.  So hard to watch them go.

I am hearing...Penguins of Madagascar.

I am smelling...fried chicken.  I also made baked mac and cheese, one of my daughter's favorites.  Hopefully there'll be enough left for her to take back to her big brother.

I am tasting...a garden salad with corn, italian style croutons and italian dressing.

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

Five Question Friday

Once again, it's Friday, and once again I've got 5 fun questions to answer!  It's more fun than just sitting around waiting for my daughter to get here.  I'm excited, but then I look at the storm clouds and get nervous.  I need to take my mind off her trip, and what better way than with Five Question Friday.  Here I go:

1. What ringtone do you have on your cell phone?
It's one of the standard ones that comes with the phone.  My son says it reminds him of the theme song of the Mario video games.

2. What is your favorite memory from this summer?
Shopping with my daughter and helping her decorate her apartment.  It was bittersweet, since I knew I'd be saying goodbye real soon, but it was time spent together, and that's always time well spent.

3. Paper books or ebooks?
You know, there was a time when I would have said nay to the ebooks, but once my sister gave me a Nook for Christmas, my opinion of them has changed 200%.  I love ebooks!  I've got a bunch of them, all stored in a reader smaller than my little laptop, and it fits perfectly in my purse without weighing a ton.  What a great invention!

4. If you could have one home upgrade what would it be and why?
I'd like a separate laundry room.  Right now our washer/dryer are in the garage, which means they get all the dusty and dirty.  If they were in a separate room they'd be in better condition than they are now.

5. When was your first serious boyfriend/girlfriend?
Hmm, serious.  That would be when I was 18.  It lasted 4 years.  Thankfully it didn't last more than that. ;)

Okay, now it's your turn.  Go over to Mama M. at My Little Life and answer your five questions.  Then have a great weekend.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, September 8, 2011...

Outside my window...is the first sunny afternoon in weeks!  My word, it has rained every afternoon since the first day of August.  Today the sky is sunny and the humidity is high.  Everyone else is talking about cooler weather, but we won't see that in South Florida for a while.

I am thinking...of my son's dental appointment today.

I am thankful...our dog Molly is doing so much better.  She had the runs and even threw up once, but now it looks like she's back to her old self.  Praise the Lord for that!

I am going...to pick up E from school, then take him to the dentist.

I am wearing...a white top with a black and tan paisley design, black capris and gold toned sandals.

I am praying...for a dear friend whose son just left for the military.  Why didn't anyone ever tell us how hard it would be to say goodbye to our children?  It would hurt less if you ripped my kidneys out.

I am noticing...how dark it is in the mornings now.  I guess fall really is approaching, though you wouldn't know it by our temps.  It's in the 90's here everyday.

I am currently...working on my son's elementary school scrapbook.  I'm having trouble finding all the school pictures, though.  To top it off, I ran out of double sided tape.  Just when I was getting my creative juices flowing, too.

From the learning rooms...E is back at school today.  I had to pick him up early yesterday thanks to a virus.  Seems everyone in school is catching it.  Thankfully it didn't last very long.  After a long rest he was feeling much better.

From the kitchen...kielbasa with onions, yellow rice with veggies, plantains and salad.

I am reading...Psalms and Proverbs.

On my mind...the 9/11 celebration coming up this Sunday.  My daughter is coming down, she'll be performing at our sister church.  What a great honor.

Around the house...I got plenty done today.  Laundry still to be finished, though.

One of my favorite things...a happy dog.

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

Observing My Senses

For Today, September 3, 2011...

I am seeing...bright sunshine, which appears deceptively every morning promising a beautiful day, only to bring rain and thunderstorms every afternoon.  So ends summer in Florida.

I am feeling...tired.  Our dog Molly has the runs.  She woke me up 3 times last night to go out, and this morning she still was going.  She didn't finish her kibble either.  I'm growing concerned.

I am hearing...Saturday morning cartoons.  A tradition in the US ever since the TV was invented.

I am tasting...yummy syrup and butter.  Pancakes for breakfast this morning, as per my son's request ;).

I am smelling...pancakes and sausages.  What a way to start the day!

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

Five Question Friday

It's another Friday, but this one is right before a 3 day weekend!  Labor Day weekend marks the end of summertime activities in most of the US, but here in South Florida it's not going to get much cooler till probably October.  Which is a bummer, because we've had such heat and humidity, and we need a break!  The rest of the country has had it pretty bad too.  Record breaking heat all around, especially in the Midwest.  Of course, the rest of the country will start to feel relief much sooner than we will.


On to my Five Questions for this first Friday in September.

1. Shoes in the house - yay or nay?

I always wear sandals or something on my feet while I'm in the house.  I can't stand to feel anything sticking to my feet, including dust :P.  My son and daughter wear socks around the house because they don't like wearing shoes indoors.  Guess that makes us different.

2. What do you call them- flip flops, slippers, thongs, etc?

Here in South Florida we call them flip-flops.  Slippers are the fluffy things worn only around the house; flip-flops are worn everywhere by everyone here.  As for thongs, that sounds like that underwear that's similar to dental floss, and all I can say is, Eww.

3. What song are you almost embarrassed to admit you know all the lyrics to?

The theme song to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  My son watched that cartoon so many times I could sing it in my sleep.  At age 24 it's still one of his favorite cartoons.

4. What is the best quality to have in a friend?

Integrity.  I want to be able to tell a friend something and know it won't be a topic of conversation with anyone else.

5. Do you know what you want for Christmas?

To be with my children.  I don't care much about what's under the tree.  It's the people around the tree that matter most to me.

Have a blessed weekend everyone!

Thursday Thought

Today was supposed to be my son's dentist appointment.  He was NOT looking forward to it.  He told God about it last night in his prayer.  He hoped God would do something so he wouldn't have to go.

I got a call 2 hours before his scheduled appointment.  The woman said my son isn't on my husband's dental insurance.  After going back and forth, it turns out someone dropped the ball and neither of my children is on the dental insurance.  Since it can't get fixed right away, I had to reschedule E's appointment to next Thursday.

God knew my son's fears and misgivings, and decided to give him a few days to prepare for the dental visit.  Isn't it just like God to hold our hand during the rough times in our lives?  I know God knows E needs to see the dentist, but He also knows all of E's needs better than I do.  That's just the loving God He is.