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?

Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun

It's time for my Friday fill-ins!  Thanks to Hilary at Feeling Beachie for hosting.


This week’s statements:
1. If ___ then____
If I make a menu plan at the beginning of the week, then I can manage my budget better.

2. ____ is my ___ of the ____
The morning is my favorite time of the day.

3. Once, I was surprised to find myself __________________.
Once, I was surprised to find myself leaving Kohl's without having purchased anything.  (It's my favorite store)

4. To keep from going crazy, I _________.
To keep from going crazy, I vacuum everyday.  (Our dog Molly sheds quite a bit, and the dog hair drives me nuts).

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, May 8, 2013...

Outside my window...the sun has set, and another day is almost done.

I am thinking...about the future.  It's in God's hands, but I find myself wondering what He's gonna do next.

I am thankful...for my children and the relationship they have with each other.

I am going...to sleep soon.  It's getting late.

I am wearing...my pj's.

I am noticing...how much harder it is to bring my weight down now that I'm getting older.  I don't like that.

In the kitchen...I kept it simple:  breakfast for lunch, and pasta with shrimp for dinner.  I spent the morning washing cars so I was tired.

I am reading...my Bible and a couple of devotions.  I haven't picked up a book in awhile.

I am hoping...I can still get tickets to the Mother/Daughter luncheon for this Saturday.  I hadn't bought the tickets before because I didn't know if my daughter would have to work.  She does, but she doesn't have to go in till 4pm and the luncheon ends at 3.

I am looking forward to...Mother's Day and a little pampering ;-)

I am hearing...the television.  Hoarding: Buried Alive is on.

Around the house...the kitchen faucet is not working.  It leaks under the sink, and now it won't shut off properly unless I press down hard on it.  I'll have to get it replaced.

A favorite quote of the day..."The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver." - Psalm 119:72.

One of my favorite things...friendships with special women who love the Lord.

A few plans for the rest of the week...a trip to Home Depot to get a new faucet; Mother/Daughter luncheon on Saturday.

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

Move It Mondays

Happy Monday!  It's been a busy day, as is usual for Mondays.  It's a good thing I get a whole weekend to rest up and prepare for it!

Today was grocery shopping day, which was necessary since there wasn't a whole lot of food in the cupboards.  I like shopping on Mondays because the stores aren't as crowded as the rest of the week, and definitely less crowded than the weekend.  I was able to get all my shopping done, got gas in the car and made it back home by 10:30am.  Gas was a bargain at $3.37/gallon.  :P

I'd made the week's menu for all days except today.  I figured I'd decide what to make based on what I purchased.  When I started putting the groceries away, I noticed a small package of ground beef my daughter had bought and the plastic had torn.  It was starting to get freezer burned.  My solution?  Hamburger Helper!  I could make it quickly, have lunch and start on my next task:  washing cars.

I got outside and started vacuuming my oldest son's car.  I managed to finish it but then I went back inside.  It was so hot out today!  It was 67 degrees this morning when I took my youngest son to school, but it was a sweltering 84 degrees with the sun blaring down on me.  There was no way I could stand being out there any longer.  I think I'll try again tomorrow or Wednesday morning while it's still cool out.

Other than that, it's been a nice, calm day.  I'm praying for some friends today that have requested prayer, and that has kind of kept me relaxed.  I know that seems hard to understand, but that's the power of prayer. It brings peace in the most difficult circumstances.  God brings us comfort in the worst storms.  I'm very thankful for that.

I'm gonna get the kitchen cleaned up, then get some rest after my busy day.  Have a blessed week!

Observing My Senses

For Today, May 4, 2013...

I am seeing...my petunias coming back to life after being battered by the strong rains we had a couple days ago.  It's nice to see them rising their pretty pink faces again.

I am feeling...the effects of some of that rainfall in the form of allergies, ugh.

I am hearing...sausages sizzling, and the laptop fan whirring.

I am tasting...Smart Start cereal.  I ran out of chocolate Fiber One.  That stuff is really good.

I am smelling...cinnamon raisin toast.  I like it with just a touch of butter.

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

Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun

Time for some fill-in fun courtesy of Hilary at Feeling Beachie.


This week’s statements:
1. Sometimes I wonder _____ yet.
Sometimes I wonder how it is I haven't lost my mind yet.

2. I try not to but I get___ very____
I try not to but I get discouraged very easily.

3. Today I promise that I will _____________ until I ____________________
Today I promise that I will pray for my friends until I hear some good news from them.

4. In my dreams I ______________ and sometimes _____________.
In my dreams I am a teenager again and sometimes I'm back home living with Mom.  Weird.

Thoughtful Thursdays

I have a couple of thoughts to share today, because it's a special day in 2 different ways.

First off, today is the National Day of Prayer.  While I believe it's important to pray everyday and often, I think we get into a rut sometimes.  I know I do.  It's good to set a day to remind everyone to pray and what important issues we need to pray about.  Pastor Greg Laurie has asked that we pray for our nation.  Boy, do we need it!  The farther away we turn from the Lord, the greater the messes we make.

I read this simple guideline for praying that I wanted to share, because I thought it was a good way to remember to pray regularly.

The 5 Finger Prayer


1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a 'sweet duty.'

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all - which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, 'The least shall be the greatest among you.' Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

******

The second reason this is such a special day is because it's Take Your Child to Work day.  My son will be staying at home with me.  Contrary to what some believe, being a homemaker is hard work!  Keeping everyone well fed, well dressed, attended to; keeping the house in tip top shape; keeping the outside of the house equally clean; and many times we do it without so much as a thank you.  No one notices what homemakers do until it doesn't get done.  I think it's important for my son to see what it's like to keep a home running smoothly.  He's 13 years old now, not a baby.  He's old enough to understand and appreciate what gets done around the house, and hopefully by joining in and helping he will appreciate his future wife and be a helper to her as well.  We have to train our boys early on, or they will be boys forever instead of growing up to be men.

Speaking of which, my oldest son blessed the family this week by making fried pork and crab wontons.  I'm not fond of crab, but I did enjoy the pork wontons a lot!  They were absolutely delicious.  He bought all the supplies himself, and even cleaned up the mess afterwards.  It was a wonderful treat, and set a good example for his little brother.  We were able to enjoy the meal along with a scrumptious bread pudding my daughter made.  How nice it was to be treated like a guest in own home!

I hope you spend your day praying and appreciating your family.  That's where my heart is today.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, May 2, 2013...

Outside my window...the sun is trying to peek out from behind the clouds.  If the weather forecast is right, the clouds will win and we'll be getting more rain.

I am thinking...today is the National Day of Prayer.  What are you praying for?

I am thankful...that our God is such a Mighty and Awesome God, He can hear each and every prayer.

I am going...to have fun with my son today.  It's Take Your Child To Work Day, and I work right here at home.

I am wearing...my jammies.  That will change shortly.

I am noticing...how early our rainy season started this year.  It usually starts mid-May, but this year we started getting thunderstorms in April.  Wonder what that'll mean for the summer.

In the kitchen...I will be cooking with my son E.  We'll make pancakes for breakfast, then his favorite meal, white rice with ground beef.  Simple yet comforting.

I am reading...my Bible and nothing else.  I've been sewing lately and haven't picked up a book in days.

I am hoping...this on again off again headache will just go off.  My sinuses have been affected by the rain and it causes me to feel headachy.

I am looking forward to...spending this day showing my son how busy Mom's day gets.

I am hearing...our dog Molly settling back down.  She must not be feeling herself today.  She hasn't touched her breakfast.

Around the house...there's laundry to be done, and my bedroom could use a good dusting.

A favorite quote of the day..."If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14

One of my favorite things...spending time in the kitchen making yummy goodies.

A few plans for the rest of the week...other than church, nothing much.  My daughter is a bridesmaid in a wedding on Saturday, but it's a small affair and she's the only one invited.  With all the rain I can't barbecue so we'll be staying indoors most of the time.

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