Observing My Senses

For Today, May 31, 2009...

I am seeing...bright sunshine, a bit overcast, and praying it stays this way. I'm on my way to our church's Summer Bash, the picnic to end all picnics :-) and the last thing we need is another thunderstorm.

I am feeling...joy even though it's really hot and humid out. It gets muggy during this time of the year.

I am tasting...nothing now since I already had breakfast. I WILL be tasting all-you-can-eat barbecue in a little while.

I am hearing...the news on TV (for the weather report) and the neighbor's pool.

I am smelling...the scent of barbecue in the air. South Florida is grill country. We love cooking outdoors.

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

Shopping this week

I spent over $86.00 at Winn-Dixie today. That's more than I normally spend, especially when I don't have a coupon (the store gives periodic coupons of $10 off a purchase over $50 which I take advantage of). Still, I got quite a bit of stuff for those $86.00:

1 bottle shampoo
1 bottle conditioner
2 boxes Stove Top Stuffing (at $.18 cheaper than Walmart!)
1 box onion soup mix
1 box beefy onion soup mix
2 bottles detergent
2 loaves pound cake
2 envelopes brown gravy mix
4 packages Lunchables (my son likes these, and next week is the last week of school)
4 bags salad greens
2 16oz. containers strawberries
3 peaches
2 packages ham steak
3 packages ground beef
2 packages pork chops
2 boneless chuck roasts
1 loaf Puertorican bread (I'm Puertorican, and I couldn't resist)

So much of this was BOGO (buy one get one free) that I was still able to save over $51.00. There is plenty of meat, enough for three weeks not including chicken which I buy at Costco. Thanks to reviewing the weekly circulars and checking prices, I've managed to stay under budget each month. This is one of the lessons the Lord has been teaching me since I stopped working. I wasn't as cautious with my spending before, though I thought I was. I looked for convenience, so I shopped at one store and didn't really look at pricing. Now, I realize how important it is to spend money wisely. And it feels really good to know the money my husband brings home is being spent in the most effective way for our family.

The Results are In

My son's FCAT scores are in, and HE PASSED!! FCAT scores are from 0 - 5, and a 2 or more is needed to pass. E got a 2 in reading, which would be equivalent to a D, and a 3 in math which is between a B and a C. I'm still going to work with him over the summer, because a 2 is just barely passing and fourth grade is much tougher than third, but we are just thankful to our Lord that He listened to our prayers and E got a passing grade. That's my boy!

J and K Season Premiere

I watched the season premiere of Jon and Kate Plus 8 last night. I don't know why I tuned in. I had determined at the end of season 4 that I didn't want to see the show anymore because it was becoming something I didn't like. They'd gone from being a happy couple who would argue but would also have conversations and laugh together like any other couple, to a distant couple that seemed uncomfortable together. Jon would barely say two words, and Kate seemed upset during the entire interviews. It wasn't pleasant to watch.

But I turned it on anyway. I have to say, by the end of the show I was depressed. I was mostly interested in seeing the children's birthday party because I find these kids to be absolutely adorable, and in that sense they didn't disappoint. I loved Collin saying his favorite things (after the cake and candy, of course) were the "chinyatas". That was just precious. He also went up to his mommy and thanked her for the birthday party. Oh, I could have jumped through the TV and given him a hundred kisses, he was so cute. I was also pleased to see Mady getting along much better with her siblings. She seems more mature now that she's 8 years old and the little ones are older also. Perhaps she's outgrowing the negative phase she went through. That part I truly enjoyed.

Unfortunately the focus of the program wasn't the party, but it started and ended with the marital problems between Jon and Kate. The media (the tabloids in particular) have been terrible with this family. I tell you, I've never purchased a tabloid in my life, and after watching how hurting and damaging it is to human beings I'm even more committed to never spending my money on such trash. Sadly, our human nature loves to see others suffer (aren't we horrible?). These magazines make huge amounts of money by stalking their victims and then writing all sorts of horrendous things about them, and their "fans" eat it up. I'm not surprised it has caused a strain in their marriage.

But I also got the sense that's not the only problem. There's a lot more than meets the eye here, more than a "reality show" can present. There are deep rooted issues, and it was plain to see in the way they didn't even want to look at each other when they were finally interviewed together. Both Jon and Kate made clear their commitment to their children, but neither one spoke of their commitment to each other, and that spoke volumes. It's what was not said that disturbed me most.

I wanted to hear Kate say that she is praying about their situation and that she is leaving everything in God's hands. I wanted to hear Jon not only admit that he's made some wrong choices, but that he is seeking Christian counseling so that he can work at his marriage instead of letting it fall to pieces. I wanted to hear both of them say their number 1 priority is pleasing God, and that they will do whatever it takes to save their marriage and their family, not for their children's sakes, but for their Savior's sake. Why wasn't that said? I can accept Kate saying she's angry. She has every right to be. Even Jesus got angry when He saw injustice, and I believe the media has been unjust in their treatment of this family. But have Jon and Kate turned to the Lord and asked Him what He would have them do? And are they willing to do whatever He asks of them, even if it isn't what they want to do?

As much as I have enjoyed the show, and I really have, I see it as their downfall. Kate insists there's no turning back. I say, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible." (Mark 10:27, NRSV). I will pray for this family, because I believe it is a family worth saving. I hope they are praying, too.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, Memorial Day, May 25, 2009...

Outside my window...the sun is shining bright but the threat of another afternoon shower or thunderstorm looms. I'm not worried, though. It was such a dry spring, I'm thankful for the rain.

I am thinking...of the families of our fallen soldiers. Today must be bittersweet for them. God give them the strength to make it through this Memorial Day.

I am thankful for...the soldiers that risk their lives to keep us protected. There's never enough ways to show how appreciative we are.

From the learning rooms...E is finishing up a project for geography. All the kids were assigned a state to work on. My son got Louisiana.

From the kitchen...jumbo stuffed shells. I haven't made them in a long time, and they're a family favorite.

I am wearing...an olive green shirt, beige capris and brown sandals.

I am creating...still working on the recipe book, and actually got a couple of scrapbook pages done. Yippee!

I am reading...Psalms for morning devotions, Luke for SOAP devotions.

I am hearing...the lawn mower and pressure cleaner. Hubby and oldest son are working in the yard before the rain comes. It's amazing how just a few days of rain can make such a difference in our lawn! We went from dry and brown to Amazon jungle in less than a week!

Around the house...I've already made breakfast, cleaned the kitchen, got a load of towels in the dryer, fixed my bed, swept all the bedrooms, living room, and kitchen. All this before 10:00am. I think I'll concentrate of spending the rest of the day with the family.

One of my favorite things...is going to Disney World. Only on this year's tight budget we probably won't make it. Instead I think I'll work on my Disney scrapbook.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I have a graduation party for one of the girls at church on Saturday, and we have our first annual Summer Bash church picnic on Sunday. It's gonna be big, with bounce houses, rock climbing walls, barbecue, and a special outdoor message from our pastor. Can't wait, it's gonna be awesome!

Here's a prayer request I'm sharing...please pray for the best brother in law in the world, my brother in law Ed, who was hit by a car last week. Praise God he's home recuperating. The Lord had His hand over this precious man, because despite being hit by the car and landing on the concrete, there were no broken bones or severe injuries. However, he has many cuts and bruises, plus he's home resting which drives him absolutely nuts. Pray for a quick recovery, and for my sister to be patient and not harbor any anger but instead to focus on the joy of being home taking care of her dear husband. (I know you are, sis, but a little prayer never hurts).

Wanna join in the fun? Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook. God bless and have a great week!

The Princess

One of my ex-coworkers made a "funny" comment this week about how nice it must be to live the life of a princess, because I'm currently a stay-at-home mom. It's 10:30am right now. Let's see what Her Royal Majesty has accomplished thus far:

Got up, had first morning devotion, washed up
Took out meat for lunch
Prepared breakfast for self and youngest child (hubby had already left for work)
Read emails while eating breakfast
Fixed bed, tidied up bedroom
Separated laundry
Got load of laundry in washer
Went to the bank (in the next city south of us)
Went to the park with youngest son for morning exercise
Loaded laundry into dryer
Folded and put away one load of laundry, 2nd load is in dryer
Cleaned kitchen

Princess?! Sounds more like Cinderella to me. Why is it people think if you're a stay-at-home mom all you do is sit around all day watching TV and eating bon-bons? Or that we don't "have a life"? I have a very busy life, thankyouverymuch. Not only busy, but productive and satisfying. If you're a career woman and you absolutely love it, great. I'm happy for you. Just don't assume that I'm miserable because I don't have your life. 'Cause I'm not.

Now if you'll excuse me, Her Majesty will get off her throne (soap-box) and prepare a royal meal of fried chicken tenders, mashed potatoes with gravy, and corn on the cob. A meal fit for a king.

Observing My Senses

For Today, May 23, 2009

I am seeing...rain and sunshine - at the same time! Not just a little rain; it's really coming down, but the sun is blazing. That's South Florida, for ya.

I am feeling...happy that it's Memorial day weekend.

I am tasting...buttered wheat toast and coffee.

I am hearing...George of the Jungle. The cartoon, not the movie. It's silly, but has some good lessons.

I am smelling...the coffee, which smells delectable.

It just takes a moment to stop and observe what's going on around us. Won't you join me?