Five Question Friday

Happy New Year! I actually started this post yesterday, but between company and everything else going on, it didn't get finished for today. So here is my Friday Five, on Saturday:

1. How long does your Christmas tree stay up?
Till this weekend. It's been up since the day after Thanksgiving, which is long enough.

2. Do you have plans for New Year's Eve?
We had some family members over to welcome the new year. Not too many people, though. Most of my husband's family is sick with the flu. Which is not the best way to start the new year, but hopefully they'll be better soon.

3. Do you have any New Year's resolutions?
I don't make New Year's resolutions. I believe they're a set-up for failure. Instead, I try to live a more Christ-like life each day. It's a daily, not yearly, challenge, but one worth taking.

4. How did you spend New Year's Eve when you were younger?
In bed. My family didn't celebrate New Years or any other holiday. We lived a boring life.

5. What was the best way you've ever spent New Year's Eve?
I just want to be with loved ones. I'm not into the big parties or loud outdoor activities. Give me a good DVD with my hubby and kids and I'm content.

Hope everyone's New Year's Eve was memorable. Have a great first day of 2011!

To join, visit My Little Life.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, December 29, 2010...

Outside my window...the bright sunlight is deceiving; it's only 54 degrees out. It isn't as cold as it was yesterday, though. It was 38 degrees when I got up in the morning! It's a pretty day, though, and it'll warm up as the day goes on, which is nice.

I am thinking...of all the work that needs to get done now that Christmas is over.

I am thankful...for the lovely present my sister gave me: a Barnes and Noble Nook! For those unfamiliar with the Nook, it's the equivalent of the Kindle. I was able to download the ESV version of the Bible - for free!! I'm totally loving this new gadget. Thanks sis!

I am going...to start putting Christmas decorations away. It'll take me about 3 days to get everything back to its original state. I've got alot of work ahead of me.

I am wearing...my jammies. Okay, okay, I'll go change in a minute.

I am noticing...how mature my children are. They amaze me.

I am currently...trying not to catch the flu which my hubby's entire family is suffering from - including my hubby.

I am reading...In His Steps by Charles Sheldon...on my new Nook!

I am waiting...till next week to spend my Macy's gift card - the malls are too packed right now!

On my mind...much that will get done this coming month, with the Lord's blessing.

From the learning rooms...it's vacation time still, and we're resting the brain.

I am pondering these words..."There's a holy, high vocation needing workers everywhere; 'til the highest form of service, 'tis the ministry of prayer." - Woodworth

Around the house...as Christmas decorations get put away, much cleaning and dusting will get done. There's so much to do!

One of my favorite things...spending one-on-one time with my kids, and getting together with them to play board games.

A few plans for the rest of the week...basically, we need to get the house back in order.

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

I'm Back!

Wow, I can't believe I've been gone almost a week! Life has been very busy in our home. Christmas Eve, Christmas, and my kid's birthdays - my two youngest were born on December 27, exactly 10 years apart. Lots of celebrating is done in our home in December.

Yesterday I had a mama/daughter day with my little girl which was great. We went shopping at a large outlet mall. It took 1/2 an hour to find parking, which is incredible since this place has an enormous parking lot and I've NEVER had trouble finding parking. The place was packed, and I was glad when we got out of Gap where A spent a couple of gift cards and we left. Note to self: Don't go to the mall the week after Christmas. The stores are packed but not with merchandise, just people. I was glad when that was over.

We went to Kohl's afterwards, because my hubby gave me some gift cards and I also had $20 in Kohl's cash that needed to get spent this week. I love Kohl's; I always find the nicest things, both clothes-wise and for the home. I got a pretty red blouse, black top and a great blazer, but again there wasn't a big selection like other times. I still have a little money left on my gift card so I'll go back when they get more stuff in.

Then we treated ourselves to dinner at Olive Garden. Well, we didn't really treat ourselves; my hubby gave me a gift card for that, too. It was so nice to sit there chatting with my little girl as we had dinner, just the two of us. Those are the special moments that live in our memories as times we drew closer together.

Today we're gonna start packing up Christmas decor. It takes several days to get everything back in place, and I need to get started early since I'll be driving my daughter back to school in a couple of weeks. I pray everyone had a very special time this Christmas. May the memories live on.

Thankful Thursdays

It's Thankful Thursday, and I'm thankful for unexpected miracles. Those are the best kinds!



I went by my mother-in-law's house this past Tuesday to pick up the turkey for Christmas Eve dinner. She keeps it in her freezer and I pick it up so I can defrost and roast it. My daughter was with me as we went out to the Florida room where my mother-in-law keeps an extra freezer. My daughter is home from college for Christmas. She's very understanding; she knows money isn't abundant right now and because of plans we have for next year we had to keep a strict budget when it came to gifts. As I was pulling the turkey out of the freezer, I heard A say, "Hey, look at this!" From behind a table she pulled out a guitar. Now, A is very musical. She plays acoustic, electric and bass guitar, along with keyboard and anything else she can get her hands on, so when she got hold of the guitar it didn't surprise me. I figured it was one of the grandkids' toys, but she seemed very interested. She asked her cousin about it, and was told the guitar belonged to her grandfather but it was broken. "What's broken about it?" she asked, and was told the guitar didn't work because it was missing strings. My daughter immediately said she would take the guitar home and try to fix it. Now I was surprised; why was she so insistent on fixing this guitar?



Well, it turns out the guitar was something my father-in-law picked up at Goodwill for $50. It's an Ibanez acoustic/electric with a built-in tuner. All it needed was new strings and batteries for the tuner, plus a good cleaning. It's in immaculate condition and sounds beautiful. It's also worth 6 times what my father-in-law paid for it! My hubby told his dad he'd pay him for it since no one else in the house plays guitar, which made him very happy, and my daughter gets a $300 guitar for Christmas which made her very happy. God is so wonderful! It's Jesus' birthday, and we're the ones that get the gifts. We are so blessed.


This month Thankful Thursdays is hosted by Iris at Grace Alone. Have a blessed Christmas.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, December 22, 2010...

Outside my window...the sun is blaring, and the weather is pleasant. It's 57 degrees out this morning, and today will be the warmest day of the week. Temps will start going down tomorrow, and a cold front is expected for the weekend. Yay!

I am thinking...of all the blessings my Father has showered us with.

I am thankful...for a God who loved His creation so much He was willing to die for us.

I am going...to add a baked ham to our Christmas menu, at the request of my niece, sisters-in-law, and hubby.

I am wearing...sleeping clothes. I'll change in a little while, but these sweats are too comfy.

I am noticing...how much my daughter's voice has improved. God has gifted her with an amazing singing voice that has grown even richer. What joy that she has chosen to use this gift for the glory of God!

I am currently...wrapping up this post.

I am reading...my Bible in the morning, and occasionally a book by Mike Huckabee called A Simple Christmas. I read it last year and totally loved it.

I am waiting...for some great things to happen.

On my mind...the new year.

From the learning rooms...it's vacation time, and my son has taken advantage of it. He spent Monday at his friend's house, yesterday at grandma's, and today he's going to grandma's again to play with his cousins. I'm glad he has this time to spend with them.

I am pondering these words..."But he was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5.

Around the house...I have some laundry to fold, then menu planning and prep. It'll be a wonderful Christmas feast!

One of my favorite things...Christmas, and what it truly means.

A few plans for the rest of the week...I'll be baking tomorrow and cooking up a storm on Friday! We have our large family get-together on Christmas Eve, then have an intimate family time on Christmas day. As my son says 20 times I day, "Can't wait till Christmas!"

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

Move It Mondays

It's the week of Christmas, and things go into high gear now! At this point I don't know where we're gonna have Christmas Eve dinner, but I do know I'm gonna be cooking it. We're going a little off the beaten path this year. I'll be making baked ziti and meatballs for Christmas Eve dinner, along with a turkey and stuffing. There's plenty to get ready, so my list for today looks like this:

*Laundry
*Grocery shopping
*Clean bathrooms

The countdown has started! Have a blessed week remembering the true meaning of the season: Christ is born!

Observing My Senses

For Today, December 20, 2010...

I am seeing...cloudy skies, though the sun is trying to peek in from behind.

I am feeling...joyful because my family is together once again.

I am hearing...a game show in the distance.

I am tasting...cinnamon raisin toast.

I am smelling...clean floors, thanks to Murphy's Oil Soap.

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