Meet Me On Mondays

It's another Monday, another glorious week in the Lord, and another chance to do a Meet Me On Monday's post!  You can visit Java at Never Growing Old to join in the fun.


1. My current weather is _______?
73 degrees and cloudy.  Looks like we might get some more rain this morning.

2. What is your favorite sound?
A baby's laughter.  You know, that heart-felt belly laugh they belt out because you made a funny face.  That sound is just precious.

3. What is the worst flavor of ice cream?
Coffee flavor.  Yuck!  The only thing in the world that should taste like coffee, is coffee.

4. What magazine do you look for when you are stuck in the waiting room?
I don't.  I take a book, or now my Nook, and read that.

5. What is your favorite condiment?
Depends on what I'm cooking.  For hispanic foods, I like using cilantro.  For Italian foods, I use plenty of oregano and basil.  And for Mexican food, you've got to have cumin.

Move it Mondays

Good Monday morning to all!  It's a lovely morning here in South Florida, at least for those of us who aren't in the flooded areas!  We got so much rain this weekend that flooding has caused accidents and cars stalling, which isn't a good place to be.  Thankfully our area isn't that bad; the park has a new "lake", and there are some big puddles, but nothing getting into people's homes or stopping traffic.  We may get more rain today as well, which would wash out lots of Halloween and harvest festival celebrations.  We'll just have to see what the afternoon brings.

I have so much laundry to do again today.  I also have to vacuum, since there's dog hair everywhere.  I would like to give Molly a bath today, but it depends on whether it rains again or not.  I give her a bath outside because she's a big dog who doesn't like baths.  She absolutely would NOT get into a bath tub.  Even getting her to stay put on her leash is a task.  She just doesn't like the water.  If it's raining there's no way I can give her a bath.  Again, let's see what the afternoon brings.

I'm preparing, with the Lord's help, to go to Central Florida this weekend to see my brother, sister and her husband who are coming down for a visit.  Praying the Lord gives us some fun time together!  I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed week.

Observing My Senses

For Today, October 29, 2011...

I am seeing...the sun again, finally.  We got a lot of rain last night, and there are more storms on the horizon.  Thankfully none are hurricanes!

I am feeling...like this cold has met its match.  Lots of nasty stuff coming out of my nose this morning, but less coughing and no sore throat.  That's a definite improvement.

I am hearing...a Zhu-zhu pets commercial.

I am tasting...nothing.  That's the worst part of having a stuffy, runny nose.

I am smelling...even less.  Though this morning when we checked E's science project, I could definitely smell the rotting beans.  They penetrated my sinuses!  Thank God that's over, pictures were taken, the samples are in the trash, and this science project can (hopefully) be completed.

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

Some Beautiful Encouragement

Five Question Friday

Happy Friday!  I'm thankful it's Friday, thankful I'm feeling a tad better today than I did yesterday (my sore throat is gone, but my nose is still suffering.  At least one symptom is gone), and especially thankful that my youngest son E is home taking care of me today because it's a teacher's planning day.  We walked Molly this morning, and it was pretty humid out.  It looks like it might rain, but we haven't gotten anything yet.  We also enjoyed a game of Electronic Monopoly.  Now, it's time for my Friday questions, courtesy of Mama M at My Little Life.  Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

1. Do you prefer cotton, silk, or flannel sheets?
I like cotton.  It's nice and cool, which is necessary here in South Florida.  I'd be sweatin' up a storm in flannel sheets, and silk is too fancy.  I'd be afraid of getting them wrinkled.

2. What time zone are you in?
I live in Florida, so I'm in the Eastern Standard time zone.  Have been all my life.

3. What is your favorite part of the holiday season?
The decorations.  I love pulling out all my holiday decor and transforming my house into a warm, cozy autumn retreat, or a wintry wonderland (as much as is possible in sunny South Florida!).

4. What is your favorite "wintry" drink? (It doesn't have to be an "alcoholic" drink!)
I love me a big mug of hot chocolate, except I'm lactose intolerant, and let's be honest, it doesn't taste the same with soy or nut milk.  So I'll stick with my all season favorite, coffee.  With sugar and non-dairy creamer.

5. In your opinion, what is the worst job in the world?
That would have to be anything dealing with poop.  Whether it's cleaning septic tanks, unclogging toilets, or sweeping a barn, if there's poop in it, it's disgusting.

Now go on and give it a try.  It's fun!

Thursday Thoughts

Here's what's on my mind today.  It's pretty random.

- I'm so, so, so, so, so, so very Thankful the hurricane seems to be going on a totally different course than originally thought and it isn't expected to come anywhere near South Florida or any part of Florida for that matter!  Praise the Lord for that precious miracle!

- This cold refuses to leave.  Today I have a seriously drippy nose.  I've sneezed so much, every time I sneeze again I check to make sure my nose is still in place.  I bought some Tylenol Cold for daytime and nighttime relief.  I sure hope it works.

- I'm glad I attended Awana yesterday.  I wasn't feeling well, didn't have much of a voice, but we went and had a good time, and the girls are such an encouragement to me.  My group is third grade, though we have from third to sixth grade all together so I still get to see the girls from last year.  They're all loving and sweet.  How thankful I am that God put me to work in this ministry.

- When I look at these girls, I don't see 8 and 9 year olds.  I see tomorrow's leaders.  I see women authors, writing books of praise, or encouragement, or enlightenment.  I see missionaries, going to far off lands to help, encourage, and spread the Gospel.  It gives me a greater motivation when I look at these girls' potential to be used by God instead of just seeing little girls.

- I did great at Winn-Dixie today.  They had a lot of good sales, plus I had a $5 off coupon.  So I spent $69 and saved $57.  I was very pleased to get Duncan Hines cake mixes buy-one-get-one free.  At $2.19 each they're too expensive; Walmart has them for $1.25.  But when they're BOGO, each comes out to about $1.095.  It's the cheapest I've seen at any store in our area.

- Duncan Hines is my favorite cake mix.  I don't typically make it per the box instructions; I like to jazz it up a bit, and only Duncan Hines cakes turn out the way we like.  I'm hoping to stock up on some cake mixes.  I like giving cakes as Christmas presents to my neighbors (and they appreciate the sweet gift!).

- Another thing to be thankful for:  no school tomorrow!  It's a teacher's planning day, so the kids (and by association, me) get the day off, which is perfect since I need all the rest I can get.  Not having to get up early to get my son ready for school is a huge blessing!

- And speaking of school, E's science experiment is moving along very nicely.  His experiment is about cooking beans to see if they grow better.  So far, the only ones that have sprouted are the raw beans.

- My son is currently on the phone with his cousin, trying to convince him to come to our house for a sleepover.  I love my little boy, but why does he have to insist on doing this when I'm sick? :P

Wow, no wonder I'm tired.  My mind is going a mile a minute!  Maybe it's time for a nap.  If my nose stops dripping, of course.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

"The thing that preserves a man from panic is his relationship to God."

 - Oswald Chambers