Thursday Thoughts

What's been going on this week?  Plenty.

- It's been a wet and rainy week yet again.  I can't recall one day that has been completely dry.  Either we get rain in the morning and sunshine in the afternoon, of vice versa.  Today it rained most of the morning.  It's sunny now, but it doesn't look like that sunshine is gonna last.

- My daughter did a special at church this Sunday.  She sang a solo, a song from an upcoming BarlowGirl album, and she was amazing!  No, that is NOT a biased opinion.  Not only were people singing along with her while she sang, she got a huge applause and cheering, and plenty of congratulations.  I only wish it had been recorded.  I thought since the service is recorded every week her song would be too.  It wasn't. :(.  I'll have to remember that for next time.

- Monday, Memorial Day, we stayed indoors.  It was (and still is) hot and muggy.  Of course plenty of people were barbecuing, but our grill has been out of commission for years.  Instead, I found a great recipe for baby back ribs which were on sale at Winn-Dixie.  The night before I boiled the rack in a mixture of half water/half apple juice for 45 minutes.  I took it out, let it cool, then covered it in Sweet Baby Ray's honey barbecue sauce (because Sweet Baby Ray's is the BEST) and put it in the fridge to soak up the flavor.  Next morning I put the rack in the oven at 250 degrees for 3 hours.  When those ribs came out, OH. MY. WORD.  They were incredibly tender and delicious!  All that prep and cooking, and they were gone in 20 minutes.  Soooo worth it!!!

- My daughter has gone to some interviews, has filled out numerous applications online and in person, but no job yet.  One positive, though - she applied to volunteer at a local orphanage, and she finally got clearance.  It's her desire to help out with the kids, and see if a possible future career is there.  We had talked about her working at the orphanage, but I told her this wouldn't be just another "job".  The majority of the kids there aren't orphans in the true sense; many have been placed there because their parents are unable or undesiring to care for them.  They've been through trauma, disappointments, and heartache.  It's a tough decision to say, "This is where I believe God wants me."  She wants to be sure first, and we both agreed volunteering would be the best way to see if it's something she can and wants to do.

- Another things we've agreed on:  Starting tomorrow, my daughter and I will be doing a mother/daughter study of the book of Proverbs.  We'll be reading one chapter per day and discussing what we've read and what impacts us the most.  I thought it would be good to do something different than what I'm doing with my son E (we're reading through Genesis), so I told her to pick anything except Isaiah (because Isaiah is HARD!!).  She chose Proverbs.  This is gonna be good!

- Tomorrow I'm going in for a sonogram of my gallbladder.  Due to some issues I've been having, my doctor had ordered a CT scan of my abdomen and found that I have gallstones.  I'm hoping it's not too severe.  Truthfully, I haven't had those intense pains some people complain about, but there is discomfort, and often bloating.  First the osteoarthritis, and now this.  Getting older isn't all it's cracked up to be :P
 
- Five days of school left.  The last day of school is next Thursday.  Sixth graders have their field day on Tuesday, which my son is looking forward to.  He's looking forward to the last day of school even more ;)

That's my weekly update.  Have a blessed rest of your week!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, May 30, 2012...

Outside my window...is another deceiving morning.  Deceiving because it's sunny and bright out, but like everyday for the past few weeks it'll get rainy before the day is through.  We've gotten lots and lots of rain, making the grass and trees very happy.

I am thinking...in a couple of days it'll be the official start of hurricane season, yet we've already had 2 named storms.  Looks like it's gonna be a busy storm season.

I am thankful for...my family, my church, my Bible, and summer vacation.

I am going...to make lunch once I finish this post.

I am wearing...a mint green top, blue skirt, and flip-flops.  It's gonna get up to 89 degrees today.

I am hoping...the sonogram I'm having done this Friday doesn't cost too much.  Thanks to a high deductible it's gonna be out-of-pocket.  Turns out I have gallstones.  Doctor wants to check them out.

In the kitchen...it'll be tilapia today.  We had tacos yesterday, and baby back ribs on Monday that were incredibly delicious.

I am reading...In Search of Christian Freedom, still.  It's a pretty big book and I'm making notes and highlighting a lot as I go.

I am noticing...lots of butterflies lately.  We get the orange and black ones and the yellow and black ones.  They are so pretty!

I am wondering...if Chipotle will call my daughter this week.  She went for an interview yesterday.

I am looking forward to...my cousin's little boy's first birthday party this Saturday.

Around the house...I'm still having to vacuum everyday thanks to Molly's shedding.  I also have to clean the floors regularly because she's such a heavy drooler, especially after our morning walks.

I am pondering these words..."Difficulties are God's errands; and when we are sent upon them, we should esteem it a proof of God's confidence." - Henry Ward Beecher.

One of my favorite things...is seeing puffy white clouds in a blue sky.  God is truly an artist.

A few plans for the rest of the week...sonogram on Friday, birthday party on Saturday, church on Sunday.

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

Memorial Day

While everyone is enjoying their day off from school/work, having barbecue with friends and neighbors and celebrating the unofficial start of summer, say a prayer for those soldiers who gave their lives, and those that are on the front lines, and the ones that are far from their families and loved ones, just so that we can have the freedom to take a day off for a barbecue.  Thank you, men and women in the military, for your sacrifice.  Words cannot express my gratitude.  May God bless you and keep you safe.

Observing My Senses

For Today, May 26, 2012...

I am seeing...bright sunshine on my left, and a sleeping doggie on my right.

I am feeling...a slight sinus headache coming on, but nothing like I expected after cutting the grass yesterday.  Thank God for Benadryl.

I am hearing...the air conditioner kick on, and the whir of the computer fan.  That's it.  The house is quiet (for now).

I am tasting...nothing at the moment.  I tasted some Greek olive hummus a little while ago that was just delicious.  I'm getting hungry again, though.

I am smelling...Lysol Neutra-air, combined with Raid flying insect spray.  Hopefully the one will neutralize the smell of the other.  With all the rain and humidity it's like invasion of the flies in our house.  I had to put a stop to that.

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

Follow Friday Four Fill In

It's been a real soggy week for us in South Florida.  Rain has been constant all week till yesterday, when finally the sun came out and folks (including myself) were able to get out and cut some grass!  This weekend is supposed to be dry, which is nice since my idea of a relaxing 3 day weekend doesn't include flash flooding.

So, here I go with my fill-ins for this week.  If you want to have a go at it, hop on over to Hilary's at Feeling Beachie.


1.       After a long day, I like to ___
After a long day, I like to take a nice refreshing shower.

2.       ___is my favorite cleaning product
Mr. Clean with Febreze is my favorite cleaning product.  I love the way it smells, especially the green one!

3.       I can’t stand to watch ___
I can't stand to watch movies on Lifetime channel.  I always end up depressed.

4.       I want to ___ when I ___.
I want to be like my cousin Laura when I have grandkids.  She is the most involved, the most loving, the most fun grandma in the world!  I aspire to her standard of grandmotherhood.

Five Question Friday

Huh?  Whaddya mean it's not Friday?  Just look at the calen...oh.  It's Saturday.  Sorry about that!  Hey, it's okay, I can still get my post up, and if you want don't mind being a day late, head on over to Mama M's at My Little Life.


1. Are you a napper?
No, not unless I'm sick.  I'm an early riser and my energy level is pretty consistent throughout the day.

2. What was your favorite subject in school? Most hated?
My favorite subject was and is history.  I love studying about the past and learning how things were done way back when.  My most hated was PE.  I'm just not the athletic type.  Though I did enjoy volleyball for awhile.

3. Did you have the something old new borrowed and blue at your wedding? What were they?
Nope.  Mine was a simple go-to-the-courthouse type wedding.  All the traditional hoopla wasfn't necessary.

4. What one thing are you determined to do this summer?
Have fun!  I want to do lots of things but mostly I just want to have fun doing them.

5. Ice cream or Popsicles?

I absolutely, positively LOVE ice cream and would choose it over popsicles any day.  Unfortunately my digestive system feels otherwise.  (I hate being lactose intolerant)

Words of Wisdom

"I never was without some religious principles. I never doubted, for instance, the existence of the Deity; that He made the world, and governed it by His Providence; that the most acceptable service of God was the doing good to man; that our souls are immortal; and that all crime will be punished, and virtue rewarded, either here or hereafter."

Benjamin Franklin