Thursday, June 7, 2012

Thursday Thoughts

It's the last day of school, and my son is extremely thankful!  It has been a good year for him.  He raised his FCAT reading score from a 1 last year to a 3 this year.  The highest grade is a 6, so a 3 is equivalent to a C.  This is the highest his reading grade has ever been, and I am just thrilled at how well he has done.  I am especially thankful to his reading teacher, Mrs. Legra, who encouraged the students, and made character development as important as reading.  She did so much to help my son, and it shows in his progress.  I love when teachers give their all.

 - Saturday was my cousin's little boy's first birthday, and we were able to go to his birthday party.  It was a chance to see my aunt and uncle who are getting up in years, but what was even nicer was seeing their daughter, my cousin, the baby's grandmother, whom I hadn't seen in about 30 years.  She looks fantastic, and was all smiles at her only grandson's party.  We were able to chat for awhile, which I enjoyed.  Her daughter also came with her husband, and it was great seeing them as well.      

 - This week my daughter's childhood bedroom set left our home after 22 years.  Her father had built the furniture when she was just a few months old, and she's had it all these years.  It was all white, with the bed, 2 nightstands, a desk, and a wall unit full of drawers.  Very spacious, but not for A.  It was a child's bedroom set, and she's a young adult.  Her bedroom set in Central Florida will be taking it's place, but in the meantime we are painting her bedroom to fit her new furniture.  With the white furniture she had asked for teal walls, which looked nice though still pretty young.  Her new bedroom set is a dark merlot finish, and her bedding is black and grey.  Teal just wasn't gonna work with it, so we are making it more modern and edgy.  Two walls are being painted grey, one full wall will be purple, and the window wall will have both colors in a diagonal split.  I think it's gonna look really cool; we did the two full grey walls today and it already looks more grown up.  She's really excited to see her room completed.

 - My oldest son R stayed in Central Florida and planned to come back home in July.  He called me to say he needs to come home sooner.  Turns out when he told the store manager that he'd be leaving in July, they cut his hours dramatically, to the point that he can no longer afford to stay up there.  We're looking at driving up the last week of this month, packing everything up and bringing it down on a truck.  Hopefully he'll be able to transfer to his old store, or find full-time work.

 - To make matters even more complicated, my sonogram results came in, and I definitely have gallstones.  My doctor has referred me to a surgeon.  I have an appointment for next Thursday, in which I hope to find a way to avoid having surgery.  Truth is, the gallstones are there but I don't have pain.  There is occasional discomfort, heartburn, and some bloating, but I don't have any other symptoms, and certainly no painful episodes as so many gallstone victims complain of.  Maybe the surgeon will agree with me that surgery isn't necessary at this time?  We'll have to wait and see.

 - The arthritis pain comes and goes.  I find the pain in my elbow is worse when I don't use my arm; I wake up at night when I try to turn over because of the pain.  I need to find a pain reliever that doesn't upset my stomach.  Ibuprofen makes me nauseous, and Aleve is even worse.  Tylenol unfortunately doesn't take the pain away.  :P

 - The rain has calmed down a bit.  At least it hasn't rained these past 3 days, which is nice since the kids had their field days at school.  From the look of it that trend will end soon, though.  The skies are grey right now and weather lady says tomorrow's rain chance is 50%.

I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning, preparing a special breakfast for my (now) 7th grader, then getting to work painting.  Have a great rest of your week folks!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

The Simple Woman's Daybook


For Today, June 5, 2012...

Outside my window...I am happy to say there is not a rain cloud in sight (yet!).

I am thinking...of what to do next week, since school ends officially this Thursday.

I am thankful for...my son's reading teacher, all the work and encouragement she gave him this year, and how it has helped him tremendously.  His reading FCAT score went up 2 points, from a 1 (which was a failing grade) to a 3 (equivalent to a C).  It's an incredible achievement, and we are thrilled!

I am going...to feed Molly once I'm done with this post.

I am wearing...a light blue top, blue/grey skirt, and black flip-flops.  It is very hot and humid today, in the 90's.

I am noticing...the wind picking up.  That usually means rain is on the way.

In the kitchen...I made lentil soup today.  I just had a hankerin' for it.

I am reading...the same book because I'm taking it a little at a time and I don't have as much time for reading as I would like.

I am wondering...how my daughter is doing.  She's volunteering at a local orphanage today.  It's her second time; she volunteered on Saturday and worked with the autistic children.  I wonder if she's working with them again today?

I am hoping...it doesn't rain tomorrow or Thursday, at least till school lets out.  It's field day for the 7th and 8th graders.

I am looking forward to...summer vacation and all the fun plans we have.

Around the house...I cleaned both bathrooms today.  Yesterday I cut the grass.

I am pondering these words..."If we are not governed by God, then we will be ruled by tyrants." -
William Penn

One of my favorite things...is Molly's face when I'm getting her food together.  She looks like a puppy waiting for a new toy.

A few plans for the rest of the week...my son E has a birthday party to go to on Saturday.  Other than that, it'll be a quiet week, especially once school lets out.

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

Monday, June 4, 2012

Move It Monday

Happy Monday y'all!  Welcome to the last week of school, yay!  Today was a full day of "school" for my son E; in reality he had a party in his science class, a movie in language arts (Madagascar), and physical education which was free play time.  Tomorrow is field day, and Wednesday and Thursday are all day homeroom - all day being half a day.  It's really a short week, and then it's summer vacation!  Can't wait!

Today I walked our dog Molly and got home so tired!  It's hot and humid out, which tires a person out real quick.  My daughter and I had our Bible study in the book of Proverbs after lunch, then I picked up E from school.  There was a semi-cool breeze, and I decided it was time to cut the grass before we get more rain.  It has been raining everyday, but today it's been dry.  We're supposed to get more rain this week, so cutting the grass today was necessary.  Of course the lawn mower died on me just as I was finishing the one side of the house :P.  Guess that will have to wait till tomorrow - the lawn mower overheats and quits.

All in all it was a productive day, and I'm looking forward to an even more productive week.  Have a blessed one!

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."

Without the Lord as your guide through the fog of life, and His Word as your compass, you will wander aimlessly.


My Lord is ever with me
Along life's busy way;
I'll trust in Him completely
For guidance day by day. —Anon.

Have a blessed day!

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Observing My Senses

For Today, June 2, 2012...

I am seeing...bright sunshine and blue skies, even though we have 96% humidity.  Wonder when the rains will come?

I am feeling...sticky after taking Molly for her walk.  It's so muggy out!

I am hearing...Sonic the Hedgehog.  My son loves those games.

I am tasting...nothing right now.  I had breakfast earlier - egg, bacon and hash browns.

I am smelling...french toast sticks fresh out of the toaster oven.  My daughter prefers them to eggs.

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

Friday, June 1, 2012

Follow Friday Four Fill-In


Yep, it's Friday!  Time for my Friday four fill-in.  Let me just say, not as easy as you might think!  Give it a try, I dare you.  Then let Hilary at Feeling Beachie know you played along.


1.       I always ___when I___
I always dread when I have to drive far.  I drive because I have to, not because I like to.

2.       ___ is very hard for me to do
Speaking in large groups is very hard for me to do.  I'm an introvert, so any kind of public speaking is difficult for me.

3.       Whenever I eat ________, I want to _____________.
Whenever I eat anything spicy, I want to have a tall cold drink nearby.

4.       If I ruled the world, ____________ wouldn’t exist and everyone would _______.
If I ruled the world, different skin colors wouldn't exist and everyone would complain about how boring we look.  Because you know that's what would happen.  We are never satisfied.

Five Question Friday


It's the first day of June, and you know what that means?!  That's right, it's the start of hurricane season. :P  Here's to hoping for a very quiet and uneventful one.  It also means there's only 4 more days of school, though that's not really accurate, since the last 3 days of school aren't "school" days, they're field days, so no classes, and Monday most of the teachers will have a goodbye party, so if anything today is really the last day of school.  It's also Five Question Friday day, and if you want to be a part of it, visit Mama M at My Little Life.


1. What were you scared of as a kid?
The same thing I'm scared of as an adult - mice.  Eww, even looking at the word gives me the creeps.

2. Do you sleep well in a hotel?
I sleep well anywhere.  I can fall asleep standing up - I did once, on a one day cruise that was relaxing but also exhausting.  By the time we got back and were waiting for the ship to dock, I leaned up against a wall and dozed off.  It's a gift.

3. If you could meet any celebrity, dead or alive, who and why?
It's so funny, I'm not the least bit starstruck.  I mean I'd like to meet Michelle Duggar because she's such a great lady, but I'm in no rush, I'll see her in heaven.

4. It's a hot summer day. Do you prefer to be pool side or at the beach?
I prefer any place with air conditioning ;).  If I had to choose between the two, I'd say the beach.  There's something about pools resembling large public toilets that doesn't appeal to me :P

5. What is your favorite summer dish?
Anything on the barbecue grill is perfect in my estimation, except I don't have a grill. :P  I love sausages, especially kielbasa, on the grill, along with grilled veggies and oh! grilled pineapple!  Oh my word that is so delicious!  Put pineapple along with chicken, shrimp, peppers and zucchini on a skewer and put that on the barbecue - to die for!