I've been Tagged!!

So I get this comment from dear Kristen over at Homemaker at Heart http://homemakerathearts.blogspot.com/ and I'm thinking, "Tagged? What is this tagged she speaks of?" So I go over to her blog and realize that, oh, she wants me to answer a survey! Silly me! I get it now. Okay, here we go:

How does your day normally begin?
On weekdays I get up at 5:30am and start by thanking my loving God for another day with my family. I go to the bathroom and wash my face, brush my teeth, you know, standard procedure, then I read my morning devotion from my Women's Devotional Bible (NIV). After that I get breakfast ready, wake up my youngest son so he can eat and get ready for school. Before he leaves we do morning devotions from his children's bible. Once everyone is off I have breakfast while I read, either from the Bible or (now) The Purpose Driven Life. I might watch the news in the morning, or I might be totally sick of it. Either way, I turn on The Message on XM radio and listen to Christian music while I do housework, laundry, etc. Mornings are my busiest time of the day.

What's for lunch during an average week?
Actually what is on my weekly menu is lunch, since my hubby comes home at about 1:00pm and eats, rests up a bit, exercises, then goes back out to work. The love of my life works in food sales. Mornings is deliveries, he's out making sure the stores are well stocked. Then in the afternoons he's taking orders for the next delivery. I thank God everyday that my husband works in food sales, 'cause as long as people eat he's got a job.

What's your favorite part of the day?
I love mornings because that's when I'm most productive, and I also love when my son comes home from school and says, "I'm hungry. What's there to eat?" I know, typical boy, but it warms my heart none the less.

Least favorite?
Hmm, that's a tough one. Now that I'm home all day I pretty much love every minute of it.

How does the day usually end?
After we have something light to eat, I iron my hubby's shirt and E's school uniform for the next day. Baths, pj's, the standard procedure for nighttime, prayers and bed. If there's something good on tv I might stay up and watch (like tonight the Duggar's are gonna be on TLC - such a godly family), but usually I'm out like a light by 10:00pm.

Let's see now, who am I going to tag (since I guess that's how this works)? I'm going to pick Marybeth Whalen over at http://www.marybethwhalen.blogspot.com/ because I've been reading her blog for a while and she inspires me to no end. Thanks for thinking of me Kristen. Maybe one day I'll return the favor :-)

The Simple Woman's Daybook - Sept 29, 2008

To join in the fun, see Peggy at http://www.thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

For Today...

Outside my Window...sun is starting to rise, lots of clouds. We got a ton of rain last night and probably will get more today. Hopefully this will bring some refreshment to our very warm and humid temps.

I am thinking...that I have so much to do today, I pray I can get it all done.

From the learning rooms...I'll be meeting with E's teachers today to see what I can do to help him improve in his reading and handwriting - yes Peggy, eventually boy's handwriting improves a tad...

I am thankful for...yesterday's church at the local high school for the first time. Plenty of room, and the kids seemed to enjoy it too. Such a blessing.

From the kitchen...salmon today. My hubby has asked for less red meat and more fish.

I am wearing...pj's still - it's pretty early. I'll be getting dressed soon, since my meeting with E's teachers is at 9:00am.

I am reading...still doing Purpose Driven Life, will start on NT reading today.

I am hoping...for small groups that are starting this week to go extremely well. May our Lord's blessing be upon each and every one.

I am creating...a warm and comfortable home for my family. Maybe I'll have time to do some more fall decorating this week.

I am hearing...the hum of the computer, the clicking of the keyboard and the whirr of the ceiling fan.

Around the house...oh boy, do I have a ton of stuff to do before tomorrow's small group!

One of my favorite things...is mornings. I'm a morning person. There aren't a whole lot like me out there.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...meet with E's teachers, take car in to have battery checked, small group at my house, paint, plus all the usual stuff that needs to get done at home. I'm tired just thinking about it.

Here is a prayer request I am sharing with you...please pray for our church's small groups. I'm sure reading through the NT and sharing with our brothers & sisters in Christ is going to be such a huge blessing, I don't want anyone to miss it!

Have a blessed week.

The Week in Review

Being a stay at home wife & mom has resulted in much more activity than I'd anticipated. I've always got something to do, somewhere to run to, some project to tackle. It's so funny when people automatically assume that either a) I'm going nuts because I'm bored at home all day, or b) I'm enjoying lounging around doing nothing all day. None of the above! What I can say is that I no longer feel stifled. I'm not going crazy playing catch-up all the time. And I'm not worried about what I don't have; God has generously provided, and we have all we need and them some.

I was at the doctor's this week, getting results from some tests I had done last week. I'd gone in because I was having some weird but strong pains in my left side, and trouble going to the bathroom. The doctor told me it was probably a kidney stone, and ran some blood work and x-rays. I was feeling much better after that, though the pain came back today. It lasted about an hour and a half, then went away on it's own. I'm going to monitor this and if it continues to happen I'll have to go to the doctor again. Anyway, I did receive some good news. I always have issues with anemia, ever since I got hepatitis (the curable one) when I was 12. This time I was surprised and overjoyed to find my iron level has gone up. It's still below normal; it should be 11.7 and it's 11. Still, I praise my Lord because I'm healthier now than I've been in a long time. Thank You Jesus!!

I started sanding the family room coffee table, only to find the sandpaper my husband gave me isn't doing the job. I'll have to run to Loew's this weekend to get coarser sandpaper, and paint for the boys room while I'm at it. My son R is still undecided what color he wants, so I told him I'm pulling rank and letting his little brother choose. It'll be another shade of blue, this time with a grey undertone, sort of like a slate blue. It should turn out very boyish.

I really want to see the movie Fireproof with Kurt Cameron. It looks like an excellent film, but I'll have to convince my hubby that it's an action film also, otherwise he'll think it's a "chick flick" and refuse to go. My husband isn't a believer, so I hope films like this can have a positive (and perhaps eternal?) influence on him.

I've got 3 people signed up for my small group. I spoke with Pastor John who's in charge of small groups regarding what would be the best time. Since I'm home I told him I could do a morning group, which he thought was a great idea. I'm just concerned that not enough people are at home during the morning hours and that's why I don't have more attendance. I'm prayerfully hoping more women will take advantage of a daytime group if they're able to.

I signed my son E to Awana a few weeks ago, and he's loving it more than I had imagined he would. My son is only 8 years old, but he accepted Christ at the ripe old age of 5. He loves the Lord very much and is so happy to be going to Awana on Wednesdays. He tells me so everyday. My dearest friend LN signed up her son RJ too, and she and I go to Bible study afterwards. This isn't at our church; we signed the boys up at a local Baptist church, since our church doesn't have activities during the week for children. Because we're a portable church we're limited as to what we can do during the week. I felt it was important for my son to have fellowship with kids his age and have time for learning and worship in a group setting. He had told me last year that it wasn't fair the church had small groups for everyone except the kids. I could tell this was something he was longing for, and I'm glad I signed him up.

So, now the weekend is coming up. I'll be teaching at children's church on Sunday - hopefully I'll get the lesson soon! Looking forward to a fun, relaxing weekend with my boys. That's my week in review! Hope yours is just as blessed.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - Sept 23, 2008

To join in the fun, check out Peggy at http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

For Today...
Outside my Window...we got some rain a little while ago, and now the sun is shining again. It may be fall in the rest of the country, but here in South Florida it still feels like summer.
I am thinking...I hope the computer cooperates with me today. I tried to post yesterday but my blog entry got erased and I was too busy to bother with it anymore
I am thankful for...my 3 beautiful blessings, my children
From the kitchen...bourbon chicken and chinese style rice (I say chinese style because I make it my way which isn't entirely chinese)
I am wearing...peach striped shorts and an old t-shirt. That's right, I'm painting again.
I am reading...Ephesians for my morning devotions, Looking Ahead for Wednesday night Bible study, and I've started The Purpose Driven Life again. I've started it several times but never finish. Hopefully I'll complete it this time.
I am hoping...to continue with all the plans I have for the house. It's looking really nice!
I am creating...this blog post for the second time
I am hearing...the TV on in the family room. My oldest son R is watching cartoons (he's 21 years old)

Around the house...I've touched up the paint in the master bedroom, family room and living room. Everything looks and smells so clean and new!
One of my favorite things...is finishing a project. I love the feeling of accomplishment.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...finish painting, sand and refinish family room coffee table and kitchen barstools.
Here is a prayer request I am sharing with you...our church is moving from the movie theater we've been meeting in for the past 6 years to the local high school (better layout, no rushing to get out because a movie is starting). Please pray for a smooth transition.

Have a blessed week!

The redorating continues

After finishing with my daughter's room and touching up the master bath, I realized I had almost a gallon of leftover sage green paint. I'd had it for a long time but I wasn't about to get rid of it as paint is expensive and it was perfectly good. So, I decided it was time for a new look in our formal dining room.

This is the view from the family room. The original color in the dining room was a sort of coral color, almost peachy. It wasn't the color I'd intended, since the formal living room, family room and kitchen are a terra-cotta color. But my hubby had already painted most of it when I realized the color wasn't really what I wanted, and asking him to repaint would have not been happily accepted. So I decided to live with the color, and I've done so for the past couple of years.

But no more! I love how the the furniture, which is a light maple color, just pops against the green walls. The colors are appropriate for fall (my favorite season) or spring (my second favorite season!). All I have to do is change out the accessories and the room is ready to go.

Here are some more before and after shots:

This is standing by the window, facing the entrance to the formal living room on the left and the family room on the right. It's very open, and though you can't see it both entrances to the room have arched doorways. It's my favorite feature of the house.

Here's the after shot. It's a better view of the archway. The door you see is the air conditioner closet right outside the dining room. To the right of that is the kitchen.

This is the view from the formal living room. Here the archway to the family room is really appreciated.

The color seems dark here, but it's because of the way the sun is coming into the room. The color is warm and friendly but certainly not dark. I absolutely love the color. Hubby isn't sure it works with the other colors in the room, but I've assure him it works fine. He doesn't watch HGTV like I do :-). Funny thing is, he didn't care much for the original color when it first went up on the walls. Now he says he liked the coral color better. Just proves he needs to get used to it.

The only other room that will change color is the boys bedroom, though my son R still hasn't decided what color he wants. I will be touching up the paint in most of the house, so hopefully I can post more pics. This way, when my daughter gets homesick, she can come here and look at pictures of her beloved home.

The best way to redecorate...

...is with paint. It's also the cheapest, and has the most impact. Take my daughter A's bedroom. Just one week ago her bedroom was purple. The paint color was called Grape Escape. It had been this color since 2001.

I loved the purple. It went great with her white furniture and deep purple bedding. But, of course, she was tired of it and had outgrown the "little girl" look. So, pulling from the same bedspread, she chose blue. More of a turquoise, actually.

This is during the process. Notice the difference between the blue and purple. It should be noted that I am not fond of blue. I don't like blue walls, or blue furniture, especially pastel-y kinds of blue. But that's what she wanted, so I went with it.

The poster above the bed says, "I'm a stellar cleaner when I clean! WOOT!" It's a quote from an interview of Lauren Barlow of BarlowGirl. My daughter got the band to autograph the poster, so it has a prominent place in her room.

So, 4 out of 5 family members love the new color. And as for the fifth family member, well, it's starting to grow on me.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - Sept 15, 2008

To join in the fun, check out Peggy at http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

For Today...

Outside my Window...the sun is out and not one branch on our coconut palms is moving. It'll be toasty today!

I am thinking...that staying at home is the busiest job I've ever had (and the most fulfilling)

I am thankful for...my hard working husband who regularly tells me not to worry because I'm not working

From the kitchen...chicken and vegetable soup - my son R's favorite

I am wearing...a ratty, faded yellow t-shirt, ratty grey capris and flip flops. I kncow, I said no more ratty clothes, but today I'm painting the master bathroom so it's excusable. I'll shower and dress nice once I'm done.

I am reading...The Facts of Life and Other Lessons My Father Taught Me by Lisa Whelchel. Lovely testimonial.

I am hoping...the days will cool off just a little - it's been in the high 80's and low 90's. I like mid to upper 70's myself.

I am creating...a new look in my home - will get pics up during the week

I am hearing...the clicking of the keyboard. Hubby and oldest son left for work, and youngest is in school. I have the house to myself. Oh, blessed silence!

Around the house...I painted my daughter's room last week and it looks and smells nice. I'll post before and after pics some time today or tomorrow.

One of my favorite things...is the smell of a freshly painted house. Lots of people don't like the smell of paint but I love it. It smells like newness.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...paint master bathroom and dining room, and the boys room if they decide what color they want (takes my son R longer to pick a color than his sister!)

Here is a prayer request I am sharing with you...please don't forget to pray for our brothers & sisters in Texas, especially those in the Galveston and Houston areas. Hurricanes are devastating, but aren't you thankful our God is stronger than the storm? May He forever be praised.

Have a blessed week!