The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, August 7, 2012...

Outside my window...the rain seems to have ended finally, and the sun is shining.  The leaves are moving, which means there's a breeze.  Unfortunately that breeze is probably hot so it's not very refreshing.

I am thinking...about school starting up, my daughter starting her new job today, and how quickly this year has gone by.

I am thankful for...all the blessings my Father showers me with each and every day.

I am going...to the library later on today to return some books.

I am wearing...my pj's.  I've gotten in the habit of doing my daybook before getting dressed.

In the kitchen...there's chicken and stuffing in the crock pot which should be ready around lunchtime.

I am creating...meal plans on a regular basis again.  When it was just me and E at home, it was easy to whip something up quick.  With 4 of us at home now, it takes more planning if I want to have healthy meals ready on time.  It's also necessary so I don't go over my food budget.

I am wondering...what my daughter's schedule will be.  As a child care professional she'll most likely work from 3pm - 11pm.  Thank God she works about 15 minutes from home.

I am reading...my Bible and devotions, the Costco Connection magazine, and thumbing through the Ikea catalog - not that I'm planning on buying anything, it just arrived in the mail so I thought I'd take a look.

I am hoping...at least some of my son's school pants still fit him.  He's growing faster than I can keep up.

I am looking forward to...decorating for the fall.  Fall colors are my favorites.  I have lots of orange candles and pumpkin decor that I love and can't wait to start putting out.

I am learning...to let go and let God.

Around the house...I'm having to vacuum daily because Molly is shedding again.  Yesterday I cleaned my bedroom, dusted and vacuumed, and cleaned up the boy's room some.  Today my daughter has asked me to vacuum the dog hair in her room since it's her first day at work (praise the Lord!).  I'll also be washing bed linens today since I did all the other laundry yesterday.

A favorite quote for the day..."Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome. If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory." - Warren Wiersbe.

One of my favorite things...summer vacation.  And it's coming to an end! :(

A few plans for the rest of the week...we have an Awana leaders meeting at church tomorrow.  Library today, and if possible some bowling later on in the week.  Church on Sunday.

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

Monday Quiz About Me

Here's a fun way to start the week:  a blog hop, hosted by Heather at Acting Balanced.  Here's how it works.  There's four questions to answer, then you have the option of adding a 5th question for your visitors to answer.  Think you can manage it?  Then hop on over!


1. Where do you go to get your news?
I get the news from the internet.  I rarely turn on network television anymore, even for that.

2. What Olympic level skill do you have (e.g. One could be a world-class paper clip bender)?
Quick cleaning.  I can get the entire house tidy enough for company (even mother-in-law clean) in less than an hour.

3. If I say the word, 'intellectual,' what do you think?
Someone whose conversations involve more than just the weather.

4. Who in your family do you look the most like?
I've been told I look like my mother and my late grandmother (mom's mom).

And my 5th question for the week is:

5.  When does school start in your area?
School starts in 2 weeks here in South Florida.  August 20 is the big day.

Move It Mondays

Good Monday morning to you all!  The word to describe this Monday morning in South Florida is dreary.  It's raining, has been raining, and will continue raining for most of the day.

When I awoke this morning I felt a little post nasal drip, but it wasn't until I opened the sliding glass door to let Molly out that the full effect of the allergy attack came on.  I'm sneezing quite a bit, my nose is runny and itchy, and if it doesn't improve I may need to take a Benadryl.  The non-drowsy meds on the market don't do a very good job for me; the effects wear off before I can take the next dose, but what's worse is that non-drowsy means I won't be able to sleep.  At.  All.  They are typically 24 hour doses and that's how long I'll be awake.  Benadryl makes me drowsy for a couple of hours or so, but it works, and since I've nowhere to go in this rainy weather it'll be worth the sleepiness.

I found out yesterday that August 20 is the first day of school.  That means E has 2 more weeks of "freedom" before he has to go back.  A lot needs to get done these next two weeks.  Thankfully my credit card month closes today.  I'll need to stock up on school supplies, and I have to check to see if his pants still fit him.  The boy is growing by leaps and bounds, and already one pair of jeans is too short on him.  I also plan on buying bowling shoes for him and for me.  I found some good deals on bowling.com, so my daughter ordered a pair last week.  They arrived the next day (free shipping!) and the shoes are good quality and good fit.  Since I paid for the summer savers deal at our local bowling alley we can bowl two games per day everyday for free.  It'll be way cheaper to buy a pair of shoes for $33 than to rent them for $4.10 every time we go bowling.  We all enjoy bowling, it's good exercise, and on days like today it's nice to be able to have fun without worrying about the weather.

This is an important week for my daughter, and we're so excited for her!  Not only did she get the job at the orphanage (praise the Lord!) but she was also offered an internship at our old church.  She'd been praying about working in ministry long before she even started college.  It has been on her heart to use her talents to serve the Lord, and He has come through in a mighty way!  She'd asked about internships or volunteer work at our current church, but she wasn't getting anywhere.  There was nothing available, or she wasn't "qualified" (translation:  it's a man's position).  It was discouraging, but she didn't let obstacles keep her from believing God would provide.  Imagine her surprise when she was offered this internship which she didn't ask for!  Her youth pastor at our old church has always been the one she turns to for advise and guidance, and he's watched as she's grown from a teenager to a confident adult who loves the Lord.  When one of the office staff approached him about offering A the internship, his answer was, "Absolutely!"  We are so thankful for all God has done, and we are amazed as we look back and see how He orchestrated it all.  God is good, all of the time!

Now, what's in the schedule for this Monday for me?  Well, there's a london broil in the crock pot that cooked overnight, so our meals for today are pretty much taken care of.  My daughter and I gave the house a good cleaning on Saturday except for my bedroom; I think I'll tackle that today.  There's also laundry to be done.  And since we'll be indoors today, I think a board game should be included in the mix!  I'm finishing up my breakfast of one fried egg, two slices of bacon, a biscuit and coffee, so my day has begun on a good note even if the rain continues to fall.  Thank You Lord for this day, for the rain, for my family and for Your never-ending blessings.  Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

Observing My Senses

For Today, August 4, 2012...

I am seeing...sunshine streaming in through the windows, a dog by the door, my two oldest kids sitting around with me.

I am feeling...thankful because my daughter got a job!

I am hearing...conversations between my son and daughter.

I am tasting...fried egg and biscuit with my coffee.

I am smelling...smells of breakfast.

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

Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun

Welcome to my Friday fill-ins post, courtesy of Hilary at Feeling Beachie.  It's the most challenging blog hop of the week!  Go on, try it.  I dare you ;)

This week’s statements:

1. I have no desire ___
I have no desire to watch network television anymore.  There's nothing good on TV.  I'd much rather read a book.

2. I love the smell of ___because____
I love the smell of Men's Dove Soap because it reminds me of my grandfather.  It's the same scent as the old Safeguard soap that he used to use.

3. I wish that my ___________ would magically_________
I wish that my body parts would magically resist the pull of gravity.

4. In one month I ____________
In one month I will start putting out my fall decorations.  Can you believe it's that close?!

Five Question Friday

Ah, Welcome Friday!  It's been a calm week, busy but not frantic.  Lots of stuff going on at a pace I can manage.  I'm so thankful for that!  Friday means Five Question Friday and a trip to Mama M's at My Little Life.  Join me for a little insight on who I am.;)


1. What is a must in a hotel room?
I just want the place to be clean.  I don't care if there's chocolates on the pillows or scented soaps in the bathroom or a mini hair dryer.  I want the place to be clean.  Is that too much to ask?

2. Which Olympic event would you be best at?
Is cleaning an Olympic event?  I bet I could win at that.

3. What's your stance on the Chick-fil-A subject?
Do you really want to get me started?  I was at Chick-fil-A this Wednesday, praising God for the support they received.  The owner of Chick-fil-A stood up for the Biblical view of marriage and has been attacked like he's some sort of monster.  It's not Mr. Cathy they're mad at, it's God.  Rick Warren says it best (IMO):
"Our culture has accepted two huge lies.  The first is that if you disagree with someone's lifestyle, you must fear them or hate them.  The second is that to love someone means that you agree with everything they believe or do.  Both are nonsense.  You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate."

4. One thing you said you'd never do as a parent, but totally have.
Oh, there are several things I was sure I wouldn't do but I did anyway.  One of the biggest ones was letting my kids suck their thumbs.  I was sure I'd put an end to that right away.  The only one I was effective with in this respect was the youngest.  The two older kids sucked their thumbs even when I tried to stop them, and after a while I gave up.  I called it, learning to choose my battles.  Guess I hadn't heard about that before the kids were born.

5. What's the weirdest thing you've ever found at a yard sale?
I've never shopped at a yard sale.  I've gone to second hand stores, but I can't say I saw anything "weird".  Just old.  And outdated.  And people buying the stuff that was old and outdated, despite the fact that designers would tell you to update your house every couple of years.  I'm glad folks are being more resourceful than that.

Thursday Thoughts

I think for my Thursday Thoughts post I'll give a recap of my day.

 - I got up early this morning and made a batch of buttermilk pancakes.  I love making those!  I love how easy they are, I love how good they smell when they're cooking, and I love how delicious they are.  It was a perfect start to my day.

 - I try to give my car a washing once a month, and since it was so clear outside I figured today's the day.  I brought the vacuum out, cleaned the inside of my car, cleaned the inside of my son's car, then washed them both (my daughter left for appointments early so she missed the free car wash).  It was SOOO hot out, and the mosquitoes were biting, but both cars look great.  I finished drying them and brought all the supplies in.  I was already outdoors so I decided I'd pick up some of the palm fronds that had fallen the last few days thanks to all the rain and wind.  When I finally came inside it was close to lunch time.  I washed my hands, threw a ham slice in the oven real quick, and jumped into the shower.

That's when I heard it.

Thunder.

God has a funny sense of humor.  He always sends rain when I wash the cars.  Only today He was just teasing me.  We've had thunder all day long, but not one drop of rain has fallen.  He makes me smile when He does things like that.

 - After my shower, I fixed my bed, cleaned the kitchen, threw a load of laundry in the washer, finished making lunch, put the clothes in the dryer...then the allergies started acting up.  They've been annoying me on and off for the past couple of days.  I can feel the post-nasal drip and my sinuses are sore.  Being outside most of the morning doesn't make matters any better.

 - My daughter came home and sat to chat with me, then I invited her to a game of Scrabble.  She beat the pants off me.  What made me think that playing Scrabble with an English major was a good idea?

 - My oldest son left for work shortly after lunch.  My daughter's gone to a friend's house.  My youngest is home with me, but I just took a Benadryl, so who knows how long I'll be functioning ;).  I hope you all have a pleasant evening and a good night's sleep.  God bless.