Daybook

Haven't done one of these for awhile so I thought I'd try to do one a month.

For Today:  August 31, 2015

Oustside My Window:  It is partially cloudy but the sun is peeking through.  And VERY windy.  I'll take it though because it has cleared out the horrible smoke we've been dealing with from the Washington fires.  It's the first day in a week that we've seen the sky and had a nice bright day.  Also outside my window the leaves are starting to change color on the big boulevard trees!  What??!!  August is not even done yet.  I know, only one more day.  But really...that's just wrong!

I am Listening to:  Max and Ruby on tv.  Only one dayhome kidlet showed up this a.m. and we're trying to figure out what to do for the morning.  Library?  Bus ride?  Different playground?  Operation Christmas Child shopping (all the school supplies are on cheap this week!).  What should we do?

I am Thinking:  I need to change out the summer bedding 'cause I'm cold at night now.

I am Thankful for:  my steady pay cheque.  I know a lot of families in Alberta are going through a rough time with the oil field slump so I'm very grateful.  I need to fill 2 spots in the dayhome because of 2 "graduates" to grade 1 but I know they will come along in the right timing.  I'm thankful for the bit of a break after summer mayhem.

In the Kitchen:  I'm thinking I will do my Crockpot Chicken Ciaccatore today, And later this week:  Grilled Sausages and potato salad, Soft Tacos, Honey Garlic Pork and Wontons,

In the Dayhome:  All things apple.  Probably some apple stamping, apple crisp, counting seeds

I am Reading:  Invisible Ellen by Shari Shattuck to complete my "Author with the same initials as yours" component of my Reading Challenge 2015.  Eighty pages in and it's got my interest so far!  Also trying to finish up Crazy Love by Francis Chan which I've been working on since January.  I am so not a non-fiction reader.

Some favourite things:  A relaxed Sunday with no commitments other than church.

A few plans for this week:  Getting myself and dayhome kids back to more of a routine and intentional learning, Operation Christmas Child shopping, going through my fall clothing to see what stays and what needs to go

A favourite quote or thought:

I am excited about:  an upcoming trip to see my oldest and looking at all her pictures from her Western European trip, getting a delivery from Bookoutlet!

A peek into My Day:  

Yikes...say it isn't so!

Simple Women's Daybook is hosted by Peggy here

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 7/15/13

Joining in with others at the Simple Woman's Daybook in an exercise to record about our days.  I had set a goal to do this the first Monday of every month.  Well as you can see I'm just a tad bit behind.  Oh well.  You gotta live life to blog about life, right?

FOR TODAY:

Outside my window ... it's cool and cloudy, might be some rain today.  The coolness is a welcome as it's been hot the last week so it's a nice break

I am thinking ... about the sermon at church yesterday about offense.  Such an easy thing to get caught up in.  A point that really stood out was to guard ourselves about taking on other's offenses

I am thankful ... God's grace, mercy and forgiveness for when we fall.  And for a fairly relaxed weekend where I actually feel refreshed and ready to start this Monday

In the kitchen ... leftovers today, Beef Noodle Bowls, baked spaghetti, grilled burgers, tomato curry chicken

I am going ... to the Lone Ranger tonight with some friends.  Hope it'll be good.

I am wondering ... how I will handle my youngest going off to bible school this fall

I am hoping ... that the family she'll be living with is a good fit for her and she has a wonderful experience

I am reading ... "Sherlock Holmes and the Needle's Eye" and "Unwritten" by Charles Martin (both linked in the sidebar)

I am looking forward to ... holidays coming up this summer

I am learning ... I just simply cannot take on as much as I once did.  A hard lesson for me

I am pondering ... just why I have trouble saying no and why I struggle with guilt in this area

One of my favorite things ... a Sunday evening walk to Starbuck's with my hubby and dog

A few plans for the week ... movie tonight, continue scavenging for items to add into an upcoming yard sale, groceries, sell some books to a used book store, clean out linen closet

A picture peek into my day ... 

This bush make me smile when it blooms out!

Monday Daybook 03/26/12

I used to do the Simple Woman's Daybook awhile back and then sort of fell out of the habit.  Thought I'd give it another go as it really is a nice way to journal.  If you'd like to participate you can go here.

FOR TODAY MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2012:

Outside my window...Sunshine spilling down from the west, grey clouds from the east.  It's expected to rain/snow later today.  Typical spring weather in these parts.

I am thinking...I really need to get my chapter read and exercises done for bible study tonight.  We're on the last chapter of the book "Bait of Satan" which we've been studying since fall.  It's been very challenging but very good.

I am thankful...for the weekend.  I actually got a whole Saturday to spend with Hubby.  It was wonderful!

In the kitchen...menu plan for the week:  crockpot chicken ciaccatore,  spinach & potato fritatta, spaghetti with meat sauce, firecracker chicken,

I am creating...the goodbye poster for a dayhome child who's last day is Friday

I am wondering...how quickly my dayhome will be filled.  I'm losing 3 kidlets due to Moms having babies.  A time for rejoicing but also a little nerve wracking for me.  Keeping my trust in God as my provider!

I am reading...Anne of Green Gables for the first time ever!

I am hoping...the empty dayhome spots fill immediately

I am looking forward to... Easter holidays

Around the house...need to get the Starbucks coffee grounds sprinkled onto the garden

A favorite quote for today...

"My human heart and mind can't understand God's ways, but I trust His heart"

                                                                                                        Sheila Walsh                

God Loves  Broken People, pg 53

                                                                                                       
One of my favorite things...my new bird mugs my Hubby bought me.  He knows I love birds.  Perfect for spring!

A few plans for the rest of the week:  finish poster, start on Easter crafts with the dayhome kids, plan Easter menu (I'm hosting my Dad this year), declutter my closet floor

Scripture for the week:

"The Lord is my strenGth, my personal bravery, and my invincible army.  He makes my feet like hind's feet and will make me to walk (not to stand still in terror, but to walk) and make spiritual progress upon my high places (of trouble, suffering or responsibility)!"

Habakkuk 3:19  AMPLIFIED BIBLE 

The Big Debate Rages

This is a picture of my poor, pathetic looking tomato plants.

It is very sad, isn't it? I almost feel like having a moment of silence.

Lots of tomatoes on there. But he sight of their greenness makes me want to cry. Has no told them it's going on the 3rd week of September for heaven's sake? I had such high hopes for juicy tomatoes that turn red on the plant. It obviously is not going to happen this year. These babies have been covered at night for over a week now and they have not had a touch of sunshine or warmth in just as long. I've been tossing around daily whether I should pick the poor things now and be done with it. Am I destined for a whole lot of fried green tomato eating this month? Summer, where have you been this year?

But the red tomato, it calls to me. So I've left them, hoping each day the sun would decide to co-operate. Here we are again today, cloudy with showers. And cold. So I debate again.

Ironically, for the first day and week of fall, what is the forecast? Sunny and warm. What is up with that? So do I pick them? Or can those pathetic, yellow old leaves still have enough oomph in them to deliver some red giving sunshine stuff into the tomato?

These life altering questions are going to be the end of me yet.

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Jan 5/09

Outside my window...it's is a fairly clear day but oh, so windy! After 3 or 4 weeks of being in the deep freeze this week is predicted to be quite nice just hovering around the freezing mark.

I am hearing...the heater running, the kids playing and the wind howling.

I am thinking...of all the things I want to get to to get some order back into the house. There's vacuuming to be done, dusting calling my name, dayhome toys to re-organize. I want to get my bedroom straightened out once and for all (hopefully), Christmas cards need to be taken down. I still need to get the 2009 calendar up on the wall. I know, I'm a tad behind.

I am thankful for...a fresh new year. There is something about just the thought of a fresh start, new plans, new goals. Of course because of Jesus, we always have a fresh start, each and every day, but you there is something about getting the house back to normal after holidays and making new plans for the coming months.

I am wearing...sigh, the same old, same old. I know I've listed this one before. Purple fooler top, black jeans, white sport socks. This question might be getting skipped as I think you can only read about my very limited wardrobe so many times before you start dozing off.

I am hoping...that the new babe starting in dayhome this week has a smooth transition.

From the dayhome...snowman crafts, starting the letter "D" this week.

From the kitchen...bbq beef sandwiches, Potato Ham Bake, Hamburger Soup, Paprika Potatoes, Citrus Broiled Salmon Filets.

I am reading...Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury, Only Nuns Can Change Habits Overnight by Karen Scalf Lineman, The Love Dare by Stephen & Alex Kendrick. By the way, FamilyLife has started a Love Dare Challenge to help make your marriage better. Each day they will post or send in your email a different Love Dare to do that day. They'll send one a day until it wraps up with a date with your spouse on Valentine's Day. If you'd like more info on this wonderful challenge you can go here. Hurry, it started today.

I am creating...routine back into my days.

Around the house...my nice new bookshelves are up so now I can start packing my books on. Yipee!

One of my favorite things...the settling back into routine after the busyness of a holiday.

A few plans for the rest of the week...leading ladies study group tonight, meeting with youth leadership tomorrow, violin lessons for Tia start back up this week and a trip to the library sometime.

A picture thought I am sharing with you...




The Cranberry Hazelnut Biscotti I made for Christmas gifts along with a bottle of flavored coffee syrup was a smash hit. And super, super easy. I'll share the recipe sometime this month. It's a great gift anytime of year. Or to take to a ladies study group. Hmmm. Maybe I'll make another batch for tonight!

Livin' in the Zone

So as of Sunday, we've had a few days run of gorgeous weather around here again. And I'm in the kitchen sweeping my floor my patio door screen being open because we had to take a large item outside. I hear this buzzing and I'm wondering what's wrong with the lights above the table, or how come the water cooler is all of a sudden making a different noise. Then it occurs to me that it sounds just like a summer day outside with wasps and bees. Sure enough, I look up and flying around above my head in MY kitchen is a honkin' huge hornet! As I was making haste outta that there kitchen shrieking calling my husband's name, I sorta felt like I was living a Twilight Zone moment. A wasp. Very much alive and buzzing around my house. At the end of November. In the great "north" of Southern Alberta.

And today there is cold, wet snow. Go figure.

Like they say around here, "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute." But this is taking even that statement a teensy bit too far. What a weird year for weather!

The Simple Woman Daybook for Oct.27/08

For today:

Outside my window...it's a beautiful still morning although it's quite crispy cool outside. It's -5*C (23*F) right now but if Mr. Weatherman is correct it's going to get warmer and warmer with tomorrow getting to 22*C (71*F) and then down again by Friday to 13*C (55*F). Which is still pretty nice for this time of year, albiet, just a little schizophrenic. Layered dressing is the key around here! LOL.

I am thinking...how many days to payday? :vD I bought the first Christmas gift already yesterday. It was something for a certain someone whom shall remain unnamed because they read here. Anyway, I saw it an nabbed it because the way it goes with me, if I don't do that it will be gone.

I am thankful for...the Lord's provision. I am thankful that all our bills are paid and that hubby has that new job and even though the transition is a bit stressful for him, he seems to be enjoying the job itself.

I am wearing...jeans, beige short sleeve sweater and white socks. I'm such a fashion diva.

From the dayhome...learning about the letter B, bat paper bag puppet, jello popcorn cooking on Friday

From the kitchen...spaghetti with meat sauce, bean/rice casserole, chicken oreganato, Serbian ground beef

I am reading...Forsaken. Just getting into it. I finally started another book after the last one, Shape of Mercy, which really made me think. The Book of Romans.

I am hoping...for a fairly quiet week.

I am creating...a purge through the storage areas. The clutter and hanging on of things we don't use is starting to get to me, so everyday as I go into these rooms to get something I'm also looking for something I can grab and get rid of. Hopefully, this will help to weed out the excess of "things".

I am hearing...the dayhome kids playing a leap frog game and playing with empty cardboard boxes. Amazing how empty boxes keeps them busy forever and a day.

Around the house...I'm enjoying my new living room lamps. I finally found exactly what I had envisioned in my head and I love them.

One of my favorite things...seeing pictures of the kids from when they were little. Sigh.

A few plans for the rest of the week...library trip, getting together another care package for Kay, clearing off my dresser and night stand, shampoo the hallway carpet, possibly seeing High School Musical 3.

Here's a picture thought I am leaving with you...


Some neat cloud formations that were rolling by a few weeks ago. Those trees across the school yard have lost most of their leaves now. I've so been enjoying the beautiful fall weather we've been having. Hope it's lovely where you are too!


Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman if you'd like to join in.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

Updated-just scroll on down and check out whose doing a mini concert this week.
I've been seeing this simple little beginning of the week journal going around blogland and have really enjoyed reading them. And this week I thought I'd join in. If you'd like to read more or join in visit The Simple Woman.

For Today:

Outside my window: A bright sunny morning with no air movement at all. People taking their dogs for their morning walk.

I am thinking: I better turn the air conditioner on early today. It's going to be a really hot day. I'm also thinking I wish I not stayed up and watched Olympic volleyball until midnight because now I'm sleepy! And I'm also thinking I better get the microwave to Kay's moving pile so we don't forget it. Yes, my mind, it's going full speed already.

I am thankful for: friends that Kay already has in the city she's moving to. At least I know she won't be alone right off the bat. And I'm thankful for a lovely weekend spent with family.

From the kitchen: zucchini muffins with cheese and blueberries for breakfast

I am wearing: cream colored shorts with a sky blue tshirt. Will definitely be putting on a tank top later this morning as it gets hotter!

I am reading: "The Canopy" by Angela Hunt and "Love as a Way of Life" by Gary Chapman. The links are in the sidebar.

I am hoping: Everything that Kay needs and wants to take with her will fit in the two vans we are taking to move her.

I am hearing: the early morning traffic of people trying to get to work.

I am creating: a mess as we unload Kay's bedroom and try to sort through and pack up

Around the house: laundry to be done and packed up, packed boxes to be put in the garage, empty boxes waiting to be packed.

One of my favorite things: the cool smell of a summer morning before it gets too hot.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Plan a family bbq for Kay on Sunday so she can say goodbye to family, finish helping her pack. (Do you see a main theme running here? :vD), grocery shopping, more Olympic watching.

*Updated (because I just found out) to add an outing with my youngest to see our Singing Waiter (ff through the silly Hair Product commercial) who will be playing a short concert at our fair and another in his home town. Whoo hoo, he's singing for a top 4 spot tonight. Getting my dialing fingers ready!!

A picture thought I'm sharing with you:

The reality of her moving away for school, well, it's setting in. I can't believe it will be upon me in a short week. This is going to be a rough 7 days.