Simple Woman's Daybook

For today...
Monday, March 29, 2010.

Outside my window...
it is soggy and still raining. I can't believe how cold and went out winter was. The mosquitoes are going to be plentiful I'm afraid but, I would rather deal with rain and mosquitoes than drought any day.

I am thinking...
about the very last week that Jesus spent with His disciples.

I am thankful for...
the price that Jesus paid for me on Calvary.

From the learning rooms...
speech, 4-H fair letters and preparation, book club "Cricket in Time Square", and the rest of the usual studies.

I am wearing...
joy, that the world didn't give me and the world can't take it away.

I am creating...
2 baby quilts for this. I have the tops and backings done, just need to get the batting and figure out how to machine quilt them. This should be a fun thing to learn.

I am going...
to conquer senior pictures this week, I hope.

I am reading...
only my Bible, but I hope to start a new book soon and pick up another one I had started and then not finished.

I am praying for...
for direction for two boys in college, a friend ministering to her Mother, a breech baby, a kidney stone, diagnosis for an unknown illness?, thyroid cancer, and Marsha. All of these issues are happening in the lives of believers, I wonder how the world manages with news like this and no great physician.

I am pondering these words...
"In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world" John 16:33.

I am hoping...
to order a stack of pictures before the end of the week.

I am hearing...
piano music and the clicking of this keyboard.

Around the house...
I need to~ yet again~ wash the pollen away.

One of my favorite things...
watching my children work hard at a task and accomplish it all on there own. (It is very satisfying to study for a week and CLEP a college class instead of enduring 16 weeks of class time, assignments and tests.)

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Preparing our hearts and minds for Resurrection Sunday. School children are on Spring Break this week which means we do not have after school activities. It will be a slower, quieter and more purposeful week.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...signs of Spring

Thank you Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...March 23, 2010.

Outside my window... it is dark and early. I think I just heard the rooster crow.

I am thinking... I need to get some scrap-booking done.

I am thankful for... a surprising response to a large disappointment.

From the learning rooms... Managing an adjusted schedule and activities ~ to incorporate some activities that will enhance cognitive development. I am praying for consistency in this area so that progress will be swift and useful.

From the kitchen... menu planning. I am trying to come up with about eight freezer meals per month. This would mean I would have two meals per week that I did not have to do a lot of preparation for because the main portion of the meal would already be done. I think this would take some of the pressure off during the busiest times of the week.

I am wearing... a joyful heart today. I purpose to encourage at least one person, in addition to those living in my house, today.

I am creating... a caplet. Similar to this (bottom picture).

I am going... to orchestra, 4-H, and to plan an oyster roast (just for the fun of it).

I am reading... my Bible.

I am hoping... someone in my house passes a CLEP exam this week and that I can get a tablecloth made.

I am praying for... a breech baby to adjust, my friend's back, my father-in-law's knee, my parent's work, our business, and a group of men in Washington, DC that need to know Jesus.

I am hearing... the background noises from a barn owl box. This has been interesting to watch and listen to.

Around the house... everything is tidy and clean. Yes, I had a function at my house over the weekend and a fresh start to the week is part of the blessing.

One of my favorite things... to watch my children use creative problem solving skills.

A few plans for the rest of the week: making it through my camera manuel so that I can get the most out of my last official photography class.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing: our last oyster roast

Thank you Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

a snapshot

children with grandparents after the concert

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...March 16, 2010.

Outside my window...it is very dark and soggy. I am thankful that the pollen has been somewhat settled by all that rain.

I am thinking... I would prefer to not change the time. Maybe I would not think that if we kept it the same, but I would like to give it a try.

I am thankful for... a wonderful concert last night in memory of Mr. May.

From the learning rooms...testing. Answers to challenges we have endured for a long time and hope for the future. We will be adjusting the schedule to include fun exercises that must be done daily to improve reading, speech and cognitive development.

From the kitchen... sausage stir fry, a dinner party this weekend and the big boys are on spring break so extra family meals, yeah.

I am wearing...yoga pants, t-shirt and fit-flops.

I am creating... felted booga bag is finished. I started my next project ~ my first attempt at an article of clothing.

I am going... to figure our how to squeeze ice-skating and a 4-H goat clinic into the same day ~ Thursday.

I am reading... my Bible.

I am hoping... my walking continues. I always feel so much better when I manage to walk a couple miles a day.

I am praying for... a couple of friends, one ministering to her mother, one ministering to the children of a close friend. Both due to lengthy illness. I pray for strength, grace, and their large families as this ministry affects them too.

I am hearing... quiet.

Around the house... someone could start pulling weeds anytime they feel like it ~ and even if they don't.

One of my favorite things... chocolate underground yogurt with added walnuts and shredded coconut.

A few plans for the rest of the week: helping a boy on Spring Break study for to CLEP a history class, start preparations for our annual board meeting, and all the other usual tasks I do each week.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... taken during my photography class.
Thank you Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...March 9, 2010.

Outside my window...it is dark and in the 40's. I heard it is going into the 70's and I hope that is true.

I am thinking... that I am ready for Spring temps but I am not ready for a time change. Can't we just pick one time or the other and live with it? I don't really care which one.

I am thankful for...friendship and laughter. I went to a matinee and dinner with my Mom and two friends and it was so much fun.

From the learning rooms...back to work everyone.

From the kitchen...red sauce, strawberry chocolate chip muffins, meatloaf, kielbasa-sauerkraut-and mashed potatoes,

I am wearing...yoga pants, t-shirt and sneakers.

I am creating... a felted booga bag. I am finished knitting and before I go to knitting tonight I am going to a friends to felt it. I started my next project and Oh My Goodness the yarn is delicious.

I am going... to photography class. Yep, I can't wait to learn how to work that fancy camera.

I am reading... my Bible.

I am hoping... God will show himself mightily in what we see as a tragedy. Amazing things are happening and will be shared in later postings. God is our comforter, provider and rock and He knows each tear that falls and each heart that is broken. Update: The memorial service was amazing, a beautiful concert in tribute to a wonderful man. This orchestra, he planted and began, is a group of amazing kids. Great teachers have been filling in the gap and we are so excited about where we are headed. God is providing, directing and answering prayer.

I am praying for... the right people to be put in place and for Miss C. to be encouraged.
Pondering these words~You Must...Adjust.

I am hearing... a train in the distance, I hear that every time I sit in the quiet early morning and I love it, Dad's up to begin his day with an aggravating allergy cough that he gets every Spring. I am not waiting, we are going to get on this right from the start.

Around the house... things are messy and need to be put in order. We have been managing well and that makes the messy times less overwhelming.

One of my favorite things... heating a few heating "pads" in the microwave and putting them in my bed to warm it up before I crawl in, aaahhh.

A few plans for the rest of the week: business a s usual, helping one young man prepare to clep a college class, two girls are headed to their aunt's for a fun weekend, two young men heading to a wonderful class on music competition, and these are just a few things that come to mind.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...our favorite farm dog Emma.

photo by one of the children

Thank you Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

100 photos::11

The first rose of 2010.

photo contest

Trusting in His Love is having a photo contest and I am entering the following two photos. The topic is color.

taken at a wedding on the beach

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...March 2, 2010 A tribute to Mr. Jonathan May ~ our teacher, our mentor, or friend.

Outside my window...it is dark and and I woke to the sound of rain. Winter continues on into March.

I am thinking... about a friend that is gone. We all want to wake up to find it was just a dream, that he will be back to orchestra tomorrow. I can only imagine, if our pain is this great, how much more his family is hurting.

I am thankful for... the privilege and honor to know this man and for the gift of music he shared with all of my children. While the sorrow is heavy, I believe it is magnified because I am overwhelmed with thankfulness . No words can come close to expressing my gratitude.

From the learning rooms...things are a little quiet to allow for grieving, remembering and making music.

From the kitchen...comfort food.

I am wearing...yoga pants, t-shit and sneakers. I have started walking again and boy does it feel good.

I am creating... a booga bag and if it doesn't end soon I'm going to have to cast something else onto my needles. This bag has grown so big it may end up the size of a duffel bag.

I am going... to more orchestra rehearsals and a memorial service.

I am reading... my Bible.

I am hoping... God will show himself mightily in what we see as a tragedy. Amazing things are happening and will be shared in later postings. God is our comforter, provider and rock and He knows each tear that falls and each heart that is broken.

I am praying for... the May family and all of Mr. May's students.

Pondering these words~Jonathan May's advice to his students,"Reach for the highest levels and do not be afraid to try something different that is outside your ‘comfort zone'."

A dad, from our orchestra, spoke these words of comfort to Jacob, "You and Mr. May were pretty close there will always be a piece of him in you and your bow." (that will make a mama cry) Many men may think that but I'm not so sure many would be willing to speak it, Thank you Mr. D.

I am hearing... quiet except for the rain, usually I hear Jacob on viola at 6:30am.

Around the house... we have been working on getting things in order. It is clean and orderly and that has been a huge blessing. The small things seem insignificant in light this loss.

One of my favorite things... memories, through the eyes of my children.

A few plans for the rest of the week: clearing my schedule of anything unnecessary and loving my children just a little closer. Memorial service Thursday and dad said a special dinner out.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... at our last concert


Thank you Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

with heavy hearts

It is with much sadness we will attend orchestra rehearsal today.
Our conductor, teacher, mentor and friend Jonathan May will not be there.
Mr. May suffered a massive stroke and passed away Saturday, at the age of 51. We have studied under Mr. May for five wonderful years and our hearts are filled with sadness and overwhelming gratitude. This man loved what he did and his love was contagious. He was the reason we went to NYC and Jacob performed at Carnegie Hall, he is the reason Jacob wants to major in Music Education because he made Jacob realize that music was what made him come alive. Seth, Caleb and Hannah study with Mr. May and Rebekah has known him since she was 3. The following link is of Mr. May playing cello and his brother Daniel conducting one of his (several) orchestras . According to Caleb, this was one of Mr. May's favorite pieces.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNM8FhsIi7U

With fond remembrance we will carry on your gift
of music, but we will miss you friend.