Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Thursday, August 19, 2010

Outside my window... clouds are causing the day to go from bright sunny to overcast and then sunny again.

I am thinking... about a cousin who is just beginning her journey of homeschooling. She is nervous, insecure, unsure anxious. She is a wonderful mother and the best teacher her children will ever have. I pray she finds her groove, curriculum and a great support group.

I am thankful for...the girls safe return. They had a wonderful trip to the mountains with grandparents and an aunt. Two weeks was just about the perfect amount of time for them and me.

From the learning rooms... continuing to direct my effort towards Fall planning.

I am wearing...a visor when I walk in the morning. I find it less annoying than sun glasses.

I am creating...a caplet. It is finished and about half the size it should be. I will be casting it on larger needles tonight at knitting...and this was an EASY project. I am not sure I will ever knit anything very well. UPDATE...finished AGAIN on larger needles and way too big. I will cast on again and adjust the pattern. At knitting this week (8/17) the consensus was that when I used size 7 it was too little, size 11 and it was too big so size 9 and it will be just right.

I am going...to need a nap this afternoon. I will not have time for one but I wish I did.

I am reading... a Karen Kingsbury novel, finished Oceans Apart and starting A Time to Embrace. I have done a lot of reading over the Summer and hope to keep it up into Fall. UPDATE: So busy I have not even started this yet.

I am praying for... order to the "school" part of our day. We are so busy right now I find it overwhelming that we will need to set aside a chunk of our day for academics. I know this challenge will ease with the two older boys heading back to school daily but it still seems like a huge job.

Pondering these words~ It's bedtime. I need to go to bed before my children and I do not like that. We are discussing how to handle this in our house ~ everyone goes to bed, reading aloud, who can stay up, who needs instruction and or supervision, etc. This is an interesting issue to have on the table. Life would have been so much simpler if they would have all stayed about 5. I know this is not true, I remember when they were all about five, I needed a nap then too. There are numerous blessings to them growing up, they can go get milk when I forget it at the grocery, but today they could have stayed little ~ I have milk.
From the kitchen...The easiest casserole ever and I am a hero in the eyes of my children.

I am STILL hoping... to have breakfast and beach time with a friend soon. (I think I'll leave this here until we make this work.) UPDATE: running out of time, trying to figure our how to make this work.

I am hearing...the children laugh as they play wii golf. Apparently some of them look like they are playing other sports...polo?

Around the house... an effort to purge, straighten and clean is bringing order as we transition into a new school year.

One of my favorite things...changing seasons. A new beginning. (OK, that was two.)

A few plans for the rest of the week: (trying not to plan too much) However, tomorrow requires a trip to the heart doctor with an elderly neighbor and Jacob's university for one more meeting to try and get into the music department. I am ready for him to know what he is doing, I am sure he is too. Praying for God's perfect will for Him.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... Summer Fun...




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Simple Womand's Daybook

For today... Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Outside my window... is a beautiful day. The wash is blowing in the breeze, low humidity, fresh cut grass...Summer at it's finest.

I am thinking... about a Christmas gift for my husband. A great project came to mind late last night and I am so excited.

I am thankful for... girls that work farm animals (because since they have been gone I have been doing animal chores).

From the learning rooms... attention is being directed towards Fall planning. We did not accomplish as much as I had hoped over the Summer, that's not shocking, but it will require some careful calculations for how to begin the year.

I am wearing... my favorite apron.

I am creating...a caplet. It is finished and about half the size it should be. I will be casting it on larger needles tonight at knitting...and this was an EASY project. I am not sure I will ever knit anything very well. UPDATE...finished AGAIN on larger needles and way too big. I will cast on again and adjust the pattern.

I am going... to dinner for my dad's birthday (Fried shrimp) and to make homemade peach ice cream.

I am reading... a Karen Kingsbury novel, finished Oceans Apart and starting A Time to Embrace. I have done a lot of reading over the Summer and hope to keep it up into Fall.

I am praying for... order to the "school" part of our day. We are so busy right now I find it overwhelming that we will need to set aside a chunk of our day for academics. I know this challenge will ease with the two older boys heading back to school daily but it still seems like a huge job.

Pondering these words~ Give me work until my days are done and days until my work is done. I have no idea where to credit this saying.

From the kitchen... we are celebrating a do-it-yourself refrigerator fix, thank you Lord. Homemade pizza is happening a lot and I accidentally made pita bread. When you do not prick your crust with a fork and try to bake it for later use...Pita Bread!

I am STILL hoping... to have breakfast and beach time with a friend soon. (I think I'll leave this here until we make this work.)

I am hearing... the washing machine run and the question, "What kind of muffins are these? The answer... strawberry millet.

Around the house... a restlessness is telling me that a season change is way too close. I feel it, and according to everyone elses behavior I think they agree. What is that?

One of my favorite things... is a passing late morning rain shower.

A few plans for the rest of the week: (trying not to plan too much) A quick little get away just my husband and me. Football has started, the boys are doing a lot of yard work, Jacob is doing a lot of viola practice and the girls are still in the mountains.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...pita bread
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blessed...and very much so

Today I am joining Ann @ Holy Experience on her journey to 1000 Gifts. I have a hard time committing to something every week, because my time is not always mine. So this may or may not happen consistently; but non the less I am grateful.

Starting at the very beginning...because it's a very good place to start.
I have read this list in various places and it is feeling contagious at this moment. I am blessed and very much so...

#1 My Savior Jesus Christ, without you I can do nothing

#2 a wonderful husband to share this journey with

3# 5 healthy (and mostly happy) children

#4 homeschooling

#5 freckles, they cover a lot of flaws

#6 the music that fills our home every day

#7 fresh cut grass

#8 ice cold watermelon

#9 a repaired,instead of new, refrigerator

#10 farm fresh eggs

#11 freshly mopped floors

#12 sheets on the clothesline

#13 medicine that eases my pain

#14 parents that love and support me

#15 baby goats

Thank you Ann, for hosting this very profitable list that is a constant reminder of just how blessed we truly are.

Friday's Fave Five

Another busy week and Vacation starts today woohoo!

#1 The girls have gone to the mountains to stay with grandparents. Their vacation started on Wednesday. Unlike the boys (who had no phone service), they call me every morning and evening. It is a lovely way to start and end my day.

#2 Another successful bread class. I was tired and in a lot of pain and it was still fun and such a blessing to me. So many people excited to be grinding wheat and making bread from newly married to married 50 years. If you have been thinking about it...it's never too late to start.

#3 All paper work required by the state for homeschooling has been submitted. All paperwork for football has been submitted. Deep breath and relax. None of this is difficult, but it requires time and above all else brain power. Seth's transcript had to be redone three times, after I though it was finished, due to errors. His GPA went up and that was a good thing.

#4 Vacation starts today and because of too much work we are staying home. Time to get caught up and organized before Fall flies in fast and furious. We will have down time and we are probably going to head to the beach house for a couple of days. No real plans...naps are happening right now and as soon as this is posted I'm headed there.

#5 The refrigerator broke. I have hated my refrigerator since I got it...but I do NOT want to buy a new one. OK so maybe I didn't hate it as much as I complained about it. A little Internet research, a hair dryer, a little more Internet research and we think we have it narrowed down to two parts that will cost about $100 dollars. Yes, this is way better than the cost of a new fridge. I am so thankful my husband will try to fix something before we just go out and get something new. We are almost finished defrosting so we can put it back together and decide if we are going to go get the part this afternoon...yes, it is FRIDAY.

Off to my nap and then refrigerator repair work. Have a super fantastic weekend!

This is a nice way to reflect on the week and be grateful for all my blessings.
Visit Living to Tell the Story to participate in this memory of your week.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Internet issues caused the delay of this post.
For today... Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Outside my window... wash on the line everyday, a two and a half mile walk early, and heavy dew on the grass.

I am thinking... about another bread class this Thursday night, a vacation my husband so desperately wants to take but with so much work will have to wait.

I am thankful for... all the work, a budget and a plan to take back control of our life.

From the learning rooms... paperwork needs to be done for extra curricular activities. We are savoring every drop of Summer that we can.

I am wearing... walking clothes.

I am creating...a caplet. It is finished and about half the size it should be. I will be casting it on larger needles tonight at knitting...and this was an EASY project. I am not sure I will ever knit anything very well.

I am going... to work on... school paperwork, my ironing pile, a bread class, a business proposal for my husband to present.

I am reading... a Karen Kingsbury novel, Oceans Apart.

I am praying for... order to the "school" part of our day. We are so busy right now I find it overwhelming that we will need to set aside a chunk of our day for academics. I know this challenge will ease with the two older boys heading back to school daily but it still seems like a huge job.

Pondering these words~ It is well with my soul. Go here for the lyrics and story.

From the kitchen... we are working on the freezer. Every now and then I try to work with the things I have on hand and only add an item here or there. This helps save money in my grocery bill (for a little while) and eliminates throwing out things that could have been used. Sometimes I have to make order out of the chaos of my life...even if it is only in the freezer.

I am STILL hoping... to have breakfast and beach time with a friend soon. (I think I'll leave this here until we make this work.)

I am hearing... children stir. Everyone has a busy day today.

Around the house... we are doing well at maintaining so that at any time any one could drop in. This is a sure sign children are growing up.

One of my favorite things... RAIN and a nap. After two months with only one day of rain (and very little at that) we had a soaking...on a Sunday...and I got to read...and take a nap, it was glorious:)

A few plans for the rest of the week: (trying not to plan too much)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

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