Tuesday, May 31, 2011

A Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...its 79 °F, (26 °C), expected to reach 96 today with a heat index of 98 and even hotter tomorrow.....I can see the Butterfly Bush in full bloom, the sun is peaking around the side of the house, everything is very still, no breezes blowing this morning....not much bird or squirrel activity
Hearing...music on Pandora radio(believe it or not I felt like a little background this morning), right now its Gary Allen singing: Life Ain't Always Beautiful
I am thinking...of answers to these prompts....have to finish and dress so I can go get the Princess
Feeling thankful for...AC (can't say that enough)...Honey Bear's safe travel this morning...God's beautiful creation....your comments and prayers
I am remembering...this Memorial Day weekend: last night Daughter came over with Wonder Boy, Princess and Yoshi and we had a wiener roast and marshmallow roast right in our backyard
Creating this...A Journal: this weekend I colored or stained 3 sheets of water color paper and began to choose embellishments....Also, crocheting dish cloths and the prayer journal....planning to sew the patchwork on June's TTS blocks this week and trace a few more to embroidery....
I am currently reading...MockingJay the third book in The Hunger Games series
One year ago today..I was reading The Black Cat and the Princess was visiting and we were planning a wonderful summer together
I am hoping...and praying that the small part we ordered for the oven solves the problem(if not, it will cost about $300 more to repair the control board or I will have to buy a  new stove)
On my mind...how its already too hot to go for a walk outside and do I really want to walk on the treadmill
Noticing that...there's a Squirrel in my flower pot again! okay, I've gone out and scolded him...
Pondering these words..."O, Lord, What a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creations....When you send your Spirit new life is born to replenish all the living of the earth." from Psalm 104
From the kitchen...I sent leftovers with Honey Bear from our meals this weekend...I'm planning to eat light this week...except for Thursday when I'm serving lunch to members of our club who are attending a planning meeting(lasagna, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread and Strawberry Shortcake).....I was able to put out my patriotic decor last week
Around the house...things are mostly tidy as I did some straightening yesterday morning...flowers are blooming, Birds are singing, and water is trickling into the ponds....Honey Bear's garden is looking good, we've already had some onions from it, can hardly wait for the first tomato
I am praying for...Daughter(that everything falls into place so she can close on her house at the end of June---that she gets more part time work at USave pharmacy)......Wonder Boy and the Princess(that this divorce doesn't adversely effect them too much)....Honey Bear(praying he'll find a job close to home that he can do when  he retires---he's asked them to replace him at his present job sometime this year and I guess they're trying but not very hard.....I know he's irreplaceable).....others with requests
A few plans for the week...Mid year planning meeting on Thursday.....Book club on Friday...the Princess is spending today and Wednesday with me...its going to be a short week at home.....need to finish the laundry(not too far behind as I did some this weekend) and change the bed linen....water the garden and flowers mid week....try to work up an agenda for the meeting and our monthly meeting next week....do a little crafting and maybe buy a few groceries toward the end of the week.....work in some exercise(yuk)...and try not to overeat....prepare the strawberries
One of my favorite things...fresh seasonal fruit
From my picture file...More Charleston Benches

 this last one is my favorite..for some reason
it makes me think of Alice in Wonderland


Credit goes to Peggy for creating the prompts for this daybook.


Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Outdoor Wednesday

On a recent walk I saw.....





Hosted by Susan

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

A Simple Woman's Daybook/Meet Me on Monday

I didn't do a post yesterday...I was obsessed with a computer game(a session came free with my new laptop--needless to say I won't be buying a copy as it is too time consuming) and didn't get much of anything done.
So I'm adding my Meet Me on Monday post to the bottom
of my Daybook.
Thanks for visiting me.
Outside my window..Its 85 °F (29 °C)the sun is shinning intermittently...there is a slight breeze blowing the Butterfly Bush which just started to bloom this weekend(its a deep rose color)....I can still see the tree limb which fell from the pine tree(this one caught on some lower branches and just brushes the ground)...there are a few birds visiting the feeder but the seed offering is low, I need to replenish it this morning
Hearing...the usual house noises(fans, clocks) and in the distance there's the sound of the workers who are picking up the debris from the roadside with their truck mounted crane(I saw them yesterday over on another street around lunch time there were at least 6 of them parking at the gin for their lunch break.....the county here usually picks up our tree trimmings and yard waste as well as any big items once a month shortly after the first day...however with all the trash from the tornadoes, they've had to enlist the core of engineers to help with clean up...I know its a massive undertaking and I've tried to be patient but will be happy to see it all gone....Honey Bear has gathered quite a stack of firewood just by going up the streets and picking up logs from the curbside.

 the street behind me has a little less 
and is easier to drive down
this last one is of my street, 
the piles are higher than my head
I am thinking...about how much better I feel when I'm walking on a regular basis..I have more energy and feel better emotionally as well as physically
Feeling thankful for...So many things this morning: all that God has blessed me with....my family and friends....answers to prayers...the wonderful gift of nature...music...living in America...Honey Bear's job....
I am remembering...that I wasted my day yesterday playing games on the computer and need to make  up for it today
Creating this...UFOs I guess that I need to try and finish some soon...I've washed the blue ink off of the stitched pieces for TTS and need to press them and put the blocks together...I've been looking at patterns and thinking about new cross stitch projects...I need to cut out the pillow cases for our workshop....and start on the pages for "I'm Making a Journal".....bought some flowers last week that I need to pot....its time to put out patriotic decor
I am currently reading...nothing...I'm in between books at the moment...just finished "A Thread So Thin" by Marie Bostwick, the 3rd Cobbled Court Quilt book....this morning I read a few pages of "The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins" and read the reviews, it is youth fiction but appeals to me so I've downloaded it to my Kindle...
One year ago today...We were having 90 degree temperatures already, I was reading Dogs of Babel, watching Lost's last episode on the computer, planning to attend Kasey's graduation
On my mind...lunch since its almost noon....my post is getting a late start since I slept late and then went for a walk....items that should be on my to-do list
Noticing that...Memorial Day weekend is coming up and I need to make a few plans
Pondering these words..
I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let go
words to Rascal Flatts latest song, speaks to me of friendship
From the kitchen...clean dishes in the dishwasher...a pair of shoes that need to be put away...for lunch: maybe some tuna and crackers, that'll make Smokey happy as I always share some with him
Around the house...Monday's chores await: vacuuming and tidying, laundry
I am praying for...Abbey as she enters rehabilitation....Rene's Dad who has the beginning of dementia--plans need to be made for his future(tough time for children)...Gail's Dad(cancer)...Daughter and her family(going through divorce and plans for the division of their assets)--the new house...any of you who have requested prayer...my Son and his family waiting for him at home...
A few plans for the week...Dental appointment tomorrow(just to check the mouth guard)..quick trip to grocery store...Wonder Boy and I are going out to dinner for his Birthday(13 on Friday)...Workshop on Thursday at Double Head to make pillow cases and drainage bag aprons, includes a pot luck lunch(a club project)
One of my favorite things...Having long weekends with my Honey Bear(one is coming up)
From my picture file...
Benches of Charleston, South Carolina





Thanks to Peggy for hosting this weekly look at our world and the 
plans for our days
Welcome to the 46th edition of 
"Meet Me On Monday!"
Where Java is our host and gives us a set of questions to answer that might help us get to know one another better.


Questions:

1.  What is your favorite bagel flavor?
Cinnamon Raisin
2.  If you had an extra $100 right now, what would you spend it on?
Fabric, most likely, or maybe some other craft item
3.  What is the last thing that you felt guilt about doing?
Having so little damage from the tornadoes when so many lost so much..
4.  Soft serve ice cream or hand dipped?
Both have their own appeal so it actually depends on where I am purchasing ice cream...I will say that I do not like to eat mine in a cone, I prefer a dish and spoon, less mess.
5.  Are you allergic to anything?
Yes and telling  you would take up half a page at least....Mildew and Mold are just two.
---------------------------------------
I hope your Tuesday has gotten off to a great start and that you enjoy the rest of the week....if time permits, visit other MMOM and Daybook participants...you'll be glad you did. :0)

Friday, May 20, 2011

Friday's Fave Five and Funny Friday


I'm Joining Susanne as we look back over the blessings of this week.

*Cooler weather: After the rain of last week, we had a short span of cooler weather. Honey Bear said it was "Blackberry Winter" which happens around the time the Blackberries bloom. It was nice while it lasted but yesterday we were back to the 80s. Cooler weather means lower utilities.
*Habitat Work Day...I feel blessed that I am still able to do that sort of work which requires squatting, bending, stretching up on my toes and just getting a work out...and not too sore afterward either...I'm thankful for Naproxen, too.
*Daughter's offer was accepted on the house we saw last Saturday...There are a couple of contingencies...we're waiting on other people now.
*Electricity that stays on....we only had a short outage one day this week.
* Menu items that do not have to be cooked in the big oven...the electronics have gone hey wire on  my oven since the storm and now is in the locked position so I can't use it. I keep hoping I won't have to call a repair person. Wishful thinking, I'm sure. First, it went into a cleaning cycle all on its on and we had to pull a breaker to get it off...now I can't get the door open....so far I've been able to cook without it using the toaster oven and the microwave..
*A wireless computer mouse....I haven't used a separate mouse since I got my first laptop, but the new computer's mouse buttons are so hard to push that yesterday I bought a new  mouse....without the wires I can use it on the arm of my chair.
An added bonus is my new computer is so much faster than the old one.....
Hello
Wil here
not much to report
its been a quiet week
Mom's been home 
We Bears did have the house to ourselves
on Tuesday 
but it was so chilly inside 
that 
even fur couldn't keep us warm
so we cuddled up 
together
Later
there was a new creature in our 
midst
white curling hair 
and a nose 
that sniffed 
everything
more on that
another time
Have a beary good weekend
everyone
:0)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Wednesday HodgePodge/Outdoor Wednesday


As usual on Wednesday, I'm joining Joyce and Susan

If it's Wednesday it must be the Hodgepodge-Vol 27

1. What reveals more about a woman-her refrigerator or her purse?
Her Purse...at least in my case....the refrigerator says more about the tastes of the family but a purse is more personal
2. When was the last time you visited a zoo? Where? What's your favorite zoo animal?
I don't remember exactly but it was probably the first year or two we lived in Memphis....The Bears would have to be  my favorite animal, of course, and the Pandas at the Memphis Zoo
3. What social issue fires you up?
Right now, I'd have to say its the way our government is spending money that they do not have.....I compare it to a person who racks up credit card debt.
4. Are you a coupon clipper? Are you extreme?
I do clip coupons for items I use on a regular basis or use the ones on products at the check out....I'm not extreme....I've watched that show a couple of times and I can't imagine why they buy all of that stuff....its another example of hording, I think...and maybe obsession.
5. What is one of your favorite souvenirs brought back from your travels?
I don't spend much money on souvenirs...I have bought baskets and bears which I still have.
6. Lemon meringue or key lime?
Key Lime....I like Marie Callender's 
8. Insert your own random thought here.
You may not know this about me but I dislike communicating by phone....
We went house hunting with Daughter on Saturday. By now you know, her husband wants a divorce and wants to keep the house. Well we found a house that we thought was a good buy and in great shape except for the roof. She has never bought a house that wasn't brand new so has no experience with making offers and asking for concessions. We had advised her to make an offer on this particular house so yesterday there were a lot of phone calls and emails and faxes back and forth to Honey Bear in Memphis. Its so hard to communicate everything when we aren't doing it face to face. Very frustrating for all involved.

More flowers from our Charleston vacation.







I hope you've enjoyed your visit here.....yesterday my club had our annual Habitat for Humanity work day. There were 9 of us and we worked from 8 AM until 12:30. We were able to clean dry wall mud from electical outlets and the floors around the wall, sweep up the floor which is still the concrete slab, and prime all of the walls. It was a very pleasant day to work and we enjoyed one another's company and the feeling that we were doing something worthwhile. Because of the extensive damage from tornadoes in our area, Habitat has a shortage of volunteers. So many are volunteering in the clean up effort who would normally be working for them. The house we worked on is on a street with many other Habitat houses. Most were in different stages of the process, only a few were completed and had residents. 

Monday, May 16, 2011

A Simple Woman's Daybook

From Mama Bear's journal............8:18 PM...Monday night
Outside my window...darkness..I'm doing this tonight since I have an early morning planned
Hearing..clocks ticking and the fan
I am thinking...about the show I just watched: Upstairs, Downstairs
Feeling thankful for...this new computer
I am remembering...the weekend
Creating this...working on my 5th piece of embroidery for blocks in the TIS stitch-a-long
I am currently reading...Finished House Rules by Jodi Picoult this afternoon...will probably get back to The Canopy now
One year ago today...I had just arrived home after spending the weekend in Memphis
I am hoping...we have a productive day for Habitat for Humanity tomorrow...my club does this each year in the spring.
On my mind...having to get up so early in the morning, hoping to go to sleep early tonight
Noticing that...uploading photos to snapfish is taking a long time.
Pondering these words...
"I pray that the life of this spring and summer may ever lie fair in my memory" Henry David Thoreau
From the kitchen...for dinner: Chicken Tortilla Soup from Kroger
Around the house...Its chilly as the outside temperature today reached the mid 60s F. I have on a long sleeved shirt, knit pants and socks plus I'm covered by a throw
I am praying for...that the offer my daughter is making on a house is excepted
A few plans for the week...volunteering at Habitat House tomorrow...
One of my favorite things...sleeping in a cool room
From my picture file...




Saturday, May 14, 2011

Friday's Fave Five

I'm joining Susanne and all her friends as we look back on those special blessings from the week.
I know its Saturday but Blogger was down for maintenance yesterday.

*Having my girls for a sleepover on Monday night and singing Karaoke together.
*Meeting and liking my new doctor on Wednesday, not having to have a pap this year(there are some advantages to being older).
*Receiving a belated Mother's Day card from my son in AFG and a belated Birthday card from my sister.
*My new computer...although I didn't plan on buying one this soon, I had wanted a new one...the old one died and would have cost almost as much to repair as the new one....can't believe how cheap they've gotten since I bought the last one.
*Cooler weather....we had been in the 90s until yesterday and will enjoy a few days of cooler temperatures before it climbs back up there again.

Today is my Mother's Birthday. She would have been 83...I, selfishly wish I could have had her with me a little longer but I know where she is and that I will see her again someday....

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Wednesday Hodgepodge/Outdoor Wednesday

Today I'm joining Joyce 
at 
From This Side of the Pond 
Moving into Wednesday Vol. 26
1. How many times in your life have you moved house?
22 if I've counted correctly and not left any out.
2. What subject would you study if you had a year to devote to it?
I can think of many subjects I would like to study but none for a year
3. What in this world breaks your heart?
Child abuse and neglect
4. What is one item that symbolizes the times in which we live? Why?
Muli-lanes of traffic...we live at such a fast pace.
5. Share a favorite bumper sticker or t-shirt slogan.
I don't remember any that I've seen lately.
6. How do you like your spaghetti?
With Marinara and meat
7. What is one piece of advice you would give a recent or soon to be recent graduate?
Be true to Yourself and hold on to the values you've learned from your mentors.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Last night the electricity was off for about 40 minutes...after being without it for 5 days, this was unsettling...we've been told to be conservative, that we are not where we were before the storms and may not be until the end of Summer...During the 5 days, temperatures were so moderate that AC wouldn't have been needed anyway. That isn't the case at present. Our highs are getting into the 90s and we're beginning to experience the humidity that is Summer in the south...Honey Bear and I have discussed what could happen if the electronic structure of our lives were to shut down..we are slowly preparing for just such an event. The dollar is being devalued on the World Market. We could be approaching the end times....I don't know about your family, but we do almost all of our purchasing by credit card and pay our bills on line by debit.  When we had no electricity in half of our state that meant: no traffic lights, no credit card machines or ATMs...Gas pumps didn't work until generators were hooked up...so much of our lives depend on 
computer run machines, its scary. Much food for thought.

Also joining Susan for Outdoor Wednesday
Flags in Charleston, South Carolina





 




Tuesday, May 10, 2011

A Simple Woman's Daybook

From Mama Bear's journal...
Outside my window...Its 72 °F,(22 °C), the sun is shining and it is expected to reach 90 today....there's a blackbird on the feeder and a squirrel on the ground...everything is very green..
Hearing...fans 
I am thinking...the cursor on this computer moves much too quickly..sometimes I think I'm typing in one place and it will be somewhere else entirely..
Feeling thankful for...Blue skies, green grass and trees, weekends with Honey Bear, AC, my husband's computer, electricity, water when I turn on the tap, all of the people who wished me Happy Birthday last week...
I am remembering...singing karaoke last night with Daughter and the Princess who came over to spend the night(their AC isn't working)..we had so much fun...
Creating this...two more blocks for Tis The Season SAL

I finished the sampler cross stitch and made real progress on the other one..have a few gift projects to begin working on...need to finish up the scrapbooks and then do some pages for the Princess and Wonder Boy
I am currently reading...
and just starting...

One year ago today...it was 53 degrees, rain was expected, I was reading Heart and Soul by Maeve Benchley, the day before was Mother's Day and my daughter had taken me to a Lee Greenwood concert, I was planning to spend the weekend in Memphis
I am hoping...to work on the agenda for our Thursday meeting today
On my mind...wondering if I'll lose all that is on my hard drive that I've failed to back up...we should do that every time we save something but I get lazy about it...*note: just got a call...lost my data...will have to have a new computer...that one has expired(cost more to repair than it is worth)..
Noticing that...the year is almost half gone already...
Pondering these words..."Its good to know what direction you're heading in, but its better to be flexible about your route. Sometimes the back roads turn out to be the fastest way home." from The Road
From the kitchen...just some leftovers...some ground chuck that needs browning...the whole area needs to be tidied...
Around the house...things have gotten somewhat back to normal...besides tidying the kitchen, I need to vacuum the family room.....in the craft room are lots of projects in the works and lots more that need to be started.....I bought watercolor paper yesterday so maybe I'll get started on the pages for my journal(I started late and I'm way behind)...
I am praying for...my Daughter and her family, she says they've reached an agreement and aren't going to drag the divorce out(I pray that it will work out best for everyone).....Abbey and her family....Brad and Jennifer....the victims of the tornado who lost either their home, family or both.....the volunteers involved in the clean-up, Honey Bear and his job....Val's request....my son in harm's way, his family...so much more...
A few plans for the week......Dentist on Wednesday, Annual Dr visit on Thursday...DMV...Club meeting that night, Book Club(rescheduled) on Friday..house hunting with Daughter on Saturday
One of my favorite things...grilling dinner and dining outside as we did on Saturday night
From my picture file...




brought to you by Peggy
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