Tuesday, August 30, 2011

A Simple Woman's Daybook

From Mama Bear's Journal
Outside my window...Sunny, 62 °F, (17 °C), with a few clouds...expected to reach 92 this afternoon...I think it would be cool enough to walk outdoors if I wasn't so busy....the flowers all have that 'end of summer' straggly appearance....I see the feeder is empty once again (I fill it about 3 times a week)....Smokey is lying in the window seat I moved from the studio....the grass is looking so dry....we need a good rain..
Hearing...the AC still chugging along...a few clocks...
I am thinking...I probably will not get this post finished before I have to leave for Bible Study
Feeling thankful for...the time I spent in the studio yesterday...I have glued the inside cover on the journal, next is sewing in the signatures.....safe travel for Honey Bear yesterday....changing seasons---Fall come quickly...Football season starts Saturday....AC...our health...God's provision...answered prayer
I am remembering..the Board meeting yesterday and how difficult it was to take minutes, I was so stress that when I got home, I was exhausted....the time spent with Daughter going to and from the meeting....
Creating this...9 patch blocks...the Journal....finishing up some projects...
I am currently reading...To Kill a Mockingbird
One year ago today...it was beginning to cool off some...Fall was in the air....I was reading Burn by Nevada Barr...working on items for the Cultural Arts competition
I am hoping...to finish up some ufos
On my mind...the time my stove delivery will be...they asked for a window from 1-4 today.
Noticing that....we have a great group of ladies, all ages, all stages of life in our Bible Study....I'm back now.
Pondering these words..."Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:3-5
From the kitchen...I just finished eating some leftover Ham & Spinach Quiche with a pear....
Around the house...still moving things back from before the carpet cleaning.....washing dishes and have the iron set up to press some stitches and iron two pairs of capris
I am praying for...Honey Bear, Paulie having eye surgery today, Valarie's husband, Jill's Daughter and safe travel for them tomorrow, my children and grandchildren, the prayer requests from this morning's class.
A few plans for the week...Something every day: Spend time with the Princess this afternoon, Hair appointment tomorrow, County Council meeting on Thursday, Book Club and lunch with Daughter on Friday, Grocery shopping somewhere in there and a couple of loads of laundry, cut the Okra and water the flowers.
One of my favorite things...College Football
From my picture file...

Monday, August 29, 2011

Monday, Monday

Good Monday morning to you all,
I hope that you came through the Hurricane safely. We had a much cooler weekend with highs only in the upper 80s and nights in the 60s with lower humidity but still no rain.
Honey Bear is off to Michigan today. I wish I could have gone with him but he'll only be there through Wednesday so it wouldn't have been much of a trip. I imagine it is cooler there and maybe the leaves have begun to turn.
Our electricity went off for 30-60 minutes on Saturday. While it was off, I cut out squares for the 9 patch blocks, cut out the lining for both table runners and the pumpkin pillow, traced a design to stitch for a Spring Swap I'm in which is going out this week (following the Aussie seasons). I've got the stitchery finished so I'll be getting that one finished this week if I can find time. This is one of those weeks when I have obligations every morning. I must catch up on my Bible study homework before tomorrow.
When the electricity went out, it did something to our connections to the printer from our computers. We spent a good hour trying to figure that one out. Finally, we just reinstalled the driver for it on both our laptops and it was fine.
All in all, it was a good weekend. I hope yours was as well.
Mama Bear
:0)

Friday, August 26, 2011

A Request for Help

Hello friends,
One of my "blogs I follow", Bren is making a quilt to raise money for a little girl's medical expenses. Her name is Isla and she has Cystic Fibrosis. You can read all about it here. If you are a quilter and have time to sew a few squares together to make a nine patch block, let Bren know. She needs 32.
Thanks,
Mama Bear

Funny Friday

Happy Friday, all
Wil here
The excitement around home lately
has been about the
wee Bun 
living under the porch..
So far, he has
only ventured as far
as the Butterfly Bush
taking his fill
of the lush grasses
there...
the Squirrels have
bullied him some
but he is still
around...
Although we enjoy living
inside a cool house, Mama
says it is extremely hot
outdoors and she 
longs for the
Fall season...
She wanted me to tell you
that she has been feverishly
working on her journal
and is sorry she has not
been blogging much....
she'll have photos soon..
Have a Funny Friday
and don't forget to visit with 
all my friends....

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

A Simple Woman's Daybook

from my daybook....
Outside my window...it is actually a little cooler this morning, 75 degrees, 24 C., the humidity is at 64% though and it is expected to reach 95. Another hot day....not much activity outside my window. I wonder where are all the Squirrels and the Birds....where is Rabbit? Well the feeder is empty again so that might explain.
Hearing...the fans but mostly its quiet
I am thinking...about tasks that need my attention
Feeling thankful for...the promise of changing seasons...that Honey Bear found a new stove for less than $1000....that we can enjoy wild life outside our door....the ability to learn new things.....silence
I am remembering...the coupon class yesterday and wondering if I can learn to do that...those girls said they spend only $50 at the grocery store each week.
Creating this...I'm almost finished with the studio and I am going to like it much better now that it is better organized....I plan to work on my journal today...
I am currently reading...Still reading "Ford County" a collection of short stories....and reading your blogs..trying to catch up with you...just finished reading "Willard" on Susan Branch's site.
One year ago today...We were having a little taste of Fall...I was reading, Custody of State by Craig Parshell....working on scrapbook pages...planning on attending a family reunion on the weekend....my club had just done a card workshop for Operation Write Home.
I am hoping...for a little rain....we had a shower on Saturday but it wasn't enough to water the plants or wash the porch
On my mind...just lost my internet connection, wonder what that's about.
Noticing that...the week flies by when Honey Bear takes Monday off....here it is Wednesday already and I've gotten nothing much done....Yesterday we had a coupon workshop, afterward I went to Michael's to have my cross stitch framed and buy a few more decorative boxes....I only managed to get the vacuuming done here at home
Pondering these words..."I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library." Jorge Borges
From the kitchen...Last night, I had a wonderful salad with leftover barbecue pork and even the last of the fried Okra plus some dried cranberries, cheese and red pepper (it was delish), Monday night I made Chicken Quesadillas and have one left for dinner tonight....the dishwasher is filled with clean dishes, the counters are untidy and I need to clean spots off of a cushion 
Around the house...still some clutter to clear up, laundry to do....need to make some business calls and write a note to a member who missed our meeting.....later today I'll need to water flowers and veggies as well as pick Okra and tomatoes....and I must fill the feeders...find time to do my Bible study homework......and I would like to do grocery shopping since I qualify for Senior discount on Wednesdays (generally I shop at the end of the week)
Last Friday, my elderly neighbor dropped by to tell me she had someone try to break into her house while away at Bible Study on Wednesday. I've been uneasy at night this week because of that....and then I have to remember that my Heavenly Father said I should lie down in Peace because he is here to watch over me....so comforting.
I am praying for...Denise (Shortbear), Rain for Oklahoma & Texas, Cee Kay, Val's husband, Karlene, Jim and others
A few plans for the week...you know that next week is one of my busiest each quarter as I have both the county board and the council meetings and I've added Bible study and a hair appointment so there won't be too much time at home.....I need to get caught up on things here this week....
Our county wide card workshop was a success...we made all but 150 of the 911 cards on Saturday so we're having a small workshop tomorrow to finish them up.....then Friday I'll spend the day with my Daughter...we're not seeing much of each other now since school has started....we have to make a date each week to be together.....Last week, we saw "The Help"....I thought it was very good and they did a super job of adapting the book to a movie.
.....I have been tracking my food intake now for 3 weeks and have lost another 6 pounds...it is slow going but I am sticking with it...already I can tell a different in the way my clothes fit....and I feel so much better.
One of my favorite things...Fall picnics...I can hardly wait
From my picture file...
Gazebo at the Botanical Garden
I need to visit there soon.
I suppose this could qualify as my Outdoor Wednesday post because of the photo......and Daybook is hosted by Peggy.
I know I haven't been blogging much lately...I promise to do better.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Outdoor Wednesday, A Simple Woman's Daybook



hosted by Susan.










From my daybook...the week beginning August 15
Outside my window...Its 82 °F, (28 °C), and sunny...the bird feeders are empty again, grass is green, flowers are red....we have a baby rabbit living under the porch...he's a fan of my Sweet Potato vine.
Hearing...the washing machine working on the second load of the day...
I am thinking....about the chores that I need to get done...I'm taking a break for another cup of coffee and some orange juice..I was feeling a little weak(low blood sugar) and shaky. 
Feeling thankful for...every gift from the Father....
I am remembering...Bible study yesterday morning...starting the Fall semester...studying Jonah and the interrupted life...
Creating this...little piles of 'stuff' as I sort through the clutter that used to be my studio and decide how best to store it and what to throw away.

I am currently reading...Ford County by John Grisham
One year ago today...It was hot and we were having some pop up storms...I was gathering lots of Okra and about out of tomatoes....working on Scrapbook pages for my family history and getting crafts ready for our annual cultural arts contest...reading The Novelist by Angela Hunt...planning a trip to Boaz.
I am hoping...to at least clear the kitchen and my closet of items which I moved there to have the carpet cleaned before the day is over.....to freeze some Okra, and other items.
On my mind...finishing the chores and having a day to spend with Daughter tomorrow
Noticing that...Smokey likes to have his bedding changed in his basket...he hadn't been in it since Friday, perhaps it smelled of the carpet cleaner, this morning I changed his bedding and now he is inside again.
Pondering these words..."In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught." --Baba Dioum.
From the kitchen...leftovers from the weekend: Fried Okra, Stuffed Peppers, Roast with carrots, onions and potatoes....tuna salad.
Around the house...clutter in at least 4 rooms that requires my attention....two more loads of laundry.....the living room and master bedroom are tidy....
I am praying for...Jill's father, the requests from Bible study, son and family as well as Daughter and hers....Honey Bear(in Houston this week)...my nephew
A few plans for the week..Spend the day with Daughter tomorrow....errands to run.....repairman coming on Friday afternoon....another wonderful weekend with Honey Bear
One of my favorite things...a well organized house
From my picture file...

Friday, August 12, 2011

Funny Friday


Good Morning, Wil here
and it really is Funny Friday here
at our home.
Mama Bear has moved everything
out of three rooms.
Which means, the
rest of our Bear family are 
banished to closets and other
rooms.
She says she's having the carpet
cleaned today.
And that we might as well
make some changes in
our decor while
everything is topsy
turvy.
Hmmm....
Do you remember James?
I introduced him to you all
when I first started my blog posts.
Well, one day we were fooling around
and he tried on my glasses
and found out he could see
oh, so much better.
Mom got a pair of Wonder Boy's 
which had been outgrown
years ago. That boy doesn't
even wear glasses anymore.

Doesn't James look distinquished
sitting back there. He was 
commissioned to celebrate
100 years of Teddy Bears
He said sometimes he feels 100 himself.
In other news from the Bear front,
Lil Bear has a little red wagon to 
ride around in when he can talk
some other bear into pulling him.
Mom found it at the thrift store.
And she made him a necklace with a 
cross on it to show we're
all followers of
Jesus.
That's all for this week.
Hey, I heard that Prudence 
and Sissy are home from
Summer camp. Go
over and welcome them home.
And our friend, Sebastian, is
off on an adventure.
Wil
:0)

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

A Simple Woman's Daybook


Outside my window...Its 77 °F, (25 °C)..89% humidity..with highs in the 80s expected..wow, quite different from my time in Memphis....Its wet out there since we got a thunderstorm yesterday and possibly one last night....all of the feeders need to be filled and the flowers dead-headed....I went out yesterday morning when I returned, cut the Okra and picked tomatoes and pepper...our tub tomatoes are about finished but we have some others coming along nicely....
Hearing...the dishwasher and fan....Smokey is occasionally begging me to play. We were playing our toss and fetch game but when he brought his mouse back the last time, I couldn't find where he dropped it.
I am thinking...that I need to finish unpacking from my trip, start a load of laundry and get some mail ready for the post office....about my oven that is locked up again
Feeling thankful for...the time spent with Honey Bear in Memphis.....a safe trip....the weight I've lost....
I am remembering....visiting with friends at the quilt shop on Friday....I'd love to be able to take a class with them again
Creating this...only worked a little on the cross stitch project while I was gone....other than some projects that need to be finished and dish cloths to crochet, I'm not working on anything although I need to get some finished for our contest in September, I would sure like to have some new stitchery or cross stitch to work on in the evenings.
I am currently reading...I finished Beach Trip and although it took me a while, I did enjoy the book.....read an ebook called "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" which I really liked and wish the author Bella Street had  others of the same type genre.....began "Love Transcends Time" last night.....also bought a book at the quilt shop: Hobo Quilts by Debra G. Henninger which has some lovely remembrances and little quotes in it.
One year ago today...I was reading, "Pieces of My Sister's Life", learning to play Mah Jong, working on scrapbook pages...had made Stuffed Peppers which sounds good(doesn't it? Maybe I'll put that on the menu for the weekend).....The weather was hot and dry.
I am hoping...we begin to see some days with highs in the 70s and 80.I'd like to begin walking outside again....to find a new stove without digital controls at a price that isn't too high. I was looking last night and notice that free standing stoves like my Mom always had are about half what drop ins cost. I wonder if we could somehow use one of those instead.
On my mind...(besides the stove and the weather?)....Daughter and the children left on vacation this morning(the beach), I'm praying they have a safe trip......the long weekend coming up with Honey Bear and what to cook.......walking Yoshi later today(need to work that in with my trip to the post office).....getting the projects for Cultural Arts Day finished.....
Noticing that...some of my wind chimes need to be restrung and rehung....the fridge needs to be wiped down......I desperately need to have the carpet cleaned.....Smokey is sleeping, curled up beside me now, he missed me.
Pondering these words...The biblical image of God as our shepherd is a powerful reminder of how much we need each other in the community of faith. When writing about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, the psalmist said, “[God] made His own people go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock; and He led them on safely, so that they did not fear” (Ps. 78:52-53). from Our Daily Bread morning devotional at RBC ministries You can get these daily on your phone or as email. 
From the kitchen...Lots of Okra to cut up....pepper to core and freeze....items to put away....no plans to cook until Friday, well anything other than something microwaved.
Around the house...finish unpacking and tidying up a bit....maybe a load or two of laundry since I brought Honey Bear's home from last week.....spend some time preparing the package for mailing which is due in the Santa Sack Swap.....tidy the studio....get things ready for club meeting.....spend some time on projects in the works
I am praying for......more days of lower temperatures.....Honey Bear with his last days at current job....safe travel for Daughter today and for him on Friday.....our son in the 'sand box'.....the rest of the family.....Kayren, Denise(Shortybear), Mary, and my online friends....about the opportunity to work on the church magazine.....Bible study starting next week.....our new budget
A few plans for the week...errands today....Club Meeting on Thursday
One of my favorite things...visiting with old friends


From my picture file....actually, this was the photo I posted on my very first daybook back in May 2008
.
To visit the headquarters of Simple Woman's Daybook, click on the picture on my sideboard. You can visit others who like to take a  moment each week to reflect on the simple things.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Funny Friday

Hello, its Funny Friday with Wil.
I've not been able to post for a while.
My friends Lulu and Flora say they missed me.
Mom and Lil Bear left on Wednesday on a 
road trip to Memphis, Tennessee.
Guess what, this time she let me come, too.
Here we are riding in the car.
Don't worry, we had already stopped when we took
this picture so the seat belts came off.


All tucked inside Mama's  backpack
ready to ride around inside the shops. 


Look at this shop. How can you build a bear.
I know God created Bears and so does
our friend Ginger at Bearbits.
But I'm having a problem with the idea of
building one of us like people build houses or
cars.

This is Mom's favorite store to look 
at old things. Today it was way too 
hot to enjoy browsing but
we did see a few interesting things.

Here are bears cooking.
what fun.

And some kind of clock with bears on it
they look like they're having fun,too.

Lil Bear made a friend or two. He said the guy in the
yellow rain slicker was a Starbucks Bear
I had my eye on the blue lady in her dress and 
purse.

Back in the hotel where its nice and cool.

All tuckered out.
Mama Bear says: I don't know why they'd be tired. They had a free ride all day.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Wednesday HodgePodge/Outdoor Wednesday

Here is my photo for Outdoor Wednesday. I knew I should have gotten it ready to post automatically since most of my day yesterday was spent on the road. I arrived safely.....For my readers in the colder climates: Yesterday it reached 109F with a heat index of 120F. Today is supposed to be even hotter. It feels much worse when one is surrounded by pavement, sidewalks and concrete buildings than in the countryside......I went by to visit the girls at my old nail salon and when I came back to my car, the thermometer said the outdoor temperature was 111F.


*************************************************

1. Share a favorite song lyric.
If heaven wasn't so far away
I'd pack up the kids and go for the day
Introduce them to their grandpa
Watch them laugh at the way he talks
I'd find my long lost cousin John
The one we left back in Vietnam
Show him a picture of his daughter now
She's a doctor and he'd be proud
Then tell them we'd be back in a couple of days
In the rear view mirror we'd all watch 'em wave
Yeah, and losing them wouldn't be so hard to take
If heaven wasn't so far away
song by Justin Moore
2. When was the last time someone yelled at you?
Been so long I can't remember
3. Money, fame, happiness...are they mutually exclusive?
No Money and Fame do not automatically bring happiness. Often they are the cause of much unhappiness instead.
4. What is your favorite dish to prepare for family and friends that doesn't require turning on the stove, oven or an outdoor grill?
Gosh, some sort of salad, I suppose.
5. The first week of August is National Simplify Your Life Week. What is one thing you could do this week to simplify your life? Will you do it?
Make a menu before I shop and stick to it I used to do this back when my husband had a job where he came home every night for dinner.....seems so long ago now....but hopefully in a couple of months that will be the norm again. And yes, I was already thinking along those lines before I saw this question. I even have copies of those menus and could use them again.
6. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being 100% and 1 being not at all) how tuned in are you to your country's national political scene?
I hate to admit it but I guess that would be a 5...I get a condensed version from my husband...
7. What are your final parting words to the month of July? 
Please God, let August be cooler.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
The Princess got her own phone yesterday. Actually, I believe it is just a sort of house phone, since, like me, Daughter chose not to get a land line for the new house...She sent me a text message about 2 minutes after she got it.....made this grandmother feel so good to know she would want to talk to me first......she often chats with me on line also....I wish I had this sort of relationship with all my grandchildren.. unfortunately, I've lived many miles away from my son's family during their childhood so this hasn't been possible.


Joining in with Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday and with Joyce at From this Side of the Pond for  Wednesday Hodgepodge. 

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

A Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman says:
Would you like to linger on the simple things...then join me and many others in taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of those who are focusing on simplicity...beauty of the everyday moments. 
........join us each week....find the link here.


Outside my window....its going to be another hot day...with heat indexes near 105......right now its 73 °F, (23 °C). I'm seeing the Hummingbird often these days......I need to water the flowers later this morning..
Hearing...the truck that picks up recyclables as it makes its rounds in my neighborhood 
I am thinking...about the day ahead and what I plan to do with it........and about my morning devotion.
Feeling thankful for...a loving life partner.....sunshine in the morning...coffee on a timer....a quiet house....Smokey's company...nature outside my window....God's answer to prayer....and the promise of heaven
I am remembering...things I wish I could forget
Creating this...A Christmas Pinwheel Table Runner


and a patriotic one
 6 of the 9 blocks for 
Tis The Season

and the last 3

I am currently reading....the same as last week, believe it or not........I think its time to start a more exciting read.....I've been busy during the day and when I go to bed after 11:00 at night, I can only read a page or two before I fall asleep.....most likely, I'll finish it this weekend.
One year ago today...it was a very hot day much like today...I was reading: Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin......I was planning a visit with my sisters....
I am hoping...we get a break from the heat soon and the rest of the month is cooler......that the garden does alright in my absence....
On my mind...making preparations for my trip to Memphis tomorrow.....getting a couple of packages ready to mail....taking care of some paperwork
Noticing that...whenever I think things are going smoothly, the enemy throws some difficulties into my life
Pondering these words..
.From the example of Jesus,
Who went about doing good,
We are to honor our Savior
By helping wherever He would. —Hess 
seen over at Our Daily Bread  I love this site..I can listen to a devotional each morning
From the kitchen...the weight loss plan is going great...I am keeping my tracker, eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies......whole grain cheerios and a banana for breakfast....
Around the house...laundry is almost caught up(just need to fold and put away a basketful of clothes).....pack for my trip...sort some mail....the studio is a mess because of the sewing I did this weekend
I am praying for...Our country and the financial crisis we're facing....Honey Bear as he prepares the new employee to take over his job....safe travel for me tomorrow....Jill's Dad...my children and grandchildren..."YOU"
A few plans for the week...a few errands to run today....watering the garden, cut the Okra....road trip tomorrow....a visit to my favorite antique mall and quilt shop....possibly the farmer's market....a walk around Collierville.....
One of my favorite things...a walk around the lake on Appling Road....I hope its not too hot.
From my picture file....
Some photos of our baby fish taken a week ago....they are brown when they hatch and gradually change color...soon all will have their adult coloring but they're still so small its hard to tell what they'll look like....we've tried to count them and believe there are somewhere between 15-17....we've enjoyed watching them these last few weeks....