The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . December 2, 2014

Outside my window . . . gray skies and wet everything else. A rainy Tuesday morning leading into rain for most of the week.

I am thinking . . . about so many people I know who've had medical problems over the past few days. Loss, accidents, unexpected illnesses, scares with children. It's been almost overwhelming!

I am thankful . . . for relative health in our own home. Dd had a scare on Friday that had the 2 of us in an emergency room out of state. Thankfully they were very caring and it looks as if dd may be having her gallbladder removed soon. Dh had a round of food poisoning (we think), but is feeling better now. Ds and I have, so far, survived unscathed.

In the kitchen . . . last night was take out as I was chauffeur for dh yesterday. Grocery shopping is on the list for today because our "cupboard" is becoming bare.

I am wearing . . . a cotton gown and flannel robe.

I am creating . . . continuing to work on my afghan using this pattern from Attic 24, and a lovely set of DK yarn from Stylecraft. I'm up to 49 rows (9,800 stitches). I figured out that it takes about 20 minutes per row, and I'm thinking it will be around 120 rows when completed, so I'll have about 40 hours in it! I don't usually think about projects this way, but people keep asking how long it takes, so there you go!

I am going . . . to therapy, the chiropractor, and the grocery store today. Whew! That should keep me busy.

I am wondering . . . about the sudden flurry of illnesses and death around me. It's amazing how helpful social media is in getting this type of information out, but it can be overwhelming too. Knowing so much about so many people can be stressful for sensitive types like me.

I am reading . . . Ghost Story by Peter Straub. I picked up a hardback copy at Goodwill last time I was there for $2.99. It's quite intriguing. I think I've read excerpts from it, but never the entire novel.

I am looking forward to . . . getting the house decorated for Christmas, most especially pulling out my Advent wreath from last year. Our schedule is a pretty hectic this year, so decorating may come in bits and pieces.

I am hearing . . . the hum of electricity and cars driving on the main road. A school bus just drove by the front of the house.

Around the house . . . I have professionals coming tomorrow to steam clean the tile floor in the bonus room. This is great because the floor is really dirty (thanks to 2 dogs who will remain nameless), but it's created additional work of clearing the room as much as possible to make it easier for the workers to clean the floor. (Hence the delay in getting started on decorating.)

I am praying . . . for a peaceful, focused holiday season in our household. I don't like the frenetic pace that is embraced by the media. I want the holidays to be a time to slow down and enjoy friends and family, while focusing on the gift of Christ.

One of my favorite things . . . is finding new fun things to try. While it's not new, I've really gotten interested in Perler melting beads again. I thought I was the only adult who loved these little beads, but it turns out they have a huge following. Type in Perler (or Hama, another brand) beads on Pinterest and you will be amazed at the intricacy of many patterns. You can check out my board of patterns and ideas here.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . errands today, floor cleaners tomorrow, Thursday and Friday are open for housework and decorating. Saturday is the Fun Girls' annual Bacon and Cheese Extravaganza (actually it's brunch, but we cram in all the bacon and cheese we can), and then Sunday is worship.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . .

new Perler beads, patterns, and pegboards

linking up with The Simple Woman