{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

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Wordless Wednesday

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The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . May 15, 2012

Outside my window . . . is Knoxville again. Hopefully this is the last trip for a little while. I like the time with dh, and the change of scenery is nice, but the drive here and back in less than 24 hours is getting a little old.


I am thinking . . . about the good conversation dh and I have on these trips. It's easier to think clearly and focus on topics when the distractions are limited.


I am thankful . . . that we are almost to summer time! It's really our last summer with kids. Ds graduates from high school on Saturday and our daughter is already in college (here in town). Summer will never look quite the same again.


In the kitchen . . . I've stocked the freezer with meat, poultry, and fish, so my focus is mostly on side dishes. And with the warmer months ahead that means LOTS of salads.

I am wearing . . . comfy yoga pants and a big tie dyed t-shirt for driving home.

I am creating . . . several different crochet projects. You can see them here. 

I am going . . . to focus on the house/laundry today. I think I'm about ready to resurrect FlyLady!

I am wondering . . . about brainwashing. My dh and counselor both describe the negative messages in my head as brain washing by the abusers. It's gotten me thinking that regardless of what it's called, I want to work on breaking that cycle.

I am reading . . . still working on Garden Spells, but it seems that my pile of want to reads is growing.

I am looking forward to . . .  getting all the graduation hoopla behind us. We are not big ceremony people, so all this pomp and circumstance just feels stressful, not celebratory.

I am hearing . . . hotel and interstate noise.

Around the house . . . dd cleaned the house for me as my Mother's Day gift! What a terrific gift it was, too!


I am pondering . . .  the fun trip dh and ds are leaving for after graduation. They are heading out west for hiking, rock climbing, and site seeing. I know they are going to have such a terrific time (but I'm going to miss them, too!)

One of my favorite things . . . the new earrings ds gave me for Mother's Day. They are mushrooms he got at the Renaissance Fair.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . graduation and getting the boys off on their trip.


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

Yolie -- my travelling companion

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

for more moments visit SouleMama

Wordless Wednesday -- Fountains

for more images go to Wordless Wednesday

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . May 8, 2012

Outside my window . . . it is cooler and overcast. We've been getting some much needed rain lately.


I am thinking . . . about my sweet little dog Etta. We had to put her down yesterday. A very sad and difficult day for all of us. She was 12 1/2 years old and went down very quickly after being diagnosed with lymphoma. The other two dogs are confused, especially Squeaker, who was Etta's sister.


I am thankful . . . for my family and being able to grieve together for our loss. We cried and hugged and laughed. We shared stories and photos and cried some more. Animals are such wonderful gifts!


In the kitchen . . . not much with all the trauma of Etta's final days, and today dh and I are off on another business trip.

I am wearing . . . a giant black t-shirt with the logo from The Raven movie on it. I got it in my goody bag at the SAC Walk in Their Shoes 5K.

I am creating . . . a new blanket for a 9 year old little girl. 

I am going . . . back to Knoxville today. Dh has had several business trips there in the past few weeks, and I am his designated chauffeur. 

I am wondering . . . about the hardship we place on our children by trying to shield them from pain. I understand the desire, but as I watched my kids deal with the grief and loss yesterday, I was reminded again, that grieving is a part of life. Each loss is an opportunity for growth, self-awareness, and compassion.

I am reading . . . (actually re-reading) Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. I want to read her latest, The Girl Who Chased the Moon, but it was checked out.

I am looking forward to . . . some normalcy, but I'm not sure why I do that when normal rarely comes around here anymore. 

I am hearing . . . my two dogs snoozing after their breakfast. A friend of mine reminded me yesterday that "Three to two is a big hole." She is right.
 

Around the house . . . we are still making order out of chaos in the bonus room. I seem to be getting the others on board a little more which helps a lot!


I am pondering . . . a new method of dealing with the pain and depression from abuse. Reminding myself when I feel badly that it's not my fault. It is the abusers' fault. It sounds easy -- but it's not.

One of my favorite things . . . time spent with my bff, Linda. We have been spending more time together lately, and it has been quite lovely.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . this trip to Knoxville today and home tomorrow. The last Bible study class of the year on Thursday. Beyond that, who knows what the rest of the week and weekend may bring.


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

Sweet Etta May (1999-2012)

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Day Trip to Knoxville

chauffeured Alan to Knoxville for a business meeting yesterday. I spent the day in Market Square and the public library when it started to rain. Shot a view pictures (few being the operative word). A lovely day, all in all, except for the 6 hours of driving. 


Happy weekend everyone : )