The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . February 3, 2015

Outside my window . . . sunny, blue skies! It's only 25 degrees, but the sunshine is lovely.

I am thinking . . . getting back into my routine now that the virus is past and I'm home for my long weekend.

I am thankful . . . for a WONDERFUL weekend in San Francisco/Oakland with a dear friend from college days. We have kept up over the years, but this was so lovely to spend a weekend together, just the 2 of us. So much fun!

In the kitchen . . . the cupboard and refrigerator are bare, so it's off to the store I go!

I am wearing . . . a gown and my dh's robe and my Skechers.

I am creating . . . still working on my afghan (this pattern from Attic 24, and a lovely set of DK yarn from Stylecraft). It's coming along, slowly but surely. I'm not tired of it so that's a good thing! I did start a smaller project for the trip over the weekend, but it's a secret!

I am going . . . to find some activities to get more involved with. I need more personal interaction.

I am wondering . . . about communication differences between the sexes.

I am reading . . . Other Voices, Other Rooms by Truman Capote. I realized I'd only read 2 of Capote's works -- In Cold Blood and A Christmas Memory, so I've decided to do a bit of backtracking and read some of his other works.

I just finished Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans. It's a good YA read that doesn't include vampires, sex, or a dystopian future. Some reviewers complained about it being cliched, but I found it enjoyable, especially given that the hero is based on Evans' son who has Tourette Syndrome.

I am looking forward to . . . setting up a more specific schedule of sorts for crafting projects. 

I am hearing . . . quiet.

Around the house . . . I have unpacking to do and a bit of picking up from the weekend. All in all things look pretty good.

I am praying . . . many of the same people I was praying for last week. I am also praying for marriages. May we all see the value in in commitment and covenant.

One of my favorite things . . . is trying new things. I so enjoyed all the tasty food in San Francisco. Walking around the market at the Ferry Building. Riding the BART, and handling all of the buses, trains, and planes made me feel quite capable!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . a good week of normal. I'm looking forward to it!

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

hedgehog mushrooms -- who knew!?!?!

linking up with The Simple Woman

The Simple Woman's Daybook -- December 8th

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... it is cold! Which means it's chilly even inside my window. Winter has really taken a hold here!

I am thinking... that you'd never know it's only 17 days till Christmas from looking at my house! 

I am thankful for... being home! After our lovely trip in San Francisco, getting home was a bear! We were supposed to get in on Sunday night around 6:00, but didn't cross our threshold until 11:15 MONDAY night! 

From the learning rooms... ACT is Saturday and midterms loom next week. Argh!

From the kitchen... hope! I went to the grocery yesterday afternoon, so I can cook now.

I am wearing... crocs, socks, dh's robe.

I am creating... not as much as I'd like to be. Chaos still seems to have control of my house right now, which is making it difficult to accomplish much of anything let alone be creative.

I am going... drink LOTS of tea today : )

I am reading... Mere Discipleship by Lee Camp.

I am hoping... to get a little bit of picking up and decorating done today and tomorrow.

I am hearing... the news.

Around the house... are suitcases still packed from last weekend! Ugh! They must be unpacked TODAY!

One of my favorite things... spending time with my dh -- alone. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids and wouldn't trade having them around (most of the time), but the opportunity to spend one on one time with dh is precious!

A few plans for the rest of the week... unpacking, cleaning, decorating. Two Christmas parties this weekend : )

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

This is a picture of Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

We didn't get to see it while we were there, so I thought

I'd share a picture!

Hosted by The Simple Woman's Daybook

Pleasure Travel?

It's lunch time on Monday and I am on an airplane somewhere over Utah. This was not in my plan for today. As some of you may recall, last Thursday I posted about a lovely trip my dh and I were taking to San Francisco. Dh had some business to attend to on Friday, so we left Thursday morning, planning to extend the trip through Sunday. 


We had a lovely time staying at The Argonaut on Fisherman's Wharf. Pictures will be coming soon. We wandered the wharf and ate good food and generally had a really nice time. Admittedly we did have to fly through Minneapolis (?) to get to San Francisco from Nashville, but all in all it wasn't a bad trip. I avoided the dreaded scanner in Nashville and was not chosen for a "complimentary pat down".


Unfortunately, our departure from San Francisco has become a comedy of errors!


We left our lovely, tranquil hotel at 9 am (west coast time) on Sunday. We arrived at the airport around 10 am, after an uneventful ride on the F bus to the BART station. The BART ride to the airport was fine, if rather loud! We arrived at the SFO in plenty of time; got to our gate; picked up a sandwich to eat on the plane; and waited. And waited. And waited some more. The flight into SFO was late, due to icing problems. Then there was a maintenance issue that had to be dealt with. Then cleaning and restocking the plane. We finally left an hour and fifteen means after our original departure time. The good news was we had a 2 hour layover in Salt Lake City. Or so it seemed. Turns out SLC had an incredibly thick fog bank swallowing the city, so when we got there ATC asked us to circle for a while. No problem as we had plenty of fuel. After 45 minutes to an hour of circling, they decided to redirect us to Vegas. Uh-oh. After a 45 minute flight, they let us land and told us things had cleared up in SLC, so we would be refueling and flying back! No deplaning. No options to get us on through to Nashville. So back to SLC with a limited beverage and snack cart; tired attendants and passengers. Thankfully, everyone seemed to be handling it with aplomb.


We finally landed in SLC a little befor 8 pm (mtn time) and began the attempt to find a connecting flight home. Oh did I mention that when we got off the plane there was no one to help us from Delta. We all dutifully as little sheep got in the Delta line and waited 10 minutes or so before we were told no one at that desk could help us. We should all go to "bravo-3". We dutifully trudged over there and waited in line another 10-15 minutes at which point we were told it wasn't her job to help us. We were sent to an unmanned kiosk to the left of the gate. Seriously? Would have killed them to have someone standing at the gate where we disembarked to give us some of this information?


Dh got on his cell phone to talk with a Delta agent, while I found a plug to charge my phone and check on the kids. Next I contacted the local Embassy Suites and found it was only 10 minutes from the airport and did provide a shuttle service. Dh lined up a flight for Monday morning at 11:10 (mtn time) to -- not Nashville, oh no -- how about Detroit! That makes sense don't you think?


After a sandwich, a little tv and some sleep we woke this morning ready to face the day. Did you know that the sun doesn't rise in SLC until 7:45 am? How does anyone get anything done with so little daylight? I have a new respect for these people! LOL!


Anyway, a lovely breakfast and an overheated ride to the airport was followed by more excitement once we arrived, but I think I'll save that until tomorrow.


Till then, happy travels!

Feel Good Friday -- December 3rd

I'm really late posting this one, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to share today with you guys.

Dh and I are in San Francisco. Dh had meetings all day, 

so that meant I was on my own for the day. Poor me . . . NOT!

I love a day to myself in a new city!

I started the day by lounging in bed playing on my computer

 and reading until around 9.

After a shower and some more time killing, 

I walked to Starbucks and got an apple bran muffin

 and a peppermint hot chocolate. 

I walked down Fisherman's Wharf until I found a cute little sitting area with lighted trees, geraniums and few obligatory pigeons

I sat and read and ate and drank.

It was lovely!

After that I walked around the wharf for a little while looking in the shops. Later I headed back to the hotel for a little rest 

(you know after such a strenuous morning!).

Dh called and checked in. I filled him in on my day so far. 

He doesn't get it, but he doesn't begrudge it either.

I went down and had a bowl of clam chowder and some sourdough bread.

Then back to the room for some more reading and internet puttering.

Finally a little yoga and some mindless TV viewing.

Dh called and got back to the hotel around 4 pm.

We went out wandering for a while.

Had some seafood, and walked back to the hotel.

Now I'm sitting playing on the computer again, and dh is passed out in the bed.

Just about a perfect day!

For more Feel Good Friday posts go to The Girl Next Door Grows Up.

Thankful Thursday -- December 2, 2010

I'm a little later than usual posting today.

But I have a good reason.

And that reason is a big part of my Thankful Thursday.

I'm on my way to San Francisco with my dh!

The really cool part?

I'm doing this blog from the airplane!

How fun is that!?!

Dh has a business trip and invited me to come along

for an impromptu vacation for just the two of us.

One of the benefits of my children growing up has been

the opportunities to take these little get aways.

I really like to travel, but I tend to feel guilty about too many

vacations and trips just for fun.

Dh is working on helping me break that habit.

Guilt is a continuing hold over from childhood sexual abuse.

My kids tease and say I feel guilty for global warming! 

That may be an exaggeration, but perhaps only slightly!

So for today, I am grateful to have the opportunity to explore new places.

But I'm especially grateful for my dh who makes it all possible.

Blessings of the Season!

Look for more Thankful Thursday post @ Grace Alone.

The Simple Woman's Daybook -- November 30th

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...it is cool, cloudy and drippy. No birdies so far this morning. I can only assume they are sleeping in this morning!

I am thinking...about yoga class. I do a restorative yoga class on Tuesday mornings at the YMCA. It stretches my body and relaxes my mind.

I am thankful for...my dh. After 25 years of marriage, we communicate much better than when we first started, but sometimes we go through periods of distance. We reconnected over the last couple of days and it is really nice.

From the learning rooms...exams loom before us! Give my strength!

From the kitchen...cleaning up from the Thanksgiving holiday, and trying to decide what goodies to make for Christmas.

I am wearing...black yoga pants, a long sleeved gray t-shirt and my tan suede Merrills.

I am creating...lots of messes and nothing else!

I am going...to San Francisco! Dh has a business meeting and I'm going with him for an impromptu get away.

I am reading...The Last Summer (of You and Me) by Ann Brashares; Mere Discipleship by Lee C. Camp; and Alone: Orphaned on the Ocean.

I am hoping...to shake some of this lethargy -- however with the current weather that seems unlikely!

I am hearing...commercials for Salvation Army Angel Tree program.

Around the house...still a wreck : (

One of my favorite things...is watching my bird feeder. There are now three yellow finches fighting over the remaining seeds in the finch sock.

A few plans for the rest of the week...San Francisco! Need I say more!?!

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

This is a picture of the hotel we are staying at in San Francisco.

Hosted by The Simple Woman's Daybook