The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . May 20, 2014

Outside my window . . . 68* and a clear blue sky!

I am thinking . . . about routine. Things have been so hectic lately I can't seem to get into a routine with vacuuming and dusting. I know it's a "first world problem" but on the other hand I have to fight the "I'm a bad person" syndrome when I'm not doing it regularly.

I am thankful . . . improved moods around the house.

In the kitchen . . . last night at ds's request we had Oven Fried Parmesan Chicken, corn on the cob, steamed broccoli, Sister Schubert rolls, and brownies. Tonight is looking like "clean out the refrigerator" night.

I am wearing . . . my homemade cotton gown.

I am creating . . . the mandala I started last week and I have a pair of pants cut out and ready to sew if I can just get a couple of hours to make them.

I am going . . . to have to do some clothes shopping for myself pretty soon, as pickings are getting quite slim in my closet.

I am wondering . . . about how to best prioritize some projects around the house. Everyone seems to have an opinion on what should be taken care of next, but I'm leaning toward my own personal preference.

I am reading . . .  still working on Something Other Than God by Jennifer Fulwiler

and just started The Telling Room: A Tale of Passion, Revenge and the World's Finest Cheese by Michael Paterniti

I am looking forward to . . . my schedule settling down a bit.

I am hearing . . . the usual morning activity as people leave for work, and my dogs wandering around before they settle for their morning nap.

Around the house . . . a little bit of clutter, but not too bad.

I am praying . . . for a friend whose mother died yesterday, and my friend who starts chemo tomorrow for pancreatic cancer.

One of my favorite things . . . is spending a day with my bestie, and I got to do that yesterday.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . a couple of appointments today, tea with my mother and dd in the mornng, drive dh to Knoxville tomorrow afternoon, a day in Knoxville on Thursday, celebrating dd's birthday Thursday night, and maybe, if I'm lucky, absolutely NO PLANS for Friday!

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

dh doing his thing in Philly

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Change in Plans

And so it's Thanksgiving.

Not the way I had it planned. Last Sunday was the dog's birthday. Thirteen years old, and she suddenly couldn't use her back legs. A trip to the vet to find that she has inflamed disks in her back. So now she's on a series of medications and crate rest for 2 weeks.

Baking and planning. Cooking off and on all week long.

Tuesday night as we're heading off to bed, dh finds that the bathtub faucet won't shut off completely. Tired frustration. Dh turns off the hot water for the night, and plans to check it out in the morning.

Wednesday morning dh goes to turn off the water to the house and finds the meter hole filled with water. He calls the water department. They say 3 to 5 days for them to come and check it out.

He leaves to get parts to fix the bathtub faucet. About 20 minutes later, a water department guy shows up at the front of the house. I chat with the repairman. He is friendly and willing to wait until dh returns.

Suddenly pieces are falling into place. Dh fixes the tub faucet. The water guy fixes the meter. We are back on track.

Dd gets up. Deep sinus infection. Ds comes home from college. Strange rash on his torso. So a trip to the minute clinic, that lasts 2 hours. Dd feels terrible. We meant to leave 2 hours ago for our 4 hour drive to see family. What should we do? What's the best plan? We hem and haw. Looking at options.

Plans change. But gratitude remains. Whether we are physically with family or not, it is still Thanksgiving. We are grateful for all the gifts of the year. We are grateful for family and friends. We are grateful for everything -- even changes in plans.

linking up at Writer's Workshop

Thankful Thursday -- December 30, 2010

Today I am thankful for . . . 

1. Feeling better! Yay! I have made leaps and strides

of improvements since last week.

I was able to enjoy Christmas and not be

totally exhausted afterward.

2. The decluttering I have already begun in my home.

I began working on Monday in my craft/office.

So far I have cleaned out a 10-drawer rolling 

cabinet and my 5-shelf bookcase.
Visual neat and tidy inspires my soul!

3. Plans. I have personal improvement plans.

Bible study plans.

Home decor plans.

Crafting plans.

Writing plans.

I am so grateful to feel like planning again!

4. The lovely celebration of Christmas last week.

It was much calmer than usual. A small tree.

Less cooking. No entertaining.

 And yet, quite lovely.

5. Maturity. It is a blessing to see the world and my own

life from this perspective.

Things are not the way I imagined as a child

they would be.

Life is neither better nor worse than I had anticipated.

It is just different.

The blessing is that my life is orchestrated

by my loving heavenly Father.

May the rest of the holiday season unfold in gratitude for you and yours.

Have a wonderful Thankful Thursday!

They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD. They were to do the same in the evening . . .

-- I Chronicles 23:30

Look for more Thankful Thursday post @ Grace Alone.