The Simple Woman's Daybook -- February 8, 2011

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... it is clear and cold with a light dusting of snow on the ground. And yes they are predicting more snow for tomorrow!

I am thinking... that this new personal trainer may do me in! I am not that sore (haven't seen her since Saturday) but I am still tired.

I am thankful for... good friends who feel comfortable asking for prayers. It is a blessing to carry other people's burdens along with them.

From the learning rooms... all the usual with lots of tests this week.

From the kitchen... I made a new recipe last night called Mexican Shepherds' Pie. It was quite tasty and will probably become a recurring menu item.

I am wearing... my red flannel pj pants, a pink tshirt, red flannel robe, gray socks and crocs. Yes, I am a fashionista.

I am creating... an afghan/throw for the family and a triangular scarf/shawl that I'm actually using a pattern for! I know, right!?!? And now a scarf/shawl for dd because she liked the the one I was working on for me.

I am going... to do Restorative Yoga and then the besties are coming to my house for beading and general craftiness.

I am reading... I've given up on My Name Is Memory by Ann Brashares. I was getting bored with it, so I skipped ahead . . . (spoiler alert -- they don't get together!) Too much time and not enough pay off.

So now I'm reading New York Dead by Stuart Woods. It's the first in his Stone Barrington series. Pretty good so far, although a little dated.

I am hoping... we don't get hit with any more snow this week. They've been threatening more, but I hope they are wrong.

I am hearing... doggie toenails on the wooden floor, and ds getting ready for school.

Around the house... S - L - O - W progress on organizing. I'm just not motivated lately in the housekeeping department.

One of my favorite things... is how I feel after I've completed a workout with my new trainer. She works me hard. I dread going. I hate being there -- at least the weights/abs work. BUT -- I'm very proud of myself when I'm done : )

A few plans for the rest of the week... more crocheting, some beading, some writing, Bible studies, and lunch with dd.

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

Yes -- these are my glasses that I wear 24/7. 

I was cleaning them yesterday when they suddenly broke in half! 

Turns out they are 4 years old. 

So now I have an appointment with the eye doctor on Wednesday.

I'm stuck with my old ones for now.

Hosted by The Simple Woman's Daybook

Saturday Poetry -- Surprise

i said

if i told

my father would never speak to me.

my mother would have a nervous breakdown.

my oldest brothers would be exposed and get sick.

their perpetrator friends would deny -- and then laugh.

my sister would hate the chaos and gain weight --

all the while denying.

my youngest brothers would not understand --

but they really would

sexual abuse runs in families you know -- a filthy epidemic.

society would point their fingers.

i sure do have a lot of power.

the world sure does revolve around me.

well nothing much happened

the world continued to spin on its axis

everyone denied

and 

i

got

healthier.

Cecilia, an abuse survivor

Feel Good Friday -- February 4, 2011

It's another FGF! Over at The Girl she was blogging in French! I hope that's not going to become a requirement, as I only speak English. LOL!


Anyway here are my 5 for this Friday:


1. Monday I went to the doctor afraid I might have pleurisy. The feel good part of this is I didn't. I had something with a name so long, I can't even remember it! More good news -- it wasn't serious and a few doses of anti-inflammatory meds have just about cleared it up.


2. Tuesday was spent with 2 of my besties. We talked, we vented, we crafted, we solved all the world issues (if only they would ask us!), and we ate. A pretty much perfect day, except for that ridiculously cold rain.


3. This is may be obsessive, but hugely fun!

I have become a constant crocheter of late. It's fun and productive. 

4. Yesterday after my Bible study class, I went to the library to pick up a couple of books they had on hold for me. Then I just wandered around for a while. It's nice to go to the library and know I won't be asked for help. I kind of like just being a patron!

5. I think (hope) this is/will be a feel good opportunity. This afternoon I meet for my first training session with a personal trainer to help get this somewhat flabby body into a little better shape. Hope I feel good AFTER I meet with the trainer! LOL!

Link up at The Girl Next Door Grows Up for more Feel Good Friday posts.

Thankful Thursday -- February 3, 2011

It's an interesting exercise -- stopping and thinking about gratitude. Not just that quick thanks, but really considering the people, events or things that I am grateful for. Sure I want to live a grateful life, but how can I if I don't make the time to acknowledge my gratitude.

It's easy to fall into a routine of gratitude that's not soul level gratitude. What if I had to come up with different things to express gratitude for every Thursday for an entire year!?! How difficult would it be not to fall back on the tried and true -- home, husband, children, job. Not that it's wrong to be grateful for these things, but maybe I need to look deeper. Move out of my comfort zone.

So for this week anyway here's my list:

1. I am grateful for sitting down to dinner with extended family a couple of weeks ago, and realizing that I was relaxed and at ease. For years I couldn't do this, and I realized in that moment in the crowded restaurant what a blessing and gift it is to feel at ease with my husband's family. 

2. I am grateful for a realization about right and wrong that I had this week. I started crocheting again about a year ago after having done virtually nothing since high school. A friend asked me to help her brush up on her skills, and in the process of helping her, it occurred to me that maybe there's not really a right or wrong way to crochet. I mean, somewhere someone picked up a stick and some thread and started tying knots to create designs, so who's to say what's right or wrong. Maybe it's just a new stitch!

3. I am grateful for my friend's ability to bake cookies. Don't get me wrong, I make very good cookies, but there is something remarkable about the way Linda does it. She doesn't need the recipe; she never misses a beat in the conversation as she makes them; and all you ever have to do is ask and she'll bake them. Like this past Tuesday, we were together doing crafty things and having "group therapy". She fed us a quick lunch and then said, "I'm baking cookies." 

4. I am grateful for learning the lesson of perseverance, even if it did take me a while. I used to refer to myself as a "procrastinating perfectionist". I would put off doing anything out of fear that it might not be done "right". I think child rearing and crafting are the best ways to overcome this mindset. There are no "do overs" in child rearing, so you have to learn to live with mistakes, apologize whenever necessary and move on. You really can't just leave them to their own defenses! But crafting taught me the other side of that coin -- especially crocheting. Start the project. If you don't like it, unravel it and start something different. Life's too short to finish projects you don't enjoy.

5. Finally, I am grateful that learning goes on forever. I never want to stop learning! 

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 @ Women Taking a Stand

Wordless Wednesday 2/2/2011

(Obsession?)

See more pictures at Wordless Wednesday

The Simple Woman's Daybook -- February 1, 2011

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... it is gray, cloudy and rainy, just like last week. There is a recurring theme here. This is the 3rd week that this has been my opening line. Today we have a wind advisory as well!

I am thinking... that I'd like to get into a better (read more consistent) crafting routine.

I am thankful for... good medical care. I started having a backache and pain with deep breathing last week. I went to the doctor yesterday and was diagnosed with a viral infection that causes inflammation of the cartilage in my ribs! Weird, right? But they had medicine for it.

From the learning rooms... German II, a research paper on illegal drugs, and another test in Anatomy and Physiology.

From the kitchen... I barbecued a pork tenderloin on Sunday. Tonight I'm thinking salmon patties, broccoli cold slaw, and pintos.

I am wearing... yoga clothes for Restorative Yoga.

I am creating... a afghan/throw for the family. It's the first time I've tried crocheting with multiple strands of yarn at one time. We'll see how it goes!

I am going... to do Restorative Yoga and then off for a fun day!

I am reading... My Name Is Memory by Ann Brashares.

I am hoping... that this inflammation doesn't last too long, as I am supposed to start working with a personal trainer this week.

I am hearing... silence. This happens very rarely in my house!

Around the house... a request has been made to put the ping-pong table back up in the bonus room. This will require some cleaning and organizing first.

One of my favorite things... soaking in my new bathtub. I'm developing a serious relationship with this plumbing device!

A few plans for the rest of the week... making some crafting plans, more housework (nothing new there -- LOL!), maybe another trip this weekend.

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

Here's that prayer shawl I was working on last week. 

It's available for sale on my Etsy.com store,

Lucy's Beads and Prayers

(more Shameless Self Promotion)

Hosted by The Simple Woman's Daybook