The Simple Woman's Daybook -- December 21st

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... it is gray and somewhat gloomy. Rain is predicted with a high in the 40's.

I am thinking... that slowing down my thinking might help me get more done with less stress.

I am thankful for... good friends! I had tea/coffee with two lovely ladies yesterday. We have been friends for years, but only see each other sporadically. It is so good to catch up and exchange parenting stories even with our kids as old as they are.

From the learning rooms... finishing up this semester of German II online class and reinforcing Pre-Calc.

From the kitchen... a new recipe for mincemeat cookies. Blah. They were a replacement for the mincemeat cookies I made last year, because I couldn't find dried mincemeat. The new ones are more like mini muffin tops -- far too bready to be called cookies.

I am wearing... exercise pants, my new San Francisco long sleeved t-shirt, happy socks, and Land's End crocs.

I am creating... nothing but chaos of late. Good intentions flew out the door several weeks ago and I'm having trouble luring them back in!

I am going... to be a little easier on myself today. Fewer plans and expectations with more planned rest time.

I am reading... The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer.

I am hoping... to feel better today. It seems I've been saying that a lot lately! I'm really not trying to be a crybaby, I'm just surprised by how long I've felt cruddy.

I am hearing... Nothing. I tried turning on Christmas music to listen to, but it seemed to dance all over the house. Dd worked until 12:30, so I'm trying to keep it quiet! 

Around the house... The bathtub is in! Woot-woot! 

One of my favorite things... is hard Christmas candy. Do you remember that? It used to be a staple of Christmas celebrations, but not so much anymore.

A few plans for the rest of the week... finish shopping for gifts and stocking stuffers! I'm never this late. Do some baking. And find a way to enjoy the season (a pretty tall order all in all!).

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

Hosted by The Simple Woman's Daybook

Saturday Poetry -- The Holly and the Ivy

The holly and the ivy,

When they are both full grown

Of all the trees that are in the wood

The holly bears the crown

O the rising of the sun

And the running of the deer

The playing of the merry organ

Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a blossom

As white as lily flower

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

To be our sweet Saviour

O the rising of the sun

And the running of the deer

The playing of the merry organ

Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a berry

As red as any blood

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

To do poor sinners good

O the rising of the sun

And the running of the deer

The playing of the merry organ

Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a prickle

As sharp as any thorn;

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

On Christmas Day in the morn.

O the rising of the sun

And the running of the deer

The playing of the merry organ

Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a bark

As bitter as any gall;

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

For to redeem us all.

O the rising of the sun

And the running of the deer

The playing of the merry organ

Sweet singing of the choir

The holly and the ivy

Now both are full well grown,

Of all the trees that are in the wood,

The holly bears the crown.

O the rising of the sun

And the running of the deer

The playing of the merry organ

Sweet singing of the choir

Listen to this lovely rendition: The Holly and the Ivy

Feel Good Friday -- December 17th

1. The icky surgery is over!

2. My family rallied around and helped me a lot this week.

3. I got a mini Christmas tree set up in the living room, 

even though the toilet is STILL there.

4. Dd and I set up one of the Nativity sets in the living room.

5. I found out that I'm not alone in the Christmas blahs.

Misery really does love company! LOL!

I don't want people to be miserable, BUT

it is nice to know that I'm not alone which

means I'm not really Scrooge.

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

Thankful Thursday -- December 16, 2010

Today I am thankful for . . . 

1. My dh. He stayed with all through the surgery

 and recovery  room yesterday. Then he bought

 me a light lunch, brought me home and fed me. 

He gathered my comfort items, and even 

made a run to the grocery for Fresca

 and mint chocolate chip ice cream!

2. The incredible staff at Baptist Surgical Center. 

Everyone I dealt with was just amazingly nice and caring. 

With my history, surgery of any kind is rough, but this

could have been especially so. The nurses, doctors,

orderlies, pharmacists -- EVERYONE was terrific!

3. My ds. He made a Target run for me. Even though

 he couldn't fine Twizzlers for me, he brought

 me a bag of Starburst!

He brought me snacks and beverages while I recouped on

the sofa watching Christmas movies.

4. My dd. She cooked dinner (along with dh) for us all.

It was so lovely knowing there would be good food for 

the family and I even felt like eating it too!

5. To everyone who prayed for me yesterday. 

I really felt it! 

Thank you all so very much.

I'm still feeling a little groggy, but the pain is minimal, so I'm hoping to handle it with rest and OTC pain meds.

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.

The Simple Woman's Daybook -- December 14th

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... it is cold! We got over 3 inches of snow here on Sunday. That may not sound like much, but it's a lot for us! We aren't supposed to get above freezing until Wednesday.

I am thinking... that I'm having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit. I think it's mostly because of the remodeling. I just can't get into decorating when the living room is such a wreck!

I am thankful for... my warm house. After the weekend snows, wind and bitter cold, it really makes me incredibly grateful for all that I have.

From the learning rooms... it's EXAM week. Oh boy!?!

From the kitchen... homemade ham and corn chowder to keep us all warm. Yum!

I am wearing... flannel pj's and dh's robe.

I am creating... nothing : (

I am going... try and accomplish lots today.

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

I am hoping... things go well tomorrow for my "female" surgery.

I am hearing... more tax debate on the news.

Around the house... is the continuing mess of construction and remodeling. I am really looking forward to the new bathroom, and I am incredibly thankful to my husband for all his hard work . . . BUT, this is starting to get really old!

One of my favorite things... is watching Christmas movies with my family.

A few plans for the rest of the week... I am having out patient surgery tomorrow, so not many plans beyond that. Hopefully I'll be feeling just fine to do some fun things by the end of the week.

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

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) is my all time favorite Christmas movie.

"Look Doris, someday you're going to find that your way of facing this realistic world just doesn't work. And when you do, don't overlook those lovely intangibles. You'll discover those are the only things that are worthwhile." 

Hosted by The Simple Woman's Daybook