{a simple woman's daybook ~ journal entry}

FOR TODAY August 4, 2008

Outside my window...is the cool evening air that I am so thankfully taking in. I'm actually writing this on Sunday evening. For no reason other than that I am so thoroughly enjoying sitting on the screened in porch that I thought it would be a perfect time to reflect by writing this post.

I am thankful for...this laptop. That seems like such a material thing to be thankful for, but this beloved machine coupled with wireless internet has provided hours upon hours upon days of entertainment and enjoyment for me while moving around very much isn't quite easy.



From the kitchen...I've been enjoying hamburgers cooked on the grill by my cutie-pie husband. This week, we've nibbled on inhaled dinners lovingly prepared for our family by my mom, my grandma, and my friend Christina. Thanks so much everyone!



I am wearing...my usual wardrobe of late. If I'm not in jammies, I've got on a comfy T-shirt and a pair of knit/yoga-type pants. Tonight it is the latter choice. Jeans or fitted shorts are out of the question due to the cast.



I am creating...nothing right now. But I've spied with my little eyes a darling fall project in the blogosphere that I plan on making this week. Check out my picture thought at the bottom of this post for a pic and a link! :)



I am going...to be staying at home, mostly. But any outing I am priveliged to enjoy is surely a time of celebration!



I am reading...Pride & Prejudice. Halelujah! I shared in a previous daybook entry that despite majoring in English in college, I never did read any of Jane Austen's masterpieces. I have since begun to remedy that malady. (Wow...that sentence was a little much). I started with Northanger Abbey and was not disappointed. My sister, found a compilation of 3 of Ms. Austen's works whilst she was cleaning her room the other day. This same sister made persuaded me to watch the long PBS version of the movie several years ago. Be still my heart. I still love Colin Firth to this day thanks to his role as Mr. Darcy. Thanks babe (sister of mine & Mr. Darcy)! I sure do appreciate it!



I am hoping...to get some things checked off of my list. Things I CAN do, like organize the pantry (with a little help), and write some thank you notes.



I am hearing...the wonderful noises that happen outside in the evening while sitting on my back porch in the summer. Around here it still feels like summer during the day. But it is about 8:30pm, so it is nice and cool out here now. Did I mention how much I am enjoying myself on my screened porch?!!



A picture thought I'd like to share...

(Go here to visit Cherry's Jubilee, whom I've shamlessly borrowed this picture from.)

For more, go here.

A Simple Woman's Daybook: Journal Entry

FOR TODAY August 4, 2008

Outside my window...I see my darling kiddos and their Nana picking vegetables in the garden. My kids are so excited to help Nana harvest her veggies.

I am thankful for...family. It is so fun to see far away family. It has been almost 3 years since the kids and I have seen all of them and we're looking forward to a fun week.

From the kitchen...we've been enjoying lots of fresh veggies from the garden since we've arrived and from the looks of this morning's harvest, that will continue all week! I'm not a big veggie person at all, but those cukes are the best I've tasted!

I am wearing...my jammies. It has been tough adjusting to the time difference aaaaand we were up almost 24 hours during the trip.

I am creating...great memories!

I am going...to the Logan pool today to spend more time with the extended crew.

I am reading...BREAKING DAWN!!!!!! Is there really any question of that? The only thing is that I would probably be done reading it by now, if I wasn't visiting family. I'm sneaking in little reading moments, though. It is great, so far!

I am hoping...for good weather this weekend for our trip to Bear Lake.

I am hearing...it is a rare quiet moment. The kids are eating popcicles outside and I am inside.

Around the house...luckily, I don't have my regular chores to keep me busy this week. I'm just doing the pick-up-after-my-kids-everyday-so-they-don't-wreck-my-in-law's-house thing.

One of my favorite things...is seeing my kids play with their cousins and spend time with their Nana & Papa Howdy (I'll explain that name another time).

A few plans for the rest of the week...I'm pretty sure that every moment is planned out, though I'm not quite sure what we'll be doing in all of those moments, yet. I know today is the pool, movies, and pizza. Tuesday is ????. Wednesday is shopping with my cutie-pie SIL, Melanie. Thursday is the family golf tournament and we head to Bear Lake for our getaway. We stay in Bear Lake till Saturday. I think we might try to see Mamma Mia Saturday night. Sunday is church and also the day we fly out at 11:45pm. What a fun week!

I don't have a picture thought to share with you today. Since I'm not using my computer, I'm not going to upload my pictures onto it. I'll share some of my favorite pictures with you once we get home.

Simple Woman's Daybook: Journal Entry

FOR TODAY July 28, 2008...

Outside My Window... the raindrops are drying from the overnight rain.

I am thankful for... the business of the upcoming week. I have TONS to do to prep for the trip. Laundry, cleaning, cleaning, laundry, packing, cleaning.

From the kitchen...I am freezing grapes so they don't go bad. I am also going to be cooking and freezing some corn for the same reason.

I am wearing...It seems like when I write this post I'm never dressed in real clothes. I guess I live in bummy clothes unless I'm going somewhere...

I am creating...clean laundry? Can one really create clean laundry? I'm not sure.

I am going...to get as much done today as I possibly can. This is the only day this week when I don't have to leave the house.

I am reading...Still reading Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. Not a ton of time to read last week.

I am hoping...to have a peaceful, yet productive day.

I am hearing...Zach playing with Tanner (the canine that lives here) pretending they are in a zoo parade. Oh....kay.....?

Around the house...As previously mentioned, there needs to be lots of laundry and cleaning taking place here.

One of my favorite things...is sleeping. Unfortunately, I do too much of this, really. And yet, I'm always tired.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:Wednesday we are swimming at a friend's pool. Thursday we have a fun Activity Girls (group from church that Taylor is in) hike and museum field trip. Friday is the big day...off to Utah.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... this is my husband trying to nap on the couch at his sister's house last month. As you can see, their dogs (Hank & Libby) & Tanner have made themselves quite comfortable as well.

For more of A Simple Woman's Daybook, go here.

Simple Woman's Daybook: Journal Entry

FOR TODAY July 21, 2008...

Outside My Window... I'm enjoying the fresh cut grass (thanks to my sister) and trimmed bushes (thanks to my mamma) in our yard. My husband's back prevents him from doing those things, and I'm just not a yardwork kind of girl. I know, it sounds snobby, but it is what it is.

I am thinking...about my little man, who has a bit of a stomach bug as of this morning. I had to reschedule my birthday present massage for Wednesday, but that's ok cause I wanted to be here taking care of him.

I am thankful for...air conditioning. It is hot as hades out today. I think the heat index is something like 105. Yikes!

From the kitchen...I'm roasting a chicken tonight for dinner and chopping up the leftovers for enchiladas.

I am wearing...bum-around-the-house clothes. Comfy, but wouldn't leave the house looking this way.

I am creating...this blog post? Really not creating anything else right now that I can think of.

I am going...shopping tonight to pick up cheap school supplies on sale & other sale goodies at Kroger. Great sales this week!

I am reading...Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. Although I was an English major in college, I somehow missed out on some great classics. I'm trying to go through Austen's stuff. I've seen the movies, but now want to read the books. So far, I'm not disappointed.

I am hoping...to get organized for our upcoming trip. We will soon be heading to Utah to visit Mike's family for 10 days.

I am hearing...the Mamma Mia movie soundtrack. If you know me, you know I love musicals. My sisters & I (all 4 of us) got together and saw the new movie Friday night. It was fun and way cute. I had never seen the musical before, but my sister said the movie was very close to the stage version.

Around the house...Just laundry & straightening up.

One of my favorite things...Music can really set a mood. The Mamma Mia soundtrack is a great cleaning cd! It worked wonders for me this morning!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:Of course, my massage on Wednesday. We'll probably do the free movie on Thursday. We won't be having a water day this week, as my nephew's 3rd birthday party is Saturday and will be at the POOL!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...aren't cemetery pictures cool? These were taken at Hollywood Cemetery, an awesome, old cemetery in Richmond, VA.

For more of a Simple Woman's Daybook, click here.

Simple Woman's Daybook - Journal Entry

FOR TODAY July 7, 2008

Outside My Window... I see clouds in the sky lingering from the wowser of a storm that came through here last night. It was seriously the loudest thunder I've heard in a long time. The electricity flickered for a moment, so now all of our clocks are blinking. I also see fresh mulch in the flower bed out front. I love the look of fresh, dark mulch.

I am thinking... that I need to be patient and consistent in my parenting today. My kiddos are fighting this morning and I need to remember that I can control my attitude today.

I am thankful for... family time. I love it when my hubby is home and can help me with the kids. He is so patient and can talk calmness into our children.

From the kitchen... I am enjoying toffee bars that were made last night. Saltines, butter, brown sugar, and chocolate chips...yum! Tastes like a skor bar.

I am wearing... jammies. I haven't gotten dressed yet for the day and it is 11:30am. Remember, it is cloudy. It feels good to have a jammies day sometimes.

I am creating... order in my home. Today I hope to organize the pantry as well as straighten up in each room.

I am going... to stay home today. It is an at-home day for our family.

I am reading... A Great and Terrible Beauty, by Libba Bray. I picked it up on Saturday. It seems like it will be a fun read.

I am hoping... for harmony and peace in my home today.

I am hearing... birds chirping outside my office window. There is a nest in the tree out there with babies living in it.

Around the house... just tidying up.

One of my favorite things... is that yummy toffee. Seriously, too good!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: The kids are taking turns spending the night with Grandma. Taylor is going tonight and Zach tomorrow. We'll be swimming at a friend's house on Wednesday and going to the free movies on Thursday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This picture was not staged. Taylor, Zach, and cousin Trevor were amazed with the big fireworks in Grandma & Grandpa's backyard. This was the first "high in the sky" one of the night. Even Grandpa is surprised.

For more of a Simple Woman's Daybook, click here.