Daybook August 25, 2008 - Maui Edition

FOR TODAY... August 25, 2008

• Outside My Window... a beautiful screen patio that is calling me to sit outside.

• I am thinking... I should wake up Surferman from his nap and that we should go do something.

• I am thankful for... my parents who are camping with Grom while I am blessed to be on (or is it in, or...) Maui with Surferman.

• From the kitchen... last night we grilled corn and salmon and had green salad. Tonight we are going out.

• I am wearing... my new bathing suit and hawaiian cover up (I refuse to say I'm wearing a mumu). No shoes. I left them at the front door - Hawaiian style. Wish I could make that fly at home.
  

• I am creating... sweet memories.

• I am going... to Haleakala State Park (the high spot of Maui) to watch the sunrise tomorrow. We have to leave at 3 am. yikes!

• I am reading... Hudson Taylor, Fool's Puzzle by Earlene Fowler (a mystery with quilts) and my pile of neglected magazines.

• I am hoping... that this week goes reeeeaaaallllllly sloooooooow.

• I am hearing...the gentle hum of an air conditioner and the even breaths of Surferman.

• Around the house... ask Jason the housesitter.

• One of my favorite things... The Maui Guest House

• A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... dinner at The Melting Pot (mmm... fondue), Attacking the Road to Hana, some snorkeling, a swap meet, a goat dairy and cheese factory, lots of laying on beaches, some swimming, church at Hope Chapel, lots of good things to eat.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Me and Surferman under the Banyan Tree in Lahaina.

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

Daybook August 18, 2008

FOR TODAY August 18, 2008...

• Outside My Window... dark, dark, dark. I'm burning the candle at both ends again.

• I am thinking... about the things I need to do, want to do and should do before we leave for Maui!

• I am thankful for... Erika. I've had the opportunity to spend more time with her this summer and she is one awesome (I'm trying to think of the word that would be most flattering to her...) child of God (that's what I came up with - better than... gal, woman, chick.) She's creative, funny and tells it how God sees it (she knows her Word).
  

• From the kitchen... I made the yummiest green pasta sauce tonight with spinach and ricotta cheese. Even Grom liked it. He knew what was in it, and tried hard not to like it, but he couldn't resist it's deliciousness.

• I am wearing... the usual. Black capri, Black croc flip flops and a t-shirt (blue)

• I am creating... t-shirts. I'm trying to salvage a couple of t-shirts that I got bleach on while doing laundry. I cut stencils tonight and as soon as I can do the rest I'll post pictures.

• I am going... to MAUI in 3 days, 0 hours, 29 minutes and 10 seconds - give or take.

• I am reading... Hudson Taylor still. Hudson gets to go to Maui too. I'm looking for some other fun reads. Got any suggestions?

• I am hoping... to hear results of my biospsy soon.

• I am hearing... the tick tock of my clock.

• Around the house... the schoolroom is done. I'll post pictures later this week or soon.

• One of my favorite things... cheese. Cheese puffs, Mac and Cheese, Cheese pizza, Cheese you name it.

• A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: work, pack, sleep, play, drive, fly, relax

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Last Friday, Grom's buddy spent the day with us. They had smiley face breakfasts complete with tiny swords to stab the blueberries with. It was hit. Too many blueberries. I washed the left over blueberries and froze them. Grom later enjoyed them for a snack. Frugal or gross? Let me know.

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

Daybook August 11, 2008

FOR TODAY August 11, 2008...

• Outside My Window... it's dark. It has been a long and busy day. I still have a lot to do. It's time to prioritize and leave the rest for later.

• I am thinking... that I might stop doing The Simple Woman's Daybook and instead write my own weekly update questions. I started doing this so that I could look back and get a glimpse of my life. Sometimes the writing prompts provided with this Daybook are awkward for me. What questions do you think would be good prompts?
  

• I am thankful for... my parents who watched Grom tonight to give Surferman and me sometime alone - even if we used the time to go shopping.

• From the kitchen... lots of fruits and veggies.

• I am wearing... blue pants, orange t-shirt, black croc flip flops

• I am creating... my time is being spent organizing so that I can be creative.

• I am going... to finish organizing and decorating our school room and then I'll post some pictures.

• I am reading... Hudson Taylor still.
  

• I am hoping... I can figure out what is going on with my Delicious bookmarks when I try to post them to my blog feed. I'm getting bookmarks I didn't save. So far nothing bad / objectionable has come through, but I'm afraid it might. Ugh, technology...
  

• I am hearing... Men's Olympics on the TV.

• Around the house... lots of runny allergy noses.

• One of my favorite things... getting a good deal. I bought some frames at Michael's last week. This week they were on sale. I got +$16 back for speaking up.

• A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Grom has swimming lessons. 2 lunches to "cater" at church. I have Grom's buddy E all day on Friday. Grom is so excited. Worship Bonfire Friday night - what a way to start a weekend - Worshiping the Lord with friends, fellowship on the beach and SMORES!

• Here is picture thought I am sharing...Grom's ducks and frogs waiting for a swim in the hot tub.

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

Daybook August 4, 2008

FOR TODAY August 8, 2008...

Outside My Window... It's summer. I see families of tourists carrying their beach gear down the street to the beach. I am blessed to live where people want to vacation.

I am thinking... about how lame my excuses are. Boy do I have a lot of excuses.

I am thankful for... Princess Maggie is home! Hospitalized friends are doing well after their respective surgeries. School with Grom - we have so much fun.

From the kitchen... French Bread Pizza (bread was free for doing a survey from the market), organic green salad and yummy watermelon.

I am wearing... Blue capri pants, new white t-shirt that has some beautiful embroidered detailing at the neck (not my usual plain tee), bronze crocs sandals - definitely not frumpy.

I am creating... I'm playing some with Photoshop.

I am going... to MAUI in 17 days, 3 hours, 44 minutes and some odd seconds.

I am reading... more Hudson Taylor. I'm gathering my book list for vacation.

I am hoping... Grom will have great swimming lessons this week and next.

I am hearing... crickets and someone scrounging around in the kitchen.

Around the house... I'm trying to slay the clutter monster, 15 minutes at a time.

One of my favorite things... staying up really, really, really late and getting things done.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Grom has swim lessons, lunch with the ladies, Women's Ministry Ice Cream Social, Tech Team Work Day... pheew.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...N0, it's not a lemon bar covered with caraway seeds. This is Grom's take home from Sunday School last week. It's a sponge with grass seed on top. If we water it and pray (HARD, I'm guessing) it will sprout. I'm not sure what the lesson was - but faith the size of a mustard seed would work. I hope to share a picture of a lawn covered sponge very soon.

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

Daybook July 29, 2008

FOR TODAY... July 29, 2008

Outside My Window... it's really dark. There is NO laundry hanging on my line. woo hoo!

I am thinking... about holiness. Garbage in/Garbage out. Cultivating my Servant's Heart. Dealing with people who just don't get it.

I am thankful for... people who get it. Sweet times with Grom. Cas.

From the kitchen... lots of fruit and veggies. I did a lot of cooking for Grom's birthday celebration. Going to keep it simple this week.

I am wearing... Blue night shirt and those same old Croc flip flops.

I am creating... I have a knitted washcloth in progress. I am cleaning my Studio and have some projects in mind.

I am going... to Maui with Surferman in 23 days!

I am reading... a biography of Hudson Taylor. A dear friend loaned it to me. I am really enjoying it. I was a bit worried it would be too deep or serious for me after the fluff I've been reading, but it's not. It's wonderful and probably part of the reason I'm thinking about holiness.

I am hoping... we'll find time to go to the fair. I love the fair.

I am hearing... Surferman's TV in the other room, the click clack of my keyboard and the tick tock of my clock.

Around the house... a beautiful new RED leather sofa unlike anything I could imagine. It's soft and wonderful. I can't wait to take a nap on it.

One of my favorite things... listening to podcasts of the Dave Ramsey Show while cooking dinner with Grom and waiting for Surferman to get home.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Find a swim suit for Maui.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Canoe Beach - Maui - A favorite spot.

photo by Peyri (Flickr)

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

Daybook July 14, 2008

FOR TODAY... July 14, 2oo8

• Outside My Window...My boy and his Grandpa are barbecuing (kosher reduced fat) hot dogs. The sun is shining. We are nearing the end of a beautiful day.

• I am thinking... about where else I (We - I'd bring along Surferman and Grom) could live and what it would be like. Am I too comfortable here, Lord?

• I am thankful for... everyone who came out to help with our church's VBS. Some people were a big surprise. Some were the usual suspects. I was blessed. I am thankful that Princess Beah is home and being a good baby for my sister.

• From the kitchen... a week of simple post VBS meals.

• I am wearing... black crocs, black capris and a beige t-shirt (which replaced my lemon yellow Power Lab tee that I wore all afternoon).

• I am creating... 100 snacks a day that incorporate a Bible Story. Today it was thankful face cookies - turn that frown upside down and SMILE, SMILE, SMILE. Remember kids, if God heals you of leprosy (or whatever SIN you hate here) you should be THANKFUL! Anyone else think we should have VBS for adults too?
  

• I am going... to get a napless boy to bed really early tonight, and try to get some stuff crossed off my to do list.

• I am reading... same Christian Fluff as last week. It's a short story romance novel written by different writers. I got it cheap at CBD. They always suck me in with their, "you can buy $x more and pay the same shipping".

• I am hoping... that Princess Maggie will be home soon. That grace, peace and joy would reign in my home. That family would chill out and get back to loving and encouraging one another.

• I am hearing... wind chimes gently playing a melody and the sounds of car tires on PCH.

• Around the house... clutter and piles, piles and clutter. I'm tackling it the same way you eat an elephant. One bite at a time.
  

• One of my favorite things... screaming at the top of my lungs into my towel right after I dry my face fresh from the shower. I think of it as my pressure release valve. I don't know when I started doing it. I don't think about doing it, it just happens. The towel muffles so no one hears me (usually - besides they are used to it by now). I am not weird, don't even think it.
  

• A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: VBS! VBS! VBS!

• Here is picture thought I am sharing...Flowers Surferman brought me just because.

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

Daybook July 7, 2008

FOR TODAY... July 7, 2008

• Outside My Window... Fog. Those days of June gloom we missed last month are making up for lost time in early July.

• I am thinking... about making a decaf americano with a splash of half-n-half. I've also been thinking about stress. God tells us to cast our cares upon Him. He cares about all of our silly things. So what about physical manifestations of stress - migranes, cold sores, rashes, zit outbreaks? Do the physical symptoms of stress come regardless of our spiritual state? If we have physical reactions does that mean we're holding something back from God? I wonder.

• I am thankful for... my sister (she celebrated a birthday yesterday), my husband (he rocks), chocolate.

• From the kitchen... Chili for a lunch at church tomorrow. Popsicles. Bento lunches.

• I am wearing... Grey pants, teal t-shirt, black flip flops. My hair is up in a barrette.

• I am creating... order in my messy chaotic world (I'm hopeful). I'm gearing up for a creative jag. I can feel it coming.

• I am going... to keep up with my quiet times with the Lord this week.

• I am reading... a silly Christian romance novel. So fluffy... sheesh.

• I am hoping... my nieces will be home soon, Grom's manners will improve, that I'll have time with a dear friend this week.

• I am hearing... the clock ticking. Oh, sweet silence.

• Around the house... Dining room without chairs - we are painting them. Clear flat surface in my bedroom - I'm decluttering.

• One of my favorite things... head poppin' off hugs from my boy

• A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Swim lessons (Grom), Hair cut and color (Me), Women's Tea with church.

• Here is picture thought I am sharing...

photo by emdot (Flickr)

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

Daybook June 30, 2008

FOR TODAY... June 30, 2008

• Outside My Window... The sound of work and business. I hear a lot of trucks and traffic on the highway. I hear workers nearby building.

• I am thinking... about refinement. I want to be refined - that the ugly, that the lazy would be removed, that I would be effective and closer to my Lord.

• I am thankful for... my sister is home from the hospital. I am so blessed.

• From the kitchen... a fresh salad for a Fellowship Dinner at church tonight.

• I am wearing... yet again... black crocs flip-flops, orange t-shirt, black short capris.

• I am creating... a new brain. I have been having a lot of fun modifying a composition notebook into a brain book - very customized.

• I am going... to get some things crossed off my to do list - starting with this.

• I am reading... Still reading the Mike Huckabee book. Started some Christian short stories - I'm afraid they might be "romantic".

• I am hoping... the girls will be home soon. Grom has fun at VBS this week at a local church - not the church we are regulars at.

• I am hearing... machines.

• Around the house... it's a season of decluttering and organization. A little hear and a little there. Where did all this stuff come from?

• One of my favorite things... shopping for produce (and especially strawberries) at Farmer's Market. The fruits and veggies always look so delicious.

• A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: 4WD Club Meeting, 4th of July Parade - Grom is riding his tricycle and has a bubble machine rigged up so that bubbles follow him.

• Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

Daybook June 23, 2008

FOR TODAY ... JUNE 23, 2008

• Outside My Window... darkness.  It's been a busy day.  This is the first "me" computer time I've had all day. 

• I am thinking... whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. I'm feeling sad, angry, hurt, confused and more about something.  I want to trust God.  I want to understand. 

• I am thankful for... My husband.  He was away this weekend visiting his father.  It's good to have him home.

• From the kitchen... Surferman grilled up 4 packages of boneless skinless chicken breasts tonight.  He cooked them perfectly.  They are so juicy.  We'll have some of them for dinner the next few days and the rest went to the freezer for quick meals later.  I bought pectin today to make some freezer strawberry jam.

• I am wearing... the usual.  Black cargo capris, light pink V-neck t-shirt, black flip flops and a beautiful pony bead bracelet Grom made for me last week.

• I am creating... postcards for a swap with the Five in a Row ladies.  We started receiving postcards and are having fun finding where they came from on a US map.

• I am going... to try to get to bed early and I am getting up early to read my Bible tomorrow morning.

• I am reading... Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and a Fork by Mike Huckabee

• I am hoping... for a quiet, uneventful week at church.  My pastors are all out of town.

• I am hearing... silence, sweet silence.

• Around the house... clutter, clutter and more clutter.  I have to do something about all of this stuff.  It's driving me crazy.

• One of my favorite things... the smell of a freshly bathed Grom

• A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: I want to get my family out for an evening of Bocce.

• Here is picture thought I am sharing...
  

I've been reading a great Bento Blog for a while.  I'm inspired.  Biggie assembles the most beautiful lunches and shares them regularly.  Her preschooler seems to eat anything and everything.  I can only aspire.  Here's what I came up with for Grom tomorrow - carrots with ranch dressing, herb breadstick (wrapped in foil), sausage and cheese swords and nilla wafers.  He'll get some leftover fruit salad in a separate container.

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

Daybook June 16, 2008

FOR TODAY - JUNE 16, 2008...

Outside My Window... all is still.  It's dark.  I wanted to start posting a Daybook this week - looks like it's a Nightbook this week.

I am thinking... about veggies - organic veggies, growing my own veggies, cooking veggies, strawberries (ok those are a fruit).

I am thankful for... playing cars, reading Charlotte's Web, time with Grom, that we had the money to send Surferman to see his Dad without financial stress, for the small things - I am SO blessed!

From the kitchen... Veggie Stir Fry - Brocolli, Green Beans, Sugar Snap Peas, Carrots and Tofu

I am wearing... Black t-shirt with maroon t-shirt on top, black cargo capri pants (my favorites) and Croc flip flops

I am creating... started knitting a kitchen wash cloth yesterday.

I am going... to go start a couple of loads of laundry before bed.  I also need to get my purse cleaned out, cash envelopes divvied up (it's the 16th, hello!).  

I am reading... Finding Alice by Melanie Carlson - not sure about this book yet

I am hoping... my sister can keep her babies (twin girls) gestating a few more (at least 3) weeks.  She's hospitalized with preeclampsia.  Please pray for her.

I am hearing... I have the TV on.

Around the house... still working on Grom's school room, dining room chairs are being painted (black) and we're welcoming summer.

One of my favorite things... coffee (decaf is great) with milk or half and half.  Love me a decaf misto.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: I need a new brain (book).  What I'm doing just isn't working and something needs to work.  Surferman leaves Friday to go see his Dad (currently hospitalized).  We'll be eating veggies. Grin.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

From our vacation.  A Bald Eagle on the bank of the Rogue River.  It was eating prey.  The birds hovering are Turkey Vultures waiting for leftovers.

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.