A Simple Woman's Daybook: December 2015

I'm joining hostess Peggy and friends over at...

FOR TODAY ~ December 2015

Outside my window...promising rain clouds.

I am thinking...about taking a walk, and then one everyday after that.

A Simple Woman's Daybook: September 2015

~ A Simple Woman's Daybook ~

I am joining Hostess Peggy over at The Simple Woman

For Today...September 7, 2015

Outside my window...
          my parents sitting together enjoying the sunshine and peace.

I am thankful...
          to be able to care for my aging parents.

I am wearing...

Jeans & lace...

A Simple Woman's Daybook: June 2015

~ A Simple Woman's Daybook ~

I am joining Hostess Peggy and friends over at The Simple Woman

For Today... June 3, 2015

______________________________

Outside my window...Beautiful blue skies, with white wispy clouds, and plenty of birds chattering.  Spring is definitely here. 

~ Moments of Grace ~*~ Daybook 2014 No. Five ~

I'm joining hostess Jenny and Ladies over at Plain Grace

I am thankful...
+ My health
+ My Iron skillets that cook so nicely
+ My children's manners
I am praying for...
+ My children
+ Our priests
+ the focus I need to accomplish today's tasks
I am listening to...
+ birds chirping, washing machine running...
In the kitchen...
+ The lingering scent of turkey bacon...
I am creating/working on...
+ Confession Certificates
I have accomplished...
+ Mopping the kitchen floor...yippee!
Around the house...
+ Everyone working on assignments
A favorite quote for today...

+ From Gracelines:

"Each day look for every possible opportunity to do a kindness for those you do not like. After examining yourself on this matter every morning, decide what you are going to do, and do it faithfully with kindness and humility."           

                                                       - St. John Baptist De La Salle

Following reflection...
+  Who do I dislike?  What kindness will I do for him/her today?  How can I do it with faithfulness, kindness, and humility?
One of my favorite things...
+ Toasted raisin bread with melted coconut butter on top
A healthy meal today...
+ Quinoa made with chicken stock
A healthy activity...
+ Gardening outside early this morning...(also, one of my favorite things!)
A peek into my day...

The remains of Butterfly's Birthday Extravaganza

Go here for more shared Moments of Grace Daybooks...

~ Moments of Grace ~*~ Daybook 2014 No. Four ~

I'm joining hostess Jenny and Ladies over at Plain Grace

I am thankful...
+The sacrament of Confession
+The rain that we have received
+My husband...because, really, I am thankful for that man, everyday.
+Our health insurance
I am praying for...
+My friends intentions
+Continued rain
+The ability to stay focused to my daily tasks, and my primary vocation, being a mother (and teacher) to my children.
I am listening to...
+My dog whining (as she waits for her daily walk)
In the kitchen...
+ A cold oven and stove-top (I'm going to change that soon)
I am wearing...
+Pink fleece jacket, black exercise pants, hair in ponytail w/black mesh fitness cap
I am creating/working on...
+Plan meals for the week, Easter Menu; Easter plans; my eldest daughter's 15th B-day; FIFTEEN!  Fifteen. {sigh}
I am reading...
+The Holy Bible
+The Imitation of Christ
+A Man Cleansed by God
I am hoping...
+To get to all the phone calls I need to return :o(  By the end of this week???
I am looking forward to...
+My husband's Investiture
I am learning...
+To throw away or give away items BEFORE I bring them into the house; or to not accept, buy, or accumulate them to in the first place.
+To refrain from making "piles", which is just another form of procrastination; and from being too 'attached' to 'things'.
Around the house...
+Lots of activity...laundry going, children working, dogs playing, contractor & workers outside working on much needed exterior work...
Academics...
+Catching up on spelling lessons for my fourth-grader
Inspirational Words for thought & reflection...
(From today's Gracelines)  "Be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ.  Be imitators of God as his dear children."
~ Ephesians 4:32
One of my favorite things...
+Caramel Macchiato...I am going to make myself one today.  Sooner than later.
A few plans for the rest of the week...
+Trail Life, AHG, Appointments, First Friday Mass, Stations of the Crosss...
A healthy meal today...

+Although not a meal, it is one of the first things I have in the morning...1 cup water, zapped for 114 seconds, fresh squeeze of lemon (from the garden).  
A healthy activity...
+My 30 minute walk with my youngest daughter & two dogs
A peek into my day...
I still need to organize & simplify (and change bed sheets...) things around me.

Visit Plain Grace for more shared Moments of Grace Day-books...

~ Moments of Grace ~ * ~ Daybook 2014 No. Three ~

I'm joining hostess Jenny and Ladies over at Plain Grace

I am thankful...
+ the sacrament of Confession, and my parish that has it available daily or whenever I should need it. (Jenny, I promise you that I had this on my mind first thing in the morning when I started this post.  I was not copying you. Ha-ha. I work in increments...a minute here, a minute there.  Then, when I go to link up and read yours; oh dear...do I change?  Do I explain...yup.). That's my confession to you. :D

I am praying for...
+ I hate to say rain & snow, again, but even our pastor has put this prayer in our bulletin...so, yes, rain:
California is facing its third straight year of lower than normal rainfall.

"Almighty God, we are n need of rain.  We realize now, looking up into the clear, blue sky, what a marvel even the least drop of rain really is.  To think that so much water can really fall out of the sky, which now is empty and clear!  We place our trust in You.  We are sure that You know our needs.  But You want us to ask you anyway, to show You that we know we are dependent on you.  Look to our dry hills and fields, dear God, and bless them with the living blessing of soft rain.  Then the land will rejoice and rivers will sing Your praises, and the hearts of all will be made glad.  May God open the heavens and let His mercy rain down upon our fields and mountains.  Let us especially pray for those most impacted by water shortages and for the wisdom and charity to be good stewards of this precious gift.  May our political leaders seek the common good as we learn to care and share God's gift of water for the good of all".  +Amen.

I am listening to...
+ Birds cheerfully chirping outside my (open) windows.
In the kitchen...
+ Little Lamb making lunch (turkey & pepper jack sandwiches) for everyone.
I am wearing...
+ Grey sweatpants, grey top, white w/grey piping light jacket.  Hair in pony tail & baseball cap.   Wasn't I wearing grey last week, too...?  Hmmm.
I am creating/working on...
+ Laundry (working on)...it has already been 'created' by others.  :o)

I have accomplished...
+ 75% of work for the upcoming Youth Retreat, grocery shopping for the week, sacristy flower arrangements.
I am going...
+ to buy a new vacuum cleaner this week, God willing.
I am wondering...
+ If a book that my husband bought is a subtle hint.  See I am reading...
I am reading...
+ The Everyday Gourmet: Making Healthy Food Taste Great from The Great Courses - The Culinary Institute of America.  note:  my husband bought it; I wonder if this is a hint.  (:o/
I am hoping...
+ for rain on Wednesday...the forecast promises, but the skies are a beautiful blue with warm sunshine...we will see.
I am looking forward to...
+ Lent, and the upcoming Youth Retreat!  Very much!!
I am learning...
+ To forgive myself with my shortcomings, to work at forgiving others for theirs.
Around the house...
+ dust is gathering...

Academics...
+ Getting ready to register my children for their evaluation kits through Kolbe Academy.  This year we will be using the TerraNova, 2nd Ed. Complete Battery Test...more on that.
I am pondering...
+ Writing letters to my children for a special occasion.
A favorite quote for today...
"What a weakness it is to love Jesus Christ only when He caresses us, and to be cold immediately once He afflicts us. This is not true love. Those who love thus, love themselves too much to love God with all their heart."     ~ St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
One of my favorite things...
Checking off items on the 'to do' list.
A few plans for the rest of the week...
+ SF Ballet
+ Incorporate something I have learned from my new "The Everyday Gourmet" book.
+  Final meeting for the Youth Retreat
+  Work on my computer problems or finally breakdown and purchase a new one...hopefully the new part I ordered will help things...hopefully.
A healthy meal today...
+ Morning Protein Shake that I had for dinner...which I will share on my Food blog...someday.
A healthy activity...
Hmmm.  If lugging laundry around the house counts...I have had a super healthy activity day today, and expect the same for tomorrow!
A peek into my day...
Still with the computer problems that are not allowing me to insert any images...{{{sigh}}}

Go here for more shared Moments of Grace Daybooks...

~ Moments of Grace ~ * ~ Daybook 2014 No. Two ~

I'm joining hostess Jenny and Ladies over at Plain Grace for some Daybook Sharing...

I am thankful...

+ fun mother/daughter times

I am praying for...

+ Rain; we still need rain!

I am listening to...

+ my husband's paperwork as we work silently together

In the kitchen...
+ coffee brewing

I am wearing...
+ pink pj bottoms & old grey/white speckled sweater & grey socks (update: it was 7am when I began this daybook)

I am creating/working on...

+ cleaning out my inbox and planning for upcoming Youth Retreat.

I have accomplished...

+ organizing for a private screening of the new to be released movie 'Son of God'; hopefully our bishop will attend...

I am going...
+ for my walk as soon as I complete my day book

I am wondering...
+ how I am going to transport 26 youth to the retreat center (2+ hour drive) if the bus plans fall through...I've got to keep the faith!

I am reading...
+ The catechism for my bi-monthly doctrine class - which I love, love, love!

I am hoping...
+ To be more organized with my 'paperwork' - starting TODAY

I am looking forward to...
+ All the fun events with my children that I've planned for this month

I am learning
+ To say 'yes' to God, and 'no' to others (even if the temptation is a 'good work')

Around the house...

+ Paperwork, laundry, dirty dishes in the sink - I am needed :o) and LOVE my 'job'

Academics...

+ Lots of science experiments to catch up on

A favorite quote for today...
+ A woman is a kind of poem about love, peace, and compassion. These gifts enable her to know, love, and serve God in a generous way, with perseverance and affection. ~ Mother Angelica, P.C.P.A

I am pondering...

+ How can I obtain the qualities I am designed to be, as mentioned in the above quote...Lord, help me to surrender to your Holy Will. 

One of my favorite things...
+ Sunday morning breakfasts with my husband & children.   Today, being a holiday, was just like a Sunday morning breakfast together!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

+ Meal plan for the week/month

+ Finalize the Retreat 'stuff'

+ Clean my desk!!!

A healthy meal today...

+ carrots & hummus.  Eating smaller meals and more often - 5 to be exact.

A healthy activity...

+ Solid walk with my husband & teen daughter this crisp (dry) morning

Captured...

because of ugly frustrating computer problems, I am unable to share :o(

 Go here for more shared ~ Moments of Grace ~ Daybooks...

~ A Simple Woman's Daybook ~

I'm joining hostess Peggy and friends over at

 

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...Falling leaves.

I am thinking...about all the things I need to do...even though my throat is really sore right now.

I am thankful...For my husband who takes such good care of us.

In the kitchen...a whistling tea kettle.

I am wearing...Dark purple sweater with warm scarf.

I am creating...Plans for an upcoming fundraising dinner for our altar boys trip to Rome.

I am going...to drive my girls to choir practice this afternoon.

I am wondering...what to cook for dinner...

I am reading...the Philosophy of Tolkien (still) and

Imitation of Christ (faithfully)

I am hoping...to get my quarterly reports in before Thanksgiving break.

I am looking forward to...Thanksgiving break and undisrupted family time!

I am learning...about the virtues of patience & forgiveness…first-hand.

Around the house...quiet and still...hey, were is everyone?!

I am pondering...From the Women of Grace: Magnificat

"My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.

For behold, henceforth all generations

will call me blessed;

for he who is mighty has done great

things for me, and holy is his name."

Luke 1: 46-49

For Reflection:

Like magnifying glasses help ailing eyes to see more clearly, so does Mary's soul help our weak eyes of faith to see God with greater clarity. Through the course of this month thus far, what mysteries has God shown me? What mysteries are revealed through Mary as expressed in the rest of this passage? What mystery might God be revealing to others through me in light of my life and my circumstances?

A favorite quote for today...Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness."

~ St. John Chrysostom

One of my favorite things...Falling leaves

A few plans for the rest of the week...will be to finish organizing my work spaces & closets and to rake falling leaves. :o)

A peek into my day...

~ Valerie

Go here for more shared Daybooks...