Ever So Thankful

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I am thankful for a rainy day -- to rinse away the dusty dirt from the trees, and calm us with the pitter patter of persistent drops.


I am thankful for next week's break from school to prepare for family coming from long distances.


I am thankful for kitties -- the kind you stitch on soft white pillowcases (sh!). (Pillowcases from here.)

I almost got busted taking this picture.

I am thankful for hand gel, which we keep in the car, in our pockets, in my purse. Is everyone sick, because it sure seems like it?


I am thankful for feast days, and the opportunity they provide to learn our way to heaven.


I am thankful for online shopping and the time it saves -- I can't remember how we did this before.


Sarah and Meg joined me in giving thanks today.

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Top Secret

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I just discovered that I can password protect a Word document. How have I missed this detail?

Now my Christmas list is very safe.

I hope I don't forget my password.

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Thanksgiving Lapbook

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Next week we'll take a break from school to get ready for a big Thanksgiving feast at our house. I wanted to have something for the kids to do in the days before Thanksgiving (other than watching television or playing games!). I found this Thanksgiving Lapbook, and determined it to be a good starting point. We'll do more drawing or collage work and less coloring, but it's a good base to work from. With a prayer and some scripture added, and some crafts from here or here, we have the makings of a lovely lapbook.

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The Simple Woman's Daybook

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FOR TODAY
November 16, 2009

Outside my window...it's dark and gray even though it should be light. It's a lovely, cloudy November day.

I am thinking...about my sweetheart -- today is our 24th wedding anniversary.

I am thankful for...all that we have with each other, that God has so lovingly provided.

From the learning rooms...in our world geography lesson we are learning about Hungary this week and I need to gather together our information. I admit I know very little about Hungary.

From the kitchen...Oatmeal Raisin Scones just out of the oven for St. Margaret of Scotland's feast day. For this reason I am grateful that I plan my menus, because on a Monday morning, it would be cold cereal without a plan. There is also some fresh, homemade yogurt in the refrigerator. More on that later at the food blog.

I am wearing... khaki trousers and a blouse -- my uniform. Our Lady of Guadalupe earrings.

I am creating...a shawl on my knitting needles and a pillowcase in embroidery hoops, neither going particularly quickly.

I am going... to the G/I doc today -- making all the rounds these days.

I am reading...Betsy Tacy (Heaven to Betsy) and thoroughly enjoying it. Where has Betsy been all my life? Thank you, Sara.

I am hoping... for 24 more years.

I am hearing...Maggie working on a chewy in the front hall. She probably needs to go potty (when doesn't she need to go potty?).

Around the house...laundry and ironing. It's never ending. But I do have a new Cheryl Matis ironing board cover today -- lovely incentive.

One of my favorite things... reservations for dinner. My sweetheart surprised me, but he won't tell where.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary tomorrow and a lovely crown cake on the menu.
Doug's 49th birthday on Friday. Next year we'll celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary and Doug's 50th in the same week. I think I better start planning the party!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
a vase of flowers my mother-in-law sent me home with last night. They remind of the flowers I carried in my bouquet, 24 years ago...

and a link to pictures from that day.

For more Daybooks, stop by Peggy's.



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A blast from the past

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But don't tell this little girl she looks like Cindy Brady. She thinks she's Little Bo Peep.


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There's a moral here...somewhere

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I had to go to the hospital for a CT scan today.

My mother and father-in-law came to stay with the kids for my appointment. I ran out the door so fast I forgot to take a book or my knitting bag. I almost turned around, but I was running late. I know this sounds pathetic, but even an appointment for a CT scan without children can be enjoyable with the right book or something to knit. You know.

I got to the facility and signed it and then sat with my hands idle and nothing to read. There was not even a stinking magazine in the waiting room, just a television running with Rachel Ray on. I like Rachel Ray alright, but she was of no comfort to me in my time of need. I needed a book. I needed some knitting.

They called me back for registration and then sent me on my merry way to the imaging waiting room. Fox News was on the TV there and it was completely on my nerves. I needed a book. I needed some knitting. Because I sat. And I sat and I sat and I sat. After and hour and 15 minutes I went back to the registration desk to inquire as to whether my name had been "lost." Later, I learned that my name never made it from one computer to another. Lost in the system without a book, without knitting.

I did end up praying at least four decades, though it was hard to do with Fox News in my ear. What is with every medical waiting room having televisions these days? Are people afraid to be alone with their own thoughts? If you're waiting for a serious medical procedure, surely they don't think you'll forget about it because of the television program that's on. Please. Leave me alone with my thoughts, or the rosary.

Anyway, my appointment took much longer than it should have because I got "lost," but eventually I had my scan and left. And I know there's a moral to the story here, but I'll be darned if I know what it is.

I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to think about it later though, when the laxative effect of the contrast liquid takes effect.

At least I'll have a book.

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Falling, falling, falling

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Yesterday I was standing on the front lawn waiting for the dog to do her business when I noticed the sound of rain. Except it wasn't raining. There wasn't even the slightest breeze. It was the kind of day we have only once or twice a year when everything is very still, and yet there is movement -- an avalanche of leaves falling from the tippy tops of the trees. Just one leaf would fall, and carry with it each and every leaf it touched on the way down. And then silence. And then one leaf would fall and start the motion again. I tried to capture the activity with my camera, but you can't capture motion with a still picture. Well, you can, but not leaves falling. Well, at least I can't.

Watching the leaves fall to the ground was like watching my children grow and change. There is nothing I can do to stop it. I can't even capture the motion and steal it away for later.


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Monday Regroup

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It seems every time I blog about my joy at the prospect of an uneventful weekend ahead, I get eventful in a not-so-good way. Nothing extreme, just not what I expected. I imagine that's the last you'll hear from me about uneventful weekends ahead. Mum's the word.

Instead of unpleasant details, I'll focus on the bright side, the blessings you might say, and a few pics.

A victory for the boys (the fans and the players) and a Buckeye victory fire for father and daughter.

A little girl who felt well enough to have a doggy dance recital.

A few colors left, and a gray day, my favorite kind in the fall.

This Monday I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving, not too far down the road, planning menus and cleaning schedules, and trying to decide if we can paint the living room and dining room before then. Nothing like throwing in an unplanned home improvement to brighten things up.

What's up on your Monday?


Sarah at More Than Enough joined me in sharing her blessings this week.

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It's time...

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... to order Advent candles.

... and St. Nick treats.

Can you believe it?

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Not Seven Quick Takes

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I have quick takes, barely complete thoughts, and I should probably have an unpublished thought. But I'm bored, so I'll punish you with them today. That's what friends are for. ;-)



Peach is still sick. She's bored, too. She's tired of being in bed, and I am weakening to the thought of letting her come downstairs, but we've come this far, I hate to expose everyone now that we've made it four days. I think we'll have another movie in mama's bed and maybe some popcorn this afternoon. Did you know salty snacks are good for a sore throat?

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The dog/puppy (when do they officially become dogs?) has reached the "sowing her oats" stage. She's jumps on everyone, steals food off the counter (she is now tall enough to get her nose over the edge and reach anything within 10 inches of the edge), and eats everything she can find on every surface she can get to. This morning she ate a picture of Joshua on his first day of first grade. He was pulling pictures out of albums last night for a school project (puhleease -- he's in high school, can we lose the projects?) and left one on the end table. I almost killed her.

I bet I can say "bad dog" meaner than you can.

I told Doug he needs to take her to obedience school because he lets her behave badly. He says he's not. He will not win this one. Monday she goes to be spayed. Doug told me he thought it would be really "cute" for her to have puppies. The man is truly insane and I called the vet to get the first available appointment.

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I have had a twitch in my eye for 24 hours. I'm about to lose my mind.

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We have no plans, not a one, for the weekend, and I am so happy. The boys will watch the Buckeyes get beat tomorrow at Happy Valley (did I say that?) and I will make BBQ Chicken Pizza for dinner. Laundry and ironing will keep me busy all day, and hopefully Peach's fever will take a turn and she'll be able to join the family.

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I have several projects I'm working on and it's all I can do to not park my rump on the sofa for the next two days. I am knitting a shawl (I have officially become an old lady), embroidering a pillowcase for a special little girl's St. Nick day, and starting on a sweet little purple and yellow quilt. I have so many things to do I don't know what to do with myself. I'll post pictures next week.


I hope you have a glorious weekend, filled with life's many blessings. Join me in looking at the glass half full. Everything is a blessing from God. He is good.

With your counsel you guide me, and at the end receive me with honor. Whom else have I in the heavens? None beside you delights me on earth. Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the rock of my heart, my portion forever. But those who are far from you perish; you destroy those unfaithful to you. As for me, to be near God is my good, to make the Lord GOD my refuge. Psalms 73: 24-28

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