Daybook...Restful Monday

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 Outside my window... 

...dim light, gray skies, cool temperatures. It's supposed to warm up later and thunderstorms are expected to move through. We are supposed to have rain much of the week. Hey, it's spring.

I am thinking...

...about how fast my weekend went. Last night I mentioned that I wished I had another weekend day. Today I'll take a quiet Monday with nothing on the calendar.

I am thankful for...

...Monday morning quiet and a hot cup of coffee

...Reconciliation for my children

...the company of my mother, my grandmother and my daughter

...safe travels

...NyQuil for the nocturnal cough left over from the flu

From the lesson plans...

...pushing through, almost seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm sad to say right now it's not so much about the love of learning but working. The kids know that they are going to want to be outdoors this spring, so they are willing to work harder.

From the kitchen...

...leftover pizza for lunch, and Mustard Pork Chops, Quick Gnocchi, steamed sugar snap peas for dinner. I borrowed a Nigella cookbook from the library and I love the simplicity of her recipes.

I am wearing...

...khaki pants, a blue blouse and haflinger clogs. 

I am creating...

...I am finished with one sleeve of Faith's sweater and should be able to finish the other in the next few days. I cast on a pot holder in the car yesterday and finished one side of it. I have many rosaries waiting for my attention so knitting will only be done at the school table this week.

I am reading...

... Everything is Grace by Joseph Schmidt, FSC, which I read in the early morning, and The Rite. Nothing new here.

I am hoping...

...for peace. It's seems a lot to hope for these days. It seems there is peace no where. It's such a simple concept, but seemingly impossible to attain in this world. Only with God...

I am hearing...

...a woodpecker outdoors. He's is really banging away at something. Even the woodpecker disturbs the peace. ;-)

Around the house...

...a few loads of colored clothes to wash today, and two upstairs baths that are dirty. The boys cleaned their rooms, sort of, and Faith needs to attend to her room.

I am going...

...to really focus on what needs to be done today, and stay off the computer for the most part.

One of my favorite things...

...finishing a project. Looking forward to many "finishes" this week (fingers crossed).

I am praying for...

...my children, my husband, my niece, Doug's Uncle Walt having surgery today, several priests and soldiers, all of the babies whose mothers are contemplating abortion this week, and the people of Japan who by now are probably really tired of being cold and scared.

An update on my niece -- her surgery was moved up into an opening in the surgeon's schedule this Wednesday. I am praying she will make this week fruitful, focus on her physical and spiritual health, as I fear she is not taking good care of herself, and I'm thinking that it doesn't take a clinical psychologist to figure that out.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

...maybe lunch with my college boy one day. He works every night this week so he can't come home. Pooh.


My Goddaughter and her beau are coming for dinner on Wednesday.

Thought for the day...

from St. Therese, Story of  a Soul:

"It is not necessary to read from a book some beautiful formula composed for the occasion. If this were the case, alas, I would have to be pitied! Outside the Divine Office which I am very unworthy to recite, I do not have the courage to force myself to search out beautiful prayers in books. There are so many of them it really gives me a headache! And each prayer is more beautiful than the others. I cannot recite them all and not knowing which to choose, I do like children who do not know how to read, I say very simply to God what I wish to say, without composing beautiful sentences, and He always understands me."

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