Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7



Monday, September 05, 2011

Labor Day/book




Outside my window...
...low 70s and gloriously gray. I do realize I am one of the few people around who love gray days. I'm not certain if my love for cloudy days precedes my migraines triggered by bright glares, but I guess that's reason enough. Labor Day has always felt like kick-off for autumn, so the gray skies and cool temps are a perfect match for the way I feel about today.

I am thinking...
...about dear Charlotte and keeping her in prayer this weekend. I am hoping that today or tomorrow she'll be taking her little bundle home.

I am thankful for....

...a family-filled weekend (even when I'd really rather be a lump and stay in bed)

...my first Etsy sale, yesterday!

...a hard-working husband

...healthy children

...prayers

...hot, (strong) black coffee, always


From the lesson plans...
...we'll begin our second week this week, and I still have not written the post about Faith's curriculum. We started this week with a study of sorts on Fairy Tales, influenced by Leila. It was actually very fun and I realized that my daughter had not learned about as many fairy tales as I thought she had.

From the kitchen...
..we're headed to a potluck to celebrate my Father-in-law's birthday and I'm taking Bacon and Onion Potato Salad and Texas Sheet Cake (tweaked just a tad from this recipe).

I am wearing...
...khaki crops (for which it's almost too cool), and a red and white blouse

I am creating...
...a sweater for Doug's nephew and I'm starting some baby bonnets today for the little girls next door.
  I have a design in my head but I'm not sure how well it will translate into an actual wearable item. I have to get to the fabric store this week for a few more pieces of fabric for a special little quilt I am working on.

I am reading...
... Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian and Dr. Ray's book on parenting teens.

I am hoping...
...for good results from Joshua's heart monitor test this week.

I am hearing...
...Joshua and Taylor chattering and Faith interjecting. Doug is outside the back door raking the gravel. The kids are all getting ready to go to the driving range.

Around the house...
...laundry to do. It will wait until tomorrow.  I think I need to iron a shirt for Doug for tomorrow, but everyone else has enough clothes to start the week.

The family room feels empty because Doug and the boys carried one of the sofas to the basement. Now it's my job to find something to fill its place.
The basement is almost completely finished. I want Doug to hang a few shelves and I need to buy a few storage containers that double as furniture. I also want to try my hand at some art. Again, I have something in my head but I'm not sure how well I can transfer it to paper.

I am going...
...to my in-laws for dinner in a short while.


One of my favorite things...
...the sound of wind blowing through the trees in the back (the fact that it is a cool wind makes it infinitely better)


I am praying for...

...my children, especially Geoffrey because he is still in Chicago, and for my husband

...for Charlotte and her precious little Cupcake

...our next door neighbors' new twin girls. One of the girls has VSD and has not come home yet, after a month. She was supposed to come home this week but the doctors and insurance company can not agree on her coming home with a feeding tube and so she can not come home. I feel so awful for her parents -- they just want their little family to be together.

...our priests and all religious

...several soldiers

...all of the babies whose mothers are contemplating abortion this week


Plans for the rest of the week...
...a short school week, an appointment for Joshua at the cardiologist's office first thing tomorrow, and a crown later in the week for me. Ugh. You know I hate dental work, and this one is not only going to be a pain in my mouth but a pain in my pocket book because I am out of dental benefits for the year. The dentist said if I wait, it could turn into a root canal, so I'm going to bite the bullet. Maybe literally.


Quote of the day...
One of the many beautiful and hard-hitting quotes by Blessed Mother Teresa:

"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish." 

Her feast day is today. 


A picture thought (or two)...

 The gorgeous gray skies today -- view from the front porch.


A candle vigil for Charlotte next to my Kitchen Madonna.


8 comments:

  1. Hi Barbara - You are definitely not alone in enjoying cool, grey weather. It is raining here and in the 60's - I just finished making a batch of leek and potato soup, and it feels like fall, my favorite season.

    You and your family will be in my prayers this week. Hang in there with the dental appt - a crown beats a root canal, at least :)

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  2. I'm in Arizona, SE corner. It's 78 today and cloudy and grey. It's a glorious day! After all the 110 degree afternoons this is a real blessing to be enjoyed!

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  3. I LOVE that Kitchen Madonna! I'll have to get me one. :)
    Also loving the fall weather today. Outside my window it looks like rain and the branches are dancing. Happy!

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  4. Congratulations on your Etsy sale! I'm glad you opened a shop; I always thought you should.

    Tough job, trying to find furniture---have fun with that. :-)

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  5. Oh I am curious what sort of art you are cooking up!

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  6. Thank you for the prayers, Mary. I am most appreciative.

    The cooler weather is just glorious, isn't it Anne?

    She's perfect, Emily, and my husband got her from the EWTN catalog for Mother's Day.

    Picking out furniture would be a pleasure, Sara, with unlimited funds!

    Some sort of map is all I can say, Kim. But I always have lofty plans and sometimes they just don't work out. ;-)

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  7. Aww...beautiful photograph w/ the candle & Virgin.

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  8. Hi Barbara, your photo is what I imagined your view to be while reading your text. It is beautiful in it's own way. You have much to be thankful for! Hope you enjoyed your dinner at your in-laws!

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I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!