My January Daybook

My January Daybook
The Simple Woman's Daybook
Outside my window... The sun is starting to slip down in the afternoon sky. It is currently a warm 72 degrees outside. Weather reports state that this weekend will be warmer. Since my "window" is actually our IT supervisor's window at work, the warmth of the sun doesn't reach my cubicle. Although the air conditioning at 60 degrees is and I am slightly cold.

I am praising God... for the storms in my life. I don't like them one bit, but I know that I am being transformed through them. I know that things will be improved at the end.

I am in prayer for... my entire family. My children for their behaviors, my husband for spiritual healing and my Mother for several things regarding health issues.

I am thinking... I am really trying NOT to think, but I can't help it. There is so much on my mind and I am having trouble sorting it all out.

I am thankful... For my church support. They are always there with prayer and encouragement.

In the kitchen... Our over-the-range microwave/convection oven died after only 4 years right before Thanksgiving. I recently found a used microwave to us for $25, but it literally only heats a round plate size item. I seriously need to find out if ours can be repaired or if it is time to save up for a new one.

I am wearing... Black dress pants, a multi-shade blue shirt. I love this shirt.

I am creating... Nothing at the moment. Just trying to put out fires.

I am going... I might be going out on a boat for the first time since I was little for a memorial to an old family friend who died in November. Maybe I will have a chance to take pictures.

I am wondering... What the best way to keep up on all the birthdays throughout the year and make sure I have cards ready to give them. I REALLY want to do better this year.

I am reading... Luthiel's Song by Robert Marston Fannéy Luthiel's Song.

I am hoping... Unity in my family unit. There is so much disharmony right now that everyone seems to be working against each other instead of working together.

I am learning... To trust God with my circumstances. I struggle with this daily, but I keep reminding myself that God is there with me.

Around the house... Things are starting to get picked up after so many of us were sick around Christmas. Vacuuming is happening again and the kitchen is looking better. Some days are better than others, but baby steps.

I am pondering... Why I haven't thought to pray and ask God to write through me. I have written lots of stuff over the years (unpublished), but really wanted to break into the Christian genre and couldn't think of where to start. I was reminded that doing on my own steam gets me nowhere.

A favorite quote for today... "With God ALL things are possible."

One of my favorite things... I am a sucker for creamy white chocolate. I know it isn't chocolate, really, but who cares. I discovered the Lindor white chocolate truffles. I am hooked. Unfortunately.

A few plans... I have an appointment with my mother at the neurologist later this month. Birthday party for a sweet boy named Ishmael tonight and a hike at Oso Flaco in Guadalupe area on Saturday.

A peek into my day... We went on a boat for a good friend's memorial service. We went out 3 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara. It was a beautiful day.

December's old news... We had a fire at work on the 27th of December. Thank God no one was hurt and the building is ok, but it could have been bad. Tremendous response by 5 trucks, 2 ambulances, the fire chief and the local news.

My November Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook


Outside My Window this morning was sun, which is a nice change from the coastal fog we are used to seeing in the morning. The trees are starting to turn colors. The nights are starting to get colder and it is time to pull out the extra blankets. It is hard to see it in this picture. This is the best view I could get from my cubicle at work.

I am thinking about whether I need to get another job until I can pay the property taxes for the house. Selling things in the house we don't need isn't going over very well. I really need a good debt-reduction plan. It might be a Dollar Store Christmas this year. I wish I could ditch my bills for one month and put that money towards the taxes.

I am thankful for God's grace and love. He gives me hope where there is none to be found. I am thankful for my family and my church family. I know they are there for me no matter what.



 

In the kitchen my husband is a magician. He cooks crack in the kitchen. (Great food is what I mean. lol) I can't stop eating it and I don't know how I will ever lose weight that way. He even finds a way to make Hamburger Helper taste awesome! This isn't Hamburger Helper by the way. I actually cooked this, because for some reason I don't take pictures of the awesome food he cooks.

 

 

I am wearing black silky pants with a comfy black top. Nothing too exciting.

 

I am creating nothing right now. I have finished my cross-stitch for my Pastor. It only took 2 years and I lost it for at least 1 year. Now I need to get it dry cleaned, blocked and framed. I also finished writing the script for our Christmas play that is coming up next month. Because I am still working on the finishing touches and rehearsals, other projects are currently shelved. Here is a picture of my finished cross-stitch.

 

 

 

We worked on props for our play this Saturday. Our wings are looking awesome and I only have a little left to finish them, but the painting and creation is taking longer. We will definitely need another day to finish them. I am kind of excited and nervous about getting it all done on time. We have a lot to do and we will need all the help we can get.

 

I am wondering what God has in store for me. How do I free up my time for the things I feel led to do? I feel compelled to pitch in and help, but that cuts my other time down for using my gifts. I guess I need a time manager too.

 

I am reading The Spiritual Warrior's Prayer Guide by Quin Sherrer and Ruthanne Garlock. as well as other books in my Kindle.

 











The Spiritual Warrior's Prayer Guide

 

I am hoping for God's miracles and provisions. I need to stay hopeful or the enemy creeps in and robs my joy.

 

I am looking forward to our Christmas play this year. The cast is having a lot of fun at practices. Lots of laughter, but the message of Christ is clear. I am also looking forward to some much needed time off of work.

 

I am learning that I need to ask for more help. All the things my family thinks I can or should do is just too much for one person and it is time for them to do some things for themselves. I have become the go to gal for everything, including being a referee between them.

 

Around the house things are moving around. Furniture is coming and going. We are making room for the tree. Things are getting picked up and organized. Now we need to clear out the garage again. It seems to be our catch all and we need to make that stop.

 

I am pondering what my life's path could be. There are so many ways to serve, but God hasn't revealed what He wants me to do yet. I guess I am still in training.

 

A favorite quote for today came from my daughter. She had me laughing so hard. She said, "If mother nature does it to mothers, does father nature do it to fathers?"

 

One of my favorite things is rain and we just don't have enough of it. Maybe I will have to move to someplace rainier.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week We have play rehearsal tonight, prayer meeting Friday and our Pastor's birthday party on Saturday. Also, the new theater here in town will be opening up with $2 movies, $2 popcorn and $2 drinks that are being donated to different charities. My husband and I are planning to see Man of Steel.

 

A peek into my day work is steady so far, check run coming later along with internal auditing. Fun, fun, fun!

My October Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside My Window - Is a mess of a yard. We have a very large back yard, the largest on the block. When dug up the side of the house to put in the new patio we never got around to getting the sprinklers fixed. Besides the vast amounts of crab grass that made up the lawn the sprinklers don't work and we are out of money. We hope to get this remedied soon, but for now, it is a dead project. Maybe a few garden gnomes will make the dry grass and gopher holes seem a little cheerier.

I am thinking - That it is easy to say that God will provide my every need, but it is tougher to have faith when you are in the middle of the storm. I refuse to give up believing and having faith that He will do as He says. In the meantime, I am thinking I would love nothing better than to take another trip to Plymouth, MA again on a real vacation. My husband and I enjoyed it so much on our honeymoon we are dying to go back.

 

I am thankful - For my job, both of them actually. I love both of my jobs. I am thankful for living on the central coast, where the weather is mostly beautiful throughout the year. Especially since I consider rainy weather beautiful as well. One of our local beaches is frequently used in movies.

Sea Arch at Paradise Beach



Kevin Russ Guadalupe Beach Pic

 



 

In the kitchen - The kids and I had so much fun making fruit shapes and mini pizzas for my daughter's lunches last week. Apparently my mini homemade pizzas are a bigger hit than anything we have to have delivered.

 

 

I am wearing - Jeans and a t-shirt because I was weeding today. I can't do a whole lot because I hurt my elbow some months ago, but the weeds are out of control. So, I decided to work on it for a bit at a time and use the shovel to give me the opportunity to pull them out easier. However, the ants in my yard are crazy. We have these new tiny black ants that swarm like crazy and I have never seen anything like it before. I sprayed the weeds in the degenerated granite area with weed killer and I just know that I will feel better once they are mostly eradicated.

 

I am creating - Well, it is a work in progress as we move forward with our meetings, but I co-wrote our church's Christmas play this year. I think it will be quite funny and entertaining and yet touch on all the important meanings behind Christmas. I would like to just take a moment to say that I felt Christ inspired and I give Him all the glory.

 

I am going  - I have jury duty on the 15th. This is the second time I have ever been summoned for jury duty. It is a very interesting prospect and I am blessed in knowing that my company pays me for my time in jury duty. I think that makes the attitude towards jury duty a better one.

 

I am wondering - What does my cat dream about when he sleeps? He is so cute and I can't believe the kinds of positions he sleeps in. He is about to fall off the couch. I think his head is hanging over the couch.

 

 

 

I am reading  - Several different fee Kindle books have been downloaded to my phone app. I have been diving into a few new ones recently. I am currently reading The Housewife Assassin's Handbook by: Josie Brown. I have only just started reading it, but so far the action started right away and I am already hooked into the story.

 

The Housewife Assassin's Handbook on Amazon

 

 

I am hoping  - We can raise the $1700 in property taxes that are due by December 10th. We started a jar and listed several things in the house to sell. With Mom losing her unemployment and unable to find work due to worker's comp damage and side issues, things tightened up even more. We are all praying for a miracle.

 

I am looking forward to  - To the new theater opening up at the mall next month. Not only will it offer more than 80 new job opportunities, but we are hoping that it will revive our mall that has become a joke to most of the people living here.

 

New Mall Theater

 

 

I am learning - To be  more loving and compassionate towards my Mother who has been struggling with memory loss and comprehension difficulties caused by brain damage due to lack of oxygen.  I constantly have to remind myself that her asking me the same things over and over again is not meant to irritate me. It is so hard not to let my feelings rule me when I have to repeat myself, or when I write things down in an ABC order for her to follow, she still can't understand what I ask. Never realized how many problems can be caused by memory loss. I am so worried about it getting worse.

 

Around the house - I have been working on several organization projects. Being hurt makes them difficult to complete, but I have grand plans for the bedroom, living room, kitchen and garage. We finally evicted all the mice from our garage last month and we are still working on the clean up process.

 

I am pondering - New ways to make my daughter's lunch healthier and ensure that she will eat it. I have been reading several blogs and getting some great ideas. Not all of them are within my financial budget, but I am finding ways to work around it. So far she loved last week's lunches and we will be making some new things tomorrow for her lunches.

 

A favorite quote for today - I don't really have a quote for today, but "Don't worry, be happy," is more my speed today. Even though it is a song, I love it and it describes me today.

 

One of my favorite things - Having my hair played with. It is so relaxing to me. It is also a good way to put me to sleep. As long as it doesn't get tangled up, I am a happy girl.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week - With church on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Pampered Chef team meeting on Tuesday and play practice on Thursday, it is a very busy week. Hopefully I can squeeze the gym in somewhere.

 

A peek into my day - I slept in today. Saturday is the only day I get to do it, but it means missing water aerobics. Sadly, no matter how much I sleep I am still tired.  After that I did a couple loads of laundry that have been sitting on the garage floor after the great mouse eviction. Did some grocery shopping with Mom, bank transactions and then pulled some weeds for about an hour. Now I am resting with my husband.

 

 















Christmas Play Writings and Other Tasks

I tried to stay out of the Christmas play this year, but that wasn't meant to be. The play's creator had writer's block, so she tagged me. Now it's my turn in the ring and I am just having fun with it. The Three Un-Wise Men should be pretty cute. We can't make it too elaborate because our church is small and we can't have the whole church in it or we might not have an audience.

 

I love writing, but it is mostly a hidden pleasure. Some friends know that I write, but it is not something I share with everyone. I am actually approaching the end of my first book. I have no idea what to do with it when I am done.

 

 



My daughter's Dad is still in the hospital. He has been in ICU for 3 weeks. When she was 1 his heart actually stopped and they were able to bring him back to life. He was 600 pounds and his heart and lungs couldn't support his body anymore. That was 6 years ago. Now he is over 500 pounds and worse off physically than he was then. He almost died again. I am trying to be strong for my daughter who doesn't want her Daddy to die. He doesn't live with us, in fact he is pretty far away, but she still cries when he is sick. I wonder if he thinks about how much it effects her at all.





I have been trying to get my life in order. It is hard to do when you don't have time to do the things you need to do. Budgets, working 2 jobs, cluttered spaces abounding and sifting through boxes in the garage. I need a few clones. At least my current cross-stitch project is almost complete. It is actually in the outline stage, this is an older picture.

Well, after birthday party planning and two meetings after work, I am beat and it is 11 p.m. I am so ready for bed. I will sign off for now. Good night.

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

 

I hope 2013 is better than last year!

 

 

 

 



DIY Tin Gifts

Christmas is tight this year. Tighter than usual and I still have six kids to buy for. They aren't all mine, but they are immediate family. So, I was looking for some unique craft ideas to make their smaller present more personal. I was able to get a few cookie tins and almond containers for free that would have otherwise have been tossed in the trash. I finally started working on them last night.

 



I decided that I had so many scrapbooking supplies that I needed to put them to use. So after pulling some select items from my drawers I got to work. Here is how they look before I put the pictures on them. I am pretty proud of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 Well, what do you think? I am pretty happy with them for my first time. I think the kids will love them, especially when they find all the small wrapped items inside.

Hilary Cook

Emergency Preparedness - A Bowl Full of Lemons - Part 1

http://www.abowlfulloflemons.net/2012/12/emergency-preparedness-week-1-storage.html#comment-36870

So I have been thinking because the world is changing so much with its weather patterns and such that there is nothing worse than being unprepared. I have been doing a lot of thinking because of the earthquakes we have in California. We aren't really that far away from the San Andreas fault and we can feel earthquakes all the way up as far as San Francisco. Everyone keeps saying that California will drop into the ocean with the "Big One" and if that is true, no amount of emergency preparedness is going to save us, but hey, who knows what will really happen. So we are supposed to locate a emergency center and get a storage rack, backpacks and storage tubs. I am thinking our entry closet would be perfect, but it is a disaster right now. I am thinking of changing that into a emergency/entry/ coat closet. Now I just need to find the time and the tools and a home for the other things stored in it. I have seen some really cute organization ideas for entry closets and I am thinking of designing our closet this way. It will require some wood work from the hubby, but he loves that kind of stuff. Something like this I think.