For Kelli

The original post is linked to the button.

Kelli's most recent post is up today.

Visit Kelli and send some love & prayers her way.

Blessings,

~Julie~

Daybook...July 13, 2009

FOR TODAY ...May , 2009...

Outside my window...gray, humid, looks like rain again. Thunderstorms possible.

I am thinking...I love my life.

I am thankful for...I meant to mention this in last weeks Grains of Gratitude, but it got missed, I am thankful for the gentleman who stood behind us in church last Sunday. This wonderful man was obviously an immigrant. He sang with such enegry and gusto, his heart was in everything he said and did. When we closed with "America the Beautiful" I was near tears listening to him. It was obvious his love for his adopted country. We have a very diverse congregation and I am sure some of our members fully realize how lucky we are to be able to practice our Faith freely. I pray that I am not lulled into mediocrity practicing my faith or my freedom.

From the learning rooms...the boys have the week off! This week is my week to sort and organize. Yes, I wanted it done much earlier, but I truly believe God had other plans and maybe I will be open to them now.

From the kitchen...the boys will be learning some easy baking. I am on a limited diet for now and while I don't think they should miss out, I think they might benefit from some supervised baking.

And I won't be as tempted to lick the bowls.

I am wearing...some old clothes I exercised in. Be glad there isn't a "smell" feature on Blogger---eeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...Sorry, I just need to cool down a bit more. Then obviously, hop in the shower.

I am creating...I am going to sort through my yarn stash and see what fibers I want to combine. I've got some really fun yarns and I love the look of blended knitting.

I am going...NOWHERE TODAY!!!!

I am reading...Wuthering Heights...finally. I've read it before, but it was on my list for the Winter Reading Challenge and I got off track.

I am hoping...to be able to participate in a reading challenge again soon. I miss the planning and visiting of other readers. I always get good ideas for books I should read. Because I don't have an out of hand to-be-read list. Bwahahahaha.

I am hearing...the clock tick and a child's bed creak. I moved out to the living room this morning to sit in a comfy chair.

Around the house...sort, organize, remove, sort, organize, remove, repeat, repeat, repeat...

One of my favorite things...a new tea blend I am trying. It's called "The Kitchen Sink." Kidding, but I've thrown in some flavored Mate', some Rooibos chai, a Lady Grey black, and some chocolate green tea in the last minute of steeping. Yes, I know...I'm strange...and random.

A few plans for the rest of the week:Yoga on Tuesday, taking my oldest and a friend's daughter with me--they have a ballet class afterwards, taking them and my friend on Thursday and she and I can have a good chat while waiting for our children, a trip to the zoo if it ever stops raining.

Here is video thought I am sharing...



Song: Wuthering Heights
Singer: Haley Westenra
Songwriter: Kate Bush


Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook to find more daybookers.

Honestly?

Carrie at Quite the Normal Life wants me to be honest. And Squelly at The Dreamer's Day does too! They shared the Honest Scrap Award with me. Thanks, ladies! I'm sorry I've been so slow in posting this. Honestly? I've been a bad, overwhelmed by life blogger. But, and I know I keep saying this, maybe now I can get back on track.

To accept this award, I need to: 1) Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award. 2) Share "ten honest things" about myself. 3) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me. 4) Tell those 7 people that they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving it :)

So my ten scraps of honesty?

1. Honesty is always the best policy. But I am trying to teach the boys that being honest does not mean you have to tell everything that you know. Like...you can say that your mom doesn't like mornings, but not tell someone that I look very scary when I wake up...or worse. Not that my lovely, adorable sons would ever share anything embarrassing about me.

2. Honestly? I start way to many things and then have a horrible time finishing them.

3. I am a serious pack rat. I am a crafter.

4. I am not a domestic goddess. I do not like housekeeping, I do it under duress and fear of the grossness that happens without cleaning. Company is always a great motivator, but I don't invite people over often enough.

5. Seriously? I am a wonderful procrastinator. Scarlett O'Hara has nothing on me. "After all, tomorrow is another day."

6. I am actually a very private person--hence the blog...makes perfect sense. I was trying to explain to someone how you can be a private person and still have a public blog. She doesn't get it. I have hermit tendencies to the point of annoying my friends,

7. Honestly, I am very frustrated with my endocrine system. The human body is an amazing thing, but mine is just a bit off balance. And it keeps swinging to and fro and getting my meds sorted out is annoying. Oh well...I can live with it and I'm happy for my little "thorn," knowing full well it could be much worse.

8. No kidding, I am an avid napper. Lately I have not been able to practice as much as I would like to.

9. For real, I am eclectic (possibly a bit eccentric) in almost everything. Randomly odd, that is me.

10. And finally, I am a grateful Christian, although I wonder at my witness most days.

Who am I asking to be honest? Well...

1. Leslie--she's always good at being transparent.

2. Renee--I can't imagine her telling a lie.

3. Pastor Al--if he'll play--he's about as honest as George Washington!

4. Michelle--you have to be honest as a mom of young'uns!

5. Sheryl--she's always real.

6. gemma--not afraid to say what she thinks.

7. Buttercup--honestly counting those blessings!

So now, honestly, I am going to get busy visiting blogs. Give me a few days to catch up! But I look forward to visiting. I'll bring some tea.

Be honest if you want to!! Tell us some deep, dark secrets and let me know!

Daybook...July 6, 2009

FOR TODAY ...July 6, 2009...

Outside my window...the gorgeous weather continues...I am loving this!

I am thinking...I can't confuse the boys' lunches this week because only one boy is going to be out of the house.

I am thankful for...the fact my drive time is decreased by over an hour every day this week!!

From the learning rooms...Boo is having a week off of everything. He needs a break. Roo is still at summer intensives. He's really learned a lot.

From the kitchen...maybe spaghetti and meatballs today--crockpot version.

I am wearing...denim shorts and a t-shirt--lots of work when I get home!

I am creating...still working on some knitting that I started in May...not a lot of time lately to get the needles clicking and clacking.

I am going...to put the living room to rights in the next two days!!

I am hoping...Roo's demonstration on Friday goes as well as Boo's did last week. I am so glad they were not at the same time.

I am hearing...morning noises--love the comforting sounds of my family.

Around the house...still wading through the chaos.

One of my favorite things...lunch with my husband. We went to a wonderful restaurant last week--food was superb, service was really top notch, and the company...just the best. I am married to a great guy.

A few plans for the rest of the week:Trying to find the living room floor, driving, drinking tea with my husband on the patio.

Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook to find more daybookers.

Have a great week!

Grains of Gratitude July 5, 2009

Happy Sunday! It turned out to be a gorgeous day here. I am so grateful because friends from church invited to boys to their house to have lunch and go fishing. They invited my husband and I, too, but we know they really wanted to see the boys! ;^)

What a special day. The boys had not really fished before and each caught three fish (threw them back too--yay!) and ate waaaaaaayyyy too much sugar and were all in all spoiled rotten. My husband and I enjoyed the time with these couples immensely and we were entirely blessed.

My husband took some vacation time at the end of the week to spend with me while the boys were at their classes. It has been a long time since we've done anything like that. We had lovely lunches, did a few of my husband's favorite acitvities, did a few of my favorite activities, shopped a little and just hung out and finished sentences and thoughts. We certainly felt weird without the boys around, but it was most enjoyable knowing they were busy at things they liked too. Three days with my husband...priceless.

We had a close to home Fourth, no plans but to stay home. It was a good day, though. Thousands of dollars are spent on my street alone every year during the week leading up to the Fourth of July. I am grateful that everyone remained safe even after one of the neighbor's canisters tipped and fireworks hit another neighbor's house.

About four families or groups of friends put on competing "shows" and it was quite a sight to see. Rockets red glare, bombs bursting in air on every side. I always feel just a teensy bit bad when I hear about people driving and waiting for fireworks shows put on by communities. All we've had to do for the last six years is walk out, put a lawn chair in the drive and sit and watch the show.

My husband took the boys up to one of the tents and they got to buy some (much smaller than our neighbors) fireworks. They had a few fountains and strobes and something I call "fizzy whizbangs" and a few other things. They had a great time lighting their own with Dad's supervision and then had about another hour of watching the neighbors. Again--soooooooo grateful for everyone being safe!!

I am so grateful we have our freedom to celebrate. I am thankful to the men and women who continue the work that begain over 230 years ago. Recently we were told of a friend of a friend who was severely injured overseas and we are praying for this soldier's life and for his family. They will never be the same after this, I just pray that they will allow God to comfort them during the coming days.

Grains of Gratitude is from Christine at Brady's Bunch!

Happy 4th of July!!

Enjoy & stay safe!!

Count your blessings & remember they are a gift!

Daybook, June 29, 2009

FOR TODAY ...June 29, 2009...

Outside my window...Some relief from the heat and humidity, sun, sun, sun! What a blessing. We've had lots of rain & thunderstorms lately.

I am thinking...I should double my estimated time on projects. Maybe I should triple that.

I am thankful for...a lovely package from a sweet friend. Books and rubber stamps!! But most of all I am thankful for her friendship!

From the learning rooms...the boys are in summer intensives, so I'm not giving them any extra, although we are listening to Angie Sage's Septimus Heap: Magyk when both boys are in the car.

From the kitchen...lots of grilling this week, some lasagna, maybe too. I'm tired of packing sack lunches.

I am wearing...a denim skirt and a short sleeve summer sweater.

I am creating...hopefully lesson plans for fall soon.

I am going...to have lunch with an old friend and go bead shopping. We are looking at making a special keychain from hair from her current and past horses' tails. Maybe hard to envision. I will post photos when we get done.

I am reading...Mom Needs Chocolate and The White Road, Book 28 in my beloved Morland Dynasty series. Number 31--The Foreign Field is out in hardback finally. Hopefully it will be in paperback when I am ready for it. I've really gotten behind in my reading and I miss it a lot.

I am hoping...to get back on track soon. I feel a bit adrift lately.

I am hearing...the boys trying to fit in X-Box time before we leave.

Around the house...trying to put the living room back together. Upstairs painting is done!! My husband has some painting he would like to do downstairs--and I will help, but hopefully we will be able to walk across the floor by Wednesday.

One of my favorite things...sitting out in the evenings with my husband since the weather warmed up.

A few plans for the rest of the week:Friday is the final demonstration for Boo's class. Looking forward to it.

Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook to find more daybookers.

Book Review--Mom Needs Chocolate by Debora Coty

When Glass Road Public Relations offered me a chance to read Debora Coty's new book, Mom Needs Chocolate, I thought, "That's the book for me!"

Did the title catch my attention? You bet!

Did the pages of the book live up to that title? Most certainly and then some!

Debora Coty writes the conversations you can only have with a friend, and not just any friend. These are the conversations between moms who have "been there, done that and gotten the t-shirts."

Part tea and sympathy (and a lot of laughs), part devotional-to-go, this small book has been my companion in waiting rooms and cars lately. To be quite honest, I'm not finished with it--I'm savoring it.

This would be a great read for a mom's group. The chapters are short, sweet, sometimes sassy and the three questions at the end are thought provoking and would make for great conversation.

From the publisher:

What’s a Rundown, Run-Ragged Mom to Do?!

Your spirit yearns to soar, but your feet—and faith—are stuck in the diaper-by-diaper mud of everyday responsibilities. How can you de-muck when you’re chronically exhausted and relentlessly robbed of abundant life by the joy-sucking dully-funks? Mom Needs Chocolate will help you get back in touch with rejuvenating joy and empowering faith!

In mom-to-mom, smile-provoking style, humorist Debora M. Coty paints her offbeat picture of reality with a tangy twist, and offers outrageous coping tips, off-the-wall insights, sisterly hugs and warm encouragement.

With witty frankness and wild abandon, she tackles the highs and lows (and mediums) of marriage, the horror of embarrassing children, the defeat and (and re-defeat) of depression, aging grossfully (er, gracefully), and a veritable grocery list of other mud-between-your-toes issues.

You will glimpse the all-too-familiar in these hilarious and heartwarming stories, and remember how to hear God's still, small voice above blathering kids, howling pets and snarling traffic!

I can definitely recommend sneaking five minutes a day to enjoy this book--with chocolate, of course! You deserve the treat.

Grains of Gratitude, June 28, 2009

Boo is entering his last week of summer intensive. I am grateful for the experience, but also grateful that he will be finishing up. There have been many lessons besides dance...some good...some...well educational.

He is ready for some freedom and I am ready for a little too. When his brother was that age and in an intensive it was only for a half day. It's a lot of work for a guy his age...which is rapidly approaching 9. As he keeps reminding me. Where do the years go?

Roo has two weeks left to dance. This is a blessing for him because last year four weeks seemed just too short. He is in his comfort zone and I am getting used to dropping him off and leaving him. It is harder on me than him, I know. (And calling me overly protective is a compliment, and I thank you for it.) I think five will be perfect. I know as he gets older we will be looking at some six week sessions, possibly longer.

I am grateful for a husband who has not complained about my lack of housekeeping and "interesting" menus. He is taking a few days off at the end of next week to spend with me...that will be a novelty I am looking forward to.

The whole summer intensive experience has been an adventure. Nothing has gone as planned (my plans) from the classes and structure that we've been used to in the past, to the events and incidents that have changed the plans for my days. But I've gotten to have lunch with friends, paint, visit a museum with another friend, move books, have a chance to help out at the studio with some housekeeping duties (it's always more fun to work on someone else's stuff!), paint, move books, do some shopping alone, and paint. Do you see a theme there???

One out-of-the-blue, unplanned, last minute incident was the offer of some tickets for the boys and I to attend a show we had really wanted to see, but just didn't have the funds to make possible. We got to see some choreography from one of our favorite choreographers and some of our favorite dancers--a couple who have been gone for a year now and who returned for this event. Of course this was on a week night, so we flew home, changed quickly, ate in the car, got home waaaaaaay too late, and were totally tired the next day--but oooohhhh it was worth it. It was intense, exciting and phenomenal.

Sadly my computer time was severely limited and I've not been a good visitor. Hopefully after next week I will be home a little more and have the paint chaos under control. I'm grateful for the little time I have been able to sneak in and grateful for everyone's patience with me as I catch up.

I'm grateful the LORD has provided such a full life to keep me never bored and always learning.

I'm grateful for Christine at Brady's Bunch who started Grains of Gratitude.

Daybook...June 22, 2009

FOR TODAY ...June 22, 2009...

Outside my window...Summer. In full force

I am thinking...I have so much work to get caught up on, so many plans to finish.

I am thankful for...my dear husband who puts up with me.

From the learning rooms...the boys are in summer intensives, study dance 6-8 hours a day--four weeks for Boo, five for Roo. This opportunity allows them to learn other styles of dance in addition to ballet. They will also have some music and theater classes and for Roo a chance to learn about resumes. It is odd for me to turn over my children for that long everyday. It has been a learning experience for me.

From the kitchen...Struggling with balancing my dietary needs with creating tasty and healthy meals for two growing boys and one patient husband.

I am wearing...capris and a blue top. Dressed early today because of driving.

I am creating...more messes.

I am going...to take a friend along for the morning drive. Catching up is good.

I am reading...The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper. I struggled getting into this book and finally got an audiobook to listen to during all my driving. By chapter ten, I am thoroughly drawn in and reading every chance I get to pick it up. I will watch the movie when I'm done.

I am hoping...the boys will be injury free this summer.

I am hearing...children rushing to get ready to leave the house. Not common here!

Around the house...still in chaos. More to come.

One of my favorite things...a store in the town near my dad. It is a "variety store" and the owner, who was a friend of my mom's, certainly has a variety. I always joke when I go in that I live in a big city, but always find things I've not seen--you know "necessary things" like beads, rubber stamps and paper in her store. A totally different experience than shopping at Hobby Lobby!

A few plans for the rest of the week:coffee with one friend, museum with another. Taking my goddaughter to see Boo dance. Oh and her mommy (my dear friend) can come too. LOL!!

Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook to find more daybookers.

Grains of Gratitude

I am grateful for my boys being so agreeable in the mornings, even though no one in this house is a morning person.

I am grateful my husband only had a very short trip. Things are just not right when he is gone.

I am grateful the flu came and went quickly around here. But it was the most awful stuff we had seen in years.

I am grateful for the women friends I have who are supportive of my choices even if they have calculated the score and came up with different choices. Too be honest I am a bit frustrated with women friends who believe looking at me should be like looking in a mirror. I need to pray more. I am thankful for a GOD who will help me with this area. I want to be a reflection of GOD although I have soooooooooooooooo far to go.

I am grateful friends who checked in when I fell of the face of the internet. Thank you so much.

I am grateful for all the gifts I have been given. I pray that I stop more often and count my blessings.

Grains of Gratitude took root at Brady's Bunch. And for that, I am grateful.

Stuck in My Head...

Recueillement

Sois sage, ô ma Douleur, et tiens-toi plus tranquille.
Tu réclamais le Soir; il descend; le voici:
Une atmosphère obscure enveloppe la ville,
Aux uns portant la paix, aux autres le souci.

Pendant que des mortels la multitude vile,
Sous le fouet du Plaisir, ce bourreau sans merci,
Va cueillir des remords dans la fête servile,
Ma Douleur, donne-moi la main; viens par ici,

Loin d'eux. Vois se pencher les défuntes Années,
Sur les balcons du ciel, en robes surannées;
Surgir du fond des eaux le Regret souriant;

Le soleil moribond s'endormir sous une arche,
Et, comme un long linceul traînant à l'Orient,
Entends, ma chère, entends la douce Nuit qui marche.

— Charles Baudelaire


This was something I had to memorize in college. Apparently it stuck. Some translations...

Grains of Gratitude--June 7, 2009

Just found that this never published. Better late than never. ---Julie

For my husband who kept the ship running while I was gone and my boys who helped him with the chores.

Husband and boys in the backyard looking at the moon with the telescope.

Opportunity to let the boys do summer intensives and their friends who will be joining them teachers staff

For being able to go to church "at home"

For my family, my dad, sister and her children

For friends who called while I was on the road--"just checking on you"

Brady's Bunch is where "Grains" begain. Thanks Christine!!

Back on the road...

...today through Thursday evening.

My visiting and responding have been poor. Hopefully I will be able to find a routine for the upcoming weeks.

Maybe...

Miss everyone...

Continued gratefulness for all your thoughts and prayers.

Julie

I Should Be Cleaning...

...but instead I'm on my computer from my still unfinished BLUE room. Love the blue!!

Waiting for my sister, nephew and niece to arrive. Let the mayhem commence.

All the cooking is outside--hamburgers on the grill, corn on the cob, veggies...plenty of food. Just nowhere to sit inside.

Anyone else want to come view the wreckage of my living room from my incomplete painting project? The canopy's up and the lawn chairs are out!

Off to find more jet fuel--ummm, I mean coffee.