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.

Grains of Gratitude

I've fallen behind on my "Grains" posting, but not on my gratitude.

School's out!! I am so grateful that we accomplished so much this year. The boys put in a lot of hard work and have exhibited mastery on many subjects. I'm so impressed. God has had His hand on the whole year. I could never have made it come together without His mercy and grace.

The boys finished the ballet school year also. They participated in a wonderful spring performance. Each performed with their respective classes. Boo's class had a polka incorporated into their piece. Roo's class had a tango woven in. I was so tickled to watch both of the boys and their partners are just lovely. They also got to be in a piece for the boys of the school. I was impressed not just with their dancing, but also their acting skills too. Their sweet friend Ms. R, from church came one night and brought them flowers. So grateful for someone who thinks my boys are as special as I do.

We were almost completely packed and the day after the last show jumped in the car for some time in Iowa. I am grateful for safe travel and the opportunity to spend time with my dad, my sister and her children.

I am grateful for my understanding husband who knows how important this was to me and makes it possible for me to travel. I miss him so much. We aren't the best communicators on the telephone and we are used to being together so much of the time. I feel like I'm missing part of me. Maybe my heart...

Having a sibling is a blessing for sure. I don't know that I would want to navigate the aging process alone. My sister is a good balance for me. We are able to sound out a lot of issues with each other.

Lovely weather, even with thunder and mini squalls, the weather has been gorgeous here. God's creativity has been apparent in every moment.

Good blogging friends have blessed me. I've felt your prayers.

I found Grains of Gratitude at Brady's Bunch over two years ago!! Thanks Christine for starting it.