Daybook...March 14, 2011

FOR TODAY ...March 14, 2011...

Outside my window...IT IS SNOWING!!!! Really? I need to get on the road!

I am thinking..."REALLY???? I need to get on the road!"

I am thankful for...My husband who has been very understanding on this long journey to menopause--that is still not over.

From the learning rooms...One boy does school on the road, one boy does school at home with Dad.

From the kitchen... I will not be in mine.

I am wearing... Pajamas. I need to get dressed and on the road. But it's SNOWING!

I am creating...I have about seven knitting projects going. My goal is to finish ONE, 1, one, uno, next week.

I am going...to take care of a relatives needs for a short while.

I am reading...Salem Falls, by Jodi Picoult and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (yes, again).

I am hoping...for safe travel. Actually, I am praying for that.

I am hearing...the clock ticking.

Around the house...Everyone else is asleep.

One of my favorite things...a quiet cup of coffee in the morning.

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

No picture today. Hopefully, I can start sharing some soon.

Off the computer now. Must load the van. Hopefully the snow will lighten up soon. Will be visiting my bloggy neighbors this evening when Boo and I touch down.

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

FiveThings to Be Thankful For this Friday: A Bump in the Road

I really pondered giving up driving for Lent.

I do not like automobiles.

But I don't think my Lenten journey should involve giving up one of my many jobs: Chauffeur.

My children need driving. I must head north to visit my father. The grocery store is too far away to walk....Nah...cannot give up driving.

But that said...

I spent all yesterday morning getting vehicles serviced, waiting in waiting rooms, getting vehicles tagged & paying taxes, standing in lines, driving, driving, driving.

I got home and my husband planned on taking his lunch break to run to the hardware store.

Two minutes later he called me. "Did you know that you were driving on a flat tire?"

Today, my husband is waiting for a new set of tires. We had hoped to put this off until closer to summer...Nahhh...Why put off tomorrow and all that...jazz.

Here's my Five Thankfuls:

At least it was at a slow speed.
At least the rim was not bent.
At least the weather was not bad.
At least it was close to home.
At least I wasn't driving. (I would have just sat down on the curb and cried.)

Dear Lord: Thank you for transportation and safe travel. Help us to be responsible with our resources. Teach us to see the good in the midst of the challenges. Thank you for my husband who keeps me trucking along.

Counting it all joy,

Julie

Ash Wednesday

Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments...




A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

Acclimating

ac·cli·mate Verb /ˈakləˌmāt/ /əˈklīmit/

1. To accustom or become accustomed to a new climate or environment or new conditions; to adapt.
2. Respond physiologically or behaviorally to a change in a single environmental factor
3. Harden off (a plant)

I love it when I've finally acclimated to winter. I can wear one pair of normal socks in the house. I can wear one layer of clothing inside. I can open the door and not cringe. I can run out and warm up the car with a sweater thrown over my shoulders instead of completely bundling completely up. Hopefully it's not because I've added too many layers to my personal insulation. (I'm not stepping on the scale today to find out!)

Basically I've adapted to this winter and the snow and the wind and the cold.

Just in time for the weather to take a turn and show signs of spring.

But I'm not complaining. I am willing to return to warmer temperatures. I am willing to see the green grass and robins. I'd like to try to start (and acclimate a few garden plants this year).

Chameleons adapt to their surroundings to avoid sticking out and become an easy target for predators.

Acclimating to me seems like it should be a good thing. But I don't know that it always is.

I find myself acclimating to my surroundings pretty easily. I don't know about you, but I find myself out in "the world" on a daily basis. And it seems easier to acclimate myself to "the world" than to brace myself and hold on to the things I know to be better choices.

When the boys were little it seemed easier to stay insulated and, dare I say, safe. Now we are gone from home six and sometimes seven nights a week. We are surrounded by choices. Not all of them bad, but not all of them what I would wish for our family.

So often it seems easier to shed a few layers of personal convictions to avoid conflict and difficult discussions. It seems easier to at least avoid talking about beliefs and convictions anyway.

I am grateful that the LORD has blessed me and surrounded me by women who share my faith, but more and more I see, that while we can talk amongst ourselves, topics turn other directions when we are joined by others with different political or religious leanings.

Perhaps we are all acclimating.

How do you keep from acclimating to the world?

I have, in the past, "fasted" my blog for Lent. Considering that I haven't blogged for ages, and that there has been a pressure on my heart telling me it is time to return, I am fasting some other things and returning to my blog. Not all of my bloggy postings will be deep and spiritual, I am sure. But I feel the need to be obedient in returning. So...I am going to try. We shall see.

Heavenly Father, I thank you that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. You have created us to adapt and survive in many climates and situations. Please protect our hearts from becoming acclimated to worldly things. Help us to change our corner of the world to your glory. Amen.

Finding joy in all things,

Julie

'Nuff Said...

Allon: Book 2-Insurrection

Allon: Book 2-Insurrection

by Shawn Lamb

Back in April I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Allon. Recently the author, Shawn Lamb asked me if I was interested in the latest edition to the Allon series, Insurrection. How could I refuse?

Insurrection picks up four years after Book 1 ends. Ellis is king, Shannan is queen. An heir to the throne is on the way. Allon is at peace. But the Dark Way does not give up easily. Whisperings of conflict and discontent give way to danger.



Without giving the story away, I will say Allon is a wonderful novel that offers strong characters who give examples of honor, faith, devotion, heroism, gentle mercy and wisdom. These characters are at odds enemies exhibiting greed, pride, sin, and destruction. Ms. Lamb manages to combine action and adventure with a focus on faith and serving the Lord. I know my both my boys will enjoy this book and gain some good lessons along the way.

Allon: Book 2-Insurrection would be a great last minute Christmas gift for a young adult or an advanced young reader who loves fantasy and action. Or, since I am tardy in getting my review out if there are any young readers out there with a few holiday dollars they want to spend on a new book they would find an exciting read in this second book of the Allon series.

There is a website featuring a blog, an interactive map, photos and more that many will also enjoy.

My thanks to Ms. Lamb for the delightful read.

Daybook...September 27, 2010

FOR TODAY ...May , 2009...

Outside my window...it's 45 degrees and fair. Looks like a lovely day.

I am thinking..."Where did this year go???"

I am thankful for...my husband and the nearly eighteen years we have been married.

From the learning rooms...trying for a routine this week. We've had so many doctor's and dentist and other appointments lately. I want to have a routine!!

From the kitchen...it depends on my wonderful husband who has taken over a lot of the cooking at night since I am gone so much this (ballet school) year. His options are grilled fish or "Daddy's chicken fingers."

I am wearing...comfortable layers that can quickly be removed or added back depending on the state of my hot flashes.

I am creating...in progress, on needles: three scarves, three afghans, one shawl and hopefully some hair bows and some jewelry if I can see my way clear to my workspace.

I am going...to PSR with son #2 and ballet with son #1.

I am reading...I just finished The Godmother by Carrie Adams. I was looking for something light and quick. Quick it was, definitely British (which I love) but not the fast and funny chick lit I had imagined by the cover art or the synopsis on the back. A bit edgy and sad, with a moral to the story (but questionable character morals--so if you would be offended, avoid reading). Truly a book that pulled me in and demanded to be finished immediately.

I am hoping...I really don't have a cold.

I am hearing...the computer, the clock and some cars off the highway.

Around the house...trying to find: the floor, my bed, a plan that works, a clone to do the boring stuff.

One of my favorite things...walking with my husband.

A few plans for the rest of the week:box up homeschool work and records that can be filed. Organize some things that can be sold.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...This was the house I spent five weeks in during the summer. With nineteen kids. With NO INTERNET working on MY computer--everyone else's computer worked! I really had no business on the internet, anyway. That turned out to be a blessing.


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

Life Means So Much

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
That somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much
~Chris Rice~




Psalm 90

Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.

Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

You turn men back to dust,
saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."

For a thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.

You sweep men away in the sleep of death;
they are like the new grass of the morning-

though in the morning it springs up new,
by evening it is dry and withered.

We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.

You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.

All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.

The length of our days is seventy years—
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Who knows the power of your anger?
For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.

Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Relent, O LORD! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.

May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

Away...

I will be without internet for the most part for the next four weeks. All is well, just away from connectivity and going at warp speed.

Count it all joy,

Julie

Your Ways...Not Mine

Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees;
then I will keep them to the end.

Give me understanding, and I will keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.

Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.

Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.

Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.

Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.

Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.

How I long for your precepts!
Preserve my life in your righteousness.

Psalm 119: 33-40