Wordless Wednesday: When the rum's gone, it's time for sweet tea!

Perspective

Isn't interesting how you can be having one the worst days...  you know: the bread doesn't rise,and/or sticks to the pan... the muffins burn... the kid(s) are unruly, whiny and disobedient... laundry (both clean & dirty) are piled... and the house is in shambles...  ??

Facebook: Long week

As posted on my FB status just moments ago....

After a 74 hour work week... it was mighty nice to have hubby all to ourselves today!! We miss him something awful when he's gone so much!! ~ But alas & alack... it's back to the grind tomorrow.... goodnight all! ♥

Wordless Wednesday: Lovely morning.... Lovely life! ❤

Maniac Monday....

Ever have one of those days, where everything goes crazy all at once... and before you know it, the day is over, & you haven't stopped once to even get a drink or water, let alone sit down. Yeah, that was my day yesterday. And just so I could go back & have a good laugh later... I wrote it all down.

Wordless Wednesday: the unibrow....

(Apparently our daughter thought she needed a uni-brow... made of mascara ::sigh::)

MIA: one amber necklace :-(

I am so disappointed!  KB's amber necklace has gone missing! :-(((  

 ^one of the last pictures I have of her wearing it^

Our walk...

It's was a beautiful day....  temps in the Low 50's, bright cheerful sunshine, and a cool breeze.. it was a chilly, tropical paradise!! -- One too good to not capture.

Here's a glimpse of our adventures - straight from the lens of my cellphone. :)

Goldfish

Over the course of the last month or two, KB has acquired four little goldfish! :) "Nemo", "Fishy", & "Shark-bait" and a fourth, yet to be named, happily reside in a large fishbowl, in the middle of our kitchen table - dearly loved & observed by all.

The many faces of me...

Since I just changed my profile pic, I decided to post the past ones, just for fun... Enjoy!!

Our day....

This morning I woke up to the most amazing cool breeze blowing through! Apparently the storm during the night was enough to seriously cool things off (at least for a little while). Really nice, but also bizzare. Are you sure we're still in southwest Florida, in the middle of.... JULY?! At any rate, I am taking full advantage by having all my windows open, and enjoying the fresh air blow through - a welcome change to the normal constant air-conditioning going at this time of the year. Coupled with the glorious fresh smell of the neighbors' lawns being mowed... coffee brewing..... music being played... and little one is off coloring & exploring. It is truly a a beautiful morning!

Then, this afternoon, I needed a few more items for dinner... so KB and I walk the half-mile, to the grocery store. Now, I have walked this route several dozen times.... but never have I experienced such strange events as I did today. --- From the old guy who saw KB getting into the potatoes in the produce dept, and proposed I use candy to keep her hands busy (no thank you sir, she doesn't eat candy. No, I am not "lucky"... we have a no sugar policy in our home!)... to the old lady who stopped me to inquire about KB's stainless steal water bottle (she just read about them & the hazards of plastics, and wondered what they looked like - ::raised eyebrow:: okay.)... to the "good Samaritan" who stopped to offer us a ride (keep in mind, it's a busy road - not exactly a road one just randomly stops!) ...to the 3-4 passing cars that honked at me + 1-2 guys that holleredout of their car windows at me. -- Not a normal occurrence.... esp et alone, for me!! What makes it esp hilarious though, is my appearence. I quickly threw on a t shirt & denim skirt as I was running out the door... my hair is a mess... and at the time, I was slowly pushing a stroller containing a hot & tired toddler (My Ergo was in the truck, at work, with my husband... grr.) and a *bunch* of groceries ... not exactly what I'd call a hot & glamorous sight. LoL (okay so I was hot... but more in the sweating, working out sense)... aye yi yi! ~ Never a dull moment!

With that, I am off to start dinner! :-)

Denim Blues...

Breakfasts with our Champion...

As difficult as it's been (mostly financially) to still have B out of work... there have been a few nuggets of treasure we've discovered, in spite of our misfortune. We've enjoyed quality family time... park days... eating meals together,around the kitchen table.... and B's gourmet breakfasts! That's right.... I've discovered that, when given the time, my husband loves making breakfast.... and he's really good at it, too! I am a night owl, so normally breakfast isn't my thing..... but I have been blessed to enjoy an almost daily feast of eggs scrambles... sliced fresh fruit... coffee... juice.... and sometimes even biscuits or something! I think I am becoming spoiled... it's all SO yummy!

Oh January mornings... how I do love thee!

Despite some unusually quite cold days.... this month has also held it's share of some of the most beautiful days! Almost spring-like weather, that only Florida can offer during the otherwise bitterly cold month of January...

Update...

We have officially made it through the first 48-hours, since beginning Mission:Goodbye wheat, hello happy baby (over 72-hrs since she has actually eaten any wheat)... and, so far so good! As much as I was, deep down, hoping this little experiment would prove her ill-temperament to all be the results of a "stage" she's going through... I will admit, I have already noticed a happy difference in her attitude, over the last two days! (Which is both relieving & horrifying at the same time!) ~ At this point, only time will tell... !

^^Our 17 month old baby girl, as of today!! ^^

As for the rest of us... B has been putting in LONG, faithful hours with Trimmers, taking down all the holiday decor. This week alone, he clocked 92.25 hours! Which yes, has unfortunately meant him starting his days before KB & I are up... and not ending until after KB was already asleep (often times, around midnight!) Thankfully, he does get overtime... and while it has not been easy living the life of a single mom over the last two weeks... I know this is all temporary (they're supposed to finish up this next week) and am just grateful he has had the work! - not to mention the extra money... which we are hoping will be be enough to see us through, until he can find another job! As always, I know I can trust that God does & will provide! I am just anxious to see how he's going to do it, this time!

Climb every mountain...

As seen on my Facebook status, just a few moments ago....

Tiph is going crazy! KB seems to think she's a stinkin' mountain goat today, and is climbing on top of EVERYTHING!! - Just now, it was the piano!! - ahhh!!!

(Hand caught in the cookie jar- quite literally.... on the kitchen table, getting into the goodies the Jackson's gave us for Christmas...)

So yeah... everything I said to Shari the other night, about Jordan & Ryan's habitual climbing totally being a boy thing, and not having a bit of a problem with KB..... Well, I take it ALL back!! It just started this morning... and has only gone downhill (or should I say up) from there!! (And she's fast!!!) Just now, I found her on top of the piano (an upright no less! - so not exactly easy...), and earlier (more than once) it was [standing on] the kitchen table!! - Ahhh!!! And the worst part of it... even though the predicaments I find her in, are SO stinkin' hilarious (!)... I just can't laugh, or it will only encourage her to keep doing it!!! ~ Oh my.... what a life.... :-)

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... November 11, 2008 (KB's 15 month birthday!)

Outside my Window... It's a clear, sunny, beautiful day in [earthy] paradise (there's a warmth to the air, yet it's not hot. - very comfortable!)

I am remembering... - How so very little KB was last year at the missions conference... as I also marched in with the Bolivian Flag (odd coincidence, as a fill-in, I ended up being assigned the same flag two years in a row).. only with her so very tiny, snuggled into the front carrier!

I am thankful for... The willingness of church family/friends to help out when needed!

I am thinking... I can't wait for Thanksgiving (and everyone coming down for it) to arrive!!

I am wearing... Pink polo, white skirt (with pink & lime green flowers/embroidery).. barefeet (though I was wearing brown sandals a bit ago)... silver chain with diuble hearts charm back in place around my neck... makeup applied... hair pulled loosely back in a clip.

I am reading... my script for the church Christmas play (almost there ! - still working through the big section, though)... various pages of music (two offertories, & two special musics down... two more of each, to go! ~ I also need to get working on a Christmas piece!)... the little devotional booklet my Marmee sent me.

From the kitchen... We had lunch out (at church) today, and dinner will be Chick-fil-A. Sometime tomrrow, we have to get/assemble the stuff for a Greek Salad. Either tomorrow for lunch, or Thursday for dinner, we will have the leftover Sausage Casserole that I made for dinner on Monday night. I also want to make some more pumpkin bread at some point.

I am praying... as to what the Lord would have us to trust in him for our Faith Promise this year. ~ I have also decided to start praying for a new vehicle - as ours is old & wearing out!

I am creating... I am always creating photos! The other day, I took some of Zoe for her mommy's birthday!

We also recently created a play house for KB, out of a 3ft squared box that B brought home from work!!

I am hearing... KB sleeping in my lap..

One of my favorite things... A marvelous cup of iced coffee... a sweet, snugly baby on my lap... and a fantabulous convo with a good friend.

Around the house... Dishes are being run through the dishwasher - the kitchen floor is in need of a good scrubbing - Laundry seems to be never ending..though I have two loads floating around here, that need to be folded. - Family room needs to be picked up of all KB's toys (which her daddy actually dumped on the floor, in order to use her crate! for something) - And at some point, I am going to need to straighten up front bedroom, and prepare it for my mom & sister's arrival (18 days!)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... We're having our Missions Conference this week (Sun - Weds)... with that was a luncheon today... a service tonight (where I will bear the flag of Bolivia in the nightly march of flags)... and then an international dinner/service tomorrow night (for which we volunteered to bring a Greek salad!). ~ At some point we need to go grocery shopping to get the ingredients for the salad. ~ DH is still working a lot... but thankfully had Sunday off, was able to get off in time last night for the meeting, and (I think) is off tomorrow, as well! ~ Tomorrow I will be watching Zoe for a good part of the day. ~ Thursday, I have a LaLeche League Meeting. And (depending on B's schedule) we hope to be able to visit Hope Children's Home with the church group, on Saturday afternoon.

Quote...

“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” - John Wooden

Verse...

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." ~ Acts 20:24

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...At the wedding we attended last Saturday (at the beach). The dress she's wearing is actually her "flower girl" dress she wore last year in my sister's wedding!

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The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today, since I was unable to get it done yesterday....



For Today... November 4, 2008 (election day!)

Outside my Window... Our new McCain sign! Weather wise, it's slightly overcast, and seems to be getting cooler as the day wears on!

I am remembering... (as I look through pictures of her 1st, 2nd & 3rd weeks of life) -

Just how amazingly tiny KB was... and how it really wasn't that long ago...

I am thankful for... Hubby having a job, and being willing to work such long, crazy hours (26, so far this week!) just to provide for us! - That God is still on the throne, and is way bigger than anything or anyone that happens tonight!!

I am thinking... What the next four years are going to be like, depending on who wins tonight... kinda scary!

I am wearing... brown skirt, blue shirt, barefeet, hair (desperately needing a wash) pulled back in a ponytail, no makeup.

I am reading... my script for the church Christmas play (gotta get those lines down!).... my new cooking magazine I just got in the mail (holiday treats - yum!).... and soon, the election results.

From the kitchen... Just ate a late lunch of left over chili & biscuits from last night. Tonight if hubby has to work late, I will probably just make a big salad, and use up the lettuce & tomatoes that need to be eaten.

I am hoping/praying... God's will be done tonight, in the election results!
I am creating... nothing (I am so boring!)

I am hearing... The dog barking at something outside (again!)... KB wanting to get up in my lap.... the washer running in the garage.

One of my favorite things...

Around the house... The dog is driving me crazy, and therefore is spending the day outside... and KB is in a "needy" mood (I think she's teething).... Diapers are ready to go out on the line... Sheets are in the dryer, and then are going to need to be put back on the bed.... I finally got all the dishes done (goodness there were a lot of them!).... the counters are mostly cleared off, and wiped down... The kitchen floor is in desperate need of sweeping/mopping... carpets are needing to be vacuumed.... more laundry needs to be run... the bathrooms probably need to be scrubbed.... I also really need a shower.... and I have a headache, major chocolate cravings, & no energy to do any of it.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... DH is working in Tampa tomorrow. I have Babywearing in the morning (maybe), LEARN tomorrow afternoon, and church tomorrow night. Thursday, I am going to watch Miss Zoe. I have no idea what Friday holds... and Saturday we have a wedding to go to. Sunday morning we have a breakfast at church. I also have another Christmas program practice.. and yet another offering. Sunday also starts our Missions Conference!

Quote...

The sun's gonna shine and the rain's gonna fall, and in the end you might get burnt or wet, but that's life. So dance in the puddles and bathe in the sun, and at the end of the day, smile. Everything's gonna be alright. -author unknown

Verse...
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." ~ Psalm 33:12

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." ~Galatians 6:7

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

My brother-in-law campaigning locally, with his Young Conservatives group, on Monday!

It warms my heart to see young people so proactive with the affairs of our country!!!

What did you say?

"Watch what you say: for you never know who is listening."

I know, I know... it's one thing to say... it's another, to actually do. Matter of fact, it's can even be quite easy to emulate & adhere to, when you are out & about under other people's watchful eye.... But what about when you're at home? It is said: "Character is what we do when no one is watching." - Do your attitudes & character differ between one or the other, just because "no one" is watching? Do you treat your children, spouse, parents, siblings with the same respect at home as you do when you're not. Just something to think about....

Today I had this lesson happen to me first hand....

and boy what a wakeup call that was!

As KB and I settle in to eat lunch, I suddenly notice my phone's display blinking. "That's odd!" I think to myself.... so I set in to do some investigative work. Then it hits me! about 5 mins 7 secs previous, KB had been holding my phone... and in pressing buttons, apparently called someone in my contacts. Then I started thinking... what did that person hear in those 5+ mins? Sometime in there, may have been when KB was begging me a bite of lunch.... as I tried to stall her until the food cooled down, did I let myself get at all irritated towards her? Did B ask me anything during that time? How was my attitude with him? Wow.... though I know the person on the other line is a very understanding & forgiving person (thankfully!)... the sudden realization of what was & (even worse), could have been heard, was very humbling...

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." ~ Psalms 19:14

The Simple Women's Daybook

For today, since I was unable to get it done yesterday....

For Today... October 28, 2008

Outside my Window... It's *cold*!! I don't believe it has gotten any warmer than 65° all day!! (which is very unusual for FL... let alone October!!) - It's wonderful! ~ The sun is shining... the wind is blowing... there's not a cloud in the sky... and there's a pair of brown squirrels chasing each other on the wooden fence... it's truly paradise!!

I am remembering . . . Fun times in the "good ol' days"... they sure did go by fast!

I am thankful for... Hubby feeling better today -- FIL who just stopped by, to (finally) fix my dryer!!!

I am thinking... How awesome is the color Vanessa picked for our bridesmaids dresses... and how much fun it's going to be choosing one (style)!!!!
I am wearing... Flannel pants & teal t-shirt, under my plaid apron... barefeet (though I am actually considering going and putting some socks on!)... hair [partially] pulled back in a clip.

I am reading... my script for the church Christmas play (yup, it's a work in progress).... Various music books (I just got the music schedule for this month, and I am on for two choir pieces & three weeks [in a row] of offertories, starting next Sunday).... text messages (I luv my equally addicted, text-a-holic friends!)

From the kitchen... Warming the chicken [broth/noodles] soup I made yesterday... so I can add the chicken & some veggies! I also feel like making bread or rolls or something warm like that... I think I will also go make myself some hot tea!


I am hoping/praying... we hear something back from Best Buy soon... or hubby can find some other work, soon!

I am creating...


I am hearing... KB playing with her lion stacking toy behind me.. Hubby talking on the phone... and the clanking in the garage, of my FIL fixing my dryer!

One of my favorite things... My clothesline!! ~ I am so glad I have had it through all this time, my dryer has been absent!!

Around the house... It got pretty well cleaned, over the weekend... so other than slow process of the seemingly never-ending laundry.... it's not too bad.... just a few random things need picking up.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Well, I thought this week was looking pretty uneventful.... but now it seems as if it's out to prove me wrong! (and that's not necessarily a good thing).

As normal, we have church on Wednesday evening (but I think we have a missionary coming, which is different!)... We will also be attending a funeral/service for Delvis, sometime this week.... (edit: just found out the funeral in on Thursday morning)....

We also possibly, have another funeral to go to, later in the week/weekend. It's for an evangelist friend of my husband's family... (Ok people!! I know they say these things come in threes... but *please* no one else die to make that true, and our week busier... k???)

Quote...

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God" ~ Corrie Ten Boom

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

She's mommy's little helper, already...