Downtown Adventures: A Good Samaritan

Today, as we were walking to catch the bus to the library... a man in a business suit, who was driving  through the neighborhood, stopped and motioned for us to please wait. Hesitant, I paused our walk.  He then rolled down his window, and asked if KB was my daughter... I answered she was - curious to what he was getting at. He then said he's seen us walking in the neighborhood before... and felt God impressing upon him to give us money for lunch. He then handed me a $20 and drove off. Wow... I am in shock! Thank you, whomever you are!

Reflections and Goals for 2011

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.  ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Adventures...

What a busy 3 weeks it has been!  I left the beginning of the month (June 2nd), and spent the next 2½ weeks visiting family in Kentucky, and attending my sister's highschool graduation. Then the Monday before I came home, my husband called me from his brother's phone, to let me know he had been terminated from his job - and they had taken his phone.  Though we knew a job change was something to anticipate for the near future... we didn't expect it to come quite this sudden, let alone in the manner it did. So, once again we're living by faith - trusting that all things work together for good... even though we don't always understand the purpose or reasoning behind the circumstances. Facing that unknown future can become a little daunting a times... but we've been here before, and know that God is good ALL the time... and will be faithful to get us through this rough patch, just like he did our last one! :-)

"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him." 2 Samuel 22:31

Children's Garden

We went to the Sarasota Children's Garden again today!  This is only the second time we've ever been... but the place is amazing!  The lush greenery... the fanciful surroundings ~ So fun, beautiful, & whimsical!!

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. :)

Reflections and Goals for 2010

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! :-)

Goals for 2009

• Get "good" soaps for kitchen/bathroom/hands/KB & Me
• Get Bamboo utensils (Pampered chef?)
• Remove all plastic dinnerware (all cups, plates, utensils, etc)
• Limit other plastics (ie storage, etc)
• Get KB at least one Klean Kanteen - get rid of plastic sippies
• Find a regular time for bible reading/prayer
• Get EO's and learn uses for them.
• Other than our once-a-week Chick-fil-A... not eat fast food during 2009. (esp McDonalds)!
• Limit soft drinks to 1-2x month! (at MOST!)
• Get a sewing machine & become efficient on it!
• Start a schedule for day & reorganize the chores schedule 
• Start a weekly date night
  
  Morning:
• Feed fish
• Unload dishwasher
  
  Night:
• Clean up kitchen (wipe down table/counters - sweep)
• Load remaining dishes in dishwasher - start it.
  
  To Read:
• "How to raise a healthy child in spite of your doctor" by Robert Mendelsohn.
• "Continum Concept" Jean Liedloff
• "Diaper Free Baby"
• "The Natural Child: Parenting From the Heart" Jan Hunt
• "Grace-Based Parenting" by Dr. Tim Kimmel