Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Thursday, June 28, 2012...

Outside my window...
Crickets and frogs chirp in the humid darkness, cleverly hiding in a clean cut yard.

I am remembering...
White Water in the 80's. White-nosed lifeguards, locker keys on coiled bracelets, and the same 10 songs played over and over and over. Dear Men At Work, you have scarred me for life. "Last night I had the strangest dream, I sailed away to China in a little rowboat to find you, And you said you had to get your laundry cleaned. Didn't want no one to hold you, what does that mean? You said -" (sing it with me, now!) "Ain't nothing gonna breaka my stride, ain't nothing gonna hold me down. oh no, I've got to keep on movin!"

I am thankful for...
Philip. Earlier this week, after he had saved the day, yet again, I told someone, "100 years ago -even if he weren't my husband- I'd have wanted him in my village ... he's just really great to have around!"

I am creating...

Flashback Friday

GIVING CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE

(Originally posted April 2008)

I was at a meeting this week where we were asked to list our favorite physical feature and favorite personality trait ... concerning ourselves.

Long pause.

Women all across the room were groaning with hesitancy. One poor woman spoke sheepishly about her hands. "I guess...if I HAVE to pick something I like..." she started. The same spirit of obligated humility embodied most of the remarks. A few of my fellow funsters implemented our tried and true defense mechanism. "I'll say my eyes...or any body part that doesn't gain weight!"

Joy Dare 6.18.12

Giving thanks to God in community for His gifts ...



3 gifts full
bowl of fruit
basket of biscuits
bellies of breakfast


3 gifts smelled
tops of bathed heads while reading bedtime books
Philip's clean-shaven morning face as we hug good bye
creme brulee coffee

a gift unexpected   a week with Kate:)
a gift unwanted  my own bed for a night or two
a gift unlikely  early happy bedtimes


3 gifts from His Word  (Proverbs 15)
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.


3 gifts moving
four-wheelers purring around the property
trees dancing in the humid breeze
the trash can magically down to the end of the drive

3 gifts from my dad
a love for words and wisdom
knowing exactly when to punch the line
everlasting laughter and joy

3 gifts from my Heavenly Father
a purpose for His glory
a plan for my good
plenty of promises that help me wait on Him

Flashback Friday

(Originally posted Summer, 2008)



If you feel swamped when it's time to come up with a menu or grocery list, you will rejoice in this resource. (The cost is just $1.25 a week!) I usually love coming up with menus and shopping lists, but I was feeling like a I was cooking the same several dishes over and over again. And my food started tasting the same. My spaghetti sauce was only about two clicks off my chili. You know?

This site allows you to download pdf files that you can use as your weekly menu/shopping list. Two pages: one with seven meals & simple directions; the other lists ingredients by aisle with approximate cost -also includes necessary staples.

Out of the seven meals, 1 or 2 are what I would consider "snoozers". Like DiGiorno Pizza or Eggo Waffles with scrambled eggs. 3 of the recipes are usually run'o'the mill kid-friendly fare. The other 2 or 3 will strike me as main dishes I would never, ever prepare. But without fail, the kids gobble them up. Also, Landen can cook almost any of the recipes. He is THAT talented and they are THAT simple.

If you're doing e-mealz already, feel free to leave a comment whether positive or negative. We can handle it:)

Thank You, God, for e-mealz. Are You tired of hearing me say this? Thank You.

Presentable

The other morning, Philip and I ran some early morning errands. Before the household was fully awake, he and I left to drop off one car, then get the oil changed in another. As we drove back toward home, he asked if he could take me to breakfast. I crinkled up my nose at the notion of going into "public" with a ball cap on and no make-up.

He stared at me like I was crazy.

"You look really cute!" He blurted out with sincere adoration. He could not see or comprehend my perceived problem.

With gentle patience, he compromised by going through a drive-thru. We were still able to enjoy our last few moments of morning togetherness before we each had to begin our regular morning routines; and there would be other days in which to argue about my ridiculousness.

Joy Dare 6.11.12

Giving thanks to God in community for His gifts ...


a gift of peace our little house guest sleeping well, even in a strange place
a gift of hope knowing God knows more and better than we
a gift of love  the son who cooked and cleaned so that we could celebrate his sister

3 gifts ugly-beautiful
bedroom floors blanketed with toys and junk ... happy hours hanging over
the birthday cake that almost came out of the pan all pretty
my flesh colored compression sock ... concealing a healing wound

3 gifts in what I am watching
devoted friendship in "Brian's Song"
genius comedic writing in "Finding Nemo"
love as a choice in "Sarah, Plain and Tall"

3 gifts empty
laundry bins ... proof of a busy day of washing
suitcases laid out ... awaiting a week of wear
hands held out for God's perfect provision

3 gifts that make you really smile
Luke's over-the-fence home run
Landen's full game pitched with only one run allowed
sisters cracking sunflower seeds and spitting with no finesse

a gift at 8  four soapy girls wash away the day
a gift at 12 a warm, handsome husband who is cute even though he is a blanket stealer
a gift at 2  subconscious surrender to the sweet promise that God never sleeps


3 gifts painted
purple butterflies
lots of hollow hearts
one hundred toe and finger nails

Fun Girl

Happy 3rd Birthday, Elizabeth Anne!

Thank You, God, for Giz. She is sheer joy. Thank You for her personality, for her affectionate sweetness, and for her affinity toward technical wonderment. Thank You for entrusting her to us! Draw her close to You and help us be good parents even when she is almost too cute.

Treasure Trove

Oh, a harmonica!
Look!  The pretty kitty who likes to have tea in the castle!!

No, it's not Christmas time. We're not opening birthday gifts.
We just thought we'd sort through the toy bin tonight.

Our storage unit has nine deep compartments, each intended for a specific group of toys: babies, blocks, books, kitchen stuff, music & puzzles, ponies, etc. 

In the course of a month or two, favorite toys sink to the bottom and become forgotten while the entire bin gets cluttered and disorganized.

Joy Dare 6.4.12

Giving thanks to God in community for His gifts ...


a gift at 8am coffee and "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young
at noon  tuna with onion & pickles ... bad breath waiting to happen:)
at 8pm  "Little Britches" by Ralph Moody to a neat and tidy household

3 gifts blue
daily skies in shades of gray
Philip's eyes and all they say
denim spools and swimming pools

3 gifts I gave today
my time
my patience
His love

3 gifts orange
sherbet
juice
the happy publish button on Blogger

3 gifts funny
Tim Hawkins
Anita Renfroe
home spun comedy routines

3 gifts from today's conversations
"I just wanted to hear your voice."
"I'll be happy to do whatever is needed."
"That's a good plan."

3 gifts found in Christ
perfect plan
perfect timing
perfect peace

A Martha Heart

It was a beautiful spring day. I loaded the little ones into the stroller and headed up the road. As we topped the hill, I decided to stop and visit with a friend. We approached her front door, and I heard what seemed to be her voice cheerfully saying, “Well, hello!” I waited for the door to open … nothing.

“Well, hello!” I heard once more.

“Good morning?” I called out – making sure to be heard. “We were just walking and …”

(Click over to read the full article at A Martha Heart.) 

Flashback Friday

Sing Along
(originally posted June 4, 2007)


Yesterday on our trip to Sunday School, Mari was fussing. Huge shocker! Everyone was doing their part to quiet her down.

Landen chanted in a high-pitched coo: "Maaaaariiiiiii, Maaaaaariiiiiii".

Ashli was singing her repetitious song (in the tune of Nanny, Nanny, Boo-Boo)called "Mari Alice Johnson".

Luke offered occasional syncopation with: "Hey! (clap) Mari! (clap) Why-you-fussin?"

Preparing her heart for worship, Ardyn contemplated aloud: "I bet it makes God sad when everyone just sings about Mari."