For Today - November 30, 2008 - Sunday

Outside My Window...Dark. But yesterday ended up being a glorious day: overcast, a little cool & PERFECT for picture-taking.

I am thinking...that I really need to go back to bed.

I am thankful for...for the fun we all had taking portraits & candid shots.

From the kitchen...Leftovers are diminishing. My waist is not. :(

I am going... to go back to bed?

I am wearing...Comfort robe.

I am reading...Photoshop books. It's next to bed & I don't remember title.

I am hoping...Tim & Christiy make it safely back to Rainbow, TX. Then all my kidlets will be safely back to their nests.

I am hearing...Lots of quiet, except for Shiloh grooming himself.

Around the house…Well, beds will need to be stripped & a lots of towels washed. Other than that - nothing that can't wait.

One of my favorite things…Sundays.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....Oh - I can't think that far ahead! I'll wait til tomorrow, Dear Scarlett.

Something you may not know about me...I'd rather shop online than get out into the crowds.

For Today - November 29, 2008 - Saturday

Outside My Window...Drizzly & wet.

I am thinking...that today will be a great day!

I am thankful for...for Tim & Christiy safely getting here at 3:00 AM.

From the kitchen...Tidiness....& lots of food in the refrigerator.

I am going... to get into the shower!

I am wearing...Pink flannels pajamas. With hearts all over them. Once again - let me remind you: I don't do pink & I don't do hearts. These pajamas are an anomaly.

I am reading...

I am hoping...Kevin dried his quilt. I made him a black & white quilt when he graduated. He brought it with him & I washed it for him on Thursday...but forgot to put it into the dryer. He took it back wet, planning on letting it dry in the sun yesterday. I don't think TRF had sun. I don't think they'll have sun today. I hope there's a dryer there in Toon Town!

I am hearing...Birds & computer.

Around the house…Quiet. Murray's at work, kids are sleeping. Dogs are sleeping too.

One of my favorite things…having my family & friends with/around me.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....to take some more photos outdoors, if it stops raining. A & D want portraits made. I prefer outdoor photography. So today will be perfect if there's no rain. And no sun!

Something you may not know about me...I'm not going to do much Christmas decorating this year. I won't be here for Christmas. No kids will be here. No parties planned. I may go & buy two 4 ft trees, instead of 1 large tree. My nativities will go out . . . but I'm not doing much this year. I plan it to take less than a day to decorate. And as I'm fond of saying, "It will be PERFECT! And if not - it will be just fine."!

For Today - November 28, 2008 - Friday

Outside My Window...Damp as we had some pretty good rain last nig ht.

I am thinking...that I am still sleepy. Went to bed at 3:30 - woke up at 6:00 - time to go take a nap.

I am thankful for...for safely getting Kevin back to TRF. And a good time had by all yesterday.

From the kitchen...Leftovers!

I am going... back to bed.

I am reading...

I am hoping...to go back to bed.

I am hearing...Birds & computer.

Around the house…Quiet. Murray's at work, kids are sleeping. Dogs are sleeping too.

One of my favorite things…having my family & friends with/around me.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....Catching up on sleep.

Something you may not know about me...There is no way on God's little green earth, I'd get up early to go SHOPPING! Wh ruin a perfectly great holiday by shopping????

For Today - November 27, 2008 -

Outside My Window...Fog. Lots of thick fog. And it's really pretty warm . . . doesn't "feel" like a Thanksgiving Day! And those birds....they are chirping like crazy. The are all a-twitter with thankfulness!

I am thinking...I am blessed.

I am thankful for...for Amanda & David making it safely here . . . arrived about 1 AM.

From the kitchen...Poppyseed kolaches; turkey; ham (will carmelize it this year - what fun it will be, taking a torch to it!); Dressing needs to have broth added to it & then popped into oven about an hour before serving; garlic mashed potatoes; Broccoli/Rice casserole; Gravy waiting to be made; Green Beans (just beans - no casserole - shocking!); Deviled eggs (jalepeno & regular); Corn; Croisssants; Veggie Tray: Cranberries; Pecan Tarts & Mini-tarts: Poppyseed Kolaches; Banana Bread & Sugar Cookies in the making; tea is made; & of course there's coffee!

I am going... to take a quick shower.

I am reading...my menu list . . . so I don't forget to put something in the oven & the proper time.

I am hoping...to enjoy the day.

I am hearing...Birds. Just birds. They drown out everything else.

Around the house…It's quiet before the storm of activity & busy-ness.

One of my favorite things…having my family & friends with/around me.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....Go walking after the big meal; take Kevin back to TRF; then drive back home. It's about 6 hours round trip. Tomorrow sleep in late. Can such a thing be done?

Something you may not know about me...I compiled and ABC list of things I'm thankful for...most came from these daily musings. So here it goes - the longest "Just For Today" ever!

Amanda & our friendship; Abigail; Autumn; Antique tablecloth coming clean after Shiloh made a mess of it with blueberry pie; Another day to grieve the change that's taking place in my parents' lives

Bible; Blooming flowers & Bouquets in the house; Black cardigan; Backyard Birds chiriping

Children who trust the Lord; Chloe; Charlotte & all she does for my parents; Cute flannel pajamas I bought on sale; Central heat & air; Chinaberry trees

David; Debby; Decluttering

Ericka; Eyes to oftentimes see God in the most trying of circumstances; Eight-seven year old mom going to Dallas with me to visit grand & great grandchildren.

Family; Fluffy towels; Five years of weight-loss maintenance; Florida; Fresh eggs from Murray's happy hens

God knowing the ending from the very beginning...of my life...of my nation's life...of everything; Good man; Good friends; Good coffee; Generator; Get well card from Murray

Home; Husband who is faithful, hardworking & thinks I'm beautiful when I know I'm not; House filled with people we love

Insight into the many levels of my stress

Jesse; Job; Judy; Job (not to be confused with my grandson)

Kevin; Kwabena, from Ghana – he calls us Mom & Dad. He makes me smile

Lots of travel mercies for Murray & me & David & Amanda; "Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain."

Murray; Mercy; Magnesium; Manners

New tires; Neatness

Oil change; Orderliness

Paul; Photography; Poetry; Pleasant people with pleasant faces

Quilt made just for me by friend Debby; Quote from William Henry Channing , "To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury; and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasion, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony." I have high & lofty aspirations indeed. I have far to go. . .

Rain; Relying on gut feelings, instincts, still small voice from God Himself. Whatever you call it - I've learned through the years and some heartache to trust & rely on it. I will never doubt it again.

Simon; Simon's job; Strength to endure & at times rejoice in hectic, busy weeks; Simplicity; Shutters back on house; Shopping with Amanda; Scrapbooking

Today; Tomatoes & basil from garden; Thanksgiving – I'm thankful for a holiday that focuses on gratitude. Of course it's just one day. The next day people get up early to go shopping. I guess for more things to be grateful for.

Understanding & Undemanding husband; Unscheduled days

Vitamins laid for me

Warming weather; Workers' Compensation; Washer & Dryer

X

Yardwork done by David, Jeremy & Juan when Murray's back was out.

Zzzzs – I do not sleep well at all. I get only 4 – 5 hours

For Today - November 26, 2008 - Wednesday

Outside My Window...pink skies & birds chirping

I am thinking...I have lost my voice. Completely. I have no voice!

I am thankful for...for Kevin getting here safely. Last night.

From the kitchen...Poppyseed kolaches; turkey waiting; lots of stuff waiting to get started.

I am going... to make one last trip to the grocery store.

I am reading...nothing . . . I'm way too busy to read...other than recipes!

I am hoping...to get lots done.

I am hearing...Birds & hubby leaving the house.

Around the house…Much to do . . . much to do . . . company starts arriving tomorrow morning.

One of my favorite things…having my family with/around me.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....Cook turkey; bake pecan tarts; chop broccoli; a lot of kitchen prep work for the big day tomorrow.

Something you may not know about me...I have an oven that is NOT accurate! It makes baking interesting.

For Today - November 24, 2008

Outside My Window...drizzly.

I am thinking...I might make the challenge I have with daughter. Only 1 more pound to lose 'til Thanksgiving. Will I make it? Yes, I will!

I am thankful for...for making the trip to Lufkin to get that pair of pants for GS. Now I just have to get something for my dad and a few more things for hubby.

From the kitchen...Skinny pizza, yogurt with frozen blueberries tossed in.

I am going... to get my rear in gear; make a couple of phone calls for parents.

I am reading...Photography Bible

I am hoping...to get done all the things I did NOT get done yesterday!

I am hearing...TV in background; printer humming; birds fussing; Shiloh snoring.

Around the house…Much to do . . . much to do . . . company starts arriving tomorrow morning.

One of my favorite things…a feeling of competence!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....Thaw turkey; clean, clean, clean; WW meeting prep; etc., etc., etc.; cook, cook, cook, bake, bake, bake. I will be Queen of Domesticity for the next several days!

Something you may not know about me...I hate housework

For Today - November 23, 2008 - Sunday

Outside My Window...it's sunny and a wee bit damp.

I am thinking...how tired I am of a day of shopping!

I am thankful for...getting almost all Christmas shopping done!!!! Still need to get something for my dad and some more stuff for hubby & hopefully can find a Hot Topic store that has grandson's size of pant!!!!! Even online they 're sold out of his size!!!!!!!!!! But everyone else is "dun"!

From the kitchen...I'm smelling coffee!

I am going... to creatively get all the gifts into the Gift Closet!

I am reading...WW December meeting guide.

I am hoping...to accomplish much today. Get a timetable for Thanksgiving day, etc. Most, if not all, of grocery shopping is done, so will have to clean out/rearrange refrigerator.

I am hearing...Chickens clucking, wind blowing through rose bushes.

Around the house…Much to do . . . much to do . . . company starts arriving Tuesday morning.

One of my favorite things…is having Christmas shopping done! Hubby and I had a great day.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....Call around, looking for those pants for grandson. Will call Lufkin mall to see if they have them and if so will most likely skip church and head that way.

Something you may not know about me...I always wear out the right handed gardening glove first . . . and have a mixed assortment of "mud gloves" that I end up on my right hand because the "nice" gloves end up with holes in the fingers! Apparently I don't much use my left hand for pulling weeds!

For Today - November 21, 2008 - Friday

Outside My Window...It's barely daybreak . . . the sun is just now coming up.

I am thinking...I will need to wear a ski mask & gloves if I continue taking Shiloh walking so early in the morning! It was cold!

I am thankful for...I already went to the gym & took Shiloh for a walk. Next stop: the showers!

From the kitchen...Vanilla coffee w/a scoop of hot chocolate mix stirred in. I'm thinking breakfast is going to be soup. I'm feeling like soup. Maybe a piece of toast & an apple with it. I need something hot & don't feel like eggs nor oatmeal.

I am wearing...Curves tee shirt underneath brown hoodie & brown jogging pants; walking shoes.

I am going... to figure out how to deal with all the WW mess!

I am reading...photography books AND my camera's manual!

I am hoping...to "really" get that Thanksgiving grocery list made & print copy of Christmas wish lists from family members.

I am hearing...I think it is a heron calling. Maybe a goose. I'm no expert.

Around the house…are messes I don't want to deal with.

One of my favorite things…A good night's sleep . . . which I didn't get last night. No more than 3 hours. I'm in a mess.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....A few more phone calls; make grocery lists; compile Christmas gift lists. And LAUNDRY!

Something you may not know about me...Besides smooth jazz - I like Janis Joplin. That's what I listened to while on the elliptical. I am, after all, just an old hippie - with moderate to conservative values. But the Classic rock n' roll will always be one of my favorite. Although some would say JJ isn't "classic"

For Today - November 20, 2008 - Thursday

Outside My Window...Lots of chirping birds!

I am thinking...I STILL need to make a grocery list of stuff to buy for next week's feast!

I am thankful for...Autumn. Here's another picture of my walking path.

From the kitchen...Coffee & banana. I have a sore, itchy throat & can't stop coughing.

I am wearing...Flannel pajamas & sox.

I am going... to take Shiloh walking & continue messing with Weight Watchers "stuff". I did very little from yesterday because I didn't factor in WW stuff. Lots of stuff. Old stuff. New stuff. Out with the old - in with the new. Stuff. My least favorite word right now.

I am reading...photography books AND my camera's manual!

I am hoping...to stop coughing! Itchy, itchy, itchy cough.

I am hearing...Birds are apparently happy today!

Around the house…are messes I don't want to deal with.

One of my favorite things…Laughter!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....A few more phone calls; make grocery lists; compile Christmas gift lists; take care of some GS entries; play with camera.

Something you may not know about me...I'm lazy

For Today - November 19, 2008 - Wednesday

Outside My Window...Very light frost, sunny & cloudless blue skies.

I am thinking...I need to make a grocery list of stuff to buy for next week's feast!

I am thankful for...Autumn. This picture is on my walking path. Just around the bend, and to the right is my home.

From the kitchen...Hazelnut Coffee.

I am wearing...Flannel pajamas & sox.

I am going... to take Shiloh walking; pay bills; do some light housework; photograph Murray on the traction machine; run errands in town & work outdoors!

I am reading...photography books AND my camera's manual!

I am hoping...to get lots of "little" stuff done today.

I am hearing...Train whistle; printer humming; Shiloh snoring.

Around the house…9 boxes of WW stuff AND a bunch of WW stuff brought home from last night's meeting.

One of my favorite things…Sarcasm . . . it's my drug of choice! :)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....Phone calls; phone calls; phone calls; work outside. Oh - and to finish Christmas shopping on Saturday. I have a few things bought ('cause I sorta', kinda' shop year-round); but need to do the majority of it this weekend w/hubby. A trip to the city; lunch out & maybe a movie!

Something you may not know about me...I like smooth Jazz . . .

For Today - November 18, 2008 - Tuesday

Outside My Window...it's sunny, breezy, & a bit on the nippy side!

I am thinking...THIS is not want I thought we were signing up for when we became a certified backyard wildlife habitat!!!

http://www.nwf.org/backyard/

I am thankful for...today.

From the kitchen...Hazelnut Coffee & will soon make breakfast, which will most likely be my scrambled egg/cheese tortilla wrap. Or if I'm really lazy: oatmeal.

I am wearing...Blue jeans, white turtleneck, black velour vest & sox.

I am going... to take Shiloh walking & prepare WW meeting.

I am reading...photography books AND my camera's manual!

I am hoping...to stay calm. I did a pretty good job yesterday. Folks' records are in a gorgeous file folder (guess I ought to shoot it); I put on Kenny G & lit scented candle. I made my surroundings as pleasant as possible & it seemed to have worked. I don't like making those kind of phone calls. I like talking on the phone to friends & family . . . but don't like "business" calls. But all-in-all it wasn't too bad! And I'm hoping today will be just as pleasant.

I am hearing...Birds chirping & printer humming.

Around the house…9 boxes of WW stuff! New program to be announced December 7.

One of my favorite things…is the fact that time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life. I love & adore "ordinary" life & hope I never take it for granted.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....Phone calls; phone calls; phone calls. WW meeting. Weather forecast shows Wednesday high temps in 70's so hope to work outside. Oh - and to finish Christmas shopping on Saturday. I have a few things bought ('cause I sorta', kinda' shop year-round); but need to do the majority of it this weekend w/hubby. A trip to the city; lunch out & maybe a movie!

Something you may not know about me...for it to be "Christmas" to me, I MUST go outside during the holiday season & sing some carols outdoors or read the story from Luke. It can be underneath the stars or in the chicken coop. Or in the hay barn (which is now so dilapidated it's in danger of collapsing!) Inside we MUST read aloud, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". We've done this for years. Except two Christmases ago we didn't read it at all. Our little church had a Christmas "pageant", with angels poking each other, shepherds looking bored & baby Jesus wearing a plaid shirt & boots & sucking on his binky! I think it dawned on me when Carolyn interrupted the presentation, going on stage to bonk her misbehaving not-so-angelic granddaughter that I realized this was the REAL "Best Christmas Pageant Ever". I sat and cried and cried and cried. It was the BEST! I'll have to post pix when it's closer to Christmas. Just writing about it makes me cry! And smile! After all, just like Truvy, "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion"!

For Today - November 17, 2008 - Monday

Outside My Window...it's a cold, dark & early morning! I see a pattern emerging!

I am thinking...I wake kup way too early.

I am thankful for...the warming weather & to be able to see friend Judy again today.

From the kitchen...Hazelnut Coffee. I have no idea what's for breakfast. I ate a HUGE lunch yesterday, no supper & at 4:30 in the morning am still not hungry.

I am wearing...Flannel pajamas

I am going... to tidy up house; make phone calls; make more phone calls; listen to cell phone messages. I didn't do that at all yesterday!

I am reading...photography books AND my camera's manual!

I am hoping...to get in touch with mom's doctor BEFORE Judy comes over.

I am hearing...Printer & heater humming & coffee brewing. It's pretty much the same thing every morning. If I blogged later in the day I'd MIGHT have more interesting things to report!

Around the house…A few groceries to put away.

One of my favorite things…Having more than enough toilet paper in the house!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....Phone calls; phone calls; phone calls. WW meeting. Weather forecast shows Wednesday high temps in 70's so hope to work outside. Oh - and to finish Christmas shopping on Saturday. I have a few things bought ('cause I sorta', kinda' shop year-round); but need to do the majority of it this weekend w/hubby. A trip to the city; lunch out & maybe a movie!

Something you may not know about me...I'm beginning to think that the Proverbs 31 woman was maybe a Type A personality????

Fort Today - November 16, 2008 - Sunday

Outside My Window...it's a cold, dark & early morning!

I am thinking...I'm happy to spend the day with my dearest of friends: my hubby.

I am thankful for...central heat!

From the kitchen...Irish Creme coffee.

I am wearing...Navy blue flannel pajamas w/white & light blue snowflakes sprinkled all over them!

I am going... to go to church, probably lunch at Jalepeno Tree, Wal-Mart shopping & home to rest!

I am reading...photography books AND my camera's manual!

I am hoping...to just enjoy 'being' with my husband, with no chores I "have" to do. Just being. And enjoying.

I am hearing...Absolutely nothing. The printer is off. The heater is off. Shiloh is in the other room. The chickens & songbirds are still asleep. And the wind's not howling!

Around the house…Orderliness! And the floors got mopped! And the west door got some new weather stripping! Good gosh it was SO drafty! Maybe the windows next?

One of my favorite things…A day of relative "rest"!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....Just see, "I Am Going" & "I Am Hoping" . . . !

Something you may not know about me...My husband bought me 2 GB of memory. Actually it's for my computer! I wish "I" could just go buy more memory space for me!!!!!