For Today - Saturday - July 9, 2011

Outside My Window. . . The sun is going down and a squirrel is visiting the "water hole", a hollow in the tree that holds water.  Birds and squirrels have been visiting. . . . and God-made waterer/bird bath!

I Am Thinking. . . I need to charge my camera batter and tidy up dining room and bedroom

I Am Grateful. . . that my hubby got to visit his dearest of guy friends, Aqeel.  They don't get to visit with one another nearly often enough. . . 

In The Kitchen . . . there are LOTS of Zipper peas in the fridge.  Hubby picked a bushel full and BL shelled them for free!

I Am Creating. . . a real appetite for peas!  LOL

I Am Going. . . to tidy up and go to bed early.

I Am Reading . . . everything at Dr. McDougall's website.

I Am Hoping . . .  . to wake up early enough to paint my toenails before getting ready for church in the morning.

I Am Hearing . . .A fan humming; a clock ticking and a car driving by.

Around The House . . . is the aroma of Young Living Essential Oils. . . . especially oregano.  I gave my daughter a Raindrop, and oregano is the prevalent smell, undertones of peppermint and Wintergreen and seven other oils!

I Am Wearing. . .khaki shorts and a blue shirt.  

I Am Thinking . . . that hubby should be home before much longer.

I Am Wondering . . . what caused daughter's back to start acting up again?  :(

One Of My Favorite Things. . .Good health!  Mine, my husband's, my mom's, my children and my grandchildren!  

Something You May Not Know About Me. . .I don't have a dish washer.  We wash dishes by hand and it doesn't really bother me.  There's only the two of us and when we have company there is always someone who volunteers to help do dishes. . . . and once we're done - we're done!  

About Today's Photo... Dishes in the drainer!

Morning Dishes, originally uploaded by Vera*Smith.

For Today - Sunday - July 3, 2011

Outside My Window. . . It is hot and sunny. The new hydrangeas and double impatiens are doing well. They are in deep shade and are surviving the heat wave.

I Am Thinking. . .many folks don't understand the meaning of Independence Day. You can read the Declaration of Independence here http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html. . . . Powerful words. Even more powerful ideas!

I Am Grateful. . . that my 90 year old mama spent the night with us last night.

In The Kitchen . . . it's all neat and tidy after making a big breakfast this morning. Mom is used to big breakfasts. Hubby is not. He was glad she was here!

I Am Creating. . . nada. I'm not feeling creative at all. No current projects I'm working on.

I Am Going. . . to take a Sunday afternoon nap.

I Am Reading . . . everything at Dr. McDougall's website.

I Am Hoping . . . .to relax this afternoon.

I Am Hearing . . .A fan humming and the TV in the background.

Around The House . . . is a sense of orderliness. Yes, floors need mopping and furniture needs dusting. . . but all is n order.

I Am Wearing. . . white capri pants and a red v-neck tee shirt. And bare feet.

I Am Thinking . . . how much I enjoy serendipity. Hubby and I went to the movie yesterday. We hadn't been to a movie since Christmas Day. And we sat down right in front of old friends whom we later had dinner with! What joy!

I Am Wondering . . . what news youngest son will get when he goes for doctor follow-up this week.

One Of My Favorite Things. . .Quiet Sunday afternoons!

Something You May Not Know About Me. . .Aw - I don't think there is anything!

About Today's Photo... My90 year old mother's residence lost electricity yesterday. After 6 hours without air conditioning, hubby brought her home to spend the night with us. She did well. . . . considering we called her about 10 PM! She was already asleep, but was VERY hot. This is a picture of her loving on youngest son's cat. They really enjoyed each other's company.

photo take w/ce

ll phone, w/out flash

I Choose. . . . .

I Choose Love. . . No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I Choose Joy. . . I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical, the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I Choose Peace. . . I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I Choose Patience . . . I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I Choose Kindness . . . I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the right, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I Choose Goodness. . . I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse, I choose goodness.

I Choose Faithfulness . . . Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My husband will not question my love. And my children will not fear their Mother will not come home.

I Choose Gentleness . . . Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.

I Choose Self-Control . . .I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love,joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when the day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Max Lucado from When God Whispers Your Name.

Please note. . . none of these are attributes I posses. . . but they are what I wish to choose. . .

For Today - Friday - July 1, 2011

Outside My Window. . . There are two new hydrangeas and a pink double impatien along the wooded edge. . . .

I Am Thinking. . .that since our County has issued a Fire Ban, it makes no sense to allow fireworks.

I Am Grateful. . . to have this day to piddle around the house.

In The Kitchen . . .3 quarts of fresh Purple Hull Peas simmering on the stove and new red potatoes waiting for me to do something with them. . . . hubby is hoping for hash browns. I'm leaning toward potato salad.

I Am Creating. . . a pretty photographic outdoor spot with the hydrangeas, impatiens, bench and "English Conservatory". I have no idea what it's called. . . but it's pretty. I guess I need to take photos!

I Am Going. . . to check on the hydrangeas and give them a good, long drink of water.

I Am Reading . . . everything at Dr. McDougall's website.

I Am Hoping . . . .to rewrite some notes, rearrange my tiny home office which is now in the Nature Room and edit some photos.

I Am Hearing . . .The air conditioner humming; the peas simmering; the clock ticking and a ceiling fan going around!

Around The House . . . there is lots of dog hairs. We dog-sat for dear daughter while she was on vacation. Our big Golden Retriever, plus hers and her Black Lab. They all shed. . . . it's a hot summer in TX, and I can't blame them!

I Am Wearing. . . white capri pants and a cantaloupe colored sleeveless Tee-shirt

I Am Thinking . . .my life is so very, very blessed.

I Am Wondering . . . if hubby and I will feel up to rearranging our bedroom this weekend.

One Of My Favorite Things. . . fresh fruit and veggies. Many recent suppers have consisted of Purple Hull Peas and FRESH corn on the cob! Very lip smacking good!

Something You May Not Know About Me. . .I've lost 8 pounds in 8 days, following Dr. John McDougall's plan!

About Today's Photo...This is a huge original painting that is one of many displayed on the courthouse square at Christmas! All are painted by inmates. . . .

Linking to The Simple Woman's Daybook. . .