For Today - March 19, 2009 - Thursday

Outside My Window... it's a little bit foggy but not as foggy as yesterday (see above photo). And the birds are alive with song: Flickers, Wrens, Sparrows, Cardinals, Mockingbirds, Flycatchers, Woodpeckers & Redwing Blackbirds. Spring has DEFINITELY arrived in east Texas!

I am thinking...how difficult it is to watch our children & grandchildren learn the harshness of life. My oldest son's family lost a little Terrier the other day...Jack. Jack had a bad habit of escaping from the the backyard & so he could "cut & run" the neighborhood. [We once had the same breed of dog, Lady, & she had the same bad habit]. Anyway - Jack was found dead at the end of the alley & the little children are especially devastated.

My son, being a responsible, loving pet owner have rules for their pets & likewise the loving, just God gives us boundaries for our good, in order for us to live full, abundant lives. So many times, though we think He's being mean & is a real "kill joy" . . . . when what He really wants is to protect us from danger & to keep us near Him. He is indeed the grandest of protectors.

This is a tough object lesson . . . & I'm still praying for my son & his family . . .

I am wondering...if the man in the beat up pickup truck is at the highway intersection selling flowers. He always has very good prices & even though a bit higher than Hughes Plants, I don't have to drive nearly as far.

I am thankful for....this glorious weather. I dislike extreme heat or cold . . . I guess that's why Spring & Fall are my favorite seasons.

From the kitchen...there's a clean refrigerator & cookbooks on the counter, waiting for me to decide what to cook while kids are here.

I am going...to quickly tidy my bedroom, get cleaned up & run errands.

I am wearing...jeans, t-shirt & sox. . .

I am reading...cookbooks!

I am hoping...to spend some time outside today.

I am hearing...birds. I know you must get tired of me saying so . . . . but since I'm always in the same room 'cause I don't have a laptop, I hear the same things . . . birds. But since they're my favorite animal - I guess it works out just perfectly for me!

Around the house….Clean & neat - all ready to visit with friends.

One of my favorite things...visits w/friends & family!!! T&C are spending part of their vacation with us! Yay! And AME is coming tomorrow! What fun!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...bank deposit for me & Good Samaritan; menu planning; grocery shopping; flower buying.

Something you may not know about me...I buy geraniums EVERY year for the window box. . . I love them . . . they 're so universal . . . & they make me smile

For Today - March 16, 2009 - Monday

Outside My Window... it's sunny & mild. Once again blue skies, but no clouds. As always - lots of birds. I do love them & can't imagine living some place where there is not a continuing cacophony of birds.

Everything is greening out & budding out. . .even the pecan trees on N. Barron. I guess Spring is officially here - if a few days before the calendar agrees.

I am thinking...how glad I am for all I've gotten done today - utilities, bank deposit, more FEMA paperwork to the judge (took the stairs up & down) & time at the gym on the elliptical. And I brought dear old Shiloh home from the vet. He would have lasted the 14 hours we were gone Saturday/Sunday . . . but we didn't want to get up & down Sunday afternoon, letting him in and out! LOL

I am wondering...why a person can't buy cilantro plants during cool weather. Last year we read that they need the same environment as lettuce. We didn't have very good success last year, having planted the cilantro plants when available: summertime! Anyway - the plants when to seed & we have a couple of volunteers & they are doing wonderfully well & I'll snip some to use in supper tonight.

I am thankful for....for all the safe traveling last week: a trip to/from Houston Wednesday - Friday & on Saturday a trip to Ft. Worth, arriving early afternoon, then to Richardson in the evening . . . made it safely home very early Sunday AM. I'm also thankful to have made it to church later in the morning!
From the kitchen...Chicken breasts, whole wheat tortillas & cilantro. Will grill up some onions & peppers & call it dinner!

I am going...to read over this week's WW meeting.

I am wearing...athletic gear

I am reading...WW meeting guide.
I am hoping...this stomach "issue" goes away. Quickly!

I am hearing...birds, birds & more birds! Love it!

Around the house….my unpacking is done. I don't think I'm traveling again real soon. Yay!

One of my favorite things...being with my family. This past weekend was fabulous!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...going to the gym; walking Shiloh; WW meeting; guestroom ready for my two favorite girls; stuff ready for scrapbooking.

Something you may not know about me...I seldom am able to fall asleep while sitting up.

For Today - March 9, 2009 - Monday

Outside My Window... it is dark & there's not yet any bird activity. DST started & it's still very dark.

I am thinking...I've come down with a sore throat. Woke up Saturday with it scratchy & it's still feeling that way.

I am wondering...why someone would march into a church & shoot the pastor? What a horrible thing to have happen.

I am thankful for....having already gone to the gym. I signed in at 5:36. . . it's good to have the elliptical behind me!

From the kitchen...Carrot juice & green onion & yellow pepper omelet. And Hazelnut Coffee.

I am going...to prepare for tomorrow's Board Meeting, WW meeting, do laundry, take Shiloh for a walk & play around with camera or photos. Or both.

I am wearing...athletic gear

I am reading..."The Photoshop Elements 5 Book for Digital Photographers" by Scott Kelby. It's one of those books that I had the spine cut off & had it spiral bound

I am hoping...to tidy sew.com room again. It has somehow managed to get messy again & I'm sure I didn't have anything to do with it!

I am hearing...one lonely mockingbird. I guess he's waking up the rest of the gang?

Around the house….the floors still needing a good cleaning!

One of my favorite things...spring flowers. The photo above is once again a shot of kitchen window. The rest of the house may or may not be tidy & in disarray, but the kitchen window usually is pretty good shape!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...continue showing up early at the gym; WW; Good Sam; Houston; Gardening.

Something you may not know about me...I seldom wear cologne, although I do have a favorite, "Pure White Linen"

View not one, but three times. . . . and think about it.

http://www.flixxy.com/political-systems.htm

For Today - March 6, 2009, Friday

Outside My Window... it is sunny & breezy with white clouds in blue skies. A perfectly perfect Spring day.

I am thinking...that I will take Shiloh walking. Or work in the flower beds. Or go to the gym.

I am wondering...which of those three to do. Or should I start supper?

I am thankful for....this beautiful day . . . with no where I have to go.

From the kitchen...Whole wheat rotini, pasta sauce, freshly grasted Parmesan. That's tonight's supper. . . . plus a nice salad since we just got our organic produce from Ricki & Rob.

I am going...to walk the dog, work outside or go to the gym : )

I am wearing..jeans, t-shirt, shoes.

I am reading..."The Photoshop Elements 5 Book for Digital Photographers" by Scott Kelby. It's one of those books that I had the spine cut off & had it spiral bound

I am hoping...to quickly make up my mind about my next activity!

I am hearing...birds. Always birds. No matter what time of day . . . there's always birds.

Around the house….tidiness, although the floors need tending to.

One of my favorite things...a gorgeous spring day full of happy birds!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...attend tomorrow's WW staff meeting & eat out in Tyler. Sunday - church, lunch & a nap!

Something you may not know about me... I'm thinking of using the above photo for an Easter card.

For Today - March 4, 2009 - Wednesday

Outside My Window... it is cloudy & breezy. And it's very cool, too, although it's suppose to warm up. Most definitely Spring has sprung.

I am thinking...that I really would like to flip LR w/DR.

I am wondering...how much work it would actually be to flip those two rooms. There's two armoires that would need to be moved, too, in addition to couches & dining room tables & hall tree.

I am thankful for....a great WW meeting last night. It was good to be back!

From the kitchen...Oatmeal, banana, yogurt & coffee.

I am going...to town.

I am wearing..jeans, t-shirt, sweat-jac, shoes

I am reading..."Emergency Prayers - God's Help in Your Time of Need" by Deborah Smith Pegues.

I am hoping...to not be too cold at GS. They don't like to "waste" money & seldom put on heater or AC!

I am hearing...birds, printer, heater.

Around the house….I need to put away luggage.

One of my favorite things...not feeling rushed.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....Volunteer @ GS; unpack; tidy house; play around with LR/DR flip. This "playing around" will involve paper & rulers, etc. I first have to move furniture around on scaled drawing of room before I ever move it around for real. I've always done this . . . had to-scale cutouts of baby cribs! All furniture was cut out from green index cards!

Too bad I've tossed those as it would be fun to look at . . . . first "baby" will be 39 tomorrow!

Something you may not know about me... I'm really cold natured!

For Today - March 3, 2009 - Tuesday

Outside My Window... it is sunny & wonderful with lots of bustling birds all around & I wish I had time to go work out in the yard.

I am thinking...that the economy might really get bad. On the "Today Show", when Matt Lauer asked their financial guru about leaving your money alone unless you need it in the next 5 minutes, the FG said, "Or if you'll need it within the next 5 YEARS". Can you believe that? Liberal network TV financial guru telling folks to get their money out if they're going to need it within the next 5 years.

I am wondering...how my WW meeting will go today. I've been gone for 6 weeks. . . .

I am thankful for....having good health & having had good health most my life. The rusty bike photo is the bike I pedaled all 3 my children on. I'm glad to have been able to be a healthy mom. . . not all moms are so blessed. It's a rusty rminder.

From the kitchen...Chocolate Swirl Coffee & cell phone chargning.

I am going...to spend a lot of the day praying.

I am wearing...that sensational shabby chenille robe.

I am reading..."Emergency Prayers - God's Help in Your Time of Need" by Deborah Smith Pegues. I'm not a big fan of repetitive "high church" prayers, but this little book has scriptural reminders of the truths about situations . . . very handy little reminders about "how" to pray according to scripture.

I am hoping...to accomplish much with the least amount of stress. I don't like being anxios.

I am hearing...birds, printer, heater.

Around the house….I'm think of switching dining room with the living room. Spent a lot of the weekend watching HGTV & really like a room they flipped: gold walls with blue furniture. Well, nt dining room has gold walls & my furniture is blue leather. Besides that: the current dining room has fabulous east & south windows. It's my favorite room in the house so why not have the living room in there?

Pluses of moving dining room into current livng: I've always wanted a dining room in a library & one wall is floor to ceiling bookcase. One very big negative: the walls in that room are rough brown wood. Floor is hideous brown carpet. Add brown tables & I'm not sure I will like the look of living in a squirrel's nest! Of course, white or colorful tablecloths would help. Well - it's all percolating in my mind. That might be my requested birthday request: men & men/boys come move furniture for me :)

One of my favorite things...starting new things!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....WW prep; WW meeting; Vounteer @ GS; unpack; laundry; tidy house; play around with LR/DR flip.

Something you may not know about me... I like amazing, awesome, alliterations!