Don't do what I did!

This will be a quick post. Yesterday morning, I took a Predisone-type medication left over from a previous ailment. It helps the fibromyalgia flare ups and other inflammation issues. Since this med is known to make you feel very energetic, I took it at 10 am yesterday morning (12/30) so that I'd sleep last night. Well, as of 6:30 am this morning (12/31), I have not slept a wink. Not good. I have to go to the grocery store, drop something off at my mother's and go to work this afternoon. And finally, as I sit here typing this, I'm starting to feel a bit sleepy.

The plan......I'm hitting the grocery store as soon as it opens, making a very quick stop at Mom's with a note of explanation and then return to home. After Doc does a quick pit stop outside to take care of "duties", I'm unplugging the phone and going to bed. If all goes well, I may even get 5 hours of sleep before going to work.

My "Simple Devotion" entry is up and you can find it from the side bar to the right. I'll make a quick post tomorrow with my New Year's wishes.

But if you're reading this today and don't see my post tomorrow.....

Wishing you (yawn) a very Happy (yawn) New Years! (big yawn)

Christmas is officially coming down!

I have a "Christmas" mood girl but, unfortunately, not a "undecorate for Christmas" mood girl but that's what I'm beginning to do today. I want to get a lot out of the way so that Friday and Saturday I can do some changing.

I've been collecting some vintage linens the last few months, mostly through E-Bay. The idea started when I was going through my memorabilia trunk. I have all sorts of things from my mother's side of the family including a quilt that was hand done by either my great, great grandmother or great,great aunt. I also have some baby clothes that were my mother's, some vintage linens and other assorted things. I also have a small, very rudimentary sewing kit. In the kit is a piece of paper with handwriting from my Great,great Aunt Pearl that states that this kit was carried by her father all during the Civil War. Anyway, all these things have been in the trunk for safe keeping but I decided to bring some of them out and display them in my china cabinet/curio cabinet for others to enjoy. I have fallen in love with vintage linens, especially those sweet towels that others have embroidered. So, I have a few to put in a basket. I carefully washed the old quilt and it came out okay. There are places that have to be repaired and some areas that really need to be just cut out and redone. But, I never intend to display it on my bed but instead hang it on my quilt rack and so the damaged areas are easily hidden. I just decided that I need to keep these family treasures out to enjoy and not hide them away.

I'm also making my bedroom into something called "shabby chic". It will be pink and roses and pretty, lacy stuff. I used to think of it as Victorian but in actuality, true Victorian is very dark with velvets and brocade and really too stuffy for my taste. I don't know if there is a name for what I'll have when I'm done - maybe a "shabby-chic, vintage, frou-frou style". After all, it's my bedroom! I'll take pictures and put them here as I get things done. I'm getting antsy to get started!

The temps today are chilly and I do see that we're getting some colder temps beginning today for a couple of days. Amazing winter weather here in Florida! One day, I'm wearing my winter coat and the next I'm in capris and a t-shirt. My plan for this week is to get any errands done that I need tomorrow so that on my days off Friday and Saturday, I can just stay home.

I'm putting away my Christmas gifts today. They have been sitting all pretty on one of chairs. I was spoiled this year with a very nice purse, and a big Bath & Body Works set as well as a Lennox "Minnie Mouse Princess Hat" and various other things. I also have a gift certificate to spend at a Disney store or perhaps at Disney World.

Well, I've rambled on enough. Hope you're all having a lovely day and the weather is manageable. As much as I've always wanted a white Christmas, the storms up north are nothing to envy. I hope all have their power restored soon and all are safe.

Until later....

Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY - December 29, 2008)...

Outside my window...it's very sunny with mild temps. Lots of boxes and bags at the curb side all down the street awaiting trash pick up. Those workers will be very busy today!

I am thinking...of wanting to get the house "undecorated" and back to normal this week.

I am thankful for...family and the blessing of spending time with them this past Christmas Day.

From the learning rooms...still trying to learn to be still and hear God's still, small voice.

From the kitchen...nothing going on in there right now. I'm not even sure what I'm going to bring with me to work tonight for dinner!

I am wearing...blue flowered capris and a white t-shirt and my trusty comfy slippers. Weather turns cold later this week and I expect I'll be back into jeans.

I am creating...a victorian fan decoration for my bedroom (as soon as I get the trims I ordered in the mail)

I am going...nowhere this weekend on my days off work. I'm staying rooted to home and clean and just enjoy my home.

I am reading...just finished reading "Multiple Blessings" by Jon & Kate Gosslin. Very inspirational!

I am hoping...for an easy week at work since my I'm having a fibromyalgia flareup and I'm very stiff and tired.

I am hearing...the hum of the computer and the tinkle of the dog tags on my dog's collar as he walks around the house.

Around the house...I'm eager to get the house "back to normal" and work on some redecorating.

One of my favorite things...talking to my daughter on the phone and catching up with her life.

A few plans for the rest of the week:...go into town on Wednesday and do an errand for my mother and then finish up my work week on Thursday. Friday and Saturday will be cleaning and rearranging and doing some redecorating.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is one of my favorite photos. It was taken the winter I lived in Tennessee in 2005. I was scraping the snow off the back of the car and found my RonJon Surf Shop sticker - a reminder of my former home (again my present home) in Florida.


Peggy, the originator of this day book is taking a week off from hers but you can visit next week when she resumes and catch up on others as well.

Back to work. (sigh)

I can't believe that my 3-day Christmas weekend is over and I go back to work today. The holidays seem to come so quickly this year and then fly by. And since I'm not a big New Year's celebrator, it feels like once Christmas is past, the holidays are done.

It feels like I'm in a fibromyalgia flare-up right now. I hurt all over and I'm so very tired - all the signs of it. For two cents, I'd call in from work today but after 3 days off, I just can't do that - at least as long as I can get in there and do my job. I'll just load up on the Ibuprofen!

Yesterday, I received a call from my son, Mike who along with Stephanie had succumbed to a 24 hour flu bug. A couple of posts ago I mentioned Steph's mom and how she was so sick on Christmas Day. Everyone thought it was her pain medicine but apparently it was the flu. Mike and Steph were at her sister's home about 35 miles away and since they had been driven there had no way home (because the sister was sick too) and they were desperate to go to their home and into their own bed. So, I made the trip to pick them up and then take them to their home, hoping that they were no longer contagious and I wouldn't get it! So far, so good.

This week I'll start taking down the decorations and getting the house in order. I have some plans to change things a bit around the house and make it look a bit different with some things I've been accumulating. This next weekend will be dedicated to that.

Hope you all are having a very restful Sunday, ready for the work week tomorrow. Until later....

The day after the day after Christmas.

Blogger is giving me fits this morning and this is actually the second time I'm doing this post because the first time, it didn't save or publish and I lost it all.

I had a lovely Christmas although a busy one. The original plan to spend most of the day with my son, eat dinner at about 3 pm and then pick up Mom and finish the day at my brother's didn't turn out exactly as planned. My DIL's mom had fallen a few days before and was very ill with the pain medicine she was taking, so Steph and her sister went over to see her and help her a bit. Dinner, therefore was delayed by hours. We talked things over and I ended up going over to my brother's mid day, had a snack with them and then back to Mike and Steph's for Christmas dinner. It actually worked out well, finishing up at Mike's because it made for a more relaxing time with them. I ended up putting almost 150 miles on my car by the end of the day and I was one tired puppy, but it was worth being with my loved ones.

My intent yesterday was to rest up because my body was hurting and I was really tired - but it was pay day and I had errands to run, groceries to get and a craft store that was having a great sale - so I ended up very busy yesterday as well. Today, again I plan a low key day - we'll see how that works out since I still have to go to the grocery store (I scratched that off my list yesterday!)

I feel like I've been an eating machine the last couple of weeks and Christmas Day just added to the mix. Between the ham and all the works at my brother's home and the prime rib and all that at Mike and Steph's, my body feels very sluggish. One positive note is that I can definitely confirm that there is a connection between sugar overload and a fibromyalgia flare up. My grocery list today has nothing but healthy food on it for sure!

I'll be working on New Year's Eve and Day but that's okay. I've never been a big New Year's celebrator and in fact my mind pretty well tells me that when Christmas is over, so is the year. This next week, I'll start taking down the Christmas decorations and get life back to normal.

Again, I have to say how excited I am to win Judy's give away (see previous post). I'm just not one to win things and so I was actually in shock when I found out I had. What a generous lady! I'm so excited to get all my goodies. It will be like Christmas all over again! Maybe I really should leave the decorations up until after the package arrives!

Well, I'm off to read all about your Christmas. Hope you all are enjoying your weekend. I'm seeing that the midwest and up north, the snow and ice is really playing havoc with holiday travels. Stay safe it you're out on the roads.

Would you believe I won!!

I wasn't going to post until tomorrow morning. Today was full of errands and so forth and I came home tired and ready for a nap. I thought, "Tomorrow I'll post about Christmas and do my visits." But then... I found a comment from Marge congratulating me on winning Judy's giveaway. I was stunned. I hadn't had a chance to check to see who had won and truthfully, I just never seem to win things like that so.... Well, don't know if I'm just tired or it's the season, but as I was typing out my email to Judy, I had tears streaming down my face! So, Judy, if you're reading this, just know that they were tears of joy! I feel so blessed! You must go to her blog and check out all my goodies! I'm over the moon! I'm not sure which of the items I'm going to pass along as my gift to someone but I'll know when I see them.

Anyway, I've settled back down to earth and I think I'll fix a quick meal and maybe watch one more Christmas movie. I may even stay awake long enough to see the end!

I'll check in with you all tomorrow and find out how your Christmas went. Until later....

Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

Christmas Eve! Can you believe it? The cold is gone and we're back to normal seasonal temps for Florida but my thoughts and prayers are for my northern friends who are having some severe winter weather. A picturesque, snowy Christmas eve is wonderful for the ambience and Christmas TV specials, but for those traveling to be with loved ones for Christmas, it presents quite a challenge.

This morning before I go to work, I will be making a last trip to the grocery store and to my mother's. We are exhanging gifts today so it's not rushed tomorrow. I have 3 other gifts to wrap and then I'm done. Then - 8 hours of work and then it's Christmas!! Literally! Because I leave work after midnight.

I am always astounded at this time of year when I make myself slow down and think about the whole reason for celebrating this season. I often think about Mary and what she went through - to bring a baby into the world in not very hospitable conditions, knowing in her heart but probably not completely understanding that this baby was destined to change the world. I love that song, Mary, Did You Know?. I'm sure it was difficult for her to understand with her finite mind, that this precious, new born would one day be her Savior. We have an awesome God!

My Simple Devotion for Wednesday is up and you can click on the graphic below if you'd care to read it.


Again, thanks to my sweet friend, Judy for the cute siggie at the beginning of this post. Such wonderful friends we meet in unexpected places and times!

Wishing you and your family a very blessed Christmas Day. May the peace of our Savior rest in your hearts during this season and the coming year!

Lots of Christmas hugs,
Melanie

Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY December 22, 2008...

Outside my window...The sun is out and the wind is blowing. It looks warm but it turned cold during the night and still is.

I am thinking...of a pretty pillow I want to decorate and hang on my bedroom wall. It's a craft project that will have to wait until after Christmas!

I am thankful for...of my warm, tranquil home, my hot cup of coffee and my Savior who has provided it all for me.

From the learning rooms...I am trying to learn to sit still more and listen to God's still, small voice.

From the kitchen...chicken and rice for dinner at work later today.

I am wearing...blue knit pants, my favorite, faded, red Mickey Mouse t-shirt and us usual, my comfy slippers. (I'm about to get some socks on though!)

I am creating...all in my mind right now - some decorating projects for after Christmas. After Christmas, I have to buy some trims and appliques and then I'm ready to start.

I am going...to work as usual and then Christmas Day, to my son's for dinner and my brother's later to exchange gifts.

I am reading...my latest magazine from Kenneth Copeland ministries.

I am hoping...to be able to visit my daughter in Oklahoma in June of next year and see my father who I haven't seen in a couple of years.

I am hearing...Christmas music playing softly in the background.

Around the house...things look like Christmas except for the room I'm in right now which is in chaos right now getting ready for some decorating projects.

One of my favorite things...this time of year is watching old classic Christmas movies - "The Christmas Carol", "It's A Wonderful Life", "White Christmas", and "The Muppets Christmas Carol" (for the child in me!)

A few plans for the rest of the week:A trip to the grocery store to buy some last minute things, work until Christmas Day and then a joyous day with my family to share the celebration of our Savior's birth!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

My favorite Christmas figurine - Unfortunately, I cut Santa's head off. The Bible says that every shall bow to Jesus!

This day book has been such a blessing in my life. If you would like to join me and many others in this, just visit here.

A quiet Sunday morning

Another one of Judy's cute siggies! Thanks, Judy!

Christmas Day is only 4 days away. Am I ready? Well, sort of. I still have my mother's gift to finish and a bit of grocery shopping but since I'm going to my son's home for Christmas dinner, I don't have to do very much.

This last Friday evening, I had dinner with my youngest son, Mike and my DIL, Stephanie. We had lasagna and salad and it was very, very good. Steph is a fabulous cook! They were originally going to come over here but they are having car problems so I took the ingredients over there and we prepared it together. After dinner, we went to a local wild life park and saw their annual presentation of lights. I hadn't been there for many years and it used to be just a very modest display. But, this year, it was much bigger and really a lot of fun. It was chilly but not cold and mostly sweat shirt weather so it was a pleasant evening. It was fun just being with them. We aren't able to get together very often especially with Mike's band recording their CD right now and so it was an evening I treasure.

I mentioned in a post a few weeks ago that my son's band was approached by a record label and about 3 weeks ago, they made a weekend trip to Tennessee and signed. They are now in the process of recording their first CD which is supposed to be out in February. They have been going to Jacksonville every weekend for the recording although they've been taking time off around Christmas. Mike (who is the drummer) is just about done laying down his tracks and so may not have to make the weekend trip very much longer. They've all talked about doing this for so long that it's difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that it's really happening and that they could turn into something big. They've worked a long time to get to this point. I'm very proud of them.

I'm looking forward to having another 4-day work week. Christmas Day off and then my regular days off will make a very nice long weekend. I've been working on some ideas for re-decorating some of my home and I'll probably begin after Christmas. It may mean that the decorations come down soon after the "Day" but that will be okay. My "re-decorating" has to be limited to "things" since this is a rental home and tearing up carpets (which I'd love to do) and repainting is not an option. I'll share photos when it's all done, including the cute little country pieces of furniture that I just acquired from my SIL.

But right now, I have laundry to do and a few other things before work. Weather is getting pretty cold and nasty up in the north east and west. Hope you all are warm and safe! Have a wonderful day.

A lovely evening!

Yes, I realize that my little mood girl has snow outside and it's really in the 70's here but I can dream, can't I?

Last night was our team Christmas party at a co-worker's home - what I affectionately call "the cow house". Let me quickly explain. About 20 years ago, Maura made a statement that she liked cows, having already a very modest collection of 2 little figurines. Friends and family picked up on this info and fast forward to today - her house is chock full of cows in every type and conceivable form. She has a "cow" dust buster, "cow" hot pads, "cow" plaques, figurines, little rolling kid toys, you name it. Now digressing back to 20 years ago, she and her husband lived in a more urban area of Florida and decided to buy some land in our rural area and put a single wide mobile on it for a weekend retreat. It was also decided that this would be a perfect place for the growing cow collection. Now, a couple of years ago, and tired of urban life, she and hubby moved out to their weekend retreat permanently - cows and all. Their plan, of course is to build a home. Perhaps the mobile home will continue to house the cows, I don't know but there are a considerable amount of them.

The cow collection makes for a charming home and couple that with Maura's charm and friendliness, it's a place I love to visit and have several times. It is nestled in the middle of 5 acres of wooded area, with a deck and porch protected with flowering vines and has a sense of calm and serenity. Outside the bay window in her dining area/kitchen are numerous bird houses and it is such fun to watch the different kinds visit. Each time I leave her place, I take away sense of peace and serenity. Last night was no different, except there were several of us instead of just the two of us and we all sat around a roaring fire and had egg nog and laughed and tried not to talk about work. We had ribs and chicken and whatever else people brought. We exchanged little "grab bag" gifts and we had a lovely time. And yes, she has "Christmas" cows too!

It is difficult for me to believe that Christmas is less than a week away! A couple of weeks ago, when it was cold, I could wrap my mind around that fact a bit easier. But today, when it could get to 80, I'm back in my capris and wondering if I'll have to flick the air on. I know some of you may be in snow up to your arm pits, but I'd love to have some cold and see snow flurries in the air. I wouldn't necessarily want to have to shovel my way out of the drive way, but brushing a dusting of snow of the car windows would be nice. I know, some of you may be rolling your eyes right now saying, "She's out of her mind!" I guess I'm just nostalgic.

Hope you all are having getting closer to getting Christmas shopping down so that you can enjoy the season. I'm off to do some visiting. Thanks, Judy for my cute little siggie! Until later...

A foggy day!

What do you think of my cute siggie? Judy sent it to me. Isn't it adorable? I wish I had talent like that. Sigh... Thanks so much, Judy!

Today is my last day at work for the week. Tomorrow I'm taking a paid day off because our work team is having their Christmas party in the evening. I'm looking forward to it. We're a small bunch and it will be at our supervisor's home so will be informal and cozy. She and her husband have a big fire pit and lots of land so we're going to do s'mores and just have fun.

I'm always hoping that we don't lose any patients around the holidays. Of course, being a Hospice house, that may be hard to accomplish but we have gone long periods of time with no one dying. We seem to run in cycles where the patients are all walking and more active and it's more like an assisted living than a hospice. Then, they'll all seem to begin to go down hill near the same time and we begin to lose them one by one. We lost one lady on Thanksgiving Day and there is a chance that we're going to lose one gentleman near Christmas. I remember my MIL passed 2 days after Thanksgiving and for years, every Thanksgiving, that is what we thought about. It's a sad way to remember a holiday.

I've been a bit thoughtful and reflective this season and I thank you all for indulging me. Holidays seem to bring that out in people; remembering the past and contemplating the future. For some reason, this year I've thought so much about Christmases past when the children were all little and home and I was truly a "mommy" and wife. I've always said that my true vocation in life was to be a wife and mother. I only worked as a nurse (or whatever my job was at the time) to help pay the bills. Now I tell people that I work because I like to live indoors and eat! But I digress... Last year at this time, I was very depressed. I wanted the season to be over with so I could get on with life and stop being reminded that I was a widow and empty nester. This year, not much has changed in my circumstances but I am full of gratitude for the blessings I have been given and what I have now. And I am looking to the future to see what it brings. Here I go again...I promise to try to keep things on a lighter note!

Speaking of that lighter note, I have to tell you that E Bay and I became good friends this past weekend. We spent a lot of time together and we had a good time. There were tears (I lost an auction for a tea pot) and smiles (I found another one just like it for the same price in a "buy it now" section) and needless to say, my Christmas shopping is complete. And I even have a new tea pot! Here it is!

It's a Royal Albert - Old Country Roses pattern. Very popular and of course, I'll eventually have to get the tea cup and creamer and sugar to match it. It will be for my special tea time. I got the medium size tea pot, about 4-6 cups and I'm anxiously waiting for it to come in the mail. It's my Christmas present to myself!

I have to go to the store and get the ingredients for a trifle that I'm making for the party tomorrow night so I'd better get going. I want to make some quick visits to you all too before I go to work. So, until later...hope you all are staying warm and safe.

Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY December 15, 2008...
Outside my window...the skies are gray and the leaves are barely rustling in the trees. It looks like it may rain.

I am thinking...of work and the challenges it is bringing into my life.

I am thankful for...the fact that I only have a 4-day work week this week and the next as well.

From the learning rooms...I am working on a course for continuing education credits for my nursing license renewal.

From the kitchen...I have a pot roast ready to pop in the oven and later this week I am making trifle for our work Christmas party and lasagna for my son and DIL's visit.

I am wearing...brown knit pants, a purple knit top and my usual comfy slippers.

I am creating...I'm not creating anything at the moment.

I am going...to a Christmas party at my supervisor's home on Thursday evening and then to see the Christmas lights with my son and DIL on Saturday evening.

I am reading...my Bible and a devotional book written by a co-worker.

I am hoping...that the stress of work will lessen and that some staff conflicts can be resolved.

I am hearing...the hum of the computer.

Around the house...I see the signs of the need to dust and vacuum. I didn't get to any of that on my days off.

One of my favorite things...my days off from work when I can stay at home and do the things I love to do.

A few plans for the rest of the week:some grocery shopping later in the week to buy ingredients for the trifle and lasagna.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

A photo of an ornament on our tree at work. The hospice volunteers worked very hard on this tree and it does look so pretty in our "common" room.

If you would like to participate in the Simple Woman's Day book, you can click >here and find out all about it.

Christmas shopping done!

I usually send my kids and their families money so that they can get whatever they want. For my son and his family up in Vermont, it seems to be the sanest thing to do with 6 children. So much easier than trying to figure out what each wants and then packing and sending it. It works well for my daughter and her family and my youngest son and DIL. But I did have to buy for my brother and SIL as well as nephew. I really can't discuss here what I bought because I don't know if Sarah ever visits here but, needless to say, I was very pleased with the sales I found yesterday and what I bought. The great news is that I'm done.

I remember the frenzied time of shopping when the kids were young. Most things were put in lay away in October or so, and so that just meant paying it off and taking it home to wrap. Even then, it wasn't always an easy thing. What the kids wanted in September or October could change dramatically by December and I'd be cancelling part of the lay away and getting new things. It was fun, though, bringing it all home and wrapping it up and then seeing their eyes light up as they looked under the tree. These days, very little is under my tree and I miss those days. But, I must say, I don't miss all the wrapping! This season, for some reason has brought back lots of memories of Christmases past. I miss Alan more this year than I have in the last few although he's never far from my thoughts. I also miss our excited, family Christmas mornings and the traditions that we carried out on Christmas Eve and the next morn. It just doesn't seem worth doing them now with just me. It makes me a bit melancholy if I think about it very much. And so I don't.

Next Saturday, I'm getting together with Mike and Stephanie for dinner and then we're going to ride around looking at Christmas lights. We have a wildlife park nearby which hosts a very pretty light display a few nights before Christmas so we plan on going there. Then I will be spending Christmas day with them again (working a visit with my brother and family into the mix sometime that day). Stephanie said that her grandparents were springing for the meat this year for Christmas dinner and wanted prime rib, and was that okay with me. I said that was very okay! No problem here!

My daughter and family are having a difficult time right now. My grand daughter, Candace just celebrated her "sweet 16" last week and was to have a party last night. But, the weekend before, a couple of her classmates were in a car accident. One died on impact and the other has been in intensive care. Friday, they learned that he too had died. He was not only Candace and Molly's classmate but my daughter, Jill's student. Such a tragedy at any time of the year but to happen just before Christmas makes it seem even more tragic. Needless to day, Candace cancelled her party and will have a belated one later in the new year. My prayers are with the families who are mourning this season.

On a happy note, I mailed my give-away package Friday and emailed my friend in Australia that it was on its way. I didn't realize that you had to make out a customs certificate etc to mail an overseas package. It's been a long time since I've posted anything like that. The last time, I think, was in high school when I sent something to my French pen pal.

Sorry for the bit of melancholy in this post. It seems the Christmas season brings out all sorts of emotions and even in this festive time, life (and passing) still go on.

Hope you're all having a great weekend and getting closer and closer to your Christmas preparations being done. Until later....

I'm still here.

This will be quick entry just to let you all know I'm still alive.

This morning I drove to my SIL's home about 40 miles away to pick up 3 pieces of furniture - small little cabinets and so forth that she was wanting to sell for Christmas money. She didn't like really like them, especially the little hearts that are cut out in the wood but I thought they were adorable and ever since she announced that she was looking for a buyer and gave me first chance - I've been trying to figure out how to do it. Then, two days ago, I found out at work that we're getting Christmas bonus only a few dollars shy of the asking price for the furniture. So, now I am a proud owner of some very cute pieces.

I'll try to get some photos up here tomorrow and show you. Until then.....gotta get to work.

Simple Woman Daybook

FOR TODAY December 8, 2008...

Outside my window...There is a light breeze, rustling through the trees making the temperature feel even colder than it really is.

I am thinking...of some decorating ideas I want to use after the Christmas decorations are packed away.

I am thankful for...the warmth of my house when I come home at night after work.

From the learning rooms...God is always trying to teach me something. Right now, He's trying to get me to slow down so that I can listen to His voice.

From the kitchen...the last of some home-made turkey noodle soup from this weekend. It was very, very good!

I am wearing...gray sweats and a green t-shirt and as usual, my comfy slippers.

I am creating...a "Thoughtful" book for my mother as part of her Christmas gift.

I am going...to work as usual and later this week to a Christmas party held at a co-workers home. She's talking of rescheduling until next week though if the weather looks bad.

I am reading..."The Christmas Mouse" by Miss Read, a talented English authoress who wrote about English country life. I re-read this book every year about this time.

I am hoping...that the Christmas party isn't rescheduled.

I am hearing...a little dog barking across the street. A poodle, I think, and he barks constantly when he's outside.

Around the house...it looks so colorful with all the Christmas decorations.

One of my favorite things...A leisurely cup of coffee on my first morning after work. The whole weekend is stretched out before me and I feel content.

A few plans for the rest of the week:Hopefully, the Christmas party on Thursday, a haircut on Friday and later pick up a couple pieces of furniture I am buying from my SIL.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is a tea cup and saucer I'm thinking of bidding on at EBay. It's Royal Albert Country Roses pattern and it would go beautifully on a tea table with my tea pot.

Thank you, Peggy for creating this day book. If you'd like to join me and others who are doing this, you can go here.

I was given an award!

Suzanne from create fun and mess just gave me a 'fabulous award'! What fun! Suzanne does amazing scrap book layouts. Please visit her and see her talent!

The 'Fabulous' Award Rules:

1. You have to pass it on to 5 fabulous blogs.
2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions.
3. Make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them.

My 5 'fabulous addictions':
1. working on my blog and website
2. shopping for and buying fabric
3. reading
4. listening to all different types of music
5. going to Disney World

I'm passing this award on to:
1. Karen from Homespun Simplicity
2. Marge at Living Little
3. Susie Q at Rabbit Run Cottage
4. The Vintage Rose
5. Tracey at Buttercup Hill

Wishing everyone a relaxing, peaceful weekend!

More Christmas around the house.

This morning was the Christmas parade in our community. The main street is only one house away from mine so it's very convenient for me to walk to. I had almost forgotten about it until I heard a whole lot of sirens. I thought there was a bad accident at first until I remembered. It's a pretty fair parade with a few small floats from local churches, our local Curves etc. There were two school bands represented. It was cute and Doc enjoyed being out although he wasn't crazy for the sirens.

The winner of my give-away - Vintage Rose has contacted me with her address. It's kinda neat to think of my little things going all the way to Australia! It was fun and I thank all of you who visited and participated. Vintage Rose has her own give-away going on so you might like to check it out.

I took a few more photos around the house of my Christmas decorations. A lot of snowmen! I never really set out to collect them but I seem to have anyway. I'm still trying to perfect my photography skills but enjoy anyway!


My son gave me this bear one Christmas in 1998.


I used to collect dolls but have very few left now. Here are my Christmas ones.


It's almost impossible to keep Doc in one place for very long!


My daughter made me this quilt about 18 years ago.


Even furbabies have to hang up their stockings!


A cute little prim angel. A friend at work gave me this for my birthday.


I've always loved this little piece. It sits at the foot of my tree.


A cute little pillow I bought at my local grocery store.


Some of my snowmen.


And a few more.


Today I'm making turkey soup with the carcass and a few bits of meat. I've been waiting for this all week. I've bought the noodles and the onions and I'm all ready. It's a bit overcast and chilly today so it will fit in very well.

I created another blog expressly for my creative side. I have been so inspired by blogs I have found and the talented people who make such gorgeous things. I've gotten several ideas for decorating my home and when the Christmas decorations are packed away, I'm going to see what I can do. Whenever I put a new entry there I'll include the button here so you can go visit, if you so desire.


I'm off to visit a few of you right now and then I have things I want to do. Hope you're having a great weekend.

We have a winner!

Friday is finally here and time to draw the winning name for my 100th post give-away!

And the winner is......

Drum roll, please......



Congratulations, Vintage Rose - all the way in Australia! I always enjoy my visits to her blog, The Vintage Rose! Please email me and give me your address and I'll get it sent out to you this week. Isn't this exciting?

Thank you to all of you who entered my drawing. This can be addictive - it was so much fun.

I'm working on another blog to show my creative side. I've mentioned that I am going to start a quilt after Christmas. But my visits to some of your blogs have inspired me to new heights! It's time to dig out the fabric I've been hoarding for so long and the sewing machine that has been gathering dust. But, as I said, it's probably going to have to wait until after Christmas!

Right now,I'm sitting here yawning. I wrote this post when I got home from work a little after midnight. Can you tell I was excited about the give-away? Good night, all.

I'll write more later, but just wanted to get this out and announced!

A cold, cold morning!

Actually, it's better now but at a few minutes after midnight when I left work to go home, it was very cold!

Before I went to sleep, I put my turkey in to roast. I didn't much turkey to speak of on Thanksgiving and was hungry for it, so I had bought a small one. I woke up later this morning to the smell of delicious turkey! It was done and later before I go to work, I'll cut it from the bone and package it. Most will put in the freezer for other times, but I'll have some for lunch and for dinner tonight (and probably for tomorrow etc!) The bones I'll save for my day off on Friday and make some soup.

Don't forget that Friday is my give-away! Can't you tell I'm excited? I'll draw the name and then announce it here. I can't wait!
This will be your last reminder because I'm going into work early tomorrow to cover for my supervisor who has to go to a meeting. I don't know if I'll have any computer time before work or not.

Our hospice house staff is having a Christmas party at my supervisor's home next Thursday evening. Evenings are the only time that it really can be done and staffing has agreed to cover the evening shift so that those of us who normally work that evening can come. I'll have to take a paid day off but that's okay. It will be a nice three-day weekend for me. We've had several staff conflicts during this year we have been open, specifically between the CNAs, so I hope that this will bring us together more. I'm looking forward to it.

Next Friday which is my last payday before Christmas, I plan on getting four more gifts and then I'm done. I usually send money to my grown kids and their families because it is so much easier and they can get what the kids and they want. It's a bit less personal but it works. I usually give my youngest son and his wife the same thing but since I'll be going to their house for Christmas Day, I'm buying them a gift. Then I have my brother and SIL and nephew to buy for.

Hope you all are having a great week. My "Simple Devotions" entry is up. If you're interested, you can find it with the graphic below.


Be back on Friday with the announcement of the winner!

I got tagged!

It was a rather frustrating morning yesterday. I have been writing out my mother's checks the last few months. She has become very forgetful and she was writing checks without the sufficient funds to over them. So, the answer was to relieve her of that responsibility and she was agreeable to do so. Weeellll..yesterday morning when I checked the telephone info line to her bank, I discovered that a check had come in insufficient funds. I knew we were down to the wire before her social security check was deposited but I thought we were fine. It was then I discovered that although I had quickly looked at her last 2 months of bank statements to make sure there wasn't an error - I totally forgot to deduct the monthly bank fee from her balance. So, I went right down to the bank and deposited the NSF fee to cover the bills I needed to pay. Thankfully, our bank always pays the checks even if the funds aren't there. They just charge their NSF fee.

The morale of this story? You'd better not hire me as your financial accountant! Sigh :(

I was tagged this morning by Karen! What fun. I have to list 6 Things as listed below and then tag 6 others to join. Here are my "6 Things..."

6 Things I Value:

1) My faith in God
2) Friendship
3) My family
4) My Bible
5) Freedom to worship freely
6) Quiet evenings at home

6 Things I Don't Support:

1) Abortion
2) Cruelty in any form
3) Excessive commercialism at Christmas
4) Movies with excessive profanity and gratuitous sex scenes
5) People who lie and manipulate.
6) Rude people

6 People I Tagged:

(1) Marge at Living Little & Loving It
(2) Joyce at Brookside Cottage
(3) Happi at Berger Buzz
(4) Amber Waves of Grain
(5) Marion at Lake of Shining Waters
(6) Suzie Q at Rabbit Run Cottage

I have a little thing on my Yahoo desk top called Cute Overload. If you enjoy funny animal pics like I do, this is just the cutest place. Two recent additions had me laughing until I was crying. You have to read the captions along with the picture because it just completes the whole experience. Here are the two links for you to enjoy.

Death By Gossip
Crazy Ernie's Factory Seconds Discount Pet Warehouse

Only 4 days left until my 100th post give-away. Leave me a comment and let me know if you'd like to enter. If you don't leave your desire to enter in the comment, I don't add your name thinking that maybe you aren't interested. Just wanted you to know. I don't want anyone to miss out if they intended to enter.

Have a great day and stay warm.

Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY December 1, 2008...
Outside my window...
There are little branches and twigs all over the lawn from our bad wind storm yesterday. It's cloudy and looks like rain.


I am thinking...
of my daughter coming here in Florida to spend her birthday with me at Walt Disney World. I haven't seen here in over 2 years.


I am thankful for...
the same thing I am thinking about!


From the kitchen...
2 pumpkin pies (one went to my Mom) and a turkey in the fridge defrosting for later this week. Turkeys were on sale this past weekend.


I am wearing...
brown knit pants, a pumpkin colored sweatshirt and brown loafers.


I am creating...
nothing at the moment but I am getting my supplies together to begin my quilt after Christmas.


I am going...
to town to do several errands today, one of which is to renew my car tag that expired yesterday. I forgot the court house in our town was closed the day after Thanksgiving.


I am reading...
my Bible and "The Long Winter" by Laura Ingalls Wilder. One of my favorite "Little House" books.


I am hoping...
that we didn't have any admissions over the weekend at the hospice house and that tonight will be a good and manageable night.


I am hearing...
the whirr of the computer, otherwise all is quiet.


Around the house...
it looks like Christmas! I decorated all day Friday and it looks very festive here.


One of my favorite things...
Curling up in bed and reading on those nights when I'm off work.


A few plans for the rest of the week:
I'm still sort out and trying to simplify things around here. That also includes some cleaning out of drawers and closets.


Here is picture thought I am sharing...

My little Christmas tree!

If you would like to participate in the Simple Woman's day book, please click here.