Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY: March 26, 2012

Outside my window.... pretty and sunny. My backyard needs to be mowed and I hate the thought of having to begin the expense of lawn care again.

I am thinking.... of volunteering somewhere. I've gotten in kind of a rut since I retired.

I am thankful.... for my church family and friends.

In the kitchen.... still have not made out that weekly menu I keep saying I'm going to do. So, right now, I'm clueless.

I am wearing.... sweat pants and a pj top. Slow moving this morning and haven't dressed yet.

I am creating.... nothing at the moment.

I am going.... to the vet with Mandy on Tuesday for her yearly injections and then to Disney World for the day on Thursday with my pastor and his family.

I am wondering.... lots of stuff going on in my mind right now.

I am reading.... Glorious Appearing and my Bible

I am hoping.... for great weather Thursday at Disney and not too hot.

I am looking forward to.... my day out on Thursday and getting the new flooring down next week.

I am learning.... God's continued faithfulness and His protection and grace.

Around the house.... all the cabinets, shelves etc are void of nick knacks - all packed in boxes in prep for the flooring company next week.

I am pondering.... seeing Mom growing worse and getting more feeble and wondering what this year will hold for us.

One of my favorite things.... time with friends and good laughter

A few plans for the rest of the week: Mandy going to the vet Tuesday. Disney World Thursday.

A peek into my day…

Right now at Epcot in Disney World, they are holding their annual Flower and Garden Festival. Always a lovely time to visit there. This was taken a few years back in the rose garden. Florida was in a bad drought at the time and so I'd seen the roses more abundant before but they were still lovely nevertheless.

National Puppy Day

According to Cute Overload, one of my favorite sites, it is National Puppy Day.  Personally I've never met a puppy I didn't adore. I want to adopt everyone I look at, forgetting they get big.  So in  honor of National Puppy Day, I've included a photo of the lovely Mandy taken New Years Day of 2011 by her breeder, Shirley. She was just a little bit then - about 6 weeks old.  

Other things going on here -

~~ I have been contacted by the flooring company who won the bid and they will be here Monday, April 2nd to put down new carpeting in the living room and vinyl in the kitchen and dining area.  I can't wait to get rid of this nasty carpet!  I could have had them here this next week but I am trying to plan a day or two away and it is just easier to do it the following week.

~~ Still unsure where I will be going for my little trip away. Money and Mom are issues so it probably won't be overnight. I am going to board Mandy for the night though.  I'm toying with the idea of a Disney park or a day at the beach. 

~~ I am taking a sabbatical from Face Book. I was on the computer, it seems constantly on the games and I just think I could make better use of my time. I tend to have a bit of an addictive personality and so with 4 farms on Farmville, a Garden in Time and so forth, had me very busy.  When a friend from church sent me an invite for Angry Birds on Face Book, that just set me over the edge!  The first day, I was at loose ends. I didn't know what to do with myself. It's amazing how much I'm getting done around the house! I'm going to get back to Face Book in a month or so. The games...I don't know.

Well, I'm hoping you all are having as lovely weather as I am here in Florida. We are already in the 80's in March. I just hope that this doesn't mean an uncommonly hot summer.

Have a good weekend!

All sorts of things going on.

It's been awhile since I checked in here just to be chatty. I admire those who post something every day. I'm lucky to get in here once a week (excluding my Simple Woman's Day Book).

A few things going on here. As those who have followed my blog know, I've been planning for months to move to Tennessee in late spring or perhaps early summer.  The whole planning process has been fraught with worry, stress and second guessing decisions.  First it was if it was the best decision to move Mom. Then it was if the finances would be available. And of course, there are all the unknowns - will I be able to find a place suitable and in the area I want....how will Mom do in new surroundings...what will be my living expenses.  There is the issue of finding a new doctor for Mom, getting Tennessee car tags etc etc.  All this can be worked out but it just seemed to add to the stress of a move.  A couple of weeks ago, after prayer and realistic thinking, I decided to put the move on hold indefinitely. I have to face the fact that Mom's health is deteriorating at a fast rate and that such an extreme change in her life would not be to her best interests. I truly don't know that she will be with me this time next year. When I brought Mom in to live with me, I knew that she would have to be a big consideration in my decisions.  Although she was willing to go where ever I wanted to go, I knew that her heart wanted to stay here. 

Since that decision was made I have had such a sense of peace and relief as if a huge weight was taken off my shoulders. I've even come to realize that I would truly miss what Florida has - beautiful beaches, lovely weather, and a home and life I've cultivated since the early '80s.  I even made the decision to renew the house lease instead of move to another location which was my plan for quite awhile. The stress and anxiety of packing up and relocating, even just a few miles away just doesn't seem worth it right now and I'd rather have the peace and familiarity I have right now.

When I told the property management group that I was willing to sign another year's lease I did it with the stipulation that the owner would allow this nasty carpet to be pulled up. There is terrazzo underneath and I would be happy with that. The owner has agreed and is going to put down vinyl flooring in the kitchen and dining area and new carpeting in the living room and hallway. I would have preferred vinyl throughout but I guess the owner feels that the house would be more rent able in the future with carpeting in the living room.  I've had two companies come in to measure and give estimates and so I am waiting for who ever was chosen to contact me to begin the work. I've emptied cabinets etc of breakables in preparation for all this. And I'm excited to have a clean smelling house and loose the musty carpet smell!

It seems too that with the decision to stay in Florida, I've decided to venture out and get involved as I had originally planned at retirement. I've put an application in at our local animal control to be volunteer. I want to walk dogs, pet kitties and do whatever I can do to help around there. They are planning their 2 hour orientation/training session by the end of the month, so I should hear from them before long.

Well, this is a very lengthy post, I know and thank you who have read this far. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Until later....

Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY - March 12, 2012

Outside my window....  a little cloudy but is supposed to hit the 80's today.

I am thinking....  of Mom's birthday yesterday and that it was so nice to have family together to celebrate with her.

I am thankful....  I'm getting new flooring for the kitchen, dining area and living room. Vinyl for the kitchen and dining and new carpet for the living room.  I am blessed to have good and understanding property management people and home owner.

In the kitchen....  need to go grocery shopping later today.

I am wearing.... tan capris and a blue top and flip flops.

I am creating.... chaos from order - will have to be packing up some things in preparation for moving of cabinets etc for new flooring.

I am going....  church Wednesday evening, blood work for Mom later this week and lunch wih a friend tomorrow. Want to go on a day trip but need to wait for flooring companies to come to measure and give estimates.

I am wondering....  if I'll ever move to Tennessee. I've put a hold on the plans indefinitely because of Mom. I just don't think it would be the best for her.

I am reading....  In The Footsteps Of Jesus and my Bible

I am hoping....  that the flooring can be done soon and I can get things back to normal.

I am looking forward to....  a day away soon. Still not sure  where yet.

I am learning....  actually becoming reacquainted with a guitar.

Around the house....  really in need of some spring cleaning. Will wait for the overhaul until flooring done.

I am pondering....  lots of things right now.

One of my favorite things.... looking forward to and planning an adventure.

A few plans for the rest of the week: some packing of china cabinet things, Mom's blood work,

A peek into my day…

My new guitar! Actually it isn't new. I bought it at a pawn shop. I have played guitar since I was a teen up until about 20 years ago when I gave mine to my son. I just felt that I wanted to pick it up again and I'm so pleased that I can remember the chords!  I'll use it for God's glory even if I just play it in my bedroom.

Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY: March 5, 2012

Outside my window.... sunny and very pretty. Mild temps. I spent some time out there this morning trimming bushes.

I am thinking.... that I need to relax and enjoy the here and now - instead of worrying over the future.

I am thankful.... for God's protection over my Tennessee family during the terrible storms last week.

In the kitchen.... probably a tuna and noodle casserole for dinner with some squash.

I am wearing.... jeans and a navy top and my gardening shoes.

I am creating.... sore subject. I have yet to finish my quilt wall hanging.

I am going.... On a weekend outing in the next few weeks. Don't know where or when yet. But I'm going!

I am wondering.... if I'll never get Mandy house broken! But she is slowly getting better.

I am reading.... In The Footsteps Of Jesus by Bruce Marchiano and of course, my Bible

I am hoping.... for some answers to some questions this week.

I am looking forward to.... the above mentioned weekend trip

Around the house.... some spring cleaning is about to begin!

One of my favorite things.... listening to my Mandy snoring next to me on the couch.

A few plans for the rest of the week: want to begin a weekly menu list and begin some spring cleaning. Mid week Bible study.

A peek into my day…

One of my azalea bushes in full bloom.  I'm very excited to share this. Every year, my two bushes bloom like crazy but last year I had only 2 or 3 blooms and the rest of the buds just died and fell off. I thought the bush was a goner. But this year, it's back to its former glory!


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