The Simple Woman's Daybook - May 4, 2009

For my fellow Sleeping with Bread participants, I will join you again. I've just felt compelled to post my Simple Woman's Daybook the last few weeks.

For today...May 4, 2009

Outside my window...The sun will soon rise. The chairs are strewn about the patio from last night's fire. It was fun roasting marshmallows, making smores, talking and picking out constellations.

I am thinking...I will feel better once I complete a task I've been putting off for the last week.

I am thankful for...easy breezy spring evenings sitting by the fire and enjoying each others company.

From the kitchen...I'm not sure what my husband will whip up but he broke out the grill yesterday so I'm thinking that might be involved.

I am wearing...grey slacks (it's Monday) and my favorite black top. Darn, I forgot to color my hair this weekend. I could let it go silver but it's coming in patches so I'd look pretty strange. Oh, well, I guess my hair will match my outfit!

I am reading...the last few chapters of PoemCrazy by Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge. I suggest everyone read it whether you're interested in poetry or not. It is plump, juicy and full of life. The chapters about the kids from her workshops will tug at your heart.

I am hoping...for a quiet work week so I can get caught up on some projects.

I am creating...my Full Moon Dreamboard this week!

I am praying...for beautiful weeknights so my family can get out for a few walks.

Around the house...I cleaned the house this weekend so there's really only laundry and a little darning left to do.

One of my favorite things...the smell of oranges and tangerines. I've been allergic to them since my teen years but I can still enjoy their scent!

A few plans for the rest of the week...I'll take my son to see the Wolverine movie and I'd like to get more writing and drawing time in. I'll also make the effort to throw in some random acts of kindness. :)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Kali

You can find more Daybooks here.

Simple Woman's Daybook - April 27, 2009

For Today...April 27, 2009

Outside my window...The clouds are light gray, promising a time of waiting and then rain. A lone bird's insistent call disturbs the calm.

I am thinking...that there are days when I enjoy the gray, the rain, and quiet.

I am thankful for...the weekend I had with my husband. We had originally planned to stay at a swank hotel and have a fancy dinner to celebrate our anniversary. Instead, we looked at books, books and more books, ate lunch and dinner out, spent quiet time alone, and just enjoyed the silence.

From the kitchen...Dinner will be spaghetti and meatballs courtesy of my husband. I am so thankful that he cooks dinner during the work week!

I am wearing...my burgandy sleep shorts and a soft peach long-sleeved shirt. As I've said before, I sleep in some of the weirdest ensembles.

I am going...to learn to let go.

I am reading...I finished Poltergeist by Kat Richardson and am deciding whether or not to move straight on to the third book in the series, Undergound, or slip a book in between them. For some reason, I like to torture myself that way. ;) I'll be starting The Tao of Writing - Imagine. Create. Flow by Ralph L. Wahlstrom soon.

I am hoping...for a stress-free, productive day.

I am creating...another collage for Full Moon Dreamers that will be posted May 9th or before. I just knew once I started to collage, there'd be no holding me back!

I am praying...that the reawakening I feel in my spirit continues to grow and flourish. I also pray that the endeavors of my blog friends do the same.

Around the house...Goodness! There is so much to be done around the house this week. Catching up on laundry is a must and I'd love to dig out the hostas in the backyard. The previous owner planted in them in too sunny a spot. They also house the bunnies that I'm fond of watching but am not fond of their eating habits!

One of my favorite things...Looking through the windows and out over the balcony to what appears to be stillness but is actually a haven of life, critters stirring preparing for their day... It makes me think of the Wind and the Willows or some other children's story.

A few plans for the rest of the week...I'd love to get some reading and writing time in. I'll also be judging the Texty Ladies poetry contest and gathering prizes together for shipping.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Just because.

You'll find more Simple Woman's Daybook entries here.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - April 20, 2009

We had family staying with us over the weekend and the entire family came over Saturday night for food and fun. The weather was beautiful, sunny and 70's, and it was good to be together again. With my parents gone, it is important that we continue to make memories.

I'm terribly behind in reading and commenting on my favorite blogs and because there are so many, it will take me some time to catch up. I look forward to reading about what you've been up to! Here are my thoughts:

For Today...April 20, 2009

I am thinking...I will be gentle with myself today.

Outside my window...the birds are throwing a wild party.

I am thankful for... my family, my job, and my relative good health. None can be taken for granted.

From the kitchen...We still have a few leftovers of fajitas and spanish rice from the weekend. Not much but enough to provide my husband with a good lunch today, his day off.

I am wearing...grey dress slacks and a black knit top. I tend to dress in grey or black on Mondays, not necessarily because of my mood or that I'm unhappy it is Monday. I think it's because I feel confident in those colors, and they help me ease gently into the week. I suppose I should wear brighter, cheerier colors on Monday but it just doesn't happen that way.

Iam reading...John Lithgow's "The Poet's Corner", trying to finish it before Saturday, when it needs to be returned to the library.

I am hoping...for a gentle day, no stress, all smiles.

I am creating...a simpler life. I'm far from there but am heading in that direction.

I am praying...for the continued good health of my family and me and that my son's recent application for some assistance is granted.

Around the house...Yikes! There is more laundry than I care to think about. Other than that, the house is in pretty good shape since we cleaned for the weekend. Just need to get the electric situation figured out so we can use the vacuum again without it blowing out the lights.

One of my favorite things...Having quiet time to myself to sip coffee and read my favorite blogs.

A few plans for the rest of the week...I'll catch up on laundry and reading blogs, finish reading a few books, clean up a logo I created for Texty Ladies and spend some quality time with family.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

From Macy's 2009 Flower Show. The photo is a bit dark and I haven't cropped out the people sitting at the end of the flower bed yet. I just thought the field of tulips was lovely.

Please join Patty and the other participants

of The Simple Woman's Daybook.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - April 6, 2009

I started participating in The Simple Woman's Daybook because I enjoy the questions, the quiet time in the morning to reflect and look ahead, and it is fun to read how other participants are doing. It is also a reminder to me that I do indeed want to live a simpler life although it seems I keep adding more and more to my schedule and am doing anything but!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Outside my window...it is dark and the bunnies in the backyard are sleeping peacefully, dreaming of the yummy flowers they'll be eating from the flowerbeds.

I am thinking...about the coming weeks: a very welcome visit from my sister and her family, and my husband's and my anniversary.

I am thankful for...this day and another opportunity to get things right.

From the kitchen...I must remember to pick up some A-1 sauce after work as my husband is making steaks tonight!

I am wearing...my violet sleep shorts and the thin red shirt I wore yesterday. I was too tired to change last night. lol! My poor husband has the privilege of seeing me in all sorts of weird sleep ensembles when I'm that darn tired.

I am creating...some new graphics for my group blog, Texty Ladies.

I am going...start doing some yoga again this week. I do not practice the spiritual meditation sometimes associated with this but the asanas (positions) definitely strengthen me and make me feel better all around.

I am reading...Poltergeist by Kat Richardson (still) and Poet's Corner by John Lithgow (National Poetry Month).

I am hoping...for a calm and productive week.

I am hearing...some birds chirping outside and my kittens' ears are perking up.

Around the house...Dishes and laundry must get done and I need to sew up a small hole in my son's shirt. If it's warm later this week, I'd like to rake up the remaining leaves in the yard.

One of my favorite things...When the kittens look up with sleepy eyes, just waiting for me to pick them up and cuddle.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Help my son organize his room since we didn't do it last week, sew some more decorative patches on his jacket, and take a few walks since the sun is supposed to shine.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing:

This WILL NOT be me this week!

Please join Peggy and the other participants
at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY (Monday, March 30, 2009)

Outside my window...it is dark and all is quiet before the sun rises to wake the sleepy world.

I am thinking...that I would like to stay home and have a quiet, simple day, puttering around my house and yard, but I will get myself to work and make it a productive day.

I am thankful for...these quiet early morning moments when I can collect my thoughts and prepare myself for the day ahead.

From the learning rooms...I'm excited about the software I'm learning at work and the new forms and feature we'll be rolling out to the Firm this week.

From the kitchen...two brown sugar cinnamon poptarts and a glass of milk.

I am wearing...grey slacks and a grey sweater. Hey, monochrome is slenderizing! Besides, I love the color.

I am creating...a feature at work to honor and bring notice to LAAs.

I am going...to bring Devi in to the vet tonight to have her stitches removed.

I am reading...two books, Poltergeist by Kat Richardson, and The Right to Write by Julia Cameron.

I am hoping...that I find some missing documents at work today.

I am hearing...the kittens munching their breakfast and the clock ticking, telling me I need to shut down the laptop.

Around the house...the dishes need to be done and the folded laundry on the dining room table needs to be put away.

One of my favorite things...the stillness of early morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Clean house, sew some patches on my son's jacket, pay bills, and have family night.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Last year's peonies from the bushes on the east side of my house.

I'm looking forward to this year's beautiful blooms.

Please join Peggy Hostetler (creator of this meme), the other participants,

and me at The Simple Woman's Daybook.