Man to Man

Chins:  So, I never got to thank you for what you did.

The Husband:  That isn't necessary.

Chins:  Well, I just feel like a little display of gratitude is in order. 

The Husband:  I am not really one of those "cat people."

Chins:  That's OK.  I am totally one of those "people cats."

The Husband:  Maybe this isn't so bad.

Chins:  See...so, thanks

The Husband:  Sure.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY:  September 2, 2010

Outside my window...it is gray and wet.  Not a good day for dog walking.

I am thinking...about how to keep my dog from peeing in the house while it rains.  I am also thinking about the AWANA meeting that I will be attending tonight, my friend who had a new baby yesterday, and how to celebrate our 13 year wedding anniversary this weekend.

I am thankful for...the last 13 years, even the really difficult ones.

From the learning rooms...we are back to school!  It is going really well, though in true back-to-school fashion, the kids have caught a cold.  Germs do not discriminate between public and home schools.

From the kitchen...tonight I will be serving pasta with bacon and peas, one of my favorite dishes.  The husband will pick out the bacon and avoid the peas. 

I am wearing...my glasses, so I hope no one comes to the door.

I am creating...a stack of note cards on which I have written all of the verses I need to memorize for AWANA. 

I am going...to the gym, even though I don't want to, especially because I don't want to.  Flexing the old "self-discipline muscle."  If it gets strong enough, maybe it will push away the brownies.

I am reading...Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions by George Barna. 

I am hoping...that fall will set in soon, and that my grocery store will start carrying canned pumpkin soon.  I NEED some pumpkin in my life...pumpkin oatmeal, pumpkin bread, pumpkin yogurt. 

I am hearing...the fridge humming, the dog snoring, my fingers tapping the keys, and my brain chattering.

Around the house...things are so neat and clean :)  I love it.  Yesterday I went to do laundry and didn't have enough for a load.  It was strange.

One of my favorite things...my parents, who will be home exactly two months from today...for good.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Getting cable TV, which goes against my personal convictions, but not enough to not get DVR.  I am so mainstream.  We will also be cleaning Mom's house for Brother (ewwwww), walking the dog too often to mention, and (hopefully) going out to eat for our anniversary WITHOUT the kids this year (last year we took them with us). 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Almost 13 years already? 

Love you, Husband.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY:  August 17, 2010


Outside my window...birds are singing.  My windows are open, and I can smell a hint of fall on the breeze. 

I am thinking...about how strange it will be to wake up in my own home again.

I am thankful for...the hardest two years of my life...2009 and 2010.  God has taught me some difficult and amazing lessons that will remind me to be more like Jesus.  It wasn't fun, but praise God for it.

From the learning rooms...I am excited to begin school in earnest the first week in September.  We are going to be starting American history!

From the kitchen...tonight there will be steaks on the grill for the "menfolk."  The Husband and Brother will not have to ask THE question:  "Is there meat in this?"

I am wearing...the usual. 

I am creating...a home.  I went to my house yesterday, and while I cleaned my bathroom I prayed that God would keep me this grateful for a home to clean.  I just have an overwhelming sense of joy when I walk into my house, though just months ago I could not go there for the sadness that filled my heart.

I am going...to miss Brother.

I am reading...the Bible.  And other, less important things.

I am hoping...that the next two months pass quickly for Mom and Dad (and Brother), so that we can all be together again.  And I hope that Brother doesn't burn the house down.

I am hearing...silence.  I am NOT hearing the school bus driving by, though today is the first day of school in our area.  That sound is another thing I miss about living in my house.  I miss the little, insignificant predictabilities of town life.

Around the house...boxes.  Laundry.  Broken air conditioning.  No Kitty Friend :(

One of my favorite things...coffee!  It has fueled my early mornings, soothed my soul, and been enjoyed around the table with family and friends.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Packing, cleaning, visiting with a dear friend that I haven't seen all summer, praying, and getting up crazy early to workout with DVDs filled with perky instructors with strange colloquialisms ("Burn butter?"  Seriously?  So, what do vegans burn?)

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...Brother, who I see every morning doing exactly this at the kitchen table.  How I will miss your profound thoughts, overuse of condiments, and propensity to calling me a homosexual.  I hope you will come to town and have coffee with me. 

For more Simple Women, visit here.

Vacation Fun: Part 2

To try to describe how we felt about seeing the ocean just reminds me how limited words are in communicating what happens inside us all. 

The kids thought it was the most beautiful sight they had ever beheld.  I agree.  Something about the ebb and flow, the vastness, the beauty is just spiritual.  It just cries out of a Creator.  So, I will just share some pictures I took and leave the words out, because they would be wholly inadequate anyway.

What a lovely land is our America.

A Little Thrifty Love

The men in my house--The Husband and Brother--have had quite a successful week.  In the last two days, they both had very exciting work-related news.  I am so proud of both of them. 

Neither of them really read my blog, so I can be super mushy without them even knowing it :)

Dear Husband, 

You have always been the one for me, so how blessed am I that you turned out to be one of the most wonderful men in the world?  I couldn't have known when we were young who you would become as a man, but God did.  And He blessed me richly in bringing us together.  Thank you for all your hard work, for your integrity, for your sacrifice for our family and beyond.  You are the most treasured thing in my life.  I hope to have many more years full of opportunities to show you how happy I am to be your wife.  So, in honor of your success, I am making you a special dinner, including two of your favorite things...beef and homemade salsa. 

That is love, babe.

Love Always, The Wife

 Dear Brother,

How awesome is your new venture in life?  I am really proud of you, "Gaylord."  I know you can be successful at whatever you do...remember the time you totally put your heart and soul into doing your laundry?  Wait, scratch that.  What about the time you totally dominated the weeds in the ditch with that mini lawn mower?  Yeah, this is going to be just like that.  You are going to dominate it.  Just make sure you get up in time :)  Thanks for letting me hang out with you and share in your life.  Lots of times God gave me just enough encouragement, just in time, and many times He used you to do it.  You are a pretty good friend.  In honor of your exciting news, I made you Chocolate Chip Cookie bars--with real butter. 

Love, Your Secretary

Who says celebrating has to be expensive? 

I guarantee that they know how important they are to me, and I didn't have to go out and buy anything. 

Menu Plan Monday

You want to participate in Menu Plan Monday?  Go to here.

We had such a great weekend!  We did some swimming with family, had a little campfire time, saw my Mom on the webcam, and attended a wonderful church service.  I feel ready for the week!

The plan:

Monday:  Kale and White Bean soup, bread

Tuesday:  Beef Stroganoff, egg noodles, frozen veggie

Wednesday:  Grilled chicken (I will invent a marinade), healthy risotto, veggie

Thursday:  Taco Pizza, salad

Friday:  Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, veggie

Saturday:  Spicy Shrimp, brown rice, salad

Sunday:  Leftovers!

Confession:  Sometimes I don't make what is on the list, or I switch the days around. 

I still like having a plan.

I leave you with a couple of weekend pictures that put me in a great mood this Monday morning:

The most beautiful place in the world, my family's farm, also known as "The Compound."

My sweet little family, just being together.

The Roo, who is always doing something funny...like looking deep into the eyes of Curlyjo's doll.

My lovely sister and her family.  And the most glaring portion of the picture...her husband's farmer's tan. 

*giggle*

Brother and The Husband, having a chat. 

I think. 

Gratitude.  For all the precious memories we created this weekend.

Romantic Asparagus?

Ahhhh, Saturday.  I had my Lentil Burger lunch around 11:00 am today, so by 2:00 pm, I was ready for lunch number two ;)
So, I cooked again.

Tomato Soup

Better than Campbell's, cheaper than Campbell's.

1 can tomato paste

2 1/4 c. water

1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

1 tsp. soy sauce

1/4 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. dried basil

3-4 tsp. real maple syrup

pinch of cayenne pepper

salt and black pepper, to taste

grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Put the tomato paste into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add the water and whisk until combined.  Add all other ingredients and whisk.  Bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for five minutes.  Ladle into bowls and top with cheese, if you are using it.  I say go for it.  It is even better after it sits for a while!

Two lunches down, and it was time to go couponing. 

I went to the Wal-Mart in my town, which always proves annoying and fruitless.  I usually go to the store in another town, as they are much more cooperative and...nice.

I had coupons that enabled me to get lots of goodies free or nearly so, which wigged out the cashier. 

The loot the lady thought I was stealing:

Nice!  It was worth the ten minute argument with TWO cashiers. 

I came home and cooked again. 

Oh, and I got a bouquet from the Husband today!

Local, organic asparagus for one.  He knows the way to my heart :)

Two for a Dollar?

The Husband:  Tiny, let me see those loose teeth.  I will just give it a little wiggle.

Tiny:  Okay, Daddy!

The Husband:  Hmmmm, let me just give it a little tug.

Tiny:  Okay, Daddy!

The Husband:  *jerks on the tooth*

Tiny:  DADDY!!!

Out came the first tooth.  Proudly displayed gap-grin:

The Husband:  Tiny, let me stop the bleeding and give the other one a little wiggle.

Tiny:  Okay, Daddy. 

*sob*

Tiny:  OUCH!

The Husband:  I think we are all done here. 

Tiny:  *sob*

The Husband:  I guess we better get ready for the tooth fairy.

Crazy little consumer, capitalizing on life's inevitabilities. 

Where is my purse?

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...May 14, 2010

Outside my window...it is cloudy again.  On the back deck there are eight cats waiting for me to feed them their breakfast. 

I am thinking...about my Bible study that I read this morning.  I saw Abraham and Isaac a new way, and it was wonderful. 

I am thankful for...Jesus Christ, and His love for me.  And the Husband, who used his over-time money to buy me a new bike.  He is the most self-less guy. 

From the learning rooms...Today I fully intend, if I get nothing else done, to read the Bible with my kids and practice our memory verses.  If raising my children in the fear and admonition of the Lord is the most important reason that I homeschool, why do these things come AFTER Math, reading and writing? 

From the kitchen...Norman made himself an omelet for breakfast, of which he was so proud that he made me look at it before he ate it.  I plan to bake bread today, though it may be a bust as it is so humid.

I am wearing...the husband's boxer shorts and my Walk for Water tee.  Bare feet.  I am not moving very fast today.  LOL

I am creating...a giant mess on my desk, a serious stockpile of body wash in the bathroom cabinet, and a recipe that uses coconut oil.

I am going...well, I am not going to the gym.  My legs are too sore and tired to even walk normally.  I need a rest day.  And a ride on my new bike.

I am reading...Walden with my book club.  I am also reading The Peacemaker by Ken Sande, which is so awesome that I wish I would have read it about a year and a half ago.  It would have helped immensely.  Last, I am reading Home Education by Charlotte Mason. 

I am hoping...that it will not rain today.  I need some sunshine.  I am also hoping that July comes really fast, because I get to see my parents and go to Florida!

I am hearing...the ceiling fan humming, the clock ticking, the birds singing, and chores calling.

Around the house...there are signs that little girls live here:  baby dolls, strollers, little flip-flops.  There are also signs that a teenage boy lives here:  opened bags of potato chips, socks on the couch, toothpaste splattered on every bathroom surface.

One of my favorite things...coffee.  I think I love it too much.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Well, it is the weekend.  So I hope to have dinner with my cousin and her husband, get some cleaning done, and have a nice Sunday dinner with my family.  I also hope to see my mom on the webcam soon.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

How many cats do you see?

Want to do a "Simple Woman's Daybook" of your own?  Visit this site.

Daddy's Girl

Oh, the things Daddies will do for their daughters.  Last week we found out that Tiny Love's cat, Chins Monroe (named by her), has throat cancer. 

Chins is a sweet, gentle cat that wandered into our yard one day and then never left.  Tiny adopted him and our dog and Chins quickly became best friends, even sharing a doggie bed at night.  Chins is now part of the family.  So, what should we do when surgery is several hundred dollars and the only alternative is to put Chins to sleep?  We discussed it with Maddie.

Tiny Love:  "Well Dad, I can do lots of extra chores to help pay for his surgery."

Dad:  "It costs a lot."

Tiny Love:  "This is pretty much the worst day of my life."  *tears*

Dad:  "I will pay for the surgery.  Chins will be fine."

So Daddy will work extra hours to save the life of Chins Monroe and put a smile back on Tiny Love's face.

Because that is the man I married.