Simple Woman - September 14, 2009

FOR TODAY ~ Monday, September 14, 2009

“No person who can read is ever

successful at cleaning out an attic.”
―Ann Landers

Outside my Window... the sun is shining and it is a beautiful day.
I am thinking... Lindsey will be spending the rest of her teen years angry
I am thankful for... my husband . . . Lindsey is going to a homecoming dance on Saturday. The kid she is going with (and has been dating all summer) said that he was going to have a bunch of kids to his house afterwards and she would be home by 1:30. Dave (who is the calm, quiet one in our family dynamic), said "no." He said no to her, to Andrew and to Andrew's parents. Lindsey is royally pissed. I probably shouldn't have laughed.
From the kitchen... we had friends for dinner on Saturday and had grilled steak, tomatoes from the garden and augratin potatoes (made from scratch!). Yesterday, we had the swim team for a picnic and enjoyed spending the day outdoors and hotdogs and hamburgers.
I am creating... Zachariah's hat (again) . . . frogged the old one and am starting over.
I am going... to have another busy week
I am wearing... black slacks, red shirt and white with black polka dot jacket
I am reading... nothing . . . kids were crabby so we just dropped stuff off at the library
I am hoping... to get back to the library this evening or tomorrow
I am hearing... the radio and people arriving for work
Around the house... love having people over since the house always looks neat and clean
One of my favorite things... spending time with friends and family
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... meeting tonight (Principal's Parents Advisory Committee), meeting tomorrow night (swim team . . . it is going to be ugly), Lindsey has violin on Wednesday and I will spend that time at the Book and Bean with a knit group, Saturday is St. Ignatius' homecoming and we are also going to Pittsburgh so that Lindsey can attend a Naval Academy Forum.

Simple Woman - August 3, 2009

I base most of my fashion sense on what doesn’t itch.
―Gilda Radner

FOR TODAY
Outside my Window... it is a crisp beautiful morning . . . the first Monday of August 2009
I am thinking... the summer is flying by
I am thankful for... the warm weather and cool nights
From the kitchen... the first vegetables from the garden, baked in a wonderful casserole, tossed with a pesto. Yummy
I am creating... squares and cloths and a scarf and hat for Zachariah
I am going... to leave work earlier today . . . Dave's first day allowed to begin preparing his classroom and he will be picking me up when he is done.
I am wearing... beige skirt, stripped summer sweater and beige skimmer shoes
I am reading... Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting . . . both of which arrived in Saturday's mail
I am hoping... to get to bed early tonight
I am hearing... the radio and the birds
Around the house... the bedrooms have all been cleaned, dusted and look rather nice
One of my favorite things... clean windows
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... work, knitting, WW (on Tuesday), knitting (on Wednesday), EGD (on Friday), dinner with friends (on Saturday).
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... another Cloth of the Week, this one from November 11, 2008. It was an interesting pattern and one of the few done so far which required my total attention. I am really enjoying doing these cloths. The cloths are broadening my knitting skills but also keep me interested.

Simple Woman - June 1, 2009

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."
—Helen Keller

FOR TODAY
Outside my Window... the sun is shining, the sky is blue and, of course, since it is Monday, I am at work . . . sigh.
I am thinking... that there are times when I am jealous of my husband's schedule. He is a teacher and in a week or so, he will be done until mid-August.
I am thankful for... my husband, who over the summer, does all the yard work and takes the kids to their various appointments.
From the kitchen... nothing. I'm not eating.
I am creating... the gray shawl. Still. Almost done, though.
I am going... all over the place this week.
I am wearing... brown slacks, green t-shirt and print sweater
I am reading... "Interred with their bones"
I am hoping... to finish "Interred" by Wednesday or Thursday
I am hearing... the radio and people arriving at work
Around the house... we weren't home most of the weekend. The house looks like it. Things get dropped and tossed everywhere.
One of my favorite things... visiting with friends and family
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... work today (and training for new jobs), more training and WW tomorrow and time with Zachariah and I in the evening as Dave and Lindsey won't be home, Wednesday a meeting at SJA with Lindsey for the AP classes she is taking, Thursday we have the managers meeting (or is that Wednesday?) and a swim team meeting Thursday evening, Friday Dave is scoring in the evening so it will be Lindsey, Zachariah and I and we will finish the laundry.

Simple Woman - April 20, 2009

It’s such an interesting world.

It wouldn’t be half so interesting if we knew all about everything, would it?

There’d be no scope for imagination then…
―Lucy Maud Montgomery

FOR TODAY
Outside my Window... it is drizzling, still warm (about 55) but is expected to get cooler as the week progresses.
I am thinking... I want to take the zip in lining out of my rain jacket
I am thankful for... my family
From the kitchen... lazy weekend. We had cheese and crackers for dinner last evening. But the kitchen is clean.
I am creating... still working on the gray shawl. I have a pattern for Sarah's shawl but I don't want to start on it until I have the gray done.
I am going... to meet with the nutritionist tomorrow.
I am wearing... black slacks, black sweater, red/black reversible jacket
I am reading... Bright Futures
I am hoping... to start Duma Key by Stephen King
I am hearing... the radio and traffic
Around the house... cleaned the office this past weekend. Looks good. Now, if only I could keep everyone from dumping stuff on my desk.
One of my favorite things... a clean desk and good intentions to keep it that way.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... nutritionist tomorrow (I'm thinking of getting up early and as soon as everyone leaves, scrubbing the kitchen floor), water aerobics tomorrow evening and Thursday evening, Lindsey's violin on Wednesday along with my KAL. The "teachers" are coming on Saturday for dinner. We keep changing our mind about what to serve but think we are going for an oriental theme: Pot stickers, egg rolls, peanut noodles, chicken bits, chicken satay.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Blogger is not allowing me ease in uploading pictures. Or it might be my computer . . . even Flickr is not behaving.

Simple Woman - April 6, 2009

FOR TODAY
Outside my Window... it is raining and getting colder with a possible snow storm tonight . . . bah humbug!
I am thinking... that I made a mistake when I thought Spring was here
I am thankful for... my family
From the kitchen... steak, red-skinned potatoes, sauted mushrooms/onions, green beans
I am creating... a shawl
I am going... to go nuts with this stupid itching
I am wearing... black slacks, red sweater, black and gray jacket
I am reading... nothing
I am hoping... to go to the library
I am hearing... the radio
Around the house... desparately need to clean
One of my favorite things... visiting with family
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... doctor's appointment tomorrow and Friday, Manager meeting on Thursday, violin lessons on Wednesday (which means I go to the KAL while Lindsey goes to violin), deep water aerobics Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Simple Woman - March 30, 2009

Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.
—Mahatma Gandhi

FOR TODAY
Outside my Window... it is rainy and cooler than it has been for a couple of weeks. I still wore my spring coat.
I am thinking... I am a terrible mother . . . I have to think about this and will do another post later. Sigh.
I am thankful for... my husband who is patient and kind and loving . . . even when I am not.
From the kitchen... really tough pork chops. I fell asleep yesterday afternoon and didn't bake them for the usual three hours.
I am creating... a shawl, for my niece's wedding. I am beading the ends only.
I am going... to the doctor today for my PAP test. I hate it.
I am wearing... black slacks, red sweater, dark gray jacket/sweater
I am reading... Memory Keeper's Daughter, by Kim Edwards
I am hoping... do well at my weigh in tomorrow . . . it isn't just hoping . . . I have been very careful about what I have been eating/drinking and have been actually exercising! Will wonders never cease.
I am hearing... the radio and traffic.
Around the house... Lindsey is pouting (again/still), Zachariah think its funny, Dave doesn't say anything and I feel badly. Sigh.
One of my favorite things... fresh pineapple and cottage cheese
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... doctor's appointment this afternoon, meeting this evening at Lindsey's school, WW @ work tomorrow, knitting KAL on Wednesday, doctor's appointment Thursday afternoon, swimming Thursday evening, going to Kentucky for Mary's birthday on Saturday.

Simple Woman's Daybook - 3/2/09

"Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world.

It beats money and power and influence.

It is no more or lessthan faith in action."

- Henry Chester

FOR TODAY
Outside my Window... the sun is shining . . . it is 7 degrees. again.
I am thinking... someday my toes will be warm
I am thankful for... spring.
From the kitchen... baked (and breaded pork chops), meatloaf, augratin potatoes (with only half the sauce . . . actually quite good)
I am creating... working on a grey lace shawl to wear to Amy and Ron's wedding (Amy is my niece - first marriage - she is 37)
I am going... to frog everything I did on the shawl yesterday
I am wearing... black slacks, grey shirt, black and grey jacket
I am reading... Winter Study (left it at the office over the weekend)
I am hoping... it gets better
I am hearing... music (Harry Chapin)
Around the house... I cleaned the kitchen on Saturday, it looked loverly, trashed it yesterday with the cooking for the week. I have decided I hate clutter. My kids would be very upset if I threw all their stuff away.
One of my favorite things... relaxing at home
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... work, meeting on Wednesday, Winter Sports Banquet on Wednesday, Lindsey has her physical on Friday, clean my closet (I have, somewhere, Lindsey's birthday presents . . . hopefully in the closet)
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... my kitchen, without the clutter. My husband yesterday, thought he would store some stuff up above the cupboards. I told him to get it down or I would start calling him Mike (my brother-in-law "tucks" stuff above their cupboards . . . he is 6'3" and my sister is 5'. The only way she can reach it is if she stands on a stool on the countertop).

Simple Woman's Daybook - 2/23/09

Anything simple always interests me.
— David Hockney



FOR TODAY
Outside my Window... the sun is shining and the sky is blue
I am thinking... even though the sun is shining it is still 20 degrees outside and cold
I am thankful for... being inside
From the kitchen... really good chicken . . . made it Saturday with Oriental Spices and Sunday with Italian spices
I am creating... gray shawl
I am going... to frog the gray shawl. LOL.
I am wearing... navy blue slacks, grey t-shirt, blue/black/gray paisley jacket
I am reading... Netherland
I am hoping... to clean my office today
I am hearing... the radio and people arriving for work
Around the house... yesterday was a lazy day, spent knitting and reading and watching movies
One of my favorite things... spending time with my family, even when we are doing nothing but relaxing together.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... WW tomorrow; department meeting in the afternoon; meet the teacher with Lindsey (against her better judgment) on Thursday
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Yesterday would have been my Dad's 92nd birthday.
He was one of the good guys.
Gentle, kind, quiet, hardworking.
This picture was sketched by a guy with USO when my Dad was in the hospital during World War II.
And, yes, he was this good looking!

Simple Woman's Daybook - 2/9/09

If necessity is the mother of invention,

then resourcefulness is the father.
— Beulah Louise Henry

FOR TODAY
Outside my Window... the sun. Seriously. It was 43 degrees on Friday, 50 degrees on Saturday and 48 yesterday.
I am thinking... Mother Nature is playing with our heads
I am thankful for... four seasons . . . even when I complain about them and their various extremes
From the kitchen... dinner last night was good . . . left over meatloaf, cut into bite size pieces, sauted with 1/2 pound Italian sausage, pepperoni, onion, pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes and a variety of different pastas (penne, bowtie, twirly stuff). Yum. Especially good way to use up the meatloaf
I am creating... nothing. Spent the weekend fixing, repairing, hemming, cleaning.
I am going... to keep walking in my bathroom and smiling . . . nothing like a clean bathroom to make you feel all warm and fuzzy (gee, don't I have high expectations).
I am wearing... black slacks, purple shell, black sweater, cluster grape earrings
I am reading... And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
I am hoping... to finish it by tomorrow.
I am hearing... the radio
Around the house... clean. It all started with the toilet in the master bath (it broke and had to be replaced) and snowballed from there. To the point where I have BANNED the kids from using that bathroom. Seriously mean. However, we do have two other bathrooms, one of which is strictly their's and that Dave and I don't use.
One of my favorite things... music. I love music. All kinds (except rap). This past Saturday night was the Youth Liturgy and their music ROCKED. Seriously, joyous and praising God and family. Lindsey plays the violin at Youth Liturgy and they practice on Tuesdays and play the first Saturday of the month. The day of the Mass, they start practicing at 3:00 with Mass at 4:30. I take my knitting to that practice and sit and listen to the joyous sound. I am not alone, there are generally four or five other parents there early too.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... swimming practice EVERY morning, meeting tomorrow night, Regional swim meet on Saturday (this is likely the end of the road for this year), enjoying the freakishly warm weather
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...


A couple of days of especially warm weather and we lose the snow . . . .

Simple Woman's Daybook - 2/2/09

"Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world.

It beats money and power and influence.

It is no more or lessthan faith in action."

- Henry Chester

FOR TODAY
Outside my Window... the SUN is shining, the sky is blue, the snow is melting, and it was 43 degrees yesterday and 34 this morning.
I am thinking... If all the snow melts, it will be a huge mess, but great for the Lake
I am thankful for... having a job.
From the kitchen... Chicken with peppers, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes and raisins over rice.
I am creating... not much
I am going... to a meeting this evening to calm some ruffled feathers. Sigh.
I am wearing... black slacks, black t-shirt, multi-colored jacket (black, orange, brown, pink), brown necklace
I am reading... nothing right now. I have five books from the library but went to bed last night instead of reading.
I am hoping... to be home by 9:15 tonight.
I am hearing... the radio talk show
Around the house... switched table linens to Spring colors . . . entirely optimistic
One of my favorite things... switching table linens by the season.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... work, meeting tonight, work, swim meet at CWRU, work, violin lessons/KAL, work, meeting, work
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... a little project I am working on.

Simple Woman - 1-26-09

"I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have."

- Thomas Jefferson

FOR TODAY ~ Monday, January 26, 2009

Outside my Window... there is snow, lots of snow, we have already had 44 inches. The normal average for the "season" is 63 inches. We still have February and March and April, and sometimes early May. February's usual average is 14 inches, March is 10 inches and April is 3 inches. if we still to average, we will have 71 inches, oh and we still have to get through this last week of January, for which they are predicting a potential for up to 8 more inches.
I am thinking... snow is nice to look at, from a distance, like Florida
I am thankful for... spring and summer and fall
From the kitchen... two cakes: pineapple/angel food and cheesecake for a co-worker's birthday tomorrow.
I am creating... a scarf for Lindsey . . . see the pics below
I am going... to a meeting, lunch and shopping
I am wearing... jeans, turtle neck shell and knit sweater
I am reading... 19 minutes by Jodi Picoult
I am hoping... to finish Lindsey's scarf by the end of the week
I am hearing... not much. The snow is very quiet. My blackberry keeps buzzing, I suppose to should check it to see if anyone from work needs anything right away. Sigh.
Around the house... replaced a zipper. wound some yarn.
One of my favorite things... not having to wake up to the alarm
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... meeting today and one tonight at Lindsey's school, meetings tomorrow, meeting Thursday, meeting Friday.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

I started this scarf on Christmas for Lindsey. The initial problem was that I couldn't read the pattern (remember the eye surgery), so my sister wrote it out for me. It is really easy and given the ease I may adapt it with beads for Sarah's wedding shawl . . . add about three more repeats in a lace weight with beads. It just might work.

The advantage to this is that it is in Knitpicks "bare" and when Lindsey gets tired of the "bare," it can be dyed.






A close up:


And this one is a little bit back with the balance of the skein of yarn to be done.

You know when you use size 3 needles the thing just goes on and on and on and on and on.

Simple Woman's Daybook - 1/12/09

"The secret of getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one."

- Mark Twain

FOR TODAY - Monday, January 12
Outside my Window... its snow covered. We had about 12 inches of snow get dumped on the area between Friday evening to Saturday afternoon, with another inch or so arriving on Sunday.
I am thinking... that I really need to find my hooded sweatshirt.
I am thankful for... boots, warm boots, warm, water-proof boots
From the kitchen... Chicken Parmesan on Saturday, Chicken/Brocolli/Stuffing casserole on Sunday and a lentil/pea/tomato/beef/pasta/rice soup for dinner tonight with a good bread.
I am creating... a lace scarf for Lindsey . . . took it to Ava's birthday party yesterday and got a good inch or so knit up.
I am going... to have to use more lotion on my hands and feet.
I am wearing... navy blue slacks, white scoop necked t-shirt, light blue wool jacket
I am reading... Scarpetta (still) -- too busy of a weekend.
I am hoping... to start on a project for my Cocoa Swap Pal
I am hearing... snow plows
Around the house... the halls are still getting undecked, have the tree left to do.
One of my favorite things... standing outside my children's bedroom door and watching them sleep
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... work. Nothing tonight or tomorrow night, Lindsey's violin and my knit group on Wednesday, meetings at work on Thursday and Thursday night and a doctor's appointment on Thursday, not much on Friday and a dentist appointment on Saturday morning.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...





Mini-Mochi that I won on the Carefree KAL . . . isn't this stuff totally cool!

AND, also from the SP13, Yvonne sent me this as one of the prizes from the Scavenger Hunt. Woo Hoo . . . the pictures just don't do the colors justice.

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 1/05/09

FOR TODAY
Outside my Window... it is dark . . . and I am posting this in the evening. I almost forgot as it has been a couple of weeks.
I am thinking... my eyes are tired. It has also been a couple of weeks where I have spent about 9 hours staring at the computer.
I am thankful for... my eyes. They may be tired but I can see.
From the kitchen... Stuffed shells, unstuffed cabbage casserole, cheesy garlic biscuits, waffles, bacon, all of this made this weekend.
I am creating... a scarf for Lindsey. Knitpicks, Bare in fingering weight with a simple pattern (four row repeat:

CAST on 40 stitches:

ROW 1:K2, K2tog, *YO, K1 (repeat four times), K2tog (4 times) . . . repeat from * until you are within ten stitches of edge, YO, K1 (four times), K2tog (twice), K2

ROWS 2, 3 and 4: Knit

repeat until length you desire)

I am going... to have surgery on my right eye tomorrow
I am wearing... brown slacks, green shell, flowered sweater
I am reading... Scarpetta
I am hoping... to finish Scarpetta tomorrow afternoon
I am hearing... traffic
Around the house... we are playing on the Wii all the time. My arms and back hurt.
One of my favorite things... water.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... surgery, reading, relaxing, repeat.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Sarah and Kyle . . . a couple of days before Christmas.

Simple Woman's Daybook - 12/22/08

FOR TODAY ~
Outside my Window... cold, bitterly cold, windchills well below zero. I think it is 7 degrees now and windy . . . my blinds in my office keep rattling!
I am thinking... I might be warm by May.
I am thankful for... the job which allows me to pay the gas and electric bills, my fireplace, kerosene heater and electric blankets.
From the kitchen... stuffed pork chops, rice, green beans
I am creating... mittens for Lindsey. I ran out of yarn. They are heavy. I wish I had my gauntlets for in the office today.
I am going... home today and not be back to work until January 5 (although I will be going online during the time I am off).
I am wearing... layers. tights, slacks, socks, short-sleeved red sweater, heavy black, white and red sweater. I wish I had a turtle neck.
I am reading... If there be dragons
I am hoping... to get warm (is there a theme here?)
I am hearing... the radio and soon Christmas music.
Around the house... I have wrapped many of the presents. Dave and I usually wrap on Christmas Eve night. But since I am having cataract surgery tomorrow, I decided that I should get most of it done before.
One of my favorite things... Christmas. I do love Christmas. I love the ceremonies at church. I love the songs. I love the children's excitement. I love spending time with my family.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... surgery tomorrow, follow up on Wednesday, Christmas Day with my family, my extended family is coming to my house on Christmas. We are having appetizers and desserts. They all have in-laws to visit so having appetizers and such at our house doesn't "bog" anyone down.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

The young man is my youngest sister's oldest son, Tommy, (he is in the Navy) and the rest are his kids and wife. My sister and her husband are going to Florida to spend Christmas with them and their youngest son is flying in (he is in the air force).

Michelle has had some serious health problems since the youngest child was born, breast cancer and she recently had a stroke. Fortunately, the Navy has decided that private medical care is better than what they can do, so she has been seeing some of the best doctors around. It seems that Michelle is getting better by leaps and bounds. It helps that Tommy is now based on land and teaching, is home for dinner every night and is there to support and help her with the kids and chores. They are all looking forward to a much improved 2009 and I ask that if you have an extra prayer, that you add them to your list. Thank you so much.

Simple Woman's Daybook - 12/15/08

FOR TODAY ~ Monday, December 15, 2008

The very first law in advertising is to avoid the concrete promise and cultivate the delightfully vague. - Bill Cosby

Outside my Window... it is 54 degrees and raining. The temperature is supposed to drop all day long, bottoming out at 30 degrees.
I am thinking... I am glad that I wore my winter coat
I am thankful for... getting our Christmas tree up and decorated
From the kitchen... t-bone steak, baked potatoes, carmelized onions and mushrooms, sliced apples
I am creating... mittens for Lindz to match the hat she got at Target.
I am going... to buy a new camera for me.
I am wearing... black jacket, purple shell, black slacks and shoes
I am reading... nothing. too much to do
I am hoping... to get my Christmas cards done this week . . . well maybe by next Monday.
I am hearing... the cars in the rain
Around the house... tree is up, break-front is cleaned, upstairs hall looks like a disaster
One of my favorite things... cleaning the break-front. It has glass shelves and looks so nice and neat.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... meeting tonight at Lindz' school, taking her to swim practice in mornings.
Here is a picture thought I would share with you... Dave decided that the pool needed a pool. Zachariah had so much fun in the pool's pool. I decided that given the yucky weather, I would share something from the beautiful summer!

Simple Woman's Daybook - 12/08/08

FOR TODAY ~ Monday, December 8, 2008

Outside my Window... it is cold. We didn't get as much snow as had been predicted and it is supposed to be 40 degrees tomorrow!
I am thinking... this past weekend was good. We enjoyed fun and laughter.
I am thankful for... gift of patience, sense of humor, spirit of adventure
From the kitchen... stuffed shells, brocolli/cauliflower, mushrooms & onions, garlic bread . . . and leftovers tonight!
I am creating... all of kinds of things and not finishing anything. I cannot knit without lots of light
I am going... to have cataract surgery by the end of the year . . . hopefully
I am wearing... black (shoes, tights, slacks, shirt and sweater) The shirt and the sweater have "stuff" on them.
I am reading... listening to Twilight
I am hoping... to finish the shopping tonight, you know "THE SHOPPING."
I am hearing... the radio announcers discuss how really bad the Browns are this year
Around the house... need to get organized, especially if I have surgery
One of my favorite things... listening to the kids laugh together
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... shopping tonight, Lindz' first swim meet tomorrow, Lindz' violin lessons on Wednesday, Lindz' school concert on Thursday, Lindz' second swim meet on Friday . . . oh, and work and our department party on Friday and work and . . . sleep, yes, have to get some sleep in there.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Lindz and her friends went to homecoming the Tuesday before Thanksgiving . . . yes, they go to an all-girls school . . . no, they do not have a football team . . . yes, most of the girls go to other schools' homecomings . . . no, they don't care if they did, they still want their own homecoming. So the students have a powder puff football game against the teachers and then, a dance.


In order: Elise, Lindsey, Cortney and Abby . . . Cortney and Lindsey have been best friends since second grade. Elise is incredibly mature and Abby is really bright but very scattered. My DH thinks she bleached her hair to match her personality!

Simple Woman's Daybook - 11/25/08

It is a day late . . . and next week, it will either be done on Wednesday or not at all . . .


FOR TODAY
Outside my Window... it is raining. But it was supposed to be snowing. I prefer rain over snow.
I am thinking... that I need to make my appointment for physical therapy.
I am thankful for... my health, in spite of the physical therapy stuff . . . there are so many that are not healthy
From the kitchen... made city chicken on Sunday with mashed cauliflower and sweet potatoe fries (baked, actually, not fried), and bread
I am creating... Janet's Lucy Bag. I am onto the straps
I am going... to my sister's for Thanksgiving
I am wearing... black slacks, red sweater, black and gray checked jacket
I am reading... nothing, I have become a slug
I am hoping... to become unslug like when I return
I am hearing... cars slushing through the rain and, oh yeah, my heater clicked on!
Around the house... it is a sty . . . seriously, nothing is getting done.
One of my favorite things... chili, so explain to me why I ate veggies for lunch. sigh.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... taking off from work tomorrow, making cheesecake and an angel food thingee, Jane and Joe are coming over tomorrow evening, going to Peg's house for Thanksgiving, leaving for Dallas on Friday at 6:50 a.m., going to Janet's birthday party (well, going is not really the right word since I am staying at her house and the party is there), she has plans for us all weekend.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... my future son-in-law's daughter got Flat Stanley from school and I took it to Washington with me.

Simple Woman's Daybook - 11/17/08

FOR TODAY ~

Conscience is what makes a boy tell his mother before his sister does.
-- Evan Esar

Outside my Window... it is cold and snowy, depending on where you live. Where I live (about 20 miles west of downtown Cleveland), we have a dusting of snow. If you go 20 miles east of downtown Cleveland, they have about 8" of snow. I glad I live west.
I am thinking... seriously glad that I live west of Cleveland. It all has to do with the edge and shape of Lake Erie.
I am thankful for... have I mentioned the snow and how happy I am that I live West of the city?
From the kitchen... it was a very busy weekend. We had steak and baked potatoes and broccoli for dinner on Saturday night. Yesterday, Dave spent the day at school moving desks and fixing computers, etc., so we stopped at White Castle (I have never had White Castle) and picked up burgers and fries. Not bad. The cool thing is that they have sweet potatoe fries (yummy).
I am creating... a Lucy bag (shhh)
I am going... to go get my breakfast as soon as I am done with this (LOL)
I am wearing... brown slacks, green shirt, floral sweater
I am reading... Mobility (very boring)
I am hoping... to get my Christmas shopping done soon.
I am hearing... not much of anything, it is very quiet (snow does that)
Around the house... Dave and I cleaned the garage (after dinner Saturday night) and in time to get our vehicles parked in it. It was a blessing this morning to be able to just walk out and get in the van without dealing with snow and/or ice.
One of my favorite things... hot tea with good cookies or biscotti.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... I have a presentation on Friday. I need to get a handle on the budgeting issues. Lindsey has swimming early a.m. Tuesday through Friday.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... exciting isn't it. It is my bike. It has been put away until Spring. I miss it already.

and if you are looking for Simple Woman blog, please go here.

Simple Woman - 11-10-08

FOR TODAY ~

We learn something every day, and lots of times it's that what we learned the day before was wrong.
-- Bill Vaughan

Outside my Window... I am home today (the washer repair guy is coming sometime between 10:00 and 3:00) Many of the trees have lost their leaves but there are still some that are lush with bright reds and yellows. Since the temp dropped quite a bit over the weekend and this morning it was icy, we have red and yellow that look crystalized.
I am thinking... I would like to work four days a week. I could work from home. I wish my company wasn't so ensconced in a traditional work day pattern.
I am thankful for... gas prices that are under $2.00
From the kitchen... last evening we had baked chicken (crusted with corn flakes -- mix mayo with italian seasoning and some garlic salt, rub chicken breasts in it and then press into crushed corn flakes), cabbage and noodles (too many noodles to the cabbage), brocolli (steamed) and garlic bread. Tonight we are having pseudo stuffed cabbage (or lazy woman's stuffed cabbage . . . you don't make cabbage rolls, you just mix the ground meat, rice, cabbage, onions, seasonings, diced tomatoes, top with a can of tomato soup and bake).
I am creating... Lucy Bag for Janet; socks for Zachariah; gauntlets for Lindsey
I am going... to finish my cleaning the upstairs
I am wearing... jeans (it is Monday and I am at home), a black sweatshirt, slippers
I am reading... not much of anything. I am supposed to be reading Smila's Sense of Snow but have not even started it. I also have to do a presenation a week from Friday and need to prep for that so I really don't have time to read anything except some professional journals.
I am hoping... that last week wasn't our Indian summer and that we will have at least one more week of warm weather
I am hearing... the wind blowing through the trees
Around the house... the washer died after one load on Friday evening. A repairman was coming on Saturday but never showed up. I called another guy yesterday and he is supposed to be coming today. Yesterday, Lindsey, Zachariah and I schlepped the laundry to a laundromat. If it weren't so expensive, it would be a great way to do it. We had everything washed, dried and folded within 75 minutes.
One of my favorite things... spending time with my family (even when they are annoying).
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... meetings, flu vaccine, more meetings, swim team practice every morning (except Mondays), first reconciliation retreat on Saturday
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... one of the pics I am considering for our Christmas card enclosures.

Simple Woman's Daybook - 11/03/08

Pay no attention to what the critics say... Remember, a statue has never been set up in honor of a critic!
-- Jean Sibelius, quoted in Bengt de Torne "Sibelius: A Close-Up" 1937

FOR TODAY ~
Outside my Window... the sun is shining and it is going to be a beautiful day.
I am thinking... I need to open the stack of mail waiting for me and turn in my time
I am thankful for... having a job
From the kitchen... lasagna, yummy. I made enough for two nights.
I am creating... socks (how about that, my new passion)
I am going... to work as a poll worker tomorrow
I am wearing... brown slacks, burnt orange shirt and brown sweater with fall leaves (very seasonal)
I am reading... Third Degree by Greg Iles (good read)
I am hoping... to finish socks tomorrow
I am hearing... files being moved around . . . we are shifting space
Around the house... bikes are being put away, cars will be parked in the garage
One of my favorite things... reading
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... working the election tomorrow; taking Wednesday off; going to Book and Bean for knit group on Wednesday evening while Lindsey is at violin; going to reverse raffle at Z's school.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... while in DC last week we were invited to a private tour and dinner (Wolfgang Puck runs the catering) at the Newseum. The Newseum opened in April. It is fascinating and a must see if you are ever in DC. Here is the link to it.

PA300105
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

This is a piece of the North Tower that is now at the Newseum which opened in April 2008. On the wall behind it, are front pages of newspapers from around the world. I will post other photos that I took in DC. Mostly at the Newseum. We were allowed to have dinner up on the top floor which has an outside patio overlooking the Smithsonian and the Art Museum. To the left was the Capitol and the Supreme Court; to the right was the Washington Memorial.