FOR TODAY - March 30, 2009

Outside my window...beautiful sunny day, after having high winds last night.

I am thinking...about a friend that is so concerned for her job.

I am thankful for...health, family, friends, & my husband having a good job.

From the learning rooms...learning about all the settings & features on my new digital camera that hubby surprised me with last Friday!

From the kitchen...on the menu tonight - spaghetti, salad, cheesy garlic bread, & simply cookies for dessert.

I am wearing...blue pants & read top.

I am creating...trying my hand at making blogger themes from my digital scrapbooking collection. They turned out great, but decided to stick with this new one.

I am going...to enjoy a relaxing evening in with my family, & 'really' take it all in, gathering up every sweet memory that I can store.

I am reading...Managing Your Moods for my Bible study, Bible, magazines.

I am hoping...my son finds another job very soon.

I am hearing...cars going by on the street, keys tapping, clock chiming, & no chatter of Elliot & Emily, as they are napping.

Around the house...everything is caught up. Just the way I love starting a Monday.

One of my favorite things...this quiet time of the afternoon when the kids are napping. I settle in with a cup of tea & have some 'me' time each day.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Emily & my nightly 'girls' walk, while Mike spends special time with Elliot. I treasure the talks we have each evening, & the smiles she gives me as we walk. I also want to create some graphics, spend time outside each day with Elliot & Emily, & create good food & good memories for my family.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...Emily, singing along with American Idol. She runs to get her micophone as soon as she knows it's coming on.

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FOR TODAY - March 23, 2009

Outside my window...dark & quiet. I think I'm the only one up on our street, as it's very late.

I am thinking...about how wonderful bed is going to feel tonight!

I am thankful for...my computer, after not having it for almost the entire week last week.

From the learning rooms...there's always so much I want to learn, but not enough time!

From the kitchen...needing to add a few things to the dishwasher before bed, & start it.

I am wearing...pajamas.

I am creating...new recipes for our family to try.

I am going...straight to bed after I post this. So tired tonight!

I am reading...Managing Your Moods for my Bible study, & a few magazines.

I am hoping...Elliot & Emily let us sleep in tomorrow.

I am hearing...total silence, except for the keys as I type.

Around the house...I see signs of a fun evening with the kids - games, toys, & books.

One of my favorite things...hearing Emily's jokes that she makes up. Her latest? "Why did the penguin cross the road? Because he wanted to be with the other penguins!" Keep in mind, she is 3. She throws her head back & laughs 'so' hard at her jokes. They are so silly, that it makes everyone laugh.

A few plans for the rest of the week...do some online shopping, try to get back to blogging, enjoy my family. Looks to be a laid back week (or I hope so).

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...Ty Pennington. We spent last week at the Extreme Home Makeover site as they built a home here in Las Vegas. Emily was 'thrilled' to get to see all her favorites! It was a blessing to witness this in person. It airs May 10th.

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FOR TODAY - March 9, 2009

Outside my window...the sun is shining brightly - not a cloud in the sky. The wind is having fun with the trees - tossing the leaves & branches every which way!

I am thinking...about how wonderful it feels to feel good, after not feeling well all day. It feels as though I have lost an entire day, & I hate that feeling.

I am thankful for...health!

From the learning rooms...no matter what is going on on the 'outside', we can have peace on the 'inside'.

From the kitchen...cleaned up from dinner. Since I didn't feel well all day, Mike insisted on picking up take out on his way home. I didn't resist his offer.

I am wearing...black pants & purple top.

I am creating...some small Raggedys in Paint Shop.

I am going...to enjoy the evening with Dancing With the Stars, along with Emily.

I am reading...Joy For the Journey, Managing Your Moods, my Bible.

I am hoping...that I feel 100% by tonight. I still don't feel completely well.

I am hearing...Emily chatter to me as she watches 'The Upside Down Show'.

Around the house...I was on a cleaning binge this weekend, so everything is sparkling!

One of my favorite things...a nice long soak on our jacuzzi bathtub. I took one this morning when I awoke not feeling so great. It works wonders. The best thing about this, is Emily enjoying it with me.

A few plans for the rest of the week...send out some packages, work on my Raggedys, grocery shopping, enjoy my family.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...before my Mom died, she gave each of us daughters (5 of us) $100, & told us to go shop & buy a little something from her. I wanted to spend my money on things that would be a memory of her, & wanted to spend it right away, so that I could share my buys with her. One of her sayings was always "Life is good!"...no matter what was going on in her life, she would say this. I was thrilled when I found this plate by Lang. It has a place of honor on my kitchen counter. Every single time I look at it, I think of her. I found a few things with this saying, & bought them. Mom was right, life 'is' good.

To join in focusing on the simple pleasures of each day, please click here.

FOR TODAY - March 2, 2009

Outside my window...after a beautiful morning of sunshine, the skies are overcast & looking as though they are about to burst open with the predicted rain.

I am thinking...about all the plans we are talking about for our backyard. I look forward to all the happy childhood hours spent out there with Elliot & Emily.

I am thankful for...finishing up Elliot's dinosaur room. He has such a special place to live out his little boy years. What memories awaiting to be made!

From the learning rooms...I am learning more about shading on lineart - I'm so happy with how some of my graphics are turning out!

From the kitchen...looking forward to our weekly 'comfort' food night, as are Elliot & Emily. Emily helps me prepare it. We are having chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, stuffing, & biscuits. Later in the evening, cinnamon rolls are on the menu for dessert.

I am wearing...black capris & a Pooh tee shirt from Disneyland.

I am creating...websets for sweet friends that have requested them. I 'love' this!

I am going...to savor every single moment of our evening. Good food, family, laughter, play, story time, evening baths & snuggles with the children - life is good!

I am reading...I just started 'Managing Your Moods' for a Bible study that I participate in.

I am hoping...that we do get that predicted rain. What a wonderful backdrop to our comfort meal & cinnamon rolls! Coffee (decaf) would be added!

I am hearing...total silence, except for the keys as I type. Elliot & Emily are taking their afternoon naps.

Around the house...everything is done for the day - cleaning, laundry, homeschool...now to settle in & just enjoy.

One of my favorite things...this weekly 'comfort' food night we have as a family.

A few plans for the rest of the week...finish some requested websets, catch up with a friend that I've not contacted in awhile, enjoy the journey of the week that God takes me on - even the 'detours'.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...Emily picked me 'flowers' (think 'weeds'). I love them, because they came from a little girl that loves me so much. She wanted them in a special vase, so we put them in a candle votive. They are more beautiful than roses to me.

To join in focusing on the simple pleasures of each day, please click here.