November 30, 2009

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So, For Today...Monday, November 30, 2009

Outside my window...it is pitch black again but not because it is early in the morning. This is the first time I have ever done a daybook entry at night. We have had a busy day, flew home from Utah after spending a delightful 5 days with Jen and Chris and their families. I am looking forward to snuggling into our nice warm bed and getting some sleep very soon.

I am thinking...about how nice this past week has been. Cold, crisp, clear weather, love was in the air in Utah and no snow to traverse. But it looked a little strange with the dormant grass and no snow~it is time and the locals are ready.

I am thankful for....my husband and the wonderful father and grandfather he is. I can promise you that they all rejoice to see him coming. You wouldn't believe all the work he did this week for and with the kids.

From the learning room..that grandchildren are the Lord's compensation for our growing older.

I am reading... the stack of unfinished books on the window seat in our family room.

From the kitchen...Jim's lunch for tomorrow is already made which means getting up at 4:00 am will be less painful.

I am wondering...what it will be like to not have to get up at 4:00 AM someday.

I am wearing...jeans, a red shirt and a red fleece jacket and socks and crocs. Not much of a fashion plate, especially by day's end.

I am hearing...Ray Charles singing some Christmas Songs.

I am creating...nothing right now but this Daybook entry but I did make a fun wreath for Jen and her family this morning at her request. Check it out below.

I am going...to go a new washing machine tomorrow morning. Joy!

I am quoting...God the Father.."This is my beloved son in whom I am well-pleased. " May we all be more like him.

My spiritual thoughts include...thoughts of Christmas and the lesson I am working on for Sunday.

Around the house...All the travel stuff is put away and tomorrow the heater is going in. Yippee!

I am hoping...we can be completely ready to go to Italy in 12 days.

I have been procrastinating..getting my Christmas card blog finished.

One of my guilty pleasures...black licorice.

One of my favorite things..when a grandbaby is old enough to remember us between visits. That little face lighting up and giving you a big smile and holding their arms up for you to pick them up is amazing.

A few plans for the rest of the week...prepare lesson for Sunday, buy a few groceries, set up visiting teaching appointments, RS Christmas dinner on Wednesday, sending Jim off the Scout camp for an overnighter, getting the heater and washing machine up and running...finding something fun to do on Saturday with a friend. Checking travel things off my list one by one.

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

Believe

In the spirit of using what you have on hand, Jen asked me to dress up this naked wreath she had. So everything just came out of her ornament box and some other accessorizing boxes. We had no time to go to a craft store as our plane was leaving at 3:00 and we had a lot of other stuff to get done before that. So this is what I came up with for her in a few minutes. It was fun. I hadn't done anything too creative in a while. Not bad for free, huh? It is fun to recycle things or re-purpose them. Good night friends, thanks for stopping by, it is good to be back. I have missed you.

November 16, 2009

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So, For Today...Monday, November 16, 2009

Outside my window...It is very dark, very still and oh, so cold. It is one of those mornings I'd much rather just run back to bed. But I dare not to do it lest my friends who come over at 8:00 AM find me sleeping and think I died in my bed.

I am thinking...about how having company fairly regularly is good for keeping your house in good order. There is nothing like a little party to get you motivated to get things done around the house. Deadlines are so helpful, albeit stressful sometimes.

From the learning room..When two people work together it decreases your work load by more than half. Synergy is real.

I am reading...all the time but not traditional books it seems for some time now. For some reason I have been so restless when reading books, but loving blogs, short articles, keeping up with family and friends. It is like my brain just doesn't like to leave a book partially undone for too long and it always happens with the fleeting moments for actually relaxing with a book. I don't like it but by the time I get to it, I am tired and then fall asleep.

From the kitchen...I cooked a lot last week and froze things so I don't have to actually cook much at all this week. I love cooking ahead.

I am wondering...if Jennifer is doing all right on her trip home from Italy right now.

I am wearing...white shirt, snoopy pjs and a black vest. Burr, it is cold in here.

I am hearing... Sarah Mc Lachlan singing Christmas Memories.

I am creating...a big list of "to dos" for the week. Thanksgiving is literally knocking at the door. I don't remember times ever flying by so quickly as it has this year. It is amazing and a little scary. I am hoping it is not the thing old people talk about...??

I am going....to write down a plan for the Christmas program I am working on for church. This is the time when I wish I was extremely gifted as a musician and could just sing some beautiful Christmas music and intersperse some perfect narration, some appropriate scriptures, etc.

I am quoting...Virginia Walker..."Bonnie, would you be willing to teach a class on blogging for our stake women's conference in February?" Then I heard myself saying..."Why, yes, Virginia I would just love to do that!" Really? What in the world? ...Exciting and terrifying comes to mind.

My spiritual thoughts include...Amazement and gratitude for all of our blessings.

Around the house...there is a hole in the floor where the old floor heater was removed, a hole in the wall where the new furnace is going, and a new bathroom progressing at a snail's pace due to not enough inspectors to get around to everyone's projects because of the recession. You now pay three times as much and get worse then ever service. Go figure.

Today I miss...watching TV shows so I have a clue as to what people are talking about when they discuss them over dinner. Jim and I always notice how out of the loop we are when that happens. Neither one of us can figure out where that would fit into our daily lives. I don't really miss the TV shows I just miss being in the know...??

I am hoping...the Lufthansa seats are bigger and more spacious and that the leg room has improved. Ha! Not a chance on that one but one can always HOPE!

I have been procrastinating..budgetary stuff.

One of my guilty pleasures...Swiss Miss gourmet Hot Chocolate before the sun comes up!

One of my favorite things..gas fireplaces that flip on with the touch of a toggle switch and eliminate the soot of a wood fire. One of my least favorite things, missing the great smell of a fire in the fireplace and the crackling of the fire.

A few plans for the rest of the week...returning some floor samples, deciding on the tile and pattern for the shower. Thinking about whether it would be cool to put a chandelier in our bathroom to go with retro look we are working on. Two meetings at night this week for church, and getting the new heating system in this week. Yay!

Here is a picture I am sharing with you..Norman Rockwell

You cannot be unhappy and filled with gratitude at the same time.

November 9, 2009

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So, For Today...Monday, November 9, 2009

Outside my window...the silhouettes of the tree in the front yard are pitch black against the new light of day. It is very cold in our family room and my office space this morning. There is no question that summer has finally ended. November 9th! I am hoping that all the seasons will be delayed somewhat and we can have good weather for the holidays.

I am thinking...about the week ahead and all that implies. Goals, hopes, work, managing my time, etc.

From the learning room..When you are a home owner your work is never done!

I am reading...bathroom remodeling magazines.

From the kitchen...the pantry is bare, the frig empty so it is Winco day for me!

I am wondering...how long it will be until our heater is replaced? It is pretty cold on the bedroom side of the house this morning. Hopefully not more than a couple of weeks. All the prep work in going on now so fingers crossed! Wondering why we waited until now to get it done??

I am wearing...jammies and white shirt and socks. Getting dressed in a few minutes for my weekly friends' visit at 8:00 am. Can't wait to see them they totally lift me up every single week.

I am creating...lots of lists of things I have to do in the next few weeks.

I am hearing...Kathy Mattea singing "Mary, did You Know?" This is one of my favorite Christmas songs and I downloaded several different artists singing it over the weekend. I love Kenny Rogers and Wynonna's version it too.

I am going....to light my candle from Bath and Body Works called Leaves. Oh, my goodness, it is scrumptious. Jim does not like scented candles so I light them a lot when he is gone.

I am quoting..."The world is a looking glass and gives back to each person a reflection of his attitude." .....unknown author

My spiritual thoughts include..wondering how I can come up with a moving Christmas presentation for church on the 6th of December for the ladies. Any suggestions?

Around the house...stuff needs to be picked up and some cleaning is in order. Construction doubles your pleasure and doubles your fun!

Today I miss...our kids. Christopher is in Charlotte, North Carolina getting a "Best Paper" Award at a Mechanical Engineering Conference. We are so proud of him! The girls are traveling in Italy and having a great experience.

I am hoping...my good friend's infant granddaughter is better today. And that all the grandkids of all of us stay healthy during this terrible flu and cold season!

I have been procrastinating..nothing..I am on it all. Just kidding!

One of my favorite things..Christmas music. I just cannot wait until after Thanksgiving to start listening to it.

A few plans for the rest of the week...work through my to do lists in the areas of company on the weekend, traveling to Utah and Italy, the remodel, Christmas shopping for family here, the never ending paper work of daily life, etc. etc. Trying to dream up what to bring to Italy for stocking stuffers for the boys. It is so hard when you haven't seen them in so long you don't know what they need or want and it has to be small to fit into your already jammed suit case. This is especially true when food is not an option...no store bought goodies for Spencer with his peanut and soy allergies.

Here is a picture I am sharing with you..


This is Cinque Terra where Jen and Laura are in real time. I just spoke to them and they are walking between the five villages right now. Tonight they will stay in Pisa and then on to Florence tomorrow. Then Venice and then Rome. We are just so happy for them to have this wonderful experience...just the two of them with no interruptions. Simple truth; when your kids are happy you are twice as happy!

November 2, 2009

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So, For Today...Monday, November 2, 2009

Outside my window...it is nearly 1:00 PM, the sun is shining, there is not a cloud in the sky and it is 73 degrees out. It is in a word 'gorgeous" today!

I am thinking...I have some renewed energy today after completing the plans and preparations for the family reunion we had here yesterday. Even though it was exhausting at times, the fun of seeing everyone enjoying their time together made it all worth it.

From the learning room..a reminder that the ole gray mare ain't what she use to be, comes to mind.

I am reading...1 Nephi with Jim, Leadership and Self-Deception, The Lost Symbol and three other books. It is ridiculous how many I have going and how little I get read each day. I am not buying another book until I catch up with myself.

From the kitchen...Lots of leftovers...I do love that!

I am wondering...why anyone actually tackles any airport on the week of Thanksgiving?

I am wearing...Gray jeans and a black top. No shoes, but everything else is ready to roll to Sam's Club for a few essentials.

I am creating...my plans for getting everything done in a timely and non-exhausting manner before our Thanksgiving trip to Utah.

I am hearing...Solitude by Billie Holliday.

I am going....to save money this month by shopping wisely on some big purchases for the project and for Christmas. Less is more this year.

I am quoting...a nursery rhyme..."This is the way we wash the clothes, wash the clothes, wash the clothes, this is the way we wash the clothes..so early in the morning." And now I have to fold them all and put them away.

My spiritual thoughts include..thinking about the Christmas lesson/program that I will be in charge of in December.

Around the house....Things actually came together from the organized chaos of last week and everything feels pretty good for now. (Except the creaking bones and sore muscles of a couple of over the hillers.)

Today I miss...Patrick Swayze. Love that dear man and saw his movie with his wife Lisa called One Last Dance. It was very good and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in seeing them dance together. They were in their 50's when they made this movie and it is so amazing what they could still do.

I am hoping...I can take less weight with me to pound the cobblestones and stairways of Italy.

I have been procrastinating..washing my car...yikes!

One of my favorite things..finding that one of our daughters has had a minute to add to her blogs. I just ♥ connecting with them in this way.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Christmas online shopping, ordering bathroom fixtures, getting some train schedules for Milan, getting things in order for my church calling, Presidency meeting, Temple, Stake conference on the weekend. Spending $40.00 of gift certificates at Blockbusters since they are going belly-up. Another recession causality. Thinking about something for my hubby's birthday beside the usual black dress socks that seems to have legs of their own. Where, oh where can they be?

Here are 2 pictures I am sharing with you...as I wonder why I cannot get enough of these colors. They just make me feel so happy! The funny part was I use to ♥ orange and when we got married we had it everywhere. Then we got so tired of it and I really didn't like it. Then a few years ago I started to entertain the notion of liking it again and then I just fell head over heels for it. A bit weird, but true. Now I am obsessed with it. In the late 60's the color was a primary orange. The one I am crazy about now the is the goldish orange. LOVE IT!

I am thrilled to have a kitchen in these colors now.
That means I will have it around me for a long time!

Ocotber 20,2009

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So, For Today...Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Outside my window...the sun is coming up in Utah, the sky is overcast and cloudy. Lowell, Piper and Julia are getting ready to leave for work and school. It has been pretty warm here and we are hoping for a cooler day.

I am thinking...I am sad to be leaving today and happy at the same time to go home and see Jim. If only I could be in two places at once!

From the learning room...I am learning that life can be difficult but a new dawn and new hope always comes after the trial, thanks to a loving and gracious Father in Heaven.

I am reading...Leadership and Self-Deception. Interesting!

From the kitchen...I have been spoiled with Jen and Missy cooking for me every day I have been here. It has been a pleasure to do the dishes and have them cook!

I am wondering...if the plane will be jammed packed full this afternoon.

I am wearing...My tangerine jammie bottoms with a white t- shirt and my crocs.

I am creating....wonderful memories with the grandkids and kids.

I am hearing...the pitter patter of little feet running around getting ready to leave and Hazel's oxygen machine which is pretty noisy.

I am going....to finish washing and folding a ton of never-ending laundry today before I head for the airport and fly home.

I am quoting...Chloe age 4, "Gramma did you know that "ukulele" means "wheelchair" in Spanish?"

My spiritual thoughts include...faith, hope, charity and gratitude.

Around the (my) house....The bathroom has been demolished and the reconstruction has begun while I have been gone!

Today I miss...the beautiful canyons we visited a few days ago.

I am hoping...I can get two tons of stuff done before Lowell's parents arrive for a few days at our house tomorrow.

I have been procrastinating..finishing my packing and finding out for sure if the new coat I bought to take to Italy will actually fit in my suitcase.

One of my favorite things...shopping in Utah....love it.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Getting my haircut and colored tomorrow...now pretty ugly and two weeks later than I planned to do it, taking the girls' other grandparents to San Francisco on Thursday, going to a surprise party on Saturday for a neighbor, and of course, church on Sunday.

Here are a few pictures I am sharing with you..

This is a fun picture of the canyon approaching Sundance, Robert Redford's resort in Utah and where the Sundance Film Festival is held every year. Jen and I went out there for dinner one evening just as the sun was going down. I love how the sun is shining so brightly on the mountain and how the road is shaded by the huge mountains. We looked for Robert, but he must have had dinner some place else that night! The picture below is one taken right by the lodge, shop and restaurant.

Love the beautiful colors!

Looking up towards where the ski lift is just before sunset.

October 14, 2009

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So, For Today...Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Outside my window...for this week, a scene much different than usual. It is night time and I am looking down on the lights of Jen and Lowell's town. This is a great advantage to living on the side of a mountain.

I am thinking...about how much I enjoy being a mother.

From the learning room...Once a mother, always a mother. God is good to allow this to be an ongoing adventure.

I am reading...The Lost Symbol

From the kitchen...I have rediscovering that our daughter Jen is a wonderful cook. She has a natural rhythm in the kitchen like her Dad. She makes hard work look effortless with fantastic results. And she is fast. I am happy to have my spot at the sink cleaning up. It is a treat to have someone else cook!

I am wondering...I am wondering where the years have gone since 1972 and flabbergasted that she will be 38 in April. One of the greatest joys in life is to live long enough to see the wonderful people your children turn out to be.

I am wearing...A white shirt and gray jeans.

I am creating....wonderful memories with our grandchildren this week while visiting in Utah.

I am hearing...Chloe still talking from her bedroom and fighting that need to go to sleep so she can recharge and start over tomorrow!

I am going...to be thankful when Jim can come with me on these Gramma missions.

I am quoting...Hazel...age two..."Chocwit...wow!"

My spiritual thoughts include...gratitude for prayers that are answered and how brave they helped our granddaughters to be today when getting their flu shots.

Around the house....Everything is back in its proper place after a busy day of playing inside due ot rainy weather.

Today I miss...Grampa who had to stay home and Chris and Missy and their kids whom I have not seen this week yet due to the flu bug at their house.

I am hoping...that I can see them soon and that everyone will get and stay well.

I have been procrastinating..getting my clothes out the dryer in the basement!

One of my favorite things...sleeping with Julia every night when I visit here.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Help the kids...whatever they need, I am here to help.
And soaking up hugs and kisses from the little people in my life!

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

Click click!

Julia when she was 2 (ish) just loving Halloween at Aunt Gail's after a pumpkin carving contest. She has grown up so much since then. They have wonderful traditions in this little family. It is fantastic it almost makes me

October 5, 2009

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So, For Today...Monday, October 5, 2009

Outside my window...it is as dark as the middle of the night and pretty cold. I am thrilled to notice that our investment in our new windows not only kept the house cooler in the summer but is keeping it warmer now as well. I am tempted to put the fans away but will wait a little longer to make sure Summer is really over.

I am thinking...that just when it looks like my husband will get a break from his horrendous work schedule he takes on something new again. Now it is time to direct the region in collecting food for the Scouting for Food program. He must be going on 20 years of doing this. This man is definitely not going to be one that rusts out but he may wear out before his time.

From the learning room...Patience, it is all about patience with projects...the never ending home improvement projects around here this year.

I am reading...The Lost Symbol and The Time of My Life.

From the kitchen...I made a big crockpot full of Chili yesterday and in the next couple of days a big pot of vegetable soup, most going in the freezer for those days when cooking does not appeal.

I am wondering...how I lost 3.3 pounds this week? God is merciful!

I am wearing...jammies.

I am creating...a bowl of copper mini pumpkins. Well at least I do have the paint and the pumpkins. Now I just need to paint them.

I am hearing....the soundtrack from Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day.

I am going...to shop for groceries today, clean out the frig, and get organized for the new week.

I am quoting..."The world is a looking glass and gives back to each person a reflection of his attitude." .....unknown author

My spiritual thoughts include..how we need to be very valiant in our testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Around the house...Everything that was outside and around the house is now sitting on the patio looking somewhat dull by comparison to our shining white house with its brand new paint. I have a feeling that some spray painting will be happening soon.

Today I miss...Hazie. She said Gramma to me on the phone yesterday. That is always a heart melter. She has been signing Gramma for quite awhile but to hear their little voice recognize you for the first time...it is a heart print for sure.

I am hoping...to lose 15 more pounds before climbing the hills in Italy.

I have been procrastinating..Cleaning the bathroom floor...today is the day! Ugh!

One of my favorite things...Windows!

A few plans for the rest of the week...Keeping my hubby going with four evening meetings this week, making sure he has all he needs to do it. Whittling down my big pile of books I am reading, taking my friend's mom thrifting, doing some photography, blogging, and going to a craft day and luncheon with my friends at church on Saturday. Doing some genealogy and writing some letters to some older friends that haven't ventured into computers. I'll also be checking in on my elderly uncles that are still living to see how they are doing and working on my new church calling. Oh and getting some new mums for the front porch and making it look a little more like autumn out there. And housework, there is always that! We have some very busy cobweb makers coming out of the woodwork! I think I sweep the ceiling as much as the floor!

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

click click it

Jennifer entitled this one "Dino Meal!" Chloe is fearless but look at little Hazie...she is not too sure about this at all! She is definitely checking out those teeth! What a fun place for kids and photo ops!