The Simple Woman's Daybook 31 December 2012

Outside my window...there is much snow on the ground.  Mother Nature seems to have made an attempt to catch up with our snow totals for the month of December all in one week.  Our yearly average for December is 32.5 inches of snow and we now have 28.2 inches.  I would say that not only did we have a white Christmas but we will be having a white New Year as well.

I am thinking...about family and togetherness.  This Christmas season has been a learning experience as I observe my grown children be with each other.  The art of give and take and love is being well-learned by all.

i am thankful for...diligent snowplow crews, family members with patience and the ability to drive safely in the weather that we have been having.

From the kitchen...there will be no more cooking going on until all of the leftovers from the past week have been consumed.  We all have eaten well and hearty between Christmas and the wedding.  

I am wearing...longjohns and a sweatshirt.  I suspect that the temps out there are somewhat below freezing.  Along with the wind that is blowing no wonder it is chilly in here.

I am creating...memories to last a lifetime and beyond.  

I am going...to get this place cleaned up this morning and then spend the afternoon working on some paying jobs that I have to finish.  

I am reading...Oscar Wilde's The Canterville Ghost.

I am hoping...that all the travelers who are on the road and in the sky this week make it to their final destinations safely.

I am hearing...Layn on the stairs calling Melissa to come up, the fan on the furnace valiantly trying to fight off the chill in this place, and what I suspect heralds the homecoming of the big guys from the gym.

Around the house...everything is lived in! Which is just the way that I like it.  There is something so satisfying about the sight of large male bodies sprawled all over the place while they joke, talk, and just plain spend time together.  

One of my favorite things...to sit and listen to my grown children playing cards with their friends.  The repartee is hilarious.

A few plans for the rest of the week...wring all the memories that I can from these last few days with the boys, take people to the airport, and then try to get my life back to its normal routine.

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

This picture sums up what Christmas and family is all about.  Savannah playing with Layn's toys on the day after Christmas.

The Simple Womans Daybook 17 December 2012

Outside my window...it is damp, rainy and chilly!  That's ok though since the Christmas spirit is not dependent on whether there is snow on the ground or not.  

I am thinking...about all the people who have been affected by the shootings in Connecticut.  

I am thankful for...the faith that I hold dear that helps me through incidents such as that one and for the family that pulls together when it is needed.

From the kitchen...leftovers!  Yesterday I cooked a huge and very delicious (if I do say so) meal and there is enough leftover to get us through today.  Today and tomorrow are run to the airport days 'cause all our people are coming home.

I am wearing...green flannel pants and a comfy blue shirt.  I don't have to go out until tomorrow.

I am creating...my last Christmas offering then I go upstairs to begin wrapping.

I am going...to stay at home today.  Tomorrow I go to the airport to pick up the Big Dude and Matthew.

I am reading....The Ultimate Gift

I am hoping...for peace and healing for the families in Connecticut.

I am hearing....MK and Melissa cleaning upstairs in preparation for the men to come home.

Around the house...there is a distinct air of anticipation such has not been experienced since all the kids were little and waiting for Christmas morning.  

One of my favorite things...is the sound of everyone here together in this old house.  The very walls soak in the happy sounds of laughter and talk.  Later, when they have all gone back to their own worlds the sounds will come back to me to keep me company.

A few plans for the rest of the week....enjoy every second!

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

Savannah fell last night and bumped her lip.  There is nothing more comforting than pap to hold your frozen pop and make it all better.

The Simple Womans Daybook 10 December 2012

Outside my window...it is dark!!! The sun hasn't even thought about rising yet.  I am posting this from the airport in Columbus, Georgia.  I have had a wonderful weekend with Matthew celebrating him and his accomplishments and now it is time for this mother to return to her world.

I am thinking...about all of the families who don't have a son like mine.  He is truly one in a million and I thank God daily that he sent me the children that I had the privilege of raising.

I am thankful for...my son's who provided me with this trip.  When I am old and can't remember what I had for breakfast I will be feasting on the memories that you gave me in sending me to see your brother graduate.

From the kitchen...I am sure that MK and Melissa have something delicious prepared.  After all of the eating that I have done in the past four days I think I should be walking home from Georgia and fasting for the rest of the year.

I am wearing...jeans and the new tee shirt that Matthew got for me.  

I am creating...memories!!! Memories that will last for the rest of my life.

I am going...HOME! By way of Atlanta.  Much as I have enjoyed my time here this girl is a home body and will be happy to see the cold north and her family again.

I am reading....To Hell and Back by Audie Murphy

I am hoping...that all travelers today, myself included, have a safe and pleasant day of travel!

I am hearing....the sound of rolling baggage on the tile floors of the terminal, the public service announcements, and the chatter of my fellow passengers and the officials in the terminal.

Around the terminal....activity is beginning to pick up and things are bustling along.  People are hurrying to get to where they need to be.  I wonder if they notice things like the pictures on the walls and the Christmas ornaments.

One of my favorite things...watching the faces of the people going by.

A few plans for the rest of the week...priority one is to get home then I will play it by ear.

A picture thought that I am sharing with you....

Matthew standing with his fellow honorees waiting to get his awards.  This is one proud Army mom.

The Simple Womans Daybook 3 December 2012

Outside my window....it is dreary looking.  The sun didn't feel like coming out today I suspect.  After yesterday's rain everything is dripping and muddy.  If this keeps up even I might be tempted to dream of a white Christmas.

I am thinking...about plans and lists.  Friday Matthew graduates, Thursday I have to fly to Georgia for the even which means there are plans and lists to tend to.

I am thankful for...loving family and kind friends.

From the kitchen...there is plenty leftover from yesterday's delicious supper to sustain us today. 

I am wearing...jammies, as usual.  Those few who may read this have probably figured out that I take my time in the AM now that I don't have to homeschool.

I am creating...love and Christmas secrets.

I am going...to get a lot done today so that I am ready for hubby to take me to the fabric store tonight. We will see how that plan pans out.

I am reading...Worthy is the Lamb by Thomas Nash

I am hoping...that all family members who are coming for Christmas and the wedding arrive safely.

I am hearing...Layn and Melissa in the kitchen chatting with each other,  MK on the computer checking her emails, and the fan on the furnace assuring all of us that there is plenty of heat to be had from the last block of wood that Doug put in the fire.

Around the house...there is the usual Monday morning clutter and weekend leftovers.  Have I mentioned before that I love the lived-in, family is here feel of this old place.  When the kids were young and I was a newly minted wife I used to try so hard to keep this place clean and picked-up.  Now it feels lonely and empty if there is too much neatness and put-awayness.  

One of my favorite things...saying the rosary as a family.  Last night Layn had a bit of trouble with the being quiet part.  I am sure, though, that the Blessed Mother and Our Lord were in rapture over the sweet sounds of his young voice raised above the voices of the rest of us.  His noise is its own kind of prayer and it is the loveliest of all.

A few plans for the rest of the week,..finish projects, clean, laundry, pack and fly!!!! Friday I will be with Matthew and the whole weekend will be about him.

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

Layn kneeling with his Papa to say the rosary.  How pleased Our Lord and Our Lady must be to hear his voice raised in prayer.