Thursday 13 Books

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13 Books I’ve read in 2009: 

1. The Last Safe Place on Earth – Richard Peck
   I enjoy Richard Peck, however I barely remember this one.  Seems like it was depressing.

2. 1984 by George Orwell
   I had this on my reading list forever.  Now, I have to find the movie.  :)

3. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
   Another book that was on my list forever. 

4. The Duggars: 20 and Counting!: Raising One of America’s Largest Families–How they Do It by Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar.
   Very enjoyable!  I’ve always enjoyed stories about large families.

5. In the House of my Bibi Growing up in Revolutionary Iranby Nastaran Kherad
   Very interesting.

6. Driving with Dead People by Monica Holloway
   This was a sad depressing book. 

7. Fat Girl: A True Story by Judith Moore
   Another sad and depressing read.

8. Finally a Family by Jillian Hart
   This was pure drivil.  I had a hard time getting through it.  I read it to see if I could write something like this.  I think I would vomit on myself.  And yet, if the pay was right I could always get a bucket.

9.  Rich Day, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money – That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not by Robert T. Kiyosaki
   Interesting.
    
10. Front Porch Tales by Philip Gulley
    I needed something uplifting after all the depressing reads.  I would highly recommend this book!

11. Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty
    Loved this!  Love her!

12. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
    Again, another on my “to read” list.  Highly overrated!
     
    
13. Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
    I discovered Amy after I found her book Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons for my children.  I enjoyed reading both books.  :)

 View the New Thursday 13 here for a list of participants.

Friday Fill~Ins!

And…here we go!

1. He was a _what?____.

2. ____Cooler weather_______ is what I look forward to most this time of year.

3. My best friend ____is Jesus because He laid down His life for me._______.

4. _____I hate forwarded email unless it includes a personal message from the sender_______ to be honest with you.

5. Appearances can be ____frightening, especially my own first thing in the morning______.

6. The last person I gave a hug to was _____my child______.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to __rest___, tomorrow my plans include __a trip to the library___ and Sunday, I want to ___go to church__!

Thursday 13 “Back to School” Memories

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Going back to school was great for 13 reasons:

1. Back to school shopping!
   .
2. New Big Chief tablets, new supplies and a cigar box and a tote bag (before kids needed huge ”packpacks”) to put them in!
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3. New Beginnings!  Nothing better than a fresh start!
   ..
4. The preparations the night before and all the anticipation!
   ..
5. The aroma of: a newly opened box of crayons,chalk dust, and paste (and the yummy taste!  Oh, how I miss paste!) and purple ink from the ditto paper!
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6. Making new friends!
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7. Seeing old friends I hadn’t seen all summer!
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8. New shoes – the winter brown suede ones not the tennis shoes or flip flops (we called them something else in the midwest but it’s name has a different meaning today) we wore in the summer.
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9. New clothes (or “new” to us).  Of course it was still warm and there was no a/c when Mama would line us up and go through the fall/winter closet to try on the clothes hanging there.  We would dress and undress and the clothes would stick to our small sweaty bodies.  When our favorite outfit no longer fit we would try to convince Mama it did.  When a not-so-favorite  outfit did fit, we tried to convince her it did not.
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10. Being in a new classroom with a new teacher in a new grade!
    .
11. New lunch boxes packed with a special first day lunch – Spam!
    .
12. Coming home and telling my family all about my first day!
    .
13. And the promise of autumn!

View the New Thursday 13 here for a list of participants.

Back to School Monday Musing

The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living from the dead.  ~ Aristotle, 384 – 322 BC

The pupil who is never required to do what he cannot do, never does what he can do. ~ John Stuart Mill, 1806 – 1873

Visit Monday Musings’ new host Monique at Escape Hatch.

Daybook August 24

FOR TODAY August 24, 2009. . .

Outside my window . . . hot, so hot.  Still.

I am thinking . . . We’re having a great 1st day!

I am thankful for . . . all the time I get to spend with my children!

From the learning rooms . . .  Back to School!

From the kitchen . . . Scrambled Eggs, Cinnamon Toast, Apples, O.J., Milk

I am wearing . . .  a Mexican dress – because it’s comfortable.  I changed into it when I realized I wasn’t going anywhere because of a sick child.

I am creating . . . kidney stones – apparently. 

I am going . . . to be so thankful when we all feel better!

I am reading . . . Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.

I am wishing (praying/hoping). . . for restored health!

I am hearing . . .  children talking.

Around the house . . .  I desperately need to play catch-up!

One of my favorite things . . . “I love it when a plan comes together!”

A few plans for the rest of the week: party, bowling, and the library. . .  

Here is a picture thought I am sharing . . .  

 

Here is our Back to School craft for the day.  My oldest wanted to use the big string but my youngest and I did the one on the right. 

More summer daybooks can be found at Peggy’s site The Simple Woman’s Daybook! 

Organization Challenge

Sorry I went AWOL but life got really crazy here.   I did meet my week 1 goal!  :)  Actually, I did it the first day! 

I can’t believe it’s already week 4.  My elephant is so huge-well, I have several elephants and I’m not sure which 0ne I should start eating first.  The hardest part is just taking that first bite.  I will do my desk this week.  It’s totally out of control!

The BEFORE picture is posted here.

Here is my AFTER!

 

Friday Fill~Ins!

And…here we go!

1. I remember, I remember __I’ll always remember, the song they were playing . . .___.

2. Dear ____World_____ I want you to know __That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ~ Rom 10:9___.

3. Is that my _____weight or my area code______!!???

4. I’m trying to resist the temptation of __________.

5. I’m saving a ___nice_comment_______ just for you!

6. If I made a birthday list ____a get-away______ would definitely be on it!!!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to __crashing___, tomorrow my plans include __crashing___ and Sunday, I want to __go to church___!

 

Daybook August 17

FOR TODAY August 17, 2009. . .

Outside my window . . . hot, so hot.

I am thinking . . . I just want to feel better!

I am thankful for . . . the a/c!

From the learning rooms . . .  planning for next year!

From the kitchen . . .  Skillet Breakfast (Ham, eggs, cheese, and onion)!

I am wearing . . .  a jumper.

I am creating . . . schedules. 

I am going . . . to be so thankful when I feel better!

I am still reading . . . Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty

I am wishing (praying/hoping). . . for restored health!

I am hearing . . .  the dryer and children playing.

Around the house . . .  I pray that I’ve strength to restore order!

One of my favorite things . . . is feeling well!

A few plans for the rest of the week: resisting the urge to stay in bed, going to sewing, swimming, and the library. . .  

Here is a picture thought I am sharing . . .  

 

 I am so ready to go back to school!  :)

More summer daybooks can be found at Peggy’s site The Simple Woman’s Daybook! 

Daybook August 3

FOR TODAY August 3, 2009. . .

Outside my window . . . hot, very hot.

I am thinking . . . I better routine/schedule!

I am thankful for . . . a God Who is loving and patient.

From the learning rooms . . . Bible!

From the kitchen . . .  Pancakes!

I am wearing . . .  clothes.

I am creating . . . a fun Kindergarten 27 week curriculum for next year. 

I am going . . . to be so glad when this week is over!

I am still reading . . . Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty

I am wishing (praying/hoping). . . for the salvation of those who are in power in the Land of the Brave!

I am hearing . . .  little voices, the washer, and the moans of this house.

Around the house . . .  I want to maintain, and complete one project a day!

One of my favorite things . . . spending time alone with my husband!

A few plans for the rest of the week: going to the doctor, meetings, and the library. . .  

Here is a picture thought I am sharing . . .  

 

These are a few of my favorite things!  A little hutch that my old church was going to throw out.  A vintage apron I found at the thrift store.  Tea cups from thrift stores and tea cup exchanges.  The plant was given to me 10 years ago!  It’s a Snake Plant, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue.  I read it “thrives on neglect”-probably the reason I’ve not managed to kill it! 

More summer daybooks can be found at Peggy’s site The Simple Woman’s Daybook! 

Organization Challenge ~ Week 1

I am joining Melinda at Coming Clean for her 8 week challenge Operation Organization: The Battle for Order.  Stop by her blog to learn more!

BEFORE

This week I’m going to tackle one messy box filled corner!  I had started packing for a possible move that never happened and haven’t quite figured out if I’m ready to unpack or just what.  But the boxes have to go!

The red dress draped over the chair has bubble gum all over it from a piece of gum that my baby chewed up and then lost it out of her mouth.  She couldn’t find it and didn’t tell anyone.  It melted in the hot car and got stuck on the seatbelt which got stuck on her dress and was discovered upon arrival at church one Sunday night.  

I haven’t had the desire to deal with it so there it sits!  I need to just get some ice and get the gum out and wash the thing so it can go back in my daughter’s closet!

Friday Fill~Ins

1. It’s time for __old habits to die___.

2. __The mind___; it’s not a bad place for __change to begin___.

3. I must be __focused and disciplined for this to work.___

4. __Jesus___ is the best thing I have ever known.

5. My __flesh___ is simply _weak____.

6. The last time I laughed really loudly was __today___.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to __being with family___, tomorrow my plans include __turning over the calendar___ and Sunday, I want to __be in church___!

Thursday 13 Habits ~ A Wish List

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For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. ~ Romans 7:15

I know these habits are all ones that would enrich my life but for whatever reason, I choose to ignore the following:

1. Go to bed at the same decent hour every night.
2. Get up at the same decent hour every morning.
3. Create a daily routine and follow it.
4. Make a to-do list and prioritize what needs to be done first and follow it!
5. Do at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity daily.
6. Create a weekly dinner menu.
7. Eat right!  Just say no to refined sugar and junk food.  Avoid trans fats and limit red meat and dairy.
8. Eat smaller portions more often instead of one (or more) giant meal/s.
9. Slow down and eat slower!  Have meal times be relaxing and enjoyable.
10. Limit computer time and other time-stealing activities.
11. Remember: Clutter is being surrounded by things you don’t love or don’t need.  Therefore, keep what you love and need and PURGE the rest!
12. A place for everything, everything in it’s place!

13. Always ask: Will this simplify my life?

    View the New Thursday 13 here for a list of participants.

Daybook July 27

FOR TODAY July 20, 2009…

Outside my window… hot, very hot.

I am thinking…I can’t believe July is almost over!

I am thankful for…hope
But our Hope endures the worst of conditions
It’s more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our Hope is unchanged!

From the learning rooms…Tithing, Economics, Life :)  !

From the kitchen… Chili.

I am wearing… old clothes.

I am creating…next year’s curriculum. 

I am going… to be busy the next couple of weeks!

I am reading… Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty

I am wishing (praying/hoping)… for a great school year next year!

I am hearing… Josh Turner.

Around the house… “I got me work cut out for me”!

One of my favorite things… is a cool Midwest autumn!

A few plans for the rest of the week: swimming, working, and going to the library.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing… 

My recent decorating attempt.  :)

More daybooks hosted here.

Medical Monday Musings

I don’t like the fact that doctors are referred to as practicing. ~ Janet Schwartz

Medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.~Voltaire

Finish last in your league and they call you idiot. Finish last in medical school and they call you doctor. ~ Abe Lemons

Visit Monday Musings’ new host Monique at Escape Hatch.

Friday Fill~Ins :)

And…here we go!

1. __’Tis just the beginning of a Brave New World, it___ is not the end of the world.

2. Sitting here, listening to the sound of rain falling, I  __hold my tea cup between my fingers and drink in the breeze coming from the open window.  I thank the Good Lord that I have a roof over my head, a cozy place to sleep, a warm pot brewing on the stove, and chocolate hidden away…for such an occasion as this__.

3. __A hot cup of freshly brewed flavored coffee with loads of rich cream in the morning___ tastes so good!

4. Sometimes, putting others first is __only accomplished when we put ourselves first__.

5. __Life___ is breathtaking, really.

6. Well, maybe there is __a place where will never grow old, where the streets are pure gold, one day we shall all know, yet we shan’t all go unless we trust on the One Who made it so___.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to __movie night___, tomorrow my plans include __another sale___ and Sunday, I want to __be in church___!

Thursday 13 ~ Lessons Learned

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1. I should never, ever judge another person because I don’t fully understand his heritage, handicaps, or hardships.  Better to assume that he’s a tortured soul doing the best he can than to judge and have God enlighten me by sending me through a similar misfortune.

2.  Just because I live in an impatient society chock-full of fast foods, immediate communication, and instant information, doesn’t mean that the trial will be over in a day, an week, or a month.

3.  I have learned the value of reaching out to others in need with specific offers to help, and recuiting the services and help of others as well.

4.  Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering…. The love of God did not protect His own Son…. He will not necessarily protect us – not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process. ~ Elisabeth Elliot

5.  If the trial is great enough, some people (including friends and loved ones) will avoid me because they are afraid or unable to handle the situation, but it doesn’t mean that they love me any less. 

6.  Others will swoop  in like a one-man SWAT team advising, directing, comforting, and bringing in reinforcements.

7.  Computer experts will tell you to back up your files for when your computer crashes.  Not if, but when.  The same is true of trials.  The Bible doesn’t say if trials come but when they come to count them joy.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;       Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. ~ James 1:2-3

8.  Sticking my head in the sand does nothing to help the situation.

9.  Allowing myself to share my burdens, produces both humility and relief.  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Gal 6:2

10.  Poor health habits combined with an unhealthy lifestyle only compounds the situation.

11.  Instead of complaining about the things I don’t have, I should give thanks for that which I do have.  What I have could be lost in a moment and then I would only be wishing I could have that very thing I criticized.

12.  Kids don’t have to be totally sheltered from the trial as it allows them to see the Hand of God working.

13.  Seek God’s face!  It’s so easy to get bitter or angry or choose any number of wrong attitudes.  Don’t!  Ask Him what lesson I need to learn.  Ask forgiveness.  Ask for His guidance.  Pray without ceasing.

View the New Thursday 13 here for a list of participants.

Daybook July 20

FOR TODAY July 20, 2009…

Outside my window… a slight promise of much needed rain.

I am thinking…that I would really like to continue organizing and purging and cleaning!

I am thankful for…new beginnings, forgiveness, and second chances!

From the learning rooms…Bible Study Guide for All Ages!

From the kitchen… Old Fashioned Oatmeal and toast.

I am wearing… my favorite outfit.

I am creating… goals, plans, dreams and schemes. 

I am going… to rejoice when the negotiations are finalized!

I am reading… Jewish Spirituality by Rabbi Lawrence Kushner

I am wishing (praying/hoping)… for financial, spiritual, and physical blessings!

I am hearing… computer game noises and the dryer.

Around the house… I’m almost caught up on the laundry but the dishes are another story!

One of my favorite things… is reaching a weight-loss goal!

A few plans for the rest of the week: shopping, reading, and going to the library.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing… 

More daybooks hosted here.

Friday Fill~Ins :)

And…here we go!

1. __Taco Bell___ and __Quiznos___ make a quick and easy dinner.

2. __Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money — That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not by Robert T. Kiyosaki___ is one of the books I’m reading right now.

3. July brings back memories of __amusement parks, fairs, picnics, BBQs, watermellon, Frosty’s, fireworks, heat, and Elvis.___
Open up the barn door, kick out the hay,
We’re the girls from the USA!
Turn on the radio, and what do ya hear?
Elvis Presley doin a cheer,
Fire cracker, Fire cracker, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Fire cracker, Fire cracker, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Boys got the muscles, teachers got the brains, 
Girls have the sexy legs and we win the game tonight YEA!

4. ___What was obvious was the fact that we didn’t all see what__ was obvious.

5. They say if you tell your dreams __”I’m not going to take it anymore!  These nocturnal visions are mine, all mine” that you will become a lucid dreamer ___.

6. _”Stop in the name of love
Before you break my heart!
Think it o-over.
Think it o-over.”
_’cuz sometimes ya just need___ to think it over.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to __being with family___, tomorrow my plans include __keeping cool___ and Sunday, I want to __shower the birthday kid with love___!

Monday Musings ~ Choices

Monday Musings is hosted each Monday by Barbara at Candy Hearts and Paper Flowers

Here’s to making great choices in the weeks, months, years ahead!

There are two primary choices in life; to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them. ~ Denis Waitley

What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life. ~ Leo Buscaglia

You are the person who has to decide.
Whether you’ll do it or toss it aside;
you are the person who makes up your mind.
Whether you’ll lead or will linger behind.
Whether you’ll try for the goal that’s afar.
Or just be contented to stay where you are.
~ Edgar A. Guest

You don’t get to choose how you’re going to die. Or when. You can only decide how you’re going to live. Now. ~ Joan Baez

Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality.  ~ Nikos Kazantzakis

Daybook July 13

FOR TODAY July 15, 2009…

Outside my window… we are STILL having triple digit heat as the heat wave continues.

I am thinking…  of all the things I need to do this week!

I am thankful for… my public library because they always have wonderful things for kids for free!

From the learning rooms…home ec!

From the kitchen… lemon blueberry muffins.

I am wearing… pjs.

I am creating… goals, plans, dreams and schemes. 

I am going… to trust the Lord anyway!

I am reading… (still, I’ve read several books in addition to this because this really drags in parts) Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money — That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not by Robert T. Kiyosaki

I am wishing (praying/hoping)… for a friend who’s marriage is in trouble, for a relative with a troubled marriage, for friends and family with financial burdens, for loved ones with health issues, and for some good news on the homefront!

I am hearing… summer insects, birds, the washer, and Starfall.

Around the house… I need to organize the garage and junk drawers!

One of my favorite things… is being a mom!  Love hearing the laughter of children, seeing delight in their little eyes.  Love watching them grow and learn and just being kids! 

A few plans for the rest of the week: sewing lessons, swimming, my oldest’s birthday, and the library.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing… 

More daybooks hosted here.