The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...
March 30, 2009

Outside my window...
The birds are singing and the sun is shining through a partly cloudy sky. After a cold rain on Saturday, yesterday was a gorgeous spring today. Today promises more of the same.

I am thinking...
I am thinking about Pastor Marty's sermon yesterday. He did part 2 of a 3 part series on The Seasons of Life. I need to download last weeks message since I missed it while I was out of town. For some time I have felt that I am in a winter season and I have hated it. I really didn't realize it was a season - I just thought I was in a "funk" : ) Pastor Marty told us that each season brings the opportunity for challenge, change, and God's blessing.

1. I can't change what season I am in but I can change me in the season. God is in charge of all the seasons - Acts 1:7

^"And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power."

2. I need to work within God's season - the present season I am in, not the season I desire to be in. Proverbs 20:4
"The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing."

3. Do not force season changes - Galatians 6:9
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not"

4. Prepare for the next season in the present season. - Proverbs 6:6-8
" ⁶Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: ⁷Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, ⁸Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest."

5. My season today is an opportunity, not an obstacle. - Jeremiah 5:24
"Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest."

There's nothing like a fresh new perspective from the Lord!

I am thankful for...
God's blessing in my husband's job, especially in light of the current economic situation of our country!!

From the learning rooms...
back to school after spring break.

From the kitchen...
breakfast...waffles, bacon, fresh strawberries
dinner...broccoli ham ring
hopefully a batch of granola!

I am wearing...
still in pj's. (But I have a good excuse!!!) Lymphedema Therapy is at noon today and I am leaving my arm in the compression wrap as long as possible. I'll unwrap it and shower soon : ) This is my last week of therapy - hallelujah!!!

I am creating...
absolutely nothing. It's been a long 3 weeks of therapy and I have extremely limited use of my left hand while it's wrapped everyday. I decided to try my best to create my daybook entry today because I have really missed blogging!!

I am going...
to therapy, run a couple of errands, take Rachel to ballet tonight, slip in on a cancer support group meeting for a short time, and then finally finish my day at a homeschool support group board meeting. What a Monday!!

I am reading...
a book about Lymphedema

I am hoping...
for a week of nice weather! The sunshine always makes me happier!

I am hearing...
It's pretty quiet around here this morning. Allan is gone to work, then school later. Rachel is preparing to start on her schoolwork.

Around the house...
Rachel and I cleaned the living room Saturday and put out some Easter decorations. I haven't decorated for Easter in 2 years - how sad! I even found a beautiful spring ceramic bowl that I didn't remember having. Someone must have given it to me the Easter before I was sick because it was packed away with the decorations and I haven't decorated since that Easter. I am so thankful that life is resuming normalcy again!!!

One of my favorite things...
Sharing the Easter story using our set of Ressurection Eggs - yes, even with my 15 year old!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Therapy every day this week, taking Rachel to ballet Mon. - Thur. and again all day Saturday, Rachel's optometrist appt., my dentist appt. (hopefully no cavities this time!!!), and just trying to get back in our normal routine after spring break.

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

Haley, Rachel, Annie, & Emily at Regional Dance America/Southwest Region Festival
Gala Banquet
March 22, 2009 - Sugar Land, Texas

Haley, Annie & Emily are friends from OU SummerWind Dance Intensive last summer. Their dance company is also a member of RDA/SW so the girls were excited to see one another.

To read more daybook entries, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

I'm Still Here

Just in case you read my blog and wonder where I am lately - I haven't forgotten my blog or dropped of the face of the earth. I actually have several things I want to blog about; like my MRI results, my trip to Dallas, the YSC Conference, an upcoming trip to Houston to name a few.

First - the MRI and mammogram were CLEAR!! I am free from scans for another six months. I'd hoped for a year but that didn't happen this time as I'd thought. That's okay - six months is good. I still see my oncologist every four months so I'm still under surveillance on a fairly regular basis. That has it's own pros and cons : )

The rest of the posts will have to wait a bit longer. I am somewhat impaired at the moment and it's not easy to type!! I am undergoing a month of physical therapy for lymphedema. Lymphedema is swelling in my arm that is a result of having lymph nodes removed when I had a lumpectomy and node removal in 2006. Not everyone gets this after lymph node removal but for some reason I have it. Thankfully, it isn't too bad but needs to be taken care of so it doesn't cause other problems that can be very serious. I go to therapy every day and then I am wrapped from shoulder to finger joints in a compression wrap until it's time to go the next day. This is not fun!!! I'll try to post more about it when I am finished with therapy but here's a picture of what my arm looks like wrapped:

Scan Day

Today was scan day for me - my 6 month mammogram. The new "standard of care" now calls for a bilateral MRI for women who have had breast cancer so that was added to the mix today. Having never had an MRI, I wasn't sure what to expect. Thankfully, it wasn't really as bad as I had imagined. It was REALLY loud - even with earplugs. It would get quiet and then start again and I was hoping I wasn't moving when it did because you are supposed to be really still. I was glad my doctor had given me a prescription for an anti-anxiety med because it helped me stay fairly relaxed and I think I did finally fall asleep. When the machine started all I could think was that it was going to be the longest 40 minutes of my life but the next thing I knew they were telling me it was done. I have a lot riding on this round of scans - if they come back clear, which I fully expect, I get to "graduate" to yearly scans and visits to the surgeon!!!!! So, now we wait for the results. I am glad I am busy for the next week or so until I see my doctor : )

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...
February 23, 2009

Outside my window...
darkness - I'm very late posting but it is still Monday : )

I am thinking...
about what needs to be done tomorrow and prioritizing what needs to be done in the morning and what can wait until evening. I already know it's going to be a crazy day.

I am thankful for...
my hubby and for the wonderful weekend we shared celebrating 24 years of marriage! We had a weekend alone - the first in a long time.

From the learning rooms...
trying to complete a few tests and get to a good stopping point. We're taking a few days off this week for a trip.

From the kitchen...
today was homemade chicken strips, roasted red potatoes and salad
tomorrow is crockpot chili
the rest of the week, the girls are gone and the guys are on their own. Don't worry, they won't starve - I did grocery shop for them!!

I am wearing...
jeans and a sweater

I am creating...
a plan for tomorrow; thinking about doing an anniversary post but it might have to wait until after my trip this week

I am reading...
not much happening here this week

I am hoping...
that Rachel's bridesmaid dress we are picking up in NWA tomorrow doesn't need any alterations. I think if she wears heels it will be fine : ) We just need to remember to take the shoes tomorrow.

I am hearing...
the humidifier and the heater

Around the house...
A few things need to be put away in the morning and ironing needs to be done

One of my favorite things...
dates with my hubby

A few plans for the rest of the week...
errands in town and a trip to NWA tomorrow; trip to Dallas Wednesday - get to meet my newest nephew AND see all my siblings - yippee! Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer is Friday - Sunday.

To read more daybook entries, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Giveaway at Southern Plate

My favorite cooking blog, Southern Plate, is hosting a Pioneer Brand Product giveaway!! Visit Christy at Southern Plate and leave a comment on her post to be entered to win the basket full of Pioneer Products.

Christy posts great "southern cooking" recipes from her Southern Plate cookbook. She adds tidbits from everyday family life in Alabama with a touch of humor for a great read. You'll want to bookmark her site to visit often!! She's found a permanent place on my blog - see her button there at the bottom of the right hand column.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...February 16, 2009

Outside my window...
warm sunshine and blue skies; freshly pruned shrubs thanks to my hubby who has the day off

I am thinking...
it's been a very productive day today and schoolwork is almost complete!!

I am thankful for...
Pastor's message yesterday about our plans vs. God's instruction and plans

From the learning rooms...
back to grammar after a break for a writing intensive course

From the kitchen...
Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, broccoli, and rolls

I am wearing...
the usual - jeans, turtleneck, fleece, tennis shoes

I am creating...
not feeling too creative

I am reading...
still reading When God Winks at You, How God Speaks Directly to You Through the Power of Coincidence, by Squire Rushnell. This has been a light and easy read to pick up whenever I have few minutes. This book caught my eye one day as I was browsing the CBD sale. I was intrigued as I had posted on my blog about my own "God Wink" before I knew what a God wink was!

I am hoping...
to get many things done this week in anticipation of being gone for a few days next week.

I am hearing...
the rustle of papers as Rachel works on her English assignment

Around the house...
laundry is finished for the day and put away; only one or two hot spots that need to be tackled.

One of my favorite things...
Getting out the "good" dishes to set a pretty table for our family Valentine's dinner. We had lasagna, salad, French bread, and Rachel baked a Neiman Marcus cake. My "good" dishes are a set of china that originally belonged to my great-grandparents.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Support group tonight; Tomorrow will be busy- therapy appointment in the morning, followed by errands while I am in town and lunch with a friend; need to make plans for the weekend - we are celebrating our 24th anniversary on Sunday!!

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

My valentine : ) These are wonderful chocolates, made locally. Our homeschool group took a field trip tour of their store last spring -while they were making Easter candy. It was a fun field trip.

To read more daybook entries, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...
February 9, 2009

Outside my window...
it's raining. I hated driving in it this morning when I had to take Rachel to the Performing Arts Center and I couldn't see the road but we really need the rain.

I am thinking...
about how strange it feels to be home alone on a weekday. Allan's gone to work and school. Rachel is performing with the Symphony today and had an 8:00 a.m. call time at the performing arts center. The symphony has a program "Earquake" that they perform for 6th graders from schools in the area. Our ballet company has been invited to perform with them for the past several years. Tomorrow they will travel for the first time to Bentonville and perform for the schools in the Bentonville/Rogers area. I'll be chaperoning and driving tomorrow so I hope we don't have the heavy rain until we are back home tomorrow afternoon!!

I am thankful for...
the laughter and fun I witnessed as some of the ballet company girls went out for dinner together last night after dress rehearsal. Let's just say, it was an answer to the prayers of a few of the Mom's. God is good!!!

From the learning rooms...
a short week due to Earquake.

From the kitchen...
Monday... Mexican Casserole, salad
Tuesday...leftovers
Wednesday...Blackened or baked salmon, baked potatoes, salad
Thursday...Pinto Beans, cole slaw & cornbread
Friday...Wendy's Chicken Strips, roasted red potatoes, green beans
Saturday...Valentine's Dinner - Lasagna, salad, French bread and for dessert - probably a heart shaped chocolate chip cookie cake
Sunday...Homemade Pizza (Sunday's are frequently our homemade pizza night lately)
I am also going to make homemade granola for the first time this week!

Mexican Casserole
Brown one pound of ground beef or turkey with onion and bell pepper. Layer in a 9" x 13" casserole dish: tortilla chips, meat mixture, 1 can ranch style or black beans, shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat the layers. Then, mix 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, and one can Rotel tomatoes. Pour on top of the layers then top with cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees till bubbly.

I am wearing...
jeans, black shirt, gray hoodie

I am creating...
working on getting photos sorted and into albums; hoping to get back to Rachel's ballet scrapbook. I keep putting it off because I haven't touched it in over a year and it's already about 4 years behind! Help!!!

I am reading...
When God Winks at You

I am hoping...
to get all the laundry done before I pick Rachel up this afternoon.

I am hearing...
quiet solitude : )

Around the house...
I see laundry that needs to be put away ; ) I really want to mop my floors today but I know it would be better to wait until Wednesday when the rain and humidity are gone!!

One of my favorite things...
A night out with my hubby! We don't go out alone very often. We are so busy during the week that by the weekend, we often just want to have NOWHERE to go!! We had a dinner date Saturday night - sweet!! This will be a big month - we'll have another date in a couple of weeks for our 24th anniversary : )

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Bentonville with the ballet company tomorrow; hoping to get a physical therapy appointment for later in the week as well.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
I'll share another photo from the ice storm. This picture is from one of the last days before the ice melted. The north side of the lake had a layer of ice!

To read more daybook entries, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.