The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY


These mild days  astound me....   but the rain  has come....


I am thinking...  how life can really throw  you  a curve ball  ever now  and then...

I am thankful.. that  God in His faithfulness   is ever present in times of trouble


In the kitchen...leftovers... what else?


I am wearing...  grey sweat pants and a summer blouse.....    anything cool    got  too warm several times today!


I am creating..   an  organizational tool for keeping track of mom and dad's finances and  bills....   oh,,,,   I need all the organization I can muster!!

I am going...to be praying for an uneventful day tomorrow.... to be  a bit more  informative...   mom fell this morning...  we hurried over to   and found her  sitting in the  den floor..  She     was over her discomfiture  by the time we got there and     was  relatively sure nothing was broken...
  We  got her up  and back  lying down on her  sofa.... where she spends the biggest part of her day....  She  appeared to be  ok  if somewhat shaken.. but the bad news was she had inadvertantly  thrown away the  several  pain meds  she had in the house  and the   rest of her  meds  had already been taken to  the      Assisted Living   facility for  bubble wrapping....  (dispensing  once we get there on Wednesday...)
We stayed  around for about an hour  but she  was fine and the  cleaning  ladies were  coming.  Then about   1 this afternoon the cleaning ladies called and told us she  needed us back  and they were afraid to leave  her...so  we were there again.   There  was a bruise on her back that was disconcerting to them....  mom  does bruise easily...  anyway  we  ended up calling 911  and the  ENTS  were great
  they checked her vitals  which  showed  there was very little need for  emergency and it  would be such an ordeal to get mom to the ER and he  doctor agreed that it was pointless to  take her there....  so  after  about 2 hours  it was decided that  she'd just  stay home and  take a Tylenol....  Ive called and checked up on her several times and she is resting easily and about to  go on to bed....  Praise the Lord  he is  ever present  and  provides  everything we need  of we put our trust in Him...but it still was quite a day and I didnt get one thing done here at home that I needed to get done....

I am wondering...lately  I  have too much on my mind to  have  any time to wonder.....   maybe next week!


I am reading... I  really desire to start reading  my  Christmas anthology  I bought a couple of weeks ago  but alas  no time in my future for reading...

I am hoping...  that  the move on Wednesday will   be  easy on everyone....  All is packed and ready to go  although Mom and dad  think  there is a ton to do.....   Poor dears just dont understand that    the things  they see around them dont have  to be  perfectly organized  before  we leave....   Everything they are taking  is packed and  ready for pickup on Wednesday.... Im sure it is hard on them to break up  their home and   leave  much behind...  but  it will be just what  they need  in the new  place....  and it's going to look very nice!!!    The  work will come  after ward  when Lynn and I  take over....  oh, my!

I am looking forward to..all of the Hallmark Christmas movies this season.....   they a re always    so well done and uplifting

I am hearing...absolutely nothing.....  but the  whirring of the computer fan!


Around the house... I am seeing  bags of  Christmas  giftings and decorations and  wrapping paper.....    the Christmas tree box is sitting in the middle of the living room floor and   the dining room table is loaded with stuff.....   I need a Christmas miracle!


I am pondering...well, I do seem to ponder a lot  but it is usually when I awaken  in the night and cant go back to sleep because my mind is so busy  pondering  if  the  finances  are  going to  last   as  originally planned  or    what if this or  that  then that.....then  I  remember that nothing is going to take God by surprise and I am able to give  it all to him and I find my peace and rest!!!!

One of my favorite things... a nice cup of Christmas tea to calm my  spirit  and  give  my a sense of well being during the hectic days ahead!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week:Tuesday-  go over check on mom and dad and do Mom's hair...  straighten up  around the den and  make some final decisions about  some odds and end  stuff...  Wedensday  go voer and  await the movers
   pack the  wardrobes with the hang ups and  get everything set up in the     new  place.... take mom and dad on over to the place and get them happily ensconced in their new digs.   Wednesday night dinner/ adult Bible Study/     perhaps try to get some things done around here  toward the holidays.... rest!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My    hope    for these days!!!

  

Visit  Peggy  at  The Simple Woman's Daybook here  for more   offereings

Turkey Day

Word FIlled Wednesday

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Tabletop Tuesday

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A punch  of Christmas    is just the thing to  get my   spirit  in gear to  get  things rolling   in this  yuletide season.... and the dining room is always the very first place where  Christmas can  be enjoyed.....  usually  on  the  hutch!
That is when I  bring out my  red transferware collection.....

which just   whispers,  to me to  Haul or the holly!!!!

And Mr. and Mrs. Fox...   my dear little  British  friends  who    winter over with us  each year!  They never fail to remind me of  Roald  Dahl's   book,   Fantastic Mr. Fox....   This  was one of our favorite  books to read with Amanda    who   always     cheered  so  gallantly for   Mr. Fox in his  endeavors to outsmart the  devious  bad  guy farmers....  she loved to imitate  the  pups  in their  cry, ; "Mummie,  will there be dogs?"
as their  courageous  father would  venture out of the den and into the night!   Such a great  story!!!  

 You can see just how very dapper  Mr. Fox  truly is!

This simple  decor is just  enough to help me  get excited about  wrapping gifts and  and addressing cards   prior to  hauling out the more serious   yuletide trappings!    So this weekend  as I tidy up from  Thanksgiving  I  know  just how I will  initiate  the   hanging of the greens and the decking of the    halls....  a bit of red and white  with a   jolly old friend or two... topped off with a lovely cup of Christmas tea and a fresh baked cookie!   I can hardly wait!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY


I cant believe how  mild  the weather has been   for the lat few days... We've opened windows and  sat out on the porch...   but  tonight  the rain has come


I am thinking...the same thing as last week... time  is  dashing  by...   Mom and Dad  will be moving into  Assisted living next week... and  we have so much to do!!!!!!!

I am thankful.. that   my parents are  actually looking forward to making this move....  it will be good to have it all behind us and then we can really   think about the holidays


In the kitchen...I   made a lovely pot of lentil  soup today....  so  rich and  full of savory goodness


I am wearing...my  brown slacks and  brown and white tee....   today I also wore my  brown  tweed  jacket  and got several   compliments which was nice....


I am creating..   an  organizational tool for keeping track of mom and dad's finances and  bills....   oh,,,,   I need all the organization I can muster!!

I am going...to be  talking to a representative  tomorrow  about  dad's  VA benefits... praying that all goes  smoothly.....   it has to!!!  Then  soon  it will  be about Thanksgiving and I want to  get into the swing of  cooking  again...  Ive been a bit rusty lately!   Although  this year it will just be the two of us!


I am wondering...lately  I  have too much on my mind to  have  any time to wonder.....   maybe next week!


I am reading... I  really desire to start reading  my  Christmas anthology  I bought last week.....   I love Christmas  films and stories.....

I am hoping...  to  be  able to  really enjoy  Thanksgiving this year.....  this really is a year  of change  for us.... Of course I will be taking  left overs to my parents... but the actually  meal  will  be just Lynn and I..... We have never ever    been alone  for Thanksgiving...even our first year together in 1972 in Germany  good friends  invited us over... then every year until Amanda  came  to us  we were with  the    family  and  actually  every year thereafter  until Amanda  was married and she  started having everyone come to er house..... funny to say,  it wasnt until  Amanda and Joshua moved to  Boston 2 years ago   that I ever  did the whole  meal on my own  for  just Lynn and  myself and my parents....  so  here  Lynn and I will  be ... a red letter  Thanksgiving for sure!

I am looking forward to..all of the Hallmark Christmas movies this season.....   they a re always    so well done and uplifting

I am hearing...absolutely nothing.....  but the  whirring of the computer fan!


Around the house... I am seeing  bags of  Christmas  giftings and decorations and  wrapping paper.....  I am really hoping to  be able to  start  decorating for Christmas perhaps this weekend,  but  who knows....  that may have to wait for another week.....


I am pondering...well, I do seem to ponder a lot  but it is usually when I awaken  in the night and cant go back to sleep because my mind is so busy  pondering  if  the  finances  are  going to  last   as  originally planned  or    what if this or  that  then that.....then  I  remember that nothing is going to take God by surprise and I am able to give  it all to him and I find my peace and rest!!!!

One of my favorite things... a nice cup of Christmas tea to calm my  spirit  and  give  my a sense of well being during the hectic days ahead!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week:Important  business calls gathering  imperative information  about  what  we  are to be doing in the next few weeks....conference  with  the  Assisted Living establishment  .... medical  appt for mom  with  the pain specialist.....take parents  to  doctor to have their  ppd  tests read  for admission to  the new place....   Wednesday night dinner/ adult Bible Study/   wonderful  day of   celebrating  our thankfulness for  the riches of God's blessings on our family... help mom and dad pack....    begin  taking things over to the new apartment (Pray for my strength during this move....  I just barely able to think of helping Lynn do any small bit of moving  and still tire very easily.....)Prayer group  at Lynne's   for coffee

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Our prayer  group is  such an integral part of  our  church life..... meeting together every w eek    is such a blessing to me....   we are learning so much about God and his ways  together....   

  Our  friendship  is more like  true sisterhood in the faith  as  we  practice the "one anothers"...

a  bit of heaven  here on earth!

  

Visit  Peggy  at  The Simple Woman's Daybook here  for more   offereings

Word Filled Wednesday

Click the above photo to return to Cafe Devotions!

Tabletop Tuesday

Click to photo  above to visit  our host  and  enjoy more  vignettes!

  Sometimes my autumn mantel pays tribute to my enjoyment of all things medieval  and olde world charm...

When we lived in Germany,  I feel in love with medieval history and the  glorious castles  nearby...



   I love to read of the gallantry of the knights,  plus  Ephesians 6  does tell us to don the  armor of our spiritual warfare....  so it is nice to  contemplate  exactly what that  entails  at times...

Mosaic Monday

ON Saturday  we  celebrated a surprise birthday  breakfast for our dear friend and prayer  sister, Lois, at the swanky, Regency Room of Hotel Roanoke....  I love  surprise parties... it is so grand to see the  responses on friends faces and the delight in their spirit....  seated you see Lois  on left and  Colleen on the right..... they a re flanked by  Dottie  and Lynne in the middle..  the next photo  shows Lynne, so  happy that she  pulled it off.  Got Lois to the venue  and  kept the secret until the very last....Lois is such a marvelous friend and role model to us....  her life is testimony to her faith and trusting   the Lord  in all things....  as she and her husband dedicated   many years of their lives together in  ministry  all over the country....   today at 80 + years  she continues  to serve the Lord with gladness and   with the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus!

Visit Mary at the Little Red House for more Mosaic Monday!!

The Simple Woman Daybook

FOR TODAY


Outside my window...our autumn flag is flapping furiously in a mighty afternoon gale... even though the temps are very mild today....


I am thinking...I can not believe how fast time is flying by... where is it going.....
what is the hurry.. is it drifting along on this rushing wind....


I am thankful...for all the blessings  of each new day... the knowledge of our Father in heaven who provides and renews, and purposes all good things for us, if we only choose to stay on His path!


In the kitchen...today we had a lovely baked chicken breast leftover that I sliced up with stirfry veggies and rice for our luncheon..... tonight Im thinking a nice chef salad.....


I am wearing...my comfy denim crops and my cozy jammie top... and a sweater... today is the only day we could just stay home and enjoy being comfy!


I am creating...my Christmas planner and creating a spreadsheet to help me in my role as    business manager for my parents and their upcoming move...

I am going... to be finalizing the plans for their move this week and begin actually taking possession of their space in their apartment..

I am wondering...why it is so easy to forget that God is a mighty part of every equation we find ourselves in... dealing with many unknown variables and stressing out over details we cannot fathom..... we must keep God at the center of our plans and know that with Him all things are possible and that He is going before us to make the way clear and each decision will be easier to make


I am reading... I have several books by my bed,,, but alas I just cant get into any of them.


I am hoping... that when all of these decisions have finally been made and the work that goes into making them come to pass is behind us there will be peace and joy, and a sense of accomplishment..... with no regrets...

I am looking forward to...Sunday evening..... we have tickets to see a Broadway production of My Fair Lady at the Preforming arts Auditorium... I am so looking forward to it!!!!!!

I am hearing...the hectic to and fro of traffic on the nearby highway....

Around the house...I have bits and pieces of Christmas and autumn decorations gathering here and there.,...now that I know we will be Thanksgiving...ing just the two of us..... I can start Christmassing in earnest


I am pondering...well, to tell the truth... I am so wiped out from figuring and pushing the details envelop over the past few weeks... my pondering is pushed way back on a back burner....


One of my favorite things...Ive said it before and it holds true today... I love to plan and think about how to make the holidays the best ever... how to create memories taht will last a lifetime, just like the wonderful memories of all my Christmasses through the years..one of these days I can  plan in earnest too... awww!



A few plans for the rest of the week:Important business calls gathering imperative information about what we are to be doing in the next few weeks....conference with the Assisted Living establishment to sign admissions and take possession of the space...... medical appt for mom with the pain specialist..... Wednesday night dinner/ adult Bible Study/ set up for luncheon .....New Spring Singers choir practice and Senior adult Thanksgiving Luncheon..... Prayer Morning at Lynne's ..... begin taking things over to the new apartment (Pray for my strength during this move.... I just barely able to think of helping Lynn do any small bit of moving and still tire very easily.....)

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

I  got to meet with my Prayer Sista's  last Saturday morning  here at Hotel Roanoke in the Regency Room...   We  were celebrating the  birthday of our  wonderful  friend and Sister in Christ, Lois....   a glory time.....   I;ll be sharing more about it  in an upcoming post.

Visit  Peggy  at  The Simple Woman's Daybook here  for more   offereings

Skywatch Friday

An autumn  sunset   highlighted  by  a  jet trail ....awesome

Check out Skyley for more wonderful photos!  

Three or More Tuesday

Monday was such a grand day.. it was the   first day that  we could  just say... 'hey,  wanna  go do something fun"... just because we could!!
The sun was  glorious and even though the leaves were well past their prime,  the  bright sun shining on  the  forests  ,  the hardwood bark glistening  ,,,, it was glorious all the same...

We had always heard of Paint Bank, a  wide place in the road  really  right  up in the mountains on the West Virginia line...  but had never been anywhere near  it...  so we  headed up  Rt 311 knowing that  we were on an adventure and in store for a treat!

 It seemed  that  the  road  was on a gradual incline  from the very beginning as we  traversed  a couple of counties .   Paint Bank is only 45 miles from home,   but  the terrain is so remote  and the  crooked mountain road  seemed like  it was  much further  away...

  We   climbed Catawba Mountain   right where the Appalachain Trail passes  across the Blue Ridge,

  and  sailed  down in to the  gorgeous Catawba Valley   but we had  hardly left home  .  We had  much  further  to go!

We continued our  uphill climb  and the  terrain  and environs  became more and more remote.

 After a  while we were obviously  making a steady, almost grueling  climb to the summit   after many  switch backs and  hairpin  turns...   ears popped and  after a time  one  could only  dread  the thoughts of  such a  huge descent  we'd be making on our return trip... hoping for  good tires and  reliable brakes and  no one  behind us  making  us all the more  nerve wracked...

At 3500 feet    the bare  limbs of the trees  were  ghastly   skeletons  and  the  whole  ambience  was changed....

After about 10 miles of steady climbing,  we wondered what  the  descent might hold in store...
 yet,  we had nothing to  worry about  for  after  just a tiny bit of  downhill   we were there...  at a beautiful    valley  on an apparent  plateau...  our destination came into view...  Paint Bank..  a total of about  4 buildings   but   oh how marvelous....

ON the one side  The Depot Station  now  a  lovely bed and breakfast...

The Old General Store


  and the Swinging Bridge Restaurant  was on the other...

We hurried inside   so happy indeed that  they were still serving breakfast....
an adventure like ours   will  really make a  fella and  his gal  pert near starved!And we could tell  the food was going to be terrific!

The decor  in the restaurant  was  completely  authentic  mountain lodge...   we  even commented  we felt  we had  crossed the  Great Divide and  were dining in Colorado at least...
We both had worked up a heapin'  big  appetite and  we werent to be disappointed....
but the ambiance  was   just so much fun...   I dont know  if we  really filled up on the f ood or the  cozy  aura of the  place..

Even the   indoor Johnny was   the cutest  place...

  I loved  looking  every which way
 
 there was always something to see..
  And as we  enjoyed our  country  breakfasts  we  talked abut  dreading the  drive back over the mountain so  we  took out our trusty Virginia State map and  discovered  by going  45 miles sw  from  there were, we  could reconnect with  RT 460  and  return home
     This would take us through the most  gorgeous  valleys  we, neither of us, had ever seen...  right through the heart of Craig and Giles counties  with a  bit of  the Greenbrier  thrown in to boot... hunting country  extraordinaire!....  Anyway,   we were on an adventure...
the scenic byway  was   exactly that!
  Scenic!!!

  and  it took us  by  a lovely  bridge site  Lynn had helped to design   years and years ago....  he'd been wanting to see!
The old truss was still standing sentinel  by the newer  version.

 Seeing this  made it all worthwhile to  dear Lynn  who loves a  wonderful  bridge project!!!
By this time  I was  ready to nap  which I did  on the long way home!!!

 Tam at The Gypsy's Corner  who hosted this theme each week  as  taken a break  but  her site is still
archived.

Happy Homemaker Monday

The Stay at Home Mom hosts this each week.

The weather in my neck of the woods
 a bit of a frost  morning  dawned today....  but it was clear and bright... a perfect day for an autumn drive into the mountains... again...
  I love the freedom of retirement and being able to drop everything and hit the road!

Things that make me happy:
spending time with my dear husband.....impromptu  times together... adventures really!

Book I'm reading:

I have discovered  a pastor  from Singapore,  Joseph Prince  who  is on the Word network....   I absolutely  love his preaching ...  I think  he is  extremely anointed  for  these  times, and I am privileged to have his new book,  Destined to Reign.  I am  hoping to  start  Safe Haven, as well,  by   Nicholas  Sparks.
You might notice this hasnt changed  but  that is because who has time to read  or   for me...  I still cant focus too much on reading yet....  but I want to!!!

What I'm enjoying on TV:
I  love  The Sing-Off   which comes  on tonight!  I also  am  entranced a bit my Once Upon a Time on Friday nights and  of course, iron Chef on Sunday evenings.

On the menu for dinner:
 Wonderful baked pizza and  tossed salad.

On my To Do List
Monday-   a  fabulous day out with my sweetheart
Tuesday- Mom   to  out patient surgical procedure,  both parents for blood check, allergy shot,  marketing

Wednesday-  ad to  cardiologist, a visit for dad to  see  the Assisted Living  home we are  looking into  and luncheon there ...church dinner and  adult study


Special day coming up this week...  but  can't tell about it yet

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
  hoping to get into this  theme  before the holidays anyway!

Looking forward to this week:
It is a full week  and looking forward tojust some quiet time here at home
On my mind:


Planning  for  Turkey day and Christmas!!!!

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):   

I  took this photo of our home as I was pulling into the driveway  this weekend....   just thought  our daughter  might  like to  see  it    and   think abut  how  next month  she'll be  driving into  the driveway herself... happy day!!!!!

Devotions:
  Our Model prayer  from   the Lord

Matthew 6:9-13

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven, 

hallowed be your name, 

10 your kingdom come, 

your will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

11 Give us today our daily bread. 

12 And forgive us our debts, 

as we also have forgiven our debtors. 

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.’