A Simple Woman's Daybook~December 8. 2009

To join in focusing on the simple things and pleasures of your daily life or to read other people's entries, you can click here.

So, For Today...Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Outside my window...It's a gray and gloomy day here at 1:30 pm. There is breeze and it is really cold. No, it's freezing! I don't remember it ever being this cold in CA before.

I am thinking...Work expands to fill the time available. Honestly, we have four days before leaving for Italy and I think every single solitary moment is full.

I am thankful for....being able to go to Italy to see our kids and will be very thankful when we arrive at the airport and the prep is done!

From the learning room..patience is a virtue and I wish I had more of it. I am a work in progress but how many years will this one take?

I am reading...Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell on the plane.

From the kitchen...it's a homemade Mac and Cheese night. Such a comfort food on a cold day.

I am wondering...how far along our bathroom will be when we get back?

I am wearing...socks, orange shirt, jeans and a brown quilted vest.

I am hearing...Mary Did You Know? By Kathy Mattea. My favorite Christmas song.

I am creating...my lists and checking them twice for every minute of the next few days.

I am going...to run all my errands and get a pedi tomorrow as I am still waiting for the furnace man to arrive. Our furnace was supposed to be up and running 8 days ago but...arrrrgh...no comment. We did get our other lovely Christmas present up and running though, our new washing machine! When it rains it pours and when it snows it dumps on us over here!

I am quoting...Spencer W. Kimball, " The only limits we have on our capabilities are self-imposed."

My spiritual thoughts include...being glad I had a chance to spend some quality time thinking about all the really important things about Christmas and Christ's birth and all that that means. I loved it and preparing and giving my lesson on what I learned.

Around the house...construction messes and lots of cleaning up needing to be done in the next few days to get things ready for our house guests while we are gone.

I am hoping..you all have a wonderful Christmas and the best of New Years.

I have been procrastinating..nothing...that part is over now and I am pressed for time.

One of my guilty pleasures...Melancholy music and scented candles in a dark room late at night. It is very relaxing to me.

One of my favorite things..Bling! Bling in Italy!

A few plans for the rest of the week...to hurry and get ready and then hold each one of our precious kids and grandkids in my arms for a very long time since we have not seen them in almost 2 years. I cannot think about being excited to be in Italy until after a whole lot of hugs and kisses and talking face to face have taken place.

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

Robert, Laura, Ross, Spencer

Here are the kids we get to squeeze soon. They are all a year older now but I am saving their new photos for the big reveal on my annual electronic Christmas card/blog that will be up and running by Friday at http://averymerrychristmas.blogspot.com. I love sending out info on this blog once a year. It is fun and easy, saves a lot of writing and stamps and people seems to enjoy it so, what's not to love? So check back Friday! Merry Christmas Everyone!