Reasons I Love My Husband ~ #935

While Jim was doing the above I was able to go to our business storage units and finish my project of getting everything put away and all the baskets empty so we can go and pick up the staging items from a house that just sold. It always feel so good to have it all organized again before another load of stuff comes back. When my work was done I got to see this....

Flowers Outside the Country Club

I got to go over to a bridal show at the Oakhurst Country Club where my good friend, Sydne, was showcasing some of her wedding flowers. Sydne is a rare talent in floral design. I love her work it is so beautiful and her wreaths and dried floral arrangements totally light up my life. I am sad she moved away but just lives near Sacramento so we can get together occasionally. Today was one of those days! I loved seeing you and Hilary, Sydne!

Double click to enlarge for Sydne's
Contact Information

The Bridal Faire was lovely and here are a few of the fun things I saw besides Sydne's beautiful floral masterpieces. (I have always loved buying floral arrangements from Sydne because she makes fabulous things but also because when you make out your check it is to S. Miles and that spells smiles! And that is what she is all about!)

Would you like a ride in a horse drawn
Cinderella Carriage with Prince Charming
on your wedding day?

Or do you prefer a vintage cruise?

Leaving the Bridal Faire, even the trees have white blossoms!

It was such a beautiful day so I took a few photos
to and from the Country Club.
Here a few of them.

The Foothills

I pass this field just about every time I leave the house

and today I had my camera so I stopped and shot a few photos.


One of my favorite photo vistas and
right near Oakhurst so I had to pop over!

I love this little rickety old farm!
It looks so peaceful in this sea of green!

The gully nearby.

So who wouldn't love a guy that would let his wife go and do all this fun stuff while he was painting louver doors, in a weird gas mask, I ask you? It is a no brainer! It was a great day!

Movie Night at our House~Ghost Town

Happy Friday Night everyone! I cannot believe it is the weekend again. Where did this week go? Tonight we are watching Ghost Town on Jen and Lowell's recommendation and Jim is making his famous popcorn. This is our favorite way to spend Friday night. Tomorrow we have seven louver doors to paint, a bridal show to go to..that would be me, and hopefully something fun at the end of the day.


So there you have a little peek into the sheer excitement over here...So, anyhow, I will just say have a great Friday night and weekend. What are you doing to relax after your busy week?

Meal Planning = Saving Time & Money

Over the last decade I have gotten pretty lax on my meal planning. Cooking for 2 is challenging in a different way than cooking for a family. I found myself running to the store several time a week because it was fast and convenient, or so I thought. The past few months I have completely reformed my way of meal prep, reduced our food budget by $200.00 plus per month and we have been eating much better. I like to cook in bulk because I figure if you are going to make something, why make just enough for one meal? I also do not like thinking about food or what is for dinner at 3:00 pm when I am at my lowest point in the day and not very imaginative.

I now shop only once a week (working on getting it down to 2 times per month) and I always go to Winco, sometimes Sams's and Trader Joe's. I do it all on Mondays, the least crowded day of the week. If I forget something...oh well. That way I am more apt to plan well and not enter the store more than one time per week and that in and of itself saves time and money! I also like Mondays because it is my Weight Watcher day and so I am highly motivated to buy healthy nutritious foods and if they are in the house~that is what we eat.


We stay out of restaurants except on special occasion or under special circumstances which save lots of calories and money as well. We enjoy going out more now because it is special, not just the normal Friday night thing or whatever. If we are planning in advance I like to look at the menu online and look at the nutritional information before we get there. This is very educatioal and scary to see just how many grams of fat, sodium and sugar, plus chemicals and calories are in most restaurant foods. It is just easier to eat at home and know what you are actually consuming. That may just be me being lazy but it works out better for us.



The other thing I am doing is getting out of my rut and cooking new things and purposely trying to do things differently. I quite like cooking, just not rut cooking. I am learning from my peers in the kitchen from their blogs. I read this tip about cooking meat in bulk this morning from a comment on a post where, "Pretty Organizer said...

" I crock pot my ground beef now. I buy that gianormous package of ground beef (10 lbs?) and put a layer of it in the crock, sprinkle with dried onion flakes, salt, and pepper, put another layer of meat, repeat. The result is a pre-seasoned loaf of meat you divide and can use in ANY MEAL. I'll often let it cook over-night and portion it out in the morning."


Cooking meat in bulk is not a new idea but I like the idea of using the crockpot for this rather than having to brown it in a frying pan..less hassle, less mess. This came from a fantastic post by Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, of whom I am a big fan! In it she talks about preparing meat for 15 meals for her family of 7 in one hour and 15 minutes. Just imagine how long that would last for 2! Since the kitchen is not my favorite place in the house when doing routine cooking~ I am in! It needs a little pizazz to keep me interested.

I wish I had known this one yesterday as I am waiting for a frozen solid brick of hamburger to thaw out even as I type this. I should have just cooked it and then frozen it when I came home with it and others from the store. If I had done this dinner would be cooking in the crockpot already.

Anyhoo, check these ladies out if this is an area of interest to you. They are the gurus.

With Liberty and Justice For all

"I find it interesting that a high school Principal can see the problem but not our society. If this offends anyone I really do not apologize.

This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School , Kingston , Tennessee, by school Principal, Jody McLeod

'It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country.'

Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law.

As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it 'an alternate lifestyle,' and if someone is offended, that's OK.

I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, 'safe sex.' If someone is offended, that's OK.

I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a 'viable! means of birth control.' If someone is offended, no problem...

I can designate a school day as 'Earth Day' and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess 'Mother Earth' and call it 'ecology.'

I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as 'simple minded' and 'ignorant' and call it 'enlightenment.'

However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.

This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments.

Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical... I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.

For this reason, I shall 'Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and refrain from praying at this time.

' However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law ----yet.'

One by one, the people in the 20 stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray.

They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box!

The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America- the Seat of 'Justice' in the one nation, under GOD.'

Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee Remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains!

JESUS said, 'If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER.'"

I am not ashamed of Him and that is why I am including this on my blog today.

The Old Folks

Lately I have been thinking about my parents and the older folks in our lives. A lot of them are gone now but some still remain and really struggle with their lives as seniors. Sometimes it is easy to lose patience with them, especially if they are grumpy and hard to manage. If you are a caregiver you know what I am talking about~it is no walk in the park, to be sure.

When my mom was sick and in a convalescent home for nearly 12 years I would often wonder; what is the point of their continued existence? The quality of their lives can be nearly non-existent. Many are so miserable, lonely and frightened by their dementia, illnesses, and solitude and fear of death. As I have pondered this I feel their purpose is to teach others to be more compassionate, more Christlike, more thankful, and better prepared for the time when it will be their turn.

It is a great time to teach your own children how to treat aging parents and loved ones. The way they see you treat your elders is how they will eventually treat you. That should be highly motivating in and of itself, if the love and compassion haven't kicked in yet. I think it is pathetic how the elderly are treated in our society.

Some of the mistakes I saw people make while I was spending so much time with the old folks were pretty hair-raising. Here are some things I believe every human being deserves in their later years.

Someone to love them and visit them often.

Quality time where they can feel and see that you care.

Someone to validate their contribution to society.

Someone to show them respect and kindness.

Someone to hug them and kiss them and verbalize all of the above.

Someone to advocate for them regarding their medical and spiritual and temporal needs.

Someone who does not talk down to them or constantly correct them when they make mistakes.
That usually leads to them talking less and less until they fall silent and die.

Someone that allows the elderly person to make the reasonable choices
for themselves and helps them think through issues in a non-demeaning way.
No one wants to lose all of their independence.

Someone who respects their dignity and privacy, as is appropriate.

Someone to listen to their fears and concerns and to give support and reassurances.

Someone to coordinate family visits and to let them have time with their grandchildren and other people that are important to them.

Someone who has their best interest at heart, someone like you.

Caring for the aging population is not an easy task. It is hard no matter how much you love them. It is a privilege, however, that will change you for the better. God in his total brilliance has thought of everything. Every last detail has been considered to make you the best possible person, by a loving Father who knows what we need.

If you are blessed enough to have your parents for most of your life be thankful! Embrace the time when you can repay a fraction of the debt you owe them for their lifetime of service to you.

And if they haven't been the best parent to you~do it anyway. It will be your opportunity to heal and learn to love them more than you do now. I did this for 12 years and my mom was easy, kind and compliant. I still know the hardships, the struggles and the tears of it. But I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. I couldn't love my mother as much as I do now had I not had that opportunity to serve her in this most precious and intimate way. It was not easy but it was so worth it. Serving well is the way to make the best of a very difficult situation.


Paintings by my favorite artist~Pino

The Simple Woman's Daybook~March 9, 2009

To join in focusing on the simple things and pleasures of an ordinary day, please click here.

So, For Today...Monday, March 9, 2009

Outside my window... the sky is pitch black and it is way too early for the sun to be up yet. I am hoping for the forecasted bright sunny day.

I am thinking...that I am so excited that we may have new windows in our laundry room by this time next week. I am also wondering why home projects always take longer and are more complex than we think they will be?

From the learning rooms... I am concentrating on wanting less and appreciating more.

I am thankful for.. having lost 20 pounds since Jan 1st on Weight Watchers.

From the kitchen... not much is happening but Monday is my day to buy and organize food and to prepare for a successful week of weight loss.

I am wearing... my jammies and it is freezing this morning!

I am reading.. some of my old journals from when we had little ones at home.

I am hoping... that my good friend, Michelle, is having a great birthday today and knows how much she is loved.

I am creating...my To Do list for the week and a home decorating proposal for a new client.
I am hearing...A song from Grease from my iTunes play list.

Around the house... I have plans to improve the order, peace and beauty we are seeking. I am cleaning out my clothes and making donations to Good Will.

One of my favorite things...motherhood.

A few plans for the rest of the week... preparing for a blogging class I am teaching next week, exercising, writing, awaiting our Netflix episodes of Gray's Anatomy Season 3.

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

Mediterranean Gold by Michael O'Toole

I really like this piece of art and am thinking it may be the inspiration piece for my colors in our new kitchen. We only have one large space for art as the kitchen has a lot of windows. I love the painting because it reminds me of Italy, a place near and dear to our hearts. It will also look fabulous with our flooring and granite selection. And, it is not so kitcheny!

Barn Raising~ This One Is For You, Mike!

Some of Jim's Tools
~Getting a work out during our renovations~

I have a friend named Mike who is pretty faithful in reading my blog. He mentioned to me today that he noticed I hadn't been blogging for a few days (thanks for noticing, Mike!) He also said in passing that sometimes my blog seems a little too girly for him, although he said it in a very tactful way. I had to admit to him that it is true and that I am 100% female (check out the questionnaire at the bottom of my blog.) I actually love being 100% female, but I do want to broaden my interest base a little for him so this one if for you, Mike!

Not long ago I ran into a wonderful blogger that has a blog entitled RemodelingGuy.net. He is fairly new to blogging but already has a big following. He has some amazing ideas like this one...

Hold A Barn Raising!

I've always looked with a curious eye at two major industries: insurance, and mortgages. What would we do without them? If a house burns and there is no insurance, does that mean that the family will be homeless from then on? What if somebody wants to build a house, or even just a room addition, and there is no mortgage available; what do they do? Will they have to go without? To me, the answer has always been obvious: of course not! People need shelter, end of story. We won't just live in a tent forever if we can't get a loan or if the insurance won't fix the house after a hurricane. But that sure is how the whole problem is presented in the media. "Oh no, Americans won't be able to get a loan to buy a house." So what! Build one anyway and be happy that it's paid for from day one! The thought makes me want to take myself behind the woodshed for ever getting a mortgage, or two, or three... Why did I do that? I'm a builder for crying out loud! It's all about patience. This whole financial mess is about all of us, as a whole, wanting more than we can afford. Not more than we will ever be able to afford, just more than we can afford right now. And there are plenty of people who have companies who are willing to help us with that and take a nice profit in return. What's the Alternative? In the 18th and 19th century the ways were much different. Communities worked together to build structures for each other. Only one or two people on a project were paid at all! And this wasn't exactly a volunteer assignment either. If you didn't show up, people noticed. The work force included every able-bodied member of the community and the job got done! The cost to the proud new owner: materials, a few bucks for the skilled person in charge, and the price of the land. No mortgage, no payment. I guess it seems crazy, but why couldn't five families that all need more space form a little team of hard working DIY families? I bet you that of the five families you know that really want to build an addition, one, at the most, has the money for materials right now. So start with that one. Maybe by the time that one is done,the next family will be ready to go. Why not? Why not have one person take on the job of learning how to do electrical work, another do plumbing, one for carpentry, and so-on? Seems like it would work to me. Maybe one of the moms decides she can handle the permitting mess and another can call around and get the best prices on materials. Maybe our progress now can be to come up with a 21stcentury way to use an old tradition and kick all those bankers to the curb.

This is part of a monthly newsletter that you can subscribe to if you are interested. I really like the barn raising idea and think we could use it in so many ways to make this a better world.

When I see my husband struggling alone to do major jobs, or just with my help, I feel badly for him. You should have seen the two of us struggling to get our assembed, L shaped, 6 X 6 foot counter into our laundry room yesterday. It was a comedy show! The poor guys needed someone with manly upper body strength to help him.

I wish his friends and he had a group going to help each other with the heavy "man work" as my friend calls it. I think women should do the same and I have participated in this sort of thing with friends before.

Sometimes we forget that our best resources are people in tough times, as well as good. By working together and working smarter we would all be better off and we would have a lot more fun too! As Remodeling Guys says, big mortgages are not the only answer to our economic problems!

(To my LDS readers, it sounds like a great use of the Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching networks to me.)

Sorry Mike, but don't you think these red poppies look nice
with the Craftsman Tool Chest?
Just had to sneak in a little girly~its my nature!