A Simple Woman's Daybook~January 10, 2011

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So, For Today...

Monday, January 10, 2011

Outside my window... the sun is barely up and cannot penetrate the thick layer of fog hanging overhead. Ironically, it is a parallel to the way I am feeling. It is as though I feel weighted down, unable to kick start this new year of enthusiasm, energy, evolution into the new me.

I am thinking...that the reason I am stuck is partially exhaustion, partially sadness over the death of a dear friend, a friend who had a miscarriage, frustration over unmet goals from last year, and a desire to just curl up, under my blankets to stay warm. It has been a rough couple of months. But perhaps the dawn is breaking, the clouds are parting, a new beginning is on the threshold of this week. That is the hope anyway.

I am thankful for...Hazie getting better, day by day. Bless her little heart she is such a trooper, such an inspiration, such a valiant spirit.

From the learning room...rolling with the punches is nothing new. Adversity comes and always will. It is not if, but when. It is not to be avoided but to be prepared for. Putting on the whole armor of God is the way to that protection and preparation.

I am reading...scriptures as always, Internet articles and very soon my new Kindle. Any recommendations of E-books would be appreciated. They sold out before Jim could get me one for Christmas but we are picking one up tonight! I am excited. I do love to read.

From the kitchen....We have lasagna, a chicken dish, and soup in the freezer so I think it is covered for the week. I just need to get to the store and buy produce for the week.

I am wondering...if I need to take a vitamin D supplement...I need the sun!

I am hearing...Ricky Nelson, Travelin' Man! Thanks to my friend. Spencie, at Bellamere Cottage. I love her music so much I open her blog on another browser and listen to her playlist quite often.

Today if I could change one thing...oh there are several things, Hazie's fragile health, the suffering of my friends and loved ones, the senseless killings of the people in Arizona.....

I am quoting...The early bird gets the worm." We waited too long to get tickets to the Post Impressionist Painters' Art Exhibit at the De Young Museum in San Francisco. Oh well, I guess we will have to go to the D'Orsay in Paris to see them. I am dreaming.. it won't be anytime soon. The suitcase is going into indefinite storage for now.
I am going...get the Christmas stuff put to bed for the year one day this week. I am hoping that with Jim's help we can be done in a day.

I am missing...Spring, summer, fall.

One of my guilty pleasures...movies, it is a big one.

Pet Peeves...that it's time to think about taxes again already. What?

One of my favorite things...that our nephew, Nick, just got engaged to an awesome lady. We love Mara and cannot wait for her to be our new niece officially.


An enjoyable movie I have watched lately...a BBC series called Lark Rise to Candleford. Just a delightful Netflix experience to be viewed. I just love BBC productions.

I am curious about...the hoops you have to jump through to get rebates. You practically have to send your fingerprints and first born to get them. I guess that is the point, they don't really want to give them to you in the first place.

A few plans for the rest of the week..trying to figure out what is going on with my computer since we came home, over 10,000 photos where missing from my iPhotos but our genius, SIL, Lowell, has restored it all remotely. Now my iTunes is acting up. Putting Christmas away, working on the budget, catching up on blogging and hoping "the writer's block" I have been experiencing will flee. Day trip with Jim to some relaxing place, going to Oakland to start our new calling on Temple Hill, Family History seminar on Saturday. There is a baby shower, and a meeting with the new Sec't of RS and visiting teaching..maybe. I have high hopes for the week. We will see...!

Here are two photos and some thoughts I am sharing with you...I had the opportunity to go through Jen's photos and capture some to bring home. Remember the photo shoot for her girls in the summer? There were so many amazing photos from that day. Here are two I wanted to show you of our beautiful Julia.

Julia is not only a true beauty but she is so relaxed in front of a camera. She is one person that is totally comfortable in her own skin. (Who could blame her?) The interesting thing about her is that she is so modest and humble and unassuming about her physical beauty and she is only made more beautiful by her sparkling personality and her zest for life. We just adore this little girl and enjoy watching her grow up into a lovely, righteous young woman.

I love that the photographer did not airbrush
out the little girl bruises on her leg.

Our little Jewel!