A Simple Woman's Daybook~November 15, 2012

Just for today~Thursday, November 15, 2012
 

Our lives pass swiftly by! I want to do something to remember

the everyday moments and my thoughts about them.  

That is what this daybook is all about.

Focusing on the little things that become my life.

One week at a time.

 

Outside my window...It is the blue hour and almost totally dark now.  I am going to a Gratitude Dinner at Church tonight for the ladies.  But since we just went on Daylight Savings Time it is only 5:15 pm and it feels like 8:30.  So I have about an hour or so before I need to walk out the door.  It has been a lovely fall day and I think we are now in for about three days of rain.  I like the thoughts of the rain at the beginning of winter as it waters the thirsty earth.  I also like the coziness of being home when I can during this season.

I am thankful for...the election being over.  This one was very hard on me.  I haven't recovered and probably won't for awhile.  I worry too much about the world and how it will affect all of us, especially our grandkids' generation.  I have to just let go of that.  Do my best to do what is right and let God take care of the rest.  I read this week that worrying is like praying for what you don't want!  I am going to stop doing that.  Once and for all!  Faith Conquers Fear and that has to be my daily mantra from now on. 

From the learning room...For a person of my age and experience I am just far too sensitive.  I need to grow a tougher skin.  I could have never been a lawyer!  I hate arguing and fighting and that is what the election felt like for months on end.  I just want peace from all of it.  I was telling one of my friends it is time for me to go back into my "head buried in the sand" stance where I am much happier in my own little world of good family and friends.

I am reading...Scriptures, Church Ensign, and The Emigrants (a four volume saga about Sweden.)  And a billion things on the Internet as always.

From the kitchen... Time to do some cooking ahead again.  It surely is the never-ending story, isn't it?  We are invited to dinner for Thanksgiving so that will be wonderful.  My food assignment...a festive Jello salad concoction of my choice.  I can probably do that!  Yahoo!

I am missing...my sweet little mom today.  She passed from this life nine years ago today.  Not a day goes by without thoughts of her and how empty that part of me now feels.  There is just no one like your mom.  Funny how now I wish I had spent even more time with her...hindsight is always 20/20.  I wish I had asked her a thousand more questions about her life. Added in on the 21st.  My Uncle Joe, my mom's twin brother died this week.  Mom on the 15th of November nine years ago and her brother on the 16th of November this year.  He lived 9 years and 8 hours longer than she did.  He was the last of my aunts and uncles to to pass away.  He was 93.  The end of an era.

Some spiritual thoughts I have been having...Life passes rather quickly.  The things that matter most often get put on the back burner for the things that matter least.  I am so comforted in our belief that families are forever. Heaven would not be heaven if that were not so.   Our Father in Heaven has created the perfect plan.  I am in awe.

I am hearing...absolutely nothing.  I forgot to turn on my playlist.  Hum, I guess I will now.  Peaceful, Kenny Rankin.  Love that man.  His music just lights up my life.  Since he is in heaven...maybe he can go sing a sweet melody to my mom today.

Something you may not know about me...Wow this is hard, I think you know everything about me.  I wanted us to have five children but it just didn't happen.  I am fine with it now as our quiver is full with our great new children and grandkids.  I thought the ideal would be three girls and two boys...funny how things work out.  Now we have three adult girls and three adults boys.  And five each of the little ones.  Sometimes God answers our prayer in ways we do not expect but He gets the job done!

One of my guilty pleasures...Gourmet hot chocolate with various flavors during the winter.  My hubby makes it for me every morning and brings it to my desk.  Yes, I am spoiled, he is a sweetheart.  But don't worry it is not completely one-sided, I like to spoil him too.

Pet Peeves...gift cards that do not specify the amount on the card.  It's annoying when you are trying to decide what to buy with them and you have to check in at the cash register first.  And it is even worse when you have used part of it and then don't know how much is left three months later when you are still carting it around in your wallet.

I am going...to catch up and finish this daybook which is turning into a week book.  It is now Wednesday the 21st.  Sheesh!  Lots going on and many interruptions this week.

 I am quoting...Henry B. Eyring from the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow, my friends!

“Ask yourself, 'How did God bless me today?' If you do that long enough and with faith, you will find yourself remembering blessings. And sometimes, you will have gifts brought to your mind which you failed to notice during the day, but which you will then know were a touch of God’s hand in your life.” –Henry B. Eyring

If I could change one thing it would be...that our dear friend, Stephen's, little grandson did not have a bad accident with a slamming door this week.  He is just around two and we are praying diligently for his full recovery.  They had to reattach part of one of his tiny fingers.  Now it is a waiting game for little Hayden and his parents and grandparents and that is hard. Nothing hurts more than one of your children or grandchildren hurting and when it is a baby it is even worse.  God Bless you little Hayden during this critical week.  And faith and peace to your family.  (Stephen is Jim's distant cousin and the one who has been tirelessly mentoring me in genealogy.) 

An enjoyable movie we have watched lately... Lincoln.  We saw it yesterday and it was very well done.  Jim and I took eight hours of classes about Lincoln a few summers ago.  We love history and this movie did not disappoint.  They spent most of the movie  detailing the passage of 13th amendment to abolish slavery.  It was fascinating.

I am curious about... how much more corrupt our government and politicians can get? I am sure it will never cease to amaze most of us with values and expectations.  I just "love" that the DA in Central New York (just elected to a second term) confessed that he was a porn star in the 1970s.  Gotta love it dontcha?  He was quick to add after his post-election confession that he had no intentions of resigning.  Holy cow, people.  If you have a tawdry past, skip politics will ya?  Oval Office, Generals' Office and now DA's office~three ring circus.  It is too much to take in in a month.

 Plans for the rest of the week... my main focus this week is to finish my Christmas decorating.  I know it is early but we are having guests next week and Jim's birthday and then it will be December.  I just decided to get it done early since we are going to Jim's cousin's for Thanksgiving tomorrow so nothing is going on here...thank heavens!  The decorating usually takes me about 5 days and today is day three.  The first two days were not full days as I had commitments both days that took me out of the house.  So I am hoping everything will be done and cleaned up but Saturday evening.  That will free me up for Jim's birthday and planning menus and activities for our guests at the end of next week.

One of my favorite things...looking through all my boxes of Christmas things and remembering the gifts recieved and the fun shopping trips with family and friends to collect it all, and thinking about all the memories attached to the festive decorations over the years.  My favorite part of the preparing for the holidays is getting the house just so.  I love creating an environment that others can enjoy and that becomes a part of their memories shared with us in our home.  I have noticed though I am losing my touch.  Not enough practice decorating these days.  How many ways can you change it up when you have lived in the same house for 35 years?  It is a test for sure.  I'll add some photos if I ever get it  right.

A photo I am sharing this week...

It is so nice to see this photo of Robert and Laura reunited.  It does a mother's heart good to know that the deployment we had dreaded for so many years is over and ended well.  Thank you all for you prayers for Robert's safe return.  We are all thrilled and thankful, especially Laura and  the boys!   It is so good to see her full smile again. 

 This truly makes it a wonderful Thanksgiving

 for all of us.  

You have a great one too!

❤♡♥♡❤♡♥♡❤♡♥s, Bon