Simple Woman's Day Book~March 23, 2015 NEW!

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 entry at a time.

Just for today~Monday, March 23, 2015

Outside my window...we had a little rain last night and it was sorely needed.  Everything looks clean today.  The trees and flowers look fresh and new.  I opened all the windows this morning but now in the late afternoon a chill has set in and I closed the house and am about to cuddle up under a blanket.

I am thankful for...for the fact that I recognize that I need to write whether I feel like it or not.  I am sure you may have noticed that I have been off my blog for 6 weeks and if you are a regular follower you may be long gone by now.  That is how it can be with blogging.  I remember one time this lady wrote to me and said how much reading my blog had become a part of her day, and that each and every day she waited for my post.  Sometimes that was what spurred me on to keep going.  Just knowing that someone appreciated it and enjoying reading it.  I do wonder whatever happened to Dorothy.

From the learning room...one thing I have learned about myself is that I have to be in a certain state of mind to enjoy writing. But the farther I slip away from that state of mind, the more the state of mind I'm in requires that exercise of the pouring out and sorting the things in my head.  They say that introverts have a constant conversation with themselves going on in their heads.  Well, that's me and it is so true.  I am a social person but I require my space also.  During that time of renewal and solitude I ponder.  I sometimes worry.  I somethings retreat from all but a few.  I am sometimes very content and joyful and other times I am reflective and melancholy.  But regardless of that momentary state...I ponder.  The writing simply helps me sort things out and process all that pondering.  It is very cathartic and grounding for me.  It helps bring back the things that are the most important into a place where I can prioritize them and focus on them and above all be grateful for them.  

I am reading...all the time.  I just find no time for reading for pleasure anymore.  I miss that but I feel restless when I try to do it, as I feel an urgency to educate myself on the principles of my passion.  Genealogy and the creation of a family legacy or family history.   It feels like I am in school full time now and it is exhilarating and exhausting at the same time.  I love the teaching and the learning and most of all the option to do what I please.  It is delightful to examine and pursue my interest without constant interruptions.  It is a privilege that most of us wait a life time for~what a blessing.  

I often wonder how different we might all be it we could have done this all along the way in our lives by being able to find appropriate balance in our duties.  Having more time and energy left over for our own specific growth and development along the way would have been good.  

I don't know about you but for me the last thing on my list was adding yet another thing that wanted a piece of me.  I kept my blinders on to other interests to get through the days with a full time job and three children to raise, and hubby and parents with needs as well. Funny but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way at the time either.  In some way is was preparatory to what I enjoy so much now.  It is a bit of a paradox really.

That all seems like another lifetime now somehow.  Now the world is wide open to me and I love that.  I want to learn about lots of things and become who I am supposed to be in the autumn of my life.  I don't have time or interest in the trite things of life, like wasting time and the squabbles or negativity of others.  Life is too short.  And I want to spend all my time socially with family and friends that uplift and inspire me not who drag me down. I am very blessed in that department and I am so grateful for each of you.

From the kitchen...keeping it simple and basic and low cal.  Trying to lose a few pounds before our UK adventure.

Some spiritual thoughts I have been having...I recognize that although my life seems to be in three separate parts, all very different from the others; the common thread has been my love for my good family and friends.  That love coupled inseparably and undeniably with that is my love for God.  Spirituality and my love for God has always been present in my life has been the glue.  God has been the one ever present constant.  The gifts of our Savior have colored and been my foundation all of my life.  I cannot even imagine my life without it.  Nor would I want to do so.

Someone I am praying for this week...my brother Steve who had surgery this past week.  Awaiting biopsy results that should be here any day now.   Piper who has not been at the top of her game health wise in the last little while and always Hazel and all of our family and friends each as they stand in need.

I am hearing...Not much really except my own thoughts and the train just went by bringing commuters home for the night.  A car or two here and there is passing by and that is it.  Must be time for a little Kate Davis and her jazzy bass.

Quote of the week from James Tanner..."You cannot push a rope." This is reference to the idea of leading a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.  You cannot push someone to do something they do not want to do, etc.  I love this.  I have tried this and I testify that it is true.   You definitely cannot push a rope.  Nope, it ain't happenin' - not ever!

Pinterest photo of the week...

I love this apple green
It's so springy and pretty.

One of my pleasures...I really enjoy putting various clothes and jewelry and accessories together.  I like paying attention to the details of what I am wearing whether I'm going some place special or just hanging out at home.  I find if I take care of all of that in the early morning I feel better about myself and I am ready to conquer the day...come what may.  If I skip it I regret it all day.  I just don't feel on top of my game at all on those days.  I love buying basics and then interchanging them and creating new looks.  I like all that girly stuff a lot.

Pet Peeves...how the afternoon arrives too early and I run out of steam.  After I take a little rest in the late afternoon I get a second wind but it is not for intense work. It is for fun stuff like movies and Pinterest and texting, etc.  Hehe.. So I have to get major things done early.  

Past Remembrance...When Jim and I and Laura were on the train to Edinburgh to pick up Jennifer from her mission and we heard a little British girl about 3 years old singing Baa Baa Black Sheep with the cutest little accent on earth.  I love an English or Scottish accent and no one does it better that the wee ones.  I am hoping that memory will spur me on to the trip I am supposed to be planning ASAP!

If I could change one thing it would be..Mitt in the Oval Office.

An enjoyable movie/ TV show we have watched lately...Grantchester.  Love that little Vicar!

I am curious about...how British TV can be consistently better than American TV.

Plans for the rest of the week...Work tomorrow and then trip planning until I get it done.  Women's General Conference on Saturday evening.  I got a new iPhone 6 this week so still trying to get that all set up. Annoying but worth it.

One of my favorite things...having my cell phone available at night when I am wide awake and I don't want to just lie there, or get up because it is cold.  I love just pulling up the covers and snuggling down and reading new email or often old email from special people like you.  Or reading one of my Kindle books on my phone.  It is so much better than when I use to walk around the house aimlessly or folded laundry...before electronics rescued insomniacs.

One thing that made me so happy this past week...that we have been grandparents for 16 years.  Piper turned sixteen on the 18th.  She is learning to drive and I am thrilled that we get to spend Easter together.

The most surprising thing this past week...that I have an ancestor that was in the first emigrating group of LDS passengers out of Wales in the early 1850s. They came to America and made their way to Utah.  I was shocked and thrilled and then a few days later someone asked me to join the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. (Not sure about that!) That was a lot to take in within a few days. That ancestor is buried in Brigham City, Utah and you can bet we will be visiting the graveside of John Davis Rees soon.  Only another convert could appreciate that story as we do.

Here is a photo I'm sharing this week....

Piper and Chloe the day or so before Piper turned 16.  These girls are so amazing. The interesting things about the human heart it is has an infinite capacity to love. When you just think you cannot love more or another single person...you can. The Lord just gifts you with an endless supply of "love terabytes"~more heart space free of charge.  If you don't believe it have some grandkids! Meet a fabulous new friend or do your family history.

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BE HAPPY AND CARRY ON!
Take Care of You For Me!