A Simple Woman's Daybook~September 5, 2015

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~Saturday, September 5, 2015

Outside my window...It is 6:15 pm and I am sitting down to write a Daybook for the first time in over 5 months.  It has been far too long and I feel I really cannot let the sun set today without at least beginning again. I am playing catch up for sure on this one.  I am disappointed in myself for slacking off this much for the first time in literally years.  

It is beautiful out right now.  Just perfect in temperature and the bright sun has headed further west casting a nice shade over our home and yard.  The week ahead is to be hot again so we are enjoying every minute of this cooler weather right now.  Jim is out working in his wood shop and I have been working all day on all kinds of things.  The coolness brings added energy.  We do not have air conditioning so we have to start very early on the hot days to get things done.  Today was more leisurely.

Here a few highlights to catch up...2015.  Easter Time found us in Utah for a few weeks with Jen and her family. We had an excellent time with all of them.  Nobody makes an Easter Basket Like Jen.  The woman is an artist.  Lucky Girls! 

In May and June we were in Rhode Island, and Loughborough, England visiting our kids and grandkids. 

How lucky to see all ten of the grandkids in such a short span of time.  We also went to visit our friends, the Rayners, in Chester, England and toured around Wales visiting our ancestors' old stomping grounds.  We did lots of sightseeing and it was all spectacular.  I have been working on posts of all of that but they are not done yet. 

At the end of June we had a big backyard party for Jim's co-workers at the temple. In July Jennifer and our 4 grandgirls came for 11 days and we had a lot of adventures.  Lowell came as his work would permit for three days.  At the end of that we had a family reunion in our backyard so everyone could see them. 

 A week after they left I flew to Utah to attended The BYU Genealogy Conference for four days and then Jim came up with his mom for Owen's baptism on August 1st.  

In August we had something major every weekend. I taught a class called The Traveling Genealogist.  It was fun and relaxed and on how to travel and work on your family history at the same time.   The week before last we had three weddings and one pre-wedding dinner for 40 here at our house.  During that same week we had a family funeral for one of Jim's cousin a few times removed who was 93. He was a great man.  Because it was out of town we were gone 8 hours!  So come to think of it I am not surprised I haven't done a daybook in forever and a day.

I am thankful for...everything good in my life and for the challenges and God's help in getting us through them.  It is great to know he is always there for us no matter what the problem or what the solution. We are never alone if we choose to live in his presence.  If there is anything I have learned over and over again in my life it is that faith is the opposite of fear.

From the learning room...I am learning that new beginnings are always possible.  I can begin again as many times as I need to orchestrate my life in a better way.  I learned about a psychology term called "flow" yesterday.  It is fascinating and one we can all relate to on many levels.  Google the term flow~psychology.  I learned about it in Weight Watchers but it has application in all aspect of our lives.  Yes, I am back at that again after two months away.  I will be a member all of my life.  Going back was a good decision.  Only up 1.8 pounds in all the traveling indulgences.  May I say, God is Good!

I am reading...the words of wise people in several areas. Spiritual, health, genealogy, family things, household things, relationship things.  I really enjoy learning, it keeps me more in tune with God, myself, others and the world around us.

On Pinterest This Week....I have enjoyed my daily journey of pinning the beautiful things in this life that I enjoy and that mean something to me.  Here is my favorite pin from the last few days: Autumn...Bring It!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/252272016604364838/

From the kitchen...We have been enjoying the organic garden tomatoes this month.  Sorry to see them almost done for this year.  We eat light in the summer with all the melons, and fruits and vegetables.  I love a summer dinner plate...so colorful and delicious.  All stocked up for a healthy week.

Some spiritual thoughts I have been having...I have been thinking about the truly loving nature of our Heavenly Father and The Savior.  I have tried to be more aware of the blessing and miracles all around us and it is totally amazing. Faith in God opens doors to every possible way to be happy and feel secure in this fallen world.  His love is a protection for us and a sturdy foundation to build our lives upon. Sharing these common beliefs with the most important people in our lives is important to us.  It draws us much closer to our beautiful family and friends.

Someone I am praying for this week...Our family, some friends that are struggling with health and family issues, little babies with injuries and health issues.  Older people that are bothered by the chronic issues of aging and young kids returning to school.  Prayer is a constant thing for those we love.  We have also been praying regarding the drought in California and other places, the rampant fires, the people whose lives are affected.

I am hearing...The silence of a beautiful Sunday morning.  I hear Jim buzzing around getting ready for church.  I need to do  the same shortly.  I am looking forward to it today.  Such a stabilizing force for good and association with great people.

One of my pleasures...having my desk organized and straightened up.  A constant chore but worth the effort.  I am always working on it.  I need to go through my file cabinets and get some clutter out of them that I no longer need.

Pet Peeves...One thing that is my delight and my nemesis is the constant changing of technology regarding, computers, software, hardware, etc.  I love it and I hate it. I am still trying to get my new computer and laptop organized and set up after a few months.  There is always so much to learn and know...sometimes it makes me tired.

Past Remembrance...when Jim and I first learned about home computers and how we spent a long time being very curious about what one would do with one?  We came to the conclusion we didn't think we would need one.  We already had a place to store all our recipes and other importnat things. Haha!

If I could change one thing it would be...my knees!  And whatever else others need to function better and do their life in less pain.

An enjoyable movie/ TV show we have watched lately...Poldark.  A must see.  A Masterpiece TV series.  Exceptional.  Aidan Turner is magnificent in it.

I Am Quoting...

I am curious about...When we can get back to Europe to explore all the other Welsh lines we have and maybe get to Sweden.  We have enjoyed our travels so much.  It is a lot of work but so rewarding and fun.   Hopefully we can get back soonish, because now that Jim can drive there so well..I don't want him to forget how!  

Plans for the rest of the week...haven't decided for sure on Labor Day yet, either Temple, and a BBQ with the ward or Stay home and relax! Tuesday work, Wednesday, etc. not much on the calendar so that means get caught up on things and maybe do some more writing.  There is never a lack of things to do, that is for sure.   We are heading to Washington State for a family reunion with my cousins on my Dad's side later this month.  Just four days but it will be great!  Also my friend, Carol, is having her birthday this week so that will entail some fun I'm sure.  And I have some genealogy classes to prepare in the coming weeks.

One of my favorite things...autumn which is almost here.  There are things to look forward to and plan.  Thinking about the holidays and wondering how they are coming around again so quickly?  Thinking about getting out the fall decorations.  But with another heat wave coming maybe it won't be this week. 

One thing that made me so happy this past week...We had a fun dinner with my brother Steve and his wife Emily. That was so nice to just sit and chat with them,  Also our grandson, Connor, got his first job at Pizza Pie Cafe.  He rocks!

The most surprising thing this past week...Our water heater died on Monday.  Jim and Dave installed a new one on Monday night. (God bless those two.) By Tuesday it was competed and we had hot water again.  I off-handedly mention, "I think the dishwasher will be next."  The next morning Jim turned on the dishwasher and it was leaking all over the place.  Hmm..at least after removing the whole thing Jim saw the problem and it was only a $30.00 fix not a new dishwasher this time.  Whew!  God bless him doubly!

Here is a Photo I'm Sharing...these are some pine trees at Soda Springs that we saw coming home from Utah on August 2nd.  They looked so pretty after 8 hours in the Nevada dessert.  However, as we came down out of the Sierras it got dryer and dryer and many trees are not doing well in our beautiful State.  We need rain so desperately. Please pray for our trees and the things that make California so beautiful.  And that there will not be any more fires in the west to threaten lives or property.  Thanks Friends!

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Take Care Of You For Me!