Simple Woman's Daybook 7/29/11

Simple Woman's Daybook
Friday, July 29, 2011

Outside my window... HOT- 93 degrees
 
I am thinking... about ways to get MORE organized 

I am thankful for... so many fun moments this week with the kids while Mike has been gone. LOTS of memories and no cake or appointment interruptions. 

From the learning rooms... cleaning off my school shelf, getting stuff ready for an assessment, bringing up the new books, & creating my very own writing curriculum (as in writing I mean how to write a paragraph, research papers, persuasives, etc.) 

From the kitchen... Tonight Abigail & I will be having chicken with homemade noodles and mashed potatoes & cucumber salad. The HATERS will be having chicken nuggets. 

I am wearing... denim skort and green tee that are both TOO BIG but comfy. 

I am creating... chore charts & a planner 

I am going... to clean the school shelf, do lots of laundry (fold & put away, too!) and finish putting contacts into my new cell so I can mail my old phone in for a refund. 

I am reading... Where Yesterday Lives- Karen Kingsbury 

I am hoping... that I am not AFRAID when I go to bed tonight as I have been for the past two nights. Proverbs 3:24 

I am hearing... Ethan & Ali in the hallway using silly bands to keep all the doors closed. Also hear the a/c. 

One of my favorite things... Cream cheese chocolate chip dip with chocolate graham crackers. (Made some for a friend yesterday for a meal after her surgery and made a little extra for me and the kids. YUMMY!!!! But not good if you are trying to lose weight.) 

Praying for... my sleep tonight, Mike's travel from Hungary this weekend, finances, my neck, a friends marriage, my cousin who just had her first child, 

A Lyric or Two.. What a Savior- Laura Story

Atoning sacrifice, keeper of this life,
Hallelujah, You are Savior.
Beginning and the end, forgiver of my sin
By your mercy you have saved us.

Jesus, you are stronger, more than any other,
Hallelujah, what a Savior.
Jesus, you are higher, my soul's deepest desire,
Hallelujah, you are Savior.

You are the Shepherd King,
You lead us by still waters,
Hallelujah You are Savior.
You are my only Hope, your kindness is my friend,
and in your presence You restore us.

Jesus, You are stronger, more than any other,
Hallelujah, what a Savior.
Jesus, You are higher, my soul's deepest desire,
Hallelujah, You are Savior.

You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
You are my Joy and my Salvation.
Stood in my place, taking my shame,
Upon Your shoulder.

Jesus, You are stronger, more than any other,
Hallelujah, what a Savior.
Jesus, you are higher, my souls deepest desire,
Hallelujah, You are Savior.
Hallelujah

You are Savior. You are Savior. 

A verse to share... When you lie down you will not be afraid. When you lie down your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24 

A picture thought...

 Driving through downtown on our way to Mom & Dad Murphy's house. (Too scared to drive on the freeway.) 

A few plans for the rest of the week... clean up my house so it's nice and pretty when Mike gets here, Seth K's fireman graduation party, Billy & Susan's house to hang out, Church, CLEAN, welcome home Mike. :) YAY!

Join me! It's fun. Don't forget to link up.

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Simple Woman's Daybook 7/18/11

Simple Woman's Daybook
Monday, July 18, 2011

Outside my window... a humid 75 degrees.
 

I am thinking... that I will be tired in the morning since it's 2:26am and I'm not even feeling sleepy. 

 

I am thankful for... those in my life who challenge me spiritually.

 

From the learning rooms... don't even want to think about it.


From the kitchen... tonight we had homemade pizzas. YUMMY. Tomorrow probably gonna have hamburger helper. Not a favorite of everyone but I need to use the hamburger.


I am wearing... white v-neck tee and blue pj pants.


I am creating... two designs for upcoming cakes.


I am going... to take my ipod to bed in a few minutes and watch another episode of a korean drama before I go off to dreamland.


I am reading... LOTS of blogs.


I am hoping... that Mike can borrow someone's digital camera to take to Hungary so that I can stop fretting about it. AND that God will provide the finances for us to get a new digital camera in the near future.


I am hearing... Natalie Grant (Our Hope Endures) on my Youtube playlist AND the a/c running.


One of my favorite things... hearing the teens share about how God worked in them & through them on the Chicago mission trip.


Praying for... my neck- still hurting, my hands- still hurting, a friend's marriage, Mike (and others from church) who are going to Hungary this week, our finances, Steven Smith & family, 


A Lyric or Two... 
I Smile- Kirk Franklin (CLICK PLAY and then FOLLOW ALONG with the LYRICS!!!!!) You'll love it. :)

I dedicate this song to recession,
depression and unemployment.
This song’s for you.

Today’s a new day, but there is no sunshine.
Nothing but clouds, and it’s dark in my heart
and it feels like a cold night.

Today’s a new day, but where are my blue skies.
Where is the love and the joy that you promised me
tell me it’s alright.

(I’ll be honest with you)
I almost gave up, but a power that I can’t explain,
fell from heaven like a shower.
(When I think how much better I’m gonna be when this is over)

I smile, even though I hurt see I smile,
I know God is working so I smile,
Even though I’ve been here for a while
I smile, smile..
It’s so hard to look up when you look down.
Sure would hate to see you give up now.
You look so much better when you smile, so smile.

(Now every day ain't gonna be perfect but it still don't mean today don't have purpose.)
Today’s a new day, but there is no sunshine.
Nothing but clouds, and it’s dark in my heart
and it feels like a cold night.

Today’s a new day, but tell me where are my blue skies,
where is the love and the joy that you promised me
tell me it’s – alright.

(the truth is)
I almost gave up, but a power that I can’t explain
fell from heaven like a shower now.

 

I smile, even though I’m hurt see I smile,
I know God is working so I smile,
Even though I’ve been here for a while
I smile, smile.
It’s so hard to look up when you look down.
Sure would hate to see you give up now
You look so much better when you smile.

Smile.. for me
Can you just smile… for me.
Smile.. for me
Can you just smile… for me.

ohohoh, you look so much better when you
ohohoh, you look so much better when you
ohohoh, you look so much better when you
ohohoh, you look so much better when you
ohohoh, you look so much better when you
(and while your waiting)
ohohoh, you look so much better when you
(and while your praying)
ohohoh, you look so much better when you
(look in the mirror)
ohohoh, you look so much better when you
(always remember)
You look so much better when you smile

I almost gave up, but a power that I can’t explain
fell from heaven like a shower now – right now.

I smile, even though I’m hurt see I smile,
I know God is working so I smile,
Even though I’ve been here for a while
I smile, smile..
it’s so hard to look up when you look down.
Sure would hate to see you give up now.
You look so much better when you smile.
so smile.

ohohoh, you look so much better when you
ohohoh, you look so much better when you
ohohoh, you look so much better when you
ohohoh, you look so much better when you
ohohoh, you look so much better when you
ohohoh, you look so much better when you
ohohoh, you look so much better when you
ohohoh, you look so much better when you
smile…

I just want you to be happy..
I want you to have joy ’cause can’t nobody
take that away from you.
I see you.. SMILE!!

A verse to share... ...apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5b

A picture thought...

 A flip flop cake from a party at my house this past weekend. 

A few plans for the rest of the week... ladies Bible study @ Harmony's house, missionary Wednesday, kiss my hubby goodbye as he leaves for Hungary on a mission trip, goodbye to Frotts from Australia gathering, doctor appointment for  my neck, baby shower cake and delivering it to Marion, OH at my college roomies AFTER-baby baby shower, pirate cake, special music.

Join me! It's fun. Don't forget to link up.

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

What I did and didn't do...

Mike is going on a mission trip this week to Hungary and I promised him yesterday that I would do LOTS (all) of the laundry today. I really wanted to invite myself over to one of my sister's homes to swim but I had promised Mike and wasn't about to break the promise. I got out of bed and found a CLIPBOARD (of course, how could I work without one???) and made a list of things I wanted to accomplish today. Here is what I DID and DIDN'T do...

1. Take down all dirty laundry.

2. Wash laundry- 7 loads

3. Unload dishwasher

4. Load dishwasher

5. E-mail Stephanie the field trips.

6. Work on Jasper schedule for new member meeting handout.

7. Bible Study

8. Inventory HOTR tubs

9. Prepare inventory list & 2011 grad. supplies bought/used for HOTR tubs.

10. Exercise.

11. Give Chase breakfast meds.

12. Give Chase dinner meds.

13. Cake designs- baby shower, pirate.

14. Finalize a special music song for Sunday.

15. Take shoes by front door to bedrooms.

16. Sweep living room carpet.

17. Find big fan in crawl space and put in living room.

18. Package Ebay items that sold.

19. Fold laundry. 9 loads

20. Dinner dishes.

21. Family game night.

When I was in my room folding laundry I was telling Ali that Daddy was going on a trip this week. Chase overheard me and asked, "Daddy's going on a tip?" And I said yes. Chase then asked, "Where Daddy going?" I told him Daddy was going to Hungary. Chase said, "I go to Hungy, too!"  So cute. :) Hungy. lo,. 

Anyway, I think it was a pretty productive day. And yes, I did wash 7 loads of laundry. EVERY item of clothing is clean... except what went into the hamper tonight. HOWEVER... I still have about 6 loads of sheets & blankets down there. UGH!!! Maybe I'll work on it tomorrow. Maybe not.

Surprise- Amy is a little weird

I know you won't believe it, but I am a little weird.  Seriously, I have issues. The straws in the kids' cups MUST match the cup. The dishwasher has to be loaded a certain way- or I'll practically unload it moving stuff around.. Towels must be folded the "right" way. The bench must be exactly parallel to the piano when I'm giving haircuts.

When I only had one kid- in 2001- my older sister, Dawn, and I were obsessed with Burlington Coat Factory Baby Depot. We had to go all the way to High Street but we didn't mind. (The one on Sawmill/161 wasn't there yet.) They had great prices on clothes. You never knew what you were gonna get when you went there.

We would also take a walk through the baby sections behind the clothes. Every now and then there would be good clearance. When I was pregnant with my third child (2003) I went to Baby Depot by myself and discovered a great deal on these plastic bear plates. 2 plates for only 50 cents. WOW!!! I bought several packs for myself and a few packs for my sisters. The plates were four different colors- yellow, pink, green, & blue.


Sometimes I'd go to the cupboard and find this:

It would DRIVE ME CRAZY!!!! "What's wrong with it?" you ask. Well, just look at it. All those pinks in a row. There is no pattern to it. Here is what I need:

See... pink, blue, green, yellow, pink, blue, green, yellow, and so on... Mike learned quickly of my madness and he started getting it right.

Well, after 4 kids I got over it. I'm happy just to unload the dishwasher. Who has time to put them in color order?? Mike is happy. :)

So, I loaded the dishwasher the other day and wasn't thinking about what dishes I was loading. All of the sudden when the dishes were in the heat-drying phase I smelled something. It was coming from the dishwasher. Thankfully Mike was home and was able to save the day. Here is what we found:

I put this plate on the lower rack and it was so light that the dishwasher pressure lifted it up and it slid behind and under the rack laying on the heating thingy. Poor yellow bear plate. :(

Spinach-Orange Salad

Hi, friends. :)

Last week we were invited to a get-together and we were asked to bring a big salad. When I couldn't find the recipe I wanted for another salad I decided I'd try something new. I remembered there was a salad I had been wanting to try so I figured this was as good a time as any.

This salad is AWESOME!!! It was so good that I made it again the next day for a family gathering. Then a few days ago Mike came home with a few ingredients so we could make the salad again JUST FOR US!! ♥

Here's the recipe so you can try it. VERY EASY and TASTY!!

Spinach-Orange Salad

1 large bunch spinach (stems removed)

2 oranges

1/4 cup pecan  halves

shredded coconut (as much as you want- I probably used 1/4-1/3 cup)

Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing

1. Wash the spinach (if you didn't buy the kind in the bag) and remove stems. Toss in a bowl.

2. Peal your oranges. Remove white membranes. Cut each segment in half. Toss in bowl.

3. Add coconut.

4. Add pecans.

5. Mix it all together. The heavier stuff will go to the bottom so you may want to "place" a few ingredients on top after you mix so it makes a pretty presentation.

6. Top with the dressing after it's on your plate. 

(PS For the picture & for presentation at the get-together I put the pecans as halves on top. The pecans in the rest of the salad were actually broken again in half. Just wanted the top to look pretty.)

July 10 on 10

The alarm was set early because it was a church day. When I got up I found Chase reading books in his bed.

 I checked in on the girls and they were still sleeping. Poor, sick girls. (Notice the trash can in the middle!)

Time for breakfast.

Mike took the two older boys to church while I stayed home with the sick ones. I listed a few things on Ebay.

 I changed a stinky diaper. The antibiotic may be helping the infected mosquito bite but it's making Chase's fanny very red.

 I took care of some homeschool co-op stuff including writing an e-mail to my co-leader Stephanie.

After dinner I wrote some thank you notes.

 Loaded all of the dinner dishes.

 Time to exercise. I filled my big cup with my final 30 ounces of water for the day.

Finished the day by working on my Bible Study.

 Then I fell asleep on the couch. :)

(Lots of other people participate in 10 on 10. Click HERE to see how they spent their day. Why don't you join me next month by sharing your day in photos?)

18 Questions

I saw this on a blog I follow. They saw it on a blog they follow. So, I'm copying off of someone who copied off of someone... who probably copied off of someone. ;)

Anyway, I asked Mike the following questions and he answered them how he thought I'd answer them. Although on a few I could tell he was giving HIS answer and not my answer. Oh well. It was fun. :) Here it goes...

(Having some trouble editing this. After the question you will find Mike's answers in quotes and then my answer italicized after it.)

1. She’s sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen? 
"Korean Drama. Never mind. I know what it would be- Dog the Bounty Hunter. You don't watch Korean dramas on the tv. If you were on the computer that's what it would be." 
He is correct. I watch Dog when I'm exercising. Korean dramas I watch on crunchyroll.com. 

2. You’re out to eat, what kind of dressing does she get on her salad?
"Ranch"
I used to always get ranch but I'd probably get italian since it has less calories.

3. What’s one food she doesn’t like?
"Pork Rinds"

While this is very true I wouldn't have picked it as my first choice. I'm not a fan of PORK or LIVER. I would have thought of those things first.

4. You go out to eat and have a drink, what does she order? 

"Water" 

True.  

5. What shirt size does she have?
"Large"

YES!!! Getting rid of all my XL. YAY!!!

6. What shoe size does she have?
"7"

Funny thing... I told him this was WRONG. But as I'm typing this I remember I DO wear a 7. I wore a 6 1/2 until I had my third child. lol

7. What’s her favorite type of sandwich?
"Lebanon Balogne & Peanut Butter" 

YES!

8. What would she eat everyday if she could?"Homemade Noodles"

Wrong. 

RICE!!

9. What is her favorite cereal?
"Honey Comb. It's a toss up with Grape Nuts. Why do you have to write everything I say?" (slaps my leg... lol)

He is correct. :)

10. What would she never wear? 

"Lingerie"

NOT TRUE! I wouldn't wear a bikini

11. What is her favorite sports team? 

"You don't like sports."

VERY TRUE!

12. What is something she does that you wish she wouldn’t do? 

"Nothing. You are perfect. Spending so much time watching Korean Dramas."

I was gonna say watching Korean Dramas or spending hours making cakes.

13. What is her heritage?

 "Irish (laughs) German"

Yes, German and something else but I'm not really into all that.

14. You bake her a cake, what kind of cake? 

"Cheesecake"

I'd like and angel food cake but if he made me a cheesecake I'd eat it. :)

15. Did she play sports in high school?

 "Yes"

Correct. I played Tennis for two years... and if you count Drill Team as a sport I did that for two years also.

16. What could she spend hours doing? 

"Watching Korean Dramas."

Yes! Or making cakes. 

 
17. What is the unique talent that she has? 
"Mercy"

WOW!! Wasn't that nice?? I was thinking cakes but I like mercy. Not sure that's really a talent though but it sounded like a compliment so I'm gonna stick with it. :)

18. What is her type of coffee?

"French Vanilla" 

YES! From UDF is the best. :)